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.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

While economic recovery data may be clearest, we look to US banks’ C19 loan modifications. Most banks globally term these loans as deferral loans, and they are a new feature of banks’ balance sheets from the government actions taken early in this year. Modified loans or reschedule loans have narrowed dramatically in the most recent quarter, suggesting that the degree of stress is not worsening, and quite the contrary.

While economic recovery data may be clearest, we look to US banks’ C19 loan modifications. Most banks globally term these loans as deferral loans, and they are a new feature of banks’ balance sheets from the government actions taken early in this year. Modified loans or reschedule loans have narrowed dramatically in the most recent quarter, suggesting that the degree of stress is not worsening, and quite the contrary.

The main lever for US banks and others is credit costs. This is clear in data during the three quarters thus far this year. After the closing of economies credit costs soared and with the re-opening they have collapsed. But operationally US banks can also benefit from the steepening yield curve. The spread of 10-year US Treasuries over 1-year paper continues to expand. With vaccines, the Biden win and a better understanding of the cost-benefit on how governments reacted early this year, there is likely more risk of the yield curve remaining steep.

The main lever for US banks and others is credit costs. This is clear in data during the three quarters thus far this year. After the closing of economies credit costs soared and with the re-opening they have collapsed. But operationally US banks can also benefit from the steepening yield curve. The spread of 10-year US Treasuries over 1-year paper continues to expand. With vaccines, the Biden win and a better understanding of the cost-benefit on how governments reacted early this year, there is likely more risk of the yield curve remaining steep.

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

*We Anxiously Await HSBC’s US Departure: According the Financial Times on November 28, 2020, HSBC is considering offloading its entire US retail network - although a full exit from other businesses in the US is unlikely. The recommendation of a US exit is expected to be presented to the board as early as this week, although the Group is scheduled to provide an update on its plans for its French and US businesses in February 2021; *HSBCNA Should Be Sold: HSBCNA is a chronic mess, and there is absolutely no need for HSBC to maintain a full commercial/retail banking presence in the US. It cannot earn a positive return under its current structure; credit is again about to fall off a cliff; does not earning; NIMs are among the lowest in the USA; and capital is shortly about to fall below regulatory guidance. Further, the bad acquisitions and regulatory headaches should spur management to cut and run in the US. Knowing HSBC management as we do, they will continue making the same mistakes over and over again; and    *Hong Kong Tax Rate Continues To Mask Management’s Global Mistakes: When your core subsidiary in Hong Kong has a statutory corporate tax rate of 16.5% and the organization is not subject to global taxation, low taxes can mask the many mistakes that HSBC makes.

*We Anxiously Await HSBC’s US Departure: According the Financial Times on November 28, 2020, HSBC is considering offloading its entire US retail network - although a full exit from other businesses in the US is unlikely. The recommendation of a US exit is expected to be presented to the board as early as this week, although the Group is scheduled to provide an update on its plans for its French and US businesses in February 2021; *HSBCNA Should Be Sold: HSBCNA is a chronic mess, and there is absolutely no need for HSBC to maintain a full commercial/retail banking presence in the US. It cannot earn a positive return under its current structure; credit is again about to fall off a cliff; does not earning; NIMs are among the lowest in the USA; and capital is shortly about to fall below regulatory guidance. Further, the bad acquisitions and regulatory headaches should spur management to cut and run in the US. Knowing HSBC management as we do, they will continue making the same mistakes over and over again; and    *Hong Kong Tax Rate Continues To Mask Management’s Global Mistakes: When your core subsidiary in Hong Kong has a statutory corporate tax rate of 16.5% and the organization is not subject to global taxation, low taxes can mask the many mistakes that HSBC makes. 

HSBC Holdings Plc – Act Now, You’ll Never See These Prices Again

We have seen with many European and US banks, a sharp reduction of credit costs during 2Q20 compared with 1Q20.  Even in Japan some banks have taken exceptionally high credit costs during the March quarter, suggesting there can be a major reduction during 1Q21 ending in June. There is an altogether different concern from some of Latin America’s largest banks. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itau-unibanco-holding-sa-9d47d196-e503-471b-a84e-ca4401033062" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24550:1" rel="noopener">Itau Unibanco Holding Sa (ITUB4 BZ)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/banco-santander-mexico-sa-in" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27672:1" rel="noopener">Banco Santander Mexico-B (BSMXB MM)</a> are two that stand out, with incredibly low provision expenses during 1Q20 relative to FY19. This can mean a sharp rise during 2Q20. We have already seen this with some LatAm peers.

We have seen with many European and US banks, a sharp reduction of credit costs during 2Q20 compared with 1Q20.  Even in Japan some banks have taken exceptionally high credit costs during the March quarter, suggesting there can be a major reduction during 1Q21 ending in June. There is an altogether different concern from some of Latin America’s largest banks. Itau Unibanco Holding Sa (ITUB4 BZ) and Banco Santander Mexico-B (BSMXB MM) are two that stand out, with incredibly low provision expenses during 1Q20 relative to FY19. This can mean a sharp rise during 2Q20. We have already seen this with some LatAm peers. 

LatAm Banks – Late Bloomers On Credit Costs?

It is not easy to be excited about <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hsbc-holdings-plc-a723bd63-0890-486f-aaa0-3bb9ad2b95ce" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21976:1" rel="noopener">HSBC Holdings (HSBA LN)</a> even if there are increasing signs of recovery in many areas where this global behemoth operates. And maybe that is the point: it is a global behemoth. It has demonstrated a poor ability at buying banks, at managing costs, and at benefitting from its unique footprint. Its sprawling operations make it a less leveraged, pure recovery play relative to domestic peers; and maybe this is the point, its leverage to recovery is muted by its shortcomings. A tiny domestic and fairly basic commercial bank, is a whole different story; there is less leakage, more recovery income can find its way to the bottom line. This is not HSBC.

It is not easy to be excited about HSBC Holdings (HSBA LN) even if there are increasing signs of recovery in many areas where this global behemoth operates. And maybe that is the point: it is a global behemoth. It has demonstrated a poor ability at buying banks, at managing costs, and at benefitting from its unique footprint. Its sprawling operations make it a less leveraged, pure recovery play relative to domestic peers; and maybe this is the point, its leverage to recovery is muted by its shortcomings. A tiny domestic and fairly basic commercial bank, is a whole different story; there is less leakage, more recovery income can find its way to the bottom line. This is not HSBC. 

HSBC – Not Quintessential Recovery Bank

United States

U.S. Bancorp is a diversified financial services company that provides lending and depository services, cash management, foreign exchange and trust and investment management services.  The Company also provides credit card services, mortgage banking, insurance, brokerage, and leasing.  U.S Bancorp operates in the Midwest and Western United States.

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US Bancorp (USB US)

US Banks – Deferral Debt Dwindling

We look to US banks’ C19 loan modifications. Modified loans or reschedule loans have narrowed dramatically, suggesting that the degree of stress is...

Daniel Tabbush

US Banks – Borrow Short, Lend Long

While credit costs will remain a key focus for US banks over the coming quarters, we must not lose sight of the steepening yield curve and what it...

Daniel Tabbush

HSBC Holdings Plc – Act Now, You’ll Never See These Prices Again

HSBC HOLDINGS PLC: Financial Times Suggesting Board Will Be Presented With Options On US Franchise This Week. This Was A Long Time In Coming.

Thomas J. Monaco

LatAm Banks – Late Bloomers On Credit Costs?

We have seen with many European and US banks, a sharp reduction of credit costs during 2Q20 compared with 1Q20. Even in Japan some banks have...

Daniel Tabbush

HSBC – Not Quintessential Recovery Bank

It is not easy to be excited about HSBC Holdings (HSBA LN) even if there are increasing signs of recovery in many areas where this global behemoth...

Daniel Tabbush

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