Structurally Strong MSMEs set to Help Indian

Structurally Strong MSMEs set to Help Indian Economy Recover Under Emergency Credit Loan Guarantee Scheme

·         Research shows vast majority (over 80%) of MSMEs set to benefit from ECLGS considered structurally strong

 ·         When combined with portfolio management solutions, ECLGS gives lending institutions the ability to better manage portfolio risk and NPA losses

Chennai, 29 June, 2020: In its commitment to support India’s credit industry in refueling growth and managing asset quality, leading information and insights company TransUnion CIBIL has released an analysis on the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) under the Atmanirbhar Bharat relief package.

The INR 3 lakh crores of expected credit infusion to the MSME segment is set to be completed by end of October 2020. The size of this package is significant when compared with 2.8 lakh crores of MSME credit disbursal in the full calendar year of 2019. The Guaranteed Emergency Credit Line (GECL) facility is applicable to all MSME borrowers with industry-wide aggregate credit exposure up to INR 25 crores and industry-wide delinquency less than or equal to 60 days as of 29th Feb. 2020.

Eligible MSMEs can borrow up to 20% of their aggregate credit exposure. The loans have four-year tenor with the first 12 months of principal covered under moratorium to further assist MSMEs benefitting from the scheme. Additionally, the loans provided under the GECL have a 100% credit guarantee and this makes it a huge opportunity for lenders to plan their lending policies strategically.

Assessing MSME credit risk to lend under the ECLGS

As part of its analysis, TransUnion CIBIL looked at the CIBIL MSME Rank (CIBIL Rank) as of 29^th Feb. 2020 for the MSMEs eligible under the ECLGS scheme. The CIBIL Rank distribution of eligible MSMEs in the ECLGS reveals that 81% belong to what is considered the structurally strong section of CIBIL Rank - CMR-6 or less. CIBIL Rank is a credit risk solution that uses machine learning algorithms to predict the probability of an MSME becoming a non-performing asset (NPA) in the next 12 months. CIBIL Rank assigns a rank on a scale of one to 10 to the MSME based on historical repayment behavior on its credit lines. CMR-1 is assigned to the least risky MSME and CMR-10 to the most risky MSME. The higher the CMR, the greater the risk of NPA associated with the MSME.

Speaking on the analysis findings, Mr. Rajesh Kumar, Managing Director and CEO of TransUnion CIBIL, said: “The ECLGS package is well structured scheme which not only provides the much needed access to funds for deserving MSMEs but also ensures long term stability of the portfolio quality of lending institutions. Credit institutions have a large and important role to play during these unprecedented times to help boost economic opportunities for deserving MSMEs and refuel the economy. ECLGS has set the stage for an accelerated credit infusion into the MSME sector. However, credit institutions have to adapt to the increasing requirements of monitoring MSME credit.”

Elaborating on the ECLGS analysis he added, “In addition to 100% credit guarantee, the fact that over 80% eligible MSMEs have a ranking of CMR-6 or better makes ECLGS guidelines inherently cater for risk containment. However, in the rapidly changing market conditions, the dynamics of MSME businesses are evolving every day and therefore it’s important to not only rely on original structural strength of MSME but to also regularly monitor borrower’s behavior.”

Distribution of ECLGS eligible MSMEs by CMR

Notes: Commercial loans classified on the basis of credit exposure aggregated at entity level, Micro: <1Cr; Small: ≥1Cr  & <10Cr; Medium1: ≥ 10Cr &  <25Cr; Super-Prime: CMR-1 to 3; Prime: CMR-4 to 6; Sub-Prime: CMR-7 to 10 MSMEs with aggregate credit exposure up to 25 crores and less than or equal to 60 days past due (DPD) are considered eligible under ECLGS scheme Finding and funding the good MSMEs under the Atmanirbhar Bharat relief package Finding and funding deserving businesses is critical to the recovery of the Indian economy and the ongoing financial health of the MSME sector. The study conducted in the recent MSME Pulse study makes the case that structurally strong MSMEs are better positioned to survive the current pandemic situation and emerge stable. These MSMEs are most deserving to receive financial assistance from credit institutions.

 

ECLGS has created an opportunity here for banks and financial institutions to identify and fund these entities and build a healthy portfolio. Such targeted interventions can help refuel the economy through these unprecedented times while ensuring that portfolio risk is under control. In order to proactively implement ECLGS for their MSME borrowers, the credit industry is partnering with TransUnion CIBIL to help implement the ECGLS guidelines and ensure astute lending and monitoring of portfolios under this scheme.

Speaking about the value of credit information insights in driving loans to MSMEs and business enterprises under this scheme, the MD & CEO of Union Bank, Mr. Rajkiran Rai, said: “Insights from TransUnion CIBIL have been supporting us in closely monitoring borrowers seeking and availing loans from multiple lenders and identify loan stacking behavior.”