Next few quarters are going to be really good for HFCs and NBFCs: Girish Kousgi, PNB Housing Finance

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

«Quarter one would always be muted after a very good quarter four. I think in any year, quarter four is the best quarter and after that quarter will be muted and again it picks up from quarter two onwards,» says Girish Kousgi, MD & CEO, PNB Housing Finance.Just wanted to begin by understanding what is happening with respect to loan growth because if I have it right, the annual target that you had suggested for the year was a growth of around 17% to 18%. But this quarter, it was a little lower at around 11%. We do understand the seasonality, but would you be confident about that target of 17% to 18% growth?I think if you look at any year, quarter one would be muted both in terms of asset quality as well as growth.

So, 11% growth on book is in line with our expectation and the guidance for the year is about 17% to 18% of loan growth and we are pretty confident because this is something which at least I am seeing for last over 20 years. Quarter one would always be muted after a very good quarter four. I think in any year, quarter four is the best quarter and after that quarter will be muted and again it picks up from quarter two onwards.

If we look at demand, demand is quite robust. We are seeing good traction across. It is only because of seasonality the book growth is 11%.

But if you look at 11%, this 11% book growth is the highest in last 15 quarters. And if you look at last couple of quarters, both the book growth and disbursement, it has been really amazing.You sound very optimistic. So, given the fact that there is a report that recently suggests that affordable housing continues to languish and you forayed into this segment. Take us through how you have performed so far and what is your projection going down the