Bimal Jalan, former Governor of RBI, and currently member of Rajya Sabha, in a free wheeling conversation with 4Ps B&M’s deepak ranjan patra, shares his view on the course of Indian banks. How is the current economy impacting the Indian banks and what was it that helped them show good performance, even during the slowdown. As a banker who has always kept a close watch on the exchange rates, he speaks about the opportunities present in the domestic market and what is it that Indian banks should keep in mind before going global. Excerpts:
4Ps B&M: Do you think that this is the right time for Indian banks to expand their global muscle?
BJ: It depends. Some are going global anyway. But then, that is to be done with a long term perspective. If they are doing so, they must follow sound banking norms. The Indian banks just can’t enter the US or any other market without proper standards in place. The banks, which are going abroad, need to be careful.
4Ps B&M: Do you mean they should be careful in making global acquisitions?
BJ: It is not fair to generalise. There are big as well as small banks. So, it’s a mixed experience. However, this is more of a bank’s management decision. But as far as policy is concerned, there is no negative view of the banks, which want to expand abroad. But there are two parameters, which need to be followed (in case of going global), first, the bank has to be strong in India and second, it must follow the regulatory system of India, so that the main company remains totally safe and sound.
4Ps B&M: Where do you think the opportunity lies for Indian banks now?
BJ: It is within India itself. As such the banking sector in India is not fully developed. The number of banks (and branches) are much less than what they actually should be. There is ample opportunity in the rural areas, which has not been properly tapped till now. So, it is the large size of the untapped Indian market, which provides tremendous opportunity for the banks.
4Ps B&M: What has been the impact of the global slowdown on Indian banks?
BJ: The Indian banking industry has come out really well. Not only has the Indian banking industry come up stronger after the recent slowdown in the economy, but has also shown good growth figures. In fact, it’s the careful approach that has worked in favour of Indian banks. Moreover, RBI’s strict policy stance has provided banks the much needed safe haven against the slowdown.
4Ps B&M: While India Inc. is talking about a slowdown in the economy, the recent quarterly results are showing a sign of recovery. What does this mean for Indian banks?
BJ: First, let’s talk about the economy. The signs are absolutely positive. Whether it’s 5.5% or 6.5%, we still are showing the second highest growth rate in the world. Therefore, the recovery is also coming faster. This means good news for the banks as well.
4Ps B&M: Do you see any particular concern, which should be taken care of by the government?
BJ: No, there are no concerns. But yes, there are priorities that should be noted and kept in mind. Since the trouble is worldwide, what should be controlled is the cost of borrowing funds. The lower the cost, the better it is.
4Ps B&M: Given the present economic conditions, is there a scope for further rate cuts by the central bank?
BJ: Definitely. The demand is high and it needs more push. The difference between RBI’s main rates like the repo rates, reverse repo rates, BPLR, SLR is still very high. So yes, there is still scope for further rate cuts.
4Ps B&M: But, even if the RBI reduces the key rates, many times banks do not pass it on to consumers. Comment.
BJ: The RBI is the lender of last resort. There has been a lot of misunderstanding about RBI’s rate cuts. The rate cuts done by RBI are actually symbolic in nature. Banks don’t depend on the RBI rates for financing their business. The main ingredient in determining the bank rates is their own deposit rates. They have come down, but are still higher than the RBI rates.
4Ps B&M: If you are asked about one significant requirement in the Indian banking industry that you want the regulator to address...
BJ: There are two different things that need to be addressed. The first one is that the Indian banking system should be aware of the international system of doing things and should be prepared to face any kind of requirement set by that. The second one is that Capital Adequacy Ratio matter should be addressed in such a way, that the risk-averse nature of Indian banks remains intact. So, it’s like providing growth opportunity along with increasing the systematic risk taking ability. It’s a delicate issue, which needs proper supervision.
For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2010.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
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4Ps B&M: Do you think that this is the right time for Indian banks to expand their global muscle?
BJ: It depends. Some are going global anyway. But then, that is to be done with a long term perspective. If they are doing so, they must follow sound banking norms. The Indian banks just can’t enter the US or any other market without proper standards in place. The banks, which are going abroad, need to be careful.
4Ps B&M: Do you mean they should be careful in making global acquisitions?
BJ: It is not fair to generalise. There are big as well as small banks. So, it’s a mixed experience. However, this is more of a bank’s management decision. But as far as policy is concerned, there is no negative view of the banks, which want to expand abroad. But there are two parameters, which need to be followed (in case of going global), first, the bank has to be strong in India and second, it must follow the regulatory system of India, so that the main company remains totally safe and sound.
4Ps B&M: Where do you think the opportunity lies for Indian banks now?
BJ: It is within India itself. As such the banking sector in India is not fully developed. The number of banks (and branches) are much less than what they actually should be. There is ample opportunity in the rural areas, which has not been properly tapped till now. So, it is the large size of the untapped Indian market, which provides tremendous opportunity for the banks.
4Ps B&M: What has been the impact of the global slowdown on Indian banks?
BJ: The Indian banking industry has come out really well. Not only has the Indian banking industry come up stronger after the recent slowdown in the economy, but has also shown good growth figures. In fact, it’s the careful approach that has worked in favour of Indian banks. Moreover, RBI’s strict policy stance has provided banks the much needed safe haven against the slowdown.
4Ps B&M: While India Inc. is talking about a slowdown in the economy, the recent quarterly results are showing a sign of recovery. What does this mean for Indian banks?
BJ: First, let’s talk about the economy. The signs are absolutely positive. Whether it’s 5.5% or 6.5%, we still are showing the second highest growth rate in the world. Therefore, the recovery is also coming faster. This means good news for the banks as well.
4Ps B&M: Do you see any particular concern, which should be taken care of by the government?
BJ: No, there are no concerns. But yes, there are priorities that should be noted and kept in mind. Since the trouble is worldwide, what should be controlled is the cost of borrowing funds. The lower the cost, the better it is.
4Ps B&M: Given the present economic conditions, is there a scope for further rate cuts by the central bank?
BJ: Definitely. The demand is high and it needs more push. The difference between RBI’s main rates like the repo rates, reverse repo rates, BPLR, SLR is still very high. So yes, there is still scope for further rate cuts.
4Ps B&M: But, even if the RBI reduces the key rates, many times banks do not pass it on to consumers. Comment.
BJ: The RBI is the lender of last resort. There has been a lot of misunderstanding about RBI’s rate cuts. The rate cuts done by RBI are actually symbolic in nature. Banks don’t depend on the RBI rates for financing their business. The main ingredient in determining the bank rates is their own deposit rates. They have come down, but are still higher than the RBI rates.
4Ps B&M: If you are asked about one significant requirement in the Indian banking industry that you want the regulator to address...
BJ: There are two different things that need to be addressed. The first one is that the Indian banking system should be aware of the international system of doing things and should be prepared to face any kind of requirement set by that. The second one is that Capital Adequacy Ratio matter should be addressed in such a way, that the risk-averse nature of Indian banks remains intact. So, it’s like providing growth opportunity along with increasing the systematic risk taking ability. It’s a delicate issue, which needs proper supervision.
For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2010.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
1 lakh copies sold in less than 10 days of Arindam Chaudhuri’s “Discover The Diamond In you”
IIPM fights meltdown, places 2300 students By Education Mail Bureau
Delhi/ NCR B- Schools get better By Swati Sharma
Events at IIPM
Detail of all IIPM branches
IIPM set to beat economic slowdown
IIPM - Admission Procedure
IIPM, GURGAON
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