AIB has announced pre-tax profits of €1.7bn for the year end 2016 as it proposes a dividend of €250m to ordinary shareholders.
The bank said that the “milestone year” has been driven by strong sustainable business performance, net credit provision writebacks of €294m and one-off benefits including the Visa Europe transaction.
AIB is the first of the Irish banks to pay dividends since 2008.
CEO Bernard Byrne also said that the bank is ready for a stock flotation.
“2016 has been another milestone year for AIB Group. Our strong financial performance and robust capital base support our proposed dividend of €250m to ordinary shareholders,” Mr Byrne said.
“This reflects our sustainable profitability, strong capital generation and focus on delivering for shareholders and customers.”
Mr Byrne said that AIB returned a further €1.8bn to the State during the year, which together with the proposed dividend, brings to €6.8bn the amount AIB will have paid in capital, dividends, fees, coupons and levies.
“The bank is now ready for an IPO, when market conditions permit and the Minister decides,” he said.
“With a market leading franchise, strong customer focus and investment in digital, AIB Group is well placed to continue to support our customers and the growing Irish economy.”
Additional financial highlights
*28bps increase in net interest margin* (NIM) to 2.25pc from 1.97pc; continued expansion with the spread widening between yields on assets and liabilities and redemption of legacy instruments
*Cost income ratio of 52pc with operating expenses** increased by 7pc in line with expectations to €1.4bn; and €870m strategic investment programme, commenced in 2015, continuing to deliver efficiencies, improved customer satisfaction and capacity for growth
*€12.9bn in new lending approvals to customers; €8.7bn of drawdowns; 16pc increase in new lending in Ireland
* Impaired loans reduced to €9.1bn, down c. €4bn since December 2015 and c. €20bn since December 2013
*Robust capital base with transitional common equity tier 1 (CET 1) ratio of 19pc and fully loaded CET1 ratio of 15.3pc well in excess of the 2017 SREP transitional CET 1 requirement of 9pc
* €1.8bn Contingent Capital Notes (CoCo) repaid to the State in July 2016. Total payments of c. €6.8bn to the State including the €250m proposed dividend payment
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