Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q2 2025 income increased by 15% year-on-year, excluding notable items, driven by double-digit growth across Global Banking, Global Markets, and Wealth Solutions [2][3] - Operating income for the group was $5.5 billion, up 14% or 15% excluding notable items [4] - Profit before tax for the quarter was $2.4 billion, up 34%, with a return on tangible equity (RoTE) of 19.7% [5][14] - Earnings per share for the first half was up 41% year-on-year, with a tangible net asset value (TNAV) per share of $16.8, up 16% year-on-year [14][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Corporate and Institutional Banking (CIB) income for the quarter was $3.3 billion, up 9%, driven by a 47% increase in Global Markets income [15] - Wealth and Retail Banking (WRB) income was up 4% to $2.1 billion, with Wealth Solutions income up 20% [17][18] - Non-interest income (Non NII) grew by 31% year-on-year, driven by strong performance in Global Markets and Wealth Solutions [7][8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Underlying customer deposits increased by 4% or $19 billion in the quarter, with strong net new money from affluent clients [12] - Risk-weighted assets (RWA) increased by $6 billion in the quarter, with over half attributed to foreign exchange impacts [13][14] - The overall credit portfolio remained resilient, with a loan loss rate of 12 basis points in Q2, benefiting from net recoveries in CIB [11][12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company announced a new share buyback of $1.3 billion, aiming to exceed $8 billion in capital returns from 2024 to 2026 [3][14] - The strategy focuses on supporting clients through a diversified network and enhancing digital asset offerings [22][28] - The company is committed to sustainable finance, targeting to mobilize $300 billion by 2030 [31][32] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the underlying trends supporting the business, despite external uncertainties [38] - The outlook for net interest income (NII) is expected to decline by a low single-digit percentage year-on-year, with a recovery in HIBOR anticipated later in the year [7][21] - Management remains optimistic about the growth of Wealth Solutions and the transition of deposits into assets under management [52][70] Other Important Information - The Fit for Growth program has achieved $500 million in run-rate savings, with a revised phasing of spending expected to be between 35% to 45% in 2025 [9][10] - The company is actively engaging in digital asset solutions, including a joint venture to issue a Hong Kong dollar-backed stablecoin [29][64] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on net interest income and deposit performance - Management provided details on HIBOR assumptions and the sustainability of deposit momentum, indicating that current deposits may transition into assets under management as uncertainty decreases [34][36][46] Question: Wealth Solutions and revenue guidance - Management acknowledged the current reliance on deposits but expressed confidence in the eventual shift towards higher-margin products as clients mature [50][52] Question: SC Ventures monetization and capital distribution - Management emphasized the strategic nature of SC Ventures and the focus on exceeding capital distribution targets, highlighting strong capital generation capabilities [73][84]