Summary of The Bank of New York Mellon Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: The Bank of New York Mellon (NYSE: BK) - **Date**: December 10, 2025 - **Speaker**: Dermot McDonogh, CFO Key Points 1. Business Performance and Momentum - BNY Mellon experienced solid momentum in 2025, with accelerating organic growth and better-than-expected net interest income (NII) [1][2] - The stock price increased over 40% year-to-date, reflecting positive performance and shareholder returns [1] 2. Strategic Focus for 2026 - The company is focused on maintaining strong momentum and executing its strategic pillars laid out over the past three years [2][3] - Key areas of focus include enhancing the commercial model and operationalizing the "1BNY" strategy to improve client engagement and retention [3][4] 3. Commercial Model and Client Engagement - The commercial model has been a significant driver of growth, with efforts to do more with the existing client base [4][5] - The Platform Operating Model is being implemented, with 75% of the firm already integrated, leading to improved growth and productivity [5] 4. Organic Revenue Growth - Organic revenue growth was approximately 4% in the first half of the year, with expectations for continued improvement [6][7] - BNY Mellon has a diversified business model, with some segments performing exceptionally well while others are in transformation phases [8][9] 5. Digital Assets and Innovation - BNY Mellon is positioning itself as a bridge between traditional finance and digital ecosystems, with ongoing investments in digital asset custody and product innovation [20][21] - The firm anticipates that digital assets will become increasingly material to its revenue in the medium term [22][23] 6. Inorganic Growth and M&A - The company does not prioritize inorganic growth for its strategic ambitions, focusing instead on internal execution and transformation [12][13] - BNY Mellon remains open to evaluating M&A opportunities but maintains a high cultural and financial bar for any potential deals [14] 7. Asset Servicing Business - The asset servicing business is the largest fee pool and is expected to deliver the fastest growth in nearly a decade, driven by macro factors and improved client service [15][16] - Leadership and cultural changes have positively impacted the asset servicing business, leading to increased market share [17][18] 8. Investment and Wealth Management (IWM) - The IWM segment has faced organic growth challenges, but recent strategic hires and a focus on efficiency are expected to improve performance [30][31] - BNY Mellon aims to return this segment to mid-20s growth in the medium term [31] 9. Financial Dynamics and Expense Management - The firm is on track to deliver over 35% pre-tax margins, with a focus on positive operating leverage and disciplined expense management [32][33] - The company has achieved approximately $500 million in efficiencies annually and plans to continue investing in growth opportunities [32][33] 10. Capital Returns - BNY Mellon has maintained a capital-like business model, with a capital return strategy of around 100% payout expected to continue into 2026 [42][43] - The firm generated a 28% return on tangible common equity (ROTCE) in recent quarters, reflecting strong financial health [42] 11. Outlook for 2026 - The company is optimistic about its ability to grow NII and maintain strong deposit performance, with expectations for mid-single-digit growth in Q4 [37][41] - BNY Mellon is preparing for potential changes in the economic environment, including Fed policy impacts on deposits [41] Additional Insights - The firm is focused on enhancing its technological capabilities and client service offerings, particularly in the digital asset space [20][21] - There is a strong emphasis on collaboration across different business units to leverage the full capabilities of BNY Mellon for client benefit [28][29]