Issuer Profile
Profile
Mobilink Microfinance Bank Limited (or the “Bank”) was incorporated in February 2012 under the Companies Act, 2017. The Bank has a network of 114 branches. It commenced its operations in April 2012 and launched branchless banking services under the brand name "JazzCash" in partnership with Pakistan Mobile Communications Ltd. (Jazz), in November 2012. Mobilink Microfinance Bank offers a range of micro-lending products comprising: (i) Karobar Loan, (ii) Khushhal Kisan Loan, iii) Fori Cash Loans, (iv) Livestock loans (v) House Loan, (vi) Tractor Loans, (vii) Passbook loan & (viii) Micro Enterprise Loan. It is one of the largest digital banks in the Country.
Ownership
Mobilink Microfinance Bank Limited is a subsidiary of Veon Microfinance Holdings B.V (V.M.H), with effect from March 27, 2020, upon transfer of 99.99% shareholding in the Bank from Global Telecom Holdings (GTH). The ultimate parent of the Bank is Veon Holdings Limited. The ownership structure of the Bank is considered stable, as it has sole ownership of a strong sponsor. Veon is an international telecommunication and technology-oriented business with more than 220 million customers. Veon's total asset base clocked in at USD 8,463mln while equity stood at USD 1,496mln, as of end-6MCY25, depicting a robust financial position of the ultimate sponsor.
Governance
The overall control vests in the seven-member Board of Directors (BoD). The Board comprises four non-executive directors, two independent directors, and one executive director (the CEO of the Bank). Mr. Aamir Hafeez Ibrahim is the Chairperson of the Board. The directors are experienced professionals, having exposure in different sectors, including microfinance and telecommunication. The Board exercises its oversight via four committees, namely (i) Audit Committee, (ii) Risk Management & Compliance Committee, (iii) HR & Compensation Committee, and (iv) IT Committee. M/S Yousuf Adil Chartered Accountants are the External Auditors of the Bank. They expressed an unqualified opinion on the financial statements of the Bank for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Management
The Bank has divided its organization structure into different departments with each department head reporting directly to the CEO, while the head of the internal audit department, reports to the Audit Committee. Mr. Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary has been appointed as a CEO of the Bank on Jan 15, 2025. He has over 21 years of experience in the banking sector. He is assisted by an experienced management team. The Bank has eighteen management committees in place. The committee meetings are conducted on a frequent basis to ensure a smooth flow of processes. Detailed MIS reports are generated for the senior management on a daily and monthly basis pertaining to loan portfolio, disbursements, repayments, delinquencies, provisioning, recoveries, and deposits. A separate Risk Management Department is in place to oversee various risks, including credit, operational, and market risks. The Risk Management Committee meets on a regular basis to ensure the risk profile of the Bank remains within the Board of Directors approved limits. Backboned with strong sponsors and a natural affiliation with the telecom industry, the Bank is equipped with sound technological infrastructure. It deploys Temenos (T24) as its core banking software. The Bank has in place Middleware, an innovative technological platform, to facilitate branchless banking operations, ATM service, Utility bill payment, and G2P payments.
Business Risk
The Microfinance Banking sector (“the Sector”) continues to face persistent stress from weak asset quality, recurring losses, and a declining Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR). Successive shocks — including COVID-19, the 2022 floods, economic slowdown, high inflation, and elevated interest rates during CY24 — have strained borrower repayment capacity, particularly in agriculture and livestock. During the year there was a significant credit crunch in Country due to floods which will also impect the microfinance sector in near future. Total assets of the sector grew to PKR 1,068bln in CY24 (CY23: PKR 771bln) on the back of investments in government securities but contracted to PKR 891bln by 6MCY25 (6MCY24: PKR 782bln). Advances rose moderately to PKR 421bln in CY24 (CY23: PKR 380bln) and PKR 415bln in 6MCY25 (6MCY24: PKR 376bln), mainly financed through borrowings and deposits.
Despite this growth, the Sector posted losses for the sixth consecutive year and stood at PKR (16)bln at end of CY24 (CY23: PKR 20bln) and PKR (1.8)bln at the end of 6MCY25 (6MCY24: Loss of PKR 12bln). Consequently, the sector 's equity base declined to PKR 37.2bln in CY24 (CY23: PKR 37.4bln), resulting in the declined CAR of the Sector with CAR falling to 0.9% in CY24 and (0.3%) in 6MCY25, falling far below the regulatory threshold of 15%. The MMBL has a 19% market share in terms of Gross Loan Portfolio as of end-CY23 and 18% with secured lending of 48% at the end-CY24. During 6MCY25, the market share further moderated to 16%. In the branchless banking domain, the Bank is the leading player in the industry. The Bank is committed to maintaining its dominant position in branchless banking with its flagship product Jazz Cash. During CY24, mark-up income earned by the Bank increased by 73% to stand at PKR 53bln (CY23: PKR 31bln). Whereas, it stood at PKR 31bln at the end of 6MCY25 (6MCY24: PKR 26bln). Income from branchless banking increased to PKR 13bln (CY23: PKR 8bln), indicating an increase of 63%. During 6MCY25, the branchless banking income increased to PKR 8.8bln (6MCY24: PKR 5.8bln). During CY24, the NIMR of the Bank increased to PKR 41bln (CY23: PKR 25bln) and PKR 25.5bln at the end of 6MCY25 (6MCY24: PKR 18.9bln). The Bank reported expected credit losses (ECLs) of PKR 19.9bln in CY24, which contributed to a net loss of PKR 1.8bln for the year CY24 (CY23: net profit of PKR 1.03bln). Whereas, expected credit losses (ECLs) stood at PKR 10.8bln at the end of 6MCY25 (6MCY24: PKR 5.3bln). The net profitability of the Bank stood at PKR 902mln during 6MCY25 (6MCY24: PKR 948mln). The Bank plans to persist in strengthening its branchless banking operations. Micro-deposits continue to add strength to the Bank's performance indicators. The Bank's business model encompasses systems and practices to nurture BB and core banking results simultaneously. In light of the safety precautions taken during the global pandemic, the importance of branchless banking has risen manifold.
Financial Risk
At the end of CY24, the Bank’s net advances clocked in at PKR 75bln (CY23: PKR 71bln), depicting a minor growth of 6%. Whereas, the Bank’s net advances clocked in at PKR 82bln at the end of 6MCY25. The Bank's net non-performing loans increased significantly to PKR 2bln (CY23: PKR 0.7bln). Consequently, the infection ratio inclined to 11% (CY23: 7%). The Bank's non-performing loans increased significantly to PKR 4.5bln at the end of 6MCY25 with infection ratio decreaed to 10%. At end of CY24, the Bank’s total investment significantly increased during the period, clocking in at PKR 61bln (CY23: PKR 33bn). Whereas, the investments of the Bank stood at PKR PKR 82bln at the end of 6MCY25. The investment portfolio of the Bank comprises government securities only. At the end of CY24, the total deposits of the Bank increased by 30% to stand at PKR 155bln (end-CY23: PKR 119bln) and PKR 192bln at the end of 6MCY25. The total borrowings increased to PKR 766mln during CY24 (CY23: PKR 245bln) mainly due to long term borrowings from SBP amounting to PKR 687mln. At the end of 6MCY25, the total borrwoings of the Bank increased to PKR 1.5bln. Liquidity profile reflected a good position with available funds invested in Government Securities that yielded sanguine returns. The Bank's liquid assets-to-deposits ratio denotes a good profile. At the end of CY24, the equity base of the Bank increased to PKR 9bln (CY23: PKR 7bln), attributable to enhanced profitability during the period. At the end of 6MCY25, the equity base of the Bank increased to PKR 10bln. Consequently, the Bank's Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) stood at 19.16%, including a Tier I CAR of 14.51%, as of CY24, compared to a CAR of 16.2% and a Tier I CAR of 11.43% at the end of CY23. The Bank's Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) stood at 17%, including a Tier I CAR of 12.4%, as of 6MCY25. VEON Limited, the majority shareholder of the Bank, had committed an equity injection of USD 35mln (approximately PKR 10bln) during CY24 in order to strengthen the capital base and support the Bank’s strategic initiatives. Out of this commitment, USD 15mln (around PKR 4.2bln) was successfully injected into MMBL during CY24. Furthermore, an additional USD 20mln (approximately PKR 6bln) was earmarked for CY25. Of this, USD 5mln (about PKR 1.4bln) was injected in September 2025. The remaining USD 15mln is expected to be injected by the end of CY25.
This phased equity infusion is aimed at reinforcing the Bank’s capital adequacy, expanding MSME financing, scaling up digital lending initiatives, and fostering long-term growth in its digital ecosystem. The timely execution of these capital commitments reflects VEON’s continued confidence in MMBL’s growth trajectory and its pivotal role in promoting financial inclusion across Pakistan.
Instrument Rating Considerations
About the Instrument
Mobilink Microfinance Bank Limited has issued Rated, Privately Placed Listed/ DSLR, Unsecured, Tier II Term Finance Certificates ("TFC") of
PKR 2bln to contribute towards the Bank’s Tier II capital for complying with the Minimum Capital Requirements (MCR) and Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) requirement
prescribed by the SBP. The TFC has a tenor of 7 years from the date of issue. The profit is being paid semi-annually in arrears at the rate of 6MK+210bps p.a on the basis
of the outstanding principal amount. The issuer may call the TFCs, in parts or in full, after five years from the issue date on the principal redemption date, thereafter,
subject to prior approval from the SBP. Further, the call option is exercisable if MMBL's MCR, LR, and CAR requirements are in compliance with the requirements
prescribed by SBP. As per the lock-in clause requirement for tier II issues, neither profit nor principal would be payable (even at maturity), if such payment will result in a
shortfall in the Bank's MCR, leveraged ratio, or CAR or results in an increase in any existing shortfall in MCR, LR or CAR. The TFC will be subject to a loss absorbency
clause, upon the occurrence of a point of Non-Viability event, SBP may fully or permanently convert the TFCs into common shares of the Bank. The principal of TFC
shall be redeemed in four equal installments commencing from May 23, 2028 (the end of the 66th month from the issue date). The Bank paid the 5th semiannual markup
payment on May 23, 2025 amounting to PKR 156mln. The total markup payments of PKR 1,047mln has been paid till May’25 by the Bank.
Relative Seniority/Subordination of Instrument
The TFC ranks pari passu with other Tier II instruments and superior to any Additional Tier I instruments
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