Industry headwinds halve Stanchart�s profits
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Moatlhodi Lekaukau, Standard Chartered CEO. PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
In its financials published yesterday, the country’s oldest bank said profit after tax fell 61 percent to P66.2 million, with the high cost of sourcing deposits effecting a big dent on operating income.
Despite the bank’s interest income rising eight percent to P440 million, tight competition for deposits saw interest expenses almost double to P198 million, leading to a significant decline in net interest income.
Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...