Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: ARCs
Mains level: Paper 3- RBI report on ARCs
Key takeaways from the RBI report
- The RBI report states that notwithstanding the rise in the number of Asset Reconstruction Companys (ARCs), the growth in their assets under management (AUM) has been largely trendless except for a major spurt in FY14.
- The growth of the ARC industry has not been consistent over time and not always been synchronous with the trends in non-performing assets (NPAs) of banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs).
- During 2019-20, asset sales by banks to ARCs declined, which could probably be due to banks opting for other resolution channels such as IBC and SARFAESI.
- The acquisition cost of ARCs as a proportion to the book value of assets declined, suggesting lower realisable value of the assets.
Overview of ARCs in India
- The ARC industry began with the establishment of the Asset Reconstruction Company India Ltd (ARCIL) in 2003.
- Of the total AUM, about 62 per cent and 76 per cent was held by the top-three and top-five ARCs in March 2020, respectively.
- After remaining subdued in the initial years of their inception, a jump was seen in the number of ARCs in 2008, and then in 2016.
- Although the number of ARCs has risen over time, their business has remained highly concentrated.
Role of the government
- Indian ARCs have been private sector entities registered with the Reserve Bank.
- Public sector AMCs in other countries have often enjoyed easy access to government funding or government-backed.
- By contrast, capital constraints have often been highlighted as an area of concern for ARCs in India.
Scope for new ARC supported by the government
- The ARC proposed in the Budget will be set up by state-owned and private sector banks, and there will be no equity contribution from the Centre.
- The RBI report supported the government’s proposal for a new ARC, saying that “such an entity will strengthen the asset resolution mechanism further.”
- Introduction of a new asset reconstruction company for addressing the NPAs of public sector banks may also shape the operations of the existing ARCs, it added.
- The ARC, which will have an Asset Management Company (AMC) to manage and sell bad assets, will look to resolve stressed assets of Rs 2-2.5 lakh crore that remain unresolved in around 70 large accounts.
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