Page 27 - Banking Finance April 2021
P. 27
ARTICLE
RESOLUTION
FRAMEWORK FOR
COVID-19 RELATED
STRESS FOR
PERSONAL LOANS
Introduction: on 31 August, 2020. This forbearance of 6 months is being
made available indiscriminately to all the borrowers, but the
The Corona Virus pandemic has shattered the dreams of
millions of Indians. India's economy, which was growing matter of fact was that it cannot last to all borrowers for
rapidly, has fallen flat. Tens of millions of people were coming an indefinite period thereby creating an environment of
out of poverty, megacities were being erected, India's uncertainty amongst the said segment.
strength was increasing and it was poised to become an
economic superpower. Due to slowdown in the economy As the process for normalization of economic activity gathers
which was triggered by the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, pace, the need to address the deeper cash flow/balance
some employees had either lost their job or working on sheet stress that many of the viable entities may have been
reduced salaries thereby triggering a problem of serving of exposed to on account of the pandemic and the consequent
their EMIs. impact on the financial institutions is also required. Though
the phased unlockdown has started, the severity and
The RBI in starting of lockdown period due to COVID-19
continuity of COVID-19 impact is visible in business and
pandemic had permitted banks to grant a moratorium cum
economy and normalcy will take some time.
forbearance of 6 months in deferment of EMIs which ended
Keeping in consideration of the genuine difficulties facing by
About the author individual borrowers while servicing their EMIs due to
reducing earning capacity of the salaried as well as self-
A. K. Agnihotri employed class, the RBI has advised all the lenders to
Senior Manager (Faculty)
Union Bank of India formulate a Resolution Policy for the borrowers impacted
Staff College, Bengaluru by the ongoing precarious COVID-19 pandemic vide its
Circular dated 06 August, 2020.
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