The shareholders of one of Africa’s fastest growing companies, Sterling Bank Plc, have commended the Board of Directors, Executive Management and staff of the bank on its remarkable financial performance for the 2022 year, resulting in a recommendation of dividend of 15 kobo per ordinary share; a 50 percent increase from that paid in 2021.
The shareholders gave this commendation at the 61st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the bank held in Lagos on Wednesday.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Rilwan Hamza, one of the shareholders, commended the board members and staff of the bank for the wonderful financial performance while another shareholder, Mr. Boniface Okezie, expressed delight at the level of transparency displayed by the Board and commended them for the improved dividend payout.
The shareholders urged the Board to make the most of the transition into a financial holdings company and establish more subsidiaries that will drive even more growth and increase shareholder value.
The bank’s strong performance for the 2022 financial year was derived from growth in its assets base and customers’ deposits by 14.4 percent and 9.8 percent respectively. This is despite strong economic headwinds experienced by the Nigerian economy in the year under review.
Addressing shareholders of the bank at the first meeting as a limited liability company, following its on-going transformation into a holding company structure, Chairman of Sterling Bank; Mr. Asue Ighodalo remarked that, “despite the challenges during 2022, our performance reflected our resilience and determination to deliver optimal value for our shareholders. We are pleased that we closed the year on a good note.”
Ighodalo said the bank grew profit before tax to N 20.8 billion, representing a 29 percent year-on-year increase from N 16.1 billion recorded in 2021, and a 28.5 percent growth in Profit After Taxes (PAT) to achieve the sum of N19.3 billion for 2022.
He said the PAT growth was driven by an N18.6 billion improvement in net operating income amidst heightened inflationary pressure and regulatory policies, adding that the gross earnings grew by 16.6 percent to N175.1 billion compared to N150.2 billion reported in 2021.
On business outlook for the year, the Chairman noted that “we remain very optimistic about our bank’s future and are devoted to effectively transforming our business to deliver optimal performance, and significantly offer superior services to millions of Nigerians.”
