Regulator Scrutiny Hits EML Payments

This story features EML PAYMENTS LIMITED. For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: EML

The Central Bank of Ireland has the Prepaid Financial Services business belonging to EML Payments is in its sights. Is the resultant slump in the share price justified?

-Not the first regulator to raise concerns about PFS
-Remedies likely to include extra oversight costs
-Confidence building now required
 

By Eva Brocklehurst

The cat is again among the pigeons in the financial services market, with the Central Bank of Ireland now the one raising concerns around risk and governance. EML Payments ((EML)) has revealed correspondence from the central bank relating to its Prepaid Financial Services division, acquired in April 2020.

This has severely impacted its share price, which has slumped around -45%. The upshot is that uncertainty is likely to weigh over the short term, Macquarie points out. EML Payments will respond to the correspondence by May 27 but the broker suggests it may be some time before the CBI makes a final decision.

The CBI is investigating misconduct under anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing rules. Canaccord Genuity believes this is likely to be part of a broader clamping down by the European Banking Authority on those financial institutions that have weak controls.

EML did not disclose the potential financial/legal impact but did indicate directives could restrict its European licence/programs. The broker believes the programs occurred in operations that were regulated under the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK prior to EML transferring its regulated subsidiary to Ireland after Brexit.

This is not the first regulator to raise concerns about PFS, Wilsons notes, as both the French and UK equivalents have previously levied penalties for incorrect settings (France) and infringements of competition law (UK). Based on past settlements the broker expects a modest impacts on operations and reputation and believes the slump in the shares factors in the risks.

Macquarie, too, expects the company will be able to continue operating, although there will be an increase to the cost base. Based on the 27% share of revenue derived from programs operating under Irish authorisation, the broker believes around $25m of FY22 operating earnings (EBITDA) could be at risk if the licence is revoked.

Macquarie emphasises it anticipates no suspension. Since 2019, the broker points out, the CBI has reached settlements on 14 enforcement actions and none have resulted in suspension of licences.

If the worst-case scenario were to eventuate, Canaccord Genuity agrees this would represent the first time a payment licence has been revoked by the CBI. Regardless, it will cause an overhang in the stock as the issue is likely to persist for some months.

Remediation

Potential remediation actions Wilsons considers include increasing expenditure on systems and risk and a suspension of the licence until adequate remedies are deployed, as well as increased regulatory oversight.

The broker makes no changes to forecasts but reduces its valuation and lowers its target to $3.78, maintaining an Overweight rating. The reduction in valuation is a result of removing a 25% premium applied to the peer average enterprise value/earnings and now applying a -25% discount to PFS earnings.

Macquarie maintains an Outperform rating and reduces its target to $4.00 from $6.20, noting the development is a timely reminder of the risks associated with this business.

A period of confidence building and educating investors on the operating risks inherent in the business is likely to ensue. Further to the news, Macquarie incorporates reduced profit of -$ 2-3m per annum and a small impact from business distraction. The broker does not include any cash impact from potential fines, expecting these will be clawed back or offset against potential earn-outs.

Canaccord believes investors are now factoring in a loss of the European licence, coupled with a slowing of sales momentum in the broader business and takes a conservative stance, awaiting further information regarding the issue before adjusting forecasts.

The broker believes PFS and the broader EML Payments business may experience reduced sales conversion rates on new customers, given negative media attention. As this is likely to overhang the stock Canaccord Genuity downgrades to Hold from Buy with the target lowered to $3.50 from $6.25.

Find out why FNArena subscribers like the service so much: "Your Feedback (Thank You)" – Warning this story contains unashamedly positive feedback on the service provided.

FNArena is proud about its track record and past achievements: Ten Years On

Click to view our Glossary of Financial Terms