1. FARM LOAN WAIVERS DISRUPT CREDIT DISCIPLINE: Farm Loan waivers are the populist actions and lead to disruption of credit discipline among borrowers. Frequent farm loan waiver schemes will have a negative impact as farmers expect future loan waivers from time to time and thus delay or stop repaying the loans. Frequent occurrence of such populist actions (loan waivers) may lead to impaired credit repayments and thus reduced credit availability to farmers.

2. RBI TO DIRECT BANKS TO START BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS AGAINST 12 BIG DEFAULTERS: The Reserve Bank of India has identified 12 of the largest loan defaulters and has instructed the bankers to initiate bankruptcy proceedings against them. The move comes about amonth after the government gave RBI greater power to deal with bad loans, including banks to initiate an insolvency resolution process in case  of a default. These 12 accounts constituted about 25% of the overall gross Non-Performing Assets (NPAs), and have been identified, as the committee focussed on those accounts owing more than Rs.5,000 crores, out of which more than 60 % of the loan had been classified as NPA.

3. ONLINE BANKING TO KILL PHYSICAL BANKING IN 5-6 YEARS: As per NITI Aayog CEO Mr Amitabh Kant, low cost internet based banking transactions and business efficiency due to technology advancements are expected to kill the physical banking trend in 5-6 years. In 5-6 years it will be very difficult for physical banks to survive because the cost of physical banks will be enormous. This cost will be very huge to bear for the banks compared to the cost of an online fintech company and their ability to do data analysis and providing credit.

4. NPCI TO LAUNCH RUPAY CREDIT CARD BY JULY: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has said it will launch a RuPay credit card by July this year. As many as 56 different banks have shareholding in NPCI despite it being a non-listed entity with no dividend declarations. Presently there are 241 million RuPay debit cards in circulation in India comprising 35% of the card base in India.

5. RBI EXAMINING RELAXING BAD LOAN CLASSIFICATION LIMIT OF BEYOND 90 DAYS FOR SMEs: Currently an account turns into a Non-Performing Asset (NPA) or bad loan if it is not serviced for 90 days. In case of Small Businesses and SMEs, their receivables usually come late(absence of vibrant factoring or trade receivable market) and once this cycle is delayed, they miss the 90 day period of repayment, they fall into NPA category and coming out of NPA category is very difficult for these SMEs. Some people have made a true representation in this matter to the Ministry of Finance and hence RBI is looking into it, to extend the classification norm of 90 days period for Non-Performing Assets to help Small and Medium Enterprises ( SMEs).

6. BHARAT FINANCIAL TO ROLL OUT 2 LAKH “KIRANA POINTS” IN 16 STATES: Bharat Financial Inclusion(Earlier known as SKS Microfinance) is planning to launch 2 lakh “Kirana Points” across its networkin 16 states in partnership with leading banks. With introduction of Kirana Points, the company’s borrowers can walk into the nearest kirana point store and make basic financial transactions like repaying loan, deposits and withdrawals from savings account and make bill payments. For this the company will appoint agents to set up kirana points.

7. PE FIRMS, NBFCs FIND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING: Private Equity and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) are looking at affordable housing projects.  A few Institutions have already invested money in affordable housing projects, bringing in the much needed liquidity. This is the result of the government’s thrust on the segment and recently accorded infrastructure status.