The latest data from APRA to March 2016 relating to the financial position of the banking sector, makes interesting reading. Net Profit after tax for the sector fell 12.5% to $30.8 billion, total assets rose 1.1% from March 2015 and the capital adequacy ratio rose 1.1% to 13.8%. Total provisions were down 13.9% compared with March 2015.
However, once again we have calculated some key ratios, and overlaid this over their loans and advances and there are a number of stresses revealed when we look at the four major banks. Their total provisions are lower despite a rise in consumer delinquency and specific commercial risks, capital adequacy is lower in the past quarter (despite all the raising), and the ratio of loans to share capital, while up slightly, is still lower than in 2010. The sector is under pressure and we think dividend payouts will have to fall and provisions will need to rise.
APRA says
- on a consolidated group basis, there were 156 ADIs operating in Australia as at 31 March 2016, compared to 157 at 31 December 2015 and 165 at 31 March 2015.
- The net profit after tax for all ADIs was $30.8 billion for the year ending 31 March 2016. This is a decrease of $4.4 billion (12.5 per cent) on the year ending 31 March 2015.
- The cost-to-income ratio for all ADIs was 50.0 per cent for the year ending 31 March 2016, compared to 48.4 per cent for the year ending 31 March 2015.
- The return on equity for all ADIs was 11.6 per cent for the year ending 31 March 2016, compared to 14.2 per cent for the year ending 31 March 2015.
- The total assets for all ADIs was $4.53 trillion at 31 March 2016. This is an increase of $51.1 billion (1.1 per cent) on 31 March 2015.
- The total gross loans and advances for all ADIs was $2.91 trillion as at 31 March 2016. This is an increase of $89.0 billion (3.2 per cent) on 31 March 2015.
- The total capital ratio for all ADIs was 13.8 per cent at 31 March 2016, an increase from 12.7 per cent on 31 March 2015.
- The common equity tier 1 ratio for all ADIs was 10.3 per cent at 31 March 2016, an increase from 9.2 per cent on
31 March 2015.- The risk-weighted assets (RWA) for all ADIs was $1.83 trillion at 31 March 2016, an increase of $25.9 billion (1.4 per cent) on 31 March 2015.
- Impaired facilities were $14.4 billion as at 31 March 2016. This is a decrease of $0.8 billion (5.2 per cent) on 31 March 2015.
- Past due items were $12.5 billion as at 31 March 2016. This is an increase of $18.1 million (0.1 per cent) on 31 March 2015; Impaired facilities and past due items as a proportion of gross loans and advances was 0.93 per cent at 31 March 2016, a decrease from 0.98 per cent at 31 March 2015.
- Specific provisions were $6.9 billion at 31 March 2016. This is a decrease of $16.7 million (0.2 per cent) on 31 March 2015; and specific provisions as a proportion of gross loans and advances was 0.24 per cent at 31 March 2016, a decrease from 0.25 per cent at 31 March 2015.
