[SOURCE- Bloomberg.com]

Nearly a year after a banking crisis rattled the financial world, causing the collapse of three US regional lenders and the emergency takeover of Credit Suisse in Europe, a fresh wave of unease is gripping banks across global financial hubs such as New York, Tokyo, and Zurich. The common thread linking these institutions is the surge in losses stemming from exposure to the troubled commercial property sector.

New York Community Bancorp Takes a Hit, Signaling Broader Concerns

On Wednesday, New York Community Bancorp (NYCB) witnessed a staggering 38% plunge in its shares following the revelation of a $252 million loss in the last quarter. The regional lender set aside $552 million in the fourth quarter to absorb escalating loan losses, a significant jump from the previous quarter’s $62 million. The surge was driven partly by anticipated losses on a loan associated with an office building. NYCB’s woes contributed to a 6% dip in the KBW Regional Banking Index, marking its most substantial daily fall since the banking crisis of last May.

The index continued its decline on Thursday, registering a 4.8% drop by mid-morning as NYCB and other regional banks faced sharp losses. NYCB’s stock plummeted nearly 13%, while Banc of California and BankUnited experienced declines of 8% each. A substantial portion of NYCB’s losses was linked to office buildings, as highlighted in its earnings statement, with CEO Thomas Cangemi acknowledging “general office weaknesses throughout the country.”

Global Impact — Aozora Bank and Julius Baer Face Commercial Real Estate Losses

The challenges extend beyond US borders, as evidenced by Japan’s Aozora Bank, which cited bad loans tied to US offices as a factor contributing to its projected annual loss of 28 billion yen ($190 million) for the previous year. The bank’s shares plummeted over 21%, emphasizing the global impact of commercial real estate uncertainties.

In Europe, Swiss private bank Julius Baer reported a staggering 55% decline in adjusted profit for the last year, attributing the downturn to a loss of 586 million Swiss francs ($680 million) on loans extended to a single “European conglomerate.” The CEO, Philipp Rickenbacher, announced his departure in the aftermath of these substantial losses. While Julius Baer did not disclose the identity of the conglomerate, reports suggest it might be Signa Group, an Austrian property developer that acquired part of New York’s iconic Chrysler building in 2019.

Deutsche Bank Braces for Commercial Real Estate Headwinds

Germany’s Deutsche Bank, one of the major players in the global financial landscape, has also signaled its preparedness for mounting losses linked to commercial real estate losses. The bank disclosed that it allocated €123 million ($133 million) during the last quarter to absorb potential defaults on its US commercial real estate losses loan. This amount is more than quadruple the figure set aside during the same period in 2022, underscoring the industry’s growing concerns about the stability of the commercial property sector.

As banks worldwide grapple with the fallout from mounting losses on commercial real estate losses, the specter of another banking crisis looms, prompting investors and regulators to closely monitor the sector’s resilience and response strategies.