Financials & FinTech research, Galliano’s Financials Research

Victor Galliano

Financials & FinTech research

Financials & FinTech, EM & Developed Markets

Galliano’s Financials Research

Galliano's Financials Research provides fundamental research in Emerging Markets financials, including FinTech, as well as financials in select Developed Markets.

The investment style applied is generally value oriented, although Growth At Reasonable Price (GARP) strategies can also be used where appropriate. 

Our investment research approach aim is often contrarian, looking to capitalise on overly sceptical or optimistic consensus views. In terms of valuation techniques, the focus is on PBV ratio to ROE, PE multiples and dividend yield, as well as the application of PEG ratios and, where appropriate, Sum of the Parts (SOTP) valuations.

Equity Bottom-Up

Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB d / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>We explore Citibank’s upcoming Banamex disposal, which appears to have become a one horse race and question whether an IPO is completely off the cards</li>
<li>Bank sector data trends to December remain robust, but headwinds are building; rising funding costs threaten credit spreads and worsening cost of credit trends, both set to erode 2023 returns</li>
<li>BBVA Mexico generates consistent premium ROE of 25%+, investors can gain exposure through parent BBVA shares; we remain cautious on Banorte, due to the growing risks to returns and valuation</li>
</ul>


We explore Citibank’s upcoming Banamex disposal, which appears to have become a one horse race and question whether an IPO is completely off the cards
Bank sector data trends to December remain robust, but headwinds are building; rising funding costs threaten credit spreads and worsening cost of credit trends, both set to erode 2023 returns
BBVA Mexico generates consistent premium ROE of 25%+, investors can gain exposure through parent BBVA shares; we remain cautious on Banorte, due to the growing risks to returns and valuation


Banamex Update & Mexican Banks’ December Data; Risks of Credit Spread Erosion & Rising Credit Costs

<ul>
<li>4Q22 results confirm that Nubank is the benchmark among EM neobanks in terms of activity rates, as well as trends in revenues and costs per client and digital efficiencies</li>
<li>We see further potential for broadening and deepening the product offer to customers, at little incremental cost especially in Brazil, to drive cost effective revenue growth</li>
<li>Our proprietary Nubank model forecasts are broadly in sync with positive consensus estimates; we forecast group ROE of close to 30% in FY 2025, despite high cost of credit assumptions</li>
</ul>


4Q22 results confirm that Nubank is the benchmark among EM neobanks in terms of activity rates, as well as trends in revenues and costs per client and digital efficiencies
We see further potential for broadening and deepening the product offer to customers, at little incremental cost especially in Brazil, to drive cost effective revenue growth
Our proprietary Nubank model forecasts are broadly in sync with positive consensus estimates; we forecast group ROE of close to 30% in FY 2025, despite high cost of credit assumptions


Nubank (NU US); Strong Execution to Drive Premium ROE into 2023 and Beyond

<ul>
<li>Fintechs and neobanks suffered a valuations reality check in 2022, due to rising interest (and discount) rates, poor fundamental results coupled with - in certain cases - high cash burn</li>
<li>Most neobanks need to improve customer activity rates as well as product and revenue penetration; legacy banks are responding to disruptors and in developed markets megafintechs are encroaching on neobanks</li>
<li>We see 2023 neobank picks driven by bottom-up calls on focused execution; we turn constructive on Nubank, stay negative on Inter and Jago and neutral on Kakaobank and Banco PAN</li>
</ul>


Fintechs and neobanks suffered a valuations reality check in 2022, due to rising interest (and discount) rates, poor fundamental results coupled with - in certain cases - high cash burn
Most neobanks need to improve customer activity rates as well as product and revenue penetration; legacy banks are responding to disruptors and in developed markets megafintechs are encroaching on neobanks
We see 2023 neobank picks driven by bottom-up calls on focused execution; we turn constructive on Nubank, stay negative on Inter and Jago and neutral on Kakaobank and Banco PAN


EM and DM Neobanks in 2023; Selective Opportunity Driven by Bottom-Up Execution

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Among the EM digital banks covered, we remain negative on Inter and continue to see Bank Jago as an over-valued growth play; we are neutral on Nubank and Kakaobank</li>
<li>Client penetration is improving, yet digital banks, with the exception of Nubank, need to achieve better product penetration to enhance digital efficiency and better leverage off their lower cost bases</li>
<li>Neobanks’ other key hurdles to enhanced profitability are delinquency and cost of risk charges along with increased regulatory risk; high capital absorption from fast loan growth is another investor concern</li>
</ul>


Among the EM digital banks covered, we remain negative on Inter and continue to see Bank Jago as an over-valued growth play; we are neutral on Nubank and Kakaobank
Client penetration is improving, yet digital banks, with the exception of Nubank, need to achieve better product penetration to enhance digital efficiency and better leverage off their lower cost bases
Neobanks’ other key hurdles to enhanced profitability are delinquency and cost of risk charges along with increased regulatory risk; high capital absorption from fast loan growth is another investor concern


EM Digital Banks Review – Inter and Bank Jago in the Negative Spotlight

<ul>
<li>Lula’s narrow win in the second round of the Brazilian Presential election has so far passed in relative calm, although sitting President Jair Bolsonaro has yet to concede defeat</li>
<li>Markets will be hoping for a peaceful transition, and influential Bolsonaro allies have asked Brazilians to respect the result, to avoid social unrest and any potential intervention by the military</li>
<li>It is unclear how anti-market Lula’s policies will be but we expect downside risk for Brazilian financials and fintechs; Banco do Brasil is in for volatility, Itausa may be defensive</li>
</ul>


Lula’s narrow win in the second round of the Brazilian Presential election has so far passed in relative calm, although sitting President Jair Bolsonaro has yet to concede defeat
Markets will be hoping for a peaceful transition, and influential Bolsonaro allies have asked Brazilians to respect the result, to avoid social unrest and any potential intervention by the military
It is unclear how anti-market Lula’s policies will be but we expect downside risk for Brazilian financials and fintechs; Banco do Brasil is in for volatility, Itausa may be defensive


Brazilian Presidential Election; What Could a Lula Victory Mean for Financials and Fintech?

Brazil

NU Holdings Ltd. of the Cayman Islands operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides loans and digital banking services, as well as issues, administrates, processes, and transfers payments to post-paid credit cards and equity investments in other entities. NU Holdings serves clients worldwide.

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NU Holdings (NU US)

Banamex Update & Mexican Banks’ December Data; Risks of Credit Spread Erosion & Rising Credit Costs

The Banamex sale is a one horse race, Mexican bank PBVs are high; is an IPO totally off the cards? December data was solid, but higher funding...

Victor Galliano

Nubank (NU US); Strong Execution to Drive Premium ROE into 2023 and Beyond

Nubank presented solid 4Q22 results, with high activity rates, growing revenue per customer, controlled costs per customer whilst keeping a sound...

Victor Galliano

EM and DM Neobanks in 2023; Selective Opportunity Driven by Bottom-Up Execution

Neobank shareholder success stories are rare, but Nubank combines high customer activation and revenue conversion, with low cost to acquire; we...

Victor Galliano

EM Digital Banks Review – Inter and Bank Jago in the Negative Spotlight

EM digital banks need to deliver better product penetration on the back of client penetration to enhance returns; we stay negative on Inter and...

Victor Galliano

Brazilian Presidential Election; What Could a Lula Victory Mean for Financials and Fintech?

Lula's victory is near term negative for Brazil risk assets; in fintech & financials, we see volatility risk for Banco do Brasil, we are negative...

Victor Galliano

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