RBI/DBR/2015-16/21
Master Direction DBR.PSBD.No.95/16.13.100/2015-16

April 21, 2016

Master Direction - Issue and Pricing of shares by Private Sector Banks, Directions, 2016

In exercise of the powers conferred by 35 A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 the Reserve Bank of India being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest so to do, hereby, issues the Directions hereinafter specified.

CHAPTER – I
PRELIMINARY

1. Short Title and Commencement

1. These Directions shall be called the Reserve Bank of India (Issue and Pricing of Shares by Private Sector Banks) Directions, 2016.

2. These directions shall come into effect on the day they are placed on the official website of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

2. Applicability

The provisions of these Directions shall apply to all private sector banks licensed by RBI to operate in India.

3. Definitions

(i) In these Directions, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms herein shall bear the meanings assigned to them below –

“Private Sector Banks” means banks licensed to operate in India under Banking Regulation Act, 1949, other than Urban Co-operative Banks, Foreign Banks and banks licensed under specific Statutes.

(ii) All other expressions unless defined herein shall have the same meaning as have been assigned to them under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 or the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 or SEBI Guidelines or Companies Act and rules made thereunder or as used in commercial parlance, as the case may be.

CHAPTER – II
TYPES OF ISSUES

4. Banks normally issue shares by way of:

i) Public Issues

1. Initial Public Offer

2. Further Public Offer

ii) Private Placement

1. Preferential Issue

2. Qualified Institutional Placement

iii) Rights Issue

iv) Bonus Issues

CHAPTER III
ISSUE AND PRICING OF SHARES - GENERAL PERMISSION

5 A private sector bank, both listed and unlisted, has general permission for issue of shares through all the routes mentioned in Section 4 above subject to the following conditions:

1. The issue of shares shall be in compliance with the provisions of Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA) and extant Foreign Investment Policy of Government of India for Private Sector Banks.

2. The issue of shares shall be in compliance with the extant SEBI guidelines, provisions of Companies Act and rules made thereunder.

3. The issue of shares through any of the routes shall have the approval from the bank’s Board / AGM, as the case may be in compliance with the Companies Act 2013 /SEBI guidelines.

4. Pricing of shares through any of the routes by listed banks shall be as per SEBI formula, while for unlisted banks the pricing shall be as per Companies Act and rules made thereunder.

5. Allotment of shares to the investors under any of the routes shall be subject to compliance with the extant RBI Master Directions dated November 19, 2015 on Prior approval for acquisition of shares or voting rights in private sector banks which requires investors to obtain specific prior approval of RBI if the proposed acquisition results in aggregate holding of 5 per cent or more of the paid-up capital of the bank.

6. The specific regulatory limits permitted to the shareholders or the promoters / promoter group shall not be breached on account of fresh subscription, own entitlement, renouncement of rights or otherwise.

7. On completion of allotment process subject to compliance with the stipulation as at para 5 (v) above, if applicable, complete details of the issue shall be reported to RBI viz. date of issue, details of the type of issue, issue size, details of pricing, number and names of allottees, post allotment shareholding position, etc, along with a copy of Board / AGM Resolution and prospectus / offer document in the format given in the schedule to these Directions.

CHAPTER – IV
REPEAL AND OTHER PROVISIONS

6. With the issue of these Directions, the instructions / guidelines contained in the following circulars issued by the Reserve Bank stand repealed:

1. DBOD.No.BC.76/16.13.100/94 dated June 17, 1994.
2. DBOD.No.PSBS.BC.72/16.13.100/98-99 dated July 10, 1998.
3. DBOD.No.PSBD.BC.99/16.13.100/2004-05 dated June 25, 2005.
4. DBOD.No.PSBD.BC.92/16.13.100/2009-2010 dated April 20, 2010.

7. All approvals given under the above circulars shall be deemed as given under these Directions.