Rating Rationale
July 05, 2018 | Mumbai
Essel Finance Business Loans Limited
Rating Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.200 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB-/Stable (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.5 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL BBB-/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.20 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL BBB-/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.25 Crore Subordinated Non-Convertible Debentures CRISIL BBB-/Stable (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its rating on the bank loan facilities and non-convertible debentures of Essel Finance Business Loans Limited (EFBLL) at 'CRISIL BBB-/Stable'.

The rating continues to reflect the strong 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 strong moral obligation of the group to support EFBLL. The rating also factors EFBLL's adequate capitalisation. These strengths are partially offset by modest scale of operations and limited track record.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its rating, CRISIL has factored in the strong support that EFBLL is expected to receive from the Essel group.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Strong 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 March 31,2 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 strong 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 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 in the current fiscal. 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 5.7% as on March 31, 2018, as compared to 3.2% last fiscal.
 
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.
Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes EFBLL will continue to derive financial, managerial, and operational support from the Essel group and its promoter family, and will maintain adequate capitalisation. The outlook may be revised to 'Positive' if there is an improvement in the Essel group's credit risk profile in CRISIL's view, or if EFBLL scales up business significantly while ensuring healthy asset quality and profitability. The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' if there is a weakening in the Essel group's credit risk profile in CRISIL's view, diminution in support from the group to EFBLL, or deterioration in EFBLL's credit risk profile.

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.
 
The company is the lending arm of the Essel group and started operations in fiscal 2015. It primarily provides financial services to MSMEs. 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 year ending March 31,  Unit 2018 2017
Total Assets Rs crore 402.5 237.9
Total income Rs crore 49.3 37.9
Profit after tax Rs crore 1.0 1.7
Gross NPA (90+ days past due) % 5.7 3.2
Return on assets % 0.3 0.8
Adjusted gearing Times 2.7 2.0
 

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 Debentures 19-Aug-16 13.99% 19-Aug-22 25 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
INE684V08030 Senior Non-Convertible Debentures 29-Jun-17 12.75% 29-Jun-20 25 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 5 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
NA Term Loan 31-Aug-17 10.25% 15-Mar-19 15 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
NA Term Loan 09-Mar-18 11.00% 31-Mar-20 10 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
NA Overdraft Facility NA NA NA 5 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
NA Proposed Long Term
Bank Loan Facility
NA NA NA 165 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2018 (History) 2017  2016  2015  Start of 2015
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Non Convertible Debentures  LT  25.00
05-07-18 
CRISIL BBB-/Stable      12-12-17  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  03-11-16  CRISIL BBB-/Stable    --  -- 
            28-06-17  CRISIL BBB-/Stable           
Subordinated Non-Convertible Debentures  LT  25.00
05-07-18 
CRISIL BBB-/Stable      12-12-17  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  03-11-16  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-/Stable      12-12-17  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  03-11-16  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 5 CRISIL BBB-/Stable Cash Credit 5 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Overdraft 5 CRISIL BBB-/Stable Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 180 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 165 CRISIL BBB-/Stable Term Loan 15 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Term Loan 25 CRISIL BBB-/Stable -- 0 --
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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