Prajna Capital - An Investment Guide

THE GOVERNMENT has announced the recapitalisation of public sector banks in the interim budget to infuse more capital into banks so that they can increase their lending and improve their liquidity. As per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) norms, banks are expected to maintain a capital adequacy ratio ( CAR ) of 9% or higher. All Indian banks have higher CAR than the prescribed limit. However, it seems that the government intends all PSU banks to have a CAR of at least 12% (see table showing the list of PSU banks with CAR of 12% or less). This is what makes recapitalisation different in India from what is happening globally, especially in the US and Europe, where governments have to step in to save the possible bankruptcy due to erosion of capital. Indeed, the move will make PSU banks much stronger than earlier to face any eventuality. However, what is good for banks may not be that good for their shareholders. This is because, when the government infuses more capital into banks, its p...