{

_________RESERVE BANK OF INDIA__________

www.rbi.org.in
RBI/2013-14/503
DBOD.BP.BC.No.97/ 21.04.132 / 2013-14 February 26, 2014
All Scheduled Commercial Banks
(excluding RRBs)
All-India Term-lending and Refinancing Institutions
(Exim Bank, NABARD, NHB and SIDBI)

Dear Sir,

Framework for Revitalising Distressed Assets in the Economy Guidelines on

Joint Lenders Forum (JLF) and Corrective Action Plan (CAP)

Please refer to the Framework for Revitalising Distress Assets in the Economy
placed on our website on January 30, 2014. Accordingly, detailed guidelines on
formation of Joint Lenders Forum (JLF) and adoption of Corrective Action Plan
(CAP) for operationalizing the above Framework are given below. These guidelines
will be applicable for lending under Consortium and Multiple Banking Arrangements
(MBA) [except instructions in paragraphs 2.1, 7.1, 8 & 9, which will be applicable in
all cases of lending], and should be read with our latest Master Circular on Income
Recognition, Asset Classification and Provisioning Pertaining to Advances and any
other instruction issued in this regard from time to time.

2. Formation of Joint Lenders Forum

2.1 As proposed in paragraph 2.1.1 of the Framework, before a loan account turns
into a NPA, banks are required to identify incipient stress in the account by creating
three sub-categories under the Special Mention Account (SMA 1) category as given in
the table below:

1
Special Mention Account (SMA) was introduced in terms of RBI Circular No.
DBS.CO.OSMOS/B.C./4/33.04.006/2002-2003 dated September 12, 2002, whereby banks are required to
identify incipient stress in the account by creating a sub-asset category viz., SMA.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
th
DEPARTMENT OF BANKING OPERATIONS & DEVELOPMENT, CENTRAL OFFICE, 12 Floor, Central
Office Building, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Mumbai-400 001 E-mail : [email protected]
 2

SMA Sub- Basis for classification

categories
SMA-0 Principal or interest payment not overdue for more than 30 days
but account showing signs of incipient stress (Please see Annex)
SMA-1 Principal or interest payment overdue between 31-60 days
SMA-2 Principal or interest payment overdue between 61-90 days

2.2 It was also proposed in the Framework that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will
set up a Central Repository of Information on Large Credits (CRILC) to collect, store,
and disseminate credit data to lenders. Accordingly, our Department of Banking
Supervision (DBS) has advised vide circular DBS.No.OSMOS.9862/33.01.018/2013-
14 dated February 13, 2014 on Central Repository of Information on Large Credits
(CRILC) Revision in Reporting that banks will be required to report credit
information, including classification of an account as SMA to CRILC on all their
borrowers having aggregate fund-based and non-fund based exposure of Rs.50
million and above with them.

2.3 Banks are advised that as soon as an account is reported by any of the lenders
to CRILC as SMA-2, they should mandatorily form a committee to be called Joint
Lenders Forum (JLF) if the aggregate exposure (AE) [fund based and non-fund
based taken together] of lenders in that account is Rs 1000 million and above.
Lenders also have the option of forming a JLF even when the AE in an account is
less than Rs.1000 million and/or when the account is reported as SMA-0 or SMA-1.

2.4 While the existing Consortium Arrangement for consortium accounts will serve as
JLF with the Consortium Leader as convener, for accounts under Multiple Banking
Arrangements (MBA), the lender with the highest AE will convene JLF at the earliest
and facilitate exchange of credit information on the account. In case there are
multiple consortium of lenders for a borrower (e.g. separate consortium for working
capital and term loans), the lender with the highest AE will convene the JLF.

2.5 It is possible that a borrower may request the lender/s, with substantiated
grounds, for formation of a JLF on account of imminent stress. When such a request
is received by a lender, the account should be reported to CRILC as SMA-0, and the
lenders should also form the JLF immediately if the AE is Rs. 1000 million and
 3

above. It is, however, clarified that for the present, JLF formation is optional in other
cases of SMA-0 reporting.

2.6 All the lenders should formulate and sign an Agreement (which may be called
JLF agreement) incorporating the broad rules for the functioning of the JLF. The
Indian Banks Association (IBA) would prepare a Master JLF agreement and
operational guidelines for JLF which could be adopted by all lenders. The JLF should
explore the possibility of the borrower setting right the irregularities/weaknesses in
the account. The JLF may invite representatives of the Central/State
Government/Project authorities/Local authorities, if they have a role in the
implementation of the project financed.

2.7 While JLF formation and subsequent corrective actions will be mandatory in
accounts having AE of Rs.1000 million and above, in other cases also the lenders
will have to monitor the asset quality closely and take corrective action for effective
resolution as deemed appropriate.

3 Corrective Action Plan (CAP) by JLF

3.1 The JLF may explore various options to resolve the stress in the account. The
intention is not to encourage a particular resolution option, e.g. restructuring or
recovery, but to arrive at an early and feasible solution to preserve the economic
value of the underlying assets as well as the lenders loans. The options under
Corrective Action Plan (CAP) by the JLF would generally include:

(a) Rectification - Obtaining a specific commitment from the borrower to regularise

the account so that the account comes out of SMA status or does not slip into the
NPA category. The commitment should be supported with identifiable cash flows
within the required time period and without involving any loss or sacrifice on the part
of the existing lenders. If the existing promoters are not in a position to bring in
additional money or take any measures to regularise the account, the possibility of
getting some other equity/strategic investors to the company may be explored by the
JLF in consultation with the borrower. These measures are intended to turn-around
the entity/company without any change in terms and conditions of the loan. The JLF
may also consider providing need based additional finance to the borrower, if
 4

considered necessary, as part of the rectification process. However, it should be

strictly ensured that additional financing is not provided with a view to ever-greening
the account.

(b) Restructuring - Consider the possibility of restructuring the account if it is prima

facie viable and the borrower is not a wilful defaulter, i.e., there is no diversion of
funds, fraud or malfeasance, etc. At this stage, commitment from promoters for
extending their personal guarantees along with their net worth statement supported
by copies of legal titles to assets may be obtained along with a declaration that they
would not undertake any transaction that would alienate assets without the
permission of the JLF. Any deviation from the commitment by the borrowers affecting
the security/recoverability of the loans may be treated as a valid factor for initiating
recovery process. For this action to be sustainable, the lenders in the JLF may sign
an Inter Creditor Agreement (ICA) and also require the borrower to sign the Debtor
Creditor Agreement (DCA) which would provide the legal basis for any restructuring
process. The formats used by the Corporate Debt Restructuring (CDR) mechanism
for ICA and DCA could be considered, if necessary with appropriate changes.
Further, a stand still2 clause could be stipulated in the DCA to enable a smooth
process of restructuring. The stand-still clause does not mean that the borrower is
precluded from making payments to the lenders. The ICA may also stipulate that
both secured and unsecured creditors need to agree to the final resolution.

(c) Recovery - Once the first two options at (a) and (b) above are seen as not
feasible, due recovery process may be resorted to. The JLF may decide the best
recovery process to be followed, among the various legal and other recovery options
available, with a view to optimising the efforts and results.

2
One of the important elements of DCA would be a 'stand still' agreement binding for the period from the
date of signing of DCA to the date of approval of restructuring package as per the time frame indicated in
paragraphs 3.3 and 3.4 of these Guidelines. Under this clause, both the debtor and creditor(s) shall agree to a
legally binding 'stand-still' whereby both the parties commit themselves not to take recourse to any other legal
action during the 'stand-still' period. This would be necessary to undertake the necessary debt restructuring
exercise without any outside intervention, judicial or otherwise. However, the stand-still clause will be
applicable only to any civil action either by the borrower or any lender against the other party and will not
cover any criminal action. Further, during the stand-still period, outstanding foreign exchange forward
contracts, derivative products, etc., can be crystallised, provided the borrower is agreeable to such
crystallisation. The borrower will additionally undertake that during the stand-still period the documents will
stand extended for the purpose of limitation and also that it will not approach any other authority for any
relief and the directors of the borrowing company will not resign from the Board of Directors during the stand-
still period.
 5

3.2 The decisions agreed upon by a minimum of 75% of creditors by value and 60%
of creditors by number in the JLF would be considered as the basis for proceeding
with the restructuring of the account, and will be binding on all lenders under the
terms of the ICA. However, if the JLF decides to proceed with recovery, the minimum
criteria for binding decision, if any, under any relevant laws/Acts would be applicable.

3.3 The JLF is required to arrive at an agreement on the option to be adopted for
CAP within 30 days from (i) the date of an account being reported as SMA-2 by one
or more lender, or (ii) receipt of request from the borrower to form a JLF, with
substantiated grounds, if it senses imminent stress. The JLF should sign off the
detailed final CAP within the next 30 days from the date of arriving at such an
agreement.

3.4 If the JLF decides on options 3.1 (a) or (b), but the account fails to perform as
per the agreed terms under option (a) or (b), the JLF should initiate recovery under
option 3.1 (c).

4. Restructuring Process
4.1 RBIs extant prudential guidelines on restructuring of advances lay down detailed
methodology and norms for restructuring of advances under sole banking as well as
multiple/ consortium arrangements. Corporate Debt Restructuring (CDR) mechanism
is an institutional framework for restructuring of multiple/ consortium advances of
banks where even creditors who are not part of CDR system can join by signing
transaction to transaction based agreements.

4.2 If the JLF decides restructuring of the account as CAP, it will have the option of
either referring the account to CDR Cell after a decision to restructure is taken under
para 3.1 as indicated above or restructure the same independent of the CDR
mechanism.

4.3 Restructuring by JLF

4.3.1 If the JLF decides to restructure an account independent of the CDR
mechanism, the JLF should carry out the detailed Techno-Economic Viability (TEV)
study, and if found viable, finalise the restructuring package within 30 days from the
date of signing off the final CAP as mentioned in paragraph 3.3 above.
 6

4.3.2 For accounts with AE of less than Rs.5000 million, the above-mentioned
restructuring package should be approved by the JLF and conveyed by the lenders
to the borrower within the next 15 days for implementation.

4.3.3 For accounts with AE of Rs.5000 million and above, the above-mentioned TEV
study and restructuring package will have to be subjected to an evaluation by an
Independent Evaluation Committee (IEC)3 of experts fulfilling certain eligibility
conditions. The IEC will look into the viability aspects after ensuring that the terms of
restructuring are fair to the lenders. The IEC will be required to give their
recommendation in these cases to the JLF within a period of 30 days. Thereafter,
considering the views of IEC if the JLF decides to go ahead with the restructuring,
the restructuring package including all terms and conditions as mutually agreed upon
between the lenders and borrower, would have to be approved by all the lenders and
communicated to the borrower within next 15 days for implementation.

4.3.4 Asset Classification benefit as applicable under the extant guidelines will
accrue to such restructured accounts as if they were restructured under CDR
mechanism. For this purpose, the asset classification of the account as on the date
of formation of JLF will be taken into account.

4.3.5 The above-mentioned time limits are maximum permitted time periods and the
JLF should try to arrive at a restructuring package as soon as possible in cases of
simple restructuring.

4.3.6 Restructuring cases will be taken up by the JLF only in respect of assets
reported as Standard, SMA or Sub-Standard by one or more lenders of the JLF.
While generally no account classified as doubtful should be considered by the JLF
for restructuring, in cases where a small portion of debt is doubtful i.e. the account is
standard/sub-standard in the books of at least 90% of creditors (by value), the
account may then be considered under JLF for restructuring.

3
The constitution of the IEC and the funding needs for payment of fees for independent experts would be
decided by Indian Banks Association (IBA) in consultation with RBI.
 7

4.3.7 Wilful defaulters will normally not be eligible for restructuring. However, the JLF
may review the reasons for classification of the borrower as a wilful defaulter and
satisfy itself that the borrower is in a position to rectify the wilful default. The decision
to restructure such cases should however also have the approvals of the board/s of
individual bank/s within the JLF who have classified the borrower as wilful defaulter.

4.3.8 The viability of the account should be determined by the JLF based on
acceptable viability benchmarks determined by them. Illustratively, the parameters
may include the Debt Equity Ratio, Debt Service Coverage Ratio, Liquidity/Current
Ratio and the amount of provision required in lieu of the diminution in the fair value of
the restructured advance, etc. Further, the JLF may consider the benchmarks for the
viability parameters adopted by the CDR mechanism (as mentioned in Appendix to
the circular No. DBOD.BP.BC.No.99/21.04.132/2012-13 dated May 30, 2013 on
Review of Prudential Guidelines on Restructuring of Advances by Banks and
Financial Institutions) and adopt the same with suitable adjustments taking into
account the fact that different sectors of the economy have different performance
indicators.

4.4 Restructuring Referred by the JLF to the CDR Cell

4.4.1 If the JLF decides to refer the account to CDR Cell after a decision to
restructure is taken under para 3.1, the following procedure may be followed.

4.4.2 As the preliminary viability of account has already been decided by the JLF,
CDR Cell should directly prepare the Techno-Economic Viability (TEV) study and
restructuring plan in consultation with JLF within 30 days from the date of reference
to it by the JLF.

4.4.3 For accounts with AE of less than Rs.5000 million, the above-mentioned
restructuring package should be submitted to CDR Empowered Group (EG) for
approval. Under extant instructions, CDR EG can approve or suggest modifications
but ensure that a final decision is taken within a total period of 90 days, which can be
extended up to a maximum of 180 days from the date of reference to CDR Cell.
However, the cases referred to CDR Cell by JLF will have to be finally decided by
 8

the CDR EG within the next 30 days. If approved by CDR EG, the restructuring
package should be approved by all lenders and conveyed to the borrower within the
next 30 days for implementation.

4.4.4 For accounts with AE of Rs.5000 million and above, the TEV study and
restructuring package prepared by CDR Cell will have to be subjected to an
evaluation by an Independent Evaluation Committee (IEC) of experts. As stated in
paragraph 4.3.3, composition and other details of the IEC would be communicated
separately by IBA to banks. The IEC will look into the viability aspects after ensuring
that the terms of restructuring are fair to the lenders. The IEC will be required to give
their recommendation in these aspects to the CDR Cell under advice to JLF within a
period of 30 days. Thereafter, considering the views of IEC if the JLF decides to go
ahead with the restructuring, the same should be communicated to CDR Cell and
CDR Cell should submit the restructuring package to CDR EG within a total period of
7 days from receiving the views of IEC. Thereafter, CDR EG should decide on the
approval/modification/rejection within the next 30 days. If approved by CDR EG, the
restructuring package should be approved by all lenders and conveyed to the
borrower within the next 30 days for implementation.

5. Other Issues/Conditions Relating to Restructuring by JLF/CDR Cell

5.1 Both under JLF and CDR mechanism, the restructuring package should also
stipulate the timeline during which certain viability milestones (e.g. improvement in
certain financial ratios after a period of time, say, 6 months or 1 year and so on)
would be achieved. The JLF must periodically review the account for
achievement/non-achievement of milestones and should consider initiating suitable
measures including recovery measures as deemed appropriate.

5.2 Restructuring whether under JLF or CDR is to be completed within the specified
time periods. The JLF and CDR Cell should optimally utilise the specified time
periods so that the aggregate time limit is not breached under any mode of
restructuring. If the JLF/CDR takes a shorter time for an activity as against the
prescribed limit, then it can have the discretion to utilise the saved time for other
activities provided the aggregate time limit is not breached.
 9

5.3 The general principle of restructuring should be that the shareholders bear the
first loss rather than the debt holders. With this principle in view and also to ensure
more skin in the game of promoters, JLF/CDR may consider the following options
when a loan is restructured:
Possibility of transferring equity of the company by promoters to the lenders
to compensate for their sacrifices;
Promoters infusing more equity into their companies;
Transfer of the promoters holdings to a security trustee or an escrow
arrangement till turnaround of company. This will enable a change in
management control, should lenders favour it.

5.4 In case a borrower has undertaken diversification or expansion of the activities

which has resulted in the stress on the core-business of the group, a clause for sale
of non-core assets or other assets may be stipulated as a condition for restructuring
the account, if under the TEV study the account is likely to become viable on hiving-
off of non-core activities and other assets.

5.5 For restructuring of dues in respect of listed companies, lenders may be ab-
initio compensated for their loss/sacrifice (diminution in fair value of account in net
present value terms) by way of issuance of equities of the company upfront, subject
to the extant regulations and statutory requirements. In such cases, the restructuring
agreement shall not incorporate any right of recompense clause. However, if the
lenders sacrifice is not fully compensated by way of issuance of equities, the right of
recompense clause may be incorporated to the extent of shortfall. For unlisted
companies, the JLF will have option of either getting equities issued or incorporate
suitable right to recompense clause.

5.6 Paragraph 2.2 of our circular DBOD.No.Dir.BC.47/13.07.05/2006-07 dated

December 15, 2006 on Limits on Banks Exposure to Capital Markets stipulates
certain limits on banks exposure to Capital Markets. In partial modification of the
circular ibid, it has been decided that if acquisition of equity shares, as indicated in
paragraph 5.5 above, results in exceeding the extant regulatory Capital Market
Exposure (CME) limit, the same will not be considered as a breach of regulatory
limit. However, this will require reporting to RBI and disclosure by banks in the Notes
to Accounts in Annual Financial Statements.
 10

5.7 In order to distinguish the differential security interest available to secured

lenders, partially secured lenders and unsecured lenders, the JLF/CDR could
consider various options like:
Prior agreement in the ICA among the above classes of lenders regarding
repayments, say, as per an agreed waterfall mechanism;
A structured agreement stipulating priority of secured creditors;
Appropriation of repayment proceeds among secured, partially secured and
unsecured lenders in certain pre-agreed proportion.

The above is only an illustrative list and the JLF may decide on a mutually agreed
option. It also needs to be emphasised that while one bank may have a better
security interest when it comes to one borrower, the case may be vice versa in the
case of another borrower. So, it would be beneficial if lenders appreciate the
concerns of fellow lenders and arrive at a mutually agreed option with a view to
preserving the economic value of assets. Once an option is agreed upon, the bank
having the largest exposure may take the lead in ensuring distribution according to
agreed terms once the restructuring package is implemented.

5.8 As regards prudential norms and operational details, RBIs guidelines on CDR
Mechanism, including OTS, will be applicable to the extent that they are not
inconsistent with these guidelines.

6. Prudential Norms on Asset Classification and Provisioning

6.1 While a restructuring proposal is under consideration by the JLF/CDR, the usual
asset classification norm would continue to apply. The process of re-classification of
an asset should not stop merely because restructuring proposal is under
consideration by the JLF/CDR.

6.2 However, as an incentive for quick implementation of a restructuring package,

the special asset classification benefit on restructuring of accounts as per extant
instructions would be available for accounts undertaken for restructuring under these
guidelines, subject to adherence to the overall timeframe for approval of restructuring
package detailed in paragraphs 4.3 and 4.4 above and implementation of the
approved package within 90 days from the date of approval. The asset classification
 11

status as on the date of formation of JLF would be the relevant date to decide the
asset classification status of the account after implementation of the final
restructuring package. As advised to banks vide RBI circular dated May 30, 2013,
the special asset classification benefit as above will however be withdrawn for all
restructurings with effect from April 1, 2015 with the exception of provisions related
to changes in Date of Commencement of Commercial Operations (DCCO) in respect
of infrastructure and non-infrastructure project loans.

6.3 As a measure to ensure adherence to the proposals made in these guidelines as

also to impose disincentives on borrowers for not maintaining credit discipline,
accelerated provisioning norms (as detailed in paragraph 7 below) are being
introduced.

7. Accelerated Provisioning

7.1 In cases where banks fail to report SMA status of the accounts to CRILC or
resort to methods with the intent to conceal the actual status of the accounts or
evergreen the account, banks will be subjected to accelerated provisioning for these
accounts and/or other supervisory actions as deemed appropriate by RBI. The
current provisioning requirement and the revised accelerated provisioning in respect
of such non performing accounts are as under:
 12

Asset Period as NPA Current Revised

Classification provisioning (%) accelerated
provisioning (%)
Sub- standard Up to 6 months 15 No change
(secured) 6 months to 1 15 25
year
Sub-standard Up to 6 months 25 (other than
(unsecured ab- infrastructure loans)
25
initio) 20 (infrastructure
loans)
6 months to 1 25 (other than
year infrastructure loans)
40
20 (infrastructure
loans)
Doubtful I 2nd year 25 (secured portion) 40 (secured
portion)
100 (unsecured 100 (unsecured
portion) portion)
Doubtful II 3rd & 4th year 40 (secured portion) 100 for both
100 (unsecured secured and
portion) unsecured portions
Doubtful III 5th year onwards 100 100

7.2 Further, any of the lenders who have agreed to the restructuring decision under
the CAP by JLF and is a signatory to the ICA and DCA, but changes their stance
later on, or delays/refuses to implement the package, will also be subjected to
accelerated provisioning requirement as indicated at para 7.1 above, on their
exposure to this borrower i.e., if it is classified as an NPA. If the account is standard
in those lenders books, the provisioning requirement would be 5%. Further, any
such backtracking by a lender might attract negative supervisory view during
Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process.

7.3 Presently, asset classification is based on record of recovery at individual banks

and provisioning is based on asset classification status at the level of each bank.
However, if lenders fail to convene the JLF or fail to agree upon a common CAP
 13

within the stipulated time frame, the account will be subjected to accelerated
provisioning as indicated at para 7.1 above, if it is classified as an NPA. If the
account is standard in those lenders books, the provisioning requirement would be
5%.

7.4 If an escrow maintaining bank under JLF/CDR mechanism does not appropriate
proceeds of repayment by the borrower among the lenders as per agreed terms
resulting into down gradation of asset classification of the account in books of other
lenders, the account with the escrow maintaining bank will attract the asset
classification which is lowest among the lending member banks, and corresponding
provisioning requirement.

8. Wilful Defaulters and Non-Cooperative Borrowers

8.1 Instructions regarding treatment of Wilful Defaulters are contained in our Master
Circular DBOD No. CID.BC. 3 /20.16.003/2013-14 dated July 1, 2013 on Wilful
Defaulters. Banks are required to strictly adhere to these guidelines. In addition to
these instructions and with a view to ensuring better corporate governance structure
in companies and ensuring accountability of independent/professional directors,
promoters, auditors, etc. henceforth, the following prudential measures will be
applicable:

(a) The provisioning in respect of existing loans/exposures of banks to companies

having director/s (other than nominee directors of government/financial institutions
brought on board at the time of distress), whose name/s appear more than once in
the list of wilful defaulters, will be 5% in cases of standard accounts; if such account
is classified as NPA, it will attract accelerated provisioning as indicated at para 7.1
above. This is a prudential measure since the expected losses on exposures to such
borrowers are likely to be higher. It is reiterated that no additional facilities should be
granted by any bank/FI to the listed wilful defaulters, in terms of paragraph 2.5 (a) of
Master Circular on Wilful Defaulters dated July 1, 2013.

(b) With a view to discouraging borrowers/defaulters from being unreasonable and

non-cooperative with lenders in their bonafide resolution/recovery efforts, banks may
 14

classify such borrowers as non-cooperative borrowers4, after giving them due notice
if satisfactory clarifications are not furnished. Banks will be required to report
classification of such borrowers to CRILC. Further, banks will be required to make
higher/accelerated provisioning in respect of new loans/exposures to such borrowers
as also new loans/exposures to any other company promoted by such promoters/
directors or to a company on whose board any of the promoter / directors of this non-
cooperative borrower is a director. The provisioning applicable in such cases will be
at the rate of 5% if it is a standard account and accelerated provisioning as per para
7.1 above, if it is an NPA. This is a prudential measure since the expected losses on
exposures to such non-cooperative borrowers are likely to be higher.

9. Dissemination of Information
9.1 At present, the list of Suit filed accounts of Wilful Defaulters (Rs.2.5 million and
above) is submitted by banks to the Credit Information Companies (CICs) of which
they are member(s), who display the same on their respective websites as and when
received. The list of non-suit filed accounts of Wilful Defaulters (Rs.2.5 million and
above) is confidential and is disseminated by RBI among banks and FIs only for their
own use. In order to make the current system of banks/FIs reporting names of suit
filed accounts and non-suit filed accounts of Wilful Defaulters and its availability to
the banks by CICs/RBI as current as possible, banks are advised to forward data on
wilful defaulters to the CICs/Reserve Bank at the earliest but not later than a month
from the reporting date and they must use/ furnish the detailed information as per the
format prescribed in our Master Circular DBOD.No.CID.BC.3/20.16.003/2013-14
dated July 1, 2013 on Wilful Defaulters.

9.2 In terms of our Master Circular on Wilful Defaulters mentioned above, in case
any falsification of accounts on the part of the borrowers is observed by the banks /

4
A non-cooperative borrower is broadly one who does not provide necessary information required by a lender
to assess its financial health even after 2 reminders; or denies access to securities etc. as per terms of sanction
or does not comply with other terms of loan agreements within stipulated period; or is hostile / indifferent / in
denial mode to negotiate with the bank on repayment issues; or plays for time by giving false impression that
some solution is on horizon; or resorts to vexatious tactics such as litigation to thwart timely resolution of the
interest of the lender/s. The borrowers will be given 30 days notice to clarify their stand before their names are
reported as non-cooperative borrowers.
 15

FIs, and if it is observed that the auditors were negligent or deficient in conducting
the audit, banks should lodge a formal complaint against the auditors of the
borrowers with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) to enable the
ICAI to examine and fix accountability of the auditors. RBI reiterates these
instructions for strict compliance. Pending disciplinary action by ICAI, the complaints
may also be forwarded to the RBI (Department of Banking Supervision, Central
Office) and IBA for records. IBA would circulate the names of the CA firms against
whom many complaints have been received amongst all banks who should consider
this aspect before assigning any work to them. RBI would also share such
information with other financial sector regulators/Ministry of Corporate Affairs
(MCA)/Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

9.3 Further, banks may seek explanation from advocates who wrongly certify as to
clear legal titles in respect of assets or valuers who overstate the security value, by
negligence or connivance, and if no reply/satisfactory clarification is received from
them within one month, they may report their names to IBA. The IBA may circulate
the names of such advocates/valuers among its members for consideration before
availing of their services in future. The IBA would create a central registry for this
purpose.

10. These guidelines will be effective from April 1, 2014.

Yours faithfully,

(Rajesh Verma)
Chief General Manager
 16

Annex

SMA-0 Signs of Stress

Illustrative list of signs of stress for categorising an account as SMA-0:

1. Delay of 90 days or more in (a) submission of stock statement / other stipulated

operating control statements or (b) credit monitoring or financial statements or (c)
non-renewal of facilities based on audited financials.

2. Actual sales / operating profits falling short of projections accepted for loan
sanction by 40% or more; or a single event of non-cooperation / prevention from
conduct of stock audits by banks; or reduction of Drawing Power (DP) by 20% or
more after a stock audit; or evidence of diversion of funds for unapproved purpose;
or drop in internal risk rating by 2 or more notches in a single review.

3. Return of 3 or more cheques (or electronic debit instructions) issued by borrowers

in 30 days on grounds of non-availability of balance/DP in the account or return of 3
or more bills / cheques discounted or sent under collection by the borrower.

4. Devolvement of Deferred Payment Guarantee (DPG) instalments or Letters of

Credit (LCs) or invocation of Bank Guarantees (BGs) and its non-payment within 30
days.

5. Third request for extension of time either for creation or perfection of securities as
against time specified in original sanction terms or for compliance with any other
terms and conditions of sanction.

6. Increase in frequency of overdrafts in current accounts.

7. The borrower reporting stress in the business and financials.

8. Promoter(s) pledging/selling their shares in the borrower company due to financial

stress.