RBI directed Indian Banks to maintain Tier I Capital of at least 7% of their Risk Weighted Assets

The Reserve Bank of India on 2 May 2012 published guidelines for implementation of the new global capital adequacy norms, called Basel III, by March 2018. Indian banks will have to maintain Tier I capital, or core capital, of at least 7 per cent of their risk weighted assets on an ongoing basis. The objective is to strengthen risk management mechanism. As per the guidelines specified by the central bank, commercial banks will have to maintain their total capital adequacy ratio at 9 percent, higher than the minimum recommended requirement of 8 percent under the Basel III norms. 

It was decided that scheduled commercial banks (excluding LABs and RRBs) operating in India will have to maintain a minimum total capital (MTC) of 9 percent of total risk weighted assets (RWAs) as against a MTC of 8 percent of RWAs as prescribed in Basel III rules text of the BCBS (Basel Committee on Banking Supervision).

Also, banks were directed to keep a capital conservation buffer of 2.50 percent. It essentially means that banks will have to set aside more capital as buffer to avoid a 2008-like crisis again. On failing to set aside the mentioned capital, the banks will not be able to pay dividend and bonus. The RBI tightened the norms to monitor banks’ investments, inter-connectedness and cross-holdings in the financial sector services which are beyond the active regulatory purview of the central bank.

Basel III requires banks to have a higher share of core capital – which is equity and reserves. Banks will thus require additional Rs 1-1.5 lakh crore over the next six years for doing the same level of business.

The implementation of the capital adequacy guidelines based on the Basel III capital regulations will begin on 1 January 2013. Banks are to attain a minimum Tier I capital ratio of 4.5 per cent by January 2013, 5.5 per cent by January 2014, and 6 per cent by January 2015. The new capital regulations will be fully implemented by 31 March 2018.

Under the existing Basel II framework, banks are required to maintain Tier I capital of at least 6 per cent of their risk weighted assets. Under Basel III, Tier I capital will predominantly consist of common equity, defined as paid-up equity capital, share premium, surpluses arising from sale of assets, other disclosed free reserves, and balance in the profit and loss account at the end of the financial year.