May 17, 2023

News provided by Share this article Share this article TEL AVIV, Israel, May 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- First International Bank of Israel (TASE: FIBI) one of Israel's major banking groups, today announced its results for the first quarter of 2023, ended March 31, 2023 which reflected continued growth in all areas of core operations of the Bank, while continuing to maintain financial stability. Financial Highlights of the First Quarter of 2023 Net profit of NIS 631 million in the first quarter of 2023; Return on equity of 23.6%; Growth of 11.6% in credit to the public over the past year and growth of 2.2% over the first quarter; Deposits by the public grew by 12.6% over the past year and by 3% in the first quarter; Efficiency ratio of  42.6%; Ratio of Tier I equity capital to risk components of 10.55%; Credit to the public increased by 11.6% over the past year, and by 2.2% over the first quarter of 2023, and amounted to NIS 119,769 million. Growth in credit was achieved while maintaining commensurate risk. Deposits by the public grew by 12.6% in the past year and by 3% in the reported quarter, and amounted to NIS 173,390 million. Deposits by private customers and small businesses comprised of 61.2% of total deposits by the public. Net profit of the First International Bank Group amounted to NIS 631 million in the first quarter of 2023, as compared to NIS 322 million in the corresponding quarter last year, representing an increase of 96%. Return on equity reached 23.6%. Total income of the Bank in the first quarter of 2023 amounted to NIS 1,700 million, representing growth of 45% in comparison with the corresponding quarter last year. Financing profit from current operations increased over the past year by 71.4% amounting to NIS 1,332 million in the first quarter of 2023. The increase was due to the  impact of growth in the volume of business operations, the impact in the rise of shekel and dollar interest rates, and by the impact of changes in the consumer price index (CPI). The Bank's share in the earnings of affiliated company ICC, net of taxes, amounted to NIS 65 million in the first quarter of 2023, as compared to NIS 17 million in the corresponding quarter last year. Growth was mainly due to non-recurring gains from the sale of ICC's building. The equity attributed to the shareholders of the Bank increased to NIS 10,888  million as of  March 31, 2023, representing growth of 3.1% compared with December 31, 2022. Tier I equity capital ratio increased to 10.55% as of quarter-end, 1.31% above the required regulatory ratio. As of December 31, 2022, the ratio was 10.42%. The comprehensive capital ratio amounted to 13.86% as of quarter-end, compared with 13.75% as of December 31, 2022, which is 1.3% higher than the required regulatory capital ratio. The liquidity coverage ratio rose to a level of  131% as of the quarter-end, as compared with 127% as of year-end 2022. Taking into consideration that the Bank's dividend distribution policy calls for an annual distribution of up to 50% of annual net earnings, and take into account the background of the uncertainty currently prevailing in Israeli and global markets, the Board of Directors decided to approve a dividend distribution totaling NIS 220 million, which amounts to 35% of the net profit of the first quarter of 2023. The Bank's return on dividend as of March 31, 2023, amounts to 6%. The Efficiency ratio amounted to 42.6% in the first quarter of 2023, compared with 58.5% in the corresponding quarter last year and 50.9% for the full year of 2022. The Bank continued to invest in various efficiency measures, which include, among others, increasing the efficiency of work procedures, integrating automation into processes, as well as technological and digital innovation. As a leading Bank in the finance and investment management arena, via its cooperation with Fintech companies, the Bank introduced innovative digital invesment products and services, aimed at assisting customers in conducting business in the world of investments, and especially under current  conditions of uncertainty. Offered for the first time to Israeli banking system customers, the Bank recently introduced an AI Reports system, which provides an automated analysis of over 40 thousand companies, leveraging artificial intelligence. This innovative product expands the advanced digital capabilities which already exist at the Bank, including the advise.me service for digital investment consulting, the SmarTrade system for the formation of investment strategies, News sentiment and Analyst recommendations – which are various systems providing information and analysis of shares and securities, and more. At the same time, the Bank continues to leverage its data and develop advanced models, with a view to offering its customers which highly advanced, focused and efficient services. Expenses in respect of credit losses was NIS 72 million in the first quarter of 2023 (comprising a rate of 0.25%). No expenses for credit losses were recognized in the corresponding quarter of last year. The specific allowance for credit losses recorded an income of NIS 14 million. The collective allowance recorded an increase of NIS 86 million, mainly due to an increase in the cushion of the collective allowance, due to concern regarding anticipated macro-economic impacts. This is in view of the uncertain macro-economic conditions following the effect of rising interest rates, developments in geopolitical conditions in Israel and globally, and the probability of an economic slowdown, among others. The total troubled credit risk declined by 6.5% compared with that of the corresponding quarter last year. The non-accrual troubled credit risk declined by 18.2%. The NPL ratio (ratio of non-accrual debt balance or balance of debts in default of 90 days or over, to total credit to the public) is also low, and dropped to 0.47% compared with 0.6% in the corresponding quarter of last year. Management Comment Ms. Smadar Barber-Tsadik, CEO of the First International Bank Group, stated: "In the first quarter of 2023, the First International Bank continued its growth trend, while maintaining its strong levels of financial stability, which is clear through continued growth in the high capital adequacy levels and liquidity ratios of the Bank, among others. The Bank continued on its improving efficiency trends and the development of digital innovation, with the aim of promoting high-value offerings and services to customers across various areas. These are all efforts, which create increased satisfaction of our customers via all service channels - both human and digital. The Bank recently won a tender by the Ministry of Defense for the provision of banking services to members of the Defense Forces, and for the continuation of operating banking branches at military bases. Thus, the First International Bank through its brand name Otzar Hachayal, will continue to serve as the home of the defense forces for the next decade, as it has been in the past. This win strengthens the position of the First International Bank Group in the retail sector." Condensed principal financial information and principal execution indices Principal financial ratios