EFG Hermes posts a remarkable 55% surge in Q1 revenues

EFG Hermes Holding, a universal bank in Egypt and the leading investment bank franchise in Frontier Emerging Markets (FEM), has announced an outstanding set of results to kick off the year, with revenues for the first quarter of 2022 leaping 55 per cent year-on-year (Y-oY) basis to EGP1.9 billion. Group net profits after tax and minority interest grew 18 per cent Y-o-Y to EGP345 million driven by solid performance across the group’s lines of business.

“EFG Hermes Holding’s diversified operations and holistic product offerings continue to drive our resilient performance and exceptional revenue growth, making us one of the fastest growing companies in our footprint,” said EFG Hermes Holding’s Group CEO Karim Awad.

“Our Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFI) platform is responding to consumer and corporate needs during high inflationary times. Net profits for the platform, together with results generated following the majority-stake acquisition of a commercial bank, generated half of our Group’s net profits after tax and minority. On the sell-side of the house, I am equally pleased with our Investment Banking division, which closed five transactions valued at USD 301 million, including the first IPO in the cosmeceutical space in Egypt and two regional M&A transactions. Meanwhile, our Brokerage division continues to hold firmly onto its first-place ranking in Cairo, Nairobi, and Dubai,” added Awad.

Sell-side revenues gained a record 61 per cent Y-o-Y basis to EGP494 million on the back of solid performance by the Investment Banking and Brokerage divisions, which grew revenues 52 per cent Y-o-Y basis and 62% Y-o-Y basis, respectively. Investment Banking revenues reached EGP64 million driven by strong deal execution capabilities in the Mena region, while revenues from the Brokerage division grew to EGP430 million on the back of stronger revenues generated by all Mena markets together with higher revenues from the Structured Products desk.

The group’s buy-side revenues came in flat Y-o-Y basis to record EGP113 million in Q 1 2022. Asset Management revenues rose 7% Y-o-Y to EGP 90 million due to higher management fees driven by increased AUMs. Meanwhile, Private Equity revenues stood at EGP 23 million compared to EGP29 million in the same period last year due to a high base in 1Q2021 that included additional management fees following the third close of the EFG Hermes Education Fund, which, if excluded, would have boosted the division’s revenues by 28 per cent Y-o-Y basis.

The NBFI platform recorded a 34 per cent Y-o-Y increase in revenues to EGP601 million. The platform’s growth in the first quarter was predominantly driven by the Group’s microfinance player Tanmeyah, Buy-Now, Pay-Later (BNPL) fintech platform valU, and EFG Hermes Corp-Solutions’ factoring arm. Tanmeyah booked revenues of EGP395 million, up 21 per cent Y-o-Y basis driven by stronger sales. valU posted stellar results for the quarter, with revenues surging 157 per cent Y-o-Y basis to EGP143 million. In parallel, EFG Hermes Corp-Solutions’ factoring business more than doubled its top line, with revenues hitting EGP18 million — a 118 per cent growth compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, revenues from EFG Hermes Corp-Solutions’ leasing business revenues declined 21 per cent Y-o-Y basis to EGP45 million.

Revenues generated by capital market and treasury operations contracted 24 per cent Y-o-Y basis to EGP294 million in Q 1 2022 mainly due to a decline in net interest income that was partially attributed to a lower cash position following the acquisition of a majority stake in aiBANK.

The group’s operating expenses rose 49 per cent Y-o-Y basis to EGP1.2 billion in Q 1 2022 driven by the consolidation of aiBANK’s operating expenses, valU’s higher operating costs, and an increase in the Group’s employee costs.

Group net profit before tax rose 67 per cent Y-o-Y basis to EGP677 million in Q1 2022, while net profit after tax and minority interest came in at EGP345 million in Q1 2022, up 18 per cent from the same period last year, mainly on higher taxes and minority interest. The consolidation of aiBANK’s taxes, growing tax charges from expanding Egyptian operations (NBFI and Brokerage), and increased taxes from distribution of dividends to the Holding led to a 143 per cent Y-o-Y growth in tax expenses to EGP229 million at the end of 1Q2022.

“We look forward driving more value for shareholders as the year progresses and we work to hit the milestones we’ve set out for 2022. In the quarters to come, we will continue to focus on garnering more opportunities in the GCC and cementing our foothold there in the Investment Bank space. At the same time, our NBFI platform will continue to grow as our BNPL player valU expands its operations and Tanmeyah continues to deliver solid revenues.

“On the commercial bank front, we will continue to support the new senior management team to drive change across the bank, create growth opportunities, and capitalise on the synergies inherent in our business model as a universal bank in Egypt. As an impact-driven organisation, we will maintain laser-sharp focus on providing boundless financial opportunities that foster growth and create value for our stakeholder base and the communities in which we live and work,” said Awad.

Earlier this month, the firm was recognised by the Financial Times and Statista as one of Africa’s fastest-growing companies in 2022. It was one of only 10 African financial services companies listed on the year’s ranking and was named 55th fastest-growing company in Africa. In its home market of Egypt, the Firm also named the fourth-fastest growing company and was the only Egyptian financial services institution listed in the ranking.

— business@khaleejtimes.com