Erste Group Bank: Net profit of EUR 624.7 million in 1-6 2017, on track for a 10%+ ROTE

Vienna (pta007/04.08.2017/07:30 UTC+2) Highlights

P&L: January-June 2017 compared with January-June 2016; balance sheet: 30 June 2017 compared with 31 December 2016

Net interest income declined to EUR 2,143.0 million (-2.3%; EUR 2,194.1 million) despite lending growth, mostly due to lower interest income from the government bond portfolio and a lower unwinding effect. Net fee and commission income increased to EUR 910.9 million (+2.9%; EUR 884.9 million). Income from the securities business and from asset management was up substantially, while income from the lending business declined. The net trading result decreased to EUR 102.9 million (-14.3%; EUR 120.0 million). While operating income was almost stable at EUR 3,292.8 million (-0.7%; EUR 3,316.6 million), general administrative expenses rose to EUR 2,003.5 million (+1.2%; EUR 1,980.3 million) in line with expectations. This was attributable to an increase in other administrative expenses as well as depreciation and amortisation while personnel expenses were nearly unchanged at EUR 1,151.3 million (-0.1%; EUR 1,152.7 million). Almost all projected deposit insurance payments for 2017 in the amount of EUR 68.6 million (EUR 79.3 million) are already included in this line item. Consequently, the operating result decreased to EUR 1,289.3 million (-3.5%; EUR 1,336.3 million). The cost/income ratio rose marginally to 60.8% (59.7%).

Net impairment loss on financial assets remained low at EUR 104.3 million or 15 basis points of average gross customer loans (EUR 25.8 million or 4 basis points). In the previous year, substantial income from the recovery of loans already written off in Romania and Hungary had a positive impact. The NPL ratio improved again to 4.7% (4.9%) The NPL coverage ratio was stable at 68.5% (69.1%).

Other operating result amounted to EUR -209.8 million (EUR -192.2 million). This line item includes the annual contributions to resolution funds in the amount of EUR 65.4 million (EUR 64.6 million), banking and financial transaction taxes of EUR 59.4 million (EUR 107.6 million), and provisions of EUR 45.0 million for expected losses from loans to consumers due to supreme court rulings regarding negative interest reference rates in Austria.

The minority charge rose to EUR 169.1 million (+15.7%; EUR 146.2 million) due to a rise in the earnings contributions of the savings banks. The net result attributable to owners of the parent declined to EUR 624.7 million (-25.8%; EUR 841.7 million), which was primarily due to a gain from the sale of shares in VISA Europe in the amount of EUR 138.7 million (pre-tax) in previous year.

Total equity not including AT1 instruments rose to EUR 16.5 billion (EUR 16.1 billion). After regulatory deductions and filtering according to the CRR, common equity tier 1 capital (CET1, Basel 3 phased-in) increased to EUR 14.1 billion (EUR 13.6 billion). Total own funds (Basel 3 phased-in) went up to EUR 19.9 billion (EUR 18.8 billion). Interim profit is included in the above figures. Total risk (risk-weighted assets including credit, market and operational risk, Basel 3 phased-in) rose to EUR 106.8 billion (EUR 101.8 billion). The common equity tier 1 ratio (CET1, Basel 3 phased-in) stood at 13.2% (13.4%), the total capital ratio (Basel 3 phased-in) at 18.7% (18.5%).

Total assets increased to EUR 218.2 billion (+4.8%; EUR 208.2 billion). On the asset side, cash and cash balances rose to EUR 25.8 billion (EUR 18.4 billion), while loans and receivables to credit institutions increased to EUR 4.3 billion (EUR 3.5 billion). Loans and receivables to customers rose to EUR 135.1 billion (+3.4%; EUR 130.7 billion). On the liability side, deposits from banks increased to EUR 17.9 billion (EUR 14.6 billion) and customer deposits continued to grow - most notably in the Czech Republic and in Austria - to EUR 145.6 billion (+5.5%; EUR 138.0 billion). The loan-to-deposit ratio stood at 92.8% (94.7%).

Outlook 2017

Operating environment anticipated to be conducive to credit expansion. Real GDP growth is expected to be between 2.1% and 5.1% in Erste Group's CEE core markets, including Austria, in 2017. Real GDP growth should primarily be driven by solid domestic demand, whereby real wage growth and declining unemployment should support economic activity in CEE. Fiscal discipline is expected to be maintained across CEE.

Business outlook. Erste Group aims to achieve a return on tangible equity (ROTE) of more than 10% (based on average tangible equity in 2017). The underlying assumptions are: at best flat revenues (assuming 5%+ net loan growth); cost inflation of 1-2% due to regulatory projects and digitalisation; increase in risk costs, albeit remaining at historically low levels; positive swing in other operating result due to lower Austrian banking tax.

Risks to guidance. Impact of expansionary monetary policies by central banks including negative interest rates; political risks such as various elections in key EU economies; geopolitical risks and global economic risks; consumer protection initiatives.

For table Financial Data see pdf

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Emitter:	Erste Group Bank Am Belvedere 1 1100 Wien Austria
Contact Person:	Thomas Sommerauer/ Simone Pilz
Phone:	+43 (0)5 0100 - 17326
E-Mail:	thomas.sommerauer@erstegroup.com
Website:	www.erstegroup.com
ISIN(s):	AT0000652011 (Share)
Stock Exchange(s):	Vienna Stock Exchange (Official Trade)
Other Stock Exchanges:	Bucharest Stock Exchange, Prague Stock Exchange