CITIZENS Bank Guyana Inc. has recorded an improved performance for the first six months of fiscal year 2025 which ended on March 31, 2025.

According to its interim financial report, the bank recorded an after-tax profit of $1,199.4 million compared to $1,026.7 million for the corresponding period in 2024.

This represents an increase of $172.7 million, or 16.8 per cent.

The Chairman’s report stated that the interest income for the six-month period was $3.1 million, while interest expense was $211.4 million. This resulted in a net interest income of $2.9 billion when compared to the $2.7 billion for the corresponding period last year.

Citizens Bank’s Operating Expenses were $1.4 billion, showing an increase of 20.8 per cent over the corresponding period last year. This is due to increases in personnel costs, inflationary increases in the cost of goods and services and depreciation, as well as other costs related to the Mandela branch of Citizens Bank. Net impairment on financial assets was $94.4 million.

Furthermore, net loans, and advances balance was $62.8 billion as at March 31, 2024, compared to $55.8 billion recorded as at March 31, 2024.

Net investments were recorded at $46.2 billion when compared to $39.0 billion as at March 31, 2024.

The total deposits balance recorded was $118.9 billion, compared to $110.6 billion at the end of March 2024.

It was stated by Chairman Clifford Reis, that Guyana’s economy is projected to see a growth of 15.4 per cent during the Fiscal Year 2025, which is uplifted by expansion in the burgeoning petroleum and gas sector, as well as the government’s continued investment in significant modernisation and development projects across various sectors and sub-sectors.

His report reads: “The financial sector is expected to remain extremely competitive in a “low interest rate” environment. Citizens Bank Guyana Inc, is however optimistic and remains ready to respond to the opportunities that will be presented, thus will record a satisfactory performance during the remaining six months of the fiscal year, which will increase shareholders’ value.”