The recommendations made by PJ Nayak’s committee to improve corporate governance structure of state run banks has been termed as ‘credit-positive’ for these banks by global Rating agency, Moody's Investors Service. This development comes on the heels of PJ Nayak’s report, which suggested government cutting back its stake in public sector banks below 50%. Meanwhile, other key recommendations made by RBI committee headed by former Axis Bank chairman PJ Nayak, include government distancing itself from several governance functions and banks incorporating the Companies Act, among others.
In Moody’s view, state run banks suffer on account of 'externally imposed constraints' such as twin regulation by the RBI and the finance ministry and external vigilance by agencies such as the CVC and CAG, among others and opined that implementation of PJ Nayak’s recommendation, together with certain executive measures, would free them from the 'externally imposed constraints'.
The rating agency highlighted that corporate governance characterized by poor board supervision and excessive government interference were twin factors responsible for structural credit weakness of public sector banks. It further elucidated that while government interference saw policy objectives taking precedence over commercial factors for decision making process, the fear of being subject to probes by external agencies inhibited PSU banks from taking commercial risks.
Additionally, Moody’s blamed government’s non-transparent appointment process, relatively short tenures and a lack of accountability as the reason for poor quality of top management of such banks. Further, it noted that effects of bank’s weak governance had now started showing up with public sector banks' performance lagging that of private sector banks in terms of both asset quality and profitability.
However, the global rating agency opined that though it does not see government cutting back its stake below 50% in state-run bank, it does see an higher probability of government implementing a watered-down version of the RBI's working group's recommendations.
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