Original-Research: UmweltBank AG (by GBC AG): BUY
| Original-Research: UmweltBank AG – from GBC AG
04.05.2026 / 10:00 CET/CEST Classification of GBC AG to UmweltBank AG
Q1 results largely in line with expectations; capital requirement reduced by 60 basis points, price target unchanged In the first three months of 2026, UmweltBank AG reported a decline in net interest income. This amounted to €12.53 million (previous year: €13.66 million). This consists of income from investments of retail customer deposits (retail banking) as well as from lending (corporate banking). The foundation for the retail banking business was further strengthened in the first quarter of 2026 with an increase in customer deposits to €4,595 million (March 31, 2025: €3,930 million). The main driver of this growth is the overnight deposit promotion (3.0% for the first three months) that has been running since October 2025, which has led to a €718 million increase in customer deposits over the past two quarters (Q4 2025 and Q1 2026). A key feature of this special promotion, which is geared toward customer and deposit growth, is a temporary reduction in the interest margin starting from the respective deposit date. Only after the three-month period has expired and starting from the seventh month (fourth to sixth month: 1.5% p.a., from the seventh month currently 0.6%) a noticeable increase in the interest margin begins. The majority of customer deposits acquired at the end of 2025 and in the first quarter of 2026 were still predominantly within the three-month term as of the first quarter of 2026. This effect was somewhat offset by reallocations within the treasury portfolio, which were made under slightly improved terms. At the same time, the corporate banking business has not yet provided any impetus for net interest income. Although approximately €36 million in new loans were granted in the first quarter of 2026, outstanding environmental loans declined slightly due to repayments, from €3,143 million as of December 31, 2025, to €3,101 million. According to the company, the target of €450 million in gross new lending is expected to be easily achieved. This would increase the loan volume to €3.2 billion by the end of the 2026 fiscal year. Currently, approximately €200 million in loans are in preparation and another €70 million are in advanced negotiations. Additional loan inquiries totaling €500 million are also expected to have a positive impact on new business. Noteworthy in this regard is the entry in the first quarter of 2026 into the financing of battery energy storage systems, where loans totaling approximately €15 million were granted for the first time. At the same time, the scope for further loan growth has expanded. As part of a review, BaFin reduced the bank’s specific capital requirement by 60 basis points, resulting in a total capital requirement of 14.97% effective April 2026. As of March 31, 2026, UmweltBank AG had a total capital ratio of 16.84%. The significantly lower total revenue of €15.93 million in the first quarter of 2026 (previous year: €27.56 million) is primarily attributable to the decline in net financial income to €0.62 million (previous year: €12.38 million). The prior-year figure included a one-time effect from a profit distribution by a subsidiary. In light of the decline in total revenue, Umwelt-Bank AG reported a decrease in pre-tax profit to €0.23 million (previous year: €10.23 million). This was offset by a reduction in operating expenses to €15.57 million (previous year: €17.15 million). In particular, with regard to other administrative expenses, the company benefited from the elimination of costs for external consultants as well as from lower IT costs. In general, the company is pursuing a cost and efficiency program aimed at achieving further cost savings of approximately €3.3 million, in addition to this effect (consultants, auditors). The figures released are largely in line with our expectations. However, given the special terms, we had anticipated a slightly lower impact on the interest margin. We are therefore slightly adjusting our expected net interest income to €63.85 million (previous estimate: €66.28 million). This aligns with the company’s guidance, which now projects net interest income between €60 million and €65 million (previously: €62.5 million to €67.5 million). However, this adjustment has only a marginal effect on the expected pre-tax profit of €14.36 million (previous estimate: €14.65 million). On the one hand, we are raising the net commission and trading income in light of upcoming product launches; on the other hand, we anticipate slightly lower operating expenses. The estimates for the coming fiscal years remain unchanged. The slight forecast adjustment has no effect on the price target of €9.00 determined using the residual income model. We therefore maintain our “BUY” rating. You can download the research here: 20260504_UmweltBank_Comment_engl Contact for questions: |
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