Interim management Statement - Part 1 of 6.
Key highlights
RBS successfully focused on maintaining a strong balance sheet during the volatile and uncertain macroeconomic environment experienced in the third quarter. Capital, funding and liquidity metrics improved and remain robust. The decline in Core operating performance reflects a challenging quarter in Global Banking & Markets (GBM), which maintained a cautious risk appetite in a very subdued operating environment. Retail & Commercial maintained income in the quarter, and year-to-date profits for these businesses were up 9%. RBS Insurance maintained and built on its recovery, and Non-Core made further progress. Non-Core is on course to meet its year-end target of 96 billion of funded assets, a reduction of over 40 billion during 2011. Core return on equity year-to-date is 12% despite continuing market, economic and regulatory headwinds.
Income - Group income was 6,358 million in the third quarter, down 18% compared with the second quarter, driven by a decline in Non-Core income of over 900 million as valuation gains reported in the second quarter were not repeated. GBM income was down 29% at 1.1 billion in the third quarter, reflecting a cautious risk appetite and difficult market conditions.
Expenses - Group third quarter operating expenses were 3,821 million, down 2% from the second quarter and down 6% year to date. The cost:income ratio was 62% in Core and 68% for the Group, reflecting the weaker revenue environment.
Impairments - Impairments were 1,536 million in Q3 2011, down 728 million compared with Q2 2011 principally driven by lower provisions in Non-Core, which in Q2 2011 had recorded substantial provisions in respect of Irish development land values. Trends in most divisions remain broadly stable and comparable with the previous quarter.
Balance sheet - The Group funded balance sheet fell by 16 billion during the quarter, with Non-Core down 8 billion and GBM down 20 billion. This was partially offset by an increase of 15 billion within Group Treasury due to a planned increase in the liquidity pool. The credit provision and coverage of risk elements in lending were maintained at Q2 levels.
Funding and liquidity - The Group loan:deposit ratio (LDR) improved 200 basis points to 112%, with Core LDR at 95%. The Group has met its 23 billion 2011 term funding issuance target, and has increased its liquidity portfolio to 170 billion.
Capital - Core Tier 1 ratio has improved further to 11.3%, with gross risk-weighted assets (RWAs) down by 17 billion in the quarter. The implementation of CRD 3 and Basel III is now expected to result in uplifts to RWAs some 20 billion lower than previous estimates, due to mitigation, restructuring and continuing risk reduction in both GBM and Non-Core. Tangible equity increased by over 2 billion to 58 billion and TNAV increased by 2.3p to 52.6p, primarily as a result of FVOD.