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Bawag Group AG (BWAGF) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Profit Growth Amid Market Challenges

In This Article:

  • Net Profit: EUR201 million for Q1 2025.

  • Earnings Per Share (EPS): EUR2.54.

  • Return on Tangible Common Equity: 26%.

  • Operating Income: EUR534 million, up 39% year-over-year.

  • Pre-Provision Profits: EUR336 million.

  • Cost/Income Ratio: 37%.

  • Total Risk Costs: EUR59 million, with a risk/cost ratio of 43 basis points.

  • Non-Performing Loan (NPL) Ratio: 70 basis points, down 10 basis points from year-end.

  • Average Customer Loans: Up 15% quarter-over-quarter.

  • Average Customer Deposits: Up 16% quarter-over-quarter.

  • Cash Position: EUR15.3 billion.

  • Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR): 213%.

  • CET1 Ratio: 13.8% with EUR189 million excess capital.

  • Retail and SME Net Profit: EUR158 million, up 21% year-over-year.

  • Retail and SME Return on Tangible Common Equity: 33%.

  • Retail and SME Cost/Income Ratio: 39%.

  • Corporates, Real Estate & Public Sector Net Profit: EUR36 million, down 7% year-over-year.

  • Corporates, Real Estate & Public Sector Return on Tangible Common Equity: 27%.

  • Corporates, Real Estate & Public Sector Cost/Income Ratio: 23%.

  • Net Interest Income: EUR446 million, up 21% versus prior quarter.

  • Net Interest Margin: 331 basis points.

  • Net Commission Income: Up 10% versus prior quarter.

  • Operating Expenses: Up 20% in the quarter.

  • 2025 Outlook: Net profit greater than EUR800 million and EPS greater than EUR10.

Release Date: April 29, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • Bawag Group AG (BWAGF) reported a strong net profit of EUR201 million for Q1 2025, with earnings per share of EUR2.54 and a return on tangible common equity of 26%.

  • Operating income increased by 39% year-over-year to EUR534 million, demonstrating robust business performance.

  • The company maintains a strong balance sheet with EUR15.3 billion in cash and a liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) of 213%.

  • The retail and SME business showed significant growth, with a net profit increase of 21% compared to the previous year.

  • Bawag Group AG (BWAGF) successfully integrated acquisitions, such as Barclays Consumer Bank Europe, contributing positively to financial results.

Negative Points

  • The Corporates, Real Estate & Public Sector business experienced a 7% decline in net profit compared to the previous year.

  • Risk costs increased to EUR59 million, influenced by macroeconomic provisions and legal provisions related to a Supreme Court case.

  • The company faces challenges in the corporate lending space due to perceived mispricing of credit risk and frothy market conditions.

  • There is muted demand and tight pricing in the housing loan sector, particularly in the DACH/NL region.

  • The macroeconomic environment remains uncertain, impacting corporate borrowers and potentially affecting consumer lending.