Malaysia BLR hike 'positive' on CIMB margin

HwangDBS Vickers Research said an increase in base lending rate by CIMB Bank will have a positive impact on the bank's net interest margin (NIM), assuming competition does not intensify excessively.

"Based on our estimates, every 10 basis points increase in NIM will raise CIMB's 2011 financial year forecast by 4.8 per cent

"We think other banks would likely raise their BLR following CIMB's move," the research firm said in a research note today.

HwangDBS Vickers maintained its buy recommendation on CIMB with a target price of RM10.10.
CIMB Bank and CIMB Islamic Bank announced an increase in BLR and base financing rate from 6.30 per cent to 6.35 per cent.

The change in rates follows Bank Negara Malaysia's announcement to increase the statutory reserve ratio requirement by one per cent to two per cent effective April 1. -- BERNAMA