Year end results 2021: St.Galler Kantonalbank increases profit and dividend
16.February 2022
ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR
St.Galler Kantonalbank increases its consolidated profit by 8.4 % to CHF 181.2 million and its business volume by 10.1 %. The around 33’000 shareholders, including the Canton of St.Gallen, benefit from a higher dividend. At the same time, SGKB launches its service for children and young people called «SGKB You».
Profit rises by 8.4 %
Consolidated profit increases by 8.4 % to CHF 181.2 million. The result from commission business and services (+23.9 %) and the result from trading activities (+14.0 %) benefit from the strong growth in new money and the favourable market development. The net result from interest operations is 1.6 % lower than in the previous year. Here, the volume growth cannot fully compensate for the declining margins due to the low interest rates. Overall, operating income increases by 6.6 % to CHF 518.9 million.
Operating expenses rise by 3.2 % to CHF 277.2 million. The year 2021 was characterised by further expenses for digital solutions and the ongoing modernisation of the branch network, which is reflected in general and administrative expenses (+6.8 %).
Strong growth again
St.Galler Kantonalbank increases its managed assets by 14.8 % to CHF 55.8 billion. All business areas are contributing to this strong growth, in the home market as well as in the German-speaking part of Switzerland and in Germany. Total loans to clients increase by 1.8 % to CHF 28.5 billion, of which CHF 0.6 billion come from mortgage loans, which grow by 2.2 %. CEO Christian Schmid: «We benefit from the fact that many people with financial questions like to turn to a close and familiar bank.»
Resilient economy, solid loan portfolio
The economy of Eastern Switzerland proved its robustness last year and continuously recovered from the Corona shock. The order situation and the employment for 2022 continue to be positive. Accordingly, the credit portfolio of the St.Galler Kantonalbank is still in a very good condition. No increased risks can be identified. Compared to the previous year, there is a positive effect of CHF 10.0 million net in value adjustments and provisions from the lending business. In return, CHF 10.0 million in reserves for general banking risks are created.
Dividend increased
The shareholders of St.Galler Kantonalbank also benefit from this very good result. The Board of Directors will propose to the Annual General Meeting on May 4, 2022 to increase the dividend by one Swiss franc to CHF 17 per share. This corresponds to a dividend yield of 3.9 % calculated on the year-end share price of 2021. CHF 52.0 million will be paid out to the Canton of St.Gallen as the main shareholder.
Outlook result 2022
St.Galler Kantonalbank expects for the 2022 financial year a result in line with the previous year.
«SGKB You» launched for children and young people
True to its claim of being the financial life companion for its clients, SGKB is strengthening its offer for children and young people. The free account available from birth accompanies them through kindergarten and schooling until they complete their apprenticeship or studies. From the age of six, children can get a Debit Mastercard and an app to manage their own money and achieve their saving goals. Parents always retain full control and can thus support their children. CEO Christian Schmid: «It is important to us not only to offer children great and practical apps, but also to teach them how to handle money. That's why we are also supporting the two initiatives jugendbudget.ch and Finance Mission together with the other cantonal banks.»
Key Figures
| in CHF million | 2020 | 2021 | change |
| Operation income | 486.7 | 518.9 | + 6.6 % |
| Operation result | 191.7 | 220.2 | + 14.9 % |
| Consolidated profit | 167.2 | 181.2 | + 8.4 % |
| in CHF million | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2021 | change |
| Balance sheet total | 38'548 | 39'581 | + 2.7 % |
| Total loans to clients | 28'016 | 28'517 | + 1.8 % |
| Managed assets1 | 48'628 | 55'813 | + 14.8 % |
| Total shareholders' equity | 2'591 | 2'684 | + 3.6 % |
| Employees Full-time equivalents2 |
1'297 1'115 |
1'314 1'121 |
+ 1.3 % + 0.5 % |
Alternative Performance Measures:
The alternative performance measures used outside the scope of generally accepted accounting principles as defined in the corresponding SIX Directive are explained (in German) on the SGKB website (sgkb.ch/alternative-performancekennzahlen).
1: Managed assets = Client funds (Due to clients in savings and deposits, other due to clients, medium-term notes) and assets under management. Not included are custody assets (=assets that are held solely for transaction and storage purposes and for which the Bank offers no advice to the clients).
2: Average balance
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+41 71 231 32 18
jolanda.meyer@sgkb.ch
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Adrian Kunz
Corporate Communications
+41 71 231 32 04
adrian.kunz@sgkb.ch