Utkarsh Small Finance Bank IPO: 5 Things to Know

Seeing the euphoria in the stock markets these days, it shouldn't take a genius to figure out why companies are now lining up to come out with their initial public offers (IPO).

The mainboard IPO activity was quite dull in the first five months of 2023. However, the activity picked up pace recently. Starting June 2023, around six mainboard companies went live with their IPO.

The IPO buzz will continue, and more so now after NSDL's most awaited IPO has finally started to show some progress.

This month already, one company has planned to come out with its offer this week.

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank will go live with its IPO on 12 July 2023.

Here are the key details about the banking company's IPO.

Issue period: 12 July 2023 to 14 July 2023

Type of issue: Fresh issue of Rs 5,000 million (m)

Price band: Rs 23 to Rs 25 per share

Face value: Rs 10 per equity share

Lot size: 600 shares

Application limit: Maximum one lot for retail investors

The company has reserved not less than 75% shares of the offer for qualified institutional buyers (QIB). It has reserved not less than 15% for non-institutional buyers (HNI). Hence not more than 10% of shares are available for retail individual investors.

Tentative IPO allotment date: 19 July 2023

Tentative listing date: 24 July 2023

#1 About the company

Incorporated in 2016, Utkarsh Small Finance Bank recorded the second fastest assets under management (AUM) growth in the financial year 2019 and 2022 among SFBs with AUM of more than Rs 50 billion (bn).

The bank extends its facilities to individuals and businesses to assist them with their financial requirements.

The services offered by Utkarsh SFB include:

• Accounts and deposits
• Cards

#2 A look at the financials

In line with the growth of the banking industry in India, Utkarsh Small Finance Bank's total income has multiplied many times.

In FY23, the company's sales stood at Rs 280.4 billion (bn), registering a CAGR of 18% in the last three years.

The pandemic took a hit on its profit. As a result of higher provision and lower recovery, profit reduced but the company recovered quickly.

In FY23, its net profit stood at Rs 40.5 bn, up 558% in a year!

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank Financial Snapshot (2021-23)

Particulars	31-Mar-23	31-Mar-22	31-Mar-21
Revenues (Rs in bn)	280.4	203.4	170.6
Revenue Growth (%)	37.9	19.2
Expenditure Before Tax (Rs in bn)	240.0	197.2	159.4
% of Total Income	85.6	97.0	93.4
Net Profit (Rs in bn)	40.5	6.1	11.2
Net Profit Margin (%)	14.4	3.0	6.6
Net Worth (Rs in bn)	200.0	157.2	136.8
Return on Net Worth (%)	20.2	3.9	8.2
Basic Earnings per share (Rs)	4.5	0.7	1.5

Data Source: Company's Red Herring Prospectus (RHP)

#3 Peer comparison

As per the company's red herring prospectus, Equitas Small Finance Bank, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank, CreditAcess Grameen, Spandan Sphoorty Financials, Bandhan Bank, AU Small Finance Bank, Suryoday Small Finance Bank, Fusion Micro Finance are its listed peers.

Peer Comparison

Company	Total Income (2023) (Rs in m)	Net Profit (Rs in m)	EPS (Basic) (Rs)	Return on Net Worth (%)
Utkarsh Small Finance Bank	28,042.9	4,045.0	4.5	20.2
Equitas Small Finance Bank	48,314.6	5,735.9	4.7	11.1
Ujjivan Small Finance Bank	47,541.9	10,999.0	5.9	27.8
Credit Access Grameen	35,507.9	35,507.6	52.0	16.2
Spandana Sphoorty Financials	14,770.3	13,286.6	1.7	0.4
Bandhan Bank	183,732.5	21,946.4	13.6	11.2
AU Small Finance Bank	92,398.7	92,398.7	21.7	13.0
Suryoday Small Finance Bank	12,811.0	777.0	7.3	4.9
Fusion Micro Finance	17,999.7	3,871.5	43.3	16.7

Data Source: Company's Red Herring Prospectus (RHP)

#4 Arguments in favour of the business

• The company has a diversified distribution network with significant cross-selling opportunities. It has an extensive physical network of banking outlets. As of 31 March 2023, it had 830 outlets across 26 states and union territories covering 253 districts in India of which 522 banking outlets were located in rural and semi-urban areas.
• It has track record of stable business growth with cost efficient operational performance. Its gross loan portfolio grew from Rs 84,156.6 m as of 31 March 2021 to Rs 139,571.1 m as of 31 March 2023. It recorded the third fastest gross 166 loan portfolio growth of 31%.
• It has a huge and diversified customer base. The total customers have continuously increased and its customer base grew from 2.9 m customers as of 31 March 2021 to 3.6 m customers as of 31 March 2023.

#5 Risk Factors

• The company is subject to inspections by regulatory authorities, including by the RBI. Non-compliance with RBI inspection/observations or other regulatory requirements or any adverse observations from such regulators may have a material adverse effect on the business and financial condition of the bank.
• A significant portion of its advances in the microbanking segment are towards customers located in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Any adverse changes in the conditions affecting the region will negatively impact the company.
• The banking company's non-convertible debentures were listed on the BSE. In the past, there were certain inadvertent delays by them in making certain disclosures and regulatory filings to BSE under the listing regulations.

To conclude

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank has delivered stellar performance in the past one year and its performance over the last three years is also commendable.

The bank at presents stands in front of a lot of tailwinds. Increased write-offs, higher loan growth supported by slower slippages and improved recoveries are the key factors driving the performance of banking stocks.

Little wonder that even the worst performing Indian banks are doing good at the moment.

However, one can never be sure with banking companies because the sector is to interdepended and interlinked with numerous factors.

In early 2023, banking stocks were under pressure because of the Adani-Hindenburg crisis, SVB collapse, etc. This clearly indicates how banks are vulnerable to a lot of economic factors.

Along with this, Utkarsh Small Finance Bank has history of non-compliance with regulations.

Just like every other investment opportunity, Utkarsh Small Finance Bank has its own set of pros and cons.

Stay tuned to get further updates on this IPO and all upcoming IPOs in the market.

Happy Investing!

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such. Learn more about our recommendation services here...