Karim Awad.

Inayat-ur-Rahman, Business Editor

EFG Hermes, the leading financial services corporation in Frontier Emerging Markets (FEM), reported its second quarter results for 2021.

EFG Hermes’ revenues grew by 20% Y-o-Y to EGP 1.6 billion in second quarter, driven by an outstanding performance from the Investment Bank and the NBFIs platform, delivering a solid 66% Y-o-Y increase in revenues from fees and commissions to EGP 1.1 billion in 2Q21.

 “Our second quarter results showcase EFG Hermes’ ability to swiftly capitalise on improved market conditions and drive strong growth across our core business operations,” said EFG Hermes Holding’s Group CEO Karim Awad.

“At our Investment Bank, we successfully captured the upturn in market activity and continued to deliver best-in-class financial services to both our sell-side and buy-side clients.

"Meanwhile, at our NBFIs platform, we achieved remarkable progress on all strategic initiatives and delivered impressive growth across all business lines, especially at valU, our innovative Buy-Now-Pay-Later (BNPL) fintech platform. valU successfully reached an outstanding portfolio size exceeding the EGP 1 billion mark and has continued to play a pivotal role in the Group’s efforts to further penetrate Egypt’s thriving fintech space.”

The Group’s NBFIs platform delivered a 62% Y-o-Y revenue increase to EGP 483 million in 2Q21. The Group’s microfinance company, Tanmeyah, recorded a revenue increase of 60% Y-o-Y to EGP 367 million driven by increased sales and a growing loan portfolio. Meanwhile, growing contributions from the Group’s leading Buy-Now Pay-Later fintech platform, valU – which successfully tripled its revenues Y-o-Y to EGP 63 million – also supported the NBFIs platform in 2Q21.

"The NBFIs platform’s factoring revenues grew nearly three-fold to EGP 11 million, primarily due to an expansion in its client portfolio in 2Q21, while Leasing revenues declined 11% Y-o-Y to EGP 42 million, as the comparable quarter included EGP 7 million of securitisation gains.

“Since the start of the year, our NBFIs platform achieved multiple operational milestones, most notable of which includes Tanmeyah’s loan portfolio reaching EGP 3.3 billion, its highest level since inception. I am also pleased to report that as of May 2021, EFG Hermes’ factoring business was ranked in first place with a market share of 20.4% and an outstanding portfolio that exceeded EGP 1 billion.

"Parallel to this, our Investment Banking division delivered a remarkable performance in 2Q21, successfully advising on eight transactions during the quarter worth an aggregate value of USD 946 million. Our robust pipeline is testament to the firm’s ability to weather the challenging external environment and provide outstanding advisory services to its local and regional client base,” added Awad.

“Heading into the second half of the year, we remain cognizant of the potential for a new wave of COVID-19-related challenges and geopolitical headwinds which impact the pace of economic recovery across global markets. Nevertheless, we take comfort from our increasingly diversified business operations and the agility of our people, which allow us to continue capitalizing on new opportunities and carry our growth momentum forward despite the challenges,” concluded Awad.