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| Sam Waweru, HF Ag Managing Director |
HF Group has reported a pre-tax loss of Ksh325m for the period
ending 30 September 2018. Customer deposits for the period recorded an increase
of 3 % to Ksh34.6 billion up from Ksh33.6 billion registered in 2017. Loans
and advances to customers declined by 11% from Ksh51.1 billion in 2017 to
Ksh45.4 billion. As a result, net interest income declined from Ksh2.1 billion
in 2017 to Ksh1.7 billion, attributable to lower loan interest and investment
incomes in the current period.
Total non-interest income decreased by 7 % due to lower property
sales and credit fees from loan sales recorded during the period.
Total gross non-performing loans (NPLs) increased during the
period to stand at Ksh8.9 billion from Ksh8.1 billion, occasioned by
unfavorable macroeconomic factors which largely affected the financial and real
estate sectors in the country. Equally, the adoption of International Financial
Reporting Standard (IFRS 9) has meant that the Group had to take a higher
provision on a comparatively lower loan book.
Commenting on the results, the acting Group Managing Director, Mr.
Sam Waweru said; “Whereas the performance is attributable to several
macro-economic factors that have adversely affected business, we have a
revamped strategy that aims to diversify and turnaround the business.
Previously, our strategy was anchored on real estate and property finance
business; however, our future strategy includes diversification that includes
investment in digital and full service banking capacity in order to grow
revenue streams as we reduce reliance on a monolithic business.”
In late July 2018, the banking arm of the group – HFC Ltd -
launched a strategic focus on digital banking via a financial services platform
dubbed HF Whizz. So far, the strategy has resulted in the acquisition of over
200,000 new customers, majority being in the micro segment, who have benefited
from micro loans and other full banking services available on the platform.
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