DHFL is a housing finance company that has taken the road less traveled. The journey began on the 11th of April 1984. On this day, Rajesh Kumar Wadhawan began his mission to correct what had troubled him for years, the sad truth that most Indians couldn't get a housing loan on fair terms. The Founder Chairman saw the owning of a home as a critical element to the building of identity and confidence of every Indian. DHFL was only the second housing finance company set up in India. And its stated business objective was unusual to say the least, to provide access to housing finance to lower and middle income Indians. Most experts lauded Mr. Wadhawan's altruism but shook their heads at his apparent lack of business acumen. Especially as in the beginning DHFL disbursed funds from its own equity contribution and had a return on equity of less than 8% at a time when the interest rates were about 18%. But that is the difference between those who see things as they are and the visionaries who see things as they can be. Over two decades later, DHFL is still profitably doing what its Founder intended it to do. DHFL has disbursed loans amounting to over 53 billion, its non performing assets are the lowest in the Industry. The Founder Chairman had a unique and timeless insight into the character of the majority of Indians who are generally dismissed as high credit risk. They respond unequivocally to trust. They have a very emotional relationship with the idea of an ‘own home.’ To them it isn’t an investment. It is a sanctuary. A symbol of who they are. They will not do anything to jeopardize this symbol of security. This insight was the prime mover behind DHFL.
Today, DHFL has an asset base of over Rs. 3,580 crores, with a strong presence across India through its 72 branches and 116 service locations. DHFL caters to a large section of Indians working in the Middle East through its over seas branch in Dubai. |
