Working Capital Assessment
Nayak Committee & MPBF Methods
Master working capital assessment in commercial banking — Nayak Committee turnover method, Tandon MPBF calculation, operating cycle analysis, and borrower liquidity limits.
1. The Logic of Limit Setting
Working capital assessment is the bridge between a borrower's operational needs and a bank's risk appetite. It is not just about the numbers; it’s about understanding the **Merchandising Cycle** and ensuring the bank funds the core gap without over-leveraging the borrower.
The Golden Rule
"Banks fund the gap, not the asset itself. The gap exists because assets move faster or slower than the corresponding liabilities."
Banking Wisdom Series: PSU Receivables Blockade
Read the Part 7 case study on how government electricity boards withheld overdue payments under political instruction, starving a transformer manufacturer of its working capital and triggering a liquidity collapse.
Read Part 7 Case Study →2. Primary Assessment Frameworks
Nayak Committee
A simplified turnover-based method (20% of projected turnover) designed for SMEs and small limits.
Tandon / MPBF II
Maximum Permissible Bank Finance. Focuses on 'Working Capital Gap' and mandatory 25% margin from Net Working Capital (NWC).
Cash Budget
Focuses on absolute monthly cash flows. Mandatory for seasonal units (sugar, tea) and large corporate exposures.
3. The MPBF Anatomy
Understanding the transition from Gross Assets to Net Financed Limit:
Total Current Assets minus (Other Current Liabilities + Margin from Borrower)
Other Current Liabilities (OCL)
Trade creditors, advance from customers, and statutory dues that fund current assets for free.
Safety Margin (NWC)
Borrower's contribution to current assets (usually 25% of the WC Gap under Method II).
Interactive Logic: The Project Challenge
Assess the fund gap for XY2 Ltd. Total CA is 100 Cr, OCL is 20 Cr. NWC required is 25% of Gap.
Calculate the Maximum Permissible Bank Finance:
MPBF = Gap (80) - Margin (20) = 60 Cr.
Frequently Asked Questions on Working Capital Assessment
Practical methods, regulatory norms, and assessment benchmarks used by commercial credit appraisers.
What is the Nayak Committee method of working capital assessment?
The Nayak Committee (Turnover Method) assesses working capital for MSMEs with credit limits up to ₹5 Crore (or bank-specified thresholds). Working capital requirement is pegged at a minimum of 25% of projected annual gross turnover, whereof 20% is provided by the bank as Working Capital Limit and 5% is brought by the borrower as margin/equity.
What is Tandon Committee MPBF Method I vs Method II?
In MPBF Method I, borrower margin is 25% of the Working Capital Gap (Current Assets minus Non-Bank Current Liabilities), allowing bank finance of 75%. In MPBF Method II, borrower margin is 25% of Total Current Assets (TCA) from long-term funds, enforcing a mandatory minimum Current Ratio of 1.33:1.
What is the Operating Cycle (Working Capital Cycle) formula?
Operating Cycle (days) = Raw Material Holding Days + WIP Days + Finished Goods Days + Receivables (Debtors) Collection Days - Accounts Payable (Creditors) Days. A shorter cycle minimizes the cash gap and external loan requirements.
When is the Cash Budget method mandatory for working capital assessment?
The Cash Budget method is mandatory for seasonal industries (e.g., sugar, tea, agro-processing), construction and infrastructure EPC contractors, and service businesses where cash inflows and disbursements fluctuate widely across different months.
How does an increase in Sundry Debtors collection period impact bank finance?
Higher debtor holding period traps liquidity in receivables, widening the working capital gap. While this increases gross working capital needs, banks apply age-wise debtor caps (excluding debtors unpaid beyond 90 or 180 days) when fixing Drawing Power (DP).
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