PACRA Assigns Preliminary Rating to Additional Tier 1 TFC | Bank AL Habib

BAHL is planning to issue rated, unsecured, subordinated and perpetual Additional Tier 1 Term Finance Certificates. The issue amount is PKR 7bln inclusive of a Green Shoe option of PKR 3bln to contribute towards AL Habib's Additional Tier I Capital. There is no fixed tenor as the instrument is of perpetual nature. The profit rate is 6M-KIBOR plus 165bps and would be paid semiannually in arrears on the outstanding principal. BAHL may call the TFCs (either partially or in full), with prior approval of SBP, on any profit payment date on or after five years from the date of issue.
Bank AL Habib has been portraying a history of stable and consistent growth for more than a quarter of a century. The Bank's superior standing was witnessed in the global financial crisis almost a decade ago. The trend continued to this day and is reflected in the sound asset quality of the Bank. The rating reflects the Bank's improved performance, exceptional asset quality, satisfactory financial profile and healthy liquidity. The Bank’s customer deposits increased to PKR 1,256bln as at end-Sep21 (end-Dec20: PKR 1,083bln, end-Dec19: PKR 890bln). Exceptional asset quality - lowest infection ratio in industry, maintained for last many years is reflective of Bank's strength. During CY21, the Bank’s net profit increased to PKR 18.7bln (Dec-20 PKR 17.8bln) driven by increase in non-markup income. Trade finance is the Bank's hallmark. The rating draws comfort from the Bank's experienced management team, prudent risk management policies and deep-rooted relationship with clients-borrowers as well as depositors. As at end-Sep21, the Bank reported CAR of 13.9% (end-Dec20: 15.1%).
The rating is dependent on the Bank's sustained risk profile. In the wake of heightened competition, profitable growth is a challenge while retaining the relative positioning in the industry. The equity base of the Bank and CAR are satisfactory and may continually be enhanced. The Bank is enhancing its footprints in the broad financial spectrum, which is essential to meet customers' needs. Digital transformation is very important. BAHL is also into the acquirer business.

About the Entity
BAHL, incorporated in Oct 1991, operates with a network of 956 branches/sub-branches, including 138 Islamic banking branches at end-Dec21. The sponsors of BAHL are members of the Habib family – one of the oldest most distinguished names in Pakistan’s banking sector. BAHL’s ten-member BoD includes representatives of Habib family and independent members. Mr. Mansoor Ali Khan, the Bank’s CEO, has been associated with the Bank for more than 25 years. He is backed by a team of experienced professionals, most of whom have long association with the Bank.

About the Instrument
The instrument is unsecured and subordinated as to payment of principal, The instrument will rank junior to all other claims except common shares, but pari passu to other Additional Tier 1 instruments. The Instrument is subject to Lock-in Clause which states that neither profit nor principal may be paid if such payments will result in shortfall in the Bank’s Minimum Capital Requirement (“MCR”) or Capital Adequacy Ratio (“CAR”) or Leverage Ratio (“LR”) or increase any existing shortfall in MCR, CAR and LR.