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.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>We believe that the recently announced offer by NTT Docomo for SBI Sumishin Netbank is attractive for Netbank shareholders; this brings the Japanese neobanks into the valuation spotlight</li>
<li>There is a modest long arbitrage opportunity in SBI Sumishin Netbank based on its 30th May closing price, but the bigger opportunity, in our view, is shorting Rakuten Bank</li>
<li>Seven Bank is of potential M&amp;A interest, according to the Japanese financial press; despite the speculative boost to Seven shares and its PBV, Rakuten Bank valuations look relatively very stretched</li>
</ul>


We believe that the recently announced offer by NTT Docomo for SBI Sumishin Netbank is attractive for Netbank shareholders; this brings the Japanese neobanks into the valuation spotlight
There is a modest long arbitrage opportunity in SBI Sumishin Netbank based on its 30th May closing price, but the bigger opportunity, in our view, is shorting Rakuten Bank
Seven Bank is of potential M&amp;A interest, according to the Japanese financial press; despite the speculative boost to Seven shares and its PBV, Rakuten Bank valuations look relatively very stretched


Japanese Neobanks: Time to Short Rakuten Bank (TSE: 5838)

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Equity Capital Markets

SBI Shinsei Bank / Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>The <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sbi-shinsei-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16897:1" rel="noopener">SBI Shinsei Bank (8303 JP)</a> IPO is due to be priced on 8 December and start trading on 17 December 2025.</li>
<li>I have been reluctant to write because of my general lack of excitement regarding the IPO and its after-market prospects. It is, as a friend says, "neither here nor there."</li>
<li>But as the bank was my High Conviction Long trade for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/2021-high-conviction-shinsei-bank" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2021</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/2022-high-conviction-shinsei-bank" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2022</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/2023-high-conviction-sbi-shinsei-bank-8303-jp-still-reading-between-the-lines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2023</a> and I wrote about the events in the interim, I thought I should opine.</li>
</ul>


The SBI Shinsei Bank (8303 JP) IPO is due to be priced on 8 December and start trading on 17 December 2025.
I have been reluctant to write because of my general lack of excitement regarding the IPO and its after-market prospects. It is, as a friend says, "neither here nor there."
But as the bank was my High Conviction Long trade for 2021, 2022, and 2023 and I wrote about the events in the interim, I thought I should opine.


[Japan IPO] The SBI Shinsei Bank (8303 JP) IPO; Cosmetically Pretty, Otherwise Meh

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>We believe that the Japanese-US trade deal helps to decrease uncertainty on monetary policy, with a potential rate rise in the near term improving the outlook for Japanese banks</li>
<li>We remove our short on Rakuten Bank, as it is one of the beneficiaries of a near term potential rise in benchmark rates going forward</li>
<li>In terms of PBV ratio, Seven Bank still trades at a 70%+ discount to Rakuten Bank’s PBV but the latter is impacted by the near-term interest rate outlook change</li>
</ul>


We believe that the Japanese-US trade deal helps to decrease uncertainty on monetary policy, with a potential rate rise in the near term improving the outlook for Japanese banks
We remove our short on Rakuten Bank, as it is one of the beneficiaries of a near term potential rise in benchmark rates going forward
In terms of PBV ratio, Seven Bank still trades at a 70%+ discount to Rakuten Bank’s PBV but the latter is impacted by the near-term interest rate outlook change


Upgrading Rakuten Bank (TSE: 5838) To a Hold

Hokkoku Financial Holdings / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Japanese banks have been in a relative sweetspot for a couple of years. Higher rates, higher inflation, more FX volatility, better earnings, stronger buybacks. Cross-holding sales up but not spectacular.</li>
<li>The BOJ may raise rates but Trump Tariff retaliation/mitigation is a question. Elections the next two weeks and earnings the 2-3 weeks after that may keep things a question. </li>
<li>But buybacks should pick up. Lots announced in spring end at or before Q1 earnings. And I expect substantial new buybacks to be announced throughout the from Q1 results on.</li>
</ul>


Japanese banks have been in a relative sweetspot for a couple of years. Higher rates, higher inflation, more FX volatility, better earnings, stronger buybacks. Cross-holding sales up but not spectacular.
The BOJ may raise rates but Trump Tariff retaliation/mitigation is a question. Elections the next two weeks and earnings the 2-3 weeks after that may keep things a question. 
But buybacks should pick up. Lots announced in spring end at or before Q1 earnings. And I expect substantial new buybacks to be announced throughout the from Q1 results on.


[Japan Buybacks] - Japan Bank Metrics, Cross-Holdings and Banks Part 1

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.

<ul>
<li>There are few, if any banks, in Japan that compare with Rakuten's 65% loan growth</li>
<li>The newly listed interbank stands out with exceptional ROE, not from leverage</li>
<li>Credit metrics remain strong, with NPL cover especially high vs peers</li>
</ul>


There are few, if any banks, in Japan that compare with Rakuten's 65% loan growth
The newly listed interbank stands out with exceptional ROE, not from leverage
Credit metrics remain strong, with NPL cover especially high vs peers


Rakuten Bank - In Japan With 65% Loan Growth

Japan

Rakuten Bank, Ltd. operates as an Internet based bank. The Company provides banking services including deposits, loans, exchange transactions, and other services. Rakuten Bank also provides financial services including investment trusts, securities, credit and cash cards, lottery tickets, and others.

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Rakuten Bank (5838 JP)

Japanese Neobanks: Time to Short Rakuten Bank (TSE: 5838)

NTT's offer for SBI Sumishin Netbank leads us to focus on the Japanese neobanks; Rakuten Bank stands out as a short, with scope for long arbitrage...

Victor Galliano

[Japan IPO] The SBI Shinsei Bank (8303 JP) IPO; Cosmetically Pretty, Otherwise Meh

The SBI Shinsei Bank IPO at north of book comes only 2 years post-squeezeout at half of book. It was a big trade for SBI but they need to sell...

Travis Lundy

Upgrading Rakuten Bank (TSE: 5838) To a Hold

Japanese-US trade deal, decreasing economic uncertainty, could drive BoJ to raise rates in the near term; this would benefit Rakuten Bank and...

Victor Galliano

[Japan Buybacks] - Japan Bank Metrics, Cross-Holdings and Banks Part 1

This is the first of several episodes regarding Japanese Banks. I want to make the size palatable and offer base data and framework with which to...

Travis Lundy

Rakuten Bank - In Japan With 65% Loan Growth

With corporate news of bank integration, see comments from Travis Lundy, it is worthwhile to understand Rakuten Bank's unique position, character,...

Daniel Tabbush

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Japanese Neobanks: Time to Short Rakuten Bank (TSE: 5838)

​NTT's offer for SBI Sumishin Netbank leads us to focus on the Japanese neobanks; Rakuten Bank stands out as a short, with scope for long arbitrage...

Victor Galliano

[Japan IPO] The SBI Shinsei Bank (8303 JP) IPO; Cosmetically Pretty, Otherwise Meh

The SBI Shinsei Bank IPO at north of book comes only 2 years post-squeezeout at half of book. It was a big trade for SBI but they need to sell...

Travis Lundy

Upgrading Rakuten Bank (TSE: 5838) To a Hold

​Japanese-US trade deal, decreasing economic uncertainty, could drive BoJ to raise rates in the near term; this would benefit Rakuten Bank and...

Victor Galliano

[Japan Buybacks] - Japan Bank Metrics, Cross-Holdings and Banks Part 1

This is the first of several episodes regarding Japanese Banks. I want to make the size palatable and offer base data and framework with which to...

Travis Lundy

Rakuten Bank - In Japan With 65% Loan Growth

With corporate news of bank integration, see comments from Travis Lundy, it is worthwhile to understand Rakuten Bank's unique position, character,...

Daniel Tabbush

NTT's offer for SBI Sumishin Netbank leads us to focus on the Japanese neobanks; Rakuten Bank stands out as a short, with scope for long arbitrage...

Japanese-US trade deal, decreasing economic uncertainty, could drive BoJ to raise rates in the near term; this would benefit Rakuten Bank and...