Not logged in
  Home   Markets   Shares   Funds   Portfolio   Toolbox   Charting   Alerts   Directory   
 Admin   

Wed 4 Aug 2010, 13:59 ASA - ABSA Group Limited - Unaudited interim financial results for the six
ASA
AMAGB                                                                           
ASA - ABSA Group Limited - Unaudited interim financial results for the six      
months ended 30 June 2010                                                       
ABSA GROUP LIMITED                                                              
Authorised financial services and registered credit provider (NCRCP7)           
Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa                                    
Registration number: 1986/003934/06                                             
ISIN: ZAE000067237                                                              
JSE share code: ASA                                                             
Issuer code: AMAGB                                                              
(Absa, Absa Group, the Group or the Company)                                    
ABSA GROUP LIMITED: PROFIT AND DIVIDEND ANNOUNCEMENT                            
UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2010       
GROUP SALIENT FEATURES                                                          
                      Six months ended                      Year ended          
                      30 June                               31 December         
2010           20091          Change  20091               
                      (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)    %       (Audited)           
Statement of                                                                    
comprehensive                                                                   
income(Rm)                                                                      
 Headline earnings2   3 862          3 826          1       7 621               
 Profit attributable  3 842          3 272          17                          
to ordinary                                                 6 840               
equity holders of                                                              
the Group                                                                       
Statement of                                                                    
financial                                                                       
position(Rm)                                                                    
 Total assets         718 204        748 627        (4)     710 796             
 Loans and advances   499 976        521 615        (4)     506 163             
to customers                                                                    
Deposits due to      359 943        371 279        (3)     356 365             
customers                                                                       
Off-statement of                                                                
financial                                                                       
position(Rm)                                                                    
Assets under          153 469        149 523        3       155 114             
management and                                                                  
administration                                                                  
Financial                                                                       
performance (%)                                                                 
 Return on average    15,0           16,3                   15,5                
equity                                                                          
Return on average    1,08           1,02                   1,02                
assets                                                                          
Operating                                                                       
performance (%)                                                                 
Net interest margin  3,17           2,86                   2,92                
on average                                                                      
 assets                                                                         
 Net interest margin  3,89           3,58                   3,74                
on average                                                                      
 interest-bearing                                                               
assets                                                                          
 Impairment losses    1,50           1,86                   1,74                
on loans and                                                                    
 advances as % of                                                               
average loans                                                                   
and advances to                                                                 
customers                                                                       
 Non-performing       7,6            6,6                    7,0                 
advances as % of                                                                
 loans and advances                                                             
to customers                                                                    
 Non-interest income  46,2                                                      
as % of total                        48,7                   48,1                
 operating income                                                               
Cost-to-income       53,6           46,6                   49,6                
ratio                                                                           
 Effective tax rate,  26,8           23,9                   23,8                
excluding                                                                       
indirect taxation                                                              
Share                                                                           
statistics(million)                                                             
 Number of shares in  718,2          718,2                  718,2               
issue                                                                           
 Weighted average     716,1          677,9                  693,2               
number of shares                                                                
 Weighted average     720,7          696,1                  711,5               
diluted number of                                                               
 shares                                                                         
Share                                                                           
statistics(cents)                                                               
Headline earnings    539,3          564,4          (4)     1 099,4             
per share                                                                       
 Diluted headline     535,9          550,5          (3)     1 072,0             
earnings per share                                                              
Earnings per share   536,5          482,7          11      986,7               
 Diluted earnings     533,1          470,9          13      962,2               
per share                                                                       
 Dividends per        225            225            -       445                 
ordinary share                                                                  
 relating to income                                                             
for the                                                                         
period/year                                                                     
Dividend             2,4            2,5                    2,5                 
cover(times)                                                                    
 Net asset value per  7 420          6 576          13      7 038               
share                                                                           
Tangible net asset   7 236          6 442          12      6 865               
value per share                                                                 
Capital adequacy(%)3                                                            
 Absa Group           15,8           13,9                   15,6                
Absa Bank            14,9           13,7                   14,7                
Notes                                                                           
 1Comparatives have been reclassified and restated. Refer to the                
"Reclassifications                                                              
and Restatements" section.                                                   
 2After allowing for R162 million (30 June 2009: R234 million) profit           
attributable to                                                                 
preference equity holders of the Group.                                         
3 These ratios are unaudited.                                                   
GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                                         
                             Six months ended                   Year ended      
                             30 June                            31 December     
2010         20091                 2009            
                             (Unaudited)  (Unaudited) Change    (Audited)       
                             Rm           Rm          %         Rm              
Net interest income          11 293       10 772      5         21 854          
Interest and similar    27 590       35 493      (22)      65 247          
income                                                                          
     Interest expense and                                                       
similar charges              (16 297)     (24 721)    34        (43 393)        
Impairment losses on loans                                                      
and advances                 (3 704)      (4 834)     23        (8 967)         
Net interest income after                                                       
impairment losses on loans   7 589        5 938       28        12 887          
and advances                                                                    
Net fee and commission       7 059        6 903       2         14 289          
income    1.1                                                                   
     Fee and commission      8 144        7 799       4         16 301          
income                                                                          
     Fee and commission      (1 085)      (896)       (21)      (2 012)         
expense                                                                         
Net insurance premium        2 165        1 844       17        3 787           
income                                                                          
Net insurance claims and                                                        
benefits paid                (1 166)      (1 010)     (15)      (2 215)         
Changes in investment and                                                       
insurance liabilities        (565)        10          >(100)    (560)           
Gains and losses from                                                           
banking and trading          1 378        1 281       8         2 575           
activities           1.2                                                        
Gains and losses from                                                           
investment activities        469          454         3         1 464           
1.3                                                                             
Other operating income       373          727         (49)      892             
Operating profit before                                                         
operating expenditure        17 302       16 147      7         33 119          
Operating expenditure        (11 700)     (11 389)    (3)       (23 227)        
     Operating expenses      (11 264)     (9 782)     (15)      (20 857)        
2.1                                                                             
     Other impairments       (83)         (1 179)     93        (1 457)         
2.2                                                                             
     Indirect taxation       (353)        (428)       18        (913)           
Share of post-tax results                                                       
of associates and joint      15           (1)         >100      (50)            
ventures                                                                        
Operating profit before      5 617        4 757       18        9 842           
income tax                                                                      
Taxation expense             (1 506)      (1 138)     (32)      (2 340)         
Profit for the period/year   4 111        3 619       14        7 502           
Note                                                                            
1Comparatives have been reclassified. Refer to the "Reclassifications and       
Restatements" section.                                                          
GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (CONTINUED)                             
                             Six months ended                     Year          
ended         
                             30 June                              31            
                                                                  December      
                             2010          2009                   2009          
(Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   Change   (Audited)     
                             Rm            Rm            %        Rm            
Other comprehensive income                                                      
Exchange differences on                                                         
translation of foreign       (37)          (280)         87       (668)         
operations                                                                      
Movement in cash flow        646           (507)         >100     (665)         
hedging reserve                                                                 
Fair value                                                                 
gains/(losses) arising       1 794         (817)                  (148)         
during the period/year                                   >100                   
     Amount removed from                                                        
other comprehensive income                                                      
and recognised in the                                                           
profit and loss component                                                       
of the statement of          (897)         113           >(100)   (776)         
comprehensive income                                                            
     Deferred tax            (251)         197           >(100)   259           
Movement in available-for-   (98)          (319)         69       (326)         
sale reserve                                                                    
Fair value losses                                                          
arising during the           (179)         (234)         24       (306)         
period/year                                                                     
     Amount removed from                                                        
other comprehensive income                                                      
and recognised in the                                                           
profit and loss component                                                       
of the statement of          -             (205)         100      (205)         
comprehensive income                                                            
     Amortisation of                                                            
government bonds -release                                                       
to the profit and loss                                                          
component of the statement   46            41            12       104           
of comprehensive income                                                         
     Deferred tax            35            79            (56)     81            
Movement in retirement                                                          
benefit surplus and          (4)           -             (100)    52            
obligation                                                                      
  (Decrease)/increase in                                                        
retirement benefit surplus   (6)           -             (100)    104           
Increase in retirement                                                        
benefit obligation           -             -             -        (33)          
  Deferred tax               2             -             100      (19)          
Total comprehensive income                                                      
for the period/year          4 618         2 513         84       5 895         
Profit attributable to:                                                         
Ordinary equity holders of the    3 842      3 272     17       6 840           
Group                                                                           
Non-controlling interest -                                                      
ordinary shares                   107        113       (5)      241             
Non-controlling interest -                                                      
preference shares                 162        234       (31)     421             
4 111      3 619     14       7 502           
Total comprehensive income                                                      
attributable to:                                                                
Ordinary equity holders of the    4 322      2 160     >100     5 238           
Group                                                                           
Non-controlling interest -                                                      
ordinary shares                   134        119       13       236             
Non-controlling interest -                                                      
preference shares                 162        234       (31)     421             
                                  4 618      2 513     84       5 895           
CONDENSED NOTES TO THE GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                  
1. NON-INTEREST INCOME                                                          
Six months ended                     Year ended    
                             30 June                              31            
                                                                  December      
                             2010          2009                   2009          
(Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   Change   (Audited)     
                             Rm            Rm            %        Rm            
1.1 Net fee and commission                                                      
income                                                                          
Fee and commission income1                                                      
Asset management and other                 67                                   
related fees                 55                          (18)     103           
Consulting and               227           187           21       428           
administration fees                                                             
Credit-related fees and      6 333         6 071         4        12 494        
commissions                                                                     
     Credit cards2           939           889           6        1 860         
Cheque accounts         1 614         1 606          0       3 231         
     Electronic banking      1 848         1 633         13       3 501         
     Other                   739           845           (13)     1 601         
     Savings accounts        1 193         1 098         9        2 301         
Insurance commission         482           486           (1)      1 088         
received                                                                        
Other fees and commissions   75            107           (30)     199           
Pension fund payment         262           273           (4)      545           
services                                                                        
Project finance fees         107           127           (16)     262           
Trust and other fiduciary    603           481           25       1 182         
services3                                                                       
Portfolio and other     484           375           29       947           
management fees                                                                 
     Trust and estate        119           106           12       235           
income                                                                          
8 144         7 799         4        16 301        
Fee and commission expense1  (1 085)       (896)         (21)     (2 012)       
                             7 059         6 903         2        14 289        
                                                                                
Notes                                                                           
1 1The disclosure of net fee and commission income changed from nature to       
function during 2009, and certain fees and commissions received, previously     
disclosed net of fees and commissions paid, have been reclassified to           
indicate gross amounts received and paid. Comparatives for June 2009 have       
been reclassified accordingly, on a basis consistent with the change made       
in December 2009.                                                               
2Includes merchant and issuing fees.                                            
3The Group provides custody, trustee, corporate administration, investment      
management                                                                      
and advisory services to third parties, which involves the Group making         
allocation and                                                                  
purchase and sale decisions in relation to a wide range of financial            
instruments. Some                                                               
of these arrangements involve the Group accepting targets for benchmark         
levels of                                                                       
returns for the assets under the Group`s care.                                  
CONDENSED NOTES TO THE GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                  
1.1 Net fee and commission income (continued)                                   
                             Six months ended                      Year ended   
30 June                               31           
                                                                   December     
                             2010          2009                    2009         
                             (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)    Change   (Audited)    
Rm            Rm             %        Rm           
Included above are net fees and commissions linked to financial instruments     
not at fair value                                                               
Fee and commission income                                                       
Credit cards                 435           395            10       831          
Cheque accounts              1 614         1 606          0        3 231        
Electronic banking           1 848         1 633          13       3 501        
Other                        607           553            10       1 293        
Savings accounts             1 193         1 098          9        2 301        
                             5 697         5 285          8        11 157       
Fee and commission expense   (88)          (93)           5        (193)        
                             5 609         5 192          8        10 964       

1.2 Gains and losses from                                                       
banking and trading                                                             
activities                                                                      
Associates and joint         42            (54)           >100     (13)         
ventures                                                                        
     Dividends received      -             -              -        45           
     Profit/(loss)realised   42            (54)           >100     (58)         
on disposal                                                                     
Available-for-sale unwind                  175                                  
from reserve                 (46)                         >(100)   115          
     Equity instruments      -             216            (100)    219          
Statutory liquid asset  (46)          (41)           (12)     (104)        
portfolio                                                                       
Financial instruments                      163                                  
designated at fair value     (502)                        >(100)   (63)         
through profit or loss                                                          
     Debt instruments        16            (40)           >100     (31)         
     Debt securities in      3             (8)            >100     (125)        
issue                                                                           
Deposits from banks                   (43)                                 
and due to customers         (780)                        >(100)   (434)        
     Equity instruments      (104)         (142)          27       (99)         
     Loans and advances to                 372                                  
banks and customers          360                          (3)      614          
      Statutory liquid       3             24             (88)     12           
asset portfolio                                                                 
Financial instruments held                                                      
for trading                                                                     
     Derivatives and         1 849          1 014         82       2 555        
trading instruments                                                             
Ineffective hedges           35            (17)           >100     (19)         
CONDENSED NOTES TO THE GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                  
                             Six months ended                       Year        
                                                                    ended       
                             30 June                                31          
December    
                             2010          2009                     2009        
                             (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)    Change    (Audited)   
                             Rm            Rm             %         Rm          
1.2 Gains and losses from                                                       
banking and trading                                                             
activities (continued)                                                          
     Cash flow hedges        43            (7)            >100      (3)         
Fair value hedges       (8)           (10)           20        (16)        
                             1 378         1 281          8         2 575       
                                                                                
1.3 Gains and losses from                                                       
investment activities                                                           
Associates and joint                                                            
ventures                                                                        
     Profit realised on      -             15             (100)     15          
disposal                                                                        
Available-for-sale unwind                                                       
from reserves                                                                   
     Equity instruments      -             -              -         1           
Financial instruments                      301                                  
designated at fair value     191                          (37)      830         
through profit or loss                                                          
     Cash, cash balances                   71                                   
and balances with central    107                          51        312         
banks                                                                           
     Debt instruments        72            33             >100      78          
     Equity instruments      12            197            (94)      440         
Financial instruments held                                                      
for  trading                                                                    
  Derivatives and trading    8             (25)           >100      (41)        
instruments                                                                     
Investments linked to                      173                                  
investment contracts         270                          56        669         
     Cash, cash balances                   223                                  
and balances with central    461                          >100      (50)        
banks                                                                           
     Debt instruments        113           (4)            >100      (5)         
     Equity instruments      (304)         (46)           >(100)    724         
Subsidiaries                                                                    
Loss realised on disposal  -             (10)           100       (10)        
                             469           454            3         1 464       
CONDENSED NOTES TO THE GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                  
2. OPERATING EXPENDITURE                                                        
Six months ended              Year ended       
                                 30 June                       31               
                                                               December         
                                 2010       2009               2009             
(Unaudite  (Unaudite Change   (Audited)        
                                 d)         d)                                  
                                 Rm         Rm        %        Rm               
2.1 Operating expenses                                                          
Amortisation of intangible       76         71        7        116              
assets                                                                          
Auditors` remuneration           77         75        3        134              
Cash transportation              335        230       46       467              
Depreciation                     601        537       12       1 129            
Equipment costs                  135        133       2        278              
Information technology           1 054      847       24       1 729            
Investment property charges      -          -         -        4                
Marketing costs                  329        362       (9)      875              
Operating lease expenses on      486        464       5        910              
property                                                                        
Other operating costs1           1 277      1 176     9        2 381            
Printing and stationery          132        127       4        283              
Professional fees                470        406       16       908              
Staff costs                      5 875      4 943     19       10 806           
     Other staff costs2          263        139       89       321              
Salaries                    5 029      4 589     10       9 423            
     Share-based payments and                                                   
incentive schemes                447        104       >100     867              
     Training costs              136        111       23       195              
Telephone and postage            417        411       0        837              
                                 11 264     9 782     15       20 857           
                                                                                
Average number of employees                                                     
employed by the Group            36 638     38 466    (5)      36 989           
Number of employees employed                                                    
by the                           36 356     36 920    (2)      36 150           
Group at interim/year-end                                                       
Notes                                                                           
1Other operating costs include accommodation costs, travel and                  
entertainment costs.                                                            
2Other staff costs include recruitment costs, membership fees to                
professional bodies, staff parking, redundancy fees, study assistance,          
staff relocation and refreshment costs.                                         
CONDENSED NOTES TO THE GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                  
                               Six months ended                    Year         
ended        
                               30 June                             31           
                                                                   December     
                               2010         2009                   2009         
(Unaudited)  (Unaudited)   Change   (Audited)    
                               Rm           Rm            %        Rm           
2.2 Other impairments                                                           
Financial instruments          22           32            (31)     38           
Amortised cost            6            4             50       2            
instruments                                                                     
     Available-for-sale        16           28            (43)     36           
instruments                                                                     
Other                          61           1 147         (95)     1 419        
     Computer software         4            -             100      19           
development costs                                                               
     Equipment                 -            -             -        9            
Goodwill                  -            37            (100)    37           
     Investments in                                                             
associates and joint           50           1 067         (95)     1 328        
venturesSquared                                                                 
Repossessed properties    7            43            (84)     26           
                               83           1 179         (93)     1 457        
Notes                                                                           
During the previous year, the Group sold contractual rights it had              
generated in Ambit Management Services (Proprietary) Limited. The company       
was dormant and consequently the goodwill previously recognised on this         
investment has been written off.                                                
SquaredDuring the previous year, indications existed that the carrying          
amount of the investments in associates, that arose as a result of client       
defaults on single stock futures within Absa Capital, would not be              
recoverable. The recoverable amount is the fair value less cost to sell and     
was based on the Group`s best estimate of the price the Group would achieve     
in an arm`s length sale transaction of these investments. These investments     
have consequently been impaired in the current and comparative periods.         
CONDENSED NOTES TO THE GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                  
3. HEADLINE EARNINGS                                                            
Six months ended                    Year        
                                                                    ended       
                                30 June                             31          
                                                                    December    
2010          2009                  2009        
                                (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)  Change   (Audited)   
                                Rm            Rm           %        Rm          
Headline earnings1 is                                                           
determined                                                                      
as follows:                                                                     
Profit attributable to                                                          
ordinary equity  holders of     3 842         3 272        17       6 840       
the Group                                                                       
 Adjustments for:                                                               
IFRS 3 business combinations                                                    
(goodwill)                      -             27           (100)    37          
IAS 16 net profit on                                                       
disposal of property and        (4)           (23)         83       (58)        
equipment                                                                       
     IAS 21 recycled foreign                                                    
currency translation reserve,                                                   
disposal of investments in      -             -            -        (23)        
foreign operations                                                              
     IAS 27 net loss on                                                         
disposal of subsidiaries        -             7            (100)    10          
     IAS 28 net (profit)/loss                                                   
on disposal of associates and   (42)          24           >(100)   35          
joint ventures                                                                  
IAS 28 impairment of                                                       
investments in associates and   36            768          (95)     956         
joint ventures                                                                  
     IAS 28 headline earnings                                                   
component of share of post-tax                                                  
results of associates and       (1)           (4)          75       11          
joint ventures                                                                  
     IAS 36 impairment of       -             -            -        6           
equipment                                                                       
     IAS 38 impairment and net                                                  
profit on disposal of           3             (47)         >100     (42)        
intangible assets                                                               
IAS 39 release of                                                          
available-for-sale reserves     33            (158)        >100     (115)       
     IAS 39 impairment and net                                                  
profit on disposal of           12            10           20       16          
available-for-sale assets                                                       
 IAS 40 change in fair value                                                    
of                              (17)          (50)         66       (52)        
 investment properties                                                          
Headline earnings               3 862         3 826        1        7 621       
                                                                                
Note                                                                            
1The net amount is reflected after taxation and non-controlling interest.       
GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION                                           
                                30 June                             31          
                                                                    December    
                                2010          20091                 20091       
(Unaudited)   (Unaudited)  Change   (Audited)   
                                Rm            Rm           %        Rm          
 Assets                                                                         
  Cash, cash balances and                     22 391                            
balances with central banks    22 380                     (0)      20 597      
  Statutory liquid asset        35 846        32 213       11       33 943      
 portfolio                                                                      
  Loans and advances to banks   37 226        48 392       (23)     36 032      
Trading portfolio assets       56 140        61 784       (9)      52 302      
  Hedging portfolio assets      3 515         2 824        24       2 558       
  Other assets                  22 674        21 310       6        17 777      
  Current tax assets            326           620          (47)     234         
Non-current assets held for   -             2 017        (100)    -           
 sale                                                                           
  Loans and advances to         499 976       521 615      (4)      506 163     
 customers      1                                                               
Reinsurance assets            443           847          (48)     719         
  Investments                   28 159        24 346       16       29 564      
  Investments in associates                                                     
 and joint ventures             454           789          (42)     487         
Goodwill and intangible       1 323         956          38       1 245       
 assets                                                                         
  Investment property           2 255         2 047        10       2 195       
  Property and equipment        7 164         6 121        17       6 606       
Deferred tax assets           323           355          (9)      374         
 Total assets                   718 204       748 627      (4)      710 796     
                                                                                
 Liabilities                                                                    
Deposits from banks           38 713        40 923       (5)      36 541      
  Trading portfolio             46 516        58 002       (20)     44 245      
 liabilities                                                                    
  Hedging portfolio             1 286         1 188        8        565         
liabilities                                                                    
  Other liabilities             15 309        18 907       (19)     12 212      
  Provisions                    978           1 109        (12)     1 684       
  Current tax liabilities       10            237          (96)     59          
Deposits due to customers     359 943       371 279      (3)      356 365     
  Debt securities in issue      163 697       175 686      (7)      171 376     
  Liabilities under investment                                                  
  contracts                     13 836        11 053       25       12 446      
Policyholder liabilities                                                      
 under                          2 799         2 740        2        3 136       
  insurance contracts                                                           
  Borrowed funds                13 359        11 823       13       13 530      
2                                                                              
  Deferred tax liabilities      2 461         2 635        (7)      2 147       
 Total liabilities              658 907       695 582      (5)      654 306     
                                                                                
Equity                                                                         
 Capital and reserves                                                           
 Attributable to ordinary                                                       
 equity                                                                         
holders of the Group:                                                          
  Share capital                 1 433         1 379        4        1 432       
  Share premium                 4 805         3 071        56       4 784       
  Other reserves                1 694         1 738        (3)      1 178       
Retained earnings             45 362        41 038       11       43 153      
                                53 294        47 226       13       50 547      
 Non-controlling interest -                   1 175        16       1 299       
 ordinary shares                1 359                                           
Non-controlling interest -                   4 644        -        4 644       
 preference shares                                                              
                                4 644                                           
 Total equity                   59 297        53 045       12       56 490      
Total equity and liabilities   718 204       748 627      (4)      710 796     
Note                                                                            
1Comparatives have been reclassified and restated. Refer to the                 
"Reclassifications and Restatements" section.                                   
CONDENSED NOTES TO THE GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION                    
1. NON-PERFORMING ADVANCES - 30 JUNE 2010 (Unaudited)                           
                                          Expected                              
                                          recoveries                            
and fair              Total           
                             Outstanding  value of    Net       identified      
                             balance      collateral  exposure  impairment      
                             Rm           Rm          Rm        Rm              
Home Loans                    23 643       19 109      4 534     4 534          
Absa Vehicle and Asset        3 093        1 837       1 256     1 256          
Finance                                                                         
Card                          2 831        611         2 220     2 220          
Personal Loans                1 042        270         772       772            
Absa Private Bank             1 544        1 322       222       222            
Other                         1 437        757         680       680            
Total Retail banking          33 590       23 906      9 684     9 684          

Absa Business Bank            4 455        2 970       1 485     1 485          
Absa Small Business           439          355         84        84             
Total Absa Business Bank      4 894        3 325       1 569     1 569          

Total Absa Capital            419          83          336       336            
                                                                                
Total non-performing          38 903       27 314      11 589    11 589         
advances                                                                        
                                                                                
Non-performing advances as %                                                    
of loans and advances to      7,6                                               
customers                                                                       
CONDENSED NOTES TO THE GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION                    
 1. NON-PERFORMING LOANS - 30 JUNE 2009 (Unaudited)                             
                                          Expected                              
recoveries                            
                                          and fair               Total          
                             Outstanding  value of    Net        identified     
                             balance      collateral  exposure   impairment     
Rm           Rm          Rm         Rm             
 Home Loans                  22 237       19 090      3 147      3 147          
 Absa Vehicle and Asset      3 120        1 851       1 269      1 269          
 Finance                                                                        
Card                        2 652        761         1 891      1 891          
 Personal Loans              690          202         488        488            
 Absa Private Bank           1 302        1 104       198        198            
 Other                       949          519         430        430            
Total Retail banking1       30 950       23 527      7 423      7 423          
                                                                                
 Absa Business Bank          3 023        2 052       971        971            
 Absa Small Business         463          340         123        123            
Total Absa Business Bank1   3 486        2 392       1 094      1 094          
                                                                                
 Total Absa Capital          578          479         99         99             
                                                                                
Total non-performing        35 014       26 398      8 616      8 616          
 advances                                                                       
 Non-performing advances as                                                     
 % of loans and advances to  6,6                                                
customers                                                                      
Note                                                                            
1Comparatives have been reclassified for the move of Absa Small Business from   
Retail banking to Absa Business Bank.                                           
CONDENSED NOTES TO THE GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION                    
1.   NON-PERFORMING ADVANCES - 31 DECEMBER 2009 (Audited)                       
2.                                                                              
3.                                                                              
4.                                                                              
                                           Expected                             
                                           recoveries                           
                                           and fair               Total         
Outstanding  value of     Net       identified    
                              balance      collateral   exposure  impairment    
                              Rm           Rm           Rm        Rm            
Home Loans                     22 200       18 311       3 889     3 889        
Absa Vehicle and Asset         2 598        1 476        1 122     1 122        
Finance                                                                         
Card                           2 488        565          1 923     1 923        
Personal Loans                 802          224          578       578          
Absa Private Bank              1 463        1 232        231       231          
Other                          956          438          518       518          
Total Retail banking1          30 507       22 246       8 261     8 261        
                                                                                
Absa Business Bank             4 312        2 983        1 329     1 329        
Absa Small Business            465          362          103       103          
Total Absa Business Bank1      4 777        3 345        1 432     1 432        
                                                                                
Total Absa Capital             805          562          243       243          
                                                                                
Total non-performing advances  36 089       26 153       9 936     9 936        
Non-performing advances as %                                                    
of loans and advances to       7,0                                              
customers                                                                       
Note                                                                            
1Comparatives have been reclassified for the move of Absa Small Business from   
Retail banking to Absa Business Bank.                                           
CONDENSED NOTES TO THE GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION                    
2. BORROWED FUNDS                                                               
                               30 June                             31           
December     
                               2010         2009                   2009         
                               (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)   Change   (Audited)    
                               Rm           Rm            %        Rm           

Subordinated callable notes    13 359       11 823        13       13 530       
The subordinated debt instruments listed below qualify as secondary capital     
in terms of                                                                     
the Banks Act, No 94 of 1990 (as amended).                                      
Interest rate  Final                                                            
maturity date                                                                   
10,75%         26 March 2015   -            1 100         (100)    1 100        
8,75%          1 September    1 500        1 500         -        1 500        
2017                                                                            
 8,80%          7 March 2019   1 725        1 725         -        1 725        
 8,10%         27 March 2020   2 000        2 000         -        2 000        
10,28%             3 May       600          -             100      -            
2022                                                                            
Three-month    26 March 2015                                                    
JIBAR + 0,75%                  -            400           (100)    400          
Three-month     3 May 2022                                                      
JIBAR + 2,10%                  400          -             100      -            
CPI - Linked notes, fixed at                                                    
the following coupon rates:                                                     
6,25%             31 March     1 886        1 886         -        1 886        
2018                                                                            
6,00%             20           3 000        3 000         -        3 000        
September 2019                                                                  
5,50%              7           1 500        -             100      1 500        
December 2028                                                                   
Accrued interest               745          403           85       575          
Fair value adjustment          3            (191)         >100     (156)        
Redeemable cumulative option-                                                   
holding preference shares      -            -             -        -            
Preference dividend rate                                                        
72% of the prime               -            158           (100)    158          
overdraft rate1                                                                 
Redemption of preference                                                        
shares held by Absa Group                                                       
Limited Employee Share         -            (9)           100      (9)          
Ownership Administrative                                                        
Trust                                                                           
Shares held by the Absa                                                         
Group Limited Employee Share                                                    
Ownership Administrative       -            (3)           100      -            
Trust                                                                           
Note                                                                            
1Option exercise dates of 1 July 2007 to 1 July 2009, 1 March, 1 June, 1        
September or 1 December each year.                                              
CONDENSED NOTES TO THE GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION                    
2. BORROWED FUNDS (CONTINUED)                                                   
                               30 June                             31           
December     
                               2010         2009                   2009         
                               (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)   Change   (Audited)    
                               Rm           Rm            %        Rm           
Cancellation of preference                                                      
shares held by Absa Group                                                       
Limited Employee Share          -            -             -        (3)         
Ownership Administrative                                                        
Trust1                                                                          
Redemption of preference                                                        
shares held by Batho Bonke                                                      
Capital (Proprietary) Limited   -            (146)         100      (146)       
13 359       11 823        13       13 530       
Portfolio analysis                                                              
Subordinated callable notes                                                     
designated at fair value        731          693           5        718         
through profit or loss                                                          
Financial liabilities at                                                        
amortised cost                                                                  
    Subordinated callable      7 699        5 567         38       7 221        
notes                                                                           
Amortised cost subordinated                                                     
callable notes in a fair                                                        
value hedging relationship      4 929        5 563         (11)     5 591       
13 359       11 823        13       13 530       
Notes                                                                           
1The cancellation of the preference shares for the Absa Group Limited           
Employee Share Ownership Administrative Trust relate to employees who           
resigned and therefore their shares were not redeemed.                          
CONDENSED NOTES TO THE GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION                    
                                30 June                            31           
                                                                   December     
2010          2009                 2009         
                                (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)  Change  (Audited)    
                                Rm            Rm           %       Rm           
3.FINANCIAL GUARANTEE                                                           
CONTRACTS                                                                       
Financial guarantee contracts   614           1 025        (40)    1 007        
                                                                                
4.CONTINGENCIES                                                                 
Guarantees1                     11 637        9 075        28      10 484       
Irrevocable facilities2         41 407        30 290       37      54 517       
Letters of credit               5 307         4 851        9       5 007        
Other contingencies             5             8            (38)    5            
58 356        44 224       32      70 013       
                                                                                
Notes                                                                           
1Guarantees include performance guarantee contracts and payment guarantee       
contracts.                                                                      
2Irrevocable facilities are commitments to extend credit where the Group        
does not have the right to terminate the facilities by written notice.          
Commitments generally have fixed expiry dates. Since commitments may expire     
without being drawn upon, the total contract amounts do not necessarily         
represent future cash requirements.                                             
CONDENSED NOTES TO THE GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION                    
5. COMMITMENTS                                                                  
30 June                       31               
                                                               December         
                                 2010       2009               2009             
                                 (Unaudite  (Unaudite Change   (Audited)        
d)         d)                                  
                                 Rm         Rm        %        Rm               
                                                                                
Authorised capital expenditure                                                  
Contracted but not provided       1 055      1 521     (31)     928             
for1                                                                            
                                                                                
Note                                                                            
1The Group has capital commitments in respect of construction of                
buildings, computer equipment and property purchases. Management is             
confident that future net revenues and funding will be sufficient to cover      
these commitments.                                                              
Operating lease payments due1                                                   
No later than one year            1 126      1 211     (7)      1 157           
Later than one year and no                   2 216                              
later than five years             2 135                (4)      2 135           
Later than five years             351        408       (14)     307             
                                 3 612      3 835     (6)      3 599            
Note                                                                            
1The operating lease commitments comprise a number of separate operating        
leases in relation to properties and equipment, none of which is                
individually significant to the Group. Leases are negotiated for an             
average term of three to five years and rentals are renegotiated annually.      
CONDENSED NOTES TO THE GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION                    
6. ACQUISITION AND DISPOSAL OF SUBSIDIARIES, ASSOCIATES AND JOINT VENTURES      
6.1 Disposal of investment in Pinnacle Point Group Limited                      
During the period under review, the Group invested a further R95 million in and 
converted a R125 million loan to Pinnacle Point Group Limited (Pinnacle Point)  
to equity in terms of an underwriting agreement.                                
On completion of this transaction, the Group disposed of its investment in      
Pinnacle Point for R150 million of which R95 million was received on transaction
date. The remainder of the consideration is receivable in 2011 and 2012.        
This transaction has not resulted in any profit being recognised in the current 
period, although additional profit of R55 million may be recognised in 2011 and 
2012 on receipt of the remaining consideration.                                 
6.2 Disposal of investment in Virgin Money South Africa (Proprietary) Limited   
On 30 June 2010, the Virgin Money South Africa (Proprietary) Limited (VMSA)     
joint venture arrangement was terminated and restructured into a trademark      
licence agreement.                                                              
The termination resulted in the Group selling its 50% interest in VMSA for R1,  
while acquiring VMSA`s credit card and home loan business for R1.               
A profit on disposal of R88 million has been recognised of which R46 million has
been included in headline earnings as it relates to VMSA`s indemnification to   
the Group for losses incurred in the past and is therefore deemed to be of an   
operating nature.                                                               
The Group is in the process of finalising the fair values of the assets and     
liabilities on acquisition in terms of IFRS 3 - Business Combinations, which    
allows for provisional amounts to be recognised for a 12-month period from the  
acquisition date.                                                               
CONDENSED GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY                                  
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2010                                               
                     Total equity                                               
attributable Non-          Non-                            
                     to ordinary  controlling   controlling                     
                     equity       interest-     interest-                       
                     holders of   ordinary      preference    Total equity      
the Group    shares        shares                          
                     (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)       
                     Rm           Rm            Rm            Rm                
Opening balance       50 547       1 299         4 644         56 490           
Transfer from share-                                                            
based payment         24           -             -             24               
reserve                                                                         
Share buy-back in                                                               
respect of Absa       (49)         -             -             (49)             
Group Limited Share                                                             
Incentive Trust                                                                 
Elimination of                                                                  
treasury shares                                                                 
held by Absa Group    20           -             -             20               
Limited Share                                                                   
Incentive Trust                                                                 
Elimination of                                                                  
treasury shares       27           -             -             27               
held by Absa Life                                                               
Limited                                                                         
Other reserves        516          -             -             516              
Transfer from share-                                                            
based payment         (25)         -             -             (25)             
reserve                                                                         
Share-based           5            -             -             5                
payments for the                                                                
period                                                                          
Other comprehensive   484          -             -             484              
income                                                                          
Movement in general                                                             
credit risk reserve   (14)         -             -             (14)             
Movement in                                                                     
insurance             5            -             -             5                
contingency reserve                                                             
Movement in                                                                     
associates` and       19           -             -             19               
joint ventures`                                                                 
retained earnings                                                               
reserve                                                                         
Disposal of                                                                     
associates and        42           -             -             42               
joint ventures -                                                                
release of reserves                                                             
Retained earnings     2 209        -             -             2 209            
Transfer from share-                                                            
based payment         1            -             -             1                
reserve                                                                         
CONDENSED GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY                                  
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2010 (CONTINUED)                                   
                   Total equity                                                 
                   attributable   Non-          Non-                            
                   to ordinary    controlling   controlling                     
equity         interest-     interest-                       
                   holders of     ordinary      preference    Total equity      
                   the Group      shares        shares                          
                   (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)       
Rm             Rm            Rm            Rm                
                                                                                
Transfer to                                                                     
general credit      14             -             -             14               
risk reserve                                                                    
Transfer to                                                                     
insurance           (5)            -             -             (5)              
contingency                                                                     
reserve                                                                         
Transfer to                                                                     
associates` and     (19)           -             -             (19)             
joint ventures`                                                                 
retained earnings                                                               
reserve                                                                         
Disposal of                                                                     
associates and      (42)           -             -             (42)             
joint ventures -                                                                
release of                                                                      
reserves                                                                        
Profit                                                                          
attributable to     3 842          107           162           4 111            
equity holders of                                                               
the Group                                                                       
Other                                                                           
comprehensive                                                                   
income - movement   (4)            -             -             (4)              
in retirement                                                                   
benefit surplus                                                                 
and obligation                                                                  
Dividends paid      (1 578)        (92)          (162)         (1 832)          
during the period                                                               
Net acquisition of  -              18            -             18               
subsidiaries                                                                    
Other                                                                           
comprehensive       -              27            -             27               
income - foreign                                                                
currency                                                                        
translation                                                                     
effects                                                                         
Balance at 30 June  53 294         1 359         4 644         59 297           
2010                                                                            
Total comprehensive income amounts to R4 618 million.                           
CONDENSED GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY                                  
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2009                                               
Total equity                                             
                       attributable  Non-          Non-                         
                       to ordinary   controlling   controlling                  
                       equity        interest-     interest-                    
holders of    ordinary      preference   Total equity    
                       the Group     shares        shares                       
                       (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)     
                       Rm            Rm            Rm           Rm              
Opening balance as      47 280                      4 644        52 966         
previously reported                   1 042                                     
Restatement of opening  327           -             -            327            
balance1                                                                        
Restated opening        47 607        -             -            53 293         
balance                                                                         
Shares issued           885           -             -            885            
Costs incurred          (0)           -             -            (0)            
Transfer from share-                                                            
based payment reserve   26            -             -            26             
Share buy-back in                                                               
respect of Absa Group   (25)          -             -            (25)           
Limited Share                                                                   
Incentive Trust                                                                 
Elimination of                                                                  
treasury shares held                                                            
by Absa Group Limited   (12)          -             -            (12)           
Share Incentive Trust                                                           
Elimination of                                                                  
treasury shares held    (29)          -             -            (29)           
by Absa Life Limited                                                            
Elimination of                                                                  
treasury shares held                                                            
by Absa Group Limited   0             -             -            0              
Employee Share                                                                  
Ownership                                                                       
Administrative Trust                                                            
Other reserves          (1 272)       -             -            (1 272)        
Transfer from share-                                                            
based payment reserve   (26)          -             -            (26)           
Share-based payments    (29)          -             -            (29)           
for the period                                                                  
Other comprehensive     (1 112)       -             -            (1 112)        
income                                                                          
Movement in general                                                             
credit risk reserve     (12)          -             -            (12)           
Movement in insurance                                                           
contingency reserve     9             -             -            9              
Movement in                                                                     
associates` and joint   (1)           -             -            (1)            
ventures` retained                                                              
earnings reserve                                                                
Disposal of associates                -             -                           
and joint ventures -    (101)                                    (101)          
release of reserves                                                             
Note                                                                            
 1Comparatives have been restated. Refer to the "Reclassifications and          
Restatements" section.                                                          
CONDENSED GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY                                  
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 20091 (CONTINUED)                                  
                   Total equity                                                 
                   attributable     Non-         Non-                           
to ordinary      controlling  controlling                    
                   equity holders   interest-    interest-                      
                   of the Group     ordinary     preference    Total equity     
                                    shares       shares                         
(Unaudited)      (Unaudited)  (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)      
                   Rm               Rm           Rm            Rm               
Retained earnings   46               -            -             46              
Repurchase of                                                                   
preference shares                                                               
held by Batho       (1 089)          -            -             (1 089)         
Bonke                                                                           
Capital(Proprietar                                                              
y) Limited                                                                      
Transfer from                        -            -                             
share-based         (0)                                         (0)             
payment reserve                                                                 
Transfer to                                                                     
general credit      12               -            -             12              
risk reserve                                                                    
Transfer to                                                                     
insurance           (9)              -            -             (9)             
contingency                                                                     
reserve                                                                         
Transfer to                                                                     
associates` and     1                -            -             1               
joint ventures`                                                                 
retained earnings                                                               
reserve                                                                         
Disposal of                                                                     
associates and      101              -            -             101             
joint ventures -                                                                
release of                                                                      
reserves                                                                        
Profit                                                                          
attributable to     3 272            113          234           3 272           
equity holders of                                                               
the Group                                                                       
Dividends paid      (2 242)          (36)         (234)         (2 512)         
during the period                                                               
Net acquisition of  -                50           -             50              
subsidiaries                                                                    
Other                                                                           
comprehensive       -                6            -             6               
income - foreign                                                                
currency                                                                        
translation                                                                     
effects                                                                         
Balance at 30 June  47 226           1 175        4 644         53 045          
2009                                                                            
Total comprehensive income amounts to R2 513 million.                           
CONDENSED GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY                                  
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2009                                             
Total                                          
                                 equity      Non-      Non-                     
                                 attributab  controlli controlli                
                                 le to       ng        ng                       
ordinary    interest- interest-  Total         
                                 equity      ordinary  preferenc  equity        
                                 holders of  shares    e shares                 
                                 the Group                                      
(Audited)   (Audited) (Audited)  (Audited)     
                                 Rm          Rm        Rm         Rm            
Restated opening balance         47 607      1 042     4 644      53 293        
Shares issued                    2 571       -         -          2 571         
Repurchase of preference                                                        
shares held by Batho Bonke                                                      
Capital (Proprietary) Limited    3           -         -          3             
Costs incurred                   (0)         -         -          (0)           
Transfer from share-based                                                       
payment reserve                  67          -         -          67            
Share buy-back in respect of                                                    
Absa Group Limited Share         (86)        -         -          (86)          
Incentive Trust                                                                 
Elimination of treasury shares                                                  
held by Absa Group Limited                                                      
Share Incentive Trust            16          -         -          16            
Elimination of treasury shares                                                  
held by Absa Life Limited        38          -         -          38            
Elimination of treasury shares                                                  
held by Absa Group Limited                                                      
Employee Share Ownership         0           -         -          0             
Administrative Trust                                                            
Elimination of gains from                                                       
derivative instruments on        2           -         -          2             
shares                                                                          
Other reserves                   (1 832)     -         -          (1 832)       
Transfer from share-based                                                       
payment reserve                  (68)        -         -          (68)          
Share-based payments for the     47          -         -          47            
year                                                                            
Other comprehensive income       (1 654)     -         -          (1 654)       
Movement in general credit                                                      
risk reserve                     (23)        -         -          (23)          
CONDENSED GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY                                  
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2009 (CONTINUED)                                 
                                Total                                           
equity      Non-      Non-                      
                                attributab  controlli controlli                 
                                le to       ng        ng                        
                                ordinary    interest- interest-  Total          
equity      ordinary  preferenc  equity         
                                holders of  shares    e shares                  
                                the Group                                       
                                (Audited)   (Audited) (Audited)  (Audited)      
Rm          Rm        Rm         Rm             
Movement in insurance                                                           
contingency reserve              25          -         -          25            
Movement in associates` and                                                     
joint ventures retained          (50)        -         -          (50)          
earnings reserve                                                                
Disposal of associates and                                                      
joint ventures - release of      (109)       -         -          (109)         
reserves                                                                        
Retained earnings                2 161       -         -          2 161         
Repurchase of preference                                                        
shares held by Batho Bonke                                                      
Capital (Proprietary) Limited    (1 089)     -         -          (1 089)       
Transfer from share-based                                                       
payment reserve                  1           -         -          1             
Transfer to general credit                                                      
risk reserve                     23          -         -          23            
Transfer to insurance                                                           
contingency reserve              (25)        -         -          (25)          
Transfer to associates` and                                                     
joint ventures retained          50          -         -          50            
earnings reserve                                                                
Disposal of associates and                                                      
joint ventures - release of      109         -         -          109           
reserves                                                                        
Profit attributable to equity                                                   
holders of the Group             6 840       241       421        7 502         
Other comprehensive income -                                                    
movement in retirement benefit                                                  
surplus and obligation           52          -         -          52            
Dividends paid during the year   (3 800)     (51)      (421)      (4 272)       
Net acquisition of               -           72        -          72            
subsidiaries                                                                    
Other comprehensive income -                                                    
foreign currency translation     -           (5)       -          (5)           
effects                                                                         
CONDENSED GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY                                  
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2009 (CONTINUED)                                 
                                 Total                                          
                                 equity      Non-      Non-                     
attributab  controlli controlli                
                                 le to       ng        ng                       
                                 ordinary    interest- interest-  Total         
                                 equity      ordinary  preferenc  equity        
holders of  shares    e shares                 
                                 the Group                                      
                                 (Audited)   (Audited) (Audited)  (Audited      
                                                                  )             
Rm          Rm        Rm         Rm            
Balance at 31 December 2009      50 547      1 299     4 644      56 490        
Total comprehensive income amounts to R5 895 million.                           
CONDENSED NOTES TO THE GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY                     
DIVIDENDS PER SHARE                                                             
                            Six months ended                      Year          
                                                                  ended         
                            30 June                               31            
December      
                            2010          2009                    2009          
                            (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)    Change   (Audited)     
                            Rm            Rm             %        Rm            

Dividends paid to ordinary                                                      
equity holders during the                                                       
period/year                                                                     
16 February 2010 final                                                         
dividend number 47 of 220                                                       
cents per ordinary share                                                        
(9 February 2009: 330       1 580         2 245          (30)     2 245         
cents)                                                                          
 3 August 2009 interim      -                                                   
dividend number 46 of 225                                                       
cents per ordinary share                  -              -        1 616         
Dividends paid on                                                              
treasury shares held by     (2)           (3)            33       (5)           
Absa Life Limited                                                               
 Dividends paid on shares   -                                                   
held by  Batho Bonke                                                            
Capital(Proprietary)                                                            
Limited in terms of the                   -              -        (56)          
bridging finance                                                                
arrangement                                                                     
                            1 578         2 242          (30)     3 800         
Dividends paid to ordinary                                                      
equity holders relating to                                                      
income for the period/year                                                      
 5 August 2010 interim                                                          
dividend number 48 of 225                                                       
cents per ordinary share    1 616         1 616          -        1 616         
(3 August 2009: 225 cents)                                                      
 Dividends paid on                                                              
treasury shares held by     -             -              -        (2)           
Absa Life Limited                                                               
Dividends paid on shares                                                       
held by  Batho Bonke                                                            
Capital(Proprietary)                                                            
Limited in terms of the     -             -              -        (56)          
bridging finance                                                                
arrangement                                                                     
 16 February 2010 final                                                         
dividend number 47 of 220                                                       
cents per ordinary share    -             -              -              1       
                                                                  580           
                            1 616         1 616          -        3 138         
CONDENSED NOTES TO THE GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY                     
DIVIDENDS PER SHARE (CONTINUED)                                                 
                               Six months ended                     Year        
                                                                    ended       
                               30 June                              31          
December    
                               2010           2009                  2009        
                               (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)  Change   (Audited)   
                               Rm             Rm           %        Rm          
Dividends paid to non-                                                          
controlling preference                                                          
equity holders during the                                                       
period/year                                                                     
16 February 2010 final                                                         
dividend number 8 of 3 280,3                                                    
cents per preference share                                                      
(9 February 2009: 4 734,5      162            234          (31)     234         
cents)                                                                          
 3 August 2009 interim                                                          
dividend number 7 of 3 799,3                                                    
cents per preference share     -                           -        187         

                                              -                                 
                               162            234          (31)     421         
Dividends paid to non-                                                          
controlling preference                                                          
equity holders relating to                                                      
income for the period/year                                                      
 5 August 2010 interim                                                          
dividend number 9 of 3 197,5                                                    
cents per preference share                                                      
(3 August 2009: 3 799,3        158            187          (16)     187         
cents)                                                                          
16 February 2010 final                                                         
dividend number 8 of 3 280,3                                                    
cents per preference share     -              -            -        162         
                               158            187          (16)     349         
CONDENSED GROUP STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS                                         
                                 Six months ended              Year ended       
                                 30 June                       31               
                                                               December         
2010       2009               2009             
                                 (Unaudite  (Unaudite Change   (Audited)        
                                 d)         d)                                  
                                 Rm         Rm        %        Rm               
Net cash generated from          3 163      1 086                  5 011        
operating activities                                  >100                      
Net cash (utilised)/generated                                                   
from investing activities        (246)      1 372     >(100)   (2 218)          
Net cash utilised from                                                          
financing activities             (2 334)    (3 004)   22        (1 419)         
Net increase/(decrease)in cash                                                  
and cash equivalents             583        (546)     >100      1 374           
Cash and cash equivalents at                                                    
the                              6 976      5 600     25       5 600            
beginning of the period/year                                                    
1                                                                               
Effect of exchange rate                                                         
movements on cash and cash       2          2         -                2        
equivalents                                                                     
Cash and cash equivalents at                                                    
the end of the period/year       7 561      5 056     50       6 976            
2                                                                               
                                                                                
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED GROUP                                                    
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS                                                         
1. Cash and cash equivalents                                                    
at the beginning of the                                                         
period/year                                                                     
Cash, cash balances and                                                         
balances                          5 176     4 726     10           4 726        
with central banks                                                              
Loans and advances to banks         1 800   874       >100                      
874              
                                      6     5 600     25            5 600       
                                 976                                            
2. Cash and cash equivalents                                                    
at the end of the period/year                                                   
Cash, cash balances and                                                         
balances                         4 685      3 630     29        5 176           
with central banks                                                              
Loans and advances to banks      2 876      1 426     >100        1 800         
                                 7 561      5 056     50            6 976       
                                                                                
GROUP PROFIT CONTRIBUTION BY BUSINESS AREA                                      
Six months ended               Year            
                                                                ended           
                                 30 June                        31              
                                                                December        
2010       20091               2009            
                                 (Unaudite  (Unaudited Change   (Audited)       
                                 d)         )                                   
                                 Rm         Rm         %                        
Banking operations                                                              
Retail banking                   1 060      916        16       1 945           
     Home Loans                  (201)      (721)      72         (1 299)       
     Absa Vehicle and Asset      50         13         >100     265             
Finance                                                                         
     Card                        531        304        75                       
                                                                811             
     Personal Loans              170        51         >100            20       
Retail Bank                    510        1 269      (60)     2 148           
Absa Business Bank               1 375      1 518      (9)           3          
                                                                235             
Absa Capital                     700        129        >100                     
288             
     Underlying performance      747        917        (19)           1         
                                                                275             
     Single stock futures        (47)       (788)      94                       
impairments                                                     (987)           
Corporate centre                 271        368        (26)      544            
Capital and funding centre       (8)        (97)       92                       
                                                                (35)            
Non-controlling interest -       (162)      (234)      31                       
preference shares                                               (421)           
Total banking                    3 236      2 600      24             5         
                                                                556             
Bancassurance                    606        672        (10)          1          
                                                                284             
Profit attributable to                                                          
ordinary equity holders of the   3 842      3 272      17       6 840           
Group                                                                           
Headline earnings adjustments    20         554        (96)                     
                                                                781             
Headline earnings                3 862      3 826      1              7         
621             
Note                                                                            
1Comparatives have been reclassified for the move of Absa Small Business from   
Retail banking to Absa Business Bank.                                           
GROUP REVENUE1 CONTRIBUTION BY BUSINESS AREA                                    
                              Six months ended                 Year ended       
                              30 June                          31               
                                                               December         
2010        20092                20092            
                              (Unaudited) (Unaudited)  Change  (Audited)        
                              Rm          Rm           %       Rm               
Banking operations                                                              
Retail banking                11 282      11 531       (2)     22 977           
     Home Loans               1 633       1 598        2       3 133            
     Absa Vehicle and Asset   1 088       1 164        (7)      2 279           
Finance                                                                         
Card                     2 100       2 097        0       4 261            
     Personal Loans           911         894          2       1 753            
  Retail Bank                 5 550       5 778        (4)     11 551           
Absa Business Bank            5 671       5 558        2       11 497           
Absa Capital                  2 556       2 315        10      4 446            
Corporate centre              (357)       (84)         >(100)  (527)            
Capital and funding centre    136         (54)         >100    300              
Total banking                 19 288      19 266       0       38 693           
Bancassurance                 1 718       1 715        0       3 393            
Total revenue                 21 006      20 981       0       42 086           
Notes                                                                           
1Revenue includes net interest income and non-interest income.                  
2Comparatives have been reclassified for the move of Absa Small Business from   
Retail banking to Absa Business Bank.                                           
RECLASSIFICATIONS AND RESTATEMENTS                                              
Some items within the statement of financial position and statement of the      
comprehensive income for the six months ended 30 June 2009 and the statement of 
financial position for the year ended 31 December 2009 were reclassified and    
restated:                                                                       
GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION - 30 JUNE 2009                            
(Unaudited)   (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)       
                                 As            Reclassificati Reclassifie       
                                 previously    ons            d                 
                                 reported      and            and               
restatements   restated          
                                 Rm            Rm             Rm                
Assets                                                                          
 Cash, cash balances and         22 411        (20)           22 391            
balances                                                                        
 with central banks                                                             
1                                                                               
 Statutory liquid asset          32 213        -              32 213            
portfolio                                                                       
 Loans and advances to banks     48 386        6              48 392            
4                                                                               
Trading portfolio assets         68 123        (6 339)        61 784            
4                                                                               
 Hedging portfolio assets        2 824         -              2 824             
 Other assets                    20 779        531            21 310            
1+2                                                                             
Current tax assets              620           -              620               
 Non-current assets held for     2 017         -              2 017             
sale                                                                            
 Loans and advances to           521 427       188            521 615           
customers  1+4                                                                  
 Reinsurance assets              847           -              847               
 Investments                     24 346        -              24 346            
 Investments in associates and                 -                                
joint ventures                  789                          789               
 Goodwill and intangible         965           (9)            956               
assets     1                                                                    
 Investment property             2 087         (40)           2 047             
1                                                                               
 Property and equipment          6 121         -              6 121             
 Deferred tax assets             357           (2)            355               
1                                                                               
Total assets                     754 312       (5 685)        748 627           
                                                                                
Liabilities                                                                     
 Deposits from banks             41 885        (962)          40 923            
4                                                                               
 Trading portfolio liabilities   64 341        (6 339)        58 002            
4                                                                               
 Hedging portfolio liabilities   1 188         -              1 188             
Other liabilities and sundry                  (20 055)                         
provisions                       20 055                       -                 
3                                                                               
 Other liabilities               -             18 907         18 907            
1+2+3                                                                           
 Provisions                      -             1 109          1 109             
3                                                                               
 Current tax liabilities         237           -              237               
Deposits due to customers       370 096       1 183          371 279           
4                                                                               
 Debt securities in issue        175 686       -              175 686           
 Liabilities under investment                                                   
contracts                       11 053        -              11 053            
 Policyholder liabilities                                                       
under                            2 740         -              2 740             
 insurance contracts                                                            
Borrowed funds                  11 823        -              11 823            
 Deferred tax liabilities        2 496         139            2 635             
1+2                                                                             
Total liabilities                701 600       (6 018)        695 582           

Equity                                                                          
Capital and reserves                                                            
Attributable to ordinary                                                        
equity                                                                          
holders of the Group:                                                           
 Share capital                   1 379         -              1 379             
 Share premium                   3 071         -              3 071             
Other reserves                  1 738         -              1 738             
 Retained earnings               40 711        327            41 038            
1+2                                                                             
                                 46 899        327            47 226            
Non-controlling interest -                                                      
ordinary shares                  1 169         6              1 175             
1                                                                               
Non-controlling interest -                                                      
preference shares                4 644         -              4 644             
Total equity                     52 712        333            53 045            
Total equity and liabilities     754 312       (5 685)        748 627           
GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - 30 JUNE 2009                          
(Unaudited)  (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)       
                                  As                                            
                                  previously                                    
                                  reported     Reclassificati Reclassifie       
ons            d                 
                                  Rm           Rm             Rm                
Net interest income               10 772       -              10 772            
     Interest and similar         35 493       -              35 493            
income                                                                          
     Interest expense and                                                       
similar charges                   (24 721)     -              (24 721)          
Impairment losses on loans and                                                  
advances                          (4 834)      -              (4 834)           
Net interest income after                                                       
impairment losses on loans and    5 938        -              5 938             
advances                                                                        
Net fee and commission income     6 903        -              6 903             
     Fee and commission income    7 629        170            7 799             
5                                                                               
     Fee and commission expense   (726)        (170)          (896)             
5                                                                               
Net insurance premium income      1 844        -              1 844             
Net insurance claims and          (1 010)      -              (1 010)           
benefits paid                                                                   
Changes in investment and                                                       
insurance liabilities             10           -              10                
Gains and losses from banking                                                   
and trading activities            1 281        -              1 281             
Gains and losses from                                                           
investment activities             454          -              454               
Other operating income            727          -              727               
Operating profit before                                                         
operating expenditure             16 147       -              16 147            
Operating expenditure             (11 389)     -              (11 389)          
     Operating expenses           (9 782)      -              (9 782)           
     Other impairments            (1 179)      -              (1 179)           
Indirect taxation            (428)        -              (428)             
Share of post-tax results of                                                    
associates and joint ventures     (1)          -              (1)               
Operating profit before income    4 757        -              4 757             
tax                                                                             
Taxation expense                  (1 138)      -              (1 138)           
Profit for the period             3 619        -              3 619             
GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - 30 JUNE 2009 (continued)              
(Unaudited)  (Unaudited)    (Unaudited        
                                                              )                 
                                  As                                            
                                  previously                                    
reported     Restatements   Restated          
                                  Rm           Rm             Rm                
Profit attributable to:                                                         
Ordinary equity holders of the    3 272        -              3 272             
Group                                                                           
Non-controlling interest -        113          -              113               
ordinary shares                                                                 
Non-controlling interest -        234          -              234               
preference shares                                                               
                                  3 619        -              3 619             
GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION - 31 DECEMBER 2009                        
                                  (Audited)    (Audited)       (Audited)        
As                                            
                                  previously                                    
                                  reported     Restatements    Restated         
                                  Rm           Rm              Rm               
Assets                                                                          
 Cash, cash balances and          20 597       -                                
balances                                                       20 597           
 with central banks                                                             
Statutory liquid asset           33 943       -               33 943           
portfolio                                                                       
 Loans and advances to banks      36 032       -               36 032           
Trading portfolio assets          61 779       (9 477)         52 302           
4                                                                               
 Hedging portfolio assets         2 558        -               2 558            
 Other assets                     17 777       -               17 777           
 Current tax assets               234          -               234              
Loans and advances to            503 630      2 533           506 163          
customers     4                                                                 
 Reinsurance assets               719          -               719              
 Investments                      29 564       -               29 564           
Investments in associates and                 -                                
 joint ventures                   487                          487              
 Goodwill and intangible assets   1 245        -               1 245            
 Investment property              2 195        -               2 195            
Property and equipment           6 606        -               6 606            
 Deferred tax assets              374          -               374              
Total assets                      717 740      (6 944)         710 796          
                                                                                
Liabilities                                                                     
 Deposits from banks              39 616       (3 075)         36 541           
4                                                                               
 Trading portfolio liabilities    53 722       (9 477)         44 245           
4                                                                               
 Hedging portfolio liabilities    565          -               565              
 Other liabilities                12 212       -               12 212           
 Provisions                       1 684        -               1 684            
Current tax liabilities          59           -               59               
 Deposits due to customers        350 757      5 608           356 365          
4                                                                               
 Debt securities in issue         171 376      -               171 376          
Liabilities under investment                                                   
 contracts                        12 446       -               12 446           
 Policyholder liabilities under                                                 
 insurance contracts              3 136        -               3 136            
Borrowed funds                   13 530       -               13 530           
 Deferred tax liabilities         2 147        -               2 147            
Total liabilities                 661 250      (6 944)         654 306          
                                                                                
Equity                                                                          
Capital and reserves                                                            
Attributable to ordinary equity                                                 
holders of the Group:                                                           
Share capital                    1 432        -               1 432            
 Share premium                    4 784        -               4 784            
 Other reserves                   1 178        -               1 178            
 Retained earnings                43 153       -               43 153           
50 547       -               50 547           
Non-controlling interest -        1 299                        1 299            
ordinary shares                                -                                
Non-controlling interest -        4 644                        4 644            
preference shares                              -                                
Total equity                      56 490       -               56 490           
Total equity and liabilities      717 740      (6 944)         710 796          
COMMENTARY ON THE RECLASSIFICATIONS AND RESTATEMENTS                            
1. IFRS 3 - Business Combinations fair value adjustments                        
The acquisition of the majority interest in Ballito Junction Development        
(Proprietary) Limited and Ngwenya River Estate (Proprietary) Limited was        
accounted for provisionally in the June 2009 financial results in accordance    
with IFRS 3 - Business combinations. The Group finalised the fair values of the 
assets and liabilities on acquisition within the 12-month window period as      
allowed by IFRS3. This resulted in a decrease in total assets of R36 million    
which includes additional goodwill of R6 million being recognised, a decrease in
total liabilities of R53 million as well as R17 million negative goodwill       
recognised in the statement of comprehensive income. This restatement only has  
an impact on the value of the opening balances of the comparatives disclosed for
June 2009.                                                                      
The acquisition of the majority interest in Abseq Properties (Proprietary)      
Limited was accounted for provisionally in the June 2009 financial results in   
accordance with IFRS 3 - Business combinations. The Group finalised the fair    
values of the assets and liabilities on acquisition within the 12-month window  
period as allowed by IFRS 3. This resulted in an increase in total assets of R34
million which includes reduced goodwill of R15 million being recognised, an     
increase in total liabilities of R28 million as well as R6 million additional   
non-controlling interest.                                                       
2. Retirement benefit fund                                                      
The Group early adopted AC 504 - The Limit On a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum  
Funding Requirements and their interaction in the South African Pension Fund    
Environment during 2009. This early adoption resulted in the Group recognising  
its defined benefit surplus as an asset, retrospectively. AC 504 requires the   
Group to assess whether it has an unconditional right to the surplus. This right
specifically relates to the surplus once the scheme has run off in the normal   
course of business. The effective date for AC 504 is financial periods starting 
on or after 1 April 2009, however the Group elected early adoption as this      
guidance was published before the Group`s year-end and seeks to clarify an      
existing accounting pronouncement.                                              
In addition, the Group changed its accounting policy in accordance with the     
allowed alternative in IAS 19 - Employee Benefits to recognise actuarial gains  
and losses on the Group`s defined benefit pension plan. As a result of this     
change in accounting policy, any adjustments to the surplus or deficit by       
applying the limit to the asset in accordance with IAS 19 - Employee Benefits   
will also be recognised in other comprehensive income. This new policy results  
in more relevant information on the Group`s performance by removing the         
volatility from changes in actuarial assumptions and reserves.                  
3. Provisions                                                                   
Provisions were previously disclosed as part of other liabilities and sundry    
provisions and are now disclosed separately on the statement of financial       
position at December 2009. Comparatives for June 2009 have been reclassified to 
be consistent with the change made in December 2009.                            
4. Trading related activities                                                   
During the period under review, the Group has reassessed its counterparty risk  
for certain trading activities due to a change in interpretation of customer    
agreements as well as a consideration of the risk inherent in its hedging       
portfolios. This has resulted in comparatives being restated for June and       
December 2009.                                                                  
5. Net fee and commission income                                                
The disclosure of net fee and commission income changed from nature to function 
during 2009, and certain fees and commissions received, previously disclosed net
of fees and commissions paid, have been reclassified to indicate the gross      
amounts received and paid. Comparatives for June 2009 have been reclassified    
accordingly, on a basis consistent with the change made in December 2009.       
PROFIT AND DIVIDEND ANNOUNCEMENT                                                
Overview of results                                                             
The Group increased attributable earnings by 17% to R3 842 million, compared to 
the six months ended 30 June 2009 (June 2009: R3 272 million). Headline earnings
for the period increased by 1% to R3 862 million (June 2009: R3 826 million).   
The difference between the change in headline and attributable earnings relates 
mainly to impairments recognised by Absa Capital against the value of equity    
positions acquired resulting from single stock future defaults in the first half
of 2009.                                                                        
Headline earnings per share (HEPS) declined by 4% to 539,3 cents per share, with
fully diluted HEPS decreasing by 3% to 535,9 cents per share. This decline was  
driven by an increase in the weighted average number of shares in issue owing to
the successful conclusion, in 2009, of the Group`s broad-based black economic   
empowerment transaction.                                                        
The Group recorded a 15,0% return on average equity (RoE) (June 2009: 16,3%) and
a return on average assets of 1,08% (June 2009: 1,02%) for the six months under 
review.                                                                         
Subdued asset growth, low transaction volume growth, the continued increase in  
insurance claims and the weakness of equity markets impacted the revenue        
performance for the period. Earnings were, however, positively influenced by a  
decline in the retail credit impairment charge. The Group continued to make     
investments in people and information technology during the period under review 
in order to position the Group for future growth.                               
The Group`s retail banking operations and Absa Capital experienced positive     
attributable earnings growth for the period. However, Absa Business Bank and the
Group`s bancassurance operations experienced a decline in attributable earnings 
as a result of the challenging operating environment.                           
Operating environment                                                           
Fears over the sustainability of the global economic recovery remained top of   
the global agenda over the past six months, fuelled by the sovereign debt crisis
in Southern Europe and the potential impact of fiscal austerity measures on     
economic growth in the euro zone. This illustrates that the global economic     
recovery will remain fragile and that the trajectory of the expected upturn will
not be smooth.                                                                  
The South African economy started showing signs of recovery, with first quarter 
GDP growing at an annualised rate of 4,6%. Output in the primary and secondary  
sectors of the economy grew, but output levels in these sectors are yet to      
recover to their pre-crisis levels. A similar picture emerges when viewing the  
demand side of the economy. Although real household consumption and income grew 
in the first quarter of 2010, they remain below their previous cyclical highs   
and employment levels remain under pressure. Corporate credit extension has been
contracting for almost a year now, underscoring the challenging private sector  
investment environment.                                                         
Consumer price inflation continued to trend lower since the start of this year, 
falling from 6,2% in January to 4,2% in June. The generally more benign         
inflation outlook, along with an inconsistent economic recovery, saw the prime  
interest rate in March fall to its lowest level since the late 1970s. Financial 
markets currently price in a better than even chance of a further rate cut later
in the year.                                                                    
Group performance                                                               
Statement of financial position                                                 
The Group`s total assets as at 30 June 2010 at R718,2 billion remained          
relatively unchanged from 31 December 2009, but declined by 4% from 30 June 2009
largely due to a decline in loans and advances to customers.                    
Loans and advances to customers                                                 
The Group experienced a decline in gross loans and advances of 4% from June     
2009. The mortgage book, comprising 59% of the Group`s gross loans and advances,
remained unchanged from 31 December 2009, while instalment finance loans        
declined significantly by 10% from 30 June 2009 and 6% from 31 December 2009    
(annualised). The decline in advances was as a result of lower customer demand  
and the continued focus on risk appetite. This, together with the focus on      
pricing for risk at a customer level, lead to a decline in market share in some 
products.  For the first time since August 2008, growth in the instalment       
finance book was experienced in the latter part of the period under review.     
Personal and term loans grew strongly over the period and increased by 32% from 
31 December 2009 (annualised) and 14% from June 2009. Due to continued customer 
deleveraging, corporate loans declined by 18% from 30 June 2009 and 8% from 31  
December 2009 (annualised).                                                     
Deposits due to customers                                                       
Deposits due to customers increased 2% to R359,9 billion from December 2009     
(annualised). Absa achieved solid deposit growth in retail banking, particularly
from cheque accounts, savings and transmission accounts compared to June 2009,  
thereby further cementing the Group`s leading market share in individual        
deposits.                                                                       
Net asset value                                                                 
The Group`s net asset value (NAV) per share increased by 5% to 7 420 cents per  
share (cps) compared to 7 038 cps as at 31 December 2009. Surplus capital was   
generated from net profits after the payment of ordinary dividends. Since the   
growth rate in NAV exceeds the growth in headline earnings, the Group`s RoE     
declined from 15,5% for the year ended 31 December 2009 to 15,0% for the six    
months ended 30 June 2010.                                                      
Capital to risk-weighted assets                                                 
The Group improved its healthy capital adequacy position during the period under
review. As at 30 June 2010, the capital adequacy ratios of the Group were 11,9% 
(June 2009: 10,3%) at a core tier l level, 13,1% (June 2009: 11,5%) at tier l   
level, while the total capital adequacy ratio was 15,8% ( June 2009: 13,9%).    
Absa Bank`s core tier l ratio, as at 30 June 2010, was 10,7% (June 2009: 9,5%), 
the tier l ratio was 12,0% (June 2009: 10,8%) and the total capital adequacy    
ratio was 14,9% (June 2009: 13,7%).                                             
Statement of comprehensive income                                               
The subdued economic environment resulted in the Group`s total revenue remaining
largely unchanged. Revenue, net of impairments, increased by 7%. Operating      
expenses increased by 15% owing to the continued investment in infrastructure   
and people required to grow the business. This, together with an increase in    
taxation of 32% and a reduction in non-controlling interest, resulted in an     
increase in attributable earnings of 17% and headline earnings improved by 1%.  
Net interest income                                                             
Net interest income increased by 5% to R11 293 million. The net interest margin 
on average interest-earning assets improved by 31 basis points from 3,58% to    
3,89%. The margin of the retail and commercial businesses remained largely      
unchanged in spite of the significant negative endowment impact on capital and  
pricing pressure on wholesale deposits. This was the result of improved pricing 
for credit risk, a change in the advances composition in favour of higher margin
products and effective hedging strategies to ensure margin stability.           
Credit impairments                                                              
After almost doubling in 2008, credit impairment charges have started to        
decline. The Group recorded an impairment charge of R3 704 million for the six  
months ended 30 June 2010 (June 2009: R4 834 million), a reduction of 23%. In   
spite of a lower inflow into legal, non-performing advances remain high due to a
low cure rate and the impact of the debt review portfolio.  Non-performing      
advances, as a percentage of loans and advances to customers, at 7,6%, were     
above the levels recorded for June 2009 (6,6%), and December 2009 (7,0%).       
The Group`s credit impairment ratio improved to 1,50% from the 1,86% recorded   
for the six months ended 30 June 2009 and the 1,74% recorded for the year ended 
31 December 2009.                                                               
Non-interest income                                                             
Continued growth in customer numbers resulted in net fee and commission income  
increasing by 2%. All business units showed an increase in net fees and         
commissions, except for investment banking, which reflects the lack of business 
flow in this area. Strong insurance premium growth was offset by higher         
insurance claims. The Group experienced solid growth in net trading results of  
12% to R1 217 million (June 2009: R1 082 million). Returns from equity-related  
investments in the banking book declined by approximately R244 million, mainly  
as a result of the inclusion of the profit on the sale of MasterCard shares     
(R217 million) and unrealised gains on Visa (R115 million) in non-interest      
income for the six months ended 30 June 2009. The listed value of the Visa      
shareholding declined by R116 million in the current period. As a result, non-  
interest income showed negative growth of 5%.                                   
Operating expenses                                                              
Group operating expenses increased by 15%. The Group`s strategic initiatives,   
however, resulted in additional investment in information technology as a result
of the replacement of legacy systems, the enhancement of end-to-end processes   
and the implementation of systems to adopt the Basel II advanced internal       
ratings-based approach. Excluding these investments and incentives aimed at     
retaining talented employees, costs were contained to a 11% increase.           
Taxation                                                                        
The Group`s taxation increased by 32% to R1 506 million for the six months ended
30 June 2010 (June 2009: R1 138 million). The effective taxation rate for the   
period increased to 26,8% from 23,9%.                                           
Segmental performance                                                           
Retail banking                                                                  
Retail banking increased headline earnings by 40% to R1 018 million (June 2009: 
R728 million).  The business grew attributable earnings by 16% to R1 060 million
(June 2009: R916 million). The improvement can largely be attributed to the     
significant decline of 26% in the credit impairment charge. The cluster         
experienced a 2% decline in total revenue, owing to subdued credit demand,      
limited transaction volume growth and one-off items in the base. Revenue for    
2009 included the gains on the mark-to-market of Visa and sale of MasterCard    
shares. Operating costs remained well managed, and the cluster experienced a 9% 
growth in operating expenses.                                                   
Absa Business Bank                                                              
Absa Business Bank experienced a decline in attributable and headline earnings  
of 9%. Interest income remained at previous levels in spite of negative advances
growth and pressure on deposit margins. However, in line with the continued     
focus on non-interest income, net fees and commissions increased by 7%, which   
was underpinned by an increase in electronic and cash transactions of 13% and   
24% respectively. The credit impairment charge declined by 9% with operating    
expenses increasing by 14% as a result of continued investment in capacity      
enhancement.                                                                    
Absa Capital                                                                    
Attributable earnings for Absa Capital increased by 443% to R700 million, with  
headline earnings declining by 19% to R747 million (June 2009: R917 million).   
Revenue from the markets business remained strong in spite of the significant   
reduction in foreign currency client flows. Client activity in respect of       
investment banking was below previous year levels and revenue declined by 8%.   
The business continued to expand into Africa and attributable earnings from     
sources outside of South Africa recorded growth of 60%. Continued investment in 
systems, infrastructure and talent impacted cost growth.                        
Bancassurance                                                                   
Absa`s insurance companies delivered strong premium growth with gross premium   
income for Absa Life and Absa Insurance increasing by 29% and 12% respectively. 
However, lower fee income, together with increases in short-term insurance      
claims, combined to drive attributable earnings down 10% to R606 million. Absa  
Life`s embedded value of new business increased by 29% to R211 million and      
achieved a return on embedded value of 32,3% while Absa Insurance recorded an   
underwriting margin of 9,1%. The return on the investment of shareholders` funds
increased by 11% to R118 million, reflecting the low interest rate environment. 
Prospects                                                                       
The business environment will remain challenging in spite of our expectation    
that the economic upturn will continue and household spending will recover      
slowly. In excess of one million job losses and high levels of household        
indebtedness will continue to weigh on the willingness and ability of households
to take on new debt. Investment growth is expected to remain tepid until the    
slack that was built up during the recession is fully utilised, thus making a   
quick recovery in corporate credit demand unlikely. Although overall credit     
growth is likely to remain weak, signs that the economic recovery is proceeding 
suggest that interest rates are at or near their low point, but continuing      
uncertainty around the impact of global events suggests that a cautious approach
may be maintained by the South African Reserve Bank. The Group expects little   
change in trading conditions in the second half of the year.                    
Basis of presentation and changes in accounting policies                        
The Absa Group interim results have been prepared in accordance with            
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The disclosures comply with 
International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34.                                     
The accounting policies applied in preparing the financial results for the six  
months ended 30 June 2010 are the same as the accounting policies in place for  
the year ended 31 December 2009, with the exceptions mentioned below.           
Revised IFRS 3 - Business Combinations affects acquisitions that are achieved in
stages and acquisitions where less than 100% of the equity is acquired. In      
addition, acquisition-related costs must be accounted for separately from the   
business combination. The impact of this amendment on the Group was not         
significant during the period under review.                                     
Revised IAS 27 - Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements specifies that  
changes in a parent`s ownership interest in a subsidiary that do not result in  
the loss of control must be accounted for as equity transactions. The revised   
IFRS 3 has been applied prospectively to all business combinations from 1       
January 2010. The requirements of IAS 27 have been applied prospectively to     
transactions with non-controlling interests from 1 January 2010. The impact of  
this amendment on the Group was not significant during the period under review. 
Changes in accounting policies                                                  
During 2009, the Group changed its accounting policy in accordance with the     
allowed alternative in IAS 19 - Employee Benefits to recognise actuarial gains  
and losses on the Group`s defined-benefit pension plan. As a result of this     
change in accounting policy, any adjustments to the surplus or deficit by       
applying the limit to the asset in accordance with IAS 19, will also be         
recognised in other comprehensive income. This new policy results in more       
relevant information on the Group`s performance by removing the volatility from 
changes in actuarial assumptions and reserves.                                  
Restatements                                                                    
The fair values of certain assets acquired as part of business combinations were
determined provisionally in the prior year. The fair value of these assets was  
finalised and adjusted in the current period in terms of the Group`s election to
utilise a 12-month window period as allowed by IFRS 3 - Business Combinations.  
Reclassifications                                                               
During the period under review, the Group has reassessed its counterparty risk  
for certain trading activities due to a change in interpretation of customer    
agreements as well as a reconsideration of the risk inherent in its trading     
portfolios. This has resulted in comparatives being reclassified for June and   
December 2009.                                                                  
Declaration of interim ordinary dividend number 48                              
Shareholders are advised that an interim ordinary dividend of 225 cents per     
ordinary share was declared today, Wednesday, 4 August 2010. The interim        
ordinary dividend is payable to shareholders recorded in the register of members
of the Company at the close of business on Friday, 27 August 2010.              
In compliance with the requirements of Strate, the electronic settlement and    
custody system used by the JSE Limited, the following salient dates for the     
payment of the dividend are applicable:                                         
Last day to trade cum dividend               Friday, 20 August 2010             
Shares commence trading ex dividend          Monday, 23 August 2010             
Record date                                  Friday, 27 August 2010             
Payment date                                 Monday, 30 August 2010             
Share certificates may not be dematerialised or rematerialised between Monday,  
23 August 2010 and Friday, 27 August 2010, both dates inclusive.                
On Monday, 30 August 2010 the dividend will be electronically transferred to the
bank accounts of certificated shareholders who use this facility. In respect of 
those who do not use this facility, cheques dated 30 August 2010 will be posted 
on or about that date. The accounts of those shareholders who have              
dematerialised their shares (which are held at their participant or broker) will
be credited on Monday, 30 August 2010.                                          
 On behalf of the board                                                         
Sarita Martin                                                                   
Group Secretary                                                                 
Johannesburg                                                                    
4 August 2010                                                                   
Enquiries                                                                       
Jason Quinn                                                                     
Group Financial Controller                                                      
Absa Group Limited                                                              
4th Floor, Absa Towers East, 170 Main Street, Johannesburg                      
Tel: +2711 350 7565, Fax: +2711 350 6487                                        
E-mail: jason.quinn@absa.co.za                                                  
Alan Hartdegen                                                                  
Head: Investor Relations                                                        
Absa Group Limited                                                              
3rd Floor, Absa Towers East, 170 Main Street, Johannesburg                      
Tel: +2711 350 2598, Fax: +2711 350 5924                                        
E-mail: Alan.Hartdegen@absa.co.za                                               
Sponsor                                                                         
J.P. Morgan Equities Limited                                                    
Date: 04/08/2010 13:59:15 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.                  
The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the    
JSE Limited (`JSE`). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or            
implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or   
completeness of the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers,     
employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct,     
indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature,     
howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on,          
information disseminated through SENS.
Profile Group (Pty) Ltd. has taken care in preparing all information on this website, but does not accept any liability for errors or out-of-date information.
Other Profile Group sites: FundsData Online (unit trust data)  |  Profile Group corporate site
Terms of Use |  Privacy Policy |  PAIA manual |  FAQs/Help |  Site Map |  © Copyright Reserved 2026  ]
  


Powered by ProfileData

Profile Mobile App Google Play Store Apple App Store


Follow us on: