PROMPT CORRECTIVE ACTIONS - ECONOMY

News: RBI extends prompt corrective action framework to govt NBFCs

 

What's in the news?

       The Reserve Bank of India has decided to extend the prompt corrective action (PCA) framework for non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) to government NBFCs (except those in base layer) with effect from October 1, 2024.

 

Key takeaways:

       The objective of the PCA framework is to enable supervisory intervention at appropriate time and require the supervised entity to initiate and implement remedial measures in a timely manner, so as to restore its financial health.

       The PCA framework is also intended to act as a tool for effective market discipline.

 

Prompt Corrective Action:

       Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) is a system that the RBI imposes on banks showing signs of financial stress. The regulator considers banks as unsafe if they fail to meet the standards on certain financial metrics or parameters.

       Reserve Bank of India had introduced a Prompt Corrective Action Framework (PCA) for Scheduled Commercial Banks in 2002.

 

Application:

       The framework applies to all banks operating in India, including foreign banks operating through branches or subsidiaries based on breach of risk thresholds of identified indicators.

       The PCA Framework for NBFCs, came into effect from October 1, 2022. This is to further strengthen the supervisory tools applicable to NBFCs.

       However, payments banks and small finance banks (SFBs) have been removed from the list of lenders where prompt corrective action can be initiated.

 

When does RBI invoke PCA?

            The central bank will track three indicators as follows.

 

1. Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR): It is a bank's available capital expressed as a percentage of a bank’s risk-weighted credit exposures.

2. Tier-I leverage ratio: It is the relationship between a banking organization’s core capital and its total assets.

 

3. Net Non-Performing Assets (NNPAS): Including Non-Performing Investments (NPIS). NPA are loans for which the principal or interest payment remained overdue for a period of over 90 days

 

In the case of core investment companies (CICs), the RBI will track,

  1. Adjusted Net Worth/Aggregate Risk Weighted Assets.
  2. Leverage Ratio
  3. NNPAs, including NPIs.

 

What are the restrictions on Banks when PCA is invoked?

There are two types of restrictions as follows.

1. Mandatory Restrictions:

       Restrictions on Dividends

       Restrictions on Branch expansion

       Restrictions on Management compensation among others.

2. Discretionary Restrictions:

       Curbs on lending and deposits.

       Recommending the bank owner to bring new management and board among others.