ICRA lowers rating for Janalakshmi debentures

Cites sharp deterioration in asset quality for rating downgrade

Rating agency ICRA has lowered its rating for Janalakshmi Financial Services’ (JFS’) long- term loans and debentures, from ‘A+’ to ‘A’, saying there’s been a sharp deterioration in asset quality.

Hits by the November 2016 demonetisation, the microfinance company saw loan overdues (90-plus days) jump from 1.1 per cent in January to 26.1 per cent in May.  

ICRA said its outlook had been revised from negative to stable for debentures and long-term facilities. This factors in the continued deterioration in asset quality after a post-demonetisation weakness in collection efficiency, which is likely to put pressure on the company’s capitalisation and profitability