Bringing some relief, credit rating agency Fitch Ratings in its latest report has said that non-performing loan (NPL) ratio of Indian banking sector improved during the first nine months of the current financial year, on the back of lower fresh slippages and better recoveries. As per the report, banking sector's NPL ratio decreased to 10.8% in 9MFY19 from 11.5% at fiscal year end 2018.
However, the agency noted that provisioning pressures persisted with 14 out of 21 state-run banks reporting losses. It also said that mid-sized or small state-run banks were the most affected as credit costs, despite some moderation, exceeded their weak income buffers. Fitch further expects increasing pressure from farm loans due to a weak monsoon and loan waivers, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Besides, Fitch is expecting the banks to meet minimum capital norms, on the back of the government's February 2019 announcement to inject another $7 billion into its banks. But, it predicts that Indian banks will require an additional $23 billion by FY20 to sufficiently meet minimum Basel III capital standards, achieve 65% NPL cover and pursue low double-digit loan growth.
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