RBI directs ICICI Bank to make additional provisions on agri priority sector loans

ICICI Bank Q3 FY26

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), following its annual supervisory review, has directed ICICI Bank to make additional standard asset provisions on a portion of its agricultural priority sector lending (PSL) portfolio after finding that certain credit facilities did not fully meet regulatory classification norms.

In its Q3 FY26 disclosures, the bank said the directive relates to the terms of the facilities and not to borrower credit quality, adding that there has been no change in asset classification, loan terms, or repayment behaviour.

Addressing the media on the post-results call, ICICI Bank said the RBI’s observation emerged from its routine annual inspection cycle and pertains to classification alignment under PSL norms, not stress in the underlying agricultural book.

“There is no change in asset classification or in terms and conditions applicable to the borrowers or in repayment behaviour. We are very comfortable with the quality of the book,” management said, responding to investor concerns

The bank has been originating this category of agricultural loans since 2012 and said the portfolio has consistently remained standard and secured in nature.

Management disclosed that the RBI review covered an agricultural PSL portfolio of Rs 20,000-25,000 crore, part of ICICI Bank’s broader rural loan book of around Rs 83,000 crore.

“These loans are standard and secured. The provisioning requirement for PSL agri loans is different from normal classification and does not reflect the quality of the borrower,” the bank said.

As directed by the regulator, ICICI Bank recognised Rs 12.83 billion (Rs 1,283 crore) in additional provisions during the December quarter. The bank clarified that this provisioning was made specifically for the supervisory assessment and does not imply a retrospective review of the entire book.

The bank said the additional standard asset provisions will remain until the loans are repaid or renewed in conformity with priority sector guidelines. Management added that the provisions could be written back once the facilities are brought into regulatory alignment.

“Our endeavour would be to minimise the PSL and provisioning impact by working towards repayment and renewal of these loans in line with the guidelines,” the bank said .

ICICI Bank described the provisioning as a one-time regulatory adjustment, stating that it does not expect further provisions on this portfolio beyond Q3 FY26.

Management acknowledged that the additional provision weighed on quarterly profitability, noting that net profit growth would have been positive in the absence of this charge. However, the bank highlighted its strong buffer, including over Rs 13,100 crore in contingency provisions, and said its internal provisioning standards remain more conservative than RBI requirements