10-QPeriod: Q3 FY2024

CITIZENS FINANCIAL GROUP INC/RI Quarterly Report for Q3 Ended Sep 30, 2024

Filed November 4, 2024For Securities:CFGCFG-PHCFG-PECFG-PI

Summary

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (CFG) reported a decrease in net income and earnings per diluted share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same periods in 2023. This decline was primarily driven by a decrease in net interest income, reflecting a lower net interest margin impacted by higher funding costs and balance sheet optimization. While total revenue also saw a decrease, noninterest income showed growth, particularly in capital markets and card fees, driven by higher underwriting, M&A advisory, and credit card activity. Noninterest expense decreased in the third quarter, largely due to lower salaries and employee benefits, but increased year-to-date primarily due to investments in the Private Bank build-out and technology, as well as FDIC special assessments. Despite the headwinds in net interest income, the company highlighted an increase in tangible book value per common share. Credit quality metrics showed mixed results, with an increase in nonaccrual loans, particularly in commercial real estate, while retail loan quality remained relatively stable. The company's capital position remains strong, with regulatory capital ratios well above minimum requirements. Management continues to focus on strategic initiatives, including business growth and efficiency improvements, while navigating a challenging interest rate environment and economic uncertainties.

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$1.90B
Net Income$382.00M
EPS (Basic)$0.77
EPS (Diluted)$0.77
Shares Outstanding (Basic)446.56M
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)449.91M

Key Highlights

  • 1Net income available to common stockholders decreased on an underlying basis to $354 million for Q3 2024 and $1.09 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, down from $418 million and $1.45 billion in the prior year periods, respectively.
  • 2Total revenue decreased by 10% for the three months and 11% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, primarily due to a 10% and 11% decrease in net interest income, respectively.
  • 3Noninterest income increased by 8% for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, driven by higher capital markets fees (up 40% and 49%) and card fees (up 26% and 20%).
  • 4Efficiency ratio (underlying) worsened to 65.6% for Q3 2024 and 65.1% year-to-date, compared to 63.1% and 59.9% in the prior year periods, indicating higher costs relative to revenue.
  • 5ROTCE (underlying) decreased to 9.7% for Q3 2024 and 10.5% year-to-date, down from 12.5% and 14.1% in the prior year periods, reflecting lower profitability.
  • 6Tangible book value per common share increased by 9% to $33.54 as of September 30, 2024, from $27.73 at December 31, 2023.
  • 7Commercial real estate criticized balances increased to $5.5 billion, driven by impacts from interest rates and return-to-office dynamics, while nonaccrual loans increased by 24% to $1.69 billion.

Frequently Asked Questions

The decrease in net interest income was primarily driven by a lower net interest margin, which declined by 26 basis points for the three months and 32 basis points for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. This was influenced by higher funding costs and the impact of building liquidity, partially offset by the runoff of the non-core portfolio and higher interest-earning asset yields in the nine-month period.

The efficiency ratio worsened compared to the prior year. On an underlying basis, it increased to 65.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2024 (from 63.1% in Q3 2023) and to 65.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 (from 59.9% in the same period of 2023). This indicates that the company's expenses grew at a faster rate than its revenue.

The company's credit quality showed some signs of stress, especially in commercial real estate. Commercial real estate criticized balances increased to $5.5 billion, up from $5.0 billion at December 31, 2023, driven by interest rates and return-to-office dynamics. Nonaccrual loans also increased by 24% to $1.69 billion, with a significant portion attributed to commercial real estate. The provision for credit losses for the nine months increased to $525 million, reflecting higher reserves against the CRE office portfolio.

Citizens Financial Group maintains a strong capital position. As of September 30, 2024, its CET1 capital ratio was 10.6% and its Tier 1 capital ratio was 11.9%, both well above the required minimums. The company also repurchased $825 million of its common stock and paid $581 million in common stock dividends during the first nine months of 2024, demonstrating a commitment to returning capital to shareholders while maintaining capital adequacy.