The FINANCIAL — Citigroup Inc. on October 15 reported net income for the third quarter 2015 of $4.3 billion, or $1.35 per diluted share, on revenues of $18.7 billion. This compared to net income of $2.8 billion, or $0.88 per diluted share, on revenues of $19.7 billion for the third quarter 2014.
CVA/DVA was $196 million ($127 million after-tax) in the third quarter 2015, compared to negative $371 million (negative $228 million after-tax) in the prior year period. Excluding CVA/DVA, revenues were $18.5 billion, down 8% from the prior year period, and earnings were $1.31 per diluted share, up 38% from prior year earnings of $0.95 per diluted share, according to Citigroup.
Michael Corbat, Chief Executive Officer of Citigroup, said, “The quarter had more than its fair share of volatility and our results speak to the resilience of our franchise globally. And despite revenue headwinds, we once again proved our ability to manage our risk, our expenses and our capital. We remain on track to deliver our full-year efficiency and ROA targets. I feel good about the quality and consistency of our earnings over the course of this year, as we have continued to make solid progress against our core priorities.
“Citi Holdings was profitable again this quarter and its assets declined 20% year-over-year to $110 billion. Consistent utilization of our deferred tax assets helped us generate $14 billion of regulatory capital. So far this year we have returned over $4 billion of that capital to our shareholders in the form of share buybacks and common stock dividends. Our tangible book value surpassed $60 per share and our Common Equity Tier One Capital ratio increased to 11.6% on a fully-implemented basis. Challenging environments have become the norm, but the work we have done to make our firm simpler, smaller, safer and stronger has given us a resilient and sturdy platform from which to operate,” Mr. Corbat concluded.
Citigroup
Citigroup revenues were $18.7 billion in the third quarter 2015, a decrease of 5% from the prior year period. Excluding CVA/DVA, revenues of $18.5 billion decreased 8% from the prior year period, as Citicorp revenues decreased by 5% and Citi Holdings revenues decreased 32%. Excluding CVA/DVA and the impact of foreign exchange translation5, Citigroup revenues decreased 2% from the prior year period, as a 1% increase in Citicorp revenues was more than offset by the decrease in Citi Holdings.
Citigroup’s net income increased 51% to $4.3 billion in the third quarter 2015 from the prior year period. Excluding CVA/DVA, net income of $4.2 billion increased 36%, primarily driven by lower operating expenses, lower net credit losses and a lower effective tax rate, partially offset by the lower revenues and a lower net loan loss reserve release. Citigroup’s effective tax rate was 30% in the current quarter, a decrease from 41% in the prior year period (excluding CVA/DVA in each period).
Citigroup’s operating expenses were $10.7 billion in the third quarter 2015, 18% lower than in the prior year period. In constant dollars, operating expenses fell 13% versus the prior year period, mainly driven by lower legal and related expenses and repositioning costs. Operating expenses in the third quarter 2015 included legal and related expenses of $376 million, compared to $1.6 billion in the prior year period, and $81 million of repositioning charges, compared to $382 million in the prior year period. Citigroup’s cost of credit in the third quarter 2015 was $1.8 billion, a 5% increase from the prior year period, as a lower net loan loss reserve release was partially offset by lower net credit losses.
Citigroup’s allowance for loan losses was $13.6 billion at quarter end, or 2.21% of total loans, compared to $16.9 billion, or 2.60% of total loans, at the end of the prior year period. Net loan loss reserve releases decreased $536 million from the prior year period to $16 million. Total non-accrual assets fell 17% from the prior year period to $6.6 billion. Consumer non-accrual loans declined 23% to $4.8 billion, while corporate non-accrual loans increased 15% to $1.6 billion, primarily reflecting downgrades in the North America energy portfolio. Overall, more than two-thirds of the loans added to Citi’s corporate nonaccrual loans in the third quarter 2015 were performing as of quarter end.
Citigroup’s loans were $622 billion as of quarter end, down 5% from the prior year period, and down 1% in constant dollars. In constant dollars, 5% growth in Citicorp loans was more than offset by continued declines in Citi Holdings, driven primarily by continued reductions in the North America mortgage portfolio and the reclassification of loans to held-for-sale in connection with previously-announced agreements to sell OneMain Financial and Citi’s retail banking and credit card businesses in Japan.
Citigroup’s deposits were $904 billion as of quarter end, down 4% from the prior year period, and were approximately unchanged in constant dollars. In constant dollars, Citicorp deposits increased 4% from the prior year period, driven by a 10% increase in Institutional Clients Group (ICG) deposits and a 2% increase in Global Consumer Banking (GCB) deposits. In constant dollars, Citi Holdings deposits declined 83%, driven by the previously disclosed reclassification of Japan retail banking deposits to other liabilities during the fourth quarter 2014, as well as the transfer of MSSB deposits to Morgan Stanley, which was completed as of the end of the second quarter 2015.
Citigroup’s book value per share was $69.03 and tangible book value per share was $60.07, each as of quarter end, representing 3% and 5% increases, respectively, compared to the prior year period. At quarter end, Citigroup’s Common Equity Tier 1 Capital ratio was 11.6%, up from 10.6% in the prior year period. Citigroup’s Supplementary Leverage Ratio for the third quarter 2015 was 6.8%, up from 6.0% in the prior year period. During the third quarter 2015, Citigroup repurchased approximately 36 million common shares and returned a total of $2.1 billion to common shareholders in the form of share repurchases and common stock dividends.
Citicorp
Citicorp revenues of $17.3 billion in the third quarter 2015 decreased 2% from the prior year period. CVA/DVA, reported within ICG, was $221 million in the third quarter 2015 ($143 million after-tax), compared to negative $316 million (negative $194 million after-tax) in the prior year period. Excluding CVA/DVA, revenues of $17.1 billion decreased 5% from the prior year period, with a 3% decline in ICG revenues and an 8% decrease in GCB revenues. Corporate/Other revenues were $218 million, a $136 million increase from the prior year period, primarily driven by gains on debt buybacks.
Citicorp net income was $4.3 billion, 62% higher than the prior year period. Excluding CVA/DVA, Citicorp’s net income of $4.1 billion increased 46% from the prior year period, primarily driven by lower operating expenses and a lower effective tax rate, partially offset by the lower revenues and higher cost of credit.
Citicorp operating expenses were $9.5 billion, an 18% decrease from the prior year period, driven by lower legal and related expenses and repositioning costs and the impact of foreign exchange translation. Operating expenses in the third quarter 2015 included legal and related expenses of $259 million, compared to $1.4 billion in the prior year period, and $41 million of repositioning charges, compared to $370 million in the prior year period.
Citicorp cost of credit of $1.7 billion in the third quarter 2015 increased 28% from the prior year period. Net credit losses declined 15% to $1.4 billion, but net loan loss reserve builds were $212 million, primarily driven by net loan loss reserve builds in ICG, compared to net loan loss reserve releases of $414 million in the prior year period. Citicorp’s consumer loans 90+ days delinquent decreased 21% from the prior year period to $2.1 billion, and the 90+ days delinquency ratio improved to 0.75% of loans.
Citicorp end of period loans of $567 billion were approximately unchanged from the prior year period. In constant dollars, Citicorp end of period loans grew 5% versus the prior year period, with 8% growth in corporate loans to $289 billion and 2% growth in consumer loans to $278 billion.
Global Consumer Banking
GCB revenues of $8.5 billion decreased 8% from the prior year period due to a 13% decline in international GCB revenues. In constant dollars, revenues decreased 1%, driven by decreases in North America and Asia, partially offset by an increase in Latin America.
GCB net income decreased 11% from the prior year period to $1.7 billion, as the lower revenues and higher credit costs were partially offset by lower operating expenses. Operating expenses decreased 10% to $4.5 billion, and decreased 3% in constant dollars, reflecting ongoing efficiency savings and lower legal and related and repositioning expenses, partially offset by increased investment spending and regulatory and compliance costs.
North America GCB revenues of $4.8 billion decreased 4% compared to the prior year period, as lower revenues in Citi-branded cards and Citi retail services were partially offset by higher revenues in retail banking. Citi-branded cards revenues of $1.9 billion decreased 9% versus the prior year period, reflecting the continued impact of lower average loans as well as an increase in acquisition and rewards costs. Citi retail services revenues of $1.6 billion declined 2% versus the prior year period, reflecting the continued impact of lower fuel prices and higher contractual partner payments. Retail banking revenues rose 3% from the prior year period to $1.3 billion, reflecting 7% growth in average loans, 7% growth in checking deposits and improved deposit spreads, partially offset by a lower mortgage repurchase reserve release.
North America GCB net income was $1.1 billion, down 10% versus the prior year period, as the decrease in revenues and lower net loan loss reserve releases were partially offset by lower operating expenses and lower net credit losses. Operating expenses declined 6% versus the prior year period to $2.3 billion, primarily driven by ongoing efficiency savings and lower repositioning expenses, partially offset by higher investment spending in Citi-branded cards.
North America GCB credit quality continued to improve as net credit losses of $878 million decreased 14% versus the prior year period. Net credit losses improved versus the prior year period in Citi-branded cards (down 16% to $443 million) and in Citi retail services (down 12% to $401 million). The net loan loss reserve release in the third quarter 2015 was $61 million, $280 million lower than in the prior year period, as credit continued to stabilize.
International GCB revenues decreased 13% versus the prior year period to $3.6 billion. In constant dollars, revenues increased 2% versus the prior year period. Revenues in Latin America increased 11% to $1.9 billion, including a gain of approximately $180 million related to the sale of Citi’s merchant acquiring business in Mexico. Excluding this gain, revenues in Latin America were approximately unchanged, as the impact of modest loan and deposit growth was offset by continued spread compression. Revenues in Asia of $1.7 billion decreased 6%, as lower investment sales revenues as well as high payment rates and ongoing regulatory pressures in cards were partially offset by growth in lending, deposit and insurance products.
International GCB net income decreased 13% from the prior year period to $612 million. In constant dollars, net income decreased 1%, as the higher revenues were offset by higher operating expenses and higher credit costs. Operating expenses of $2.2 billion in the third quarter 2015 increased 1% (decreased 14% on a reported basis) driven by the impact of higher regulatory and compliance costs and technology investments, mostly offset by lower legal and related and repositioning expenses as well as ongoing efficiency savings. Credit costs increased 7% versus the prior year period (decreased 15% on a reported basis), as net credit losses were approximately unchanged from the prior year period (decreased 19% on a reported basis) while the net loan loss reserve release declined to $2 million from $37 million in the prior year period ($40 million on a reported basis). The net loan loss reserve release reflected a net loan loss reserve build of $62 million in Latin America, offset by a loan loss reserve release of $64 million in Asia. In constant dollars, the net credit loss rate was 1.74% of average loans in the third quarter 2015, slightly improved from 1.78% in the prior year period (1.92% on a reported basis).
Institutional Clients Group
ICG revenues increased 3% from the prior year period to $8.6 billion. Excluding the impact of CVA/DVA, revenues of $8.4 billion decreased 3% from the prior year period, with a 7% decrease in Banking revenues and a 5% decrease in Markets and Securities Services revenues, partially offset by an increase in gains on hedges related to accrual loans.
Banking revenues of $4.0 billion decreased 7% from the prior year period (excluding gain / (loss) on loan hedges in each period). Treasury and Trade Solutions (TTS) revenues of $1.9 billion were approximately unchanged versus the prior year period. In constant dollars, TTS revenues grew 7%, as continued growth in deposit balances and spreads was partially offset by lower trade revenues. Investment Banking revenues of $937 million decreased 25% versus the prior year period. Advisory revenues decreased 24% from very strong results in the prior year period to $243 million, while debt underwriting revenues decreased 17% to $525 million driven by high yield and leveraged loans, and equity underwriting decreased 43% to $169 million, reflecting lower industry-wide underwriting activity during the current quarter. Private Bank revenues increased 8% from the prior year period to $715 million, driven by strong growth in managed investments revenue, as well as higher loan and deposit balances. Corporate Lending revenues of $403 million declined 9% versus the prior year period (excluding gain / (loss) on loan hedges in each period). In constant dollars, revenues declined 4%, as growth in average loans was more than offset by the impact of lower spreads and the impact of loan sale activity.
Markets and Securities Services revenues of $4.0 billion (excluding $224 million of CVA/DVA, versus negative $310 million in the prior year period) decreased 5% from the prior year period. Fixed Income Markets revenues of $2.6 billion in the third quarter 2015 (excluding $187 million of CVA/DVA, compared to negative $306 million in the prior year period) decreased 16% from the prior year period, reflecting lower client activity levels and a less favorable trading environment. Equity Markets revenues of $996 million (excluding $37 million of CVA/DVA, compared to negative $4 million in the prior year period) increased 31% versus the prior year period. Excluding the impact of reversing $140 million of the previously disclosed valuation adjustment recognized in the second quarter 2015, Equity Markets revenues would have increased 12% from the prior year period driven by growth in derivatives. Securities Services revenues of $513 million decreased 4% versus the prior year period and increased 7% in constant dollars basis, reflecting increased activity and higher client balances.
ICG net income of $2.4 billion in the third quarter 2015 increased 5% from the prior year period. Excluding CVA/DVA, net income of $2.3 billion decreased 9% from the prior year period, as the lower revenues and higher cost of credit were partially offset by lower operating expenses. ICG operating expenses decreased 4% to $4.7 billion as higher regulatory and compliance costs were more than offset by lower compensation expense and the impact of foreign exchange translation. ICG cost of credit was $309 million, compared to negative $21 million in the prior year period, primarily reflecting net loan loss reserve builds in the current quarter, including those related to the North America energy portfolio, as referenced above.
ICG average loans grew 4% versus the prior year period to $288 billion while end of period deposits increased 6% to $595 billion. In constant dollars, average loans increased 7% versus the prior year period, while end of period deposits increased 10%.
Citi Holdings
Citi Holdings revenues of $1.4 billion in the third quarter 2015 included CVA/DVA of negative $25 million, compared to negative $55 million in the prior year period. Citi Holdings revenues decreased 32% from the prior year period, mainly driven by a lower level of net gains on asset sales as well as the overall wind-down of the portfolio. As of the end of the quarter, Citi Holdings assets were $110 billion, 20% below the prior year period, and represented approximately 6% of total Citigroup assets. As of the end of the third quarter 2015, approximately $37 billion of Citi Holdings assets were under contract for sale, approximately $31 billion of which are expected to close prior to year end, subject to regulatory and other customary closing conditions.
Citi Holdings net income was $31 million, compared to net income of $212 million in the prior year period. Excluding CVA/DVA, Citi Holdings net income of $47 million declined by 81% from the prior year period, primarily reflecting the lower revenues, partially offset by lower operating expenses and a lower cost of credit. Citi Holdings operating expenses declined 15% from the prior year period to $1.1 billion, primarily driven by the ongoing decline in assets. Cost of credit of $151 million decreased 65% from the prior year period. Net credit losses declined 46% to $218 million, reflecting continued improvement in the North America mortgage portfolio as well as the impact of ongoing divestiture activity. The net loan loss reserve release increased $90 million from the prior year period to $228 million, primarily reflecting the impact of asset sales.
Citi Holdings allowance for credit losses was $3.1 billion at the end of the third quarter 2015, or 5.64% of loans, compared to $5.3 billion, or 6.29% of loans, in the prior year period. 90+ days delinquent consumer loans in Citi Holdings decreased 35% to $1.4 billion, or 2.74% of loans.
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