Mumbai, Dec 07: The total international assets of Indian and foreign banks in the country rose to Rs 1,06,848 crore (US dollar 22,993 million) as on June 2003 over Rs 1,04,574 crore (USD 22,016 million) recorded in March, according to the Reserve Bank of India. The total international liabilities of branches of Indian and foreign banks in India amounted to Rs 2,05,792 crore (USD 44,285 mn) as against Rs 2,00,493 crore (USD 42,209 mn) in March 2003, RBI said in its monthly (December) bulletin released here today.

The liabilities denominated in foreign currencies accounted for 58.4 per cent of the total international liabilities in the period under review, lower than 59.4 per cent in March, it added. RBI said the broad composition of international assets of banks showed that banks in India continued to prefer foreign currency lending in the domestic market and the share of foreign currency loans to residents in total international assets was the highest at 35.7 per cent.

India, considering the international assets of banks according to country of residence of transacting units, accounted for the largest share at 35.8 per cent while in case of liabilities, it stood at 7.1 per cent.

Bureau Report