Compliance & Risk Management Final

["150 The targets for lending to SMFs and for Weaker Sections shall be revised upwards from FY 2021-22 onwards as follows: Financial Year Small and Marginal Farmers target * Weaker Sections target ^ 2020-21 8% 10% 2021-22 9% 11% 2022-23 9.5% 11.5% 2023-24 10% 12% * Not applicable to UCBs ^ Weaker Sections target for RRBs will continue to be 15% of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher. All domestic banks (other than UCBs) and foreign banks with more than 20 branches need to ensure that the overall lending to Non-Corporate Farmers (NCFs) does not fall below the system-wide average of the last three years\u2019 achievement which will be separately notified every year. The applicable target for lending to the non-corporate farmers for FY 2022-23 was 13.78% of ANBC or CEOBE whichever is higher. Banks are advised to increase the Farm Credit higher than the NCF target.. 3.3 COMPUTATION OF ADJUSTED NET BANK CREDIT (ANBC) Adjusted Net Bank Credit denotes the outstanding bank credit in India for the purpose of priority sector lending. It may be computed as follows. Bank Credit in India [As prescribed in item No.VI of Form `A\u2019 under Section I 42(2) of the RBI Act, 1934] Bills Rediscounted with RBI and other approved Financial Institutions II Net Bank Credit (NBC)* III (I-II) Outstanding Deposits under RIDF and other eligible funds with NABARD, IV NHB, SIDBI and MUDRA Ltd in lieu of non-achievement of priority sector lending targets\/sub-targets + outstanding PSLCs Eligible amount for exemptions on issuance of long-term bonds for infrastructure V and affordable housing as per\u00a0circular DBOD.BP.BC. No.25\/08.12.014\/2014-15 dated July 15, 2014 Advances extended in India against the incremental FCNR (B)\/NRE deposits, VI qualifying for exemption from CRR\/SLR requirements, as per the Reserve Bank\u2019s\u00a0 circulars DBOD.No.Ret.BC.36\/12.01.001\/2013-14 dated August 14, 2013\u00a0 read with\u00a0 DBOD.No.Ret.BC.93\/12.01.001\/2013-14 dated January 31, 2014, DBOD mailbox clarification issued on February 6, 2014 and\u00a0UBD.BPD. (PCB).CIR.No.5\/13.01.000\/2013-14 dated August 27, 2013\u00a0 read with\u00a0 UBD. BPD.(PCB).Cir.No.72\/13.01.000\/2013-14 dated June 11, 2014.","151 Investments made by public sector banks in the Recapitalization Bonds floated VII by Government of India Other investments eligible to be treated as priority sector (e.g. investments in VIII securitised assets) Face Value of securities acquired and kept under HTM category under the IX TLTRO 2.0 (Press Release 2019-2020\/2237 dated April 17, 2020\u00a0read with\u00a0Q.11 of FAQ\u00a0and SLF-MF-\u00a0Press Release 2019-2020\/2276 dated April 27, 2020\u00a0and also Extended Regulatory Benefits under SLF-MF Scheme vide\u00a0Press Release 2019-2020\/2294 dated April 30, 2020. Bonds\/debentures in Non-SLR categories under HTM category X For UCBs: investments made after August 30, 2007 in permitted non SLR bonds XI held under \u2018Held to Maturity\u2019 (HTM) category ANBC (Other than UCBs) III + IV- (V+VI+VII) +VIII - IX + X ANBC for UCBs III + IV - VI - IX + XI * For the purpose of priority sector computation only. Banks should not deduct \/ net any amount like provisions, accrued interest, etc. from NBC. For the purpose of calculation of CEOBE (Credit Equivalent of Off Balance Sheet Exposures), the provisions contained in RBI Master Circular on Exposure Norms and RBI Master Circular on \u2018Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy\u2019. Banks subtracting prudential write off at Corporate\/Head Office level while reporting Bank Credit as above, must ensure that bank credit to priority sector and all other sub-sectors so written off should also be subtracted category wise from priority sector and sub-target achievement. All types of loans, investments or any other items which are treated as eligible for classification under priority sector target\/sub-target achievement should also form part of Adjusted Net Bank Credit. 3.4 ADJUSTMENTS FOR WEIGHTS IN PSL ACHIEVEMENT For addressing regional disparities in the flow of priority sector credit at the district level, various districts have been ranked on the basis of per capita credit flow to priority sector, and a framework has been designed with incentive for districts with comparatively lower flow and dis-incentives for districts with comparatively higher flow. From FY 2021-22 onwards following weights apply to the incremental priority sector credit - i.\t Identified districts with comparatively lower credit flow (per capita PSL less than `6000),- 125% ii.\t Identified districts with comparatively higher credit flow (per capita PSL greater than `25,000) \u2013 90%","152 iii.\t All other districts \u2013 100% These lists will be reviewed post FY 2023-24. The reporting by banks is of the actual figures and the adjustment for weights is done by RBI. RRBs, UCBs, LABs and foreign banks (including WoS) are exempted from adjustments of weights in PSL achievement due to their currently limited area of operation\/catering to a niche segment. 3.5 DEFINITIONS\/ CLARIFICATIONS i.\t On-lending: Loans sanctioned by banks to eligible intermediaries for onward lending only for creation of priority sector assets. The average maturity of priority sector assets thus created should be broadly co-terminus with maturity of the bank loan. ii.\t Contingent liabilities\/ off-balance sheet items do not form part of priority sector target achievement. However, foreign banks with less than 20 branches have an option to reckon the credit equivalent of off-balance sheet items, extended to borrowers for eligible priority sector activities, along with priority sector loans for the purpose of computation of priority sector target achievement. In that case, the credit equivalent of all off-balance sheet items (both priority sector and non-priority sector excluding interbank) should be added to the ANBC in the denominator for computation of Priority Sector Lending targets. iii.\t Off-balance sheet interbank exposures are excluded for computing Credit Equivalent of Off -Balance Sheet Exposures for the priority sector targets. iv.\t The term \u201call-inclusive interest\u201d includes interest (effective annual interest), processing fees and service charges. v.\t Banks should ensure that loans extended under priority sector are for approved purposes and the end use is continuously monitored. The banks should put in place proper internal controls and systems in this regard. 3.6 MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES Bank loans to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), for both manufacturing and service sectors are eligible to be classified under the priority sector subject to the prescribed norms. These are given in the description of the eligible categories under Priority Sector. Classification of Enterprises: The criteria for classification of MSMEs was revised with effect from 1st July 2020 vide Gazette Notification S.O. 2119 (E) dated June 26, 2020. The criteria are as under: An enterprise shall be classified as a Micro, Small or Medium enterprise on the basis of the following criteria, namely:","153 i.\t a micro enterprise, where the investment in plant and machinery or equipment does not exceed `1 crore and turnover does not exceed `5 crore; ii.\t a small enterprise, where the investment in plant and machinery or equipment does not exceed `10 crore and turnover does not exceed `50 crore; and iii.\t a medium enterprise, where the investment in plant and machinery or equipment does not exceed `50 crore and turnover does not exceed `250 crore. All enterprises are required to register online and obtain \u2018Udyam Registration Certificate\u2019. All lenders may, therefore, obtain \u2018Udyam Registration Certificate\u2019 from the entrepreneurs. Enterprises which are unable to get registered on the Udyam Registration Portal (URP) due to lack of mandatory required documents such as PAN or Goods and Services Tax Identification Number (GSTIN) are Informal Micro Enterprises (IMEs). IMEs can register on the Udyam Assist Platform (UAP) launched by Ministry of MSME, GOI to facilitate formalisation through online generation of Udyam Assist Certificate. Turnover of enterprises exempted from filing returns under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 shall be the sole criterion to be defined as IMEs for the purpose of UAP. This can be done through RBI regulated entities (including scheduled commercial banks, non-banking financial companies, etc.) that are Designated Agencies for this purpose. The certificate issued on the UAP to IMEs shall be treated at par with Udyam Registration Certificate for the purpose of availing Priority Sector Lending (PSL) benefits. These entities shall be treated as Micro Enterprises under MSME for the purposes of PSL classification. Composite Criteria of Investment and Turnover for Classification: A composite criterion of investment and turnover shall apply for classification of an enterprise as micro, small or medium. i.\t If an enterprise crosses the ceiling limits specified for its present category in either of the two criteria of investment or turnover, it will cease to exist in that category and be placed in the next higher category but no enterprise shall be placed in the lower category unless it goes below the ceiling limits specified for its present category in both the criteria of investment as well as turnover. ii.\t All units with Goods and Services Tax Identification Number (GSTIN) listed against the same Permanent Account Number (PAN) shall be collectively treated as one enterprise and the turnover and investment figures for all of such entities shall be seen together and only the aggregate values will be considered for deciding the category as micro, small or medium enterprise. Calculation of investment in plant and machinery or equipment: The norms for the purpose of arriving at investment in plant and machinery or equipment are:","154 i.\t The calculation of investment in plant and machinery or equipment will be linked to the Income Tax Return (ITR) of the previous years filed under the Income Tax Act, 1961. ii.\t In case of a new enterprise, where no prior ITR is available, the investment will be based on self- declaration of the promoter of the enterprise and such relaxation shall end after the 31st March of the financial year in which it files its first ITR. iii.\t The expression \u201cplant and machinery or equipment\u201d of the enterprise, shall have the same meaning as assigned to the plant and machinery in the Income Tax Rules, 1962 framed under the Income Tax Act, 1961 and shall include all tangible assets (other than land and building, furniture and fittings). iv.\t The purchase (invoice) value of a plant and machinery or equipment, whether purchased first hand or second hand, shall be taken into account excluding Goods and Services Tax (GST), on self- disclosure basis, if the enterprise is a new one without any ITR. v.\t The cost of certain items specified in the Explanation I to sub-section (1) of section 7 of the Act shall be excluded from the calculation of the amount of investment in plant and machinery. vi.\t The online form for Udyam Registration captures depreciated cost as on 31st March each year of the relevant previous year. Therefore, the value of Plant and Machinery or Equipment for all purposes of the Notification No. S.O. 2119(E) dated June 26, 2020 and for all the enterprises shall mean the Written Down Value (WDV) as at the end of the Financial Year as defined in the Income Tax Act and not cost of acquisition or original price, which was applicable in the context of the earlier classification criteria. Calculation of turnover: The norms for the purpose of arriving at the turnover of an enterprise during a year are: i.\t Exports of goods or services or both, shall be excluded while calculating the turnover of any enterprise whether micro, small or medium, for the purposes of classification. ii.\t Information as regards turnover and exports turnover for an enterprise shall be linked to the Income Tax Act or the Central Goods and Services Act (CGST Act) and the GSTIN. iii.\t The turnover related figures of such enterprise which do not have PAN will be considered on self- declaration basis for a period up to 31st March, 2021 and thereafter, PAN and GSTIN shall be mandatory. In case of an upward change in terms of investment in plant and machinery or equipment or turnover or both, and consequent re-classification, an enterprise will maintain its prevailing status till expiry of one year from the close of the year of registration. In case of reverse-","155 graduation of an enterprise, whether as a result of re-classification or due to actual changes in investment in plant and machinery or equipment or turnover or both, and whether the enterprise is registered under the Act or not, the enterprise will continue in its present category till the closure of the financial year and it will be given the benefit of the changed status only with effect from 1st April of the financial year following the year in which such change took place. 3.7 COMMON GUIDELINES \/ INSTRUCTIONS FOR LENDING TO MSME\t SECTOR Certain salient guidelines for handling loan applications from MSMEs are as follows - i.\t Acknowledgement of Loan Applications: To mandatorily acknowledge all loan applications and ensure a running serial number is recorded. To put in place a system of Central Registration, online submission of loan applications, and a system of e-tracking of MSE loan applications. ii.\t Collateral: Not to accept collateral security in the case of loans up to `10 lakhs to units in the MSE sector, and units financed under the Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) administered by KVIC. On the basis of good track record and financial position of the MSE units, increase the limit for collateral free loans up to `25 lakhs (with the approval of the appropriate authority). iii.\t Composite loan: A composite loan limit of `1 crore can be sanctioned by banks to enable the MSE entrepreneurs to avail of their working capital and term loan requirement through Single Window. iv.\t Revised General Credit Card (GCC) Scheme: To ensure greater credit linkage for all productive activities within the overall Priority Sector guidelines and to capture all credit extended by banks to individuals for non-farm entrepreneurial activity, the GCC guidelines were revised on December 2, 2013. v.\t Delayed Payment: In view of the provisions of the Interest on Delayed Payment Act, 1998 to Small Scale and Ancillary Industrial Undertakings, banks have been advised to fix sub-limits within the overall working capital limits to the large borrowers specifically for meeting the payment obligation in respect of purchases from MSMEs. vi.\t Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLSS): Government of India, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises had launched Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) for Technology Upgradation of Micro and Small Enterprises. SIDBI and NABARD are the implementing agencies of the scheme. vii.\t Credit Guarantee Scheme: Banks are advised to strongly encourage their branch level functionaries to avail of the Credit Guarantee Scheme cover of CGTMSE.","156 3.8 FRAMEWORK FOR REVIVAL AND REHABILITATION OF MSMES The guidelines on the Framework for Revival and Rehabilitation of MSMEs were issued on March 17, 2016. This is applicable for MSME units having loan limits up to Rs.25 crore. The salient features of the Framework are as under: i.\t Before a loan account of an MSME turns into a Non-Performing Asset (NPA), banks or creditors should identify incipient stress in the account by creating three sub-categories under the Special Mention Account (SMA) category as given in the Framework ii.\t Any MSME borrower may also voluntarily initiate proceedings under this Framework iii.\t Committee approach to be adopted for deciding corrective action plan iv.\t Timelines have been fixed for taking various decisions under the Framework. 3.9 WEAKER SECTIONS UNDER PRIORITY SECTOR Priority sector loans to the following borrowers are considered under Weaker Sections category: i.\t Small and Marginal Farmers ii.\t Artisans, village and cottage industries where individual credit limits do not exceed `1 lakh iii.\t Beneficiaries under Government Sponsored Schemes such as National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) and Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) iv.\t Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes v.\t Beneficiaries of Differential Rate of Interest (DRI) scheme vi.\t Self Help Groups vii.\t Distressed farmers indebted to non-institutional lenders viii.\t Distressed persons other than farmers, with loan amount not exceeding `1 lakh per borrower to prepay their debt to non-institutional lenders ix.\t Individual women beneficiaries up to `1 lakh per borrower (For UCBs, existing loans to women will continue to be classified under weaker sections till their maturity\/ repayment.) x.\t Persons with disabilities xi.\t Minority communities as may be notified by Government of India from time to time.","157 Overdraft availed by PMJDY account holders as per limits and conditions prescribed by Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance from time to time may be classified under Weaker Sections. In States, where one of the minority communities notified is, in fact, in majority, item (xi) will cover only the other notified minorities. These States\/ Union Territories are Punjab, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Lakshadweep and Jammu & Kashmir. 3.10 INVESTMENTS BY BANKS IN SECURITISED ASSETS Investments by banks in securitised assets, representing loans to various categories of priority sector, except \u2018others\u2019 category, are eligible for classification under respective categories of priority sector depending on the underlying assets provided: i.\t these are originated by banks and financial institutions, are eligible priority sector advances, and fulfill RBI guidelines on securitisation. ii.\t the all-inclusive interest charged to the ultimate borrower by the originating entity should not exceed the investing bank\u2019s MCLR + 10% or EBLR + 14%. iii.\t The securitised assets originated by MFIs, which comply with the prescribed guidelines are exempted from this interest cap. iv.\t Investments by banks in securitised assets originated by NBFCs, of loans against gold jewellery, are not eligible for priority sector status. 3.11 TRANSFER OF ASSETS THROUGH DIRECT ASSIGNMENT \/OUTRIGHT PURCHASE Assignment\/ outright purchase of pool of assets by banks representing loans under various categories of priority sector, except the \u2018others\u2019 category, will be eligible for classification under respective categories of priority sector provided: i.\t The assets are originated by banks and financial institutions, are eligible priority sector advances and fulfil the guidelines on outright purchase\/assignment issued vide circular DBOD.No.BP.BC-103\/21.04.177\/2011-12 dated May 7, 2012 and updated from time to time. ii.\t The all-inclusive interest charged to the ultimate borrower by the originating entity should not exceed the investing bank\u2019s MCLR + 10% or EBLR + 14%. iii.\t Assignments\/ Outright purchases of eligible priority sector loans from MFIs, as per RBI guidelines, are exempted from this interest rate cap. iv.\t For loan assets purchased outright from banks\/ financial institutions, banks must report the outstanding amount actually disbursed to borrowers and not include the embedded premium amount paid to the seller.","158 v.\t Purchase\/ assignment transactions with NBFCs, for loans against gold jewellery, are not eligible for priority sector status. This is not available to RRBs and UCBs. 3.12 INTER BANK PARTICIPATION CERTIFICATES Inter Bank Participation Certificates (IBPCs) bought by banks, on a risk sharing basis, are eligible for classification under respective categories of priority sector, provided the underlying assets are eligible to be categorized under the respective categories of priority sector and the banks fulfil the RBI guidelines on IBPCs. IBPCs bought by banks on risk sharing basis relating to \u2018Export Credit\u2019 may be classified as priority sector by the purchasing bank, if the issuing bank certifies it as Export Credit, apart from the due diligence of the purchasing bank. This is not available to UCBs. 3.13 PRIORITY SECTOR LENDING CERTIFICATES The outstanding priority sector lending certificates bought by the banks will be eligible for classification under respective categories of priority sector provided the assets are originated by banks, are eligible priority sector advances and fulfill the RBI guidelines on priority sector lending certificates. 3.14 BANK LOANS FOR ON-LENDING A. To Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) Banks extend loans to micro finance institutions (MFIs) for on-lending to individuals availing small loans for pursuit of income generating activities. a)\t Banks other than SFBs can extend credit to registered NBFC-MFIs and other MFIs (Societies, Trusts etc.) which are members of RBI recognised SRO for the sector, for on-lending to individuals and also to members of SHGs \/ JLGs. b)\t AS a temporary measure, with effect from May 5, 2021, SFBs were allowed to extend fresh credit to registered NBFC-MFIs and other MFIs (Societies, Trusts etc.) which are members of RBI recognised \u2018Self-Regulatory Organisation\u2019 of the sector, and which have a \u2018gross loan portfolio\u2019 of up to `500 crore as on 31 March 2021, for the purpose of on-lending to individuals. Bank credit as above was permitted up to 10% of the bank\u2019s total priority sector portfolio as on 31 March, 2021. This was available up to March 31, 2022. The loans thus disbursed will continue to be classified under Priority Sector till the date of repayment\/maturity whichever is earlier. c)\t The loans disbursed under the above mechanisms are eligible for categorisation as priority sector advance under respective categories viz., Agriculture, MSME, Social Infrastructure and Others. This mode is not applicable to RRBs, UCBs, SFBs and LABs.","159 B. To Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs) Bank credit to registered NBFCs (other than MFIs) for on-lending is eligible for classification as priority sector under respective categories subject to the following conditions: i.\t Agriculture: On-lending by NBFCs for \u2018Term lending\u2019 component under Agriculture will be allowed up to `10 lakh per borrower. ii.\t Micro & Small enterprises: On-lending by NBFC will be allowed up to `20 lakh per borrower. The above dispensation was valid up to March 2022. However, loans disbursed under the on- lending model will continue to be classified under Priority Sector till the date of repayment\/ maturity. This mode was not applicable to RRBs, UCBs, SFBs and LABs. C. To Housing Finance Companies (HFCs) Bank credit to Housing Finance Companies (HFCs), approved by NHB for their refinance, for on-lending for the purpose of purchase\/construction\/ reconstruction of individual dwelling units or for slum clearance and rehabilitation of slum dwellers, subject to an aggregate loan limit of `20 lakh per borrower. Banks should maintain necessary borrower-wise details of the underlying portfolio. This mode is not applicable to RRBs, SFBs and LABs\t . Bank credit to NBFCs (including HFCs) for on-lending as stated above, is allowed up to an overall limit of five percent of individual bank\u2019s total priority sector lending. Banks shall compute the eligible portfolio under on-lending mechanism by averaging across four quarters, to determine adherence to the prescribed cap. 3.15 CO-LENDING BY BANKS AND NBFCs TO PRIORITY SECTOR All Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding SFBs, RRBs, UCBs and LABs) are permitted to co-lend with all registered Non-Banking Financial Companies (including Housing Finance Companies) for lending to the priority sector. For the sake of business continuity and to ensure uninterrupted flow of credit to the priority sector, banks were permitted to continue arrangement as per earlier RBI guidelines on co-origination. 3.16 NON-ACHIEVEMENT OF PRIORITY SECTOR TARGETS Compliance of banks with priority sector targets is monitored on \u2018quarterly\u2019 basis. The data on priority sector advances has to be furnished by banks at quarterly and annual intervals as per the reporting formats prescribed. Following measures are taken in case of any shortfall in achieving the priority sector targets. i.\t Banks are allocated amounts for contribution to the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) established with NABARD and other funds with NABARD\/NHB\/SIDBI\/","160 MUDRA Ltd., as decided by the RBI from time to time. With effect from March 31, 2021, this is applicable to all UCBs (excluding those under all-inclusive directions). ii.\t While computing priority sector target achievement, shortfall \/ excess lending for each quarter is monitored separately. A simple average of all quarters is arrived at and considered for computation of overall shortfall \/ excess at the end of the year. The same method is followed for calculating the achievement of priority sector sub-targets. iii.\t The interest rates on banks\u2019 contribution to RIDF or any other funds, tenure of deposits, etc. is fixed by RBI from time to time. iv.\t The mis-classifications reported by the RBI\u2019s Department of Supervision (DoS) is adjusted\/ reduced from the achievement of that year, to which the amount of misclassification pertains, for allocation to various funds in subsequent years. v.\t Non-achievement of priority sector targets and sub-targets is taken into account while granting regulatory clearances\/approvals for various purposes. 3.17 LET US SUM UP There are 8 identified sectors that are to be given priority in lending by the banks and other formal financial institutions. Different targets have been stipulated for Domestic commercial banks (excl. RRBs & SFBs) & foreign banks with 20 branches and above; Foreign banks with less than 20 branches; Regional Rural Banks; and Small Finance Banks; and Primary Urban Co-operative Banks. Loans to certain borrowers are considered under Weaker Sections category. Compliance of banks with priority sector targets is monitored on \u2018quarterly\u2019 basis. Various districts have been ranked on the basis of per capita credit flow to priority sector for incentivizing for districts with lower flow and dis-incentivising for districts with higher flow. The criteria for classification of MSMEs is now based on the investment in plant and machinery or equipment and turnover. All enterprises are required to obtain \u2018Udyam Registration Certificate\u2019. Certain guidelines have been laid down for handling loan applications from MSME, and for Revival and Rehabilitation of MSMEs. 3.18 KEY WORDS Priority sectors; Net Bank Credit (NBC); Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC); Credit Equivalent of Off Balance Sheet Exposures (CEOBE); On-lending; Securitised assets; Outright purchase of pool; Assignment of pool; Inter Bank Participation Certificates (IBPCs); Micro-finance Institutions; Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF).","161 3.19 CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 1)\t For foreign banks operating in India with more than 20 branches the exposure to priority sectors including small and micro industries should be at least___% of ANBC by 2020. a)\t10 b)\t18 c)\t32 d)\t40 2)\t As per definition of micro enterprises one of the criteria is ________. a)\t Investment in plant and machinery\/ equipment is up to `5 crore b)\t Turnover is up to `5 crore c)\t Investment in plant and machinery\/ equipment is up to `10 crore d)\t Turnover is up to `10 crore 3)\t Achievement of priority sectors targets is monitored on ______ basis. a)\tquarterly b)\tyearly c)\tmonthly d)\t half-yearly \t 3.20 KEY TO \u2018CHECK YOUR PROGRESS\u2019 1(d); 2(b); 3(a). References: 1.\t RBI Master Directions \u2013 Priority Sector Lending (PSL) \u2013 Targets and Classification dated 4th September, 2020 (updated 20th October 2022). (https:\/\/www.rbi.org.in\/ Scripts\/BS_ViewMasDirections.aspx?id=11959) 2.\t RBI Master Direction - Lending to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) Sector dated 24th July, 2017 (updated 29th July 2022). (https:\/\/www.rbi.org.in\/Scripts\/ BS_ViewMasDirections.aspx?id=11060) 3.\t RBI Circular No. FIDD.MSME & NFS.BC.No.3\/06.02.31\/2020-21 dated July 2, 2020 - on Credit flow to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Sector (https:\/\/rbi.org.in\/ scripts\/NotificationUser.aspx?Mode=0&Id=11934) 4.\t RBI Circular No. FIDD.MSME & NFS.BC.No.09\/06.02.31\/2023-24 dated May 09, 2023 - on Formalisation of Informal Micro Enterprises on Udyam Assist Platform (https:\/\/rbi.org.in\/scripts\/NotificationUser.aspx?Mode=0&Id=12500)","162 CHAPTER 4 INTEREST RATES ON ADVANCES STRUCTURE 4.1\tIntroduction 4.2\t Definitions 4.3\t General Guidelines 4.4\t Marginal Cost of Funds Based Lending Rate (MCLR) 4.5\t Exemptions 4.6\t External Benchmark 4.7\t Foreign Currency Advances 4.8\t Let us Sum up 4.9\t Key Words 4.10\tCheck Your Progress 4.11\tKey to \u2018Check Your Progress\u2019","163 OBJECTIVES In this Chapter the learner will \uf0ae\t Learn about the regulatory framework for determining interest rates on advances \uf0ae\t Understand the concept of Marginal cost of funds \uf0ae\t Learn about external benchmarks for linking interest rates 4.1 INTRODUCTION After the interest rates to be charged by banks on advances were deregulated by the RBI, normative regulations were issued by RBI containing the basic principles for the framework to determine the interest rates for various loan products. These regulations have over the period undergone several changes. The initial approach was based on the Prime Lending Rate as an internal benchmark. Banks were then advised to switch over to the system of Base Rate with effect from July 1, 2010. The Base Rate system was aimed at enhancing transparency in lending rates of banks and enabling better assessment of transmission of monetary policy. In December 2015 This was further modified to adopt Marginal Cost of Funds Based Lending Rate (MCLR) as internal benchmark. Further modifications have been done to encourage switching over to external benchmark for lending rates. 4.2 DEFINITIONS i.\t Benchmark Prime Lending Rate (BPLR) means internal benchmark rate used to determine the interest rates on advances\/loans sanctioned up to June 30, 2010. ii.\t Benchmark rate means the reference rate used to determine the interest rates on loans. iii.\t External benchmark rate means the reference rate published by an independent benchmark administrator. iv.\t Fixed rate loan means a loan on which the interest rate is fixed for the entire tenor of the loan. v.\t Floating rate loans means a loan on which interest rate does not remain fixed during the tenor of the loan. vi.\t Internal benchmark rate means a reference rate determined internally by the bank. vii.\t Rests refers to periodicity of charging interest to borrowers. viii.\t Term loan means a loan which is repayable after a specified term period. 4.3 GENERAL GUIDELINES A. Interest Rate Framework RBI has issued guidelines to the Scheduled commercial banks to charge interest on advances on the terms and conditions specified in those directions. The general norms required to","164 be followed are enumerated below. These are also applicable to Rupee advances granted against FCNR(B) deposits to a third party or out of resources mobilized under the FCNR(B) scheme. i.\t Banks should have a comprehensive policy on interest rates on advances. ii.\t All floating rate loans, except those excluded, shall be priced with reference to the benchmark as indicated by the RBI. iii.\t Banks are permitted to offer all categories of advances on fixed or floating interest rates. iv.\t For the floating rate linked to an internal benchmark, the lending rate should be arrived at by adding the components of spread to the internal benchmark rate. v.\t The reference benchmark rate for pricing the loans should be stated in the loan contract. vi.\t Interest rates on fixed rate loans of tenor below 3 years shall not be less than the benchmark rate for similar tenor, and shall be as per applicable directions. vii.\t Interest shall be charged on all advances at monthly rests. For agricultural advances and advance to farmers the rates are to be determined as per the respective norms. viii.\t Interest chargeable on rupee advances shall be rounded off to the nearest rupee. ix.\t Interest charged on small value loans, particularly, personal loans and such other loans of similar nature shall be justifiable having regard to the total cost incurred by the bank in extending the loan and the extent of return that could be reasonably expected from the transaction. x.\t In case of takeover of bank branches in rural and semi urban centres from one commercial bank to another commercial bank, transfer of borrowal accounts of the existing branch to the branch of acquiring bank shall be on mutually agreed terms of contract. The existing borrowers shall not be put into any disadvantage and shall have the option of continuing with the existing bank or the acquiring bank. xi.\t There shall be no lending below the benchmark rate for a particular maturity for all loans linked to that benchmark. xii.\t Banks shall formulate a Board approved policy for charging penal interest on advances which shall be fair and transparent. Penal interest may be levied for reasons such as default in repayment, non-submission of financial statements, etc. However, the policy on penal interest should be governed by well-accepted principles of transparency, fairness, incentive to service the debt and genuine difficulties of customers. The rate of penal interest shall be decided after taking into account incentive to service the debt and due regard to genuine difficulties of customers. Currently (as at end- March 2022), no penal interest should be charged by banks for loans under priority sector up to Rs 25,000.","165 4.4 MARGINAL COST OF FUNDS BASED LENDING RATE a) Internal Benchmark i.\t All rupee loans sanctioned and credit limits renewed w.e.f. April 1, 2016 are being priced with reference to the Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate (MCLR) which is the internal benchmark for such purposes. Where external benchmark rate is required to be adopted, such advances are excluded. ii.\t The MCLR comprises the following components: a.\t Marginal cost of funds: This is determined from marginal cost of borrowings and return on net worth. b.\t Negative carry on account of CRR: As the cash reserves do not earn any interest, the negative carry on the mandatory CRR is determined based on the computed marginal cost of funds. c.\t Operating costs: All operating costs associated with providing the loan product including cost of raising funds will be included in this. Costs of providing those services which are separately recovered by way of service charges should be excluded. d.\t Tenor premium: These costs arise from loan commitments with longer tenor. This will be uniform for all types of loans for a given residual tenor, and also will not be borrower specific. iii.\t MCLR is a tenor linked benchmark, and the MCLR of a particular maturity is arrived at by adding the corresponding tenor premium. iv.\t Banks are required to publish the internal benchmark at least for the following maturities, and may publish it for longer maturities: a.\t overnight MCLR, b.\t one-month MCLR, c.\t three-month MCLR, d.\t six-month MCLR, e.\t one year MCLR. b) Spread i.\t Banks should have a Board approved policy delineating the components of spread to be charged to a customer. The policy shall include these principles: a.\t To determine the quantum of each component of spread. b.\t To determine the range of spread for a given category of borrower\/type of loan.","166 c.\t To delegate powers in respect of loan pricing. ii.\t For uniformity all banks shall adopt the following broad components of spread: a.\t Business strategy: This will be based on the business strategy, market competition, embedded options in the loan product, market liquidity of the loan, etc. b.\t Credit risk premium: This represents the default risk and should be arrived at based on credit risk rating\/scoring model and taking into consideration customer relationship, expected losses, collaterals, etc. iii.\t The spread for an existing borrower should not be increased except on deterioration in the credit risk profile of the customer. Any change in spread on change in credit risk profile should be supported by a full-fledged risk profile review of the customer. This is not applicable to loans under consortium\/multiple banking arrangements. c) Interest Rates on Loans i.\t Actual lending rates will be determined by adding the components of spread to the MCLR. Accordingly, there will be no lending below the MCLR of a particular maturity for all loans linked to that benchmark. ii.\t The reference benchmark rate used for pricing the loans should form part of the terms of the loan contract. d) Review of MCLR Banks need to review and publish Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate (MCLR) of different maturities every month on a pre-announced date approved by the Board\/any other committee authorized.\t e) Reset of interest rates i.\t To specify interest reset dates on their floating rate loans. Reset dates may be linked either to the date of loan sanction or to the date of review of MCLR. ii.\t MCLR prevailing on the date of first disbursement, whether partial or full, shall be applicable till the next reset date, irrespective of the changes in the benchmark during the interim. Future reset dates shall be determined accordingly. iii.\t The periodicity of reset shall be one year or lower, and the exact periodicity of reset shall form part of the terms of the loan contract.","167 4.5 EXEMPTIONS The following types of loans are exempted from the norms of linking to the internal benchmark: i.\t Loans covered by schemes specially formulated by Government of India having specific interest rates. ii.\t Working Capital Term Loan (WCTL), Funded Interest Term Loan (FITL), etc. granted as part of the rectification\/restructuring package. iii.\t Loans granted under refinance schemes of Government of India or any Government Undertakings with prescribed interest rates to the extent refinance is available. Interest rate on the part not covered under refinance should adhere to the MCLR guidelines. iv.\t Following categories of loans: a.\t Advances to banks\u2019 depositors against their own deposits. b.\t Advances to banks\u2019 own employees including retired employees. c.\t Advances granted to the Chief Executive Officer\/ Whole Time Directors. d.\t Loans linked to a market determined external benchmark. (floating rate loans based on external benchmark sanctioned before April 01, 2016 shall be equal to or above the Base Rate at the time of sanction or renewal) e.\t Fixed rate loans of tenure above three years. Provided that in case of hybrid loans where the interest rates are partly fixed and partly floating, interest rate on the floating portion shall not be exempted from MCLR system. \t Provided further that interest rates for fixed rate loans (including fixed rate portion of hybrid loans) of tenor up to three years shall not be less than the sum of following: i.\t Marginal Cost of Funds ii.\t Negative Carry on CRR iii.\t Operating Cost iv.\t Tenor premium for corresponding maturity on the date of sanction 4.6 EXTERNAL BENCHMARK An Internal Study Group (ISG) of RBI that reviewed the MCLR system recommended switching over to external benchmark based rate in a phased manner. In September 2019, RBI issued instructions for linking certain categories of loans to one of the prescribed external benchmarks, with effect from October 1, 2019.","168 A. Significant Benchmarks notified by RBI (as at 1stJjuly 2023) In January 2020, RBI notified certain benchmarks administered by Financial Benchmarks India Pvt. Ltd. (FBIL) as a \u2018significant benchmark\u2019. Following benchamrks are notified as \u2018significant benchmark\u2019 as at 1st Juky 2023: (i)\t Overnight Mumbai Interbank Outright Rate (MIBOR) (ii)\t USD\/INR Reference Rate (iii)\t Treasury Bill Rates (iv)\t Valuation of Government Securities (v)\t Valuation of State Development Loans (SDL) (vi)\t Modified Mumbai Interbank Forward Outright Rate (MMIFOR) US Dollar London Interbank Offered Rate (USD LIBOR) settings has ceased to be published\/ non-representative since 30th June 2023. B. Basic Norms for External Benchmark Based Rates a)\t All new floating rate personal or retail loans (housing, auto, etc.) and floating rate loans extended to Micro and Small Enterprises from October 01, 2019 and floating rate loans to Medium Enterprises from April 01, 2020 are benchmarked to one of the following: i)\t Reserve Bank of India policy repo rate ii)\t Government of India 3-Months Treasury Bill yield published by the Financial Benchmarks India Private Ltd. (FBIL) iii)\t Government of India 6-Months Treasury Bill yield published by the FBIL iv)\t Any other benchmark mark interest rate published by the FBIL. b)\t Banks are free to offer such external benchmark linked loans to other types of borrowers as well. c)\t In order to ensure transparency, standardisation, and ease of understanding of loan products by borrowers, a bank must adopt a uniform external benchmark within a loan category; in other words, the adoption of multiple benchmarks by the same bank is not allowed within a loan category. C. Transition to External Benchmarks from MCLR\/Base Rate\/ BPLR a)\t Existing loans and credit limits linked to the MCLR\/Base Rate\/BPLR shall continue till repayment or renewal, as the case may be. b)\t Floating rate term loans sanctioned to borrowers who are eligible to prepay a floating rate loan without pre-payment charges, shall be eligible for switchover to External","169 Benchmark without any charges\/fees, except reasonable administrative\/ legal costs. The final rate charged to this category of borrowers, post switchover to external benchmark, shall be same as the rate charged for a new loan of the same category, type, tenor and amount, at the time of origination of the loan. c)\t Other existing borrowers shall have the option to move to External Benchmark at mutually acceptable terms. d)\t The switch-over shall not be treated as a foreclosure of existing facility. 4.7 FOREIGN CURRENCY ADVANCES Banks are free to determine the interest rates on advances in foreign currency as per their comprehensive policy. These rates should be with reference to a market determined external benchmark. The actual lending rates shall be determined by adding the components of spread to the external benchmark. For a long time, LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) was an international benchmark for all contracted interest rates whether on financial or commercial transactions. Even under FEMA for several transactions related to Trade Credit or External Commercial Borrowings, RBI regulations used LIBOR as a reference rate. After it was detected that LIBOR was being rigged by the banks that jointly determined it, it was decided to discontinue LIBOR. This has led to a situation that there was no ready substitute that could be used. RBI permitted AD banks to use any other widely accepted\/ Alternative reference rate in the currency concerned for such transactions. These include: i.\t Pre-shipment Credit in Foreign Currency (PCFC) ii.\t Advance Payment received for exports iii.\t Export\/ Import Transactions LIBOR Transition Completed In August 2020, RBI had advised banks to frame a Board-approved plan for adoption of Alternative Reference Rates (ARR) in lieu of LIBOR. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), UK announced on March 05, 2021 that LIBOR will either cease to be provided by any administrator or no longer be a representative rate: a)\t Immediately after December 31, 2021, in the case of all Pound sterling, Euro, Swiss franc and Japanese yen settings, and the 1-week and 2-month US dollar settings; and b)\t Immediately after June 30, 2023, in the case of the remaining US dollar settings.","170 In July 2021, banks were advised by RBI, inter alia: (a)\t to cease, and also encourage their customers to cease, entering into new financial contracts that reference LIBOR as a benchmark and instead use any widely accepted Alternative Reference Rate (ARR) latest by December 31, 2021, and (b)\t to incorporate robust fallback clauses in all financial contracts that reference LIBOR and the maturity of which was after the announced cessation date of the LIBOR settings. Since December 2021, transition away from LIBOR settings has been achieved. Continuing publication of US$ LIBOR settings in five tenors facilitated insertion of the fallback clauses in legacy financial contracts that reference LIBOR. New transactions were now predominantly undertaken using ARRs such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) and the Modified Mumbai Interbank Forward Outright Rate (MMIFOR). In May 2023, RBI has advised as follows: i.\t After June 30, 2023, the publication of the remaining five US$ LIBOR settings will cease permanently. FCA, UK has made it clear that synthetic LIBOR settings are not to be used in new financial contracts. ii.\t The MIFOR, a domestic interest rate benchmark reliant on US$ LIBOR, will also cease to be published by Financial Benchmarks India Pvt. Ltd. (FBIL) after June 30, 2023. iii.\t No new transaction undertaken by banks or their customers should be based on the US$ LIBOR or the MIFOR. iv.\t Banks should continue efforts to incorporate robust fallback clauses in all legacy financial contracts that reference US$ LIBOR\/ MIFOR. v.\t Banks should not rely on the availability of synthetic LIBOR rates as a substitute for fallbacks in legacy contracts. In June 2023, RBI has advised that US Dollar London Interbank Offered Rate (USD LIBOR) settings cease to be published\/ will be non-representative. Banks were expected to have undertaken following strategic measures: i.\t Put in place the necessary infrastructure to be able to offer products referencing the ARR. ii.\t Make continued efforts to sensitise clients about the transition as well as the methodology and convention changes involved in the alternatives to LIBOR.","171 4.8 LET US SUM UP Banks should have a comprehensive policy on interest rates on advances. Banks are permitted to offer all categories of advances on fixed or floating interest rates. There shall be no lending below the benchmark rate for a particular maturity for all loans linked to that benchmark. Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate (MCLR) is the internal benchmark. Banks need to review and publish Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate (MCLR) of different maturities every month. Banks may adopt external bench mark for certain advances. Banks are free to determine the interest rates on advances in foreign currency as per their comprehensive policy. With phasing out of LIBOR banks may use any Alternative Reference Rate for benchmarking of interest rate on foreign currency advances. 4.9 KEY WORDS Marginal Cost of Funds Based Lending Rate (MCLR); external benchmark; Benchmark Prime Lending Rate (BPLR); Rests; Floating rate; Fixed rate; Negative carry; Operating costs; Tenor premium; Credit risk premium; Financial Benchmarks India Private Ltd. (FBIL); Alternative reference rate. 4.10 CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 1)\t Banks are now required to price all rupee loans with reference to _______, an internal benchmark. a)\t Prime Lending Rate (PLR) b)\t Base Rate c)\t Marginal Cost based Lending Rate (MCLR) d)\t Advance Rate 2)\t Of the following, __________ is not a component of Marginal Cost based Lending Rate (MCLR). a)\t Marginal cost of funds b)\t Negative carry on account of CRR c)\t Operating cost d)\tSpread","172 3)\t Of the following, __________ is not exempted from being linked to MCLR. a)\t Working capital term loan b)\t Loans against property c)\t Advances against own fixed deposits d)\t Funded interest term loan 4.11 KEY TO \u2018CHECK YOUR PROGRESS\u2019 1 (c); 2 (d); 3 (b). References: 1)\t Master Direction - Reserve Bank of India (Interest Rate on Advances) Directions, 2016 dated March 03, 2016 (Updated as on June 10, 2021) (https:\/\/www.rbi.org.in\/Scripts\/ BS_ViewMasDirections.aspx?id=10295) 2)\t RBI Circulars on LIBOR Transition: i. RBI Circular CO.FMRD.DIRD.S39\/14.02.001\/2021-22 dated July 08, 2021 - Roadmap for LIBOR Transition (https:\/\/rbi.org.in\/scripts\/NotificationUser. aspx?Mode=0&Id=12128) ii.\t RBI Circular DOR.DIR.REC.37\/04.02.002\/2021-22 dated August 6, 2021 - Export Credit in Foreign Currency \u2013 Benchmark Rate (https:\/\/rbi.org.in\/scripts\/ NotificationUser.aspx?Mode=0&Id=12139) iii.\t RBI Circular A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No.13 dated September 28, 2021 - Use of any Alternative reference rate in place of LIBOR for interest payable in respect of export \/ import transactions (https:\/\/rbi.org.in\/scripts\/NotificationUser. aspx?Mode=0&Id=12168) iv.\t RBI Circular A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 19 dated December 08, 2021 - External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) and Trade Credits (TC) Policy \u2013 Changes due to LIBOR transition (https:\/\/rbi.org.in\/scripts\/NotificationUser. aspx?Mode=0&Id=12204) v.\t RBICircularCO.FMRD.DIRD.01\/14.02.001\/2023-24datedMay12,2023-LIBOR transition (https:\/\/rbi.org.in\/scripts\/NotificationUser.aspx?Mode=0&Id=12503) vi.\t RBI Circular FMRD.FMSD.22\/03.07.035\/2019-20 dated January 01, 2020 - Financial Benchmark Administrators (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2019 (https:\/\/ www.rbi.org.in\/Scripts\/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=11777&Mode=0) vii.\tRBI Circular FMRD.FMSD.03\/03.07.25\/2023-24 dated June 23, 2023 - Status of MIFOR as a Significant Benchmark (https:\/\/www.rbi.org.in\/Scripts\/ NotificationUser.aspx?Id=12519&Mode=0)","173 CHAPTER 5 AND ASSET PRUDENTIAL NORMS FOR INCOME RECOGNITION CLASSIFICATION AND WILFUL DEFAULTERS STRUCTURE 5.1\t Basic Aspects 5.2\t Key Terms 5.3\t Income Recognition 5.4\t Asset Classification 5.5\t Provisioning Norms 5.6\t Writing Off of NPAs 5.7\t Framework for Resolution of Stressed Assets 5.8\t Framework for Compromise Settlements and Technical Write-offs 5.9\t Sale of Financial Assets - Asset Reconstruction Company 5.10\tInsolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016 5.11\tWilful defaulters 5.12\tLet us Sum up 5.13\tKey Words 5.14\tCheck Your Progress 5.15\tKey to \u2018Check your Progress\u2019","174 OBJECTIVES In this Chapter the learner will \uf0ae\t Learn about classification of assets \uf0ae\t Know about norms for recognition of income \uf0ae\t Understand the provisioning norms 5.1 BASIC ASPECTS In line with the international practices, RBI introduced prudential norms for income recognition, asset classification and provisioning (IRAC) for the advances portfolio of the banks. The fundamental principles of these norms are: (i)\t The policy of income recognition should be objective and based on record of recovery. (ii)\t Classification of assets of banks has to be done on the basis of objective criteria which would ensure a uniform and consistent application. (iii)\t Provisioning should be made on the basis of the classification of assets based on the period for which the asset has remained non-performing and the availability of security and the realisable value thereof 5.2 KEY TERMS A. Non-Performing Asset (NPA) An asset (including a leased asset) which ceases to generate income is treated as non- performing asset (NPA). NPA is a classification used by financial institutions that refer to loans that are in jeopardy of default. Non-performing assets are problematic for financial institutions since they depend on interest payments for income. NPA Criteria: A non-performing asset (NPA) is a loan or an advance where an amount is overdue as per various criteria stated below; i.\t For Term Loan: interest and\/ or instalment of principal remains overdue for a period of more than 90 days, ii.\t For an Overdraft\/Cash Credit (OD\/CC): the account remains \u2018out of order\u2019 iii.\t For bills purchased and discounted: the bill remains overdue for a period of more than 90 days iv.\t For agriculture loans: the instalment of principal or interest thereon remains overdue for two crop seasons for short duration crops, v.\t For agriculture loans: the instalment of principal or interest thereon remains overdue for one crop season for long duration crops,","175 vi.\t For securitisation transaction (as per RBI Master Directions): the amount of liquidity facility remains outstanding for more than 90 days, vii.\t For derivative transactions: if the overdue receivables (representing positive mark-to- market value of a derivative contract), remain unpaid for a period of 90 days from the specified due date for payment. An account may also be classified as NPA in terms of certain specific provisions made in the RBI Master Circular. \u2018Out of Order\u2019 status: a)\t For CC\/OD Account: It is treated as \u2018out of order\u2019 if: i)\t The outstanding balance in the CC\/OD account remains continuously in excess of the sanctioned limit\/drawing power for 90 days, or ii)\t The outstanding balance in the CC\/OD account is less than the sanctioned limit\/ drawing power but \u2013 either there are no credits continuously for 90 days, or the credits are not enough to cover the interest debited during the previous 90 days period. b)\t Loan Products offered as an overdraft (even if not for business purpose) and entail interest repayments as the only credits: \u2018Out of order\u2019 criteria is applicable to them. c)\t \u2018Overdue\u2019 status: Any amount due under any credit facility is \u2018overdue\u2019 if not paid on the due date fixed by the bank, and should be so flagged as end-of-day process. 5.3 INCOME RECOGNITION Income Recognition Policy: It should be objective and based on the record of recovery. The following norms apply for income recognition:\t i.\t Income from NPA assets is to be recognized only when it is actually received, even in case of Government guaranteed accounts. ii.\t Interest on advances against term deposits, NSC, IVPs, KVPs, and Life policies may be taken into income account on the due date, if adequate margin is available in the accounts. iii.\t Fees and commissions earned as a result of renegotiations or rescheduling of outstanding debts should be recognised on an accrual basis over the period of time covered by the renegotiated or rescheduled extension of credit. iv.\t For loans where moratorium has been granted for repayment of interest, income may be recognised on accrual basis for accounts which continue to be classified as \u2018standard\u2019. This shall be evaluated against the definition of \u2018restructuring\u2019.","176 v.\t Income recognition norms for: (a) loans towards projects under implementation involving deferment of Date of Commencement of Commercial Operations (DCCO) shall be subject to the related instructions; (b) loans against gold ornaments and jewellery for non-agricultural purposes where interest is charged at monthly rests and may be recognised on accrual basis provided the account is classified as \u2018standard\u2019 account. Reversal of income: There is also a need to reverse the unrealized income booked prior to the account being classified as NPA. The provisions for this are as follows: i.\t Any advance (including bills purchased and discounted), even if Government guaranteed, becomes NPA: Entire interest accrued and credited to income account in the past periods, if it is not realised should be reversed. ii.\t Loans with moratorium on payment of interest (permitted at the time of sanction) become NPA after the moratorium period is over: The capitalized interest, if any, corresponding to the interest accrued during such moratorium period need not be reversed. iii.\t For NPAs: Fees, commission and similar income that have accrued should cease to accrue in the current period and should be reversed with respect to past periods, if uncollected. iv.\t Leased Assets: The finance charge component of finance income on the leased asset which has accrued and was credited to income account before the asset became non- performing, and remaining unrealised, should be reversed or provided for in the current accounting period. Appropriation of Recovery in NPAs: The following norms should be adopted: i.\t Interest realised on NPAs may be taken to income account provided the credits in the accounts towards interest are not out of fresh\/ additional credit facilities sanctioned to the borrower. ii.\t If there is no agreement between the bank and the borrower that the amount recovered is to be appropriated. towards principal or interest due, banks should adopt an accounting principle in a uniform and consistent manner and accordingly appropriate the recoveries. Interest Application: On an account turning NPA, the interest already charged should be reversed and not collected by debiting P&L account and further application of interest stopped. Such accrued interest may be recorded in a Memorandum account. Such interest amount should not be reckoned for Gross Advances.","177 Computation of NPA Levels: Computation of Gross Advances, Net Advances, Gross NPAs and Net NPAs should be done as per the format given below. Part A (Rs. in Crore up to two decimals) Particulars Amount 1 Standard Advances 2 Gross NPAs * 3 Gross Advances ** (1+2 ) 4 Gross NPAs as a percentage of Gross Advances (2\/3) (in %) 5 Deductions (i) Provisions held in the case of NPA Accounts as per asset classification (including additional Provisions for NPAs at higher than prescribed rates). (ii) DICGC \/ ECGC claims received and held pending adjustment (iii) Part payment received and kept in Suspense Account or any other similar account (iv) Balance in SundriesAccount (Interest Capitalization - Restructured Accounts), in respect of NPA Accounts (v) Floating Provisions*** 6 Net Advances(3-5) 7 Net NPAs {2-5(i + ii + iii + iv + v)} 8 Net NPAs as percentage of Net Advances (7\/6) (in %) * Principal dues of NPAs plus Funded Interest Term Loan (FITL) where the corresponding contra credit is parked in Sundries Account (Interest Capitalization - Restructured Accounts), in respect of NPA Accounts. ** For the purpose of this Statement, \u2018Gross Advances\u2019 mean all outstanding loans and advances including advances for which refinance has been received but excluding rediscounted bills, and advances written off at Head Office level (Technical write off). *** Floating Provisions would be deducted while calculating Net NPAs, to the extent, banks have exercised this option, over utilising it towards Tier II capital.","178 Part B Supplementary Details (Rs. in Crore up to two decimals) Particulars Amount 1 Provisions on Standard Assets in Part A above 2 Interest recorded as Memorandum Item 3 Amount of cumulative Technical Write - Off in respect of NPA accounts reported in Part A above 5.4 ASSET CLASSIFICATION Categories of NPAs Non-performing assets are classified into the following three categories based on the period for which the asset has remained non-performing and the realisability of the dues: i.\t Sub-standard Assets: An asset which has been classified as NPA for a period not exceeding 12 months. It will have well defined credit weaknesses that jeopardise the liquidation of the debt and is characterised by the distinct possibility of sustaining some loss, if deficiencies are not corrected. ii.\t Doubtful Assets: An asset which has remained NPA for a period exceeding 12 months. It has all the weaknesses inherent in a sub-standard asset, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, - on the basis of currently known facts, conditions and values - highly questionable and improbable. iii.\t Loss Assets: An asset where loss has been identified by the bank, internal or external auditor or the RBI inspections but the amount has not been written off, wholly or partly. It is considered uncollectible and of such little value that its continuance as a bankable asset is not warranted although there may be some salvage or recovery value. Guidelines for Classification of Assets i.\t General: NPA classification should be done taking into account the degree of well- defined credit weaknesses. ii.\t Appropriate internal systems (including technology enabled processes) should be set up for proper and timely identification of NPAs, having the necessary infrastructure for compliance with the regulatory requirements for automation of IRAC processes in banks. iii.\t The availability of security or net worth of borrower\/ guarantor should not be taken into account for the purpose of treating an advance as NPA or otherwise. It is used for limited purpose, as permitted by RBI.","179 iv.\t An advance should not be classified as NPA merely due to some deficiencies which are temporary in nature such as non-availability of adequate drawing power based on the latest available stock statement, balance outstanding exceeding the limit temporarily, non-submission of stock statements and non-renewal of the limits on the due date, etc. For such situations following guidelines apply: a)\t Drawings in the working capital accounts should be covered by the adequacy of current assets, since current assets are first appropriated in times of distress. The drawing power should be based on current stock statement, in any case not older than three month old. b)\t Outstanding in the account based on drawing power calculated from stock statements older than three months is considered irregular. If such irregularity remains for a continuous period of 90 days, the advance becomes NPA even though the unit may be working or the borrower\u2019s financial position is satisfactory. c)\t Regular and ad hoc credit limits need to be reviewed\/ regularised not later than three months from the due date\/ date of ad hoc sanction. If delayed due to constraints, the renewal\/ review process is continuing should be established. An account, where the regular\/ ad hoc credit limits have not been reviewed\/ renewed within 180 days from the due date\/ date of ad hoc sanction, it will be treated as NPA. v.\t Upgradation of loan accounts classified as NPAs: The loan accounts classified as NPAs may be upgraded as \u2018standard\u2019 asset only if entire arrears of interest and principal are paid by the borrower. When a borrower has more than one credit facility from a bank, loan accounts are upgraded from NPA to standard asset only upon repayment of entire arrears of interest and principal for all the credit facilities. For upgradation of accounts classified as NPA due to restructuring, non-achievement of date of commencement of commercial operations (DCCO), etc., the instructions as specified for such cases shall continue to be applicable. vi.\t Accounts regularised near about the balance sheet date: Borrowal accounts where a solitary or a few credits are recorded before the balance sheet date should be handled with care and without scope for subjectivity in asset classification. If inherent weakness is noticed on the basis of the data available, the account should be deemed as a NPA. In genuine cases, satisfactory evidence should be furnished to the Statutory Auditors\/ Inspecting Officers about the manner of regularisation of the account to eliminate doubts on their performing status. vii.\t Asset Classification to be borrower-wise and not facility-wise: All the facilities granted to a borrower and investment in all the securities issued by the borrower will have to be treated as NPA\/NPI and not just the particular facility\/investment or part thereof","180 which has become irregular. For certain specific situations NPA status is determined as indicated below. a)\t LC Devolvement\/ Invoked Guarantees: If the amounts paid are parked in a separate account, the balance outstanding in it is treated as a part of the borrower\u2019s principal operating account for IRAC and provisioning norms. b)\t Bills discounted under LC: These may not be classified as a NPA when any other facility is classified as NPA. But, if documents under LC are not accepted on presentation or on the due date the LC issuing bank does not make payment under the LC; and the borrower does not immediately repay the amount disbursed, the outstanding amount should be classified as NPA, effective from the date other facilities were classified as NPA. c)\t Derivative Contracts: In case of derivatives contract, the borrower is required to pay the positive mark-to-market value, and if it remains unpaid for 90 days after due date it is treated as NPA. (i) So in case of forward contracts and plain vanilla swaps and options, if such receivables held separately become NPA, all other funded facilities are also classified as NPAs. (ii) If the borrower has CC\/ OD account such dues under derivatives should be debited to that account on the due date. (iii) If positive MTM value is required to be settled before maturity, only the current credit exposure amount is treated as NPA.(iii) On any amount becoming NPA, the unrealized income booked on accrual basis is also reversed by debiting the P&L account and parked in the suspense account. (iv) The positive MTM values pertaining to future receivables are debited to a \u2018Suspense account - Positive MTM\u2019. (v) Subsequent decline in MTM values is debited to this Suspense account, and if the balance is insufficient the remaining account is debited to P&L account. (vi) If overdues are paid in cash, the amount in the \u2018Suspense Account- Crystallised Receivables\u2019 may be transferred to the P&L Account to that extent. (vii) The MTM values for all the derivatives contracts of a borrower are dealt with in similar manner, if - some amount pertaining to any one derivative contract becomes NPA, or any fund-based facility becomes NPA. d)\t Advances under consortium arrangements: Asset classification of accounts under consortium is based on the record of recovery of the individual member banks; hence the NPA status with different member banks may be different. If all receipts are pooled with one bank, and if it is not shared with other banks, the accounts in the books of the other member banks will be treated as overdue\/ NPA. The consortium members should ensure sharing of receipts by the bank receiving the remittance.","181 e)\t Accounts where there is erosion in the value of security\/ frauds committed by borrowers: Accounts with potential threats for recovery on account of erosion in the value of security or non-availability of security and existence of other factors such as frauds committed by borrowers, should not be moved through various stages, and should be straightaway classified as doubtful or loss asset as appropriate: \uf0ae\t Doubtful asset: If the realisable value of the security is less than 50 per cent of the value assessed by the bank or accepted by RBI at the time of last inspection (significant erosion). \uf0ae\t Loss asset: If the realisable value of the security is less than 10 per cent of the outstanding in the borrowal accounts. f)\t Provisioning norms in case of Frauds: Following norms should be followed for making provisions in case of frauds: \uf0ae\t Immediately, on detecting a fraud, provision to be made for the entire amount due to the bank or for which the bank is liable, adjusted by any financial collateral available. \uf0ae\t The provisioning can be spread over next four quarters, in order to spread the impact on the quarterly results. \uf0ae\t If part of the provision to be made spills over to another financial year, the un-provided amount should be debited to \u2018Other Reserves\u2019 and credited to the provision account. \uf0ae\t Suitable disclosures should be made with regard to number of frauds reported, amount involved in such frauds, quantum of provision made during the year and quantum of unamortised provision debited from \u2018other reserves\u2019 as at the end of the year. g)\t Advances to Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS)\/Farmers\u2019 Service Societies (FSS) ceded to Commercial Banks: For all advances to PACs\/ FSSs under the on-lending system, only that particular credit facility in default is classified as NPA, if the period of default is one season (long duration crops) or two seasons (short duration crops). Any direct loans\/ advances granted outside the on-lending arrangement will become NPA even if one of the credit facilities to the same borrower becomes NPA. h)\t Advances against Term Deposits, NSCs, KVPs, etc.: Such advances need not be treated as NPA, provided adequate margin is available in the accounts. Advances against gold ornaments, government securities and all other securities are not covered by this exemption.","182 i)\t Loans with moratorium for payment of interest: For loans for industrial projects or agricultural plantations, the interest becomes due for payment on completion of the moratorium period. They become overdue after due date for payment of interest, if uncollected. For loans to staff (like housing loans) where the interest is payable after recovery of principal, interest need not be considered as overdue from the first quarter onwards. These should be classified as NPA only when there is a default in repayment of instalment of principal or payment of interest on the respective due dates. j)\t Agricultural advances: (i) The crop season (period up to harvesting of the crops raised) is determined by the State Level Bankers\u2019 Committee (SLBC). \u201cLong duration\u201d crops have crop season longer than one year; and crops which are not \u201clong duration\u201d crops, are treated as \u201cshort duration\u201d crops. The loan is NPA if the instalment of principal or interest thereon remains overdue for one season for long duration crops; and two seasons for short duration crops. (ii) This applies only to Farm Credit extended to agricultural activities as specified under RBI guidelines. For all other Agricultural advances, the norms followed for non-agricultural loans are followed. (iii) In case of any natural calamity impairing the repayment capacity, if permitted restructuring or re-schedulement is done, the term loan as well as fresh short-term loan may be treated as current dues, and the asset classification will be based on the revised terms and conditions. (iv) The repayment schedule in case of rural housing advances granted to agriculturists under Indira Awas Yojana \/ Pradhan Mantri Gram Awas Yojana and Golden Jubilee Rural Housing Finance Scheme, should be linked to crop cycles. k)\t Government guaranteed advances: (i) Any credit facility guaranteed by the Central Government is treated as NPA only when the Government repudiates its guarantee when invoked, and not when it becomes overdue, However, recognition of income is linked to the overdue status. (ii) In case of State Government guaranteed advances and investments in State Government guaranteed securities, the usual norms apply for both classification and income recognition. l)\t Projects under implementation: Project finance have specific features of long construction phase (pre-operative phase), gestation period i.e. reaching break-even stage, long tenor of term loans, cost over runs, and time overruns. Hence application of the norms for asset classification and income recognition requires different treatment. Hence the \u2018Date of Commencement of Commercial Operations\u2019 is of significance. The DCCO of the project should be clearly mentioned at the time of financial closure and should be formally documented, including in the appraisal note of the bank. Various factors beyond the control of the promoters, may lead to delay in project implementation and involve restructuring \/ re-schedulement","183 of loans by banks. Hence, specific norms for the stage before commencement of commercial operations, have been specified by RBI (in the Master Circular), separately for Project Loans for infrastructure sector, and Project Loans for non- infrastructure sector, covering: \u25cf\t Deferment of DCCO and restructuring \u25cf\t Infrastructure Projects involving court cases \u25cf\t Infrastructure Projects delayed for other reasons beyond the control of promoters \u25cf\t Project Loans for Non-Infrastructure Sector (Other than Commercial Real Estate Exposures) \u25cf\t Project Loans for Commercial Real Estate Exposures delayed for reasons beyond the control of promoter(s) \u25cf\t Projects under Implementation \u2013 Change in Ownership \u25cf\t Deemed DCCO \u25cf\t Financing of Cost Overruns for Projects under Implementation \u25cf\t Asset classification and Income recognition for projects under implementation relating to Deferment of DCCO and Cost Overruns m)\t Post-shipment Supplier\u2019s Credit: Post-shipment credit covering export of goods to countries for which the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation\u2019s (ECGC) cover is available, EXIM Bank has introduced a guarantee-cum-refinance programme, under which EXIM Bank will pay the guaranteed amount, within 30 days. To the extent payment has been received from the EXIM Bank, the advance may not be treated as a NPA for asset classification and provisioning purposes. n)\t Export Project Finance: There could be instances where the actual importer has paid the dues to the bank abroad but the bank in turn is unable to remit the amount due to political developments such as war, strife, UN embargo, etc. If it is established that the importer has cleared the dues in full by depositing the amount in the bank abroad before it turned into NPA in the books of the lending bank, the asset classification may be made after a period of one year from the date the amount was deposited by the importer in the bank abroad. o)\t Transfer of Loan Exposures: The regulations laid down in RBI (Transfer of Loan Exposures) Directions, 2021 will apply. p)\t Credit Card Accounts: These will be treated as NPA if the minimum amount due, as mentioned in the statement, is not paid fully within 90 days from the due","184 date mentioned in the statement. These are to be reported as \u2018past due\u2019 to credit information companies (CICs) or levy penal charges, viz. late payment charges, etc., if any, only when a credit card account remains \u2018past due\u2019 for more than three days. The number of \u2018days past due\u2019 and late payment charges shall, however, be computed from the payment due date mentioned in the credit card statement. 5.5 PROVISIONING NORMS General: The primary responsibility for making adequate provisions for any diminution in the value of loan assets, investment or other assets is that of the bank management and the statutory auditors. In conformity with the prudential norms, provisions should be made on the NPAs on the basis of classification of assets into prescribed categories. The factors taken into account for determining the provision are \u2013 \uf0ae\t the time lag between an account becoming doubtful of recovery, its recognition as such, \uf0ae\t the realisation of the security and \uf0ae\t the erosion over time in the value of security charged to the bank. Provisioning Requirements: Banks are required to make provisions on funded outstanding on global loan portfolio based on the following norms:","185 Category Sector Provision requirement Standard (On funded *Farm Credit to Agricultural *0.25% outstanding) activities, Individual Housing Loans, and Small and Micro Sub-Standard Enterprises (SME) Sectors *Medium Enterprises *0.40% *Commercial real estate *1.00% of funded O\/S *Commercial real estate \u2013 *0.75% of funded O\/S Residential Housing *Housing loans at teaser rates *2.00% (during teaser rate period) *0.40% (1 year after rate reset) *Restructured accounts *5.0% (for 2 years from date of restructuring) *Restructured Advances *5.0% (during moratorium and Under Moratorium further 2 years) *Restructured advances - *5% (in the first year from date of upgraded from NPA upgradation) *All other loans and advances *0.40% *For unhedged foreign Ranging from 0.20% to 0.80% (\u2013 currency exposures of the depending on the level) entities, if it exceeds 15% Provisions on standard assets: Should not be reckoned for arriving at net NPAs. Should not be netted from gross advances. Shown as \u2018Contingent Provisions against Standard Assets\u2019 under \u2018Other Liabilities and Provisions Others\u2019 *All sectors *15% of outstanding (without making allowance for ECGC guarantee cover and available security)","186 Sector Provision requirement Category *Unsecured Advances *Additional 10% (i.e. total 25% on Doubtful the outstanding) *For infrastructure loans: total 20% (if mechanism to escrow the cash flows and a clear and legal first claim on these are available) *Leased Assets *15% of the sum of the net investment in the lease and the unrealised portion of finance income net of finance charge component (as per AS19) *Additional 10% for Unsecured lease exposures, i.e., a total of 25%. *All sectors *Unsecured portion: 100%, plus (Unsecured esposure: *Secured portion: Depending upon Realisable value of the the period for which remained security - as assessed by doubtful -25\/40\/100% (up to 1 the bank\/ approved valuers\/ year\/1-3 years\/more than 3 years RBI\u2019s inspecting officers - not respectively). more than 10%, ab-initio, of (Security: Tangible security properly the outstanding exposure. charged, not to include intangible Exposure \u2013 All fudned and securities like guarantees (including non-funded \u2013 including State government guarantees), underwriting, similar comfort letters etc.) commitments.)","187 Category Sector Provision requirement Loss *Covered by ECGC *Unsecured portion: 100% of the net amount after deducting ECGC *Covered by Credit guarantee cover on it, plus Guarantee Schemes (Credit *Secured portion: At the rates stated Guarantee Fund Trust for above depending upon the period for Micro and Small Enterprises which remained doubtful. (CGTMSE), Credit Risk *Unsecured portion: 100% of the net Guarantee Fund Trust amount after deducting guarantee for Low Income Housing cover on it, plus (CRGFTLIH) and individual *Secured portion: At the rates stated schemes under National above depending upon the period for Credit Guarantee Trustee which remained doubtful. Company Ltd (NCGTC)) *Leased Assets *Unsecured portion: 100% of the finance not secured by the realisable *All sectors value (estimated on realistic basis), plus *Secured portion: On the sum of the net investment in the lease and the unrealised portion of finance income net of finance charge component in it, at following rates (depending on the period for which doubtful) - .25\/40\/100% (up to 1 year\/1-3 years\/ more than 3 years respectively) *To be written off * If retained in books, for any reason, 100% of the outstanding.","188 Category Sector Provision requirement *Leased Assets *To be written off * If retained in books, for any reason, 100% of the sum of the net investment in the lease and the unrealised portion of finance income net of finance charge component. For NPAs with balance of `5 crore and above for bringing down divergence on account of difference in assessed value of security: (i)\t Mandatory stock audit at annual intervals by external agencies appointed as per the guidelines approved by the Board, to enhance the reliability on stock valuation.. (ii)\t Collaterals such as immovable properties to be valued once in three years by valuers appointed as per the guidelines approved by the Board. Prudential norms on creation and utilisation of floating provisions: a)\t Banks should have Board approved Policy laying down guidelines for holding floating provisions separately for \u2018advances\u2019 and \u2018investments\u2019. b)\t Following are the norms for using floating provisions: i.\t Should not be used for making specific provisions for NPAs or for making regulatory provisions for standard assets. ii.\t Can be used only for contingencies under extraordinary circumstances for making specific provisions in impaired accounts after obtaining Board\u2019s approval and with prior permission of RBI. c)\t Boards of the banks should lay down an approved policy as to what circumstances would be considered extraordinary. d)\t Extraordinary Circumstances: i.\t Refer to losses which do not arise in the normal course of business and are exceptional and non-recurring in nature. ii.\t Broadly fall under following three categories: \uf0ae\t General - Situations where bank is put unexpectedly to loss due to events such as civil unrest or collapse of currency in a country; Natural calamities and pandemics; etc. \uf0ae\t Market - General melt down in the markets, which affects the entire financial system.","189 \uf0ae\t Credit - Only exceptional credit losses. Additional Provisions at higher than prescribed rates a)\t For NPAs: Banks may voluntarily make specific provisions for advances at rates higher than those prescribed to provide for estimated actual loss with Board approval and in consistent manner from year to year. These are not to be considered as floating provisions. These may be netted off from gross NPAs to arrive at the net NPAs. b)\t For Standard Assets: Banks are encouraged to make provisions at higher rates in respect of advances to stressed sectors of the economy. Banks shall put in place a Board\u2013approved policy for making provisions for standard assets at rates higher than the regulatory minimum, based on evaluation of risk and stress in various sectors. At least on a quarterly basis, banks should review the performance of various sectors of the economy to which the bank has an exposure to evaluate the present and emerging risks and stress therein. The review may include quantitative and qualitative aspects like debt-equity ratio, interest coverage ratio, profit margins, ratings upgrade to downgrade ratio, sectoral non-performing assets\/stressed assets, industry performance and outlook, legal\/ regulatory issues faced by the sector, etc. The reviews may also include sector specific parameters. Provisions under Special Circumstances: a)\t Advances against deposits\/specific instruments: Advances against term deposits, NSCs eligible for surrender, KVPs, gold ornaments, government & other securities and life insurance policies would attract provisioning requirements as applicable to their asset classification status. b)\t Treatment of interest suspense account: Amounts held in Interest Suspense Account should not be reckoned as part of provisions. These should be deducted from the relative advances and thereafter, provisioning as per the norms, should be made on the balances after such deduction. c)\t Advances covered by ECGC guarantee: To reckon as indicated in the matrix above. Example: Outstanding Balance `4 lakhs ECGC Cover 50 percent Period for which the advance has More than 2 years remained doubtful (say as on remained doubtful March 31, 2023) Value of security held `1.50 lakhs","190 Provision required to be made Outstanding balance ` 4.00 lakhs Less: Value of security held ` 1.50 lakhs Unrealised balance ` 2.50 lakhs Less: ECGC Cover (50% of ` 1.25 lakhs unrealisable balance) Net unsecured balance ` 1.25 lakhs Provision for unsecured portion of ` 1.25 lakhs (@ 100 percent of unsecured portion) advance Provision for secured portion of ` 0.60 lakhs (@ 40 per cent of the secured portion) advance (as on March 31, 2012) Total provision to be made ` 1.85 lakhs (as on March 31, 2023) d)\t Advance covered byCredit Guarantee Schemes: As indicated in the matrix above. Example: Outstanding Balance `10 lakhs CGTMSE\/CRGFTLIH Cover 75% of the amount outstanding or 75% of the unsecured amount or `37.50 lakh, whichever is the least Period for which the advance has remained More than 2 years remained doubtful (say doubtful as on March 31, 2023) Value of security held Rs. 1.50 lakhs Value of security held `1.50 lakhs Provision required to be made: Balance outstanding `10.00 lakh Less: Value of security ` 1.50 lakh Unsecured amount ` 8.50 lakh Less: CGTMSE\/CRGFTLIH cover (75%) `6.38 lakh Net unsecured and uncovered portion: ` 2.12 lakh Provision for Secured portion @ 40% of Rs.1.50 lakh ` 0.60 lakh Provision for Unsecured & uncovered portion @ 100% of Rs.2.12 lakh ` 2.12 lakh Total provision required ` 2.72 lakh e)\t Reserve for Exchange Rate Fluctuations Account (RERFA): The outstanding amount of foreign currency denominated loans (disbursed in Indian Rupee) which becomes","191 overdue, goes up with an adverse movement of exchange rate of Indian Rupee, requiring provisions. If such assets need to be revalued for accounting practices or for any other requirement, the following procedure may be adopted: a)\t The loss on revaluation of assets has to be booked in the P&L Account. b)\t Entire Revaluation Gain, if any, should be used to make additional provisions for the corresponding assets, apart from the prescribed provisions.. f)\t Provisioning for country risk: Provisions are required on the net funded country exposures, ranging from 0.25 to 100%, according to the risk categories. Risk category ECGC Classification Provisioning Requirement (per cent) Insignificant A1 0.25 Low A2 0.25 Moderate B1 5 High B2 20 Very high C1 25 Restricted C2 100 Off-credit D 100 The norms for country risk provisions are: i.\t Required for a country where net funded exposure is !% or more of total assets. ii.\t Additional provision, apart from that prescribed as per asset classification. iii.\t For \u2018loss assets\u2019 and \u2018doubtful assets\u2019 total provision not to exceed the outstanding. iv.\t No provision required for \u2018home country\u2019 exposures i.e. exposure to India. v.\t Exposures of foreign branches of Indian banks to the host country should be included. vi.\t For foreign banks: provisions of Indian branches to be held in their Indian books, after excluding exposures to India. vii.\t For short-term exposures (i.e. contractual maturity of less than 180 days) a lower level of provisioning (say 25% of the requirement) may be made. g)\t Provisioning norms for Liquidity facility provided for Securitisation transactions: Amount of liquidity facility in respect of securitisation transactions undertaken as per RBI Directions remaining outstanding for more than 90 days to be fully provided for. h)\t Provisioning requirements for derivative exposures: For credit exposures on account of the interest rate and foreign exchange derivative transactions, credit","192 default swaps and gold, provisioning requirement same as in case of loan assets in the \u2018standard\u2019 category (of the concerned counterparties) apply. All conditions applicable for treatment of the provisions would also apply. i)\t Provisioning requirement in terms of Guidelines on Enhancing Credit Supply for Large Borrowers through Market Mechanism: For specified borrowers, as per the provisions of the Guidelines on Enhancing Credit Supply for Large Borrowers through Market Mechanism dated August 25, 2016, additional provisions of 3% is required over and above the applicable provision on the incremental exposure of the banking system in excess of Normally Permitted Lending Limit (NPLL) as defined in the said guidelines. This higher provision shall be distributed in proportion to each bank\u2019s funded exposure. Provisioning Coverage Ratio Provisioning Coverage Ratio (PCR) is the ratio of provisioning to gross NPA and indicates the extent of funds a bank has kept aside to cover loan losses. It should be disclosed in the Notes to Accounts in the balance sheet. From a macro-prudential perspective, banks should build up provisioning and capital buffers in good times i.e. when the profits are good, which can be used for absorbing losses in a downturn. This would enhance the soundness of individual banks, as also the stability of the financial sector. RBI advised banks to augment their provisioning cushions consisting of specific provisions against NPAs and floating provisions and achieve total provisioning coverage ratio of not less than 70% as on September 2010. Accordingly, till introduction of a more comprehensive methodology of countercyclical provisioning, following approach is being followed: a)\t PCR of 70% for the gross NPA position as on September 30, 2010. b)\t the surplus vis-a-vis as required as per prudential norms should be segregated into an account styled as \u201ccountercyclical provisioning buffer\u201d, to be computed as per prescribed procedure. c)\t this buffer will be allowed to be used for making specific provisions for NPAs during system wide downturn, with the prior approval of RBI. 5.6 WRITING OFF OF NPAs Amounts set aside for making provision for NPAs as per regulatory guidelines are not eligible for deductions in computation of Income\/ Corporate tax. Banks have been permitted to adopt either of the following practices for NPAs: a)\t Make full provision as per the guidelines, and b)\t Write-off such advances and claim available tax benefits","193 These write-offs are \u2018Technical write-offs\u2019. Where NPAs are so written off, any subsequent recoveries should be included as income for tax computation. Banks are required to continue recovery efforts for all such NPAs that are written off for the purposes of availing tax deductions. If in any account, only a part of dues are written-off, the balance amount should not be treated as Standard Asset, but as an NPA, and provisions as required to be made for it. Particulars of all write-offs during the financial year are required to be disclosed in the Annual Report. The details of technical write-offs should be included separately. 5.7 FRAMEWORK FOR RESOLUTION OF STRESSED ASSETS Early Identification: As good credit risk management practice, banks are required to recognise incipient stress in loan accounts, immediately on default. For this purpose, advances accounts are required to be classified as indicated below, even before the advances become non-performing. This is applicable for all advances, except agricultural advances governed by crop-season based asset classification norms. SMA Sub-categories Basis for classification \u2013 Principal or interest payment or any other amount wholly or partly overdue between SMA-0 Up to 30 days SMA-1 More than 30 days and up to 60 days- SMA-2 More than 60 days and up to 90 days In the case of revolving credit facilities like cash credit\/overdraft, the SMA sub-categories will be as follows: SMA Sub- Basis for classification \u2013 Outstanding balance remains continuously in excess categories of the sanctioned limit or drawing power, whichever is lower, for a period of: SMA-1 More than 30 days and up to 60 days SMA-2 More than 60 days and up to 90 days Daily Identification: Another practice for better credit risk management is undertaking the exercise of classification of an advance in the appropriate category of SMA and NPA as daily end-of day process. The date of classification as SMA or NPA will be the calendar date for which the connected day-end process was run.","194 Example: For a loan account Due date: March 31, 2022, Full dues not received before the bank runs the day-end process for the due date. Date of overdue: Day-end process of March 31, 2022. It continues to remain overdue. Date of SMA-1: Day-end process of April 30, 2022 (i.e. upon completion of 30 days of being continuously overdue). Date of SMA-1 classification: April 30, 2022. Still continues to remain overdue, Date of SMA-2: Day-end process of May 30, 2022 (i.e. upon completion of 60 days of being continuously overdue). Date of SMA-2 classification: May 30, 2022. Still continues to remain overdue, Date of NPA: Day-end process of June 29, 2022 (i.e. upon completion of 90 days of being continuously overdue). Date of NPA classification: June 29, 2022. Reporting to CRILC: A scheduled commercial bank shall report on monthly basis credit information, including classification of an account as SMA to Central Repository of Information on Large Credits (CRILC), on all borrowers having aggregate exposure of `5 crore and above with it. Besides, it shall submit a weekly report of instances of default by all borrowers (with aggregate exposure of `5 crore and above) by close of business on every Friday, or the preceding working day if friday happens to be a holiday. Implementation of Resolution Plan: a)\t For better credit risk management, banks must initiate the process of implementing a resolution plan (RP) even before a default by the borrower. In any case, once a borrower is reported to be in default by any of the lenders, all lenders to that borrower shall undertake a prima facie review of the borrower account within thirty days from such default (\u201cReview Period\u201d). b)\t During the Review Period, lenders may decide on the resolution strategy, including the nature of the RP, the approach for implementation of the RP, etc. The lenders may also choose to initiate legal proceedings for insolvency or recovery. c)\t All lenders shall enter into an inter-creditor agreement (ICA), during the said Review Period, to provide for ground rules for finalisation and implementation of the RP. The","195 ICA shall provide that any decision agreed by lenders representing 75 per cent by value of total outstanding credit facilities (fund based as well non-fund based) and 60 per cent of lenders by number shall be binding upon all the lenders. It shall also provide for rights and duties of majority lenders, duties and protection of rights of dissenting lenders, treatment of lenders with priority in cash flows\/differential security interest, etc. In particular, the RPs shall provide for payment not less than the liquidation value due to the dissenting lenders. 5.8 FRAMEWORK FOR COMPROMISE SETTLEMENTS AND TECHNICAL WRITE-OFFS With a view to provide further impetus to resolution of stressed assets in the system and harmonise regulations regarding these norms for a framework for such decisions have been laid down. Compromise settlement: It is any negotiated arrangement with the borrower to fully settle the claims in cash. It may entail some sacrifice of the amount due from the borrower with corresponding waiver of claims. Part settlement cases fall under the guidelines for restructuring. Technical write-off: It refers to cases where the NPAs remain outstanding at borrowers\u2019 loan account level, but are written-off (fully or partially) by the RE only for accounting purposes. It does not involve any waiver of claims, and is without prejudice to their recovery. Board-approved policies should be formed for undertaking compromise settlements with the borrowers as well as for technical write-offs. It should be comprehensive, laying down the process to be followed, with specific guidance on the necessary conditions precedent, like minimum ageing, deterioration in collateral value etc. It should also include a graded framework for examination of staff accountability with reasonable thresholds and timelines. For compromise settlement cases: It needs to cover, inter alia, provisions relating to permissible sacrifice for various categories of exposures, arriving at the settlement amount after prudently reckoning the current realisable value of security\/ collateral and methodology for this purpose. The objective should be maximising possible recovery at the minimum expense. The compromise settlements and technical write-offs shall be without prejudice to any mutually agreed contractual provisions with the borrower relating to future contingent realizations or recovery by the banks. No amount should continue on the balance sheet of the bank. Delegation of Power for compromise settlements to be spelt out as per following norms:","196 Approvals rest with an authority (individual or committee, as the case may be) which is at least one level higher in hierarchy than the authority vested with power to sanction the credit \/ investment exposure. Any official who was connected with the sanction of the loan, shall not be associated with the compromise in any manner. Where debtors are classified as fraud or wilful defaulter, to be approval to be given by the Board approval. If the time for repayment exceeds three months, it should be treaed as restructuring case. Where partial technical write-off is done, prudential requirements in respect of residual exposure, including provisioning and asset classification, shall be with reference to the original exposure, and the provision amount plust the technical write off amount should equal the amount of provision required on the gross exposure. Quarterly reporting of all cases of technical write-offs and compromise settlements approved by an authority to be done to the next higher authority. Approvals by the MD & CEO and a Board Committee should be reported to the Board. MIS report should be put up to the Board covering at the minimum: (i) trend in number of accounts and amounts subjected to compromise settlement and\/or technical write-off (q-o-q and y-o-y); (ii) out of (i) above, separate breakup of accounts classified as fraud, red-Flagged, wilful default and quick mortality accounts; (iii) amount-wise, sanctioning authority-wise, and business segment \/ asset-class wise grouping of such accounts; (iv) extent of recovery in technically written-off accounts. Cooling off period should be stipulated for considering a compromise settlement in case of any loan, subject to the following norms: It should be minimum 12 months, except for farm loans. Compromise settlements can be considered even where criminal action has been taken against the borrower in respect of fraud or wilful default. Where a recovery proceeding is pending in any court or any other authority, a consent decree for the settlement arrived at should be obtained. 5.9 SALE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS \u2013 ASSET RECONSTRUCTION COMPANY \t (ARC) Financial Assets which can be sold: Banks sell their financial assets for various reasons including liquidity management, rebalancing their exposures or strategic sales. The regulatory provisions in this regard are contained in Master Direction \u2013 Reserve Bank of India (Transfer of Loan Exposures) Directions, 2021 dated September 24, 2021. Banks","197 can sell financial assets to scheduled commercial banks, All India Financial Institutions and NBFCs (including HFCs). Financial assets can also be sold to Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs). Banks are permitted to sell or transfer an asset in any category viz. standard asset, SMA or NPA. The transfer of an asset can be done only after a minimum holding period (MHP) (indicated below) which is counted from the date of registration of the underlying security interest: a)\t Three months in case of loans with tenor of up to 2 years. b)\t Six months in case of loans with tenor of more than 2 years. MHP in certain specific cases stated below commences from the dates as indicated: a)\t Where security does not exist or cannot be registered, from the date of first repayment of the loan. b)\t For project loans, from the date of commencement of commercial operations of the Project. For loans acquired from other entities by a transferor, MHP is six months from the date on which the loan was taken into the books of the transferor. Stressed asset can be sold to ARCs, apart from other permitted transferees. General Norms a)\t Banks should have Board approved Policy for transfer and acquisition of loan exposures. The policy should cover minimum quantitative and qualitative standards relating to due diligence, valuation, requisite IT systems for capture, storage and management of data, risk management, periodic Board level oversight, etc. in this regard. b)\t The transfer of economic interest should be without any change in underlying terms and conditions of the loan contract usually. In case of any change or modification, it should be examined if that amounts to restructuring. c)\t Transferor cannot offer credit enhancements or liquidity facilities in any form in the case of loan transfers. d)\t A loan transfer should result in immediate separation of the transferor from the risks and rewards associated with loans to the extent that the economic interest has been transferred. e)\t The transferee(s) should have the unfettered right to transfer or otherwise dispose of the loans free of any restraining condition to the extent of economic interest transferred to them.","198 f)\t The transferor shall have no obligation to re-acquire or fund the re-payment of the loans or any part of it or substitute loans held by the transferee(s) or provide additional loans to the transferee(s) at any time except those arising out of breach of warranties or representations made at the time of transfer. g)\t The transferee(s) may engage a servicing facility provider, which may also be the transferor, to administer or service the acquired exposures. h)\t The nature, purpose, extent of the servicing facility and all required standards of performance should be clearly specified in a written agreement. The facility is provided on an \u2018arm\u2019s length basis\u2019 on market terms and conditions. i)\t The duration of the servicing facility is limited to the earliest of the dates on which: (i) the underlying loans are completely amortised; (ii) all claims connected with the transferee(s)\u2019 economic interest in the underlying loans are paid out; or (iii) the lender\u2019s obligations as the servicing facility provider are otherwise terminated. Transfer of Loans which are not in default a)\t A transferor can transfer a single loan or a part of such loan or a portfolio of such loans to permitted transferees through assignment or novation or a loan participation contract. b)\t Transferor\u2019s retention of economic interest, if any, in the loans transferred should be supported by legally valid documentation, along with a legal opinion on key regulatory aspects. c)\t There shall not be any difference in the criteria for credit underwriting applied by the transferor to exposures transferred and those held or retained on their book. d)\t The transfer shall be only on cash basis, at a consideration determined in a transparent manner on an arm\u2019s length basis, .and received not later than at the time of transfer of loans. e)\t The transferee has to perform due diligence at the level of each loan. If in case of a portfolio this is difficult, can perform due diligence at the individual loan level for not less than one-third of the portfolio by value and number of loans, and for the remaining at the portfolio level. In such an event, the transferor has to retain at least 10 per cent of economic interest in the transferred loans. Transfer of Stressed Loans a)\t Lenders shall transfer stressed loans, including through bilateral sales, only to permitted transferees and ARCs. These norms also apply to transfers to ARCs. b)\t The transfer of stressed loans must be done through assignment or novation only; loan participation is not permitted in the case of stressed loans.","199 c)\t The Board approved policies of every lender on transfer and \/ or acquisition of stressed loans shall, inter alia, cover the following aspects: (i) Valuation methodology to ensure that the realisable value of stressed loans, including the realisability of the underlying security interest, is reasonably estimated; (ii) Risk premium to be applied for the purpose of Clause 67; etc. d)\t In identification of stressed loans beyond a specified value the head office\/corporate office of the lender shall be actively involved. e)\t At a minimum, all loans classified as NPA above a threshold amount decided by the Board\/Board Committee shall be reviewed by the Board\/Board Committee at periodic intervals to decide on transfer or otherwise. f)\t Transferor should have clear policies with regard to valuation of loan exposures proposed to be transferred. g)\t Lenders may use e-auction platforms, wherever available. If it is on a bilateral basis, such negotiations must necessarily be followed by an auction through Swiss Challenge method if the aggregate exposure (including investment exposure) of lenders to the borrower\/s whose loan is being transferred is Rs.100 crore or more. This will also apply to transfers done under the Resolution Plan in terms of Prudential Framework for Resolution of Stressed Assets. h)\t The transferor should not assume any operational, legal or any other type of risks relating to the transferred loans including additional funding or commitments to the borrower \/ transferee(s) with reference to the loan transferred. i)\t The transferor shall transfer the stressed loans to transferee(s) other than ARCs only on cash basis. The entire transfer consideration should be received not later than at the time of transfer of loans, and the loan can be taken out of the books of the transferor only on receipt of the entire transfer consideration. j)\t For transferors (other than NBFCs), if the transfer to transferee(s) other than ARCs is at a price below the net NBV at the time of transfer, the shortfall shall be debited to the profit and loss account of the year in which transfer has taken place. If the sale consideration is for a value higher than the NBV at the time of transfer, the excess provisions may be reversed. k)\t The lenders are permitted to treat a pool of stressed loans acquired on a portfolio basis as a single asset in their books provided that the pool consists of homogeneous personal loans. l)\t Except for ARC, classification of acquired stressed loan in transferee\u2019s books will be as follows \u2013 (i) if it has no existing exposure to the borrower it shall be classified as \u201cStandard\u201d, and thereafter will be subject to IRAC norms based on the performance in"]