DOWNLOAD
Sector: Financial Services
Read this content. Log in or sign up.
If you are an investor with us, log in first to your Metrobank Wealth Manager account.
If you are not yet a client, we can help you by clicking the SIGN UP button.
Fundamental View
AS OF 04 Jun 2025IBK benefits from a legally binding solvency guarantee from the Korean government and is viewed as a Korean quasi-sovereign issuer. The bank is listed, but remains majority state-owned. Previous governments had proposed privatizing it, but subsequent governments scrapped these plans. The government intends to keep its stake above 50%, and wants IBK to focus on lending to SMEs and provide earlier stage investment capital.
IBK manages the difficult feat of combining its policy role to support Korean SMEs with performance that compares creditably with Korean commercial banks.
Business Description
AS OF 04 Jun 2025- IBK was established under its own Act in 1961 to assist the development of Korea's small business sector. It claims a 24% market share in SME lending.
- It was listed in the early 1990s, but was re-nationalised following heavy losses in the Asian economic crisis of the late 1990s. It was re-listed in 2003, and is majority owned by the government which holds 59.5%; the National Pension Scheme holds 5.6%, and other policy banks have small stakes (7.2% by Korea Development Bank and 1.8% by the Export-Import Bank of Korea).
- Under Article 43 of the IBK Act, if the bank incurs losses they should be set against its reserves and "if the reserves are not sufficient the Government shall assume the remaining loss". Although this is a solvency guarantee and not an explicit guarantee for the timely payment of debts, we believe the Korean government will ensure IBK is in a position to make such timely payments.
Risk & Catalysts
AS OF 04 Jun 2025The bank’s ratings are closely tied to the Korean sovereign’s ratings due to its quasi-sovereign status.
Its ratings and its default risk should therefore not be impacted by any deterioration in its financials, provided the government continues to inject new capital when needed, which it is expected to.
Its policy mandate requires it to use at least 70% of its funding for SMEs. Risks are mitigated by its granular SME exposures which are more than 80% secured, including guarantee from state-owned credit guarantee agencies. Korean governments have also always been quick to provide support including capital injections to IBK when needed, with the most recent injection of KRW 1.3 tn during the COVID.
Key Metric
AS OF 04 Jun 2025| KRW bn | FY21 | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | 1Q25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Provision Operating Profit / Average Assets | 1.30% | 1.49% | 1.59% | 1.39% | 1.33% |
| ROAA | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.7% |
| ROAE | 9.2% | 9.5% | 8.8% | 8.1% | 9.6% |
| Provisions/Average Loans | 0.34% | 0.50% | 0.67% | 0.52% | 0.37% |
| Nonperforming Loans/Total Loans | 0.85% | 0.85% | 1.05% | 1.34% | 1.34% |
| CET1 Ratio | 11.3% | 11.1% | 11.3% | 11.3% | 11.4% |
| Total Equity/Total Assets | 6.92% | 6.79% | 7.10% | 7.25% | 7.10% |
| NIM | 1.51% | 1.78% | 1.79% | 1.70% | 1.63% |
CreditSight View Comment
AS OF 16 Jun 2025IBK is not wholly government owned – 59.5% direct government ownership, 7.2% KDB and 1.8% KEXIM – but is a policy bank benefiting from a Korean government solvency guarantee. For a policy bank it also has a fairly good track record and manages the difficult feat of combining its policy role to support Korean SMEs with performance that compares creditably with Korean commercial banks. As the leading lender to Korea’s medium and small businesses, IBK plays a key role in the country’s economy, enhanced by the longstanding objective of numerous administrations to achieve a more diversified economy less reliant on the “chaebol”. Successive Korean governments have always been quick to provide support including capital injections to the policy banks when needed.
Recommendation Reviewed: June 16, 2025
Recommendation Changed: March 17, 2017
Who We Recommend
Korea Gas Corp.
Macquarie Bank
Siam Commercial Bank
How may we help you?
Search topics about wealth insights and investments.Read this content. Log in or sign up.
If you are an investor with us, log in first to your Metrobank Wealth Manager account.
If you are not yet a client, we can help you by clicking the SIGN UP button.
Fundamental View
AS OF 28 May 2025Citigroup is a solid global money center bank that has done a decent job cleaning up legacy issues and fortifying the risk profile in the wake of the GFC, though it still lags peers on several fronts including profitability.
Citi has more geographic diversification than peers owing to its international presences, though the retail side is shrinking considerably as Citi exits most of Asia and Mexico, refocusing around a global wealth management/private bank strategy.
Citi lags on the domestic deposit front, with less than half of the deposit base of money center peers and a much smaller physical footprint, though it has been focused on driving deposit flows the past couple of years.
Business Description
AS OF 28 May 2025- Citigroup ranks as the 3rd largest U.S. bank by total assets ($2.57 tn) at 1Q25 and 3rd largest by Total Equity ($213 bn).
- Citi is 4th in terms of U.S. deposits with approximately $743 bn as of 1Q25 across 661 branches (S&P Capital IQ). Given the significantly smaller branch footprint, Citi does not generally possess leading market shares in most states besides South Dakota (#1).
- Citi's major business lines include U.S. consumer (mortgages and credit cards) and retail banking, global consumer, global corporate & investment banking, and global payments. The company is in the process of exiting 13 international consumer markets, refocusing the non-US footprint around four regional hubs and combining wealth management and the private bank to drive synergies out of the hubs.
Risk & Catalysts
AS OF 28 May 2025Citi still lags peers on profitability (both ROA and ROTCE); CEO Fraser adopted the profitability gap as a key focus point as well, and we see Fraser’s strategic moves (e.g. int’l consumer exits, headcount reduction in management layers) as aimed at capital and expense optimization to improve ROE.
While not as severe as a Wells-type situation, Citi’s regulatory mishaps introduce risks should the bank fail to show improvement in internal controls, or if another major risk management failure crops up. Our base case: Citi will be able to satisfy regulators and end up with improved infrastructure, though it will likely be a multi-year process with resultant upward cost pressures.
Citi’s global footprint makes it more exposed to emerging markets and non-domestic economies; in the near-term, that could create earnings and capital volatility to the degree tariff policies drive USD appreciation.
Key Metric
AS OF 28 May 2025| $ mn | FY21 | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | LTM 1Q25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROAE (annual) | 10.9% | 7.5% | 4.5% | 6.1% | 6.4% |
| ROAA (annual) | 0.92% | 0.61% | 0.38% | 0.51% | 0.53% |
| PPNR / Avg. Assets | 1.02% | 0.97% | 3.93% | 3.56% | 3.86% |
| Efficiency Ratio | 68% | 67% | 272% | n/m | n/m |
| Net Interest Margin (Annual) | 1.94% | 2.20% | 2.37% | 2.29% | 2.29% |
| Net charge-offs (LTM) / Loans | 0.70% | 0.55% | 0.95% | 1.29% | 1.31% |
| Common Dividend Payout | 19% | 27% | 130% | n/m | n/m |
| CET1 Ratio | 12.3% | 13.0% | 13.4% | 13.6% | 13.4% |
| Supplementary Leverage Ratio (SLR) | 5.7% | 5.8% | 5.8% | 5.9% | 5.8% |
| Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) | 115% | 118% | 116% | 117% | 117% |
CreditSight View Comment
AS OF 01 May 2025Citi’s Underperform recommendation, which changed in December 2024, revolves around a narrow spread range across the Big 6 peer group and what we see as more idiosyncratic risk heading in 2025. Even with recent widening, Citi is trading close to several peers we view as better-positioned fundamentally. However we’re comfortable with Citi as a core credit and still believe in Fraser’s transformation efforts, but 2025 could be bumpy: Citi is more exposed to non-USD currencies than peers (stronger dollar hurts CTA), is looking to IPO Banamex at a time of rising Mexico/US tensions (and related FX impact), and facing angsty equity analysts as management tries to deliver on medium-term targets.
Recommendation Reviewed: May 01, 2025
Recommendation Changed: December 05, 2024
Who We Recommend
Korea Gas Corp.
Macquarie Bank
Siam Commercial Bank
How may we help you?
Search topics about wealth insights and investments.Read this content. Log in or sign up.
If you are an investor with us, log in first to your Metrobank Wealth Manager account.
If you are not yet a client, we can help you by clicking the SIGN UP button.
Fundamental View
AS OF 28 May 2025Goldman Sachs’ performance and market share in its core legacy businesses of investment banking and sales and trading have remained very solid, working through soft periods associated with rising rates; with market conditions improving into 2025 these businesses should continue to excel.
Goldman’s results have been weighed in recent years by costs associated with exiting the unsuccessful foray into various consumer banking businesses; such costs are largely in the rearview mirror. Wealth and Asset Management are now the most likely areas of growth in the coming years, where Goldman can leverage its strengths in HNW and alternative asset management.
Business Description
AS OF 28 May 2025- Goldman Sachs is now the fifth largest bank holding company in the U.S. with approximately $1.76 tn in assets as of 1Q25 and a market capitalization of $175.4 bn as of May 23rd, 2025.
- Goldman Sachs presents its activities through three business segments: Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions.
- Goldman's historical strengths include equity and FICC sales & trading, investment banking, institutional investment management including alternatives, and high net worth wealth management. It has been expanding its wealth management client base, and adding other stable fee income streams amid a sluggish capital market environment. 5
Risk & Catalysts
AS OF 28 May 2025The early 2020’s were a mixed bag– the foray into consumer lending was costly and ultimately was reversed, diverting capital and management attention and providing a meaningful drag on profitability. Goldman has re-focused on its core businesses, though its profile will remain less diversified than large GSIB peers.
Goldman could participate in further M&A to achieve its long-term strategic goals, most likely through add-on deals related to asset/wealth management.
Goldman could be impacted by various risks during periods of market turmoil, but for the most part, has been positively impacted by bouts of volatility which tend to spur more client trading activity– 2025 tariff risks being a recent example. Goldman is subject to significant market and counterparty risks as reflected in the DFAST/SCB regime.
Key Metric
AS OF 28 May 2025| $ mn | FY21 | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | 1Q25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROAE (annual) | 21.3% | 9.7% | 7.3% | 12.0% | 12.3% |
| ROAA (annual) | 1.5% | 0.7% | 0.5% | 0.8% | 0.9% |
| PPNR / Avg. Assets | 1.86% | 1.08% | 3.29% | 3.92% | 1.16% |
| Efficiency Ratio | 54% | 65% | 282% | 266% | 63% |
| Net charge-offs (LTM) / Loans | 0.19% | 0.30% | 0.68% | 0.61% | 0.61% |
| Common Dividend Payout | 10.6% | 28.4% | 158.9% | 129.4% | 25.9% |
| CET1 Ratio | 13.6% | 15.0% | 14.4% | 15.0% | 14.8% |
| Supplementary Leverage Ratio (SLR) | 5.5% | 5.8% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 5.5% |
| Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) | 122% | 129% | 128% | 126% | 126% |
CreditSight View Comment
AS OF 15 Apr 2025We maintain our Market perform recommendation for Goldman Sachs; we remain quite comfortable with the name fundamentally but see better value at JPMorgan and Wells Fargo among money center banks, particularly in the context of our shift to a more defensive stance across the sector. Goldman should be back to a normal pace of issuance so technicals should not be quite as much of a tailwind going forward as they had been in 2023 and early 2024, though the fundamental picture continues to improve with improved capital markets conditions as well as reduced drag from exited businesses. Market conditions thus far have aligned well with Goldman’s strengths in trading, though market conditions will likely have to stabilize for investment banking to regain momentum.
Recommendation Reviewed: April 15, 2025
Recommendation Changed: January 12, 2022
Who We Recommend
Korea Gas Corp.
Macquarie Bank
Siam Commercial Bank
How may we help you?
Search topics about wealth insights and investments.Read this content. Log in or sign up.
If you are an investor with us, log in first to your Metrobank Wealth Manager account.
If you are not yet a client, we can help you by clicking the SIGN UP button.
Fundamental View
AS OF 28 May 2025JPMorgan is one of the strongest and best positioned banks to navigate the current environment, with a well-diversified business model and good competitive positioning across a variety of lending and capital markets areas.
The company continues to deploy its considerable earnings power into reinvestment, specifically around technology where we are bullish on its ability to drive competitive advantages through strategic enhancements and efficiency gains.
Business Description
AS OF 28 May 2025- JPMorgan ranks as the largest U.S. bank by total assets ($4.4 tn at 1Q25) and deposits ($2.49 tn at 1Q25).
- JPMorgan ranks 1st in terms of U.S. deposits with approximately $2.08 tn in deposits at YE24 across 4,970 branches (S&P Capital IQ). JPMorgan's footprint includes New York (#1), Texas (#1), California (#2), Illinois (#1), Michigan (#1), Arizona (#1), Ohio (#5), and Florida (#4), among others.
- JPMorgan's major business lines include investment banking, retail banking, card services, treasury & securities services, commercial banking, and asset & wealth management.
Risk & Catalysts
AS OF 28 May 2025Succession planning at JPMorgan has a higher profile than many peers, with CEO Dimon (68 year-old) having held the top spot for over 15 years. Another recent round of shuffling top management yielded a little clarity, with Jennifer Piepszak taking herself out of the running and moving into the COO seat, with remaining candidates including Marianne Lake (CEO of Consumer), Troy Rohrbaugh (CEO of Commercial/Investment Bank), and Mary Erdoes (CEO of Asset/Wealth Management).
The sector remains exposed to reputational, legislative/administrative risk, and cyber threats, although the significant tech spend over the past few years should (theoretically) result in a stronger position for JPM to manage the security threats.
Although not likely a credit risk, JPMorgan may continue to be acquisitive around non-bank financial and ancillary services; but we would expect any deal to be conservatively funded and looking to further technology and fee income strategies (e.g. payments or asset management).
Key Metric
AS OF 28 May 2025| $ mn | FY21 | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | 1Q25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROAE (annual) | 17.0% | 13.2% | 16.0% | 17.4% | 17.5% |
| ROAA (annual) | 1.3% | 1.0% | 1.3% | 1.4% | 1.4% |
| PPNR / Avg. Assets | 1.32% | 1.39% | 7.06% | n/m | 2.08% |
| Efficiency Ratio | 59% | 58% | 214% | n/m | 53% |
| Net Interest Margin (Annual) | 1.63% | 2.00% | 2.70% | 2.63% | 2.60% |
| Net charge-offs (LTM) / Loans | 0.26% | 0.25% | 0.48% | 0.63% | 0.65% |
| Common Dividend Payout | 24% | 32% | 101% | n/m | 24% |
| CET1 Ratio | 13.1% | 13.2% | 15.0% | 15.7% | 15.4% |
| Supplementary Leverage Ratio (SLR) | 5.4% | 5.6% | 6.1% | 6.1% | 6.0% |
| Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) | 110% | 110% | 113% | 113% | 113% |
CreditSight View Comment
AS OF 14 Apr 2025Our Outperform view on JPM is all about defensive value: rightfully perceived as the industry bellwether, spread differentials among Big 6 peers have collapsed with investors now able to rotate into highest quality with only a nominal spread sacrifice. Defensive value has become more important given extreme policy uncertainty and we continue to like the value in JPM even after recent widening across IG and the bank peer group. Technicals may be mildly supportive, with larger JPM facing ~$25 bn in maturities/calls in FY25, below BAC with peer banks in the $21-22 bn range. Core credit strengths including capitalization may slide with the BISIII softening and delay, but from an extremely strong starting point.
Recommendation Reviewed: April 14, 2025
Recommendation Changed: December 05, 2024
Who We Recommend
Korea Gas Corp.
Macquarie Bank
Siam Commercial Bank
How may we help you?
Search topics about wealth insights and investments.Read this content. Log in or sign up.
If you are an investor with us, log in first to your Metrobank Wealth Manager account.
If you are not yet a client, we can help you by clicking the SIGN UP button.
Fundamental View
AS OF 23 May 2025UBS agreed to acquire Credit Suisse in March 2023 after the latter collapsed following a severe liquidity crisis.
CS was a large and complex organisation, so the integration, and the inevitable associated losses and costs, will dominate UBS’s strategic outlook and financial performance for several years.
However, UBS was able to negotiate substantial downside protection which should shield it from losses at CS.
Away from CS, UBS has reshaped its business model, with a greater emphasis on wealth management and less focus on investment banking, particularly fixed income.
Its earnings remain somewhat dependent on capital market conditions, but its capital, asset quality and profitability ratios have been among the strongest for European banks.
Business Description
AS OF 23 May 2025- Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, UBS has private, corporate and institutional clients worldwide and retail clients in Switzerland. It is one of the world's largest wealth managers.
- It completed the acquisition of CS on 12 June 2023. It has merged CS’s domestic Swiss bank (Credit Suisse Schweiz AG) with its own domestic bank (UBS Switzerland AG) in 2024, keeping the CS brand “for the time being”.
- CS’s holding company (Credit Suisse Group AG) has been merged into UBS Group AG, so that the group has a single holding company, and the operating subsidiaries, including UBS AG and Credit Suisse AG, were merged on 31 May 2024.
- UBS operates through its Corporate Center and four business divisions: Global Wealth Management, Personal & Corporate Banking, Asset Management, and the Investment Bank, plus a new Non-core and Legacy division following the acquisition of CS.
- The Investment Bank has been restructured in recent years to scale back fixed income trading and focus on equities trading and origination & advisory business.
Risk & Catalysts
AS OF 23 May 2025The acquisition of CS will be a long and complex process, and the necessary restructuring is likely to result in losses and costs, although UBS has substantial protection, not least in the large negative goodwill.
Litigation costs have been a feature of UBS’s results in recent years, although it has agreed settlements in various cases recently.
A French court imposed fines and civil damages of €4.5 bn ($5.1 bn) in February 2019, which UBS appealed. The Court of Appeal retried the case de novo in March 2021 and reduced the fine to €3.75 mn plus civil damages of €800 mn and confiscation of €1 bn. UBS has set aside reserves of €1.1 bn. The French Supreme Court overturned the penalties and damages in November 2023, and the case has been remanded to the Court of Appeal for a retrial.
Key Metric
AS OF 23 May 2025| $ mn | 1Q25 | Y24 | Y23 | Y22 | Y21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Return On Equity | 7.9% | 6.0% | 38.4% | 13.0% | 12.4% |
| Total Revenues Margin | 3.2% | 3.0% | 2.9% | 3.1% | 3.2% |
| Cost/Income | 82.2% | 84.8% | 95.0% | 72.1% | 73.6% |
| CET1 Ratio (Transitional) | 14.3% | 14.3% | 14.3% | 14.2% | 15.0% |
| CET1 Ratio (Fully-Loaded) | 14.3% | 14.3% | 14.4% | 14.2% | 15.0% |
| Leverage Ratio (Fully-Loaded) | 5.6% | 5.8% | 5.4% | 5.7% | 5.7% |
| Liquidity Coverage Ratio | 181% | 188% | 216% | 164% | 155% |
| Impaired Loans (Gross)/Total Loans | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.4% |
CreditSight View Comment
AS OF 09 Jun 2025We have Market perform recommendations on UBS AG (operating bank) and UBS Group (holding company) having revised the HoldCo recommendation from Underperform in August 2024. Its rescue and takeover of Credit Suisse in March 2023 was a seminal event that has had major consequences for UBS’s strategy and financial performance, as well as carrying substantial execution risk. However, the integration is on track, and UBS’s performance has been steadily improving. Capital, asset quality and liquidity all look strong, although Swiss regulatory capital requirements are set to increase significantly in coming years.
Recommendation Reviewed: June 09, 2025
Recommendation Changed: August 14, 2024
Who We Recommend
Korea Gas Corp.
Macquarie Bank
Siam Commercial Bank
How may we help you?
Search topics about wealth insights and investments.Read this content. Log in or sign up.
If you are an investor with us, log in first to your Metrobank Wealth Manager account.
If you are not yet a client, we can help you by clicking the SIGN UP button.
Fundamental View
AS OF 23 May 2025Standard Chartered has been making good progress in the past few years, improving its asset quality and profitability and dealing with legacy litigation issues. Capital, funding and liquidity look solid.
However, tensions between China and the West, including reciprocal trade tariffs between the US and China, and global economic headwinds continue to cloud the near term outlook.
Its unusual business mix – headquartered and regulated in the UK but operating primarily in Asia, Africa and the Middle East – means it is well diversified but sensitive to geopolitical developments and emerging market volatility.
Business Description
AS OF 23 May 2025- Standard Chartered PLC is the holding company and listed entity of the group, in which Standard Chartered Bank is the main operating company.
- Although Standard Chartered is headquartered in London and therefore subject to UK banking regulation, its operations are mainly in Asia (Hong Kong is its biggest single market, as part of its Greater China & North Asia region), Africa and the Middle East. It is present in over 60 markets.
- It has the usual variety of businesses across these regions, including corporate and institutional banking, retail banking, commercial banking and private banking. It specialises in trade finance and cross-border cash management.
- The group announced a revised strategy in 2019 aimed at improving profitability after several years of de-risking, with a targeted return on tangible equity of 10%.
- It is classified as a G-SIB, with a regulatory capital buffer of 1%.
Risk & Catalysts
AS OF 23 May 2025Anti-government protests in Hong Kong, a slowing economy in China and a weak commercial real estate sector, and a US/China trade war have threatened the growth and stability of some of Standard Chartered’s key markets.
A number of Standard Chartered’s markets have underperformed in the past and have therefore been seen as turnaround stories, including India, Korea, Indonesia and the UAE.
The group has had to improve its AML and sanctions controls. In April 2019, it paid a $947 mn fine to US authorities over breaches of US sanctions and a £102 mn fine to the UK FCA for AML weaknesses.
Key Metric
AS OF 23 May 2025| $ mn | 1Q25 | Y24 | Y23 | Y22 | Y21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity | 12.2% | 8.0% | 7.0% | 5.7% | 4.5% |
| Total Revenues Margin | 2.5% | 2.3% | 2.2% | 2.0% | 1.8% |
| Cost/Income | 56.6% | 64.0% | 64.1% | 66.9% | 74.3% |
| CET1 Ratio (Transitional) | 13.8% | 14.2% | 14.1% | 14.0% | 14.1% |
| CET1 Ratio (Fully-Loaded) | 13.8% | 14.2% | 14.1% | 13.9% | 14.1% |
| Leverage Ratio (Fully-Loaded) | 4.7% | 4.8% | 4.7% | 4.8% | 4.9% |
| Loan Impairment Charge | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.1% |
| Impaired Loans (Gross)/Total Loans | 2.1% | 2.2% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 2.7% |
CreditSight View Comment
AS OF 01 Jul 2025We revised our recommendation on Standard Chartered HoldCo senior from Underperform to Market perform on 26 April 2023, but we changed our recommendations on Tier 2 and AT1 from Fair to Rich on 10 January 2024. The changes reflect StanChart’s recent resilient performance, while taking into account the potential impact from US tariffs policies and exposure to China. Capital and liquidity ratios are robust, and profitability has improved significantly, but the bank continues to face geopolitical tensions inherent in its extensive operations in Hong Kong, China and the rest of Asia.
Recommendation Reviewed: July 01, 2025
Recommendation Changed: April 26, 2023
Who We Recommend
Korea Gas Corp.
Macquarie Bank
Siam Commercial Bank
How may we help you?
Search topics about wealth insights and investments.Security Bank (PH)
- Sector: Financial Services
- Sub Sector: Banks
- Country: Philippines
- Bond: SECBPM 5.5 29
- Indicative Yield-to-Maturity (YTM): 4.694%
Read this content. Log in or sign up.
If you are an investor with us, log in first to your Metrobank Wealth Manager account.
If you are not yet a client, we can help you by clicking the SIGN UP button.
Fundamental View
AS OF 20 May 2025Security Bank has historically been a wholesale focused bank. Rapid retail expansion pre-pandemic led to a large asset quality hit when COVID-19 struck. The bank completed working through its risk issues at end-2021 and has resumed brisk growth in the retail book since.
The bank had a less well-established deposit franchise than most peers, resulting in a heavy hit to NIMs when rates rose this cycle. This has led it to focus aggressively on growing the higher yielding retail and MSME segments, the latter via forming a new business banking segment in 2022.
Previously high capital ratios have hence fallen; the CET1 ratio is a low 12-13%.
MUFG is a 20% shareholder of Security Bank.
Business Description
AS OF 20 May 2025- Security Bank was established in 1951 and obtained its universal banking license from the BSP in 1994. It is today the 9th largest bank in the Philippines.
- The bank is majority-owned by longtime owner Frederick Y. Dy (23.7%) and MUFG Bank (20%), which acquired its stake in April 2016.
- SB Finance, a joint venture between Security Bank and Thailand's Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri), a consolidated subsidiary of MUFG, was launched in 2019. The unit is a consumer finance company formed to engage in the unsecured loans business in the Philippines, focusing on the lower mass retail segment.
- Security Bank's loan portfolio is 29% consumer, 3% MSME, 28% middle market and 40% corporate at 4Q24. The consumer and MSME book comprises mortgages (46%), auto loans (21%), credit card (24%) and small business loans (9%).
Risk & Catalysts
AS OF 20 May 2025Any rating downgrade of the Philippine sovereign would have a negative impact on Security Bank.
Margin pressure from the bank’s earlier weaker deposit franchise is easing with the declining rate environment and heavy growth focus on the higher yielding retail and MSME (business banking) segments, which continues to be the strategy going forward.
Capital ratios have fallen due to brisk RWA growth and are now behind peers. They are set to fall by a further ~1 ppt from the buying of a 25% stake in Home Credit Finance Philippines (HCPH) from MUFG, which would take the CET1 ratio to ~12%. We regard this level as low, but do not rule out capital support from MUFG if needed.
Asset quality is showing strains from the brisk growth in riskier segments as we had anticipated. We remain cautious about the asset quality implications given the relatively thin reserve cover and capital buffer.
Key Metric
AS OF 20 May 2025| PHP mn | FY21 | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | 1Q25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Interest Margin | 4.43% | 4.23% | 4.49% | 4.73% | 4.51% |
| ROA | 1.0% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 1.0% |
| ROE | 5.6% | 8.4% | 7.0% | 8.1% | 7.9% |
| PPP ROA | 2.30% | 2.17% | 1.97% | 2.18% | 2.17% |
| CET1 Ratio | 19.1% | 16.1% | 15.3% | 12.9% | 13.2% |
| Total Equity/Total Assets | 17.88% | 14.94% | 15.62% | 12.50% | 12.95% |
| Gross NPL Ratio | 3.94% | 2.95% | 3.36% | 2.85% | 3.10% |
| Net LDR | 85.7% | 83.0% | 88.8% | 84.6% | 76.8% |
| Liquidity Coverage Ratio | 150% | 144% | 158% | 178% | 179% |
| Net Stable Funding Ratio | 138% | 122% | 131% | 130% | 136% |
CreditSight View Comment
AS OF 21 May 2025Security Bank has historically been a wholesale focused bank. Rapid retail expansion leading up to the pandemic led to a large asset quality fallout. It has since resumed aggressive growth in higher yielding but riskier retail and MSME segments to counter NIM pressure. This along with a now declining rate environment will continue to support the NIM. Asset quality however is showing strains from the brisk growth in riskier segments as we had anticipated. We remain cautious about the asset quality implications given the relatively thin reserve cover and capital buffer (~12% pro-forma for the acquisition of a 25% stake in Home Credit Finance Philippines from MUFG). We have an Underperform recommendation.
Recommendation Reviewed: May 21, 2025
Recommendation Changed: May 21, 2024
Who We Recommend
Korea Gas Corp.
Macquarie Bank
Siam Commercial Bank
How may we help you?
Search topics about wealth insights and investments.Read this content. Log in or sign up.
If you are an investor with us, log in first to your Metrobank Wealth Manager account.
If you are not yet a client, we can help you by clicking the SIGN UP button.
Fundamental View
AS OF 19 May 2025BNP’s financial strength is based on its strong franchises across retail, commercial and investment banking, and its wide business and geographic diversification. Profitability is sound and fairly resilient, while asset quality has held up well.
Uncertainty around the financial health of the French sovereign and its ratings have the capacity to weigh on BNP’s stock price and its credit spreads.
Capital ratios are run tightly considering BNP’s balance sheet size, although this is in the context of its liquid and well-managed risk profile.
Business Description
AS OF 19 May 2025- BNP is one of the most diversified banking groups in Europe, having been created from a merger of the retail/commercial bank BNP and the corporate/investment bank Paribas in 2000.
- Domestic Markets (DM) comprises the Group's four retail banking networks in the eurozone and its three specialised business lines (including leasing and digital banking). The retail banks are French Retail Banking (FRB), BNL in Italy, BNP Paribas Fortis in Belgium and BGL BNP Paribas in Luxembourg.
- International Financial Services (IFS) includes consumer finance, asset management and private banking, and subsidiaries in non-eurozone countries, including TEB in Turkey and BNP Paribas Bank Polska.
- Corporate & Institutional Banking (CIB) is a global provider of financial solutions to corporate and institutional clients and includes BNP's extensive trading and investment banking businesses.
Risk & Catalysts
AS OF 19 May 2025BNP Paribas remains the subject of various claims concerning the Madoff matter; amongst other claims. Litigation provisions on the balance sheet stood at €841 mn at 30 June 2024. BNP says the latest claims against it stand at $1.1 bn as of June 2024.
If there was a negative rating action on the sovereign via an outlook change or notch downgrade, it is possible that BNP’s ratings will be impacted but it is difficult to say with any uncertainty. France represents around 30% of revenues and gross commitments on balance sheet and sovereign bond holdings are moderate; we discuss more below.
There were signs of modest asset quality deterioration in 1Q25, although the bank has not revised its guidance, which targets cost of risk of 40 bp in 2025 and 2026.
Key Metric
AS OF 19 May 2025| mn | Y21 | Y22 | Y23 | Y24 | 1Q25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Return On Equity | 8.2% | 8.2% | 9.0% | 9.3% | 9.1% |
| Total Revenues Margin | 1.8% | 1.7% | 1.7% | 1.8% | 1.9% |
| Cost/Income | 67.3% | 60.7% | 62.6% | 61.8% | 63.7% |
| CET1 Ratio (Transitional) | 12.9% | 12.3% | 13.2% | 12.9% | 12.4% |
| CET1 Ratio (Fully-Loaded) | 12.9% | 12.3% | 13.2% | 12.9% | 12.4% |
| Leverage Ratio (Fully-Loaded) | 4.1% | 4.4% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 4.4% |
| Liquidity Coverage Ratio | 143.0% | 129.0% | 148.0% | 137.0% | 133.0% |
| Impaired Loans (Gross)/Total Loans | 3.3% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2.8% | n/a |
CreditSight View Comment
AS OF 23 Jun 2025BNP remains one of the more diversified bank names in Europe. Its strong business and geographic diversification has helped it maintain good profitability and asset quality. It has extensive operations in Italy via its subsidiary BNL. Earnings have been resilient, with CIB a stand-out performer. Liquidity and funding metrics look sound. Asset quality has held up well, although an outlier is the group’s personal finance business. The latter is being restructured, to focus more on auto finance rather than personal lending. BNP’s capital position strengthened in 2024 but it will weaken in 2025/6. It is looking to expand now in insurance and asset management, likely to grow fee income. Despite global uncertainty, BNP has not amended any of its target for 2025/2026.
Recommendation Reviewed: June 23, 2025
Recommendation Changed: October 30, 2018
Who We Recommend
Korea Gas Corp.
Macquarie Bank
Siam Commercial Bank
How may we help you?
Search topics about wealth insights and investments.UnionBank of the Philippines
- Sector: Financial Services
- Sub Sector: Banks
- Region: Philippines
Read this content. Log in or sign up.
If you are an investor with us, log in first to your Metrobank Wealth Manager account.
If you are not yet a client, we can help you by clicking the SIGN UP button.
Fundamental View
AS OF 19 May 2025The bank has historically generated higher returns than peers, but it geared its focus significantly towards the retail segment through acquiring Citi’s Philippine retail portfolio in 2022 and organic growth, which brought retail loans to more than half the total book.
Returns have suffered despite the good boost to core revenues, as asset quality deterioration from the riskier growth direction resulted in high credit costs which we have forewarned. Continued rounds of capital infusions from shareholders have thus been required. The reserve cover is maintained relatively thin.
Business Description
AS OF 19 May 2025- UnionBank of the Philippines was incorporated in 1968, and listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange in June 1992. Principal shareholders are Aboitiz Equity Ventures (49.66%), Insular Life (16%), & Social Security System (18%).
- UBP undertook mergers with International Corporate Bank in 1994 and International Exchange Bank in 2006. City Savings Bank (a thrift bank) was purchased in Jan 2013. City Savings received merger approval with PR Savings (a bank engaged in motorcycle, agri-machinery, & teachers' salary loans) in Dec 2018 from the BSP. It acquired the Citi Philippines retail franchise in 2022.
- The loan book is broadly split 38% wholesale loans and 62% retail loans (comprising 34% credit cards, 21% mortgages and 7% salary loans at the parent, 36% teachers loans, salary loans and motorcycle loans by the thrift bank subsidiary, City Savings Bank, and 1% UnionDigital) at Mar-25.
Risk & Catalysts
AS OF 19 May 2025Any rating downgrade of the Philippine sovereign or reduction of shareholding by Aboitiz Equity Ventures would negatively impact UBP.
The bank’s aggressive retail expansion has improved the NIM, but negatively impacted overall profitability because of high credit costs (particularly since 2H23) which we have forewarned. We continue to dislike its focus on riskier retail given the already large loan book exposure. It is now focusing on lower risk, shorter term loans at UnionDigital, but the improvement in credit costs have been slow to come through given fallout from higher risk taking in other segments.
The bank however benefits from good shareholder support; it successfully completed a third stock rights offering of PHP 10 bn in 2Q24 (2023: PHP 12 bn; 2022: PHP 40 bn) to shore up capital. Lower opex from 2Q24 onwards is also aiding the bottomline.
Key Metric
AS OF 19 May 2025| PHP mn | FY21 | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | 1Q25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Interest Margin | 4.60% | 4.80% | 5.50% | 6.00% | 6.30% |
| Reported ROA (Cumulative) | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.8% | 1.1% | 0.5% |
| Reported ROE (Cumulative) | 11.5% | 9.7% | 5.6% | 6.4% | 2.9% |
| PPP ROA | 2.59% | 2.17% | 2.31% | 3.08% | 2.74% |
| CET1 Ratio | 16.3% | 11.3% | 13.9% | 15.6% | 14.9% |
| Total Equity/Total Assets | 13.5% | 13.6% | 15.3% | 17.1% | 16.8% |
| Gross NPL Ratio | 5.00% | 4.80% | 6.27% | 6.89% | 6.90% |
| Net LDR | 63.1% | 67.4% | 73.8% | 77.3% | 74.6% |
| Liquidity Coverage Ratio | 272% | 148% | 163% | 250% | n/m |
| Net Stable Funding Ratio | 149% | 124% | 124% | 128% | n/m |
CreditSight View Comment
AS OF 21 May 2025UBP’s NIM and core revenue generation is strong thanks to its pivot towards higher yielding retail via organic growth and acquiring Citi’s local retail portfolio. However, returns have suffered as the asset quality repercussions which we have forewarned from its aggressive growth strategy towards the risky retail segments have come through, with elevated credit costs since 2H23. It has slowed loan growth but credit costs have not shown signs of stabilisation given a still high appetite for risk. The reserve cover is maintained relatively thin. Continued shareholder support with yet another stock rights offering in 2Q24 has ensured sufficient capital for now. Still, we maintain U/P as it trades tight for its size and risk, given its asset quality issues and weak fundamentals.
Recommendation Reviewed: May 21, 2025
Recommendation Changed: April 17, 2020
Who We Recommend
Korea Gas Corp.
Macquarie Bank
Siam Commercial Bank
How may we help you?
Search topics about wealth insights and investments.Read this content. Log in or sign up.
If you are an investor with us, log in first to your Metrobank Wealth Manager account.
If you are not yet a client, we can help you by clicking the SIGN UP button.
Fundamental View
AS OF 15 May 2025UOB has strong stand-alone credit profile and benefits from the high likelihood of support from the government of Singapore, where it is one of the three major local banks.
The bank is more focused on Singapore and Southeast Asia than on Greater China; its traditional strengths are the SME and retail sectors, although its large corporate book is now over 60% of loans.
UOB has been conservatively managed with a sound risk profile, a strong focus on liquidity and a long track record of relatively good performance.
Business Description
AS OF 15 May 2025- UOB was established in 1935 as a Chinese family-owned bank catering to the Hokkien (Fujian) community, Singapore's largest Chinese ethnic sub-group. The Wee family owns about 18% of the shares. A further 5.18% is held by the Lien family which previously controlled Overseas Union Bank, which UOB merged within 2001. The Wee family has significant real estate and hospitality interests in Singapore and regionally.
- UOB's main markets are Singapore and Malaysia where its presence dates back to before Singapore's independence. It expanded through acquisitions in Thailand (Bank Radanasin and Bank of Asia) and Indonesia (Bank Buana), and more recently bought over Citi's consumer franchise in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam.
- Franchise strengths are in SME and consumer lending. Building & construction accounts for 27% of loans, followed by housing at 24%, financial institutions at 12% and general commerce at 11% at 4Q24.
- Loans by geography comprise Singapore at 49% of loans, Greater China at 15%, Malaysia at 10%, Thailand at 8%, and Indonesia at 3% at 4Q24.
Risk & Catalysts
AS OF 15 May 2025UOB has a greater focus on Southeast Asia than its Singapore bank peers, which leaves it open to more asset quality risk in a downturn / high interest rate environment.
The bank has benefited more from the final Basel III rules implementation than its peers – its CET 1 ratio was previously the lowest among the three but now aligns with peers.
Its NPL coverage ratio of 90% is around 50-70 ppt behind peers. However, both collateral and UOB’s SGD 2.8 bn in general provisions will be more than sufficient.
Key Metric
AS OF 15 May 2025| SGD mn | FY21 | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 | 1Q25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPP ROA | 1.23% | 1.31% | 1.52% | 1.51% | 1.56% |
| ROA | 0.92% | 0.99% | 1.19% | 1.19% | 1.11% |
| ROE | 10.2% | 11.9% | 14.2% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| Equity to Assets | 9.3% | 8.6% | 8.8% | 9.2% | 9.6% |
| CET1 Ratio (fully-loaded) | 13.5% | 13.3% | 13.4% | 15.4% | 15.4% |
| NPL Ratio | 1.62% | 1.58% | 1.52% | 1.53% | 1.60% |
| Provisions / Loans | 0.20% | 0.20% | 0.25% | 0.27% | 0.35% |
| Liquidity Coverage Ratio | 133% | 147% | 158% | 143% | 143% |
| Net Stable Funding Ratio | 116% | 116% | 120% | 116% | 116% |
CreditSight View Comment
AS OF 09 May 2025UOB is conservatively run with a large family ownership and a sound balance sheet. The bank is more focused on Singapore and Southeast Asia than on Greater China. Outside Singapore, its main operations in ASEAN are in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia which collectively make up ~20% of its loan book. It acquired Citi’s consumer operations in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, which has been good for the franchise. The bank has benefitted more from the final Basel III rules implementation than its peers – its CET 1 ratio was previously the lowest among the three but now the three banks have similar CET 1 ratios. UOB’s reserve cover is about 50 ppt behind the other two peers.
Recommendation Reviewed: May 09, 2025
Recommendation Changed: July 04, 2017
Who We Recommend
Korea Gas Corp.
Macquarie Bank
Siam Commercial Bank