Seng Heng BankIn 2007, Macau’s second largest bank, Seng Heng Bank, expanded in all financial sectors, providing a healthy return on equity of 17% and laying the foundations for a takeover by China’s largest bank, ICBC, in January 2008. Seng Heng provided 12% growth in Tier 1 capital to reach $253m, a solid 16% expansion in assets to reach $3.7bn and 5% rise in net profits to $40.8m in 2007.
Banque et Caisse d’Epargne de l’EtatBanque et Caisse d’Epargne de l’Etat (BCEE) stands out as the doyen of Luxembourg’s financial institutions and one of the cornerstones of the country’s financial community. The bank is wholly owned by the Luxembourg State and it is the country’s only major financial institution without foreign shareholders.
SEBSEB bank became the first in Lithuania to calculate its own credit risk capital requirements under Basel II, and its focus on qualified risk assessment and financing has helped it maintain a good-quality portfolio during the economic slowdown in the Baltic – non-performing loans actually declined in 2007, to just 1%.
Standard Bank LesothoStandard Bank Lesotho is thriving in one of Africa’s smallest economies. It boosted its net profits by almost 50% in 2007 on the back of a growing deposit base and enhanced revenue streams. The bank continues to roll out new products and services while maintaining tight cost discipline.
National Bank of KuwaitNational Bank of Kuwait’s regional expansion strategy, including acquisitions in Egypt and Turkey, and diversifying sources of income contributed to further record results in 2007 and, despite the global turmoil, also record net profits for the first nine months of 2008.
National Commercial BankProduct innovation, clever funding strategies and a focus on service excellence have enabled Jamaica’s National Commercial Bank (NCB) to generate another year of growth and improved profitability. Net profits are up by 20%, assets by 14% and return on equity continued to rise to 24.84%.