NCB Financial Group Ltd, the controlling shareholder of Bermudian-based Clarien Bank, has reported net profit attributable to stockholders of $5.9 billion Jamaican, or $42.37 million Bermudian, for the fourth quarter of 2019.

The figure is a 21 per cent, or J$1.5 billion ($10.77 million), decline from prior-year results, which included a one-off gain of J$3.3 billion ($23.7 million) from the disposal of NCB’s interest in an associate company, the organisation said.

Excluding that gain, net profit for the quarter would have increased by J$1.7 billion ($12.2 million), or 42 per cent, over the prior year, NCB said.

Operating profit increased to J$9.9 billion ($71.1 million) for the quarter, the company’s best-performing quarter to date. That was an increase of J$5.1 billion ($36.6 million), or 105 per cent, over the December 2018 fourth quarter.

Operating income was J$33.3 billion ($239.1 million).

The company reported a 16 per cent return on equity, and a 1.93 per cent return on assets.