RBC loses profits amid American crises

In the second quarter of 2023, RBC's profits were down by 14% from the same period in 2022.
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The Royal Bank of Canada reported lackluster profits this quarter, citing many of the same challenges faced by U.S. firms.

RBC CEO Dave McKay announced the disappointing numbers in a conference call with analysts on Thursday. In the second quarter of 2023, the bank's net income came out to $2.68 billion (or 3.65 billion Canadian dollars), down 14% from the same quarter last year.

McKay said RBC had faced headwinds from inflation, rising interest rates and other concerns, including the political gridlock in the U.S. over its debt ceiling.

"Markets are facing structurally different circumstances following the end of an era of low inflation, low interest rates and increased globalization," McKay said. "This is in addition to absorbing game-changing challenges, technology and decarbonization, as well as more near-term risks, including implications from U.S. debt ceiling negotiations."

It's been an interesting few months for RBC, the world's 10th-largest bank by market capitalization. In November 2022, the bank announced that it was acquiring HSBC Canada for $10.1 billion, a sale that's expected to be completed in late 2023. And in February this year, RBC acquired OJO Canada, the Canadian wing of a real estate tech company, for an undisclosed sum.

In April, RBC even managed to use the U.S. regional banking crisis to its advantage. After First Republic Bank released a dismal earnings report, RBC hired several of its wealth managers as they fled the failing bank, including one team with about $1 billion of client assets.

Read more: RBC picks up First Republic advisors with nearly $1B AUM

At the same time, the banking crisis has also been a challenge for RBC. Within one week in March, Silvergate Bank, Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank all collapsed in quick succession, rattling investors and bank customers across the continent. Since then the panic seems to have died down, McKay said on Thursday, but firms like RBC are still coping with the aftermath.

"While recent stresses in the U.S. regional banking sector appear to have eased, the fallout will likely include more liquidity and capital regulation and subsequent tightening of lending capacity," McKay said.

Here's a look at how RBC did in the second quarter of 2023.

Revenue and earnings

RBC's total revenue for the second quarter was $9.91 billion. Its net income was $2.68 billion, down 14% from the same quarter last year but up 14% from the first quarter of 2023. Diluted earnings per share were at $1.89, down 13% from a year ago.

Financial advisor headcount

RBC Wealth Management USA hired "over 20 new advisors" this quarter, McKay said. Since the beginning of fiscal 2022, the CEO said the bank has hired 135 new wealth managers with over 20 billion Canadian dollars (US$14.7 billion) of assets under administration.

Client assets

In terms of its wealth management business, RBC had $788.23 billion in assets under management in Q2 of 2023, a 13% increase over the same quarter last year. As for assets under administration, the bank had $4.06 trillion, down 4% from a year ago.

Expenses

RBC's expenses were higher than expected, an issue that the company said "offset" its revenue. In the second quarter of 2023, the bank's non-interest expenses reached $5.49 billion, a 16% increase over the same quarter last year.

Remarks

Despite the year-on-year dip in profits, McKay put a positive spin on the quarter. In his view, RBC showed resilience in the face of difficult global conditions.

"Our focused growth strategy, prudent risk and capital management, and diversified business mix exemplify our strength and stability amidst a complex macro environment," he said. "As we continue to realize the benefits of our strategic investments in technology and our incredible talent, we are confident in our ability to slow expense growth and drive greater efficiencies while supporting our clients' needs."
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