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

<ul>
<li>One of main criteria for ACCC to allow ANZ's takeover of Suncorp centers around competition, will it worsen as a result</li>
<li>There are 8 banks in Australia with over 100 branches, if the takeover is allowed, this puts the 127 Suncorp branches into the 668 branch stable of ANZ</li>
<li>There is plenty of expert and public testimony that such a merger would see less competition especially in SME and agribusiness loans, and possibly limit physical access to banking</li>
</ul>


One of main criteria for ACCC to allow ANZ's takeover of Suncorp centers around competition, will it worsen as a result
There are 8 banks in Australia with over 100 branches, if the takeover is allowed, this puts the 127 Suncorp branches into the 668 branch stable of ANZ
There is plenty of expert and public testimony that such a merger would see less competition especially in SME and agribusiness loans, and possibly limit physical access to banking


Suncorp - Decision on ANZ Takeover In Weeks, Competition Can Worsen If Allowed

<ul>
<li>AMP released 1H23 numbers with 24-26% underlying NPAT growth in 2 key divisions</li>
<li>AUD610m of returned capital in past 12 months will see AUD140m added by October</li>
<li>AMP Bank is unlike peers, which is deposit-funded, small, focused on mortgages</li>
</ul>


AMP released 1H23 numbers with 24-26% underlying NPAT growth in 2 key divisions
AUD610m of returned capital in past 12 months will see AUD140m added by October
AMP Bank is unlike peers, which is deposit-funded, small, focused on mortgages


AMP - Strong Numbers Released,, Returning Capital, Paying Down Debt, Deposit Funded, Mortgage Bank

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

Australia & New Zealand Bankin / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>This morning, ACCC <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/accc-seeks-further-views-on-anzs-proposed-acquisition-of-suncorp-bank" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> that it had released a "<a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/public-registers/documents/Statement%20of%20preliminary%20views%20-%2004.04.23%20-%20PR%20-%20MA1000023%20ANZ%20Suncorp.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Statement of Preliminary Views</a>" on the ANZ/Suncorp deal and sought further views. </li>
<li>For now, the ACCC questions "the nature, likelihood, and extend of claimed public benefits" including synergies or claims regarding investment in Queensland. </li>
<li>Based on my reading of the document, this view is likely to carry over through the final decision due mid-June 2023. That means there's likely a trade here. </li>
</ul>


This morning, ACCC announced that it had released a "Statement of Preliminary Views" on the ANZ/Suncorp deal and sought further views. 
For now, the ACCC questions "the nature, likelihood, and extend of claimed public benefits" including synergies or claims regarding investment in Queensland. 
Based on my reading of the document, this view is likely to carry over through the final decision due mid-June 2023. That means there's likely a trade here. 


ACCC Sour on ANZ/Suncorp Bank Deal Makes for A Good Trade

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Australia domestic credit growth is now at -2.2% YoY in January 2024, the worst figure since August 2021. </li>
<li>There are negative implications for the delta of net interest income for Australia's banks as loan growth moves negative.</li>
<li>Risk of rising credit costs is higher, not only from worsening insolvencies with corporates, but also with rising mortgage bad loans. </li>
</ul>


Australia domestic credit growth is now at -2.2% YoY in January 2024, the worst figure since August 2021. 
There are negative implications for the delta of net interest income for Australia's banks as loan growth moves negative.
Risk of rising credit costs is higher, not only from worsening insolvencies with corporates, but also with rising mortgage bad loans. 


Australia Banks - Negative Loan Growth Reaches August 2021 Levels

Commonwealth Bank of Australia / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>It is not only NPLs that we must worry about for banks, but also loans that can turn NPL amidst a worsening economic backdrop</li>
<li>CBA's past due loans but not impaired are up 43% in past two years and this bucket of loans is now 2.6x NPLs compared with 1.9x NPLs recently</li>
<li>Australia shows surging insolvencies across many sectors through 17 March 2024 and this can mean past due loans are more prone to migrating to turn NPL</li>
</ul>


It is not only NPLs that we must worry about for banks, but also loans that can turn NPL amidst a worsening economic backdrop
CBA's past due loans but not impaired are up 43% in past two years and this bucket of loans is now 2.6x NPLs compared with 1.9x NPLs recently
Australia shows surging insolvencies across many sectors through 17 March 2024 and this can mean past due loans are more prone to migrating to turn NPL


CBA - Sharply Higher Past Due Loans, but Not Impaired, Alongside Surge of Australia Insolvencies

Australia

Suncorp Group Ltd. offers retail and business banking, life and general insurance, superannuation and funds management services.  The Company's services include personal banking and loans, personal insurance products, credit cards, pension savings accounts, term deposits, property development finance, commercial lending, investments and lease financing.

Suncorp (SUN AU)

Suncorp - Decision on ANZ Takeover In Weeks, Competition Can Worsen If Allowed

ACCC will decide on ANZ's takeover of Suncorp by 28 July and we remain concerned that at least the condition related to competition will not be met.

Daniel Tabbush

AMP - Strong Numbers Released,, Returning Capital, Paying Down Debt, Deposit Funded, Mortgage Bank

AMP is now launching an online bank, and this is a real concern. A the same time, its margin pressure at its AMP Bank is not strong, new guidance...

Daniel Tabbush

ACCC Sour on ANZ/Suncorp Bank Deal Makes for A Good Trade

The ACCC has come out pretty clearly against the ANZ/SunCorp Bank deal, and seems to prefer a deal where SunCorp Bank would be merged with another...

Travis Lundy

Australia Banks - Negative Loan Growth Reaches August 2021 Levels

Australia's domestic loan growth has just turned negative 2.2% in January 2024, the worst showing since August 2021, with negative implications for...

Daniel Tabbush

CBA - Sharply Higher Past Due Loans, but Not Impaired, Alongside Surge of Australia Insolvencies

CBA shows sharply high past due loans that are not impaired, alongside worsening insolvencies in Australia. There are implications for its...

Daniel Tabbush