Detailed Narrative
Company Overview and Growth Strategy
Laxmi India Finance Limited, an NBFC headquartered in Jaipur, reported an AUM of ₹1,451 crores and PAT of ₹29 crores for the last 9 months. The company, led by MD Deepak Baid, focuses primarily on secured lending to MSMEs, constituting 83-84% of its book, with an average ticket size of ₹7-8 lakhs. The strategy involves direct customer engagement through its extensive branch network and leveraging technology for efficient operations and risk management. The company aims for a 30% AUM growth and an ROA of 3.5-3.75%.
Product Portfolio and Customer Profile
The core product is SME MSME loans, secured by residential or commercial properties with an LTV of 45-50%. The company also offers vehicle lending for old vehicles (3-10 years old) and a small proportion of personal and business loans. Customers are typically small-time business owners in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, often non-income proof (NIP) customers without formal financial records. The company assesses their income by visiting their shops, checking diaries, and cross-referencing with neighbors and local businesses.
Asset Quality and NPA Management
The reported Gross NPA is 2.4% and Net NPA is 1.4%. These figures were impacted by a one-off📎 default from a secured Direct Assignment (DA) transaction involving a ₹500-600 crore book from Up Money, a Jalandhar-based NBFC. The company has already made a provision of ₹9 crores and expects to make an additional ₹8 crores in Q1 FY27. Management is confident in recovering the amount due to the secured nature of the transaction and robust collection efforts, which currently yield an 89% efficiency.
Cost of Funds and Profitability Outlook
The cost of funds has reduced by 64 basis points to 10.94%. The company is actively pursuing a rating upgrade, which is expected this financial year, to further reduce its cost of funds to a single-digit percentage. This, combined with improved operational efficiency through technology (e.g., e-signature, CKYCs) and a focus on quality, is expected to drive ROA to the targeted 3.5-3.75% and adjusted Return on Net Worth to 14.31%.
Branch Network and Sourcing Strategy
Laxmi India Finance operates over 170 branches across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh, with plans to expand into Maharashtra this year. The company employs 1753 staff who directly source business, leveraging local knowledge. While the operating cost is currently high (around ₹90 crores), it is seen as an investment in direct customer relationships and transparency. New branches typically break even once their AUM reaches ₹1-1.5 crores, and existing branches contribute positively to the P&L.
Capital Adequacy and Future Growth
The Capital Adequacy Ratio stands at 28-29% as of December. The company aims for a debt-to-equity leverage of 4-4.5, after which it plans to raise new funds. Currently, the focus is on organic growth of its own book, targeting a 35% CAGR, and is not actively pursuing co-lending partnerships. There are no immediate plans to enter the gold loan segment due to associated costs and risks, maintaining a focus on secured lending.