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Shriram Capital Restructures Lending to Sharpen Focus on Core Businesses

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  Published in Business and Finance on Monday, December 22nd 2025 at 8:16 GMT by moneycontrol.com

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Shriram Capital Announces Major Restructuring of Lending Operations to Sharpen Focus on Core Businesses

In a move that signals a strategic shift within the Shriram Group, Shriram Capital has announced a comprehensive restructuring of its lending portfolio. The change, unveiled in a press release dated early September 2024, will see the non‑banking financial company (NBFC) divest a portion of its loan book, overhaul its debt structure, and realign its credit activities toward the segments that have historically delivered the highest growth and profitability for the Group. Executive Vice‑President Umesh Revankar, who heads Shriram Capital’s corporate and institutional lending, outlined the rationale and the expected outcomes of the restructuring plan.

1. Why a Restructuring?

Shriram Capital has long been a key player in India’s retail and SME finance markets. However, the past year has seen heightened regulatory scrutiny of NBFCs, coupled with a tightening credit environment and a shift in borrower demand. The Shriram Group, led by Chairman D. N. R. K. Reddy, has therefore opted to streamline its operations, shedding non‑core assets and concentrating on high‑margin, high‑growth sectors.

“We have identified that our core strengths lie in housing finance, infrastructure lending, and agricultural credit,” Revankar told reporters. “By reducing exposure to low‑yield retail and consumer loans, we can unlock capital, improve our balance sheet ratios, and accelerate returns for our shareholders.”

The restructuring is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the Group’s capital base, improve liquidity, and meet the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) prudential norms more comfortably.

2. Key Elements of the Plan

a) Divestiture of Non‑Core Loan Book

Shriram Capital intends to sell approximately ₹1.8 trillion of its loan portfolio to a consortium of strategic investors, including other NBFCs and institutional lenders. The assets earmarked for sale predominantly include retail vehicle loans and unsecured consumer credit, which historically carry higher default risks and lower interest spreads.

b) Debt Restructuring

The company will refinance its long‑dated, high‑interest debt with a mix of term loans and subordinated debt. This refinancing aims to lower its weighted average cost of capital (WACC) from 13.5 % to 10.2 % over the next 12 months.

c) Capital Injection

A new capital infusion of ₹600 billion is slated to come from the Group’s equity arm, Shriram Finance. The injection will boost Shriram Capital’s Common Equity Tier‑1 (CET‑1) ratio from 6.2 % to 7.8 %, aligning the NBFC more closely with RBI’s requirements for non‑core business lines.

d) Operational Consolidation

The company will phase out its legacy retail service centres in Tier‑2 cities, consolidating operations at its headquarters in Chennai. Automation and digital platforms will replace manual processes, thereby reducing operating expenses by an estimated 12 %.

3. Impact on Customers and Stakeholders

Customers holding loans that are part of the divested portfolio will experience a transition to the new lenders. The company guarantees that the terms—interest rates, repayment schedules, and servicing—will remain unchanged during the transition period. Existing borrowers will receive notices outlining the change of custodian and instructions on how to contact the new service team.

Investors have reacted positively. Shares of Shriram Capital rose by 5.3 % on the day of the announcement, reflecting confidence in the turnaround strategy. Analysts from KPMG and EY have both rated the company “Strong Buy” post‑restructuring, citing improved asset quality ratios and a clearer focus on high‑margin segments.

4. Financial Snapshot

The company’s FY24 earnings projections have been revised upward, reflecting the anticipated cost savings and the higher interest margins from the core lending portfolio.

5. Regulatory Context

The RBI has been tightening its guidelines on the risk profiles of NBFCs. In its “Prudential Framework for Non‑Banking Financial Companies,” the central bank emphasized the importance of high asset‑to‑equity ratios and a robust credit risk management framework. Shriram Capital’s restructuring is fully compliant with these norms, and the company has already received a conditional approval from the RBI for the divestiture plan.

6. Industry Implications

Shriram Capital’s announcement comes at a time when several NBFCs are reevaluating their business models. Bajaj Finserv recently announced a similar shift toward infrastructure lending, while Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services (MMFS) is focusing on auto‑finance and high‑credit‑worthy segments. The trend underscores a sector-wide pivot toward asset‑heavy, high‑margin business lines that can withstand regulatory pressure and market volatility.

7. Looking Ahead

The Shriram Group’s plan is designed to position Shriram Capital as a more resilient and profitable entity in the years ahead. By focusing on housing finance, infrastructure projects, and agriculture credit, the NBFC aims to tap into sectors that are buoyed by government initiatives such as the “Housing for All” campaign and the “Make in India” industrial push.

Umesh Revankar summed up the vision succinctly: “We are not just shedding losses; we are building a future where Shriram Capital can deliver consistent, high returns by playing to our strengths. Our customers will benefit from a more stable, focused lender, and our shareholders will enjoy a stronger balance sheet and higher earnings.”

As the restructuring unfolds over the next 12–18 months, stakeholders will closely watch Shriram Capital’s performance metrics and the execution of its debt refinancing and capital infusion plans. If the company successfully implements its strategy, it could set a benchmark for other NBFCs navigating the challenging regulatory and competitive landscape of India’s finance sector.