HSBC Bank Malta plc yesterday announced a profit before tax of €88.3 million for the year ended December 31,2011 – an increase of 6.3 per cent, or €5.2 million over the comparable period in 2010. On a like-for-like basis, excluding non-recurring items, profits were in line with the prior year’s performance.

All three main business lines – retail banking and wealth management, commercial banking and global banking and markets – all contributed positively to the bank’s overall performance.

The board is declaring a final gross dividend of 7.2 cent per share (4.7 cent net of tax). This will be paid on April 27 to shareholders who are on the bank’s register of shareholders at March 19, 2012.

Speaking during the announcement of the results, Mark Watkinson, director and chief executive officer of HSBC Malta, said: “We have delivered another good set of results that saw pre-tax profit increase by 6.3 per cent with a return on equity of 15.7 per cent. The bank’s capital and liquidity position remain strong and we have a firm grip on both our risks and costs.

“We will continue to focus on improving productivity and cost effectiveness to ensure long-term business sustainability. The bank’s strategy is clear and we continue to emphasise our competitive advantage as an international bank and as an important part of HSBC, one of the world’s largest and strongest banking groups,” said Mr Watkinson.

During the year the bank continued to execute against its key transformation programme with a view to building long-term sustainability. In this light, and reflecting changing customer behaviour patterns, an announcement was made in relation to a branch optimisation programme and the launch of a staff voluntary retirement scheme.

In addition the bank disposed of its card acquiring business in line with HSBC Group global strategy for this business. The cost of the voluntary retirement scheme (€11 million) was broadly offset by the proceeds from the sale of the card acquiring business.

During 2011, the bank continued to invest in expanding its business and transforming its operations. A new banking computer system was introduced at a cost of €10 million during the year and the roll-out of upgraded branches and ATMs at a cost of €11 million continues.

Net interest income improved by 5.2 per cent to €129.3 million compared with €122.8 million in 2010. The increase reflected growth in mortgage lending and improved balance sheet management. Net fees and commission income of €33.5 million in 2011 was marginally down on the prior year. Growth in account services fees were offset by a decline in stockbroking fees largely due to the slow-down in local capital markets bond issuance activity.

HSBC Life Insurance (Malta) Ltd generated a profit before tax of €11.3 million compared to €12.6 million in 2010. Underlying new business performance generation, particularly with respect to life-insurance protection was encouraging. The business benefitted from a non-recurring gain of €6.9 million as a result of a refinement in the methodology used to calculate the present value of in-force long-term insurance business.

This benefit was eroded during the year as the yields on euro swaps continued to fall and the market value of investment holdings reduced.

In view of significantly heightened stress in the eurozone debt markets, the bank reduced its exposure to higher risk eurozone countries through selling holdings in the available-for-sale bond portfolio at a net loss of €1.6 million.

Net other operating income increased significantly, from €5.2 million in 2010 to €23.6 million in 2011. The increase was driven by the sale of the card acquiring business and the non-recurring gain in the life insurance subsidiary relating to a methodology change.

Operating expenses of €98.2 million were €10.6 million or 12.1 per cent higher compared to the previous year with a cost efficiency ratio of 50.4 per cent compared to 49.7 per cent in 2010.

Costs increased principally due to the staff voluntary retirement scheme provision of €11 million and due to higher costs relating to utilities, regulatory fees and compliance costs.

At a consolidated level, impairments rose from €5.5 million to €8.3 million in 2011. This was principally due to a €4 million impairment taken on Greek government bonds held by the life insurance subsidiary in the available-for-sale bond portfolio. The life insurance subsidiary’s remaining exposure to Greek debt is modest and stands at a net book value of less than €2 million.

Other than the exposures noted above and investments in Maltese government debt, the group has no exposure to southern European government debt.

The group’s available-for-sale portfolio remains well diversified and conservative.

At a bank level, while there was a marginal deterioration in non-performing loans from 3.6 per cent to 5.1 per cent, in general asset quality remains good and loan impairments declined to €4.1 million (11 basis points of the overall loan book) compared with €5.3 million in 2010.

Net loans and advances to customers increased by €53.8 million to €3,344.2 million. Mortgage market share remained stable. Gross new lending to customers amounted to €656 million which reflects the bank’s continued support to the local economy.

Liabilities rose by €141.8 million during the year and stood at €5,458.4 million at the year end.

The increase in liabilities reflected a rise in placements with the bank offsetting a small fall in customer deposits.

The bank’s liquidity position remains strong with advances to deposits ratio of 75.9 per cent, compared with 73.7 per cent at December 31, 2010.

The bank strengthened its capital ratio by 140 basis points to 11.6 per cent. This exceeds the eight per cent minimum regulatory requirement. The bank intends to maintain a conservative approach to capital and will continue to build capital where appropriate.

Mr Watkinson said: “The outlook for 2012 looks very challenging. While the Maltese economy has performed relatively well over the last 12 months the continuing uncertainty in the eurozone will likely act to slow the domestic economy.

“That said, HSBC Bank Malta remains confident in its abilities to rise to the challenges of the next 12 months. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff, directors and shareholders for their commitment, hard work and support in 2011.”