Microcredit | | 0.4 | % | 6.66 | % | 6.57 | % | 6.44 | % |
PDL TOTAL | | | | 2.70 | % | 3.28 | % | 3.31 | % |
*Mortgage loans that were overdue were calculated for past due loans for 120 days instead of 90 days.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 4Q23 | | 1Q24 | | 1Q24 / 4Q23 | |
| | Loans | | Allowances | | % | | Loans | | Allowances | | % | | Loans | | Allowances | |
Stage 1 | | 222,372,889 | | 3,695,903 | | 1.7 | % | 228,363,717 | | 3,414,778 | | 1.5 | % | 2.7 | % | (7.6) | % |
Stage 2 | | 16,042,661 | | 2,536,402 | | 15.8 | % | 16,308,901 | | 2,682,548 | | 16.4 | % | 1.7 | % | 5.8 | % |
Stage 3 | | 15,536,097 | | 9,990,798 | | 64.3 | % | 15,634,957 | | 10,104,903 | | 64.6 | % | 0.6 | % | 1.1 | % |
Total | | 253,951,647 | | 16,223,103 | | 6.4 | % | 260,307,575 | | 16,202,229 | | 6.2 | % | 2.5 | % | (0.1) | % |
Stage 1. Financial instruments that do not deteriorate since their initial recognition or that have low credit risk at the end of the reporting period. (12-month expected credit losses).
Stage 2. Financial instruments that have significantly increased their risk since their initial recognition. (Lifetime expected credit losses).
Stage 3. Financial instruments that have Objective Evidence of Impairment in the reported period. (Lifetime expected credit losses).
2.6.Operating Expenses
During 1Q24, operating expenses totaled COP 3,179 billion, decreasing 8.1% compared to 4Q23 and increasing 3.5% compared to 1Q23.
The efficiency ratio was 46.2% and 46.7% in the last twelve months. Personnel expenses (salaries, bonus plan payments and compensation) totaled COP 1,335 billion in 1Q24, down 0.3% from 4Q23 and up 0.9% from 1Q23. General expenses declined 13.0% in the quarter and grew 5.4% compared to 1Q23. The quarterly performance is due to seasonality, mainly in some areas such as advertising, technology fees and cash transportation, among others. In the annual analysis, it is worth noting the salary increases for labor expenses, and in general expenses, the higher local taxes other than income tax, the expenses of the rental business, technology maintenance and licensing expenses growth due to business transformation and migration to the cloud.
As of March 31, 2024, the bank had 34,279 employees, owned 856 branches, 6,086 ATMs, 34,483 banking agents and served more than 31 million customers.
2.7.Taxes
The bank’s income tax for 1Q24 was COP 695 billion, resulting in a lower effective tax rate when compared to the statutory tax rate in Colombia caused by the application of tax benefits in Colombia such as exempt income for social housing in mortgages and investments in productive fixed assets. Additionally, due to the tax benefits in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Panama, corresponding to exempt yields on government-issued securities. Finally, it is worth noting the earnings of the foreign subsidiaries with lower tax rates when compared to Colombia, which also contributed to a lower result.
3.BREAK DOWN OF OPERATIONS
The following tables summarize the financial statements of our operations in each country.
BANCOLOMBIA S.A. (STAND ALONE) – COLOMBIA
The portfolio of Bancolombia S.A. grew by 0.6% in 1Q24 and 3.0% over the last 12 months. Commercial loans increased by 1.3% and were the main driver as a result of the good pace of originations in corporate clients. Home lending continued performing well and contributed to growth of the loan book in Colombia. On the other hand, consumer loans sustained the decreasing trend shown in 2023 and contracted 2.2% in the first quarter, explained to a greater extent by unsecured personal loans and credit cards. In the funding structure, deposits decreased by savings accounts and checking accounts, whereas time deposits increased quarterly, highligthing digital time deposits from retail clients.