RATING DRIVERS
Supporting Factors
- Moderate diversification and good market position in the Jamaican banking sector
- Strong capitalization of regulated subsidiaries in excess of regulatory requirements
- History of profitable operations underpinned by diverse income streams
- Adequate liquidity to support debt servicing
- Good governance structure and risk management practices
Constraining Factors
- High cost to income ratio
- Sluggish economic conditions could constrain revenue growth and profitability
Rating Sensitivity Factors
Factors that could, individually or collectively, lead to an improvement in the ratings and/or Outlook include:
- Expansion of the Group’s product and service offerings and/or improvements in operating efficiencies leading to a sustained increased in PAT of 10% for more than 2 years
- An increase in the credit rating of the Government of Jamaica
Factors that could, individually or collectively, lead to a lowering of the ratings and/or Outlook include:
- A greater than 10% decline in total income for 2 consecutive years
- A lowering of the credit rating of the Government of Jamaica
- Breach of covenants stipulated in the final term sheet/prospectus for the bond offering
- Failure of JN Bank to meet its debt servicing and repayment obligations to JN Group in a timely manner.
COMPANY BACKGROUND
The Jamaica National Group Limited (JN Group or the Company), a holding company, was incorporated in Jamaica in February 2017. The Company’s subsidiary (JN Bank) commenced operations as the Westmoreland Building Society in 1874. In 1960, the Westmoreland Building Society completed its first merger with the Manchester Mutual Building Society. In 1970, following several mergers, the Westmoreland Building Society executed several organisational adjustments including a name change to the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS or the Building Society). In 2016, the members of JNBS voted to reorganize the entity into the JN Group and convert the deposit-taking arm of the Building Society to Jamaica’s only mutually owned (fully owned by savers and borrowers) commercial bank and the third-largest commercial bank in Jamaica, the JN Bank (the Bank). The Bank of Jamaica subsequently exchanged JNBS’ building society license for a commercial banking license and following the reorganization of the JN Group, a mutual holding company, named The Jamaica National Group, became the parent company for the JNBS subsidiaries.
The Company holds 100% ownership in MCS Group Limited (a non-financial holding company) and JN Financial Group Limited[1] (a financial holding company). The Group comprises 13 subsidiaries, 2 associated companies, and 1 related company in Jamaica, the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, the United States of America (USA), and the Cayman Islands (Chart 1). The Group’s portfolio of products and services span a wide array of financial, technological, creative, and fleet management services that positions the Group as a leading performer among mixed conglomerates in the region.
The Group’s total assets stood at J $269.7 billion[2] as at March 2021 and revenue recorded for the year ended March 2021 was J $22 billion. The Group’s largest subsidiary, JN Bank (the Bank), domiciled in Jamaica, accounts for approximately 79.6% and 57%[3] of JN Group’s total assets and revenue respectively. The Bank offers a wide range of products and services including personal loans, mortgages, credit cards, lines of credit, commercial loans, chequing accounts, and a range of short, medium, and long-term savings accounts. The Company remains focused on its diversification initiatives and deploying efforts to standardize, centralize, and integrate operations across all entities within the Group. Further, the Company also intends to continue to grow its banking business line to diversify and reduce the cost of its funding.
[1] The Subsidiaries consist of JN Bank Limited, JN General Insurance Company Limited (JNGI), JN Fund Managers Limited (JNFM), JN Life Insurance Company Limited (JN Life), JN Money Services Limited, JN Small Business Loans Limited (JNBSL), JN Cayman Limited, and JN Bank UK Limited.
[2] Total assets have been adjusted to exclude intangible assets, unrealized gains/(losses), and contingencies.
[3] On a consolidated basis.
Analytical Contacts:
Kathryn Budhooram
Tel: 1-868-627-8879 Ext. 226
E-mail: [email protected]
Keith Hamlet
Tel: 1-868-627-8879 Ext. 229
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.caricris.com
Email: [email protected]
Disclaimer: CariCRIS has taken due care and caution in compilation of data for this product. Information has been obtained by CariCRIS from sources which it considers reliable. However, CariCRIS does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. No part of this report may be published / reproduced in any form without CariCRIS’ prior written approval. CariCRIS is also not responsible for any errors in transmission and especially states that it has no financial liability whatsoever to the subscribers/ users/ transmitters/ distributors of this product.