Hardening rates will lead to higher SME LAP delinquencies: Moody’s

17 Jul 2018 Evaluate

Rating agency Moody’s Investor Service in its latest report has warned that interest costs on loan against property (LAP) are set to rise on account of the hardening rates and will adversely affect small business, which are already reeling under note-ban and goods and services tax (GST) impact. It further said that the hike in interest rates by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and hardening of yields since late-2017 have led to an increase in the cost of borrowing for non-banking lenders, which will prompt them to hike the rates at which LAP are extended to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

It can be noted that the LAP is one of the most sought-after routes by SME promoters for short term finance as they can raise money through pledging of property which serves as a collateral for lenders. The agency stated that it expects delinquencies on LAP portfolios, but added this will not pinch hard as the loans have low loan to value ratios and are 'secured' with properties as collaterals. The legislative amendments in 2016, which lets the non-banking finance companies recover money under the Sarfaesi Act will also help restrict losses.

Improvements in the property registration systems also lower the administrative and legal hurdles lenders face in limiting their losses during default. Apart from that, the asset backed securities (ABS) include structural features non-amortising cash reserves, substantial excess spread and the possibility to extend the life of the loans and consequently, the principal repayment schedule that can mitigate the risks posed by higher interest rates. 

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