RBI/2023-24/ DOR.SFG.REC. /30.01.021/2023-24 February 28, 2024 All Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding Local Area Banks, Payments Banks and Regional Rural Banks) All Tier-IV Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks (UCBs) All All-India Financial Institutions (viz. EXIM Bank, NABARD, NaBFID, NHB and SIDBI)All Top and Upper Layer Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)

Please refer to paragraph 91.7 of Master Direction – Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Company – Scale Based Regulation) Directions, 2023 dated October 19, 2023 as per which Government owned NBFCs set up to serve specific sectors are permitted to approach the Reserve Bank for exemptions, if any, from credit/investment concentration norms. 

Technological innovations are reshaping the financial services landscape, with FinTechs emerging as disruptors and facilitators. FinTechs encompass diverse entities in terms of constitution, size, activities, domains, etc., all subject to constant flux and evolution. FinTechs play a pivotal role in redefining financial services by saving time, enhancing access, and lowering costs. At the same time, the sector raises concerns relating to customer protection, data privacy, cyber security, grievance handling, internal governance, financial system integrity, and the like. While the innovation and dynamism of FinTechs needs to be harnessed, the emerging risks require to be appropriately managed. In such a context, approach to regulation should be imaginative, adaptive, flexible, and proportionate to the perceived risks. In particular, an effective regulatory approach should maintain the balance between maximising the creative potential of FinTechs, while minimising the idiosyncratic risks they pose to the financial system. 

Please refer to our circular DOR.NBFC (HFC).CC.No.118/03.10.136/2020-21 dated October 22, 2020, issued after examination of inputs received on the draft regulatory framework for HFCs, which was placed in public domain on June 17, 2020.  Reference is invited to para 4 of the above circular advising that further harmonisation between the regulations of HFCs and NBFCs will be taken up in a phased manner in the next two years so as to ensure that the transition is achieved with least disruption.   

Draft Circular for comments DOR.ACC.REC.No.##/21.02.067/2023-24 January 2, 2024 Madam/ Dear Sir, Declaration of dividend by banks and remittance of profits to Head Office by foreign bank branches in India The Reserve Bank has granted general permission to all scheduled commercial banks [excluding regional rural banks (RRBs)] to declare dividends vide circular reference DBOD.NO.BP.BC.88/21.02.067/2004-05 dated May 4, 2005 on ‘Declaration of dividends by banks’. Similarly, foreign banks operating in India in the branch mode are permitted to remit profits to their head office without prior approval from the Reserve Bank pursuant to circular reference DBOD.No.IBS.BC.46/16.13.100/2003-04 dated November 6, 2003.

Framework for Dealing with Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs) (Revised upto December 28, 2023[1]) Introduction Some banks, due to their size, cross-jurisdictional activities, complexity, lack of substitutability and interconnectedness, become systemically important. The disorderly failure of these banks has the potential to cause significant disruption to the essential services they provide to the banking system, and in turn, to the overall economic activity. Therefore, the continued functioning of Systemically Important Banks (SIBs) is critical for the uninterrupted availability of essential banking services to the real economy.

Draft Master Direction for Comments  All Commercial Banks (including Local Area Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Payments Banks, and Small Finance Banks) All-India Financial Institutions (viz. Exim Bank, NABARD, NHB, SIDBI, and NaBFID) All Non-Banking Financial Companies including Housing Finance Companies (HFCs) All Urban Co-operative Banks, State Co-operative Banks, and Central Co-operative Banks All Credit Information Companies

DoR.SIG.FIN.REC.xx/20.16.003/2023-24

September 21, 2023

Reserve Bank of India
(Treatment of Wilful Defaulters and Large Defaulters) Directions, 2023

In exercise of the powers conferred under Chapter III-A of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, Section 21, Section 35-A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and Section 11 of the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005, the Reserve Bank of India being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest to do so, hereby, issues the Directions hereinafter specified:

Objective

The primary objective of these Directions is to provide for a non-discriminatory and transparent procedure, while complying with the principles of natural justice for classifying a borrower as a wilful defaulter by the lenders. The directions also aim to put in place a system to disseminate credit information about wilful defaulters for cautioning lenders to ensure that further institutional finance is not made available to them.

CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY

1. Short Title and Commencement

(1) These Directions shall be called the Reserve Bank of India (Treatment of Wilful Defaulters and Large Defaulters) Directions, 2023.

(2) These Directions shall come into force after 90 days from placing it on the website of the Reserve Bank.

2. Applicability

(1) The provisions regarding wilful defaulters contained in these Directions shall apply to the ‘lenders’ as defined in these Directions.

(2) Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs), and Credit Information Companies (CICs) shall be bound by these Directions only with regard to the reporting requirements contained in Chapter III.

(3) The restrictions on further financial accommodation to wilful defaulters shall apply to all entities regulated by the Reserve Bank, irrespective of whether they fall within the definition of ‘lender’ as provided in these Directions or not.

(4) The provisions regarding large defaulters contained in these Directions shall apply to all entities regulated by the Reserve Bank, irrespective of whether they fall within the definition of ‘lender’ as provided in these Directions or not.

3. Definitions

(1) In these Directions, unless the context or subject otherwise requires, -

(a) “All India Financial Institution (AIFI)”1 means -

1. Export Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank);

2. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD);

3. National Housing Bank (NHB);

4. Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI); and

5. National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID).

(b) “bank” means -

As part of convergence of the Reserve Bank’s regulations for banks with Basel III standards, the Reserve Bank of India has today placed on its website ‘Draft Master Direction on Minimum Capital Requirements for Operational Risk’ for comments of stakeholders and members of the public. These directions shall be applicable to all Commercial Banks (excluding Local Area Banks, Payments Banks, Regional Rural Banks, and Small Finance Banks).

RBI releases “Guidelines for ‘on tap’ Licensing of Small Finance Banks in the Private Sector”

I. Introduction The Reserve Bank had issued the Guidelines for Licensing of “Small Finance Banks” in the Private Sector on November 27, 2014. The process of licensing culminated in granting in-principle approval to ten applicants and they have since established the banks. It was notified in these Guidelines that after gaining experience in dealing with these banks, the Reserve Bank will consider ‘on tap’ licensing of these banks. After a review of the performance of t