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

<ul>
<li>* BDO Unibank (BDO.PM) [BDO] reported 4Q21net income of PHP 11.0 bn, a PHP 1.0 bn (10.0%) linked quarter increase, driven by surprisingly positive operating jaws; </li>
<li>The level of net new NPLs declined PHP 319 mn or 1.7% on an annualized basis which is a wonderful turn of events for BDO; and</li>
<li>By our calculation, BDO’s reserves appear fine where they are provided credit quality doesn’t reverse course -suggesting earnings strength on the horizon.</li>
</ul>


* BDO Unibank (BDO.PM) [BDO] reported 4Q21net income of PHP 11.0 bn, a PHP 1.0 bn (10.0%) linked quarter increase, driven by surprisingly positive operating jaws; 
The level of net new NPLs declined PHP 319 mn or 1.7% on an annualized basis which is a wonderful turn of events for BDO; and
By our calculation, BDO’s reserves appear fine where they are provided credit quality doesn’t reverse course -suggesting earnings strength on the horizon.


<ul>
<li>
<em><strong>Another Fraud In The Philippines:</strong></em> Nearly 700 BDO Unibank customers have reported unauthorized account transactions of between PHP 25,000-PHP 50,000 with accounts at UnionBank of the Philippines (UBP PM);</li>
<li>
<em><strong>Small Risk:</strong></em>Assuming that the affected customers are capped at 700, losses from this incident would amount to USD 700,000 – well under 1% of consensus forecasts for 2022; and</li>
<li>
<em><strong>Weak Fundamentals:</strong></em> Net new NPLs increased an alarming PHP 17.8 bn or 115.8% annualized.  BDO’s reserves are light in the neighborhood of PHP 66 bn or six quarters of results.</li>
</ul>



Another Fraud In The Philippines: Nearly 700 BDO Unibank customers have reported unauthorized account transactions of between PHP 25,000-PHP 50,000 with accounts at UnionBank of the Philippines (UBP PM);

Small Risk:Assuming that the affected customers are capped at 700, losses from this incident would amount to USD 700,000 – well under 1% of consensus forecasts for 2022; and

Weak Fundamentals: Net new NPLs increased an alarming PHP 17.8 bn or 115.8% annualized.  BDO’s reserves are light in the neighborhood of PHP 66 bn or six quarters of results.


Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Metropolitan Bank & Trust / Equity Bottom-Up

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<p>On the <a href="https://www.phcc.gov.ph/press-releases/banks-mca-moa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">5 November</a>, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP - the central bank of the Philippines), the Securities and Exchange Commission, Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp, and the Cooperative Development Authority signed a multi-agency agreement to streamline the merger, consolidation, and acquisition (MCA) process to encourage consolidation in the banking sector.</p>
<p>BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said the agreement "<em>aims to streamline processes, reduce processing time, and facilitate prompt action of applications for mergers, consolidations, and acquisitions</em>". PCC's Arsenio Balisacan added: "<em>We acknowledge that mergers, consolidations, and acquisitions can catalyse innovation in any industry, including banking, because of combined resources and expertise". </em></p>
<p>The agreement, in effect, harmonizes the paperwork across the various regulators, by reducing the number of documentary requirements to 30 from 58, which in turn lowers the total processing time to an expected 55 business days from an average of 160 business days currently.</p>
<p>According to the <a href="https://www.phcc.gov.ph/press-releases/banks-mca-moa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PCC</a>, the "<em>Implementing Guidelines on the procedures for MCA applications will subsequently be issued via a Joint Circular by the partner-agencies</em>".</p>
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<div id="gpt-ad-Instream_Video">For years, the various regulators have aimed to consolidate the Philippines' highly fragmented banking sector comprising mostly small rural lenders. Such inefficiencies have led to nine problematic banks being shut this year, including BSP's recent order to close United People’s Rural Bank Inc.</div>
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<div>The accord was also promulgated after the BSP stopped accepting digital banking license applications from 1 September 2021, with the number of digital lenders expected to be capped at seven for the next three years.</div>
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<div>The question is: who stands to benefit from this MCA streamlining?</div>
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<div><em>For more on M&amp;A in the Philippines, please see the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/quiddity-philippines-m-a-guide-2019" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:31122" rel="noopener">Quiddity Philippines M&amp;A Guide 2019</a>. </em></div>
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On the 5 November, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP - the central bank of the Philippines), the Securities and Exchange Commission, Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp, and the Cooperative Development Authority signed a multi-agency agreement to streamline the merger, consolidation, and acquisition (MCA) process to encourage consolidation in the banking sector.
BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said the agreement "aims to streamline processes, reduce processing time, and facilitate prompt action of applications for mergers, consolidations, and acquisitions". PCC's Arsenio Balisacan added: "We acknowledge that mergers, consolidations, and acquisitions can catalyse innovation in any industry, including banking, because of combined resources and expertise". 
The agreement, in effect, harmonizes the paperwork across the various regulators, by reducing the number of documentary requirements to 30 from 58, which in turn lowers the total processing time to an expected 55 business days from an average of 160 business days currently.
According to the PCC, the "Implementing Guidelines on the procedures for MCA applications will subsequently be issued via a Joint Circular by the partner-agencies".

For years, the various regulators have aimed to consolidate the Philippines' highly fragmented banking sector comprising mostly small rural lenders. Such inefficiencies have led to nine problematic banks being shut this year, including BSP's recent order to close United People’s Rural Bank Inc.

The accord was also promulgated after the BSP stopped accepting digital banking license applications from 1 September 2021, with the number of digital lenders expected to be capped at seven for the next three years.


The question is: who stands to benefit from this MCA streamlining?




For more on M&amp;A in the Philippines, please see the Quiddity Philippines M&amp;A Guide 2019. 





Bank of the Philippine Islands / Equity Bottom-Up

<p><strong><em>*</em></strong><strong><em>Credit Leverage On Its Way: </em></strong>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</p><p><strong><em>*Significant Credit Improvement: </em></strong>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.</p>

*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

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

Philippine Stock Exchange / Equity Bottom-Up

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<p>The <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/philippine-stock-exchange-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23182:1" rel="noopener">Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE PM)</a> reported a strong set of 1H2021 numbers with net income up by +63.1% YoY on the back of a +30.9% increase in operating revenues.</p>
<p>The bottom-line performance was driven by the increase in operating revenues together with positive investment income. </p>
<p>The company saw particularly strong growth in listing fees due to a number of large size IPOs, whilst transaction fees and SCCP clearing fees increased due to higher market volumes, driven by particularly strong retail activity.</p>
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<p>The real growth driver for revenues and profits in 1H2021 came from a significant increase in capital raisings.</p>
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<p>Even after the flush of offerings in 1H2021, the listing pipeline is robust for 2H2021 and going into 2022, with a number of already approved issues plus upcoming planned listings as well as a number of planned REITs in the pipeline, which have already been featured in the news.</p>
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<p>The <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/philippine-stock-exchange-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23182:1" rel="noopener">Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE PM)</a> has also laid out a number of key initiatives set to launch this year which will provide a potential boost to activity on the exchange including new rules on short selling.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/philippine-stock-exchange-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23182:1" rel="noopener">Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE PM)</a> will launch a new marketing campaign to encourage more companies to list and especially SMEs. </p>
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<p>This latest set of results underline the positive story with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/philippine-stock-exchange-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23182:1" rel="noopener">Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE PM)</a> which continues to look promising with a strong IPO and placement pipeline for 2H2021 and going into 2022. </p>
<p>If we factor in the company's cash per share into the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/philippine-stock-exchange-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23182:1" rel="noopener">Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE PM)</a> valuation then the company is trading on an ex-cash FY21E PER of 16.0x and FY22E PER of 14.5x making it look significantly more attractive versus its peers together with stronger growth prospects. </p>
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The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE PM) reported a strong set of 1H2021 numbers with net income up by +63.1% YoY on the back of a +30.9% increase in operating revenues.
The bottom-line performance was driven by the increase in operating revenues together with positive investment income. 
The company saw particularly strong growth in listing fees due to a number of large size IPOs, whilst transaction fees and SCCP clearing fees increased due to higher market volumes, driven by particularly strong retail activity.





The real growth driver for revenues and profits in 1H2021 came from a significant increase in capital raisings.

Even after the flush of offerings in 1H2021, the listing pipeline is robust for 2H2021 and going into 2022, with a number of already approved issues plus upcoming planned listings as well as a number of planned REITs in the pipeline, which have already been featured in the news.



The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE PM) has also laid out a number of key initiatives set to launch this year which will provide a potential boost to activity on the exchange including new rules on short selling.
Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE PM) will launch a new marketing campaign to encourage more companies to list and especially SMEs. 





This latest set of results underline the positive story with Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE PM) which continues to look promising with a strong IPO and placement pipeline for 2H2021 and going into 2022. 
If we factor in the company's cash per share into the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE PM) valuation then the company is trading on an ex-cash FY21E PER of 16.0x and FY22E PER of 14.5x making it look significantly more attractive versus its peers together with stronger growth prospects. 


Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE PM) - Thriving on Retailers and IPOs

Philippines

BDO Unibank Inc provides banking services. The Bank offers saving accounts, investment, loans, credit and debit cards, remittance, insurance, and trade financing services. BDO Unibank serves customers in Philippines.

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company offers commercial and investment banking services. The Bank's business activities include borrowing and lending, trade finance, remittances, treasury, investment banking and savings.

China Banking Corporation is a commercial bank. The Bank provides products and services such as deposit products, loans and trade finance, treasury products, trust products, corporate finance and other investment banking services.

Philtrust Bank provides various commercial banking products and services in the Philippines. The company offers checking accounts, savings accounts, time deposits, money market placements, business loans, transfer of funds and collections, remittances, securities investments, and safety deposit boxes. It also provides commercial letters of credit, collections and remittances, foreign exchange services, traveler�s checks, and foreign currency deposit unit transactions. In addition, the company offers trust services, such as trust placement, investment management, estate administration/trustee of bond issues, savings and pension plan administration, and insurance trust services, as well as acts as escrow agent, and stock registrar and transfer agent. It operates a network of approximately 57 branches and 57 automated teller machines. The company was founded in 1916 and is headquartered in Manila, the Philippines.

UnionBank of the Philippines, together with its subsidiaries, provides various commercial banking products and services in the Philippines. It operates through Consumer Banking, Corporate and Commercial Banking, and Treasury segments. The company offers various personal banking products and services, such as savings and checking accounts, and time deposits; auto loans; debit and credit cards; trust and investment products; remittance products and services; and mobile banking services, as well as foreclosed properties and vehicles. It also provides corporate and small and medium scale enterprise products and services that consist of cash management services; various small business products and services; and treasury products. In addition, the company offers corporate and commercial banking loans; salary and mortgage loans; consumer finance products; pre-need insurance products and services; funds transfer facilities; retail and trust banking products and services; and capital markets products, as well as handles transactions in the financial markets covering foreign exchange and fixed income trading, and investments and derivatives products. Further, it provides insurance, securities, and foreign currency brokerage services; data processing services; venture capital products; financial products marketing services; and real estate administration services, as well as acts as a thrift banker. The company serves retail, middle market, corporate, and institutional customers, as well as small and medium enterprises and government institutions. As of December 31, 2014, it had 253 branches; and 243 on-site and 39 off-site automated teller machines. The company was formerly known as Union Savings and Mortgage Bank and changed its name to UnionBank of the Philippines in January 1982. UnionBank of the Philippines was founded in 1968 and is based in Pasig City, the Philippines.

Security Bank Corporation offers a wide variety of financial products and services. The Bank's services include peso, dollar and third currency deposits, domestic and international fund transfers, deposit pick-up and payroll services, and ancillary services.  Security Bank also provides working capital financing, term arrangements, loan syndication services.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation provides banking and financial products and services in the Philippines and internationally. It operates through Retail Banking, Corporate Banking, Treasury, and Others segments. The company�s deposit products include checking and savings accounts, time deposits, foreign currency deposits, and cash cards. Its loan portfolio comprises commercial and consumer loans; and wholesale lending, rediscounting, and guaranty facilities. The company also provides remittance, payment and settlement, treasury, trust, overdraft facilities, money market, and trading services. In addition, it offers corporate cash management services, such as collection and receivables services; disbursements; government payment services; and third party services comprising collection and receivables services, and payment management services. Further, the company provides investment banking services, such as the underwriting of debt and equity securities for distribution through public offering or private placement; syndicated loans, joint ventures, and project finance; financial advisory and consultancy services; and mergers and acquisitions services. Additionally, it offers ancillary services, including day and night depository, deposit pick-up and delivery, foreign currency conversions, foreign trade information, economic and investment research, wealth management, and safety deposit boxes; automated teller machines; bills payment machines; and mobile, Internet, phone banking, and e-Shop services. As of December 31, 2014, the company operated a network of 449 business centers, including 35 extension offices; and 1,202 ATMs. The company was formerly known as Rizal Development Bank and changed its name to Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation in January 1963. Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Makati City, the Philippines. Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation operates as a subsidiary of Yuchengco Group of Companies.

Philippine National Bank, through its subsidiaries, provides commercial bank services. Its products include deposit-taking, lending, bill discounting, foreign exchange dealing, investment banking, and fund transfer. The Company also offers merchant banking, remittance servicing, non-life insurance, leasing, stock brokerage, foreign exchange trading, and related services.

Asia United Bank Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and other financial products and services to consumers, small medium enterprises, and large corporations in the Philippines. The company operates through Commercial, Consumer, Treasury, Branch Banking, and Others segments. It provides commercial banking services, such as deposit products, loans and trade finance, domestic and foreign fund transfers, treasury, foreign exchange, and trust services. Its deposit products include savings, current, time, and other currency deposit accounts; and loan portfolio comprises auto, home, salary, and commercial loans, as well as real estate and pension loans. The company also provides cash management services; investment products, including treasury and trust products; and other services consisting of card, remittance, property sale, and leasing services. As of June 30, 2016, the company operated 232 branches. Asia United Bank Corporation was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Pasig, the Philippines.

East West Banking Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a commercial bank providing a range of financial services to consumer and corporate clients in the Philippines. It operates through Retail Banking, Corporate Banking, Consumer Banking, and Treasury and Trust segments. The company offers personal banking services, such as checking and savings accounts, time deposit, bills payment, check-writing, and prepaid and gift cards; credit cards; auto, home, pre owned properties and cars, personal, and business loans; Internet banking; personal investment services, including money market and fixed-income unit investment trust funds, and fixed-income investment trust funds; and suite of corporate services comprising payroll, disbursement, collection, and others services. It also provides trade finance; treasury products, such as fixed income securities and foreign exchange products; and fund and investment management, custodianship, administration and collateral agency services, and stock and transfer agency services. As of As of December 31, 2014, it served its customers through a network of 358 branches and 533 ATMs. The company was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Taguig City, the Philippines.

Canara Bank Ltd. provides a full range of banking services throughout India. The Group's activities include retail banking, commercial and personal banking, investment management, treasury & NRI services, cash management and assorted ATM facilities.

Union Bank of India Limited provides a full range of banking services throughout India. The Company's activities include retail banking, commercial and personal banking, investment management, treasury and NRI services, cash management and assorted ATM facilities. Union Bank has an online tele-banking facility for all its core banking customers.

Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam provides commercial banking services. The Company offers deposits, personal loans, e-banking, guarantees, and trade finance for customers, corporate, and financial institutions. Bank for Investment also offers foreign exchange, money market, derivatives, and debt market services.

First Financial Holding Co., Ltd. is a holding company.  Through its subsidiaries, the Company accepts deposits, provides loans and discount, letters of credit, and guarantee services, invests in marketable securities, provides securities brokerage and investment services, as well as provides insurance services.

YES BANK Limited provides banking services. The Bank offers deposits, personal loans, e-banking, trade finance, corporate, and business banking services. YES BANK serves the food and agribusiness, life sciences, healthcare, biotechnology, telecommunications, media, information technology, and infrastructure development industries in India.

IndusInd Bank Limited is a Mumbai-based Indian new generation bank established in 1994. The Bank provides a range of banking and financial services including  wholesale banking, credit monitoring, risk management, tele-banking, investment banking and commercial lending. IndusInd Bank operates branches throughout India as well as an office in Dubai and London.

Shinkin Central Bank is a central bank for shinkin banks nationwide, operating as a cooperative financial institution.  The Bank has developed businesses in a variety of fields that contribute the shinkin banking industry.  The Bank's services include enhancement of the credit standing, efficient use of shikin bank's surplus funds, and settlement of domestic exchange transaction.

Taiwan Cooperative Financial Holding, through subsidiaries, offers financial services.  The Company offers commercial banking, asset management, bills finance, and securities brokerage services.

Hua Nan Financial Holdings Co., Ltd. is a holding company. Through its subsidiaries, the Company conducts commercial banking, savings, trust, and international banking businesses. In addition, the Group also provides insurance services and acts as a dealer, broker, and underwriter for financial securities.

Hua Nan Financial Holdings Co Ltd. (2880 TT)

First Horizon National Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of financial services. The Company offers a variety of commercial banking services and also conducts mortgage banking, capital markets, and transaction processing.

Bank of the Philippine Islands, through its subsidiaries, provides commercial banking services. The Company's products includes ATM, debit card system, credit card, electronic cash card, internet platform and other services.

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Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI PM)

BDO Unibank – Ready to Run

BDO: BDO reported a QOQ 4Q21net income increase of 10.0%, driven by surprisingly positive operating jaws. Net new NPLs were negative, and reserves...

Thomas J. Monaco

BDO Unibank – Small Hit, Big Problem

BDO UNIBANK: Nearly 700 BDO customers have reported unauthorized account transactions. Losses are small, but reputational risk is high. Add this...

Thomas J. Monaco

Philippine Banks: Streamlining M&A

MBT PM's given its conservative approach during Covid has improved its overall asset quality, plus it has the highest NPL coverage among the top...

David Blennerhassett

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

Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE PM) - Thriving on Retailers and IPOs

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE PM) continues to look undervalued relative to other listed regional exchanges with a strong IPO and placement...

Angus Mackintosh

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