RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Truist’s Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results
On January 18, 2024, we reported earnings for the fourth quarter of 2023. Outlined below is a summary of those results. Our fourth quarter 2023 consolidated financial results below are unaudited and preliminary. Such results are based on information available to management as of the date of the earnings report and is subject to completion by management of our financial statements as of and for the period ended December 31, 2023. There can be no assurance that actual results for the third quarter will not differ from these preliminary financial data and any such changes could be material. Complete quarterly and annual results will be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2023, which we expect to file with the SEC on or before February 29, 2024, which will contain more detailed information than is included below. Our fourth quarter 2023 consolidated financial results below should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023, and September 30, 2023, which are incorporated by reference herein.
The preliminary financial data included in this document has been prepared by, and is the responsibility of, Truist’s management. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has not audited, reviewed, examined, compiled, nor applied agreed-upon procedures with respect to the preliminary financial data. Accordingly, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto.
Earnings Overview—Fourth Quarter 2023 Compared to Fourth Quarter 2022
Net loss to common shareholders was $5.2 billion, or $3.85 per diluted share compared to net income available to common shareholders of $1.1 billion or $0.80 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2023. The current quarter includes a non-cash goodwill impairment of $6.1 billion, or $4.53 per share, which has no impact on our liquidity, regulatory capital ratios, or our ability to pay our common dividend and service our clients’ financial needs; an FDIC special assessment of $507 million ($387 million after-tax), or $0.29 per share; a discrete tax benefit of $204 million, or $0.15 per share; and charges of $183 million ($139 million after-tax), or $0.10 per share, primarily due to restructuring activities related to our cost savings program.
Taxable-equivalent net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2023 was down $20 million, or 0.6%, compared to the third quarter of 2023 primarily due to lower earning assets and higher funding costs. The net interest margin was 2.98%, up three basis points.
The yield on the average total loan portfolio was 6.36%, up 11 basis points and the yield on the average securities portfolio was 2.41%, up 15 basis points.
The average cost of total deposits was 1.90%, up nine basis points and the average cost of short-term borrowings was 5.62%, up 15 basis points. The average cost of long-term debt was 4.67%, up 16 basis points. The increase in rates on deposits and other funding sources was largely attributable to the higher rate environment.
Noninterest income was up $47 million, or 2.2%, compared to the third quarter of 2023 primarily due to higher service charges on deposits and lending related fees, partially offset by lower other income.
Noninterest expense was up $6.5 billion compared to the third quarter of 2023 due to goodwill impairment of $6.1 billion, the FDIC special assessment (regulatory costs) of $507 million, higher merger-related and restructuring charges, and higher professional fees and outside processing expense, partially offset by lower personnel expense and other expense. The goodwill impairment was primarily due to the continued impact of higher interest rates and discount rates, and a sustained decline in banking industry share prices, including Truist’s. Merger-related and restructuring charges for the current quarter include increased severance charges due to the ongoing transformation efforts as well as the continuation of specific facilities optimization costs. Adjusted noninterest expenses, which exclude goodwill impairment, the FDIC special assessment, merger-related and restructuring costs, and the amortization of intangibles, decreased $160 million, or 4.5%, compared to the prior quarter.
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