UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 6-K

 

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of October, 2019

Commission file number: 1-10110

 

 

BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA, S.A.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

BANK BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA, S.A.

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

 

 

Calle Azul 4,

28050 Madrid

Spain

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

Form 20-F   ☒            Form 40-F  ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):

Yes  ☐            No  ☒

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):

Yes  ☐            No  ☒

 

 

 

Index

 

BBVA Group highlights			2
Relevant events			3
Group information			5
Macro and industry trends			5
Results			8
Balance sheet and business activity			14
Solvency			16
Risk management			18
The BBVA share			22
Responsible banking			25
Business areas			27
Spain			30
The United States			33
Mexico			36
Turkey			39
South America			42
Rest of Eurasia			46
Corporate Center			48
Other information: Corporate & Investment Banking			50

 

				2

BBVA Group highlights

BBVA GROUP HIGHLIGHTS (CONSOLIDATED FIGURES)

 

		30-09-19				D %				30-09-18				31-12-18
Balance sheet (millions of euros)
Total assets			709,017				6.0				668,985				676,689
Loans and advances to customers (gross)			391,273				2.1				383,111				386,225
Deposits from customers			379,333				3.7				365,687				375,970
Total customer funds			485,159				4.0				466,683				474,120
Total equity			57,029				11.6				51,097				52,874
Income statement (millions of euros)
Net interest income			13,475				4.5				12,899				17,591
Gross income			18,124				3.0				17,596				23,747
Operating income			9,304				4.8				8,875				12,045
Net attributable profit			3,667				(15.2	)			4,323				5,324
The BBVA share and share performance ratios
Number of shares (million)			6,668				—				6,668				6,668
Share price (euros)			4.78				(12.9	)			5.49				4.64
Earning per share (euros) (1)			0.51				(17.8	)			0.62				0.76
Book value per share (euros)			7.63				9.9				6.94				7.12
Tangible book value per share (euros)			6.35				11.4				5.70				5.86
Market capitalization (millions of euros)			31,876				(12.9	)			36,607				30,909
Yield (dividend/price; %)			5.4								4.4				5.4
Significant ratios (%)
ROE (net attributable profit/average shareholders’ funds +/- average accumulated other comprehensive income) (2)			10.1								12.1				11.5
ROTE (net attributable profit/average shareholders’ funds excluding average intangible assets +/- average accumulated other comprehensive income) (2)			12.2								14.8				14.1
ROA (Profit or loss for the year/average total assets)			0.84								0.95				0.91
RORWA (Profit or loss for the year/average risk-weighted assets - RWA)			1.60								1.82				1.74
Efficiency ratio			48.7								49.6				49.3
Cost of risk			1.01								0.90				1.01
NPL ratio			3.9								4.1				3.9
NPL coverage ratio			75								73				73
Capital adequacy ratios (%)
CET1 fully-loaded			11.6								11.3				11.3
CET1 phased-in (3)			11.8								11.6				11.6
Total ratio phased-in (3)			16.2								15.9				15.7
Other information
Number of clients (million)			77.3				3.3				74.8				74.8
Number of shareholders			884,412				(1.3	)			895,809				902,708
Number of employees			126,332				(0.0	)			126,357				125,627
Number of branches			7,798				(2.5	)			7,999				7,963
Number of ATMs			32,830				2.6				31,999				32,635

 

(1)	Adjusted by additional Tier 1 instrument remuneration.

(2)

The ROE and ROTE ratios include, in the denominator, the Group’s average shareholders’ funds and take into account the item called “Accumulated other comprehensive income”, which forms part of the equity. Excluding this item, the ROE would stand at 8.8%, in January-September of 2019; 10.1%, in 2018; and 10.6%, in January-September of 2018; and the ROTE at 10.4%, 11.9% and 12.6%, respectively.

(3)	As of September 30, 2019, phased-in ratios include the temporary treatment on the impact of IFRS 9, calculated in accordance with Article 473 bis of the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR).

 

				3

Relevant events

 

Results

 

•

In the January–September period of 2019, the overall growth in recurring revenue items is maintained, with a positive evolution in terms of net interest income in most business areas.

 

•

The trend of containing operating expenses continued, improving the efficiency ratio compared to the same period of the previous year.

 

•

As a result of the above, operating income increased 4.8% year-on-year.

 

•

Impairment on financial assets increased by 12.7% year-on-year, mainly as a result of the higher loan-loss provisions in the United States.

 

•

Finally, net attributable profit stood at €3,667m, a 15.2% lower than in the January–September period of 2018. Excluding the corporate operations from the 2018 comparison, the net attributable profit closed in line with the same period of the previous year.

 

 

NET ATTRIBUTABLE PROFIT (MILLIONS OF EUROS) NET ATTRIBUTABLE PROFIT BREAKDOWN (1) (PERCENTAGE. JAN.-SEP. 2019) (1) Excludes the Corporate Center.

 

Balance sheet and business activity

 

•

As of September 30, 2019, loans and advances to customers (gross) grew by 1.3% compared to December 31, 2018, with improved levels in the business areas of Mexico and, to a lesser extent, South America and Rest of Eurasia.

 

•

Strong performance of customer funds (up 2.3% compared to December 31, 2018) thanks to the positive evolution in demand deposits, mutual funds and pension funds.

Solvency

 

•

The fully loaded CET1 ratio stood at 11.6% as of September 30, 2019, up 22 basis points in the first nine months of the year, due to recurring organic capital generation. Thus, this ratio is positioned within the range of this capital target defined for the Group.

 

CAPITAL AND LEVERAGE RATIOS (PERCENTAGE AS OF 30-09-19)

 

				4

Risk management

 

•

Positive performance of the risk metrics. Non-performing loans remained flat from January to September 2019. The NPL ratio stood at 3.9%, the NPL coverage ratio was 75% and the cost of risk 1.01%, all figures as of September 30, 2019.

 

NPL AND NPL COVERAGE RATIOS (PERCENTAGE)

Transformation

 

•

The unification of the BBVA brand in all the countries in which BBVA operates, announced in June 2019, is now a visible reality in most of the Group’s digital and physical environments.

 

•

The Group’s digital and mobile customer base continues to grow, as well as its digital sales.

 

DIGITAL AND MOBILE CUSTOMERS (MILLIONS)

Dividends

 

•

On October 15, there was a gross cash payment of €0.10 per share, corresponding to the dividend for 2019 that was approved at the Board of Directors Meeting held on October 2.

Other matters of interest

 

•

On August 7, 2019, BBVA reached an agreement with Banco GNB Paraguay S.A., for the sale of its shareholding, direct and indirect, in Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Paraguay, S.A. (BBVA Paraguay), which amounts to 100% of its share capital. As a result of the above, all items in BBVA Paraguay’s balance sheet have been reclassified into the category of ‘Non-current assets (liabilities) and disposal groups held for sale’ (hereinafter NCA&L).

 

•

On January 1, 2019, IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ entered into force, which requires the lessee to recognize the assets and liabilities arising from the rights and obligations of lease agreements. The main impacts are the recognition of an asset through the right of use and a liability based on future payment obligations. The impact of the first implementation was €3,419m and €3,472m, respectively, resulting in a decrease of 11 basis points of the CET1 capital ratio.

 

•

In order to ensure that the information for 2019 is comparable to that of 2018, the balance sheets, income statements and ratios of the first three quarters of 2018 financial year for the Group and the South America business area have been restated to reflect the impact of the hyperinflation in Argentina as a result of the application of IAS 29 “Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies”. This impact was first registered in the third quarter of 2018, but with accounting effects as of January 1, 2018.

 

				5

Group information

Macro and industry trends

 

Global growth continued to slow to rates slightly below 3.0% in annual terms in recent quarters, significantly below the 3.7% expansion registered in 2018. Growing trade protectionism and high uncertainty are having a negative impact on economic activity, mainly on exports and investment, adding to the cyclical moderation of the U.S. and eurozone economies. The announced countercyclical policies, led by central banks, will not be able to fully compensate for the impact of multiple sources of uncertainty. Thus, world growth forecasts stand at around 3.2% in 2019.

In terms of monetary policy, the main central banks have announced further relaxation measures in recent months. In the United States, the Federal Reserve (Fed) cut interest rates by 50 basis points between July and September to 2% and left the door open for new cuts if necessary. In the eurozone, the European Central Bank (ECB) announced in September a package of monetary measures to support the economy and the financial system, including: (i) a deposit facility interest rate cut of 10 basis points, leaving them at -0.50%; (ii) the adoption of a phased interest rate system for such deposit facility (tiering of deposit system); (iii) a new debt purchase program of €20,000m per month; and (iv) an improvement in financing conditions for banks in the ECB’s liquidity auctions. In China, in addition to fiscal stimulus decisions and exchange rate depreciation, a cut in reserve requirements for banks was recently announced and official or monetary interest rates have been reduced. Accordingly, interest rates will remain low in major economies, enabling more flexibility to emerging countries for maneuver.

Spain

The latest data confirms that GDP continues to grow at a faster pace than in the rest of the eurozone, but has slowed to 0.4% quarterly in the second quarter from an average growth of around 0.7% since 2014. This shows a moderation in domestic demand, in both private consumption and investment, as well as some fading out of some stimulus and the negative impact of uncertainty.

With regard to the banking system, both the deleveraging of the system and the improvement in asset quality indicators continue (the NPL ratio stood at 5.2% in July 2019). Profitability remained under pressure (ROE of 4.8% in the first half of 2019) due to low interest rates and lower business volumes. Spanish banks maintain comfortable levels of capital adequacy and liquidity.

The United States

In the second quarter of 2019, growth decreased to 2% in annualized quarterly rates from 3.1% in the first quarter; a gradual moderation is expected for the rest of the year. The strength of consumption continues to contrast with weak investment, negatively affected by political uncertainty and lower global growth, coupled with unfavorable performance of net exports and inventories. In the absence of inflationary pressures, the Fed may lower interest rates further, which would be in addition to the cuts made between July and August 2019, which would be a factor that could contribute to prevent further slowdown in the face of rising uncertainty and the extension of still-unresolved trade disputes.

The most recent banking activity data (August 2019) shows that loans and deposits in the system grew at rates of 5.4% and 4.0%, respectively. NPLs continued to decrease, with the non-performing loan ratio stood at 1.45% in the second quarter of 2019.

Mexico

The economy stagnated in the first half of the year and there are no signs of recovery in the short term, especially in terms of investment. There are a number of factors behind this behavior: the delay in the ratification of the new trade agreement with the United States and Canada, the continued uncertainty due to external and internal factors, the deceleration of the manufacturing sector in the United States, as well as the slowdown in employment and private consumption. In this context, inflation moderated significantly from mid-year to 3% in September, which led the central bank to initiate the cycle of interest rate decreases, with two 25 basis points cuts in August and September to 7.75%. There are likely to be further cuts in the future to alleviate the slowdown in growth and the persisting uncertainty.

The banking system continues to grow year-on-year terms. According to data from August 2019, loans and deposits grew by 7.9% and 7.3% respectively, with increases in all portfolios. Non-performing loans remained under control (NPL ratio of 3.2%, compared to 3.3% twelve months earlier) and capital indicators remain at comfortable levels.

 

				6

Turkey

The Turkish economy technically moved out of recession in the first quarter of 2019, growing at a quarterly rate of 1.6% and the recovery continued in the second quarter with growth of 1.2%. The correction of domestic demand seems to be coming to an end, although going forward the strong contribution from foreign demand is likely to moderate. The economy is expected to grow by 0.3% in 2019. The slowdown in inflation continued in recent months, dropping to below 10% in September. In this context, the central bank cut the interest rate by 425 basis points in July and another 325 basis points in September to 16.5%.

As of August 2019, total loan volumes in the system decreased 6.1% year-on-year (up 0.6% in local currency and down 14.6% in foreign currency) while the system’s NPL ratio stood at 4.6%.

Argentina

Following the outcome of the primary elections in mid-August, capital outflows led to sharp exchange rate depreciation, a situation that the government attempted to alleviate with highly restrictive monetary policy and with capital control measures. All this resulted in a sharp rise in inflation, a fall in real wages and hence in consumption and investment. The external sector will be the sole support for the activity, prompted by the depreciation impact on exports along with a considerable adjustment of imports. Moving forward, there is uncertainty about the measures and policies that will be implemented after the elections to combat the crisis.

In the financial system, loans and deposits grew at high rates, albeit with the notable influence of high inflation. Profitability indicators are very high (ROE: 41.1% and ROA: 4.5% in July 2019) while non-performing loans increased to show a NPL ratio of 4.7% in July 2019.

Colombia

The economy continues to recover, with average annual growth of about 3.0% in the first two quarters of the year, after growing 2.6% in all 2018. Recovery is still driven by consumption, while non-construction investment is being consolidated. Moving forward, some moderation of private consumption is expected in light of the deterioration of the labor market and weakened confidence, although this will be partly offset by higher expenditure linked to the increase in immigration, while investment in construction should begin to show signs of recovery. However, growth is expected to remain relatively stable at about 3% in the coming quarters. Colombia’s monetary authority maintained the benchmark rate at 4.25% during the quarter.

The total loans system grew by 7.7% year-on-year in July 2019, with a NPL ratio of 4.7%. Total deposits increased by 6.9% year-on-year in the same period.

Peru

Activity continued to slow in the second quarter of the year, reflected in an average annual growth of under 2% in the first half of the year from rates of around 4% in 2018. This weak growth responds to the unfavorable performance of primary activities, which remains negative due to temporary factors. The latest indicators suggest that annual growth could rise slightly above 3% on average in the second half of the year. However, the risk remains that the recent increase in political uncertainty will end up weighing on confidence in the coming quarters. In this context, with inflation below the target of 2%, the central bank lowered the interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.5% in August and, despite not having made any changes in the last months, the possibility of an additional decrease in the future remains.

The banking system is showing moderate year-on-year growth rates in loans and deposits (up 7.1% and up 9.5% respectively in July 2019), with reasonably high levels of profitability (ROE: 18.8%) and contained non-performing loans (NPL ratio: 2.6%).

 

				7

INTEREST RATES (PERCENTAGE)

 

		30-09-19				30-06-19				31-03-19				31-12-18				30-09-18				30-06-18				31-03-18
Official ECB rate			0.00				0.00				0.00				0.00				0.00				0.00				0.00
Euribor 3 months (1)			(0.42	)			(0.33	)			(0.31	)			(0.31	)			(0.32	)			(0.32	)			(0.33	)
Euribor 1 year (1)			(0.34	)			(0.19	)			(0.11	)			(0.13	)			(0.17	)			(0.18	)			(0.19	)
USA Federal rates			1.90				2.40				2.43				2.40				2.18				1.91				1.67
TIIE (Mexico) (1)			8.20				8.51				8.52				8.41				8.11				7.93				7.83
CBRT (Turkey)			16.31				23.86				25.50				24.06				24.01				17.77				12.75

 

(1)	Calculated as the month average.

EXCHANGE RATES (EXPRESSED IN CURRENCY/EURO)

 

		Year-end exchange rates												Average exchange rates
		30-09-19				D % on 30-09-18				D %  on 31-12-18				Jan.-Sep. 19				D % on Jan.-Sep. 18
Mexican peso			21.4522				1.5				4.8				21.6315				5.1
U.S. dollar			1.0889				6.3				5.2				1.1236				6.3
Argentine peso			62.4130				(26.7	)			(30.6	)			62.4130				(26.7	)
Chilean peso			790.19				(3.1	)			0.7				770.44				(2.6	)
Colombian peso			3,769.78				(8.2	)			(0.6	)			3,639.63				(5.3	)
Peruvian sol			3.6805				3.6				4.9				3.7378				4.2
Turkish lira			6.1491				13.3				(1.5	)			6.3401				(13.1	)

 

				8

Results

 

The BBVA Group generated a net attributable profit of €3,667m during the first nine months of 2019. This figure is 15.2% lower compared to the same period of the previous year (down 15.6% at constant exchange rates), which included the result of corporate operations generated by the capital gains (net of taxes) from the sale of BBVA Chile. Excluding the corporate operations from the 2018 comparison, the net attributable profit closed in line with the same period of the previous year (down 0.6% at current exchange rates, down 1.2% at constant exchange rates). In the third quarter of 2019, net attributable profit increased by 0.5% at constant exchange rates compared to the second quarter of the year (down 4.2% at current exchange rates). The good performance of net fees and commissions and, primarily, the strong performance of net trading income (NTI) in the quarter explain this increase.

 

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT: QUARTERLY EVOLUTION (MILLIONS OF EUROS)

 

		2019												2018
		3Q				2Q				1Q				4Q				3Q				2Q				1Q
Net interest income			4,488				4,566				4,420				4,692				4,309				4,302				4,287
Net fees and commissions			1,273				1,256				1,214				1,226				1,173				1,244				1,236
Net trading income			351				116				426				316				212				285				410
Other operating income and expenses			22				(18	)			8				(83	)			38				6				92
Gross income			6,135				5,920				6,069				6,151				5,733				5,838				6,026
Operating expenses			(2,946	)			(2,952	)			(2,922	)			(2,981	)			(2,825	)			(2,921	)			(2,975	)
Personnel expenses			(1,572	)			(1,578	)			(1,553	)			(1,557	)			(1,459	)			(1,539	)			(1,565	)
Other administrative expenses			(971	)			(976	)			(977	)			(1,119	)			(1,062	)			(1,087	)			(1,106	)
Depreciation			(403	)			(398	)			(392	)			(305	)			(304	)			(295	)			(304	)
Operating income			3,189				2,968				3,147				3,170				2,908				2,917				3,050
Impairment on financial assets not measured at fair value through profit or loss			(1,187	)			(753	)			(1,023	)			(1,353	)			(1,023	)			(783	)			(823	)
Provisions or reversal of provisions			(113	)			(117	)			(144	)			(66	)			(123	)			(85	)			(99	)
Other gains (losses)			(4	)			(3	)			(22	)			(183	)			(36	)			67				41
Profit/(loss) before tax			1,886				2,095				1,957				1,568				1,727				2,116				2,170
Income tax			(488	)			(577	)			(559	)			(421	)			(419	)			(605	)			(617	)
Profit/(loss) after tax from ongoing operations			1,398				1,519				1,398				1,147				1,307				1,511				1,553
Results from corporate operations (1)			—				—				—				—				633				—				—
Profit/(loss) for the year			1,398				1,519				1,398				1,147				1,941				1,511				1,553
Non-controlling interests			(173	)			(241	)			(234	)			(145	)			(154	)			(265	)			(262	)
Net attributable profit			1,225				1,278				1,164				1,001				1,787				1,245				1,290
Net attributable profit excluding results from corporate operations			1,225				1,278				1,164				1,001				1,154				1,245				1,290
Earning per share (euros) (2)			0.17				0.17				0.16				0.14				0.26				0.17				0.18

General note: the application of accounting for hyperinflation in Argentina was performed for the first time in September 2018 with accounting effects on January 1, 2018, recording the impact of the 9 months in the third quarter. In order to make the 2019 information comparable to the 2018, the income statements for the first three quarters of 2018 have been reexpressed to reflect the impacts of inflation on their income and expenses.

(1)	Includes net capital gains from the sale of BBVA Chile.

(2)	Adjusted by additional Tier 1 instrument remuneration.

 

				9

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT (MILLIONS OF EUROS)

 

		Jan.-Sep. 19				D %				D % at constant exchange rates				Jan.-Sep. 18
Net interest income			13,475				4.5				5.2				12,899
Net fees and commissions			3,743				2.4				2.9				3,653
Net trading income			893				(1.5	)			(0.3	)			907
Other operating income and expenses			13				(90.8	)			(90.3	)			136
Gross income			18,124				3.0				3.8				17,596
Operating expenses			(8,820	)			1.1				1.4				(8,721	)
Personnel expenses			(4,703	)			3.1				3.5				(4,563	)
Other administrative expenses			(2,924	)			(10.2	)			(9.9	)			(3,255	)
Depreciation			(1,193	)			32.1				31.9				(903	)
Operating income			9,304				4.8				6.1				8,875
Impairment on financial assets not measured at fair value through profit or loss			(2,964	)			12.7				14.5				(2,629	)
Provisions or reversal of provisions			(373	)			21.7				24.3				(307	)
Other gains (losses)			(29	)			n.s.				n.s.				73
Profit/(loss) before tax			5,938				(1.2	)			(0.3	)			6,012
Income tax			(1,623	)			(1.1	)			(0.9	)			(1,641	)
Profit/(loss) after tax from ongoing operations			4,315				(1.3	)			(0.0	)			4,371
Results from corporate operations (1)			—				—				—				633
Profit/(loss) for the year			4,315				(13.8	)			(12.8	)			5,004
Non-controlling interests			(648	)			(5.0	)			7.1				(682	)
Net attributable profit			3,667				(15.2	)			(15.6	)			4,323
Net attributable profit excluding results from corporate operations			3,667				(0.6	)			(1.2	)			3,689
Earning per share (euros) (2)			0.51												0.62

 

(1)	Includes net capital gains from the sale of BBVA Chile.

(2)	Adjusted by additional Tier 1 instrument remuneration.

 

Unless expressly indicated otherwise, to better understand the changes in the main headings of the Group’s income statement, the year-on-year percentage changes provided below refer to constant exchange rates and the quarterly changes are for the quarter ending with respect to the previous quarter.

    

Gross income

Gross income showed a year-on-year growth of 3.8%, supported by the favorable performance of net interest income and, to a lesser extent, the growth of net fees and commissions.

 

 

Net interest income grew by 5.2% year-on-year and 1.3% compared to the previous quarter. By business area and on year-on-year basis, it is important to highlight the good performance of Mexico, South America and Turkey.

GROSS INCOME (MILLIONS OF EUROS) (1) At constant exchange rates: +3.8%.

 

				10

 

NET INTEREST INCOME/ATAS (PERCENTAGE)

Cumulative net fees and commissions registered a positive performance with a growth of 2.9% year-on-year, influenced by their appropriate diversification. In the third quarter they grew by 2.8%.

As a result, recurring revenue items (net interest income plus net fees and commissions) increased by 4.7% year-on-year (up 1.7% over the quarter).

 

NET INTEREST INCOME PLUS NET FEES AND COMMISSIONS (MILLIONS OF EUROS) (1) At constant exchange rates: +4.7%.

NTI closed in line with the figures registered from January to September 2018 (down 0.3%), mainly explained by a lower contribution from the Global Markets unit and ALCO, partially offset by capital gains coming from the sale, in the first quarter of the year, of Prisma Medios de Pago, S.A. in Argentina. There was a greater contribution from NTI in the third quarter due to the good performance of foreign exchange transactions, especially in South America.

The other operating income and expenses improved in the third quarter, compared to the negative balance of the second quarter, as a result of BBVA’s annual contribution in Spain to the Single Resolution Fund (SRF), which amounted to €144m. In the year-on-year comparison, the higher contribution to the SRF (€20m higher than in 2018), and especially the higher adjustment for hyperinflation in Argentina, explain the decrease of 90.3% compared to the same period of 2018, despite the higher net contribution coming from the insurance business (up 6.9% year-on-year).

Operating income

Operating expenses for the first nine months of 2019 increased by 1.4% compared to the same period of the previous year (1.1% at current exchange rates) with a variation below inflation levels registered in most of the countries where BBVA operates. During this period, the continued cost reductions in Spain stand out, as a result of the expense control plans. The decrease in South America was explained by the change in the perimeter resulting from the sale of BBVA Chile in the third quarter of 2018.

 

				11

OPERATING EXPENSES (MILLIONS OF EUROS) (1) At constant exchange rates: +1.4%.

The efficiency ratio continued to improve as a result of expenses growing below gross income, which stood at 48.7% in the third quarter, significantly below the level reached at the end of September 2018 (49.6%). As a result of the aforementioned, operating income registered a year-on-year growth of 6.1%.

 

 

EFFICIENCY RATIO (PERCENTAGE) OPERATING INCOME (MILLIONS OF EUROS) (1) At constant exchange rates: +6.1%.

 

Provisions and other

The impairment on financial assets not measured at fair value through profit or loss (impairment on financial assets) for the first nine months of the year, showed an increase of 14.5%. By business area, the United States recorded higher loan-loss provisions for specific customers in the commercial portfolio and increased write-offs in consumer loans, in Turkey it is explained by the deterioration of retail customers portfolio, and in Mexico, mainly due to the consumer portfolio increase and impact of the deterioration in the macro scenario. On the other hand, Spain registered a decrease of 63.0% year-on-year for lower loan-loss provisions, mainly due to the positive effect of the sale of non-performing and write-offs portfolio, especially those carried out in the second quarter of 2019.

    

 

				12

IMPAIRMENT ON FINANCIAL ASSETS (MILLIONS OF EUROS) (1) At constant exchange rates: +14.5%.

Provisions or reversal of provisions (provisions) was 24.3% higher compared to the same period of 2018, due to higher provisions for guarantees and contingent commitments. Other gains (losses) registered a loss of €29m, compared to a positive contribution of €73m in September 2018, as a result of capital gains from certain sales of subsidiaries in Mexico, Turkey and the former business area of Non Core Real Estate carried out in 2018.

The results from corporate operations at the end of September 2018 stood at €633m and registered the capital gains (net of taxes) resulting from the sale of BBVA Chile stake.

Results

As a result of the above, the Group’s net attributable profit during the first nine months of 2019 stood at €3,667m, 15.6% lower than in the same period of the previous year (down 15.2% at current exchange rates), featured by higher levels of recurring revenues but negatively impacted by higher loan-loss provisions requirements and the absence of corporate operations in the period.

 

NET ATTRIBUTABLE PROFIT (MILLIONS OF EUROS) (1) At constant exchange rates: -15.6%.

By business areas, and in millions of euros, during the first nine months of the year Spain generated 1,064, the United States contributed 478, Mexico registered a profit of 1,965, Turkey contributed 380, South America registered a profit of 569 and Rest of Eurasia contributed 103.

 

				13

 

TANGIBLE BOOK VALUE PER SHARE AND DIVIDENDS (1) (EUROS) (1) Replenishing dividends paid in the period. EARNING PER SHARE (1) (EUROS) (1) Adjusted by additional Tier 1 instrument remuneration. ROE AND ROTE (1) (PERCENTAGE) ROA AND RORWA (PERCENTAGE) (1) The ROE and ROTE ratios include, in the denominator, the Group's average shareholders' funds and take into account the item called "Accumulated other comprehensive income", which forms part of the equity. Excluding this item, the ROE would stand at 10.6% in January-September of 2018, 10.1% in 2018 and 8.8% in January-September of 2019; and the ROTE on 12.6%, 11.9% and 10.4%, respectively.

 

				14

Balance sheet and business activity

 

The most relevant aspects of the Group’s balance sheet and business activity as of September 30, 2019 are summarized below:

 

•

Loans and advances to customers (gross) increased by 1.3% during the first nine months of 2019, with increases in the business areas of Mexico, and, to a lesser extent, South America and Rest of Eurasia.

 

•

Non-performing loans increased by 2.3% in the quarter and is in line with the balance as of December 31, 2018. This quarterly increase is the result of the higher balance registered in Turkey. The year-on-year comparison fell by 3.4%, mainly due to the sales of non-performing loan portfolios in Spain.

 

•

In customer deposits, overall good performance in the third quarter in both time deposits and demand deposits (up 1.4% and 0.5%, respectively). In the year-on-year comparison and compared to the balance as of December 31, 2018, the fall in time deposits was more than offset by the increase in demand deposits balances.

 

•

Off-balance sheet funds grew by 7.8% compared to December 31, 2018, thanks to the good performance of both mutual funds and pension funds.

 

•

In tangible assets, the balance as of September 30, 2019 was primarily affected by the implementation of IFRS 16 “Leases,” which led to a growth of 41.2% compared to the end of the previous financial year.

 

•

The figure for other assets/other liabilities at the end of September 2019 includes the assets and liabilities of BBVA Paraguay, which have been classified as non-current assets and liabilities held for sale in the consolidated public balance sheet, once the BBVA Group made public through a relevant event to the Spanish Securities Market Commission (hereinafter CNMV for its acronym in Spanish) the sales agreement, aforementioned in the relevant events section.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (MILLIONS OF EUROS)

 

		30-09-19				D %				31-12-18				30-09-18
Cash, cash balances at central banks and other demand deposits			40,932				(29.7	)			58,196				44,800
Financial assets held for trading			110,874				23.0				90,117				90,405
Non-trading financial assets mandatorily at fair value through profit or loss			5,209				1.4				5,135				4,692
Financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss			1,400				6.6				1,313				1,302
Financial assets at fair value through accumulated other comprehensive income			63,275				12.3				56,337				61,602
Financial assets at amortized cost			437,792				4.3				419,660				417,893
Loans and advances to central banks and credit institutions			19,655				50.0				13,103				15,355
Loans and advances to customers			378,775				1.3				374,027				370,496
Debt securities			39,363				21.0				32,530				32,042
Investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates			1,550				(1.8	)			1,578				972
Tangible assets			10,208				41.2				7,229				6,688
Intangible assets			8,508				2.3				8,314				8,213
Other assets			29,269				1.6				28,809				32,417
Total assets			709,017				4.8				676,689				668,985
Financial liabilities held for trading			92,407				14.4				80,774				81,810
Other financial liabilities designated at fair value through profit or loss			9,583				37.0				6,993				6,782
Financial liabilities at amortized cost			518,215				1.8				509,185				501,439
Deposits from central banks and credit institutions			60,554				2.2				59,259				62,339
Deposits from customers			379,333				0.9				375,970				365,687
Debt certificates			63,324				3.6				61,112				62,022
Other financial liabilities			15,003				16.8				12,844				11,390
Liabilities under insurance and reinsurance contracts			10,834				10.2				9,834				9,994
Other liabilities			20,949				23.0				17,029				17,862
Total liabilities			651,988				4.5				623,814				617,888
Non-controlling interests			6,299				9.3				5,764				5,100
Accumulated other comprehensive income			(6,114	)			(15.3	)			(7,215	)			(7,358	)
Shareholders’ funds			56,844				4.6				54,326				53,355
Total equity			57,029				7.9				52,874				51,097
Total liabilities and equity			709,017				4.8				676,689				668,985
Memorandum item:
Guarantees given			45,655				1.0				47,574				45,207

 

				15

LOANS AND ADVANCES TO CUSTOMERS (GROSS. BILLIONS OF EUROS) (1) At constant exchange rates: +0.2%.

LOANS AND ADVANCES TO CUSTOMERS (MILLIONS OF EUROS)

 

		30-09-19				D %				31-12-18				30-09-18
Public sector			27,782				(2.5	)			28,504				28,702
Individuals			173,744				1.9				170,501				169,594
Mortgages			110,958				(0.5	)			111,528				112,278
Consumer			35,144				0.6				34,939				34,190
Credit cards			14,469				7.1				13,507				12,527
Other loans			13,173				25.1				10,527				10,598
Business			173,410				1.5				170,872				167,771
Non-performing loans			16,337				(0.1	)			16,348				17,045
Loans and advances to customers (gross)			391,273				1.3				386,225				383,111
Loan-loss provisions			(12,499	)			2.5				(12,199	)			(12,614	)
Loans and advances to customers			378,775				1.3				374,027				370,496

 

 

CUSTOMER FUNDS (BILLIONS OF EUROS) (1) At constant exchange rates: +1.3%.

CUSTOMER FUNDS (MILLIONS OF EUROS)

 

		30-09-19				D %				31-12-18				30-09-18
Deposits from customers			379,333				0.9				375,970				365,687
Current accounts			272,729				4.7				260,573				251,666
Time deposits			100,147				(7.5	)			108,313				107,458
Other deposits			6,457				(8.9	)			7,084				6,564
Other customer funds			105,826				7.8				98,150				100,995
Mutual funds and investment companies			66,748				8.7				61,393				64,081
Pension funds			36,179				7.0				33,807				33,715
Other off-balance sheet funds			2,899				(1.7	)			2,949				3,199
Total customer funds			485,159				2.3				474,120				466,683

 

				16

Solvency

Capital base

BBVA’s fully loaded CET1 ratio stood at 11.6% as of the end of September 2019, isolating the impact of the first IFRS 16 implementation which came into effect on January 1, 2019 (-11 basis points) represents a growth of 33 basis points compared to December 2018. This increase is supported by the recurring organic capital generated and the impacts on the capital ratio of the positive evolution of the markets registered, mainly during the first six months of the year.

Risk-weighted assets (RWA) increased at current euros by approximately €19,800m in the first nine months of 2019 as a result of the growth of activity, mainly in the emerging markets, the incorporation of regulatory impacts (IFRS 16 implementation and TRIM — Targeted Review of Internal Models) for approximately €7,300m (which have had an impact on the CET1 ratio of -24 basis points); additionally, the impact of appreciation, particularly the U.S. Dollar and Mexican Peso, has increased the RWA by approximately €5,300m. Finally, in the second quarter of the year, the European Commission recognized Argentina as a country whose supervisory and regulatory¹ requirements are considered equivalent, which has a positive impact on the RWA evolution.

 

 

FULLY-LOADED CAPITAL RATIOS (PERCENTAGE)

 

CAPITAL BASE (MILLIONS OF EUROS)    

 

		CRD IV phased-in												CRD IV fully-loaded
		30-09-19 (1) (2)				31-12-18				30-09-18				30-09-19 (1)  (2)				31-12-18				30-09-18
Common Equity Tier 1 (CET 1)			43,423				40,313				39,662				42,626				39,571				38,925
Tier 1			51,029				45,947				45,765				50,103				45,047				44,868
Tier 2			8,638				8,756				8,847				7,798				8,861				8,670
Total Capital (Tier 1 + Tier 2)			59,668				54,703				54,612				57,901				53,907				53,538
Risk-weighted assets			368,136				348,264				343,051				368,630				348,804				343,271
CET1 (%)			11.8				11.6				11.6				11.6				11.3				11.3
Tier 1 (%)			13.9				13.2				13.3				13.6				12.9				13.1
Tier 2 (%)			2.3				2.5				2.6				2.1				2.5				2.5
Total capital ratio (%)			16.2				15.7				15.9				15.7				15.5				15.6

 

(1)	As of September 30, 2019, the difference between the phased-in and fully-loaded ratios arises from the temporary traetment of certain capital items, mainly of the impact of IFRS9, to which the BBVA Group has adhered voluntarily (in accordance with article 473bis of the CRR).

(2)	Provisional data.

In terms of capital issuances, BBVA S.A. conducted three public capital issuances: the issuance of preferred securities that may be converted into ordinary BBVA shares (CoCos), registered with the Spanish Securities Market Commission (CNMV) for €1,000m, at an annual coupon of 6.0% and an amortization option after five years of being issued; another issuance of CoCos, registered with the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), for US$1,000m and a coupon of 6.5% with an amortization option after five and a half years; and a Tier 2 subordinated debt issuance of €750m, with a maturity period of 10 years, an amortization option after five years of being issued and a coupon of 2.575%2. In the first nine months of the year the Group continued its funding program to meet the MREL (minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities) requirements published in May 2018, by closing three public issuances of senior non-preferred debt for a total of €3,000m, one of which, for €1,000m, was a green bond.

 

1

On April 1, 2019, the Official Journal of the European Union published Commission Implementing Decision (EU) No 2019/536, which includes Argentina within the list of third countries and territories whose supervisory and regulatory requirements are considered equivalent for the purposes of the treatment of exposures in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 575/2013.

2

These issuances are calculated as capital instruments (as additional Tier 1 the first two and as Tier 2 the last one) without prior authorization required, all in accordance with the Royal Decree 309/2019, of April 26, which partially implements Law 5/2019, of March 15, regulating real estate loan agreements and adopting other financial measures.

 

				17

Additionally, the early amortization options on three issuances were exercised: one for CoCos, for €1,500m with a coupon of 7% issued in February 2014; another issuance of Tier 2 subordinated debt, for €1,500m with a coupon of 3.5% issued in April 2014 and amortized in April 2019; and a further Tier 2 debt issued in June 2009 by Caixa d’Estalvis de Sabadell with an outstanding nominal amount of €4,878,000, amortized in June 2019.

In terms of the Group’s remaining subsidiaries, Mexico carried out the issuance of a Tier 2 debt instrument for US$750m with a maturity period of 15 years with an early amortization option in the tenth year and a coupon of 5.875%. The funds obtained were used to carry out a partial repurchase of two subordinated issuances (US$250m with maturity in 2020 and US$500m with maturity in 2021).

Regarding shareholder remuneration, on October 15 a gross cash dividend was paid for the financial year 2019 of €0.10 per share, in line with the Group’s dividend policy of maintaining a pay-out ratio of 35-40% of recurring profit.

The phased-in CET1 ratio stood at 11.8% as of September 30, 2019, taking into account the effect of the IFRS 9 standard. Tier 1 stood at 13.9% and Tier 2 at 2.3%, resulting in a total capital ratio of 16.2%.

These levels are above the requirements established by the supervisor in its SREP letter (Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process), applicable in 2019. Since March 1, 2019, at the consolidated level, this requirement has been established at 9.26% for the CET1 ratio and 12.76% for the total capital ratio. Its variation compared to 2018 is explained by the end of the transitional period for the implementation of the capital conservation buffer and the capital buffer applicable to Other Systemically Important Institutions, as well as the progression of the countercyclical capital buffer. For its part, the CET1 Pillar 2 requirement (P2R) remains unchanged at 1.5%.

Finally, the Group’s maintained a solid leverage ratio of 6.9% fully-loaded (7.0% phased-in), the highest among its peer group.

Ratings

During the first nine months of the year, Moody’s, S&P, DBRS and Scope confirmed the rating they assign to BBVA’s senior preferred debt (A3, A-, A (high) and A+ respectively). Fitch increased this rating by a notch in July 2019, considering that BBVA’s loss-absorbing capital buffers (such as senior non-preferred debt) are sufficient to materially reduce the risk of default. In these actions, the agencies highlighted the Group’s diversification and self-sufficient franchise model, with subsidiaries responsible for managing their own liquidity. These ratings, together with their outlooks, are shown in the following table:

RATINGS

 

Rating agency

Long term (1)

Short term

Outlook

DBRS

A (high)

R-1 (middle)

Stable

Fitch

A

F-1

Negative

Moody’s

A3

P-2

Stable

Scope Ratings

A+

S-1+

Stable

Standard & Poor’s

A-

A-2

Negative

 

(1)	Ratings assigned to long term senior preferred debt. Additionally, Moody’s and Fitch assign A2 and A rating respectively, to BBVA’s long term deposits.

 

				18

Risk management

 

Credit risk

Between the period of January-September of 2019, BBVA Group’s risk metrics performed well:

 

•

Credit risk increased slightly by 0.7% in the third quarter at current exchange rates. At constant exchange rates, it contracted -0.7%, where the decrease in Spain and Turkey was not offset by the growth in the rest of the business areas.

 

•

The balance of non-performing loans remained flat between January and September of 2019, however it decreased by 3.4% in year-on-year terms, primarily due to the sale of non-performing loans portfolios in Spain.

 

•

The NPL ratio stood at 3.9% as of September 30, 2019, which represents a decrease of 4 basis points compared to the end of December 2018 (- 23 basis points year-on-year).

 

•

Loan-loss provisions increased by 3.2% in the last nine months (up 2.6% at constant exchange rates).

 

•

The NPL coverage ratio closed at 75% in the first nine months, which was an improvement of 231 basis points compared to the close of 2018 and 257 basis points year-on-year.

 

•

The accumulated cost of risk as of September 2019 stood at 1.01%, in line with the figure at the end of 2018.

 

 

NON-PERFORMING LOANS AND PROVISIONS (MILLIONS OF EUROS)

 

CREDIT RISK ⁽¹⁾ (MILLIONS OF EUROS)

 

		30-09-19  (2)				30-06-19				31-03-19				31-12-18				30-09-18
Credit risk			438,177				434,955				439,152				433,799				428,318
Non-performing loans			17,092				16,706				17,297				17,087				17,693
Provisions			12,891				12,468				12,814				12,493				12,890
NPL ratio (%)			3.9				3.8				3.9				3.9				4.1
NPL coverage ratio (%)			75				75				74				73				73

 

(1)	Include gross loans and advances to customers plus guarantees given.

(2)	Figures without considering the classification of non-current assets held for sale (NCA&L).

NON-PERFORMING LOANS EVOLUTION (MILLIONS OF EUROS)

 

		3Q19 (1) (2)				2Q19				1Q19				4Q18				3Q18
Beginning balance			16,706				17,297				17,087				17,693				19,654
Entries			2,563				2,458				2,353				3,019				2,168
Recoveries			(1,423	)			(1,531	)			(1,409	)			(1,560	)			(1,946	)
Net variation			1,140				927				944				1,459				222
Write-offs			(992	)			(958	)			(775	)			(1,693	)			(1,606	)
Exchange rate differences and other			238				(561	)			41				(372	)			(576	)
Period-end balance			17,092				16,706				17,297				17,087				17,693
Memorandum item:
Non-performing loans			16,337				15,999				16,559				16,348				17,045
Non performing guarantees given			755				707				738				739				649

 

(1)	Preliminary data.

(2)	Figures without considering the classification of non-current assets held for sale (NCA&L).

 

				19

Structural risks

Liquidity and funding

Management of liquidity and funding at BBVA aims to finance the recurring growth of the banking business at suitable maturities and costs, using a wide range of instruments that provide access to a large number of alternative sources of financing, always in compliance with current regulatory requirements.

Due to its subsidiary-based management model, BBVA is one of the few major European banks that follows the Multiple Point of Entry (MPE) resolution strategy: the parent company sets the liquidity policies, but the subsidiaries are self-sufficient and responsible for managing their own liquidity (taking deposits or accessing the market with their own rating), without fund transfers or financing occurring between either the parent company and the subsidiaries, or between different subsidiaries. This strategy limits the spread of a liquidity crisis among the Group’s different areas, and ensures that the cost of liquidity and financing is correctly reflected in the price formation process.

The financial soundness of the BBVA Group’s banks continues to be based on the funding of lending activity, fundamentally through the use of stable customer funds. During the first nine months of 2019, liquidity conditions remained comfortable across all countries in which the BBVA Group operates:

 

•

In the eurozone, the liquidity situation remains comfortable, with a slight increase in the credit gap over the first nine months of the year. BBVA did not participate in the first auction of the European Central Bank’s long-term lending program, known as TLTRO III, which took place in September. The possibility of being involved in the next auction in December will be assessed by the bank as part of its quarterly process of updating the financing plan.

 

•

In the United States, the liquidity situation is solid. In the first nine months of this year, there has been a decrease in the credit gap due primarily to the increase in deposits as a result of deposit-taking campaigns, and a slowdown in lending activity. It should be noted that recent tensions in the very short-term American repo market, which forced the Federal Reserve to intervene and inject liquidity, have had no impact on BBVA USA due to its limited dependence on this type of operation and the maintenance of an adequate liquidity buffer.

 

•

In Mexico, the credit gap increased in the first nine months of the year due to higher growth in lending activity than deposits, although the liquidity position remains strong.

 

•

In Turkey, the good liquidity situation continues despite the wholesale funding maturities seen during the year, with an adequate buffer against a possible liquidity stress scenario. A reduction in loans and growth in deposits led to the credit gap improving in the first nine months of the year in terms of the balance sheet in foreign currency, while in terms of local currency the credit gap increased due to higher growth in loans than deposits.

 

•

In South America, the liquidity situation remains comfortable throughout the region. In Argentina, the volatility generated in the markets following the results of the primary elections produced an outflow of deposits in dollars in the banking system (gradually decreasing in recent weeks), which BBVA Argentina successfully managed as a result of its solid liquidity position, as shown by its comfortable liquidity ratios.

The BBVA Group’s liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) remained comfortably above 100% during the first nine months of 2019, and stood at 127% as of September 30, 2019. It comfortably exceeded 100% in all subsidiaries (eurozone 144%, Mexico 135%, the United States 144% and Turkey 174%). For the calculation of the ratio, it is assumed that there is no transfer of liquidity among subsidiaries; i.e. no kind of excess liquidity levels in foreign subsidiaries are considered in the calculation of the consolidated ratio. When considering these excess liquidity levels, the BBVA Group’s LCR would stand at 152% (25 percentage points above 127%).

The Net Stable Funding Ratio (NSFR), defined as the ratio between the amount of stable funding available and the amount of stable funding required, is one of the Basel Committee’s essential reforms, and requires banks to maintain a stable funding profile in relation to the composition of their assets and off-balance-sheet activities. This ratio should be at least 100% at all times. BBVA Group’s, NSFR ratio, calculated according to Basel requirements, remained above 100% throughout the first nine months of 2019 and stood at 122% as of September 30, 2019. It comfortably exceeded 100% in all subsidiaries (eurozone 115%, Mexico 129%, the United States 114% and Turkey 150%).

The wholesale financing markets in which the Group operates remained stable.

The main transactions carried out in the first nine months of 2019 by entities of the BBVA Group were:

 

•

BBVA, S.A. completed three senior non-preferred debt issuances, the first for €1,000m with a fixed-rate annual coupon of 1.125% and a maturity period of five years; the second a green bond (its second after the first issuance in May 2018), also for €1,000m, with an annual coupon of 1% and a maturity period of seven years; and the third in September for €1,000m with a maturity period of five years and a final interest rate of midswap +80 basis points, with a coupon of 0.375%, this being the lowest achieved by a senior non-preferred debt issuance in Spain and the lowest paid by BBVA for senior debt (preferred and non-preferred).

 

				20

•

Regarding capital issuances, BBVA, S.A. carried out three public issuances: an issuance of preferred securities that may be converted into ordinary BBVA shares (CoCos), registered in the Spanish Securities Market Commission (CNMV) for €1,000m with an annual coupon of 6.0% and amortization option from the fifth year; another issuance of CoCos, registered in the Security Exchange Commission (SEC), for $1,000m with a coupon of 6.5% and amortization option after five and a half years; and a Tier 2 subordinated debt issuance for €750m, with a maturity period of ten years, an amortization option in the fifth year and a coupon of 2.575%.

 

•

Additionally, during the first nine months, the early amortization option for the issuance of CoCos for €1,500m with a coupon of 7%, issued in February 2014, was exercised; and a Tier 2 subordinated debt issuance for €1,500m with a coupon of 3.5%, issued in April 2014, was amortized. In June 2019, BBVA, S.A., as the successor to Unnim Banc, S.A.U., exercised the early amortization of the issuance of subordinated bonds, originally issued by Caixa d’Estalvis de Sabadell, for an outstanding nominal amount of €4,878,000.

 

•

In the United States, BBVA USA completed a public issuance of US$600m in senior format in the third quarter of the year, with a maturity period of five years and a coupon of 2.5%. The purpose of this issuance was to renew a maturity for the same amount.

 

•

In Mexico, €458m of senior debt was issued in the local market in the second quarter of the year, in two tranches: €229m with a maturity period of three years at the Interbank Equilibrium Interest Rate (TIIE) +28 basis points, and €229m with a maturity period of eight years at the Mbono rate +80 basis points, obtaining the lowest cost of funds in history in the local market in both maturities. In the third quarter, a Tier 2 issuance of US$750m was issued with a maturity period of 15 years including an early amortization option in the tenth year and a coupon of 5.875%. The funds obtained were used to carry out a partial repurchase of two subordinated issuances that were no longer being calculated in capital (250m with maturity in 2020 and 500m with maturity in 2021).

 

•

In Turkey, in the first quarter Garanti BBVA issued a Diversified Payment Rights (DPR) securitization for US$150m with a maturity period of five years. It also renewed syndicated loans for US$784m.

 

•

In South America, in the third quarter BBVA Peru issued senior bonds with a maturity period of three years for an equivalent amount of €50m. In previous quarters, BBVA Argentina issued negotiable instruments on the local market for an amount equivalent to €25m, while Forum in Chile issued a bond on the local market for an amount equivalent to €107m.

Foreign exchange

Foreign exchange risk management of BBVA’s long-term investments, principally stemming from its overseas franchises, aims to preserve the Group’s capital adequacy ratios and ensure the stability of its income statement.

In the first nine months of 2019, the Argentine peso (down 30.6%) and the Turkish lira (down 1.5%) depreciated against the euro, while the Mexican peso (up 4.8%) and the US dollar (up 5.2%) appreciated compared to the closing rates at December 31, 2018. BBVA has maintained its policy of actively hedging its main investments in emerging markets, covering on average between 30% and 50% of annual earnings and around 70% of the CET1 capital ratio excess. Based on this policy, the sensitivity of the CET1 ratio to a depreciation of 10% against the euro of the main emerging-market currencies stands at -3 basis points for the Mexican peso and -2 basis points for the Turkish lira. In the case of the US dollar, the sensitivity to a depreciation of 10% against the euro is approximately +9 basis points, as a result of RWAs denominated in US dollars outside the United States. At the close of September, the coverage level for expected earnings for 2019 stood at 76% for Mexico and 75% for Turkey.

Interest rate

The aim of managing interest rate risk is to limit the sensitivity of the balance sheet to interest rate fluctuations. BBVA carries out this work through an internal procedure following the guidelines established by the European Banking Authority (EBA), measuring the sensitivity of net interest income and economic value to determine the potential impact of a range of scenarios on the Group’s different balance sheets.

The model is based on assumptions intended to realistically replicate the performance of the balance sheet. Of particular relevance are assumptions about the performance of accounts with no explicit maturity and prepayment estimates. These assumptions are reviewed and adapted at least once a year to consider any changes in the performance.

BBVA maintains, at the aggregate level, a favorable position in net interest income in the face of an increase in interest rates, as well as a moderate risk profile, in line with its objective, through effective management of structural risk of the balance sheet risk.

By area, the main aspects of the balance sheets are:

 

•

Spain and the United States have balance sheets characterized by a high proportion of variable-rate loans in their portfolios (basically, mortgages in Spain and corporate loans in both countries) and liabilities composed mainly of customer deposits. The ALCO portfolios act as a hedge of the bank’s balance sheet, reducing its sensitivity to interest rate fluctuations.

 

				21

•

In Mexico there is a better equilibrium between balance sheet items referenced to fixed and variable interest rates. Among the most sensitive assets to interest rates fluctuations, the corporate portfolio stands out, while consumer loans and mortgages are mostly fixed rate. The ALCO portfolio is used to neutralize the longer duration of customer deposits.

 

•

In Turkey, the interest rate risk (broken down into Turkish lira and U.S. dollars) is very limited: on the asset side, the sensitivity of loans, mostly fixed rate but with relatively short maturities, and the ALCO portfolio, including inflation-linked bonds, is balanced by the sensitivity of deposits, which are re-priced over short maturities on the liability side.

 

•

In South America, interest rate risk remains low because the fixed/variable composition and maturities are very similar for assets and liabilities in most countries in the region. Likewise, in balance sheets with several currencies, interest rate risk management is also carried out for each of the currencies, showing a very low level of risk.

Economic capital

Economic risk capital (ERC) consumption reached €29,183m at the end of August 2019 in consolidated terms, equivalent to an increase of 1.2% compared to the end of May 2019. The variation, in the same period and at constant exchange rates was up 1.9%. This increase was primarily due to credit risk and exchange rate.

 

CONSOLIDATED ECONOMIC RISK CAPITAL BREAKDOWN (PERCENTAGE. AUGUST 2019)

 

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The BBVA share

 

The main stock market indexes performed strongly during the first nine months of 2019, thanks particularly to the positive start in the first quarter. In Europe, the Stoxx Europe 600 index increased by 12.9% between January and September, although it fell slightly in the third quarter (-1.3% compared to June 2019). In Spain, the rise of the Ibex 35 during the same period was more moderate at 8.3%, remaining practically flat in the third quarter (+0.5%). In the United States, the main stock indexes maintain the high growth rates observed throughout the year. The S&P 500 Index rose 18.7% in the first nine months of the year, although this increase has slowed in the third quarter (+ 1.2%).

With regard to the European banking sector indexes, particularly in Europe, its performance in the first nine months of the year was worse than the general market indexes, and the positive start of the first quarter was offset by the decline in the second and third quarters of the year. The Stoxx Europe 600 Banks index, which includes banks in the United Kingdom and the Euro Stoxx Banks index for the Eurozone remained flat during the year (-0.4% and +0.8% respectively, as of September 2019), while in the United States, the S&P Regional Banks Select Industry Index upgraded 12.9% compared to the close of the 2018 financial year.

For its part, the BBVA share registered a better performance compared to the European banking sector during the first nine months of the year, with the share price increasing by 3.1% and closing September 2019 at €4.78.

    

 

 

BBVA SHARE EVOLUTION COMPARED WITH EUROPEAN INDICES (BASE INDICE 100=31-12-18)

 

THE BBVA SHARE AND SHARE PERFORMANCE RATIOS

 

		30-09-19				31-12-18
Number of shareholders			884,412				902,708
Number of shares issued			6,667,886,580				6,667,886,580
Daily average number of shares traded			28,631,263				35,909,997
Daily average trading (millions of euros)			144				213
Maximum price (euros)			5.68				7.73
Minimum price (euros)			4.19				4.48
Closing price (euros)			4.78				4.64
Book value per share (euros)			7.63				7.12
Tangible book value per share (euros)			6.35				5.86
Market capitalization (millions of euros)			31,876				30,909
Yield (dividend/price; %) (1)			5.4				5.4

 

(1)	Calculated by dividing shareholder remuneration over the last twelve months by the closing price of the period.

    

 

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Regarding shareholder remuneration in 2019, on October 15, BBVA paid a cash interim dividend of €0.10 (gross) per share on account of the 2019 dividend. This payment is in line with the policy announced in the Relevant Event released on February 1, 2017, in which BBVA plans to distribute between 35% and 40% of annual earnings in dividends. This shareholder remuneration policy, will consist of two cash payments, the aforementioned in October and the foreseen in April 2020, all subject to the appropriate approvals by the relevant governing bodies.

 

 

SHAREHOLDER REMUNERATION (EUROS PER SHARE)

As of September 30, 2019, the number of BBVA shares remained at 6.668 billion, held by 884,412 shareholders, of which 43.59% are Spanish residents and the remaining 56.41% are non-residents.

SHAREHOLDER STRUCTURE (30-09-19)

 

		Shareholders								Shares
Number of shares		Number				%				Number				%
Up to 150			174,725				19.8				12,353,130				0.2
151 to 450			174,662				19.7				47,919,315				0.7
451 to 1800			277,401				31.4				271,773,883				4.1
1,801 to 4,500			135,514				15.3				386,115,280				5.8
4,501 to 9,000			63,147				7.1				397,898,075				6.0
9,001 to 45,000			52,561				5.9				911,679,986				13.7
More than 45,001			6,402				0.7				4,640,146,911				69.6
Total			884,412				100.0				6,667,886,580				100.0

BBVA shares are included on the main stock market indexes, including the Ibex 35, and the Stoxx Europe 600 index, with a weighting of 6.5% and 0.4%, respectively at the closing of September of 2019. They are also included on several sector indexes, including Stoxx Europe 600 Banks, which includes the United Kingdom, with a weighting of 4.0% and the Euro Stoxx Banks index for the Eurozone with a weighting of 8.4%.

Finally, BBVA maintains a significant presence on a number of international sustainability indexes or Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) indexes, which evaluates companies’ performance in these areas. In September, BBVA continued to be included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), the markets leading benchmark index, which measures the economic, environmental and social performance of the most valuables companies by market capitalization of the world (in the DJSI World and DJSI Europe), achieving the highest score in financial inclusion and occupational health and safety and the highest score in climate strategy, environmental reporting and corporate citizenship and philanthropy.

 

				24

MAIN SUSTAINABILITY INDICES ON WHICH BBVA IS LISTED AS OF 30-09-19

 

Listed on the DJSI World and DJSI Europe indices Listed on the MSCI ESG Leaders Indexes AAA Rating Listed on the FTSE4Good Global Index Series Listed on the Euronext Vigeo Eurozone 120 and Europe 120 Indices Listed on the Ethibel Sustainability Excellence Europe and Eithebel Sustainability Excellence Global indices Listed on the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index In 2018, BBVA obtained a "B" rating (1) The inclusion of BBVA in any MSCI index, and the use of MSCI logos, trademarks, service marks or index names herein, do not constitute a sponsorship, endorsement or promotion of BBVA by MSCI or any of its affiliates. The MSCI indices are the exclusive property of MSCI. MSCI and the MSCI index names and logos are trademarks or service marks of MSCI or its affiliates.

 

				25

Responsible banking

At BBVA we have a differential banking model that we refer to as responsible banking, based on seeking out the profitability adjusted to principles, strict legal compliance, best practices and the creation of long-term value for all stakeholders. The four pillars of BBVA’s responsible banking model are as follows:

 

•

Balanced relationships with its customers, based on transparency, clarity and responsibility.

 

•

Sustainable finance to combat climate change, respect human rights and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

•

Responsible practices with employees, suppliers and other stakeholders.

 

•

Community investment to promote social change and create opportunities for all.

In 2018, BBVA announced its 2025 Pledge. This sets out the Bank’s strategy for climate change and sustainable development, working toward meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on climate change. The pledge is an eight-year commitment based on three lines of action:

 

•

To finance: BBVA is pledging to mobilize €100 billion in green and social financing, sustainable infrastructure and agribusiness, social entrepreneurship and financial inclusion.

 

•

To manage the environmental and social risks associated with the Group’s activity in order to minimize its potential direct and indirect negative impacts. BBVA pledges that 70% of energy used by the Group will be renewable by 2025, reaching 100% by 2030, and to reduce direct CO2 emissions by 68% with respect to 2015.

 

•

To engage all stakeholders to collectively promote the financial sector’s contribution to sustainable development.

The figure for sustainable finance mobilized since the launch of the Pledge amounts to €22,000m (figure as of June 2019, latest available data). Additionally, BBVA published the first monitoring report on its first green bond, issued in 2018, which has contributed to reduce around 275,000 tons of CO2 in its first year.

In Spain, BBVA is positioned at the forefront of sustainable products, being one of the most active financial entities regarding this issue. In this sense, the Bank is developing products which offer sustainable solutions for all customers (individuals, SMEs, large companies and institutions), i.e., products that seek to respond to a growing demand from society, which is increasingly aware of the fight against climate change. Among them, the highlighted lines are, loan for promotion of high energy-efficient housing with a bonus on the differential of the mortgage and loans for all customers wishing to purchase electric or hybrid cars.

As part of its objective to engage its stakeholders, BBVA signed in September the Principles of Responsible Banking, promoted by the Financial Initiative of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP FI) at the United Nations General Assembly held in New York on September 22. It is a joint response of 130 banking entities and the UN to align the banking business with long-term objectives which integrate social and environmental challenges.

In addition, the Bank joined the Collective Commitment to Climate Action launched by 31 international financial institutions within the framework of the United Nations climate summit, which was held in New York on September 23. This statement was born within the Principles of Responsible Banking which intends to its promoters determination to align their portfolios to reflect and finance the low-carbon, climate-resilient economy required to limit global warming to well-below 2, striving for 1.5 degrees Celsius. Also, these 31 international financial institutions will pursue a set of common goals to help facilitate the economic transition necessary to achieve climate neutrality; and they have committed to work together and support each other in developing each bank’s capabilities and the necessary methodologies to measure climate impact and alignment with global and local climate goals. For BBVA and all signatory institutions, this commitment aims to align its products and services with a collective strategy in the face of the climate crisis.

Regarding responsible practices with employees, BBVA launched the Be Yourself proposal, carried out by its employees to work on diversity. This project aims to achieve a diverse and inclusive work environment, and has been presented by the working group to the rest of the employees with the support of the senior management of the Bank and a group of speakers who have discussed about the challenges and difficulties that LGTBI people face.

Within the framework of community investment, education for society has an important weight. From 2008 to 2018, BBVA allocated more than €80 million to financial education programs worldwide that benefited more than 13 million people.

In July 2019, BBVA hosted in Madrid the third edition of the EduFin Summit 2019, the global meeting of the BBVA Center for Financial Education and Capability in which financial health and education are discussed every year. The event brought together over 30 experts in financial education from 16 countries, including agents of public administrations, universities, think-tanks and professionals in education and finance. This edition addressed the issue of how digitalization contributes to improving the health of people’s finances, and the discussion about the need for the technological revolution to become more inclusive or about the use of chatbots and artificial intelligence in the daily life of personal finances.

 

				26

Finally, as aforementioned in the BBVA share section, BBVA continued to be included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), the market’s leading benchmark index, which measures the economic, environmental and social performance of the most valuables companies by market capitalization of the world (in the DJSI World and DJSI Europe), while Garanti BBVA continued to be included in the DJSI Emerging Markets. In the renewal of 2019, BBVA achieved the highest score in financial inclusion and occupational health and safety, and highest scores in climate strategy, environmental reporting and corporate citizenship and philanthropy.

    

 

				27

Business areas

 

This section presents and analyzes the most relevant aspects of the Group’s different business areas. Specifically, for each one of them, it shows a summary of the income statement and balance sheet, the business activity figures and the most significant ratios.

In 2019, BBVA Group’s business areas reporting structure of the BBVA Group’s business areas differs from the one presented at the end of 2018, as a result of the integration of the Non-Core Real Estate business area into Banking Activity in Spain, now reported as “Spain”. In order to make the 2019 information comparable to 2018, the figures for this area have been reexpressed.

BBVA Group’s business areas are summarized below:

 

•

Spain mainly includes the banking and insurance businesses that the Group carries out in this country.

 

•

The United States includes the financial business activity that BBVA carries out in the country and the activity of the BBVA, S.A branch in New York.

 

•

Mexico includes banking and insurance businesses in this country as well as the activity that BBVA Mexico carries out through its branch in Houston.

 

•

Turkey reports the activity of BBVA Garanti group that is mainly carried out in this country and, to a lesser extent, in Romania and the Netherlands.

 

•

South America basically includes banking and insurance businesses in the region.

 

•

Rest of Eurasia includes the banking business activity carried out in Asia and in Europe, excluding Spain.

The Corporate Center exercises centralized Group functions, including: the costs of the head offices with a corporate function; management of structural exchange rate positions; some equity instruments issuances to ensure an adequate management of the Group’s global solvency. It also includes portfolios whose management is not linked to customer relationships, such as industrial holdings; certain tax assets and liabilities; funds due to commitments to employees; goodwill and other intangible assets.

In addition to these geographical breakdowns, supplementary information is provided for the wholesale business carried out by BBVA, i.e. Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB), in the countries where it operates. This business is relevant to have a broader understanding of the Group’s activity and results due to the important features of the type of customers served, products offered and risks assumed.

The information by business area is based on units at the lowest level and/or companies that comprise the Group, which are assigned to the different areas according to the main region or company group in which they carry out their activity.

As usual, in the case of the different business areas in America, in Turkey and in CIB, the results of applying constant exchange rates are given as well as the year-on-year variations at current exchange rates.

 

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MAJOR INCOME STATEMENT ITEMS BY BUSINESS AREA (MILLIONS OF EUROS)

 

						Business areas
		BBVA Group				Spain				The United States				Mexico				Turkey				South America				Rest of Eurasia				S Business areas				Corporate Center
Jan.-Sep. 19
Net interest income			13,475				2,721				1,813				4,599				2,029				2,376				130				13,667				(193	)
Gross income			18,124				4,307				2,442				5,912				2,548				2,884				338				18,432				(308	)
Operating income			9,304				1,866				989				3,954				1,661				1,733				126				10,329				(1,025	)
Profit/(loss) before tax			5,938				1,489				588				2,702				982				1,137				129				7,027				(1,089	)
Net attributable profit			3,667				1,064				478				1,965				380				569				103				4,558				(891	)
Jan.-Sep. 18 (1)
Net interest income			12,899				2,775				1,665				4,110				2,204				2,226				126				13,105				(206	)
Gross income			17,596				4,494				2,182				5,340				2,801				2,777				318				17,911				(315	)
Operating income			8,875				1,976				811				3,562				1,884				1,513				104				9,850				(975	)
Profit/(loss) before tax			6,012				1,481				687				2,539				1,264				972				98				7,041				(1,029	)
Net attributable profit			4,323				1,092				542				1,838				485				457				61				4,474				(151	)

 

(1)	The income statements for 2018 were reexpressed due to changes in the reallocation of some expenses related to global projects and activities between the Corporate Center and the business areas incorporated in 2019.

 

GROSS INCOME(1), OPERATING INCOME(1) AND NET ATTRIBUTABLE PROFIT(1) BREAKDOWN (PERCENTAGE. JANUARY-SEPTEMBER 2019) (1) Excludes the Corporate Center.