Yes Bank Limited

Yes Bank Limited

15.77
INR
-0.33
(-2.05%)
1.24EPS
19.49P/E
759.25BMarket Cap
Jan 18Next Earn

Q2 FY2027 · Earnings Call TranscriptOctober 19, 2026

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to YES BANK's Q2 FY27 Results Conference Call. On the management panel, we have with us today, Mr.

Vinay M. Tonse, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer; Mr.

Manish Jain, Executive Director; Mr. Niranjan Banodkar, Chief Financial Officer; Mr.

Sunil Panpaliya, Head of Investor Relations and Sustainability. Mr.

Vinay M. Tonse will now give you an overview of the results, which will be followed by a Q&A session.

As a reminder, all participant lines will be in the listen-only mode, and there will be an opportunity for you to ask questions after the presentation concludes. Should you need assistance during the conference call, please signal an operator by pressing star then zero on your touch-tone phone.

Please note that this conference is being recorded. Participants are requested to ask questions pertaining to the bank's Q2 results only.

For any other information, you may reach out to the corporate communications team separately. I now hand the conference over to Mr.

Vinay M. Tonse.

Thank you, and over to you, Mr. Tonse.

Vinay M. Tonse

Yeah. Thank you.

Good morning to all. Thank you for joining us for the quarterly results presentation, and also thank you for coming in very early today.

Yeah. Before we discuss performance for the second quarter FY27, I would like to address the Honorable Supreme Court's judgment of 15th October, 2026, concerning the ₹8,415 crore of additional Tier 1 bonds written down in March 2020.

This is a significant development for YES BANK, and I believe it is important that we address it upfront. The Honorable Supreme Court has upheld the Bombay High Court's judgment, setting aside the AT1 write-down, and dismissed the appeals filed by YES BANK, the administrator, the Reserve Bank of India, and the Union of India.

We respect the judgment and are examining it carefully, including the options available to the bank. The reconstruction of YES BANK in March 2020 took place in exceptional circumstances, with the objective of restoring the stability and viability of the institution and protecting the interests of depositors and the wider financial system.

The AT1 write-down was one of the measures undertaken in that context. We are evaluating the implications of the judgment with the same institutional responsibility that guides our other decisions.

Let me address the capital implications first. Based on our current assessment, which is indicative, and as of 30th September, 2026, the reinstatement of the AT1 principal amount is expected to have a pro forma impact of approximately 240 basis points on our common equity Tier 1 ratio, including profits.

Our overall Tier 1 capital ratio is expected to remain around 13.7% on a pro forma basis. We recognize that the distinction between CET1 and overall Tier 1 capital is important.

We will continue to assess the implications for our capital structure, regulatory buffers, balance sheet strength, and future growth plans. Capital planning is an ongoing board-level process.

Any capital decision will be based on a careful assessment of regulatory requirements, the cost and availability of capital, shareholder interests, and the bank's medium-term growth objectives. We will not preempt those decisions today.

On the legal and accounting aspects, we are examining the judgment in detail, including the available legal options and appropriate steps going forward. We will make disclosures in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and as the positions become clear.

We will also ensure that the treatment of the AT1 bonds and related accounting matters is addressed in accordance with the judgment, the applicable contractual terms, and the advice of our legal and other professional advisors. We do not wish to speculate on implementation details or timelines before that assessment is completed.

For us, the responsibility is to deal with the consequences of the judgment in a disciplined manner while continuing to strengthen the underlying franchise. We understand that you will have questions about the capital impact, future profitability, potential capital actions, and the implications for shareholder value.

We will address these questions as fully as the facts and our disclosure obligations permit without getting into the legal interpretation of the judgment, which we are examining. Having said that, let me call out that directionally, our priorities remain unchanged: building sustainable and profitable growth, strengthening customer relationships, maintaining cost discipline, monitoring the quality of our assets, and generating durable returns for our shareholders.

With that, let me talk about the quarter's results and the progress we are making across our business. Getting into the Q2 FY27 financial performance.

The bank reported net profit of ₹1,080 crore, 1 0 8 0, an increase of 65% year-on-year. Operating profit increased by 29.4% year-on-year to ₹1,678 crore.

Net interest income increased by 22.7% year-on-year to ₹2,822 crore, while the core fees grew by 15.4% year-on-year. Return on assets for the quarter stood at 0.9%, compared with 0.6% in Q2 FY26 and 0.9% in Q1 FY27.

The cost-to-income ratio stood at 64.3%, compared with 67.1% in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. During the quarter, we crossed some critical balance sheet milestones.

Total assets crossed ₹5 lakh crore, deposits crossed ₹3.5 lakh crore, and advances exceeded ₹3 lakh crore. Now moving to the balance sheet and deposit franchise.

The bank mobilized ₹18,575 crore of FCNR(B) deposits and extended foreign currency term loans of ₹15,215 crore through the IBU at GIFT City. These transactions affected the reported growth rates and certain income and expenses lines during the quarter.

Reported advances grew by 23.7% year-on-year. Excluding the FCTL linked to the FCNR mobilization, advances grew 17.6% year-on-year.

The corresponding normalized CD ratio, the credit-to-deposit ratio, stood at 83.1%. Deposits grew by 19.5% year-on-year on an end-of-period basis and by 22.1% on an average quarterly balance basis.

Retail and branch-led deposits increased by 20.9% year-on-year and constituted 58.8% of the total deposits. On an average quarterly balance basis, CASA deposits grew by 15.5% year-on-year, with growth of 21.8% in current account balances and 11.6% in savings account balances.

Moving to the margins, the net interest margin for the quarter stood at 2.6%. The sequential moderation of approximately 12 to 14 basis points was largely attributable to the FCNR(B) mobilization and the associated liquidity and deployment profile.

The bank will continue to focus on calibrated deployment of available liquidity and the composition and cost of incremental deposits. Moving to the fees and operating expenses.

Non-interest income increased by 14.4% year-on-year and 4.7% sequentially. Core fees increased by 15.5% YoY, supported by growth in trade and cash management, loan processing fees, and card products.

The sequential growth in loan processing fees included some associated with the foreign currency term loans and was substantially offset by related FCNR mobilization costs. Operating expenses increased by 14.2% YoY and 5.1% sequentially to ₹3,026 crore, that is 3 0 2 6.

The quarter included ₹51 crore of commissions on foreign currency borrowings linked to the FCNR(B) mobilization, ₹20 crore of marketing expenditure relating to the Asian Games sponsorship, and ₹31 crore arising from changes in central and state wage codes. Excluding these items, operating expenses were broadly stable on a sequential basis.

Moving to the asset quality and business mix. Asset quality indicators remained stable.

The gross and net NPA ratios stood at 1.2 and 0.2%, respectively, and both improved YoY. Gross slippages were 1.3% of advances, broadly unchanged sequentially.

The net credit cost for the quarter was 0.3% of average assets, similar to Q1 FY27. The bank also recognized P&L gains of ₹395 crore from the security receipts portfolio during the quarter.

The rise in standard assets provision was primarily driven by increase in loan balances, including the FCTL portion. Growth was distributed across the bank's principal business segments.

Retail asset disbursement increased by 35% YoY, with the retail book growth inching up to nearly 9%. Commercial banking advances grew 20.2%, while corporate and institutional banking advances grew by 31.4% year-on-year.

On a reported basis, before considering the pro forma impact of the AT1 judgment discussed earlier, the CET1 ratio stood at 13.7% and the liquidity coverage ratio stood at 131.4%. To conclude, our priorities remain centered on improving core profitability, growing advances and deposits in a risk-calibrated manner, deepening the granular deposit franchise, managing margins and operating efficiency, and maintaining asset quality.

Capital planning will remain an important area of focus as we assess the implications of the judgment and support the bank's future growth requirements. The bank has made progress in strengthening the scale and quality of its franchise.

At the same time, we recognize the significance of the Supreme Court judgment and the need for a carefully considered response. We will continue to act in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, engage with the regulator and other authorities as appropriate, and keep the market appropriately informed.

Thank you once again for joining us, and we will now be happy to take your questions.

Operator

Thank you. We will now begin the question-and-answer session.

Anyone who wishes to ask a question may press star and one on your touchtone telephone. If you wish to remove yourself from the question queue, you may press star and two.

Participants are requested to use handsets while asking a question. Ladies and gentlemen, we will wait for a moment while the question queue assembles.

The first question comes from the line of Sukrit D. Patil with Eyesight FinTrade Private Limited.

Please go ahead.

Sukrit T. Patil

Good morning to the team. I have two forward-looking questions.

The first question to Mr. Vinay is, I just want to understand beyond the regular outlook, what are the top two to three execution priorities you are focusing on in the next few quarters?

Alongside that, what do you see as the biggest risk in credit growth, deposit mobilization, and competitive intensity? We want to understand how are you preparing to manage them while strengthening the bank's position in the banking sector?

That's my first question, and I'll ask my second question after this. Thank you.

Vinay M. Tonse

Sukrit, thanks for that. Going forward, we have already started building strong foundational pillars for taking the growth momentum upwards.

We have already seen a good traction. Some of these are already reflecting in the quarter two, as well as you would have seen in the quarter one results.

One of the main initiatives that we are now driving and focusing upon is the One Bank concept where the synergies between all the verticals start working. We look at how do we meet the end-to-end customer needs of any customer, be it corporate or otherwise.

The growth and scale is something which we are looking at very strongly. We are already seeing optimism in ourselves that things are looking much and more better as months pass.

Another significant positive for us would be the cross-referrals that come out of the SMBC relationship. In this also, we have already started seeing some good traction in the cross-referrals that are happening.

This is a simple response to you, Sukrit.

Sukrit T. Patil

Thank you. My second question to Mr.

Niranjan is again along the similar line. I just want to understand from a financial point of view, what key risk or challenges do you anticipate in the next quarter to be very precise?

What specific measures are being taken to manage margins, credit cost, capital adequacy, and overall the balance sheet strength, especially in a rate-sensitive area? Thank you.

Niranjan Banodkar

Thank you. The first point I will like to call out is on our capital, because as Vinay just mentioned, we continue to keep our objectives on growth and scale and maximizing the SMBC ecosystem value proposition intact.

Clearly, when we look through our capital requirements, it's going to be an important element. CET1 in the range of pro forma basis, again, this is not conclusive, is at about 11.4%.

We do believe that we will continue to evaluate areas of capital actions to make sure that the bank remains well-capitalized in order to fulfill its growth objectives. That's point number one.

Point number two, I think, which is where I would like to bring focus is on our core operations. As you would have seen over the last many quarters, the bank continues to improve on the core metrics of RoA.

In fact, even adjusted for security receipts, the bank's core RoA continues to improve. We continue to see improvement in our cost-to-income.

About two years back, the cost-to-income was in the range of 74%, it is already down to 64% as we reported this quarter. There's an improvement that's happening there as well.

The third is, if you look through our NPA credit costs, that has over the last three quarters has been consistently improving which is a function of the slippages that we've seen. That's been one of the steepest improvement that we have seen.

As we look through our core operations, we are feeling a lot more confident and comfortable going forward. The last point I'll make, just because it's a reported number, is it comes from the vantage point of margins.

We've seen margins dip this quarter, and it is, I would say, almost entirely attributable to the FCNR scale that came in. We ended up raising, in INR-equivalent terms, about ₹18,000 crore of deposits, FCNR deposits.

We also had about ₹15,000 crore INR-equivalent of foreign currency term loans in our IBU, GIFT City. A function of the two, which is both undeployed credit from the FCNR deposits and a much wider denominator, meant that our margins were lower.

Now, that is one area that we will work to continue to deploy the credit in Q3 and Q4. In addition, we believe that with the interest rate actually increasing, it should have a positive bias on the margins going in.

That's one area that we will continue to observe. The second moving part is on our RIDF balances.

In H2 FY27, we will continue to have a reducing balance on our RIDF deposits. Just as a call-out, you will recall we had deposits placed in lieu of shortfall in PSL in the past.

Those balances will continue to come down. That will be a tailwind to margin.

As we look through H2, to respond simplistically, there will be competitive pricing pressures on margins, but we do believe that there will be tailwinds for us to be able to offset that as well. Our outlook when we think through H2 is December might still be closer to a stable margin structure, but as we look through March, we should have an positively improving bias.

Thank you.

Sukrit T. Patil

Thank you, and best wishes.

Niranjan Banodkar

Thank you, Sukrit. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. The next question comes from the line of Jai Prakash Mundhra with ICICI Securities.

Please go ahead.

Jai Prakash Mundhra

Yeah. Hi.

Good morning, sir, and thanks for the detailed disclosures, including the pro forma number. Sir, I wanted to check on the accounting entry, if hypothetically this AT1 were to be reversed, would there be any P&L implication or it will be only adjusted in the reserves?

Because I believe at the time of write-off, we had taken the P&L entry. If you can highlight those?

Niranjan Banodkar

Jai, I'll take that question. What we have done right now is to provide you a pro forma, which has been taken through the P&L and the impact is available.

In terms of the substance of this matter, we do believe that the route through the P&L is only just a means. In substance, if you think about the restatement, it is actually a balance sheet structure where the core reserves are being used to reinstate the liability.

That is from the perspective of accounting. Now, when we finally effect, of course, it is subject to our assessment, and there are multiple operational aspects that we to conclude.

As the assessment is conclude, we will take it through the accounting route as well.

Jai Prakash Mundhra

Sure. Understood.

Is there any cash outflow also because of this or it is only accounting?

Niranjan Banodkar

The principal restatement of the AT1 bonds, as I've said earlier, is in substance a balance sheet change from the reserves to the borrowings which is Tier 1 classification. There's no repayment, no cash outflow on the borrowing.

It's just an accounting that we will have to restate.

Jai Prakash Mundhra

Right. Understood.

Is this final that the coupons have no bearing or you believe you may have to pay that coupon also or is that clear, not clear, or very clear that we are not liable for the coupon?

Niranjan Banodkar

Jai, the bank is still evaluating the consequential implications of the judgment, including the decisions, the actions that are required to give effect, right? Therefore the manner and the timing of reinstatement of the bonds, as well as payment of the coupon is also under assessment.

We've informed the stock exchanges as well, and we will disclose the outcome once the assessment is complete. Our consideration on coupons will also be a function of the terms of the information memoranda and that's also pronounced in the judgment.

I'll stop here.

Jai Prakash Mundhra

Sure. No, no.

That is very helpful. Just to move away from this, what would be your market share in value terms in payer PSP and payee PSP?

A broad numbers will also be useful. Maybe if you have the number for above ₹2,000 transaction?

I think

Niranjan Banodkar

see, overall, without getting into the details, we make these disclosures, but overall, you can say we are about a one-third market share bank here.

Jai Prakash Mundhra

No, if you have the number separately for payer PSP and payee PSP, that would be more useful.

Niranjan Banodkar

Yeah. Jai, payee PSP is about 58.7, and the payer PSP is about 36.4%.

It is also disclosed in our investor presentation on page 41.

Jai Prakash Mundhra

No. Is this value or volume?

Sorry. I was more interested if you have the value market share.

Niranjan Banodkar

Maybe we can take this offline, Jai, with you.

Jai Prakash Mundhra

Okay. Sure.

Any quantification of this MDR, I think we have been investing quite early and quite substantially in this network. Now there is an opportunity to monetize.

Have you done any assessment as to what kind of an additional fee it could generate for the bank as and when it comes, what kind of a quantum it could generate?

Niranjan Banodkar

Jai, as you rightly said, clearly, the MDR rules mean that we have an upside on income on account of our market shares. However, it is going to be premature for us to be sizing up that, because it's a function of how also the markets play out in terms of the actual MDRs that are charged to the customers.

We do believe that it is a quantum that will certainly be an upside to our current revenue streams. It's just that we don't want to size that up in the absence of where we feel commercially this will land in actual terms, number one.

Number two, it's also a function of our bilateral arrangements and negotiations with let's say the third-party application providers as well.

Jai Prakash Mundhra

All right.

Vinay M. Tonse

The share sharing arrangements which eventually will get crystallized, I think that also will have a bearing on how much we get out of it.

Niranjan Banodkar

That's correct.

Jai Prakash Mundhra

Sure. Sure.

Yeah. Sorry, sir.

I have few more questions if I can ask them now, or I can come back in the queue. Go ahead.

Vinay M. Tonse

Go ahead. No problem.

Jai Prakash Mundhra

Sure. Sir, if you can suggest your thought process on the NIM sensitivity in the sense a, what would be your share of, let's say, EBLR, T-bills, MCLR, and fixed-rate loans?

If you have done any sensitivity that one basis point repo rate hike gives you how much additional rupees crore interest income? That would be useful to understand this.

Again,

Niranjan Banodkar

Jai, simplistically, when we think through our floating-rate book structure, let me put it this way, as a combination of floating-rate book, as well as the short-term book, because it might be in the nature of fixed, but it is akin to a market that keeps moving. On both these, the broad mix that we have is about a 2/3, 1/3.

About 65% of the book will be floating, which is either linked to a repo or a T-bill, and T-bills, again, at different, let's say there could be a one-month T-bill or even a three-month T-bill. That's the broad split from the floating rate to fixed rate.

As we look through the let's say the benefit of margins, and I'm just putting a number, if you have a 25 basis points of increase that has happened in the repo, assuming we have a broadly similar structure, sensitivity to other benchmarks as well. You could see margins clearly moving into high single-digit increases.

I think again, the reason we don't want you to be kind of beguided by that, is because it's finally a function of market forces. When you think about spreads, it's a function of market forces.

As long as the market in general increases prices by this quantum, of course, we do believe we'll find a high single-digit increase on account of the 25 basis points increase. It's then a function of liquidity, it's a function of competitive intensity, and that will also have a bearing of how exactly this flows in.

Thank you.

Jai Prakash Mundhra

Sure. Secondly, observation on certificate of deposits, right?

We have increased from ₹6,000 odd crore to around ₹11,000 odd crore. We also had FCNR(B).

What was the need for certificate of deposit rising up? I found it counterintuitive that ideally it should have been repaid because you would have had access liquidity out of FCNR.

Any thought process here? Yeah.

No,

Niranjan Banodkar

no. Absolutely.

On that, it is actually more tactical, not so much a change in our fundamental funding strategy. The reason was also because we've had rating upgrades as well.

Although CDs short-term rating was always A1+, but the long-term rating also went up about AA-, which means the access to that funding was also at some cheaper rates as well. I think fundamentally, when we think through our funding, one was, of course, economically, it made sense to access that funding, but secondly, there are also certain considerations from balance sheet, which is LCR, NSFR.

Some of this was more a tactical in the interim as compared to a long-term strategy direction.

Jai Prakash Mundhra

Sure, Jai.

Vinay M. Tonse

It was a selective use of that particular market. Very tactical at that time.

Right.

Jai Prakash Mundhra

Right. Okay.

Last question, if you can, sir, quantify the ECL impact. I believe we are now very close to the actual implementation.

If you would have a broad number for what would be the transitional impact and maybe the recurring basis, if you have that number? Thank you.

Niranjan Banodkar

Yes, Jai. Again, these are very indicative numbers, and these are getting firmed up as we speak.

Our expectation is on the opening balance sheet the CET1 impact could be in the range of about 50 to 60 basis points. However, what we have also seen is that the new circular on credit risk also offers a substantial offset to this.

As we look through a combination of these two circulars, we do believe that the opening CET1 impact should not be a material hit to the CET1. Sure.

Jai Prakash Mundhra

Thank you, and all the very best, sir.

Niranjan Banodkar

Thank you.

Vinay M. Tonse

Thank you, Jai. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. A reminder to all the participants that you may press star and one to ask a question.

The next question comes from the line of Mayank Bukrediwala with MLP. Please go ahead.

Hello.

Mayank Bukrediwala

Thanks for taking my question. In your margin disclosure--

Operator

Mr. Bukrediwala, sorry for interrupting.

Your voice is not audible. Please speak a little louder.

Mayank Bukrediwala

Hello?

Operator

Yes, now you are. Please go ahead.

Mayank Bukrediwala

Yes,

Operator

yes. Please go ahead.

Mayank Bukrediwala

Sir, in your margin discussion the point about the coupons that might need to be paid on those AT1 bonds wasn't discussed, because that could have a materially negative impact on the margins. I just wanted to understand your thoughts on that.

Now, I understand that those coupons are optional and at the discretion, but since you've not mentioned those specifically on your margin math for the future, I just wanted to understand how you guys are thinking about that.

Niranjan Banodkar

Mayank, as I said earlier as well, this is a matter that is currently under assessment. The entire consequential implications, decisions, actions are required to be given effect, and we are evaluating all of those, which includes coupon as well.

I would urge that allow us the time to conclude on this assessment, and we'll be forthcoming in making the relevant disclosures the moment this is done. As you rightly said, the coupon will be guided by the information memorandum, and that is also a matter that we are currently reviewing.

Once we conclude, we will come back to you.

Mayank Bukrediwala

Right. I understand that.

I understand that the coupons of the past remain a matter of debate. What I was trying to understand is that once these 80 bonds are restored on the balance sheet and I'm talking about prospective coupons, where I would believe that it's not really a legal matter.

It is simply a management discretion issue. I think the only thing that is an interplay between the coupon is whether you can pay dividend or not.

Only from that perspective. I'm obviously not looking for an answer about the past coupons during which these bonds were not in play.

Niranjan Banodkar

No, of course. Again, as I said, future coupons will form part of the future assessment.

Therefore, I think just from a timeline standpoint, it's important that we first conclude the assessment on the judgment. I think our decisions on the future coupon will also be made at the appropriate time.

Our consideration on each coupon will continue to be guided by the terms of the information memoranda as has also been pronounced in the judgment. There is actually no decision to pre-announce that today.

Mayank Bukrediwala

Okay. Fair enough.

Sir, if I could just ask one or two more questions. One, on asset quality.

The slippages from the retail book, they have sort of coming at the same level for the last couple of quarters. Just wanted to understand, is this the normalized level of slippages we should anticipate from the retail book or is this likely to move down?

Niranjan Banodkar

Mayank, if you think on slippages, we have seen on absolute terms actually the slippages holding well. For a book that is now beginning to grow with slippages holding up, I would say, is actually a positive sign that we are seeing.

In absolute terms, we do believe that, I think this is a level which is reasonable, and even now from a slippage ratio standpoint, I think we might see some basis points of improvement, but not a whole lot from here on.

Mayank Bukrediwala

Got it. Got it.

Sorry, last question coming back to the same issue, but since our CET1 + AT1 remains broadly the same and is fundamentally materially above the regulatory guidelines, and I understand most of the capital strain is mostly an unofficial guidance from the regulator in some sense to be closer to the 14-15% level. Would you guys have any conversation with the regulator given this circumstance where fundamentally CET1 + AT1 remains the same and doesn't really force us into an immediate capital raise?

Mayank,

Niranjan Banodkar

let me put it this way, for us, when we were at 14% CET1, it was our comfortable level where we were operating in between, let's say, 13.5 to 14% level. We do believe it was a level which was comfortable just keeping our growth objectives, ambitions in mind.

From a regulatory standpoint, there was no stricture to say that this is the CET1 that you have to operate. There are regulations that cover our CET1.

We were always comfortably above those regulatory requirements. However, once we conclude the assessment, with a CET1 pro forma at 11.4%, we do believe that it still allows us headroom to continue to grow, but yes, I would say the evaluation for capital actions, including any raise, I think we will have to be mindful of that, because clearly 11-11.5% of CET1 is not ideal, and that's something that we will, irrespective of how the regulator might want to say, we will want to make sure that capital levels are more comfortable.

We will certainly not take any action which is going to be detrimental to our stakeholders, including the shareholders, is very important to us. The quantum, the value, the rate, I think all of these we will make and we'll make an ongoing assessment.

Plus, there are certain other features of stored capital that we have in our balance sheet. We've said that in the past, as well.

There is a security receipts portfolio which is about face value about ₹15 billion, NAV is about ₹20 billion, ₹2,000 crore, which has zero carrying value. Now, again, we're not kind of saying we will necessarily take an action, but there are such stored levers also available to unlock capital that allows us to continue to pursue our growth and scale of objectives.

Mayank Bukrediwala

Correct. Perfect.

Thank you so much for all the answers.

Niranjan Banodkar

Thank you, Mayank.

Operator

Thank you. Next question comes from the line of Jayant Kharote with Axis Capital.

Please go ahead.

Jayant Kharote

Thank you for the opportunity. Sorry, I joined a bit late.

Wanted to know what is the RIDF plan for this year rest of the two quarters, how much is the run-down expected? Again, what is the exact NIM outlook for the next two quarters?

I understand the medium-term levers, but specifically for 3Q, 4Q, if you have given quantitative NIM guidance given the rate hike and this RIDF run-down. This is the first question.

Vinay M. Tonse

Jayant, thank you for coming in. I would request Niranjan to take that.

Niranjan Banodkar

Thank you.

Vinay M. Tonse

With the exact figures.

Niranjan Banodkar

On the RIDF, H2 reduction is expected to be about 8,000 about ₹8,000 crore, H2, and that split Q3 has about ₹4,700 and Q4 of about, let's say, ₹3,500 crore. That's really the split.

Of course, I would request that when you think through the benefit of that reduction, let's say Q3 redemption of about ₹4,700 crore, kindly bake the benefit of that to play out in Q4, and similarly Q4 reduction of about ₹3,500 crore to be baked in Q1 of next financial year. I think that's on RIDF.

That's one clear tailwind. We spoke about, Jayant, we spoke about the 25 basis points repo increase, as well.

Because the repricing of the book will start let's say beginning November because the decision was announced in October. We will have two months of repricing, but effectively for not the entire quarter.

When we look through Q4, we do believe that this should translate just assuming nothing else changes, a high single-digit margin benefit or tailwind should also come from this. What we had however said on the earlier question was many a times while this is straight a mathematical outcome saying that we might have a eight eight basis points of improvement, but the reality is there are market forces that will continue to be at play including liquidity conditions, deposit rates, the loan spread, pricing, and the competitive intensity of that.

I think those, we will continue to watch, but we do believe that RIDF and the repo rate pricing at least in the immediate terms should be a positive bias. The third element, I would say, which is not so much a Q3 element, but more a Q4 element is really deployment of the FCNR funds, as well.

That will in itself also be a tailwind. Q3, our expectation is that we should be in the similar range on margins that we've seen compared to Q2 maybe there might be some bias of pulling it back because of the full effect of the FCNR.

However, the tailwinds, we expect should neutralize. As we move to Q4, our expectation is that we should have a positive bias on the margins.

Jayant Kharote

Niranjan, just thinking into FY28 now, given that you'll exit on a very strong NIM, when I say strong, I mean a decent uptick in Q4, but the full impact of the second half RIDF payment should start showing in FY28, as well. Fair to say, all things being equal, our RoA steadily for all four quarters, again, all things being equal, meaning asset quality being stable, just from purely waterfall perspective, we should comfortably be north of 1%?

I remember our guidance used to be exit 1% RoA for this year. Would you want to fathom a guess for next year where do you see yourself exiting by Q4 '28?

Niranjan Banodkar

Jayant, what we had said is that fiscal '27 RoA should be a 1% for full year. We are clocking at a 90 basis points for H1.

What we had said, however, is that for that guidance to play out entirely, there is also some reliance on let's say the non-core elements that we call, for example, the quantum of security receipts that we will have, on and so forth, right? What we certainly believe is that core RoA performance, we continue to see a material improvement even in H1.

For example, we are already higher on the core RoA closer to 20 basis points as we see H1 playing out. That improvement, we are very confident that we will continue to deliver.

As we go into FY28, I would say our confidence on delivering 1% RoA with lesser and minimal reliance on non-core, I think is something that we can directionally certainly call out, but you'll have to allow us to put that guidance out more emphatically as we conclude fiscal '27.

Jayant Kharote

Great, great. Sir, last question on growth.

Now, let's assume this impact fully comes through and if I'm not wrong, there will be a DTA release CET1 of 60 basis points, right, which you keep getting over the next few years or quarters which means theoretically, let me put it, the capital consumption is not proportionate to the growth because we have release of this deferred tax asset that will come through. Have you done any analysis or calculation at what level of growth even with this capital without a capital raise can you guys comfortably grow for next two or three years?

If any calculation has been done because there are some elements like the CET release, like the stored capital that you have. Any analysis where below which number you would not want the balance sheet to slow down?

Niranjan Banodkar

Jayant, point number one is, instead of growth, I will look at let's say from an RoE perspective, because RoE is accreting capital. At about 8.2% accretion to RoE actually, in effect, allows us, with the benefit of DTA, we have ability to grow at 11% without consuming capital, because there is a DTA release grossing-up that happens and RoE is actually on a higher denominator of equity once we adjust for DTA.

Effectively, you're accreting core equity at a higher rate. That means at about 11%, we have the ability to grow without consuming capital.

We can just put some very simplistic numbers. If risk-weighted assets, I'm just saying, are growing at 15%, we will have about a 4% burn on our CET1 ratio.

If my CET1, let's say, is 12%, I'm again, simplistically putting a number, that's about 48 basis points, but it is never a linear answer. The actual answer will be more like a 35 to 40 basis points, because it's not a linear equation.

Even with a 15% growth next year, we are potentially looking at a consumption, which could be in the range of about let's say 30 to 40 basis points. Then, one can also argue that with some capital actions that we could take, as you said, stored capital, potentially, we could look to operate at the similar CET1 levels, as well.

The way I would portray this is, we don't believe that this really has a bearing in the way we will want to look at our growth capacity. Of course, when we were earlier looking at solving for capital at some stage, maybe some of that thought process could be brought forward a little bit.

It is not that we have to solve for it in one quarter or two quarters. I think we will have the reasonable cushion and buffer to still make sure that we solve it in a manner that is appropriate and in the best interest of all the stakeholders.

Jayant Kharote

Niranjan, when you said that 8% RoE leads to 11%, just on that 8 and 11 delta of 3%, you have only assumed the DTA that we are currently releasing or you have assumed the DTA that you will also release once you account for this eight ₹8,000 crore of it?

Niranjan Banodkar

Let me put it this way. When I look through a 11.4% CET1 impact let's say CET pro forma number, that takes into account that DTA.

DTA is effectively a function of whatever profit you make, you actually gross it up further. Let's put it this way.

Let's assume on a pro forma basis, the CET1 is at 11.4%. With an RoE of 8.2, the first step that will happen is the RoE first will actually improve to about 9% for the same level of profit, because now the equity effectively is lower.

The 9% then let's say the bank is delivering a 9% at a structure level, you could argue that that in itself is looking to improve, let's assume that that improves to about 10%. The point I was making is that on that 10%, you could now further build the DTA benefit, because whenever you have an RoE of 10%, there will be a DTA release that will be commensurate to that earnings.

Therefore, potentially, we could work upwards more like a 12 to 13% of ability to fund the growth as we move forward. I think there is no gun to our head to solve for capital.

In any case, we have to make sure we are going through the moment of evaluation, assessment. We believe that this is something where we will continue to work towards growing in line with our objectives.

Jayant Kharote

Fair to say you're not taking your feet of the pedal right now in terms of growth, and we continue on the trajectory that we have set on the last two, three quarters?

Niranjan Banodkar

Absolutely, Jayant. For us, this is, the way we look at it is our CET1, again, subject to the actual conclusion of assessment and implications, for us, this is core equity of 14% potentially down to 11.4%, but that will still mean that we will want to continue to focus on our growth, scale, because the whole of the franchise, I wouldn't say rest, is actually working at a great momentum.

It's getting reflected in our numbers, including growth for a bank. You would appreciate we were delivering sub-industry level growth levels, of course, for the right reasons in the past.

We are now actually clocking, even adjusted for the FCTL, a growth in excess of the industry, as well. That momentum is strong.

We will want to make sure that we continue to sustain that momentum.

Jayant Kharote

Perfect.

Vinay M. Tonse

In one line, I think we have enough capacity to continue to grow at whatever we have planned.

Jayant Kharote

Great, perfect. All the best to the team.

Niranjan Banodkar

Thank you. Yeah.

Vinay M. Tonse

Thank you, Jayant.

Operator

Thank you. The next question comes from the line of Mahrukh Adajania, Nuvama Capital.

Please

Mahrukh Adajania

go ahead. Hi.

Good morning.

Vinay M. Tonse

Hi.

Mahrukh Adajania

Hi, good morning. I just had a fundamental question on coupon payment.

I know that you are assessing the order, and I also know what's written in the info memorandum. There need to be dire circumstances to not pay coupon.

Would that be correct on a fundamental basis, like say weak profitability or if a company is making losses? Otherwise, it would impact sentiment around capital raise, right, whether it's bond or equity?

It would also impact the valuation of bonds and equity, right, missing coupon without very severe circumstances? Is that the correct way to think about it or is there some other way?

Niranjan Banodkar

Mahrukh, I'm afraid we will not comment beyond what we've already said on this, because the there are two parts to this. One is the evaluation of the consequential implications of the judgment, which is immediate.

Second is we are talking about elements of future. I want to break this into two.

We are right now in the process of concluding the present, which is the judgment and its implications. I think when we come to the point of future, I think I don't want to preempt a decision that's not been made yet.

There's no point on that. The as the information memorandum is out there.

As the judgment has also in directed towards, we will abide by the information memorandum, where the conditions have been detailed on coupon payment.

Mahrukh Adajania

Okay. Thanks a lot.

Thank you.

Vinay M. Tonse

Thank you, Mahrukh.

Operator

Thank you. Next question comes from the line of Kunal Shah with Citi.

Please go ahead.

Kunal Shah

Yeah. Thanks for taking the question.

Sorry, I also joined a bit late. If it's repetitive.

Firstly, on credit rating agencies, maybe have there been any interactions with them? How they are viewing this judgment?

If there is a knock-off on the CET1, how they are looking at it? Suppose if there is no coupon payment which happens in in future, would there be any implication on the credit rating out there?

Yeah.

Niranjan Banodkar

Kunal, on credit rating agencies, we've had interactions. There are a couple of them that have actually come out with a bulletin or a note, which our understanding is that it is put out as a very emphatic credit-neutral event on the rating.

Of course, there are certain other comments that has been made, but at the fundamental level, headline, this is a credit-neutral event from a ratings perspective, as I think two of the agencies have put out, one international and one domestic. Others are of course, we've had conversations.

I think they will go through the motions of their conclusions as well.

Kunal Shah

Okay. Secondly, in terms of maybe you are evaluating the consequential actions and even some of legal remedies.

What could be any legal remedies out there over and above this judgment or do we say like, okay, this is something which has happened and maybe the only option now is left is the capital raise to shore up the CET1 and the capital raise could happen much sooner rather than waiting for all the legal remedies which are there. Which would be the priority?

Maybe going through any legal remedy or considering this as a judgment and go in for the CET1 raise sooner? Yeah.

Niranjan Banodkar

Kunal, I'll break this into three simple buckets. One is the evaluation of the consequential implications of the judgment, because it's a Supreme Court judgment.

We are respectful of the Honorable Supreme Court's judgment. We have to review and evaluate and take into effect the implications of that judgment.

That is one part. The second part, as you said, are the legal remedies, what could be the next steps.

I have to call out that these are two separate lines that we will pursue. Because we have to be respectful to the Honorable Supreme Court for the verdict that they have given, and that's one part of the motion.

The second, as I said, is a legal remedy, legal review. I think again, it is a matter that we are currently discussing with our legal counsel, the advisors, and we will evaluate, and as appropriate, take the next steps.

The third is on solving capital, etc., whether I do it beforehand or afterhand, after all of this. There, in my previous response, we said even with a 11.4% CET1 ratio, we do believe that our growth objectives and ambitions are not getting compromised.

I think we will continue to pursue that part. The evaluation of whether we need to raise capital now or we do it afterwards, I think these are commercial evaluations that we will do.

I think the simple point I want to leave with you is that it is not that I have to solve for capital tomorrow. We do believe we have buffers.

We have the benefit of DTA, that allow us to solve for growth without necessarily getting to capital levels that that we don't feel comfortable at all.

Kunal Shah

Okay. Got it.

Lastly, in terms of this FCNR deployment. How much of this would have been utilized, because we are still seeing in terms of the growth, even ex of FCNR, the deposit accretion would have supported that kind of a growth?

When do we see the entire money getting utilized? In fact, we had seen many of them putting into the short-term corporate lending.

For us, in fact, the corporate and institutional banking is just flat on a quarter-on-quarter basis. Would it be like maybe would there be immediate channelization which would happen into of the FCNR deposits or this is going to take some time?

Niranjan Banodkar

No, as I said Kunal earlier, Q Q3 between Q3 and Q4, we think that this deployment, should be complete. Our our expectation is that, I think, that's that two quarters, largely in Q3, but some part will spill over to Q4.

Kunal Shah

Fair to assume Q2 didn't have much of a deployment?

Niranjan Banodkar

I would say Q2, there was a large increase in our in our short term which was in the nature of, let's say, investments, some nostro balances that we had. Yes, not ideal from a credit perspective.

Kunal Shah

Yeah. Overall, maybe in terms of whenever it gets utilized, at least it will be yield accretive.

The maximum drag on margins, maybe there will be a full-quarter impact which will come through in Q3. Still otherwise, maybe at least on an incremental basis, now only it will get channelized into a better-yielding one.

Niranjan Banodkar

That's what I also called out Kunal earlier, that one, we will have a full-quarter impact in Q3, but there will be offsets. I think repo rate hike, assuming spreads don't change, is there, plus RIDF reduction in balances will continue to play out.

I think those are tailwinds, which will support the margin in Q3. We said Q3, in our assessment, should be similar to Q2, maybe a very marginal negative bias.

As we kind of go into Q4, we certainly believe we should have an upward bias on the margins.

Kunal Shah

Got it. Thanks.

Thanks for answering all the questions, and all the best. Thank you.

Niranjan Banodkar

Thank you, Kunal. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, that was the last question for today.

We have reached the end of question-and-answer session. I now hand the conference over to Mr.

Vinay M. Tonse for closing comments.

Vinay M. Tonse

Thank you very much, all our friends for joining in. As I said, early morning, apologies for that.

Our priorities, to conclude, I must reassure all of you that our priorities remain centered on the fundamentals, that's improving the core profitability, growing deposits franchise and advances in a risk-calibrated manner, managing margins and operating efficiency, and also maintaining asset quality. Capital planning will remain an important area of focus as we reassess the implications of the judgment, and also support the bank's future growth requirements.

The bank, you would have seen, has made progress in severing the scale and quality of its franchise. I must also here say that we recognize the significance of the Supreme Court judgment.

We also recognize the need for a carefully considered response. We'll continue to act in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, engage with the regulator and other authorities as we find appropriate, and also keep the market appropriately informed.

Before signing off, I would like to extend our festive greetings to all of you on the Navratras just concluding and also to the Vijayadashami coming up. Thank you very much.

Operator

Thank you. On behalf of YES BANK, that concludes this conference.

Thank you for joining us. You may now disconnect your lines.