Return on Equity of 9.9%Net Profit totaled NIS 655 millionCore Tier 1 Capital rose to 9.2%Bank to payout a cash dividend of 15% of net profit TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 29, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bank Hapoalim (TASE:POLI) (ADR:BKHYY), Israel's leading financial group, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2013. Second Quarter 2013 Financial Highlights:
Return on equity reached 9.9%, on an annualized basis, up from 9.5% in the first quarter of 2013.
Net profit totaled NIS 655 million up from a profit of NIS 621 million in the first quarter of 2013.
Profit from regular financing activity totaled NIS 1,864 million, up from NIS 1,773 million in the first quarter of 2013.
Operating and other expenses totaled NIS 2,135 million similar to the first quarter of 2013.
Shareholders' Equity totaled NIS 27,808 million as at June 30, 2013, up from NIS 26,755 million at the end of 2012.
Core Tier 1 Capital ratio continued its trend of improvement and rose to 9.2% compared with 8.9% at the end of 2012.
Quarterly Dividend - The Bank's Board of Directors approved the continuation of the quarterly cash dividend distribution, at a rate of approximately 15% of net profit, from its second quarter 2013 earnings in the amount of NIS 92 million. Since the beginning of the year, the Bank paid out NIS 184 million.
Main developments in the financial statements for the second quarter of 2013:Profit from regular financing activity totaled NIS 1,864 million in the second quarter of 2013, up from a profit of NIS 1,773 million in the sequential first quarter of 2013. The financial margin from regular activity increased to 2.16% in the second quarter of 2013, compared with 2.07% in the sequential first quarter of 2013. Provision for credit losses in the second quarter of 2013 totaled NIS 301 million, compared with NIS 257 million in the sequential first quarter of 2013. The rate of provision as a percentage of credit to the public reached 0.48% at the end of the second quarter compared with 0.41% in the previous quarter. The increase reflects a cautious approach towards the current state of the Israeli economy. Fees and other income totaled NIS 1,282 million in the second quarter of 2013 compared with NIS 1,287 million in the sequential first quarter of 2013, mainly as a result of the implementation of the recommendations of Bank of Israel's Committee on Competitiveness. Operating and other expenses totaled NIS 2,135 million in the second quarter of 2013 similar to the first quarter of 2013. The decline in operating and other expenses was primarily related to operational efficiencies and cost management which has become a key focus in the Bank's strategy, including a reduction in headcount which contributed to lower wage expense. Dividend Declared - The Bank's Board of Directors approved the continuation of the quarterly cash dividend distribution and declared a dividend with respect to the second quarter 2013 profits, of approximately NIS 92 million, which amounts to 7 agorot per share . The record date is September 12, 2013 and the date of payment is September 30, 2013. This in addition to the dividend paid with respect to the first quarter 2013 profits in the amount of NIS 92 million. Contribution to the community - The Bank's employees are involved in a varied and extensive range of community-oriented activities that take the form of social involvement, monetary donations, and large-scale volunteer activities. Bank Hapoalim's community-oriented activity during the first half of 2013 was expressed in a financial value of approximately NIS 25 million. Developments in Balance Sheet Items:The consolidated balance sheet as at June 30, 2013 totaled NIS 378.5 billion, compared with NIS 376.4 billion at the end of 2012, an increase of 0.6%. Net Credit to the public totaled NIS 247.1 billion, compared with NIS 249.2 billion at the end of 2012, a decrease of 0.8% mainly as a result of a decrease in corporate credit, partially offset by an increase in retail, small business, and commercial credit. Deposits from the public totaled NIS 274.6 billion compared with NIS 271.4 billion at the end of 2012, an increase of 1.2%, mainly a result of an increase in corporate deposits. Shareholders' Equity totaled NIS 27,808 million as at June 30, 2013, compared with NIS 26,755 million at the end of 2012, an increase of 3.9%, mainly stemming from retained earnings during the first half of the year. Core Tier 1 Capital Ratio stood at 9.2% at the end of the second quarter of 2013, compared to 8.9% at the end of 2012. Total Capital Adequacy Ratio stood at 15.7% at the end of the second quarter of 2013 similar to the end of 2012. Conference Call Information Bank Hapoalim will host a conference call as well as a slide presentation webcast today to review the second quarter 2013 financial results at 9:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time / 2:00 p.m. UK Time / 4:00 p.m. Israel Time.
