A Comprehensive Analysis on Special Liquidity Scheme for NBFCs or HFCs

To develop the liquidity position of NBFCs (Non-Banking Financial Company) or HFCs (Home Finance Company), the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs has announced a Special Liquidity Scheme for NBFCs or HFCs of Rs. 30,000 crores on March 13 2020. The Reserve Bank of Indian (RBI) will offer funds for the Scheme by subscribing to Government assured distinct securities issued by the Trust. The total amount of the special securities issued unsettled shall not exceed Rs. 30,000 crores. The Indian Government will offer an unrestricted and unchangeable guarantee to the special securities issued by the Trust. Also, this Scheme is being launched on July 01, 2020, through a Special Purpose Vehicle in the SLS Trust form set up by SBI Capital Markets Limited (SBICAP). Scroll down to check more information regarding Special Liquidity Scheme for NBFCs or HFCs.

Let’s Understand the Special Liquidity Scheme

This Scheme was launched on the occasion when the majority of the Non-Banking Financial Companies were looking for financial leverage from the Government of India to alleviate their financial status. Special Liquidity Scheme was supported by Rs. 30,000 crores relief fund. The RBI was the only one who funded this Scheme after subscribing to the Government related special securities. The Special Liquidity Scheme for NBFCs or HFCs follows lots of positive atmospheres since it got the help of the nation’s leading apex bodies. It was also expected to advance the financial status of the present NBFCs and HFCs in India.

This Scheme will remain open for three months for making contributions by the Trust. The lending period (CPs or NCDs of NBFCs or HFCs for a short time of up to ninety-day) will be for a period of up to 90 days or three months. The funding would be used by the Non-Banking Financial Companies or Home Finance Company only to repay current liabilities and not to increase assets. Moreover, those market participants who are seeking to exit their standard investments with a lasting maturity of ninety days may also approach the SLS Trust.

What are the Conditions Related to Eligibility Criteria Drafted by RBI?

NBFC Registration done under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, including Microfinance Companies registered with RBI (excluding those companies registered as Core Investment Companies) and any HFC (Home Finance Company) registered with NHB (National Housing Bank) under the National Housing Bank Act, 1987; which is fulfilling with the following conditions or guidelines will be qualified to raise funding from the proposed facility:

1. Non-Banking Financial Companies with investment-grading ratings were only permitted to the Scheme;
2. The net Non-Performing Assets (NPA) for Non-Banking Financial Company should not exceed the maximum limit (6%) as of March 31, 2019;
3. They are required to meet the requirement of Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for an appropriate level of surety from the entity;
4. Companies should obey to profitability as far as the monetary standing is concerned for the last two years;
5. Home Finance Companies should be registered under the NHB Act, 1987 have access to Special Liquidity Scheme for NBFCs or HFCs;
6. The Capital Adequacy Ratio of Non-Banking Financial Company or Home Finance Company must not be lower than 15% and 12% respectively as of March 31, 2019;
7. They should remain outside the Scheme of Special Mention Accounts (SMA-1 or 2) for their borrowing in the last one year before August 01, 2019.

Restrictions of Special Liquidity Scheme for NBFCs or HFCs

Following are some restrictions of the Special Liquidity Scheme for NBFCs or HFCs:

1. It cannot be used for extending lending services;
2. This Scheme only aim to extinguish present liabilities for Non-Banking Financial Company;
3. It shows un-biasness as it aids major players.

What are the Effects of Special Liquidity Scheme for NBFCs or HFCs?

Following are some effects or results of the Special Liquidity Scheme for NBFCs or HFCs that have been observed:

1. Disbursal Negligence: According to the certified data, the Special Liquidity Scheme has been unsuccessful to expend the allocated fund of the Rs. 30,000 crores to the Non-Banking Financial Companies in the suggested time limit. Only Rs. 7,227 crores of funds have been directed to the possible credit seekers at the end of the Scheme. Till September 30, 39 proposals, including Rs. 11,120 crores was approved. Out of this approved expanse, Rs. 7,227 has been credited, whereas Rs. 182 crores end up useless. Moreover, the remaining amount Rs. 3,707 crores have lapsed.
2. Poor Organizing of Scheme: There is no disagreement that the Special Liquidity Scheme for NBFCs or HFCs lacks everything that innovative establishments wanted for. After all, there is no such point in accessing a liquidity scheme that does not resolve the primary problem. Hereafter, the centre should look for another way by preventing the existing practice for structuring or organizing the Special Liquidity Scheme for NBFCs or HFCs. They should be accomplished left a negative impression on the Government.

By taking perception from stakeholders would help the Indian Government to shape a better scheme. Any twist after the deployment could be a monotonous task for the Government. The problem with such a scheme was that it was the only providing to a thin range of credit searcher, and this is why the substantial portion of the Scheme’s fund remained untouched.

• Unable to meet the requirements: Though the Government of India was keen to support the industry, the way this Scheme was drafted and executed, is not satisfying the requirement of the Non-Banking Financial Company system from a practical point of view. Special Liquidity Scheme is meant to help the NBFCs by fulfilling the requirements dealing with some strict liabilities issues.

Still, there is a sign of expectation as the Government is planning to distribute the remaining funds to the NABARD or SIDBI^[1]. Such bodies will soon launch direct liquidity support to the freshly established Non-Banking Financial Company via term loans. The expenditure of such funds will not take the credit rating into account. As per the assumption of an expert, this may not be a game-changer, but at least it would lower than turbulence for financial needs to some extent.

In the past few months, the NBFCs (Non-Banking Financial Companies) have been catering their payment commitment in a better way, yet their balance sheet says otherwise. These companies were waiting for a constant remedy to re-balance their asset-liability discrepancy. They would instead choose for new borrowings available for longer terms to help the lending purpose. The present situation demands the debts market to starts rolling out funds for credit searchers without risk or credit aversion.

Conclusion

This Scheme is one of a generous that solidifies no benefit to small & medium Non-Banking Financial Companies. It’s weird that how the Scheme with such an absolute amount of the fund went unproductive. The Finance Ministry and the Government of India require to work from the ground up to a new and better scheme that holds the primary problems instead of pointless matters.

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