(20 February 2007 – Australia) Suncorp has posted a net profit after tax of A$527 million for the half year to 31 December 2007, up more than 16 percent on the same period in 2006.The banking division delivered a 13.3 percent NPAT increase to A$289 million.
Suncorp said this was underpinned by good growth momentum, strong retail deposits, an improved cost to income performance and sound asset quality.
Wealth management grew by 28.6 percent to A$54 million.
Suncorp chief executive John Mulcahy said the result was pleasing in light of the intense competition in the banking, insurance and wealth management industries.
“Despite this, we have protected our franchise by responding to the growth challenge in a measured and disciplined manner and not compromising our fundamentals around credit and risk,” he said.
Mulcahy said the result reinforced the strategic rationale of the Promina merger proposal.
“When viewed together the reports of Suncorp and Promina provide an insight into the great opportunities that underpin our merger proposal for shareholders, customers and employees of both companies,” he said.