Thank you for standing by, and welcome to the Kina Securities Limited Annual General Meeting. I would now like to hand the conference over to Mr. Isikeli Taureka, Chairman. Please go ahead.
Thank you, Melanie. Good morning. My name is Isikeli Taureka, and I am the Chairman of Kina Securities Limited. I have the pleasure in welcoming you to Kina's 2022 annual general meeting. We have a quorum of shareholders, and I'm pleased to declare the meeting open. Due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the board thought it prudent to take steps to discourage a physical public gathering and encourage participation online for this meeting. I'm very pleased, therefore, to welcome all shareholders participating online today through Kina's virtual meeting platform. Firstly, I'd like to introduce to you my fellow directors. Greg Pawson, our Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. Karen Smith-Pomeroy, who is Chair of our audit and risk committee and is a member of the remuneration and nomination committee and the disclosure committee. Jane Thomason, who is Chair of our remuneration and nomination committee.
Andrew Carriline, who is a member of the audit and risk committee, the remuneration and nomination committee, and the disclosure committee, and who is standing for re-election today. Paul Hutchinson, who is a member of the audit and risk committee and who also is standing for re-election today. Ila Temu, who is a member of the remuneration and nomination committee. Also present and online is Chetan Chopra, our Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary, and David Rogers, our Auditor from Deloitte. David will be available to answer any questions you may have about the conduct of the audit. The agenda for today's meeting is set out on the slide. I will now provide a brief update on the company's activities. Before turning the meeting over to Greg Pawson to give us a short update on the company's activities, allow me to make a few comments.
2021 has been a year of resilience and significant progress for Kina Bank against our refreshed 2025 strategy. This time last year, I spoke to our plans for a significant merger. Although the merger didn't go ahead, we achieved a record high underlying impact with an increase of 27%. We are now PNG's second-largest bank by lending assets. This demonstrates we are the credible challenger brand, providing a digital-first approach to PNG's emerging middle class. Given the strength of these results, the board was pleased to declare a final dividend of PGK 0.185, equivalent to AUD 0.07, making a full year dividend of PGK 0.2675, which converts to AUD 0.10.
I'm proud of the way Kina has helped support our customers by remaining open for business. To put this in perspective, with the lower uptake of the COVID vaccine in PNG, we managed to transport all our staff safely to work, provide vaccines for our staff, and deliver accessible banking services through our contact center and digital platforms. We are now in our third year of our 2025 strategy. This year, our main deliverables were increase the corporate loan book to help deliver expected return on equity for our shareholders, building out our digital channels to make banking more accessible, and diversifying our income through our Banking as a Service model. Greg will talk in more detail about these initiatives. For Papua New Guinea, the COVID situation has stabilized, with recorded cases materially decreasing in line with the rest of the world.
Business sentiment has increased, although the rising oil prices will impact retail prices and potentially inflate supply chain costs. For Kina, the reopening of the Porgera Mine, the approval of the Wafi-Golpu, exploration project, and Papua LNG proceeding to FID injects much-needed stimulus into the economy and opportunity for Kina to expand our branch footprint. Our social agenda has delivered tangible differences. We aspire to be one of the most sustainable companies in PNG. For example, we were the first bank to introduce fee-free banking in PNG. Through our partnership with MiBank, we have included more than 196,000 people into the financial system. The impact of financial inclusion can't be underestimated. In PNG, we have more than 70% of the population who don't have access to the security that the banking system provides or through microcredit opportunities that the banking systems allow.
Strategically, we will continue to explore more opportunities to work with MiBank over the coming year. Finally, I'm proud to be the chair of an ASX-listed company with 50% female executives. 50%, 52% of females at Kina are in senior management roles, and this is most pleasing. Looking ahead, the momentum and agility Kina has developed sets a solid growth agenda. Our inorganic strategies for 2022 will include the development of an IT hub in Fiji and more partnerships with companies to bring to life our digital services. Locally, our disciplined cost management and market position supports margin improvement. The board is optimistic on growth prospects and our ability to deliver to all our communities. I'd like to extend my thanks to the team at Kina. There are 680 people who bring to life our vision day in and day out.
To Greg and the Kina executive team for their adaptability and leadership. To the board for their commitment and passion. Finally, to our shareholders for their continued support of our strategy and purpose. I will now ask Greg to present his review of Kina Group's activities.
Many thanks, chairman. Good morning, everyone. I'd like to start by looking at where we were last year when I presented at the AGM. We were in the middle of a global pandemic in a country that was adjusting to the demands of a low vaccine uptake. Kina was anticipating a major merger, and we'd outlined some ambitious growth targets. Reflecting on our achievements over the year, the standout was our ability to change direction quickly and adapt to the external demands that we face. This was only achieved through the commitment of our people to support our customers and drive positive growth. I'd like to thank our staff for showing how our vision of being dynamic, progressive, and accessible delivers value to all our communities. In 2021, we made solid progress transforming Kina as we move into year three of our current strategic plan.
Let me take a moment to recap on the financial performance. 10. We've grown our customer base from 25,000 three years ago to over 186,000 under the Kina brand. With our strategic investment in MiBank, the nation's largest microfinance organization, we now reach over 625,000 Papua New Guineans. The majority of this customer growth was organic, as well as from the ANZ acquisition. Deposit and lending growth across all segments was strong, and pleasingly, we have established a good position in the larger commercial and corporate sector, which was a key part of our 2021 business plan. This growth pushed us to become the second largest bank in PNG by footings. FX revenue is up PGK 20 million to over PGK 60 million for 2021, and our return on equity has remained steady at about 17%.
At the same time, maintaining a sound capital ratio of just over 20%. We continue to make headway in our strategy to be a genuine competitor to BSP's 65% market share. We see a clear opportunity in PNG. Securing a higher percentage of the home lending and SME market will ensure we remain EPS accretive over the next two years. Ideally, we'd like to see that market share at around 25% for home loans and similarly for deposits by 2026. We'll achieve this growth by two key projects. Firstly, through branch expansion in the growing commercial centers of Lae, Mount Hagen, Goroka, Madang, and Kokopo, and by building our digital onboarding capability with electronic Know Your Customer. The eKYC trial program has been running to plan, and we expect that to go live in September of this year.
The fundamentals of our business are strong and improving. We have sufficient capital, provisions, risk management systems, and a digitally agile capability to capitalize on these opportunities. The emerging middle class in PNG is more digitally savvy than ever. They're interacting with us in different ways, and our program of work has responded well to their digital needs. Digital revenues have reached PGK 26 million in 2021 from a zero base in the previous year. We're anticipating growth this year of over 50%. This was helped by an increase in the number of point-of-sale terminals, merchant facilities, and our internet payment gateway rollout. Our focus has been on delivering always first market-leading propositions for both our consumer and SME customer segments. In 2021, we developed and launched our SME banking package, incorporating enhancements to our corporate online banking platform.
Now the leading corporate online banking platform in PNG. Utilizing our partnering capabilities, we also launched a Xero offer for our SME customers. Heading into 2022, digital acquisition will support our ability to continue to build out our market share. Earlier this year, we launched Single View. As the largest fund administrator in PNG, we have access to data on all working Papua New Guineans and employers. Kina customers are now able to view their super balances on our retail online banking platforms. This creates an exciting opportunity for Kina to provide financial services and potentially lending products to the vast number of superannuants via the major provident funds using our Banking as a Service business model. I'm excited to confirm we're also in the final stages of launching our IT hub based out of Fiji. Fiji's IT talent and 5G network is an ideal location to access cost-effective technology infrastructure.
Initially, we will have a test and learn center with around six to 10 staff supporting our core business in PNG and also managing our product propositions and innovation. This team will also assist with our Banking as a Service model in developing essential partnerships faster. The key piece of work for 2022 will be the formation of our ESG strategy. Isikeli Taureka mentioned the tangible impacts that we're making in financial inclusion and market-leading gender balance. In late June, we'll be hosting a strategy day for our investors, which will include our ESG strategy. I look forward to sharing how we'll set ourselves meaningful targets that will build more sustainable communities. I would like to extend my gratitude to the chairman and the board for their guidance and support.
Again, to the 680 strong Kina team who have worked tirelessly throughout the year in serving our customers and supporting each other. To our shareholders, your trust and confidence in our strategy is something we don't take for granted as we look to build value over the coming years. Thank you. I'd like now to come back to the chair.
Thank you. We will now move to the formal part of the meeting. I will take the notice of meeting dated April 22nd, 2022 as read. All resolutions at the meeting today will be determined by poll. I would like to draw your attention to the ASX and PNGX announcement issued yesterday by the company advising that resolution 10, regarding the approval of the additional 10% placement facility, has been withdrawn from today's annual general meeting. The reason that resolution 10 has been withdrawn from today's meeting is that after issuing the notice of meeting, the company has received feedback from several shareholders that they would prefer to vote on an issue of capital related to a specific transaction rather than provide the company with the authority to issue another 10% of capital without a specific transaction being contemplated by the company.
The withdrawal of resolution 10 will have no material adverse impact on the company and will not impact the validity of proxy forms or any proxy or direct votes already submitted in respect of the remaining items of business. All other items of business included in the notice of meeting for 2022 AGM will be put to shareholders at the AGM. Shareholders participating in the meeting using Link's online platform will be able to vote directly at any time between now and the close of the voting, as announced by me during the AGM. More information regarding online participation at the AGM, including how to vote and ask questions online during the AGM, is available in the virtual meeting online guide.
I will put each resolution to the meeting in turn, and shareholders will be given the opportunity to ask questions or make a comment in relation to that resolution. Then the vote will be taken. I will also provide an opportunity for shareholders to ask general questions after all resolutions have been considered. I will now move to the formal business of the meeting. Adoption of the 2021 AGM minutes. This item of general business is to receive, consider, and accept the minutes of the previous annual general meeting dated May 26th, 2021 as a correct record of the meeting, which the company secretary has passed to me now. Thank you, Chetan. Now we go to the receipt and consideration of reports.
Kina's 2021 annual report contains the financial report, directors report, and the independent auditor's report, which I will refer to collectively as reports. A copy of Kina's 2021 annual report is available on the company's website. Financial statements have been audited by Deloitte and approved by the directors. The item is the receipt and consideration of the reports of Kina. It is not a resolution that requires a vote. I will take the reports as read and would like to take any general questions or comments about the reports or for the auditor. If there are any questions or discussion on Kina's reports or for the auditor, we can ask those now.
There are no phone questions at this time, Chairman. I'll now hand over to Chetan for the online questions.
Chairman, there are no further questions online at this stage.
Thank you, Chetan. We now go to Resolution one, re-election of Director, Mr. Isikeli Taureka. This item of business is my re-election as director, and as such, I'll hand over to the chair of the meeting. I'll hand over the chair to Greg Pawson.
Thank you, Chairman. As the Chairman stated, resolution one is the re-election of Mr. Isikeli Taureka as a Director of the company. Firstly, are there any questions about the re-election of Mr. Isikeli Taureka as a director of the company from the shareholder telephone line or that have been submitted online?
There are no questions at this time. I'll hand over to Chetan for online questions.
There are no questions, Chairman, on the online questions.
Thank you. The proxies received are now shown on the screen. If there is no further discussion, I will now put this resolution to the meeting. Please now record your votes. I wanna hand back to the Chairman. Thank you.
Thank you, Greg. We go to resolution two, re-election of Director Mr. Andrew Carriline. This resolution relates to the re-election of Andrew Carriline as the Director of Kina. Are there any questions about Andrew's reelection as a director of the company, either on the shareholder telephone line or submitted online?
There are no phone questions at this time, Chairman. I'll now hand over to Chetan for the online questions.
Chairman, there are no questions submitted online.
Thank you. The proxies received are shown on the screen. If there's no further discussion, I now put this resolution to the meeting. Please now record your vote. Resolution three, reelection of Director Mr. Paul Hutchinson. This resolution relates to the reelection of Paul Hutchinson as a director of Kina. Are there any questions about his reelection as director of the company from the shareholder telephone line or submitted online?
There are no phone questions at this time, Chairman. I'll now hand over to Chetan for the online questions.
Chairman, there are no questions submitted online in respect of this resolution.
Thank you. The proxies received are now shown on the screen. If there is no further discussion, I now put this resolution to the meeting. Please now record your vote. Resolution four relates to the appointment of Auditor, Deloitte as the auditor for the company. Are there any questions about the appointment of Deloitte as the auditor from the shareholder telephone line or submitted online?
There are no phone questions at this time, Chairman. I'll now hand over to Chetan for the online questions.
Chairman, there are no questions submitted online in respect of this resolution.
Thank you. The proxies received are now shown on the screen. If there is no further discussion, I now put this resolution to the meeting. Please now record your vote. Resolution five, grant of rights to MD and CEO for financial year 2021. Resolution five is the approval of the grant of performance rights to Mr. Pawson for financial year 2021. Are there any questions about the grant of performance rights to Mr. Pawson from the shareholder line or submitted online?
There are no phone questions at this time, Chairman. I'll now hand over to Chetan for the online questions.
Chairman, there are no questions submitted online in respect of this resolution.
Thank you. Proxies received are shown on the screen. If there's no further discussion, I now put this resolution to the meeting. Please now record your votes. Resolution six, grant of rights to MD and CEO for financial year 2022. Resolution six is the approval of the grant of performance rights to Mr. Pawson for financial year 2022. Are there any questions about the grant of these performance rights to Mr. Pawson from the shareholder telephone line or submitted online?
There are no phone questions at this time, Chairman. I'll now hand over to Chetan for the online questions.
Chairman, there are no questions submitted online in respect of this re-resolution.
Thank you. Resolution seven, issue of performance rights under Kina Performance Rights Plan. Resolution seven relates to the issue of performance rights under the Kina Performance Rights Plan. Are there any questions about the issue of performance rights under the Kina Performance Rights Plan from the shareholder telephone line or submitted online?
There are no phone questions at this time, Chairman. I'll now hand over to Chetan for the online questions.
Chairman, there are no questions submitted in respect of this resolution online.
Thank you. The proxies are received, shown on the screen. If there's no further discussion, I put this resolution to the meeting. Please now record your vote. Resolution eight, remuneration report. Resolution eight is the 2021 remuneration report of the company. Are there any questions about the 2021 remuneration report from the shareholders online or submitted online?
There are no phone questions at this time, Chairman. I'll now hand over to Chris for the online questions.
Chairman, there are no further questions submitted online in respect to this resolution.
The proxies received are shown on the screen. If there's no further discussion, I now put this resolution to the meeting. Please now record your vote. Resolution nine, amendments to the constitution. Resolution nine is the approval of the amendments to the constitution. Are there any questions about the approval of the amendments to the constitution from the shareholder telephone line or submitted online?
There are no phone questions at this time, Chairman. I'll now hand over to Chetan Chopra for the online questions.
Chairman, there are no further questions submitted online in respect to resolution nine.
The proxies received are shown on the screen. If there's no further discussion, I now put this resolution to the meeting. Please now record your vote. With the withdrawal of resolution 10, as previously discussed, that concludes the formal part of the meeting. The poll will close 5 minutes after the end of the meeting. I would now like to invite any other questions or general comments about the company. Would anyone like to ask a question from the shareholder's telephone line or submit it online?
There are no phone questions at this time, Chairman. I'll now hand over to Chetan Chopra for the online questions.
Chairman, we have received two questions from retail shareholders ahead of today's meeting. The first question that was received was from PLI-PTY Limited. If expansion of the bank is planned, what direction will it take? The response from the company is as follows. The Chairman: The expansion will continue to be organic growth. While we are the second-largest bank in PNG, our market share is still at 15% against a dominant BSP at 65%. The Australian banks have demonstrated a desire to exit PNG, which presents further opportunities for Kina Bank. Focus is on continued strong organic growth and operational efficiency. The second question received was from a shareholder, retail shareholder, David Lint. The question is: Is the Westpac merger likely to be revisited in future? The company responds as follows: We continue to focus on organic growth and operational efficiency.
While we continue to review all strategic options available to Kina Bank, we are unlikely to revisit the acquisition of Westpac Pacific businesses.
Thank you, Chen.
No further questions have been received online, Chairman.
Thank you. If there are no further questions, that concludes the business of the meeting. I now declare the meeting closed, and thank you for attending and for your continued support of Kina Securities. Thank you.