RAKBANK successfully concluded its Annual General Meeting (AGM) today at its headquarters in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, where the distribution of a 30% cash dividend of the Bank’s paid-up capital to shareholders for the financial year ended 31 December 2017 was approved. The dividend recommendations will result in 62% of Group’s net profit being paid out.   

During the meeting, attendees unanimously approved all agenda items including the Bank’s consolidated balance sheet and profit and loss statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2017. Additionally, the shareholders approved to increase the regulatory credit risk reserve by AED 71 million to align it at 1.5% of the Bank’s total credit risk weighted assets.

RAKBANK Chairman, H.E. Mohamed Omran Alshamsi, presented a review of the year ended 31st December 2017. “Over the course of 2017, the Bank’s performance continued to improve. Year-on-year profitability increased, confirming the success of our strategy in supporting the diversification of our revenue streams, reduction of provisions, and improvement in asset growth and asset quality. Net Profit for 2017 totaled AED 810.5 million, increasing by 22.3% over the previous year. During the course of the year, our strategy focused on consolidating efforts to offer a service and product portfolio that would deliver a ‘Simply Better’ journey for all stakeholders. The strategy is focused on building the performance of new and improved business units, by continuing to innovate in the introduction and set-up of a more diverse range of activities. RAKBANK will continue to find ways to moderate its legacy operating costs, improving efficiency across the Group, and engaging in strategic partnerships with FinTech players that will give the Bank a competitive edge in the market.”  

“Our aim is to continue to diversify our loan book in core areas, while at the same time increasing revenue streams from non-interest income generated by our products and services, and expanding our footprint in the Wholesale and Treasury space. Furthermore, we have made great strides in consolidating the efforts of the previous year with new or revamped business units, all realising positive results. These accomplishments have, in part, been driven by our emphasis on innovation, which we regard as an essential vehicle for reaching future goals,” Alshamsi added.