When Banks Fail
“Bail-in” refers to statutory power given to resolution authorities to convert existing creditors to shareholders. This has triggered fears that bank deposits, for instance, may not be safe. That need not be the case. An insured deposit cannot be bailed-in. India’s Rs 1 lakh deposit insurance has remained unchanged for years. It should be immediately enhanced to cover the size of most deposits. For remaining deposits, a “bail-in” provision should apply only after consent of the deposit holder which will have to be compensated with higher interest rates. It’s possible to simultaneously provide all resolution tools and safeguard depositor interests. That should be the focus of parliamentary debate on this legislation.
(Source: Time of India, 13 December 2017) more