This Underperforming Bank Boasts Massive Growth Potential

Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS) is trading down year to date, but the long-term prospects for the bank have never been brighter.

| More on:

Canada’s big banks remain some of the best investments on the market, thanks to their high-flying dividends, record-breaking quarterly results, and what seems to be an insatiable appetite to continue expanding into other markets.

One bank that has continued to garner a massive amount of interest recently is Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS). Year to date, the bank is trading down over 6%, which is incredible considering the growth and income prospects the bank offers to investors.

Let’s take a look at several reasons investors may want to finally consider an investment in Bank of Nova Scotia.

An unusual expansion focus leads to incredible growth

While most of those big banks have opted to expand into the lucrative U.S. market, Bank of Nova Scotia opted to expand into an even more lucrative market — the Latin American nations of Mexico, Peru, Columbia, and Chile.

Those four nations comprise the Pacific Alliance, which is a trade bloc that is charged with reducing tariffs and other barriers between member states to encourage greater trade. Collectively, the four nations comprise an impressive 218 million people and a combined GDP in excess of US$2 trillion.

Over the past few years, Bank of Nova Scotia has set up operations in all member states of the Pacific Alliance, and in doing so it has become a familiar face for businesses looking to branch out across the Alliance. This, in turn, had led the bank to report double-digit growth numbers from the region, largely thanks to strong growth in both loans and deposits throughout the region.

In terms of results, in the most recent quarter, the international segment reported net income of $675 million, representing an increase of $80 million, or 14% over the same period last year.

Bank of Nova Scotia continues to expand

The better-than-expected growth in the Latin American markets has led the bank to announce a series of impressive deals that will strengthen the bank’s footing within the Pacific Alliance as well as here in Canada.

Earlier this summer, Bank of Nova Scotia announced the $2.6 billion deal for MD Financial — a wealth management firm that provides financial products and services to 45,000 doctors from its network of 350 advisors located across Canada.

That deal followed another one announced earlier this year for investment firm Jarislowsky Fraser, which was completed this past spring.

Both deals added nearly $80 billion in assets under management to Bank of Nova Scotia, propelling the total assets under management to over $230 billion.

Amazingly, that’s not the only expansion path that Bank of Nova Scotia is taking.

Worth noting is also the multi-billion-dollar deal to acquire a majority stake in Chilean lender Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA (BBVA). The $2.9 billion deal will, upon closing, establish Bank of Nova Scotia as one of the largest lenders in Chile, where growth prospects abound.

Income-seeking investors will love Bank of Nova Scotia

One final point worthy of consideration is Bank of Nova Scotia’s dividend. The bank offers a quarterly distribution that currently pays an impressive 4.36% yield, which has seen annual or better increases looking back nearly a decade.

Even better is the fact that with solid results and a flurry of growth and acquisitions, those dividend hikes are unlikely to end any time soon, which is reason enough for both income- and growth-seeking investors to jump on and buy the stock while it still trades at a discounted level.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Demetris Afxentiou has no position in any stocks mentioned.  

More on Dividend Stocks

Two seniors float in a pool.
Dividend Stocks

TFSA: How to Earn $1,890 in Annual Tax-Free Income

Plunk these investments into your TFSA to earn passive income and avoid the taxman.

Read more »

Engineers walk through a facility.
Dividend Stocks

1 TSX Stock I Wouldn’t Touch With a 10-Foot Pole

AtkinsRéalis (TSX:ATRL) is one TSX stock I'd never invest in.

Read more »

edit Woman in skates works on laptop
Dividend Stocks

3 No-Brainer Stocks to Buy Under $30

These three stocks all offer a huge deal for investors looking for dividends, as well as growth that will last.

Read more »

You Should Know This
Dividend Stocks

How to Convert a $300 Monthly Investment Into $338 in Monthly Income

If you want a certain amount in monthly passive income, invest a similar amount today and leave the rest to…

Read more »

Increasing yield
Dividend Stocks

3 Income Stocks With Big Yields to Consider in April 2024

If you haven’t yet made your March investments, here are three income stocks to buy the dip and lock in…

Read more »

Senior Man Sitting On Sofa At Home With Pet Labrador Dog
Dividend Stocks

RRSP Investors: Don’t Miss Out on This Contribution Hack!

This hack has so many benefits for you -- not just when you put it in your RRSP but for…

Read more »

A red umbrella stands higher than a crowd of black umbrellas.
Dividend Stocks

Passive Income: 2 Safe Dividend Stocks to Own for the Next 10 Years

Dividend stocks such as Manulife and Fortis can help you generate a stable and recurring passive-income stream.

Read more »

Young woman sat at laptop by a window
Dividend Stocks

3 Dividend Stocks Everyone Should Own for the Long Haul

For investors looking for top-tier dividend stocks to buy and hold for the long term, here are three of my…

Read more »