Moody changes outlook to negative for Pakistan's banking sector.

Report saystighter domestic monetary conditions fueled by a wide current account deficit and low foreign exchange reserves will impact economic activityMoody's investors' service on Monday changed its outlook for Pakistan's banking system down (B3 negative) to negative from stable.According to the report, the banks' operating conditions will be difficult due to slow down in Pakistan's real GDP growth to 4.

3% in the current financial year 2018-19, down from 5.8% in FY18.Moody's said tighter domestic monetary conditions fueled by a wide current account deficit and low foreign exchange reserves will impact economic activity.

Since December 2017, the rupee has depreciated 30% against the greenback and interest rates have risen by 450 basis points (bps) since January last year and inflation is increasing, said Moody's.All these factors will impact business and consumer confidence and the private sectors' debt repayment capacities.

"High exposure to government securities (34% of assets) links banks' credit profile to that of the sovereign, whose credit profile is increasingly challenged as also evident by the negative outlook on its B3 rating," said the report.Moody's stated the declining trend in problem loans (8% of gross loans as of September 2018) will stall, as challenging operating conditions and structural impediments hinder banks' ability to resolve legacy non-performing loans (NPLs).

The rating agency said regulatory capital i.e.

tier 1 at 13.2% as of September 2018 will remain stable, but as per its evaluations indicate towards modest capital buffers.As per the report, higher profit retention, hybrid Tier 1 capital issuances and other capital optimization measures will offset credit growth and so assist Tier 1 ratios.

It added that profits will slightly rise but will remain below historical levels.And profitability will be fueled by higher interest margins due to hike in interest rates and increasing government yields, 10-12% credit growth and lower one-off costs, which will recoup for increasing provisioning requirements and ongoing pressures at banks' operations abroad, said the report.

Moreover, stable customer deposits and high liquidity will remain key strengths and customers deposits...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT