NAB(NABZY) - 2019 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved a 1% uplift in underlying cash earnings, but cash EPS declined by 2% due to dilution from capital raisings [6][22] - Cash earnings declined by just under 11% for the year, incorporating additional remediation charges and changes in capitalized software policy [6][22] - The CET1 ratio is at 10.38%, projected to rise to around 10.75% with the DRP [47][70] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Business & Private Banking cash earnings fell 2% year-on-year, with revenue up 1% [35] - Consumer Banking cash earnings fell 8% year-on-year but increased 20% half-on-half, with housing lending growth declining 1% [39] - Wealth cash earnings declined 30% over the year, driven by lower revenue and margins [41] - Corporate & Institutional Banking earnings fell 2% year-on-year, impacted by lower markets income [43] - New Zealand Banking cash earnings increased by 5% year-on-year, with strong lending growth [45] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Australian economy is expected to grow around 2% in the coming year, with low unemployment at around 5% [57] - Housing recovery is underway in New South Wales and Victoria, reducing downside risks to housing credit growth [58] - Business conditions have softened, posing risks to business credit growth [58] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on addressing past issues while preparing for the future, including a new CEO starting in December [64] - The transformation plan aims to deliver a more digitally-enabled bank and improve IT resilience [66] - Continued investment in digital capabilities is critical, with 66% of active customers now interacting through digital channels [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The operating environment remains uncertain, with low interest rates posing challenges for bank earnings [57][60] - Households are using surplus cash to pay down debt rather than spending, impacting economic growth [62] - The company is cautious about the outlook for business credit growth and overall economic confidence [80] Other Important Information - The company has increased customer-related remediation provisions to over $2 billion pretax [3] - A new remuneration framework has been implemented, with significant reductions in executive compensation [9][10] - The company has completed 5 of the 39 Royal Commission recommendations [8] Q&A Session Summary Question: Capital considerations and expenses - The company is comfortable meeting the unquestionably strong capital requirements and expects to build capital to around 11% [70] - There are challenges with rising compliance costs, but the company is focused on achieving productivity savings [76] Question: NIM and business credit growth - The impact of cash rate cuts on NIM is blended, considering multiple factors [78] - Business credit growth is slowing, but the company remains ahead of peers [80] Question: Capital position and remediation impacts - The company does not expect significant capital impacts from remediation provisions moving forward [84] Question: FTE reductions and expenses - The company is slightly behind on FTE reductions but remains focused on achieving flat costs for FY '20 [87][90] Question: Interest rate risk and capital accretion - The company’s interest rate risk is down, but not as significantly as peers [93]