Silver Point

Thomas J. Monaco

Independent Insight Provider

Silver Point is a boutique research firm that focuses on the broader financial services sector, with a particular focus on troubled institutions globally. 

Asia Ex Japan

Equity Bottom-Up

*Solid Result, But Challenges Ahead: Bank Central Asia (BBCA.IJ) [BCA] reported 3Q21 results of IDR 8.7 tn, improving IDR 1.3 tn (17.9%) on a linked quarter basis. BCA’s positive operating performance was highlighted by a loss provision cut of 66.5%, a slightly reduced tax rate, and a modest decline in costs; and*Credit Challenges Abating: By our calculation, we find that 3Q21 net new NPLs amounted to IDR 942 bn for an annualized rate of increase of 27.2%, and comparing very favorably to the 92.4% rate in 2Q21. Despite the significant deceleration in net new NPL formation, we calculate that loss reserves are likely right where they need to be.

*Solid Result, But Challenges Ahead: Bank Central Asia (BBCA.IJ) [BCA] reported 3Q21 results of IDR 8.7 tn, improving IDR 1.3 tn (17.9%) on a linked quarter basis. BCA’s positive operating performance was highlighted by a loss provision cut of 66.5%, a slightly reduced tax rate, and a modest decline in costs; and*Credit Challenges Abating: By our calculation, we find that 3Q21 net new NPLs amounted to IDR 942 bn for an annualized rate of increase of 27.2%, and comparing very favorably to the 92.4% rate in 2Q21. Despite the significant deceleration in net new NPL formation, we calculate that loss reserves are likely right where they need to be.

Bank Central Asia – Substantial Credit Delta Improvement

*Credibility Gap Continues To Widen: LIC Housing Finance (LICHF.IN) [LIC] reported FY 2Q22 bottom-line results of INR 2.5 bn, increasing INR 945 mn (61.6%) linked quarter. Results were simply odd, and driven by a loss provision cut of nearly INR 2.0 bn (23.4%) whilst problem loans continued to modestly tick higher. The oddness, in our view, came from now zero NCOs during FY 2Q22; and*Lack Of Clarity On Credit Delta: Despite the lack of NCOs, net new NPLs at LIC still increased 2.4% annualized versus 190.3% at FY 1Q21. By our calculation, LIC management ought to think about adding another INR 144 bn to the reserve.

*Credibility Gap Continues To Widen: LIC Housing Finance (LICHF.IN) [LIC] reported FY 2Q22 bottom-line results of INR 2.5 bn, increasing INR 945 mn (61.6%) linked quarter. Results were simply odd, and driven by a loss provision cut of nearly INR 2.0 bn (23.4%) whilst problem loans continued to modestly tick higher. The oddness, in our view, came from now zero NCOs during FY 2Q22; and*Lack Of Clarity On Credit Delta: Despite the lack of NCOs, net new NPLs at LIC still increased 2.4% annualized versus 190.3% at FY 1Q21. By our calculation, LIC management ought to think about adding another INR 144 bn to the reserve.

LIC Housing Finance – No NCOs Whatsoever?

Bank of the Philippine Islands / Equity Bottom-Up

*Credit Leverage On Its Way: Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI.PM) [BPI] reported 3Q21 results of PHP 5.7 bn, declining PHP 1.1 bn (16.6%) linked quarter. While results were down linked quarter, what impressed us most was how well controlled credit metrics appear to be; and*Significant Credit Improvement: Our net new NPL figure of PHP 152 mn or 1.5% annualized (65.4% at 4Q20) intimate that management may actually be on to something. Given where BPI and the Philippines are with credit, it would not surprise us in the least if BPI reverses loss reserves.

*Credit Leverage On Its Way: Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI.PM) [BPI] reported 3Q21 results of PHP 5.7 bn, declining PHP 1.1 bn (16.6%) linked quarter. While results were down linked quarter, what impressed us most was how well controlled credit metrics appear to be; and*Significant Credit Improvement: Our net new NPL figure of PHP 152 mn or 1.5% annualized (65.4% at 4Q20) intimate that management may actually be on to something. Given where BPI and the Philippines are with credit, it would not surprise us in the least if BPI reverses loss reserves.

Bank Of Philippine Islands – Asia’s Top Performer

*Not Fooling Anyone: HDFC Bank (HDFCB.IN) [HDFCB] released a nonsensical set of FY 2Q22 earnings results, despite exhibiting that the bottom-line improved INR 11.0 bn (14.3%) linked quarter. On an operating basis, core results aggregated INR 81.6 bn, up INR 10.3 bn (14.5%) over the period. Puzzling is the INR 75.1 bn (28.5%) increase in problem loans, and the INR 9.1 bn (18.8%) decline in loss provisions during FY 2Q22; and *Credit Disaster Continues:We calculate that net new NPLs actually increased a whopping INR 114.1 bn or 43.2%. By our calculation, reserves are massively short by nearly INR 371.3 bn or over year (and growing) of core operating results – despite the massive under-providing against credit this quarter which suggests that the provision shortfall is closer to two years of results.

*Not Fooling Anyone: HDFC Bank (HDFCB.IN) [HDFCB] released a nonsensical set of FY 2Q22 earnings results, despite exhibiting that the bottom-line improved INR 11.0 bn (14.3%) linked quarter. On an operating basis, core results aggregated INR 81.6 bn, up INR 10.3 bn (14.5%) over the period. Puzzling is the INR 75.1 bn (28.5%) increase in problem loans, and the INR 9.1 bn (18.8%) decline in loss provisions during FY 2Q22; and *Credit Disaster Continues:We calculate that net new NPLs actually increased a whopping INR 114.1 bn or 43.2%. By our calculation, reserves are massively short by nearly INR 371.3 bn or over year (and growing) of core operating results – despite the massive under-providing against credit this quarter which suggests that the provision shortfall is closer to two years of results.  

ASEAN Insight Provider, CrossASEAN Research

Angus Mackintosh

ASEAN Insight Provider

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

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There have been ongoing signs that the competition within the digital finance space is starting to reach a hiatus as it moves up a gear both for the existing banks, as well as the digital economy players including GoTo, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/grabtaxi-holdings-pte-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26950:1" rel="noopener">Grab</a>, and Shopee (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sea-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8509:1" rel="noopener">Sea Ltd (SE US)</a>).  
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Competition between digital banks and conventional banks has started to heat up in Indonesia and is only going to accelerate the digitization trend in the industry. In August, some digital banks were offering interest rates of 7% - 8% on current account deposits.
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-jago-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31094:1" rel="noopener">Bank Jago Tbk PT (ARTO IJ)</a> recorded a sevenfold annual increase in credit lending in 1H2021 and the bank plans to jack up its lending further through partnerships with peer-to-peer (P2P) lenders and multi-finance companies,
While some of these new digital banks might seem small compared to major established lenders, their ecosystem support and a steady stream of funding from big tech will make them potentially a formidable foe to the conventional banks.
Digitalization in the banking industry is inevitable and it is likely that the use-case for conventional and digital banking are likely to converge in a number of areas as digital banks become the new normal. 
We expect digital banking to be initially focused on consumer banking and SMEs and do not expect any major infringement into corporate banking, which still makes up the majority of the larger bank's business
Another very interesting area currently is the rapid pace of development and movement within the digital payments landscape in Indonesia.
There is little doubt that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/grabtaxi-holdings-pte-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26950:1" rel="noopener">Grab</a> is looking for partners to push out its digital finance aspirations. This may involve taking a stake in a smaller bank potentially with its partner <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/elang-mahkota-teknologi-tbk" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7752:1" rel="noopener">Emtek (EMTK IJ)</a> to transform it into a digital bank.
We continue to favour <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-rakyat-indonesia-persero" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:484:1" rel="noopener">Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero (BBRI IJ)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-negara-indonesia-persero" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8285:1" rel="noopener">Bank Negara Indonesia Persero (BBNI IJ)</a> in the sector. We also take a positive view of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-central-asia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:440:1" rel="noopener">Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ)</a> as a core holding and rank its digital banking services the highest amongst the banks at this time.


There have been ongoing signs that the competition within the digital finance space is starting to reach a hiatus as it moves up a gear both for the existing banks, as well as the digital economy players including GoTo, Grab, and Shopee (Sea Ltd (SE US)).  

Competition between digital banks and conventional banks has started to heat up in Indonesia and is only going to accelerate the digitization trend in the industry. In August, some digital banks were offering interest rates of 7% - 8% on current account deposits.
Bank Jago Tbk PT (ARTO IJ) recorded a sevenfold annual increase in credit lending in 1H2021 and the bank plans to jack up its lending further through partnerships with peer-to-peer (P2P) lenders and multi-finance companies,
While some of these new digital banks might seem small compared to major established lenders, their ecosystem support and a steady stream of funding from big tech will make them potentially a formidable foe to the conventional banks.
Digitalization in the banking industry is inevitable and it is likely that the use-case for conventional and digital banking are likely to converge in a number of areas as digital banks become the new normal. 
We expect digital banking to be initially focused on consumer banking and SMEs and do not expect any major infringement into corporate banking, which still makes up the majority of the larger bank's business
Another very interesting area currently is the rapid pace of development and movement within the digital payments landscape in Indonesia.
There is little doubt that Grab is looking for partners to push out its digital finance aspirations. This may involve taking a stake in a smaller bank potentially with its partner Emtek (EMTK IJ) to transform it into a digital bank.
We continue to favour Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero (BBRI IJ) and Bank Negara Indonesia Persero (BBNI IJ) in the sector. We also take a positive view of Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) as a core holding and rank its digital banking services the highest amongst the banks at this time.

CrossASEAN Digital Economy - The Gloves Are off in Digital Finance?

Singapore

DBS Group Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries provide a variety of financial services.  The Company offers services including mortgage financing, lease and hire purchase financing, nominee and trustee, funds management, corporate advisory and brokerage .  DBS Group also acts as the primary dealer in Singapore government securities.

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DBS (DBS SP)

Bank Central Asia – Substantial Credit Delta Improvement

BANK CENTRAL ASIA : BCA reported a 3Q21 QOQ results increase of 17.9%, driven by justifiable credit leverage. 3Q21 net new NPLs decelerated from...

Thomas J. Monaco

LIC Housing Finance – No NCOs Whatsoever?

LIC HOUSING: LIC reported a QOQ FY 2Q22 bottom-line increase of 61.6%, driven by a loss provision cut. Oddly, LIC had zero NCOs and negative loan...

Thomas J. Monaco

Bank Of Philippine Islands – Asia’s Top Performer

BANK OF PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: BPI reported QOQ 3Q21 results declined 16.6%. What impressed us most was how well controlled credit metrics are. It...

Thomas J. Monaco

HDFC Bank – Extending & Pretending

HDFC BANK: HDFCB released a nonsensical set of FY 2Q22 operating basis, which exhibited improvement of 14.5% QOQ. Puzzling is the 28.5% increase in...

Thomas J. Monaco

CrossASEAN Digital Economy - The Gloves Are off in Digital Finance?

Competition between digital banks and conventional banks has started to heat up in Indonesia and is only going to accelerate the digitisation trend...

Angus Mackintosh

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