logo
The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited
Press Release

Date
26-Apr-23

Analyst
Sehar Fatima
sehar.fatima@pacra.com
+92-42-35869504
www.pacra.com

Applicable Criteria

Related Research

Disclaimer
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 Entity Ratings to Union Microfinance Company Limited

Rating Type Entity
Current
(26-Apr-23 )
Action Initial
Long Term BB+
Short Term A3
Outlook Stable
Rating Watch -

Union Microfinance Company (the Company) is a public company limited by shares and was incorporated in Pakistan as a Non-Banking Finance Company on July 27, 2021, under the license issued in terms of rule 5(6) of the Non-Banking Finance Company Rules 2003 and Companies Act, 2017. It has been licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan to provide microfinance services to small businesses, farmers, and women entrepreneurs across the country. As an MFI, Union Microfinance Company faces funding constraints as it cannot mobilize deposits. The company relies on shareholder equity, loans, and internal profits to fund its operations. The Company has been recently incorporated and started operations which is explaining the limited footprint established. Consequently, in the first six months of FY23, the company experienced a loss of PKR 18 million. Union Microfinance Company borrows from commercial banks and the Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company, but its limited income leads to high costs of funds. However, the company has had no non-performing loans so far. The company's governance structure is adequate, with a board of directors comprising experienced professionals with expertise in the financial sector. The company's ratings reflect its limited geographical presence in the Sindh region, which poses potential vulnerabilities in business. Going forward, the Company shall witness prudent growth in upcoming years. Asset quality will remain an important factor in the future. The ratings also incorporate the vulnerability in business due to market share.
The ratings of the company are contingent upon its capacity to uphold positive performance metrics in the face of the economic deceleration, the company aims to enhance its presence by establishing one more branch in the current year, resulting in a cumulative total of four branches. The ratings incorporate the company's expansion plans and assess its ability to adapt to the evolving business landscape. Augmentation of equity base is essentially important.

About the Entity
Union Microfinance Company (the Company) is a public company limited by shares and was incorporated in Pakistan as a Non-Banking Finance Company on July 27, 2021, under the Non-Banking Finance Company Rules 2003 and Companies Act, 2017. The Company was granted a license by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan on September 30, 2021. The overall control of the Company vests in individuals with strong financial backgrounds and extensive knowledge of the microfinance industry. Mr. Zahair Amir Ali Pesnani holds 39.99% shares of the company, and he has over 30 years of working experience in the microfinance industry.

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.