NPA watch: Banks to strictly monitor loans

Mahua Venkatesh, Hindustan Times  New Delhi, October 08, 2013

With the surge in the level of bad assets in the Indian banking system, all loan accounts that have been restructured under the CDR (corporate debt restructuring) scheme are being closely monitored by the top managements of the lenders.

Loans worth `75,000 crore in 2012-13 were restructured under the CDR scheme, which is about double of what was done in the previous financial year. However, the government has asked banks to be cautious and closely monitor these accounts as there is fear that a chunk of this could turn unproductive with the slowdown in the economy.

Besides, all existing loans of `1 crore and above and their performance are also being closely scrutinised by the lenders.

  “Due to the slowdown, there have been several cases where banks have gone in for restructuring but those cases are being very closely monitored to ensure that there are no damages to the system as there can be some who take advantage of the economic situation,” a bank chairman, who did not wish to be identified, said.

The finance ministry and the RBI have asked banks to get tough with wilful defaulters. Banks have also decided to ask promoters of companies seeking corporate debt restructuring for a list of personal assets, which will be charged to banks to ensure that banks have sufficient collateral to cover their bad loans.

“This issue ...has been discussed with senior finance ministry and banks  and all steps would be taken to address it,” the source said.