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BANKS AS MOVERS OF CORPORATE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH ENTRY IN IPO PROMOTES DEVELOPMENT OF COUNTRY'S ECONOMIC SYSTEM: MOST OF PARTICIPANTS OF ARMENIA'S FINANCIAL MARKET BELIEVE
arminfo
2007-10-26 08:57:00
ArmInfo. Most of the financial analysts, representatives of the banking
sector, Heads of investment companies and experts of Armenia believe
that entry of the Armenian banks in IPO as a main source of capital
is one of the ways of development of the banking sphere and the whole
economic system of the country. That is the result of voting of the
"British debates" held in the "Marriott Armenia" Hotel on October 25,
organized by the "AmRating" independent Rating Agency, a member of
the international Global Rating Group. The debates, in which about
40 banks, Heads of investment companies and experts took part, were
dedicated to the topic "Armenian banks: from closed model to IPO as
the key source of capital. Is that the way of development?". The event
was held under support of the Union of Banks of Armenia. Member of
the Council of RA Central Bank Vache Gabrielyan expressed an opinion
that only the "ACBA Credit Agricole", among the Armenian banks,
has a chance today to enter the external IPO.
To note, the biggest European banking group, the "Credit Agricole"
owns 28% block of stock of this bank. Head of the ARARATBANK's
Dealing Center David Harutyunyan considers it apparent that the
banking system of Armenia needs an additional capital as RA financial
market is at an early stage of development that makes the process
of attraction of long-term resources difficult, while the foreign
capital will give the banks an access to such funds that will allow
them to reduce the financial risks in general. He paid attention
to the growing competition and said that it is difficult for the
banks with the Armenian shareholders to compete with the banks
with a foreign capital, among which are the "HSBC Bank Armenia",
"VTB-Armenia" and Moscow's Gazprombank, which intends to enter the
Armenian banking market soon, the international microcredit bank
ProCredit, "Raiffeisen bank Austria". It is difficult to compete
with such financial structures not only materially but on the banking
technologies as well, D. Harutyunyan said.
As for the demand for the Armenian banks' capital, the latest events
in this market confirm this, which is promoted by quick rates of
the country's banking system development: the total assets of banks
in 2006 grew by 19%, the profit - by 16%. In addition, the demand
for the banking capital is presented not only by foreign investors
but the Armenian businessmen as well. He thinks that is hindered
by a psychological barrier of the main shareholder, wishing to
keep control over the bank in every way. However, "it is better
to have a small share in a big capital than a big share in a small
capital". D. Harutyunyan thinks that IPO may be considered as the
most attractive version of opening for the Armenian banks as it will
enable the main shareholder to keep the control. Placement of the
shares at foreign exchanges shows the real price of the share to the
shareholder. "The bank's entry the IPO as a main source of capital
is our future", D. Harutyunyan said.
Head of the Department of Strategic Planning, Methodology and Risk
Assessment of the ARARATBANK Hovhannes Mandakuni emphasized that
transparency should be meant under IPO, in view of which he expressed
confidence that such readiness will be evident in the whole banking
community of Armenia within several months.
"Implementation of the corporate management principles will enable
to solve this For his part, USAID Financial Sector Deepening Project
Intermediation Team Leader Tigran Davtyan thinks that this aspect
will have some difficulties in Armenia for several reasons one of
which is unwillingness of the bank's main shareholder to share with
someone. "The matter concerns the international organizations which
are present in the Armenian banks' capital. There will hardly be an
investor who will express readiness to buy 25% of the capital. Neither
our shareholders or the society are ready for that. However, the best
should be done to prepare them", T. Davtyan said. He thinks that the
Armenian banks are not yet ready to enter the foreign IPO, especially
as this is connected with definite preparation and additional expenses,
however, the IPO can be also made in the internal market, for which
some banks are ready. This will be a kind of training.
Co-Director of AEPLAC (Armenian-European Policy and Legal Advice
Center) Tigran Jrbashyan thinks that Armenia's banking system has
entered a development stage, when inertia changes by a definite
jump. This is determined only from the position that the banking
sphere, by its level of capitalization and abilities to work with
a real sector, is very small but rather "pleasantly completed" and
shown off. He thinks that sale of banks via IPO is more profitable
than to strategic investors as the price will be much higher, and
only this fact may promote the banks to IPO realization.
Under the growing competition, the own funds of the banks and their
owners will be insufficient to withstand it. "The real IPO in the
inner market is possible only in case if the Armenian capital market
is able to give this price, otherwise, it may turn out in a situation
in which several eastern-European countries turned out to be. The whole
banking system there turned out to be "captured" by strategic investors
in the name of the western, Kazakh and Russian banks", he said.
For his part, President of the Global Rating Group Richard Hainsworth
emphasized that the banks should be maximum open and transparent
to enter the IPO. He thinks that there are potential partners in
Armenia, ready to make investments in the banks' capitals. However,
the point is that this structure is engaged in its real business of
a final mediator, or it is a shell for financial manipulations. In
the first case, the investments in the bank will be made, while
in the second case, no partner will desire to be engaged in such a
business. R. Hainsworth thinks the preparatory work for the banks'
entry the IPO should be started right now.
Head of the leading Armenian Consulting Company, the Ameria, Andrey
Lazarian thinks that the first IPO (there should be no serious
placement in Armenia) are very important for creation of tradition,
culture and for a reverse communication with investors both inside
and outside the country.
"Globally, absence of transparency, availability of protectionism and
corruption are the most fundamental problems. The reporting should be
opened to the maximum for entry in the capital market and for access
to the resources of this market", he said.
To note, AmRating - is an independent national rating agency, a
member of GlobalRating group that comprises also RusRating (Russia)
and KzRating (Kazakhstan) agencies. It provides bank credit ratings
and analytical reviews of different segments in the Armenian financial
market.
arminfo
2007-10-26 08:57:00
ArmInfo. Most of the financial analysts, representatives of the banking
sector, Heads of investment companies and experts of Armenia believe
that entry of the Armenian banks in IPO as a main source of capital
is one of the ways of development of the banking sphere and the whole
economic system of the country. That is the result of voting of the
"British debates" held in the "Marriott Armenia" Hotel on October 25,
organized by the "AmRating" independent Rating Agency, a member of
the international Global Rating Group. The debates, in which about
40 banks, Heads of investment companies and experts took part, were
dedicated to the topic "Armenian banks: from closed model to IPO as
the key source of capital. Is that the way of development?". The event
was held under support of the Union of Banks of Armenia. Member of
the Council of RA Central Bank Vache Gabrielyan expressed an opinion
that only the "ACBA Credit Agricole", among the Armenian banks,
has a chance today to enter the external IPO.
To note, the biggest European banking group, the "Credit Agricole"
owns 28% block of stock of this bank. Head of the ARARATBANK's
Dealing Center David Harutyunyan considers it apparent that the
banking system of Armenia needs an additional capital as RA financial
market is at an early stage of development that makes the process
of attraction of long-term resources difficult, while the foreign
capital will give the banks an access to such funds that will allow
them to reduce the financial risks in general. He paid attention
to the growing competition and said that it is difficult for the
banks with the Armenian shareholders to compete with the banks
with a foreign capital, among which are the "HSBC Bank Armenia",
"VTB-Armenia" and Moscow's Gazprombank, which intends to enter the
Armenian banking market soon, the international microcredit bank
ProCredit, "Raiffeisen bank Austria". It is difficult to compete
with such financial structures not only materially but on the banking
technologies as well, D. Harutyunyan said.
As for the demand for the Armenian banks' capital, the latest events
in this market confirm this, which is promoted by quick rates of
the country's banking system development: the total assets of banks
in 2006 grew by 19%, the profit - by 16%. In addition, the demand
for the banking capital is presented not only by foreign investors
but the Armenian businessmen as well. He thinks that is hindered
by a psychological barrier of the main shareholder, wishing to
keep control over the bank in every way. However, "it is better
to have a small share in a big capital than a big share in a small
capital". D. Harutyunyan thinks that IPO may be considered as the
most attractive version of opening for the Armenian banks as it will
enable the main shareholder to keep the control. Placement of the
shares at foreign exchanges shows the real price of the share to the
shareholder. "The bank's entry the IPO as a main source of capital
is our future", D. Harutyunyan said.
Head of the Department of Strategic Planning, Methodology and Risk
Assessment of the ARARATBANK Hovhannes Mandakuni emphasized that
transparency should be meant under IPO, in view of which he expressed
confidence that such readiness will be evident in the whole banking
community of Armenia within several months.
"Implementation of the corporate management principles will enable
to solve this For his part, USAID Financial Sector Deepening Project
Intermediation Team Leader Tigran Davtyan thinks that this aspect
will have some difficulties in Armenia for several reasons one of
which is unwillingness of the bank's main shareholder to share with
someone. "The matter concerns the international organizations which
are present in the Armenian banks' capital. There will hardly be an
investor who will express readiness to buy 25% of the capital. Neither
our shareholders or the society are ready for that. However, the best
should be done to prepare them", T. Davtyan said. He thinks that the
Armenian banks are not yet ready to enter the foreign IPO, especially
as this is connected with definite preparation and additional expenses,
however, the IPO can be also made in the internal market, for which
some banks are ready. This will be a kind of training.
Co-Director of AEPLAC (Armenian-European Policy and Legal Advice
Center) Tigran Jrbashyan thinks that Armenia's banking system has
entered a development stage, when inertia changes by a definite
jump. This is determined only from the position that the banking
sphere, by its level of capitalization and abilities to work with
a real sector, is very small but rather "pleasantly completed" and
shown off. He thinks that sale of banks via IPO is more profitable
than to strategic investors as the price will be much higher, and
only this fact may promote the banks to IPO realization.
Under the growing competition, the own funds of the banks and their
owners will be insufficient to withstand it. "The real IPO in the
inner market is possible only in case if the Armenian capital market
is able to give this price, otherwise, it may turn out in a situation
in which several eastern-European countries turned out to be. The whole
banking system there turned out to be "captured" by strategic investors
in the name of the western, Kazakh and Russian banks", he said.
For his part, President of the Global Rating Group Richard Hainsworth
emphasized that the banks should be maximum open and transparent
to enter the IPO. He thinks that there are potential partners in
Armenia, ready to make investments in the banks' capitals. However,
the point is that this structure is engaged in its real business of
a final mediator, or it is a shell for financial manipulations. In
the first case, the investments in the bank will be made, while
in the second case, no partner will desire to be engaged in such a
business. R. Hainsworth thinks the preparatory work for the banks'
entry the IPO should be started right now.
Head of the leading Armenian Consulting Company, the Ameria, Andrey
Lazarian thinks that the first IPO (there should be no serious
placement in Armenia) are very important for creation of tradition,
culture and for a reverse communication with investors both inside
and outside the country.
"Globally, absence of transparency, availability of protectionism and
corruption are the most fundamental problems. The reporting should be
opened to the maximum for entry in the capital market and for access
to the resources of this market", he said.
To note, AmRating - is an independent national rating agency, a
member of GlobalRating group that comprises also RusRating (Russia)
and KzRating (Kazakhstan) agencies. It provides bank credit ratings
and analytical reviews of different segments in the Armenian financial
market.