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RAM Ratings reaffirms ratings of Hong Leong Financial Group and banking entities
Published on 18 Feb 2022.
RAM Ratings has reaffirmed Hong Leong Financial Group Berhad’s (HLFG or the Group) AA1/Stable/P1 corporate credit ratings (CCRs) and the AAA/Stable/P1 financial institution ratings (FIRs) of its banking entities, Hong Leong Bank Berhad (the Bank), Hong Leong Islamic Bank Berhad (HLISB) and Hong Leong Investment Bank Berhad (HLIB). Concurrently, the ratings of the entities’ sukuk/debt facilities have been reaffirmed (Table 1). The reaffirmation is premised on the Group’s strong domestic retail and SME banking franchises. We expect the Group’s credit metrics to hold up well even after considering a possible decline in asset quality as forbearance measures are gradually withdrawn.
HLFG’s long-term CCR is rated one notch below Hong Leong Bank’s AAA long-term FIR to factor in the Group’s structural subordination as a non-operating holding company and its moderate company-level double leverage and gearing ratios of 1.04 times and 0.04 times, respectively, as at end-June 2021. HLISB’s and HLIB’s ratings have also been reaffirmed given their strategic roles as the Islamic and investment banking arms of the Group, whose ratings are in turn anchored by Hong Leong Bank’s ratings.
Supported by its conservative credit culture, Hong Leong Bank’s asset quality is among the best in the industry. The Bank recorded a low gross impaired loan (GIL) ratio of 0.5% as at end-September 2021 (industry: 1.6%), which stands it in good stead to withstand any asset quality pressure triggered by lingering Covid-19 risks. About 22% of its loans were under repayment reliefs as at end-October 2021 and these reliefs will continue to curb impairments in the near term. Hong Leong Bank has however prudently built up its loan loss provisioning in anticipation of higher credit losses. Credit cost climbed to 42 bps in FY Jun 2021 (FY Jun 2020: 23 bps) owing to an additional RM511 mil management overlay. The Bank’s GIL coverage (including regulatory reserves) was a solid 295% as at end-September 2021.
Despite the heightened credit cost, Hong Leong Bank netted a stronger pre-tax profit of RM3.5 bil in FY Jun 2021 (FY Jun 2020: RM3.0 bil) as a result of healthy lending growth, wider net interest margin and a solid contribution from 18%-owned associate, Bank of Chengdu. Similarly, the return on risk-weighted assets ascended to 2.4% in the same period (FY Jun 2020: 2.2%). Additional modification loss arising from the latest moratorium, three-month interest waiver for loans under relief of eligible borrowers in the bottom 50% income group, and the imposition of Cukai Makmur are some downside risk factors, but the ongoing economic revival will likely sustain loan growth and alleviate credit risk, both of which are expected to bolster the Bank’s pre-tax bottom line in FY Jun 2022 (1Q FY Jun 2022: RM1.0 bil).
By virtue of a strong retail franchise and extensive branch network, the Bank boasts one of the largest proportions of retail deposits in the industry. Deposits from individuals constituted half of Hong Leong Bank’s total deposits as at end-September 2021 (banking system: 38%). Its loans to deposits ratio remained comfortable at 84% on the same date while liquidity coverage ratio also surpassed the regulatory requirement. The Group’s capitalisation and that of its banking subsidiaries are sound relative to their risk profiles, with the Group’s common equity tier-1 capital ratio standing at 11.4% as at end-September 2021.
Table 1: Ratings of HLFG, Hong Leong Bank, HLISB and HLIB|
|
Ratings |
|
Hong Leong Financial Group Berhad |
|
|
Corporate Credit Ratings |
AA1/Stable/P1 |
|
RM25 billion Multi-Currency Senior Notes, Tier-2 Subordinated Notes, and Additional Tier-1 Capital Securities Programme (2017/2117)*
|
|
|
AA1/Stable AA2/Stable A1/Stable |
|
|
RM3 billion Commercial Papers Programme (2017/2025)* |
P1 |
|
*Combined limit of RM25.0 billion |
|
|
Hong Leong Bank Berhad |
|
|
Financial Institution Ratings |
AAA/Stable/P1 |
|
RM10 billion Multi-Currency Subordinated Notes Programme (2014/2044) |
AA1/Stable |
|
RM10 billion Multi-Currency Additional Tier-1 Capital Securities Programme (2017/2117) ^ |
A1/Stable |
|
^ Programme has a loss absorption feature linked to a non-viability event of the Bank and HLFG |
|
|
Hong Leong Islamic Bank Berhad |
|
|
Financial Institution Ratings |
AAA/Stable/P1 |
|
RM2 billion Multi-Currency Tier-2 Subordinated Sukuk Murabahah and Additional Tier-1 Sukuk Wakalah (2017/2117) ^^
|
|
|
AA2/Stable A1/Stable |
|
|
^^ Programme has a loss absorption feature linked to a non-viability event of HLISB, Hong Leong Bank and HLFG |
|
|
Hong Leong Investment Bank Berhad |
|
|
Financial Institution Ratings |
AAA/Stable/P1 |
Analytical contacts
Goh Kwan Kheen, Timothy
(603) 3385 2496
timothy@ram.com.my
Wong Yin Ching, CFA
(603) 3385 2555
yinching@ram.com.my
The credit rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a security, inasmuch as it does not comment on the security’s market price or its suitability for a particular investor, nor does it involve any audit by RAM Ratings. The credit rating also does not reflect the legality and enforceability of financial obligations.
RAM Ratings receives compensation for its rating services, normally paid by the issuers of such securities or the rated entity, and sometimes third parties participating in marketing the securities, insurers, guarantors, other obligors, underwriters, etc. The receipt of this compensation has no influence on RAM Ratings’ credit opinions or other analytical processes. In all instances, RAM Ratings is committed to preserving the objectivity, integrity and independence of its ratings. Rating fees are communicated to clients prior to the issuance of rating opinions. While RAM Ratings reserves the right to disseminate the ratings, it receives no payment for doing so, except for subscriptions to its publications.
Similarly, the disclaimers above also apply to RAM Ratings’ credit-related analyses and commentaries, where relevant.
Published by RAM Rating Services Berhad
© Copyright 2022 by RAM Rating Services Berhad
Rating Rationale: Hong Leong Financial Group Berhad
Rating Rationale: Hong Leong Bank Berhad
Rating Rationale: Hong Leong Islamic Bank Berhad
