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

*Results Highly Reliant On Gains: Canara Bank (CBK.IN) [Canara] reported bottom-line results of INR 10.1 bn for FY 4Q21, improving INR 6.0 bn (85.5%) linked quarter. Results were driven one factor alone: am INR 9.3 bn (21.8%) increase in various sundry gains - securities, F/X, et al. As awe calculate, these various low quality items and gains amounted to INR 48.9 bn during FY 4Q21 or nearly 5x Canara’s stated bottom-line result; and  * Credit Leads To Solvency Concerns: Given the INR 27.3 bn in NCO, we calculate that annualized net new NPLs amount to 21.7%. We remain highly concerned about Canara’s credit outlook, given the concentrations of SMA loans, ‘BBB’ and below corporate, and MSME loans; and poor collection efficiency.  By our calculation, Canara’s loan loss reserve falls short by INR 674.0 bn or by 180.2% - representing 115% of Canara’s equity base and implying a lack of solvency.

*Results Highly Reliant On Gains: Canara Bank (CBK.IN) [Canara] reported bottom-line results of INR 10.1 bn for FY 4Q21, improving INR 6.0 bn (85.5%) linked quarter. Results were driven one factor alone: am INR 9.3 bn (21.8%) increase in various sundry gains - securities, F/X, et al. As awe calculate, these various low quality items and gains amounted to INR 48.9 bn during FY 4Q21 or nearly 5x Canara’s stated bottom-line result; and  * Credit Leads To Solvency Concerns: Given the INR 27.3 bn in NCO, we calculate that annualized net new NPLs amount to 21.7%. We remain highly concerned about Canara’s credit outlook, given the concentrations of SMA loans, ‘BBB’ and below corporate, and MSME loans; and poor collection efficiency.  By our calculation, Canara’s loan loss reserve falls short by INR 674.0 bn or by 180.2% - representing 115% of Canara’s equity base and implying a lack of solvency.

Canara Bank – India’s Trash Compactor

India Financials

Saumya Agarwal

Canara Bank reported its Q4FY21 results today. While FY21 ended with a net profit (versus a loss in FY20) what stood out was that Canara Bank would be setting off the accumulated losses against the share premium account. Canara Bank’s accumulated losses have almost doubled post its merger with Syndicate bank and this kind of accounting arrangement will help it to create distributable reserves i.e. making dividend payments or AT1 coupon payments. However, resolving the legacy woes would be crucial for sustaining the long-term profitability of the Bank.

Canara Bank reported its Q4FY21 results today. While FY21 ended with a net profit (versus a loss in FY20) what stood out was that Canara Bank would be setting off the accumulated losses against the share premium account. Canara Bank’s accumulated losses have almost doubled post its merger with Syndicate bank and this kind of accounting arrangement will help it to create distributable reserves i.e. making dividend payments or AT1 coupon payments. However, resolving the legacy woes would be crucial for sustaining the long-term profitability of the Bank. 

Canara Bank – Setting-Off the Accumulated Losses, Post Merger with Syndicate Bank

*Another Unwarranted Provision Reduction: Federal Bank’s (FB.IN) results were likely managed, as it posted FY 4Q21 bottom-line result of INR 4.8 bn – improving INR 737 mn (18.2%) linked quarter. One factor, which was simply ridiculous, given the state of Federal Bank’s balance sheet, drove the improvement – aggressively cutting loss provisions again; and*Reserve Cover Is Shallow: Net new problem loans increased INR 8.4 bn or 78.4% on an annualized basis – dangerously accelerating over FY 3Q21. We remain discouraged that management hasn’t taken the opportunity to more aggressively address the risk sitting pon balance sheet. In fact, we find that reserve cover is increasingly light by close to INR 84.5 bn (versus being short INR 50.0 bn just a quarter ago) – nearly 20 years of core operating performance.

*Another Unwarranted Provision Reduction: Federal Bank’s (FB.IN) results were likely managed, as it posted FY 4Q21 bottom-line result of INR 4.8 bn – improving INR 737 mn (18.2%) linked quarter. One factor, which was simply ridiculous, given the state of Federal Bank’s balance sheet, drove the improvement – aggressively cutting loss provisions again; and*Reserve Cover Is Shallow: Net new problem loans increased INR 8.4 bn or 78.4% on an annualized basis – dangerously accelerating over FY 3Q21. We remain discouraged that management hasn’t taken the opportunity to more aggressively address the risk sitting pon balance sheet. In fact, we find that reserve cover is increasingly light by close to INR 84.5 bn (versus being short INR 50.0 bn just a quarter ago) – nearly 20 years of core operating performance.    

Federal Bank – A Five Year Hole Has Developed

Financials Credit Analyst

Hank Calenti, CFA

CreditContinuum

Credit

Executive Summary:  A flattening US interest rate yield curve changed the dynamics for credit investors for most of the month of April, in complete contrast to how interest rates behaved in March. The narrative changed to one that was Treasury bond supportive, and this supported shorter-duration securities. Meanwhile yield curve flattening pushed credit spreads in the opposite direction longer out the curve.The sweet spot for total return investors moved dramatically. Investors that were positioned in higher duration bonds witnessed underperformance on a total return basis. Meanwhile, investors in lower duration bonds outperformed on a total return basis. However, as the month ended, we began to witness a return of the reflation trade with US interest rates ending the month on an upswing. May could see a repeat of March’s carry-trade performance.From a pure credit spread perspective, ignoring movements in the risk-free rate, Asia’s bank bonds had a mixed performance with one-third of the +100 bonds that we track widening during the month. Vaccine versus virus concerns led to lower economic growth projections by the market than seen in the prior month. Expectations for an unsynchronized global recovery also factored. Taken together, this would delay the much needed catch-up in credit fundamentals to match the monetary accommodation driven spread compression over the last year. As such, bond spread tightening was less ebullient while widening lessened the amount of fundamental performance needed to justify lofty spread levels.

Executive Summary:  A flattening US interest rate yield curve changed the dynamics for credit investors for most of the month of April, in complete contrast to how interest rates behaved in March. The narrative changed to one that was Treasury bond supportive, and this supported shorter-duration securities. Meanwhile yield curve flattening pushed credit spreads in the opposite direction longer out the curve.The sweet spot for total return investors moved dramatically. Investors that were positioned in higher duration bonds witnessed underperformance on a total return basis. Meanwhile, investors in lower duration bonds outperformed on a total return basis. However, as the month ended, we began to witness a return of the reflation trade with US interest rates ending the month on an upswing. May could see a repeat of March’s carry-trade performance.From a pure credit spread perspective, ignoring movements in the risk-free rate, Asia’s bank bonds had a mixed performance with one-third of the +100 bonds that we track widening during the month. Vaccine versus virus concerns led to lower economic growth projections by the market than seen in the prior month. Expectations for an unsynchronized global recovery also factored. Taken together, this would delay the much needed catch-up in credit fundamentals to match the monetary accommodation driven spread compression over the last year. As such, bond spread tightening was less ebullient while widening lessened the amount of fundamental performance needed to justify lofty spread levels.

Bank Credit Compass: Total Return Sweet Spot Moves, but May Rebound

*Earnings Miss: HDFC Bank (HDFCB.IN) [HDFCB] released a weak FY 4Q21 balance sheet update several weeks back, following it up with an even more disappointing FY 4Q21 bottom-line result of INR 81.9  bn - declining INR 5.7 bn (6.5%) on a linked quarter basis. The earnings disappointment came from both an increase in loss provisions and costs; and*Credit Challenged Still: Restructured loans did increase INR 10 bn (19.8%) linked quarter to INR 65 bn or 0.6% of loans. Inclusive of NCOs of INR 49.0 bn during the quarter, we calculate that net new NPLs actually increased INR 49.2 bn or 130.4% on an annualized basis which  is quite worrisome – especially considering the challenges at HDFCB’s NBFC subsidiary, HDB Financial Services.  We would be more comfortable if HDFCB was a bit more aggressive with its provisions. By our calculation, reserves are currently short by nearly INR 242 bn or nearly a half year of core operating results.

*Earnings Miss: HDFC Bank (HDFCB.IN) [HDFCB] released a weak FY 4Q21 balance sheet update several weeks back, following it up with an even more disappointing FY 4Q21 bottom-line result of INR 81.9  bn - declining INR 5.7 bn (6.5%) on a linked quarter basis. The earnings disappointment came from both an increase in loss provisions and costs; and*Credit Challenged Still: Restructured loans did increase INR 10 bn (19.8%) linked quarter to INR 65 bn or 0.6% of loans. Inclusive of NCOs of INR 49.0 bn during the quarter, we calculate that net new NPLs actually increased INR 49.2 bn or 130.4% on an annualized basis which  is quite worrisome – especially considering the challenges at HDFCB’s NBFC subsidiary, HDB Financial Services.  We would be more comfortable if HDFCB was a bit more aggressive with its provisions. By our calculation, reserves are currently short by nearly INR 242 bn or nearly a half year of core operating results.   

India

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.

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Canara Bank (CBK IN)

Canara Bank – India’s Trash Compactor

CANARA BANK: Canara reported QOQ bottom-line improvement of 85.5%, reliant on gains. Net new NPLs amount to 21.7%, but its reserve shortfall...

Thomas J. Monaco

Canara Bank – Setting-Off the Accumulated Losses, Post Merger with Syndicate Bank

Canara Bank’s accumulated losses have swelled post its merger with Syndicate bank and the Bank has decided to set- off the accumulated losses...

Saumya Agarwal

Federal Bank – A Five Year Hole Has Developed

FEDERAL BANK: FB's FY 4Q21 bottom-line QOQ result improved 18.2% due to an unwarranted provision cut. Net new NPLs accelerated 78.4% QOQ, while ...

Thomas J. Monaco

Bank Credit Compass: Total Return Sweet Spot Moves, but May Rebound

The sweet spot for total return investors moved dramatically in April. However, as the month ended, the reflation trade returned. May could see a...

Hank Calenti, CFA

HDFC Bank – Big Credit Disappointment

HDFC BANK: HDFCB released a disappointing FY 4Q21 bottom-line, declining 6.5% QOQ, due higher provisions and costs. Net new NPLs increased 130.4%...

Thomas J. Monaco

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