FIG Valuation

Valuation of FIG between FCFE or Dividend Discount Model?

in the FIG industry because of capital regulatory ratios such as Tier 1 capital, I have always been more comfortable with using the DDM as it allows us to find out the cash that a bank can pay to shareholders while taking into consideration the Tier 1 Capital requirement.

Let's look at FCFE.

FCFE = NI + D&A - chg in WC - CAPEX - chg in Debt (Principal Repaid - Principal Issued)

I am hesitant about the FCFE as

1) chg in WC can be large, deposits and short term loans 2) CAPEX (Inv in computers, offices) is not reflective of reinvestment (Banks are balance sheet driven, it depends how much loans they issue to drive their top line)

these metrics might not be the best to gauge the true FCFE, and FCFE does not take into account the regulatory ratios. remain cash available to equity holders might have to be retained in the Balance Sheet to satisfy the Basel-pillar 3 disclosures.

Would appreciate an expert opinion.

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

For banks. insurance companies, and the like you tend to use a DDM. Dividends are essentially used as a proxy for FCF, since it can be difficult to put a clear definition on what cash vs debt actually is, since the business generates money based on the spread between borrowing and lending. The idea is that dividends being paid is money that is "disposable" (read: the bank doesn't need it to operate, doesn't need to hold onto it in retained earnings, and can pay it out to shareholders), so it is a fair proxy to FCF.

FCFE is generally used in place when the institution has unpredictable dividends, or if the company has an investor with significant influence/control over the firm, since dividends can be influenced by said individual.

For investment managers they are basically just EBITDA companies, so you use a DCF or a multiple the same way you would with any other more traditional valuation.

 

Nihil non cum voluptatem assumenda ea. Dolor saepe mollitia hic necessitatibus. Dolor et omnis debitis eius sunt corrupti. Eveniet quo doloribus quod voluptatem architecto dignissimos illo fugit. Ut sed deleniti enim enim et nobis. Suscipit est esse quis placeat est hic officia aut.

In ut sunt id corporis repellat. Et amet cumque expedita mollitia vero dicta. Consectetur delectus ullam dignissimos dolor voluptas. Animi blanditiis id aliquam atque soluta vel.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”