Summary of Citizens Financial Group Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Citizens Financial Group (NYSE: CFG) - **Date**: February 10, 2026 - **Key Speakers**: Don McCree (Chair of Commercial Banking), Ted Swimmer (Head of Commercial Banking) Key Points Company Evolution and Strategy - Citizens Financial Group has evolved significantly since its IPO, focusing on building a comprehensive commercial banking platform that includes leveraged finance, industry verticals, and boutique M&A acquisitions [5][6][12] - The bank has expanded its geographical reach beyond the Mid-Atlantic and New England to include Florida, California, and New York City, enhancing its middle-market banking capabilities [9][10] - The strategy includes a focus on private equity and capital markets, with investments in Treasury Solutions and Merchant Services, positioning the bank as a dominant player in these sectors [11][12][15] Market Outlook - The bank anticipates a positive trajectory for 2026, with signs of increased M&A activity and a more favorable banking environment compared to the previous sluggish years [14][15] - There is a narrowing bid-ask spread in the market, indicating that transactions are expected to increase in 2026, particularly for top-tier companies [22][25] - Citizens Financial Group is optimistic about its pipelines, indicating a strong potential for growth in capital markets and advisory revenues [36][38] Private Equity and Capital Markets - The bank has shifted its approach to view relationships with private equity firms holistically, providing comprehensive services that include financing, equity, and advisory [27][30] - The acquisition of JMP in 2021 has enhanced the bank's capabilities in equity research and private capital, allowing it to better serve clients in the growing private equity market [77][78] Expansion Markets - Citizens is strategically expanding into Florida, California, and New York, leveraging its brand and comprehensive service offerings to attract middle-market companies seeking more robust banking solutions [81][89] - The bank's approach in California focuses on new economy sectors, filling the void left by other banks, and emphasizing its private banking capabilities [89][90] Financial Performance and Projections - The bank expects loan growth of 3%-5% for the year, driven by increased utilization of revolvers and participation in M&A transactions [96][97] - Citizens Financial Group is focused on optimizing its balance sheet by reallocating resources to higher-return opportunities and leveraging AI for operational efficiency [16][17] Risk Management - The bank is monitoring sectors such as retail and biotech for potential risks but currently does not see significant concerns in its portfolio [99][100] - Regulatory changes and market volatility are ongoing considerations, but the bank feels well-positioned to navigate these challenges [105][106] Conclusion - Citizens Financial Group is poised for growth in 2026, with a strong focus on executing its strategies in private equity, capital markets, and expansion into new markets. The bank aims to leverage its comprehensive service offerings and industry expertise to capture a larger share of the market [110][112]

Market Sentiment & Economic Outlook - The market shows a defensive shift with healthcare and utilities outperforming [2] - The 2-year yield at roughly 355-360 suggests the market anticipates the Fed to cut rates [3] - The market is uncertain whether recent weakness is due to a flush of weak hands in crowded AI beta positioning or a fundamental rethink of the economy [5] Bond Market Analysis - 30-year yields have modestly increased since the last Fed meeting [4] - The analyst anticipates the 10-year yield to be capped around 430-435, viewing it as a buying opportunity for bonds [4] - The bond market may force the Fed to cut rates sooner and more aggressively than desired [5] Tech Sector Concerns - Distributive top formations in legacy software companies like Salesforce, Workday, and Service Now are a concern if Nvidia falters [8] - Salesforce's underperformance year-to-date highlights potential weakness in certain tech segments [9] Financial Sector Observations - Banks have been the best performers in the financial sector, while private capital and alternative asset managers have been weak [10] - Weakness in private capital stocks sends a message that the Fed should heed [11]

Core Insights - Small-cap stocks are experiencing a rally driven more by optimism than by solid earnings, indicating a potential disconnect between market performance and underlying fundamentals [1][6][14] Performance Comparison - The Russell 2000 index has recently reached its first record closing high in nearly four years, while the S&P 500 has been achieving record finishes since early 2024 [2] - Over the past decade, large-cap stocks have significantly outperformed small-cap stocks, with the S&P 500 gaining 259.7% compared to the Russell 2000's 110.11% since December 31, 2013 [3] - The last time the Russell 2000 outperformed the S&P 500 on a year-to-date basis was February 6, 2023, and it has not outperformed during a calendar year since 2020 [4] Earnings and Profitability - Small-cap stocks are projected to have stronger earnings growth in 2025, with the Russell 2000 expected to deliver 26.5% EPS growth compared to 10.3% for the Russell 1000 [12] - A significant portion of small-cap stocks, approximately 43%, are not reporting positive earnings, with unprofitable stocks in the Russell 2000 up 55% year-to-date compared to 8% for profitable ones [7][8] Market Dynamics - The small-cap rally is largely attributed to speculative investments, particularly in companies with poor profitability records [9][10] - The growth of private capital is impacting the small-cap landscape, as many high-growth companies are choosing to remain private, limiting the pool of public small-cap stocks [15][16] Interest Rate Influence - Small-cap companies tend to benefit more from falling interest rates due to their reliance on floating-rate debt, which can enhance their earnings through lower borrowing costs [13][14] - The current optimism surrounding small caps is primarily driven by expectations of interest rate cuts rather than improvements in business competitiveness [14][15] Private Equity Trends - The trend of private equity firms acquiring small-cap stocks is contributing to a reduction in the number of public companies eligible for small-cap indexes, which may affect the overall growth potential and quality of these companies [16][18] - Recent regulatory changes allowing everyday investors to access private equity could further influence the dynamics of small-cap investments [17]

Private capital giants are jumping into the UK’s booming pension-risk transfer market, with insurers backed by Brookfield and Apollo announcing deals valued at a combined $10.7 billion in the past month https://t.co/8oqzE6ApNW ...