Robert O'Sullivan’s Post

Last week, it was great to participate in the 22nd annual Global Financial Services Conference organised by Barclays in New York. I had the opportunity to discuss with American investors and to be interviewed by Flora Bocahut on the evolution of the macroeconomic and political context in France, as well as the outlook for the European banking sector (interest rate environment, NII and fees, M&A,…). The progressive interest rates cut was one of the main topics of discussions and it was an opportunity to remind the benefits of Crédit Agricole S.A.'s diversified business mix and its ability to cope with economical and financial challenges, demonstrated for several years by the regular performance of its business model, in particular: 1. Steady revenue growth over the past seven years, fueled by organic growth of businesses leader in their respective markets and regularly complemented by acquisitions and partnerships. 2. A high level of profitability, with a ROTE of 12% on average over the last 7 years, and very good operational efficiency with a cost/income ratio that is constantly improving and below 54% in the first half of 2024. 3. A solid level of capital within the Crédit Agricole Group with a CET 1 of 17.3% at the end of June 2024. Thanks again to Flora and all the participants for the quality of these discussions. #Bank #Finance #Economics

A well-deserved win for #ABL, showcasing visionary leadership, a dedicated team, and a harmonious approach built on trust. This is a testament to the unstoppable spirit that drives success. 🎉🏆 #BankOfTheYear #Leadership #successstory

In the face of changing market dynamics, #GoldmanSachs has issued a downgrade for #Westpac Banking Corp, reflecting broader sector challenges and considerations for investors. Key Takeaways: - Westpac's share price saw a near 1% dip, closing at $26.87. - Analysts highlight overstretch in bank valuations, with P/E ratios hitting the 99th percentile. - Concerns include Westpac's tech overhaul risks, a housing-heavy balance sheet, and limited NIM benefits. Goldman Sachs' assessment prompts us to question the sustainability of current valuations in a fluctuating market. The downgrade is a stark reminder that banking sector growth prospects are interlinked with economic trends and investor sentiment. As professionals in the finance industry, how should we adjust our strategies in light of such analytical downgrades? Join the discussion and share your thoughts. For a deeper dive into the downgrade's rationale and its implications for Westpac and the banking sector, read the full article: https://lnkd.in/ghXbuuMc #BankingSector #InvestmentAnalysis #StockMarket #FinancialServices #MarketDynamics #Valuation

In 2023, M&A deals were delayed due to high interest rates, mixed macroeconomic signals, regulatory scrutiny, and geopolitical risks. This saw the total M&A market dropped 15%, to $3 .2 trillion, the lowest level in a decade. Strategic M&A declined 6% as buyers and sellers struggled to close the gap on valuations, and strategic deal multiples were the lowest they’ve been in a decade. Although still dominated by Trade Players looking to bolster their portfolio with a focus on capabilities. A trend that is interesting to note is that despite the downturn many longtime frequent acquirers used 2023 as an opportunity to expand their competitive advantage through M&A. Hence acquiring through the pandemic and continuing through the high interest rate cycle. We know that most M&A's fail or at least fail to deliver on the investment thesis but the successful M&A activity is supported through a strategic approach being taken and M&A from a skill and capability point of view embedded across the organisation. #leadership #strategy #finance #leveragedfinance Nedbank

🌍 Exciting Developments at The World Bank Group! 🌍 We are not leaving any stone unturned in our efforts to support our member countries in tackling overlapping challenges. Today, we met with government and private sector representatives to present several products and hear their ideas on implementing solutions faster and at scale. By joining forces to explore new opportunities, we can advance the development agenda and generate a more impactful and long-lasting contribution. #FinancialInnovation #DevelopmentImpact #PrivateInvestment #CapitalMobilization #WBMeetings

Scotiabank's recent acquisition of a 14.9% stake in KeyCorp for $2.8 billion is a strategic move with significant implications for the Canadian economy. Here’s a quick overview: Potential Benefits: 🌍 Diversification: Reduces risk by expanding beyond the Canadian market. 📈 Growth Opportunities: Opens new avenues for profit in the U.S. market. 🔄 Cross-Border Synergies: Enhances service offerings and operational efficiencies. Potential Risks: 📉 Market Volatility: Exposure to the fluctuations of the U.S. banking sector. 🛡️ Regulatory Challenges: Navigating complex foreign regulations. 💰 Capital Allocation: Significant capital investment with uncertain returns. What Scotiabank Gains: 🌐 Market Expansion: Access to a broader U.S. customer base. 🎯 Strategic Positioning: Strengthened presence in a priority market. 💵 Financial Returns: Potential for increased profitability from a reputable U.S. lender. Critical times ahead as we monitor this investment's impact on Scotiabank and the Canadian economy! #FinanceNews #Scotiabank #KeyCorp #Investment #EconomicImpact #Diversification #BankingInnovation

It’s a pleasure to be presenting and discussing our results with our stakeholders today. These results send a clear message: Deutsche Bank is delivering. On all dimensions, we’re making progress on our pathway towards our 2025 goals. Our revenues are proving resilient though the interest rate cycle, thanks to a well-balanced business mix and a strong client franchise. Costs are in line with our commitment for 2024. Strong organic capital generation through growing profitability is enabling us to maintain our capital strength, increase our capital distributions to shareholders, and grow our business by putting capital to work to serve our clients. Our first-quarter results are also testimony to the hard work of our people. Thanks to our global team’s professionalism, dedication and sheer hard work, we have set Deutsche Bank on a clear pathway to sustainable growth. Today, I also want to say a massive thank you to all my colleagues in the Finance team, for the outstanding contribution you’re making as we progress along that pathway. #FinancialResults #DeutscheBank #DBResults

In 2021, NMB Bank Plc embarked on a transformative journey, envisioning a strategic roadmap that would not only guide our trajectory but also define our identity in a competitive landscape. We asked ourselves some critical questions about who we wanted to be and how we could truly serve our clients. The answers guided us to five core principles: putting our clients and our people first, delivering distinct value, prioritizing operational efficiency, strong corporate governance principles, embracing sustainability principles and long term view in everything we do, and a culture driven by a high performing, ethical and engaged workforce. Today, as we unveil our Q3 2024 financial results, I am proud to share that our strong performance across all metrics is a testament to the success of our transformative journey. This achievement reflects not just numbers, but our dedication to sustainable growth and the enduring value we create for all stakeholders. We firmly are what we envisioned - ‘𝗔 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗱 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻’: ➡️ Sustained Revenue Momentum: TZS 1.2 Trillion (up 18% YoY) ➡️ Historic Profitability Levels: TZS 687 PBT (up 21% YoY) ➡️ Solid Efficiency Gains: 37% CIR ➡️ Strong Portfolio Quality: 3% NPL I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated staff whose hard work fuels our progress, and to our customers, regulators, and stakeholders for their continued support. As we approach the final quarter of the year, our commitment remains steadfast: to create long-term value for our shareholders while driving inclusive and sustainable #socioeconomic growth for our nation and its people. Thank you all for choosing NMB Bank Plc as your trusted financial partner. #NMBCloseToYou #SustainableGrowth #FinancialResults #TrustedPartner #PurposeDriven

The Westpac quarterly business snapshot utilises the Group's proprietary data to provide you with a timely pulse on Australian businesses. Our report analyses the millions of daily transactions made by our SME and commercial clients, unlocking a rich source of data on businesses nationwide. The key insights from the report include: Businesses have largely managed to weather the unfolding economic slowdown. Progress on cost inflation is more than offsetting the decline in consumer demand. As a result, our measure of business cash flow was steady over the December quarter. Despite the Reserve Bank raising the cash rate by 425 basis points, total debt servicing costs for businesses are below pre-pandemic levels. This has been underpinned by prudent financial management by many businesses during the pandemic, as they paid down debt and built up strong financial buffers. These buffers remain largely intact. For our SME customers who are experiencing a sharper slowdown, buffers are helping to bridge the gap. For our commercial customers, strong financial buffers and resilient demand are giving them the confidence to grow and invest. There are still some grey skies ahead, but the resilience of businesses to date and the preservation of important financial buffers gives us confidence that the sector will continue to navigate the period ahead.

The latest NatWest Business Regional Growth Tracker shows business activity rose in nine UK nations and regions in June, after having risen in all 12 in the previous month. Our Chief Economist Sebastian Burnside looks at the latest insights on employment trends, business output and growth. Watch below 🔽 🎥 #UKEconomy #BusinessGrowth #UKBusiness