Finance Minister Sitharaman to Review Performance of Public Sector Banks on 19 August

On Monday, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will hold an important review meeting at Vigyan Bhawan to assess the performance of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). This meeting is crucial as it will help evaluate how well these banks are doing and whether they are contributing effectively to the country’s economic goals.

Morning Session: Public Sector Banks Review

The day will begin with a focus on Public Sector Banks, with a review scheduled from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. During this session, the Finance Minister and other key participants will look at several important areas, including:

• Deposit Growth: How much the banks have grown in terms of deposits.
• Credit-to-Deposit Ratio: A measure of how well the banks are using their deposits to give out loans.
• Asset Quality: The health of the bank’s loans and investments, which is a critical indicator of their financial stability.

In addition to these metrics, the meeting will also discuss the current status of accounts taken over by the National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL). This will include a review of the actions taken so far and the future plans for these accounts.

The performance of PSBs under various government schemes will be another key focus. Schemes such as PM Awas Yojana, PM Surya Ghar, and PM Vishwakarma will be closely scrutinized. The meeting will also cover advancements in digital payments and cybersecurity measures, which are essential in today’s technology-driven banking environment.

Afternoon Session: Regional Rural Banks Review

The afternoon session, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, will shift the focus to Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). These banks play a vital role in supporting rural economies, so their performance is critical. The review will include:

• Key Financial Parameters: Similar to the PSBs, the RRBs’ financial health will be assessed.
• Ground Level Credit (GLC) for Agriculture: How well these banks are supporting agricultural lending.
• Technology Upgrades: The status of technology improvements in RRBs will be reviewed.

The meeting will also address initiatives aimed at Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This includes looking at the performance of RRBs under government schemes, recent interventions, and any unresolved issues that need attention.

Conclusion

This comprehensive review meeting is expected to provide valuable insights into the functioning of PSBs and RRBs. By closely monitoring these banks, the government aims to ensure that they are contributing effectively to the economy and maintaining financial stability across the nation. The outcomes of this review will likely play a significant role in shaping future policies and strategies for the banking sector.