The prime minister also said that the recently set up National Asset Reconstruction Co (NARCL) would help resolve Rs 2 lakh crore of stressed assets
File image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday exhorted banks to support wealth and job creators, and work proactively to improve the country’s balance sheet.
Addressing bankers at the symposium to ‘Build Synergy for Seamless Credit Flow and Economic Growth’, Modi said banks have to now adopt a partnership model to help businesses thrive and move away from the idea of being a loan “approver” to a loan “applicant”.
“Banks have to support wealth creators and job creators… It is time that banks, along with their own balance sheets, help increase the balance sheet of the country,” Modi said.
He nudged bankers to offer “customised solutions” to businesses and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). “Don’t wait for customers to come to banks. You have to go to them,” he said.
As per Moneycontrol, Modi, citing an example of two defense corridors were being set up in Bundelkhand in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, said banks need to think about how they can go out and reach enterprises in these two areas.
“Banks should look at providing best services and if banks play this role, then the government’s plan to set up these corridors will not face delays,” he added, as per the report.
“PSU Banks today after consolidation have a large capital base and have good liquidity, NPAs provisioning backlog doesn’t exist,” Modi further said.
He said banks are ready to give a push to the economy of India and help the agenda of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and it is a big milestone in the journey of the Indian banking sector.
The prime minister also highlighted how the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has been a game-changer and one of the great examples of financial inclusion across the world. Further banks should also support project financing and support individual big infrastructure accounts, he said.
“The financial health of banks is now in a much-improved condition. We brought reforms like IBC, reformed many laws, empowered debt recovery tribunal,” he said, as per The Times of India.
“Today there is a need to unlock the productive potential of Indian citizens. The more you invest in citizens and their ideas, the more employment can be achieved. You have to align your efforts with the government’s goals”, Modi said, as per Hindu Business Line.
Saying Indians are quick to adapt to new technologies, Modi urged bankers not to delay initiatives when it came to Fintech, as per the report. He also set a target for banks wherein by 15 August each bank branch should have at least 100 completely digital customers.
More than five lakh crore recovery has been made by banks from stressed loans, Modi said, as per Livemint.
Stating that banks have adequate liquidity and non-performing loans are lowest in five years, he said despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the banking sector has remained strong in the first half (April-September) in current fiscal. This has led to an upgrade in sector outlook by international agencies.
He also said that the recently set up National Asset Reconstruction Co (NARCL) would help resolve Rs 2 lakh crore of stressed assets.
“Reforms in last six-seven years have led to banking sector in a strong position today… We have addressed non-performing assets (NPAs) of banks, recapitalised banks, brought bankruptcy laws and strengthened debt recovery tribunal,” Modi added.
With inputs from PTI