Barclays(BCS) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Performance - Return on tangible equity (RoTE) was 13.2% in the first half of the year and 12.3% in the quarter, with total income growing 14% year on year to GBP 7.2 billion [2][3] - Costs increased by 5%, leading to a four percentage point improvement in the cost-income ratio to 59% [2] - All divisions generated a double-digit RoTE in Q2, with the Investment Bank's RoTE improving by 2.6 percentage points year on year to 12.2% [2][3] Business Line Performance - The U.S. Consumer Bank's RoTE improved by one percentage point to 10.2% [2] - Stable income streams now account for 40% of the Investment Bank's income, up from 29% in 2021 [5] - The Q2 group impairment charge was $469 million, equating to a loan loss rate of 44 basis points, with the UK credit picture remaining benign [6][7] Market Data - Total deposits increased by approximately GBP 4 billion year to date, with corporate deposit growth driven by the U.S. Dollar offering in the International Corporate Bank [19] - Consumer behavior remains resilient, with payment rates above pre-COVID levels and stable delinquency rates [7][58] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The three-year plan aims to deliver higher and more balanced returns, with a focus on operational improvements across divisions [3][4] - The acquisition of Tesco Bank and the deployment of £17 billion of business growth RWAs are part of the strategy to enhance returns [4] - The company aims to maintain a CET1 ratio of 13% to 14%, with a current ratio of 14% [9][10] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in delivering RoTE guidance and targets by driving income growth and optimizing business mix [4] - The company is focused on improving the U.S. Consumer Bank's NIM and cost-income ratio while managing delinquency rates [30][31] - There are no significant concerns regarding consumer behavior, with spending patterns remaining stable [58] Other Important Information - The average liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) was 178%, representing GBP 135 billion in excess of regulatory requirements [17] - The MREL ratio was 35.4% as of H1, with over 70% of the £14 billion issuance plan completed [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does the U.S. Consumer Bank fit with the rest of Barclays businesses? - Management believes the U.S. Consumer Bank can generate good returns, aiming for RoTE above 12% by 2026, with a focus on improving NIM and cost base [30][31] Question: If capital requirements were to drop, would the target CET1 ratio also drop? - Management stated that CET1 is considered over a long time horizon, and while regulatory changes are monitored, the target remains at 13% to 14% [36][37] Question: What is the target level for risk transfer trades? - Management indicated that they consider market capacity carefully and aim to maintain a size that allows for flexibility in response to market stress [42] Question: What areas of capital requirements should be eased? - Management noted that regulatory expectations will influence their target, but they will also consider investor expectations and peer comparisons [41][46] Question: Can you provide an update on NBFI exposure? - Management reported minimal exposure in Barclays Bank Delaware, with about $20 billion exposure in the New York branch to various MBFIs [68][70]