Question:
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether there has been an increase in domestic non-performing loans as a result of the economic downturn, with regard to (i) absolute magnitude; (ii) magnitude as a percentage of total domestic loans; and (iii) the number of such loans.
Answer:
As at 30 Jun 98, the total domestic non-performing loans (NPLs) of the 6 local banking groups amounted to $5.4b or 3.9% of their total domestic loans. This compares with $3.1b or 2.3% of total domestic loans in Dec 97. The number of such loans was 7,913, compared to 6,213 loans six months earlier.
2 87% of the domestic non-performing loans are in the 'substandard' category, with 6% in the 'doubtful' category and 7% in the 'bad' or 'loss' category. The banks have made provisions for all NPLs in line with MAS guidelines, i.e. 10% provision for the unsecured portion of substandard loans, 50% for doubtful loans and 100% for loss loans 1.
3 40% of the increase in NPLs is due to the banks adopting stricter criteria for classifying loans. Banks now automatically classify loans as NPLs once the principal or interest payments are 3 months or more in arrears, compared to the previous rule of 6 months. 3 months is increasingly the international practice. In addition, banks are continuing to treat all loans to borrowers with weak financials as NPL, regardless of whether they are in arrears. The remaining 60% of the increase in NPLs reflects the slowdown in the Singa-pore economy.