Key takeaways Unsecured loans are debt products that do not require collateral but may come with higher interest rates and stricter credit requirements. There are various unsecured loans, including personal loans, student loans, and credit cards. When determining eligibility for an unsecured loan, lenders will consider factors such as credit history, income and debt-to-income ratio. Unsecured loans are offered by banks, credit unions and online lenders. Unlike secured loans, they’re not backed by ...

Investment Rating - The report rates Mizuho as Overweight (OW), Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) as Neutral (N), and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) as Neutral (N) [2][3][6]. Core Insights - Mizuho is projected to be the only mega bank with a return on equity (ROE) exceeding 11% [3][6]. - The report indicates a downgrade for Chongqing Rural Commercial Bank (CRCB) to Neutral due to a decline in dividend attractiveness following a 46% year-to-date rally [11]. - A survey of over 500 investors at the Asia Credit Conference suggests a majority expect the US 10-year yield to exceed 4% by the end of 2025 [15]. Detailed Highlights - Mizuho is the only mega bank forecasted to achieve an ROE above 11%, with a CET1 target of 10% and plans for accelerated buybacks [3][6]. - The Japan Consumer Finance sector is experiencing rising revolving credit card interest rates, now reaching the regulatory ceiling of 18%, while demand remains resilient despite inflation [6][7]. - The dividend yield for CRCB is now 4.3%, which is less attractive compared to peers, following its inclusion in the CSI300 Index [11][12]. Sector Key Newsflow - The report highlights that major players in Japan's consumer finance are raising interest rates on revolving credit cards to the regulatory limit, with Credit Saison leading the way [7][8]. - The Bank of Japan (BoJ) is expected to continue its quantitative tightening (QT) at a pace of -Y400 billion per quarter beyond Q2 2026, with potential adjustments based on market conditions [6][7]. - The report notes that the overall dividend play in the banking sector is becoming less attractive, particularly for CRCB, as improvements are already priced in [11].