UniCredit reports another strong set of results, setting a new benchmark for banking
The bank's transformation is further evidenced by the 3Q23 RoTE1 of 23.4% and 3Q23 stated net profit over €2.3 billion. In 9M23 stated net profit reached a record €6.7 billion, a 67.7% increase compared to 9M22.
The 3Q23 financial outcome reflects consistent growth across all regions, leveraging a unique pan European model, with €5.8 billion of net revenues in 3Q23, an increase of 23.1% year on year, driven by net interest income ("NII") of €3.6 billion, up 45.0% year on year mainly due to higher rates and well managed deposit pass-through. Fees stood at €1.8 billion, down 5.2% year on year largely driven by the impact of current account fees reductions in Italy and higher securitization costs. Excluding these, fees were down 1.3% year on year affirming their resilience despite macroeconomic headwinds.
Loan loss provisions ("LLPs") stood at €135 million in the quarter resulting in a structurally low cost of risk ("CoR") of 12 basis points in 3Q23. Together with a less volatile CoR, this reflects the Group's healthy asset quality and is further strengthened by a consistently low expected loss, low non-performing exposures ("NPEs") with high coverage, low default ratios, as well as the existing €1.75 billion overlays. The soundness of the Group's staging, overlays and provisions is partially reflected in the observed writebacks.
In 3Q23 operational costs were €2.3 billion, flat quarter on quarter and down by 2.3% year on year, despite inflationary pressures, confirming the Group's ability to structurally reduce its cost base while protecting revenue growth and executing on investments that will ensure future success. As part of these self-funding investments UniCredit has hired circa 7.500 employees in the front line, since 2021; developed best-in-class products via the Group's corporate, individual and payments factories, complemented with an ecosystem of best-in-class partnerships. The Group's digital transformation is well underway, with a new management team and targeted investments in infrastructure and architecture, Data and AI, and people and talent.
In addition to the above, further financial investments since 2021 secure long-term profitability and reinforce existing lines of defence: integration costs totalling circa €2 billion are enabling ongoing transformation of the organisation and targeted cost reductions; overlays of €1.75 billion strengthen the Group's asset quality protecting the structurally low cost of risk; and Risk weighted assets ("RWA") reductions of circa €26 billion, via initiatives such as increased securitization programs and more accurate capital allocation at client level, enhancing capital efficiency. Together, these lines of defence lay the foundations to propel profitability in the future.
The Group continues to drive best-in-class capital efficiency, with 321 basis points of organically generated capital in 9M23, or €9.9 billion, well ahead of UniCredit Unlocked, and leading to a stated CET1 ratio of 17.19% net of the €2.3 billion dividend accrued in 9M23 and the €3.34 billion share buyback program of 2022. RWA decreased to €290.1 billion, down 9.3% year on year.
The focus on creating shareholder value continues, improving profitability and further boosting metrics on a per share basis via share buybacks, generating in 9M23 EPS of €3.43, which almost doubled compared to 9M21, accrued DPS of €1.28, a threefold increase since 9M21, and TBVPS of €31.42, up 35% since 9M21.
On the back of an improved interest rate environment, and deposit pass-through assumptions, UniCredit has improved its financial guidance for 2023 to NII of at least €13.7 billion, translating to net revenues above €22.2billion. Net profit guidance remains at or above €7.25 billion. The group confirms its ambition to maintain 2024 profitability in line or above with 2023 and a shareholder distribution intention of least €6.5 billion.
UniCredit has opted to contribute €1.1 billion for the Italian 2024 bank tax towards its non-distributable reserve. The Group's support towards families and communities amid the cost-of-living crisis remains imperative and is demonstrated via tangible actions such as the disbursement of a second tranche of "UniCredit per Italy", channeling €10 billion in favour of households and businesses, and the reduction of current account fees in Italy.
UniCredit remains focused on supporting clients, employees, and communities to progress and facilitating clients in a just and fair green transition. The Group's efforts to strengthen its focus on social issues coupled with the integration of ESG practices into lending led to an important MSCI ESG Rating upgrade to 'AA'. MSCI ESG Ratings aim to measure a company's resilience to long-term ESG risks and scale across the most relevant key issues based on a company's business model. The upgrade reflects the progress UniCredit has been making to integrate all ESG factors into the Bank's governance, business, risk and credit management, metrics and operations. The Group will remain committed to play an important role in the social function that goes far beyond traditional banking activities.
The momentum of the Group's financial success and strategic investments in digital and payments is further evidenced by The Banker award for "Best Bank for Innovation in Digital Banking" and "Best Bank for Payments Globally". These awards are a testament of the successful ongoing execution of the industrial and digital transformation and the commitment and dedication of the Group in its digital journey. In addition to recent recognition for the bank's digital initiatives, the bank has also won up awards for Best Fintech Collaboration (from Treasury Management International), Best Trade Finance Provider in Western Europe (Global Finance) and Best Bank for Transaction Services in CEE (Euromoney).
The key recent events in 3Q23 include:
·2022 second share buyback tranche of €1 billion concluded; considering also the purchases made under the first tranche of €2.34 billion, UniCredit purchased a total of 170.2 million shares or 8.8% share capital as of the date of launch of the first tranche;
Announcement of the intention to commence a €2.5 billion tranche of the 2023 Share Buy-Back Programme, subject to shareholder and supervisory approvals;
Upgrade of UniCredit MSCI ESG rating to 'AA';
UniCredit 2025 capital level landing point is the highest of its peers thanks to its strong capitalisation post 2023 EBA Stress test;
Announcement of UniCredit and Alpha Services and Holdings merger in Romania and strategic partnership in Greece (Press Release published on 23 October 2023, after 3Q23).
Andrea Orcel, Chief Executive Officer of UniCredit S.p.A. said:
"UniCredit delivered another excellent quarter, generating net profit over €2.3 billion and EPS growth of 54% year over year. We continue to differentiate ourselves across all key financial metrics with a keen focus on high-quality risk adjusted revenues, cost discipline while maintaining very sound asset quality. Our CET1 ratio of 17.2% provides us with operational and strategic flexibility that few can match while our RoTE of 18.3%, or 23.4% based on a CET1 ratio of 13%, is extremely strong. We are gradually harnessing the full power of our franchise and all regions are delivering profitable growth.
"We have been able to achieve such results thanks to UniCredit's industrial and cultural transformation. We have moved from a disparate collection of 13 institutions, to one single Group working in harmony - with access to 15 million clients and 13 markets across Europe. We continue to drive the next phase of the transformation, which will further enhance our capabilities and the financial results we are able to deliver.
"At a time of heightened uncertainty in Europe, we are not only focused on delivering strong results today, but also on protecting the future, by investing in our factories, people and technology. This investment will create a firm foundation for ongoing financial excellence. I am confident and excited about what lies ahead for UniCredit. Our fundamentals are stronger than ever, and we are well on our way to fulfilling our ambition of becoming the Bank for Europe's Future. We will continue to build on our success for the benefit of all our stakeholders."
The 3Q23 financial outcome reflects consistent growth across all regions, leveraging a unique pan European model, with €5.8 billion of net revenues in 3Q23, an increase of 23.1% year on year, driven by net interest income ("NII") of €3.6 billion, up 45.0% year on year mainly due to higher rates and well managed deposit pass-through. Fees stood at €1.8 billion, down 5.2% year on year largely driven by the impact of current account fees reductions in Italy and higher securitization costs. Excluding these, fees were down 1.3% year on year affirming their resilience despite macroeconomic headwinds.
Loan loss provisions ("LLPs") stood at €135 million in the quarter resulting in a structurally low cost of risk ("CoR") of 12 basis points in 3Q23. Together with a less volatile CoR, this reflects the Group's healthy asset quality and is further strengthened by a consistently low expected loss, low non-performing exposures ("NPEs") with high coverage, low default ratios, as well as the existing €1.75 billion overlays. The soundness of the Group's staging, overlays and provisions is partially reflected in the observed writebacks.
In 3Q23 operational costs were €2.3 billion, flat quarter on quarter and down by 2.3% year on year, despite inflationary pressures, confirming the Group's ability to structurally reduce its cost base while protecting revenue growth and executing on investments that will ensure future success. As part of these self-funding investments UniCredit has hired circa 7.500 employees in the front line, since 2021; developed best-in-class products via the Group's corporate, individual and payments factories, complemented with an ecosystem of best-in-class partnerships. The Group's digital transformation is well underway, with a new management team and targeted investments in infrastructure and architecture, Data and AI, and people and talent.
In addition to the above, further financial investments since 2021 secure long-term profitability and reinforce existing lines of defence: integration costs totalling circa €2 billion are enabling ongoing transformation of the organisation and targeted cost reductions; overlays of €1.75 billion strengthen the Group's asset quality protecting the structurally low cost of risk; and Risk weighted assets ("RWA") reductions of circa €26 billion, via initiatives such as increased securitization programs and more accurate capital allocation at client level, enhancing capital efficiency. Together, these lines of defence lay the foundations to propel profitability in the future.
The Group continues to drive best-in-class capital efficiency, with 321 basis points of organically generated capital in 9M23, or €9.9 billion, well ahead of UniCredit Unlocked, and leading to a stated CET1 ratio of 17.19% net of the €2.3 billion dividend accrued in 9M23 and the €3.34 billion share buyback program of 2022. RWA decreased to €290.1 billion, down 9.3% year on year.
The focus on creating shareholder value continues, improving profitability and further boosting metrics on a per share basis via share buybacks, generating in 9M23 EPS of €3.43, which almost doubled compared to 9M21, accrued DPS of €1.28, a threefold increase since 9M21, and TBVPS of €31.42, up 35% since 9M21.
On the back of an improved interest rate environment, and deposit pass-through assumptions, UniCredit has improved its financial guidance for 2023 to NII of at least €13.7 billion, translating to net revenues above €22.2billion. Net profit guidance remains at or above €7.25 billion. The group confirms its ambition to maintain 2024 profitability in line or above with 2023 and a shareholder distribution intention of least €6.5 billion.
UniCredit has opted to contribute €1.1 billion for the Italian 2024 bank tax towards its non-distributable reserve. The Group's support towards families and communities amid the cost-of-living crisis remains imperative and is demonstrated via tangible actions such as the disbursement of a second tranche of "UniCredit per Italy", channeling €10 billion in favour of households and businesses, and the reduction of current account fees in Italy.
UniCredit remains focused on supporting clients, employees, and communities to progress and facilitating clients in a just and fair green transition. The Group's efforts to strengthen its focus on social issues coupled with the integration of ESG practices into lending led to an important MSCI ESG Rating upgrade to 'AA'. MSCI ESG Ratings aim to measure a company's resilience to long-term ESG risks and scale across the most relevant key issues based on a company's business model. The upgrade reflects the progress UniCredit has been making to integrate all ESG factors into the Bank's governance, business, risk and credit management, metrics and operations. The Group will remain committed to play an important role in the social function that goes far beyond traditional banking activities.
The momentum of the Group's financial success and strategic investments in digital and payments is further evidenced by The Banker award for "Best Bank for Innovation in Digital Banking" and "Best Bank for Payments Globally". These awards are a testament of the successful ongoing execution of the industrial and digital transformation and the commitment and dedication of the Group in its digital journey. In addition to recent recognition for the bank's digital initiatives, the bank has also won up awards for Best Fintech Collaboration (from Treasury Management International), Best Trade Finance Provider in Western Europe (Global Finance) and Best Bank for Transaction Services in CEE (Euromoney).
The key recent events in 3Q23 include:
·2022 second share buyback tranche of €1 billion concluded; considering also the purchases made under the first tranche of €2.34 billion, UniCredit purchased a total of 170.2 million shares or 8.8% share capital as of the date of launch of the first tranche;
Announcement of the intention to commence a €2.5 billion tranche of the 2023 Share Buy-Back Programme, subject to shareholder and supervisory approvals;
Upgrade of UniCredit MSCI ESG rating to 'AA';
UniCredit 2025 capital level landing point is the highest of its peers thanks to its strong capitalisation post 2023 EBA Stress test;
Announcement of UniCredit and Alpha Services and Holdings merger in Romania and strategic partnership in Greece (Press Release published on 23 October 2023, after 3Q23).
Andrea Orcel, Chief Executive Officer of UniCredit S.p.A. said:
"UniCredit delivered another excellent quarter, generating net profit over €2.3 billion and EPS growth of 54% year over year. We continue to differentiate ourselves across all key financial metrics with a keen focus on high-quality risk adjusted revenues, cost discipline while maintaining very sound asset quality. Our CET1 ratio of 17.2% provides us with operational and strategic flexibility that few can match while our RoTE of 18.3%, or 23.4% based on a CET1 ratio of 13%, is extremely strong. We are gradually harnessing the full power of our franchise and all regions are delivering profitable growth.
"We have been able to achieve such results thanks to UniCredit's industrial and cultural transformation. We have moved from a disparate collection of 13 institutions, to one single Group working in harmony - with access to 15 million clients and 13 markets across Europe. We continue to drive the next phase of the transformation, which will further enhance our capabilities and the financial results we are able to deliver.
"At a time of heightened uncertainty in Europe, we are not only focused on delivering strong results today, but also on protecting the future, by investing in our factories, people and technology. This investment will create a firm foundation for ongoing financial excellence. I am confident and excited about what lies ahead for UniCredit. Our fundamentals are stronger than ever, and we are well on our way to fulfilling our ambition of becoming the Bank for Europe's Future. We will continue to build on our success for the benefit of all our stakeholders."
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