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)

There are stark differences in how loan loss provisioning levels have changed since late 2019 to early 2021. This can have implications for relative credit costs during FY21. STAN does not fare well, Mizuho looks best.

There are stark differences in how loan loss provisioning levels have changed since late 2019 to early 2021. This can have implications for relative credit costs during FY21. STAN does not fare well, Mizuho looks best. 

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

*Tax Loss Carryforwards Drive Bottom Line: Bank of America (BAC.US) [BAC] reported 2Q21 bottom-line results of USD 9.0 bn, increasing USD 1.4 bn (18.6%) linked quarter. The USD 1.2 bn usage of tax loss carryforwards was the sole reason BAC’s 2Q21 bottom-line exceeded that of 1Q21. If BAC were taxed at the 1Q21 rate, the bottom-line result would have been closer to USD 7.1 bn or USD 500 mn (6.6%) lower on a linked quarter basis; and*BAC’s Credit Quality Best Of Money Centers: We note that net new NPLs decelerated to USD 184 mn or 13.9% on an annualized basis – far better than the USD 957 mn or 74.8% posted in 1Q21. To put this result into perspective, JPM and Citigroup each reported large increases net new NPLs on a linked quarter basis of 177% and 48%, respectively. BAC would appear to have a very comfortable reserve cushion given the run rate in net new NPLs.

*Tax Loss Carryforwards Drive Bottom Line: Bank of America (BAC.US) [BAC] reported 2Q21 bottom-line results of USD 9.0 bn, increasing USD 1.4 bn (18.6%) linked quarter. The USD 1.2 bn usage of tax loss carryforwards was the sole reason BAC’s 2Q21 bottom-line exceeded that of 1Q21. If BAC were taxed at the 1Q21 rate, the bottom-line result would have been closer to USD 7.1 bn or USD 500 mn (6.6%) lower on a linked quarter basis; and*BAC’s Credit Quality Best Of Money Centers: We note that net new NPLs decelerated to USD 184 mn or 13.9% on an annualized basis – far better than the USD 957 mn or 74.8% posted in 1Q21. To put this result into perspective, JPM and Citigroup each reported large increases net new NPLs on a linked quarter basis of 177% and 48%, respectively. BAC would appear to have a very comfortable reserve cushion given the run rate in net new NPLs.  

*Weaker Result Across Almost All Geographic Segments: Citigroup (C.US) [Citi] reported 2Q21 bottom-line results of USD 6.2 bn, decreasing USD 1.7 bn (22.0%) linked quarter. On operating basis, Citi posted results of USD 6.0 bn, USD 1.5 bn (93.3%) ahead of 1Q21 numbers. Negative operating jaws (revenues down 8.7% and costs up 1.1%) and weakness in both Global Consumer and Institutional businesses broke Citi this quarter; and*Credit Weaker But Coverage Strong:  In light of NCOs, net new NPLs amount to USD 616 mn or increasing at the same exact pace as 1Q21 at 48.0% on an annualized basis – although not nearly as bad as JPM’s 177% increase. While reserve cover remains strong in aggregate, credit degradation appears to still be on the rise going forward at Citi. That being said, despite the elevated increase, Citi still appears likely to continue down the road of reserve releases.

*Weaker Result Across Almost All Geographic Segments: Citigroup (C.US) [Citi] reported 2Q21 bottom-line results of USD 6.2 bn, decreasing USD 1.7 bn (22.0%) linked quarter. On operating basis, Citi posted results of USD 6.0 bn, USD 1.5 bn (93.3%) ahead of 1Q21 numbers. Negative operating jaws (revenues down 8.7% and costs up 1.1%) and weakness in both Global Consumer and Institutional businesses broke Citi this quarter; and*Credit Weaker But Coverage Strong:  In light of NCOs, net new NPLs amount to USD 616 mn or increasing at the same exact pace as 1Q21 at 48.0% on an annualized basis – although not nearly as bad as JPM’s 177% increase. While reserve cover remains strong in aggregate, credit degradation appears to still be on the rise going forward at Citi. That being said, despite the elevated increase, Citi still appears likely to continue down the road of reserve releases.

*Troubling Result: J.P. Morgan Chase &amp; Co (JPM.US) [JPM] reported 2Q21 bottom-line results of USD 11.9 bn, declining USD 2.4 bn (16.4%) linked quarter, as four out of five business units posted bottom-line declines pushing overall revenues lower USD 1.6 bn (5.0%). On a core operating basis, JPM’s results declined somewhat less – down USD 2.2 bn or 15.3% over the period. Results were weak almost across the board; and*Credit Quality Reversing Previous Gains: We calculate that net new NPLs linked quarter grew USD 4.9 bn bn or 177.3% on an annualized basis – a far cry from the 22.2% and 0.2% increase at 1Q21 and 4Q20, respectively. While JPM would appear on its face to be well-provided for, provision releases now appear to be coming to an end. If the current uptick in net new NPLs is here to stay, JPM would appear light on reserves in the neighborhood of USD 7.0 bn or 50% of quarterly PBT.

*Troubling Result: J.P. Morgan Chase &amp; Co (JPM.US) [JPM] reported 2Q21 bottom-line results of USD 11.9 bn, declining USD 2.4 bn (16.4%) linked quarter, as four out of five business units posted bottom-line declines pushing overall revenues lower USD 1.6 bn (5.0%). On a core operating basis, JPM’s results declined somewhat less – down USD 2.2 bn or 15.3% over the period. Results were weak almost across the board; and*Credit Quality Reversing Previous Gains: We calculate that net new NPLs linked quarter grew USD 4.9 bn bn or 177.3% on an annualized basis – a far cry from the 22.2% and 0.2% increase at 1Q21 and 4Q20, respectively. While JPM would appear on its face to be well-provided for, provision releases now appear to be coming to an end. If the current uptick in net new NPLs is here to stay, JPM would appear light on reserves in the neighborhood of USD 7.0 bn or 50% of quarterly PBT. 

The story for banks now is about credit cost reversals, reinstatement of dividends, and lastly resumption of loan growth. Data from some US banks may have incredibly positive read through for DBS, others.

The story for banks now is about credit cost reversals, reinstatement of dividends, and lastly resumption of loan growth. Data from some US banks may have incredibly positive read through for DBS, others.

United States

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, leasing, credit cards, and consumer finance.  The Company operates through physical stores, the Internet and other distribution channels across North America and elsewhere internationally.

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Wells Fargo & Co (WFC US)

Banks – Provisioning

There are stark differences in how provisioning levels changed since 4Q29 to early 2021. This can have implications for relative credit costs...

Daniel Tabbush

Bank of America - Brian’s Song

Bank of America: USD 1.2 bn usage of tax loss carryforwards was the sole reason BAC’s 2Q21 results exceeded 1Q21. Net new NPLs decelerated from...

Thomas J. Monaco

Citigroup – Janes’ Pain

Citigroup: Citi reported a 22.0% QOQ 2Q21 bottom-line decline from negative operating jaws and weakness in Global Consumer and Institutional. Net...

Thomas J. Monaco

J.P. Morgan & Co. – Not Good Jamie

J.P. Morgan: JPM reported a QOQ decline in 2Q21 in bottom-line of 16.4%. Previous credit quality gains have reversed, leading us to question...

Thomas J. Monaco

JPM, WFC, DBS – Credit Costs

The story for banks now is credit cost reversals, reinstatement of dividends, and lastly resumption of loan growth. Data from some US banks may...

Daniel Tabbush

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