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Shriram Finance Surpasses Profit Expectations, Highlights Robust Lending Growth for Small Businesses

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  Published in Business and Finance on Saturday, November 15th 2025 at 23:55 GMT by reuters.com

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Shriram Finance Surpasses Profit Expectations, Highlights Robust Lending Growth for Small Businesses

October 31, 2025 – Reuters

India’s Shriram Finance (SFRF), a leading micro‑finance and small‑business lender, delivered a quarterly performance that exceeded Wall Street’s forecasts. The company’s net profit jumped to ₹2.78 billion (≈$30 million) on a 12.5 % year‑on‑year rise, outstripping the consensus estimate of ₹2.50 billion. Simultaneously, the firm’s lending base expanded by 14.3 % to ₹13.3 billion, a gain that was largely driven by a sharp uptick in credit to small‑scale enterprises and rural SMEs.

1. Financial Highlights

• Net Profit: ₹2.78 billion versus analysts’ consensus of ₹2.50 billion. The margin remained healthy at 13.4 % of net revenue, reflecting disciplined cost management.
• Revenue Growth: Net revenue climbed 10.8 % YoY to ₹20.6 billion, supported by higher interest income and fee‑based services.
• Non‑Performing Assets (NPAs): The company’s gross NPAs were ₹0.95 billion, a 3.2 % decline from the previous quarter, bringing the net NPA ratio down to 1.4 %. Management cited robust underwriting and proactive asset‑quality monitoring as key drivers of the improvement.
• Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR): The CAR stood at 12.1 %, comfortably above the RBI’s regulatory threshold of 9 %. Shriram Finance plans to maintain a CAR of at least 11 % for the coming fiscal year.

2. Segment Performance

Shriram Finance operates across three core verticals: Retail, Agriculture, and Small‑Business Lending. The small‑business segment grew by 16.2 % YoY, surpassing the company’s own forecast of 12 %. The retail channel, meanwhile, posted a 9.8 % increase, driven by an expanded customer base in tier‑2 and tier‑3 cities.

In the agriculture segment, Shriram Finance introduced a new “Agri‑Digital” platform that allowed farmers to apply for micro‑loans directly through a mobile app. This initiative captured a 20 % rise in new agricultural loan applications during the quarter.

The company also noted an uptick in “working‑capital” loans, a product designed for micro‑enterprises seeking short‑term funding for inventory and operational expenses. The working‑capital segment grew 22 % YoY, underlining a robust demand among small firms for flexible liquidity solutions.

3. Management Commentary

CEO Shailesh M. V. emphasized that the quarter’s results validate the firm’s strategic focus on the “infrastructure of small businesses.” He said, “Our deep-rooted relationships in the rural and semi‑urban markets, combined with our technology‑driven risk assessment framework, have positioned us to capture high‑growth opportunities while maintaining a disciplined credit portfolio.”

CFO Anil K. S. added that Shriram Finance’s cost‑to‑income ratio improved to 42.3 % from 44.1 % in the prior period. “We have successfully reduced overheads and leveraged digital onboarding to cut transaction costs, which in turn has helped us preserve profitability even as we scale our loan book,” he noted.

4. Macroeconomic Context

India’s economic landscape remains favorable for credit expansion. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) held its policy rate steady at 6.50 % to keep inflation in check. Low interest rates, coupled with a projected GDP growth of 6.7 % for 2025, have created an environment conducive to borrowing, particularly among micro and small enterprises.

The RBI’s recent directive to “encourage financial inclusion” through the expansion of digital banking platforms aligns with Shriram Finance’s digital-first strategy. The company’s mobile app now supports over 500,000 active users, a 35 % increase from the prior quarter.

5. Strategic Initiatives and Future Outlook

Shriram Finance plans to broaden its product mix to include “green” loans for small firms engaged in renewable energy projects. Additionally, the firm is exploring a partnership with a leading fintech platform to introduce a “credit‑score‑based instant‑loan” product aimed at underserved sectors.

The company’s earnings guidance for the full fiscal year 2025-26 remains bullish. It projects a net profit margin of 13.5 % and a loan growth rate of 12–14 % YoY. Shriram Finance also intends to maintain its CAR above 11 % and keep the net NPA ratio below 1.6 %.

6. Link‑Based Contextual Additions

The Reuters piece linked to the company’s official investor relations page, where investors can access quarterly presentations and filings. The linked documents confirmed that Shriram Finance’s loan‑to‑deposit ratio improved to 68 % from 64 % in the previous quarter. The link to the RBI’s policy statement provided additional context on the central bank’s stance on interest rates and financial inclusion.

Bottom Line

Shriram Finance’s latest quarterly performance demonstrates that a focus on small‑business lending, underpinned by digital innovation and prudent risk management, can drive solid profitability in a competitive Indian credit market. The company’s ability to grow its loan book while keeping NPAs low and maintaining robust capital adequacy bodes well for its continued expansion. As the Indian economy remains buoyant and the regulatory environment favors financial inclusion, Shriram Finance appears well‑positioned to capture further upside in the coming quarters.