- The audited results for Sterling Bank PLC for the year ended December 31, 2022, indicate several positive aspects of the bank’s performance.
- The bank’s gross earnings, non-interest income, and profit before tax witnessed double-digit growth.
- However, the significant decline in deposits and loans/advances to customers in the 2022 financial year could sway investor sentiment.
In the 2022 financial year, Sterling Bank reported a year-on-year (YoY) growth in gross earnings, amounting to N175.1 billion. This growth can be attributed to a robust increase in both non-interest income and interest income.
The bank’s higher growth rate of 25.7% in non-interest income compared to the noteworthy rise of 13.7% in interest income reflects its effective efforts to mitigate the impact of interest rate fluctuations.
Despite the lower growth (3.63%) in loans and advances to customers in 2022, compared to the 19.3% growth in 2021, it achieved a higher growth (13.66%) in interest income in 2022. This is attributed to the rise in interest rates during the period. In 2022, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s benchmark interest rates increased by approximately 44% to 16.5%, while it remained flat at 11.5% in 2021.
Indeed, the rise in interest rates in 2022 had a notable impact on Sterling Bank’s interest income. This resulted in a higher yield on the bank’s earning assets. The bank’s yield on earning assets rose from 10.7% in the previous year to 11.5% in 2022, showcasing its ability to generate more income relative to the value of its assets.
Furthermore, the decline in total deposits by 48.10% YoY impacted the Bank’s liquidity position. The liquidity ratio, which measures the bank’s ability to meet short-term obligations, decreased from 37.9% to 37.2% in 2022. This indicates a slight weakening of the bank’s ability to cover immediate funding needs.
While it is positive that Sterling Bank maintained robust capital and liquidity positions above the regulatory requirement, focusing on attracting new deposits is still essential to strengthen its overall funding base and liquidity position. Offering competitive interest rates and providing quality services can help attract customers and encourage them to deposit their funds with the bank.
The consolidation of the bank’s investments and eventual restructuring into a holding company can indeed bring potential benefits. This strategic move can facilitate growth and expansion into other permissible businesses and deepen its revenue diversification.
The growth in the balance sheet by 14,4% YoY to N1.9 trillion, the significant increase in profit after taxes by 28.5% YoY to N19.3 billion, and the improved dividend payout by 50% are positive signs for Sterling Bank’s financial health and shareholder value.
However, the increase in Sterling Bank’s non-performing loan (NPL) from 0.7% in 2021 to 3.9% in the 2022 financial year is a concerning development. A higher NPL indicates that a larger portion of the bank’s loans is not being repaid as per the agreed terms, which poses risks to the bank’s asset quality and profitability.
The bank attributed the increase in non-performing loans to the heightened risk present in the macroeconomic environment and commitment to prudent risk management.
Considering the bank’s commitment to prudent risk management, it is likely that they have adjusted its lending strategy to navigate the challenges posed by the current economic conditions
Notwithstanding, the decline in loans and advances, accompanied by a decrease in deposits and a rise in non-performing loans (NPLs), has the potential to impact investor sentiment toward Sterling Bank.
A contraction in the loan portfolio may indicate a more cautious approach to lending, which could be perceived as a potential constraint on the bank’s growth prospects. Investors generally view loan growth as a positive indicator of a bank’s ability to generate revenue and expand its business.
Investors may question the bank’s financial health, profitability prospects, and overall risk management practices. This could result in cautiousness or hesitancy in investing or maintaining positions in the bank’s stock, which may not be good
Currently, investor sentiment towards Sterling Bank has continued to witness a remarkable improvement as the bank’s share price experiences consistent upward movement and active trading on NGX
The stock recorded a notable inter-day increase of 9.8% and has witnessed exceptional gains of 71% over the past four weeks. Its year-to-date performance of 116% ranks it as the 11th best-performing stock on the NGX.
The stock’s price-to-earnings ratio (P/E ratio) of 4.51x is lower than the NGX Market’s P/E ratio of 7.6x. This lower ratio indicates that Sterling Bank’s stock is potentially undervalued compared to the broader market, making it an attractive choice for investors seeking favorable valuations.
The swaying and sustaining of the investors’ sentiment will ultimately depend on how the bank enhances loan quality, adapt to changing macroeconomic environments, and how effectively it communicates its strategies and plans to stakeholders.
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