Australia's second largest bank could be close to announcing an asset sale that may inject $700 million into its balance sheet.
The Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) share price dipped 0.6% this morning to $26.28. This probably isn't due to the news of the divestment though as shares in the other big banks are also trading in the red.
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) share price lost 0.5% to $79.91, the National Australia Bank Ltd. (ASX: NAB) share price shed 0.7% to $27.13 and the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) share price slipped 0.2% to $25.25.
In contrast, the S&P/ASX 200 (Index:^AXJO) (ASX:XJO) index is trading just above breakeven at the time of writing.
Asset sale provides extra cash boost
Westpac is reported to be in late stage negotiations for the sale of its equipment and asset financing business, according to the Australian Financial Review.
The division held $2.9 billion in lease receivables and 62,000 corporate and business customers when Westpac acquired it from Lloyds Banking Group in 2013. Analysts estimate that this business is worth between $600 million and $700 million.
It is unclear at this stage who is in the box seat to buy the business from Westpac, but the AFR ruled out Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) and Bank of Queensland Limited (ASX: BOQ) even though these financial institutions have similar businesses.
Instead, the potential buyer might be New York-based Cerberus Capital Management, which has US$42 billion ($62 billion) in assets globally, added the AFR.
Why banks are divesting assets
The sale would be welcomed news for Westpac shareholders. Big banks have been shedding assets to shore up their balance sheet, simplify their overly complex businesses and improve return on equity (ROE).
The ROE for all the big four banks is under pressure, particularly in the face of the Banking Royal Commission fallout and plummeting interest rates.
Regulatory pressure to tighten lending standards and increased the banks' capital buffers are also hurting returns in the sector.
Foolish takeaway
Westpac completed a $2 billion placement to put worries about the strength of its balance sheet to rest. It is currently offering a share purchase plan (SPP) to existing shareholders that is priced at $25.32 a new share – the same as the placement to institutional investors.
The extra cash injection from the equipment and asset financing business will go a long way in giving investors comfort that it probably won't need to undertake another fund raising exercise anytime soon.
This will give Westpac an edge over NAB as I think a capital raise cloud is hanging over the latter.
