NPAs in India at a decadal low with 4%: RBI

New Delhi, Jun 29: The asset quality of banks continued its improving trend with their gross non-performing asset (GNPA) ratio falling to its lowest in a decade and the net NPA touching 1 percent, a decline not seen since March 2011, the data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its bi-annual Financial Stability Report showed. The capital adequacy ratio of banks is at a historical high.

 

 

 

The report said with the growth momentum continuing with moderating inflation, a narrowing current account deficit, rising foreign exchange reserves, fiscal consolidation, and a robust financial system were setting the economy on the path of sustained growth. The report highlighted the global economy had been navigating successive high-amplitude shocks in the last three years, including the pandemic waves, protracted geopolitical hostilities, rapid monetary policy tightening, and the recent banking turmoil.

 

 

 

The report said economic fragmentation was threatening macroeconomic prospects, especially among emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). “Despite these heightened uncertainties and formidable headwinds, the Indian economy has made a solid recovery and is among the fastest-growing large economies,” RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said in the “Foreword”. Das said the Indian financial sector had been stable and resilient as reflected in sustained growth in bank credit, low NPAs, and adequate capital and liquidity buffers. “Both (the) banking and corporate sector balance sheets have been strengthened, engendering a ‘twin balance sheet advantage’ for growth,” Das said. The report noted the healthy balance sheets of banks and companies were brightening the prospects for the Indian economy. The gross NPA ratio of commercial banks was at 3.9 percent as on March 31, 2023, as compared to 5.9 percent a year ago. As against the 1 percent net NPA ratio, it was 1.7 percent a year ago. “The capital to risk-weighted assets ratio (CRAR) and the common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio of scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) rose to historical highs of 17.1 percent and 13.9 percent, respectively, in March 2023,” the report said. Macro stress tests for credit risk show scheduled commercial banks would be able to comply with the minimum capital requirements even under severe stress scenarios. The system-level capital to risk-weighted assets ratios in March 2024 -- under the baseline, medium and severe stress scenarios -- are projected at 16.1 percent, 14.7 percent, and 13.3 percent, respectively.

Also Read: India's Current Account Deficit (CAD) declines to 0.2% of the GDP 

 

According to the stress test results, the GNPA ratio of all scheduled commercial banks may improve to 3.6 percent by March 2024 under the baseline scenario. If, however, the macroeconomic environment worsens to a medium or severe stress scenario, the ratio may rise to 4.1 percent and 5.1 percent, respectively. Simulated contagion analysis shows losses due to the failure of five banks with maximum capacity would not lead to an additional bank failure. At the same time, the provisioning coverage ratio (PCR), which was as low as 40.1 percent in June 2016, has improved to 74.0 percent in March 2023. “Led by strong growth in net interest income and a significant reduction in provisions, the profit after tax of SCBs registered a growth of 38.4 percent in 2022-23,” the report said. Observing that the Indian economy exhibited stability and resilience despite multiple global headwinds, the report had a word of caution on inflation, particularly stubborn core inflation. “The persistence of core inflation, notwithstanding a dip in April 2023, slower global growth, and potential volatility in the global financial system, however, could pose risks to the growth trajectory,” the report said. The report said the headline inflation rate had moderated gradually, from its peak of 7.8 percent in April 2022 to 4.3 percent in May 2023, due to the combined impact of monetary tightening, supply-side measures, and the easing of global supply bottlenecks. “Core inflation has also eased but remains above 5 percent. The pursuit of price stability while keeping in mind the objective of growth, therefore, remains the overarching priority of the Reserve Bank,” it added.