Understanding the concept of asset/liability management

MEANING OF ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT

The concept of Asset/liability management means the use of assets and cash flows towards reduction of risks of a company or body corporate from losing money because of its inability to pay a liability within the stipulated period. Assets and liabilities that are well-managed can help one increase the rate and chance of profitability. This method is used to assess the risk associated with bank loan portfolios and pension plans. The economic worth of equity is also included.

 

CONCEPT OF ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT

Asset and liability management is a business strategy that helps firms deal with risks that arise from a mismatch between liabilities and assets. Changes in the economic landscape, such as changing interest rates or liquidity requirements, might cause these differences.

The main goal of a robust ALM framework is long-term stability and profitability. They achieve this by carefully controlling credit quality, liquidity requirements, and the availability of sufficient operational capital. Unlike the other available techniques of risk management, this concept is a collaborative approach that employs frameworks to examine and analyse the complete balance sheet of an organization. It aids in ensuring that assets are invested to their full potential and liabilities are regulated over time.

 

RISK MITIGATION EXAMPLE OF ALM

Despite the fact that ALM frameworks varies substantially amongst companies, they all involve the mitigation of a wide range of risks. Interest rate risk and liquidity risk are two of the most basic hazards addressed by ALM.

·         Interest Rate Risk - The dangers of changing interest rates and the impact of unstable interest rates on future cash flows.

Deposits and loans are two examples. Interest rates have an impact on both, therefore altering rates might result in asset and liability mismatches.

·         The ability of a financial organisation to liquidate assets is known as liquidity risk. Its financial situation will suffer if it is unable to do so.

·         Other Risks - ALM can also be used to manage currency risk and capital market risk.

 

Various sorts of enterprises, such as banks, financial institutions in India, non-bank finance companies in India, insurance companies, asset management companies, and even non-financial companies, employ Asset Liability Management to meet regulatory or prudential criteria and are benefitted by this approach.