Bank of India Ltd
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Earnings Call Transcript

Earnings Call Transcript
2023-Q4

from 0
Operator

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. On behalf of the Bank of India, I extend a warm welcome to the esteemed members of the analyst fraternity who have joined us today. We are pleased to announce the Bank of India's financial results for Q4 FY '23. The Bank of India has reported a stellar result with a net profit of INR 1,350 crores, which is up by 123% Y-o-Y. I would like to thank the management of Bank of India for being here with us today to address all of you.

Shri Rajneesh Karnatak, MD and CEO; Shri PR Rajagopal, Executive Director; Shri Swarup Dasgupta, Executive Director; Shri Subrat Kumar, Executive Director; Shri M. Karthikeyan, Executive Director; and Shri Sankar Sen, CFO of the bank. Thank you, gentlemen, for being with us here on the stage today.

We will now begin the analyst briefing. To start, I would like to invite Shri Rajneesh Karnatak to address this gathering. After which, we will open the floor for a Q&A session. Over to you, sir.

R
Rajneesh Karnatak
executive

Yes. Thank you, Madam. Good evening, everyone. First of all, thank you to all the analysts for coming here today in physical and also in the virtual mode. So Bank of India is 117 years of successful journey, founded on September 7, 1906 by a group of eminent businessmen from Mumbai, beginning with one office in Mumbai with a paid up capital of 50 lakh and 50 employees. The bank has made rapid growth over the years and blossomed into a mighty institution with a strong national presence and sizable international operations.

In business volume, the bank occupies a premier position among the nationalized banks. The bank has 5,129 branches in India, spread all over the states, union territories, including specialized branches. These branches are controlled through 70 zonal offices and 13 NBG offices. The bank has staff strength of 52,000 plus as on March 23. Presently, bank has overseas presence in 15 foreign countries spread over 5 continents, with 45 branch offices including 4 subsidiaries, 1 representative office and 1 joint venture at key banking and financial centers like Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, London, Paris, New York and Dubai.

So you already have seen the numbers which have been uploaded. Just the key numbers, which I would like to share over here is, as far as the business growth is concerned, global business has increased by 9% year-on-year from 10 lakh 84,000 in March 22 to 11 lakh 85,000 crores as on March 23. Global deposits have increased by 6% year-on-year from 6 lakh 27,000 crores in March 22 to 6 lakh 69,000 crores as on March 23.

As far as global advances are concerned, they have increased by 12.87% year-on-year from 4 lakh 57,000 crores in March 22 to 5 lakh 15,000 crores in March 23. As far as the deposit is concerned, domestic CASA went up by 2.72% year-on-year from 2 lakh 45,000 crores in March 22 to 2 lakh 52,000 crores in March 23 with a very healthy CASA ratio of 44.73%. Domestic advances increased by 9.56% year-on-year. And they have touched 4 lakh 31,000 crores in March '23.

Overseas deposits increased by 33% from INR 77,063 crores to 1 lakh 2,000 crores in March 23. As far as the asset quality is concerned, gross NPAs declined from INR 45,605 crores to INR 37,686 crores in March 23, a year-on-year reduction of INR 7,900 crores, 17.37% reduction. Sequentially, also gross NPAs have reduced by INR 1,100 crores from INR 38,885 crores. Net NPAs have also come down from INR 9,852 crores in March 22, to INR 8,054 crores in March '23, a year-on-year reduction of 18.25%.

As far as the profitability is concerned, operating profit improved by 69% from INR 2,466 crores in Q4 22 to INR 4,184 crores in Q4 FY '23, a sequential basis, it improved by 14% from INR 3,652 crores in Q3 FY '23. Net profit improved by 123% from INR 606 crores to INR 1,350 crores in Q4 '23, a sequential net profit improvement of 17%. For the full year, operating profit improved by 34% from INR 9,900 crores in FY '22 to INR 13,300 crores in FY '23. Net profit improved by 18% in year-on-year basis from INR 3,400 crores to INR 4,023 crores in FY '23.

As far as the key ratios are concerned, NIM improved by 65 basis points from 2.36% in FY '22 to 3.01% in FY '23. Capital adequacy ratio stood at 16.28% in 31/3/2023. Provision coverage ratio is 89.68% in March '23 as against 87.76% in March '22. Cost-to-income ratio has improved by 340 basis points year-on-year from 54.48% to 51.08% in FY '23. ROA has improved by 6 basis points from 0.43% to 0.49%. ROE stood at 10.31% in FY '23 as against 10.55%.

So with these key ratios, I open the field for any questions or observations. Thank you so much.

Operator

Thank you so much, sir, for those wonderful insights and congratulations on the stellar results. We request our teams and analysts here to raise their hands. One of our representatives will hand over a mic to you. [Operator Instructions] For any further questions, if time permits, we will come back to you.

U
Unknown Analyst

Compliments to the entire team for a very good overall annual results for the whole year of the bank. I've got a couple of observations and questions and should not be taken as one question or two questions because it can be some discussion also on that. So I request me to allow permit me to ask those questions and make some observations.

Sir, one is that on the quarter, if you look quarter-to-quarter, I mean, the third quarter and fourth quarter, our credit growth is muted almost. I mean, the overall credit of the bank also, if you think the loan book, it is on the lower side as compared to many of the other peer banks. So going forward, are we giving a target of 14%, 15%, 16%? And how are we going to grow our credit book? This is one observation and a question.

If you come on the digital -- now digital is in a separate segment now started giving in the segment-wise reporting. Whereas other banks are giving the total capital employed on digitalization and the assets created and the liability created. In our case, we have not given the capital employed on the total digitalization, only given as the loss of profit of INR 32 crore or INR 80 crores after business done. So a separate segment requirement by RBI, basically to give the color that how much total capital you have employed on the digitalization, which is a separate segment?

Going forward, this segment is going to be developed like anything, and it will have lakhs of crores of business through digital media and the profit cost and everything can be calculated. So on that, though we have been hearing that so much of amount has been allocated budgeting is spent on digital. But in your capital employed, you've not mentioned how much is capital employed on this business. This is something which needs some discussion and some clarification.

On the slippage side, also the slippage in this quarter has increased to INR 2,441 crores from INR 818 crores the last time. So if some color can be given on that, some highlights of that. And if you look at the cost side, the employee cost has gone up by almost about INR 1,100 crores as compared to the last quarter, INR 1,783 crores to INR 2,867 crores. Even if you take the extra pension, additional pension, and also the wage revision, this together comes to only INR 400 crore.

So it's still the total cost on the employees has gone up by another INR 600 crores. So what is the reason for that? And going forward, how much figure we should take on a quarter-on-quarter basis, considering the standard quarterly results with this wage revision and pension, additional pension allocation?

And the last one in this round is about the additional provision which the bank is holding, because if you look at the note #12, RBI circular 7 June 2019, we have an exposure of INR 7,910 crores, on which the provision is only INR 2,078 crore. Similarly, on other assets also, there is outstanding if more whether IBC or this as compared to the provision.

So -- okay, as per the RBI norms and standards, these figures have been provided for. But how much COVID buffer we have in the provision and how much overall buffer we have in the provision so as to arrive at some figures in the future quarters to come. These are my -- some of the observations and some questions, and I may come back again if time permits. Thank you, sir. And welcome to you, sir, DMDC and CEO of Canada, Union Bank doing vendors in the credit portfolio. Also there, you are heading it. And we hope that you will take Bank of India to further glorious heights. Thank you.

R
Rajneesh Karnatak
executive

Six questions were asked in the first round. So we'll take it one by one. So I'll start with the Credit and advances one. So as far as the global credit growth is concerned, we have grown by 12.87%. As far as the domestic credit growth is concerned, we have grown at 9.56%. So that is, I think, adequate growth which is there.

As far as the guidance is concerned for credit growth, we are giving a guidance of 11.27%. On the global side and on the domestic side, it will be 12.83%. So it will range from 11% to 12%. So if you will ask them why it is a muted growth, say, 11% to 12%, and not -- why not a 15% to 16% of growth.

So the simple reason is that now the base of all the banks has increased on the credit side, not only is our Bank of India, but all the banks in the banking system. So the credit growth, I do not think that it will be as robust and as high as it was in '23, '24, when it will happen in '23, '24. So that is one reason why we are giving a growth, which is around 11% to 12%. And we are very confident that we'll be able to achieve with a good mix of RAM advances of around 55% in corporate advances of around 45%, and also the international book also within that. So I think that is a good enough for advances.

Another thing which is very important here is that if you see the data of Reserve Bank of India and the historical data, credit growth is normally 2x of the GDP growth. So when RBI is saying there will be a GDP growth as per March 23 numbers of 5.5%, so based on the historical data, the growth can be 10% to 11% only, if it at 2x. So '22, '23 was an aberration. As far as the credit growth was concerned for the simple reason that we were coming out of COVID.

And March '21 base was very low. That is why the base of March '22, '23 look high as far as the credit is concerned. But now it will model moderate to the levels which are there for the cycle for the GDP growth also. So this is the reason why I've taken -- we have taken it at 11% to 12%.

So now the next question was on the digital side. I would request PR Rajagopal to please take it .

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

Yes. Thank you, sir. As [indiscernible], we have been talking about this one. If you see, I have given on slide on the amount of loans that bases created out of digital. Until liability is also created out of it, we have around INR 500 crores record [indiscernible].

U
Unknown Executive

[indiscernible]

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

Slide # there. 7 is there 37, sir. You can see this slide if you have. You can see that -- so if you see that, these are all some numbers that we have created in digital. So one thing that I would like to clarify is no digital, we have started. This is the proof of what we have done in digital.

In MSME, small loans, we are already completely digitized. We are the first bank to do an STP disbursement. And we have also digitized personal loans still disbursement. KCC is also the first plan to digital market till the end till disbursement. Agri gold is also digitized. SB account is another thing that we are even -- so now the numbers will start coming in. That is one part of the question. So we'll actually cover it separately from next day onwards when the numbers improve. That is one point.

A
Ashok Ajmera
analyst

That segment, these figures are not segment-wise asset under digitalization too much [indiscernible]

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

So that we will put it next time. We'll do that as a part of segment reporting.

A
Ashok Ajmera
analyst

35,000 crores and 42,000 crores [indiscernible] 41,000 crores.

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

So we'll do that. Actually, we are under AS 21, we have not recognized that a segment as of now. So we will continue to recognize it going forward. It's a good suggestion. I'm taking it. we'll examine that and if possible, we'll do that. Today, what is happening is trader and the banking is what we have to report.

So we'll do that separately. That's a good thing. But anyway, with respect to the question that you asked, whether we report what is the assets created liability created. This is what we have started now. So it will start improving. And this is purely digital. It is not something that no, we have an OS, [indiscernible], is, is poorly to disbursement ticker. That is one point.

Another point in terms of the capital outlay, the capital outlay doesn't happen. Basically, it is an expenditure outline so far as the IT expenditure is concerned, the budget outlet to be very precise. But next 5 years, we have already shared, which is a long, long time back that 5,000 tonnes is the budget outlay for IT. So for Bart. We already spent around INR 2,000 crores plus. Now today, what is the position status of our ID, is we have some -- we have got LOS already in place, leading up origination system, which is robust till disbursement.

We have got a lead management system in place, which is end-to-end, and then live in terms of customers can just see whether the start is done at. So status is available to him on a real-time basis. So this we have already done.

A
Ashok Ajmera
analyst

[indiscernible]?

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

Yes, yes. Yes, it is obviously taken. It is accounted for fully. It is accounted for fully because as a part of the OpEx, it comes. These are all part of OpEx. The CapEx part is very, very small in is very small, okay? It is not a big number. So only that hardware comes under the CapEx. Most of it is all OpEx only for us. Even our ATMs are OpEx. So it is observed as part of OpEx expenditure. That is another answer for you, where our OpEx goes up because our OpEx goes, naturally, our expense also goes up. That is the point.

And the third question, if I remember correctly, have asked about the provisions. So yes, you are right that no two crores have been made, and 83 crores plus has been made, in -- with respect to spare staff, family pension area, okay?

Apart from the staff expenditure has gone up by INR 600 crores you said. So this is basically what you see last 2 years, there was no much travel in terms of COVID and [indiscernible]. So there was a subdued expenditure in terms of travel. Now really travel has started very well.

So TAs and other expenditures that has come out. And we have also increased our expenditure in certain parts to the award staff as well as the offices. in terms of their parts or the drivers and all that. So that expenditure also restored. So this is the final number. This is because normally, that kind of parcel get revised once in 3 years, not once in, so it is not an issue. So this will be there. So the OpEx expenditure for IT also will remain at outstanding. That's what it is. Yes.

M
M. Karthikeyan
executive

As regards Sasha, just to supplement Mr. Rajagopal's point of view also, -- the CRM next is one area where we are considering much. Earlier, it was all independent. The -- whatever leads come in falls in a different places. Now we have integrated it entire thing. Whatever leads comes to the BC points, whether from the social media and other PC centers, all that gets percolated to the branch level, and we are monitoring that. So that will take care of the lead generation for -- especially under the MSME segment.

Second, coming to the seepage point and your point is well taken. You should see that our slippage ratio has come down from 2.15 to 1.93. That's one good point happening every quarter-on-quarter, we are able to for. This quarter, especially, you're right that there's a spike because you should know that agriculture is -- had some issues in the COVID times and a lot of problems had occurred.

So there are some pain points. It was in much higher numbers, but added to our continuous engagement with the field, we're to bring down that some of the guys are mostly in the agri casing segment or any way. So some of them could renew. And as you know, rightly, the IRF norms asset in auto thing happens. So this spike in agri. It's about 1,400 is because of this, the last quarter only.

And that what we are -- it is not a problem pain point. What is happening is if you are continuously now we have put a task force teams in each zone, to account ways being monitored at the branch level. And those are real. Once the renewal takes place, then this will come out. Application of those assets will happen. That's about the slippages.

A
Ashok Ajmera
analyst

You are there on this CSR, there is some incremental listing out. Is there any RCL now [indiscernible] last quarter only?

M
M. Karthikeyan
executive

Yes. As you know that ARC, we have identified 2 accounts, 1 in paper and 1 in sugar. But we have not had any transactions happening because that guarantee has to come in from the government .

A
Ashok Ajmera
analyst

And they have provided also on debt also. Just whether, you also had any such thing where ARR you received and you are providing has not yet started at. We don't have any or both not started with B. And this is 100% provided.

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

For all these. Yes, yes. See sir, either the MTM or in the NPI, both cases that is provided and under [indiscernible] 2,500-plus [indiscernible].

M
M. Karthikeyan
executive

Plus additionally, the slippage ratio also, we are giving a guidance of roughly 1.4 for the current fiscal. So the improvement will be on continuous basis.

Operator

Thank you, Mr. Ajmera. We'd like to move on to the next question. [Operator Instructions]

U
Unknown Analyst

Yes. Thank you, sir. This is Himanshu from [indiscernible] Sun Life AMC Limited. First, a couple of clarifications. Since your exit margin is around about 3.15% last quarter, it was 3.28%. I think if I recollect, there was a -- last quarter, there was an income tax refund of INR 250 crores last quarter. What was this quarter interest on income tax refund? And if we exclude the impacts of such what is a like-to-like comparison. That's the first part.

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

Last time we included INR 175 crore. This particular quarter, it was INR 50 crores. So if you removed from both the sites, definitely, it is almost on the parity. There is not much aberrations from the sequentially.

M
M. B. Mahesh
analyst

Sir, second is your -- since you closed the year with a 3% margins and I need the outlook, how one should see your margins for FY '24, and what are the levers to attend the same? Like what is MCLR book year to reprice?

Secondly, since you have stated in past as well that earlier because of this PC, you have done a lot of lending to the government guarantee advances. So although that proportion has come down from 12% last year to 10%, how this is going to be incrementally going forward. I really just want to understand how your margins will likely to be and what are the levers?

S
Shankar Sen
executive

For the financial year 2024, the guiding number is 3.16 million that is -- that's what we are planning. Then we are again telling that government-guaranteed advances, we are now leveraging. The thing what has happened earlier, we are more confined to the risk weight, and indeed the government-guaranteed advances, risk weight is 20%.

And because of some issues, we are focusing on that. But now what has happened because of that in some statement, there is a concentration. So we prudently decide that in some states, we will -- where we are already reached to our sure level. We are not going to increase the total exposure for another full year.

Coupled with that, the government guaranteed advances low the market. liability side is demanding nowadays for 1 year loan they are expecting 7.8, 7.9, whereas if you raise a similar type of liability, it's very difficult to get. So if we take some time, they also should know that those rates is not available.

Because of that reason, we are now shifting towards mid-corporate segment. And wherever the quality assets are there, we are definitely going to take those assets and protect our margins.

U
Unknown Analyst

Sir, thirdly, how much cost of deposits you expect to increase from the current levels?

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

Yes. As of now, cash on deposit 50 bps is something that we are expecting. That's already factored in repricing has already happened with respective bps, okay? So we don't expect more than there is a tapering that we are expecting with respect to rates. So if the tapering happens, so correspondingly, the marginal cost of deposits, we are not looking at very serious. So continuous have already been factored.

M
M. B. Mahesh
analyst

Sure. Sir, another clarification, if you can just give your provisions on the investments is around INR 1,130 crores. If you can just give an explanation what led to this?

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

Yes, you can explain. I know that. See, I'll explain. See, what has happened is -- so there are security receipts, which were actually held in MTM business. So they are actually their tenure has already crossed 8 years, the threshold. So they have been reclassified as nonperforming investments. So whatever was held as depreciation in the investment book has shifted to [indiscernible] book.

M
M. B. Mahesh
analyst

Okay, sure. Sir, just a few -- sir, last quarter, we made a provision of INR 806 crores on your standard because if I believe there are 5 accounts towards which you have provided. What is the outlook? What is the current -- on those view on those accounts? And do you expect any reversal or write-backs on such accounts,

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

IF you see the accounts, already on the presentation also, if you just look at those numbers, already INR 150 crores has been accounted for as a provision for NPS. It has been taken into NPL provisioning, okay? The remaining has been kept as a part of June 7 circular provisioning. An additional proof around INR 700 crores has been made in 7 June at in terms of RBI because of issues. So that continues to be there. So these 5 accounts, big accounts, already INR 800 crores reversal has already taken place.

Only thing is it is adjusted against NPA instead of reversing it to P&L. So we did not reverse to P&L. We have taken it as additional provisioning for currently.

M
M. Karthikeyan
executive

Those accounts have been in order, and there is no default as per 7, 6 circular. 170 days, there is no default then we can -- that's the reason we .

M
M. B. Mahesh
analyst

Okay, sure. And sir, last question is since you closed the year with 0.49% ROA, how one should think what are your next target for FY '24?

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

We are looking at 0.75 as our ROE.

M
M. B. Mahesh
analyst

Okay, but is the credit cost guidance [indiscernible]?

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

Cost guidance would be 0.75.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] so that everybody gets a chance to engage.

U
Unknown Analyst

Sir, Ramesh Bhojwani from [ Meta and Loki ]. First and foremost, many congratulations on being appointed as the CMD of such an esteemed and such a large bank.

R
Rajneesh Karnatak
executive

MD and CEO.

U
Unknown Analyst

Pardon me? MD and CEO.

U
Unknown Executive

CMB post is not anymore there.

U
Unknown Analyst

Yes. the first thing is going through the results. It has been an exceptional performance on all parameters. Wherever you look, whichever angle, whichever aspect you look, the bank has performed extremely well.

And I was looking at your noninterest income, Page 10, Slide 20. There is an observation. Your recovery in written off accounts have crossed INR 1,073 crores. So -- plus there is a profit on sale to ARCs. All the hedge even here you see, it has been an outstanding performance. The thought which comes to my mind. Going forward, will we maintain this or we will even outdo this?

R
Rajneesh Karnatak
executive

Absolutely. I think we have very clear -- this time, what we have done is we have identified to large number of accounts on small values.

So that could be able to -- we have a very robust nondiscriminatory and nondiscretionary OTS policies of the bank, which is fired, and we are able to resolve about 2.60 lakh accounts amounting to INR 5,000 crores. That's why these numbers are good. And I don't think this traction will stop keep going, and it further get good benefits in the quarters to come.

U
Unknown Analyst

Because I felt that your guidance was a little conservative, which is a very, very wise thing do that you under commit and overperform. That was the thought which I was carrying. Looking at this, I was pleasantly surprised that all parameters, the performance has been outstanding. So going forward, we've maintained this at least. Thank you. All the best. .

Operator

Next question.

S
Sushil Choksey
analyst

Congratulations are very stable results. Sushil Choksey, Indus Equity. So firstly is we have consolidated very well between 2015 to now various challenges which emerged in that time. The balance sheet and the performance in the last 2, 3 years indicate that we can outsmart the industry in very many aspects. So credit guide on growth is one. Or what kind of initiatives are we taking to garner back our old glory?

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

Two, three things. If you remember, we started first of all, MSME, we have lost heavily during the PCAs because we said that no, we cannot have BBB- and BB- accounts. So RWA has an issue at that point in time. So where to schedule out of RWA accounts, and BBB- accounts.

So what we have done now, we have actually done a very marginal growth in BBB_ and BB- accounts. You see our RWA has gone up by almost INR 30,000 crores compared to the last year average. So the density has also increased because I'm today comfortable capital position. I'm able to grow that portfolio also.

So if you see my portfolio AAA, AA and AAA portfolio has come down a little, but where my BBB portfolio is done. So that is one thing. So I am more point of taking risk now depending upon my capital position. My position is okay, [indiscernible]. That is the idea with respect to money, medium and small industry approach.

With respect to large industry approach, we have been doing much last year because rates were very fine. So if you see our this one, what has happened was our liability franchise, of course, was very good. But [indiscernible] were very in margins, we had a margin of almost 2.1, 2.2, that kind of margins we had in '21.

So we said that this is not how we should be having our liabilities. We should actually be shedding our government accounts and other accounts that margins are not at all there. So we have some -- there was a time when people were lending at 4.5%, 5%. We said we can't just, we said we will not do that. That was the time when we actually data consolidation of our RAM. Our RAM book used to be around 50%. We have taken it to 57%, 56% today. So almost 6% growth we have shown over a period of 2.5 years in RAM especially our retail and sure, we have grown retail very, very aggressively.

We have also grown our MSME reasonably. So this is what the situation is. So we are again open to corporates, for a very simple reason, corporate book is again getting repriced because of the rate hike. So 450 bps increase in rate hike, naturally, I'm bearing good margins over there, started getting good margins. Still, corporate bond market is not allayed to that fact that they have to rephrase their bond, I mean coupons.

So once the corporate bond market comes back, reprice their coupons and if I'm able to get good pricing on corporate, I'll be open to that. So they will all come back to me for a very simple reason. I'm a two-pronged approach. One is the digitalization services, ecosystem banking, all that ICS does, I'm also doing. All of them roll out will happen by September, without any problem.

Because there was a delay. There was no doubt about it. For a very simple reason, I are suffering the effect of COVID and the lack of resources from the IT sector that they did not probably mean, because there was a consolidation of other banks, IT resources were diverted to consolidating banks.

And similarly, there was COVID, resources were direct to elsewhere where there was margins for the IT industry. So I was not getting my resources. Today, -- now again, IT is coming back to me and giving me services. So I'm able to get that. So -- that is one point.

Another point is, this is how my book will get rebalanced. So we continue to actually project our RAM to corporate book at 55, 45, 56 to 45. This is what, of course, we have given our update on this around 58. But in this 58, there will be a lot of medium advances where margins will be there. So because they will also be covered because MSME definition has changed. So even a makeup will come into MSME, therefore, RAM book becomes a part of them. That's why we have given guidance.

S
Sushil Choksey
analyst

Every bank may implement all digital initiatives and maybe the large bank does it first and you do it later, that doesn't matter. But all these initiatives needs a lot of empowerment where your resources on the ground is concerned, be it branches or do whatever you want to take it.

And that is the real strength of bank, which is visible in the past. It is visible today. But as seniors retired talent comes in the bank, I suppose with the kind of initiatives which you are programming, what will that you engage in a better terms to re-garner those customers back .

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

See, basically, what is happening is, see, almost 80% plus of our asset book is built by the brands and the [indiscernible] stack, okay? So still there is a lot of engagement over there. And of course, [indiscernible] is based through our large cap branches even today.

So there, what we are trying to do is we are digitizing the processes and giving more time to our people to actually get into relationship banking, have more the RSMs, get current and farm teams and go and meet them and then -- so this is what we are planning. So because of the process not being digitized, this could not be achieved in the last 2 years.

Once process gets real fully until STB basis, we'll be able to do that. So many of the staff that we have in large corporate as well as in the with branches and general [indiscernible], they'll get free for sales and service. We'll be able to do a lot of sales and service and get into engagements.

So there will be a lot of engagement from central office also going forward. Because we are only consolidating as you rightly said, -- so we'll again start do a very, very extensive outreach this year, a lot of claims and then private equities.

R
Rajneesh Karnatak
executive

Just to complement, Rajgopal, I would like to say here is that we have decided now to have town hall meetings with our staff in India. So as to tell them what the top management wants, what the Board wants and what kind of growth we want now for this year. So there will be a lot of engagement with the staff this year through town hall meetings, just to engage the entire staff of that NBG and their zone to make them understand what is the thrust area for the bank like ramp credit, CASA advances, retail term deposits, that is one thing.

The other thing would be that a lot of customer needs, which we will be doing. Customer meter as far as the MSME advances are concerned, exporters and importers meet we will be doing corporate credit means we would be doing also. So that is another thing with engaging with the customers. That is another thing which we would be doing also. So that the customer connect happens and we engage more customers. Just to say what adopt was saying is what we found was that our corporate credit book is holding only 500 to 550 corporate clients, which is typically INR 50 crores and above clients.

So that number is quite low. We need to improve that number. That will also broad base our customer clients, #1 corporate credit. Also de-risk ourselves. Rather than concentrating on a few corporate clients, we will be derisking by making more corporates on our book. So that is another strategy we want to do this year. So there will be town hall meetings connecting with the staff, and customer needs also, wherein we will be meeting the MSME customers, mid-corporate customers typically INR 50 crores to INR 250 crores of lending, and then the large corporates and importers and exporters meet on.

So all these things together, which will be helping us. And another thing would be that, like we said that 10% of guidance we are giving on the deposit side, and trend to 11% to 12% on the credit side. So that is a moderate guidance, not a very highlight. But within that, what we are more optimistic about is improving our operating profit and net profit. So any business we want to do is a business which gives us profit to the bank, and which is profitable for the bank.

So that is why -- that is how we want to approach this year '23, '24, so that we have better margins, better profitability, even though the business may be 11% to 12% of growth. So this is how we want to approach it.

S
Sushil Choksey
analyst

Sir, based on the replies what I heard from you, the rates, be it in your global books have beat. The Fed is more or less indicated domestic RBIs indicated, the rates have peaked. More or less, maybe in this quarter included the MCLR would have picked -- and the domestic TSC is clearly indicating it may be 7%, and some banks treasuries in the conf call have also guided that you made 6.75 at the year-end.

In view of that pricing where corporate book or retail products are concerned and where your treasury is concerned, how are we positioning? If you could answer.

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

See, today, if you see my weighted average yield in the segment was rated average. So we have around 9510 in MSME and retail book. So a very substantial pricing we are getting today. And those that never gets replaced under the RBL outcomes, see some -- our friends there is also asked about the composition of the book.

35% of my book is in MCLR, 3% of the book is in RBL. Remaining, of course, are a higher rate of interest. So this, the book that we are talking about will get replaced only much, much later when RBL actually comes out as an RBL cut. I don't think that will happen in the near to medium term. That is not going to happen.

So my margins in that segment are protected as of now, that is one thing. And so far as MCLR repricing is only a very small portion of MCLR book has been repriced. So that will get repriced very, very fast because I've already passed on. So they are coming up for resets. So I'll get my interest income and my margins have continued to be protected also.

So we have good margins over there. If you see my spread also. Where it spread I mean the difference between yield on advances and the cost of deposits is 5%, okay? So we have a good spread today. So I'll be able to protect my margins, I'll be able to grow also.

Insofar as the rate taking that we are talking, about rate takes no doubt. But at this current rate, so I have used to lend 5.5%, 6%, 4.5%. Sometimes it was like that, below even the corporates. So that was the situation at that point in time. So that will not happen. The average lending rate today, even the biggest corporate that I'm giving, government MCLR. are even at RBL 7.90 only, even in tough market.

So there are even a small mark up. People are willing to keep us small markup of 50 bps there also. There also, I'm getting around 8.45. There is no problem for that. That is one point. Another point is with respect to MCLR book, even if I give a government MCLR, I'm getting around 8% today. So margins are very good. So thirdly, I am comfortable. Why I was not doing earlier with this, because I was not getting this kind of rates. Could I am getting that rate, I will do it.

S
Sushil Choksey
analyst

So your outlook on treasury, which...

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

Treasury outlook in sense?

S
Sushil Choksey
analyst

Based on whatever.

S
Shankar Sen
executive

See, I will just supplement what I said. See, there are 2 things. Once we are talking about our loan book getting repriced. So please also understand, keep in mind that depot will also get replaced with the lag right? So over a period of time, that will also normalize. This is point number one.

Point number two, if you see our efficiency in raising deposits, it has come down. Deposit cost has come down. As well as if you see the cost of fund as well as the yield on fund you see the margin. So efficiently, we are rating the resources to fund the case growth.

So that also matters a lot. So going forward, treasury will also follow the same kind of thing. They will raise the resources based on the liquidity requirement by the system, internal system, very efficiently. So we'll try to minimize our cost of hedging resources there.

And whatever repricing happens in case it happens on a downward side. so this will take care. This will also take a deposit will also get replaced because we are never abrasive in reading deposits that are very high rate. You would have seen in the market. So this is point going forward, they have taken the call. I think we are having a very moderate duration at this point in time. And we have built our books also over a period of last 2, 3 months. And going forward, we will continue with the same trend.

And the view is same whatever you said, it has peaked out because it is in the public domain, it's not a big thing. And it's a matter of time when it happens, maybe from October on what this starts happening. So at that time, we'll take a call. So as tile are comfortable we are having 4% excess as lakh. So it's absolutely can always do the arbitrage based on the market borrowing and all that. So treasury is doing that job, and interest income will always move up in this.

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

So the yield is concerned. If you are very particular about our yields and MTMs there, in AFS and the HTM portfolio. I can tell you that FRB, we have -- we are in a unique position that we have hold a good amount of floating rate bonds. So the repricing has happened on the upside in floating rate bonds for us.

So therefore, our also protected very well in our AFS and HTM portfolio. So there also, we don't have problems that many other banks face.

S
Sushil Choksey
analyst

What in good gains in the trade?

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

Yes, yes, precisely. our MTM loss are very minimal.

S
Sushil Choksey
analyst

You might have passed many enabling resolution for Tier 1, Tier 2 equity and/or any kind of thought process during the year, I'm not saying at front end, but during the year?

R
Rajneesh Karnatak
executive

Yes. See, already, the Board has approved that equity raising plan, like INR 6,500 crores, out of which INR 4,500 crore is that equity and INR 2,000 is that bond. So that is already there.

So in the quarter coming up, definitely, we will be coming to the market and raising some funds maybe in the form of bonds also.

U
Unknown Analyst

Sir, I have a couple of questions on slippages, sir. So sir, on slippages, the last 2 quarters we had INR 200 crores slippages. This quarter slippages have increased, right? And even net of recovery upgrades last 2 quarters, we had negative slippages, and this quarter is positive net slippages. This is actually in divergent versus the broader sectoral trend where the slippages have been improving. So just wanted to understand what has happened.

M
M. Karthikeyan
executive

[indiscernible] As I told you earlier also, this as you're right, the spike has happened in the last quarter. This is just basically in this total of 2,800, it's INR 1,400 crores is only because of agriculture advances.

This agriculture advances during the COVID time moratoriums were given. And there are some steps of agriculture who could be able to renew their case, it's mostly the case of the advances. So there's some of the farmers who could not do it. And you know that the bank from '21 onwards, the IRI automation is seated.

So this accounts because of the down renewal and bank time has fallen. But nevertheless, what we are doing is how do we mitigate this Already we have started that in the month of specific teams have been formed in the regional offices. And there are account specific targets that have been given to them to meet the farmers per se to ensure that they come back, renew the advances.

If that renewal happens, which is very aggressively happening, in the last 2 months itself, we were able to upgrade about INR 450 crores. So that renewal, if we continuously engage with the agri customers in all as our MD has said that meetings with customers. Similarly, so are these guys will be meeting in the village camps. That's what we intend to do. We have already started doing in various zones. Where mostly it is in UP, Majid, [indiscernible] and [indiscernible].

These are the 6 months where there is a lot of pain points we will engage more closely with them. And I'm sure that will not cause any products. Once the renewal takes place, they're going to get their incentives also in terms of pension as compared with that. They'll hopefully adhere to them, that's the broad we have.

U
Unknown Analyst

And so this quarter, at least in first Q, we should be seeing as this KCC renewal progress steps up. And there should be a reasonable amount of recovery from the is the account which have already slipped, right? .

R
Rajneesh Karnatak
executive

Yes.

U
Unknown Analyst

Sure. Secondly, sir, on this, I think this question was asked earlier, there is a spike in the nonperforming investment provisions. And there is a treasury gains spike, right? So I think the provision now earlier was standard SR, they have now recognized as NPA. The similar offset has been in the treasury gains also. Is that right? Is that right

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

Small, it's marginal gain, not much. If you see the number, it's a marginal gain.

U
Unknown Analyst

Because, sir, I remember that we had already provided 100% on security rise.

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

Especially. Yes, you are right.

U
Unknown Analyst

So on this quarter, why is there an NPIe hit?

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

No, no, it is not like that. See, there were some SR investments, which were actually not classified as NPLs, but continue to be investments where 100% has already been provided for, but shown as the MTM depreciation, then as a provision.

So the question basically account instead of getting accounted as provisions, it per account, it was accounted for as depreciate No, it has moved from depreciation to provision.

U
Unknown Executive

Just because of the R base is over, then you have to classify us and that's right.

U
Unknown Analyst

So that is the accounting treatment we have to do for that?

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

Right. So we were already carrying the provision Yes. what is the offset sir? So we have shown this as a provision in this quarter. But if we were already carrying the provision, there must be some offsets.

The offset is only to the extent of the reversal that happens in the provision. Now because what happens is there are some the actual book value, face value on male, MTM values in stars are based on recovery rates.

You see R1 rating, R2 rating, R3 rating R4 rating, R5 rating, depending upon what the provision happens. So whereas once it becomes NPA, as per Iran, it happens. So some marginal difference is always there between MTM and the provisions that we make out of the IRA supplies. So to that extent, that happens.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. And lastly, on capital raise. So now we are position, and we earlier are also there. And as you said, that we are targeting 11%, 12% kind of a loan growth. What could be the time line for capital raise if you have in your mind? Equity capital raise.

S
Shankar Sen
executive

Yes, yes. So presently, we have not sort of here waiting. We'll talk to the analysts and others and then understand what is the best right time to go for that equity raise. And another important thing is we may not go for 4,500 immediately, maybe we will go in 1 tranche, 2 tranche, 3 tranche, depending on the market situation and scenario. .

Operator

We'll take the last question from the...

U
Unknown Analyst

Can you highlight our liability mix, and how do we improve our cost-to-income ratio? Where do you see?

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

Liability mix in sense, retail versus wholesale? Yes, so the entire thing is retail. We have got only 11% in terms of bulk deposits to be precise.

S
Shankar Sen
executive

44% is our [indiscernible] in the total liability side. The remaining is the term deposit. Out of that also only 10% is bulk remaining is all retail term deposits up to INR 2 crores.

So Bank of India has a very strong retail franchise we have 5,100-plus branches, and then we have INR 7 crores plus customers. So the retail franchise is one of the core domain area and the strength for the bank. .

U
Unknown Analyst

Do you see a challenge in gathering the deposits I mean system-wise, the credit, the offtake is going up. So many banks are can deposit gathering, so to the tune of credit uptake, which is happening. So do you see any challenges there?

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

In this month, we have not seen. For example, 31st of March 2023, the API is over. Okay. Now we have done business for 1 month. It's already April, May started. So we have not seen we have grown conserved reasonably well in deposits this month. And here are month-on-month growth that we envisage whatever given for deposits will be actually surpassing it, if you continue to achieve this. So I see a lot of traction in my retail deposit growth.

M
M. Karthikeyan
executive

There is a term retail term deposit totaled, 82% is that. Our intention is 20% to 85%. It was 80%. We have increased to 82%. That means we are able to get the deposits resolved.

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

Renewals happened there very well.

U
Unknown Analyst

And do you see any cost into cost to income improvement that ratio or...

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

So naturally, because basically we see our yields are improving substantially. Once it improves the denominator effect will happen. So cost-to-income ratio tell our task has happened mostly because of IT investments, and the staff costs because of the settlement that has happened with this [indiscernible] and other failed family pension and other provisions that we have made at the A50.

So these things are actually done and dusted now. And added to that, we are also going to get a good denominator refit full years that we will get. So our cost income ratio will be as projected at INR 0.40.

U
Unknown Analyst

And do you find any sector vulnerable, which you worry that this sector might be more carefully going for...

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

I see, it's actually an ongoing basis. We do it on a continuous basis. We don't take a car in the beginning of the year and say that this sector is. So we'll have to continuously keep on assessing it and continue to do it.

But basically, our export based on current shares and credit risk is something completely different. It has nothing to do with the equity risk. The equity risk is take it completely differently. Credit risk is rated a completely even a sector is bad for equity, but it may be good for trade at this point of view. -- because it's collateral, it is tangible network, we have cash flows.

There are a lot of factors that come in. So rating takes into consideration a lot of metrics on the base of which we take credit risk. So it is no sector is untangible for us. But there are certain sectors that continue to be stressed based on our -- the impaired assets ratio that to the total exposure that we have, with particular to the manager monitor that's one.

U
Unknown Analyst

And sir, exposure to airlines and real estate as a segment, what percent of your book will be there?

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

So we don't have any exposure to airlines, except India, which is now Tata. So we have around 17% exported then? Yes, there is commercial real estate. Tactical is there. There's a very small -- sorry, there's a growth at CRE, a growth at a very small percentage.

U
Unknown Executive

INR 3,000 crores.

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

INR 3,000 crores.

S
Shankar Sen
executive

Order book we have.

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

Percentage domestic, if you see that.

U
Unknown Analyst

Real estate will be INR 86,000 crores, correct?

S
Shankar Sen
executive

Which there is residential mortgage in which housing loan is there.

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

Housing loan, home loan, loan against properties, small loans, all those things.

U
Unknown Executive

Credit cost guidance for 0.75 million. The credit cost will be up 0.5. credit cost guidance 0.75 nearly in.

Operator

Thank you so much. Thank you, Shri Rajneesh Karnatak and the Bank of India management team. We will now conclude this gathering. The team to share all the necessary details.

U
Unknown Analyst

The question, you basically talked about the ROE expanding by about almost 25 basis points in this year. Whereas basically, you talked about that the margins would line stabilize. So barring the credit costs coming off on Y-o-Y basis, is there any other lever that you see?

You talked about cost ratios coming down. I mean, every year, we would have some of the other stuff which would come via family pension. We will have something else. Obviously the salary hike also will happen on new staff addition will happen as I think you try to grow your book. So what could be those levers that you feed back?

So not only talk about the cost income ratio, if you can talk about in terms of the NII 2 assets, cost to assets, how basically the DuPont will really flow for this 25 basis point expansion.

R
Rajneesh Karnatak
executive

See, what we have basically done -- that's a very good question. Basically, what we have done is the great extent, we are front loading our stat fast. You see we have already done two. So we don't expect almost 33% is what we have already provided for so much 33% plus we already provided for -- so we have a substantial push on in terms of the rise in the staff cost going forward. That is one point. So we are not looking at cost going very, very high.

Because see, if you see the numerator, I'm not very worried about numerator, of the tasks. In all aspects, and if you take entire expenses, whether it is in the interest expenses are in the OpEx, I'm not looking at huge increase in the numerator. So it will be -- the increase will be there, nevertheless, but not in a very significant increase that will affect my cost to our sales, cash to other things. So my credit card apart from credit cards, as assets are going to be severely impacted. That is one point.

As another point that we are talking about in some, the denominator is concerned, my past assets fairly does stabilize and continue to be there. So I have become very competitive in terms of my credit costs. my cost of credit to be very precise.

So naturally, I'll be able to actually garner better yields. So once I do better deals, I'll be able to do that. That's what the idea is. So the levers, as you said, is going to come from a major part of it will come from a the corporate book and corporate book. And apart from that, there's Rambo, anyway, we are growing very, very robustly. Even today, my retail loans are giving good yields.

So if you see the home loans have also reached 9.25% plus. So that is one advantage we have. And apart from that, personal loans have also done once upon a time, has given a 10.75. And we're already seeing at around 15%, 16% being given. So delinquencies will be there in that, no doubt. But we have to choose -- we have to actually underrate properly and ensure that we don't grow very, very aggressively.

Because other advantage we have is our base is very small. So we have a huge opportunity to grow. You see our home loan base is small. We see our personal loan base it is small, a vehicle loan basis, it is small. We don't hold huge market share in these segments. we have a lot of opportunity in terms of increasing market share without compromising on margins, without compromising and losing the quality of [indiscernible]. That's what our outlook is.

U
Unknown Analyst

But then basically, if you look at mathematically, right, your asset book is going to grow at somewhere 11%, 12% broadly in line with the loan. your OpEx will grow at about 10% to 11%, right? So then basically, your cost prices it really doesn't improve. If you look at 2 assets, whatever have done.

R
Rajneesh Karnatak
executive

We know that. has nearly at 10%. See, I'm not looking at because ...

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

Further also here he had said a lot of things we are automating. The moment we automate the things for micro segment might start?

U
Unknown Analyst

How much difference will that make, sir?

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

That will make huge a difference shifts because -- if you can quantify that is basically feel can you quantify that? If my micro entire micro segment majority of addressed by my online, online things. Automatically those staff will be free. So I will not...

U
Unknown Analyst

But that's what I'm saying. Your cost will increase by 11%, 12% or more this year. So that's what can be sub 10%, right, all along?

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

My point is no, I'm not -- mathematically also, I'm not looking at that kind of increase because you are looking at a corresponding increase of say, for example, I'm looking at 12% increase in the credit or even the assets by asset book. We were saying that my cost is definitely will go up. So corporate has got 2 components. I've already told you.

One is basically interest expenses company and the other is an OpEx company. I've said my OpEx is already observed. I have rented a lot of my office. So there is hardly any increase in the OpEx that will happen going forward. Of course, that cost are there, the staff has already front loaded.

Other OpEx cuts, mostly to INR 600 crores were already taken. So it is actually -- it will be stable in so far as the OpEx is maintained. The interest expenses are not going that's what I see because a lot of repricing has already happened. If you see my repricing of my liability franchise, almost 70% of my liability prices is repriced.

And it is almost on par with what the industry liability rates are. So that is one point. So 30% has to be repriced. That will depend upon how -- if there is a rate hike, then there will be repricing on the deposits. I don't foresee a rate increase there.

So if that increase is not there, my liability may not be repriced. So there, I find stability over there. There is a reason why I'm saying I'm not looking at 11% decrease in the expenses. My total receipt today, what my last 5, 6 years, I've been looking at [indiscernible]. So I'll give you another number that it would be interesting to you. [ Warner ] is around 1.5% when we look at purpose of fixing MCL. It has not gone up quite some time in so far as I am concerned. Despite all these provisions are done. So my overhead continues to be hovering around 1,5, 1.6. So as long as it delivers around 1.5 to 1.6, I will not have any problem in terms of my cost assets.

So that's what -- only if that overhead goes up, there is a problem. That all told you overheads will not go because the OpEx has stabilized. Okay. So interest expenses are not likely to go up because the external environment, the rate is stabilized. So these are the levers are the base, which I am actually projecting my growth.

S
Shankar Sen
executive

Cost to income, 51% is their present ratio, the guidance we have given is around 47.5%. So that is another thing where it will come. And another important thing is the noninterest income, which will be driving this year, very strongly. So INR 7,000 crores plus, we had a noninterest income this year for the full 12 months. So this year, definitely, we'll try to get it as high as possible.

A
Ashok Ajmera
analyst

[indiscernible] come back to 46 [indiscernible]

P
P. Rajagopal
executive

This is actually because of the quarter 1 effect. Since it was annualized, you're coming at 51.

U
Unknown Analyst

The second question is to MD and CEO. So basically, you've come from Union Bank, where we have seen some kind of cultural shift or some tightening that we have seen over there, which obviously the investors have liked. We have seen that reflecting into the stock price as well.

You believe that, that kind of things need to be done in Bank of India, number one. I know it's been not many days that you've been earlier.

Secondly, is that that's from the cultural shift. Secondly, is that basically how do you -- what are the weaknesses that you see in Bank of India when you were there in Union Bank, right? I'm sure that peer comparison is always there in terms of that. This is a portfolio where they are strong. This is a portfolio where they're not that strong. Underwriting needs to be sent in, risk management needs to be sent in.

So any gaps that you basically identified and that you would want to address is in the first year of the job.

R
Rajneesh Karnatak
executive

Yes. So the second question, I will ask the first. See, it is too early for me to do a comparison. So both have different starting points. There was a amalgamation, which happened in Union Bank In Bank of India, there has been no amalgamation. So that is the basic point.

Another thing starting points for both the banks are different, and it is too early for me to give what are the strong points and weak points. It is just one week that I have joined over here. As far as the cultural shift, which you are seeing, which happened in Union Bank, which the market is taking it very positive.

Here also, I would like to say is that in today's Board meeting, I also said that we will also go through certain transformational journeys, whether it is on the IT side, digital side, structural side and also on the HR side. So these are the things which will change the mindset of the staff and also the clients. So what I was saying earlier that there will be town hall meetings with the staff, there will be customer outreach, all these things will not only help the credit to grow, but also the recovery to happen.

once we go out reach to the defaulters also, all that kind of thing will help in Union Bank. If you compare with the 1 point on the CASA side, Bank of India is very strong. So 44% of CASA with a INR 7 crore deposit franchise, that is big. So there are already very strong points, which are clearly evident on the slide itself. So definitely, the starting points are different, but with the transformational journeys that we'll be taking place, which we'll be taking over the next 12 months, definitely, the things will change for the better.

Operator

Since we've been so kind enough to extend ourselves here. This is one last question from the digital attendee. Question is, what is the impact of RBI consultation paper proposal for ECL for next year? How much impact on capital adequacy will be there? What's BOI's position?

R
Rajneesh Karnatak
executive

So we'll answer -- we'll answer. With respect to the ECL is concerned, we've already done our -- whatever the feedback retinue to IDA, whatever the things that you've already given presence you have taken. And internally, we have assessed also. I think our additional capital requirement will be in the range of INR 20,000 crore to INR 25,000 crore additional capital in recurring and staggering in a period of 5 years. That is what -- based on that projection only. year when you are in for our capital plan also, we are projecting around INR 4,500 crores raising of the equity cap. So we already gave a [indiscernible] to predict for next 5 years, I think we are in a comfortable position not much is going to affect as far as doing the business is concerned. So that way we are planning from the very beginning of the guideline, guidance that has come, and we're also planning to engage in consultant for in the very beginning to hold approach of ECL that is also in the pipeline.

And you all know very well last 2, 3 years, we are presenting the projected numbers with regard to ECL numbers, so Indian numbers are still early. I think we're also getting the feedback feeler, Yes, what would be -- where are we standing and what we are going to move that already we are having a field. So no problem that we can migrate it very smoothly. That is not a concern for us.

As for the matter of time being as we are having plans already increased.

Operator

I hope that answers your question, Mr. Manoj. That will be all from the analyst meet. Thank you Shri Rajneesh Karnatak, and the Bank of India's management team. We will now conclude this gathering. We request you to please help yourselves to some refreshments and join us out to some snacks. Thank you, everyone, for being here today. Good evening and thanks.

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