Free Trial

US Bank Reporting: Good IB News, Credit Quality "Less Bad", Better Capital Levels

FINANCIALS

US major bank reporting: what did we learn? Overall, little to move spreads in short-term but good news for investment banks and “less bad” news for US CRE exposed issuers. Credit levels may even surprise positively as regulatory changes are finalised.


  • Investment bank revenues surprised positively (see graphic): GS was the clear winner with a balanced performance, JPM much less of a bellwether than normal. FICC overall was less bad than expected (and DCM good) so positive for Deutsche and Barclays in Europe, we feel.
  • Credit quality points towards soft landing: non-performers were up across the board but early indicators appeared more benign, such that mgmt teams were comfortable enough to slow the rate of provisioning in places. BoA looked most exposed, noting that one-third of its US office book is now “criticized”. We did see decelerations in the rate-of-weakening in places though. Spreads for PBB and Aareal are already discounting a lot of negatives and there was little here to increase fears.
  • Revenue expectations mixed with NII (net interest income) looking lower across the board (weak lateral for US regionals). Most mgmt teams were looking for 2H24 improvements as US rate cuts are pushed out in time.
  • Capital: B3E (Basel III endgame) is in a state of flux from a US perspective such that we saw no new equity return commitments and, if anything, mgmt teams are looking to retain higher capital buffers, at least until they get clarity. This should be a spread positive.

To read the full story

Close

Why MNI

MNI is the leading provider

of intelligence and analysis on the Global Fixed Income, Foreign Exchange and Energy markets. We use an innovative combination of real-time analysis, deep fundamental research and journalism to provide unique and actionable insights for traders and investors. Our "All signal, no noise" approach drives an intelligence service that is succinct and timely, which is highly regarded by our time constrained client base.

Our Head Office is in London with offices in Chicago, Washington and Beijing, as well as an on the ground presence in other major financial centres across the world.