Core Insights - India's industry, trade, and commerce are experiencing a significant shift in credit sourcing, with non-traditional funding sources gaining prominence amid a GDP growth averaging around 8% over the past few years [1][5]. Credit Flow Trends - The flow of bank credit in FY25 decreased by approximately ₹3.4 lakh crore, dropping from ₹21.4 lakh crore to ₹18 lakh crore, while non-bank sources compensated for this decline with an increase of ₹4.3 lakh crore, rising from ₹12.5 lakh crore in FY24 to ₹16.8 lakh crore in FY25 [2][4]. - In FY26 (up to October 31), the total flow of financial resources to the commercial sector increased to ₹20.1 lakh crore from ₹16.2 lakh crore a year ago, with non-bank sources contributing ₹8,95,813 crore, marking a 39% year-on-year increase [13]. Non-Bank Financing Sources - Non-bank financing sources include commercial papers, corporate bonds, private equity, venture capital, credit from non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), external commercial borrowings (ECBs), and foreign direct investments (FDI) [6]. - In FY25, corporate bond issuances reached ₹9.9 lakh crore, a 16.1% increase from the previous year, while investments from alternative investment funds (AIFs) grew by 32% year-on-year to ₹5,38,161 crore as of March-end 2025 [20]. Structural Changes in Financing - The shift towards non-bank financing is driven by India's rapid economic expansion and formalization, which have increased corporate financing needs, while banks face exposure limits and tighter lending norms [18]. - Companies are increasingly seeking non-bank capital as it offers faster execution, higher ticket sizes, and capital aligned with long-term growth rather than short-term debt servicing [19]. Regulatory Environment - The RBI and SEBI are encouraging diversification of corporate funding by deepening the corporate bond market and enhancing supervision of NBFCs, which reflects a regulatory nudge towards non-bank financing [21][22]. - The upcoming withdrawal of guidelines that limited bank credit to large borrowers is expected to allow banks to increase their lending to corporations, potentially balancing the shift towards non-bank sources [24][25].

Core Insights - The total flow of financial resources to the corporate sector increased to ₹35 lakh crore in FY25, reflecting a 3% rise from the previous year, but indicating a shift away from traditional bank credit, which suggests a broader economic slowdown [1][10] Funding Composition - Nearly 49% of the total resources raised, amounting to ₹17.1 lakh crore, came from non-bank channels, including corporate bonds, NBFC loans, equity issuances, and foreign direct investment [2][10] - Demand for bank credit declined by 14% to ₹17.9 lakh crore, highlighting a significant shift in funding sources [10] Equity Market Performance - Non-financial corporates raised ₹3.8 lakh crore through equity in FY25, marking a substantial increase of 188% compared to the previous year, driven by strong equity market performance [2][10] Lending Trends - The slowdown in bank credit may be attributed to cautious lending practices towards NBFCs and unsecured retail segments, as well as a high base effect from FY24 when bank credit surged by 20% [6][10] - NBFCs and financial institutions increased their lending to corporates, disbursing ₹6.1 lakh crore, which is a 20% rise [6][10] - Borrowings through corporate bonds and commercial papers by non-bank entities rose by 15% to ₹2.1 lakh crore [6][10] Internal Funding Sources - The increased use of internal accruals for business expansion has contributed to the decline in bank credit, as profitability among large corporates has improved [8][10] Policy Response - To stimulate credit demand, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has reduced policy rates by 100 basis points since February, following a two-year pause, and ensured ample liquidity in the banking system [9][10]

Core Insights - The total flow of financial resources to the corporate sector increased to Rs 35 lakh crore in FY25, reflecting a 3% rise from the previous year, but indicates a shift away from traditional bank credit [1][5] - Nearly 49% of the total funding, amounting to Rs 17.1 lakh crore, was sourced from non-bank channels, including corporate bonds, NBFC loans, equity issuances, and foreign direct investment [1][5] - Demand for bank credit fell by 14% to Rs 17.9 lakh crore, attributed to strong equity market performance encouraging companies to opt for share issuances over debt [2][5] Funding Composition - Non-financial corporates raised Rs 3.8 lakh crore through equity in FY25, marking a significant 188% increase compared to the previous year [3][5] - Lending from NBFCs and financial institutions to corporates rose by 20%, totaling Rs 6.1 lakh crore [3][5] - Borrowings through corporate bonds and commercial papers by non-bank entities increased by 15% to Rs 2.1 lakh crore [3][5] Economic Context - The decline in bank credit is also linked to larger corporates utilizing internal accruals for business expansion, as noted by RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra [5] - The overall flow of financial resources to the commercial sector has increased when considering non-bank sources, despite the slowdown in bank lending [5] - To stimulate credit demand, the RBI has reduced policy rates by 100 basis points since February and ensured ample liquidity in the banking system [5]

Core Insights - Bond yields in India hardened in August, with the 10-year benchmark government yield rising by 26 basis points to 6.62% at the end of the month, although it softened to 6.46% the following week [1][8] - Corporate borrowing from the debt market in August was the lowest in the past seven months, with India Inc and financial institutions raising ₹1.18 lakh crore, marking a 23% month-on-month and 12% year-on-year decline [8] - The Reserve Bank of India initiated a softer rate cycle starting in February, reducing the repo rate by a total of 100 basis points, which has led to a decline in various interest rates, including a 71 basis point drop in the weighted average lending rate for fresh rupee loans [6][7][8] Debt Market Trends - The issuance volume of commercial papers (CP) has decreased significantly, indicating that if bond yields continue to rise, corporates may withdraw from the debt market and seek funding from banks instead [5][8] - The first quarter volume of corporate borrowing was ₹4.54 lakh crore, an increase from ₹3.81 lakh crore in the same period last year, suggesting a potential shift in funding strategies among corporations [3][8] Banking Sector Response - Bankers are optimistic that India Inc will return to banks for immediate cash needs if bond yields remain high, with lenders like Canara Bank and Indian Bank preparing to disburse a significant amount of sanctioned corporate loans [5][8] - The regulator anticipates a higher degree of monetary transmission from the cumulative rate cuts as time progresses, which may influence corporate borrowing behavior [8]