Economics

Credit Assessment and Risk Grading of Exim Bank Ltd

Credit Assessment and Risk Grading of Exim Bank Ltd

Definition of CRG

 The Credit Risk Grading (CRG) is a collective definition based on the pre-specified scale and reflects the underlying credit-risk for a given exposure.

  • A Credit Risk Grading deploys a number/ alphabet/ symbol as a primary summary indicator of risks associated with a credit exposure.
  • Credit Risk Grading is the basic module for developing a Credit Risk Management system.

Use of CRG The Credit Risk Grading matrix allows application of uniform standards to credits to ensure a common standardized approach to assess the quality of individual obligor, credit portfolio of a unit, line of business, the branch or the Bank as a whole.  

  • As evident, the CRG outputs would be relevant for individual credit selection, wherein either a borrower or a particular exposure/facility is rated. The other

decisions would be related to pricing (credit-spread) and specific features of the credit facility. These would largely constitute obligor level analysis.

  • Risk grading would also be relevant for surveillance and monitoring, internal MIS and assessing the aggregate risk profile of a Bank. It is also relevant for portfolio level analysis.

How to Compute CRG

The following step-wise activities outline the detail process for arriving at credit risk grading.

Credit risk for counterparty arises from an aggregation of the following:

  • Financial Risk
  • Business/Industry Risk
  • Management Risk
  • Security Risk
  • Relationship Risk

Each of the above mentioned key risk areas require be evaluating and aggregating to arrive at an overall risk grading measure.

Evaluation of Financial Risk:

Risk that counterparties will fail to meet obligation due to financial distress. This typically entails analysis of financials i.e. analysis of leverage, liquidity, profitability & interest coverage ratios. To conclude, this capitalizes on the risk of high leverage, poor liquidity, low profitability & insufficient cash flow.

a)        Evaluation of Business/Industry Risk:

Risk that adverse industry situation or unfavorable business condition will impact borrowers’ capacity to meet obligation. The evaluation of this category of risk looks at parameters such as business outlook, size of business, industry growth, market competition & barriers to entry/exit. To conclude, this capitalizes on the risk of failure due to low market share & poor industry growth.

b)        Evaluation of Management Risk:

Risk that counterparties may default as a result of poor managerial ability including experience of the management, its succession plan and team work.

c)         Evaluation of Security Risk:

 Risk that the bank might be exposed due to poor quality or strength of the security in case of default. This may entail strength of security & collateral, location of collateral and support.   

d)        Evaluation of Relationship Risk:

These risk areas cover evaluation of limits utilization, account performance, conditions/covenants compliance by the borrower and deposit relationship.

According to the importance of risk profile, the following weight ages are proposed for corresponding principal risks.

Principal Risk Components:                      Weight:

  • Financial Risk                                         50%
  • Business/Industry Risk                           18%
  • Management Risk                                   12%
  • Security Risk                                           10%
  • Relationship Risk                                    10%
Principal Risk Components Key Parameters
Financial RiskLeverage, Liquidity, Profitability & Coverage ratio
Business/Industry RiskSize of Business, Age of Business, Business Outlook, Industry Growth, Competition & Barriers to Business
Management RiskExperience, Succession & Team Work.
Security RiskSecurity Coverage, Collateral Coverage and Support.
Relationship RiskAccount Conduct, Utilization of Limit, Compliance of covenants/conditions & Personal Deposit.
LOANS & ADVANCES CRITERIA OF EXPORT IMPORT BANK OF BANGLADESH LTD.
       Criteria                                WeightParameterScore
A. Financial Risk                           50%
1. Leverage:                                 (15%)Less than 0.25×15
Debt Equity Ratio (×) – Times0.26× to 0.35 x14
Total Liabilities to Tangible Net worth0.36× to 0.50 x13
0.51× to 0.75 x12
All calculations should be based on0.76× to 1.25 x11
annual financial statements of the1.26× to 2.00 x10
borrower (audited preferred)2.01× to 2.50 x8
2.51× to 2.75 x7
More than  2.75×0
2. Liquidity:                               (15%)Greater  than 2.74×15
Current Ratio (×) –Times2.50× to 2.74 x14
Current Assets to Current Liabilities2.00× to 2.49 x13
1.50× to 1.99 x12
1.10× to 1.49 x11
0.90× to 1.09 x10
0.80× to 0.89 x8
0.70× to 0.79 x7
Less than  0.70×0
3. Profitability:                           (15%)Greater  than 25%15
Operating Profit Margin (%)20% to 24%14
(Operating Profit/Sales) X 10015% to 19%13
10% to 14%12
7% to 9%10
4% to 6%   9
1% to 3%  7
Less than 1%  0
4.  Coverage:                                  (5%)
Interest Coverage Ratio (×) – Times
Earning before interest & tax (EBIT)More than 2.00×   5
Interest on debtMore than 1.51× Less than 2.00×  4
More than 1.25× Less than 1.50×  3
More than 1.00× Less than 1.24×  2
 Less than 1.00×  0
Total Score- Financial Risk   50
   
   
B. Business/ Industry Risk             18%
1. Size of Business (in BDT crore)> 60.00  5
30.00 – 59.99  4
The size of the borrower’s business10.00 – 29.99  3
measured by the most recent year’s5.00 – 9.99  2
total sales. Preferably audited numbers.2.50 – 4.99 1
< 2.50 0
2. Age of Business> 10 Years 3
> 5 – 10 Years 2
The number of years the borrower2 – 5 Years 1
engaged in the primary line of business< 2 Years 0
3. Business OutlookFavorable 3 
Critical assesment of medium termStable 2
prospects of industry, market shareSlightly Uncertain 1
and economic factors.Cause for Concern 0
4. Industry GrowthStrong (10%+) 3
Good (>5% – 10%) 2
Moderate (1%-5%) 1
No Growth (<1%) 0
5. Market Competition Dominant Player 2
Moderately Competitive 1
Highly Competitive 0
6. Entry/Exit BarriersDifficult 2
Average 1
Easy 0
Total Score- Business/Industry Risk  18
   
C. Management Risk                   12%
1. Experience More than 10 years in the related line of business  5
Quality of management based on total5–10 years in the related line of business 3
 No of years of experience of the senior1–5 years in the related line of business 2
Management in the Industry.No experience 0
2. Second Line/ Succession Ready Succession 4
Succession within 1-2 years 3
Succession within 2-3 years 2

After the risk identification & weight age assignment process (as mentioned above), the next steps will be to input actual parameter in the score sheet to arrive at the scores corresponding to the actual parameters.

The following is the proposed Credit Risk Grade matrix based on the total score obtained by an obligor.

Number Risk GradingShort Name Score
1SuperiorSUP
  • 100% cash covered
  • Government guarantee
  • International Bank guarantees
2GoodGD85+
3AcceptableACCPT75-84
4Marginal/WatchlistMG/WL65-74
5Special MentionSM55-64
6Sub-standardSS45-54
7DoubtfulDF35-44
8Bad & LossBL<35

Investment Assessment & Risk Management

Investment Assessment

A thorough loan and risk assessment is conducted prior to the granting of loans and at least annually thereafter for all facilities. The results of this assessment are presented in a loan proposal to Head of Loan Division for approval. The guiding principles for a bank official while collecting and recording information are to remain uninfluenced by extraneous considerations and secondly he maintains contact with all those who can be of assistance.

The following steps for completion of Loan Risk assessment for each facility are followed by the bank in conjunction with the guidelines/instructions given in Head Office circulars issued from time to time.

Risk Management

The following risk areas are addressed for risk management:

Borrower Analysis: The majority shareholders, management team and group of affiliate companies are assessed. Any issues regarding lack of management depth, complicated ownership structure or inter group transactions are addressed, and risk mitigated. The bank collects credit information from CIB regarding the borrower’s past credit status and exchanges of credit information from other banks or bank opinions. CIB report reflects/includes the name of all the lenders with facility, limit and outstanding.

Industry Analysis: The key risk factors of the borrower’s industry are assessed. Any issues regarding the borrower’s position in the industry, overall industry concerns or competitive forces are addressed and strengths and weaknesses of the borrower relative to its competitors are identified.

Supplier/Buyer Analysis: Any customer or supplier concentration is assessed. Any issues regarding the borrower’s position in the industry, overall industry concern or competitive forces are addressed and the strengths and weaknesses of the borrower relative to its competition are identified.

Historical Financial Analysis: An analysis of a minimum of 3 years historical financial statements of the borrower are presented. Where reliance is placed on a corporate guarantor, guarantor’s financial statements are analyzed. The analysis addresses the quality and sustainability of earnings, cash flow and the strength of the Borrower’s balance sheet. Specifically, cash flow, leverage and profitability are analyzed.

Project Financial Performance: Where term facilities (tenor greater than 1 year) are being proposed, a projection of the borrower’s future financial performance are provided, indicating an analysis of the sufficiency of cash flow to service debt repayments. Loans are not granted if projected cash flow is insufficient to repay debts.

Accounts Conduct: For existing borrowers, the historic performance in meeting repayment obligations (Trade payment, cheques, profit and principal payments, etc.) is assessed.

Mitigating Factors: Mitigating factors for risk identified in the loan assessment are identified. Possible risks include margin sustainability and/or volatility, high debt loan (leverage/gearing), overstocking or debtor issues; rapid growth, acquisition or expansion; new business line/product expansion, management changes or succession issues; customer or supplier concentration; and lack of transparency of industry issues.

Loan structure: The amounts and tenors of financing of loan are justified based on the projected repayment ability and loan purpose. Excessive tenor or amount relative to business needs increase the risk of fund diversion and any adversely impact the borrower’s repayment ability.

Security: A current valuation of collateral is obtained and the quality and priority of security being proposed are assessed. Adequacy and the extent of the insurance coverage are also assessed.

 Name lending: Loan proposal and the granting of loans are based on sound fundamental, supported by a thorough financial and risk analysis and not by an over reliance on the sponsoring principal’s reputation

 Project Appraisal

“Project appraisal” means pre-loan analysis of a loan-project with a view to determine its commercial and socioeconomic feasibility.  It is an essential tool for judicious loan decision and project selection

When the bank receives project based financing proposal from, for example, a garments manufacturer, it appraises the project from a number of point of view. The bank officials critically appraise the proposals to assess viability of the project in consideration of:

  • Management appraisal.
  • Market appraisal
  • Technical appraisal
  • Financial appraisal
  • Economic appraisal.

  Management appraisal

A good project may fail if the management is incompetent. It is necessary to evaluate the following managerial aspects:

   Overall background of the promoters.

   Academic qualifications.

   Business and industrial experience.

   Past performance & market reputation.

   Market reputation

   Credit worthiness and

    Net worth

  Market appraisal

The bank makes sure that the product, which the borrower has been manufacturing/dealing with has a good demand in the market. Market appraisal is done on the basis of following factors.

  Consumption trends in the past and the present consumption level

  Past and present supply position

  Production possibilities and constraints

  Imports and exports

  Structure of competition

  Technical appraisal

The importance of technical appraisal in project evaluation is beyond any question.  Technical appraisal broadly involves a critical study of the following:

  Location’ and Site

  Raw material supplies

  Infrastructure

  Utilities

  The size of the plant or scale of operation

  Production capacity and working capital requirement of the unit and actual exports made by the company during the last 3 years.

  The factory premises of the Garments unit applying for credit facilities.

  Financial appraisal

Financial appraisal seeks to ascertain whether the proposed project will be financially viable in the sense of being able to meet the burden of servicing debt and whether the proposed project will satisfy the return expectations of those who provide capital.  The aspects looked into while conducting financial appraisal are:

  Loan outlay and cost of the project

  Means of financing

  Cost of capital

  Projected profitability

  Break-even point

  Cash flows of the project

  Level of risk

  Different techniques to assess the financial viability of a project

  Economic appraisal

Economic appraisal, also referred to as social cost benefit analysis, is concerned with judging a project from the larger social point of view.

Security Valuation

Security is a cover against loans and advances.  It ensures recovery of loans and advances.  Securities play an extremely important role in a loan granting decision.

Valuation of Primary Security

Primary security means the security offered by the borrower himself as cover for the loan.  It refers to the asset, which has been bought with the help of the bank.  Such as when machinery or some goods have been bought with the help of the bank the machinery and goods constitute the primary security.

Primary Security may be either personal security or impersonal security or both. Personal security is given by a borrower by way of duty-executed promissory note, acceptance/endorsement on a bill of exchange and personal covenants in mortgage deeds or loan agreements. Impersonal security is given when a charge is created by way of pledge/hypothecation/mortgage over the borrower’s tangible assets, such as goods and commodity, fixed assets, bills receivables, book debts.

  • Murabaha Post Import (MPI) MPI facility is allowed, as post-import finance against imported goods under the Bank’s L/Cs. MPI facility does not exceed invoice value net of L/C margin unless the Bank agrees to finance duties/VAT. However, where market price of the goods is lower than landed cost banks makes necessary arrangement with the customer to obtain additional deposit. Head Office approves the price at which MPI goods to be released to customer or it may be at market price or landed cost whichever is higher.
  • Murabaha Valuation of the goods to be pledged to the Bank against Murabaha limit in no case exceeds:
  1. The landed cost or market prices whichever is lower in case of imported goods.

II. The ex-mill/factory price of market price whichever is lower is case of domestically manufactured commodities as evidenced by invoice.

III. The wholesale price/competitive market price duly verified by the Branch and approved by Head Office.

Valuation of Collateral Security

            All other additional security other than the primary securities such as land or building etc. are considered as collateral securities which may be offered or deposited by the borrower or, by any other third party.

The Bank follows the following steps for valuation of collateral security:

  • The property is physically inspected and verified jointly by 2 (two) bank’s Officers. A valuation certificate mentioning market value and forced sale value is prepared in a designated form supplied to the officials and is jointly signed by the inspecting officers of the Bank. The forced sale value of the collateral security is to be 1.5 times higher than the facility/facilities allowed.
  •  “A Site Plan” and “Map” along with 3R size district photographs of the mortgaged property covering full exposure from 3 angles mentioning detailed particulars on the back of the photographs.
  • The collateral security must be in the physical possession of the mortgagor and the mortgagor/owner has valid title over it.
  • A letter of satisfaction from the Bank’s Lawyer is obtained that the mortgage formality has been properly created.

   DOCUMENTATION

         The bank does not disburse any loan facility until the required documentation is properly completed. After completion of credit investigation, the bank official begins to prepare loan proposal. The loan proposal defines clearly amount and type of loans, the purpose of the facility, summary of the results of risk assessment, the sources of repayment, tenor, covenants, the agreed repayment schedule, interest and value of security.

         The credit officer identifies any particular documents required for each facility. The officer is responsible for the completion of the documentation. The officer enlists outside legal assistance where necessary e.g. when drawing up special consortium / term loan agreements etc.

         Where security is to be accepted as collateral for the facility all documentation relating to the security are to be in the approved form. All approval procedures and required documentation are completed and all securities are in place, prior to the disbursement of the facilities. There may be requirement of specific banking or legal documents to secure a investment according to sanction terms and conditions. All required documents are required before any loan is disbursed.

APPROVAL AUTHORITY

            After the loan proposal is completely prepared by the branch officers, it is sent to the head office for approval to the approval authority. To ensure proper and orderly conduct of the business of the Bank, the Board of Director empowers the Managing Director and other Executives of the Bank to lend up to certain amount under certain terms and conditions at their discretion. The lending authority is broadly categorized as follows:

(1) Board/Executive Committee.

(2) Managing Directors

(3) Head of Loan Division

Authority and responsibilities of each of the above are as follows:

a) Board of Directors

  • Establishes overall policies and procedures for approving & reviewing loans.
    • Delegate’s authority to approve and review Loans.
    • Approves loan for which authority is not delegated.
    • Approves all extension of loan that is contrary to Bank’s written loan policies.

b) Executive Committee of the Board

  • Approves loan facilities as delegated by the Board of Directors.
  • Supervises the implementation of the directives of the Board of Directors.
  • Reviews of each extension of loan approval by the Head Office Loan Committee/Managing Director.

c) Managing Director and Head of Loan Division, Head Office

The Managing Director and Head Office Investment Committee constitute a committee and it is responsible for:

  • Reviewing, analyzing and recommending for extension of investment in accordance with authority established and delegated by the Board of Directors.
  • Ensuring that all elements of the investment proposal i.e. forms, analysis, statement and other papers have been obtained and in order.
  • Confirming that the transaction is consistent with existing loan policy and Bangladesh Bank guidelines.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE& RESPONSIBILITIES FOR INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT   

        To organize and manage the lending activities smoothly, the bank divided the credit department into different functions. This was also been done to improve the knowledge levels and expertise in Investment (Loan) Department, to impose controls over the disbursement of authorized loan facilities and to obtain an objective and independent judgment of loan proposals.

The overall operation of credit of the bank is organized under following functions as shown the figure below.

 Investment Risk Management (CRM) Department:

  • Oversight of the bank’s investment policies, procedures and controls.
  • Oversight of the bank’s asset quality.
    • Direct management all substandard, doubtful & bad loss accounts and ensuring appropriate and timely investment loss provisions.
    • Approval or rejection loan applications recommended by Relationship Manager.
    • Advice/assistance regarding all loan matters to Relationship Manager.
      • Ensures that all security documentation comply with the terms of approval and is enforceable.
      • Monitors insurance coverage to ensure appropriate coverage is in place over assets pledged as collateral.
      • Controls investment disbursements.
      • Maintains control over all security documentation.
        • Monitors borrower’s compliance with covenant and agreed terms and conditions.

 Relationship Management/Marketing (RM) Department:

  • Acts as the primary bank contact with borrowers.
  • Conducts investigation of the borrower fully.
    • Complies with the applicable instruction, manuals, circulars and other rules of the Bank as well as those of Bangladesh Bank.
    • Ensures that investment proposals submitted to Head Office are complete and consistent with established policies & procedure.
    • Reviews and analyzes all issues related to investment risk proposals covering any obligator.
    • Submits investment proposal for new proposals and annual reviews timely and accurate, taking into account the investment assessment requirements.
    • Highlights any deterioration in borrower’s financial standing and amend the borrower’s Risk Grade in a timely manner.
    • Seeks assistance/advice from CRM regarding the structuring of facilities, potential deterioration in accounts or for any investment related issues.

 Investment Administration

The investment Administration function is critical in ensuring that proper documentation and approvals are in place prior to the disbursement loan facilities.

a) Disbursement

  • § Disbursement under loan facilities is only made when all security documentations are in place, all formalities regarding loan approval have been completed, all loan Approval terms have been met and sanction letter in duplicate copies detailing the terms and conditions under which the sanction has been made and the same has been obtained from the customer duly signed by him.

b) Custodian Duties

  • Investment disbursements and the preparation and storage of security documents are centralized in the regional loan centers.
    • Appropriate insurance coverage is maintained (and renewed on a timely basis) on assets pledged as collateral.
    • Security documentation is held under strict control, preferably in locked fireproof storage.

Investment Monitoring

        To minimize loan losses, the bank put in place monitoring procedures and systems that provide an early indication of the deteriorating financial health of a borrower. The bank officials monitor the followings:

  • Past due principal or profit payments, past due trade bills, account excesses, and branch of loan covenants;
  • Investment terms and conditions, financial statements on a regular basis, and any covenant breaches or exceptions for timely follow up.
  • Timely corrective action to address findings of any internal, external or regular inspection/audit.

        Computer systems and where automated systems are not available manual processes are used to produce accurate exception reports. Exceptions are followed up on and corrective action taken in a timely manner before the account deteriorated further.

Risk Grading