dfcu bank reported a profit of Shs127.6 billion in the year that ended on December 31, 2017. The bank’s profit margin increased by Shs 81 billion having recorded a profit of just Shs 46 billion at the end of 2016. This huge profitability jump was bolstered by dfcu’s acquisition of Crane Bank in January 2017. dfcu acquired Crane bank at about Shs 200 billion
After the Crane bank takeover, dfcu’s annual net profit jump by more than 136% to Shs 127 billion while assets leaped up by 100% in 2017 – putting it right on the list of the most profitable banks in the country. This was the first time dfcu had crossed the Shs 100 billion threshold, becoming the fourth bank to do so in the country.
Solid Facts and weak fiction.
dfcu is listed on the Uganda Securities Exchange. About nine institutional investors own the bank, with Arise BV holding the largest shareholding at 59 per cent. CDC (Commonwealth Development Corporation) is in second position, followed by National Social Security Fund (NSSF). Recently, Arise BV executive director Deepak Malik resigned from the dfcu bank’s board of directors.
On June 14 Irina Grigorenko, the CDC investment director Financial Institutions wrote to dfcu management alerting them that CDC Group Plc was undertaking a review of its investment in dfcu Limited which may lead to the disposal of some or all of its shares in dfcu over the short to medium term. CDC has over the years reduced its shareholding to about 10 per cent from 60 per cent
This intention by CDC to reduce their shareholding caused unfounded worry and excitement in the economy. Naysayers were quick to say the CDC group was dumping their shareholding over other issues.
However, CDC in their letter clearly indicated they wanted to place their shareholding in the hands of another investor who would see dfcu bank’s growth. They wrote “CDC’s objective is to identify like-minded investors who could support dfcu in its new phase of growth.”
Good for the economy
CDC has been at the forefront of supporting companies that help poor countries grow. CDC’s mission is to support the building of businesses throughout Africa, to create jobs, and to make a lasting difference to people’s lives in some of the world’s poorest places.
They focus on investing in countries where the private sector is weak, jobs are scarce, and the investment climate is difficult, but particularly in sectors where growth leads to jobs.
With investors life CDC, dfcu’s share price has risen from the 600shs range to currently 978shs per share since the take-over of Crane Bank.
dfcu bank’s largest shareholders at the moment are Arise B.V, an investment vehicle for Rabo Bank – Netherlands (largest agricultural bank in the world), FMO (Dutch development bank) & Norfinance/Norfund (the largest fund in the world with capitalization in excess of $800bn). This consortium owns 58.7% of dfcu.
Other significant shareholders include NSSF – 7.46% & Kimberlite Frontier Africa Master Fund L.P – RCKM K (US investment fund) plus over 4,000 Ugandans owning a total of 14.81%
Late last year, dfcu had a rights issue on USE which is the most successful in USE’s history with over ugx 50bn raised in just about two weeks.
The start of 2018 has been sluggish, and a number of businesses are struggling way into the 3rd quarter of the year. dfcu’s initiative to offer help to investment clubs and free business advisory is one of the bank’s wise moves to get businesses back in profit mode which will stimulate the economy.
Numbers and more numbers
According to the 2017 banking results, dfcu is now the 2nd top bank in Uganda. This means that it is now one of the systemic banks in the country whose contribution to the monetary growth of the country cannot be under-estimated.
A systemically important bank is one whose failure might trigger a financial crisis. They are colloquially referred to as “too big to fail”. dfcu is one such entity.
Also, dfcu is now the 2nd largest bank in Uganda in terms of assets after Stanbic going by the 2017 results. dfcu bank’s total assets increased to a record Shs3 trillion, up from Shs1.7 trillion in 2016.
dfcu Bank has been at the fore front of rejuvenating the economy through training businesses on how to manage finances. The bank in 2016 launched a nationwide reward campaign targeted at driving a savings and investment culture in Uganda. The Shs100 million reward campaign is a good boost for investment clubs that have become a good driver for savings and investment.
Business first
More than 10,000 savings and investment clubs have benefitted from this initiative. The members contribute a monthly saving based on their earning status. These savings are later used by the members to start income generating projects with the help of financial experts.
Uganda has the lowest savings to GDP ratio, at 13.48 per cent of GDP, with majority of the population ‘un-banked’. The low savings rates are largely a result of traditional banking remaining out of reach for most due to factors like; inadequate financial services; financial illiteracy; physical distance from banking institutions and high minimum deposit and balance requirements, limiting access to banking services. This is the gap that dfcu is trying to close with the business trainings.
With these kinds of innovations meant to boost and prop the economy, it would only be prudent that dfcu stays stable as the second largest bank to support the economy. dfcu’s limitations are also a result of a faltering economy that is affecting all businesses.