Is the sparkle returning? Banks are now better placed to handhold India Inc

The growth instinct appears to have taken root, and banks are now better placed to handhold India Inc

The change in sentiment and outlook is beyond the feel-good factor. Many companies are seriously discussing investment proposals with us,” says Dinesh Khara, chairman of State Bank of India (SBI). He has reasons for being upbeat.

Last week, the bank posted its highest standalone quarterly net-profit — Rs 7,626 crore for the second quarter, up 67 per cent year-on-year. Provisioning for bad loans fell to Rs 2,699 crore, down 52 per cent, even as gross non-performing assets (NPAs) improved to 4.9 per cent, from 5.32 per cent in the preceding quarter. Better still, “SBI is in discussions for Rs 1.15 trillion