By Tricitynews
Chandigarh 21st Aug:- Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Ltd. (Mahindra
Finance), India’s leading NBFC (Non-Banking Finance Company), focused on the
rural and semi-urban markets, has entered into a joint venture with Ideal
Finance Ltd., a fully owned subsidiary of the leading Sri Lankan conglomerate,
Ideal Group. Mahindra Finance will invest LKR 2 billion until March 2021 for up
to 58.2% stake in Ideal Finance.
The joint venture will capitalize on Mahindra Finance’s 25-year
expertise in the financial services domain and Ideal Finance’s domestic market
knowledge to build a leading financial services business in Sri
Lanka.
Mahindra Finance, India’s leading NBFC focused on rural and
semi-urban markets, has been looking at expanding its market overseas as part
of its global growth strategy. Sri Lanka, with its cultural and geographical
similarity to India and its vibrant financial services market, emerged as the first
choice. With this joint venture Mahindra Finance aims to replicate in Sri
Lanka, its successful, socially inclusive business model. The Company has
created unique products designed around the evolving needs of the customer, and
delivers these through a wide network of branches and the optimum use of
technology. Mahindra Finance has fueled the entrepreneurial aspirations
of over 6.2 million customers in over 370,000 villages in India, and manages an
AUM of over USD 10 Billion.
Ideal Finance Ltd. (IFL), a non-banking financial Institution
registered with Central Bank of Sri Lanka commenced operations in March, 2012
with a clear focus on rural and semi-urban sector. Its lending portfolio
consists of commercial trucks, motor cars, three wheelers, two wheelers, gold
loans and personal loans, reflecting the representation of the market segment
focused on by IFL. A unique feature of IFL is that as a financial institution
it has grown over the past seven years with a quality lending portfolio and an
annual sustainable growth in profitability. IFL has an asset base of LKR 4.4
billion and an equity base of LKR 1.1 billion. It has ten branches, of which
nine are outside the western province located in Jaffna, Anuradhapura,
Kurunegala, Bandarawela, Embilipitiya, Moneragala, Elpitiyia, Matara &
Kandy. Its current staff strength is 142, a majority of which are based in the
branches.
Ramesh Iyer,
Vice-Chairman & Managing Director, Mahindra Finance, said that Mahindra Finance, with its strong financial services
expertise and innovative products has added value to the lives of millions of
customers both in India and in a developed market like the US. We believe that
the Sri Lankan market holds great potential for growth. Ideal Finance with its
knowledge, highly experienced team, and widespread network is the right partner
to help us create a leading financial services company in Sri Lanka. We see a
strong, long term growth opportunity in this market and are committed to
bringing in the required capital and expertise to fuel this growth.
Nalin Welgama,
Chairman, Ideal Finance Ltd., said that at a time where
NBFIs are pressured by low economic growth and flagging vehicle sales, He
welcome the timely entry of Mahindra Finance to Sri Lanka. They bring with them
most invaluable sector exposure, vision and life blood in terms of capital
infusion to Ideal Finance. All NBFIs are required to have LKR 2.5 billion in
core capital by 1st January 2021. No doubt Ideal Finance shall
be elevated to a Tier 1 category with this partnership in a short span of time.
Ideal Group are proud to be associated as the partner of the Mahindra Group in
Sri Lanka in both the auto sector and now the financial services sector.
V. Ravi, Executive
Director & Chief Financial Officer, Mahindra Finance, said that the foundations of the financial services
business are trust and transparency. The Mahindra Group is known for its high
standards of governance. I am certain that together Ideal Finance and Mahindra
Finance will build a leading financial services business, which will be a gold
standard for best governance in the NBFI industry.
Aravinda De Silva,
Deputy Chairman, Ideal Group, said that ideal Finance is a
company which we have nurtured and developed over the past seven years with a
strong asset base, profitability, culture and a management team. Today, with
the partnership with Mahindra Finance we will begin our journey towards
maturity, innovation, market leadership and above all, serving our customers
with good governance and best practices in the industry. We believe this
partnership will be instrumental in bringing a new dimension to the Sri Lankan
NBFI sector which is yearning for consolidation, technology and governance for
the past two decades.
