Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a strong performance in 2025, with total income increasing by 12% to GBP 16.4 billion, and operating profit reaching GBP 7.7 billion [4][14] - Earnings per share grew by 27% to GBP 0.68, while dividends per share increased by 51% to GBP 0.325 [5][6] - The cost-income ratio improved by 4.8 percentage points to 48.6%, reflecting operational efficiency [4][26] - The Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio stood at 14%, with a return on tangible equity of 19.2% [5][29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail banking saw a customer base increase of over 5%, with customer assets and liabilities growing 4% to GBP 421 billion [7][8] - In private banking and wealth management, assets under management and administration rose by 20% to GBP 58.5 billion, with net new flows increasing by 41% [8][21] - Commercial and institutional lending grew by 10% or GBP 14 billion, with significant contributions from social housing and infrastructure projects [9][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company added one million new customers in 2025, contributing to broad-based growth across all business segments [4][6] - Customer deposits increased by 2.4% to GBP 442 billion, with retail banking deposits growing by GBP 7.8 billion [20][21] - The company is the leading lender to UK infrastructure projects, delivering GBP 19 billion in climate and transition finance [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to focus on disciplined growth, simplification, and effective capital and risk management as part of its strategy [6][41] - The acquisition of Evelyn Partners is expected to enhance the company's private banking and wealth management capabilities, increasing assets under management to GBP 127 billion [35][42] - The company targets a return on tangible equity greater than 18% by 2028, with a cost-income ratio below 45% [46][59] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the UK economy, noting that consumers are managing well and investment is steadily increasing [43][44] - The company anticipates a supportive macroeconomic environment, with expectations of lower inflation and a stable unemployment rate [27][44] - The management highlighted the importance of leveraging technology and AI to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency [50][56] Other Important Information - The company achieved gross cost savings of around GBP 600 million, contributing to improved operational leverage [10][26] - The company plans to invest GBP 100 million in transforming its digital platform, Bankline, to enhance customer access to products and services [12][50] - The company expects to generate more than 200 basis points of capital before distributions in 2026 [40][59] Q&A Session Questions and Answers Question: Can you discuss the sources of the GBP 600 million cost savings and expectations for 2026? - Management noted that the cost savings stem from a broad range of efficiencies, including technology investments and operational simplifications [64][67] Question: What are the expectations for customer assets and liabilities growth across divisions? - Management expressed confidence in growing customer assets and liabilities across all business areas, although some areas may grow faster than others [64][72]

NatWest Group (NYSE:NWG) Q4 2025 Earnings call February 13, 2026 04:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsBenjamin Cavan-Roberts - VPChristopher Cant - Head of Banks StrategyEd Firth - Managing DirectorGuy Stebbings - Executive Director of European Banks ResearchKatie Murray - CFOPaul Pybus - Head of Investor RelationsPaul Thwaite - CEOSheel Shah - Executive DirectorConference Call ParticipantsAman Rakkar - Senior Equity AnalystAmit Goel - Research AnalystJames Invine - Equity AnalystJonathan Pearce - Financial Anal ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a strong performance in 2025, with total income growth of 12% to £16.4 billion, and operating profit of £7.7 billion, leading to an attributable profit of £5.5 billion [4][17][18] - Earnings per share increased by 27% to 68p, while dividends per share rose by 51% to 32.5p [5][6] - The cost-income ratio improved by 4.8 percentage points to 48.6%, with costs growing only 2% to £8 billion [4][29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail banking customer assets and liabilities grew by 4% to £421 billion, with a customer base increase of over 5% [7][8] - In private banking and wealth management, assets under management increased by 20% to £58.5 billion, with net new flows growing by 41% [8][25] - Commercial and institutional lending grew by 10% or £14 billion, reflecting strong performance across various sectors [10][23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Customer deposits increased by 2.4% to £442 billion, with retail banking deposits up by 4% [24] - The company reported a loan impairment rate of 16 basis points, indicating strong risk management [6][33] - The CET1 ratio stood at 14%, reflecting robust capital generation [5][34] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to achieve a return on tangible equity greater than 18% by 2028, focusing on disciplined growth and simplification [51][71] - The acquisition of Evolent Partners is expected to enhance the company's private banking and wealth management capabilities, increasing assets under management significantly [40][48] - The company plans to leverage technology and AI to improve customer experience and operational efficiency [60][66] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the UK economy, citing strong household savings and a commitment to social housing investment [50] - The company anticipates a moderate growth environment in 2026, with expectations for lower inflation and stable unemployment rates [31][30] - Future guidance includes income expectations of £17.2 billion to £17.6 billion for 2026, with a loan impairment rate below 25 basis points [20][46] Other Important Information - The company has reduced its share count from over 11 billion to just under 8 billion, enhancing shareholder value [6] - The company achieved gross cost savings of around £600 million, contributing to improved operational leverage [11][29] - The strategic focus includes expanding customer engagement and broadening product offerings across all business lines [60][62] Q&A Session Summary Question: On costs and future cost savings - The company highlighted a nearly 5% reduction in the cost-income ratio and discussed various levers for cost savings, including technology investments and operational simplifications [77][80] Question: On customer assets and liabilities target - Management expressed confidence in achieving growth across all business areas, including lending, deposits, and assets under management, while not providing specific growth splits [84]