- Return on Equity of 7.2%, Net Profit totaled NIS 628 million -

- Net Profit, excluding provisions in respect of US Investigation, totaled NIS 688 million and Return on Equity would have been 7.9% -

- The Bank's credit portfolio grew by 2% -

- Dividend payment in respect of first quarter profits totaled NIS 251 million -

TEL AVIV, Israel, May 24, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bank Hapoalim (TASE:POLI) (ADR:BKHYY), Israel's leading financial group, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018.

Key highlights: 

  • Net Profit - totaled NIS 628 million, compared with a net profit of NIS 767 million in the corresponding quarter of 2017. Excluding provision in connection with the investigation of the Bank Group’s business with American clients in the amount of NIS 60 million, net profit in the first quarter totaled NIS 688 million.
  • Return on Equity - reached 7.2%, compared with 9.2% in the corresponding quarter of 2017. Excluding the provision in connection with the investigation of the Bank Group’s business with American clients, Return on Equity in the first quarter of 2018 stood at 7.9%.
  • Total income from regular financing activity totaled NIS 2,289 million, compared with NIS 2,121 million in the corresponding quarter of 2017, an increase of 7.9%.
  • Credit growth: total credit portfolio grew by 2.0% in the first quarter of 2018.
  • Improvement in asset quality: NPL ratio (impaired credit to the public not accruing interest income) as a percentage of total credit stood at only 0.70%. The Bank manages a diversified credit portfolio with a high diversification of credit segments (individuals, mortgages, small businesses, commercial and corporate).
  • Retail Deposit base in Israel increased by 1.7%.
  • Tier 1 capital ratio: The Bank exceeded the capital adequacy targets required by the Bank of Israel and the Bank's Capital Plan. Tier 1 Capital Ratio stood at 11.05% as at March 31, 2018.
  • Dividend payments: Total dividend payment in respect of first quarter profits totaled NIS 251 million, representing a 40% payout ratio.

Key developments in the financial statements for the first quarter of 2018:

  • Profit from regular financing activity totaled NIS 2,289 million in the first quarter of 2018 compared with NIS 2,121 million in in the same period last year, an increase of 7.9%. The increase is mainly attributed to the growth in the Bank's business activity as part of its strategic framework.
  • Fees and other income in Israel – totaled NIS 1,276 million in the first quarter of 2018 compared with NIS 1,282 million in the same period last year.
  • Net provision for credit losses totaled NIS 250 million in the first quarter of 2018, 0.35% of the average credit to the public, compared with NIS 107 million, 0.16% of the average credit to the public, in the same period last year. The increase is related to the significant increase in the collective provision, mainly as a result of increase in balances of corporate credit in the quarter.
  • Gross provision for credit losses, before recoveries, stood at 0.71% in the first quarter of 2018, compared with 0.52% in the same period last year.
  • Operating and other expenses, totaled NIS 2,353 million in the first quarter of 2018, compared with NIS 2,217 million in same period last year.
  • Social responsibility - The Bank continues to lead in contribution to the community in the form of financial donations, especially in the field of education, culture and welfare, which totaled NIS 13 million the first quarter of 2018.

Key developments in Balance Sheet items for the first quarter of 2018:

  • Consolidated balance sheet as at March 31, 2018 totaled NIS 448.2 billion, compared with NIS 454.4 billion at the end of 2017, a decrease of 1.4%.
  • Net Credit to the public totaled NIS 284.1 billion, compared with NIS 278.7 billion at the end of 2017, an increase of 2.0%, caused mainly by the increase in corporate lending, commercial customers and housing loans.
  • Consumer credit in Israel totaled NIS 40.0 billion compared with NIS 40.3 billion at the end of 2017, a decrease of 0.7%.
  • Housing loans in Israel totaled NIS 75.6 billion compared with NIS 74.1 billion at the end of 2017, an increase of 2.0%.
  • Credit to small businesses in Israel totaled NIS 30.9 billion compared with NIS 31.2 billion at the end of 2017, a decrease of 1.0%.
  • Credit to the commercial segment in Israel totaled NIS 34.8 billion compared with NIS 33.9 billion at the end of 2017, an increase of 2.9%.
  • Credit to the corporate segment in Israel totaled NIS 68.6 billion compared with NIS 65.5 billion at the end of 2017, an increase of 4.8%.
  • Deposits from the public totaled NIS 344.8 billion compared with NIS 347.4 billion at the end of 2017, a decrease of 0.7%.
  • Retail Deposits in Israel totaled NIS 174.5 billion compared with NIS 171.5 billion at the end of 2017, an increase of 1.7%.
  • Small businesses Deposits in Israel totaled NIS 38.8 billion compared with NIS 38.2 billion at the end of 2017, an increase of 1.6%.
  • Shareholders' equity totaled NIS 36.1 billion as at March 31, 2018, compared with NIS 35.9 billion at the end of 2017, an increase of 0.6%.
  • Total capital ratio stood at 14.06% as at March 31, 2018, compared with 14.64% as at December 31, 2017.
  • Leverage ratio representing the ratio of the capital measurement (Tier 1 capital) to the exposure measurement (total balance sheet exposures, derivatives exposures and securities financing transactions, and off-balance sheet items), stood at 7.38% at the end of the first quarter of 2018.
  • Liquidity coverage ratio representing the ratio between the supply of "high-quality liquid assets” to the net expected outgoing cash flow in a stress scenario, stood at 119% at the end of the first quarter of 2018.

Conference Call Information

Bank Hapoalim will host a conference call today at 4:00 p.m. Israel Time/ 09:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results. The call will be accompanied by a slide presentation.

In order to participate, please dial the following numbers (at least ten minutes ahead of the scheduled start time): United States 1-888-281-1167; United Kingdom 0-800-051-8913; International (972) 3-9180685. No password is required.

The slide presentation, earnings release and the first quarter 2018 financial statements will be available on the Bank's website, www.bankhapoalim.com, under Investor Relations - Financial Information.

Following the conclusion of the call, a replay of the call will be available by audio playback on Bank Hapoalim's website. The replay can be accessed until May 31, 2018 by calling (972) 3-9255918 (international).

Please note: The conference call does not replace the need to peruse the immediate reports and the Financial Statements of the Bank, including all the forward-looking information included therein in accordance with Section 32A of the Securities Law, 1968.

Contact:
Karen Mazor, SVP
Head of Investor Relations
Bank Hapoalim
T: +972 54 228 8039
E:  Karen.mazor@poalim.co.il

Condensed financial information
Condensed financial information and principal performance indicators over time
         
         
 For the three months ended For the year ended 
       December 31
 March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31,  2017 2016 
 2018 2017 2017 2017 2017    
Main performance indicators        
Return of net profit on equity attributed        
to shareholders of the Bank(1)7.16%6.96%5.31%9.51%9.22% 7.50%7.72%
Return of net profit on equity attributed        
to shareholders of the Bank excluding        
extraordinary items(1)(2)7.86%10.45%9.91%9.51%9.22% 9.44%*10.04%
Return on average assets(1)0.56%0.54%0.41%0.72%0.69% 0.59%0.60%
Efficiency ratio - cost-income ratio63.75%70.42%71.62%59.28%61.55% 65.73%64.47%
Efficiency ratio - cost-income ratio        
excluding extraordinary items(2)62.12%62.43%60.85%59.28%61.55% 61.03%60.95%
Financing margin from regular activity(1)(3)2.21%2.21%2.20%2.24%2.07% 2.16%2.09%
Liquidity coverage ratio(4)119%122%123%127%128% 122%124%
         
 As at As at December 31
 March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31,  2017 2016 
 2018 2017 2017 2017 2017    
Ratio of common equity Tier 1 capital        
to risk components(5)11.05%11.26%11.26%11.35%11.21% 11.26%11.01%
Ratio of total capital to risk components(5)14.06%14.64%14.85%14.99%14.90% 14.64%15.11%
Leverage ratio(5)7.38%7.37%7.37%7.36%7.30% 7.37%7.25%
  
 For the three months ended For the year ended
December 31
 March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31,  2017 2016 
 2018 2017 2017 2017 2017    
Main credit quality indicators        
Allowance for credit losses as a        
percentage of credit to the public1.38%1.36%1.39%1.40%1.45% 1.36%1.49%
Impaired debts and debts in arrears of 90        
days or more as a percentage of credit to        
the public1.23%1.27%1.29%1.48%1.55% 1.27%1.76%
Net charge-offs as a percentage of        
average credit to the public(1)0.14%0.13%0.06%0.36%0.39% 0.23%0.19%
Provision for credit losses as a percentage        
of average credit to the public(1)0.35%0.03%0.04%0.24%0.16% 0.12%0.10%
  

* Restated for inclusion of the effects of the reduction of corporate tax as part of profit excluding extraordinary items in 2016. In the Periodic Report for 2017 (and the subsequently published presentation for 2017), net profit and return on equity for 2016 and 2017 were presented excluding expenses in respect of the update of the provision in connection with the investigation of the Bank Group's business with American clients and the discontinuation of activity in Switzerland only. In 2016, net profit and return on equity for 2016 were presented also excluding the effects of the reduction of corporate tax (in addition to the exclusion of the update of the provisions in respect of the investigation, as noted). Within the process of preparation for filing a shelf prospectus of Hapoalim Hanpakot Ltd. (the issuance arm of the Bank, which is a company under full ownership), the Israel Securities Authority requested that the Bank present these data for 2016 in a manner that consistently applies the aforesaid excluded components.
(1) Calculated on an annualized basis
(2) Does not include expenses in respect of the update of the provision in connection with the Bank Group’s business with American clients, and costs in respect of the discontinuation of activity in Switzerland.
(3) Financing profit from regular activity (see the Report of the Board of Directors and Board of Management, in the section “Material developments in income, expenses, and other comprehensive income”) divided by total financial assets after allowance for credit losses, net of non-interest bearing balances in respect of credit cards.
(4) For additional information, see the section “Liquidity and refinancing risk,” in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(5) For additional information, see the section “Capital, capital adequacy, and leverage,” in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
Condensed financial information and principal performance indicators over time (continued)
         
 For the three months ended For the year ended 
       December 31
 March 31,December 31,September 30,June 30,March 31, 20172016
 20182017201720172017   
 NIS millions
Main profit and loss data        
Net profit attributed to shareholders        
of the Bank628612469812767 2,6602,628
Net profit attributed to shareholders of the Bank excluding extraordinary items(2)688908861812767 3,348***3,417
Net interest income2,1582,2282,1632,2332,073 8,6978,193
Provision (income) for credit losses2502425167107 323269
Net financing profit**2,3842,3952,3152,3692,255 9,3349,345
Non-interest income1,5331,4741,4771,4531,529 5,9336,528
Of which: fees1,2801,2711,2841,2541,302 5,1115,216
Operating and other expenses2,3532,6072,6072,1852,217 9,6169,490
Of which: salaries and related expenses1,130*1,115*1,126*1,132*1,182 *4,555*4,571
Total income3,6913,7023,6403,6863,602 14,63014,721
         
Net earnings per ordinary share        
(in NIS)        
Basic net earnings per share in NIS        
attributed to shareholders of the Bank0.470.460.360.600.58 2.001.98
         

* Reclassification of certain actuarial cost components of employee benefits from salary expenses to other expenses. For further details, see Note 1C(3) to the Condensed Financial Statements.
** Net financing profit includes net interest income and non-interest financing income (expenses).
*** Restated for inclusion of the effects of the reduction of corporate tax as part of profit excluding extraordinary items in 2016. In the Periodic Report for 2017 (and the subsequently published presentation for 2017), net profit and return on equity for 2016 and 2017 were presented excluding expenses in respect of the update of the provision in connection with the investigation of the Bank Group's business with American clients and the discontinuation of activity in Switzerland only. In 2016, net profit and return on equity for 2016 were presented also excluding the effects of the reduction of corporate tax (in addition to the exclusion of the update of the provisions in respect of the investigation, as noted). Within the process of preparation for filing a shelf prospectus of Hapoalim Hanpakot Ltd. (the issuance arm of the Bank, which is a company under full ownership), the Israel Securities Authority requested that the Bank present these data for 2016 in a manner that consistently applies the aforesaid excluded components.
(6) Calculated on an annualized basis.
(7) Not include expenses in respect of the update of the provision in connection with the Bank Group’s business with American clients, and costs in respect of the discontinuation of activity in Switzerland.

        
Condensed financial information and principal performance indicators over time (continued)       
         
 As at As at December 31
 March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31,  2017 2016 
 2018 2017 2017 2017 2017    
 NIS millions
Main balance sheet data        
Total assets448,195 454,424 449,815 449,734 445,847  454,424 448,105 
Of which: Cash and deposits with banks78,148 86,114 85,606 81,959 77,088  86,114 80,378 
Securities61,538 65,442 64,196 70,499 74,894  65,442 71,449 
Net credit to the public284,103 278,663 275,505 272,949 269,982  278,663 271,957 
Net problematic credit risk7,249 7,092 7,430 7,469 8,018  7,092 7,600 
Net impaired balance sheet debts2,056 2,121 2,283 2,522 2,749  2,121 3,110 
Total liabilities411,979 418,420 414,070 414,105 410,769  418,420 413,880 
Of which: Deposits from the public344,810 347,351 342,747 340,768 337,518  347,351 338,502 
Deposits from banks3,602 4,149 3,544 4,329 4,199  4,149 4,377 
Bonds and subordinated notes26,214 29,058 29,411 30,736 31,171  29,058 33,560 
                
Shareholders’ equity36,084 35,863 35,591 35,458 34,909  35,863 34,047 
Nonperforming asset balances (NPL)2,015 2,110 2,209 2,601 2,997  2,110 3,507 
Additional data        
Share price at end of period (in NIS)24.0 25.6 24.7 23.5 22.1  25.6 22.9 
         
    
 For the three months ended For the year ended December 31
 March 31, December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31,  2017 2016 
 2018 2017 2017 2017 2017    
Total dividend per share18.35 14.08 24.37 22.98 3.1  64.53 51.44 
(in agorot)*        
Ratio of fees to average assets0.28%0.28%0.28%0.28%0.29% 1.14%1.18%
    

 * According to the date of declaration.