IFMR Capital arranges first multi-originator securitisation deal in microfinance

Microfinance Focus, Jan. 18, 2010: IFMR Capital has concluded a multi-originator securitisation of micro-loans originated by four indian microfinance institutions — Asirvad Microfinance Pvt Ltd, Sahayata Microfinance Pvt Ltd, Satin Creditcare Network Ltd, and Sonata Finance Pvt Ltd. The transaction worth Rs. 308 million (US$6.5 million) is backed by around 42,000 micro-loans originated by the four MFIs roped in for the purpose.

IFMR Capital has arranged and invested in the subordinated strip of the transaction. “Using the multi-originator securitisation structure, we have been able to help a number of MFIs access mainstream capital markets. Given the sizes of the institutions and the limited availability of capital to generate unencumbered portfolios, accessing capital markets on their own is an unviable option for most small and medium MFIs,” said Sucharita Mukherjee, CEO of IFMR Capital. “By pooling together the loan portfolios of these high-quality MFIs, we have demonstrated that these MFIs can access funding at a much lower cost than their average cost of funds. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first multi-originator securitisation of micro-loans in the world.”

IFMR Capital Mosec I, the multi-originator Special Purpose Vehicle, has issued two tranches of securities: a 77 per cent senior-rated tranche with an expected maturity of 6 months, and a 23 per cent subordinated strip with an expected maturity of 11 months. CRISIL has assigned the highest short term rating of P1+ (so) to the senior tranche, to which Dhanalakshmi Bank subscribed. The closing of this transaction has resulted in the emergence of a new pricing benchmark in the less-than-6-month-maturity asset class.

On their investment in the senior tranche, Amitabh Chaturvedi, MD and CEO of Dhanalakshmi Bank, said, “Our initiative towards microfinance serves both social and organizational commitment. This transaction shows how a business investment can be innovatively driven with sustainable objectives.”

As per the waterfall mechanism in the structure, the senior tranche will be fully paid out before the subordinated strip begins to receive cash flows. The IFMR Capital Mosec I securitisation has an average credit enhancement of 13 per cent in the form of cash collateral provided by the four MFIs. The senior tranche has additional credit enhancement provided by the junior strip, to which IFMR Capital subscribed. The originators will continue to service the underlying loans. The structure has been designed to align the interests of the originator and structurer with the interests of investors.

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