Master Circular - “Non-Banking Financial (Non - Deposit Accepting or Holding) Companies Prudential Norms (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2007” - ربی - Reserve Bank of India
Master Circular - “Non-Banking Financial (Non - Deposit Accepting or Holding) Companies Prudential Norms (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2007”
RBI/2014-15/55 July 1, 2014 To All Non-Deposit taking NBFCs Dear Sirs, Master Circular – “Non-Banking Financial (Non - Deposit Accepting or Holding) Companies Prudential Norms (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2007” As you are aware, in order to have all current instructions on the subject at one place, the Reserve Bank of India issues updated circulars/notifications. The instructions contained in the Notification No. DNBS.193 DG(VL)-2007 dated February 22, 2007 updated as on June 30, 2014 are reproduced below. The updated notification has also been placed on the RBI web-site (http://www.rbi.org.in). Yours faithfully, (K. K. Vohra)
RESERVE BANK OF INDIA NOTIFICATION No. DNBS. 193/DG(VL)-2007 dated February 22, 2007 The Reserve Bank of India, having considered it necessary in the public interest, and being satisfied that, for the purpose of enabling the Bank to regulate the credit system to the advantage of the country, it is necessary to issue the Directions relating to the prudential norms as set out below, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 45JA of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934) and of all the powers enabling it in this behalf, and in supersession of the Non-Banking Financial Companies Prudential Norms (Reserve Bank) Directions, 1998 contained in Notification No. DFC. 119/DG(SPT)/98 dated January 31, 1998, gives to every non-banking financial company not accepting / holding public deposits the Directions hereinafter specified. Short title, commencement and applicability of the Directions: 1. (1) These Directions shall be known as the "Non-Banking Financial (Non- Deposit Accepting or Holding) Companies Prudential Norms (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2007". (2) These Directions shall come into force with immediate effect. (3) (i) The provisions of these Directions save as provided for in clauses (ii) (iii) and (iv) hereinafter, shall apply to: (ii) The provisions of paragraphs 16 and 18 of these Directions shall not apply to: (a) a loan company; which is not a systemically important non-deposit taking non-banking financial company. (iii) These Directions shall not apply to a non-banking financial company being an investment company: Provided that, it is (a) holding investments in the securities of its group/ holding/ subsidiary companies and book value of such holding is not less than ninety per cent of its total assets and it is not trading in such securities; (b) not accepting/holding public deposit; and (c) is not a systemically important non-deposit taking non-banking financial company. However, the provisions of paragraphs 16 and 18 shall be applicable to such investment companies which are systemically important non-deposit taking non-banking financial company. (iv) These Directions except the provisions of paragraph 19 shall not apply to non-banking financial company being a Government company as defined under Section 617 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) and not accepting / holding public deposit.* (v) 2[These Directions shall not apply to a non-banking financial company being a Core Investment Company referred to in the Core Investment Companies (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2011 (hereinafter referred to as CIC Directions), which is not a systemically important Core Investment Company as defined in clause (h) of sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 3 of the CIC Directions. (vi) The provisions of paragraphs 15, 16 and 18 of these Directions shall not apply to a Systemically Important Core Investment Company as defined in the CIC Directions, subject to the condition that it submits the Annual Auditors Certificate and meets with the capital requirements and leverage ratio, as specified in the CIC Directions.] (vii) 3[The provisions of paragraph 18 of these Directions shall not apply to an NBFC-MFI as defined in the Non-Banking Financial Company- Micro Finance Institutions (Reserve Bank) Directions 2011. The provisions of paragraphs 8 and 9 will not be applicable to an NBFC-MFI w.e.f April 01, 2012.] 2. (1) For the purpose of these Directions, unless the context otherwise requires: (i) “break up value” means the equity capital and reserves as reduced by intangible assets and revaluation reserves, divided by the number of equity shares of the investee company; (ii) “carrying cost” means book value of the assets and interest accrued thereon but not received; (iii) “current investment” means an investment which is by its nature readily realisable and is intended to be held for not more than one year from the date on which such investment is made; (iv) “doubtful asset” means:
which remains a sub-standard asset for a period exceeding 18 months; (v) “earning value” means the value of an equity share computed by taking the average of profits after tax as reduced by the preference dividend and adjusted for extra-ordinary and non-recurring items, for the immediately preceding three years and further divided by the number of equity shares of the investee company and capitalised at the following rate: (a) in case of predominantly manufacturing company, eight per cent; Note: If, an investee company is a loss making company, the earning value will be taken at zero; (vi) “fair value” means the mean of the earning value and the break up value; (vii) “hybrid debt” means capital instrument which possesses certain characteristics of equity as well as of debt; 4 [(viia) “"Infrastructure Finance Company” means a non-banking finance company which deploys at least 75 per cent of its total assets in infrastructure loans] 5[A credit facility extended by lenders (i.e. NBFCs) to a borrower for exposure in the following infrastructure sub-sectors will qualify as "Infrastructure lending.]
(viiia) 6[An NBFC-MFI means a non-deposit taking NBFC(other than a company licensed under Section 25 of the Indian Companies Act, 1956) that fulfils the following conditions: i. Minimum Net Owned Funds of Rs.5 crore. (For NBFC-MFIs registered in the North Eastern Region of the country, the minimum NOF requirement shall stand at Rs. 2 crore). ii. Not less than 85% of its net assets are in the nature of “qualifying assets.” For the purpose of ii. above, “Net assets” are defined as total assets other than cash and bank balances and money market instruments. “Qualifying asset” shall mean a loan which satisfies the following criteria:- i. loan disbursed by an NBFC-MFI to a borrower with a rural household annual income not exceeding Rs. 60,000 or urban and semi-urban household income not exceeding Rs. 1,20,000; ii. loan amount does not exceed Rs. 35,000 in the first cycle and Rs. 50,000 in subsequent cycles; iii. total indebtedness of the borrower does not exceed Rs. 50,000; iv. tenure of the loan not to be less than 24 months for loan amount in excess of Rs. 15,000 with prepayment without penalty; v. loan to be extended without collateral; vi. aggregate amount of loans, given for income generation, is not less than 7[70 per cent] of the total loans given by the MFIs; vii. loan is repayable on weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments at the choice of the borrower.] (viiib) 8[Non-Banking Financial Company - Factor’ means a non-banking financial company as defined in clause (f) of section 45-I of the RBI Act, 1934 having financial assets in the factoring business at least to the extent of 75 percent of its total assets and its income derived from factoring business is not less than 75 percent of its gross income and has been granted a certificate of registration under sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Factoring Regulation Act, 2011.] (viiic) 9[Non-Operative Financial Holding Company (NOFHC) means a non-deposit taking NBFC referred to in the 10 "Guidelines for Licensing of New Banks in the Private Sector" issued by Reserve Bank, which holds the shares of a banking company and the shares of all other financial services companies in its group, whether regulated by Reserve Bank or by any other financial regulator, to the extent permissible under the applicable regulatory prescriptions.] (ix) “loss asset” means: (a) an asset which has been identified as loss asset by the non-banking financial company or its internal or external auditor or by the Reserve Bank of India during the inspection of the non-banking financial company, to the extent it is not written off by the non-banking financial company; and (b) an asset which is adversely affected by a potential threat of non-recoverability due to either erosion in the value of security or non availability of security or due to any fraudulent act or omission on the part of the borrower; (x) “long term investment” means an investment other than a current investment; (xi) “net asset value” means the latest declared net asset value by the mutual fund concerned in respect of that particular scheme; (xii) “net book value” means: (a) in the case of hire purchase asset, the aggregate of overdue and future instalments receivable as reduced by the balance of unmatured finance charges and further reduced by the provisions made as per paragraph 9(2)(i) of these Directions; (b) in the case of leased asset, aggregate of capital portion of overdue lease rentals accounted as receivable and depreciated book value of the lease asset as adjusted by the balance of lease adjustment account. (xiii) ‘non-performing asset’ (referred to in these Directions as “NPA”) means:
Provided that in the case of lease and hire purchase transactions, a non-banking financial company may classify each such account on the basis of its record of recovery; (xiv) “owned fund” means paid up equity capital, preference shares which are compulsorily convertible into equity, free reserves, balance in share premium account and capital reserves representing surplus arising out of sale proceeds of asset, excluding reserves created by revaluation of asset, as reduced by accumulated loss balance, book value of intangible assets and deferred revenue expenditure, if any; (xv) “standard asset” means the asset in respect of which, no default in repayment of principal or payment of interest is perceived and which does not disclose any problem nor carry more than normal risk attached to the business; (xvi) “sub-standard asset” means:
Provided that the classification of infrastructure loan as a sub-standard asset shall be in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 20 of these Directions; (xvii) "subordinated debt" means an instrument, which is fully paid up, is unsecured and is subordinated to the claims of other creditors and is free from restrictive clauses and is not redeemable at the instance of the holder or without the consent of the supervisory authority of the non-banking financial company. The book value of such instrument shall be subjected to discounting as provided hereunder:
to the extent such discounted value does not exceed fifty per cent of Tier I capital; (xviii) “substantial interest” means holding of a beneficial interest by an individual or his spouse or minor child, whether singly or taken together in the shares of a company, the amount paid up on which exceeds ten per cent of the paid up capital of the company; or the capital subscribed by all the partners of a partnership firm; (xix) ‘Systemically important non-deposit taking non-banking financial company', means a non-banking financial company not accepting / holding public deposits and having total assets of Rs 100 crore and above as shown in the last audited balance sheet; (xx) “Tier I Capital” means owned fund as reduced by investment in shares of other non-banking financial companies and in shares, debentures, bonds, outstanding loans and advances including hire purchase and lease finance made to and deposits with subsidiaries and companies in the same group exceeding, in aggregate, ten per cent of the owned fund; 11[and perpetual debt instruments issued by a Systemically important non-deposit taking non-banking financial company in each year to the extent it does not exceed 15% of the aggregate Tier I Capital of such company as on March 31 of the previous accounting year;] (xxi) “Tier II capital” includes the following: (a) preference shares other than those which are compulsorily convertible into equity; (b) revaluation reserves at discounted rate of fifty five percent; (c) 12 [General Provisions (including that for Standard Assets) and loss reserves to the extent these are not attributable to actual diminution in value or identifiable potential loss in any specific asset and are available to meet unexpected losses, to the extent of one and one fourth percent of risk weighted assets;] (d) hybrid debt capital instruments; (e) subordinated debt; 13[and (f) perpetual debt instruments issued by a Systemically important non-deposit taking non-banking financial company which is in excess of what qualifies for Tier I Capital,] to the extent the aggregate does not exceed Tier I capital. (2) Other words or expressions used but not defined herein and defined in the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934) or the Non-Banking Financial Companies Acceptance of Public Deposits (Reserve Bank) Directions, 1998 shall have the same meaning as assigned to them under that Act or that Directions. Any other words or expressions not defined in that Act or that Directions, shall have the same meaning assigned to them in the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956). 3. (1) The income recognition shall be based on recognised accounting principles. (2) Income including interest/discount or any other charges on NPA shall be recognised only when it is actually realised. Any such income recognised before the asset became non-performing and remaining unrealised shall be reversed. (3) In respect of hire purchase assets, where instalments are overdue for more than 12 months, income shall be recognised only when hire charges are actually received. Any such income taken to the credit of profit and loss account before the asset became non-performing and remaining unrealised, shall be reversed. (4) In respect of lease assets, where lease rentals are overdue for more than 12 months, the income shall be recognised only when lease rentals are actually received. The net lease rentals taken to the credit of profit and loss account before the asset became non-performing and remaining unrealised shall be reversed. Explanation For the purpose of this paragraph, ‘net lease rentals’ mean gross lease rentals as adjusted by the lease adjustment account debited/credited to the profit and loss account and as reduced by depreciation at the rate applicable under Schedule XIV of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956). 4. (1) Income from dividend on shares of corporate bodies and units of mutual funds shall be taken into account on cash basis: (2) Income from bonds and debentures of corporate bodies and from Government securities/bonds may be taken into account on accrual basis: Provided that the interest rate on these instruments is pre-determined and interest is serviced regularly and is not in arrears. (3) Income on securities of corporate bodies or public sector undertakings, the payment of interest and repayment of principal of which have been guaranteed by Central Government or a State Government may be taken into account on accrual basis. 5. Accounting Standards and Guidance Notes issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (referred to in these Directions as “ICAI”) shall be followed insofar as they are not inconsistent with any of these Directions. 6. (1)(a) The Board of Directors of every non-banking financial company shall frame investment policy for the company and implement the same; (b) The criteria to classify the investments into current and long term investments shall be spelt out by the Board of the company in the investment policy; (c) Investments in securities shall be classified into current and long term, at the time of making each investment; (d) (i) There shall be no inter-class transfer on ad-hoc basis; (ii) The inter-class transfer, if warranted, shall be effected only at the beginning of each half year, on April 1 or October 1, with the approval of the Board; (iii) The investments shall be transferred scrip-wise, from current to long-term or vice-versa, at book value or market value, whichever is lower; (iv) The depreciation, if any, in each scrip shall be fully provided for and appreciation, if any, shall be ignored; (v) The depreciation in one scrip shall not be set off against appreciation in another scrip, at the time of such inter-class transfer, even in respect of the scrips of the same category. (2) Quoted current investments shall, for the purposes of valuation, be grouped into the following categories, viz. (a) equity shares, Quoted current investments for each category shall be valued at cost or market value whichever is lower. For this purpose, the investments in each category shall be considered scrip-wise and the cost and market value aggregated for all investments in each category. If the aggregate market value for the category is less than the aggregate cost for that category, the net depreciation shall be provided for or charged to the profit and loss account. If the aggregate market value for the category exceeds the aggregate cost for the category, the net appreciation shall be ignored. Depreciation in one category of investments shall not be set off against appreciation in another category. (3) Unquoted equity shares in the nature of current investments shall be valued at cost or breakup value, whichever is lower. However, non-banking financial companies may substitute fair value for the breakup value of the shares, if considered necessary. Where the balance sheet of the investee company is not available for two years, such shares shall be valued at one Rupee only. (4) Unquoted preference shares in the nature of current investments shall be valued at cost or face value, whichever is lower. (5) Investments in unquoted Government securities or Government guaranteed bonds shall be valued at carrying cost. (6) Unquoted investments in the units of mutual funds in the nature of current investments shall be valued at the net asset value declared by the mutual fund in respect of each particular scheme. (7) Commercial papers shall be valued at carrying cost. (8) A long term investment shall be valued in accordance with the Accounting Standard issued by ICAI. Note: Unquoted debentures shall be treated as term loans or other type of credit facilities depending upon the tenure of such debentures for the purpose of income recognition and asset classification. Need for Policy on Demand/Call Loans 7. (1) The Board of Directors of every non-banking financial company granting/intending to grant demand/call loans shall frame a policy for the company and implement the same. (2) Such policy shall, inter alia, stipulate the following,-
8. (1) Every non-banking financial company shall, after taking into account the degree of well defined credit weaknesses and extent of dependence on collateral security for realisation, classify its lease/hire purchase assets, loans and advances and any other forms of credit into the following classes, namely: (i) Standard assets; (2) The class of assets referred to above shall not be upgraded merely as a result of rescheduling, unless it satisfies the conditions required for the upgradation. 9. Every non-banking financial company shall, after taking into account the time lag between an account becoming non-performing, its recognition as such, the realisation of the security and the erosion over time in the value of security charged, make provision against sub-standard assets, doubtful assets and loss assets as provided hereunder:- Loans, advances and other credit facilities including bills purchased and discounted- (1) The provisioning requirement in respect of loans, advances and other credit facilities including bills purchased and discounted shall be as under:
(2) Lease and hire purchase assets - The provisioning requirements in respect of hire purchase and leased assets shall be as under: (i) Hire purchase assets - In respect of hire purchase assets, the total dues (overdue and future instalments taken together) as reduced by (a) the finance charges not credited to the profit and loss account and carried forward as unmatured finance charges; and (b) the depreciated value of the underlying asset, shall be provided for. Explanation: For the purpose of this paragraph,
Additional provision for hire purchase and leased assets (ii) In respect of hire purchase and leased assets, additional provision shall be made as under:
(iii) On expiry of a period of 12 months after the due date of the last instalment of hire purchase/leased asset, the entire net book value shall be fully provided for. Notes: (1) The amount of caution money/margin money or security deposits kept by the borrower with the non-banking financial company in pursuance of the hire purchase agreement may be deducted against the provisions stipulated under clause (i) above, if not already taken into account while arriving at the equated monthly instalments under the agreement. The value of any other security available in pursuance to the hire purchase agreement may be deducted only against the provisions stipulated under clause (ii) above. (2) The amount of security deposits kept by the borrower with the non-banking financial company in pursuance to the lease agreement together with the value of any other security available in pursuance to the lease agreement may be deducted only against the provisions stipulated under clause (ii) above. (3) It is clarified that income recognition on and provisioning against NPAs are two different aspects of prudential norms and provisions as per the norms are required to be made on NPAs on total outstanding balances including the depreciated book value of the leased asset under reference after adjusting the balance, if any, in the lease adjustment account. The fact that income on an NPA has not been recognised cannot be taken as reason for not making provision. (4) An asset which has been renegotiated or rescheduled as referred to in paragraph (2) (1) (xvi) (b) of these Directions shall be a sub-standard asset or continue to remain in the same category in which it was prior to its renegotiation or reschedulement as a doubtful asset or a loss asset as the case may be. Necessary provision is required to be made as applicable to such asset till it is upgraded. (5) The balance sheet to be prepared by the NBFC may be in accordance with the provisions contained in sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 10. (6) All financial leases written on or after April 1, 2001 attract the provisioning requirements as applicable to hire purchase assets. (7) 14[In case of NBFC-MFIs, if the advance covered by Credit Risk Guarantee Fund Trust for Low Income Housing (CRGFTLIH) guarantee becomes non-performing, no provision need be made towards the guaranteed portion. The amount outstanding in excess of the guaranteed portion should be provided for as per the extant guidelines on provisioning for non-performing advances.] 15[9A. Every Non Banking Financial Company shall make provision for standard assets at 0.25 percent of the outstanding, which shall not be reckoned for arriving at net NPAs. The provision towards standard assets need not be netted from gross advances but shall be shown separately as ‘Contingent Provisions against Standard Assets’ in the balance sheet.] Disclosure in the balance sheet 10. (1) Every non-banking financial company shall separately disclose in its balance sheet the provisions made as per paragraph 9 above without netting them from the income or against the value of assets. (2) The provisions shall be distinctly indicated under separate heads of account as under:- (i) provisions for bad and doubtful debts; and (ii) provisions for depreciation in investments. (3) Such provisions shall not be appropriated from the general provisions and loss reserves held, if any, by the non-banking financial company. (4) Such provisions for each year shall be debited to the profit and loss account. The excess of provisions, if any, held under the heads general provisions and loss reserves may be written back without making adjustment against them. 16[(5) Every systemically important non-deposit taking non-banking financial company shall disclose the following particulars in its Balance Sheet:
Constitution of Audit Committee by non-banking financial companies 11. A non-banking financial company having assets of Rs. 50 crore and above as per its last audited balance sheet shall constitute an Audit Committee, consisting of not less than three members of its Board of Directors. Explanation I: The Audit Committee constituted by a non-banking financial company as required under Section 292A of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) shall be the Audit Committee for the purposes of this paragraph. Explanation II: The Audit Committee constituted under this paragraph shall have the same powers, functions and duties as laid down in Section 292A of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956). 12. Every non-banking financial company shall prepare its balance sheet and profit and loss account as on March 31 every year. Whenever a non-banking financial company intends to extend the date of its balance sheet as per provisions of the Companies Act, it should take prior approval of the Reserve Bank of India before approaching the Registrar of Companies for this purpose. Further, even in cases where the Bank and the Registrar of Companies grant extension of time, the non-banking financial company shall furnish to the Bank a proforma balance sheet (unaudited ) as on March 31 of the year and the statutory returns due on the said date. 17[Every non-banking financial company shall finalise its balance sheet within a period of 3 months from the date to which it pertains.] 13. Every non-banking financial company shall append to its balance sheet prescribed under the Companies Act, 1956, the particulars in the schedule as set out in Annex. Transactions in Government securities 14. Every non-banking financial company may undertake transactions in Government securities through its CSGL account or its demat account: Provided that no non-banking financial company shall undertake any transaction in government security in physical form through any broker. Submission of a certificate from Statutory Auditor to the Bank 15. Every non-banking financial company shall submit a Certificate from its Statutory Auditor that it is engaged in the 18[business] of non-banking financial institution requiring it to hold a Certificate of Registration under Section 45-IA of the RBI Act. A certificate from the Statutory Auditor in this regard with reference to the position of the company as at end of the financial year ended March 31 may be submitted to the Regional Office of the Department of Non-Banking Supervision under whose jurisdiction the non-banking financial company is registered, 19[within one month from the date of finalization of the balance sheet and in any case not later than December 30th of that year.] Such certificate shall also indicate the asset / income pattern of the non-banking financial company for making it eligible for classification as Asset Finance Company, Investment Company or Loan Company. 20[For an NBFC-MFI, such Certificate will also indicate that the company fulfills all conditions stipulated to be classified as an NBFC-MFI in the notification DNBS.PD.No.234/CGM(US)-2011 dated December 02, 2011.] 21[For an NBFC-Factor, such Certificate will indicate the requirement of holding the certificate under section 3 of the Factoring Act. The certificate will also indicate the percentage of factoring assets and income, the compliance that it fulfills all conditions stipulated under the Act to be classified as an NBFC-Factor and compliance to minimum capitalization norms, if FDI has been received.] Requirement as to capital adequacy 16. (1) Every systemically important non-deposit taking non-banking financial company shall maintain, with effect from April 1, 2007, a minimum capital ratio consisting of Tier I and Tier II capital which shall not be less than ten per cent of its aggregate risk weighted assets on balance sheet and of risk adjusted value of off-balance sheet items; 22[Such ratio shall not be less than 12% by March 31, 2010 and 15% by March 31, 2011.] (2) The total of Tier II capital, at any point of time, shall not exceed one hundred per cent of Tier I capital. (3) 23[NBFCs primarily engaged in lending against gold jewellery (such loans comprising 50 percent or more of their financial assets) shall maintain a minimum Tier l capital of 12 percent by April 01, 2014.] Explanations: On balance sheet assets – (1) In these Directions, degrees of credit risk expressed as percentage weightages have been assigned to balance sheet assets. Hence, the value of each asset / item requires to be multiplied by the relevant risk weights to arrive at risk adjusted value of assets. The aggregate shall be taken into account for reckoning the minimum capital ratio. The risk weighted asset shall be calculated as the weighted aggregate of funded items as detailed hereunder:
26[Off-balance sheet items (2) 27[Deleted] A. General NBFCs will calculate the total risk weighted off-balance sheet credit exposure as the sum of the risk-weighted amount of the market related and non-market related off-balance sheet items. The risk-weighted amount of an off-balance sheet item that gives rise to credit exposure will be calculated by means of a two-step process: (a) the notional amount of the transaction is converted into a credit equivalent amount, by multiplying the amount by the specified credit conversion factor or by applying the current exposure method; and (b) the resulting credit equivalent amount is multiplied by the risk weight applicable viz. zero percent for exposure to Central Government/State Governments, 20 percent for exposure to banks and 100 percent for others. B. Non-market-related off- balance sheet items i. The credit equivalent amount in relation to a non-market related off-balance sheet item will be determined by multiplying the contracted amount of that particular transaction by the relevant credit conversion factor (CCF).
Note: i. Cash margins/deposits shall be deducted before applying the conversion factor ii. Where the non-market related off-balance sheet item is an undrawn or partially undrawn fund-based facility, the amount of undrawn commitment to be included in calculating the off-balance sheet non-market related credit exposures is the maximum unused portion of the commitment that could be drawn during the remaining period to maturity. Any drawn portion of a commitment forms a part of NBFC’s on-balance sheet credit exposure. 30[For example: A term loan of Rs. 700 cr is sanctioned for a large project which can be drawn down in stages over a three year period. The terms of sanction allow draw down in three stages – Rs. 150 cr in Stage I, Rs. 200 cr in Stage II and Rs. 350 cr in Stage III, where the borrower needs the NBFC’s explicit approval for draw downunder Stages II and III after completion of certain formalities. If the borrower has drawn already Rs. 50 cr under Stage I, then the undrawn portion would be computed with reference to Stage I alone i.e., it will be Rs.100 cr. If Stage I is scheduled to be completed within one year, the CCF will be 20 percent and if it is more than one year then the applicable CCF will be 50 per cent]. C. Market Related Off-Balance Sheet Items i. NBFCs should take into account all market related off-balance sheet items (OTC derivatives and Securities Financing Transactions such as repo / reverse repo/ CBLO etc.) while calculating the risk weighted off-balance sheet credit exposures. ii. The credit risk on market related off-balance sheet items is the cost to an NBFC of replacing the cash flow specified by the contract in the event of counterparty default. This would depend, among other things, upon the maturity of the contract and on the volatility of rates underlying the type of instrument. iii. Market related off-balance sheet items would include: (a) interest rate contracts - including single currency interest rate swaps, basis swaps, forward rate agreements, and interest rate futures; (b) foreign exchange contracts, including contracts involving gold, - includes cross currency swaps (including cross currency interest rate swaps), forward foreign exchange contracts, currency futures, currency options; (c) Credit Default Swaps; and (d) any other market related contracts specifically allowed by the Reserve Bank which give rise to credit risk. iv. Exemption from capital requirements is permitted for - (a) foreign exchange (except gold) contracts which have an original maturity of 14 calendar days or less; and (b) instruments traded on futures and options exchanges which are subject to daily mark-to-market and margin payments. v. The exposures to Central Counter Parties (CCPs), on account of derivatives trading and securities financing transactions (e.g. Collateralized Borrowing and Lending Obligations - CBLOs, Repos) outstanding against them will be assigned zero exposure value for counterparty credit risk, as it is presumed that the CCPs' exposures to their counterparties are fully collateralized on a daily basis, thereby providing protection for the CCP's credit risk exposures. vi. A CCF of 100 per cent will be applied to the corporate securities posted as collaterals with CCPs and the resultant off-balance sheet exposure will be assigned risk weights appropriate to the nature of the CCPs. In the case of Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL), the risk weight will be 20 per cent and for other CCPs, risk weight will be 50 percent. vii. The total credit exposure to a counterparty in respect of derivative transactions should be calculated according to the current exposure method as explained below: D. Current Exposure Method The credit equivalent amount of a market related off-balance sheet transaction calculated using the current exposure method is the sum of a) current credit exposure and b) potential future credit exposure of the contract. (a) Current credit exposure is defined as the sum of the gross positive mark-to-market value of all contracts with respect to a single counterparty (positive and negative marked-to-market values of various contracts with the same counterparty should not be netted). The Current Exposure Method requires periodical calculation of the current credit exposure by marking these contracts to market. (b) Potential future credit exposure is determined by multiplying the notional principal amount of each of these contracts, irrespective of whether the contract has a zero, positive or negative mark-to-market value by the relevant add-on factor indicated below according to the nature and residual maturity of the instrument.
i. For contracts with multiple exchanges of principal, the add-on factors are to be multiplied by the number of remaining payments in the contract. ii. For contracts that are structured to settle outstanding exposure following specified payment dates and where the terms are reset such that the market value of the contract is zero on these specified dates, the residual maturity would be set equal to the time until the next reset date. However, in the case of interest rate contracts which have residual maturities of more than one year and meet the above criteria, the CCF or add-on factor is subject to a floor of 1.0 per cent. iii. No potential future credit exposure would be calculated for single currency floating / floating interest rate swaps; the credit exposure on these contracts would be evaluated solely on the basis of their mark-to-market value. iv. Potential future exposures should be based on 'effective' rather than 'apparent notional amounts'. In the event that the 'stated notional amount' is leveraged or enhanced by the structure of the transaction, the 'effective notional amount' must be used for determining potential future exposure. For example, a stated notional amount of USD 1 million with payments based on an internal rate of two times the lending rate of the NBFC would have an effective notional amount of USD 2 million. 31 [“E. Credit conversion factors for Credit Default Swaps (CDS)]: NBFCs are only permitted to buy credit protection to hedge their credit risk on corporate bonds they hold. The bonds may be held in current category or permanent category. The capital charge for these exposures will be as under: (i) For corporate bonds held in current category and hedged by CDS where there is no mismatch between the CDS and the hedged bond, the credit protection will be permitted to be recognised to a maximum of 80% of the exposure hedged. Therefore, the NBFC will continue to maintain capital charge for the corporate bond to the extent of 20% of the applicable capital charge. This can be achieved by taking the exposure value at 20% of the market value of the bond and then multiplying that with the risk weight of the issuing entity. In addition to this, the bought CDS position will attract a capital charge for counterparty risk which will be calculated by applying a credit conversion factor of 100 percent and a risk weight as applicable to the protection seller i.e. 20 per cent for banks and 100 per cent for others. (ii) For corporate bonds held in permanent category and hedged by CDS where there is no mismatch between the CDS and the hedged bond, NBFCs can recognise full credit protection for the underlying asset and no capital will be required to be maintained thereon. The exposure will stand fully substituted by the exposure to the protection seller and attract risk weight as applicable to the protection seller i.e. 20 per cent for banks and 100 per cent for others.” Loans against non-banking financial company’s own shares prohibited 17. (1) No non-banking financial company shall lend against its own shares. (2) Any outstanding loan granted by a non-banking financial company against its own shares on the date of commencement of these Directions shall be recovered by the non-banking financial company as per the repayment schedule. 32[17A Loans against security of single product - gold jewellery (a) All NBFCs shall 33[(i) maintain a Loan-to-Value (LTV) Ratio not exceeding 75 per cent for loans granted against the collateral of gold jewellery; Provided that the value of gold jewellery for the purpose of determining the maximum permissible loan amount shall be the intrinsic value of the gold content therein and no other cost elements shall be added thereto. The intrinsic value of the gold jewellery shall be arrived at as detailed in paragraph 17C(1) of the Directions.] (ii) disclose in their balance sheet the percentage of such loans to their total assets. (b) NBFCs should not grant any advance against bullion / primary gold and gold coins. NBFCs primarily engaged in lending against gold jewellery (such loans comprising 50 per cent or more of their financial assets) shall maintain a minimum Tier I capital of 12 per cent by April 1, 2014.) 34[NBFCs should not grant any advance for purchase of gold in any form including primary gold, gold bullion, gold jewellery, gold coins, units of Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) and units of gold mutual fund.] 35[Verification of the Ownership of Gold 17B It was stipulated inter alia that NBFCs should have Board approved policies in place to confirm and satisfy ownership of the gold jewellery and that adequate steps be taken to ensure that the KYC guidelines stipulated by the Reserve Bank are followed to verify adequate due diligence of the customer. In this regard, it has been decided that where the gold jewellery pledged by a borrower at any one time or cumulatively on loan outstanding is more than 20 grams, NBFCs must keep record of the verification of the ownership of the jewellery. 36The ownership verification need not necessarily be through original receipts for the jewellery pledged but a suitable document may be prepared to explain how theownership was determined, particularly in each and every case where the gold jewellery pledged by a borrower at any one time or cumulatively on loan outstanding is more than 20 grams. NBFCs shall have an explicit policy in this regard as approved by the Board in their overall loan policy. Standardization of Value of Gold accepted as collateral in arriving at LTV Ratio 17C (1) The gold jewellery accepted as collateral by the Non-Banking Financial Company shall be valued by following method i. The gold jewellery accepted as collateral by the Non-Banking Financial Company shall be valued by taking into account the preceding 30 days’ average of the closing price of 22 carat gold as per the rate as quoted by The Bombay Bullion Association Ltd. (BBA). ii. If the gold is of purity less than 22 carats, the NBFC should translate the collateral into 22 carat and state the exact grams of the collateral. In other words, jewellery of lower purity of gold shall be valued proportionately. iii. NBFC while accepting the gold as collateral should give a certificate to the borrower on their letterhead, of having assayed the gold and stating the purity (in terms of carats) and the weight. 37 [NBFCs may have suitable caveats to protect themselves against disputes during redemption, but the certified purity shall be applied both for determining the maximum permissible loan and the reserve price for auction.] (2) Auction a. The auction should be conducted in the same town or taluka in which the branch that has extended the loan is located. b. While auctioning the gold the NBFC should declare a reserve price for the pledged ornaments. The reserve price for the pledged ornaments should not be less than 85% of the previous 30 day average closing price of 22 carat gold as declared by The Bombay Bullion Association Ltd. (BBA) and value of the jewellery of lower purity in terms of carats should be proportionately reduced. c. It will be mandatory on the part of the NBFCs to provide full details of the value fetched in the auction and the outstanding dues adjusted and any amount over and above the loan outstanding should be payable to the borrower. d. NBFCs must disclose in their annual reports the details of the auctions conducted during the financial year including the number of loan accounts, outstanding amounts, value fetched and whether any of its sister concerns participated in the auction.” Safety and security measures to be followed by Non-Banking Financial Companies lending against collateral of gold jewellery 17D (1) Non-Banking Financial Companies, which are in the business of lending against collateral of gold jewellery, shall ensure that necessary infrastructure and facilities are put in place, including safe deposit vault and appropriate security measures for operating the vault, in each of its branches where gold jewellery is accepted as collateral. This is to safeguard the gold jewellery accepted as collateral and to ensure convenience of borrowers. (2) None new branch/es shall be opened without suitable arrangements for security and for storage of gold jewellery, including safe deposit vault.” Opening Branches exceeding one thousand in number 17E It is henceforth mandatory for a Non-Banking Financial Company to obtain prior approval of the Reserve Bank to open branches exceeding 1000. However NBFCs which already have more than 1000 branches may approach the Bank for prior approval for any further branch expansion. Besides, no new branches will be allowed to be opened without the facilities for storage of gold jewellery and minimum security facilities for the pledged gold jewellery.] 17 F. 38Loans against security of shares - All NBFCs with asset size of ` .100 crore and above shall, (i) maintain a Loan to Value (LTV) ratio of 50% for loans granted against the collateral of shares, and (ii) accept only Group 1 securities (specified in SMD/Policy/Cir-9/2003 dated March 11, 2003 as amended from time to time, issued by SEBI) as collateral for loans of value more than `.5 lakh, subject to review by the Bank.Concentration of credit/investment 18. (1) On and from April 1, 2007 no systemically important non-deposit taking non-banking financial company shall, (i) lend to (a) any single borrower exceeding fifteen per cent of its owned fund; and (b) any single group of borrowers exceeding twenty five per cent of its owned fund; (ii) invest in (a) the shares of another company exceeding fifteen per cent of its owned fund; and (b) the shares of a single group of companies exceeding twenty five per cent of its owned fund; (iii) lend and invest (loans/investments taken together) exceeding (a) twenty five per cent of its owned fund to a single party; and (b) forty per cent of its owned fund to a single group of parties. Provided that the ceiling on the investment in shares of another company shall not be applicable to a systemically important non-deposit taking non-banking financial company in respect of investment in the equity capital of an insurance company upto the extent specifically permitted, in writing, by the Reserve Bank of India. Provided further that any systemically important non-deposit taking non-banking financial company, classified as Asset Finance Company by the Reserve Bank of India, may in exceptional circumstances, exceed the above ceilings on credit / investment concentration to a single party or a single group of parties by 5 per cent of its owned fund, with the approval of its Board. 39[Provided further that any systemically important non-deposit taking non-banking financial company not accessing public funds, either directly or indirectly, or not issuing guarantees may make an application to the Bank for an appropriate dispensation consistent with the spirit of the exposure limits.] Explanation: "Public funds" for the purpose of the proviso shall include funds raised either directly or indirectly through public deposits, Commercial Papers, debentures, inter-corporate deposits and bank finance. (2) Every systemically important non-deposit taking non-banking financial company shall formulate a policy in respect of exposures to a single party / a single group of parties. (3)40 [An NBFC which is held by an NOFHC shall not i. have any exposure (credit and investments including investments in the equity / debt capital instruments) to the Promoters/ Promoter Group entities or individuals associated with the Promoter Group or the NOFHC; ii. make investment in the equity/ debt capital instruments in any of the financial entities under the NOFHC; iii. invest in equity instruments of other NOFHCs.] Explanation: For the purposes of this Paragraph, the expression, 'Promoter' and 'Promoter Group' shall have the meanings assigned to those expressions in Annex 1 to the "Guidelines for Licensing of New Banks in the Private Sector" issued by Reserve Bank (Annex III). Notes: (1) For determining the limits, off-balance sheet exposures shall be converted into credit risk by applying the conversion factors as explained in paragraph 16. (2) The investments in debentures for the purposes specified in this paragraph shall be treated as credit and not investment. (3) These ceilings shall be applicable to the credit/investment by such a non- banking financial company to companies/firms in its own group as well as to the borrowers/ investee company’s group. Information in regard to change of address, directors, auditors, etc. to be submitted 19. Every non-banking financial company not accepting/holding public deposit shall communicate, not later than one month from the occurrence of any change in:
to the Regional Office of the Department of Non-Banking Supervision of the Reserve Bank of India as indicated in the Second Schedule to the Non-Banking Financial Companies Acceptance of Public Deposits (Reserve Bank) Directions, 1998. 41[Requirements for Infrastructure Finance Company – 19A. An Infrastructure Finance Company shall, - (i) not accept deposits from the public; (ii) have net owned funds of Rs. 300 crore or above; (iii) 42[have obtained a minimum credit rating 'A' or equivalent of CRISIL, FITCH, CARE, ICRA, Brickwork Ratings India Pvt. Ltd. (Brickwork) or equivalent rating by any other credit rating agency accredited by RBI] (iv) have a CRAR of 15 percent (with a minimum Tier I capital of 10 percent)]. Norms relating to Infrastructure loan 20. (1) Increase in exposure limits for Infrastructure related loan and investment The systemically important non-deposit taking non-banking financial companies may exceed the concentration of credit/investment norms, as provided in paragraph 18 of these Directions, by 5 per cent for any single party and by 10 per cent for a single group of parties, if the additional exposure is on account of infrastructure loan and/ or investment.] 43 [(1A) Infrastructure Finance Companies may exceed the concentration of credit norms as provided in paragraph 18 of the aforesaid Directions, (i) in lending to: (a) any single borrower, by ten per cent of its owned fund; and (ii) in lending to and investing in, (loans/investments taken together) (a) a single party, by five percent of its owned fund; and (2) Risk weight for investment in AAA rated securitized paper The investment in “AAA” rated securitized paper pertaining to the infrastructure facility shall attract risk weight of 50 per cent for capital adequacy purposes subject to the fulfilment of the following conditions: (i) The infrastructure facility generates income / cash flows, which ensures servicing / repayment of the securitized paper. (ii) The rating by one of the approved credit rating agencies is current and valid. Explanation: The rating relied upon shall be deemed to be current and valid, if the rating is not more than one month old on the date of opening of the issue, and the rating rationale from the rating agency is not more than one year old on the date of opening of the issue, and the rating letter and the rating rationale form part of the offer document. (iii) In the case of secondary market acquisition, the ‘AAA’ rating of the issue is in force and confirmed from the monthly bulletin published by the respective rating agency. (iv) The securitized paper is a performing asset. 44[(3) For Infrastructure Finance Companies, the risk weight for assets covering PPP and post commercial operations date (COD) projects which have completed at least one year of satisfactory commercial operations shall be at 50 percent.] NBFCs not to be partners in partnership firms 20A.45[(1) No non-banking financial company shall contribute to the capital of a partnership firm or become a partner of such firm. (2) A non-banking financial company, which had already contributed to the capital of a partnership firm or was a partner of a partnership firm shall seek early retirement from the partnership firm.] (3) 46[In this connection it is further clarified that; a) Partnership firms mentioned above will also include Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs). b) Further, the aforesaid prohibition will also be applicable with respect to Association of persons; these being similar in nature to partnership firms NBFCs which had already contributed to the capital of a LLP / Association of persons or was a partner of a LLP / Association of persons are advised to seek early retirement from the LLP / Association of persons.] 47 [Norms for restructuring of advances 20B. Norms for restructuring of advances by NBFCs shall be on the lines of the norms specified by the Reserve Bank of India for banks as modified and set forth in Annex-IV.] 21. The Reserve Bank of India may, if it considers it necessary for avoiding any hardship or for any other just and sufficient reason, grant extension of time to comply with or exempt any non-banking financial company or class of non-banking financial companies, from all or any of the provisions of these Directions either generally or for any specified period, subject to such conditions as the Reserve Bank of India may impose. 22. For the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of these Directions, the Reserve Bank of India may, if it considers necessary, issue necessary clarifications in respect of any matter covered herein and the interpretation of any provision of these Directions given by the Reserve Bank of India shall be final and binding on all the parties concerned. 23. (1) The Non-Banking Financial Companies Prudential Norms (Reserve Bank) Directions, 1998 shall stand repealed by these Directions. (2) Notwithstanding such repeal, any circular, instruction, order issued under the Directions in sub–section (1) shall continue to apply to non-banking financial companies in the same manner as they applied to such companies before such repeal. Submission of ‘Branch Info’ Return 24.48[With effect from June 30, 2013, all Non-deposit taking NBFCs having total assets more than Rs.50 crore, shall submit a quarterly return on Branch Info within ten days of the expiry of the relative quarter as on March 31, June 30 ,September 30 and December 31 every year, in thespecified format available in the Annex , to the Regional Office of the Department of Non-Banking Supervision of the Reserve Bank of India, under whose jurisdiction the registered office of the company is located as per Second Schedule to the Non-Banking Financial Companies Acceptance of Public Deposits (Reserve Bank) Directions, 1998. The return shall be submitted online in the format available on https://cosmos.rbi.org.in.] (ii) The format of ‘Branch Info’ return is provided in Annex II (V. Leeladhar) List of Circulars/Notifications
* Government Companies were advised vide DNBS.PD/CC.No. 86/03.02.089/2006-07 dated December 12, 2006 to submit a road map for compliance with the various elements of the NBFC regulations, in consultation with the Government, and submit the same to the Reserve Bank (Department of Non Banking Supervision – (DNBS) 1 Inserted vide Notification No. DNBS. 213/CGM(ASR)-2010 dated February 12, 2010 2 Inserted vide Notification No. DNBS.(PD) 221/CGM(US)-2011 dated January 5, 2011 3 Inserted vide Notification DNBS.PD.No.235/CGM(US)-2011 dated December 02, 2011 4 Detailed definition of Infrastructure Finance Company inserted vide Notification No. DNBS. 213 / CGM(ASR)-2010 dated February 12, 2010 is as under: Infrastructure Finance Company” means a non deposit taking NBFC that fulfills the criteria mentioned below: i. a minimum of 75 per cent of its total assets should be deployed in infrastructure loans as defined in Para 2(viii) of the Non Banking Financial (Non Deposit Accepting or Holding) Companies Prudential Norms (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2007; 5 Inserted vide Notification No.DNBS.266/PCGM(NSV)-2013 dated November 29, 2013 6 Inserted vide Notification DNBS.PD.No.235/ CGM(US)-2011 dated December 02, 2011 7 Inserted vide DNBS(PD)CC.No.300/03.10.038/2012-13 dated August 03, 2012 8 Inserted vide Notification No. DNBS. 251/CGM(US)-2012 dated September 14, 2012 9 Notification No.DNBS.(PD)274/CGM(NSV)-2014 dated April 7, 2014 10 /en/web/rbi/-/press-releases/rbi-releases-guidelines-for-licensing-of-new-banks-in-the-private-sector-28191 11 Inserted vide Notification No.DNBS. (PD) 202/CGM(PK)-2008 dated October 29,2008 12 Inserted vide Notification No. DNBS.223/CGM(US)-2011 dated January 17, 2011 13 Inserted vide Notification No.DNBS. (PD) 202/CGM(PK)-2008 dated October 29,2008 14 Inserted vide Notification No. DNBS.267/PCGM(NSV)-2014 dated January 1, 2014 15 Notification No. DNBS.223/ CGM(US)-2011 dated January 17, 2011 16 Inserted vide Notification No. DNBS. 200/CGM(PK)-2008 dated August 1,2008 17 Inserted Vide Notification No. DNBS. 218/CGM(US)-2010 dated December 01, 2010 18 It was clarified in DNBS (PD) C.C. No. 81/03.05.002/2006-07 dated October 19, 2006, that the business of non-banking financial institution (NBFI) means a company engaged in the business of financial institution as contained in Section 45I(a) of the RBI Act, 1934. For this purpose, the definition of 'Principal Business' given, vide Press Release 1998-99/1269 dated April 8, 1999 may be followed. 19 Inserted vide Notification No. DNBS. 209/CGM(ANR)-2009 dated October 22, 2009 20 Inserted vide Notification DNBS.PD.No.235/CGM(US)-2011 dated December 02, 2011 21 Inserted vide Notification DNBS.PD.No.247/CGM(US)-2012 dated July 23, 2012 22 Inserted vide Notification No. DNBS. 206/CGM(ASR)-2009 dated May 26, 2009 23 Inserted vide Notification No. DNBS.242/CGM(US)-2012 dated March 21, 2012 24 Deleted vide Notification No DNBS. PD.No.238/CGM(US)-2011 dated December 26, 2011 25 Inserted vide Notification DNBS. PD. No. 267/PCGM(NSV) -2014 dated January 01, 2014 26 Inserted vide Notification DNBS. PD.No.238/CGM(US)-2011 dated December 26, 2011 27 Deleted vide Notification DNBS. PD.No.238/CGM(US)-2011 dated December 26, 2011 28 Deleted vide Notification No.DNBS(PD). 249/CGM(US)-2012 dated August 1 , 2012 29 Inserted vide Notification No.DNBS(PD). 249/CGM(US)-2012 dated August 1 , 2012 30 Inserted vide Notification No.DNBS(PD). 249/CGM(US)-2012 dated August 1, 2012 31 Inserted vide Notification DNBS. PD.No.240 / CGM(US)-2011 dated December 30, 2011 32 Inserted vide Notification No.DNBS(PD).241/ CGM(US)-2012 dated March 21, 2012 33 Substituted vide Notification No.DNBS(PD).270/PCGM(NSV)-2014 dated January 08, 2014 34 Inserted vide DNBS.CC.PD.No.326/03.10.01/2012-13 May 27, 2013 35 Inserted vide Notification No 264 DNBS .PD dated September 16, 2013 36 Substituted vide Notification No 270 DNBS .PD dated January 08,2014 37 Inserted vide Notification No 270 DNBS .PD dated January 08,2014 38Inserted vide DNBS(PD).277/PCGM(KKV)/2014-15 August 21, 2014 39 Inserted vide Notification No. DNBS(PD).214/ CGM(US)-2010 dated July 09, 2010 40 Inserted vide Notification No. DNBS(PD).274/ CGM(NSV)-2014 dated April 7, 2014 41 Inserted vide Notification No. DNBS. 213 / CGM(ASR)-2010 dated February 12, 2010 42 Inserted vide Notification No. DNBS.(PD) 244 / CGM(US)-2012 dated May 11, 2012 43 Inserted vide Notification No. DNBS. 213 / CGM(ASR)-2010 dated February 12, 2010 44 Inserted vide Notification No.DNBS(PD). 246 / CGM(US)-2012 dated May 30, 2012 45 Inserted vide Notification no. DNBS. 228 / CGM(US)-2011 dated March 30, 2011 46 Inserted vide Notification No. DNBS(PD).256/CGM(CRS)2013 dated June 11, 2013 47 Inserted vide Notification No DNBS(PD)No 272 dated January 23, 2014 48 Inserted vide Notification No: DNBS (PD): 262 / 2013-14 Dated September 03, 2013 |