Operation and Performance of Commercial Banks - RBI - Reserve Bank of India
Operation and Performance of Commercial Banks
The Indian banking sector performed better in 2010-11 over the previous year despite the challenging operational environment. The banking business of Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) recorded higher growth in 2010-11 as compared with their performance during the last few years. Credit grew at 22.9 per cent and deposits grew at 18.3 per cent in 2010-11 over the previous year. Accordingly, the outstanding credit-deposit ratio of SCBs increased to 76.5 per cent in 2010-11 as compared with 73.6 per cent in the previous year. Despite the growing pressures on margins owing to higher interest rate environment, the return on assets (RoA) of SCBs improved to 1.10 per cent in 2010- 11 from 1.05 per cent in 2009-10. The capital to risk weighted assets ratio under both Basel I and II frameworks at 13.0 per cent and 14.2 per cent, respectively in 2010-11 remained well above the required minimum of 9 per cent. The gross NPAs to gross advances ratio declined to 2.25 per cent in 2010-11 from 2.39 per cent in 2009-10, displaying improvement in asset quality of the banking sector. Though there was improvement in the penetration of banking services in 2010-11 over the previous year, the extent of financial exclusion continued to be staggering. The number of complaints received at the Banking Ombudsman offices witnessed decline in 2010-11 over the previous year. 1. Introduction Performance of banks was conditioned by the dynamics of growth-inflation trade-off 4.1 The Indian banking sector, which is the edifice of the Indian financial sector, though weathered the worst consequences of the global financial turmoil to a large extent, had to traverse through a challenging macroeconomic environment during the post crisis period. Followed by the financial turmoil, the global financial sector was generally turbulent mainly because of the European sovereign debt crisis, and sluggish growth recovery in the Euro zone as also in the US. In contrast, the banking sectors in the emerging market economies displayed better performance in 2010-11 as compared with their western counterparts. However, improving economic growth while keeping inflation at tolerable levels was a policy challenge faced by many of the emerging market economies including India during the post crisis period. To keep inflation at tolerable levels, the Reserve Bank has also undertaken monetary tightening during 2010-11. Accordingly, the operations and performance of commercial banks during 2010-11 was conditioned to a great extent by the dynamics of growth-inflation trade-off experienced by the Indian economy. Banks operated in a challenging operational environment 4.2 During 2010-11, higher interest rate environment not only caused concerns about slowdown in credit growth, but also increased the possibility of deterioration in asset quality on the back of the possible weakening of the repayment capacities of borrowers in general. The tight interest rate environment also affected the profit prospects of commercial banks due to the possibility of lower margins in 2010-11. During the year, the large credit intake by some of the crucial sectors such as NBFCs and infrastructure, also raised concerns about financial soundness through the potential build up of sectoral credit booms. Large borrowings by the telecommunication companies to participate in the auction of 3G spectrum, reduction in Government spending as also the large currency holdings by the public due to high inflation made the liquidity conditions more stringent in 2010- 11. Further, the need to migrate towards advanced approaches of capital calibration under Basel II was also a challenge that loomed large in the Indian banking sector. Alongside, there was also a pressing need to become more innovative to transform unbanked villages into profitable business locations thereby strengthening the financial inclusion process, to keep up with the latest technological developments and to improve the quality of customer service. 4.3 Against this backdrop, the present chapter analyses the operations and performance of commercial banks in India during the year 2010-11 in terms of deployment of credit, profitability, soundness indicators and regional penetration, among others. The chapter analyses the audited annual accounts of 83 SCBs1, 82 Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and four local area banks (LABs) for the financial year 2010-11 to highlight the emerging issues in the Indian banking sector. 2. Balance Sheet Operations of Scheduled Commercial Banks Consolidated balance sheet of SCBs registered higher growth 4.4 The consolidated balance sheet of SCBs recorded higher growth in 2010-11 as compared with the previous year. This is in contrast to the trend observed during the last two years and signals a revival from the peripheral effects of global financial turmoil. The higher growth in the consolidated balance sheet of SCBs was contributed by all the bank groups except old private sector banks (OPRBs), which recorded marginal deceleration in growth. The highest growth was recorded by new private sector banks (NPRBs) followed by public sector banks (PSBs). Yet, as at end-March 2011, almost three fourths of the total assets of the banking sector belonged to PSBs followed by NPRBs (15 per cent). Old private sector banks had the lowest share (around four per cent) followed by foreign banks (FBs) (around seven per cent). Liability side of the balance sheet was driven by capital, borrowings and, other liabilities 4.5 On the liability side of the balance sheet, the growth was driven mainly by borrowings, capital, and other liabilities and provisions. The recapitalisation of public sector banks by the Central Government, and the mobilisation of funds from the stock market through public issues by PSBs were the main factors behind the growth of capital of SCBs in 2010-11. An interesting development about the consolidated balance sheet of SCBs in 2010-11 was the deceleration in the growth of savings bank deposits and demand deposits with a corresponding acceleration in the growth of term deposits. This could be due to the prevailing higher interest rate environment, making term deposits more attractive as compared with demand and savings deposits. Asset side of the balance sheet was driven by loans and advances 4.6 On the asset side of the balance sheet, the growth was primarily driven by loans and advances. There was a revival in credit growth across all the bank groups except old private sector banks in 2010-11 as compared with the previous year despite the tight interest rate environment. Credit growth in 2010-11 of new private sector banks and foreign banks was particularly noteworthy when compared with their performance during the last year. Notably, the growth of investments of the banking sector witnessed deceleration in 2010-11 in comparison with the previous year. The only exception to this general trend was the new private sector banks, which recorded higher growth in investments in 2010-11 as compared with the previous year (Tables IV.1 and IV.2). Major Liabilities of SCBs Deposits Deposits registered higher growth 4.7 Deposits, which constitute 78 per cent of total liabilities of the banking sector registered higher growth in 2010-11 in contrast to the trend observed in the recent years. This was mainly because of the accelerated deposit mobilisation of new private sector banks in 2010-11 over the previous year. The higher growth in deposits emanated mainly from term deposits. As alluded to earlier, this could be due to the higher interest rate environment leading to an increase in term deposit rates. While accelerated growth rate of term deposits is a welcome development from the point of view of stability of balance sheet as it strengthens the retail deposit base and reduces asset liability mismatches; it may increase the interest expenses of the banking sector, thus, adversely impacting profitability. Share of CASA deposits in total incremental deposits declined 4.8 In contrast, current account and savings account (CASA) deposits, which are least cost sources, recorded deceleration in 2010-11. It is pertinent to note that despite the increased remuneration on savings deposits based on a daily product basis with effect from April 1, 2010, the savings deposit mobilisation decelerated in 2010-11 across all the bank groups as compared with the previous year. Shift of funds to term deposits due to higher interest rates is one of the reasons for this trend. However, the upward revision in the savings deposit rate from 3.5 per cent to 4.0 per cent in April 2011 and deregulation of interest rate on savings deposits in October 2011, may improve the savings deposit mobilisation going forward. However, in a competitive environment, with the deregulation of interest rates, savings deposits will no longer be as less expensive as they were in the past. In tune with the growth deceleration, the share of CASA deposits in total incremental deposits declined to 36 per cent in 2010-11 as compared with 48 per cent in the previous year. An analysis at the bank group level indicated that foreign banks had the highest share of CASA deposits followed by NPRBs and PSBs (Chart IV.1). Growth of unclaimed deposits decelerated 4.9 The Reserve Bank raised concerns with regard to the growing unclaimed deposits with the banking sector and advised SCBs in August 2008 to become pro-active in finding out the whereabouts of these customers. Resultantly, since 2008 the growth rate of unclaimed deposits witnessed deceleration. The growth rate of unclaimed deposits came down to 5 per cent in December 2010 as compared with the growth rates of 15 per cent in December 2009 and 18 per cent in December 2008. Importantly, unclaimed deposits in the current accounts and fixed deposit accounts declined as at end-December 2010 over the previous year. The share of unclaimed deposits in total deposits, however, remained more or less same at 0.02 per cent in 2010-11 as in the previous year2.
Borrowings Borrowings recorded higher growth 4.10 Borrowings, which constitute nine per cent of the total liabilities of the banking sector recorded accelerated growth in 2010-11 as compared with the previous year. At the bank group level, the share of borrowings in total liabilities exhibited wide variation. The dependence of foreign banks and new private sector banks on borrowings was relatively high as compared with other bank groups (Chart IV.2).
Major Assets of Scheduled Commercial Banks Bank Credit Growth of loans and advances witnessed acceleration 4.11 It is interesting to note that despite the widespread concerns with regard to slowdown in credit off-take in the context of tight monetary policy, on a y-o-y basis, the loans and advances of the banking sector recorded higher growth in 2010-11 as compared with the previous year. While the economic recovery from the recent financial turmoil increased the demand for credit; from the supply side, higher growth in deposits as well as growth in capital facilitated higher credit growth. In contrast to the previous year’s trend, term loans grew at a higher rate in 2010-11 as compared with the previous year. In 2010-11, new private sector banks recorded significantly higher growth in term loans as compared with the previous year, on the back of corresponding high growth in term deposits mobilisation. Investments Growth of investments decelerated 4.12 Due to the accommodation of higher credit growth, there was an overall deceleration in the growth of investments in securities in 2010-11 as compared with the previous year. In 2010-11, almost three fourths of the total investments of the banking sector were in Government securities held in India, mainly to meet the SLR requirements prescribed by the Reserve Bank and to raise funds from the shortterm money market. However, investments of the banking sector in Government securities held in India recorded lower growth in 2010-11 as compared with the previous year in tune with the reduction in SLR requirements from 25 per cent to 24 per cent with effect from December 18, 2010. Non-SLR investments declined 4.13 The non-SLR investments of SCBs witnessed a decline in March 2011 as compared with those during the corresponding period of the previous year. This was primarily due to a decline in the investments in commercial paper in 2010-11 over those during the previous year. Investments in commercial paper are short-term investments of the banking sector to reap economic gain out of short-term surplus funds. The decline in such investments reflected tight liquidity conditions during 2010-11. On the other hand, banks’ investments in shares witnessed increase in 2010-11 over the previous year. Alongside, banks’ investments in bonds/ debentures also witnessed a marginal increase during 2010-11 as compared with the previous year (Table IV.3). International Liabilities and Assets of Scheduled Commercial Banks3 International liabilities registered moderated growth 4.14 In 2010-11, international liabilities of the banking sector grew at a lower rate as compared with the growth in international assets. Yet, the international liabilities of the banking sector continued to be almost double of the international assets of the banking sector in 2010-11 as in the recent past. The growth in international liabilities was mainly led by growth in equities of banks held by non-residents, Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) deposits and foreign currency borrowings (Table IV.4). International assets recorded higher growth 4.15 The growth in international assets was mainly led by foreign currency loans to residents, outstanding export bills drawn on non-residents by residents and Nostro balances (Table IV.5). Consolidated International Claims4 Consolidated international claims recorded higher growth 4.16 The consolidated international claims of the banking sector registered higher growth in 2010-11 as compared with the previous year. The sector-wise composition of international claims showed that it was mainly claims on banks, which led the growth in total international claims of banks (Table IV.6).
4.17 The growth in the consolidated international claims of banks on countries other than India was mainly led by claims of banks on Germany, UAE and USA. In contrast, claims of banks on UK and Hong Kong registered a decline in 2010-11 as compared with the previous year (Table IV.7).
Credit-Deposit and Investment-Deposit Ratios of Scheduled Commercial Banks Banks reported higher outstanding creditdeposit ratio 4.18 Trends in credit-deposit ratio as well as investment-deposit ratio manifested banks’ preference for credit over investments in 2010- 11. The outstanding credit-deposit ratio was higher at 77 per cent in 2010-11 as compared with 74 per cent in the previous year. In contrast, the outstanding investment-deposit ratio was lower at 34 per cent in 2010-11 as compared with 36 per cent in the previous year. Among the bank groups, new private sector banks recorded the highest credit-deposit ratio followed by foreign banks in 2010-11. However, the higher credit-deposit ratio reported by new private sector banks as well as foreign banks needs to be interpreted with a caveat as the dependence of these bank groups on deposits for funds is relatively lower as compared with other bank groups. These bank groups raise a substantial amount of funds through borrowings (see Chart IV.2) and hence, a more meaningful ratio for a bank group comparison would be credit as a percentage of deposits plus borrowings. Public sector banks ranked first in terms of this ratio followed by private sector banks and foreign banks (Chart IV.3).
4.19 The incremental C-D ratio above 100 per cent is a rough indicator of overheating in the economy. Owing to the robust credit growth in 2010-11, the incremental C-D ratio went above 100 per cent during the third quarter of 2010- 11. However, subsequently incremental C-D ratio witnessed moderation. Accordingly, the incremental I-D ratio improved during the later part of the year (Chart IV.4). Maturity Profile of Assets and Liabilities of Banks No significant shift in the maturity profilewise composition of assets and liabilities 4.20 The mismatches in the maturity profile of assets and liabilities of the banking sector are a cause for concern as it leads to the financing of long-term assets by short-term liabilities. The maturity profile-wise composition of assets and liabilities indicated that almost half of the total deposits and borrowings of the banking sector were short-term as at end-March 2011. However, almost one fourth of the total loans and advances, and more than half of the total investments were long-term during the same period. There was no significant shift in the maturity profile-wise composition of assets and liabilities of the banking sector in 2010-11 over the previous year indicating the persistence of asset-liability mismatches. An analysis of the extent and persistence of asset liability mismatches in the Indian banking sector is provided in Box IV.1 (Table IV.8).
The analysis of the maturity profile of long-term assets and liabilities indicates that at the aggregate level, the long-term assets are financed by short-term liabilities. The ALM calculated as long-term assets minus long-term liabilities never turned out to be negative during the recent years implying that the higher growth observed in the long-term loan segment is leading to asset liability mismatches in the banking sector. Bucket-wise break-up of ALM positive gap shows that the banking sector has the highest ALM positive gap in the bucket more than five years followed by 3-5 years and 1-3 years. As at end-September 2010, ALM positive gap in the more than five years bucket constituted 42 per cent of the total ALM positive gap, followed by 3-5 years bucket (31 per cent) and 1-3 years bucket (27 per cent). An analysis of persistence of the positive ALM gap is carried out following the methodology developed by Marques (2004). Accordingly, the persistence of ALM positive gap is estimated on the basis of absence of mean reversion, that is
is used for testing the statistical significance of the measure of persistence γ. The value of γ for the ALM positive gap during the entire sample period, i.e., March 2006 to September 2010 for all SCBs is 0.47, which is slightly lower than 0.5. This indicates that there is no significant persistence in the ALM positive gap during the period under study at the aggregate level. The bucket-wise analysis of persistence shows that in none of the time buckets, the persistence is significant at five per cent level. However, at ten per cent level, it is persistent in the ‘one to three years’ time bucket. Thus, in sum, though at the aggregate level, the ALM positive gap is not significant, in the ‘one to three years’ bucket it is significant and calls for careful monitoring (Table). Reference: Marques, Carlos Robalo (2004), ‘Inflation Persistence: Facts or Artefacts?’, Working Paper No. 371, June, European Central Bank. 4.21 Almost 20 per cent of the long-term assets of the Indian banking sector were financed by short-term liabilities in 2010-11. The percentage of long-term assets financed by short-term liabilities witnessed a marginal decline over the previous year (Table IV.9). 4.22 On the financing side, almost 23 per cent of short-term liabilities were used to finance almost 20 per cent of long-term assets in the banking sector. The percentage share of shortterm liabilities used to finance long-term assets also witnessed a marginal decline in 2010-11 over the previous year (Table IV.9). Off-Balance Sheet Operations of Scheduled Commercial Banks Off-balance sheet operations of banks continued to increase 4.23 The recent global financial turmoil demonstrated the risk involved in accumulating large amount of off-balance sheet exposures (OBS). Recognising the risky and uncertain nature of OBS, the Reserve Bank tightened the prudential norms on OBS in August 2008. 4.24 The off-balance sheet exposures of the banking sector, which declined in the previous two years, witnessed a growth of 31 per cent in 2010-11. The forward exchange contracts constituted more than three fourths of total offbalance sheet exposures in 2010-11. The off balance sheet exposures of foreign banks constituted more than two thirds of the total offbalance sheet exposures of the banking sector in 2010-11. A detailed analysis of OBS of the Indian banking sector is provided in Box IV.2 (Appendix Table IV.1 and Chart IV.5). 3. Financial Performance of Scheduled Commercial Banks Profitability Consolidated net profits recorded higher growth 4.25 Despite widespread concerns with regard to profitability on account of higher interest expenses on the one hand and, higher nonperforming assets and the consequent higher provisioning requirements, and lower interest income on the other, the financial performance of SCBs improved in 2010-11 as compared with the previous year. 4.26 The consolidated net profits of the banking sector recorded higher growth in 2010-11, in contrast to the deceleration experienced in 2009-10, primarily because of higher growth in interest income. The implementation of the Base rate system with effect from July 1, 2010, which prohibited sub-prime lending to the corporate sector might have contributed to the higher interest income in 2010-11 apart from robust credit growth. Although, interest expenses also witnessed accelerated growth in 2010-11 owing to the higher interest rate environment, it was considerably lower than the growth in interest income. Accordingly, the net interest margin (NIM) of SCBs improved in 2010-11 over the previous year.
Growth of ‘other income’ decelerated 4.27 ‘Other income’ recorded a lower growth in 2010-11 over the previous year. The decline in trading income of the banking sector in 2010-11 over the previous year was one of the reasons for this trend. However, despite the overall deceleration in ‘other income’, one of the major components of ‘other income’, viz., commission and brokerage recorded higher growth in 2010- 11 over the previous year. Operating expenses grew at a higher rate4.28 In contrast, the operating expenses of the banking sector grew at a higher rate in 2010-11 as compared with the previous year mainly on account of pay hikes implemented in the banking sector during the last one year. Further, provisions and contingencies also witnessed higher growth in 2010-11 as compared with the previous year, mainly on account of increase in gross non-performing assets (GNPAs) (in absolute terms). The depreciation in the value of investments owing to the higher interest rate environment also increased the provisioning requirements of the banking sector. As the provisioning requirements for various categories of NPAs were increased in May 2011, it is expected to increase further in future (Table IV.10). Box IV.2: Profitability versus Risks: An Analysis of Off-Balance Sheet Exposures in the Indian Banking Sector Off-balance sheet exposures (OBS) raise concern as its exact impact on the soundness of the banking sector is uncertain. In the event of a default, the off-balance sheet exposures can seriously damage the soundness of the banking sector as demonstrated by the recent global financial turmoil. During the last ten years, the OBS of the banking sector witnessed substantial growth, especially that of new private sector banks and foreign banks. With the onset of the global financial turmoil, the policy on OBS was tightened in August 2008. Resultantly, there was a decline in OBS of the banking sector in 2008-09 and 2009-10. However, with the onset of recovery, OBS of the banking sector again witnessed a positive growth in 2010-11 (Chart A). Ipso facto, fluctuations in the exchange rate and also the higher interest rate environment increase the demand for forward contracts from the customers of banks, which is the biggest component of the off-balance sheet exposure of the banking sector. As the economy grows, the demand for such risk management services from the banking sector also increases. On the other side, from the point of view of banks, off-balance sheet exposures, which are basically fee-based services, increase the gross income although at a higher level of risk. Thus, if the risk appetite of a particular bank is high, it has an incentive to accumulate off-balance sheet exposures to reap more fee income. The role of OBS in generating ‘other income’ was examined using panel data regression analysis. The panel data regression was done at the bank group level. The bank groupwise data used have been taken from the previous issues of the Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India. The log of ‘other income’ was taken as the dependant variable. The independent variables were off-balance sheet exposures, on-balance sheet assets and first lag of ‘other income’. Thus, symbolically, the model used in the study can be written as:
Results indicated that one per cent increase in off-balance sheet exposures increases ‘other income’ of the banking sector by 0.08 per cent. Thus, ceteris paribus, banks have an incentive to accumulate off-balance sheet exposures in the interest of garnering better ‘other income’ and profits. On the other hand, the risk associated with these off-balance sheet exposures is difficult to quantify. However, it may be noted that as at end-March 2011, the size of the total offbalance sheet exposures of the Indian banking sector was larger than the total balance sheet assets of the banking sector. This was mainly due to foreign banks and new private sector banks. Public sector banks and old private sector banks had relatively low level of off-balance sheet exposures as compared with other bank groups. Thus, in the event of a default, these exposures can seriously damage the financial soundness of the banking sector, especially those of foreign banks and new private sector banks (Chart B).
4.29 A factor, which helped the banking sector to maintain profitability in 2010-11 was the regulatory treatment extended to liabilities arising out of re-opening of pension option to employees of PSBs and the enhancement in gratuity limits in February 2011. The Reserve Bank allowed banks to amortise the total liabilities arising out of this development over a period of five years and as such only one fifth of the total liabilities was charged to the profit and loss account of the current year5. Marginal improvement in return on assets 4.30 Resultantly, the consolidated net profits of the banking sector registered higher growth in 2010-11 as compared with the decelerating trend observed during the recent past. The return on assets of SCBs also marginally increased to 1.10 per cent in 2010-11 from 1.05 per cent in 2009-10, mainly owing to higher NIM. The return on equity also witnessed an improvement over the same period. However, the SBI group was an exception to this general trend. The marginal decline in both RoA and RoE recorded by the SBI group was partly on account of the provisioning requirements for housing loans extended at teaser interest rates. The Reserve Bank had increased provisioning requirements for such loans (classified as standard assets) in December 2010 due to the risk of delinquencies upon repricing of such loans going forward (Table IV.11 and Chart IV.6). Efficiency 4.31 On the one hand, while a higher NIM contributes to profitability, on the other it also implies higher cost of financial intermediation in the economy, which is considered as a sign of inefficiency. Thus, there is a need to bring down NIM to improve the efficiency of financial intermediation along with increasing the noninterest income to maintain profitability. A detailed analysis of efficiency of the banking sector during the last one decade is provided in Box IV.3.
Cost of funds declined 4.32 In contrast to the general expectation, cost of funds of SCBs witnessed a decline in 2010-11 as compared with the previous year, primarily owing to a decline in the cost of deposits (Table IV.12). Return on funds improved 4.33 In contrast, the return on funds increased in 2010-11 as compared with the previous year, mainly due to an increase in return on investments. However, return on advances declined in 2010-11 over the previous year. One reason for this trend could be the increase in gross non-performing loans in absolute terms. In sum, the increase in return on funds along with the decline in cost of funds lead to an increase in spread. At the bank group level, while the return on funds was largely comparable, there was substantial variation in cost of funds. The lowest cost of funds recorded by foreign banks helped them to register the highest spread in 2010-11. The high share of less expensive CASA deposits enabled foreign banks to register lower cost of deposits and, in turn, lower cost of funds during the recent years (see Chart IV.1) (Chart IV.7). Box IV.3: Net Interest Margin of the Indian Banking Sector: Efficiency versus Profitability While maintaining profitability is a sine qua non for the financial soundness of the banking sector, efficient financial intermediation is important from the point of view of economic growth. The net interest margin (NIM), operating expenses and ‘other income’ are crucial in determining profitability of the banking sector. On the other side, one of the indicators, which is used to assess efficiency of the banking sector is NIM. NIM indicates the margin taken by the banking sector while doing banking business. In this context, there is a need to bring down NIM from an efficiency point of view, nevertheless, from a profitability point of view; there is a need to increase it. A balanced approach would be to bring down NIM, which will improve efficiency of financial intermediation, along with an increase in income from other sources and reduction in operating expenses to maintain profitability (Subbarao, 2010). In India, during the last one decade, NIM was in the range 2.5 per cent to 3.1 per cent. The NIM, which witnessed a declining trend during the period 2004 to 2010, improved during 2010- 11. The NIM of the Indian banking sector continues to be higher than some of the emerging market economies of the world. The decomposition of NIM into NIM from core banking business, (i.e., calculated as the difference between interest income from loans and advances minus interest expenses on deposits as a per cent of average total assets), and NIM from income and interest expenses) showed that NIM from core banking business witnessed substantial increase during the last one decade. In contrast, NIM from others witnessed a decline, leaving the total NIM more or less stable during the same period. The increase in the NIM from core banking business indicates that the cost of financial intermediation increased in the economy during the last one decade. Thus, there is a need to bring down NIM from core banking business to bring the overall NIM down (Chart A). As alluded to earlier, it is important to increase ‘other income’ and reduce operating expenses as ratio of assets in the interest of profitability. The operating expenses to total average assets witnessed a declining trend during the last one decade mainly owing to the cost effective technological advancements. However, ‘other income’ to total average assets also witnessed a declining trend during the last one decade. Thus, it may be important for the Indian banking sector to improve ‘other income’ along with a reduction in NIM from core banking business to maintain profitability and to improve efficiency of financial intermediation (Chart B). Reference: D Subbarao (2010), ‘Five Frontier Issues in Indian Banking’, Speech delivered at ‘BANCON 2010’, Mumbai, December.
4. Soundness Indicators Soundness indicators point to a comfortable position 4.34 Financial soundness of the banking sector is a sine qua non for the financial system’s stability in a bank dominated country like India. Accordingly, different aspects of financial soundness of the banking sector, viz., capital adequacy, asset quality, leverage, credit booms and liquidity are analysed in this section.
Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) CRAR under both Basel I and II remained well above the stipulated norm 4.35 Though all SCBs excluding RRBs and LABs migrated to Basel II framework, the parallel run of Basel I is also continuing as a backstop measure. The CRAR of all bank groups under Basel I remained well above the stipulated regulatory norm of 9 per cent in 2010-11 (Table IV.13). 4.36 The CRAR, however, declined in 2010-11 over the previous year mainly owing to a decline in Tier II CRAR ratio. Among the bank groups, foreign banks registered the highest CRAR, followed by private sector banks and PSBs in 2010-11. Under Basel II also, the CRAR of SCBs remained well above the required minimum in 2010-11. This implies that, in the short to medium term, SCBs are not constrained by capital in extending credit (Table IV.14). 4.37 While implementing Basel II, the Reserve Bank had specified the per cent of minimum capital under Basel II as per cent of minimum capital under Basel I as a prudential floor. Under this dispensation, the minimum capital under Basel II should be 100 per cent in the first year, 90 per cent in the second year and 80 per cent in the third year of the minimum capital under Basel I to limit any risk arising from the quality of compliance with the Basel II framework. In December 2010, banks were advised to continue with the parallel run till March 31, 2013 and the prudential floor was fixed at 80 per cent. Notably, in 2009-10, the third year of Basel II implementation (for all foreign banks and domestic banks with international presence), the ratio was 99.1 per cent, well above the target prescribed by the Reserve Bank. In 2010-11, it further increased to 99.4 per cent. Further, in case of PSBs, Government plans to increase the Tier I ratio above 8 per cent to ensure the financial soundness of these banks. In 2010-11, only three banks had a Tier I ratio of below 8 per cent (Chart IV.8).
Indian banks can comfortably cope with the proposed Basel III framework 4.38 Even with the proposed Basel III framework, which will become operational from January 1, 2013 in a phased manner, Indian banks will not have any problem in adjusting to the new capital rules both in terms of quantum and quality. Quick estimates based on the data furnished by banks in their off-site returns, showed that the CRAR of Indian banks under Basel III will be 11.7 per cent (as on June 30, 2010) as compared with the required CRAR under proposed Basel III at 10.5 per cent. Non-Performing Assets GNPAs to gross advances ratio improved 4.39 The asset quality of the banking sector improved in 2010-11 over the previous year. The gross NPAs to gross advances ratio declined to 2.25 per cent in 2010-11 from 2.39 per cent in the previous year. The GNPAs, however, increased in absolute terms in 2010-11 over the previous year, though at a lower rate. The improvement in asset quality was visible in both private sector banks and foreign banks. Public sector banks, however, witnessed deterioration in asset quality in 2010-11 over the previous year. This was mainly due to deterioration in asset quality of the SBI group. Among the bank groups, SBI group reported the highest GNPA ratio followed by foreign banks in 2010-11. Foreign banks, however, registered a decline in gross non-performing loans in 2010-11 over the previous year (Chart IV.9 and Table IV.15). Banking sector has written off ten per cent of the previous year’s outstanding GNPAs 4.40 During the year 2010-11, the banking sector has written off almost ten per cent of the outstanding gross non-performing loans (as at end-March 2010), which helped in limiting the growth of gross non-performing loans. The extent of write off was lower in 2010-11 as compared with the previous year, however, in comparison with 2008 and 2009, the ratio was on the higher side. This indicated that during the last two years, writting off of NPAs was an important factor in maintaining the asset quality of the banking sector at tolerable levels. The percentage of outstanding GNPAs written off to total outstanding GNPAs (as at end-March 2010) was particularly high for SBI group and new private sector banks (Charts IV.10A and IV.10B).
4.41 Slippage ratio calculated as addition of gross NPAs during the year as a per cent of outstanding standard assets of the previous year is another important indicator of asset quality. The slippage ratio, which increased consistently since 2008, witnessed an improvement in 2010- 11, broadly reflecting the recovery of growth. At the bank group level, new private sector banks recorded the lowest slippage ratio in 2010-11 (Charts IV.11A and IV.11B). 4.42 Recovery of GNPAs is another important component of asset quality management in the banking sector. During the year 2010-11, the banking sector recovered 57 per cent of the outstanding GNPAs (as at end-March 2010) through various recovery channels. Foreign banks reported the highest recovery percentage followed by nationalised banks (Charts IV.12A and IV.12B). 4.43 SARFAESI Act, Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRT) and Lok Adalats are different channels available for the banking sector to recover their NPAs. In 2010-11, there was 51 per cent increase in the number of cases referred to under the SARFAESI Act. Further, out of the total amount involved, more than one third was recovered in 2010-11. In 2010-11, the number of cases referred to DRT registered a whopping growth of 114 per cent over the previous year. Due to the speedy recovery in Lok Adalats, the number of cases referred to Lok Adalats is much more as compared with other channels of recovery. However, in 2010-11, the number of cases referred to Lok Adalats witnessed a decline over the previous year. Moreover, the percentage of amount recovered to amount involved was comparatively lower in Lok Adalats as compared with DRT in 2010-11, though there was an improvement over the previous year (Table IV.16).
4.44 The Reserve Bank issued Certificate of Registration (CoR) to fourteen securitisation companies/reconstruction companies (SCs/RCs) as at end June, 2011. Of these, thirteen SC/RCs, registered with the Reserve Bank, had commenced operations. In 2010-11, the book value of assets acquired by SCs/RCs grew at 19 per cent over the previous year. Out of the total security receipts issued by SCs/RCs in 2010-11, 71 per cent were subscribed by the banking sector (Table IV.17). Restructuring of standard advances helped in limiting the growth of gross nonperforming loans 4.45 The restructuring of advances undertaken by the banking sector during the recent years also helped in reducing the GNPA ratio of the banking sector. The impact of restructuring of advances on the asset quality of the banking sector is provided in Box IV.4. 4.46 The share of priority sector NPAs in gross NPAs of domestic banks witnessed an increase in 2010-11 over the previous year. While the ratio of priority sector gross NPAs to priority sector advances increased in public sector banks in 2010-11 over the previous year, it declined in private sector banks during the same period (Table IV.18 and Chart IV.13). Agricultural sector contributed 44 per cent of total incremental NPAs of domestic banks 4.47 Agricultural sector contributed 44 per cent of the total incremental NPAs of domestic banks in 2010-11. Higher growth registered in the credit to agricultural sector (more than 20 per cent) during the last four years (2006-07 to 2009-10) might have contributed to the growth in agricultural NPAs in 2010-11 owing to the deterioration in credit quality. The agricultural NPAs to agricultural advances of domestic banks, which declined in 2008-09 due to the implementation of the Agriculture Debt Waiver and Relief Scheme, 2008, witnessed an increasing trend thereafter. In 2010-11, PSBs registered higher increase in agricultural NPA ratio as compared with private sector banks (Charts IV.13 and IV.14, and Appendix Tables IV.2 (A), IV.2 (B) and IV.2 (C)). 4.48 Similarly, weaker sections NPAs to weaker sections advances also witnessed an increase in PSBs and private sector banks. Despite the increase in the limit of collateral free loans extended to the SME sector from `5 lakhs to `10 lakhs in May 2010, the NPA ratio of the SME sector witnessed a decline in 2010-11 over the previous year. In sum, the priority sector NPAs to priority sector advances was generally high in PSBs as compared with private sector banks (Table IV.18, Chart IV.13, and Appendix Tables IV.3 (A) and IV.3 (B)).
Box IV.4: Impact of Restructuring of Advances on the Asset Quality of the Banking Sector In the aftermath of the global financial turmoil in 2007, the Reserve Bank had proactively taken many steps to arrest the downward spiral, if any, in the economy and the banking sector. Amongst those steps, one important measure was allowing banks to restructure their advances, as a one-time measure. Accordingly, the Reserve Bank issued guidelines on restructuring of advances by banks in August 2008 by which banks were allowed to restructure accounts of viable entities classified as standard, sub-standard and doubtful. Though it was prescribed in August 2008 that accounts classified as standard assets should be immediately reclassified as sub-standard assets upon restructuring, in January 2009, an exceptional/special regulatory treatment was granted to all accounts, which were standard as on September 1, 2008. The exceptional/special regulatory treatment permits treating standard accounts as standard after restructuring, provided certain conditions are met. The special regulatory treatment allowed to the standard accounts helped the banking sector to limit the growth of gross nonperforming advances. However, there was always a concern how many of these restructured standard accounts will fall back into the NPA category over a period of time as these borrowers were facing temporary cash flow problems in the wake of the global financial turmoil. Thus, the impact of restructuring of advances on the asset quality of the banking sector will be shaped by the per cent of restructured standard accounts falling back into the NPA category. Data on restructuring of advances by bank groups since September 2008 indicate that public sector banks account for major portion of the restructuring of standard advances. At the system level, the restructured standard advances as a percentage of gross advances increased from 2.16 per cent as at end-March 2009 to 2.66 per cent as at end-March 2011. To assess the impact of restructuring of standard advances on the asset quality of the banking sector, different scenarios have been developed assuming different values for the percentage of restructured standard advances falling back into the NPA category. Results are provided in the Table below. Under the extreme assumption that the entire restructured standard advances would have become NPAs if these were not restructured, the gross NPA ratio would have been as high as 5.01 per cent as at end-March 2011 as against the reported GNPA ratio of 2.35 per cent (Table).
Provisioning for GNPAs witnessed higher growth 4.49 In sync with the growth in GNPAs, the provisioning for NPAs registered a growth of 25 per cent in 2010-11 as compared with the previous year’s growth of 22 per cent. Reflecting the increase in provisions, the ratio of outstanding provisions to gross NPAs improved in 2010-11 over the previous year (Table IV.19). Net NPAs registered lower growth 4.50 Net NPAs registered a lower growth of 8 per cent in 2010-11 as compared with the previous year’s growth of 23 per cent, reflecting increase in provisioning for NPAs. Resultantly, net NPAs to net advances ratio declined in 2010-11 over 2009-10. Standard assets to gross advances ratio improved 4.51 In accordance with the decline in the gross NPA ratio in 2010-11 over the previous year, the standard assets to gross advances ratio witnessed an improvement during the same period. However, there was an increase in the ratio of doubtful assets to gross advances ratio in 2010-11 over the previous year. The substandard assets as a ratio of gross advances declined in 2010-11 over the previous year (Table IV.20).
Leverage Ratio Leverage ratio remained unchanged 4.52 Despite the higher growth in balance sheet during 2010-11, the leverage ratio, as in the previous year, remained constant at 6.6 per cent in 2010-11 owing to the corresponding growth in the capital base of the banking sector. Credit Boom Despite higher credit growth, there is no evidence of credit boom 4.53 From the point of view of banking sector stability, it is important to monitor the development of credit bubbles in the economy. The analysis provided in Box IV.5 indicated that the robust credit growth during 2010-11 did not lead to development of any credit boom in the economy both at the aggregate and sub-sectoral level (Box IV.5). Liquidity Due to autonomous factors banks operated under tight liquidity conditions 4.54 During 2010-11, banks were operating under tight liquidity conditions. The Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) window of the Reserve Bank, which had remained in surplus mode for nearly 18 months, switched into deficit mode at end-May 2010 and largely remained in deficit for rest of the financial year 2010-11. Autonomous factors like the centre’s surplus balance with the Reserve Bank and currency in circulation were key drivers of liquidity conditions in 2010-11. The liquidity conditions have continued to remain in deficit mode during 2011-12 so far. Reflecting the tight liquidity conditions and regular hikes in the policy rates by the Reserve Bank, the call rate, after hovering around the lower bound of the informal LAF corridor for a long period, firmed up since end-May 2010 and mostly remained above the upper bound of the informal corridor in the second-half of 2010-11. The rates in the collateralised segments (i.e., CBLO and Market Repo) moved in tandem with the call rate, but generally remained below it during this period. Banks and primary dealers were the major groups of borrowers in the collateralised segments. The average issuance of certificates of deposit (CDs) remained high during 2010-11. The average issuance during 2010-11 was higher at around `33,000 crore as compared to around `17,000 crore during 2009- 10. In line with the rise in rates in other money market segments, the effective interest rate in respect of aggregate CD issuances increased to 9.96 per cent at end-March 2011 from 6.07 per cent as at end-March 2010. Box IV.5: Robust Credit Growth and Credit Booms – An Analysis of the Indian Banking Sector The robust credit growth experienced by the Indian economy during 2010-11 raised concerns with regard to the development of credit booms in the economy. Credit booms can seriously undermine the financial soundness of the banking sector owing to deterioration in credit quality. To analyse credit booms, the methodology developed by Coricelli et. al. (2006) is used here. As per the said methodology, a credit bubble or boom is present when the cyclical component of credit exceeds 1.5 times the standard deviation of the cyclical credit. The cyclical component of credit was obtained from Hodrick-Presscott filter. As along with the robust growth of aggregate non-food credit, some of the sectors such as credit to NBFCs and credit to infrastructure sector also witnessed high growth in 2010-11, the analysis was also undertaken at the sub-sectoral level. The results are provided in Charts A, B, C and D. The results indicated that at the aggregate level there was no credit boom in the economy during 2010-11, despite the higher credit growth. However, the cyclical component of credit to the infrastructure sector crossed the ceiling of 1.5 times of standard deviation of cyclical credit in the early 2010-11, though moderated thereafter. Further, the credit to NBFCs was in an upturn during 2010-11, which deserves careful monitoring going forward (Charts A, B, C and D). Reference: Coricelli, Fabrizio, Fabio Mucci, and Debora Revoltella (2006), ‘Household Credit in the New Europe: Lending Boom or Sustainable Growth?’, Discussion Paper No. 5520, Centre for Economic Policy Research, London, UK.
5. Sectoral Deployment of Bank Credit Growth of aggregate non-food credit improved 4.55 On a y-o-y basis, there was an improvement in the growth of aggregate nonfood credit in 2010-11 as compared with that in the previous year. This was in contrast to the trend observed during the last four years. The major drivers of this overall credit growth during 2010-11 were credit to services sectors and personal loans. Within the services sector, credit to non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) reported the highest growth rate followed by tourism, hotels and restaurants, and professional services. Within personal loans, the highest credit growth was observed in advances against shares followed by advances against FCNR(B)/NRNR deposits and vehicle loans. Credit growth to agriculture and industry moderated 4.56 The growth of credit to agriculture sector and industrial sector witnessed moderation during 2010-11 in comparison with those in the previous year. The sharp decline in the growth of agricultural credit was partly on account of definitional changes effected during February- March 2011. It is pertinent to note that despite the enhancement of limit (from `50,000 to `1,00,000), for the waiver of margin/security requirements for agricultural loans in June 2010, the credit flow to the agricultural sector decelerated in 2010-11 over the previous year. In tune with the overall moderation in the growth of industrial credit, the credit to infrastructure sector also reported lower growth in 2010-11 as compared with that in the previous year. However, in comparison with the growth in total non-food credit and growth in industrial credit, credit growth to infrastructure sector was substantially high. The telecommunications sector was the major contributor of this higher credit growth, which was mainly due to credit extended for participation in the 3G spectrum auctions. As this was a one-time event, credit to infrastructure sector may moderate going forward. However, empirical estimation suggests that these long-term loans increase the asset liability mismatches in the banking sector (Table IV.21)6. Shares of services sector and personal loans in total non-food credit increased 4.57 In sync with the higher growth rates, the shares of services sector credit and personal loans increased in the total outstanding nonfood credit as at end-March 2011 in comparison with the previous year. In contrast, the share of agricultural credit in the total outstanding non- food credit recorded a decline. Agricultural sector, which offers employment to large sections of population received only 13 per cent of total non-food credit as at end-March 2011.
4.58 Rural areas accounted for almost 39 per cent of total agricultural credit and another 28 per cent was disbursed in semi-urban areas as at end-March 2010. The shares of rural, semiurban and urban areas in total agricultural credit witnessed an increase during the period 2005-06 to 2009-10, while that of metropolitan areas witnessed a decline during the same period (Chart IV.15)7.
4.59 The share of industrial credit also witnessed a decline in the outstanding non-food credit in 2010-11 as compared with the previous year. However, even with the decline, almost half of the total non-food credit went to the industrial sector in 2010-11. Out of the total industrial credit, the share of infrastructure increased from 29 per cent in 2009-10 to 33 per cent in 2010- 11. Further, the credit to telecommunications sector, which recorded a growth of 69 per cent in 2010-11 over the previous year, also witnessed an increase in its share in the total infrastructure credit. 4.60 As at end-March 2010, more than 70 per cent of the total industrial credit was disbursed in metropolitan areas, leaving a small share for other population groups (Chart IV.15)8. Despite policy tightening, housing credit witnessed higher growth 4.61 Personal loans witnessed a growth of 17 per cent in 2010-11 over the previous year. It may be recalled that growth in personal loans was one of the major factors behind the high credit growth phase of the mid-2000s. It may require careful monitoring at the present juncture also owing to a number of reasons. First, housing loans being sensitive to interest rate increases might increase the possible defaults by borrowers. In fact, in December 2010, the Reserve Bank had strengthened the prudential norms relating to housing loans to prevent excessive leverage. However, despite policy tightening, housing credit witnessed higher growth in 2010-11 over the previous year. Since the tightening was towards the end of the financial year, its impact may be felt subsequently. Second, a sizable portion of personal loans (except housing and vehicle loans) are unsecured loans, and may have a significant impact on GNPAs of the banking sector. Third, majority of personal loans are long-term loans and empirical analysis indicated that it causes asset liability mismatches in the long-term buckets9. Credit to Priority Sectors At the aggregate level, priority sector lending target was met by the banking sector 4.62 The priority sector lending10 witnessed a growth of 18 per cent in 2010-11 over the previous year. However, the growth of agricultural advances decelerated to 9 per cent in 2010-11 as compared with the growth of 23 per cent in the previous year. As in the previous year, in 2010-11 also, at the aggregate level, banks have lent more than 40 per cent of their ANBC to priority sectors. The sub-target prescribed for agriculture at 18 per cent of ANBC was also achieved by banks in 2010-11 (Table IV.22). Some public sector banks could not meet the priority sector lending target 4.63 The bank-wise data on priority sector advances as per cent of ANBC, however, indicated that seven out of 26 public sector banks were not able to meet the priority sector lending target of 40 per cent of ANBC in 2010- 11. Further, it is a concern that 18 out of 26 public sector banks could not meet the target set for agricultural advances in 2010-11. Among the private sector banks, only one bank could not meet the priority sector lending target in 2010- 11. However, ten private sector banks did not meet the target set for agricultural advances in 2010-11 (Charts IV.16A and IV.16B, and Appendix Tables IV.4A, IV.4B, IV.5A and IV.5B). 4.64 Foreign banks have a slightly different norm for priority sector lending as the target for them is set at 32 per cent of ANBC. Further, export credit is a part of priority sector lending of foreign banks. In 2010-11, at the aggregate level, foreign banks achieved the target of priority sector lending. However, at the bank-level, a few banks could not meet the priority sector lending target in 2010-11. Further, at the aggregate level, though foreign banks achieved the target of export credit at 12 per cent, at the bank level, some banks could not meet the target (Table IV.23, Charts IV.17A and IV.17B, and Appendix Tables IV.4C and IV.5C).
Retail Credit Retail loan segment registered higher growth 4.65 The retail loan segment of the banking sector, which decelerated during the recent past registered higher growth in 2010-11. The highest growth was reported by consumer durables followed by auto loans in 2010-11 over the previous year. The housing loans witnessed a moderate growth of 16 per cent in 2010-11 over the previous year. Importantly, housing loans continued to constitute almost half of the total retail portfolio of the banking sector. The only sub-segment, which reported negative growth rate in 2010-11 over the previous year was credit card receivables (Table IV.24). Credit to Sensitive Sectors Credit to sensitive sectors registered higher growth 4.66 Credit to sensitive sectors, viz., exposure to capital market, direct and indirect lending to real estate sector and credit to commodities sector presumes significance in the context of financial stability as these are the sectors, which are subject to fluctuations in prices, and as such leads to booms in loans and advances. In 2010- 11, credit to sensitive sectors recorded higher growth as compared with the previous year. The sensitive sector credit growth reported by the SBI group is particularly noteworthy at 41 per cent as compared with the industry average of 22 per cent in 2010-11. This was mainly due to the growth in real estate credit.
4.67 Despite higher growth, the share of credit to sensitive sectors in total loans and advances witnessed a decline in 2010-11 as compared with the previous year due to the offsetting jump in the growth of total loans and advances. The share of sensitive sector credit as well as real estate sector credit to total loans and advances was the highest in foreign banks followed by new private sector banks in 2010-11 (Appendix Table IV.6). 6. Operations of Scheduled Commercial Banks in Capital Market Resources raised by banks through public issues increased 4.68 In contrast to the trend observed during the last two years, resources raised by banks through public issues witnessed substantial increase in 2010-11, particularly during March 2011 when 70 per cent of the total resources were raised. Resumption of FII inflows and a moderate recovery in the secondary market enabled banks to raise resources. The capital raised by banks was through rights issue, with public sector banks accounting for the bulk of the increase (Table IV.25).
4.69 Resources raised by banks through private placements declined by 40 per cent in 2010-11 over the previous year, mainly on account of private sector banks, which registered a decline of over 64 per cent (Table IV.26). 4.70 During 2010-11, banks did not raise any resources from the global capital markets. The environment of sluggish growth recovery in the advanced economies, persistence of Euro zone sovereign debt problems and political tensions in the MENA region have negatively affected overall resource mobilisation through Euro issues (Table IV.27).
Performance of Banking Stocks in the Secondary Market Despite concerns, BSE Bankex outperformed BSE Sensex 4.71 The domestic stock market, which had recorded significant gains in 2009-10 continued to grow in 2010-11, albeit at a slower pace. Despite concerns over the net interest margins and rising provisions, the BSE Bankex outperformed BSE Sensex during 2010-11 as in the previous year, reflecting positive market sentiments given the healthy growth in credit demand (Chart IV.18).
Volatility of BSE Bankex was higher than that of BSE Sensex 4.72 Out of 38 listed banks, four banks registered decline in their stock prices over the previous year. The volatility of BSE Bankex was higher than that of BSE Sensex in 2010-11 as in the previous year, reflecting the risk in trading in these stocks (Table IV.27). 4.73 In 2010-11, the price earning (P/E) ratio of nine out of the 38 banks was lower as compared with the previous year. Bank stocks witnessed an increase in their share in total turnover in 2010-11 over 2009-10. This share further increased in 2011-12 (during April and June). Similarly, the share of bank stocks in total market capitalisation also increased in 2010-11 over the previous year. However, share of bank stocks in total market capitalisation witnessed a decline at end June 2011 over end March 2011 (Table IV.28 and Appendix Table IV.7). 7. Shareholding Pattern in Scheduled Commercial Banks Government shareholding in PSBs was well above the statutory requirement 4.74 In 2010-11, Government shareholding in public sector banks ranged roughly between 57 per cent and 85 per cent in 2010-11, though the minimum statutory requirement is 51 per cent (Table IV.29 and Chart IV.19). 4.75 The foreign shareholding in public sector banks continued to be at a lower level in 2010-11 as in the previous year. Twelve out of 21 public sector banks had only less than ten per cent foreign shareholding in 2010-11, while rest of the public sector banks had less than 20 per cent foreign shareholding. All the new private sector banks had a foreign shareholding of more than 30 per cent. In nine out of 14 old private sector banks, the foreign shareholding was more than 20 per cent in 2010-11. However, foreign shareholding in all private sector banks was less than 74 per cent, the regulatory maximum prescribed by the Reserve Bank. Notably, only four banks, viz., three new private sector banks and one old private sector bank, had foreign shareholding of more than 49 per cent in 2010- 11, the ceiling put forward by the Reserve Bank for new banks for the first five years of their operations in the draft guidelines issued in August 2011 (Chart IV.20 and Appendix Table IV.8).
8. Foreign Banks’ Operations in India and Overseas Operations of Indian Banks Operations of foreign banks in India witnessed an increase 4.76 At end-August 2011, 38 foreign banks (from 24 countries) were operating in India as compared to 34 banks at end September 2010. The total number of branches too increased to 321 in August 2011 from 315 in September 2010. In addition, 47 foreign banks operated in India through representative offices as at end August 2011 as against 45 as at end September 2010. The largest branch network of foreign banks in India was that of Standard Chartered Bank followed by HSBC Ltd., Citibank and the Royal Bank of Scotland N.V. 4.77 Between September 2010 and August 2011, permission was granted to four new foreign banks, viz., National Australia Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Rabobank International and Woori Bank to open one branch each in India. Permission was also granted to one foreign bank viz., Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation to open a representative office in India. Foreign operations of Indian banks expanded 4.78 Between September 2010 and August 2011, Indian Banks opened nine more branches abroad apart from opening one subsidiary and one representative office. Thus, the foreign operations of Indian banks (16 public sector banks and six private sector banks) expanded in 2010-11 with a network of 244 offices as compared with 233 offices in the previous year. The largest Indian bank, viz., State Bank of India had the largest network of foreign offices as at end August 2011 followed by Bank of Baroda. These two banks together accounted for 51 per cent of the total foreign offices of Indian banks as at end August 2011. Among private sector banks, ICICI Bank Ltd. had the largest foreign presence as at end-August 2011. In 2010-11, State Bank of India undertook the largest expansion of foreign operations through opening five new offices abroad (Table IV.30). 9. Technological Developments in Scheduled Commercial Banks Technological upgradation continued 4.79 During the recent years, the pace and quality of banking was changed by the technological advancements made in this area. Computerisation as well as the adoption of core banking solutions was one of the major steps in improving the efficiency of banking services. The new private sector banks and most of the foreign banks, which started their operations in the mid nineties followed by liberalisation, were the front runners in adopting technology. For old private sector banks and public sector banks adoption of technology was an arduous job because of the historical records and practices. However, it is important to note that presently almost 98 per cent of the branches of public sector banks are fully computerised, and within which almost 90 per cent of the branches are on core banking platform. 4.80 Further, introduction of automated teller machines (ATMs) enabled customers to do banking without visiting the bank branch. In 2010-11 the number of ATMs witnessed a growth of 24 per cent over the previous year. However, the percentage of off-site ATMs to total ATMs witnessed a marginal decline to 45.3 per cent in 2010-11 from 45.7 per cent in 2009-10. More than 65 per cent of the total ATMs belonged to the public sector banks as at end March 2011 (Table IV.31 and Appendix Table IV.9). 4.81 During 2010-11, the number of debit cards grew at the rate of 25 per cent over the previous year. In sync with the trend observed in case of ATMs, nearly three fourths of the total debit cards were issued by PSBs as at end March 2011. The share of PSBs in outstanding debit cards witnessed an increase during the recent years, while that of new private sector banks and foreign banks witnessed a decline over the same period. However, in absolute terms, the number of outstanding debit cards witnessed an increase for new private sector banks during the recent years (Table IV.32 and Chart IV.21).
Outstanding number of credit cards declined 4.82 The issuance of credit cards facilitates transactions without having to carry paper money. Despite the decline in the number of outstanding number of credit cards, the volume and value of transactions with credit card recorded a growth of 13 per cent and 22 per cent, respectively in 2010-11. New private sector banks and foreign banks accounted for more than 80 per cent of the total outstanding credit cards as at end March 2011 (Table IV.33 and Chart IV.22).
Electronic banking transactions have been on steady increase 4.83 The electronic payment systems such as Electronic Clearing Service (ECS) credit and debit, National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT) for retail transactions and Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) for large value, improved the speed of financial transactions, across the country.
Volume of transactions through NEFT registered a steep growth 4.84 Both retail and large value systems of electronic payment transactions registered a growth out of which NEFT registered a steep growth in 2010-11 over the previous year (Table IV.34). 10. Customer Service Number of complaints against banks declined 4.85 Customer satisfaction is an integral element in inculcating trust among the common people on the banking sector, which may also facilitate financial inclusion in the medium to long-term. Understanding the importance of customer service in banking, the Reserve Bank set up a separate Customer Service Department in 2006 and also Banking Ombudsman (BO) offices in 15 major banking centres. Since its inception, BO has been an effective forum for redressing complaints received from customers. 4.86 In 2010-11, there was a decline in the number of complaints received by the BO offices across the country. The decline was particularly visible in metropolitan regions, viz., New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. However, in the midst of general declining trend, there were some centres, viz., Bhopal, Patna, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh and Guwahati, which reported an increase in the number of complaints (Table IV.35). Complaints against public sector banks increased 4.87 There was, however, an increase in complaints against public sector banks in 2010- 11 over the previous year, whereas the number of complaints against private sector banks and foreign banks witnessed a decline over the same period. Number of complaints per branch was particularly high for foreign banks at 22.34 in 2010-11. In 2010-11, almost one fourth of the total complaints were received against credit/ debit/ATM cards. The second largest number of complaints were received against pension (8 per cent) followed by loans and advances (6 per cent). Complaints against pension and direct selling agents (DSA) increased in 2010-11 over the previous year (Table IV.36 and Appendix Table IV.10). 4.88 A point to be noted at this juncture is the concentration of complaints with regard to DSA against new private sector banks and foreign banks. In 2010-11, more than 90 per cent of total complaints relating to DSA were received against foreign banks and new private sector banks. Further, more than 50 per cent of the complaints relating to hidden charges were received against private sector banks and foreign banks. Such complaints were relatively less in case of public sector banks. However, more than 95 per cent of the complaints regarding pension were received against public sector banks (Chart IV.23). 11. Financial Inclusion Financial inclusion further progressed 4.89 Financial inclusion has been one of the top priorities of the Reserve Bank during the recent years. Accordingly, the Reserve Bank has been encouraging the banking sector to expand the banking network both through setting up of new branches and also through BC model by leveraging upon the information and communication technology (ICT). As a result of all these efforts the status of financial inclusion improved in 2010-11 over the previous year (Table IV.37).
Extent of financial exclusion is staggering 4.90 Yet, the extent of financial exclusion is staggering. Out of every 1000 persons, only 99 had a credit account and 600 had a deposit account as at end-March 201011. This underlined the need to strengthen the financial inclusion drive through well thought out policies. Expansion of Banking Network through Bank Branches Number of bank branches increased by 4,826 4.91 In 2010-11, the number of branches of SCBs increased by 4,826 over the previous year. Importantly, of the new branches opened by SCBs, 22 per cent were in rural areas and 42 per cent were in semi-urban areas. The Southern region, which is already well banked, had the highest share of new bank branches in 2010-11. On the other hand, the least banked region, viz., North-Eastern region had the lowest share of new bank branches in 2010-11 (Table IV.38). 4.92 The State-wise distribution of new bank branches showed that Uttar Pradesh had the highest share of new bank branches at 11 per cent followed by Maharashtra (10 per cent), Andhra Pradesh (9 per cent) and Tamil Nadu (7 per cent) during the period April-March 2010-11. 4.93 An important policy initiative to increase the number of bank branches in the Tier 3 to Tier 6 centres was the liberalisation of the branch authorisation policy in December 2009. In 2010-11 (April-March), SCBs opened more number of branches in Tier 3 to 6 centres as compared with the previous year. More than half of the new branches were opened in Tier 3 to 6 centres during 2010-11 (April-March) (Table IV.37). Bank branches opened in hitherto unbanked centres increased 4.94 In July 2011, banks were advised to allocate at least 25 per cent of the total new bank branches in unbanked rural centres. The bank branches opened in the hitherto unbanked centres increased from 281 in 2009-10 to 470 in 2010-11 (April-March). Of the total new bank branches opened in 2010-11, almost ten per cent were opened in hitherto unbanked centres as compared with 6 per cent in the previous year. However, in comparison with the latest policy prescription, the share of new bank branches opened in unbanked centres in 2010-11 was low (Chart IV.24).
4.95 Despite the efforts taken, the population per bank branch (after including branches of RRBs) in North Eastern, Eastern and Central regions continued to be substantially higher than the national average in 2010-11 (Chart IV.25). Expansion of Banking Network through ATMs Nearly 50 per cent of the net increase in ATMs was at off-site locations 4.96 From the point of view of banking penetration, off-site ATMs have more relevance than on-site ATMs. Out of the total net increase in ATMs in 2010-11, 44 per cent were off-site ATMs. Sixty three per cent of the net addition of ATMs by new private sector banks and 98 per cent of net addition of ATMs by foreign banks were at off-site locations in 2010-11. Almost 41 per cent and 49 per cent, respectively of the net addition of ATMs by nationalised banks and old private sector banks were also at off-site locations. Rural areas accounted for ten per cent of total outstanding ATMs 4.97 In 2010-11, almost one tenth of the total ATMs were located in rural areas out of which the State Bank group accounted for 44 per cent followed by nationalised banks (38 per cent) (Table IV.39 and Chart IV.26).
North-Eastern region had the lowest share in the incremental increase in the deployment of ATMs 4.98 The share of the North Eastern region was the lowest in the incremental deployment of ATMs in 2010-11 (Chart IV.27).
Distribution of Bank Credit and Deposits12 Banking business is concentrated in the metropolitan region 4.99 The spatial distribution of deposit and credit indicated high level of concentration in the metropolitan regions. Greater Mumbai centre alone accounted for 22 per cent of total deposits and 25 per cent of total credit in 2010-11. Further, the top six centres, viz., Greater Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad, together accounted for 46 per cent of total deposits and 56 per cent of total credit in 2010-11. The concentration of credit was higher in these centres as compared with the concentration of deposits (Chart IV.28). 4.100 Geographical region-wise distribution of credit indicated that more than one third of the total credit belonged to the Western region. The share of North-Eastern region in the total credit was abysmally low as at end-March 2011. The population group-wise distribution of credit indicated that 68 per cent of total credit belonged to the metropolitan region as at end-March 2011. While the semi-urban areas accounted for nine per cent of credit as at end March 2011, the rural areas accounted for six per cent of credit. (Charts IV.29A and IV.29B, and Appendix Table IV.11).
The Reserve Bank is closely monitoring the Financial Inclusion Plans 4.101 To strengthen the financial inclusion drive, the Reserve Bank asked banks to cover all villages with more than 2,000 population with at least one banking outlet by March 2012. In addition, banks were also encouraged to cover the peripheral villages with population less than 2,000. To facilitate the smooth progress of this plan, all banks were advised to put in place board approved financial inclusion plans (FIPs). Banks have already prepared such plans and the Reserve Bank is closely monitoring the implementation of these plans. The progress made under FIPs is provided in Table IV.40. 4.102 The total number of villages covered by at least one banking outlet grew at 82 per cent in 2010-11 over the previous year. Importantly, in 2010-11, 47 per cent of the total villages covered under FIPs were villages with population less than 2,000. It can be understood from the table that banks have been heavily relying on BCs to expand the banking network in the unbanked areas under FIPs. In 2010-11, almost 77 per cent of the total villages covered were through BCs. The number of ‘no-frills’ accounts recorded a growth of 50 per cent in 2010-11 over the previous year. The share of ‘no-frills’ accounts with overdrafts in the total ‘no-frills’ accounts improved from 0.3 per cent in 2009-10 to six per cent in 2010-11. The number of Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) and General Credit Cards (GCCs) witnessed growth of 15 per cent and 49 per cent, respectively in 2010-11 over the previous year (Table IV.40).
Micro Finance 4.103. SHG-Bank Linkage Programme has completed two decades of existence since the early days of the pilot in 1992. The approach has received wide acceptance amongst a multiplicity of stakeholders, like the financially excluded poor households, civil society organisations, bankers and also the international community. In 2010-11, 1.2 million new SHGs were creditlinked with banks, and bank loans of `14,547 crore (including repeat loan) was disbursed to these SHGs. Further, at end-March 2011, 7.46 million SHGs maintained savings accounts with banks. On an average, the amount of savings per SHG was `9,405 as compared to the amount of credit of `65,180 in 2010-11. There is a strong belief that the SHG movement has the potential to satisfy the financial service needs of India’s unbanked people in a sustainable way. However, the approach has faced a few concerns of being fundamentally focused on credit without adequate room for intensifying the space for thrift and savings. Similarly the approach has also shown the need and scope for allowing greater flexibility to accommodate multiplicity of credit borrowings at the SHG level. NABARD’s attempt at present has been to better appreciate the concerns being expressed from different quarters which are aimed at addressing some of these critical concerns to make the approach more flexible, client friendly in tune with the changing needs (Table IV.41).
4.104. In 2010-11, 461 MFIs were provided loans by banks to the tune of `7,605 crore. The growth under the MFI-linkage programme in terms of both number and amount of loans was much higher than the corresponding growth under the SHG-Bank Linkage Programme in 2010-11 (Table IV.41). Andhra Pradesh Microfinance Act 4.105. A bill titled “A Bill to protect The Women Self Help Groups from Exploitation by the Micro Finance Institutions in the State of Andhra Pradesh and for the Matters Connected Therewith or Incidental Thereto” was passed by the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on December 14, 2010. It replaced the Ordinance on the same matter issued on October 15, 2010. The Act applies to all entities engaged in the business of microfinance including NBFCs regulated by the Reserve Bank under the provisions of the RBI Act, 1934. Among others, this Bill stipulates that (i) every MFI has to register before the Registering Authority of the district, (ii) no member of an SHG can be a member of more than one SHG, (iii) no MFI can give a further loan to any SHG/its members without the approval of the registering authority where there is an outstanding bank loan, (iv) all repayments have to be made at the office of the Gram Panchayat or at a designated public place, (v) MFIs cannot use agents for recovery or use coercive methods of recovery, and (vi) loan recoveries have to be made only by monthly installments. 4.106. If State Governments start enacting their own legislations to regulate MFIs including the ones regulated by the Reserve Bank, there will be plurality of regulation leaving scope for regulatory arbitrage. The responsibility for regulating NBFCs has been given to the Reserve Bank, thus, empowering it to regulate the NBFCMFIs. If other States also come out with legislation similar to the AP Government, it will raise concerns not only about multiple regulations but also about client protection, as borrowers would then be subject to different regulations. If there are separate regulations governing NBFC-MFIs in individual states, the task of regulation by the Reserve Bank of MFIs operating in more than one State will become even more difficult. This may also impact the business of MFIs, which are operational in more than one State. 12. Regional Rural Banks Amalgamations reduced the number of RRBs during the recent years 4.107 The professionalism of commercial banks and the rural orientation of cooperatives were imbibed in Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) to improve credit flow to the rural economy without compromising the overall financial soundness of the banking sector. RRBs are sponsored by commercial banks along with the Central Government and the concerned State Governments. Presently, there are 82 RRBs functioning in the country, reduced from 196 in early 2000s on account of restructuring and amalgamation of existing RRBs to improve their financial soundness. Many of the RRBs were also recapitalised during the recent years to enable them to extend more credit to the rural areas. 4.108 The overall deposit mobilisation of RRBs increased in 2010-11 over the previous year. The increase was particularly visible in case of saving deposits followed by deposits in the current account in 2010-11. The borrowings of RRBs also increased in 2010-11 over the previous year owing to higher borrowings from Sponsor Banks, NABARD and others. On the assets side, RRBs’ balances with the Reserve Bank witnessed an increase in 2010-11 over the previous year (Table IV.42). 4.109 The net profits of RRBs increased in 2010-11 over the previous year. Despite a decline in operating profits, net profits registered an increase owing to the decline in provisions and contingencies. However, even with the increase in net profits in absolute terms, the return on assets recorded a decline in 2010-11 over the previous year. The per branch profitability as well as per employee profitability of RRBs witnessed an increase in 2010-11 over the previous year (Table IV.43). 4.110 It is important to note that more than 80 per cent of the total credit of RRBs belonged to the priority sector in 2010-11. A little more than half of the credit was bagged by the agricultural sector in 2010-11, though the share of agricultural credit in total credit witnessed a marginal decline in 2010-11 over the previous year. Within agriculture, crop loans constituted almost 74 per cent of the volume of lending. Within the non-agricultural sector, majority of the credit was for other purposes in 2010-11 (Table IV.44). 13. Local Area Banks Assets of local area banks registered lower growth 4.111 Local Area Banks (LABs) form a very small segment of the Indian banking sector. Though small in size, these institutions have a local orientation, which enables them to cater better to the needs of local populace hailing from rural and semi-urban areas. Presently, four LABs are functioning in India, of which one LAB, viz., Capital Local Area Bank Ltd. accounted for more than two third of the total assets of all LABs.
4.112 The total assets of LABs registered a lower growth in 2010-11 over the previous year. In tune with this overall deceleration, the gross advances of LABs marginally moderated to 21 per cent in 2010-11 as compared with the previous year’s growth rate of 22 per cent. In contrast, the deposit mobilisation recorded a marginally higher growth of 22 per cent in 2010- 11 as compared with the growth of 20 per cent in the previous year (Table IV.45). 4.113 Though there was deceleration in the asset growth of LABs, the RoA of LABs improved to 1.8 per cent in 2010-11 from 1.4 per cent in 2009-10 mainly due to an increase in net interest income. As provisions and contingencies registered higher growth in 2010-11, the increase in net profits was less than the growth in operating profits (Table IV.46). 14. Conclusions Banks’ performance improved, yet concerns remain 4.114 In retrospect, despite the demanding operational environment, the Indian banking sector demonstrated continued revival from the peripheral spill over effects of the recent global financial turmoil in 2010-11. This was evident in the higher credit growth, deposit growth, better RoA, sound CRAR and improvement in GNPA ratio, among others. However, despite the positives, certain concerns continued to persist in the Indian banking sector. Need to further improve efficiency 4.115 Maintaining profitability is a challenge especially in a highly competitive and high interest rate environment. Yet the Indian banking sector managed to improve the RoA marginally in 2010-11 over the previous year. However, the detailed analysis showed that NIM, which is already high in India as compared with some of the emerging market economies, increased further. Thus, there is a need to reduce NIM, increase ‘other income’, and reduce operating expenses in the interest of efficiency and profitability.
Need to closely monitor the quality of assets 4.116 A challenging task in the midst of regular policy rate hikes was the management of the quality of assets. Though the GNPA ratio witnessed improvement in 2010-11 over the previous year, certain concerns with regard to asset quality of the banking sector continued to loom large. During the last two years, the writing off ratios were high in the Indian banking sector, which implies foregone profitability in an attempt to clean balance sheets. Further, there was always a concern with regard to the restructured standard accounts, i.e., how many of them will again fall back into the NPA category. Further, it is a concern that a substantial portion of the total incremental NPAs of domestic banks in 2010-11 was contributed by agricultural NPAs.
Need to persevere with the task of further strengthening financial inclusion 4.117 Staggering financial exclusion despite the efforts taken by the banking sector is a critical issue, which needs to be addressed. In the coming years, banking sector would need to make greater efforts to address this issue. Alongside, it is also important to address certain flaws observed while expanding the banking services during the recent years. These include, inter alia, larger expansion of banking services through BCs as compared with branches, lower percentage of new bank branches opened in the hitherto unbanked areas, lower percentage of branches opened in the North Eastern region and lower percentage of ‘no-frills’ accounts with overdraft. Need to improve credit flow to rural areas 4.118 One disquieting feature in the present business scenario of the Indian banking sector is the concentration of banking business in a few metropolitan centres. Six top metropolitan centres accounted for almost half of the total banking business of the Indian banking sector. More alarmingly, rural areas accounted for only a small proportion of credit. Further, the North- Eastern, Eastern and Central regions continued to display backwardness in the availability as well as utilisation of banking services. Thus, efforts need to be taken to improve credit flow to the rural areas as also to the North-Eastern, Eastern and Central regions. This will also help in increasing credit penetration in terms of credit-GDP ratio, which is at a lower level in India as compared with some of the peer group countries. High growth of credit to few sensitive sectors may impact credit quality 4.119 Though there was no evidence of a credit boom in the economy, the higher credit growth observed in some of the sectors such as NBFCs, infrastructure, personal loans, and real estate demands continuous monitoring. Credit to the NBFCs witnessed a growth of more than 50 per cent in 2010-11 over the previous year, which requires careful monitoring. Though, infrastructure loans also witnessed a higher growth in 2010-11 over the previous year, this was mainly because of the loans extended to the telecommunications companies to participate in the 3G spectrum auctions. As such, it may moderate in the coming years. Nevertheless, growth observed in infrastructure loans and personal loans raises risk to the banking sector as these loans may increase the asset liability mismatches. For similar reasons, growth pick up in the commercial real estate loans also deserves attention. Need for banks to conform to the priority sector lending target 4.120 On the other side, during 2010-11 non adherence to the priority sector lending targets and targets set for advances to the agriculture sector raises concern from the point of view of equitable distribution of credit to productive sectors of the economy. Though at the aggregate level, bank groups adhered to the targets prescribed by the Reserve Bank, at the bank level, there are a number of banks, which were not able to meet the target set for priority sector as a whole and also for agricultural credit. Non adherence to the agricultural lending target by a large number of banks raises concern as still a large proportion of India’s population depends on the agricultural sector for livelihood. Need for greater use of technology to propagate financial inclusion 4.121 On the operational side, despite the convenience offered by ATMs in providing banking services, the debit card penetration continued to be low with only 30 per cent of deposit account holders having a debit card. The status of credit card penetration was worse with only less than two per cent of the population having a credit card. Further, the number of outstanding credit cards witnessed a declining trend during the recent years. As these technological advancements improve the pace and quality of banking services, there is a need to make efforts to improve card penetration in the country. Need for improving the quality of banking services 4.122 Quality of banking services is another area, which requires continuous improvement to attract more customers to the formal banking channels. It is a welcome development that at the aggregate level the number of complaints received at various banking ombudsman offices registered a decline in 2010-11 over the previous year. However, a detailed analysis revealed that both foreign banks and new private sector banks need to make continuous efforts to improve the quality of service offered by DSA as more than 90 per cent of the complaints with regard to DSA were received against these two bank groups. Further, these two bank groups need to promote transparency by way of informing customers about different charges levied by them. This is because, majority of complaints with regard to hidden charges were also received against these two bank groups. The area in which the public sector banks have to pay attention is pension services. In general, all bank groups should take more care while offering cards both debit and credit, as almost one fourth of the total complaints were with regard to cards. Need for a review of foreign banks’ operations 4.123 A generic issue that may deserve attention at this juncture is the concerns raised by operations of foreign banks. It is a fact that these banks are mostly present in the metropolitan regions, and as such their role in furthering financial inclusion especially by extending banking services to the unbanked regions is limited. Further, it is also a fact that even after having a lower priority sector lending target, many of them have not been meeting these targets. Moreover, the target set for export credit was also not met by many of these banks. On the other side, their share in the sensitive sector credit, especially share in the real estate credit was particularly high. Further, the off balance sheet exposures accumulated by foreign banks were also particularly high raising system-wide risks. 4.124 To conclude, focused attention on the issues that are being confronted by the banking sector may be imperative in the larger interest of securing economic growth with equity. Once these issues are addressed, the Indian banking sector has the potential to become further deeper and stronger. Greater attention to these issues would facilitate better financialisation of the economy and in the medium to long-term lead to broad-based economic growth. 1 These include 26 public sector banks (State Bank of India and its five associates, 19 nationalised banks and IDBI Bank Ltd.), 7 new private sector banks, 14 old private sector banks and 36 foreign banks. The number of SCBs increased to 83 in 2010-11 from 81 in 2009-10. 2 Data on deposits were taken from Quarterly Statistics on Deposits and Credit of SCBs. 3 Refers to international liabilities and assets of branches of all commercial banks geographically located in India. 4 Refers to international assets of all branches (both located in India and abroad) of domestic commercial banks. 5 The opening balance of reserves of banks will be reduced to the extent of the unamortised carry forward expenditure. In view of the exceptional nature of the event, the unamortised expenditure would not be reduced from Tier I capital.
7 Based on data taken from Basic Statistical Returns, various issues. 8 Based on data taken from Basic Statistical Returns 2009-10.
10 As per the extant norms, public sector banks and private sector banks have to lend 40 per cent of their adjusted net bank credit (ANBC) or credit equivalent amount of off balance sheet exposures, whichever is higher as on March 31st of the previous year to priority sectors. 11 Data on deposit accounts and credit accounts are taken from the Basic Statistical Returns 2009-10. 12 Data are taken from Quarterly Statistics on Deposits and Credit of Scheduled Commercial Banks March 2011. |
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