Financial Performance - Truist Financial reported fourth-quarter 2025 net income of $1.3 billion, or $1.00 per diluted share, and full-year 2025 net income of $5.0 billion, or $3.82 per diluted share [1] - The company aims for a 15% return on tangible common equity (ROTCE) by 2027 and targets 14% ROTCE for 2026 [2] Charges and Expenses - The fourth-quarter results included a $130 million charge, or $0.08 per share after tax, related to a settlement agreement, along with additional charges totaling $0.12 per share for the quarter and $0.18 per share for the year [3] - GAAP non-interest expense increased by 5.2% sequentially, primarily due to legal accrual and higher personnel expenses, although excluding these factors, non-interest expense declined by about 0.3% from the prior quarter [4] Business Segment Performance - Consumer and small business loans grew by 5% on average, with average deposits increasing by 1%, supported by indirect auto and specialty lending platforms [5] - Truist added 77,000 new digital clients in the fourth quarter, a 10% year-over-year increase, and reported a full-year digital production growth of 9% [6]

Truist Financial (NYSE:TFC) Q4 2025 Earnings call January 21, 2026 08:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsBrad Milsaps - Head of Investor RelationsMatt O'Connor - Managing DirectorBill Rogers - Chairman and CEOGerard Cassidy - Managing DirectorKen Usdin - Managing DirectorBetsy Graseck - Managing DirectorChristopher McGratty - Managing DirectorEbrahim Poonawala - Managing DirectorJohn Pancari - Senior Managing DirectorRyan Nash - Managing DirectorSaul Martinez - Head of US Financials ResearchMichael Maguire - Chie ...

Truist Financial (NYSE:TFC) Q4 2025 Earnings call January 21, 2026 08:00 AM ET Speaker0Greetings, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Truist Financial Corporation Fourth Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call. Currently, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A brief question-and-answer session will follow the formal presentation. As a reminder, this event is being recorded. It is now my pleasure to introduce your host, Mr. Brad Milsaps.Speaker1Thank you, Betsy, and good morning, everyone. Welcome ...

Core Insights - Truist Financial Corporation has launched electronic direct deposit switching capabilities to enhance the digital onboarding process for new accounts [1][2] - Since the feature's launch in August, 19% of new digital account applicants have utilized it to switch their direct deposits [2] - The company aims to provide a faster and more intuitive onboarding experience, allowing clients to choose Truist as their primary financial partner [3] Company Overview - Truist Financial Corporation is a purpose-driven financial services company with total assets of $544 billion as of September 30, 2025 [5] - The company operates in various sectors including consumer and small business banking, commercial banking, investment banking, and wealth management [5] Strategic Initiatives - Truist is investing in building 100 new insights-driven branches and renovating over 300 branches in high-opportunity markets over the next five years [6] - Enhanced digital tools include smarter scheduling for appointments, an intuitive account opening process, and access to digital planning tools [6] - Truist Assist, an AI-enhanced digital assistant, averages up to 440,000 conversations per month, providing quick answers to client inquiries [6] - Truist Insights offers over 550 million personalized financial insights annually to assist clients with cash-flow summaries and balance monitoring [6] - The company is piloting Truist Client Pulse, an AI tool to aggregate client feedback for better insights and trend analysis [6]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net income available to common shareholders of $1,300,000,000 or $1.04 per share, which included $0.02 per share of restructuring charges primarily related to severance [5][15] - Average loan balances increased by 2.5% linked quarter, with broad-based growth across wholesale and consumer segments [6][17] - Average deposit balances decreased by $3,900,000,000 or 1% linked quarter due to the withdrawal of large M&A related client deposits [18] - Adjusted non-interest income increased by 9.9% linked quarter to over $1,500,000,000, driven by strong investment banking and trading income [7][21] - The company maintained a strong capital position, returning $1,200,000,000 to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases [9][26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consumer and small business banking saw net new checking account growth with over 20,000 new accounts added in the third quarter [10] - Average consumer and small business deposit balances increased modestly by 1.9% year over year, while average loan balances increased by 7% year over year [11] - In wholesale banking, average wholesale loans increased by 2.8% linked quarter and 4.8% year over year, driven by new client acquisition [13] - Wealth management reported a 27% year-to-date increase in assets under management from wholesale and premier clients [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Digital transactions rose by 7% year over year, with digital channels accounting for 40% of new clients, particularly among Gen Z and millennials [12] - The company experienced strong growth in treasury management revenue, which increased by 11% year over year [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company announced a strategic investment to build 100 new insight-driven branches in high-growth markets and enhance digital capabilities [5] - The focus remains on deepening relationships with existing clients and attracting new clients through personalized, technology-enabled experiences [5][10] - The company aims to achieve a 15% return on tangible common equity (ROTCE) by 2027, with plans to increase share repurchases significantly in 2026 [9][30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to accelerate growth and profitability, expecting revenue growth in 2026 to more than double compared to 2025 [29] - The outlook for net interest income is positive, with expectations for growth driven by loan growth and lower deposit costs [19][26] - Management emphasized a strong credit risk culture and proactive approach to managing asset quality, maintaining strong credit metrics [24][96] Other Important Information - The company plans to target approximately $750,000,000 in share repurchases during the fourth quarter [9][26] - The CET1 capital ratio remained stable at 11%, with an improvement in the CET1 ratio including AOCI by 10 basis points to 9.4% [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Revenue growth expectations for 2026 - Management indicated that revenue growth in 2026 is expected to more than double compared to 2025, with both net interest income and fee income contributing positively [37][42] Question: Deposit pricing and growth momentum - Management expressed confidence in deposit pricing and growth momentum, anticipating improvements due to recent Fed rate cuts and strong client acquisition [50][55] Question: Credit quality perspective - Management stated that overall credit quality remains strong, with a focus on high-quality assets in both wholesale and consumer spaces [96][100] Question: Capital levels and buyback flexibility - Management confirmed flexibility in buybacks, indicating that the $750,000,000 target is a floor, with potential for increases based on market conditions [104][106] Question: Nonaccrual loans in C&I - Management addressed concerns regarding nonaccrual loans, clarifying that the increase is related to specific exposures but overall credit quality remains robust [114][96]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net income available to common shareholders of $1.3 billion, or $1.04 per share, which included $0.02 per share of restructuring charges primarily related to severance [4][12] - Adjusted revenue increased by 3.7% late in the quarter, driven by a 9.9% growth in non-interest income and a 1.2% growth in net interest income [12][22] - Average loan balances increased by 2.5%, while average deposit balances decreased by $3.9 billion sequentially, or 1% [5][14] - The company returned $1.2 billion of capital to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases, with plans to target approximately $750 million in share repurchases during the fourth quarter [7][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consumer and small business banking saw net new checking account growth with over 20,000 new accounts added, and average loan balances increased by 2% late in the quarter [9][10] - Wholesale loans increased by 2.8% late in the quarter, driven by growth from new and existing clients [10][11] - Wealth management income increased by 7.5% late in the quarter due to higher market values and positive net asset flows [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Digital transactions rose by 7% year over year, with digital channels accounting for 40% of new clients, particularly among Gen Z and Millennials [10] - The company experienced broad-based growth across industry banking verticals, with significant increases in loan and deposit production per banker [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company announced a strategic investment to build 100 new branches in high-growth markets and enhance digital capabilities [3][4] - The focus remains on deepening relationships with existing clients and attracting new clients through technology-enabled experiences [4][26] - The company aims to achieve a 15% ROTCE by 2027, reflecting confidence in long-term earnings power and strategic direction [24][26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to reach a 15% ROTCE by 2027, with expectations for revenue growth in 2026 to more than double compared to 2025 [24][26] - The company anticipates continued loan growth and improved client deposit growth in the fourth quarter and into 2026 [14][22] Other Important Information - The company maintained strong asset quality metrics, with net charge-offs declining both on a late quarter and year-over-year basis [7][19] - The CET1 capital ratio remained stable at 11%, with an improved CET1 ratio including AOCI at 9.4% [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Revenue growth expectations for 2026 - Management indicated that revenue growth is expected to more than double in 2026 compared to 2025, with both net interest income and fee income contributing to this growth [32][34] Question: Deposit pricing outlook with Fed rate cuts - Management expressed optimism about deposit pricing and growth momentum, anticipating improvements in interest-bearing deposit beta due to recent Fed rate cuts [38][40] Question: Credit quality perspective - Management stated that overall credit quality remains strong, with a focus on high-quality assets in both wholesale and consumer spaces [70][73] Question: Capital levels and buyback flexibility - Management confirmed flexibility in buybacks, with a target of $750 million for the fourth quarter, while maintaining a conservative capital structure [78] Question: Non-accrual loans and First Brands exposure - Management acknowledged that the increase in non-accrual loans includes exposure to First Brands, which has been accounted for in the forward guidance [87][90]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focuses on the **Financial Services** industry, particularly the impact of **Artificial Intelligence (AI)** on various sectors including banking, insurance, payment processing, asset management, and real estate [2][3][4][25]. Core Insights and Arguments 1. **AI Adoption Trends**: There is a notable increase in discussions about AI in financial earnings calls, with approximately **11%** of all financial earnings calls in Q1 2025 mentioning AI, marking a significant rise since early 2023 [11][12]. 2. **Cost Savings and Efficiency**: Analysts are optimistic about AI's potential to drive material expense savings and operational efficiencies across financial sectors. Early applications include improved chatbots, credit quality monitoring, and claims processing [3][4][25]. 3. **Generative AI Impact**: Generative AI is expected to transform the fintech landscape through personalized consumer experiences, cost-efficient operations, better compliance, dynamic forecasting, and enhanced customer interactions [4][5]. 4. **Investment in AI**: Larger, established firms are better positioned to capitalize on AI due to their scale and investment capacity. They are expected to invest significantly in technology to enhance operational leverage [5][20]. 5. **Sector-Specific Use Cases**: - **Banking**: AI is used for data analytics, customer experience enhancement, fraud detection, and risk management [27]. - **Insurance**: AI assists in claims processing, underwriting, and product development [3][30]. - **Payment Processors**: AI is utilized for fraud detection, credit default prediction, and operational efficiency [28]. - **Real Estate**: AI enhances tenant experiences and operational efficiencies [31]. Additional Important Insights 1. **Venture Capital Trends**: AI/ML investments are growing within financials, with a notable increase in VC spending on AI technologies, despite overall flat or declining VC investments in the sector since 2H22 [12][20]. 2. **Challenges for Smaller Firms**: Smaller financial firms may struggle to keep pace with larger competitors in AI adoption due to limited resources and investment capabilities [5][33]. 3. **Impact on Employment**: While AI is expected to improve efficiency, there are indications of reduced headcount growth in certain areas, particularly in call centers and operational roles [33][25]. 4. **Specific Company Examples**: - **JPMorgan Chase** identified **450 AI use cases** with an estimated value of **$1 billion to $1.5 billion** in potential benefits [32]. - **Bank of America** reported that its AI tool, Erica, has handled over **2.7 billion client interactions**, significantly reducing call center demands [32]. - **Goldman Sachs** uses AI to enhance engineering capabilities and improve operational tasks [32]. Conclusion The financial services industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by AI technologies. Established firms are leading the charge, leveraging AI for operational efficiencies, enhanced customer experiences, and competitive advantages. However, smaller firms may face challenges in keeping up with these advancements. The ongoing investment in AI and its applications across various sectors will likely shape the future landscape of financial services.

Core Insights - Truist Financial (TFC) is focusing on digital innovation as a key element of its long-term growth strategy, aiming to modernize technology, accelerate client growth, deepen engagement, and expand revenue opportunities [1] Digital Account Growth - In Q2 2025, digital account openings represented 43% of all new accounts, an increase from 34% in the previous year [2][11] - Engagement metrics show that over 1.8 million clients used Truist's financial management tools, marking a 40% year-over-year increase [2] AI and Digital Tools - Truist Assist, the bank's AI-powered digital assistant, manages around 500,000 conversations monthly, enhancing speed, convenience, and scalability without a significant rise in expenses [4][11] - The integration of "LightStream by Truist" has bolstered prime digital lending, contributing to robust loan growth and net interest income stability [5][11] Advanced Analytics and Omnichannel Strategy - Truist's growth strategy incorporates advanced analytics, personalized financial insights, and omnichannel integration, enhancing client engagement and creating new revenue streams [6] - The bank ties branch modernization to digital upgrades to ensure consistent, data-driven experiences across both physical and virtual touchpoints [6] Competitive Landscape - Truist's peers, such as JPMorgan and Citigroup, are also heavily investing in AI and digital transformation to enhance efficiency and maintain competitive advantages [8] - JPMorgan is leading in AI-driven banking, while Citigroup focuses on retiring legacy systems and deploying AI chatbots for improved IT efficiency [12][13] Stock Performance - Truist's shares have increased by 19.3% over the past three months, outperforming the industry's growth of 17.2% [14]

Core Insights - Truist Financial (TFC) has launched a multi-year growth plan that combines traditional branch expansion with advanced digital banking capabilities [1][7] Branch Expansion and Renovation - Over the next five years, Truist plans to open 100 new branches and renovate over 300 existing locations in high-growth cities such as Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Dallas, Miami, Orlando, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC [2][10] - The new branches will feature modern designs, technology integration, and advisory spaces to better serve mass affluent and Premier clients [2] Digital Banking Growth - Digital adoption at Truist is increasing rapidly, with 43% of new accounts opened online in Q2 2025 [3][10] - The bank added approximately 37,000 new checking accounts in Q2 2025, indicating strong digital engagement [3] - Truist's digital lending franchise is bolstered by platforms like LightStream, while innovations such as AI-powered Truist Assist and the Truist Insights platform provide personalized financial guidance [3] User Experience Enhancements - Truist is introducing smarter appointment scheduling, seamless account onboarding, and advanced fraud prevention tools to enhance user experience [4] - AI-driven monitoring and identity verification are being implemented both in-branch and digitally to ensure client trust and safety [4] Commercial Banking Initiatives - Truist is investing in its business banking ecosystem with the launch of Truist Merchant Engage, which modernizes payments for small and midsize businesses [5] - This initiative aims to integrate banking and payment services, enhancing efficiency and providing actionable insights [5] Talent Expansion - The bank has strengthened its Commercial and Corporate Banking division through strategic hiring in key industries such as healthcare, energy, technology, and consumer sectors [6] - This talent expansion supports Truist's national strategy to deliver tailored solutions to complex corporate clients [6] Competitive Positioning - Truist's expansion strategy positions it against peers like PNC Financial, Fifth Third Bancorp, and Huntington, who are also aggressively growing in the Southeast and Sun Belt regions [8][9] - PNC Financial has doubled its branch network to 200, while Fifth Third plans to open 200 new branches by 2028 [9] Financial Performance - Shares of TFC have increased by 12.4% over the past three months, outperforming the industry's rally of 11.6% [11]

Core Insights - Truist is making a significant investment to enhance its branch network and client experience, focusing on growth in high-potential markets [1][3] - The company aims to create a digitally empowering and relational experience for clients, leveraging AI-driven insights and personalized financial planning [2][4] Investment and Growth Strategy - Truist plans to open 100 new insights-driven branches and renovate over 300 existing branches in economically vibrant markets such as Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Dallas, Miami, Orlando, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. over the next five years [1] - The new branch models will feature smart design and integrated technology to foster deeper relationships with mass affluent clients [1] Client Experience Enhancement - The company is focused on delivering a more distinctive client experience through various initiatives, including AI-driven analytics for personalized insights and marketing offers [4] - Truist is enhancing its digital tools, including a more intuitive account opening process and improved scheduling tools for appointments [4] AI and Digital Tools - Truist's AI-driven Truist Insights platform will deliver over 550 million personalized financial insights annually, assisting clients with cash-flow summaries and proactive balance monitoring [4] - The company is developing Truist Client Pulse, a patent-pending AI tool to aggregate client feedback and identify trends [4] Market Position - Truist Financial Corporation is a purpose-driven financial services company with total assets of $544 billion as of June 30, 2025, and holds a leading market share in many high-growth U.S. markets [5]