Cash crunch: How customers came to owe banks more than what they were loaned

More than a thousand borrowers have outstandings that are substantially larger than the amounts sanctioned to them by banks, data sourced from Reserve Bank of India (RBI) shows. The total outstandings of 1,131 borrowers, at Rs 1,09,909 crore, were 150% more than the amount sanctioned, as on March 2016, data accessed by FE reveal. At the end of December 2015, the outstandings were Rs 90,235 crore.

Bankers and ex-bankers that FE reached out to attributed the pile-up in outstandings to short-term requirements of borrowers that were met by banks to help them tide over a cash crunch. Overdue interest, they said, could be another cause for the high outstandings. One senior banker observed that there were occasions when the capacity of the borrower to repay the additional amount was not assessed properly. “At times, limits get exceeded without a proper assessment of the customer’s ability to service the loan,” he said.

A former executive director of a public sector bank said one reason for the actual outstanding exceeding the permitted limits was that lenders tended to sanction ad hoc non-funded letters of credit (LC) even before the limits were okayed by the consortium. “Sometimes ad hoc LCs are opened for amounts which are bigger than those agreed to by the consortium. Since consortiums take anywhere between six months and a year to sanction limits, the money is disbursed since business cannot wait,” he explained, adding that such loans serve as working capital.

A former chairman of a state-owned bank said if the customer was unable to service the loan, the interest piled up pushing up the outstanding amount. “If the interest hasn’t been paid for three or four years, the amounts can become large,” he pointed out.

An RBI document on the Central Repository of Information on Large Credits notes that if outstanding loans exceed 150% of the limit, a “warning message should be displayed to the user on generation of the instance document”.

Ashvin Parekh, managing partner, Ashvin Parekh Advisory Services, observed the main reason for the outstandings surpassing the sanctions was “temporary accommodation and loans against receivables”.

Parekh explained that at times borrowers approached banks for funds to be able to take delivery of imports. “The customer promises to pay back the amount from receivables so bankers do accommodate such requests,” he said.
Total non-performing assets (NPAs) of the banking system stood at Rs 5.8 lakh crore at the end of March 2016 and total provisions were Rs 1.43 lakh crore.

The central bank has been trying to help banks tackle bad loans by allowing them to convert debt into equity and more recently into convertible redeemable preference shares. However, banks have not been able to find buyers for any of the assets under strategic debt restructuring scheme.

FE had earlier reported that bank loans that aren’t NPAs just yet but could turn toxic amount to over Rs 6 lakh crore or close to 9% of total advances, citing RBI data. The total troubled loans of Rs 6,24,119 crore at the end of December 2015 were 9% higher than the Rs 5, 73,381 crore at the end of June 2015.

While Rs 3,06,180 crore worth of loans were classified in the SMA-1 category where repayments are overdue between 30 and 60 days, another Rs 3,17,939 crore was in the SMA-2 category where repayments are overdue between 60 and 90 days. These Special Mention Accounts follow a fiat from the RBI in 2014 asking banks to put in place a mechanism to red-flag troubled loan accounts early in the day so that these could be dealt with speedily. If the loan is not serviced after 90 days it must be classified as an NPA.

 

Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/article/industry/banking-finance/cash-crunch-how-customers-came-to-owe-banks-more-than-what-they-were-loaned/285239/

SEBI begins proceedings to recover Rs 55,000 crore from defaulters

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has initiated recovery proceedings against defaulters to collect more than Rs 55,000 crore, largely on account of its clampdown on illicit money-pooling schemes.

Ever since it was given powers in October 2013 to recover penalties and investors’ money collected fraudulently, Sebi has initiated nearly 900 recovery proceedings, of which more than 200 have been fully completed.

The amount involved in these proceedings stands at Rs 55,015 crore, including Rs 52,959 crore in the last financial year. This include a total of Rs 52,912 crore in cases related to collective investment scheme (CIS) and deemed public issues and another Rs 47 crore to recover penalties.

More than 2,500 attachment notices have been issued during the period under review, including over 600 in 2015-16.

Interestingly, an amount of Rs 250 crore has been recovered in 207 cases. Promising high returns to the investors, several firms have raked in unauthorised funds through various mechanisms. The capital was raised through realty schemes and ‘buffalo purchase’, among others. Also, funds have been garnered by issuing securities to investors without complying with public issue norms.

To recover pending dues, Sebi has attached properties, bank and demat accounts of the defaulters. Besides, the regulator has sold shares attached in recovery proceedings in various defaulters in 744 trading sessions and realised an amount of over Rs 11 crore.

Through amendments in the Securities Laws Act, the government had enhanced powers of Sebi to take action against illegal money-pooling activities. It has been empowered to recover penalties imposed by the Adjudicating Officer, amount directed to be disgorged and money ordered to be refunded to the regulator.

The recovery powers include attachment of bank as well as demat accounts, sale of assets of the defaulters and arrest and detention of the defaulter.

The Act also provides for setting up of a special court to expedite the cases filed by Sebi. The government in consultation with the high courts have set up special courts in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

Besides, constitution of a special court in Delhi is in progress. However, a designated court is already dealing with Sebi cases.

 

Source: http://www.business-standard.com/article/markets/sebi-begins-proceedings-to-recover-rs-55-000-crore-from-defaulters-116061400476_1.html

FIPB clears FDI proposals worth Rs 710 crore

The proposals approved included Advanced Enzyme Technologies’ foreign investment worth Rs 480 crore, a Finance Ministry official said.

Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) today approved four FDI proposals entailing overseas investment of about Rs 710 crore.

The proposals approved included Advanced Enzyme Technologies’ foreign investment worth Rs 480 crore, a Finance Ministry official said.

The Board also cleared proposals of Corona Remedies, Macmillan Publishers International and Ordain Health Care Global.

The FIPB, headed by Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das, today considered 14 investment proposals.

Three proposals, which were rejected included that of Flag Telecom Singapore Pte Ltd and Star Den Media Services Pvt Ltd.

Also, eight proposals, including that of IBM India Ltd, were deferred.

FIPB can clear FDI proposals envisaging investment of up to Rs 5,000 crore and those involving higher investment are approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

FDI in most sectors are allowed through an automatic route but in certain sectors proposals have to go through the FIPB.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/52690601.cms

US firm 8minutenergy to build solar facility in India

A US renewable energy company, 8minutenergy Renewables LLC, will set up 4 GW of solar power capacity in India.“8minutenergy Renewables will pursue a 4 GW solar photovoltaic project pipeline in India,” a statement from the White House said. “These utility-scale solar projects are expected to generate over 10,000 jobs in the construction phase in India.”

Founded in 2009 by Martin Hermann and Tom Buttgenbach, the California-based company has 330 MW of operating solar plants. Plants of total capacity of 400 MW are under construction, while another 3,000 MW are in the pipeline. These include an 800 MW solar farm at Mount Signal in California, claimed to be the world’s largest.

Another US company, SunLink Corporation “is partnering with Indian companies to deploy 1.4 GW of solar projects over the next five years,” the statement said. SunLink manufactures solar racking systems, or the frames on which modules are mounted. It also provides performance monitoring solutions.

In the meantime, the US has announced the setting up of a Clean Energy Finance Hub, which “will serve as a coordinating mechanism to focus US Government effort that, in partnership with leading Indian financial institutions, will increase renewable energy investment in India,” the statement said.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/us-firm-8minutenergy-to-build-solar-facility-in-india/article8714858.ece

India Agri Business Fund invests Rs 100 crore in Parijat Ind

Rabobank-promoted private equity fund ‘India Agri Business Fund II’ has invested around Rs 100 crore in agrochemical firm Parijat Industries to acquire a minority stake.

Rabo Equity Advisors, the investment advisors for PE fund ‘India Agri Business Fund II’, announced an “undisclosed investment” into Parijat Industries to acquire minority stake. Sources said that an investment of about Rs 100 crore has been made in Parijat Industries.

This is the second investment by India Agri Business Fund II, Rabo Equity advisors said in a statement. The first investment, which was also of about Rs 100 crore, was announced last week in Cremica Food Industries.

India Agri Business Fund II is a USD 200 million private equity fund targeted at expansion/growth of Indian food and agri-business companies in India across the value chain.

The fund sponsored by Rabobank along with pedigreed anchors namely CDC Group and Asian Development Bank.

Commenting on the investment, Rabo Equity Advisors CMD Rajesh Srivastava said that it expects Parijat to be a leading agrochemical player in the high potential sector. “We are especially excited at the company’s export forays and new products expected to be launched in the domestic market over the next few years,” he added.

Parijat is looking to achieve sales of Rs 1,500 crore by 2021 and also expand its domestic distribution network to 10,000 retail points in three years from 4,500 at present. “Our team at Parijat is committed to exponentially growing its domestic presence besides the international footprint. We are delighted to have Rabo Equity as our partner and hope to leverage their extensive domain knowledge and global outreach in the food and agri sector,” said Keshav Anand, Chairman & Managing Director, Parijat Industries.

Rabo Equity Advisors currently advises two funds in India, IABF-I and IABF-II. India Agri Business Fund I, a USD 120 million fund which is invested in 10 companies across sectors like biotechnology, warehousing, edible oils, dairy and basmati rice.

 

Source: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/india-agri-business-fund-invests-rs-100-croreparijat-ind_6839841.html

Indian private bank new loans outpace state-owned rivals for first time

India’s privately owned banks are extending new loans faster than their state-run rivals for the first time ever, as government lenders struggle to bring surging bad loans under control.

New credit from private lenders amounted to Rs.3,50,000 crore ($52.4 billion) in the year to 31 March, taking their outstanding advances to Rs.17,90,000 crore, while state banks’ loans grew Rs.2,00,000 crore to Rs.51,20,000 crore, according to a finance ministry document, a copy of which was reviewed by Bloomberg News. Finance ministry spokesman D.S. Malik didn’t respond to two calls to his mobile phone on Tuesday seeking comment.

The stressed-loan ratio for state banks climbed to a 16-year high of 14.34% in the year through March, according to the document. Surging delinquent loans and inadequate risk buffers at India’s government-controlled lenders, which account for more than 70% of loans in the nation’s banking system, have been hindering Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attempts to revive credit growth in Asia’s third-largest economy.

“Private sector banks will continue to take away market share from state-run banks in coming years,” Siddharth Purohit, a Mumbai-based analyst at Angel Broking Ltd., said by phone. “With limited capital and high bad loans, most state-run banks are not in a position to focus on loan growth.”

The private-sector banks’ faster loan growth is in line with a May 2014 estimate from a central bank-appointed committee, which predicted that the lenders’ share of total Indian banking assets will rise to 32% by 2025, from 12.3% in 2000.

Capital constraints.

Modi needs to revive bank lending as he strives to maintain the fastest growth rate among the world’s major economies. Indian credit grew 9.8% in the 12 months through 13 May, compared with an average of about 14% over the last five years, fortnightly central bank data compiled by Bloomberg show.

Timely capital infusions into constrained public sector banks will aid credit flow, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said in its monetary policy statement on Tuesday. Rules requiring government stakes of at least 51% have curtailed state banks’ ability to sell shares, while an audit of loan books by the RBI uncovered more soured debt, making them less capitalized than privately-owned lenders.

While some investors had anticipated the six-month-long central-bank audit, which ended on 31 March, to result in higher non-performing-asset (NPA) disclosures, the scale of losses and statements from bank executives highlighting the uncertain outlook for bad debt have surprised analysts. Thirteen state-owned lenders reported combined losses of Rs.18,000 crore for the year to March, finance ministry data shows.

Government lenders are the worst performers this year on the S&P BSE India Bankex Index, led by Punjab National Bank’s 32% slump and State Bank of India’s 6.4% drop. The gauge has gained 6.1% this year. Bloomberg

Source:  http://www.livemint.com/Industry/a9wEXC7uUXU0HpWgGYJEJM/Indian-private-bank-new-loans-outpace-stateowned-rivals-for.html

India, US to expand economic cooperation, break down trade barriers

India and the US today vowed to expand economic relation between the two nations and explore new opportunities to break down barriers to facilitate movement of goods and services.

The leaders of the two countries resolved to pursue US- India Totalisation Agreement and enhance engagement on intellectual property rights with a view to promote innovation and creativity.

“In order to substantially increase bilateral trade, they (leaders) pledged to explore new opportunities to break down barriers to the movement of goods and services, and support deeper integration into global supply chains, thereby creating jobs and generating prosperity in both economies,” said the joint statement issued after a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama.

They look forward to the second annual Strategic and Commercial Dialogue in India later this year to identify concrete steps in this regard, it added.

Highlighting the strong and expanding economic relations between the US and India, the leaders committed to support sustainable, inclusive, and robust economic growth, and common efforts to stimulate consumer demand, job creation, skill development and innovation.

It was decided to continue discussion later this year on the US-India Totalisation Agreement.

The ‘Totalisation Agreement’ seeks to do away with double taxation of income with respect to social security taxes.

Under this agreement, professionals of both the countries would be exempted from social security taxes when they go to work for a short period in the other country.

The two leaders also committed to make concrete progress on IPR issues by working to enhance bilateral cooperation among the drivers of innovation and creativity.

They also commended the increased engagement on trade and investment issues under the Trade Policy Forum (TPF) and encouraged substantive results for the next TPF later this year.

The leaders also welcomed the engagement of the US’ private sector companies in India’s Smart City programme.

The leaders resolved to facilitate greater movement of professionals, investors and business travellers, students, and exchange visitors between their countries to enhance people-to-people contact as well as their economic and technological partnership.

On the MoU for Development of an International Expedited Traveller Initiative (also known as Global Entry Programme) the statement said efforts will be made for entry of India into the said programme within three months.

 

Source: http://www.ptinews.com/news/7531712_India–US-to-expand-economic-cooperation–break-down-trade-barriers-.html