Financial Services Dealmakers Summit

Under the theme "Turning the Tide", Austria and CEE's leading event for financial services (FS) dealmakers is back!

Building on 7 successful editions, we will re-unite the region’s key players leading the market across banking, insurance, asset management, real estate, debt and equity investing!

With a mix of panel discussions and keynote presentations attended by selected industry representatives, we will explore leading themes shaping the financial services industry today:

• Panel “M&A in Financial Services: challenges & opportunities in the Austrian & CEE Market"
  
  Dealmaking in the financial services sector lagged in early 2024 due to interest rate uncertainties, new capital rules like Basel IV, stricter merger regulations, and rising commercial real estate loan risks. Despite this, M&A remains vital for growth, with consolidation seen as key to managing regulatory costs and capital requirements. We examine the Austrian and CEE region M&A market:
  • Recent transactions often had low Price to Book ratios, indicating a gap between buyer caution and seller optimism. Is this due to actual bank performance, or are buyers being overly cautious?
  • What challenges and positive outcomes have recent deals encountered, and have they met expectations?
  • Local and sub-regional CEE FS players have expanded, while larger international groups seem to be retreating. What drives this shift?
     
• Panel “Asset Quality: navigating economic and regulatory shifts"
  
  Despite expectations for more restructuring in the banking sector, actions like asset divestments and handling non-performing loans (NPLs) have been fewer than anticipated. Banks have maintained asset valuations and strong capital positions, but they still face challenges in maintaining asset quality. Economic pressures could increase distressed assets, and stricter ESG criteria and upcoming Basel IV regulations demand sustainable practices and tougher capital requirements. Real estate market volatility adds to these challenges. Considering this landscape:
  • How are banks adapting their asset quality management to ensure resilience amid economic uncertainties? Are there notable shifts in asset class quality or risk levels, and what measures are being taken to address higher-risk asset classes
  • How are ESG regulations and Basel IV impacting risk management? What challenges or opportunities have emerged
  • What is the current state of asset quality in the Austrian and CEE banking sectors, particularly concerning NPLs and asset impairments? What areas need focus to balance risk and growth?
  • Are neobanks better or faster in assessing risk changes to their portfolios? Do they have any specific advantages when it comes to portfolio asset quality versus their more traditional banking counterparts?
  • How can investors capitalize on opportunities from asset quality issues, particularly in real estate or distressed assets?
     
• Panel “Capital Management: driving growth via market solutions”
  
  Most jurisdictions in Europe (incl. Austria & CEE) have now experienced significant risk transfer (SRT) transactions, with regulators becoming more comfortable with synthetic securitisation. Meanwhile, sustainability-linked bond issuance, especially green bonds, has accelerated, with major players actively participating or planning to do so. With the implementation of Basel IV, particularly its Output Floor, active capital management is poised to become central to bank performance, highlighting the need for a diverse balance sheet optimization toolkit, including various market transactions.
  In this panel, we will explore crucial themes such as:
  • How can banks leverage third-party investors for more efficient capital management? Are we witnessing the early stages of a wider "capital management" market?
  • Are synthetic SRT a relevant tool for banks’ “organic capital growth”? What are the key drivers and benefits for issuers and buyers alike, and what challenges and opportunities do they present?
  • Are green bonds a viable means to meet capital requirements and foster sustainable growth? Is the "green-ium" real or relevant? What are the strategies, challenges, and benefits of issuing these bonds?
     
• Panel “Alternative Investments: trends and potential of the private debt market in CEE & wider Europe”
  
  The NPL sales market has slowed recently due to a lack of primary stock from banks. Despite this, investor activity has increased in secondary portfolio trades, especially in larger CEE jurisdictions and Europe, along with vigorous M&A in the servicing sector. New private credit transactions, such as bespoke debt financing and funding forward flows, are also gaining popularity.
  Key questions include:
  
  • Is the NPL market slowdown temporary or permanent? Are UTP and re-performing loans deals relevant as the "next wave"?
  • How will banks further enhance NPE deleveraging and tap into the existing market?
  • Has distressed asset servicing reached its potential? What about sub-performing (Stage 2) and performing loan servicing?
  • Will private credit lending grow in the region? What assets and deal types are investors seeking?

Click here to register your interest

What to expect

• ~10 sessions combining panels and key note speeches, together with additional ample networking opportunities.
• 20+ speakers, leaders in their markets, sharing their insights on the Austrian & CEE region, complemented by European and Global views.
• 200+ senior participants from the entire region and beyond: banking & insurance (e.g. CEO, CRO, CFO lines), investors (both debt and equity), loan servicers, RE developers and financiers, independent and group asset managers.

Register your interest to attend

Attending the Financial Services Dealmakers Summit 2024 is free but requires the Organizer's confirmation. After you register your interest, the Organizer shall review it and, should they decide to invite you, you will receive a personal invitation via email.

For any questions regarding PwC Financial Services Dealmakers Summit 2024, reach out to us by email!

^{Disclaimer: The "Financial Services Dealmakers Summit" is a selected participation event (the "Event) organised by PwC Advisory Services GmbH (the "Organiser"). 3rd parties' representatives ("Participants") attendance is complementary, following their registration of interest and the Organiser's approval of their attendance. The Organiser shall bear no liability whatsoever to such Participants regarding the Event and it can modify, suspend or withdraw its invitation to any and all Participants, as well as alter or cancel the Event or any parts of its, at any time, without prior notice and without any justification to the Participants.}