Union Bank's ratings reaffirmed at BBB/Stable/P3
RAM Ratings Lanka has reaffirmed the respective long- and short-term
financial institution ratings of Union Bank of Colombo PLC ("Union Bank"
or "the Bank") at BBB and P3; the outlook on the long-term rating is
stable.
The ratings are supported by the Bank's healthy capitalisation but
tempered by its small stature, below average asset quality, performance
and funding levels.
Incorporated in 1995, Union Bank is one of the smallest licensed
commercial banks ("LCB") in Sri Lanka, accounting for only 0.74% of
industry assets as at end-September 2012. The Bank acquired the Finance
and Guarantee Company Limited subsequently renamed UB Finance Company
Limited ("UB Finance") for Rs 600 million in November 2011.
UB Finance had faced financial strain under its previous ownership,
resulting in its loan portfolio recording high delinquencies. The Bank
together with National Asset Management Limited ("NAMAL") and UB Finance
is referred to as "the Group." The Bank continued to account for the
larger 96.07% of total assets of the Group despite the recent
acquisitions. The Group concentrates on small and medium enterprises ("SMEs")
that are more susceptible to economic fluctuations, as reflected in its
below average asset quality.
Following 87.93% year-on-year ("y-o-y") growth in credit assets in
FYE December 31,2011 ("FY Dec 2011") amid a favourable economic climate,
the Group's credit assets grew by a slower 20.72% in 9M FY Dec 2012, as
lending was curtailed amid the credit ceiling placed by the Central Bank
of Sri Lanka ("CBSL").
The weakening in the Bank's loan quality, coupled with the
acquisition of UB Finance (whose loan book almost entirely consisted of
non-performing loans ("NPL'")), resulted in the Group's asset quality
indicators weakening with the gross NPL ratio deteriorating to 10.55% as
at end- December 2011 (end-December 2010: 8.26%), comparing weaker than
its LCB peers.
However as at end-September 2012, due to recovery efforts in UB
Finance the Group's gross NPL ratio improved to 9.16%. Meanwhile, the
Bank's absolute NPLs spiked 70% during 9M FY December 2012, thereby
weakening the Bank's NPL ratio to 6.39% from 4.13% as at end-December
2011. Delinquencies stemmed mainly from the construction and trading
industries.
The Bank's credit asset portfolio also remained unseasoned following
the aggressive credit expansion in fiscal 2011.
As such we deem the Bank's asset quality to be below average. Going
forward, recovery efforts are expected to bear fruit in tandem with the
gradual pick up in the construction and trading segments in the economy
albeit at a slower pace. The Group's relatively weaker than peer net
interest margin ("NIM"), held down by its low yielding deep discounted
bonds ("DDB") bond together with the higher cost burden results in an
overall below average performance.
We deem that the NIM which is in line with the LCB peers do not
commensurate with the higher risk profile of Union Bank's target market
which comprises of SMEs. The Group's interest income ascended 63.91%
y-o-y in 9M FY Dec 2012 following a 20.72% loan growth during the same
period.
Meanwhile, RAM Ratings Lanka notes that the bulk of Union Bank's
customer deposits comprise of relatively expensive fixed deposits. This,
coupled with its low-yielding DDB (4% yield), had pressured the Group's
net interest margin ("NIM"), which remained weaker than its banking
peers' at 4.20% in 9M FY Dec 2012. The Bank's cost to income ratio also
weakened to 73.51% in 9M FY Dec 2012 owing to the addition of 6 new
branches. Overall pre-tax profits in 9M FY Dec 2012 compared 6.78% y-o-y
lower than Rs 324.04 million in 9M FY Dec 2011.
The Group's funding structure was dominated by customer deposits as
at end-September 2012, with a share of 76.24%. Due to the Group's
aggressive loan growth, its loans-to deposits ("LD") ratio weakened to
92.63% as at end-September 2012 (end-FY Dec 2011: 87.45%). At the same
time, its statutory liquid-asset ratio weakened to 21.69% as at
end-September 2012, (December 2011: 23.38%) amid loan growth. That said,
the ratio is currently in line with those of its peers.
As such we deem the Groups liquidity position average. The Bank's
capitalisation levels are perceived to be healthy.
However, amidst loan growth, its tier-1 and overall Risk Weighted
Capital Adequacy Ratios ("RWCARs") weakened to 19.54% as at
end-September 2012 (end-December 2011: 24.45% and 24.22%).
We also note with concern that the Bank's net NPLs to shareholders'
funds weakened to 20.41% as at end-September 2012 from 9.74% as at
end-December 2011 amid the influx of NPLs.
We opine AFL's capitalisation levels to be better than its LFC
peers', following a capital infusion of LKR 900 million in April 2012.
The Company's tier 1 and overall risk-weighted capital adequacy
ratios ("RWCAR") clocked in at 32.32% as at end-September 2012, after
having been below regulatory levels for the last 4 years. Going forward,
given planned loan growth, we envisage the ratios moderating, albeit
remaining better than that of peers. |