Report
David Lojkasek ...
  • Marta Jezewska-Wasilewska

Polish Banks: Hopefully, the twilight of the saga (PKO BP stays BUY, mBank and Bank Millennium upgraded to BUY, Santander BP downgraded to HOLD)

In this report, we discuss the potential finale of the FX mortgage saga in the Polish banking sector, and attempt to calculate its impact. We revise our forecasts for the four Polish banks under our coverage that present the highest exposure: PKO BP, Santander BP (SBP), mBank and Bank Millennium. We also try to depict the sensitivity of the banks to outcomes other than our baseline scenario. We have come to the conclusion that the “compromise conversion scheme” is the best possible outcome to the saga against the current backdrop, as we doubt there would be a sudden change in the trend of rather pro-client court rulings or that the majority of FX mortgagors do not go to court eventually. We believe that, should more than half of CHF mortgage clients decide to opt for the scheme, it should go through and, in consequence, would materially lower sector risks going forward. As our baseline scenario assumes an acceptance ratio of 65% of clients, we keep our generally positive stance, with three BUY recommendations (PKO BP, mBank, Bank Millennium) and one HOLD (SBP). However, everything depends on whether the shareholders approve the scheme.
Underlyings
Bank Millennium SA

Bank Millennium provides various banking products and services to individual clients, small businesses, corporate, and public sector entities in Poland. Co. offers current account, custody account, and escrow account; standard deposits, negotiated deposits, millenet deposits, and automatic overnight deposits; debit and charge cards; funds management; professional cash services; and management of balances of current and auxiliary accounts. Co. also provides current account overdraft facility, real estate loans, revolving credits, working capital loans, investment loans, energy financing facility, sureties, line of guarantees, letters-of-credit, preferential loans, and bid bond guarantees.

MBANK SA

mBank is a provider of comprehensive corporate banking services in Poland. Co. and its subsidiaries make up the mBank Group which is engaged in offering financial services. Co.'s service offering includes a comprehensive financial offer tailored to the needs of corporate clients, Private Banking clients, and retail clients. The business activities of Co. is conducted in the following business segments: Retail Banking and Corporates and Markets.

PKO Bank Polski S.A.

PKO Bank Polski is a universal commercial bank offering services to both domestic and foreign retail, corporate and other clients. Co. is licensed to hold foreign exchange and currencies and sell/buy them, as well as perform a full range of foreign exchange services; open and hold bank accounts abroad and to deposit foreign exchange in these accounts. In addition, Co. conducts activities relating to leasing, factoring, electronic settlements via payment cards, as well as renders other financial services. As of Dec 31 2009, Co. had total assets of Zl156,478,685,000 and total deposit of Zl124,628,562,000. Co. operates in the Republic of Poland, Ukraine and Sweden.

Santander Bank Polska SA

Bank Zachodni is a bank seated in Poland. Co. and its subsidiaries provide a range of banking services for individual and business customers and operate in domestic and interbank foreign markets. Additionally, Co. provides also the following services, including intermediation in trading securities, leasing, factoring, asset/ fund management, insurance services, trading in stock and shares of commercial companies, and brokerage activity. Operational activity of Co. and its subsidiaries has been divided into five segments: Retail Banking, Business and Corporate Banking, Global Banking and Markets, ALM (Assets and Liabilities Management) and Centre, as well as Santander Consumer.

Provider
Wood and Company
Wood and Company

WOOD & Company is the leading investment bank in Emerging Europe. Founded in 1991 and head-quartered in Prague, our footprint spans the region and touches investors around the globe.

A pioneer in Emerging Europe, WOOD executed many of the first CEE equity trades and landmark investment banking transactions. Our electronic trading platform was the first in the region, and remains the best. We are continually expanding our relevance and reach in these ever-evolving markets.

Our equity market share reflects our stature: 7% in Warsaw, 20% in Bucharest, 16% in Hungary, 40% in Prague and 5% in Vienna. Our distribution is unparalleled, with the largest salesforce in the region, servicing a uniquely diverse investor base.

We couple local expertise with a truly international perspective. With offices on the ground in the region, and in key financial hubs such as London and Milano, we are never far from our clients and we remain at the forefront of what’s afoot in the CEE emerging and frontier landscape.

Analysts
David Lojkasek

Marta Jezewska-Wasilewska

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