CCP initiates probe into T-Bills bidding process

ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has initiated an inquiry into suspected collusive activities of the commercial banks in an auction of Market Treasury Bills (MTB) for providing financing to the government at higher rates.

In the aftermath of the IMF programme, there was a ban on the government borrowing from State Bank of Pakistan and left relying upon the commercial banks to meet yawning financing requirements to meet budget deficit. This situation is being exploited by the banks so the CCP has started investigation to ascertain elements of cartelization to participate in T-bills by offering higher mark up rates. According to the details available with ‘The News’, stating that the CCP has initiated an enquiry into the suspected cartelization by primary dealers (PDs) in the recent auctions of the Market Treasury Bills (T-bills) carried out by the Government of Pakistan.

A preliminary probe was undertaken due to various concerns raised with respect to the significant rise in the yields for all tenors (3, 6, and 12 months) of the T-bills issued by the government in recent auctions. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in its monetary policy statement issued on 14 December 2021 also termed that the rise in yields unwarranted. The concerns were also expressed that since the government could no longer borrow directly from the SBP, thus it was reliant on the commercial banks for meeting its funding requirements, which placed the commercial banks in a position to dictate the terms.

A preliminary analysis showed that since the MTBs were risk-free, their yields generally remained 25 to 50 basis points above the policy rate. However, from September to December 2021, the average difference between the policy rate and cut off yield for 3-month MTBs rose to 114 basis points. The highest cut off yields was witnessed in the auction on December 15, 2021. The Commission after reviewing the recent bidding data in its meeting formed an opinion that the common trend in the bidding pattern needed to be further probed as it raised suspicion of collusive bidding by the PDs.

From the initial examination of the bidding data, it was observed that there were instances, where the PDs have submitted similar/identical bids, and common bidding patterns were also followed by some of the PDs. Moreover, there was indication of rotation among the PDs and the increase in rates quoted was also simultaneous, and it was noted that in most of the bids, the major chunk of the bid was won by or awarded to one single bidder. The above factors required further scrutiny for any possible collusive bidding on part of the primary dealers and/or also required to enquire into the factors, if any, that may have contributed to the quoting/charging of higher rates than before.

The above circumstances warranted the initiation of an enquiry under Section-37(1) of the Act. The Commission also decided that the senior officials of the banks may be summoned and required to explain the reasons for bidding patterns identified. The Commission in its meeting has also decided to require the State Bank of Pakistan to appoint a focal person and to assist the enquiry officers and to help understand the processes in place to ensure free market operation in the bidding process.

It is important to note that bid rigging or any form of coordination during the bidding process by the parties is prohibited under Section-4(2)(e) of the Competition Act-2010. Once the enquiry is complete, the findings shall be submitted to the Commission and also made them public.