INVE$T #60 | MARKET SENTIMENTS – 04 June 2021
According to Bank Negara in its Monthly Highlights – April 2021 report, all banks remained well-capitalised to withstand potential shocks and to continue supporting credit flows to the economy. Banks’ excess capital buffers amounted to RM124.2bil as at April 2021. The banking system’s asset quality also remained sound. Overall gross and net impaired loans ratios were sustained at 1.6% and 1.0%, as impairments moderated slightly during the month. However, banks continued to set aside additional provisions against potential credit losses, which currently stand at 1.7% of total banking system loans. Net financing expanded by 4.9% in April, reflecting the increase in outstanding corporate bond growth which stood at 7.7% versus 5.9% in March, while outstanding loan growth was sustained at 3.9% for both March and April. Outstanding household loan growth increased to 6.2% (March: 5.7%) as loan disbursements grew at a higher pace compared to loan repayments across most purposes. Businesses’ outstanding loan growth moderated to 0.4% (March: 1.1%), mainly reflecting lower growth in loans for working capital purpose. Domestic financial market conditions improved in April amid a confluence of external and domestic factors. Domestic bond yields moderated amid positive investor sentiments driven by Malaysia’s retention in the FTSE Russell World Government Bond Index and the decline in longer-term sovereign bond yields in most advanced economies after the sharp increase earlier in the year. Specifically, the 10-year Malaysian Government Securities yield declined by 12.2 basis points during the month. The ringgit appreciated by 1.3% against the US dollar supported by portfolio inflows to the domestic bond market and broad weakening in the US dollar. The FBM KLCI increased by 1.8%, supported mainly by the healthcare sector amid concerns surrounding the global and domestic resurgence of Covid-19 cases. Malaysia’s headline inflation rose to 4.7% in April versus 1.7% in March due to higher domestic fuel prices. Headline inflation is expected to temporarily spike in the second quarter, and moderate thereafter as the base effect subsides. Underlying inflation, as measured by core inflation, remained stable at 0.7%. Exports expanded further by 31.0% in March versus 17.6% in February, driven primarily by robust manufactured exports.
Banks to continue providing assistance – affected borrowers should contact their lenders
According to the Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM), member banks will continue to offer financial assistance to borrowers affected by the latest movement control order (MCO) amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Any individual customers who have lost employment are eligible for financial assistance under the Targeted Repayment Assistance (TRA) programme. Customers who have lost their employment are eligible for loan deferment (moratorium) for a period of three months or 50% reduction in the monthly instalment payment for a period of six months. Currently, member banks of ABM offer financial assistance under the TRA programme, which has been in place since Oct 1, 2020. Meanwhile, customers who have experienced a reduction in income including household income are also eligible for a commensurate reduction in monthly instalments. B40 borrowers who are registered under Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH) or Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR) are eligible to opt for this specific repayment assistance. Micro-enterprises with loan facilities of not more than RM150,000 can also opt for this repayment assistance. Moreover, micro-enterprises can also request for assistance through Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit’s (AKPK) dedicated micro business helpdesk at www.akpk.org.my/ microhelpdesk. The virtual helpdesk provides free financial advice and facilitates applications for repayment assistance. Moving forward, the TRA programme has been expanded to include all small and medium enterprise (SME) businesses that are not permitted to operate during the latest MCO. All affected borrowers including individuals, micro-enterprises and SMEs who wish to avail of this latest TRA only need to contact their respective banks to indicate which option they want to choose. The banks will automatically approve all selections by borrowers that fulfil the relevant criteria. Also member banks have made it convenient for borrowers to opt for financial assistance by simplifying the process for the TRA programme. In view of the movement restrictions, affected borrowers can also opt for the financial assistance package at bank branches, online or over the phone. Customers should check their respective banks’ websites for information on any changes in operating hours and over-thecounter services. Meanwhile, according to Bank Negara, borrowers’ central credit reference information system (CCRIS) records would not be affected by the TRA programme received this year. Hence, borrowers need not worry about the impact on their future credit profile. All affected borrowers, including SMEs, are urged to come forward and contact their banks via the banks’ official channels to discuss the best options available. As a reminder, borrowers are to be wary of scammers and apply for financial assistance through official bank channels. It also cautioned borrowers not to deal with any third parties claiming to be agents or representatives of banks with regards to repayment assistance. Member banks do not appoint or engage third parties or agents for purposes of the repayment assistance. Under the TRA programme, banks have received 1.6 million applications, of which 95% have been approved up till March 26, 2021.
Eye On The Markets This week
On Thursday (3Jun), the Ringgit was 4.1225 against the USD from 4.1290 on Monday (31May). Meanwhile, the Ringgit was 3.1127 to the Sing Dollar on Thursday (3Jun). On Monday (31May), the FBM KLCI opened at 1571.04. As at Friday (4Jun) 10:00am, the FBM KLCI is up 7.15 points for the week at 1578.19. Over in US, the overnight Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 23.34 points (-0.07%) to 34,577.04 whilst the NASDAQ shed 141.82 points (-1.03%) to 13,614.51.
