Suncorp Results
Suncorp Results
ASX Announcement
FY23 Financial Results
—
9 August 2023
FY23 result delivers strong revenue growth and margin expansion; FY23 plan completed successfully
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Group NPAT Cash Earnings Insurance AU GWP Insurance NZ GWP Bank Home Lending
$1,148 million $1,254 million $10.2 billion NZ$2.4 billion $54.8 billion
pcp $681 million pcp $673 million 10.6%i, ii 14.3% 9.1%
− FY23 plan completed successfully, with improved stakeholder returns, setting strong foundations for the business going
forward
− Gross written premium (GWP) across Australia and New Zealand up 10.8%ii and underlying insurance trading ratio (ITR) of
10.9%, up from 9.0% (excluding COVID-19 impacts)
− Suncorp Bank Home lending growth of 9.1%, net interest margin (NIM) of 1.96%, and cost-to-income ratio of 51.8%
− Investment market returns of $724 million, primarily from the significant turnaround in mark-to-market losses in the prior year
− Fully franked full year ordinary dividend of 60 cents per share, up 50% on FY22
− Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital held at Group of $274 million, with appropriate levels of capital maintained across the
business units
− The Group placed its comprehensive FY24 reinsurance program successfully, but premiums were up on the prior year
− Suncorp has confirmed that it will support Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) through the Australian
Competition Tribunal process in its application for a review of the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission’s (ACCC)
determination, and is confident in the merits of the case
Suncorp Group Limited (ASX: SUN | ADR: SNMCY) today reported a material increase in earnings, driven by continued
momentum in top-line growth across the Group, improved underlying margins and a significant turnaround in investment returns.
Group net profit after tax (NPAT) of $1,148 million, and cash earnings of $1,254 million were both up significantly on FY22 which
was impacted by mark-to-market losses on investment portfolios. The Group has successfully completed its three-year plan to
FY23 (FY23 plan, three-year plan or the plan) and achieved its key financial and operational targets.
GWP growth of 10.6%ii in the Australian General Insurance business and 14.3% in New Zealand, reflected targeted price
increases required to address material rises in reinsurance and natural hazard costs and economy-wide inflation. The Group's
underlying ITR increased from 9.0% (excluding COVID-19 impacts) to 10.9%. The improved ratio was supported by revenue
growth, improving expense ratios in the Australian business and an increase in investment yields. Margins have been impacted
by increased natural hazard and reinsurance costs, and claims inflation, particularly in the Motor portfolio.
In the Bank, growth in Home lending of 9.1% provided further evidence of improved broker and customer experiences. The
Bank’s cost-to-income ratio decreased to 51.8% from 59.0%, driven by revenue growth and cost management.
While the underlying business demonstrated strong momentum, the Group's results were again impacted by elevated natural
hazard activity. A third consecutive La Niña weather pattern, experienced across Australia and New Zealand for the majority of
the financial year, led to 15 separate weather events and around 130,000 natural hazard claims. This resulted in the Group
exceeding its natural hazard allowance by $97 million ($2 million favourable in Australia and $99 million unfavourable in New
Zealand)iii.
The Group’s natural hazard allowance for FY24 is $1,360 million, and its comprehensive reinsurance program was placed
successfully, with premiums up on the prior year. The changes to the reinsurance program will result in an approximately $340
million increase in capital required to be held by the Group.
Volatility continued in investment markets, although the impact of higher running yields more than offset any unfavourable mark-
to-market movements across the Group’s $16.2 billion investment portfolio. The net gain from yields and investment markets
was $724 million compared to a loss of $190 million in FY22.
Group operating expenses fell 1.9% to $2,727iv million, largely reflecting efficiency benefits from the strategic program of work,
and a decrease in project costs relative to the prior period, that more than offset significant inflationary pressures.
Other loss after tax increased $52 million to $76 million, largely due to the impact of a favourable one-off tax adjustment in the
prior period. Restructuring costs of $34 million after tax were primarily driven by the impact of flexible working arrangements on
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“This underscores the challenges facing the insurance industry in Australia and New Zealand and is why Suncorp continues to
drive greater efficiencies in our own business through initiatives such as our Best-in-class claims program. We also continue to
advocate that governments should provide a long-term program to support people living in areas that are prone to floods or
bushfires to help make their homes stronger and more resilient, or to relocate to a safer location.
“We also firmly believe our ability to continue to manage the risks associated with a changing climate, drive a more resilient
Australia and New Zealand through our products and advocacy and create further long-term shareholder value will be enhanced
as a dedicated Trans-Tasman insurance company.
“Suncorp will support ANZ through the next step of the merger authorisation process as it relates to the sale of Suncorp Bank,
being a referral of the ACCC’s recent decision not to approve the transaction to the Australian Competition Tribunal for review.
We remain fully committed to supporting Suncorp Bank while the process continues.”
Insurance (Australia)
Suncorp Bank
Organisational changes
Suncorp today announced changes to its operating model to embed a customer-centric focus and enhance the efficiency of the
business, aligned to its ambition of being the leading Trans-Tasman insurer. Suncorp will be organised around three core
insurance functions: Consumer, Commercial & Personal Injury and New Zealand, each with end-to-end accountabilities to
enable greater focus on customer and financial outcomes. There is no change to Suncorp Bank.
A new Consumer Insurance function will bring together responsibility for underwriting, pricing, product, distribution and claims for
our home and motor portfolios. This business will be led by Lisa Harrison, currently CEO Insurance Product Portfolio. Ms
Harrison’s new title will be CEO, Consumer Insurance.
A new Commercial & Personal Injury function will be established with the same end-to-end focus, recognising the importance of
commercial and statutory class portfolios to our strategy. This function will be elevated to the executive level and led by current
EGM Commercial Insurance Michael Miller, who will be promoted to the role of CEO, Commercial & Personal Injury Insurance.
The operational portfolios within Insurance Claims & Operations including First Line Risk, Real Estate and Procurement will shift
to a renamed Technology & Operations and will be led by Adam Bennett, whose new title will be Group Executive Technology &
Operations.
After almost 29 years with Suncorp and having successfully led a number of different teams across the business, Insurance
COO Paul Smeaton has indicated his desire to retire from a fulltime executive career towards the end of 2023. Paul will support
the transition to the new operating model until he departs.
Mr Johnston thanked Mr Smeaton for his immense contribution to Suncorp over three decades. Mr Johnston also congratulated
Mr Miller on joining the Executive Leadership Team and said that his promotion was a testament to the strength of the talent
within the organisation.
Group outlook
Operational outlook: The operating environment remains challenging. While pressures in the supply chain are easing,
geopolitical and economic uncertainty, and persistent inflationary pressures continue to drive investment market volatility. Central
banks have tightened monetary policy in response to inflation and interest rates are expected to trend higher until inflation is
brought under control. Economic growth is expected to moderate.
Following three consecutive years of La Niña weather patterns, the Bureau of Meteorology has updated the likelihood of an El
Niño to 70% for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. Global reinsurance markets remain structurally disrupted and in a
hardening cycle reflecting adverse recent natural hazard experience and inflationary pressures. These factors impact the cost of
reinsurance, the degree of risk retention and, ultimately, the price of insurance products.
Strategic targets: Key strategic targets remain consistent with the previous aim of delivering a growing business with a
sustainable return on equity above the through-the-cycle cost of equity.
Insurance:
− Growth: GWP growth of around 10% is expected to be primarily driven by increases in AWP as the business responds to
increased input costs, including from reinsurance, natural hazards and supply chain inflation.
− Underlying ITR: The Group’s underlying ITR is supported by strong premium momentum, offset by higher reinsurance and
natural hazard costs, and claims inflation. Investment yields are expected to moderate as expectations for economic growth
and inflationary pressures ease. As previously signalled prior year reserve releases are also expected to continue to
moderate. Given these dynamics, an underlying ITR around the midpoint of the 10% to 12% range is targeted for FY24.
Given the timing of premium increases being earned and higher reinsurance and natural hazard costs along with persistent
claims inflation in Motor, the underlying ITR in 1H24 is expected to be at the bottom end of the range.
Over the medium-term the Group expects ongoing margin improvement as higher renewal premium rates are earned
through.
− Operating expenses: Expense ratios are expected to remain in-line with current levels noting expenses are expected to
increase with ongoing investment in growing the business.
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AASB 17: Following the application of AASB 17 from 1 July 2023, the metrics adopted by the Group will change to reflect the
new accounting standard. Suncorp will update the market in due course on the metrics considered and adopted. The value and
drivers of the business will remain materially unchanged.
Bank:
− Growth: Overall, system growth is expected to slow as economic growth moderates and against a backdrop of significantly
tighter monetary conditions. The Bank is targeting Home loan growth at around system.
− NIM: Competition in both lending and deposits is expected to keep NIMs under pressure. The Bank expects NIM to be
around the bottom of its 1.85% and 1.95% target range.
− Cost-to-income ratio: Considering the pressures to revenue from slowing credit growth and declining NIM, and cost
pressures due to inflation, the Bank’s cost-to-income ratio is expected to rise to around the mid-50s.
Bank transition costs: In light of the ACCC’s decision to not grant merger authorisation, Suncorp has confirmed its commitment
to supporting ANZ in its referral of the decision to the Tribunal. Progress on separating the Bank continues. Whilst there is no
change to the expected net proceeds from the transaction, there have been some offsetting changes in the component parts. In
particular, the Group now expects the separation and other costs to increase from $500 million to between $575 million to $600
million given the delay in completion as well as further clarity on the programme requirements. The Group will work through the
details of these costs and update the market once details are refined.
Capital: The Group will maintain its disciplined approach to active capital management, including holding appropriate capital
buffers. The Group maintains its commitment to a 60% to 80% dividend payout ratio, acknowledging the lower payout in FY23
reflected some significant shifts in capital, and as we work through the tribunal process relating to the sale of the Bank.
Bank Sale
Suncorp announced the sale of the Bank to ANZ on 18 July 2022. On 4 August 2023, following a lengthy process, the ACCC
decided not to grant merger authorisation for the acquisition of Suncorp Bank by ANZ. Suncorp has confirmed that it will support
ANZ through the Australian Competition Tribunal process in its decision to review of the ACCC determination. Subject to all the
regulatory and government approvals being received, completion is now expected by the middle of the 2024 calendar year. As
previously announced, the Group remains committed to returning to shareholders any capital that is excess to the needs of the
business following completion.
Authorised for lodgement with the ASX by the Suncorp Group Board
Analysts/Investors Media
i All changes refer to the prior corresponding period unless otherwise stated
ii Excluding emergency services levies and portfolio exits
iii The split between Australia and New Zealand is based on event location and excludes internal reinsurance arrangements
iv Excludes emergency services levies, transitional excess profits and losses (TEPL) provision, restructuring expenses and Wealth expenses
v Excludes emergency services levies
vi Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)
vii FY20 Home Lending excludes ‘Other Lending’
viii Total shareholder returns represents the return of common stock over the financial year with dividends fully reinvested
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DISCLAIMER: This announcement contains general information which is current as at 9 August 2023. It is information given in summary form and does not purport to
be complete. It is not a recommendation or advice in relation to Suncorp Group Limited (Suncorp) or any product or service offered by Suncorp or any of its
subsidiaries. It is not intended to be relied upon as advice to investors or potential investors, and does not take into account the investment objectives, financial
situation or needs of any particular investor. These factors should be considered, with or without professional advice, when deciding if an investment is appropriate.