PACRA maintains entity ratings of Telenor Microfinance Bank Ltd

November 8, 2018 (MLN): Pakistan Credit rating Agency (PACRA) has maintained entity ratings of Telenor Microfinance Bank Limited at ‘A+’ for long term and ‘A1’ for short term, with a ‘stable’ outlook forecast.

According to the press release issued by PACRA, the ratings take comfort from association with a strong sponsor – Telenor Group. The bank's business profile emanates from its growing customer base and sustained relative position.

The ratings are also dependent upon successful strategic alliance with Ant-Financial and achievement of positive indicators in the BB domain. Meanwhile, simultaneous growth trends in the core and BB domain remain imperative, the report added.

“Securing an approximately 19% share in the MFB's gross loan portfolio (GLP) and approximately 21% in its gross deposits, the bank continues to hold a prominent position in the MFBs market.”

Furthermore, significant developments in branchless banking (BB) are underway, including insistent steps to enhance the BB Mobile-wallet customer base.

The bank is all geared up to undergo induction of approximately 45% stake by Ant Financial - a Chinese Fintech affiliate company of the Alibaba Group. The transaction is expected to be completed in three tranches, wherein, first tranche would be injected by End-November-18.

Net interest/markup revenue (NIMR) increased during the period but the bank's bottom-line closed in red due to high marketing OPEX incurred in pursuit of expanding BB customer outreach, the press release added.

Moreover, core banking indicators remained sanguine while BB domain continued to generate losses. The bank's business model is presently pivoted around developing a sustainable widespread M-wallet customer platform, with regards to which substantial results have been achieved.

Liquidity profile reflects a comfortable outlook. Asset quality, however, slightly decreased (1.7% infection ratio), mainly on the backdrop of unsecured lending.

Currently, the management's paramount focus lies in taking a boom in the BB segment with respect to which entry of a new equity partner is a salient feature.

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