Conundrum of Non-performing Assets Over Two Decades: An Analysis of Punjab National Bank:

TLDR: In this paper, the authors have empirically established the relationship between financial sector developments and economic growth and highlighted the importance of a healthy and stable banking system in deciding the pace of development of an economy as it boosts mobilization of funds and acts as a catalyst in the country's growth process.

Abstract: Within the broad realm of financial system, the banking system is one of the pivotal integrants as banks form the major part of financial institutions in India as well as worldwide (Gerschenkron, 1962; Jadhav & Ajit, 1996). Through its intermediary activities, it facilitates the exchange of goods and services, stimulates savings and channelizes these to productive investment. A healthy and stable banking system plays a crucial role in deciding the pace of development of an economy as it boosts the mobilization of funds and acts as a catalyst in the country’s growth process. Various researchers have empirically established the relationship between financial sector developments and economic growth (Bhattacharya & Sivasubramanian, 2003; King & Levine, 1993; Levine, 2004; Rajan & Zingales, 1998; C. Singh, 2005). Strengthening of banking system and its regulation has always been one of the central issues for the policymakers in an economy on account of its direct link with the overall economic performance. India is not an exception to it. Financial soundness of banking depends upon its asset quality and in the process of providing financial assistance to the investment projects, banking institutions face inherent risk known as default risk which creates non-performing assets (NPAs). Asset quality revealed in the form of NPAs of a bank is the actual expression of its credit risk management system. The timely information relating to NPAs works as a useful tool in examining the asset quality of banks (Meeker & Gray, 1987). NPAs affect the operative capability of the banks and successively affect the profitability, liquidity and solvency of those banks (Michael, Vasanthi, & Selvaraju, 2006). No doubt, to some extent, deterioration of assets is inevitable, but it is always appreciable if these distressed assets remain at its minimum with the vital contribution of the credit risk management system. Rising NPAs generally lead Management and Labour Studies 44(3) 263–284, 2019 © 2019 XLRI Jamshedpur, School of Business Management & Human Resources Reprints and permissions: in.sagepub.com/journals-permissions-india DOI: 10.1177/0258042X19848238 journals.sagepub.com/home/mls