Third Wave of COVID-19 and Its Impact on NBFC

A Non-Banking Financial Company, or NBFC, is a financial firm that provides financial services but does not hold a full banking licence. It alludes to:

1. a company that is a financial firm.

2. a non-banking entity that is a business that primarily deals in loans and advances, as well as accepting deposits in some form.

3. any other entity that has been registered with the RBI and has received the government’s prior approval.

NBFCs serve rural and semi-urban areas, as well as clientele who are not served by the more organised banking sector. Customers’ requirements for NBFCs are flexible in order to satisfy their financial needs. NBFCs might specialise in a specific industry and gain a data advantage.

NBFC benefits include: 

• Trading in money market instruments is possible.
• Can handle wealth management tasks such as stock and share portfolio management.
• Can underwrite stock and stock options, as well as other commitments.
• NBFCs are lenders of last resort; they step in when banks are unavailable.
• NBFCs are the most powerful engines for bringing financing into the country.
• Agility is critical for NBFCs since it distinguishes them from other financial institutions. In comparison to NBFCs, banks operate at a slower pace.
• NBFCs have solved significant hurdles that have previously stymied conventional lending by employing contemporary approaches.
• NBFCs have made extensive use of technological improvements such as mobile phones and the internet, allowing information to be accessed at any time and from any location.
• It has lowered demand for bank branches and the reliance on them.
• Not only is technology at the forefront of banking and financial services, but it has also fueled the growth of NBFCs in a more digitized India. NBFCs may now offer different options and reach a bigger audience more quickly thanks to digitalization. Indirectly, this leads to larger NBFCs.
• The combination of collaboration and database aids in boosting financial inclusion penetration. NBFCs have formed relationships with the government to use its information and determine consumer worthiness in order to successfully reach huge numbers of customers while minimizing risks. As a result, financing has proven beneficial.

NBFC disadvantages:

• NBFCs are unable to accept demand deposits because they fall within the purview of commercial banks.
• Because an NBFC is not a part of the payment and settlement system, it cannot issue checks drawn on itself. Unlike banks, NBFC depositors do not have access to deposit insurance.
• Only a few NBFCs are able to receive deposits. Only those NBFCs with a valid Certificate of Registration that allows them to accept and hold public deposits are permitted to do so.
• NBFCs are governed by a strict regulatory framework.

In India, one can acquire an NBFC by either (a) obtaining a new RBI registration or (b) taking over an existing one.

It takes time and effort to start something from scratch. Purchasing an existing NBFC rather than registering a new one saves you valuable time that would otherwise be spent on the establishment of a new business. Even though both processes involve similar steps, buying an NBFC takes much less time than establishing a new one. Alternatively, you could rent an NBFC. Not only can the initial difficulties of starting a business be avoided, but there are a few additional benefits to purchasing an NBFC.

Pros of NBFC Takeover

• The acquirer enjoys pre existing RBI Registration of the target company.
• Reduction in the level of competition and thus, increases sales and revenues.
• Expansion in market share when two companies in the same domain unite.

The central bank announced in July 2021 that seven NBFCs, including Macquarie Finance (India) Pvt Ltd, had surrendered their certificate of registration. So, when a large corporation wishes to acquire a small NBFC, it does not have to look far to find a suitable target.

Takeover sounds very negative, but it is essentially the same as acquisition. In my opinion, taking over an NBFC company is easier than registering a new NBFC company because the RBI has simplified the takeover procedure.

The Third wave effect

According to a research by rating agency India Ratings, the third Covid wave hasn’t had a substantial impact on collection efficiency and has increased the delinquency percentages of non-bank financing organisations. According to analysts, delinquencies in the range of 1 to 90 days past due are still at 5% to 15%, and bad loan additions have slowed significantly.

While the current wave is spreading faster, hospitalizations and casualties are at a lower level. In addition, the healthcare infrastructure appears to be poised to handle the increased demand. With regional restrictions in place, the likelihood of a catastrophic nationwide shutdown appears to be low at the present.

Large NBFCs, according to the India rating agency, have strong balance sheet buffers to absorb the impact of potential disruptions. Entities have enough liquidity to cover at least three months of debt repayments, as well as easy access to capital markets and banks for fund mobilization.