City
Epaper

Risk aversion depresses overall bank credit growth: RBI FSR

By IANS | Published: July 25, 2020 12:00 AM

New Delhi, July 24 Heightened risk aversion pulled the overall credit growth rate of scheduled commercial banks to ...

Open in App

New Delhi, July 24 Heightened risk aversion pulled the overall credit growth rate of scheduled commercial banks to 5.9 per cent on a year-on-year (y-o-y) in March 2020, the RBI Financial Stability Report (FSR) said on Friday.

Accordingly, the overall credit growth 5.9 per cent in March 2020 from 13.2 per cent in March 2019.

"Bank credit, which had considerably weakened during the first half of 2019-20, slid down further in the subsequent period with the moderation becoming broad-based across bank groups," the report said.

"Subdued bank credit shows clear signs of risk aversion."

According to the report, in terms of wholesale credit the outstanding at the end of March 2020 of public sector banks (PSBs) accounted for 62 per cent while that of private sector banks (PVBs) provided close to 29 per cent.

"Investment grade borrowers accounted for about 63 per cent of the total credit outstanding; non-government obligors constituted 76 per cent," the report said.

The report cited that among the PSBs, there was a sharp credit contraction across all rating categories except and above' as also among non-PSU obligors.

"In contrast, PVBs registered positive credit growth across all rating categories and across both PSU and non-PSU obligors, indicating less overall risk aversion compared to PSBs, even as the latter may be trying to improve their risk management practices," the report said.

"Analysis based on the days past due (dpd) was undertaken to understand the impact of impairment on credit growth induced by COVID-19. Consistent with previous observations, PVBs show risk averse behaviour in this disaggregation as well, since the only cohort they show positive credit growth in is the unimpaired category in both quarters."

Besides, it disclosed that capital to risk-weighted assets ratio (CRAR) of SCBs edged down to 14.8 per cent in March 2020 from 15 per cent in September 2019 while their gross non-performing asset (GNPA) ratio declined to 8.5 per cent from 9.3 per cent and the provision coverage ratio (PCR) improved to 65.4 per cent from 61.6 per cent over this period.

"Macro stress tests for credit risk indicate that the GNPA ratio of all SCBs may increase from 8.5 per cent in March 2020 to 12.5 per cent by March 2021 under the baseline scenario; the ratio may escalate to 14.7 per cent under a very severely stressed scenario," it said.

In addition, the report said that actions undertaken by financial sector regulators and the government to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 eased operational constraints and helped in maintaining market integrity and resilience in the face of severe risk aversion.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: PSUBankReserve bank of in dia
Open in App

Related Stories

NationalBank Holidays April 2024: Banks To Remain Closed on These Days, Check Full List

BusinessIndian stocks succumb to profit booking; inflation, Q1 earnings in focus for fresh cues

TechnologyResearch reveals climate change will increase impact of volcanic eruptions

InternationalBank of England hikes rates to highest level since April 2008

InternationalUAE bank investments at all-time-high of AED 548.5 bn in March

Business Realted Stories

Business"GST lowered taxes on many essential items compared to pre-GST rates" says FM Nirmala Sitharaman

BusinessGST has benefited the poor, empowered the states: FM Sitharaman

BusinessIndian airlines poised to capture 50% of country’s global passenger traffic: CRISL

BusinessRetired justice Sanjay Kumar Mishra appointed as first president of GST tribunal

BusinessIndian Bank posts 55% jump in Q4 net profit, declares dividend of Rs 12 per share