Why this state-run lender is hunting for lower-rated corporate borrowers
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Mumbai: State-owned Bank of India is looking to go beyond its comfort zone of lending to companies with the highest credit ratings to shore up its margins, which is already under pressure and could sink further following the Reserve Bank’s rate cut. Chief executive Rajneesh Karnatak said in an interview withMint that the bank is looking for companies rated ‘BBB’ or ‘A’ to lend to, as those rated ‘AA’ or above have more bargaining power on lending rates.
Credit ratings offer insights into a borrower’s financial strength, with a high rating signifying a lower possibility of default than low-rated counterparts. Banks charge a spread on top of the benchmark lending rate to arrive at a final rate, and better-rated companies or those with more wherewithal are able to extract a finer pricing. Intense competition among banks to onboard top-rated companies also play a role in determining lending rates.
“So, as far as the corporate lending is concerned, let me be very frank that there is huge competition among the banks," said Karnatak, seated at the bank’s headquarters in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex commercial hub. “What is happening is the ‘AAA’ and ‘AA’ rated corporates are coming to the market at a very fine price. So we have to be very selective, otherwise our margins will be hit." A majority of Bank of India’s local corporate loans of ₹50 crore and above—88.7% as on 31 December—were rated ‘A’ and above, slightly down from 89.8% in September.
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