Rating Rationale
July 02, 2020 | Mumbai
Fasttrack Housing Finance Limited
Rating removed from 'Watch Developing'; Rating reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.25 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB/Negative (Removed from 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications'; Rating Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has removed its rating on the long-term bank facilities of Fasttrack Housing Finance Limited (FHFL; part of the Investment Trust of India Ltd [ITI]) from 'Rating Watch with Developing Implications' and assigned a 'Negative' outlook. The rating has been reaffirmed at 'CRISIL BBB'.
 
Earlier on April 03, 2020, CRISIL had placed the long-term ratings on 'Watch with Developing Implications'. This was on account of likely deterioration in the asset quality of the ITI group (earlier known as Fortune Group), including FIAFL, with collections being affected. At the same time, CRISIL was also monitoring the incremental fund raising by the group to assess the liquidity position. The watch resolution follows clarity on some of these aspects.
 
The long-term rating has now been placed on a 'Negative' outlook on account of CRISIL's expectation that collections and asset quality of the ITI group will remain under pressure amidst the current uncertain macro-environment on account of the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. Furthermore, the group caters to borrower segments with modest credit profile and relatively under-banked customers whose cash flow is more vulnerable to the level of economic activity. Also, the group's fresh fund raising has remained low.
 
The nationwide lockdown declared by the Government of India to contain the spread of Covid-19 has impacted disbursements and collections of financial institutions. Though the lockdown was eased from the first week of June, any delay in return to normalcy will increase the pressure on collections and asset quality of companies. Additionally, any change in the payment discipline of borrowers can affect delinquency levels. On the liability side, the Reserve Bank of India announced regulatory measures under 'Covid-19 - Regulatory Package', whereby lenders are permitted to grant moratorium on bank loans.
 
On the asset side, the company has selectively offered moratorium to its borrowers and as on May 31, 2020, approximately 52% customers (57% of the portfolio by value) had availed the same.
 
The rating reflects the expectation of support from the ITI group and FHFL's adequate capitalisation. These strengths are partially offset by a weak borrower profile, small scale of operations, and geographical concentration in revenue.
 
Group has been in regular touch with their borrowers educating them about the features of moratorium and is also on track in reducing their exposure towards corporate loans. Group is also in talks with new lenders for raising fresh funds, and progress on this front as well as how the asset quality pans out in near term will remain key rating monitorable.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its rating, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of FHFL on a standalone basis, and has factored in the financial, operational, and management support expected from the ITI group on account of strong linkages between the company and the group.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Benefits from linkages with the ITI group: FHFL is strategically important to the ITI group in scaling up its retail housing finance business. Furthermore, a promoter and major shareholder of the ITI group companies (Mr Sudhir Valia) is a director in FHFL. Mr Chintan Valia, son-in-law of Mr Sudhir Valia, is also involved in the management of FHFL. Moreover, FHFL co-ordinates with Suraksha Realty Ltd, the holding company of FHFL and owned by Mr Sudhir Valia, for the treasury operations. The promoter and promoter group have infused equity (around Rs 50 crore) and also extended unsecured loans (around Rs 89 crore) to FHFL. CRISIL, therefore, expects the ITI group to continue providing managerial, operational, and financial assistance to FHFL whenever required.
 
* Adequate capitalisation: Financial risk profile is healthy, with large networth and comfortable gearing of Rs 54 crore and 1.7 times, respectively, as on March 31, 2020. Equity of Rs 32.4 crore was infused in FHFL in fiscal 2019. Given the support expected from the ITI group and FHFL's growth plans, gearing should remain comfortable and not exceed 5 times over the medium term.  
 
Weaknesses
* Weak borrower profile: A significant proportion of lending is to customers engaged in informal businesses. These borrowers have relatively weak credit risk profiles because of the volatile nature of their incomes and employment in unorganised segments. Additionally, borrowers in this category have limited or no access to formal housing finance due to the lack of any credit history, absence of proper pay slips evidencing income, and limited documentation regarding property, particularly in semi-urban/rural areas. Furthermore, performance of the portfolio, given the current macro-environment and its impact on the company's profitability, will remain a close monitorable.
 
* Small scale of operations and geographical concentration in revenue
Scale of operations is modest, with assets under management of Rs 125 crore on March 31, 2020. As on date, all the company's borrowings are from the promoters and the group. However, it will be critical that it raises funding from other avenues as the company scales up its business.
 
About 73% of the total portfolio is based in Maharashtra and Gujarat, leading to geographical concentration risk. Furthermore, the top three branches (Ahmedabad, Pune, and Surat) comprised of 37% of the portfolio. FHFL entered Tamil Nadu and Karnataka after fiscal 2018, and these states constitute only about 27% of the total portfolio. However, the portfolio concentration is expected to reduce over the medium term with increasing presence in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Liquidity Adequate

Liquidity is adequate with cash and bank balance of Rs 65 lakhs as on June 15, 2020. The company does not have any external debt as on date. Scheduled interest and principal collections stands at Rs 4.3 crore in the three months ending September 30, 2020.

Outlook: Negative

The outlook revision reflects CRISIL's belief that collections and asset quality of the ITI group will remain under pressure amidst the current uncertain macro-environment on account of the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. Furthermore, the group caters to borrower segments with modest credit profile and relatively under-banked customers whose cash flow is more vulnerable to the level of economic activity. Also, the group's fresh fund raising has remained low.

Rating Sensitivity Factors:
Upward Factors
* Improvement in the credit profile of the parent by 3 or more than 3 notch
* Improvement in market share and profitability while maintaining strong asset quality

Downward Factors
* Deterioration in the credit profile of the parent by 1 or more notches
* Change in articulation of support from the parent.

About the Company

FHFL is a housing finance company promoted by Mr Sudhir Valia. He is also a major shareholder in the ITI group along with his family. The company received its licence in June 2015 and operations commenced in December 2015. FHFL caters to the affordable housing finance segment and also has a small loan against property, which comprises only 12% of the total portfolio. The company is, however, set to focus on the housing loan portfolio over the medium term.
 
The average ticket size has been around Rs 10 lakh, with only a few loans above Rs 50 lakh. As on March 31, 2020, FHFL had 13 branches across 4 states. The company charges average yield of 14%.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2020 2019
Total assets Rs crore 156 138
Total income Rs crore 18.2 17.3
Profit after tax Rs crore 0.1 0.2
Gross NPA % 4.2 2.1
Gearing  Times 1.7 1.1
Return on assets % 0.1 0.2

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments and are included (where applicable) in the Annexure -- Details of Instrument in this Rating Rationale. For more details on the CRISIL complexity levels, please visit www.crisil.com/complexity-levels.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of instrument Date of allotment Coupon Rate (%) Maturity date Issue size (Rs.Crore) Complexity level Rating assigned with outlook
NA Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 25 NA CRISIL BBB/Negative
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2020 (History) 2019  2018  2017  Start of 2017
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  25.00  CRISIL BBB/Negative  03-04-20  CRISIL BBB/Watch Developing  09-04-19  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
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 25 CRISIL BBB/Negative Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 25 CRISIL BBB/Watch Developing
Total 25 -- Total 25 --
Links to related criteria
Rating Criteria for Finance Companies
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Group Support

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