Short seller targets ‘loan shark’ Capitec
07 February 2018 Cape Town
Image: Shutterstock
US research firm and short seller Viceroy Research has released a report to explain why “loan shark” Capitec should be placed into curatorship by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB).
The 33-page report explained that, based on its research and due diligence, Capitec is a loan shark with “massively understated defaults masquerading as a community microfinance provider”.
Viceroy has in turn been accused by Capitec of conducting a smear campaign in order to profit from extensive short selling of the South African lender.
It stated: “Capitec Bank Holdings Limited is a South Africa-focused microfinance provider to a majority low-income demographic, yet they out-earn all major commercial banks globally including competing high-risk lenders. We don’t buy this story.”
“Viceroy believes this is indicative of predatory finance which we have corroborated with substantial on-the-ground discussions with Capitec ex-employees, former customers, and individuals familiar with the business.
‘Viceroy’s extensive due diligence and compiled evidence suggests that indicates [sic] Capitec must take significant impairments to its loans which will likely result in a net-liability position. We believe Capitec’s concealed problems largely resemble those seen at African Bank Investments prior to its collapse in 2014.”
“We think that it’s only a matter of time before Capitec’s financials and business unravel, with macro headwinds creating an exponential risk of default and bankruptcy.”
Viceroy explained that the report provides underlying information and analysis that it believes supports the following conclusions.
Reconciliation of loan book values, maturity profiles and cash outflows imply Capitec is either fabricating new loans and collections, or refinancing ZAR 2.5 billion to 3 billion (USD 200 million to USD 240 million) in principal per year by issuing new loans to defaulting clients.
Viceroy suggested that the legal documents it has obtained show Capitec advising and approving loans to delinquent customers in order to repay existing loans. It said that these documents also show Capitec engaging in reckless lending practices as defined by South Africa’s National Credit Act. Viceroy stated that this corroborates its loan book analysis.
According to Viceroy, Capitec’s loan book is massively overstated as a consequence of refinancing delinquent loans and that analysis against competitors suggested an impairment/write-off impact of ZAR 11 billion (USD 921 million) will more accurately represent the delinquencies and risk in Capitec’s portfolio.
Viceroy said: “Legal experts that we have spoken to believe that the outcome of an upcoming reckless and predatory lending test case in March 2018 will be used to trigger a multi-party litigation refund (class action). We believe that, at a minimum, Capitec will be required to refund predatory origination fees primarily related to multi-loan facilities; an estimated ZAR 12.7 billion (USD 1 billion).”
In a published rebuttal to Viceroy’s claims, Capitec stated: “We believe that the campaign will continue for the foreseeable future. Shareholders can expect the release of fresh attacks and false allegations over an extended period. Capitec consequently advises shareholders to use caution when reacting to such allegations.”
It added: “Only 7.3 percent of Capitec’s credit clients currently qualify for loans in excess of 60 months (3.6 percent qualify for 84-month loans). The scoring models for the 61 to 84-month loans currently target 12-month default rates of 4.2 percent in aggregate (2 percent for 84-month loans). The portfolios are naturally weighted to the larger amounts and consequently the longer-term and lower risk clients.”
The Republic of South Africa’s National Treasury also weighed in describing Viceroy’s actions as “reckless”.
According to the National Treasury, the way in which Viceroy released its report is “clear proof that it is not acting in the public interest nor in the interest of financial stability in South Africa”.
The statement said: “Whilst the Treasury expects prudential and market conduct regulators in SA to consider all relevant reports in the public domain, and to act where any risks or transgressions in the law are identified, Treasury is of the view that the Viceroy report provides no basis to put any bank under curatorship.”
It continued: “The National Treasury has been in constant contact with the Registrar of Banks since the report was released, and is satisfied with the assurance from the SARB that Capitec is well capitalised, liquid and solvent, and meets all prudential requirements. This means that the funds of depositors are safe.”
The National Treasury has requested that the financial services board considers whether it should initiate a market abuse investigation into the conduct of Viceroy.
The 33-page report explained that, based on its research and due diligence, Capitec is a loan shark with “massively understated defaults masquerading as a community microfinance provider”.
Viceroy has in turn been accused by Capitec of conducting a smear campaign in order to profit from extensive short selling of the South African lender.
It stated: “Capitec Bank Holdings Limited is a South Africa-focused microfinance provider to a majority low-income demographic, yet they out-earn all major commercial banks globally including competing high-risk lenders. We don’t buy this story.”
“Viceroy believes this is indicative of predatory finance which we have corroborated with substantial on-the-ground discussions with Capitec ex-employees, former customers, and individuals familiar with the business.
‘Viceroy’s extensive due diligence and compiled evidence suggests that indicates [sic] Capitec must take significant impairments to its loans which will likely result in a net-liability position. We believe Capitec’s concealed problems largely resemble those seen at African Bank Investments prior to its collapse in 2014.”
“We think that it’s only a matter of time before Capitec’s financials and business unravel, with macro headwinds creating an exponential risk of default and bankruptcy.”
Viceroy explained that the report provides underlying information and analysis that it believes supports the following conclusions.
Reconciliation of loan book values, maturity profiles and cash outflows imply Capitec is either fabricating new loans and collections, or refinancing ZAR 2.5 billion to 3 billion (USD 200 million to USD 240 million) in principal per year by issuing new loans to defaulting clients.
Viceroy suggested that the legal documents it has obtained show Capitec advising and approving loans to delinquent customers in order to repay existing loans. It said that these documents also show Capitec engaging in reckless lending practices as defined by South Africa’s National Credit Act. Viceroy stated that this corroborates its loan book analysis.
According to Viceroy, Capitec’s loan book is massively overstated as a consequence of refinancing delinquent loans and that analysis against competitors suggested an impairment/write-off impact of ZAR 11 billion (USD 921 million) will more accurately represent the delinquencies and risk in Capitec’s portfolio.
Viceroy said: “Legal experts that we have spoken to believe that the outcome of an upcoming reckless and predatory lending test case in March 2018 will be used to trigger a multi-party litigation refund (class action). We believe that, at a minimum, Capitec will be required to refund predatory origination fees primarily related to multi-loan facilities; an estimated ZAR 12.7 billion (USD 1 billion).”
In a published rebuttal to Viceroy’s claims, Capitec stated: “We believe that the campaign will continue for the foreseeable future. Shareholders can expect the release of fresh attacks and false allegations over an extended period. Capitec consequently advises shareholders to use caution when reacting to such allegations.”
It added: “Only 7.3 percent of Capitec’s credit clients currently qualify for loans in excess of 60 months (3.6 percent qualify for 84-month loans). The scoring models for the 61 to 84-month loans currently target 12-month default rates of 4.2 percent in aggregate (2 percent for 84-month loans). The portfolios are naturally weighted to the larger amounts and consequently the longer-term and lower risk clients.”
The Republic of South Africa’s National Treasury also weighed in describing Viceroy’s actions as “reckless”.
According to the National Treasury, the way in which Viceroy released its report is “clear proof that it is not acting in the public interest nor in the interest of financial stability in South Africa”.
The statement said: “Whilst the Treasury expects prudential and market conduct regulators in SA to consider all relevant reports in the public domain, and to act where any risks or transgressions in the law are identified, Treasury is of the view that the Viceroy report provides no basis to put any bank under curatorship.”
It continued: “The National Treasury has been in constant contact with the Registrar of Banks since the report was released, and is satisfied with the assurance from the SARB that Capitec is well capitalised, liquid and solvent, and meets all prudential requirements. This means that the funds of depositors are safe.”
The National Treasury has requested that the financial services board considers whether it should initiate a market abuse investigation into the conduct of Viceroy.
NO FEE, NO RISK
100% ON RETURNS If you invest in only one securities finance news source this year, make sure it is your free subscription to Securities Finance Times
100% ON RETURNS If you invest in only one securities finance news source this year, make sure it is your free subscription to Securities Finance Times
