Asian bank research and consultancy, Tabbush Report

Daniel Tabbush

Asian bank 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.

Equity Bottom-Up

SBI Sumishin Net Bank  / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>This is not a typo: SBI Sumishin Net Bank saw loans up 21% YoY in 1Q24, operating in Japan</li>
<li>The bank has achieved cost scale, with acquisition cost per account a fraction of 2 yrs ago</li>
<li>Credit quality remains exceptional, amongst best in Japan, with 0.06% NPL ratio in 1Q24</li>
</ul>


This is not a typo: SBI Sumishin Net Bank saw loans up 21% YoY in 1Q24, operating in Japan
The bank has achieved cost scale, with acquisition cost per account a fraction of 2 yrs ago
Credit quality remains exceptional, amongst best in Japan, with 0.06% NPL ratio in 1Q24


SBI Sumishin Net Bank - Dramatic ROA Expansion, Steady & Strong, Profit & Loan Growth, ROE at 19%

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>SMFG can benefit like peer banks from BOJ policy change, but less so than MUFG, while at the same time, there does not appear to be a strong alpha story</li>
<li>ROE and ROA for SMFG show now expansion over the years, and this is stark contrast to MUFG, part of this appears to be due many weak subsidiaries</li>
<li>Credit costs are now averaging 23bps over the past four quarters vs 13bps during 1Q18 to 4Q19, not improving credit metrics like many others, with high write-offs.</li>
</ul>


SMFG can benefit like peer banks from BOJ policy change, but less so than MUFG, while at the same time, there does not appear to be a strong alpha story
ROE and ROA for SMFG show now expansion over the years, and this is stark contrast to MUFG, part of this appears to be due many weak subsidiaries
Credit costs are now averaging 23bps over the past four quarters vs 13bps during 1Q18 to 4Q19, not improving credit metrics like many others, with high write-offs.


SMFG (8316) - 75% Less JGBs than MUFG | Affiliates Show Worsening Profit | Credit Costs ~2x Vs Past

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (Sponsored Adr) / Equity Bottom-Up

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (Sponsored Adr)

<ul>
<li>SMFG achieved less of its FY24 profit forecast than peer megabanks; less upgrades</li>
<li>SMFG reported a far lower ROE than peer megabanks &amp; some worse financial metrics</li>
<li>SMFG's JPY bonds are only 0.88x of total equity; it is less leveraged than peer megabanks</li>
</ul>


SMFG achieved less of its FY24 profit forecast than peer megabanks; less upgrades
SMFG reported a far lower ROE than peer megabanks &amp; some worse financial metrics
SMFG's JPY bonds are only 0.88x of total equity; it is less leveraged than peer megabanks


SMFG - Least Achieved of FY24 Forecast, With Lowest ROE of Mega's & Less JPY Bond Leverage

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Comments today from BOJ suggest we are nearing the end of negative interest rates in Japan, which can mean an immediate boost to net interest income for Japan's banks</li>
<li>Many banks have cash and deposits with the BOJ at high levels, where yields are negative, and this can be the first big positive delta to bank's income</li>
<li>Credit metrics in Japan are improving and loan growth is accelerating, this is generally at odds with other major banking systems, US, UK, Singapore</li>
</ul>


Comments today from BOJ suggest we are nearing the end of negative interest rates in Japan, which can mean an immediate boost to net interest income for Japan's banks
Many banks have cash and deposits with the BOJ at high levels, where yields are negative, and this can be the first big positive delta to bank's income
Credit metrics in Japan are improving and loan growth is accelerating, this is generally at odds with other major banking systems, US, UK, Singapore


Japan Banks - Near End of Negative Rates BOJ, Deposits with BOJ to See Big Yield Rise, Not Only JGBs

<ul>
<li>We look at which Japan banks have the most cash which can see a major boost to returns. </li>
<li>Banks with lower margins can see a higher net interest income pick up from rising rates. </li>
<li>Loan growth in Japan has been relatively strong, supportive of rising rates from BOJ.</li>
</ul>


We look at which Japan banks have the most cash which can see a major boost to returns. 
Banks with lower margins can see a higher net interest income pick up from rising rates. 
Loan growth in Japan has been relatively strong, supportive of rising rates from BOJ.


Japan - Rising Rates: Focus On Banks With High Cash And Low Margins

Japan

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. manages financial operations for its subsidiaries. The Company provides commercial banking and a variety of financial services.

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316 JP)

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316 JP)

SBI Sumishin Net Bank - Dramatic ROA Expansion, Steady & Strong, Profit & Loan Growth, ROE at 19%

9.6% move upward today is sizeable even with recent volatility. We continue to like this bank in Japan, which tends to have better financial...

Daniel Tabbush

SMFG (8316) - 75% Less JGBs than MUFG | Affiliates Show Worsening Profit | Credit Costs ~2x Vs Past

SMFG appears less leveraged to BOJ policy changes than MUFG, especially with ~75% less JGBs. It appears a less interesting alpha story; profit...

Daniel Tabbush

SMFG - Least Achieved of FY24 Forecast, With Lowest ROE of Mega's & Less JPY Bond Leverage

SMFG has achieved less of its FY24 forecast than peer mega banks, with a lower ROE, higher credit costs, higher operating costs, and less JPY bond...

Daniel Tabbush

Japan Banks - Near End of Negative Rates BOJ, Deposits with BOJ to See Big Yield Rise, Not Only JGBs

The Bank of Japan has ended its negative interest rate policy. Some banks have just raised deposit rates, and loan rates, before that.

Daniel Tabbush

Japan - Rising Rates: Focus On Banks With High Cash And Low Margins

With BOJ shifting its interest rate policy there can be vast differences with banks that have high cash holdings and banks with relatively low...

Daniel Tabbush