Core Insights - Banco Santander Chile reported a strong financial performance for the first quarter of 2025, achieving a return on average equity (ROAE) of 25.7%, marking the fourth consecutive quarter with ROAE above 20% [2][3] - The bank's net income attributable to shareholders reached $278 billion, reflecting a 131.0% year-over-year increase, driven by a 33.2% increase in operating income [2][3] - The bank's efficiency ratio improved significantly to 35.0%, down from 47.4% in the same period last year, indicating better cost management [10] Financial Performance - The net income attributable to shareholders for 1Q25 was $278 billion, or $1.47 per share, compared to an ROAE of 11.2% in 1Q24 [2] - Operating income increased by 33.2% year-over-year, attributed to better net interest and readjustment income [2] - Compared to the previous quarter, net income increased by 0.5%, despite a slight decrease in readjustment gains due to lower UF variation [3] Dividend and Capital Ratios - A dividend payment of Ch$3.19 per share was approved, yielding 5.4%, with 70% of 2024 earnings distributed [4] - The Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio remained solid at 10.7%, with an overall Basel III ratio of 16.9% [6][15] Net Interest Margin and Income - The net interest margin (NIM) reached 4.1% in 1Q25, up from 2.7% in 1Q24, driven by a decrease in funding costs [7][8] - Net interest and readjustment income increased by 41.7% year-over-year, attributed to a lower monetary policy rate impacting funding costs [7] Customer Growth and Market Position - The customer base expanded by 9.4% year-over-year, with digital customers increasing by 6.6% [10][11] - The bank maintained a strong market share in checking accounts at 22.5%, supported by increased demand for US dollar accounts [12] Commission and Recurrence - Net commissions rose by 16.8% in 1Q25, with a recurrence ratio increasing from 57.8% to 61.8%, indicating a higher proportion of expenses financed by commissions [13] Operational Efficiency - The bank's efficiency ratio improved to 35.0%, with total operating expenses decreasing by 1.7% year-over-year [10] - The Gravity project, involving migration to the cloud, was a significant milestone, although it incurred higher technology expenses [9] Risk Ratings - Banco Santander Chile holds high risk ratings in Latin America, with stable outlooks from various credit rating agencies [14] Assets and Loans - As of March 31, 2025, total assets were Ch$67,059,423 million (approximately $70,284 million), with total gross loans at Ch$41,098,666 million (approximately $43,075 million) [15]

Financial Highlights - GAAP NIM increased 12 bps QoQ to 2.51%[7] - Core NIM expands 24 bps QoQ to 2.49%[7] - Average total deposits increased 6.8% YoY and 1.5% QoQ to $7.6 billion[7] - Liquidity remains strong with $4.0 billion of undrawn lines and resources at quarter end[6] - Tangible common equity ratio of 7.79%, stable QoQ[5] Loan Portfolio & Credit Quality - Loan to deposit ratio was 87.2% in 1Q25 compared to 94.0% a year ago and 93.9% in the prior quarter[7] - Net charge-offs total 18 bps for the past twelve months[7] - NPAs to assets of 71 bps at 1Q25 compared to 53 bps YoY and 57 bps QoQ[7] - Asian Communities – Total Loans $737.8 million and Deposits $1.3 billion[44] - Over three years ended December 31, 2027, loan repricing interest income would cumulatively increase by $50 million[19] Outlook - 2025 core noninterest expense expected to increase 5-8% from the 2024 base of $159.6 million[51]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net interest income increased to $160.5 million, up $1.8 million from the prior quarter, driven by lower deposit costs and investment portfolio restructuring [12][7] - Total loans declined by $115 million or 0.8% from the prior quarter, primarily due to commercial real estate loans [9] - Total deposits slightly declined, with retail deposits increasing by $105 million while commercial deposits fell by $167 million [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Noninterest income was stable at $50.5 million, while noninterest expenses were $123.6 million, with no significant nonrecurring items [14] - The bank maintained strong credit performance, with classified assets decreasing by $3 million and year-to-date net charge-offs at $3.8 million [15][16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The statewide unemployment rate remained stable at 3%, compared to the national rate of 4.1% [6] - Visitor arrivals increased by 1% and spending rose by 4.5% compared to 2024 levels, with Maui seeing the largest increases [6] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains well-capitalized with ample liquidity and plans to continue supporting customers while managing expenses [8][7] - The management is focused on maintaining strong relationships with customers and is optimistic about loan growth despite market uncertainties [24][63] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted increased uncertainty in the macroeconomic environment but remains optimistic about opportunities for growth [24][63] - The company is closely monitoring the impact of tariffs and economic conditions on its loan portfolios, particularly in the consumer and commercial sectors [68][70] Other Important Information - The bank repurchased approximately 974,000 shares at a total cost of $25 million, with $75 million remaining under the 2025 stock repurchase plan [8] - The allowance for credit losses increased to $166.6 million, reflecting a more pessimistic economic forecast [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on loan performance and economic pulse - Management indicated that average loans for the quarter were up over Q4, with a strong pipeline despite some uncertainty in the market [23][24] Question: Competitive landscape on deposit costs - Management expressed confidence in further reducing deposit costs as rates decline, but noted limited room for significant reductions beyond current levels [26][32] Question: Expense trajectory and investment plans - Management reiterated guidance for expenses and indicated a commitment to investing in the business while remaining cautious about the economic outlook [36][38] Question: Allowance for credit losses and consumer exposure - The increase in the allowance was driven by the economic forecasting model, with management noting stable performance in the consumer portfolio [42][94] Question: Impact of tariffs on loan portfolios - Management is closely monitoring the impact of tariffs on various loan portfolios, particularly in the C&I sector, but has not observed significant concerns yet [68][70] Question: Margin outlook and rate cuts - Management indicated that the ability to offset rate cuts will depend on loan growth, with potential for margins to remain stable if growth is strong [80][81]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core deposits increased by $1.3 billion year-over-year, with deposit teams growing their portfolios to $1.9 billion [5][6] - Cost of deposits reduced to 2.09% in Q1 2025, while net interest margin (NIM) increased to approximately 2.9% for the fourth consecutive quarter [6][15] - Core pre-tax provision income rose to $46 million in Q1 2025 from $28 million a year ago, resulting in a core return on assets (ROA) of 77 basis points [10][14] - Adjusted EPS was $0.57 per share, reflecting a 36% linked-quarter increase and a 50% year-over-year increase [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Business loans grew by over $60 million in Q1 2025 and over $400 million year-over-year, with a loan pipeline currently at approximately $1.1 billion and an average yield of 7.22% [8][9] - Non-brokered deposits increased by approximately $65 million compared to year-end levels, with a core deposit growth of around $250 million when excluding title company-related deposits [16][36] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has a strong capital position, with a common equity Tier 1 ratio of 11.1% and a total capital ratio of 15.7% [18] - The company is managing expenses prudently, with core cash operating expenses for Q1 at $57.9 million, excluding non-core items [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to expand into the Lakewood, New Jersey market, indicating a strategic move to tap into new customer bases [12][85] - Hiring efforts are focused on both sides of the balance sheet, with a significant emphasis on growing business loans and core deposits [11][72] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management remains optimistic about NIM improvement despite the uncertain rate environment, citing significant back book loan repricing opportunities [7][22] - The company expects net loans to remain relatively flat in Q2 2025, with growth anticipated in the latter half of the year [23][80] Other Important Information - The company has made several new hires to enhance its loan and deposit capabilities, with a focus on maintaining profitability and growth [11][72] - The company is cautious about the current economic environment, particularly regarding potential impacts from tariffs and competition [105][92] Q&A Session Summary Question: Inquiry about loan pipeline mix - The loan pipeline consists of approximately $350 million in commercial and industrial (C&I) loans, $185 million in owner-occupied commercial real estate (CRE), and $250 million in healthcare loans [31] Question: Update on deposit growth and costs - The cost of deposits is around 2.10%, with a healthy mix of demand deposits [34] Question: Credit front and reserve build guidance - The reserve build was less than expected, with a target provision of 90 basis points to 1% over time [40] Question: Cash balance and margin opportunities - The company is managing its cash balance strategically, aiming to maintain a balance between floating rate assets and cash [48] Question: Non-owner-occupied CRE uptick - The uptick was due to one specific credit exit, with no systemic issues identified [58] Question: Fee income guidance for the year - The fee income guidance remains at $40 million to $42 million for the full year [111]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a loan growth of $300 million, or 5.1%, and a deposit growth of $465 million, or 7.8% [4][10] - The net interest margin (NIM) expanded by two basis points to 3.68% from 3.66% in the prior quarter, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of margin expansion [5][12] - Earnings per share (EPS) was reported at $1.45, down $0.43 from the prior period, with net income at $16.3 million, down $5 million [13][14] - Tangible book value per share increased by more than 2.3% to $65.8, marking the ninth consecutive quarter of book value accretion [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total loan originations and draws were approximately $490 million at a weighted average coupon of about 7.84%, while payoffs and paydowns totaled approximately $185 million at a weighted average coupon of 7.44% [10] - The provision expense for the first quarter was $4.5 million, supporting continued loan growth [7][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has not identified any broad-based negative trends in any loan segment, geography, or sector impacting its portfolio [7] - The company reported a decline in the cost of interest-bearing deposits by 32 basis points and a decline in the cost of total deposits by six basis points [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to capture additional market share through traditional channels while positioning itself for potential strategic opportunities to increase shareholder value [8] - The full integration of a new technology stack is expected to be completed by the end of the year, which will support the company's diversified and growing commercial bank [6] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate economic uncertainties, citing strong liquidity, capital, and earnings [3] - The company anticipates loan growth of 10% to 12% for the year, with a full-year NIM expected to be between 3.7% and 3.75% [17][18] Other Important Information - The effective tax rate for the quarter was approximately 30% [17] - The company has been actively discussing the potential for introducing a small dividend to broaden the shareholder base [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on expense numbers and future operating expenses - The CFO indicated that second-quarter operating expenses are expected to be closer to $45 million, including IT spend adjustments [23][24] Question: Impact of Gold Card program on EB-5 business - Management believes the Gold Card program could be a complementary product to the existing EB-5 program without disrupting core business [26][27] Question: Seasonal patterns in deposit growth - Management confirmed there are no significant seasonal patterns affecting deposit growth [28][29] Question: Competitive pressures on loans and deposits - Management stated there is no significant competition in New York City [38] Question: Loan pipeline status and future growth - Management confirmed the loan pipeline is strong and in line with historical performance, with good growth expected [42] Question: EB-5 related deposits and potential program changes - The company has approximately $400 million in EB-5 related deposits and does not foresee immediate risks from potential program changes [46][48]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core deposits increased by $1.3 billion year-over-year [5] - Cost of deposits reduced to 2.09% in the first quarter [6] - Net Interest Margin (NIM) increased to 2.9%, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of growth [6][13] - Adjusted EPS was $0.57, representing a 36% linked quarter increase and a 50% year-over-year increase [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Business loans grew by over $60 million in the first quarter and over $400 million year-over-year [7] - Loan pipeline currently stands at approximately $1.1 billion with an average yield of 7.22% [8] - Core pre-tax provision income was $46 million in the first quarter compared to $28 million a year ago [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Non-brokered deposits increased by approximately $65 million at March 31 versus year-end levels [14] - Excluding title company deposits, non-brokered deposits grew by approximately $250 million this quarter [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to expand into the Lakewood, New Jersey marketplace [11] - Focus on growing business loans while reducing commercial real estate (CRE) concentration [7] - Hiring efforts are aimed at enhancing both sides of the balance sheet [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management remains bullish on continued NIM improvement despite uncertain rate environment [6] - Expectation of margin expansion in the second half of 2025 due to significant back book loan repricing opportunities [17][18] - Anticipated loan growth to pick up in the latter half of 2025 [19] Other Important Information - Core cash operating expenses for the first quarter were $57.9 million, excluding intangible amortization [15] - Common equity Tier one ratio increased to 11.1% and total capital ratio grew to 15.7% [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Inquiry about loan pipeline mix - The loan pipeline consists of approximately $350 million in commercial and industrial (C&I), $185 million in owner-occupied CRE, and $250 million in healthcare [25] Question: Update on deposit growth and costs - The cost of deposits is around $2.10, with a healthy mix of demand deposits [26] Question: Credit reserve build guidance - The medium to long-term target for reserves is between 90 basis points to 1% [32] Question: Cash balance and margin opportunities - The company is managing its balance sheet for the medium to long term, with plans to utilize cash as loan growth picks up [35] Question: Non-owner occupied commercial real estate uptick - The uptick was due to one specific credit exit, with no systemic issues expected [41] Question: Competition and pricing in the region - The pricing environment is rational, with some competitors moderating their deposit pricing [68] Question: Fee income guidance for the year - The fee income guidance remains at $40 million to $42 million for the full year [83]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a loan growth of $300 million, or 5.1%, and a deposit growth of $465 million, or 7.8% [4][10] - The net interest margin (NIM) expanded by two basis points to 3.68% from 3.66% in the prior quarter, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of margin expansion [5][12] - Earnings per share (EPS) was reported at $1.45, down $0.43 from the prior period, while tangible book value per share increased by more than 2.3% to $65.8 [6][13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total loan originations and draws were approximately $490 million at a weighted average coupon of about 7.84%, while payoffs and paydowns totaled approximately $185 million at a weighted average coupon of 7.44% [10] - The provision expense for the first quarter was $4.5 million, supporting continued loan growth [7][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a decline in the cost of interest-bearing deposits by 32 basis points and a decline in the total cost of deposits by six basis points [12] - The company noted that the first quarter increase in deposits was net of $35 million in GPG deposit outflows [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining discipline and supporting clients through economic fluctuations, with a strategy to capture additional market share and explore strategic opportunities to increase shareholder value [8][59] - The company is investing in a franchise-wide new technology stack, with full integration expected by the end of the year [6] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate uncertainties and highlighted strong asset quality with no broad-based negative trends identified [3][7] - The company anticipates loan growth guidance to be higher than previous estimates, now projected at 10% to 12% for the year [17] Other Important Information - Non-interest expense increased by $4.5 million to $42.7 million, primarily due to seasonal increases in compensation and benefits, as well as professional fees [16] - The effective tax rate for the quarter was approximately 30% [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on total operating expenses for the second quarter - The CFO indicated that total operating expenses for the second quarter will be closer to $45 million, including $11 million of IT spend [23][24] Question: Any remaining GPT-related expense or income items - The CFO confirmed that there will be no fee-related income or expenses going forward, although some reserve balances remain [25] Question: Implications of the Gold Card program on EB-5 business - Management believes the Gold Card program could be a complementary product to the existing EB-5 program without disrupting core business [26][27] Question: Seasonal patterns in deposit growth - Management stated there are no seasonal patterns affecting deposit growth [28][29] Question: Discussion on potential dividends - Management confirmed that discussions regarding a potential small dividend are ongoing [30] Question: Trends in non-owner occupied CRE customer occupancy - Management reported that the non-owner occupied CRE portfolio remains stable and diversified [35] Question: Incremental competitive pressures on loans or deposits - Management indicated that there is no significant competition in New York City [38] Question: Loan pipeline status and potential dampening in Q2 - Management stated that the loan pipeline is strong and in line with historical performance [42] Question: Opportunities within various deposit verticals - Management emphasized the importance of diversification across deposit verticals and ongoing efforts to drive new deposit opportunities [44] Question: Update on EB-5 related deposits - The CFO reported that EB-5 related deposits are approximately $500 million, with a recent increase of $100 million [46] Question: Balancing buyback and growth opportunities - Management expressed a desire to maintain a capital ratio above 9% while pursuing growth opportunities [50]

Core Viewpoint - Truist Financial reported better-than-expected earnings for the first quarter of 2025, with adjusted earnings of 87 cents per share, beating estimates by a penny, although this represents a 3.3% decline year over year [1] Financial Performance - The company's total quarterly revenues reached $4.90 billion, a 1.7% increase year over year, but fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.92 billion [4] - Net interest income (NII) rose 3.8% to $3.56 billion, driven by balance sheet repositioning, although it slightly missed the estimate of $3.57 billion [4] - Non-interest income decreased by 3.7% to $1.40 billion, primarily due to declines in most components except for service charges on deposits and mortgage banking income [5] - Non-interest expenses were $2.91 billion, down 1.6%, attributed to lower personnel and regulatory costs, while adjusted non-interest expenses rose 1.5% to $2.87 billion [6] Credit Quality - Net charge-offs were 0.60% of average loans and leases, a decrease of 4 basis points, while provisions for credit losses were $458 million, down 8.4% from the previous year [8] - Total non-performing assets (NPAs) increased by 9.6% to $1.62 billion, exceeding expectations [9] Profitability and Capital Ratios - The return on average common equity was 8.1%, down from 8.4% in the prior year [10] - The Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio improved to 12.7% from 11.7% year over year, and the common equity Tier 1 ratio rose to 11.3% from 10.1% [10] Share Repurchase Activity - During the reported quarter, Truist Financial repurchased shares worth $500 million [11] Outlook - The company anticipates that decent loan demand, business restructuring initiatives, and efforts to bolster fee income will support its top line, despite challenges from elevated expenses and weak asset quality [12]

Core Viewpoint - Charles Schwab (SCHW) shares have experienced a decline of 9.7% over the past month, reflecting broader market challenges, with the S&P 500 Index falling 6% during the same period due to economic and policy-related concerns [1][2] Group 1: Market Context - Key factors contributing to the sell-off include escalating trade tensions, newly imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, and retaliatory measures from these nations [2] - Uncertainty surrounding the Federal Reserve's monetary policy stance and the broader economic impact of tariffs has fueled bearish investor sentiment [2] Group 2: Company Performance and Strategy - Following a subdued second-quarter performance last year, Schwab announced a strategy to rely more on off-balance sheet arrangements to house deposits, leading to a 49% reduction in its supplemental funding balance by the end of 2024, down to $49.9 billion from a peak of $97.1 billion in May 2023 [6] - The company's net interest margin (NIM) improved to 2.12% in 2024 from 1.98% in 2023 and 1.78% in 2022, with expectations for 2025 NIM to be in the range of 2.55-2.65% [6] Group 3: Client Base and Revenue Growth - Schwab has been actively increasing its client base in advisory solutions through acquisitions, which have strengthened its market position [7] - Despite lowering fees on certain investment products, revenues increased due to improved average client asset balances, with total managed investing solutions revenues growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.2% over the last five years [7] - Total client assets recorded a CAGR of 20.1% during the same period, driven by acquisitions and market appreciation [7] Group 4: Trading Revenue and Future Projections - Trading revenues are expected to improve, with a negative three-year CAGR of 7.7% ending in 2024, but growth was observed in 2024 due to increased trading volume and client activity [8] - The company anticipates revenue growth of 13-15% based on assumptions of Fed Fund rates at 4.25% by the end of 2025 and equity markets appreciating approximately 6.5% [9] Group 5: Financial Health and Dividends - As of December 31, 2024, Schwab had cash and cash equivalents of $42.1 billion and total debt of $45.1 billion, maintaining a low-cost capital structure to support capital distributions [11] - In January 2025, Schwab announced an 8% increase in its quarterly dividend to 27 cents per share, having raised dividends four times in the past five years [11] Group 6: Analyst Sentiment and Earnings Estimates - Earnings estimates for Schwab have been revised upward for 2025 and 2026, indicating bullish sentiment for the stock [13] - The estimate for 2025 suggests a year-over-year growth of 29.5%, with a long-term earnings per share growth rate projected at 19.3% [16] Group 7: Investment Outlook - The steps taken by Schwab to enhance NIM, grow client assets, increase investing solution revenues, and improve trading income reflect solid prospects for sustained growth [19] - Schwab is considered an ideal candidate for investors' portfolios, currently carrying a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [20]

February 2025 1 Record Perfomance in 2024 ROE FY 16.2% ↓ 83 bps QoQ | ↑153 bps YoY Net Income FY $206M ↓ 3% QoQ |↑ 24% YoY All-Time High Earnings and Strong RoE Commercial Book $10.0 Bn ↑ 4% QoQ |↑ 18% YoY Deposits $5.4 Bn ↓ 4% QoQ |↑ 23% YoY Record Commercial Portfolio and Record Total Deposits NIM FY 2.47% ↓ 11 bps QoQ | ↓ 2 bps YoY Margins Increasing and Robust Asset Quality Net Fees $44.4M ↑ 13% QoQ | ↑ 37% YoY Efficiency Ratio FY 26.5% ↑ 207 bps QoQ | ↓74 bps YoY Stable Fee Income and Operational Effic ...