Senior Bank Analyst - Japanese Banks, Windamee Research

J. Brian Waterhouse

Senior Bank Analyst - Japanese Banks

Windamee Research

Japanese Banks

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

An old investment industry joke has it that long-term investments in equities are usually short-term investments that went wrong.  In the Japanese banking industry, short-term loans are euphemistically called “working capital finance” but, in many instances, act as a substitute for equity capital by being rolled-over or renewed every three to six months on an indefinite basis, as long as the interest continues to be paid on time.  Unlike Western banking practice, there is little to no effort ever made by Japanese banks to have these ‘short-term‘ loans cleaned-up and repaid, thereby minimizing the strain on corporate cash-flow over the longer-term while maximizing the banks’ interest income.The arrival of the global COVID-19 pandemic at the beginning of 2020 created heavy demand for bank finance as companies rushed to secure sufficient cash and lines of credit.  The purpose of this ‘dash for cash’ was to ensure corporate survival and to tide them over what was hoped would be a short period of financial uncertainty. This additional lending was intended to be short-term in nature.  As Japan faces yet another wave of the coronavirus, with emergency declarations in several of her principal cities and more lockdowns just as the postponed 2020 Olympics is scheduled to begin, it is becoming increasingly apparent that some borrowers need not just cash but capital to survive.Some banks are reportedly now considering whether to convert some of these ‘short-term’ emergency loans into long-term subordinated loans, thereby marginally improving the interest rate on the loan.  The clear advantage for the borrower would be the removal of any financial pressure to repay the loan any time soon.  For the banks, there might be other less obvious advantages than simply a better interest rate, including an opportunity to maintain potentially future non-performing loans in ongoing performing-loan status, which would obviate the need to set aside additional loan-loss provisions and preserve the banks’ own precious capital.Why call a spade a spade when it could also be referred to as a shovel?January through mid-March saw an unusually strong rally in bank shares, in line with trends in other global stock markets.  Trees do not grow to Heaven, however, and stock prices do not rise for ever  –  especially Japanese bank stocks, as has once again been proven.  Having passed the ‘marker point’ for the end of perennial bank rallies, namely 15 March (“The Ides of March”), the sector has weakened noticeably over the last month (after peaking on 19 March 2021 at 162.08) with the mega-banks falling close to 10% while other major banks and large regional banks have seen their share prices falling by 15% or more.“Caveat Emptor!” (May the Buyer Beware) remains our advice to would-be investors in Japanese bank stocks for the remainder of 2021 and beyond.<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/202/916/original/JBanks-2021-0428-TPNBNK+in+2021.jpg?1619500060" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="202916"></figure></section>

An old investment industry joke has it that long-term investments in equities are usually short-term investments that went wrong.  In the Japanese banking industry, short-term loans are euphemistically called “working capital finance” but, in many instances, act as a substitute for equity capital by being rolled-over or renewed every three to six months on an indefinite basis, as long as the interest continues to be paid on time.  Unlike Western banking practice, there is little to no effort ever made by Japanese banks to have these ‘short-term‘ loans cleaned-up and repaid, thereby minimizing the strain on corporate cash-flow over the longer-term while maximizing the banks’ interest income.The arrival of the global COVID-19 pandemic at the beginning of 2020 created heavy demand for bank finance as companies rushed to secure sufficient cash and lines of credit.  The purpose of this ‘dash for cash’ was to ensure corporate survival and to tide them over what was hoped would be a short period of financial uncertainty. This additional lending was intended to be short-term in nature.  As Japan faces yet another wave of the coronavirus, with emergency declarations in several of her principal cities and more lockdowns just as the postponed 2020 Olympics is scheduled to begin, it is becoming increasingly apparent that some borrowers need not just cash but capital to survive.Some banks are reportedly now considering whether to convert some of these ‘short-term’ emergency loans into long-term subordinated loans, thereby marginally improving the interest rate on the loan.  The clear advantage for the borrower would be the removal of any financial pressure to repay the loan any time soon.  For the banks, there might be other less obvious advantages than simply a better interest rate, including an opportunity to maintain potentially future non-performing loans in ongoing performing-loan status, which would obviate the need to set aside additional loan-loss provisions and preserve the banks’ own precious capital.Why call a spade a spade when it could also be referred to as a shovel?January through mid-March saw an unusually strong rally in bank shares, in line with trends in other global stock markets.  Trees do not grow to Heaven, however, and stock prices do not rise for ever  –  especially Japanese bank stocks, as has once again been proven.  Having passed the ‘marker point’ for the end of perennial bank rallies, namely 15 March (“The Ides of March”), the sector has weakened noticeably over the last month (after peaking on 19 March 2021 at 162.08) with the mega-banks falling close to 10% while other major banks and large regional banks have seen their share prices falling by 15% or more.“Caveat Emptor!” (May the Buyer Beware) remains our advice to would-be investors in Japanese bank stocks for the remainder of 2021 and beyond.

Japanese Banks:  When Spades Become Shovels

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Equity Bottom-Up

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shinsei-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16897:1" rel="noopener">Shinsei Bank (8303 JP)</a> was my "High Conviction" idea for 2021 as presented 22 December 2020 in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/2021-high-conviction-shinsei-bank" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:46544" rel="noopener">2021 High Conviction - Shinsei Bank</a> (the first green dot in the chart below).The stock rose ~50% in just under 3 months, outperforming other banks by 20+%. <section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/202/636/original/Screenshot+2021-04-26+at+10.41.25+AM.png?1619404897" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="202636"></figure>I warned of a pause on the squeeze in March in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/2021-high-conviction-update-shinsei-bank-float-squeeze-to-mitigate-near-term" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:48989" rel="noopener">2021 High Conviction Update - Shinsei Bank Float Squeeze to Mitigate Near-Term</a>, and since then the shares are down more than 13% (and ~20% from intraday highs in March) as huge buying flow from the buyback programme ended and SBI appears to have bought what they wanted to buy before end-March. The stock has underperformed a basket of 9 bank peers by 13% from the top and about 10% since I wrote (the second green dot below).
That pause refreshed. Event catalysts may come in May. </section>

Shinsei Bank (8303 JP) was my "High Conviction" idea for 2021 as presented 22 December 2020 in 2021 High Conviction - Shinsei Bank (the first green dot in the chart below).The stock rose ~50% in just under 3 months, outperforming other banks by 20+%. I warned of a pause on the squeeze in March in 2021 High Conviction Update - Shinsei Bank Float Squeeze to Mitigate Near-Term, and since then the shares are down more than 13% (and ~20% from intraday highs in March) as huge buying flow from the buyback programme ended and SBI appears to have bought what they wanted to buy before end-March. The stock has underperformed a basket of 9 bank peers by 13% from the top and about 10% since I wrote (the second green dot below).
That pause refreshed. Event catalysts may come in May. 

Shinsei Bank (8303 JP) Update - The Pause That Refreshed May End Soon

Event-Driven

On 23 March, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fubon-financial-holding-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11869:1" rel="noopener">Fubon Financial Holding Co (2881 TT)</a> reported that its Tender Offer for control of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jih-sun-financial-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17971:1" rel="noopener">Jih Sun Financial (5820 TT)</a> was successful. 
This was, apparently, possibly a surprise, as local media suggested last week that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shinsei-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16897:1" rel="noopener">Shinsei Bank (8303 JP)</a> had received an approach to buy their stake in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jih-sun-financial-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17971:1" rel="noopener">Jih Sun Financial (5820 TT)</a> for NT$15/share - well above the NT$13/share that Fubon had bid.  A day before the close of the Tender Offer, internal directors at Jih Sun were apparently of the opinion Shinsei would not tender, however it appears the NT$13/share in hand was better than the $15/share which was still only indicative, so they sold. 
That leaves the squeezeout. 
As always, DETAILS MATTER.
If you intend to play the risk arb on the squeezeout of Jih Sun, beware the modalities and the timing.

On 23 March, Fubon Financial Holding Co (2881 TT) reported that its Tender Offer for control of Jih Sun Financial (5820 TT) was successful. 
This was, apparently, possibly a surprise, as local media suggested last week that Shinsei Bank (8303 JP) had received an approach to buy their stake in Jih Sun Financial (5820 TT) for NT$15/share - well above the NT$13/share that Fubon had bid.   A day before the close of the Tender Offer, internal directors at Jih Sun were apparently of the opinion Shinsei would not tender, however it appears the NT$13/share in hand was better than the $15/share which was still only indicative, so they sold. 
That leaves the squeezeout. 
As always, DETAILS MATTER.
If you intend to play the risk arb on the squeezeout of Jih Sun, beware the modalities and the timing.

The Squeezeout of the Remaining 46% of Jih Sun Financial

Deposit growth at the 111 banks that are members of the Japanese Bankers Association (JBA) rose +9.7% YoY in February 2021, or by ¥74.454 trillion (US$683.1 billion), marking the third month in succession that bank deposits have achieved the highest YoY growth level ever recorded.  Deposits at all banks grew by ¥2.956 trillion (US$271.2 billion) in February alone to a new record level of ¥838.224 trillion (US$7.690 trillion) and represented the 173rd consecutive month of YoY deposit growth for all JBA member banks.As the fiscal year-end approaches, banks are becoming increasingly concerned about the current state of their computer systems and their ability to handle a surge in deposit and loan rollovers on Wednesday 31 March.  Extra staff have been scheduled to operating departments and, according to local financial media, all leave cancelled at some regional banks in order to ensure that the banks do not suffer a similar fate to that of Mizuho Bank which suffered four highly embarrassing computer systems failures last month in the space of two weeks (please refer to Smartkarma Insight <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mizuho-financial-group-8411-jp-deja-vu-all-over-again" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:48688" rel="noopener">Mizuho Financial Group (8411 JP):  Deja Vu All Over Again</a> for further details).The banking sector has enjoyed a relief rally since the start of the year, noticeably outperforming the Topix index for the first time in several years.  However, trees do not grow to heaven, and bank rallies tend to peter out in 90 days or so.  Having passed the ‘Ides of March’ perennial waypoint after which most Japanese bank rallies peter out, investors are already starting to take profits in the sector and seeking out areas of the Japanese stock market where the fundamentals are strong enough to support sustained outperformance.  Meanwhile, awash in cash, with margins under relentless pressure and core earnings deteriorating, the Japanese banking sector faces an increasingly clouded future in an ongoing near-zero interest rate environment.“Caveat Emptor!”  (May the Buyer Beware) remains our advice to would-be investors in Japanese bank stocks for 2021 and beyond.

Deposit growth at the 111 banks that are members of the Japanese Bankers Association (JBA) rose +9.7% YoY in February 2021, or by ¥74.454 trillion (US$683.1 billion), marking the third month in succession that bank deposits have achieved the highest YoY growth level ever recorded.  Deposits at all banks grew by ¥2.956 trillion (US$271.2 billion) in February alone to a new record level of ¥838.224 trillion (US$7.690 trillion) and represented the 173rd consecutive month of YoY deposit growth for all JBA member banks.As the fiscal year-end approaches, banks are becoming increasingly concerned about the current state of their computer systems and their ability to handle a surge in deposit and loan rollovers on Wednesday 31 March.  Extra staff have been scheduled to operating departments and, according to local financial media, all leave cancelled at some regional banks in order to ensure that the banks do not suffer a similar fate to that of Mizuho Bank which suffered four highly embarrassing computer systems failures last month in the space of two weeks (please refer to Smartkarma Insight Mizuho Financial Group (8411 JP):  Deja Vu All Over Again for further details).The banking sector has enjoyed a relief rally since the start of the year, noticeably outperforming the Topix index for the first time in several years.  However, trees do not grow to heaven, and bank rallies tend to peter out in 90 days or so.  Having passed the ‘Ides of March’ perennial waypoint after which most Japanese bank rallies peter out, investors are already starting to take profits in the sector and seeking out areas of the Japanese stock market where the fundamentals are strong enough to support sustained outperformance.  Meanwhile, awash in cash, with margins under relentless pressure and core earnings deteriorating, the Japanese banking sector faces an increasingly clouded future in an ongoing near-zero interest rate environment.“Caveat Emptor!”  (May the Buyer Beware) remains our advice to would-be investors in Japanese bank stocks for 2021 and beyond.

Late on 23 March 2021, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fubon-financial-holding-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11869:1" rel="noopener">Fubon Financial Holding Co (2881 TT)</a> announced that it had purchased 2,030,999,369 shares of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jih-sun-financial-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17971:1" rel="noopener">Jih Sun Financial (5820 TT)</a> in the Tender Offer, exceeding the minimum purchase amount of 1,886,603,386 shares. 
It's done. Payment should be made within five business days (i.e. by March 30 2021).
It also means that one of the two large shareholders did not tender. 
And that starts a process.
We will find out between 24 March and 7 April who the large seller was. I expect we find out tomorrow through TDNet. Watch for a possible revision to annual forecast from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shinsei-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16897:1" rel="noopener">Shinsei Bank (8303 JP)</a>. 
As a reminder of the associated origin story, I recommend reading <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/2021-high-conviction-shinsei-bank" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:46544" rel="noopener">2021 High Conviction - Shinsei Bank</a> followed by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/2021-high-conviction-update-shinsei-bank-float-squeeze-to-mitigate-near-term" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:48989" rel="noopener">2021 High Conviction Update - Shinsei Bank Float Squeeze to Mitigate Near-Term</a> though at this point (the stock is up 50% since I wrote in late December) one can wait for confirmation of the tender sale.

Late on 23 March 2021, Fubon Financial Holding Co (2881 TT) announced that it had purchased 2,030,999,369 shares of Jih Sun Financial (5820 TT) in the Tender Offer, exceeding the minimum purchase amount of 1,886,603,386 shares. 
It's done. Payment should be made within five business days (i.e. by March 30 2021).
It also means that one of the two large shareholders did not tender. 
And that starts a process.
We will find out between 24 March and 7 April who the large seller was. I expect we find out tomorrow through TDNet. Watch for a possible revision to annual forecast from Shinsei Bank (8303 JP). 
As a reminder of the associated origin story, I recommend reading 2021 High Conviction - Shinsei Bank followed by 2021 High Conviction Update - Shinsei Bank Float Squeeze to Mitigate Near-Term though at this point (the stock is up 50% since I wrote in late December) one can wait for confirmation of the tender sale. 

Jih Sun Tender Offer Successful - Now the Squeezeout

Japan

The Bank of Kyoto, Ltd. is a regional bank in Kyoto.  The Bank provides banking services including deposits, savings, loans, foreign exchange transactions, and securities investments.  The Bank of Kyoto also provides financial services such as letter of credit, leasing, loans, and credit cards.

Mebuki Financial Group Inc. is a holding company established through the merger of Joyo Bank and Ashikaga Bank. As a financial group, the Company offers deposits, Loans, foreign exchange transactions, commercial and trust banking. Mebuki Financial Group also provides financial services such as letter of credit, credit cards and consulting.

The Hachijuni Bank, Ltd. is a regional bank based in Nagano Prefecture. The Bank provides banking services such as deposits, loans, foreign exchange transactions, and trust accounts. The Bank also provides financial services such as leasing, credit cards, credit guarantee, debt recovery, trading, and venture capital and operates branches overseas.

Rakuten Bank, Ltd. operates as an Internet based bank. The Company provides banking services including deposits, loans, exchange transactions, and other services. Rakuten Bank also provides financial services including investment trusts, securities, credit and cash cards, lottery tickets, and others.

Fukuoka Financial Group, Inc. is a holding company established through the merger of the Bank of Fukuoka and Kumamoto Family Bank. As a financial group, the Company provides banking services including deposits, loans, foreign currency transactions. The Company also provides other financial services such as credit card, letter of credit, and leasing services.

Aozora Bank, Ltd. provides banking services including deposits, savings, loans, foreign exchange transactions, and securities investments. Aozora Bank also provides services such as trust account, resolution and collection, and venture capital.

The 77 Bank, Ltd. is a regional bank in Tohoku area.  The Bank provides general banking services including deposits, loans, and exchange transactions. The Bank also provides others financial services such as securities brokerage, trust banking, letter of credit, leasing, credit cards, and computer services.

The Gunma Bank, Ltd. is a regional bank based in Gunma Prefecture.  The Bank provides banking services such as deposits, loans, and foreign exchange transaction.  The Gunma Bank also provides financial services such as leasing, credit cards, letter of credit, and investment advisory, and develops information systems.

Yamaguchi Financial Group, Inc. is a holding company established through the merger of Yamaguchi Bank and Momiji Holdings. The Group provides variety of financial services such as deposits, loans, foreign exchange transactions, leasing and credit cards.

Kyushu Financial Group, Inc. is a holding company established through the merger of Higo Bank and Kagoshima Bank.  The Bank provides banking services such as deposits, loans, and exchange transactions.  Kyushu Financial Group also provides other financial services including security brokerage, credit cards, leasing, and letters of credit.

Atlantic Union Bankshares Corporation provides banking services. The Bank checking accounts, lending, credit cards, online and mobile banking, and wealth and treasury management services. Atlantic Union Bankshares serves customers in the United States.

International Bancshares Corporation, through its bank subsidiaries, provides commercial and retail banking services through offices in south and southeast Texas.  The Bank accepts deposits from the general public and uses those funds to make a variety of loans.

Fulton Financial Corporation is a multi-bank holding company. The Banks offer a full range of general retail and commercial banking services, including deposits, loans, equipment leasing and financing, and credit cards. Fulton operates in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey.

The Bank of East Asia, Limited and its subsidiaries provide general banking, related financial, business corporate, and investor services.

Huishang Bank Corporation Limited is a commercial bank. The Bank provides banking services including loans, money market operations, treasury business, investment and trading services, and valet transactions.

Hong Leong Financial Group Berhad is a banking and financial services holding company. The Company provides a range of services including commercial and consumer banking, investment banking, and insurance broking. Through its subsidiaries, Hong Leong Financial underwrites life/general insurance, provides funds management, corporate advisory, and stock and share broking services.

Ameris Bancorp is a multi-bank holding company. The Banks provide a broad range of retail and commercial banking services to its customers, including checking and savings deposits, commercial and consumer loans, trust services, discount brokerage services, and electronic funds transfer services. Ameris Bancorp operates in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama.

United Community Banks, Inc. is a multi-bank holding company with locations throughout north Georgia and western North Carolina.  The Banks are community oriented and offer retail and corporate banking services including checking, savings, and time deposit accounts, secured and unsecured loans, wire transfers, trust services, and rental of safe deposit boxes.

Associated Banc-Corp is a Midwest banking franchise headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Bank offers a full range of financial products and services through banking locations serving communities throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota, and commercial financial services in Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Texas.

ServisFirst Bancshares Inc. operates as the holding company for ServisFirst Bank that provides consumer and commercial banking services. The Company offers various deposit products, such as demand, time, and savings deposits, as well as negotiable orders of withdrawal accounts, checking accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, and IRA accounts.

SBI Shinsei Bank, Ltd. provides banking services including deposits, loans, and foreign exchange transaction, as well as investment trust service and issuance of long-term bonds.

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SBI Shinsei Bank (8303 JP)

Japanese Banks: When Spades Become Shovels

As Japan faces yet another coronavirus outbreak, it is increasingly apparent that some borrowers need not just cash but capital to survive. Short...

J. Brian Waterhouse

Shinsei Bank (8303 JP) Update - The Pause That Refreshed May End Soon

Shinsei Bank is a high conviction long.Cheap on a PBR and PER basis (may be <6x TTM in Mar21 on the XO gain, maybe 7.3x for Mar22. I expect another...

Travis Lundy

The Squeezeout of the Remaining 46% of Jih Sun Financial

Fubon Financial won the deal on a last minute tender by Shinsei. Now it is procedure requiring shareholder votes which are a done deal and FSC...

Travis Lundy

Japanese Banks: Oodles of the Stuff

Banks are becoming increasingly concerned about the current state of their computer systems and their ability to handle a surge in deposit and loan...

J. Brian Waterhouse

Jih Sun Tender Offer Successful - Now the Squeezeout

Fubon deal for Jih Sun (5820) successful. It looks like Shinsei sold. Confirmation should come at earliest on 24 March, at latest about 10bd from...

Travis Lundy

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