05
February
VCB – 4Q20 review [BUY +17.7%] Upgrade to BUY
Even though VCB 4Q20 TOI reached 97% of our forecast at VND14.4tn, the bank’s NP completed just 89% at VND5.7tn (+29% yoy and 42% qoq) due to a surprised move of credit cost at VND3.9tn, up 92% qoq and 61% vs. our forecast. This pushed NPL coverage ratio to peak at 370%. As we believe that VCB has been made full provision on COVID-19 distressed loans and respect the bank’s success in retail banking business, we upgrade to BUY.