Net Profit for Q3 of 2008 Totaled NIS 441 Million
Capital Adequacy Ratio At End of Q3-08 Reached 11.51%
TEL AVIV, Israel, Nov. 25 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bank Hapoalim Hapoalim (TASE:POLI) (LSE:BKHD) (Pink Sheets:BKHYY) reported today its financial results for the third quarter of 2008.
Highlights of the financial statements:
-- Net Profit for the third quarter of 2008 totaled NIS 441 million
compared with a profit of NIS 594 million in the previous quarter
and a profit of NIS 823 million in the same quarter last year.
-- Return on equity for the third quarter of 2008 was 9.6%, on an
annualized basis compared with 13.8% in the previous quarter and
18.3% in the same quarter last year.
-- Net operating profit for the third quarter of 2008 totaled NIS
384 million compared with a profit of NIS 545 million in the
previous quarter and a profit of NIS 826 million in the same
quarter last year.
-- Net return of operating profit on equity for the third quarter of
2008 was 8.3%, on an annualized basis, compared with 12.6% in the
previous quarter and 18.4% in the same quarter last year.
-- The Bank's capital adequacy at the end of the third quarter of
2008 stood at 11.51% compared with 11.01% at the end of the
second quarter of 2008 and 10.26% at the end of 2007. Tier 1
Capital reached 7.89% at the end of the third quarter of 2008
compared with 7.65% at the end of the second quarter of 2008 and
7.50% at the end of 2007. Profit from financing activity before
provision for doubtful debts totaled NIS 2,083 million in the
third quarter of 2008 compared with a profit of NIS 1,943 million
in the previous quarter and a profit of NIS 2,417 million in the
same quarter last year.
-- The provision for doubtful debts - in the third quarter of 2008
the Bank recorded a specific provision in the amount of NIS 720
million, which reflects a provision ratio of 1.34% in annualized
terms, compared with NIS 276 million in the same quarter last
year. The increase was offset by a reduction of provisions and
recovery of debts that were written off in previous years in the
amount of NIS 309 million compared with NIS 198 million in the
same period last year.
-- Problematic debt for the Bank Group totaled NIS 15.0 billion at
the end of September 2008 compared to NIS 12.2 billion at the end
of June 2008, an increase of 23.0%.
-- Operating and other income totaled NIS 1,153 million in the third
quarter of 2008 compared with NIS 1,205 million in the previous
quarter and NIS 1,267 million in the same quarter last year, a
decrease of 4.3% and 9.0%, respectively.
-- Operating and other expenses totaled NIS 1,960 million in the
third quarter of 2008 compared with NIS 1,911 million in the
previous quarter and NIS 2,132 million in the same quarter last
year, an increase of 2.6% and a decrease of 8.1%, respectively.
-- Contribution to the community - The community-service activities
of the Bank's employees are varied and extensive, and take the
form of community involvement, monetary donations, and
wide-ranging volunteer activities. This activity of the Bank
Group in the first nine months of 2008 had a monetary value of
approximately NIS 36 million.
Chairman of the Board of Directors Dan Dankner commented:
"The severe shocks to the global economy in general and to the financial and banking system in particular inevitably affect the Israeli economy as well. Although Israel has been relatively resilient to the turmoil so far, it seems likely that a significant slowdown in the growth rate of the Israeli economy is in store in the near future, due to causes including a decline in foreign investments in Israel and lower demand, both in private consumption and in exports.
"During an economic crisis, the financial sector carries special responsibility. As a leader in the Israeli banking system, Bank Hapoalim has worked to help the economy in general and the Bank's customers in particular emerge from the crisis, and will continue to do so, with the caution and discretion necessary under the circumstances, in close cooperation with government and other agencies. In these conditions, Bank Hapoalim is preparing and adapting to operate in an economy undergoing a slowdown. Our usual operations will continue, with an emphasis on an enhanced value offer for customers with extensive banking activity. The Bank accords utmost importance to the improvement of customer service and optimal tailoring of service to our customers' needs.
"The Bank's capital adequacy has improved, and now stands at 11.5%"
CEO Zvi Ziv commented:
"Our third-quarter financial statements reflect trends with varied effects on the Bank's business results, especially in comparison to the results of the preceding quarter. On one hand, the volume of basic banking activity was maintained, and financing profit improved, though operating income decreased as a result of the new regulations in the area of fees. On the other hand, the economic downturn was reflected in a sharp increase in the provision for doubtful debts and an increase in the volume of problematic credit, after several years of continuous decreases in these items.
"The Bank is diligently monitoring the events in the global and Israeli economy, and adapting its business policy to these developments.
"In its ongoing operations in Israel, Bank Hapoalim continues to stress improved service and better tailoring of services to customers' needs. This effort encompasses both the upgrade of existing services and new initiatives, including new branches opened based on an innovative service model."
Highlights of the financial statements for the third quarter of 2008:
Net Profit - the decrease in net profit in the third quarter, compared to the same period last year, is mainly a result of the following:
-- Profit from financing activity - before provisions for doubtful
debts, decreased mainly due to losses in the credit-derivatives
portfolio with respect to foreign financial institutions which
are presented at fair value, from losses from foreign financial
institutions' bonds and from the cessation of consolidation of
Bank Massad and Bank Yahav.
-- Provision for doubtful debts - in the third quarter of 2008 the
Bank recorded a specific provision in the amount of NIS 720
million, which reflects a provision ratio of 1.34% in annualized
terms, compared with NIS 276 million in the same quarter last
year. The increase was offset by a reduction of provisions and
recovery of debts that were written off in previous years in the
amount of NIS 309 million compared with NIS 198 million in the
same period last year.
-- Operating Income - decreased by 9.0% compared to the same quarter
last year, mainly due to the decrease in income from provident
fund management fees, a decrease in account management fees and a
decrease in income from capital market activity and investment in
shares due to a decline in volumes of activity in the market.
Developments in Balance-Sheet Items
The consolidated balance sheet as at September 30, 2008 totaled NIS 297.9 billion, compared with NIS 303.0 billion at the end of 2007. The decrease mainly stems from the cessation of consolidation of Bank Massad and Bank Yahav. Excluding their balances at the end of 2007, an increase of 1.8% occurred.
Credit to the public totaled NIS 214.7 billion, an increase of 4.7% compared to the end of 2007. The increase was influenced by growth in the construction and real estate sector and in the private individuals sector. Appreciation of the shekel against most foreign currencies moderated the increase in credit to the public at a rate of 3.1%. Likewise, balances decreased by NIS 4.2 billion, as a result of the cessation of consolidation of Bank Massad and Bank Yahav data following their sale.
Deposits from the public totaled NIS 214.8 billion compared with NIS 231.8 billion at the end of 2007. Excluding Bank Massad and Bank Yahav data following their sale, the redemption of callable CDs which were used to finance the MBS portfolio, and the appreciation of the shekel against most foreign currencies; deposits in Israel increased by NIS 12 billion during the first nine months of 2008.
About Bank Hapoalim
Bank Hapoalim is Israel's leading financial group. In Israel, the Bank Hapoalim Group includes financial companies involved in investment banking, credit cards, trust services and portfolio management. The Group also has holdings in non-banking sectors.
Internationally, Bank Hapoalim operates through 44 branches, subsidiaries and representative offices, in North and Latin America, Europe, the Far East, Turkey and Australia. In these markets, the Bank is engaged in trade, corporate finance, private banking and retail banking.
Bank Hapoalim is the only Israeli Bank listed on both the Tel Aviv and London Stock Exchange. In addition, a Level-1 ADR is traded "over-the -counter" in New York.
Principal Data of the Bank Hapoalim Group
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Profit and For the For the
profitability three nine
months months
ended on ended on
Sept. 30 Change Sept. 30 Change
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2008 2007 2008 2007
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Profit from financing
activities before
provision for
doubtful debts 2,083 2,417 (13.8%) 2,014 6,192 (67.5%)
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Provision for
doubtful debts 471 139 238.9% 755 522 44.6%
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Operating and
other income 1,153 1,267 (9.0%) 3,642 3,888 (6.3%)
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Operating and
other expenses 1,960 2,132 (8.1%) 6,139 5,849 5.0%
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Operating profit
(loss) before taxes 805 1,413 (43.0%) (1,238) 3,709 (133.4%)
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Provision for taxes
(tax benefit) on
operating profit (loss) 330 561 (41.2%) (191) 1,489 (112.8%)
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Operating profit (loss)
after taxes 475 852 (44.3%) (1,047) 2,220 (147.2%)
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Operating profit (loss) 384 826 (53.5%) (1,076) 2,232 (148.2%)
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Net profit from
extraordinary
transaction,
after taxes 57 (3) 544 228 138.6%
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Net profit (loss) 441 823 (46.4%) (532) 2,460 (121.6%)
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Balance Sheet - Principal Items
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Change compared with
--------------------
30.9.2008 30.9.2007 31.12.2007 30.9.2007 31.12.2007
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Total
balance
sheet 297,854 301,899 302,991 (1.3%) (1.7%)
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Credit to
the public 214,735 198,925 205,016 8.0% 4.7%
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Securities 29,681 49,103 48,115 (39.6%) (38.3%)
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Deposits
from the
public 214,802 231,922 231,750 (7.4%) (7.3%)
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Debentures
and
subordinated
notes 20,676 18,402 18,812 12.4% 9.9%
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Shareholders'
equity 19,030 19,157 18,778 (0.7%) 1.3%
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Principal financial ratios
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30.9.2008 30.9.2007 31.12.2007
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Shareholders' equity to
total assets 6.4% 6.3% 6.2%
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Tier I Capital to
risk-adjusted assets 7.89% 7.42% 7.50%
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Total Capital to
risk-adjusted assets 11.51% 10.33% 10.26%
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Credit to the public to
total assets 72.1% 65.9% 67.7%
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Deposits to the public to
total assets 72.1% 76.8% 76.5%
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Operating income to
operating expenses 59.3% 66.5% 66.1%
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Operating expenses to
total income 108.5% 58.0% 65.2%
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Provision for doubtful
debts to credit to the public
(balance sheet and
off-balance sheet)(a) 0.2% 0.2% 0.1%
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Rate of provision for taxes 15.4% 40.1% 39.1%
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Return of operating profit
(loss) on equity, net(a) (7.7%) 16.1% 12.3%
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Return of net profit
(loss) on equity (a) (3.8%) 17.8% 14.1%
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Return of net profit
(loss) on total assets (a) (0.4%) 1.2% 0.9%
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(a) Annualized