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:

The Reserve Bank of India issued Directions under Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 to Sikar Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd, Sikar   vide Directive No. DCBS. CO BSD-I/D-2/ 12.27.215/ 2018-19 dated October 26, 2018, for a period of six months. The same were modified from time to time and were last extended up to close of business on March 09, 2026.

The Reserve Bank of India issued Directions under Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 to Sri Guru Raghavendra Sahakara Bank Niyamitha, Bengaluru vide Directive No. DOS.CO.UCB.BSD-III.D-2/12.23.283/2019-20 dated January 02, 2020, for a period of six months up to close of business on July 10, 2020. The Reserve Bank of India is satisfied that in the public interest, it is necessary to further extend the period of operation of the Directive beyond close of business on February 10, 2026.

Analysis of the performance under the Citizen’s Charter during the month of January 2026 has been carried out, and the summary thereof is given below – Description No. of Applications A Applications pending at the beginning of the month 3,392 B Applications received during the month 19,850 C Referred back to applicants for additional information 477 Total (A+B-C) 22,765 D Applications processed during the month – Within timeline – Beyond timeline 19,932 19,916 16 (99.9%) (0.1%)

The Reserve Bank of India issued Directions under Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 to Lokapavani Mahila Sahakari Bank Niyamitha, Mandya vide Directive No. BLR.DOS.SSMS.No.S628/09-01-242/2025-2026 dated July 29, 2025, for a period of six months up to close of business on January 30, 2026. The Reserve Bank of India is satisfied that in the public interest, it is necessary to further extend

The Reserve Bank of India had issued Directions under Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 to Sonpeth Nagari Sahakari Bank Maryadit, Sonpeth, Dist. Parbhani, Maharashtra, vide Directive No. NGP.DOS.SSM 3.No.S403/15-04-395 /2025-2026 dated July 29, 2025, for a period of six months up to the close of business on January 30, 2026. 2. The Reserve Bank of India is satisfied that in the public interest, it is necessary to further extend the period of operation of the Directive beyond the close of business on January 30, 2026.

Reserve Bank had announced, as part of the Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies dated June 08, 2023, to issue guidelines rationalising the extant prudential norms for implementation of resolution plans in respect of exposures affected by natural calamities, inter alia harmonising the regulatory instructions applicable to different Regulated Entities (REs). Based on a comprehensive review of the existing regulatory instructions, including the scope, coverage and prudential requirements, the following draft Directions are being issued for public comments.

The Reserve Bank of India issued Directions under Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 to The Irinjalakuda Town Co-operative Bank Ltd., Kerala vide Directive No. CO.DOS.SED.No.D-01/12-22-350/2025-2026 dated July 29, 2025 for a period of six months up to close of business on January 30, 2026. The Reserve Bank of India is satisfied that in the public interest, it is necessary to further extend the period of operation of the Directive beyond close of business on January 30, 2026.

The Reserve Bank of India issued Directions under Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, to Indian Mercantile Co-operative Bank Limited (IMCBL), Lucknow vide Directive DOS.CO.OCCD.185569/12.28.007/2021-22 dated January 28, 2022 for a period of six months up to close of business on July 27, 2022, as modified from time to time, which were last extended up to close of business on January 27, 2026 vide Directive DOR.MON.No.D-34/12.28.007/2025-26 dated October 14, 2025. The Reserve Bank of India is satisfied that in public interest, it is necessary to further extend the period of operation of the Directive beyond close of business on January 27, 2026.

The Reserve Bank of India issued Directions under Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 to The Suri Friends’ Union Co-operative Bank Ltd., Suri, (West Bengal) vide Directive No. CO.DOS.SED.No.S2574/12-07-005/2022-23 dated July 21, 2022 for a period of six months up to close of business on January 22, 2023 as modified from time to time, which were last extended up to close of business on January

The Reserve Bank of India issued Directions under Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 to The Konark Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd., Ulhasnagar vide Directive No. CO.DOS.SED.No.S592/45-11-001/2024-25 dated April 23, 2024 for a period of six months up to close of business on October 23, 2024, which was last extended up to close of business on January 23, 2026 vide Directive No. DOR.MON/D-37/12.22.805/2025-26 dated October 17, 2025. The Reserve Bank of India is satisfied that in the public interest, it is necessary to further extend the period of operation of the Directive beyond close of business on January 23, 2026.

As part of the Reserve Bank of India’s continued engagement with regulated entities, the Governor held a meeting today in Mumbai with the Chairpersons and Managing Directors & Chief Executive Officers (MDs & CEOs) of select Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs). The previous such meeting was held on March 19, 2025.

Please refer to the FMRD Master Direction No. 1/2016-17 - Master Direction - Risk Management and Inter-Bank Dealings and the Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy Directions, 2025 applicable to the different Regulated Entities (REs) which inter alia specify the methodology for computation of Net Open Position and calculation of capital charge on foreign exchange risk. Reserve Bank has released today the following draft Amendment Directions which modify the aforementioned instructions.

As announced in the Governor’s Statement on October 01, 2025, the Reserve Bank has today published a discussion paper on licensing of UCBs. 2. Comments are invited from public / stakeholders till February 13, 2026. Comments may be submitted through the link under the ‘Connect 2 Regulate’ Section available on the Reserve Bank’s website. Alternatively, comments/feedback may also be forwarded to: