There may occur temporary cash flow mismatches. To address these mismatches, the Indian government may issue short-term money market instruments, such as CMBs. It stands for Cash Management Bills. CMBs, like treasury bills, do not have a fixed schedule. These are introduced only as needed, based on the government's liquidity requirements. Usually, these bills have a maturity period of 91 days or less and are typically offered at a discount to face value through auctions conducted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
CMBs are typically regarded as a safe investment option, as they are backed by sovereign guarantees and are primarily utilised by institutional investors, banks, and mutual funds. The purpose of issuing CMBs is to ensure smooth management of the government’s cash position without disturbing the long-term borrowing calendar. Read on as we discuss CMBs in detail.
Understanding Cash Management Bill
Cash Management Bill (CMB): The Government of India issues CMBs against short-term mismatches in government cash flows, as it consults with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). CMBs were introduced in 2010 and are similar to treasury bills, except that CMBs are issued on demand, as opposed to at regular intervals, and mature within three months.
These are zero-coupon bonds, which are discounted and traded at par when they mature. They assist the government in satisfying short-term appropriation requirements without exacerbating the long-term debt problem and have been extensively employed in the effective management of liquidity.
Source: RBI
How Cash Management Bills Work?
The Cash Management Bills (CMBs) are government-issued short-term debt, which start to cover urgent liquidity needs on occasions where the usual borrowing means are inadequate. CMBs, unlike standard Treasury Bills (T-Bills), are not issued on a regular basis but are issued only when there is an emergency requirement for funds.
Process of Issuance
Competitive bids only, primary dealers, banks, and financial institutions submit bids with the discount they are willing to accept.
Discounted Issuance
Maturity and Settlement
Secondary Market Attributes
Advantages and Applications
Source: Investopedia
Features of Cash Management Bills
Cash Management Bills have unique features with the objective of fulfilling short-term financial requirements:
Issued on an as-required basis, in contrast to timed treasury bills.
Always less than 91 days, assisting in the fulfilment of immediate liquidity shortfalls.
Zero coupon/Discounted nature
Sold at less than face value and redeemed at par—no frequent interest payments.
Competitive bidding only; provides clear, market-based yield determination.
Identified under Section 24 of the Banking Regulation Act, banks can use CMBs for obligatory liquidity.
Active secondary-market trading and repo access ensure liquidity and flexibility.
Such features make CMBs suitable short-term securities for financial institutions as well as the government.
Source: Livemint, Investopedia
History of Cash Management Bills
On May 12, 2010, the Government of India, in liaison with the Reserve Bank of India, announced Cash Management Bills as a flexible tool to fill short-term cash gaps, without compromising market mechanisms. These bills are not scheduled as treasury bills; instead, they are issued only when certain liquidity needs are present - they are more flexible. The CMB tenors initially started with up to 91 days but have at times increased almost to that limit due to fiscal constraints.
To illustrate, the government issued CMBs worth around 80,000 crore or 84 days in May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to address unprecedented liquidity pressure, which is an example of the practical use of the CMBs, especially during crisis times. Over time, CMBs have become ancillary in the Indian money market, allowing the government to optimize its liquidity position effectively and openly, and without the need to engage in longer-term borrowings.
Source: PIB
Conclusion
Cash Management Bills form a crucial part of India's fiscal arsenal: short-term, zero-coupon, and highly flexible vehicles used to fill short-term cash gaps in government accounts. The government and financial institutions find a proper way to manage liquidity due to their nature, or features, which include competitive auctions, SLR convergence, tradability, and a maturity of less than 91 days.
Launched in 2010, CMBs have become an important tool of liquidity, especially in times of need, such as the COVID-19 crisis, when 80,000 crore worth of them were issued. They supplement scheduled treasury bills to offer just-in-time borrowing, which does not have the potential to create long-term debt. CMBs are used as regulatory instruments and liquid assets by banks. On the whole, Cash Management Bills are an aid to the fiscal discipline of India as they ensure transparency, flexibility, and stability in the government borrowing practices.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Bajaj Broking Financial Services Ltd. (BFSL) makes no recommendations to buy or sell securities.