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☆ Citigroup profit falls on provision hike, dealmaking slowdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Customers use ATMs at a Citibank branch in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City, U.S. October 11, 2020. REUTERS/Nick ZieminskiJan 13 (Reuters) - Citigroup Inc (C.N) reported a fall in fourth-quarter profit on Friday, as the bank hiked provisions to prepare for a worsening economy and investment banking revenue declined due to a sharp drop in dealmaking activity. That compares with a release of $1.37 billion from its reserves in 2021 when pandemic-related loan losses failed to materialize. Citi's investment banking revenue plunged 58% as merger and acquisition activity slowed dramatically last year, with companies shunning deals amid higher interest rates, the war in Ukraine and growing economic uncertainties. Net profit came in at $2.5 billion, or $1.16 per share, for the three months ended Dec. 31, compared with $3.2 billion, or $1.46 a share, a year earlier.

☆ BofA profit beats estimates as higher rates bolster interest income
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jan 13 (Reuters) - Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) reported a bigger-than-expected fourth-quarter profit on Friday, helped by a surge in net interest income as the U.S. Federal Reserve raised rates through most of last year. Bank of America's net interest income (NII) — a metric that measures the difference between the interest earned on loans and paid out on deposits — surged 29% to $14.7 billion in the quarter. Its profit applicable to common shareholders rose 2% to $6.9 billion, or 85 cents per share. The bank added $403 million to its net reserve build. That compares with a net reserve release of $851 million a year ago.

[1/4] A Bank of America logo is pictured in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., January 30, 2019. The chief financial officers of the two biggest U.S. banks said they would hire selectively despite waning economic growth. JPMorgan's (JPM.N) Chief Financial Officer Jeremy Barnum said the bank is still hiring and "in growth mode" in a call with journalists to discuss the bank's fourth-quarter earnings. Bank of America (BAC.N) also continues to hire, particularly in wealth management, while also remaining disciplined on its expenses, Chief Financial Officer Alastair Borthwick told reporters on Friday. The banking giants stood by their hiring plans even as other lenders cut staffing in investment banking and mortgages.

Jan 12 (Reuters) - U.S. crypto company Digital Currency Group (DCG) is at the center of the industry's latest meltdown after one of its companies, Genesis, froze customer withdrawals in November. Here is what we know about the many companies Digital Currency Group owns:COINDESKDCG acquired crypto news website CoinDesk in 2016 after previously investing in the outlet. Genesis' crypto lending arm, Genesis Global Capital, announced in November its crypto lending arm would stop making new loans and blocked customers from withdrawing funds, citing the market dislocation caused by the collapse of FTX. Genesis Global Capital had partnered with a number of other crypto companies, including crypto exchange Gemini, to offer a crypto lending product. DCG itself owes $1.675 billion to Genesis' crypto lending arm, according to a November letter Silbert sent to shareholders.

"With most U.S. economists forecasting either a recession or significant slowdown this year, banks will likely incorporate a more severe economic outlook," said Morgan Stanley analysts led by Betsy Graseck in a note. Rising prices and higher borrowing costs have prompted consumers and businesses to curb their spending, and since banks serve as economic middlemen, their profits decline when activity slows. Reuters GraphicsStill, lenders stand to gain from rising rates that allow them to earn more from the interest they charge borrowers. Morgan Stanley and Citigroup, among others, have also cut jobs after a plunge in investment-banking activity. Analysts will also watch if banks such as Morgan Stanley and Bank of America book any writedowns on the $13-billion loan to fund Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter.

☆ Jefferies profit slides as Wall Street dealmaking falters
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jan 9 (Reuters) - Investment bank Jefferies Financial Group (JEF.N) reported a 52.5% decline in fourth-quarter profit on Monday, hit by lower underwriting fees and volatile markets that dented income from its trading desks. Still, the firm posted its second-best year for investment banking revenue, which was substantially above 2019 levels, chief executive officer Richard Handler and president Brian Friedman said. Friedman said the profit decline looked more stark compared with an "extraordinary" bonanza for dealmaking in 2021. Jefferies' total net revenue was down 18% at $1.44 billion, dragged lower by a 35% decline in investment banking and capital markets revenue. The bank reported a profit of 57 cents a share in the three months ended Nov. 30, compared with $1.20 a year earlier.

☆ HSBC customers in U.S. sent inadvertent emails on mortgages, relocation
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-07 | by ( Katie Paul | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Jan 6 (Reuters) - Frustrated HSBC (HSBA.L) banking customers in the United States took to social media on Friday to complain about inadvertent emails they received from the bank regarding home loans and relocation. "Congratulations on your new mortgage with HSBC Bank," said one of the messages, which was sent to customers who said they had not applied for the loans. Several customers said they were unable to reach anyone at the bank for support about the emails, copies of which were seen by Reuters. "We are aware that a number of emails were inadvertently sent to customers this evening and are working to resolve the issue," the company said in an emailed statement. Some customers took to social media to complain about the emails, with several saying they were unable to reach anyone at the bank for support.

☆ Tesla short sellers pile on pressure after most profitable trade in 2022
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Saqib Iqbal Ahmed | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Fresh off their most profitable year ever, short sellers targeting Tesla Inc's (TSLA.O) stock are heaping more pressure on the electric vehicle maker led by Elon Musk. Tesla short interest stands at $8.76 billion, or nearly 3% of the share float, down from $14 billion a month ago, a decline reflecting the steep drop in Tesla's stock price. "As the stock price hits a floor or expected value for short sellers, they will start trading positions to realize their profits. In 2022, Tesla was the most profitable short trade in the U.S. market, earning $15.85 billion in paper profits for investors, according to S3 data. That was the best year ever for Tesla short sellers, but they have recouped only about a quarter of the $60 billion in estimated losses from 2010 to 2021.

☆ Crypto firms off to rocky start in 2023 with outflows, layoffs and a lawsuit
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Hannah Lang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The fallout from the collapse of crypto exchange FTX and criminal charges leveled against its founder Sam Bankman-Fried weighed heavily on the sector this week. Among those hit were Genesis Global Capital, which laid off staff, and crypto-focused Silvergate Bank, which reported a large fall in deposits. Another crypto entrepreneur, Alex Mashinsky, the founder and former CEO of Celsius Network, also encountered a legal battle on Thursday. The accounts at Silvergate Bank and Farmington State Bank, which does business as Moonstone Bank, held about $143 million, court records showed. Crypto exchange Gemini, which had a crypto lending product in partnership with Genesis, and other Genesis creditors have been agitating for a solution to avoid a situation similar to FTX’s rapid descent into bankruptcy.

Jan 5 (Reuters) - Alex Mashinsky, a co-founder of bankrupt crypto lender Celsius Network who prosecutors allege bilked investors out of billions, is a serial entrepreneur who has portrayed himself as a modern-day Robin Hood. The civil lawsuit seeks to ban Mashinsky from doing business in New York and have him pay damages, restitution and disgorgement. James' lawsuit is the latest black eye for the crypto sector, which has been rocked by accusations against FTX crypto exchange founder Sam Bankman-Fried. Mashinsky became involved in crypto in 2017, when his venture fund Governing Dynamics brought on blockchain company MicroMoney as a strategic partner. In an "Ask Mashinsky Anything" YouTube video on June 10, the entrepreneur said "Celsius has billions in liquidity."

REUTERS/Lucas JacksonNEW YORK, Jan 4 (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs Group Inc's (GS.N) top dealmakers are bullish on a recovery in global mergers & acquisitions (M&A) in the second half of 2023 despite a slowdown in economic growth and a weak credit market. The projections come after global M&A values slumped 36% to $3.78 trillion in 2022, from a record $5.91 trillion in 2021, according to Dealogic data. "I remain quite bullish, maybe not on the first quarter, but certainly as we go forward," said Stephan Feldgoise, global co-head of M&A. The company has been the top global M&A adviser by revenue for the past 20 years, followed by JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N), according to Dealogic data. The bank sees opportunities in advising clients who are being targeted by activist investors, or fintech companies open to suitors after their valuations plunged, said Russ Hutchinson, the bank's chief operating officer of global M&A.

☆ Banks should be more cautious on crypto contagion risks, U.S. regulators warn
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Hannah Lang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jan 3 (Reuters) - Banks should be more careful about the risks of fraud, legal uncertainty and misleading disclosures by crypto firms, U.S. regulators warned on Tuesday, just two months after the collapse of crypto exchange FTX stunned the financial world. Banks issuing or holding crypto tokens stored on public, decentralized networks are "highly likely" to be inconsistent with safe and sound banking practices, the regulators added, potentially dealing a blow to several lenders' ongoing efforts to provide crypto services to customers. The regulators said they are supervising banks that may be exposed to crypto-related risks and are carefully reviewing bank proposals to engage in crypto activities, according to the joint statement. The Fed, FDIC and OCC emphasized numerous risks associated with crypto, including the volatility of digital asset markets, contagion risk within the sector and weak risk management. The regulators said they would issue further statements on banks' crypto-related activities as warranted and would continue to work with other agencies on crypto issues.

Dec 22 (Reuters) - Scott Minerd, global chief investment officer at investment and advisory firm Guggenheim Partners and a prominent Wall Street bond investor, has died, his firm said on Thursday. During his 25-year stint with Guggenheim, Minerd became a prolific commentator on financial markets and was often quoted by the media. He will be greatly missed by all," Mark Walter, chief executive and a founder of Guggenheim Partners, said in the firm's statement. Guggenheim said it had implemented a succession plan, with Anne Walsh, managing partner and CIO of Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, assuming many of Minerd's responsibilities on an interim basis. Minerd was regarded in the past few years as one of the U.S. "bond kings," along with Jeffrey Gundlach, chief executive of DoubleLine, and Dan Ivascyn, chief investment officer of bond giant PIMCO.

Last year, the industry handed out the biggest awards since 2006 as the economy roared back from the pandemic. It's a head-spinning reversal for dealmakers who racked up record profits for their firms last year and clinched eye-watering payouts for themselves. Compensation for FICC traders will probably rise slightly or stay flat, said Bell at Sheffield Haworth, while stock traders could see a small drop. Worsening economic conditions have already prompted firms including Morgan Stanley (MS.N) and Citigroup Inc (C.N), to trim their workforces. In the United Kingdom, most big firms are discussing and allocating bonuses now, with decisions not usually announced until early next year.

NEW YORK, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Two Morgan Stanley (MS.N) equity syndicate bankers, Pawan Passi and Charles Leisure, are no longer listed as registered brokers at the Wall Street firm, according to industry regulator FINRA's website. His FINRA profile includes a disclosure about a pending customer dispute that alleges "misrepresentation with respect to block trading" in 2021. The broker registration for Leisure, an executive director, also ended Dec. 16, his FINRA profile showed. Arnaud Blanchard became the head of the equity syndicate desk in New York earlier this year, according to his LinkedIn profile. Morgan Stanley in February disclosed that U.S. regulators and prosecutors were probing various aspects of the investment bank's block trading business.

Insurers were already reluctant to underwrite asset and directors and officers (D&O) protection policies for crypto companies because of scant market regulation and the volatile prices of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Specialists in the Lloyd's of London (SOLYD.UL) and Bermuda insurance markets are requiring more transparency from crypto companies about their exposure to FTX. Exclusions may act as a failsafe for insurers, and will make it even more difficult for companies that are seeking coverage, insurers and brokers said. Crypto firms with financial exposure to FTX include Binance, a crypto exchange, and Genesis, a crypto lender, neither of which responded to e-mails seeking comment. The FTX collapse will also likely lead to a rise in insurance rates, especially in the U.S. D&O market, insurers said.

The layoffs are the latest sign that cuts are accelerating across Wall Street as dealmaking dries up. Goldman Sachs had 49,100 employees at the end of the third quarter after adding significant numbers of staff during the pandemic. The bank is weighing a sharp cut to the annual bonus pool this year, a separate source familiar with the matter said. Goldman Sachs declined to comment. The investment bank had first warned in July that it might slow hiring and cut expenses.

☆ Goldman Sachs to cut thousands of employees
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

NEW YORK, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs Group Inc (GS.N) is planning to cut a couple of thousand employees to navigate a difficult economic environment, a source familiar with the move said. The Wall Street bank had 49,100 employees at the end of the third quarter this year, after adding significant numbers of staff during the pandemic. Headcount will remain above pre-pandemic levels, which stood at 38,300 at the end of 2019, the source said. News platform Semafor earlier reported on Friday that Goldman Sachs Group will lay off up to 4,000 people as the Wall Street bank struggles to meet profitability targets, citing people familiar with the matter. Goldman Sachs declined to comment.

Banks still have to mark the loan to its market value on their books and set aside funds for losses that are reported in quarterly results. The deliberations of how some of these banks are thinking about accounting for these losses have not been previously reported. Three banking industry sources said the remaining $3 billion, which is unsecured, could lead to steeper losses for the seven Twitter banks. Some market participants expect the losses from the debt to be significant unless market conditions improve. Some $35 billion to $40 billion of such loans are stuck on banks' books, according to two fixed income bankers.

☆ Lazard CEO warns of more Wall Street layoffs
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Manya Saini | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] The Charging Bull or Wall Street Bull is pictured in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., January 16, 2019. Rivals Goldman Sachs Group Inc (GS.N) and Citigroup Inc (C.N) have also culled some staff. Elsewhere on Wall Street, BlackRock Inc (BLK.N), the world's largest asset manager, has also frozen hiring except in critical roles. "When I talk to our clients, they sound extremely cautious," Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon told investors Tuesday. Reporting by Manya Saini and Noor Zainab Hussain in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Lananh Nguyen in New York; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri, Lananh Nguyen and Anna DriverOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Wall Street cuts jobs as grim economic reality sets in - Lazard CEO
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Dec 7 (Reuters) - Wall Street banks are adjusting to a more sluggish economic environment by laying off staff even as they compete to retain and recruit top talent, Kenneth Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer of Lazard Ltd (LAZ.N), told investors at a conference Wednesday. "Reality is starting to set in," said Jacobs, who was speaking generally about job cuts that were being reported across the financial industry. Reporting by Lananh Nguyen in New York and Manya Saini and Noor Zainab Hussain in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra EluriOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S banks warn of recession risk, inflation hurting consumers
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NEW YORK, Dec 6 (Reuters) - The biggest U.S. banks are bracing for a worsening economy next year as inflation threatens consumer demand, according to executives Tuesday. "Those things might very well derail the economy and cause this mild to hard recession that people are worried about," he said. "Economic growth is slowing,” Goldman Sachs' chief executive David Solomon said. In banking, the job market remains "surprisingly tight" and competition for talent is "as tough as ever," he said. Reporting by Lananh Nguyen and Saeed Azhar in New York and Noor Zainab Hussain in Bengaluru; Editing by Lananh Nguyen and Chizu NomiyamaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Citadel celebrates banner year at Disney as Wall Street nurses losses
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Svea Herbst-Bayliss | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

NEW YORK, Dec 6 (Reuters) - For much of Wall Street, trading this year has been like riding a wild roller coaster. For thousands of employees of Citadel and Citadel Securities, the hedge fund and trading business founded by Ken Griffin, last weekend was spent riding the real things. This year is shaping up to be a record for Citadel and Citadel Securities, Ahmed confirmed. Across Wall Street, firms are preparing for leaner times by cutting jobs and bonuses, while many Americans are struggling with rising prices for food, gasoline and rents. After the 2008 financial crisis, Wall Street firms that were criticized for their excesses have sometimes shied away from lavish gatherings or held them in private.

☆ Citadel celebrates banner year at Disney while Wall Street nurses losses
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Svea Herbst-Bayliss | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

NEW YORK, Dec 6 (Reuters) - For much of Wall Street, trading this year has been akin to riding a wild roller coaster. This year is shaping up to be a record for Citadel and Citadel Securities, the spokesman confirmed. The Citadel Global Fixed Income Fund is up 28.1% for the year, while Citadel Tactical Trading is up 22.4% and Citadel Equities Fund is up 17.8%, an investor said. Across Wall Street, firms are preparing for leaner times by cutting jobs and bonuses. After the 2008 financial crisis, Wall Street firms that were criticized for their excesses have sometimes shied away from lavish gatherings or held them in private.

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