Banks' bad loan ratio at 13-yr low on higher recoveries

Reduction In GNPAs, Lower Slippages

- SACHIN KUMAR

BANKS' ASSET QUALITY has improved, with their gross non-performing assets ratio (GNPA) hitting a 13-year low of 2.5% at end of September, from 2.7% at end-March, driven by higher recoveries and lower slippages, according to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) latest report on trend and progress of banking in India.

During 2023-24, banks' consolidated balance sheet expanded at a healthy pace with robust deposit and credit growth.

"The improvement in the asset quality of banks, measured by their GNPA ratios, commenced in 2018-19. GNPAs of SCBs reduced by 15.9% YoY to ₹4.8 lakh crore as on March 31, 2024," said the report. "The GNPA ratio declined to 2.7% at end-March 2024, the lowest in 13 years, from 3.9% at end-March 2023."

During 2023-24, around 44.4% of the reduction in GNPAs was attributable to better recoveries and upgradations, noted the report.