The government today unveiled major reforms in the banking sector. Briefing media persons in New Delhi today, Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, there is a need to strengthen the foundation of the banking sector.
She said, the government is taking steps to clear the path to achieve a five trillion dollar economy. Reforms will fundamentally reboot Public Sector Banks (PSBs) functioning. Recurrence of past weaknesses is now unlikely as the firm foundation is being laid for robust PSBs.
The government announced the merger of Punjab National Bank, Oriental Bank and United Bank of India. After merger, it will be second largest PSB with the business of 18 lakh crore rupees and second-largest branch network in the country. The government also announced the merger of Canara and Syndicate Banks which will be fourth largest PSB with 15.2 Lakh Crore rupees of business.
Union, Andhra and Corporation Banks will also be merged to become fifth largest PSB with 14.6 lakh crore of business and fourth largest branch network in India. After consolidation, Indian and Allahabad Banks will be seventh-largest PSB with 8.08 lakh crore rupees of business.
The Finance Minister said, the government is trying to build next-generation banks. She said, eight PSU banks have launched repo-linked loans in last one week.
Ms Sitharaman said, no interference in the bank’s commercial decisions. The gross bad loans of public sector banks have come down to 7.9 lakh crore rupees from 8.65 lakh crore rupees in December last year.
Listing out the decisions, she said, 3 lakh 38 thousand shell companies have been struck off. NFRA has been set up as an independent regulator of auditors. Restructuring schemes have been withdrawn. Four NBFCs have already found their solutions through PSBs.
Four NBFC are working on liquidity issue. Loans above 250 crore rupees are being closely monitored. Swift transactions are linked to core banking solutions. All PSBs to have non-Executive chairman position.
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