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European banks are stronger than their U.S. rivals, analysts say. Here’s why

The Faro workplace constructing on the Banco Santander SA headquarters on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.

Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

European banks are wanting stronger and extra enticing than their U.S. counterparts on many metrics, in keeping with officers and analysts talking on the Institute of Worldwide Finance convention in Brussels this week, who add that regulation and collaboration continues to be wanted to spice up progress within the area.

The most important financial institution within the U.S. is value what the highest 9 or 10 European banks are as a result of weaker progress and fewer profitability because the 2008 monetary disaster, Ana Botín, government chair of Spain’s Santander Group, advised CNBC on the occasion on Tuesday.

Nonetheless, the highest European banks have higher ranges of credit score default swaps, a type of insurance coverage for a corporation’s bondholders in opposition to default, “which implies that fastened earnings traders assume the chance of our debt is decrease than one of the best banks within the U.S.,” Botín added.

The current volatility that led to the sale of Credit score Suisse to UBS was not proof of a systemic banking disaster, she mentioned, however reasonably mismanagement and liquidity points at particular banks.

“We’re in a really robust place when it comes to capital, liquidity supervision, safety of our prospects’ knowledge. However we additionally want a bit extra capability to help progress so we will be extra worthwhile,” she mentioned.

“What we want is a basic rethink of what do we would like banks to be within the new financial system in a world that wants progress. And discovering that stability is admittedly essential between being prudent, we’re not saying that we must always return on that, but additionally with the ability to finance progress,” Botín continued, including this might be a key theme on the IIF’s convention.

European banks are “safer, stronger, cheaper” than U.S. ones mentioned Davide Serra, chief government officer of Algebris Investments, who harassed the upper liquidity ratio of European banks — round 160% — versus 120% within the U.S.

“In a means, banks within the U.S. have been optimizing their deposit base extra. And now with the Fed [Federal Reserve] maintaining increased rates of interest, folks simply wish to receives a commission on their deposits. In order that they have choices with cash markets, or with transferring money round,” he mentioned.

“On the similar time within the U.S., individuals are being reminded that, you recognize, not all banks are born equal. And simply because you have got an indication referred to as financial institution, you are not as secure, as you recognize, JPMorgan, or Morgan Stanley.”

That can result in additional consolidation within the U.S., he mentioned, following the sequence of regional financial institution collapses this yr, with banks thought of secure benefitting.

“General, I feel the chance is evident. For the robust banks in Europe and within the U.S., with Europe a lot, rather more enticing, there was zero deposit outflow, zero subject … And therefore, to be trustworthy, after 10 years of restructuring, Europe I feel is the place to be.”

Banking union delay

José Manuel Campa, chair of the European Banking Authority, famous low valuations of European banks, however mentioned these had been bettering amid wider sector turmoil and as increased rates of interest enhance their returns.

“I feel that as rates of interest rise, if [European banks] proceed to indicate that their enterprise mannequin is sustainable, we must always see enhancements over the medium time period on these valuations as effectively,” he mentioned.

For Campa, any additional consolidation in European banking have to be about creating higher banks and “go alongside to fostering a extra built-in single market within the European Union so we are able to have cross-border banking and extra environment friendly providers to European prospects.”

The EU has a long-delayed plan to additional develop its banking union, a set of legal guidelines launched in 2014 to strengthen banks, to create a standard system in deposit insurance coverage and different areas. Talks are additionally ongoing over a Capital Markets Union.

Each Botín and Campa mentioned pushing these difficult negotiations ahead was essential for the way forward for the sector, with Botín saying they may assist enhance European progress.

European banks safer, stronger than their U.S. counterparts, says asset management firm CEO

“There may be one factor that we might do in Europe to have increased progress, which is securitization,” she mentioned.

Creating new guidelines on securitization, the creation of tradeable securities from a bunch of belongings — which stays a contested topic following the subprime mortgage disaster — is vital to the EU’s proposed Capital Markets Union.

“The securitization market in Europe is 6% the dimensions of the American market. Banks are now not one of the best holders of credit score,” Botín mentioned.

“In lots of circumstances we are able to originate, we may help our prospects increase that capital after which place it with different funds and different events which might be higher holders. So there are a variety of issues round Capital Markets Union, for instance, that would transfer quicker and assist increased progress,” Botín mentioned.