Report
Marta Jezewska-Wasilewska ...
  • Miguel Dias

Santander Bank Polska: no such thing as plug and play in M&A (downgraded to HOLD)

We have downgraded Santander BP to HOLD (from Buy) and set our updated 12M price target (PT) at PLN 577.6/share. Our updated 12M PT includes an extra 10% discount on top of our base 12M PT, to reflect the share overhang (Banco Santander left with a 13% stake) and uncertainties over how smooth and fast the transition period might prove to be, at least from the current standpoint. In our view, the stock may trade at a discount until this is cleared up, which is unlikely to be announced until the new strategic shareholder arrives. As this is due only towards the end of 2025E, as guided in the official announcements, we see a prolonged period of the bank trading sideways, and we consider the PLN 584/share purchase price as a benchmark. However, should the integration and rebranding progress as we have embedded in our forecasts, we see the current valuation as potentially attractive for the long-term outlook, which entails 8%+ annual dividend yields and a 2026E P/E of 8.6x, an 18%+ discount to its 5Y average 12M FWD consensus P/E.
Underlying
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
Marta Jezewska-Wasilewska

Miguel Dias

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