TIDM83NF

RNS Number : 4915H

Natwest Markets PLC

28 July 2023

NatWest Markets Group

Interim Results 2023

NatWest Markets Plc ci.natwest.com

NatWest Markets Group (NWM Group)

Results for the half year ended 30 June 2023

Overview of the half year

In H1 2023, we have continued to focus on our strengths to support our customers' evolving needs with financing and risk solutions. Our improved connectivity as part of the NatWest Group Commercial & Institutional segment is enabling us to unlock further opportunities for growth and to build even deeper relationships with NatWest Group customers.

Our business performance has been strong over the half year and we have maintained our robust capital and liquidity position. We continue to monitor the evolving economic outlook including the continued rise in cost of living and are mindful of the impact that rising inflation and higher interest rates are having on our customers.

Financial review

NWM Group reported a loss of GBP148 million for H1 2023 compared with a loss of GBP86 million in H1 2022. Total income of GBP430 million was down by GBP8 million compared with H1 2022, as a stronger performance in Fixed Income was more than offset by lower Currencies income and own credit adjustments. Operating expenses decreased by GBP6 million to GBP534 million, driven by a decrease in litigation and conduct costs partially offset by an increase in other operating expenses.

 
 Financial performance 
 -   Total income was GBP430 million, a decrease of GBP8 million compared 
      with GBP438 million in H1 2022. Fixed Income performance was stronger 
      in the current period compared with H1 2022 which was impacted by 
      challenging market conditions. A weaker performance in the Currencies 
      business largely reflected lower levels of FX volatility. Own credit 
      adjustments of GBP9 million were down by GBP43 million compared 
      with H1 2022, a period in which credit spreads widened due to increased 
      market volatility. 
 -   Operating expenses of GBP534 million in H1 2023 were GBP6 million 
      lower than GBP540 million in H1 2022. Litigation and conduct costs 
      of GBP8 million credit reflected ongoing progress in closing legacy 
      matters and were GBP28 million lower than GBP20 million in H1 2022. 
      Other operating expenses were up by GBP22 million to GBP542 million 
      in H1 2023, largely reflecting lower technology investment costs 
      recognised in the comparative period. 
 -   NWM Group's total assets and liabilities increased by GBP0.7 billion 
      and GBP1.1 billion to GBP190.5 billion and GBP184.3 billion respectively 
      at 30 June 2023, compared with 31 December 2022. Increases in funded 
      assets including settlement balances and cash and balances at central 
      banks were offset by lower derivative fair values, largely driven 
      by market volatility across major currencies and increases in interest 
      rates. 
 
 
 Capital and leverage 
 -   Total NWM Plc RWAs were GBP20.2 billion at 30 June 2023, compared 
      with GBP21.4 billion at 31 December 2022. The decrease in the period 
      was primarily due to lower market risk, mainly driven by reduction 
      in risk exposures and Value-at-Risk (VaR) multiplier, partially 
      offset by an increase in counterparty credit risk, reflecting the 
      call of a capital optimisation trade in Q2 2023. 
 -   NWM Plc's Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio was 17.6% at 30 June 
      2023, compared with 17.2% at 31 December 2022. The increase in the 
      period was largely driven by the decrease in RWAs, partially offset 
      by reserve movements. 
 -   NWM Plc's leverage ratio at 30 June 2023 was 5.4%, unchanged from 
      31 December 2022. 
 
 
 Liquidity and funding 
 -   NWM Plc's liquidity portfolio at 30 June 2023 was GBP19.5 billion 
      with an LCR of 249% (31 December 2022 - GBP18.6 billion with LCR 
      253%). 
 -   NWM Plc issued public benchmark transactions amounting to GBP2.1 
      billion in the six months ended 30 June 2023 versus guidance of 
      GBP3 billion to GBP5 billion for FY23. Transactions comprised three 
      issuances under our EMTN programme being EUR1.5 billion, CHF0.25 
      billion and GBP0.5 billion of notes respectively. NWM Plc also raised 
      funding in other formats throughout the period including, but not 
      limited to, structured note issuance. 
 
 

ESG highlights

Climate and sustainable funding and financing have continued to perform well, and as at the end of H1 2023 we had delivered GBP23.9 billion towards the NatWest Group climate and sustainable funding and financing target(1) of GBP100 billion between 1 July 2021 and the end of 2025.

(1) This comprises funding and financing for climate and sustainable finance to support transition towards a net-zero and climate-resilient economy. NatWest Group uses its climate and sustainable funding and financing inclusion criteria (CSFFI criteria) to determine the assets, activities and companies that are eligible to be counted towards its climate and sustainable funding and financing targets.

Outlook(1)

We retain the Outlook guidance provided in the NatWest Markets Plc 2022 Annual Report and Accounts.

(1) The guidance, targets, expectations and trends discussed in this section represent management's current expectations and are subject to change, including as a result of the factors described in the 'Risk Factors' section in the NatWest Markets Plc 2022 Annual Report and Accounts, and the 'Summary Risk Factors' in this announcement. These statements constitute forward-looking statements. Refer to 'Forward-looking statements' in this announcement.

Financial review

The table below presents an analysis of key lines of NWM Group's income statement for the half year ended 30 June 2023. Commentary refers to the tables below as well as the consolidated income statement shown on page 24.

 
                                                       Half year ended 
                                                      ----------------- 
                                                       30 June  30 June 
                                                          2023     2022 
Income statement (1)                                      GBPm     GBPm 
                                                      --------  ------- 
Net interest income                                         78       29 
Non-interest income                                        352      409 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Total income                                               430      438 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Litigation and conduct costs                                 8     (20) 
Other operating expenses                                 (542)    (520) 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Operating expenses                                       (534)    (540) 
Operating loss before impairment releases/losses         (104)    (102) 
Impairment releases/(losses)                                 5      (5) 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Operating loss before tax                                 (99)    (107) 
Tax (charge)/credit                                       (49)       21 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Loss for the period                                      (148)     (86) 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
Income (2) 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Fixed Income                                               105       23 
Currencies                                                 227      280 
Capital Markets                                            218      217 
Capital Management Unit & other (3)                       (29)     (47) 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Income including shared revenue before OCA                 521      473 
Revenue shared with or paid to fellow NatWest Group 
 subsidiaries                                            (100)     (87) 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Income excluding OCA                                       421      386 
Own credit adjustments (OCA)                                 9       52 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Total income                                               430      438 
----------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
 
 (1)   A presentational change was made in Q1 2023 whereby NWM Group no 
        longer separately reports the performance of the NatWest Markets 
        operating segment and Central items & other. 
 (2)   Product performance includes gross income earned on a NatWest Group-wide 
        basis, including amounts contributed to other NatWest Group subsidiaries. 
        Income including shared revenue before OCA includes revenue share 
        from other NatWest Group subsidiaries but before revenue share is 
        paid to or contributed to those subsidiaries. 
 (3)   Capital Management Unit was set up in Q3 2020 to manage capital 
        usage and optimisation across all parts of NatWest Markets, with 
        the income materially relating to legacy positions. Other mainly 
        related to asset disposal/strategic risk reduction costs that were 
        separately disclosed prior to Q1 2023. 
 
 

- Net interest income was GBP78 million in H1 2023 compared with GBP29 million in H1 2022. Net interest income largely represents interest income from lending activity and capital hedges, offset by interest expense from the funding costs of the business. The movement compared with H1 2022 largely reflects growth in lending activity.

- Non-interest income of GBP352 million in H1 2023 decreased by GBP57 million compared with GBP409 million in H1 2022, driven by a weaker performance in Currencies as FX volatility levels reduced in the current period, in addition to a reduction of GBP43 million in own credit adjustments compared with H1 2022, a period in which credit spreads widened due to increased market volatility . This was offset by a stronger Fixed Income performance in comparison to H1 2022, a period which was impacted by challenging market conditions.

- Operating expenses were GBP534 million in H1 2023, GBP6 million lower than GBP540 million in H1 2022. Litigation and conduct costs of GBP8 million credit were down by GBP28 million from GBP20 million in H1 2022 reflecting ongoing progress in closing legacy matters. Other operating expenses increased to GBP542 million in H1 2023 from GBP520 million in H1 2022, largely reflecting lower technology investment costs recognised in the comparative period.

- Tax charge of GBP49 million on the loss before tax of GBP99 million is higher than the expected UK corporation tax rate of 23.5%, primarily due to adjustments in respect of prior periods.

Financial review

The table below presents an analysis of key lines of NWM Group's income statement for the quarter ended 30 June 2023.

 
                                                         Quarter ended 
                                                   -------------------------- 
                                                   30 June  31 March  30 June 
                                                      2023      2023     2022 
Income statement (1)                                  GBPm      GBPm     GBPm 
-------------------------------------------------  -------  --------  ------- 
Net interest income                                     43        35       15 
Non-interest income                                    122       230      204 
-------------------------------------------------  -------  --------  ------- 
Total income                                           165       265      219 
-------------------------------------------------  -------  --------  ------- 
Litigation and conduct costs                            16       (8)     (12) 
Other operating expenses                             (265)     (277)    (237) 
-------------------------------------------------  -------  --------  ------- 
Operating expenses                                   (249)     (285)    (249) 
-------------------------------------------------  -------  --------  ------- 
Operating loss before impairment releases/losses      (84)      (20)     (30) 
Impairment releases/(losses)                             3         2      (4) 
-------------------------------------------------  -------  --------  ------- 
Operating loss before tax                             (81)      (18)     (34) 
Tax (charge)/credit                                   (57)         8     (12) 
-------------------------------------------------  -------  --------  ------- 
Loss for the period                                  (138)      (10)     (46) 
-------------------------------------------------  -------  --------  ------- 
 
Income (2) 
-------------------------------------------------  -------  --------  ------- 
Fixed Income                                            35        70       38 
Currencies                                             109       118      122 
Capital Markets                                        107       111       96 
Capital Management Unit & other (3)                   (37)         8     (23) 
-------------------------------------------------  -------  --------  ------- 
Income including shared revenue before OCA             214       307      233 
Revenue shared with or paid to fellow NatWest 
 Group subsidiaries                                   (52)      (48)     (48) 
-------------------------------------------------  -------  --------  ------- 
Income excluding OCA                                   162       259      185 
Own credit adjustments (OCA)                             3         6       34 
-------------------------------------------------  -------  --------  ------- 
Total income                                           165       265      219 
-------------------------------------------------  -------  --------  ------- 
 
 
 (1)       A presentational change was made in Q1 2023 whereby NWM Group no 
            longer separately reports the performance of the NatWest Markets 
            operating segment and Central items & other. 
 (2)       Product performance includes gross income earned on a NatWest Group-wide 
            basis, including amounts contributed to other NatWest Group subsidiaries. 
            Income including shared revenue before OCA includes revenue share 
            from other NatWest Group subsidiaries but before revenue share is 
            paid to or contributed to those subsidiaries. 
 (3)       Capital Management Unit was set up in Q3 2020 to manage capital 
            usage and optimisation across all parts of NatWest Markets, with 
            the income materially relating to legacy positions. Other mainly 
            related to asset disposal/strategic risk reduction costs that were 
            separately disclosed prior to Q1 2023. 
 
    *    Net interest income was GBP43 million in Q2 2023, 
         compared with GBP35 million in Q1 2023 and GBP15 
         million in Q2 2022. Net interest income largely 
         represents interest income from lending activity and 
         capital hedges, offset by interest expense from the 
         funding costs of the business. The movement compared 
         with Q2 2022 largely reflects growth in lending 
         activity. 
 
    *    Non-interest income of GBP122 million in Q2 2023 
         decreased by GBP108 million compared with GBP230 
         million Q1 2023 and by GBP82 million compared with 
         GBP204 million in Q2 2022. The decrease in Fixed 
         Income compared with the previous quarter was mainly 
         driven by challenging market conditions in the 
         current period. The decrease in Capital Management 
         Unit & other income levels in the current quarter 
         largely reflects fair value movements with regard to 
         legacy and funding positions. 
 
    *    Operating expenses were GBP249 million in Q2 2023, 
         compared with GBP285 million in Q1 2023 and GBP249 
         million in Q2 2022. Litigation and conduct costs of 
         GBP16 million credit reflects the ongoing progress in 
         closing legacy matters and were GBP24 million lower 
         than GBP8 million in Q1 2023 and GBP28 million lower 
         than GBP12 million in Q2 2022. Other operating 
         expenses of GBP265 million in Q2 2023 were GBP12 
         million lower compared with GBP277 million in Q1 2023 
         but GBP28 million higher than GBP237 million in Q2 
         2022, largely reflecting lower technology investment 
         costs recognised in the comparative period. 
 
    *    Tax charge of GBP57 million on the loss before tax of 
         GBP81 million is higher than the expected UK 
         corporation tax rate of 23.5%, primarily due to 
         adjustments in respect of prior periods. 
 
 

Financial review

Balance sheet profile as at 30 June 2023

NWM Group's balance sheet profile is summarised below. Commentary refers to the table below as well as the consolidated balance sheet on page 25.

 
                     Assets                                           Liabilities 
-------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------- 
                             30 June  31 December  30 June  31 December 
                                2023         2022     2023         2022 
                               GBPbn        GBPbn    GBPbn        GBPbn 
Cash and balances at 
 central banks                  21.3         17.0 
---------------------------  -------  -----------  -------  -----------  --------------------------- 
Securities                      16.9          9.9     11.2          9.5  Short positions 
Reverse repos (1)               21.3         21.5     27.8         23.7  Repos (2) 
Derivative cash collateral                                               Derivative cash collateral 
 given (3)                      10.0         12.7     15.2         17.7   received (4) 
Other trading assets             0.6          1.2      1.9          1.9  Other trading liabilities 
---------------------------  -------  -----------  -------  -----------  --------------------------- 
Total trading assets            48.8         45.3     56.1         52.8  Total trading liabilities 
                                                                         Deposits - amortised 
Loans - amortised cost          11.1         11.3     11.7          6.7   cost 
Settlement balances             11.6          2.6     10.0          2.0  Settlement balances 
Amounts due from holding                                                 Amounts due to holding 
 company                                                                  company 
  and fellow subsidiaries        1.3          0.7      6.4          6.2    and fellow subsidiaries 
Other financial assets          12.9         11.9     22.5         21.1  Other financial liabilities 
Other assets                     0.7          0.8      0.5          0.8  Other liabilities 
                                                                         Liabilities excluding 
Funded assets                  107.7         89.6    107.2         89.6   derivatives 
Derivative assets               82.8        100.2     77.1         93.6  Derivative liabilities 
---------------------------  -------  -----------  -------  -----------  --------------------------- 
Total assets                   190.5        189.8    184.3        183.2  Total liabilities 
                             -------  -----------  -------  ----------- 
                                                                         of which: 
                                                      24.3         23.5  wholesale funding (5) 
                                                                         short-term wholesale 
                                                       8.3          7.7   funding (5) 
 
Net derivative assets                                                    Net derivative liabilities 
 (6)                             2.5          3.5      5.5          5.6   (6) 
---------------------------  -------  -----------  -------  -----------  --------------------------- 
 
 
 (1)   Comprises bank reverse repos of GBP5.2 billion (31 December 2022 
        - GBP4.6 billion) and customer reverse repos of GBP16.1 billion 
        (31 December 2022 - GBP16.9 billion). 
 (2)   Comprises bank repos of GBP3.0 billion (31 December 2022- GBP1.6 
        billion) and customer repos of GBP24.8 billion (31 December 2022 
        - GBP22.1 billion). 
 (3)   Comprises derivative cash collateral given relating to banks of 
        GBP4.0 billion (31 December 2022 - GBP4.6 billion) and customers 
        of GBP6.0 billion (31 December 2022 - GBP8.1 billion). 
 (4)   Comprises derivative cash collateral received relating to banks 
        of GBP6.9 billion (31 December 2022 - GBP7.5 billion) and customers 
        of GBP8.3 billion (31 December 2022 - GBP10.2 billion). 
 (5)   Wholesale funding predominantly comprises bank deposits (excluding 
        repos), debt securities in issue and third party subordinated liabilities, 
        of which short-term wholesale funding is the amount with contractual 
        maturity of one year or less. 
 (6)   Refer to page 13 for further details. 
 
 

- Total assets and liabilities in creased by GBP0.7 billion and GBP1.1 billion to GBP190.5 billion and GBP184.3 billion respectively at 30 June 2023, compared with GBP189.8 billion and GBP183.2 billion at 31 December 2022. Funded assets, which exclude derivatives, increased by GBP18.1 billion to GBP107.7 billion. Derivative fair values decreased in the period, largely driven by market volatility across major currencies and increases in interest rates.

- Cash and balances at central banks increased by GBP4.3 billion to GBP21.3 billion at 30 June 2023, largely driven by an increase in funding and customer deposits.

- Trading assets were up by GBP3.5 billion to GBP48.8 billion at 30 June 2023, largely reflecting an increase in securities partially offset by a decrease in derivatives cash collateral given. Trading liabilities increased by GBP3.3 billion to GBP56.1 billion, driven by increases in repos and short positions, partially offset by a decrease in derivative cash collateral received.

- Derivative assets and derivative liabilities were down by GBP17.4 billion to GBP82.8 billion and GBP16.5 billion to GBP77.1 billion respectively at 30 June 2023, largely driven by market volatility across major currencies and increases in interest rates.

- Settlement balance assets and liabilities were up by GBP9.0 billion and GBP8.0 billion to GBP11.6 billion and GBP10.0 billion respectively, largely due to increased trading compared with the seasonally lower levels of customer activity leading up to 31 December 2022.

- Customer deposits increased by GBP5.4 billion to GBP9.0 billion in H1 2023, of which GBP4.2 billion occurred in Q2, in line with our strategy to increase customer deposits to match planned banking book asset growth.

- Other financial liabilities increased by GBP1.4 billion to GBP22.5 billion (31 December 2022 - GBP21.1 billion), largely driven by new issuance in the period, partially offset by maturities. The balance at 30 June 2023 includes GBP16.4 billion of medium-term notes issued.

- Owners' equity was down by GBP0.4 billion to GBP6.2 billion (31 December 2022 - GBP6.6 billion), largely driven by reserve movements in the period.

Non-IFRS measures

This document contains a number of non-IFRS measures. For details of the basis of preparation and reconciliations, where

applicable, refer to the non-IFRS measures section on page 48.

Risk and capital management

 
                                                                Page 
-------------------------------------------------------------  ----- 
 Market risk 
-------------------------------------------------------------  ----- 
  One-day 99% traded internal VaR                                  6 
-------------------------------------------------------------  ----- 
 Capital, liquidity and funding risk 
-------------------------------------------------------------  ----- 
   Capital, RWAs and leverage                                      7 
-------------------------------------------------------------  ----- 
   Capital resources                                               8 
-------------------------------------------------------------  ----- 
   Leverage exposure                                               9 
-------------------------------------------------------------  ----- 
   Liquidity portfolio                                             9 
-------------------------------------------------------------  ----- 
   Funding sources                                                10 
-------------------------------------------------------------  ----- 
   Senior notes and subordinated liabilities                      11 
-------------------------------------------------------------  ----- 
 Credit risk 
-------------------------------------------------------------  ----- 
  Credit risk - Trading activities                                12 
-------------------------------------------------------------  ----- 
  Credit risk - Net credit exposures for banking and trading 
   activities                                                     14 
-------------------------------------------------------------  ----- 
  Credit risk - Economics                                         15 
-------------------------------------------------------------  ----- 
  Credit risk - Banking activities                                21 
-------------------------------------------------------------  ----- 
 

Certain disclosures in the Risk and capital management section are within the scope of EY's review report and are marked as reviewed in the section header.

Market risk (reviewed)

One-day 99% traded internal VaR

The table below shows one-day 99% internal VaR for the trading portfolios of NWM Group, split by exposure type.

 
                                                              Half year ended 
                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                            30 June 2023                       30 June 2022                     31 December 2022 
                  ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------  --------------------------------- 
                                             Period                             Period                             Period 
                  Average  Maximum  Minimum     end  Average  Maximum  Minimum     end  Average  Maximum  Minimum     end 
                     GBPm     GBPm     GBPm    GBPm     GBPm     GBPm     GBPm    GBPm     GBPm     GBPm     GBPm    GBPm 
----------------  -------  -------  -------  ------  -------  -------  -------  ------  -------  -------  -------  ------ 
Interest 
 rate                 9.0     19.3      4.3    16.5      7.4     12.6      4.1     6.0      7.3     12.5      4.5     9.0 
Credit spread         5.9      6.9      4.9     6.1      8.5     12.0      6.5     6.9      7.2      8.6      6.0     6.4 
Currency              2.1      4.9      1.0     1.5      2.8      8.0      1.2     2.3      3.3      6.9      1.5     1.5 
Equity                  -      0.1        -       -      0.1      0.3        -       -        -      0.3        -       - 
Commodity               -        -        -       -        -        -        -       -        -        -        -       - 
Diversification 
 (1)                (6.8)                     (6.3)    (8.3)                     (6.0)    (7.0)                     (6.8) 
----------------  -------                    ------  -------  -------  -------          -------                    ------ 
Total                10.2     17.8      6.6    17.8     10.5     15.1      7.2     9.2     10.8     13.7      8.3    10.1 
----------------  -------  -------  -------  ------  -------  -------  -------  ------  -------  -------  -------  ------ 
 

(1) NWM Group benefits from diversification across various financial instrument types, currencies and markets. The extent of the diversification benefit depends on the correlation between the assets and risk factors in the portfolio at a particular time. The diversification factor is the sum of the VaR on individual risk types less the total.

   -    On an average basis, total traded VaR remained at similar levels in H1 2023 compared to 2022. 

- The increase in average interest rate VaR, compared to 2022, reflected an increase in yield curve risk in sterling and euro flow trading.

   -    The decrease in average credit spread VaR reflected lower credit spread volatility in H1 2023. 

Risk and capital management

Capital, liquidity and funding risk

Introduction

NWM Group takes a comprehensive approach to the management of capital, liquidity and funding, underpinned by frameworks, risk appetite and policies, to manage and mitigate capital, liquidity and funding risks. The framework ensures the tools and capability are in place to facilitate the management and mitigation of risk ensuring that NWM Group operates within its regulatory requirements and risk appetite.

Capital, RWAs and leverage

Capital resources, RWAs and leverage based on the PRA transitional arrangements for NWM Plc are set out below. Regulatory capital is monitored and reported at legal entity level for large subsidiaries of NatWest Group.

 
                                30 June  31 December 
                                   2023         2022 
Capital adequacy ratios (1,2)         %            % 
                                -------  ----------- 
CET1                               17.6         17.2 
Tier 1                             20.9         20.4 
Total                              24.0         25.7 
Total MREL                         38.8         40.4 
------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 
Capital (1,2)                      GBPm         GBPm 
CET1                              3,542        3,682 
Tier 1                            4,221        4,361 
Total                             4,841        5,502 
Total MREL (3)                    7,822        8,652 
------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 
Risk-weighted assets 
------------------------------  ------- 
Credit risk                       6,864        7,110 
Counterparty credit risk          6,287        5,682 
Market risk                       5,686        7,152 
Operational risk                  1,322        1,478 
                                         ----------- 
Total RWAs                       20,159       21,422 
------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 
 
 (1)   NWM Plc's total capital ratio requirement is 11.1%, comprising the 
        minimum capital requirement of 8%, supplemented with the capital 
        conservation buffer of 2.5% and the institution specific countercyclical 
        buffer (CCyB) of 0.6%. The minimum CET1 ratio is 7.6%, including 
        the minimum capital requirement of 4.5%. The CCyB is based on the 
        weighted average of NWM Plc's geographical exposures. 
 (2)   In addition, NWM Plc is subject to Pillar 2A requirements for CET1, 
        AT1 and T2. Refer to the NWM Plc Pillar 3 report for further details 
        on these additional capital requirements. 
 (3)   Includes senior internal debt instruments issued to NatWest Group 
        plc with a regulatory value of GBP3.0 billion (31 December 2022 
        - GBP3.2 billion). 
 

Leverage

The leverage ratio has been calculated in accordance with the Leverage Ratio (CRR) part of the PRA rulebook.

 
                               30 June  31 December 
                                  2023         2022 
-----------------------------  -------  ----------- 
Leverage exposure (GBPm) (1)    78,064       81,083 
Tier 1 capital (GBPm)            4,221        4,361 
Leverage ratio (%)                 5.4          5.4 
-----------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 
 
 (1)   Leverage exposure is broadly aligned to the accounting value of 
        on and off-balance sheet exposures albeit subject to specific adjustments 
        for derivatives, securities financing positions and off-balance 
        sheet exposures. 
 

Risk and capital management

Capital, liquidity and funding risk continued

Capital resources (reviewed)

The minimum requirement for own funds is set out for NWM Plc legal entity under the Capital Requirements Regulation. Transitional arrangements on the phasing-in of end-point capital resources are set by the PRA.

 
                                                        30 June  31 December 
                                                           2023         2022 
Shareholders' equity                                       GBPm         GBPm 
                                                                 ----------- 
   Shareholders' equity                                   6,125        6,518 
   Other equity instruments                               (904)        (904) 
------------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
                                                          5,221        5,614 
 
Regulatory adjustments and deductions 
                                                                 ----------- 
   Own credit                                                 5           11 
   Defined benefit pension fund adjustment                (166)        (159) 
   Cash flow hedging reserve                                396          284 
   Prudential valuation adjustments                       (171)        (197) 
   Expected losses less impairments                         (4)          (3) 
   Instruments of financial sector entities where the 
    institution has a significant investment            (1,740)      (1,869) 
   Adjustments under IFRS 9 transitional arrangements         1            1 
------------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
                                                        (1,679)      (1,932) 
 
CET1 capital                                              3,542        3,682 
------------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 
Additional Tier 1 (AT1) capital 
                                                                 ----------- 
   Qualifying instruments and related share premium         904          904 
                                                        -------  ----------- 
 
Tier 1 deductions 
                                                                 ----------- 
   Instruments of financial sector entities where the 
    institution has a significant investment              (225)        (225) 
                                                        -------  ----------- 
 
Tier 1 capital                                            4,221        4,361 
------------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 
Qualifying Tier 2 capital 
                                                                 ----------- 
   Qualifying instruments and related share premium       1,012        1,555 
                                                        -------  ----------- 
 
Tier 2 deductions 
                                                                 ----------- 
   Instruments of financial sector entities where the 
    institution has a significant investment              (420)        (441) 
   Other regulatory adjustments                              28           27 
------------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
                                                          (392)        (414) 
 
Tier 2 capital                                              620        1,141 
------------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
Total regulatory capital                                  4,841        5,502 
------------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 

Risk and capital management

Capital, liquidity and funding risk continued

Leverage exposure

The leverage exposure has been calculated in accordance with the Leverage Exposure (CRR) part of the PRA rulebook.

 
                                               30 June  31 December 
                                                  2023         2022 
Leverage                                          GBPm         GBPm 
--------------------------------------------  --------  ----------- 
Cash and balances at central banks              14,124       13,467 
Trading assets                                  26,453       27,301 
Derivatives                                     78,737       96,258 
Net loans to customers                          28,776       27,011 
Other assets                                     7,916        5,024 
--------------------------------------------  --------  ----------- 
Total assets                                   156,006      169,061 
Derivatives 
   - netting                                  (77,500)     (95,223) 
   - potential future exposures                 14,988       16,540 
Securities financing transactions gross up         790        2,862 
Undrawn commitments                              5,273        5,239 
Regulatory deductions and other adjustments    (6,965)      (3,077) 
Exclusion of core UK-group exposures             (407)        (852) 
Claims on central banks                       (14,121)     (13,467) 
--------------------------------------------  --------  ----------- 
Leverage exposure                               78,064       81,083 
--------------------------------------------  --------  ----------- 
 

Liquidity portfolio (reviewed)

The table below shows the liquidity portfolio by LCR product, with the incorporation of discounts (or haircuts) used within the internal stressed outflow coverage. Secondary liquidity comprises assets eligible for discount at central banks, which do not form part of the liquid asset portfolio for LCR or stressed outflow coverage purposes. In addition, a reconciliation has been provided between the liquidity portfolio for internal stressed outflow coverage and high quality liquid assets on a regulatory LCR basis.

 
                                                                Liquidity value 
                                                              30 June  31 December 
                                                                 2023         2022 
NatWest Markets Plc                                              GBPm         GBPm 
------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
Cash and balances at central banks                             14,132       13,472 
                                                                       ----------- 
 AAA to AA- rated governments                                   4,139        4,766 
  A+ and lower rated governments                                  668           59 
  Government guaranteed issuers, public sector entities 
   and government sponsored entities                                -           13 
   International organisations and multilateral development 
    banks                                                         529          182 
------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
LCR level 1 bonds                                               5,336        5,020 
------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
LCR level 1 assets                                             19,468       18,492 
LCR level 2 assets                                                  -            - 
Non-LCR eligible assets                                             -            - 
------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
Primary liquidity                                              19,468       18,492 
Secondary liquidity                                                36           68 
------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
Total liquidity value                                          19,504       18,560 
------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 
                                                              30 June 
                                                                 2023 
Stressed outflow coverage (SOC) to liquidity coverage            GBPm 
 ratio (LCR) reconciliation * 
------------------------------------------------------------ 
SOC primary liquidity (from table above)                       19,468 
------------------------------------------------------------  ------- 
   Level 1 assets excluded (1)                                    641 
 Level 2 assets excluded (2)                                      158 
  Methodology difference (3)                                    (119) 
------------------------------------------------------------ 
Total LCR high quality liquid assets                           20,148 
------------------------------------------------------------  ------- 
 

* Table not within the scope of EY's review report.

(1) LCR level 1 assets include extremely high quality covered bonds, government guaranteed bonds, and other LCR level 1 assets, which are not included as primary liquidity, but included as inflows in stressed outflow coverage.

(2) LCR level 2 assets include high quality covered bonds, asset backed securities and other level 2 assets which are not included as primary liquidity but included as outflows in stressed outflow coverage.

(3) Methodology differences include cash in tills which is classified as LCR level 1 but not included in stressed outflow coverage, JPY bonds which are classified as level 1 for stressed outflow coverage but level 2 for LCR and weighting differences between stressed outflow coverage and LCR.

The table below shows the liquidity value of the liquidity portfolio by currency.

 
                              GBP    USD    EUR  Other   Total 
Total liquidity portfolio    GBPm   GBPm   GBPm   GBPm    GBPm 
30 June 2023                8,475  4,323  6,039    667  19,504 
31 December 2022            8,660  3,379  6,460     61  18,560 
--------------------------  -----  -----  -----  -----  ------ 
 

Risk and capital management

Capital, liquidity and funding risk continued

Funding sources (reviewed)

The table below shows NWM Group's carrying values of the principal funding sources based on contractual maturity.

 
                                                30 June 2023                 31 December 2022 
                                        -----------------------------  ----------------------------- 
                                        Short-term  Long-term          Short-term  Long-term 
                                              less       more           less than  more than 
                                              than       than 
                                            1 year     1 year   Total      1 year     1 year   Total 
-------------------------------------- 
                                              GBPm       GBPm    GBPm        GBPm       GBPm    GBPm 
--------------------------------------  ----------  ---------  ------  ----------  ---------  ------ 
Bank deposits                                1,983        718   2,701       2,427        642   3,069 
  of which: repos (amortised cost)             860          -     860         799          -     799 
Customer deposits                            8,762        247   9,009       3,353        261   3,614 
  of which: repos (amortised cost)               -        239     239           -        254     254 
 
Trading liabilities (1) 
                                                                       ----------  ---------  ------ 
  Repos (2)                                 27,554        254  27,808      23,740          -  23,740 
  Derivative cash collateral received       15,161          -  15,161      17,663          -  17,663 
  Other bank and customer deposits             775        440   1,215         414        654   1,068 
  Debt securities in issue                     353        361     714          54        743     797 
--------------------------------------  ----------  ---------  ------  ----------  ---------  ------ 
                                            43,843      1,055  44,898      41,871      1,397  43,268 
Other financial liabilities 
                                                                       ----------  ---------  ------ 
  Customer deposits (designated fair 
   value)                                      144        918   1,062         253        797   1,050 
  Debt securities in issue 
   Commercial paper and certificates 
    of deposits                              4,636        141   4,777       3,084         85   3,169 
  Medium term notes (MTNs)                   1,927     14,445  16,372       2,368     14,050  16,418 
  Subordinated liabilities                       -        253     253         206        260     466 
--------------------------------------  ----------  ---------  ------  ----------  ---------  ------ 
                                             6,707     15,757  22,464       5,911     15,192  21,103 
Amounts due to holding company and 
 fellow subsidiaries (3) 
                                                                       ----------  ---------  ------ 
  Internal MREL                                437      2,563   3,000       2,199        974   3,173 
  Other bank and customer deposits           1,894          -   1,894       1,288          -   1,288 
  Subordinated liabilities                     800        180     980           -      1,519   1,519 
--------------------------------------  ----------  ---------  ------  ----------  ---------  ------ 
                                             3,131      2,743   5,874       3,487      2,493   5,980 
 
Total funding                               64,426     20,520  84,946      57,049     19,985  77,034 
--------------------------------------  ----------  ---------  ------  ----------  ---------  ------ 
 
Of which: available in resolution 
 (4)                                                            2,996                          2,753 
--------------------------------------  ----------  ---------  ------  ----------  ---------  ------ 
 
 
 (1) Funding sources excludes short positions of GBP11,211 million (31 
  December 2022 - GBP9,524 million) reflected as trading liabilities on 
  the balance sheet. 
  (2) Comprises Central and other bank repos of GBP2,500 million (31 December 
  2022 - GBP1,642 million), other financial institution repos of GBP22,674 
  million (31 December 2022 - GBP19,354 million) and other corporate repos 
  of GBP2,634 million (31 December 2022 - GBP2,744 million). 
  (3) Amounts due to holding company and fellow subsidiaries relating 
  to non-financial instruments of GBP83 million (31 December 2022 - GBP211 
  million) and intercompany settlement balances of GBP456 million (31 
  December 2022 - GBP26 million) have been excluded from the table. 
  (4) Eligible liabilities (as defined in the Banking Act 2009 as amended 
  from time to time) that meet the eligibility criteria set out in the 
  regulations, rules, policies, guidelines, or statements of the Bank 
  of England including the Statement of Policy published in December 2021 
  (updating June 2018). 
 

Risk and capital management

Capital, liquidity and funding risk continued

Senior notes and subordinated liabilities - residual maturity profile by instrument type (reviewed)

The table below shows NWM Group's debt securities in issue, subordinated liabilities and internal resolution instruments by residual maturity.

 
                 Trading 
               liabilities        Other financial liabilities             Amounts due to 
                                                                              holding 
               -----------  ---------------------------------------- 
                  Debt       Debt securities                            company and fellow 
                                 in issue 
                            ------------------ 
               securities   Commercial                                     subsidiaries 
                                                                      ---------------------- 
                 in issue        paper          Subordinated          Internal  Subordinated     Total 
                                                                                                 notes 
                      MTNs     and CDs    MTNs   liabilities   Total      MREL   liabilities  in issue 
30 June 2023          GBPm        GBPm    GBPm          GBPm    GBPm      GBPm          GBPm      GBPm 
Less than 1 
 year                  353       4,636   1,927             -   6,563       437           800     8,153 
1-3 years              108         141   9,531             -   9,672     1,711             -    11,491 
3-5 years               31           -   4,304            18   4,322       852             -     5,205 
More than 5 
 years                 222           -     610           235     845         -           180     1,247 
               -----------  ----------  ------  ------------  ------  -------- 
Total                  714       4,777  16,372           253  21,402     3,000           980    26,096 
-------------  -----------  ----------  ------  ------------  ------  --------  ------------  -------- 
 
31 December 
 2022 
               -----------  ----------  ------  ------------  ------  --------  ------------  -------- 
Less than 1 
 year                   54       3,084   2,368           206   5,658      2199             -     7,911 
1-3 years              474          73   9,011             -   9,084       974           830    11,362 
3-5 years               37          12   4,403            18   4,433         -             -     4,470 
More than 5 
 years                 232           -     636           242     878         -           689     1,799 
               -----------  ----------  ------  ------------  ------  --------  ------------  -------- 
Total                  797       3,169  16,418           466  20,053     3,173         1,519    25,542 
-------------  -----------  ----------  ------  ------------  ------  --------  ------------  -------- 
 

The table below shows the currency breakdown of total notes in issue.

 
                                            GBP    USD     EUR  Other   Total 
30 June 2023                               GBPm   GBPm    GBPm   GBPm    GBPm 
----------------------------------------  -----  -----  ------  -----  ------ 
Commercial paper and CDs                    361  2,946   1,470      -   4,777 
MTNs                                      1,621  4,232   8,425  2,808  17,086 
External subordinated liabilities            19     17     217      -     253 
Internal MREL due to NatWest Group plc        -  2,148     852      -   3,000 
Subordinated liabilities due to NatWest 
 Group plc                                    -    180     800      -     980 
----------------------------------------  -----  -----  ------  -----  ------ 
Total                                     2,001  9,523  11,764  2,808  26,096 
----------------------------------------  -----  -----  ------  -----  ------ 
 
31 December 2022                          1,816  9,892  11,160  2,674  25,542 
----------------------------------------  -----  -----  ------  -----  ------ 
 

Risk and capital management

Credit risk - Trading activities (reviewed)

This section details the credit risk profile of NWM Group's trading activities.

Securities financing transactions and collateral

The table below shows securities financing transactions in NWM Group. Balance sheet captions include balances held at all classifications under IFRS 9.

 
                                                Reverse repos                          Repos 
                                      ---------------------------------  --------------------------------- 
                                                Of which:       Outside            Of which:       Outside 
                                                   can be       netting               can be       netting 
                                         Total     offset  arrangements     Total     offset  arrangements 
30 June 2023                              GBPm       GBPm          GBPm      GBPm       GBPm          GBPm 
------------------------------------  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  ------------ 
Gross                                   46,942     46,653           289    54,076     53,564           512 
IFRS offset                           (25,169)   (25,169)             -  (25,169)   (25,169)             - 
------------------------------------  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  ------------ 
Carrying value                          21,773     21,484           289    28,907     28,395           512 
------------------------------------  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  ------------ 
 
Master netting arrangements            (2,045)    (2,045)             -   (2,045)    (2,045)             - 
Securities collateral                 (17,817)   (17,817)             -  (26,350)   (26,350)             - 
------------------------------------  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  ------------ 
Potential for offset not recognised 
 under IFRS                           (19,862)   (19,862)             -  (28,395)   (28,395)             - 
------------------------------------  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  ------------ 
Net                                      1,911      1,622           289       512          -           512 
------------------------------------  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  ------------ 
 
31 December 2022 
------------------------------------  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  ------------ 
Gross                                   36,945     36,411           534    39,340     34,857         4,483 
IFRS offset                           (14,547)   (14,547)             -  (14,547)   (14,547)             - 
------------------------------------                                     --------  ---------  ------------ 
Carrying value                          22,398     21,864           534    24,793     20,310         4,483 
------------------------------------  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  ------------ 
 
Master netting arrangements            (2,445)    (2,445)             -   (2,445)    (2,445)             - 
Securities collateral                 (19,221)   (19,221)             -  (17,865)   (17,865)             - 
------------------------------------  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  ------------ 
Potential for offset not recognised 
 under IFRS                           (21,666)   (21,666)             -  (20,310)   (20,310)             - 
------------------------------------  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  ------------ 
Net                                        732        198           534     4,483          -         4,483 
------------------------------------  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  ------------ 
 

Debt securities

The table below shows debt securities held at mandatory fair value through profit or loss by issuer as well as ratings based on the lowest of Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch.

 
                         Central and local government       Financial 
                       -------------------------------- 
                               UK         US      Other  institutions  Corporate     Total 
30 June 2023                 GBPm       GBPm       GBPm          GBPm       GBPm      GBPm 
---------------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ---------  -------- 
AAA                             -          -      1,452           936          -     2,388 
AA to AA+                       -      5,478      1,596         1,290          3     8,367 
A to AA-                    2,703          -        382           511        102     3,698 
BBB- to A-                      -          -      1,415           227        645     2,287 
Non-investment grade            -          -          -            58         61       119 
Unrated                         -          -          -             1          -         1 
--------------------- 
Total                       2,703      5,478      4,845         3,023        811    16,860 
---------------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ---------  -------- 
 
Short positions           (2,377)    (2,493)    (4,293)       (1,911)      (137)  (11,211) 
---------------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ---------  -------- 
 
31 December 2022 
---------------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ---------  -------- 
AAA                             -          -        469           766          3     1,238 
AA to AA+                       -      2,345      1,042         1,114         21     4,522 
A to AA-                    2,205          -        372            77         29     2,683 
BBB- to A-                      -          -        916           149        296     1,361 
Non-investment grade            -          -          -            65         49       114 
Unrated                         -          -          -             1          3         4 
--------------------- 
Total                       2,205      2,345      2,799         2,172        401     9,922 
---------------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ---------  -------- 
 
Short positions           (2,313)    (1,293)    (3,936)       (1,875)      (107)   (9,524) 
---------------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ---------  -------- 
 

Risk and capital management

Credit risk - Trading activities continued (reviewed)

Derivatives

The table below shows third-party derivatives by type of contract. The master netting agreements and collateral shown do not result in a net presentation on the balance sheet under IFRS.

 
                                                30 June 2023                                31 December 2022 
                          ---------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------- 
                                   Notional 
                          -------------------------- 
                            GBP    USD    EUR  Other   Total    Assets  Liabilities  Notional    Assets  Liabilities 
                          GBPbn  GBPbn  GBPbn  GBPbn   GBPbn      GBPm         GBPm     GBPbn      GBPm         GBPm 
                                                                        ----------- 
Gross exposure                                                  83,918       79,538             101,020       95,478 
IFRS offset                                                    (2,953)      (2,953)             (2,509)      (2,509) 
------------------------  -----  -----  -----  -----  ------  --------               --------  --------  ----------- 
Carrying value            2,798  3,604  5,695  1,119  13,216    80,965       76,585    13,470    98,511       92,969 
------------------------                                                -----------  --------  --------  ----------- 
Of which: 
Interest rate (1)         2,515  2,261  5,203    261  10,240    49,981       46,341    10,319    52,529       47,873 
Exchange rate               281  1,340    485    858   2,964    30,779       29,999     3,136    45,746       44,821 
Credit                        2      3      7      -      12       205          245        15       236          275 
Carrying value                                        13,216    80,965       76,585    13,470    98,511       92,969 
------------------------  -----  -----  -----  -----  ------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  ----------- 
 
Counterparty 
 mark-to-market 
 netting                                                      (61,994)     (61,994)            (76,722)     (76,722) 
Cash collateral                                               (12,307)      (7,545)            (14,064)      (9,480) 
Securities collateral                                          (4,213)      (1,540)             (4,210)      (1,185) 
------------------------  -----  -----  -----  -----  ------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  ----------- 
Net exposure                                                     2,451        5,506               3,515        5,582 
------------------------  -----  -----  -----  -----  ------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  ----------- 
 
Banks (2)                                                          231          801                 647          669 
Other financial 
 institutions 
 (3)                                                             1,258        1,886               1,724        1,936 
Corporate (4)                                                      907        2,785               1,062        2,890 
Government (5)                                                      55           34                  82           87 
------------------------  -----  -----  -----  -----  ------  --------  -----------  -------- 
Net exposure                                                     2,451        5,506               3,515        5,582 
------------------------  -----  -----  -----  -----  ------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  ----------- 
 
UK                                                               1,082        3,082               1,257        2,753 
Europe                                                             672        1,690               1,195        1,990 
US                                                                 592          546                 753          626 
RoW                                                                105          188                 310          213 
------------------------  -----  -----  -----  -----  ------  --------  -----------  -------- 
Net exposure                                                     2,451        5,506               3,515        5,582 
------------------------  -----  -----  -----  -----  ------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  ----------- 
 
Asset quality of 
uncollateralised 
  derivative assets 
------------------------  -----  -----  -----  -----  ------  -------- 
AQ1-AQ4                                                          2,026                            3,001 
AQ5-AQ8                                                            422                              498 
AQ9-AQ10                                                             3                               16 
------------------------  -----  -----  -----  -----  ------  --------                         -------- 
Net exposure                                                     2,451                            3,515 
------------------------  -----  -----  -----  -----  ------  --------                         -------- 
 
 
 (1)   The notional amount of interest rate derivatives includes GBP7,442 
        billion (31 December 2022 - GBP7,651 billion) in respect of contracts 
        cleared through central clearing counterparties. 
 (2)   Transactions with certain counterparties with which NWM Group has 
        netting arrangements but collateral is not posted on a daily basis; 
        certain transactions with specific 
        terms that may not fall within netting and collateral arrangements; 
        derivative positions in certain jurisdictions, where the collateral 
        agreements are not 
        deemed to be legally enforceable. 
 (3)   Includes transactions with securitisation vehicles and funds where 
        collateral posting is contingent on NWM Group's external rating. 
 (4)   Mainly large corporates with whom NWM Group may have netting arrangements 
        in place, but operational capability does not support collateral 
        posting. 
 (5)   Sovereigns and supranational entities with no collateral arrangements, 
        collateral arrangements that are not considered enforceable, or one-way 
        collateral agreements in their favour. 
 

Risk and capital management

Credit risk - Net credit exposures for banking and trading activities (reviewed)

Asset quality

The table below shows the current and potential exposure by high-level asset class and asset quality. It represents total credit risk for assets held in the banking book in addition to counterparty credit risk for traded products.

 
                Cash                Loans                                                            Off- 
                 and 
            balances   Sovereign      and       Other  Collateralised  Uncollateralised     Repo  balance 
                                                                                             and 
                  at        debt    other        debt       rate risk         rate risk  reverse    sheet 
             central 
               banks  securities  lending  securities      management        management     repo    items  Leasing   Total 
30 June         GBPm        GBPm     GBPm        GBPm            GBPm              GBPm     GBPm     GBPm     GBPm    GBPm 
2023 
----------  --------  ----------  -------  ----------  --------------  ----------------  -------  -------  -------  ------ 
AQ1-AQ4       21,305       5,126    9,965       7,159           1,471             1,581    1,457      709       27  48,800 
AQ5-AQ8            -           -      745         287             179               275       46       20        -   1,552 
AQ9                -           -       27           -               1                 -        -        -        -      28 
AQ10               -           -        7           1               -                 -        -        -        -       8 
----------  --------  ----------  -------  ----------  --------------  ----------------  -------  -------  -------  ------ 
Current 
 exposure     21,305       5,126   10,744       7,447           1,651             1,856    1,503      729       27  50,388 
Potential 
 exposure     21,305       5,126   23,881       7,447          10,437             4,120    2,151    2,028       27  76,522 
----------  --------  ----------  -------  ----------  --------------  ----------------  -------  -------  -------  ------ 
 
31 
December 
2022 
----------  --------  ----------  -------  ----------  --------------  ----------------  -------  -------  -------  ------ 
AQ1-AQ4       17,007       5,695    9,987       5,538           2,360             1,964    1,659      596       29  44,835 
AQ5-AQ8            -           -      687         305             164               327       25       21        -   1,529 
AQ9                -           -       23           -               2                13        -        -        -      38 
AQ10               -           -       47           1               -                 -        -        -        -      48 
----------  --------  ----------  -------  ----------  --------------  ----------------  -------  -------  -------  ------ 
Current 
 exposure     17,007       5,695   10,744       5,844           2,526             2,304    1,684      617       29  46,450 
Potential 
 exposure     17,007       5,695   24,235       5,844          11,488             4,749    2,206    1,715       29  72,968 
----------  --------  ----------  -------  ----------  --------------  ----------------  -------  -------  -------  ------ 
 

- The increase in both current exposure and potential exposure was primarily in the highest quality AQ1-AQ4 band. The reduction in exposure in the AQ10 band was driven by the repayment of a single legacy position.

Risk and capital management

Credit risk - Economics (reviewed)

Economic loss drivers

Introduction

The portfolio segmentation and selection of economic loss drivers for IFRS 9 follows the approach used in stress testing. To enable robust modelling the forecasting models for each portfolio segment (defined by product or asset class and where relevant, industry sector and region) are based on a selected, small number of economic variables (typically three to four) that best explain the temporal variations in portfolio loss rates. The process to select economic loss drivers involves empirical analysis and expert judgement.

The most significant economic loss drivers for the UK portfolios include UK gross domestic product (GDP), world GDP, the unemployment rate, the house price index, and the Bank of England base rate. Similar metrics are used for other key country exposures in NWM Group.

Economic scenarios

At 30 June 2023, the range of anticipated future economic conditions was defined by a set of four internally developed scenarios and their respective probabilities. In addition to the base case, they comprised upside, downside and extreme downside scenarios. The scenarios primarily reflected the current risks faced by the economy, particularly related to persistently high inflation and interest rate environment, resulting in a fall in real household income, economic slowdown, a rise in unemployment and asset price declines.

For 30 June 2023, the four scenarios were deemed appropriate in capturing the uncertainty in economic forecasts and the non-linearity in outcomes under different scenarios. These four scenarios were developed to provide sufficient coverage across potential rises in unemployment, inflation, asset price declines and the degree of permanent damage to the economy, around which there remains pronounced levels of uncertainty.

Upside - This scenario assumes robust growth as inflation falls sharply and rates are lowered. Consumer spending is supported by savings built up since COVID-19 and further helped by fiscal support and strong business investment. The labour market remains resilient, with the unemployment rate remaining below pre-COVID-19 levels. The housing market slows down compared to the previous year but remains robust.

Base case - In the midst of high inflation and significant monetary policy tightening, economic growth remains muted. However, recession is avoided as only a relatively small proportion of households are directly affected by the rise in mortgage costs. The unemployment rate rises modestly but job losses are contained. Inflation moderates over the medium-term and falls to the target level of 2%. The housing market experiences price decline and lower activity but the extent of the decline is lower than that experienced during prior stresses.

Since 31 December 2022, the economic outlook has improved as energy prices fell sharply and the labour market remained resilient. However, the inflation outlook remains elevated due to higher core inflation pressure. As a result, interest rates need to rise higher than assumed previously. The base case now assumes muted growth in 2023 as opposed to a mild recession assumed previously. The unemployment rate still rises but the peak is lower, reflecting the labour market's recent resilience. The peak to trough house price correction remains broadly similar to the previous assumption.

Downside - Inflation remains persistently high. The economy experiences a recession as consumer confidence weakens due to a fall in real income. Interest rates are raised higher than the base case and remain elevated for longer. High rates are assumed to have a more significant impact on the labour market. Unemployment is higher than the base case scenario while house prices experience declines comparable to previous episodes of stress.

The previous year's downside scenario also included a deep recession, labour market deterioration and asset price falls, but the current downside scenario explores these risks in a persistently high inflation, high rates environment.

Extreme downside - This scenario assumes high and persistent inflation. Households see the highest recorded decline in real income. Interest rates rise to levels last observed in early 2000. Resulting economic recession is deep and leads to widespread job losses. House prices lose approximately a third of their value while the unemployment rate rises to a level above that observed during the 2008 financial crisis.

The main macroeconomic variables for each of the four scenarios used for expected credit loss (ECL) modelling are set out in the main macroeconomic variables table below.

Risk and capital management

Credit risk - Economics continued ( reviewed )

Economic loss drivers

Main macroeconomic variables

 
                                           30 June 2023                               31 December 2022 
                            -------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------- 
                                                      Extreme  Weighted                            Extreme  Weighted 
                            Upside   Base  Downside  downside   average  Upside   Base  Downside  downside   average 
                                     case                                         case 
Five-year summary                %      %         %         %         %       %      %         %         %         % 
--------------------------  ------  -----  --------  --------  --------  ------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
GDP                            1.8    0.9       0.4     (0.2)       0.8     2.2    1.3       0.8       0.4       1.2 
Unemployment                   3.5    4.2       4.9       6.6       4.6     3.9    4.5       4.9       6.7       4.8 
House price index              3.8    0.3     (0.8)     (6.0)         -     5.1    0.8     (0.7)     (4.4)       0.6 
Commercial real estate 
 price                         3.3    0.2     (2.7)     (7.6)     (0.7)     1.2  (1.9)     (2.8)     (9.1)     (2.5) 
Consumer price index           1.7    2.3       4.2       3.7       2.8     3.6    4.2       4.4       8.2       4.8 
Bank of England base rate      2.6    4.2       5.0       5.1       4.2     2.4    3.1       1.5       4.5       2.8 
UK stock price index           5.8    4.3       1.8       0.1       3.5     3.0    1.4     (1.1)     (3.7)       0.5 
World GDP                      3.7    3.1       2.7       1.0       2.8     3.7    3.3       1.7       1.1       2.7 
Probability weight            19.5   45.0      21.5      14.0              18.6   45.0      20.8      15.6 
--------------------------  ------  -----  --------  --------  --------  ------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
 
 
 (1) The five year summary runs from 2023-2027 for 30 June 2023. 
  (2) The table shows five calendar year CAGR for GDP, average for 
  unemployment and Bank of England base rate and 20-quarter CAGR for 
  other parameters. 
  (3) Comparatives have been aligned with the current calculation approach. 
 

Probability weightings of scenarios

NWM Group's quantitative approach to IFRS 9 multiple economic scenarios (MES) involves selecting a suitable set of discrete scenarios to characterise the distribution of risks in the economic outlook and assigning appropriate probability weights. This quantitative approach is used for 30 June 2023.

The approach involves comparing UK GDP paths for NWM Group's scenarios against a set of 1,000 model runs, following which, a percentile in the distribution is established that most closely corresponded to the scenario. Probability weight for base case is set first based on judgement, while probability weights for the alternate scenarios are assigned based on these percentiles scores.

The assigned probability weights were judged to be aligned with the subjective assessment of balance of the risks in the economy. The weights were broadly comparable to those used at 31 December 2022. Since then, the outlook has improved across key areas of the economy. However, the risks still remain elevated and there is considerable uncertainty in the economic outlook, particularly with respect to persistence and the range of outcomes on inflation. Given that backdrop, NWM Group judges it appropriate that downside-biased scenarios have higher probability weights than the upside-biased scenario. It presents good coverage to the range of outcomes assumed in the scenarios, including the potential for a robust recovery on the upside and exceptionally challenging outcomes on the downside. A 19.5% weighting was applied to the upside scenario, a 45.0% weighting applied to the base case scenario, a 21.5% weighting applied to the downside scenario and a 14.0% weighting applied to the extreme downside scenario.

Risk and capital management

Credit risk - Economics continued ( reviewed )

Economic loss drivers

Annual figures

 
                                                Extreme  Weighted 
                      Upside   Base  Downside  downside   average 
                               case 
GDP - annual growth        %      %         %         %         % 
--------------------  ------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
2023                     1.4    0.3         -     (0.3)       0.3 
2024                     3.8    0.8     (1.4)     (4.1)       0.3 
2025                     1.4    1.0       1.0       0.9       1.1 
2026                     1.2    1.3       1.2       1.2       1.2 
2027                     1.2    1.4       1.3       1.2       1.3 
2028                     1.2    1.4       1.3       1.2       1.3 
--------------------  ------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
 
 
                                                               Extreme  Weighted 
                                     Upside   Base  Downside  downside   average 
                                              case 
Unemployment rate - annual average        %      %         %         %         % 
-----------------------------------  ------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
2023                                    3.9    3.9       4.1       4.3       4.0 
2024                                    3.3    4.2       5.1       7.3       4.7 
2025                                    3.3    4.4       5.3       7.7       4.8 
2026                                    3.4    4.3       5.1       7.1       4.7 
2027                                    3.4    4.3       4.9       6.5       4.6 
2028                                    3.4    4.3       4.7       6.0       4.4 
-----------------------------------  ------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
 
 
                                                                    Extreme  Weighted 
                                          Upside   Base  Downside  downside   average 
                                                   case 
House price index - four quarter change        %      %         %         %         % 
----------------------------------------  ------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
2023                                       (3.3)  (6.9)     (6.2)     (8.2)     (6.2) 
2024                                        10.4  (1.0)    (13.2)    (14.1)     (3.1) 
2025                                         6.1    2.9       0.9    (16.4)       0.9 
2026                                         3.1    3.4       8.5       4.3       4.4 
2027                                         3.5    3.4       7.9       6.8       4.7 
2028                                         3.4    3.4       5.5       5.0       4.0 
----------------------------------------  ------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
 
 
                                                                        Extreme  Weighted 
                                              Upside   Base  Downside  downside   average 
                                                       case 
Commercial real estate price - four quarter        %      %         %         %         % 
 change 
--------------------------------------------  ------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
2023                                             1.1  (5.8)     (7.8)    (10.7)     (5.6) 
2024                                             5.5    0.5    (13.4)    (35.3)     (6.1) 
2025                                             4.6    2.5       2.5       2.5       3.0 
2026                                             3.8    2.5       3.6       6.3       3.4 
2027                                             1.8    1.3       3.0       6.9       2.3 
2028                                             1.5    1.3       2.2       4.2       1.8 
--------------------------------------------  ------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
 
 
                                                                       Extreme  Weighted 
                                             Upside   Base  Downside  downside   average 
                                                      case 
Consumer price index - four quarter change        %      %         %         %         % 
-------------------------------------------  ------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
2023                                            1.6    3.4       5.5       7.0       4.0 
2024                                            1.1    2.3       4.3       6.8       3.2 
2025                                            1.8    1.9       3.9       1.7       2.3 
2026                                            1.9    1.9       3.8       1.2       2.2 
2027                                            1.9    1.9       3.7       2.1       2.3 
2028                                            1.9    1.9       3.2       2.1       2.2 
-------------------------------------------  ------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
 
 
                                                                       Extreme  Weighted 
                                             Upside   Base  Downside  downside   average 
                                                      case 
Bank of England base rate - annual average        %      %         %         %         % 
-------------------------------------------  ------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
2023                                            4.3    4.8       4.7       4.8       4.7 
2024                                            3.0    5.0       5.5       6.0       4.9 
2025                                            2.3    4.2       5.0       5.7       4.2 
2026                                            2.0    3.7       4.9       4.9       3.8 
2027                                            1.6    3.3       4.7       4.1       3.4 
2028                                            1.5    3.2       4.5       3.4       3.2 
-------------------------------------------  ------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
 
 
                                                                       Extreme  Weighted 
                                             Upside   Base  Downside  downside   average 
                                                      case 
UK stock price index - four quarter change        %      %         %         %         % 
-------------------------------------------  ------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
2023                                           13.0    9.1     (9.2)    (26.6)       0.9 
2024                                            5.7    3.1     (1.9)     (9.4)       1.4 
2025                                            4.1    3.1       9.7      21.2       6.2 
2026                                            3.6    3.1       6.5      12.9       4.9 
2027                                            3.2    3.1       5.3      10.2       4.3 
2028                                            3.0    3.1       5.3       6.4       3.9 
-------------------------------------------  ------  -----  --------  --------  -------- 
 

Risk and capital management

Credit risk - Economics continued ( reviewed )

Worst points

 
                                       30 June 2023                                  31 December 2022 
                      ----------------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------- 
                                          Extreme           Weighted                      Extreme           Weighted 
                      Downside           downside            average  Downside           downside            average 
                             %  Quarter         %  Quarter         %         %  Quarter         %  Quarter         % 
                      --------  -------  --------  -------  --------  --------  -------  --------  -------  -------- 
GDP                      (1.7)  Q2 2024     (4.9)  Q2 2024       0.1     (3.2)  Q4 2023     (4.7)  Q4 2023     (0.8) 
Unemployment rate 
 - peak                    5.4  Q1 2025       8.0  Q4 2024       4.9       6.0  Q1 2024       8.5  Q3 2024       5.4 
House price index       (18.9)  Q1 2025    (34.3)  Q1 2026     (9.2)    (15.0)  Q1 2025    (26.2)  Q3 2025     (3.4) 
Commercial real 
 estate 
 price                  (20.1)  Q4 2024    (42.6)  Q1 2025    (11.3)    (21.8)  Q4 2023    (46.8)  Q3 2024    (16.4) 
Consumer price index 
   - highest four 
    quarter 
    change                10.1  Q1 2023      10.1  Q1 2023      10.1      15.7  Q1 2023      17.0  Q4 2023      11.7 
Bank of England base 
 rate 
   - extreme level         5.8  Q1 2024       6.0  Q1 2024       5.3       4.0  Q1 2023       6.0  Q1 2024       4.1 
UK stock price index    (15.5)  Q2 2024    (40.9)  Q2 2024     (1.1)    (26.0)  Q4 2023    (48.7)  Q4 2023    (14.1) 
--------------------  --------  -------  --------  -------  --------  --------  -------  --------  -------  -------- 
 
 
 (1)   Unless specified otherwise, the figures show falls relative to the 
        starting period. The calculations are performed over five years, 
        with a starting point of Q4 2022 for 30 June 2023 scenarios. 
 (2)   Comparatives have been aligned with the current calculation approach. 
 

Economic loss drivers

Use of the scenarios in lending

The lending scenario methodology is based on the concept of credit cycle indices (CCIs). The CCIs represent all relevant economic drivers for a region/industry segment aggregated into a single index value that describes the credit conditions in the respective segment relative to its long-run average. A CCI value of zero corresponds to credit conditions at long-run average levels, a positive CCI value corresponds to credit conditions below long run average levels and a negative CCI value corresponds to credit conditions above long-run average levels.

The individual economic scenarios are translated into forward-looking projections of CCIs using a set of econometric models. Subsequently the CCI projections for the individual scenarios are averaged into a single central CCI projection according to the given scenario probabilities. The central CCI projection is then extended with an additional mean reversion assumption to gradually revert to the long-run average CCI value of zero in the outer years of the projection horizon.

Finally, ECL is calculated using a Monte Carlo approach by averaging PD and LGD values arising from many CCI paths simulated around the central CCI projection.

UK economic uncertainty

The high inflation environment alongside rapidly rising interest rates and supply chain disruption are presenting significant headwinds for some businesses and consumers. These are a result of various factors and in many cases are compounding and look set to remain a feature of the economic environment into 2024. NWM Group has considered where these are most likely to affect the customer base, with the rising cost of borrowing during 2023 for both businesses and consumers presenting an additional affordability challenge for many borrowers in recent months.

The effects of these risks are not expected to be fully captured by forward-looking credit modelling, particularly given the unique high inflation environment, low unemployment base case outlook. Any incremental ECL effects for these risks will be captured via post model adjustments and are detailed further in the Governance and post model adjustments section.

Risk and capital management

Credit risk - Economics continued ( reviewed )

Governance and post model adjustments

The IFRS 9 PD, EAD and LGD models are subject to NWM Group's model risk policy that stipulates periodic model monitoring, periodic re-validation and defines approval procedures and authorities according to model materiality. Various post model adjustments were applied where management judged they were necessary to ensure an adequate level of overall ECL provision. All post model adjustments were subject to formal approval through provisioning governance, and were categorised as follows:

- Deferred model calibrations - ECL adjustments where model monitoring and similar analyses indicates that model adjustments will be required to ensure ECL adequacy. As a consequence, an estimate of the ECL impact is recorded on the balance sheet until modelled ECL levels are affirmed by new model parallel runs or similar analyses.

- Economic uncertainty - ECL adjustments primarily arising from uncertainties associated with high inflation and rapidly rising interest rates as well as supply chain disruption, along with the residual effects from COVID-19 government support schemes. In all cases, management judged that additional ECL was required until further credit performance data became available as the observable effects of these issues crystallise.

- Other adjustments - ECL adjustments where it was judged that the modelled ECL required amendment.

Post model adjustments will remain a key focus area of NWM Group's ongoing ECL adequacy assessment process. A holistic framework has been established including reviewing a range of economic data, external benchmark information and portfolio performance trends with a particular focus on segments of the portfolio (both commercial and consumer) that are likely to be more susceptible to high inflation, rapidly rising interest rates and supply chain disruption, where risks may not be fully captured by the models.

Measurement uncertainty and ECL sensitivity analysis

The recognition and measurement of ECL is complex and involves the use of significant judgment and estimation, particularly in times of economic volatility and uncertainty. This includes the formulation and incorporation of multiple forward-looking economic conditions into ECL to meet the measurement objective of IFRS 9. The ECL provision is sensitive to the model inputs and economic assumptions underlying the estimate.

The impact arising from the base case, upside, downside and extreme downside scenarios was simulated. NWM Group has assumed that the economic macro variables associated with these scenarios replace the existing base case economic assumptions, giving them a 100% probability weighting and therefore serving as a single economic scenario.

These scenarios were applied to all modelled portfolios in the analysis below, with the simulation impacting both PDs and LGDs. Post model adjustments included in the ECL estimates that were modelled were sensitised in line with the modelled ECL movements, but those that were judgmental in nature, primarily those for deferred model calibrations and economic uncertainty, were not (refer to the Governance and post model adjustments section). As expected, the scenarios create differing impacts on ECL by portfolio and the impacts are deemed reasonable. In this simulation, it is assumed that existing modelled relationships between key economic variables and loss drivers hold, but in practice other factors would also have an impact, for example, potential customer behaviour changes and policy changes by lenders that might impact on the wider availability of credit.

The focus of the simulations is on ECL provisioning requirements on performing exposures in Stage 1 and Stage 2. The simulations are run on a stand-alone basis and are independent of each other; the potential ECL impacts reflect the simulated impact at 30 June 2023. Scenario impacts on SICR should be considered when evaluating the ECL movements of Stage 1 and Stage 2. In all scenarios the total exposure was the same but exposure by stage varied in each scenario.

Stage 3 provisions are not subject to the same level of measurement uncertainty - default is an observed event as at the balance sheet date. Stage 3 provisions therefore were not considered in this analysis.

NWM Group's core criterion to identify a SICR is founded on PD deterioration. Under the simulations, PDs change and result in exposures moving between Stage 1 and Stage 2 contributing to the ECL impact.

Risk and capital management

Credit risk - Economics continued ( reviewed )

 
                                                              Moderate  Moderate   Extreme 
                                                        Base    upside  downside  downside 
30 June 2023                                Actual  scenario  scenario  scenario  scenario 
------------------------------------------  ------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Stage 1 modelled loans (GBPm)               10,995    11,107    11,124    10,995    10,190 
Stage 1 modelled ECL (GBPm)                     18        16        14        21        28 
Stage 1 coverage (%)                         0.16%     0.14%     0.13%     0.19%     0.27% 
------------------------------------------  ------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Stage 2 modelled loans (GBPm)                  295       183       166       295     1,100 
Stage 2 modelled ECL (GBPm)                      6         5         3         7        18 
Stage 2 coverage (%)                         2.03%     2.73%     1.81%     2.37%     1.64% 
------------------------------------------  ------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Stage 1 and Stage 2 modelled loans (GBPm)   11,290    11,290    11,290    11,290    11,290 
Stage 1 and Stage 2 modelled ECL (GBPm)         24        21        17        28        46 
Stage 1 and Stage 2 coverage (%)             0.21%     0.19%     0.15%     0.25%     0.41% 
------------------------------------------ 
Variance - (lower)/higher to actual total 
 Stage 1 and Stage 2 ECL (GBPm)                          (3)       (7)         4        22 
------------------------------------------  ------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Reconciliation to Stage 1 and Stage 2 
 flow exposure (GBPm) 
Modelled loans                              11,290    11,290    11,290    11,290    11,290 
Other asset classes                         30,354    30,354    30,354    30,354    30,354 
------------------------------------------  ------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 
 
 (1)   Variations in future undrawn exposure values across the scenarios 
        are modelled, however the exposure position reported is that used 
        to calculate modelled ECL as at 30 June 2023 and therefore does not 
        include variation in future undrawn exposure values. 
 (2)   Reflects ECL for all modelled exposure in scope for IFRS 9. The analysis 
        excludes non-modelled portfolios. 
 (3)   All simulations are run on a stand-alone basis and are independent 
        of each other, with the potential ECL impact reflecting the simulated 
        impact as at 30 June 2023. The simulations change the composition 
        of Stage 1 and Stage 2 exposure but total exposure is unchanged under 
        each scenario as the loan population is static. 
 (4)   Refer to the Economic loss drivers section for details of economic 
        scenarios. 
 (5)   Refer to the NatWest Markets Plc 2022 Annual Report and Accounts 
        for 31 December 2022 comparatives. 
 

Measurement uncertainty and ECL adequacy

- The changes in the economic outlook and scenarios used in the IFRS 9 MES framework at 30 June 2023 resulted in a decrease in modelled ECL. Given that continued uncertainty remains due to high inflation, rapidly rising interest rates and supply chain disruption, NWM Group utilised a framework of quantitative and qualitative measures to support the levels of ECL coverage, including economic data, credit performance insights , supply chain contagion analysis and problem debt trends. This was particularly important for consideration of post model adjustments.

- As the effects of high inflation, rapidly rising interest rates and supply chain disruption evolve during 2023 and into 2024, there is a risk of credit deterioration. However, the income statement effect of this should have been mitigated by the forward-looking provisions retained on the balance sheet at 30 June 2023.

- There are a number of key factors that could drive further downside to impairments, through deteriorating economic and credit metrics and increased stage migration as credit risk increases for more customers. Such factors which could impact the IFRS 9 models, include an adverse deterioration in GDP and unemployment in the economies in which NWM Group operates.

Risk and capital management

Credit risk - Banking activities ( reviewed )

This section details the credit risk profile of NWM Group's banking activities.

Portfolio summary

The table below shows gross loans and ECL, by stage, within the scope of the IFRS 9 ECL framework .

 
                                                      30 June  31 December 
                                                         2023         2022 
                                                         GBPm         GBPm 
----------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
Loans - amortised cost and fair value through other 
 comprehensive income (FVOCI) 
Stage 1                                                10,809       10,791 
Stage 2                                                   304          497 
Stage 3                                                    29           49 
Of which: individual                                       21           37 
Of which: collective                                        8           12 
Inter-Group (1)                                         1,148          434 
----------------------------------------------------           ----------- 
Total                                                  12,290       11,771 
----------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 
ECL provisions 
Stage 1                                                    18           20 
Stage 2                                                     6            8 
Stage 3                                                    25           26 
Of which: individual                                       17           15 
Of which: collective                                        8           11 
Inter-Group (1)                                             1            - 
---------------------------------------------------- 
Total                                                      50           54 
----------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 
ECL provisions coverage (2) 
Stage 1 (%)                                              0.17         0.19 
Stage 2 (%)                                              1.97         1.61 
Stage 3 (%)                                             86.21        53.06 
Inter-Group (%)                                          0.09            - 
---------------------------------------------------- 
Total                                                    0.44         0.48 
----------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 
                                                        Half year ended 
                                                      -------------------- 
                                                      30 June      30 June 
                                                         2023         2022 
                                                         GBPm         GBPm 
----------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
Impairment (releases)/losses 
ECL (release)/charge 
Stage 1                                                   (2)            2 
Stage 2                                                     1            4 
Stage 3                                                   (4)          (1) 
Of which: individual                                      (2)            - 
Of which: collective                                      (2)          (1) 
Third party                                               (5)            5 
Total                                                     (5)            5 
----------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 
Amounts written-off                                         2           43 
----------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 
 
    (1) NWM Group's intercompany assets were classified in Stage 1. The 
     ECL for these loans was GBP0.6 million ( 31 December 2022 - GBP0.4 million). 
     (2) ECL provisions coverage is calculated as ECL provisions divided 
     by loans - amortised cost and FVOCI. It is calculated on third party 
     loans and total ECL provisions. 
     (3) The table shows gross loans only and excludes amounts that are outside 
     the scope of the ECL framework. For further details, refer to Financial 
     instruments within the scope of the IFRS 9 ECL framework on page 68 
     of the NatWest Markets Plc 2022 Annual Report and Accounts. Other financial 
     assets within the scope of the IFRS 9 ECL framework were cash and balances 
     at central banks totalling GBP21.3 billion (31 December 2022 - GBP17.0 
     billion) and debt securities of GBP12.8 billion (31 December 2022 - 
     GBP11.8 billion). 
     (4) The stage allocation of the ECL charge was aligned to the stage 
     transition approach that underpins the analysis in the Flow Statement 
     section. 
 
      *    The impairment release of GBP5 million was driven by 
           improved economic conditions compared to the end of 
           2022 which resulted in a small decrease in provisions 
           coverage. 
 

Risk and capital management

Credit risk - Banking activities continued ( reviewed )

Sector analysis - portfolio summary

The table below shows exposures and ECL by stage, for key sectors .

 
                                                                Off-balance sheet 
                                                             ------------------------ 
                                    Loans - amortised 
                                      cost and FVOCI                Loan   Contingent        ECL provisions 
                               ----------------------------                            -------------------------- 
                                Stage  Stage  Stage                                    Stage  Stage  Stage 
                                    1      2      3   Total  commitments  liabilities      1      2      3  Total 
30 June 2023                     GBPm   GBPm   GBPm    GBPm         GBPm         GBPm   GBPm   GBPm   GBPm   GBPm 
-----------------------------  ------  -----  -----  ------  -----------  -----------  -----  -----  -----  ----- 
  Property                         42     18     15      75          203           14      -      2      9     11 
  Financial institutions        9,731    109      -   9,840        6,925          548     14      -      -     14 
  Sovereign                       357      -      3     360           62          153      1      -      3      4 
  Corporate                       679    177     11     867        6,432           19      3      4     13     20 
    Of which: 
      Agriculture                   1      -      -       1            1            -      -      -      -      - 
      Airlines and aerospace        -     20      -      20          279            -      -      -      -      - 
      Automotive                    2      -      -       2          594            -      -      -      -      - 
      Chemicals                     9      -      -       9           64            -      -      -      -      - 
      Health                       41      1      -      42            -            -      -      -      -      - 
      Industrials                 153     53      -     206          235            5      -      1      -      1 
      Land transport and 
       logistics                   10     50      -      60          311            2      -      -      -      - 
      Leisure                       1      -      -       1          158            -      -      -      -      - 
      Mining and metals             -      -      3       3            -            -      -      -      3      3 
      Oil and gas                   2      -      1       3          320            1      -      -      1      1 
      Power Utilities             104      -      -     104        2,621            2      -      -      -      - 
      Retail                        4      -      -       4          398            2      -      -      -      - 
      Shipping                      2      -      -       2            -            -      -      -      -      - 
      Water and waste              31      -      -      31           52            -      -      -      -      - 
-----------------------------  ------  -----  -----  ------  -----------  -----------  -----  -----  -----  ----- 
Total                          10,809    304     29  11,142       13,622          734     18      6     25     49 
-----------------------------  ------  -----  -----  ------  -----------  -----------  -----  -----  -----  ----- 
 
 
31 December 2022 
-----------------------------  ------  ---      ------  ------  --- 
  Property                         35  151  15     201     190   14   1  1 8  10 
  Financial institutions        9,797  116   -   9,913   6,481  586  12  2 -  14 
  Sovereign                       367    -   3     370      59    -   2  - 2   4 
  Corporate                       592  230  31     853   7,180   24   5  516  26 
    Of which: 
      Agriculture                   -    2   -       2       1    -   -  - -   - 
      Airlines and aerospace        -   22   1      23     412    -   -  1 1   2 
      Automotive                    2   43   -      45     623    2   -  1 -   1 
      Chemicals                    13    -   -      13      64    -   -  - -   - 
      Health                       41    2   1      44       -    -   -  - 1   1 
      Industrials                  34   56   -      90     271    5   1  - -   1 
      Land transport and 
       logistics                   18   53   -      71     314    1   -  1 -   1 
      Leisure                       1    -   -       1     158    -   -  - -   - 
      Mining and metals             -    -   3       3       -    -   -  - 3   3 
      Oil and gas                   3    -  20      23     549    1   -  - 2   2 
      Power Utilities             118    -   -     118   2,595    2   1  - -   1 
      Retail                        9    -   -       9     518    4   -  - -   - 
      Shipping                      2    -   -       2      14    -   -  - -   - 
      Water and waste              32    -   -      32     256    -   -  - -   - 
-----------------------------  ------  ---      ------  ------ 
Total                          10,791  497  49  11,337  13,910  624  20  826  54 
-----------------------------  ------  ---      ------  ------  --- 
 

Risk and capital management

Credit risk - Banking activities continued ( reviewed )

Flow statement

The flow statement that follows shows the main ECL and related income statement movements. It also shows the changes in ECL as well as the changes in related financial assets used in determining ECL. Due to differences in scope, exposures may differ from those reported in other tables, principally in relation to exposures in Stage 1 and Stage 2. These differences do not have a material ECL effect. Other points to note:

- Financial assets include treasury liquidity portfolios, comprising balances at central banks and debt securities, as well as loans. Both modelled and non-modelled portfolios are included.

- Stage transfers (for example, exposures moving from Stage 1 into Stage 2) are a key feature of the ECL movements, with the net re-measurement cost of transitioning to a worse stage being a primary driver of income statement charges. Similarly, there is an ECL benefit for accounts improving stage.

- Changes in risk parameters shows the reassessment of the ECL within a given stage, including any ECL overlays and residual income statement gains or losses at the point of write-off or accounting write-down.

- Other (P&L only items) includes any subsequent changes in the value of written-down assets along with other direct write-off items such as direct recovery costs. Other (P&L only items) affects the income statement but does not affect balance sheet ECL movements.

- Amounts written-off represent the gross asset written-down against accounts with ECL, including the net asset write-down for any debt sale activity.

 
                                    Stage 1          Stage 2          Stage 3           Total 
                                ---------------  ---------------  ---------------  --------------- 
                                Financial        Financial        Financial        Financial 
                                   assets   ECL     assets   ECL     assets   ECL     assets   ECL 
NWM Group                            GBPm  GBPm       GBPm  GBPm       GBPm  GBPm       GBPm  GBPm 
------------------------------  ---------  ----  ---------  ----  ---------  ----  ---------  ---- 
At 1 January 2023                  39,875    20        491     8         58    26     40,424    54 
Currency translation and 
 other adjustments                (1,197)     -       (14)     -          -     -    (1,211)     - 
Inter-Group transfers                   -     -          -     -          -     -          -     - 
Transfers from Stage 1 to 
 Stage 2                            (223)   (1)        223     1          -     -          -     - 
Transfers from Stage 2 to 
 Stage 1                              226     3      (226)   (3)          -     -          -     - 
Net re-measurement of ECL 
 on stage transfer                          (2)                1                -              (1) 
Changes in risk parameters 
 (model inputs)                             (3)                1                -              (2) 
Other changes in net exposure       2,630     1      (140)   (1)       (28)     -      2,462     - 
Other (P&L only items)                        2                -              (4)              (2) 
------------------------------  ---------  ----  ---------  ----  ---------  ----  ---------  ---- 
Income statement releases                   (2)                1              (4)              (5) 
Amounts written-off                     -     -        (1)   (1)        (1)   (1)        (2)   (2) 
At 30 June 2023                    41,311    18        333     6         29    25     41,673    49 
------------------------------  ---------  ----  ---------  ----  ---------  ----  ---------  ---- 
Net carrying amount                41,293              327                4           41,624 
------------------------------ 
At 1 January 2022                  33,383     6        197     3         95    75     33,675    84 
2022 movements                      5,686     6         70     -       (27)  (38)      5,729  (32) 
At 30 June 2022                    39,069    12        267     3         68    37     39,404    52 
------------------------------  ---------  ----  ---------  ----  ---------  ----  ---------  ---- 
Net carrying amount                39,057              264               31           39,352 
------------------------------  ---------  ----  ---------  ----  ---------  ----  ---------  ---- 
 

- The net transfers between ECL stages were minimal, with the overall change driven by changes in net exposure, partially offset by currency translations and other adjustments.

Condensed consolidated income statement for the half year ended 30 June 2023 (unaudited)

 
                                          Half year ended 
                                         ----------------- 
                                          30 June  30 June 
                                             2023     2022 
                                             GBPm     GBPm 
                                         -------- 
Interest receivable                           895      243 
Interest payable                            (817)    (214) 
                                                   ------- 
Net interest income                            78       29 
---------------------------------------  -------- 
Fees and commissions receivable               186      180 
Fees and commissions payable                 (74)     (77) 
Income from trading activities                251      296 
Other operating income                       (11)       10 
                                                   ------- 
Non-interest income                           352      409 
---------------------------------------  -------- 
Total income                                  430      438 
---------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Staff costs                                 (222)    (213) 
Premises and equipment                       (31)     (25) 
Other administrative expenses               (274)    (291) 
Depreciation and amortisation                 (7)     (11) 
--------------------------------------- 
Operating expenses                          (534)    (540) 
---------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Loss before impairment releases/losses      (104)    (102) 
Impairment releases/(losses)                    5      (5) 
Operating loss before tax                    (99)    (107) 
Tax (charge)/credit                          (49)       21 
---------------------------------------            ------- 
Loss for the period                         (148)     (86) 
---------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
Attributable to: 
Ordinary shareholders                       (183)    (120) 
Paid-in equity holders                         35       33 
Non-controlling interests                       -        1 
---------------------------------------            ------- 
                                            (148)     (86) 
---------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 

Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income

for the half year ended 30 June 2023 (unaudited)

 
                                                            Half year ended 
                                                           ----------------- 
                                                            30 June  30 June 
                                                               2023     2022 
                                                               GBPm     GBPm 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Loss for the period                                           (148)     (86) 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Items that do not qualify for reclassification 
Remeasurement of retirement benefit schemes                       -      (1) 
Changes in fair value of credit in financial liabilities 
 designated at FVTPL                                            (4)       91 
FVOCI financial assets                                            3        1 
Tax                                                             (1)      (9) 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
                                                                (2)       82 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Items that do qualify for reclassification 
FVOCI financial assets                                            4     (17) 
Cash flow hedges                                              (104)    (254) 
Currency translation                                          (144)      170 
Tax                                                            (16)       78 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
                                                              (260)     (23) 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Other comprehensive (losses)/income after tax                 (262)       59 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Total comprehensive loss for the period                       (410)     (27) 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
Attributable to: 
Ordinary shareholders                                         (445)     (60) 
Paid-in equity holders                                           35       33 
                                                              (410)     (27) 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 

Condensed consolidated balance sheet as at 30 June 2023 (unaudited)

 
                                                           30 June  31 December 
                                                              2023         2022 
                                                              GBPm         GBPm 
Assets 
Cash and balances at central banks                          21,305       17,007 
Trading assets                                              48,832       45,291 
Derivatives                                                 82,836      100,154 
Settlement balances                                         11,600        2,558 
Loans to banks - amortised cost                              1,226        1,146 
Loans to customers - amortised cost                          9,870       10,171 
Amounts due from holding company and fellow subsidiaries     1,297          740 
Other financial assets                                      12,878       11,870 
Other assets                                                   689          832 
---------------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
Total assets                                               190,533      189,769 
---------------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 
Liabilities 
Bank deposits                                                2,701        3,069 
Customer deposits                                            9,009        3,614 
Amounts due to holding company and fellow subsidiaries       6,413        6,217 
Settlement balances                                          9,959        2,010 
Trading liabilities                                         56,109       52,792 
Derivatives                                                 77,099       93,585 
Other financial liabilities                                 22,464       21,103 
Other liabilities                                              584          816 
---------------------------------------------------------           ----------- 
Total liabilities                                          184,338      183,206 
---------------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 
Owners' equity                                               6,197        6,565 
Non-controlling interests                                      (2)          (2) 
---------------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
Total equity                                                 6,195        6,563 
---------------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 
Total liabilities and equity                               190,533      189,769 
---------------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity

for the half year ended 30 June 2023 (unaudited)

 
                                                            Half year ended 
                                                           ----------------- 
                                                            30 June  30 June 
                                                               2023     2022 
                                                               GBPm     GBPm 
Called-up share capital - at beginning and end of period        400      400 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
Share premium account - at beginning and end of period        1,946    1,946 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
Paid-in equity - at beginning and end of period                 904      904 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
FVOCI reserve - at beginning of period                            3       33 
Unrealised gains/(losses)                                         7     (23) 
Realised losses                                                   -        1 
Tax                                                             (1)        4 
At end of period                                                  9       15 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
Cash flow hedging reserve - at beginning of period            (294)       47 
Amount recognised in equity                                    (30)    (238) 
Amount transferred from equity to earnings                     (74)     (16) 
Tax                                                            (16)       74 
At end of period                                              (414)    (133) 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
Foreign exchange reserve - at beginning of period               232     (13) 
Retranslation of net assets                                   (181)      213 
Foreign currency gains/(losses) on hedges of net assets          36     (42) 
Recycled to profit or loss on disposal of businesses              1        - 
At end of period                                                 88      158 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
Retained earnings - at beginning of period                    3,374    4,138 
Loss attributable to ordinary shareholders and other 
 equity owners                                                (148)     (87) 
Paid-in equity dividends paid                                  (35)     (33) 
Ordinary dividends paid                                           -    (250) 
Capital contribution (1)                                         96        - 
Realised gains in period on FVOCI equity shares                   -        6 
Remeasurement of the retirement benefit schemes                   -      (1) 
Changes in fair value of credit in financial liabilities 
 designated at FVTPL 
  - gross                                                       (4)       91 
  - tax                                                           -      (9) 
Share-based payments 
  - gross                                                      (19)     (26) 
  - tax                                                           -      (1) 
At end of period                                              3,264    3,828 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
 
Owners' equity at end of period                               6,197    7,118 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
Non-controlling interests - at beginning of period              (2)      (3) 
Currency translation adjustments and other movements              -      (1) 
Profit attributable to non-controlling interests                  -        1 
At end of period                                                (2)      (3) 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
Total equity at end of period                                 6,195    7,115 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
Attributable to: 
Ordinary shareholders                                         5,293    6,214 
Paid-in equity holders                                          904      904 
Non-controlling interests                                       (2)      (3) 
                                                              6,195    7,115 
---------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 

(1) During H1 2023, NatWest Markets invoked a claim against the parent, NatWest Group plc, in respect of a legacy (non-trading) matter which was covered by an indemnity agreement. This resulted in a capital contribution.

Condensed consolidated cash flow statement for the half year ended 30 June 2023 (unaudited)

 
                                                                 Half year ended 
                                                                ----------------- 
                                                                 30 June  30 June 
                                                                    2023     2022 
                                                                    GBPm     GBPm 
--------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Operating activities 
Operating loss before tax                                           (99)    (107) 
Adjustments for non-cash and other items                             263    (634) 
--------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Net cash flows from trading activities                               164    (741) 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities                        7,164   13,593 
--------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Net cash flows from operating activities before tax                7,328   12,852 
Income taxes received/(paid)                                          69     (36) 
--------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Net cash flows from operating activities                           7,397   12,816 
Net cash flows from investing activities                           (425)  (2,106) 
Net cash flows from financing activities                           (911)  (1,572) 
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents      (751)    1,040 
--------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                          5,310   10,178 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                  26,828   25,250 
--------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                        32,138   35,428 
--------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 

Notes

1. Presentation of condensed consolidated financial statements

The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with NatWest Markets Plc's 2022 Annual Report and Accounts. The accounting policies are the same as those applied in the consolidated financial statements.

The directors have prepared the condensed consolidated financial statements on a going concern basis after assessing the principal risks, forecasts, projections and other relevant evidence over the twelve months from the date they are approved and in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting', as adopted by the UK and as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the UK's Financial Conduct Authority.

Amendments to IFRS effective from 1 January 2023 had no material effect on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

2. Non-interest income

 
                                                                   Half year ended 
                                                                  ----------------- 
                                                                   30 June  30 June 
                                                                      2023     2022 
                                                                      GBPm     GBPm 
----------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Net fees and commissions 
Fees and commissions receivable 
  - Lending and financing                                               39       46 
  - Brokerage                                                           20       21 
  - Underwriting fees                                                   71       64 
  - Other                                                               56       49 
----------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Total                                                                  186      180 
----------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Fees and commissions payable                                          (74)     (77) 
----------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
                                                                       112      103 
----------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
Income from trading activities 
Foreign exchange                                                        64      148 
Interest rate                                                          212       63 
Credit                                                                (34)       33 
Changes in fair value of own debt and derivative liabilities 
 attributable to own credit risk 
  - debt securities in issue                                             9       52 
----------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
                                                                       251      296 
----------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
Other operating income 
Loss on redemption of own debt                                        (14)        - 
Changes in fair value of financial assets and liabilities 
 designated at fair value through profit or loss (1)                   (7)       21 
Changes in fair value of other financial assets and liabilities 
 designated at fair value through profit 
  or loss                                                                5       10 
Other income                                                             5     (21) 
----------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
                                                                      (11)       10 
----------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Non-interest income                                                    352      409 
----------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
(1) Includes related derivatives. 
 

Notes

3. Operating expenses

 
                                     Half year ended 
                                    ----------------- 
                                     30 June  30 June 
                                        2023     2022 
                                        GBPm     GBPm 
Salaries                                 130      121 
Bonus awards                              59       57 
Temporary and contract costs               3        2 
Social security costs                     23       22 
Pension costs                              7       11 
 - defined benefit schemes               (3)        3 
 - defined contribution schemes           10        8 
----------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Staff costs                              222      213 
----------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
Premises and equipment                    31       25 
Depreciation and amortisation              7       11 
Other administrative expenses (1)        274      291 
Administrative expenses                  312      327 
----------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Operating expenses                       534      540 
----------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
 
 (1) Includes GBP258 million (30 June 2022 - GBP255 million) of recharges 
  from other NatWest Group entities, mainly NWB Plc which provides the 
  majority of shared services (including technology) and operational processes. 
  Also included are litigation and other regulatory costs. 
 

4. Tax

The actual tax credit differs from the expected tax credit computed by applying the standard UK corporation tax rate of 23.5% (2022 - 19%), as analysed below:

 
                                                                Half year ended 
                                                               ----------------- 
                                                                30 June  30 June 
                                                                   2023     2022 
                                                                   GBPm     GBPm 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Loss before tax                                                    (99)    (107) 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
Expected tax credit                                                  23       20 
Losses and temporary differences in period where no deferred 
 tax asset recognised                                                 -     (12) 
Foreign profits taxed at other rates                                (2)        2 
Items not allowed for tax: 
  - losses on disposals and write-downs                               -      (1) 
  - UK bank levy                                                    (2)      (1) 
  - regulatory and legal actions                                      2      (2) 
Non-taxable items                                                     7        1 
Losses brought forward and utilised                                   8        - 
Decrease in the carrying value of deferred tax assets 
 in respect of UK losses                                            (3)     (21) 
Banking surcharge                                                     8        6 
Tax on paid-in equity                                                 5        7 
UK tax rate change impact                                             -       22 
Adjustments in respect of prior periods                            (95)        - 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
Actual tax (charge)/credit                                         (49)       21 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 

At 30 June 2023, NWM Group has recognised a deferred tax asset of GBP43 million (31 December 2022 - GBP46 million) and a deferred tax liability of GBP84 million (31 December 2022 - GBP101 million). These amounts include deferred tax assets recognised in respect of trading losses of GBP42 million (31 December 2022 - GBP49 million). NWM Group has considered the carrying value of these assets as at 30 June 2023 and concluded that they are recoverable.

Notes

5. Financial instruments - classification

The following tables analyse financial assets and liabilities in accordance with the categories of financial instruments in IFRS 9.

 
                                                      Amortised   Other 
                                       MFVTPL  FVOCI       cost  assets    Total 
                                         GBPm   GBPm       GBPm    GBPm     GBPm 
------------------------------------  -------  -----  ---------  ------  ------- 
Assets 
Cash and balances at central banks                       21,305           21,305 
Trading assets                         48,832                             48,832 
Derivatives (1)                        82,836                             82,836 
Settlement balances                                      11,600           11,600 
Loans to banks - amortised cost (2)                       1,226            1,226 
Loans to customers - amortised cost                       9,870            9,870 
Amounts due from holding company 
 and fellow subsidiaries                  120      -      1,148      29    1,297 
Other financial assets                     45  5,635      7,198           12,878 
Other assets                                                        689      689 
------------------------------------                             ------  ------- 
30 June 2023                          131,833  5,635     52,347     718  190,533 
------------------------------------  -------  -----  ---------  ------  ------- 
 
Cash and balances at central banks                       17,007           17,007 
Trading assets                         45,291                             45,291 
Derivatives (1)                       100,154                            100,154 
Settlement balances                                       2,558            2,558 
Loans to banks - amortised cost (2)                       1,146            1,146 
Loans to customers - amortised cost                      10,171           10,171 
Amounts due from holding company 
 and fellow subsidiaries                  274      -        438      28      740 
Other financial assets                     80  6,040      5,750           11,870 
Other assets                                                        832      832 
------------------------------------                             ------  ------- 
31 December 2022                      145,799  6,040     37,070     860  189,769 
------------------------------------  -------  -----  ---------  ------  ------- 
 
 
                                     Held-for-         Amortised        Other 
                                       trading    DFV       cost  liabilities    Total 
                                          GBPm   GBPm       GBPm         GBPm     GBPm 
-----------------------------------  ---------  -----  ---------  -----------  ------- 
Liabilities 
Bank deposits (3)                                          2,701                 2,701 
Customer deposits                                          9,009                 9,009 
Amounts due to holding company and 
 fellow subsidiaries                     1,462      -      4,871           80    6,413 
Settlement balances                                        9,959                 9,959 
Trading liabilities                     56,109                                  56,109 
Derivatives (1)                         77,099                                  77,099 
Other financial liabilities                     2,602     19,862                22,464 
Other liabilities (4)                                         50          534      584 
-----------------------------------  ---------  -----  ---------  -----------  ------- 
30 June 2023                           134,670  2,602     46,452          614  184,338 
-----------------------------------  ---------  -----  ---------  -----------  ------- 
 
Bank deposits (3)                                          3,069                 3,069 
Customer deposits                                          3,614                 3,614 
Amounts due to holding company and 
 fellow subsidiaries                     1,129      -      4,884          204    6,217 
Settlement balances                                        2,010                 2,010 
Trading liabilities                     52,792                                  52,792 
Derivatives (1)                         93,585                                  93,585 
Other financial liabilities                     2,722     18,381                21,103 
Other liabilities (4)                                         53          763      816 
-----------------------------------  ---------  -----  ---------  -----------  ------- 
31 December 2022                       147,506  2,722     32,011          967  183,206 
-----------------------------------  ---------  -----  ---------  -----------  ------- 
 
 
(1)  Includes net hedging derivative assets of GBP51 million (31 December 
      2022 - GBP122 million) and net hedging derivative liabilities of 
      GBP328 million (31 December 2022 - GBP170 million). 
(2)  Includes items in the course of collection from other banks of GBP108 
      million (31 December 2022 - GBP156 million). 
(3)  Includes items in the course of transmission to other banks of GBP44 
      million (31 December 2022 - GBP236 million). 
(4)  Includes lease liabilities of GBP45 million (31 December 2022 - GBP47 
      million), held at amortised cost. 
 
 

Notes

5. Financial instruments - classification continued

NWM Group's financial assets and liabilities include amounts due from/to the holding company and fellow subsidiaries as below:

 
                                         30 June 2023                31 December 2022 
                                 ----------------------------  ---------------------------- 
                                 Holding        Fellow         Holding        Fellow 
                                 company  subsidiaries  Total  company  subsidiaries  Total 
                                    GBPm          GBPm   GBPm     GBPm          GBPm   GBPm 
-------------------------------  -------  ------------  -----  -------  ------------  ----- 
Assets 
Trading assets                         -           120    120        -           274    274 
Loans to banks - amortised 
 cost                                  -         1,118  1,118        -           406    406 
Loans to customers - amortised 
 cost                                 17            13     30       18            12     30 
Settlement balances                    -             -      -        -             2      2 
Other assets                           -            29     29        -            28     28 
------------------------------- 
Amounts due from holding 
 company and 
  fellow subsidiaries                 17         1,280  1,297       18           722    740 
-------------------------------  -------  ------------  -----  -------  ------------  ----- 
 
Derivatives (1)                    1,226           645  1,871    1,074           569  1,643 
-------------------------------  -------  ------------  -----  -------  ------------  ----- 
 
Liabilities 
Bank deposits - amortised 
 cost                                  -           333    333        -           108    108 
Customer deposits - amortised 
 cost                                  -            99     99        -            51     51 
Trading liabilities                1,046           416  1,462      811           318  1,129 
Settlement balances                    -           456    456        -            26     26 
Other financial liabilities 
 - subordinated liabilities          980             -    980    1,519             -  1,519 
MREL instruments issued to 
 NatWest Group plc                 3,000             -  3,000    3,173             -  3,173 
Other liabilities                      -            83     83       16           195    211 
------------------------------- 
Amounts due to holding company 
 and 
  fellow subsidiaries              5,026         1,387  6,413    5,519           698  6,217 
-------------------------------  -------  ------------  -----  -------  ------------  ----- 
 
Derivatives (1)                      165           349    514      252           364    616 
-------------------------------  -------  ------------  -----  -------  ------------  ----- 
 

(1) Intercompany derivatives are included within derivatives classification on the balance sheet.

Notes

5 . Financial instruments - valuation

Disclosures relating to the control environment, valuation techniques and related aspects pertaining to financial instruments measured at fair value are included in NatWest Markets Plc's 2022 Annual Report and Accounts. Valuation, sensitivity methodologies and inputs at 30 June 2023 are consistent with those described in Note 10 to NatWest Markets Plc's 2022 Annual Report and Accounts.

Fair value hierarchy

The table below shows the assets and liabilities held by NWM Group split by fair value hierarchy level. Level 1 are considered the most liquid instruments, and level 3 the most illiquid, valued using expert judgment and hence carry the most significant price uncertainty.

 
                                         30 June 2023                   31 December 2022 
                                -------------------------------  ------------------------------- 
                                 Level    Level  Level    Total   Level    Level  Level    Total 
                                     1        2      3                1        2      3 
                                  GBPm     GBPm   GBPm     GBPm    GBPm     GBPm   GBPm     GBPm 
------------------------------  ------  -------  -----  -------  ------  -------  -----  ------- 
Assets 
Trading assets 
   Loans                             -   31,695    277   31,972       -   34,974    395   35,369 
   Securities                   13,099    3,761      -   16,860   7,463    2,458      1    9,922 
Derivatives                          1   81,891    944   82,836       5   99,126  1,023  100,154 
Amount due from holding 
 company 
   and fellow subsidiaries           -      120      -      120       -      274      -      274 
Other financial assets 
   Loans                             -        -    137      137       -       34    160      194 
   Securities                    4,360    1,101     82    5,543   4,958      891     77    5,926 
------------------------------ 
Total financial assets 
 held at fair value             17,460  118,568  1,440  137,468  12,426  137,757  1,656  151,839 
------------------------------  ------  -------  -----  -------  ------  -------  -----  ------- 
As % of total fair value 
 assets                            13%      86%     1%               8%      91%     1% 
------------------------------  ------  -------  -----  -------  ------  -------  -----  ------- 
 
Liabilities 
Amount due to holding company 
   and fellow subsidiaries           -    1,462      -    1,462       -    1,129      -    1,129 
Trading liabilities 
    Deposits                         -   44,183      1   44,184       -   42,470      1   42,471 
    Debt securities in issue         -      713      1      714       -      797      -      797 
    Short positions              9,142    2,069      -   11,211   7,462    2,062      -    9,524 
Derivatives                          1   76,177    921   77,099       2   92,584    999   93,585 
Other financial liabilities 
    Deposits                         -    1,062      -    1,062       -    1,050      -    1,050 
    Debt securities in issue         -    1,323      -    1,323       -    1,327      -    1,327 
    Subordinated liabilities         -      217      -      217       -      345      -      345 
------------------------------  ------  -------  -----  -------  ------  -------  -----  ------- 
Total financial liabilities 
 held at fair value              9,143  127,206    923  137,272   7,464  141,764  1,000  150,228 
------------------------------  ------  -------  -----  -------  ------  -------  -----  ------- 
As % of total fair value 
 liabilities                        7%      92%     1%               5%      94%     1% 
------------------------------  ------  -------  -----  -------  ------  -------  -----  ------- 
 
 
 (1)   Level 1 - Instruments valued using unadjusted quoted prices in active 
        and liquid markets, for identical financial instruments. Examples 
        include government bonds, listed equity shares and certain exchange-traded 
        derivatives. 
        Level 2 - Instruments valued using valuation techniques that have 
        observable inputs. Observable inputs are those that are readily available 
        with limited adjustments required. Examples include most government 
        agency securities, investment-grade corporate bonds, certain mortgage 
        products - including CLOs, most bank loans, repos and reverse repos, 
        state and municipal obligations, most notes issued, certain money 
        market securities, loan commitments and most OTC derivatives. 
        Level 3 - Instruments valued using a valuation technique where at 
        least one input which could have a significant effect on the instrument's 
        valuation, is not based on observable market data. Examples include 
        non-derivative instruments which trade infrequently, certain syndicated 
        and commercial mortgage loans, private equity, and derivatives with 
        unobservable model inputs. 
 (2)   Transfers between levels are deemed to have occurred at the beginning 
        of the quarter in which the instruments were transferred. 
 (3)   For an analysis of debt securities held at mandatorily fair value 
        through profit or loss by issuer as well as ratings and derivatives, 
        by type and contract, refer to Risk and capital management - Credit 
        risk. 
 

Notes

5 . Financial instruments - valuation continued

Valuation adjustments

When valuing financial instruments in the trading book, adjustments are made to mid-market valuations to cover bid-offer spread, funding and credit risk. These adjustments are presented in the table below. For further information refer to the descriptions of valuation adjustments within 'Financial instruments - valuation' on page 133 of NatWest Markets Plc's 2022 Annual Report and Accounts.

 
                            30 June  31 December 
                               2023         2022 
-------------------------- 
                               GBPm         GBPm 
--------------------------  -------  ----------- 
Funding - FVA                     -            7 
Credit - CVA                    253          300 
Bid - Offer                      74          103 
Product and deal specific       117          140 
--------------------------  -------  ----------- 
Total                           444          550 
--------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 

- Valuation reserves comprising credit valuation adjustments (CVA), funding valuation adjustment (FVA), bid-offer and product and deal specific reserves, decreased to GBP444 million at 30 June 2023 (31 December 2022 - GBP550 million).

- The decreases in CVA and FVA were driven by a reduction in underlying derivative exposures, with the decrease in FVA primarily driven by increases in interest rates, and the decrease in CVA driven by a combination of tighter credit spreads and increases in interest rates. The decrease in bid-offer was driven by risk reduction over the period.

Level 3 sensitivities

The table below shows the high and low range of fair value of the level 3 assets and liabilities.

 
                                      30 June 2023                   31 December 2022 
                             -------------------------------  ------------------------------- 
                             Level  Favourable  Unfavourable  Level  Favourable  Unfavourable 
                                 3                                3 
                              GBPm        GBPm          GBPm   GBPm        GBPm          GBPm 
---------------------------  -----  ----------  ------------  -----  ----------  ------------ 
Assets 
Trading assets 
   Loans                       277           -             -    395          10          (10) 
   Securities                    -           -             -      1           -             - 
Derivatives                    944          30          (40)  1,023          50          (50) 
Other financial assets 
   Loans                       137           -             -    160           -             - 
   Securities                   82          10          (10)     77          10          (10) 
---------------------------  -----  ----------  ------------  -----  ----------  ------------ 
Total                        1,440          40          (50)  1,656          70          (70) 
---------------------------  -----  ----------  ------------  -----  ----------  ------------ 
 
Liabilities 
Trading liabilities 
  Deposits                       1           -             -      1           -             - 
  Debt securities in issue       1           -             -      -           -             - 
Derivatives                    921          30          (30)    999          30          (30) 
--------------------------- 
Total                          923          30          (30)  1,000          30          (30) 
---------------------------  -----  ----------  ------------  -----  ----------  ------------ 
 

Alternative assumptions

Reasonably plausible alternative assumptions of unobservable inputs are determined based on a specified target level of certainty of 90%. Alternative assumptions are determined with reference to all available evidence including consideration of the following: quality of independent pricing information considering consistency between different sources, variation over time, perceived tradability or otherwise of available quotes; consensus service dispersion ranges; volume of trading activity and market bias (e.g. one-way inventory); day 1 profit or loss arising on new trades; number and nature of market participants; market conditions; modelling consistency in the market; size and nature of risk; length of holding of position; and market intelligence.

Notes

5 . Financial instruments - valuation continued

Movement in level 3 assets and liabilities

The following table shows the movement in level 3 assets and liabilities.

 
                                      Half year ended 30 June                  Half year ended 30 June 
                                                2023                                     2022 
                              ---------------------------------------  --------------------------------------- 
                                           Other                                    Other 
                              Trading  financial   Total        Total  Trading  financial   Total        Total 
                               assets     assets  assets  liabilities   assets     assets  assets  liabilities 
                                  (1)        (2)                           (1)        (2) 
                                 GBPm       GBPm    GBPm         GBPm     GBPm       GBPm    GBPm         GBPm 
----------------------------  -------  ---------  ------  -----------  -------  ---------  ------  ----------- 
At 1 January                    1,419        237   1,656        1,000    1,808        156   1,964          617 
Amounts recorded in the 
 income 
   statement (3)                 (82)        (1)    (83)         (82)       33       (10)      23          148 
Amount recorded in the 
 statement of 
   comprehensive income             -          8       8            -        -       (22)    (22)            - 
Level 3 transfers in                4          -       4            7      143          -     143           31 
Level 3 transfers out            (34)          -    (34)          (5)    (101)        (1)   (102)         (36) 
Purchases/originations             92          -      92           89      352         67     419          158 
Settlements/other decreases      (24)          -    (24)         (27)     (28)          -    (28)         (15) 
Sales                           (151)       (24)   (175)         (54)    (530)          -   (530)        (139) 
Foreign exchange and 
 other adjustments                (3)        (1)     (4)          (5)        3          -       3            2 
----------------------------  -------  ---------  ------  -----------  -------  ---------  ------  ----------- 
At 30 June                      1,221        219   1,440          923    1,680        190   1,870          766 
----------------------------  -------  ---------  ------  -----------  -------  ---------  ------  ----------- 
 
Amounts recorded in the 
 income 
   statement in respect 
    of balances 
      held at period end: 
       - unrealised              (82)        (1)    (83)         (82)       33       (10)      23          148 
----------------------------  -------  ---------  ------  -----------  -------  ---------  ------  ----------- 
 
 
 (1)   Trading assets comprise assets held at fair value in trading portfolios. 
 (2)   Other financial assets comprise fair value through other comprehensive 
        income, designated as at fair value through profit or loss and other 
        fair value through profit or loss. 
 (3)   Net losses of nil million on trading assets and liabilities (30 June 
        2022 - GBP115 million) were recorded in income from trading activities. 
        Net losses on other instruments of GBP1 million (30 June 2022 - GBP10 
        million) were recorded in other operating income and interest income 
        as appropriate. 
 

Notes

5. Financial instruments - valuation continued

Fair value of financial instruments measured at amortised cost on the balance sheet

The following table shows the carrying value and fair value of financial instruments carried at amortised cost on the balance sheet.

 
                                        Items where 
                                               fair 
                                 value approximates  Carrying   Fair   Fair value hierarchy 
                                                                               level 
                                                                      ---------------------- 
                                     carrying value     value  value       Level       Level 
                                                                               2           3 
30 June 2023                                  GBPbn     GBPbn  GBPbn       GBPbn       GBPbn 
-------------------------------  ------------------  --------  -----  ----------  ---------- 
Financial assets 
Cash and balances at central 
 banks                                         21.3 
Settlement balances                            11.6 
Loans to banks                                  0.1       1.1    1.1         0.5         0.6 
Loans to customers                                        9.9    9.9         0.5         9.4 
Amounts due from holding 
 company 
   and fellow subsidiaries                      0.1       1.0    1.0           -         1.0 
Other financial assets - 
 securities                                               7.2    7.1           -         7.1 
-------------------------------  ------------------  --------  -----  ----------  ---------- 
 
31 December 2022 
-------------------------------  ------------------  --------  -----  ----------  ---------- 
Financial assets 
Cash and balances at central 
 banks                                         17.0 
Settlement balances                             2.6 
Loans to banks                                  0.1       1.0    1.0         0.5         0.5 
Loans to customers                                       10.2   10.1         0.9         9.2 
Amounts due from holding 
 company 
   and fellow subsidiaries                      0.1       0.3    0.3           -         0.3 
Other financial assets - 
 securities                                               5.8    5.7           -         5.7 
-------------------------------  ------------------  --------  -----  ----------  ---------- 
 
30 June 2023 
-------------------------------  ------------------  --------  -----  ----------  ---------- 
Financial liabilities 
Bank deposits                                     -       2.7    2.7         0.9         1.8 
Customer deposits                               0.1       8.9    8.9         0.2         8.7 
Amounts due to holding company 
   and fellow subsidiaries                      0.5       4.4    4.3         3.9         0.4 
Settlement balances                            10.0 
Other financial liabilities 
  Debt securities in issue                               19.8   19.2        15.4         3.8 
  Subordinated liabilities                                  -      -           -           - 
-------------------------------  ------------------  --------  -----  ----------  ---------- 
 
31 December 2022 
-------------------------------  ------------------  --------  -----  ----------  ---------- 
Financial liabilities 
Bank deposits                                   0.3       2.8    2.8         0.8         2.0 
Customer deposits                               0.1       3.5    3.5         0.3         3.2 
Amounts due to holding company 
   and fellow subsidiaries                      0.2       4.7    4.6         4.6           - 
Settlement balances                             2.0 
Other financial liabilities 
  Debt securities in issue                               18.4   17.6        14.8         2.8 
  Subordinated liabilities                                0.1    0.1         0.1           - 
-------------------------------  ------------------  --------  -----  ----------  ---------- 
 

The assumptions and methodologies underlying the calculation of fair values of financial instruments at the balance sheet date are as follows:

Short-term financial instruments

For certain short-term financial instruments: cash and balances at central banks, items in the course of collection from other banks, settlement balances, items in the course of transmission to other banks, and customer demand deposits, carrying value is deemed a reasonable approximation of fair value.

Loans to banks and customers

In estimating the fair value of net loans to customers and banks measured at amortised cost, NWM Group's loans are segregated into appropriate portfolios reflecting the characteristics of the constituent loans. Two principal methods are used to estimate fair value; contractual cash flows and expected cash flows.

Debt securities and subordinated liabilities

Most debt securities are valued using quoted prices in active markets or from quoted prices of similar financial instruments in active markets. For the remaining population, fair values are determined using market standard valuation techniques, such as discounted cash flows.

Bank and customer deposits

Fair values of deposits are estimated using discounted cash flow valuation techniques.

Notes

6. Trading assets and liabilities

Trading assets and liabilities comprise assets and liabilities held at fair value in trading portfolios.

 
                                          30 June  31 December 
                                             2023         2022 
                                             GBPm         GBPm 
----------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
Assets 
Loans 
   Reverse repos                           21,347       21,537 
   Collateral given                         9,966       12,719 
   Other loans                                659        1,113 
Total loans                                31,972       35,369 
----------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
Securities 
   Central and local government 
    - UK                                    2,703        2,205 
    - US                                    5,478        2,345 
    - Other                                 4,845        2,799 
   Financial institutions and Corporate     3,834        2,573 
---------------------------------------- 
Total securities                           16,860        9,922 
----------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
Total                                      48,832       45,291 
----------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 
Liabilities 
Deposits 
   Repos                                   27,808       23,740 
   Collateral received                     15,161       17,663 
   Other deposits                           1,215        1,068 
Total deposits                             44,184       42,471 
----------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
Debt securities in issue                      714          797 
Short positions                            11,211        9,524 
----------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
Total                                      56,109       52,792 
----------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 

Notes

7. Loan impairment provisions

Portfolio summary

The table below shows gross loans and ECL, by segment and stage, within the scope of ECL framework .

 
                                                      30 June  31 December 
                                                         2023         2022 
                                                         GBPm         GBPm 
----------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
Loans - amortised cost and fair value through other 
 comprehensive income (FVOCI) 
Stage 1                                                10,809       10,791 
Stage 2                                                   304          497 
Stage 3                                                    29           49 
Of which: individual                                       21           37 
Of which: collective                                        8           12 
Inter-Group (1)                                         1,148          434 
----------------------------------------------------           ----------- 
Total                                                  12,290       11,771 
----------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 
ECL provisions 
Stage 1                                                    18           20 
Stage 2                                                     6            8 
Stage 3                                                    25           26 
Of which: individual                                       17           15 
Of which: collective                                        8           11 
Inter-Group                                                 1            - 
----------------------------------------------------           ----------- 
Total                                                      50           54 
----------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 
ECL provisions coverage (2) 
Stage 1 (%)                                              0.17         0.19 
Stage 2 (%)                                              1.97         1.61 
Stage 3 (%)                                             86.21        53.06 
Inter-Group (%)                                          0.09            - 
Total                                                    0.44         0.48 
----------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 
                                                        Half year ended 
                                                      -------------------- 
                                                      30 June      30 June 
                                                         2023         2022 
                                                         GBPm         GBPm 
----------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
Impairment losses 
ECL charge/(release) 
Stage 1                                                   (2)            2 
Stage 2                                                     1            4 
Stage 3                                                   (4)          (1) 
Of which: individual                                      (2)            - 
Of which: collective                                      (2)          (1) 
Third party                                               (5)            5 
Inter-Group                                                 -            - 
---------------------------------------------------- 
Total                                                     (5)            5 
----------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 
Amounts written-off                                         2           43 
----------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 
 
 (1)   NWM Group's intercompany assets were classified in Stage 1. The ECL 
        for these loans was GBP0.6 million ( 31 December 2022 - GBP0.4 million). 
 (2)   ECL provisions coverage is calculated as ECL provisions divided by 
        loans - amortised cost and FVOCI. It is calculated on third party 
        loans and total ECL provisions. 
 (3)   The table shows gross loans only and excludes amounts that are outside 
        the scope of the ECL framework. For further details, refer to Financial 
        instruments within the scope of the IFRS 9 ECL framework on page 
        68 of the NatWest Markets Plc 2022 Annual Report and Accounts. Other 
        financial assets within the scope of the IFRS 9 ECL framework were 
        cash and balances at central banks totalling GBP21.3 billion (31 
        December 2022 - GBP17.0 billion) and debt securities of GBP12.8 billion 
        (31 December 2022 - GBP11.8 billion). 
 

Notes

8. Provisions for liabilities and charges

 
                                           Litigation 
                                            and other 
                                           regulatory  Other (1)  Total 
                                                 GBPm       GBPm   GBPm 
-----------------------------------------  ----------  ---------  ----- 
At 1 January 2023                                 225         49    274 
Currency translation and other movements          (7)        (3)   (10) 
Charge to income statement                          5          3      8 
Release to income statement                      (33)        (2)   (35) 
Provisions utilised                              (62)       (12)   (74) 
-----------------------------------------  ----------  ---------  ----- 
At 30 June 2023                                   128         35    163 
-----------------------------------------  ----------  ---------  ----- 
 
   (1)       Other materially comprises provisions relating to restructuring costs. 

Provisions are liabilities of uncertain timing or amount and are recognised when there is a present obligation as a result of a past event, the outflow of economic benefit is probable, and the outflow can be estimated reliably. Any difference between the final outcome and the amounts provided will affect the reported results in the period when the matter is resolved.

9. Dividends

No interim ordinary dividends were paid to NWM Plc's parent company NatWest Group plc during H1 2023 (H1 2022 - GBP250 million).

10. Contingent liabilities and commitments

The amounts shown in the table below are intended only to provide an indication of the volume of business outstanding at 30 June 2023. Although the NWM Group is exposed to credit risk in the event of a customer's failure to meet its obligations, the amounts shown do not, and are not intended to, provide any indication of NWM Group's expectation of future losses.

 
                                                         30 June  31 December 
                                                            2023         2022 
                                                            GBPm         GBPm 
-------------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
Contingent liabilities and commitments 
Guarantees                                                   708          594 
Other contingent liabilities                                  26           30 
Standby facilities, credit lines and other commitments    13,903       13,973 
-------------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
Total                                                     14,637       14,597 
-------------------------------------------------------  -------  ----------- 
 

Commitments and contingent obligations are subject to NWM Group's normal credit approval processes.

Risk-sharing arrangements

NWM Plc and NWM N.V. have limited risk-sharing arrangements in place to facilitate the smooth provision of services to NatWest Markets' customers. The arrangements include:

- The provision of a funded guarantee of up to GBP1.0 billion by NWM Plc to NWM N.V. that limits certain NWM N.V.'s exposures to large individual customer credits. Funding is provided by NWM Plc deposits placed with NWM N.V. of not less than the guaranteed amount. At 30 June 2023 the deposits amounted to GBP0.8 billion and the guarantee fees in the period were GBP2.4 million.

- The provision of a funded and an unfunded guarantee by NWM Plc in respect of NWM N.V.'s legacy portfolio. At 30 June 2023 the exposure at default covered by the guarantees was approximately GBP0.2 billion (of which GBP27 million was cash collateralised). Fees of GBP0.7 million in relation to the guarantees were recognised in the period.

Indemnity deed

In April 2019 NWM Plc and NWB Plc entered into a cross indemnity agreement for losses incurred within the entities in relation to business transferred to or from the ring-fenced bank under the NatWest Group's structural re-organisation. Under the agreement, NWM Plc is indemnified by NWB Plc against losses relating to NWB Plc transferring businesses and ring-fenced bank obligations and NWB Plc is indemnified by NWM Plc against losses relating to NWM Plc transferring businesses and non-ring-fenced bank obligations with effect from the relevant transfer date.

Notes

11. Litigation and regulatory matters

NWM Plc and its subsidiary and associated undertakings (NWM Group) are party to legal proceedings and involved in regulatory matters, including as the subject of investigations and other regulatory and governmental action (Matters) in the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), the European Union (EU) and other jurisdictions.

NWM Group recognises a provision for a liability in relation to these Matters when it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle an obligation resulting from past events, and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

In many of these Matters, it is not possible to determine whether any loss is probable, or to estimate reliably the amount of any loss, either as a direct consequence of the relevant proceedings and regulatory matters or as a result of adverse impacts or restrictions on NWM Group's reputation, businesses and operations. Numerous legal and factual issues may need to be resolved, including through potentially lengthy discovery and document production exercises and determination of important factual matters, and by addressing novel or unsettled legal questions relevant to the proceedings in question, before a liability can reasonably be estimated for any claim. NWM Group cannot predict if, how, or when such claims will be resolved or what the eventual settlement, damages, fine, penalty or other relief, if any, may be, particularly for claims that are at an early stage in their development or where claimants seek substantial or indeterminate damages.

There are situations where NWM Group may pursue an approach that in some instances leads to a settlement agreement. This may occur in order to avoid the expense, management distraction or reputational implications of continuing to contest liability, or in order to take account of the risks inherent in defending claims or regulatory matters, even for those Matters for which NWM Group believes it has credible defences and should prevail on the merits. The uncertainties inherent in all such Matters affect the amount and timing of any potential outflows for both Matters with respect to which provisions have been established and other contingent liabilities in respect of any such Matter.

It is not practicable to provide an aggregate estimate of potential liability for our legal proceedings and regulatory matters as a class of contingent liabilities.

The future outflow of resources in respect of any Matter may ultimately prove to be substantially greater than or less than the aggregate provision that NWM Group has recognised. Where (and as far as) liability cannot be reasonably estimated, no provision has been recognised. NWM Group expects that in future periods, additional provisions, settlement amounts and customer redress payments will be necessary, in amounts that are expected to be substantial in some instances. Please refer to Note 8 for information on material provisions.

Matters which are, or could be material, having regard to NWM Group, considered as a whole, in which NWM Group is currently involved are set out below. We have provided information on the procedural history of certain Matters, where we believe appropriate, to aid the understanding of the Matter.

For a discussion of certain risks associated with NWM Group's litigation and regulatory matters, see the Risk Factor relating to legal, regulatory and governmental actions and investigations set out on page 191 of the NatWest Markets Plc 2022 Annual Report and Accounts.

Litigation

Residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) litigation in the US

NatWest Markets Securities Inc. (NWMSI) was defending an RMBS-related claim in the US in which the plaintiff, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), alleged that certain disclosures made in connection with the relevant offerings of RMBS contained materially false or misleading statements and/or omissions regarding the underwriting standards pursuant to which the mortgage loans underlying the RMBS were issued. In June 2023, NWMSI entered into an agreement to resolve that claim. The settlement amount paid by NWMSI was covered by an existing provision.

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other rates litigation

NWM Plc and certain other members of NatWest Group, including NatWest Group plc, are defendants in a number of class actions and individual claims pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) with respect to the setting of LIBOR and certain other benchmark interest rates. The complaints allege that the NWM Group defendants and other panel banks violated various federal laws, including the US commodities and antitrust laws, and state statutory and common law, as well as contracts, by manipulating LIBOR and prices of LIBOR-based derivatives in various markets through various means.

Several purported class actions relating to USD LIBOR, as well as more than two dozen non-class actions concerning USD LIBOR, are part of a coordinated proceeding in the SDNY. The class actions include claims on behalf of persons who purchased LIBOR-linked instruments from defendants, bonds issued by defendants, persons who transacted futures and options on exchanges, and lenders who made LIBOR-based loans. The coordinated proceeding is currently in the discovery phase. In March 2020, NatWest Group companies finalised a settlement resolving the class action on behalf of bondholder plaintiffs (those who held bonds issued by non-defendants on which interest was paid from 2007 to 2010 at a rate expressly tied to USD LIBOR). The amount of the settlement (which was covered by an existing provision) was paid into escrow pending court approval of the settlement.

The non-class claims filed in the SDNY include claims that the FDIC is asserting on behalf of certain failed US banks. In July 2017, the FDIC, on behalf of 39 of those failed US banks, commenced substantially similar claims against NWM Plc, NatWest Group plc and others in the High Court of Justice of England and Wales. The action alleges collusion with regard to the setting of USD LIBOR and that the defendants breached UK and European competition law, as well as asserting common law claims of fraud under US law. The defendant banks consented to a request by the FDIC for discontinuance of the claim in respect of 20 failed US banks, leaving 19 failed US banks as claimants. The trial is currently anticipated to take place in Q4 2025.

Notes

11. Litigation and regulatory matters continued

In addition to the USD LIBOR cases described above, there are two class actions relating to JPY LIBOR and Euroyen TIBOR. The first class action, which relates to Euroyen TIBOR futures contracts, was dismissed by the SDNY in September 2020 on jurisdictional and other grounds, and that decision was affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (US Court of Appeals) in October 2022. The plaintiffs petitioned the court for a rehearing of their appeal and that petition was denied. The second class action, which relates to other derivatives allegedly tied to JPY LIBOR and Euroyen TIBOR, was dismissed by the SDNY in relation to NWM Plc and other NWM Group companies in September 2021. That dismissal may be the subject of a future appeal.

Two other IBOR-related class actions, concerning alleged manipulation of Euribor and Pound Sterling LIBOR, were previously dismissed by the SDNY for various reasons. The plaintiffs' appeals in those two cases remain pending.

In June 2021, NWM Plc and the plaintiffs in the Swiss Franc LIBOR class action finalised a settlement resolving that case. The amount of that settlement has been paid into escrow pending final court approval of the settlement.

In August 2020, a complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California by several United States retail borrowers against the USD ICE LIBOR panel banks and their affiliates (including NatWest Group plc, NWM Plc, NWMSI and NWB Plc), alleging (i) that the very process of setting USD ICE LIBOR amounts to illegal price-fixing; and (ii) that banks in the United States have illegally agreed to use LIBOR as a component of price in variable retail loans. In September 2022, the district court dismissed the complaint, subject to re-pleading by the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs filed an amended complaint in October 2022, which the defendants are again seeking to have dismissed.

NWM Plc is also named as a defendant in a motion to certify a class action relating to LIBOR in the Tel Aviv District Court in Israel. NWM Plc filed a motion for cancellation of service outside the jurisdiction, which was granted in July 2020. The claimants appealed that decision and in November 2020 the appeal was refused and the claim dismissed by the Appellate Court. The claim could in future be recommenced depending on the outcome of an appeal to Israel's Supreme Court in respect of the dismissal of the substantive case against banks that had a presence in Israel.

FX litigation

NWM Plc, NWMSI and/or NatWest Group plc are defendants in several cases relating to NWM Plc's foreign exchange (FX) business. In 2015, NWM Plc paid US$255 million to settle the consolidated antitrust class action filed in the SDNY on behalf of persons who entered into over-the-counter FX transactions with defendants or who traded FX instruments on exchanges. In 2018, some members of the settlement class who opted out of that class action settlement filed their own non-class complaint in the SDNY asserting antitrust claims against NWM Plc, NWMSI and other banks.

In April 2019, some of the claimants in the opt-out case described above, as well as others, served proceedings in the High Court of Justice of England and Wales, asserting competition claims against NWM Plc and several other banks. The claim was transferred from the High Court of Justice of England and Wales in December 2021 and registered in the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) in January 2022. In March 2023, NWM Plc entered into an agreement to resolve both the SDNY and CAT cases. The settlement amount paid by NWM Plc was covered by an existing provision.

An FX-related class action, on behalf of 'consumers and end-user businesses', was proceeding in the SDNY against NWM Plc and others. In March 2023, the court granted summary judgment in favour of the defendants, dismissing the plaintiffs' claims. The plaintiffs have commenced an appeal of that decision as well as a prior decision denying class certification in the case.

In May 2019, a cartel class action was filed in the Federal Court of Australia against NWM Plc and four other banks on behalf of persons who bought or sold currency through FX spots or forwards between 1 January 2008 and 15 October 2013 with a total transaction value exceeding AUD $0.5 million. The claimant has alleged that the banks, including NWM Plc, contravened Australian competition law by sharing information, coordinating conduct, widening spreads and manipulating FX rates for certain currency pairs during this period. NatWest Group plc and NWMSI have been named in the action as 'other cartel participants', but are not respondents. The claim was served in June 2019 and NWM Plc filed its defence in March 2022.

In July and December 2019, two separate applications seeking opt-out collective proceedings orders were filed in the CAT against NatWest Group plc, NWM Plc and other banks. Both applications were brought on behalf of persons who, between 18 December 2007 and 31 January 2013, entered into a relevant FX spot or outright forward transaction in the EEA with a relevant financial institution or on an electronic communications network. In March 2022, the CAT declined to certify as collective proceedings either of the applications, which was appealed by the applicants, and the subject of an application for judicial review. In July 2023, the Court of Appeal allowed the appeal and decided that the claims should proceed on an opt-out basis. Separately, the court determined which of the two competing applicants can proceed as class representative, and dismissed the application for judicial review of the CAT's decision. Subject to any potential appeal to the UK Supreme Court, the case will be remitted to the CAT for further case management.

Two motions to certify FX-related class actions were filed in the Tel Aviv District Court in Israel in September and October 2018, and were subsequently consolidated into one motion. The consolidated motion to certify, which names The Royal Bank of Scotland plc (now NWM Plc) and several other banks as defendants, was served on NWM Plc in May 2020. The applicants have sought the court's permission to amend their motions to certify the class actions. NWM Plc has filed a motion challenging the permission granted by the court for the applicants to serve the consolidated motion outside the Israeli jurisdiction. That NWM Plc motion remains pending.

Notes

11. Litigation and regulatory matters continued

In December 2021, a claim was filed in the Netherlands against NatWest Group plc, NWM Plc and NWM N.V. by Stichting FX Claims on behalf of a number of claimants, seeking a declaration from the court that anti-competitive FX market conduct described in decisions of the European Commission (EC) of 16 May 2019 is unlawful, along with unspecified damages. The claimants amended their claim to also refer to a December 2021 decision by the EC, which described anti-competitive FX market conduct. The defendants contested the jurisdiction of the Dutch court. In March 2023, the district court in Amsterdam accepted that it has jurisdiction to hear claims against NWM N.V. but refused jurisdiction to hear any claims against the other defendant banks (including NatWest Group plc and NWM Plc) unless the claimants are domiciled in the Netherlands. Certain of the claimants are so domiciled and are therefore permitted to continue with their claims against all defendants, including NatWest Group plc and NWM Plc. The claimants are appealing that decision. In June 2023, a new group of claimants indicated their intention to join Stichting FX Claims to pursue similar claims against the defendants.

Certain other foreign exchange transaction related claims have been or may be threatened. NWM Group cannot predict whether all or any of these claims will be pursued.

Government securities antitrust litigation

NWMSI and certain other US broker-dealers are defendants in a consolidated antitrust class action in the SDNY on behalf of persons who transacted in US Treasury securities or derivatives based on such instruments, including futures and options. The plaintiffs allege that the defendants rigged the US Treasury securities auction bidding process to deflate prices at which they bought such securities and colluded to increase the prices at which they sold such securities to the plaintiffs. In March 2022, the SDNY dismissed the complaint, without leave to re-plead. The plaintiffs are appealing the dismissal.

Class action antitrust claims commenced in March 2019 are pending in the SDNY against NWM Plc, NWMSI and other banks in respect of Euro-denominated bonds issued by European central banks (EGBs). The complaint alleges a conspiracy among dealers of EGBs to widen the bid-ask spreads they quoted to customers, thereby increasing the prices customers paid for the EGBs or decreasing the prices at which customers sold the bonds. The class consists of those who purchased or sold EGBs in the US between 2007 and 2012. In March 2022, the SDNY dismissed the claims against NWM Plc and NWMSI on the ground that the complaint's conspiracy allegations are insufficient. The plaintiffs have filed a motion for permission to file an amended complaint.

Swaps antitrust litigation

NWM Plc, NWMSI and NatWest Group plc, as well as a number of other interest rate swap dealers, are defendants in several cases pending in the SDNY alleging violations of the US antitrust laws in the market for interest rate swaps. There is a consolidated class action complaint on behalf of persons who entered into interest rate swaps with the defendants, as well as non-class action claims by three swap execution facilities (TeraExchange, Javelin, and trueEx). The plaintiffs allege that the swap execution facilities would have successfully established exchange-like trading of interest rate swaps if the defendants had not unlawfully conspired to prevent that from happening through boycotts and other means. Discovery in these cases is complete, and the plaintiffs' motion for class certification remains pending.

In June 2021, a class action antitrust complaint was filed against a number of credit default swap dealers in New Mexico federal court on behalf of persons who, from 2005 onwards, settled credit default swaps in the United States by reference to the ISDA credit default swap auction protocol. The complaint alleges that the defendants conspired to manipulate that benchmark through various means in violation of the antitrust laws and the Commodity Exchange Act. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaint and, in June 2023, such motion was denied as regards NWMSI and other financial institutions, but granted as regards to NWM Plc on the ground that the court lacks jurisdiction over that entity. As a result, the case is now expected to enter the discovery phase as against the non-dismissed defendants.

Odd lot corporate bond trading antitrust litigation

In October 2021, the SDNY granted the defendants' motion to dismiss the class action antitrust complaint alleging that from August 2006 onwards various securities dealers, including NWMSI, conspired artificially to widen spreads for odd lots of corporate bonds bought or sold in the United States secondary market and to boycott electronic trading platforms that would have allegedly promoted pricing competition in the market for such bonds. The plaintiffs have filed an appeal.

Spoofing litigation

In December 2021, three substantially similar class actions complaints were filed in federal court in the United States against NWM Plc and NWMSI alleging Commodity Exchange Act and common law unjust enrichment claims arising from manipulative trading known as spoofing. The complaints refer to NWM Plc's December 2021 spoofing-related guilty plea (described below under "US investigations relating to fixed-income securities") and purport to assert claims on behalf of those who transacted in US Treasury securities and futures and options on US Treasury securities between 2008 and 2018. In July 2022, defendants filed a motion to dismiss these claims, which have been consolidated into one matter in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Madoff

NWM N.V. was named as a defendant in two actions filed by the trustee for the bankrupt estates of Bernard L. Madoff and Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, in bankruptcy court in New York, which together seek to clawback more than US$298 million that NWM N.V. allegedly received from certain Madoff feeder funds and certain swap counterparties. The claims were previously dismissed, but as a result of an August 2021 decision by the US Court of Appeals, they will now proceed in the bankruptcy court, where they have been consolidated into one action, subject to NWM N.V.'s legal and factual defences. In May 2022, NWM N.V. filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint in the consolidated action and such motion was denied in March 2023. As a result, the case is now expected to enter the discovery phase.

Notes

11. Litigation and regulatory matters continued

EUA trading litigation

NWM Plc was a named defendant in civil proceedings before the High Court of Justice of England and Wales brought in 2015 by ten companies (all in liquidation) (the 'Liquidated Companies') and their respective liquidators (together, 'the Claimants'). The Liquidated Companies previously traded in European Union Allowances (EUAs) in 2009 and were alleged to be VAT defaulting traders within (or otherwise connected to) EUA supply chains of which NWM Plc was a party. In March 2020, the court held that NWM Plc and Mercuria Energy Europe Trading Limited ('Mercuria') were liable for dishonestly assisting and knowingly being a party to fraudulent trading during a seven business day period in 2009.

In October 2020, the High Court quantified total damages against NWM Plc and Mercuria at GBP45 million plus interest and costs, and permitted the defendants to appeal to the Court of Appeal. In May 2021 the Court of Appeal set aside the High Court's judgment and ordered that a retrial take place before a different High Court judge. The claimants have been denied permission by the Supreme Court to appeal that decision and the retrial is therefore expected to proceed on a date to be scheduled. Mercuria has also been denied permission by the Supreme Court to appeal the High Court's finding that NWM Plc and Mercuria were both vicariously liable.

US Anti-Terrorism Act litigation

NWM N.V. and certain other financial institutions are defendants in several actions filed by a number of US nationals (or their estates, survivors, or heirs), most of whom are or were US military personnel, who were killed or injured in attacks in Iraq between 2003 and 2011. NWM Plc is also a defendant in some of these cases.

According to the plaintiffs' allegations, the defendants are liable for damages arising from the attacks because they allegedly conspired with and/or aided and abetted Iran and certain Iranian banks to assist Iran in transferring money to Hezbollah and the Iraqi terror cells that committed the attacks, in violation of the US Anti-Terrorism Act, by agreeing to engage in 'stripping' of transactions initiated by the Iranian banks so that the Iranian nexus to the transactions would not be detected.

The first of these actions, alleging conspiracy claims but not aiding and abetting claims, was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York in November 2014. In September 2019, the district court dismissed the case, finding that the claims were deficient for several reasons, including lack of sufficient allegations as to the alleged conspiracy and causation. In January 2023, the US Court of Appeals affirmed the district court's dismissal of this case. It is anticipated that the plaintiffs will file a motion to re-open the case to assert aiding and abetting claims that they previously did not assert. Another action, filed in the SDNY in 2017, which asserted both conspiracy and aiding and abetting claims, was dismissed by the SDNY in March 2019 on similar grounds as the first case, but remains subject to appeal to the US Court of Appeals. Other follow-on actions that are substantially similar to those described above are pending in the same courts.

1MDB litigation

A Malaysian court claim was served in Switzerland in November 2022 by 1MDB, a Sovereign Wealth Fund, in which Coutts & Co Ltd was named, along with six others, as a defendant in respect of losses allegedly incurred by 1MDB. It is claimed that Coutts & Co Ltd is liable as a constructive trustee for having dishonestly assisted the directors of 1MDB in the breach of their fiduciary duties by failing (amongst other alleged claims) to undertake due diligence in relation to a customer of Coutts & Co Ltd, through which funds totalling c.US$1 billion were received and paid out between 2009 and 2011. The claimant seeks the return of that amount plus interest. Coutts & Co Ltd filed an application in January 2023 challenging the validity of service and the Malaysian court's jurisdiction to hear the claim.

In April 2023, the claimant filed a notice of discontinuance of its claim against certain defendants including Coutts & Co Ltd. The claimant subsequently indicated that it intends to issue further replacement proceedings. Coutts & Co Ltd is challenging the claimant's ability to take that step and a hearing took place in the Malaysian Court in June 2023 to consider the validity of any new proceedings. Judgment is awaited.

Coutts & Co Ltd is a company registered in Switzerland and is in wind-down following the announced sale of its business assets in 2015.

Regulatory matters (including investigations)

NWM Group's financial condition can be affected by the actions of various governmental and regulatory authorities in the UK, the US, the EU and elsewhere. NWM Group companies have engaged, and will continue to engage, in discussions with relevant governmental and regulatory authorities, including in the UK, the US, the EU and elsewhere, on an ongoing and regular basis, and in response to informal and formal inquiries or investigations, regarding operational, systems and control evaluations and issues including those related to compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including consumer protection, investment advice, business conduct, competition/anti-trust, VAT recovery, anti-bribery, anti-money laundering and sanctions regimes.

Any matters discussed or identified during such discussions and inquiries may result in, among other things, further inquiry or investigation, other action being taken by governmental and regulatory authorities, increased costs being incurred by NWM Group, remediation of systems and controls, public or private censure, restriction of NWM Group's business activities and/or fines. Any of the events or circumstances mentioned in this paragraph or below could have a material adverse effect on NWM Group, its business, authorisations and licences, reputation, results of operations or the price of securities issued by it, or lead to material additional provisions being taken.

NWM Group is co-operating fully with the matters described below.

Notes

11. Litigation and regulatory matters continued

US investigations relating to fixed-income securities

In December 2021, NWM Plc pled guilty in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut to one count of wire fraud and one count of securities fraud in connection with historical spoofing conduct by former employees in US Treasuries markets between January 2008 and May 2014 and, separately, during approximately three months in 2018. The 2018 trading occurred during the term of a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) between NWMSI and the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut (USAO CT), under which non-prosecution was conditioned on NWMSI and affiliated companies not engaging in criminal conduct during the term of the NPA. The relevant trading in 2018 was conducted by two NWM traders in Singapore and breached that NPA. The plea agreement reached with the US Department of Justice and the USAO CT resolved both the spoofing conduct and the breach of the NPA.

As required by the resolution and sentence imposed by the court, NWM Plc is subject to a three-year period of probation. The plea agreement also imposes an independent corporate monitor. In addition, NWM Plc has committed to compliance programme reviews and improvements and agreed to reporting and co-operation obligations.

Other material adverse collateral consequences may occur as a result of this matter, as further described in the Risk Factor relating to legal, regulatory and governmental actions and investigations set out on page 191 of the NatWest Markets Plc 2022 Annual Report and Accounts.

12. Related party transactions

UK Government

The UK Government through HM Treasury is the ultimate controlling party of NatWest Group plc. The UK Government's shareholding is managed by UK Government Investments Limited, a company wholly owned by the UK Government. As a result the UK Government and UK Government controlled bodies are related parties of the Group.

At 30 June 2023 HM Treasury's holding in the NatWest Group's ordinary shares was 38.53%.

NWM Group enters into transactions with many of these bodies. Transactions include the payment of: taxes - principally UK corporation tax and value added tax; national insurance contributions; local authority rates; regulatory fees and levies; together with banking transactions such as loans and deposits undertaken in the normal course of banker customer relationships.

Bank of England facilities

In the ordinary course of business, NWM Group may from time to time access market-wide facilities provided by the Bank of England.

Other related parties

(a) In their roles as providers of finance, NWM Group companies provide development and other types of capital support to businesses. These investments are made in the normal course of business.

(b) To further strategic partnerships, NWM Group may seek to invest in third parties or allow third parties to hold a minority interest in a subsidiary of NWM Group. We disclose as related parties where stakes of 10 per cent or more are held. Ongoing business transactions with these entities are on normal commercial terms.

(c) NWM Group is recharged from other NatWest Group entities, mainly NWB Plc which provides the majority of shared services (including technology) and operational processes.

(d) In accordance with IAS 24, transactions or balances between NWM Group entities that have been eliminated on consolidation are not reported.

Full details of NWM Group's related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2022 are included in the NatWest Markets Plc 2022 Annual Report and Accounts.

13. Post balance sheet events

Other than as disclosed in this document, there have been no other significant events between 30 June 2023 and the date of approval of this announcement which would require a change to or additional disclosure in the announcement.

14. Date of approval

This announcement was approved by the Board of Directors on 27 July 2023.

Independent review report to NatWest Markets Plc

Conclusion

We have been engaged by NatWest Markets plc ("the Group") to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2023 which comprises the condensed consolidated income statement, the condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the condensed consolidated balance sheet, the condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity, the condensed consolidated cash flow statement, and related Notes 1 to 14, and the Risk and capital management disclosures for those identified as within the scope of our review. We have read the other information contained in the half yearly financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2023 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with UK adopted International Accounting Standard 34 and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

Basis for conclusion

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements 2410 (UK) "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" (ISRE) issued by the Financial Reporting Council. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with UK adopted International Accounting Standards. The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with UK adopted International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting".

Conclusions relating to Going Concern

Based on our review procedures, which are less extensive than those performed in an audit as described in the Basis of Conclusion section of this report, nothing has come to our attention to suggest that management have inappropriately adopted the going concern basis of accounting or that management have identified material uncertainties relating to going concern that are not appropriately disclosed.

This conclusion is based on the review procedures performed in accordance with this ISRE, however future events or conditions may cause the entity to cease to continue as a going concern.

Responsibilities of the directors

The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

In preparing the half-yearly financial report, the directors are responsible for assessing the Group's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the review of the financial information

In reviewing the half-yearly report, we are responsible for expressing to the Group a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report. Our conclusion, including our Conclusions Relating to Going Concern, are based on procedures that are less extensive than audit procedures, as described in the Basis for Conclusion paragraph of this report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the Group in accordance with guidance contained in International Standard on Review Engagements 2410 (UK) "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued by the Financial Reporting Council. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Group, for our work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have formed.

Ernst & Young LLP

London, United Kingdom

27 July 2023

NatWest Markets Plc Summary Risk Factors

Summary of Principal risks and uncertainties

Set out below is a summary of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the financial year which could adversely affect NWM Group. This summary should not be regarded as a complete and comprehensive statement of all potential risks and uncertainties; a fuller description of these and other risk factors is included on pages 173 to 193 of the NatWest Markets Plc 2022 Annual Report and Accounts and pages 15 to 48 of the NWM Plc Registration Document dated 15 March 2023 (as supplemented and amended from time to time). Any of the risks identified may have a material adverse effect on NWM Group's business, operations, financial condition or prospects.

Economic and political risk

- NWM Group, its customers and its counterparties face continued economic and political risks and uncertainties in the UK and global markets, including as a result of high inflation and rising interest rates, supply chain disruption, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

- Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may adversely affect NWM Group's results and financial condition.

- Changes in interest rates have affected, and will continue to affect, NWM Group's business and results.

- Continuing uncertainty regarding the effects and extent of the UK's post Brexit divergence from EU laws and regulation, and NWM Group's post Brexit EU operating model may adversely affect NWM Group and its operating environment. As of 30 June 2023, NWM N.V. surpassed a balance sheet total of EUR 30 billion at the regulatory consolidated level. By exceeding this threshold, NWM N.V. will most likely qualify as a "significant institution" in the foreseeable future, which may result in changes to supervision and regulations applicable to it. This could impact NWM Group's business strategy, operating model and prudential requirements.

- HM Treasury (or UKGI on its behalf) could exercise a significant degree of influence over NatWest Group and NWM Group is controlled by NatWest Group.

Strategic risk

- NWM Group has been in a period of significant structural and other change, including as a result of NatWest Group's purpose-led strategy and NatWest Group's recent creation of its C&I business segment (of which NWM Group forms part) and may continue to be subject to significant structural and other change.

Financial resilience risk

- NWM Group may not meet the targets it communicates, generate returns or implement its strategy effectively.

- NWM Plc and/or its regulated subsidiaries may not meet the prudential regulatory requirements for regulatory capital.

- NWM Group is reliant on access to the capital markets to meet its funding requirements, both directly through wholesale markets, and indirectly through its parent (NatWest Group) for the subscription to its internal capital and MREL. The inability to do so may adversely affect NWM Group.

   -    NWM Group may not be able to adequately access sources of liquidity and funding. 

- NWM Plc and/or its regulated subsidiaries may not manage their capital, liquidity or funding effectively which could trigger the execution of certain management actions or recovery options.

- Any reduction in the credit rating and/or outlooks assigned to NatWest Group plc, any of its subsidiaries (including NWM Plc or NWM Group subsidiaries) or any of their respective debt securities could adversely affect the availability of funding for NWM Group, reduce NWM Group's liquidity position and increase the cost of funding.

- NWM Group operates in markets that are highly competitive, with increasing competitive pressures and technology disruption.

- NWM Group may be adversely affected if NatWest Group fails to meet the requirements of regulatory stress tests.

   -    NWM Group has significant exposure to counterparty and borrower risk. 

- NWM Group could incur losses or be required to maintain higher levels of capital as a result of limitations or failure of various models.

- NWM Group's financial statements are sensitive to underlying accounting policies, judgments, estimates and assumptions.

   -    Changes in accounting standards may materially impact NWM Group's financial results. 

- NatWest Group is subject to Bank of England and PRA oversight in respect of resolution, and NatWest Group could be adversely affected should the Bank of England in the future deem NatWest Group's preparations to be inadequate.

- NatWest Group (including NWM Group) may become subject to the application of UK statutory stabilisation or resolution powers which may result in, for example, the write-down or conversion of NWM Group entities' Eligible Liabilities.

Climate and sustainability-related risks

   -    NWM Group and its customers, suppliers and counterparties face significant climate and sustainability-related risks, which may adversely affect NWM Group. 

- NatWest Group's climate change related strategy, ambitions, targets and transition plan entail significant execution and reputational risk and are unlikely to be achieved without significant and timely government policy, technology and customer behavioural changes.

- There are significant limitations related to accessing reliable, verifiable and comparable climate and other sustainability-related data, including as a result of lack of standardisation, consistency and completeness which, alongside other factors, contribute to substantial uncertainties in accurately modelling and reporting on climate and sustainability information, as well as making appropriate important internal decisions.

- A failure to implement effective climate change resilient governance, procedures, systems and controls in compliance with legal and regulatory expectations to manage climate and sustainability-related risks and opportunities could adversely affect NWM Group's ability to manage those risks.

- Increasing levels of climate, environmental, human rights and other sustainability-related laws, regulation and oversight which are constantly evolving may adversely affect NWM Group.

-

NatWest Markets Plc Summary Risk Factors

Summary of Principal risks and uncertainties continued

- NWM Group may be subject to potential climate, environmental, human rights and other sustainability-related litigation, enforcement proceedings, investigations and conduct risk.

- A reduction in the ESG ratings of NatWest Group (including NWM Group) or NWM Group could have a negative impact on NatWest Group's (including NWM Group's) or NWM Group's reputation and on investors' risk appetite and customers' willingness to deal with NatWest Group (including NWM Group) or NWM Group.

Operational and IT resilience risk

- Operational risks (including reliance on third party suppliers and outsourcing of certain activities) are inherent in NWM Group's businesses.

   -    NWM Group is subject to increasingly sophisticated and frequent cyberattacks. 

- NWM Group operations and strategy are highly dependent on the accuracy and effective use of data.

- NWM Group relies on attracting, retaining, developing and remunerating diverse senior management and skilled personnel (such as market trading specialists), and is required to maintain good employee relations.

- NWM Group's operations are highly dependent on its complex IT systems and any IT failure could adversely affect NWM Group.

- A failure in NWM Group's risk management framework could adversely affect NWM Group, including its ability to achieve its strategic objectives.

   -    NWM Group's operations are subject to inherent reputational risk. 

Legal, regulatory and conduct risk

- NWM Group's businesses are subject to substantial regulation and oversight, which are constantly evolving and may adversely affect NWM Group.

- NWM Group is exposed to the risk of various litigation matters, regulatory and governmental actions and investigations as well as remedial undertakings, the outcomes of which are inherently difficult to predict, and which could have an adverse effect on NWM Group.

- NWM Group may not effectively manage the transition of LIBOR and other IBOR rates to replacement risk-free rates.

- Changes in tax legislation or failure to generate future taxable profits may impact the recoverability of certain deferred tax assets recognised by NWM Group.

Statement of directors' responsibilities

We, the directors listed below, confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

- the condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting', as adopted by the UK and as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB);

- the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R (indication of important events during the first six months and description of principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year); and

- the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.8R (disclosure of related parties' transactions and changes therein).

By order of the Board

 
Frank Dangeard  Robert Begbie             Simon Lowe 
 Chairman        Chief Executive Officer   Chief Financial Officer 
 

27 July 2023

Board of directors

 
Chairman        Executive directors  Non-executive directors 
Frank Dangeard  Robert Begbie        Anne Simpson 
                 Simon Lowe           Tamsin Rowe 
                                      Vivek Ahuja 
 

Non-IFRS financial measures

NWM Group prepares its financial statements in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB which constitutes a body of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). This document contains a number of adjusted or alternative performance measures, also known as non-GAAP or non-IFRS financial measures. These measures are adjusted for certain items which management believe are not representative of the underlying performance of the business and which distort period-on-period comparison. These non-IFRS measures are not measures within the scope of IFRS and are not a substitute for IFRS measures. These measures include:

- Management analysis of operating expenses shows litigation and conduct costs on a separate line. These amounts are included within staff costs and other administrative expenses in the statutory analysis. Other operating expenses excludes litigation and conduct costs which are more volatile and may distort comparisons with prior periods.

- Funded assets are defined as total assets less derivative assets. This measure allows review of balance sheet trends exclusive of the volatility associated with derivative fair values.

- Management view of income by business including shared revenue and before own credit adjustments. This measure is used to show underlying income generation in NatWest Markets excluding the impact of own credit adjustments.

- Revenue share refers to income generated by NatWest Markets products from customers that have their primary relationship with other NatWest Group subsidiaries, a proportion of which is shared between NatWest Markets and those subsidiaries.

- Own credit adjustments are applied to positions where it is believed that the counterparties would consider NWM Group's creditworthiness when pricing trades. The fair value of certain issued debt securities, including structured notes, is adjusted to reflect the changes in own credit spreads and the resulting gain or loss recognised in income.

Non-IFRS financial measures

Operating expenses - management view

 
                                                         Half year ended 
                                ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
                                          30 June 2023                      30 June 2022 
                                --------------------------------  -------------------------------- 
                                Litigation                        Litigation 
                                       and      Other  Statutory         and      Other  Statutory 
                                   conduct  operating  operating     conduct  operating  operating 
                                     costs   expenses   expenses       costs   expenses   expenses 
                                      GBPm       GBPm       GBPm        GBPm       GBPm       GBPm 
------------------------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ---------  --------- 
Staff costs                              4        218        222           2        211        213 
Premises and equipment                   -         31         31           -         25         25 
Depreciation and amortisation            -          7          7           -         11         11 
Other administrative expenses         (12)        286        274          18        273        291 
------------------------------ 
Total                                  (8)        542        534          20        520        540 
------------------------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ---------  --------- 
 
                                                                           Quarter ended 
                                                                  -------------------------------- 
                                                                            30 June 2023 
                                                                  -------------------------------- 
                                                                  Litigation 
                                                                         and      Other  Statutory 
                                                                     conduct  operating  operating 
                                                                       costs   expenses   expenses 
                                                                        GBPm       GBPm       GBPm 
------------------------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ---------  --------- 
Staff costs                                                                3        106        109 
Premises and equipment                                                     -         16         16 
Depreciation and amortisation                                              -          4          4 
Other administrative expenses                                           (19)        139        120 
------------------------------  ----------  ---------  --------- 
Total                                                                   (16)        265        249 
------------------------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ---------  --------- 
 
                                                                           Quarter ended 
                                                                  -------------------------------- 
                                                                           31 March 2023 
                                                                  -------------------------------- 
                                                                  Litigation 
                                                                         and      Other  Statutory 
                                                                     conduct  operating  operating 
                                                                       costs   expenses   expenses 
                                                                        GBPm       GBPm       GBPm 
------------------------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ---------  --------- 
Staff costs                                                                1        112        113 
Premises and equipment                                                     -         15         15 
Depreciation and amortisation                                              -          3          3 
Other administrative expenses                                              7        147        154 
------------------------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------- 
Total                                                                      8        277        285 
------------------------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ---------  --------- 
 
                                                                           Quarter ended 
                                                                  -------------------------------- 
                                                                            30 June 2022 
                                                                  -------------------------------- 
                                                                  Litigation 
                                                                         and      Other  Statutory 
                                                                     conduct  operating  operating 
                                                                       costs   expenses   expenses 
                                                                        GBPm       GBPm       GBPm 
------------------------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ---------  --------- 
Staff costs                                                                2         78         80 
Premises and equipment                                                     -          1          1 
Depreciation and amortisation                                              -          7          7 
Other administrative expenses                                             10        151        161 
------------------------------  ----------  ---------  --------- 
Total                                                                     12        237        249 
------------------------------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ---------  --------- 
 

Presentation of information

NatWest Markets Plc ('NWM Plc') is a wholly owned subsidiary of NatWest Group plc or 'the ultimate holding company'. The NatWest Markets Group ('NWM Group') comprises NWM Plc and its subsidiary and associated undertakings. The term 'NatWest Group' or 'we' refers to NatWest Group plc and its subsidiary and associated undertakings. The term 'NWH Group' refers to NatWest Holdings Limited ('NWH') and its subsidiary and associated undertakings. The term 'NatWest Bank Plc' or 'NWB Plc' refers to National Westminster Bank Plc.

NWM Plc publishes its financial statements in pounds sterling ('GBP' or 'sterling'). The abbreviations 'GBPm' and 'GBPbn' represent millions and thousands of millions of pounds sterling ('GBP'), respectively, and references to 'pence' represent pence in the United Kingdom ('UK'). Reference to 'dollars' or '$' are to United States of America ('US') dollars. The abbreviations '$m' and '$bn' represent millions and thousands of millions of dollars, respectively, and references to 'cents' represent cents in the US. The abbreviation 'EUR' represents the 'euro', and the abbreviations 'EURm' and 'EURbn' represent millions and thousands of millions of euros, respectively, and references to 'cents' represent cents in the European Union ('EU').

Statutory accounts

Financial information contained in this document does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 ("the Act"). The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditor on those statutory accounts was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis and did not contain a statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Act.

MAR - Inside Information

This announcement contains information that qualified or may have qualified as inside information for NatWest Markets Plc, for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR) as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 for NatWest Markets Plc. This announcement is made by Paul Pybus, Head of Investor Relations for NatWest Markets Plc.

 
Contact 
Paul Pybus   Investor Relations   +44 (0) 7769 161183 
-----------  -------------------  ------------------- 
 

Forward-looking statements.

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements that include, without limitation, the words 'expect', 'estimate', 'project', 'anticipate', 'commit', 'believe', 'should', 'intend', 'will', 'plan', 'could', 'probability', 'risk', 'Value-at-Risk (VaR)', 'target', 'goal', 'objective', 'may', 'endeavour', 'outlook', 'optimistic', 'prospects' and similar expressions or variations on these expressions. These statements concern or may affect future matters, such as NWM Group's future economic results, business plans and strategies. In particular, this document may include forward-looking statements relating to NWM Group in respect of, but not limited to: its economic and political risks (including due to high inflation, supply chain disruption and the Russian invasion of Ukraine), its regulatory capital position and related requirements, its financial position, profitability and financial performance (including financial, capital, cost savings and operational targets), implementation of NWM Group's strategy and NatWest Group's purpose-led strategy and NatWest Group's recent creation of its Commercial & Institutional franchise (of which NWM Group forms part), its ESG and climate related targets, its access to adequate sources of liquidity and funding, increasing competition from new incumbents and disruptive technologies, its exposure to third party risks, its ongoing compliance with the UK ring-fencing regime and ensuring operational continuity in resolution, its impairment losses and credit exposures under certain specified scenarios, substantial regulation and oversight, ongoing legal, regulatory and governmental actions and investigations, the transition of LIBOR and other IBOR rates to replacement risk-free rates and NWM Group's exposure to operational risk, conduct risk, financial crime risk, cyber, data and IT risk, key person risk and credit rating risk. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that might cause actual results and performance to differ materially from any expected future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to differences in current expectations include, but are not limited to, the outcome of legal, regulatory and governmental actions and investigations, the level and extent of future impairments and write-downs, legislative, political, fiscal and regulatory developments, accounting standards, competitive conditions, technological developments, interest and exchange rate fluctuations, general economic and political conditions, the impact of climate related risks and the transitioning to a net zero economy. These and other factors, risks and uncertainties that may impact any forward-looking statement or NWM Group's actual results are discussed in NWM Plc's 2022 Annual Report and Accounts (ARA), NWM Group's Interim Management Statement for Q1 and H1 2023, and other public filings. The forward-looking statements contained in this document speak only as of the date of this document and NWM Group does not assume or undertake any obligation or responsibility to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this document, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent legally required.

Legal Entity Identifier: RR3QWICWWIPCS8A4S074

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our Privacy Policy.

END

IR SESEDWEDSEIW

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 28, 2023 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)

Natwest Mk.33 (LSE:83NF)
Gráfico Histórico do Ativo
De Nov 2024 até Dez 2024 Click aqui para mais gráficos Natwest Mk.33.
Natwest Mk.33 (LSE:83NF)
Gráfico Histórico do Ativo
De Dez 2023 até Dez 2024 Click aqui para mais gráficos Natwest Mk.33.