The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated November 11, 2024, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹80,000 (Rupees Eighty Thousand only) on The Gauhati Co-operative Urban Bank Limited (the bank) for non-compliance with the certain directions issued by RBI on ‘Know Your Customer (KYC)’ and ‘Membership of Credit Information Companies (CICs) by Co-operative Banks’. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers vested in RBI, conferred under the provisions of section 47A(1)(c) read with sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and section 25 of the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005.

The statutory inspection of the bank was conducted by Reserve Bank of India with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2023. Based on supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for its failure to comply with the said directions.

After considering the bank’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made by it during the personal hearing, RBI found, inter alia, that the following charges against the bank was sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty:

The bank had failed to:

1. carry out periodic review of risk categorisation of accounts at least once in six months;

2. upload customer’s KYC records onto CKYCR within 10 days of commencement of an account-based relationship with its customers;

3. carry out risk-based updation of KYC of its customers; and

4. submit credit information of its borrowers to CICs.

This action is based on deficiency in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers. Further, imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the bank.

(Puneet Pancholy)  
Chief General Manager

Press Release: 2024-2025/1506