The past decade was headlined by record bank profits and explosive growth, turning a once ho-hum industry into a road to easy riches. Fortunes were made investing in mortgages. Huge dividends were paid. It was a great time to own bank stocks.
Those days are over. Welcome to banking 2.0.
Timmmberrr!
The recent collapse of IndyMac caused the banking industry to turn a corner. Forget about a rebound. Forget about pending write-offs and dividend cuts. The big question in the banking market today is much more pressing: Which bank is next to fail?
This is a pretty serious question we're addressing here, people. Banking is one of the economy's most vital sectors, providing the lifeblood of nearly every industry. It isn't just home loans and foreclosures in jeopardy; everything from a healthy mergers-and-acquisitions market to the capital that funds tech companies relies on the strength of banks.
Who might be next on the chopping block? Before the specific names get tossed around, let's address an important point: IndyMac, Bear Stearns, and even Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were all handed their respective problems because of investor fear, rather than just the problems on their books. Yes, all of them got in way over their heads, but judgment day usually comes from investors and depositors getting the heck out of Dodge before things get worse, rather than banks failing on their own watch. There are several banks right now that, strictly from an analytical viewpoint, have more than enough capital to stay alive -- but that doesn't mean they're out of the woods. The big question isn't just which banks have the gnarliest books ... it's which banks have the gnarliest books and a spotlight in their face.
And now, the names...
Richard Bove, one of the banking industry's most respected and widely followed analysts, came up with a list of banks in seriously deep water. He divided banks' non-performing assets by reserves and common equity -- anything greater than 40% was relegated to the "danger zone." Washington Mutual
Two other names that have taken serious beatings lately are Wachovia
Both Wachovia and B of A are huge, well-known institutions that have diversified lines of business in their favor, and they're unlikely to croak anytime soon. But their high-profile status comes at a price. The size of their companies and the magnitude of their writedowns make them vulnerable to media attention, which can leave them hammered by investors and depositors who treat them like toxic waste.
The Foolish bottom line
Many banks will fail over the next several years. Most of them, however, will likely be so small that you'll barely hear a peep about them.
The banks that should pop up on your radar are those prone to both fatal credit concerns and widespread panic -- names like Washington Mutual
Either they go kaput, or they raise huge amounts of capital with shares so depressed that there'll be little left over for you if they manage to survive. Buckle up, Fools. The fun is just beginning.
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