Kasikorn Bank

Kasikorn Bank Plc (KBANK)

Q4 2012F preview – Negative surprise on provisions. 4Q12 guidance suggests we may
be in for an unpleasant surprise on provisions. Based on management guidance, we
forecast 4Q12F earnings to jump 123% YoY but slide 27% QoQ to Bt6.7bn,
1) Provisions: Up QoQ to bring average quarterly provisions to Bt2-2.1bn (credit cost
of ~65 bps), above the original target of Bt1.7-1.9bn. We now expect a 31% QoQ
jump in provisions to Bt2.64bn in 4Q12.
2) NPLs: Up slightly QoQ both in terms of percentage to total loans and absolute
amount, mainly due to loan reclassification as suggested by the BoT.
3) Loan growth: ~10% for 2012, in line with the bank’s target of 9-11% but slightly
lower than our original forecast of 11%.
4) Non-interest income growth: ~18% for 2012 (translating to a 6% QoQ fall for 4Q12),
meeting the bank’s target of at least 18%. Fee income growth is estimated to be
in the mid-teens for 2012, indicating this was flat QoQ.
5) Cost to income ratio: Up substantially QoQ on seasonality, bringing cost to income
ratio up to 46% for 2012 from 43% for 9M12.

Sustainable momentum in 2013. KBANK leaves 2013 targets unchanged: sustainable
loan growth at 9-11%, non-NII growth in the mid-teens, stable or slight improvement
in NIM from yield enhancement (suggesting upside risk to our forecast of a 5 bps slip),
stable provisions and easing cost to income ratio on the completion of IT upgrade.
KBANK expects SME and retail loans to be key loan growth drivers in 2013, reflecting
high demand from domestic consumption and international trade benefits from the
FTA and AEC and its strategy to be more risk-adjusted return selective.