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Investing.com -- Lloyds Banking Group (LON:LLOY) on Thursday reported a statutory profit after tax of £4.5 billion for 2024, down from £5.5 billion in 2023, as rising costs, a decline in net interest income, and a £700 million provision for potential motor finance commission redress weighed on earnings.
Despite the profit drop, the bank saw strong balance sheet growth, with customer deposits rising to £482.7 billion, up £11.3 billion, and underlying loans and advances increasing to £459.1 billion, driven largely by UK mortgage lending. Retail deposits rose to £319.7 billion, while mortgage balances increased by £6.1 billion over the year.
Net interest income fell 7% to £12.8 billion, reflecting pressure from deposit churn and mortgage repricing, with the banking net interest margin slipping to 2.95%.
However, underlying other income grew 9% to £5.6 billion, helped by increased market activity and initiatives.
Operating costs rose 3% to £9.4 billion, despite £1.2 billion in cost savings, while remediation costs climbed to £899 million, primarily due to the motor finance provision.
Asset quality remained stable, with an impairment charge of £433 million and an asset quality ratio of 10 basis points.
Risk-weighted assets increased by £5.5 billion to £224.6 billion, while the UK leverage ratio held steady at 5.5%. Liquidity remained strong, with a liquidity coverage ratio of 146% and a net stable funding ratio of 129%.
Across divisions, Retail Banking posted net interest income of £8.9 billion, down 7%, but saw loans and advances rise to £371.5 billion and deposits increase to £319.7 billion.
Commercial Banking struggled with a 10% drop in net interest income to £3.4 billion, while loans and advances slipped to £87.6 billion.
Insurance, Pensions & Investments performed better, with assets under administration growing to £232 billion and a Solvency II ratio of 179% (pre-dividend).
Despite lower profit, Lloyds increased total capital returns to £3.6 billion, including a 15% rise in the total ordinary dividend to 3.17p per share and a £1.7 billion share buyback programme.
Return on tangible equity stood at 12.3%, or 14.0% before the motor finance provision charge, while tangible net assets per share improved to 52.4p, up 1.6p.
Lloyds forecasts net interest income of around £13.5 billion in 2025, with operating costs expected at £9.7 billion.
By 2026, the bank aims for a cost-income ratio below 50%, a return on tangible equity above 15%, and capital generation exceeding 200 basis points.