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Special Report

UK Major Banks - Peer Credit Analysis: 2025

Thu 13 Mar, 2025 - 9:19 AM ET

The report by ֳ evaluates the performance and outlook of major UK banks, highlighting their strong fundamentals and resilience against macroeconomic uncertainties. Key findings include: 1. **Ratings and Outlook**: Most major UK banks maintain stable ratings, with robust capital and liquidity buffers. NatWest Group (NWG) has a positive outlook and may see an upgrade if profitability remains solid. 2. **Profitability**: Despite falling interest rates, profitability is expected to remain strong, supported by structural hedge income, low loan impairment charges, and cost efficiency. 3. **Asset Quality**: Asset quality is expected to remain resilient, with conservative underwriting standards and a high share of secured lending. 4. **Capital and Liquidity**: Strong capital ratios and liquidity buffers are maintained, with sound funding profiles supported by large deposit franchises and access to wholesale funding markets. 5. **Economic Environment**: Modest GDP growth of 1.2% is projected for 2025, with eased inflationary pressures and low unemployment supporting the business environment. 6. **Motor Finance**: Some banks face potential liabilities from the UK Court of Appeal ruling on motor finance commissions, but this is not expected to impact ratings significantly. 7. **Mergers and Acquisitions**: Increased consolidation in the banking sector is expected to continue, driven by the pursuit of scale and diversification. 8. **Risk Profiles**: Conservative risk profiles are maintained with a focus on low-risk lending segments, though some banks have higher exposures to international markets and commercial real estate. Overall, the major UK banks are well-positioned to navigate economic uncertainties, maintain strong profitability, and uphold solid asset quality and capital positions.

This abstract may have been generated in whole or in part using artificial intelligence and is therefore subject to error and inaccuracy, including but not limited to, hallucination. Further disclaimer can be found