While at BANCON 2013...

Here's what happened on the sidelines of the banking conference

It wasn't just interest rates and new bank licences that dominated the BANCON 2013. There were quite a few light moments as well.

Lipstick on a pig

When a member of the audience asked whether RBI will introduce stricter norms on debt recast, Rajan used an American phrase to highlight the evergreening mal-practice. “We have to remember that the American have a phrase for this. I will use it. Take it in the right sprit. You can put lipstick on a pig, but it does not become a princess. So dressing up a loan and showing it as restructured and not provisioning for it when it stops paying is an issue.”

“Chidambaram uncle”

Public sector bankers don’t let go any opportunity to praise the finance minister. BANCON 2013 was no diifferenr. While giving the vote of thanks at the inaugural session of Bancon 2013, B P Sharma, ED of Bank of India spoke in appreciation of P Chidambaram by saying that he has become a household figure. "When you ask any child about the finance ministry, they proudly reply that it is “Chidambaram uncle” who constitutes the Ministry of Finance". While a laoud applause followed from the audience, the FM gave a shy smile.

View from the top

When asked how does he feel about the state of the economy from his 23 rd  floor office at the RBI headquarters. Rajan first corrected the gentleman that his office is on the 18 th  floor and said his office offers the view of the Mumbai Port and he can see the good news through the glass windows. “As I stand on the 18th floor and look outside, I see the port and ships coming in and going out to a greater degree than I saw in September.  That’s telling me exports are picking up", he said

India a source for envy

Speaking about the global growth outlook for 2013 and 2014, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said that the whole world is going through tough times (global growth is projected to 3.6 per cent in 2014 compared to 2.9 per cent in 2013 and 3.2 per cent in 2012). "In fact, if you want to see a collection of gloomy faces, all you have to do is attend an IMF meeting or a G-20 meeting", he said, adding every finance minister there wears a gloomy outlook and envies India's 5 per cent growth.

Who will walk the bond street, asks Rajan

When V R Iyer, the chairman and managing director of Bank of India asked RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan about the central bank allowing banks to raise resources through long-term tax-free bonds, Rajan replied that this is where the limits of his knowledge had been reached. He added, “I am not sure whether we are supposed to allow you or whether the finance ministry is supposed to allow you.” Rajan however said that they would take the question under advice and look at it.

Rajan opens up on Sachin

Cricket makes people open up. RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, who had a stock reply "no comments" to media queries, began to converse with reporters when the discussions moved to cricket. He said he had come to Bancon after watching Sachin Tendulkar's innings at the Wankhede stadium. "How much did Rohit Sharma score?"he asked while entering into his car.