3 April 2012
Update
Financials
RBI releases discussion paper on dynamic provisioning framework
Proposals to strengthen balance sheets, but could impact near-term earnings
RBI's discussion paper on dynamic provisioning framework highlights the requirement of counter-cyclical provisioning to
reduce volatility in banks' earnings.
While dynamic provisioning will make banks' balance sheets structurally strong, some of the norms that RBI has proposed
will adversely impact their earnings and put strain on their capital in the near term.
Banks with superior technology that are already planning to move to IRB (internal rating based) approach might come out
with estimated loss assumption based on portfolio mix. Thus, 1.37% cannot be strictly taken as a benchmark for all banks.
Higher provisions will directly impact RoA (by 10-15bp) and RoE (by 100-200bp) of banks in the short-to-medium term.
RBI has released a discussion paper on
dynamic
provisioning (DP),
where it has highlighted the
requirement of counter-cyclical provisioning to reduce
volatility in banks’ earnings. It has requested views from
industry participants by 15 May 2012, post which it will
release draft guidelines.
Key highlights of discussion paper
Introduction of DP to strengthen balance sheets and
smoothen earnings:
The discussion paper
emphasizes that it would be prudent for all banks to
create a counter-cyclical buffer during good times,
which could be utilized when asset quality pressure
emanates during an economic downturn, thus
reduce earnings volatility. Initial DP would be
outstanding provisions made on standard asset and
floating provision. However, it has an in built
assumption that banks have reached 70% PCR.
Incrementally RBI has suggested credit cost of 1.37%.
If actual
specific provisions (SP)
is lower than 1.37%
excess provisions will be transferred to DP and vice-
a-versa subject to certain conditions.
Proforma credit cost estimated at 1.37%, but may
vary from bank to bank:
Based on weighted average
estimated loss (EL)
of nine individual banks, RBI has
arrived at a system-level
loss given default (LGD)
of
1.37% of loans during a downturn (a more
conservative approach which RBI has recommended)
and at an LGD of 0.84% of loans during normal times.
For the purpose of calculation, model portfolio with
corporate loans, retail loans, housing loans and other
loans was taken as 49%, 17%, 6% and 28%,
respectively. Thereby actual requirement would vary
from bank to bank. Further banks might come out
with estimated loss assumption based on their
internal rating method. Thus, 1.37% cannot be
strictly taken as a benchmark for all banks.
Treatment of DP:
The suggested framework for
Indian banks is conservative (as credit cost suggested
is based on downturn LGD) and the DP framework
will include an element of general and specific
provisions. RBI has suggested that till the level of
normal LGD (0.84%), DP provisions should be
considered as specific provisions and can be utilized
to arrive at net NPA. Above normal LGD to actual
levels (1.37%-0.84%), DP provisions should be
considered as general provisions, and thus would
be consider for tier-II capital.
To strengthen bank balance sheets but transition to
impact near-term earnings
The suggested framework will strengthen the balance
sheet of the banks and smoothen the earnings which is
positive. However initially, banks would have to shore
up their provision coverage ratio (PCR) to 70%, which
may impact their profitability, especially in case of state-
owned banks, wherein the PCR has declined significantly
in the past one year. Further incrementally higher
provision requirement could cumulatively impact banks
PBT by 3-35% over FY13/14.
However, over the cycle, DP will considerably reduce
earnings volatility and will also make earnings
comparable among the banks. Higher provisions will
directly impact RoA (10-15bp) and RoE (100-200bp) of
banks in the short-to-medium term. These provisions
will need some enhancement in NIMs to ensure that
profitability remains intact. Banks with strong risk
management systems would gain over the rest, once
they convince RBI to lower provisioning norms for them.
Alpesh Mehta
(Alpesh.Mehta@MotilalOswal.com) + 91 22 3982 5415
Sohail Halai
(Sohail.Halai@MotilalOswal.com) /
Umang Shah
(Umang.Shah@MotilalOswal.com)