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BPER Banca SpA (BPXXY) Q4 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Profitability and Strategic Moves

In This Article:

  • Cost Income Ratio: 50.3%.

  • Cost of Risk: 36 basis points.

  • CET1 Ratio: Almost 16%.

  • Adjusted Net Profit: EUR1.4 billion.

  • Return on Tangible Equity: 16.9%.

  • Dividend Per Share: EUR0.60.

  • Total Revenues: Increased by 1.8% to almost EUR5.6 billion.

  • Core Revenues: Up by 4.1% to EUR5.4 billion.

  • Commission Income: Increased by 4.5% to almost EUR2.1 billion.

  • Net Interest Income (NII): Grew by 3.9% to EUR3.4 billion.

  • Total Financial Assets: Grew by 5.5% in the last 12 months.

  • Operating Costs: Up by 3.6%.

  • Loan Loss Provisions: Decreased by more than 20% to EUR333.3 million.

  • Net NPE Ratio: 1.1%.

  • Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR): 167% at the end of December '24.

  • Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR): 138% at the end of December '24.

  • Loan Deposit Ratio: 76%.

  • Italian Government Bonds: EUR11.3 billion, 42% of total bonds.

  • Branch Network: Reduced by 77 branches to 1,558 branches.

Release Date: February 07, 2025

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

Positive Points

  • BPER Banca SpA (BPXXY) reported a strong financial performance with an adjusted net profit of EUR1.4 billion, translating into a return on tangible equity of 16.9%.

  • The bank's cost-income ratio stands at a healthy 50.3%, indicating efficient management of expenses relative to income.

  • BPER Banca SpA (BPXXY) maintains a robust capital position with a CET1 ratio of almost 16%, supported by significant organic capital generation.

  • The bank's liquidity profile is strong, with LCR and NSFR ratios well above the minimum required thresholds.

  • BPER Banca SpA (BPXXY) has successfully met its 2024 guidance and remains confident in achieving its 2025-2027 plan targets, with 80% of business plan initiatives already underway.

Negative Points

  • Operating costs increased by 3.6% year-on-year, which could pressure future profitability if not managed effectively.

  • The bank anticipates a slightly higher cost of risk in 2025 compared to 2024, which could impact future earnings.

  • There is uncertainty regarding the EPS accretion from the proposed business combination with Banca Popolare di Sondrio, raising concerns among analysts.

  • The business combination with Banca Popolare di Sondrio is not an agreed deal, which may pose integration challenges and uncertainties.

  • The bank's decision to maintain a high CET1 ratio may limit opportunities for more aggressive shareholder returns, such as share buybacks.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Could you provide more color on the EPS accretion from the transaction with Banca Popolare di Sondrio, and why not structure the deal with a mix of cash and shares? A: We expect the transaction to be mid-single digit accretive on EPS, including run rate synergies, based on 2025 and 2026 consensus estimates for both banks. The decision to go for a share swap was to ensure both sets of shareholders participate in the value creation from the combination.