Citibank Zrt., a member of Citigroup today announced that
its profit before tax increased by seven percent in 2005 from HUF
15.2 billion to HUF 16.2 billion whilst total assets grew from HUF
406.4 billion to HUF 458.8 billion, a 13 percent increase. The total
loan portfolio at the end of 2005 was HUF 160 billion, recording
a five percent growth over 2004 and deposits were at HUF 298.8 billion,
recording a 15 percent increment over 2004. Return on equity (ROE)
grew by about 20 percent to 38.98 percent, and return on assets
(ROA) was at 2.87 percent for 2005.
Kevin A. Murray, Acting Citigroup Country Officer for Citibank
Zrt. said: "We celebrate our twentieth year of service to the
Hungarian community in 2006. The successes achieved in 2005 provide
us with the perfect gateway to the next twenty years. Our franchise
continued to be well balanced with both our corporate and consumer
businesses posting solid results. We are committed to the Hungarian
market and to the proposition of providing best-in-class services
to our customers."
The bank continued the development of its diversified distribution
network consisting of branches, sales centers, telephone customer
service, internet and sales agents, to make it as convenient as
possible for the customers to do business with the bank. At the
end of 2005 there were 38 physical sites across the country.
In the Corporate and Investment Banking segment, the Global Transaction
Services business grew in terms of deposits, loans, products offered,
and client segments targeted. The main drivers for this growth were
two-fold: cross-selling products to the existing clients, and acquiring
new corporate clients. Maintenance of service quality remained a
key objective. CitiDirect Online Banking, the web-based electronic
banking platform, won the "Best Corporate and Institutional
Internet Bank Award" in Hungary by Global Finance Magazine
in August 2005.
The Securities and Fund Services business continued to deliver
positive results in 2005, supported by the strong performance of
the Budapest Stock Exchange. In addition, they continued to make
progress on a major project that is aimed at further increasing
service levels and introducing new, value-added services to the
international investor segment. The business continued to maintain
their market-leading position in this segment. Assets under custody
crossed USD 14 billion by year-end and the Global Investor Magazine's
European Clearing Survey ranked this business Number One in the
"Best Bank for Settlement - Fixed Income" category. This
past year was also a breakthrough year for the business in the local
market segment, as they acquired significant market share in servicing
domestic institutional investors.
The Treasury closed a very successful year, providing a wide range
of treasury products with a special focus on offering tailor-made
structured derivative solutions to the clients. The business maintained
their local market-leading position in derivatives trading.
The SME client base was serviced by both the Commercial Banking
and CitiBusiness units.
The Commercial Banking unit, a growing part of the Corporate and
Investment Banking segment, provides services to clients with an
annual net revenue ranging from HUF 450 to HUF 10,000 million. This
business received renewed focus in 2005 with a redefinition of its
strategy, introduction of new credit programs and restructuring
of the risk and sales processes resulting in accelerated client
acquisitions.
In the Consumer Business segment, by the end of 2005 the bank had
320,000 customers and they issued 200,000 credit cards. They have
upgraded their cross-sell program, offering personal loans to their
credit card customers at favorable conditions and with a simplified
application process.
Within this segment, the CitiGold business also showed dynamic
development. The number of customers using these exclusive services
reached 3,200, 14 percent growth over 2004. As a result of the consistent
approach to building and developing portfolios for the customers,
the CitiGold portfolio grew by 32 percent, reaching HUF 115 billion.
The portfolio reflects a growing trend toward longer term investments
and diversification. In order to meet various customer needs, distribution
of six new investment funds was launched, increasing the number
of the open-end investment funds on offer to 26. The bank also participated
in the subscription of the Budapest Aranytrio Closed-End Fund.
CitiBusiness, which is housed in the Consumer Business segment,
provides services to customers with an annual net revenue of up
to HUF 450 million. In 2005 the business launched new account packages
for small and medium-size enterprises, for example attorneys' and
lawyers' escrow accounts, helping to retain their competitive position.
In the summer of 2005 the bank launched the Future Investment
Plan, a new product that makes it possible for the customers to
save smaller amounts on a regular monthly basis by investing in
a selected investment fund - currently there are one money market
and two balanced funds on offer. The tenor of the Future Investment
Plan is 10 years, however, savings are partly or entirely accessible
any time, and free of charge after three years. This product makes
investments with potentially higher yields available for a broader
customer base.
Citibank Zrt. was the Diamond Sponsor of Mozart's "The Magic
Flute" opera concert featuring world-famous opera stars from
Hungary and other European countries in July 2005. The bank hosted
their clients at this grand performance held in the National Concert
Hall of the Palace of Arts.
The bank's commitment to the community is reflected in the
following programs:
- Citibank Financial Education School Program - With a grant of
USD 130,000 from the Citigroup Foundation the bank continued to
bring economics, finance, mathematics and English-language teaching
materials and books for 15,000 students in 36 elementary schools
across Hungary.
- Citigroup Corporate Finance Chair Program - In 2005 the bank
continued their support for the Corvinus University of Budapest
in its endeavor to increase the level of financial education and
to offer its students access to the most up-to-date information
and trends in the financial markets. This support is a result of
a USD 40,000 grant from the Citigroup Foundation and local Citigroup
volunteers giving presentations and lectures to the students of
the Department of Enterprise Finances.
Economics for Leaders Summer Program - Thirty secondary school
students and 30 Economics teachers took part in this annual summer
program in Hungary, which was also sponsored by the Citigroup Foundation.
- Habitat for Humanity - Within the framework of the Habitat for
Humanity House Building Employee Volunteering Program, three groups
of 20 employees helped build affordable houses for families in Dunavarsany.
The Citigroup Foundation supported the program with a grant of USD
30,000.
- Additional community programs include support of integrated
studies for blind students, Debrecen Children's Hospital, and the
Friends of Franz Liszt Music Academy.
Major financial data for Citibank Zrt.
(as of December 31st, 2005, according to Hungarian Accounting Standards)
| |
million HUF |
million HUF |
|
| Item |
2004 |
2005 |
% change vs 2004 |
| Return on equity (ROE) |
32.64% |
38.98% |
19% |
| Return on assets (ROA) |
3.33% |
2.87% |
-14% |
| Total assets |
406,449 |
458,822 |
13% |
| Profit before tax |
15,244 |
16,242 |
7% |
| Shareholders equity |
35,617 |
28,021 |
-21% |
| Share capital |
13 005 |
13,005 |
0% |
| Profit after tax |
12,801 |
12,404 |
-3% |
| Dividends paid |
20,000 |
20 000 |
0% |
| Profit after tax and allocations |
0 |
1,429 |
n.a. |
| Loans |
152,014 |
159,991 |
5% |
| Deposits |
258,776 |
298,844 |
15% |
| Net interest income |
23,962 |
28,925 |
21% |
| Total Consumer loans |
69,921 |
74,720 |
7% |
| Total Corporate loans |
82,093 |
85,271 |
4% |
| Total Consumer deposits |
132,392 |
142,743 |
8% |
| Total Corporate deposits |
126,384 |
156,101 |
24% |
| Adjusted capital |
36,254 |
42,381 |
17% |
| General reserve |
6,734 |
6,734 |
0% |
| Retained earnings |
15,317 |
6,292 |
-59% |
| Capital reserve |
561 |
561 |
0% |
| Solvency ratio |
16.64% |
19.16% |
15% |
|
Media Contact:
Eva Hencz, Vice President, Public Affairs Officer, Citibank Zrt.
Tel: +36 1 374-5307, Mobile: +36 30 250-7473, Fax: +36 1 374-5378
|