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    Mario Mendonca • TD Securities

    Mario Mendonca's questions to Sun Life Financial Inc (SLF) leadership

    Mario Mendonca's questions to Sun Life Financial Inc (SLF) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mario Mendonca from TD Securities questioned MFS's ability to cut expenses in a market downturn and asked about the methodology used to value the DentaQuest goodwill, given its current profitability challenges.

    Answer

    CEO of MFS Investment Management Ted Maloney explained that MFS's expense base is largely variable, providing a natural buffer in downturns, a point reinforced by President & CEO Kevin Strain who emphasized MFS's strategic importance. EVP & CFO Tim Deacon clarified that the goodwill test is a long-term discounted cash flow analysis that looks beyond near-term headwinds to an expected recovery.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Sun Life Financial Inc (SLF) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mario Mendonca from TD Securities questioned MFS's ability to cut expenses abruptly during a market downturn and asked about the valuation methodology used for the DentaQuest goodwill impairment test.

    Answer

    CEO of MFS Ted Maloney explained that the majority of MFS's expenses are variable with assets, providing a natural buffer, and they would not make cuts that harm long-term results. CEO Kevin Strain reinforced this long-term view. EVP & CFO Tim Deacon stated the goodwill test is a long-term, multi-year assessment based on the present value of cash flows, which incorporates the expected recovery in the dental business over time.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Sun Life Financial Inc (SLF) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Mario Mendonca questioned Sun Life's exposure to potential U.S. Medicaid cuts, the reasons for the Q4 stop-loss surprise given more optimistic Q3 commentary, and the potential cost of reducing tax-exempt income volatility.

    Answer

    Daniel Fishbein (executive) stated that Sun Life's ~$2 billion Medicaid exposure is entirely in dental, primarily for children, which is less likely to be cut. He explained the Q4 surprise was claim severity, not utilization, which was the focus in Q3. CFO Timothy Deacon and CEO Kevin Strain confirmed that mitigating tax volatility would result in a modestly higher effective tax rate but would not derail medium-term objectives.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Sun Life Financial Inc (SLF) leadership • Q2 2024

    Question

    Mario Mendonca challenged the explanation for the sharp increase in the U.S. Dental loss ratio, suggesting more factors were at play than just the Medicaid redetermination. He followed up by questioning the long-term value of the DentaQuest acquisition, comparing the $2.5 billion price to the modest $100 million earnings aspiration for 2025.

    Answer

    Daniel Fishbein, President of Sun Life U.S., detailed how the 19% membership disenrollment led to a significant mix shift, as remaining members had higher utilization, and providers sought to fill capacity. Kevin Strain, President & CEO, added that while the impact was deeper than modeled, the long-term thesis for the acquisition remains unchanged. He expressed confidence that the business will return to expected profitability levels as repricing actions take effect.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Manulife Financial Corp (MFC) leadership

    Mario Mendonca's questions to Manulife Financial Corp (MFC) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mario Mendonca from TD Securities asked if the U.S. segment's financial results are now at a steady state post-reinsurance deals, inquired about its long-term growth outlook, and probed the CEO's confidence in achieving the 2027 ROE target.

    Answer

    Brooks Tingle, President & CEO of John Hancock, pointed to Q1 2025 as a better baseline for the U.S. segment and expressed bullishness on its growth. President & CEO Philip Witherington affirmed strong confidence in the 18%+ ROE target, stating the year-to-date ROE of 15.3% would be around 17% after adjusting for several unusual items, putting the company on a credible path to its goal.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Manulife Financial Corp (MFC) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Mario Mendonca from TD Securities asked about the potential second-order impacts of a sustained slowdown in Asia sales and questioned incoming CEO Phil Witherington's philosophy on share buybacks during market volatility.

    Answer

    Incoming CEO Philip Witherington and Chief Actuary Steven Finch explained that impacts on expense assumptions would only materialize over a very long period of sustained sales decline, which is not expected. On buybacks, Witherington affirmed his commitment to the current program, citing the strong capital position, and stated that future decisions would be based on circumstances, with organic investment remaining the top priority for capital.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Manulife Financial Corp (MFC) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Mario Mendonca sought clarity on the 2025 growth outlook for Asia, asking if the mid-teens forecast fully accounts for a higher tax rate from GMT and other factors. He also asked if any changes to CSM or investment income allocation methods are expected.

    Answer

    Incoming CEO Philip Witherington reaffirmed the sustainable mid-teens core earnings growth outlook for Asia, noting this normalizes for GMT impacts as the charge was already accounted for at the corporate level in 2024. He also stated that he is not aware of any anticipated changes to allocation methodologies for 2025.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Manulife Financial Corp (MFC) leadership • Q2 2024

    Question

    Mario Mendonca of TD Securities asked several questions, including whether U.S. lapse assumption updates would impact earnings or CSM, why book value saw a large positive impact from market movements under IFRS 17, and if recent volatility in Japan affected customer behavior.

    Answer

    Chief Actuary Steven Finch clarified that U.S. lapse changes primarily hit CSM unless a cohort is depleted. CFO Colin Simpson and retiring CIO Scott Hartz explained that book value volatility comes from credit spread duration risk, which is not fully hedged. Philip Witherington, Head of Asia, noted no significant change in Japan customer behavior yet but expects sales to moderate from recent highs.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Royal Bank of Canada (RY) leadership

    Mario Mendonca's questions to Royal Bank of Canada (RY) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mario Mendonca noted Royal Bank's cautious tone on credit, particularly the forecast for PCLs peaking in 2026, and asked if a recent U.S. court ruling against reciprocal tariffs would change this outlook.

    Answer

    President and CEO David McKay responded that while the ruling is positive, significant uncertainty remains around the CUSMA renegotiation and its impact on key industries, justifying their cautious stance. Chief Risk Officer Graeme Hepworth added that the timing and outcome of trade issues are still unclear, making the prudent reserve build appropriate. McKay concluded the provision is a precaution that can be reversed if conditions improve.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Royal Bank of Canada (RY) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mario Mendonca from TD Securities highlighted RBC's cautious credit outlook compared to peers and asked if a recent US court ruling against reciprocal tariffs would alter the bank's forecast for PCLs peaking in 2026.

    Answer

    President & CEO David McKay and Chief Risk Officer Graeme Hepworth responded that while the ruling is positive, significant uncertainty remains around the broader USMCA renegotiation and its potential impact on key industries. They affirmed that the prudent reserve build is appropriate given the medium-term ambiguity and can be released if conditions improve.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Royal Bank of Canada (RY) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Mario Mendonca from TD Securities asked for details on the $1.5 billion credit impairment, questioning the trigger and the hold size, and also inquired why U.S. net interest margin declined despite positive peer commentary.

    Answer

    Chief Risk Officer Graeme Hepworth explained the large impairment was a utility client facing regulatory challenges, with the impairment triggered by a formal restructuring. Group Head of Capital Markets Derek Neldner added the exposure size was atypically large due to a temporary transactional facility. Regarding margins, CFO Katherine Gibson cited City National's asset sensitivity to Fed rate changes, while CEO David McKay noted its higher-beta affluent client base.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Royal Bank of Canada (RY) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Mario Mendonca asked for clarification on U.S. sweep account pricing and the accounting for foreclosed loans. His primary question concerned RBC's appetite for a large, transformative U.S. acquisition, given the history of such deals destroying shareholder value for Canadian banks.

    Answer

    Doug Guzman, Group Head of Wealth Management and Insurance, explained that RBC had already raised rates on U.S. sweep accounts for clients, positioning them competitively and negating the need for material changes. CEO David McKay addressed the M&A question by stating the bar for any large U.S. deal is 'incredibly high' due to market complexity and regulatory uncertainty. He emphasized a focus on organic growth and smaller, strategic tuck-ins, signaling no plans for a major U.S. consumer banking acquisition.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM) leadership

    Mario Mendonca's questions to Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mario Mendonca from TD Securities challenged the duration of the net interest margin tailwind, suggesting it could become a headwind by mid-next year. He also asked if the historical correlations between economic indicators like unemployment and credit losses might be breaking down.

    Answer

    Robert Sedran, Senior EVP & CFO, countered that based on forward curves, the NIM benefit should extend through 2026 before leveling off, not becoming a headwind next year. Frank Guse, Senior EVP & Chief Risk Officer, stated that while factors like excess deposits may dampen correlations, they are not breaking down, and unemployment remains a key driver of loan losses.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mario Mendonca challenged the duration of the net interest margin tailwind from CIBC's hedging strategy, suggesting it could become a headwind by mid-next year. He also asked if the historical correlation between economic indicators like unemployment and PCLs might be breaking down in the current cycle.

    Answer

    Robert Sedran, CFO, countered that based on forward curves, the NIM benefit is expected to continue through 2026 and into 2027 before leveling off, not becoming a headwind. Frank Guse, CRO, stated that while unemployment remains a key driver for loan losses, factors like excess consumer deposits and government stimulus are 'slightly changing' or 'dampening' the traditional correlation, though not breaking it down entirely.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mario Mendonca of TD Securities questioned the duration of the net interest margin tailwind from CIBC's hedging strategy, suggesting it could become a headwind sooner than expected. He also asked if historical correlations between economic indicators and PCLs might be breaking down in the current cycle.

    Answer

    CFO Robert Sedran stated that based on forward curves, the hedging benefit should continue through 2026 before leveling off, not becoming a headwind next year. Chief Risk Officer Frank Guse acknowledged that factors like excess deposits are 'slightly changing' the relationship between unemployment and credit losses, but he does not see the historical correlations as broken.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Mario Mendonca from TD Securities asked for clarification on management's reference to a "normalization" of credit, questioning what a normal PCL ratio would be for the transformed CIBC. He also inquired about the nature of the quarter's legal provision.

    Answer

    President and CEO Victor Dodig stated that CIBC is a "different bank" today and that while the current guidance is for mid-30s bps PCLs due to uncertainty, a medium-term normalization could see that level fall to 25-30 bps. CFO Robert Sedran clarified that the legal provision is for a closed issue, covers the full amount, and is not a down payment on a larger future expense.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Mario Mendonca asked about the U.S. business, questioning the duration of elevated expense growth and the timeline to achieving positive operating leverage. He also requested a detailed explanation of the 'treasury activities' that benefited NII.

    Answer

    Shawn Beber, head of the U.S. Region, described the spending as a multi-quarter journey to build infrastructure and support growth, with a medium-term goal of positive operating leverage. CFO Robert Sedran explained the $90 million treasury gain was from a series of items, including favorable balance sheet positioning as rates fell, hedge accounting effects, and a parameter update on a funding vehicle.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Bank of Montreal (BMO) leadership

    Mario Mendonca's questions to Bank of Montreal (BMO) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mario Mendonca asked for BMO's view on a potential U.S. retaliatory tax on Canadian corporations and sought a clearer definition of 'manageable' PCLs in the context of earnings growth.

    Answer

    CFO Tayfun Tuzun stated that due to high uncertainty, the bank is monitoring the tax situation but has not yet formed a view on its potential impact. CRO Piyush Agrawal confirmed that 'manageable' implies the bank can continue to grow earnings, with a potential PCL impact of a few basis points, barring a full-blown tariff war.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Bank of Montreal (BMO) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mario Mendonca of TD Securities asked for BMO's view on a potential U.S. bill imposing higher taxes on Canadian corporations and sought to clarify what 'manageable' PCLs means for earnings growth.

    Answer

    CFO Tayfun Tuzun responded that uncertainties regarding the U.S. tax bill are too high to form a house view at this time. CRO Piyush Agrawal clarified that 'manageable' means the bank can continue to grow earnings, as client pipelines and capital are healthy, and that any PCL increase would be limited to a few basis points, not a return to 2024 levels, barring a full-blown tariff war.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Bank of Montreal (BMO) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Mario Mendonca asked if the U.S. ROE improvement plan implies a doubling of U.S. earnings with no new capital. He also questioned the sustainability of the quarter's high trading revenue, seeking to isolate the seasonal component.

    Answer

    CFO Tayfun Tuzun confirmed the math for a significant U.S. earnings increase was directionally correct, driven by discrete items like PCL normalization and revenue synergies. Alan Tannenbaum, Head of BMO Capital Markets, addressed trading revenue, acknowledging a consistent Q1 seasonal trade but stressing that the quarter's strength was broad-based, especially in metals trading. He cautioned that the $1.1B level is not a new run-rate and was driven by high volatility not expected to persist.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Bank of Montreal (BMO) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Mario Mendonca highlighted BMO's higher PCLs relative to peers and asked for an identification of specific underwriting failures, and whether this would necessitate a period of slower growth.

    Answer

    Head of Commercial Banking Nadim Hirji and CEO Darryl White denied any systemic underwriting failures or changes to risk appetite. They attributed the variance to BMO's specific business mix, which skews more toward U.S. and wholesale banking. Darryl White stated that this mix also drives stronger long-term growth and that there is no plan to slow growth in the corporate and commercial businesses.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) leadership

    Mario Mendonca's questions to Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mario Mendonca questioned the disconnect between the bank's view of stable credit conditions and aggregate data showing stress for Canadian consumers. He also asked about the timeline for resuming loan growth in the wholesale and international banking segments after a prolonged period of shrinking.

    Answer

    Chief Risk Officer Philip Thomas acknowledged the macro data but noted that in Scotiabank's portfolio, consumer caution is manifesting as reduced spending and debt appetite rather than defaults, justifying the large performing allowance build. On loan growth, Francisco Aristeguieta (International Banking) and Travis Machen (GBM) explained that 2025 remains a transitional year focused on optimizing the client mix. They anticipate a return to loan growth in 2026 as the bank shifts from a lending-only to a broader relationship-based model.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    Mario Mendonca questioned the disconnect between the bank's stable credit results and broader economic data showing Canadian consumer stress. He also asked about the timeline for resuming loan growth in the wholesale and international banking segments.

    Answer

    Phil Thomas (CRO) and Aris Bogdaneris (Head of Canadian Banking) noted that while macro data shows stress, their customers are exhibiting caution through reduced spending rather than increased defaults. Francisco Aristeguieta (Head of International Banking) and Travis Machen (Head of GBM) explained that loan balances are down due to a deliberate strategic shift towards higher-return, relationship-based banking and lower client utilization, with loan growth expected to resume in 2026. Scott Thomson (CEO) highlighted the success of this strategy, pointing to higher fee growth on lower capital deployment.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    Mario Mendonca inquired about the impact of tariff threats on loan growth during the quarter and asked about the expected timing for potential tariffs to translate into actual impaired loans.

    Answer

    CEO L. Thomson noted that clients are generally 'holding their powder dry,' causing a pause in activity. Aris Bogdaneris from Canadian Banking confirmed this for commercial loans but saw pent-up demand emerging in mortgages. Chief Risk Officer Philip Thomas stated that the impact on impaired loans would not be immediate, projecting it would be a lagging effect felt more in 2026 and beyond.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    Mario Mendonca asked about the proportion of the business and government loan book on the watch list and whether a 'no landing' scenario for unsecured Canadian consumer credit losses is now possible.

    Answer

    Chief Risk Officer Philip Thomas confirmed the watch list for the corporate book is very small, well below 5%, with some softness noted in commercial agriculture and transportation. Regarding consumer credit, he noted encouraging signs like improving credit card repayments and stabilizing auto loan stress. Aris Bogdaneris, Head of Canadian Banking, added that unemployment trends are the most critical factor for the unsecured portfolio's performance.

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    Mario Mendonca's questions to Great-West Lifeco Inc (GWLIF) leadership

    Mario Mendonca's questions to Great-West Lifeco Inc (GWLIF) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    Mario Mendonca of TD Securities asked about the specific drivers of strong inflows at Empower Personal Wealth and questioned why Great-West Life appeared not to be participating more actively in the robust U.K. pension buyout market.

    Answer

    Empower CEO Ed Murphy and CEO Paul Mahon attributed the Personal Wealth success to the synergy with the workplace business, a compelling user experience combining technology with 1,000 human advisers, and continued investment in the platform. David Harney, President and COO of Europe, clarified that the company is indeed active in the U.K. bulk annuity market, with its success reflected in the 13% year-over-year CSM growth and 17% full-year sales growth, despite quarterly volatility.

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