First International Bank of Israel Presents Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Results

TEL AVIV, Israel, March 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- First International Bank of Israel (TASE: FIBI) one of Israel's major banking groups, today announced its results for the fourth quarter and full year 2021.

Financial Highlights

• Net profit of the First International Bank in 2021 was NIS 1,405 million, an increase of 87.3% compared to 2020, and return on equity of 14.7%;

• Net profit of NIS 333 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, an increase of 58.6% year over year and return on equity: 14%;

• Growth in credit to the public of 10.8% in 2021 and 5.4% in the fourth quarter;

• The Bank continued to increase efficiencies and the efficiency ratio improved in 2021 to 58.3%;

• Ratio of Tier I equity capital to risk assets of 11.46%;

Profitability

Record profit for the First International Bank: 2021 net profit for the Group was NIS 1,405 million, as compared to NIS 750 million in 2020, representing growth of 87.3%. Return on equity was 14.7%, as compared to return on equity of 8.6% in 2020.

In the fourth quarter, net profit amounted to NIS 333 million, as compared to NIS 210 million in the corresponding quarter of 2020, representing growth of 58.6% and return on equity of 14.0%.

Growth and Efficiency

The First International Bank continued its consistent growth trend, which is reflected across all areas of operations.

Bank revenues increased by 9.4% in 2021 year over year and amounted to NIS 4,550 million. Net financing income increased by 11.2% year over year, and amounted to NIS 3,097 million. Commission income showed growth of 5.3%, and amounted to NIS 1,444 million, commission income from capital market operations grew at a rate of 7.3%.

Credit to the public increased by 10.8% over the past year, and reached NIS 102,240 million. The growth in credit was characterized by the diverse distribution of credit and the maintenance of the Group's balanced risk management policy. The residential loan portfolio grew by 13.8%, the small business segment grew by 11.5%, the middle market segment by 13.3%, the large businesses segment by 11.0%, and credit to the household segment grew by 6.0%.

In the fourth quarter, credit to the public grew by 5.4% compared with the fourth quarter of last year.

Growth was also reflected in the capital market and investment consulting fields: The customer asset portfolio (deposits and securities) increased in the past year by 13.5%, and amounted to NIS 601 billion.

The First International Bank continued to improve its efficiencies – the efficiency ratio amounted to 58.3% in 2021, an improvement when compared with 61.8% in 2020.

Operating and other expenses increased by 3.2% in 2021, as compared to the corresponding period last year. The growth was due to an increase in salary expenses due to the adjustment of the variable compensation component related to the profitability of the Bank. Likewise, salary expenses for the year included settlement expenses due to the early retirement plan that had mostly been implemented in the fourth quarter of 2021. The efficiency measures applied by the Bank and the early retirement plan implemented towards the end of 2021, led to a reduction of 4.6% in the average number of positions at the Bank versus that at year-end 2020.

Financial Stability

The growth trend related to the capital attributed to the shareholders of the Bank continued, growing by 9.4% in 2021 (a growth of NIS 862 million), and as of December 31, 2021, amounted to NIS 10,003 million. The Tier I equity capital ratio reached 11.46% as compared to the required regulatory ratio of 8.25%, a difference of 3.2% (or 2.2% when excluding the easing of regulatory capital requirements). This is the highest difference in the Israeli banking system.

The Board of Directors of the Bank today approved a dividend distribution, amounting to NIS 165 million, comprising 50% of net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2021. This in addition to a dividend of NIS 215 million distributed in January 2022. Over the year 2021, the Bank distributed dividends, totaling NIS 545 million. The dividend annual return as at December 31, 2021, was 6.07%.

Quality of the Credit Portfolio

Income in respect of credit losses in 2021 amounted to NIS 216 million (a reversed provision of 0.23%), as compared to expenses of NIS 464 million (a provision of 0.52%) in 2020.

The income in respect of credit losses recorded in 2021 was mostly due to the reduction in the collective provision, which itself was due to improvements in macro-economic indices and indicators pointing at the risk level inherent in the credit portfolio of the Bank and from the continued reduction in the volume of debts, the repayment of which had been deferred (which comprised of 0.08% of total credit to the public).

In 2020, expenses in respect of credit losses was mostly due to the growth in the collective allowance following the continued changes in the macro-economic environment due to the Corona pandemic and the prevailing uncertainty and its impact on the economy and condition of borrowers.

Innovation and Digital

The First International Bank continues to develop innovative products and services on its mobile application and website, resulting in high usage rates and high customer satisfaction.

2021 was the year in which the First International Bank entered the world of digital wallets: at the beginning of the year, the digital wallet FibiPay was developed, and in addition, the Bank offered its customers Apple Pay and Google Pay services.

With the introduction of open banking and "Transfer at a click," the First International Bank was the first to introduce MultiBank, a multi-banking aggregation allowing service comparison, and increased ability to compete. In addition, the Bank introduced a variety of innovations and upgrades in its digital activity in investment fields on which the Bank is focused and is leading: the consulting system Advise.Me, pension consultation, mortgage consultation (including a digital application for applying for a mortgage and obtaining an approval in principle), as well as innovations for business customers with respect to foreign currency and guarantees.

The First International Bank continues to invest in the development of innovative digital services that bring about improved and a more efficient service to customers.   

Management Comment

Ms. Smadar Barber-Tsadik, President and CEO of the First International Bank Group stated, "The results we have presented for 2021 reflect the growth of the Bank across all its strategic focus areas: it reflects accelerated growth across both credit and customer assets. It is important to emphasize the high level of profitability of The First International Bank over time, with a low level of volatility while maintaining a high level of stability.

"These days, I note the two years of the global health crisis which has affected the whole world in both social and economic aspects. All throughout this period, the First International Bank strictly continued to provide customers with assistance and support, which has been characterized by the deferral of loan repayments, extension of credit to businesses and households, and we initiated investment consultation services during the periods of volatility and uncertainty in financial markets. Furthermore, the Bank developed diverse innovative digital tools across all areas of operation, facilitating and enabling the obtaining of service more efficient, especially in a socially-distanced reality. The high stability of the Bank together with strong management, enabled us to overcome the crisis in the best possible form, with continued growth, efficiency and innovation.

"As the first Bank to introduce a comparative system on the basis of open banking - the MultiBank system - the First International Bank will continue to compete and grow in the fields in which are a leader – the investments market, as well as in our various fields of banking activity. The Bank, as a creator of competition, will continue to develop innovative digital offerings and bring our customers competitive offerings."

CONDENSED PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND PRINCIPAL EXECUTION INDICES

(1) The ratio is computed in respect of the three months ended at the end of the reporting period.
(2) According to instructions of the Bank of Israel the Net stable funding ratio was calculated since 2021, therefor no comparative data is stated.
(3) The number of positions includes conversion of overtime in terms of positions.

STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
(NIS million)

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
(NIS million)

(1) Mostly reflects adjustments in respect of actuarial assessments as of the end of the period regarding defined benefits pension plans, of amounts recorded in the past in other comprehensive profit.

BALANCE SHEET AS AT DECEMBER 31
(NIS million)

(1) Of which: provisions for credit losses in respect of off-balance sheet credit instruments in the amount of NIS 79 million and NIS 86 million (consolidated) and NIS 76 million and NIS 83 million (the Bank) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
(2) Of which: other assets measured at fair value in the amount of NIS 333 million consolidated and the Bank (31.12.20 - NIS 247 million consolidated and the Bank).
(3) Of which: other liabilities measured at fair value in the amount of NIS 641 million consolidated and the Bank (31.12.20 - NIS 258 million consolidated and the Bank).

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(NIS million)

(1) Including share premium of NIS 313 million (as from 1992 onwards).
(2) Including an amount of NIS 2,391 million which cannot be distributed as dividend.

Contact:

Dafna Zucker
First International Bank of Israel 
[email protected]
+972-3-519-6224

Ehud Helft
GK Investor & Public Relations 
[email protected]
+1-646-201-924

SOURCE First International Bank of Israel