Rating Rationale
October 09, 2017 | Mumbai
Aspire Home Finance Corporation Limited
'CRISIL A1+' assigned to CP programme 
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.862 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL A+/Stable (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.1000 Crore Commercial Paper Programme  CRISIL A1+ (Assigned)
Non-Convertible Debentures Aggregating Rs.350 Crore  CRISIL A+/Stable (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has assigned its 'CRISIL A1+' rating to the Rs.1000 crore commercial paper programme of Aspire Home Finance Corporation Limited (Aspire) and reaffirmed its rating on the existing debt instruments and bank facilities at 'CRISIL A+/Stable'.

The rating reflects the strong financial, operational, and management support Aspire is likely to receive from parent Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd (MOFSL; 'CRISIL A1+'), and the company's comfortable capitalisation and adequate resource profile. These strengths are partially offset by its limited track record in the housing finance segment.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the rating, CRISIL has factored the support that Aspire is likely to receive from parent, MOFSL.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Expected strong support from parent
Aspire is the housing finance arm of MOFSL. The Motilal group holds a 96.9% stake in Aspire through MOFSL and its broking company, Motilal Oswal Securities Ltd (MOSL; 'CRISIL A1+'. MOFSL is one of India's leading providers of capital-market-related services, and along with its subsidiaries is engaged in retail and institutional broking, wealth management, loans against shares, margin financing, commodities broking, and investment banking. At a consolidated level, MOFSL has healthy capitalisation with a large absolute net worth of Rs 1786 crore and low gearing of 2.6 times (including Aspire) as on March 31, 2017.

CRISIL believes Aspire is strategically important to MOFSL. The Motilal group entered the housing finance segment to diversify its revenue profile and mitigate the cyclicality in earnings resulting from its presence primarily in capital-market-related businesses. Furthermore, given that most of MOFSL's businesses are fee-based and have limited requirement for incremental capital, the housing finance business provides an avenue to deploy excess capital for long-term returns. CRISIL believes Aspire, being strategically important to MOFSL, receives strong support from its parent. The Motilal group has infused Rs 600 crore in Aspire till date (including Rs 100 crore infused in fiscal 2017), and will infuse additional capital to support the company's growth plans. The promoters of MOFSL are on the board of directors of Aspire. While the housing finance company does not carry the Motilal Oswal name, it is introduced as a Motilal Oswal group company in all its correspondence and collateral. CRISIL believes that this increases MOFSL's moral obligation to support Aspire.

* Adequate resource profile
Aspire benefits from its association with MOFSL for raising resources. As on June 30, 2017, outstanding borrowing was Rs 3836 crore against Rs 2605 crore a year ago. Term loans and cash credit facilities constituted 41% of borrowings as on March 31, 2017, while 58% came from NCDs. During fiscal 2017, the company also raised Rs 1635 crore through commercial paper. Cost of borrowings, at 9.5% for fiscal 2017 and 10.1% for fiscal 2016, remains comparable with peers.

* Comfortable capitalisation
Tier-I capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of 27.61%, as on June 30, 2017 (28% as on March 31, 2017), reflects adequate capitalisation. Since inception, the Motilal group has infused Rs 600 crore as equity, which also includes Rs 100 crore infused in fiscal 2017. Absolute networth and gearing stood at Rs 749 crore (Rs 633 crore as on March 31, 2017), and 5.1 times (6.0 times), respectively, as on June 30, 2017. Gearing is expected to remain below 7-8 times on a steady state basis. Aspire plans to maintain capital adequacy well above the norms prescribed by the regulator.

Weakness
* Limited track record in the housing finance segment
Aspire started lending operations in May 2014 and had an outstanding loan book of Rs 4314 crore as on June 30, 2017. The company is focused on individual housing loans, with average ticket size of Rs 9 lakh. Aspire's gross non-performing assets increased to 1.6% of advances as on June 30, 2017, from 0.6% as on March 31, 2017, mainly due to seasoning of the book. Aspire currently operates from 120 locations covering extended suburbs of metros and under-served tier II and tier III locations across 9 states, mainly Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

Although the company has a short track record in the highly competitive housing finance business, it has an experienced management team, which has laid down prudent underwriting practices and adequate risk management systems including a centralised credit approval process, and a customised technology platform to manage asset quality. CRISIL believes Aspire's ability to manage asset quality will need to be demonstrated over time as the portfolio seasons, given its high growth. Furthermore, the company needs to demonstrate its ability to scale up operations in a profitable manner.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes Aspire will continue to benefit from strong financial, managerial, and operational support from MOFSL. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' if there is a similar change in CRISIL's ratings on MOFSL. The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if there is an adverse change in the ownership structure of Aspire, less-than-expected support from MOFSL, or if, in CRISIL's view, MOFSL's credit risk profile weakens.

About the Company

Aspire, the housing finance arm of MOFSL, was incorporated under the Companies Act 1956 in October 2013 and received its Certificate of Registration as a housing finance institution regulated by the National Housing Bank in May 2014. The company started its lending operations from May 22, 2014, primarily offering housing loans to individuals in the low and middle income segment. It is in its early stage of operations and had a small loan portfolio of Rs 4314 crore as on June 30, 2017.

For fiscal 2017, Aspire's profit after tax (PAT) was Rs 82 crore on a total income (net of interest expenses) of Rs 221 crore, against Rs 40 crore and Rs 112 crore, respectively, in the previous fiscal.

For the quarter ended June 2017, PAT was Rs 14 crore on a total income of Rs 58 crore, against Rs 13 crore and Rs 39 crore, respectively, in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Key Financial Indicators
As On/For The Period Ended June 30 Unit 2017 2016
Total Assets Rs crore 4919 3277
Total income Rs crore 160.0 100.5
Profit after tax Rs crore 14.1 13.4
Gross NPA % 1.6 0.2
Return on assets (annualized) % 1.15 1.64
Adjusted gearing Times 5.1 5.1

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL complexity levels for instruments that they consider for investment. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of Instrument Date of Allotment Coupon Rate (%) Maturity Date Issue Size (Rs Cr) Outstanding rating with Outlook
INE658R07034 Debentures/Bonds 28-May-15 Zero- coupon 28-May-18 25.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
INE658R07059 Debentures/Bonds 6-Aug-15 10.75% 6-Aug-20 50.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
INE658R07042 Debentures/Bonds 6-Aug-15 10.85% 6-Aug-18 15.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
INE658R07067 Debentures/Bonds 29-Jun-15 Zero- coupon 29-Jun-18 75.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
INE658R07109 Debentures/Bonds 17-Aug-15 10.84% 17-Aug-18 25.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
INE658R07083 Debentures/Bonds 17-Aug-15 Zero- coupon 16-Jul-18 25.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
INE658R08016 Debentures/Bonds 15-Dec-15 10.82% 14-Dec-18 15.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
INE658R08040 Debentures/Bonds 26-Feb-16 Zero- coupon 15-Mar-19 60.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
40.0
NA Debentures/Bonds* NA NA NA 20.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 1 10-Jan-15 9.05% 30-Nov-30 25.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 2 23-Jan-15 9.93% 31-Jan-20 25.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 3 12-Mar-15 9.75% 12-Mar-20 10.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 4 26-Feb-15 8.80% 26-Feb-18 11.3 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 5 2-Feb-15 9.50% 3-Feb-23 25.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 6 31-Jan-15 9.97% 31-Jan-19 10.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 7 6-Jun-15 9.50% 6-Apr-21 25.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 8 28-Dec-15 9.93% 31-Dec-20 15.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 9 31-Dec-15 9.05% 30-Dec-33 25.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 10 28-Sep-15 9.75% 30-Jun-23 50.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 11 28-Sep-15 10.65% 30-Sep-20 50.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 12 30-Oct-15 10.10% 31-Oct-20 50.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 13 30-Nov-15 10.55% 30-Nov-20 25.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 14 27-Nov-15 9.75% 26-Nov-20 15.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 15 29-Dec-15 11.00% 30-Dec-23 50.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 16 29-Dec-15 10.95% 29-Dec-20 25.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 17 28-Dec-15 8.85% 31-Dec-21 25.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 18 30-Dec-15 9.97% 30-Jun-20 17.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 19 1-Jan-16 8.80% 1-Jan-19 38.8 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 20 30-Dec-15 10.00% 30-Dec-25 15.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 21 12-Feb-16 9.25% 12-Feb-21 30.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 22 22-Mar-16 9.05% 31-Mar-21 25.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 23 29-Mar-16 10.40% 30-Mar-21 25.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 24 30-Mar-16 10.00% 30-Mar-26 15.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 25 30-Mar-16 9.10% 31-Mar-24 50.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 26 6-Apr-16 9.05% 1-Apr-34 50.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 27 22-Apr-16 9.05% 31-Mar-34 50.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Term Loan 28^ 28-Mar-16 10.45% 15-May-17 25.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Working Capital Demand Loan^ 23-Mar-16 10.15% 22-Mar-17 25.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 35.0 CRISIL A+/Stable
NA Commercial Paper Programme NA NA 7-365 days 1000.0 CRISIL A1+
*Not yet issued
^CRISIL is awaiting independent confirmation of redemption before withdrawing ratings on these instruments
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2017 (History) 2016  2015  2014  Start of 2014
Instrument Type Quantum Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Commercial Paper  ST  1000  CRISIL A1+    --    --    --    --  -- 
Non Convertible Debentures  LT  350  CRISIL A+/Stable    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  05-05-15  CRISIL A+/Stable  20-11-14  CRISIL A/Stable  -- 
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  862  CRISIL A+/Stable    No Rating Change    No Rating Change  05-05-15  CRISIL A+/Stable  09-09-14  CRISIL A/Stable  -- 
Table reflects instances where rating is changed or freshly assigned. 'No Rating Change' implies that there was no rating change under the release.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Cash Credit 35 CRISIL A+/Stable Cash Credit 35 CRISIL A+/Stable
Long Term Loan 802 CRISIL A+/Stable Long Term Loan 802 CRISIL A+/Stable
Working Capital Demand Loan 25 CRISIL A+/Stable Long Term Loan 100 Withdrawal
-- 0 -- Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 88 Withdrawal
-- 0 -- Working Capital Demand Loan 25 CRISIL A+/Stable
Total 862 -- Total 1050 --
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating Criteria for Finance Companies
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Parent Support
Criteria for rating Short-Term Debt (including Commercial Paper)

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