FinTech Glossary

Meaning

Asset-Liability Management (ALM) is the strategic practice of managing risks arising from mismatches between a company's assets and liabilities, particularly around interest rate exposure, liquidity, and maturity timelines.

Business Context

ALM is critical for banks, NBFCs, and large corporates in India, where RBI mandates structured liquidity statements and ALM frameworks to ensure financial institutions can meet obligations without being forced into costly emergency borrowing.

Key Focus Areas

ALM typically involves managing interest rate risk (when asset and liability rates reset at different times), liquidity risk (ensuring cash is available when liabilities are due), and currency risk for entities with foreign-denominated exposures.

Why It Matters for Businesses

Effective ALM helps organisations avoid liquidity crunches, optimise the cost of funds, and maintain financial stability, especially during periods of interest rate volatility or economic stress.