ASEAN Insight Provider, CrossASEAN Research

Angus Mackintosh

ASEAN Insight Provider

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Equity Bottom-Up

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-central-asia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:440:1" rel="noopener">Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ)</a> released a solid set of 1H2021 results, which underlined its resilience in the face of COVID-19 but a real stand out from the numbers were the ongoing successes from its digital strategies both in terms of promoting products through online expos, as well as the continuing growth in both of transactional and digital banking franchises. 
<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/BBCA:IJ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PT Bank Central Asia</a> recently announced that it will invest US$200m into its digital arm to fend off competition from new entrants to digital banking.
The bank will use the fresh funds to help Blu to increase market share ahead of an IPO within the next two years. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-central-asia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:440:1" rel="noopener">Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ)</a> plans to increase Blu’s capital to IDR4tn (US$278m), from around IDR1tn currently.
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-central-asia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:440:1" rel="noopener">Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ)</a> will focus on winning more merchants, partners, and customers for Blu and intends to maintain a majority stake in the entity after listing.
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-central-asia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:440:1" rel="noopener">Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ)</a> is already well ahead of its peers and any digital player on mobile banking and is Indonesia's leading bank in terms of transactional banking.
The bank saw 54% of all transactions by value and 86% of transactions by volume going through mobile or internet banking in 1H2021. This gives it access to high levels of CASA, providing the bank with a very low cost of funds.
Our view is that new digital players are more likely to take market share from smaller banks rather than <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-central-asia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:440:1" rel="noopener">Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ)</a> and see the bank maintaining its lead in transactional banking in Indonesia. Blu also has the advantage of being backed by a well-known and trusted lender, which will help to attract new customers. 
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-central-asia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:440:1" rel="noopener">Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ)</a> trades on 4x FY21E PBV and is forecast to generate an ROE of 15.5% for FY21E and 17.0% in FY22E. It is one of the best-managed banks in Indonesia with a very strong risk management culture combined with a dynamic and innovative management culture, which coupled with its lead in transactional banking, allows the bank to command a significant premium over its peers.

Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) released a solid set of 1H2021 results, which underlined its resilience in the face of COVID-19 but a real stand out from the numbers were the ongoing successes from its digital strategies both in terms of promoting products through online expos, as well as the continuing growth in both of transactional and digital banking franchises. 
PT Bank Central Asia recently announced that it will invest US$200m into its digital arm to fend off competition from new entrants to digital banking.
The bank will use the fresh funds to help Blu to increase market share ahead of an IPO within the next two years. Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) plans to increase Blu’s capital to IDR4tn (US$278m), from around IDR1tn currently.
Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) will focus on winning more merchants, partners, and customers for Blu and intends to maintain a majority stake in the entity after listing.
Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) is already well ahead of its peers and any digital player on mobile banking and is Indonesia's leading bank in terms of transactional banking.
The bank saw 54% of all transactions by value and 86% of transactions by volume going through mobile or internet banking in 1H2021. This gives it access to high levels of CASA, providing the bank with a very low cost of funds.
Our view is that new digital players are more likely to take market share from smaller banks rather than Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) and see the bank maintaining its lead in transactional banking in Indonesia. Blu also has the advantage of being backed by a well-known and trusted lender, which will help to attract new customers. 
Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) trades on 4x FY21E PBV and is forecast to generate an ROE of 15.5% for FY21E and 17.0% in FY22E. It is one of the best-managed banks in Indonesia with a very strong risk management culture combined with a dynamic and innovative management culture, which coupled with its lead in transactional banking, allows the bank to command a significant premium over its peers. 

PT Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) - The Future Is Blu

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

*Poor Result: Singapore Exchange (SGX.SP) [SGX] reported a weak FY 2H21 result, declining SGD 35.0 mn (14.6%) on an HOH basis. Higher than expected costs was the primary culprit for the overall disappointing result, increasing SGD 28.7 mn (11.6%) HOH pushing the expense to revenue ratio 410 bp higher to 51.8%. Cost pressures will not end, as SGX gave guidance that costs are due to increase between 9%-11%, as revenue begins to contract; and*Peripatetic: Recently, SGX announced its acquisition of MaxxTrader, its third acquisition after BidFX and Scientific Beta in 2020. Management is also considering getting involved Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs). Significant strategic alternatives are needed at SGX, if it is to avoid being hollowed out by the Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK).

*Poor Result: Singapore Exchange (SGX.SP) [SGX] reported a weak FY 2H21 result, declining SGD 35.0 mn (14.6%) on an HOH basis. Higher than expected costs was the primary culprit for the overall disappointing result, increasing SGD 28.7 mn (11.6%) HOH pushing the expense to revenue ratio 410 bp higher to 51.8%. Cost pressures will not end, as SGX gave guidance that costs are due to increase between 9%-11%, as revenue begins to contract; and*Peripatetic: Recently, SGX announced its acquisition of MaxxTrader, its third acquisition after BidFX and Scientific Beta in 2020. Management is also considering getting involved Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs). Significant strategic alternatives are needed at SGX, if it is to avoid being hollowed out by the Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK).

Singapore Exchange – Completely Distracted

*Poor 2Q21 Result: DBS Group Holdings (DBS.SP) [DBS] reported 2Q21 results of SGD 1.7 bn, decreasing SGD 304  mn (15.1%) on a linked quarter basis. The weaker results were driven primarily by an overall revenue decline, a loan provision increase, and a higher tax rate;*Watch Your Credit: We struggle continue to believe that DBS’ due diligence had actually caught all of LVB’s risk (see discussion below), and remain unconvinced that the moratorium exits are anything more than additional reliance on government schemes and relief programs. DBS has disclosed absolutely nothing about Shenzhen Rural Commercial Bank’s (SRCB) fundamentals. By our calculation, and given the NCOs of SGD 69 mn, we find that net new NPLs have re-accelerated – up SGD 266 mn or increasing 18.0% annualized versus SGD 85 mn or 5.6% in 1Q21. We feel that reserves should be shored up in the neighborhood of SGD 2.5bn – amounting now to about two quarters of operating results; and *Deal Distractions Mount:  While SRCB dos not appear to be riddled with problems the way LVB is, no doubt there will be issues to contend with.  DBS apparently isn’t done with its shopping spree, being in the running for parts of Citigroup's (C.US) consumer business in Asia. Frankly, DBS needs to focus on improving its own legacy issues before it starts both taking on those of other financial institutions.

*Poor 2Q21 Result: DBS Group Holdings (DBS.SP) [DBS] reported 2Q21 results of SGD 1.7 bn, decreasing SGD 304  mn (15.1%) on a linked quarter basis. The weaker results were driven primarily by an overall revenue decline, a loan provision increase, and a higher tax rate;*Watch Your Credit: We struggle continue to believe that DBS’ due diligence had actually caught all of LVB’s risk (see discussion below), and remain unconvinced that the moratorium exits are anything more than additional reliance on government schemes and relief programs. DBS has disclosed absolutely nothing about Shenzhen Rural Commercial Bank’s (SRCB) fundamentals. By our calculation, and given the NCOs of SGD 69 mn, we find that net new NPLs have re-accelerated – up SGD 266 mn or increasing 18.0% annualized versus SGD 85 mn or 5.6% in 1Q21. We feel that reserves should be shored up in the neighborhood of SGD 2.5bn – amounting now to about two quarters of operating results; and *Deal Distractions Mount:  While SRCB dos not appear to be riddled with problems the way LVB is, no doubt there will be issues to contend with.  DBS apparently isn’t done with its shopping spree, being in the running for parts of Citigroup's (C.US) consumer business in Asia. Frankly, DBS needs to focus on improving its own legacy issues before it starts both taking on those of other financial institutions.

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.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

With full data out from Singapore’s banks, it is becoming even clearer, how loan mix can impact net interest income, and margins. It is also a stark reminder of the inherent relative weakness at HSBC.

With full data out from Singapore’s banks, it is becoming even clearer, how loan mix can impact net interest income, and margins. It is also a stark reminder of the inherent relative weakness at HSBC.

*Challenging Result: Oversea Chinese Banking Corp. (OCBC.SP) [OCBC] reported 2Q21 net profit of SGD 1.2 bn, a SGD 341 mn (22.7%) decrease on a linked quarter basis. OCBC’s bottom-line weakness was primarily attributable to two factors: 1) SGD 71 mn (44.1%) increase in the loss provision, which is well justified given the re-acceleration in net new NPL growth; and 2) SGD 362 mn (24.6%) decrease in overall fee revenues, driven primarily by weaker attributable Great Eastern (GE.SP) earnings which likely will be here to stay; and  *Credit Breaking Down After Reprieve:  By our calculation, we find that net new NPL growth has re-acclerated to SGD 771 mn or 78.3% on an annualized basis versus a negative SGD 78 mn or 8.0% for 1Q21. Given the increase in net new NPLs, reserve would appear to now be wanting by SGD 3.1 bn or just under three quarters of bottom-line results.

*Challenging Result: Oversea Chinese Banking Corp. (OCBC.SP) [OCBC] reported 2Q21 net profit of SGD 1.2 bn, a SGD 341 mn (22.7%) decrease on a linked quarter basis. OCBC’s bottom-line weakness was primarily attributable to two factors: 1) SGD 71 mn (44.1%) increase in the loss provision, which is well justified given the re-acceleration in net new NPL growth; and 2) SGD 362 mn (24.6%) decrease in overall fee revenues, driven primarily by weaker attributable Great Eastern (GE.SP) earnings which likely will be here to stay; and  *Credit Breaking Down After Reprieve:  By our calculation, we find that net new NPL growth has re-acclerated to SGD 771 mn or 78.3% on an annualized basis versus a negative SGD 78 mn or 8.0% for 1Q21. Given the increase in net new NPLs, reserve would appear to now be wanting by SGD 3.1 bn or just under three quarters of bottom-line results.

Oversea Chinese Banking Corp. – Re-Accelerating Credit Risk

Singapore

United Overseas Bank Limited provides a wide range of financial services including personal financial services, wealth management, private banking, commercial and corporate banking, transaction banking, investment banking, corporate finance, capital market activities, treasury services, futures broking, asset management, venture capital management and insurance.

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UOB (UOB SP)

PT Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) - The Future Is Blu

Bank Centra Asia will inject more funds into its standalone digital bank BCA Digital or Blu to help fend off competition from new digital players...

Angus Mackintosh

Singapore Exchange – Completely Distracted

SINGAPORE EXCHANGE: SGX FY 2H21 result declined 14.6% HOH due to rising costs. This is a distracted company with three bolt-ons in last year....

Thomas J. Monaco

DBS Group Holdings – Bad Print

DBS: DBS QOQ 2Q21 results declined 15.1% due to poor revenues and higher provisions. We worry that DBS has not caught the LVB risk, net new NPLs re...

Thomas J. Monaco

Banks – Margins

With full data out from Singapore’s banks, it is becoming even clearer, how loan mix can impact net interest income, and margins. It is also a...

Daniel Tabbush

Oversea Chinese Banking Corp. – Re-Accelerating Credit Risk

OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING: OCBC reported a QOQ 2Q21 net profit decline of 22.7% driven by higher provisions and weaker associate income. Net new NPLs...

Thomas J. Monaco

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