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Citigroup Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 13 October 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net income up 40% to $5.2B: Net income was $5.2 billion, versus $3.8 billion a year earlier on a reported basis, driven by higher revenues and lower expenses, partly offset by a higher provision. Source
  • Revenue up 8% year on year: Revenues of $23.8 billion rose 8%, led by Services, Wealth, Markets and Banking, with All Other lower. Revenues were 4% below the second quarter's $24.8 billion. Source
  • Services revenue up 15%: Services revenues were $6.6 billion. Net interest income rose 17% on higher average deposit balances and spreads, and non-interest revenue rose 12% on higher fees. Net income was $2.6 billion, up 27%. Source
  • Provision up 6% to $2.6B: The provision was $2.6 billion, with net credit losses of $2.2 billion, unchanged year on year, and a net reserve build of $369 million. Source
  • Operating expenses down 2%: Operating expenses were $14.0 billion, down 2% on a reported basis. Excluding the prior-year notable item, expenses rose 3%. Source
  • CET1 ratio unchanged at 12.8%: The CET1 capital ratio was 12.8%, unchanged from the prior quarter, with net income and a lower DTA deduction offset by buybacks, dividends and AFS unrealized losses. Source
  • $4.1B returned to common shareholders: Citigroup returned $4.1 billion to common shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. The payout ratio was 85%. Source
  • Near-term return goal of 11-13%: Management said it is pulling forward investments toward an 11-13% near-term goal, the next waypoints to sustainable returns of 14-15%. Source

“Our performance in the quarter, which included the best third-quarter revenue in a decade, positive operating leverage and meaningful improvement in our returns, reflects the continued disciplined and consistent execution of our strategy.”

Citi Chair and CEO Jane Fraser

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Return on average tangible common equity Sourcenear term11-13%New
Return on average tangible common equity Sourcelonger term14-15%New

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: The 11-13% near-term return goal and the 14-15% sustainable-return path appear in this release. The prior release did not state them. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Net income up 40% to $5.2B: Net income was $5.2 billion, versus $3.8 billion a year earlier on a reported basis, driven by higher revenues and lower expenses, partly offset by a higher provision. Source
  • Revenue up 8% year on year: Revenues of $23.8 billion rose 8%, led by Services, Wealth, Markets and Banking, with All Other lower. Revenues were 4% below the second quarter's $24.8 billion. Source
  • Net interest income up, fees down: Net interest income rose 14%. Non-interest revenue fell 4% on lower Markets and USCC revenue, partly offset by growth in All Other, Services, Banking and Wealth. Source
  • Diluted EPS rose to $2.85: Diluted EPS was $2.85, up from $1.86, reflecting higher net income and a lower share count from repurchases. Source

Services and Markets

  • Services revenue up 15%: Services revenues were $6.6 billion. Net interest income rose 17% on higher average deposit balances and spreads, and non-interest revenue rose 12% on higher fees. Net income was $2.6 billion, up 27%. Source
  • Cross-border and card volumes rose: Treasury and Trade Solutions revenues rose 16% to $4.9 billion. Cross-border transaction value rose 10%, commercial card spend 10% and U.S. dollar clearing volume 5%. Source
  • Assets under custody up 16%: Securities Services revenues rose 13% to $1.7 billion. Assets under custody and administration were $35 trillion, preliminary, up 16%. Source
  • Markets revenue up 6%: Markets revenues were $6.1 billion. Equity markets rose 14% and Fixed Income markets rose 4%. Rates and currencies were unchanged, and spread products rose 13%. Source
  • Prime balances grew over 40%: Equity markets revenues were $1.7 billion, up 14%. Prime balances rose over 40% from new balances onboarded and market valuations, partly offset by lower derivatives revenues. Source

“We expect to exceed this year's return target, even as we pull forward investments toward our 11-13% near-term goal - the next waypoints on our path to sustainable returns of 14-15%,”

Citi Chair and CEO Jane Fraser

Banking, Wealth and cards

  • Banking revenue up 6%: Banking revenues were $1.7 billion, including loan hedge gains. Investment banking rose 9%, with equity underwriting up 77% as share was gained in follow-ons and convertibles. Source
  • Corporate Lending revenue down 16%: Corporate Lending revenues were $382 million excluding loan hedges. The decline reflected lower loan spreads, partly offset by higher average balances and commitments. Source
  • Wealth revenue up 15%: Wealth revenues were $3.3 billion, with net interest income up 20% on higher deposit spreads and balances. Net income was $585 million, up 93%. Net new investment assets were $38 billion, preliminary. Source
  • USCC revenue flat on card rewards: USCC revenues were $4.7 billion, unchanged. Non-interest revenue fell 62% on higher partner payment accruals and rewards costs. USCC net income was $851 million, down 8%. Source
  • Card credit losses fell 4%: USCC net credit losses were $1.7 billion, down 4%, mainly from better credit performance in private label cards. General Purpose cards drove loan growth with a return above 21%. Source

Credit and Legacy Franchises

  • Provision up 6% to $2.6B: The provision was $2.6 billion, with net credit losses of $2.2 billion, unchanged year on year, and a net reserve build of $369 million. Source
  • Non-accrual loans down 12%: Corporate non-accrual loans fell 16% to $1.7 billion, and consumer non-accrual loans fell 5% to $1.5 billion. Total non-accrual loans were $3.3 billion. Source
  • Reserve ratio at 2.5%: Total ACL on loans was $20.1 billion, and total allowance for credit losses was $22.4 billion. The reserve-to-funded loan ratio was 2.5%. Source
  • All Other revenue down 3%: All Other managed revenues were $1.4 billion, down 3%. Legacy Franchises revenue was $1.8 billion, while Corporate/Other revenue was negative $415 million. Source
  • Mexico Consumer losses rose 46%: All Other net credit losses were $433 million, up 46%, from higher volume and portfolio seasoning in Mexico Consumer. Source

“Wealth saw steady, broad-based growth across all three businesses, with a return of over 14% - well above last year.”

Citi Chair and CEO Jane Fraser

Costs, margins and efficiency

  • Operating expenses down 2%: Operating expenses were $14.0 billion, down 2% on a reported basis. Excluding the prior-year notable item, expenses rose 3%. Source
  • Banamex impairment in prior year: Prior-year results included a $726 million goodwill impairment ($714 million after-tax), tied to Citi's agreement to sell a 25% stake in Banamex. Source
  • Compensation and servicing costs rose: Expenses rose on higher transactional and product servicing costs, deposit insurance costs, compensation and benefits, and the Citi Foundation contribution, partly offset by lower professional services. Source
  • Markets expenses up 7%: Markets operating expenses were $3.8 billion, up 7%, on higher transactional expenses and compensation, including performance-related pay and severance. Source
  • Efficiency ratio at 58.5%: The efficiency ratio was 58.5%, up from 57.4% in the second quarter and down from 64.7% a year earlier. Source
  • Net interest income up 14%: Net interest income rose 14% on growth in Markets, Services, Wealth and USCC, partly offset by declines in All Other and Banking. Source

Deposits, loans and card accounts

  • Loans up 12% year on year: End-of-period loans were $820 billion, up 12%, and average loans were $809 billion, up 12%, led by Markets, USCC, Wealth, Banking and Services. Source
  • Deposits about $1.5T, up 9%: End-of-period deposits were $1,505 billion, up 9%. Average deposits were about $1.5 trillion, up 11%, driven by Services. Source
  • American Airlines card portfolio included: USCC results and balances in both quarters include the additional American Airlines co-branded portfolio onboarded in the second quarter. New accounts acquired were 3.1 million, down 43%. Source

Capital and shareholder returns

  • CET1 ratio unchanged at 12.8%: The CET1 capital ratio was 12.8%, unchanged from the prior quarter, with net income and a lower DTA deduction offset by buybacks, dividends and AFS unrealized losses. Source
  • $4.1B returned to common shareholders: Citigroup returned $4.1 billion to common shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. The payout ratio was 85%. Source
  • Book value per share $115.61: Book value per share was $115.61, up 7% year on year. Tangible book value per share was $101.59, up 6%. Source
  • SLR 5.0% versus 5.2%: The supplementary leverage ratio was 5.0% for the third quarter, down from 5.2% at the end of the prior quarter. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Near-term return goal of 11-13%: Management said it is pulling forward investments toward an 11-13% near-term goal, the next waypoints to sustainable returns of 14-15%. Source
  • Investing for growth and AI: Management said it returned over $4 billion to common shareholders while continuing to invest in growth and prepare for an AI-driven future. Source
  • Quarter framed as disciplined execution: Management described the quarter as reflecting continued disciplined and consistent execution of the strategy, citing revenue, operating leverage and returns. Source

Coming up, as management said on 13 October 2026

  • Pulling forward investments: Management said it will pull forward investments toward the 11-13% near-term goal. Source
  • Full-year return target: Management expects to exceed this year's return target. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Net interest income Sourceup 14% year on year
Loans Sourceend-of-period $820 billion, up 12%
Deposits Sourceend-of-period $1,505 billion, up 9%; average about $1.5 trillion, up 11%
Provision for credit losses Source$2,586 million, up 6%
Net charge-offs Source$2.2 billion, unchanged year on year
Nonperforming assets Sourcenon-accrual loans $3.3 billion, down 12%
CET1 ratio Source12.8%
Efficiency ratio Source58.5%

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: Idiosyncratic downgrades in Services partly offset corporate non-accrual reductions in Markets. Source
  • Financial: All Other credit losses rose in Mexico Consumer on higher volume and seasoning. Source
  • Demand: Advisory revenue fell on a lower wallet, while debt underwriting shifted toward leveraged finance. Source
  • External: Banking provision reflected changes in credit quality and transfer risk, largely offset by portfolio growth. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management expects to exceed the return target for this year. Source
  • Not stated: Management describes the 11-13% near-term goal as the next waypoints toward sustainable returns of 14-15%. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.