The global economy is facing growing headwinds amid rising interest rates, heightened geopolitical tensions, and lingering pandemic effects. The economic slowdown and rising interest rates could lead to higher nonperforming loans (NPLs) as it becomes more challenging for borrowers to repay and service their debts. Persistent and high levels of NPLs in turn could undermine bank lending and economic recovery.

NPLs held by banks in Asia totaled $794 billion at the end of 2021 (up from $766 billion in 2020 and $692 billion in 2019) according to official figures. During the pandemic, fiscal stimulus helped prevent corporate defaults, while easing regulations relieved pressure on banks to pursue repayment.

The phasing out of regulatory forbearance, global monetary tightening and challenging economic and financial conditions could pose a significant risk to banks' asset quality, increasing NPLs in the near future. To avoid rising NPL ratios, diminishing bank lending capacity and worsening economic performance, it is important to strengthen the way NPLs are repaid or resolved.

NPL resolution – the disposal of NPLs from banks' balance sheets – can be made more efficient through private NPLs markets. At present, the level of NPL market development differs considerably across Asia.

For example, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and the People's Republic of China have active NPL markets, while differing in their characteristics, including the degree of international investor involvement. Many other countries in Asia and the Pacific are at an earlier stage of NPL market development, such as Viet Nam and Kazakhstan.

Impediments to NPL market development include a limited number of active investors, and scarce information around market prices and volumes. Furthermore, the institutional environment plays an important role, with poor legal framework legislation, weak collateral enforcement and insolvency proceedings adding to the market imperfections. As a result, there is often a considerable gap between the price an investor is willing to pay and the price a bank is willing to accept for a NPL.

E-transaction platforms for NPLs can address some of these market impediments more efficiently. Such platforms would create an online marketplace, bringing together buyers and sellers in the digital space, and help information flows.

First, e-transaction platforms can reduce information asymmetry inherent in any financial transaction, as the seller would have more information on the value of an asset being sold than the buyer. This can be done by offering data review, validation, and also warehousing functions.

Standardised NPL data templates can help in that regard, enhancing granularity, quality, transparency, and comparability of NPL-related information that are key to potential investors.

Second, e-transaction platforms can enhance efficiency of transactions and price discovery among market participants. As in any other online retail platform, market participants can be matched and exchange information online. This can lower transaction costs and operation efficiency.

Anecdotal evidence suggests e-platform operators could offer much faster execution of transactions, with 55 per cent to 90 per cent time saved, compared to conventional offline processes.

Small investors could also find it easier to join this marketplace, helping broaden the investor base. Pricing mechanisms can also be facilitated through e-platforms, improving pricing efficiency. For example, e-platforms can facilitate a competitive online bidding process (much like eBay auctions) upon review of the specific asset information submitted by the sellers and the necessary due diligence.

Third, e-transaction platforms can attract foreign investors. There are also some e-trading platforms in the European Union that facilitate both domestic and cross-border trades of nonperforming loans. Currently, however, existing NPL markets in Asia tend to be dominated by domestic players. While this is also due to legal impediments, such as restrictions of foreign ownership, foreign investors could be attracted to this platform for greater transparency and lower cost. Especially for smaller markets and countries, a platform facilitating overseas investment could vitalise their NPL markets.

There are a few key considerations for the establishment of e-transaction platforms in the region.

The region's financial markets have long been held back by fragmentation and the same is true for e-platforms. The People's Republic of China has several active e-platforms for NPLs, including through popular online retail platforms. However, these e-platforms are segmented without mechanisms for standardisation and interoperability.

Consolidating e-trading platforms will help reduce costs while offering multiple benefits of efficiency gains.

For NPL transaction platforms to function smoothly, including across borders, harmonisation of regulatory and reporting requirements is crucial. For instance, the adoption of agreed international standards of NPL recognition and valuation is important.

Minimum standards in the form of best practice guidelines could further incentivise active market participation. Adoption of NPL data templates, possibly mandatory, can further help.

An enabling legal framework and infrastructure are key to promoting NPL markets and thus also e-transaction platforms. For example, regulations need to offer clear guidelines and legal proceedings for effective workout and resolution of NPL while protecting borrowers' rights. Multiple factors should be considered on balance.

NPL collection practices should be regulated to protect consumers and borrowers, while practices should not restrict lenders' ability to efficiently work out NPL. This needs to be accommodated through strong judicial capacity and infrastructure, including sufficient court capacity to swiftly resolve disputes.

A non-discriminatory level playing field would attract diverse investors, both in NPL markets in general and e-platforms in particular. That is, regulatory requirements should be applied equally to both foreign and domestic market participants, reducing possible entry barriers.

Finally, given that Asia's NPL markets and ecosystems are at different stages of maturity and depth, exchange of knowledge and experience would be important.

Potential policy support could lead to the establishment of a NPL transaction platform in the region—or a network thereof—that features common standards. Setting regional standards to support cross-border transactions could maximise the reach of the NPL transaction platform and enhance its effectiveness.

Cyn-Young Park is director for regional cooperation and integration, economic research and regional cooperation department of the ADB. Peter Rosenkranz is a financial sector specialist of the East Asia department of the ADB.