PACRA Maintains Stability Rating of NBP Savings Fund

The assigned rating reflects the moderate strength of the fund's credit and interest rate risk profile. The objective of the Fund is to preserve capital to the extent possible by investing in liquid assets. The placement of funds in Cash and near cash instruments which include cash in bank account (excluding TDRs), government securities not exceeding 90 days maturity, will be in higher of the 'A' spectrum. This strengthens the fund's interest rate and liquidity risk profile and also provides comfort in case of redemption pressure. The performance benchmark of the Fund for the period of return shall be the 6-Month KIBOR. The Fund policy dictates higher allocation to liquid avenues. This enhances the liquidity profile of the fund. At end Dec'20, the fund had~64% of funds with banks Deposits mostly rated 'AA-' and above. The fund also had an exposure of ~10% in MTS and~9% in Commercial Papers. The unit holding pattern of the fund is highly concentrated with top ten investors represent ~77% of the funds assets which increases the redemption pressure.
Going forward, in accordance with the investment policy the Fund intends to maintain its current asset allocation. Material changes in the fund's asset allocation strategy, impacting its credit quality and/or exposure to interest rate risk, would affect the rating.

About the Entity
NBP Fund Management Limited (or the "Company"), established in 2005, is licensed by Securities and Exchange Commission (SECP) to carry out asset management and investment advisory business. National Bank of Pakistan is the largest shareholder of the company with a stake of ~54%. In 2019, Baltoro Growth Fund has acquired the entire 36% stake of Alexandra Fund Management Private Limited in the Company. Baltoro Capital is a Pakistan focused private equity firm. Baltoro Capital has made investments in the pharmaceutical, renewable energy and financial services sectors in Pakistan. It is actively deploying its funds in businesses positioned to achieve extraordinary growth. The CEO of NBP Fund Management Limited, Dr. Amjad Waheed, CFA and family also holds a 10% stake in the company.

The Company’s nine-member Board of Directors includes three independent directors and the CEO. With overall assets under management of PKR 163,473mln at end-Dec'20, the Company is currently managing a diversified fund slate of twenty eight open-end mutual funds, two voluntary pension schemes and an Exchange Traded Fund.