Speaking at the annual general meeting of the Indian Institute of Bankers (IIB), Jalan pointed out: "NPAs of the banking system continue to be a matter of grave concern for all of us. The ratio of net NPAs to net advances has been as high as 8.6 per cent, and in absolute terms, the amount is over Rs 40,000 crore. Banks will have to address themselves to this problem in order to qualify themselves for securing/availing of the autonomy package announced by the Government of India in 1997."

Jalan also mentioned that while the capital adequacy ratio of the banking industry is pegged at 8 per cent at present, "we are now looking ahead and devising strategies to raise it further to 9-10 per cent. Prudential norms are being fine-tuned to achieve international standards."

Meanwhile, IIB on Mondayannounced that it will offer an MBA in banking and finance in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi National Open University (New Delhi).

This new MBA course will be open to all IIB graduate-members, irrespective of the position or grade, and who have a CAIIB qualification. The enrolment/admission to the MBA programme will be made without any formal entry test or exam.