Banking Sector Reform Essay

From the 1991 India stinting crisis to its status of third adultst economy in the world by 2011, India has grown signifi crappertly in ground of scotch development. So has its asserting sector. During this period, recognizing the evolving needs of the sector, the Finance Ministry of G all all overnment of India (GOI) set up various perpetrations with the task of analyzing Indias banking sector and barracking legislation and regulations to subscribe to it more effective, emulous and efficient.1 Two such expert charges were set up under the chairmanship of M. Narasimham. They submitted their recommendations in the 1990s in reports widely known as the Narasimham perpetration-I (1991) report and the Narasimham military commission-II (1998) Report.These recommendations not al whizz helped unleash the po 10tial of banking in India, they are also recognized as a factor towards minimizing the bushel of international fiscal crisis starting in 2007. Unlike the socialist-democra tic era of the 1960s to 1980s, India is no longer insulated from the global economy and yet its banks survived the 2008 fiscal crisis relatively unscathed, a feat due in part to theseNarasimham Committees.2 table of contents hide * 1 Background * 2 Recommendations of the Committee * 2.1 Autonomy in cambering * 2.2 Reform in the constituent of rbi * 2.3 Stronger banking system * 2.4 Non-performing assets * 2.5 Capital enough and tightening of provisioning norms * 2.6 Entry of unlike Banks * 3 Implementation of recommendations * 4 reprovalBackgroundDuring the decades of the 60s and the 70s, India nationalised most of its banks. This culminated with the balance of payments crisis of the Indian economy where India had to airlift g ageing to internationalist Monetary Fund (IMF) to loan silver to piece its pecuniary obligations. This event called into question the previous banking policies of India and triggered the era of economic liberalisation in India in 1991. Given that rig idities and weaknesses had made undecomposed inroads into the Indian banking system by the late 1980s, the Government of India (GOI), post-crisis, took some(prenominal) steps to remodel the countrys financial system. (Some claim that these reforms were influenced by the IMF and the World Bank as part of their loan conditionality to India in 1991).3 The banking sector, handling 80% of the play of money in the economy, needed serious reforms to make it internationally reputable, accelerate the pace of reforms and develop it into a constructive usher of an efficient, vibrant and competitive economy by adequately supporting the countrys financial needs.4In the light of these requirements, devil expert Committees were set up in 1990s under the chairmanship of M. Narasimham (an ex- rbi ( derivationpile Bank of India) governor) which are widely credit for spearheading the financial sector reform in India.3 The premier Narasimhan Committee (Committee on the Financial System CFS) was appointive by Manmohan Singh as Indias Finance Minister on 14 August 1991,15 and the second one (Committee on Banking Sector Reforms)6 was appointed by P.Chidambaram7 as Finance Minister in December 1997.8 Subsequently, the first one widely came to be known as the Narasimham Committee-I (1991)and the second one as Narasimham-II Committee(1998).910 This article is approximately the recommendations of the Second Narasimham Committee, the Committee on Banking Sector Reforms.The purpose of the Narasimham-I Committee was to study all aspects relating to the structure, organization, ferments and procedures of the financial systems and to recommend improvements in their efficiency and productivity. The Committee submitted its report to the Finance Minister in November 1991 which was tabled in Parliament on 17 December 1991.6 The Narasimham-II Committee was tasked with the progress review of the accomplishation of the banking reforms since 1992 with the aim of further strengthening the financial cornerstones of India.4It focussed on issues like size of banks and capital sufficiency ratio among former(a) things.9 M. Narasimham, Chairman, submitted the report of the Committee on Banking Sector Reforms (Committee-II) to the Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha in April 1998.49Recommendations of the CommitteeThe 1998 report of the Committee to the GOI made the sideline major recommendationsAutonomy in BankingGreater autonomy was proposed for the public sector banks in order for them to function with equivalent professionalism as their international counterparts.11 For this the panel recommended that recruitment procedures, training and remuneration policies of public sector banks be brought in line with the best-market-practices of professional bank management.46 Secondly, the committee recommended GOI equity in nationalized banks be lessen to 33% for increased autonomy.41213 It also recommended the rbi relinquish its seats on the board of directors of these banks. Th e committee further added that tending(p) that the regime nominees to the board of banks are often members of parliament, politicians, bureaucrats, etc., they often interfere in the day-to-day operations of the bank in the form of the behest-lending.4As such the committee recommended a review of functions of banks boards with a view to make them responsible for enhancing shareholder value through formulation of corporate strategy and reduction of government equity.11 To implement this, criteria for autonomous status was identified by March 1999 (among other murder measures) and 17 banks were considered eligible for autonomy.14 whole some recommendations like reduction in Governments equity to 33%,1315 the issue of cracking professionalism and independence of the board of directors of public sector banks is still awaiting Government follow-through and implementation.16Reform in the quality of rbiFirst, the committee recommended that the RBI withdraw from the 91-day treasury bills market and that interbank call money and term money markets be restricted to banks and primary dealers.614 Second, the Committee proposed a segregation of the roles of RBI as a governor of banks and owner of bank.17 It observed that The Reserve Bank as a regulator of the monetary system should not be the owner of a bank in view of a possible conflict of amour. As such, it highlighted that RBIs role of effective supervision was not adequate and wanted it to discase its holdings in banks and financial institutions. Pursuant to the recommendations, the RBI introduced a Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) operated through repo and drive off repos in order to set a corridor for money market vex rates.To begin with, in April 1999, an meanwhile Liquidity Adjustment Facility (ILAF) was introduced pending further upgradation in technology and legal/procedural changes to quicken electronic transfer.18As for the second recommendation, the RBI resolved to transfer its respective s hareholdings of public banks like State Bank of India (SBI), National Housing Bank (NHB) and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to GOI. Subsequently, in 2007-08, GOI decided to acquire entire stake of RBI in SBI, NHB and NABARD. Of these, the terms of sale for SBI were finalised in 2007-08 itself.19Stronger banking systemThe Committee recommended for merger of large Indian banks to make them strong enough for supporting international trade.11 It recommended a 3 tier banking structure in India through establishment of three large banks with international presence, eight to ten national banks and a large number of regional and local banks.4911 This proposal had been severely criticized by the RBI employees union.20 The Committee recommended the use of mergers to build the size and strength of operations for each bank.12 However, it cautioned that large banks should merge and with banks of equivalent size and not with weaker banks, which should be closed dow n if unable to revitalize themselves.6 Given the large percentage of non-performing assets for weaker banks, some as high as 20% of their total assets, the concept of narrow banking was proposed to do in their rehabilitation.11 There were a string of mergers in banks of India during the late 90s and early 2000s, encouraged strongly by the Government of IndiaGOI in line with the Committees recommendations.21However, the recommended degree of consolidation is still awaiting sufficient government impetus.16Non-performing assetsNon-performing assets had been the single largest cause of irritation of the banking sector of India.4 Earlier the Narasimham Committee-I had broadly concluded that the main reason for the reduced profitability of the commercial banks in India was the priority sector lending. The committee had highlighted that priority sector lending was tether to the build up of non-performing assets of the banks and thus it recommended it to be phased out.10 Subsequently, the Narasimham Committee-II also highlighted the need for zero non-performing assets for all Indian banks with International presence.10 The 1998 report further blamed poor credit decisions, behest-lending and cyclical economic factors among other reasons for the build up of the non-performing assets of these banks to uncomfortably high levels.The Committee recommended creation of Asset reconstruction Funds or Asset reconstruction Companies to take over the bad debts of banks, allowing them to start on a clean-slate.42223 The option of recapitalization through budgetary victual was ruled out. Overall the committee wanted a proper system to identify and classify NPAs,6 NPAs to be brought down to 3% by 20024 and for an independent loan review meachnism for improved management of loan portfolios.6 The committees recommendations let to introduction of a new legislation which was subsequently employ as the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 and came into force with effect from 21 June 2002.242526Capital adequacy and tightening of provisioning normsIn order to improve the inherent strength of the Indian banking system the committee recommended that the Government should raise the appointed capital adequacy norms.9 This would also improve their risk taking ability.11 The committee targeted raising the capital adequacy ratio to 9% by 2000 and 10% by 2002 and build penal provisions for banks that fail to meet these requirements.46 For asset classification, the Committee recommended a mandatory 1% in case of standard assets and for the accrual of interest income to be done e real 90 days instead of 180 days.14To implement these recommendations, the RBI in Oct 1998, initiated the second phase of financial sector reforms by raising the banks capital adequacy ratio by 1% and tightening the prudential norms for provisioning and asset classification in a phased manner on the lines of the Narasimham Committee -II report.27 The RBI targeted to bring the capital adequacy ratio to 9% by March 2001.28 The mid-term Review of the Monetary and conviction Policy of RBI announced another series of reforms, in line with the recommendations with the Committee, in October 1999.14Entry of Foreign BanksThe committee suggested that the foreign banks seeking to set up business in India should fork over a stripped-down start-up capital of $25 million as against the existing requirement of $10 million. It said that foreign banks can be allowed to set up subsidiaries and joint ventures that should be treated on a par with offstage banks.4Implementation of recommendationsIn 1998, RBI Governor Bimal Jalan informed the banks that the RBI had a three to four socio-economic class perspective on the implementation of the Committees recommendations.27 Based on the other recommendations of the committee, the concept of a universal bank was discussed by the RBI and finally ICICI bank became the first universal bank of India.182930 The RBI published an Actions Taken on the Recommendations report on 31 October 2001 on its own website. Most of the recommendations of the Committee have been acted upon (as discussed above) although some major recommendations are still awaiting action from the Government of India.31CriticismThere were protests by employee unions of banks in India against the report. The Union of RBI employees made a strong protest against the Narasimham II Report.20 There were other plans by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), representing about 1.3 million bank employees in India, to meet in Delhi and to work out a plan of action in the wake of the Narasimham Committee report on banking reforms. The committee was also criticized in some quarters as anti-poor. According to some, the committees failed to recommend measures for faster backup man of poverty in India by generating new employment.3 This caused some suffering to dwarfish borrowers ( twain individuals and busin esses in tiny, micro and small sectors).ReceptionInitially, the recommendations were well received in all quarters, including the Planning Commission of India leading to successful implementation of most of its recommendations.32 Then it turned out that during the 2008 economic crisis of major economies worldwide, performance of Indian banking sector was far-off better than their international counterparts. This was also credited to the successful implementation of the recommendations of the Narasimham Committee-II with particular reference to the capital adequacy norms and the recapitalization of the public sector banks.2 The impact of the two committees has been so significant that elite politicians and financial sectors professionals have been discussing these reports for more than a decade since their first submission applauding their positive contribution Prime Ministers book of facts at RBI Platinum Jubilee Celebrations The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh addressed the Pl atinum Jubilee celebrations of the Reserve Bank of India in Mumbai today. chase is the text of the Prime Ministers address on the occasionIt is indeed a great pleasure to be here in Mumbai for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Reserve Bank of India. For me, this is also a very special moment of nostalgia. I spent some very memorable years in this institution as its Governor. My wife and I cherish the memories of many new enduring friendships that we made during those memorable days. I also recall with deep appreciation the role played by the Reserve Bank in helping the Government of India in the implementation of the agenda for economic reforms when I was the Finance Minister of India at a very difficult time in our countrys economic history. To return as Prime Minister for the Platinum Jubilee of this great institution is indeed an emotionally moving experience for me.When I took over as Finance Minister in 1991, I was convinced that the economic liberalisation and reforms could only succeed if complemented by broad based reform in the banking and financial sectors. I turned to my old friend and former RBI Governor Shri M Narasimham to Chair a Committee to make recommendations on this very important issue. The Report of the Narasimham Committee outlined a comprehensive agenda of reform which served as a blue print of what we needed to do in subsequent years.It would have been difficult to implement those reforms had they not received enthusiastic support, as they did, from the Governor of the day, Shri S. Venkitaramanan and Dr. Rangrajan. Subsequently as Venitramanans successor Dr C. Rangarajan took the financial reform agenda further forward in many critical ranges, including especially the ending of reflexive monetisation of the governments deficit.As with economic reforms in general, financial sector reforms in India were implemented at a gradual pace. We were often criticised for our incremental approach which critics often complained was far to o slow. moreover few would deny that we have accomplished a great deal over the years and Reserve Bank has made important contribution towards this. We have successfully eliminated stifling controls on industry and investiture. We have opened the economy to foreign trade, lowered tariffs and switched over to a market determined exchange rate. We have liberalised capital controls enabling the economy to absorb substantial inflows of capital in the form of both FDI and FII flows into the stock market. In recent years, foreign investment has also become a two way flow as many Indian companies have established a presence abroad through investment or acquisition.All of this has been achieved without experiencing a serious macro economic crisis or severe inflation over an extended period. Most importantly, the real economy has clearly prospered. The rate of growth of GDP has increased steady over the past two decades, culminating in an unprecedented 9 percent growth per year in the four year period just before the global financial crisis. Poverty too, has declined steadily, though this is an area where much more remains to be done.The Reserve Bank of India has played a major role in this transformation. It has been a lead player in banking and financial sector reforms and has acted as a confidential adviser to the Government on many other issues relevant to the complex task of macro economic management in an increasingly open and liberalised economic environment. Indeed, it is one of our great institutions of which we can all be truly proud.The past two years have been difficult years for governments and central banks all over the world. Excessive credit expansion and asset price inflation both fuelled by so-called financial innovations of dubious value, and a lax regulatory environment led to an accumulation of risk that was not adequately understood and ultimately produced a severe crisis.India was relatively insulated from these developments because our financ ial system was much less coordinated with the global system. However, the RBI deserves credit for having been prescient about the dangers posed by property bubbles. The action interpreted by Governor Reddy, who is present here, well before the crisis to tighten bank credit against real estate, particular(a) bank exposure on this account.When the crisis exploded in September 2008, the RBI rapidly reversed its preliminary tightening of credit to meet the new and changed circumstances. The CRR and the repo and reverse repo rates were rapidly lowered in a series of quick steps. Some initiatives were also taken to enhance access to bank credit by Non Banking Finance Companies. Signs of panic withdrawals from some private sector banks in the initial weeks of the crisis were met with strong reassurances by both the Government and the RBI that our banks were sound and would be fully supported.Ensuring that the Indian financial system remained stable in these very difficult times was a ma jor achievement in financial and economic management. I would like to compliment Governor Subbarao and his team at the RBI for the role they played in this period.