Moody's puts Singapore banks on "negative" outlook

Credit rating agency Moody's today downgraded the outlook of Singapore's three main banks to 'negative' from 'stable' amid rising property prices and mounting household debt in the city-state.

'The two main drivers underpinning our opinion are the recent period of rapid loan growth and rising real estate prices in Singapore and in regional markets where Singapore banks are active,' it said in a statement.

'These have increased the probability of deterioration in the banks' credit profiles under potential adverse conditions in the future.'

Moody's said Singapore banks have been operating in a favourable environment for an extended period amid low interest rates and strong regional economic growth, which has led to rising credit and asset inflation in the property and financial markets.

Domestically, household debt increased to 77.2% of gross domestic product as of March 2013 from 64.4% at the end of 2007, with private property prices growing 120% during the same period.

'Regionally, we observe similar or even more dramatic trends,' Moody's added, noting that Singapore banks generate more than 37% of their revenues from overseas markets.

A tightening of US monetary policy is a 'potential trigger' that could have an impact on interest rates in Singapore and neighbouring countries as well as capital flows in emerging economies where Singapore banks are active, Moody's said.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said last week the US central bank would maintain its growth-oriented policies 'for the foreseeable future'. But some analysts expect its $85 billion-a-month bond purchases to taper off in coming months, possibly in September.

Moody's outlook report covers prospects in the next 12-18 months for DBS Bank, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp and United Overseas Bank.