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.

Equity Bottom-Up

Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB d / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Banorte’s solid 4Q22, and the prospect of a healthy dividend payout, have so far trumped concerns of an earnings downturn from credit spread erosion, higher opex and cost of risk</li>
<li>Bank sector data trends to November accentuate the return headwinds that we see emerging; further tightening credit spreads and a rising cost of credit, credit cards a likely leading indicator</li>
<li>BBVA Mexico generates consistent premium ROE of 25%+, investors can gain exposure through BBVA equity; we continue to be cautious on Banorte, due to the growing risks to returns</li>
</ul>


Banorte’s solid 4Q22, and the prospect of a healthy dividend payout, have so far trumped concerns of an earnings downturn from credit spread erosion, higher opex and cost of risk
Bank sector data trends to November accentuate the return headwinds that we see emerging; further tightening credit spreads and a rising cost of credit, credit cards a likely leading indicator
BBVA Mexico generates consistent premium ROE of 25%+, investors can gain exposure through BBVA equity; we continue to be cautious on Banorte, due to the growing risks to returns


Banorte 4Q22 & Mexican Banks’ November Data – Rising Risk of Credit Spread Erosion and NPL Worsening

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Bank sector trends to August continue to be robust, but potential challenges lie ahead for returns; tightening credit spreads and a potential worsening of credit quality</li>
<li>Credit spreads are being crimped by fast rising funding costs, and there is emerging evidence of worsening consumer credit quality through consumer cost of risk and delinquency</li>
<li>BBVA Mexico generates the highest ROE versus its peers due to strong revenue returns, Banorte has the lowest NPL ratio and BanBajio has high capital ratios and returns</li>
</ul>


Bank sector trends to August continue to be robust, but potential challenges lie ahead for returns; tightening credit spreads and a potential worsening of credit quality
Credit spreads are being crimped by fast rising funding costs, and there is emerging evidence of worsening consumer credit quality through consumer cost of risk and delinquency
BBVA Mexico generates the highest ROE versus its peers due to strong revenue returns, Banorte has the lowest NPL ratio and BanBajio has high capital ratios and returns


Mexican Banks’ August Data and Trends – as Good as It Gets?

Event-Driven

Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB d / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Santander’s USD6bn offer for Banamex was rejected by Citi as too low, according to press reports; the estimated valuation range for Banamex is now from USD7bn to USD8bn</li>
<li>This leaves Inbursa, the Mifel-Grupo Mexico consortium and Banorte as contenders, with Banorte still a leading contender</li>
<li>We continue to be cautious on Banorte, as its potential M&amp;A success would mean big challenges in terms of capital requirements, along with portfolio de-risking and unpopular cost-cutting</li>
</ul>


Santander’s USD6bn offer for Banamex was rejected by Citi as too low, according to press reports; the estimated valuation range for Banamex is now from USD7bn to USD8bn
This leaves Inbursa, the Mifel-Grupo Mexico consortium and Banorte as contenders, with Banorte still a leading contender
We continue to be cautious on Banorte, as its potential M&amp;A success would mean big challenges in terms of capital requirements, along with portfolio de-risking and unpopular cost-cutting


Banamex – Now There Are Three Potential Bidders, Still Including Banorte

<ul>
<li>Banorte and Santander have both hired M&amp;A advisors for a potential Citibanamex bid, according to Reuters; Banco Azteca is not participating in the bidding, whilst Inbursa is potentially still interested</li>
<li>In the event of a bid, we do not expect Santander to be aggressive on price; Banorte could be more aggressive, which would increase its chances of a winning bid</li>
<li>Were Banorte to acquire Citibanamex, we continue to believe that its prospective dividend could be at risk; in essence, the risks of M&amp;A still outweigh the potential opportunities</li>
</ul>


Banorte and Santander have both hired M&amp;A advisors for a potential Citibanamex bid, according to Reuters; Banco Azteca is not participating in the bidding, whilst Inbursa is potentially still interested
In the event of a bid, we do not expect Santander to be aggressive on price; Banorte could be more aggressive, which would increase its chances of a winning bid
Were Banorte to acquire Citibanamex, we continue to believe that its prospective dividend could be at risk; in essence, the risks of M&amp;A still outweigh the potential opportunities


CitiBanamex – Potential Bidders Get Serious, We Stay Cautious on Banorte

<ul>
<li>Citibanamex legacy operations represent a series of challenges for the acquirer, which include its high cost base, bloated branch network and higher credit risk exposure to consumers and SMEs</li>
<li>The opportunity for an acquirer is access to a rich and stable deposit base with a relatively low loan-to-deposit ratio and Banamex’s fee generating AFORE pension administrator</li>
<li>Banamex is attracting much interest, which puts pressure on bidders to pay up, especially Banorte; we revisit our potential capital absorption calculations, but still see risk to Banorte’s dividend prospects</li>
</ul>


Citibanamex legacy operations represent a series of challenges for the acquirer, which include its high cost base, bloated branch network and higher credit risk exposure to consumers and SMEs
The opportunity for an acquirer is access to a rich and stable deposit base with a relatively low loan-to-deposit ratio and Banamex’s fee generating AFORE pension administrator
Banamex is attracting much interest, which puts pressure on bidders to pay up, especially Banorte; we revisit our potential capital absorption calculations, but still see risk to Banorte’s dividend prospects


CitiBanamex Legacy Operations – Revisiting Banorte’s Potential M&A Challenge and Opportunity

Mexico

Grupo Financiero Inbursa, SAB de C.V. is a holding company.  The Company, through its subsidiaries, attracts deposits and offers retail and commercial banking services.  The Bank manages stock and fixed income funds, and offers fire, transportation, automobile, agriculture, liability, casualty, and health insurance.  Inbursa also offers automobile and equipment lease financing.

Grupo Financiero Inbursa-O (GFINBURO MM)

Banorte 4Q22 & Mexican Banks’ November Data – Rising Risk of Credit Spread Erosion and NPL Worsening

The market reacted positively to Banorte’s 4Q22 results, yet from the sector data as well as Banorte's report, we see 2023 challenges from rising...

Victor Galliano

Mexican Banks’ August Data and Trends – as Good as It Gets?

Bank sector trends to August continue to be robust, but potential challenges lie ahead; tightening credit spreads and a potential NPL worsening; we...

Victor Galliano

Banamex – Now There Are Three Potential Bidders, Still Including Banorte

Banorte is expected to bid for Banamex and the risks are skewed against its shareholders; Banorte could need to raise capital and could find it...

Victor Galliano

CitiBanamex – Potential Bidders Get Serious, We Stay Cautious on Banorte

Banorte and Santander hire M&A advisors for their Banamex bids, Inbursa is a likely candidate; Banorte remains the favourite, we believe, and so we...

Victor Galliano

CitiBanamex Legacy Operations – Revisiting Banorte’s Potential M&A Challenge and Opportunity

Banorte to buy Banamex? We think it likely, and that competition is pushing up the price for a bank in need of opex cuts and better credit quality;...

Victor Galliano