 SEB (ST:SEBa) on Wednesday reported a net profit of SEK 8.25 billion for the second quarter of 2025, 7% above consensus estimates of SEK 7.68 billion, driven by lower costs and stronger-than-expected revenues.
Operating profit rose 4% from the previous quarter to SEK 10.4 billion, while return on equity increased to 15.0% from 13.4%, the bank said in its earnings report released July 16.
The bank completed a SEK 2.5 billion share buyback in the quarter and announced another of the same size to be completed by October 21. This forms part of its SEK 10 billion buyback programme for 2025.
Total operating income declined 1% quarter-on-quarter to SEK 19.56 billion, while operating expenses fell 3% to SEK 7.98 billion. Staff costs decreased 4% and other expenses declined 1%.
The cost-to-income ratio improved slightly to 0.41. SEB revised its 2025 full-year cost target in Swedish krona to SEK 32.7 billion, down from SEK 33 billion, due to currency effects.
Net interest income slipped 1% from the prior quarter to SEK 10.34 billion, impacted by lower policy rates and a SEK 100 million currency drag.
These effects were partly offset by reduced interest expense on deposits and wholesale funding. According to Jefferies, NII came in 2% above consensus and flat versus their estimate.
Fee and commission income was SEK 6.69 billion, up 13% year-on-year and 3% above consensus.
Higher securities and advisory fees, along with lending fees from refinancing and event-driven transactions, offset lower asset management fees.
Performance fees rose to SEK 57 million from SEK 19 million. Payment and card fees declined to SEK 1.88 billion.
Net financial income decreased 10% to SEK 2.47 billion, mainly due to reduced activity in the Corporate & Investment Banking division.
Divisional net financial income totaled SEK 1.9 billion, while other income contributed SEK 0.5 billion. Net other income was SEK 63 million.
Credit quality remained solid. Net expected credit losses were SEK 295 million, or 4 basis points of loans, compared to SEK 663 million in the previous quarter.
The increase in portfolio model overlays to SEK 1.4 billion from SEK 1 billion reflected updates to macroeconomic scenarios. Stage 3 loans decreased to 0.36% of total loans.
The CET1 capital ratio held steady at 17.7%, providing a buffer of 290 basis points above regulatory requirements.
However, SEB disclosed that risk-weighted assets are expected to rise by approximately 5%, equivalent to an 80 basis point CET1 impact, due to ongoing updates to internal ratings-based models for its Baltic subsidiaries.
The increase is expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026 and remain until regulatory approval is obtained.
