RBI/2009-10/87
UBD.BPD.(PCB).MC.No. 10 /09.39.000/2009-10

July  1, 2009

Chief Executive Officers of
All Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks 

Dear Sir,

Master Circular on Customer Service - UCBs

Please refer to our Master Circular UBD.BPD.(PCB).MC No. 10/ 09.39.00/2008-09 dated July 1, 2008 on the captioned subject (available at RBI website www.rbi.org.in).The enclosed Master Circular consolidates and updates all the instructions / guidelines on the subject up to June 30, 2009.

Yours faithfully,

(A.K.Khound)
Chief General Manager

Master Circular on Customer Service

Master Circular on Customer Service

1  Introduction

The quality of customer service in primary (urban) co-operative banks has to be high as they are established primarily to fill the existing gaps in banking and credit needs in urban and semi urban areas.  Meeting the legitimate aspirations of its customers will enable the bank to maintain its image, create confidence and attract funds comparatively at low cost in a competitive environment.  Ensuring improvement in the customer service rendered by the banks has been the constant endeavour of RBI.  RBI had set up in 1990 a Committee headed by Shri M.N.Goiporia, the then Chairman of SBI. The Committee had made various recommendations to ensure improvement in the customer service in the banks. In addition, RBI has also issued various guidelines on the subject in general and on specific aspects relating to immediate credit for the outstation instruments sent for collection, payment of interest for delay in collection of instrument, adherence of time schedule in such matters as payment to customers, issue of DDs/TTs, issue of cheque books, etc. The instructions issued in this regard based on Goiporia Committee recommendations, Committee on Procedures and Performance Audit on Public Services (CPPAPS), etc are summarised below:-

2  Service at the Counters

2.1   Business and working hours

The employees are expected to be at their seats at the commencement of the business hours and attend to all the customers who are in the branch prior to the close of business hours. In practice, however, in many branches of banks, employees take their own time to open the counters and also do not attend to customers who are in the queue at the close of business hours. Some banks with a view to ensuring that the service to customers is made available exactly at the commencement of business hours fix the working hours of the staff 15 minutes before the start of business hours. This arrangement can be made by all the banks at their branches in metropolitan and urban centres.
              
2.2  There are complaints that counters are closed at the end business hours, without disposing of customers. Banks may issue instructions that all customers who enter the banking hall before the close of business hours may be attended to.

2.3 Extension of business hours for non-cash transactions: Staff at the counters may undertake the following transactions during   the extended business hours (branches to indicate the timings)

(a) non-voucher generating transactions:

(i) issue of passbook/staff of accounts
(ii) issue of cheque book
(iii) delivery of term deposit receipts/drafts
(iv) acceptance of share application form; and
(v) acceptance of clearing cheques/bills for collection

(b) voucher generating transactions:

(i) issue of term deposit receipts (TDR)
(ii) acceptance of cheques for locker rent due;
(iii) issue of travellers cheques
(iv) issue of gift cheques
(v)    acceptance of individual cheques for transfer credit

2.4  Uninterrupted Service

Banks may devise appropriate procedures to ensure that no counter remains unattended during the business hours and uninterrupted service is rendered to the customers by making adequate relief arrangements as may be necessary.

2.5  Guidance to Customers

All branches, except very small ones, should have "Enquiry" or "May I help you" counters. Such counters may exclusively attend to enquiries or may be combined with other functions depending upon the requirement. As far as possible, such counters should be near the entry point to the banking hall.

2.6  Provision of ramps at ATMs

Banks are advised to take necessary steps to provide all existing ATMs/ future ATMs with ramps so that wheel chair users / persons with disabilities can easily access them. The height of the ATM should be such that it does not create an impediment in its use by a wheelchair user.

3. Deposit and other Accounts

3.1  Nomination facilities

Banks may get the account opening forms amended to incorporate a space to mention the name and address of the nominee and statutorily prescribed nomination forms may be obtained and preserved with the account opening forms. Availability of nomination facility needs to be widely publicised by printing compatible messages on cheque books/pass books and any other literature reaching the customers.

Nomination should be a rule (rather than an exception) and banks should endeavor to cover all accounts, existing as well as new, under nomination, exception being the ones where the customer himself would prefer not to nominate; this fact may be recorded rather than left to the conjecture of non-compliance

3.2   Nomination facilities are available not only for deposit accounts but also for safe custody articles and safe deposit lockers. As nomination facility for deposit accounts is more known to the customers, compared to the one available for safe custody articles and safe deposit lockers, publicising availability of the facility for these two services also may be effectively done.

3.3  Savings bank passbooks/ statement of accounts

(a) Banks should ensure that full address / telephone number of the branch is invariably mentioned in the Pass Book / Statement of Accounts issued to account holders.

(b) Banks should invariably offer passbook facility to all their savings bank account-holders (individuals). The cost of providing such passbooks should not be recovered from the customers.

(c) Banks may devise controls to ensure that the passbooks are updated on an ongoing basis, and complete and correct particulars are written in a legible hand

(d) Customers also need to be educated to submit the passbooks regularly for updating

(e) Banks may take the following steps to provide customer satisfaction in these areas:

(i) Customer education drives may be launched to bring home the advantages of getting the passbooks updated regularly / periodically.

(ii) Employees may be exhorted to attach importance to this area to provide customer satisfaction.

(f) As a rule, passbooks may be updated immediately on submission. If updating is not possible immediately due to a large number of entries, then paper tokens be issued for collection of passbooks on the next day.

3.4  Term deposits

(a) Banks have made considerable innovations in the area of term deposits. Various innovative schemes have been introduced to suit customer requirements. However, customer awareness of the different schemes and facilities thereunder is actually lacking. Banks should therefore ensure that various term deposit schemes are made known to the customers through proper publicity and advice. The customers need also be informed specifically of the provision of monthly interest on term deposits at a discounted rate and the facility of safe custody of term deposit receipts.

(b) Term deposit application forms may be so devised as to contain a direction for disposal of deposits on maturity. In those cases where the customer does not indicate the course of action by the bank on maturity of deposits, banks may as a rule send intimation of impending due date of the deposit well in advance.

3.5  Advisory Services on deposit schemes

There is room for providing customer satisfaction by assisting customers in taking proper decisions for investment in various deposit schemes having regard to their particular needs and expectations. The banks should provide assistance/guidance to customers in the area of investment of funds in the various deposit schemes vis-à-vis the requirement of the customers.

3.6 Brochures/pamphlets for guidance of customers

Banks may make available to the customers brochures/ pamphlets in regional language/Hindi /English giving details of various schemes available and terms and conditions thereof. Such brochures may also contain, among others, do's and don'ts for smooth handling of day-to-day banking transactions, e.g. updating of passbooks, preferably in the leaner weeks of the month, say, third/fourth week, advantages of maintaining joint accounts and nomination, keeping the term deposit receipts in safe custody with the banks with instructions for disposal on maturity etc

3.7  Claims in respect of missing persons       
 
The settlement of claims in respect of missing persons would be governed by the provisions of Section 107 / 108 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. Section 107 deals with presumption of continuance and Section 108 deals with presumption of death. As per the provisions of Section 108 of the Indian Evidence Act, presumption of death can be raised only after a lapse of seven years from the date of his/her being reported missing. As such, the nominee / legal heirs have to raise an express presumption of death of the subscriber under Section 107/108 of the Indian Evidence Act before a competent court. If the court presumes that he/she is dead, then the claim in respect of a missing person can be settled on the basis of the same.

UCBs are advised to formulate a policy, which would enable them to settle the claims of a missing person after considering the legal opinion and taking into account the facts and circumstances of each case. Further, keeping in view the imperative need to avoid inconvenience and undue hardship to the common person, UCBs are advised that keeping in view their risk management systems, they may fix a threshold limit, up to which claims in respect of missing persons could be settled without insisting on production of any documentation other than (i) FIR and the non-traceable report issued by police authorities and (ii) letter of indemnity.

4 Safe Deposit Lockers

Banks should provide more and more lockers, especially in residential areas, while keeping in view the commercial viability.

The Committee on Procedures and Performance Audit on Public Services (CPPAPS) had made some recommendations for easy operation of lockers. Accordingly, UCBs may adhere to the following guidelines:-

4.1. Allotment and operation of Lockers

4.1.1  Linking of Allotment of Lockers to placement of Fixed Deposits

UCBs should not link the provisions of lockers facility with placement of fixed or any other deposit beyond what is specifically permitted.

4.1.2 Fixed Deposit as Security for Lockers

Banks may obtain a Fixed Deposit which would cover 3 year's rent and the charges for breaking open the locker in case of an eventuality. However, banks should not insist on such Fixed Deposit from the existing locker-hirers.

4.1.3 Wait List of Lockers

Branches should maintain a wait list for the purpose of allotment of lockers and ensure transparency in allotment of lockers. All applications received for allotment of locker should be acknowledged and given a wait list number.

4.1.4 Security aspects relating to Safe Deposit Lockers

(a) Operations of Safe Deposit Vaults/Lockers

Banks should exercise due care and necessary precaution for the protection of the lockers provided to the customer.

(b) Customer due diligence for allotment of lockers

(i) Banks should carry out customer due diligence for both new and existing customers at least to the levels prescribed for customers classified as medium risk. If the customer is classified in a higher risk category, customer due diligence as per KYC norms applicable to such higher risk category should be carried out.
 
(ii) Where the lockers have remained unoperated for more than three years for medium risk category or one year for a higher risk category, banks should immediately contact the locker-hirer and advise him to either operate the locker or surrender it. This exercise should be carried out even if the locker hirer is paying the rent regularly. Further, the bank should ask the locker hirer to give in writing, the reasons why he / she did not operate the locker. In case the locker-hirer has some genuine reasons as in the case of NRIs or persons who are out of town due to a transferable job etc., banks may allow the locker hirer to continue with the locker. In case the locker-hirer does not respond nor operate the locker, banks should consider opening the lockers after giving due notice to him. In this context, banks should incorporate a clause in the locker agreement that in case the locker remains unoperated for more than one year, the bank would have the right to cancel the allotment of the locker and open the locker, even if the rent is paid regularly. 

(iii) Banks should have clear procedure drawn up in consultation with their legal advisers for breaking open the lockers and taking stock of inventory.

4.1.5 Access to the safe deposit lockers / return of safe custody articles to Survivor(s) / Nominee(s) / Legal heir(s)

Instructions were laid down vide circular UBD. BPD. Cir. No.4/13.01.00/2005-06 dated July 14, 2005 for handing over the proceeds of deposit accounts.  A similar procedure should be adopted for return of contents of lockers / safe custody articles to Survivor / Nominee / Legal Heirs.

4.1.6 Access to the safe deposit lockers / return of safe custody articles (with survivor/nominee clause)

If the sole locker hirer nominates a person banks should give to such nominee access of the locker and liberty to remove the contents of the locker in the event of the death of the sole locker hirer. In case the locker was hired jointly with the instructions to operate it under joint signatures, and the locker hirer(s) nominates person(s), in the event of death of any of the locker hirers, the bank should give access of the locker and the liberty to remove the contents jointly to the survivor(s) and the nominee(s). In case the locker was hired jointly with survivorship clause and the hirers instructed that the access of the locker should be given over to 'either or survivor', 'anyone or survivor' or 'former or survivor' or according to any other survivorship clause, banks should follow the mandate in the event of the death of one or more of the locker-hirers. However, banks should take the following precautions before handing over the contents:

(a) Bank should exercise due care and caution in establishing the identity of the survivor(s)/ nominee(s) and the fact of death of the locker hirer by obtaining appropriate documentary evidence.

(b)  Banks should make diligent effort to find out if there is any order from a competent court restraining the bank from giving access to the locker of the deceased.

© Banks should make it clear to the survivor(s) / nominee(s) that access to locker / safe custody articles is given to them only as a trustee of the legal heirs of the deceased locker hirer; such access given to them shall not affect the right or claim which any person may have against the survivor(s) / nominee(s) to whom the access is given.

4.1.7 Access to the safe deposit lockers / return of safe custody articles (without survivor/nominee clause)

There is an imperative need to avoid inconvenience and undue hardship to legal heir(s) of the locker hirer(s). In case where the deceased locker hirer had not made any nomination or where the joint hirers had not given any mandate that the access may be given to one or more of the survivors by a clear survivorship clause, banks are advised to adopt a customer-friendly procedure drawn up in consultation with their legal advisers for giving access to legal heir(s) / legal representative of the deceased locker hirer. Similar procedure should be followed for the articles under safe custody of the bank.

4.1.8 Banks are advised to be guided also by the provisions of Sections 45 ZC to 45 ZF of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (AACS) and the Co-operative Banks (Nomination) Rules, 1985 and the relevant provisions of Indian Contract Act and Indian Succession Act.

4.1.9  Banks should prepare an inventory before returning articles left in safe custody / before permitting removal of the contents of a safe deposit locker in terms of Notification UBD.BR.767/B.1-84/85 dated March 29, 1985.The inventory shall be in the appropriate Forms set out as enclosed to the Notification or as near thereto as circumstances require. A copy of the Notification is shown as Annex III. 

4.2 Customer Guidance and Publicity

4.2.1 Benefits of nomination / survivorship clause

Banks should give wide publicity and provide guidance to locker-hirers / depositors of safe custody articles on the benefits of the nomination facility and the survivorship clause.

4.3 IT enabled Financial Inclusion

Introduction of 'zero balance' or ' no frills' accounts has enabled the common person to open bank accounts. However, providing banking facilities closer to the customer, especially in remote and unbanked areas, while keeping transactions costs low remains a challenge. Recognizing that IT enabled services have the potential for effectively meeting this challenge, banks have initiated pilot projects utilizing smart cards/mobile technology to increase their outreach. Biometric methods for uniquely identifying customers are also being increasingly adopted. Accordingly, banks are urged to scale up IT initiatives for financial inclusion speedily while ensuring that solutions are highly secure, amenable to audit, and follow widely accepted open standards to ensure eventual inter-operability among the different systems.

          
5. Banking facilities to the visually challenged

(i) It may be stated that in the Case No. 2791/2003, the Honorable Court of Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities had passed Orders dated 05.09.2005 (copy enclosed), the Honorable Court has instructed that banks should offer all the banking facilities including cheque book facility, ATM facility and locker facility to the visually challenged and also assist them in withdrawal of cash. Further, in para 14 of the above Order, the Honorable Court has observed that visually impaired persons cannot be denied the facility of cheque book, locker and ATM on the possibility of risk in operating / using the said facility, as the element of risk is involved in case of other customers as well.

(ii) Banks are therefore advised to ensure that all the banking facilities such as cheque book facility including third party cheques, ATM facility, Net banking facility, locker facility, retail loans, credit cards etc. are invariably offered to the visually challenged without any discrimination. Banks may also advise their branches to render all possible assistance to the visually challenged for availing the various banking facilities.

(iii)  Banks should make at least one third of new ATMs installed as talking ATMs with Braille keypads and place them strategically in consultation with other banks to ensure that at least one talking ATM with Braille keypad is generally available in each locality for catering to the needs of visually impaired persons. Banks may also bring the location of such talking ATMs to the notice of their visually impaired customers.

6  Dishonoured instruments

Banks may ensure that dishonoured instrument is returned/despatched to the customer promptly without delay on the same day but in any case within 24 hours.

7   Reimbursement of interest by paying bank

While in terms of extant instructions, interest for delayed credit is to be paid and borne by collecting bank alone, it is a fact that on many occasions delay in collection of cheques takes place due to the neglect on the part of the paying bank. It is only fair that when such delays can be attributed to the paying bank, it compensates the collecting bank by reimbursing the amount. For this purpose, delay beyond two days on the part of paying bank in despatching the proceeds to the collecting bank may be treated as delay attributable to that bank. Responsibility for payment of interest to the lodger of the cheque, however, should continue to remain that of the collecting bank.

8  Identity badges

Each employee may wear on his person, identity badge with photograph and name prominently displayed on it. Besides giving an official touch, it will create a better rapport with the customers.

9   Job enrichment

Much of the indifference and casual approach towards customer service can be attributed to job monotony and the work environment. In order to promote greater involvement of employees in their work and to prevent alienation, job enrichment in the form of periodic change of department and allocation of jobs carrying higher responsibilities is necessary. Elementary checking functions such as authentication of pass books/ issuance of receipts for cheques deposited for credit to the customers' accounts etc., would not only make useful contribution towards customer service but also would give a boost to the morale and self image of the employees.

10   Training

It is essential to align the training programmes to the needs in various areas with an eye on customer service. The employees should be trained to develop the right kind of attitude towards customer service, and empathy towards customer needs and expectations. Training programmes may be so devised as to bring about positive attitudinal changes compatible to customer orientation.
   
11 Induction training

Training to new recruits should be a precursor to other follow - up training programmes. All new recruits, i.e. clerks/officers should be necessarily exposed to induction programme immediately after recruitment. A co-ordinated approach amongst banks is required in this regard.

12   Reward and recognition

Good work must be rewarded. The system of reward/recognition should be such that it puts an indifferent employee to a considerable disadvantage - psychologically and even financially. Only if the reward scheme is objectively enunciated, employees will be motivated to perform better. Indifferent and casual approach to work (customer service) should not go unnoticed, giving such employees wrong signals. It is but proper that disservice to customers is treated as delinquency. Banks should evolve a fair system whereby employees are gauged or rated in the area of customer service and good work is rewarded. Any system that is evolved should necessarily be objective and no room should be left to subjectivity of any kind. Any reward/recognition scheme of incentive will need to be tailored, with an eye on the ultimate goal of customer service.

13  Systems and procedures

Systems and procedures are necessary to assist banks in functioning in an effective and efficient manner and to ensure safety of customer's money. Banks may keep their systems and procedures in trim, by a continuous process of introduction of new procedures that may be required and by doing away with unwanted ones.

14  Customer service audit

Various facets of service to the customers need review and introduction of more avenues has to be identified. Banks may subject themselves to an audit approach towards their customer service points at grassroot levels and also at policy prescription and macro levels in the matter of extension of customer service.

15  Complaint book

(i) A Complaint cum Suggestion Box may be kept in the bank premises at a prominent place. Every bank branch may also maintain a Complaint Book with adequate number of perforated copies in each set, so designed as to instantly provide the complainant with an acknowledged copy of the complaint.

16  Inspection/Audit reports

The internal inspectors/auditors including audit firms engaged for the purpose during the course of their inspection/audit of branches should examine the various customer service aspects including the efficacy of the complaints handling and grievance redressal machinery; and based on their observations, record the improvements and deficiencies in various areas.

17 Complaint prone employees

Placement of employees in customer contact slots should be on a selective basis. By imaginative and innovative approaches, enough number of employees can be brought-up by training. Cases of deliberate recalcitrance and disregard of customer service spirit should be taken note of and kept in concerned employees' service records apart from taking other action against such employees.

18   Periodical visits by senior officials

Senior officials while visiting the branches should also give priority to the customer service aspects. It will be great advantage if senior official counter checks the actual "branch atmosphere" by having in hand a report on customer service submitted by the branch.

19 Infrastructure provision

Banks may bestow attention to providing adequate space, proper furniture, drinking water facilities, clean environment, (which include keeping the walls free of posters) etc, in their premises to enable conduct of banking transactions smoothly and more comfortably.

20   Customer education

Customer education both in regard to rights and responsibilities in dealing with banks should be viewed as a fundamental issue in any attempt to improve customer service. Customer should be made aware not only of the various schemes and services offered by banks, but also about the formalities, procedures, legal requirements and limitations in the matter of providing services by the banks, through a proper mix of advertisements, literature, interface, seminars, etc. Banks should involve their employees in all customer education programmes.

21  Security arrangements

In view of the incidents involving terrorists/dacoits, banks should review and improve upon the existing security system in branches so as to instill confidence amongst the employees and the public. Regular drill/ training to the security staff should be ensured.

22  Fair Practices Code - Display of Bank/ Service Charges  

22.1 Banks have the freedom to prescribe service charges with the approval of their Boards. However, while fixing service charges, for various types of services like charges for cheque collection, etc., they should ensure that they are reasonable and are not out of line with the average cost of providing these services. Banks should also take care to ensure that customers with low volume of activities are not penalized.

22.2. Display of information – Comprehensive Notice Board

Banks should put up in a notice board important aspects or indicators on 'customer service information', ' service charges', 'grievance redressal' and 'others'.   The notice board should be updated on a periodical basis.

Banks should display information relating to interest rates and service charges in their premises as well as post it on their web-sites, to enable the customer to obtain the desired information at a glance. An indicative format is enclosed at Annex V.

22.3 Further, all UCBs, including scheduled UCBs, should also display at their offices/ branches the service charges relating to the following services in the local languages:

A. Services rendered free of charge

B. Others

1. Minimum balances to be maintained in the SB account
2. Charges leviable for non-maintenance of minimum balance in SB account
3. Charges for collection of outstation cheques
4. Charges for issue of Demand Draft
5. Charges for issue of cheques books, if any
6. Charges for account statement
7. Charges for account closure, if any
8. Charges for deposit/withdrawal at ATM locations, if any

22.4 Banks should also ensure that the charges levied for offering various electronic products and for collection of outstation cheque collection servicedo not exceed the framework of charges prescribed by RBI, (for transactions originated and payable in India), which is summed up as under:-

(A) Electronic products -

(a) Inward RTGS / NEFT / ECS transactions – Free, no charge to be levied

(b) Outward transactions –

(i) RTGS 

Rs. 1 to 5 lakh                            not exceeding Rs. 25 per transaction
Rs. 5 lakh and above                   not exceeding Rs. 50 per transaction

(ii) NEFT

Upto Rs. 1 lakh                          not exceeding Rs. 5 per transaction
Rs. 1 lakh and above                   not exceeding Rs. 25 per transaction

Banks may prescribe charges   not higher than cheque return charges for ECS debit returns.

(B) Outstation cheque collection

(i) Upto Rs. 10000                        not exceeding Rs. 50 per instrument
   Rs. 10000 to Rs.1,00,000          not exceeding Rs. 100 per instrument
     Rs. 1,00,000 and above           not exceeding Rs. 150 per instrument.

(ii) The above charges will be all inclusive. No additional charges such as courier charges, out of pocket expenses etc. should be levied from the customers.
           
(iii ) To reduce the clearing cycle and to promote electronic modes of payment,   the drawee banks should use electronic modes like RTGS / NEFT, wherever  available, to remit proceeds to the collecting bank branch.

(iv) Banks may make increased use of Speed Clearing and National Clearing   facilities for providing efficient service.

© The above provisions are not applicable to cash handling charges levied by banks for handling large value cash transactions.

In order to ensure transparency in banking services, scheduled co-operative banks should display and up-date, on their web-site, the details of various service charges in the prescribed format depending on the products offered. 

22.5 Customer charges for use of ATMs for cash withdrawal and balance enquiry

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) have gained prominence as a delivery channel for banking transactions in India. Banks have been deploying ATMs to increase their reach to increase the usage of ATMs as a delivery channel, banks have also entered into bilateral or multilateral arrangements with other banks to have inter-bank ATM networks. While ATMs facilitate a variety of banking transactions for customers, their main utility has been for cash withdrawal and balance enquiry.
The charges levied on the customers vary from bank to bank and also vary according to the ATM network that is used for the transaction. Consequently, a customer is not aware, before hand, of the charges that will be levied for a particular ATM transaction, while using an ATM of another bank. This generally discourages the customer from using the ATMs of other banks. It is, therefore, essential to ensure greater transparency.

In view of this, it has been decided that the following schedule of service charges would be implemented by all banks:

The service charges for the following types of cash withdrawal transactions may be determined by the banks themselves:
(a) cash withdrawal with the use of credit cards.
(b)  cash   withdrawal  in  an  ATM  located abroad.

22.6Banks shall reimburse to the customers the amount wrongfully debited, if any, due to ATMs failure to dispense cash within a maximum period of 12 days from the date of receipt of customer complaints.

22.7  Display of time norms
Time norms for specified business transactions should be displayed prominently in the banking hall so that it attracts the customers' attention as well as that of the employees for adherence.

23   Collection of account payee cheques – Prohibition on crediting proceeds to third party account

UCBs should not collect ‘account payee’ cheques for any person other than the payee constituent. Where the drawer/ payee instructs the bank to credit the proceeds of collection to any account other than that of the payee, the instruction being contrary to the intended inherent character of the ‘account payee’ cheque, banks should ask the drawer/ payee to have the cheque or the account payee mandate thereon withdrawn by the drawer. This instruction will also apply with respect to the cheque drawn by a bank payable to another bank.

24   Facilities at Extension Counters by PCBs

UCBs are allowed to undertake following limited transactions at the Extension Counters:

1. Deposit / withdrawal transactions,
2. Issue and encashment of drafts and mail transfers,
3. Issue and encashment of travellers’ cheques,
4. Collection of bills,
5. Advances against fixed deposits of their customers (within the sanctioning power of the concerned official at the Extension Counter) and
6. Disbursement of other loans (only for individuals) sanctioned by the Head Office/ base branch up to the limit of Rs. 10.00 lakh only.

25  Provision of Note Counting Machines on counters
Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks should install dual display note counting machines at the payment counters of their branches for the use of their customers towards building confidence in the minds of the public to accept note packets secured with paper bands.

26  Immediate Credit of Outstation Cheques

26.1 Non-scheduled UCBs should afford immediate credit for all outstation cheques upto the value of Rs. 5,000 tendered by individual account holders, provided they are satisfied about proper conduct of the accounts. These arrangements should be scrupulously followed. The banks may recover usual collection charges in respect of outstation cheques. The banks should not wait for customers' requests for the facility but should, as a matter of normal course, provide this service. However, in respect of local cheques, the banks may extend the facility of affording immediate credit upto Rs. 5,000 to customers who wish to avail of the facility and are prepared to bear charges for the same.

26.2 In case the cheques are returned unpaid, the bank can recover normal rate of interest at the Minimum Lending Rate for the period it is out of funds. For this purpose, banks may consider introducing pay-in-slips superimposing a notice to the effect that in the event of dishonour of the cheque, customer will be subject to payment of normal rate of interest for the period till the bank was out of funds.

27  Time frame for collection of cheques

27.1 In compliance with the orders of National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (NCDRC), all UCBs have to conform to the timeframe prescribed by it, namely

1. for local cheques, credit and debit shall be given on the same day or at the most, on the next day.
2. Timeframe for collection of outstation cheques drawn on state capitals / major cities / other locations shall be 7 / 10 / 14 days respectively. If there is any delay in collection of the said cheques beyond this period, interest at the fixed deposit rate or at a specified rate as per the respective policy of the banks, is to be paid to the payee of the cheques.  In case the rate is not specified in the Cheque Collection Policy (CCP), the applicable rate shall be the interest rate on Fixed Deposits for the corresponding maturity. The timeframe for collection specified by the Commission shall be treated as outer limit and credit shall be afforded if the process gets completed earlier. The UCBs shall not decline to accept outstation cheques deposited by their customers for collection. 

 © The collection period of outstation cheques and interest payable thereon in case of delay shall be published on the notice board in a precise manner in bold / visible lettersat a conspicuous place in every branch.

Scheduled banks are required to formulate a comprehensive and transparent policy covering issues relating to (i) immediate credit of local / outstation cheques (ii) Timeframe for collection of local / outstation cheques and (iii) interest payment for delayed collection.

27.2   Implementation and Accountability

In order to ensure that the above time schedule is scrupulously followed by   the branches, there needs to be a clear-cut staff accountability for the delay. For this purpose, special register may be introduced to record the delayed collections for necessary action.

27.3   Further, it should be ensured that   where delays occur, the account holders are paid penal interest without their making requests therefor. Necessary instructions may be issued to the branches with a view to ensuring strict compliance of these instructions for automatic credit of interest in respect of delayed collection of outstation cheques so as to avoid any room for representations/ complaints from public.

27.4 Senior Officials while visiting branches should make it a point to check implementation of the above instructions.

28.  Additional Measures for Quicker Collection of Outstation Instruments

Primary (urban) co-operative banks should initiate the following additional measures to reduce the time taken for realization of cheques:

28.1  Cheques drawn on MICR centres should invariably be presented through National Clearing Cell.

28. 1.2    Extensive use should be made of modern telecommunication technology for networking service branches in important centres and between service branches and other branches within a particular centre.

28.1.3  The concept of Quick/Fast collection service for collection of outstation instruments should be streamlined.

28.1.4  Separate registers should be maintained for local cheques and outstation cheques to enable the branch managers to exercise better supervision and remedial measures should be initiated to speed up the collection of outstation instruments.
 
28.1.5  With a view to closely monitoring the implementation of these instructions, Internal Inspection Teams may be advised to verify these aspects during Inspection of the branches, as this is a singular feature having a direct bearing on rendering improved customer service.

28.1.6  It is also necessary to make customers aware of the above facilities. The banks may, therefore, make arrangements to display information about the facilities available at the branches, for customers' knowledge.

29   Other instructions

29.1  Issue of Cheque Books

Banks should ensure that their cheque books are printed with due care and the perforation in the cheque leaves as also binding of cheque books are upto the mark so as to avoid any inconvenience to the customers.

29.2 Cheque Drop Facility and the Facility for Acknowledgement of  cheques              

While the cheque drop facility may be made available to the customers, the facility for acknowledgement of cheques at the regular collection counters should not be denied to them. No branch should refuse to give an acknowledgement on cheques being tendered by customers at their counters. Further, customers should be made aware of both options available to them i.e., dropping cheques in the drop box or tendering them at the counters so that they can take an informed decision in this regard.
           
29.3  Term Deposit Maturity Intimation in Advance

31.3.1  Banks are required to include in the term deposit application form, a direction for payment of deposits on maturity.
  
29.4 In addition to the above, the banks should also ensure to send, as a rule, an intimation for maturity dates of term deposits well in advance to their depositors in order to extend better customer service.

29.5   Maintenance of Complaint Book

In terms of recommendation 3.67 of the Goiporia Committee, banks are required to maintain a Complaint Book with adequate number of perforated copies so as to instantly provide the complainant with an acknowledgement copy. A format of complaint book with adequate number of perforated copies prepared by the Indian bank Association is given at Annexure II. Banks should take appropriate steps to introduce the same for ensuring uniformity at all offices of the banks.

29.6  Periodical Review and Monitoring
           
29.6.1 With a view to constantly upgrading the quality of customer satisfaction and also identifying more avenues for customer service, banks need to undertake periodical evaluation of the position in regard to the extent of actual implementation at the grass root level of the various recommendations of the Committee.

29.6.2 Banks also need to evolve an appropriate monitoring system in respect of 15 core recommendations. The banks are free to include more items for such monitoring and evaluation by their Board of Directors.

29.6.3  Banks should introduce a system of periodical evaluation on customer service on half yearly basis, as at the end of June and December, with a view to ensuring their implementation at all offices of the bank as also upgrading the quality of services to achieve higher satisfaction among the bank's customers.

29.7   Issue of Duplicate Demand Draft

29.7.1  Issue of Duplicate Demand Draft without receipt of Non-  Payment  Advice           

The duplicate draft amounting to Rs.5,000/- or less, may be issued on the basis of adequate indemnity and without obtaining Non-Payment Advice (NPA) from the drawee branch.

29.7.2. Fixation of time-frame for issue of duplicate draft

UCBs should ensure that a duplicate draft is issued within a fortnight from the receipt of such requests. For delay in issuing duplicate draft beyond the above-stipulated period, they should pay interest at rate applicable for fixed deposit of corresponding maturity in order to compensate the customer for such delay. These instructions would be applicable only in cases where the request for duplicate Demand Draft is made by the purchaser or the beneficiary and would not be applicable in the case of third party endorsements.

29.7.3 Senior Officials while visiting branches, should make it a point  to check implementation of the above instructions.
 
29.8Statutory provisions for Nomination Facility

The Banking Regulation Act 1949 (AACS) has been amended by incorporating among others, new sections 45ZA to 45ZF, which provide, inter alia, for the following matters:

1. to enable  a co-operative  bank to make  payment to  the nominee of a deceased depositor,  of the amount standing  to the credit of the depositor
2.         to enable  a co-operative bank  to return the  articles left by  a  deceased  person  in its  safe  custody  to  his nominee, after making  an inventory of  the articles in  the manner directed by Reserve Bank
3. to enable a co-operative bank to release the  contents of a  safety   locker  to the  nominee of  the hirer  of  such locker, in the event of the death of the hirer after  making an inventory of  the contents  of the safety  locker in  the manner directed by Reserve Bank.

29.8.1  Nomination Rules:

Since such nomination has to be made in the prescribed   manner, the Central Government has framed Co-operative Banks (Nomination) Rules, 1985 in consultation with the RBI. These Rules, together with the provisions of new Sections 45ZA to 45ZF, of BR Act (AACS) regarding nomination facilities have been brought into force with effect from 29th March 1985.
       
The Co-operative Banks (Nomination) Rules, 1985, provide for:
(i)   Nomination forms for deposit accounts, articles kept  in safe custody and the contents of safety lockers.

(ii)     Forms of cancellation and variation of the nomination.

(iii)   Registration  of  nominations  and  cancellation  and variation of nominations.

(iv)    Matters related to the above
           
29.8.2    Nomination of articles in safe custody:

In the matter of returning articles left in safe custody by the deceased depositor to the nominee or allowing the nominee/s to have access to  the  locker  and  permitting him/them to remove the contents  of the locker, RBI, in pursuance of Sections 45ZC(3) and 45ZE(4) of  BR Act (AACS),  has specified  the formats  for the  purpose. In order to ensure that the amount of deposits, articles left in safe custody and contents of lockers are returned to the genuine nominee, as also to verify the proof of death, co-operative banks may devise their own claim formats of follow the procedure, if any, suggested for the purpose either by their own Federation/Association or by the IBA.

29.8.3  Registration of nomination in banks’ books:

In terms of Rules 2(10), 3(9) and 4(10) a co-operative bank is required to register in its books the nomination, cancellation and/or variation of the nomination. The co-operative banks should accordingly take action to register nominations or changes therein, if any, made by their depositor(s)/hirer(s) of lockers. GOI has issued the notification bringing into force the provisions relating to nomination facilities, from 29th March 1985. Co-operative banks should therefore, ensure that the nomination facilities are made available to their customers.  
   

29.8.4  Incorporation of legend Nominations Registered in pass book, deposit receipt etc:

Primary (urban) co-operative banks should incorporate the legend “Nominations Registered’ on   every pass book or deposit receipt so as to enable the relatives to know the availment of the nomination facility by the deceased depositor.

30 Monitoring system of implementation of Goiporia Committee Recommendations:
The banks need to evolve an appropriate monitoring system for evaluating the position in regard to the extent of actual implementation at the grass root level of the various recommendations of the Goiporia Committee.  In particular, the banks should pay special attention to the core recommendations as per Annex I.

31  Customer Service – Redressal of Grievances

(i) Banks should have a robust grievance redressal structure and processes to ensure prompt in-house redressal of all their customer complaints. Urban Co-operative Banks are advised to ensure that a suitable mechanism exists for receiving and addressing complaints received from their customers with specific emphasis on resolving such complaints fairly and expeditiously regardless of the source of the complaints.

(ii) Banks should have a system of acknowledging the complaints, where the complaints are received through letters / forms. Banks should prominently display at the branches the names of officials, who can be contacted for redressal of complaints together with their direct telephone number, fax number, complete address (not Post Box No.)and e-mail address etc. for proper and timely contact by the customers and for enhancing the effectiveness of the redressal machinery.

(iii) In the case of scheduled urban co-operative banks, where the complaints are not redressed within one month, the concerned branch / Head Office of the bank should forward a copy of the same to the Nodal Officer concerned under the Banking Ombudsman scheme and keep him updated about the status of the complaint.

(iv) In the case of fraudulent encashment of third party instruments by unscrupulous persons, by opening deposit accounts in the name/s similar to already established concern/s resulting in erroneous and unwanted debit of drawers’ accounts, it is advised that in cases where banks are at fault, the banks should compensate the customers without demur; and (ii) in cases where neither the bank is at fault nor the customer is at fault but the fault lies elsewhere in the system, then also the banks should compensate the customer (up to a limit) as part of a Board approved customer relations policy.

32   Rounding off cheques to the nearest rupee

Banks are advised to ensure that cheques / drafts issued by clients containing fractions of a rupee are not rejected or dishonoured by them. Banks may also review the practice being followed by them in this regard and take necessary steps, including through issue of internal circulars, etc, to ensure that the concerned staff are well versed with these instructions so that the general public does not suffer. Banks may also ensure that appropriate action is taken against members of their staff who are found to have refused to accept cheques / drafts containing fractions of a rupee.

33    Rounding off cheques to the nearest rupee cheques to the nearest rupee   cheques to the nearest rupee cheques to the nearest rupee cheques to the  nearest rupee cheques to the nearest rupee cheques to the nearest rupee

34   Legal Guardianship Certificate issued under the National Trust Act, 1999   empowering the disabled persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental   retardation and multiple disabilities

The National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities (the Trust) had stated that a question has been raised as to whether the banks and the banking sector can accept the guardianship certificates in regard to persons with disabilities issued by the Local Level Committees set up under the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999.

The Trust has mentioned that the above Act was specifically passed by the Parliament in order to provide for appointment of legal guardians for persons with disability that is covered under the said Act. The above Act provides for appointment of legal guardians for persons with disability by the Local Level Committees set up under the Act. The Trust has opined that a legal guardian so appointed can open and operate the bank account as long as he remains the legal guardian. It may also be noted that the provisions of Mental Health Act, 1987 also allows appointment of Guardian by District Courts.

Banks are therefore advised to rely upon the Guardianship Certificate issued either by the District Court under Mental Health Act or by the Local Level Committees under the above Act for the purposes of opening / operating bank accounts. A list of Local Level Committees received from the above Trust is shown as Annex IV.

Banks may also ensure that their branches give proper guidance so that the parents / relatives of the disabled persons do not face any difficulty in this regard.

 Appendix I

Master Circular on Customer Service

A. List of circulars consolidated in the Master Circular