How to Handle Loan Portfolio Valuation and Avoid Trouble Later
In most acquisitions, the selling bank's loan portfolio generally is the largest asset. Valuing it often consumes the majority of the valuation team's effort. Achieving consensus on fair value can be challenging, as there typically isn't an observable market price for most bank loan portfolios. In fact, the acquirers' management often is surprised by the difference between its pro forma balance sheet projections and the final independent, third-party valuations. These unexpected changes in valuation could have a significant impact on the acquiring institution's regulatory capital requirements and future earnings potential.