Tag: public sector banks

The government has initiated consultations with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to devise a new security clearance framework for screening potential bidders of public sector banks (PSBs) as it kick-starts the privatisation process, beginning with the strategic divestment of IDBI Bank. As the government is moving ahead with strategic divestment of IDBI Bank and is looking to privatise two PSBs, the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) is looking to put in place an appropriate framework as the potential buyers will have to meet the RBI’s fit and proper criteria, according to an official. Read more

Public sector banks in India will need external capital injection of Rs 1.9-2.1 trillion over the next two years to restore loss absorption capacity, according to Moody’s. The most likely source of capital to plug these capital shortfalls is the government, despite its completion of a large recapitalisation just a few months ago. Uncertainty surrounding India's economic recovery and the ongoing clean-up of balance sheets are making it difficult for banks to raise equity capital from markets, the rating agency said in a statement. "PSBs dominate India's banking system, meaning any failure could jeopardise financial stability Moody’s, said. The sharp slowdown in India's economic growth, exacerbated by the coronavirus outbreak, will hurt public sector banks' (PSBs) asset quality and drive up credit costs. The Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) ratio will rise to 14.5 percent by March 2022 from 11 percent as of March 2020.