In 2022, BCI continued to implement its strategy of reinforcing the quality and diversity of the products and services it offers to families, companies and the economy in Mozambique, earning the recognition of its customers, which grew by more than 100,000 to around 2.2 million, including individuals, companies and institutions.

The continued trust placed in BCI by customers has allowed the bank to maintain its market leadership in the three main market share dimensions: Credit (24.25%), Deposits (25.41%) and Assets (23.68%), as a result of the service offered by the 211 branches.

We should also mention the high growth in the number of customers using digital platforms to carry out various transactions, 34% of which were through the USSD system and 20% through the channels ebanking and APP Vai DAKI.

Thus, the growth in customer confidence in the Bank, as well as in its teams, products and services, allowed BCI to increase its turnover (loans + deposits) by 3.4% to 230 billion meticais, despite the impact of internal and external factors that influenced the course of the national macroeconomy.

Customer Deposits increased by 8.38% compared to the figure recorded in December 2021, essentially reflecting the evolution of National Currency Deposits (+13.4%), due to the recovery in economic activity after the withdrawal of the restriction measures associated with COVID-19.

Against a backdrop of rising interest rates, a restrictive monetary policy to contain inflation, and a consequent reduction in demand for loans, the Bank's gross customer loans portfolio (excluding loans financed by consigned funds) fell by 5.491TP3Q compared to the same period in the previous year.

However, the reduction was mitigated by the growth in consumer credit, which grew by 16.36%, demonstrating the bank's strong commitment to supporting families, despite the challenging macroeconomic environment.

The Bank's actions strengthened its solidity and resilience in a global crisis and enabled it to close the 2022 financial year with a Net Profit of MT 8,078.11 million, which corresponds to an increase of 55.25% compared to that reported in December 2021, showing a return on equity ratio (ROE) of 32.91% and a Net Profit of MT 8,078.11 million. Cost-to-Income of 42,43%, as well as equity of more than 28 billion meticais, which represents an increase of 9% compared to the figure reached the previous year.

The continued prudent management of Assets, coupled with the Bank's robust level of Own Funds, contributed to an improvement in capital adequacy indicators, evidenced by the Core Capital Ratio which stood at 28.75%, as well as the Solvency Ratio which stood at 27.40% in December 2022, up from 23.12% in 2021, remaining comfortably above the minimum required by the Bank of Mozambique.

This evolution is the result of the growth in Banking Income (+7.52%), essentially supported by the increase in Net Interest Income (+16.79%).

In a context of generally rising prices, Operating Costs remained under control (+4.84%), below year-on-year inflation which stood at 10.91%, reflecting the measures implemented by the Bank to improve operational efficiency.

Thus, despite the uncertain international environment, during 2022 BCI saw the strength of its balance sheet reinforced through high levels of liquidity and an adequate level of capital, due to prudent risk coverage, placing the bank in an even stronger position to face new challenges and repay the trust placed in BCI by its clients, employees and shareholders.

In order to achieve this level of solidity and customer trust, it has proved extremely important to implement the 2021-2024 strategic plan, which is based on the pillars of Sustainability, Efficiency, Quality and Profitability.

In terms of Sustainability, the Bank will continue to strengthen its risk management and governance model, and in terms of Efficiency, which has already been achieved, BCI will continue to promote organizational change and boost the development of human resources.

With regard to its commitment to quality, BCI will maintain its position as a benchmark in the market by providing the best products and services and level of customer service, seeking to increase profitability in a sustained manner in all business areas.

The implementation of this plan aims to ensure that BCI is better able to serve its customers and contribute to the growth of the national economy, while also improving the customer experience, properly developing human capital and consolidating the Bank's reputation.

The implementation of the current strategy has only been possible thanks to the commitment and dedication of BCI's more than 2,712 employees, who make a dedicated daily contribution to the Bank's ongoing development, with the ultimate aim of better serving its customers, society and the country.