3 May 2012
Update
Financials
RBI releases final guidelines for BASEL III
Significant increase in equity capital requirement in a phased manner
Higher emphasis on common equity Tier I (CET1) capital - Requirement of minimum 10.5% (8% without counter cyclical
buffer) by end of FY18 (draft guideline mentioned till FY17) v/s current minimum requirement of 3.6%.
Introduction of capital conservation buffer (2.5% of CRAR) and counter cyclical capital buffer (up to 2.5% of CRAR) to be
fulfilled by CET1. RBI has extended the creation of the capital conservation buffer period to FY18 vs FY17 earlier.
Introduction of leverage ratio (3% proposed globally and may be at 4.5%+ (earlier proposed at 5%) for Indian banks, not
stated as yet) supplementing overall risk based capital requirement.
RBI has kept the option open for considering the higher CRAR for banks, depending upon the risk factor, internal capital
adequacy assessment and risk management practises.
Most of the banks in India are already above minimum CET1 of 5.5% and on aggregate basis at Tier I of 8% or above hence,
transition should not be an issue in the near term. Overall guidelines place more emphasis on CET1. Private Banks and PSU
Banks with higher RoA are better placed as compared to mid-small sized PSU banks.
RBI has released the final guidelines for BASEL III. RBI
had already released the draft guidelines based on BCBS
roadmap in December 2011, and based on suggestions
of various market participants it has released the final
guideline for Indian banks.
Key highlights are:
Higher emphasis on common equity; however
compliance extended by one year:
Under Basel III
guidelines are banks are required to maintain
minimum common Equity Tier I (CET1) capital of
10.5% (8% without counter cyclical buffer) by end of
FY18 (draft guideline mentioned till FY17) v/s current
minimum requirement of 3.6%. Further qualifying
criteria for the other capital instrument (hybrid and
Tier II) is also linked with CET1. Banks which do not
fulfil CET1 and capital conservation buffer criteria
and has higher AT1 and T2 will not be allowed to
categorise them as capital funds
Leverage ratio at 4.5% vs. 5% in draft guidelines;
supplementing risk based capital requirement:
Taking clues from global financial crisis RBI has
suggested banks to maintain leverage ratio at 4.5%
(draft guidelines suggested of 5% and 3% globally
under Basel III). Leverage ratio will include all assets
on balance sheet and off balance sheet items at credit
conversion factors.
Key deductions to be made from core equity as
against overall CAR earlier:
Shortfall of provisions to
reach expected loss levels under IRB approach to be
deducted from CET1. Indian banks have not yet
shifted to IRB approach thus, not applicable under
BASEL II. Shortfall under defined benefit pension
fund should be deducted from CET1 thus, banks will
have to take the hit of unamortised liability
(occurred on account of second pension option) in
FY13 itself (two years in advance). However, under
IFRS it was expected to be netted off from the net
worth from FY14 onwards.
Other highlights
Exposure limits are linked to capital funds
(CET1+AT1+T2) and it does not include capital
conservation buffer and CCB. For adjustments from
CET1, till FY17, remainder will continue to have
current regulatory treatment. AT1, which no longer
meets requirement of BASEL III, will be phased out
beginning CY13 till FY22.
RBI has extended the creation of the capital
conservation buffer of 0.625% of RWAs by one year
to FY15. Limits have been placed for distribution of
capital if CET1 falls in the range of CCB.
Our view:
Most of the banks in India are already above
minimum CET1 of 5.5% and on aggregate basis at Tier I
of 8% or above [BASEL III requirement of 7% (CET1 of
5.5% and AT1 of 1.5%) and current regulatory
requirement of 6%] and hence, transition should not be
an issue in the near term (b) Higher share of CET1 and
fall in leverage will lead to a fall in RoEs of select PSU
banks. Overall guidelines place more emphasis on CET1.
Private Banks and PSU Banks with higher RoA are better
placed as compared to mid-small sized PSU banks. We
like banks with strong liability franchise, superior
capitalization, and stability at the top management
level, specifically for PSU banks. Our preferred bets:
ICICIBC, SBIN and PNB.
Alpesh Mehta
(Alpesh.Mehta@MotilalOswal.com) + 91 22 3982 5415
Sohail Halai
(Sohail.Halai@MotilalOswal.com) /
Umang Shah
(Umang.Shah@MotilalOswal.com)