NatWest Group(NWG) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Customer lending grew 3.2% to GBP 384 billion in H1 2025, while customer deposits increased by 1% to GBP 436 billion [3] - Income rose 13.7% year on year to GBP 8 billion, and costs decreased by 1.4% to GBP 3.9 billion, resulting in an operating profit of GBP 3.6 billion and attributable profit of GBP 2.5 billion [3] - The return on tangible equity was reported at 18.1% [3] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail Banking and Private Banking mortgage balances grew by GBP 1.3 billion, with unsecured balances increasing by GBP 2.7 billion due to the addition of Sainsbury's Bank portfolios [11][12] - In the commercial and institutional segment, gross customer loans increased by GBP 4.6 billion, driven by project finance and sustainable financing [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The bank attracted over 100,000 new customers through organic growth and the acquisition of Sainsbury's Bank, adding approximately 1 million new customers [5] - The deposit mix remained stable, with non-interest-bearing balances at 31% and term accounts increasing from 16% to 17% [13][14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to deliver GBP 200 billion of climate and transition finance by 2030, having already exceeded its previous target of GBP 100 billion [6] - A strategic collaboration with AWS and Accenture was announced to enhance data capabilities and customer engagement through AI [6] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in maintaining a loan impairment rate below 20 basis points for the full year, citing strong performance in the diversified prime loan book [16][17] - The company anticipates full-year total income, excluding notable items, to exceed GBP 16 billion, with a return on tangible equity expected to be greater than 16.5% [11][17] Other Important Information - An interim dividend of GBP 9.5 was announced along with a share buyback program of GBP 750 million [4] - The CET1 ratio stands at 13.6%, with a total capital ratio of 19.7% and a total MREL ratio of 32.4% [20][21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Will there be another small transaction before the end of the year? - The company has issued GBP 750 million and may consider a cleanup transaction later this year or early next year, depending on risk weights [32][34][35] Question: Concerns about the rating gap between S&P and other agencies? - Management acknowledged the gap and expressed a desire for S&P to align with other agencies, citing the punitive nature of S&P's rating methodology for UK banks [38][39][40] Question: Inquiry about issuance plans and CET1 buffer? - The company remains flexible regarding currency for future issuances, with current attractive options in dollars and sterling [48][50][51] - Management indicated that CET1 targets are regularly reviewed in light of regulatory changes, with no specific insights on potential changes to the countercyclical buffer [49][50][60]