You said you have your lowest exposure to credit in 40 years. The the kind of on the other times you've been underweight or the leaning crisis and right before COVID. So what does that mean practically for your investments.Does that mean that you're completely getting away from credit. Are you in investment grade but still at the lowest level. Are you moving into high yield.What does that exactly mean. Sure. First of all, if you look at the investment grade universe according to the index, it's almost $30 t ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record quarterly revenue and net interest income, with average loan and deposit growth of 2% quarter over quarter [4][5] - Adjusted return on tangible common equity was 16.7%, and return on average assets was 1.6% [5] - Net interest income increased to $617 million, up $17 million from Q1 [9] - Total non-interest income was $86 million, with fee income at $81 million, marking the third highest quarter for fees in the company's history [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Average loan balances increased by $940 million quarter over quarter, with commercial and industrial (C&I) lending being the largest contributor [8] - Demand for residential mortgage products remained strong, with expectations for similar or higher volume in Q3 [9] - The company experienced notable growth in commercial deposits, alongside consumer and business banking balances [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The criticized loans ratio decreased to 2.15% of loans, and non-performing assets decreased to 22 basis points of total assets [13] - The allowance for credit losses increased to $760 million, or 1.38% of total loans, reflecting changes in the economic outlook [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to maintain a strong capital position, with a tangible common equity ratio of 10% and a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 14.5% [15] - The focus remains on diversifying revenue streams and enhancing customer relationships to support growth [5][10] - The company is actively managing credit risk and optimizing deposit costs while preparing for potential rate cuts [20][49] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about maintaining margins and loan growth, despite potential rate cuts [20][34] - Client sentiment is improving, with businesses becoming more comfortable navigating tariff-related uncertainties [39] - The company expects full-year loan growth to be in the range of 4% to 6%, with net interest income and revenue trends projected to exceed 7% [16][17] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately 26,000 shares of common stock for about $2 million, with $241 million remaining for future buybacks [15] - The second quarter income tax expense was $92 million, with an effective tax rate of 22.9% [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Ability to sustain loan yields and deposit beta - Management is focused on continuous deposit cost optimization and expects to maintain margins through Q3 [20] Question: Credit reserve build and C&I outlook - The reserve build relates to the CECL model and economic outlook rather than specific issues within the C&I book [23] Question: Impact of legislative changes on renewable energy tax credits - Existing investments and loan commitments remain unaffected by new rules, but future strategies are being reconsidered [26][28] Question: NII growth relative to loan growth - Management confirmed that NII growth is expected to track loan growth, with potential upside if rates remain higher for longer [34] Question: Client sentiment around investment pace - Client sentiment is improving, with businesses adapting to tariff situations and feeling more comfortable [39] Question: Trends in deposit costs - Average total deposit costs decreased, and management expects to continue this trend as they approach future rate cuts [46][49] Question: Core expenses and investments - The company is focused on hiring and building capabilities to support future growth, which will lead to increased expenses [50][51] Question: Loan growth in commercial real estate - The company aims for balanced growth across loan types, with a focus on C&I and single-family loans [81]

Financial Performance Highlights - The company's GAAP Earnings Per Share (EPS) increased from $0.48 in 2Q24 to $0.69 in 2Q25[10] - The company's Operating EPS increased from $0.46 in 2Q24 to $0.69 in 2Q25[10] - The company's Operating Return on Average Assets (ROAA) was 0.88% in 2Q25[10] - The company's Operating Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (ROATCE) was 11.5% in 2Q25[10] - The company's Tangible Book Value (TBV) per share increased from $21.66 in 2Q24 to $24.42 in 2Q25[10] Balance Sheet and Loan Portfolio - Total assets reached $5.5 billion[10] - Total loans amounted to $4.1 billion[39] - Total deposits reached $4.9 billion[39] - The loan-to-deposit ratio was 85%[10] - Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) to total assets ratio was 0.19%[10]

Competitive Landscape & Market Dynamics - The industry is observing how lender choice impacts the adoption of different scoring models, including those from competitors like Vantagescore [2] - FICO scores are considered an industry standard due to their predictive accuracy over a long period [1][12] - The mortgage market has seen a slight pickup, but rates remain relatively high [19] FICO's Value Proposition & Pricing - FICO argues its score represents a small fraction (approximately $4.95) of the total closing costs (around $6,000) in a mortgage transaction, highlighting its value [11][14] - Despite past price increases (e.g., from sub $1.20 to almost $5), FICO believes its pricing remains a bargain considering the value it provides [13][14] - FICO aims to close the value gap and raise prices predictably, without shocking the system [12][13] Risk Assessment & Credit Standards - There are concerns that Vantagescore's looser credit standards could lead to a "race to the bottom," potentially increasing credit defaults and capital requirements [9] - While alternative data like rental history can be useful, the limited availability of such data in credit files is a challenge [7][8] - FICO emphasizes the importance of a minimum of six months of data for accurate scoring, contrasting with Vantagescore's one-month standard [8] Regulatory & Implementation Issues - The FHA is considering using both Vantage and FICO Classic scores, while FICO 20 is still approved [5] - FICO 20 outperforms Vantage, potentially qualifying 5% more borrowers and resulting in lower credit defaults [5] - FICO hopes for the public release of data from Fannie and Freddie that supports FICO's predictive accuracy [17][18]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Ally Financial reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.99 and core pretax income of $418 million, reflecting double-digit year-over-year growth in both metrics [6][21] - The net interest margin (NIM), excluding core OID, was 3.45%, expanding 10 basis points quarter-over-quarter, offsetting a 20 basis point drag from the sale of the credit card business [6][25] - Core return on tangible common equity (ROTCE) was 13.6%, with a core ROTCE of 10% when excluding the impact of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) [7][21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the auto finance segment, consumer originations reached $11 billion, driven by 3.9 million applications, marking the highest quarterly application volume ever [14] - The retail auto origination yield was 9.82%, slightly up from the prior quarter but down 77 basis points year-over-year [15] - The insurance business saw a 23% year-over-year increase in average dealer inventory exposure, with 3.9 million active policies outstanding [16][39] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Ally Financial's digital bank serves an all-time high of 3.4 million customers, marking 65 consecutive quarters of net customer growth [18] - Total deposit balances decreased by approximately $3 billion quarter-over-quarter, attributed to seasonal tax outflows [19] - The consolidated net charge-off rate was 1.10%, a decline of 40 basis points quarter-over-quarter and 16 basis points year-over-year [32] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on transforming into a stronger, more profitable institution through strategic positioning and disciplined execution [5][9] - Ally aims to capitalize on significant opportunities ahead, with a clear strategy being executed by over 10,000 employees [9][20] - The company is committed to cost discipline, with controllable expenses down for the seventh consecutive quarter [23][49] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the financial trajectory and the ability to deliver sustainable returns over time [6][8] - There is caution regarding macroeconomic uncertainty, but the company remains confident in its credit performance and overall portfolio health [32][44] - The outlook for net interest margin remains at 3.4% to 3.5%, with expectations for continued margin expansion [43] Other Important Information - The CET1 ratio was reported at 9.9%, representing over $4 billion of excess capital above the minimum requirement [30] - The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share for Q3 2025, consistent with the prior quarter [31] - Adjusted tangible book value per share increased by 12% year-over-year to $37 [31] Q&A Session Summary Question: Inquiry on net interest margin performance and guidance - Management discussed factors driving NIM outlook, including the impact of securities repositioning and lease termination performance, while noting that some benefits may not contribute to future NIM expansion [55][56] Question: Credit performance and growth strategy - Management expressed encouragement regarding credit trends but emphasized a disciplined approach to growth, remaining data-informed amid macroeconomic uncertainties [64][65] Question: Capital return strategy and share repurchase considerations - Management indicated that capital ratios are improving, and share repurchases are a priority, with no gating factors related to stress tests [78][79]

Group 1 - Real estate preferred shares are currently facing significant discounts, indicating potential undervaluation in the market [1] - Investors are cautious due to the looming credit risk that could further depress valuations in the real estate sector [1] - Pearl Gray specializes in systematic analysis of Bonds, Preferreds, and REITs, focusing primarily on the Financials and Real Estate sectors [1] Group 2 - The mission of Pearl Gray is to identify actionable total return ideas by integrating rigorous academic theories with practical experience [1]

Core Viewpoint - The release of the "Self-Regulatory Guidelines for Bond Valuation Business in the Interbank Bond Market" aims to enhance the rationality, scientific nature, fairness, and transparency of the valuation of securitized products, thereby increasing market participation in these products [1][2]. Group 1: Importance of Valuation Guidelines - The guidelines address the need for fair, scientific, and stable valuation of various bond types, particularly securitized products, which have been increasingly significant in China's bond market [2][4]. - Securitized products are characterized by their complexity and lower liquidity, necessitating accurate cash flow predictions for proper valuation [2][6]. - The guidelines emphasize the importance of considering the credit status and type differences of underlying assets when setting valuation parameters [2][6]. Group 2: Transparency and Market Impact - Increased transparency in valuation will help users understand the valuation logic of institutions, allowing for better validation of results and enhancing overall valuation quality [3][4]. - Transparent valuation results can provide fair price references for secondary market transactions, reducing pricing discrepancies and improving market liquidity [3][5]. Group 3: Encouragement of Multiple Valuation Sources - The guidelines encourage users to select multiple valuation products for cross-validation, which helps mitigate risks associated with reliance on a single valuation source [3][5]. - The presence of multiple valuation institutions can enhance information dissemination in the market, leading to more efficient pricing and better investment decisions [4][5]. Group 4: Focus on Credit Risk - The core foundation of the credit bond valuation technical system is the dynamic assessment of credit risk, with rating agencies playing a crucial role in this process [6][7]. - The valuation of securitized products, especially subordinate securities, is significantly impacted by the credit risk of underlying assets, highlighting the need for accurate credit risk assessment [6][7]. Group 5: Future Outlook - Experts suggest that rating agencies can expand their role in the valuation field, leveraging their data reserves and credit risk analysis capabilities to provide diverse valuation references and mitigate financial market risks [7].