AWASH BANK BREAKS AWAY FROM PACK

Nov 22 , 2025.

Awash Bank, under the stewardship of Board Chairman Gure Kumsa (Left) and its President Tsehay Shiferaw, delighted its shareholders at a meeting at Skylight Hotel on Saturday, November 22, 2025, with a breakout performance in the latest fiscal year, establishing itself as the undisputed pace-setter in the private banking industry. Gross profit vaulted by an astonishing 137pc to 25.7 billion Br on the back of 52.25 billion Br in total income. Despite a 44pc jump in expenses to 39 billion Br, the Bank managed a robust pre-tax profit margin shy of 50pc, nearly doubling the industry’s average profit growth rate of 32pc. A large portion of Awash’s earnings surge is attributed to its foreign exchange operations. The Bank mobilised over two billion dollars in foreign currency, deemed the highest among private banks, strengthening its non-interest income stream through trade finance and remittances. This translated into notable gains in fee-based income and enhanced the Bank’s earnings diversification during a volatile macroeconomic year.

Awash Bank's balance sheet swelled by 57pc to reach 442.6 billion Br in total assets, while deposits soared by 47.2pc to 331 billion Br. This translated into a conservative loan-to-deposit ratio of 61pc, with outstanding loans growing by a slower 20pc to 219.08 billion Br, underperforming the industry's 27pc average. However, the Bank’s cautious approach appears strategic, favouring liquidity and risk buffers during uncertain economic conditions. Paid-up capital, mobilised from over 11,523 shareholders, climbed to 27.9 billion Br, four times the private banking industry's average. Its total equity reached around 50 billion Br, delivering an estimated return on equity (ROE) in the mid-30pc range, nearly double the industry average of 18pc, uncovering its capital efficiency and profitability.

With 989 branches and a depositor base swelling by 2.58 million to nearly 15 million, Awash Bank maintained the industry's broadest retail footprint. On average, each branch handled deposits of 362 million Br, while the average deposit per customer last year was approximately 24,000 Br. Notably, mobile transactions led all digital channels, signalling growing customer adoption of digital banking. Although this appears consistent with industry trends, Awash Bank seemed to be converting scale into transaction volume more effectively than its peers.

PUBLISHED ON Nov 22,2025 [ VOL 26 , NO 1334]