New Delhi: The country’s largest lender, the State Bank of India (SBI), has expressed apprehensions that demonetisation may continue to result in slowing down of the economy and adversely affect its business.
The government had discontinued `500 and `1,000 banknotes from November 9, 2016, and issued new `500 and `2,000 currency notes in exchange for the discontinued ones.
The long-term impact of this move on the Indian economy and the banking sector is uncertain, SBI told institutional investors prior to its `15,000-crore share sale through private placement.
The effects of India’s recent demonetisation decision are uncertain, which may adversely affect the bank’s business, results of operations and financial condition, the bank said in the Preliminary Placement Document to investors while flagging the ‘risk factors’.
“The demonetisation has and may continue to result in a slowing down of the Indian economy, which may adversely affect the Bank’s business,” it said.
The document, SBI had said, contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Further, the financial performance may differ from “such forward-looking” statements as a result of certain factors.
Post-demonetisation, there has been a surge in the current and saving accounts (CASA) deposits of banks.
According to a Reserve Bank of India report, the sharp increase in the share of CASA depositsin aggregate deposits by 4.10 per cent to 39.30 per cent (as of February 17, 2017) resulted in a reduction in the cost of aggregate deposits, and banks have correspondingly lowered their term deposit rates.
As a result, the bank may face increased competition from commercial banks and other lending institutions, it said while highlighting the risks associated with demonetisation.
Union finance minister Arun Jaitley last Friday said the government was aware that demonetisation would cause a cash crunch in India but had envisaged long-term advantages like “great and substantial” movement towards digitisation of the economy.
“We were conscious of the fact that the demonetisation, to the extent that it causes a cash crunch made temporarily for a quarter or two impact on us adversely. But there were some long-term advantages which were envisaged,” Jaitley said in an interview aired in Washington.
Asked whether demonetisation has been a success, he said the first significant advantages that has taken place is that there is a “great and a substantial movement” towards digitisation of the economy. “The use of cash relatively comes down, the use of other mode of payments increases. The second is, there is a substantial number of assesses who have been added,” Jaitley said.
SBI said increased competition may have an adverse effect on the net interest margin and other income and, if the bank is unable to compete successfully, its profitability may decline.
“The move could also result in an increase in compliance costs and higher incidents of fraud. Any one or more of these events, if and when they occur, could have a material effect on the bank’s business, results of operations, financial conditions as well as reputation,” the document said.
Post the merger of its five associate banks and the Bharatiya Mahila Bank, effective April 1,SBI catapulted into one of the top 50 global banks (up from the 55th position in 2016).
Agencies
