ALM has to be supported by a management philosophy which clearly specifies the risk policies and tolerance limits. This framework needs to be built on sound methodology with necessary information system as back up. Thus, information is the key to the ALM process. It is, however, recognised that varied business profiles of banks in the public and private sector as well as those of foreign banks do not make the adoption of a uniform ALM System for all banks feasible. There are various methods prevalent world-wide for measuring risks. These range from the simple Gap Statement to extremely sophisticated and data intensive Risk Adjusted Profitability Measurement methods. However, the central element for the entire ALM exercise is the availability of adequate and accurate information with expedience and the existing systems in many Indian banks do not generate information in the manner required for ALM. Collecting accurate data in a timely manner will be the biggest challenge before the banks, particularly those having wide network of branches but lacking full scale computerisation. However, the introduction of base information system for risk measurement and monitoring has to be addressed urgently. As banks are aware, internationally, regulators have prescribed or are in the process of prescribing capital adequacy for market risks. A pre-requisite for this is that banks must have in place an efficient information system.

Considering the large network of branches and the lack of (an adequate) support system to collect information required for ALM which analyses information on the basis of residual maturity and behavioural pattern, it will take time for banks in the present state to get the requisite information. The problem of ALM needs to be addressed by following an ABC approach i.e. analysing the behaviour of asset and liability products in the sample branches accounting for significant business and then making rational assumptions about the way in which assets and liabilities would behave in other branches. In respect of foreign exchange, investment portfolio and money market operations, in view of the centralised nature of the functions, it would be much easier to collect reliable information. The data and assumptions can then be refined over time as the bank management gain experience of conducting business within an ALM framework. The spread of computerisation will also help banks in accessing data.

1. Successful implementation of the risk management process would require strong commitment on the part of the senior management in the bank, to integrate basic operations and strategic decision making with risk management. The Board should have overall responsibility for management of risks and should decide the risk management policy of the bank and set limits for liquidity, interest rate, foreign exchange and equity price risks.

2. The Asset - Liability Committee (ALCO) consisting of the bank's senior management including CEO should be responsible for ensuring adherence to the limits set by the Board as well as for deciding the business strategy of the bank (on the assets and liabilities sides) in line with the bank's budget and decided risk management objectives.

3. The ALM Support Groups consisting of operating staff should be responsible for analysing, monitoring and reporting the risk profiles to the ALCO. The staff should also prepare forecasts (simulations) showing the effects of various possible changes in market conditions related to the balance sheet and recommend the action needed to adhere to bank's internal limits.

The ALCO is a decision making unit responsible for balance sheet planning from risk -return perspective including the strategic management of interest rate and liquidity risks. Each bank will have to decide on the role of its ALCO, its responsibility as also the decisions to be taken by it. The business and risk management strategy of the bank should ensure that the bank operates within the limits / parameters set by the Board. The business issues that an ALCO would consider, inter alia, will include product pricing for both deposits and advances, desired maturity profile and mix of the incremental assets and liabilities, etc. In addition to monitoring the risk levels of the bank, the ALCO should review the results of and progress in implementation of the decisions made in the previous meetings. The ALCO would also articulate the current interest rate view of the bank and base its decisions for future business strategy on this view. In respect of the funding policy, for instance, its responsibility would be to decide on source and mix of liabilities or sale of assets. Towards this end, it will have to develop a view on future direction of interest rate movements and decide on funding mixes between fixed vs floating rate funds, wholesale vs retail deposits, money market vs capital market funding , domestic vs foreign currency funding, etc. Individual banks will have to decide the frequency for holding their ALCO meetings.

The size (number of members) of ALCO would depend on the size of each institution, business mix and organisational complexity. To ensure commitment of the Top Management and timely response to market dynamics, the CEO/CMD or the ED should head the Committee. The Chiefs of Investment, Credit, Resources Management or Planning, Funds Management / Treasury (forex and domestic), International Banking and Economic Research can be members of the Committee. In addition, the Head of the Technology Division should also be an invitee for building up of MIS and related computerisation. Some banks may even have Sub-committees and Support Groups.

The Management Committee of the Board or any other Specific Committee constituted by the Board should oversee the implementation of the system and review its functioning periodically.