Localised lockdowns impacting collection efficiency – Bandhan Bank

Update on the Indian Equity Market:

The Indian benchmark indices closed in the red for the second day, due to concerns over the impact of faster inflation on dollar flows into emerging markets. The Nifty50 ended the day at 14,697 (-1.0%), dragged by TATASTEEL (-4.8%), HINDALCO (-3.5%), and JSWSTEEL (-3.5%). The top gainers in the index were TATAMOTORS (+3.2%), TITAN (+1.6%), and MARUTI (+1.3%). The sectoral gainers were PSU BANK (+3.2%), MEDIA (+0.7%), and AUTO (+0.2%), while METAL (-3.0%), PRIVATE BANK (-1.6%), and BANK (-1.3%) led the sectoral losers.

Excerpts of an interview with Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, MD and CEO, Bandhan Bank (BANDHANBNK) published in Mint on 12^th May 2021:

• The complete impact of the second wave is yet to be felt, but Mr. Ghosh expects business to bounce back by June-21.
• The impact of the second wave of the virus has been localised lockdowns. The advantage of localised lockdowns is businesses are still functional. There was a lack of access to villages and smaller localities last year, affecting collection efficiency.
• Following localised lockdowns, collection efficiency has dropped 300-400bps from March-21. The drop has been due to complete lockdowns in certain areas and with branches in such areas, executives cannot go out for collections. This impact has been felt in April-21, he expects the efficiency to bounce back by June-21.
• The microfinance part of their business is better off without moratoriums. In their case, borrowers repay if they can come to the bank’s offices or where the collection executives can reach. Wherever it is not permitted, the executives are not venturing out. Mr. Ghosh believes this is better than a moratorium, as nobody would want to repay under a blanket benefit.
• The bank is providing loan restructuring if customers request it. The customers who are able to pay 50% or 75% in instalments are paying. The customers take it upon themselves to repay so that credit score isn’t impacted. About 78% of NPA (Non-performing Asset) customers have repaid in March-21.
• He expects similar growth in credit growth in FY22 as last year (~20%).

Asset Multiplier Comments

• As the bank has a higher exposure to rural and semiurban areas, there was a lower impact on its operations in 4QFY21. With lockdown restrictions imposed in rural areas as well due to the second wave, the bank may face issues with collection.
• In the recently released 4QFY21 results, the Bank has recognised higher provisions for weaker borrowers adequately. While the impact of the second wave cannot be measured so soon, the bank is likely to maintain its conservative stance and maintain higher provisioning buffers going forward.

Consensus Estimate: (Source: market screener website)

• The closing price of BANDHANBNK was ₹ 288/- as of 12-May-2021. It traded at 2.3x/ 1.9x the consensus book value estimate of ₹ 126/ 155 for FY22E/FY23E respectively.
• The consensus target price of ₹ 384/- implies a PB multiple of 2.5x on FY23E BV of ₹ 155/-.

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