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Category: China

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s high-level opening up is powering global growth

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    An aerial drone photo taken on May 29, 2025 shows cargo ships berthing at a container dock of Qingdao Port in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s approach to substantive, high-quality opening up is proving to be a critical endeavour for a safe and mutually progressive future. This can clearly be seen in a series of high-profile exhibitions and trade fairs held in recent weeks, such as the 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) and the 9th China-South Asia Expo (CSAE). Both events attracted dozens of trade contracts, economic agreements and cutting-edge technology innovations that have produced significant potential for robust global engagement. 

    “China’s policy of attracting foreign investment will not change and the door to openness will only open wider,” said Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in a recent meeting with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. 

    Factor in visa-free entries and multisector offerings for investors, and it is clear that the path to embracing high-quality growth and modernization is promising. Here is how.

    First, the 3rd CISCE is proof that China is bringing proponents of global innovation together. After all, breakthrough innovations spanning industry-specific technologies, new robotics and clean energy applications send a powerful signal that China is willingly opening up more sectors for foreign investors and exhibitors alike. Innovative measures such as a “Debut Zone” at the CISCE provided a melting pot for over 100 internationally competitive products to feature in a market that has a track-record of easing market access – both within and beyond the region. 

    These measures reflect a conscious push from China to create an environment for trading partners conducive to weathering the tide of protectionism, and generating enduring business-to-business linkages. It shows in the rampant increase in investments from major enterprises in China’s cutting-edge technology sector, where the benefit of secure supply chains, firm and dependable government support, strong resilience against external shocks and deep R&D indigenization, affords vital strategic advantages. With heads of notable foreign enterprises making exactly this case this month, and new quality productive forces creating new inroads, it is clear that China is offering to share the dividends of long-term modernization.

    The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), long viewed as a fixture of future trade advancement and trade liberalization in the Asia-Pacific, also merits significant confidence. China’s own contribution to bringing together the motivations of RCEP partner countries makes that point clear: The 9th CSAE saw nearly 1.4 billion yuan in new economic agreements, a vital value addition on the back of China’s 4th RCEP Regional (Shandong) Import Commodity Expo. China’s ability to convene a broad range of stakeholders, including the heads of major multinationals, partner group governments, budding entrepreneurs and international suppliers, demonstrates a forward-looking approach to high-standard opening up, and one where the policies undergirding high quality opening – cross-border data governance, streamlined financial support for foreign firms, and robust multisector investments in domestic R&D sectors – are conducive to the future demands of developing and developed economies alike. 

    As China looks to further evolve new quality productive forces and elevate its reforms of management frameworks, these are powerful endorsements of an innovation-focused development model and evidence of China’s stronger global economic integration. 

    China’s visa-free entry measures have also played a meaningful role in propelling trade and travel connectivity when it matters most. The country’s visa-free access now spans dozens of countries, indicating a conscious investment in foreign exposure that has seen foreign entries soar beyond 13.6 million so far this year. Growing overseas receptivity to China creates fresh incentives for spending, in turn revitalizing core consumer industries at home, and enabling domestic and foreign firms to exercise healthy competition for cost-effective and high-quality product offerings. 

    The move also helps bring down transaction costs and generates pathways to setting up new small and medium-sized enterprises through easier market access. It has also helped business participation soar in major trade expos, from the Canton Fair to the CSAE and CISCE. The China-Malaysia mutual visa free agreement, and new pacts spanning Latin American states, further demonstrate China’s deepening collaboration with the Global South – a vital indication to bring down trade barriers and prepare the ground for more inclusive, and growth-receptive economic architecture. 

    Glimmers of that architecture can be seen in China and Latin America’s regular convenings on a shared future, including ministerial level convenings of the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Forum. This is important because major sectors such as renewable energy and digital technology are fast altering the productivity and manufacturing heft of many Latin American states, helping to empower local industries from the ground up. As China deepens its opening up with an eye on bolstering people-to-people exchanges, prospects of future business integration, public-private partnerships and deeper unity within the Global South merit considerable optimism. 

    China plans to enhance its pilot free trade zones by promoting innovative reforms and integrated development, aiming to elevate them into advanced platforms for higher-level openness and stronger reform momentum. Such efforts underline a commitment to bolstering mechanisms for high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, a consolidating factor for many countries taking part in major Chinese expos and trade fairs this year. 

    The China-South Asia Expo – which traces its origins back to 2013, the year of the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) – is a case in point. Participating exhibitors can view trade exhibitions as major avenues to promote BRI-linked market access, as the initiative provides a framework for infrastructure financing and allows partner states to promote specialty products, and consider deeper integration into regional supply chains. China’s active promotion of key BRI corridors, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, sends a powerful message that the path to high-standard opening up is driven by a desire to extend modernization benefits to BRI partners overseas. 

    China’s large and open market provides shared opportunities worldwide, and will keep fueling global economic expansion and dynamism. Using new productive forces to inject further resilience, vitality and international outreach in this market is therefore a critical indicator that China is supportive of mutual collaborations and an equitable, growth-friendly future for all.

    Hannan Hussain is co-founder and senior expert at Initiate Futures, an Islamabad-based policy think tank.

    Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Brazil defeat China to reach Men’s VNL Finals semis

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Host China lost 3-1 to world No. 4 Brazil in the quarterfinal as the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Finals kicked off on Wednesday.

    Li Yongzhen (L) of China competes during the match between China and Brazil at the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Men’s Finals in Ningbo, east China’s Zhejiang Province, July 30, 2025. (Photo by Suo Xianglu/Xinhua)

    This year’s VNL Finals follow a single-elimination format. China joined the top seven teams from the preliminary round in the fight for the title.

    Brazil, the tournament favorite, finished the preliminary phase with an 11-1 record and had previously swept China 3-0 in the Chicago leg in June.

    China made a strong start, overcoming an early deficit in the first set to win 31-29. Key contributions came from Wen Zihua, Yu Yuantai and Li Yongzhen, with China scoring six blocks – while Brazil did not record any.

    “I’m more than satisfied, I mean I am proud of the team,” said China head coach Vital Heynen. “At the beginning of the VNL, we could not defend, but today we were amazing. I’ve never seen them fighting like today.”

    In the second set, China led 17-14 but then conceded nine consecutive points. Despite calling two timeouts, the team was unable to turn the tables and lost the set 19-25.

    Brazil took control in the third set with a 25-16 win, then sealed the match in the fourth, pulling away late to secure a 25-21 victory. Brazil’s Alan Souza scored a match-high 26 points, while Wen Zihua led China with 15.

    “The only problem is we don’t know how to win,” Heynen admitted. “I see big steps forward, but we have to be very fair that Brazil is many steps in front of us. That is clear, but I go out of the VNL with a very nice feeling. We were fighting and that was the most important. Sport is about giving everything. My guys were giving everything. That’s what I want!”

    Looking ahead to the World Championship in the Philippines starting September 12, Heynen remained optimistic: “We have another seven weeks to get better, and then we’ll see. If we play like this [today] and we lose, I have no problem with anything, because this is the way we have to play.”

    Earlier on Wednesday, Italy defeated Cuba 3-1 to advance to the semifinals. France will face Slovenia and Japan will take on Poland in the remaining quarterfinals on Thursday. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Athletic Bilbao right-back Rincon joins Girona on loan

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Girona has signed right-back Hugo Rincon on loan from Athletic Bilbao for the upcoming season.

    The 22-year-old joins Girona, which can make the deal permanent at the end of the season, after spending a successful campaign with second division side Mirandes, where he played 43 times as the club just missed out on promotion to La Liga.

    The 12-million-euro (14-million-U.S. dollar) signing of Jesus Areso from Osasuna last week has blocked Rincon’s chances of playing for Athletic Bilbao this season, but after extending his contract to 2028 a year ago, he is still highly rated at the club, which wants to see him progress and gain experience in the top flight.

    Girona fought off interest from Alaves, Rayo Vallecano and Mallorca to complete the loan deal, which also includes a penalty clause if he doesn’t play a certain percentage of games.

    Girona struggled to avoid relegation last season after finding it difficult to combine playing in Europe and La Liga with a squad that lost several important players following a third-place finish a season prior. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Study tour boom fuels China’s countryside revival

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Children draw pictures beside the fields at Yuxin Town of Nanhu District in Jiaxing City, east China’s Zhejiang Province, April 27, 2024. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

    “Traveling thousands of miles is better than reading thousands of books” is a proverb many Chinese parents have faith in, and its sentiment is fueling the rise of study tours, particularly during the ongoing summer vacation in China.

    Integrating educational content with holiday vibes, these tours typically involve visits to prestigious universities, museums and cultural heritage sites.

    And now a shift is underway — parents, schools and travel agencies are turning away from bustling cities and opting for the tranquil countryside when making holiday arrangements for children and teens, aiming to help them broaden their horizons and get close to nature.

    In northeast China, where cornfields stretch far and wide, Ma Zhihai demonstrated how to use stone axes and iron sickles, both traditional farming tools that are unfamiliar to many urbanites, to an attentive study tour group.

    The 62-year-old farmer from Changchun, Jilin Province, works as a part-time guide at a corn museum in his village. With a collection of nearly 10,000 items, the museum often caters to groups of local students.

    “The oldest exhibits date back to dynasties 1,000 years ago,” Ma said, viewing the collections as a living textbook preserving China’s farming culture.

    Ma’s village is among China’s many rural areas that are tapping into the potential of educational tours and opening a new gateway to rural revitalization. Data shows that this booming market neared a scale of 147 billion yuan (20.6 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023 and is projected to hit 242 billion yuan by 2026.

    Featuring wild landscapes, rich histories and folk cultures, China’s rural areas have natural advantages for study field trips.

    “Look, I caught a crab!” a girl exclaimed in a paddy field that is also used for crab breeding. Mud spots on her face marked her triumph and also her study results.

    The field in Zhoujiazhuang, a village in north China’s Hebei Province, allows rice and crabs to coexist, while also serving as a dedicated base for educational tours. Students on the tour were seen planting rice seedlings and taking notes on the ideal water temperature for crab cultivation.

    “It’s so fun. I’m even thinking about raising a crab myself now,” one boy said.

    Attracted by such niche experiences, many of the tourists visiting Zhoujiazhuang are now willing to remain there longer, with overnight stays increasing notably. Ranging from brief snapshot visits to deeper immersion in a slow-paced way of life, rural tourism is gaining new vitality.

    This positive trend is also a result of the progress China’s rural areas have made in their development of infrastructure and living environments. Today, over 90 percent of administrative villages across the country are covered by the 5G network, and more than 300,000 village-level logistics facilities have been put into use.

    Thanks to a government push to stimulate consumption and the country’s efforts to promote comprehensive rural revitalization, a multitude of study tour campsites have sprouted across rural China. By giving full play to local tourism resources, they are emerging as a new form and key driver of rural revitalization.

    In southwest China’s Yunnan Province, a popular tourist destination, travelers are attracted by the opportunity to learn about ceramics, bamboo weaving and ethnic-minority embroidery handicrafts. Meanwhile, in Yudong Village in east China’s Zhejiang Province, which is known for its folk arts, the likes of travelers, artists and farmers sit down together to paint picturesque scenery.

    Rural residents are deeply involved in this wave — and their incomes have increased markedly via sales of specialty foods and the running of guesthouses.

    In a village of Zhongyi Township, southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, workshops on local dances, tea and desserts have created more than 200 jobs and spawned over 20 derivative products, like noodles and honey beverages, achieving a remarkable 43-percent repurchase rate on multiple e-commerce platforms.

    Zhongyi was once among the poorest towns in Chongqing — its local average annual income was less than 10,000 yuan in 2019.

    Capitalizing on the “tourism-plus-educational-tour” model, Zhongyi recorded 189,000 tourist trips in 2024, generating 9.88 million yuan in revenue — with the average income of locals increasing by 32 percent compared with 2020.

    “We have designed 10 tours involving different routes, transforming Zhongyi into a live-scenario classroom that teaches about bees while representing traditional farming and folk customs,” said Liu Chengyong, an educational tour guide.

    Liu is a native of Zhongyi. In 2020, he returned to his hometown and joined a collective that organizes study tours. He led other young entrepreneurs to tap into the market and design compelling educational programs. Now, the company can handle 1,300 visits each day.

    The transformation of Zhongyi has convinced more young people like Liu to return home and pitch in. Over the past three years, the town has attracted over 100 young entrepreneurs, giving rise to new jobs like “countryside CEO” and study tour guide.

    Young returnees in rural areas also help address the lack of guides and breathe new life into rural revitalization with fresh eyes and business philosophies.

    Ni Shuna, who was born in the 1990s, operates an ecological agricultural company based in a town under the administration of Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang. Seeing the potential of educational tours, Ni’s team designed activities such as fruit picking, orchard tours and starry-night camping, making her company a multi-functional leisure business that integrates catering, entertainment and education.

    “Kids come here to increase their knowledge and broaden their horizons. It’s worthwhile to see their eyes gleam with curiosity and gratification,” Ni said.  

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China improves people’s well-being through digital, intelligent services

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    China improves people’s well-being through digital, intelligent services

    Xinhua | July 31, 2025

    Last year, China continued its digitization drive across various public services, including medical care, health, social security, employment and elderly care, further boosting the well-being of the people, according to a newly-released report.

    By the end of 2024, 418 million people were using internet-based medical services in China, and 1.07 billion people had electronic social security cards, Wen Ruisong, an official of the Cyberspace Administration of China, said at an event that saw the release of the report on China’s informatization drive.

    Throughout 2024, Chinese authorities continued to improve the equitability, universality and accessibility of digitized services for the people, Wen noted.

    Through this drive, the country also saw steady progress in the construction of its national cultural big data system, and further streamlined government services with increased efficiency, Wen added. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: 5 reasons why wind farms are costing more in Australia – and what to do about it

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magnus Söderberg, Professor and Director, Centre for Applied Energy Economics and Policy Research, Griffith University

    Saeed Khan/Getty

    Building a solar farm in Australia is getting about 8% cheaper each year as panel prices fall and technology improves, according to an official new report. Battery storage costs are falling even more sharply, dropping 20% over the past year alone.

    But the same can’t be said for wind farms, the second-largest source of renewable energy in Australia. Onshore wind costs actually rose about 8% in 2023–24 and another 6% in 2024–25.

    The findings are contained in the GenCost 2024–25 report by CSIRO and the Australian Energy Market Operator, released this week.

    Rising costs are putting real pressure on the wind industry, undermining investor confidence. Developers of offshore wind projects are walking away, and even cheaper on-shore wind projects are under strain. Even as wind energy becomes a mainstay in China, the United States and Germany, the industry faces real headwinds in Australia.

    This is surprising. Wind, like solar, was projected to get steadily cheaper. The fuel is free and turbines are getting better and better. Instead, wind in Australia has remained stubbornly expensive. Solving the problem will be challenging. But solutions have to be found fast if Australia is to reach the goal of 82% renewable power in the grid by 2030 – now less than five years away.

    Australia has no offshore wind projects up and running – and cost spikes may put planned projects at risk.
    Obatala-photography/Shutterstock

    Five reasons why this is happening

    Here’s what’s going on:

    1. Global supply chains have been disrupted

    The cost of steel, copper, fibreglass and other materials vital for wind turbines shot up during the pandemic. As a result, turbine prices rose almost 40% between 2020 and 2022. While input costs have fallen, turbine prices remain high. Solar panels can be churned out in factories, but modern wind turbines are massive, complex structures that require specialised manufacturing and logistics. That makes them more sensitive to global price fluctuations.

    2. Good wind is often in remote places

    Australia’s best wind resources are typically far from cities and existing grid infrastructure. Connecting far-flung wind farms such as Tasmania’s Robbins Island to the grid can require new and very expensive transmission lines. Remote sites mean extra costs such as temporary worker accommodation. The GenCost report notes this has added about 4% to wind project budgets in 2024–25 compared with the year before.

    Many other countries rely heavily on offshore wind, because wind blows more strongly and reliably over oceans. Unfortunately, spiking costs are likely to further delay the arrival of offshore wind in Australia. GenCost projects the first offshore wind projects in Australia will face even steeper costs.

    Good wind resources are often located in remote areas of Australia.
    Brook Mitchell/Stringer via Getty

    3. Local construction and labour costs have soared

    Australia faces a shortage of workers with the skills to build and maintain wind farms, resulting in higher wages and recruitment costs. Wind developers say construction costs have become a real issue. Wind farms are more labour-intensive than solar.

    4. Interest rates have raised financing costs

    Wind farms require large upfront investments and lengthy construction periods. Even a small increase in interest rates can make them unviable – and interest rates have been high for some time.

    5. Reliability concerns, regulatory delay and community opposition

    According to US researchers, technical issues have emerged for some new wind turbines, creating unexpected costs for developers. The long, complex process of getting permits, carrying out environmental assessments and building community support is pushing out project timelines, increasing costs and uncertainty for developers.

    Will solar take over?

    Solar faces far fewer challenges. Solar panels are mass-produced, meaning costs are steadily driven down through economies of scale. Panels can be deployed quickly and solar farms tend to face less community opposition.

    Wind turbines have to spin to function, while solar panels have no moving parts (though systems that track the Sun do). As a result, solar farms require less maintenance and are more reliable.

    It’s no surprise large-scale solar has been on a record-breaking run, growing 20-fold between 2018 and 2023.

    Solar panels make electricity during daylight hours, especially in summer. By contrast, wind tends to produce more power at night and during winter months. This is why wind is so useful to a green grid.

    Generating power from both wind and sunshine can slash how much storage is needed to ensure grid reliability, lowering overall system costs. A balanced mix of wind, solar and storage will meet Australia’s electricity needs more efficiently and reliably than just solar and storage, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency and independent researchers.

    Could wind come back?

    Making wind more viable will take work. Potential solutions do exist, such as expanding the skilled workforce and investing in specialised ships and equipment to install turbines offshore.

    Shipping large turbines from Denmark or China is expensive. To avoid these costs, it could make sense to encourage local manufacturing of large and heavy parts such as the main tower.

    Other options include finding lower-cost turbine suppliers and streamlining regulatory processes.

    Rising material and labour costs have driven up the cost of wind turbines. Pictured: turbine blades in China’s Jiangsu province in 2022 about to be shipped to Australia.
    Xu Congjun/Future Publishing via Getty Images

    The newly announced expansion of the government’s Capacity Investment Scheme could help reduce risks and give certainty, alongside public investment in new transmission lines.

    If nothing is done or if new measures don’t help, wind is likely to stall while solar and storage race ahead.

    That’s not the worst outcome. Australia could get a long way by relying on batteries and pumped hydro to store power from solar during the day and release it in the evenings, as California is doing. But this strategy involves trade offs, such as higher storage-capacity needs and the risk of insufficient power during long cloudy periods.

    For Australia to optimise its mix of renewables and storage, policymakers will have to tackle wind’s cost challenges. Effective action could lower costs, accelerate project timelines and bolster flagging investor confidence.

    Magnus Söderberg 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. 5 reasons why wind farms are costing more in Australia – and what to do about it – https://theconversation.com/5-reasons-why-wind-farms-are-costing-more-in-australia-and-what-to-do-about-it-262126

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Casualties continue to mount in Gaza: UN humanitarians

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    The casualty toll continues to mount among aid-seeking Palestinians and even some relief providers in Gaza despite the Israeli military tactical pause, UN humanitarians said Wednesday.

    “We are still seeing casualties among those seeking aid and more deaths due to hunger and malnutrition,” said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). “UN partners report high workloads, burnout and exhaustion, due mainly to the lack of food, among front-line workers.”

    The office said caseworkers in mental health and psycho-social support facilities are similarly affected.

    OCHA said that although the conditions for delivering aid and supplies are far from sufficient, the UN and its partners are taking advantage of any opportunity to support people in need during the tactical pause.

    The office cited the challenges it faces at the fenced-off Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem crossing as an example.

    “For our drivers to access it, Israeli authorities must approve the mission, provide a safe route through which to travel, provide multiple ‘green lights’ on movement, as well as a pause in bombing, and, ultimately, open the iron gates to allow us to enter,” OCHA said.

    The office said the world body was allowed to bring into Gaza limited quantities of fuel through the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem and Zikim crossings. Almost half of the fuel was transferred to northern Gaza to support vital health, emergency, water and telecommunications needs.

    However, it said the fuel allowed into Gaza is insufficient to meet life-saving critical needs.

    A permanent ceasefire is needed more than ever. Unilateral tactical pauses alone do not allow for the continuous flow of supplies required to meet immense needs levels in Gaza, said OCHA.

    The office said the United Nations and partners continue to coordinate humanitarian movements inside Gaza with the Israeli authorities.

    “Yesterday, three facilitated missions allowed our staff to collect cargo containing food from the Kerem Shalom and Zikim crossings and allowed for fuel to be transferred within Gaza,” OCHA said. “However, the others faced impediments, particularly delays in receiving the green light to move by the Israeli authorities, and one had to be canceled.”

    The office said that to scale up the delivery of aid in a manner that begins to meet people’s tremendous needs, all crossings must open, a broad range of supplies, both humanitarian and commercial, be allowed to enter, aid movements inside Gaza be safeguarded and facilitated promptly, and relief workers be allowed to do their job.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US to end tariff exemption for low-value imports starting Aug. 29

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    This photo taken on May 10, 2025 shows cargo ships loaded with containers at the Port of Los Angeles in California, United States. [Photo/Xinhua]

    U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order suspending duty-free de minimis treatment for low-value shipments.

    Effective on Aug. 29, imported goods sent through means other than the international postal network that are valued at or under 800 U.S. dollars and that would otherwise qualify for the de minimis exemption will be subject to all applicable duties.

    For goods shipped through the international postal system, packages will instead be subject to a duty equal to the effective tariff rate applicable to the country of origin, or a duty ranging from 80 to 200 dollars per item.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Int’l conference on two-state solution concludes general debate at UN

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    The high-level international conference for the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-state solution concluded its general debate on Wednesday.

    An outcome document was circulated to delegations for consideration, and the conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, will reconvene at a later date to take action on the text of the document.

    “States have until the beginning of September to endorse the document if they so wish,” said the representative of Saudi Arabia as he suspended the session.

    The three-day conference, mandated by the UN General Assembly in December 2024, was originally scheduled for June but was postponed following the outbreak of the conflict between Iran and Israel.

    Several countries have announced their intention to recognize the State of Palestine, including Britain and Singapore.

    The representative of Malta said at the conference on Wednesday that his country could formally recognize the State of Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly session in September, describing the decision as “a concrete step towards the realization of a just and lasting peace.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China issues over 2.6 trillion yuan in new local government bonds

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    China’s local governments issued new bonds worth over 2.6 trillion yuan (about 365.71 billion U.S. dollars) in the first six months of this year, data from the Ministry of Finance showed on Wednesday.

    Of the total, general-purpose bond issuance came in at 452 billion yuan for the period and special-purpose bond issuance amounted to over 2.1 trillion yuan.

    From January to June, local government bonds were issued with an average term of 15.9 years and at an average interest rate of 1.92 percent.

    By the end of last month, China’s outstanding local government debts stood at approximately 51.95 trillion yuan, the ministry said.

    China has pledged a more proactive fiscal policy this year to shore up sustained economic and social development.

    The country plans to issue 4.4 trillion yuan of local government special-purpose bonds in 2025, marking an increase of 500 billion yuan from last year, according to this year’s government work report.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s manufacturing PMI at 49.3 in July

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 28, 2024 shows an interior view of the digital factory at a manufacturing enterprise in Yinchuan, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for China’s manufacturing sector stood at 49.3 in July, down 0.4 percentage points from the previous month, official data showed Thursday.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: New Development Bank and SANRAL sign ZAR7 billion loan agreement for South Africa Roads Infrastructure

    Source: New Development Bank

    Johannesburg, South Africa – on July 22, 2025, The New Development Bank (NDB) and the South African National Roads Agency Soc Limited (SANRAL) have today signed a landmark loan agreement worth ZAR7 billion to finance the rehabilitation and expansion of key national road segments. This strategic partnership reflects a shared commitment to modernizing South Africa’s transport infrastructure, reducing logistics costs, and boosting economic growth.

    The loan agreement will fund critical upgrades including the widening of highways, rehabilitation of bridges, and improvement of intersections along major freight corridors. These infrastructure enhancements are expected to significantly reduce travel times, improve road safety, and facilitate smoother movement of goods and people across the country.

    To optimise financial efficiency, the loan is denominated in South African Rand (ZAR), which helps reduce debt financing charges by mitigating currency risk and aligning repayment obligations with local revenue streams.

    South Africa’s transport sector plays a vital role in the national economy, and efficient road networks are essential for supporting trade, tourism, and job creation. By investing in the modernization of its road infrastructure, SANRAL aims to lower transportation costs for the majority of road users in South Africa, enhance connectivity between urban and rural areas, and stimulate inclusive economic development.

    This financing aligns with the New Development Bank’s mission to support sustainable infrastructure projects that foster regional integration and economic resilience. As Mr. Monale Ratsoma, Chief Financial Officer, explained, “This loan agreement with SANRAL demonstrates the New Development Bank’s commitment to partnering with South Africa in building resilient and efficient infrastructure that drives economic transformation. We are proud to support projects that will improve the quality of life for millions of South Africans.”

    From SANRAL’s perspective, Reginald Demana, Chief Executive Officer, emphasised, “The investment from the New Development Bank is a vital step towards upgrading our national road network. It will enable us to deliver safer, more reliable roads that underpin economic growth and social development.

    The signing ceremony took place in Johannesburg at NDB’s Africa Regional Office and was attended by senior officials from both organisations, highlighting the strong cooperation between the New Development Bank and South African government agencies.
    Background Information

    New Development Bank

    NDB was established by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging market economies and developing countries, complementing the existing efforts of multilateral and regional financial institutions for global growth and development.

    For more information on NDB, please visit www.ndb.int

    South African National Roads Agency LTD

    The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) is an independent, statutory company. South Africa’s Ministry of Transport is the sole shareholder and owner of SANRAL. Its mandate focuses on building and maintaining roads to enhance connectivity and development in South Africa.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: PLA garrison in Hong Kong holds reception to celebrate 98th anniversary of founding of PLA 2025-07-31 11:04:44 The Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on Wednesday held a reception to celebrate the 98th anniversary of the founding of the PLA at Stonecutters Island Barracks, attended by around 400 people.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

      HONG KONG, July 30 (Xinhua) — The Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on Wednesday held a reception to celebrate the 98th anniversary of the founding of the PLA at Stonecutters Island Barracks, attended by around 400 people.

      John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Zhou Ji, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Dong Jingwei, director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Cui Jianchun, commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR, Peng Jingtang, commander of the Chinese PLA Hong Kong Garrison, Lai Ruxin, political commissar of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison, veterans of the Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column, and people from all walks of life in Hong Kong attended the event.

      In his speech, Peng said that over the past 98 years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the PLA have endured the flames of war and made remarkable historical contributions to the party and the people.

      Peng said that this year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and in the World Anti-Fascist War. Led by the CPC, the Hong Kong Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column played a vital role in defending Hong Kong and fighting against Japanese invaders, making an important contribution to the global victory over fascism.

      Peng also reviewed the hard work of the PLA garrison in Hong Kong, which has faithfully fulfilled its sacred duty of safeguarding Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and stability, serving as a vital anchor of security and reassurance. 

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tourists visit scenic areas in Dali, SW China

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Tourists visit scenic areas in Dali, SW China

    Updated: July 31, 2025 11:04 Xinhua
    Tourists take a boat in Xihu wetland park in Eryuan County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, July 29, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Tourists visit the Three Pagodas scenic area in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, July 30, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo shows tourists taking a boat in Xihu wetland park in Eryuan County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, July 29, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hainan policy to boost investor appeal

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Customs operations at the Hainan Free Trade Port, which will be completely independent island-wide from mid-December, are expected to strengthen the port’s connectivity with Asia-Pacific economies and boost its appeal to global investors, said market watchers and business leaders.

    They said that the move, which follows a policy announcement by the government earlier this month, would elevate Hainan’s strategic position in international trade and economic relations, enabling the island to serve as a unique platform for global business cooperation, particularly in sectors seeking closer integration with international markets.

    The policy envisages the establishment of a designated area, under the special supervision of Customs authorities, that covers the whole island of Hainan.

    Yu Tao, a researcher at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies in Haikou, Hainan province, said the island-wide independent Customs operation will preserve the Hainan FTP’s close economic ties with the Chinese mainland and support the development of a unified national market.

    Building a unified national market is essential to unleashing domestic demand, facilitating the efficient flow of goods and factors, improving resource allocation and fully harnessing the market’s industrial and demand advantages, according to information released by the Research Office of the State Council.

    In addition, the newly released negative list clearly defines, for the first time, the full scope of goods and items subject to import and export restrictions in the Hainan FTP, said Yu.

    “Based on favorable policies, the list offers clearer regulatory guidance for businesses and enhances trade liberalization and facilitation through more relaxed administrative measures,” he added.

    Zhou Mi, a researcher at the Beijing-based Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, expressed a similar view.

    “The policy’s appeal goes beyond consumer-facing imports and is expected to drive a broader restructuring of manufacturing across the Asia-Pacific region, fostering a trade environment distinct from existing frameworks,” he said.

    Zhou said Hainan will become a more attractive destination for investment and industrial development, significantly lowering operating costs for businesses in the Asia-Pacific region.

    For instance, the scope of zero-tariff goods will expand from the current 1,900 tariff lines to about 6,600, covering about 74 percent of all tariff lines — an increase of nearly 53 percentage points compared with the level before the policy’s implementation at the end of this year, said the Ministry of Finance.

    Zhou noted that the intensified market competition may prompt adjustments or relocations in traditional industries such as manufacturing, biomedicine, duty-free retail and hospitality, potentially changing the existing income structure of local residents.

    The actual utilization of foreign capital in Hainan reached 102.5 billion yuan ($14.3 billion) over the past five years, with an average annual growth rate of 14.6 percent. Meanwhile, its offshore duty-free sales have grown rapidly, accounting for over 8 percent of the global duty-free market, data from the Hainan provincial government showed.

    With China creating more favorable conditions to drive the opening-up in the Hainan FTP, DFS Group, a part of French multinational LVMH Group, and Shanghai-based Shenya Group will jointly build a mega luxury retail complex in Sanya, Hainan.

    Scheduled for completion in 2026, this project is expected to generate more than 1,000 jobs and spur the development of related businesses, including infrastructure, logistics, and hotel and catering services in the Hainan FTP, said Nancy Liu, president of DFS China.

    She said the project is expected to attract between 16 million and 18 million visitors yearly by 2030 and create lucrative commercial opportunities for Sanya.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: LIV Portfolio Management (LIVPM) Announces a Renewed Commitment to Philanthropy

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TIANJIN, China, July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LIV Portfolio Management (LIVPM) announces a renewed commitment to philanthropy, expanding its impact through a series of specific initiatives aimed at making a tangible difference in communities. These efforts will focus on areas like education, sustainability, and supporting those who need help the most, reflecting the company’s dedication to doing more than just managing wealth.

    LIV Portfolio Management has always been focused on helping clients grow and protect their wealth. Now, the company is putting its resources and expertise into projects that help improve lives. Whether through new partnerships with charities, donations, or the active involvement of its employees, LIVPM is working to empower individuals and provide solutions that will leave a lasting, positive impact.

    Giving Back in Tangible Ways

    • Partnership with Local Charities: LIV Portfolio Management has partnered with local organizations that focus on important causes, such as education and healthcare for underserved communities. The company will provide both financial support and employee time to help these organizations reach more people in need.
    • Employee Volunteer Program: LIV Portfolio Management is launching a volunteer program that lets employees give back by donating paid hours to community projects. In addition, the company will host volunteer days, allowing employees to work together on initiatives such as food banks, shelters, and environmental clean-ups.
    • Matching Donations: To encourage generosity within the company, LIV Portfolio Management is introducing a matching donations program for employees and clients. For every donation made to selected causes, LIVPM will match it, effectively doubling the positive impact. This program will support causes that align with the company’s values, like education and environmental conservation.
    • Environmental Sustainability: At LIVPM, we are actively working to protect the planet by supporting habitat restoration projects, improving biodiversity, and investing in clean energy solutions. Our efforts focus on reducing carbon footprints through the adoption of renewable energy, waste reduction programs, and the promotion of sustainable farming practices. We aim to make a lasting impact on the environment, creating a healthier, more sustainable future for generations to come.
    • Scholarships for Underserved Students: The company is creating a scholarship fund that will offer financial support to students from low-income backgrounds who are pursuing higher education. This fund will focus on students entering fields like environmental science, finance, and business, helping to create the next generation of leaders.

    A Culture of Giving Back

    “At LIV Portfolio Management, we believe that true wealth isn’t just about securing your financial future, it’s about enriching the lives of others,” said Adam Brooks, Chief Operating Officer. “These efforts go beyond just writing checks; they are about making a real difference. We want to empower our clients, employees, and partners to be part of this mission and create a positive, lasting impact.”

    Focused on Long-Term Impact

    “Philanthropy has always been a cornerstone of our values,” said Brooks. “We’re committed to making sure our efforts aren’t just about short-term help, but about creating real, lasting change, so our initiatives are designed to not only address immediate needs but also empower people and communities to thrive in the long term. We’re excited about the future and the difference we can make together.”

    About LIV Portfolio Management

    At LIVPM, we believe financial management should be clear, accessible, and always relevant to your life. Whether you’re just starting to build wealth or managing a substantial portfolio, we work alongside you to create strategies that evolve with your goals and needs. Our focus is on helping you make informed decisions that secure your future with confidence and clarity.

    We bring together years of experience, a steady approach, and a global perspective to help clients, so you get more than just a financial advisor; you get a true partner in your journey toward long-term security and success.

    For more information about LIV Portfolio Management, visit www.livpm.com

    Contact:

    Michael He, Media Relations Officer

    m.he@livpm.com

    +86 228 519 4314

    https://www.livpm.com/

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by LIV Portfolio Management. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information shared in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment, financial, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended that you conduct thorough research and consult with a professional financial advisor before making any investment or trading decisions. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e3484ab9-5da7-4a31-97ff-b100deb52825

    The MIL Network –

  • US President Trump confirms India-US trade talks continue despite 25 per cent tariff threat

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    President Donald Trump has said that India and the US were still negotiating a trade deal despite his threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff, and a final decision may be known by the end of the week.

    “We’re talking to India now, we’ll see what happens,” he said on Wednesday, hours after he had threatened the 25 per cent tariffs and the 100 per cent penalty for buyers of Russian energy he had proposed. He said that India, which he asserted has one of the highest tariffs in the world, was now “willing to cut it very substantially.”

    However, he was silent on the Russian penalty when asked by a reporter and instead spoke of the 10 per cent penalty he had proposed for BRICS members.

    Since he says negotiations are continuing, the morning threat appears to be a negotiating ploy and gives both countries wiggle room to reach an accord. He has also not issued a formal letter on the tariffs.

    India had replied defiantly to the threat, saying the government “will take all steps necessary to secure our national interest.” India indicated that agriculture was likely a sticking point in the negotiations.

    The statement said, “The government attaches the utmost importance to protecting and promoting the welfare of our farmers, entrepreneurs, and MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises).” The US wants India to open its markets to US agriculture and dairy, which could impact its vast agriculture sector.

    Trump and his officials, like Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, had spoken optimistically that India would be among the first to make a deal, but it hasn’t materialised. India was among the first countries to start trade negotiations with Washington on tariffs, and Trump had repeatedly said that an agreement was imminent, most recently last week.

    The negotiations were making fantastic progress, India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said last week in a media interview in London. “I do hope we’ll be able to conclude a very consequential partnership,” he said.

    In its response, India’s Commerce Ministry said, “India and the US have been engaged in negotiations on concluding a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement over the last few months.”

    “We remain committed to that objective,” it added. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump called Prime Minister Narendra Modi “a friend of mine,” as he usually prefaces differences on tariffs.

    He said, nonchalantly, “It doesn’t matter too much whether we have a deal or whether we charge them a certain tariff, but you’ll know at the end of this week.”

    He repeated his tirade about India’s high tariffs, saying that while the US buys a lot from India, the US doesn’t sell as much there because of the tariffs. India had the highest or one of the highest tariffs in the world, with levies going as high as 175 per cent, he said.

    When a reporter asked him about the penalty for buying Russian energy, he did not answer that and, instead, veered off into talking about BRICS and how it was “anti-United States.” “India is a member of that, if you can believe it,” he said.

    “It’s an attack on the dollar, and we’re not going to let anybody attack the dollar,” he said. So, when it comes to India, he said, “It’s partially BRICS, and it’s partially the trade.”

    In the Truth Social post, Trump had said India has “always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia’s largest buyer of energy, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine.”

    “All things not good! India will therefore be paying a tariff of 25 per cent, plus a penalty for the above, starting on August first,” he wrote, capitalising parts of the post in his style. (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI China: China launches groundbreaking nationwide childcare subsidy program

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    China has rolled out its first nationwide cash subsidy program for families with children under three since the founding of the People’s Republic, with an initial central budget of 90 billion yuan (US$12.6 billion) this year to ease parenting costs and promote childbirth.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Renewables capacity doubles in first half

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    A farmer works amid photovoltaic panels at a solar power station in the Yi-Hui-Miao Autonomous County of Weining, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, July 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s newly installed wind and solar power capacity nearly doubled year-on-year during the first half of this year, as the country ramps up its transition to cleaner energy sources, data from the China Electricity Council showed.

    Newly added power generation capacity during the first six months reached 290 million kilowatts, with new solar installations rising 107.1 percent year-on-year to 210 million kilowatts, and new wind power installations up 98.9 percent to 50 million kilowatts, it said.

    China’s renewable energy sector is expected to maintain rapid growth, with average annual new installed capacity reaching 200-300 million kilowatts during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), said Zhang Lin, head of the council’s planning and development department, during a news conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

    The near doubling of China’s wind and solar capacity in the first half is a clear signal of the country’s accelerating commitment to its energy transition goals, said Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University.

    “These installation figures demonstrate China’s ability to rapidly deploy renewable energy technologies at scale, positioning it as a global leader in clean energy investment and deployment.”

    According to the council, China’s power generation capacity is projected to hit a record high in 2025, fueled by a rapid expansion of renewable energy sources.

    New power generation capacity is expected to exceed 500 gigawatts in 2025, with new renewable energy capacity reaching approximately 400 GW, a result of China’s accelerated green energy transition and increasing investment in grid construction, the CEC said.

    Total installed power generation capacity is forecast to reach around 3.9 terawatts by the end of 2025, a year-on-year increase of approximately 16.5 percent. Nonfossil fuel sources are expected to account for 2.4 TW, or about 61 percent of total capacity, said Jiang Debin, deputy director of the council’s statistics and data center.

    The CEC also anticipates steady growth in China’s electricity demand in 2025, with total consumption expected to increase by 5-6 percent. Electricity demand is projected to grow faster in the second half of the year compared to the first, it said.

    China’s maximum power load once again set a new historical record on July 16, surpassing 1.5 billion kilowatts for the first time and reaching a peak of 1.506 billion kilowatts, according to the National Energy Administration.

    This represents an increase of 55 million kilowatts compared to last year’s peak load, the third time a historical record has been broken in July, it said.

    According to Chen Yaning, head of the council’s power supply and demand analysis department, the record reflects steady expansion in China’s electricity consumption, a key barometer of economic activity.

    Fueled by robust and sustained economic activity, power demand surged across the nation in the first half of this year, with industrial output, commercial operations and residential consumption all contributing to the heightened electricity needs, she said.

    “Equipment manufacturing and consumer goods manufacturing related to new quality productive forces have maintained strong resilience,” said Chen.

    The internet and related services sector saw a 27.4 percent year-on-year increase in electricity consumption, driven by the rapid development of mobile internet, big data and cloud computing.

    The charging and battery swapping services sector for electric vehicles saw a 42.4 percent increase in electricity consumption in the first half of the year, fueled by the rapid growth of the EV market.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese commerce minister meets delegation from US-China Business Council

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao on Wednesday met with a delegation from the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC), led by its board chair Rajesh Subramaniam, in Beijing.

    The two sides exchanged views on China-U.S. economic and trade relations as well as the development of U.S.-funded enterprises in China.

    Wang said that despite ups and downs, China and the United States remain important economic and trade partners for each other. He added that decoupling and disruption of industrial and supply chains will not work and that equal dialogue and consultation are key to addressing differences.

    Under the guidance of the two heads of state, China and the United States have reached a consensus in Geneva and established a framework for economic and trade cooperation in London, Wang said, noting that teams from the two sides recently held talks in Stockholm.

    Wang expressed the hope that the United States will work with China to maintain the steady, healthy and sustainable development of economic and trade relations.

    Opening up is China’s fundamental national policy and the country’s door will only open wider, Wang said, stressing that its policies on utilizing foreign investment have not changed and will not change.

    Noting that China’s consumer market remains among the largest in the world with immense growth potential and innovation vitality, Wang said China welcomes enterprises from all countries, including U.S.-funded companies, to invest in China and share its development opportunities.

    Subramaniam said the USCBC is glad to see that the economic and trade teams of the two countries have maintained dialogue and achieved positive results.

    He added that China has sent a positive signal to the world that it will further deepen reform and stay committed to opening up, which has boosted market confidence.

    The USCBC and its member companies are committed to long-term development in China and will strive to play a constructive role in expanding bilateral economic and trade cooperation, he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Credit Agricole Sa: Results for the second quarter and first half 2025 – The Group is accelerating its development

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    THE GROUP IS ACCELERATING ITS DEVELOPMENT  
               
      CRÉDIT AGRICOLE S.A. CRÉDIT AGRICOLE GROUP    
    €m Q2 2025 Change Q2/Q2 Q2 2025 Change Q2/Q2  
    Revenues 7,006 +3.1% 9,808 +3.2%  
    Expenses -3,700 +2.2% -5,872 +3.2%  
    Gross Operating Income 3,306 +4.1% 3,936 +3.1%  
    Cost of risk -441 +4.2% -840 -3.7%  
    Net income group share 2,390 +30.7% 2,638 +30.1%  
    C/I ratio 52.8% -0.5 pp 59.9% +0.0 pp  
    STRONG ACTIVITY IN ALL BUSINESS LINES

    • Confirmation of the upturn of loan production in France, international credit activity still strong and consumer finance at a higher level
    • Record net inflows in life insurance, high net inflows in asset management (driven by the medium/long-term and JVs); in insurance, revenues at a higher level driven by all activities
    • CIB: record half year and strong quarter

    CONTINUOUS FLOW OF STRATEGIC OPERATIONS

    • Gradual achievement of synergies in the ongoing integrations: progress of around 60% for RBC IS Europe and 25% for Degroof Petercam in Belgium
    • Transactions concluded this quarter: launch of partnership with Victory Capital in the United States, increased stake in Banco BPM in Italy, acquisition of Merca Leasing in Germany and Petit-fils and Comwatt in France and acquisition of Santander’s 30.5% stake in CACEIS1
    • New projects initiated: Acquisitions of Banque Thaler in Switzerland, Comwatt and Milleis in France, partnership with the Crelan Group in Belgium and development of Indosuez Wealth Management in Monaco

    HALF-YEARLY AND QUARTERLY RESULTS AT THEIR HIGHEST

    • High profitability (Return on Tangible Equity of 16.6%), driven by high and growing revenues, a low cost/income ratio (53.9% in the first half) and a stable cost of risk (34 basis points on outstandings)
    • Results especially benefiting from the capital gain related to the deconsolidation of Amundi US

    HIGH SOLVENCY RATIOS

    • Crédit Agricole S.A.’s phased-in CET1 at 11.9% and CA Group phased-in CET1 at 17.6%

    CONTINUOUS SUPPORT FOR TRANSITIONS, WITH AN AWARD FROM EUROMONEY

    • Continued withdrawal from fossil energies and reallocation to low-carbon energy sources
    • Support for the transition of households and corporates
    • Crédit Agricole named World’s Best Bank for Sustainable Finance at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025

    PRESENTATION OF THE MEDIUM-TERM PLAN ON 18 NOVEMBER 2025
     

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

    “The high-level results we are publishing this quarter serve our usefulness to the economy and European sovereignty.” ‍
     
     

    Olivier Gavalda,
    Chief Executive Officer of Crédit Agricole S.A.

    “With this high level of results, we are confident in Crédit Agricole S.A.’s ability to achieve a net profit in 2025 higher than 2024, excluding the corporate tax surcharge. These results constitute a solid foundation for Crédit Agricole S.A.’s medium-term strategic plan, which will be unveiled on November 18, 2025.”

    		  

    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 63.5% of Crédit Agricole S.A.

    All financial data are now presented stated for Crédit Agricole Group, Crédit Agricole S.A. and the business lines results, both for the income statement and for the profitability ratios.

    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. In the second quarter of 2025, the Group recorded +493,000 new customers in retail banking. More specifically, over the year, the Group gained 391,000 new customers for Retail Banking in France and 102,000 new International Retail Banking customers (Italy and Poland). At 30 June 2025, in retail banking, on-balance sheet deposits totalled €838 billion, up +0.6% year-on-year in France and Italy (+0.7% for Regional Banks and LCL and +0.3% in Italy). Outstanding loans totalled €885 billion, up +1.4% year-on-year in France and Italy (+1.4% for Regional Banks and LCL and +1.6% in Italy). Housing loan production continued its upturn in France compared to the low point observed at the start of 2024, with an increase of +28% for Regional Banks and +24% for LCL compared to the second quarter of 2024. For CA Italia, loan production was down -8.1% compared to the high second quarter of 2024. The property and casualty insurance equipment rate (2) rose to 44.2% for the Regional Banks (+0.7 percentage points compared to the second quarter of 2024), 28.4% for LCL (+0.6 percentage point) and 20.6% for CA Italia (+0.9 percentage point).

    In Asset Management, quarterly inflows were very high at +€20 billion, fuelled by medium/long-term assets (+€11 billion) and JVs (+€10 billion). In insurance, savings/retirement gross inflows rose to a record €9.9 billion over the quarter (+22% year-on-year), with the unit-linked rate in production staying at a high 32%. Net inflows were at a record level at +€4.2 billion, spread evenly between euro-denominated funds and unit-linked contracts. The strong performance in property and casualty insurance was driven by price changes and portfolio growth (16.9 million contracts at end-June 2025, +3% year-on-year). Assets under management stood at €2,905 billion, up +5.2% year on year for the three business segments: in asset management at €2,267 billion (+5.2% year on year) despite a negative scope effect linked to the deconsolidation of Amundi US and the integration of Victory, in life insurance at €359 billion (+6.4% year on year) and in wealth management (Indosuez Wealth Management and LCL Private Banking) at €279 billion (+3.7% year on year).

    Business in the SFS division showed strong activity. At CAPFM, consumer finance outstandings increased to €121.0 billion, up +4.5% compared with end-June 2024, with car loans representing 53% (3) of total outstandings, and new loan production up by +2.4% compared with the second quarter of 2024 (+12.4% compared to the first quarter of 2025), driven by traditional consumer finance, but with the automotive market remaining complex in Europe and China. Regarding Crédit Agricole Leasing & Factoring (CAL&F), lease financing outstandings are up +5.0% compared to June 2024 to €20.8 billion; however, production is down -19.4% compared to the second quarter of 2024, mainly in France. Factoring activity remains very strong, with a production of +26.6% year on year.

    Momentum is strong in Large Customers, which again posted record revenues for the half-year in Corporate and Investment Banking and a high-level quarter. Capital markets and investment banking showed a high level of revenues driven by capital markets, especially from trading and primary credit activities, which partially offset the drop in revenues from structured equity activities. Financing activities are fuelled by structured financing with strong momentum in the renewable energy sector, and by CLF activities, driven by the acquisition financing sector. Lastly, Asset Servicing recorded a high level of assets under custody of €5,526 billion and assets under administration of €3,468 billion (+11% and +1.2%, respectively, compared with the end of June 2024), with good sales momentum and positive market effects over the quarter.

    Continued support for the energy transition

    The Group is continuing the mass roll-out of financing and investment to promote the transition. Thus, the exposure of Crédit Agricole Group (4) has increased 2.4 fold between 2020 and 2024 with €26.3 billion at 31 December 2024. Investments in low-carbon energy (5) increased 2.8 fold between end-2020 and June 2025, and represented €6.1 billion at 30 June 2025.

    At the same time, as a universal bank, Crédit Agricole is supporting the transition of all its customers. Thus, outstandings related to the environmental transition (6) amounted to €111 billion at 31 March 2025, including €83 billion for energy-efficient property and €6 billion for “clean” transport and mobility.

    In addition, the Group is continuing to move away from carbon energy financing; the Group’s phased withdrawal from financing fossil fuel extraction resulted in a -40% decrease in exposure in the period 2020 to 2024, equating to €5.6 billion at 31 December 2024. 

    In the field of sustainable finance, Crédit Agricole was named World’s Best Bank for Sustainable Finance at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2025. 

    Group results

    In the second quarter of 2025, Crédit Agricole Group’s net income Group share came to €2,638 million, up +30.1% compared to the second quarter of 2024, and up +14.8% excluding capital gains related to the deconsolidation of Amundi US.

    In the second quarter of 2025, revenues amounted to €9,808 million, up +3.2% compared to the second quarter of 2024. Operating expenses were up +3.2% in the second quarter of 2025, totalling -€5,872 million. Overall, Credit Agricole Group saw its cost/income ratio reach 59.9% in the second quarter of 2025, stable compared to the second quarter of 2024. As a result, the gross operating income stood at €3,936 million, up +3.1% compared to the second quarter of 2024.

    The cost of credit risk stood at -€840 million, a decrease of -3.7% compared to the second quarter of 2024. It includes a reversal of +€24 million on performing loans (stage 1 and 2) linked to reversals for model updates which offset the updating of macroeconomic scenarios and the migration to default of some loans. The cost of proven risk shows an addition to provisions of -€845 million (stage 3). There was also an addition of -€18 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 second quarter were updated, with a central scenario (French GDP at +0.8% in 2025, +1.4% in 2026) an unfavourable scenario (French GDP at +0.0% in 2025 and +0.6% in 2026) and an adverse scenario (French GDP at -1.9% in 2025 and -1.4% in 2026). The cost of risk/outstandings (7)reached 27 basis points over a four rolling quarter period and 28 basis points on an annualised quarterly basis (8).

    Pre-tax income stood at €3,604 million, a year-on-year increase of +19.6% compared to second quarter 2024. This includes the contribution from equity-accounted entities of €56 million (down -24.0%) and net income on other assets, which came to +€452 million this quarter, due to a capital gain of €453 million on the deconsolidation of Amundi US. The tax charge was -€615 million, down +€147 million, or -19.3% over the period.

    Net income before non-controlling interests was up +32.8% to reach €2,990 million. Non-controlling interests increased by +57%, a share of the capital gain on the deconsolidation of Amundi US being reversed to non-controlling interests.

    Net income Group share in first half 2025 amounted to €4,803 million, compared with €4,412 million in first half 2024, an increase of +8.9%.

    Revenues totalled €19,856 million, up +4.3% in first half 2025 compared with first half 2024.

    Operating expenses amounted to -€11,864 million up +5.2% compared to the first half of 2024, especially due to support for business development, IT expenditure and the integration of scope effects. The cost/income ratio for the first half of 2025 was 59.8%, up +0.5 percentage points compared to the first half of 2024.

    Gross operating income totalled €7,992 million, up +3.0% compared to the first half of 2024.

    Cost of risk for the half-year rose moderately to -€1,575 million (of which -€23 million in cost of risk on performing loans (stage 1 and 2), -€1,522 million in cost of proven risk, and +€29 million in other risks, i.e. an increase of +3.4% compared to first half 2024.

    As at 30 June 2025, risk indicators confirm the high quality of Crédit Agricole Group’s assets and risk coverage level. The prudent management of these loan loss reserves has enabled the Crédit Agricole Group to have an overall coverage ratio for doubtful loans (83.3% at the end of June 2025).

    Net income on other assets stood at €456 million in first half 2025, vs. -€14 million in first half 2024. Pre-tax income before discontinued operations and non-controlling interests rose by +10.1% to €7,004 million. The tax charge stood at -€1,66 million, a +9.1% increase. This change is related to the exceptional corporate income tax for -€250 million (corresponding to an estimation of -€330 million in 2025, assuming the 2025 fiscal result being equal to 2024 fiscal result).

    Underlying net income before non-controlling interests was therefore up by +10.4%. Non-controlling interests stood at -€545 million in the first half of 2024, up +26.1%, a share of the capital gain on the deconsolidation of Amundi US being reversed to non-controlling interests.

    Credit Agricole Group, Income statement Q2 and H1 2025

    En m€ Q2-25 Q2-24 ∆ Q2/Q2   H1-25 H1-24 ∆ H1/H1
    Revenues 9,808 9,507 +3.2%   19,856 19,031 +4.3%
    Operating expenses (5,872) (5,687) +3.2%   (11,864) (11,276) +5.2%
    Gross operating income 3,936 3,819 +3.1%   7,992 7,755 +3.0%
    Cost of risk (840) (872) (3.7%)   (1,575) (1,523) +3.4%
    Equity-accounted entities 56 74 (24.0%)   131 142 (7.9%)
    Net income on other assets 452 (7) n.m.   456 (14) n.m.
    Change in value of goodwill – – n.m.   – – n.m.
    Income before tax 3,604 3,014 +19.6%   7,004 6,361 +10.1%
    Tax (615) (762) (19.3%)   (1,656) (1,517) +9.1%
    Net income from discontinued or held-for-sale ope. 0 – n.m.   0 – n.m.
    Net income 2,990 2,252 +32.8%   5,348 4,843 +10.4%
    Non controlling interests (352) (224) +57.0%   (545) (432) +26.1%
    Net income Group Share 2,638 2,028 +30.1%   4,803 4,412 +8.9%
    Cost/Income ratio (%) 59.9% 59.8% +0.0 pp   59.8% 59.2% +0.5 pp

    Regional banks

    Gross customer capture stands at +285,000 new customers. The percentage of customers using their current accounts as their main account is increasing and the share of customers using digital tools remains at a high level. Credit market share (total credits) stood at 22.6% (at the end of March 2025, source: Banque de France), stable compared to March 2024. Loan production is up +18.8% compared to the second quarter of 2024, linked to the confirmed upturn in housing loans, up +28.3% compared to the second quarter of 2024 and +10% compared to the first quarter of 2025, and also driven by specialised markets up +13.4% compared to the second quarter of 2024. The average lending production rate for home loans stood at 3.02% (9), -16 basis points lower than in the first quarter of 2025. By contrast, the global loan stock rate improved compared to the second quarter of 2024 (+7 basis points). Outstanding loans totalled €652 billion at the end of June 2025, up by +1.2% year-on-year across all markets and up slightly by +0.5% over the quarter. Customer assets were up +2.8% year-on-year to reach €923.3 billion at the end of June 2025. This growth was driven both by on-balance sheet deposits, which reached €606.1 billion (+0.8% year-on-year), and off-balance sheet deposits, which reached €317.2 billion (+7.1% year-on-year) benefiting from strong inflows in life insurance. Over the quarter, demand deposits drove customer assets with an increase of +2.0% compared to the first quarter of 2025, while term deposits decreased by -0.4%. The market share of on-balance sheet deposits is up compared to last year and stands at 20.2% (Source Banque de France, data at the end of March 2025, i.e. +0.1 percentage points compared to March 2024). The equipment rate for property and casualty insurance (10) was 44.2% at the end of June 2025 and is continuing to rise (up +0.7 percentage points compared to the end of June 2024). In terms of payment instruments, the number of cards rose by +1.5% year-on-year, as did the percentage of premium cards in the stock, which increased by 2.2 percentage points year-on-year to account for 17.8% of total cards.

    In the second quarter of 2025, the Regional Banks’ consolidated revenues including the SAS Rue La Boétie dividend stood at €5,528 million, up +4.2% compared to the second quarter of 2024, including the reversal of Home Purchase Saving Plans provisions in the second quarter of 2025 for €16.3 million and in the second quarter of 2024 for +€22 million (11). Excluding this item, revenues were up +4.3% compared to the second quarter of 2024, fuelled by the increase in fee and commission income (+1.9%), driven by insurance, account management and payment instruments, and by portfolio revenues (+9.2%) benefiting from the increase in dividends traditionally paid in the second quarter of each year. In addition, the intermediation margin was slightly down over one year (-2.5%) but remained stable compared to the first quarter of 2025. Operating expenses were up +5.1%, especially relating to IT expenditure. Gross operating income was up year-on-year (+3.4%). The cost of risk was down -13.3% compared with the second quarter of 2024 to -€397 million. The cost of risk/outstandings (over four rolling quarters) was stable compared to the first quarter of 2025, at a controlled level of 21 basis points. Thus, the net pre-tax income was up +7.3% and stood at €2,482 million. The consolidated net income of the Regional Banks stood at €2,375 million, up +5.0% compared with the second quarter of 2024. Lastly, the Regional Banks’ contribution to net income Group share was €182 million in the second quarter of 2025, down -12.7% compared to the second quarter of 2024.

    In the first half 2025, revenues including the dividend from SAS Rue La Boétie were up (+3.1%) compared to the first half of 2024. Operating expenses rose by +3.4%, and gross operating income consequently grew by +2.6% over the first half. Finally, with a cost of risk up slightly by +1.4%, the Regional banks’ net income Group share, including the SAS Rue La Boétie dividend, amounted to €2,721 million, up +0.7% compared to the first half of 2024. Finally, the Regional Banks’ contribution to the results of Crédit Agricole Group in first half 2025 amounted to €523 million (-19.6%) with revenues of €6,716 million (+2.2%) and a cost of risk of -€717 million (+3.7%).

    Crédit Agricole S.A.

    Results

    Crédit Agricole S.A.’s Board of Directors, chaired by Dominique Lefebvre, met on 30 July 2025 to examine the financial statements for the second quarter of 2025.

    In the second quarter of 2025, Crédit Agricole S.A.’s net income Group share amounted to €2,390 million, an increase of +30.7% from the second quarter of 2024. The results of the second quarter of 2025 are based on high revenues, a cost/income ratio maintained at a low level and a controlled cost of risk. They were also favourably impacted by the change in corporate income tax, and the capital gain related to the deconsolidation of Amundi US.

    Revenues are at a high level and increasing. Revenues totalled €7,006 million, up +3.1% compared to the second quarter of 2024. The growth in the Asset Gathering division (+1.3%) is related to strong activity in Insurance, the impact of volatility and risk aversion of customers for Amundi, the deconsolidation of Amundi US (-€89 million) and the integration of Degroof Petercam (+€96 million). Revenues for Large Customers are stable and stood at a high level both for Crédit Agricole CIB and CACEIS. Specialised Financial Services division revenues (-1.0%) were impacted by a positive price effect in the Personal Finance and Mobility business line and by a cyclical drop in margins on factoring. Revenues for Retail Banking in France (-0.3%) were impacted by an unfavourable base effect on the interest margin, offset by good momentum in fee and commission income. Finally, international retail banking revenues (-1.9%) were mainly impacted by the reduction in the intermediation margin in Italy, partially offset by good momentum in fee and commission income over all the entities of the scope. Corporate Centre revenues were up +€214 million, positively impacted by Banco BPM (+€109 million, mainly related to the increase in dividends received).

    Operating expenses totalled -€3,700 million in the second quarter of 2025, an increase of +2.2% compared to the second quarter of 2024. The -€80 million increase in expenses between the second quarter of 2024 and the second quarter of 2025 was mainly due to -€25 million in scope effect and integration costs, (especially including -€51 million related to the deconsolidation of Amundi US, +€89 million related to the integration of Degroof Petercam and -€20 million related to the reduction in ISB integration costs into CACEIS) and +€58 million due to a positive base effect related to the contribution on the DGS (deposit guarantee fund in Italy).

    The cost/income ratio thus stood at 52.8% in the second quarter of 2025, an improvement of -0.5 percentage point compared to second quarter 2024. Gross operating income in the second quarter of 2025 stood at €3,306 million, an increase of +4.1% compared to the second quarter of 2024.

    As at 30 June 2025, risk indicators confirm the high quality of Crédit Agricole S.A.’s assets and risk coverage level. The Non Performing Loans ratio showed little change from the previous quarter and remained low at 2.3%. The coverage ratio (12) was high at 72.2%, down -2.8 percentage points over the quarter. Loan loss reserves amounted to €9.4 billion for Crédit Agricole S.A., relatively unchanged from the end of March 2025. Of these loan loss reserves, 35.3% were for provisioning for performing loans.

    The cost of risk was a net charge of -€441 million, up +4.2% compared to the second quarter of 2024, and came mainly from a provision for non-performing loans (level 3) of -€524 million (compared to a provision of -€491 million in the second quarter of 2024). Net provisioning on performing loans (stages 1 and 2) is a reversal of +€91 million, compared to a reversal of +€31 million in the second quarter of 2024, and includes reversals for model effects and the migration to default of some loans, which offset the prudential additions to provisions for updating macroeconomic scenarios. Also noteworthy is an addition to provisions of -€8 million for other items (legal provisions) versus a reversal of +€37 million in the second quarter of 2024. By business line, 53% of the net addition for the quarter came from Specialised Financial Services (50% at end-June 2024), 21% from LCL (22% at end-June 2024), 14% from International Retail Banking (17% at end-June 2024), 4% from Large Customers (9% at end-June 2024) and 5% from the Corporate Centre (1% at end-June 2024). 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 second quarter were updated, with a central scenario (French GDP at +0.8% in 2025, +1.4% in 2026) an unfavourable scenario (French GDP at +0.0% in 2025 and +0.6% in 2026) and an adverse scenario (French GDP at -1.9% in 2025 and -1.4% in 2026). In the second quarter of 2025, the cost of risk/outstandings remained stable at 34 basis points over a rolling four quarter period (13) and 32 basis points on an annualised quarterly basis (14).

    The contribution of equity-accounted entities stood at €30 million in second quarter 2025, down -€17 million compared to second quarter 2024, or -35.1%. This drop is related to the impairment of goodwill of a stake in CAL&F and non-recurring items especially the drop in remarketing revenues at CAPFM, offset by the impact of the first consolidation of Victory Capital (+€20 million). The net income on other assets was €455 million in the second quarter of 2025 and includes the capital gain related to the deconsolidation of Amundi US of €453 million. Pre-tax income, discontinued operations and non-controlling interests therefore increased by +19% to €3,350 million.

    The tax charge was -€541 million, versus -€704 million for the second quarter 2024. This quarter’s tax includes positive elements, especially the non-taxation of the capital gain linked to the deconsolidation of Amundi US. The tax charge for the quarter remains estimated and will be reassessed by the end of the year.

    Net income before non-controlling interests was up +33.1% to €2,809 million. Non-controlling interests stood at -€420 million in the second quarter of 2025, up +48.7%, a share of the capital gain on the deconsolidation of Amundi US being reversed to non-controlling interests.

    Stated net income Group share in the first half of 2024 amounted to €4,213 million, compared with €3,731 million in the first half of 2024, an increase of +12.9%.

    Revenues increased +4.9% compared to the first half of 2024, driven by the performance of the Asset Gathering, Large Customers, and Specialised Financial Services business lines and the Corporate Centre. Operating expenses were up +5.5% compared to the first half of 2024, especially in connection with supporting the development of business lines and the integration of scope effects. The cost/income ratio for the first half of the year was 53.9%, an improvement of 0.3 percentage points compared to first half 2024. Gross operating income totalled €6,571 million, up +4.1% compared to first half 2024. The cost of risk increased by +3.8% over the period, to -€-855 million, versus -€824 million for first half 2024.

    The contribution of equity-accounted entities stood at €77 million in first half 2025, down -€13 million compared to first half 2024, or -14.1%. Net income from other assets was €456 million in the first half of 2025. Pre-tax income, discontinued operations and non-controlling interests therefore increased by +11.9% to €6,250 million. The tax charge was -€1,368 million, versus -€1,315 million for first half 2024. This includes the exceptional corporate income tax of -€152 million, corresponding to an estimation of -€200 million in 2025 (assuming 2025 fiscal result being equal to 2024 fiscal result). Net income before non-controlling interests was up +14.3% to €4,882 million. Non-controlling interests stood at -€669 million in first half 2025, up +23.5% compared to first half 2024.

    Earnings per share stood at €0.74 per share in the second quarter 2025, versus €0.58 in the second quarter 2024.

    RoTE (15), which is calculated on the basis of an annualised net income Group share (16) and IFRIC charges, additional corporate tax charge and the capital gain on deconsolidation of Amundi US 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 16.7% in the first half of 2024, up +1.3 percentage points compared to the first half of 2024.

    Crédit Agricole S.A. – Income statement, Q2 and H1-25

    En m€ Q2-25 Q2-24 ∆ Q2/Q2   H1-25 H1-24 ∆ H1/H1
    Revenues 7,006 6,796 +3.1%   14,263 13,602 +4.9%
    Operating expenses (3,700) (3,621) +2.2%   (7,691) (7,289) +5.5%
    Gross operating income 3,306 3,175 +4.1%   6,571 6,312 +4.1%
    Cost of risk (441) (424) +4.2%   (855) (824) +3.8%
    Equity-accounted entities 30 47 (35.2%)   77 90 (14.1%)
    Net income on other assets 455 15 x 29.4   456 9 x 50.7
    Change in value of goodwill – – n.m.   – – n.m.
    Income before tax 3,350 2,814 +19.0%   6,250 5,587 +11.9%
    Tax (541) (704) (23.2%)   (1,368) (1,315) +4.0%
    Net income from discontinued or held-for-sale ope. 0 – n.m.   0 – n.m.
    Net income 2,809 2,110 +33.1%   4,882 4,273 +14.3%
    Non-controlling interests (420) (282) +48.7%   (669) (542) +23.5%
    Net income Group Share 2,390 1,828 +30.7%   4,213 3,731 +12.9%
    Earnings per share (€) 0.74 0.58 +29.1%   1.30 1.08 +20.3%
    Cost/Income ratio (%) 52.8% 53.3% -0.5 pp   53.9% 53.6% +0.3 pp

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

    Activity of the Asset Gathering division

    At end-June 2025, the assets under management of the Asset Gathering (AG) division stood at €2,905 billion, up +€27 billion over the quarter (i.e. +1%), mainly due to positive net inflows in asset management, and insurance, and a positive market and foreign exchange effect over the period. Over the year, assets under management rose by +5.2%.

    Insurance activity (Crédit Agricole Assurances) was very strong, with total revenues at a high level of €12.7 billion, up +17.9% compared to second quarter 2024.

    In Savings/Retirement, second quarter 2025 revenues reached €9.9 billion, up +22.3% compared to second quarter 2024, in a buoyant environment, especially in France. Unit-linked rate in gross inflows(17) is stable year-on-year at 32.0%. The net inflows reached a record +€4.2 billion (+€2.7 billion compared to the second quarter of 2024), comprised of +€2.4 billion net inflows from euro funds and +€1.8 billion from unit-linked contracts.

    Assets under management (savings, retirement and funeral insurance) continued to grow and came to €359.4 billion (up +€21.5 billion year-on-year, or +6.4%). The growth in outstandings was driven by the very high level of quarterly net inflows and favourable market effects. Unit-linked contracts accounted for 30.2% of outstandings, up +0.6 percentage points compared to the end of June 2024.

    In property and casualty insurance, premium income stood at €1.4 billion in the second quarter of 2025, up +9.3% compared to the second quarter of 2024. Growth stemmed from a price effect, with the increase in the average premium benefiting from revised rates induced by climate change and inflation in repair costs as well as changes in the product mix, and a volume effect, with a portfolio of over €16.9 million (18) policies at the end of June 2025 (or +2.8% over the year). Lastly, the combined ratio at the end of June 2025 stood at 94.7% (19), stable year-on-year and an improvement of +1.4 percentage points compared to the last quarter.

    In death & disability/creditor insurance/group insurance, premium income for the second quarter of 2025 stood at €1.4 billion, down slightly by -0.6% compared to the second quarter of 2024. Individual death & disability showed growth of +7.1% related to the increase in the average amount of guarantees. Creditor insurance showed a drop in activity of -4.3% over the period, especially related to international consumer finance. Group insurance was slightly up at +2.2%.

    In Asset Management (Amundi), assets under management by Amundi increased by +0.9% and +5.2% respectively over the quarter and the year, reaching a new record of €2,267 billion at the end of June 2025. They take into account the first integration of Victory Capital over the quarter with a scope effect of -€9.7 billion (effect of the deconsolidation of Amundi US for -€70 billion and the integration of Victory for +€60 billion). US business assets amount to €94 billion at end-June 2025, including €36 billion of assets distributed by Amundi to non-US customers (fully integrated) and €58 billion of assets distributed by Victory to US customers (26% share). In addition to the scope effect, assets benefited from a high level of inflows over the quarter (+€20.5 billion) a positive market effect of +€57 billion, and a strong negative exchange rate impact of -€48 billion related to the drop in the US dollar and Indian rupee. Net inflows are balanced between medium/long term assets (+€11 billion) and JVs (+€10 billion). The Institutionals segment also recorded net inflows of +€8.7 billion over the quarter, driven by strong seasonal activity in employee savings (+€4 billion in MLT assets). The JV segment showed net inflows of €10.3 billion over the period, with an upturn of inflows in India and a confirmed recovery in China. Finally, the retail segment showed net inflows of €1.4 billion over the quarter.

    In Wealth management, total assets under management (CA Indosuez Wealth Management and LCL Private Banking) amounted to €279 billion at the end of June 2025, and were up +3.7% compared to June 2024 and stable compared to March 2025.

    For Indosuez Wealth Management assets under management at the end of June stood at €214 billion (20), up +0.4% compared to the end of March 2025, with slightly negative net inflows of -€0.1 billion. Production is supported by structured products and mandates, partially offsetting the outflow especially linked to liquidity events of large customers. The market and foreign exchange impact of the quarter is positive at €1 billion. Compared to end-June 2024, assets are up by +€9 billion, or +4.5%. Also noteworthy is the announcement of the Banque Thaler acquisition project in Switzerland on 4 April 2025 and that of the plan to acquire the Wealth Management customers of BNP Paribas Group in Monaco on 23 June 2025.

    Results of the Asset Gathering division

    In the second quarter of 2025, Asset Gathering generated €1,970 million of revenues, up +1.3% compared to the second quarter of 2024. Expenses increased +6.2% to -€864 million and gross operating income came to €1,106 million, -2.2% compared to the second quarter of 2024. The cost/income ratio for the second quarter of 2025 stood at 43.8%, up +2.0 percentage points compared to the same period in 2024. Equity-accounted entities showed a contribution of €58 million, up +77.4%, especially in relation to the first integration of the contribution of Victory Capital of 26% over this quarter in the Asset Management division for €20 million. The net income on other assets is impacted by the recognition of a capital gain of €453 million also related to the partnership with Victory Capital. Consequently, pre-tax income was up by +40.1% and stood at €1,610 million in the second quarter of 2025. The net income Group share showed an increase of +49.3% to €1,100 million.

    In the first semester of 2025, the Asset Gathering division generated revenues of €4,028 million, up +7.9% compared to first half 2024. Expenses increased by +14.8%. As a result, the cost/income ratio stood at 44.7%, up +2.7 percentage points compared to the first half of 2024. Gross operating income stood at €2,229 million, a increase of +2.9% compared to first half 2024. Equity-accounted entities showed a contribution of €86 million, up +39.4%, especially in relation to the first integration of the contribution of Victory Capital of 26% over the second quarter of 2025 in the Asset Management division. The net income on other assets is impacted by the recognition of a capital gain of €453 million also related to the partnership with Victory Capital in second quarter 2025. Taxes stood at €601 million, a +19.8% increase. Net income Group share of the Asset Gathering division includes the additional corporate tax charge in France and amounted to €1,780 million, up +22.5% compared to the first half of 2024. The increase affected all the business lines of the division, (+66.1% for Asset Management, +0.8% for Insurance and +92.3% for Wealth Management).

    In the second quarter of 2025, the Asset Gathering division contributed by 41% to the net income Group share of the Crédit Agricole S.A. core businesses and 28% to revenues (excluding the Corporate Centre division).

    As at 30 June 2025, equity allocated to the division amounted to €13.2 billion, including €10.6 billion for Insurance, €1.9 billion for Asset Management, and €0.7 billion for Wealth Management. The division’s risk weighted assets amounted to €51.4 billion, including €24.0 billion for Insurance, €19.7 billion for Asset Management and €7.7 billion for Wealth Management.

    Insurance results

    In the second quarter of 2025, insurance revenues amounted to €790 million, up +2.1% compared to the second quarter of 2024. They are supported by Savings/Retirement in relation to the growth in activity and a positive financial result over the period, Property & Casualty which benefits from a good level of activity and financial results, and by the performance of Death & Disability, which offsets a tightening of technical margins in creditor. Revenues for the quarter included €587 million from savings/retirement and funeral insurance (21), €89 million from personal protection (22) and €114 million from property and casualty insurance (23).

    The Contractual Service Margin (CSM) totalled €26.8 billion at the end of June 2025, an increase of +6.3% compared to the end of December 2024. It benefited from a contribution of new business greater than the CSM allocation and a positive market effect. The annualised CSM allocation factor was 8.0% at end-June 2025.

    Non-attributable expenses for the quarter stood at -€87 million, down -0.9% over the second quarter of 2024. As a result, gross operating income reached €703 million, up +2.5% compared to the same period in 2024. The net pre-tax income was up +2.2% and stood at €703 million. The tax charge totalled €143 million, down -19.9% during the period. Net income Group share stood at €557 million, up +12.6% compared to the second quarter of 2024.

    Revenues from insurance in the first half of 2025 came to €1,517 million, up +1.5% compared to the first half of 2024. Gross operating income stood at €1,335 million, up +1.4% compared to the first half of 2024. Non-attributable expenses came to €182 million, i.e. an increase of +2.0%. The cost/income ratio is thus 12.0%, below the target ceiling set by the Medium-Term Plan of 15%. The net income Group share includes the additional corporate tax charge in France and reached €997 million, up +0.8% compared to first half 2024.

    Insurance contributed 23% to the net income Group share of Crédit Agricole S.A.’s business lines (excluding the Corporate Centre division) at end-June 2025 and 10% to their revenues (excluding the Corporate Centre division).

    Asset Management results

    In the second quarter of 2025, revenues amounted to €771 million, showing a fall of -10.8% compared to the second quarter of 2024. The deconsolidation of Amundi US (previously fully consolidated) and the integration of Victory Capital (at 26% on the equity-accounted entities line) took effect this quarter. As a result, restated for this scope effect,(24), revenues were stable (-0.6%) compared with the second half of 2024. Net management fee and commission income was up +1.0% (25) compared with second quarter 2024. Amundi Technology’s revenues recorded a significant increase and rose +50% over the second quarter of 2024, thanks to the integration of Aixigo (the European leader in Wealth Tech, the acquisition of which was finalised in November 2024) which amplified the continued strong organic growth. Performance fee income fell -29%25 from the second quarter of 2024 due to market volatility and financial revenues fell in connection with the drop in rates. Operating expenses amounted to -€429 million, a decline of -8.8% from the second quarter of 2024. Excluding the scope effect related to the Victory Capital partnership24, they were up +2.2% over the period. The cost/income ratio was up at 55.7% (+1.2 percentage points compared to second quarter 2024). Gross operating income stood at €341 million, down -13.2% compared to the second quarter of 2024. The contribution of the equity-accounted entities, carrying the contribution of Amundi’s Asian joint ventures as well as the new contribution of Victory Capital starting this quarter, was €58 million (+€20 million of which for Victory Capital, whose contribution is recognised with an offset of one quarter, so excluding the synergies already realised in the second quarter of 2025; the contribution of the joint ventures rose sharply to +16.6%, particularly in India), an increase of +77.4% over the second quarter of 2024. Net income on other assets was impacted by the recognition of a non-monetary capital gain of €453 million, also related to the partnership with Victory Capital, over the second quarter of 2025. Consequently, pre-tax income came to €850 million, double the second quarter of 2024. Non-controlling interests were impacted by the partnership with Victory Capital and amounted to €249 million over the quarter. Net income Group share amounted to €506 million, up sharply (x2.3) compared to the second quarter of 2024, taking account of the impact of the partnership with Victory Capital.

    Over the first half of 2025, revenues remained stable at €1,663 million (-0.3%). Excluding the scope effect related to the partnership with Victory Capital in the second quarter of 2025, it would represent an increase of +5.3% over the period. Operating expenses posted a slight increase of +0.7%. Excluding the scope effect related to the partnership with Victory Capital, they would increase +5.3% over the period. The cost/income ratio was 55.7%, an increase of +0.5 percentage points compared to first half 2024. This resulted in a -1.5% decline in gross operating income from the first half of 2024. The income of the equity-accounted entities rose +39.4%, primarily reflecting the first integration of the Victory Capital contribution over second quarter 2025. Net income on other assets was impacted by the recognition of a non-monetary capital gain of €453 million also related to the partnership with Victory Capital over the second quarter of 2025. In total, net income Group share for the half includes the additional corporate tax charge in France and stood at €689 million, an increase of +66.1%.

    Asset management contributed 16% to the underlying net income Group share of Crédit Agricole S.A.’s core businesses (excluding the Corporate Centre division) at end June 2025 and by 12% to their underlying revenues.

    At 30 June 2025, equity allocated to the Asset Management business line amounted to €1.9 billion, while risk weighted assets totalled €19.7 billion.

    Wealth Management results (26)

    In the second quarter of 2025, revenues from wealth management amounted to €409 million, up +33.3% compared to the second quarter of 2024, benefiting from the impact of the integration of Degroof Petercam in June 2024. Excluding this effect, (27) revenues were sustained by the positive momentum of transactional income and the good resilience of the net interest margin, despite falling rates. Expenses for the quarter amounted to -€348 million, up +36.4% compared to the second quarter of 2024, impacted by a Degroof Petercam scope effect27 and -€22.5 million in integration costs in the second quarter of 2025 (28). Excluding these impacts, expenses rose slightly at +1.7% compared to the second quarter of 2024. The cost/income ratio for the second quarter of 2025 stood at 85%, up +1.9 percentage points compared to the same period in 2024. Excluding integration costs, it amounted to 79.5%. Gross operating income reached €61 million, an increase of (+18.3%) compared to the second quarter of 2024. Cost of risk remained moderate at -€5 million. Net income Group share amounted to €36 million, up +52.7% compared to the second quarter of 2024.

    In the first half of 2025, wealth management revenues rose by +48.6% over the first half of 2024, notably benefiting from the integration of Degroof Petercam(29) in June 2024 to reach €848 million. Expenses rose by +47.5% due to the impact of the integration of Degroof Petercam29 in June 2024 and integration costs. Gross operating income was therefore up +54.0% at €156 million. Net income on other assets was nil in the first half of 2025 compared with -€20 million in the first half of 2024, corresponding to Degroof Petercam acquisition costs. Net income Group share was €94 million over the first half, up +92.3% from first half 2024. The additional net income Group share target of +€150 million to +€200 million in 2028 following the integration of Degroof Petercam is confirmed and the rate of progression in synergies realised was approximately 25%.

    Wealth Management contributed 2% to the net income Group share of Crédit Agricole S.A.’s business lines (excluding the Corporate Centre division) at end-June 2025 and 6% of their revenues (excluding the Corporate Centre division).

    At 30 June 2025, equity allocated to Wealth Management was €0.7 billion and risk weighted assets totalled €7.7 billion.

    Activity of the Large Customers division

    The large customers division posted good activity in the second quarter of 2025, thanks to good performance from Corporate and Investment banking (CIB) and strong activity in asset servicing.

    In the second quarter of 2025, revenues from Corporate and Investment Banking were stable at €1,705 million, which is -0.1% compared to second quarter 2024 (+5% excluding FVA/DVA volatile elements and foreign exchange impact). Capital Markets and Investment Banking activity was down -2.7% from second quarter 2024 (+3% excluding non-recurring items and foreign exchange impact), but remained at a high level at €860 million, supported in part by a new progression in revenues from Capital Market activities (+2.8% over second quarter 2024, +10% excluding FVA/DVA volatile items and foreign exchange impact) particularly on the trading and primary credit activities that partially offset the decline in structured equity revenues. Revenues from financing activities rose to €845 million, an increase of +2.8% compared to the second quarter of 2024 (+7% excluding non-recurring items and foreign exchange impact). This mainly reflects the performance of structured financing, where revenues rose +6.8% compared to the second quarter of 2024, primarily explained by the dynamism of the renewable energy sector (increase in production on wind and solar projects). Commercial Banking was up +0.7% versus second quarter 2024, driven by the activities of Corporate & Leveraged Finance, boosted by the acquisition financing sector.

    Financing activities consolidated its leading position in syndicated loans (#1 in France (30) and #2 in EMEA30). Crédit Agricole CIB reaffirmed its strong position in bond issues (#2 All bonds in EUR Worldwide30) and was ranked #1 in Green, Social & Sustainable bonds in EUR (31). Average regulatory VaR stood at €11.1 million in the second quarter of 2025, up from €10.5 million in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting changes in positions and financial markets. It remained at a level that reflected prudent risk management.

    For Asset Servicing, business growth was supported by strong commercial activity and favourable market effects.

    Assets under custody rose by +1.1% at the end of June 2025 compared to the end of March 2025 and increased by +11.3% compared to the end of June 2024, to reach €5,526 billion. Assets under administration fell by
    -3.0% over the quarter because of a planned customer withdrawal, and were up +1.2% year-on-year, totalling €3,468 billion at end-June 2025.

    On 4 July 2025, Crédit Agricole S.A. announced the finalisation of the buyback of the 30.5% interest held by Santander in CACEIS.

    Results of the Large Customers division

    In the second quarter of 2025, revenues of the Large Customers division once again reached a record level at €2,224 million (stable from second quarter 2024), buoyed by an excellent performance in the Corporate and Investment Banking and Asset Servicing business lines.

    Operating expenses increased by +4.4% due to IT investments and business line development. As a result, the division’s gross operating income was down -5.1% from the second quarter of 2024, standing at €967 million. The division recorded a limited addition for provision of the cost of risk of -€20 million integrating the update of economic scenarios and benefiting from favourable model effects, to be compared with an addition of -€39 million in the second quarter of 2024. Pre-tax income amounted to €958 million, down -3.3% compared to the second quarter of 2024. The tax charge amounted to -€149 million in second quarter 2025. Finally, net income Group share totalled €752 million in the second quarter of 2025, an increase of +8.3% over the second quarter of 2024.

    In first half 2025, the revenues of the Large Customers business line amounted to a historic high of €4,632 million (+3.2% compared to first half 2024). Operating expenses rose +4.6% compared to first half 2024 to €2,617 million, largely related to staff costs and IT investments. Gross operating income for first half of 2025 therefore totalled €2,015 million, up +1.4% from first half 2024. The cost of risk ended the first half of 2025 with a net provision to provisions of -€5 million, which was stable compared with the first half of 2024. The business line’s contribution to underlying net income Group share was at €1,475 million, up +4.1% compared to first half 2024.

    The business line contributed 34% to the net income Group share of Crédit Agricole S.A.’s core businesses (excluding the Corporate Centre division) at end-June 2025 and 32% to revenues excluding the Corporate Centre.

    At 30 June 2025, the equity allocated to the division was €12.8 billion and its risk weighted assets were €134.7 billion.

    Corporate and Investment Banking results

    In the second quarter of 2025, revenues from Corporate and Investment Banking posted a strong performance at €1,705 million (stable in relation to second quarter 2024, +5% excluding FVA/DVA volatile items and foreign exchange impact).

    Operating expenses rose by +6.7% to -€895 million, mainly due to IT investments and the development of business line activities. Gross operating income declined -6.6% compared to second quarter 2024 and recorded a high level of +€810 million. Cost/income ratio was 52.5%, an improvement of +3.3 percentage points for the period. Cost of risk recorded a limited net provision of -€19 million integrating the update of economic scenarios and benefiting from positive model effects. Pre-tax income in second quarter 2025 stands at €793 million, down -5.7% compared to the second quarter of 2024. Lastly, stated net income Group share was up +6.7% to €659 million in the second quarter of 2025.

    In first half 2025, stated revenues rose by +3.7% compared to first half 2024, to €3,591 million, the highest historical half-year level ever. Operating expenses rose +7.1%, mainly due to variable compensation and IT investments to support the development of the business lines. As a result, gross operating income was €1,704 million and stable compared to first half 2024. The cost of risk recorded a net reversal of +€4 million in the first half of 2025, compared to a reversal of +€7 million in the first half of 2024. The income tax charge stood at -€376 million, down -9.3%. Lastly, stated net income Group share for first half 2025 stood at €1,307 million, an increase of +3.0% over the period.

    Risk weighted assets at end-June 2025 were down -€6.6 billion compared to end-March 2025, to €123.6 billion, mainly explained by model effects.

    Asset servicing results

    In the second quarter of 2025, revenues for Asset Servicing remained stable compared to second quarter 2024 at €519 million, as the solid performance of the net interest margin was offset by a drop in fee and commission income (notably on foreign exchange). Operating expenses were down by -1.1% to -€361 million, due to the decrease in ISB integration costs compared to the second quarter of 2024 (32). Apart from this effect, expenses were up slightly pending the acceleration of synergies. As a result, gross operating income was up by +3.8% to €158 million in the second quarter of 2025. The cost/income ratio for the second quarter of 2025 stood at 69.6%, down -1.0 percentage points compared to the same period in 2024. Consequently, pre-tax income was up by +8.8% and stood at €165 million in the second quarter of 2025. Net income Group share rose +21.1% compared to second quarter 2024.

    Stated revenues for first half 2025 were up +1.5% compared with first half 2024, buoyed by the strong commercial momentum and a favourable trend in the interest margin over the period. Expenses declined -1.3% and included -€13.7 million in integration costs related to the acquisition of ISB’s activities (versus -€44.3 million in integration costs in the first half of 2024). Gross operating income rose +8.8% increase compared to first half 2024.
    The cost/income ratio stood at 70.1%, down 2.0 points compared to the second half of 2024. The additional net income target (33)of +€100 million in 2026 following the integration of ISB is confirmed and the rate of progression in synergies realised is approximately 60%.

    Finally, the contribution of the business line to net income Group share in the first half of 2025 was €168 million, representing a +13.9% increase compared to the first half of 2024.

    Specialised financial services activity

    Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility’s (CAPFM) commercial production totalled €12.4 billion in second quarter 2025, an increase of +2.4% from second quarter 2024, and an increase of +12.4% compared to first quarter 2025. This increase was carried by traditional consumer finance, while the automobile activity remained stable in a still complex market in Europe and China. The share of automotive financing (34) in quarterly new business production stood at 49.6%. The average customer rate for production was down slightly by -9 basis points from the first quarter of 2025. CAPFM assets under management stood at €121.0 billion at end-June 2025, up +4.5% from end-June 2024, over all scopes (Automotive +6.6% (35), LCL and Regional Banks +4.2%, Other Entities +2.5%), benefiting from the expansion of the management portfolio with the Regional Banks and the promising development of car rental with Leasys and Drivalia. Lastly, consolidated outstandings totalled €68.0 billion at end-June 2025, down -0.9% from end-June 2024.

    The commercial production of Crédit Agricole Leasing & Factoring (CAL&F) was down -19.4% from second quarter 2024 in leasing, primarily in France in an unfavourable market context (36). In International, production was up, particularly in Poland. Leasing outstandings rose +5.0% year-on-year, both in France (+4.1%) and internationally (+8.6%), to reach €20.8 billion at end-June 2025 (of which €16.4 billion in France and €4.5 billion internationally). Commercial production in factoring was up +26.6% versus second quarter 2024, carried by France, which rose +83.8%, which benefited from the signing of a significant contract; international fell by -27.0%, mainly in Germany. Factoring outstandings at end-June 2025 were up +3.7% compared to end-June 2024, and factored revenues were up by +5.0% compared to the same period in 2024.

    Specialised financial services’ results

    In the second quarter of 2025, revenues of the Specialised Financial Services division were €881 million, down -1.0% compared to the second quarter of 2024. Expenses stood at -€438 million, down -1.0% compared to the second quarter of 2024. The cost/income ratio stood at 49.8%, stable compared to the same period in 2024. Gross operating income thus stood at €442 million, down -1.0% compared to the second quarter of 2024. Cost of risk amounted to -€235 million, up +11.7% compared to the second quarter of 2024. Income for the equity-accounted entities amounted to -€13 million, a significant decline from second quarter 2024 which was €29 million, mainly linked to the drop in remarketing revenues for CAPFM as well as a depreciation of goodwill for CAL&F. Pre-tax income for the division amounted to €194 million, down -26.7% compared to the same period in 2024. Net income Group share amounted to €114 million, down -38.9% compared to the same period in 2024.

    In the first half of 2025, revenues for the Specialised Financial Services division were €1,749 million, which was up +0.8% from first half 2024. Operating expenses were up +1.7% from first half 2024 at -€912 million. Gross operating income amounted to €837 million, stable (-0.2%) in relation to first half 2024. The cost/income ratio stood at 52.1%, up +0.5 percentage points compared to the same period in 2024. The cost of risk increased by +12.8% compared to the first quarter of 2024 to -€484 million. The contribution of the equity-accounted entities dropped -62.2% from the same period in 2024, mainly linked to the decline in remarketing revenues CAPFM and a depreciation of goodwill for CAL&F (in the second quarter of 2025). Net income Group share includes the corporate tax additional charge in France and amounted to €263 million, down -20.3% compared to the same period in 2024.

    The business line contributed 6% to the net income Group share of Crédit Agricole S.A.’s core businesses (excluding the Corporate Centre division) at end-June 2025 and 12% to revenues excluding the Corporate Centre.

    At 30 June 2025, the equity allocated to the division was €7.7 billion and its risk weighted assets were €80.7 billion.

    Personal Finance and Mobility results

    In the second quarter of 2025, CAPFM revenues totalled €697 million, up +0.3% from the second quarter of 2024, with a positive price effect benefiting from the improvement in the production margin rate, which rose +35 basis points compared to second quarter 2024 (and which was down -7 basis points from first quarter 2025), partially absorbed by the increase in subordinated debt (37). Expenses totalled -€339 million, a drop of -1.1% and the jaws effect was positive over the quarter at +1.3 percentage points. Gross operating income thus stood at €358 million, an increase of +1.5% compared to the second quarter of 2024. The cost/income ratio stood at 48.7%, up -0.6 percentage points compared to the same period in 2024. The cost of risk stood at -€228 million, up +19.6% from the second quarter of 2024. The cost of risk/outstandings thus stood at 135 basis points(38), a slight deterioration of +5 basis points compared to the first quarter of 2025, especially in international activities. The Non Performing Loans ratio was 4.6% at end-June 2025, slightly up by +0.1 percentage points compared to end-March 2025, while the coverage ratio reached 73.2%, down -0.2 percentage points compared to end-March 2025. The contribution from the equity-accounted entities fell by -71.4% compared to the same period in 2024, related mainly to the drop in remarketing revenues. Pre-tax income amounted to €140 million, down -27.1% compared to the same period in 2024. Net income Group share amounted to €81 million, down -38.4% compared to the previous year.

    In the first half of 2025, CAPFM revenues reached €1,380 million, i.e. +1.1% over the first half of 2024, benefiting from volume and positive price effects partially offset by the increase in subordinated debt37. The expenses came to -€709 million, up +1.7% compared to the first half of 2024, related primarily to employee expenses and IT expenses. Gross operating income stood at €671 million, up +0.6%. The cost/income ratio stood at 51.4%, up +0.3 percentage points compared to the same period in 2024. The cost of risk rose by +16.3% over the first half of 2024 to -€453 million, notably related to a slight degradation on the international subsidiaries. The contribution from equity-accounted entities fell by -25.9% compared to the same period in 2024, primarily due to the decline in remarketing revenues. Therefore, net income Group share, which includes the additional corporate tax charge in France, amounted to €188 million, down -18.7% from the first half of 2024.

    Leasing & Factoring results

    In the second quarter of 2025, CAL&F revenues totalled €183 million, down -5.4% from second quarter 2024 due to the decline in factoring margins (related to the rate decrease). Revenues were up in leasing. Operating expenses stood at -€99 million, down -0.8% over the quarter, and the cost/income ratio stood at 54.0%, an improvement of +2.6 percentage points compared to the second quarter of 2024. Gross operating income stood at €84 million, down -10.4% compared to the second quarter of 2024. The cost of risk includes a provision reversal on performing loans of +€20 million and thus amounted to -€7 million over the quarter, a drop of -63.9% from the same period in 2024. Cost of risk/outstandings stood at 21 basis points38, down -4 basis points compared to second quarter 2024. Income of the equity-accounted entities totalled -€22 million in second quarter 2025, a sharp decline from second quarter 2024 at -€2 million, due to a depreciation of goodwill. Pre-tax income amounted to €54 million, down -25.4% compared to the same period in 2024. Net income Group share includes the corporate tax additional charge in France and amounted to €33 million, down -40.2% compared to the previous year.

    In the first half of 2025, revenues were stable (-0.6%) from first half 2024 at €369 million with an increase on leasing absorbed by a decrease in factoring margins because of the decrease in rates. Operating expenses increased by +1.9% to -€203 million. Gross operating income was down -3.5% from the first half of 2024 to total €166 million. The cost/income ratio stood at 55.0%, up +1.3 percentage points compared to first half 2024. The cost of risk declined from the first half of 2024 (-21.8%) because of a provision reversal of +€20 million on performing loans in the second quarter of 2025. The contribution of the equity-accounted entities amounted to -€24 million in the first half of 2025, down sharply from the first half of 2024 at -€4 million due to a depreciation of goodwill in first half 2025. Finally, net income Group share includes the additional corporate tax charge in France and amounted to €75 million, down -24.1% from the first half of 2024.

    Crédit Agricole S.A. Retail Banking activity

    In Retail Banking at Crédit Agricole S.A. this quarter, loan production in France continued its upturn compared to the second quarter of 2024. It was down in Italy in a very competitive housing market. The number of customers with insurance is progressing.

    Retail banking activity in France

    In the second quarter of 2025, activity was steady, with an upturn in loan activity, especially real estate loans, compared with the second quarter of 2024, and an increase in inflows. Customer acquisition remained dynamic, with 68,000 new customers this quarter.

    The equipment rate for car, multi-risk home, health, legal, all mobile phones or personal accident insurance rose by +0.6 percentage points to stand at 28.4% at end-June 2025.

    Loan production totalled €6.8 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of +14%. Second quarter 2025 recorded an increase in the production of real estate loans (+24% over second quarter 2024). The average production rate for home loans came to 3.07%, down -11 basis points from the first quarter of 2025 and -77 basis points year on year. The home loan stock rate improved by +3 basis points over the quarter and by +18 basis points year on year. The strong momentum continued in the corporate market (+10% year on year) and the small business market (+15% year on year) and remains up in the consumer finance segment (+2%).

    Outstanding loans stood at €171.5 billion at end-June 2025, representing a quarter-on-quarter increase (+0.5%) and year-on-year (+2.0%, including +1.8% for home loans, +1.7% for loans to small businesses, and +3.4% for corporate loans). Customer assets totalled €256.0 billion at end-June 2025, up +1.7% year on year, driven by off-balance sheet funds and with a slight increase of on-balance sheet deposits. Over the quarter, customer assets remained stable at -0.2% in relation to end-March 2025, with an increase of demand deposits for +2.6% while term deposits dropped -8.5% over the quarter in an environment that remains uncertain. Off-balance sheet deposits benefited from a positive year-on-year market effect and on the quarter and positive net inflows in life insurance.

    Retail banking activity in Italy

    In the second quarter of 2025, CA Italia posted gross customer capture of 54,000.

    Loans outstanding at CA Italia at the end of June 2025 stood at €62.0 billion (39), up +1.6% compared with end-June 2024, in an Italian market up slightly (40), driven by the retail market, which posted an increase in outstandings of +2.8%. The loan stock rate declined by -96 basis points against the second quarter of 2024 and by -24 basis points from the first quarter of 2025. Loan production for the quarter was down -8.1% compared with a high second quarter 2024, in a very competitive home market in the second quarter of 2025. Loan production for the half rose by +1.3% compared with the first half of 2024.

    Customer assets at end-June 2025 totalled €120.5 billion, up +3.2% compared with end-June 2024; on-balance sheet deposits were relatively unchanged (+0.3%) from end-June 2024. Finally, off-balance sheet deposits increased by +6.9% over the same period and benefited from net flows and a positive market effect.

    CA Italia’s equipment rate in car, multi-risk home, health, legal, all mobile phones or personal accident insurance was 20.6%, up +0.9 percentage points over the second quarter of 2024.

    International Retail Banking activity excluding Italy

    For International Retail Banking excluding Italy, loan outstandings were €7.4 billion, up +5.2% at current exchange rates at end-June 2025 compared with end-June 2024 (+6.6% at constant exchange rates). Customer assets rose by +€11.7 billion and were up +6.4% over the same period at current exchange rates (+9.7% at constant exchange rates).

    In Poland in particular, loan outstandings increased by +5.2% compared to end-June 2024 (+3.6% at constant exchange rates) driven by the retail segment and on-balance sheet deposits of +8.2% (+6.6% at constant exchange rates). Loan production in Poland rose this quarter compared to the second quarter of 2024 (+7.9% at current exchange rates and +6.5% at constant exchange rates). In addition, gross customer capture in Poland reached 48,000 new customers this quarter.

    In Egypt, commercial activity was strong in all markets. Loans outstanding rose +6.8% between end-June 2025 and end-June 2024 (+20.9% at constant exchange rates). Over the same period, on-balance sheet deposits increased by +9.0%% and were up +23.3% at constant exchange rates.

    Liquidity is still very strong with a net surplus of deposits over loans in Poland and Egypt amounting to +€2.0 billion at 30 June 2025, and reached €3.5 billion including Ukraine.

    French retail banking results

    In the second quarter of 2025, LCL revenues amounted to €976 million, stable from the second quarter of 2024. The increase in fee and commission income (+3.1% over second quarter 2024) was driven by the strong momentum in insurance (life and non-life). NIM was down -3.4%, under the impact of an unfavourable base effect, but improved compared to the first quarter of 2025 (+7.8%), thanks to the progressive repricing of loans and the decrease in the cost of customer-related funds (which benefited from a positive change in the deposit mix) and of refinancing, offset by a lower contribution from macro-hedging.

    Expenses were up slightly by +1.0% and stood at -€597 million linked to ongoing investments. The cost/income ratio stood at 61.1%, an increase by 0.8 percentage points compared to second quarter 2024. Gross operating income fell by -2.4% to €380 million.

    The cost of risk was stable (-0.3% compared with second quarter 2024) and amounted to -€95 million (including an addition to provisions of -€104 million on proven risk and a reversal of +€10 million on healthy loans, incorporating the impact of the scenario update offset by the model update. The cost of risk/outstandings was stable at 20 basis points, with its level still high in the professional market. The coverage ratio still remains at a high level and was 60.9% at the end of June 2025. The Non Performing Loans ratio was 2.1% at the end of June 2025.

    Finally, pre-tax income stood at €286 million, down -3.4% compared to the second quarter of 2024, and net income Group share was down -5.7% from the second quarter of 2024.

    In the first half of 2025, LCL revenues were stable, up +0.3% compared to first half 2024 and totalled €1,939 million. The net interest margin was down (-2.6%), benefiting from gradual loan repricing and lower funding and refinancing costs, although the impact of macro-hedging remained positive, though less favourable, and there was an unfavourable base effect in the second quarter. Fee and commission income rose +3.4% compared to first half 2024, particularly on insurance. Expenses rose by +2.4% over the period and the cost/income ratio remained under control (+1.3 percentage points compared with first half 2024) at 63.0%. Gross operating income fell by -3.1% and the cost of risk improved by -12.9%. Lastly, the business line’s contribution to net income Group share includes the additional corporate tax charge in France and amounted to €337 million (-14.4% compared to the first half of 2024).

    In the end, the business line contributed 8% to the net income Group share of Crédit Agricole S.A.’s core businesses (excluding the Corporate Centre division) in the second quarter of 2025 and 13% to revenues excluding the Corporate Centre division.

    At 30 June 2025, the equity allocated to the business line stood at €5.3 billion and risk weighted assets amounted to €55.7 billion.

    International Retail Banking results (41)

    In the second quarter of 2025, revenues for International Retail Banking totalled €1,007 million, down compared with the second quarter of 2024 (-1.9% at current exchange rates, -1.3% at constant exchange rates). Operating expenses amounted to -€520 million, down -6.3% (-6.0% at constant exchange rates), and benefited from the end of the contribution to the DGS in 2025, which was recorded for -€58 million in the second quarter of 2024. Gross operating income consequently totalled €487 million, up +3.2% (+4.3% at constant exchange rates) for the period. Cost of risk amounted to -€61 million, down -15.5% compared to second quarter 2024 (-19.8% at constant exchange rates). All in all, net income Group share for CA Italia, CA Egypt, CA Poland and CA Ukraine amounted to €238 million in the second quarter of 2025, up +4.3% (and +6.4% at constant exchange rates).

    In first half 2025, International Retail Banking revenues fell by -2.5% to €2,033 million (-0.7% at constant exchange rates). Operating expenses totalled -€1,035 million, down -2.4% (-4% at constant exchange rates) from the first half of 2024, and benefited from the end of the contribution to the DGS in 2025, which had been recorded for -€58 million in the second quarter of 2024. Gross operating income totalled €998 million, down -2.6% (+2.9% at constant exchange rates). The cost of risk fell by -17.3% (-14.2% at constant exchange rates) to -€128 million compared to first half 2024. Ultimately, net income Group share of International Retail Banking was €483 million, stable in comparison with €485 million in the first half of 2024.

    At 30 June 2025, the capital allocated to International Retail Banking was €4.3 billion and risk weighted assets totalled €44.9 billion.

    Results in Italy

    In the second quarter of 2025, Crédit Agricole Italia’s revenues amounted to €767 million, down -2.2% from second quarter 2024, due to the decline in the net interest margin (-4.4% compared with the second quarter of 2024 related to the decrease in rates). The net interest margin was up +2% compared to first quarter 2025. Fee and commission income on managed assets rose significantly by +11.6% compared to second quarter 2024. Operating expenses were -€398 million, down -9.5% from second quarter 2024, due to the end of the contribution to the DGS in 2025, whereas an amount of -€58 million had been recognised in this respect in the second quarter of 2024. Excluding the DGS, expenses rose by +4.3% compared to the second quarter of 2024 because of employee and IT expenses to support the growth of the business lines.

    The cost of risk was -€45 million in the second quarter of 2025, a decrease of -26.4% from second quarter 2024, and continues to fall with an improvement in the quality of the assets and the coverage ratio. In effect, the cost of risk/outstandings (42) is 36 basis points, an improvement of 3 basis points versus the first quarter of 2025; the Non Performing Loans ratio is 2.7% and is improved from the first quarter of 2025, just like the coverage ratio which is 81.0% (+3.1 percentage points over the first quarter of 2025). This translates into a net income Group share of €172 million for CA Italia, up +12.3% compared to the second quarter of 2024.

    In first half 2025, revenues for Crédit Agricole Italia fell by -0.9% to €1,545 million. Operating expenses amounted to -€781 million, down -4.8% from the first half of 2024, and an increase of +2.4% excluding the DGS for -€58 million in the second quarter of 2024. This took gross operating income to €763 million, up +3.4% compared to first half 2024. The cost of risk amounted to -€102 million, down -17.2% compared to the first half of 2024. As a result, net income Group share of CA Italia totalled €350 million, an increase of +5.2% compared to first half 2024.

    Results for Crédit Agricole Group in Italy (43)

    In the first half of 2025, the net income Group share of entities in Italy amounted to €652 million, down -1.1% compared to the first half of 2024. The breakdown by business line is as follows: Retail Banking 54%; Specialised Financial Services 14%; Asset Gathering and Insurance 19%; and Large Customers 13%. Lastly, Italy’s contribution to net income Group share of Crédit Agricole S.A. in first half 2025 was 15%.

    International Retail Banking results – excluding Italy

    In the second quarter of 2025, revenues for International Retail Banking excluding Italy totalled €240 million, down -1.1% (+1.7% at constant exchange rates) compared to the second quarter of 2024. Revenues in Poland were up +9.5% in the second quarter of 2024 (+8.3% at constant exchange rates), boosted by net interest margin and fee and commission income. Revenues in Egypt were down -9.2% (-4.8% at constant exchange rates) with a residual base effect related to the exceptional foreign exchange activity of the second quarter of 2024. The increase in fee and commission income does not offset the slight decline in net interest margin. Operating expenses for International Retail Banking excluding Italy amounted to -€123 million, up +6.0% compared to the second quarter of 2024 (+7.5% at constant exchange rates) due to the effect of employee expenses and taxes in Poland as well as employee expenses and IT expenses in Egypt. At constant exchange rates, the jaws effect was positive by +2.6 percentage points in Poland. Gross operating income amounted to €117 million, down -7.5% (-3.6% at constant exchange rates) compared to the second quarter of 2024. The cost of risk is low at -€16 million, compared with -€11 million in the second quarter of 2024. Furthermore, at end-June 2025, the coverage ratio for loan outstandings remained high in Poland and Egypt, at 124% and 135%, respectively. In Ukraine, the local coverage ratio remains prudent (558%). All in all, the contribution of International Retail Banking excluding Italy to net income Group share was €66 million, down -11.9% compared with the second quarter of 2024 (-6.5% at constant exchange rates).

    In the first half of 2025, revenues for International Retail Banking excluding Italy totalled €488 million, down -7.1% (-1.1% at constant exchange rates) compared to the first half of 2024. Operating expenses amounted to -€254 million, up +5.9% compared to the first half of 2024 (+8.4% at constant exchange rates). The cost/income ratio stood at 52.0% at the end of June 2025, decreasing by 6.4 percentage points compared to the first half of 2024. Gross operating income amounted to €235 million, down -17.9% (-9.7% at constant exchange rates) compared to the first half of 2024. Cost of risk amounted to -€26 million, down -17.8% (-19.7% at constant exchange rates) compared to the first half of 2024. All in all, International Retail Banking excluding Italy contributed €133 million to net income Group share.

    At 30 June 2025, the entire Retail Banking business line contributed 19% to the net income Group share of Crédit Agricole S.A.’s core businesses (excluding the Corporate Centre division) and 28% to revenues excluding the Corporate Centre.

    At 30 June 2025, the division’s equity amounted to €9.6 billion. Its risk weighted assets totalled €100.6 billion.

    Corporate Centre results

    The net income Group share of the Corporate Centre was -€22 million in second quarter 2025, up +€217 million compared to second quarter 2024. The contribution of the Corporate Centre division can be analysed by distinguishing between the “structural” contribution (-€60 million) and other items (+€39 million).
    The contribution of the “structural” component (-€60 million) was up by +€184 million compared with the second quarter of 2024 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 was -€287 million in the second quarter of 2025, up +€45 million.
    • The businesses that are not part of the business lines, such as CACIF (Private equity), CA Immobilier, CATE and BforBank (equity-accounted), and other investments. Their contribution, at +€217 million in the second quarter of 2025, was up +€140 million compared to the second quarter of 2024, including the positive impact of the Banco BPM dividend linked to an increased stake of 19.8% combined with a rise in the value of the securities (+€143 million).
    • Group support functions. Their contribution amounted to +€9 million this quarter (unchanged compared with the second quarter of 2024).

    The contribution from “other items” amounted to +€39 million, up +€32 million compared to the second quarter of 2024, mainly due to ESTER/BOR volatility factors.

    The underlying net income Group share of the Corporate Centre division in first half 2025 was -€124 million, up +€221 million compared to first half 2024. The structural component contributed -€114 million, while the division’s other items contributed -€10 million over the half-year.
    The “structural” component contribution was up +€237 million compared to first half 2024 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 -€601 million for first half 2025, up +€26 million compared to first half 2024;
    • Business lines not attached to the core businesses, such as Crédit Agricole CIF (private equity) and CA Immobilier, BforBank and other investments: their contribution, which stood at +€469 million in first half 2025, an increase compared to the first half of 2024 (+€207 million).
    • The Group’s support functions: their contribution for the first half of 2025 was +€18 million, up +€4 million compared to the first half of 2024.

    The contribution of “other items” was down -€15 million compared to first half 2024.

    At 30 June 2025, risk weighted assets stood at €38.3 billion.

    Financial strength

    Crédit Agricole Group has the best level of solvency among European Global Systemically Important Banks.

    Capital ratios for Crédit Agricole Group are well above regulatory requirements. At 30 June 2025, the phased Common Equity Tier 1 ratio (CET1) for Crédit Agricole Group stood at 17.6%, or a substantial buffer of 7.7 percentage points above regulatory requirements. Over the quarter, the CET1 ratio remained stable, reflecting the increase in retained earnings of +31 basis points (bp), -29 bp of organic growth in the business lines, +5 bp of methodological impact and -13 bp of M&A transactions, OCI and other items.

    Crédit Agricole S.A., in its capacity as the corporate centre of the Crédit Agricole Group, fully benefits from the internal legal solidarity mechanism as well as the flexibility of capital circulation within the Crédit Agricole Group. Its phased-in CET1 ratio as at 30 June 2025 stood at 11.9%, 3.2 percentage points above the regulatory requirement, -20 bp compared to the March 2025. The change over the quarter was due to the retained earnings of +28 bp, business lines’ organic growth of -23 bp, +4 bp from methodology impacts and -33 bp from M&A transactions, OCI and other44. The proforma CET1 ratio Including M&A transactions completed after 30 June 2025 would be 11.6%.

    The breakdown of the change in Crédit Agricole S.A.’s risk weighted assets by business line is the combined result of:  +€3.4 billion for the Retail Banking divisions linked to changes in the business lines, -€0.3 billion for Asset Gathering, taking into account the increase in insurance dividends, +€1.7 billion for Specialised Financial Services, -€7.0 billion for Large Customers, linked to favourable methodology and FX impact and moderate business line growth, and  +€3.2 billion for the Corporate Centre division, notably linked to the impact of the increase in the Banco BPM stake to 19.8%.

    For the Crédit Agricole Group, the Regional Banks’ risk weighted assets increased by +€6.9 billion. The evolution of the other businesses follows the same trend as for Crédit Agricole S.A.

    Crédit Agricole Group’s financial structure

        Crédit Agricole Group   Crédit Agricole S.A.
        30/06/25 31/03/25 Exigences 30/06/25   30/06/25 31/03/25 Exigences 30/06/25
    Phased-in CET1 ratio45   17.6% 17.6% 9.88%   11.9% 12.1% 8.71%
    Tier1 ratio45   18.9% 19.0% 11.72%   14.0% 14.3% 10.52%
    Total capital ratio45   21.4% 21.8% 14.17%   17.8% 18.4% 12.94%
    Risk-weighted assets (€bn)   649 641     406 405  
    Leverage ratio   5.6% 5.6% 3.5%   3.9% 4.0% 3.0%
    Leverage exposure (€bn)   2,191 2,173     1,445 1,434  
    TLAC ratio (% RWA)45,46   27.6% 28.5% 22.4%        
    TLAC ratio (% LRE)46   8.2% 8.4% 6.75%        
    Subordinated MREL ratio (% RWA)45   27.6% 28.5% 21.6%        
    Subordinated MREL ratio (% LRE)   8.2% 8.4% 6.25%        
    Total MREL ratio (% RWA)45   32.7% 34.0% 26.2%        
    Total MREL ratio (% LRE)   9.7% 10.0% 6.25%        
    Distance to the distribution restriction trigger (€bn)47   46 46     13 14  

    For Crédit Agricole S.A., the distance to the trigger for distribution restrictions is the distance to the MDA trigger48, i.e. 318 basis points, or €13 billion of CET1 capital at 30 June 2025. Crédit Agricole S.A. is not subject to either the L-MDA (distance to leverage ratio buffer requirement) or the M-MDA (distance to MREL requirements).

    For Crédit Agricole Group, the distance to the trigger for distribution restrictions is the distance to the L-MDA trigger at 30 June 2025. Crédit Agricole Group posted a buffer of 209 basis points above the L-MDA trigger, i.e. €46 billion in Tier 1 capital.

    At 30 June 2025, Crédit Agricole Group’s TLAC and MREL ratios are well above requirements49. Crédit Agricole Group posted a buffer of 530 basis points above the M-MDA trigger, i.e. €34 billion in CET1 capital. At this date, the distance to the M-MDA trigger corresponds to the distance between the TLAC ratio and the corresponding requirement. 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.

    Liquidity and Funding

    Liquidity is measured at Crédit Agricole Group level.

    As of 31 December 2024, changes have been made to the presentation of the Group’s liquidity position (liquidity reserves and balance sheet, breakdown of long-term debt). These changes are described in the 2024 Universal Registration Document.

    Diversified and granular customer deposits remain stable compared to March 2025 (€1,147 billion at end-June 2025).

    The Group’s liquidity reserves, at market value and after haircuts50, amounted to €471 billion at 30 June 2025, down -€16 billion compared to 31 March 2025.

    Liquidity reserves covered more than twice the short-term debt net of treasury assets.

    This change in liquidity reserves is notably explained by:

    • The decrease in the securities portfolio (HQLA and non-HQLA) for -€7 billion;
    • The decrease in collateral already pledged to Central Banks and unencumbered for -€13 billion, linked to the decline in self-securitisations for -€7 billion and the decrease in receivables eligible for central bank for -€6 billion;
    • The increase in central bank deposits for +€4 billion.

    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 €131 billion.

    Standing at €1,696 billion at 30 June 2025, the Group’s liquidity balance sheet shows a surplus of stable funding resources over stable application of funds of €179 billion, down -€18 billion compared with end-March 2025. This surplus remains well above the Medium-Term Plan target of €110bn-€130bn.

    Long term debt was €316 billion at 30 June 2025, slightly up compared with end-March 2025. This included:

    • Senior secured debt of €93 billion, up +€4 billion;
    • Senior preferred debt of €162 billion;
    • Senior non-preferred debt of €38 billion, down -€2 billion due to the MREL/TLAC eligible debt;
    • And Tier 2 securities of €23 billion, down -€1 billion.

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

    At 30 June 2025, the average LCR ratios (calculated on a rolling 12-month basis) were 137% for Crédit Agricole Group (representing a surplus of €87 billion) and 142% for Crédit Agricole S.A. (representing a surplus of €84 billion). They were higher than the Medium-Term Plan target (around 110%).

    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 30 June 2025, the Group’s main issuers raised the equivalent of €21.3 billion51in medium-to-long-term debt on the market, 84% 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 RT1 perpetual NC10.75 year;
    • Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility issued:
      • €1 billion in EMTN issuances through Crédit Agricole Auto Bank (CAAB);
      • €420 million in securitisations through Agos;
    • Crédit Agricole Italia issued one senior secured debt issuance for a total of €1 billion;
    • Crédit Agricole next bank (Switzerland) issued two tranches in senior secured format for a total of 200 million Swiss francs, of which 100 million Swiss francs in Green Bond format.

    At 30 June 2025, Crédit Agricole S.A. raised the equivalent of €16.5 billion through the market 51,52.

    The bank raised the equivalent of €16.5 billion, of which €7.3 billion in senior non-preferred debt and €2.8 billion in Tier 2 debt, as well as €1.7 billion in senior preferred debt and €4.7 billion in senior secured debt at end-June. The financing comprised a variety of formats and currencies, including:

    • €2.75 billion 52,53 ;
    • 5.4 billion US dollars (€5.1 billion equivalent);
    • 1.6 billion pounds sterling (€1.9 billion equivalent);
    • 179.3 billion Japanese yen (€1.1 billion equivalent);
    • 0.4 billion Singapore dollars (€0.3 billion equivalent);
    • 0.6 billion Australian dollars (€0.4 billion equivalent);
    • 0.3 billion Swiss francs (€0.3 billion equivalent).

    At end-June, Crédit Agricole S.A. had issued 77%52,53 of its funding plan in currencies other than the euro.

    In addition, on 13 February 2025, Crédit Agricole S.A. issued a PerpNC10 AT1 bond for €1.5 billion at an initial rate of 5.875% and announced on 30 April 2025 the regulatory call exercise for the AT1 £ with £103m outstanding (XS1055037920) – ineligible, grandfathered until 28/06/2025 – redeemed on 30/06/2025.

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

    The programme was 82% completed at 30 June 2025, with:

    • €4.7 billion in senior secured debt;
    • €1.7 billion equivalent in senior preferred debt;
    • €7.3 billion equivalent in senior non-preferred debt;
    • €2.8 billion equivalent in Tier 2 debt.

    Economic and financial environment

    Review of the first half of 2025

    An even more conflict-ridden and unpredictable environment, causing a slowdown

    The first half of the year took place in an even more conflict-ridden and unpredictable environment, marked by open wars and powerful geopolitical and trade tensions. The war in Ukraine remained a major unresolved issue: President Trump’s initiatives aimed at ending the conflict proved fruitless, while signalling a strategic shift in US policy, notably away from protecting European territory. President Trump’s statements on NATO (demanding that military spending be increased to 5% of GDP) forced Europe to accelerate the overhaul of its defence strategy, as evidenced by the announcement of a white paper detailing defence support measures worth €800 billion. With the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continuing without any lasting political solution in sight, international tensions peaked in June with Israel’s attack on Iran, quickly joined by its US ally. After twelve days of clashes, a ceasefire was announced on 24 June.

    Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency has obviously resulted in a protectionist offensive of unexpected violence. This offensive culminated in “Liberation Day” on 2 April, when “reciprocal” tariffs were imposed on all of the United States’ trading partners. While China was particularly targeted, the European Union was also severely affected; even the countries participating in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA, United States, Canada, Mexico) were not spared, as they were subject to sector-specific tariffs applicable everywhere (steel, aluminium, automobiles, semiconductors). However, these announcements were followed by a presidential U-turn on 9 April, with reciprocal tariffs being lowered to 10% and a 90-day truce agreed upon to allow for the negotiation of bilateral trade agreements. At the end of this pause (9 July), the US president decided to extend it (to 1 August), offering hope to major trading partners (the European Union, Japan and South Korea) that agreements could be reached to reduce tariffs, while leaving economic players in uncertainty about international trade conditions. Only the United Kingdom, China and Vietnam have signed an agreement.

    The unpredictability of US trade policy, characterised by dramatic announcements followed by partial reversals, has created ongoing uncertainty. In the first half of the year, this was reflected in mixed economic and financial performances across countries, suggesting a more pronounced global slowdown. The IMF has therefore revised its global growth forecast for 2025 downwards to 2.8% (a decrease of -0.5 percentage points (pp) compared to its January forecast and the growth observed in 2024).

    The US economy has shown early signs of slowing down, hit by weaker consumer spending and, above all, a sharp rise in imports as companies seek to build up stocks ahead of the entry into force of new tariffs. GDP contracted by 0.5% in the first quarter (annualised quarter-on-quarter change). After moderating but remaining above the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) 2% target, inflation (year-on-year) stood at 2.7% in June (after 2.4% in May). Core inflation (excluding volatile components, food and energy) reached 2.9%; the increase in tariffs (although not yet finalised) already seems to be visible in the cost of certain goods (furniture, textiles and clothing, household appliances). Despite this turbulence, the job market has stayed relatively strong (unemployment rate at 4.2% in May, still within the narrow range it has been in since May 2024), providing some stability for an otherwise fragile economy.

    In China, despite a very difficult external environment and punitive US tariffs, growth (5.4% and 5.2% in the first and second quarters) stabilised above the official target of 5% for 2025. While consumption is sluggish, a weakness reflected in the absence of inflation (which has not exceeded 1% year-on-year since February 2024), exports have continued to accelerate, making a surprising contribution to growth. At 2.1 percentage points in the first quarter of 2025, the contribution from net external demand reached an historic high (excluding Covid), reflecting China’s undisputed dominance in global manufacturing, although temporary positive effects (anticipation of US tariffs at the beginning of the year) should not be overlooked.

    In an unfavourable environment, the eurozone held up well, with growth initially estimated at 0.3% (quarter-on-quarter) and then revised upwards (0.6%, or 1.5% year-on-year). Growth in the eurozone was mainly driven by investment, followed by net external demand and finally household consumption (with respective contributions to growth of 0.4 pp, 0.3 pp and 0.1 pp), while inventories subtracted 0.1 pp from growth and final public expenditure was “neutral”. This overall performance continued to mask varying national fortunes: among the largest member countries, Spain continued to post very strong growth (0.6%) and Germany saw an upturn (0.4%), while Italy and France posted fairly sustained (0.3%) and weak (0.1%) growth rates, respectively. Continued disinflation (to 1.9% year-on-year in May after 2.2% in April and 2.6% in May 2024) and anchored expectations made it possible for the ECB to continue its monetary easing, reassured by the convergence of inflation towards its 2% target.

    In France, in particular, after benefiting from the boost provided by the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games in the third quarter of 2024 (+0.4% quarter-on-quarter), activity declined slightly in the last quarter of last year (-0.1%) due to after-effects. It picked up again in the first quarter of 2025, but growth remained weak (+0.1%). Domestic demand, which contributed negatively to growth, is largely responsible for this sluggishness. Household consumption declined (-0.2%), undermined by a record savings rate (18% of household disposable income, compared with 15.4% in the eurozone) for 45 years (excluding the Covid period), while public consumption slowed (+0.2% after +0.4%). Investment continued to stagnate, reflecting the fact that companies in France are more indebted than in the rest of the eurozone (making them more vulnerable to past interest rate hikes) and the budgetary efforts of public administrations to reduce the public deficit. As a result, domestic demand weighed on growth in the first quarter (-0.1 pp). However, it was mainly foreign trade that undermined growth (-0.8 pp) due to the collapse of exports, particularly in the aerospace sector. Unlike its European peers, France did not benefit from the sharp rise in global trade in the first quarter (+1.7%) in anticipation of US tariffs.

    In terms of monetary policy, the first half of 2025 was marked by a notable divergence between the status quo of the Federal Reserve (Fed) and the continued easing by the European Central Bank (ECB). The ECB cut interest rates four times by 25 basis points (bp) each, bringing the cumulative reduction in the deposit rate (2% since 11 June) to 200 bp since the start of easing (June 2024). However, after cutting its policy rate by 100 bp in 2024 (to 4.50%), the Fed kept rates unchanged due to overly modest progress on inflation, even though growth did not appear to be definitively at risk. Inflationary risks linked to tariffs led it to adopt a very cautious stance, which was widely criticised by President Trump.
    The financial markets, while remaining subject to bouts of nervousness prompted by geopolitical events, generally kept pace with Donald Trump’s stated ambitions, their feasibility and his U-turns. Thus, the theme of the American exception at the beginning of the year (growth exceeding potential, resilience despite interest rates set to rise, the privileged status of the dollar, unlimited capacity to borrow and shift risks to the rest of the world) has been supplanted by disenchantment with US assets following “Liberation Day”. Following the president’s backtracking and announcement of a 90-day pause, serious doubts were raised about his ability to truly deliver on his domestic and international commitments. Periods marked by exaggerated negativity have therefore alternated with periods dominated by equally exaggerated positivity.

    Bond markets therefore experienced mixed movements. During the first half of the year, in the United States, the decline in yields (54) on short maturities was ultimately quite sharp (nearly 60 bp for the two-year swap rate to nearly 3.50%) and exceeded that of the ten-year swap rate (down 38 bp to 3.69%), giving the curve a steeper slope. Despite Moody’s rating downgrade, the yield on 10-year sovereign bonds (US Treasuries) fell in line with the swap rate for the same maturity, which it now exceeds by more than 50 bp (at 4.23%). In the eurozone, the steepening effect was less pronounced and unfolded differently: there was a less marked decline in the two-year swap rate (from 22 bp to 1.90%) and an increase in the ten-year swap rate (from 23 bp to 2.57%). Under the influence of the Merz government’s expansionary budget programme, the German 10-year yield (Bund) rose (24 bp to 2.61%) and exceeded the swap rate for the same maturity by a few basis points. Ten-year swap spreads on benchmark European sovereign bonds narrowed in the first half of the year, with Italy posting the strongest performance (spread down 27 bp to 90 bp). This improvement reflects a more favourable perception of Italy’s public finances and a degree of political stability, in contrast to the turbulence of previous years. Italian growth also showed unexpected resilience in the face of trade tensions. Penalised since the dissolution of parliament in June 2024 by a damaging lack of a parliamentary majority and severely deteriorated public finances, the French spread nevertheless narrowed during the half-year, falling from a high level (85 bp) to 71 bp. It now exceeds the Spanish spread (at 67 bp).

    On the equity markets, European indexes outperformed their US counterparts, with the Euro Stoxx 50 up 10% since the start of the year (and a spectacular rise of nearly 25% for the banking sector), while the S&P 500, which was much more volatile over the period, rose by nearly 7%, buoyed by high-tech stocks. The US dollar lost some of its lustre amid economic and international policy uncertainty, with the euro appreciating by 14% against the dollar and 6% in nominal effective terms. Finally, the price of gold rose by 26% in the first half of the year, reaching a record high of US$3,426 per ounce in April, confirming its status as a preferred safe haven during this period of intense uncertainty.

    2025–2026 Outlook

    An anxiety-inducing context, some unprecedented resistance

    The economic and financial scenario, which has already had to contend with the volatility and unpredictability of US economic policy, is unfolding against an even more uncertain international backdrop, in which the risk of disruptive events (blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, incidents affecting infrastructure in the Gulf etc.) cannot be entirely ruled out.

    Our economic scenario for the United States has always been based on a two-step sequence in line with the pace of the economic policy planned by Donald Trump: a positive impact on inflation but a negative impact on growth from tariffs (which fall within the president’s prerogatives), followed by a positive but delayed effect from aggressive budgetary policy (which requires congressional approval). Although our forecasts for 2025 have been revised slightly downwards, our US scenario remains on track, in line with the timetable for economic policy measures: while avoiding recession, growth is expected to slow sharply in 2025, coupled with a pick-up in inflation, before regaining momentum in 2026.

    Even with the recent de-escalation, tariff rates remain significantly higher than they were before Donald Trump’s second election. The negative impact of the new trade policy is the main driver of the decline in the growth forecast for 2025 (1.5% after 2.8% in 2024), while more favourable aspects (the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, tax cuts and deregulation) should contribute to the expected upturn in 2026 (2.2%). The possibility of a recession in 2025 has been ruled out due to solid fundamentals, including lower sensitivity to interest rates, very healthy household finances and a labour market that remains relatively robust, even if there are signs of deterioration. Despite the expected slowdown in growth, our inflation forecasts have been revised upwards. Tariffs are expected to cause year-on-year inflation to rise by around 80 basis points (bp) at peak impact. Although this effect is temporary, inflation (annual average) is expected to reach 2.9% in 2025 and 2.7% in 2026. It is therefore expected to continue to exceed 2%, with underlying inflation stabilising at around 2.5% at the end of 2026.

    In a conflict-ridden and unpredictable external environment, Europe is expected to find salvation in domestic demand, allowing it to better withstand the global slowdown. Two alternative scenarios, between which the balance is delicate, are likely to unfold: a scenario of resilience in the eurozone economy based on an increase in private spending but also, and perhaps above all, in public spending on defence and infrastructure; a scenario of stagnating activity under the effect of a series of negative shocks: competitiveness shocks linked to higher tariffs, appreciation of the euro and the negative impact of uncertainty on private confidence.

    We favour the scenario of resilience against a backdrop of a buoyant labour market, a healthy economic and financial situation for the private sector and a favourable credit cycle. The effective implementation of additional public spending, particularly the “German bazooka”(55), certainly needs to be confirmed. However, this spending could provide the eurozone with growth driven by stronger domestic demand at a time when global growth is slowing. It would offer a type of exceptionalism, especially compared to the past decade, which would put eurozone growth above its medium-term potential. Average annual growth in the eurozone is expected to accelerate slightly in 2025 to 0.9% and strengthen to 1.3% in 2026. Average inflation is expected to continue to moderate, reaching 2.1% and 1.8% in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

    In Germany, the sluggish economy should return to robust growth. Although more exposed than its partners to protectionist policies, the economy should be boosted by the public investment plan. This plan and the removal of barriers to financing infrastructure and defence investment that had previously seemed insurmountable give hope for a significant, albeit not immediate, recovery. While the effects are likely to be minimal in 2025 due to implementation delays, a significant flow of funds is expected in 2026, with positive spillover effects for Germany’s European neighbours and the eurozone as a whole. German growth could recover significantly, rising from -0.2% in 2024 to 0.1% in 2025 and, above all, 1.2% in 2026. In France, growth is expected to remain sluggish in the second quarter of 2025, before accelerating slightly in the second half of the year. The real upturn would not come until 2026, driven by a recovery in investment and the initial favourable impact of German government measures. The risks remain mainly on the downside for activity in the short term. Our scenario assumes growth rates of 0.6% and 1.2% in 2025 and 2026, respectively (after 1.1% in 2024). In Italy, incomplete catching-up and a recent decline in purchasing power, despite strong employment, are likely to limit the potential for a recovery in household consumption. Positive surprises on the investment front are likely to continue, thanks to improved financing conditions and subsidies for the energy and digital transitions. While the recent weakness in industrial orders may weigh on productive investment, construction is holding up well. However, doubts remain about growth potential, with post-pandemic sector allocation favouring less productive sectors. Growth is expected to reach 0.6% in 2025 and 0.7% in 2026 (after 0.7% in 2024).

    The central scenario for the eurozone (developed and quantified in June) assumes that the tariff dispute with the United States will remain unchanged as of 4 June, i.e. a general increase in tariffs to 10% (except for exempted products), 25% on cars and 50% on steel. The risks associated with this central scenario are bearish. The stagnation scenario could materialise if the trade dispute with the United States were to escalate, if competitive pressures were to intensify, if private confidence were to deteriorate significantly and, finally, if fiscal stimulus were to be implemented more gradually than anticipated.

    Such an uncertain environment, characterised by global slowdown and shrinking export opportunities, would certainly have led in the past (and not so long ago) to underperformance by emerging economies, which are further hampered by risk aversion in the markets, higher interest rates and pressure on their currencies. However, despite tariffs (the effects of which will obviously vary greatly from one economy to another), our scenario remains broadly optimistic for the major emerging countries. These countries could show unprecedented resilience thanks to support measures that are likely to partially cushion the impact of an unfavourable environment: relatively strong labour markets, fairly solid domestic demand, monetary easing (with a few exceptions), and a limited slowdown in China (after holding up well in the first half of the year, growth is expected to approach 4.5% in 2025 due to the anticipated slowdown in the second half linked to the trade war). Finally, emerging market currencies have held up well and the risk of defensive rate hikes, which would weigh heavily on growth, is lower than might have been feared. However, these relatively positive prospects are accompanied by higher-than-usual risks due to the unpredictability of US policy.

    In terms of monetary policy, the end of the easing cycles is drawing nearer. In the US, the scenario (a sharp slowdown in 2025, an upturn in 2026 and inflation continuing to significantly exceed the target) and the uncertainties surrounding it should encourage the Fed to remain patient, despite Donald Trump’s calls for a more accommodative policy. The Fed is likely to proceed with a slight easing followed by a long pause. Our scenario still assumes two cuts in 2025, but pushes them back by one quarter (to September and December, from June and September previously). After these two cuts, the Fed is likely to keep rates unchanged with a maximum upper limit of 4% throughout 2026.

    As for the ECB, although it refuses to rule out any future rate cuts, it may well have reached the end of its easing cycle due to an expected recovery in growth and inflation on target. Of course, a deterioration in the economic environment would justify further easing: the ECB stands ready to cut rates if necessary. Our scenario assumes that the deposit rate will remain at 2% in 2026.

    On the interest rate front, in the United States, persistent inflationary risks and a budgetary trajectory deemed unsustainable, a compromised AAA rating, the volatility of economic decisions and heightened investor concerns are exerting upward pressure. Our scenario assumes a 10-year US Treasury yield of around 4.70% at the end of 2025 and 4.95% at the end of 2026. In the eurozone, resilient growth that is expected to accelerate, inflation on target and the ECB believed to have almost completed its easing cycle point to a slight rise in interest rates and a stabilisation or even tightening of sovereign spreads. The German 10-year yield (Bund) could thus approach 2.90% at the end of 2025 and 2.95% at the end of 2026. For the same maturity, the spread offered by France relative to the Bund would fluctuate around 60/65 bp, while Italy’s would narrow to 90 bp by the end of 2026.

    Finally, the US dollar continues to lose ground. The inconsistency and unpredictability of Donald Trump’s economic policies, the deteriorating US budget outlook and speculation about official plans to devalue the dollar, combined with resistance from other economies, are all factors putting pressure on the dollar, although this does not necessarily spell the end of its status as a key reserve currency in the short term. The euro/dollar exchange rate is expected to settle at 1.17 in the fourth quarter of 2025, before depreciating in 2026 (1.10).

    Appendix 1 – Crédit Agricole Group: income statement by business line

    Credit Agricole Group – Results par by business line, Q2-25 and Q2-24

      Q2-25
    €m RB LCL IRB AG SFS LC CC Total
                     
    Revenues 3,364 976 1,031 1,967 881 2,224 (635) 9,808
    Operating expenses (2,690) (597) (540) (864) (438) (1,257) 514 (5,872)
    Gross operating income 674 380 491 1,104 442 967 (121) 3,936
    Cost of risk (397) (95) (61) (7) (235) (20) (26) (840)
    Equity-accounted entities 1 – – 58 (13) 10 – 56
    Net income on other assets 1 1 0 449 1 0 0 452
    Income before tax 278 286 430 1,604 194 958 (147) 3,604
    Tax (96) (69) (130) (249) (58) (149) 136 (615)
    Net income from discontinued or held-for-sale ope. – – 0 – – – 0 0
    Net income 182 218 300 1,356 136 810 (11) 2,990
    Non-controlling interests (0) (0) (40) (247) (22) (43) 1 (352)
    Net income Group Share 182 217 260 1,108 114 767 (10) 2,638
      Q2-24
    €m RB LCL IRB AG SFS LC CC Total
                     
    Revenues 3,255 979 1,051 1,946 889 2,223 (837) 9,507
    Operating expenses (2,560) (591) (573) (813) (443) (1,204) 497 (5,687)
    Gross operating income 694 389 477 1,133 447 1,019 (340) 3,819
    Cost of risk (444) (95) (75) (2) (211) (39) (6) (872)
    Equity-accounted entities 2 – – 33 29 10 – 74
    Net income on other assets 1 2 0 (12) (1) 2 (0) (7)
    Income before tax 253 296 402 1,152 265 993 (347) 3,014
    Tax (44) (65) (117) (282) (54) (248) 48 (762)
    Net income from discontinued or held-for-sale ope. – – – – – – – –
    Net income 209 231 285 870 210 745 (299) 2,252
    Non-controlling interests (1) (0) (38) (124) (23) (36) (2) (224)
    Net income Group Share 208 231 247 746 187 710 (300) 2,028

    Credit Agricole Group – Results par by business line, H1-25 and H1-24

      H1-25
    €m RB LCL IRB AG SFS LC CC Total
                     
    Revenues 6,716 1,939 2,079 4,016 1,749 4,632 (1,275) 19,856
    Operating expenses (5,220) (1,222) (1,075) (1,799) (912) (2,617) 982 (11,864)
    Gross operating income 1,496 717 1,003 2,217 837 2,015 (293) 7,992
    Cost of risk (717) (186) (128) (17) (484) 5 (48) (1,575)
    Equity-accounted entities 7 – – 86 23 16 – 131
    Net income on other assets 3 2 0 449 1 0 0 456
    Income before tax 790 533 875 2,734 376 2,036 (341) 7,004
    Tax (267) (181) (267) (599) (71) (453) 182 (1,656)
    Net income from discontinued or held-for-sale ope. – – 0 – – – – 0
    Net income 523 352 608 2,135 305 1,583 (159) 5,348
    Non-controlling interests (0) (0) (82) (348) (43) (78) 7 (545)
    Net income Group Share 523 352 526 1,787 263 1,504 (151) 4,803
      H1-24
    €m RB LCL IRB AG SFS LC CC Total
                     
    Revenues 6,568 1,933 2,131 3,739 1,736 4,489 (1,565) 19,031
    Operating expenses (5,044) (1,193) (1,098) (1,567) (897) (2,501) 1,024 (11,276)
    Gross operating income 1,524 740 1,033 2,172 839 1,988 (541) 7,755
    Cost of risk (691) (214) (159) (5) (429) (5) (20) (1,523)
    Equity-accounted entities 7 – – 61 59 14 – 142
    Net income on other assets 3 4 (0) (20) (1) 2 (2) (14)
    Income before tax 842 530 875 2,208 468 1,999 (563) 6,361
    Tax (191) (119) (260) (501) (97) (482) 133 (1,517)
    Net income from discontinued or held-for-sale ope. – – – – – – – –
    Net income 651 412 615 1,707 372 1,517 (430) 4,843
    Non-controlling interests (1) (0) (89) (236) (42) (69) 6 (432)
    Net income Group Share 650 412 525 1,471 330 1,448 (424) 4,412

    Appendix 2 – Crédit Agricole S.A.: ‍ Income statement by business line

    Crédit Agricole S.A. – Results par by business line, Q2-25 and Q2-24

      Q2-25
    €m AG LC SFS FRB (LCL) IRB CC Total
                   
    Revenues 1,970 2,224 881 976 1,007 (51) 7,006
    Operating expenses (864) (1,257) (438) (597) (520) (25) (3,700)
    Gross operating income 1,106 967 442 380 487 (76) 3,306
    Cost of risk (7) (20) (235) (95) (61) (24) (441)
    Equity-accounted entities 58 10 (13) – – (24) 30
    Net income on other assets 453 0 1 1 0 0 455
    Income before tax 1,610 958 194 286 426 (125) 3,350
    Tax (249) (149) (58) (69) (129) 113 (541)
    Net income from discontinued or held-for-sale operations – – – – 0 – 0
    Net income 1,361 810 136 218 297 (12) 2,809
    Non-controlling interests (261) (58) (22) (10) (59) (10) (420)
    Net income Group Share 1,100 752 114 208 238 (22) 2,390
      Q2-24  
    €m AG LC SFS FRB (LCL) IRB CC Total  
                   
    Revenues 1,944 2,223 889 979 1,027 (267) 6,796
    Operating expenses (813) (1,204) (443) (591) (555) (15) (3,621)
    Gross operating income 1,131 1,019 447 389 472 (283) 3,175
    Cost of risk (2) (39) (211) (95) (72) (5) (424)
    Equity-accounted entities 33 10 29 – – (25) 47
    Net income on other assets (12) 2 (1) 2 0 24 15
    Income before tax 1,150 993 265 296 400 (289) 2,814
    Tax (283) (248) (54) (65) (117) 63 (704)
    Net income from discontinued or held-for-sale operations – – – – – – –
    Net income 867 745 210 231 283 (226) 2,110
    Non-controlling interests (131) (51) (23) (10) (55) (12) (282)
    Net income Group Share 736 694 187 220 228 (238) 1,828

    Crédit Agricole S.A. – Results par by business line, H1-25 and H1-24

      H1-25
    €m AG LC SFS FRB (LCL) IRB CC Total
                   
    Revenues 4,028 4,632 1,749 1,939 2,033 (118) 14,263
    Operating expenses (1,799) (2,617) (912) (1,222) (1,035) (106) (7,691)
    Gross operating income 2,229 2,015 837 717 998 (224) 6,571
    Cost of risk (17) 5 (484) (186) (128) (45) (855)
    Equity-accounted entities 86 16 23 – – (47) 77
    Net income on other assets 453 0 1 2 0 0 456
    Income before tax 2,749 2,037 376 533 870 (316) 6,250
    Tax (601) (454) (71) (181) (266) 205 (1,368)
    Net income from discontinued or held-for-sale operations – – – – 0 – 0
    Net income 2,148 1,583 305 352 604 (111) 4,882
    Non-controlling interests (368) (108) (43) (16) (121) (13) (669)
    Net income Group Share 1,780 1,475 263 337 483 (124) 4,213
      H1-24  
    €m AG LC SFS FRB (LCL) IRB CC Total  
                   
    Revenues 3,733 4,489 1,736 1,933 2,085 (374) 13,602
    Operating expenses (1,567) (2,501) (897) (1,193) (1,060) (71) (7,289)
    Gross operating income 2,166 1,988 839 740 1,024 (445) 6,312
    Cost of risk (5) (5) (429) (214) (154) (16) (824)
    Equity-accounted entities 61 14 59 – – (46) 90
    Net income on other assets (20) 2 (1) 4 (0) 24 9
    Income before tax 2,203 1,999 468 530 870 (483) 5,587
    Tax (502) (482) (97) (119) (259) 144 (1,315)
    Net income from discontinued or held-for-sale operations – – – – – – –
    Net income 1,701 1,517 372 412 610 (339) 4,273
    Non-controlling interests (248) (101) (42) (18) (126) (7) (542)
    Net income Group Share 1,453 1,416 330 393 485 (345) 3,731

    Appendix 3 – Data per share

    Credit Agricole S.A. – Earnings p/share, net book value p/share and ROTE
                   
    €m   Q2-25 Q2-24   H1-25 H1-24  
    Net income Group share   2,390 1,828   4,213 3,731  
    – Interests on AT1, including issuance costs, before tax   (141) (83)   (270) (221)  
    – Foreign exchange impact on reimbursed AT1   4 –   4 (247)  
    NIGS attributable to ordinary shares [A] 2,252 1,745   3,947 3,263  
    Average number shares in issue, excluding treasury shares (m) [B] 3,025 3,025   3,025 3,008  
    Net earnings per share [A]/[B] 0.74 € 0.58 €   1.30 € 1.08 €  
                   
    €m         30/06/25 30/06/24  
    Shareholder’s equity Group share         75,528 70,396  
    – AT1 issuances         (8,612) (7,164)  
    – Unrealised gains and losses on OCI – Group share         872 1,305  
    Net book value (NBV), not revaluated, attributable to ordin. sh. [D]       67,787 64,537  
    – Goodwill & intangibles** – Group share         (18,969) (17,775)  
    Tangible NBV (TNBV), not revaluated attrib. to ordinary sh. [E]       48,818 46,763  
    Total shares in issue, excluding treasury shares (period end, m) [F]       3,025 3,025  
    NBV per share, after deduction of dividend to pay (€) [D]/[F]       22.4 € 21.3 €  
    TNBV per share, after deduction of dividend to pay (€) [G]=[E]/[F]       16.1 € 15.5 €  
    ** y compris les écarts d’acquisition dans les participations ne donnant pas le contrôle             
    €m         H1-25 H1-24  
    Net income Group share       4,213 3,731  
    Added value Amundi US         304 0  
    Additionnal corporate tax         -129 0  
    IFRIC         -173 -110  
    NIGS annualised (1) [N]       8,382 7,572  
    Interests on AT1, including issuance costs, before tax, foreign exchange impact, annualised [O]       -536 -689  
    Result adjusted [P] = [N]+[O]       7,846 6,884    
    Tangible NBV (TNBV), not revaluated attrib. to ord. shares – average*** (2) [J]       47,211 44,710    
    ROTE adjusted (%) = [P] / [J]       16.6% 15.4%  
    *** including assumption of dividend for the current exercise         0,0%    
                 

    (1)ROTE calculated on the basis of an annualised underlying net income Group share and linearised IFRIC costs over the year
    (2)Average of the NTBV not revalued attributable to ordinary shares. calculated between 31/12/2024 and 30/06/2025 (line [E]), restated with an assumption of dividend for current exercises

    Alternative Performance Indicators56

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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 second quarter and first half 2025 comprises this presentation and the attached appendices and press release which are available on the website: https://www.credit-agricole.com/finance/publications-financieres.

    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 six-month period ending 30 June 2025 have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted in the European Union and applicable at that date, and with the applicable regulations in force. This financial information does not constitute a set of financial statements for an interim period as defined by IAS 34 “Interim Financial Reporting” and has not been audited.

    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. 2024 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.

    Financial Agenda

    30 October 2025                Publication of the 2025 third quarter and first nine months results
    18 November 2025        Presentation of the Medium-Term Plan
    4 February 2026                Publication of the 2025 fourth quarter and full year results
    30 April 2026                Publication of the 2026 first quarter results
    20 May 2026                2026 General Meeting
    31 July 2026                Publication of the 2026 second quarter and the first half-year results
    30 October 2026                Publication of the 2026 third quarter and first nine months results

    Contacts

    CREDIT AGRICOLE PRESS CONTACTS

    CRÉDIT AGRICOLE S.A. INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACTS

    Institutional investors   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
         
         
    Debt 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
    Yury Romanov + 33 1 43 23 86 84 yury.romanov@credit-agricole-sa.fr
         
         
         

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

             

    1 Closing at 4thof July
    (2)Car, home, health, legal, all mobile phones or personal accident insurance.
    (3)CA Auto Bank, automotive JVs and automotive activities of other entities        
    (4)Low-carbon energy exposures made up of renewable energy produced by the clients of all Crédit Agricole Group entities, including nuclear energy exposures for Crédit Agricole CIB.
    (5)CAA outstandings (listed investments managed directly, listed investments managed under mandate and unlisted investments managed directly) and Amundi Transition Energétique.
    (6)Crédit Agricole Group outstandings, directly or via the EIB, dedicated to the environmental transition according to the Group’s internal sustainable assets framework, as of 31/03/2025. Change of method on property compared with the outstandings reported at 30/09/2024: with the same method, the outstandings at 31/03/2025 would be €85.9 billion.
    (7)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
    (8)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
    (9)Average rate of loans to monthly production for April to May 2025
    (10)Equipment rate – Home-Car-Health policies, Legal, All Mobile/Portable or personal accident insurance
    (11)Reversal of the provision for Home Purchase Saving Plans: +€16.3m in Q2-25 vs. +€22m in Q2-24 in revenues (+€12.1m in Q2-25 vs. +€17m in Q2-24 in net income Group share)

    (12)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.
    (13)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
    (14)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
    (15)See Appendixes for details on the calculation of the RoTE (return on tangible equity)
    (16)The annualised net income Group share corresponds to the annualisation of the net income Group share (Q1x4; H1x2; 9Mx4/3) by restating each period for IFRIC impacts, the effects of the additional corporate tax charge and the capital gain related to the deconsolidation of Amundi US to linearise them over the year.
    (17)In local standards
    (18)Scope: property and casualty in France and abroad
    (19)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: 97.4% (+0.1 pp over the year)
    (20)Excluding assets under custody for institutional clients
    (21)Amount of allocation of Contractual Service Margin (CSM), loss component and Risk Adjustment (RA), and operating variances net of reinsurance, in particular
    (22)Amount of allocation of CSM, loss component and RA, and operating variances net of reinsurance, in particular.
    (23)Net of reinsurance cost, including financial results
    (24)Pro forma scope effect of deconsolidated Amundi US in Q2 2024: €89m in revenues and €51m in expenses.
    (25)Excluding scope effect
    (26)Indosuez Wealth Management scope
    (27)Degroof Petercam scope effect April/May 2025: Revenues of €96m and expenses of -€71m
    (28)Q2-25 Integration costs: -€22.5m vs -€5.4m in Q2-24
    (29)Degroof Petercam scope effect over H1-25: reminder of figures for Degroof Petercam scope effect of Q1-25 revenues of €164m and expenses of -€115m
    (30)Refinitiv LSEG
    (31)Bloomberg in EUR
    (32)ISB integration costs: -€5m in Q2-25 (vs -€24.4m in Q2-24)
    (33)Net income becomes net income Group share following the purchase of minority shares in Santander by Crédit Agricole S.A.
    (34)CA Auto Bank, automotive JVs and auto activities of other entities
    (35)CA Auto Bank and automotive JVs
    (36)Lease financing of corporate and professional equipment investments in France: -7.5% in Q1-25 (source: ASF)
    (37)Increase in RWA of around +€7G primarily connected to the consolidation of the leasing activities in Q4-24
    (38)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.
    (39)Net of POCI outstandings
    (40)Source: Abi Monthly Outlook, July 2025: +0.9% June/June for all loans
    (41)At 30 June 2025 this scope includes the entities CA Italia, CA Polska, CA Egypt and CA Ukraine.

    (42) Over a rolling four quarter period.
    (43)At 30 June 2025, this scope corresponds to the aggregation of all Group entities present in Italy: CA Italia, CAPFM (Agos, Leasys, CA Auto Bank), CAA (CA Vita, CACI, CA Assicurazioni), Amundi, Crédit Agricole CIB, CAIWM, CACEIS, CALEF.
    (44)Banco BPM stake -21 bps; Stake in Victory Capital: – 8 bps or –1 bp including capital gain from the deconsolidation of Amundi US; Additional threshold excess for other financial participations: -7 bps.

    (48)
    (49)

    (54)This refers to the change between the value at 30 June 2025 and the value at 1 (or 2) January 2025; the latter is the value of the variable concerned at 30 June 2025.
    (55)In March, Parliament approved the creation of a €500 billion infrastructure investment fund over 12 years. The first phase of the reform of the debt brake was also approved, allowing regions to run a structural deficit of up to 0.35% of GDP. Finally, defence spending above 1% of GDP will be exempt from the deficit calculation. The adoption of these measures has broken down barriers to financing infrastructure and defence investment that had previously seemed insurmountable.
    (56)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 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-Evening Report: The Muslim world has been strong on rhetoric, short on action over Gaza and Afghanistan

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University; and Vice Chancellor’s Strategic Fellow, Australian National University

    When it comes to dealing with two of the biggest current crises in the Muslim world – the devastation of Gaza and the Taliban’s draconian rule in Afghanistan – Arab and Muslim states have been staggeringly ineffective.

    Their chief body, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in particular, has been strong on rhetoric but very short on serious, tangible action.

    The OIC, headquartered in Saudi Arabia, is composed of 57 predominantly Muslim states. It is supposed to act as a representative and consultative body and make decisions and recommendations on the major issues that affect Muslims globally. It calls itself the “collective voice of the Muslim world”.

    Yet the body has proved to be toothless in the face of Israel’s relentless assault on Gaza, triggered in response to the Hamas attacks of October 7 2023.

    The OIC has equally failed to act against the Taliban’s reign of terror in the name of Islam in ethnically diverse Afghanistan.

    Many strong statements

    Despite its projection of a united umma (the global Islamic community, as defined in my coauthored book Islam Beyond Borders), the OIC has ignominiously been divided on Gaza and Afghanistan.

    True, it has condemned Israel’s Gaza operations. It’s also called for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the starving population of the strip.

    It has also rejected any Israeli move to depopulate and annex the enclave, as well as the West Bank. These moves would render the two-state solution to the long-running Israeli–Palestinian conflict essentially defunct.

    Further, the OIC has welcomed the recent joint statement by the foreign ministers of 28 countries (including the United Kingdom, many European Union members and Japan) calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, as well as France’s decision to recognise the state of Palestine.

    The OIC is good at putting out statements. However, this approach hasn’t varied much from that of the wider global community. It is largely verbal, and void of any practical measures.

    What the group could do for Gaza

    Surely, Muslim states can and should be doing more.

    For example, the OIC has failed to persuade Israel’s neighbouring states – Egypt and Jordan, in particular – to open their border crossings to allow humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza, the West Bank or Israel, in defiance of Israeli leaders.

    Nor has it been able to compel Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco to suspend their relations with the Jewish state until it agrees to a two-state solution.

    Further, the OIC has not adopted a call by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the United Nations special rapporteur on Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, for Israel to be suspended from the UN.

    Nor has it urged its oil-rich Arab members, in particular Saudi Arabia and the UAE, to harness their resources to prompt US President Donald Trump to halt the supply of arms to Israel and pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war.

    Stronger action on Afghanistan, too

    In a similar vein, the OIC has failed to exert maximum pressure on the ultra-extremist and erstwhile terrorist Taliban government in Afghanistan.

    Since sweeping back into power in 2021, the Taliban has ruled in a highly repressive, misogynist and draconian fashion in the name of Islam. This is not practised anywhere else in the Muslim world.

    In December 2022, OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha called for a global campaign to unite Islamic scholars and religious authorities against the Taliban’s decision to ban girls from education.

    But this was superseded a month later, when the OIC expressed concern over the Taliban’s “restrictions on women”, but asked the international community not to “interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs”. This was warmly welcomed by the Taliban.

    In effect, the OIC – and therefore most Muslim countries – have adopted no practical measures to penalise the Taliban for its behaviour.

    It has not censured the Taliban nor imposed crippling sanctions on the group. And while no Muslim country has officially recognised the Taliban government (only Russia has), most OIC members have nonetheless engaged with the Taliban at political, economic, financial and trade levels.

    Why is it so divided?

    There are many reasons for the OIC’s ineffectiveness.

    For one, the group is composed of a politically, socially, culturally and economically diverse assortment of members.

    But more importantly, it has not functioned as a “bridge builder” by developing a common strategy of purpose and action that can overcome the geopolitical and sectarian differences of its members.

    In the current polarised international environment, the rivalry among its member states – and with major global powers such as the United States and China – has rendered the organisation a mere talking shop.

    This has allowed extremist governments in both Israel and Afghanistan to act with impunity.

    It is time to look at the OIC’s functionality and determine how it can more effectively unite the umma.

    This may also be an opportunity for its member states to develop an effective common strategy that could help the cause of peace and stability in the Muslim domain and its relations with the outside world.

    Amin Saikal 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. The Muslim world has been strong on rhetoric, short on action over Gaza and Afghanistan – https://theconversation.com/the-muslim-world-has-been-strong-on-rhetoric-short-on-action-over-gaza-and-afghanistan-262121

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Brownley, Johnson, Krishnamoorthi, Moolenar Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Safeguard U.S. Infrastructure from Foreign Spy Technology

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

    Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA), Congressman Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), and Congressman John Moolenaar (R-MI) announced the reintroduction of the Securing Infrastructure from Adversaries Act, bipartisan legislation that would prohibit the U.S. Department of Transportation from using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology produced by foreign adversaries.

    LiDAR technology produces highly detailed 3-D maps used to manage transportation infrastructure, improve traffic safety, and support airport and disaster response operations. However, companies from foreign adversaries, like China, are expanding their footprint in this critical industry. Given Chinese laws requiring companies to share data with their government, this technology poses a growing risk of foreign surveillance and interference with U.S. infrastructure. This bipartisan bill would ensure taxpayer dollars are not used to purchase equipment that could compromise, disrupt, or manipulate our nation’s critical infrastructure.

    “While LiDAR technology is widely employed in our nation’s transit infrastructure, including in airports, autonomous vehicles, and traffic control systems, it is increasingly being produced by Chinese companies that are required to hand over any data collected by their equipment to the Chinese government upon request. This raises serious concerns that China could not only access sensitive data mapping U.S. infrastructure, but also use it to disrupt the systems that rely on their technology,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “Now more than ever, we must remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding the infrastructure that Americans depend on every day.”

    “LiDAR technology creates incredibly detailed maps of its surroundings. Allowing our adversaries like China to have access to these maps of critical infrastructure like ports, railways, airports, roads, and bridges could allow them to disrupt our supply chains and cause a national security crisis,” said Congressman Johnson. “My bill ensures our nation’s critical infrastructure is protected from the malign interests of the Chinese Communist Party.”

    “LiDAR is essential to modern infrastructure, but when it’s controlled by companies linked to the Chinese Communist Party, it becomes a security risk,” said Select Committee on China Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi. “We can’t allow adversaries to gather sensitive data or disrupt our systems. This bill takes a necessary step to keep our infrastructure secure and our technology supply chains trusted.”

    “Taxpayer dollars should never be used to fund technology from our adversaries,” said Select Committee on China Chairman Moolenaar (R-MI). “This bill makes America’s critical infrastructure more secure from foreign surveillance and influence by ensuring the Department of Transportation is not supporting the growing market share of Chinese-made LiDAR equipment. It’s a common-sense step to put American security first.”

    “Trucks reach every corner of the country and routinely access some of our nation’s most sensitive sites—such as ports, border crossings, and military installations. That is why supply chain and infrastructure security are very important to our industry,” said Henry Hanscom, Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs at the American Trucking Associations. “The American Trucking Associations commends Reps. Johnson, Brownley, Moolenaar, and Krishnamoorthi for taking this issue seriously by working to block potential national security threats from foreign-owned LiDAR technology.”

    “This legislation marks an important step forward in strengthening the security of America’s transportation systems and critical infrastructure. As LiDAR technology becomes increasingly central to the future of transportation, including autonomous systems, it’s essential that the technology used to build and operate our national infrastructure is safe, secure, and protected against adversarial interference,” said Michael Robbins, President and CEO of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International.

    Read the full text of the bill here.

    ###

    Issues: 119th Congress, National Security, Transportation and Infrastructure

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Trump says US to impose 25% tariff on India from August 1

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed a 25% tariff on goods imported from India starting August 1, along with an unspecified penalty for buying Russian weapons and oil, potentially straining relations with the world’s most populous democracy.

    The U.S. decision singles out India more severely than other major trading partners, and threatens to unravel months of talks between the two countries, undermining a key strategic partner of Washington’s and a counterbalance to China.

    “While India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their Tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the World, and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any Country,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

    “They have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia’s largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE — ALL THINGS NOT GOOD!”

    The White House has previously warned India about its high average applied tariffs – nearly 39% on agricultural products – with rates climbing to 45% on vegetable oils and around 50% on apples and corn.

    Russia continued to be the top oil supplier to India during the first six months of 2025, making up 35% of overall supplies.

    The U.S. currently has a $45.7 billion trade deficit with India.

    The news pushed the Indian rupee down 0.4% to around 87.80 against the U.S. dollar in the non-deliverable forwards market, from its close at 87.42 during market hours. Gift Nifty futures were trading at 24,692 points, down 0.6%.

    CONTENTIOUS ISSUES

    “Higher tariffs for India compared to countries it competes with, for exports to the U.S., are going to be challenging,” said Ranen Banerjee, a partner of economic advisory services at PwC India.

    India’s commerce ministry, which is leading the trade talks, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    U.S. and Indian negotiators had held multiple rounds of discussions to resolve contentious issues, particularly over market access into India for U.S. agricultural and dairy products.

    Despite progress in some areas, Indian officials resisted opening the domestic market to imports of wheat, corn, rice and genetically modified soybeans, citing risks to the livelihood of millions of Indian farmers.

    The U.S. had flagged concerns over India’s increasing and burdensome import-quality requirements, among its many barriers to trade, in a report released in March.

    The new tariffs are expected to impact India’s goods exports to the U.S., estimated at around $87 billion in 2024, including labour-intensive products such as garments, pharmaceuticals, gems and jewelry, and petrochemicals.

    India now joins a growing list of countries facing higher tariffs under Trump’s “Liberation Day” trade policy, aimed at reshaping U.S. trade relations by demanding greater reciprocity.

    The setback comes despite earlier commitments by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump to conclude the first phase of a trade deal by autumn 2025 and expand bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, from $191 billion in 2024.

    Indian officials have previously indicated that they view the U.S. as a key strategic partner, particularly in counterbalancing China. But they have emphasized the need to preserve policy space on agriculture, data governance, and state subsidies.

    HOPES FOR A DEAL

    It was not immediately clear whether the announcement was a negotiating tactic. While Trump railed against Japan in a June 30 Truth Social post and said there would likely be no deal with the North Asian nation, a deal was agreed on July 22.

    An Indian government official told Reuters that New Delhi continued to remain engaged with the United States to seal an agreement.

    Economists, too, remained hopeful.

    “While the negotiations seems to have broken down, we don’t think the trade-deal haggling between the two nations is over yet,” Madhavi Arora, an economist at Emkay Global.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI: Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale – 2025 Half-year results press release

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Results for the period ended June 30, 20251

    1

    		 Press Release
      Strasbourg, July 30, 2025

    First half of 2025:
    very strong business activity and solid results,
    penalized by the non-recurring income tax surcharge

    Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale posted solid results in the first half of 2025, demonstrating the strength of its universal banking and insurance model and the relevance of its Togetherness Performance Solidarity 2024-2027 strategic plan.

    The mutualist group’s operating results reached record levels, with net revenue of €8.8 billion (+6.2%) and income before tax of €2.9 billion (+8.4%). Net income came to €1.8 billion, (-10.1%), penalized by €314 million due to the non-recurring income tax surcharge introduced by the French 2025 Finance Act.

    All business lines delivered solid performances. The banking networks were buoyed by improved net interest margin and a rebound in new business. The insurance and specialized business lines remain solid, despite being particularly hard hit by the surcharge.

    Total cost of risk stabilized at €902 million (-5.8%). It remains high due to the difficulties faced by companies in the current economic climate. With €68 billion in shareholders’ equity and a CET1 ratio of 19.5% estimated at June 30, 2025, the group ranks among the most solid banks in the Eurozone.

    General operating expenses amounted to €5 billion (+6.7%). They reflect Credit Mutuel Alliance Federale’s investments to maintain its technological lead, expand in France and Europe with the planned acquisition of German bank OLB, and maintain a strong social pact.

    Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale, the first bank to adopt the “benefit corporation” approach, has stepped up its efforts to promote the common good. Twenty strong commitments have been adopted by the Chambre Syndicale et interfédérale, its mutualist parliament. These include the Societal Dividend, which allocates 15% of its consolidated net income each year to building a fairer, more sustainable world.

    Results for the period ended June 30, 2025 06/30/2025 06/30/2024 Change
    Record net revenue €8.768bn €8.257bn         +6.2 %
    of which retail banking €6.466bn €6.094bn         +6.1 %
    of which insurance €812m €701m         +15.9 %
    of which specialized business lines 2 €1.532bn €1.491bn         +2.8 %
    General operating expenses reflecting investments -€5.026bn -€4.712bn         +6.7 %
    Stabilized cost of risk -€902m -€957m         -5.8 %
    Record income before tax €2.863bn €2.641bn         +8.4 %
    Net income down due to the corporate tax surcharge effect €1.826bn €2.032bn         -10.1 %
    of which income tax surcharge -€314m N/A N/A
    RENEWED GROWTH IN FINANCING3: +1.1%
    Home loans Equipment loans Consumer credit
    €263.6bn €146.9bn €58.3bn
    A SOLID FINANCIAL STRUCTURE
    CET1 ratio4 Shareholders’ equity
    19.5% €67.7bn

    1 Unaudited financial statements – limited review currently being conducted by the statutory auditors. The Board of Directors met on July 30, 2025 to approve the financial statements. All financial communications are available at www.bfcm.creditmutuel.fr and are published by Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale in accordance with the provisions of Article L. 451-1-2 of the French Monetary and Financial Code and Articles 222-1 et seq. of the General Regulation of the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorité des marchés financiers – AMF). 2 Specialized business lines include corporate banking, capital markets, private equity, asset management and private banking. 3 Change in outstandings calculated over twelve months. 4 Estimated at June 30, 2025, the inclusion of the result in shareholders’ equity is subject to the approval of the ECB.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • Congress’ priority not national security, but vote bank and appeasement politics: Amit Shah

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday listed out several Congress-era errors, leading to the formation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and loss of vast swathes of land to enemy nations. He also tore into the grand old party’s appeasement politics for political gains.

    Speaking in Rajya Sabha on Operation Sindoor, the Home Minister held Congress’ policies responsible for multiple acts of terror in the country, while categorically stating that Hindus can never be terrorists.

    HM Shah said that the desperation of the Congress party for a certain vote bank, in all these years, emboldened the terrorists and their motives.

    Blasting the previous Congress regimes for coining ‘saffron terror’, he said that the grand old party demonised the majority community i.e. Hindus for its myopic political gains.

    Recalling the Batla House encounter, he said that the Congress party abandoned its own forces and stood with Pakistan-sponsored terrorists for appeasing a certain community.

    “When the country mourned the demise of brave cop Mohan Sharma in Batla House encounter, Sonia Gandhi wept for the Batla House shooters,” he said, questioning the absurd politicking of Congress party.

    The Home Minister also rebutted Congress’ China jab and spoke about instances when the latter’s conduct looked dubious and diabolical.

    “When our forces were engaging with enemy forces during Doklam face-off, the Congress leaders were clandestinely meeting Chinese officials. What kind of politics is this?” he questioned.

    Responding to Chidambaram’s charge that Operation Sindoor was not decisive, he asked the principal opposition party whether the 1965, 1971 battles were final and decisive and if Pakistan stopped spreading terror after being then taught a lesson.

    He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has instilled fear in the minds and hearts of terrorists across the border and whenever the terror elements will rear its head, “our Army will crush them again”.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Takes Action to Address the Threat to National Security from Imports of Copper

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Whitehouse
    STRENGTHENING AMERICA’S COPPER INDUSTRY: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a Proclamation to address the effects of copper imports on America’s national security, including by imposing tariffs on several categories of copper imports.
    The Proclamation imposes universal 50% tariffs on imports of semi-finished copper products (such as copper pipes, wires, rods, sheets, and tubes) and copper-intensive derivative products (such as pipe fittings, cables, connectors, and electrical components), effective August 1.
    The copper 232 tariffs apply to the copper content of a product; non-copper content of a product remains subject to reciprocal tariffs or other applicable duties. These tariffs do not stack.
    The copper 232 tariffs do not stack with auto 232 tariffs. If a product is subject to auto 232 tariffs, then the auto 232 tariffs apply, not the copper 232 tariffs. 
    Copper input materials (such as copper ores, concentrates, mattes, cathodes, and anodes) and copper scrap are not subject to 232 or reciprocal tariffs.

    The Proclamation directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a product “inclusion” process to add copper derivative products to these tariffs.
    The President is also authorizing the Secretary of Commerce to take steps under the Defense Production Act to support the domestic copper industry, including:
    Requiring 25% of high-quality copper scrap produced in the United States to be sold in the United States. This will improve access to this important feedstock for domestic fabricators and secondary refiners.
    Commerce also recommended an export licensing requirement for high-quality copper scrap to ensure adequate domestic supply.

    Requiring 25% of copper input materials (such as copper ores, concentrates, mattes, cathodes, and anodes) produced in the United States to be sold in the United States – starting at 25% in 2027, increasing to 30% in 2028 and 40% in 2029. This will boost U.S. refining capacity by ensuring low-cost inputs while domestic refiners grow their operations.

    By taking these actions, President Trump is leveling the playing field for U.S. copper businesses to support a strong domestic copper industry.
    ADDRESSING THE EFFECTS OF COPPER IMPORTS: The Proclamation follows the Secretary of Commerce’s completion of a Section 232 investigation under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended.
    President Trump directed the initiation of the Section 232 investigation through Executive Order 14220 of February 25, 2025, “Addressing the Threat to National Security from Imports of Copper.” The investigation found that:
    Copper is essential to the manufacturing foundation on which U.S. national and economic security depend. Copper is a necessary input in a range of defense systems, including aircraft, ground vehicles, ships, submarines, missiles, and ammunition. It is the Department of Defense’s second-most used material, and it plays a central role in the broader U.S. industrial base.
    Foreign competitors’ predatory practices and excessive environmental regulations have undercut the American copper industry and domestic investment in smelting, refining, and fabrication facilities.
    The U.S. now has a massive trade deficit in, and an unsustainable dependence on, many foreign copper products.

    REVITALIZING DOMESTIC INDUSTRY AND REDUCING TRADE IMBALANCES: This Proclamation builds on previous actions taken by the Trump Administration to ensure U.S. trade and industrial policies serve the national interest.
    On Day One, President Trump established his America First Trade Policy to make America’s economy great again.
    President Trump signed Proclamations to close existing loopholes and exemptions and elevate tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50%.
    President Trump implemented a 10% additional tariff on imports from China in response to China’s role in the border crisis. 
    President Trump imposed reciprocal tariffs to take back America’s economic sovereignty and address nonreciprocal trade relationships that threaten our economic and national security.
    President Trump has issued several Executive Orders and Presidential Memoranda to boost mining, manufacturing, and investment in domestic industry, including by reducing regulations and eliminating bureaucracy.
    President Trump signed a Memorandum to safeguard American innovation, including the consideration of tariffs to combat digital service taxes, fines, practices, and policies that foreign governments levy on American companies.
    President Trump has initiated several other Section 232 investigations in addition to the one on which he is taking action today.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump is Protecting the United States’ National Security and Economy by Suspending the De Minimis Exemption for Commercial Shipments Globally

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Whitehouse
    TAKING DECISIVE ACTION GLOBALLY TO PROTECT AMERICANS: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order suspending duty-free de minimis treatment for low-value shipments, closing the catastrophic loophole used to, among other things, evade tariffs and funnel deadly synthetic opioids as well as other unsafe or below-market products that harm American workers and businesses into the United States.
    President Trump is taking action to deal with the national emergencies that he has recently declared with respect to unusual and extraordinary threats to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.
    Effective August 29, imported goods sent through means other than the international postal network that are valued at or under $800 and that would otherwise qualify for the de minimis exemption will be subject to all applicable duties.
    For goods shipped through the international postal system, packages will instead be assessed duties according to one of the following methodologies:
    Ad valorem duty: A duty equal to the effective tariff rate imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) that is applicable to the country of origin of the product. This duty shall be assessed on the value of each package.
    Specific duty: A duty ranging from $80 per item to $200 per item, depending on the effective IEEPA tariff rate applicable to the country of origin of the product. The specific duty methodology will be available for six months, after which all applicable shipments must comply with the ad valorem duty methodology.  

    Longstanding exemptions under 19 U.S.C. 1321(a)(2)(A) and (B) remain in place – meaning American travelers can still bring back up to $200 in personal items and individuals can continue to receive bona fide gifts valued at $100 or less duty-free.
    COMBATTING ESCALATING DECEPTIVE SHIPPING PRACTICES, ILLEGAL MATERIAL, AND DUTY CIRCUMVENTION: President Trump is putting an end to the proliferation of shippers worldwide that, among other things, deceptively exploit the de minimis privilege in an effort to evade duties, inspection, and U.S. law.
    Packages entering the United States using the duty-free de minimis exemption are typically subject to less scrutiny than traditional imports; however, the packages can pose health, safety, national and economic security risks. 
    Between 2015 and 2024, the volume of de minimis shipments entering the U.S. increased from 134 million shipments to over 1.36 billion shipments. On average, CBP processes over 4 million de minimis shipments into the U.S. each day.
    The de minimis exemption has been abused, with shippers sending illicit fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, precursors, and paraphernalia into the United States in reliance on the lower security measures applied to de minimis shipments, killing Americans.
    Enforcement data consistently shows that de minimis shipments account for the majority of all cargo enforcement actions. In FY24, 90% of all cargo seizures originated as de minimis shipments, including:
    98% of narcotics seizures (by number of cases).97% of intellectual property rights seizures, totaling 31 million counterfeit items. 
    77% of health and safety/prohibited items seizures totaling more than 20 million dangerous or illicit items (e.g., weapons parts and Glock switches).

    The volume of de minimis shipments, even from countries that historically have not been the primary source of de minimis abuse, has skyrocketed this year, with 309 million so far for FY25 (through June 30), compared to 115 million for all of FY24 resulting in significant lost revenue for the United States.
    CBP is increasingly interdicting de minimis shipments where the certificate of origin is misrepresented in an attempt to circumvent duties.
    BUILDING ON A RECORD OF FIGHTING HARMFUL TRADE LOOPHOLES:   President Trump is delivering on his promise to “put an end” to the “big scam” of de minimis shipments killing Americans and hurting U.S. businesses.
    In February, President Trump declared national emergencies on the United States’ northern and southern borders, including the public health crisis caused by fentanyl and other illicit drugs.
    In April, President Trump declared a national emergency relating to the conditions underlying the United States’ exploding trade deficit and the implications of that deficit for the United States’ economy and national security.
    Effective May 2, President Trump suspended de minimis treatment for low-value packages from China and Hong Kong, which account for the majority of de minimis shipments to the United States.
    The President signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which permanently repeals the statutory basis for the de minimis exemption worldwide effective July 1, 2027.
    President Trump is acting more quickly to suspend the de minimis exemption than the OBBBA requires, to deal with national emergencies and save American lives and businesses NOW.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Remarks at press conference on “Report on Hong Kong’s Business Environment: Unique Strengths under ‘One Country, Two Systems’” (with photos/video)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; and the Acting Government Economist, Dr Cecilia Lam, held a press conference on the “Report on Hong Kong’s Business Environment: Unique Strengths under ‘One Country, Two Systems’” this afternoon (July 30). Following are their remarks:

    Reporter: I have some questions. First of all, this report seems that it is a wrapping up of all the measures over the past few years. So, what is the significance of this report to Hong Kong’s future development? Also, amid the rising challenges such as the tariff increases, how are you going to convince foreign chambers or investors to invest in Hong Kong? The last question is about the reports of the developer of 11 Skies of the Airport City project, with some reports saying that the developer has intended to sell this mega project, because of lack of tenants and also lacklustre prospects. So what is your take on the proposal of selling 11 Skies to other parties? Thank you.
     
    Financial Secretary: Thank you. First, the significance of this report. Over the past few years, because of COVID, a lot of overseas visitors didn’t have the opportunity to visit Hong Kong. Given the geopolitical landscape, there has been some misperception about the situation of Hong Kong in the western world. . We are trying very hard to reach out to the international community, to explain to them what is really happening here in Hong Kong by sharing facts and data. The purpose of this report is to recap our developments in a concise report for distribution to them, and this report will be made available online, accessible to anyone who is interested.
     
         On the question of tariffs, on the question of the China-US geopolitical tension, of course, there are challenges, for example, in terms of exports, but there are also opportunities in respect of the international financial centre status of Hong Kong. For challenges on export, the direct impact is minimal because Hong Kong is basically a service economy; we don’t have much manufacturing. On the other hand, the indirect impact could be significant, because we re-export for the Mainland. But over the years, we have seen a number of trends. One of them is Mainland companies realigning their industry bases and supply chains across Southeast Asia. For exports to certain markets, such as the US, a lot of the exports come from those regions. When you look at the figures – the export figures from the Mainland to the US, or from the Mainland via Hong Kong to the US – the share of US in Mainland’s total export has been declining.
     
         From our standpoint, we are adjusting our position. In addition to doing re-export, we have shifted to provide high-value supply chain management and the related trade finance and professional services. That is our response. For opportunities, I think we should not underestimate them. Given the geopolitical landscape, it is increasingly difficult for Mainland companies to go to the US for listing. These companies, would naturally want to come to Hong Kong for listing, because by coming to Hong Kong, they can access both international and Mainland capital. This is a very interesting value proposition to them, and has been demonstrated by the figures so far this year. In fact, we have over 200 companies in the pipeline waiting for listing. But the opportunities are more than the IPO market. Say in asset and wealth management, residents in the GBA (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area) are interested in having certain assets allocated offshore. Naturally, Hong Kong is the destination. The recent improvement in February last year to the GBA Wealth Management Connect – with the implementation of those measures, we have seen significant inflow of capital from the GBA into Hong Kong. In addition, we also have observed capital flow from the Middle East and ASEAN in the asset and wealth management sector. We are quite confident that, by the year 2027 and 2028 the latest – we will overtake Switzerland in cross-border wealth management.

         Another dimension is Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” under the current geopolitical situation. We have observed Mainland companies’ keen interest to go global. First, this is national policy, i.e. high-level two-way opening up. Second, there is also a need, because these companies want to utilise the production capacity they have and do more exports. What we have been pitching to them is that the best way to do it is to come to Hong Kong, set up a company, use Hong Kong as a platform  as well as a brand to go overseas. In our experience in engaging the Middle East and ASEAN, the value of the “Hong Kong brand” is very much respected. This is one way in which we can help them. In the process, Our professional services and other service providers will benefit.
     
         Finally, on 11 Skies, I won’t comment on individual projects. But overall, the attitude of the Government is that, given the economic transition, and given the challenges currently in the non-domestic property market, banks should be supportive to their clients and help them ride through challenges. In the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, HKMA, a working group has been set up between the Hong Kong Association of Banks and the HKMA. This working group deals with individual cases with a view to helping the communication between the banks and borrowers, so that the lenders can extend a more accommodative and facilitative approach to help borrowers who have a viable business model and have a genuine interest in carrying on their business, but are just facing a liquidity crunch. That is the overall attitude of the Government. Thank you.
     
    Reporter: Hi Mr Chan. So, I just want to follow up on the previous question first. So what’s the significance of issuing the report now, like after the previous issuance of four years ago? Like, why does the Government choose to issue the new report at present? And also, you mentioned a lot of positive signs in the markets, like the stock markets booming, and Hong Kong also saw a record capital inflows in the first half of the year. So why does the Government still remain quite conservative over an uptick of the annual GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth target for the whole year? And also, how do you see the sustainability of such momentum moving forward? And second question I also want to ask about four sectors that are facing structural changes, like you mentioned, to the retail and catering. Do you see the need to further enhance the support measures besides helping them achieve digital transformation? And finally, about the tariff truce, so the Chinese and US (United States) officials just reached agreements to extend their tariff suspension. So how do you assess the impacts on local business, and would the Government take any steps to help, perhaps exports or local businesses to take this opportunity? Thank you.
     
    Financial Secretary: Thank you. Well, the last report was published in 2021. Over the past few years, because of COVID, a lot of overseas travellers hadn’t come to Hong Kong. Given the geopolitical landscape, the perception about Hong Kong in the Western world is not entirely factual and correct. There are some misconceptions. So the purpose of this report is to show to them the current situation in Hong Kong, so that they will be able to better understand what is happening in this city. If they are interested, they are welcome to visit us to see for themselves what it is really like here and the tremendous opportunities available.
     
         As regards the question about the GDP estimate for the whole year, the GDP growth for the first half of this year has been positive. For the first quarter, the growth was 3.1 per cent; for the second quarter, we have maintained the momentum. But given the geopolitical landscape, there are enormous uncertainty and volatility. At this stage, we think it would be prudent to keep the current GDP estimate. There is in fact a mechanism, a defined timetable for reviewing the GDP estimate regularly. On a published timeline, the Government Economist will share with the community the economic situation, and determine at that time whether to make any revision. It’s better to follow that established practice as it provides certainty to the market.
     
         As to supporting the retail and catering sector, we will keep an open mind. I have elaborated on the situation and how we have been trying to help, but we will continue to closely monitor the situation and if necessary, roll out measures. At this stage, we think the current support measures should stay. Let us observe for a longer time. We have been providing various support measures such as the BUD Fund (Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales) for marketing development and e-commerce.  Algernon would share more about that.
     
    Before passing to Algernon, I would say the recent discussions leading to the temporary suspension of tariff rise is, of course, a positive sign. But on the other hand, we are conscious of the fact that things can change overnight. There is still tremendous uncertainty, and consequently, volatility. So for our work, first, we need to ensure financial stability and financial security. On the other hand, stay on course, focus on what we have set out to do, and be persistent with our efforts. That includes reinforcing our relationship with traditional markets like Europe and the US, and at the same time, opening up new markets and new capital sources from the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Thank you, Algernon please.
     
    Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: Regarding the challenges facing the retail and food and beverage sectors, we have different measures and funding helping the retail sector, such as the BUD Fund. We are also encouraging the sectors to look for changes and transformation, and e-commerce is one of the measures that we promote. Just today, we are going to launch the Hong Kong Shopping Festival for cross-border e-commerce to allow the retail sector to do more e-commerce business. For the maximum cumulative funding of $7 million per enterprise under the BUD Fund, they can apply for $1 million for e-commerce business to arrange for promotion and advertising for e-commerce business across the border.
     
    There are also measures to encourage tourists to come to Hong Kong. Actually, the number of tourists coming to Hong Kong is increasing. It is a positive sign that would help the retail sector. But most importantly, as mentioned by the Financial Secretary, it is time for transformation. We have to look at customer behaviour and their needs, and how we can satisfy customer demand. It is one of the major issues that we have to jointly resolve with enterprises. I have met with different chambers and associations of the retail sector. We had very good discussions on helping them to tackle the challenging situation. As mentioned by the Financial Secretary, we will keep an open mind to look at the situation and to see whether there is a need to introduce further measures to help the retail and food and beverage sectors. Thank you.
     
    Financial Secretary: We should be very confident in Hong Kong’s attractiveness as a hub for foreign businesses and talent. Over the past few years, I’ve been travelling a lot and also heavily engaged with the foreign business community in Hong Kong. I can summarise three key reasons why people should choose Hong Kong. First is, of course, for business reasons. Hong Kong has the proximity and sometimes priority access to the Mainland market. Depending on which sector you are in – if you are in the tech sector, say in the biotech sector, Hong Kong has an additional advantage because of our proximity to Shenzhen, and we are part of the GBA (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area) which is a technology hub. The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster is very competitive in innovation.
     
        Apart from that, it is the capital market and the full range of funding options available here. For companies at different development stages, whether they are start-ups or others, we welcome them. In Hong Kong, we have around 4,700 start-ups, and the number represents a significant increase compared to that a few years ago. About 20 per cent of their founders come from overseas, and they come here for funding, professional advice, mentoring, and opportunities. In my discussions with the start-ups in Hong Kong Science Park and Cyberport, they value these as well as the innovation ecosystem very much. For start-ups, what they need are application scenarios, professional advice and funding support, and they are all available here. In Hong Kong, we have set up the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited, which provides patient capital. This means that if enterprises are engaged in cutting-edge technologies, we are willing to support them from small, and help them grow and connect them with fund managers to raise funds.
     
    The second reason is for their families and children. It is well recognised Hong Kong’s law and order is excellent. We are a very safe city. Education here is also outstanding. Moreover, this is an open and multicultural society, and it is very free. We have gathered a lot of overseas professionals and foreign businessmen here.
     
    Finally, it is about our lifestyle. Whether it is city life, F&B (food and beverage) or our countryside. So with all these, I think if we play our cards right, Hong Kong’s opportunities in the future are tremendous. Thank you for attending this conference. I appreciate your time. Thank you.
     
    (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – China’s unofficial police stations in the EU – E-002962/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002962/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Moritz Körner (Renew)

    China is alleged to have established dozens of unofficial police stations throughout the EU.

    • 1.Does the Commission know how many such stations exist in the EU, and where they are?
    • 2.What action has the Commission taken against these stations to date?
    • 3.To its knowledge, do any other third countries have unofficial police stations in the EU?

    Submitted: 17.7.2025

    Last updated: 30 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –