EANS-News: BAWAG P.S.K. Bank für Arbeit und Wirtschaft und Österreichische Postsparkasse Aktiengesellschaft / Consolidated Annual Report 2015 (with document)

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annual report

BAWAG P.S.K. reports 2015 record net profit of EUR 418 million, +26%

o Net profit EUR 418 million, +26% versus prior year
o Return on equity of 16.2%, +1.3pts
o Core revenues EUR 908 million, +4%
o Net interest margin up 15bps to 2.06%
o Core operating expenses down 10%, total operating expenses down 4%
o Cost-income ratio improved to 46.7%, down 4.9pts
o Fully loaded CET1 ratio of 13.1% (post-dividend), up 1.0pt versus year-end
2014
o Proposed dividend of EUR 325 million

VIENNA, Austria - March 3, 2016 - BAWAG P.S.K. today reported a
record net profit of EUR 418 million for 2015, up 26% versus prior
year. The increase was driven by higher net interest income, reduced
operating expenses and lower risk costs. Return on equity was 16.2%,
up 1.3pts. Net interest margin improved 15bps to 2.06%. Core
operating expenses were down 10%, total operating expenses down 4%
and the cost-income ratio down 4.9pts to 46.7%. Risk costs decreased
by 44% to EUR 46 million.

"Despite low interest rates, a slow-growth European macro environment
and increasing regulatory requirements, BAWAG P.S.K. generated record
earnings again in 2015. Reporting a net profit of EUR 418 million
makes BAWAG P.S.K. one of the most profitable Austrian, but more
importantly, European banks. The global banking industry is currently
undergoing a significant transformation on many fronts. Nevertheless,
we see significant opportunities during this period as we are in a
very good position to play a larger role in addressing these
challenges and capitalizing on unique opportunities. We are proud of
our accomplishments in 2015, positioning BAWAG P.S.K. among the
best-performing banks in Europe", said Chief Executive Officer Byron
Haynes.

"The past four years were focused on simplifying our business model
by focusing on core products, cost efficiency, low leverage and a
conservative risk profile. We will continue to execute on a variety
of operational and strategic initiatives in 2016 that will continue
to drive efficiency, operational excellence and profitable growth",
said Chief Financial Officer Anas Abuzaakouk.

Strong capital ratios

The management team continues to run the Bank on a fully loaded basis
from a capital standpoint. The fully loaded CET1 ratio further
improved to 13.1% (Dec 2014: 12.1%) and the fully loaded total
capital ratio to 16.0% (Dec 2014: 15.8%) as of December 31, 2015. On
a transitional basis, these ratios were 13.8% (Dec 2014: 12.9 %) and
16.7% (Dec 2014: 16.1%), respectively. The SREP requirement of the
regulated parent company for December 2015 and 2016 is 8.75%. As
BAWAG P.S.K. is considered as a systemically important financial
institution (SIFI), a systemic risk buffer of currently 25bps has to
be applied on top of the SREP ratio in 2016.

Based on the strong 2015 results, the Managing Board decided to
propose a motion for a dividend distribution of EUR 325 million to
the general assembly, which is fully reflected in the year-end 2015
capital ratios.

Highlights in 2015

o BAWAG P.S.K. entered into a long-term partnership with the
world-class asset manager Amundi, the new owner of former BAWAG
P.S.K. INVEST, providing our customers with access to a broad range
of fund products.

o Moody's raised the Bank's long-term deposit, senior unsecured and
issuer ratings by one notch to Baa1 and changed the outlook to
"positive". In addition, the stand-alone rating was upgraded to baa3
(investment grade for the first time) and a further upside potential
was indicated.

o BAWAG P.S.K. executed two acquisitions in line with its growth
strategy: The Bank purchased the auto leasing business of the former
Volksbanken, creating the #3 auto lessor in Austria. In addition, the
Bank acquired an attractive residential loan portfolio in Western
Europe to expand its retail franchise beyond the Austrian borders.

o BAWAG P.S.K. was awarded "Bank of the Year 2015 in Austria" by
"The Banker", an international industry magazine for banks published
by the "Financial Times", for the first time, underlining the Bank's
successful strategic transformation in recent years.

Key business highlights 2015

BAWAG P.S.K. successfully executed on its business plans in 2015
delivering strong, record-breaking results and exceeding all its
stated goals.

Core revenues increased by 4% to EUR 908 million, driven by strength
in net interest income. Despite the continued low-interest rate
environment, net interest income increased by 7% versus 2014, driven
by a strong focus on key lending products and a disciplined pricing
approach. Net interest margin improved by 15bps to 2.06%, reflecting
the Bank's dedicated focus on asset and liability repricing efforts.

Core operating expenses decreased by 10%, driven by sustainable
long-term measures in personnel and non-personnel expenses. We
provisioned EUR 20 million during the fourth quarter 2015 to address
further cost-out opportunities. Total operating expenses decreased by
4% to EUR 459 million and the cost-income ratio improved by 4.9pts to
46.7%.

Total risk costs decreased by 44% to EUR 46 million in 2015,
resulting from the improved credit quality of the core businesses and
positive effects from the prior years' de-risking activities. The
Bank maintained a conservative risk profile with disciplined
risk-adjusted underwriting standards and a focus on stable and
economically sound geographies. The risk cost ratio (risk costs as a
percentage of loans and receivables) was 0.17% and the NPL ratio
improved to 2.1% (down 70bps versus 2014).

Net profit increased by EUR 85 million, or 26%, to EUR 418 million in
2015. The increase was driven by improvements in both Corporate
Lending and Investments (net profit up 33%) and Retail Banking and
Small Business (net profit up 23%).

Loans and receivables with customers increased by EUR 2.9 billion, or
14%, to EUR 24.7 billion as of December 31, 2015, primarily driven by
growth in consumer loans and international business as well as
acquisitions of the former Volksbanken Austrian leasing business and
a residential loan portfolio in Western Europe . The total new
origination volume in 2015 was EUR 4.9 billion, reflecting positive
growth in both our retail and international businesses. The overall
customer loan book continued to be composed of two-thirds exposure to
Austria and one-third to Western Europe and the United States.

Segment reporting

The Retail Banking and Small Business segment showed strong results
by continuing to grow its domestic consumer loan franchise in
absolute terms while also capturing market share. Overall, the
segment achieved a EUR 193 million net profit, a 23% increase
compared to the previous year, driven by reduced operating expenses
and lower risk costs. The continued efficiency improvements resulted
in a 12% decrease in operating expenses versus prior year.

New business loan originations in 2015 were EUR 1 billion. BAWAG
P.S.K. was able to increase its domestic consumer lending market
share to 10.2%, up 1.2pts since December 2014. Retail assets stood at
EUR 12.8 billion, up 34% compared to previous year. This growth
reflects the continued increase in our consumer and housing loans as
well as strategic acquisitions of the Volksbanken Austrian leasing
business and a portfolio of performing residential loans in Western
Europe . The Bank maintained its disciplined underwriting and pricing
standards, which were reflected in a low risk cost ratio of 0.30% and
an NPL ratio of 1.93% (down 129bps compared to year-end 2014).

On the funding side, retail deposits grew 1% to EUR 18.9 billion,
driven by growth in current accounts and savings cards. Funding costs
continued to decrease as product mix, volume and pricing was
optimized. At the end 2015, the blended interest rate on retail
deposits stood at 0.32%, down 18bps since December 2014.

easybank, our 100% direct banking subsidiary, grew its client base to
556,000 accounts, up 10% compared to December 2014. Deposits
increased by 12% to EUR 3.2 billion. With the integration of the
BAWAG P.S.K. auto leasing and the former Volksbanken Austrian leasing
business, easybank is well positioned to boost its asset origination
capabilities going forward. easybank also entered into a new
strategic partnership with "Unsere Wasserkraft","easy green energy",
which provides easybank with yet another opportunity to expand its
market presence, brand awareness and best-in-class service offering
to new segments and customers.

Corporate Lending and Investments contributed EUR 190 million to the
Bank's net profit in 2015, a 33% increase compared to the previous
year, driven by core revenue growth (up 10%) and lower risk costs.
Risk costs of EUR 6 million (EUR 35 million in 2014) and an NPL ratio
of 0.67% (down 48bps compared to year-end 2014) reflect positive
impacts from de-risking actions and the overall high credit quality
of the portfolio.

Despite muted overall demand, flat domestic output and low corporate
investments, the Austrian corporate business generated new business
volumes of EUR 370 million in addition to regular renewals in 2015.

The international business continued to see strength with loan
originations of EUR 3.5 billion in 2015. The focus remained on
stronger Western European countries (Germany, UK and France) and the
United States.

Treasury Services and Markets reported core revenues up 8% and
operating expenses down 12% due to increased operating efficiency.
The total investment portfolio stood at EUR 4.5 billion as of
year-end 2015. The strategic sale of the CLO investments in the third
quarter supported a decrease of risk-weighted assets by 25% in 2015.
The investment strategy continues to focus on investment grade
securities predominantly representing secured and unsecured bonds of
financial institutions in core Europe and the United States as well
as select sovereign bond exposures in order to maintain a solid
diversification. The portfolio's average maturity was 3.8 years,
comprising 98% investment grade-rated securities, of which 75% were
rated single "A" category or higher.

Exposure to CEE in this segment represented less than 3% of the
portfolio and was limited to select bonds (84% rated single "A"
equivalent category or better). The Bank had no exposure to HETA and
no direct exposure to China, Russia, Hungary or South-Eastern Europe
as of December 31, 2015.

Charts: please refer to the attached PDF of the press release

About BAWAG P.S.K.

BAWAG P.S.K. is one of Austria's largest banking institutions with
1.6 million customers and a well-recognized national brand. The Bank
focuses on three business segments: Retail Banking and Small Business
offers simple, fair and transparent products and services which
include lending, savings, payment, card, investment, insurance and
leasing services for private and small business customers. These
products and services are available through our branches all over
Austria which are complemented by our digital sales channels and 100%
owned direct bank easybank. Austrian corporate businesses as well as
international activities are managed within the Corporate Lending and
Investments segment. The majority of the Bank's lending activities
are within Austria. The international business is focused on
corporate, commercial real estate and portfolio financing primarily
in Western Europe and the United States. Treasury Services and
Markets includes all activities associated with providing hedging and
investment services for the Group's treasury activities and the
management of the Bank's portfolio of financial securities.BAWAG
P.S.K. focuses on a capital efficient, low risk and low leverage
business model while targeting to be one of the most efficient banks
across Europe. Delivering simple, transparent and best-in-class
products and services to our customers is the core of our strategy.

BAWAG P.S.K.'s Investor Relations website https://www.bawagpsk.com/IR
contains further information about the Bank, including financial and
other information for investors.

BAWAG P.S.K. contacts:
Financial Community:
Benjamin del Fabro (Head of Investor Relations)
Tel: +43 (0) 5 99 05-22456
E-mail: investor.relations@bawagpsk.com

This text can also be downloaded from our website:
http://www.bawagpsk.com

Attachments with Announcement:
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Further inquiry note:
Pressestelle
T: 43 (0)59905 - 31210
F: 43 (0)59905 - 22007
e-mail: presse@bawagpsk.com

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company: BAWAG P.S.K. Bank für Arbeit und Wirtschaft und Österreichische Postsparkasse Aktiengesellschaft
Georg-Coch-Platz 2
A-1018 Wien
phone: +43 (0) 59905
mail: bawagpsk@bawagpsk.com
WWW: www.bawagpsk.com
sector: Banking
ISIN: -
indexes:
stockmarkets: stock market: Luxembourg Stock Exchange, Euronext Amsterdam,
Frankfurt, Wien, SIX Swiss Exchange
language: English