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.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The UBS acquisition of Credit Suisse includes the write-off of CHF15.8bn (USD17bn) of Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bonds, despite there being residual equity value for CS shareholders in the deal</li>
<li>AT1s are the most junior, loss absorbing of bonds; precedent exists for the zeroing of AT1s in Spain’s Banco Popular 2017 failure, but importantly this also included shareholders being zeroed</li>
<li>The Credit Suisse AT1 write-off is by far the biggest so far and this unconventional treatment of shareholders versus junior bondholders should lead European banks’ cost of equity to rise</li>
</ul>


The UBS acquisition of Credit Suisse includes the write-off of CHF15.8bn (USD17bn) of Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bonds, despite there being residual equity value for CS shareholders in the deal
AT1s are the most junior, loss absorbing of bonds; precedent exists for the zeroing of AT1s in Spain’s Banco Popular 2017 failure, but importantly this also included shareholders being zeroed
The Credit Suisse AT1 write-off is by far the biggest so far and this unconventional treatment of shareholders versus junior bondholders should lead European banks’ cost of equity to rise


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.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Headlines of UOB 3Q24 while strong at the bottom line, we have a very different read of the numbers </li>
<li>Investment &amp; trading income is more than the whole delta in UOB's net profit during 3Q24 YoY and QoQ</li>
<li>Operating costs rose 12% YoY, while net interest income was up just 1% YoY and core net fee income was up 7% YoY</li>
</ul>


Headlines of UOB 3Q24 while strong at the bottom line, we have a very different read of the numbers 
Investment &amp; trading income is more than the whole delta in UOB's net profit during 3Q24 YoY and QoQ
Operating costs rose 12% YoY, while net interest income was up just 1% YoY and core net fee income was up 7% YoY


UOB - Profit +SGD228m YoY, Trading & Investment Income +SGD320m YoY, 3Q24 Not as Great as Headline

<ul>
<li>We must recognize the wide variance in credit growth rates across Asian countries</li>
<li>There are critical implications for differences in net interest income growth and profit</li>
<li>Credit metrics also tend to move in tandem with loan growth rates, as does GDP growth</li>
</ul>


We must recognize the wide variance in credit growth rates across Asian countries
There are critical implications for differences in net interest income growth and profit
Credit metrics also tend to move in tandem with loan growth rates, as does GDP growth


Asian Banks - Wide Variance in Credit Growth, and in Delta of Growth Rates in Recent Months

<ul>
<li>There is a sharp and accelerating rise in deposits with Hong Kong's banks, likely from Mainland China in part</li>
<li>There is no offsetting lending volume, where loan growth remains still negative, not a positive combination for net interest income</li>
<li>The LDR for Hong Kong's banks is fast approaching the distressed levels seen during the Global Financial Crisis (GFC)</li>
</ul>


There is a sharp and accelerating rise in deposits with Hong Kong's banks, likely from Mainland China in part
There is no offsetting lending volume, where loan growth remains still negative, not a positive combination for net interest income
The LDR for Hong Kong's banks is fast approaching the distressed levels seen during the Global Financial Crisis (GFC)


HK Banks - Surging Deposits and Contracting Loans, Sees LDR Fall Toward GFC Levels

<ul>
<li>While maybe deflation may not be a concern right now, we believe that high real rates will be a consideration of the Fed</li>
<li>With average lending rates at 8.5% in August and the All Urban CPI Index recording 2.5% inflation in the August, real lending rates are high at 5.97%</li>
<li>When figures were similar, it was July/August 2007 - rarely has there been a time in recent years, where real loan rates have been so high, without Fed reaction</li>
</ul>


While maybe deflation may not be a concern right now, we believe that high real rates will be a consideration of the Fed
With average lending rates at 8.5% in August and the All Urban CPI Index recording 2.5% inflation in the August, real lending rates are high at 5.97%
When figures were similar, it was July/August 2007 - rarely has there been a time in recent years, where real loan rates have been so high, without Fed reaction


Fed Rate Cut - Real Lending Rates at 5.97% Near Where Peaking In August 2007

Hong Kong

Standard Chartered plc is an international banking group operating principally in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.  The Company offers its products and services in the personal, consumer, corporate, institutional and treasury areas.

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Standard Chartered (2888 HK)

AT1 Bonds; Life After Credit Suisse

The CS AT1 write-off due to UBS's acquisition is an unconventional action on bondholders versus shareholders, implying a rising banks' cost of...

Victor Galliano

UOB - Profit +SGD228m YoY, Trading & Investment Income +SGD320m YoY, 3Q24 Not as Great as Headline

UOB's results were good at bottom line, but we believe that they are misunderstood. Trading, investment income drove profit delta, not net interest...

Daniel Tabbush

Asian Banks - Wide Variance in Credit Growth, and in Delta of Growth Rates in Recent Months

There is a wide variance of domestic loan growth rates in Asian countries, one must be highly selective. There are implications for growth of net...

Daniel Tabbush

HK Banks - Surging Deposits and Contracting Loans, Sees LDR Fall Toward GFC Levels

Hong Kong's banks are seeing surge in deposits, likely from Mainland China, but this is not accompanied by loan growth, where this is in...

Daniel Tabbush

Fed Rate Cut - Real Lending Rates at 5.97% Near Where Peaking In August 2007

Real rates are too high in the US and they have been rising sharply. This is likely where the the Fed will need to focus when considering rate...

Daniel Tabbush

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