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

*Better – But Not Good: Bank of Baroda (BOB.IN) [BOB] reported FY 2Q21 results of INR 16.8bn, quite a reversal of fortune from the losses of INR 8.6 bn in FY 1Q21. Several factors drove BOB’s outperformance: a) net interest income improvement of INR 7.5 bn (11.0%) linked quarter driven solely by NIM expansion of 31 bp to 2.86% while the loan book contracted 1.8%; b) fee revenue improvement of INR 2.6 bn (22.2%) on the back of higher loan processing fees as retail loan disbursements increased; and c) most importantly, an INR 26.3 bn (46.7%) reduction in loss provisions as annualized net new NPL creation dropped precipitously to just 2.0%;*Poor Reserve Cover: Excluding the September 2016 Supreme Court standstill on NPL classification, BOB’s NPLs still would have declined INR 19.9 bn (2.9%) and the NPL ratio would have been 9.30% - still improving 10 bp over the previous quarter. Anything over 8% suggest institutions are insolvent. By our calculation, however, BOB’s reserves still remain light by INR 245 bn or nearly ten quarters of pre-tax earnings – this prior to its merger with Vijaya and Dena Banks; and       *Capital Raise A Real Challenge: Merger-related challenges leading to growth slowdown, higher NPLs on portfolio alignment, and continued deterioration in the international business. Equity dilution is BOB’s single largest risk.

*Better – But Not Good: Bank of Baroda (BOB.IN) [BOB] reported FY 2Q21 results of INR 16.8bn, quite a reversal of fortune from the losses of INR 8.6 bn in FY 1Q21. Several factors drove BOB’s outperformance: a) net interest income improvement of INR 7.5 bn (11.0%) linked quarter driven solely by NIM expansion of 31 bp to 2.86% while the loan book contracted 1.8%; b) fee revenue improvement of INR 2.6 bn (22.2%) on the back of higher loan processing fees as retail loan disbursements increased; and c) most importantly, an INR 26.3 bn (46.7%) reduction in loss provisions as annualized net new NPL creation dropped precipitously to just 2.0%;*Poor Reserve Cover: Excluding the September 2016 Supreme Court standstill on NPL classification, BOB’s NPLs still would have declined INR 19.9 bn (2.9%) and the NPL ratio would have been 9.30% - still improving 10 bp over the previous quarter. Anything over 8% suggest institutions are insolvent. By our calculation, however, BOB’s reserves still remain light by INR 245 bn or nearly ten quarters of pre-tax earnings – this prior to its merger with Vijaya and Dena Banks; and       *Capital Raise A Real Challenge: Merger-related challenges leading to growth slowdown, higher NPLs on portfolio alignment, and continued deterioration in the international business. Equity dilution is BOB’s single largest risk.

*Solid Results In FY 2Q21: Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB.IN) [Kotak] reported a fairly stellar FY 2Q21 earnings result of INR 21.8 bn – exceeding FY 1Q21 results by INR 9.3 bn or 75.5% - a high quality beat of consensus as well; and*Strong Credit Metrics Across The Board: Gross NPLs were flattish linked quarter, while net new NPLs increased just INR 1.1 bn or 7.6% on an annualized basis. Further, despite the loss provisioning decline of INR 5.9 bn (61.7%), loss reserves at KMB increased INR 2.8 bn (7.4%) as NCOs continue to decelerate.

*Solid Results In FY 2Q21: Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB.IN) [Kotak] reported a fairly stellar FY 2Q21 earnings result of INR 21.8 bn – exceeding FY 1Q21 results by INR 9.3 bn or 75.5% - a high quality beat of consensus as well; and*Strong Credit Metrics Across The Board: Gross NPLs were flattish linked quarter, while net new NPLs increased just INR 1.1 bn or 7.6% on an annualized basis. Further, despite the loss provisioning decline of INR 5.9 bn (61.7%), loss reserves at KMB increased INR 2.8 bn (7.4%) as NCOs continue to decelerate. 

Kotak Mahindra Bank – Surprisingly Strong Performance

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

*HFC Harmonization With NBFCs: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had initially published a draft proposal for changes in regulations for Housing Finance Companies (HFC) in June 2020, seeking commentary from stakeholders by July 15, 2020; and*Final Regulatory Changes: After stakeholder review, there is essentially one key change to the draft proposal mandating a higher 60% of total assets be “qualifying housing finance assets” and that a minimum of 50% of total assets be housing loans. The RBI has indicated that other differences between HFC and NBFC regulations will be eliminated over a period of two years.

*HFC Harmonization With NBFCs: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had initially published a draft proposal for changes in regulations for Housing Finance Companies (HFC) in June 2020, seeking commentary from stakeholders by July 15, 2020; and*Final Regulatory Changes: After stakeholder review, there is essentially one key change to the draft proposal mandating a higher 60% of total assets be “qualifying housing finance assets” and that a minimum of 50% of total assets be housing loans. The RBI has indicated that other differences between HFC and NBFC regulations will be eliminated over a period of two years.

Reserve Bank of India  - Final HFC Changes

*Strong Results, But Managed: HDFC Bank (HDFCB.IN) [HDFCB] reported FY 2Q21 results of INR 770.3 bn, which increased INR 77.6 bn (11.2%) linked quarter. On a core operating basis, results improved INR 84.6 bn (14.5%) to INR 668.6 bn over the period. Other income drove the results outperformance;*Credit Still Breaking Down Ex-Supreme Court Ruling: The Supreme Court of India, in a public interest litigation directed that accounts which were not declared NPL through August 31, 2020 shall not be declared as such until further notice. On an apples-to-apples basis, we find that HDFCB’s gross NPLs increased 4.3% linked quarter. Inclusive of NCOs of INR 184 bn, we calculate that net new NPLs actually increased INR 765 bn or 22.4% on an annualized basis; and*Reserve Cover Needs Improvement: While provisions cover NCOs by 2.4x, we would be more comfortable if HDFCB was a bit more aggressive with its provisions – especially during periods when volatile sources of fee revenues gives HDFCB a gift to build reserves. By our calculation, reserves are currently short by nearly INR 680 bn or an entire quarter of core operating results.

*Strong Results, But Managed: HDFC Bank (HDFCB.IN) [HDFCB] reported FY 2Q21 results of INR 770.3 bn, which increased INR 77.6 bn (11.2%) linked quarter. On a core operating basis, results improved INR 84.6 bn (14.5%) to INR 668.6 bn over the period. Other income drove the results outperformance;*Credit Still Breaking Down Ex-Supreme Court Ruling: The Supreme Court of India, in a public interest litigation directed that accounts which were not declared NPL through August 31, 2020 shall not be declared as such until further notice. On an apples-to-apples basis, we find that HDFCB’s gross NPLs increased 4.3% linked quarter. Inclusive of NCOs of INR 184 bn, we calculate that net new NPLs actually increased INR 765 bn or 22.4% on an annualized basis; and*Reserve Cover Needs Improvement: While provisions cover NCOs by 2.4x, we would be more comfortable if HDFCB was a bit more aggressive with its provisions – especially during periods when volatile sources of fee revenues gives HDFCB a gift to build reserves. By our calculation, reserves are currently short by nearly INR 680 bn or an entire quarter of core operating results.   

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.

We wonder if those banks that saw radical growth of impairment costs during FY20 will see the most improvement in the current year? We can look to some, with reported first quarter data to see if there is any sign of this occurring already. While India moved into shutdown while in its own banking and economic crisis, there can be some relief for banks and specialty finance companies with re-opening and with an improving economy, especially where impairment costs were very high. And it may be the type of credit that each company emphasizes that is key to differentiate amongst India’s lenders.

We wonder if those banks that saw radical growth of impairment costs during FY20 will see the most improvement in the current year? We can look to some, with reported first quarter data to see if there is any sign of this occurring already. While India moved into shutdown while in its own banking and economic crisis, there can be some relief for banks and specialty finance companies with re-opening and with an improving economy, especially where impairment costs were very high. And it may be the type of credit that each company emphasizes that is key to differentiate amongst India’s lenders.

India

PNB Housing Finance Ltd. (PNBHFL) provides lending services. The Company offers housing loans to individuals and corporate bodies for construction, purchase, repair, and upgradation of houses, as well as loans for commercial space, loan against property, and loan for purchase of residential plots. PNBHFL serves customers in India.

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PNB Housing Finance Ltd (PNBHOUSI IN)

Bank of Baroda – Scary On Halloween

BANK OF BARODA: Manufactured Profits Ahead Of Capital Raise. BOB Already Appears Insolvent With 9.3% NPLs and 10 Quarter Reserve Shortfall

Thomas J. Monaco

Kotak Mahindra Bank – Surprisingly Strong Performance

KOTAK MAHINDRA BANK: Surprise, Surprise, Surprise. Both Credit Metrics and Ne Interest Income Improves As Risk Substantially Declines

Thomas J. Monaco

Reserve Bank of India - Final HFC Changes

RESERVE BANK OF INDIA - Final Housing Finance and Non-Bank Financial Company Rule Harmonization Regulations Now Set With Stricter Rules.

Thomas J. Monaco

HDFC Bank – Not A Great Quarter

HDFC Bank: Improved Bottom-line Clouded By Supreme Court Ruling On Credit Quality Calculations. Reserve Cover Lower Than On/Off Balance Sheet Risk...

Thomas J. Monaco

India Banks – Weak Turn Strong?

We wonder if those banks that saw radical growth of impairment costs during FY20 will see the most improvement in the current year? We have the...

Daniel Tabbush

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