Q1 2026 Banco Bbva Argentina SA Earnings Call
Speaker #2: Good morning, everyone, and welcome to BBVA Argentina's first quarter 2026 results conference call. Today with us are Mrs. Belen Fourcade, Investor Relations Manager, and Diego Cesarini, IRO and Head of Asset and Liability Management.
Operator 2: Good morning, everyone, and welcome to BBVA Argentina's Q1 2026 results conference call. Today with us are Belén Fourcade, Investor Relations Manager, and Diego Cesarini, IRO and Head of Financial Management & Investor Relations. This presentation and the Q1 2026 earnings release are available on BBVA's investor relations website, ir.bbva.com.ar, and will also be available for download in the chat. First of all, let me point out that some of the statements made during this conference call may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions found in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 under US federal securities law. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.
Speaker #2: This presentation and the first quarter 2026 earnings release are available on BBVA's Investor Relations website. IR.BBVA.com.ar and will also be available for download in the chat.
Speaker #2: First of all, let me point out that some of the statements made during this conference call may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions found in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 under U.S.
Speaker #2: Federal Securities Law. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.
Speaker #2: Additional information concerning these factors is contained in BBVA Argentina's annual report on Form 20F for the fiscal year 2025, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Operator 2: Additional information concerning these factors is contained in BBVA Argentina's annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year 2025, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. During the company's presentation, all microphones will be disabled. At this time, we are going to open it up for questions and answers. If you have a question, please write it down in the Q&A section or click on Raise Hand for audio questions. You will then receive a request to activate your microphone. Please activate it and pick up your headset to provide optimum sound quality when posing your question. I will now turn the call over to Belén Fourcade. Please go ahead.
Speaker #2: During the company's presentation, all microphones will be disabled. At this time, we are going to open it up for questions and answers. If you have a question, please write it down in the Q&A section or click on raise hand for audio questions.
Speaker #2: You will then receive a request to activate your microphone. Please activate it and pick up your headset to provide optimum sound quality when posing your question.
Speaker #2: I will now turn the call over to Belen Fourcade. Please go ahead.
Speaker #3: Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us today for BBVA Argentina's first quarter 2026 results conference call.
Belén Fourcade: Good morning, everyone, and thank you for joining us today for BBVA Argentina's Q1 2026 Results Conference Call. During Q1 of the year, our business model demonstrated resilience within a macroeconomic environment characterized by a gradual transition and the normalization of key financial variables. We observed a reduction in interest rate volatility, which sustained the downward trend initiated in the previous year, alongside ongoing adjustments in monetary and regulatory policy aimed at a better management of liquidity. While the combination of fiscal discipline and stabilizing external indicators establishes a more predictable framework for the financial sector, we maintain a cautious and prudent outlook regarding the pace, timing, and evolution of a broader private credit recovery in the upcoming quarters. Moving into our financial highlights for the quarter, BBVA Argentina posted an inflation-adjusted net income of ARS 85.2 billion for Q1 2026.
Speaker #2: During the first quarter of the year, our business model demonstrated resilience within a macroeconomic environment characterized by a gradual transition and a normalization of key financial variables.
Speaker #2: We observed a reduction in interest rate volatility, which sustained the downward trend initiated in the previous year, alongside ongoing adjustments in monetary and regulatory policy aimed at a better management of liquidity.
Speaker #2: While the combination of fiscal discipline and stabilizing external indicators establishes a more predictable framework for the financial sector, we maintain a cautious and prudent outlook regarding the pace, timing, and evolution of a broader private credit recovery in the upcoming quarters.
Speaker #2: Moving into our financial highlights for the quarter, BBVA Argentina posted an inflation-adjusted net income of 85.2 billion pesos for the first quarter of 2026.
Speaker #2: This represents a 31.2% increase quarter over quarter, driven by revenue performance and expense management. This bottom line expansion boosted our quarterly ROE to 8.3%.
Belén Fourcade: This represents a 31.2% increase quarter over quarter, driven by revenue performance and expense management. This bottom-line expansion boosted our quarterly ROE to 8.3%. At the same time, net interest income grew by 5.9% sequentially to ARS 879.9 billion. Our funding costs fell faster than asset yields due to the shorter average life of our liabilities, expanding our total net interest margin to 18.6%. Regarding efficiency, our quarterly efficiency ratio stood at 51.4%, with personal benefits and administrative expenses reflecting the ongoing management of our corporate structure. Let's look at the dynamics of our balance sheet and credit portfolio. Total financing to the private sector closed the quarter at ARS 15.7 trillion. While local currency loans fell 6.5% due to seasonal low commercial activity, our foreign currency private loans grew by 6.8% sequentially, which represents a 23.3% increase in dollar terms.
Speaker #2: At the same time, net interest income grew by 5.9% sequentially to 879.9 billion pesos. Our funding costs fell faster than asset yields due to the shorter average life of our liabilities, expanding our total net interest margin to 18.6%.
Speaker #2: Regarding efficiency, our quarterly efficiency ratio stood at 51.4%, with personal benefits and administrative expenses reflected the ongoing management of our corporate structure. Let's look at the dynamics of our balance sheet and credit portfolio.
Speaker #2: Total financing to the private sector closed the quarter at 15.7 trillion pesos. While local currency loans fell 6.5% due to seasonal low commercial activity, our foreign currency private loans grew by 6.8% sequentially, which represents a 23.3% increase in dollar terms.
Speaker #2: We continue to see continuous momentum in pledge and mortgage lines. Furthermore, we continue to capture business effectively, mainly driven by the commercial segment and foreign currency loans.
Belén Fourcade: We continue to see continuous momentum in pledge and mortgage lines. We continue to capture business effectively, mainly driven by the commercial segment and foreign currency loans. Our consolidated loan market share rose to 12.15%, signaling a total gain of 95 basis points over the last 12 months. On the funding side, total deposits reached ARS 17.5 trillion. Private deposits saw a minor seasonal 8 basis points market share dip to 9.93%, they remain up 78 basis points year over year. Regarding asset quality, systemic pressures caused our non-performing loan ratio to rise to 5.60%, primarily driven by the retail card and consumer portfolio. Commercial delinquency remained exceptionally well-behaved at just 0.50%. Our cost of risk dropped from 8.11% last quarter to 6.14%, partially thanks to our strengthened origination policies, leaving our coverage ratio at 88.41%.
Speaker #2: Our consolidated loan market share rose to 12.15%, signaling a total gain of 95 basis points over the last 12 months. On the funding side, total deposits reached 17.5 trillion pesos, private deposits saw a minor seasonal 8 basis points market share dip to 9.93%, but they remain up 78 basis points year over year.
Speaker #2: Regarding asset quality, systemic pressures caused our non-performing loan ratio to rise to 5.60%, primarily driven by the retail card and consumer portfolio. However, commercial delinquency remained exceptionally well-behaved at just 0.50%.
Speaker #2: Our cost of risk dropped from 8.11% last quarter to 6.14%, partially thanks to our strengthened origination policies leaving our coverage ratio at 88.41%. Looking at solvency and liquidity, very comfortable 45.5%.
Belén Fourcade: Looking at solvency and liquidity, our liquidity ratio closed at a very comfortable 45.5%. More importantly, our capital position remains robust, with a regulatory capital ratio of 18.8%, representing 128.7% excess over minimum regulatory requirements. Before opening the floor to your questions, I want to highlight that on 15 May, the Central Bank approved our dividend distribution for ARS 69 billion, which underscores our unyielding commitment to generating shareholder value. In conclusion, BBVA Argentina enters the rest of 2026 with an exceptionally solid foundation. Backed by robust capital, healthy liquidity, and an expanding market footprint, we possess all the necessary tools to lead the market and supply credit as the Argentine financial system normalizes. Thank you for your time. Operator, please open the line for questions.
Speaker #2: More importantly, our capital position remains robust with a regulatory capital ratio of 18.8%, representing 128.7% excess over minimal regulatory requirements. Before opening the floor to your questions, I want to highlight that on May 15, the Central Bank approved our dividend distribution for 69 billion pesos, which underscores our unyielding commitment to generating shareholder value.
Speaker #2: In conclusion, BBVA Argentina enters the rest of 2026 with an exceptionally solid foundation. Backed by robust capital, healthy liquidity, and an expanding market footprint, we possess all the necessary tools to lead the market and supply credit as the Argentine financial system normalizes.
Speaker #2: Thank you for your time, Operator. Please open the line for questions.
Speaker #3: Thank you. We are now going to start the Q&A session. To ask a question, you can click on the raise hand button. Our first question comes from Tito Labarta with Goldman Sachs.
Operator 2: Thank you. We are now going to start the Q&A session. To ask a question, you can click on the raise hand button. Our first question comes from Tito Labarta with Goldman Sachs.
Tito Labarta: Hi. Good morning, Belén, Diego. Thanks for the call. My question, I guess, on the asset quality outlook. Seems you're getting a little bit more constructive there, although we're still seeing NPLs deteriorate, but provisioning levels came down. We saw coverage come down a little bit more. Just to understand how comfortable you are on the credit quality improving from here, should we already begin to see that in the Q2? What would that then mean for loan growth, do you think? Expect loan growth to accelerate as you see that, or just to get a sense of the timing on how this credit cycle should evolve from here. Thank you.
Speaker #4: Hi, good morning. I'm Belen Diego. Thanks for the call. I'm taking my questions. Excuse me. My question, I guess, on the asset quality outlook.
Speaker #4: It seems you're getting a little bit more constructive there, although we're still seeing NPLs deteriorate. But provisioning levels came down. We saw coverage come down a little bit more.
Speaker #4: Just to understand how comfortable you are on the credit quality improving from here, should we already begin to see that in the second quarter?
Speaker #4: And then what would that then mean for loan growth, do you think, expect loan growth to accelerate as you see that? Or just to get a sense of the timing on how this credit cycle should evolve from here.
Speaker #4: Thank you.
Speaker #5: Hello, Tito. This is Diego. Thanks for the question. Well, as you say, we are a little more quality in this first quarter of the year.
Diego Cesarini: Hello, Tito Labarta. This is Diego Cesarini. Thanks for the question. Well, as you say, we are a little more comfortable with asset quality in this Q1 of the year. We have been able to make provisions at a below level of last Q4. There are certain one-offs there, as we mentioned in our press release. We have a better rating on some wholesale customers that affected us positively. Besides that, I think that our origination policies are working, and we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Having said this, of course, the situation still remains a little difficult. For many quarters, in general, we have been thinking that the worst was over, and finally then the solution was delayed.
Speaker #5: We have been able to make provisions at a below level of last quarter. There are certain one-offs there, as we mentioned in our press release.
Speaker #5: We have a better rating on some wholesale customers that affected us positively. But besides that, I think that our origination policies are working and we are starting to see the lights at the end of the tunnel.
Speaker #5: Having said this, of course, the situation still remains a little difficult. For many quarters in general, we have been thinking that the worst was over and finally then the solution was delayed.
Speaker #5: But we remain reasonably comfortable that, during the second quarter, we are stabilizing, and we could probably see a better outcome than in the first one.
Diego Cesarini: We remain reasonably comfortable that during Q2, we were stabilizing, and we could probably see a better outcome than in the first one. Regarding loan growth, well, we have been reviewing downwards our expectations. We started the year thinking about the range of 25% to 30% growth in real terms. Now we are thinking of a range between 15% and 20%. Of course, Q1 of the year was not easy. Seasonally, it's not the best quarter of the year. Peso demand is low in Q1. Dollar demand was still strong. Q2 probably will be a little better. In the H2 of the year, we are seeing probably a better performance. Regarding the retail business, of course, consumer and credit cards will take longer to recover. We need to be comfortable for new origination.
Speaker #5: Regarding loan growth, well, we have been reviewing downwards our expectations. We started the year thinking about a range of 25 to 30 percent growth in real terms.
Speaker #5: Now we are thinking of a range between 15 and 20 percent. Of course, the first quarter of the year was not easy. Seasonally, it's not the best quarter of the year.
Speaker #5: Peso demand is low in the first quarter, but dollar demand was still strong. And the second quarter probably will be a little better. In the second half of the year, we are seeing probably a better performance regarding the retail business. Of course, consumer and credit cards will take longer to recover.
Speaker #5: We need to be comfortable for new origination.
Speaker #4: Okay, this is very helpful. Thank you, Diego.
Tito Labarta: Okay, this is very helpful. Thank you, Diego.
Speaker #5: You're welcome.
Diego Cesarini: You're welcome.
Speaker #3: Our next question comes from Brian Flores with Siti.
Operator 2: Our next question comes from Brian Flores with Citi.
Speaker #6: Hi, team. Good morning. Thank you for the opportunity. Maybe a follow-up on Tito's question. If you could provide maybe an update across the lines, Diego, on the guidance.
Brian Flores: Hi, team. Good morning. Thank you for the opportunity. Maybe a follow-up on Tito's question. If you could provide maybe an update across the lines, Diego, on the guidance. We know we saw some interesting dynamics on the deposit side, and I don't know if you could maybe double-click there as to what is happening. We saw very, I would say, competitive dynamics in terms of the funding in dollars. Just wanted to check if this is seasonality, if this is everybody fighting for these dollar deposits. Also if you could provide your outlook for the overall NIMs, because we see that they were expanding maybe despite the challenges, right? Just trying to understand how sustainable do you think these good margins should be throughout the year. Thank you.
Speaker #6: We know we saw some interesting dynamics on the deposit side. And I don't know if you could maybe double-click there as to what is happening.
Speaker #6: We saw very, I would say, competitive dynamics in terms of the funding in dollars. So I just wanted to check if this is seasonality.
Speaker #6: If this is everybody fighting for this dollar deposits. And also, if you could provide your outlook for the overall NIMS because we see that they were expanding maybe despite the challenges, right?
Speaker #6: So just trying to understand how sustainable do you think this good margins should be throughout the year. Thank you.
Speaker #5: Okay. Hello, Brian. Well, starting with guidance of deposits, probably we could adjust that guidance regarding how much we are growing on loans. Many years have started slow on growth on loan growth.
Diego Cesarini: Okay. Hello, Brian. Well, starting with the guidance of deposits, probably we could adjust that guidance regarding how much we are growing the loans. Many years have started slow on loan growth, and then the year performed better. In Q1, of course, we saw a difficult dynamic in deposits. We reduced our size in real terms, but that is not to worry, in our opinion, because, of course, as loan demand was not picking up, we needed less deposits, so we were not fighting for commercial ones especially. Regarding dollar deposits, they are growing slowly, but constantly. We are seeing a 2% to 3% monthly growth. It's true the retail side of the business is still buying dollars every day. We are keeping a portion of those deposits. We are not really fighting for deposits, as I think that banks in general terms are still liquid.
Speaker #5: And then the year performed better. So in the first quarter, of course, we saw a difficult dynamic in deposits. We reduced our size in real terms.
Speaker #5: But that is not to worry in our opinion because, of course, we as loan demand was not picking up, we needed less deposits. So we were not fighting for commercial ones especially.
Speaker #5: Regarding dollar deposits, they are growing slowly, but with constantly. We are seeing a 2 to 3 percent monthly growth. It's true that banks are retail side of the business is still buying dollars every day.
Speaker #5: So we are keeping a portion of those deposits. We are not really fighting for deposits as I think that banks in general terms are still liquid.
Speaker #5: Loan to deposit in dollar terms is still at a systemic level. Probably below 50 percent. So there's still some room for banking industry to grow in dollar loans without having to fight for more deposits.
Diego Cesarini: Loan to deposit in dollar terms is still at a systemic level, probably below 50%. There's still some room for banking industry to grow in dollar loans without having to fight for more deposits. We are being able to issue also local bonds at reasonable rates. I see a good dynamic, if you ask me, in this part of the business. Regarding NIMs, nominal NIMs have increased around 100 basis points in this quarter, but it's also true that inflation was also higher. We like to measure NIMs in real terms, and they have been mostly flat in Q1. They have grown, I guess, at a 15 basis points. We have seen this real term NIM very stable, not just in the last quarter, but in the last year and even more than a year. We are expecting that behavior for the coming quarters.
Speaker #5: We are being able to issue also local bonds at reasonable rates. So I see a good dynamic if you ask me in this part of the business.
Speaker #5: Regarding NIMS, in nominal NIMS have increased around 100 basis points in this quarter, but it's also true that inflation was also higher. So we like to measure NIMS in real terms.
Speaker #5: And they have been mostly flat in the first quarter. They have grown, I guess, 15 basis points. We have seen this real-term NIM very stable in the last not just in the last quarter, but in the last year and even more than a year.
Speaker #5: And we are expecting that behavior for the coming quarters. We expect next quarter to be also flat or maybe a little positive because inflation is going down.
Diego Cesarini: We expect next quarter to be also flat or maybe a little positive because inflation is going down. For H2, probably we could see, if inflation still keeps going down and rates follow that path, we could see a little deterioration in NIM, but in real terms, I would say that it will be a very similar year to last one. We think that net interest income is a positive contributor to the recovery of ROEs for this year.
Speaker #5: And for the second semester, probably we could see if inflation still keeps going down and rates follow that path, we could see a little deterioration in NIM.
Speaker #5: But in real terms, I would say that it would be a very similar year to last one. We are not seeing we think that net interest income is a positive contributor to the recovery of ROEs for this year.
Speaker #4: No, perfect, Diego. So just to confirm your ROE range is rate-to-rate for 2026?
Brian Flores: No. Perfect, Diego. Just to confirm, your ROE range is reiterated for 2026?
Speaker #5: Yes, we keep that guidance. We have been talking about low to mid TINs. We keep that guidance. Probably closer to low than to mid, but we are still there.
Diego Cesarini: Yes, we keep that guidance. We have been talking about low to mid-teens. We keep that guidance, probably closer to low than to mid, but we are still there.
Speaker #4: No, perfect. Thank you.
Brian Flores: Perfect. Thank you.
Operator 2: Our next question comes from Pedro Lattanzio with Latin Securities.
Speaker #3: Pedro of Fending with Latin Securities.
Speaker #6: Hello, good morning, Carmen and Diego Valena. Thank you for taking my questions. Wanted to do a follow-on on a question on coverage. target for the bank to bring it back closer to the previous levels?
Pedro Lattanzio: Hello. Good morning, Carmen, Diego, Belén. Thank you for taking my questions. Wanted to do a follow-on a question on coverage. How should we think it going forward? It's maybe a goal or a target for the bank to bring it back closer to the previous levels.
Diego Cesarini: Pedro, how are you? Well, we have seen our coverage ratio in line with the whole financial system going down, a little below 100. Probably, we are seeing the bottom of that ratio, and we should start seeing a recovery on that ratio in the coming quarters. We do not have a specific target. We do not have a specific timeline, but we know that it should go back at least to 100 in the coming future.
Speaker #5: Pedro, how are you? Well, we have seen our coverage ratio in line with the whole financial system going down a little below 100. Probably we are seeing the bottom of that ratio.
Speaker #5: And we should see we should start seeing a recovery on that ratio in the coming quarters. We do not have a specific target. We do not have a specific timeline.
Speaker #5: But well, we know that it should go back at least to 100 in the coming future.
Speaker #3: Hello, Pedro. This is Belen. I just wanted to add to what Diego was saying regarding coverage. There is not a specific number right now that we have in mind in terms of rebuffering that level of coverage.
Belén Fourcade: Hello, Pedro. This is Belén. I just wanted to add to what Diego was saying regarding coverage. There is not a specific number right now that we have in mind, in terms of rebuffering that level of coverage. We are still focused on the needs that we have on provisioning. We are still not passed through the fall in the NPL matters and on cost of risk. Again, remember that coverage will always be rebuilt as long as we consider that it makes sense for us to increase cost of risk in change of that. Again, as Diego said, the system is at our same level. We are not worried on these levels of coverage.
Speaker #3: We are still focused on the needs that we have on provisioning. I mean, we are still not passed through the fall in the NPL matters.
Speaker #3: And on cost of risk. So again, remember that coverage will always be rebuilt as long as we consider that it makes sense for us to increase cost of risk in change of that.
Speaker #3: So again, as Diego said, the system is at our same level. We are not worried on these levels of coverage.
Speaker #4: Perfect. Thank you, Belen and Diego. And if I might add on NPLs, how did you see asset quality maybe through the quarter? It was January, February, much different from March, or it was an acceleration maybe equally between months?
Pedro Lattanzio: Perfect. Thank you, Belén, Diego. If I might add on NPLs, how did you see asset quality, maybe through the quarter? It was January, February, much different from March? Or it was an acceleration, maybe equally between months?
Speaker #5: No, in March, I think that there was a disacceleration and we are seeing that trend to continue. Probably April could be a little above March, but still mainly flat.
Diego Cesarini: No. In March, I think that there was a disacceleration. We are seeing that trend to continue. Probably April could be a little above March, but still mainly flat. From then on, we should see NPL stable for a couple of months and then starting to come down, until we reach a level by the end of the year that could be a little below of what we are seeing right now.
Speaker #5: And from then on, we should see NPLs stable for a couple of months. And then starting to come down until we reach a level by the end of the year that could be a little below of what we are seeing right now.
Speaker #4: Thank you, Diego.
Pedro Lattanzio: Thank you, Diego.
Speaker #5: You're welcome, Pedro.
Diego Cesarini: You are welcome, Pedro.
Speaker #3: Please hold while we pull for questions. Our next question comes HSBC.
Operator 2: Please hold while we poll for questions. Our next question comes from Carlos Gomez-Lopez with HSBC.
Speaker #6: Hello, and good morning. You have probably commented on this already, but can you tell us how the quarter is coming along? We're already in the middle actually, at the end of May.
Carlos Gomez-Lopez: Hello, good morning. You have probably commented on this already, but can you tell us how the quarter is coming along? We're already in the middle, actually, the end of May. We saw this negative growth in Q1. Now you have lower rates. Now you have perhaps a more stable framework. Are you starting to see demand come back and show in good areas? Thank you.
Speaker #6: We saw this negative growth in the first quarter. Now you have lower rates. Now you have perhaps a more stable framework. Are you starting to see demand come back?
Speaker #6: And if so, in which areas? Thank you.
Speaker #5: Hello, Carlos. This is Diego. Well, the quarter started slowly, even with lower rates. In terms of peso activity, but in the questions from the part of When deposit rates were around 30, 30-something, there was in peso loans.
Diego Cesarini: Hello, Carlos, this is Diego. Well, the quarter started slowly, even with lower rates, in terms of ARS activity. In the last couple of weeks, we have seen more demand or more questions from the part of companies regarding ARS loans. When deposit rates were around 30-something, there was no interest in ARS loans, now that deposit rates have fallen to a 20-something level, we are seeing more interest from companies. We are expecting a pickup in demand, mainly in commercial loans. As I said before, seasonally, the first three or four months of the year are usually very low on ARS demand. Starting in May, with tax payments and next month when companies pay the aguinaldo, the half complimentary salary that they pay, we usually start to see a better demand in local currency.
Speaker #5: But now that deposit rates have fallen to 20-something level, we are seeing more interest from companies. So we are expecting a pickup in demand in mainly in commercial loans.
Speaker #5: As I said before, seasonally, the first three or four months of the year are usually very low on peso demand. But starting in May, with tax payments and next month when companies pay the aguinaldo, the half salary complimentary salary that they pay, we usually start to see a better demand in local currency.
Speaker #5: Regarding the dollar, of course, there has been pretty good demand in the first four months of the year. On the contrary, in May we are seeing a little more calm in this currency.
Diego Cesarini: Regarding dollar, of course, there has been pretty good demand in the first four months of the year. On the contrary, in May, we are seeing a little more come from this currency.
Speaker #2: And in terms of the dollars, if I can ask, in the past, you have had continuous purchase by retail investors of physical dollars. How has that evolved in the last couple of months?
Carlos Gomez-Lopez: In terms of the dollars, if I can ask, in the past, you have had continuous purchase by retail investors of physical dollars. How has that evolved in the last couple of months?
Speaker #5: Retail investors have been buying dollars since all the regulations were lifted, one year ago. Of course, we are not seeing the same level of demand that we saw in the third quarter of last year.
Diego Cesarini: Retail investors have been buying dollars since all the regulations were lifted one year ago. Of course, we are not seeing the same level of demand that we saw in Q3 of last year, but I would still say that it's high compared with historical levels. We are not at the highest, of course, but people are still buying and saving in dollars mainly.
Speaker #5: But I would still say that it's high compared with historical levels. So we are not at the highest, of course, but people are still buying and saving in dollars mainly.
Speaker #6: Thank you very much, Diego.
Carlos Gomez-Lopez: Thank you very much, Diego.
Speaker #5: You're welcome, Carlos.
Diego Cesarini: You're welcome, Carlos.
Speaker #3: Our next question comes from Matthias Cattaruzzi with Adcap.
Operator 2: Our next question comes from Matías Cattaruzzi with Adcap.
Matías Cattaruzzi: Hi, team. How are you? I have two questions. First, how do you see the TAMAR trajectory over the coming quarters? Do you expect peso NIM to hold or lower? Do you have an NPL guidance for year-end 2026? What is the view on GDP growth and a potential recovery in real wages in the second part of 2026?
Speaker #4: Hi, team. How are you? I have two questions. First, how do you see the Tamara trajectory or the coming quarters? Do you expect peso NIM to hold or lower?
Speaker #4: And do you have an NPL guidance for year-end 2026? And what is the view on GDP growth and a potential recovery in real wages in the second part of 2026?
Speaker #5: Hi, Matthias. Well, I will start with Tamara. We have seen a pretty strong decrease in Tamara rates during the first quarter, through March and April, probably.
Diego Cesarini: Hi, Matías. Well, I will start with TAMAR. Well, we have seen a pretty strong decrease in TAMAR rates through March and April, probably. That has provided good fuel for our NII, as, of course, we have shorter-term liabilities than assets. What we are seeing is that this negative level of interest rates, of course, is not sustainable. Probably we are seeing it coming to a neutral level or something close to neutral in the coming months, but mainly because inflation is going down more than the TAMAR going down. Probably we are expecting TAMAR to be in line with inflation for the coming months. If inflation keeps going down, TAMAR could go marginally down, but not too much. I think that the big movement has already been done this year, at least.
Speaker #5: That has provided good fuel for our NII as well, of course, we have a shorter-term liabilities than assets. So what we are seeing is that this negative level of interest rates, of course, is not sustainable.
Speaker #5: Probably we are seeing it coming to a neutral level or something close to neutral in the coming months. But mainly because inflation is going down with more than the Tamara going down.
Speaker #5: Probably we are expecting Tamara to be in line with inflation for the coming months. So inflation keeps going down. Tamara could go marginally down, but not too much.
Speaker #5: I think that the big movement has already been done. This year, at least. Regarding peso NIMs, as I was saying before, it has remained pretty stable in real terms.
Diego Cesarini: Regarding peso NIMs, as I was saying before, it has remained pretty stable in real terms. We are expecting it nominally to fall a little as interest rates go down, when you consider that inflation is also going down, we are seeing a smaller loss on our net income on inflation. It's reasonable to say that peso NIMs will hold pretty stable in the coming quarters. Probably a little down, no more than 50 basis points or 100 at the most. Regarding NPL, we are not providing specific guidance, as I said before, we think that it will be a little lower than the levels that we have seen at the end of this Q1. It should be around 5%, we guess, or a little below. Regarding GDP, we are expecting 3%. I think that you have made another question.
Speaker #5: We are expecting it nominally to fall a little as interest rates go down, but when you consider that inflation is always is also going down.
Speaker #5: So we are seeing we're seeing a little a smaller loss on our net income on inflation. It's reasonable to say that peso NIMs will hold pretty stable in the coming quarters.
Speaker #5: Probably a little down, but no more than 50 basis points or 100 at the most. Regarding NPL, we are not providing a specific guidance, but as I said before, we think that it will be a little lower than the levels that we have seen at the end of this first quarter.
Speaker #5: It should be around 5%, we guess, or a little below. Regarding GDP, we are expecting 3%. And I think that you have made another question.
Speaker #4: Sorry. About real wages, recovery.
Matías Cattaruzzi: Sorry, about real wages recovery.
Speaker #5: Well, real wages should recover as inflation is going down, I guess. I think that one of the main reasons why real wages decreased in the latest last year was the pickup in inflation.
Diego Cesarini: Well, real wages should recover as inflation is going down, we guess. I think that one of the main reasons why real wages decreased in the latest last year was the pickup in inflation. We are expecting a reversal on that trend. We are pretty confident generally on the outlook. This Q1 has brought a lot of good news for the financial system and the country, so we think that that good news should start to have an impact soon.
Speaker #5: So we should we are expecting a reversal on that trend. We are pretty confident on generally on the outlook. This first quarter has brought a lot of good news for the financial system and the country.
Speaker #5: So we think that those good news should start to have an impact soon.
Speaker #4: Great. And then, as a follow-up, are you seeing a real interest rate in the coming quarters? But tighter than before?
Matías Cattaruzzi: Great. As a follow-up, are you seeing a real interest rate in the coming quarters, but tighter than before?
Speaker #5: Real interest rates, we are expecting them to come back to neutral levels.
Diego Cesarini: Real interest rates, we are expecting them to come back to neutral levels.
Matías Cattaruzzi: Neutral. Okay.
Speaker #4: neutral. Okay.
Speaker #5: But more as a consequence of inflation going down than that Tamara going up.
Diego Cesarini: More as a consequence of inflation going down than that of TAMAR going up.
Speaker #4: Okay. Thank you so much.
Matías Cattaruzzi: Okay, thank you so much.
Speaker #5: You're welcome.
Diego Cesarini: You're welcome.
Speaker #3: Our next question comes from William Baranjaj with Itaú BBA.
Operator 2: Our next question comes from William Barranjard with Itaú BBA.
Speaker #6: Hey, thank you for the presentation. I have two quick ones. First, on your recently done layoff program, if you could share with us the amount of savings you're expecting from it.
William Barranjard: Hey, thank you for the presentation. I have two quick ones. First, on your recently done layoff program, if you could share with us the amount of savings you're expecting from it. A second one, still on loan growth. If you could go through the year, in terms of expectations of growth, when it accelerates, and what is the amount expected for growth, if any, in H2. Those are the two ones.
Speaker #6: And a second one, still on loan growth. If you could go through the year, in terms of expectations of growth, when it accelerates, and what is the amount expected for growth, if any, in the second half of the year?
Speaker #6: Those are the two ones.
Speaker #5: Okay. Thanks, William. Regarding our layoff program, it's not really a program, I would say. The bank, in the latest two years, as a part of our growth plan, we've been very aggressive in growth.
Diego Cesarini: Okay. Thanks, William. Regarding our layoff program, it's not really a program, I would say. The bank in the latest 2 years as a part of our growth plan, we've been very aggressive in growth. We have grown more than 400 basis points in loans through the last 3 years without having acquired any entity. In fact, we are the bank that has grown the most in the Argentine financial system without buying or merging with another bank. We have been growing in payrolls. Now this quarter, we are making a little efficiency, but it's usual business. Probably in the coming quarter, you could also see some more layoffs. As I said before, it's not a part of a program, it's just the usual business. Sometimes we grow, sometimes we go down on employees. Savings will impact relatively quick.
Speaker #5: We have grown more than 400 basis points in loans through the last three years, without having acquired any entity. We are in fact, we are the bank that has grown the most in the Argentinian financial system without buying or merging with other banks.
Speaker #5: So we have been growing in payrolls. Now, this quarter, we are making a little efficiency, but it's usual business. Probably in the coming quarter, you could also see some more layoffs.
Speaker #5: But as I said before, it's not a part of a program. It's just the usual business. Sometimes we grow. Sometimes we go down on employees.
Speaker #5: And savings will impact relatively quick. I think that we have it's less than approximately a year or 15 months. In that time, we recover the what we have paid for those layoffs.
Diego Cesarini: I think that it's less than approximately a year or 15 months. In that time, we recover what we have paid for those layoffs. In terms of loans, as I was saying, we are expecting every quarter to be a little better than the previous one. At the beginning, the focus, of course, will be on the commercial side, on bigger companies and medium-sized companies. Dollar demand, even if I said that May was coming a little soft, we are expecting to pick up quickly. We have many companies looking for dollar loans. Many projects were there. On the retail part of the business, we are more focused right now on our mortgages. Mortgages have shown a really low impact in NPLs. They are still at very low levels. People are paying. We are originating mortgages very cautiously with loans to value that are very safe.
Speaker #5: In terms of loans, as I was saying, we are expecting every quarter to be a little better than the previous one. At the beginning, the focus, of course, will be on the commercial side and bigger companies and medium-sized companies.
Speaker #5: Dollar demand, even if I said that May was coming a little soft, we are expecting to pick up quickly. We have many companies looking for dollar loans.
Speaker #5: Many projects were there. And on the retail part of the business, we are more focused right now on mortgages. Mortgages have shown a really low impact in NPLs.
Speaker #5: They are still very at very low level. People are paying. We are originating mortgages very cautiously with loans to value that are very safe.
Speaker #5: So we are not slowing down on mortgages. We were the only bank that in the fourth quarter of last year kept our very competitive prices.
Diego Cesarini: We are not slowing down on mortgages. We were the only bank that in Q4 of last year kept very competitive prices, so we are still leading the recovery in this market. The same with pledges, even if in car loans, even if Q1 was not as big in new demand. We are partners with four brands, and we have a substantial portion of the new car loans. We still want to be there. It's the same as in mortgages. We think that the retail demand of loans should be rotating from consumer, which consumer has had an abnormal portion of bank's portfolios in the past years as a consequence of the economic situation. As stability is growing in Argentina, we should see that these investment lines, like cars or mortgages, should take a bigger part of our portfolio in the future.
Speaker #5: So we are still leading this the recovery in this market. And the same with pledges. Even if in car loans, even if the first quarter was not as big in new demand, we are partners with four brands and we have a substantial portion of the new car loans.
Speaker #5: So we still want to be there. It's the same that in mortgages. We think that the retail demand of loans should be rotating from consumer, which is consumer has had an abnormal portion of banks' portfolios in the past years as a consequence of the economic situation.
Speaker #5: But as stability is growing in Argentina, we should see that this investment lines like cars or mortgages should take a bigger part of our portfolio in the future.
Speaker #5: But as I said before, this is probably this is not the year to be that aggressive in general terms in retail business. We have been growing very fast in the past two years.
Diego Cesarini: As I said before, probably this is not the year to be that aggressive in general terms in retail business. We have been growing very fast in the past two years. We grew more than 80% in real terms in 2024. We grew almost 50% last year. It doesn't really matter if this year we are growing 20%, 15% or 25%. It's the same. We intend to keep growing in the country, and there is a lot of room to keep going. We are not really in a hurry, especially in the retail business, until general conditions start to improve.
Speaker #5: We grew more than 80% in real terms in 2024. Then we grew almost 50% last year. So it doesn't really matter if this year we are growing 20, 15, or 25.
Speaker #5: It's the same. We intend to keep growing in the country and there is a lot of room to keep going. So we are not really in a hurry.
Speaker #5: Especially in the retail business until general conditions start to improve.
Speaker #6: Okay. Thank you very much.
William Barranjard: Okay. Thank you very much.
Speaker #5: You're welcome, William.
Diego Cesarini: You're welcome, William.
Speaker #3: Our next question comes from Martín Argento with Delta Asset Management. Sorry, you can open your microphone. I believe he's having some technical issues. Sir, can you open your microphone?
Operator 2: Our next question comes from Martin Argento with Delta Asset Management. Sir, you can open your microphone. I believe he's having some technical issues. Sir, can you open your microphone?
Speaker #3: We are going to go ahead to.
Martin Argento: Hello. Now you hear me? Sorry.
Speaker #7: Hello. Now you hear me? Sorry. I have a problem with the microphone.
Operator 2: Yes, we can hear you.
Martin Argento: problem with the microphone.
Speaker #3: Yes, we can. Go ahead.
Operator 2: Go ahead.
Speaker #7: Yes, sorry. Hi, thanks for taking my question. I have a few quick questions. First, on efficiency—the ratio came in at 51% this quarter. I know that's partly impacted by this one-off severance.
Martin Argento: Yeah, sorry. Hi. Thanks for taking my question. I have a few quick questions. First, on efficiency, the ratio came in 51% this quarter. Partly, I know that impact by this one-off severance, but where do you see the efficiency ratio landing by year-end, and what's the steady state in the long term? The other question is about ROE. You have guided to mid-10 for 2026, and I know it's tough to give a number for 2027 given the election cycle. Directionally, where do you see ROE in the longer term, when the cycle fully normalized, if you imagine? Related with this, how much of drag from RESPAM for ROE nowadays? That's the question.
Speaker #7: But where do you see the efficiency ratio landing by your end? And what's the steady state in the long term? And the other question is about ROE.
Speaker #7: You have guided to mid-10th for 2026. And I know it's tough to give a number for 2027, given the election cycle. But directionally, where do you see your ROE in the longer term?
Speaker #7: When the cycle fully normalizes, if you imagine. And related to this, how much of a drag is RevPAM for ROE nowadays? That's the question.
Speaker #5: Okay. Thanks, Martín, for the question. Regarding efficiency, well, this last year, as a whole, our efficiency was 53.9%. Last quarter of last year was really low, but because of one-offs, probably.
Diego Cesarini: Okay, thanks, Martin, for the question. Regarding efficiency, well, last year as a whole, our efficiency was 53.9%. Q4 of last year was really low, but because of one-offs probably. When you compare to this Q1, you see a spike in the ratio that jumps to 51. It also, as you mentioned, has some one-offs. For the whole year, for this year, we are expecting to be much better than the previous one. As our fees are improving, we have been improving in fees, we have been improving in NII, of course, as we have been mentioning for some quarters, and our expenses are under control. We are expecting a better performance of this ratio. Probably it will be, the year as a whole, below 50.
Speaker #5: And when you compare to this first quarter, you see a spike in the ratio that jumps to 51. But it also, as you mentioned, has some one-offs.
Speaker #5: For the whole year, for this year, we are expecting to be much better than the previous one our fees are improving. We have been improving in fees.
Speaker #5: We have been improving in NII, of course, as we have been mentioning for some quarters. And our expenses are under control. So we are expecting a better performance of this ratio, probably it will be the year as a whole below 50.
Speaker #5: I could say that it could be around 48, 49. But it should be a substantial improvement compared to the coming to the past years.
Diego Cesarini: I could say that it could be around 48, 49, but it should be a substantial improvement compared to the past years. In the future, we need, of course, to keep improving on this ratio. It's still very high. We do not have a specific target, but yes, we know that banks, of course, and our bank is going to keep growth in place. Volume should offset the fall in NIMs, and fees should keep going. As I said before, expenses should be kept under control. The trend for this ratio is that it will keep going down. Regarding ROE, yes, it's very difficult, as you said, giving guidance for coming years as we do not have a track record of normal years, as I'd like to say, in Argentina.
Speaker #5: In the future, we need, of course, to keep improving on this ratio. It's still very, very high. We do not have a specific target, but yes, we know that banks, of course, and our bank is going to keep growth in place.
Speaker #5: So volume should offset the fall in NIMS and fees should keep going. And as I said before, expenses should be kept under control. So the trend for this ratio is that it will keep going down.
Speaker #5: Regarding ROE, yes, it's very difficult, as you said, given guidance for coming years as we do not have a track record of normal years as I like to say in Argentina.
Speaker #5: We have been living under regulations and many well, yes, many regulations that have kept us from having normal banking activity. We know that we still have a lot of room to grow we are confident that we'll reach higher ROEs.
Diego Cesarini: We have been living under regulations and many regulations that have kept us from having normal banking activity. We know that we still have a lot of room to grow. We are confident that we'll reach higher ROEs. We know that when hyperinflation accountancy, when we get rid of that, we do not have a specific date for that, but we know that Argentina could possibly comply with one of the requirements. That is, having an accrued inflation over the last 36 months below 100%. That requirement could be met by the end of next year, but it doesn't necessarily mean that the central bank is going to rule, that we can get rid of that kind of accountancy. Of course, that makes us, right now, not comparable to banks in other geographies.
Speaker #5: We know that when hyperinflation accountancy, when we get rid of that, we do not have a specific date for that. But we know that Argentina could possibly comply with one of the requirements, that is having an accrued inflation over the last 36 months below 100%.
Speaker #5: That requirement could be met by the end of next year. But it doesn't necessarily mean that the central bank is going to rule that we have to that we can get rid of that kind of accountancy.
Speaker #5: But of course, that makes us not right now not comparable to banks in other geographies. If we had to compare with Brazilian or a Peruvian or a Colombian bank in countries where inflation is running among 3 and 4 or 5 percent, well, if we when we saw ROEs from those geographies, you should subtract 2, 3, 4 percent from those ROEs to make them comparable with the banks in Argentina.
Diego Cesarini: If we had to compare with a Brazilian or a Peruvian or a Colombian bank in countries where inflation is running among 3% and 4% or 5%, well, when we show ROEs from those geographies, you should subtract 2%, 3%, or 4% from those ROEs to make them comparable with banks in Argentina. The impact, the precision, let's suppose that in 2028, we are without that adjustment. The impact is difficult to consider because it will depend on how high inflation is at that moment. If inflation is running at 3%, let's say, it's difficult, but the impact will be small. If inflation is still running at 10%, 12%, the impact will be much higher.
Speaker #5: The impact, the precise let's suppose that in 2028, we are without that adjustment. The impact, it's difficult to consider because it will depend on how high inflation is at that moment.
Speaker #5: If inflation is running at 3%, let's say, it's difficult, but the impact will be small. If inflation is still running at 10, 12 percent, the impact will be much higher.
Speaker #5: But just trying to make it brief, we think that we have a lot of room to keep improving on our ROE. And we know that if we want to even if we are very comfortable with our capital position, we know that if we want to be a bigger bank in a bigger financial system, we have to deliver on ROE.
Diego Cesarini: Just trying to make it brief, we think that we have a lot of room to keep improving on our ROE, and we know that even if we are very comfortable with our capital position, we know that if we want to be a bigger bank in a bigger financial system, we have to deliver on ROE. That's very clear for us.
Speaker #5: That's very clear for us.
Speaker #3: Our next question comes from Marco Ceru with Alaria.
Operator 2: Our next question comes from Marcos Cerú with Allaria.
Marcos Cerú: Hi. Good morning. Thank you for taking my question. It is about NPLs. The central bank rules require to classify a loan as non-performing, even if that client isn't non-performing with you, but it is delinquent with another bank. I wanted to know how much of the NPL you reported is driven by this cross-bank reclassification rule, and how much is clients that are actually delinquent with the bank. Also another question, if you could separate the deposits and loan growth sorry, guidance between pesos and dollars. Thank you.
Speaker #5: Hi. Good morning. Thank you for taking my question. It is about MPL. The central bank rules required to classify a loan as non-performing. Even if that client isn't a non-performing with you, but it is delinquent with another bank.
Speaker #5: I wanted to know how much of the MPL you reported is driven by this cross-bank reclassification rule, and how much is clients that are actually delinquent with the bank.
Speaker #5: And also another question, if you could separate the deposits and loan growth sorry, guidance between pesos and dollars. Thank you.
Speaker #3: Hello, Marcos. Thank you for your question. The first part regarding what you said about having in stage three on IFRS or stage three and over on the central bank classification, this only applies for commercial loans, not for individuals.
Belén Fourcade: Hello, Marcos. Thank you for your question. The first part, regarding what you said about having in stage 3 on IFRS or stage 3 and over on the central bank classification. This only applies for commercial loans, not for individuals. I think you mean this rule where you have to classify a client as non-performing if they are non-performing in another bank. This only applies for commercial, we have had almost nothing. Our commercial NPL is below 1%. The only, maybe worsening, but that we are already seeing an improvement by April, was with some SMEs, but we don't have any particular clients, or that is substantial to your question and to our provisioning. I think that's what you meant in this case, if I'm not mistaken.
Speaker #3: I think you mean this rule where you have to classify a client as non-performing if they are non-performing in another bank. This only applies for commercial.
Speaker #3: And we have had almost nothing. I mean, our commercial MPL is below 1%. And the only maybe worsening, but that we are already seeing an improvement by April was with some SMEs.
Speaker #3: But we don't have any particular clients or that is substantial to your question and to our provisioning. I think that's what you meant in this case.
Speaker #3: If I'm not mistaken.
Speaker #5: Yes, yes. Perfect. Okay. And regarding the other question, Marcos, of course, we are seeing stronger growth on dollar deposits and loans than in pesos for this year.
Diego Cesarini: Yes. Perfect. Regarding the other question, Marcos Cerú, of course, we are seeing stronger growth on USD deposits and loans than in pesos for this year. Regarding pesos, Central Bank of the Argentine Republic monetary policy has been very restrictive in the last couple of years. As a system, deposits have not grown in the last two years. The bank, BBVA Argentina, yes, we have grown a lot because we have gained market share. For this year, which is not especially strong, as I was mentioning, in local currency, we are expecting both deposits and loan growth in local currency of around 10% to 15% in real terms. Of course, that means that we are seeing a strong H2 of the year, because the year started very slow. Regarding USD, we are seeing deposit growth of around 30%, and loan growth of around 40%.
Speaker #5: Regarding pesos, the central bank monetary policy has been very restrictive. In the last couple of years, as a system, deposits have not grown. In the last two years, the bank, BBVA, yes, we have grown a lot because we have gained market share.
Speaker #5: But for this year, which is not especially strong, as I was mentioning in local currency, we are expecting both deposits and loan growth in local currency.
Speaker #5: Of around 10%, 10 to 15 percent in real terms. Of course, that means that we are seeing a strong second half of the year.
Speaker #5: Because the year started very slow. And in dollar, regarding dollars, we are seeing deposit growth of around 30%. And dollar and sorry, and loan growth of around 40%.
Speaker #3: Our next question comes from Brian Flores with Sici.
Operator 2: Our next question comes from Brian Flores with Citi.
Speaker #6: Hi, team. Thank you for the opportunity of circling back here. I think we didn't touch on the regulatory side. So I just wanted to check with you because we know that the government has been really I would say flexibilizing some of the measures.
Brian Flores: Hi, team. Thank you for the opportunity of circling back here. I think we didn't touch on the regulatory side, so just wanted to check with you because we know that the government has been really, I would say, flexibilizing some of the measures. Just wanted to check with you if there's any short-term, low-hanging fruits that the banking system as a whole is still asking for in terms of support on the regulation side. Diego, I think maybe the idea we get from what you mentioned today, along with Belén, is that we are seeing more of a normalized cycle, right? In terms of credit. Just, you spoke a bit on, I would say, some better trends on, I wouldn't say very optimistic trends, but better trends in terms of credit demand.
Speaker #6: So I just wanted to check with you if there's any short-term low-hanging fruits that the banking system as a whole is still asking for in terms of support on the regulation side.
Speaker #6: And also, Diego, I think maybe the idea we get from what you mentioned today along with Belen is that we are seeing more of a normalized cycle, right, in terms of credit?
Speaker #6: So just you spoke a bit on I would say some better trends on I wouldn't say very optimistic trends, but better trends in terms of credit demand.
Speaker #6: So if you could maybe in your view provide a view of what is missing here as the missing piece to maybe turn the whole cycle around in a more, I would say, strong way, given the solid initial traction that we are seeing.
Brian Flores: If you could maybe, in your view, provide a view of what is missing here as the missing piece to maybe turn the whole cycle around in a more, I would say, strong way, no? Given the solid initial traction that we are seeing.
Speaker #5: Okay. Thanks, Brian. Regarding your first questions about regulations, we all know what happened in the third quarter of last year and all the reserve requirement regulations that were put in place that meant of course interest rates going up very, very quickly.
Diego Cesarini: Okay. Thanks, Brian. Regarding your first questions about regulations, we all know what happened in Q3 of last year and all the reserve requirement regulations that were put in place. That meant, of course, interest rates going up very quickly, the impact that it had in our NIIs, and all the difficulties we had operationally, because it was very difficult to comply on those reserve requirements on a daily basis. Those regulations have been mainly removed. I think that made sense. It was on the Central Bank agenda that as soon as elections were over, they were going to dismantle all this, and they have complied with that. We are seeing an environment of less volatility, rates going down. Everything has normalized pretty well. There are minor issues, of course. Reserve requirements are still very high in Argentina.
Speaker #5: The impact that it had in our NIIs. And all the difficulties we had in operationally. Because it was very difficult to comply on those reserve requirements on a daily basis.
Speaker #5: So those regulations have been mainly removed. I think that made sense. It was on the central bank agenda that as soon as elections were over, they should they were going to dismantle all this and they had a comply with that.
Speaker #5: So we are seeing an environment of less volatility, rates going down, everything has normalized pretty well. So there are minor issues. Of course, reserve requirements are still very high in Argentina, you know.
Speaker #5: Even if not the 100% of those requirements, mean necessarily some harm to our incomes. If you consider local currency, reserve requirements reach 30% of our deposits, but just one-third of that, we complied on a central bank account at zero rate and the remaining two-thirds of those requirements are met with bond positions that we would hold anyway.
Diego Cesarini: Even if not the 100% of those requirements mean necessarily some harm to our incomes. If you consider local currency, reserve requirements reach 30% of our deposits, but just one third of that, we complied on a Central Bank account at zero rate, and the remaining two-thirds of those requirements are met with bond positions that we would hold anyway. What we assume is that whenever loan demand in pesos pick up and Central Bank is comfortable regarding the path of inflation, they will start to release these abnormally high reserve requirements. In the meantime, I have to say that we have more liquidity. We have enough liquidity to grow, even if Central Bank doesn't decrease this level of requirements in the short term. We are not worried about liquidity.
Speaker #5: So what we assume is that whenever a loan demand in pesos pick up and central bank is comfortable regarding the path of inflation, they will start to release these abnormally high reserve requirements.
Speaker #5: In the meantime, I have to say that we are we have more liquidity we have free liquidity. We have enough liquidity to grow even if central bank doesn't decrease this level of requirements in the short term.
Speaker #5: So we are not worried about liquidity. We think that we still can gain some market share in local currency. And of course, in foreign currency too.
Diego Cesarini: We think that we still can gain some market share in local currency, and of course, in foreign currency too. Liquidity is not really an issue. To complete your question regarding all other regulatory issues, I think that there's nothing really very important, very substantial. We are always talking, and the bank is always willing to receive our comments on small issues. I think that the system is working really good right now. Regarding what is needed to normalize the cycle of credit, I think that we should bear in mind that a lot of things are happening in Argentina, and not everything has its effect that quick. We come from many decades of doing things wrong from the economic and institutional and political points of view. Just to bear in mind, a lot has happened in the past four or five months.
Speaker #5: So liquidity is not really an issue. And to complete your question regarding all other regulatory issues, I think that there's nothing really very, very, very important, very substantial.
Speaker #5: We are always talking and central bank is always willing to receive our comments on small issues. But I think that the system is working really, really good right now.
Speaker #5: Regarding what is needed to normalize the cycle of credit, I think that we should put we should bear in mind that a lot of things are happening in Argentina.
Speaker #5: And not everything has its effect that quick. We come from many decades of doing things wrong from the economic and institutional and political points of view.
Speaker #5: And just to have to bear in mind, a lot has happened in the past four or five months. Argentina has passed two or three very important reforms, labor reform, glacier law amendment.
Diego Cesarini: Argentina has passed two or three very important reforms, labor reform, Glacier Law amendment. We have the new RIGI. We have passed a budget. The Central Bank has started buying dollars. A rating agency has improved the rating of the country. We keep the fiscal load, and inflation keeps going down. Argentinian companies and some sovereigns have been issuing plenty of dollars in foreign markets. We have lower rates. We have lower taxes for exports. I'm probably forgetting a lot of things, good, that are happening to Argentina, and that probably those things will start to have an effect on activity soon. Probably we are a little anxious regarding how quick this can happen. We have to bear in mind that we come from many decades of mismanagement on these issues. I think that we are on the right path.
Speaker #5: We have the new RIGI. We have passed a budget. The central bank has started buying dollars. A rating agency has improved the rating of the country.
Speaker #5: We keep the fiscal order. Inflation keeps going down. So Argentinian companies and subsovereigns have been issuing plenty of dollars in foreign markets. We have a lower rates.
Speaker #5: We have a lower taxes for exports. So I'm probably forgetting a lot of things, good, that are happening to Argentina. And that probably those things will start to have an effect on activity soon.
Speaker #5: But probably we are a little anxious regarding how quick this can happen. But we have to bear in mind that we come from many decades of mismanagement on these issues.
Speaker #5: So I think that we are on the right path. Eventually, things will start to get better. Of course, I cannot tell when this is going to happen.
Diego Cesarini: Eventually, things will start to get better. Of course, I cannot tell when this is going to happen, but having lower rates, just to give an example, and lower inflation in the coming months and quarters probably should prove to be two very good pieces of news for our short-term activity. We think that, of course, when we originate, just to take the example of retail business, of course, we keep originating retail loans at a much lower expense than a year ago. We are giving those loans to our best customers, let's say, at lower rates. Those loans are proving to behave better. They are behaving really good. With time, we will start to be a little more loose on how we can keep originating those kinds of loans. We will be making proofs, and eventually, we will get more comfortable with this origination.
Speaker #5: But having lower rates, just to give an example, and lower inflation in the coming months and quarters, probably should prove to be a very good pieces of news for our short-term activity.
Speaker #5: So we think that of course, when we originate just to take the example of retail business, of course, we keep originating retail loans much but much lower extent than the year ago.
Speaker #5: And we are giving those loans to our best customers, let's say, at lower rates. And those loans are providing are proving to behave better.
Speaker #5: They are behaving really good. So we will with time, we will start to be a little more loose on how we can keep originating those kinds of loans.
Speaker #5: We will be making proofs and eventually, we will get more comfortable with this origination. But of course, we are not in a hurry, as I said before.
Diego Cesarini: Of course, we are not in a hurry. As I said before, we have been growing fast in the past 2 years. We have gained a place of relevance in the financial system. We are number 2 bank in market share in private loans. We were number 4 three or 4 years ago. All this without having acquired any other entity. We are very confident that we are on the right path.
Speaker #5: We have been growing fast in the coming two in the past two years. We have gained a place of relevance in the financial system.
Speaker #5: We are bank number two bank in market share in private loans. We are number four, three or four years ago. And all this without having acquired any other entities.
Speaker #5: So we are very confident that we are on the right path.
Speaker #1: Thank you. This concludes today's question-and-answer session. I would now like to hand the floor back to BBVA's team for closing remarks.
Operator 2: Thank you. This concludes today's question and answer. I would now like to hand the floor back to BBVA's team for closing remarks.
Speaker #3: Okay. Thanks. Well, I want to thank again for joining. We are really pleased, as we said, that how BBVA has been able to carry out our strategy in a context that all of you know that has not been the ideal in the last three quarters.
Diego Cesarini: Okay, thanks. Well, I want to thank you again for joining. We are really pleased, as we said, at how BBVA has been able to carry out our strategy in a context that all of you know that has not been the ideal in the last three quarters, and especially having been able to make the necessary tactical amendments to our strategy. We know that we have been able to keep our growth strategy, as I said. We have shown for our second quarter in a row with a sequential improvement in our net income, though we are still very far from what we think is our potential.
Speaker #3: And especially having been able to make the necessary tactical amendments to our strategy. We know that we have been able to keep our growth strategy, as I said, we have shown the for our second quarter in a row with a sequential improvement in our net income.
Speaker #3: Though we are still very far from what we think is our potential. And of course, we remain very focused and confident that we all these reforms that are taking place in the country and the better financial conditions that we are starting to see these quarters, we should be soon able to resume growth and keep this path of improvement in our financial performance.
Diego Cesarini: Of course, we remain very focused and confident that all these reforms that are taking place in the country and the better financial conditions that we are starting to see these quarters, we should be soon able to resume growth and keep this path of improvement in our financial performance. That's all. Thanks again for joining.
Speaker #3: So that's all. And thanks again for joining.
Speaker #1: Thank you. This concludes today's conference call. You may now disconnect.
Operator 2: Thank you. This concludes today's conference call. You may now disconnect. Goodbye.
