Bbva Ord Regulatory News (BVA)

Results January-June 2012

BBVA increases operating income 9.8%to €6.13 billion

Rising revenues: net interest income is up 14.9% to €7.34 billion and gross income rose 9.4% to €11.41 billion

Profit generation: net attributable profit came to €1.51 billion (down 35.4%) after the completion of about one-third of the provisions identified in the requirements of the new Spanish regulation

Strong capital position: at the end of June organically-generated capital boosted the core capital ratio to 9.2% (based on EBA criteria), which is above the recommended level. Under the current applicable Basel rules the ratio stands at 10.8%

Risks are stable: the NPA ratio continues stable at 4%, and remains contained for the 10th consecutive quarter

BBVA earned €1.51 billion in the first half of 2012, down 35.4% due largely to the impact of the Spanish financial reform, which affects mainly real estate assets and portfolios. As of June 2012 and in accordance with international accounting criteria, BBVA had set aside €1.43 billion of the provisions related to real estate and included in the new legislation. Without these provisions net attributable profit for the half-year was €2.37 billion, down 5.1%

BBVA president & COO Ángel Cano said, "Despite the complex environment and some extraordinary regulatory requirements, BBVA's revenues continue to grow in robust manner, generating profit." 

Net interest income continued its upward trend in the first half, rising 14.9% year-over-year to €7.34 billion. The origins of this typical banking revenue reflect the balanced diversification between emerging markets (56% of the Group's net interest income) and developed markets (44%).

Furthermore all income of a recurring nature (gross income less net trading income and dividend income) rose for the sixth consecutive quarter. This confirms the success of the Group's business model, which is focused on customers and adequately diversified by geographic region, customers and products. In the second quarter gross recurring income rose 13.6% year-over-year to €5.19 billion. Gross income for the first half came to €11.41 billion (up 9.4%) and it grew faster than costs. This led to an improvement in efficiency (the cost-to-income ratio now stands at 46.2%).

Recurring operating income -excluding NTI and dividends- also rose in the second quarter, up 19.7% to €2.5 billion. For the first six months of 2012 operating income was up 9.8% to €6.13 billion.

The strong revenues allowed BBVA to increase provisioning. Operating income in the second quarter was 1.4 times loan-loss and developer-related provisions. Excluding the recent legislation (RDL 2/2012 and RDL 18/2012), the figure would be 2.5 times. BBVA has already set aside €1.43 billion for provisions included in the financial reform and this is nearly one-third of the total (€4.64 billion).

For the 10th consecutive quarter BBVA's risk level remained significantly stable, unlike that of the combined Spanish financial sector. The non-performing asset ratio was steady at 4% whereas the coverage ratio improved to 66% due to higher provisions.

The core capital ratio, calculated according to current Basel rules as of June 30th, was 10.8%. In addition BBVA had already met the European Banking Authority's recommendations in March and in June it lifted its core capital ratio (determined in accordance with this authority's criteria) to 9.2%. Moreover it has no need of additional capital even in the most adverse scenario considered by Oliver Wyman and Roland Berger in their independent assessment.

With its 2012 and 2013 debt redemptions already covered and ample collateral available to absorb liquidity shocks in the market, BBVA enjoys a robust position of liquidity.

In terms of activity, gross loans to Group customers rose 3.8% year-over-year to €369 billion thanks to buoyant business in emerging economies. Total customer funds are up 1.2% to €428.4 billion. Retail deposits including promissory notes rose 3.2% during the quarter and 9.2% year-over-year.

In Spain, BBVA offset weak banking business and the adverse market environment with adequate price management. Net interest income increased 4% to €2.3 billion in the first half. Costs fell 2.8% and recurring operating income (excluding NTI and dividends) rose 4.6% to €1.86 billion in the same period. The non-performing asset ratio stands at 5.1% and the coverage ratio is higher, at 50%. Net attributable profit was negative (- €221 million) due to the above-mentioned provisions related to the Spanish financial reform. Without these provisions, net attributable profit was €567 million.

In Eurasia, contributions from Garanti Bank (Turkey) and CNCB (China Citic Bank) boosted net attributable profit to €576 million, up 28.9% compared to the first half a year earlier. This business area reported growing and balanced earnings: gross income was up 31% in Asia, 40% in Turkey and 29% in the rest of Europe.

Mexico's income statement improved thanks to buoyant activity. Lending was up 10.7% and customer funds increased 8.8%. Last year BBVA Bancomer added two million new customers. The leader in the Mexican market set another quarterly record for income. As a result, net attributable profit came to €865 million in the first half, up 2.4% in constant euros.

In similar fashion South America earned €703 million in the year to June (up 24.8% in constant euros) thanks to vigorous activity (lending and customer funds jumped 23.7%) and to revenues. Net interest income rose 28% year-over-year to €1.98 billion. Gross income posted a new quarterly record to an accumulated total of €2.78 billion in the first half (up 21.9%). The region showed improvement in efficiency and the best risk indicators in the BBVA Group.

The U.S. contributed €245 million (an increase of 24.2% in constant euros) to the results of the Group. BBVA Compass consolidated its upward trend in lending, which rose 11.2% compared to the same period a year earlier. This area benefited from the buoyant retail activity, which helped to soften the impact of growing regulation in the country. Risk management improved: the non-performing asset ratio dropped to 2.8% and the coverage ratio increased to 82%. Furthermore provisioning continued to decline (down 74.7% in constant euros), contributing to the area's improved net profit.

Despite a very complex period BBVA's wholesale banking business displayed great resilience. Corporate & Investment Banking was helped by the diversification of its revenues in terms of regions and products, and by a business model that is based on high quality, low risk and efficiency, and is centered on customers. Net attributable profit was €553 million, down 14.2% at constant exchange rates.

As part of its Corporate Responsibility activities, BBVA selected this year 10 social entrepreneurship projects that took part in the second edition of Momentum Project. This initiative provides training, advice and support to social-oriented companies already underway or with needs to strengthen their activities. Also, the BBVA Microfinance Foundation offers microloans to entrepreneurs in Latin America. As of today the Foundation has provided more than €770 million in financing to close to one million people. President & COO Ángel Cano said, "We encourage social entrepreneurship because we see it as a tool to promote economic development and it embodies our vision: to work for a better future for people."

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Corporate Communications

Tel. (+34) 91 537 53 48

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About BBVA 

BBVA is a customer-centric global financial services group founded in 1857. The Group has a solid position in Spain, it is the largest financial institution in Mexico and it has leading franchises in South America and the Sunbelt Region of the United States. Its diversified business is biased to high-growth markets and it relies on technology as a key sustainable competitive advantage. BBVA ranks among the leading Euro zone banks in terms of ROE and efficiency. Corporate responsibility is at the core of its business model. BBVA fosters financial education and inclusion, and supports scientific research and culture. It operates with the highest integrity, a long-term vision and applies the best practices. The Group is present in the main sustainability indexes.