Mashreq first quarter results demonstrate strong growth with net profit of Dhs465.3m

Starting the year with impressive figures, total assets reached Dhs94.1bn, up 52.6% from Dhs61.7bn last year.

Customer deposits reached Dhs46.9bn, an increase of 28% over last year of Dhs36.7bn, whilst customer advances have grown by 48%, to Dhs43.3bn from Dhs29.3bn.

Mashreq's CEO Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair stated "We have started this year with strong growth plans and a strategy that further cements our position as a leading financial institution in the UAE. We remain focused on maintaining our competitive advantage, whilst continually developing innovative solutions that open access for customers in all areas of our business dealings".

The robust growth in total assets contributed to a marked increase in net interest income, and income from Islamic products net of distribution to depositors at Dhs412m, compared to Dhs247m for the same period last year, registering a growth of 67%.

Net Fee, Commission and other income also recorded an impressive growth of 12.8% over last year.

However, Investment income reduced from Dhs244m to Dhs175m mainly due widening of credit spreads and poor liquidity in the global and regional markets.

Mashreq continues to invest in human resources, infrastructure development and technology.

This has resulted in the expenses for the first three months of 2008 being higher than same period last year by 32%.

Continuing its prudent provisioning policy, Mashreq has set aside more than adequate provisions including General Provision of Dhs115.7m as compared to Dhs99.87m last year.

Mashreq's HR department celebrated remarkable achievements when Mr. Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair won the award of best CEO for Emiratization in the UAE.

This recognition highlighted Mashreq's commitment to UAE nationals, making it one of the leading employers in the banking sector in the country.

Mashreq's presence was strongly felt through its 11 year sponsorship of Dubai's Shopping Festival and its first time introduction of the Mashreq Sky Adventures, which entertained more than 2000 residents and visitors to Dubai during the month long festival.

In January 2008, Mashreq's Makaseb Emirates Opportunities Fund (MEOF) was rated the leading UAE equity fund on the mutual funds monitor in terms of year to date returns (YTD) by ABQ Zawya.

In addition, investors in the Makaseb Emirates Equity Fund (MEEF) can now enjoy greater flexibility in managing their investments as the fund's Net Asset Value will be available at the end of each business day.

Makaseb Emirates Equity Fund is the first UAE Fund to offer daily dealing to its investors.

Badr Al Islami, the Islamic arm of Mashreq, launched four new Business Service Centers all of which are located in the heart of Mashreq branches.

Now, Badr Al-Islami can be easily located in the Burjuman Center, on Jumeirah road in Dubai, at Khalifa Street in Abu Dhabi and in the Rolla Street in Sharjah.

Badr Al Islami's portfolio of corporate clients has been reinforced by a partnership with Cirrus Developments to offer end-user financing on its Celestial Heights' residential and commercial developments in Downtown Jebel Ali.

End-user financing provides rewarding returns to investors including the ability to spread payments over a longer term up to 25 years, which makes it even more attractive on the resale market by adding a further premium.