AMP Bank 're-platforming' underway
AMP is on track to complete the integration of its bank into its wealth management business this year, when it will launch a "whole of wealth proposition".AMP chief executive Francesco De Ferrari said the integration started last year with "re-platforming" of the bank. That job will be completed this year.The integration is part of De Ferrari's strategy of developing a "leaner and simpler operating model" for AMP, which also includes selling the life company and the New Zealand business.AMP's banking division suffered a 4.7 per cent fall in operating earnings for the year to December, reporting a drop from A$148 million in 2018 to $141 million last year.Net interest income fell 0.3 percent to $387 million. The net interest margin fell from 1.7 per cent to 1.69 per cent.The mortgage book grew 3.8 per cent to $20.2 billion last year - ahead of system growth of 3.1 per cent.Deposits grew 8.3 per cent to $14.4 billion.Mortgage arrears increased from 47 basis points to 66 bps year-on-year, while the impairment charge fell from $13 million to $10 million.Costs blew out by 20 per cent as a result of regulatory and compliance costs. However, the bank still managed a low cost-to-income ratio of 35.1 per cent.AMP Ltd reported a loss of $2.5 billion for 2019. The result was heavily impacted by goodwill write-offs and provisions for client remediation. The underlying profit was $464 million - down 32 per cent from the previous year. The Australian wealth management business suffered net cash outflows of $6.3 billion, as disaffected customers pulled their money out of AMP superannuation and investment products.