Arab Bank Group reported 5.4 per cent growth in net profits after taxes and provisions for the first quarter of 2014, reaching $216.3 million compared to $205.1 million for the same period last year.

Customer deposits also increased as of March 31, 2014 by 4 per cent to reach $34.3 billion compared to $33 billion at March 31, 2013. In addition, total credit facilities grew by 2.5 per cent to reach $23.1 billion compared to 22.6 billion as of March 31, 2013.

Arab Bank’s chairman Sabih Masri said that the Bank’s financial performance during the first quarter reflects the progress it continues to make in implementing  its strategy of diversifying  income streams and concentrating  on operating revenues in all the countries in which it operates.

Arab Bank’s CEO Nemeh Sabbagh commented that achieving this level of profits is an indication of the Bank’s capability to deal with local and regional developments successfully.

“It also shows that the Bank’s prudent credit policies continue to preserve the overall quality of our credit portfolio, resulting in lower provisions for non-performing loans compared to the same period last year,” he added.

Sabbagh emphasized that the bank remains focused on its core operational activities raising its net interest and commissions by 4 per cent and 8 per cent respectively compared to the same period last year.

He pointed out that the Bank continues to maintain a high level of liquidity with its loan to deposit ratio reaching 61.1 per cent and its capital adequacy ratio standing at 14.6 per cent.

“Arab Bank will remain committed to providing banking solution at the highest standards throughout its extensive branch network across the Arab world and globally,” Masri added, noting that the bank will aim to maintain its solid financial indicators and high quality of assets. – TradeArabia News Service