EPF beneficiaries, being private sector employees, must be most concerned about losing MBSB - housing and personal loans provider

EPF monies belong to workers - and it is sad that the number of worker representatives is rather low given this fact.

Now, EPF is the majority shareholder of  MBSB(Malaysia Building Society Bhd ). EPF has a 64.73% stake in MBSB, and this means they control the decision making in MBSB. MBSB provides for housing loans and personal loans. Since EPF, which is 100% workers money, naturally MBSB would be expected to be sensitive to the needs of workers - being sensitive also to when a worker is suddenly retrenched or become unemployed - one would expect that in such situations MBSB, compared to other financial institutions, would be more sensitive to workers allowing for delays in monthly payments in such cases. But, I wonder whether this is happening - is there this 'special sensitivity' to the plight of workers. I am shocked, when I visited the MBSB websites, that there is a special loan package for public servants - why not for all workers. Further, Employee Privident Fund monies are monies of usually private sector employees - not public sector employees. Most public sector employees are subscribed to a pension scheme, unlike private sector employees that make monthly contributions for their old age, the public sector employees do not.

MBSB is a building society whose loans are mainly for residential loans and commands a lesser premium. 

Now, there is this big merger being planned for involving RHB Capital Bhd, Malaysia Building Society Bhd (MBSB) and CIMB Group Holdings Bhd which will result in the biggest bank in Malaysia - but end result is that the EPF share would be reduced to only 25% - no more controlling interest, and really a minority shareholder despite being the biggest shareholder. 

Should the EPF go ahead with this merger? Well, workers must really decide on this. Now, the EPF has controlling stake in MBSB, and this means policies could be enacted that it functions differently than other financial situations when it comes to private sector employees - the contributors and ultimate beneficiary of the EPF monies. 

Has the Unions discussed this? Have workers been consulted? Or is this decision being made just by the Board of these different companies. Now, a bank is subject to competition to all banks, foreign and national, and really even though it may be biggest in Malaysia risks not doing well - even failing. 

Workers, from the private sector and those under the EPF scheme must be consulted before any merger happens - it is after all worker's monies at the end of the day in EPF today - not employers, not the government - BUT workers' monies.

Thursday July 10, 2014 MYT 9:33:40 AM

RHB, CIMB, MBSB seek to merge

by m. shanmugam, yvonne tan, intan farhana zainul, AND isabelle lai

PETALING JAYA: Just as the market was heading towards a period of listless trading due to the World Cup and prevailing cautious sentiments, trading in three financial institutions are being suspended today, paving the way for the formation of Malaysia’s biggest bank.

The trading of RHB Capital Bhd, Malaysia Building Society Bhd (MBSB) and CIMB Group Holdings Bhd are suspended today, all three told Bursa Malaysia separately yesterday.

It is learnt that the three banks will write to Bank Negara to seek permission to commence a corporate exercise which will result in a mega bank that will have a market capitalisation of more than RM90bil, assuming the deal is concluded at about 1.70 to 1.75 times book value.

“The deal is likely to be done at 1.75 times book value based on CIMB’s current valuation of almost 1.70 times book. It is unlikely to be transacted at anything less,” said a source.

At 1.75 times book value, RHB Cap would have a market capitalisation of about RM30bil, while MBSB’s total capitalisation would be about RM6.8bil. 

“Together with CIMB’s market capitalisation, the merged entity would fetch a market value of more than RM90bil,” said the source.

The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) will play a significant role in this merger because it has significant stakes in all three entities.

It is the major shareholder in RHB Cap with a 40.76% stake. The other major shareholders of RHB Cap are Aabar Investments PJSC with a 21.43% stake and OSK Holdings Bhd with a 9.91% stake.

The EPF has a 64.73% stake in MBSB and 14.46% in CIMB. 

The eventual merger will see the EPF emerge as the largest shareholder in the mega bank, with a stake estimated to be more than 25%.

RHB Cap and CIMB closed four sen lower each at RM8.72 and RM7.24 respectively, while MBSB ended 12 sen higher at RM2.34 at yesterday’s market close. 

Sources said the impending merger was a well-kept secret, with only a few people having knowledge of it.

“Only a few people were clued in on the entire deal. News of a merger between RHB Cap and MBSB was already out in the market in the afternoon, but CIMB entering the fray caught most people by surprise,” said a source.

When the market closed and the announcements came out late, it became apparent that the creation of Malaysia’s largest bank was in the making. 

At the close yesterday, CIMB was trading at 1.70 times book value, RHB Cap at 1.29 times book value and MBSB at 1.60 times book value. 

Sources said the exercise would possibly involve a share swap between CIMB and RHB Cap at a book value of 1.75 times and an outright buyout of MBSB.

MBSB is a building society whose loans are mainly for residential loans and commands a lesser premium. 

“But it is probably one of the most profitable financial institutions and has the fastest growing balance sheet. 

This is evident from the returns it has given to its shareholders in the last two years,” said an analyst.

A merger of the three financial institutions will result in a bank with the largest asset base, market capitalisation and earnings based on the latest published numbers.

Based on latest figures, the merged entity’s asset size is expected to be more than RM600bil and combined profits based on its last financial year will exceed RM7bil.

It will surpass that of Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) that has a market capitalisation of RM91.1bil currently and asset size of RM578bil as of March 31 this year.

RHB Cap has been a takeover target as far back as three years ago, with both CIMB and Maybank as its suitors.

The block in RHB Cap that belonged to Aabar Group from Abu Dhabi was up for sale then.

However, talks fell through due to a pricing issue and the block changed hands between companies related to the Aabar Group.

Recently, Datuk Seri Nazir Razak charted a leadership transition plan for CIMB, whereby he will relinquish his role as group chief executive in September this year to become the chairman of the group replacing Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof, who is retiring.- Star Online, 10/7/2014, RHB, CIMB, MBSB seek to merge