[RAM] RAM Ratings affirms AMMB Group's ratings at AA2/P1

RAM Ratings has affirmed AMMB Holdings Berhad’s (AMMB or the Group) corporate credit ratings and the financial institution ratings of its banking subsidiaries at AA2/P1. All long-term ratings carry a stable outlook. 

The affirmations reflect our expectation that the Group’s credit metrics will stay in line with its current ratings even as it pursues a more aggressive growth strategy under a new five-year strategic plan from FY Mar 2024 to FY Mar 2029, led by newly appointed Group Chief Executive Officer Jamie Ling. Under the new leadership and strategic plan, AMMB aims to strengthen its market position in business banking and small and medium enterprise (SME) lending, enhance its wealth management franchise and digital proposition, as well as optimise operational efficiencies. These are geared towards achieving a sustainable after-tax return on assets (ROA) of above 1%. 

We believe AMMB’s underwriting standards and risk controls are sufficient to manage emerging credit stresses. As at end-December 2023, overlay reserves amounted to a notable RM569 mil, including an unexpected RM328 mil additional overlay in 3Q FY Mar 2024, which was largely set aside for the consumer lending book. These should provide strong loss absorption buffers for potential credit slippages that may emerge from certain pockets of its mortgage and retail SME portfolios. 

The Group’s gross impaired loan ratio was a healthy 1.6% as at end-December 2023 while the reported annualised credit cost ratio for 9M FY Mar 2024 was 67 bps (34 bps excluding additional overlay). AMMB’s common equity tier-1 improved further to 13.4% as at end-December 2023. The Group’s capitalisation has always trended below industry average but is viewed to be adequate, considering its relatively well-contained risk profile.

AMMB’s deposit-funding capability is sound, with individual deposits and current and savings account deposits making up a respective 40% and 34% of total customer deposits as at end-December 2023. While the net loans to funds ratio has typically hovered near 100%, a large loan repayment in 3Q FY Mar 2024 lowered the ratio to 95%, a level which the Group aims to maintain. The Group’s liquidity coverage and net stable funding ratios as at end-December 2023 were a respective 184% and 111%. 

Profitability is deemed moderate, with the three-year average pre-tax ROA and return on risk-weighted assets at 1.1% and 1.6%, respectively, in fiscal 2024. Anticipated growth in the business banking and SME segments should gradually improve AMMB’s profitability, provided the Group is able to contain incremental credit risks from these segments. Management aims to bring the cost-to-income ratio down to 40% (end-December 2023: 45%) over the next five years, which would also be positive for the Group’s bottom line.

Table 1: Issuer and issue ratings of AMMB and banking entities


Analytical contacts
Chan Yin Huei
(603) 3385 2498
yinhuei@ram.com.my

Wong Yin Ching, CFA
(603) 3385 2555
yinching@ram.com.my

Media contact
Sakinah Ariffin
(603) 3385 2500
sakinah@ram.com.my