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James Pearson
BNK Banking Corporation is proving that even in a tough lending environment, a disciplined strategy can still deliver results.
The WA-based upstart bank has reported a solid first-half performance for the six months to December, posting a statutory net profit after tax of $420,000 – a 31 per cent improvement on the prior corresponding period – as its portfolio reshuffle begins to pay off.
Behind the headline result is a business in the midst of a transition. BNK’s more representative underlying profit eased to $440,000 as last year’s one-off transaction fees fell away and the bank prudently lifted credit provisions to support growth. However, once those temporary factors are stripped out, the strengthening momentum in BNK’s core operations start to come into sharp focus.
Net interest income climbed 5 per cent to $11.6 million, while the bank’s net interest margin jumped an impressive 49 basis points year-on-year to 1.88 per cent.
‘In the first half of the financial year we continued to rebalance the portfolio towards higher-return, capital-efficient assets.’
BNK Banking Corporation chief executive officer Allan Savins
Management says the lift in margins has been driven by a deliberate pivot away from less profitable prime residential lending towards higher-return segments, including commercial lending and newly established senior-secured structured credit financing.
Known as senior-secured “warehouse facilities”, the lending product gives BNK a seat at the table alongside heavyweight financiers.
The model functions like a wholesale supply chain. BNK and its partners provide the raw capital, which non-bank lenders package and deliver to end customers.
Most of the funding comes from global investment banks, with BNK layering in a strategic slice of its own capital. Importantly, the non-bank lender – which is also a contributor to the funding package – sits in the first-loss position, meaning BNK is protected by a strong risk buffer if individual loans deteriorate.
Together with commercial loans, these higher-return assets now account for 43 per cent of BNK’s total portfolio, up sharply over the past 12 months.
That strategy has also reshaped the balance sheet. BNK’s loan book grew 9 per cent to $983 million over the half, supported by strong growth in commercial lending, which surged 40 per cent to $191 million. Importantly, that growth has come without sacrificing funding discipline, with the bank maintaining a deposit-to-loan ratio of 105 per cent.
BNK Banking Corporation chief executive officer Allan Savins said: “In the first half of the financial year we continued to rebalance the portfolio towards higher-return, capital-efficient assets, supporting an improvement in asset mix and further strengthening NIM. We also advanced key strategic initiatives, including the commencement of senior secured investments and measured growth in commercial lending, further diversifying our earnings base.
Meanwhile costs have been kept firmly in check. Operating expenses were flat at $12.2 million despite inflationary pressures and targeted internal investment in systems and capability. The combination of rising income and tight cost control allowed BNK to significantly lift its operating performance year-on-year.
Credit quality remains sound, although arrears ticked marginally higher during the period. Residential loans more than 90 days behind in their payments rose to just 1.37 per cent, while overdue commercial loan payments increased to 1.84 per cent, driven by a small number of accounts.
Capital strength has remained a key differentiator for the nimble financial institution. BNK closed the half with a hefty capital adequacy ratio of 27 per cent, well above regulatory minimums, providing ample firepower to keep executing its strategy. Net tangible assets held steady at $1 per share.
Looking ahead, the bank says it will remain laser-focused on improving the quality of earnings ahead of headline growth. The ongoing reduction of lower-margin residential loans has freed up capacity to deploy capital into higher-return assets, while active funding management is cutting a clear path towards BNK’s medium-term margin target of more than 2 per cent.
With the heavy lifting on portfolio reshaping now well advanced, BNK appears to be quietly laying the foundations for its next phase of growth.
A stronger margin profile, disciplined cost base and surplus capital have given it plenty of flexibility as the company leans further into higher-return lending, setting it up to turn today’s momentum into more consistent profitability over the periods ahead.
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