Industry headwinds halve Stanchart�s profits

Moatlhodi Lekaukau, Standard Chartered CEO. PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Moatlhodi Lekaukau, Standard Chartered CEO. PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO

A tough trading environment in the banking sector characterised by low interest rates and tight liquidity has slashed Standard Chartered Botswana profits by more than half in the first half of the year.

In its financials published yesterday, the country’s oldest bank said profit after tax fell 61 percent to P66.2 million, with the high cost of sourcing deposits effecting a big dent on operating income.

Despite the bank’s interest income rising eight percent to P440 million, tight competition for deposits saw interest expenses almost double to P198 million, leading to a significant decline in net interest income.

Editor's Comment
The corrupt must be punished

The findings reveal a disturbing pattern of misconduct and lack of transparency that cannot be ignored.The Tribunal, led by Judge President Justice Kabelo Lebotse, has rightly condemned the Ministry for its eyebrow raising conduct in awarding a P1.8 billion water tender to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (Pty) Ltd and Zhong Gan Engineering & Construction Corporation (Pty) Ltd.The award was made despite alleged clear evidence that...

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