Demonetisation to affect NBFC collections in short term: Moody's Investors Service

Moody's Investors Service said that non banking financial companies (NBFCs) will demonstrate broadly stable asset quality, but delinquencies could rise over the next 1-2 quarters as demonetisation affects collections across asset classes in a negative manner.

It said the growth in loans against property has outpaced overall retail credit growth in recent years, but relatively loose underwriting practices, combined with intensifying competition, will translate into higher asset quality risk for this segment.

"NBFCs in India will demonstrate broadly stable asset quality, but delinquencies will likely rise over the next 1-2 quarters, as demonetisation adversely affects collections across asset classes," Moody's said in a statement.

Over the past three years, NBFCs have gained some marketshare in the origination of retail lending, on the back of faster growth exhibited by such entities when compared to the banks.

This is particularly the case when compared to public sector banks, which face significant challenges on their asset quality and overall solvency profiles, it said.

"Nevertheless, we expect that competitive pressures from the banking sector will remain intense as banks are increasing targeting of the retail segment to offset weakness in their corporate lending. In addition, retail lending, particularly housing loans, is more capital efficient for the banks," Moody's VP and Senior Analyst Alka Anbarasu said.

While the NBFCs' capitalisation levels are adequate with average Tier 1 ratios in excess of 14 per cent, capital generation will lag credit growth. Access to external capital will therefore hold the key in sustaining the NBFCs' growth momentum.

Moody's expects that the NBFCs' funding profiles will broadly remain stable, and funding costs should moderate gradually, given the reduction in systemic rates. In addition, the NBFCs' profitability and capital, as well as funding and liquidity levels, will stay broadly stable.