The open finance growth strategy and development of a sustainable financial ecosystem continue. Increase in revenues from new businesses

The Sella group closed the FY 2021 with positive and growing results compared to the previous year. The above came from the outstanding performance of all business sectors and the further expansion of its strategy based on consultancy and technology under an open platform model, fostering an innovative and sustainable ecosystem to provide efficient answers to the financial needs of families and businesses. Over the year, the Sella group boosted its commitment to sustainability by achieving "carbon neutrality", writing off the impact of its CO₂ emissions, and undergoing a standardized assessment to measure its ESG impact profile, launching a consequent plan for further improvement.

The consolidated financial results approved today by the Board of Directors of the parent company Banca Sella Holding recorded significant increase in the net profit and the net banking income. The above is also due to asset management and investment advisory services, as well as the increasing contribution of new businesses. The financial soundness of the Group remains confirmed.

Consolidated results of the Sella group at December 31 2021, show a net profit of € 108.3 million, against € 29.6 million of the previous year. The net profit, excluding extraordinary items related to activities consistent with the development and growth strategy of the Group, was worth € 56 million. The capital gain obtained from the peer joint venture in Hype, which led to the acquisition by Banca Sella Holding and Fabrick of a total stake of 10% in illimity Bank, influenced the results for the considered period.

The Net Banking Income incurred an outstanding growth worth € 78.5 million, equal to 12.1%, and reached € 727.8 million. The two main components, namely the net interest income and net revenues from services, respectively grew by 7.1%, to € 251.5 million and 12.8%, worth € 388.3 million.

Particularly high-end was the trend of Deposits, which recorded the best result ever. Total Deposits at market value rose by 14.4%, valued at € 49.2 billion; the total figure for Net deposits was € 4.7 billion. Loans to support the activities of families and businesses also grew: loans, including repurchase agreements, rose by 8.2%, worth € 9.8 billion, while the figure net of repurchase agreements grew by 11.1%, reaching € 9.7 billion.

The outstanding performance of the Group last year ensued the performance of all its activity sectors and the good quality balance of revenue sources. Specifically, against the same period of 2020, revenues from investment services, and specifically those relevant to the private banking activity, grew by 16.4%, to €183.3 million. Qualified deposits, represented by assets managed and assets under consultancy rose by 18.8%, worth € 21.9 billion mainly thanks to funds and insurance savings. The weight of qualified deposits on total global deposits is 44.6%: an increase compared to the end of last year. Investment banking and finance had a particularly outstanding year with a 39.5% increase in margins, and reached € 132.7 million.

Figures for the consolidated acquiring and issuing Payment Systems transacted volumes were remarkably positive. They grew by 33%, with margins reaching € 101.2 million meaning an overall growth by 21.4%. These volumes follow an increase in POS (+58%) and e-commerce purchase transactions (+24%). Revenues from new businesses grew by 19.8%, to € 61.8 million, weighting on total revenues by 8.6%, precisely due to Open-payment, platform services and technological solutions provided to third-party companies.

The total number of customers of the Group grew by 5.4%. Mobile banking services were particularly popular with customers, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 for the Sella app and 4.4 for the Sella Invest app on the main stores.

Investments in 2021 for the development of projects linked to the Strategic and growth plan of the Group grew to € 66.5 million, by 8.6%, net of the real estate component. The Sella team, composed of employees and partners, exceeded 5,400 people.

The accustomed high level of capital soundness, well above the required standards, found confirmation. The consolidated Cet1 of the Group and the Total Capital Ratio remained stable, mainly due to the effect of absorptions related to the significant growth in loans, respectively at 12.27% and 14.18% (they were 12.29% and 14.18% in the 2020). Liquidity indicators are also performing. The LCR index at the Group level was 198.9%, while the NSFR stood at 134.09% (the minimum limit is 100% for both indexes).