1305 GMT - Larger U.K. banks with funding advantages are well placed to benefit from favorable margin dynamics, which should lead to further sector consolidation, J.P. Morgan says in a research note. The pressure on mortgage margins, which risk remaining structurally lower, could be one of the drivers of this, analysts Sheel Shah and Kian Abouhossein write. "We see consolidation across the sector as the natural path--with Natwest/HSBC best positioned given inorganic growth ambitions towards natural market shares, and stronger currencies, while we see Lloyds as more non-[net interest income] focused," they write. Potential opportunities include attractive mortgage portfolios in Metro Bank and Bank of Ireland, they note, also highlighting listed challenger banks which offer the opportunity for funding optimization with lending operations in under-penetrated segments for larger banks. (elena.vardon@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
June 17, 2025 09:05 ET (13:05 GMT)
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