30 October 2018 : Diamond Bank PLC (DIAMONDBNK) released unaudited nine- month 2018 result alongside restated figures for nine-month 2017 following divestment from its West African business operation. The result was unimpressive with the bank struggling to make profit in Q3 standalone.

Last week, the bank announced the resignation of four of its directors, a move which looked like an imminent investment in the bank from new investors. But, the bank later announced it is not in talk with any party for capital injection. The bank currently has capital issues with its CAR printing slightly above the minimum regulatory requirement.

Underlying pressures persist. Over 9M 18, Diamond Bank reported 35.8% YoY decline in EPS to N0.11, largely underpinned by funding costs pressure (17.4% YoY to N40.9 billion), which more than outweighed higher non-interest revenue (+10.9% YoY to N27.7 billion) and gains from lower impairment charge (-24.2% YoY to N25.2 billion). On net interest income, despite expansion in assets yield by 227bps YoY to 10.5% – largely due to24%YoY decline in interest earning assets coming from the discontinued operation – interest income came in lower by 4% YoY to N108 billion. This alongside an increase in interest expense (17.4% YoY to N40.9 billion), resulted to a decline in Net Interest Income (-13.7% YoY to N67.1 billion). In line with the performance over 9M 18, analysts are now more doubtful of management’s guidance of N6.0 billion PBT for FY 18.

Lower impairment saves Q3 earnings. Focusing on Q3 figures, analysts had expected the bank to post a loss in Q3 on the back of higher impairment charge following quarterly trend. In fact, the bank had guided to a loan-loss provision of between N40 billion – N45 billion for FY 18. The bank however recorded a 33% QoQ decline in loan-loss provisioning (N6.8 billion) with Cost of Risk moderating 176bps QoQ to 3.6%. 9M 18 loan-loss provision (N25.2 billion) is now about 63% of management’s lower guidance of N40 billion for FY 18. Also, the bank recorded a lower funding cost over the period. Nonetheless, the bank still struggled to post a profit of N130 million (-91% QoQ) mirroring pressure on both net funding income and NIR.

NIMs cut back by lower asset yield. Akin to most banks that have released nine-month results, Diamond Bank recorded moderation in asset yield (-86 bps QoQ to 9.7%) over Q3. The decline in asset yield over the quarter reflected lower interest income from both loans and investment securities on the back of flat growth in the bank’s loan book (+0.4% QoQ) and contraction in investment securities (-7.6% QoQ). On the funding leg, contrary to 9M 18 trend, the bank recorded an improvement on its funding cost (-33 bps QoQ to 3.9%) over Q3 mirroring a moderation in borrowing costs. Whilst analysts think the lower interest paid on its borrowings over Q3 is now reflecting the pay-down of its $175 million borrowing from Afrexim that matured in May 2018, analysts are stunned at the decline in the interest paid on its long-term borrowings given its quarterly trend of paying higher interest in Q3 relative to Q1 and Q2 and also the fact that there was no maturity. On balance, NIM (-90 bps QoQ to 7.9%) still treaded lower due to the lower asset yield.

Lower trading income leaves NIR weak. As mentioned earlier, weak NIR (-21.1% QoQ to N8.6 billion) in the quarter put pressure on earnings. Precisely, the lower NIR over the period reflected lower FX trading income (-57.5% QoQ to N569 million) and lower income on financial assets held for trading (-71.2% QoQ to N476 million). Overall, despite lower funding cost and impairment charge, the net impact of weak NIR and lower interest income drove PBT 90.1% QoQ lower to N164.8 billion with EPS printing at N0.01 (-90.7% QoQ).

Diamond bank in dire need of capital. The bank’s capital adequacy ratio (CAR) currently prints at 16.3% and it’s slightly above the regulatory requirement of 15%. Earlier in 2016, the bank almost saw its CAR fall below the minimum regulatory requirement, printing at 15.01%. This however increased to 16.74% by FY 17 largely on the back of divestment from its West African business which saw the removal of deduction on investment and lending to subsidiaries2. Supporting the increase in its CAR was also a decline in Risk Weighted Asset (RWA), albeit, growth in core regulatory capital was however flat.

Although improving, asset quality issues still persist with the bank’s NPL ratio standing at 12.6% as at 9M 2018 (FY 17: 14.7%). The bank has a large exposure to the power sector and oil & gas, both of which accounts for 57% (FY 17: 73%) of total NPL and 61%3 of loan book.

Funding base. On its funding base, total deposits and borrowings declined by 8% and 18.5% YTD to N1.1 trillion and N189 billion respectively. Over H1 2019, analysts expect maturity of a large proportion of the bank’s borrowings, this includes a $200 million Eurobond the bank issued in May 2014 as well as an IFC convertible bond of $70 million which is due to mature in July 2019. For the latter, the bank is planning on paying it off while repayment of the Eurobond would depend on the volume of FX liquidity the bank gets from its customers.

Last week, the bank announced the resignation of four of its directors which included the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Seyi Bickerseth who was appointed earlier this year. The reason alluded to the resignation was on the back of varied personal reasons of the Directors. All four directors except Rotimi Oyekanmi were appointed in July 2017 and none of them was appointed with any link or representative to the major shareholders which includes Kunoch Limited, GDR Holding and CSSAF DBN Holding. Hence, this move looked like there was an imminent capital injection from new investors, which would pave the way for the new investors to nominate new directors to represent them. However, shortly after the announcement, the bank announced it is not in talk with any party for capital injection into the bank.

Nonetheless, for the bank to drive growth, analysts believe the bank needs to shore up its capital base. The options available are:

Switching from its international banking license to a national banking license. This looks more plausible with the sale of its business operation in West Africa and also that of the UK which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Raising equity capital. Following its recent announcement, the bank just annulled the idea of injecting new equity capital.

Raising debt. Analysts believe refinancing the maturing Eurobond wouldn’t be a wild thought and this could possibly occur with the bank issuing more than what is expected to mature similar to Fidelity Bank.

That said, analysts will be seeking clarity from management concerning key issues spanning across the lower loan-loss provision, plans on creating risk assets in 2019, expectation of lower NPL, the bank’s FX position.

The stock is trading at a P/B of 0.15x, a discount to Fidelity (0.33x) and FCMB (0.17x). Analyst's last communicated FVE on Diamond Bank is N1.39 which translates to a SELL rating on the stock.

Analysts will revisit their numbers after further analysis and discussion with management.

The bank will be holding a teleconference call on Monday, November 5, 2018 at 3pm Lagos Time (2pm London/ 4pm Johannesburg/ 10am New York) with its senior management.

Reporting for EasyKobo on Tuesday ,30 October 2018 in Lagos, Nigeria

Source: ARM Securities Limited

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