Profits Unveiled
In its financial update for Q3 ending December 31, 2023, Kotak Mahindra Bank showcased a net profit of Rs 3,005 crore. This marked a noteworthy 7.6 percent YoY growth, despite falling slightly below analyst projections of a Rs 3,243 crore profit.
Net Interest Income Triumph
The bank’s net interest income (NII) outshone expectations, hitting Rs 6,554 crore compared to market estimates of Rs 6,434 crore. Net interest margin (NIM) for the quarter stood at a robust 5.22 percent.
Segment Surge
Kotak Mahindra Bank witnessed a substantial surge in specific segments. The home loan portfolio expanded by 15 percent, reaching Rs 1.02 lakh crore, and the credit card portfolio soared by an impressive 52 percent to Rs 13,882 crore.
Asset Quality Upgrades
During the October-December period, the bank’s asset quality showcased improvement. Gross non-performing assets (NPAs) dwindled to 1.73 percent, down from 1.91 percent in the same quarter the previous year. Net NPAs followed suit, dropping to 0.34 percent from 0.48 percent.
Slippages and Missed Expectations
Despite positive strides, reported numbers missed expectations set by Motilal Oswal Financial Services. Gross slippages for the quarter amounted to Rs 1,177 crore, higher than the previous year’s Rs 748 crore.
Provisions in Compliance
In adherence to the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) measures concerning alternative investment funds (AIF), Kotak Mahindra Bank set aside a provision of Rs 143 crore.
Regulatory Response
The RBI’s circular on December 19, 2023, mandated that regulated entities, including banks, cannot invest in AIFs indirectly connected to companies borrowing from lenders. In response, the bank made a provision, reinforcing its commitment to regulatory compliance.
Sustained Credit and Deposit Growth
Kotak Mahindra Bank reported a commendable 15.72 percent growth in advances, reaching Rs 3.59 lakh crore. Deposits also witnessed a robust uptick, increasing by 18.56 percent to Rs 4.08 lakh crore.
CASA Resilience
The current account and savings account (CASA) ratio stood strong at 47.7 percent. Average current deposits grew by 5 percent to Rs 59,337 crore compared to the previous year’s Rs 56,372 crore.
Retail Advances Dynamics
Unsecured retail advances, including Retail Micro Finance, constituted 11.6 percent of net advances for the quarter. This marked a substantial increase from 9.3 percent in the corresponding quarter last year.
In summary, Kotak Mahindra Bank’s Q3 report reflects a mixed bag of achievements and missed targets, showcasing the dynamic nature of the banking landscape. As the financial sector continues to evolve, the bank’s strategic moves and responses to regulatory changes will undoubtedly shape its trajectory in the coming quarters.
