Fourth quarter and full year results 2019

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Nordea Bank Abp – financial statement release

CEO Frank Vang-Jensen’s comments on the results:

“We have started to execute on our new business plan. The focus is to deliver on the financial targets presented at our Capital Markets Day in October – and we are proceeding as planned.

Our customer focus and income initiatives delivered better business momentum in the latter part of 2019, which is also evident in the top line. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2018, revenues increased by 6%. We have also delivered on our cost plans, with costs declining 5%, leading to an improvement in the cost to income ratio to 57%. While we are heading in the right direction, a lot of work remains to achieve our 50% cost to income target in 2022.

Our customers’ experiences continue to improve and in 2019 we launched our new Nordic mobile banking platform, which has been well-received by our customers. While we are not satisfied, we now have a positive trend in customer satisfaction in all business areas.

I am pleased to report that lending is growing in all business areas and for the fourth consecutive quarter we had net inflows in our asset management operations. Assets under management (AuM) reached an all-time high of EUR 324bn.

The common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio increased to 16.3%, which is approximately 320 bps above the expected regulatory requirement level of Q1 2020, and approximately 120 bps above the management buffer. This means we have a strong balance sheet that enables us to meet potential changes in regulatory requirements and to capture growth opportunities.

Adjusted return on equity (ROE) in the quarter was 7.6%, compared to our 2022 target of above 10%.

The Board proposes a dividend per share of EUR 0.40, in line with the communication in the third quarter report.

There are several promising signs in the beginning of the new phase of Nordea, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us to get to where we want to be. Therefore, we will continue to focus on our three key priorities to deliver on the 2022 financial targets; 1) to optimise operational efficiency, 2) to drive income growth initiatives and 3) to create great customer experiences. We are moving in the right direction and are determined to deliver.”

Full year 2019 vs. full year 2018 results

  • Net interest income EUR 4,318m, -4%
  • Total operating income EUR 8,635m, -6%
  • Total operating income1 EUR 8,497m, -1%
  • Total operating expense EUR -5,986m, 19%
  • Total operating expense1 EUR -4,877m, -1%
  • Net loan losses EUR -536m, 210%
  • Net loan losses1 EUR -254m, 47%
  • Operating profit EUR 2,113m, -47%
  • Adj. operating profit1,2 EUR 3,366m, -4%
  • Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio3 16.3% vs.15.5%
  • Cost/income ratio 69% vs. 55%
  • Cost/income ratio1 57% vs. 57%
  • Cost/income ratio1,2 57% vs. 57%
  • Net loan loss ratio, amortised cost 22 bps vs. 7 bps
  • Return on equity 5.0% vs 9.7%
  • Return on equity1,4 8.1% vs 8.5%

Fourth quarter 2019 vs. fourth quarter 2018 results

  • Net interest income EUR 1,108m, -3%
  • Total operating income EUR 2,294m, 8%
  • Total operating income1 EUR 2,156m, 6%
  • Total operating expense EUR -1,179m, -15%
  • Total operating expense1 EUR -1,179m, -5%
  • Net loan losses EUR -102m, 240%
  • Net loan losses1 EUR -102m, 240%
  • Operating profit EUR 1,013m, 44%
  • Adj. operating profit1,2 EUR 822m, 14%
  • Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio3 16.3% vs.15.5% 
  • Cost/income ratio 51% vs. 65%
  • Cost/income ratio1 57% vs. 61%
  • Cost/income ratio1,2  57% vs. 63%
  • Net loan loss ratio, amortised cost 17 bps vs. 5 bps
  • Return on equity 9.9% vs 6.3%
  • Return on equity1,4 7.6% vs 6.7%

Exchange rates used for Q4 2019 for income statement items are for DKK 7.4661, NOK 9.8499 and SEK 10.5848.
1 Excluding items affecting comparability, see page 6 in Q4 and full year report for further details.
2 Adjusted for resolution fees before tax: In Q4 2019 EUR -53m, in Q3 2019 EUR -52m and in Q4 2018 EUR -42m (amortised on a straight-line basis).
3 The capital ratios are including profit after deduction of accrued dividend. The figures for 2018 are not restated due to changed recognition and presentation  of resolution fees (see Note 1 in the Q4 and full year report for more information).
4 Adjusted for resolution fees after tax:  In Q4 2019 EUR -40m, in Q3 2019 EUR -40m and in Q4 2018 EUR -32m (amortised on a straight-line basis).

Income statement

  Q4 Q3   Q4   Jan-
Dec
Jan-
Dec
 
  2019 2019 Chg
%
2018 Chg
%
2019 2018 Chg
%
EURm                
Net interest income 1,108 1,083 2 1,142 -3 4,318 4,491 -4
Net fee and commission income 775 756 3 720 8 3,011 2,993 1
Net result from items at fair value 266 211 26 182 46 1,024 1,088 -6
Profit from associated undertakings
and joint ventures accounted for
under the equity method
-1 13 -108 15 -107 50 124 -60
Other operating income 146 22 564 60 143 232 476 -51
Total operating income 2,294 2,085 10 2,119 8 8,635 9,172 -6
                 
Staff costs -648 -924 -30 -744 -13 -3,017 -2,998 1
Other expenses -375 -366 2 -390 -4 -1,639 -1,566 5
Depreciation, amortisation and
impairment charges of tangible
and intangible assets
-156 -885 -82 -250 -38 -1,330 -482 176
Total operating expenses -1,179 -2,175 -46 -1,384 -15 -5,986 -5,046 19
                 
Profit before loan losses 1,115 -90   735 52 2,649 4,126 -36
                 
Net loan losses -102 -331 -69 -30 240 -536 -173 210
Operating profit 1,013 -421   705 44 2,113 3,953 -47
                 
Income tax expense -263 89   -200 32 -571 -872 -35
Net profit for the period 750 -332   505 49 1,542 3,081 -50

Business volumes, key items1 

  31 Dec 30 Sep   31 Dec  
  2019 2019 Chg % 2018 Chg %
EURbn          
Loans to the public 322.7 328.3 -2 308.3 5
Loans to the public, excl. repos 303.9 299.5 1 291.6 4
Deposits and borrowings from the public 168.7 168.3 0 165.0 2
Deposits from the public, excl. repos 166.4 161.9 3 160.2 4
Total assets 554.8 585.9 -5 551.4 1
Assets under management 324.1 313.8 3 280.1 16
Equity 31.5 30.5 3 32.9 -4

Ratios and key figures2

  Q4 Q3   Q4   Jan-Dec Jan-Dec  
  2019 2019 Chg % 2018 Chg % 2019 2018 Chg %
Diluted earnings per share, EUR 0.19 -0.08   0.13 46 0.38 0.76 -50
EPS, rolling 12 months up to period end, EUR 0.38 0.32 19 0.76 -50 0.38 0.76 -50
Share price1, EUR 7.24 6.50 11 7.30 -1 7.24 7.30 -1
Total shareholders' return, % 18.7 12.4   -17.5   10.5 -19.5  
Proposed/actual dividend per share, EUR           0.40 0.69 -42
Equity per share1, EUR 7.80 7.55 3 8.15 -4 7.80 8.15 -4
Potential shares outstanding1, million 4,050 4,050 0 4,050 0 4,050 4,050 0
Weighted average number of diluted shares, mn 4,039 4,036 0 4,037 0 4,035 4,037 0
Return on equity, % 9.9 -4.4   6.3   5.0 9.7  
Return on tangible equity, % 11.3 -5.0   7.2   5.7 11.1  
Return on Risk Exposure Amount, % 2.0 -0.9   1.3   1.0 2.0  
Return on Equity with amortised resolution fees, % 9.4 -4.9   5.9   5.0 9.7  
Cost/income ratio, % 51 104   65   69 55  
Cost/income ratio with amortised resolution fees, % 54 107   67   69 55  
Net loan loss ratio, amortised cost, bps3 17 55 -69 5 240 22 7 214
Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio1,4,5,6,7, % 16.3 15.4   15.5   16.3 15.5  
Tier 1 capital ratio1,4,5,7, % 18.3 17.4   17.3   18.3 17.3  
Total capital ratio1,4,5,7, % 20.8 20.0   19.9   20.8 19.9  
Tier 1 capital1,4,7, EURbn 27.5 27.3 1 27.0 2 27.5 27.0 2
Risk exposure amount4, EURbn 150 156 -4 156 -4 150 156 -4
Number of employees (FTEs)1 29,000 29,469 -2 28,990 0 29,000 28,990 0
Economic capital1,7, EURbn 25.7 26.5 -3 26.6 -3 25.7 26.6 -3

1 End of period.
2 For more detailed information regarding ratios and key figures defined as Alternative performance measures, see https://www.nordea.com/en/investor-relations/reports-and-presentations/group-interim-reports/.
3 Including Loans to the public reported in Assets held for sale in Q1 2018.    
4 Including the result for the period.
5 Changes to the applicable capital requirements regime (for more details, please see chapter Other information in Q4 2019 report).
6 Including profit for the period adjusted by accrued dividend.
7 The capital ratios for 2018 have not been restated due to the changed recognition and presentation of resolution fees (see Note 1 in Q4 2019 report for more information).

Outlook

Key priorities to succeed and meet the financial targets
Nordea’s plan focusses on three key priorities to deliver on our 2022 financial targets; 1) to optimise operational efficiency, 2) to drive income growth initiatives, and 3) to create great customer experiences.

Financial targets 2022
Nordea’s financial targets for 2022 are -

  • a return on equity above 10%
  • a cost to income ratio of 50%

Costs
In 2020, Nordea expects to reach a cost base of below EUR 4.7bn with planned continued net cost reductions beyond 2020.

Capital policy
A management buffer of 150-200 bps above the regulatory CET1 requirement, from 1 January 2020.

Dividend policy
Our dividend policy stipulates a dividend payout ratio of 60-70%, applicable on profit generated from 1 January 2020. Nordea will continuously assess the opportunity to use share buy-backs as a tool to distribute excess capital.

Credit quality
New: Based on the current macroeconomic environment, Nordea’s expectations for the coming quarters is that credit quality will remain largely unchanged.

Previous: Nordea’s expectation for the coming quarters is that net losses will be low and around the average level for 2018. However, the macroeconomic outlook is somewhat more uncertain.

Dividend proposal
On 31 December 2019, Nordea Bank Abp’s distributable earnings, including profit for the financial year, were EUR 18,166,606,378.45 and the unrestricted equity reserve was EUR 4,590,425,994.62. The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting of Nordea Bank Abp to be held on 25 March 2020 that a dividend of EUR 0.40 per share be paid based on the balance sheet to be adopted for the financial year ending 31 December 2019.

Risk weights on commercial real estate
The risk weights on commercial real estate in Sweden and Norway decreased from 100% to 50% following an updated decision from the European Central Bank (ECB) as part of the annual supervisory dialogue.

Pillar 2 requirement (P2R)
Nordea received the final Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process (SREP) decision on 10 December 2019, including a P2R of 1.75%, valid from 1 January 2020. 

The entire report can be found on the below link on our website.
Nordea Group Q4 2019 Report

For further information:

Frank Vang-Jensen, President and Group CEO, +358 503 821 391 Christopher Rees, Group CFO, +45 5547 2377 
Rodney Alfvén, Head of Investor Relations, +46 72 235 05 15 Sara Helweg-Larsen, Head of Group Communications, +45 2214 0000

The information provided in this stock exchange release was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out above, at 07.30 EET (06.30 CET) on 6 February 2020.

We build strong and close relationships through our engagement with customers and society. Whenever people strive to reach their goals and realise their dreams, we are there to provide relevant financial solutions. We are the leading bank in the Nordic region. The Nordea share is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki, Nasdaq Copenhagen and Nasdaq Stockholm exchanges. Read more about us on nordea.com

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