Category: Australia

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Glasgow prison given go-ahead

    Source: Scottish Government

    New investment to create jobs and support work to cut reoffending.

    A new modern prison in Glasgow to replace the 143-year-old HMP Barlinnie has been given the go-ahead – delivering £450 million worth of economic benefits.

    With the construction contract now signed, HMP Glasgow will have a capacity of 1,344 – adding 357 more places to the overall prison estate once completed in 2028. The total project cost is £998.4 million. 

    The prison has been designed to deliver fit-for-purpose, safe and secure accommodation that will improve opportunities for successful rehabilitation to help reduce reoffending, while creating a safer working environment for staff.

    The project, which independent benchmarking shows is in line with costs for similar recent prison builds in England and Wales, will provide significant economic benefits both during construction and following completion. During peak construction activity there will be over 1,000 people on site, with several thousand working on the project over the lifespan. There will be 50 new apprenticeships created within that workforce.

    Developer Kier Construction has committed to providing a range of community benefits, including employment for the local community, such as apprenticeships, training and work placements for ex-offenders, as well as supporting local businesses.

    Justice Secretary Angela Constance said:

    “HMP Glasgow is a bold vision for the future of Scottish prisons that will help reduce reoffending, contribute to less crime, while delivering a considerable economic boost for the city and beyond.

    “The new modern establishment will replace a Victorian-age prison that is no longer fit for purpose. It will increase prison capacity and transform how prisoners are rehabilitated, as well as considerably improving staff working conditions.

    “Delivering the best value has been a key consideration of this project, which will provide more £450 million worth of economic benefits, including jobs and contracts for businesses in Scotland. I very much welcome that at least 50% of project spend will benefit the local supply chain.

    “It has taken time to find the right site and plan for HMP Glasgow, and like all other major infrastructure projects it has not been immune to inflation as a result of Brexit and the COVID pandemic.

    “The project’s cost has been extensively scrutinised, with independent benchmarking analysis finding the costs are comparable with similar prison projects elsewhere in the UK.”

    Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, said:

    “HMP Glasgow will have a transformative impact in how we support and rehabilitate people.

    “It is an investment in our staff, in those in our care, and in Glasgow and Scotland as a whole, as we work with our partners to improve people’s futures and together build safer communities.

    “I want to thank Scottish Government, for its continued support and investment, and everyone whose hard work has helped us reach this important milestone as we continue to develop a prison estate fit for the 21st century.”

    Rebecca Boundy, Public Sector Director at Kier Construction, said: “It’s an honour to be awarded the contract to deliver this critical project.

    “We will build a sustainable, state-of-the-art facility while ensuring that local communities, schools and charities directly benefit both now and in the future.

    “Using the latest techniques and modern methods of construction, we will harness the very best of our team’s significant experience in the justice sector to provide a high-quality, more efficient prison for Scotland which has rehabilitation at its core.

    “The project will provide new jobs, with at least 50% of project spend committed to local supply chain partners, and also including provision for those who have directly experienced the justice system in the last six months.”

    Background

    The total cost of the project is £998.4 million which includes the cost of land acquisition, VAT and a construction contract cost of £683.8 million.

    Scotland’s largest prison, HMP Barlinnie is more than 140 years old. It houses male prisoners – both individuals on remand, and those with convictions serving vary lengths of sentence. HM Inspector of Prisons for Scotland said in its last independent annual report on Barlinnie that its buildings, accommodation and facilities are not fit for purpose.

    A National Audit Office report published on 4 December 2024, has highlighted recent significant increases in the costs of prisons builds in England and Wales.

    HMP Glasgow will be sited at Provanmill, south of Royston Road.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Russian Science Day in Moscow: where the most interesting events will take place

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Dozens of excursions, exhibitions, as well as thematic quizzes, special projects and acquaintance with the latest developments of scientists await city residents in early February. All these events are dedicated to the celebration Day of Russian Science, which is celebrated on February 8. This is a great opportunity not only to remember the legendary scientists of the past, but also to turn to their modern colleagues, and to find out what discoveries are changing the world right now.

    Cosmonautics, biotechnology and the power of words at VDNKh

    The country’s main exhibition invites everyone to special programs and free excursions. They will be dedicated to various types of science and will be organized in museums and pavilions of VDNKh. To participate in most events, you only need to pre-register; for some, you need to buy a ticket.

    Thus, on February 8, thematic events will be held at the Atom Museum. You can follow the schedule and buy tickets on the official website of the museum.

    On February 8 from 11:00 to 20:00 in the museum lobby you will be offered to play engineering games and assemble Spills cards of Russia. The Spills map is an innovative development, which is a set of magnetic game elements made in the form of territorial units of states and regions. It will be interesting for both adults and schoolchildren from 12 years old (children come accompanied by adults). Wooden puzzle maps will help you remember the geography of Russia. Guests will learn how much energy each region consumes, what is the average annual temperature in them. In the museum from 13:00 to 14:30 visitors will also be able to work at engineering tables and even conduct own scientific experiments.

    Master classes in physics have been prepared for children aged six and over “Snow Atom” And “Winter Journey with Atomarenko”, board game “Nuclear Power Plant Engineer”. A quiz awaits teenagers and adults “Through experience”, master class “VR in your pocket”, quiz “Physicists and Lyricists” and public talk “How Russians believed in physics”. The Center for Modern Biotechnology “Biotech Museum” has prepared a special program for all guests for the Day of Russian Science. Starting from February 8, there will be a new master class dedicated to microorganisms, – “Art in a Petri Dish”. In addition, on February 8 and 9 at 16:00 there will be open screenings of documentaries about mathematics and bionics. Admission by museum tickets.

    Free excursions will be held at VDNKh on February 8. At 17:00 in Pavilion No. 1 “Central” you can take a guided tour exposition of the Tretyakov Gallery. Guests will be introduced to the works of Alexander Deineka, Evgeny Vuchetich, Vera Mukhina, Alexander Vinogradov, Vladimir Dubossarsky and many other artists. There you can also admire the monumental canvases created especially for the opening of the pavilion in 1954, examine the legendary high relief of Evgeny Vuchetich, considered lost for more than half a century, and learn the details of the creation of the monument “Worker and Kolkhoz Woman”.

    At 17:00 and 18:30 the Cosmonautics and Aviation Center invites you to thematic excursions “Chemistry and Space”. And at 19:00 in the museum of Slavic writing “Word” there will be an excursion “Studying the word…”. It will talk about Slavic writing and its researchers.

    About science for schoolchildren and youth

    A number of events dedicated to Russian scientists, the secrets of physics, chemistry, cybernetics and high technology will be held by the capital’s palaces of creativity. Children and teenagers will enjoy exciting quizzes, quizzes, master classes and much more. They can be visited for free, but some events require preliminary online registration.

    On February 6, the Sviblovo Children’s Creativity Center will host a festive quiz called “Young Researchers.” Through the interactive format of the event, combining play and learning, young participants will be able to receive basic knowledge about the world of science.

    On the same day, the Victoria Children’s and Youth Center will hold an educational program where you can learn about the important achievements of Russian and Soviet science and great discoveries. in this area.

    For all those interested, on February 8, the Moscow Palace of Pioneers on Vorobyovy Gory will host Moscow Science Festival. Guests will enjoy intellectual games, lectures and master classes. Visitors will get acquainted with modern developments and learn how to build a career as a researcher. Lectures on physics and space, thematic master classes, scientific battles and board games are planned. Schoolchildren will be told how to conduct their first research, how to prepare for university and become a scientific volunteer. You can register for the events Here.

    The Palace of Children and Youth Creativity “Undiscovered Islands” will hold a special master class “The Invisible World and Fascinating Experiments” on February 8. Participants will learn about the history of Russian Science Day and will also get acquainted with various interesting experiments. And in the Palace of Children and Youth Creativity “Khoroshevo” until February 10 there will be a whole a series of master classes and quizzes for young seekers of knowledge.

    Journeys into the World of Scientific Moscow

    A digital weekend will help you organize a real scientific weekend tourist service Russpass. Three new walking routes around the city were published there. They are dedicated to places in Moscow associated with famous scientists and their main discoveries. The routes will be interesting for the whole family, and you can walk along them at any convenient time. The descriptions are supplemented with historical information about places and objects and photographs of all the sights that you will encounter along the way.

    Route “Fascinating Biology: A Curious Walk for the Whole Family” will introduce city travelers to the Main Botanical Garden named after N.V. Tsitsin of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), Timiryazevsky Park and the florarium in Zaryadye Park.

    On a walk “Visiting the animals, the moon and the past in one day” young science lovers and their parents will learn interesting facts about the scientific world of Russia. The route includes a visit to the Moscow Zoo, Presnensky Park, Moscow Planetarium and the Museum of the History of the Telephone. Children and adults will be able to listen to lectures about the stars and animals of Russia, learn about the first means of communication, and play on the scientific playground. The exciting journey can be completed at the skating rink on Patriarch’s Ponds.

    Walk “Scientific Moscow: Founders, Researchers and Pioneers” will allow you to see the houses where famous scientists lived and worked. This is the longest route, which can be explored gradually. To visit all its points, you will need four days. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the monuments to discoverers in the fields of medicine, chemistry, biology, and space exploration. Among the points of the route are the estate of A. I. Konshina, which now houses the Central House of Scientists of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Memorial Museum-Apartment of K. A. Timiryazev, the main building of the Moscow State University named after M. V. Lomonosov, and monuments on the Cosmonauts’ Alley at VDNKh.

    Russian Science Day in Libraries, Cinemas and More

    The capital’s cultural venues also invite you to celebrate Russian Science Day. You can attend events in museums, cinemas, libraries and cultural centers starting February 6. To participate in some events, you will need to register in advance or buy a ticket.

    Thus, on February 6 and 7, free screenings of the Russian popular science film “The Chip Inside Me” will be held in the Moskino chain of cinemas. The film will tell about how chipping helps to restore health, and the film will also touch upon ethical issues. The screenings will be held in eight Moskino chain cinemas: “Cosmos”, “Sputnik”, “Iskra”, “Zhukovsky”, “Tula”, “Saturn”, “Vympel”, and “Angara”. Registration — by link.

    An exhibition will be open at the Meridian Cultural Center from February 6 to 27 “The History of the Magnetic Needle”. Guests will see pocket compasses produced in Russia from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century. These are exhibits from the collection of magnetic compass collector Mikhail Ivanov, which includes more than 800 devices from various countries and eras. The exhibition will also feature mining compasses from the collection of Gennady Avdonin, chief specialist of the N.M. Fedorovsky All-Russian Research Institute of Mineral Resources.

    The Central City Children’s Library named after A.P. Gaidar invites schoolchildren to the thematic program “Experiments”. It will last until February 28. Visitors will enjoy physical and chemical experiments with liquids, gases and solids, optical illusions and puzzle solving. Lectures on scientific laws will also be organized for young scientists and they will be told how to independently conduct a scientific experiment at home, taking into account all safety rules. Entrance to the event is free for organized groups (kindergarten groups and school classes from six years old). You can find out more and sign up for the program by calling the library: 7 499 242-57-23.

    Children will be able to try their hand at solving puzzles, conduct interesting experiments, and learn about the contribution of Russian researchers to world science at the Central Children’s Library No. 14. There, on February 6 at 4:00 p.m., a quiz called “Day of Russian Science” will be held.

    On February 7 at 15:00, the A.S. Neverov Library No. 90 will host a discussion entitled “Ruthless Science with Meaning.” Guests will be told about interesting facts from the biographies of famous scientists such as N.I. Vavilov, D.I. Mendeleyev, V.I. Vernadsky, I.P. Pavlov, N.I. Lobachevsky, and others. Participants will also be introduced to the works of these researchers.

    And in Library No. 82 on February 6 at 11:15 and February 7 at 11:00 there will be interactive classes “Treasures of the Earth” and “Green Energy”, dedicated to the topic of clean energy.

    On the festive day, February 8, the N. F. Fedorov Library No. 180 will host an exhibition of the St. Petersburg photo artist Maria Kovalevskaya. It is dedicated to women scientists working at the I. P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. At the exhibition, you can learn about their work and hobbies, such as sailing, fishing and fencing, and also immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the first science town in Russia. It was built in the 1930s with the participation of Academician I. P. Pavlov.

    The Darwin Museum will hold the Science Day. Vanished Worlds event. On February 8, from 10:00 to 18:00, guests will enjoy games, interactive activities, master classes, and lectures. At the events, visitors will get acquainted not only with the most famous ancient animals — dinosaurs, but also with their relatives and contemporaries, as well as with other extinct inhabitants of the Earth. Entrance — by tickets.

    A special program will be held at the Timiryazev State Biological Museum from 12:00 to 16:00 on February 8. It will be dedicated to various areas of biology, its history, and the work of scientists. The events are planned at two venues: in pavilion No. 31 “Geology” at VDNKh and in the museum building on Malaya Gruzinskaya Street. Admission is by ticket. You can buy a ticket for the event in the Geology pavilion at this link, and to the event at the museum on Malaya Gruzinskaya – on this.

    Russian Science Day has been officially celebrated since 1999. The reason for its appearance was the events that took place more than 300 years ago – on January 28 (February 8, new style) 1724, Emperor Peter I founded the Russian Academy of Sciences.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is account to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect the Position of Mil-Sosi or Its Clients.

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149524073/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump wants the US to ‘take over’ Gaza and relocate the people. Is this legal?

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Tamer Morris, Senior lecturer, international law, University of Sydney

    In an astonishing news conference in Washington, US President Donald Trump proposed the United States “take over” the Gaza Strip and permanently relocate the nearly two million Palestinians living there to neighbouring countries.

    Trump has previously called on Egypt and Jordan to resettle Palestinians from Gaza, which both countries firmly rejected.

    His new comments – and the possibility of a US takeover of a sovereign territory – were immediately met with criticism and questions about the legality of such a move.

    When asked what authority would allow the US to do this, Trump did not have an answer. He only noted it would be a “long-term ownership position”. He also did not rule out using US troops.

    So, what does international law say about this idea?

    Can the US take over a sovereign territory?

    The quick answer is no – Trump can’t just take over someone else’s territory.

    Since the end of the second world war in 1945, the use of force has been prohibited in international law. This is one of the foundations of international law since the creation of the United Nations.

    The US could only take control of Gaza with the consent of the sovereign authority of the territory. Israel can’t cede Gaza to the US. The International Court of Justice has ruled that Gaza is an occupied territory – and that this occupation is illegal under international law.

    So, for this to happen legally, Trump would require the consent of Palestine and the Palestinian people to take control of Gaza.

    And what about removing a population?

    One of the biggest obligations of an occupying power comes under Article 49 of the Geneva Conventions. This prohibits an occupying power from forcibly transferring or removing people from a territory.

    All other states also have an obligation not to assist an occupying power in violating international humanitarian law. So that means if the US wanted to move the population of Gaza by force, Israel could not assist in this action. And likewise, the US cannot assist Israel in violating the rules.

    Occupying powers are allowed to remove a population for the reason of safety.

    Trump and his Middle East envoy who visited Gaza last week have repeatedly referenced how dangerous it is. Trump questioned how people could “want to stay” there, saying they have “no alternative” but to leave.

    However, removing people for this reason has to only be temporary. Once it’s fine for someone to return, they must be returned.

    What if people voluntarily leave?

    Transferring a population has to be consensual. But in this specific case, it would mean the consent of all Palestinians in Gaza. The US could not force anyone to move who does not want to.

    Further to this, a government, such as the Palestinian Authority, cannot give this consent on behalf of a people. People have a right to self-determination – the right to determine their own future.

    A perfect example is migration – if a person migrates from one state to another, that is their right. It’s not displacement. But forcefully displacing them is not permitted.

    And using what sounds like a threat would arguably not be consensual, either. This could be saying, for instance, “If you stay, you’ll die because there’s only going to be more war. But if you leave, there’s peace.” This is the threat of force.

    Would forcing people to leave be ethnic cleansing?

    Ethnic cleansing has not been defined in any treaty or convention.

    However, most international law experts rely on the definition in the Commission of Experts report on the former state of Yugoslavia to the UN Security Council in 1994. It defined ethnic cleansing as:

    rendering an area ethnically homogeneous by using force or intimidation to remove persons of given groups from the area.

    So, under that definition, what is being suggested by Trump could be classified as ethnic cleansing – removing the Palestinian people from a certain geographical area through force or intimidation.

    What can be done if Trump follows through?

    If Trump follows through with this plan, it would be a violation of what is known as jus cogens, or the paramount, foundational rules that underpin international law.

    And international law dictates that no country is allowed to cooperate with another in violating these rules and all countries must try to stop or prevent any potential violations. This could include placing sanctions on a country or not providing support to that country, for example, by selling it weapons.

    A perfect example of this is when Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014, very few countries recognised the move. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 was then followed by sanctions and the freezing of Russian assets, among other actions.

    If Trump pursued this course of action, he too could be personally liable under international criminal law if he’s the one instigating the forcible transfer of a population.

    The International Criminal Court has already issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the former Israeli defence minister and a Hamas commander in relation to the conflict.

    The risk of this kind of language

    One of the dangers of this kind of rhetoric is the potential to dehumanise the enemy, or the other side.

    Trump does this through statements such as, “You look over the decades, it’s all death in Gaza”, and resettling people in “nice homes where they can be happy” instead of being “knifed to death”. This language implies the situation in Gaza is due to the “uncivilised” nature of the population.

    The risk at the moment, even if Trump doesn’t do what he says, is that the mere vocalisation of his proposal is dehumanising to the Palestinian people. And this, in turn, could lead to more violations of the rules of war and international humanitarian law.

    The nonchalant way Trump is discussing things such as taking over a territory and moving a population gives the impression these rules can easily be broken, even if he doesn’t break them himself.

    Tamer Morris does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. Trump wants the US to ‘take over’ Gaza and relocate the people. Is this legal? – https://theconversation.com/trump-wants-the-us-to-take-over-gaza-and-relocate-the-people-is-this-legal-249143

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Libraries must remain the ‘beating heart’ of Scottish communities

    Source: Scottish Greens

    Libraries are special places and must be protected.

    Public libraries are the ‘beating heart’ of our communities that must be saved from closure, say the Scottish Greens as many of these vital public spaces await a decision on their fate.

    The Scottish Green MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Mark Ruskell, has been active in supporting campaigns to save  7 libraries at risk of closing in Perth and Kinross. 

    Today he will bring this issue into the chamber for a Member’s Debate in which he seeks to gain cross-party support to save the services.

    Across Scotland, many councils have sealed the fates of these vital community spaces with many more at risk. There are 13 public libraries in Aberdeenshire and 7 in Moray that are also threatened with closure.

    Speaking ahead of today’s member’s debate in Holyrood, Mr Ruskell said:

    “Libraries are not only for borrowing books. They are the beating heart of our communities. They are vital, life-enhancing spaces where opportunities for learning, connection and support take place.

    “I am glad that we will finally be discussing the future of our libraries at my debate today. I hope other parties will join me in supporting them and all of the incredible work that they do.

    “We must come together to give our full support to these crucial public spaces and ensure they remain supported and open for everyone to enjoy for years to come.”

    Text of Mark Ruskell’s motion
    That the Parliament notes what it sees as the vital role that local libraries play in their communities, acting as central hubs for borrowing, learning, community engagement and sourcing advice and support; believes that the closure of libraries leaves communities without these vital services, and that this is particularly damaging for rural areas where libraries can be heavily relied on; considers that library closures have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations, including children, older residents and people with limited access to digital resources; notes the reported concerns raised by communities around the proposed closure of libraries across Scotland, including the threatened closure of those in the Perth and Kinross Council area; understands that local authorities have a legal obligation to provide public library services; believes that mobile libraries are often not suitable alternatives; considers that library services require adequate public funding to remain viable and have a critical role to play in achieving the Scottish Government’s priorities, including eradicating child poverty; believes that a closed library is unlikely to reopen, permanently limiting opportunities for the communities they once served, and notes the calls on the Scottish Government to help protect the future of Scotland’s libraries.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Australia: OLD WILLUNGA HILL ROAD, WILLUNGA (Grass Fire)

    Source: Country Fire Service – South Australia

    Homes that have been built to withstand a bushfire, and are prepared to the highest level, may provide safety.

    You may lose power, water, phone and data connections.

    Fire crews are responding but you should not expect a firefighter at your door.

    What you should do

    • Check and follow your Bushfire Survival Plan.
    • Protect yourself from the fire’s heat – put on protective clothing.
    • Tell family or friends of your plans.

    If you are leaving

    • Leave now, don’t delay.
    • Roads may become blocked or access may change. Smoke will reduce visibility.
    • Secure your pets for travel.
    • If you become stuck in your car, park away from bushes, cover yourself, get onto the floor as the windows may break from the intense heat.

    If you are not leaving – prepare to defend

    • Identify a safe place inside, with more than one exit, before the fire arrives. Keep moving away from the heat of the fire.
    • Bring pets inside and restrain them.
    • Move flammable materials such as doormats, wheelie bins and outdoor furniture away from your house.
    • Close doors and windows to keep smoke out.
    • If you have sprinklers, turn them on to wet the areas.
    • If the building catches fire, go to an area already burnt. Check around you for anything burning.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI: Crédit Agricole Assurances : Record activity driven by all our business lines – Strong growth of result

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press release                                                                         Paris, February 5, 2025

    Record activity driven by all our business lines
    Strong growth of result

    2024 KEY FIGURES:

    • Premium income1at a record high of 43.6 billion euros, up +17.2%2
    • Net inflows of +6.6 billion euros, including +2.2 billion euros on the General Account
    • Net income Group share of 1,959 million euros3, up +11,5%2
    • Solvency II prudential ratio above 200%

            
    « In 2024, in a context of increased protection needs in the face of uncertainties in our environment, Crédit Agricole Assurances enjoyed very buoyant activity in all our business lines, in France and internationally. This development momentum, which is fully reflected in our published results and in the increase in our satisfaction and recommendation rates, demonstrates that we are fully focused on the delivery of our missions: planning and repairing. Finally, as a witness of the vulnerabilities of the regions and a partner in their transformation, we have continued our societal commitment, like the recent launch of a new debt fund, intended to finance French and European companies deploying projects contributing to a less carbon-intensive economy. I would like to thank all our colleagues and partner banks for their commitment, as well as our clients for their continued trust ».

    Nicolas Denis, Chief Executive Officer of Crédit Agricole Assurances

    ACTING IN THE INTERESTS OF OUR CLIENTS AND SOCIETY

    Customer satisfaction at the heart of our purpose

    Customer satisfaction rates of 97% in savings/retirement4 and 91% in property and casualty insurance5 testify from Crédit Agricole Assurances’ quality of the customer relationship, the management of contracts, benefits and claims, which are a priority.

    In 2024, Crédit Agricole Assurances further redesigned its digital customer journeys. For example, customers can now make voluntary payments on their savings contracts autonomously using Ma Banque mobile app6; in property and casualty insurance, home, car and health insurance solutions are now fully available in self-care on the Ma Banque6 and LCL Mes Comptes apps.

    A strong commitment to environmental responsibility

    As a committed player in the circular economy, Crédit Agricole Assurances launched in June 2024, via Pacifica, its property and casualty insurance subsidiary in France, a new home insurance offer, accessible to all, focussing on the repair or refurbished household appliances and IT after a claim. This new offer can be underwritten autonomously via the online customer page, the banking application or directly at Crédit Agricole Group branches.

    Crédit Agricole Assurances, as a player mobilised to finance the ecological transition, created in June 2024 via its subsidiary Spirica, the “Fonds Euro Objectif Climat”. As the first General Account fund under Article 9 of the SFDR regulation in the market, this innovation is in line with Crédit Agricole Assurances’ societal and environmental commitment and meets the concerns of its customers.

    In addition, by strengthening its targets for reducing the carbon footprint7 of investment portfolios8 by the end of 2029 (-50% compared to the end of 2019), and by putting in place a new sector policy on the oil and gas sector, Crédit Agricole Assurances, a leading institutional investor in renewable energies, reaffirms its active contribution to the transition to a low-carbon economy. In this context, in September 2024, Crédit Agricole Assurances signed a lease before completion for a 20,000 m² office building in Paris with EssilorLuxottica, a world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, frames and sunglasses. This service sector property complex, which will be delivered at the end of 2027, will aim for the highest environmental certifications on the market; HQE level Excellent, BREEAM level Excellent, Ready to Osmoz, BBCA (Low Carbon Renovation), BBC (Low-Consumption Building) and WiredScore level Gold.

    EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE CONFIRMING OUR POSITION AS A LEADING PLAYER

    Over the full year 2024, Crédit Agricole Assurances generated premium income1 of €43.6 billion, at the highest level in history, up +17.2%2 compared to the end of December 2023. The level of activity is high both in France (+13.1%) and internationally (+44.0%2), in all business lines, mainly in savings and retirement thanks to the success of commercial campaigns in France (+15.9%) and the reshaping of international product offering (+54.3%).

    In savings and retirement, premium income1 reached €32.1 billion at end-December 2024, up +21.5% year-on-year, fuelled by the keen interest on payment bonus campaigns on the General Account and digital journeys in France, as well as the recovery of international activity. Combined with the acquisition of a significant group retirement contract, these factors contributed to a high level of gross inflows9 on the General Account, at €20.7 billion (+44.6%). Unit-linked gross inflows9 totalled €11.4 billion, down -6.2% year-on-year, following less favourable market conditions, notably a lower attractiveness of unit-linked bond products. As a result, the share of unit-linked within gross inflows9 fell to 35.5% (-10.4 points year-on-year).

    Net inflows9 amounted to +€6.6 billion, up +€6.9 billion over one year. By product, net inflows amounted to +€4.4 billion on unit-linked and +€2.2 billion on the General Account, back in positive territory for the last three quarters (+€8.6 billion over one year on the General Account).

    Life insurance outstandings10 reached €347.3 billion at the end of December 2024, up +5.1% over one year, thanks to a positive market effect and net inflows. Unit-linked outstandings amounted to €104.1 billion (+9.1% since January 1, 2024). General Account outstandings have risen by +3.5% since January 1, 2024 to reach a total of €243.2 billion. Unit-linked represented 30.0% of total life insurance outstandings at the end of December 2024 (+1.1 points year-on-year).

    In a dynamic competitive environment, Crédit Agricole Assurances pursues its objective of supporting its customers in building up their wealth by offering attractive returns on their savings. Accordingly, Crédit Agricole Assurances, through its subsidiary Predica, offers a stable General Account profit-sharing rate life insurance contracts, which can reach up to 3.85%. This is made possible in particular by the mobilisation of the policyholder participation reserve (PPE), which amounted to €7.5 billion at the end of 2024, representing 3.3%11 of General Account outstandings.

    In property and casualty12, the business continued its momentum, with gross written premiums1 up +8.2% compared to the end of December 2023, reaching €6.2 billion thanks to gains in market share in value and volume. By including CATU, a Polish non-life insurance subsidiary, the portfolio grew by +5.3% to nearly 16.7 million contracts, representing a net addition of more than 563,000 policies over the year; in addition to the price increases induced by climate change and inflation of repair costs, the average premium is boosted by changes in the product mix.

    Equipment rates within the Crédit Agricole Group’s banking networks kept growing year-on-year, at the Regional Banks (43.9%13, up +0,8 point), LCL (27.9%13, up +0.4 point) and CA Italia (20.0%14, up +1.2 points).

    In personal protection (death and disability/creditor/group insurance15), gross written premiums1 were up +4.6% compared to the end of December 2023, at €5.3 billion, mainly thanks to group insurance (+21.8%) and individual death and disability (+6.6%).
    One of the successes of 2024 in group insurance is the signing of an agreement with the Industries Electriques et Gazières (IEG) to insure and manage supplementary health coverage for statutory employees, as of July 1, 2025. This new scheme covers a total of 310,000 beneficiaries for €70 million in annual premiums.

    EARNINGS GROWTH DRIVEN BY BUSINESS GROWTH

    Crédit Agricole Assurances’ net income Group share amounted to €1,959 million, up +11.5%2 year-on-year, reflecting in particular a very good performance in property and casualty, a good increase in life insurance outstandings10 and dynamic activity in the other business lines.

    The combined ratio16 stood at 94.4%, an improvement of -2.7 points year-on-year due to (i) relatively favourable claims in 2024, whereas 2023 was marked by significant climate claims in the last quarter, (ii) partly mitigated by a lesser impact of the discounting effect (+1.6 points). The all years discounted claims ratio net of reinsurance amounted to 70.2%, down -2.2 points year-on-year. It included 1.1% of natural catastrophes17, down -0,5 point compared to 2023.
    The net combined ratio excluding discounting stood at 96.4%, down -4.3 points over the year.

    The Contractual Service Margin18 amounted to €25.2 billion at the end of December 2024, up +5.8% year-on-year. It includes a stock revaluation effect – excluding new business – of +€1.1 billion, notably in relation to technical assumptions review. The contribution from new business of +€2.4 billion, driven by revenue growth, was higher than the release to P&L (-€2.1 billion).
    The contractual service margin allocation factor stood at 7.7%19 for 2024.

    SOLVENCY

    At the end of December 2024, Crédit Agricole Assurances once again demonstrated its strength, with a Solvency II prudential ratio above 200%.

    RATINGS

    Rating agency Date of last review Main operating subsidiaries Crédit Agricole Assurances Outlook Subordinated debt
    S&P Global Ratings October 3, 2024 A+ A Stable BBB+

    KEY EVENTS SINCE THE LAST PUBLICATION

    About Crédit Agricole Assurances
    Crédit Agricole Assurances, France’s leading insurer, is Crédit Agricole group’s subsidiary, which brings together all the insurance businesses of Crédit Agricole S.A. Crédit Agricole Assurances offers a range of products and services in savings, retirement, health, personal protection and property insurance. They are distributed by Crédit Agricole’s banks in France and in 9 countries worldwide, and are aimed at individual, professional, agricultural and business customers. At the end of 2024, Crédit Agricole Assurances had more than 6,700 employees. Its 2024 premium income (non-GAAP) amounted to 43.6 billion euros.
    www.ca-assurances.com

    Press contacts

    Nicolas Leviaux +33 (0)1 57 72 09 50 / +33 (0)6 19 60 48 53

    Julien Badé +33 (0)1 57 72 93 40 / +33 (0)7 85 18 68 05

    service.presse@ca-assurances.fr

    Investor relations contacts

    Yael Beer-Gabel +33 (0)1 57 72 66 84

    Gaël Hoyer +33 (0)1 57 72 62 22

    Sophie Santourian +33 (0)1 57 72 43 42

    Cécile Roy +33 (0)1 57 72 61 86

    relations.investisseurs@ca-assurances.fr

    Appendix – Activity analysis by geographic area

    Geographic area 2024 revenues1
    In billion euros
    2023 revenues1
    In billion euros
    Change over 1 year
    At constant scope
    France 36.6 32.4 +13.1%
    Italy 4.8 3.6 +32.2%
    Rest of the world 2.2 1.3 +75.6%

    1 Non-GAAP revenues
    2 Excluding the 1stconsolidation of CATU (Crédit Agricole Towaraystow Ubezpieczeń, property and casualty insurance subsidiary in Poland) on 30 June 2024 with retroactive effect from 1 January 2024, changes are: +17.1% for total premium income, +43.6% for international premium income and +11.5% for the net income Group share
    3 The contribution to the net income Group share of Crédit Agricole S.A. amounted to €1,884 million. The difference with Crédit Agricole Assurances’ net income Group share was mainly due to consolidation restatements, including subordinated (RT1) debt coupons for €45 million.
    4 Survey conducted among 3,896 individual customers, holders of life insurance or individual retirement savings plans, of the 39 Regional Banks and LCL from February to November 2024, following a recent event on their contract. Result: 97% of satisfied customers of which 23% extremely satisfied.
    5 Survey conducted among 4,506 Pacifica individual customers who had a property and casualty claim between 1 October 2023 and 30 September 2024
    6 Banking application of the Crédit Agricole Regional Banks
    7 In tonnes of CO2equivalent per million euros invested
    8 Investment portfolios listed in equities and corporate and real estate bonds held directly
    9 In local GAAP
    10 Savings, retirement, death and disability (funeral)
    11 France life scope
    12 At constant scope: +7.8% growth in non-life gross written premiums, +3,2% increase in the portfolio, net addition of more than 509,000 policies; at end-December 2024, CATU’s portfolio comprised more than 335,000 policies, including net addition of more than 54,000 policies over the year
    13 Percentage of Regional banks and LCL customers with at least one motor, home, health, legal, mobile/portable or personal accident insurance policy marketed by Pacifica, French Crédit Agricole Assurances’ non-life insurance subsidiary
    14 Percentage of CA Italia network customers with at least one policy marketed by CA Assicurazioni, Italian Crédit Agricole Assurances’ non-life insurance subsidiary
    15 Excluding savings/retirement
    16 P&C combined ratio in France (Pacifica) including discounting and excluding undiscounting, net of reinsurance: (claims + operating expenses + commissions) to gross earned premiums
    17 Impact of undiscounted Cat Nat claims in France (Pacifica), all years, net of reinsurance, as a percentage of gross earned premiums
    18 CSM or Contractual Service Margin: corresponds to the expected profits by the insurer on the insurance activity, over the duration of the contract, for profitable contracts, for Savings, Retirement, Death and Disability and Creditor products
    19 Annualised CSM allocation factor = CSM release to P&L / (opening CSM stock + revaluation of stock + new business)

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-Evening Report: Trump wants the US to ‘take over’ Gaza and relocate the people. Is this legal?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tamer Morris, Senior lecturer, international law, University of Sydney

    In an astonishing news conference in Washington, US President Donald Trump proposed the United States “take over” the Gaza Strip and permanently relocate the nearly two million Palestinians living there to neighbouring countries.

    Trump has previously called on Egypt and Jordan to resettle Palestinians from Gaza, which both countries firmly rejected.

    His new comments – and the possibility of a US takeover of a sovereign territory – were immediately met with criticism and questions about the legality of such a move.

    When asked what authority would allow the US to do this, Trump did not have an answer. He only noted it would be a “long-term ownership position”. He also did not rule out using US troops.

    So, what does international law say about this idea?

    Can the US take over a sovereign territory?

    The quick answer is no – Trump can’t just take over someone else’s territory.

    Since the end of the second world war in 1945, the use of force has been prohibited in international law. This is one of the foundations of international law since the creation of the United Nations.

    The US could only take control of Gaza with the consent of the sovereign authority of the territory. Israel can’t cede Gaza to the US. The International Court of Justice has ruled that Gaza is an occupied territory – and that this occupation is illegal under international law.

    So, for this to happen legally, Trump would require the consent of Palestine and the Palestinian people to take control of Gaza.

    And what about removing a population?

    One of the biggest obligations of an occupying power comes under Article 49 of the Geneva Conventions. This prohibits an occupying power from forcibly transferring or removing people from a territory.

    All other states also have an obligation not to assist an occupying power in violating international humanitarian law. So that means if the US wanted to move the population of Gaza by force, Israel could not assist in this action. And likewise, the US cannot assist Israel in violating the rules.

    Occupying powers are allowed to remove a population for the reason of safety.

    Trump and his Middle East envoy who visited Gaza last week have repeatedly referenced how dangerous it is. Trump questioned how people could “want to stay” there, saying they have “no alternative” but to leave.

    However, removing people for this reason has to only be temporary. Once it’s fine for someone to return, they must be returned.

    What if people voluntarily leave?

    Transferring a population has to be consensual. But in this specific case, it would mean the consent of all Palestinians in Gaza. The US could not force anyone to move who does not want to.

    Further to this, a government, such as the Palestinian Authority, cannot give this consent on behalf of a people. People have a right to self-determination – the right to determine their own future.

    A perfect example is migration – if a person migrates from one state to another, that is their right. It’s not displacement. But forcefully displacing them is not permitted.

    And using what sounds like a threat would arguably not be consensual, either. This could be saying, for instance, “If you stay, you’ll die because there’s only going to be more war. But if you leave, there’s peace.” This is the threat of force.

    Would forcing people to leave be ethnic cleansing?

    Ethnic cleansing has not been defined in any treaty or convention.

    However, most international law experts rely on the definition in the Commission of Experts report on the former state of Yugoslavia to the UN Security Council in 1994. It defined ethnic cleansing as:

    rendering an area ethnically homogeneous by using force or intimidation to remove persons of given groups from the area.

    So, under that definition, what is being suggested by Trump could be classified as ethnic cleansing – removing the Palestinian people from a certain geographical area through force or intimidation.

    What can be done if Trump follows through?

    If Trump follows through with this plan, it would be a violation of what is known as jus cogens, or the paramount, foundational rules that underpin international law.

    And international law dictates that no country is allowed to cooperate with another in violating these rules and all countries must try to stop or prevent any potential violations. This could include placing sanctions on a country or not providing support to that country, for example, by selling it weapons.

    A perfect example of this is when Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014, very few countries recognised the move. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 was then followed by sanctions and the freezing of Russian assets, among other actions.

    If Trump pursued this course of action, he too could be personally liable under international criminal law if he’s the one instigating the forcible transfer of a population.

    The International Criminal Court has already issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the former Israeli defence minister and a Hamas commander in relation to the conflict.

    The risk of this kind of language

    One of the dangers of this kind of rhetoric is the potential to dehumanise the enemy, or the other side.

    Trump does this through statements such as, “You look over the decades, it’s all death in Gaza”, and resettling people in “nice homes where they can be happy” instead of being “knifed to death”. This language implies the situation in Gaza is due to the “uncivilised” nature of the population.

    The risk at the moment, even if Trump doesn’t do what he says, is that the mere vocalisation of his proposal is dehumanising to the Palestinian people. And this, in turn, could lead to more violations of the rules of war and international humanitarian law.

    The nonchalant way Trump is discussing things such as taking over a territory and moving a population gives the impression these rules can easily be broken, even if he doesn’t break them himself.

    Tamer Morris does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. Trump wants the US to ‘take over’ Gaza and relocate the people. Is this legal? – https://theconversation.com/trump-wants-the-us-to-take-over-gaza-and-relocate-the-people-is-this-legal-249143

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI China: ‘Ne Zha’ sequel sets box office record for Chinese animation

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    A poster for “Ne Zha 2.” [Image courtesy of Coloroom Pictures]

    Fantasy feature “Ne Zha 2” has become the top-grossing domestic animated feature of all time in a milestone for Chinese cinema.

    As of Wednesday, “Ne Zha 2,” has earned over 5.05 billion yuan (about 705 million U.S. dollars) since it premiered just eight days ago on Jan. 29, according to data from ticketing app Beacon.

    It is remarkable that the previous high was set by the same film series, with the first “Ne Zha” installation raking in nearly 5.04 billion yuan in 2019.

    As ticket sales continue to climb, the sequel could reach a total box office revenue of 6 billion yuan, which would be a record for Chinese film, Beacon projects.

    The franchise takes its name from a mythological character in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) novel “Fengshen Yanyi,” or “The Investiture of the Gods.” This character, Ne Zha, is also depicted as a demon-slaying hero in the 16th-century Chinese classic “Journey to the West.”

    While rooted in Chinese mythology, “Ne Zha 2” — directed by Yang Yu, who goes by the nickname Jiaozi — takes bold creative strides by focusing on Ne Zha’s struggles and growth.

    The film reimagines classic elements of Chinese mythology, preserving cultural authenticity while offering fresh interpretations with themes such as personal identity, self-fulfillment, family and friendship, which resonate widely with audiences and evoke a strong sense of empathy.

    “As I was watching, I burst out in both laughter and tears. It’s hilarious at the beginning, but deeply touching when the mother and son are separated,” said Zhang Bohan, a film enthusiast from Beijing, commenting on “Ne Zha 2.”

    The visuals of “Ne Zha 2” surpass the film’s predecessor, with over 1,900 special effects shots offering an even more immersive cinematic experience. Ne Zha’s costumes, Taiyi Zhenren’s magical artifacts, the architecture of the underwater Dragon Palace, and the scene design of Kunlun Wonderland — every detail of the film highlights the unique charm of traditional Chinese culture.

    Impressing audiences with its stunning visuals and engaging storyline, “Ne Zha 2” is rated above 95 percent of animations on Douban, a popular Chinese film review platform.

    The film’s domestic box office success has further fueled expectations for its overseas performance, thanks to its fusion of traditional Chinese culture, cutting-edge special effects and modern values.

    According to its overseas release schedule, “Ne Zha 2” will be screened in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Egypt, Singapore, Japan and the Republic of Korea.

    Gou Qiangshi, an associate professor at Chengdu University’s College of Chinese & ASEAN Arts, has noted that Chinese literary classics are a major source of inspiration for domestic animated films. The key to bringing new life to these classics is their creative adaptation to align with contemporary narrative arts.

    In recent years, domestic animated films that celebrate traditional Chinese culture have received increased attention, entering a period of rapid development. Films like “Chang’an,” “White Snake” and “Ne Zha” have sparked widespread interest, leading a fresh wave of cinema trends. 

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Albanese Government introduces legislation to guarantee 3 days of early education and care

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    The Albanese Labor Government has today introduced legislation to deliver an early education 3 Day Guarantee and replace the Liberal’s Activity Test.

    Every child has the right to go to school – and governments have a responsibility to make that possible. 

    We believe every child has the right to go to early education, to help make sure they don’t start school behind – and our Labor Government is going to make this possible. 

    This legislation introduced today guarantees three days a week of subsidised early education for children who need it from January 2026.

    Families earning between $50,000 to $100,000 who will be better off under the 3 Day Guarantee are expected to save on average $1,460 per year. 

    This provides cost-of-living relief to families and helps ensure that children can access the benefits of high-quality early education and care.

    This is good for families and good for children. 

    Under this reform, more than 100,000 families will be entitled to more hours of subsidised care. 

    A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will also establish a $1 billion Building Early Education Fund, which is the next step in creating universal child care system in Australia. 

    More centres will be built and expanded in areas of need, including in the outer suburbs and regional Australia. 

    The Building Early Education Fund will deliver grants to providers and the Government will also explore options for the Commonwealth to invest in owning and leasing out services. 

    It will include a focus on co-locating services on school sites and on supporting the growth of high-quality not-for-profit providers. 

    This is a key part of ensuring more Australian families can access quality early education and care. 

    Comment attributable to Minister for Education, Jason Clare: 

    “We have made child care cheaper for more than 1 million families. 

    “We are delivering a 15 per cent pay rise to build the early education workforce.

    “The 3 Day Guarantee is the next step.

    “It means more children will be able to access early education and care and more likely to start school ready to learn.

    “This is a key part of our plans to build a universal early education system and make sure that every child gets a great start in life.”

    Comment attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Education, Dr Anne Aly:

    “The activity test locks out the children who can most benefit from early childhood education and care. 

    “The 3 Day Guarantee is about making sure that every child no matter their background and no matter where they live, has access to the transformative benefits of early childhood education and care. 

    “We’re laying the foundation for a truly universal early childhood education system through improving affordability, boosting supply, increasing accessibilty and securing the vital workfroce families rely on.” 

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-Evening Report: To keep your cool in a heatwave, it may help to water your trees

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, The University of Melbourne

    Gena Melendrez/Shutterstock

    Heatwaves are among the world’s deadliest weather hazards. Every year, vast numbers of people are killed by heat stress and it can worsen health problems such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease.

    Unfortunately, the bitumen roads, brick and concrete structures and roofing tiles in cities can absorb and retain vast amounts of heat, much of which is released after the sun has set. This creates what’s known as the urban heat island effect. In fact, temperatures can be significantly higher in cities than in surrounding or rural areas.

    Trees and greenspace can drive down urban temperatures – but they must be able to draw water from the soil to achieve these massive cooling effects.

    In other words, it can sometimes be helpful to water your trees during a heatwave.

    Trees need to be able to access water in the soil to achieve transpiration.
    Tirachard Kumtanom/Shutterstock

    How trees keep us cool (and no, it’s not just about shade)

    Trees reduce urban temperatures in two significant ways. One is by the shade they provides and the other is through their cooling effect – and no, they’re not the same thing.

    Water is taken up via a plant’s roots, moves through the stems or trunks and is then misted into the air from the leaves through little holes called stomata. This is called transpiration, and it helps cool the air around leaves.

    Transpiration helps cools the air around a plant’s leaves.
    grayjay/Shutterstock

    Water can also evaporate from soil and other surfaces. The combined loss of water from plants and soil is called evapotranspiration.

    The cooling effects of evapotranspiration vary but are up to 4°C, depending on other environmental factors.

    Watering your trees

    If heatwaves occur in generally hot, dry weather, then trees will provide shade – but some may struggle with transpiration if the soil is too dry.

    This can reduce the cooling effect of trees. Keeping soil moist and plants irrigated, however, can change that.

    The best time to irrigate is early in the morning, as the water is less likely to evaporate quickly before transpiration can occur.

    You don’t need to do a deep water; most absorbing roots are close to the surface, so a bit of brief irrigation will often do the trick. You could also recycle water from your shower. Using mulch helps trap the water in the soil, giving the roots time to absorb it before it evaporates.

    All transpiring plants have a cooling effect on the air surrounding them, so you might wonder if trees have anything special to offer in terms of the urban heat island effect and heatwaves.

    Their great size means that they provide much larger areas of shade than other plants and if they are transpiring then there are greater cooling effects.

    The surface area of tree leaves, which is crucial to the evaporative cooling that takes place on their surfaces, is also much greater than many other plants.

    Another advantage is that trees can be very long lived. They provide shade, cooling and other benefits over a very long time and at relatively low cost.

    Not all trees

    All that said, I don’t want to overstate the role of urban trees in heatwaves when soils are dry.

    Some trees cease transpiring early as soils dry, but others will persist until they wilt.

    Careful tree selection can help maximise the cooling effects of the urban forest. Trees that suit the local soil and can cope with some drying while maintaining transpiration can provide greater cooling

    And, of course, it is important to follow any water restriction rules or guidelines that may be operating in your area at the time.

    Trees keep us cool

    Despite the clear benefits trees can provide in curbing heat, tree numbers and canopy cover are declining annually in many Australian cities and towns.

    Housing development still occurs without proper consideration of how trees and greenspace improve residents’ quality of life.

    It is not an either/or argument. With proper planning, you can have both new housing and good tree canopy cover.

    We should also be cautious of over-pruning urban trees.

    Trees help us when we help them.
    maxim ibragimov/Shutterstock

    Trees cannot eliminate the effects of a heatwave but can mitigate some of them.

    Anything that we can do to mitigate the urban heat island effect and keep our cities and towns cooler will reduce heat-related illness and associated medical costs.

    Gregory Moore is affiliated with Make Victoria Greener, which campaigns to preserve trees in Victoria.

    ref. To keep your cool in a heatwave, it may help to water your trees – https://theconversation.com/to-keep-your-cool-in-a-heatwave-it-may-help-to-water-your-trees-246486

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI: Credit Agricole SA : CONTINUED STRONG EARNINGS MOMENTUM IN 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CONTINUED STRONG EARNINGS MOMENTUM IN 2024
    CASA AND CAG STATED AND UNDERLYING DATA Q4-2024
               
      CRÉDIT AGRICOLE S.A.   CRÉDIT AGRICOLE GROUP
        Stated   Underlying     Stated   Underlying
    Revenues   €7,092m
    +17.4% Q4/Q4
      €7,116m
    +18.2% Q4/Q4
        €9,817m
    +11.9% Q4/Q4
      €9,840m
    +13.4% Q4/Q4
    Expenses   -€3,917m
    +5.6% Q4/Q4
      -€3,878m
    +4.4% Q4/Q4
        -€5,863m
    +3.2% Q4/Q4
      -€5,824m
    +2.4% Q4/Q4
    Gross Operating Income   €3,175m
    +36.2% Q4/Q4
      €3,238m
    +40.4% Q4/Q4
        €3,954m
    +28.0% Q4/Q4
      €4,017m
    +34.3% Q4/Q4
    Cost of risk   -€594m
    +35.0% Q4/Q4
      -€594m
    +35.0% Q4/Q4
        -€867m
    +13.9% Q4/Q4
      -€867m
    +13.9% Q4/Q4
    Net income group share   €1,689m
    +26.6% Q4/Q4
      €1,730m
    +32.8% Q4/Q4
        €2,149m
    +24.6% Q4/Q4
      €2,190m
    +33.7% Q4/Q4
    C/I ratio   55.2%
    -6.2 pp Q4/Q4
      54.5%
    -7.2 pp Q4/Q4
        59.7%
    -5.1 pp Q4/Q4
      59.2%
    -6.4 pp Q4/Q4
    ALL OF THE FINANCIAL TARGETS OF THE 2025 AMBITIONS PLAN EXCEEDED AS OF 2024

    STRONG INCREASE IN QUARTERLY AND FULL-YEAR EARNINGS

    • Record quarterly and full-year revenues, fuelled by the excellent performance by Asset Gathering and Large Customers
    • High profitability: low cost/income ratio (increase in recurring expenses contained at +3.0% Q4/Q4) and 14.0% return on tangible equity in 2024
    • Cost of risk rose in Q4-24, driven by provisions for performing loans related to model effects at Crédit Agricole CIB and Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility (CAPFM)

    PROPOSED 2024 DIVIDEND INCREASE TO €1.10 PER SHARE (+5% VS. 2023)

    STRONG ACTIVITY IN ALL BUSINESS LINES

    • Robust growth in retail banking and consumer finance driven by multiple factors: continued upturn in the home loan business in France (up +18%), higher corporate loan production, thriving international lending business, consumer finance stability at a high level and confirmed stabilisation of the deposit mix in France
    • Record CIB, asset management and insurance business, reflected in the record level in insurance revenues with contributions from all activities, high net inflows and record level of assets under management, as well as a new quarterly and full-year record reached by CIB

    CAPITAL OPERATIONS AND STRATEGIC PROJECTS

    • Instruments finalised to acquire an additional 5.2% in Banco BPM
    • Signing of an agreement for the acquisition of Santander’s 30.5% stake in CACEIS
      • Acquisition of aixigo, European leader in Wealth Tech
      • Finalization of the acquisition of 50% of GAC Leasing in China by CAPFM

    SOLID CAPITAL AND LIQUIDITY POSITIONS

    • Crédit Agricole S.A.’s phased-in CET1 at 11.7% and Group phased-in CET1 at 17.2%

    CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THE ENERGY TRANSITION

    • Phased withdrawal from fossil energies and reallocation of investments to renewable energy
    • Decarbonisation pathways in line with targets (oil & gas, power and automotive)

    At the meeting of the Board of Directors of Crédit Agricole S.A. on 4 february 2025, SAS Rue La Boétie informed the company of its intention to purchase Crédit Agricole S.A. shares on the market for a maximum amount of 500 million euros in line with the operations announced in August 2023 and in November 2022. Details of the transaction are provided in a press release issued today by SAS Rue La Boétie.

     

    Dominique Lefebvre,
    Chairman of SAS Rue La Boétie and Chairman of the Crédit Agricole S.A. Board of Directors

    « The Group’s excellent results illustrate our overall capacity to support all our customers in a global and loyal relationship over the long term. Three-quarters of these results are retained to serve the development of the economy. I would like to thank all of our employees who work every day with professionalism and commitment. »

     
     

    Philippe Brassac,
    Chief Executive Officer of Crédit Agricole S.A.

    « Driven by its unique Group model based on utility and universality, the Crédit Agricole Group reports excellent results in 2024. Crédit Agricole S.A. has once again exceeded all the financial objectives of its strategic plan, one year ahead of schedule. »

     

    This press release comments on the results of Crédit Agricole S.A. and those of Crédit Agricole Group, which comprises the Crédit Agricole S.A. entities and the Crédit Agricole Regional Banks, which own 62.4% of Crédit Agricole S.A. Please see the appendices to this press release for details of specific items, which are restated in the various indicators to calculate underlying income.

    Crédit Agricole Group

    Group activity

    The Group’s commercial activity during the quarter continued at a steady pace across all business lines, with a good level of customer capture. During 2024, the Group added +1 900,000 new customers in Retail Banking and grew its customer base by +214,000 customers. More specifically, over the year, the Group gained +1 500,000 new customers for Retail Banking in France and +400,000 new International Retail Banking customers (Italy and Poland). The customer base also grew (+126,000 and +88,000 customers, respectively).

    At 31 December 2024, retail banking on-balance sheet deposits totalled €837 billion, up +1.8% year-on-year in France and Italy (+0.5% for Regional Banks and LCL and +1.7% in Italy). Outstanding loans totalled €880 billion, up +0.4% year-on-year in France and Italy (+0.3% for Regional Banks and LCL and +1.7% in Italy). Home loan production picked up gradually in France during this quarter, recording an increase of +1% for the Regional Banks and +11% for LCL compared to the third quarter of 2024, and +7.8% and +59% respectively compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. Although high, home loan production by CA Italia was down -6.3% compared with an already high Q4 2023. The property and casualty insurance equipment rate1 rose to 43.9% for the Regional Banks (+0.8 percentage points compared with the third quarter of 2023), 27.9% for LCL (+0.4 percentage point) and 20.0% for CA Italia (+1.2 percentage point).

    In asset management, inflows remained strong at +€20.5 billion, fuelled by strong medium/long-term assets, excluding JVs (+€17.9 billion) and at the JVs. In insurance, savings/retirement gross inflows rose to a record €8.3 billion over the quarter (+17% year-on-year), with the unit-linked rate in production staying at a high 37.4%. Net inflows were positive at +€2.4 billion, growing for both euro-denominated and unit-linked contracts. The strong performance in property and casualty insurance was driven by price changes and portfolio growth (16.7 million contracts at end-December 2024, +5.3% year-on-year). Assets under management totalled €2,867 billion, up +12.1% in the year for all three segments: asset management rose 10% over the year to €2,240 billion; life insurance was up +5.1% to €347.3 billion; and wealth management (Indosuez Wealth Management and LCL Private Banking) increased 46.9% year-on-year to €279 billion, notably with the positive impact of the consolidation of Degroof Petercam (€69 billion in assets under management consolidated in the second quarter of 2024).

    Business in the SFS division was stable. At CAPFM, consumer finance outstandings increased to €119.3 billion, up +5.6% compared with the end of December 2023, buoyed by car loans, which accounted for 53%2 of total outstandings. New loan production decreased slightly, by -2.9% compared with the same period in 2023, mainly due to the Chinese market. Regarding Crédit Agricole Leasing & Factoring (CAL&F), production of lease financing outstandings was up +7.2% vs. December 2023 to 20.3%, with a particularly strong contribution from property leasing and renewable energy financing.

    Large Customers again posted record results for both the quarter and the full year in Corporate and Investment Banking. Capital Markets and Investment Banking held up well with a strong performance by the repo and securitisation businesses, while Financing activities reaped the benefits of growth in commercial activities. Asset Servicing recorded a high level of assets under custody of €5,291 billion and assets under administration of €3,397 billion (+12.1% and +3%, respectively, compared with the end of December 2023), with good sales momentum and positive market effects over the quarter.

    Each of the Group’s business lines posted strong activity (see Infra).

    Roll-out of strategic plan

    Crédit Agricole S.A.’s model offers constantly renewed potential for organic growth. This model is based on three pillars: customer acquisition, customer equipment and the development of new offers. Gross customer capture amounts to 1.9 million new customers on average since 2022, which marked the roll-out of the Horizon 2025 plan. Customer equipment is growing steadily across our various offers. The bank’s market share in household loans stood structurally at 30%3 helping to drive the market shares for our other offerings. These currently stand at 28% in asset management,3 27% in payment services,3 23% in individual death and disability insurance,4 19% in creditor insurance,4 15% in life insurance,4 7% in property and casualty insurance,4 and 4% in property services.4 Lastly, in line with our universal banking model, we are steadily expanding our customer offers: the new CA Transitions et Energies (CATE) and CA Santé et Territoires (CAST) business lines have been rolled out for the large-scale financing of renewable energy projects as well as the production and supply of electricity, and to offer solutions to improve access to healthcare and support for the elderly.

    This model is complemented by a steady stream of self-financed acquisitions and partnerships, through the consolidation of Crédit Agricole S.A.’s business lines in their markets to build the universal bank. Following on from acquisitions in the period 2019 to 2021 for a total of €3.3 billion, all of which were successful with some €1.3 billion5 in revenues generated, and a cost/income ratio of 52%, acquisitions and partnerships during the period covered by the Medium-Term Plan were in five main areas of development. The total investment was €7.2 billion6 (against €1.4 billion in disposals),7 generating around €3 billion in revenues.

    First of all, transactions to consolidate our business lines and strengthen our expertise were carried out in France and Europe, in particular: Private Banking through the transaction under way with Degroof Petercam, and a 70% stake in the capital of Wealth Dynamix8; Asset Servicing with the creation of Uptevia9, a common company with BNP Paribas, the acquisition of RBC Investor Services’ European businesses and the purchase of Santander’s minority interest in CACEIS; and Asset Management with the acquisitions of Alpha Associates10 and aixigo11; and finally, Leasing and factoring activity accelerate its development in Germany with the acquisition of Merca Leasing12. Crédit Agricole S.A. is also structuring its property services through the acquisition of property management business of Casino (Sudeco), and more recently the ones of Nexity.

    At the same time, the bank has expanded its distribution networks through new partnerships, notably by taking a stake in Banco BPM; signing a new distribution agreement between Crédit Agricole Assurances and Banco BPM for non-life and creditor insurance in Italy; partnership in automobile insurance with Mobilize Financial Services, subsidiary of Renault13; and entering into a distribution agreement between Amundi US and Victory Capital14.

    In addition, Specialised Financial Services division developed a comprehensive mobility with: the joint venture Leasys, created with Stellantis to become the European leader in long-term car rental; 100% of CA Auto Bank was acquired, in order to develop partnerships with smaller manufacturers and with independent distributors; six European subsidiaries of ALD and LeasePlan were acquired; and lastly, CA Mobility Services was formed, to create 20 service offers by 2026, mainly through the acquisition of a minority stake in WATEA15, the creation of a joint venture with Opteven16, the acquisition of a stake in HiFlow17, and the commercial partnership with FATEC18. More recently, Credit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility strengthens its partnership with the car manufacturer GAC with, on the one hand a financial partnership aimed at entrusting CA Auto Bank the financing of vehicules from the Chinese manufacturer in Europe, and on the other end, the acquisition of 50% of the capital of GAC Leasing in order to offer from 2025 financial and operational leasing on the Chinese market.

    In addition, Crédit Agricole S.A. has acquired a stake in Worklife19 and formed a partnership with Wordline20 as part of its drive to accelerate digitisation and innovation. In January 2024, Crédit Agricole S.A. announced its acquisition of a 7% non-controlling interest in Worldline.

    Lastly, to support the transitions in the new CATE and CAST business lines, Crédit Agricole S.A. acquired minority stakes of 40% in R3 (energy transition consultancy) and 43% in Selfee (energy production and supply), and become a reference shareholder in the capital of Office Santé21 and Cette Famille22. In addition, Crédit Agricole Assurances acquired majority stakes of 93% in Omedys23 and 86% in Medicalib23.

    These two pillars of Crédit Agricole S.A.’s universal banking model ensure steady, high growth in revenues and high profitability. Revenues have grown every year between 2015 and 2024 regardless of the environment at an average annual rate of +5.6%. Operational efficiency has also steadily improved with the cost/income ratio falling -15 percentage points in the period 2015 to 2024. Profitability has also risen significantly over the past 10 years. ROTE was 14% at the end of 2024, the highest since 2015, offering even more attractive shareholder remuneration: the dividend per share has tripled in the 10-year period.

    Continued support for the energy transition

    The Group is continuing the mass roll-out of financing and investment to promote the transition. The Crédit Agricole Group increased its exposure to low-carbon energy financing24 by +141% between the end of 2020 and the end of 2024, with €26.3 billion in financing at 31 December 2024.

    Investments by Crédit Agricole Assurances25 and Amundi Transition Energétique in low-carbon energy totalled €6 billion at 31 December 2024. What is more, Crédit Agricole Assurances hit its target of 14 GW of renewable energy production capacity financed one year ahead of schedule.

    At the same time, as a universal bank, Crédit Agricole is supporting the transition of all its customers. Crédit Agricole CIB’s green loan portfolio26 grew by +75% between the end of 2022 and December 2024, and represented €21.7 billion at 31 December 2024. The Group also continues to encourage low-carbon mobility. 37% of new vehicles financed by CAPFM in 2024 were electric or hybrid vehicles. The target for the end of 2025 is 50%.

    In addition, the Group is continuing on its pathway to exit the financing of carbon-based energies and is disclosing progress at end 2024 in three sectors, in line with their 2030 targets (vs. a 2020 baseline). Financed emissions in the oil and gas sector were reduced by -70% at end 2024 working towards a target of -75% by the end of 2030. The intensity of financed emissions in the power sector27 was down by -29% at end 2024, for a target of -58% by the end of 2030, and by -21% in the automotive sector, for a target of -50% by 2030.

    The Group’s phased withdrawal from financing fossil fuel extraction resulted in a -40% decrease in outstandings in the period 2020 to 2024, equating to €5.6 billion at 31 December 2024. At the same time, large-scale financing of low-carbon energies, with outstandings of €26.3 billion, will increase their relative share of the energy mix financed from 54% in 2020 to 82% by the end of 2024.

    Group results

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, Crédit Agricole Group’s stated net income Group share came to €2,149 million, up +24.6% compared with the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Specific items in the fourth quarter of 2024 had a negative net impact of -€42 million on the net income Group share of the Crédit Agricole Group. These items comprise the following recurring accounting items: recurring accounting volatility items, namely the DVA (Debt Valuation Adjustment), the issuer spread portion of the FVA, and secured lending for -€19 million in net income Group share from Capital Markets and Investment Banking, and the hedging of the loan book in Large Customers for +€1 million in net income Group share. In addition to these recurring items, there were other items specific to this quarter: ISB integration costs of
    -€15 million in the net income Group share of Large Customers and the Degroof Petercam integration costs of
    -€9 million in the net income Group share of Asset Gathering.

    Specific items for the fourth quarter of 2023 had a combined impact of +€86 million on net income Group share and included +€69 million in recurring accounting items and +€17 million in non-recurring items. The recurring items mainly corresponded to the reversal of the Home Purchase Saving Plans provision of +€64 million (+€5 million for LCL, +€4 million for the Corporate Centre and +€55 million for the Regional Banks); the other recurring items (+€5 million) are split between the issuer spread portion of the FVA28 and secured lending (+€4 million) and loan book hedging (+€1 million). The non-recurring items related to the ongoing reorganisation of the Mobility activities29 in the SFS division (+€18 million).

    Excluding these specific items, Crédit Agricole Group’s underlying net income Group share30 amounted to €2,190 million, up +33.7% compared to fourth quarter 2023.

    Crédit Agricole Group – Stated and underlying results, Q4-24 and Q4-23

    €m Q4-24
    stated
    Specific items Q4-24
    underlying
    Q4-23
    stated
    Specific items Q4-23
    underlying
    ∆ Q4/Q4
    stated
    ∆ Q4/Q4
    underlying
                     
    Revenues 9,817 (24) 9,840 8,769 93 8,677 +11.9% +13.4%
    Operating expenses excl.SRF (5,863) (39) (5,824) (5,682) 4 (5,686) +3.2% +2.4%
    SRF n.m. n.m.
    Gross operating income 3,954 (63) 4,017 3,088 97 2,991 +28.0% +34.3%
    Cost of risk (867) 0 (867) (762) (762) +13.9% +13.9%
    Equity-accounted entities 80 80 73 73 +9.9% +9.9%
    Net income on other assets (20) (1) (19) (19) (19) +7.5% +2.2%
    Change in value of goodwill 4 4 2 12 (9) +60.4% n.m.
    Income before tax 3,150 (64) 3,214 2,382 109 2,274 +32.2% +41.4%
    Tax (784) 16 (799) (455) (23) (432) +72.4% +85.1%
    Net income from discont’d or held-for-sale ope. (10) (10) (100.0%) (100.0%)
    Net income 2,366 (48) 2,414 1,918 86 1,832 +23.4% +31.8%
    Non controlling interests (217) 7 (224) (194) (194) +12.2% +15.6%
    Net income Group Share 2,149 (42) 2,190 1,724 86 1,638 +24.6% +33.7%
    Cost/Income ratio excl.SRF (%) 59.7%   59.2% 64.8%   65.5% -5.1 pp -6.4 pp

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, underlying revenues amounted to €9,840 million, up +13.4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, driven by favourable results from most of the business lines. Underlying revenues were up in French Retail Banking, while the Asset Gathering division benefited from good business momentum and the integration of Degroof Petercam, the Large Customers division enjoyed a high level of revenues across all of its business lines and the Specialised Financial Services division benefited from a positive price effect. In addition, International Retail Banking revenues were stable. Underlying operating expenses were up +2.4% in fourth quarter 2024, totalling €5,824 million. Overall, the Group saw its underlying cost/income ratio reach 59.2% in the fourth quarter of 2024, a -6.4 percentage point improvement. As a result, the underlying gross operating income came to €4,017 million, up +34.3% compared to the fourth quarter 2023.

    The underlying cost of credit risk stood at -€867 million, an increase of +13.9% compared to fourth quarter 2023. This figure comprises an amount of -€363 million to prudential provisions on performing loans (stages 1 and 2) and an amount of -€489 million for the cost of proven risk (stage 3). There was also an addition of
    -€16 million for other risks. The provisioning levels were determined by taking into account several weighted economic scenarios and by applying some flat-rate adjustments on sensitive portfolios. The weighted economic scenarios for the fourth quarter were updated from the third quarter, with a favourable scenario (French GDP at +1.1% in 2024, +1.3% in 2025) and an unfavourable scenario (French GDP at +1.1% in 2024 and -0.1% in 2025). The cost of risk/outstandings31reached 27 basis points over a four rolling quarter period and 29 basis points on an annualised quarterly basis32.

    Underlying pre-tax income stood at €3,214 million, a year-on-year increase of +41.4% compared to fourth quarter 2023. This includes the contribution from equity-accounted entities for €80 million (up +9.9%) and net income on other assets, which came to -€19 million over this quarter. The underlying tax charge was up +85.1% over the period, with the tax rate this quarter rising by +6.0 percentage points to 25.5%. Underlying net income before non-controlling interests was up +31.8% to €2,414 million. Non-controlling interests rose +15.6%. Lastly, underlying net income Group share was €2,190 million, +33.7% higher than in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Crédit Agricole Group – Stated and underlying results 2024 and 2023

    En m€ 2024
    stated
    Specific items 2024
    underlying
    2023
    stated
    Specific items 2023
    underlying
    ∆ 2024/2023
    stated
    ∆ 2024/2023
    underlying
                     
    Revenues 38,060 93 37,967 36,492 851 35,641 +4.3% +6.5%
    Operating expenses excl.SRF (22,729) (123) (22,606) (21,464) (14) (21,450) +5.9% +5.4%
    SRF (620) (620) (100.0%) (100.0%)
    Gross operating income 15,332 (30) 15,362 14,408 837 13,572 +6.4% +13.2%
    Cost of risk (3,191) (20) (3,171) (2,941) (84) (2,856) +8.5% +11.0%
    Equity-accounted entities 283 (0) 283 263 (39) 302 +7.6% (6.1%)
    Net income on other assets (39) (24) (15) 88 89 (1) n.m. x 18.9
    Change in value of goodwill 4 4 2 12 (9) +60.4% n.m.
    Income before tax 12,388 (74) 12,462 11,821 814 11,007 +4.8% +13.2%
    Tax (2,888) 12 (2,900) (2,748) (203) (2,545) +5.1% +13.9%
    Net income from discont’d or held-for-sale ope. (3) (3) (100.0%) (100.0%)
    Net income 9,500 (62) 9,562 9,071 611 8,459 +4.7% +13.0%
    Non controlling interests (860) 23 (883) (813) (0) (813) +5.8% +8.7%
    Net income Group Share 8,640 (39) 8,679 8,258 611 7,647 +4.6% +13.5%
    Cost/Income ratio excl.SRF (%) 59.7%   59.5% 58.8%   60.2% +0.9 pp -0.6 pp

    For full-year 2024, stated net income Group share amounted to €8,640 million, compared with €8,258 million for full-year 2023, an increase of +4.6%.

    Specific items for full-year 2024 include the specific items of the Regional Banks (+€47 million in reversals of Home Purchase Savings Plan provisions) and Crédit Agricole S.A. specific items, which are detailed in the Crédit Agricole S.A. section.

    Excluding specific items, underlying net income Group share reached €8,679 million, up +13.5% compared with full-year 2023.

    Underlying revenues totalled €37,967 million, up +6.5% compared with full-year 2023, driven by all business lines (excluding Corporate Centre).

    Underlying operating expenses amounted to -€22,606 million, up +5.4% excluding SRF compared to full-year 2023, mainly due to higher compensation in an inflationary environment, support for business development, IT expenditure and scope effects as detailed for each division. The underlying cost/income ratio for full-year 2024 was 59.5%, a -0.6 percentage point improvement compared to full-year 2023 excluding SRF. The SRF stood at
    -€620 million in 2023.

    Underlying gross operating income totalled €15,362 million, up +13.2% compared to full-year 2023.

    The underlying cost of risk for full-year 2024 rose to -€3,171 million (of which -€540 million in cost of risk on performing loans (stages 1 and 2), -€2,637 million in cost of proven risk, and +€6 million in other risks corresponding mainly to reversals of legal provisions), i.e. an increase of +11.0% compared to full-year 2023.

    As at 31 December 2024, risk indicators confirm the high quality of Crédit Agricole Group’s assets and risk coverage level. The diversified loan book is mainly geared towards home loans (45% of gross outstandings) and corporates (33% of gross outstandings). Loan loss reserves amounted to €21.3 billion at the end of December 2024 (€11.7 billion for Regional Banks), 42.2% of which represented provisioning of performing loans (47.3% for Regional Banks). The prudent management of these loan loss reserves meant that the Crédit Agricole Group’s overall coverage ratio for doubtful loans at the end of December 2024 was 84.9%.

    Underlying net income on other assets stood at -€15 million for full-year 2024 versus -€1 million for full-year 2023. Underlying pre-tax income before discontinued operations and non-controlling interests rose by +13.2% to €12,462 million. The tax charge was -€2,900 million, up +13.9%, with an underlying effective tax rate of 23.8%, stable compared to full-year 2023. Underlying net income before non-controlling interests was therefore up by +13.0%. Non-controlling interests amounted to -€883 million for full-year 2024, up +8.7%.

    Underlying net income Group share for full-year 2024 thus stood at €8,679 million, up 13.5% compared to full-year 2023.

    Regional banks

    Gross customer capture stands at +273,000 new customers and the customer base grew by +10,000 new customers over the same period. The percentage of customers using demand deposits as their main account and those who use digital tools continued to increase. Credit market share (total credits) stands at 22.7% (at the end of September 2024, source Banque de France). Loan production was up +7.4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, reflecting the +7.8% rise in home loans and specialised markets. Home loan production has been gradually recovering since the beginning of the year. The average production rate for home loans stood at 3.35%33 over October and November 2024, -12 basis points lower than in the third quarter of 2024. By contrast, the global loan stock rate showed a gradual improvement (+16 basis points compared to the fourth quarter of 2023). Outstanding loans totalled €648 billion at the end of December 2024, stable year-on-year across all markets but up slightly by +0.2% over the quarter.
    Customer assets were up +2.6% year-on-year to reach €910.9 billion at the end of December 2024. This growth was driven both by on-balance sheet deposits, which reached €605.9 billion (+1.7% year-on-year), and off-balance sheet deposits, which reached €305 billion (+4.4% year-on-year) benefiting from strong inflows in life insurance. The mix of on-balance sheet deposits for the quarter remained almost unchanged, with demand deposits and term deposits fluctuating by -0.5% and +0.1%, respectively, from end-September 2024. The market share of balance sheet collection is up compared to last year and stands at 20.3% (Source Banque de France, data at the end of September 2024, i.e. +0.4 percentage points compared to September 2023). The equipment rate for property and casualty insurance34 was 43.9% at the end of December 2024 and continues to rise (up +0.8 percentage point compared to the end of December 2023). In terms of payment instruments, the number of cards rose by +1.6% year-on-year, as did the percentage of premium cards in the stock, which increased by 1.6 percentage points year-on-year to account for 16.4% of total cards.
    In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Regional Banks’ consolidated revenues including the SAS Rue La Boétie dividend35 stood at €3,247 million, up +0.7% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, notably impacted by a base effect of +€73.6 million related to the reversal of the Home Purchase Savings Plan provision in the fourth quarter of 202336. Excluding this item, revenues were up +3.1% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, the rise in the net interest margin (+9.8% excluding Home Purchase Savings36) and good momentum of fee and commission income (+1.6%) in insurance, account management and payment instruments offsetting the drop in portfolio revenues (-10.0%). Operating expenses were stable (+0.7%), below inflation. Gross operating income was up +0.8% year-on-year (+11.6% excluding the Home Purchase Savings Plan base effect36). The cost of risk was down -24.6% compared with the fourth quarter of 2023 to -€242 million. The cost of risk/outstandings (over four rolling quarters) remained under control at 20 basis points (a -1 basis point drop compared to third quarter 2024).
    The Regional Banks’ consolidated net income, including the SAS Rue La Boétie dividend35 amounted to €419 million, up +19.9% compared to the fourth quarter 2023 (+42.1% excluding the base effect36).
    The Regional Banks’ contribution to net income Group share was €403 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, up +20.3% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.
    In full-year 2024, revenues including the SAS Rue La Boétie dividend were up +1.9% compared to the same period in 2023. Operating expenses rose by +1.4%, resulting in a rise in gross operating income of +2.7%. Finally, with a cost of risk up +14.0%, the Regional Banks’ net income Group share, including the SAS Rue La Boétie dividend, amounted to €3,470 million, up +2.5% compared to full-year 2023 (+5.5% excluding the Home Purchase Savings Plan base effect36).The Regional Banks’ contribution to the results of Crédit Agricole Group in full-year 2024 amounted to €1,423 million in stated net income Group share (-18.9% compared to the same period in 2023), with revenues of €13,110 million (-1.1%), expenses of -€9,956 (+2.6%) and a cost of risk of -€1,319 million (+14.5%).

    Crédit Agricole S.A.

    Results

    Crédit Agricole S.A.’s Board of Directors, chaired by Dominique Lefebvre, met on 4 February 2025 to examine the financial statements for the fourth quarter of 2024.

    Crédit Agricole S.A. – Stated and underlying results, Q4-24 and Q4-23

    €m Q4-24
    stated
    Specific items Q4-24
    underlying
    Q4-23
    stated
    Specific items Q4-23
    underlying
    ∆ Q4/Q4
    stated
    ∆ Q4/Q4
    underlying
                     
    Revenues 7,092 (24) 7,116 6,040 19 6,021 +17.4% +18.2%
    Operating expenses excl.SRF (3,917) (39) (3,878) (3,710) 4 (3,714) +5.6% +4.4%
    SRF n.m. n.m.
    Gross operating income 3,175 (63) 3,238 2,330 24 2,307 +36.2% +40.4%
    Cost of risk (594) 0 (594) (440) (440) +35.0% +35.0%
    Equity-accounted entities 62 62 61 61 +2.4% +2.4%
    Net income on other assets (9) (1) (8) (17) (17) (45.9%) (51.9%)
    Change in value of goodwill 2 12 (9) n.m. (100.0%)
    Income before tax 2,634 (64) 2,698 1,937 35 1,902 +36.0% +41.9%
    Tax (681) 16 (697) (369) (4) (365) +84.7% +91.0%
    Net income from discont’d or held-for-sale ope. (10) (10) n.m. n.m.
    Net income 1,953 (48) 2,001 1,558 32 1,527 +25.3% +31.1%
    Non controlling interests (264) 7 (271) (224) (0) (224) +17.8% +21.1%
    Net income Group Share 1,689 (41) 1,730 1,334 31 1,303 +26.6% +32.8%
    Earnings per share (€) 0.52 (0.01) 0.54 0.41 0.01 0.40 +26.8% +33.4%
    Cost/Income ratio excl. SRF (%) 55.2%   54.5% 61.4%   61.7% -6.2 pp -7.2 pp

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, Crédit Agricole S.A.’s stated net income Group share came to €1,689 million, up +26.6% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, having benefited from non-recurring items related to reversals of Home Purchase Savings Plan and Cheque Image Exchange fine provisions and from the end of the reorganisation of the Mobility activities (see below). This was an excellent result for the fourth quarter of 2024, based on high revenues (exceeding €7 billion) and a cost/income ratio kept at a low level.

    Specific items for this quarter had a cumulative impact of -€41 million on net income Group share, and included the following recurring accounting items: recurring accounting volatility items in revenues, such as the DVA (Debt Valuation Adjustment), the issuer spread portion of the FVA and secured lending for -€19 million in net income Group share in the Large Customers segment, and the hedging of the loan book in the Large Customers segment for +€1 million in net income Group share. In addition to these recurring items, there were a number of items specific to this quarter: Degroof Petercam integration costs of -€8 million in the net income Group share in Asset Gathering; ISB integration costs for -€15 million in the net income Group share in Large Customers.

    Specific items for the fourth quarter 2023 had a cumulative impact of +€31 million on net income Group share, and included recurring accounting items for +€14 million and non-recurring items for +€17 million. The recurring items mainly corresponded to the reversal of the Home Purchase Savings Plans provision of +€8 million (+€4 million for LCL and +€4 million for the Corporate Centre); the other recurring items – the issuer spread portion of the FVA and secured lending (+€4 million) and loan book hedging (+€1 million) – offset each other. The non-recurring items related to the ongoing reorganisation of the Mobility activities in the SFS division (+€17 million).

    Excluding specific items, underlying net income Group share37 stood at €1,730 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, up +32.8% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, underlying revenues were at a high level, standing at €7,116 million. They were up sharply by +18.2% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. This growth was driven by growth in the Asset Gathering division (+31.6%) which in turn was driven by the rise in outstandings across all business lines, including the integration of Degroof Petercam38. There was a positive base effect relating to very high weather-related claims in the fourth quarter of 2023. Large Customer division revenues (+10.6%) were driven by good results from all business lines with continued revenue growth in corporate and investment banking in the fourth quarter, in addition to an improvement in the net interest margin and fee and commission income within CACEIS. Specialised Financial Services division revenues (+4.0%) benefited mainly from positive price effects in the Personal Finance and Mobility business line. French Retail Banking growth (+0.8%) was driven by the rise in fee and commission income which offset the drop in NIM, and International Retail Banking revenues (-0.5%) were stable. Corporate Centre revenues were up +€362 million, positively impacted by the dividend and the revaluation of the equity interest in Banco BPM of +€294 million.

    Underlying operating expenses totalled -€3,878 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of +4.4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, reflecting the support given to business line development. The -€164 million year-on-year rise in expenses was mainly due to a -€132 million scope effect39.

    The underlying cost/income ratio in fourth quarter 2024 stood at 54.5%, a decrease of -7.2 percentage points compared to fourth quarter 2023.

    Underlying gross operating income in the fourth quarter of 2024 stood at €3,238 million, an increase of +40.4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.

    As at 31 December 2024, risk indicators confirm the high quality of Crédit Agricole S.A.’s assets and risk coverage level. The diversified loan book is mainly geared towards home loans (26% of gross outstandings) and corporates (44% of Crédit Agricole S.A. gross outstandings). The Non-Performing Loans ratio was down
    -0.2 point from the previous quarter and remains low at 2.3%. The coverage ratio40 was high at 74.1%, up +2.7 percentage points over the quarter. Loan loss reserves amounted to €9.6 billion for Crédit Agricole S.A., relatively unchanged from end September 2024. Of those loan loss reserves, 35.8% were for performing loans (percentage up +1.5% from the previous quarter).

    The underlying cost of risk showed a net addition of -€594 million, up +35.0% from the fourth quarter of 2023, including a -€278 million addition for performing loans (stages 1 and 2) (versus a reversal of -€1 million in the fourth quarter of 2023) and -€297 million in provisioning for proven risks (stage 3) (versus -€373 million in the fourth quarter of 2023). Also note a provision of -€18 million for other items (legal provisions), primarily for the SFS business line (-€30 million in legal provisions). By business line, 52% of the net addition for the quarter came from Specialised Financial Services (an increase from end-December 2023, unchanged from September 2024), 13% from LCL (22% at end-September 2023), 17% from International Retail Banking (23% at end-December 2023), 16% from Large Customers (9% at end-December 2023) and 1% from the Corporate Centre (3% at end-December 2023). The provisioning levels were determined by taking into account several weighted economic scenarios and by applying some flat-rate adjustments on sensitive portfolios. The weighted economic scenarios for the fourth quarter were updated relative to the third quarter, with a favourable scenario (French GDP at +1.1% in 2024, +1.3% in 2025) and an unfavourable scenario (French GDP at +1.1% in 2024 and -0.1% in 2025). In the fourth quarter of 2024, the cost of risk/outstandings was 34 basis points over a rolling four-quarter period41 and 44 basis points on an annualised quarterly basis42 (a deterioration of 1 basis point and 10 basis points, respectively, versus the fourth quarter of 2023 for both bases).

    The underlying contribution from equity-accounted entities amounted to €62 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, up +2.4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, mainly due to the growth of equity-accounted entities in the personal finance and mobility business line.

    Underlying income43before tax, discontinued operations and non-controlling interests was up +41.9% to €2,698 million. The underlying effective tax rate stood at 26.4%, up +6.7 percentage points on fourth quarter 2023. The underlying tax charge was -€697 million, a +91% increase chiefly due to a positive base effect. Underlying net income before non-controlling interests was up +31.1% to €2,001 million. Non-controlling interests amounted to -€271 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of +21.1%.

    Underlying earnings per share in fourth quarter 2024 came to €0.54, up +33.4% compared to fourth quarter 2023.

    Crédit Agricole S.A. – Stated and underlying results, 2024 and 2023

    En m€ 2024
    stated
    Specific items 2024
    underlying
    2023
    stated
    Specific items 2023
    underlying
    ∆ 2024/2023
    stated
    ∆ 2024/2023
    underlying
                     
    Revenues 27,181 30 27,151 25,180 617 24,563 +7.9% +10.5%
    Operating expenses excl.SRF (14,895) (123) (14,772) (13,632) (14) (13,618) +9.3% +8.5%
    SRF (509) (509) (100.0%) (100.0%)
    Gross operating income 12,286 (94) 12,379 11,039 603 10,436 +11.3% +18.6%
    Cost of risk (1,850) (20) (1,830) (1,777) (84) (1,693) +4.1% +8.1%
    Equity-accounted entities 194 (0) 194 197 (39) 235 (1.5%) (17.6%)
    Net income on other assets (4) (24) 20 85 89 (4) n.m. n.m.
    Change in value of goodwill 2 12 (9) (100.0%) (100.0%)
    Income before tax 10,625 (138) 10,763 9,546 580 8,966 +11.3% +20.0%
    Tax (2,472) 28 (2,500) (2,201) (153) (2,047) +12.3% +22.1%
    Net income from discont’d or held-for-sale ope. (3) (3) n.m. n.m.
    Net income 8,153 (109) 8,263 7,343 427 6,916 +11.0% +19.5%
    Non controlling interests (1,067) 24 (1,090) (995) (2) (992) +7.3% +9.9%
    Net income Group Share 7,087 (86) 7,172 6,348 425 5,923 +11.6% +21.1%
    Earnings per share (€) 2.11 (0.03) 2.14 1.94 0.14 1.80 +8.5% +18.5%
    Cost/Income ratio excl.SRF (%) 54.8%   54.4% 54.1%   55.4% +0.7 pp -1.0 pp

    Over year 2024, stated net income Group share amounted to €7,087 million, versus €6,348 million for full-year 2023, an increase of +11.6%.

    Specific items for 2024 had a negative impact of -€86 million on stated net income Group share and comprise +€21 million in recurring accounting items and -€107 million in non-recurring items. The recurring items mainly correspond to the reversals of and additions to the Home Purchase Savings Plans provisions for +€1 million net, as well as the accounting volatility items of the Large Customers division (the DVA for +€15 million and loan book hedging for +€6 million). Non-recurring items relate to the integration and acquisition costs of Degroof Petercam (-€35 million) within the Asset Gathering division, the costs of integrating ISB (-€52 million) within the Large Customers division and an additional provision for risk in Ukraine (-€20 million) within the International Retail Banking division.

    Excluding specific items, underlying net income Group share reached €7,172 million, up +21.1% compared to full-year 2023.

    Underlying revenues were up +10.5% year-on-year, driven by all business lines. Underlying operating expenses excluding SRF were +8.5% higher than in 2023, essentially reflecting the development of the Group’s business lines and the integration of scope effects, partially offset by the end of the SRF44 building-up period. The underlying cost/income ratio excluding SRF for the period was 54.4%, a decrease of 1 percentage point compared to the same period in 2023. Underlying gross operating income totalled €12,379 million, up +18.6% compared to full-year 2023. The underlying cost of risk increased by +8.1% over the period to
    -€1,830 million, versus -€1,693 million in 2023. Lastly, underlying contributions from equity-accounted entities amounted to €194 million, down -17.6% over the period.

    Underlying earnings per share stood at €2.14 per share for full-year 2024, up 18.5% from full-year 2023.

    Underlying RoTE45, which is calculated on the basis of an annualised Underlying Net Income Group Share46 and IFRIC charges linearised over the year, net of annualised Additional Tier 1 coupons (return on equity Group share excluding intangibles) and net of foreign exchange impact on reimbursed AT1, and restated for certain volatile items recognised in equity (including unrealised gains and/or losses), reached 14.0% in 2024, up +1.4 percentage point compared to 2023.

    Analysis of the activity and the results of Crédit Agricole S.A.’s divisions and business lines

    Activity of the Asset Gathering division

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, assets under management in the Asset Gathering division (AG) stood at

    €2,867 billion, up +€58 billion over the quarter (or +2.1%), mainly due to a positive market effect and strong net inflows in the three business lines – Asset Management, Insurance and Wealth Management. Over the year, assets under management rose by +12.1%.

    Insurance activity (Crédit Agricole Assurances) was very dynamic with total premium income of €10.9 billion – a record level for a fourth quarter – up +14.2% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, and up in all three segments: savings/retirement, property and casualty, and death & disability/creditor/group insurance. In total for the year, overall premium income also stood to a record €43.6 billion, up +17.2% vs. 2023.

    In Savings/Retirement, fourth-quarter premium income stood at €8.3 billion, up +17.3% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. Business was driven by euro payment bonus campaigns in France, launched during the first quarter, which boosted gross euro inflows, as well as by a confirmed upturn in international business. Unit-linked contracts accounted for 37.4% of gross inflows47, down -12.8 percentage points over the year, reflecting the reduced appeal of unit-linked bond products. The quarter’s net inflows47 totalled +€2.4 billion (up +€0.8 billion compared to the third quarter of 2024), comprised of +€1.4 billion net inflows from unit-linked contracts and +€1.1 billion from euro funds. In total, Savings/Retirement premium income amounted to €32.1 billion, up +21.5% compared to the end of December 2023.

    Assets under management (savings, retirement and funeral insurance) continued to grow and came to €347.3 billion (up +€17.0 billion year-on-year, or +5.1%). The growth of assets under management was supported by positive market effects and positive net inflows. Unit-linked contracts accounted for 30.0% of outstandings, up +1.1 percentage point compared to the end of December 2023.

    The profit sharing rate on Predica’s euro-denominated life insurance policies in 2024 remained stable compared to 2023.48 The Policy Participation Reserve (PPE49) amounted to €7.5 billion at 31 December 2024, representing 3.3% of total euro outstandings.

    In property and casualty insurance, premium income rose to €1.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024, up +9.9%50 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. Growth stemmed from a price effect, with the increase in the average premium benefiting from revised rates and changes in the product mix, and a volume effect, with a portfolio of close to €16.7 million51 policies at the end of December 2024 (an increase of +5.3% over the year). The combined ratio at end-December 2024 was 94.4%,52 an improvement of -2.7 percentage points year-on-year, related to a positive base effect due to lower claims in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared with the same period one year earlier, which was impacted by fierce storms. In total, at the end of December 2024, premium income stood at €6.2 billion, an increase of +8.2% compared to full-year 2023.

    In death & disability/creditor/group insurance, premium income for the fourth quarter of 2024 stood at €1.3 billion, up +1.4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. The strong performance in individual death and disability insurance and group insurance (+9.9% and +22.1%, respectively, compared to fourth quarter 2023) offset a decline in creditor insurance of -4.9% in both consumer finance and mortgage lending. In total, at the end of December 2024, premium income from personal protection insurance stood at €5.3 billion, an increase of +4.6% compared to 2023.

    In Asset Management (Amundi), assets under management by Amundi increased by +2.2% and +10.0% respectively over the quarter and the year, reaching a new record of €2,240 billion at the end of December 2024, benefiting from the positive market effect, but also from a high level of inflows over the quarter and year.

    Over the quarter, net inflows amounted to +€20.5 billion, the highest level since 2021, driven by medium-long-term assets 53 (+€17.9 billion) in active management and, as in previous quarters, in ETFs. Third-party distributors also posted record inflows in 2024, which were well diversified and positive in all asset classes.

    The Retail segment recorded record net inflows in 2024 from third-party distributors, well diversified across all asset classes, and positive inflows from partner networks in France. The institutional segment continued to record solid commercial momentum, with net inflows driven by medium/long-term assets in the institutional and sovereign segments, and by treasury products in the corporate segment. Finally, JVs continue to benefit from the dynamic inflows of SBI MF in India. Thus, the increase in assets under management of +€48.5 billion over the quarter is linked to a good level of activity (net inflows of +€20.5 billion) and a positive market and foreign exchange effect of +€28.1 billion. In 2024, the increase in assets under management of +€203 billion is linked to record net inflows of +€55.4 billion, doubling compared to 2023, a favorable market effect of +€140.1 billion and a scope effect of +€7.9 billion in connection with the integration of Alpha Associate since the second quarter of 2024.

    In Wealth Management, total assets under management (CA Indosuez Wealth Management and LCL Private Banking) amounted to €279 billion at the end of December 2024, and were up +1.9% compared to September 2024 and +46,9% compared to December 2023.

    For Indosuez Wealth Management assets under management at the end of December stood at €215 billion54, up +2.6% compared to the end of September 2024, thanks to a good level of activity with net inflows of +€1.9 billion and a favourable market effect of +€3.7 billion. Compared to the end of December 2023, assets under management were up by +€87 billion (or +68.2%), taking into account a scope effect of €69 billion (integration of Degroof Petercam in June 2024). Also of note over the quarter was the continued integration of Degroof Petercam with several capital reorganisations in France and in Luxembourg, and the effective mergers of legal entities planned for Q3 2025. In 2025, Wealth Management projects in the region of €70-80 million in additional integration costs for Degroof Petercam.

    Results of the Asset Gathering division

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Asset Gathering division generated €2,045 million in revenues, up +31.6% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, driven by all the division’s business lines. Expenses increased +28% to -€930 million and gross operating income came to €1,116 million, +34.7% compared to fourth quarter of 2023. The cost/income ratio for the fourth quarter of 2024 stood at 45.5%, down -1.3 percentage points compared to the same period in 2023. Taxes amounted to -€315 million, up +82.3%, notably related to the scope of insurance activities. Net income Group share for Asset Gathering division was €695 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, up +27.4% compared to the same period in 2023.

    In full-year 2024, Asset Gathering generated €7,648 million in revenues, up +14.4% compared to the end of December 2023, driven by very high level of revenues in all three business lines – in Insurance, Asset Management and Wealth Management. Expenses excluding SRF increased +17.1%.to -€3,365 million, while gross operating income came to €4,284 million (up +12.5% compared to end-December 2023). As a result, the cost/income ratio excluding SRF stood at 44%, up +1.0 percentage points compared to the end of December 2023. The tax charge was -€973 million in 2024, up +11.7% on 2023. Finally, Asset Gathering net income Group share came to €2,875 million, up +13.1% compared to 2023, up in the three activities of the Asset Gathering division.

    At end-December 2024, the Asset Gathering, contributed 38% to the underlying net income Group share of the Crédit Agricole S.A. core businesses and 28% to underlying revenues (excluding the Corporate Centre division).

    As at 31 December 2024, equity allocated to the division amounted to €12.6 billion, including €10.4 billion for Insurance, €1.3 billion for Asset Management, and €0.9 billion for Wealth Management. The division’s risk-weighted assets amounted to €57.5 billion, including €34.5 billion for Insurance, €13.7 billion for Asset Management and €9.4 billion for Wealth Management.

    Underlying RoNE (return on normalised equity) stood at 26.9% at the end of December 2024.

    Insurance results

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, insurance revenues reached €715 million, up sharply by +37.1% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, benefiting from a favorable base effect (fourth quarter 2023 having been impacted by the high claims rate related to storms Ciaran and Domingos), dynamic activity and growth in assets under management. Revenues for the quarter include €540 million from savings/retirement55, €93 million from personal protection56 and €141 million from property and casualty insurance57.

    The CSM (Contractual Service Margin) stood at €25.2 billion at 31 December 2024, up 5.8% year-on-year, benefiting from the positive impact of the revaluation of the stock and the contribution of new business exceeding the CSM allocation. The CSM allocation factor was 7.7% in 2024. Non-attributable expenses for the quarter amounted to -€77 million, up +2.7% vs. the fourth quarter of 2023. As a result, gross operating income reached €638 million, up +42.9% compared to the same period in 2023. Taxes amounted to -€218 million, compared with -€79 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, in connection with the increase in the tax rate to 34.5% (+16.7 percentage points compared to the fourth quarter of 2023). This change is linked in particular to an upward reassessment of the tax rate including a decrease in the valuation of assets at a reduced rate. Non-controlling interests amounted to €3 million compared to €-32 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, impacted by the inclusion of accounting items related to the redemption of RT1 instruments. Net income Group share was €418 million, up +24.5% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Full year 2024 insurance revenues reached €2,845 million, up +11.9% compared to 2023, in line with dynamic activity, the increase in outstandings, as well as the lower claims experience in 2024 compared to 2023. Non-attributable expenses amounted to -€341 million, up +9.3%. The cost/income ratio is thus 12%, below the target ceiling set by the Medium-Term Plan of 15%. Gross operating income was €2,504 million (+12.2% compared to 2023). The tax expense was -€572 million, up +16.6% compared to 2023, in line with the lower contribution of reduced tax rate operations to the overall tax rate. As a result, net income Group share reached €1,884 million, up +14% compared to 2023.

    Insurance contributed 25% to the underlying net income Group share of Crédit Agricole S.A.’s business lines (excluding AHM) at the end of December 2024 and 10% to their underlying revenues.

    Crédit Agricole Assurances remains solid with a prudential Solvency 2 ratio superior to 200% as of 31 December 2024.

    Asset Management results

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, revenues reached €901 million, up +14.5% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, mainly driven by management and technology revenues. Net management fees posted sustained growth of +13.5% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, linked to the good level of activity and the increase in average assets under management. Performance fees were also up +67.6% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, benefiting from the good performance of active strategies, particularly rates and credit. Amundi Technology’s revenues continued their sustained growth and increased by +47,1% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, amplified this quarter by the first consolidation of aixigo, a European leader in Wealth Tech, whose acquisition was finalized in November 2024. Operating expenses amounted to €-506 million, up +16.2% compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, mainly explained by the effect of the first consolidation of Alpha Associates and aixigo, the acceleration of strategic investments, the growth of variable compensation revenues related to operational performance and acquisition-related integration costs.58 Restated for integration costs, the increase in expenses remains lower than the increase in revenues, thus generating a positive jaws effect. Gross operating income was €395 million, up +12.5% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, reflecting double-digit revenue growth. The contribution of associates, including the contribution of Amundi’s Asian joint ventures, amounted to €29 million, up +1.8% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. The tax expense amounted to -€80 million (down -9.6%). Net income before deduction of minority interests amounted to €341 million, up +18% compared to the same period in 2023. As a result, net income Group share was €226 million, +16.2% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.

    In 2024, net banking income reached €3,406 million, up +9.1% in asset management, reflecting growth in management revenues, linked to the growth in average assets under management and the very good performance of active and passive management. Amundi Technology’s revenues also grew strongly, amplified by the acquisition of aixigo in the fourth quarter of 2024. Operating expenses excluding SRF amounted to -€1,890 million, an increase of +8.8%, explained by the first consolidation of Alpha Associates and aixigo, investments in growth areas, the increase in provisions for variable compensation in line with operational performance and integration costs58.The cost/income ratio excluding SRF stood at 55.5%, stable compared to 2023 (-0.2 percentage points). Thus, gross operating income increased by +9.7% compared to 2023, reflecting the increase in revenues. Profit from associates increased by +20.9%, mainly driven by the JV in India, which contributed more than €100 million for the first time to this result. In the end, net income Group share was €849 million, up +11.7% compared to 2023.

    Wealth Management results59

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, net banking income from wealth management amounted to €430 million, up +73.9% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, benefiting from the impact of the integration of Degroof Petercam in June 2024.60   Excluding this effect, revenues were supported by the good momentum of management fees in connection with the increase in outstandings, offsetting the anticipated decrease in the net interest margin on deposits. Expenses for the quarter amounted to -€347 million, up +60.4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, impacted by a Degroof Petercam60 and -€12.8 million in integration costs. Restated for these impacts, the evolution of expenses is slightly lower than in the fourth quarter of 2023. The cost/income ratio for the fourth quarter of 2024 stood at 80.8%, down -6.8 percentage points compared to the same period in 2023. Restated for integration and acquisition costs, the cost/income ratio was 77.8%. Gross operating income reached €82 million, up sharply (x 2.7) compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. The cost of risk for the quarter remained moderate at -€3 million, in line with the fourth quarter of 2023 (-€5 million). Net income Group share reached €51 million, up sharply (x 3.3) compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. Restated for integration and acquisition costs61, net income Group share for the fourth quarter of 2024 amounted to €60 million.

    For the full year 2024, net banking income from the wealth management business amounted to €1,397 million, up +36.6% compared to the end of December 2023, benefiting in particular from the integration of Degroof Petercam in June 202462. Expenses excluding SRF were up +37.5% due to a Degroof Petercam62 scope effect and -€26.4 million in integration costs. Restated for these impacts, 2024 expenses are up slightly by +2.8% compared to 2023. Gross operating income increased by +35.0% to €264 million. The cost of risk at the end of 2024 was -€15 million, up -€11 million compared to the end of December 2023, related to the consideration of litigation and the provisioning of various cases. Net income on other assets amounted to -€23 million, mainly corresponding to acquisition costs for Degroof Petercam63, restated for specific items. Net income Group share for 2024 was €142 million, up 11.1% compared to 2023. Restated for integration and acquisition costs63, 2024 net income Group share amounted to €177 million.

    Wealth Management contributed 2% to the underlying net income Group share of Crédit Agricole S.A.’s business lines (excluding AHM) at the end of December 2024 and 5% of their underlying revenues.

    As of 31 December 2024, the equity allocated to Wealth Management amounted to €0.9 billion; risk weighted assets are €9.4 billion.

    Activity of the Large Customers division

    Once again in Q4 2024, Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) posted an excellent performance across all its businesses (best fourth quarter and best year in terms of revenues). Asset servicing also recorded strong business momentum during the period.

    Corporate and Investment Banking’s fourth-quarter underlying revenues rose sharply to €1,596 million, an increase of +9.9% compared with the fourth quarter of 2023, driven by growth in its two business lines. Revenues from Financing activities were up +4.4% year-on-year to €898 million. This was mainly due to the strong performance recorded by Commercial Banking (+4.0% versus the fourth quarter of 2023), driven by good momentum in Corporate activities, especially in the Telecom sector, and strong revenues from asset financing and project financing, especially in Green energy and Aerospace. Capital Markets and Investment Banking also grew its revenues to €699 million, an increase of +18.0% compared with the fourth quarter of 2023. Growth was fuelled by the high revenues maintained by Capital Markets (+17.0% versus the fourth quarter of 2023), driven by the Repo and Securitisation businesses, and the strong performance recorded by Investment Banking (with growth of +23.0% compared with the fourth quarter of 2023) thanks to the strong performance of Structured Equities.

    In total, Corporate and Investment Banking’s underlying revenue rose a steep +6.5% year-on-year to €6,540 million, driven by growth in its two business lines. Revenues from Financing activities were up +5.7% compared to the total for 2023, at €3,355 million. Capital Markets and Investment Banking also grew its revenues by +7.3% compared with the end of December 2023, to total €3,185 million.

    Financing activities consolidated its leading position in syndicated loans (#1 in France64 and #2 in EMEA64). Crédit Agricole CIB reaffirmed its strong position in bond issues (#4 All bonds in EUR Worldwide64) and was ranked #2 in Green, Social & Sustainable bonds in EUR.65 Average regulatory VaR stood at €9.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, down from the €10.1 million recorded in the third quarter of 2024, reflecting changes in positions and the financial markets. It remained at a level that reflected prudent risk management.

    In Asset Servicing, buoyant sales and favourable market conditions boosted growth in assets over the year, which offset the planned withdrawal of ISB customers. The fourth quarter of 2024 saw the continued migration of ISB (formerly RBC Investor Services in Europe) client portfolios to CACEIS platforms, following the effective merger of the legal entities with those of CACEIS on 31 May 2024. Client migration is now practically complete. On 19 December 2024, Crédit Agricole S.A. announced the signature of an agreement to acquire Santander’s 30.5% non-controlling stake in CACEIS, with the aim of full ownership.

    Assets under custody increased by +4.5% at end-December 2024 compared with end September 2024, and by +12.1% compared with end December 2023, to reach €5,291 billion. Assets under administration also increased by +0.3% this quarter and were up +3.0% year-on-year, totalling €3,397 billion at end December 2024.

    Results of the Large Customers division

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, stated revenues of the Large Customers division once again reached a record level, with €2,108 million, up +8.9% compared with the fourth quarter of 2023, buoyed by an excellent performance in the Corporate and Investment Banking and Asset Servicing business lines.

    Operating expenses increased (+7.4%) compared with the fourth quarter of 2023, due to IT investments and business development. As a result, the division’s gross operating income was up +11.6% compared with the fourth quarter of 2023 to €810 million. The division recorded an overall net provision for cost of risk of -€93 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with additions of -€39 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Stated pre-tax income totalled €723 million, an increase over the period (+4.7%). The tax charge was -€166 million. Lastly, stated Net income Group share came to €512 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with stated income of €525 million in Q4 2023.

    Over full-year 2024, stated revenues of the Large Customers division was a record high of €8,651 million, up +11.2% compared with the 2023 total. At -€5,039 million, operating expenses excluding SRF rose +11.8% compared with the same period in 2023, due mainly to IT investments and business development. Expenses for the year include ISB integration costs of -€97 million. Gross operating income stood at €3,612 million for full-year 2024, representing an increase of +22.0% compared to 2023. Over the period, the cost of risk recorded a net addition of -€117 million, compared to an addition of -€120 million in the same period in 2023. The business line’s contribution to stated Net income Group share was €2,448 million, a strong increase of +21.7% compared to full-year 2023.

    The business line contributed 32% to the underlying net income Group share of Crédit Agricole S.A.’s core businesses (excluding the Corporate Centre division) at end-December 2024 and 31% to underlying revenues excluding the Corporate Centre.

    At 31 December 2024, the equity allocated to the division was €14 billion and its risk-weighted assets were €147.8 billion.

    Underlying RoNE (return on normalised equity) stood at 17.7% at the end of December 2024.

    Corporate and Investment Banking results

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, Corporate and Investment Banking stated revenues reached a record at €1,573 million, up +7.7% from the fourth quarter of 2023. This was a record fourth quarter for Corporate and Investment Banking. The specific items had an impact of -€23.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 (compared to +€7.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2023) and comprised the DVA, the issuer spread portion of the FVA, and secured lending for -€25.6 million (compared to +€6.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2023) and loan book hedging totalling +€1.9 million (compared to +€1.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2023).

    Operating expenses rose by +6.3% to -€902 million, mainly due to IT investments and the development of business line activities. Gross operating income rose sharply by +9.7% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, taking it to a high level of +€671 million. The cost/income ratio was 57.4%, a slight change of -0.8 percentage point over the period. The cost of risk recorded a net addition of -€86 million, higher than the fourth quarter 2023 (-€32 million). This level of allocations is driven by model effects. The overall level remains low with a cost of risk/outstandings of 7 basis points66. Lastly, pre-tax income in the fourth quarter of 2024 stood at €586 million, versus €580 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 (up +1.0%). The tax charge stood at -€139 million. Lastly, stated net income Group share was down -7.1% at €437 million in the fourth quarter of 2024.

    In 2024, stated revenues were up +7.6% to a record level of €6,568 million for the year, with balanced growth between Corporate and Investment Banking and on a very good level recorded for full-year 2023. The specific items over the period had an impact of +€28.5 million (compared to -€38.9 million in 2023) and comprised the DVA, the issuer spread portion of the FVA, and secured lending for +€20.2 million (compared to -€14.6 million in 2023) and loan book hedging totalling +€8.2 million, (compared to -€24.3 million in 2023).

    Operating expenses excluding SRF rose +5.4%, mainly due to variable compensation and investments in IT and employees to support the development of the business lines. The cost/income ratio of 53.7% remained contained and below the MTP target. As a result, gross operating income of €3,040 million was up sharply (+22.3% compared with full-year 2023.) The cost of risk recorded a net addition of -€93 million for 2024, compared to a net addition of -€111 million for 2023. The income tax charge stood at -€748 million, up +29.4%. Lastly, stated net income Group share totalled €2,152 million for 2024, an increase of +22.7% over the period.

    Risk weighted assets at the end of December 2024 amounted to €136.9 billion, up by +€8.3 billion compared to the end of September 2024, notably due to an unfavourable foreign exchange impact and rating.

    Asset servicing results

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, the revenues of Asset Servicing were up +12.7% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, totalling €535 million. This rise was driven by high fee and commission income, itself driven by the increase in assets and by the favourable trend in net interest margin. Operating expenses rose by +9.8% to -€396 million, including -€2.7 million in scope effects linked to the consolidation of the remaining ISB entities and -€26.6 million in ISB integration costs restated as specific items (-€24.9 million in integration costs in the fourth quarter of 2023). Excluding these effects, the increase in expenses was +9.3% compared to the third quarter of 2023, linked to IT expenses and business growth. As a result, gross operating income was up by +21.7% to €139 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. Thus, the cost/income ratio stood at 74%, down -1.9 percentage point. Excluding ISB integration costs, it stood at 69.0%. Net income thus totalled €110 million, up +36.9% compared with the fourth quarter of 2023. Adjusted for the €35 million share of non-controlling interests, the business line’s contribution to net income Group share totalled €75 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, up +36.4% compared with the fourth quarter of 2023.

    In 2024, revenues totalled €2,083 million, up +24.2% compared to the same period in 2023, buoyed by the integration of ISB, strong commercial momentum and a favourable trend in the interest margin over the period. Costs excluding SRF increased by +30.1% and stood at €1,511 million. They included a scope effect of -€207 million over the first six months of 2024 and -€97 million in ISB integration costs. Gross operating income was up +20.4% compared to full year 2023. The cost/income ratio stood at 72.6%, up 3.3 points compared to 2023. Excluding ISB integration costs, the cost/income ratio stood at 67.9%. Net income thus rose by +15.8%. The overall contribution of the business line to net income Group share at the end of December 2024 was €296 million, representing a +15.1% increase compared to full year 2023.

    Specialised financial services activity

    The commercial production of Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility (CAPFM) totalled €11.7 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024. This represents a decrease, mainly due to the Chinese market, of -2.9% compared to fourth quarter 2023. The share of automotive financing67 in quarterly new business production stood at 50.2% this quarter. The average customer rate for production was up +5 basis points from the third quarter of 2024. CAPFM’s assets under management stood at €119.3 billion at the end of December 2024, up +5.6% compared to the end of December 2023, driven by all activities (Automotive +8.2%68 with Crédit Agricole Auto Bank and Leasys, LCL and Regional Banks +5.3%; Other entities +3.2%). Lastly, consolidated outstandings totalled €69.1 billion at the end of December 2024, up +3.3% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.

    In January 2025, CAPFM announced the finalisation of the acquisition of 50% of GAC Leasing.

    Crédit Agricole Leasing & Factoring (CAL&F) commercial production increased by +15.7% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. It was driven by property leasing and renewable energy financing. Leasing outstandings rose +7.2% year-on-year, both in France (+5.9%) and internationally (+12.3%), to reach €20.3 billion at the end of December 2024 (of which €16.0 billion in France and €4.3 billion internationally). Commercial factoring production was up sharply, recording a twofold increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. It was driven by the signing of significant contracts both in France, where production increased by +32.5% in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, and internationally, where production was multiplied by a factor of 3.5 in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. Factoring outstandings at end-December 2024 were up +3.7% compared to end-December 2023, and factored revenues were up by +6.9% compared to the same period in 2023.

    Specialised financial services’ results

    The revenues of the Specialised Financial Services division were €915 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, up +4.0% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. Expenses amounted to -€447 million, down -0.5% versus fourth quarter 2023 and down -1.4% excluding the base effect69 related to the reorganisation of the Mobility activities at CAPFM in the fourth quarter of 2023. The cost/income ratio stood at 48.8%, up -2.2 percentage points compared to the same period in 2023. Gross operating income thus came to €468 million, up +8.6% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. Cost of risk amounted to -€306 million, up +66.2% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, with this quarter including model revisions at CAPFM, essentially leading to a -€50 million deterioration in unproven risk, and a -€30 million provision for legal risk of which UK car loans. Net income from equity-accounted entities rose +8.4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 to €43 million, with this quarter including around €14 million in non-recurring items. The change in value of goodwill was €0 million vs. €12 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, and excluding the base effect69 related to the reorganisation of Mobility activities at CAPFM, there was no change. The division’s Net income Group share amounted to €124 million, down -43.1% compared to the same period in 2023, and down -8.4% excluding the base effect69 related to the reorganisation of Mobility activities at CAPFM and excluding provisions for legal risks and model revisions in Q4-24 at CAPFM.

    Over 2024, revenues for the Specialised Financial Services division fell by -2.2%, but rose by +6.8% excluding the base effect70 related to the reorganisation of the Mobility activities at CAPFM, compared to 2023. This favourable trend was driven by a good performance in CAL&F (+6.8%) and by higher revenues for CAPFM excluding the base effect70 (+6.8%), benefiting from the scope effects linked to the strategic pivot around Mobility at CAPFM, which led to the 100% consolidation of Crédit Agricole Auto Bank from the second quarter of 2023 and of ALD and LeasePlan activities in six European countries, as well as the acquisition of a majority stake in the capital of Hiflow in the third quarter of 2023. Costs excluding SRF increased by +6.4% compared to 2023. Expenses excluding SRF, the base effect70 and scope effects rose by +2.3%. The cost/income ratio stood at 50.6%, or +4.1 percentage points versus the same period in 2023; excluding the base effect70, the change was +0.3 percentage points. Cost of risk increased by +10.1% compared to 2023, to -€958 million, and increased by +21.9% excluding the base effect70.This rise notably includes the impact of scope effects as well as -€50 million due to model revisions and a -€30 million provision for legal risk of which UK car loans in the fourth quarter of 2024 at CAPFM. The contribution from equity-accounted entities was down -3.3% versus the same period in 2023, and down -25.5% excluding the base effect70, due to the full consolidation of Crédit Agricole Auto Bank in the second quarter of 2023, which was previously accounted for using the equity method. Net income on other assets amounted to -€12 million at the end of December 2024, compared to €71 million at the end of December 2023 and -€18 million excluding the base effect70. The change in value of goodwill was €0 million for 2024 vs. €12 million for 2023, and excluding the base effect70 related to the reorganisation of the Mobility activities at CAPFM, there was no change. Net income Group share thus came to €625 million, down -26.6% compared to 2023, and down -7.5% excluding the base effect70 related to the reorganisation of the Mobility activities at CAPFM.

    The business line contributed 8% to the underlying net income Group share of Crédit Agricole S.A.’s core businesses (excluding the Corporate Centre division) at end-December 2024 and 13% to underlying revenues excluding the Corporate Centre.

    At 31 December 2024, the equity allocated to the division was €7.2 billion and its risk-weighted assets were €76.2 billion.

    The underlying RoNE (return on normalised equity) stood at 8.1% for the 12 months of 2024.

    Personal Finance and Mobility results

    CAPFM revenues reached €722 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, up +4.5% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, with a positive price effect thanks in particular to the production margin rate, which improved by +75 basis points in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 (up +31 basis points compared to the third quarter of 2024), and with around €30 million in non-recurring items in the fourth quarter of 2024. Expenses were down by -0.7% and stood at -€347 million. They were down by -1.9% excluding the base effect71 related to the reorganisation of the Mobility activities compared to the same period in 2023. Gross operating income stood at €375 million, up +9.9%. The cost/income ratio stood at 48.1%, or -2.5 percentage points versus the same period in 2023 and -3.2 percentage points excluding the base effect71 related to the reorganisation of the Mobility activities. Cost of risk increased by +68.4% to -€286 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, with this quarter including model revisions leading essentially to a -€50 million deterioration in unproven risk, and a -€30 million provision for legal risk of which UK car loans. The cost of risk/outstandings thus stood at 127 basis points72, a deterioration of +6 basis points compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. The Non Performing Loans ratio was 4.7% at the end of December 2024, up +0.2 percentage point compared to the end of September 2024, while the coverage ratio reached 73.2%, down -1.0 percentage point compared to the end of September 2024. The contribution from equity-accounted entities rose by +9.7% compared to the same period in 2023. Excluding the base effect71 related to the reorganisation of the Mobility activities, the change in value of goodwill is zero, it stood at €12 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. As a result, net income Group share totalled €74 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, i.e. -56.2% compared to the same period the previous year. Excluding the base effect71 and excluding the legal provisions and model revisions, net income Group share was down -11.7%.

    In 2024, CAPFM’s revenues totalled €2,764 million, down -4.3% compared with 2023, but up +6.8% excluding the base effect related to the reorganisation of the Mobility activities73. Revenues benefited from scope effects related to the strategic pivot around Mobility that had resulted in the full consolidation of Crédit Agricole Auto Bank from the second quarter of 2023, the acquisition of ALD and LeasePlan activities in six European countries, and the acquisition of a majority stake in the capital of Hiflow in the third quarter of 2023. Expenses excluding SRF stood at -€1,382 million, an increase of +7.0% on 2023. Expenses excluding SRF, excluding the base effect73 and scope effects, were up +1.7%. Gross operating income therefore came in at €1,382 million, which was a drop of -12.8% but an increase of +6.4% excluding the base effect73. The cost/income ratio stood at 50.0%, or +5.3 percentage points versus the same period in 2023; excluding the base effect73, the change was +0.7 percentage points. Cost of risk increased by +8.6% compared with 2023, to -€877 million, and rose +21.3% when the base effect73 is excluded. This rise notably includes the impact of scope effects as well as a model revision leading essentially to a -€50 million deterioration in unproven risk, and a -€30 million provision for legal risk of which UK car loans. The contribution from equity-accounted entities was down -0.8% versus the same period in 2023, and down -22.9% excluding the base effect73 related to the scope effects of Crédit Agricole Auto Bank, which was fully consolidated in the second quarter of 2023 having previously been accounted for using the equity method. Net income on other assets was down -€82.1 million between 2024 and 2023. However, excluding the base effect73, it was up +€7 million. The change in value of goodwill was €0 million for 2024 against €12 million for 2023, and excluding the base effect73 related to the reorganisation of the Mobility activities, there was no change. As a result, net income Group share stood at €422 million for 2024, a decline of -37.5% from the same period one year earlier. Excluding the base effect73, net income Group share was down -15.4% from the same period in 2023.

    Leasing & Factoring results

    CAL&F’s revenues totalled €193 million, up +1.9% compared with the fourth quarter of 2023. This increase was driven by factoring, which benefited from positive volume effects (increase in factored revenues). Expenses remained stable with an increase of +0.4%, while the cost/income ratio stood at 51.7%, an improvement of -0.8 percentage points from the fourth quarter of 2023. Gross operating income rose +3.5% to €93 million, with a positive jaws effect of +1.5 percentage points. Cost of risk totalled -€20 million, up +40.1% compared to the same period in 2023. This rise was mainly due to the small business and SME markets. Cost of risk/outstandings stood at 24 basis points72, up +4 basis points compared to fourth quarter 2023. As a result, net income Group share was €50 million, up +1.7% compared with the fourth quarter of 2023.

    In 2024, revenues totalled €756 million, an increase of +6.8% compared to 2023. Costs excluding SRF increased by +4.3% to €398 million. Gross operating income rose significantly, +15.1% compared to 2023, to €358 million. The underlying cost/income ratio excluding SRF amounted to 52.6%, an improvement of -1.2 percentage points compared to 2023. The cost of risk increased by +29.7%, compared to the same period in 2023, to -€81 million. Net income Group share was €203 million, up +15.0% compared to the year 2023.

    Crédit Agricole S.A. Retail Banking activity

    Activity in Crédit Agricole S.A.’s Retail Banking business was solid during the quarter, with an increasing number of customers taking out insurance policies. Home loan production in France is steadily recovering, while continuing to rise for corporate loans. Outside France, loan activity was dynamic.

    Retail banking activity in France

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, activity remained strong with the upturn in mortgage lending and non-remunerated demand deposits which rose over the quarter. Customer acquisition is dynamic, with 60,000 new customers this quarter.

    The equipment rate for car, multi-risk home, health, legal, all mobile devices or personal accident insurance rose by +0.4 percentage points to stand at 27.9% at end-December 2024.

    Loan production totalled €8.5 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of +34.2%. The fourth quarter of 2024 confirmed the recovery in home loan production (+59.3% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 and +10.6% compared to the third quarter of 2023), boosted by the proactive pricing policy. The average production rate for home loans came to 3.24%, down -14 basis points from the third quarter of 2024 and -92 basis points year on year. The home loan stock rate improved by +5 basis points over the quarter and by +18 basis points year on year. The strong momentum continued in the corporate market (+28.9% year on year) and the small business market (+19.3% year on year) but slowed for the consumer segment (-8.2%), in a challenging economic environment.

    Outstanding loans stood at €171 billion at end-December 2024, representing a +1.1% increase quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year (of which +1.3% for home loans, +0.8% for loans to professionals, +0.7% for loans to corporate). Customer assets totalled €255.0 billion at end-December 2024, up +3.0% year on year, driven by non-remunerated deposits and off-balance sheet funds. Customer assets also rose +0.7% during the quarter, thanks to the increase in demand deposit volumes (+1.1% compared with end-September 2024) in a still-uncertain environment, as well as term deposits (+1.2% compared with end-September 2024). Off-balance sheet deposits benefited from a positive year-on-year market effect across all segments and positive net inflows in life insurance.

    Retail banking activity in Italy

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, CA Italia posted gross customer capture of 45,000.

    Loan outstandings at CA Italia stood at €62.1 billion at end-December 202474, up +1.7% compared with end-December 2023. This was despite the downturn in the Italian market75, driven by the retail segment, which posted an increase in outstandings of 3.2%, and the corporate segment, which recorded an increase in outstandings of 3.6%. Loan production, buoyed by the solid momentum in all markets, rose +4.5% compared with the fourth quarter of 2023. Home loan production was good but nevertheless recorded a decline compared to a very high fourth quarter in 2023 (-6.3%). The loan stock rate fell by -20 bp on the third quarter of 2024, but was down less sharply than market rates.

    Customer assets at end-December 2024 totalled €120 billion, up +3.6% compared with end-December 2023; on-balance sheet deposits were relatively unchanged from the previous year at +0.5%, while the cost of ressources decreased. Lastly, off-balance sheet deposits rose +7.7%, benefiting from a market effect and positive net inflows.

    CA Italia’s equipment rate in car, multi-risk home, health, legal, all mobile devices or personal accident insurance increased to 20.0%, up 1.2 percentage points compared with the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Crédit Agricole Group activity in Italy76

    The Group’s business lines in Italy continued to grow throughout 2024. They served 6.1 million customers at end-December 2024, and the Group’s market share stood at 5%77 in Italy at end-2024.

    Crédit Agricole Italia has the best NPS among commercial banks.78 The Group’s business lines were ranked 2nd in consumer finance79, 3rd in asset management80, and 4th in life bancassurance81.

    Loans outstanding stood at €102 billion at end-December 2024 (+2% versus end-December 2023). Total customer assets stood at €340 billion at end-December 2024 (+2.7% compared to end-December 2023).

    International Retail Banking activity excluding Italy

    For International Retail Banking excluding Italy, loan outstandings were stable at -0.2% at current exchange rates at end-December 2024 compared with end-December 2023 (+5.2% at constant exchange rates). Customer assets rose by +1.2% over the same period at current exchange rates (+8,9% at constant exchange rates).

    In Poland in particular, loan outstandings increased by +3.8% versus December 2023 (+2.1% at constant exchange rates) and customer assets by +7.5% (+9.3% at constant exchange rates), against a backdrop of fierce competition for deposits. Loan production in Poland also remained strong, rising +9% compared with the fourth quarter of 2023 at current exchange rates (+6.3% at constant exchange rates).

    In Egypt, loan outstandings fell -16.4% between end-December 2024 and end-December 2023 (+29.3% at constant exchange rates). Over the same period, inflows fell by -26.8% but were still up +13.2% at constant exchange rates.

    The surplus of deposits over loans in Poland and Egypt amounted to €2.4 billion at 31 December 2024, and totalled €4.1 billion including Ukraine.

    French retail banking results

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, LCL’s revenues stood at €960 million, stable (+0.1%) compared with the fourth quarter of 2023 (+0.8% excluding the reversal of the provision for Home Purchase Saving Plans in the fourth quarter of 202382). The increase in fee and commission income (+8.4% Q4/Q4) was driven by all activities (excluding securities management), but mainly by strong momentum in cash flow and card premiums. NIM was down -7.7% Q4/Q4 (-6.6% excluding the reversal of the provision for Home Purchase Saving Plans in the fourth quarter of 202382). This quarter, the net interest margin was boosted by higher lending yields (stock repricing +18 bp Q4/Q4 and +5 bp Q4/Q3) making it possible to offset the increased cost of resources and a lower contribution from macro-hedging.

    Expenses were down by -1.1% and stood at -€647 million, benefiting in particular from a positive base effect (non-recurring items recorded in Q4 2023 including provisions on HR, property and IT components) making it possible to offset continued investments linked to IT and external expenditure (marketing, communication). The cost/income ratio stood at 67.4%, down 0.8 percentage point compared to fourth quarter 2023. Gross operating income rose by +2.7% to €313 million.

    The cost of risk was down -19.3% compared with the fourth quarter of 2023 to -€78 million (including -€42 million in cost of risk on performing loans, -€36 million in proven risk), cost of risk/outstandings remained stable at 22 basis points, in a context of a deterioration for SMEs and small businesses. The coverage ratio stood at 62.6% at end-December 2024 (+2.8 percentage point compared with end-September 2024). The non-performing loans ratio was 2.0% at end December 2024, -0.1 percentage point compared to end September 2024. As a result, net income Group share increased by +13.1% compared with the fourth quarter of 2024 (+16.3% excluding the Home Purchase Saving Plan base effect82).

    For the year 2024, LCL revenues were up +0.6% compared to 2023, totalling €3,872 million (+2.6% excluding the Home Purchase Saving Plan base effect83). The net interest margin was down -1.6% (+1.3% excluding the Home Purchase Saving Plan base effect83), benefiting from gradual loan repricing, making it possible to offset the increased cost of resources. Fee and commission income was up +2.7% compared to 2024 (+3.9% excluding the Cheque Image base effect84 in 2023), particularly on life insurance segments supported by the increase in assets in a positive market context, on non-life insurance linked to property and casualty insurance, and on payment instruments and account management. Costs excluding SRF were up +2.2% due to continued investments linked to IT and external expenditure (marketing, communication). The cost/income ratio excluding SRF stood at 63.2% (+1.0 percentage point compared with 2023). Gross operating income grew by +1.0% year on year. Cost of risk increased by +24.0%, impacted by the rise in proven risk on the corporate market, including corporate-specific files and on the retail market (small businesses and consumer finance). All in all, the business line’s contribution to net income Group share stood at €790 million, down -5.4% (+1.8% excluding the Home Purchase Saving Plan base effect and Cheque Image fine reversal)

    In all, the business line contributed 10% to the underlying net income Group share of Crédit Agricole S.A.’s core businesses (excluding the Corporate Centre division) in 2024 and 14% to underlying revenues excluding the Corporate Centre.

    At 31 December 2024, the equity allocated to the business line stood at €5.4 billion and risk-weighted assets amounted to €56.8 billion. LCL’s underlying return on normalised equity (RoNE) stood at 13.7% in 2024.

    International Retail Banking results85

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, revenues for International Retail Banking totalled
    €969 million, stable (-0.5% at current exchange rates, +2.8% at constant exchange rates) compared with the fourth quarter of 2023. Operating expenses were under control at €568 million, down -9.5% (-8.3% at constant exchange rates). Gross operating income consequently totalled €401 million, up +15.7% (+24.6% at constant exchange rates) for the period. Cost of risk amounted to -€100 million, down -2.5% compared with the fourth quarter of 2023 (-0.5% at constant exchange rates).

    All in all, net income Group share for CA Italia, CA Egypt, CA Poland and CA Ukraine amounted to €158 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, up +54% (+68.6% at constant exchange rates).

    For full-year 2024, International Retail Banking revenues rose by +2.8% to €4,059 million (+1.0% at constant exchange rates). Expenses excluding SRF were under control at -€2,148 million, an increase of +1.4% on 2023. Gross operating income totalled €1,911 million, up +6.7% (+5.3% at constant exchange rates). The cost of risk fell by -32.5% (-21.2% at constant exchange rates) -€313 million compared to 2023. All in all, net income Group share of International Retail Banking was €836 million, compared with €703 million in 2023.

    In full-year 2024 the International Retail Banking business line contributed 11% to the underlying net income Group share of Crédit Agricole S.A’s core businesses. (excluding the Corporate Centre) and 15% to underlying revenues excluding the Corporate Centre.

    As at 31 December 2024, the capital allocated to International Retail Banking was €4.5 billion and risk-weighted assets totalled €46.9 billion.

    Results in Italy

    In fourth quarter 2024, Crédit Agricole Italia’s revenues stood at €733 million, up +2.7% from fourth quarter 2023. The net interest margin was relatively stable from fourth quarter 2023 (-0.2% compared to fourth quarter 2023) and fee and commission income (-0.1%) benefited from the strong momentum of fee and commission income on assets under management (+18.8% compared to fourth quarter 2023). Operating expenses, excluding DGS, were stable at +0.8% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Cost of risk amounted to -€76 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, down -21.2% from the fourth quarter of 2023, and corresponded almost entirely to provisions for proven risk. Cost of risk/outstandings86 stood at 40 basis points, an improvement of four basis points compared with the third quarter of 2024. The Non Performing Loans ratio improved compared with the third quarter of 2024 to stand at 2.9%, while the coverage ratio was 75.1% (+1.5 percentage points compared with the third quarter of 2024). Net income Group share for CA Italia was €112 million, up +74.3% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.

    In full-year 2024, revenues for Crédit Agricole Italia rose by +1.3% to €3,056 million. Expenses excluding SRF and DGS (deposit guarantee fund in Italy) were under control at €1,602 million, up +0.1% compared with full-year 2023. Gross operating income stood at €1,396 million, a slight increase of +6.1% compared to 2023. The cost of risk amounted to -€246 million, down -25.5% compared to 2023. As a result, the net income Group share of CA Italia totalled €608 million, an increase of +12.7% compared to 2023.

    CA Italy’s underlying RoNE (return on normalised equity) was 20,8% at 31 December 2024.

    Results for Crédit Agricole Group in Italy87

    For full-year 2024, the underlying net income Group share of entities in Italy was €1,254 million, up 20% compared to 2023. This reflects the ongoing momentum of the various business lines, particularly Retail Banking, Asset Gathering, and Large Customers. The breakdown by business line is as follows: Retail Banking 49%; Specialised Financial Services 18%; Asset Gathering and Insurance 21%; and Large Customers 12%. Lastly, Italy’s contribution to the net income Group share of Crédit Agricole S.A. in full-year 2024 was 16%.

    International Retail Banking results – excluding Italy

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, revenues for International Retail Banking excluding Italy totalled €236 million, up -9.3% (+3.3% at constant exchange rates) compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. Revenues in Poland were up +2.5% on the fourth quarter of 2023 (+0.1% at constant exchange rates), boosted by a higher net interest margin. Revenues in Egypt fell (-21.5% compared with the fourth quarter of 2023) due to foreign exchange rate movements (depreciation of the Egyptian pound) but were particularly buoyant at constant exchange rates (+25%), benefiting from a sharp increase in the interest margin. Operating expenses for International Retail Banking excluding Italy amounted to €126 million, down -1.3% compared with the fourth quarter of 2023 (+5.1% at constant exchange rates). Gross operating income amounted to €110 million, a decrease of -17.1% (+1.9% at constant exchange rates) compared with the fourth quarter of 2023. The cost of risk was stable at -€24 million, versus -€6 million in fourth quarter 2023. Furthermore, at end December 2024, the coverage ratio for loan outstandings remained high in Poland and Egypt, at 124% and 151% respectively. In Ukraine, the local coverage ratio remains prudent (409%). All in all, the contribution of International Retail Banking excluding Italy to net income Group share was €46 million, up 20.2% compared with the fourth quarter of 2023 at current exchange rates (+56.4% at constant exchange rates).

    In full-year 2024, revenues for International Retail Banking excluding Italy totalled €1,003 million, up +7.7% (+19.0% at constant exchange rates) compared to 2023, driven by the increase in the net interest margin. Revenues in Poland increased dynamically by +21% compared to 2023 (+15% at constant exchange rates) driven by net interest margin and commissions. Revenues in Egypt decreased slightly by -3% at current exchange rates compared to 2023, taking into account the evolution of exchange rates (in a context of devaluation of the EGP currency) but remain very well oriented at constant exchange rates (+43% compared to 2023), benefiting from a strong increase in the interest margin. Operating expenses amounted to -€488 million, up +6.9% compared with 2023 (+10.6% at constant exchange rates). The cost/income ratio at end-December 2024 was 48.6% (an improvement of 0.4 points on the cost/income ratio at end-December 2023). Thanks to strong growth in revenues, gross operating income came to €515 million, up 8.5% (+28.1% at constant exchange rates) from 2023. Cost of risk amounted to -€67 million, down -50.0% (-49.1% at constant exchange rates) compared to 2023. All in all, International Retail Banking excluding Italy contributed €228 million to net income Group share.

    The underlying RoNE (return on normalised equity) of Other IRB (excluding CA Italy) stood at 29.5% at 31 December 2024.

    At 31 December 2024, the entire Retail Banking business line contributed 21% to the underlying net income Group share of Crédit Agricole S.A.’s core businesses (excluding the Corporate Centre division) and 29% to underlying revenues excluding the Corporate Centre.

    At 31 December 2024, the division’s equity amounted to €9.9 billion. Its risk-weighted assets totalled €103.7 billion.

    Corporate Centre results

    The net income Group share of the Corporate Centre was +€18 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, up +€236 million compared with the fourth quarter of 2023. The positive contribution of the Corporate Centre division can be analysed by distinguishing between the “structural” contribution (-€26 million) and other items (+€44 million).
    The contribution of the “structural” component (-€26 million) was up by +€193 million compared with the fourth quarter of 2023 and can be broken down into three types of activity:

    • The activities and functions of the Corporate Centre of the Crédit Agricole S.A. Parent Company. This contribution amounted to -€354 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, down -€116 million, mainly due to a negative corporate income tax catch-up effect of -€91 million.
    • The business lines that are not part of the core businesses, such as CACIF (private equity), CA Immobilier, CATE and BforBank (equity-accounted). They contributed +€315 million in the fourth quarter 2024, up +€297 million from the fourth quarter of 2023. This was due to the negative impact of the revaluation of Banco BPM shares for +234 million in revenues (+€271m in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to +€37m in the fourth quarter of 2023), as well as an interim dividend of +€60 in revenues.
    • Group support functions. Their contribution amounted to +€12 million this quarter (+€12 million compared with the fourth quarter of 2023).

    The contribution of “other items” was up +€43 million compared with the fourth quarter of 2023.
    The “internal margins” effect at the time of the consolidation of the insurance activity at the Crédit Agricole level was accounted for through the Corporate Centre. Over the quarter, the impact of internal margins was -€198 million in revenues and +€198 million in expenses.

    Over 2024, the underlying net income Group share of the Corporate Centre division was -€488 million, up +€105 million compared with 2023. The structural component contributed -€539 million, and other items of the division recorded a positive contribution of +€51 million over the year.
    The “structural” component contribution was up €160 million compared with 2023 and can be broken down into three types of activities:

    • The activities and functions of the Corporate Centre of the Crédit Agricole S.A. Parent Company. This contribution amounted to -€1,120 million in 2024, down -€202 million compared to 2023, including a base effect of -€171 million related the reversal of the provision for Home Purchase Saving Plans recognised in the third quarter of 2023 as well as -€42 million relating to the reversal of the Cheque Image Exchange fine in the second quarter of 2023;
    • Business lines not attached to the core businesses, such as CACIF (private equity) and CA Immobilier and BforBank: their contribution, which stood at +€549 million in 2024, was up +€343 on 2023. This increase was primarily due to the end of the SRF building-up period (+€77 million) and the impact of the valuation and dividend of Banco BPM shares for +€387 million;
    • The Group’s support functions: their contribution for 2024 was +€32 million, up +€19 million compared to 2023.

    The contribution of “other items” was down -€55 million compared to 2023.
    The “internal margins” effect at the time of the consolidation of the insurance activity at the Crédit Agricole level was accounted for through the Corporate Centre. Over the year, the impact of internal margins was -€832 million in revenues and +€832 million in expenses.

    At 31 December 2024, risk-weighted assets stood at €30.0 billion.

    Financial strength

    Crédit Agricole Group

    At 31 December 2024, the phased-in Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio of Crédit Agricole Group was 17.2%, a decrease of -0.2 percentage point compared to end-September 2024. Therefore, the Crédit Agricole Group posted a substantial buffer of 7.4 percentage points between the level of its CET1 ratio and the 9.8% SREP requirement. The fully loaded CET1 ratio was 17.1%.
    During the fourth quarter 2024:

    • The CET1 ratio benefited from an impact of +25 basis points related to retained earnings.
    • Changes in risk weighted assets related to business line organic growth impacted the Group’s CET1 ratio by -28 basis points (see below), mainly due to a rating effect of -15 basis points.
    • Methodology, M&A and other effects had a negative impact of -14 basis points and included, in particular, the -12 basis point Basel 4 impact relating to the consolidation of leasing activities.

    The phased-in Tier 1 ratio stood at 18.3%, while the phased-in total ratio was 20.9% at end-December 2024.
    The phased-in leverage ratio stood at 5.5%, remaining stable compared with end-September 2024, well above the regulatory requirement of 3.5%.
    Risk-weighted assets for the Crédit Agricole Group amounted to €653 billion, up +€17.5 billion compared with 30 September 2024. The change can be broken down by business line as follows: Retail Banking +6.9 billion (including +4.1 billion in negative rating effects on LCL and the Regional Banks, Asset Gathering -1.3 billion, Specialised Financial Services +4.3 billion, Large Customers +7.3 billion (impacted by foreign exchange and negative rating effects) and Corporate Centre +0.3 billion.

    Maximum Distributable Amount (MDA and L-MDA) trigger thresholds

    The transposition of Basel regulations into European law (CRD) introduced a restriction mechanism for distribution that applies to dividends, AT1 instruments and variable compensation. The Maximum Distributable Amount (MDA, the maximum sum a bank is allowed to allocate to distributions) principle aims to place limitations on distributions in the event the latter were to result in non-compliance with combined capital buffer requirements.

    The distance to the MDA trigger is the lowest of the respective distances to the SREP requirements in CET1 capital, Tier 1 capital and total equity.

    At 31 December 2024, Crédit Agricole Group posted a buffer of 666 basis points above the MDA trigger, i.e. €44 billion in CET1 capital.

    Failure to comply with the leverage ratio buffer requirement would result in a restriction of distributions and the calculation of a maximum distributable amount (L-MDA).

    At 31 December 2024, Crédit Agricole Group posted a buffer of 197 basis points above the L-MDA trigger, i.e. €43 billion in Tier 1 capital. At the Crédit Agricole Group level, it is the distance to the L-MDA trigger that determines the distance to distribution restriction.

    At 31 December 2024, Crédit Agricole S.A. posted a buffer of 296 basis points above the MDA trigger, i.e. 12 billion in CET1 capital. Crédit Agricole S.A. is not subject to the L-MDA requirement.

    TLAC

    Crédit Agricole Group must comply with the following TLAC ratio requirements at all times:

    • a TLAC ratio above 18% of risk-weighted assets (RWA), plus – in accordance with EU directive CRD 5 – a combined capital buffer requirement (including, for Crédit Agricole Group, a 2.5% capital conservation buffer, a 1% G-SIB buffer, the counter-cyclical buffer set at 0.77% and the 0.05% systemic risk buffer for CA Group at 31 December 2024). Considering the combined capital buffer requirement, Crédit Agricole Group must adhere to a TLAC ratio of above 22.3%;
    • a TLAC ratio of above 6.75% of the Leverage Ratio Exposure (LRE).

    The Crédit Agricole Group’s 2025 target is to maintain a TLAC ratio greater than or equal to 26% of RWA excluding eligible senior preferred debt.

    At 31 December 2024, Crédit Agricole Group’s TLAC ratio stood at 26.9% of RWA and 8.0% of leverage ratio exposure, excluding eligible senior preferred debt88, which is well above the requirements. The TLAC ratio, expressed as a percentage of risk-weighted assets, decreased by 40 basis points over the quarter, due to risk-weighted assets increasing more rapidly than equity and eligible items over the period. Expressed as a percentage of leverage exposure (LRE), the TLAC ratio was down 20 basis points compared with September 2024.

    The Group thus has a TLAC ratio excluding eligible senior preferred debt that is 460 basis points higher, i.e. €30 billion, than the current requirement of 22.3% of RWA.

    At end-December 2024, €10.4 billion equivalent had been issued in the market (senior non-preferred and Tier 2 debt) as well as €2.5 billion of AT1. The amount of Crédit Agricole Group senior non-preferred securities taken into account in the calculation of the TLAC ratio was €34.5 billion.

    MREL

    The required minimum levels are set by decisions of resolution authorities and then communicated to each institution, then revised periodically. At 31 December 2024, Crédit Agricole Group has to meet a minimum total MREL requirement of:

    • 22.01% of RWA, plus – in accordance with EU directive CRD 5 – a combined capital buffer requirement (including, for Crédit Agricole Group, a 2.5% capital conservation buffer, a 1% G-SIB buffer, the counter-cyclical buffer set at 0.77% and the 0.05% systemic risk buffer for CA Group at 31 December 2024). Considering the combined capital buffer requirement, the Crédit Agricole Group has to meet to a total MREL ratio of above 26.3%;
    • 6.25% of the LRE.

    At 31 December 2024, the Crédit Agricole Group had a total MREL ratio of 32.4% of RWA and 9.7% of leverage exposure, well above the requirement.

    An additional subordination requirement (“subordinated MREL”) is also determined by the resolution authorities and expressed as a percentage of RWA and LRE. At 31 December 2024, this subordinated MREL requirement for the Crédit Agricole Group was:

    • 18.25% of RWA, plus a combined capital buffer requirement. Considering the combined capital buffer requirement, the Crédit Agricole Group has to meet to a subordinated MREL ratio of above 22.6%;
    • 6.25% of leverage exposure.

    At 31 December 2024, Crédit Agricole Group had a subordinated MREL ratio of 26.9% of RWA and 8.0% of leverage exposure, well above the requirement.

    The distance to the maximum distributable amount trigger related to MREL requirements (M-MDA) is the lowest of the respective distances to the MREL, subordinated MREL and TLAC requirements expressed in RWA.

    At 31 December 2024, Crédit Agricole Group had a buffer of 430 basis points above the M-MDA trigger, i.e. €28 billion in CET1 capital; the distance to the M-MDA trigger corresponds to the distance between the subordinated MREL ratio and the corresponding requirement.

    Crédit Agricole S.A.

    At 31 December 2024, Crédit Agricole S.A.’s solvency ratio was higher than the Medium-Term Plan target, with a phased-in Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio of 11.7%, stable compared to end-September 2024. Crédit Agricole S.A. therefore had a comfortable buffer of 3.0 percentage points between the level of its CET1 ratio and the 8.6% SREP requirement. The fully loaded CET1 ratio was 11.6%.
    During the fourth quarter 2024:

    • The CET1 ratio benefited this quarter from a positive impact of +19 basis points linked to retained earnings. This impact corresponds to net income Group share net of AT1 coupons (impact of +38 basis points) and of the distribution of 50% of earnings, i.e. a provision for dividends of 27 euro cents per share in third quarter 2024 (-20 basis points).
    • Changes in risk-weighted assets related to business line organic growth impacted the CET1 ratio by -12 basis points, of which a rating effect of -10 basis points in Corporate and Investment Banking and French Retail Banking.
      • Methodology, M&A and other effects had a negative impact of -13 basis points and included, in particular, the -12 basis point Basel 4 impact relating to the consolidation of leasing activities.
    • The phased-in leverage ratio was 3.9% at end-December 2024, up +0.1 percentage point compared to end-September 2024 and above the 3% requirement.

    The phased-in Tier 1 ratio stood at 13.4% and the phased-in total ratio at 17.4% this quarter.
    Risk weighted assets for Crédit Agricole S.A. amounted to 415 billion at end of December 2024, up by +€12.9 billion compared to 30 September 2024. The change can be broken down by core business line as follows:

    • The Retail Banking divisions showed an increase of +€2.1 billion, particularly in France, with a rating effect at LCL of +€1.9 billion.
    • Asset Gathering posted a decrease of -€1.2 billion essentially for Insurance due to the impact of the interim dividend.
    • Specialised Financial Services increased by +€4.3 billion, due to the Basel 4 impact of consolidation of leasing activities
    • Large Customers recorded an increase in risk-weighted assets of +€7.4 billion over the quarter, mainly as a result of the growth of the Corporate and Investment Banking business lines, and negative foreign exchange effects (+€2.7 billion) and ratings (+€1.5 billion).
    • The Corporate Centre divisions posted an increase in risk-weighted assets of +€0.4 billion.

    Liquidity and Funding

    Liquidity is measured at Crédit Agricole Group level.

    Preliminary presentation information:

    At 31 December 2024, changes have been made to the liquidity balance sheet:

    • In assets, the section “Cash and Central Bank deposits (including mandatory reserves)”, eligible to LCR, was reduced to “Central Bank deposits (without Cash and mandatory reserves)”, for consistency with the presentation of Liquidity reserves, which exclude Cash and mandatory reserves. The latter have been reclassified under stable application of funds for the surplus of stable funding resources over stable application of funds, in the section “Net working capital” (see Infra). This methodological change had a negative impact on the indicator of €16 billion;
    • In assets, the sections “Interbank assets” and “Reverse repos (net) and other ST” in the banking book have been merged into a single section called “Treasury assets”;
    • In liabilities, the “Customer-related funds” section now only contains customer deposits eligible for the Stable Resources Position indicator89, and bonds issued by Group entities through its retail networks as well as national or supranational borrowings are now listed in the “LT debt” section (formerly called “MLT market funds”);
    • The sections “Tangible and intangible assets” previously in assets and “Equity and similar” previously in liabilities are netted in a single section called “Net working capital” in liabilities. The later now also includes the difference between accrued liabilities and accrued interests, which were historically included in the section “Reverse repos and other ST”. This reclassification had a positive impact on the surplus of stable funding resources over stable application of funds of €3 billion.

    In addition, the following changes have been made to the breakdown of long-term debt (considered within the meaning of banking activities) from the 31 December 2024:

    • Senior Preferred bonds issued by Group entities through its retail networks are classified within other debt with the same ranking issued on the market;
    • National or supranational borrowings are classified as senior secured debt.

    Comments on the liquidity position:

    Diversified and granular customer deposits has increased by +2% over the quarter (€1,152 billion at 31 December 2024). The stabilisation of the breakdown in deposits continues this quarter in France.

    The Group’s liquidity reserves, at market value and after haircuts90, amounted to €473 billion at 31 December 2024, up +€7 billion compared to 30 September 2024.

    Liquidity reserves (without Cash and Central Bank deposits) covered more than twice the short term debt net of treasury assets.

    This increase in liquidity reserves is notably explained by:

    • The increase in the securities portfolio (HQLA and non-HQLA) for +€24 billion, due to the subscription of additional securities (instead of Central Banks deposits, Cf. Infra) and to the change in haircuts to better reflect the economic reality of central bank value;
    • The decrease of collateral already pledged to Central Banks and unencumbered for -€12 billion since additional private non-financial corporate claims (ACC Corpo) are no longer eligible to ECB funding from Q4.

    Crédit Agricole Group also continued its efforts to maintain immediately available reserves (after recourse to ECB financing). Central bank eligible non-HQLA assets after haircuts amounted to €139 billion.

    Standing at €1,685 billion at 31 December 2024, the Group’s liquidity balance sheet shows a surplus of stable funding resources over stable application of funds of €177 billion, down -€12 billion compared with end-September 2024. This surplus remains well above the Medium-Term Plan target of €110bn-€130bn.

    Long term debt was €305 billion at 31 December 2024, up from pro-forma end-September 2024.

    This included:

    • Senior secured debt of €84 billion;
    • Senior preferred debt of €159 billion, up +€10 billion, of which €7.5 billion due to the consolidation of CAPFM’s car lease subsidiaries in compliance with CRR3 regulation;
    • Senior non-preferred debt of €37 billion;
    • And Tier 2 securities of €25 billion.

    Credit institutions are subject to a threshold for the LCR ratio, set at 100% on 1 January 2018.

    At 31 December 2024, the end of month LCR ratios were 127% for Crédit Agricole Group (representing a surplus of €66 billion) and 131% for Crédit Agricole S.A. (representing a surplus of €64 billion). They were higher than the Medium-Term Plan target (around 110%). The LCR ratio was lower in December given higher one-month net outflows weighing on the denominator of the ratio.

    In addition, the NSFR of Crédit Agricole Group and Crédit Agricole S.A. exceeded 100%, in accordance with the regulatory requirement applicable since 28 June 2021 and above the Medium-Term Plan target (>100%).

    The Group continues to follow a prudent policy as regards medium-to-long-term refinancing, with a very diversified access to markets in terms of investor base and products.

    At 31 December 2024, the Group’s main issuers raised the equivalent of €32.7 billion91in medium-to-long-term debt on the market, 81% of which was issued by Crédit Agricole S.A.

    In particular, the following amounts are noted for the Group excluding Crédit Agricole S.A.:  

    • Crédit Agricole Assurances issued €750 million in Tier 2 10-year bullet subordinated and made a tender offer on two subordinated perpetual issuances (FR0012444750 & FR0012222297) for €788.5 million in September;
    • Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility issued:
      • €2 billion equivalent in EMTN issuances and €0.9 billion in securitisations through Crédit Agricole Auto Bank (CAAB);
      • €0.7 billion in securitisations through Agos;
    • Crédit Agricole Italia issued two senior secured debt issuances for a total of €1.5 billion, of which €500 million in Green Bond format;
    • Crédit Agricole next bank (Switzerland) issued three tranches in senior secured format for a total of 300 million Swiss francs, of which 100 million Swiss francs in Green Bond format

    At 31 December 2024, Crédit Agricole S.A. raised the equivalent of €24.1 billion through the market92,93.

    The bank raised the equivalent of €24.1 billion, of which €7.3 billion in senior non-preferred debt and €3.1 billion in Tier 2 debt, as well as €7.2 billion in senior preferred debt and €6.5 billion in senior secured debt at end-December. The financing comprised a variety of formats and currencies, including:

    • €6.3 billion94,95;
    • 6.35 billion96 US dollars (€5.8 billion equivalent);
    • 1.1 billion pounds sterling (€1.3 billion equivalent);
    • 230 billion Japanese yen (€1.4 billion equivalent);
    • 0.8 billion Swiss francs (€0.8 billion equivalent);
    • 1.75 billion Australian dollars (€1.1 billion equivalent);
    • 7 billion renminbi (€0.9 billion equivalent).

    At end-December, Crédit Agricole S.A. had issued 64%97,98 of its funding plan in currencies other than the euro.

    In addition, on 2 January 2024, Crédit Agricole S.A. issued a PerpNC6 AT1 bond for €1.25 billion at an initial rate of 6.5% and, on 24 September 2024, a PerpNC10 AT1 bond for $1.25 billion at an initial rate of 6.7%.

    The 2025 MLT market funding programme was set at €20 billion, with equilibrium between senior preferred or senior secured debt and senior non-preferred or Tier 2 debt.

    The programme was 30% completed at 31 January 2025, with:

    • €0.5 billion in senior secured debt;
    • €0.3 billion equivalent in senior preferred debt;
    • €4.6 billion equivalent in senior non-preferred debt;
    • €0.7 billion equivalent in Tier 2 debt.

    Economic and financial environment

    2024 retrospective

    Continuing trend of disinflation and monetary easing

    The global context remained contentious and eruptive, marked by significant geopolitical tensions and ongoing open conflicts such as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, which began in February 2022 and October 2023, respectively. On their emergence, these conflicts had caused tensions for upstream prices, particularly for grain, gas and maritime transport. These sharp price increases combined with sources of inflation arising from the post-Covid recovery: pressure on demand (recovering strongly) and supply (tight), problems or disruptions in supply, slow return of the participation rate on the labour market to its pre-pandemic level (labour shortage, wage pressures).
    This combination of shocks resulted in a sudden upturn in global inflation, which peaked at 10.3% in October 2022 (an annual average of 8.7% in 2022 after 3.8% in 2021). This high inflation and the need to anchor inflation expectations quickly, to avoid price-wage spirals and persisting very high levels of inflation, resulted in sharp monetary tightening. The Federal Reserve and the ECB also began, in March and July 2022, respectively, a powerful rate hike cycle (increases of 525 and 450 base points (bp), respectively, in around 15 months). Thanks to the resorption of shocks upstream, the normalisation of the labour markets and the effects of monetary tightening, disinflation occurred from 2023 (average global inflation at 6.9%); global growth held up well overall.
    2024 was marked by widespread continued disinflation (average global inflation at 5%, 4.5% year-on-year in December), despite the resilience of services prices being almost as widespread. After having kept their policy rates at high levels for some time, the major central banks started to make cuts in the summer. While the ECB reduced its deposit rate by 150 bp (to 3% for a refinancing rate of 3.15% in December 2024), the Fed reduced the federal funds target rate by 100 bp (upper bound at 4.50% in December 2024). Widely anticipated, this monetary easing provided support to still robust global growth (recession was avoided despite the high inflation followed by much stricter financial conditions) but for which the overall resilience still masks very mixed performances.
    Overall resilient growth masking mixed performances

    In the US, the economy once again demonstrated its robustness in 2024, with growth that continued to exceed expectations, coming in at an annual average of 2.8% (after 2.9% in 2023). Despite some pockets of weakness (households with low incomes, negative net equity, small businesses, vulnerable workers more exposed to high interest rates), the monetary and financial tightening did not have a widespread depressive effect thanks to an overall strengthening of balance sheets (corporate and household) after the financial crisis. While the employment market showed signs of a slowdown, this was more of a normalisation following a period of overheating rather than a deep deterioration. The unemployment rate rose only slightly, (4.1% at end-December 2024 vs 3.8% one year earlier). Lastly, confirming that the last mile of disinflation is the hardest, year-on-year inflation climbed very slowly from September to reach 2.9% in December.
    In China, the property market has not yet stabilised and support measures (lowering mortgage rates, lowering reserve requirement rates to free up liquidity, creating support funds to buy back certain vacant properties or properties under construction) have not generated the confidence boost expected. Households have preferred to maintain their precautionary savings, to the detriment of consumption, and weak domestic demand has continued to feed strong deflationary pressure. Thanks to better-than-expected growth in the last quarter (5.4% year-on-year), average annual growth reached the government target of “around 5%”. However, inflation (0.2% in 2024) remained far below the Central Bank’s 3% target.
    In France, growth came in at 1.1% in 2024, as in 2023. However, inflation dropped sharply, with an annual average of 2%, after 4.9% in 2023. This disinflation led to increased purchasing power for households, although this did not translate into a sharp rise in consumption. The savings rate for households therefore increased to 18%, as an annual average, compared to below 17% in 2023 and 14% before the health crisis (2015-2019). Employment proved very resilient in 2024 and the unemployment rate showed only a slight increase (7.4%). As the previous tightening of financial terms continued to weigh heavily on private investment, domestic demand decelerated and growth was driven by foreign trade and the public sector. While public consumer spending drove growth, on the other side of the coin, the public deficit significantly increased and should reach around 6.2% of GDP (after 5.5% in 2023).

    In Italy, the slowdown in activity continued in 2024, with growth limited to 0.5%. The disinflation process that began at the end of 2023 continued (average annual inflation of 1.1%) but was not enough to significantly boost the economy. A buoyant employment market (with an unemployment rate of 6.7%, down one point on 2023), low inflation and slight wage increases enabled an upturn in purchasing power after two years of decline. Despite this support, growth in household consumption remained moderate and the savings rate stabilised after its drop in 2023. Investment growth stagnated, driven solely by projects linked to the stimulus package, while productive investment declined sharply, particularly in the third quarter. Continued restrictive financing terms and insufficient demand, both domestically and internationally, have hampered supply, particularly in industry, which saw a marked drop. The construction sector, supported in the first six months by the delayed effect of the Super Bonus, then slowed.

    Financial markets

    Disinflation did not drive inflation rates to the targets set by the major central banks, but within their “comfort zones” and enabled them, during the summer, to ease their monetary policy. However, firstly, the “last mile” of disinflation has proved harder than the markets had anticipated and, secondly, the US election revived hopes of stronger growth but fears of higher inflation in the US. Consequently, investors have had to temper their hopes for monetary easing and bond rate cuts, particularly in the US.

    On the other side of the Atlantic, while two-year US Treasury yields fell back very slightly during the year (around 4.25% in December 2024), longer-term rates (US 10-year Treasuries) picked up by almost 65 bp (to almost 4.60%). In the eurozone, with a fairly depressed growth outlook and modest inflation, 2-year and 10-year swap rates fell by around 65 bp and 15 bp, respectively, over the year (to 2.20% and 2.35%). The trend in sovereign spreads reflected the relative economic, as well as political, performance of the economies. Whilst difficulties piled up in Germany, the European periphery enjoyed political stability and/or better economic growth. While the Bund rate (German 10-year rate) gained 30 bp over the year (to 2.35%, i.e. the 10-year swap rate level, having been nearly 50 bp below this level at the end of December 2023), peripheral spreads tightened. In France, political instability and concerns about the trajectory of French debt prompted the spread to widen. At the end of 2024, the Spanish, Italian and French 10-year yield spreads against the Bund were around 120, 70 and 80 bp, respectively, (i.e. variations of -25 bp, -50 bp and +30 bp over the year). France’s spread is now higher than Spain’s.

    In 2024, US economic performance far outstripped that of other major regions, notably Europe. Whilst US equity markets were again buoyed by the performance of the “Magnificent Seven” and the expected benefits of the US election, Europe suffered for a variety of reasons (depressed manufacturing sector, high energy costs, excessive regulation, Chinese competition, technology gap, political concerns in France and Germany etc.). Between the start and end of 2024, the S&P index rose by 24%, the Eurostoxx 50 was up 8% and the CAC was down 2%. Lastly, although stable on average over the year (at US$1.08), the euro fell against the dollar by 5.5% between January and December 2024.

    2025 Outlook

    A highly conditional scenario

    More than ever, the outlook is dependent on the future course of US geopolitics and economic policy. The assumptions made about the scale and timing of the measures to be taken by the new administration suggest that, in the US, the economy is likely to remain resilient, but also that inflation will pick up, monetary easing will be modest and long-term interest rates will come under upwards pressure. Moreover, these measures are only one explanation for the eurozone’s expected sluggish recovery, below potential.
    Outlining the US (and, by extension, global) scenario obviously involves making assumptions about both the scale of the measures likely to be implemented and their timing, depending on whether they fall under the purview of the President or require the approval of Congress. As far as tariffs are concerned, the US President’s threats seem to be tantamount to extreme pressure tactics. They call for an intermediate scenario consisting of substantial increases, but not as high as campaign proposals. Trade tariffs would likely rise to an average of 40% for China, from the second quarter of 2025, and to an average of 6% for the rest of the world, phased in over the second half of 2025. An aggressive fiscal policy, favouring tax cuts and maintaining extremely high deficits, would be implemented later. Its effects could be seen from 2026 onwards. In terms of immigration, restrictions could be applied from the start of the presidential term. They would be followed by a very sharp slowdown in immigration flows and, while deportations are to be expected, they would be selective as opposed to a massive and indiscriminate deportation of millions of people. Lastly, deregulation, from which the energy and finance sectors are likely to benefit the most, would have rather positive effects throughout the presidential term of office.

    In the US, these policy guidelines should, on the whole, favour growth. If the expected positive effect of an aggressive fiscal policy and deregulation exceeds the negative impact of tariffs and immigration restrictions, growth will follow. Given the resilience of the US economy, whose growth is still expected to outperform forecasts to settle at around 2.8% in 2024, this suggests that growth will remain strong, albeit slightly weaker. Due to a number of vulnerabilities (low-income households and small businesses are more exposed to high interest rates), our scenario assumes a slowdown to 1.9% in 2025, before a recovery to 2.2% in 2026, a trend that is likely to be accompanied by an upturn in inflation. The end of the disinflationary path to the 2% target is, in fact, the most arduous, and tariffs could result in price pressure ranging between 25 to 30 basis points. Headline inflation could therefore fall back to around 2% next spring, before rising to around 2.5% by the end of 2025 and then remain stable in 2026. The potential for monetary policy easing will be very limited.

    In the eurozone, growth is likely to be sluggish, with the economy still not meeting its growth potential and below the pace enjoyed by the US. Although the upturn in household consumption points to slightly stronger growth, the latest data regarding investment does not augur well for a marked acceleration. Falling inflation boosts purchasing power, as well as a rebuilding of real wealth, implying less saving, and lower interest rates help to restore property purchasing power. The ingredients are there for a continued recovery in household spending, albeit only at a very moderate pace, however, as fiscal consolidation and global uncertainty are likely to encourage a continued high savings rate. Our scenario therefore assumes a modest acceleration in consumption to 1.1% in 2025 and 1.2% in 2026, after 0.7% in 2024. After a sharp fall in 2024, investment in 2025 is likely to continue to be penalised by the delay in passing on the interest rate cuts and, above all, by weak domestic demand and growing uncertainty about foreign demand. Investment is expected to grow by just 1.5%, before firming slightly in 2026 (2%). The Trump administration’s policies are likely to have a moderately negative impact on growth in the eurozone, in the short term primarily due to uncertainty. Les politiques de l’administration Trump auraient un impact modérément négatif sur la croissance de la zone euro, dont le canal le plus important à court terme serait l’incertitude. In addition, the monetary and fiscal policy mix remains unfavourable to growth, with the central bank policy rate returning to neutral by mid-2025, while the reduction in the ECB’s balance sheet continues to reflect a restrictive stance. Our forecasts therefore place growth on a relatively soft acceleration trend, rising from 0.7% in 2024 to 1% in 2025, then 1.2% in 2026: growth potential would be attained, but the output gap, which is slightly negative, would not yet be closed, as the growth gap with the US economy would widen.
    In France, in 2025, assuming that a 2025 finance act is adopted at the beginning of the year (probably at the end of the first quarter) and that the recovery in public finances is weaker than forecast by the former Barnier government’s draft bill, growth would fall to 0.8%. Economic activity would be curbed, especially at the start of the year, by the uncertainty surrounding national politics and international trade policies. Households and businesses are likely to adopt a more wait-and-see attitude to consumption, investment and hiring. Household consumption is nevertheless set to rise as a result of the ongoing disinflation process, with inflation easing to 2.1% on an annual average basis (CPI), but only slightly. The household savings rate is not expected to fall until the second half of the year and will remain very high, while the unemployment rate is set to rise moderately. Private investment, meanwhile, is expected to remain stable, with an upturn postponed until 2026. Foreign trade is no longer expected to contribute to growth, as imports and exports are expected to grow at more or less the same rate. A slight re-stocking phenomenon is set to support growth, but budgetary efforts are likely to weaken. The public deficit is, however, only expected to fall slightly, to 6% of GDP. In Italy, a slight improvement is expected in 2025, with GDP growth forecast at 0.6%. Although a weakening labour market and slightly higher inflation are expected, consumption should become the main driver of the economy. Productive investment could benefit from a more favourable monetary environment. The construction sector will continue to be weakened by the after-effects of the boom of previous years, despite partial support from projects under the stimulus package.

    Regarding emerging countries, were it not for the difficulties associated with “Trump 2.0”, the situation would be improving, with lower US central bank policy rates conducive to global monetary easing, easing of downwards pressure on emerging currencies and, more generally, on external financing for emerging countries, with domestic growth buoyed by falling inflation and interest rate cuts and exports to developed countries (primarily the US) still buoyant. However, the effects of these supporting factors are at risk of being undermined by the probable repercussions of the measures taken by the new US administration. In addition to trade tariffs that are likely to make emerging country exports more expensive and more limited, there will be less monetary accommodation in the US and a probable reduction in US military and financial support for Ukraine, fuelling geopolitical uncertainty in Europe. It will therefore be preferable to be a large country with a low level of openness, such as India, Indonesia or Brazil, a commodity-exporting country or an economy that is well integrated with China, which is preparing for the Trump storm.

    In China, the last Politburo meeting concluded in December with a commitment by the authorities to implement a “more proactive” fiscal policy and a “sufficiently accommodating” monetary policy, in order to boost domestic demand and stabilise the property and equity markets. A period of trade tensions is looming and, apart from restrictions on exports of critical products (including rare earths), the means of retaliation are limited. It is difficult to respond by boosting the competitiveness of exports (the yuan is already historically low) or by reciprocally raising tariffs, which would risk penalising already very fragile domestic consumption. The authorities’ plans to provide more vocal support for domestic demand are commendable, but the effectiveness of this strategy will depend on household confidence. The upturn cannot be ordered by decree, and our scenario continues to predict a slowdown in growth in 2025.

    The market’s hopes of a sharp monetary easing have been refuted and are absolutely no longer on the agenda, especially in the US.

    In an economy that is expected to remain robust, with inflation holding above 2% and which could pick up again, the easing would be modest. After a total reduction of 100 basis points in 2024 (bp), the Fed could ease by a further 50 bp in total, taking the Fed funds rate (upper limit of the target range) to 4.00% in the first half of 2025, before pausing for a prolonged period. With inflation on target and no recession in sight, the ECB is likely to continue moderate easing via its central bank policy rates, while extending its quantitative tightening. After its four 25 bp cuts in 2024, the ECB is expected to cut rates by 25 bp at its meetings in January, March and April, then maintain its deposit rate at 2.25%, i.e. very slightly below the neutral rate estimate (2.50%).
    Everything points to a scenario of rising long-term interest rates. In the US, given the economic scenario (limited slowdown in growth and moderation in inflation concentrated at the beginning of the period) and modest monetary easing followed by an earlier pause, interest rates could fall slightly in the first half of 2025 before picking up. The new forecasts look to a ten-year Treasury rate nearing 4.50% at the end of 2025, then rising to around 5.00% at the end of 2026.

    In the eurozone, a number of factors lead to a scenario of rising sovereign interest rates: excessive monetary easing expectations by the markets, the correction of which could lead to a rise in swap rates, an increase in the volume of government securities linked to the ECB’s balance sheet reduction (Quantitative Tightening) as well as still-high net national issuance and the extension of the rise in US bond yields to their European equivalents. Whilst the German economy (where early elections will be held in February) continues to suffer, and the political situation in France is not any clearer, “peripheral” countries have seen their sound economic results (notably Spain) and their political stability (this applies to Italy and Spain) rewarded by a significant tightening of their spreads against the German 10-year rate in 2024. They should benefit from the same supportive factors in 2025. Our scenario therefore assumes German, French and Italian ten-year interest rates of 2.55%, 3.15% and 3.55%, respectively, at the end of 2025.

    Lastly, on the dollar front, a number of positive factors, including the increased attractiveness of the dollar in terms of yield, seem to have already been largely incorporated into its price. As a result, our scenario assumes that the greenback will remain close to its recent highs throughout 2025, without exceeding them for any long period.

    Appendix 1 – Specific items, Crédit Agricole Group and Crédit Agricole S.A.

    Crédit Agricole Group – Specific items

      Q4-24 Q4-23 2024 2023
    €m Gross
    impact*
    Impact on
    Net income
    Gross
    impact*
    Impact on
    Net income
    Gross
    impact*
    Impact on
    Net income
    Gross
    impact*
    Impact on
    Net income
                     
    DVA (LC) (26) (19) 6 4 20 15 (15) (11)
    Loan portfolio hedges (LC) 2 1 2 1 8 6 (24) (18)
    Home Purchase Savings Plans (LCL) 6 5 1 1 58 43
    Home Purchase Savings Plans (CC) 5 4 (0) (0) 236 175
    Home Purchase Savings Plans (RB) 74 55 63 47 192 142
    Mobility activities reorganisation (SFS) 300 214
    Check Image Exchange penalty (CC) 42 42
    Check Image Exchange penalty (LCL) 21 21
    Check Image Exchange penalty (RB) 42 42
    Total impact on revenues (24) (18) 93 69 93 69 851 650
    Degroof Petercam integration costs (AG) (13) (10) (26) (19)
    ISB integration costs (LC) (27) (15) (97) (52)
    Mobility activitiesreorganisation (SFS) 4 3 (14) (10)
    Total impact on operating expenses (39) (25) 4 3 (123) (72) (14) (10)
    Mobility activities reorganisation (SFS)   (85) (61)
    Provision for risk Ukraine (IRB) (20) (20)
    Total impact on cost of credit risk (20) (20) (85) (61)
    Mobility activities reorganisation (SFS) (39) (39)
    Total impact equity-accounted entities   (39) (39)
    ISB integration costs (LC) (2) (2)
    Degroof Petercam acquisition costs (AG) 1 1 (22) (16)
    Mobility activities reorganisation (SFS) 89 57
    Total impact Net income on other assets (1) 1 (24) (16) 89 57
    Mobility activities reorganisation (SFS) 12 12 12 12
    Total impact on change of value of goodwill 12 12 12 12
    Mobility activities reorganisation (SFS) 3 3
    Total impact on tax 3 3
                     
    Total impact of specific items (64) (42) 109 86 (74) (39) 814 611
    Asset gathering (12) (9) (49) (36)
    French Retail banking 80 59 65 48 312 248
    International Retail banking (20) (20)
    Specialised financial services 16 17 263 176
    Large customers (52) (33) 8 6 (70) (31) (39) (29)
    Corporate centre 5 4 (0) (0) 277 216

    * Impact before tax and before minority interests

    Crédit Agricole S.A. – Specific items

      Q4-24 Q4-23 2024 2023
    €m Gross
    impact*
    Impact on
    Net income
    Gross
    impact*
    Impact on
    Net income
    Gross
    impact*
    Impact on
    Net income
    Gross
    impact*
    Impact on
    Net income
                     
    DVA (LC) (26) (19) 6 4 20 15 (15) (11)  
    Loan portfolio hedges (LC) 2 1 2 1 8 6 (24) (18)  
    Home Purchase Savings Plans (LCL) 6 4 3 2 58 41  
    Home Purchase Savings Plans (CC) 5 4 (2) (1) 236 175  
    Mobility activities reorganisation (SFS) 300 214
    Check Image Exchange penalty (CC) 42 42
    Check Image Exchange penalty (LCL) 21 20
    Total impact on revenues (24)            (17) 19 14 30 21 617 464
    Degroof Petercam integration costs (AG) (13) (9)       (26) (19)  
    ISB integration costs (LC) (27) (15)        (97) (52)  
    Mobility activities reorganisation (SFS)               4     3         (14) (10)  
    Total impact on expenses               (39)              (25)             4        3 (123)               (71)       (14) (10)
    Provision for risk Ukraine (IRB) (20) (20)  
    Mobility activities reorganisation (SFS)   (85) (61)  
    Total impact on cost of credit risk (20) (20) (85) (61)  
                     
    Mobility activities reorganisation (SFS) (39) (39)  
    Total impact equity-accounted entities   (39) (39)  
    ISB integration costs (LC) (2) (2)  
    Degroof Petercam acquisition costs (AG) 1 1 (22) (16)  
    Mobility activities reorganisation (SFS) 89 57  
    Total impact Net income on other assets (1) 1 (24) (16) 89 57  
    Mobility activities reorganisation (SFS) 12 12 12 12  
    Total impact on change of value of goodwill 12 12 12 12  
    Mobility activities reorganisation (SFS) 3 3  
    Total impact on tax 3 3  
                     
    Total impact of specific items (64) (41) 35 31 (138) (86) 580 425  
    Asset gathering (12) (9) (49) (35)  
    French Retail banking 6 4 3 2 79 61  
    International Retail banking (20) (20)  
    Specialised financial services 16 17 263 176  
    Large customers (52) (32) 8 6 (70) (32) (39) (28)  
    Corporate centre 5 4 (2) (1) 277 216  

    * Impact before tax and before minority interests

    Appendix 2 – Crédit Agricole Group: income statement by business line

    Crédit Agricole Group – Results by business line, Q4-23 and Q4-24

      Q4-24 (stated)
    €m RB LCL IRB AG SFS LC CC Total
                     
    Revenues 3,276 960 993 2,037 915 2,108 (472) 9,817
    Operating expenses excl. SRF (2,503) (647) (588) (930) (447) (1,298) 549 (5,863)
    SRF
    Gross operating income 773 313 405 1,107 468 810 77 3,954
    Cost of risk (263) (78) (97) (11) (306) (93) (19) (867)
    Equity-accounted entities 1 29 43 7 80
    Net income on other assets (2) 1 0 (0) (9) (1) (10) (20)
    Income before tax 513 236 308 1,125 196 724 48 3,150
    Tax (110) (44) (100) (313) (49) (166) (2) (784)
    Net income from discont’d or held-for-sale ope.
    Net income 404 192 207 813 147 557 46 2,366
    Non controlling interests (1) (0) (31) (117) (24) (34) (11) (217)
    Net income Group Share 403 192 177 696 124 523 35 2,149
      Q4-23 (stated)
    €m RB LCL IRB AG SFS LC CC Total
                     
    Revenues 3,227 959 1,000 1,550 880 1,936 (782) 8,769
    Operating expenses excl. SRF (2,485) (654) (646) (726) (449) (1,209) 488 (5,682)
    SRF
    Gross operating income 742 305 353 824 431 727 (294) 3,088
    Cost of risk (321) (96) (98) (4) (184) (39) (20) (762)
    Equity-accounted entities (0) (0) 29 40 5 73
    Net income on other assets (1) 0 2 (5) (11) (1) (4) (19)
    Income before tax 420 209 258 843 288 692 (328) 2,382
    Tax (85) (39) (104) (172) (53) (130) 128 (455)
    Net income from discont’d or held-for-sale ope. (0) (10) (10)
    Net income 336 170 144 671 235 562 (200) 1,918
    Non controlling interests 0 0 (24) (123) (18) (25) (4) (194)
    Net income Group Share 336 170 120 548 217 537 (204) 1,724

    Crédit Agricole Group – Results by business line, 2024 et 2023

      2024 (stated)
    €m RB LCL IRB AG SFS LC CC Total
                     
    Revenues 13,110 3,872 4,153 7,633 3,520 8,652 (2,879) 38,060
    Operating expenses excl. SRF (9,956) (2,448) (2,225) (3,365) (1,780) (5,039) 2,084 (22,729)
    SRF
    Gross operating income 3,155 1,424 1,928 4,268 1,740 3,613 (795) 15,332
    Cost of risk (1,319) (373) (316) (29) (958) (117) (79) (3,191)
    Equity-accounted entities 8 123 125 27 283
    Net income on other assets 1 5 0 (23) (12) 1 (13) (39)
    Income before tax 1,849 1,056 1,612 4,339 895 3,523 (887) 12,388
    Tax (423) (229) (536) (970) (187) (883) 341 (2,888)
    Net income from discont’d or held-for-sale ope.
    Net income 1,425 827 1,076 3,369 708 2,641 (546) 9,500
    Non controlling interests (2) (0) (160) (481) (82) (139) 4 (860)
    Net income Group Share 1,423 827 916 2,889 625 2,502 (542) 8,640
      2023 (stated)
    €m RB LCL IRB AG SFS LC CC Total
                     
    Revenues 13,259 3,850 4,040 6,693 3,597 7,780 (2,728) 36,492
    Operating expenses excl. SRF (9,702) (2,396) (2,189) (2,874) (1,673) (4,507) 1,877 (21,464)
    SRF (111) (44) (40) (6) (29) (312) (77) (620)
    Gross operating income 3,446 1,410 1,811 3,813 1,896 2,961 (928) 14,408
    Cost of risk (1,152) (301) (463) (5) (871) (120) (28) (2,941)
    Equity-accounted entities 9 1 102 130 21 263
    Net income on other assets 5 21 3 (10) 71 2 (5) 88
    Income before tax 2,308 1,130 1,353 3,900 1,237 2,865 (971) 11,821
    Tax (551) (256) (425) (868) (306) (691) 350 (2,748)
    Net income from discont’d or held-for-sale ope. (0) (3) 1 (0) (3)
    Net income 1,756 874 924 3,033 931 2,174 (621) 9,071
    Non controlling interests (0) (0) (145) (466) (79) (118) (4) (813)
    Net income Group Share 1,756 874 780 2,566 851 2,056 (625) 8,258

    Appendix 3 – Crédit Agricole S.A.:   Results by business line

    Crédit Agricole S.A. – Results by business line, Q4-24 et Q4-23

      Q4-24 (stated)
    €m AG LC SFS FRB (LCL) IRB CC Total
                   
    Revenues 2,045 2,108 915 960 969 95 7,092
    Operating expenses excl. SRF (930) (1,298) (447) (647) (568) (28) (3,917)
    SRF
    Gross operating income 1,116 810 468 313 401 67 3,175
    Cost of risk (11) (93) (306) (78) (100) (6) (594)
    Equity-accounted entities 29 7 43 (17) 62
    Net income on other assets (0) (1) (9) 1 0 (0) (9)
    Income before tax 1,133 723 196 236 302 44 2,634
    Tax (315) (166) (49) (44) (101) (7) (681)
    Net income from discont’d or held-for-sale ope.
    Net income 819 557 147 192 201 37 1,953
    Non controlling interests (124) (45) (24) (9) (43) (19) (264)
    Net income Group Share 695 512 124 183 158 18 1,689
      Q4-23 (stated)  
    €m AG LC SFS FRB (LCL) IRB CC Total  
                   
    Revenues 1,555 1,935 880 959 974 (262) 6,040
    Operating expenses excl. SRF (726) (1,209) (449) (654) (627) (44) (3,710)
    SRF
    Gross operating income 828 726 431 305 347 (306) 2,330
    Cost of risk (4) (39) (184) (96) (102) (14) (440)
    Equity-accounted entities 29 5 40 (0) (12) 61
    Net income on other assets (5) (1) (11) 0 2 (3) (17)
    Income before tax 848 691 288 209 246 (345) 1,937
    Tax (173) (129) (53) (39) (103) 128 (369)
    Net income from discont’d or held-for-sale ope. (10) (10)
    Net income 675 562 235 170 134 (217) 1,558
    Non controlling interests (130) (37) (18) (8) (31) (1) (224)
    Net income Group Share 546 525 217 162 103 (218) 1,334

    Crédit Agricole S.A. – Results by business line, 2024 et 2023

      2024 (stated)
    €m AG LC SFS FRB (LCL) IRB CC Total
                   
    Revenues 7,648 8,651 3,520 3,872 4,059 (570) 27,181
    Operating expenses excl. SRF (3,365) (5,039) (1,780) (2,448) (2,148) (116) (14,895)
    SRF
    Gross operating income 4,284 3,612 1,740 1,424 1,911 (685) 12,286
    Cost of risk (29) (117) (958) (373) (313) (59) (1,850)
    Equity-accounted entities 123 27 125 (82) 194
    Net income on other assets (23) 1 (12) 5 0 23 (4)
    Income before tax
    Tax 4,355 3,523 895 1,056 1,599 (803) 10,625
    Net income from discont’d or held-for-sale ope. (973) (883) (187) (229) (535) 336 (2,472)
    Net income
    Non controlling interests 3,381 2,640 708 827 1,063 (466) 8,153
    Net income Group Share (506) (192) (82) (37) (227) (22) (1,067)
    Revenues 2,875 2,448 625 790 836 (488) 7,087
      2023 (stated)  
    €m AG LC SFS FRB (LCL) IRB CC Total  
                   
    Revenues 6,688 7,779 3,597 3,850 3,949 (683) 25,180
    Operating expenses excl. SRF (2,874) (4,507) (1,673) (2,396) (2,118) (64) (13,632)
    SRF (6) (312) (29) (44) (40) (77) (509)
    Gross operating income 3,808 2,960 1,896 1,410 1,791 (825) 11,039
    Cost of risk (5) (120) (870) (301) (464) (17) (1,777)
    Equity-accounted entities 102 21 130 1 (58) 197
    Net income on other assets (10) 2 71 21 3 (3) 85
    Income before tax 12 (9) 2
    Tax 3,894 2,864 1,237 1,130 1,332 (911) 9,546
    Net income from discont’d or held-for-sale ope. (872) (690) (306) (256) (422) 346 (2,201)
    Net income 1 (0) (3) (3)
    Non controlling interests 3,024 2,174 931 874 906 (565) 7,343
    Net income Group Share (483) (162) (79) (39) (204) (28) (995)
    Revenues 2,541 2,011 852 835 703 (593) 6,348

    Appendix 4 – Data per share

    Crédit Agricole S.A. – Earnings p/share, net book value p/share and RoTE

    (€m)

    Q4-2024
    Q4-2023

    2024
    2023

    Net income Group share – stated

    1,689
    1,334

    7,087
    6,348
    – Interests on AT1, including issuance costs, before tax

    (112)
    (87)

    (463)
    (458)
    – Foreign exchange impact on reimbursed AT1


    (266)

    NIGS attributable to ordinary shares – stated

    [A]
    1,577
    1,247

    6,358
    5,890
    Average number shares in issue, excluding treasury shares (m)

    [B]
    3,025
    3,032

    3,015
    3,031
    Net earnings per share – stated

    [A]/[B]
    0.52 €
    0.41 €

    2.11 €
    1.94 €
    Underlying net income Group share (NIGS)

    1,730
    1,303

    7,172
    5,923
    Underlying NIGS attributable to ordinary shares

    [C]
    1,618
    1,216

    6,443
    5,465
    Net earnings per share – underlying

    [C]/[B]
    0.54 €
    0.40 €

    2.14 €
    1.80 €

    (€m)

    31/12/2024
    31/12/2023
    Shareholder’s equity Group share

    74,710
    71,086
    – AT1 issuances

    (7,218)
    (7,220)
    – Unrealised gains and losses on OCI – Group share

    1,256
    1,074
    – Payout assumption on annual results*

    (3,327)
    (3,181)
    Net book value (NBV), not revaluated, attributable to ordin. sh.

    [D]

    65,421
    61,760
    – Goodwill & intangibles** – Group share

    (17,851)
    (17,347)
    Tangible NBV (TNBV), not revaluated attrib. to ordinary sh.

    [E]

    47,569
    44,413
    Total shares in issue, excluding treasury shares (period end, m)

    [F]

    3,025
    3,029

    NBV per share, after deduction of dividend to pay (€)
    Dividend to pay (€)
    TNBV per share, after deduction of dividend to pay (€)

    TNBV per sh., before deduct. of divid. to pay (€)

    €21.6 20,4 €
    €1.10 1,05 €
    €15.7 14,7 €
    €16.8 15,7 €
    20,4 €
    1,05 €
    14,7 €
    15,7 €
    €20.4
    €1.05
    €14.7
    €15.7

    * dividend proposed to the Board meeting to be paid
    ** including goodwill in the equity-accounted entities

    (€m)

    2024
    2023
    Net income Group share – stated

    [K]

    7,087
    6,348
    Impairment of intangible assets

    [L]

    0
    0
    Stated NIGS annualised

    [N] = ([K]-[L]-[M])*4/4+[M]

    7,087
    6,348
    Interests on AT1, including issuance costs, before tax, foreign exchange impact, annualised

    [O]

    -729
    -458
    Stated result adjusted

    [P] = [N]+[O]

    6,358
    5,890
    Tangible NBV (TNBV), not revaluated attrib. to ord. sh. – avg *** (3)

    [J]

    46,125
    43,281
    Stated ROTE adjusted (%)

    = [P] / [J]

    13.8%
    13.6%
    Underlying Net income Group share

    [Q]

    7,172
    5,923
    Underlying NIGS annualised

    [R] = ([Q]-[M])*4/4+[M]

    7,172
    5,923
    Underlying NIGS adjusted

    [S] = [R]+[O]

    6,443
    5,465
    Underlying ROTE adjusted(%)

    = [S] / [J]

    14.0%
    12.6%
    *** including assumption of dividend for the current exercise

    0.0%

    (1) Underlying: see appendixes for more details on specific items
    (2) Underlying ROTE calculated on the basis of an annualised underlying net income Group share and linearised IFRIC costs over the year
    (3) Average of the NTBV not revalued attributable to ordinary shares, calculated between 31/12/2023 and 31/12/2024 (line [E]), restated with an assumption of dividend for current exercises

    Alternative Performance Indicators99

    NBV Net Book Value (not revalued)
    The Net Book Value not revalued corresponds to the shareholders’ equity Group share from which the amount of the AT1 issues, the unrealised gains and/or losses on OCI Group share and the pay-out assumption on annual results have been deducted.

    NBV per share Net Book Value per share – NTBV Net Tangible Book Value per share
    One of the methods for calculating the value of a share. This represents the Net Book Value divided by the number of shares in issue at end of period, excluding treasury shares.

    Net Tangible Book Value per share represents the Net Book Value after deduction of intangible assets and goodwill, divided by the number of shares in issue at end of period, excluding treasury shares.

    EPS Earnings per Share
    This is the net income Group share, from which the AT1 coupon has been deducted, divided by the average number of shares in issue excluding treasury shares. It indicates the portion of profit attributable to each share (not the portion of earnings paid out to each shareholder, which is the dividend). It may decrease, assuming the net income Group share remains unchanged, if the number of shares increases.

    Cost/income ratio
    The cost/income ratio is calculated by dividing operating expenses by revenues, indicating the proportion of revenues needed to cover operating expenses.

    Cost of risk/outstandings
    Calculated by dividing the cost of credit risk (over four quarters on a rolling basis) by outstandings (over an average of the past four quarters, beginning of the period). It can also be calculated by dividing the annualised cost of credit risk for the quarter by outstandings at the beginning of the quarter. Similarly, the cost of risk for the period can be annualised and divided by the average outstandings at the beginning of the period.

    Since the first quarter of 2019, the outstandings taken into account are the customer outstandings, before allocations to provisions.

    The calculation method for the indicator is specified each time the indicator is used.

    Doubtful loan
    A doubtful loan is a loan in default. The debtor is considered to be in default when at least one of the following two conditions has been met:

    • a payment generally more than 90 days past due, unless specific circumstances point to the fact that the delay is due to reasons independent of the debtor’s financial situation.
    • the entity believes that the debtor is unlikely to settle its credit obligations unless it avails itself of certain measures such as enforcement of collateral security right.

    Impaired loan
    Loan which has been provisioned due to a risk of non-repayment.

    MREL
    The MREL (Minimum Requirement for Own Funds and Eligible Liabilities) ratio is defined in the European “Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive” (BRRD). This Directive establishes a framework for the resolution of banks throughout the European Union, with the aim to provide resolution authorities with shared instruments and powers to pre-emptively tackle banking crises, preserve financial stability and reduce taxpayers’ exposure to losses. Directive (EU) 2019/879 of 20 May 2019 known as “BRRD2” amended the BRRD and was transposed into French law by Order 2020-1636 of 21 December 2020.

    The MREL ratio corresponds to an equity and eligible liabilities buffer required to absorb losses in the event of resolution. Under BRRD2, the MREL ratio is calculated as the amount of equity and eligible liabilities expressed as a percentage of risk weighted assets (RWA), as well as a leverage ratio exposure (LRE). Are eligible for the numerator of the total MREL ratio the Group’s regulatory equity, as well as eligible liabilities issued by the corporate centre and the Crédit Agricole network affiliated entities, i.e. subordinated notes, senior non-preferred debt instruments and certain senior preferred debt instruments with residual maturities of more than one year.

    Impaired (or non-performing) loan coverage ratio 
    This ratio divides the outstanding provisions by the impaired gross customer loans.

    Impaired (or non-performing) loan ratio 
    This ratio divides the impaired gross customer loans on an individual basis, before provisions, by the total gross customer loans.

    TLAC
    The Financial Stability Board (FSB) has defined the calculation of a ratio aimed at estimating the adequacy of the bail-in and recapitalisation capacity of Global Systemically Important Banks (G-SIBs). This Total Loss Absorbing Capacity (TLAC) ratio provides resolution authorities with the means to assess whether G-SIBs have sufficient bail-in and recapitalisation capacity before and during resolution. It applies to Global Systemically Important Banks, and therefore to Crédit Agricole Group. Agricole. The TLAC ratio requirement was transposed into European Union law via CRR2 and has been applicable since 27 June 2019.

    The Group’s regulatory equity as well as subordinated notes and eligible senior non-preferred debt with residual maturities of more than one year issued by Crédit Agricole S.A. are eligible for the numerator of the TLAC ratio.

    Net income Group share
    Net income/(loss) for the financial year (after corporate income tax). Equal to net income Group share, less the share attributable to non-controlling interests in fully consolidated subsidiaries.

    Underlying Net income Group share
    The underlying net income Group share represents the stated net income Group share from which specific items have been deducted (i.e., non-recurring or exceptional items) to facilitate the understanding of the company’s actual earnings.

    Net income Group share attributable to ordinary shares
    The net income Group share attributable to ordinary shares represents the net income Group share from which the AT1 coupon has been deducted, including issuance costs before tax.

    RoTE Return on Tangible Equity
    The RoTE (Return on Tangible Equity) measures the return on tangible capital by dividing the Net income Group share annualised by the Group’s NBV net of intangibles and goodwill. The annualised Net income Group share corresponds to the annualisation of the Net income Group share (Q1x4; H1x2; 9Mx4/3) excluding impairments of intangible assets and restating each period of the IFRIC impacts in order to linearise them over the year.

    Disclaimer

    The financial information on Crédit Agricole S.A. and Crédit Agricole Group for the fourth quarter and the full year 2024 comprises this press release and the presentation and the attached appendices which are available on the website: https://www.credit-agricole.com/en/finance/finance/financial-publications.

    This presentation may include prospective information on the Group, supplied as information on trends. This data does not represent forecasts within the meaning of EU Delegated Act 2019/980 of 14 March 2019 (Chapter 1, article 1, d).

    This information was developed from scenarios based on a number of economic assumptions for a given competitive and regulatory environment. Therefore, these assumptions are by nature subject to random factors that could cause actual results to differ from projections. Likewise, the financial statements are based on estimates, particularly in calculating market value and asset impairment.

    Readers must take all these risk factors and uncertainties into consideration before making their own judgement.

    Applicable standards and comparability

    The figures presented for the twelve-month period ending 31 December 2024 have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted in the European Union and applicable at that date, and with regulations currently in force.

    Note: The scopes of consolidation of the Crédit Agricole S.A. and Crédit Agricole Groups have not changed materially since the Crédit Agricole S.A. 2023 Universal Registration Document and its A.01 update (including all regulatory information about the Crédit Agricole Group) were filed with the AMF (the French Financial Markets Authority).

    The sum of values contained in the tables and analyses may differ slightly from the total reported due to rounding.

    At 30 June 2024, Indosuez Wealth Management had completed the acquisition of Degroof Petercam and now holds 65% of Banque Degroof Petercam alongside with CLdN Cobelfret, its historical shareholder, which would maintain a 20% stake in capital. As of 30 September 2024, Indosuez Wealth Management’s stake in Degroof Petercam has increased to 76%.

    At 30 June 2024, Amundi had completed the acquisition of Alpha Associates, an independent asset manager offering multi-management investment solutions in private assets.

    As of December 31, 2024, Amundi finalized the acquisition of aixigo, a European Wealth Tech player, to complete the ALTO platform’s offering.

    As of December 31, 2024, Crédit Agricole S.A. has entered into financial instruments for 5.2% of Banco BPM’s share capital.

    Financial Agenda

    30 April 2025                Publication of the 2025 first quarter results
    14 May 2025                General Meeting
    31 July 2025                Publication of the 2025 second quarter and the first half-year results
    30 October 2025                Publication of the 2025 third quarter and first nine months results

    Contacts

    CREDIT AGRICOLE PRESS CONTACTS

    CRÉDIT AGRICOLE S.A. INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACTS

    Institutional investors + 33 1 43 23 04 31 investor.relations@credit-agricole-sa.fr
    Individual shareholders + 33 800 000 777 (freephone number – France only) relation@actionnaires.credit-agricole.com
         
    Cécile Mouton + 33 1 57 72 86 79 cecile.mouton@credit-agricole-sa.fr
     

    Equity investor relations:

       
    Jean-Yann Asseraf
    Fethi Azzoug
    + 33 1 57 72 23 81
    + 33 1 57 72 03 75
    jean-yann.asseraf@credit-agricole-sa.fr fethi.azzoug@credit-agricole-sa.fr
    Oriane Cante + 33 1 43 23 03 07 oriane.cante@credit-agricole-sa.fr
    Nicolas Ianna + 33 1 43 23 55 51 nicolas.ianna@credit-agricole-sa.fr
    Leila Mamou + 33 1 57 72 07 93 leila.mamou@credit-agricole-sa.fr
    Anna Pigoulevski + 33 1 43 23 40 59 anna.pigoulevski@credit-agricole-sa.fr
         
         
    Credit investor and rating agency relations:  
    Gwenaëlle Lereste + 33 1 57 72 57 84 gwenaelle.lereste@credit-agricole-sa.fr
    Florence Quintin de Kercadio + 33 1 43 23 25 32 florence.quintindekercadio@credit-agricole-sa.fr
         
         
         

    See all our press releases at: www.credit-agricole.com – www.creditagricole.info

             

    1 Car, home, health, legal, all mobile phones or personal accident insurance.
    2 CA Auto Bank, automotive JVs and automotive activities of other entities
    3 2024 market shares: CRCA and LCL household loans (source: Banque de France and internal); French UCITS (all customer segments); payments (in No. of transactions; source: Banque de France and internal)
    4 2023 market shares: insurance (Argus de l’Assurance and France Assureurs); property services
    5 Economic outlook to 2025
    6 Purchase price of transactions carried out since 2022. Includes shares acquired in Banco BPM and Worldline
    7 Disposal of Crédit du Maroc, La Médicale, Crédit Agricole Serbia and others
    8 Indosuez Wealth management acquires a 70% stake in Wealth Dynamix, a fintech specialising in client relationship management for private banks, wealth management and asset management actors across the world.
    9 Creation of Uptevia, held in equal shares by CACEIS and BNPP, wich brings together the activities for the issuers of the two banks.
    10 Independent asset manager offering private markets multi-manager investment solutions.
    11 Technology company of high value-added modular service for distributors of savings solutions.
    12 Acquisition of Merca Leasing, independent leasing company in Germany
    13 Commercial partnership for automobile insurance between Mobilize Financial Services, subsidiary of Renault Group, specialised in services facilitating access to automobiles, and Pacifica, Property and Casualty subsidiary of Credit Agricole Assurances
    14 Merge between Amundi and Victory Capital, acquisition of a participation of 26.1% in Victory Capital, and signature of distribution and services agreement lasting 15 years.
    15 Digital fleet management tool on monthly subscription
    16 Extended warranty
    17 Delivery of single vehicule
    18 Agreement allowing CA Autobank, Drivalia, Agilauto and Leasys to offer fatec fllet management services to their customers in France
    19 Employee benefits management tool
    20 Creation of a joint venture to develop innovative commercial offers.
    21 Leader in design, construction, and daily support for multidisciplinary collective primary care structures
    22 Credit Agricole Santé et Territoires and 10 regional banks enter the capital of Cette Famille, major player in inclusive housing for seniors in France.
    23         Omedys, specialist in assisted telemedicine, Medicalib, home care expert
    24 Low-carbon energy outstandings made up of renewable energy produced by the clients of all Crédit Agricole Group entities, including nuclear energy outstandings for Crédit Agricole CIB.
    25 Listed investments managed directly, listed investments managed under mandate and unlisted investments managed directly
    26 Crédit Agricole CIB green asset portfolio, in line with the eligibility criteria of the Group Green Bond Framework published in November 2023.
    27 Scope of power sector: CACIB and Unifergie (Crédit Agricole Transitions & Energies)
    28 DVA (Debt Valuation Adjustment)
    29Specific (one-off) items had impacted the fourth quarter of 2023 for the SFS division and for CACF as follows: +€17m in net income Group share, of which +€4m on operating expenses, +€12m on badwill and +€1m on tax.
    30 See Appendixes for more details on specific items.
    31 The cost of risk/outstandings (in basis points) on a four-quarter rolling basis is calculated on the cost of risk of the past four quarters divided by the average outstandings at the start of each of the four quarters
    32 The cost of risk/outstandings (in basis points) on an annualised basis is calculated on the cost of risk of the quarter multiplied by four and divided by the outstandings at the start of the quarter
    33 Average rate of loans to monthly production for October and November 2024.
    34 Equipment rate – Home-Car-Health policies, Legal, All Mobile/Portable or personal accident insurance
    35 SAS Rue La Boétie dividend paid annually in Q2
    36 Home Purchase Savings Plan base effect (reversal of the Home Purchase Savings Plan provision) in Q4-23 totalling +€73.6m in revenues and +€54.6m in net income Group share. 

    37 Underlying, excluding specific items.
    38 Scope effect of Degroof Petercam revenues: +€158 million in the fourth quarter of 2024.
    39 Scope effect in expenses in the fourth quarter of 2024: Degroof Petercam for -€120 million and miscellaneous others.

    40 Provisioning rate calculated with outstandings in Stage 3 as denominator, and the sum of the provisions recorded in Stages 1, 2 and 3 as numerator.
    41 The cost of risk/outstandings (in basis points) on a four-quarter rolling basis is calculated on the cost of risk of the past four quarters divided by the average outstandings at the start of each of the four quarters
    42 The cost of risk/outstandings (in basis points) on an annualised basis is calculated on the cost of risk of the quarter multiplied by four and divided by the outstandings at the start of the quarter
    43         See Appendixes for more details on specific items.
    44 SRF costs amounted to -€509 million over full-year 2023

    45 See Appendixes for details on the calculation of the RoTE (return on tangible equity)
    46 The annualised underlying net income Group share corresponds to the annualisation of the underlying net income Group share (Q1x4; H1x2; 9Mx4/3) by restating each period for IFRIC impacts to linearise them over the year
    47 In local standards
    48 Can reach up to 3.85% for the Anaé policy with a UL rate > 50% and benefiting from management fees of 0.5% 
    49 Scope “Life France”
    50 Property and casualty insurance premium income includes a scope: effect linked to the initial consolidation of CATU in Q2-24 (a property and casualty insurance entity in Poland): 9.4% Q4/Q4 increase in premium income at constant scope

    51 Scope: property and casualty in France and abroad
    52 Combined property & casualty ratio in France (Pacifica) including discounting and excluding undiscounting, net of reinsurance: (claims + operating expenses + fee and commission income)/gross premiums earned. Undiscounted ratio: 96.4% (-4.3 pp over the year)
    53 Excl. JVs
    54 Excluding assets under custody for institutional clients
    55 Amount of allocation of Contractual Service Margin (CSM) and Risk Adjustment (RA) including funeral guarantees
    56 Amount of allocation of CSM and RA
    57 Net of cost of reinsurance, excluding financial results
    58 Integration costs related to the acquisition of aixigo and the partnership with Victory Capital, which are expected to be completed towards the end of Q1 25, were recorded as operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2024 for a total of -€14 million.
    59 Indosuez Wealth Management scope
    60 Degroof Petercam data for the quarter included in Wealth Management results: Revenues of €158m and expenses of -€120m (excluding integration costs partly borne by Degroof Petercam)
    61 In Q4 24: -€12.8 million of integration costs (impacting the operating expenses line); and +€0.8 million in acquisition costs (impacting the line gains and losses on other assets)
    62 2024 Degroof Petercam data included in the results of the Wealth Management business: NBI of €347 million and expenses of -€259 million (excluding integration costs partially borne by Degroof Petercam)
    63 In 2024: -€26.4 million in integration costs (impacting the operating expenses line); and -€22.2 million in acquisition costs (impacting the line gains and losses on other assets)
    64 Refinitiv LSEG
    65 Bloomberg in EUR
    66 Cost of risk for the last four quarters divided by the average of the outstandings at the start of all four quarters of the year
    67 CA Auto Bank, automotive JVs and auto activities of other entities
    68 CA Auto Bank and automotive JVs
    69 Q4-23 base effects related to the reorganisation of the Mobility activities (Expenses +€4m, Changes in value of goodwill +€12m, Corporate income tax +€1m and Net income Group share +€17m)
    70 12M-23 base effect linked to the reorganisation of Mobility activities (revenues €300m, expenses -€14m, cost of risk -€85m, equity-accounted entities -€39m, income on other assets €89m, Change in the value of goodwill +€12m, corporate tax €87m, net income Group share €176m)
    71 Q4-23 base effects related to the reorganisation of the Mobility activities (Expenses +€4m, Changes in value of goodwill +€12m, Corporate income tax +€1m and Net income Group share +€17m)
    72 Cost of risk for the last four quarters as a proportion of the average outstandings at the beginning of the period for the last four quarters.
    7312M-23 base effect related to the reorganisation of the Mobility activities (Revenues €300m, Expenses -€14m, Cost of risk -€85m, Equity-accounted entities -€39m, GPAI €89m, Changes in value of goodwill +€12m, Corporate income tax €87m and Net income Group share €176m)
    74 Net of POCI outstandings
    75 Source: Abi Monthly Outlook, January 2024: -1.0% Dec./Dec. for all loans
    76 At 31 December 2024, this scope corresponds to the aggregation of all Group entities present in Italy: CA Italy, CAPFM (Agos, Leasys, CA Auto Bank), CAA (CA Vita, CACI, CA Assicurazioni), Amundi, Crédit Agricole CIB, CAIWM, CACEIS, CALEF.
    77 In number of branches
    78 Net Promoter Score; source: Doxa survey, October 2023.
    79 Assofin publication, 30/04/2024 (excluding credit cards).
    80 Assets under management Source: Assogestioni, 31/05/2024
    81 Production. Source: IAMA, 30/04/2024
    82 Home Purchase Saving Plan base effect (reversal of the provision for Home Purchase Saving Plans) in Q4-23 of +€6.1 million in revenues and +€4.5 million in net income Group share versus 0 in Q4 2024.
    83 Home Purchase Saving Plan base effect (reversal of the provision for Home Purchase Saving Plans) in 2023 of +€57.9 million in revenues and +€41.2 million in net income Group share versus €3.1 million in revenues and +€2.2 million in net income Group share in 2024.
    84 Reversal of provision for Cheque Image Exchange Provision of + €21m in Q2-23
    85 At 31 December 2024 this scope includes the entities CA Italy, CA Polska, CA Egypt and CA Ukraine.

    86 Over a rolling four quarter period.
    87 At 31 December 2024, this scope corresponds to the aggregation of all Group entities present in Italy: CA Italy, CAPFM (Agos, Leasys, CA Auto Bank), CAA (CA Vita, CACI, CA Assicurazioni), Amundi, Crédit Agricole CIB, CAIWM, CACEIS, CALEF.
    88 As part of its annual resolvability assessment, Crédit Agricole Group has chosen in 2024 to continue waiving the possibility offered by Article 72ter(3) of the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR) to use senior preferred debt for compliance with its TLAC requirements over the resolvability period that will begin during 2025.
    89 Which excludes some client deposits from the asset custody business in coherence with the internal management.
    90Securities within liquidity reserves are valued after discounting idiosyncratic stress (previously systemic stress) to better reflect the economic reality of central bank value.
    91 Gross amount before buy-backs and amortisations
    92 Gross amount before buy-backs and amortisations
    93 Excl. AT1 issuances
    94 Gross amount before buy-backs and amortisations
    95 Excl. senior secured debt
    96 Gross amount before buy-backs and amortisations
    97 Gross amount before buy-backs and amortisations
    98 Excl. AT1 issuances
    99 APMs are financial indicators not presented in the financial statements or defined in accounting standards but used in the context of financial communications, such as underlying net income Group share or RoTE. They are used to facilitate the understanding of the company’s actual performance. Each APM indicator is matched in its definition to accounting data.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Alternative payments account for over half of total e-commerce payments in Australia, reveals GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Alternative payments account for over half of total e-commerce payments in Australia, reveals GlobalData

    Posted in Banking

    Alternative payment methods such as mobile and digital wallets and buy now pay later (BNPL) solutions have reshaped Australia’s e-commerce landscape, overtaking traditional cash and card payments. With a 53% market share in 2024, these digital solutions are driving seamless transactions, fuelling online sales, and reinforcing the sector’s robust growth trajectory, reveals GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s E-Commerce Analytics reveals that Australian e-commerce market is expected to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% from AUD77.2 billion ($51.3 billion) in 2024 to AUD105.8 billion ($70.3 billion) in 2029, as consumers increasingly shift from offline to online purchases.

    Shivani Gupta, Senior Banking and Payments Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “E-commerce sales in Australia have experienced consistent growth in recent years. This growth can be attributed to the availability of secure online payment tools, an increasing number of online shoppers, and the rise of online merchants and payment options. Furthermore, the popularity of online shopping events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Afterpay Day has further fuelled the expansion of e-commerce.”

    According to Australia Post, 7.6 million households in Australia made online purchases during November to December 2024, representing a growth rate of 2.4% compared to same period last year. Additionally, the availability of secure payment solutions, such as Mastercard Identity Check, and appealing BNPL options like Afterpay have encouraged consumers to shop online.

    GlobalData’s 2024 Financial Services Consumer Survey* reveals that alternative payment solutions dominate e-commerce market in Australia with a combined market share of 53% in 2024.

    Gupta explains: “This is a trend that is prevalent in many Asian markets. PayPal is the most preferred payment option, followed by other brands such as Apple Pay. The rising popularity of BNPL solutions is also contributing to the overall ecommerce payments with the most prominent BNPL brands being Afterpay, Zip, and Klarna.”

    Payment cards are the second most preferred payment method, with debit, credit and charge, and prepaid cards collectively accounting for 38.7% share in 2024. This can be attributed to the value-added benefits offered on payment cards, including interest free instalment payments, reward programs, cashback, and discounts.

    Cash accounted for a share of just 3.1% of e-commerce payments, reflecting the strong use of electronic payment methods in the country.

    Gupta concludes: “The uptrend in e-commerce sales is likely to continue over the next few years supported by evolving consumer preferences, improving payment infrastructure, and proliferation of alternative payment solutions. Subsequently, Australia’s e-commerce sales are anticipated to register a growth rate of 8% to reach AUD83.4 billion ($55.4 billion) in 2025.”

    *GlobalData’s 2024 Financial Services Consumer Survey was carried out in Q2 2024. Approximately 67,292 respondents aged 18+ were surveyed across 41 countries.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Buy Now, Pay Later regulations set to be finalised

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    The Albanese Government has released a further exposure draft of regulations governing Australia’s Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) sector for technical consultation.

    This marks the next step in bringing BNPL into line with other types of credit, highlighting the Albanese Government’s commitment to place Australia at the forefront of effective BNPL regulation while maintaining robust protections for consumers and fostering innovation within the industry.

    The Government has already received extensive feedback from industry, consumer groups, and regulatory bodies on the proposed regulations for the new BNPL legislation which will come into effect later this year.

    Key provisions of these BNPL reforms include:

    • Strengthened Consumer Protections: Clear obligations on BNPL providers to conduct affordability checks, ensure responsible lending practices, and implement mechanisms to identify vulnerable consumers.
    • Transparent Pricing and Disclosure: Enhanced requirements for transparency in fees and charges, ensuring Australians are fully informed of the cost of BNPL products, in addition to setting fee caps on BNPL.
    • Industry‑wide Accountability: BNPL providers will be held to consistent standards, creating a level playing field and providing certainty for industry to invest and innovate.

    These proposed regulations are aimed at providing appropriate guardrails to protect Australians while also giving the BNPL industry room to grow responsibly. The Albanese Government remains committed to ensuring Australia’s consumer credit environment remains fit‑for‑purpose and will conduct a review informed by stakeholder feedback two years after the measures commence.

    Interested stakeholders are encouraged to provide their feedback by 12 February 2025.

    Further information regarding the consultation process is available on the Treasury website.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Australia, Japan, Philippines, and United States Conduct Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    The combined armed and defense forces of Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States, demonstrating a collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific, will conduct a Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, Feb. 5, 2025.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Question Time Response – 3G shutdown issues in Indi

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    Question – Federal Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines MP:

    Since the 3G shutdown in my electorate, residents were assured they would not be worse off. But since it shutdown, my constituents have seriously worse connectivity, completely losing the ability to make calls in some areas and have been told to spend their own money on aftermarket antennas. Will the minister recognise some people are worse off after the 3G shutdown and what will the government do to fix it?

    Answer – Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland 

    I thank the Member for her question and I know how seriously she takes these issues of connectivity in her community. I also want to take the opportunity to extend my appreciation to Members across the Chamber, particularly in regional areas right across the aisle, who, prior to the 3G switchover, assisted in disseminating important information about that to their local communities, which is very important. 

    The context: the spectrum is what we call a scarce resource, it is used but not consumed, valuable, can be redeployed in other ways, and, from the evolution of the various forms of mobile technology  – from CDMA to 2G and now 3G network being switched over – it enables the re-framing of that spectrum to ensure it is capable of doing more and delivering technical benefits. 

    You are very right that these technical benefits won’t be realised if people don’t actually have coverage under that new technology. This was also the first switchover to occur during what we call ‘the internet of things’ whether so many different devices that people are reliant on.

    I completely acknowledge the Member’s concerned. It is very real, and, on 17 December, I convened industry regulators, the mobile carriers, consumer groups to look at the lessons learned from this 3G switchover and I can give some insights into what we are doing following-up. 

    The Government has stressed to the carriers that the benefits of the 3G switchover really need to be demonstrated, and, while it is a fact of physics the switchover is completed, there needs to be focus now on the consumer welfare. And the Member is right, it is true that there are multiple complaints from customers, particularly in regional areas, who have seen gratuitous coverage diminish and who have seen their services overall being challenged. 

    The question is how can it be improved? I’m happy to inform the Member that, while obviously it is concerning to hear those reports happening in regional areas, I am monitoring this very closely. I’ve made it clear to service providers the expectation that the 3G switchover will deliver on these benefits. 

    The ACMA and the ACCC have both been highlighted in this, not only in terms of the technical requirements but also the representations that have been made to customers about coverage pre and post switchover. 

    As many consumers will know, those coverage maps don’t always match what they actually received. I will take this opportunity to highlight the Telstra has established a dedicated 3G hotline. And I have formally requested weekly reports from the carrier so I can continue to monitor this. 

    My door is open and I’m happy to meet with the Member after this and that is open to all Members in this place.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 31-2025: List of treatment providers: treatment provider suspended – Mert Pest Kontrol (AEI: TR4012SB)

    Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

    5/02/2025

    Who does this notice affect?

    Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including vessel masters, freight forwarders, offshore treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers, principal agents and master consolidators.

    What has changed?

    Following identification of critical non-compliance, we have suspended Mert Pest Kontrol (AEI: TR4012SB) from AusTreat.
    The treatment provider has been listed as ‘suspended’…

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-Evening Report: Returning home after a flood? Prioritise your health and take it one step at a time

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kazi Mizanur Rahman, Associate Professor of Healthcare Innovations, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University

    Parts of North Queensland have received almost two metres of rain since the weekend, causing flash and riverine flooding that claimed the lives of two women around Ingham.

    While some North Queensland residents are on alert for more flooding, others are returning home to assess the damage.

    This can be very confronting. You may have left in a rush when the evacuation order was issued, taking only a few valuables and necessary items, and maybe your pet. You may have been scared and unsure of what would happen.

    Coming back and seeing the damage to the place you lived in and loved can be painful. You might also be worried about the financial consequences.

    First, focus on safety

    Make sure it’s safe to return home. Check with your energy provider whether power has been restored in your area and, if so, whether it’s safe to turn the main switch back on. Do not use appliances that got wet, as electrical hazards can be deadly.

    Look for any structural damages to your property and any hazards such as asbestos exposure. Watch out for sharp objects, broken glass, or slippery areas.

    The hardest part is cleaning up. You will need to be patient, and prioritise your health and safety.

    What risks are involved with flood clean ups?

    Floodwater carries mud and bugs. It can also be contaminated with sewage.

    Contaminated flood water can cause gastroenteritis, skin infections, conjunctivitis, or ear, nose and throat infections.

    Mud can make you sick by transmitting germs through broken skin, causing nasty diseases such as the bacterial infection melioidosis.

    Your house may also have rodents, snakes, or insects that can bite. Rats can also carry diseases that contaminate water and enter your body through broken skin.

    Be careful about mould, as it can affect the air quality in your home and make asthma and allergies worse.

    Stagnant water in and around your home can become a place where mosquitoes breed and spread disease.

    How can you reduce these risks?

    When you first enter your flood-damaged home, open windows to let fresh air in. If you have breathing problems, wear a face mask to protect yourself from any possible air pollution resulting from the damage, and any mould due to your home being closed up.

    Cleaning your home is a long, frustrating and exhausting process. In this hot and humid weather, drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks. Identify any covered part of your home with sufficient ventilation which is high and dry, and where flood water did not enter. Use that as your resting space.

    While assessing and cleaning, wear protective clothing, boots and gloves. Covering your skin will reduce the chance of bites and infection.

    Wash your hands with soap and water as often as possible. And don’t forget to apply sunscreen and mosquito repellent.

    Throw away items that were soaked in floodwater. These could have germs that can make you ill.

    Empty your fridge and freezer because the food inside is no longer safe.

    If there is standing water, avoid touching it.

    When you can, empty outdoor containers with stagnant water to prevent mosquitoes breeding.

    Don’t overlook your mental health

    When cleaning up after a flood, you may feel sad, anxious, or stressed. It’s hard to see your home in this condition.

    But know you are not alone. Stay connected with others, talk to your friends and families, and accept support. If you feel too overwhelmed, seek help from mental health support services in your area or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

    On top of everything, be mindful about those who are vulnerable, such as older people and those with disabilities, as they may be more affected and find the clean up process harder.

    Recovering from a flood takes time. Focus on what needs to be fixed first and take it step by step.

    Kazi Mizanur Rahman does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. Returning home after a flood? Prioritise your health and take it one step at a time – https://theconversation.com/returning-home-after-a-flood-prioritise-your-health-and-take-it-one-step-at-a-time-248902

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-Evening Report: In freezing foreign aid, the US leaves people to die – and allows China to come to the rescue

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Melissa Conley Tyler, Honorary Fellow, Asia Institute, The University of Melbourne

    One of the executive orders US President Donald Trump signed the day he was inaugurated was a 90-day pause in US foreign development assistance.

    The US Agency for International Development, USAID, was ordered to halt funding. Programs worldwide were issued with stop-work orders.

    All of a sudden, more than US$60 billion (around A$95 billion) of programs for the world’s most vulnerable people just stopped.

    So what happened? The world became less fair, and US soft power fizzled.

    What’s happened so far?

    We know this decision will cause deaths.

    Stop-work orders were delivered to programs that provide AIDS medication to patients. If you stop this, people die.

    Charities, many of which work on a shoestring, had no choice but immediately to lay off staff.

    Food and vaccines already in warehouses couldn’t be distributed.

    Programs providing landmine clearing and counterterrorism training ceased.

    Belatedly, the US walked this back to some extent by saying life-saving humanitarian programs would be exempted.

    But it doesn’t appear to have slowed the pace of layoffs, partly because of confusion.

    With USAID staff now either sacked, placed on forced leave or told to stay home – and the agency’s website taken down – USAID is essentially no longer operational.

    Agents from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency have raided the offices of USAID and assumed control, with Musk posting on his X social network that “USAID is a criminal organization” and “it’s time for it to die”.

    Some of the people affected have gone public, including Australian organisations on behalf of their partners.

    But most in the sector can’t speak up if they hope for funding in the future. So the true extent of the impacts, including their knock-on effects, is likely much larger than has been publicly reported so far.

    A more unequal and unstable world

    With the halt in aid for the poorest, the world just became more unequal.

    Before this week, the US was the world’s largest aid donor.

    USAID was established by then-US president John F. Kennedy in 1961. Its programs focused on improving global health, alleviating poverty and providing emergency relief in response to natural disasters or conflict, as well as enhancing education and strengthening democratic institutions abroad.

    The countries that were receiving the most USAID assistance in 2023 were Ukraine, Ethiopia, Jordan, Afghanistan and Somalia.

    In the Indo-Pacific, the Lowy Institute’s aid maps show that the Pacific received US$249 million (about A$470 million) and SouthEast Asia received US$1 billion (almost A$1.6 billion) in US overseas development assistance annually in the most recent data.

    This funded 2,352 projects, including peacebuilding in Papua New Guinea, malaria control in Myanmar, early childhood development in Laos, and programs to improve the education, food security and health of school-age children across the region.

    All of these programs are now being reviewed to ensure they are “fully aligned with the foreign policy of the President of the United States”.

    Based on the first Trump administration, there seems no chance that programs on climate, gender equality, abortion and equity inclusion will be reinstated after the 90-day assessment period. Losing funds for climate adaptation and mitigation is a huge issue for the Pacific Islands.

    Assistance for survivors of gender-based violence, employment for people with disabilities and support for LGBTQIA+ youth will likely lose funding.

    In communities that received significant USAID funding, the sudden cut in programs and loss of community organisations will damage the fabric of society.

    An unequal world is a less stable one. Australia’s peak body for the non-government aid sector, the Australian Council for International Development, says the suspension of USAID programs “will work against efforts to build peace, safety, and economic stability for the world”.

    A power that’s no longer super

    Thinking of the impact on the US interests, there has been an enormous hit to US soft power from an entire pillar of US foreign policy suddenly disappearing.

    This is underlined by the fact the cuts apply equally to ally, partner and adversary nations alike.

    In the Pacific, the Biden Administration made a real effort to increase US presence, opening embassies and announcing USAID programs.

    All of this has now been squandered by withdrawing from this space. I am aware of a project for which China has come in to provide funding where US funding has gone. It is a spectacular setback for the US.

    What is most extraordinary is that this is self-inflicted damage. There were alternatives, such as continuing business as usual during a 90-day period of review, then giving notice to some programs that they would be discontinued.

    The performative and haphazard way in which the policy has been implemented suggests an administration that doesn’t care much about the world outside its borders and is more concerned about ideological battles within.

    Researcher Cameron Hill describes Trump as linking foreign aid “to the symbols and slogans of his domestic political coalition”. This is likely to continue beyond the demise of USAID to other agencies involved in foreign assistance, such as development finance.

    Australia needs to help fill the gap

    What does this mean for Australia? As a middle power, it has an opportunity to step up – and work with other development partners such as Japan, Korea, India, Indonesia, Canada and European donors in the face of a genuine emergency.

    For the Australian government this might mean an emergency increase in development funding or freeing up existing funding to keep the lights on.

    Australia will undoubtedly now need to step up on climate programs in the Pacific if US funding doesn’t return. Australia could seek to convene an urgent meeting through the Pacific Islands Forum to discuss.

    The first fortnight of the Trump administration has had global impact well beyond US politics. On the most important issue for the majority of the world – development – the US decided to withdraw, destroying in a few days what have taken decades to build.

    Melissa Conley Tyler is Executive Director at the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D), an initiative funded by the foreign affairs and defence portfolios and hosted by the Australian Council for International Development.

    ref. In freezing foreign aid, the US leaves people to die – and allows China to come to the rescue – https://theconversation.com/in-freezing-foreign-aid-the-us-leaves-people-to-die-and-allows-china-to-come-to-the-rescue-249024

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Mining Issues – Greenpeace welcomes Northland mining pullout

    Source: Greenpeace

    Greenpeace is welcoming the decision by an Australian mining giant to pull the plug on its plans to mine for minerals in a forest reserve in the Far North.
    Seabed mining campaigner Juressa Lee says: “The victory over mining company Mineralogy International demonstrates the collective power of resistance in iwi, local communities and environmental groups working together.
    Lee says the victory sends a powerful message to other would-be miners, such as Australian-owned mining company Trans-Tasman Resources, which wants to start seabed mining in the South Taranaki Bight.
    “Trans-Tasman Resources has faced years of determined opposition from Greenpeace, local iwi and hapū, scientists, boaties and the fishing industry over its plans to plunder the seas off the Taranaki coast.
    “TTR has been defeated in the courts again and again but is now betting the Luxon government’s Fast Track process will enable it to circumvent any proper transparent scrutiny of its plans.
    “But Greenpeace and our allies will continue to resist this every step of the way. We won’t let seabed mining take place in Aotearoa without a fight.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-Evening Report: Beyoncé is right – music genres can force artists into conformity. But ditching them isn’t an option

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy McKenry, Professor of Music, Australian Catholic University

    Beyoncé appeared visibly astonished to hear her album Cowboy Carter had won best country album at this year’s Grammy Awards. Onstage, the singer offered a heartfelt reflection on musical genre:

    I think sometimes genre is a code word to keep us in our place as artists and I just want to encourage people to do what they’re passionate about and stay persistent.

    Beyoncé’s speech built on a more pointed critique of genre found in one of the tracks from her album, SPAGHETTII.

    The track opens with a soundbite from Linda Martell, a pioneering Black country music singer who enjoyed commercial success in the 1960s, but whose career was marred by both overt racial abuse and accusations she didn’t “sound black”. In the soundbite, Martell says:

    Genres are a funny little concept, aren’t they? […] In theory, they have a simple definition that’s easy to understand, but in practice, well, some may feel confined.

    This description of confinement was echoed in 2024, when the Country Music Association Awards controversially excluded Cowboy Carter from the nomination process due to insufficient radio airplay, as per the award rules.

    Media reports claimed some country radio stations refused to play, or were slow to play, Beyoncé’s new album because they didn’t recognise her as a country artist.

    Debates about the usefulness of genre have been around for a while, and won’t disappear anytime soon. Beyoncé’s Grammy win presses us to consider the relevance of genre in the modern music world – and the extent to which these rigid definitions can be justified.

    Is ‘genre’ useful in music?

    On one level, genre is a simple and necessary mechanism for categorising different types of music. Genre encodes various aspects of music, including instrumentation, the time period it originates from, its emotional character, and the melodic, rhythmic and harmonic conventions it employs.

    Terms such as jazz, rock, country, R&B, metal, hip-hop, folk and EDM are rich in meaning, and are routinely used as identity markers for performers – and for award categories at events like the Grammys. They also help us discuss our musical preferences, and teach and learn about music in educational settings.

    At the same time, these terms remain fluid and contested. Research tracking the rise and fall of musical genres highlights the power genres have in shaping our understanding and experience of music.

    Consider rock as an example. In the early 1950s, radio disc jockeys popularised the term rock’n’roll to describe a distinct style that drew from genres including rhythm and blues, gospel and country music, but which differed from each of these in character and function.

    The societal adoption of rock’n’roll as a “new” genre wasn’t just driven by the features present in the music, but by its resonance with a teenage audience for whom it signalled rebellion, associations with sexuality and a merging of different American music cultures.

    Just as Elvis Presley came to embody the genre, divergent practices gave rise to new and adapted terminology. “Rockabilly” (a style that combines elements of country and rock’n’roll) entered the lexicon. Rock’n’roll simply became “rock” and numerous adjectives such as “folk”, “psychedelic”, “progressive”, “punk”, “classic” and “hard” were attached to make sense of the continually evolving style.

    I’d argue the music of Elvis Presley has little in common with the stoner rock band Kyuss, yet we group them in the same broad musical taxonomy.

    Research has revealed significant inconsistencies in how people use and understand music genre terminology. Nonetheless, genre labels have historically been considered useful tools to communicate meaningful information about musical experiences.

    So, what’s Beyoncé’s problem with genre?

    Problems can arise for musicians when genres don’t simply describe musical practices, but work to control or distort them. Record labels have a profit imperative that incentivises artists to create music that’s easily categorised into well-established genres.

    The risk this incentive poses to creativity has traditionally been offset by audiences demanding new and diverse music – alongside a flourishing independent musical culture that either ignores or is overtly antagonistic towards the generic preferences of large record labels.

    That said, musicians are also pushed to adhere to narrow definitions of genre due to search functions in streaming services and methodologies used by music charts.

    For example, the ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) charts’ code of practice lists six genre charts: core classical, country, crossover/classical, dance, hip hop/R&B, and jazz and blues. And while the ARIAs have a range of mechanisms to track record sales, the codification of these genres inevitably influences Australian musicians who wish to make a living from their music.

    Beyond this, powerful cultural associations with certain genres can make their boundaries difficult to cross. Sometimes genre boundaries are rightly inflexible – particularly those associated with regional music-making or First Peoples’ cultures.

    Cowboy Carter however, represents a rediscovery and celebration of Black country musicians. It draws attention to how these musicians were neglected because they didn’t align with prevailing assumptions about the genre.

    The fact that Beyoncé’s choice to explore country music was in any way contentious emphasises this point. The foray by The Beatles’ drummer Ringo Starr into country music was, by contrast, uncontroversial.

    Genre as a framework is, ultimately, necessary. It’s impossible to discuss music without some way of making sense of it all. Listeners, however, should recognise that rigid genre definition can distort creativity. They should also reflect on whether it may be distorting their listening habits, too.

    Timothy McKenry does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    ref. Beyoncé is right – music genres can force artists into conformity. But ditching them isn’t an option – https://theconversation.com/beyonce-is-right-music-genres-can-force-artists-into-conformity-but-ditching-them-isnt-an-option-249016

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI Security: Red Flag 25-1 Celebrates 50 Years of Excellence

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    Red Flag 25-1 takes flight at Nellis Air Force Base uniting U.S. forces with allies from the Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force in a combined exercise to enhance combat readiness and strengthen partnerships.

    This iteration of Red Flag marks 50 years of high-end training, highlighting Red Flag’s enduring legacy of preparing its participants to be combat-ready and mission-effective in the face of evolving threats. 

    For half a century, Red Flag has provided warfighters with realistic training to prepare for combat against evolving adversaries. What began in 1975 to address lessons learned in Vietnam has grown into an international training ground with participants from 29 nations honing their skills in joint and allied operations. This year, the RAF and RAAF bring critical expertise to the fight.

    “Integrating combat capability is what Red Flag is all about and being ready for integrated combat operations with our Allies is key to success in any potential future conflict,” said Col. Eric Winterbottom, commander of the 414th Combat Training Squadron. “The Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force bring not only advanced capabilities but also a wealth of operational experience that enriches everyone’s experience in this exercise. Red Flag is where we come together as one team to sharpen our edge, build trust, and prepare for tomorrow’s challenges today.”

    Red Flag continues to focus on overcoming the complexities of Great Power Competition, with an emphasis on integrating air, space, and cyber capabilities to counter advanced threats. Training scenarios push participants to operate in contested and degraded environments, forcing rapid decision-making and teamwork under pressure. The RAF and RAAF play key roles in these scenarios, demonstrating their ability to seamlessly integrate with U.S. forces in highly dynamic combat situations.

    With over 500,000 military personnel trained and more than 420,000 sorties flown since its inception, Red Flag’s legacy continues to evolve. Allied participation is a cornerstone of that legacy ensuring that joint and partner forces are ready to respond to threats anywhere in the world.

    Red Flag 25-1 highlights the enduring importance of allied partnerships demonstrating that the U.S., RAF, and RAAF are stronger together in facing the challenges of the future.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Promotes Access to High-Quality Job Training through Pell Grants

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined his colleagues in introducing the Jumpstarting Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act, legislation to help more Americans get good-paying jobs by allowing students to use federal Pell Grants—needs-based education grants for lower-income individuals—to pay for shorter-term job training programs for the first time. Currently, students can only use Pell Grants for two- and four-year colleges and universities. By expanding Pell Grant eligibility, the JOBS Act would help close the skill gap by allowing people to access job training they might otherwise be unable to afford but need for careers in high-demand fields.

    “A college degree isn’t the one-size-fits-all solution to achieving the American dream,” said Sen. Tuberville. “Since I got to Congress, I’ve been focused on expanding workforce training and skills-based learning programs. Students should not be discouraged from entering the labor industry because they cannot afford the mandatory training. Alabama relies on these skilled workers, and Congress should be making it easier for them to pursue necessary training, not harder. This bill will open up more career opportunities for students in an evolving job market. I’m proud to join my colleagues in cosponsoring the JOBS Act.”

    Joining U.S. Senator Tuberville in cosponsoring the legislation are U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Boozman (R-AR), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Steve Daines (R-MT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

    The JOBS Actis supported by Advance CTE, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), Business Roundtable, the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), the Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance (ECA), Higher Learning Advocates (HLA), HP Inc., the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), Jobs for the Future (JFF), the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, NAF, the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB), the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP), the National Skills Coalition (NSC), the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), Rebuilding America’s Middle Class (RAMC), and the Virginia Community College System.

    Read full text of the legislation here. 

    BACKGROUND:

    The JOBS Act would allow Pell Grants to be used for high-quality job training programs that are at least eight weeks in length and lead to industry-recognized credentials or certificates. Under current law, Pell Grants can only be applied toward programs that are over 600 clock hours or at least 15 weeks in length, rendering students in shorter-term high-quality job training programs ineligible for crucial assistance.

    Specifically, the JOBS Act would amend the Higher Education Act by:

    • Expanding Pell Grant eligibility to students enrolled in rigorous and high-quality, short-term skills and job training programs that lead to industry-recognized credentials and certificates and ultimately employment in high-wage, high-skill industry sectors or careers.
    • Ensuring students who receive Pell Grants are earning high-quality postsecondary credentials by requiring that the credentials:
      • Meet the standards under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), such as meaningful career counseling and aligning programs to in-demand career pathways or registered apprenticeship programs,
      • Are recognized by employers, industry, or sector partnerships,
      • Align with the skill needs of industries in the state or local economy,
      • Are approved by the state workforce board in addition to the U.S. Department of Education.
    • Defining eligible job training programs as those providing career and technical education instruction at an institution of higher education, such as a community or technical college that provides:
      • At least 150 clock hours of instruction time over a period of at least eight weeks,
      • Training that meets the needs of the local or regional workforce and industry partnerships,
      • Streamlined ability to transfer credits so students can continue to pursue further education in their careers,
      • Students with licenses, certifications, or credentials that meet the hiring requirements of multiple employers in the field for which the job training is offered.

    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Charges – Firearms Incident – Coconut Grove

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force have charged two men, 19 and 22-years-old, following a firearms incident in Coconut Grove yesterday.

    Each have been charged with Aggravated Robbery, Theft and Recklessly Endangering Life – Aggravated.

    They have been remanded to appear in Katherine Local Court on Thursday 6 February 2025.

    A 22-year-old female was released pending further investigation.

    Police continue to call for information in relation to the whereabouts of the alleged firearm that was used and anyone with information can call police on 131 444 and quote reference P25034096.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Lake Tuggeranong closed due to contamination

    Source: Government of Australia Capital Territory

    As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.

    Released 05/02/2025

    Lake Tuggeranong is closed until further notice due to sewage and oil contamination. The cause of the contamination is currently being investigated.

    Action has been taken under section 22 of the Lakes Act 1976 (the Act) to close all areas of Lake Tuggeranong based on the advice from Health Protection Services (HPS).

    The lake is closed to all water activities pending water sample testing. The results of the tests will determine the next course of action.

    This includes primary and secondary activities such as swimming, windsurfing, rowing, fishing, boating and canoeing.

    Contact with water should be avoided and clothing that has been in the water should be washed immediately. Pet owners should not allow their animals to swim in or drink the water.

    Water users should look for signage which indicates the status of all waterways and lakes in the ACT. Warning signs are located at public access areas.

    For more information on lake closures, please visit www.cityservices.act.gov.au.

    – Statement ends –

    ACT Chief Minister and Treasury Directorate | Media Releases

    «ACT Government Media Releases | «Directorate Media Releases

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Funding to improve the transitioning and rehoming of animals used in research

    Source: New South Wales Department of Primary Industries

    5 Feb 2025

    Three NSW based animal welfare organisations will share in $2.45 million to fund the rehoming of animals following their contribution to important scientific research projects.

    The Minns Labor Government’s Research Animals Rehoming Grant Program supports organisations to find forever homes for cats, dogs, guinea pigs and other animals after they have completed their involvement in research.

    With this investment and a suite of initiatives, including the recent passing of the Puppy Farm Bill introducing mandatory regulation of dog breeders, the Government is delivering on its commitment to modernise and strengthen the state’s animal welfare environment.

    The animal rehoming organisations to receive funding are:

    • Animal Welfare League (AWL) – $825,000
      The AWL will continue its re-homing pilot program including building a wing at its site for dogs and cats from research establishments to transition them and then find new homes post-retirement.
    • Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre – $800,000
      The centre plans to build a “real life room” at their current facility. The room will simulate a home environment to allow animals previously used in research to undertake rehabilitation and help them move on to the next phase of their lives.
    • Liberty Foundation Australia – $825,000
      Liberty Foundation will scale up its rehoming work with small animals such as guinea pigs, rabbits, rats and mice, including new education and volunteer programs to raise awareness and encourage more people to adopt an animal from research.

    The Rehoming Grant Program funding is part of a broader $7 million investment to enhance positive welfare outcomes for animals, both during and after use in research, including identifying alternatives to replace animals in research.

    The vast bulk of cats and dogs used in research are either part of programs designed to taste test new pet foods or as part of animal medicine test programs run through vet clinics with the approval of the animal’s owner.

    Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW, Tara Moriarty said:

    “The Minns Labor Government is committed to improving the welfare outcomes of all animals and in this case that of research animals.

    “This $2.45 million in funding will make a real and proven difference and is dedicated to improving animal welfare outcomes by supporting specialist organisations to successfully rehome research animals.

    “Effective rehoming requires education and a coordinated, cooperative approach, and that is why the NSW Government is supporting this by working with research, rehoming and animal welfare organisations to achieve the best outcome for research animals when they retire.”

    NSW CEO Animal Welfare League Stephen Albin said:

    “AWL NSW is pleased to be one of the recipients of funding from this important program, it will assist us rehome the animals that come into our care, regardless of their origins.

    “Our commitment involves enhancing each animal’s socialisation skills by understanding their past, respecting their individual needs, and providing a safe and protected sanctuary here at our Kemps Creek Shelter.

    “We offer every animal, including those from research, high-quality veterinary care, behavioural improvements, including walking animals four times daily, nutritional enhancement and careful matching with potential owners.

    “Our unique ‘Hope to Love’ journey allows for prolonged stays demonstrating our dedication to animal welfare.”

    Paula Wallace, Director Liberty Foundation Australia said:

    “Liberty Foundation is delighted to be awarded funding as part of this unique grant program, which will help us provide a lifeline for animals moving from research establishments into the community.

    “We know that small animals coming out of research settings can transition well into people’s homes as pets and companions and this funding means we can provide this opportunity to more animals.

    “This funding comes at a crucial time, when more research establishments than ever before are wanting to work with us to provide the best possible outcomes for animals after their time in research.

    “Funding like this is vital for small charities like Liberty Foundation to give us the helping hand we need to scale up our activities and share the wonderful message of rehoming with more people.”

    Brad Bunting Mayor of Blacktown City said:

    “This NSW Government grant will further support Blacktown City Council’s vision to help animals transition to happy, comfortable lives while changing community perceptions around rehoming pets.

    “The ‘real life room’ at the Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre (BARC) is a practical step toward easing the transition of retired research animals back into the real world, giving them the chance to live happy and comfortable lives.

    “BARC is a state-of-the-art facility built to give animals the best chance at finding loving permanent homes. Designed with world-leading research, it sets a new standard for animal welfare, creating a welcoming space where pets in need and families searching for their perfect companion can come together.

    MEDIA: Michael Salmon | Minister Moriarty | 0417 495 018

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Media are invited to the 381 Glenn Dunbier ONZM Police recruit wing graduation

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    New Zealand Police is pleased to announce that recruit wing 381 will graduate from their initial training course on Friday morning 7 February. 

    Attending the ceremony will be Commissioner Richard Chambers and members of the Police executive, Hon Mark Mitchell, Minister for Police, Hon Casey Costello, Associate Minister for Police along with Wing Patron, Glenn Dunbier ONZM.

    Wing 381’s prize-winners are spread across four police districts, namely Auckland City, Bay of Plenty, Wellington and Tasman.

    More details about statistics, prize winners and other recruits will be shared after graduation on Friday.

    The 381 Wing Patron former police officer Glenn Dunbier was Bay of Plenty District Commander from 2010 to 2014. He was then appointed Deputy Commissioner: Resource Management in 2014, a role he held until he took a three-year secondment in 2017 to work with the Australian Defence Department. On returning to New Zealand Police in 2020 he took up the role of Deputy Commissioner: Districts and then Deputy Commissioner: Operations.  While in Police, Glenn was awarded two Silver Merit Awards for his work in covert policing. He was recognised in the 2022 New Year Royal Honours, appointed as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to policing and the community. He retired from Police in April 2023.

    Media are welcome to attend the graduation parade which takes place at 10am on Friday 7 February at The Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua. 

    Media will need to be in place by 9.45am, however will need to RSVP to Police Media Centre as soon as possible:  media@police.govt.nz

    ENDS

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Firearms seized during targeted search at Perth

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Firearms seized during targeted search at Perth

    Wednesday, 5 February 2025 – 1:56 pm.

    Two people have been charged after police seized three illegal firearms, a quantity of methylamphetamine, and stolen property during a targeted search at Perth yesterday.
    Members of Northern Drugs and Firearms Unit and Taskforce Raven executed a search warrant at the residence on Tuesday 4 February.
    Police located and seized a .22 firearm – commonly referred to as a pen gun – which had been concealed.
    An Adler Turkey 12-gauge lever action shotgun, and a Winchester .22 rifle were also located and seized, along with 30 grams of methylamphetamine, a large quantity of ammunition, and about $10,000 worth of stolen property.
    A 34 year old Perth man was arrested and charged with multiple firearms offences, minor drug offences and unlawful possession of property.
    A 31 year old Perth man was also arrested and charged with multiple firearms offences.
    They will both appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court in April.
    Detective Acting Inspector Jason Jones said any illicit firearm was a concern to Tasmania Police.
    “Firearms in the wrong hands are dangerous, and police will continue to prioritise locating and seizing firearms that have been stolen or unlawfully obtained,” he said.
    “We know that there are people out there in the community who know people in possession of illegal firearms. Please come forward and provide information so we can take these illegal firearms off the streets.”
    If you have information about illegal firearms, contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: National Children’s Commissioner ‘deeply concerned’ for wellbeing of children in the Jewish community amid surge in antisemitism

    Source: Australian Human Rights Commission

    The National Children’s Commissioner has expressed alarm about the impact of rising antisemitism in Australia on the wellbeing of Jewish children and young people.

    A recent spate of antisemitic attacks on Jewish schools, synagogues, a daycare centre and other locations has resulted in high-visibility policing at Jewish schools in Sydney, and reports of Jewish parents moving children to non-denominational schools and preschools for fear their children will be unsafe in Jewish institutions.

    National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds: “Every child has a right to be safe, to have opportunities to learn and flourish, and to live in communities which respect and support cultural diversity and expressions of faith.

    “The shocking racism that has affected Jewish communities over recent months is deeply concerning, especially the impact on Jewish children.

    “The targeting of schools and childcare centres by the perpetrators of this violence is particularly alarming.

    “The fear and distress experienced by Jewish children because of this surge in antisemitism may increase feelings of anxiety, isolation and vulnerability. 

    “We want all children to live in a peaceful, caring and inclusive society in which they can thrive. Ending all forms of racism, including antisemitism, is vital to achieving this.

    “I’d like to echo the words of my colleague Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman: “Rising antisemitic incidents in Australia are abhorrent and serve as a call to action for people across the country to stand together in unity for an anti-racist Australia. Everyone should feel free to live their true selves and practice their faith without fear of persecution, intimidation, violence or discrimination” 

    ENDS | Media contact: media@humanrights.gov.au or +61 457 281 897 

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Increase in Q fever cases

    Source: Government of Victoria 3

    Key messages

    • Q fever is an infectious disease that is spread from animals to humans.
    • There has been a significant increase in cases in 2024 compared to recent years.
    • Q fever can cause long-term health complications including heart disease and chronic fatigue, which can last for many years.
    • People who work with animals, particularly cattle, sheep and goats, or animal products are at a higher risk of Q fever.
    • There is an effective vaccine that can protect against Q fever, and the best option for protection if you are in a high-risk category. You must be tested for previous exposure to Q fever before you can receive the vaccine.
    • There are other preventative measures people and workplaces can undertake in high-risk settings.
    • Q fever can be treated with antibiotics. If you receive early treatment, you’re likely to recover sooner and have a lower risk of long-term complications.

    What is the issue?

    Q fever is a disease caused by infection with Coxiella burnetii bacteria. It is mainly spread to humans from cattle, sheep and goats, but can also spread from other domestic and wild animals such as kangaroos, camels, rodents, cats, dogs, birds and wallabies. The bacteria can stay in the environment for long periods of time and survive disinfection and harsh conditions. This means dust, hay and other small particles may also carry the bacteria.

    Cases of Q fever in Victoria are increasing. There were 77 cases of Q fever notified in 2024, a significant increase compared to the previous five years. There have been five outbreaks of Q fever notified in Victoria in 2024 (all reported between August and December).

    Who is at risk?

    People who work with animals, animal products and animal waste in high-risk occupational groups are at increased risk. These include people in the following occupations:

    abattoir and meat workers (such as workers involved in slaughtering, skinning, meat processing, rendering; by-products workers; meat inspectors and packers; administration staff; and maintenance workers)

    • agriculture, livestock and dairy farm workers
    • stockyard/feedlot workers and transporters of animals, animal products and animal waste
    • shearers, wool classers/sorters, pelt and hide processors
    • knackery and tannery workers
    • pet food manufacturing workers
    • veterinarians, veterinary nurses/students/researchers, and others who work with veterinary specimens
    • agriculture college staff and students (working with high-risk animals)
    • animal shooters/hunters
    • laboratory personnel who work with materials containing viable C. burnetii (e.g. birth products of infected animals/humans, tissue culture)
    • wildlife/zoo workers and animal trainers (working with high-risk animals)
    • other people exposed to high-risk animals and/or products derived from these animals (including contractors or maintenance workers)

    There are other groups who may be at increased risk of Q fever. This can include:

    • family members of workers in high-risk occupations listed above (from exposure to contaminated clothes, boots or equipment)
    • visitors to at-risk environments (e.g. farms, abattoirs, animal saleyards, agricultural shows).
    • people living on or in close proximity to a high-risk industry and people living downwind or near livestock transport routes.

    Symptoms and transmission

    Symptoms

    Many people with Q fever have no symptoms or a mild illness. Some people may have a severe flu-like illness. Symptoms can include fever, sweats or chills, headaches, muscle/joint pain, fatigue, cough and weight loss. Patients may also develop hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) or pneumonia (infection of the lungs).

    The incubation period is typically 14 to 21 days but can range from 4 days to 6 weeks.

    While most people with Q fever make a full recovery, occasionally it can cause long-term complications such as heart disease, bone and joint infections and vascular infections. These complications are more common for pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems or previous heart problems.

    Approximately 10 to 15 per cent of people with severe infections develop chronic fatigue, also known as Q fever fatigue syndrome, which can last for many years.

    Transmission

    Q fever is most commonly transmitted to humans through inhalation of dust or aerosols contaminated with bacteria from birth fluids, faeces, urine, or blood of infected animals in circumstances such as:

    • animal birthing
    • animal slaughter, skinning and meat processing
    • herding
    • shearing and wool processing
    • work with animal manure
    • transport of infected animals
    • mowing in or through areas where there are livestock or wild animals
    • veterinary procedures

    Contaminated dust or aerosols may potentially travel considerable distances from the source to cause exposure.

    Recommendations

    At-risk groups

    People working in high-risk occupational groups are strongly recommended to be vaccinated against Q fever which provides a high level of protection.

    However, people who have previously had Q fever or have already received the Q fever vaccine should not be vaccinated due to the risk of adverse reactions (severe local reactions). It is necessary to be screened for previous exposure prior to vaccination. Contact your Local Public Health UnitExternal Link for a list of Q fever vaccine providers in your area and discuss further with a doctor.

    Individuals, companies and employers can take steps to reduce the risk of exposure to Q fever through workplace design and safe work practices. If there are difficulties in obtaining the vaccine, or people are unable to be vaccinated, actions that can be taken to reduce exposure include, but are not limited to:

    • Washing hands and arms thoroughly in soapy water after any contact with animals.
    • Wearing a properly fitted P2 mask (available from pharmacies and hardware stores) and gloves in handling and disposing of animal products, waste, placentas and aborted foetuses.
    • Keeping personal protective equipment (PPE) and contaminated clothing at the workplace and appropriately bagging and washing them on site where possible, to reduce the risk of infection to households from taking them home.
    • Appropriately managing and disposing of animal products and animal waste to prevent spread of C. burnetii bacteria.
    • Minimising dust and aerosols in slaughter and animal housing areas.
    • Ensuring that if symptoms develop, individuals and staff know to seek early medical attention and let their doctor know about the exposure risk.

    Employers of at-risk industries

    • Identify co-exposed individuals (e.g. those at the same workplace) and advise them of early signs and symptoms of Q fever to aid early diagnosis and treatment.
    • Ensure workplace design and safe work practices are adhered to (by employees and all visitors and contractors to the premises)

    If employees are unable to be vaccinated, ensure a properly fitted P2 mask and other appropriate PPE is used or they are restricted to lower-risk areas (i.e. away from areas where they may be exposed such as kill floors, offal rooms and rendering areas or where they will not be handling animals, noting there may be no lower-risk areas at some worksites).

    See WorkSafe’s Q fever Guidance NoteExternal Link for further information for employers about preventing transmission of Q fever in the workplace.

    Health professionals

    Clinicians should be aware of the increase in cases and test individuals with compatible illness and potential exposure.

    • Offering early antibiotic treatment can reduce the risk of chronic Q fever.
    • Q fever infection is a ‘routine’ notifiable condition and must be notified by medical practitioners and pathology services in writing within 5 days of diagnosis.
    • A Q fever vaccination is available for those working in high-risk industries. Specialist training is recommended prior to undertaking screening and administering the vaccine.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrests – Theft – Alice Springs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested two males aged 40 and 41 in relation to copper wire theft in Alice Springs yesterday.

    Police have been investigating reports of copper wire being stolen from telecommunication pits located between the Gap and Alice Springs Airport since April 2024.

    Around 3.45pm yesterday, police received a report from Bushfires NT that two males were sighted burning copper cable casing in bushland near Norris Bell Avenue.

    General duties members attended and witnessed the pair burning the insulation to allegedly gain access to a large amount of copper cable.

    Both were arrested without incident and have been charged in relation to the theft and lighting a fire on a total fire ban day. They were remanded in custody to appear in court today.

    Investigations are ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference P25034899. You can also report anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or through https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

    MIL OSI News