Demonstrates a new era of sustainable quality growth
3Q24 net profit up 8% versus prior year to €2.5 billion; €7.7 billion 9M24 net profit, up 16% compared to 9M23 and a RoTE of 19.7%
Net revenue growth of 2.6% year on year in 3Q24 underpinned by €1.9 billion in fees, up 8.5% versus prior year on client activity, and resilient NII at €3.6 billion
3Q24 costs further reduced year over year with industry leading to 9M24 cost/income ratio below 37%
Continued superior asset quality with cost of risk at 15 basis points in 3Q24, while maintaining c. €1.7 billion overlays
Strong CET1 ratio at 16.1% despite impact of strategic investments, underpinned by record organic capital generation at €3.5 billion1 in 3Q24
Distribution accrual of €7.7 billion in 9M24 or 100% net profit, interim 2024 cash dividend of c. €1.4 billion2, or 92.61 €/cent dividend per share, in addition to the c. €1.7 billion 2024 interim share buy-back already under execution
Upgraded 2024 net profit guidance to above €9 billion, or around €10 billion "clean3", and FY24 distribution4 confirmed in line with FY23
FY25-26 annual ambition of above €9 billion net profit and distribution5 greater than FY24. Cash dividend payout ratio to be increased to 50% from 40% starting from FY25 results
Ushering in a new era of our plan: after the success of our transformation there is still sustainable quality growth ahead
UniCredit has funded a new plafond of €5 billion for Italian corporates following investing criteria established by the "Piano di Transizione 5.0", bringing the entire plafond to €35 billion since 2022
On 5 November 2024, the Board of Directors of UniCredit S.p.A. ("UniCredit" or "the Group") approved the 3Q24 and 9M24 Consolidated Results as of 30 September 2024. Another strong set of financial results is further demonstration of the success of UniCredit's transformation, paving the way for sustainable quality growth ahead. For the 15th consecutive quarter, the Group has shown its ability to balance the three financial levers of net revenue, costs and capital and leveraging a unique pan-European model to deliver consistent growth across regions, resulting in a 3Q24 net profit of €2.5 billion, up 8.2 per cent versus prior year, and an equal stated net profit.
The bank's transformation is further evidenced by the continued excellent profitability and shareholder value creation with a 3Q24 RoTE at 19.7%, up by 1.4 p.p. versus prior year and EPS of €1.58, up almost 22 per cent versus prior year.
The 3Q24 financial outcome reflects the Group's strategic focus on enhancing client-centric operations and focusing on costs and capital efficiency, with further potential to be unlocked. These results were driven by €6.0 billion of net revenue in 3Q24, an increase of 2.6 per cent year on year, underpinned by net interest income ("NII") of €3.6 billion, €1.9 billion of fees, and €165 million of loan loss provisions ("LLPs").
NII was largely unchanged versus prior quarter at €3.6 billion, with an effective management of the deposit pass-through, closing the quarter at an average of circa 32 per cent, only marginally up versus prior quarter. The lower Euribor in the period, as well as lower volumes, were mostly compensated by higher calendar days in the quarter and other factors. NII demonstrated once again its resilience, remaining broadly stable year on year.
Loan loss provisions stood at €165 million for a cost of risk ("CoR") of 15 basis points in 3Q24. Our asset quality's soundness is once more evidenced by continued back-to-performing flows and continues to benefit from a geographically diversified and resilient credit portfolio with sound coverage levels and strong lines of defence with, among others, €1.7 billion of overlays on the performing portfolio. The FY24 CoR guidance was confirmed at below 20 basis points.
The very strong performance registered in quarterly fees of 8.5 per cent year on year growth demonstrates the effectiveness of our strategic direction and investments. Such performance once again highlights the benefits of our diversification and high-quality product factories, as well as the increased client appetite for our broader product offering. Fees were up 7.2 per cent nine months on nine months or 8.7 per cent when excluding the impact of the current account fee reduction in Italy and higher securitisation costs.
In 3Q24 operational costs were €2.3 billion, reduced by 0.3 per cent quarter on quarter and by 1.4 per cent year on year, confirming the Group's track-record in operational efficiency while protecting revenue growth through targeted cost reductions and supporting investments to drive future growth.
The Group maintained its best-in-class capital position with a CET1 ratio of 16.1%, thanks to a record quarterly organic capital generation of €3.5 billion1, bringing the 9M24 total to €10.1 billion1, or 357 basis points. As such, FY24 organic capital generation guidance has been increased to circa 400 basis points6 from above 350 basis points. The CET1 ratio is already net of €7.7 billion distributions accrued in 9M24 and net of the impact stemming from strategic investments related to price commitments for an insurance joint venture, Aion/Vodeno and Alpha Bank Romania acquisitions and the investment in Commerzbank. This investment provides optionality and is hedged to allow us to protect our capital without penalising our shareholders.
On 5 November 2024 the Board of Directors of UniCredit, in accordance with the current shareholder remuneration policy and having noted the fulfilment of the requirements of article 2433 bis of Italian Civil Code, approved the payment of an interim cash dividends against FY24 results envisaging a distribution of €1.44 billion, with the ex dividend date on 18 November 2024, record date on 19 November 2024 and payment date on 20 November 2024, equal to a "per share" amount of 92.61 €/cent ("DPS"), before tax.
The FY24 interim share buy-back for an amount of up to €1.7 billion was launched on 16 September 2024 and is currently being executed.
On the back of its new sustainable run rate, UniCredit has improved its financial guidance for FY24. The net revenue guidance has been increased to circa €24 billion, from above €23 billion, reflecting improved revenues across the board at 9M24. The guidance for net profit was upgraded to above €9 billion from the prior guidance of in excess of €8.5 billion, notwithstanding the significantly higher investments to protect and propel future performance; net of these, the FY24 net profit guidance is around €10 billion3. At the same time, FY24 RoTE guidance has been improved to circa 17% from circa 16.5%.
We confirm our FY24 distribution4 guidance in line with FY23, and we will increase the dividend payout ratio to 50% of earnings, from 40%, starting on FY25 results.
In line with the Net Zero Banking Alliance timeline, UniCredit has outlined its ambitions for seven of the most carbon-intensive sectors, including an industry-leading phase-out policy for coal, thus continuing to embed ESG in its financing activities.
Within the program "UniCredit per l'Italia", the Bank has funded a new plafond of €5 billion for Italian corporates following investing criteria established by the "Piano di Transizione 5.0", bringing the entire Unicredit plafond to €35 billion since 2022. "UniCredit for CEE" initiative, worth €2.6 billion investment over 2024 across Central and Eastern Europe, is progressing well. Of the €30 million 2024 funding to the UniCredit Foundation, €14 million have been allocated to the UCF Edu-Fund Platform with the aim to strengthen the Bank commitment to combating educational poverty.
On 14th November 2024, we will hold our second ESG Day: "A challenged future: choosing the path ahead". For this year's event, we want to put our clients at the centre, supporting them on their sustainable transition with actionable insights - tackling a range of topics from a customer-centric perspective. The event will provide a forum to discuss challenging issues and sustainability trade-offs, with a view to defining concrete solutions.
UniCredit has been included in the "Europe's Climate Leaders 2024" list and, for the 4th consecutive year, in the "Europe's Diversity Leaders 2025". The Bank has also won the 2024 Diversity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year EMEA award from Environmental Finance for its "Group Holistic Well-being approach". The Bank's efforts have been recognized in further ESG rating improvements.
The key recent events in 3Q24 and since the end of the quarter, include:
· "Concluded the Third Tranche of the Buy-Back Programme 2023. Update on the execution of the share buy-back programme during the period from 12 to 19 August 2024" (press release published on 20 August 2024);
· UniCredit launched the execution of the 2024 share buy-back anticipation programme for an amount of € 1.7 billion on 16 September 2024, after receiving ECB authorization on 13 September 2024.
· "UniCredit: Moody's upgrades Senior Preferred outlook to stable and affirm rating at Baa1" (press release published on 1 August 2024);
· "UniCredit is pleased to announce that it has acquired an equity stake equal to around 9% in the share capital of Commerzbank AG" (press release published on 11 September 2024);
· "UniCredit enters into additional instruments relating to Commerzbank shares and increases its aggregate position to circa 21%" (press release published on 23 September 2024);
· "UniCredit launches a strategic process to fully internalize life bancassurance in Italy. Exercise of the rights to acquire CNP UniCredit Vita and UniCredit Allianz Vita majority stakes" (press release published on 25 September 2024);
· "UniCredit: Moody's affirms ratings, highlighting potential for upgrade of bank's stand-alone rating above Italian sovereign" (press release published on 2 October 2024);
· Fitch upgrades issuer rating to 'BBB+', one notch above the Italian sovereign, and improves the outlook to positive (press release published on 31 October 2024);
· "UniCredit and Alpha Services and Holdings announce completion of the acquisition of majority stake by UniCredit in Alpha Bank Romania" (press release published on 4 November 2024);
· As of 1 November 2024, since the launch of the 2024 share buy-back anticipation programme, UniCredit purchased 30.1 milion shares, equal to 1.84% of the share capital for a total consideration of €1.2 billion (equal to 68.51% of the total amount of the 2024 share buy-back anticipation programme). As of the same date, following the cancellation of the treasury shares on 26 June 2024, UniCredit holds a total of 72.4 million treasury shares equal to 4.42% of the share capital (press release published on 5 November 2024).
Andrea Orcel, Chief Executive Officer of UniCredit S.p.A. said:
We reported our fifteenth consecutive quarter of profitable growth and record financial results with net profit of €2.5 billion, or €7.7 billion for nine months, and EPS growth of 31% year over year. Fees increased by 8.5% versus prior year on the back of client activity and as we continue to transform our franchise. Together with resilient interest income, well controlled costs and a continued very low cost of risk, our RoTE reached 19.7% without adjusting for our excess capital. All our regions are contributing to our success while they reap the benefits of a larger Group.
The CET1 ratio at 16.1% is broadly unchanged versus prior quarter notwithstanding the impact of strategic investments as organic capital generation of €3.5 billion set another quarterly record.
It is clear that we have rebuilt our capacity to transform, adapt and excel, underpinned by a clear, consistent and simple strategic vision. As a signal of confidence in our quality sustainable growth we will increase our cash dividend to 50% of net profit from 2025, up from 40%, given the strength of our earnings and organic capital generation. Over the cycle we will continue to demonstrate strong profitability and superior distributions.
During the quarter we deployed some of our excess capital and made a strategic investment in Commerzbank which may or may not eventually lead to a full combination. This is in line with our disciplined approach to inorganic options, keeping to strict financial criteria while giving us future optionality. Our day-to-day priority however remains a commitment to accelerating our undisputed sector leadership and achieving our organic ambitions. We take great pride from what we have delivered for our clients, communities and shareholders and our people will not waver from our determination to continue achieving excellence for all our stakeholders.
Please refer to the General Notes and Main Definition sections at the back of this document for information regarding the financial metrics and defined terms mentioned in this press release.
1 Excluding the impact stemming from strategic investments related to price commitments for the insurance joint venture, Aion/Vodeno and Alpha Bank Romania acquisitions and the investment in Commerzbank.
2 As approved by the UniCredit Board of Directors on 05 November 2024, having noted the fulfilment of the requirements of article 2433 bis of Italian Civil Code.
3 Net Profit excluding integration costs and extraordinary other charges, net of taxes.
4 Ordinary distribution of at least 90% of Net Profit, capped at organic capital generation.
5 Total average annual distribution for FY25-26, excluding inorganic.
6 Excluding strategic investments (e.g. impacts related to the insurance joint ventures, Aion/Vodeno and Alpha Bank Romania acquisitions and the investment in Commerzbank).