In an update on March 25, 2026, Nirmal Jain, Founder and MD of IIFL Finance, addressed recent market speculation regarding the company’s microfinance subsidiary, Samasta Finance, and provided insights into the firm’s lending strategy amid current market volatility.
1. Samasta Finance: Debunking Sale Rumors
Jain explicitly denied reports of a imminent ₹4,000–4,500 crore deal for Samasta Finance.
- Current Stance: There is no “value unlocking” or full sale currently in motion.
- Open to Partners: While a full exit is ruled out, the company remains open to partial divestment or bringing in a strategic investor.
- Transparency: Jain emphasized that any concrete corporate action would be disclosed through official stock exchange filings first, calling current media reports “speculative.”
2. Gold Loan & Unsecured Lending Strategy
With gold prices experiencing significant swings, IIFL is prioritizing risk management over aggressive growth.
- Conservative LTV: The company is maintaining a Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio of 60–62%. This creates a substantial buffer against further price drops, protecting the bank’s collateral.
- Unsecured Lending: IIFL has consciously curtailed unsecured lending. This shift reflects a broader industry trend of caution as regulators and lenders keep a close watch on credit quality in the personal loan and micro-lending sectors.
- Demand: Despite the cautious stance, the underlying demand for gold loans remains robust as a preferred liquidity tool for households.
3. Market Performance & Valuation
IIFL Finance has seen significant investor interest over the past year, reflecting a recovery in its business model.
| Metric | Value (as of March 25, 2026) |
| Market Capitalization | ~₹19,840 crore |
| 1-Year Share Price Return | ↑ 42% |
| Current Sentiment | Cautious but stable |
4. Broader Context: March 25 Market Movers
As the market experienced a broad relief rally today, other notable gainers in the small and mid-cap space included:
- GVP Infotech: ₹6.58 (↑ 19.85%)
- Butterfly Gandhimathi: ₹677.95 (↑ 14.32%)
- Jaiprakash Power: ₹16.86 (↑ 12.40%)
What’s Next?
Investors are waiting for the FY26 year-end results (expected in late April/May) to see how the conservative LTV strategy has impacted IIFL’s interest margins and whether any formal progress has been made on the partial divestment of Samasta.
