RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s leading non-bank real estate lender, Amlak International has announced its financial results for the period ended June 30, 2020. Net income grew by 20.9% y-o-y to SR23.8 million for the Q2 2020 period, and by 129% y-o-y to SR53.3 million for 1H 2020, with total revenues increasing by 6.2% y-o-y to reach SR73.2 million for Q2 2020 and 7.9% y-o-y to SR 148.4 million for 1H 2020.

Earnings before tax (EBT) increased by 16% y-o-y to SR28.5 million for Q2 2020, at a margin of 38.9%, and by 27% y-o-y to SR61.8 million for 1H 2020. The company recently completed the offering of 30% of its equity on the Saudi Stock Exchange – Tadawul – raising approximately SR435 million.

Amlak’s total financing portfolio increased to SR3.5 billion across its individual and corporate book. Growth in new financing contracts to individuals saw an increase in value of 75.32%, with the corporate lending book accounting for 69% of Amlak’s total portfolio.

The results for the period included a SR6.4 million impairment allowance for expected credit losses (ECL), increasing credit provision from SR89.7 million as at December 2019 to SR96.1 million as at June 2020. The increase results from the expected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to the company’s business.

Commenting on first half performance, Abdullah Al Sudairy, CEO of Amlak International, said: “The second quarter was a challenging period for businesses across the Kingdom, as measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the economy. Despite these headwinds, we have seen growth in our lending portfolio.

“Top- and bottom-line performance remains healthy. As demonstrated by our own performance, we believe that the current situation is challenging but remains acceptable, and we believe in positive long-term fundamentals.

“We also saw the roll-out of supportive policies for the sector, including a range of SAMA initiatives, which allow financing companies to postpone financial commitments to bank payments for up to six months. These have been accommodative and have enabled us to relieve some pressure on borrowers.”

Financial and operating highlights: Q2 2020

• Net Real estate financing reached SR3.5 billion

• Bank borrowing increased by SR286 million from December 2019 to reach SR2.37 billion

• Gross revenue reached SR148.4 million for 1H 2020 compared to SR137.6 million for 1H 2019, driven by growth in the portfolio

• Net profit before Zakat in 1H 2020 increased to SR61.8 million y-o-y

• Net profit after Zakat increased to SR53.3 million for 1H 2020, compared to SR23.3 million for 1H 2019, a result of business growth and Zakat settlement for the previous year

• Amlak has exploited a sound business model, a highly agile digital operating platform (Temenos 24) and robust risk management procedures, allowing it to maintain regular operations and sustained healthy financial results during the pandemic period

• Amlak’s lean and scalable business model continues to allow it to capture new opportunities.

COVID-19: impact and response

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a limited impact on the company so far, and the reopening of the Saudi economy bodes well for the gradual return of confidence in the market. The company adapted quickly to new conditions, moving operations online with no disruption to disbursals or collections. Its online operating system – Temenos 24 – and risk management procedures have put it in a strong position to maintain regular operations.

The short-term revenue impact of the pandemic has so far been minimal, as the portfolio is mostly comprised of long-term tenors. Amlak has increased provisions to account for potential risks related to delinquencies that might arise from customers’ cash flow challenges.

Growth strategy

Amlak’s strategy for growth is focused on its home market of Saudi Arabia, and on the core business of secured lending to corporates and individuals.

The company has identified a clear opportunity to cater to an under-served corporate sector – which accounts for around 69% of the total lending book – and remains the cornerstone of its business, supported by Vision 2030’s commitment to diversification and growth in the private sector.

On the individuals side, Amlak has built a fruitful relationship with the Saudi Refinancing Company (SRC), to whom the company has sold more than SR400 million in contracts from the portfolio to date – benefitting from fee based income, an additional competitive source of funding, and off-loading of risk from the individuals lending book.

This is an important component in the company’s program for capitalizing on growing demand for financing among prospective Saudi homeowners and homebuilders.

In July, Amlak completed the offering of 30% of its total equity on the Saudi Stock Exchange – Tadawul – and in the process raised approximately SR 435 million.

The transition to listed company status will be important for raising the profile of Amlak International among a range of important stakeholders and is also intended to lower the future cost of capital. The offer was heavily oversubscribed in both its institutional and retail tranches. — SG