New Delhi, Mar 8 (PTI) Private sector IndusInd Bank on Tuesday said the microfinance loan disbursals by its subsidiary during the Covid period was a result of a “technical glitch”, according to the findings of the audit firm Deloitte and the bank has set up a panel to assess its staff’s accountability, if any.
The matter relates to allegations of disbursal of microfinance loans by its subsidiary Bharat Financial Inclusion Ltd (BFIL) between March 2020 and October 2021, without seeking the consent of the customers.
Following receipt of the complaints, the bank took immediate corrective steps, including conducting an internal audit, IT audit and discontinuation of OTP-based authentication for loan disbursal in November 2021.
Subsequently, it appointed Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP (Deloitte) to conduct an independent review.
IndusInd Bank said Deloitte submitted its final report on March 7, 2022 and basis the assessment and findings of the report, the board of the bank noted key points that there was a technical glitch leading to disbursement of loans without recording of client consent.
It was a result of the IT change management and process gap, IndusInd Bank said in a late-night stock exchange filing.
“The portfolio, net of provisions, where consent recording was an issue amounted to Rs 8.87 crore as of December 31, 2021 (0.03 percent of the microfinance portfolio). Bank’s microfinance products require the full collection of arrears or repayment of overdue loan outstanding prior to fresh disbursement to a customer. Certain operational issues were highlighted in product rollout,” the bank said.
On a prudent basis, the bank carries a contingent provision of Rs 3,328 crore outside of the provision coverage ratio, including Rs 368 crore towards the standard microfinance portfolio, as of December 31, 2021.
“Further, the bank will make an additional provision of Rs 13.5 crore in Q4FY22 based on the findings of the review. The board has constituted a committee to assess staff accountability, if any, arising out of the findings of the report,” it said in the filing.
The lender reiterated that there is a “strong risk management and control framework in place”, which will be further strengthened, basis the findings of the independent review. PTI KPM RT RT
