Silver Point

Thomas J. Monaco

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

<ul>
<li>DBS reported a weak set of 4Q21 results of SGD 1.4 bn, down SGD 307 mn (18.1%) linked quarter and driven by negative operating jaws; </li>
<li>While provisions weren’t reversed this quarter, reserves should still be shored up in the neighborhood of SGD 1.1 bn – amounting to about a half quarter of operating results; and  </li>
<li>Three transactions in the span of a year is too much. DBS needs to focus on improving its own legacy issues before taking on those of other financial institutions. </li>
</ul>


DBS reported a weak set of 4Q21 results of SGD 1.4 bn, down SGD 307 mn (18.1%) linked quarter and driven by negative operating jaws; 
While provisions weren’t reversed this quarter, reserves should still be shored up in the neighborhood of SGD 1.1 bn – amounting to about a half quarter of operating results; and  
Three transactions in the span of a year is too much. DBS needs to focus on improving its own legacy issues before taking on those of other financial institutions. 


DBS Group Holdings – Weak Print, But Credit Improves

<ul>
<li>Another Troubled Bank Deal In Asia Adds Another Managerial Distraction;   </li>
<li>DBS Agreed to Acquire Citigroup’s Taiwan Consumer Franchise for SGD 2.9 bn After Three Taiwan Banks Couldn’t Make This Deal Work; and </li>
<li>In Addition, DBS’ Fundamentals Continue to Weaken, With Lower Fees, Compressed Margins, and Modestly Weaker Credit. </li>
</ul>


Another Troubled Bank Deal In Asia Adds Another Managerial Distraction;   
DBS Agreed to Acquire Citigroup’s Taiwan Consumer Franchise for SGD 2.9 bn After Three Taiwan Banks Couldn’t Make This Deal Work; and 
In Addition, DBS’ Fundamentals Continue to Weaken, With Lower Fees, Compressed Margins, and Modestly Weaker Credit. 


DBS Group Holdings – And Baby Makes Three

<ul>
<li>
Move Along, No Problems Here: DBS Group Holdings (DBS.SG) [DBS] participated in a competitor conference on January 10, 2022, suggesting that not an ounce of risk is on balance sheet; </li>
<li>
Digital Franchise: Management also focused on digital initiatives, including: DBS Digital Exchange; Digital Custody; and the Partior platform; and</li>
<li>
Deal Risk Remains High: There was no discussion by management of its headlong buying spree of some fairly spicy transactions. And they are not done.</li>
</ul>



Move Along, No Problems Here: DBS Group Holdings (DBS.SG) [DBS] participated in a competitor conference on January 10, 2022, suggesting that not an ounce of risk is on balance sheet; 

Digital Franchise: Management also focused on digital initiatives, including: DBS Digital Exchange; Digital Custody; and the Partior platform; and

Deal Risk Remains High: There was no discussion by management of its headlong buying spree of some fairly spicy transactions. And they are not done.


<ul>
<li>
A50 Challenges:Hong Kong Exchange &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEx] launched the MSCI China A50 Connect (HK A50). This new product competes with 20% of Singapore Exchange’s (SGX.SP) [SGX] PBT; </li>
<li>
Completely Distracted: On top of weaker equity volumes/fees and the HK A50 launch, SGX has made numerous moves which are more of a distraction than they're worth; and </li>
<li>
Time For Massive Strategic Move: SGX must consider significant strategic alternatives if it is to avoid being hollowed out over the longer-term.</li>
</ul>



A50 Challenges:Hong Kong Exchange &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEx] launched the MSCI China A50 Connect (HK A50). This new product competes with 20% of Singapore Exchange’s (SGX.SP) [SGX] PBT; 

Completely Distracted: On top of weaker equity volumes/fees and the HK A50 launch, SGX has made numerous moves which are more of a distraction than they're worth; and 

Time For Massive Strategic Move: SGX must consider significant strategic alternatives if it is to avoid being hollowed out over the longer-term.


*Overstated 3Q21 Result: DBS Group Holdings (DBS.SP) [DBS] reported 3Q21 results of SGD 1.7 bn, flat linked quarter. When one accounts for the unnecessary negative loss provision of SGD 70 mn (down 188.6%) while credit was weaker, DBS’ results would appear to be grossly overstated;*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. We feel that reserves should be shored up in the neighborhood of SGD 1.1 bn – amounting now to about a half quarter 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.

*Overstated 3Q21 Result: DBS Group Holdings (DBS.SP) [DBS] reported 3Q21 results of SGD 1.7 bn, flat linked quarter. When one accounts for the unnecessary negative loss provision of SGD 70 mn (down 188.6%) while credit was weaker, DBS’ results would appear to be grossly overstated;*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. We feel that reserves should be shored up in the neighborhood of SGD 1.1 bn – amounting now to about a half quarter 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.

DBS Group Holdings – Pushing The Envelope

United States

iShares MSCI Singapore ETF is an exchange-traded fund incorporated in the USA. The ETF's objective seeks to provide investment results that correspond to the performance of the Singaporean market, as measured by the MSCI Singapore 25/50 Index. The ETF invests in a representative sample of index stocks using a "portfolio sampling" technique. SGX Trading Name: IS MSCI SIN 100US$

iShares MSCI Singapore ETF (EWS US)

DBS Group Holdings – Weak Print, But Credit Improves

DBS: DBS 4Q21 declined 18.1% QOQ and driven by negative operating jaws; While loss provisions weren’t reversed this quarter, reserves should be...

Thomas J. Monaco

DBS Group Holdings – And Baby Makes Three

DBS: Another troubled bank deal adds another managerial distraction, as DBS has agreed to acquire Citigroup’s Taiwan consumer franchise. Further,...

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DBS Group Holdings – Lots of Lipstick

DBS: DBS participated in a competitor conference, suggesting not an ounce of risk sits on balance sheet. There was no discussion of its headlong...

Thomas J. Monaco

Singapore Exchange - Ringing Hollow

SGX: A50 Challenges: HKEx launched the MSCI China A50 Connect, which directly competes with 20% of SGX' PBT. A recent competitor event revealed...

Thomas J. Monaco

DBS Group Holdings – Pushing The Envelope

DBS: DBS reported flat 3Q21 QOQ results. Accounting for the unnecessary negative loss provision of SGD 70 mn (down 188.6%) while credit was weaker,...

Thomas J. Monaco