CIMB - Revisit

Over the years, CIMB had transformed from an investment bank to universal bank, then from universal bank to a regional bank. It is a of the good foresighted company in Malaysia. In term of management competence I rank it the best in Bursa Malaysia. Its shareholders have enjoyed good profit for years. It is an ordinary business that well managed. Its success is partly due to political link, and currently overshadow by this link.

As general election is around the corner, investors priced in the potential outcome. After read through an interview appeared on The Star on 4 August 2012, I must say I am impressed by it. It is the most ambitious bank in the Asean region, not even Singapore banks are that ambitious. As guided by Nazir sometimes ago, its Indonesia operation had became the largest profit contributor, over times its oversea profit will outpace local profit contribution.

Its planning to list in Thailand or Indonesia will enhance it valuation in my view. Local investors still not priced in a valuation of Regional Bank.

Questions in my mind, 1st, do investor priced in the political risk? 2nd, do investor priced in regional bank valuation? The worst scenario of buying now or the potential price adjustment of buying after general election?  The bank still will be well managed or ambitious if Nazir is not around?