MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
Net interest income
Net interest income decreased slightly in the current period due to the impact of three fewer days in the quarter as well as lower contributions from asset/liability management activities. The net interest income increased through the period, driven by steady growth in retail and commercial loans across all three business lines, as well as the impact of acquisitions. Net interest margin has remained relatively stable over the period. The margin was 2.45% this quarter.
Non-interest income
Non-interest income has increased over the past few quarters, partly driven by acquisitions, the net gain on divestitures in the current quarter, and the Alignment of reporting period of a number of units within the Bank. Gains on sale of real estate and the sale of investment securities have moderated since 2017. The sale of the HollisWealth business in the fourth quarter of 2017 resulted in a gain that quarter and also contributed to lower wealth management fees in that period.
Provision for credit losses
Effective November 1, 2017, the Bank has adopted IFRS 9. Prior period amounts have not been restated and therefore, the provision for credit losses and related ratios are not directly comparable.
The provision for credit losses was $873 million in this quarter. Adjusting for the Day 1 provision on acquired performing loans, the provision for credit losses was $722 million this quarter. The provision for credit losses ratio was 61 basis points, an increase of 14 basis points from the prior quarter. Adjusting for the Day 1 provision on acquired performing loans, the provision for credit losses ratio was 51 basis points this quarter. The adjusted provision for credit losses ratio has increased over the past year, reflecting the change in business mix due to recent acquisitions and the impact of less favourable macro-economic indicators. Asset quality has remained strong despite increased lending activity.
Non-interest expenses
Non-interest expenses moderated this quarter but have generally trended upwards over the period, mostly to support business growth, the ongoing impact of acquisitions and the Bank’s investments in technology, regulatory and strategic initiatives. The first quarter of 2018 included a benefits remeasurement of $203 million, reducing that quarter’s expenses.
Income taxes
The effective tax rate was 21.7% this quarter, due primarily to higher tax rates in certain foreign jurisdictions, partly offset by higher tax benefits in certain jurisdictions. The effective tax rate averaged 21.0% over the period, with a range of 18.1% to 23.3%. Effective tax rates in other quarters were impacted by different levels of income earned in foreign tax jurisdictions, as well as the variability oftax-exempt dividend income.
Financial Position
The Bank’s total assets as at April 30, 2019 were $1,058 billion, up $60 billion or 6% from October 31, 2018. Adjusting for the impact of foreign currency translation, total assets were up $46 billion. This increase was primarily in loans, trading securities and securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowed, partially offset by a decrease in cash and deposits with financial institutions.
Cash and deposits with financial institutions decreased $12 billion and derivative instrument assets decreased $6 billion, while trading securities increased by $18 billion and securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowed increased by $22 billion.
Investment securities increased $7 billion from October 31, 2018 due primarily to higher holdings of U.S. government debt and corporate debt. As at April 30, 2019, the net unrealized gain on debt securities measured at fair value through other comprehensive income of $344 million decreased to a net unrealized loss of $61 million, after the impact of qualifying hedges.
Loans increased $32 billion from October 31, 2018. Residential mortgages increased $7 billion due to growth in Canada and Latin America. Personal loans and credit cards were up $3 billion mainly in Latin America. Business and government loans increased $22 billion due primarily to growth in Latin America, the U.S. and Canada.
Other assets increased $3 billion due mainly to higher cash margin requirements.
Total liabilities were $988 billion as at April 30, 2019, up $57 billion or 6% from October 31, 2018. Adjusting for the impact of foreign currency translation, total liabilities were up $44 billion.
Total deposits increased $36 billion. Personal deposits grew by $10 billion primarily in Canada. Business and government deposits grew by $22 billion mainly in the U.S. and Latin America. Deposits from financial institutions increased $4 billion.
Obligations related to securities sold under repurchase agreements and securities lent increased by $23 billion which was in line with higher securities purchased under resale agreements and securities borrowed. Financial instruments designated at fair value through profit or loss increased $3 billion. Derivative instrument liabilities decreased $5 billion which was in line with the decrease in derivative instrument assets. Other liabilities increased $4 billion due primarily to other liabilities of subsidiaries.
Total shareholders’ equity increased $2,567 million from October 31, 2018. This increase was driven mainly by current year earnings of $4,506 million and an increase in other comprehensive income of $934 million due mainly to an increase in unrealized foreign currency translation gains on the Bank’s investments in its foreign operations. Partly offsetting were dividends paid of $2,197 million, the repurchase and cancellation of approximately 7 million common shares of $523 million and the redemption of preferred shares of $300 million.
Risk Management
The Bank’s risk management policies, practices and emerging risks have not substantially changed from those outlined in the Bank’s 2018 Annual Report. For a complete discussion of the risk management policies and practices and additional information on risk factors, refer to the “Risk Management” section in the 2018 Annual Report.
Credit risk
Allowance for credit losses
The total allowance for credit losses as at April 30, 2019 was $5,376 million. The allowance for credit losses on loans was $5,295 million, up $184 million from the prior quarter, due primarily to the impact of Day 1 provision for credit losses on acquired performing loans. The allowance on impaired loans decreased to $1,669 million from $1,680 million as at January 31, 2019, due primarily to write-offs net of recoveries during the quarter. The allowance against performing loans was higher at $3,626 million compared to $3,431 million as at January 31, 2019, due primarily to the impact of Day 1 provision for credit losses on acquired performing loans.
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