NCB Financial Group Limited reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the first quarter ended December 31, 2017. For the period, the company reported net interest income was JMD 7,548,364,000 against JMD 7,202,708,000 a year ago. Operating income was JMD 16,695,556,000 against JMD 14,220,737,000 a year ago. Operating income has an improvement of a 17% or JMD 2.5 billion increase over the prior year. The performance was driven by Gains on foreign currency and investment activities increasing by JMD 1.4 billion or 83%, resulting from the strengthening of the Jamaican dollar during the quarter, coupled with high levels of liquidity and a declining interest rate environment which created high demand for assets in the market. Operating profit was JMD 3,532,556,000 against JMD 4,105,983,000 a year ago. Profit before taxation was JMD 5,507,425,000 against JMD 4,926,989,000 a year ago. Net profit was JMD 4,613,445,000 against JMD 3,590,775,000 a year ago. Earnings per basic and diluted were JMD 1.88 against JMD 1.46 a year ago. Net cash used in operating activities was JMD 13,545,126,000 against net cash used in operating activities of JMD 7,335,338,000 compared to JMD 13,545,126,000 a year ago. Acquisition of property, plant and equipment was JMD 1,419,728,000 against JMD 513,453,000 a year ago. Acquisition of intangible asset, computer software was JMD 633,598,000 against JMD 422,842,000 a year ago. Return on average total assets was 2.4% against 2.3% a year ago. Return on average equity was 15.7% against 14.0% a year ago.