By Beatrice M. Laforga, Journalist

THE PHILIPPINE BANKS seem higher positioned to face up to the surge in downgraded loans than its Southeast Asian counterparts, however sluggish financial development might dampen the sector’s restoration this 12 months, Stated S&P World Scores.

“Now we have a unfavourable outlook on the Philippine banking sector, which suggests there’s a third likelihood that the score could possibly be downgraded in 1.5 to 2 years, so clearly there are dangers,” Ivan Tan, director of the FiS&P monetary establishment rankings, mentioned Wednesday throughout a webinar.

No credit check assessor gave a “unfavourable” outlook to rated Philippine banks on expectations that current monetary buffers will not be sufficient to soak up the speedy deterioration in asset high quality if the financial restoration is delayed.

“However if you happen to have a look at it from a relative perspective by way of the opposite Southeast Asian banking system than we’ve got a unfavourable outlook as properly, together with Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia – the Philippines of their collectively really carried out fairly properly, ”mentioned Mr Dit Tan.

He mentioned the variety of loans which have benefited from the moratorium on funds within the Philippines is decrease than in Malaysia and Indonesia, regardless of the surge in Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) from the retail and small and medium-sized segments ( SME).

Republic Legislation 11494 Bayanihan to Recuperate as One Act (Bayanihan II) supplied for a single 60-day moratorium on mortgage repayments after the same grace interval supplied by the federal government. Fifirst stimulus program.

Mr Tan mentioned Malaysia’s moratorium on mortgage repayments was extra in depth, protecting two-thirds of the banks’ complete mortgage portfolio, and lasted till September.

“The unfavourable impression of the financial institution’s mortgage high quality, the trajectory of the Philippines’ restoration by way of NPL accumulation, and the decision of moratorium loans have been comparatively higher than these in Southeast Asia. “, did he declare.

The rise in NPLs within the nation has additionally been much less extreme than anticipated, Geeta Chugh, senior director of monetary establishment rankings at S&P, advised the discussion board.

Ms Chugh mentioned the gross NPL ratio of three.6% on the finish of 2020 was decrease than the credit score assessor’s forecast that it might drop to six%. The restructured credit score ratio of 1.91% on the finish of December was additionally decrease than their forecast of two.5%.

“Primarily based on the buffers, or the extent of capital that banks maintain, the extent of provisioning they’ve already written, the extent of provisioning they plan for this 12 months and the incomes capability on the extent of provisioning that the banks can do earlier than they finish within the pink, the degrees that we’ve got predicted that they’re manageable, ”she mentioned.

“Banks will stay cautious and preserving the standard of property will probably be a precedence over development just because the financial outlook remains to be a bit of unsure,” she added.

Debt Watcher expects NPLs to rise additional in Q1, and peak within the second half of 2021 with the top of financial assist.

A sluggish financial restoration might additional weaken the gloomy outlook for the banking sector, mentioned Vincent Conti, senior Asia-Pacific economist at S&P.

S&P gave a 9.6% development forecast for the Philippine economic system this 12 months, after a file 9.5% contraction in 2020.

Mr. Conti mentioned development will probably be largely pushed by a pickup in family consumption and the accelerated infrastructure program.

The 2 foremost development engines will probably be supported by additional easing of mobility restrictions and pent-up demand from final 12 months, in addition to elevated public spending, he mentioned, including that it’s unlikely. that they’re slowed down by weak credit score development.

“These are the primary drivers of development this 12 months. If something I consider, the surge in demand for these two elements might assist reopen the tabs on credit score. The dangers to development of a slower restoration weigh extra closely on credit score than the reverse, ”he mentioned.