STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The credit-to-deposit ratio among the banks operating in Assam is much below par when compared to the credit-to-deposit ratio at the national level. The loans offered by banks in the state are also mostly for cars and homes.
According to the economic survey report for 2022–23, in 2022, the banks in Assam extended 50.65 percent of their total deposits, compared to 72 percent at the national level. According to RBI policy, banks should extend credit amounting to at least 60 percent of the total deposits. The economic survey report for 2022–23 shows that the percentage of bank loans in Assam continues to be below par when compared with the credit to deposit ratio at the national level.
What is surprising is that bank deposits continue to rise in Assam, but bank loans in the state are not in sync with the deposits.
According to the economic survey report for 2022–23, the total deposits in the banks operating in Assam in 2017 were Rs 1,20,976 crore and the credit was Rs 48,754 crore. This is 40.3 percent against the national level percentage of 73.79 percent in that year.
Like-wise, the total deposits in the banks operating in Assam in 2018 were Rs 1,34,287 crore, and the credit was Rs 57,186 crore. This is 42.58 percent against the national level percentage of 76.67 percent in that year.
In 2019, the total deposits in the banks operating in Assam were Rs 1,47,091 crore, and the credit was Rs 65,150 crore. This is 44.29 percent against the national-level percentage of 78.3 in that year.
The total deposits in Assam in 2020 were Rs 1,64,299 crore, and the credit was Rs 70,625 crore. This is 42.98 percent against the national level percentage of 76.50 percent in that year.
The total deposit in the banks operating in Assam in 2021 was Rs 173014 crore, and the credit was Rs 80871 crore. That was 46.74 percent against the national level percentage of 71.73 percent in that year.
The total deposit in the banks operating in Assam in 2022 was Rs 1,89,483 crore, and the credit was Rs 95,992 crore. That was 50.65 percent against the national level percentage of 72 in that year.
As of March 31, 2023, Assam had 3,148 bank branches operating in it; 50 percent of them were operational in rural areas, 22.31 percent in urban areas, and 29 percent in suburban areas. Despite having 50 percent of the bank branches operating in rural areas, rural depositors get only 25.5 percent of the credits, 29.5 percent in suburban areas, and 45 percent in urban areas.
The banks provide 60 percent credits only in 12 districts in Assam, below 60 percent and above 40 percent in 19 districts, and below 40 percent in two districts. The two districts getting below 40 percent credits are Karimganj and Dima Hasao.
Apart from private banks, the state has commercial banks, regional rural banks, cooperative banks, small finance banks, and foreign banks operating in it.
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