Equity Bank’s investment arm ended 2012 with a profit of Sh44.5 million compared to a loss of Sh89.3 million the year before, helped by the appreciation of shares at the Nairobi Securities Exchange — which made a return of nearly 30 per cent last year.
The Business Daily could not get a comment from Equity CEO James Mwangi, but an executive in the bank reckons Equity Investment Bank (EIB) was preparing ground work last year, hence the lack of advisory income on its financial statement.
EIB’s unrealised losses of Sh82.7 million last year have now reversed to unrealised profits of Sh37 million. It held Sh263 million in equities and Sh25.2 million in securities.
EIB was formed in 2008 following the acquisition of then dormant Juanco Investment Bank. It reported a loss of Sh58 million in 2009 on failure to close deals.
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