Senior Bank Analyst - Japanese Banks, Windamee Research

J. Brian Waterhouse

J. Brian Waterhouse has been covering the Japanese financial sector as an analyst continuously since 1976, working for CLSA, Japaninvest, Rabobank, HSBC Securities, James Capel, Marine Midland Bank of New York and National & Grindlays Bank.  He has been ranked No.1 overall in Japanese banks research in Japan by Asiamoney for 6 of the past 9 years and was runner-up in 2015.  He was awarded the coveted Starmine prize as top Japanese bank stock picker in 2012 and 2014 and was runner-up in 2013.  He frequently appears on TV, radio and in international print media as a commentator on Japanese banking.

Senior Bank Analyst - Japanese Banks

Japan Post Bank – A Double on Spread Expansion and More on a Buyback?

Toyota – Quick Wage Negotiation Agreement Means Something

Windamee Research

Japanese Banks

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

On Friday 1 October 2020, three new regional bank holding companies will be created and listed the same day on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.  The establishment of a regional bank holding company in Japan is not new news, but these three will in future set up entirely non-financial subsidiaries as a means of broadening group revenues and profitability.  This is a notable change in bank thinking.Japanese financial authorities have been keen to encourage regional banks to merge in the belief that a reduction in the number of banks will lead to greater efficiencies and a greater willingness to lend, but this has had very mixed results.  What the financial authorities have so far failed to do has been to encourage the banks to adopt a radically differentiated business model, or seriously address the issue of proper risk asset pricing, or improve operating margins, or enhance shareholder returns.  This may be about to change. The kiki-kan  危機感 or ‘sense of crisis’ that appears to be the necessary catalyst to get Japanese banks to abandon their habitual ‘business as usual’ approach and take decisive action, may be finally emerging among the Japanese regional banking fraternity.It’s about time.

On Friday 1 October 2020, three new regional bank holding companies will be created and listed the same day on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.  The establishment of a regional bank holding company in Japan is not new news, but these three will in future set up entirely non-financial subsidiaries as a means of broadening group revenues and profitability.  This is a notable change in bank thinking.Japanese financial authorities have been keen to encourage regional banks to merge in the belief that a reduction in the number of banks will lead to greater efficiencies and a greater willingness to lend, but this has had very mixed results.  What the financial authorities have so far failed to do has been to encourage the banks to adopt a radically differentiated business model, or seriously address the issue of proper risk asset pricing, or improve operating margins, or enhance shareholder returns.  This may be about to change. The kiki-kan  危機感 or ‘sense of crisis’ that appears to be the necessary catalyst to get Japanese banks to abandon their habitual ‘business as usual’ approach and take decisive action, may be finally emerging among the Japanese regional banking fraternity.It’s about time.

Tokyo Kiraboshi Financial Group (7173 JP)

Japanese Regional Banks:  Dancing On Their Own