Smile Microfinance Limited is a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) registered under the Reserve Bank of India. Smile Microfinance is mainly engaged in providing financing services to women from poor segments of Tamil Nadu. The company’s vision is not just to act as a financing company, but to help the needy.
Smile Microfinance Limited provides micro/small loans to poor women of Tamil Nadu for the purpose of small businesses or other revenue-generating activities. The company also provides loans for personal consumption. The company is mainly targeting the segment which is ignored by traditional banks or financial institutions.
The best part of the company is its business model. They have adopted a joint liability group model for providing unsecured loans. This model ensures credit discipline through weekly/monthly/fortnightly meetings, mutual support, and peer pressure. In this model, if an individual fails to make payments on time, then the group might make the payment on the behalf of defaulting member of the group will use peer pressure to ensure the loan payment.
Smile Microfinance was the first urban Micro Finance Institution to be established in Chennai in 2005. For expansion, the company brings funds by debt and equity. They also have a specialized microfinance fund based in the USA for their funding. Developing World markets has infused Rs. 50 Crores in the company through the fund.
As of 31st March 2020, the company is operating in 7 States across India with a network of 137 branches.
CARE Ratings has assigned BBB- rating to Smile Microfinance Limited for its long-term bank facilities of Rs. 250 Crore.
CIN of SMILE Microfinance |
U67190TN1995PLC030604 |
Registration Date of SMILE Microfinance |
21 March 1995 |
Category / Sub-Category of SMILE Microfinance |
Company limited by shares |
SMILE Microfinance Registered office address |
14/25, Chakrapani Street, West Mambalam, Chennai - 600033 |
SMILE Microfinance Registrar and Transfer Agent address |
Cameo Corporate Services Listing Subramanian Building, No. 1, Club House Road, Near Spencers Signal on Anna Salai Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600 002 |
|
Name and Description of main products/services |
% to the total turnover of the Company |
|
Financial Services - Lending |
100% |
Mr. Murali Srinivas P (MD & CEO)
Mrs. IndraniBhagwan Singh (Non-Executive Director)
Mr. J. Bradley Swanson (Non-Executive Director)
Mr. Aleem Remtula (Non-Executive Director)
Mr. Suresh K Krishna (Independent Director)
Mr. Rajan Samuel (Independent Director)
Mr. V S Padmanaban (Non-Executive Director)
|
S. No. |
Shareholders’ Name |
No. of Shares |
% of total Shares of the company |
|
2 |
Promoters Shareholding |
32,19,997 |
18.57% |
|
3 |
Public Shareholding |
1,41,19,642 |
81.43% |
|
|
Total |
1,73,39,639 |
100 |
The last two decades have seen the microfinance industry grow by leaps and bounds around the world and India is no exception. The number of non-banking finance companies providing microcredit products has gone up significantly. Microfinance is now recognized as being the vehicle to achieve India’s financial inclusion goals.
With technology penetrating the industry, the microfinance industries are expanding their services in innovative ways. The microfinance Industry has a huge potential in India. At the pan India level, micro-credit reached not more than 20% of total deserving households through a variety of channels including Banks, small finance banks, and microfinance institutes.
The threat of industry includes a high level of competition. As Small finance banks mainly focusing on this segment, and nowadays commercial banks are also showing active interest in the microcredit industry, the competition has become very intense.
The Outbreak of the COVID 19 pandemic across the globe and in India has contributed to a significant decline and volatility in the global and Indian Financial markets and a slowdown in economic activities. Since the duration and magnitude of COVID 19 is still uncertain, it will affect the plans of this industry for FY 2021.
However, according to ICRA, a rating agency, the microfinance industry is likely to face asset quality pressure in the short term. However, the majority of the microfinance industry will withstand any stress as their collection capacity is improving. Moreover, their balance sheets mention that they are maintaining sufficient liquidity for tackling emergencies.
