It is hereby notified for information of the public that in exercise of powers vested in it under sub section (1) of Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) vide Directive Ref. No. CO.DOS.SED.No.S1932/12-23-065/2024-2025 dated June 12, 2024, has issued certain Directions to The Karwar Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd., Karwar, (the bank) whereby, as from the close of business on June 12, 2024, the bank shall not, without prior approval of RBI in writing, grant or renew any loans and advances, make any investment, incur any liability including borrowal of funds and acceptance of fresh deposits, disburse or agree to disburse any payment whether in discharge of its liabilities and obligations or otherwise, enter into any compromise or arrangement and sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets except as notified in the said RBI Direction dated June 12, 2024. Considering the bank's present liquidity position, the bank has been directed not to allow withdrawal of any amount from savings bank, current accounts or any other account of a depositor, but set off of loans against deposits is allowed, subject to the conditions stated in the above RBI Directions. The bank may incur expenditure in respect of certain essential items such as salaries of employees, rent, electricity bills, etc. as specified in the said Directions.

2. These directions are necessitated due to material supervisory concerns observed by Reserve Bank, such as, significant understatement of its public deposits and overstatement of its assets (Loans as well as Investments). Further, the bank has been incorrectly reporting its liquidity position and not maintaining enough liquidity to repay its depositors. The books of the bank have also not been audited by its statutory auditors since 2022-23.

3. The eligible depositors of the bank would be entitled to receive deposit insurance claim amount for their deposits up to a monetary ceiling of ₹5,00,000/- (Rupees five lakh only) in the same capacity and in the same right, within 90 days, from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), subject to the provisions of the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation Act, 1961 based on submission of willingness by the concerned depositors and after due verification. Details may also be accessed on the DICGC website: www.dicgc.org.in. As per the information currently available with the Reserve Bank, more than 99per cent of the depositors of the bank will be covered by DICGC for their entire account balance.

4. The issue of the above Directions by the RBI should not per se be construed as cancellation of banking license by RBI. Subject to the restrictions specified in the said Directions, the bank will continue to undertake its banking business, including recovery of loans. The Reserve Bank is monitoring the position of the bank and will continue to take necessary steps, including modifications of these Directions depending upon circumstances, in the interest of depositors.

5. These Directions shall remain in force for a period of six months from the close of business on June 12, 2024 and are subject to review.

(Puneet Pancholy)     
Chief General Manager

Press Release: 2024-2025/487