First International Bank of Israel Reports Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year of 2024

Reflects continued growth and strong profitability while maintaining financial stability

TEL AVIV, Israel, March 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- First International Bank of Israel (TASE: FIBI) one of Israel's major banking groups, today announced its results for the fourth quarter of the year.

Financial Highlights

    --  Net income of NIS 2,371  million in the year 2024; Return on equity 19%;
    --  Net income of NIS 573 million in the fourth quarter of 2024; Return on
        equity 17.4%
    --  Net credit to the public grew by 10% in 2024 and by 3.7% in the fourth
        quarter;
    --  Deposits from the public grew by 12.4% in 2024 and by 0.9% in the fourth
        quarter;
    --  Customers' assets grew by 25% in 2024 and by 5% in the fourth quarter,
        and reached NIS 839 billion;
    --  Equity attributed to the Bank's shareholders amounted to NIS 13.4
        billion; an increase of 11.3% compared to the end of 2023; Tier 1
        shareholders' equity ratio of 11.31%;
    --  The Bank's Board of Directors decided on the distribution of a dividend
        amounting to NIS 228 million, representing a return of 40% of the net
        income;

Financial Results of the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024

The First International Group's net income amounted to NIS 2,371 million in 2024, an increase of 9.2% compared with that of the previous year. The return on equity reached 19%.

In the fourth quarter of the year, the net income amounted to NIS 573 million, an increase of 14.8% over that of the previous year. The return on equity was 17.4%.

Credit to the public, net, amounted to NIS 129.4 billion, an increase of 10% in 2024 and an increase of 3.7% in the fourth quarter.

Deposits from the public amounted to NIS 214.8 billion, an increase of 12.4% in 2024 and 0.9% in the fourth quarter. The customers' assets portfolio increased by 25% in comparison with that of the previous year and by 5% in the fourth quarter of 2024, and amounted to NIS 839 billion.

Equity attributed to the Bank's shareholders increased to NIS 13.4 billion, an increase of 11.3% by comparison with the end of 2023. The tier 1 shareholders' equity ratio increased to 11.31%, 2.1 percentage points above the required regulatory amount. The liquidity coverage ratio remained high and stood at 165%.

Considering the directives of the Supervisor of Banks regarding Capital Planning and Profits Distribution Policy, the Bank's Board of Directors approved the distribution of a cash dividend to shareholders amounting to NIS 228 million, representing 40% of net income. The Board of Directors will continue to consider the implementation of the Bank's dividend distribution policy, according to which the bank will distribute up to 50% of its net profit each year, in light of ongoing developments and impacts on the economy and the Bank.

Income for credit losses amounted to NIS 16 million in 2024, compared with expenses of NIS 502 million in 2023. The expenses for credit losses were NIS 35 million in the fourth quarter of the year, of which the collective expense was NIS 41 million. The percentage of the expense to the average balance of credit to the public was 0.11%.

In terms of the qualitative credit portfolio, the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio (the balance of non-accrual debts or debts that are in arrears of 90 days or more, out of the balance of the credit to the public) declined, and reached 0.53% at the end of the fourth quarter, as compared to 0.6% at the end of 2023. The ratio is an indication of the quality of the credit portfolio.

Operating and other expenses amounted to NIS 2,977 million in 2024, an increase of 3.5% over 2023 and was primarily due to an improved efficiencies as well as the impact of inflation. The 2024 efficiency ratio stood at 44.1%.

Management Comment

Eli Cohen, First International Bank Israel's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "2024 presented many challenges for us, amid ongoing uncertainty. The Swords of Iron War negatively affected hundreds of thousands of Israelis, both directly and indirectly, and the Bank's staff and managers remained fully committed to providing optimal customer service throughout the period. Together with a series of benefits and reliefs for First International Bank's customers, we continued to support Israel's security forces and to society in general. This is primarily through an initiative we launched in the early days of the war, and which continues today. As part of this initiative, we stand by and supports the brave members of Kibbutz Nir Oz, who have suffered devasting losses in the attack."

"I am proud and grateful to the thousands of First International Bank's staff members, for their devotion during this period of war, for their motivation, their determination and their dedicated service they continue to provide our customers."

"Today, we published the Bank's financial results for 2024. Despite the significant challenges, the results reflect resilience and growth. This year, we have seen strong momentum in our core operations and strategic focus areas, with the credit portfolio growing by 10% and customer assets increasing by 25%. We have achieved growth through our activity with new customers and the continued expansion in our activity with existing customers, reinforcing our position as the leading bank in the capital markets sector. "

"The Bank's results are also marked through a high level of financial stability, reflected in the quality of the credit portfolio, as well as the high capital and liquidity ratios. This stability is of considerable importance in the current period of economic uncertainty."

"We are continuing to improve our value proposition to customers, by providing both a personalized service and also through our digital capabilities. The First International Bank's customers are the first who can benefit from FibiWise, an innovative system we developed, that provides customers with a comprehensive financial view of their various accounts across all banks and financial institutions. Additionally, we also recently launched a preloaded wallet called Beyond, which, for the first time in the Israeli banking system, enables its holders to benefit from significant fixed benefits on their purchases."

"I hope and pray that we will achieve calm in the security situation on the various fronts, for the safe return of the residents of the North and the South and for the return of all the hostages. I send my wishes for a speedy and full recovery to all the wounded and share my deepest condolences to the bereaved families."



     
              CONDENSED PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND PRINCIPAL EXECUTION INDICES





     
              Principal financial ratios                                                                                                                                                2024            2023              2022      2021            2020


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                percent



     
              Execution indices



     Return on equity attributed to shareholders of the Bank                                                                                                                              19.0    19.7     16.6     14.7       8.6



     Return on average assets                                                                                                                                                             1.02    1.06     0.89     0.82      0.49



     Ratio of equity capital tier 1                                                                                                                                                      11.31   11.35    10.42    11.46     11.18



     Leverage ratio                                                                                                                                                                       5.18    5.26     5.19     5.34      5.29



     Liquidity coverage ratio(1)                                                                                                                                                           165     156      127      128       150



     Net stable funding ratio(2)                                                                                                                                                           140     146      133      139



     Ratio of total income to average assets                                                                                                                                               2.9     3.2      2.9      2.6       2.7



     Ratio of interest income, net to average assets                                                                                                                                       2.0     2.4      2.0      1.6       1.7



     Ratio of fees to average assets                                                                                                                                                       0.7     0.7      0.8      0.8       0.9



     Efficiency ratio                                                                                                                                                                     44.1    43.5     50.9     58.3      61.8



     
              Credit quality indices



     Ratio of provision for credit losses to credit to the public                                                                                                                         1.25    1.36     1.02     1.05      1.38



     Ratio of total provision for credit losses (3) to credit to the public                                                                                                               1.38    1.50     1.12     1.13      1.48



     Ratio of non-accruing debts or in arrears of 90 days or more to credit to the public                                                                                                 0.53    0.60     0.48   **0.63     0.86



     Ratio of provision for credit losses to total non-accruing credit to the public                                                                                                     244.6   234.5    219.7  **244.0    221.3



     Ratio of net write-offs to average total credit to the public                                                                                                                      (0.04)   0.03     0.03   (0.01)     0.10



     Ratio of expenses (income) for credit losses to average total credit to the public                                                                                                 (0.01)   0.42     0.11   (0.23)     0.52





     
              Principal data from the statement of income                                                                                                                               2024            2023              2022      2021            2020


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            NIS million



     Net profit attributed to shareholders of the Bank                                                                                                                                   2,371           2,172             1,667     1,405             750



     Interest Income, net                                                                                                                                                                4,740   4,966    3,803    2,794     2,637



     Expenses (income) from credit losses                                                                                                                                                 (16)    502      123    (216)      464



     Total non-interest income                                                                                                                                                           2,006   1,652    1,611    1,756     1,523



        Of which:  Fees                                                                                                                                                                  1,553   1,502    1,489    1,444     1,371



     Total operating and other expenses                                                                                                                                                  2,977   2,877    2,755    2,652     2,569



        Of which:  Salaries and related expenses                                                                                                                                         1,739  *1,766  *1,700  *1,621   *1,552



     Primary net profit per share of NIS 0.05 par value (NIS)                                                                                                                            23.63   21.65    16.62    14.00      7.48





     
              Principal data from the balance sheet                                                                                                                                     2024            2023              2022      2021            2020


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            NIS million



     Total assets                                                                                                                                                                      248,563         221,593           195,955   180,470         167,778



      of which: Cash and deposits with banks                                                                                                                                            77,175  68,866   57,130   57,370    57,802



                            Securities                                                                                                                                                  34,396  26,985   16,010   15,091    13,105



                            Credit to the public, net                                                                                                                                  129,416 117,622  115,961  101,164    90,970



     Total liabilities                                                                                                                                                                 234,479 208,947  184,920  170,033   158,243



        of which:   Deposits from the public                                                                                                                                           214,755 191,125  168,269  153,447   141,677



                            Deposits from banks                                                                                                                                          2,508   4,314    4,821    5,144     2,992



                            Bonds and subordinated capital notes                                                                                                                         4,479   4,767    4,749    3,356     4,394



     Capital attributed to the shareholders of the Bank                                                                                                                                 13,430  12,071   10,559   10,003     9,141





     
              Additional data                                                                                                                                                           2024            2023              2022      2021            2020



     Share price (0.01 NIS)                                                                                                                                                             17,940          14,990            13,900    12,950           8,514



     Dividend per share (0.01 NIS)                                                                                                                                                         986     795      942      543       125



     Average number of positions (4)                                                                                                                                                     3,555   3,634    3,676    3,715     3,895





     *       Reclassified.



     **     Restated in respect of the new disclosure format on non-accruing debts instead of impaired debts, since January 1, 2022. Comparative data for 2020 have not been restated.



     (1)     The ratio is computed in respect of the three months ended at the end of the reporting period.



     (2)    According to instructions of the Bank of Israel the Net stable funding ratio was calculated since 2021. Therefor no comparative data is stated.



     (3)     Including provision in respect of off-balance sheet credit instruments.



     (4)   The number of positions includes conversion of overtime in terms of positions.



              
                STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
    (NIS million)




                                                                                                              Consolidated                                             The Bank


                                                                                                  2024            2023             2022           2024            2023          2022



              Interest Income                                                                  11,097           9,850            5,161                  10,506           9,317                4,833



              Interest Expenses                                                                 6,357  4,884     1,358    6,251    4,801          1,339



              Interest Income, net                                                              4,740  4,966     3,803    4,255    4,516          3,494



              Expenses (income) from credit losses                                               (16)   502       123     (23)     484            118



              Net Interest Income after expenses from credit losses                             4,756  4,464     3,680    4,278    4,032          3,376



              
                Non-Interest Income



              Non-Interest Financing income                                                       432    142       113      432      161            111



              Fees                                                                              1,553  1,502     1,489    1,387    1,348          1,331



              Other income                                                                         21      8         9       78       62             66



              Total non-Interest income                                                         2,006  1,652     1,611    1,897    1,571          1,508



              
                Operating and other expenses



              Salaries and related expenses                                                     1,739 *1,766   *1,700   1,620   *1,644        *1,582



              Maintenance and depreciation of premises and equipment                              359 *321     *312       334   *297          *288



              Amortizations and impairment of intangible assets                                   134    122       113      133      120            111



              Other expenses                                                                      745    668       630      717      642            604



              Total operating and other expenses                                                2,977  2,877     2,755    2,804    2,703          2,585



              Profit before taxes                                                               3,785  3,239     2,536    3,371    2,900          2,299



              Provision for taxes on profit                                                     1,383  1,090       884    1,228      973            801



              Profit after taxes                                                                2,402  2,149     1,652    2,143    1,927          1,498



              The bank's share in profit of equity-basis investee, after taxes                     74    113        74      228      245            169



              
                Net profit:



              Before attribution to non-controlling interests                                   2,476  2,262     1,726    2,371    2,172          1,667



              Attributed to non-controlling interests                                           (105)  (90)     (59)                             -



              Attributed to shareholders of the Bank                                            2,371  2,172     1,667    2,371    2,172          1,667





              
                Consolidated
                 and The Bank                                                                         2024                  2023                2022



              
                Primary profit per share attributed to the shareholders of the Bank                                                                                             NIS



              Net profit per share of NIS 0.05 par value                                                                                 23.63                 21.65                 16.62



              *       Reclassified.











              Tel-Aviv, March 11, 2025



              
                STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

                FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31


              (NIS million)


                                                                                                                                                                             Consolidated


                                                                                                                                                               2024        2023           2022



              Net profit before attribution to non-controlling interests                                                                                     2,476 2,262  1,726



              Net profit attributed to non-controlling interests                                                                                             (105) (90)  (59)



              Net profit attributed to the shareholders of the Bank                                                                                          2,371 2,172  1,667



              Other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes:



              Adjustments of available for sale bonds to fair value, net                                                                                        31   213  (441)



              Adjustments of liabilities in respect of employee benefits(1)                                                                                   (60)   25    235



              Other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes                                                                                                  (29)  238  (206)



              Related tax effect                                                                                                                                 9  (81)    71



              Other comprehensive income (loss) before attribution to non-controlling interests, after taxes                                                  (20)  157  (135)



              Less other comprehensive income (loss) attributed to non-controlling interests                                                                     3     9   (13)



              Other comprehensive income (loss) attributed to the shareholders of the Bank, after taxes                                                       (23)  148  (122)



              Comprehensive income before attribution to non-controlling interests                                                                           2,456 2,419  1,591



              Comprehensive income attributed to non-controlling interests                                                                                   (108) (99)  (46)



              Comprehensive income attributed to the shareholders of the Bank                                                                                2,348 2,320  1,545



              (1)   Mostly reflects adjustments in respect of actuarial assessments as of the end of the period regarding defined benefits pension plans, of
    amounts recorded in the past in other comprehensive profit.



              
                BALANCE SHEET AS AT DECEMBER 31
    (NIS million)


                                                                                                                                                                                    Consolidated                 The Bank


                                                                                                                                                                      2024                  2023      2024  2023



              
                Assets



              Cash and deposits with banks                                                                                                                         77,175   68,866        76,194    67,472



              Securities                                                                                                                                           34,396   26,985        31,996    25,940



              Securities which were borrowed                                                                                                                           70       57            70        57



              Credit to the public                                                                                                                                131,050  119,240       124,573   113,118



              Provision for Credit losses                                                                                                                         (1,634) (1,618)       (1,533)  (1,520)



              Credit to the public, net                                                                                                                           129,416  117,622       123,040   111,598



              Credit to the government                                                                                                                              1,496    1,055           789       369



              Investment in equity-basis investees                                                                                                                    842      786         1,826     1,642



              Premises and equipment                                                                                                                                  867      877           847       855



              Intangible assets                                                                                                                                       363      328           360       324



              Assets in respect of derivative instruments                                                                                                           2,565    3,651         2,565     3,651



              Other assets(2)                                                                                                                                       1,373    1,366         1,290     1,293



              Total assets                                                                                                                                        248,563  221,593       238,977   213,201



              
                Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity



              Deposits from the public                                                                                                                            214,755  191,125       207,007   184,082



              Deposits from banks                                                                                                                                   2,508    4,314         4,091     6,344



              Deposits from the Government                                                                                                                          2,540      750         2,540       750



              Securities lent or sold under agreements to repurchase                                                                                                2,304                 2,304         -



              Bonds and subordinated capital notes                                                                                                                  4,479    4,767         2,218     2,442



              Liabilities in respect of derivative instruments                                                                                                      2,729    3,784         2,732     3,790



              Other liabilities(1)(3)                                                                                                                               5,164    4,207         4,655     3,722



              Total liabilities                                                                                                                                   234,479  208,947       225,547   201,130



              Capital attributed to the shareholders of the Bank                                                                                                   13,430   12,071        13,430    12,071



              Non-controlling interests                                                                                                                               654      575                      -



              Total equity                                                                                                                                         14,084   12,646        13,430    12,071



              Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                                                                                          248,563  221,593       238,977   213,201



              (1)     Of which: provisions for credit losses in respect of off-balance sheet credit instruments in the amount of NIS 177 million and NIS 165 million
    (consolidated) and NIS 173 million and NIS 161 million (the Bank) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.


              (2)    Of which: other assets measured at fair value in the amount of NIS 1 million consolidated and the Bank (31.12.23 - NIS 10 million
    consolidated and the Bank).


              (3)     Of which: other liabilities measured at fair value in the amount of NIS 1 million consolidated and the Bank (31.12.23 - NIS 11 million
    consolidated and the Bank).



              
                STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
    (NIS million)


                                                                                                                                                                    Share capital              Accumulated                  Retained               Total            Non-        Total
                                                                                                                                                                                                   other                                           share-        controlling    equity
                                                                                                                                                                and premium
                                                                                                                                                                    (1)                  comprehensive                earnings(2)           holders'         interests
                                                                                                                                                                                         income (loss)                                       equity



              Balance as at January 1, 2022                                                                                                                                  927                     (181)                     9,213                 9,959                 430     10,389



              
                Changes during 2022 -



              Net profit for the year                                                                                                                                                -              1,667    1,667                    59            1,726



              Dividend                                                                                                                                                               -              (945)   (945)                                (945)



              Other comprehensive loss, after tax effect                                                                                                                         (122)                       (122)                  (13)           (135)



              Balance as at December 31, 2022                                                                                                                                927  (303)               9,935   10,559                   476           11,035



              Adjustment of the opening balance, net of tax, due to the effect of initial                                                                                            -               (10)    (10)                                 (10)
    implementation in investee company*



              Balance as at January 1, 2023, following initial implementation                                                                                                927  (303)               9,925   10,549                   476           11,025



              
                Changes during 2023
                 -



              Net profit for the year                                                                                                                                                -              2,172    2,172                    90            2,262



              Dividend                                                                                                                                                               -              (798)   (798)                                (798)



              Other comprehensive income, after tax effect                                                                                                                         148                         148                     9              157



              Balance as at December 31, 2023                                                                                                                                927  (155)              11,299   12,071                   575           12,646



              
                Changes during 2024 -



              Net profit for the year                                                                                                                                                -              2,371    2,371                   105            2,476



              Dividend                                                                                                                                                               -              (989)   (989)                  (29)         (1,018)



              Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax effect                                                                                                                 (23)                       (23)                    3             (20)



              Balance as at December 31, 2024                                                                                                                                927  (178)              12,681   13,430                   654           14,084



              *       Cumulative effect of the initial implementation of US accounting principles in the matter of financial instruments - credit losses (ASC-326).


              (1)     Including share premium of NIS 313 million (as from 1992 onwards).


              (2)    Including an amount of NIS 2,391 million which cannot be distributed as dividend.

Contact:
Dafna Zucker
First International Bank of Israel
zucker.d@fibi.co.il
+972-3-519-6224

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SOURCE First International Bank of Israel