Insolvency: Suspension to bite banks as stressed asset resolution seems distant-

As per the reports, banks are now hamstrung with regard to resolution and recovery as the government has suspended fresh insolvency cases for 12 months concerned over deteriorating asset quality post COVID-19. While the effect of the lockdown is expected to lead to a pile-up of bad assets, the lack of effective recovery mechanisms outside the IBC is a cause of worry for lenders already reeling from bad assets. This effectively closes an important avenue of debt resolution being used by lenders. There are a few clarifications required pertaining to the IBC announcement.

The presentation held by the Finance Ministry talks about suspension of fresh IBC cases for a year, it is unclear if the Reserve Bank of India will be able to refer companies to the bankruptcy tribunal. The Central Bank, i.e., RBI is the only authority allowed to do so in the case of non-bank financiers, a sector where there is tremendous stress.” Dewan Housing Finance Corp. Ltd. (DHFL) was the first non-bank lender to be referred to the Adjudicating Authority, i.e., NCLT under new rules notified by the government on 15^th November. The NBFC sector has been facing a liquidity crunch for quite some time now beginning with the default of Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) in 2018.

However, the better rated ones among these financiers have been able to borrow despite sectoral challenges. The IBC freeze for 12 months could be a setback for Indian banks looking for  insolvency resolution or liquidation under the legal umbrella and would ease credit discipline with corporate borrowers. The overall package is a disappointment for expectations of a revival of demand in the economy, and for sectors that are stressed due to the lockdown. This comes at a time when bankers expect asset quality to deteriorate. Rating agency CRISIL estimates that bad loans will rise to 11-11.5% by March 2021 from the 9.6% expected for F.Y. 2020. Moreover, the closure of the IBC window will also affect the provisioning of banks. For instance, the 7^th June Circular  issued by RBI on Stressed Assets requires banks to set-aside 20% of the exposure in additional provisions if they fail to resolve an asset within 210 days.

While this money can be reserved only when a resolution plan has been implemented, for cases referred to IBC, half of the provisions can be reversed as soon as the case is referred to the tribunal and the rest on its admission. Bankers have preferred IBC route over other mechanisms because it has legal backing and is sanctioned by a tribunal. Of the total 3,312 corporate insolvency cases as on 31^st December, 2019, financial creditors have initiated 1,439 cases and operational creditors have initiated 1,630 cases.  As per the data from the IBBI showed that financial creditors or lenders have been able to realise 43.15% of their admitted claims as on 31^st December, 2019. However, not everyone believes that the IBC is the only option for lenders to recover their dues. In the absence of the IBC, a one-time debt restructuring window by the RBI will be very useful.

A one-time debt restructuring will be much faster than the IBC and companies that are genuinely stressed will get a new lease of life. They can be turned around without going through the long-winding up process of bankruptcy tribunals. Further, a hope exists that there will be clarity on whether the amendment will cover cases that have been filed but pending admission, or cases that relates to past debts and arose prior to the present pandemic. The enhancement of threshold from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 1 crore will not have any practical implications if the entire process of IBC  is put to a standstill for one year.