Summary of Nordea Bank FY Conference Call - September 08, 2025 Company Overview - **Company**: Nordea Bank (OTCPK:NBNK.F) Key Industry Insights - **Bank Taxation**: No significant political pressure for new bank taxes in Nordic countries, despite existing taxes in Sweden and higher corporate tax rates in Denmark and Norway [3][3] - **Net Interest Income**: Resilience observed in net interest margin, expected to stabilize around 2% in the coming years. Further rate cuts could be damaging [5][5] - **Customer Behavior**: Increased interest in deposits and asset management products as rates decline, indicating a shift in customer preferences [8][8] Financial Performance and Targets - **2025 Targets**: Confident in achieving above 15% Return on Equity (ROE) and a cost-income ratio of 44% to 46% [4][4] - **Loan and Deposit Growth**: Strong competition in lending, with market share gains in Sweden, but challenges in Denmark due to aggressive competitors [6][6][36][36] Cost Management - **IT Expenses**: Elevated IT expenses due to significant investments in technology and risk management, with a commitment to cap cost growth at 2% to 2.5% for 2025 [14][15][19][19] - **Employee Reduction**: Anticipated reduction in full-time employees due to technology investments and automation in financial crime prevention [16][18][18] Asset Quality and Risk Management - **Asset Quality**: Robust asset quality with low incidence of specific provisions; no major areas of concern identified [20][20] - **Regulatory Risks**: Ongoing Danish AML court case expected to take nearly a year for resolution, with adequate provisions in place [22][22] Capital Strategy - **M&A Activity**: Interest in bolt-on acquisitions remains, particularly in banking portfolios and life insurance, but no acquisitions announced for the year [25][25][26][26] - **Capital Returns**: Focus on returning excess capital to shareholders through buybacks if no suitable investment opportunities arise [26][26] Future Outlook - **Financial Targets**: Upcoming Capital Markets Day expected to provide updates on financial targets and growth strategies [31][31][32][32] - **Market Share Gains**: Strongest performance in Sweden, with efforts to regain ground in Denmark and maintain growth in Finland and Norway [36][36][37][37] Conclusion - **Overall Sentiment**: Nordea Bank expresses confidence in meeting financial targets, maintaining asset quality, and strategically managing costs while exploring growth opportunities through acquisitions and market share expansion.

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Customer lending grew by 3.2% to GBP 384 billion, while customer deposits increased by 1% to GBP 436 billion [4][5] - Assets under management and administration rose by 5.9% to GBP 52 billion [5] - Income increased by 13.7% to GBP 8 billion, and costs decreased by 1.4% to GBP 3.9 billion, resulting in an operating profit of GBP 3.6 billion and an attributable profit of GBP 2.5 billion [5][6] - Return on tangible equity was reported at 18.1%, with earnings per share up 28% to 31p [5][6] - An interim dividend of 9.5p was announced, reflecting a 58% increase [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail Banking saw a 3% increase in lending and a 1% rise in deposits, with a 4% increase in application share for mortgages [8][10] - Commercial and Institutional lending grew by 4% and deposits by 2%, driven by project finance and sustainable finance [10][11] - Private Banking and Wealth Management experienced a 2% increase in lending and net new inflows of GBP 1.5 billion, representing 8.1% of opening assets under management [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The bank attracted over 100,000 new customers through organic growth and the Sainsbury's transaction, which added approximately 1 million new customers [7][8] - The bank's share in credit cards increased from 9.7% to 11% due to the Sainsbury's acquisition [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on disciplined growth, simplification, and enhancing customer experience through digitalization and technology upgrades [11][12][14] - A new target of delivering GBP 200 billion in climate and transition finance by 2030 was announced, building on previous commitments [11] - The bank is actively managing its balance sheet and has reduced its cost-to-income ratio from around 56% to 49% [15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to continue driving lending growth despite a challenging UK economic backdrop [50][51] - The bank upgraded its 2025 guidance for income to over GBP 16 billion and return on tangible equity above 16.5% [16][30] - Management noted that the diversified prime loan book is performing well, with expectations for a loan impairment rate below 20 basis points for the full year [27][30] Other Important Information - The bank's CET1 ratio remained stable at 13.6%, with strong capital generation allowing for investments and shareholder returns [6][29] - A new share buyback program of GBP 750 million was announced, bringing total distributions to shareholders in the first half to around GBP 1.5 billion [6][29] Q&A Session Summary Question: On deposit flows and management of yields - Management acknowledged the impact of the Sainsbury's acquisition on deposit growth and confirmed that overall deposit share remained stable despite some current account losses [39][40] Question: On lending outlook and economic backdrop - Management expressed confidence in continued lending growth, supported by strong performance in both retail and commercial sectors [50][51] Question: On capital management and potential M&A - Management clarified that there is no intention to build a buffer for M&A, focusing instead on organic growth and shareholder returns [53][54] Question: On revenue guidance and drivers - Management indicated that the upgraded revenue guidance is supported by continued volume growth, the full run rate from Sainsbury's, and higher structural hedge income [78][81] Question: On mortgage spreads and market dynamics - Management noted that mortgage spreads are stabilizing and emphasized the importance of broadening the mortgage proposition to capture market opportunities [64][66]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Customer lending grew 3.2% to GBP 384 billion, while customer deposits increased by 1% to GBP 436 billion [3][4] - Income rose 13.7% to GBP 8 billion, and costs decreased by 1.4% to GBP 3.9 billion, resulting in an operating profit of GBP 3.6 billion and attributable profit of GBP 2.5 billion [4][5] - Return on tangible equity was 18.1%, and earnings per share increased by 28% to 31p [4][5] - Interim dividend announced at 9.5p, up 58%, with TNAV per share growing 16% to 351p [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail Banking saw lending growth of 3%, with deposits up 1% [7] - Commercial and Institutional lending increased by 4% and deposits by 2%, driven by project finance and sustainable finance [8] - Private Banking and Wealth Management experienced a 2% growth in lending and net new inflows of GBP 1.5 billion, representing 8.1% of opening AUM [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The bank attracted over 100,000 new customers through organic growth and the Sainsbury's transaction, which added around 1 million new customers [6][7] - The bank's share in credit cards increased from 9.7% to 11% due to the Sainsbury's acquisition [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on disciplined growth, customer base expansion, and enhancing customer experience through digitization and simplification [6][10] - A new target of delivering GBP 200 billion in climate and transition finance by 2030 has been set, building on previous achievements [9][10] - The bank is modernizing its technology and operational model, including a strategic collaboration with AWS and Accenture to enhance data capabilities [13][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to continue delivering broad-based lending growth despite a challenging UK economic backdrop [49][50] - The bank upgraded its 2025 guidance for income to greater than GBP 16 billion and return on tangible equity above 16.5% [15][29] - Management noted that the diversified loan book is performing well, with expectations of a loan impairment rate below 20 basis points for the full year [25][29] Other Important Information - The CET1 ratio remained stable at 13.6%, with strong capital generation allowing for investments and shareholder returns [5][28] - The bank is actively managing its balance sheet, generating 101 basis points of capital in the first half [14] Q&A Session All Questions and Answers Question: On deposit flows and current accounts - Management acknowledged the growth in deposits but noted some loss in current accounts, attributing it to a disciplined pricing strategy amid competitive conditions [34][39] Question: On lending outlook and revenue guidance - Management expressed confidence in continued lending growth, supported by strong volumes and the full run rate from the Sainsbury's acquisition [46][49] Question: On capital management and potential M&A - Management clarified that they are not building a buffer for M&A but are focused on organic growth and maintaining a balanced capital allocation strategy [52][53] Question: On structural hedge and mortgage spreads - Management indicated that the structural hedge is performing well, with expectations of continued support for income, while mortgage spreads are stabilizing [57][63] Question: On FX risk management derivatives - Management explained that FX risk management activities are designed to take advantage of market volatility, contributing positively to overall income despite appearing as negative NII [98][101] Question: On lead reforms and mortgage market opportunities - Management expressed support for lead reforms, anticipating positive impacts on the mortgage market and increased borrowing capacity for first-time buyers [104][106]