The Cooperative Bank of Oromia (COOP-Oromia) has managed to carve out a significant growth course, distinguishing itself among the banking industry's elite with a robust 26.8pc jump in net profits to 2.6 billion Br.

Yet, this financial achievement comes with a nuanced backdrop as the Bank's Earnings Per Share (EPS) experienced a notable decline, moving down by four Birr to settle at 30, reflecting the complexities underlying its fiscal strategies and the broader economic environment. The past year was marked by global uncertainties and domestic economic pressures.

The Bank’s financial performance, particularly its profit growth amidst challenging global circumstances, including increased domestic conflicts and inflation, shows a strategic repositioning. The Bank's Board Chairman, Fikru Deksisa (PhD), told shareholders who gathered in Adama (Nazareth) town that COOP-Oromia’s ability to steer through these headwinds was successful.

The 18-year-old Bank posted 300 million Br higher profits than its peer Hibret, while it fell significantly short of Awash's 6.99 billion Br, Dashen's 3.5 billion or the Bank of Abyssinia's 3.87 billion Br.

However, the reduction in EPS, a critical measure of profitability for shareholders, suggests a contrasting narrative of dilution, primarily attributed to the Bank's aggressive capital expansion. Over the year, COOP’s paid-up capital saw a significant hike of 29.4pc, reaching a milestone of 10.02 billion Br, a strategic move aimed at fortifying the Bank's financial base but with immediate repercussions on shareholder returns.

Founding shareholders such as the Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union (OCFCU), with 273 million Birr shares, are feeling the pinch. Despite a notable increase in assets and loans, access to credit remains a challenge for the Union’s half-million farmers, according to Dejene Dadi, the Union's general manager. He criticised the Bank's conservative lending during crucial harvest periods, a view attributed to rising non-performing loans that have tightened liquidity.

The Bank reported a 22.5pc growth in total assets to 140.33 billion Br, with loans and advances also rising by 20.5pc to 99.67 billion Br. This expansion came amid a strategic shift, as COOP-Oromia liquidated investments in National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) bills, reallocating gains from government securities. However, a significant loan disbursement spree — 29 billion Br between July and December — precipitated a liquidity crunch, a move that the Bank's senior executives described as "aggressive."

"It was an aggressive disbursement," Deribe Asfaw, the Bank's President, told Fortune.

COOP-Oromia's financial health, in comparison to its peers, paints a mixed picture. With a loan-to-deposit ratio of 85.7pc and a capital adequacy ratio slightly down to 12.5pc from 13.2pc, the liquidity level of the Bank decreased both in absolute and relative terms. These figures signal a cautious approach, especially when compared with larger banks such as Abyssinia and Awash banks, which boast more substantial loan portfolios. COOP-Oromia's efforts to manage liquidity and ensure stability are evident in its borrowing of 3.183 billion Br from the central bank, a move analysts like the London-based financial analyst Abdulmenan Mohammed (PhD) view indicate deeper liquidity concerns.

He considered the Bank's profit growth impressive but raised concerns over the consecutive drops in EPS that could disappoint its 21,700 shareholders, identifying capital expansion as the primary cause.

"The returns weren't that great," Dejene told Fortune.

Dejene was informed by Bank management that the increment in sick loans had created a cash squeeze, which did little to appease the appetite of the half a million farmers in the Union.

According to Abdulmenan, an aggressive expansion of capital likely caused the drop. The Bank’s President echoed his perspective and attributed the EPS dip to the increased allocations to risk reserves. Despite these, the analysts and executives maintain a positive outlook on the Bank's overall performance, implying a strategic calibration could reconcile growth with shareholder value.

"We're in good shape," said Deribe

A fourth President of Coop-Oromia since its incorporation in 2005, Deribe was appointed president in 2016. He replaced Wondmagegn Negera, now the CEO of the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX). Incorporated with the 112.04 million Br paid-up capital and 300 million Br subscribed, the Bank increased its workforce to 15,395, deployed in a network of 738 branches; COOP-Oromia's operational footprint has significantly widened.

The expansion reflects its physical presence and in its financial indicators, with total assets bolstering by 22.5pc to reach 140.33 billion Br and a proactive approach to loan and advance increases of 20.5pc, totalling 99.67 billion Br. COOP’s strategic posture is evidenced in its approach to revenue generation, which saw a diversified income stream contributing to its net profit growth. Interest income surged by 51.2pc to 12.22 billion Br, alongside notable increases in income from Murabaha financing (1.52 billion Br) and fees and commissions (1.94 billion Br), showing 59.2pc and 20.5pc growth, respectively.