<dhhead>Boards Report</dhhead>
Dear Shareholders,
Your Directors are pleased to present their Thirty-Fourth Report
together with the audited financial statements of your Company for the Financial Year
ended 31st March 2024 ("FY2024").
Financial Summary and Operational Highlights
|
|
|
|
|
|
(RS. in crore) |
Particulars |
Consolidated |
% Change |
Standalone |
% Change |
|
FY2024 |
FY2023 |
|
FY2024 |
FY2023 |
|
Total Income |
15,970.32 |
12,832.40 |
24.45 |
13,562.42 |
11,056.09 |
22.67 |
Less: Finance Costs |
6,959.20 |
5,094.30 |
|
6,426.94 |
4,576.72 |
|
Expenditure |
6,204.20 |
4,695.64 |
|
4,551.30 |
3,539.56 |
|
Depreciation, Amortization and Impairment |
274.85 |
225.96 |
|
228.71 |
187.23 |
|
Total Expenses |
13,438.25 |
10,015.90 |
34.17 |
11,206.95 |
8,303.51 |
34.97 |
Profit before exceptional items and taxes |
2,532.07 |
2,816.50 |
|
2,355.47 |
2,752.58 |
|
Share of profit of Associates & Joint |
56.11 |
43.32 |
|
|
|
|
Ventures |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exceptional items |
- |
(56.06) |
|
- |
(54.51) |
|
Profit Before Tax |
2,588.18 |
2,803.76 |
(7.69) |
2,355.47 |
2,698.07 |
(12.70) |
Less: Provision For Tax |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Tax |
716.10 |
498.15 |
|
664.93 |
486.28 |
|
Deferred Tax |
(70.97) |
234.41 |
|
(69.08) |
227.47 |
|
Profit After Tax for the Year |
1,943.05 |
2,071.20 |
(6.19) |
1,759.62 |
1,984.32 |
(11.32) |
Less: Profit for the year attributable to |
10.36 |
(1.20) |
|
|
|
|
Non-controlling interests |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit for the Year attributable to |
1,932.69 |
2,072.40 |
(6.74) |
1,759.62 |
1,984.32 |
(11.32) |
owners of the Company |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance of profit brought forward from |
7,417.35 |
6,146.97 |
|
6,376.60 |
5,247.99 |
|
earlier years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Add: Other Comprehensive income /(Loss) |
(6.71) |
(13.35) |
|
(4.97) |
(12.92) |
|
Balance available for appropriation |
9,343.33 |
8,206.02 |
|
8,131.25 |
7,219.39 |
|
Less: Appropriations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividend paid on Equity Shares |
740.23 |
443.87 |
|
741.32 |
444.79 |
|
Transfer to Statutory Reserves |
352.94 |
402.86 |
|
352.00 |
398.00 |
|
Add/Less: Other Adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross obligation at fair value to acquire |
- |
59.41 |
|
- |
- |
|
Non-controlling interest |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in Groups Interest |
114.13 |
(1.35) |
|
- |
- |
|
Balance carried forward to balance sheet |
8,364.29 |
7,417.35 |
|
7,037.93 |
6,376.60 |
|
Net worth |
19,933.25 |
18,560.09 |
7.40 |
18,157.49 |
17,088.91 |
6.25 |
Consolidated Performance Highlights
Total Income increased by 24.45% to Rs. 15,970.32 crore for
FY2024 as compared to Rs. 12,832.40 crore in FY2023.
Profit Before Tax ("PBT") decreased by 7.69% to Rs.
2,588.18 crore for FY2024 as compared to Rs. 2,803.76 crore in FY2023.
Profit After Tax ("PAT") (Net of non-controlling
interest) decreased by 6.74% to Rs. 1,932.69 crore for FY2024 as compared to Rs. 2,072.40
crore in FY2023.
Standalone Performance Highlights
During the year under review, the Company has disbursed loans of
Rs. 56,208.22 crore as against
Rs. 49,541.38 crore during the previous year, an increase of 13.46%
over the same period in previous year.
Total Income increased by 22.67% to Rs. 13,562.42 crore for the
year ended 31st March 2024 as compared to Rs. 11,056.09 crore for the previous
year.
PBT decreased by 12.70% to Rs. 2,355.47 crore as compared to Rs.
2,698.07 crore for the previous year.
PAT decreased by 11.32 % to Rs. 1,759.62 crore as compared to
Rs. 1,984.32 crore in the previous year.
The Assets Under Management ("AUM") stood at Rs.
1,02,596.77 crore as at 31st March 2024 as against Rs. 82,769.87 crore as at 31st
March 2023.
Gross Stage 3 improved due to focused collection initiatives and macro
tailwinds. The Gross Stage 3 loan assets stood at Rs. 3,490.90 crore, lower than that on
Gross Stage 31st March 2023 ( 3 Rs. 3,717.10 crore).
The percentage to Business Assets declined from 4.49% as at 31st March 2023 to 3.40% as at
31st March 2024.
Material changes from the end of the financial year till the date of
this report
No material changes and commitments have occurred after the closure of
the Financial Year 2023-24 till the date of this Report, which would affect the financial
position of your Company.
ECL and other updates
TheCompany has been updating the Expected Credit Loss model
("ECL") with the latest set of data inputs on reasonable periodic intervals to
capture the expected significant changes in macro-economic growth prospects and shifts in
market drivers and changes in risk profile of customer credit exposures. During the
current year, the Company has updated its ECL model by including multi-factor
macro-economic variables and product classification of loan portfolio for its retail
vehicle loans and used industry level benchmark allowance rate for its relatively new
portfolio under leasing business, which has been recommended by the Audit Committee and
approved by Board of Directors. The Company holds provision towards expected credit loss
on loans as at
31 March 2024 aggregating to Rs. 3,401.59 crore (as at 31 March 2023:
Rs. 3,287.83 crore).
The Companys net Stage-3 assets ratio stood at 1.28% as at 31st
March 2024 as against 1.87% as at 31st March 2023.
Transfer to Reserves
The Company has transferred an amount of Rs. 352 crore to the
Statutory Reserves, in compliance with section
45-IC of the Reserve Bank of India ("RBI") Act, 1934.
Further, the Board of your Company has decided not to transfer any amount to the General
Reserve for the year under review. An amount of Rs. 7,037.93 crore is proposed to be
retained in the Profit and Loss Account of the
Company.
Considering good performance and strong cash flows, your Directors are
pleased to recommend a dividend of
Rs. 6.30 per equity share (315%) on the face value of Rs. 2 each, for
FY2024 vis-a- vis 300% dividend in FY2023.
The Company maintains sufficientliquidity buffer to fulfil its
obligations arising out of issue of debentures. The Company being an NBFC, is exempt from
transferring any amount to debenture redemption reserve in respect of privately placed or
public issue of debentures, as per the provisions of section 71 of the Companies Act, 2013
read with Rule 18 of the Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014. In respect
of secured listed non-convertible debt securities, the Company maintains
100% security cover or higher security cover as per the terms of
Information Memorandum, General Information Document ("GID"), Key Information
Document ("KID"), as the case may be and/or Debenture Trust Deed, sufficient to
discharge the liability towards principal amount and interest thereon.
Dividend
Considering good performance and strong cash flows, your Directors are
pleased to recommend a dividend of Rs. 6.30 per equity share (315%) on the face value of
Rs. 2 each, for FY2024 vis-a-vis 300% dividend in FY2023. Dividend is subject to approval
of the Members at the ensuing Annual General Meeting. The for FY2024 will absorb a sum of
Rs. 778.38 crore, which constitutes 44.2% pay out of Companys Standalone Profits for
The Company has not paid any Interim Dividend during the financial year under review.
The dividend recommended is in accordance with the
Companys Dividend Distribution Policy, within the ceiling and in
compliance with the framework prescribed in RBI guidelines on Declaration of Dividend by
NBFCs.
Tax on Dividend
In terms of the provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961, the Company
will make payment of dividend after deduction of tax at source ("TDS") as per
the prescribed rates, to those shareholders whose names appear as beneficial owner/ member
in the list of beneficial owners to be furnished by National Securities Depository
Limited/ Central Depository Services (India) Limited in case of shares held in
dematerialised form, or in the Register of Members in case of shares held in physical
form, as at the close of business hours on 16th July 2024 (Book Closure).
Unclaimed dividend transferred to Investor Education and Protection
Fund
In terms of the provisions of Sections 124 and 125 of the Companies
Act, 2013 ("the Act") read with the Investor
Education and Protection Fund Authority (Accounting,
Audit, Transfer and Refund) Rules, 2016, during the year under review,
the Company has transferred an amount of Rs. 7,87,140 being the unclaimed dividend for
FY2016 to the Investor Education and Protection Fund ("IEPF").
The details of total amount(s) lying in unpaid dividend account of the
Company for last seven years and due to be transferred to IEPF, is mentioned in the Report
on Corporate Governance, forming part of this Annual Report.
Dividend Distribution Policy
In compliance with the provisions of Regulation 43A of the
SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements)
Regulations, 2015, the Company has formulated Dividend
Distribution Policy, setting out criteria and circumstances to be
considered by the Board while recommending dividend to the shareholders. The Dividend
Distribution Policy provides for eligibility criteria, aspects to be considered by the
Board while recommending dividend, ceiling on dividend payout ratio etc. in accordance
with the Reserve Bank of India guidelines on declaration of dividend dated 24th
June 2021.
As set out in Dividend Distribution Policy, the Companys dividend
payout is determined based on available financial resources, investment requirements and
optimal shareholder return. Within these parameters, the Company endeavours to maintain a
total dividend pay-out ratio in the range of 20% to 30% of the annual standalone Profit
after Tax ("PAT") of the Company.
The Dividend Distribution Policy is appended "Annexure I" and
forms part of this Annual Report. outgo The Dividend Distribution Policy can also be
accessed on the Companys website at the web-link: https://www.
mahindrafinance.com/investor-relations/policy-and-shareholder-information#mmfsl-policies
Operations
Your Companys main line of business is financing of automobiles
and tractors for customers who use them mainly for earning their livelihood and for their
personal mobility. It also focusses on other businesses like pre-owned car loans,
SME financing, insurance broking (through its subsidiary, Mahindra Insurance Brokers
Limited), mutual fund distribution (through its JV, Mahindra Manulife Investment
Management Private Limited), fixed deposits etc. Additionally, your Company is also
foraying into other areas like leasing, consumer finance and loan against property. By
offering a wide range of easy and affordable products and services tailored to fit their
cashflow cycles, your Company continues to be a vital financier to its customers in
semi-urban and rural areas. Your Company has retained its leadership position in financing
the Mahindra range of vehicles and tractors. Additionally, your Company is expanding its
connect with other leading
Car Original Equipment Manufacturers ("OEMs").
Your Company has retained its leadership position in financing the
Mahindra range of vehicles and tractors. Additionally, your Company is expanding its
connect with other leading Car Original Equipment Manufacturers ("OEMs").
Building Blocks for Growth, Efficiency, Customer
Experience
A. Deeper Physical Reach
Your Company has an extensive PAN-India distribution network with
1,370 offices/branches spanning across 27 States and 7 Union Territories as on 31st March
2024.Duetoitsextensiveoffice network, your Company is less dependent on any one region in
the Country. Additionally, some regional, climatic, and cyclical dangers, such as heavy
monsoons or droughts, are lessened by geographic diversification. The vast office network
of the Company enables each office to organically build its business and use its client
connections by providing financial products like vehicle financing, pre-owned car loans,
SME financing, insurance broking, mutual fund distribution, fixed deposits etc. There are
guardrails defined centrally to ensure asset quality standards. Your Company believes that
its efficientoffice network in rural and semi-urban areas has afforded an opportunity to
meet the financial needs of the people of India by identifying and comprehending their
needs and aspirations.
B. Enhancing Digital Reach
Ever evolving technology enabled your Company to extend digital
footprints across the geographies and customer segments. Your Companys focus on
mobile technology has made mobile app a crucial channel for various aspects of customer
service, fostering brand loyalty, customer retention, acquire new customers and revenue
generation.
The MF Customer APP which is available in 11
languages (including 9 Indian regional languages), enables customers to apply for vehicle
loans, access and manage their loan accounts, create
E-mandate, make EMI payments using a variety of payment methods,
including debit cards, net banking, UPI and QR code. In the fiscal year 2024, app users
increased by 40%, reaching 8.7 lakh users, and collections from the app doubled.
To empower employees, customers, and stakeholders, your Company offers
robust digital alternatives through a redesigned unified app for customer acquisition,
underwriting, and collection processes.
Embracing the shift from conducting business digitally to becoming
digitally led businesses is now an integral part of your organizational strategy.
C. Leveraging Technology
Your Companys digital initiatives extend across different
segments and products, including auto loans, pre-owned car loans, leasing, and SMEs.
Your Company has rolled out lead management app which help sales team
to qualify incoming leads, analyse, nurture them and convert into new business
opportunities. It also creates better experience for potential customers.
The rollout of QR code based offer at dealership D. helps
dealers and sales team of automotive vertical to pitch right offers from your
Company to the customers on an almost relative basis.
The introduction of OneApp has equipped on-field employees
with decision-making capabilities through digital intervention, enhancing collection
efficiency and transforming business digitally. The Used Car
Digi Loans initiative, in collaboration with industry leading
brands, offers customers personalized loan offers from your Company, expediting purchasing
decisions and improving customer satisfaction.
Your Company prioritizes enhancing core operations by adopting
cloud-based loan origination systems, utilizing advanced API platforms for scalable
transactions. Digitalisation has streamlined loan processing while still maintaining
strict checks. Leveraging data sciences and artificial intelligence, your Company utilises
business intelligence dashboards and machine learning models for strategic initiatives in
lending, retention, and business expansion.
As part of endeavour to communicate with customers across a variety of
digital platforms, your Company has set up an end-to-end hyper personalised marketing tech
platform.
Your Company has started several digital interventions spanning across
all employee categories (field force, support staff, office, remote staff, work from home
employees), across all geographic regions, as a part of ongoing effort to E. improve
employee experience.
In terms of risk management, your Company aligns processes with ISO
27001:2013 and COSO framework to minimize risks. Your Company signifies our commitment
regularly assesses risk, which involves implementing new technology, keeping track of it
and having external/internal specialists audit the same. By implementing manual and
automated technologies, the risks discovered during the assessment are suitably managed by
mitigating, minimising, or transferring the risks. In accordance with the
governments planned data privacy initiatives, the Company is adopting data privacy
practices.
Your Companys strategic priority is to deliver a sustainable
profitable growth characterised by continued growth of 15-20% Assets Under Management and
a stable asset quality (Gross Stage-3 assets < 4.5%).
Data as Competitive Advantage
Your Companys 25+ years of rich experience in rural and
semi-urban markets gives it an edge while using analytics and artificial intelligence.
Your Company has introduced its own algorithms to provide low-risk customers with quicker
loan approvals at variable interest rates, which will aid in growing market share,
enhancing portfolio quality and boosting profitability. The integrated activation of
Digital, Analytics and Technology will significantly improve customer acquisition,
retention, cross-selling and collections.
Through the strategic utilization of data and artificial intelligence,
your Company is elevating the realm of customer experience, crafting bespoke financial
solutions and offers tailored to the individual needs of our customers, thereby fostering
growth and enhancing livelihoods. Your Companys steadfast commitment to driving
operational excellence is exemplified through the automation of underwriting decisions
using machine learning, a move that is helping the Company both augment productivity as
well as fortify profitability. By leveraging advanced data science, your Company has built
capability to proactively identify and mitigate risks within the portfolio, ensuring
resilience in the face of evolving market dynamics. Your Companys dedication to
innovation is underscored by substantial investments in Data and AI technologies,
propelling our franchise towards future readiness and cementing our status as a formidable
force within the competitive landscape.
Growth Drivers for Future
The Companys vision is to be"A leading and responsible
financial solutions partner of choice for emerging India." to service our
Ourvision customers in emerging India in a responsible manner and simultaneously achieve
profitable growth. It further establishes our commitment to be a provider of comprehensive
financial solutions, beyond lending. The phrase "partner of choice" holds
significance as it reflects our dedication to prioritising digital initiatives, enhancing
customer experience and expanding our range of products.
The strategic priority is to deliver a sustainable profitable growth
characterised by continued growth of 15-20% in Assets Under Management ("AUM")
and a stable asset quality (Gross Stage-3 assets < 4.5%).
Your Company is concentrating on developing its core products and
expanding into new growth areas. Financing of Pre-owned cars, used tractors and commercial
vehicles have a lot of head room to grow within the vehicle segments while increasing
market share for its existing range of products.
With an aim to provide comprehensive range of financial solutions under
one roof, your Company has entered into strategic tie-ups during the year under review
viz. co-lending arrangement with State Bank of India and Lendingkart and partnership
agreement with Bank of Baroda for co-sourcing of car loan leads. These arrangements
provide wider outreach, better interest rates and credit to the unserved segments of the
society. Your Company will keep on further refining its risk policy norms and underwriting
to ensure that asset quality continues to stay top-class.
Other Developments
Buy out of stake in Mahindra Insurance Brokers
Limited
Mahindra Insurance Brokers Limited ("MIBL"), subsidiary
of the Company, is engaged in the business of direct and reinsurance broking. Pursuant to
the approval received from Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India
("IRDAI"), your Company has acquired 20,61,856 equity shares of Rs. 10 each of
MIBL (20% stake), at an aggregate price of Rs. 206.39 crore. Consequent to this MIBL
became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company with effectfrom22 nd September
2023.
Corporate Insurance Agency
Your Company proposes to carry on the supplemental business
activity of soliciting/ procuring insurance business by becoming a Corporate Agent and
providing specialized insurance solutions in the areas of life insurance, health insurance
and general insurance-both group and individual (Corporate Agent-Composite) in the
geographies that the
Company operates in, subject to approval of IRDAI. The shareholders of
the Company vide special resolution passed through postal ballot on 19th
January 2024 approved amendment to the Memorandum of Association ("MOA") of the
Company to enable the Company to carry on insurance business inter-alia
as a Corporate Agent and undertake all incidental activities.
Your Company proposes to carry on the supplemental business activity of
soliciting/ procuring insurance business by becoming a Corporate Agent and providing
specialized insurance solutions in the areas of life insurance, health insurance and
general insurance-both group and individual.
The corporate agency license would help in broadening your
Companys product portfolio by incorporating insurance solutions. It would help
customers with their financial and insurance needs being met by a single entity. The
process would augment the Companys existing sources of revenue and profits as it
deploys its common infrastructure of branch network and feet on street. As on the date of
the report, your Company has made an application to IRDAI, seeking approval for
registering itself as
Corporate Agent.
Strategic Tie-ups / Partnerships
Co-lending partnership with State Bank of India
Your Company entered into strategic co-lending partnership with State
Bank of India ("SBI"), Indias pioneer bank. This collaboration is a step
forward in enhancing financial accessibility and inclusivity. Companys strong rural
distribution network and expertise in the financial sector and SBIs competitive
capital cost, provides customers with a competitive advantage and joint financial support
thereby enabling credit to the unserved segments of the economy at an affordable cost.
Under the said partnership, your Company facilitates leads and manages loan servicing
while serving as a single point of contact for prospective customers.
Co-lending partnership with Lendingkart
Your Company has entered into Co-lending partnership with Lendingkart,
a pioneer in financial services. This co-lending partnership provides business loans to
the Small
& Medium Enterprise ("SME") sector, thereby fostering
financial inclusion for small and medium enterprises and enabling diversification of
Companys product portfolio.
Co-sourcing partnership with Bank of Baroda
Your Company has entered into partnership agreement for co-sourcing of
car loan leads. Under this tie-up, your Company generates new and pre-owned car loan leads
for Bank of Baroda through its widespread field and branch distribution channels,
complemented by Bank of Barodas wide network across the country for loan processing.
The said arrangement aims at providing comprehensive range of financial solutions under
one roof and enabling credit access to a wide spectrum of customers across locations.
Change in Nature of Business
There has been no change in the nature of business and operations of
the Company during the year under review.
RBI Compliances
Reserve Bank of India ("RBI") has notified Scale Based
regulations ("SBR") on 22nd October 2021. Your Company has been
categorised as an NBFC-Upper Layer vide press release dated 30th September
2022, issued by RBI. Your Company has always endeavored to maintain the highest standards
of compliance within the organisation and shall continue to do so going ahead. The comply
with all the applicable laws, regulations, guidelines etc. prescribed by the RBI, from
time to time including the norms pertaining to capital adequacy, non-performing assets
etc. Your Companys asset liability management is reviewed on quarterly basis by a
focused Board level committee viz. Asset Liability Committee. Your Companys
liquidity coverage ratio ("LCR") was 313% as on 31st March 2024 against the
mandatory requirement of 85%.
Your Company has adopted all the mandatory applicable policies under
SBR like Large Exposure Policy, Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Policy (ICAAP),
Compliance Policy etc.
Compliance Risk Assessment Framework and Compliance Testing program
("CRAFT")
Your Company has put in place Compliance Risk Assessment Framework and
Compliance Testing program in compliance with RBI circular dated 11th April
2022.
Business Continuity Policy
In order to have robust framework & process for Business
continuity, your Company has implemented Business Continuity Policy ("BCP")
which inter-alia includes identification, monitoring, reporting, responding and managing
the risks including mitigating risks of a significant
/ prolonged business disruption in order to protect the interests of
the Companys customers, employees and stakeholders.
Your Company continues to invest in talent, systems and processes to
further strengthen the control, compliance, risk management and governance standards in
the organisation.
Internal Ombudsman
Your Company has appointed an Internal Ombudsman ("IO") in
compliance with the RBI Circular dated 15th November 2021. A Report of number
of complaints escalated to IO and status of disposal of such complaints during the period
under review is being placed before the Board for its review in compliance with the said
RBI circular.
Finance
During the year under review, Reserve Bank of India ("RBI")
focused on withdrawal of accommodation to ensure that inflation progressively aligns with
the target, while supporting growth. Accordingly, RBI has maintained the REPO Rate at
6.50% during FY2024. Liquidity conditions remained tight throughout the year with the
banking sector liquidity remaining largely negative during the FY2024.
Your Company has been categorised as an NBFC-Upper Layer and continues
to comply with all the applicable laws, regulations, guidelines etc. prescribed by the
RBI.
Inflation in India has remained below 6% Companycontinuesto (RBI upper
tolerance limit) throughout the year. Consumer Price
Index ("CPI") inflation was 4.85% in March 2024. Globally,
inflation showed a downward trajectory and seems to be moderating paving the way for a
growth revival. However, this comes with a caution as successive shocks like the
Russian-Ukraine war, Israel-Hamas-Iran conflict, global uncertainty are still weighing on
the economy and macro financial stability including financial sector stress. The rupee has
remained stable against the US dollar throughout the year in the range of Rs. 82/$ to Rs.
83/$. The 2 Year and 10 Year G Sec curve have remained around 7.05% and 7.15% respectively
throughout the financial year. During the year Interest cost on borrowed funds remained
elevated for the Company i.e., 7.69% (interest cost to average borrowing). During the year
under review, your Company continued with its diverse methods of sourcing funds including
borrowing through Secured and Unsecured Debentures, Term Loans,
External Commercial Borrowings, Securitisation, Fixed Deposits,
Commercial Papers, Inter Corporate Deposit etc. and maintained prudential Asset Liability
match throughout the year. Your Company sourced long-term debentures and loans from banks
and other institutions at attractive rates. Your Company continues to expand its borrowing
profile by tapping new lenders and geographies.
Securitisation
During the year, your Company successfully completed three
securitisation transactions aggregating to Rs. 2,929 crore.
Non-Convertible Debentures
During the year under review, your Company raised an aggregate of Rs.
6,572.86 Crore (Rs. 8650 Crore being the face value) through issuance of Non-Convertible
debentures on private placement basis as mentioned hereunder:
1. Rs. 5,865.14 crore, raised though issuance of Secured
Redeemable Non-Convertible Debentures ("NCDs").
2. Rs. 705.62 crore raised through issuance of Unsecured
Redeemable Non-Convertible Subordinated
Debentures eligible for Tier II Capital.
3. Rs. 2.1 crore raised through issuance of Partly paid-up
NCDs.
As specified in the respective offer documents, the funds raised from
issuance of NCDs were utilised for various financing activities, onward lending, repaying
the existing indebtedness, working capital and for general corporate purposes of the
Company. Details of the end-use of funds were furnished to the Audit Committee on a
quarterly basis. The NCDs are listed on the debt market segment of BSE Limited.
During the year, your Company has redeemed NCDs worth
Rs. 3,969.70 crore and subordinated debt worth Rs. 127.80 crore on
private placement basis.
Your Company is in compliance with the applicable guidelines issued by
the RBI and Securities and Exchange
Board of India in this regard.
There has been no default in making payments of principal and interest
on all the NCDs issued by the Company on a private placement basis and through public
issue. Further, there was no deviation/variation in use of proceeds raised from the
objects stated in the offer document. As on 31st March 2024, there was no unpaid/unclaimed
interest on NCDs issued on a private placement basis. With respect to the three public
issuances of NCDs made by the Company, aggregate Principal payment of Rs. 10,93,000/- and
Interest of Rs. 31,02,515/- was unclaimed by the investors as on 31st March
2024.
Commercial Paper
As at 31st March 2024, the Company had Commercial
Paper ("CPs") with an outstanding amount (face value) of Rs.
4,975 crore. CPs constituted approximately 5.4% of the outstanding borrowings as at 31st
March 2024. The CPs of the Company are listed on the debt market segment of the National
Stock Exchange of India Limited.
Borrowings
In order to expand the business of the Company and to cater the
enhanced budgeted disbursements, the Board of Directors of the Company have subject to the
approval of the shareholders of the Company, approved increase in the overall borrowing
limit from Rs. 1,10,000 crore to Rs. 1,30,000 crore.
The Company had outstanding borrowings (excluding securitisation and
TREPS) of Rs. 85,097.72 crore as on 31st March 2024, breakup of which is given
as under:
Particulars |
Fixed Deposits |
Bank Loans (TL/ OD/CC/
WCDL) |
Non- Convertible
Securities (Privately placed & Public NCD) |
Subordinate Debt
(Privately placed & Public NCD) |
Commercial Paper |
ICD |
External Commercial
Borrowings |
Total |
Amount in crore (Rs.) |
7,174.74 |
44,859.83 |
21,843.82 |
4,005.66 |
4,882.12 |
229.50 |
2,102.05 |
85,097.72 |
% to outstanding borrowings
(excluding securitisation and TREPS) |
8.43 |
52.72 |
25.67 |
4.71 |
5.74 |
0.27 |
2.46 |
100.00 |
Figures are as per reported Ind AS financial statements.
Credit Rating
Your Company enjoys highest rating for its long term and short term
borrowing programmes from all the credit rating agencies that it works with. Your Company
has been rated by CRISIL Ratings Limited ("CRISIL") & India Ratings and
Research Private Limited ("India Ratings") for its Non-
Convertible Debentures program, Commercial Paper,
Banking Facilities & Fixed Deposits. Further, CARE Ratings Limited
("CARE") and Brickwork Ratings India Pvt. Ltd. ("BWR") has rated your
Company for the Non-Convertible Debentures program. These rating agencies have re affirmed
the highest credit rating for your Companys short term & long term borrowing
instruments. Your Company believes that its credit ratings and strong brand equity enables
it to borrow funds at competitive rates. The details of ratings are given in the Corporate
Governance Report, forming part of this Annual Report.
Capital Adequacy
As on 31st March 2024, the Capital to Risk Assets Ratio
("CRAR") of your Company was 18.86% which is well above the minimum requirement
of 15% CRAR prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India.
Your Company enjoys highest rating for its long-term and short-term
borrowing programmes from all the credit rating agencies that it works with.
Out of the above, Tier I capital adequacy ratio stood at 16.39% and
Tier II capital adequacy ratio stood at 2.47% respectively.
Share Capital
Theissued, subscribed and paid-up Equity Share Capital as on 31st
March 2024 was Rs. 247.1 crore, consisting of 123,55,29,920 Equity Shares of the face
value of Rs. 2 each, fully paid-up.
There was no change in the issued, subscribed and paid-up share capital
during the year under review.
As on 31st March 2024, none of the Directors of theCompany hold
instruments convertible into equity shares of the Company. Details of RSUs granted to
Executive
Directors are given the Corporate Governance Report forming part of
this Annual Report.
Economy
Global Economy
Financial year 2024 witnessed demand regardless of tightening financial
conditions, simmering geo-political risks and adverse weather patterns. For instance, the
US
Federal Reserve increased policy rates to the highest level in over two
decades, but elevated government spending supported tight labour market conditions and
hence robust retail demand. Hot wars near the Black
Sea, the Red Sea and the Gaza strip pushed up trading costs, however
this came against a backdrop of low input cost pressures brought about by improving supply
chain conditions and expectations of weak global growth. Finally, El Nino conditions led
to deficient rains hampering agricultural output. In this midst, aggressive output curbs
announced by Organization of the Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC) pushed up crude oil prices close to
USD 100/bbl during the year; fortunately, higher supply from America
brought temporary respite to fuel costs. As a result of countervailing factors, demand
momentum and consumer sentiment were stronger than expected resulting in central banks
tightening financing conditions even further and pushing policy rate cut expectations
deeper into financial year 2025.
Domestic Economy
In India, El Nino conditions disrupted agricultural output, however,
lower input costs and higher construction activity supported rural income growth. The main
growth push came from rising services exports, leveraged consumption by wealthier
households and public sector infrastructure spending. This has resulted in over 8% growth
in the last three quarters of calendar year 2023. Full financial year 2024 growth is at
7.2%. Apart from improving consumer sentiment, the economy is benefiting from revival in
corporate sector project announcements which augurs well for job generation and near 7%
growth in financial year 2025. The RBI has kept policy rates on hold after raising them by
250 bps in the current cycle, instead the regulator engaged in macro-prudential tightening
by raising risk weights for unsecured personal loans and bank lending to NBFCs. While the
RBI presently maintains its stance of withdrawing accommodation, space to cut policy rates
by 50 bps to 6% in financial year 2025 could emerge if headline inflation eases towards 4%
on good monsoons.
Management Discussion and Analysis
In accordance with the applicable provisions of the Master Direction
issued by the Reserve Bank of India and the
SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Code of ConductRequirements)
Regulations, 2015, a detailed analysis of the Companys
performance is discussed in the Management Discussion and Analysis Report, which forms
part of this Annual
Report.
Your Company voluntarily observes a Silent / Quiet period
starting from 1st day of the start of the month after the end of the quarter
for which the financial results are to be announced till the time of announcement of said
results. During this period, no meetings with investors/ analysts/funds are held to
discuss unpublished financial performance of the Company to ensure protection of the
Companys UPSI.
Corporate Governance
Your Company practices a culture that is built on core values and
ethical governance practices. Your Company is committed to integrity and
transparency in all its dealings and places high emphasis on business ethics. The Board of
your Company exercises its fiduciary responsibilities in the widest sense of term and
endeavours to enhance long-term shareholder value. The Governance framework is anchored by
the clearly defined policies and procedures covering areas such anti-bribery and
anti-corruption, Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace and Whistle Blower Policy.
Companys disclosure regime is aimed at achieving best practices, globally.
A Report on Corporate Governance along with a Certificate from M/s.
Makarand M. Joshi & Co., Secretarial Auditors, certifying compliance with the
conditions of Corporate Governance forms part of this Annual Report.
Ethics Framework
TheEthics & Governance framework is anchored by clearly defined
policies and procedures, covering areas such as Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy
("ABAC"),
Policy on Gifts & Entertainment ("G&E"), Policy on
Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace ("POSH"),
Whistle-Blower Policy ("WB") to ensure robust Corporate
Governance.
TheCode of Conduct and all the Companys policies are accessible
on the Companys website; in the Governance section at the web-link:
https://www.mahindrafinance.
com/investor-relations/policy-and-shareholder-information#mmfsl-policies
During the year, ABAC, POSH and WB policies were revised to align for
ease of comprehension and to align with internal and external environment. It enables the
Company to make the right choices and demonstrate the highest standards
of integrity and ethical behaviour.
Committee and the Audit Committee The ensures that the Ethics &
Governance framework is executed effectively and the decisions on substantiated cases are
taken in a fair, just and consistent manner across business.
Investor Relations
During the current year, your Company has met multiple investors and
analystsboth domestic and international.
These sessions were undertaken through a mix of one-on-one or group
meetings. Your Company also participated in multiple domestic conferences organised by
reputed broking houses, in addition to accessing overseas investors through Non-Deal
Roadshows ("NDRs"). Having meetings in virtual format (through conference calls
and video conferencing) enabled accessing a larger investor base.
Your Company holds quarterly and annual earnings calls through
structured conference calls and/or weblinks, details of which are made available to public
through the Companys website and stock exchange(s).
During these meetings/ earnings calls, the interactions are based on
generally available information accessible to the public in a non-discriminatory manner.
No unpublished price-sensitive information is shared during such meetings.
Your Company believes in transparent communication and have been
voluntarily disclosing critical information regarding Companys performance through
monthly updates.
Silent period
As a good governance practice, your Company voluntarily observes a
Silent / Quiet period starting from 1st day of the start of the month after
the end of the quarter for which the financial results are to be announced till the time
of announcement of said results. During this period, no meetings with
investors/analysts/funds are held to discuss unpublished financial performance of the
Company to ensure protection of the Companys Unpublished Price Sensitive Information
("UPSI").
Consolidated Financial Statements
The Consolidated Financial Statements of your Company, its
subsidiaries, associate/joint venture for FY2024, prepared in accordance with the relevant
provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 ("the Act") and applicable Indian
Accounting Standards along with all relevant documents and the
Auditors Report form part of this Annual Report. Pursuant to the provisions of
Section 136 of the Act, the Standalone and Consolidated Financial Statements of the
Company, along with relevant documents and financial statement of each of the subsidiaries
of the Company are available on the website of the Company and can be accessed at the
web-link: https://www.mahindrafinance.
com/investor-relations/financial-information#financial-results
Subsidiaries, Joint Venture(s) and Associate(s)
A report on the performance and financial position of each of the
Companys subsidiaries, associate/ joint venture is included in the Consolidated
Financial Statements and the salient features of their financial statements and their
contribution to overall performance of the Company as required under Section 129(3) of the
Companies Act, 2013 ("the Act") read with Rule 8(1) of The Companies (Accounts)
Rules, 2014, is provided in Form AOC-1, annexed as Annexure A to the
Consolidated Financial
Statements and forms part of this Annual Report.
Material Subsidiary
Regulation 16 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure
Requirements) Regulations, 2015 ("the Listing Regulations") defines a
"material subsidiary" to mean a subsidiary, whose income or net worth exceeds
ten percent of the consolidated income or net worth respectively, of the listed entity and
its subsidiaries in the immediately preceding accounting year.
Accordingly, Mahindra Rural Housing Finance Limited was a material,
debt listed subsidiary, of your Company for the financial year ended 31 st
March 2024.
Operational and performance highlights of the Companys
Subsidiary/Joint venture Companies for FY2024 are given hereunder: Mahindra Rural Housing
Finance Limited
Mahindra Rural Housing Finance Limited ("MRHFL"), the
Companys subsidiary, engaged in the business of providing loans for purchase,
renovation and construction of houses to individuals in the low and middle income category
of the country, registered a total income of
Rs. 1,294.44 crore as compared to Rs. 1,349.80 crore for the previous
year, decline of 4.10% over previous financial year. Profit Before Tax was 81.59% lower at
Rs. 4.84 crore as compared to Rs. 26.29 crore for the previous year. Profit After
Tax was 83.45% lower at Rs. 3.60 crore as compared to Rs. 21.75 crore in the previous
year.
During the year under review, MRHFL disbursed loans aggregating to Rs.
2,071 crore serving more than 28,000 households as against Rs. 1,969 crore in the previous
year. MRHFL is expanding its footprint in affordable housing.
Mahindra Insurance Brokers Limited
Mahindra Insurance Brokers Limited ("MIBL"), wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company (effective 22nd September 2023) is engaged in the business of
Direct and Reinsurance Broking.
During the year under review, there was growth of 13% in Gross Premium
facilitated for the Corporate and Retail business lines, increasing from Rs. 4,036.80
crore in FY2023 to Rs. 4,555.86 crore in FY2024. The Total Income increased by 157% from
Rs. 426.51 crore in FY2023 to
Rs. 1,094.95 crore in the FY2024. The Profit Before Tax increased by
264% from Rs. 46.05 crore to Rs. 167.50 crore and the Profit After Tax increased by 259%
fromRs. 34.44 crore to Rs. 123.52 crore during the same period.
Mahindra Manulife Investment Management Private
Limited
Mahindra Manulife Investment Management Private Limited
("MMIMPL") acts as an Investment Manager for the schemes of Mahindra Manulife
Mutual Fund ("Mutual Fund"). As on 31st March 2024, MMIMPL was acting
as the investment manager to 22 schemes of the Mutual Fund. The average Assets Under
Management in these
22 schemes were Rs. 19,659 crore as on 31st March 2024 as
compared to Rs. 9,691 crore as on 31st March
2023, delivering a growth of 103% in assets. Of these assets, Rs.
17,613 crore were in equity and hybrid schemes in March 2024, as compared to Rs. 8,294
crore in March
2023, a growth of 112%. MMIMPL has empaneled 28,406 distributors and
now has 9,12,891 investor accounts in these 22 schemes.
During the year under review, the total income of
MMIMPL was Rs. 63.54 crore as compared to Rs. 44.12 crore for the
previous year. The operations for the year under consideration have resulted in a loss of
Rs. 27.27 crore as against a loss of Rs. 30.86 crore during the previous year.
Mahindra Manulife Trustee Private Limited
Mahindra Manulife Trustee Private Limited ("MMTPL") acts as
the Trustee to Mahindra Manulife Mutual Fund ("Mutual
Fund").
During the year, MMTPL earned trusteeship fees of
Rs. 107.03 lakhs and other income of Rs. 10.29 lakhs as compared to Rs.
73.76 lakhs and Rs. 7.28 lakhs, respectively, for the previous year. MMTPL recorded a
profit of Rs. 59.72 lakhs for the year under review as compared to profit Rs. 16.06 lakhs
in the previous year.
Mahindra Ideal Finance Limited (Sri Lanka)
Your Company holds a 58.2% stake in Mahindra Ideal Finance Limited (Sri
Lanka) {"MIFL"} with a total investment of Rs. 77.97 crore. Leveraging Mahindra
Finances expertise of over 28 years in the financial services sector and the local
managements expertise of the domestic market. MIFL is poised to build a leading
financial services business in Sri Lanka.
With improving economic and business environment in Sri Lanka, MIFL
witnessed significant rebound in business. MIFL restarted its vehicle leasing
disbursements albeit with caution, strict credit standards, and asset safeguards in place.
Gold loan disbursements also surged during H2 FY2024. Year-round collection efficiency was
above 100%. By 31st March 2024, Companys GS-3 level dropped to 5.25%,
which is industry leading in the context of the Sri Lankan market. ed a rating MIFLs
total income for the FY2024 was Srilankan rupee ("LKR") 2,309 million vs. LKR
1,924 million forFY2023. rating Profit Before Tax was 35% higher at LKR 334 million as
compared to LKR 248 million for the previous year. Profit After Tax was 19% higher at LKR
103 million compared to LKR 87 million in the previous year. MIFL continued investments in
order to grow its business and enhance the customer experience and reach. During the
course of the financial year, MIFLs branch network across the island country grew to
32 branches.
Mahindra Finance CSR Foundation
Mahindra Finance CSR Foundation was incorporated on 2nd
April 2019 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company registered under
Section 8 of the Act, to promote and support CSR projects and activities of the Company
and its group Companies.
The 12AA and Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961 and
CSR Registration Number.
Joint Venture/Associate
Mahindra Finance USA LLC ["MFUSA"]
MFUSAs retail and dealer disbursement registered an increase of
4.40% to USD 917.58 million for the year ended 31st March 2024 as compared to USD 877.18
million for the previous year.
Total Income increased by 25.54% to USD 77.84 million for the year
ended 31st March 2024 as compared to USD 62.01 million for the previous year. Profit
15.49% higher at USD 22.86 million as compared to USD 19.80 million for the previous year.
Profit increased by 14.64% to USD 17.21 million as compared to USD 15.01 million in the
previous year.
Changes in Subsidiaries, Joint Venture or Associate
Companies during the year
During the year under review, your Company acquired 20% stake in
Mahindra Insurance Brokers Limited ("MIBL"), held by Inclusion Resources Private
Limited for an aggregate consideration of Rs. 206.39 crore, consequent to which it became
a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company with effect from 22nd September 2023.
Except as mentioned above, there were no changes in the Companys
Subsidiaries, Joint Venture/Associate
Companies.
Fixed Deposits and Loans/Advances
Your Company offers a wide range of Fixed Deposit schemes that cater to
the investment needs of various classes of investors. These Deposits carry attractive
interest rates with superior service enabled by robust processes and technology. In order
to tap rural and semi-urban savings, your Company continues to expand its network and make
its presence felt in the most remote areas of the country.
ofDuring the year, CRISIL has
CRISIL AAA/Stable for your Companys Fixed Deposits.
Additionally, Companys Fixed Deposit program also has AAA rating
from India Ratings. This that the degree of safety regarding timely payment of interest
and principal is very strong. Your Companys
Deposits continue to be a preferred investment avenue amongst the
investors.
As on 31st March 2024, your Company has mobilised funds from Fixed
Deposits to the tune of Rs. 7,197.20 crore, with an investor base of over 95,979
investors.
Your Company continues to serve the investors by introducing several
customer centric measures on an ongoing basis to further strengthen its processes in sync
with the requirements of the Fixed Deposit ("FD") holders.
Your Company periodically sends various intimations via SMS, e-mails,
post, courier etc., to its investors as well as sends reminder emails to clients whose TDS
is likely to foundation has obtained Registration under Section be deducted before any
pay-out/accrual. Your Company also provides a digital platform for online application/
renewal of deposits, online generation of TDS certificates from customer/ broker portal
and seamless investment process for its employees.
Your Company has rolled out several initiatives aimed at offering a
superior experience to fixed deposit holders. Some key ones include:
An integrated web portal has been developed to facilitate online
application/ online renewal of Fixed Deposits, Loan against FDs, profile updates etc.
which can be accessed at https://www.mahindrafinance. com/investment/fixed-deposit before
tax was
Online submission of Forms 15G/15H by all eligible
Depositors through the FD Customer portal is madeafter tax available on
the Companys website.
TDS certificate(s) are made available on the
Customer portal and Broker portal, in addition to the same being sent
to the concerned Depositors, from time to time.
In order to offer various payment options
Depositors, more payment gateways have been added across various FD
investment portals.
An advanced version of Customer Relationship
Management ("CRM") has been launched to record the queries,
requests and complaints for future data analysis in order to enhance customer service. An
integrated service portal (E-Sarathi) has been introduced to address the queries of
Depositors routed through the Channel Partners on real-time basis during working hours.
Theprocess of recording of Central Know Your Customer
("CKYC") details of the Depositors has been strengthened by introducing various
control measures.
Separate categorisation of VIP customers to address the queries
with a dedicated Relationship Manager is introduced.
Additional 448 Branches have been enrolled for accepting and
servicing FD holders.
An automated customer service feedback process has been
introduced to have better understanding of the customer expectations.
Communication channels for transactional and non-transactional
activities related to fixed Deposits have been strengthened to ensure deposit holder is
informed and updated on real time basis. There has been no default in repayment of
deposits or payment of interest during the year.
Your Company being a Non-Banking Financial Company the disclosures
required as per Rule 8(5)(v) and (vi) of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 read with
Sections 73 and 74 of the Companies Act, 2013, are not applicable to the Company.
The information pursuant to Clause 35(1) of Master Direction
DNBR.PD.002/03.10.119/2016-17 dated 25th August 2016 issued by the Reserve Bank
of India on Non-Banking Financial Companies Acceptance of Public Deposits (Reserve Bank)
Directions, 2016 ("NBFC
Regulations"), regarding unpaid/unclaimed public deposits as on
31st March 2024, is furnished below: i. Total number of accounts of Public Deposits of the
Company which have not been claimed by the depositors after the date on which the deposit
became due for repayment: 4,217. ii. Total amounts due under such accounts remaining
unclaimed beyond the dates referred to in clause (i) as aforesaid: Rs. 4.36 crore.
Initiatives taken to reduce the unclaimed amounts pertaining to Fixed
Deposits: i) Penny drop testing one month prior to maturity and interest pay out
process is being conducted to reduce rejection cases.
ii) Deposit holders are being reached out via SMS/ Calls/
Email/Physical letters, as applicable including sending communication in vernacular
language for quick understanding by the customers. iii) In case of death of depositors,
claim settlement process is advised to joint depositors/nominee/ legal heir, as the case
may be. iv) Unclaimed FDs are being validated with the depositors loan account with
the Company, if any. v) In case the cheque is undelivered, the Company deposits the amount
in the bank account of the customer, after necessary confirmations.
Transfer of Unclaimed amounts pertaining to Fixed Deposits to IEPF:
Pursuant to Section 125 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the
Investor Education and Protection Fund
Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Rules, 2016
("the IEPF Rules") as amended from time to time, matured deposits remaining
unclaimed for a period of seven years from the date they became due for payment are
required to be transferred to the Investor Education and Protection Fund
("IEPF") established by the Central Government. Further, interest accrued on the
deposits which remain unclaimed for a period of seven years from the date of payment are
also required to be transferred to the IEPF under Section 125(2)(k).
During the year, the Company has transferred to the IEPF an amount of
Rs. 0.16 crore being the unclaimed amount of matured fixed deposits andRs. 0.05 crore
towards unclaimed/ unpaid interest accrued on the deposits. The concerned depositor can
claim the deposit and/or interest from the IEPF by following the procedure laid down in
the IEPF Rules.
Loans and Advances
During the year under review, the Company has not given any loans and
advances in the nature of loans to its subsidiaries or associate or to firms/companies in
which
Directors are interested.
Accordingly, the disclosure of particulars of loans/ advances, etc., as
required to be furnished in the Annual Accounts of the Company pursuant to Regulation
34[3] and 53[f] read with paragraph A of Schedule V of the
SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements)
Regulations, 2015 is not applicable to the Company.
Particulars of Loans, Guarantees or Investments in Securities
Your Company, being an NBFC registered with RBI and engaged in the
business of giving loans in ordinary course of its business, is exempt from complying with
the provisions of Section 186 of the Companies Act, 2013
("the Act") with respect to loans.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 186(4) of the
Act, details with regard to the investments made by the
Company, as applicable, are given in Note no. 52 (iv) of the Standalone
financial statements, forming part of this
Annual Report.
Achievements
Awards/Recognitions received by your Company during the year are
enumerated hereunder: Business
Awarded the CRIF Data Excellence Award in the Commercial (NBFC)
category.
CSR
Received special commendation for CSR Flagship Program
Swabhimaan at The CSR Journal Excellence Awards 2023 under the category of
Education & Skill Training.
Honoured with the Rotary CSR Award for Distinguished
Service in Community Development for Companys CSR initiative
Swabhimaan.
Won the award for Best Financial Inclusion Initiative for
Companys Financial & Digital Literacy
CSR Initiative at the DNA Awards 2023 presented during Banking
Frontiers NBFCs Tomorrow
Conclave.
Sustainability
Globally ranked 45th by Futures Cape amongst top 100 Indian
companies for Sustainability
& CSR under Responsible Business 2020 by Futures Cape.
Included in Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) Only Company
in India in Diversified and Financial sector to be included in the DJSI Sustainability
Yearbook 2021 and having a score of 50 percentile in previous year.
Became the first Indian Company in the "Banks,
Diverse Financials, and Insurance" sector to have science-based
targets validated by the Science based target initiative ("SBTi").
Human Resources
Recognised as one of Indias 100 Best Companies to
Work For by Great Place To Work India.
Recognised as Indias Best Workplace for Millennials by
Great Place To Work India-2024. applicable disclosures as stipulated
Awarded IAC 2024 Award for Pioneering Work in Sculpting
Talent for Tomorrow in Private Sector at the Industry Academia Conference-2024.
Recognised as Best NBFC in Talent & Workforce by
Business Today.
Marketing
Won the Best Digital Initiatives award at ASSOCHAM
18th Annual Summit & Awards on
Banking & Financial Sector Lending Companies.
Won the Best Product/Service Innovation award at
ASSOCHAM 18th Annual Summit & Awards on
Banking & Financial Sector Lending Companies.
Your Company became the first Indian Company in the "Banks,
Diverse Financials, and Insurance" sector to have science-based targets validated by
the SBTi.
Employee Stock Option Scheme - 2010 and Restricted Stock Unit Plan -
2023
With a view to continue the practice of rewarding performance of the
employees, creating ownership culture and to retain, motivate and attract talent in light
of growing business and to align interests of shareholders with that of employees, with
the approval of Members at
Annual General Meeting ("AGM") held on 28th July
2023, your Company has formulated a Restricted Stock Unit Plan namely Mahindra and
Mahindra Financial Services Limited-Restricted Stock Unit Plan 2023 ("MMFSL RSU
Plan-2023"), contemplating grant of 59,44,320 Restricted Stock Units
("RSUs") exercisable into equivalent equity shares, constituting 0.48% of the
paid-up share capital of the Company as on 31st March 2024. During the year
under review, your Company granted 2,83,171 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to the
eligible employees under MMFSL- RSU Plan 2023. No options were granted to the eligible
employees under the Mahindra
& Mahindra Financial Services Limited Employees Stock Option
Scheme 2010 ("2010 Scheme"). TheCompany does not have any scheme to fund its
employees to purchase the shares of the Company. The
Company is in compliance with the Securities and Exchange
Board of India (Share Based Employee Benefits and Sweat Equity)
Regulations, 2021 ("SBEBSE Regulations") and there were no amendments to the
aforesaid Scheme and Plan during FY2024. A Certificate from M/s. Makarand M. Joshi &
Co., Secretarial Auditor of the Company for FY2024, certifying that the Companys
above-mentioned
Scheme and Plan have been implemented in accordance with the SBEBSE
Regulations and the resolution passed by the Members, would be made available for
inspection by the Members through electronic mode at the Annual General Meeting
("AGM") scheduled to be held on 23rd July 2024.
The under SBEBSE
Regulations for the year ended 31st March 2024, with regards
to the 2010 Scheme, MMFSL RSU Plan 2023 and Companys stock option trust is uploaded
on the
Companys website and can be accessed at the web-link:
https://www.mahindrafinance.com/investor-relations/ financial-information#annual-reports
Sustainability Initiatives
Guided by our parent Company Mahindra Groups motto "Rise
for Good" your Company has undertaken meaningful initiatives to make
sustainability as an integral part of operations and ethos. Sustainability has been a part
of organizations philosophy since its establishment. At
Mahindra Finance, sustainability is imbibed in its business philosophy
and is seen as part of its intrinsic DNA. Your Company has aligned its performance with
the three pillars of the Mahindra Group Sustainability Framework for long-term value
creation. The alignment with material topics of the framework allows us to remain
consistent with our parent organizations vision and strategy. In line with our
sustainability strategy, we have taken a precautionary approach to avoid negative impacts
on the environment. Your Companys approach and accomplishments on
Sustainability echoes its mission of transforming people lives and
contributing to people, planet and profit.
Your Company and its subsidiaries have been enabling customers to meet
their aspirations through a diversified portfolio of financial product offerings. Mahindra
Rural
Housing Finance Limited helps people build their homes through
affordable housing finance solutions. Mahindra Insurance Brokers Limited secures their
life and assets with insurance solutions and Mahindra Manulife Investment Management
Private Limited offers investment options through its asset management solutions. Your
Company lays strong emphasis on customer centricity with a customer base spread across
different villages in India, with majority of them belonging to the Earn and
Pay segment.
Your Company continued to focus on integrating
Sustainability into its business practices across valued stakeholders
through key initiatives. Your Company was recognised for its sustainability initiatives
with the accolades as stated in Achievements section.
Scheme and the MMFSL RSU Plan-2023 of the
Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report
In compliance with Regulation 34(2)(f) of the SEBI
(Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements)
Regulations, 2015, as applicable, your Companys Business
Responsibility and Sustainability Report for the year ended 31st March 2024, forms part of
this Annual Report. The Board of Directors have adopted a policy viz. Business
Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting Policy ("BRSR
Policy"), which inter-alia, incorporates sustainability elements and aligns the
Policy with National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct ("NGRBC").
Business Responsibility and Sustainability-Training and Initiatives
Keeping in mind our responsibility throughout our value chain to ensure
sustainable practices, we expanded the Business Responsibility and Sustainability
Reporting
("BRSR") training for our value chain partners, by
emphasizing on the best practices and case studies of its 9 principles based on NGRBC. The
participative and collaborative approach towards the stakeholders provides a visibility of
Environment Social and Governance ("ESG") practices across the value chain and
enables the Company to execute its sustainability strategy.
Your Companys approach and accomplishments on Sustainability
echoes its mission of transforming lives of people and contributing to people, planet and
profit.
"Making Sustainability Personal" Initiatives
We at Mahindra finance believe in making Sustainability Personal. In
view of this, 100% of our employees were provided training on BRSR and Human Rights
issues.
Initiatives like "Green Diwali", "I Am Responsible"
activities were implemented to promote ESG culture and sustainable consumption practices
amongst employees. We believe this will enable sustainable behavioural changes &
knowledge development as a core value of the Company.
Other Key Initiatives
This year your Company took significant initiatives on developing
robust road map to address Carbon and
Water neutrality. Your Company made proactive efforts to reduce
emissions (carbon footprint) through
CO
2
Project "Mahindra Hariyali" by planting 3,97,900+ saplings
throughout the country.
Also keeping in mind the energy security, your Company has installed
energy efficienttechnology like 5-star inverter ACs, LED, and BLDC fans to reduce
our energy consumption as well as reducing carbon footprint. Given the nature of the
business, your Company made a significant step towards adopting digital platforms which
not only brings in increased efficiency in our operation but also ensures significant
reduction in consumption of paper.
As a service sector, the major waste contributor is paper and E waste.
Promoting a circular economy strategy for its disposal, your Company launched a zero waste
to landfill project thereby ensuring to send paper waste to paper mills for recycling
purpose only through authorized vendors and in exchange receiving wheat straw-based copier
paper for further consumption. This initiative ensures reduction in our dependability of
virgin resources and promotion of circular economy and sustainable consumption in
business.
In addition to this, your Company also initiated responsible E waste
management by authorized dealers to recycle the E waste. Your Companys inclusive
sustainable business model is future ready and well equipped to enable its
stakeholders progress. Some of the Companys ESG initiatives incorporated that
fall under the Social (S) category, specifically focusing on the S1: Labour Practices
& Decent Work subcategory:
Employee Health and Safety: Your Company prioritizes employee
wellbeing by implementing safety procedures and advisories, conducting training programs
like Mock Fire Drills, Defensive Driving and
First Aid, Establishing an Emergency Response Team.
Diversity and Inclusion: The Women Safety Ambassador program
promotes safety awareness specifically for female employees, fostering a more inclusive
safety culture. These initiatives demonstrate your Companys commitment in creating a
safe and healthy work environment for its employees, aligning with the social aspects of
ESG reporting.
Employee Development: Your Company offers the "Nurturing
Leaders" program to enhance leadership capabilities and build a strong talent
pipeline. This program contributes to a skilled and engaged workforce (S1 (GRI CATEGORY
400): Labour Practices & Decent Work).
Your Company understands that it is essential to safeguard its
employees from illness, injuries, emergencies, health and safety hazards as well as any
other wellbeing issues. Initiatives like Spectrum 2023, podcast series,
Live Webcasts etc., are implemented at the executive and strategic
levels to highlight our top leadership teams involvement in promoting diversity,
inclusion, and unbiased practices. Our brand pillar "Rise for a More Equal
World," which focuses on fostering a sense of inclusion and belonging in the Mahindra
Financial Services sector, sought to deepen understanding of inclusion, break down
unconscious bias, and dismantle stereotypes, resulting in a culture in which everyone
feels valued, respected, and empowered to deliver business results. Various trainings were
provided to employees such as
1. Unconscious Bias Training : Workshops for senior leadership
and mid-level management to identify and address unconscious biases in decision-making.
2. Spectrum-Inclusion Week : A week-long celebration of
inclusion with learning activities, employee contests, and social media engagement.
3. Perspective Building Sessions : Senior leaders share their
personal journeys and approaches to
D&I, emphasizing its importance to name a few.
Women play an important role in our success story and are encouraged to
take on leadership positions. Recognizing the particular obstacles and untapped potential
of women in leadership roles, your Company has created "She is on the
Rise," a uniquely customized program meant to empower our female managers and
push their success. For the wellbeing of employees, platforms such as the Alyve
application, and the Employee Engagement Platform have been launched. The Alyve
application has facilitated health as well as Eye Check-ups for 3000+ employees PAN India
along with hosting mental wellness workshops. Through the employee engagement platform,
peer to peer appreciation and interaction were fostered through hobby club activities like
book reading, photography etc.
Stakeholder engagement: Including employees and management in the
training process fosters a sense of ownership and improves effectiveness. Your Company
engages with its key stakeholders at regular intervals through implementation
partners meet, vendor meets, vehicle dealers meet, customer meets etc.
Your Company lays strong emphasis on customer centricity with a
customer base spread across different villages India, with majority of them belonging to
the Earn and Pay segment.
Equal Opportunity & Diversity: The Companys equal
opportunity for persons with disabilities demonstrates a focus on fair treatment in the
workplace (S1.1
Discrimination).
Women Employee Resource Group
Mahindra World of Women (MWOW): Events and
workshops for women employees to network, share experiences, and develop leadership skills
are conducted.
She is on the Rise: A program designed to empower women
managers and address the challenges they face in leadership roles.
Policies for Women Employees: These address work-life
balance challenges, including menstrual wellness leave, childcare support, maternity
transition support and IVF reimbursement.
Prarambh Program: To empower women in Financial Services,
your Companys Prarambh program is a strategic partnership with Manipal
Academy of BFSI to address the gender gap in the financial services
sector. This initiative provides a specialized training program exclusively for women
candidates, equipping them with the skills necessary for successful careers at your
Company. The Program empowers women and creates a more diverse talent pool, bringing
valuable perspectives and skillsets like empathy and communication to the financial
sector.
Governance (G) Category:
Corporate Governance:
Anti-Corruption Policy: The existence of an anti-bribery and
anti-corruption policy demonstrates a commitment to ethical business practices (G4.5
Corruption).
Through the inclusive business model, your Company endeavours to cater
to the bottom of the pyramid in the rural and semi-urban areas, enabling them to earn
their livelihood through varied financial products and services. Through a wide network of
branches, we are promoting local employment and building strong lasting relationships with
our stakeholders.
Your Company has always been conscious of its role as a responsible
corporate citizen and is building an inclusive organisation by empowering all the
stakeholders and facilitating their contribution towards growth that is both holistic and
long term. Through its wide network of branches with locally recruited employees, strong
and lasting relationships with its stakeholders, large customer base, vast experience and
market knowledge, your Company is providing financial resources to underserviced regions
of the country.
Integrated Reporting
Your Company is pleased to present its holistic performance for FY2024,
in the Integrated Report of the Company. This report includes details such as the
organisations strategy, governance framework, performance and prospects of value
creation based on the six capitals-Financial, Manufactured, Intellectual, Human, Social
& Relationship and Natural capital.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
With a vision to transform rural and semi-urban India into a
self-reliant, flourishing landscape, your Company started its journey in 1991 and has
grown into a leading NBFC with an employee base of around 26,662 employees all over India.
By working with around 28 implementing partners in the areas of Education &
Livelihood, Healthcare and
Environment, your Company strives to become an asset in the communities
where it operates. Your Companys Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives
are aligned with the Companys purpose to drive positive change in the lives of our
communities and aligned with national priorities.
1. CSR Committee
Your Company has duly constituted a CSR Committee in accordance
with Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 to assist the Board and the Company in
fulfilling the corporate social responsibility objectives of the Company. The Committee
presently comprises of the following Directors:
Name |
Category |
Mr. Dhananjay Mungale |
Independent Director |
(Chairperson) |
|
Ms. Rama Bijapurkar |
Independent Director |
Mr. Raul Rebello |
Managing Director & CEO |
*Mr. Ramesh Iyer ceased to be member of the Committee upon
superannuation with effect from 29 th April 2024. Mr. Raul Rebello was inducted
as the member of the Committee with effect from 30 th April 2024.
During the year under review, 3 (three) CSR
Committee Meetings were held, details of which are provided in the
Corporate Governance Report.
The CSR Committee inter-alia, reviews and monitors the CSR as well as
BRSR activities. The terms of reference of the CSR Committee were enhanced to inter-alia
include formulation of BRSR Policies as against Business Responsibility Policies,
undertake periodic assessment of BRSR activities. objective of the first project for MSME
was
With a vision to transform rural and semi-urban India into a
self-reliant, flourishing landscape, your Company started its journey in 1991 and has
grown into a leading NBFC with an employee base of around 26,662 employees all over India.
2. CSR Policy
The CSR Policy approved by the Board encompasses the approach and
guidance given by the Board taking into account the recommendations of the CSR
Committee, including principles for management of the CSR
Project(s)/Program(s) and formulation of the Annual Action Plan.
During the year under review, the CSR Policy of the
Company was amended to inter-alia, align it with CSR Rules and broad
base CSR mission statement.
The CSR Policy has been hosted on the website of the Company at:
https://www.mahindrafinance.
com/investor-relations/policy-and-shareholder-information#mmfsl-policies
3. CSR Initiatives i. Swabhimaan- CSR Flagship Program
Your Company had launched CSR flagship program for Drivers Community
in FY2021 (Project "Swabhimaan" or "Self- Respect"), which is aimed at
upliftmentof drivers and their family members.
In FY2024, to further solidify its commitment towards the well-being of
the driver communities, your Company successfully implemented its flagship program
Swabhimaan. This multi-year programs focus has been to address the
professional, financial, and familial challenges faced by the drivers and their families
and further contribute to their overall well-being. In FY2024, we reached out to over
19,100+ beneficiaries across India. Through the Swabhimaan program, your Company provided
4-wheeler vehicle driving training to 960+ youth, E/Auto Rickshaw Training to 300+ women
from underprivilege families, road safety training to 15,590+ existing drivers and awarded
scholarships to 2,270+ children of drivers. Through above interventions, your Company
impacted lives of 2,000+ women beneficiaries. ii. Financial & Digital Literacy
Awareness
Program
Your Company launched two pilot projects on Financial & Digital
Literacy Awareness Program.
The to provide financial & digital Literacy, business skills
training for Nano and Micro-enterprises like people working at Kirana Store, Job Work,
Retail Shops, Restaurants. The objective of another project for GiG workers was imparting
financial planning skills to individuals such as farmers, drivers, self-employed from
low-income community to achieve better savings, awareness of financial instruments,
safeguard from digital frauds with basic details about vehicle maintenance.
Through above projects, your Company created awareness amongst 26,200+
individuals from semi urban & urban areas. During the training, we encouraged 4,900+
individual to download
Digi Locker app in their respective cell phone which helps them to
build backup and instantly access important documents like Aadhar, PAN, certific
drivinglicenses,vehicleregistration academic marksheets etc. iii. Nanhi Kali
Reaffirming its commitment to the cause of education, your Company
continued its support to the Project Nanhi Kali which has benefitted over 5,880+
underprivileged girl children from socially and economically marginalised families living
in urban, rural, and tribal parts of India. With the aim of helping girls complete
schooling, Project Nanhi Kali provides girls (from Class 1-10) with comprehensive support
including two hours of daily after-school remedial classes at Nanhi Kali Academic Support
Centres. To further enhance the quality of education imparted to the girls, Project Nanhi
Kali has partnered with a leading EdTech organisation,
Educational Initiatives.Thegirlsalsoreceivean e needed to succeed in
their careers confidenc annual school supplies kit comprising a school bag, stationery and
feminine hygiene material, enabling them to attend school with dignity. Further, to
accelerate bridging the digital gender gap in India, and to promote gender equality and
empowerment of girls through education and training programmes, Nanhi Kalis Digital
Equalizer for Girls Training Programme was introduced for
underprivileged girls enrolled in Classes 9-12. In FY2024, your Company trained 14,543
girls as part of this innovative initiative. iv. Mahindra Pride Classroom (MPC)
Your Company continued Mahindra Pride Classroom to reach out to
marginalised and socially excluded women to create job opportunities in various sectors
and enable women to become financially independent and participate actively in the
workforce.
Through the Swabhimaan program, your Company provided 4-wheeler vehicle
driving training to 960+ youth, E/Auto Rickshaw Training to 300+ women from underprivilege
families, road safety training to 15,590+ existing drivers and awarded scholarships to
2,270+ children of drivers.
Under this program, we conducted minimum 40 hours training for 39,210+
final year female students in classrooms across government/ government aided colleges,
polytechnics, industrial training institutions, employer premises etc. to enhance their
employability prospects. The modular MPC training program focusses on life, language and
aptitude skills. To facilitate students who have been trained in the MPC are placed with
organizations working in their core trade/ domain an innovative, tech-enabled job drive,
known as Job Utsav is conducted to bring together the best employers and a
great talent pool trained under the MPC program. v. Mahindra Pride Skill centers (MPSC)
You Company continued its support to MPSC which are specifically
designed to economically empower women through training in domain and employability
skills. The major focus are /
ITES, retail, hospitality, BFSI and other sectors.
By addressing the unique requirements of the job market and emphasising
the development of both technical and soft skills, the model aims to equip women with the
knowledge, skills and .
As part of this initiative, 1,000 women were trained under IT / ITES,
retail, hospitality, Tally,
IT&GST and 80% of the trained women were supported in securing a
gainful employment. vi. Project Hariyali
The Project Hariyali is a continuation of the Hariyali programme
started in 2010 in Araku. This program focuses on natural resource management and global
regenerative organic farming protocols as a means to increasing a communitys income
and improving its agricultural eco-system for an overall well-being of the community. In
FY2024, your Company planted 3,45,900+ saplings of coffee, fruit, legume and forest
species in the Araku region jointly with local communities. vii. Water Conservation
Project
As part of the Environmental Sustainability, your
Company constructed 4 Rainwater Harvesting
Structures in the ZP Schools / Adivasi Padas of Shahapur and 7 Farm
Ponds on the farmers lands in village Kheware, Murbad, Thane, Maharashtra along with
protective fencing to the ponds, solar panels in farm pond and solar pumps. This project
is expected to conserve 4,80,00,000 liters of rainwater for irrigation which will ensure
accessibility of water round the year for household and farming purpose and enable farmers
to take 2/3 crops. This project is expected to support 2,450 beneficiaries from the rural
areas of Maharashtra.
viii. Project Sehat
In the area of healthcare, your Company organised nationwide blood
donation drives in which 3,900+ Blood Units were collected, Pan
India. Your Company also conducted 8 health camps benefitting 1,630
individuals. ix. Project Hunnar: Skill development for Persons with Disabilities
Your Company continued its support to Persons with Disabilities by
training 250+
Hunnar program in various skills in Banking and Financial
Services and Insurance ("BFSI"), hospitality and Information
Technology Enabled Services ("ITES") sectors to enhance their
employability.
Employees Volunteering
Your Company has always encouraged the employees to participate in
various CSR initiatives to drive positive changes amongst the community. During the
reporting period, 22,500+ employees (85%) contributed 1,22,700+ person hours in various
virtual and CSR Calendar initiatives undertaken by the Company like blood donation, tree
plantation, Swachh Bharat, visit to municipal school, visit to Orphanages, Old age Homes
& centres for Differently Abled to reaffirm its pledge to the society. Through
employees volunteering, planted ~52,000 saplings to increase green cover near our
branches.
Apart from the key thrust areas, your Company contributed funds for
other causes such as preservation and promotion of the fine arts and culture, welfare of
the armed forces and supporting underprivileged community.
In FY2024, your Company conducted "CSR Implementation
Partners Meet" on 7th Feb 2024 with the participation of 12
implementation partners. Such stakeholder engagement presents the opportunity to foster
collaborations, interact with the senior management, networking and sharing of best
practices amongst varied implementation partners.
During the meet, your Company honoured three of its partners (NGO) as
"Best CSR implementation Partners
2023" and rest with Token of appreciation. It also organized
capacity building workshop on "Data driven impact measurement" for its
implementation partners.
4. CSR Spend
As per the provisions of Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013
("the Act") read with the Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy)
Rules, 2014 ("CSR Rules"), the mandatory CSR spend of the Company for FY2024 was
Rs. 29.96 crore, against which your Company has spent Rs. 25.27 crore during the year and
an amount of Rs. 4.71 crore has been transferred to MMFSL Unspent CSR Account 2024, (the
Company has transferred an unspent amount of Rs. 4.71 crore vis-a-vis Rs. 4.69 crore)
which shall be spent within prescribed timelines towards ongoing program on Financial
& Digital Literacy Awareness.
Further, in terms of the CSR Rules, Chief Financial Officer has
certified that the funds disbursed have been utilised for the purpose and in the manner
approved by the Board for FY2024.
5. Annual Report on CSR Activities
The Annual Report on the CSR activities undertaken by your Company
during the year under review, as prescribed in the Companies (Corporate Social
Responsibility Policy) Rules, 2014, as amended, is set out in "Annexure
II" of this Report.
6. Impact Assessment of CSR Projects
In compliance with the rule 8(3) of the Companies
(Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Rules,
2014, executive summary and web links of impact assessment reports with
respect to Companys CSR projects which meet the prescribed criteria, will be
provided once the same are completed. Your Company has engaged independent agencies to
carry out the impact assessment for the aforesaid projects.
Cyber Security
To secure the Companys digital transformation efforts, your
Company has ensured that it has complete visibility of all digital assets on-premises, in
the cloud, and across IoT devices and remote networks. Processes have been defined and
implemented to ensure as the advances in the journey of digital transformation our
technology infrastructure also transforms to identify and mitigate the emerging risks.
Your Company has also embarked on the journey to align itself with the data privacy
related legal and regulatory guidelines covering collection, storage and usage of
sensitive data. The Company has implemented threat monitors such as Web Application
Firewall (WAF), Data Loss Prevention, Web Content Filtering, Endpoint
Detection & Response (EDR), Threat Intel Services etc. followed by
protection of data through encryption, masking (transit and rest) etc. which helps in
detecting/ blocking the intrusions and attempts of data breach.
The Company also imparts periodical cyber and data privacy related
trainings to staff including to Board
Members which helps them to recognize common tricks that malicious
actors use to infiltrate systems thus, securing the human link as well.
During the year under review a cyber incident had occurred, details of
which are given in note no. 43 to the Standalone financial statements forming part of this
Annual report. The Company was able to build back the applications from the immutable
backups. The core systems remained unimpacted and peripheral systems were restored soon
after. Your Company has implemented a robust risk management and governance framework
supported by policies, processes, threat intel services, tools, technologies, continuous
& periodic cyber assessments to identify the emerging and existing risks that our
digital assets are exposed to.
Your Company will continue its focus on security monitoring and
incident response through its security operations centre.
Annual Return
Pursuant to Section 134(3)(a) and Section 92(3) of the Companies Act,
2013 read with rule 12(1) of theCompanies (Management and Administration) Rules, 2014, the
Annual Return in Form No. MGT-7, is available on the Companys website and can be
accessed at the web-link https://www.mahindrafinance.com/investor-relations/
financial-information#annual-reports
Board & Its Committees
Board
Your Company recognises and embraces the importance of a diverse Board
in its success. The confluence Directors on the Board with different knowledge and skills,
perspective, regional and industry experience, cultural and geographical background
ensures that your Company retains its competitive advantage.
As on 31st March 2024, the Board of your Company consisted of 11
Directors comprising of a Non-ExecutiveChairman, 2 Executive Directors, 2 Non-Executive
Non- Independent Directors and 6 Independent Directors, of whom 2 are Women Directors.
Committees constituted by the Board of Directors
The Board Committees are in compliance with the requirements of the
relevant provisions of applicable laws and statutes.
The details of the Board Committees along with their composition,
powers, terms of reference, etc. are given in the Report on Corporate Governance, which
forms part of this Annual Report.
Audit Committee
As on 31st March 2024, the Audit Committee comprised of 5
Independent Directors and 1 Non-Executive
Non-Independent Director:
Name |
Category |
Mr. C. B. Bhave |
Chairman of the Committee |
|
(Independent Director) |
Mr. Dhananjay Mungale |
Independent Director |
Ms. Rama Bijapurkar |
Independent Director |
Mr. Milind Sarwate |
Independent Director |
Mr. Diwakar Gupta |
Independent Director |
Mr. Amarjyoti Barua |
Non-Executive Non- Independent |
|
Director, appointed w.e.f. 27th |
|
October 2023 |
Changes in Audit Committee Members:
Mr. Amit Kumar Sinha ceased to be a Member of the Committee with
effect from close of business hours on 28th July 2023.
The composition of Audit Committee is over and above the minimum
requirement prescribed under the Act, SEBI Listing Regulations, and the RBI
Regulations for NBFCs (the NBFC Regulations) of having a
minimum of two-thirds of independent directors, including the Chairman. All members of the
Committee are non-executive directors possessing financial literacy,
and expertise in accounting or financial management related matters.
During the year under review, 7 Audit Committee
Meetings were held. Further, the terms of reference of the Audit
Committee were enhanced during the year under review, to include oversight of Information
Security Audit of the Company in terms of RBI Master Direction dated 7th
November 2023 on Information Technology Governance, Risk,
Controls and Assurance Practices.
All the recommendations of the Audit Committee were approved and
accepted by the Board during the year under review.
Meetings and Postal Ballot
The Board of Directors met 5 times during the year under review i.e.,
on 28th April 2023, 28th July 2023, 27th October 2023, 14th
December 2023 and 30th
January 2024, as against the statutory requirement of at least four
meetings. The requisite quorum was present at all the Board Meetings. The maximum time gap
between any two Meetings was not more than one hundred and twenty days. These Meetings
were well attended. The 33 rd AGM of the Company was held on 28th July 2023
through Video Conference.
During the year under review, no Extraordinary General
Meeting ("EGM") of the Members was held.
During the year under review, members by way of special resolution
passed through postal ballot on 19th January 2024, approved alteration to the
Memorandum of Association ("MOA") of the Company by inserting sub-clause
1f. under "Main objects of the Company to authorise the Company to solicit, procure
insurance business inter-alia as a Corporate Agent and undertake all incidental activities
and amendment to clause III. (v) of the MOA to exclude the restriction on the Company to
undertake any business falling under the purview of Insurance Act, 1938. The voting
results were announced on 20th January 2024 and submitted to the stock
exchanges where securities of the Company were listed. Detailed information on the
Meetings of the Board, its
Committees, Postal Ballot and the AGM is included in the
Report on Corporate Governance, which forms part of this Annual Report.
A calendar of all the meetings is prepared and circulated well in
advance to the Directors.
Meetings of Independent Directors
The Independent Directors met twice during the year under review, on 24th
August 2023 and 27th March
2024. TheMeetings were conducted without presence of the Whole-time
Director(s), the Non-Executive Non-Independent Directors, Chief Financial Officer or any
other Management Personnel to enable the Independent Directors to discuss matters
pertaining to, inter-alia, review of performance of Non-Independent Directors and the
Board as a whole, review the performance of the Chairman of the Company, assess the
quality, quantity and timeliness of flow of information between the Company Management
& the Board and its Committees and free flow discussion on any matter that is
necessary for the Board to effectively and reasonably perform their duties.
Directors and Key Managerial Personnel
Appointment/Re-appointment of Directors during FY2024 and upto the date
of this report
Appointment of Mr. Raul Rebello as the Executive
Director
Pursuant to the recommendation of Nomination and Remuneration Committee
("NRC") and the
Board of Directors, the Members of the Company at the Annual General
Meeting held on 28th July 2023, appointed Mr. Raul Rebello (DIN: 10052487), as
the Whole-time Director and KMP designated as Executive Director and MD &
CEO-designate with effect from 1st May 2023 to 29th April 2024 (both
days inclusive) and as the Managing Director of your
Company designated as Managing Director & CEO with effect from 30th
April 2024 up to 30th April
2028 (both days inclusive), liable to retire by rotation.
Mr. Raul Rebello assumed the position of "Managing Director &
CEO" of the Company w.e.f., 30th April 2024, after superannuation of Mr.
Ramesh Iyer, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of the Company effective close of
business hours of 29 th April 2024.
Appointment of Mr. Ashwani Ghai as a Non-Executive,
Non-Independent Director of the
Company
Pursuant to the recommendation of NRC, the Board of Directors of
the Company appointed Mr. Ashwani
Ghai (DIN: 09733798), as an Additional Director of your Company, with
effect from 23 rd June 2023. The Members of the Company have at the
Annual General Meeting held on 28th July 2023, approved the
appointment of Mr. Ashwani Ghai as a Non-Executive, Non-Independent Director of the
Company, liable to retire by rotation.
Appointment of Mr. Amarjyoti Barua as a Non-Executive,
Non-Independent Director of the
Company
Pursuant to the recommendation of NRC and the Board of Directors of
the Company, the Members of the Company have at the Annual General Meeting held on 28th
July 2023, approved the appointment of Mr.
Amarjyoti Barua (DIN: 09202472) as a Non-Executive
Non-Independent Director of your Company with effect from 28 th July
2023, liable to retire by rotation.
Re-appointment of Mr. Milind Sarwate as an Independent Director of the
Company
Based on the recommendation of NRC and the Board of Directors, the
Members of the Company have by means of a Special Resolution passed at the Annual General
Meeting held on 28th July 2023, approved re-appointment of Mr. Milind Sarwate
(DIN: 00109854), as an Independent Director of the Company for a second term of five
consecutive years each, commencing from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2029 (both
days inclusive) not liable to retire by rotation.
Appointment of Mr. Vijay Kumar Sharma as an Additional Director
(Independent and Non-Executive)
Basis recommendation of the NRC, the Board of Directors of the Company
have subject to the approval of the members of the Company, approved the appointment of
Mr. Vijay Kumar Sharma (DIN:
02449088) as an Additional Director (Independent and Non-Executive) for
a 1st term of 5 consecutive years with effect from 15th May 2024 to 14th May
2029, not liable to retire by rotation. In the opinion of the Board, Mr. Vijay Kumar
Sharma holds high standards of integrity, expertise and experience (including the
proficiency). He is exempted from the requirement to undertake the online proficiency
self-assessment test.
The necessary resolution seeking approval of the members of the Company
for appointment of Mr. Vijay Kumar Sharma as an Independent Director has been incorporated
in the Notice of 34th Annual General Meeting of the Company.
Cessation of Directors
Mr. Siddhartha Mohanty (DIN: 08058830) Non-Executive Non-Independent
Director, representing
Life Insurance Corporation of India ("LIC") on the Board of
the Company ceased to be the Director of your Company effective 12th May 2023 as he
assumed charge as Chairperson of LIC. Mr. Amit Kumar Sinha (DIN: 09127387), Non-Executive
Non-Independent Director of the
Company was liable to retire by rotation at the 33rd
AGM of the Company held on 28th July 2023 and was eligible for
re-appointment. However, Mr. Sinha did not seek re-appointment due to his transition to a
new role in Mahindra Group and consequently ceased to be Director of your Company w.e.f.
28th July 2023.
The Board records appreciation for services rendered by Mr. Siddhartha
Mohanty and Mr. Amit Kumar Sinha.
On attaining superannuation, Mr. Ramesh Iyer ceased to be the
Vice-Chairman & Managing Director of your Company effective close of business hours of
29th April 2024.
Board The of Directors places on record its deepest appreciation for
the exemplary contribution, strategic foresight, innovative thinking, and steadfast
commitment to excellence of Mr. Ramesh Iyer which has propelled Mahindra
& Mahindra Financial Services Limited to new heights, earning the
organization recognition and respect within the industry. The Board is confident that Mr.
Raul Rebello, the Managing Director &
CEO will build a stronger edifice on the strength of this solid
foundation laid by Mr. Ramesh Iyer during his long tenure as Managing Director of your
Company.
During the year under review, no Independent Director resigned from the
Board.
Retirement by Rotation
In terms of provisions of Section 152 of the Companies Act, 2013, Dr.
Anish Shah, Non- Executive Chairman is liable to retire by rotation and, being eligible,
has offered himself for re-appointment at the 34th Annual General Meeting of
the Company scheduled to be held on 23rd July 2024.
Re-appointment of Independent Directors
No Independent Director of your Company is due for reappointment in
FY2025.
Disqualific declaration Fit and Proper and Non-by Directors
All the Directors of the Company have confirmed that satisfy the
"fit and proper" criteria as prescribed under Chapter XI of RBI Master Direction
No. RBI/DoR/2023-24/106 DoR. FIN.REC.No.45/03.10.119/2023-24 dated 19th October
2023,asamended,andthattheyarenotdisqualified from being appointed/continuing as Directors
in terms of Section 164 (1) and (2) of the Companies Act, 2013.
Declaration by Independent Directors
All the Independent Directors of your Company have ll fulfi
giventheirdeclarationsandconfirmationthatthey the criteria of Independence as prescribed
under Section 149(6) of the Act and Regulation 16(1)(b) of the Listing Regulations and
have also confirmed that they are not aware of any circumstance or situation, which exist
or may be reasonably anticipated, that could impair or impact their ability to discharge
their duties with an objective independent judgment and withoutanyexternalinfluence.
Further, the Board after taking these declarations/ airs of disclosures
on record and acknowledging the veracity of the same, concluded that the Independent
Directors hold highest standards of integrity and possess the relevant proficiency,
expertise and experience to qualify and continue as Independent Directors of the Company
and are Independent of the Management of the Company. In terms of Section 150 of the
Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 6 of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of
Directors) Rules, 2014, as amended, Independent Directors of the Company have confirmed
that they have registered themselves with the databank maintained by The Indian Institute
of Corporate Affairs, Manesar (IICA) and the said registration is renewed and
active.
The Independent Directors of the Company are either exempted from the
requirement to undertake the online proficiency self-assessment test conducted by IICA or
have cleared the online proficiency self-assessment test as applicable. ectively during
the financial
Key Managerial Personnel
The following persons were designated as the Key Managerial Personnel
("KMP") of your Company pursuant to Sections 2(51) and 203 of the Companies Act,
2013 read with the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules,
2014, as on 31st March 2024:
1. Mr. Ramesh Iyer, Vice-Chairman & Managing Director
2. Mr. Raul Rebello, Executive Director and MD & CEO- designate
3. Mr. Vivek Karve, Chief Financial Officer of the Company
4. Ms. Brijbala Batwal, Company Secretary
Changes in Key Managerial Personnel
On attaining superannuation, Mr. Ramesh Iyer has ceased to be
the Vice Chairman & Managing Director and KMP of the Company effective close of
business hours of 29th April 2024.
Mr. Raul Rebello has assumed the office of Managing Director & CEO
of the Company effective 30th April 2024.
Directors Responsibility Statement
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 134(5) of the Companies Act,
2013, ("the Act") your Directors, based on the representations received from the
Operating Management and after due enquiry, confirm that: i. In the preparation of the
annual accounts for financial year ended 31st March 2024, the applicable
accounting standards have been followed and there are no material departures in adoption
of these standards. ii. They have selected such accounting policies and applied them
consistently and made judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent so as to aff
give trueandfairviewofthestateof Company as at 31st March 2024 and of the profit of
the Company for the year. iii. They have taken proper and sufficient care for the
maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the Act
for safeguarding the assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting fraud and
other irregularities. iv. They have prepared the annual accounts for financial year ended
31st March 2024 on a going concern basis.
v. They have laid down adequate internal financial controls to be
followed by the Company and that such internal financial controls were operating
effectively during the financial year ended 31 st March 2024. vi. They have
devised proper systems to ensure compliance with provisions of all applicable laws and
that such systems were adequate and operating
31 st March 2024.
Performance Evaluation of the Board
The Companies Act, 2013 ("Act") and the SEBI (Listing
Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations,
2015 ("the Listing Regulations") stipulate the evaluation of
the performance of the Board, its Committees, individual
Directors and the Chairperson.
Your Company has formulated a process for performance evaluation of the
Independent Directors, the Board, its
Committees and other individual Directors which includes criteria for
performance evaluation of the Non-Executive
Directors and Executive Directors.
An annual performance evaluation exercise was carried out compliance
with the applicable provisions of the Act, Listing Regulations, the Companys Code of
Independent Directors and the criteria and methodology of performance evaluation approved
by the NRC as under:
Evaluating body |
Evaluatee |
Broad criteria and parameters of
evaluation |
Process of evaluation |
The Board, the NRC and the
Independent Directors |
The Board as a whole |
Review of fulfilment of
Boards responsibilities including strategic direction, financial reporting, risk
management framework, ESG, grievance redressal, succession planning, knowledge of industry
trends, diversity of Board etc. and feedback to improve Boards effectiveness. |
Internal assessment through a
structured and separate rating based questionnaire for each of the evaluations. |
The Board |
The Committees of the Board
(separately for each Committee) |
Structure, composition,
attendance and participation, meetings of Committees, effectiveness of the functions
handled, independence of the Committee from the Board, contribution to decisions of the
Board etc. |
The evaluation is carried out
on a secured online portal whereby the evaluators are able to submit their ratings and
qualitative feedback, details of which are accessible only to the NRC Chairperson. |
|
|
|
The NRC also reviews the
implementation and compliance of the evaluation exercise done annually. |
The Board, the |
Independent |
Qualifications, experience, skills,
independence criteria, integrity of the Directors, contribution and attendance at
meetings, ability to function as a team and devote time, fulfilment of functions, ability
to challenge views of others in a constructive manner, knowledge acquired with regard to
the Companys business, understanding of industry, fairness and transparency
demonstrated, adequacy of resource staffing. |
|
NRC, and the Independent
Directors |
Directors including those
seeking re-appointment, Non-Independent Directors, and the MD (excluding the Director
being evaluated) |
|
The results and outcome are
evaluated, deliberated upon and noted by the |
|
|
|
Independent Directors, the NRC and the Board
at their respective meetings. |
The Board, the NRC and the
Independent Directors |
Chairperson |
Skills, expertise,
effectiveness of leadership, effective engagement with other Board members during and
outside meetings, allocation of time to other Board members at the meetings and ability to
steer the meetings, commitment, impartiality, ability to keep shareholders interests
in mind, effective engagement with shareholders during general meetings etc. |
|
The questionnaires for performance evaluation are comprehensive and in
alignment with the guidance note on Board evaluation issued by the SEBI, vide its circular
no. SEBI/HO/CFD/CMD/CIR/P/2017/004 dated 5th January 2017 and are in line with the
criteria and methodology of performance evaluation approved by the NRC.
Outcome and results of the performance evaluation
All the Directors of your Company as on 31st March 2024 had
participated in the evaluation process. The Directors expressed their satisfaction with
the Annual performance evaluation process of Board & Committees. During the year under
review, NRC ascertained and re-affirmed that the deployment of "questionnaire"
as a methodology, is effective for evaluation of performance of Board and
Committees and Individual Directors. The results of the Evaluation for
the year under review were shared with the Board, Chairperson of respective Committees and
individual Directors.
It was noted that the Meetings of the Board and Committees are well
managed in terms of comprehensive updates sent well in advance, constructive participation
and deliberations at the meeting led by the Chair, enabling Board and Committees to fulfil
their statutory / review role and focus on Governance and Internal
Controls. It was also noted that the Company during the year under
review facilitated familiarisation on cyber security, Prohibition of Insider Trading
Regulations, BRSR framework and provided regular updates to Board on all key matters.
The results of Evaluation showed high level of commitment and
engagement of Board, its various Committees and senior leadership. Based on the outcome of
the evaluation for the year under review, the Board shall enhance its focus on providing
strategic direction, digital initiatives, oversee regulatory matters and maintaining high
standards of governance, to enhance value for all stakeholders while deepening its focus
on ESG and risk management. Based on the results of the evaluation, the Board has agreed
on an action plan to further improve the effectiveness and functioning of the Board. The
suggestions from previous evaluations were implemented by the Company during FY2024.
Familiarisation Programme for Directors
Your Company has adopted a structured programme for orientation of all
Directors including the Independent Directors so as to familiarise them with the Company
its operations, business, industry, environment in which it functions, Indian and global
macro-economic front and the regulatory regime applicable to it. The Management updates
the Board Members on a continuing basis of any significant changes therein and provides
them an insight to their expected roles and responsibilities so as to be in a position to
take well-informed and timely decisions and contribute significantly to the Company. The
Directors provided with all the documents to enable them to have a better understanding of
the Company, its operations and the industry in which it operates.
The Independent Directors of your Company are made aware of their roles
and responsibilities at the time of their appointment through a formal letter of
appointment, which also stipulates various terms and conditions of their engagement. The
terms of reference of all Committees with updations, if any, is shared with all the
Board Members on quarterly basis.
Managing Director and Senior Management provide an overview of the
operations and familiarise the Directors on matters related to the Companys values
and commitments. They are also introduced to the organisation structure, constitution of
various committees, board procedures, risk management strategies etc.
Strategic Presentations are made to the Board where Directors get an
opportunity to interact with Senior
Management. Directors are also informed of the various developments in
the Company through Press Releases, emails, etc. Your Company has a secured Board portal
which inter-alia provides a one stop and seamless solution for access to Board/Committee
materials to all the Directors. The Board portal also contains Annual Report, Code of
Conduct for Directors, terms of appointment, committee charters etc. for ease of access.
This enables greater transparency to the Board processes.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and Regulation
25(7) of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015
("the
Listing Regulations"), your Company has during the year conducted
familiarization programmes through briefings at Board/ Committee meetings for all its
Directors including Independent Directors.
Details of familiarization programs imparted to the Independent
Directors during the financial year under review in accordance with the requirements of
the
Listing Regulations are available on the Companys website and can
be accessed at the weblink: https://
www.mahindrafinance.com/investor-relations/policy-and-shareholder-information#familiarization-program
and is also provided in the Corporate Governance Report forming part of this Annual
Report.
Policies on Appointment of Directors and Senior Management and
Remuneration of Directors, Key
Managerial Personnel and Employees i) Policy on Appointment of
Directors and Senior Management and succession planning for orderly succession to the
Board and the Senior
Management
In accordance with the provisions of Section 134(3) (e) of the
Companies Act, 2013 ("the Act") read with Section 178 of the Act and Regulation
17 of the SEBI
(Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements)
Regulations, 2015 ("the Listing Regulations"), your Company
has adopted a Policy on Appointment of
Directors and Senior Management and succession planning for orderly
succession to the Board and the Senior Management, which, inter-alia, includes the
criteria for determining qualifications, positive attributes and independence of
Directors, identification of persons who are qualified to become Directors and who may be
appointed in the
Senior Management team, succession planning for
Directors and Senior Management, and the Talent Management framework of
the Company. During the year under review, there were no changes in the said policy.
The said policy is available on the website of the
Company and can be accessed at https://www.
mahindrafinance.com/investor-relations/policy-and-shareholder-information#mmfsl-policies ii)
Policy on Remuneration of Directors and the Remuneration Policy for Key Managerial
Personnel, Senior Management and other
Employees of the Company
Your Company has also adopted the Policy on
Remuneration of Directors and the Remuneration Policy for Key
Managerial Personnel, Senior Management and other Employees of the Company in accordance
with the provisions of Sub-section (4) of Section 178 of the Act, Scale Based Regulations
notified by the Reserve Bank of India ("RBI") and
Listing Regulations.
During the year under review the Policy on
Remuneration of Directors of the Company was amended to, inter-alia,
align with existing legal provisions and introduce certain standard clauses.
The said Policy is uploaded on the website of the Company and can be
accessed at: https://www.
mahindrafinance.com/investor-relations/policy-and-shareholder-information#mmfsl-policies
Joint
Adequacy of Internal Financial Controls with Reference to the Financial
Statements
Your Company has in place adequate internal financial controls with
reference to the Financial Statements commensurate with the size, scale and complexity of
its operations.
Your Company uses various industry standard systems to enable, empower
and engender businesses and also to maintain its Books of Accounts. The transactional
controls built into these systems ensure appropriate segregation of duties, the
appropriate level of approval mechanisms and maintenance of supporting records. The
systems,
Standard Operating Procedures and controls are reviewed by the
Management.
Your Companys internal financial controls are deployed through
Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organisations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO"), that addresses material risks
in your Companys operations and financial reporting objectives. Such controls have
been assessed during the year under review taking into consideration the essential
components of internal controls stated in the Guidance Note on Audit of Internal Financial
Controls Over Financial Reporting ("ICFR") issued by The Institute of Chartered
Accountants of India. The risk control matrices are reviewed on a quarterly basis and
control measures are tested and documented on a quarterly basis. The Company has IT
systems in place making the ICFR process completely digital and strengthening the review
and monitoring mechanism. Based on the assessments carried out by the Management during
the year, no reportable material weakness or significant deficiencies in the design or
operation of internal financial controls were observed. Your Company recognises that
internal financial controls cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial,
operational and compliance reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations. Also,
projections of any evaluation of the internal financial controls to future periods are
subject to the risk that the internal financial control may become inadequate because of
changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may
deteriorate. Accordingly, regular audits and review processes ensure that such systems are
reinforced on an ongoing basis.
In compliance with RBI circular dated 3rd February 2021, the Audit
Committee has approved a Risk Based Internal Audit ("RBIA") framework, along
with appropriate processes and plans for internal audit of FY2024.
Joint Statutory Auditors certification on Internal
Financial Controls
The Auditors of your Company viz.
M/s Deloitte Haskins & Sells, Chartered Accountants and M/s. Mukund
M. Chitale & Co., Chartered Accountants have examined the internal financial controls
of the Company and have submitted an on the adequacy and operating effectiveness of the
internal financial controls over financial reporting as at 31st March 2024.
Internal Audit Framework
Your Company has in place an adequate internal audit framework to
monitor the efficacy of the internal controls with the objective of providing to the Audit
Committee and the Board of Directors, an independent, objective and reasonable assurance
on the adequacy and effectiveness of the Companys processes. The internal audit
approach verifies compliance with the operational and system related procedures and
controls.
Separate meetings between the Chief Internal Auditor and the Audit
Committee
Separate meetings between the Chief Internal Auditor and the Audit
Committee, without the presence of Management, were enabled to facilitate free and frank
discussion amongst them. The meetings were held on
28th April 2023, 22nd September 2023, 27th
October 2023 and 27th March 2024.
Risk Based Internal Audit ("RBIA") framework
In compliance with RBI circular dated 3rd February
2021, the Audit Committee has approved a Risk Based Internal Audit
("RBIA") framework, along with appropriate processes and plans for internal
audit of FY2024 and FY2025. The Risk Based Internal Audit Plan is also being reviewed by
the Statutory Auditors and Chief Risk Officer before being approved by the Audit
Committee.
The audit plan is aimed at evaluation of the efficacy and adequacy of
internal control systems and compliance thereof, robustness of internal processes,
policies and accounting procedures and compliance with laws and regulations. Based on the
reports of internal audit, function/ process owners undertake corrective action in their
respective areas. Significant audit observations are tracked and presented to the Audit
Committee, together with the status of the management actions and the progress of the
implementation of the recommendations on a regular basis.
Risk Management
Risk Management forms an integral part of the Companys business.
Your Company has a comprehensive Risk
Management Policy in place and has laid down a well-defined risk
management framework to identify, assess and monitor risks and strengthen controls to
mitigate risks.
Your Company has established procedures to periodically place before
the Risk Management Committee and the Board of Directors, the risk assessment and
minimisation procedures being followed by the Company and steps taken by it to mitigate
these risks.
The Risk Management Policy, inter-alia, includes identification of
elements of risk, including Cyber Security and related risks as well as those risks which
in the opinion of the Board may threaten the existence of the Company. The Risk Management
process has been established across the Company and is designed to identify, assess and
frame a response to threats that affect the achievement of its objectives. Further, it is
embedded across all the major functions and revolves around the goals and objectives of
the Company. Your Company has a robust organisational structure for managing and reporting
on risks. This risk management mechanism works at all the levels, which acts as the
strategic defence cover of the Companys risk management and is supported by regular
review, control, self-assessments and monitoring of key risk indicators. The Risk
Management Committee ("RMC") constituted by the Board manages the integrated
risk and reviews periodically the Risk Management Policy and strategy followed by the
Company.
In compliance with Scale Based Regulations, the Board of Directors have
basis recommendation of RMC adopted ICAAP Policy and Framework with the objective of
ensuring availability of adequate capital to support all risks in business as also enable
effective risk management system in the Company.
The Chief Risk Officer ("CRO") oversees and strengthens the
risk management function of the Company. The CRO is invited to the Board, Audit Committee,
Asset Liability
Committee and Risk Management Committee Meetings. The CRO along with
members of the Senior Management apprises the Risk Management Committee and the Board on
the risk assessment, process of identifying and evaluating risks, major risks as well as
the movement within the risk grades, the root cause of risks and their impact, key risk
indicators, risk management measures and the steps being taken to mitigate these risks.
Auditors and Audit Reports
Joint Statutory Auditors and their Reports
M/s. Deloitte Haskins & Sells, Chartered Accountants (ICAI Firm
Registration No. 117365W) ["DHS"] and M/s. Mukund
M. Chitale & Co., Chartered Accountants (ICAIation toFirm
Registration No. 106655W) ["MCC"], the Joint Statutory
Auditors of the Company have issued unmodified Audit
Reports on the Standalone and Consolidated Financial
Statements for the financial year ended 31st March 2024. The
report does not contain any qualification, reservation or adverse remark or disclaimer.
The Joint Statutory Auditors of the Company have issued Audit Reports
on the Standalone and Consolidated Financial Statements for the financial year ended 31st
March 2024. The report does not contain any qualification, reservation or adverse remark
or disclaimer.
The Joint Statutory Auditors hold valid peer review certificate as
prescribed under the SEBI (Listing
Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations,
2015 ("the Listing Regulations").
The Joint Statutory Auditors of the Company were present at the last
Annual General Meeting ("AGM") held on 28th July 2023.
Adoption of Policy for Appointment of Statutory Auditors
In compliance with the Reserve Bank of India Guidelines dated 27th
April 2021 ("RBI Guidelines"), your Company has in place a Policy for
appointment of Statutory Auditors of the Company. The said Policy was amended by the Board
of Directors to specifically cover independence of auditors and annual review of
performance of statutory auditors in compliance with the RBI Guidelines.
Appointment of Joint Statutory Auditors
The current Joint Statutory Auditors have completed their tenure of 3
consecutive years with the Company.
Consequently, their tenure with the Company will end at the conclusion
of the 34th AGM of the Company to be held in July 2024. As per RBI Guidelines, the said
audit firms would be in-eligible for re-appointment as Statutory Auditors of the Company
for such cooling period as specified in RBI guidelines. Hence, it is necessary to appoint
new set of Joint Statutory Auditors of the Company.
Basis the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board of
Directors, have approved and recommended the appointment of M/s. M M Nissim & Co LLP,
Chartered Accountants (ICAI Firm Registration Number: 107122W/ W100672) and M/s. M P
Chitale & Co., Chartered Accountants (ICAI Firm Registration Number: 101851W) as the
Joint Statutory Auditors of your Company for a term of 3 consecutive years to hold office
from conclusion of the 34th AGM upto the conclusion of 37th AGM to be held in
the year 2027.
The Joint Statutory Auditors, as proposed, have given aeffect that they
are eligible to be appointed and not disqualified from acting as the
Statutory Auditors .
Members are requested to consider and approve the appointment of M/s. M
M Nissim & Co LLP, Chartered
Accountants and M/s. M P Chitale & Co., Chartered
Accountants, as the Joint Statutory Auditors of your Company . The
proposal is included in the Notice of 34 th AGM of the Company.
Secretarial Auditor and Audit Report
M/s. Makarand M. Joshi & Co., Practicing Company Secretaries were
appointed as the Secretarial Auditor of the Company for conducting the Secretarial Audit
of your Company for FY2023 and FY2024 in accordance with the provisions of Section 204 of
the Act read with the rules framed thereunder.
In accordance with the provisions of Sub-section (1) of
Section 204 of the Companies Act, 2013, the Secretarial Audit Report
for FY2024 issued by M/s. Makarand M. Joshi
& Co., is appended to this Report as "Annexure III".
M/s. Makarand M. Joshi & Co., was present at the last AGM of the
Company held on 28th July 2023.
TheSecretarial Audit Report does not contain any qualification,
reservation or adverse remark or disclaimer.
Appointment of Secretarial Auditor
The Board of Directors have decided to rotate the Secretarial Auditors
from good governance perspective, and accordingly appointed M/s. KSR & Co Company
Secretaries LLP as the Secretarial Auditor of the Company for
conducting the Secretarial Audit of the Company for
FY2025 and FY2026 in accordance with the provisions of Section 204 of
the Act read with the rules framed thereunder.
M/s. KSR & Co Company Secretaries LLP is a Company
Secretaries firm which has created a niche in Corporate Law practice
with expertise in diverse domains akin to a full-service Law firm. They have served
reputed clients across various sectors, having an excellent track record in the field of
Corporate Laws, Securities Laws, Foreign
Exchange Management Laws, Intellectual Property Laws,
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Law, Industrial & Labour Laws and
Environmental Laws.
The firmundertakes Board Process Audits, Corporate
Governance Audits, Secretarial Audits, Internal Audits on functions and
activities, Corporate Actions /Transactions based Due Diligence Audits.
Secretarial Audit of Material Subsidiary
The Secretarial Audit of Mahindra Rural Housing Finance Limited
("MRHFL"), a material, debt listed subsidiary of the Company, for FY2024 was
carried out pursuant to Section 204 of the Companies Act, 2013. The Secretarial Audit
Report of MRHFL submitted by M/s. KSR & Co Company Secretaries LLP, does not contain
any qualification, reservation or adverse remark or disclaimer.
There is no material unlisted indian subsidiary of the Company as on 31st
March, 2024 and as such the requirement under Regulation 24A of the SEBI (Listing
Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations,
2015 ("Listing Regulations") regarding the Secretarial Audit
of material unlisted indian subsidiary is not applicable to the Company for the Financial
Year 2023-24.
Annual Secretarial Compliance Report with additional confirmations on
compliances
In compliance with Regulation 24A of Listing Regulations, your Company
has undertaken an audit for FY2024 for all the applicable compliances as per Listing
Regulations,
2015 and circulars/guidelines issued thereunder. The Annual Secretarial
Compliance Report ("ASCR") issued by M/s. Makarand M. Joshi & Co., Company
Secretaries, Secretarial Auditor for FY2024 with additional confirmations on compliances
by the Company with respect to Insider Trading Regulations, Related party
Transactions, updation of Policies, disclosure of material events to
Stock Exchanges etc. as per revised ASCR format prescribed by BSE and NSE, has been filed
with the Stock Exchanges, and is appended to this Report as
"Annexure IV".
The Annual Secretarial Compliance Report does not contain any
qualification, reservation or adverse remark.
Cost Records and Cost Audit
Maintenance of cost records and requirement of cost audit as prescribed
under the provisions of Section 148 of the Companies Act, 2013 are not applicable in
respect of the business activities carried out by your Company and hence such accounts and
records were not required to be maintained by the Company.
Fraud Reporting
During the year under review, the Joint Statutory
Auditors and the Secretarial Auditor have not reported any instances of
frauds committed in the Company by its officers or employees, involving amount of less
than 1 crore to the Audit Committee under section 143(12) of the Companies Act, 2013
details of which need to be mentioned in this Report.
As reported in public domain, during the end of 4th quarter
of the financial year ended 31 st March 2024, an incident of fraud was detected
by the management at Companys branch at Aizawl, Mizoram in respect of retail vehicle
loans disbursed by the Company. The fraud involved forgery of KYC documents & asset
related documents, leading to embezzlement of Company funds. The fraud was perpetrated in
the Branch through collusion amongst branch employees, with segregated duties, thus
compromising the existing maker-checker controls. A few vehicle dealers and external
parties (employees of banks / old employees of the Company) connived with these employees
in this fraudulent activity. Based on the results of the assessment carried out by an
accounting firm and further validated by the management, 2887 loan accounts were
identified by the Management as potentially fraudulent in nature with an aggregate net
recoverable balance of Rs. 135.86 crore. The Company has made 100% provision for this
amount, which impacted the profits for the quarter and year ended 31st March
2024. The Company live loan accounts across its branches and has concluded that there is
no evidence of a similar fraud anywhere else in the country. As a proactive step, the
Company has identified a few key initiatives to further strengthen controls, including but
not limited to accelerating the timeline for centralization of document reviews,
implementing digital due diligence tools for customer on-boarding and enhanced screening
and sampling of cases by the fraud control unit, which is set up to select sample of
disbursements across branches to screen the documents involved possibility for the
possibility of them being fraudulent.
Further details on the above and related matters can be referred in
Note no. 42 to the Standalone financial statements forming part of this Annual report. The
Company is reinforcing its commitment to trust, integrity and transparency through
enhanced measures for compliance, risk management, and governance.
Particulars of Contracts or Arrangements with Related Parties
Your Company has in place a robust process for approval of Related
Party Transactions and on Dealing with Related
Parties.
All contracts/arrangements/transactions entered into by the Company
during the Financial Year ancial statements with related parties were in the ordinary
course of business and on an arms length basis.
Omnibus approval of Audit Committee is obtained for Related Party
Transactions which are of repetitive nature, which are reviewed on quarterly basis by the
Audit
Committee as per Regulation 23 of the Listing Regulations and Section
177 of the Companies Act, 2013.
All Related Party Transactions and subsequent material modifications,
if any, were placed before the Audit Committee for review and approval. Necessary details
for each of the Related Party Transactions as applicable along with the justification are
provided to the Audit Committee in terms of the Companys Policy on Materiality of
and
Dealing with Related Party Transactions and as required under SEBI
Circular dated 22nd November 2021. The Company has not entered into Material
Related Party Transactions as per the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and a
confirmation to this effect as required under Section 134(3)(h) of the Companies Act 2013
is given in form AOC-2 as "Annexure V", which forms part of this
Annual Report.
In accordance with the applicable provisions of the Master Direction
issued by the Reserve Bank of India and the
SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements)
Regulations, 2015 ("the Listing Regulations"), the
Policy on Materiality of and Dealing with Related Party Transactions, as
updated is available on the Companys website: https://
www.mahindrafinance.com/investor-relations/policy-and-shareholder-information#mmfsl-policies
As per the Whistle Blower Policy implemented by the Company, the
Employees, Directors or any Stakeholders associated with the Company are free to report
illegal or unethical behaviour, actual or suspected fraud, or violation of the
Companys Code(s) of Conduct.
The transactions of the Company with the company belonging to the
promoter/promoter group which holds more than 10% shareholding in the Company as required
pursuant to para A of schedule V of the Listing Regulations is disclosed separately in the
financial statements of the Company. Members of the Company had approved entering into
Material Related Party transaction with Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, (Promoter/
Holding Company and a Related party) under Regulation
23 of the Listing Regulations. During the year under review, the
aggregate value of the transactions entered with Mahindra & Mahindra Limited did not
exceed the materiality threshold as prescribed under Regulation
23 of the Listing Regulations. Further details on the transactions with
related parties are provided in the
.accompanying
Whistle Blower Policy/Vigil Mechanism
Your Company promotes ethical behaviour in all its business activities
and has established a vigil mechanism for its Directors, Employees, and Stakeholders
associated with the Company to report their genuine concerns. The Vigil Mechanism as
envisaged in the Companies Act, 2013 and the Rules prescribed thereunder and the SEBI
(Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations,
2015 is implemented through the Whistle Blower Policy, to provide for
adequate safeguards against victimisation of persons who use such mechanism and make
provision for direct access to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee.
As per the Whistle Blower Policy implemented by the
Company, the Employees, Directors or any Stakeholders associated with
the Company are free to report illegal or unethical behaviour, actual or suspected fraud,
or violation of the Companys Code(s) of Conduct or Corporate
Governance Policies or any improper activity, through the channels
provided below.
The Whistle Blower Policy provides for protected disclosure and
protection to the Whistle Blower. Under the Whistle Blower Policy, the confidentiality of
those reporting violation(s) is protected and they are not subject to any discriminatory
practices. The Whistle-blower can make a protected disclosure by using any of the
following channels for reporting:
1. Independent third-party Ethics Helpline Service Portal:
https://ethics.mahindra.com
2. Toll free No: 000 800 100 4175
3. Chairperson of the Audit Committee
The Whistle Blower Policy has been widely disseminated within the
Company. The Policy is available on the website of the Company at the web link:
https://www.
mahindrafinance.com/investor-relations/policy-and-shareholder-information#mmfsl-policies
During the year, the Company received 10 whistle blower complaints. All the cases were
investigated and appropriate actions were taken.
The Audit Committee is apprised of the vigil mechanism on a periodic
basis. During the year, no person was denied access to the Chairperson of the Audit
Committee. A quarterly report on the whistle blower complaints is placed before the Audit
Committee for its review.
Particulars of Employees and Related Disclosures
Details of employees who were in receipt of remuneration of not less
than Rs. 1,02,00,000 during the year ended 31st March 2024 or not less than Rs.
8,50,000 per month during any part of the year, as required under provisions of Section
197(12) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 5(2) and 5(3) of Companies (Appointment
and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 will be made available during 21
days before the Annual
General Meeting in electronic mode to any Shareholder upon request sent
at the Email ID: investorhelpline_ mmfsl@mahindra.com. Such details are also available on
Companys website and can be accessed at the web-link:
https://www.mahindrafinance.com/investor-relations/ financial-information#annual-reports
Disclosures with respect to the remuneration of Directors,
Key Managerial Personnel and Employees as required under Section
197(12) of the Companies Act, 2013 and Rule 5(1) of Companies (Appointment and
Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, is given in"Annexure VI".
Disclosure in respect of remuneration/commission drawn by the Managing
Director / Whole-time Director from Holding or Subsidiary Company
Mr. Ramesh Iyer, former Vice-Chairman & Managing
Director and Mr. Raul Rebello, Managing Director & CEO did not
receive any remuneration or commission from Holding/Subsidiaries of the Company during
FY2024.
Disclosure Under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace
(Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 ("POSH Act")
Your Company is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to
ensuring that the work environment at all its locations is conducive to fair, safe and
harmonious relations between employees. It strongly believes in upholding the dignity of
all its employees, irrespective of their gender or seniority. Discrimination and
harassment of any type are strictly prohibited.
Your Company has in place a comprehensive Policy in accordance with the
provisions of POSH Act and Rules made thereunder.
The Company conducts an online Induction Training through the learning
platform M-Drona (Internal Training App) covering topics including POSH awareness,
reconciliation before filing POSH complaint(s).
All employees (permanent, contractual, temporary and trainees) are
covered under this Policy. The Policy has been widely communicated internally and is
placed on the Companys intranet portal. The Company ensures that no employee is
disadvantaged by way of gender discrimination.
The POSH Policy is available on the website of the Company and can be
accessed at the web-link: https://
www.mahindrafinance.com/investor-relations/policy-and-shareholder-information#mmfsl-policies.
Your Company has complied with the provisions relating to the
constitution of the Internal Complaints Committee
("ICC") under the POSH Act to redress complaints received
regarding sexual harassment.
To ensure that all the employees are sensitized regarding issues of
sexual harassment, the Company conducts an online Induction Training through the learning
platform M-Drona (Internal Training App) covering topics including POSH awareness,
reconciliation before filing POSH complaint(s) and consequences of filing the false
complaint(s).
The following is a summary of Sexual Harassment complaint(s) received
and disposed of during the FY2024, pursuant to the POSH Act and Rules framed thereunder:
a) Number of complaint(s) of Sexual Harassment received during FY 2024 1 b) Number of
complaint(s) disposed of during FY2024 1 c) Number of cases pending as of 31st
March 2024 0
Awareness and Training on POSH
Continuous awareness in this area has been created vide the POSH
campaign reiterating Mahindras commitment to providing a safe workplace to all its
employees.
During the year, the Company organised sensitisation and awareness
programs vide inductions for new joiners, e-learning modules for all employees, trainees,
associates including sending emailers, creating standees and posters to sensitise all
employees to conduct themselves in a professional manner. Further, virtual and classroom
training sessions were conducted by the Companys
Ethics Counsellors. The Company also organized offline leadership
conversations on gender sensitisation and employee interactive sessions including
conscious inclusions. d) Number of workshops/awareness programme on the subject carried
out during the year under review are as under:
Awareness program was conducted in which mailers & video on
the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the workplace along with
POSH policies was circulated to all employees. POSH training was
provided to all new joinees as a part of induction module.
An online e-learning module for employees on Prevention of
Sexual Harassment covering topics on Sexual Harassment, the process of filing complaints,
dealing with Sexual
Harassment, etc. is developed for training. 99.79% of the employees
have completed this training.
One Training program on ICC was conducted for all ICC members.
One Training program on POSH sensitization was conducted for the
HR team.
Conservation of Energy, Technology Absorption and
Foreign Exchange Earnings and Outgo
Directors further state that no The information in respect of
conservation of energy, technology absorption and foreign exchange earnings and outgo, as
required under Section 134(3)(m) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule (8)(3) of the
Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 is attached as
"Annexure VII" to the Boards Report.
Policies
Thedetails of the Key Policies adopted by your Company and changes made
therein, if any, during the year under review are mentioned at "Annexure
VIII" to the Boards Report.
Compliance with the Provisions of Secretarial
Standard 1 and Secretarial Standard 2
The Directors have devised proper systems to ensure compliance with the
provisions of the Secretarial Standards, i.e., SS-1 and SS-2, relating to Meetings
of the Board of Directors and General Meetings, respectively, issued by
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India
("ICSI") and such systems are adequate and operating
effectively.
Voluntary Adherence of Secretarial Standards by all Board Committees
Although, SS-1 compliance is required only for Board and its Committees
mandatorily required to be constituted under the Companies Act, 2013 ("the
Act"), the Company adheres and complies with the good practices enunciated in the
said Secretarial Standards for all its mandatory and non-mandatory Board level Committees.
Your Company has complied with applicable SS-1 and SS-
2, during the year under review.
Details of significant and material orders passed by the regulators or
courts or tribunals impacting the going concern status and the Companys operations
in future
There were no significant and material orders passed by the regulators
or courts or tribunals during the year impacting the going concern status of the Company
and its future operations.
Disclosure pertaining to Insolvency & Bankruptcy
Code
There were neither any applications filed by or against the
Company nor any proceedings were pending under the
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 during the year under review.
Disclosure on One-Time Settlement
During the year, the Company has not made any one-time settlement for
loans taken from the Banks or Financial Institutions and hence the details of difference
between amount of the valuation done at the time of one-time settlement and the valuation
done while taking loan from the Banks or Financial Institutions along with the reasons
thereof is not applicable.
General Disclosures
The or reporting is required in respect of the following items, as
there were no transactions/events related to these items during the financial year under
review:
There was no issue of equity shares with differential rights as
to dividend, voting or otherwise;
There was no issue of shares (including sweat equity shares) to
the employees of the Company under any scheme, save and except Employee Stock Option
schemes referred to in this Report;
There was no raising of funds/issue of shares through
Preferential Allotment, Public Issue, Rights Issue or Qualified Institutional Placement;
There was no buy back of the equity shares during the year under
review;
There were no voting rights which are not directly exercised by
the employees in respect of equity shares for the subscription/purchase for which loan was
given by the Company (as there is no scheme pursuant to which such persons can
beneficially hold shares as envisaged under Section 67(3)(c) of the Companies Act, 2013
("the Act");
There was no suspension of trading of securities of the Company
on account of corporate action or otherwise;
There was no revision made in the Financial Statements or the
Boards Report of the Company; funds
The Company being an NBFC, the provisions relating to Chapter V
of the Act, i.e., acceptance of deposit, are not applicable. Disclosures as per NBFC
regulations have been made in this Annual Report.
Acknowledgments
The Board conveys its deep gratitude and appreciation to all the
employees of the Company for their tremendous efforts as well as their exemplary
dedication and contribution to the Companys performance.
The Directors customers, vendors, business partners, bankers,
government and all other business associates for their continued support to the Company
and the Management.