Canada's TD, CIBC profits beat estimates; loan growth offsets higher costs, provisions

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: A logo of Toronto Dominion Bank (TD) is seen at a branch location in Toronto, March 6, 2014. REUTERS/Aaron Harris/File Photo

By Nichola Saminather

TORONTO (Reuters) -Toronto-Dominion Bank and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce posted better-than-expected third-quarter profits on Thursday, with the former driven by lower provisions for credit losses (PCL) than anticipated, and the latter's due to better revenues than predicted.

TD, Canada's second-largest lender, reported net income excluding one-off items of C$2.09 per share in the three months ended July 31, compared with C$1.96 a year earlier and analysts' expectations of C$2.04 a share.

At CIBC, the country's fifth-biggest bank, adjusted net income fell to C$1.85 per share from C$1.96 per share a year earlier. Analysts had estimated C$1.83.

Canadian banks have seen strong loan growth and margin expansion in the third quarter, but that has been countered to some degree by higher provisions for credit losses to protect against souring economic conditions and lower capital markets revenues amid market turmoil and a dearth of deals.

Both TD and CIBC posted strong year-on-year growth in adjusted revenue - 8% at TD and 10% at CIBC - but expenses also rose by similar magnitudes at both.

TD's took provisions for credit losses (PCL) of C$351 million, lower than the expected C$416 million. CIBC took C$243 million, largely in line with analysts' anticipated C$249 million. Both had released provisions a year earlier.

Canadian loan balances grew strongly at both banks.

Strong revenue growth in CIBC's commercial and wealth management, thanks to a 21% jump in business loans, boosted earnings. But high expenses weighed on adjusted profit in its Canadian retail banking business despite strong loan growth.

CIBC's capital markets business, however, reported lower earnings, despite strong growth in trading income, as expenses increased at more than double the pace of revenues.

TD's Canadian and U.S. retail business also posted increased earnings but profit in its wholesale banking business fell 18%, as lower underwriting fees outweighed higher trading revenues.

TD, which is in the process of completing its C$13.4 billion acquisition of First Horizon (NYSE:FHN) Corp in the United States, reiterated that it expects the deal to close in the first quarter of its fiscal 2023, subject to regulatory approvals.

The process remains on track and market concerns about potential delays are speculative, TD's Chief Financial Officer Kelvin Tran told Reuters.

TD has said the deal will be terminated if it does not close by Feb. 27, 2023, unless otherwise extended.