Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)

ICRA Lanka assigns [SL]A- with stable outlook Issuer Rating to Lanka ORIX Finance PLC

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ICRA Lanka Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of ICRA Ltd., an associate of Moody's Investors Service, has assigned an Issuer rating of '[ SL] A-' ( pronounced SL A minus)1 with stable outlook to Lanka Orix Finance PLC. The rating indicates adequate-credit-quality and the rated entity carries average credit risk. The rating in Sri Lanka is assigned on an eight- point scale developed specifical­ly for the country, and ranges from '[ SL] AAA' to '[ SL] D'. This rating scale ranks the relative default risk associated with issuers in Sri Lanka.

1 For complete rating scale and definition­s please refer to ICRA Lanka's Website www. icralanka. com or other ICRA Rating Publicatio­ns

2 Refers to Lanka ORIX Leasing Company PLC along with its subsidiari­es, joint ventures and associates

3 This includes additional NPAs recognized by the Management above regulatory requiremen­ts.

The rating factors LOFC's close operationa­l and financial linkages with the LOLC Group2 in its position as the flagship subsidiary of Lanka ORIX Leasing Company PLC ( HoldCo), which is rated [ SL] A-/ stable by ICRA Lanka. Given this, ICRA Lanka has taken a consolidat­ed rating view of the HoldCo and its key asset financing subsidiari­es. The rating also factors LOFC's robust franchise, healthy competitiv­e position given its superior market share and a profession­al and experience­d management team. ICRA has taken note of the significan­t gaps in LOFC's asset- liability maturity profile, par- ticularly in the short term buckets, arising from the short term nature of funding, both retail deposits and institutio­nal funds. While LOFC's refinancin­g ability remains good through retail and institutio­nal franchise, ICRA Lanka expects the company to raise longer- tenure funds to progressiv­ely address this gap. LOFC's financial leverage has increased as a result of rapid portfolio growth despite capital infusion from the Parent. However, lower incrementa­l portfolio growth, stable internal accruals are expected to support capitaliza­tion levels. The core profitabil­ity has been improving in the past few years backed by higher interest spreads, while operating costs have reduced because of economies of scale. Incrementa­lly, interest spreads could shrink marginally in light of the prevailing interest rate environmen­t; nonetheles­s ICRA Lanka expects profitabil­ity to remain steady provided the level of credit costs are kept under control.

LOFC focuses on lending against Commercial vehicles ( 63% of portfolio as on March 2012), Working Capital ( 21%), Equipment Finance ( 8%), Tractors and others ( 8%). The company registered a compounded annual growth rate ( CAGR) of 56% over the past 5 years, but has been substantia­lly supported by the transfer of incrementa­l business from the HoldCo to LOFC as part of the group reorganiza­tion process. The portfolio growth for the LOLC Group remains moderate at a 4- year CAGR of 16%. Given the volatility in systemic

LOFC focuses on lending against Commercial vehicles (63% of portfolio as on March 2012), Working Capital (21%), Equipment Finance (8%), Tractors and others (8%). The company registered a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 56% over the past 5

years, but has been substantia­lly supported by the transfer of incrementa­l business from the HoldCo to LOFC as part of the group reorganiza­tion process. The portfolio growth for the LOLC Group remains moderate at a 4-year

CAGR of 16%. Given the volat ility in systemic interest rates, LOFC has been focusing increasing­ly on loans, rather than fixed-rate hire purchases and leases, which gives the company flexibilit­y to adjust interest rates according to its cost of funds. Asset quality, as measured through Gross NPAs, improved from 2.24%3 in FY11 to 1.02% in FY12 through focused recoveries and structured

collection­s process.

interest rates, LOFC has been focusing increasing­ly on loans, rather than fixed- rate hire purchases and leases, which gives the company flexibilit­y to adjust interest rates according to its cost of funds. Asset quality, as measured through Gross NPAs, improved from 2.24% 3 in FY11 to 1.02% in FY12 through focused recoveries and structured collection­s process. However, it would be important to continue to maintain strict control over asset quality through economic downturns and hardening interest rate cycles.

LOFC's Capital Adequacy Ratio stood at 14.4% as on March 31, 2012 compared to 17.0% as on March 31, 2011, broadly in line with the sector average. While there are no equity infusion plans in the near term, portfolio growth is expected to slow down progressiv­ely and the capital requiremen­ts would be met through internal accruals. ICRA Lanka, nonetheles­s, expects LOFC's capitaliza­tion to moderate in the near term with expected portfolio growth.

LOFC's Return on Average Assets ( excluding one- time gains) have registered steady improvemen­t to 4.0% in fiscal 2012 from 1.1% in fiscal 2009 supported by a correspond­ing improvemen­t in interest spreads. The operating cost levels also remain competitiv­e in relation to industry levels. Incrementa­lly, LOFC could face pressure on cost of domestical­ly mobilized funds given the hardening interest rate scenario, but the long term overseas funding lines being pursued by the management could help control the overall cost levels. ICRA Lanka expects profitabil­ity levels to remain stable, provided the company manages to keep credit costs under tight control.

Company Profile

Lanka ORIX Finance PLC ( LOFC), ( set up in 2001) establishe­d initially as a wholly owned subsidiary of LOLC, has a strong Retail Franchise among Licensed Finance Companies ( LFCs) in Sri Lanka. The LOLC Group as a whole is one of the Largest Financial Services conglomera­te in the country, with the parent being the first leasing company to be establishe­d in Sri Lanka. LOFC being the largest operationa­l financial services subsidiary ( 22% of Group Assets as at Mar- 12) of the LOLC Group offers Savings and Deposits in Local and Foreign Currency, Leasing and Hire Purchase Loans mainly for financing Auto Vehicles for commercial use. In July 2011, as per the Central Bank of Sri Lanka ( CBSL) directions, LOLC divested 10% of its stake in LOFC and obtained a listing on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE).

During the year ended March 2012, LOFC reported a net profit of Rs. 1.25 billion on a total income of Rs. 6.35 billion compared to net profit of Rs. 1.25 billion on a total income of Rs. 4.01 billion in the previous fiscal.

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