Non-Performing Assets of Indian Public, Private and

Foreign Sector Banks: An Empirical Assessment

Abstract

This paper explores an empirical approach to the analysis of Non-Performing Assets

(NPAs) of public, private, and foreign sector banks in India. The NPAs are considered
as an important parameter to judge the performance and financial health of banks. The
level of NPAs is one of the drivers of financial stability and growth of the banking
sector. This paper aims to find the fundamental factors which impact NPAs of banks.
A model consisting of two types of factors, viz., macroeconomic factors and bank-
specific parameters, is developed and the behavior of NPAs of the three categories of
banks is observed. This model tries to extend the methodology of widely-known
Altman model. The empirical analysis assesses how macroeconomic factors and bank-
specific parameters affect NPAs of a particular category of banks. The
macroeconomic factors of the model included are GDP growth rate and excise duty,
and the bank-specific parameters are Credit Deposit Ratio (CDR), loan exposure to
priority sector, Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), and liquidity risk. The results show
that movement in NPAs over the years can be explained well by the factors
considered in the model for the public and private sector banks. The collinearity
between independent variables was measured by Durbin-Watson test and VIF
characteristic and it was found to be a little for public and private banks. The factors
included in the model explains 97.1% (adjusted R-square value of regression results)
of variations in NPAs of public banks and 76.9% of the same of private banks. The
other important results derived from the analysis include the finding that banks’
exposure to priority sector lending reduces NPAs.
 Non-Performing Assets in Indian Banks
By

B. Sathish Kumar
Faculty MBA
V.L.B. Janakiammal College of Engineering & Technology
Coimbatore
E-mail: sathish_inbox@yahoo.co.in

In liberalizing economy banking and financial sector get high priority. Indian banking sector of having a
serious problem due non performing. The financial reforms have helped largely to clean NPA was around
Rs. 52,000 crores in the year 2004. The earning capacity and profitability of the bank are highly affected
due to this

NPA is defined as an advance for which interest or repayment of principal or both remain out standing
for a period of more than two quarters. The level of NPA act as an indicator showing the bankers credit
risks and efficiency of allocation of resource.

Reasons:

Various studies have been conducted to analysis the reasons for NPA. What ever may be complete
elimination of NPA is impossible. The reasons may be widely classified in two:

(1) Over hang component

(2) Incremental component

Over hang component is due to the environment reasons, business cycle etc.

Incremental component may be due to internal bank management, credit policy, terms of credit etc.

Asset Classification :

The RBI has issued guidelines to banks for classification of assets into four categories.

1. Standard assets:
These are loans which do not have any problem are less risk.

2. Substandard assets:
These are assets which come under the category of NPA for a period of less then 12 months.

3. Doubtful assets:
These are NPA exceeding 12 months

4. Loss assets:
These NPA which are identified as unreliable by internal inspector of bank or auditors or by RBI.
The classification of assets of scheduled commercial bank.

Table 1 (Amount Rs.

crores)

Assets 2001 2002 2003 2004

494716 609972 709260 837130
Standard assets
(88.6) (89.6) (91.2) (92.8)
18206 21382 20078 21026
Sub standard assets
(3.3) (3.1) (2.6) (2.3)
37756 41201 39731 36247
Doubtful assets
(6.8) (6.1) (5.1) (4.36)
8001 8370 8971 7625
Loss assets
(1.4) (1.2) (1.2) (0.8)
63963 70953 68780 902027
Total NPA
(11.4) (10.4) (8.8) (100)

Income recognition and provisioning

Income from NPA is not recognized on accrued basic but is booked as income only when, it is actually
received. RBI has also tightened red the provisions norms against asset classification. It ranges from
0.25% to 100% from standard asset to loss asset respectively.

Gross and net NPA of different sector of bank

Table 2 (end of March 31) (in %)

category Gross NPA/ Gross Advance

2001 2002 2003 2004
Public sector bank 12.37 11.09 9.36 7.79
Private sector 8.37 9.64 8.07 5.84
Foreign bank 6.84 5.38 5.25 4.62

Table 3 (end of March 31) (in %)

category Net NPA / Net Advance

2001 2002 2003 2004
Public sector bank 6.74 5.82 4.53 2.98
Private sector 2.27 2.49 2.32 1.32
Foreign bank 1.82 1.89 1.76 1.49

The table II and III shows that the percentage of gross NPA/ gross advance and net NPA/ net advance
are in a decreasing trend. This shows the sign of efficiency in public and private sector bamks.but still if
compared to foreign banks Indian private sector and public sector banks have a higher NPA.

Management of NPA

The table II&III shows that during initial sage the percentage of NPA was higher. This was due to show
ineffective recovery of bank credit, lacuna in credit recovery system, inadequate legal provision etc.
Various steps have been taken by the government to recover and reduce NPAs. Some of them are.
1. One time settlement / compromise scheme
2. Lok adalats
3. Debt Recovery Tribunals
4. Securitization and reconstruction of financial assets and enforcement of Security Interest Act 2002.
5. Corporate Reconstruction Companies
6. credit information on defaulters and role of credit information bureaus

CONCLUSION

The Indian banking sector is facing a serious problem of NPA. The extent of NPA is comparatively higher
in public sectors banks. (Table II&III). To improve the efficiency and profitability, the NPA has to be
scheduled. Various steps have been taken by government to reduce the NPA. It is highly impossible to
have zero percentage NPA. But at least Indian banks can try competing with foreign banks to maintain
international standard.

B. Sathish Kumar
Faculty MBA
V.L.B. Janakiammal College of Engineering & Technology
Coimbatore
E-mail: sathish_inbox@yahoo.co.in