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The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited
Press Release

Date
05-May-20

Analyst
Jibran Cheema
jibran.cheema@pacra.com
+92-42-35869504
www.pacra.com

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This press release is being transmitted for the sole purpose of dissemination through print/electronic media. The press release may be used in full or in part without changing the meaning or context thereof with due credit to PACRA

PACRA Assigns Initial Entity Ratings to SAFCO Support Foundation

Rating Type Entity
Current
(05-May-20 )
Action Initial
Long Term BBB
Short Term A3
Outlook Stable
Rating Watch Yes

SAFCO Support Foundation ('SAFCO' or the 'Foundation') is a Microfinance Institution (MFI) governed by the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan under Section 42 of the Companies Act, 2017. The Foundation is licensed to operate under NBFC (Establishment and Regulations) Rules, 2003, Non-Banking Finance Companies and Notified Entities Regulations 2008. It has been in operations since 2009. The key element is that MFIs are not permitted to mobilize deposits, while they are also not backed by any stakeholder equity due to their status of "Companies Limited by Guarantee". These two elements, in combination, provide funding constraints, while they also delimit the boundaries of risk. SAFCO is a not-for-profit organization, hence, the source of funding comprises a) internal generation of profits, b) loans and c) grants. The Foundation's sanguine profitability culminates into integral capital generation at a decent rate. Second major source of funding is borrowings, for which the Foundation majorly relies on local avenues primarily including PMIC, with some portion of foreign lending too. Governance structure takes strength from the body of members and board of directors. The ratings also incorporate the vulnerability in business due to low market share and limited geographical presence. Additionally, the growing impact of economic slowdown lately exacerbated by the global pandemic spread may deteriorate the overall risk profile of the Microfinance Sector, particularly with reference to the quality of assets and risk absorption capacity. Currently, the Institution's financial risk profile displays a comfortable outlook with a decent credit quality and fine profitability margins.
The ratings are dependent on the Foundation's aptness to sustain positive performance indicators amidst growth in business volumes. The ratings would also monitor the impact of technological progression on the operational and risk efficacy of the Foundation. Meanwhile, “Watch” reflects the need to oversee the risk profile of the Foundation against unavoidable challenges, particularly emanating from economic meltdown and repercussions due to Covid-19.

About the Entity
SAFCO Support Foundation was incorporated with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) in 2009 as a Public Company Limited by Guarantee under Section 42 of the Companies Ordinance, 1984 (now Companies Act, 2017). It is also licensed by the SECP under Non-Banking Finance Companies Rules, 2003. The overall control of the Foundation vests with a seven member Board of Directors. Mr. Rana Abdul Salam is the Chairman of the Board, while Mr. Muhammad Suleman is the CEO of the Foundation.

The primary function of PACRA is to evaluate the capacity and willingness of an entity to honor its obligations. Our ratings reflect an independent, professional and impartial assessment of the risks associated with a particular instrument or an entity. PACRA's comprehensive offerings include instrument and entity credit ratings, insurer financial strength ratings, fund ratings, asset manager ratings and real estate gradings. PACRA opinion is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a security, in as much as it does not comment on the security's market price or suitability for a particular investor.