Good performance in 2017: Overall, banks
KUALA LUMPUR: Affin Hwang Capital Research maintained overweight on the banking sector with Maybank and Hong Leong Bank as its top sector picks.
Banking system loans moderated on a month-on-month basis due to the festive season and shorter working period, although loans replenishment has been picking up in the past few months.
The research firm said in a Monday report that household and business loans grew 0.3% and 0.2% month-on-month respectively.
It maintained its 2018 loan growth target for the banking sector at 5%.
Affin Hwang Research added that the banking system's loans traditionally saw slower growth in February due to the shorter working period and Chinese New Year celebration. In February 2018, loan growth came in at 0.3% and 4.5% on year.
"Business loan growth has not picked up strongly, up 0.2% mom and +3.1% yoy, though a number of banks are focusing on beefing up the SME/business segment."
However, it believes that system loan growth this year will be driven further by business loans due to the need to invest further in capacity expansion arising from the increased capacity utilisation rate.
Affin Hwang Research said there will also be continued moderation in the household segment's loan growth, probably due to more cautious lending by banks in light of increased credit risks in the automotive and certain residential property segments.
Household loans growth in February 2018 came in at 5.6% on year while business loan growth was 3.1% on year.
"Key sectors driving loan growth in Feb18 include households, construction, retail & trade, as well as real estate," it said.
