Julius Baer’s first-half profit drops 35% on Brazil exit, loan provisions

Published 22/07/2025, 08:00
Updated 22/07/2025, 08:20
© Reuters.

Investing.com -- Julius Baer (SIX:BAER) reported a first-half (H1) net profit of 295 million Swiss francs ($370 million), down 35% from the same period last year, as loan loss provisions and a previously announced 130 million franc writedown related to its Brazil unit weighed on results.

Jefferies said the adjusted net profit was in line with market expectations, while profit before tax (PBT) of CHF 370 million missed the consensus by 4%. 

The bank said it had made significant progress on legacy issues and is now pushing forward with its strategic plan.

“We are now in full execution mode of our strategic agenda, focused on our core wealth management lane, balancing sustainable growth and cost discipline with strengthened risk management,” CEO Stefan Bollinger said. 

Bollinger also noted that no new loan loss allowances were recorded in the first half. “Once the credit review has been completed, we’ll be in a position to decide whether or not additional loan loss allowances are required,” he said.

Julius Baer’s net new money more than doubled year-on-year to CHF 7.9 billion, helping offset some headwinds.

The company’s gross margin in H1 declined to 77.9 basis points, below the consensus of 79.6bps. According to Jefferies, this implies a margin of around 76bps in May–June.

Adjusted pre-tax margin came in at 19.7bps, also below the 20.8bps expected by the market.

Total (EPA:TTEF) assets under management (AUM) stood at CHF 483 billion at the end of June, down from CHF 497 billion at the end of 2024, as currency effects and the sale of the Brazilian business in March 2025 outweighed solid inflows and rising equity markets. However, the figure was ahead of consensus estimate of CHF 476 billion.

The bank’s monthly average assets under management rose 7% year-on-year to CHF 491 billion.

Julius Baer also reported a CET1 capital ratio of 15.6% and a total capital ratio of 22.3%.

The company’s adjusted cost-to-income ratio stood at 72.8% for the first half, above the consensus estimate of 71%. 

It said it remains on track to deliver CHF 130 million in additional gross cost savings by the end of 2025.

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