THE "BIG FIVE"

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 55, 2 September 1937, Page 12

THE "BIG FIVE"

ASSETS SET UP NEW RECORD

The "Big Five" banks in England (Midland, National Provincial, Barclay's, Westminster, and Lloyds Banks) have issued complete figures for the year ended June 30, 1937, which show that their aggregate assets, on balancesheet totals, at that date established a new high level'of; £2,219,976,600.. This registers a big advance over, the total of £2,140,696,600 at June 30 last year. Most of the increase' in resources is accounted for by the expansion in deposit liabilities, although acceptances, (endorsements; and. other liabilities, which are a contra item in balance-sheets, have increased by over £13,000,000. The most marked change in,the assets is the increase of £30,575,800 in advances to £851,214,600. The movement has more than kept pace with the expansion in deposits, for the ratio has risen from 39.7 to 42.6 per cent. Investments show no marked change, although the ratio is reduced from 27.3 to 26.9 per cent., but discounts have shrunk from £281,976,500 to £236,113,500, and the ratio from 14.5 to 11.8 per cent., mainly on account of the scarcity and low rates of bills. A satisfactory degree of liquidity has been maintained, cash, or till . money, rising from 10.3 to 10.8 per cent, of deposits and loans at call and short notice have also been increased. Total cash has expanded both absolutely and in relation to liabilities. The aggregate figures of the "Big Five" banks are compared as follows:— Juno, IOSC. ' June, 193". £ ■ £ Capital paid up .. 01,710,051 . 64,716,034 Jiescrre 47,570, 157 •18,070,157 Deposits 1,942,101,327 2,007,831,018 Acceptances .... 50,229,528 99,287,54-'! Cash 200,297,197 210,053,31U Ratio to deposits 10.3 p.e. 10.8 p.c. At call 129,579,705 1:50,318,753 Total cash items 308,2i:),205 42:1,377.907 Katio to deposits 20.". p.c. 21.1 p.c. DisceTintS 281,970,480 230,113,535 Katlq to deposits 14.5 p.c. ]1.8 p.c. Investments .."» 030,517,143 533.73n.915 Ratio to deposits 27.3 p.c. 20.9 p.c. Advances 770,038,785 551,214,003 Ratio to deposits 39.7 p.c. 42.6 p.c. •Excluding holdings "in associated banks.

The Victoria Insurance Company, Limited, Melbourne, earned a net profit of £47,760. in the year ended June 30. This compares with £45,390 in the previous year and £46,230 in 1935.' A final- dividend of 3s a share on the old issue is recommended, making a total of 5s a. share, or 12J per cent., unchanged.