Analyst
Muhammad Obaid
muhammad.obaid@pacra.com
+92-42-35869504
www.pacra.com
Applicable Criteria
Related Research
PACRA Maintains Rating of Bank Alfalah Limited | TFC V | Feb-13
Rating Type | Debt Instrument | |
Current (28-Dec-18 ) |
Previous (14-Jun-18 ) |
|
Action | Maintain | Maintain |
Long Term | AA | AA |
Short Term | - | - |
Outlook | Stable | Stable |
Rating Watch | - | - |
The ratings reflect relative positioning of the bank among large banks of the country. The bank has a stronger position in advances - sustained by fresh deployments. BAFL embarked upon a strategy to sustainably rationalize its cost of funding with enduring focus on low cost deposits. Resultantly, BAFL's cost of fund is comparable to some of the large banks. The bank enjoys extended outreach across the country which has augmented its deposit base. Operating cost structure has improved on YoY basis on account of cost rationalization. The asset quality of the bank has sustained over the past three years on account of prudent risk management. Effective implementation of the envisaged business strategy is important. The increasing asset yield and cost efficiency enabled spreads to increase slightly. The bank issued Tier-I instrument to improve its capital, whereas, enhancing Tier-II capital through issue of a new instrument is also an option, which the bank can continue to avail from time to time.
The ratings are dependent on the improved positioning of the bank. Improvement in spreads is essential to profitability. Strengthening of the bank's capitalization backed by strong sponsors support and adding granularity to its advances and deposits book are essential.
About
the Entity
Bank Alfalah Limited (BAFL) has a network of 640 branches, at end-Sep18, including 152 Islamic banking branches - one of the most extensive network by any conventional bank. Abu Dhabi Group (ADG), comprising some of the prominent members of UAE's ruling family and leading businessmen of UAE, continues to own majority stake (~50% at end-Sep18) in the bank.
The nine-member BoD comprises President & CEO and eight NEDs, four of whom are representatives of ADG, one represents IFC, while three are independent. Mr. Nauman Ansari is the president of the bank. He carries extensive experience in the banking industry. A team of experienced professionals assist the CEO.
About
the Instrument
Subordinated loan (TFC V Unsecured) with an issue size of PKR 5 bln was issued in Feb13. Tenor of the instrument is eight years (Feb21) with a profit rate of 6M-KIBOR plus 125bps, payable semi-annually. 0.30% of the principal will be repaid in the first 90 months and remaining principal of 99.70% at maturity in the 96th month.