Finance and leasing companies show sharp growth in assets in FY16
View(s):The licensed finance companies (LFCs) and specialised leasing companies (SLCs) sector showed a sharp 26.4 per cent growth in its total assets to Rs. 853 billion at FY16 with improved assets quality reflected in the NPL ration. Analysts said that its growth of assets was largely contributed by the increase in borrowing by 29 per cent YoY and deposits by 17 per cent YoY.
Funds mobilised were largely utilised in granting loans and advances. Throughout FY16 this sector experienced a strong demand for credit on vehicle leasing and other secured loans.
“There was a steady growth in deposits as the sector continued to attract depositors due to relatively high deposit rates offered by LFCs compared to banks. Total deposits grew by 17.22 per cent to Rs. 490 billion in FY16. The deposit mobilisations mainly through fixed deposits accounting for 95 per cent of the total deposits whilst a slight increase was shown in the savings deposit base. The capital elements of the sector increased by 8.44 per cent to Rs. 131.5 billion at end FY16, mainly on account of internally generated profits made during the year,” Atchuthan Srirangan, Senior Research Analyst First Capital Equities told the Business Times.
LFCs and SLCs sector total assets expanded by 7.51 per cent to Rs. 1,158 billion in the first six months of FY17. The increased appetite for credit at the grass-root level of the economy enabled the finance sector to grow their business volumes and increase profitability, analysts say. Increase in assets was largely funded through borrowings, Mr. Srirangan said, adding that 42 per cent of the assets increase during the period was funded through borrowings. The sector borrowings increased by 10.94 to Rs. 416.5 billion in the 6MFY17. In contrast, the deposits grew by 4.8 billion to Rs. 512.7 billion in 6MFY17.
Analysts say that private sector credit growth is to slow down against 2015 and 2016 but remain moderate at 12 per cent-14 per cent while finance sector credit which has always grown at a faster rate and therefore is likely to remain at 16 per cent -18 per cent compared to 27 per cent growth in 2016.Given the monetary tightening measures and the currency depreciation vehicle leasing segment is likely to register a slowdown while loans and advances segment record the bulk of the growth. IMF forecast for private sector credit growth stands at 14 per cent – 15 per cent levels between 2017E-2020E.