Core Insights - Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) holding corporate loans experienced their first outflows since April, indicating rising investor concerns over credit quality [1][2] - The outflow amounted to approximately $516 million, contrasting with a previous average inflow of about $421 million per week over the past year [2] - Recent failures of auto lender Tricolor Holdings and car-parts supplier First Brands Group have heightened caution among credit investors [3] Fund Performance - The Janus Henderson AAA CLO ETF, with $25 billion in assets, led the outflows with $476 million withdrawn, marking the highest redemptions since April's market volatility [4] - The fund recorded an additional $10 million in outflows on the following Monday [4] Market Trends - Concerns over credit quality and underwriting standards are rising across various credit markets, with bond spreads for business development companies (BDCs) widening significantly [5][6] - JPMorgan's BDC index widened by 60 basis points to 220 basis points, raising potential risks for CLOs if this trend continues [6] - Publicly traded BDC stocks have reached multi-year lows, reflecting increased credit stress fears [7] Credit Quality - Despite the rising angst in credit markets, AAA spreads for private credit CLOs and broadly syndicated CLOs remain tighter, even with exposure to leveraged borrowers [7]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The third quarter reflected continued momentum in core earnings with net interest margin expanding by 11 basis points to 3.28% [5] - Customer fees, excluding net credit valuation adjustment, grew by $10 million, and adjusted expenses declined by $1 million, improving the efficiency ratio to 59.6% [5] - Diluted earnings per share was $1.48 compared to $1.63 in the prior period and $1.37 in the year-ago period [7] - Net interest income increased by $52 million, or 8%, relative to the third quarter of 2024 [9] - Adjusted non-interest income was $174 million for the quarter, representing a 6% increase versus the second quarter and an 8% increase versus the year-ago quarter [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Average loans increased by 2.1% annualized over the previous quarter and 3.6% over the year-ago period [13] - Customer-related non-interest income was $163 million for the quarter, with capital market fees, excluding net CVA, increasing by 25% compared to the prior year period [11] - Adjusted expenses of $520 million decreased by $1 million versus the prior quarter and increased by 4% versus the year-ago period [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Average non-interest-bearing deposits grew approximately $192 million, or 0.8% compared to the prior quarter [14] - Total borrowings declined by $1.8 billion during the quarter, with short-term FHLB advances decreasing by $2.3 billion [15] - Non-performing assets remained relatively low at 0.54% of loans and other real estate owned compared to 0.51% in the prior quarter [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company expects to continue producing positive operating leverage as revenue growth outpaces non-interest expense growth [19] - The outlook for customer-related fee income in the third quarter of 2026 is moderately increasing relative to the third quarter of 2025, driven by increased customer activity and new client acquisitions [12] - The company is open to M&A opportunities but is not feeling compelled to pursue any deals at this time [58] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence that the recent credit issues are isolated incidents and emphasized a strong credit history [24][25] - The company anticipates continued growth in loans and deposits, supported by fixed asset repricing and favorable shifts in the composition of average interest-earning assets [9] - Management noted that the current economic environment requires a thoughtful approach to lending, particularly in commercial real estate [66] Other Important Information - The company recorded a $49 million provision for credit loss, with net charge-offs in the quarter being $56 million, or 37 basis points of loans on an annualized basis [6][16] - The common equity tier one ratio this quarter was 11.3%, indicating a strong capital position [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about the isolated incident related to the charge this quarter? - Management confirmed that the incident is isolated and that a thorough internal review has not revealed similar issues [23][24] Question: How much fixed-rate asset repricing is factored into the NII guide outlook? - The CFO indicated that there is potential for two to three basis points on earning asset yields to play through, which is embedded in the guidance [32] Question: What is the current risk appetite and how might it evolve? - Management stated that underwriting practices will remain consistent and that the recent credit issues will not impact loan growth [95] Question: How has loan demand changed over the last 90 days? - Loan spreads have improved slightly, and while there has been some muted growth, the company is prepared for increased loan growth in the future [77] Question: What does deregulation mean for the company? - Management welcomed a return to solid regulation and emphasized that it would not materially change how the company operates [87]

Exchange-traded funds that hold bundles of corporate loans last week notched their first outflows since April, in the latest sign that investor concerns over credit quality are mounting https://t.co/paTUvS8JMY ...

Core Insights - European banks are facing significant credit concerns as earnings season begins, with heavy losses reported across the sector [1][4] - Major U.S. financial leaders have issued stark warnings about the private credit market, indicating potential risks that could affect European banks [2][4] Earnings Season Overview - The earnings season in Europe will be led by major banks such as Unicredit, Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, and Natwest [3] - Analysts expect a shift in focus from macroeconomic risks to microeconomic risks during earnings calls, particularly regarding credit quality [4] Credit Quality Concerns - There are worries about the credit quality of corporate and small-to-medium-sized company loan books, with potential impacts from trade tariffs being underestimated [4] - Despite the concerns, some analysts do not foresee a material deterioration in credit quality in the third-quarter results [4] Specific Bank Updates - Unicredit is expected to report subdued third-quarter results due to narrowing net interest margins and higher funding costs [5] - Lloyds Banking Group has announced a £1.95 billion hit to its balance sheet due to a regulatory ruling on mis-sold car finance loans, which could offset strong quarterly performance [6]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Profit before tax, excluding treasury, grew by 9.1% year-on-year to INR 161.64 billion in Q2 FY26 [2][18] - Core operating profit increased by 6.5% year-on-year to INR 170.78 billion [2] - Profit after tax grew by 5.2% year-on-year to INR 123.59 billion [3][18] - Average deposits grew by 9.1% year-on-year and 1.6% sequentially [3] - Net interest income increased by 7.4% year-on-year to INR 215.29 billion [13] - Non-interest income, excluding treasury, grew by 13.2% year-on-year to INR 73.56 billion [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Domestic loan portfolio grew by 10.6% year-on-year [3] - Retail loan portfolio grew by 6.6% year-on-year [3] - Business banking portfolio grew by 24.8% year-on-year [4] - Mortgage portfolio grew by 9.9% year-on-year [6] - Auto loans grew by 1.4% year-on-year [6] - Personal loans declined by 0.7% year-on-year [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Average current and savings account deposits grew by 9.7% year-on-year [3] - Total deposits grew by 7.7% year-on-year [3] - The net NPA ratio improved to 0.39% from 0.41% in the previous quarter [4] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The strategic focus remains on growing profit before tax through a customer-centric approach [2] - The company aims to maintain a strong balance sheet and prudent provisioning while delivering sustainable returns [5] - Continued investment in distribution and capacity allocation to higher growth opportunities is emphasized [24] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management is positive on growth outlook, noting that growth has picked up across retail portfolios [24] - Corporate India is well-funded, and banks are one of many funding sources [25] - Margins are expected to remain range-bound due to various market dynamics [26][27] Other Important Information - The capital position remains strong with a CET1 ratio of 16.35% [5] - Total provisions during the quarter were INR 9.14 billion, reflecting healthy asset quality [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Is there visibility on growth acceleration? - Management noted that growth has picked up and is positive on the outlook, but did not provide a specific year-end loan growth number [24] Question: Comments on corporate loan growth environment? - Management indicated that corporate India is well-funded and banks are just one of the funding sources [25] Question: Will margins improve or stay stable? - Margins are expected to be range-bound, with some deposit repricing anticipated [26][27] Question: Insights on Kasa market share growth? - Management highlighted steady distribution expansion and digital platforms as key drivers for Kasa growth [30][32] Question: Thoughts on capital adequacy and payout ratios? - Management emphasized maintaining a strong balance sheet and leveraging capital for growth, with no specific plans on payouts [33][34] Question: Retail asset quality and slippages? - Management noted that retail slippages have improved, indicating a positive trend in asset quality [51][58]

Core Insights - US bank stocks showed stabilization on Friday following solid earnings reports from regional lenders, easing credit quality concerns that had led to a significant selloff [1][2] - The S&P Regional Banks Select Industry Index increased by 1.7% on Friday, with Zions Bancorp NA and Truist Financial Corp being notable performers [1] - The rebound came after a 6.3% decline on Thursday, primarily driven by Zions and Western Alliance Bancorp, which reported being victims of fraud related to loans [1] Earnings Reports - Recent earnings reports alleviated fears of credit stress within the banking sector, particularly after the bankruptcies of Tricolor Holdings and First Brands Group [2] - Truist Financial Corp., Regions Financial Corp., and Fifth Third Bancorp reported lower provisions for credit losses than analysts had anticipated, contributing to their stock price increases [2] - Ally Financial Inc. demonstrated strong results, indicating sustained demand for car loans, which helped mitigate concerns regarding the financial health of lower-income consumers [2] Market Sentiment - Investor sentiment improved on Friday, bolstered by positive comments from former President Trump regarding US-China negotiations, which contributed to gains in shares of major banks and the broader market [3] - Despite the stabilization, there were underlying concerns as JPMorgan Chase & Co. CEO Jamie Dimon warned of potential further issues in the banking sector, referring to them as "cockroaches" [4] - The global banking sector experienced a downturn due to credit worries, with Europe's Stoxx 600 Banks Index dropping over 2% and major banks like Deutsche Bank AG and Barclays Plc falling more than 4% [5]

Core Insights - WaFd, Inc. (WAFD) reported a fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings per share of 72 cents, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 75 cents, but reflecting a year-over-year increase of 1.4% [1][10] - The company's full-year earnings per share of $2.63 also fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.73, although it grew 5.2% year over year [3] Financial Performance - Quarterly net income available to common shareholders was $56.9 million, down 1% from the prior-year quarter, slightly above the estimate of $56.8 million [2] - Full-year net income available to common shareholders was $211.4 million, up 14% from the previous year, closely aligning with the estimate of $211.3 million [3] - Quarterly net revenues were $188.3 million, a slight decline from the prior-year quarter and missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $190.2 million [4] - Full-year net revenues totaled $725.5 million, a marginal increase from the previous year, but also missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $727.4 million [4] Interest Income and Expenses - Net interest income (NII) for the quarter was $169.9 million, down 1.7% year over year, while the net interest margin (NIM) increased by 9 basis points to 2.71% [5] - Total non-interest income rose 15.8% year over year to $18.4 million, exceeding the estimate of $18 million [5] - Total non-interest expenses were $107 million, a 1% decrease year over year, attributed to lower FDIC insurance premiums and other expenses [6] Asset Quality and Loans - As of September 30, 2025, net loans receivable were $20.09 billion, down 1% from the prior quarter, while total customer deposits increased marginally to $21.44 billion [8] - The allowance for credit losses was 1.04% of gross loans outstanding, up from 1.01% in the prior-year quarter, indicating a deterioration in credit quality [11] Share Repurchase Activity - In the reported quarter, WAFD repurchased 0.97 million shares at an average price of $29.74 per share [12] Market Position and Outlook - The company is expected to benefit from relatively higher interest rates and a solid balance sheet, although it faces challenges from a tough macroeconomic environment [13]

President Donald Trump's suggestion of a trade truce between Washington and Beijing is offsetting worry over credit quality at regional banks. ...

Core Insights - U.S. stock indices experienced a sharp decline due to loan losses and fraud allegations disclosed by regional banks Zions Bancorporation and Western Alliance Bancorporation, with Zions and Western Alliance stocks falling 13.1% and 10.8% respectively [1][2] Summary by Sections Regional Banking Sector Concerns - The disclosures from Zions and Western Alliance have reignited investor fears regarding the health of the regional banking sector, leading to a 6.3% drop in the KBW Regional Banking Index [2] Specific Company Revelations - Zions Bancorporation reported a $50 million charge-off related to two troubled commercial loans, which will impact its third-quarter 2025 results, citing borrower misrepresentations and defaults [3] - Western Alliance disclosed a lawsuit against Cantor Group V, LLC for loan fraud and noted exposure to bankrupt auto-related companies, although it reported a decrease in total criticized assets as of September 30, 2025 [4] Broader Credit Quality Issues - JPMorgan's CEO highlighted significant losses from the downfall of Tricolor Holdings, indicating potential widespread issues in the regional banking sector, with JPM reporting a $170 million charge-off [5] - Fifth Third Bancorp also indicated a charge of $170–$200 million related to subprime auto lender Tricolor, affecting its credit loss provisions [5] Implications for Risk Management - The recent disclosures suggest that fraud is now a credit quality issue rather than merely a compliance concern, raising questions about risk management and underwriting standards at regional banks [6] - Investors are increasingly cautious and scrutinizing regional banks for hidden loan problems, viewing recent incidents as warning signs of broader credit deterioration [7] Market Reactions - The surge in loan troubles and fraud risks has placed regional lenders at the center of market turbulence, renewing concerns about overall credit quality and potential ripple effects throughout the U.S. financial system [8]

Market Overview - The week has been characterized by volatility, with the VIX index around 24, indicating increased market uncertainty [2][3] - US-China trade relations remain a focal point, with President Trump's recent comments aimed at easing tensions [3][8] Banking Sector - Regional banks are experiencing pressure due to poor credit quality, particularly from bad loans, which has raised concerns about potential contagion within the banking sector [4][5] - Not all regional banks are equally affected; some have reported better-than-expected results, indicating a mixed outlook across the sector [9][10] - The auto loan market is facing rising delinquency rates, contributing to concerns about credit quality [11][12] Micron Technology - Micron is under pressure following reports of halting server chip supplies to China due to national security concerns, which has been an ongoing issue since 2023 [15][16] - China accounts for approximately 12% of Micron's overall revenue, translating to around $3.4 billion in exposure, but analysts do not view this as a major surprise given the regulatory environment [17][18] - Despite challenges in the Chinese market, Micron continues to see strong demand in other sectors, particularly in automotive and mobile phone chips, as well as from countries expanding their AI capabilities [19] Technical Market Analysis - The S&P 500 is experiencing a wide trading range, with resistance levels identified at 6,700 and support at 6,500, as volatility continues to increase [20] - A breakdown in technical structure has been noted, but there are signs of potential recovery as the market attempts to bounce back [20][21]