Air Bank Group’s unaudited combined financial results for the financial year 2021, contain figures from Air Bank a.s., Benxy s.r.o. (Zonky), Home Credit a.s., and Home Credit Slovakia, a.s.
Executive Summary
Prague, 1 April 2022 – Retail bank Air Bank, P2P digital lending platform Zonky and consumer finance providers Home Credit Czech Republic and Home Credit Slovakia (“Air Bank Group”) recorded robust year-on-year growth in 2021 as pandemic restrictions eased and the economy revived, leading to a recovery in consumer demand.
Air Bank Group increased profit by 50% for the year to CZK 2.25 billion in 2021 with the headline figure backed by additional indicators of growth in the Group’s lending operations and a notable uptick in new customer acquisitions.
“Last year, Air Bank Group achieved several key milestones. Owing to the steadfast customer-centric strategy, we acquired new clients. Our loan portfolio expanded very robustly. Compared to 2020, the Group’s retail loan book grew 24% and mortgages almost 60%. As our younger-than-market average clients get more mature, we see new product cross-selling opportunities. Our net fee income showed a positive dynamic thanks to added-value services. Our risk management is a key factor in achieving and maintaining good financial results. The gradual increase in market rates underpinned our solid net interest income performance and the quality of our loan portfolio, as evidenced by a significant improvement in impairment charges. Zonky achieved solid year-on-year growth, while our Home Credit operations were stable and profitable. Therefore, the Group delivered a significant net profit growth to CZK 2.252 billion. We are on track to meet our CZK 3 billion net profit target as early as this year,” said Michal Strcula, Chief Executive Officer of Air Bank and a member of the supervisory boards at Home Credit and Home Credit Slovakia.
The results follow an announcement by Air Bank Group in December of 2021 that it will be acquired by Czech Moneta Money Bank in a transaction worth CZK 25.8 billion. At that time, Moneta shareholders gave approval for the company to acquire Air Bank Group in a deal that will see two of the Czech Republic’s largest financial institutions combine. The deal is subject to ongoing regulatory processes.
Key combined financial metrics (in CZK millions) |
2021 |
2020 |
Y-on-Y change |
Net profit |
2,252 |
1,502 |
49.9% |
Operating income |
6,119 |
5,781 |
5.8% |
Operating expenses |
3,338 |
3,344 |
(0.2%) |
Impairment losses |
27 |
613 |
(95.6%) |
Total assets |
147,857 |
137,842 |
7.3% |
Total deposits |
129,320 |
123,618 |
4.6% |
Total equity |
12,719 |
10,472 |
21.5% |
Return on equity |
17.7% |
14.0% |
+367 bps |
About The Group
Air Bank Group comprises Air Bank, one of the Czech Republic’s leading neo-banks, non-bank consumer finance lender Home Credit in the Czech Republic and Slovakia as well as Peer-to-Peer lender, Zonky.
Air Bank
Air Bank is the fastest and largest growing neo-bank and one of the few in the world to have already achieved both significant size and profitability. It offers a full range of retail banking products through its digital channels.
Home Credit CZ-SK
Home Credit is the biggest non-bank consumer finance company in the Czech market and offers point-of-sales financing, credit cards, consumer loans, car loans and micro credit.
Zonky
Zonky is an exclusively online peer-to-peer lending platform that connects retail borrowers and investors. It offers digital onboarding and no paperwork that enables the ongoing growth of its customer base. The legal entity named Benxy merged with Air Bank in December 2021.