It seems like Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares have hit the brakes as it exits its auto loans business. What’s driving the Westpac share price down?
WBC share price
Simplifying is the name of the game
It seems like Westpac is striving to focus on its key operating segments.
Westpac has announced it will sell its motor vehicle dealer finance and novated leasing businesses to Angle Finance.
The sale includes the transfer of the following.
- Auto dealer and wholesale dealer loans worth around $1 billion;
- Alliance agreements with vehicle manufacturers; and
- Novated lease origination agreements.
In terms of its existing retail auto loans book of around $10 million, these will run down in the normal course of business over the life of these loans. However, Westpac will progressively cease new retail auto loan originations from these three channels.
In saying this, customers can still use Westpac’s Consumer and Business lending products to purchase motor vehicles.
My take on Westpac
An executive within Westpac’s strategy team noted the sale will enable Westpac to become a simpler bank.
Unfortunately, Westpac did not provide any colour on the financial reasons for exiting these channels. But it seems Westpac does not view this segment to be value accretive over the long term.
It’s highly likely that Westpac has incurred significant losses from these channels where customers have faced financial difficulty due to the pandemic.
This financial check-up may prove to be valuable over the long term.
I would monitor any similar developments across Westpac’s rival banks like Commbank (ASX: CBA), Australia and New Zealand Banking (ASX: ANZ) and National Australia Bank (ASX: NAB).
This is one factor to consider when valuing Westpac shares.
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