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Bank of Maharashtra: PSU Turnaround Compounder at 0.9x Book

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By NiftyBrief Research TeamJune 12, 202667 min read

Bank of Maharashtra: PSU Turnaround Compounder at 0.9x Book

NSE: MAHABANK | BSE: 532525 | Sector: Financial Services / PSU Bank | CMP: ₹62.0 | Market Cap: ₹43,400 Cr | Author: Hermes Equity Research | Coverage: Initiation | Date: 12 June 2026


Investment Snapshot

ParameterValue
NSE TickerMAHABANK
BSE Code532525
SectorPublic Sector Bank (PSB) / Financial Services
CMP (₹)62.0
52-Week Range (₹)47.5 – 75.8
Market Cap (₹ Cr)~43,400
Free Float Market Cap (₹ Cr)~11,400
Diluted Shares (Cr)~700
Face Value (₹)10.0
Book Value / Share (₹)~52.0
P/B (x)1.19x
P/E TTM (x)~7.1x
Dividend Yield (%)~2.4%
Promoter (GoI) Holding73.6%
Public Holding26.4%
3-Yr Avg ROA (%)~1.20%
3-Yr Avg ROE (%)~17.5%
GNPA (%)1.92%
NNPA (%)0.42%
CASA (%)~52%
NIM (%)~3.65%
CET-1 / CAR (%)~16.0% / 17.5%
RecommendationBUY
Target Price (₹)82.0
Upside (%)~32%

One-line thesis: Bank of Maharashtra is the cleanest, best-capitalised, fastest-growing mid-cap PSU bank in India, delivering >25% loan CAGR, sub-2% GNPA, ~3.65% NIM, and ~17-18% ROE — yet trades at 1.2x book, pricing it like a chronic underperformer. The disconnect between operating quality and price is the trade.


Section 1: Business Overview

1.1 Heritage of a Century-Old Public Sector Bank

Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) is one of India's oldest commercial banks, founded on 16 September 1935 under the Companies Act, 1913, and nationalised in 1969 as part of the 14-bank nationalisation wave led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra, BoM has navigated nine decades of Indian banking history — surviving the pre-Independence era, the 1969 nationalisation, the 1991 liberalisation, the 2008 global financial crisis, the 2015-2020 asset quality shock, and the 2020-2024 digital banking revolution. The bank transitioned from a profit-making regional player to a chronically stressed PSU in the mid-2010s, and is now firmly in the "best-in-class PSU" camp post the FY21-FY25 turnaround.

MilestoneYearSignificance
Incorporation1935Founded by Vaman Rao Kane, Moropant Vishwanath Apte, and others in Pune
Nationalisation1969Becomes PSU under Banking Companies (Acquisition & Transfer of Undertakings) Act
Listing (BSE)1994Equity listed on BSE; trades as 532525
Listing (NSE)2002NSE listing as MAHABANK
Tier-I Capital Raise2010₹450 Cr QIP
Capital Infusion (GoI)2017₹1,376 Cr under Indradhanush
Capital Infusion (GoI)2020₹2,200 Cr during pandemic stress
PSU Merger Wave2020Avoided merger with PNB/Canara syndicate — kept identity intact
QIP2023₹2,000 Cr QIP at ~₹27.5/share
Highest-ever Net ProfitFY25Crossed ₹4,000 Cr PAT — a 50x jump from FY20 trough
Total BusinessFY25Crossed ₹6.4 Lakh Cr (deposits + advances)
Record NIMQ3FY25Domestic NIM touched 3.84% — best in PSU peer set

The bank carries the unique status of being a Maharashtra-headquartered PSU bank with a strong Marathi-speaking customer base, the largest PSU bank in Maharashtra by branches (523+ in the state), and a pioneer in housing finance for defence personnel (a legacy of the DBS Post-1969 pensioner book).

1.2 Distribution Footprint and Business Verticals

BoM operates through a four-pillar franchise spanning retail banking, corporate banking, treasury, and digital channels, supported by a robust 2,300+ branch network, 2,150+ ATMs, and 1,800+ BC (Business Correspondent) points spanning 28 states and 7 union territories. Maharashtra alone accounts for ~30% of branches but generates a higher share of low-cost CASA, giving the bank a structural funding advantage.

VerticalShare of NII (%)YoY Growth (FY25)Key Product Lines
Retail Banking35%+18%Home Loans, Vehicle, Personal, Education, MSME, Agri
Corporate Banking30%+22%Working Capital, Term Loans, Trade Finance, FX, Cash Management
MSME Banking20%+28%MUDRA, Stand-Up India, PSB Loans in 59 Minutes, TReDS
Treasury & Investments15%+12%HTM / HFT / AFS bond book, SLR, equities, derivatives
Distribution ChannelCount (FY25)YoY ChangeCustomer Base (Mn)
Branches (Domestic)2,322+58 (net)22.0+
Gramin Branches (Rural)746+344.5
Semi-Urban Branches942+127.2
Urban Branches442+86.0
Metro Branches192+44.3
ATMs2,150++95N/A
BC Points1,800++2201.8
Digital (Mobile + Net Banking)Omni-channel+45% MAU14.5 MAU
POS / QR NetworkMerchant Acquiring+30% volume2.6 lakh merchants
IMPS / UPI / AePSDaily TPV₹1,800 Cr/dayN/A
Total Customers (Mn)All channels+12%~28
Maharashtra Branch Share~30%StableDominant

1.3 Leadership and Management

The management team, led by MD & CEO Shri Nidhu Saxena (assumed charge in 2024, succeeded A. S. Rajeev who delivered the FY21-FY24 turnaround), is widely regarded as one of the strongest PSU bank management benches — combining domain depth, technology adoption, and risk discipline. The board comprises government nominees, RBI-appointed directors, and independent directors with deep banking, finance, and technology backgrounds.

NameDesignationTenureBackground
Shri Nidhu SaxenaManaging Director & CEO2024 – Present30+ years banking; ex-Bank of Baroda, IDBI Bank; tech-forward
Shri A. S. RajeevFormer MD & CEO2020 – 2024Architect of PSU turnaround; now MD, SIDBI
Executive Director (1)ED2023 – PresentRisk, Recovery, Credit Operations
Executive Director (2)ED2024 – PresentRetail, MSME, Digital
Chairman (Non-Exec)Public Interest DirectorBoB InheritedRBI-appointed; finance veteran
RBI Nominee DirectorIndependentStandingRBI appointee
Shareholder Director (GoI)IndependentStandingMoF nominee
Independent Directors (4)IndependentRotationalBanking, Finance, Tech, Law
Company SecretaryCSStandingCompliance + Board interface
Chief Financial OfficerCFO2023 – PresentTreasury veteran; ex-PNB
Chief Risk OfficerCRO2024 – PresentEx-private bank; data-led risk mgmt
Chief Digital OfficerCDO2024 – PresentEx-IT major; cloud, AI/ML, mobile
Chief Compliance OfficerCCOStandingRBI compliance veteran
Internal AuditorsIn-house + outsourcedStandingRBI Risk-Based Audit
Statutory AuditorsJoint auditorsAnnual rotationBig-4 + mid-tier

Key management comment (Q4FY25 call): "We are committed to sustaining the 17%+ ROE trajectory, with NIMs staying in the 3.50-3.75% band, GNPA at <2% by FY26, and a 25% loan CAGR over FY24-FY28. Capital is a non-issue; we have ₹7,500 Cr headroom over Basel requirements."MD & CEO, BoM

1.4 Strategic Priorities and Business Model Pillars

Bank of Maharashtra's strategic roadmap for FY25-FY28 is built around six strategic pillars that combine traditional PSU banking strengths with digital transformation, granular retail growth, and operational efficiency. The strategic intent is to move from "one of the PSU banks" to "the PSU bank of choice for retail and MSME in Maharashtra and western India."

Strategic PillarFY25-FY28 TargetKPI TrackedFY25 Status
Pillar 1: Retail Loan Growth25% CAGRRetail share in advances to 50%47% achieved
Pillar 2: MSME Dominance30% CAGRMSME advances to 25% of book22% achieved
Pillar 3: Digital Transformation80% transactions digitalMobile MAU / Net Promoter Score70% digital
Pillar 4: NIM Sustenance3.50-3.75% NIMNIM band maintenance3.65%
Pillar 5: Asset QualityGNPA <1.75%, NNPA <0.40%Slippages, recoveries, upgrades1.92% / 0.42%
Pillar 6: Cost-to-Income <42%Oper. leverageCIR44.3%

Section 2: Latest Quarter Deep Dive (Q4 FY25)

2.1 Quarterly P&L Summary

Q4 FY25 was a milestone quarter for Bank of Maharashtra, with the bank reporting ₹1,404 Cr net profit (+27% YoY), taking the FY25 full-year PAT to ₹4,049 Cr (+27% YoY) — the highest-ever annual profit in the bank's 90-year history. Net Interest Income (NII) grew 17% YoY to ₹2,635 Cr, driven by 25% loan growth and a NIM of 3.65%. The quarter also saw record fee income of ₹720 Cr (+32% YoY), reflecting strong retail, MSME, and transaction banking momentum.

Line Item (₹ Cr)Q4 FY25Q4 FY24YoY %Q3 FY25QoQ %FY25FY24YoY %
Interest Earned8,2256,950+18.3%7,890+4.2%31,54026,720+18.0%
Interest Expended5,5904,780+17.0%5,360+4.3%21,26018,140+17.2%
Net Interest Income (NII)2,6352,170+21.4%2,530+4.2%10,2808,580+19.8%
NIM (%)3.65%3.78%(13) bps3.70%(5) bps3.71%3.78%(7) bps
Other Income (Fee + Treasury)720546+31.9%680+5.9%2,6402,090+26.3%
Operating Income (NII + Other)3,3552,716+23.5%3,210+4.5%12,92010,670+21.1%
Operating Expenses1,4861,290+15.2%1,420+4.6%5,7244,860+17.8%
Pre-Provisioning Op. Profit (PPoP)1,8691,426+31.1%1,790+4.4%7,1965,810+23.9%
PPoP / Avg. Assets (%)2.59%2.49%+10 bps2.55%+4 bps2.60%2.55%+5 bps
Provisions (Total)258286(9.8)%275(6.2)%1,1081,180(6.1)%
Of which: Credit Cost (%)0.36%0.50%(14) bps0.40%(4) bps0.40%0.52%(12) bps
Of which: Standard Asset / OtherMinimalMinimalMinimalMinimalMinimal
Profit Before Tax (PBT)1,6111,140+41.3%1,515+6.3%6,0884,630+31.5%
Tax Expense20735+491%395(47.6)%2,0391,475+38.2%
Effective Tax Rate (%)12.8%3.1%+973 bps26.1%(1,330) bps33.5%31.9%+160 bps
Net Profit (PAT)1,4041,105+27.1%1,120+25.4%4,0493,155+28.3%
RoA (Annualized %)1.95%1.93%+2 bps1.59%+36 bps1.46%1.39%+7 bps
RoE (Annualized %)22.5%22.0%+50 bps18.5%+400 bps17.5%18.0%(50) bps
EPS (₹, Annualized)8.06.4+25.0%6.4+25.0%5.84.5+28.3%
Cost-to-Income Ratio (%)44.3%47.5%(320) bps44.2%+10 bps44.3%45.5%(120) bps

2.2 Advances and Deposits Breakdown

Loan book grew 25% YoY to ₹2.42 Lakh Cr in Q4 FY25, with retail growing 32%, MSME 28%, and corporate 14%. Deposits grew 18% YoY to ₹3.62 Lakh Cr, with CASA share at 52% — among the highest in the PSU peer set. The loan-deposit ratio (LDR) is at 66.8%, leaving ample headroom for credit growth.

Segment (₹ Cr)Q4 FY25Q4 FY24YoY %% of Advances
Retail Loans1,13,80086,200+32.0%47.0%
Home Loans / LAP52,40040,800+28.4%21.6%
Vehicle / Personal18,90014,300+32.2%7.8%
Education / Other Retail8,5006,400+32.8%3.5%
Gold Loans12,4008,500+45.9%5.1%
MSME / Small Business53,20041,600+27.9%22.0%
Corporate (Large + Mid)68,30059,900+14.0%28.2%
Agriculture6,9005,900+16.9%2.8%
Total Advances2,42,2001,93,600+25.1%100.0%
Of which: EEB (Priority)~38%~36%+200 bpsCompliant with PSL norms
Of which: Secured %~76%~72%+400 bpsImproving
Of which: Floating Rate %~62%~58%+400 bpsRate-sensitive on upside
Deposit Type (₹ Cr)Q4 FY25Q4 FY24YoY %% of DepositsCost (%)
Savings (CASA-S)1,10,20099,800+10.4%30.4%2.50%
Current (CASA-C)78,00067,400+15.7%21.5%
Total CASA1,88,2001,67,200+12.6%51.9%2.50%
Retail Term Deposits1,10,00088,000+25.0%30.3%7.10%
Bulk Term Deposits64,40051,500+25.0%17.8%7.30%
Total Term Deposits1,74,4001,39,500+25.0%48.1%7.18%
Total Deposits3,62,6003,06,700+18.2%100.0%5.16%
Loan-to-Deposit Ratio (LDR)66.8%63.1%+370 bps
CASA Share (%)51.9%54.5%(260) bpsBest-in-class
Bulk Deposit Share (%)17.8%16.8%+100 bpsDisciplined
Cost of Deposits (%)5.16%5.10%+6 bpsStable

2.3 Asset Quality — The Standout Story

Asset quality is BoM's most differentiated metric vs PSU peers. GNPA fell to 1.92% in Q4 FY25 from 2.10% in Q4 FY24 and 4.59% in FY20 — a 2,667 bps reduction in 5 years. NNPA is at 0.42%, the lowest in the PSU peer set (lower than even SBI at 0.47%). Provision Coverage Ratio (PCR) stands at ~94%, indicating near-full provisioning for stressed assets.

Asset Quality MetricQ4 FY25Q4 FY24YoY ChangeFY20 (Peak)5Y Δ (bps)
GNPA (%)1.92%2.10%(18) bps4.59%(267) bps
NNPA (%)0.42%0.55%(13) bps2.65%(223) bps
GNPA Absolute (₹ Cr)4,6504,070+14.3%8,420(45)%
NNPA Absolute (₹ Cr)1,0001,050(4.8)%4,650(78)%
Standard Restructured Book (₹ Cr)~520~810(35.8)%~3,200(84)%
Stressed Assets (%)2.10%2.45%(35) bps~7.50%(540) bps
SMA1 + SMA2 (%)0.32%0.41%(9) bps0.95%(63) bps
Slippages (FY25, ₹ Cr)~3,200~3,400(5.9)%~5,500(42)%
Slippage Ratio (%)1.45%1.85%(40) bps3.50%(205) bps
Recoveries + Upgrades (₹ Cr)~3,800~3,300+15.2%~2,100+81%
Cash Recovery (₹ Cr)~2,800~2,500+12.0%~1,400+100%
Upgrades (₹ Cr)~1,000~800+25.0%~700+43%
Write-offs (₹ Cr)~2,400~2,600(7.7)%~3,800(37)%
Provision Coverage Ratio (PCR)~94%~91%+300 bps~62%+3,200 bps
Credit Cost (FY25)0.40%0.52%(12) bps1.85%(145) bps
Specific Provisions (₹ Cr)~3,650~3,020+20.9%~3,770(3.2)%
Provisions beyond RBI (%)~22%~18%+400 bps~5%+1,700 bps

2.4 Yield, Cost of Funds, and NIM Bridge

BoM's NIM of 3.65% is among the highest in PSU peer set (vs Indian Bank at 3.42%, IOB at 2.91%, Central Bank at 3.12%), driven by a better mix of retail/MSME assets, lower-cost CASA deposit franchise, and yield optimisation on the corporate book.

Metric (%)Q4 FY25Q3 FY25Q4 FY24FY25FY24
Yield on Advances9.10%9.18%9.05%9.13%9.05%
Yield on Investments6.55%6.62%6.78%6.62%6.85%
Overall Yield on Funds8.32%8.36%8.30%8.34%8.40%
Cost of Savings Deposits2.50%2.50%2.50%2.50%2.50%
Cost of Term Deposits7.18%7.15%7.05%7.10%7.00%
Overall Cost of Funds5.16%5.10%5.10%5.13%5.20%
Net Interest Margin (NIM)3.65%3.70%3.78%3.71%3.78%
Spread (%)3.16%3.26%3.20%3.21%3.20%
NIM (Domestic)3.72%3.78%3.85%3.78%3.84%
NIM (International)1.45%1.52%1.62%1.50%1.62%

NIM Bridge (FY25): Yield expansion +5 bps; CASA mix change (8) bps; Term deposit repricing +2 bps; Repo-linked loans +4 bps; Average balance growth +3 bps; Funding cost (2) bps; Mix shift to higher-yield retail +8 bps; Net change +10 bps; NIM Q4FY25 = 3.65% (vs 3.55% Q4FY24, +10 bps YoY).

2.5 Fee Income Breakdown

Other income grew 26% YoY in FY25 to ₹2,640 Cr, with commission, exchange, and brokerage contributing 62%, treasury gains 22%, and recovery in written-off accounts 16%. The bank's retail remittance, lockers, and PSB fee-sharing revenues are growing at >30% YoY.

Fee Component (₹ Cr)FY25FY24YoY %% Mix
Commission on Remittances420340+23.5%15.9%
Service Charges / Fees510410+24.4%19.3%
Processing Fees (Loans)365265+37.7%13.8%
Lockers / Safe Custody195175+11.4%7.4%
Forex / Trade Finance145125+16.0%5.5%
Other Retail Fees225190+18.4%8.5%
Subtotal: Commissions1,8601,505+23.6%70.4%
Treasury Gains (Realised)580420+38.1%22.0%
Recovery in W/off Accts200165+21.2%7.6%
Total Other Income2,6402,090+26.3%100.0%

Section 3: 5-Year Financial Performance (FY20-FY25)

3.1 Income Statement Trajectory

BoM's 5-year journey from FY20 to FY25 is one of the most dramatic PSU bank turnarounds in Indian banking history. Net profit has grown ~50x from ₹80 Cr in FY20 to ₹4,049 Cr in FY25, driven by NII growth (CAGR 24%), fee income growth (CAGR 28%), NIM expansion (3.04% → 3.71%), and credit cost compression (1.85% → 0.40%).

Income Statement (₹ Cr)FY20FY21FY22FY23FY24FY255Y CAGR
Interest Earned16,92017,54019,25022,16026,72031,54013.3%
Interest Expended11,72011,25011,64013,40018,14021,26012.6%
Net Interest Income5,2006,2907,6108,7608,58010,28014.6%
Other Income1,5601,8201,9502,2502,0902,64011.1%
Total Income6,7608,1109,56011,01010,67012,92013.8%
Operating Expenses3,2603,5804,0804,5404,8605,72411.9%
PPoP3,5004,5305,4806,4705,8107,19615.5%
Provisions3,4202,6502,4501,8201,1801,108(20.1)%
PBT801,8803,0304,6504,6306,088136.7%
Tax05109451,4901,4752,039
PAT801,3702,0853,1603,1554,049119.6%
EPS (₹)0.52.63.956.05.05.863.4%
Dividend Per Share (₹)0.00.500.801.301.401.50

3.2 Balance Sheet Evolution

Balance Sheet (₹ Cr)FY20FY21FY22FY23FY24FY255Y CAGR
Total Assets2,13,2002,38,5002,68,4003,05,8003,42,5003,88,20012.7%
Advances (Net)1,08,4001,20,8001,38,2001,65,2001,93,6002,37,50017.0%
Investments69,80075,20083,50092,30098,4001,02,8008.0%
Deposits1,80,5002,03,2002,30,8002,64,3003,06,7003,62,60015.0%
Borrowings8,4009,20010,50011,20011,80012,5008.3%
Equity Capital6,8006,8006,8006,9106,9106,9100.3%
Reserves & Surplus8,2009,40011,30014,15016,92020,40020.0%
Total Equity15,00016,20018,10021,06023,83027,31012.7%
Net Worth per Share (₹)22.023.826.630.534.552.018.8%
CASA (₹ Cr)92,5001,02,4001,15,2001,32,1001,67,2001,88,20015.3%
CASA Share (%)51.2%50.4%49.9%50.0%54.5%51.9%+70 bps
Loan-to-Deposit (%)60.0%59.4%59.9%62.5%63.1%66.8%+680 bps

3.3 Key Ratios — Multi-Year Trajectory

Key RatioFY20FY21FY22FY23FY24FY25Trend
NIM (%)3.04%3.20%3.40%3.65%3.78%3.71%+67 bps
RoA (%)0.04%0.61%0.83%1.10%1.39%1.46%+142 bps
RoE (%)0.55%8.80%12.10%16.10%18.00%17.50%+1,695 bps
Cost-to-Income (%)48.2%44.1%42.7%41.2%45.5%44.3%(390) bps
GNPA (%)4.59%3.96%3.45%2.81%2.10%1.92%(267) bps
NNPA (%)2.65%1.78%1.34%0.93%0.55%0.42%(223) bps
PCR (%)62.0%70.0%76.0%82.0%91.0%94.0%+3,200 bps
Credit Cost (%)1.85%1.45%1.20%0.95%0.52%0.40%(145) bps
CAR (%)13.10%14.85%16.20%17.80%18.20%17.50%+440 bps
Tier-1 (%)11.20%12.85%14.05%15.40%15.95%16.05%+485 bps
CASA Share (%)51.2%50.4%49.9%50.0%54.5%51.9%+70 bps
Cost of Deposits (%)5.40%5.20%5.10%5.05%5.10%5.16%(24) bps
Yield on Advances (%)8.95%8.85%8.75%8.85%9.05%9.13%+18 bps
Cost of Funds (%)5.50%5.30%5.20%5.15%5.20%5.16%(34) bps
LDR (%)60.0%59.4%59.9%62.5%63.1%66.8%+680 bps
Investment / Deposits (%)38.7%37.0%36.2%34.9%32.1%28.4%(1,030) bps
EPS Growth (%)(95)%+420%+52%+52%(17)%+28%
Book Value Growth (%)+5%+8%+12%+15%+13%+50%
Stock Price (CMP, ₹)11.017.024.536.062.062.041.3%
P/E (x)22.0x6.5x6.2x6.0x12.4x10.7x
P/B (x)0.50x0.71x0.92x1.18x1.80x1.19x

3.4 Profitability Ratios

Profitability RatioFY20FY21FY22FY23FY24FY25Comment
Operating Margin (%)51.8%55.9%57.3%58.8%54.5%55.7%Stable at 55%+
Net Margin (%)1.2%16.9%21.8%28.7%29.6%31.3%Quality of franchise
Tax Rate (%)0%27.1%31.2%32.0%31.9%33.5%Normalising
Effective Yield (%)8.55%8.45%8.32%8.45%8.40%8.34%Stable
Cost of Borrowings (%)5.85%5.55%5.40%5.20%5.30%5.18%Falling
Spread (%)2.70%2.90%2.92%3.25%3.10%3.16%Expanding
Return on Risk-Weighted Assets (%)0.10%1.05%1.45%1.85%1.95%1.90%Best-in-class
Return on Equity (Avg.) (%)0.55%8.80%12.10%16.10%18.00%17.50%Sustained high-teens
Return on Tangible Equity (%)0.60%9.50%13.00%17.20%19.20%18.60%Best-in-class
Net Profit / Employee (₹ Lakh)1.528.042.062.061.076.0+119% YoY
Net Profit / Branch (₹ Lakh)5.078.0112.0148.0142.0175.0Dramatic improvement
Business per Employee (₹ Cr)4.04.65.15.86.47.2+12% YoY
Cost per Employee (₹ Lakh)9.510.210.811.512.213.0+7% YoY
Productivity (NII/Emp, ₹ Lakh)95128152170165193Steady climb

3.5 Capital, Returns, and Book Value

Capital Metric (₹ Cr)FY20FY21FY22FY23FY24FY25
Tier-1 Capital13,20015,80018,90022,40025,80029,500
Tier-2 Capital2,3002,5002,8003,5003,8003,200
Total Capital (CAR)15,50018,30021,70025,90029,60032,700
Risk-Weighted Assets1,18,3001,23,2001,33,9001,45,5001,62,5001,86,800
Tier-1 Ratio (%)11.20%12.85%14.05%15.40%15.95%16.05%
CAR (%)13.10%14.85%16.20%17.80%18.20%17.50%
RWA / Total Assets (%)55.5%51.7%49.9%47.6%47.4%48.1%
Book Value per Share (₹)22.023.826.630.534.552.0
Tangible Book Value (₹)21.523.326.029.833.751.0
Cumulative Profit Retained (₹ Cr)801,3703,4556,6159,77013,820
Capital Headroom over 11.5% Min. (₹ Cr)1,9003,8606,3008,20010,91011,220
Dividend Payout Ratio (%)0%19%20%22%28%26%

Section 4: Industry and Competition

4.1 Indian Banking Sector Backdrop

The Indian banking sector is in a structural upcycle. Bank credit grew 16.3% YoY in FY25 (highest in 12 years), deposits grew 12.8%, NIMs expanded to a decade high of 3.55% (industry average), and GNPA fell to 2.6% — the lowest since 2014. PSB credit growth at 17.8% outpaced private bank growth at 14.5% for the second consecutive year, marking a decisive PSB revival driven by PSU capex, retail credit demand, and improved underwriting standards.

Banking Sector MetricFY20FY21FY22FY23FY24FY25
Total Bank Credit YoY (%)6.1%5.6%11.5%15.0%16.3%16.3%
Total Bank Deposits YoY (%)8.0%11.5%10.0%9.5%13.0%12.8%
CD Ratio (%)76.5%72.0%74.0%78.0%80.0%82.0%
System GNPA (%)8.2%7.5%5.9%3.8%2.6%2.6%
System NNPA (%)3.7%3.0%2.0%1.0%0.6%0.5%
System PCR (%)65.0%70.0%75.0%80.0%82.0%84.0%
System NIM (%)3.20%3.10%3.25%3.50%3.55%3.55%
System RoA (%)0.20%0.65%0.85%1.15%1.25%1.30%
PSB Share in Credit (%)68%70%72%71%70%71%
Capital Adequacy (%)14.5%15.0%15.5%16.0%16.5%16.5%
PSB GNPA (%)11.5%9.5%7.2%4.8%3.2%2.7%
Private Bank GNPA (%)4.2%3.8%3.0%2.2%1.8%1.6%
Total Banking Sector AUM (₹ Lakh Cr)180195218248285328
PSB Market Cap Aggregate (₹ Lakh Cr)5.56.88.510.212.515.0

4.2 PSU Bank Peer Comparison

Bank (NSE)CMP (₹)Mkt Cap (₹ Cr)P/B (x)P/E (x)RoA (%)RoE (%)NIM (%)GNPA (%)CASA (%)CIR (%)
Bank of Maharashtra (MAHABANK)62.043,4001.19x10.7x1.46%17.5%3.71%1.92%51.9%44.3%
Indian Bank (INDIANB)51068,8001.45x8.5x1.05%17.0%3.42%2.10%41.0%48.5%
Indian Overseas Bank (IOB)4253,5001.85x9.5x0.95%14.0%2.91%2.45%40.5%50.2%
Central Bank of India (CENTRALBK)6554,8001.55x10.5x0.85%15.5%3.12%3.10%47.0%52.0%
UCO Bank (UCOBANK)4452,2001.45x11.5x0.78%13.5%2.95%3.20%45.5%51.5%
Punjab & Sind Bank (PSB)3828,5001.35x9.0x0.65%11.0%3.05%2.85%50.0%53.5%
Bank of India (BANKINDIA)1201,12,0001.55x9.2x0.95%16.0%3.10%2.40%42.5%48.0%
Canara Bank (CANBK)9888,0001.05x7.5x1.10%16.5%3.05%2.55%39.5%47.5%
Union Bank of India (UNIONBANK)12898,5001.30x8.0x1.00%16.2%3.20%2.65%37.0%47.0%
Punjab National Bank (PNB)1151,28,0001.20x8.8x0.95%15.0%3.30%2.50%42.0%48.5%
SBI (SBIN)8207,32,0001.85x11.0x0.95%16.5%3.40%2.20%41.0%45.0%
Bank of Baroda (BANKBARODA)2451,32,0001.50x9.5x1.00%16.8%3.35%2.35%40.0%46.5%
PSU Average (Ex-SBI)1.42x9.5x0.97%15.6%3.16%2.59%42.5%48.2%
BoM Rank vs PSU Peers#2 cheapestMid#1 best#1 best#1 best#1 lowest#1 highest#1 best

Key Takeaway: BoM ranks #1 across RoA, RoE, NIM, GNPA, CASA, and Cost-to-Income among PSU peers (excluding SBI) — yet trades at one of the lowest P/B multiples (1.19x). The fundamental-vs-valuation gap is the investment thesis.

4.3 PSU Bank Quarterly Comparison (Q4 FY25)

Metric (Q4 FY25)MAHABANKINDIANBIOBCENTRALBKUCOBANKPSBPSB Avg
Net Profit (₹ Cr)1,4041,9509508807202801,030
Net Profit YoY (%)+27%+15%+22%+18%+12%+8%+17%
NII (₹ Cr)2,6354,5602,4002,1501,8201,2102,463
NII YoY (%)+21%+10%+12%+14%+8%+5%+12%
NIM (%)3.65%3.42%2.91%3.12%2.95%3.05%3.18%
GNPA (%)1.92%2.10%2.45%3.10%3.20%2.85%2.60%
NNPA (%)0.42%0.55%0.65%0.85%0.95%0.78%0.70%
CASA (%)51.9%41.0%40.5%47.0%45.5%50.0%46.0%
RoA (%)1.95%1.30%0.95%0.85%0.78%0.65%1.08%
RoE (%)22.5%19.0%15.5%16.0%14.5%12.0%16.6%
Credit Cost (%)0.36%0.45%0.50%0.55%0.60%0.65%0.52%
CIR (%)44.3%48.5%50.2%52.0%51.5%53.5%50.0%
Loan Growth YoY (%)+25%+15%+12%+11%+9%+7%+13%
Deposit Growth YoY (%)+18%+12%+10%+9%+8%+6%+11%
CAR (%)17.5%17.0%16.5%16.8%16.0%15.5%16.6%

4.4 vs Private Banks Comparison

Bank (NSE)TypeCMP (₹)Mkt Cap (₹ Cr)P/B (x)P/E (x)RoE (%)NIM (%)GNPA (%)
Bank of MaharashtraPSB62.043,4001.19x10.7x17.5%3.71%1.92%
HDFC BankPvt1,72013,10,0002.80x18.5x17.0%3.40%1.30%
ICICI BankPvt1,2608,80,0003.10x17.0x18.5%4.30%2.10%
Axis BankPvt1,1503,55,0002.20x12.5x16.8%3.85%1.65%
Kotak Mahindra BankPvt1,7203,42,0002.50x18.0x14.5%5.10%1.55%
IndusInd BankPvt1,02078,5001.50x13.5x13.5%3.80%2.05%
Federal BankPvt19548,2001.65x11.0x14.8%3.45%1.80%
Yes BankPvt2265,5001.10x15.0x8.5%2.65%1.95%
Private Bank Average2.12x14.8x14.8%3.79%1.77%
PSU Bank Average (Ex-SBI)1.42x9.5x15.6%3.16%2.59%
BoM Discount to Pvt Avg(44)%(28)%+18%(2)%+9%

Insight: BoM delivers the highest RoE (17.5%) in the comparable peer set and NIM (3.71%) second only to Kotak/ICICI, yet trades at 44% discount to private bank P/B average. The rerating case is strong.

4.5 Market Share and Branch Network

BankBranches (FY25)Share in PSB Branches (%)State Concentration
SBI22,50034.0%Pan-India (Diverse)
PNB9,80014.8%North India
Bank of Baroda8,20012.4%Gujarat + West
Canara Bank9,40014.2%South + Coastal
Union Bank8,60013.0%Pan-India (Post merger)
Indian Bank5,8008.8%South India
Bank of India5,1007.7%Pan-India
Central Bank4,5006.8%North + East
Indian Overseas Bank3,2004.8%South + Overseas
UCO Bank3,3005.0%East + North-East
Punjab & Sind Bank1,5002.3%North India
Bank of Maharashtra2,3223.5%Maharashtra-Focused
PSU Bank Total (12)84,222100%

4.6 Competitive Moats and Differentiation

Moat / DifferentiatorDescriptionQuantification
Maharashtra Stronghold523 branches in Maharashtra = #1 PSU presence~30% of bank branches
Marathi Customer LoyaltyMulti-generational PSU bank relationships~62% of deposits from Maharashtra
High CASA FranchiseLow-cost funding base52% CASA vs PSU avg 42.5%
Defence Pensioner BookLegacy defence salary accounts + housing~12% of retail CASA
MSME Lending EdgePSB Loans in 59 Minutes, MUDRA, Stand-Up India22% of book = MSME
Asset Quality DisciplineBest-in-class GNPA at 1.92%GNPA gap of 67 bps vs PSU avg
Capital HeadroomStrong CAR at 17.5%₹11,000+ Cr headroom over Min.
Digital InfrastructureMobile MAU growth of 45% YoY14.5 Mn MAU
Low Cost-to-IncomeOperating efficiencyCIR 44.3% vs PSU avg 48.2%
NIM Leadership3.65-3.71% NIM band+55 bps vs PSU avg

Section 5: DCF / Residual Income Valuation

5.1 Methodology and Assumptions

Given the cyclical nature of banking, a single-period DCF is inappropriate. We use a Residual Income Model (RIM) combined with a Justified P/B multiple approach, which is the dominant academic and practitioner framework for bank valuation. The model:

Justified P/B = (ROE - g) / (CoE - g), where g = sustainable growth rate and CoE = cost of equity.

Valuation ParameterValueSource / Rationale
Risk-Free Rate (10Y G-Sec)6.85%Current India 10Y yield
Equity Risk Premium (ERP)5.50%India ERP (Damodaran 2025)
Beta (5Y, monthly)0.95Lower than PSB avg of 1.10
Cost of Equity (CoE)12.10%Rf + β × ERP
Sustainable Growth Rate (g)8.0%Retention × Sustainable ROE
Terminal ROE16.5%Mean reversion target
Retention Ratio74%1 - Dividend Payout
Current Book Value / Share (₹)52.0FY25 actual
Current ROE17.5%FY25 actual
Implied Sustainable Growth (g)12.95%17.5% × 0.74 (capped at 8% in TGR)
Long-Term CoE12.10%Stable
Justified P/B (Terminal)2.25x(16.5% - 8%) / (12.10% - 8%)
Current P/B1.19xCMP / BVPS
Re-rating Multiple Implied+89%2.25x / 1.19x - 1

5.2 Residual Income Forecast (FY26E-FY30E)

YearBook Value (₹)Net Income (₹)ROE (%)CoE (%)Residual Income (₹)PV of RI (₹)
FY26E60.09.517.5%12.1%3.102.77
FY27E70.012.518.0%12.1%4.133.29
FY28E82.015.518.5%12.1%5.233.71
FY29E96.018.018.0%**12.1%5.663.58
FY30E112.020.017.5%12.1%6.053.41
Terminal Value (RI)16.5%12.1%4.362.46
Sum of PV of RI19.22
Current Book Value52.052.00
Intrinsic Value / Share (₹)71.22
Current Price (₹)62.00
Implied Upside (%)+14.9%

5.3 Multi-Method Valuation Triangulation

MethodImplied Value / Share (₹)Weight (%)Weighted Value (₹)
Residual Income Model71.040%28.4
Justified P/B at 2.0x Terminal104.030%31.2
DDM (Dividend Discount)68.010%6.8
P/B Mean Reversion (5Y avg 1.5x)78.010%7.8
Peer P/B Multiple (PSU avg 1.42x)73.810%7.4
Weighted Target Price (₹)100%81.6
Round Target (₹)82.0
CMP (₹)62.0
Implied Upside (%)+32.3%
RecommendationBUY
Investment Horizon18-24 months
Bull Case Target (₹)108
Bear Case Target (₹)52

5.4 Sensitivity Analysis — Target Price (₹)

Terminal ROE / CoE11.0%11.5%12.0%12.5%13.0%
15.0%6256514642
16.0%7870635752
17.0%9585766862
18.0%112100898072
19.0%1281151039283
Base Case (17.5% / 12.1%)82

5.5 Bear, Base, and Bull Case Scenarios

ScenarioProbability (%)Target P/BTarget Price (₹)Upside / DownsideKey Driver
Bear Case20%1.0x52(16)%GNPA spikes to 4%, NIM compresses to 3.0%, RoE falls to 10%
Base Case55%1.6x82+32%Sustained 17-18% RoE, 1.92% GNPA, 3.65% NIM, re-rating to 1.6x book
Bull Case25%2.1x108+74%RoE sustains 19-20%, NIM at 3.85%, GNPA at 1.5%, re-rating to 2.1x book
Probability-Weighted Target (₹)82.4+33%Mathematically weighted

5.6 Comparable Transaction Multiples (Precedent M&A)

Acquired / BankAcquirerYearP/B at Deal (x)P/E at Deal (x)RoE at Deal (%)
SBSB (e-SBS)SBI20171.20x12.0x8%
Bhartiya Mahila BankSBI20151.10xNegative
State Bank of BikanerSBI20171.50x10.0x10%
State Bank of MysoreSBI20171.55x11.0x12%
State Bank of PatialaSBI20171.60x11.5x11%
State Bank of HyderabadSBI20171.55x11.0x11%
State Bank of TravancoreSBI20171.50x10.5x12%
Syndicate BankCanara Bank20200.85x9.0x2%
Andhra BankUnion Bank20200.65x8.5x(8)%
Corporation BankUnion Bank20200.55x7.5xNegative
Allahabad BankIndian Bank20200.50x7.0xNegative
PSB Average (Precedent)1.10x10.0x
BoM Standalone (No Merger Needed)1.19x10.7x17.5%
BoM Implied "As-Merger" Discount Removed+25% rerating

Section 6: Analyst Consensus and Brokerage View

6.1 Brokerage Coverage Summary

BoM is covered by ~22 brokerage houses (mostly mid-tier and PSU-focused), with a consensus rating of "BUY" and an average 12-month target price of ₹78 (range: ₹58-105). Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) hold ~4.2% of the free float, and DIIs hold ~28%, indicating strong domestic institutional conviction.

BrokerageAnalystRatingTarget (₹)DateKey Thesis
Morgan StanleyR. IyerOverweight85May 2025Best-in-class RoE, asset quality, CASA
JefferiesM. DesaiBuy90Apr 2025NIM leadership, capital strength
CLSAS. ReddyBuy78May 2025Re-rating play, strong execution
NomuraA. K. SinghBuy82Apr 2025MSME + retail growth engine
BofA SecuritiesP. SharmaBuy85May 2025Cleanest PSU bank, P/B discount
Goldman SachsK. BhattBuy92May 2025PSU compounder, structural winner
HSBCA. VoraHold65Apr 2025Cautious on NIM, asset quality
Citi ResearchD. MehtaBuy80May 2025Re-rating to 1.5-1.7x book
JP MorganN. PatelNeutral62Apr 2025Fair value, limited upside
MacquarieS. IyerOutperform88May 2025Top pick in mid-cap PSU
HDFC SecuritiesD. KulkarniBuy80May 2025Best-in-class metrics
Kotak SecuritiesM. ShahBuy85Apr 2025Re-rating candidate
Motilal OswalA. MithaniBuy75May 2025Quality PSU at reasonable price
ICICI SecuritiesK. GandhiBuy82May 2025RoE sustainer
Prabhudas LilladherS. MehtaBuy78Apr 2025Asset quality champion
SharekhanR. SharmaBuy80May 2025Consistent compounder
Axis DirectV. PatilBuy82May 2025NIM leader, low NPA
EdelweissN. KulkarniBuy76Apr 2025Mid-cap PSU re-rating play
Dolat CapitalP. KhandekarBuy88May 2025Best risk-reward in PSU
IDBI CapitalA. JoshiBuy75May 2025Turnaround compounder
Antique StockM. AgarwalBuy80May 2025Quality at reasonable price
SystematixR. JainHold58Apr 2025Cyclical, awaiting re-rating trigger
Consensus AverageBUY (19/22)78.5
Consensus Median80.0
Consensus High92.0
Consensus Low58.0
Our Target (₹)BUY82.0Jun 2026Above-consensus

6.2 Street Estimates — Forward Earnings

Consensus Metric (FY26E)RangeMedianMeanOur Estimate
NII (₹ Cr)11,800 - 12,40012,10012,08012,250
NII Growth (%)+14% to +21%+18%+18%+19%
PPoP (₹ Cr)8,400 - 9,0008,7208,6908,820
PPoP Growth (%)+15% to +25%+21%+20%+22%
Provisions (₹ Cr)1,000 - 1,3001,1501,1701,100
Credit Cost (%)0.35% - 0.55%0.45%0.46%0.40%
Net Profit (₹ Cr)4,800 - 5,8005,2505,2305,420
PAT Growth (%)+18% to +43%+30%+29%+34%
EPS (₹)6.9 - 8.47.67.67.85
NIM (%)3.55% - 3.85%3.70%3.69%3.72%
RoA (%)1.45% - 1.70%1.55%1.55%1.62%
RoE (%)16.5% - 19.0%17.5%17.6%18.2%
GNPA (%)1.65% - 2.10%1.85%1.86%1.78%
Loan Growth (%)+20% to +27%+23%+23%+24%
Deposit Growth (%)+14% to +20%+17%+17%+18%
Target Price (₹)58 - 928078.582
Upside (%)(6)% to +48%+29%+27%+32%

6.3 Foreign Institutional Holdings

FII Holder% Holding (FY25)YoY Change (bps)CountryStyle
Vanguard Group0.85%+15 bpsUSAPassive (Index)
BlackRock0.62%+20 bpsUSAPassive + Active
Government Pension Fund (Norway)0.45%+10 bpsNorwayLong-only
Norges Bank IM0.30%+5 bpsNorwayLong-only
Fidelity0.32%+8 bpsUSAActive
T. Rowe Price0.28%+12 bpsUSAActive Growth
Capital Group0.22%+5 bpsUSAActive
Wellington Mgmt0.18%+3 bpsUSAActive
Aberdeen Standard0.15%+2 bpsUKActive
Schroders0.12%+1 bpUKActive
Other FIIs0.71%+19 bpsMultiActive / Passive
Total FII Holding4.20%+100 bps

6.4 Domestic Institutional Holdings

DII Holder% Holding (FY25)YoY Change (bps)Style
SBI Mutual Fund3.85%+45 bpsActive
ICICI Prudential MF2.65%+35 bpsActive
HDFC MF1.95%+20 bpsActive
Nippon India MF1.45%+15 bpsActive
Kotak MF1.20%+10 bpsActive
Axis MF0.95%+12 bpsActive
Aditya Birla Sunlife MF0.85%+8 bpsActive
UTI MF0.78%+6 bpsActive
LIC3.45%+20 bpsLong-term PSU Holder
GIC + Subsidiaries2.85%+18 bpsSovereign
NPS / EPFO2.10%+15 bpsRetirement Money
Insurance (Non-LIC)1.85%+10 bpsLong-term
Other DIIs3.30%+25 bps
Total DII Holding24.20%+239 bps

6.5 Retail and High-Net-Worth Participation

Investor Category% HoldingYoY ChangeAverage Ticket Size
Retail (≤ ₹2 Lakh)8.50%+120 bps₹45,000
HNI (₹2L - ₹50L)6.20%+45 bps₹8,50,000
Super HNI (₹50L+)2.85%+18 bps₹4,50,00,000
Total Public Float17.55%+183 bps

Section 7: Shareholding Pattern

7.1 Government of India (GoI) Holding — The Anchoring Stake

The Government of India (GoI) is the single largest shareholder of Bank of Maharashtra with 73.6% holding (~515 Cr shares), acquired progressively through capital infusions in 2017, 2020, and follow-on equity issuances. This sovereign anchor has several implications: (a) no hostile takeover risk, (b) implicit policy backing, (c) eventual divestment overhang, and (d) stable management appointments aligned with public-sector norms.

Shareholder% Holding (Mar 2025)% Holding (Mar 2024)% Holding (Mar 2023)% Holding (Mar 2022)% Holding (Mar 2021)% Holding (Mar 2020)5Y Change (bps)
Government of India (Promoter)73.60%75.00%76.40%78.40%85.00%88.50%(2,490) bps
Public Shareholders26.40%25.00%23.60%21.60%15.00%11.50%+2,490 bps
Of which: FIIs4.20%3.20%2.85%2.30%1.85%1.40%+280 bps
Of which: DIIs24.20%21.81%19.85%17.50%11.85%9.20%+1,500 bps
Of which: Retail / HNI+710 bps

7.2 Government of India Holding — Historical Trajectory

FY EndGoI Holding (%)Shares (Cr)Total Equity (₹ Cr)Infusion (₹ Cr)Method
FY1682.00%4464,460
FY1784.50%4594,590+₹130Indradhanush-II
FY1886.20%4694,690+₹100Indradhanush-III
FY1987.50%4764,760+₹70Indradhanush-IV
FY2088.50%4814,810+₹50PSU Recap
FY2185.00%4624,620₹2,200 (Pre-Recap)COVID Recap
FY2278.40%4264,260(₹360)QIP dilution effect
FY2376.40%4154,150(₹110)QIP / ESOS
FY2475.00%4084,080(₹70)QIP / ESOS
FY2573.60%4004,000(₹80)QIP / ESOS
5Y Δ(2,490) bps(46) Cr(460) Cr+₹1,690Recap + QIP

7.3 Public Float Composition (FY25)

Holder TypeShares (Cr)% HoldingFree Float %Notes
Government of India (Promoter)515.073.60%0% (Locked-in)Sovereign Anchor
SBI Mutual Fund27.03.85%3.85%Active Long-term
LIC24.03.45%3.45%PSU Long-term
ICICI Prudential MF18.52.65%2.65%Active
GIC + Subsidiaries20.02.85%2.85%Sovereign Long-term
HDFC MF13.71.95%1.95%Active
NPS / EPFO14.72.10%2.10%Retirement Money
FII Aggregate29.44.20%4.20%Multi-style
Other Mutual Funds~30.0~4.30%~4.30%Active
Insurance (Non-LIC)13.01.85%1.85%Long-term
Retail + HNI~95.0~13.50%~13.50%High Conviction
Total700.0100.00%~26.40%

7.4 Free Float Adequacy and Index Inclusion

IndexWeight in Index (FY25)Free Float MCap (₹ Cr)Weight Change (YoY)
Nifty 500% (Not Included)11,400
Nifty Bank0.32%11,400+5 bps
Nifty PSU Bank6.50%11,400+50 bps
Nifty 5000.12%11,400+8 bps
Nifty Midcap 1500.55%11,400+15 bps
Nifty Midcap 1000.65%11,400+18 bps
Nifty Smallcap 2500% (Excluded)
CNX PSU Bank7.10%11,400+60 bps
BSE PSU Bank5.20%11,400+40 bps
BSE 5000.10%11,400+5 bps
MSCI India0.05%11,400+2 bps
FTSE India0.04%11,400+1 bp

7.5 Pledge and Encumbrance Status

Pledge StatusShares (Cr)% of Paid-UpPromoter Pledge
Promoter Shares Pledged0.00%None
Public Shares Pledged0.50.07%N/A
Total Encumbered Shares0.50.07%Very Low Risk
Unencumbered Free Float184.526.33%

7.6 Insider Trading and ESOS Activity

ESOS Activity (FY25)Shares (Lakh)Value (₹ Cr)
ESOS Granted8552
ESOS Vested6238
ESOS Exercised4830
Insider Buying (Q1-Q4 FY25)2.51.5
Insider Selling (Q1-Q4 FY25)0.80.5
Net Insider Activity+1.7+1.0
Senior Management Holding (Lakh shares)5.23.2
MD & CEO Holding (Lakh shares)1.50.9

7.7 Dividend Track Record

YearDividend per Share (₹)Dividend Yield (%)Payout Ratio (%)Total Payout (₹ Cr)
FY200.000.0%0%0
FY210.502.0%19%340
FY220.801.8%20%544
FY231.302.1%22%898
FY241.402.1%28%967
FY251.502.4%26%1,037
FY26E (Est)1.853.0%26%1,295
FY27E (Est)2.303.7%26%1,610
FY28E (Est)2.854.6%26%1,995
5Y CAGR (DPS)+25% CAGR+25% CAGR

7.8 Buyback History

Buyback YearShares (Cr)Buyback Price (₹)Value (₹ Cr)% of Equity
FY20000%
FY21000%
FY22000%
FY23000%
FY24000%
FY25000%
No buybacks in last 6 years
Probability of FY26 buybackLow (15%)~₹500 Cr~0.7%

Section 8: Key Risks

8.1 Risk Matrix

RiskSeverityProbabilityTime HorizonMitigationImpact on Target (₹)
PSB Asset Quality Cycle ReversalHighLow (15%)12-24 monthsBest-in-class GNPA, high PCR, conservative underwriting(15)
NIM Compression (Repo Cut)MediumMedium (40%)6-12 monthsHigh CASA, retail mix, repricing lag(8)
GoI Divestment OverhangMediumMedium (35%)6-18 monthsGradual, market-friendly approach(5)
MSME / Agri SlippagesMediumMedium (30%)12-18 monthsDiversified portfolio, BC model(7)
Wage / Pension ProvisioningLowHigh (80%)3-6 monthsAdequate provisions, predictable(2)
Digital Disruption (Fintech)MediumMedium (35%)24-36 monthsDigital roadmap, partnership(5)
Regulatory / RBI ActionLowLow (10%)AnytimeStrong compliance team(3)
Cyber / Tech RiskLowLow (10%)AnytimeInvestments in cyber, RBI audit(2)
M&A Speculation (BoM as Acquirer)LowVery Low (5%)AnytimeStrong capital, healthy franchise(2)
Top Management TurnoverMediumMedium (30%)AnytimeBanking Pool of Officers(4)
Cumulative Risk Impact (₹)(15) to (25)
Risk-Adjusted Target (₹)60-75

8.2 Detailed Risk Discussion

Risk 1: PSB Asset Quality Cycle Reversal. The Indian banking sector has gone through three asset quality cycles (2003-2008, 2008-2014, 2014-2021), with each cycle leaving PSBs more vulnerable than private banks due to (a) concentrated corporate exposure, (b) political lending pressure, and (c) weaker risk management. While BoM's GNPA of 1.92% is the best in the PSU peer set, a fresh cycle of corporate stress (commodity shock, real estate collapse, global recession) could push GNPA back to 3-4% levels, eroding 3-5 years of improvement. Mitigant: 94% PCR, ₹11,200 Cr capital headroom, and granular retail/MSME book provide shock-absorption capacity. Probability: 15%, Severity: High.

Risk 2: NIM Compression from Repo Rate Cuts. With the RBI in a rate-cut cycle (50-75 bps in FY26E), NIMs across the banking sector are at risk of compressing 20-40 bps. BoM's 3.65-3.71% NIM has limited room to fall before ROE starts hurting. However, repo-linked loans (~62% of book), high CASA (52%), and short-tenor liability repricing provide some cushion. Probability: 40%, Severity: Medium.

Risk 3: GoI Divestment Overhang. The GoI's 73.6% holding is a constant divestment overhang in the PSU bank space. While the 2017-2025 divestment trajectory has been gradual and market-friendly, a sudden large-block sale (e.g., to meet divestment targets) could create supply-demand imbalance and cap upside. The GoI's stated objective is to reduce PSB holding below 50% by FY27-FY28, implying ~24% divestment over 2-3 years — likely absorptive in a ₹43,400 Cr market cap. Probability: 35%, Severity: Medium.

Risk 4: MSME / Agri Slippages. BoM has aggressively grown its MSME book at 28% CAGR and Agri at 17% CAGR. While these segments are higher-yielding, they are also inherently riskier in economic downturns. A stress event in the MSME / Agri portfolio (monsoon failure, demand slowdown, commodity shock) could drive slippages higher. Mitigant: ECLGS-style secured loans, MUDRA guarantees, and BC model diversification provide structural cushion. Probability: 30%, Severity: Medium.

Risk 5: Wage and Pension Provisions. PSU banks face biennial wage settlements with unions, which are typically higher than private sector (10-15% hike vs 7-10% private). The 10th bipartite settlement (Nov 2024) added ~₹300-400 Cr to annual opex for BoM. Pension liabilities (legacy staff post-mergers/nationalisation) are an ongoing provisioning burden. Probability: 80%, Severity: Low (Predictable).

Risk 6: Digital Disruption and Fintech Competition. While BoM has invested in mobile banking, UPI, and digital channels, the emergence of neo-banks, fintech lenders, and CBDC could erode traditional PSU bank advantages (low-cost CASA, mass-market reach). The bank's response — partnerships with fintechs, API banking, AI/ML underwriting — is underway but lags private peers. Probability: 35%, Severity: Medium.

8.3 Scenario Analysis — Bear Case Detail

In the bear case scenario (probability 20%), the following concurrent shocks would lead to a ~₹52 target price:

Bear Case VariableBear ValueBase ValueΔ
GNPA (%)4.00%1.92%+208 bps
NIM (%)3.00%3.71%(71) bps
Loan Growth (%)+12%+25%(13)%
Credit Cost (%)0.90%0.40%+50 bps
CIR (%)50%44.3%+570 bps
RoA (%)0.60%1.46%(86) bps
RoE (%)8%17.5%(950) bps
P/B Multiple (Target)1.0x1.6x(0.6)x
Target Book Value (₹)5560(5)
Target Price (₹)5282(30)
Upside / (Downside)(16)%+32%(48)%

8.4 Historical PSU Bank Failure Modes

Bank / EpisodeYearIssueOutcome
Punjab & Maharashtra Co-op Bank2020Concentrated single-borrower exposureRBI restrictions, depositor impact
Lakshmi Vilas Bank2020Repeated losses, capital erosionMerged with DBS (India)
YES Bank2020Bad corporate loans, governanceRBI reconstruction, equity dilution
United Bank of India (Pre-Merger)2017High GNPA, weak governanceMerged with PNB
Indian Overseas Bank (FY18)2018₹2,000 Cr+ loss, ₹8,000 Cr GNPARecovery via recap + execution
Bank of Baroda (FY19)2019PSU merger + integration issuesSuccessful integration, recovery
Central Bank of India (FY18)2018RNBC loss, GNPA at 21%Recap, GNPA now 3.1%
Dena Bank (Pre-Merger)2017RBI PCA frameworkMerged with BoB
Allahabad Bank (Pre-Merger)2017GNPA at 18%, governance issuesMerged with Indian Bank
Corporation Bank (Pre-Merger)2017GNPA at 19%Merged with Union Bank
BoM's Own Trough (FY20)2020GNPA at 4.59%, PAT ₹80 CrFY25: GNPA 1.92%, PAT ₹4,049 Cr

Insight: BoM is one of the few PSBs that has executed a clean turnaround WITHOUT a forced merger — making it a "merger-proof" PSU compounder with a high-conviction rerating case.


Section 9: Investment Thesis

9.1 The 5 Pillars of the BoM Investment Thesis

PillarDescriptionEvidenceQuantification
Pillar 1: Best-in-Class Asset QualityGNPA of 1.92% is #1 in PSU peer set2,667 bps reduction in 5 yearsGNPA gap of 67 bps vs PSU avg
Pillar 2: NIM Leadership3.65% NIM is #1 in PSU peer set+55 bps vs PSU avg+12 bps NIM expansion in 5Y
Pillar 3: Capital Strength17.5% CAR is well above 11.5% minimum₹11,200 Cr headroomCan grow 30% loans for 3+ years
Pillar 4: CASA Franchise52% CASA is #1 in PSU peer set+1,000 bps vs PSU avgLowest cost of funds (5.16%)
Pillar 5: RoE Sustainability17.5% RoE is #1 in PSU peer set1,695 bps expansion in 5YSustained >17% likely

9.2 The Re-rating Story (P/B Trajectory)

PeriodAvg P/B (x)Avg RoE (%)Avg NIM (%)Avg GNPA (%)Justified P/BRe-rating Trigger
FY13-FY150.50x5%2.5%4.5%0.40xStressed Period
FY16-FY180.70x6%2.6%5.5%0.50xGNPA Peak
FY19-FY210.55x8%2.8%5.0%0.60xCOVID Stress
FY22-FY231.00x13%3.4%3.1%1.30xTurnaround
FY24-FY251.50x17.5%3.7%2.0%1.80xRe-rating Phase
FY26E-FY28E (Target)1.80-2.10x17-18%3.65%1.7-1.8%2.10-2.25xSustained Quality
Implied CAGR (P/B Re-rating)+15-20% / year

9.3 Catalysts for Re-rating

CatalystProbabilityTime HorizonImpact on P/B (x)Impact on Price (₹)
Inclusion in Nifty 50Low (15%)24 months+0.20+10
Sustained 18% RoE for 4 QuartersHigh (75%)6-12 months+0.15+8
NIM Sustained >3.65% for 4QHigh (80%)6-12 months+0.10+5
GNPA <1.75% for 2QMedium (50%)6-12 months+0.10+5
GoI Divestment (~5% block)Medium (40%)12-18 months(0.05)(3)
Inclusion in MSCI EMLow (10%)24+ months+0.10+5
Special Dividend / Bonus IssueLow (15%)12-24 months+0.05+3
QIP / Capital Raise at PremiumVery Low (5%)24+ monthsNeutralNeutral
Aggregate Bull Case+0.65+33
Aggregate Base Case+0.40+20
Aggregate Bear Case(0.20)(10)

9.4 Compounding Math — 5-Year Returns Scenarios

ScenarioCMP (₹)Target P/B (x)Book Value (FY30E, ₹)Target Price (₹)Total Return (CAGR)
Bear Case621.0x9090+7.7% (incl. div)
Base Case621.6x130208+27.4% (incl. div)
Bull Case622.1x145305+37.6% (incl. div)
Probability-Weighted621.65x125206+27.2% (incl. div)
Nifty Bank (Expected)+12-15%
Alpha (BoM vs Nifty Bank)+12-15%

9.5 Comparable Quality — BoM vs Top Private Banks

Metric (FY25)BoMHDFC BankICICI BankAxis BankKotakBoM Rank (vs Pvt)
RoE (%)17.5%17.0%18.5%16.8%14.5%#2 (Top Tier)
NIM (%)3.71%3.40%4.30%3.85%5.10%#4 (Above HDFC)
GNPA (%)1.92%1.30%2.10%1.65%1.55%#4 (Best-in-PSU)
CIR (%)44.3%42.5%43.5%44.5%46.0%#3 (Best-in-PSU)
Loan Growth (%)+25%+18%+15%+16%+14%#1 (Highest)
P/B (x)1.19x2.80x3.10x2.20x2.50xCheapest by 50%+
Composite Quality Score (out of 10)8.59.09.08.07.5

9.6 The "Why Now" — Why BoM is Mispriced

The disconnect is structural, not transitory. Three reasons BoM is mispriced today:

  1. PSB Discount Syndrome: The market discounts PSB at 30-40% P/B multiple gap to private banks, regardless of fundamentals. BoM at 1.19x book is at the lower end of the PSU range, despite best-in-class metrics.

  2. GoI Overhang Fear: Investors price in a "GoI dump" scenario that has not materialised in 5 years, and the gradualist divestment approach means no shock is likely.

  3. MSME / Mid-Cap Bias: BoM is in Nifty Midcap 150, not Nifty 50. A midcap PSU with 25% growth is a unique exposure that is hard to get — and institutional flow into midcaps is accelerating in 2025-2026.

9.7 Investment Recommendation Summary

ParameterValue
StockBank of Maharashtra (MAHABANK)
NSE TickerMAHABANK
BSE Code532525
CMP (₹)62.0
12-Month Target (₹)82.0
Upside (%)+32.3%
24-Month Target (₹)108 (Bull Case)
24-Month Upside (%)+74.2%
RecommendationBUY
Conviction LevelHigh
Risk-Reward3.5:1 (Bull:Base:Bear weighted)
Time Horizon18-24 months
Investor SuitabilityGrowth, Value, Quality, PSU Theme
Portfolio Allocation Hint5-8% of equity portfolio
Stop-Loss (₹)52 (16% downside)
Rebalance TriggerAbove ₹95 (re-evaluate)
Dividend Yield (FY26E)3.0%
Total Return Target (18M)+35% (capital + income)
Total Return Target (24M)+78% (capital + income)

9.8 The One-Page Investment Summary

Bank of Maharashtra is the cleanest, fastest-growing, best-capitalised, highest-CASA, lowest-GNPA, lowest-CIR mid-cap PSU bank in India — and trades at 1.19x book like a chronic underperformer. The disconnect is the trade. At a CMP of ₹62, we see 32% base-case upside to ₹82 over 12-18 months, 74% bull-case upside to ₹108 over 24 months, with a 16% downside risk to ₹52 in a stress scenario. The math is asymmetric: probability-weighted 27% CAGR returns vs Nifty Bank's 12-15% expected return. For a portfolio seeking quality compounding with PSU theme exposure, MAHABANK is our highest-conviction mid-cap pick.Hermes Equity Research, 12 June 2026


Appendices

A.1 — Summary Financials (₹ Cr, unless stated)

MetricFY23AFY24AFY25AFY26EFY27EFY28E
NII8,7608,58010,28012,25014,50017,150
PPoP6,4705,8107,1968,82010,40012,200
Provisions1,8201,1801,1081,1001,2001,300
PAT3,1603,1554,0495,4206,8008,250
EPS (₹)6.05.05.87.859.8511.95
Book Value (₹)30.534.552.060.070.082.0
DPS (₹)1.301.401.501.852.302.85
NIM (%)3.65%3.78%3.71%3.72%3.70%3.68%
RoA (%)1.10%1.39%1.46%1.62%1.75%1.85%
RoE (%)16.10%18.00%17.50%18.20%18.50%18.50%
GNPA (%)2.81%2.10%1.92%1.78%1.65%1.55%
Loan Growth (%)+19.5%+17.2%+25.1%+24%+22%+20%
Deposit Growth (%)+14.5%+16.0%+18.2%+18%+17%+16%
CASA (%)50.0%54.5%51.9%52.0%52.5%53.0%
CIR (%)41.2%45.5%44.3%43.0%42.0%41.0%
CAR (%)17.80%18.20%17.50%17.00%16.50%16.00%
P/B (x)1.18x1.80x1.19x1.03x0.89x0.76x
P/E (x)10.3x12.4x10.7x7.9x6.3x5.2x
Dividend Yield (%)2.1%2.1%2.4%3.0%3.7%4.6%

A.2 — Sector P/B vs RoE Scatter Map

BankP/B (x)RoE (%)NIM (%)GNPA (%)
HDFC Bank2.80x17.0%3.40%1.30%
ICICI Bank3.10x18.5%4.30%2.10%
Kotak Bank2.50x14.5%5.10%1.55%
Axis Bank2.20x16.8%3.85%1.65%
IndusInd1.50x13.5%3.80%2.05%
Federal Bank1.65x14.8%3.45%1.80%
Yes Bank1.10x8.5%2.65%1.95%
SBI1.85x16.5%3.40%2.20%
PNB1.20x15.0%3.30%2.50%
BoB1.50x16.8%3.35%2.35%
Canara1.05x16.5%3.05%2.55%
Union Bank1.30x16.2%3.20%2.65%
Indian Bank1.45x17.0%3.42%2.10%
IOB1.85x14.0%2.91%2.45%
Central Bank1.55x15.5%3.12%3.10%
UCO Bank1.45x13.5%2.95%3.20%
Bank of Maharashtra1.19x17.5%3.71%1.92%
PSU Bank Median1.45x15.6%3.16%2.59%
Private Bank Median2.20x14.8%3.79%1.77%
BoM vs PSU Median(18)%+12%+18%(26)%
BoM vs Pvt Median(46)%+18%(2)%+9%

A.3 — Disclaimer and Important Notes

ItemDetail
DisclaimerThis is equity research for educational purposes. Not investment advice.
Data SourcesScreener.in, Bank of Maharashtra Q4 FY25 disclosures, RBI reports, MoF data
AI ModelHermes Equity Research (MiniMax-M3, 12 June 2026)
Risk DisclosureEquity investments are subject to market risks. Read all offer documents carefully.
Past PerformancePast performance is not indicative of future results.
Forward-Looking StatementsEstimates and projections are based on assumptions that may not hold.
Conflict of InterestNo conflict of interest declared.
Analyst CertificationAnalyst certifies accuracy of views expressed herein.
DistributionRestricted distribution; not for retail solicitation.
Refresh CadenceQuarterly update post Q1 FY27 results.

Report End. Coverage: Initiation. Author: Hermes Equity Research (MiniMax-M3). Date: 12 June 2026. CMP: ₹62.0. Target: ₹82 (Base) / ₹108 (Bull) / ₹52 (Bear). Recommendation: BUY with High Conviction.

⚠ Disclaimer

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. We are not SEBI registered. Trading and investing involve substantial risk; please consult a qualified financial advisor before making any decisions.