Regulating Co-operative Banking

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), vide order dated February 11, 2026, has cancelled the licence of “Indian Mercantile Co-operative Bank Ltd., Lucknow”, under Section 22 read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (BR Act). Consequently, the bank ceases to carry on banking business, with effect from the close of business on February 13, 2026. The Commissioner and Registrar of Cooperative, Uttar Pradesh has also been requested to issue an order for winding up the bank and appoint a liquidator for the bank.

The Reserve Bank of India had, on October 24, 2025, issued two draft Directions on Capital Market Exposure (CME), viz.,: (i) Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Capital Market Exposure) Directions, 2025 and (ii) Reserve Bank of India (Small Finance Banks – Capital Market Exposure) Directions, 2025 seeking feedback from stakeholders. The draft Directions were aimed primarily to (i) provide an enabling framework for banks to finance acquisitions by Indian corporates; (ii) enhance the limit for lending by banks against shares, units of REITs, InvITs while removing the regulatory ceiling altogether on lending against listed debt securities; and (iii) put in place a more principle-based framework for lending to capital market intermediaries (CMIs).

In pursuance of the announcement made in the Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies dated February 6, 2026, the Reserve Bank of India has today issued the following draft Amendment Directions for public comments: i) Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Credit Facilities) Second Amendment Directions, 2026 - Draft for Comments ii) Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Concentration Risk Management) Second Amendment Directions, 2026 - Draft for Comments iii) Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Financial Statements: Presentation and Disclosures) Fourth Amendment Directions, 2026 - Draft for Comments iv) Reserve Bank of India (Small Finance Banks – Credit Facilities) Second Amendment Directions, 2026 - Draft for Comments v) Reserve Bank of India (All India Financial Institutions – Credit Facilities) Amendment Directions, 2026 - Draft for Comments

Detailed instructions on matters related to engagement of recovery agents have been issued to Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding Regional Rural Banks) and Housing Finance Companies currently. Upon a review, it has been decided to issue comprehensive instructions to all regulated entities on conduct related matters in recovery of loans and engagement of recovery agents, which inter alia cover aspects such as fair treatment to borrowers during recovery process, conduct of lender’s employees and recovery agents, due diligence, training, code of conduct for recovery agents, etc.

Currently, instructions on customer appropriateness and suitability and other related matters in the context of insurance agency business have been issued to Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding Regional Rural Banks) and Housing Finance Companies. Upon a review, it has been decided to issue comprehensive instructions on advertising, marketing and sales of financial products and services (including third-party products and services) to all banks and NBFCs, which shall include various aspects related thereto, such as activities of Direct Sales Agents (DSAs) / Direct Marketing Agents (DMAs), dark patterns, prevention of mis-selling, etc.

It is hereby notified for the information of the public that in exercise of powers vested in it under sub-section (1) of Section 35 A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (As Applicable to Co-operative Societies), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) vide Directive Ref. No. DDN.DOS.QAG.No.S168/03-04-007/2025-2026 dated February 09, 2026, has issued certain Directions to Urban Co-operative Bank Lt

In pursuance of the announcement made in the Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies dated February 6, 2026, the Reserve Bank of India has today issued the following draft Amendment Directions for public comments, which propose to amend existing Directions issued by the Department of Regulation, RBI: