Brokerage GEM! Bank of Maharashtra's 'Healthiest' Financials Revealed – Outperforms PSU Bank Dip!

A recent report from YES Securities has put a spotlight on Bank of Maharashtra (BoM), identifying it as possessing the "healthiest" financial metrics among a comparison of eight major public sector banks. This assessment comes at a time when the broader Nifty PSU Bank index is experiencing a downturn.

Key Financial Highlights

• Bank of Maharashtra showcased the highest net interest margin (NIM) at 3.9% for Q2FY26, significantly above its peers' range of 2.4-3.3%.
• The lender reported the highest yield on advances at 9.2%, attributed to a lower share of corporate loans in its book.
• Its cost of deposits was the lowest at 4.7%, supported by a strong CASA ratio of 50.4%.
• Loan growth has been robust, with a three-year CAGR of 21.6% (FY22-25) and a Y-o-Y growth of 17% as of Q2FY26.
• Asset quality remains under control, with an annualised slippage ratio of 1.1% and a high provision coverage ratio (PCR) of 98.3%.
• Capital adequacy ratios are strong, with the Total Capital Ratio / CRAR standing highest at 18.1%.

Comparison with Peers

• YES Securities' analysis of eight PSU banks found BoM's financial health to be superior across several key indicators.
• While its loan book size is smaller at ₹2.5 trillion, its performance metrics stand out.
• Its yield on advances (9.2%) and cost of deposits (4.7%) were best-in-class among the compared banks.
• The bank's CASA ratio of 50.4% was also the highest.
• Loan growth CAGR of 21.6% significantly outpaced the 13.0-15.9% seen in peers.

Analyst's Perspective

• YES Securities highlighted Bank of Maharashtra's strong NIM, driven by a healthy loan mix and high CASA ratio.
• The report noted the bank's superior yield on advances and lower cost of deposits as key strengths.
• Despite these positive indicators, YES Securities stated that Bank of Maharashtra is not under their direct coverage for buy/sell recommendations.
• However, the brokerage expressed preference for other PSU banks like Bank of Baroda, State Bank of India, and Indian Bank, assigning them 'Buy' ratings.

Market Reaction

• On the day of the report, shares of Bank of Maharashtra saw a minor dip of around 1% on the NSE.
• This performance was notable as it outpaced the significant decline of approximately 3.2% seen in the Nifty PSU Bank index during intraday trade.
• The broader market, including the Nifty50, also experienced a slight dip, indicating general market weakness.

Importance of the Event

• This report provides valuable insights for investors assessing the relative strengths of public sector banks.
• It highlights Bank of Maharashtra's robust financial health and operational efficiency, even as it garners less direct analyst coverage compared to larger peers.
• The outperformance against a declining sector index suggests potential underlying strength and investor interest despite broader market sentiment.

Impact

• The detailed financial analysis could lead to increased investor scrutiny and potential re-evaluation of Bank of Maharashtra's valuation.
• It may influence investor allocation decisions within the PSU banking sector, drawing attention to banks with superior financial metrics.
• A positive outlook on financial health, even without a direct 'buy' call, can support stock performance in the medium to long term.

Difficult Terms Explained

• Net Interest Margin (NIM): The difference between the interest income generated by a bank and the interest it pays out to its lenders, expressed as a percentage of its interest-earning assets.
• CASA Ratio: The ratio of a bank's low-cost deposits (Current and Savings Accounts) to its total deposits. A higher ratio generally means lower funding costs.
• Yield on Advances: The effective interest rate a bank earns on its loans.
• Public Sector Banks (PSBs): Banks where the majority stake is held by the government.
• CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate): A measure of the average annual growth rate over a specified period longer than one year.
• Loan-to-Deposit Ratio (LDR): A measure of a bank's total loans relative to its total deposits.
• Asset Quality: Refers to the credit quality of a bank's assets, particularly its loan portfolio, indicating the likelihood of repayment.
• Slippage Ratio: The ratio of new non-performing assets (NPAs) to total gross advances.
• Provision Coverage Ratio (PCR): The ratio of a bank's provisions for bad loans to its gross non-performing assets.
• CET-1 Ratio (Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio): A measure of a bank's core capital strength relative to its risk-weighted assets.
• Tier 1 Ratio: A bank's core capital (CET1 plus additional Tier 1 capital) as a percentage of its risk-weighted assets.
• Total Capital Ratio / CRAR (Capital to Risk-weighted Assets Ratio): A bank's total capital (Tier 1 and Tier 2) as a percentage of its risk-weighted assets, indicating its financial stability.