Tag: small finance banks

RBI extends PMC Bank Limited restrictions till 31st December, 2021

In response to the Expression of Interest (EOI) dated November 3, 2020 floated by PMC Bank for its reconstruction, certain proposals were received. After careful consideration, by RBI the proposal from Centrum Financial Services Ltd. (CFSL) along with Resilient Innovation Pvt. Ltd. it has been found to be prima facie feasible. Accordingly, in specific pursuance to their offer dated February 1, 2021 in response to the EOI, RBI has, on June 18, 2021, granted “in-principle” approval, valid for 120 days, to CFSL to set up a small finance bank (SFB) under the general Guidelines for ‘on tap’ Licensing of Small Finance Banks in the Private Sector dated December 5, 2019.

Taking into account the time required for completion of various activities involved in the process, Reserve Bank of India extended the aforesaid Directions. Accordingly, RBI notified for the information of the public that the validity of the aforesaid Directive dated September 23, 2019, as modified from time to time, has been extended for a further period from July 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021, subject to review. All other terms and conditions of the Directives under reference shall remain unchanged.

 It is to be noted that, Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative (PMC) Bank Limited,  Mumbai, Maharashtra, a Multi-State Urban Cooperative Bank was placed under All-Inclusive Directions under Sub-section (1) of Section 35-A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 with effect from close of business on September 23, 2019 vide Directive DCBS.CO.BSD-I/D-1/12.22.183/2019-20 dated September 23, 2019, in the interest of depositor protection. The directions were last extended vide Directive dated March 26, 2021 up to June 30, 2021.

RBI unveils liquidity support measures to battle Covid second wave

The Reserve Bank of India, today introduced on tap liquidity of Rs 50,000 crore at repo rate under which banks can support healthcare stakeholders like vaccine makers, hospitals as well as patients till March 31, 2022. RBI Governor, Shaktikant Das said that banks are being incentivised to sanction these loans under Priority Sector Classifications, and are expected to create a Covid loan book under the scheme.

By way of an additional incentive, such banks will be eligible to park their surplus liquidity up to the size of Covid loan book with the RBI under reverse repo window at a rate which is 25 basis points lower than than the repo rate or 40bps higher than the reverse repo rate. 

Besides, a targeted long term repo operation up to Rs 10,000 crore will be started for small finance banks. The upper limit is Rs 10 lakh per borrower. Small Finance Bank can now lend to smaller micro finance institutions (MFIs) of asset size up to Rs 500 crore. Small Finance Banks on- lending to MFIs will be categorised as priority sector. The facility will be available till 31st march next year. 

Individuals and MSMEs borrowers can avail one time restructuring till September 30. This covers those having exposure up to Rs 25 crore and those that were standard as of March 31 this year.  The moratorium period under restructuring 1.0 can now be extended up to two years. In addition, banks can use counter- cyclical provisions for the purpose of bad loan provisioning. He also announced rationalisation of KYC compliance. Limited KYC can now be utilised till December 1. 

The RBI will allow states to remain in overdraft for a maximum of 50 days, from 36 days earlier. The number of consecutive overdraft days will go up to three weeks from two weeks earlier. This facility pertains to funds under the Ways and Means Advance.  He said, “India has mounted a valiant defence against Covid. The RBI will continue to monitor the emerging situation and deploy all instruments at its command.”