Rating Rationale
February 01, 2019 | Mumbai
Essel Finance Business Loans Limited
Rating placed on 'Watch negative'
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.200 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB- (Placed on 'Rating Watch with Negative Implications') 
 
Rs.5 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL BBB- (Placed on 'Rating Watch with Negative Implications')
Rs.20 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL BBB- (Placed on 'Rating Watch with Negative Implications')
Rs.25 Crore Subordinated Non-Convertible Debentures CRISIL BBB- (Placed on 'Rating Watch with Negative Implications')
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has placed its rating on the bank facilities and debt instruments of Essel Finance Business Loans Limited (EFBLL) on 'Rating Watch with Negative Implications'.

CRISIL has factored in the group notch-up criteria for arriving at the ratings. The ratings are placed on watch following a substantial decline in market capitalisation of the Essel group's flagship companies during last week and the resultant impact on the Essel group's financial flexibility.

CRISIL has also taken note of the Essel group's reported arrangement with its lenders (which are having the pledge on shares held by the promoters) that no 'event of default' will be declared due to steep fall in stock price of the flagship companies of the group. The Essel group is in the process of selling its stake in infrastructure and media businesses, proceeds of which will be used to reduce indebtedness at the group level. However, in light of the recent developments, the Essel group's ability to get expected valuations for its stake or raise fresh borrowings at competitive rates may be constrained.

CRISIL will engage with the Essel group's management to understand the details with respect to the terms of arrangement with the lenders and progress of stake sale in the infrastructure and media businesses. CRISIL will resolve the watch once it gets clarity on the deleveraging at the Essel group level.

The ratings continue to reflect the financial, operational, and management support EFBLL is likely to receive from the Essel group and its promoter family, both on an ongoing basis and in the event of distress. The expectation reflects the strategic importance of EFBLL to the Essel group, and the moral obligation of the group to support the company. The ratings also factor in EFBLL's adequate capitalisation. These strengths are partially offset by modest scale of operations and limited track record.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its ratings, CRISIL has factored in the support that EFBLL is expected to receive from the Essel group. CRISIL believes the group will continue to provide support to EFBLL considering the strategic importance of the entity and shared name and 100% ultimate shareholding.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Expectation of support from the Essel group
EFBLL is the lending arm of Essel Finance Management LLP, the financial services arm of the Essel group, and provides financial services to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). As on June 30, 2018, EFBLL was 78.4% owned by Dakshin Mercantile Pvt Ltd, which is entirely owned by the promoters of the Essel group. The remaining 21.6% is held by Essel Finance Management LLP. The group will continue to hold at least 75% in EFBLL. The Essel group, promoted by Dr Subhash Chandra, is among the larger conglomerates in India and has identified financial services as a key focus area for the long term. EFBLL is likely to play a strategic role in growing the Essel group's financial services business over the medium term.
 
While EFBLL is directly held by the promoter family and capital will be infused by the family, it derives significant managerial and operational support from the Essel group. Two of the directors on the company's board are senior members of the Essel group and majority of the directors are on the boards of other group companies. The financial services business is also expected to benefit from the group's large client base and ecosystem. EFBLL will also benefit from the shared brand name (Essel) in raising resources and in building relationships with bankers. The shared brand name implies a moral obligation for the Essel group to support EFBLL.

* Adequate capitalisation
EFBLL is adequately capitalised for its current scale of operations and for credit growth over the medium term. This is reflected in its networth and low gearing of Rs 107.2 crore and 2.7, respectively, as on June 30, 2018 (106.8 crore and 2.7 times, respectively, as on March 31, 2018). While gearing is expected to increase to 4-5 times over the medium term, capitalisation should remain adequate, backed by continued support from the promoters. The promoters have infused around Rs 103.5 crore so far, of which, Rs 28 crore was infused in fiscal 2018. Further, the promoters are expected to infuse Rs 150 crore over the medium term. Additionally, networth coverage for net non-performing assets (on a 90+ day past due basis) remains adequate, at 5.9 times as on March 31, 2018.

Weakness:
* Modest scale of operations and limited track record
EFBLL commenced lending in fiscal 2015 and is in the early stage of operations. The company has 8 branches and had an outstanding loan book of Rs 356 crore as on March 31, 2018. The company mainly offers loans to MSMEs against security of property (loans against property; constituting 66% of total portfolio), and is also into inventory financing, equipment financing, and receivable finance. While it started lending to microfinance institutions and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) in the last fiscal, this loan book is relatively small but growing (12% of total portfolio). The gross NPA (on a 90+ dpd basis) in the overall book was 9.1% as on June 30, 2018 (5.7% as on March 31, 2018).

While EFBLL has put in place adequate credit mechanisms, its ability to scale up operations while maintaining asset quality and profitability will remain a monitorable.
Liquidity

CRISIL's analysis of asset liability maturity profile as of March 2018 of EFBLL shows cumulative positive mismatches across all buckets up to 1 year. Liquidity is supported by cash, cash equivalents, and undrawn bank lines of Rs 7.60 crore as on January 31, 2019. Liquidity is also backed by expected loan collections through equated monthly instalments (EMIs), which will be sufficient to meet debt obligation of Rs 22.72 crore till April 30, 2019. The company has not raised any commercial paper in the past and does not intend to issue the same in the near term.

About the Company

EFBLL was incorporated by the state of Maharashtra in 1996 as a private limited company named Blue Blend Equity Ltd. Formerly, it was a subsidiary of Blue Blend India Ltd, and acquired the NBFC licence in 1998. The Essel group acquired 52% stake in the company in fiscal 2014 and the remaining in fiscal 2015. It got its present name in April 2015. EFBLL is currently 78.4% held by Dakshin Mercantile Pvt Ltd which in turn is wholly owned by the promoter family of the Essel group (Mrs. Sushila Devi Goel, wife of Dr. Subhash Chandra). Remaining 21.6% is held by Essel Finance Management LLP.

EFBLL is the lending arm of the Essel group and started operations in fiscal 2015. It primarily provides financial services to MSMEs.
 
For the half-year ended September 30, 2018, EFBLL reported a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 1.0 crore on a total income of Rs 32.4 crore, against a PAT of Rs 0.5 crore on a total income of Rs 21.8 crore. In fiscal 2018, EFBLL reported a net profit of Rs 1.0 crore on a total income of Rs 49.3 crore.

Key Financial Indicators
As on / for the half year ending September 30,   2018 2017
Total assets Rs crore 445.7 304.0
Total income Rs crore 32.8 21.8
Profit after tax Rs crore 1.0 0.5
Gross NPA (90+ days past due) % 8.53 8.60
Return on assets % 0.5 0.4
Adjusted gearing Times 3.0 2.4
 

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
INE684V08014 Subordinated non-convertible debenture 19-Aug-16 13.99% 19-Aug-22 25 CRISIL BBB-/ Watch Negative
INE684V08030 Senior non-convertible debenture 29-Jun-17 12.75% 29-Jun-20 25 CRISIL BBB-/Watch Negative
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 8.5 CRISIL BBB-/Watch Negative
NA Term Loan* NA NA NA 45 CRISIL BBB-/ Watch Negative
NA Overdraft NA NA NA 5 CRISIL BBB-/ Watch Negative
NA Proposed Long Term
Bank Loan Facility
NA NA NA 141.5 CRISIL BBB-/ Watch Negative
*Details awaited
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2019 (History) 2018  2017  2016  Start of 2016
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Non Convertible Debentures  LT  25.00
01-02-19 
CRISIL BBB-/(Watch) Negative      30-10-18  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  12-12-17  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  03-11-16  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  -- 
            05-07-18  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  28-06-17  CRISIL BBB-/Stable       
Subordinated Non-Convertible Debentures  LT  25.00
01-02-19 
CRISIL BBB-/(Watch) Negative      30-10-18  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  12-12-17  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  03-11-16  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  -- 
            05-07-18  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  28-06-17  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  19-08-16  CRISIL BBB-/Stable   
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  200.00  CRISIL BBB-/(Watch) Negative      30-10-18  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  12-12-17  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  03-11-16  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  -- 
            05-07-18  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  28-06-17  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  19-08-16  CRISIL BBB-/Stable   
                    19-01-16  CRISIL BBB-/Stable   
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Cash Credit 8.5 CRISIL BBB-/ Watch Negative Cash Credit 8.5 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Overdraft 5 CRISIL BBB-/ Watch Negative Overdraft 5 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 141.5 CRISIL BBB-/ Watch Negative Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 141.5 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Term Loan 45 CRISIL BBB-/ Watch Negative Term Loan 45 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Total 200 -- Total 200 --
Links to related criteria
Rating Criteria for Banks and Financial Institutions
Rating Criteria for Finance Companies
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Group Support

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