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Investing.com-- Asian bank stocks fell on Friday, tracking overnight declines in their U.S. peers amid growing concerns over weak credit health in the country’s regional lenders.
Japanese lenders and insurers were the worst-hit in Asia, given that several local firms have heavy exposure to U.S. markets.
Lenders Mizuho Financial Group Inc (TYO:8411) and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial (TYO:8316) fell 3.6% and 2.7%, respectively, while insurers Sompo Holdings Inc (TYO:8630) and Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc. (TYO:8766) sank 4.3% and 4%, respectively.
The four were among the worst performers on the Nikkei 225, which slid 1.3%.
Hong Kong and Singaporean banks also retreated. HSBC’s (HK:0005) Hong Kong shares fell 1.2%, while DBS Group Holdings Ltd (SGX:DBSM)– Southeast Asia’s biggest bank– shed 0.9%.
Chinese and South Korean bank stocks were resilient, with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd (SS:601398) rising 0.3%, while KB Financial Group (KS:105560) added 0.9%.
U.S. bank stocks fell overnight, with regional bank stocks including Zions Bancorporation (NASDAQ:ZION), Jefferies Financial Group Inc (NYSE:JEF), and Western Alliance Bancorporation (NYSE:WAL) logging the biggest losses amid heightened concerns over rising credit risks in the sector.
Concerns were sparked by Zions disclosing it will see a $50 million loss in the third quarter due to two commercial and industrial loans in its California division. Separately, Western Alliance disclosed a lawsuit alleging fraud by Cantor Group.
Jefferies was battered by concerns over its exposure to bankrupt auto parts maker First Brands.
The U.S. banking sector saw several high-profile bankruptcies since 2023, with this week’s developments sparking concerns over a renewed credit crisis.
While the contagion from a regional banking collapse is expected to be limited, fears of such an event also come amid broader uncertainty over the U.S. economy, which is grappling with a prolonged government shutdown.