Asset quality stress in MFI sector expected to persist in H1 FY26: Report New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) Asset quality stress in the NBFC-MFI sector surged in 2024-25 amid borrower overleveraging as well as operational challenges, and the pressure is expected to persist in first half of the current fiscal, a report said. ICRA’s July 2025 analysis on the Non-Banking Financial Company – Microfinance Institution (NBFC-MFI) said that the AUM of the sector declined 12 per cent in FY2025. However, the rating agency said it anticipates growth to resume in FY2026 to 10-15 per cent. As per the report, asset quality stress surged in FY25 largely due to borrower overleveraging, sociopolitical disruptions, and operational challenges. ICRA has a negative outlook on the sector, given the lingering asset quality stress and subdued profitability. Overall stress in FY2025 surged to 15.3 per cent vis-à-vis opening stressed pool of 5.9 per cent as of March 2024 on account of significant deterioration in asset q...