6-K 1 a7916x.htm NWG PLC Q1 2023 INTERIM MANAGEMENT STATEMENT a7916x
 
 
FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C. 20549
 
 
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
 
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For April 28, 2023
Commission File Number: 001-10306
 
NatWest Group plc
 
RBS, Gogarburn, PO Box 1000
Edinburgh EH12 1HQ
 
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
 
   Form 20-F X Form 40-F ___
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):_________
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):_________
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
Yes ___ No X
 
 
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________
 
 
 
 
The following information was issued as Company announcements in London, England and is furnished pursuant to General Instruction B to the General Instructions to Form 6-K:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           
Q1 2023
Interim Management Statement
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
natwestgroup.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
NatWest Group Q1 2023 Results
 
 
 
 
Page
Highlights
 
2
Business performance summary
 
 
  Chief Financial Officer review
 
4
  Retail Banking
 
5
  Private Banking
 
6
  Commercial & Institutional
 
7
  Central items & other
 
8
  Segment performance
 
10
Risk and capital management
 
 
  Credit risk
 
12
  Capital, liquidity and funding risk
 
19
Condensed consolidated financial statements
 
26
Notes to the financial statements
 
29
Additional information
 
31
Appendix - Non-IFRS financial measures
 
34
 
 
 
 
 
 
NatWest Group plc
 
Q1 2023 Interim Management Statement
 
Chief Executive, Alison Rose, commented:
 
"NatWest Group's strong performance in Q1 2023 is underpinned by our robust balance sheet, our high levels of capital and liquidity and our well-diversified loan book. Through a period of significant macro disruption and uncertainty, we continue to stand alongside the people, families and businesses we serve, providing targeted support and growing our lending responsibly.
 
Our disciplined and consistent approach to risk management means that arrears and impairments remain low. By monitoring customer behaviour and looking closely for signs of financial distress, we are able to put in place proactive measures to help those who are struggling right now and those who are worried about the future.
 
As we continue to make progress against our strategic priorities, NatWest Group is well positioned to navigate this challenging operating environment and to deliver sustainable growth and returns by responding to new and emerging trends that are shaping the lives of our customers."
 
Strong Q1 2023 performance
 
−     Q1 2023 attributable profit of £1,279 million and a return on tangible equity of 19.8%.
−     Total income, excluding notable items, increased by £1,036 million, or 37.2%, compared with Q1 2022 principally reflecting the impact of volume growth and yield curve movements.
−     Bank net interest margin (NIM) of 3.27% was 7 basis points higher than Q4 2022.
−     Other operating expenses were £214 million, or 12.5%, higher than Q1 2022 driven by increased staff costs due to a one-off cost of living payment of around £60 million, increased costs in areas of strategic investment and costs in relation to our withdrawal from the Republic of Ireland. The cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct) was 49.8% at Q1 2023.
−     A net impairment charge of £70 million, or 7 basis points of gross customer loans, principally reflected the continued strong performance of our lending book. Levels of default remain stable and at low levels across the portfolio.
 
Robust balance sheet with strong capital and liquidity levels
 
−       Net loans to customers excluding central items increased by £5.7 billion to £352.4 billion, or 1.6%, primarily reflecting £3.9 billion of mortgage growth in Retail Banking and a £1.6 billion increase in Commercial & Institutional.
−       Customer deposits excluding central items reduced by £11.1 billion, or 2.6%, in the quarter reflecting around £8 billion higher customer tax payments, competition for deposits and an overall market liquidity contraction.
−       The loan:deposit ratio (LDR) (excl. repos and reverse repos) was 83% at Q1 2023, with customer deposits exceeding net loans to customers by around £55 billion.
−       The liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) of 139%, representing £43.4 billion headroom above 100% minimum requirement, decreased by 6 percentage points compared with Q4 2022 primarily due to reduced customer deposits and lending growth.
−       Common Equity Tier (CET1) ratio of 14.4% was 20 basis points higher than Q4 2022 principally reflecting the attributable profit partially offset by a £2.0 billion increase in risk-weighted assets (RWAs) and a £0.5 billion ordinary dividend accrual.
−       As at 26 April 2023 we had completed £458 million of the £800 million share buyback programme announced as part of our year end 2022 results.
−       RWAs increased by £2.0 billion in the quarter to £178.1 billion largely reflecting lending growth and a £1.1 billion increase associated with the annual update to operational risk balances.
 
Outlook (1)
−        We retain the outlook guidance provided in the 2022 Annual Report and Accounts.
 
 
(1)   The guidance, targets, expectations and trends discussed in this section represent NatWest Group plc management's current expectations and are subject to change, including as a result of the factors described in the NatWest Group plc Risk Factors in the 2022 Annual Report and Accounts and Form 20-F. These statements constitute forward-looking statements. Refer to Forward-looking statements in this announcement.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business performance summary
 
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2023
2022
2022
Summary consolidated income statement
£m 
£m 
£m 
Net interest income
2,902
2,868
2,027
Non-interest income
974
840
981
Total income
3,876
3,708
3,008
Litigation and conduct costs
(56)
(91)
(102)
Other operating expenses
(1,932)
(2,047)
(1,718)
Operating expenses
(1,988)
(2,138)
(1,820)
Profit before impairment losses/releases
1,888
1,570
1,188
Impairment (losses)/releases
(70)
(144)
36
Operating profit before tax
1,818
1,426
1,224
Tax charge
(512)
(46)
(386)
Profit from continuing operations
1,306
1,380
838
Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
35
(56)
63
Profit for the period
1,341
1,324
901
 
 
 
 
Performance key metrics and ratios
 
 
 
Notable items within income (1)
£56m
£(58)m
£224m
Total income excluding notable items (1)
£3,820m
£3,766m
£2,784m
Climate and sustainable funding and financing (2)
£7.6bn
£6.4bn
£5.6bn
Bank net interest margin (1)
3.27%
3.20%
2.45%
Bank average interest earning assets (1)
£360bn
£356bn
£335bn
Cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct) (1)
49.8%
55.2%
57.1%
Loan impairment rate (1)
7bps
16bps
(4)bps
Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders
£1,279m
£1,262m
£841m
Total earnings per share attributable to ordinary shareholders - basic (3)
13.2p
13.1p
8.1p
Return on tangible equity (RoTE) (1)
19.8%
20.6%
11.3%
 
As at
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2023
2022
2022
Balance sheet
£bn
£bn
£bn
Total assets
695.6
720.1
785.4
Net loans to customers - amortised cost
374.2
366.3
365.3
Net loans to customers excluding central items (1)
352.4
346.7
330.2
Loans to customers and banks - amortised cost and FVOCI 
385.8
377.1
375.7
Total impairment provisions (4)
3.4
3.4
3.6
Expected credit loss (ECL) coverage ratio
0.9%
0.9%
1.0%
Assets under management and administration (AUMA) (1)
35.2
33.4
35.0
Customer deposits 
430.5
450.3
482.9
Customer deposits excluding central items (1,5)
421.8
432.9
447.9
Liquidity and funding
 
 
 
Liquidity coverage ratio (LCR)
139%
145%
167%
Liquidity portfolio
210
226
275
Net stable funding ratio (NSFR)
141%
145%
152%
Loan:deposit ratio (excl. repos and reverse repos) (1)
83%
79%
73%
Total wholesale funding
79
74
76
Short-term wholesale funding
25
21
22
Capital and leverage
 
 
 
Common Equity Tier (CET1) ratio (6)
14.4%
14.2%
15.2%
Total capital ratio (6)
19.6%
19.3%
20.4%
Pro forma CET1 ratio (excl. foreseeable items) (7)
15.7%
15.4%
16.1%
Risk-weighted assets (RWAs)
178.1
176.1
176.8
UK leverage ratio
5.4%
5.4%
5.5%
Tangible net asset value (TNAV) per ordinary share (8)
278p
264p
269p
Number of ordinary shares in issue (millions) (8)
9,581
9,659
10,622
 
 
(1)  
Refer to the Non-IFRS financial measures appendix for details of the basis of preparation and reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures and performance metrics.
(2)
NatWest Group uses its climate and sustainable funding and financing inclusion criteria to determine the assets, activities and companies that are eligible to be included within its climate and sustainable funding and financing targets. This includes both provision for funding and financing, including provision of services for underwriting issuances and private placements. Up to 31 March 2023 we have provided £40.2 billion against our target to provide £100 billion climate and sustainable funding and financing between 1 July 2021 and the end of 2025. As part of this, we aim to provide at least £10 billion in lending for EPC A- and B-rated residential properties between 1 January 2023 and the end of 2025. During Q1 2023 we provided £7.6 billion climate and sustainable funding and financing, which included £1.3 billion in lending for EPC A- and B-rated residential properties.
(3)
On 30 August 2022 the issued ordinary share capital was consolidated in the ratio of 14 existing shares for 13 new shares. The average number of shares for earnings per share has been adjusted retrospectively.
(4)
Includes £0.1 billion relating to off-balance sheet exposures (31 December 2022 - £0.1 billion; 31 March 2022 - £0.1 billion).
(5)
Central items includes Treasury repo activity and Ulster Bank Republic of Ireland.
(6)
Refer to the capital, liquidity and funding risk section for details of basis of preparation.
(7)
The pro forma CET1 ratio at 31 March 2023 excludes foreseeable items of £2,351 million; £1,479 million for ordinary dividends and £872 million foreseeable charges (31 December 2022 excludes foreseeable items of £2,132 million; £967 million for ordinary dividends and £1,165 million foreseeable charges; 31 March 2022 excludes foreseeable charges of £1,623 million, £1,096 million for ordinary dividends and £527 million foreseeable charges).
(8)
The number of ordinary shares in issue excludes own shares held. Comparatives for the number of shares in issue and TNAV per ordinary share have not been adjusted for the effect of the share consolidation referred to in footnote 3 above.
 
Business performance summary
Chief Financial Officer review
 
We delivered a strong operating performance in the first quarter with a RoTE of 19.8%. Total income, excluding notable items, was up by 37.2% on the prior year and we continue to see low levels of default across our portfolio. We have seen strong lending growth in the first quarter balanced across the book and, whilst we have seen outflows in customer deposits as a result of tax payments, market movements and customer behaviour, we remain in a strong liquidity position, with a LCR of 139%, representing £43.4 billion headroom above 100% minimum requirement, and an LDR of 83%. Our CET1 ratio remains strong at 14.4%. We remain on track to achieve the targets we announced as part of the full year results in February 2023.
 
Financial performance
Total income increased by 28.9% to £3,876 million compared with Q1 2022. Total income, excluding notable items, was £1,036 million, or 37.2%, higher than Q1 2022 driven by volume growth, favourable yield curve movements and a strong performance in Commercial & Institutional trading income.
 
Bank NIM of 3.27% was 7 basis points higher than Q4 2022, principally reflecting the beneficial impact of recent base rate rises partially offset by reduced mortgage margins.
 
In line with our expectations, other operating expenses were £214 million, or 12.5%, higher than Q1 2022 principally driven by increased staff costs due to a one-off cost of living payment of around £60 million, increased strategic investment costs, such as Financial Crime and Data, and exit costs in relation to our withdrawal from the Republic of Ireland. We remain on track to deliver on our full year cost guidance.
 
A net impairment charge of £70 million principally reflects a £114 million charge in Retail Banking partially offset by modelled good book releases in Commercial & Institutional. Levels of default remain stable and at low levels across the portfolio. Compared with Q4 2022, our ECL provision remained flat at £3.4 billion and our ECL coverage ratio has decreased from 0.91% to 0.89%. We retain post model adjustments of £0.3 billion related to economic uncertainty, or 9.7% of total impairment provisions. Whilst we are comfortable with the strong credit performance of our book, we will continue to assess this position regularly and are closely monitoring the impacts of inflationary pressures on the UK economy and our customers.
 
As a result, we are pleased to report an attributable profit for Q1 2023 of £1,279 million, with earnings per share of 13.2 pence and a RoTE of 19.8%.
 
Net loans to customers increased by £7.9 billion in Q1 2023 primarily reflecting £3.9 billion of mortgage lending growth in Retail Banking, a £1.6 billion increase in Commercial & Institutional and a £2.3 billion increase in Treasury reverse repo balances. Retail Banking gross new mortgage lending was £9.5 billion in the quarter compared with £9.1 billion in Q1 2022 and £11.5 billion in Q4 2022. Within Commercial & Institutional, growth was largely in Corporate & Institutions partly offset by UK Government Scheme repayments of £0.7 billion in the quarter.
 
Up to 31 March 2023 we have provided £40.2 billion against our target to provide £100 billion climate and sustainable funding and financing between 1 July 2021 and the end of 2025. As part of this we aim to provide at least £10 billion in lending for EPC A- and B-rated residential properties between 1 January 2023 and the end of 2025. During Q1 2023 we provided £7.6 billion climate and sustainable funding and financing, which included £1.3 billion in lending for EPC A- and B-rated residential properties.
 
Customer deposits decreased by £19.8 billion in the quarter, including an £8.7 billion reduction in Central items & other related to our exit from the Republic of Ireland and Treasury repo activity. Customer deposits excluding central items reduced by £11.1 billion reflecting customer tax payments which were higher than previous years, competition for deposits and an overall market liquidity contraction. 68% of personal(1) deposits and 39% of total customer deposits were insured at the end of Q1 2023. Looking ahead, we now expect full year 2023 customer deposits excluding central items to be stable to modestly lower than the £432.9 billion reported at full year 2022, although we recognise that balance movements are challenging to predict with significant uncertainties around macroeconomic factors, customer behaviour and market dynamics.
 
TNAV per share increased by 14 pence in the quarter to 278 pence primarily reflecting the attributable profit.
 
Capital and leverage
The CET1 ratio remains robust at 14.4%, or 14.3% excluding IFRS 9 transitional relief, and increased by 20 basis points in the quarter principally reflecting the attributable profit, partially offset by a £2.0 billion increase in RWAs and an £0.5 billion ordinary dividend accrual. NatWest Group's total loss absorbing capacity ratio was 32.4%.
 
We have made good progress on the £800 million share buyback programme announced as part of our 2022 year end results, with £458 million completed as at 26 April 2023.  
 
RWAs increased by £2.0 billion in the quarter to £178.1 billion largely reflecting lending growth and a £1.1 billion increase associated with the annual update to operational risk balances.
 
Funding and liquidity
The LCR decreased by 6 percentage points to 139%, representing £43.4 billion headroom above 100% minimum requirements primarily due to reduced customer deposits and lending growth, partially offset by new issuances during the quarter. Our primary liquidity at Q1 2023 was £149 billion and £120 billion, or 81%, of this was cash at central banks. Total wholesale funding increased by £5.0 billion in the quarter to £79.5 billion.
 
 
 
(1)  
Personal deposits are ring fenced bank deposits attributable to individuals and sole traders, and excludes Ulster Bank RoI.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business performance summary
 
Retail Banking
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2023
2022
2022
 
£m
£m
£m
Total income
1,604
1,617
1,217
Operating expenses
(696)
(658)
(645)
   of which: Other operating expenses
(693)
(670)
(591)
Impairment losses
(114)
(87)
(5)
Operating profit
794
872
567
 
 
 
 
Return on equity (1)
30.0%
34.7%
23.1%
Net interest margin (1)
2.99%
3.02%
2.43%
Cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct) (1)
43.2%
41.4%
48.6%
Loan impairment rate (1)
22bps
17bps
1bp
 
 
 
As at
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2023
2022
2022
 
£bn
£bn
£bn
Net loans to customers (amortised cost)
201.7
197.6
184.9
Customer deposits
184.0
188.4
189.7
RWAs
55.6
54.7
52.2
 
 
(1)  
Refer to the Non-IFRS financial measures appendix for details of the basis of preparation and reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures and performance metrics.
 
 
In Q1 2023, Retail Banking continued to pursue sustainable growth with an intelligent approach to risk, delivering a return on equity of 30.0% and an operating profit of £794 million.  
 
Retail Banking provided £1.2 billion of climate and sustainable funding and financing in Q1 2023. 
 
−
Total income was £387 million, or 31.8%, higher than Q1 2022 reflecting continued strong loan growth and higher deposit income supported by interest rate rises, partially offset by a reduction in mortgage margins, lower deposit balances and non-repeat of insurance profit share from Q1 2022.
 
−
Net interest margin was 3 basis points lower than Q4 2022 reflecting lower mortgage margins, largely offset by higher deposit returns and non-repeat of the Q4 2022 review of mortgage customer repayment behaviour.
 
−
Other operating expenses were £102 million, or 17.3%, higher than Q1 2022 reflecting continued investment in the business and higher pay awards to support our colleagues with cost of living challenges, increased investment in financial crime prevention, increased data costs and increased restructuring costs.
 
−
A net impairment charge of £114 million in Q1 2023 as stage 3 defaults remain stable.
 
−
Customer deposits decreased by £4.4 billion, or 2.3%, in Q1 2023 reflecting the impact of customer tax payments which were higher than previous years, lower household liquidity and increased competition for savings balances. Personal current account balances decreased by £2.6 billion and personal savings decreased by £1.8 billion in Q1 2023. We have seen growth in our fixed term savings products in Q1 2023.
 
−
Net loans to customers increased by £4.1 billion, or 2.1%, in Q1 2023 mainly reflecting continued mortgage growth of £3.9 billion, or 2.1% with gross new mortgage lending of £9.5 billion, representing flow share of around 16%, particularly benefitting from elevated application volumes received in September and October 2022.  Cards balances increased by £0.2 billion, or 4.5%, and personal advances increased by £0.1 billion, or 1.3% in Q1 2023 with strong customer demand and disciplined credit risk appetite.
 
−
RWAs increased by £0.9 billion or 1.6% primarily reflecting lending volume growth and an increase associated with the annual update to operational risk balances.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business performance summary
 
Private Banking
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2023
2022
2022
 
£m
£m
£m
Total income
296
310
216
Operating expenses
(155)
(198)
(139)
   of which: Other operating expenses
(152)
(188)
(138)
Impairment (losses)/releases
(8)
(2)
5
Operating profit
133
110
82
 
 
 
 
Return on equity (1)
28.5%
24.2%
18.2%
Net interest margin (1)
4.83%
5.19%
3.07%
Cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct) (1)
51.4%
60.6%
63.9%
Loan impairment rate (1)
17bps
4bps
(11)bps
Net new money (£bn) (1)
0.6
0.3
0.8
 
 
 
 
As at
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2023
2022
2022
 
£bn
£bn
£bn
Net loans to customers (amortised cost)
19.2
19.2
18.7
Customer deposits
37.3
41.2
40.3
RWAs
11.4
11.2
11.5
Assets under management (AUMs) (1)
29.6
28.3
29.6
Assets under administration (AUAs) (1)
5.6
5.1
5.4
Total assets under management and administration (AUMAs) (1)
35.2
33.4
35.0
 
 
(1)  
Refer to the Non-IFRS financial measures appendix for details of the basis of preparation and reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures and performance metrics.
 
 
In Q1 2023, Private Banking provided a strong operating performance, delivering a return on equity of 28.5%, and an operating profit of £133 million.
 
Private Banking provided £0.1 billion of climate and sustainable funding and financing in Q1 2023.
 
−
Total income was £80 million, or 37.0%, higher than Q1 2022 reflecting higher deposit income supported by interest rate rises, partially offset by a reduction in mortgage margins and lower deposit balances.
 
−
Net interest margin was 36 basis points lower than Q4 2022 reflecting lower mortgage margins, lower deposit volumes and increased capital issuance and funding costs.
 
−
Other operating expenses were £14 million, or 10.1%, higher than Q1 2022 due to the impact of pay awards to support colleagues with cost of living challenges, and increased investment in technology and FTE to support AUMA growth propositions.
 
−
A net impairment charge of £8 million in Q1 2023 reflects good book increases predominantly generated from probability of default movements.
 
−
AUMAs increased by £1.8 billion, or 5.4%, in Q1 2023 primarily reflecting AUM net new money of £0.6 billion, representing 7.3% of opening AUMA balances and positive investment market movements.
 
−
Customer deposits decreased by £3.9 billion, or 9.5% in Q1 2023 driven by tax outflows which were higher than previous years, as well as increased competition for savings balances. We have seen growth in our fixed term savings products in Q1 2023.
 
−
Net loans to customers remained flat in Q1 2023.
 
 
 
 
 
Business performance summary
 
Commercial & Institutional
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2023
2022
2022
 
£m
£m
£m
Net interest income
1,261
1,276
803
Non-interest income
692
543
572
Total income
1,953
1,819
1,375
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
(1,003)
(1,031)
(922)
   of which: Other operating expenses
(959)
(989)
(880)
Impairment releases/(losses)
44
(62)
11
Operating profit
994
726
464
 
 
 
 
Return on equity (1)
19.5%
13.7%
8.8%
Net interest margin (1)
3.90%
3.89%
2.69%
Cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct) (1)
49.1%
54.4%
64.0%
Loan impairment rate (1)
(13)bps
19bps
(3)bps
 
 
 
As at
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2023
2022
2022
 
£bn
£bn
£bn
Net loans to customers (amortised cost)
131.5
129.9
126.6
Customer deposits
200.5
203.3
217.9
Funded assets (1)
320.4
306.3
334.6
RWAs
104.8
103.2
100.3
 
 
(1)  
Refer to the Non-IFRS financial measures appendix for details of the basis of preparation and reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures and performance metrics.
 
 
During Q1 2023, Commercial & Institutional delivered a strong performance with a return on equity of 19.5% and an operating profit of £994 million.
 
Commercial & Institutional provided £6.3 billion of climate and sustainable funding and financing in Q1 2023.
 
−
Total income was £578 million, or 42.0%, higher than Q1 2022 reflecting higher deposit returns from an improved interest rate environment, lending volume growth, credit and debit card fees and higher markets income.
 
−
Net interest margin was 1 basis point higher than Q4 2022 driven by higher deposit returns partly offset by increased capital issuance and funding costs.
 
−
Other operating expenses were £79 million, or 9.0%, higher than Q1 2022 as expected reflecting continued investment in the business and ongoing support to our colleagues with cost of living challenges.
 
−
A net impairment release of £44 million in Q1 2023 reflecting modelled good book releases. Stage 3 defaults remain stable and at low levels.
 
−
Customer deposits decreased by £2.8 billion, or 1.4% in Q1 2023 primarily due to overall market liquidity contraction. The impact was mainly in Business Banking and Commercial Mid-market, partly offset by growth in Corporate & Institutions balances.
 
−
Net loans to customers increased by £1.6 billion, or 1.2%, in Q1 2023 due to strong performance from origination deals and private financing activity within Corporate & Institutions and Commercial Mid-market growth in revolving credit facility utilisation, partly offset by UK Government scheme repayments of £0.7 billion.
 
−
RWAs increased by £1.6 billion, or 1.6%, in Q1 2023 primarily reflecting increased client lending facilities, partly offset by a reduction in market risk RWAs.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business performance summary
 
Central items & other
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2023
2022
2022
 
£m
£m
£m
Continuing operations
 
 
 
Total income
23
(38)
200
Operating expenses (1)
(134)
(251)
(114)
   of which: Other operating expenses
(128)
(200)
(109)
   of which: Ulster Bank RoI
(145)
(310)
(113)
Impairment releases
8
7
25
Operating (loss)/profit
(103)
(282)
111
   of which: Ulster Bank RoI
(159)
(354)
(63)
 
 
 
 
 
As at
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2023
2022
2022
 
£bn
£bn
£bn
Net loans to customers (amortised cost) (2)
21.8
19.6
35.1
Customer deposits
8.7
17.4
35.0
RWAs
6.3
7.0
12.8
 
 
(1)  
Includes withdrawal-related direct program costs of £49 million for the quarter ended 31 March 2023 (31 December 2022 - £151 million; 31 March 2022 - £10 million).
(2)
Excludes £0.5 billion of loans to customers held at fair value through profit or loss (31 December 2022 - £0.5 billion; 31 March 2022 - nil).
 
 
−
Total income was £177 million lower than Q1 2022 primarily reflecting lower gains on interest and FX risk management derivatives not in accounting hedge relationships, reduced Business Growth Fund gains, lower gains on liquidity asset bond sales, and the effect of withdrawing operations from the Republic of Ireland.
 
−
Other operating expenses were £19 million, or 17.4%, higher than Q1 2022 primarily reflecting higher costs in relation to programme withdrawal costs in the Republic of Ireland.
 
−
Customer deposits decreased by £8.7 billion, or 50.0%, in Q1 2023 primarily reflecting the continued withdrawal of our operations from the Republic of Ireland and Treasury repo activity. Ulster Bank RoI customer deposit balances were £1.8 billion as at Q1 2023.
 
−
Net loans to customers increased £2.2 billion in Q1 2023 mainly due to reverse repo activity in Treasury.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment performance
 
 
Quarter ended 31 March 2023
 
Retail
Private
Commercial &
Central items
Total NatWest
 
Banking
Banking
Institutional
& other
Group
 
£m
£m
£m
£m
£m
Continuing operations
 
 
 
 
 
Income statement
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
1,492
229
1,261
(80)
2,902
Non-interest income
112
67
692
103
974
Total income
1,604
296
1,953
23
3,876
Direct expenses
(209)
(56)
(358)
(1,309)
(1,932)
Indirect expenses
(484)
(96)
(601)
1,181
-
Other operating expenses
(693)
(152)
(959)
(128)
(1,932)
Litigation and conduct costs
(3)
(3)
(44)
(6)
(56)
Operating expenses
(696)
(155)
(1,003)
(134)
(1,988)
Operating profit/(loss) before impairment losses/releases
908
141
950
(111)
1,888
Impairment (losses)/releases
(114)
(8)
44
8
(70)
Operating profit/(loss) 
794
133
994
(103)
1,818
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total income excluding notable items (1)
1,604
296
1,947
(27)
3,820
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional information
 
 
 
 
 
Return on tangible equity (1)
na
na
na
na
19.8%
Return on equity (1)
30.0%
28.5%
19.5%
nm
na
Cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct) (1)
43.2%
51.4%
49.1%
nm
49.8%
Total assets (£bn)
227.2
28.1
399.0
41.3
695.6
Funded assets (£bn) (1)
227.2
28.1
320.4
40.5
616.2
Net loans to customers - amortised cost (£bn)
201.7
19.2
131.5
21.8
374.2
Loan impairment rate (1)
22bps
17bps
(13)bps
nm
7bps
Impairment provisions (£bn)
(1.7)
(0.1)
(1.5)
(0.1)
(3.4)
Impairment provisions - stage 3 (£bn)
(1.0)
-
(0.7)
(0.1)
(1.8)
Customer deposits (£bn)
184.0
37.3
200.5
8.7
430.5
Risk-weighted assets (RWAs) (£bn)
55.6
11.4
104.8
6.3
178.1
RWA equivalent (RWAe) (£bn)
56.4
11.4
106.2
6.9
180.9
Employee numbers (FTEs - thousands)
13.9
2.2
12.4
33.3
61.8
Third party customer asset rate (1)
2.94%
4.07%
5.38%
nm
nm
Third party customer funding rate (1)
(0.83%)
(1.15%)
(0.87%)
nm
nm
Bank average interest earning assets (£bn) (1)
202.1
19.2
131.3
na
360.0
Bank net interest margin (1)
2.99%
4.83%
3.90%
na
3.27%
 
nm = not meaningful, na = not applicable
 
(1)  
Refer to the Non-IFRS financial measures appendix for details of the basis of preparation and reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures and performance metrics.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment performance
 
 
Quarter ended 31 December 2022
 
Retail
Private
Commercial &
Central items
Total NatWest
 
Banking
Banking
Institutional
& other
Group
 
£m
£m
£m
£m
£m
Continuing operations
 
 
 
 
 
Income statement
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
1,505
251
1,276
(164)
2,868
Non-interest income
112
59
543
126
840
Total income
1,617
310
1,819
(38)
3,708
Direct expenses
(202)
(62)
(396)
(1,387)
(2,047)
Indirect expenses
(468)
(126)
(593)
1,187
-
Other operating expenses
(670)
(188)
(989)
(200)
(2,047)
Litigation and conduct costs
12
(10)
(42)
(51)
(91)
Operating expenses
(658)
(198)
(1,031)
(251)
(2,138)
Operating profit/(loss) before impairment losses/releases
959
112
788
(289)
1,570
Impairment (losses)/releases
(87)
(2)
(62)
7
(144)
Operating profit/(loss)
872
110
726
(282)
1,426
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total income excluding notable items (1)
1,617
310
1,838
1
3,766
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional information
 
 
 
 
 
Return on tangible equity (1)
na
na
na
na
20.6%
Return on equity (1)
34.7%
24.2%
13.7%
nm
na
Cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct) (1)
41.4%
60.6%
54.4%
nm
55.2%
Total assets (£bn)
226.4
29.9
404.8
59.0
720.1
Funded assets (£bn) (1)
226.4
29.9
306.3
57.9
620.5
Net loans to customers - amortised cost (£bn)
197.6
19.2
129.9
19.6
366.3
Loan impairment rate (1)
17bps
4bps
19bps
nm
16bps
Impairment provisions (£bn)
(1.6)
(0.1)
(1.6)
(0.1)
(3.4)
Impairment provisions - stage 3 (£bn)
(0.9)
-
(0.7)
(0.1)
(1.7)
Customer deposits (£bn)
188.4
41.2
203.3
17.4
450.3
Risk-weighted assets (RWAs) (£bn)
54.7
11.2
103.2
7.0
176.1
RWA equivalent (RWAe) (£bn)
54.7
11.2
104.6
7.5
178.0
Employee numbers (FTEs - thousands)
14.0
2.1
12.3
33.1
61.5
Third party customer asset rate (1)
2.72%
3.62%
4.44%
nm
nm
Third party customer funding rate (1)
(0.49%)
(0.65%)
(0.53%)
nm
nm
Bank average interest earning assets (£bn) (1)
197.4
19.2
130.3
na
355.8
Bank net interest margin (1)
3.02%
5.19%
3.89%
na
3.20%
 
nm = not meaningful, na = not applicable
 
(1)  
Refer to the Non-IFRS financial measures appendix for details of the basis of preparation and reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures and performance metrics.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment performance
 
 
Quarter ended 31 March 2022
 
Retail
Private
Commercial &
Central items
Total NatWest
 
Banking
Banking
Institutional
& other
Group
 
£m
£m
£m
£m
£m
Continuing operations
 
 
 
 
 
Income statement
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
1,112
143
803
(31)
2,027
Non-interest income
105
73
572
231
981
Total income
1,217
216
1,375
200
3,008
Direct expenses
(161)
(49)
(407)
(1,101)
(1,718)
Indirect expenses
(430)
(89)
(473)
992
-
Other operating expenses
(591)
(138)
(880)
(109)
(1,718)
Litigation and conduct costs
(54)
(1)
(42)
(5)
(102)
Operating expenses
(645)
(139)
(922)
(114)
(1,820)
Operating profit before impairment losses/releases
572
77
453
86
1,188
Impairment (losses)/releases
(5)
5
11
25
36
Operating profit
567
82
464
111
1,224
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total income excluding notable items (1)
1,217
216
1,357
(6)
2,784
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional information
 
 
 
 
 
Return on tangible equity (1)
na
na
na
na
11.3%
Return on equity (1)
23.1%
18.2%
8.8%
nm
na
Cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct) (1)
48.6%
63.9%
64.0%
nm
57.1%
Total assets (£bn)
210.7
29.6
433.5
111.6
785.4
Funded assets (£bn) (1)
210.7
29.6
334.6
110.5
685.4
Net loans to customers - amortised cost (£bn)
184.9
18.7
126.6
35.1
365.3
Loan impairment rate (1)
1bp
(11)bps
(3)bps
nm
(4)bps
Impairment provisions (£bn)
(1.5)
(0.1)
(1.6)
(0.4)
(3.6)
Impairment provisions - stage 3 (£bn)
(0.9)
-
(0.7)
(0.4)
(2.0)
Customer deposits (£bn)
189.7
40.3
217.9
35.0
482.9
Risk-weighted assets (RWAs) (£bn)
52.2
11.5
100.3
12.8
176.8
RWA equivalent (RWAe) (£bn)
52.2
11.5
102.6
13.1
179.4
Employee numbers (FTEs - thousands)
14.0
1.9
11.8
30.5
58.2
Third party customer asset rate (1)
2.59%
2.53%
2.83%
nm
nm
Third party customer funding rate (1)
(0.05%)
(0.01%)
(0.02%)
nm
nm
Bank average interest earning assets (£bn) (1)
185.5
18.9
121.0
na
334.9
Bank net interest margin (1)
2.43%
3.07%
2.69%
na
2.45%
 
nm = not meaningful, na = not applicable
 
(1)  
Refer to the Non-IFRS financial measures appendix for details of the basis of preparation and reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures and performance metrics.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk and capital management
 
 
Page
 
Credit risk
 
   Segment analysis - portfolio summary
13
 
   Segment analysis - loans
14
 
   Movement in ECL provision
14
 
   ECL post model adjustments
15
 
   Sector analysis - portfolio summary
16
 
   Wholesale support schemes
17
 
Capital, liquidity and funding risk
19
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk and capital management
 
Credit risk
 
Segment analysis - portfolio summary
 
The table below shows gross loans and ECL, by segment and stage, within the scope of the IFRS 9 ECL framework.
 
 
Retail
Private
Commercial &
Central items
 
 
Banking
Banking
Institutional
& other
Total
31 March 2023
£m
£m
£m
£m
£m
Loans - amortised cost and FVOCI (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Stage 1
174,806
18,468
114,862
25,750
333,886
Stage 2
25,636
735
20,241
178
46,790
Stage 3
2,666
223
2,117
109
5,115
Of which: individual
-
175
855
35
1,065
Of which: collective
2,666
48
1,262
74
4,050
Subtotal excluding disposal group loans
203,108
19,426
137,220
26,037
385,791
Disposal group loans
 
 
 
1,195
1,195
Total
 
 
 
27,232
386,986
ECL provisions (2)
 
 
 
 
 
Stage 1
243
27
395
16
681
Stage 2
498
14
444
28
984
Stage 3
971
28
719
64
1,782
Of which: individual
-
28
237
8
273
Of which: collective
971
-
482
56
1,509
Subtotal excluding ECL provisions on disposal group loans
1,712
69
1,558
108
3,447
ECL provisions on disposal group loans
 
 
 
49
49
Total
 
 
 
157
3,496
ECL provisions coverage (3)
 
 
 
 
 
Stage 1 (%)
0.14
0.15
0.34
0.06
0.20
Stage 2 (%)
1.94
1.90
2.19
15.73
2.10
Stage 3 (%)
36.42
12.56
33.96
58.72
34.84
ECL provisions coverage excluding disposal group loans
0.84
0.36
1.14
0.41
0.89
ECL provisions coverage on disposal group loans
 
 
 
4.10
4.10
Total
 
 
 
0.58
0.90
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31 December 2022
 
 
 
 
 
Loans - amortised cost and FVOCI (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Stage 1
174,727
18,367
108,791
23,339
325,224
Stage 2
21,561
801
24,226
245
46,833
Stage 3
2,565
242
2,166
123
5,096
Of which: individual
-
168
905
48
1,121
Of which: collective
2,565
74
1,261
75
3,975
Subtotal excluding disposal group loans
198,853
19,410
135,183
23,707
377,153
Disposal group loans
 
 
 
1,502
1,502
Total
 
 
 
25,209
378,655
ECL provisions (2)
 
 
 
 
 
Stage 1
251
21
342
18
632
Stage 2 
450
14
534
45
1,043
Stage 3
917
26
747
69
1,759
Of which: individual
-
26
251
10
287
Of which: collective
917
-
496
59
1,472
Subtotal excluding ECL provisions on disposal group loans
1,618
61
1,623
132
3,434
ECL provisions on disposal group loans
 
 
 
53
53
Total
 
 
 
185
3,487
ECL provisions coverage (3)
 
 
 
 
 
Stage 1 (%)
0.14
0.11
0.31
0.08
0.19
Stage 2 (%)
2.09
1.75
2.20
18.37
2.23
Stage 3 (%)
35.75
10.74
34.49
56.10
34.52
ECL provisions coverage excluding disposal group loans
0.81
0.31
1.20
0.56
0.91
ECL provisions coverage on disposal group loans
 
 
 
3.53
3.53
Total
 
 
 
0.73
0.92
 
 
(1)  
Fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI). Includes loans to customers and banks.
(2)
Includes £5 million (31 December 2022 - £3 million) related to assets classified as FVOCI and £0.1 billion (31 December 2022 - £0.1 billion) related to off-balance sheet exposures.
(3)
ECL provisions coverage is calculated as ECL provisions divided by loans - amortised cost and FVOCI. It is calculated on third party loans and total ECL provisions.
(4)
The table shows gross loans only and excludes amounts that were outside the scope of the ECL framework. Other financial assets within the scope of the IFRS 9 ECL framework were cash and balances at central banks totalling £122.2 billion (31 December 2022 - £143.3 billion) and debt securities of £30.9 billion (31 December 2022 - £29.9 billion).
 
 
 
 
Risk and capital management
 
Credit risk continued
 
Segment analysis - loans
 
−     Total ECL coverage reduced to 0.89% in Q1 2023, from 0.91% in Q4 2022 reflecting growth in exposures to financial institutions where coverage is significantly lower and some positive trends in underlying risk metrics in Commercial & Institutional. This was partially offset by an increase in Retail Banking coverage as a result of increased ECL on unsecured portfolios and reduced write-off activity in the quarter.
 
−     The economic scenarios driving the ECL requirement, as well as model performance considerations, were consistent with those described in the NatWest Group plc 2022 Annual Report and Accounts.
 
−     Retail Banking - Balance sheet growth during Q1 2023 mainly reflected continued mortgage growth. Unsecured balances increased by £0.3 billion, primarily in credit cards, as a result of customer demand alongside disciplined credit risk appetite. Total ECL coverage increased from 0.81% to 0.84% during the quarter. The increase in coverage was reflective of increased Stage 3 ECL on unsecured portfolios, mainly due to reduced write-off activity in the quarter. Stable good book coverage captures continued stable portfolio performance, while maintaining sufficient ECL coverage given the increased inflationary and economic pressures on customers. Stage 2 balances increased as a result of the predicted rise in unemployment, therefore increasing IFRS 9 probability of defaults on a forward-looking basis.  
 
−     Commercial & Institutional - Balance sheet growth in Q1 2023 was driven by a number of corporate and financial institutions sectors. Sector appetite continues to be reviewed regularly, with particular focus on sector clusters and sub-sectors that are vulnerable to inflationary pressures or deemed to represent a heightened risk.
 
−     Total ECL coverage reduced, reflecting some positive trends in underlying risk metrics and a decrease in COVID-19 post model adjustments resulting in ECL releases. The coverage remains sufficient for the expected increase in charges from inflationary pressures and increases in early problem debt trends. Stage 2 ECL reduced significantly as a number of customers migrated back into Stage 1 due to the positive trends in underlying risk metrics which also resulted in an increase in Stage 1 ECL. Stage 3 ECL decreased with write-offs and releases more than offsetting flows into default.
 
Movement in ECL provision
 
The table below shows the main ECL provision movements during the quarter.
 
 
ECL provision
 
£m
At 1 January 2023
3,434
Transfers to disposal groups and reclassifications
(10)
Changes in risk metrics and exposure: Stage 1 and Stage 2
15
Changes in risk metrics and exposure: Stage 3
81
Judgemental changes: changes in post model adjustments for Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3
(17)
Write-offs and other
(56)
At 31 March 2023
3,447
 
−     ECL marginally increased in Q1 2023, with increases in Stage 3 largely offset by write-offs and reductions in post model adjustments.
 
−     Stage 3 new defaults remained low during the quarter. Stage 3 ECL balances in Retail Banking and Business Banking portfolios have increased, mainly due to reduced write-off activity.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk and capital management
 
Credit risk continued
 
ECL post model adjustments
 
The table below shows ECL post model adjustments.
 
 
Retail Banking
Private
Commercial &
Central
 
 
 
Mortgages
Other
Banking
Institutional
items & other
 
Total
31 March 2023
£m
£m
£m
£m
£m
 
£m
Economic uncertainty
96
53
6
173
5
 
333
Other adjustments
7
21
-
17
16
 
61
Total
103
74
6
190
21
 
394
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Of which:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- Stage 1
42
26
3
67
5
 
143
- Stage 2
46
48
3
119
16
 
232
- Stage 3 
15
-
-
4
-
 
19
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31 December 2022
 
Economic uncertainty
102
51
6
191
2
 
352
Other adjustments
8
20
-
16
15
 
59
Total
110
71
6
207
17
 
411
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Of which:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- Stage 1
62
27
3
63
-
 
155
- Stage 2
32
44
3
139
16
 
234
- Stage 3 
16
-
-
5
1
 
22
 
 
(1)  
Excludes £0.3 million (31 December 2022 - £18 million) of post model adjustments for Ulster Bank RoI disclosed as transfers to disposal groups.
 
−     Retail Banking - The post model adjustments for economic uncertainty were held at a broadly consistent level since 31 December 2022, totalling £149 million (31 December 2022 - £153 million). The primary element of the economic uncertainty adjustment was a £123 million ECL uplift (31 December 2022 - £127 million) to capture the risk on segments of the portfolio that are more susceptible to the effects of a high-inflation environment and the effects on affordability. This focuses on key affordability lenses, including customers with lower incomes in fuel poverty, over-indebted borrowers, and customers vulnerable to a potential mortgage rate shock effect on their affordability. The small reduction in post model adjustments is supported by underlying high-risk population movements, notably in fuel poverty. Other judgmental overlays included a £20 million uplift for EAD modelling dynamics in credit cards.
 
−     Commercial & Institutional - The post model adjustments for economic uncertainty have seen small decreases since 31 December 2022, now totalling £173 million (31 December 2022 - £191 million). It included an adjustment of £91 million, a £16 million reduction, to cover the residual risks from COVID-19, including the risk that UK Government support schemes could affect future recoveries and concerns surrounding associated debt, to customers that have utilised UK Government support schemes. Inflation and supply chain issues continue to present significant headwinds for a number of sectors which are not fully captured in the models. An £82 million mechanistic adjustment, via a sector-level downgrade, was applied to the sectors that were considered most at risk from these headwinds.
 
 
 
 
 
Risk and capital management
 
Credit risk continued
 
Sector analysis - portfolio summary
 
The table below shows ECL by stage, for the Personal portfolio and selected sectors of the Wholesale portfolio.
 
 
 
Off-balance sheet
 
 
 
Loans - amortised cost and FVOCI
Loan
 
Contingent
 
ECL provisions 
 
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Total
commitments
 
liabilities
 
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Total
31 March 2023
£m
£m
£m
£m
£m
 
£m
 
£m
£m
£m
£m
Personal
192,382
25,953
2,910
221,245
39,072
 
47
 
256
516
1,013
1,785
  Mortgages
182,239
22,652
1,944
206,835
14,300
 
-
 
58
77
242
377
  Credit cards
3,310
1,242
114
4,666
16,243
 
-
 
63
144
79
286
  Other personal
6,833
2,059
852
9,744
8,529
 
47
 
135
295
692
1,122
Wholesale
141,504
20,837
2,205
164,546
88,863
 
4,526
 
425
468
769
1,662
   Property
28,172
3,644
717
32,533
15,729
 
481
 
110
94
225
429
   Financial institutions
49,684
2,207
36
51,927
17,387
 
1,511
 
40
16
12
68
   Sovereign
5,341
115
28
5,484
652
 
-
 
13
1
4
18
   Corporate
58,307
14,871
1,424
74,602
55,095
 
2,534
 
262
357
528
1,147
   Of which:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Agriculture
3,897
947
114
4,958
949
 
25
 
22
30
50
102
      Airlines and aerospace
1,030
786
17
1,833
1,544
 
67
 
7
15
7
29
      Automotive
6,334
992
44
7,370
4,053
 
85
 
19
13
12
44
      Chemicals
368
75
1
444
887
 
12
 
2
1
1
4
      Health
4,068
878
120
5,066
589
 
10
 
21
27
44
92
      Industrials
2,390
758
57
3,205
3,128
 
191
 
12
15
18
45
      Land transport & logistics
4,435
659
67
5,161
3,325
 
189
 
18
17
17
52
      Leisure
3,971
3,198
247
7,416
1,773
 
98
 
34
113
97
244
      Mining & metals
217
226
5
448
418
 
5
 
-
1
5
6
      Oil and gas
898
109
30
1,037
1,969
 
291
 
4
3
29
36
      Power utilities
4,532
438
2
4,972
8,003
 
755
 
14
18
1
33
      Retail
6,595
1,192
143
7,930
4,552
 
370
 
23
27
68
118
      Shipping
205
58
4
267
98
 
26
 
1
3
2
6
      Water & waste
3,286
554
15
3,855
1,793
 
98
 
5
5
4
14
Total
333,886
46,790
5,115
385,791
127,935
 
4,573
 
681
984
1,782
3,447
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31 December 2022
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Personal
192,438
21,854
2,831
217,123
43,126
 
51
 
260
466
957
1,683
   Mortgages
182,245
18,787
1,925
202,957
18,782
 
-
 
81
62
233
376
   Credit cards
3,275
1,076
109
4,460
15,848
 
-
 
62
122
73
257
   Other personal
6,918
1,991
797
9,706
8,496
 
51
 
117
282
651
1,050
Wholesale
132,786
24,979
2,265
160,030
88,886
 
4,963
 
372
577
802
1,751
   Property
27,542
4,316
716
32,574
15,302
 
491
 
107
105
229
441
   Financial institutions
46,738
1,353
47
48,138
18,223
 
1,332
 
32
14
17
63
   Sovereign
5,458
157
26
5,641
710
 
-
 
15
1
3
19
   Corporate
53,048
19,153
1,476
73,677
54,651
 
3,140
 
218
457
553
1,228
   Of which:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Agriculture
3,646
1,034
93
4,773
968
 
24
 
21
31
43
95
      Airlines and aerospace
483
1,232
19
1,734
1,715
 
174
 
2
40
8
50
      Automotive
5,776
1,498
30
7,304
4,009
 
99
 
18
18
11
47
      Chemicals
384
117
1
502
650
 
12
 
1
2
1
4
      Health
3,974
1,008
141
5,123
475
 
8
 
19
30
48
97
      Industrials
2,148
1,037
82
3,267
3,135
 
195
 
10
16
24
50
      Land transport & logistics
3,788
1,288
66
5,142
3,367
 
190
 
13
33
17
63
      Leisure
3,416
3,787
260
7,463
1,907
 
102
 
27
147
115
289
      Mining & metals
173
230
5
408
545
 
5
 
-
1
5
6
      Oil and gas
953
159
60
1,172
2,157
 
248
 
3
3
31
37
      Power utilities
4,228
406
6
4,640
6,960
 
1,182
 
9
11
1
21
      Retail
6,497
1,746
150
8,393
4,682
 
416
 
21
29
68
118
      Shipping
161
151
14
326
110
 
22
 
-
7
6
13
      Water & waste
3,026
335
7
3,368
2,143
 
101
 
4
4
4
12
Total
325,224
46,833
5,096
377,153
132,012
 
5,014
 
632
1,043
1,759
3,434
 
 
(1)  
As at 31 March 2023, £142.5 billion, 69%, of the total residential mortgages portfolio had Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) data available (31 December 2022 - £138.8 billion, 68%). Of which, 42% were rated as EPC A to C (31 December 2022 - 42%). EPC data source and limitations are provided on page 69 of the 2022 NatWest Group plc Climate-related Disclosures Report.
 
 
 
 
 
Risk and capital management
 
Credit risk continued
 
Wholesale support schemes
 
The table below shows the sector split for the Bounce Bank Loan Scheme (BBLS) as well as associated debt split by stage. Associated debt refers to the non-BBLS lending to customers who also have BBLS lending.
 
 
Gross carrying amount
 
 
 
 
 
BBL
 
Associated debt
 
ECL on associated debt
 
Stage 1 
Stage 2
Stage 3
Total
 
Stage 1 
Stage 2
Stage 3
Total
 
Stage 1
Stage 2 
Stage 3
31 March 2023
£m
£m
£m
£m
 
£m
£m
£m
£m
 
£m
£m
£m
Wholesale 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property 
946
185
44
1,175
 
881
209
66
1,156
 
10
15
25
Financial institutions
22
4
-
26
 
9
2
-
11
 
-
-
1
Sovereign
5
1
-
6
 
1
-
-
1
 
-
-
-
Corporate
2,904
587
354
3,845
 
2,316
809
129
3,254
 
26
55
71
Of which:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Agriculture
205
68
4
277
 
826
278
26
1,130
 
7
13
10
   Airlines and aerospace
3
1
-
4
 
2
-
-
2
 
-
-
-
   Automotive
204
31
9
244
 
101
32
6
139
 
1
3
3
   Chemicals
6
1
-
7
 
9
-
-
9
 
-
-
-
   Health
153
21
4
178
 
278
77
12
367
 
2
4
4
   Industrials
120
19
5
144
 
79
18
4
101
 
1
2
3
   Land transport & logistics
112
23
7
142
 
50
17
4
71
 
1
2
3
   Leisure
427
101
26
554
 
329
154
24
507
 
5
12
13
   Mining & metals
4
1
-
5
 
6
1
-
7
 
-
-
-
   Oil and gas
5
2
-
7
 
3
1
-
4
 
-
-
-
   Power utilities
3
1
-
4
 
3
3
1
7
 
-
-
-
   Retail
507
94
24
625
 
282
90
15
387
 
4
8
10
   Shipping
2
-
-
2
 
1
3
-
4
 
-
-
-
   Water & waste
14
2
1
17
 
10
1
2
13
 
-
-
-
Total
3,877
777
398
5,052
 
3,207
1,020
195
4,422
 
36
70
97
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31 December 2022
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wholesale 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property 
1,029
197
51
1,277
 
908
217
61
1,186
 
10
15
27
Financial institutions
24
4
-
28
 
9
2
-
11
 
-
-
1
Sovereign
5
1
1
7
 
2
-
-
2
 
-
-
-
Corporate
3,165
629
338
4,132
 
2,302
872
116
3,290
 
26
56
69
Of which:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Agriculture
221
74
4
299
 
819
297
22
1,138
 
6
14
11
   Airlines and aerospace
3
1
-
4
 
-
1
-
1
 
-
-
-
   Automotive
221
34
10
265
 
100
37
5
142
 
1
2
3
   Chemicals
6
1
-
7
 
9
1
-
10
 
-
-
-
   Health
165
23
4
192
 
271
92
9
372
 
2
4
4
   Industrials
131
21
5
157
 
77
20
4
101
 
1
2
2
   Land transport & logistics
122
25
8
155
 
51
16
4
71
 
1
2
3
   Leisure
471
108
28
607
 
336
161
27
524
 
5
12
16
   Mining & metals
5
1
-
6
 
5
1
-
6
 
-
-
-
   Oil and gas
6
1
-
7
 
2
2
-
4
 
-
-
-
   Power utilities
3
1
-
4
 
3
4
-
7
 
-
-
-
   Retail
554
102
26
682
 
283
94
14
391
 
4
7
10
   Shipping
2
-
-
2
 
1
3
-
4
 
-
-
-
   Water & waste
15
2
1
18
 
10
3
-
13
 
-
-
-
Total
4,223
831
390
5,444
 
3,221
1,091
177
4,489
 
36
71
97
 
 
Risk and capital management
 
Credit risk continued
 
−     Personal - Balance sheet growth during Q1 2023 mainly reflected continued mortgage growth. Unsecured balances growth, primarily in credit cards, was driven by strong customer demand alongside disciplined credit risk appetite. Total ECL coverage increased. The increase in coverage was reflective of increased Stage 3 ECL on unsecured portfolios, mainly due to reduced write-off activity in the quarter. Stable good book coverage captures continued stable portfolio performance, while maintaining sufficient ECL coverage given increased inflationary and economic pressures on customers. Stage 2 balances increased as a result of the predicted rise in unemployment, therefore increasing IFRS 9 probability of defaults on a forward-looking basis.  
 
−     Wholesale - Balance sheet growth was driven by an increase in exposure to corporate and financial institutions sectors. Sector appetite continues to be reviewed regularly, with particular focus on sector clusters and sub-sectors that are vulnerable to inflationary pressures or deemed to represent a heightened risk. Repayment performance under COVID-19 UK Government lending schemes is closely tracked and the value of open accounts reduced in Q1 2023 driven by scheduled repayment activity and account closures. Exposures under the BBLS that benefit from the 100% UK Government guarantee account for the majority of remaining UK Government scheme exposures. BBLS customers with missed payments continued to rise during the quarter, and there was also a modest increase in Stage 3 exposures. Stage 2 ECL reduced significantly as a number of customers migrated back into Stage 1 due to the positive trends in underlying risk metrics, also leading to an increase in Stage 1 ECL. Stage 3 ECL reduced with write-offs and releases more than offsetting flows into default.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk and capital management
 
Capital, liquidity and funding risk
 
Introduction
 
Recent banking sector events (including those resulting from the rapid rise in global interest rates) have caused macroeconomic and market uncertainty. The future impact remains uncertain. NatWest Group takes a comprehensive approach to the management of capital, liquidity and funding, underpinned by frameworks, risk appetite and policies, to manage and mitigate capital, liquidity and funding risks. The framework ensures the tools and capability are in place to facilitate the management and mitigation of risk ensuring that NatWest Group operates within its regulatory requirements and risk appetite.
 
Key developments since 31 December 2022
 
 
 
CET1 ratio
The CET1 ratio increased by 20 basis points to 14.4%. The increase in CET1 ratio was due to a £0.7 billion increase in CET1 capital, partially offset by a £2.0 billion increase in RWAs.
The CET1 increase was mainly driven by an attributable profit for ordinary shareholders of £1.3 billion offset by:
−       a foreseeable ordinary dividend accrual of £0.5 billion;
−       a £0.1 billion decrease in the IFRS 9 transitional adjustment, primarily due to the annual update in the dynamic stage transition percentage and the end of transition on the static and historic stages; and
−       other movements on reserves and regulatory adjustments.
 
Total RWAs
Total RWAs increased by £2.0 billion to £178.1 billion mainly reflecting:
−       an increase in credit risk RWAs of £1.7 billion, primarily due to drawdowns and new facilities within Commercial & Institutional. This was partially offset by improved risk metrics within Commercial & Institutional.
−       an increase in operational risk RWAs of £1.1 billion following the annual recalculation.
−       a reduction in market risk RWAs of £0.8 billion primarily due to lower volatility than in Q4 2022, combined with the prospective adjustment of the VaR model that makes it more sensitive to recent market conditions and is capitalised as Risks Not In VaR (RNIV) RWAs.
 
UK leverage ratio
The leverage ratio remained static at 5.4%. There was a £0.7 billion increase in Tier 1 capital offset by a £8.9 billion increase in leverage exposure. The key driver in the leverage exposure was an increase in other financial assets.
 
Liquidity portfolio
The liquidity portfolio decreased by £15.6 billion to £209.9 billion, with primary liquidity decreasing by £12.9 billion to £148.7 billion. The reduction in primary liquidity is driven by a decrease in deposits, share buybacks and an increase in lending. The reduction in secondary liquidity is due to a decrease in the pre-positioned collateral at the Bank of England.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk and capital management
 
Capital, liquidity and funding risk continued
 
Maximum Distributable Amount (MDA) and Minimum Capital Requirements
 
NatWest Group is subject to minimum capital requirements relative to RWAs. The table below summarises the minimum capital requirements (the sum of Pillar 1 and Pillar 2A), and the additional capital buffers which are held in excess of the regulatory minimum requirements and are usable in stress.  
 
Where the CET1 ratio falls below the sum of the minimum capital and the combined buffer requirement, there is a subsequent automatic restriction on the amount available to service discretionary payments (including AT1 coupons), known as the MDA. Note that different requirements apply to individual legal entities or sub-groups and that the table shown does not reflect any incremental PRA buffer requirements, which are not disclosable.
 
The current capital position provides significant headroom above both our minimum requirements and our MDA threshold requirements.
 
Type
CET1
Total Tier 1
Total capital
Pillar 1 requirements
4.5%
6.0%
8.0%
Pillar 2A  requirements
1.7%
2.3%
3.0%
Minimum Capital Requirements
6.2%
8.3%
11.0%
Capital conservation buffer
2.5%
2.5%
2.5%
Countercyclical capital buffer (1,2)
0.8%
0.8%
0.8%
MDA threshold (3)
9.5%
n/a
n/a
Overall capital requirement
9.5%
11.6%
14.3%
Capital ratios at 31 March 2023
14.4%
16.6%
19.6%
Headroom (4)
4.9%
5.0%
5.3%
 
 
(1)
The Financial Policy Committee announced an increase in the UK CCyB rate from 1% to 2% effective from 5 July 2023.
(2)
The Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) announced the CCyB on Irish exposures will increase from 0% to 0.5%, applicable from 15 June 2023 with a further increase to 1.0% from 24 November 2023. The CBI has been looking to gradually build-up the CCyB to a level of 1.5% when risk conditions are deemed to be neither elevated nor subdued.
(3)
Pillar 2A requirements for NatWest Group are set as a variable amount with the exception of some fixed add-ons.
(4)
The headroom does not reflect excess distributable capital and may vary over time.
 
 
Leverage ratios
 
The table below summarises the minimum ratios of capital to leverage exposure under the binding PRA UK leverage framework applicable for NatWest Group.
 
Type
CET1
Total Tier 1
Minimum ratio
2.44%
3.25%
Countercyclical leverage ratio buffer (1)
0.3%
0.3%
Total
2.74%
3.55%
 
 
(1)
The countercyclical leverage ratio buffer is set at 35% of NatWest Group's CCyB. As noted above the UK CCyB is anticipated to increase from 1% to 2% from 5 July 2023. Foreign exposures may be subject to different CCyB rates depending on the rates set in those jurisdictions.
 
 
 
 
 
Risk and capital management
 
Capital, liquidity and funding risk continued
 
Capital and leverage ratios
 
The tables below set out the key capital and leverage ratios. NatWest Group is subject to the requirements set out in the UK CRR therefore capital and leverage ratios are being presented under these frameworks on a transitional basis.
 
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2023
2022
2022
Capital adequacy ratios (1)
%
%
%
CET1
14.4
14.2
15.2
Tier 1
16.6
16.4
17.4
Total
19.6
19.3
20.4
 
 
 
 
Capital
£m
£m
£m
Tangible equity
26,646
25,482
28,571
 
 
 
 
Prudential valuation adjustment
(284)
(275)
(297)
Deferred tax assets
(835)
(912)
(769)
Own credit adjustments
(45)
(58)
(27)
Pension fund assets
(235)
(227)
(476)
Cash flow hedging reserve
2,556
2,771
1,113
Foreseeable ordinary dividends
(1,479)
(967)
(1,096)
Adjustment for trust assets (2)
(365)
(365)
-
Foreseeable charges - on-market ordinary share buyback programme
(507)
(800)
(527)
Adjustments under IFRS 9 transitional arrangements
220
361
403
Insufficient coverage for non-performing exposures
(22)
(18)
(6)
Total deductions
(996)
(490)
(1,682)
 
 
 
 
CET1 capital
25,650
24,992
26,889
 
 
 
 
Additional Tier 1 Capital
3,875
3,875
3,875
Tier 1 capital
29,525
28,867
30,764
 
 
 
 
End-point Tier 2 capital 
5,402
4,978
5,067
Grandfathered instrument transitional arrangements
75
75
213
Tier 2 capital
5,477
5,053
5,280
 
 
 
 
Total regulatory capital
35,002
33,920
36,044
 
 
 
 
Risk-weighted assets
 
 
 
Credit risk
143,729
141,963
140,377
Counterparty credit risk
6,661
6,723
8,776
Market risk
7,547
8,300
8,550
Operational risk
20,198
19,115
19,115
Total RWAs
178,135
176,101
176,818
 
 
 
(1)  
Based on current PRA rules, therefore includes the transitional relief on grandfathered capital instruments and the transitional arrangements for the capital impact of IFRS 9 expected credit loss (ECL) accounting. The impact of the IFRS 9 transitional adjustments at 31 March 2023 was £0.2 billion for CET1 capital, £29 million for total capital and £37 million RWAs (31 December 2022 - £0.4 billion CET1 capital, £36 million total capital and £71 million RWAs; 31 March 2022 - £0.4 billion CET1 capital, £44 billion total capital and £28 million RWAs). Excluding these adjustments, the CET1 ratio would be 14.3% (31 December 2022 - 14.0%; 31 March 2022 - 15.0%). The transitional relief on grandfathered instruments at 31 March 2023 was £0.1 billion (31 December 2022 - £0.1 billion; 31 March 2022 - £0.2 billion). Excluding both the transitional relief on grandfathered capital instruments and the transitional arrangements for the capital impact of IFRS 9 expected credit loss (ECL) accounting, the end-point Tier 1 capital ratio would be 16.5% (31 December 2022 - 16.2%; 31 March 2022 - 17.2%) and the end-point Total capital ratio would be 19.6% (31 December 2022 - 19.2%, 31 March 2022 - 20.2%).
(2)
Prudent deduction in respect of agreement with the pension fund to establish new legal structure.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk and capital management
 
Capital, liquidity and funding risk continued
 
Capital and leverage ratios continued
 
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2023
2022
2022
Leverage
£m
£m
£m
Cash and balances at central banks
           123,399 
144,832
168,783
Trading assets
             50,457 
45,577
64,950
Derivatives
             79,420 
99,545
100,013
Financial assets
           413,998 
404,374
416,677
Other assets
             22,067 
18,864
25,750
Assets of disposal groups
               6,283 
6,861
9,225
Total assets
695,624 
720,053
785,398
Derivatives
 
 
 
   - netting and variation margin
(79,252)
(100,356)
(100,386)
   - potential future exposures
16,981
18,327
21,412
Securities financing transactions gross up
1,880
4,147
2,838
Other off balance sheet items
45,178
46,144
43,986
Regulatory deductions and other adjustments
(11,865)
(7,114)
(16,310)
Claims on central banks
(119,981)
(141,144)
(165,408)
Exclusion of bounce back loans
(5,052)
(5,444)
(7,112)
UK leverage exposure
543,513
534,613
564,418
UK leverage ratio (%) (1)
5.4
5.4
5.5
 
 
 
(1)  
The UK leverage exposure and transitional Tier 1 capital are calculated in accordance with current PRA rules. Excluding the IFRS 9 transitional adjustment, the UK leverage ratio would be 5.4% (31 December 2022 - 5.3%; 31 March 2022 - 5.4%).
 
Capital flow statement
 
The table below analyses the movement in CET1, AT1 and Tier 2 capital for the three months ended 31 March 2023. It is presented on a transitional basis based on current PRA rules.
 
 
CET1
AT1
Tier 2
Total
 
£m
£m
£m
£m
At 31 December 2022
24,992
3,875
5,053
33,920
Attributable profit for the period
1,279
-
-
1,279
Foreseeable ordinary dividends
(512)
-
-
(512)
Foreign exchange reserve
(66)
-
-
(66)
FVOCI reserve
64
-
-
64
Own credit
13
-
-
13
Share capital and reserve movements in respect of employee
 
 
 
 
   share schemes
56
-
-
56
Goodwill and intangibles deduction
(55)
-
-
(55)
Deferred tax assets
77
-
-
77
Prudential valuation adjustments
(9)
-
-
(9)
Net dated subordinated debt instruments
-
-
386
386
Foreign exchange movements
-
-
(60)
(60)
Adjustment under IFRS 9 transitional arrangements
(141)
-
-
(141)
Other movements
(48)
-
98
50
At 31 March 2023
25,650
3,875
5,477
35,002
 
−     The CET1 increase was primarily due to the attributable profit of £1.3 billion, offset by foreseeable ordinary dividend of £0.5 billion, a £0.1 billion decrease in the IFRS 9 transitional adjustment and other movements in reserves and regulatory adjustments in the period.
 
−     The Tier 2 movements include €700 million 5.763% Fixed to Fixed Reset Tier 2 Notes 2034 issued in February 2023 and the derecognition of the £0.2 billion in respect of the cash tender offer for the outstanding 5.125% Subordinated Tier 2 Notes 2024 announced in March 2023. Within Tier 2, there was also a £0.1 billion increase in the Tier 2 surplus provisions.
 
 
 
 
 
Risk and capital management
 
Capital, liquidity and funding risk continued
 
Risk-weighted assets
 
The table below analyses the movement in RWAs during the period, by key drivers.
 
 
 
Counterparty
 
Operational
 
 
Credit risk
credit risk
Market risk
 risk
Total
 
£bn
£bn
£bn
£bn
£bn
At 31 December 2022
142.0
6.7
8.3
19.1
176.1
Foreign exchange movement
(0.4)
-
-
-
(0.4)
Business movement
2.9
-
(0.8)
1.1
3.2
Risk parameter changes
(0.3)
-
-
-
(0.3)
Methodology changes 
-
-
-
-
-
Model updates
(0.3)
-
-
-
(0.3)
Acquisitions and disposals
(0.2)
-
-
-
(0.2)
At 31 March 2023
143.7
6.7
7.5
20.2
178.1
 
The table below analyses segmental RWAs.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
Retail
Private
Commercial &
Central items
NatWest
 
Banking
Banking
Institutional
& other (1)
Group
Total RWAs
£bn
£bn
£bn
£bn
£bn
At 31 December 2022
54.7
11.2
103.2
7.0
176.1
Foreign exchange movement
-
-
(0.4)
-
(0.4)
Business movement
0.9
0.2
2.6
(0.5)
3.2
Risk parameter changes 
-
-
(0.3)
-
(0.3)
Methodology changes 
-
-
-
-
-
Model updates
-
-
(0.3)
-
(0.3)
Acquisitions and disposals
-
-
-
(0.2)
(0.2)
At 31 March 2023
55.6
11.4
104.8
6.3
178.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit risk
48.0
10.0
80.2
5.5
143.7
Counterparty credit risk
0.2
-
6.5
-
6.7
Market risk
0.2
-
7.3
-
7.5
Operational risk
7.2
1.4
10.8
0.8
20.2
Total RWAs
55.6
11.4
104.8
6.3
178.1
 
 
 
(1)  
£4.6 billion of Central items & other relates to Ulster Bank RoI.
 
Total RWAs increased by £2.0 billion to £178.1 billion during the period mainly reflecting:
 
−       An increase in business movements totalling £3.2 billion, primarily driven by increased drawdowns and new facilities within Commercial & Institutional in addition to increased RWAs following the annual recalculation of operational risk. This is partially offset by a reduction in market risk driven by reduced market volatility.
 
−       A decrease in risk parameters of £0.3 billion, reflecting improved risk metrics within Commercial & Institutional.
 
−       A decrease in model updates of £0.3 billion, primarily reflecting a reduction in the IRB model adjustments following the new regulations at 1 January 2022.
 
−       Disposals relating to the phased withdrawal from the Republic of Ireland, reducing RWAs by £0.2 billion.
 
 
 
 
 
Risk and capital management
 
Capital, liquidity and funding risk continued
 
Liquidity portfolio
 
The table below shows the liquidity portfolio by product, with primary liquidity aligned to internal stressed outflow coverage and regulatory liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) categorisation. Secondary liquidity comprises assets eligible for discount at central banks, which do not form part of the liquid asset portfolio for LCR or internal stressed outflow coverage purposes.
 
 
Liquidity value
 
31 March 2023
 
31 December 2022
 
31 March 2022
 
NatWest
 
NatWest
 
NatWest
 
Group (1)
 
Group
 
Group 
 
£m
 
£m
 
£m
Cash and balances at central banks 
120,136
 
140,820
 
166,176
   AAA to AA- rated governments
25,454
 
18,589
 
31,385
   A+ and lower rated governments
935
 
317
 
105
   Government guaranteed issuers, public sector entities and
 
 
 
 
 
      government sponsored entities
174
 
134
 
266
   International organisations and multilateral development banks
1,995
 
1,734
 
3,087
LCR level 1 bonds
28,558
 
20,774
 
34,843
LCR level 1 assets
148,694
 
161,594
 
201,019
LCR level 2 assets
-
 
-
 
121
Non-LCR eligible assets
-
 
-
 
-
Primary liquidity 
148,694
 
161,594
 
201,140
Secondary liquidity (2)
61,196
 
63,917
 
73,370
Total liquidity value
209,890
 
225,511
 
274,510
 
 
(1)  
NatWest Group includes the UK Domestic Liquidity Sub-Group (NWB Plc, RBS plc and Coutts & Co), NatWest Markets Plc and other significant operating subsidiaries that hold liquidity portfolios. These include The Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited, NWM N.V. and Ulster Bank Ireland DAC who hold managed portfolios that comply with local regulations that may differ from PRA rules.
(2)
Comprises assets eligible for discounting at the Bank of England and other central banks.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed consolidated income statement
 
for the period ended 31 March 2023 (unaudited)
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2023
2022
2022
 
£m 
£m 
£m 
Interest receivable
4,501
4,046
2,430
Interest payable
(1,599)
(1,178)
(403)
Net interest income 
2,902
2,868
2,027
Fees and commissions receivable
740
770
693
Fees and commissions payable
(157)
(155)
(149)
Income from trading activities
333
164
362
Other operating income 
58
61
75
Non-interest income
974
840
981
Total income
3,876
3,708
3,008
Staff costs
(1,040)
(1,029)
(901)
Premises and equipment
(286)
(292)
(251)
Other administrative expenses
(450)
(597)
(471)
Depreciation and amortisation
(212)
(220)
(197)
Operating expenses
(1,988)
(2,138)
(1,820)
Profit before impairment losses/releases
1,888
1,570
1,188
Impairment (losses)/releases
(70)
(144)
36
Operating profit before tax
1,818
1,426
1,224
Tax charge
(512)
(46)
(386)
Profit from continuing operations
1,306
1,380
838
Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (1)
35
(56)
63
Profit for the period
1,341
1,324
901
 
 
 
 
Attributable to:
 
 
 
Ordinary shareholders
1,279
1,262
841
Paid-in equity holders
61
61
59
Non-controlling interests
1
1
1
 
1,341
1,324
901
 
 
 
 
Earnings per ordinary share - continuing operations
12.8p
13.7p
7.5p
Earnings per ordinary share - discontinued operations
0.4p
(0.6p)
0.6p
Total earnings per share attributable to ordinary shareholders - basic
13.2p
13.1p
8.1p
Earnings per ordinary share - fully diluted continuing operations
12.8p
13.6p
7.4p
Earnings per ordinary share - fully diluted discontinued operations
0.4p
(0.6p)
0.6p
Total earnings per share attributable to ordinary shareholders - fully diluted
13.2p
13.0p
8.0p
 
 
 
(1)  
The results of discontinued operations, comprising the post-tax profit, are shown as a single amount on the face of the income statement. An analysis of this amount is presented in Note 2 on page 29.
(2)
On 30 August 2022 the issued ordinary share capital was consolidated in the ratio of 14 existing shares for 13 new shares.  The number of shares for earnings per share has been adjusted retrospectively.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income
 
for the period ended 31 March 2023 (unaudited)
 
 
 
Quarter ended
 
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
 
2023
2022
2022
 
 
£m
£m
£m
Profit for the period
 
1,341
1,324
901
Items that do not qualify for reclassification
 
 
 
 
Remeasurement of retirement benefit schemes (1)
 
(39)
(158)
(508)
Changes in fair value of credit in financial liabilities designated at fair value through
 
 
 
 
   profit or loss (FVTPL) 
 
(6)
(52)
39
Fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) financial assets
 
43
17
9
Tax (1)
 
(2)
51
122
 
 
(4)
(142)
(338)
Items that do qualify for reclassification 
 
 
 
 
FVOCI financial assets
 
40
(6)
(238)
Cash flow hedges
 
298
701
(983)
Currency translation
 
(59)
(117)
35
Tax
 
(98)
(192)
339
 
 
181
386
(847)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) after tax
 
177
244
(1,185)
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period
 
1,518
1,568
(284)
 
 
 
 
 
Attributable to:
 
 
 
 
Ordinary shareholders
 
1,456
1,506
(345)
Paid-in equity holders
 
61
61
59
Non-controlling interests
 
1
1
2
 
 
1,518
1,568
(284)
 
 
(1)  
Following the purchase of ordinary shares from UKGI in Q1 2022, NatWest Group contributed £500 million to its main pension scheme in line with the memorandum of understanding announced on 17 April 2018. After tax relief, this contribution reduced total equity by £365 million.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed consolidated balance sheet as at 31 March 2023 (unaudited)
 
 
 
 
31 March
31 December
2023
2022
 
£m
£m 
Assets
 
 
Cash and balances at central banks
123,399
144,832
Trading assets
50,457
45,577
Derivatives
79,420
99,545
Settlement balances
6,057
2,572
Loans to banks - amortised cost
7,893
7,139
Loans to customers - amortised cost
374,214
366,340
Other financial assets
31,891
30,895
Intangible assets
7,171
7,116
Other assets
8,839
9,176
Assets of disposal groups
6,283
6,861
Total assets
695,624
720,053
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
Bank deposits 
20,880
20,441
Customer deposits
430,537
450,318
Settlement balances
6,674
2,012
Trading liabilities
57,724
52,808
Derivatives
73,770
94,047
Other financial liabilities
52,926
49,107
Subordinated liabilities
6,854
6,260
Notes in circulation
3,206
3,218
Other liabilities
5,337
5,346
Total liabilities
657,908
683,557
 
 
 
Equity
 
 
Ordinary shareholders' interests
33,817
32,598
Other owners' interests
3,890
3,890
Owners' equity
37,707
36,488
Non-controlling interests
9
8
Total equity
37,716
36,496
Total liabilities and equity
695,624
720,053
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity
 
for the period ended 31 March 2023 (unaudited)
 
 
 
 
Share 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
capital and
 
 
 
Total
Non
 
 
statutory
Paid-in
Retained
Other
owners'
controlling
Total 
 
reserves (1)
equity
earnings
reserves*
equity
 interests
equity
 
£m
£m
£m
£m
£m
£m
£m
At 1 January 2023
13,093
3,890
10,019
9,486
36,488
8
36,496
Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    and other equity owners  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      - continuing operations
 
 
1,305
 
1,305
1
1,306
      - discontinued operations
 
 
35
 
35
-
35
Other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  - Remeasurement of retirement 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        benefit schemes 
 
 
(39)
 
(39)
 
(39)
  - Changes in fair value of credit in financial 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        liabilities designated at FVTPL due 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
          to own credit risk
 
 
(6)
 
(6)
 
(6)
  - Unrealised gains: FVOCI
 
 
 
70
70
 
70
  - Amounts recognised in equity: cash flow hedges
 
 
 
230
230
 
230
  - Foreign exchange reserve movement
 
 
 
(59)
(59)
-
(59)
  - Amount transferred from equity to earnings
 
 
 
81
81
 
81
  - Tax 
 
 
9
(109)
(100)
 
(100)
Paid-in equity dividends paid
 
 
(61)
 
(61)
 
(61)
Shares repurchased during the period (2)
-
 
(293)
 
(293)
 
(293)
Shares issued under employee share schemes 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  during the period  
-
 
7
 
7
 
7
Share-based payments 
 
 
(5)
 
(5)
 
(5)
Movement in own shares held 
54
 
 
 
54
 
54
At 31 March 2023
13,147
3,890
10,971
9,699
37,707
9
37,716
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31 March
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2023
Attributable to:
 
 
 
 
£m
Ordinary shareholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
33,817
Paid-in equity holders
 
 
 
 
 
 
3,890
Non-controlling interests
 
 
 
 
 
 
9
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
37,716
*Other reserves consist of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Merger reserve
 
 
 
 
 
 
10,881
FVOCI reserve
 
 
 
 
 
 
(38)
Cash flow hedging reserve
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2,556)
Foreign exchange reserve
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,412
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9,699
 
 
(1)  
Share capital and statutory reserves includes share capital, share premium, capital redemption reserve and own shares held.
(2)
NatWest Group plc repurchased and cancelled 114.0 million shares for total consideration of £306.7 million excluding fees in Q1 2023 as part of the on-market share buyback programme. Of the 114.0 million shares bought back, 7.4 million shares were settled and cancelled in April 2023.
 
 
 
 
 
Notes
 
1. Presentation of condensed consolidated financial statements
 
The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with NatWest Group plc's 2022 Annual Report and Accounts. The accounting policies are the same as those applied in the consolidated financial statements.
 
The directors have prepared the condensed consolidated financial statements on a going concern basis after assessing the principal risks, forecasts, projections and other relevant evidence over the twelve months from the date they are approved.
 
Comparative period results have been re-presented from those previously published to reclassify certain items as discontinued operations. For further details refer to Note 2 below. 
 
Amendments to IFRS effective from 1 January 2023 had no material effect on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
 
2. Discontinued operations and assets and liabilities of disposal groups
 
Three legally binding agreements for the sale of UBIDAC business have been announced as part of the phased withdrawal from the Republic of Ireland. Material developments since year end 2022 are set out below.
 
Agreement with Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. (AIB) for the transfer of performing commercial loans.
 
Successful migration of a further two tranches of performing commercial loans to AIB was completed during Q1 2023, with a cumulative €2.3 billion of gross performing loans being fully migrated by the end of the quarter. It is expected that remaining migrations will be materially completed by the end of H1 2023. Colleagues who are wholly or mainly assigned to supporting this part of the business have continued to transfer to AIB under Transfer of Undertakings, Protection of Employment (TUPE) arrangements. Losses on disposal of €13 million have been recognised in respect of the migrations completed during Q1 2023 (Q4 2022 - €47 million; Q1 2022 - nil).
 
Agreement with Permanent TSB Group Holdings p.l.c. (PTSB) for the sale of performing non-tracker mortgages, the performing loans in the micro-SME business, the UBIDAC Asset Finance business, including its Lombard digital platform, and 25 Ulster Bank branch locations in the Republic of Ireland.
 
During Q1 2023, c.€160 million of performing micro-SME loans and 25 branches were transferred to PTSB. The remaining performing non-tracker mortgages, micro-SME loans, Lombard Asset Finance business and all remaining eligible colleagues who will move under TUPE regulations, are also expected to transfer during 2023.
 
Agreement with AIB for the sale of performing tracker and linked mortgages.
 
In January 2023 the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) granted approval for the portfolio sale of performing tracker and linked mortgages to AIB. Completion of this sale is still expected to occur in Q2 2023.
 
The business activities relating to these sales that meet the requirements of IFRS 5 are presented as a discontinued operation and as a disposal group. Comparatives have been re-presented from those previously published to reclassify certain items as discontinued operations. This has resulted in a re-presentation of Q1 2022 comparatives: a reduction in operating profit before tax from continuing operations of £21 million and an increase in profit from discontinued operations of £21 million. Total profit for the period remains unchanged. Ulster Bank RoI continuing operations are now reported within NatWest Group Central items & other.
 
(a)   Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
 
 
Quarter ended 
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2023
2022
2022
 
£m
£m
£m
Interest receivable
15
17
78
Net interest income
15
17
78
Non-interest income
17
(63)
-
Total income
32
(46)
78
Operating expenses
(4)
(3)
(11)
Profit/(loss) before impairment releases/losses
28
(49)
67
Impairment releases/(losses)
7
(7)
(4)
Operating profit/(loss) before tax
35
(56)
63
Tax charge
-
-
-
Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
35
(56)
63
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes
 
2. Discontinued operations and assets and liabilities of disposal groups continued
 
(b)   Assets and liabilities of disposal groups
 
 
 
As at 
 
 
31 March
31 December
 
 
2023
2022
 
 
£m
£m
Assets of disposal groups
 
 
 
Loans to customers - amortised cost
 
1,152
1,458
Other financial assets - loans to customers at fair value through profit or loss
 
5,131
5,397
Other assets
 
-
6
 
 
6,283
6,861
 
 
 
 
Liabilities of disposal groups
 
 
 
Other liabilities
 
9
15
 
 
9
15
 
 
 
 
Net assets of disposal groups
 
6,274
6,846
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. Litigation and regulatory matters
 
NatWest Group plc's 2022 Annual Report and Accounts, issued on 17 February 2023, included disclosures about NatWest Group's litigation and regulatory matters in Note 26. Set out below are the material developments in those matters (all of which have been previously disclosed) since publication of the 2022 Annual Report and Accounts.
 
Litigation
 
FX litigation
 
NWM Plc, NWMSI and/or NatWest Group plc are defendants in several cases relating to NWM Plc's foreign exchange (FX) business. In 2015, NWM Plc paid US$255 million to settle the consolidated antitrust class action filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) on behalf of persons who entered into over-the-counter FX transactions with defendants or who traded FX instruments on exchanges. In 2018, some members of the settlement class who opted out of that class action settlement filed their own non-class complaint in the SDNY asserting antitrust claims against NWM Plc, NWMSI and other banks.
 
In April 2019, some of the claimants in the opt-out case described above, as well as others, served proceedings in the High Court of Justice of England and Wales, asserting competition claims against NWM Plc and several other banks. The claim was transferred from the High Court of Justice of England and Wales in December 2021 and registered in the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) in January 2022. In March 2023, NWM Plc entered into an agreement to resolve both the SDNY and CAT cases. The settlement amount paid by NWM Plc was covered by an existing provision.
 
In the FX-related class action in the SDNY on behalf of 'consumers and end-user businesses', the court granted the defendants' motion for summary judgment on 30 March 2023, dismissing the plaintiffs' claims. The court's decision granting summary judgment, as well as a prior decision denying class certification in the case, are subject to appeal by the plaintiffs.
 
In December 2021, a claim was issued in the Netherlands against NatWest Group plc, NWM Plc and NWM N.V. by Stichting FX Claims on behalf of a number of claimants, seeking a declaration from the court that anti-competitive FX market conduct described in decisions of the European Commission (EC) of 16 May 2019 is unlawful, along with unspecified damages. The claimants amended their claim to also refer to a December 2021 decision by the EC, which also described anti-competitive FX market conduct. The defendants contested the jurisdiction of the Dutch court. In March 2023, the district court in Amsterdam accepted that it has jurisdiction to hear claims against NWM N.V. but refused jurisdiction to hear any claims against the other defendant banks (including NatWest Group plc and NWM Plc) unless the claimants are domiciled in the Netherlands. Only certain of the claimants are so domiciled and are therefore permitted to continue with their claims against all defendants, including NatWest Group plc and NWM Plc. The claimants have until the end of June 2023 to appeal that decision.
 
Madoff
 
NWM N.V. was named as a defendant in two actions filed by the trustee for the bankrupt estates of Bernard L. Madoff and Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, in bankruptcy court in New York, which together seek to clawback more than US$298 million that NWM N.V. allegedly received from certain Madoff feeder funds and certain swap counterparties. The claims were previously dismissed, but as a result of an August 2021 decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, they will now proceed in the bankruptcy court, where they have been consolidated into one action, subject to NWM N.V.'s legal and factual defences. In May 2022, NWM N.V. filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint in the consolidated action and such motion was denied in March 2023. As a result, the claims will now enter the discovery phase.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes
 
3. Litigation and regulatory matters continued
 
1MDB litigation
 
A Malaysian court claim was served in Switzerland in November 2022 by 1MDB, a Sovereign Wealth Fund, in which Coutts & Co Ltd was named, along with six others, as a defendant in respect of losses allegedly incurred by 1MDB. It was claimed that Coutts & Co Ltd is liable as a constructive trustee for having dishonestly assisted the directors of 1MDB in the breach of their fiduciary duties by failing (amongst other alleged claims) to undertake due diligence in relation to a customer of Coutts & Co Ltd, through which funds totalling c.US$1 billion were received and paid out between 2009 and 2011. The claimant sought the return of that amount plus interest. Coutts & Co Ltd filed an application in January 2023 challenging the validity of service and the Malaysian court's jurisdiction to hear the claim.
 
On 20 April 2023, the claimant filed a notice of discontinuance of its claim against certain defendants including Coutts & Co Ltd. The claimant has subsequently indicated that it intends to issue further replacement proceedings. In that event, Coutts & Co Ltd will challenge the claimant's ability to take that step and the Malaysian Court has provisionally scheduled a hearing on 15 June 2023 to consider the validity of any new proceedings.
 
Coutts & Co Ltd is a company registered in Switzerland and is in wind-down following the announced sale of its business assets in 2015.
 
 
 
 
4. Post balance sheet events
 
Other than as disclosed there have been no significant events between 31 March 2023 and the date of approval of these accounts that would require a change to or additional disclosure in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
 
 
Additional information
 
Presentation of information
 
'Parent company' refers to NatWest Group plc and 'NatWest Group' and 'we' refers to NatWest Group plc and its subsidiary and associated undertakings. The term 'NWH Group' refers to NatWest Holdings Limited ('NWH') and its subsidiary and associated undertakings. The term 'NWM Group' refers to NatWest Markets Plc ('NWM Plc') and its subsidiary and associated undertakings. The term 'NWM N.V.' refers to NatWest Markets N.V. The term 'NWMSI' refers to NatWest Markets Securities, Inc. The term 'RBS plc' refers to The Royal Bank of Scotland plc. The term 'NWB Plc' refers to National Westminster Bank Plc. The term 'UBIDAC' refers to Ulster Bank Ireland DAC.
 
NatWest Group publishes its financial statements in pounds sterling ('£' or 'sterling'). The abbreviations '£m' and '£bn' represent millions and thousands of millions of pounds sterling, respectively, and references to 'pence' or 'p' represent pence where the amounts are denominated in pounds sterling ('GBP'). Reference to 'dollars' or '$' are to United States of America ('US') dollars. The abbreviations '$m' and '$bn' represent millions and thousands of millions of dollars, respectively. The abbreviation '€' represents the 'euro', and the abbreviations '€m' and '€bn' represent millions and thousands of millions of euros, respectively.
 
Statutory results
 
Financial information contained in this document does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 ('the Act'). The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 will be filed with the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditor on those statutory accounts was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis and did not contain a statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Act.
 
MAR - Inside Information
 
This announcement contains information that qualified or may have qualified as inside information for NatWest Group plc, for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR) as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. This announcement is made by Alexander Holcroft, Head of Investor Relations for NatWest Group plc.
 
Contacts
 
Analyst enquiries:
Alexander Holcroft, Investor Relations
 
Media enquiries:
NatWest Group Press Office
 
 
 
 
 
Management presentation
Fixed income presentation
Date:
Time:
Zoom ID:
28 April 2023
9:00AM UK time
983 2997 1468
 
28 April 2023
1:00PM UK time
979 5240 9903
 
 
 
 
 
Available on natwestgroup.com/results
 
−       Q1 2023 Interim Management Statement and background slides.
 
−       A financial supplement containing income statement, balance sheet and segment performance for the nine quarters ended 31 March 2023.
 
−       NatWest Group Pillar 3 supplement at 31 March 2023.
 
 
 
 
 
Forward looking statements
 
This document may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements that include, without limitation, the words 'expect', 'estimate', 'project', 'anticipate', 'commit', 'believe', 'should', 'intend', 'will', 'plan', 'could', 'probability', 'risk', 'Value-at-Risk (VaR)', 'target', 'goal', 'objective', 'may', 'endeavour', 'outlook', 'optimistic', 'prospects' and similar expressions or variations on these expressions. These statements concern or may affect future matters, such as NatWest Group's future economic results, business plans and strategies.  In particular, this document may include forward-looking statements relating to NatWest Group plc in respect of, but not limited to: its economic and political risks, its regulatory capital position and related requirements, its financial position, profitability and financial performance (including financial, capital, cost savings and operational targets), the implementation of its purpose-led strategy, its environmental, social and governance and climate related targets, its access to adequate sources of liquidity and funding, increasing competition from new incumbents and disruptive technologies, its exposure to third party risks, its ongoing compliance with the UK ring-fencing regime and ensuring operational continuity in resolution, its impairment losses and credit exposures under certain specified scenarios, substantial regulation and oversight, ongoing legal, regulatory and governmental actions and investigations, the transition of LIBOR and IBOR rates to replacement risk free rates and NatWest Group's exposure to operational risk, conduct risk, cyber, data and IT risk, financial crime risk, key person risk and credit rating risk. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that might cause actual results and performance to differ materially from any expected future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to differences in current expectations include, but are not limited to, future growth initiatives (including acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic partnerships), the outcome of legal, regulatory and governmental actions and investigations, the level and extent of future impairments and write-downs, legislative, political, fiscal and regulatory developments, accounting standards, competitive conditions, technological developments, interest and exchange rate fluctuations, general economic and political conditions and the impact of climate-related risks and the transitioning to a net zero economy. These and other factors, risks and uncertainties that may impact any forward-looking statement or NatWest Group plc's actual results are discussed in NatWest Group plc's UK 2022 Annual Report and Accounts (ARA), NatWest Group plc's Interim Management Statement for Q1 2023 and its other public filings. The forward-looking statements contained in this document speak only as of the date of this document and NatWest Group plc does not assume or undertake any obligation or responsibility to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this document, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent legally required.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
Appendix
 
 
Non-IFRS financial measures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-IFRS financial measures
 
NatWest Group prepares its financial statements in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards (IAS) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). This document contains a number of non-IFRS measures, also known as  alternative performance measures, defined under the European Securities and Markets Authority guidance or non-GAAP financial measures in accordance with SEC regulations. These measures are adjusted for notable and other defined items which management believes are not representative of the underlying performance of the business and which distort period-on-period comparison.
 
The non-IFRS measures provide users of the financial statements with a consistent basis for comparing business performance between financial periods and information on elements of performance that are one-off in nature. The non-IFRS measures also include a calculation of metrics that are used throughout the banking industry.
 
These non-IFRS measures are not a substitute for IFRS measures and a reconciliation to the closest IFRS measure is presented where appropriate.
 
 
1. Income excluding notable items
 
Income excluding notable items is calculated as total income less notable items.
 
The exclusion of notable items aims to remove the impact of one-offs and other items which may distort period-on-period comparisons.
 
 
Quarter ended 
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2023
2022
2022
 
£m
£m
£m
Continuing operations
 
 
 
Total income
3,876
3,708
3,008
Less notable items
 
 
 
   Commercial & Institutional 
 
 
 
      Own credit adjustments (OCA)
6
(19)
18
   Central items & other
 
 
 
      Loss on redemption of own debt
-
-
(24)
      Effective interest rate adjustment as a result of redemption of own debt
-
(41)
-
      Profit from insurance liabilities
-
92
-
      Liquidity Asset Bond sale (losses)/gains
(13)
-
41
      Share of associate (losses)/profits for Business Growth Fund
(12)
7
23
      Interest and FX risk management derivatives not in accounting hedge 
 
 
 
         relationships
75
(46)
166
      Ulster Bank RoI mortgage fair value adjustments
-
(51)
-
 
56
(58)
224
Income excluding notable items
3,820
3,766
2,784
 
 
 
 
 
Non-IFRS financial measures continued
 
2. Operating expenses - management view
 
The management analysis of operating expenses shows litigation and conduct costs on a separate line. These amounts are included within staff costs and other administrative expenses in the statutory analysis. Other operating expenses excludes litigation and conduct costs, which are more volatile and may distort period-on-period comparisons.
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 2023
 
Litigation and
Other
Statutory
 
conduct
operating
operating
 
costs
expenses
expenses
 
£m
£m
£m
Continuing operations
 
 
 
Staff costs
14
1,026
1,040
Premises and equipment
-
286
286
Other administrative expenses
42
408
450
Depreciation and amortisation
-
212
212
Total 
56
1,932
1,988
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 December 2022
 
Litigation and
Other
Statutory
 
conduct
operating
operating
 
costs
expenses
expenses
 
£m
£m
£m
Continuing operations
 
 
 
Staff costs
16
1,013
1,029
Premises and equipment
-
292
292
Other administrative expenses
75
522
597
Depreciation and amortisation
-
220
220
Total 
91
2,047
2,138
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended
 
31 March 2022
 
Litigation and
Other
Statutory
 
conduct
operating
operating
 
costs
expenses
expenses
 
£m
£m
£m
Continuing operations
 
 
 
Staff costs
7
894
901
Premises and equipment
-
251
251
Other administrative expenses
95
376
471
Depreciation and amortisation
-
197
197
Total 
102
1,718
1,820
 
 
 
 
Non-IFRS financial measures continued
 
3. Cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct)
 
NatWest Group uses the cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct) in the Outlook guidance. This is calculated as other operating expenses (operating expenses less litigation and conduct costs) divided by total income. Litigation and conduct costs are excluded as they are one-off in nature, difficult to forecast for Outlook purposes and distort period-on-period comparisons.
 
The calculation of the cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct) is shown below, along with a comparison to cost:income ratio using total operating expenses.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
Retail
Private
Commercial & 
Central items 
NatWest
 
Banking
Banking
Institutional
& other
Group
Quarter ended 31 March 2023
£m
£m
£m
£m
£m
Continuing operations
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
696
155
1,003
134
1,988
Less litigation and conduct costs
(3)
(3)
(44)
(6)
(56)
Other operating expenses
693
152
959
128
1,932
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total income
1,604 
296 
1,953 
23 
3,876 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost:income ratio 
43.4%
52.4%
51.4%
nm
51.3%
Cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct)
43.2%
51.4%
49.1%
nm
49.8%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended 31 December 2022
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
658
198
1,031
251
2,138
Less litigation and conduct costs
12 
(10)
(42)
(51)
(91)
Other operating expenses
670
188
989
200
2,047
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total income
1,617 
310 
1,819 
(38)
3,708 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost:income ratio 
40.7%
63.9%
56.7%
nm
57.7%
Cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct)
41.4%
60.6%
54.4%
nm
55.2%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended 31 March 2022
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
645
139
922
114
1,820
Less litigation and conduct costs
(54)
(1)
(42)
(5)
(102)
Other operating expenses
591
138
880
109
1,718
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total income
1,217 
216 
1,375 
200 
3,008 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost:income ratio 
53.0%
64.4%
67.1%
nm
60.5%
Cost:income ratio (excl. litigation and conduct)
48.6%
63.9%
64.0%
nm
57.1%
 
4. NatWest Group return on tangible equity
 
Return on tangible equity comprises annualised profit or loss for the period attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by average tangible equity. Average tangible equity is average total equity excluding average non-controlling interests, average other owners' equity and average intangible assets.
 
This measure shows the return NatWest Group generates on tangible equity deployed. It is used to determine relative performance of banks and used widely across the sector, although different banks may calculate the rate differently. A reconciliation is shown below including a comparison to the nearest GAAP measure, return on equity. This comprises profit attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by average total equity.
 
 
Quarter ended or as at
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2023
2022
2022
NatWest Group return on tangible equity 
£m
£m
£m
Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders 
1,279
1,262
841
Annualised profit attributable to ordinary shareholders 
5,116
5,048
3,364
 
 
 
 
Average total equity 
37,195
35,866
40,934
Adjustment for average other owners' equity and intangible assets 
(11,319)
(11,350)
(11,067)
Adjusted total tangible equity 
25,876
24,516
29,867
 
 
 
 
Return on equity
13.8%
14.1%
8.2%
Return on tangible equity
19.8%
20.6%
11.3%
 
 
 
 
Non-IFRS financial measures continued
 
5. Segmental return on equity
 
Segmental return on equity comprises segmental operating profit or loss, adjusted for paid-in equity and preference share cost allocation and tax, divided by average notional equity. Average RWAe is defined as average segmental RWAs incorporating the effect of capital deductions. This is multiplied by an allocated equity factor for each segment to calculate the average notional equity.
 
This measure shows the return generated by operating segments on equity deployed.
 
 
Quarter ended or as at
 
Retail
Private
Commercial & 
Quarter ended 31 March 2023
Banking
Banking
Institutional
Operating profit (£m)
794 
133
994 
Paid-in equity cost allocation (£m)
(15)
(5)
(44)
Adjustment for tax (£m)
(218)
(36)
(238)
Adjusted attributable profit (£m)
561 
92
713
Annualised adjusted attributable profit (£m)
2,244 
369
2,850
Average RWAe (£bn)
55.4
11.2
104.0
Equity factor
13.5%
11.5%
14.0%
Average notional equity (£bn)
7.5
1.3
14.6
Return on equity
30.0%
28.5%
19.5%
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended 31 December 2022
 
 
 
Operating profit (£m)
872 
110 
726 
Paid-in equity cost allocation (£m)
(20)
(6)
(46)
Adjustment for tax (£m)
(239)
(29)
(170)
Adjusted attributable profit (£m)
613 
75 
510 
Annualised adjusted attributable profit (£m)
2,454 
300 
2,040 
Average RWAe (£bn)
54.4 
11.2 
106.0 
Equity factor
13.0%
11.0%
14.0%
Average notional equity (£bn)
7.1 
1.2 
14.8 
Return on equity
34.7%
24.2%
13.7%
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended 31 March 2022
 
 
 
Operating profit (£m)
567 
82 
464 
Preference share and paid-in equity cost allocation (£m)
(20)
(3)
(46)
Adjustment for tax (£m)
(153)
(22)
(105)
Adjusted attributable profit (£m)
394 
57 
314 
Annualised adjusted attributable profit (£m)
1,575 
228 
1,254 
Average RWAe (£bn)
52.6 
11.4 
102.0 
Equity factor
13.0%
11.0%
14.0%
Average notional equity (£bn)
6.8 
1.3 
14.3 
Return on equity
23.1%
18.2%
8.8%
 
6. Bank net interest margin
 
Bank net interest margin is defined as annualised net interest income, as a percentage of bank average interest-earning assets. Bank average interest earning assets are the average interest earning assets of the banking business of NatWest Group excluding liquid asset buffer.
 
Liquid asset buffer consists of assets held by NatWest Group, such as cash and balances at central banks and debt securities in issue, that can be used to ensure repayment of financial obligations as they fall due. The exclusion of liquid asset buffer has been introduced as a way to present net interest margin on a basis more comparable with UK peers and exclude the impact of regulatory driven factors. A reconciliation is shown below including a comparison to the nearest GAAP measure, net interest margin. This is net interest income as a percentage of average interest earning assets.
 
 
 
Quarter ended
 
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
 
2023
2022
2022
 
 
£m
£m
£m
Continuing operations
 
 
 
 
NatWest Group net interest income 
 
2,902
2,868
2,027
Annualised NatWest Group net interest income 
 
11,769
11,378
8,221
 
 
 
 
 
Average interest earning assets (IEA)
 
522,393
538,584
543,697
Less liquid asset buffer average IEA 
 
(162,409)
(182,797)
(208,764)
Bank average IEA 
 
359,984
355,787
334,933
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest margin
 
2.25%
2.11%
1.51%
Bank net interest margin 
 
3.27%
3.20%
2.45%
 
 
 
 
Non-IFRS financial measures continued
 
6. Bank net interest margin continued
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter ended
 
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
 
2023
2022
2022
Retail Banking
 
£m
£m
£m
Net interest income 
 
1,492
1,505
1,112
Annualised net interest income
 
6,051
5,971
4,510
 
 
 
 
 
Retail Banking average IEA
 
220,323
217,790
204,071
Less liquid asset buffer average IEA
 
(18,259)
(20,383)
(18,540)
Adjusted Retail Banking average IEA
 
202,064
197,407
185,531
 
 
 
 
 
Retail Banking net interest margin
 
2.99%
3.02%
2.43%
 
 
 
 
 
Private Banking
 
 
 
 
Net interest income 
 
229
251
143
Annualised net interest income
 
929
996
580
 
 
 
 
 
Private Banking average IEA
 
28,091
29,140
29,192
Less liquid asset buffer average IEA
 
(8,878)
(9,956)
(10,325)
Adjusted Private Banking average IEA
 
19,213
19,184
18,867
 
 
 
 
 
Private Banking net interest margin
 
4.83%
5.19%
3.07%
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial & Institutional
 
 
 
 
Net interest income 
 
1,261
1,276
803
Annualised adjusted net interest income
 
5,114
5,062
3,257
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial & Institutional average IEA
 
198,872
201,329
197,548
Less liquid asset buffer average IEA
 
(67,601)
(71,039)
(76,563)
Adjusted Commercial & Institutional average IEA
 
131,271
130,290
120,985
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial & Institutional net interest margin
 
3.90%
3.89%
2.69%
 
7. Tangible net asset value (TNAV) per ordinary share
 
TNAV per ordinary share is calculated as tangible equity divided by the number of ordinary shares in issue.
 
This is a measure used by external analysts in valuing the bank and allows for comparison with other per ordinary share metrics including the share price. 
 
 
As at
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2023
2022
2022
Ordinary shareholders' interests (£m)
33,817
32,598
35,345
Less intangible assets (£m)
(7,171)
(7,116)
(6,774)
Tangible equity (£m)
26,646
25,482
28,571
 
 
 
 
Ordinary shares in issue (millions) (1)
9,581
9,659
10,622
 
 
 
 
TNAV per ordinary share (pence)
278p
264p
269p
 
 
(1)  
The number of ordinary shares in issue excludes own shares held.
 
 
 
 
 
Non-IFRS financial measures continued
 
8. Customer deposits excluding central items
 
Customer deposits excluding central items is calculated as total NatWest Group customer deposits excluding Central items & other customer deposits.
 
Central items & other includes Treasury repo activity and Ulster Bank RoI.  The exclusion of Central items & other removes the volatility relating to Treasury repo activity and the expected reduction of deposits as part of our withdrawal from the Republic of Ireland. These items may distort period-on-period comparisons and their removal gives the user of the financial statements a better understanding of the movements in customer deposits.  
 
 
As at
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2023
2022
2022
 
£bn
£bn
£bn
Customer deposits
430.5
450.3
482.9
Less Central items & other
(8.7)
(17.4)
(35.0)
Customer deposits excluding central items
421.8
432.9
447.9
 
 
9. Net loans to customers excluding central items
 
Net loans to customers excluding central items is calculated as total NatWest Group net loans to customers excluding Central items & other net loans to customers.
 
Central items & other includes Treasury reverse repo activity and Ulster Bank RoI. The exclusion of Central items & other removes the volatility relating to Treasury reverse repo activity and the reduction of loans to customers over 2022 as part of our withdrawal from the Republic of Ireland. This allows for better period-on-period comparisons and gives the user of the financial statements a better understanding of the movements in net loans to customers.
 
 
 
As at
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2023
2022
2022
 
£bn
£bn
£bn
Net loans to customers (amortised cost)
374.2
366.3
365.3
Less Central items & other
(21.8)
(19.6)
(35.1)
Net loans to customers excluding central items
352.4
346.7
330.2
 
10. Loan:deposit ratio (excl. repos and reverse repos)
 
Loan:deposit ratio (excl. repos and reverse repos) is calculated as net customer loans held at amortised cost excluding reverse repos divided by total customer deposits excluding repos. This is a common metric used to assess liquidity.
 
The removal of repos and reverse repos reduces volatility and presents the ratio on a basis that is comparable to UK peers. A reconciliation is shown below including a comparison to the nearest GAAP measure, loan:deposit ratio. This is calculated as net loans to customers held at amortised cost divided by customer deposits.
 
 
As at
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2023
2022
2022 (1)
 
£m
£m
£m
Loans to customers - amortised cost 
374,214
366,340
365,340
Less reverse repos
(21,743)
(19,749)
(26,780)
 
352,471
346,591
338,560
 
 
 
 
Customer deposits 
430,537
450,318
482,887
Less repos
(5,989)
(9,828)
(16,166)
 
424,548
440,490
466,721
 
 
 
 
Loan:deposit ratio 
87%
81%
76%
Loan:deposit ratio (excl. repos and reverse repos)
83%
79%
73%
 
 
(1)  
Re-presented.
 
 
 
 
 
Non-IFRS financial measures continued
 
11. Loan impairment rate
 
Loan impairment rate is the annualised loan impairment charge divided by gross customer loans. This measure is used to assess the credit quality of the loan book.
 
 
Quarter ended or as at
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2023
2022
2022
Loan impairment charge/(release) (£m)
70
144
(36)
Annualised loan impairment charge/(release) (£m)
280
576
(144)
 
 
 
 
Gross customer loans (£bn)
377.6
369.7
368.9
 
 
 
 
Loan impairment rate 
7bps
16bps
(4)bps
 
12. Funded assets
 
Funded assets are calculated as total assets less derivative assets. This measure allows review of balance sheet trends exclusive of the volatility associated with derivative fair values. 
 
 
As at
 
31 March
31 December
31 March
 
2023
2022
2022
 
£m
£m
£m
Total assets
695,624
720,053
785,398
Less derivative assets
(79,420)
(99,545)
(100,013)
Funded assets
616,204
620,508
685,385
 
13. AUMAs
 
AUMAs comprises both assets under management (AUMs) and assets under administration (AUAs) serviced through the Private Banking segment. AUMs comprise assets where the investment management is undertaken by Private Banking on behalf of Private Banking, Retail Banking and Commercial & Institutional customers. AUAs comprise third party assets held on an execution-only basis in custody by Private Banking, Retail Banking and Commercial & Institutional for their customers, for which the execution services are supported by Private Banking. Private Banking receives a fee for providing investment management and execution services to Retail Banking and Commercial & Institutional business segments.
 
This measure is tracked and reported as the amount of funds that we manage or administer, directly impacts the level of investment income that we receive.
 
14. Net new money
 
Net new money refers to client cash inflows and outflows relating to investment products (this can include transfers from savings accounts). Net new money excludes the impact of European Economic Area (EEA) resident client outflows following the UK's exit from the EU and Russian client outflows since Q1 2022.
 
Net new money is reported and tracked to monitor the business performance of new business inflows and management of existing client withdrawals across Private Banking, Retail Banking and Commercial & Institutional.
 
15. Wholesale funding
 
Wholesale funding comprises deposits by banks (excluding repos), debt securities in issue and subordinated liabilities.
 
Funding risk is the risk of not maintaining a diversified, stable and cost-effective funding base. The disclosure of wholesale funding highlights the extent of our diversification and how we mitigate funding risk.
 
16. Third party rates
 
Third party customer asset rate is calculated as annualised interest receivable on third-party loans to customers as a percentage of third-party loans to customers. This excludes assets of disposal groups, intragroup items, loans to banks and liquid asset portfolios. Third party customer funding rate reflects interest payable or receivable on third-party customer deposits, including interest bearing and non-interest bearing customer deposits. Intragroup items, bank deposits, debt securities in issue and subordinated liabilities are excluded for customer funding rate calculation.
 
 
 
These metrics help investors better understand our net interest margin and interest rate sensitivity.
 
 
 
 
 
Legal Entity Identifier: 2138005O9XJIJN4JPN90
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: 28 April 2023
 
 
 
NATWEST GROUP plc (Registrant)
 
 
 
By: /s/ Jan Cargill
 
 
 
Name: Jan Cargill
 
Title: Chief Governance Officer and Company Secretary