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State Street Earnings Beat Forecasts on Strong Fee Growth
Financial Modeling Prep· 2025-10-17 20:27
Core Insights - State Street Corp. reported third-quarter earnings that exceeded analyst expectations, driven by broad-based fee revenue growth [1][2] - Despite strong earnings, shares declined approximately 3% in intra-day trading following the announcement [1] Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share were $2.78, surpassing the consensus estimate of $2.63 [2] - Total revenue increased by 9% year-over-year to $3.55 billion, exceeding expectations of $3.46 billion [2] - This marked the seventh consecutive quarter of positive operating leverage for the company [2] Fee Revenue Breakdown - Fee revenue rose 8% to $2.83 billion, with significant contributions from various business segments [3] - Management fees increased by 16% to $612 million [3] - Servicing fees grew by 7.2% to $1.36 billion [3] - Foreign exchange trading revenue saw an 11.2% increase to $416 million [3] - Securities finance revenue jumped 19% to $138 million [3] Asset Management - Assets under custody and/or administration reached a record $51.7 trillion, up 10% from the previous year [4] - Assets under management climbed 15% to a record $5.4 trillion, supported by higher market valuations and positive net inflows [4] Net Interest Income - Net interest income decreased by 1.1% year-over-year to $715 million, primarily due to lower short-term rates and changes in deposit mix [4] - This decline was partly offset by continued loan growth and securities repricing [4]
Huntington(HBAN) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-10-17 14:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported earnings per common share of $0.41, with an adjusted EPS of $0.40, reflecting an 18% year-over-year increase [9] - Revenue grew by 14% year-over-year, adjusted PP&R increased by 16%, and tangible book value rose by 10% [5][9] - Average loan balances grew by $2.8 billion, or 2% from the prior quarter, while average deposits increased by $1.4 billion, or 1% [9][10] - Reported CET1 ended the quarter at 10.6%, with adjusted CET1 at 9.2%, up 30 basis points from last year [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Loan growth accelerated to 9.2% year-over-year, driven by commercial lending and new initiatives contributing $1.2 billion, or approximately 40% of total loan growth [10] - Key drivers of loan growth included geographic expansion in Texas and the Carolinas, with significant contributions from corporate and specialty banking, auto, and regional banking [10] - Non-interest income increased by 14%, or $75 million year-over-year, with strong performance in payments, wealth management, and capital markets [12][13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is poised to become the 14th largest depository in Texas and the fifth largest in Dallas following the acquisition of Veritechs [6] - The company expects to achieve full-year ADB growth of approximately 9% to 9.5% inclusive of Veritechs, with deposits expected to grow approximately 6.5% to 7% [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company continues to execute its growth strategy with a focus on organic growth and investment in local market relationships [4][5] - The acquisition of Veritechs is seen as a springboard for growth in Texas, with expectations of cost and revenue synergies [6][8] - The company plans to expand its branch network in Texas and enhance its commercial banking activities [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to manage risks and maintain strong credit quality despite economic uncertainties [30][56] - The company is raising its financial guidance for the year, expecting strong loan growth and improved net interest income [17][18] - Management anticipates continued strong performance in 2026, with expectations of mid to high single-digit loan growth [29] Other Important Information - The company completed a preferred issuance in the third quarter, which will result in higher preferred dividends in the fourth quarter [22] - The company has a disciplined approach to capital management, focusing on funding high-return loan growth and supporting a strong dividend yield [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about the loan growth outlook and pipelines? - Management indicated strong momentum in loan growth, with expectations of approximately 1.5% sequential growth in the fourth quarter [27][28] Question: What are the safeguards against credit quality issues? - Management emphasized their moderate to low risk appetite and active portfolio management to mitigate risks [36][37] Question: How do you see operating leverage trending? - Management noted a significant improvement in operating leverage, now expected to exceed 2.5% for the year [44][45] Question: Can you discuss the competitive landscape for deposits? - Management highlighted their sophisticated approach to managing deposit activities, which has led to strong performance in both rate and volume [60][61] Question: What is the outlook for asset finance lending? - Management expects a solid fourth quarter for asset finance, setting up for a strong year in 2026 [70]
U.S. Bancorp(USB) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-10-16 14:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported earnings per share of $1.22, an increase of 18.4% year over year [3] - Net revenue reached a record $7.3 billion, reflecting strong momentum across fee businesses and improved spread income [3][9] - Positive operating leverage of 530 basis points was generated, with a return on average assets of 1.17% and a net interest margin of 2.75% [3][10] - Tangible book value per share increased by 12.7% year over year [10] - Non-interest income totaled approximately $3.08 billion, with total fee revenue increasing by 9.5% year over year [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fee revenue grew by 9.5% year over year, driven by strength across payments, institutional, and consumer businesses [4] - Impact Finance business grew at a 17% CAGR from 2021 to 2024, contributing positively to fee income [5] - Consumer deposits represented over 52% of total average deposits, up nearly two points from the third quarter of 2023 [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Ending assets reached $695 billion, supported by elevated deposit flows and robust client activity [9] - Average loans totaled $379 billion, with an underlying growth rate of 1.0% linked quarter and 2.8% year over year [11] - The investment portfolio had an ending balance of $171 billion with an average yield of 3.26% [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on organic growth through interconnected solutions, maintaining expense discipline, and executing payments transformation [3][4] - The acquisition of Union Bank has enhanced capabilities in tax credit syndication and access to the California market [5] - The company aims to increase its share of consumer deposits through various strategies, including product interconnectivity and enhanced marketing [6] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving net interest margin expansion towards 3% by 2027, driven by fixed asset repricing and a favorable loan mix [19][20] - The company anticipates stable net interest income in the fourth quarter, with a bias to the upside due to favorable items [18][59] - Management highlighted strong credit quality metrics, with improvements in non-performing assets and net charge-offs [15] Other Important Information - The company expects to deliver positive operating leverage of 200 basis points or more on an adjusted basis in the upcoming quarters [15] - The Impact Finance business is expected to continue growing, supported by favorable legislative trends [62][64] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook for net interest margin trend in the fourth quarter - Management sees more opportunities than risks for net interest income and margin, with a potential upside bias [18][19] Question: Confidence in positive operating leverage exceeding 200 basis points in 2026 - Management is optimistic about achieving meaningful positive operating leverage, driven by net interest income growth and prudent expense management [24][25] Question: Drivers of growth in the payments space - Management noted strong progress in creating an interconnected operating model that enhances fee performance across product sets [26][27] Question: Expectations for corporate payments and credit card dynamics - Management expects improving trends in corporate payments and noted seasonal dynamics affecting credit card yields [31][60] Question: Impact of stablecoins on the payments business - The company is preparing for stablecoin activity in both capital markets and payment rails, with ongoing pilot transactions planned [67] Question: Return of capital to shareholders - Management is committed to returning 75% of earnings to shareholders as capital levels stabilize [70]
U.S. Bancorp(USB) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-10-16 14:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported earnings per share of $1.22, an increase of 18.4% year over year [4] - Net revenue reached $7.3 billion, marking a quarterly record, driven by strong momentum in fee businesses and improved spread income [4][12] - The return on average assets was 1.17%, and the net interest margin was 2.75% [4][14] - The tangible book value per share increased by 12.7% year over year [13] - The efficiency ratio improved to 57.2% [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fee revenue grew by 9.5% year over year, with significant contributions from payments, institutional, and consumer businesses [6][17] - The Impact Finance business, bolstered by the Union Bank acquisition, grew at a 17% CAGR from 2021 to 2024 [7] - Consumer deposits now represent over 52% of total average deposits, up nearly two points from 2023 [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Ending assets were $695 billion, supported by elevated deposit flows and robust client activity [13] - Average loans totaled $379 billion, with a year-over-year growth rate of 2.8% [15] - The investment portfolio had an average yield of 3.26%, reflecting strategic actions taken in the previous quarter [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on organic growth through interconnected solutions, maintaining expense discipline, and executing payments transformation [5] - There is a strong emphasis on improving fee income diversification and enhancing the consumer deposit base [6][8] - The company aims to achieve net interest margin expansion, targeting 3% by 2027 [30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving positive operating leverage and maintaining strong credit quality despite macroeconomic uncertainties [12][19] - The outlook for net interest income is stable, with potential upside due to favorable repricing and mix [20][25] - The company is committed to organic growth and improving its fee mix, with a focus on enhancing client relationships [40][42] Other Important Information - The company is preparing for stablecoin activities in both capital markets and payment rails, indicating a proactive approach to emerging financial technologies [96] - The tax benefit from impact finance is expected to remain around 3%, supporting the company's overall tax strategy [120][122] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook for net interest margin trend in the fourth quarter - Management indicated that while there are favorable items supporting net interest margin, there are also seasonal dynamics affecting credit card yields [25][26] Question: Drivers for net interest margin expansion next year - Management sees a clear path to achieving a 3% net interest margin by 2027, driven by fixed asset repricing and a favorable loan mix [29][30] Question: Confidence in positive operating leverage exceeding 200 basis points - Management expressed confidence in achieving over 200 basis points of operating leverage, supported by strong revenue growth and prudent expense management [34][36] Question: Dynamics of credit card favorability and risks - Management noted that credit card yield dynamics are seasonal, with expectations for a reversal in the fourth quarter [80][85] Question: Impact finance growth and its implications for tax rate - Management expects continued growth in impact finance, which will maintain a favorable tax rate benefit around 3% [120][122]
美国股票策略 -这轮新牛市该暂停了吗?US Equity Strategy -Weekly Warm-up Time for a Pause in This New Bull Market
2025-08-05 03:16
Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The discussion primarily revolves around the **US Equity Market** and its dynamics, particularly focusing on the **S&P 500** and broader economic indicators affecting equities. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **V-Shaped Recovery in EPS Revisions**: The recent bullish sentiment in the market is attributed to a V-shaped recovery in earnings per share (EPS) revisions breadth, indicating a positive shift in earnings expectations since April 2025 [4][6][10]. 2. **Labor Market Weakness**: A weaker labor report suggests potential consolidation in the market, with the labor data being a lagging indicator that may prompt the Federal Reserve (Fed) to consider rate cuts if the trend continues [4][9][29]. 3. **Expectations for Fed Actions**: The bond market is pricing an 88% chance of a Fed cut in September, indicating that the market anticipates a dovish shift in monetary policy due to deteriorating labor data [9][29]. 4. **Inflation Concerns**: Tariff-related inflation is expected to impact growth data, which could delay Fed rate cuts, leading to potential corrections in equity markets [4][25][30]. 5. **Bull Market Dynamics**: The current bull market, which is only four months old, is expected to experience pullbacks, particularly in the seasonally weak third quarter [4][26][28]. 6. **Positive 12-Month Outlook**: Despite near-term risks, there is a higher conviction in a bullish 12-month outlook driven by better earnings and cash flow growth, aided by factors such as AI adoption and pent-up demand [5][24][23]. Additional Important Insights 1. **Government Hiring Impact**: Government hiring has masked underlying weaknesses in the private labor market, which may lead to a more significant rise in unemployment and could influence Fed actions [21][27]. 2. **Sector-Specific Risks**: The impact of tariffs is seen as idiosyncratic, affecting consumer goods more than industrials, where companies may have better pricing power [25][30]. 3. **Global Money Supply Trends**: A deceleration in the global money supply rate of change could weigh on risk assets, particularly if the dollar strengthens [33][34]. 4. **Earnings Revisions Breadth**: The sharp rebound in earnings revisions breadth may face challenges in maintaining momentum, which could lead to short-term stock price pressures [34][35]. 5. **AI Adoption Theme**: Companies that are significant adopters of AI are highlighted as potential investment opportunities, with a focus on their materiality to the investment thesis [40][41]. Conclusion - The overall sentiment indicates cautious optimism in the equity markets, with a focus on monitoring labor data and inflation trends as key indicators for future Fed actions and market performance. The potential for a correction exists, but the long-term outlook remains bullish due to structural growth drivers.
Associated Banc-p(ASB) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-07-24 22:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported earnings of $0.65 per share for Q2 2025, with total loans growing by 1% quarter-over-quarter and 3% year-over-year [9] - Net interest income reached a record $300 million, up $43 million or 17% compared to the same period last year [10][11] - The return on tangible common equity was 12.96%, a 62 basis point improvement from Q1 [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Commercial and industrial (C&I) loans grew by over $700 million in the first half of 2025, with $356 million added in Q2 alone [6][10] - Total average quarterly loans increased by nearly $400 million versus Q1, with C&I leading the growth [14] - Non-interest income for Q2 was $67 million, a 3% increase year-over-year [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core customer deposits were up 4.3% compared to the same period last year, despite seasonal outflows in Q2 [10][15] - The net interest margin climbed above 3%, reflecting a strong profitability profile [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on executing its strategic plan, which includes enhancing profitability through a mix shift in its asset base [5][12] - There is a strong emphasis on organic growth in customer relationships, with the best organic checking household growth in nearly a decade [5][16] - The company aims to reduce reliance on wholesale funding by increasing lower-cost core customer deposits [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to grow core customer deposits in the second half of the year, citing strong household growth trends and a growing commercial pipeline [10][16] - The management remains vigilant regarding credit quality, with a proactive approach to managing portfolios amid macroeconomic uncertainties [8][30] Other Important Information - The company added nine basis points to its CET1 capital in Q2, totaling a 19 basis point increase year-to-date [7] - The efficiency ratio improved to below 56%, the lowest level since early 2023 [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Seasonal decline in deposits - Management acknowledged the seasonal decline but noted that it was anticipated and that they expect a rebound in the second half of the year due to a growing commercial pipeline [36][39] Question: Update on office CRE portfolio - Management indicated that the office CRE portfolio is evolving positively, with proactive clients benefiting from improvements [46][48] Question: Margin outlook and deposit pricing strategy - Management discussed the importance of asset-side growth in maintaining margin strength and emphasized disciplined pricing strategies for deposits [53][59] Question: Thoughts on acquisitions - Management stated that any potential acquisition would need to be a good strategic, financial, and cultural fit, emphasizing the priority of executing their current strategic plan [68][70] Question: Increase in ACL for C&I portfolio - Management explained that the increase in the allowance for credit losses (ACL) for the C&I portfolio is primarily due to growth in that segment [72] Question: Sustainability of positive operating leverage - Management expressed confidence in sustaining positive operating leverage into 2026, driven by growth in commercial loans and disciplined expense management [79][81]
Truist(TFC) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-07-18 13:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net income available to common shareholders of $1,200,000,000 or $0.90 per share, which included $0.02 of restructuring charges and $0.01 of losses from the sale of certain investment securities [7][19] - Adjusted revenue increased by 2.1% linked quarter, driven by a 2.3% growth in net interest income and a 1.8% growth in non-interest income [20] - Average loans held for investment increased by 2% on a linked quarter basis, with end of period loans increasing by $10,200,000,000 or 3.3% [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In consumer and small business banking, average loan balances increased by 2.8% linked quarter, with end of period balances up by 3.8% due to growth in residential mortgage and indirect auto loans [12] - Wholesale loans saw a 1.5% growth in average loans and a 2.9% increase in end of period loans, driven by new and existing clients [13][14] - Treasury management revenue increased by 14% year-over-year, reflecting enhanced client engagement and digital capabilities [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced strong loan production and new client acquisition across both consumer and wholesale segments, helping to offset market volatility in trading and capital markets [8][10] - The average deposit balances increased by $8,300,000,000 sequentially, or 2.1%, driven by growth in interest checking and time deposits [22] - The cumulative interest-bearing deposit beta declined from 43% to 37% on a linked quarter basis, indicating a stabilization in deposit costs [23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on executing strategic growth initiatives, maintaining credit and risk discipline, and returning capital to shareholders [34] - Investments in talent, technology, and risk infrastructure are prioritized to enhance client experience and operational efficiency [35][88] - The company aims to deepen client relationships and expand its presence in key growth markets, particularly in payments and wealth management [6][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strength of both consumer and wholesale client portfolios, noting good credit quality and liquidity among clients [42][46] - The outlook for revenue growth remains unchanged, with expectations for net interest income to increase by 3% in 2025 compared to 2024 [31] - Management anticipates a recovery in investment banking and trading revenue in the second half of 2025, supported by a strong pipeline [26] Other Important Information - The company returned $1,400,000,000 of capital to shareholders during the quarter through dividends and share repurchases, with plans to target approximately $500,000,000 in share repurchases for the third quarter [10][11] - The company maintained strong asset quality metrics, with non-performing loans and net charge-offs decreasing [9][28] Q&A Session Summary Question: Overall sentiment among the customer base - Management noted strong consumer business performance and good credit quality, with new clients impressed by the company's purpose-driven focus and product capabilities [42][46] Question: Anticipated pace of share repurchase - The reduction in share repurchase was described as opportunistic, with a focus on maintaining a balance between capital return and banking franchise growth [48][49] Question: Deposit competition and costs - Management indicated that deposit competition is rational, with expectations for deposit costs to stabilize and potentially improve in the coming quarters [56][61] Question: Fee revenue growth and trading recovery - Management observed a bounce back in trading and investment banking revenue, with expectations for normalized results in the third quarter [66][67] Question: Operating leverage and profitability - Management highlighted various initiatives to improve profitability, including capital-efficient revenue generation and continued focus on client deposit growth [72][74] Question: Significance of RTP capability for commercial deposits - The RTP capability is seen as a significant innovation that enhances client experience and could lead to increased wallet share among commercial clients [75][77] Question: Restructuring expenses and investments - Most restructuring charges were related to severance, not merger-related, and management emphasized ongoing investments in technology and talent [85][88]
U.S. Bancorp(USB) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-07-17 13:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported earnings per share of $1.11 and net income of $1.8 billion, reflecting a year-over-year EPS growth of approximately 13% [5][14] - Total fee revenue grew by 4.6% year-over-year, driven by broad-based strength across various businesses [5][20] - The return on tangible common equity was 18%, and the return on average assets improved to 1.08% [6][15] - The efficiency ratio improved to the high 50s, indicating better expense management [6][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fee income now represents approximately 42% of total net revenue, with significant growth in payment services [7][10] - Merchant payment services revenue grew 4.4% year-over-year, supported by a tech-led strategy [10] - The capital markets business is focused on introducing new product capabilities, contributing to growth in commercial and industrial (C&I) loans [9][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company divested approximately $6 billion in mortgage and auto loans to strategically reposition its balance sheet [13] - C&I and credit card portfolios represented 47% of the balance sheet, up from 43% at the end of 2023, with average loans growing 6.6% year-over-year [12][13] - Average consumer deposit balances increased by $2.4 billion or 1.1% linked quarter, while the percentage of non-interest-bearing deposits remained stable at approximately 16% [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on three key priorities: expense discipline, organic growth, and transformation of the payments business [26] - There is an intentional evolution of the business mix to be more fee-intensive and diversified, with a shift towards multi-service clients [26][27] - The company aims to deliver sustainable EPS growth while maintaining a focus on operational efficiency and productivity [26][27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to navigate the current higher interest rate environment and position the balance sheet for near-term margin expansion [6][14] - The company expects net interest income for the third quarter to be in the range of $4.1 billion to $4.2 billion, with total fee revenue expected to be approximately $3 billion [23] - Management remains optimistic about achieving medium-term profitability and efficiency targets, despite some headwinds in net interest income [15][25] Other Important Information - The company reported stable asset quality trends and credit metrics, with a modest reserve release of $53 million this quarter [15][21] - The CET1 capital ratio was 10.7%, well above regulatory minimums, reflecting strong capital levels [21][22] - The company is strategically evolving both sides of the balance sheet to support a higher net interest income trajectory [75] Q&A Session Summary Question: NII dynamics and margin outlook - Management indicated that part of the linked quarter decline in net interest margin was transitory and expects sequential net interest income growth in the upcoming quarters [31][32] Question: Expense management and operating leverage - Management reassured that cost-cutting measures do not hinder necessary investments, emphasizing self-funding initiatives and operational efficiencies [36][39] Question: C&I loan growth drivers - Management highlighted strong growth in C&I loans, driven by increased utilization rates and strength in various sectors, including healthcare [60][61] Question: RWA increase and deposit competition - Management explained that the increase in risk-weighted assets was due to credit risk transfers and commercial loan growth, while deposit competition remains a consistent challenge [70][72] Question: Future loan growth outlook - Management expressed optimism about loan growth, particularly in C&I and credit card segments, indicating better growth opportunities than at the beginning of the year [85][86]
PNC(PNC) - 2024 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-01-16 16:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year 2024, the company earned $6 billion or $13.74 per share, achieving record revenue and a 6% growth in fee income [5][6] - The tangible book value per share increased by 12% compared to the previous year, reaching $95.33 [12] - The net interest income for Q4 was $3.5 billion, an increase of $113 million or 3% from the previous quarter, with a net interest margin of 2.75%, up 11 basis points [18][20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consumer DDA growth in 2024 was the highest in 8 years, and brokerage revenue reached record levels [7] - Non-interest income for Q4 was $2 billion, a 1% increase, while non-interest expense rose by 5% to $3.5 billion [18][22] - The asset management and brokerage income declined by 2%, reflecting lower annuity sales, while lending and deposit services revenue grew by 3% [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales in expansion markets grew by 26%, with over 60% of those sales being non-credit [7] - Average deposits increased by $3 billion or 1%, with non-interest bearing deposits stable at $96 billion [16] - The company expects deposit growth of 1% to 2% in 2025, with some seasonality expected in commercial deposits [31] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is investing in new products and expanding its footprint, including doubling new branch builds in fast-growing regions [9] - A new online banking platform is set to be rolled out to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency [8][100] - The company aims to generate substantial positive operating leverage in 2025, with expectations for net interest income and non-interest income to grow [28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management anticipates continued economic growth in 2025, with a projected real GDP growth of approximately 2% [26] - The company expects to see further tailwinds from fixed asset repricing over the next couple of years [5] - There are uncertainties regarding the economic outlook, but the company believes its balance sheet is well positioned [9][10] Other Important Information - The company returned $3 billion of capital to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks [6] - Non-performing loans decreased by 10% linked quarter, while total delinquencies increased by 8% [23] - The company is adequately reserved for credit risk, with an allowance for credit losses totaling $5.2 billion [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Industry deposit growth and trends in 2025 - The company expects slight deposit growth of 1% to 2% in 2025, with positive organic efforts in expansion markets [31][32] Question: NII guidance and drivers - The guidance for NII is conservative, with expectations for a decline in Q1 due to fewer days and lower seasonal commercial deposits [33][35] Question: Loan growth and demand outlook - Management noted that utilization is lower across all segments, with uncertainty impacting capital investment decisions [42][65] Question: Fee income growth outlook - The company expects fee income to grow approximately 5% in 2025, driven by various segments including asset management and capital markets [56][57] Question: Capital buyback plans - The company plans to sustain buybacks at levels between $100 million and $200 million, depending on loan growth [58][59] Question: Regulatory environment and M&A opportunities - The company sees potential for easier deal approvals but notes that many banks are currently not looking to sell [122]