@selah - If there is no asset(Loans) growth in the bank business then it means no balance sheet growth.

In the statement by BBK's Adan Mohamed He said the "growth in assets was flat" meaning the growth in profits was not from interest income (which is the core business of the bank) but from other alternative investment if not from cost cutting.

For that divident to keep coming, they have to to grow their balance sheet (both assets and liabilities).
Without Liabilities What will they lend and to whom?
Without Assets(Loans)Where will The 5B(Equity) & 9B(Barclays) come from?

The higher the risk, the higher the returns, the happier the shareholders.