Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Record profitability was achieved in the first nine months of 2025, with revenues at €24.4 billion, aligning with the full year goal of around €32 billion before FX effects [3][4] - Post-tax return on tangible equity reached 10.9%, meeting the full year target of above 10%, while the cost-income ratio stood at 63%, consistent with the target of below 65% [4] - Pre-provision profit was €9 billion, up nearly 50% year on year, and profit before tax increased by 36% when adjusted for litigation impacts [5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Corporate Bank reported strong fee growth of 5% and maintained a post-tax return on tangible equity of 16.2% [9][22] - Investment Bank revenues increased by 18% year on year, driven by strong performance in FICC and significant improvements in origination and advisory [24] - Private Bank profits before tax doubled, with a 13% operating leverage and a return on tangible equity of 12.6% [27] - Asset Management saw a 42% increase in profit before tax, with revenues up 11% and assets under management growing to €1.05 trillion [30][31] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The liquidity coverage ratio finished the quarter at 140%, and the net stable funding ratio was 119% [14] - The tax rate for the third quarter was 26%, benefiting from a reduction in deferred tax liabilities due to changes in the German corporate tax rate [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is on track to meet or exceed all 2025 strategic goals, with a compound annual revenue growth of 6% since 2021 [7] - A second share buyback program worth €250 million was launched, bringing total buybacks in 2025 to €1 billion [8] - The company aims for distributions to shareholders exceeding €8 billion between 2022 and 2026, with cumulative distributions since 2022 reaching €5.6 billion [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strong foundations for the next phase of the strategic agenda, benefiting from German fiscal stimulus and structural reforms [12] - Despite macroeconomic uncertainties, the company anticipates lower provisioning levels in the second half of the year [19][32] - The outlook remains positive, with expectations to deliver a return on tangible equity above 10% and a cost-income ratio below 65% [32] Other Important Information - Asset quality remained solid, with no exposure to recent high-profile cases, and provisions were in line with expectations [5][20] - The company completed its second buyback program, reiterating its commitment to shareholder distributions [32] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the expectations for the fourth quarter? - The pipeline for the fourth quarter is encouraging, particularly in the Investment Bank, with strong origination activity expected [25] Question: How is the company managing credit risks? - The company is actively monitoring and managing risks from private credit, which accounts for about 5% of the loan book, with a focus on conservative underwriting standards [19][20] Question: What is the outlook for provisioning levels? - The company expects lower provisioning levels in the second half of the year compared to the first half, primarily due to the absence of notable model effects [19][32]