Write-off of NPLs
Banks should have clearly articulated write-off/ waiver policies established by the Board of Directors, delineating the approach, authority, accountability for negligence and inappropriate follow-up, independent review and audit, continuous monitoring, reporting, etc. The policies should aim at recovering maximum salvage value through enforcement of collateral / guarantees, etc. The banks should also be extremely prudent in entering into compromise proposals / waiving any part of the claims with the borrowers and guarantors and all such decisions should have the approval of the appropriate authorities. Further, the decisions to compromise the banks’ claims should be pursued only when all available remedies including legal actions against the borrowers and guarantors have been fully exhausted. Where the write-off / waiver is considered before exhausting all the resources, the justifications therefor should be clearly established and the cases duly approved by the full Board of Directors.