Research and consultancy, Tabbush Report

Daniel Tabbush

Research and consultancy

Tabbush Report

We provide research and consultancy on Asian banks. Our focus is on what we call “Asian bank research, without the noise.” We are interested in the most critical swing-factors for banks, the NPL and credit cycle, and where we believe there is a gap between perception and reality. We often focus on the less studied components of bank financial statements.  Our research is highly thematic, sometimes examining unlisted banks and companies as a window on mainstream banks. 

Being independent allows us to look at smaller banks, often overlooked by others. Analysis of BIS bank guidelines in the context of Asia, is also a focal point, while we also analyze global banks operating in the region. We use what we believe is the most comprehensive, reliable financials database, SNL Financial. S&P Capital IQ augments our database, with corporate data and CEIC, with economics. 

Asian bank research, without the noise.

Equity Bottom-Up

This is not something that we are hearing about from all banks, or even a small percentage. But it is something that we must prepare for, a return to normal business levels. Norway’s <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dnb-asa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22227:1" rel="noopener">DNB ASA (DNB NO)</a> describes its customer activity and business levels as normal, just a few days ago. As we have indicated in much of our research, this should not be too great a surprise, as the current crisis is self-inflicted by governments enacting insane policies. As we re-open, the pace of recovery is reflecting this.

This is not something that we are hearing about from all banks, or even a small percentage. But it is something that we must prepare for, a return to normal business levels. Norway’s DNB ASA (DNB NO) describes its customer activity and business levels as normal, just a few days ago. As we have indicated in much of our research, this should not be too great a surprise, as the current crisis is self-inflicted by governments enacting insane policies. As we re-open, the pace of recovery is reflecting this.

Asean-focused. Ex-Head of Thai Research

Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA

Asean (Thailand) Focused Independent Research

M Corp Review

M Corp is led by Athaporn Arayasantiparb who served as Head of Research for UOB and ANZ in Thailand and was an award-winning telecoms analyst at UBS in 2010 (AsiaMoney Thailand category) and Regional Strategist for DMG in Singapore. Prior to that, he also served as Kasikornbank credit analyst and scholar. He has a total work experience of 17 years, of which 14 were in research and 4 in research management roles. He started his career as an engineer for PTT and currently manages family investments. He holds an MBA from Stern (NYU) and CFA Charter since 2006. Apart from IPO Radar, which focuses on future listings, MCorp Review also provides six on-going thematic series ranked by frequency in descending order, namely: 1) Silicon Stories (technology) 2) Sathorn Series (financial services) 3) Thai-Coons (billionaire origin stories) 4) Reality Check (data-driven, investigative) 5) Thai Media Spotlight; and 6) Thai Macro Watch (global market drivers).

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

Brett King's bestseller Bank 4.0 highlights many important trends that could overturn conventional banking. In this review, we look at how some of them threaten Thai banks and how the banks adapt to these emerging changes. Here are some of the most important highlights:<ul>
<li>
Models that start from scratch. The First Principle highlights fintech business models that eliminate the need of certain facets such as physical branches, while conventional banks here have a tougher time downsizing to cope up with the trend.</li>
<li>
Rising regulatory costs and investments could end up crippling the Thai banks and putting them at a disadvantage to fintechs, but part of this burden will be up to the regulators themselves. Banking is labor-intensive, and there's a lot of good-paying jobs at risk if they make the wrong move.</li>
<li>
Encroachment by telcos. With banking expected to resemble technology platforms in the future, telecom operators who control such infrastructure could end up eating a big part of the banking business. Some very profitable services today such as wealth management will be more vulnerable than others.</li>
</ul>

Brett King's bestseller Bank 4.0 highlights many important trends that could overturn conventional banking. In this review, we look at how some of them threaten Thai banks and how the banks adapt to these emerging changes. Here are some of the most important highlights:

Models that start from scratch. The First Principle highlights fintech business models that eliminate the need of certain facets such as physical branches, while conventional banks here have a tougher time downsizing to cope up with the trend.

Rising regulatory costs and investments could end up crippling the Thai banks and putting them at a disadvantage to fintechs, but part of this burden will be up to the regulators themselves. Banking is labor-intensive, and there's a lot of good-paying jobs at risk if they make the wrong move.

Encroachment by telcos. With banking expected to resemble technology platforms in the future, telecom operators who control such infrastructure could end up eating a big part of the banking business. Some very profitable services today such as wealth management will be more vulnerable than others.


Nine Reasons Why Thai Banks Should Be Worry About in the Future

Most Thai banks saw a sizeable contraction in credit costs during the quarter. This is something that should generally be expected in Thailand and elsewhere, where the dire days of March and April are far behind us. What too stands out is the incredible variance across banks, which we believe is mostly due to provision expenses already incurred during the first half of the year. This is not all backwards looking: with the country’s first foreign tourists arriving since shutdown, credit metrics should continue to improve.

Most Thai banks saw a sizeable contraction in credit costs during the quarter. This is something that should generally be expected in Thailand and elsewhere, where the dire days of March and April are far behind us. What too stands out is the incredible variance across banks, which we believe is mostly due to provision expenses already incurred during the first half of the year. This is not all backwards looking: with the country’s first foreign tourists arriving since shutdown, credit metrics should continue to improve.

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

Cross Asset Strategy

<div class="content-highlight">
The week that was in <a href="mailto:ASEAN@Smartkarma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ASEAN@Smartkarma</a> is filled with another eclectic mix of differentiated, substantive, and actionable insights from across South East Asia and includes macro, top-down and thematic pieces, as well as actionable equity bottom-up and credit insights over the past week.
We add below a NEW section, which includes emerging themes in ASEAN and selects important news flow or developments for commentary, which may impact SE Asian companies and markets.  
</div>
<h3>Equity Bottom-Up Insights</h3>
In Indonesia<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bank-mandiri-persero-bmri-ij-a-plethora-of-good-news" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Bank Mandiri Persero (BMRI IJ) - A Plethora of Good News</a>,  Cross-ASEAN insight provider<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/angus-mackintosh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Angus Mackintosh</a> reports back a call with<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-mandiri-persero-tbk-pt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Bank Mandiri Persero (BMRI IJ)</a> revealed a relatively positive message on a number of fronts, which came as a rare positive surprise. 
In<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bank-mandiri-persero-bmri-ij-the-unsung-hero-of-syariah" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Bank Mandiri Persero (BMRI IJ) - The Unsung Hero of Syariah?</a> , Cross-ASEAN Insight provider<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/angus-mackintosh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Angus Mackintosh</a> sees potential positive catalysts in the merger of three State-owned Syariah banks. He believes that Mandiri Syariah,  given it has the largest Syariah business and generating an ROE in excess of 15%, will take the lead in the merged entity. 
In<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/metrodata-electronic-mtdl-ij-a-rare-value-play-on-indonesia-s-digitalization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Metrodata Electronic (MTDL IJ) - A Rare Value Play on Indonesia's Digitalization</a>,<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/angus-mackintosh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Angus Mackintosh</a> highlights why<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/metrodata-electronic-pt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Metrodata Electronic (MTDL IJ)</a> looks undervalued, as it benefits not only from offline companies continuing to digitalize processes and infrastructure but also from the rise in e-commerce, digital payments, fintech, and gaming. 
In<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/xl-axiata-excl-ij-enabling-and-converging-in-indonesia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> XL Axiata (EXCL IJ) - Enabling and Converging in Indonesia</a>,<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/angus-mackintosh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Angus Mackintosh</a> revisits<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xl-axiata-tbk-pt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> XL Axiata (EXCL IJ),</a> one of the key enablers of the Indonesian digital economy, with around 90% of revenues coming from data and 75% of its subscriber base on 4G. Smartkarma hosted a Webinar with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xl-axiata-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15028:1" rel="noopener">XL Axiata (EXCL IJ)</a> last week, which revealed a positive long-term picture, despite some near term competitive headwinds. 
In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/sunpower-read-across-from-buyout-of-zheneng-jinjiang-fair-value-remains-at-1-sgd-63-upside" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44133" rel="noopener">Sunpower: Read Across from Buyout of Zheneng JinJiang; Fair Value Remains at 1 SGD (63% Upside),</a> CrossASEAN Insight Provider provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/nicolas-van-broekhoven-24a66c2d-bca4-4f5b-adda-c4e2bcc509f4" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:1208" rel="noopener">Nicolas Van Broekhoven</a> revisits <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sunpower-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18395:1" rel="noopener">Sunpower Group (SPWG SP)</a> post a Smartakarma webinar with the company. 
In Thailand<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ipo-radar-nforce-secure-new-player-in-thai-cyber-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> IPO Radar: NForce Secure, New Player in Thai Cyber Security</a>, Thai Specialist<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/athaporn-arayasantiparb-cfa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA</a> takes a look at NForce Secure, New Player in Thai Cyber Security.  
In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/wilmar-is-a-buy-after-yka-s-listing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44228" rel="noopener">Wilmar Is A Buy After YKA’s Listing,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/david-blennerhassett" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:840" rel="noopener">David Blennerhassett</a> revisits <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wilmar-international-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:172:1" rel="noopener">Wilmar International (WIL SP)</a> following the successful listing of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yihai-kerry-arawana-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29184:1" rel="noopener">Yihai Kerry Arawana Holdings Co Ltd (YKA CH).</a>
In Singapore<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/sgx-sgx-sp-market-under-rates-its-growth-potential" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> SGX (SGX SP): Market Under-Rates Its Growth Potential</a>,<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/victor-galliano" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Victor Galliano</a> discusses why he feels<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/singapore-exchange-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> SGX (SGX SP)</a> is undervalued. 
In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/business-dna-suksan-yasasin-of-chayo-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44242" rel="noopener">Business DNA: Suksan Yasasin of Chayo Group,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/dr-andrew-stotz-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:756" rel="noopener">Dr. Andrew Stotz, CFA</a> conducts an interview with Suksan Yasasin, the CEO of Chayo Group. Business DNA is a chance to dig into the essential makeup of business leaders and their organizations. The focus is not on the short term but rather on understanding the driving forces of a business. 
In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ori-expect-flat-3q20-earnings-but-strong-recovery-in-4q20" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44163" rel="noopener">ORI: Expect Flat 3Q20 Earnings but Strong Recovery in 4Q20,</a> our friends at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/companies/country-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="companies:965" rel="noopener">Country Group</a> revisit <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/origin-property-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26762:1" rel="noopener">Origin Property (ORI TB)</a> ahead of the company's earnings. 
In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/com7-upgrade-super-cycle-for-iphone-users" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44208" rel="noopener">COM7: Upgrade Super Cycle for iPhone Users,</a> <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/companies/country-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="companies:965" rel="noopener">Country Group</a> revisits this electronics distributor in light of the announcement of the launch of the new iPhone 12. 
<h3>Sector and Thematic Insights</h3>
In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/snippets-45-lobster-alliance-cp-all-goes-to-laos" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:42866" rel="noopener">Snippets #45: Lobster Alliance, CP All Goes to Laos,</a> our Thai guru <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/athaporn-arayasantiparb-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:766" rel="noopener">Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA</a> highlights five developments over the past week that may impact Thai equities.
In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/sti-index-rebalance-kdcreit-included-flt-misses-out" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44178" rel="noopener">STI Index Rebalance: KDCREIT Included, FLT Misses Out,</a> <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/brian-freitas" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:4091" rel="noopener">Brian Freitas</a> comments on the recent FTSE STI Index rebalance.  
In<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/msci-nov20-index-rebalance-preview-asean-em-edition" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> MSCI Nov20 Index Rebalance Preview - ASEAN EM Edition</a>,<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/brian-freitas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Brian Freitas</a> looks at the upcoming MSCI ASEAN EM scheduled rebalancing. 
<h3>Credit Insights</h3>
In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/kasikornbank-s-inaugural-at1-underweight-on-franchise-challenges-and-valuation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44176" rel="noopener">Kasikornbank’s Inaugural AT1 – Underweight on Franchise Challenges and Valuation,</a> credit specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/hank-calenti-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:5194" rel="noopener">Hank Calenti, CFA</a> comments on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kasikornbank-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:293:1" rel="noopener">Kasikornbank PCL (KBANK TB)</a>'s inaugural AT1 bond. He suggests to Underweight <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kasikornbank-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:293:1" rel="noopener">Kasikornbank's (KBANK)</a> inaugural Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bond on franchise challenges and valuation.


The week that was in ASEAN@Smartkarma is filled with another eclectic mix of differentiated, substantive, and actionable insights from across South East Asia and includes macro, top-down and thematic pieces, as well as actionable equity bottom-up and credit insights over the past week.
We add below a NEW section, which includes emerging themes in ASEAN and selects important news flow or developments for commentary, which may impact SE Asian companies and markets.  

Equity Bottom-Up Insights
In Indonesia Bank Mandiri Persero (BMRI IJ) - A Plethora of Good News,  Cross-ASEAN insight provider Angus Mackintosh reports back a call with Bank Mandiri Persero (BMRI IJ) revealed a relatively positive message on a number of fronts, which came as a rare positive surprise. 
In Bank Mandiri Persero (BMRI IJ) - The Unsung Hero of Syariah? , Cross-ASEAN Insight provider Angus Mackintosh sees potential positive catalysts in the merger of three State-owned Syariah banks. He believes that Mandiri Syariah,  given it has the largest Syariah business and generating an ROE in excess of 15%, will take the lead in the merged entity. 
In Metrodata Electronic (MTDL IJ) - A Rare Value Play on Indonesia's Digitalization, Angus Mackintosh highlights why Metrodata Electronic (MTDL IJ) looks undervalued, as it benefits not only from offline companies continuing to digitalize processes and infrastructure but also from the rise in e-commerce, digital payments, fintech, and gaming. 
In XL Axiata (EXCL IJ) - Enabling and Converging in Indonesia, Angus Mackintosh revisits XL Axiata (EXCL IJ), one of the key enablers of the Indonesian digital economy, with around 90% of revenues coming from data and 75% of its subscriber base on 4G. Smartkarma hosted a Webinar with XL Axiata (EXCL IJ) last week, which revealed a positive long-term picture, despite some near term competitive headwinds. 
In Sunpower: Read Across from Buyout of Zheneng JinJiang; Fair Value Remains at 1 SGD (63% Upside), CrossASEAN Insight Provider provider Nicolas Van Broekhoven revisits Sunpower Group (SPWG SP) post a Smartakarma webinar with the company. 
In Thailand IPO Radar: NForce Secure, New Player in Thai Cyber Security, Thai Specialist Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA takes a look at NForce Secure, New Player in Thai Cyber Security.  
In Wilmar Is A Buy After YKA’s Listing,David Blennerhassett revisits Wilmar International (WIL SP) following the successful listing of Yihai Kerry Arawana Holdings Co Ltd (YKA CH).
In Singapore SGX (SGX SP): Market Under-Rates Its Growth Potential, Victor Galliano discusses why he feels SGX (SGX SP) is undervalued. 
In Business DNA: Suksan Yasasin of Chayo Group,Dr. Andrew Stotz, CFA conducts an interview with Suksan Yasasin, the CEO of Chayo Group. Business DNA is a chance to dig into the essential makeup of business leaders and their organizations. The focus is not on the short term but rather on understanding the driving forces of a business. 
In ORI: Expect Flat 3Q20 Earnings but Strong Recovery in 4Q20, our friends at Country Group revisit Origin Property (ORI TB) ahead of the company's earnings. 
In COM7: Upgrade Super Cycle for iPhone Users, Country Group revisits this electronics distributor in light of the announcement of the launch of the new iPhone 12. 
Sector and Thematic Insights
In Snippets #45: Lobster Alliance, CP All Goes to Laos, our Thai guru Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA highlights five developments over the past week that may impact Thai equities.
In STI Index Rebalance: KDCREIT Included, FLT Misses Out, Brian Freitas comments on the recent FTSE STI Index rebalance.  
In MSCI Nov20 Index Rebalance Preview - ASEAN EM Edition, Brian Freitas looks at the upcoming MSCI ASEAN EM scheduled rebalancing. 
Credit Insights
In Kasikornbank’s Inaugural AT1 – Underweight on Franchise Challenges and Valuation, credit specialist Hank Calenti, CFA comments on Kasikornbank PCL (KBANK TB)'s inaugural AT1 bond. He suggests to Underweight Kasikornbank's (KBANK) inaugural Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bond on franchise challenges and valuation. 

The NEW Week that Was in ASEAN@Smartkarma - Syariah Banking, XL Axiata, and Telkom's Tower Spinoff

Financials Credit Analyst

Hank Calenti, CFA

CreditContinuum

Credit

Underweight <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kasikornbank-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:293:1" rel="noopener">Kasikornbank's (KBANK)</a> inaugural Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bond on franchise challenges and valuation. Although Thailand is a long-term Coronavirus vaccine recovery play, we believe that KBANK’s SME emphasis is a franchise challenge that may extend the bank’s recovery timeframe. At the same time, trading at only 33bps higher than <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bangkok-bank-public-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:213:1" rel="noopener">Bangkok Bank (BBLTB)</a> in Option Adjusted Spread terms, KBANK’s inaugural issue appears to be fully valued.Kasikornbank’s 5.275% coupon 2025 callable US$-AT1 bond was 3x over-subscribed with 25% of orders from outside Asia, according to Bloomberg. Asian investors were likely attracted by the coupon; however, we are not convinced they are prepared for a relatively higher risk outcome as the bond’s yield declines. As such, yield compression is likely to be capped. In addition to this technical trading aspect, we elaborate on what we like and dislike regarding the issuer and this security within this insight.  What we like:<ul>
<li>The 5+ percent coupon should attract investors searching for higher yielding product.</li>
<li>The relatively high coupon reset level at five-year US Treasuries plus 494 should enable call at first call date, absent considerable credit quality deterioration.</li>
<li>Lower lending concentrations than Bangkok Bank.</li>
<li>High net interest margins and fee income juice pre-provision revenue.</li>
<li>Highest buffers to minimum capital requirements amongst Thai banks.</li>
</ul>What we dislike:<ul>
<li>Thai bank AT1 is subject to tougher coupon payment requirements than in other countries.</li>
<li>Leadership in lending to small &amp; medium sized enterprises (SME) may result in higher loan restructuring needs in the COVID-19 operating environment.</li>
<li>Restructured loan recidivism is high and this is a primary risk to chronic COVID loan relief decay.</li>
<li>Net interest margin to be pressured from Bank of Thailand rate moves and programmes to lower interest rates on SME borrowers.</li>
<li>KBANK’s SME ecosystem is likely to be tested by fragile operating conditions in Thailand.</li>
</ul>Despite the challenges of operating an SME franchise during an economic crisis, KBANK achieved a relatively attractive coupon level in its inaugural AT1 bond. This bond may outperform the market over the very near term, due to global monetary accommodation that will push investors to this security and domestic loan forbearance measures that will mask the true financial condition of Thai banks for months. However, the market impact of these measures may diminish with time. As such, we are taking a longer-term view and believe that this security will underperform its peers. Taken together, we recommend that investors underweight KBANK’s AT1 bond given the franchise challenges that the firm faces and current valuation levels. Issued at T+494 and trading at around T+ 492, we suggest taking profits at T+540 and recommend a stop loss at T+440.

Underweight Kasikornbank's (KBANK) inaugural Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bond on franchise challenges and valuation. Although Thailand is a long-term Coronavirus vaccine recovery play, we believe that KBANK’s SME emphasis is a franchise challenge that may extend the bank’s recovery timeframe. At the same time, trading at only 33bps higher than Bangkok Bank (BBLTB) in Option Adjusted Spread terms, KBANK’s inaugural issue appears to be fully valued.Kasikornbank’s 5.275% coupon 2025 callable US$-AT1 bond was 3x over-subscribed with 25% of orders from outside Asia, according to Bloomberg. Asian investors were likely attracted by the coupon; however, we are not convinced they are prepared for a relatively higher risk outcome as the bond’s yield declines. As such, yield compression is likely to be capped. In addition to this technical trading aspect, we elaborate on what we like and dislike regarding the issuer and this security within this insight.  What we like:
The 5+ percent coupon should attract investors searching for higher yielding product.
The relatively high coupon reset level at five-year US Treasuries plus 494 should enable call at first call date, absent considerable credit quality deterioration.
Lower lending concentrations than Bangkok Bank.
High net interest margins and fee income juice pre-provision revenue.
Highest buffers to minimum capital requirements amongst Thai banks.
What we dislike:
Thai bank AT1 is subject to tougher coupon payment requirements than in other countries.
Leadership in lending to small &amp; medium sized enterprises (SME) may result in higher loan restructuring needs in the COVID-19 operating environment.
Restructured loan recidivism is high and this is a primary risk to chronic COVID loan relief decay.
Net interest margin to be pressured from Bank of Thailand rate moves and programmes to lower interest rates on SME borrowers.
KBANK’s SME ecosystem is likely to be tested by fragile operating conditions in Thailand.
Despite the challenges of operating an SME franchise during an economic crisis, KBANK achieved a relatively attractive coupon level in its inaugural AT1 bond. This bond may outperform the market over the very near term, due to global monetary accommodation that will push investors to this security and domestic loan forbearance measures that will mask the true financial condition of Thai banks for months. However, the market impact of these measures may diminish with time. As such, we are taking a longer-term view and believe that this security will underperform its peers. Taken together, we recommend that investors underweight KBANK’s AT1 bond given the franchise challenges that the firm faces and current valuation levels. Issued at T+494 and trading at around T+ 492, we suggest taking profits at T+540 and recommend a stop loss at T+440.

Kasikornbank’s Inaugural AT1 – Underweight on Franchise Challenges and Valuation

Thailand

Kasikornbank Public Company Limited provides commercial banking services including personal and commercial banking, international trade, as well as investment banking services, to its customers throughout Thailand.  The Bank has foreign branches in Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Cayman Islands, and Shenzhen; and representative offices in Shanghai, Beijing, and Kunmin.

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Kasikornbank PCL (KBANK TB)

DNB ASA – Business Is Back to Normal

Norway's DNB is indicating a return to normalcy in business; we may expect similar commentary from more banks in coming months

Daniel Tabbush

Nine Reasons Why Thai Banks Should Be Worry About in the Future

Brett King's bestseller sheds spotlight on one of the world's largest sector anywhere. Is the business model dead? Do regulators get it? Are you...

Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA

KBANK – Provision Expense Collapse

The range of 3Q20 credit cost change among Thai banks is vast, from -57% to +41% QoQ, with the two similar banks, Kasikornbank PCL (KBANK TB) and...

Daniel Tabbush

The NEW Week that Was in ASEAN@Smartkarma - Syariah Banking, XL Axiata, and Telkom's Tower Spinoff

The Week that Was in ASEAN@Smartkarma is filled with an eclectic mix of differentiated, substantive, and actionable insights from across South East...

Angus Mackintosh

Kasikornbank’s Inaugural AT1 – Underweight on Franchise Challenges and Valuation

Underweight Kasikornbank’s inaugural Additional Tier 1 bond on franchise challenges and valuation. The bank's SME emphasis may extend its recovery...

Hank Calenti, CFA

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