Economy : Banking System

Q 11 / 30

UPSC CSE Prelims 2018

Consider the following statements :
  1. Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) is the amount that banks have to maintain in the form of their own funds to offset any loss that banks incur if the account-holders fail to repay dues.
  2. CAR is decided by each individual bank.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

EXPLANATION

Correct Option

Statement 1 is correct. Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) is a measure of a bank's capital in relation to its risk-weighted assets. It represents the minimum amount of capital a bank must hold to absorb potential losses, including those arising from loan defaults by account-holders. This ensures the bank's solvency and protects depositors.

Incorrect Options

Statement 2 is incorrect. The Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) is not determined by individual banks. It is mandated by financial regulators, such as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in India, based on international frameworks like the Basel Accords (e.g., Basel III norms). These regulatory requirements ensure financial stability and a standardized level of capital across the banking system. Options (2), (3), and (4) are incorrect as they include or solely rely on the incorrect Statement 2.

SOURCEIndian Economy by Ramesh Singh, Chapter 10: Banking System