Appendix: Chronology of Major Policy Developmentstransactions in collateralised borrowing and...

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Announcement MeasuresDate

A) Scheduled Commercial Banks

2007

April 3 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that it was decided to allow the nominated banks themselves todecide the tenor of Gold (Metal) Loans, which they were permitted to extend to domestic jewellerymanufactures, who were not exporters of jewellery, provided the tenor did not exceed 180 days and thebanks’ policy with regard to the tenor and monitoring the end-use of gold loans was documented in thebank’s loan policy and strictly adhered to.

4 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that it was decided to increase the CRR by 50 basis points oftheir NDTL in two stages to 6.25 per cent and 6.50 per cent, respectively, effective from the fortnightsbeginning April 14, 2007 and April 28, 2007. However, the effective CRR maintained by SCBs on totaldemand and time liabilities should not be less than 3.0 per cent, as stipulated under the RBI Act, 1934.With effect from the fortnight beginning April 14, 2007, the SCBs would be paid interest at the rate of0.50 per cent per annum on eligible cash balances maintained with the Reserve Bank under CRRrequirement.

• All SCBs (including RRBs and LABs) were advised that the GoI had enacted the Micro, Small andMedium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006 on June 16, 2006. The definition of micro, smalland medium enterprises engaged in manufacturing or production and providing or rendering of serviceswas modified and was required to be implemented by the banks along with other policy measures withimmediate effect. Bank’s lending to medium enterprises would not be reckoned for the purpose of thepriority sector.

5 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised to generally insist that the person opening a deposit accountmade a nomination. They were also advised to explain the advantages of the nomination facility if theperson declined to do so. If the person opening the account still did not want to nominate and declinedto give a letter to the effect, the bank should record the fact on the account opening form and proceedwith opening of the account, if otherwise found eligible. Under no circumstances could a bank refuse toopen an account solely on the ground that the person opening the account refused to nominate. Similarguidelines were issued to RRBs on April 13, 2007.

• AD category-1 banks were allowed refund of export proceeds for goods re-imported into India on accountof poor quality, subject to certain conditions.

10 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised to complete the disbursements of sanction cases of the PMRYunder the programme year 2006-07 by June 30, 2007.

11 • All RRBs were advised to ensure that cheques/drafts issued by clients containing fractions of a rupeewere not rejected or dishonoured by them.

12 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised to ensure that the date of completion of the infrastructureprojects financed by them was clearly spelt out at the time of financial closure of the project and to treatsuch accounts as sub-standard if the date of commencement of commercial production extendedbeyond a period of one year after the date of completion of the project as originally envisaged. The revisedinstructions came into force with effect from March 31, 2007.

• The validity of the interest rate ceiling stipulated at BPLR minus 2.5 per cent on pre-shipment rupeeexport credit up to 180 days and post-shipment rupee export credit up to 90 days was extended toOctober 31, 2007.

13 • Guidelines on KYC Norms/AML Standards/CFT – Wire Transfers were issued to SCBs (excluding RRBs).Similar guidelines were issued to RRBs on May 21, 2007.

17 • Fresh guidelines on various aspects relating to safe deposit lockers/safe custody articles were issued toall SCBs (excluding RRBs) for easy operation of lockers based on the recommendations of the Committeeon Procedures and Performance Audit on Public Services (CPPAPS).

18 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that for the purpose of segment reporting under AS-17, the‘other banking business’ segment should be divided into three categories – corporate/wholesalebanking, retail banking and other banking operations. Accordingly, banks were required to adopt thefollowing business segments for public reporting purposes, from March 31, 2008: (a) treasury; (b)corporate/wholesale banking; (c) retail banking; and (d) other banking business. The geographicalsegments would remain unchanged as ‘domestic’ and ‘international’.

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Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India, 2007-08

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April 20 • Comprehensive guidelines on derivatives were issued to all SCBs. The major requirements forundertaking any derivative transaction from the regulatory perspective were laid down. Guidelines alsocovered extant instructions relating to rupee interest rate derivatives, while those for foreign exchangederivatives would be issued separately.

• Final guidelines on compliance function in banks were issued to all SCBs (excluding RRBs) forimplementation within six months. Banks were advised that as compliance function was one of the keyelements in banks’ corporate governance structure, it had to be adequately enabled and madesufficiently independent.

• All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised to refer to the format of the balance sheet and profit and lossaccount prescribed in the Third Schedule to the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 which indicated theaccounting of loss on revaluation of investments. With a view to bringing about uniformity in theaccounting of this aspect, they were advised to adopt the correct accounting methodology while finalisingtheir financial statements, including the statements for the year ended March 31, 2007.

• All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that they were exempted from maintaining average CRR witheffect from April 1, 2007 on: (i) liabilities to the banking system in India as computed under clause (d) ofthe explanation to Section 42 (1) of the RBI Act, 1934; (ii) credit balances in ACU (US$) accounts; (iii)transactions in collateralised borrowing and lending obligation (CBLO) with CCIL; and (iv) demand andtime liabilities in respect of their Offshore Banking Units (OBUs).

24 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that the interest rate ceilings on FCNR (B) deposits and NR(E)RAdeposits were reduced by 50 basis points.

25 • All banks were advised to ensure that none of their bank branches/staff refused to accept lowerdenomination notes/coins. They were advised that stern action would be taken in the event of refusal/non-compliance by any staff member. Similar guidelines were issued to RRBs on May 10, 2007.

27 • Prudential Guidelines on Capital Adequacy and Market Discipline – Implementation of the New CapitalAdequacy Framework were finalised for implementation.

• All SCBs were advised to monitor credit flow to minorities in 103 minority concentration districts(districts with at least 25 per cent minority population).

30 • All SCBs (including RRBs) were advised to immediately dispense with the requirement of ‘no dues’certificate from small and marginal farmers, share-croppers and the like for small loans up to Rs.50,000and, instead, obtain self-declaration from the borrower. Furthermore, banks could accept certificatesprovided by local administration/Panchayati Raj Institutions regarding the cultivation of crops in case ofloans to landless labourers, share-croppers and oral lessees.

• All agency banks were advised to provide an enabling environment and facilities to the customers formaking government transactions electronically by providing ECS/EFT facilities.

• Revised guidelines on lending to priority sector were issued to SCBs (excluding RRBs).

• Select banks were advised that the GoI had clarified that in cases where the depositor had expired beforethe maturity of the deposits and the nominee/legal heir approached the bank for closure of the depositaccount, the nominee/legal heir was entitled to the benefit of saving bank rate of interest for the periodfrom the date of death of the depositor to the date of closure of the account under the Senior CitizensSavings Scheme (SCSS), 2004.

May 3 • All commercial banks (excluding RRBs) were advised that the risk weight in respect of housing loans upto Rs.20 lakh to individuals against the mortgage of residential housing properties was reduced from 75per cent to 50 per cent. Similarly, the risk weight for banks’ investment in mortgage backed securities,which were backed by housing loans and were issued by the housing finance companies regulated bythe National Housing Bank, was reduced from 75 per cent to 50 per cent. The reduced risk weightswould be reviewed after one year keeping in view the default experience and other relevant factors.

• All RRBs were permitted to take up corporate agency business, without risk participation, fordistribution of all types of insurance products, including health and animal insurance, subject tospecified guidelines.

7 • All commercial banks (excluding RRBs) were advised to lay out appropriate internal principles andprocedures so that usurious interest, including processing and other charges, were not levied by themon loans and advances. Similar guidelines were issued to RRBs on May 15, 2007.


2007

Appendix: Chronology of Major Policy Developments (Continued)

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May 7 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised to scale up their financial inclusion efforts by utilisingappropriate technology. Banks were also advised to ensure that the solutions developed were highlysecure, amenable to audit and followed widely accepted open standards to allow inter-operability amongthe different systems adopted by different banks. Similar guidelines were issued to RRBs on May 21,2007.

8 • All RRBs and their sponsor banks were advised that the exemption from mark to market norms inrespect of their investments in SLR securities was extended by one more year, i.e., for the financial year2007-08. Accordingly, RRBs could classify their entire investment portfolio of SLR securities under HTMfor the financial year 2007-08, with valuation on book value basis and amortisation of premium, if any,over the remaining life of securities.

10 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs and LABs) were permitted to extend funded/non-funded credit facilities towholly-owned step-down subsidiaries of subsidiaries of Indian companies (where the holding by theIndian company was more than 51 per cent) abroad within the existing prudential limits and someadditional safeguards.

14 • All RRBs were advised to ensure that no money transaction of the company/ies, declared as “defaultedcompanies” by the Hon’ble Patna High Court were allowed in their banks. Accordingly, all branchesshould be immediately advised in this regard and compliance of the order reported.

16 • All SCBs were advised that regarding purchase/sale of NPAs, at least 10 per cent of the estimated cashflows should be realised in the first year and at least 5 per cent in each half year thereafter, subject to fullrecovery within three years.

17 • ‘The Bharat Overseas Bank Ltd’ was excluded from the Second Schedule to the RBI Act 1934 with effectfrom April 1, 2007.

21 • Clarifications on Agency Commission - Public Provident Fund Scheme, 1968 (PPF) and SCSS, 2004issued.

24 • The Banking Ombudsman Scheme, 2006 was amended and the Reserve Bank directed all commercialbanks and RRBs to comply with the amended Banking Ombudsman Scheme, 2006.

• All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were permitted to: (i) deliver cash/draft at the doorstep of the individualcustomers also (in addition to corporate customers/Government Departments/PSUs, etc.) either againstcheques received at the counter or requests received through any secure convenient channel such asphone banking/internet banking; and (ii) deliver cash/draft at the doorstep of corporate customers/Government Departments/PSUs, etc., against cheques received at the counter or requests receivedthrough any secure convenient channel such as phone banking/internet banking, subject to the banksadopting technology and security standards and including those specifically relating to authenticatingusers and taking adequate safeguards/precautions in undertaking the above transactions.

25 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that concessions/credit relaxations to borrowers/customers inJammu and Kashmir would continue to be operative for a further period of one year, i.e., up to March 31,2008.

• AD category-1 banks were allowed to permit BPO companies to make remittances towards the cost ofequipment to be imported and installed at their overseas sites.

29 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that the Government of India had allocated a target of 375,690to States/Union Territories (UTs) under the Prime Minister’s Rozgar Yojana (PMRY) for the year 2007-08.

31 • Select banks were advised that tax was required to be deducted at source on the interest exceedingRs.10,000 payable during the financial year on 8 per cent Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2003 with effect fromJune 1, 2007.

• Guidelines were issued for commodity hedging for domestic transactions (select metals) and commodityhedging for domestic purchases - aviation turbine fuel (ATF) to AD category-1 banks.

June 6 • All nationalised banks and associate banks of SBI were advised that the remuneration payable to thestatutory central and branch auditors of public sector banks from the year 2006-07 were revised.

8 • Select banks were informed that the GoI had allowed regularisation of multiple accounts opened bydepositors (under the SCSS–2004), subject to conditions.


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June 13 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that the limit of loans under the DRI scheme was raised fromRs.6,500 to Rs.15,000 and that of housing loan under the scheme, from Rs.5,000 to Rs.20,000 perbeneficiary.

15 • With a view to encouraging RRBs to open branches in hitherto uncovered districts, the concernedEmpowered Committees for RRBs were given discretion in respect of certain conditions stipulated foropening of branches by RRBs.

19 • With a view to providing more business avenues and opportunities to RRBs for lending, they werepermitted to participate in consortium lending, within the extant exposure limits, with their sponsorbanks as also with other public sector banks and developmental financial institutions, subject to thecondition that the project to be financed was in the area of operation of the RRB concerned and guidanceand appraisal of the project was provided by its sponsor bank.

21 • Draft guidelines on prudential guidelines on restructuring/ rescheduling of dues by banks issued to allSCBs (excluding RRBs and LABs)

22 • All RRBs were allowed to set up service branches/central processing centres/back offices exclusively toattend to back office functions and other functions incidental to their banking business.

26 • Guidelines on stress testing were issued to all commercial banks (excluding RRBs and LABs).

28 • All RRBs were permitted to accept FCNR (B) deposits as announced in the Union Budget 2007-08. Theeligibility criteria prescribed for authorisation to open/maintain Non-Resident (Ordinary/External)accounts in rupees were also reviewed.

• All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were permitted to undertake Pension Fund Management (PFM) through theirsubsidiaries set up for the purpose, subject to their satisfying the eligibility criteria prescribed by thePFRDA for pension fund managers. Banks desiring to undertake PFM were advised to obtain priorapproval of the Reserve Bank.

July 3 • In view the complaints from credit card subscribers and the observations of the High Court, Delhi, theTRAI framed the Telecom Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC) Regulations 2007 for curbingUCC. Accordingly, commercial banks (excluding RRBs) were advised to implement certain instructions.

11 • All SCBs were advised that the Government had decided to create a buffer stock of 20 lakh tonnes ofsugar for a period of one year with effect from May 1, 2007. Under the arrangement, the Governmentwould release a subsidy of Rs.378 crore out of the Sugar Development Fund and the banks would haveto sanction additional credit limits amounting to Rs.420 crore to release the margin consequent uponcreation of the buffer stock from the existing stocks of sugar.

13 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that the Government had decided to provide interest subventionof 2 per cent per annum to all SCBs in respect of rupee export credit to the specified categories ofexporters – textiles (including handlooms), RMG, leather products, handicrafts, engineering products,processed agricultural products, marine products, sports goods and toys and all exporters from the SMEsector.

16 • All SCBs were advised that the Government had added 18 districts to the list of minority concentrateddistricts, taking the total number to 121. Banks were to specially monitor the credit flow to minorities inthese 121 districts thereby ensuring that the minority communities received an equitable portion of thecredit within the overall target of the priority sector.

25 • All nationalised banks and associate banks of SBI were advised about fee in respect of tax audit forpublic sector banks from the year 2006-07.

31 • All commercial banks (excluding RRBs and LABs) were informed that the SEBI had permitted FIMMDAto set up its reporting platform for corporate bonds. It was also mandated to aggregate the tradesreported on its platform as well as those reported on the BSE and the NSE with appropriate valueaddition. Banks were required to report their secondary market transactions in corporate bonds in OTCmarket on FIMMDA’s reporting platform with effect from September 1, 2007.


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July 31 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that the ceiling of Rs.3,000 crore on daily reverse repo under theLAF would be withdrawn with effect from August 6, 2007. The SLAF, introduced on November 28, 2005and conducted between 3.00-3.45 p.m. on a daily basis would be withdrawn with effect from August 6,2007. The Reserve Bank would continue to conduct LAF operations between 9.30-10.30 a.m. as a singleLAF window.

• All SCBs were advised that the CRR would be increased by 50 basis points to 7.0 per cent with effectfrom the fortnight beginning August 4, 2007.

August 3 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs and LABs) were advised that (i) in cases where negotiation of bills drawn underLetter of Credit (LC) was restricted to a particular bank, and the beneficiary of the LC was not aconstituent of that bank, the bank concerned could negotiate such an LC, subject to the condition thatthe proceeds would be remitted to the regular banker of the beneficiary. However, the prohibitionregarding negotiation of unrestricted LCs of non-constituents would continue to be in force; and (ii) thebanks could negotiate bills drawn under LCs, on ‘with recourse’ or ‘without recourse’ basis, as per theirdiscretion and based on their perception about the credit worthiness of the LC issuing bank. However,the restriction on purchase/discount of other bills (the bills drawn otherwise than under LC) on ‘withoutrecourse’ basis would continue to be in force.

9 • In view of the fact that the priority sector guidelines were revised with effect from April 30, 2007, all SCBs(excluding RRBs) were advised to furnish the data in the existing formats of special returns I, II and III ason the last reporting Friday of June 2007. However, loans granted from April 30, 2007 to June 22, 2007could be classified on the basis of revised guidelines on priority sector advances.

13 • All RRBs were advised that they could extend, with the approval of their Boards, direct finance up toRs.20 lakh to the housing sector, irrespective of the area. Further, the limit of 5 per cent of incrementaldeposits over previous year, prescribed earlier also stood withdrawn.

22 • All SCBs were advised to discontinue furnishing of statement on housing finance disbursement thatwere required to be submitted on a quarterly basis indicating details of disbursement made by themtowards housing finance.

• All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised to invariably furnish a copy of the loan agreement to allborrowers at the time of sanction/disbursement of loans.

• Revised guidelines on lending to priority sector were issued to all RRBs.

• AD category-1 banks were allowed to grant rupee loans to NRI employees of Indian companies foracquiring shares of the companies under the ESOP scheme.

23 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs and LABs) were informed that the CCIL had developed a reporting platform forOTC interest rate derivatives, which would capture the transactions in OTC IRS/FRA. The platformwould be operationalised by August 30, 2007. All banks were required to report all their IRS/FRA tradeson the reporting platform within 30 minutes from the deal time. Client trades were not to be reported.Banks should ensure that details of all the outstanding IRS/FRA contracts (excluding the client trades)were migrated to the reporting platform by September 15, 2007. Detailed operational guidelines in thisregard would be made available by the CCIL.

September 3 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised to take necessary steps for strengthening the branch levelcommittees with greater involvement of customers. It was desirable that branch level committeesincluded customers too. Further as senior citizens formed an important constituency in banks, a seniorcitizen should preferably be included therein.

• All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that the reporting formats for data on priority sector lendingwere revised in view of the revision of guidelines on lending to priority sector.

4 • All RRBs were allowed to set up extension counters at places of worship and market places. Thecondition of being principal bankers would not apply in such cases. However, RRBs would be required toobtain necessary licence from the concerned regional office of the Reserve Bank.

7 • All SCBs were advised that the name of “The Sangli Bank Ltd.” was excluded from the Second Scheduleto the RBI Act, 1934.


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September 10 • All public sector banks were advised that in consultation with the Government, it was decided towithdraw five more circulars, viz., delegation of powers to CMD/ED of nationalised banks, delegation ofpowers to CMD/ED for compromise/write-off, vigilance arrangements in banks, reporting of cases ofbank robberies/dacoities/burglaries and meeting of Standing Committee on Customer ServicesSettlement procedures in respect of payment of fraudulent instruments.

12 • Lead banks in Jammu and Kashmir State were informed that the assignment of lead bank responsibilityto State Bank of India and the Jammu and Kashmir Bank Ltd, in respect of eight newly created districts,was regularised.

13 • All RRBs were advised that they could convert their satellite offices into full-fledged branches afterobtaining concurrence from the Empowered Committee on RRBs. They should also obtain the necessarylicence from the regional office concerned of the Reserve Bank.

17 • All commercial banks were advised to ensure that all the branches of their bank meticulously adhered tothe instructions issued by the Reserve Bank on November 17, 2006 for extension of home loans.

21 • All RRBs were advised that since the restrictive provisions of service area approach had been dispensedwith, some of the provisions relating to shifting of branches in rural and semi-urban areas and merger ofloss making branches, etc., were modified.

26 • AD category-1 banks were informed that the limit under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme for ResidentIndividuals had been enhanced from US$ 1,00,000 to US$ 2,00,000.

October 4 • All commercial banks (excluding RRBs) were advised that while selling NPAs, they should work out theNPV of the estimated cash flows associated with the realisable value of the available securities net of thecost of realisation. The sale price should generally not be lower than the NPV arrived at in the mannerdescribed above.

6 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that the Rupee Export Credit Interest Rates Scheme wasextended up to March 31, 2008 and was made applicable to solvent extracted de-oiled cake and plasticsand linoleum sectors also.

• AD category-1 banks were informed that, in consultation with the Government of India, it had beendecided to permit all exporters to earn interest on EEFC accounts to the extent of outstanding balancesof US$ 1 million per exporter. This would be a purely temporary measure and valid up to October 31,2008 and would be subject to further review.

9 • All RRBs were advised that the application for accepting NRO/NRE/FCNR deposits by those RRBs whichhad negative net worth but earned net profits for the last three years, could be examined by theEmpowered Committee on a case to case basis from the supervisory comfort angle and could berecommended to the Reserve Bank.

• All RRBs were advised that the Empowered Committee could, taking into account the local conditionsand the financials of a bank, permit a RRB to open a controlling office, even if it did not have 75 branches.

18 • All RRBs were advised that they could apply for currency chest facility to the Reserve Bank subject tocompliance with eligibility norms.

23 • All SCBs were advised that the name of ‘Lord Krishna Bank Ltd’ was excluded from the Second Scheduleto the RBI Act, 1934.

24 • All commercial banks (excluding RRBs) were advised that the guidelines on ALM System were amended:(a) banks should adopt a more granular approach to measurement of liquidity risk by splitting the firsttime bucket (1-14 days) in the statement of structural liquidity into three time buckets, viz., next day, 2-7 days and 8-14 days, (b) the statement of structural liquidity should be compiled on best available datacoverage, in due consideration of non-availability of a fully networked environment. Banks should,however, make concerted and requisite efforts to ensure coverage of 100 per cent data in a timelymanner, (c) the net cumulative negative mismatches during the next day, 2-7 days, 8-14 days and 15-28days buckets should not exceed 5 per cent, 10 per cent, 15 per cent and 20 per cent of the cumulativecash outflows in the respective time buckets in order to recognise the cumulative impact on liquidity;and (d) banks should undertake dynamic liquidity management and should prepare the statement ofstructural liquidity on a daily basis. The statement of structural liquidity could, however, be reported tothe Reserve Bank, once a month, as on the third Wednesday of every month.


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October 25 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised to discontinue the deposit schemes launched by them whichhad lock-in periods not in conformity with Reserve Bank’s instructions. Similar instructions were issuedto RRBs on November 29, 2007.

29 • All commercial banks (excluding foreign banks, RRBs and LABs) were allowed a wider choice ofinstruments for raising Tier 1 and Upper Tier 2 capital by issuing preference shares such as PNCPS,PCPS, RNCPS and RCPS, subject to guidelines.

30 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that following a review of the liquidity situation, it was decidedto increase the CRR of SCBs by 50 basis points to 7.5 per cent of their NDTL with effect from the fortnightbeginning November 10, 2007. Similar circular was also issued for RRBs on October 31, 2007.

• All SCBs were advised that the name of ‘UTI Bank Ltd’ was changed to ‘Axis Bank Ltd’ in the SecondSchedule to the RBI Act, 1934 with effect from July 30, 2007.

November 1 • All nationalised banks were advised that the Reserve Bank had laid down specific ‘fit and proper’ criteriato be fulfilled by the persons elected as directors on the boards of the nationalised banks under theprovisions of Section 9(3)(i) of Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of undertakings) Act 1970/80.

6 • All commercial banks (excluding RRBs) were advised that at the time of financing projects banksgenerally adopted one of the following methodologies as far as determining the level of promoters’ equitywas concerned: (i) promoters brought their entire contribution upfront before the bank starteddisbursing its commitment; (ii) promoters brought certain percentage of their equity (40 per cent-50 percent) upfront and balance was brought in stages; and (iii) promoters agreed, ab initio, to bring in equityfunds proportionately as the banks financed the debt portion. The Reserve Bank observed that the lastmethod had greater equity funding risk. To contain this risk, banks were advised to have a clear policyregarding the DER and to ensure that the infusion of equity/fund by promoters should be such that thestipulated level of DER was maintained at all times. Further they were advised to adopt fundingsequences so that possibility of equity funding by banks was obviated.

• AD category-1 banks were issued guidelines to permit domestic oil marketing and refining companies tohedge their commodity price risk to the extent of 50 per cent of their inventory based on the volumes inthe quarter preceding the previous quarter.

7 • AD category-1 banks were informed that the limit for direct receipt of import bills/documents hadbeen enhanced from US$ 1,00,000 to US$ 3,00,000 in the case of import of rough diamonds.

8 • SBI and its associates, all nationalised banks and certain private sector banks were advised that the rateof interest on delayed remittances and double/excess reimbursement would remain unchanged at 8 percent (i.e., bank rate + 2 per cent) till further instructions.

14 • Associate banks of SBI were advised that the Reserve Bank had laid down specific ‘fit and proper’ criteriato be fulfilled by the persons elected as directors on the boards of associate banks of SBI under theprovisions of Section 25(1)(d) of State Bank of India (Subsidiary Banks) Act, 1959 (as amended in 2007).

15 • Procedural guidelines for access criteria for clearing houses at MICR centres were issued. The guidelineswere to come into force from January 1, 2008.

22 • All RRBs were advised to rely upon the Guardianship Certificate issued either by the District Courtunder Mental Health Act or by the Local Level Committees under the above Act for the purpose ofopening/operating bank accounts for disabled persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardationand multiple disabilities. RRBs should also ensure that their branches gave proper guidance so that theparents/relatives of the disabled persons did not face any difficulty in this regard.

29 • All RRBs were advised that before launching new domestic deposit mobilisation scheme with theapproval of their respective Boards, they should ensure that the provisions of Reserve Bank’s directiveson interest rates on deposits, premature withdrawal of term deposits, sanction of loans/advancesagainst term deposits, etc., issued from time to time, were strictly adhered to. Any violation in this regardwould be viewed seriously and would attract penalty under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.


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November 30 • All commercial banks (excluding RRBs and LABs) were advised that the definition of ‘infrastructurelending’ had been expanded to include the credit facilities sanctioned by banks and select AIFIs forprojects involving laying down and/or maintenance of gas/crude oil/petroleum pipelines, in view of theimportance of pipelines in the industrial development of the country.

• All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised to invariably ensure that once a case was filed before a Court/DRT/BIFR, any settlement arrived at with the borrower was subject to obtaining a consent decree fromthe Court/DRT/BIFR concerned.

• All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that the additional subvention of 2 per cent (in addition to the 2per cent already offered earlier) in pre-shipment and post-shipment rupee export credit was extended toleather and leather manufactures, marine products, all categories of textiles under the existing schemeincluding RMG and carpets but excluding man-made fibre and handicrafts sectors. Banks shouldcharge interest rates not exceeding BPLR minus 6.5 per cent on pre-shipment credit up to 180 days andpost-shipment credit up to 90 days on the outstanding amount in respect of the above mentionedsectors. The dispensation was to be valid from November 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008.

December 6 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs and local area banks) were allowed to invest in unrated bonds of companiesengaged in infrastructure activities within the ceiling of 10 per cent for unlisted non-SLR securities toencourage the flow of credit to infrastructure sector.

12 • All SCBs were advised that all loans granted by commercial banks/sponsor banks to RRBs for on-lending to agriculture and allied activities sector could be classified as indirect finance to agriculture inthe books of commercial banks/sponsor banks. Consequently, the amount lent by RRBs out of fundsborrowed from commercial banks/sponsor banks, could not be classified by the RRBs as part of theirpriority sector advances. The RRBs should not include such lending as part of their bank credit for thepurpose of computing achievement level under priority sector lending.

14 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were issued instructions regarding loans extended by them to mutual fundsand IPCs issued to various stock exchanges at the request of mutual funds for their secondary marketpurchases.

• The lead bank responsibility in Chikkaballapura and Ramanagara districts of Karnataka was assignedto Canara Bank and Corporation Bank, respectively.

20 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised to take note of issues relating to corporate social responsibility,sustainable development and non-financial reporting and consider putting in place a suitable andappropriate plan of action towards helping the cause of sustainable development with the approval oftheir boards.

28 • All RRBs were advised to disclose the level of their CRAR as on March 31, 2008 in their balance sheetsand thereafter every year as ‘notes on accounts’ to their balance sheets.

2008

January 8 • In terms of Section 17 (2) read with Section 51 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, where a bankingcompany appropriates any sum or sums from the reserve fund, it shall, within twenty one days from thedates of such appropriation report the fact to the Reserve Bank explaining the circumstances relating tosuch appropriation. In order to ensure that such recourse to drawing down the reserve fund was doneprudently and was not in violation of any of the regulatory prescriptions, all RRBs were advised to takeprior approval from the Reserve Bank before any appropriation was made from the statutory reserve orany other reserve. Guidelines were also issued relating to disclosures in balance sheet regarding thedrawdown of such reserves.

15 • The lead bank responsibility of Ariyalur district of Tamil Nadu was assigned to SBI.

17 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that education loans would be classified as non-consumercredit for the purpose of capital adequacy norms. Accordingly, the risk weight applicable to educationloans would be 100 per cent and 75 per cent under Basel I and Basel II frameworks, respectively.


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February 18 • In terms of KYC guidelines, banks were earlier advised that customer identification meant identifying thecustomer and verifying his/her identity by using reliable, independent source documents, data orinformation to their satisfaction. An indicative list of the nature and type of documents/information thatcould be relied upon for customer identification was also given. It was observed that some banks treatedthis indicative list as exhaustive list and as a result a section of public was denied access to bankingservices. All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised to take a review of their extant internal instructions inthis regard. They were also advised to carry out the review of risk categorisation of customers at aperiodicity of not less than once in six months. The periodicity of updation of customer identificationdata including photograph should not be less than once in five years in case of low risk categorycustomers and not less than once in two years in case of high and medium risk categories. Banks werealso advised to develop suitable mechanism through appropriate policy framework for enhancedmonitoring of accounts suspected of having terrorist links. Similar guidelines were issued to RRBs onFebruary 27, 2008.

19 • In view of loss of income suffered due to culling of birds as well as steep fall in the demand for poultryproducts and their prices, guidelines on relief measures to poultry industry were issued to all SCBs.

March 3 • A revision was effected in the guidelines on managing risks and code of conduct in outsourcing offinancial services by banks and all SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that if a complainant did not geta satisfactory response from the bank within 30 days from the date of his lodging the complaint, hewould have the option to approach the office of the concerned Banking Ombudsman for redressal of hisgrievance/s.

4 • Prudential norms for issuance of LoCs by banks regarding their subsidiaries were issued to allcommercial banks (excluding RRBs).

10 • With a view to ensuring that the customer was able to access any ATM installed in the country free ofcharge through equitable co-operative initiative by banks, all SCBs were directed to allow theircustomers to use bank’s own ATM for any purpose for free; to use any other bank’s ATMs for balanceenquiries for free. Furthermore, for use of other bank’s ATMs for cash withdrawals, no bank shouldincrease the charges prevailing as on December 23, 2007 and those charging more than Rs.20 pertransaction should reduce the charge to a maximum of Rs.20 per transaction by March 31, 2008 andshould be made free with effect from April 1, 2009.

• All commercial banks were advised that with effect from April 1, 2008, all payment transactions of Rs.1crore and above between the Reserve Bank regulated entities such as banks/PDs and NBFCs wererequired to be routed through electronic payment mechanism. Furthermore, all payments of Rs.1 croreand above in the Reserve Bank regulated markets such as money market, Government securitiesmarket and foreign exchange market would also be routed through electronic payment mechanism witheffect from April 1, 2008.

26 • Guidelines on Pillar 2 or the SRP under the New Capital Adequacy Framework were issued to allcommercial banks (excluding RRBs and LABs).

27 • The lead bank responsibility in Tapi district of Gujarat was assigned to Bank of Baroda.

31 • All commercial banks (excluding RRBs and LABs) were advised that certain amendments were made tothe New Capital Adequacy Framework with immediate effect.

April 1 • The lead bank responsibility in Pratapgarh district of Rajasthan was assigned to Bank of Baroda.

9 • All commercial banks (excluding RRBs) were advised that the frequency of supervisory reporting of thestructural liquidity position shall be fortnightly, with effect from April 1, 2008, to be submitted on theseventh day from the reporting date i.e. the first and third Wednesday of every month to the ReserveBank.

10 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that the income criteria for availing loans under the DRI schemewere revised. Accordingly, borrowers with annual family income of Rs.18,000 in rural areas andRs.24,000 in urban areas would be eligible to avail the facility.


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April 10 • SBI and its associates, all nationalised banks and select private sector banks were advised thatelectronic payment of tax by certain categories of tax payers was mandatory with effect from April 1,2008.

15 • All SCBs were advised to meet the entire credit requirements of SHG members as envisaged in the UnionBudget for the year 2008-09.

• Guidelines on new self employment scheme for rehabilitation of manual scavengers were issued to allpublic sector banks (excluding RRBs).

16 • AD category-1 banks were informed that the limit for direct receipt of import bills/documents hadbeen enhanced from US$ 1,00,000 to US$ 3,00,000 in the case of import of rough precious and semi-precious stones by non-status holder exporters.

17 • The Reserve Bank advised that the matter concerning accounting procedure to be followed for transfer ofaccounts under the SCSS, from one agency bank to another agency bank/post office was examined bythe Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry conveyed its approval for adopting the same procedure for interagency bank/post office transfer of accounts under SCSS as was being followed for the PPF scheme,subject to the payment of transfer fee as applicable under the relevant rules of the captioned scheme.Accordingly, the Reserve Bank notified an illustrative list of procedures to be followed in this regard.

21 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that the CRR would be increased in two stages of 25 basis pointseach to 7.75 per cent with effect from the fortnight beginning April 26, 2008 and to 8.00 per cent witheffect from the fortnight beginning May 10, 2008. Similar guidelines were issued to RRBs on April 22,2008.

22 • All public sector banks were advised that with a view to reducing the burden on boards of banks onaccount of the calendar of reviews to be undertaken by them and to ensure that the calendar reflectedpresent day concerns, the calendar items were revised. The revised schedule would be brought into forcewith effect from June 1, 2008. If for any particular reason it was not possible to place the memorandumas per the calendar before the board in the month that it was due, a note should be put up to the boardgiving reasons for the delay and when the review was proposed to be placed before the board.

24 • In view of the rise in the number of disputes and litigations against banks for engaging recovery agentsin the recent past, it was felt that the adverse publicity would result in serious reputational risk for thebanking sector as a whole. Against this background, the Reserve Bank issued detailed guidelinesregarding the policy, practice and procedure involved in the engagement of recovery agents by all SCBs(excluding RRBs).

• It was decided to permit banks (including RRBs and LABs) to engage retired bank employees, ex-servicemen and retired government employees as BCs with immediate effect, in addition to the entitiesalready permitted, subject to appropriate due diligence. While appointing such individuals as BCs,banks were advised to ensure that these individuals were permanent residents of the area in which theyproposed to operate as BCs and also institute additional safeguards as were considered appropriate tominimise agency risk.

29 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that the CRR would be increased by 25 basis points to 8.25 percent with effect from the fortnight beginning May 24, 2008. Similar instructions were issued to RRBs onApril 30, 2008.

May 2 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised to ensure that a suitable mechanism existed for receiving andaddressing complaints from customers/constituents with specific emphasis on resolving suchcomplaints fairly and expeditiously.

• All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised to formulate a policy which would enable them to settle theclaims of a missing person. Similar guidelines were issued to RRBs on September 12, 2008.

6 • All SCBs were advised to classify 100 per cent of the credit outstanding under GCCs and overdrafts upto Rs.25,000 (per account) granted against ‘no-frills’ accounts in rural and semi-urban areas as indirectfinance to agriculture under priority sector.


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May 6 • All domestic SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that any shortfall in lending to weaker sections wouldalso be taken into account for the purpose of allocating amounts to them for contribution to RIDFmaintained or funds with other FIs with effect from April 2009.

• The lead bank responsibility in Ramgarh and Khunti districts of Jharkhand was assigned to Bank ofIndia.

8 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs and LABs) were advised that in view of the representations made in regard todelays in completion of infrastructure projects for legal and other extraneous reasons, the assetclassification norms for infrastructure projects under implementation were modified with effect fromMarch 31, 2008. The revised norms stipulated that in case of infrastructure projects, financed by thebank after May 28, 2002, the date of completion of the project should be clearly spelt out at the time offinancial closure of the project and if the date of commencement of commercial production extendedbeyond a period of two years (as against the earlier norm of one year) after the date of completion of theproject, as originally envisaged, the account should be treated as sub-standard.

14 • All commercial banks (excluding RRBs and LABs) were advised that there was change in risk weight for‘claims secured by residential property’. For loans with LTV ratio less than equal to 75 per cent, the riskweight was reduced to 50 per cent if the sanctioned loan amount was up to Rs.30 lakh and 75 per centif the amount exceeded Rs.30 lakh. The risk weight was retained at 100 per cent for loans with LTV ratiomore than 75 per cent.

22 • In terms of obligations of banks under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, all SCBs(excluding RRBs) were advised to prepare a profile for each customer based on risk categorisation. Theneed for periodical review of risk categorisation was also emphasised. It was reiterated that banks, as apart of transaction monitoring mechanism, were required to put in place an appropriate softwareapplication to throw alerts when the transactions were inconsistent with risk categorisation and theupdated profile of customers. Further, a reporting mechanism for attempted banking transactions andalso for transactions involving counterfeit currency report was also introduced. Similar guidelines wereissued to RRBs on June 18, 2008.

• All RRBs were advised that they could sell loan assets held by them under the priority sector categoriesin excess of their priority sector lending target of 60 per cent.

23 • The Finance Minister in his Budget Speech (2008-09) had announced the Debt Waiver and Debt ReliefScheme for farmers. A detailed scheme in this regard was notified for implementation by all SCBs,besides RRBs and co-operative credit institutions. All SCBs (including LABs) were advised that theimplementation of the Agricultural Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme should be completed by June30, 2008.

29 • AD category-1 banks were informed that the policy related to ECBs was reviewed and some aspects ofthe policy including the all-in-cost ceilings and those for borrowers from the infrastructure sector weremodified.

June 2 • AD category-1 banks were informed that entities in the service sector viz., hotels, hospitals and softwarecompanies could avail ECB up to US$ 100 million, per financial year, for the purpose of import of capitalgoods under the approval route.

4 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised to ensure that all the banking facilities including cheque bookfacility including third party cheques, ATMs, net banking, locker, retail loans, credit card, etc., wereinvariably offered to the visually challenged without any discrimination. Banks were also advised toinstruct their branches to render all possible assistance to the visually challenged for availing variousbanking facilities. Similar guidelines were issued to RRBs on July 23, 2008.

9 • All private sector banks were advised that they should adhere to the revised calendar of reviews that wasprescribed for public sector banks to the extent possible. The revised schedule would come into effectfrom July 1, 2008

11 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that the repo rate would be increased by 25 basis points to 8.0per cent with effect from June 12, 2008.


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June 20 • All commercial banks were advised that the threshold for mandatorily routing through the electronicpayment systems all payment transactions between the Reserve bank regulated entities in the ReserveBank regulated markets would be reduced to Rs.10 lakh with effect from August 1, 2008.

24 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that the repo rate would be increased by 50 basis points to 8.5per cent with effect from June 25, 2008.

26 • All SCBs were advised that the CRR would be increased by 50 basis points in two stages to 8.5 per centand 8.75 per cent with effect from the fortnights beginning July 5, 2008 and July 19, 2008, respectively.

July 14 • All public sector banks were advised that the Government would provide interest subvention of 2 percent per annum to public sector banks in respect of short-term production credit up to Rs.3 lakhprovided to farmers. This amount of subvention will be calculated on the amount of the crop loandisbursed from the date of disbursement/drawal up to the date of payment or up to the date beyondwhich the outstanding loan became overdue i.e., March 31, 2009 for Kharif and June 30, 2009 for Rabi,respectively, whichever was earlier.

23 • Instructions were issued to all SCBs (excluding RRBs) on the issue of unsolicited credit cards andprovision of insurance cover to credit card holders.

29 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that the repo rate would be increased by 50 basis points to 9.0per cent effective from July 30, 2008.

30 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that the CRR would be increased by 25 basis points to 9.0 percent with effect from the fortnight beginning August 30, 2008. Similar notification was issued to RRBs onJuly 31, 2008.

31 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that for fine-tuning the management of bank reserves on thelast day of the maintenance period, it was decided to introduce a SLAF on reporting Fridays, with effectfrom August 1, 2008. SLAF would be conducted between 4.00-4.30 p.m. and the auction results wouldbe announced by 5.00 p.m.

August 1 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that the Government had decided to bring to a close the schemethat provided interest rate subvention to exporters from specified sectors with effect from September 30,2008. Banks were asked to bring this to the notice of their exporter clients covered under the scheme, sothat the exporters got adequate time to make necessary adjustments.

4 • AD category-1 banks were informed that the temporary measure under which all exporters werepermitted to earn interest on EEFC accounts to the extent of outstanding balances of US$ 1 million perexporter had been reviewed in consultation with the Government of India and it was decided to withdrawthe facility from November 1, 2008. Accordingly, with effect from November 1, 2008, all EEFC accountswould be permitted to be opened and maintained in the form of non-interest bearing current accounts.

5 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that the eligibility income criteria of Rs.24,000 for urban areasunder the DRI scheme was applicable to semi-urban areas also.

6 • The Reserve Bank issued directives (finalised in consultation with SEBI) covering the framework for thetrading of currency futures in recognised exchanges.

• All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised about the eligibility criteria to become trading/clearingmembers of SEBI-approved exchanges.

8 • Final guidelines on prudential norms for off-balance sheet exposure of banks were issued to all SCBs(excluding LABs and RRBs).

18 • The lead bank responsibility in Alirajpur and Singrauli districts of Madhya Pradesh was assigned toBank of Baroda and Union Bank of India, respectively.

22 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were issued detailed instructions for dealing with inoperative accounts.Banks were asked to consider launching a special drive for finding the whereabouts of the customers/legal heirs in respect of existing accounts which had been transferred to the separate ledger of‘inoperative accounts’.


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August 22 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were issued detailed instructions regarding display of information throughcomprehensive notice boards.

26 • All SCBs were advised that they could accept an affidavit submitted by landless labourers, sharecroppers, tenant farmers and oral lessees giving occupational status (i.e., details of land tilled/cropsgrown) for loans up to Rs.50,000. Banks could also encourage the joint liability group/SHG mode oflending for such persons. However, banks should go through their procedures of identification as perKYC norms, appraisal and usual pre-sanction checks before extending finance.

27 • All SCBs (including RRBs and LABs) were advised that companies registered under Section 25 of theCompanies Act, 1956, could be employed as BCs provided that the companies were stand-alone entitiesor Section 25 companies in which NBFCs, banks, telecom companies and other corporate entities ortheir holding companies did not have equity holdings in excess of 10 per cent. Further, while engagingSection 25 companies as BCs, banks would have to strictly adhere to the distance criterion of 15 kms/5 kms, as applicable, between the place of business of the BC and the branch.

28 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that banking by definition meant acceptance of deposits ofmoney from the public for the purpose of lending and investment. As such, banks could not design anyproduct which was not in tune with the basic tenets of banking. Further, incorporating such clauses interms and conditions which restricted deposit of cash over the counters also amounted to an unfairpractice. Banks were therefore advised to ensure that their branches invariably accepted cash over thecounters from all their customers who desired to deposit cash at the counters. Further, they were alsoadvised to refrain from incorporating clauses in the terms and conditions which restricted deposit ofcash over the counters.

• All SCBs were advised that each bank could select one rain-fed district for introduction, on a pilot basis,of a new product for financing crop production whereby: (a) 80 per cent of the crop loan requirement ofindividual borrowers could be released through a short-term production loan in conformity with theextant norms/practices; and (b) the remaining 20 per cent representing the ‘core component’ (expensesfor land preparation, pre-sowing operations etc., besides self-labour/consumption) could be sanctionedas a ‘clean credit limit’ to ensure year-round liquidity.

September 4 • All SCBs (including LABs) were advised that procedures for reimbursement of claims and audit of claimsunder the Agricultural Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme, 2008 had been modified.

8 • All SCBs were advised that the name of the “Industrial Development Bank of India Limited” had beenchanged to “IDBI Bank Limited” in the Second Schedule to the RBI Act, 1934 with effect from May 7,2008.

12 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised to adopt the format devised by the Reserve Bank for display ofinformation relating to interest rates and service charges which would enable the customer to obtain thedesired information at a quick glance. Banks should also ensure that only the latest updatedinformation in the above format was placed on their websites and the same was easily accessible fromthe home page of their website.

16 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that the SLAF would be conducted on a daily basis with effectfrom September 17, 2008.

• All SCBs were advised that from September 17, 2008, as a temporary measure and till further review,they could avail additional liquidity support under the LAF to the extent of up to one per cent of theirNDTL. It was also advised that for any shortfall in maintenance of SLR arising out of availment of thisadditional liquidity support under LAF, banks could apply with a request not to demand payment of thepenal interest thereon.

16 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that interest rates on NRE rupee deposits and FCNR(B) depositswere raised by 50 basis points to LIBOR/SWAP rates plus 50 basis points and LIBOR/SWAP ratesminus 25 basis points, respectively, with effect from close of business on September 16, 2008. Similarinstructions were issued to RRBs on September 18, 2008.

17 • It was reiterated to all commercial banks (excluding RRBs) that they should ensure that they employonly those DMAs/DSAs who are registered as telemarketers with the DoT. Further, any employment oftelemarketers who are not registered with DoT would be treated as a violation of Hon’ble SupremeCourt’s directive by banks.


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September 19 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs and LABs) were advised to strengthen their information back-up about theborrowers enjoying credit facilities from multiple banks through a set of measures prescribed by theReserve Bank.

22 • All SCBs were advised about the access criteria for national payment systems.

• AD category-1 banks were informed that the policy related to ECBs was reviewed and some aspects ofthe policy including the all-in-cost ceilings and those for borrowers from the infrastructure sector weremodified.

23 • AD category-1 banks were informed that the "Issue of Foreign Currency Exchangeable Bonds (FCEB)Scheme, 2008", had been notified by the Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department ofEconomic Affairs vide Notification G.S.R.89(E) dated February 15, 2008. Accordingly, it was decided tooperationalise the scheme in order to facilitate the issue of FCEB by Indian companies.

29 • All SCBs were advised that the name of “Centurion Bank of Punjab Ltd” was excluded from the SecondSchedule to the RBI Act, 1934.

October 8 • Operating guidelines for banks regarding mobile banking transactions were issued to all SCBs.

10 • All SCBs were advised that the CRR was to be reduced by 150 basis points to 7.5 per cent with effect fromthe fortnight beginning October 11, 2008.

13 • Issues regarding asset classification status of overdue payments in respect of derivative transactionsand re-structuring of derivative contracts were examined and guidelines issued to all commercial banks(excluding RRBs and LABs).

14 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that the Reserve Bank would conduct a special fixed rate repoat 9 per cent per annum against eligible securities for a notified amount of Rs.20,000 crore on October14, 2008, with a view to enabling banks to meet the liquidity requirements of mutual funds. The reversalwould take place on October 29, 2008.

15 • All SCBs were advised that interest rates on NRE rupee deposits and FCNR(B) deposits were raised by 50basis points to LIBOR/SWAP rates plus 100 basis points and LIBOR/SWAP rates plus 25 basis points,respectively, with effect from close of business on October 15, 2008.

• Scheme for temporary liquidity support to scheduled banks and NABARD for financing agriculturaloperations was announced.

• All SCBs were advised that, as a temporary measure, banks could avail additional liquidity supportexclusively for the purpose of meeting the liquidity requirements of mutual funds to the extent of up to0.5 per cent of their NDTL. This additional liquidity support would terminate 14 days from the closure ofthe special term repo facility for mutual funds that was announced on October 14, 2008.

• All SCBs were advised that the CRR was further reduced by 100 basis points to 6.50 per cent with effectfrom the fortnight that began October 11, 2008.

• All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that the special fixed rate term repo under LAF would beconducted every day until further notice up to a cumulative amount of Rs.20,000 crore for the samepurpose. Accordingly, the residual amount would be notified every day till further notice.

• With a view to providing greater flexibility to AD category - I banks in seeking access to overseas funds,they were allowed to henceforth borrow funds from their head office, overseas branches andcorrespondents and overdrafts in nostro accounts up to a limit of 50 per cent of their unimpaired Tier Icapital as at the close of the previous quarter or US$ 10 million (or its equivalent), whichever is higher, asagainst the existing limit of 25 per cent (excluding borrowings for financing of export credit in foreigncurrency and capital instruments).

20 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that the repo rate was cut by 100 basis points to 8.0 per centwith immediate effect.

22 • AD category-1 banks were informed that some aspects of the ECB policy including the end-use fortelecom sector, the limit for per borrower per financial year for rupee/foreign currency expenditure forpermissible end-uses under the automatic route and the all-in-cost ceilings for ECBs of variousmaturities had been modified.


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October 27 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs) were advised that the validity of interest rates on rupee export credit would bein force up to April 30, 2009.

• AD category-1 banks were informed that the all-in-cost ceiling for trade credits with maturity up to oneyear and between one and three years has been revised to 200 basis points above 6-month LIBOR.

29 • All SCBs (excluding RRBs and LABs) were advised that the principle of borrower-wise asset classificationto treat all other funded facilities granted to a client as NPA would apply only to the overdues arising fromforward contracts and plain vanilla swaps and options.

B) Co-operative Banks

2007

April 4 • StCBs advised to increase cash reserve ratio (CRR) by one-half of one percentage point of their netdemand and time liabilities (NDTL) in two stages, i.e., 6.25 per cent and 6.5 per cent effective from thefortnights beginning from April 14, 2007 and April 28, 2007, respectively. However, the effective CRRmaintained by StCBs on total demand and time liabilities would not be less than 3.00 per cent, asstipulated under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.

• With effect from the fortnight beginning on April 14, 2007, the StCBs would be paid interest at the rateof 0.50 per cent per annum on eligible cash balances maintained with the Reserve Bank of India undercurrent CRR requirement.

5 • UCBs advised to increase cash reserve ratio (CRR) by one-half of one percentage point of their netdemand and time liabilities (NDTL) in two stages, i.e., 6.25 per cent and 6.5 per cent effective from thefortnights beginning from April 14, 2007 and April 28, 2007, respectively. However, the effective CRRmaintained by UCBs on total demand and time liabilities should not be less than 3.00 per cent, asstipulated under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. With effect from the fortnight beginning on April14, 2007, the UCBs would be paid interest at the rate of 0.50 per cent per annum on eligible cashbalances maintained with the Reserve Bank under current CRR requirement.

9 • StCBs were advised to ensure that cheques/drafts issued by clients containing fractions of a rupee arenot rejected or dishonoured by them.

12 • StCBs and DCCBs were advised to generally insist that the person opening a deposit account makes anomination. In case the person opening an account declined to fill in nomination, the bank shouldexplain the advantages of nomination facility. If the person opening the account still did not want tonominate, the bank should ask him to give a specific letter to the effect that he does not want to make anomination. In case the person opening the account declined to give such a letter, the bank shouldrecord the fact on the account opening form and proceed with opening of the account, if otherwise foundeligible. Under no circumstances, a bank should refuse to open an account solely on the ground that theperson opening the account refused to nominate.

17 • UCBs were advised to ensure that cheques/drafts issued by clients containing fractions of a rupee arenot rejected or dishonoured by them.

18 • UCBs were advised that with the enactment of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development(MSMED) Act, 2006 and its notification on October 2, 2006, the definition of micro, small and mediumenterprises engaged in manufacturing/production or providing/rendering of services was modified andrequired to be implemented by the banks along with other policy measures. Banks’ lending to mediumenterprises would not be included for the purpose of reckoning under the priority sector. The boards ofbanks could review the existing guidelines/instructions and formulate a comprehensive and liberalpolicy in respect of loans to micro, small and medium sectors and adopt the same at the earliest.

19 • UCBs were advised to generally insist that the person opening a deposit account makes a nomination. Incase the person opening an account declined to fill in nomination, the bank should explain theadvantages of nomination facility. If the person opening the account still did not want to nominate, thebank should ask him to give a specific letter to the effect that he does not want to make a nomination. Incase the person opening the account declined to give such a letter, the bank should record the fact on theaccount opening form and proceed with opening of the account, if otherwise found eligible. Under nocircumstances, a bank should refuse to open an account solely on the ground that the person openingthe account refused to nominate.


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April 24 • StCBs were advised that they would be exempted from maintaining average CRR with effect from April01, 2007 on the following liabilities as computed under section 42 of the RBI Act, 1934. (i) Liabilities tothe banking system in India as computed under clause (e) of the explanation to Section 42 (1) of theReserve Bank Act, 1934; (ii) Transactions in Collateralized Borrowing and Lending Obligation (CBLO)with Clearing Corporation of India. (CCIL).

24 • Government of India in their Extraordinary Gazette notification No.S.O.337(E) dated March 9, 2007notified April 01, 2007 as the date on which the provisions of Section 3 of the Reserve Bank of India(Amendment) Act, 2006 came into force. Consequent upon the provisions of Section 3 of the RBI(Amendment) Act, 2006 coming into force, the amendment carried out to sub-Section (1) of Section 42 ofReserve Bank of India Act, 1934 was brought into force with effect from April 01, 2007. Accordingly, thestatutory minimum CRR requirement of 3 per cent of total demand and time liabilities no longer existedwith effect from the said notified date. The Reserve Bank having regard to the needs of securing themonetary stability in the country, may from time to time prescribe the CRR for UCBs without any floorand ceiling rate. (2) In exercise of the powers conferred on the Reserve Bank, it was decided to continuethe status quo on the rate of CRR to be maintained by UCBs and the extant exemptions which would beoperative till further changes are notified. Accordingly, UCBs would continue to maintain CRR on theirtotal demand and time liabilities at 6.25 per cent and 6.5 per cent effective from the fortnights beginningfrom April 14, 2007 and April 28, 2007, respectively. In view of Section 3 of the Reserve Bank of India(Amendment) Act, 2006 coming into force, sub-section (1B) of Section 42 of the Reserve Bank of IndiaAct, 1934 stands omitted with effect from April 01, 2007. Consistent with the amendment it was decidedthat with effect from the fortnight beginning March 31, 2007, the Reserve Bank would not be paying anyinterest on the CRR balances maintained by UCBs.

26 • UCBs were advised that with effect from the close of business in India as on April 24, 2007, the interestrates on fresh Non-Resident (External) Rupee Term Deposits for one to three years maturity should notexceed the LIBOR/SWAP rates, as on the last working day of April 2007, for US dollar of correspondingmaturities. The interest rates as determined above for three years will also be applicable in case thematurity period exceeds three years and if renewed after their present maturity period.

30 • UCBs were advised that the risk weight on loans up to Rs.1 lakh against gold and silver ornaments wasreduced to 50 per cent from 125 per cent.

• UCBs were advised that relaxed prudential guidelines on income recognition, asset classification andprovisioning norms were extended by one year.

May 4 • All primary UCBs were advised that risk weight for capital adequacy purpose in respect of housing loansup to Rs.20 lakh to individuals against the mortgage of residential housing properties was reduced from75 per cent to 50 per cent. The reduced risk weights would be reviewed after one year keeping in view thedefault experience and other relevant factors.

• UCBs were advised to ensure that no money transaction of the company/ies, declared as “defaultedcompanies” by the Patna High Court be allowed in the bank.

7 • UCBs registered in States that had entered into MoUs with the Reserve Bank or registered under theMulti State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 were permitted to undertake insurance agency business ascorporate agents without risk participation, provided that the UCB had a minimum net worth of Rs.10crore and had not been classified as Grade III or IV bank.

16 • StCBs/DCCBs were advised to lay out appropriate internal principles and procedures so that usuriousinterest, including processing and other charges, are not levied by them on loans and advances.

18 • UCBs were advised to lay out appropriate internal principles and procedures so that usurious interest,including processing and other charges, were not levied by them on loans and advances.

• StCBs/DCCBs were advised to scale up their financial inclusion efforts by utilising appropriatetechnology. Banks were also advised to ensure that the solutions developed were highly secure,amenable to audit and followed widely accepted open standards to allow inter-operability among thedifferent systems adopted by different banks.


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May 18 • Fresh guidelines issued to StCBs/DCCBs on various issues relating to extension of Safe Deposit Locker/Safe Custody Article Facility and Access to Safe Deposit Lockers / Return of Safe Custody Articles bybanks.

24 • UCBs were advised that the Banking Ombudsman Scheme, 2006 had been amended and all scheduledprimary co-operative banks were directed to comply with the amended Scheme.

25 • Guidelines on KYC Norms/AML Standards/CFT – Wire Transfers were issued to all primary UCBs.Similar guidelines were issued to StCBs and DCCBs on May 18, 2007.

June 1 • Scheduled UCBs were advised to submit the Structural Liquidity Statement and Interest Rate SensitivityStatement through the ALM Module provided in the OSS software. The Statement of Structural Liquidityis to be prepared at fortnightly intervals starting with the last reporting Friday of June 2007 i.e. June 22,2007 and that of Interest Rate Sensitivity should be prepared on a monthly basis as on last reportingFriday of the month starting with the month of June 2007. Banks were further advised to designate andauthorize one or two senior official/s who would be responsible for the information furnished therein.

4 • All primary urban co-operative banks registered in States that have entered into a Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MoU) with Reserve Bank for supervisory and regulatory co-ordination and thoseregistered under the Multi State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002 were permitted to open NRE accountsubject to complying with certain norms. Though UCBs were not permitted to accept NRO deposits andwere required to close these accounts in a given time frame, the revised guidelines indicate that UCBsmay maintain NRO accounts, arising from their re-designation as such, upon the account holdersbecoming non resident. Opening of fresh NRO accounts would not be permitted. Further no fresh creditsbarring periodical credit of interest would be allowed in these accounts. However, these restrictionswould not be applicable to UCBs holding Authorised Dealer Category-I licence.

22 • UCBs were advised that fresh guidelines were issued in regard to extension of safe deposit locker/safecustody article facility and access to safe deposit lockers/return of safe custody articles by banks.

July 4 • UCBs were urged to scale up their financial inclusion efforts by utilising appropriate technology. Bankswere advised to take care to ensure that the solutions developed for the purpose are highly secure,amenable to audit, and follow widely accepted open standards to allow inter-operability among thedifferent systems adopted by different banks.

• The eligibility criteria for opening new branches/extension counters have been relaxed. All primaryurban co-operative banks satisfying the relaxed criteria would be eligible for additional branches/extension counters not exceeding 10 per cent of their existing branch network, over a period of two years.All primary urban co-operative banks are required to obtain prior authorisation for opening extensioncounters.

13 • UCBs were advised that they were prohibited from extending any fund based or non-fund based creditfacilities whether secured or unsecured to stockbrokers and commodity brokers.

• UCBs were advised that the matter of amortisation of goodwill on merger was reviewed were advised asfollows: (i) where the consideration, if any, paid for the acquisition/amalgamation exceeds the bookvalue of the net assets taken over, the excess amount should be treated as goodwill and amortised overa period of five years in equal instalments; (ii) where no consideration is paid but the book value of theassets is less than the book value of liabilities taken over, the excess of the book value of liabilities overthe book value of the assets taken over will be considered as goodwill and amortised over a period of fiveyears in equal instalments; and (iii) where no consideration is paid, but the book value of the assetstaken over is greater than the book value of the liabilities taken over, the excess of the book value ofassets over the book value of the liabilities will be considered as capital reserve.

• Guidelines were issued to UCBs for issuance of ATM-cum-debit cards. Banks which were authorised toinstall on-site/off-site ATMs, could introduce ATM-cum-debit cards with the approval of their board.

17 • UCBs holding AD category I or II licence could act as agents/sub-agents under money transfer serviceschemes (MTSS) which was in conformity with the guidelines issued by Foreign Exchange Department ofthe Reserve Bank, subject to the following conditions: (i) bank’s adherence to AML/KYC standardsshould be satisfactory; (ii) the principal should maintain foreign currency deposits (USD) with the


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designated bank in favour of the agent which, at present, is equivalent to three days’ average payout orUSD 50,000, whichever is higher; (iii) where the UCB is acting as a sub-agent, the agent should alsomaintain with the designated bank, security deposits equivalent to 3 days’ average payout or Rs 20 lakh,whichever is higher, in favour of the UCB sub-agents concerned; (iv) the UCBs should ensure that thepayouts not reimbursed do not, at any point of time, exceed the security deposits placed by the overseasprincipal/agent, as the case may be; (v) no UCB could appoint any other UCB/entity as its sub-agent.

July 31 • All scheduled primary urban co-operative banks were advised to increase the cash reserve ratio (CRR) by50 basis points and maintain it to the level of 7.00 per cent of total demand and time liabilities with effectfrom the fortnight beginning August 4, 2007.

August 14 • UCBs were guided about the notification issued by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and PublicDistribution in regard to creation of buffer stock. As per the Government of India notification, it wasdecided to create a buffer stock of 20 lakh tons of sugar for a period of one year with effect from May 1,2007. Under the arrangement, the Government would release subsidy of Rs.378 crore out of the SugarDevelopment Fund and the banks had to sanction additional credit limit amounting to Rs.420 crore torelease the margin consequent upon creation of the buffer stock from the existing stock of sugar. Foroperation of the scheme, it would be necessary for sugar mills to segregate the stocks meant for bufferstock operations from the stock of sugar already held by them. The banks should allocate out of theregular limits, separate sub-limits representing 100 per cent value of buffer stocks held by sugar mills.The amount released as a result of providing 100 per cent drawings against buffer stocks, i.e., theamount in lieu of the margin money should be credited to a special account. It would be necessary for thebanks to ensure that the amount available in this account was utilised for making cane payments.

28 • UCBs were advised that the Reserve Bank had decided to consider their requests to shift their branchesfrom one city to another in their area of operation within the same State subject to the followingconditions: (i) the new centre was of the same or lower population group as the existing centre, eg., abranch at a ‘D’ centre could be shifted to another ‘D’ centre only; (ii) a branch located in an under-banked district can be shifted to another centre in an under-banked district only; and (iii) the shiftingshould be beneficial to the bank in terms of cost and business.

30 • UCBs were advised to specially monitor the credit flow to minorities in the specified 121 minorityconcentrated districts, thereby ensuring that the minority communities receive an equitable portion ofthe credit within the overall target of the priority sector. The above requirement should be kept in view forthe purpose of earmarking of targets and location of development projects under the ‘Prime MinistersNew 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of the Minorities’.

• All UCBs were advised on the revised guidelines on lending to priority sector, which take into account therevised definition of small and micro enterprises as per the Micro, Small and Medium EnterprisesDevelopment Act, 2006.

September 13 • UCBs were advised to ensure that loan facilities were utilised by borrowers for the purpose sanctioned.Banks should therefore have a mechanism for proper monitoring of the end-use of funds. Whereverdiversion was observed, they should take appropriate action against the borrowers concerned and thesteps needed to protect the bank’s interest. UCBs could put in place more stringent safeguards,especially, where accounts showed signs of turning into NPAs. In such cases UCBs could strengthentheir monitoring system by resorting to more frequent inspections of borrowers’ godowns, ensuring thatsale proceeds were routed through the borrower’s accounts maintained with the bank and insisting onpledge of the stock in place of hypothecation. Whenever stocks under hypothecation to cash credit andother loan accounts were found to have been sold but the proceeds thereof not credited to the loanaccount, such action should normally be treated as a fraud. In such cases, banks should takeimmediate steps to secure the remaining stock so as to prevent further erosion in the value of theavailable security.

18 • UCBs were advised not to insist upon induction of two professional directors on the boards of SalaryEarners Banks.

• Guidelines were issued to all UCBs with a view to allowing them greater flexibility in making non-SLRinvestments.


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September 19 • UCBs were advised that when a UCB had availed a loan from a DCCB/StCB with which it wasmaintaining deposits, the amount of loan availed from the DCCB/StCB would be deducted from thedeposits irrespective of whether lien had been marked on such deposits or not, for the purpose ofcomputation of SLR. UCBs were given a period of six months to comply with the SLR requirements incase of shortfall, if any, arising from the above instructions.

November 1 • All scheduled UCBs were informed about the decision to increase cash reserve ratio (CRR) by 50 basispoints to 7.50 per cent of their demand and time liabilities with effect from the fortnight beginningNovember 10, 2007.

12 • UCBs were advised to desist from writing anything whatsoever on the banknotes. They were also advisedto endeavour to educate their staff, customers and members of public, in this regard.

14 • StCBs/DCCBs were advised that before launching new domestic deposit mobilisation scheme with theapproval of their respective boards, they should ensure that the provisions of the Reserve Bank’sdirectives on interest rates on deposits, premature withdrawal of term deposits, sanction of loans/advances against term deposits, etc., issued from time to time, were strictly adhered to. Any violation inthis regard would be viewed seriously and could attract penalty under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949(AACS).

15 • UCBs were advised that the schemes with lock-in periods and some other restrictive features, whichhave been floated by some banks were not in conformity with the provisions of the Reserve Bank’sdirectives on interest rates on deposits, premature withdrawal of term deposits, sanction of loans andadvances against term deposits, etc. issued from time to time. These types of schemes were advised todiscontinue.

16 • UCBs were permitted to lay down policies with the approval of their board for sanction of gold loans withbullet repayment option subject to satisfying certain guidelines. It was also clarified that crop loanssanctioned against the collateral security of gold/gold ornaments would continue to be governed by theextant IRAC norms for such loans.

20 • StCBs/DCCBs were advised to rely upon the Guardianship Certificate issued either by the district courtunder the Mental Health Act or by the local level committees under the above Act for the purpose ofopening/operating bank accounts for disabled persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardationand multiple disabilities (Similar instructions were issued to UCBs also).

30 • It was decided to bring down the priority sector lending target for UCBs to 40 per cent of the adjustedbank credit (ABC) (total loan and advances plus investments made by UCBs in non-SLR bonds) or creditequivalent amount of off-balance sheet exposure (OBE), whichever is higher, as on March 31 of theprevious year.

December 4 • StCBs/DCCBs were previously outside the capital to risk weighted assets ratio (CRAR) framework. Inorder to assess their capital structure in the context of financial stability of the whole system, StCBs/DCCBs were advised to disclose their CRAR as on March 31, 2008 and thereafter every year as ‘Notes onAccounts’ to their Balance Sheets.

2008

January 23 • A Working Group (WG) was constituted for examining prescription of guidelines for access to variouspayment systems. The Working Group has recommended that membership to clearing houses atmagnetic ink character recognition (MICR) centres be confined to licenced banks meeting certaincriteria. Further, the WG has recommended that the entities which are presently members of clearinghouses at MICR centres but ineligible to be members as per the proposed access criteria, would have toconform to the prescribed norms within one year failing which membership would be downgraded tothat of a sub-member. The WG has recommended that such banks may be barred with immediate effect,from sponsoring any sub-members.

29 • UCBs were advised not to classify ‘education loans’ as consumer credit for the purpose of capitaladequacy norms. Accordingly the risk weight applicable to education loans would be 100 per cent.


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February 25 • In terms of Know Your Customer (KYC) guidelines, UCBs were earlier advised that customeridentification meant identifying the customer and verifying his/her identity by using reliable,independent source documents, data or information to their satisfaction. An indicative list of the natureand type of documents/information that could be relied upon for customer identification was also given.It was observed that some banks treated this indicative list as exhaustive list and as a result a section ofpublic was denied access to banking services. UCBs were advised to take a review of their extant internalinstructions in this regard. UCBs were also advised to carry out a review of risk categorisation ofcustomers at a periodicity of not less than once in six months. The periodicity of the updation ofcustomer identification data including photograph should not be less than once in five years in case oflow risk category customers and not less than once in two years in case of high and medium riskcategory customers. UCBs were also advised to develop suitable mechanism through appropriate policyframework for enhanced monitoring of accounts suspected of having terrorist links.

29 • As per extant instructions, UCBs should normally refrain from sanctioning loans to builders/contractors. However, where contractors undertake comparatively small construction work on theirown, UCBs may consider extending financial assistance to them against hypothecation of constructionmaterial, provided such loans and advances are in accordance with the bye-laws of the banks andinstructions/directives issued by the Reserve Bank from time to time. Valuing the land for the purposeof security, on the basis of discounted value of property after it is developed, less the cost of developmentis not in conformity with established norms. In this connection it was clarified to UCBs that they shouldnot extend fund based/non-fund based facilities to builders/contractors for acquisition of land even asa part of a housing project. Further, where land is accepted as collateral, valuation of such land shouldbe at current market price only.

March 3 • In view of the instances of outbreak of avian influenza (bird flu) in some areas of the country andconsequent loss of income on account of culling of birds for poultry units financed by the banks, UCBswere advised to consider extending certain facilities to them: (i) principal and interest due on workingcapital loans as also installments and interest on term loans which have fallen due for payment on orafter the onset of bird flu, i.e. December 31, 2007 and remaining unpaid amount may be converted intoterm loans. The converted loans may be recovered in instalments based on projected future inflows overa period up to three years with an initial moratorium of up to one year (the first year of repayment maybe fixed after the expiry of moratorium period); (ii) the remaining portion of term loans may berescheduled similarly with a moratorium period up to one year depending upon the cash flow generatingcapacity of the unit; (iii) the reschedulement/conversion may be completed on or before April 30, 2008;(iv) the rescheduled/converted loans may be treated as current dues; (v) after conversion as above, theborrower will be eligible for fresh need-based finance; (vi) the relief measures as above may be extendedto all accounts of poultry industry, which were classified as standard accounts as on December31, 2007.

7 • The definition of Tier I UCBs was amended. As per the new definition, the following three categories ofUCBs are to be treated as Tier I banks. (i) Unit banks i.e., UCBs having a single branch/head office andUCBs with deposits below Rs.100 crore, whose branches are located in a single district; (ii) UCBs withdeposits below Rs.100 crore and having branches in more than one district, provided the branches arein contiguous districts and deposits and advances of branches in one district separately constitute atleast 95 per cent of the total deposits and advances respectively of the bank; and (iii) Banks with depositsbelow Rs.100 crore, whose branches were originally in a single district but subsequently, became multi-district due to reorganisation of the district. Tier II banks are all other banks. The deposit base of Rs.100crore will be determined on the basis of average of fortnightly NDTL in the financial year concerned andthat of advances on the basis of fortnightly average in the financial year concerned.

10 • Co-operative banks were advised that with effect from April 1, 2008, all payment transactions of Rs.1crore and above between the Reserve Bank regulated entities such as banks/primary dealers andNBFCs were required to be routed through electronic payment mechanism. Furthermore, all paymentsof Rs.1 crore and above in the Reserve Bank regulated markets such as money market, Governmentsecurities market and foreign exchange market could also be routed through electronic paymentmechanism with effect from April 1, 2008.


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March 12 • In case of UCBs, both use of own ATMs for any purpose and for the use of other bank ATMs for balanceenquiries, the customer would not be levied any charge under any head and for use of other bank ATMsfor cash withdrawals, charge of Rs.20 would be levied which was all inclusive and no other chargeswould be levied under any other head irrespective of the amount of withdrwal. The service charges forcash withdrawal with the use of credit cards and cash withdrawal in an ATM located abroad may bedetermined by the banks themselves.

April 2 • For Tier I UCBs, the 180 day loan delinquency norm for NPAs was extended by one year i.e., up to March31, 2009 and the 12 month period for classification of a sub-standard asset in doubtful category wouldbe effective from April 1, 2009 instead of April 1, 2008.

15 • Scheduled UCBs were advised to formulate a comprehensive and transparent policy covering immediatecredit of local/outstation cheques, time-frame for collection of local/outstation instruments and interestpayment for delayed collection, taking into account their technological capabilities, systems andprocesses adopted for clearing arrangements and other internal arrangements for collection throughcorrespondents. They were also advised to review their existing arrangements and capabilities and workout a scheme for reduction in collection period. The interests of small depositors should be fullyprotected. The policy should also clearly lay down the liability of the UCBs by way of interest paymentsdue to delay for non-compliance with the standards set by the UCBs themselves and should beintegrated with the deposit policy formulation by the UCB in line with the IBA’s policy. Compensation byway of interest payment, where necessary, should be made without any claim from the customer. Itshould also be ensured that the customers are, in no way, worse off than earlier.

21 • UCBs, were advised to include at all times, at least two professional directors on their boards withsuitable banking experience (at middle/senior management level) or with relevant professionalqualifications, i.e., C.A. with bank accounting/auditing experience. The scope of professional directorsprescribed therein was reviewed and it was decided to enlarge the ambit of ‘professional directors’ toinclude persons with professional qualification in the fields of law, accountancy or finance. UCBs wereadvised to initiate steps to amend the bye-laws of their banks accordingly and ensure compliance withthe above requirements.

22 • Scheduled UCBs were advised to increase cash reserve ratio (CRR) by one-half of one percentage point oftheir net demand and time liabilities (NDTL) in two stages, i.e., 7.75 per cent and 8.00 per cent effectivefrom fortnights beginning from April 26, 2008 and May 10, 2008, respectively.

30 • On a review of the liquidity situation it was decided to increase cash reserve ratio (CRR) of scheduledUCBs to 8.25 per cent from 8 per cent of their net demand and time liabilities (NDTL) with effect fromfortnight beginning from May 24, 2008.

May 2 • All UCBs with requisite infrastructure related to INFINET, together with a board resolution seeking themembership in it would be granted membership of INFINET. Subject to the above parameters,unlicensed UCBs could also be permitted to avail of INFINET membership, so long as their applicationfor license has not been rejected by Reserve Bank. The membership would not in any way entitleunlicensed UCBs to claim a banking license at a later date and their application for license would beexamined independently on its merits.

12 • All UCBs were advised to formulate a policy for settlement of claims of missing persons after consideringthe legal opinion and taking into account the facts and circumstances of each case. Further, keeping inview the imperative need to avoid inconvenience and undue hardship to the common person, UCBs werealso advised that keeping in view the risk management systems, they should fix a threshold limit, uptowhich claims in respect of missing persons could be settled without insisting on production of anydocument other than (i) FIR and the non-traceable report issued by police authorities and (ii) letter ofindemnity.

13 • All StCBs and DCCBs were directed to allow customers to use bank’s own ATM for any purpose for freeand also to use any other bank’s ATMs for balance enquiries for free. Furthermore, banks were alsoinstructed to bring down the charge for withdrawal of cash for non-customers to Rs.20 with immediateeffect and make it free with effect from April 1, 2009.


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May 15 • It has been decided to permit Tier II UCBs to extend individual housing loans up to a maximum of Rs.50lakh from earlier ceiling of Rs.25 lakh per beneficiary of a dwelling unit subject to extant prudentialexposure limits.

• UCBs other than those classified in grade III and IV and registered in States that have entered into MoUwith the Reserve Bank or under Multi State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002, were permitted toundertake insurance business as corporate agent without risk participation without the prior approvalof the Reserve Bank. The minimum net worth criteria earlier applicable was dispensed with for suchbanks.

23 • As per the budget speech for 2008-09 by the Hon'ble Finance Minister, a debt waiver and debt reliefscheme for farmers was notified by the Government of India. UCBs were advised to take necessary actiontowards implementation of the scheme and complete it by June 30, 2008.

26 • As announced in the Annual Policy Statement for the year 2008-09, the eligibility norms for opening upof on-site ATMs were liberalised. Accordingly, UCBs that were registered in states which had entered intoMoU with the Reserve Bank or were registered under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act, 2002and classified in Grades other than Grade III and IV, could set up on-site ATMs without prior approval ofthe Reserve Bank.

• Keeping in view the nature of membership and loan profile of the salary earner banks (SEBs) andrepresentations made by the banks and their federations, it was decided that the Salary Earners’ Banksin Tier II may provide for standard assets in respect of personal loans at the rate of 0.4 per cent insteadof the existing level of two per cent. Provisioning requirement in respect of loans and advances qualifyingas capital market exposure, commercial real estate loans and loans and advances to systemicallyimportant NBFCs – ND would however continue to be two per cent for such banks.

• Existing mahila UCBs which conform to the extant entry point norms for general category banks, werepermitted to enroll male members up to a limit of 25 per cent of their total regular membership, subjectto compliance by the banks with their respective bye-laws.

June 2 • As per the operative instructions issued for smooth implementation of the Agricultural Debt Waiver andDebt Relief Scheme, 2008 UCBs were advised that one time consolidated claims for the bank as a wholecould be submitted by them through their head office by September 30, 2008, to the respective regionaloffices of the Reserve Bank. Guidelines regarding procedure for reimbursement of claims, datamaintenance, monitoring of progress in implementation, procedure for audit of the claims were alsoissued.

4 • It has been observed that, over the years, the Government of India has, from time to time, issued severalspecial securities which do not qualify for the purpose of complying with the SLR requirements of StCBs/DCCBs. Such Government securities are governed by a separate set of terms and conditions and entaila higher degree of illiquidity spread. Currently, the guidelines issued by FIMMDA regarding thevaluation of such non-SLR securities provide that such securities be valued by applying a mark-up of 50basis points (bps) above the corresponding yield on Government of India securities. The issue ofvaluation of such special securities has since been examined. It has been decided that, for the limitedpurpose of valuation, all special securities issued by the Government of India, directly to the beneficiaryentities, which do not carry SLR status, may be valued at a spread of 25 bps above the correspondingyield on Government of India securities. This amendment would come into force from the financial year2008-09.

12 • UCBs were advised to ensure that all banking facilities such as cheque book facility including third partycheques, ATM facility, net banking facility, locker facility, retail loans, credit cards etc., are invariablyoffered to the visually challenged persons without any discrimination.

16 • The branch licensing norms have been liberalised. Approvals for branch expansion including off-siteATMs in respect of well managed and financially sound UCBs in the States that have signed MoUs andthose registered under the Multi-State Coop Societies Act, 2002, will henceforth be considered, based ontheir Annual Business Plans, subject to certain conditions.

• It was decided to enhance the limit of Rs.20 lakh to Rs.30 lakh in respect of bank loans for housing interms of applicability of risk weights for capital adequacy purposes. Accordingly, such loans will carry arisk weight of 50 per cent.


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2008

June 17 • Certain additional instructions for smooth implementation of the Agricultural Debt Waiver and DebtRelief Scheme, 2008 were issued to UCBs. A format for undertaking to be given by ‘other farmers’ eligiblefor one time settlement (OTS) relief was forwarded to UCBs. They were advised to issue a certificate tosmall and marginal farmers upon waiver of the eligible amount to the effect that the loan has beenwaived and specifically mention the eligible amount so waived under the scheme and takeacknowledgement from the farmers. A certificate should also be issued to ‘other farmers’ upon grantingOTS relief, to the effect that the loan account has been settled to the satisfaction of the lending institutionand specifically mention the eligible amount and the amount paid by the farmer. Formats of suchcertificates were forwarded to the UCBs.

24 • The definition of willful defaulters was extended to include units that have defaulted in meeting theirpayment/repayment obligation to the lender and have also disposed of or removed the movable fixedassets or immovable property given by them for the purpose of securing a term loan, without theknowledge of the bank/lender.

26 • All scheduled primary urban co-operative banks were advised that it was decided to increase cashreserve ratio (CRR) by 50 basis points to 8.75 per cent of their net demand and time liabilities (NDTL) intwo stages, i.e., 8.50 per cent and 8.75 per cent effective from the fortnights beginning from July 5, 2008and July 19, 2008, respectively.

30 • The reporting formats for priority sector lending by UCBs were revised. Accordingly, the UCBs wereadvised that data under the revised formats could be submitted to the regional office concerned of theReserve Bank on a yearly basis within 15 days of close of the financial year to which it pertained. UCBswere advised to submit the first set of returns by April 15, 2009.

July 2 • As a part of transaction monitoring mechanism, UCBs are required to put in place an appropriatesoftware application to through alerts when the transactions are inconsistent with risk categorisationand updated profile of customers. They were also advised to initiate urgent steps to ensure electronicfiling of cash transaction report (CTR) and suspicious transaction report (STR) to FIU-IND. Further,UCBs were advised to arrange to file the data of non-computerised branches into an electronic file withthe help of the editable electronic utilities of CTR/STR as made available by FIU–IND on their website(http://fiuindia.gov.in). It was further clarified that cash transaction reporting by branches to theirPrincipal Officer should be submitted on a monthly basis and the principal officer, in turn, shouldensure to submit CTR for every month to FIU-IND within the prescribed time schedule, i.e., by 15th of thesucceeding month. It was reiterated that the cut-off limit of Rs.10 lakh for reporting in CTR should beapplicable to integrally connected cash transactions also. UCBs were also advised that the customersshould not be tipped off on the STRs filed by them with FIU-IND. UCBs should report all such attemptedtransactions in STRs, even if not completed by customers, irrespective of the amounts of transaction.UCBs should submit STRs, if they have reasonable grounds to believe that the transaction involvesproceeds of crime, irrespective of the amount of transaction and/or threshold limit envisaged forpredicate offences in part B of schedule of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. UCBs wereadvised to create awareness about KYC/AML among their staff and for generating alerts for suspicioustransactions, they may consider the indicative list of suspicious activities contained in Annex E of the‘IBA’s Guidance Note for banks, 2005.

3 • UCBs were advised that in terms of Agricultural Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme, 2008, theGovernment of India had clarified that: “If the loan is for poultry farming or sheep rearing or piggery or acattle farm and part of the loan amount is used for sheds, pens, fences etc., the entire composite loanamount would be reckoned for calculating ‘eligible amount’ as defined in the scheme. If it is a standaloneloan for putting up fencing or sheds, etc., these would not be covered”. Accordingly the earlier circular inrespect of the Scheme was modified.

8 • The first meeting of the Working Group on Umbrella Organisations of UCBs and constitution of RevivalFund for UCBs was held at the Reserve Bank.

9 • StCBs/DCCBs were advised to ensure that all the banking facilities such as cheque book facilityincluding third party cheques, ATM facility, Net banking facility, locker facility, retail loans, credit cards,etc., were invariably offered to the visually challenged without any discrimination. StCBs/DCCBs shouldalso advise their branches to render all possible assistance to the visually challenged for availing of thevarious banking facilities.



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July 15 • In order to facilitate raising of capital funds (Tier 1 and Tier 2) UCBs were permitted to issue preferenceshares, viz., (i) perpetual non-cumulative preference shares (PNCPS), (ii) perpetual cumulativepreference shares (PCPS), (iii) redeemable non-cumulative preference shares (RNCPS) and (iv)redeemable cumulative preference shares (RCPS). Further, UCBs were permitted to raise term depositsfor a minimum period of not less than five years, which would be eligible to be treated as Tier 2 capital.

31 • It was decided to increase the cash reserve ratio for scheduled primary (urban) co-operative banks by 25basis points to 9.00 per cent of net demand and time liabilities (NDTL) with effect from the fortnightbeginning August 30, 2008.

August 12 • UCBs were advised that fictitious lottery and money circulation schemes aimed at defrauding membersof the public had come to light from time to time. It was clarified that remittances in any form towardsparticipation in lottery schemes was prohibited under Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999.Further, these restrictions were also applicable to remittances for participation in lottery-like schemesfunctioning under different names, such as money circulation scheme or remittances for the purpose ofsecuring prize money/awards etc.

28 • UCBs were advised to ensure that a suitable mechanism exists for receiving and addressing complaintsfrom their customers with specific emphasis on resolving such complaints fairly and expeditiously. Forthis purpose, UCBs were advised to: (i) ensure that the complaint registers were kept at prominentplaces in their branches which would make it possible for the customers to enter their complaints; (ii)have a system of acknowledging the complaints where they were received; (iii) fix a time frame forresolving the complaints received at different levels; (iv) display the name, address, telephone number,e-mail address etc., of the official who can be contacted for redressal of complaints. In case of scheduledUCBs, complaints not redressed within one month should be reported to the nodal officer concernedunder the Banking Ombudsman Scheme, who should be kept updated about the status of thecomplaint. Further, they should make the customers aware of his rights to approach the BankingOmbudsman concerned in case he is not satisfied with the bank's response and furnish details ofBanking Ombudsman concerned to the complainant.

September 1 • UCBs were advised to consider launching special drive for finding the whereabouts of the customers/legal heirs in respect of existing accounts which had been transferred to the separate ledger of ‘in-operative accounts’.

• In view of the increase in the amount of the unclaimed deposits with banks year after year and theinherent risk associated with such deposits, UCBs were advised to play a more pro-active role in findingthe whereabouts of the account holders whose accounts have remained in-operative. They were furtheradvised to make an annual review of accounts in which there are no operations for more than one year.UCBs should inform the customers in writing about it and ascertain the reasons for the same. In case ofshifting of the customer from the locality, bank should ask for the details of the new bank accounts towhich the balance in the existing account could be transferred. UCBs should trace the whereabouts ofthe customers or their legal heirs in case they are deceased, through their introducer or employer etc.Further, UCBs were advised not to charge for activation of in-operative account. UCBs were also advisedto ensure that the amounts lying in in-operative accounts ledger are properly audited by the internalauditors/statutory auditors of the bank. Interests on savings accounts should be credited on regularbasis whether the account is operative or not. If a matured fixed deposit is unpaid, the amount willattract savings bank rate of interest.

5 • UCBs were advised certain modification of procedure for reimbursement of claims and audit of claimsunder the Agricultural Debt Waiver and Relief Scheme 2008. Claims are required to be filed for 'waiver'and 'relief' only after actually passing on the benefit to the beneficiaries. UCBs were advised to forwardthe 'Preliminary' claims to the concerned regional office of the Reserve Bank for release of first instalmentunder the scheme, latest by October 31, 2008 (for debt waiver) and by September 30, 2009 (for debtrelief), respectively. Subsequently preliminary claims were to be subjected to sample check during theannual statutory audit exercise for the year 2009-10 (for debt relief) by the statutory auditors, who canbe entrusted this job as a special assignment by banks. A representative sample covering at least 20% ofbranches and accounts are required to be covered by the statutory auditors, for certifying thecorrectness of the claims.


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September 9 • With a view to improving the quality of customer service in UCBs, scheduled urban co-operative bankswere suggested to consider becoming members of banking codes and standards board of India (BCSBI).

17 • Guidelines on liquidity risk management were issued to Tier I UCBs. They were also advised to prepareseparate returns as on the last reporting friday of March/June/September/December and submit thesame to the board within a month from the last reporting friday. The first such set of returns may be putto the board as on the last reporting friday of December 2008. Banks were advised to designate andauthorise one or two senior official/s who would be responsible for the correct compilation and timelysubmission of these returns and would be fully responsible for the information furnished therein.

• It was decided that in addition to scheduled UCBs for which guidelines are already in place, all other TierII UCBs may also adopt Asset Liability Management(ALM) as per the guidelines forwarded to them. UCBswhich have already adopted more sophisticated systems may ensure to finetune their current system toensure compliance with the requirements of the ALM system suggested in the guidelines. To begin withUCBs should ensure coverage of at least 60% of their liabilities and assets. As for the remaining 40% oftheir assets and liabilities, banks may include the position based on their estimates. UCBs were advisedto set interim targets so as to cover 100 per cent of their business by April 1, 2010. Once the systemstabilizes, they should prepare to switch to more sophisticated techniques. To start with, the statementof structural liquidity should be prepared as on last reporting Friday of March/June/September/December and put up to ALCO(Asset-Liability Committee). It is the intention to put the reporting systemon a fortnightly basis with effect from December 2008. Tolerance level for various maturities may be fixedby the bank's Top Management depending on the bank's asset-liability profile, extent of stable depositbase, the nature of cash flows etc. In respect of mismatches in cash flows, bank's managements shouldtry to keep it at the minimum levels. The object of the Reserve Bank is to enforce the tolerance levelsstrictly with effect from April 1, 2010. UCBs were also advised that in the Statement of Interest RateSensitivity, only rupee assets, liabilities and off balance sheet positions should be reported. UCBs wereexpected to move over to monthly reporting system with effect from April 1, 2010. In order to enable theUCBs to monitor their liquidity on a dynamic basis over a time horizon spanning 1-90 days, an indicativeformat was prescribed. UCBs were advised that the first such ALM return should be put to the ALCO/Top Management as on the last reporting Friday of December 2008.

• UCBs which are recognised as Authorised Dealers category I and II may participate in designatedcurrency futures exchanges recognised by SEBI as clients only, for the purpose of hedging theirunderlying forex exposures.

• UCBs were inter alia advised to follow a more granular ALM guidelines, i.e., to split the first timebucket (1-14 days at present) in the statement of structural liquidity into three time buckets viz., nextday, 2-7 days and 8-14 days. The revised format will be effective from January 1, 2009.

18 • UCBs have been advised to display the information related to interest rates and service charges, as pera given format in their premises as well as post it on their websites to enable customers obtain thedesired information at a glance.

19 • The interest rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) deposits have been revised with effect fromSeptember 16, 2008. Interest rate on Term Deposits (NRE) for 1-3 years maturity should not exceed theLIBOR/SWAP rates plus 50 basis points as on last working day of the month of August, 2008 forcorresponding maturities. The interest rates as determined above for three year deposits will also beapplicable in case the maturity period exceeds three years and will also be applicable to NRE depositsrenewed after their existing maturity period.

• Interest on all Foreign Currency Non-Resident (B) (FCNRB) deposits of all maturities shall be paid withinthe ceiling rate of LIBOR/SWAP rates minus 25 basis points for the respective currency as againstLIBOR/SWAP rate minus 75 basis points with effect from September 16, 2008.

• In terms of a Supreme Court Judgement, UCBs have been advised that excess amount realised fromtheir borrowers, if any, towards interest tax by way of rounding off may be deposited with a trust createdfor the benefit of disadvantaged people, by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It wasdecided to extend the simplified off-site surveillance (OSS) reporting system to all the remaining Tier IUCBs having deposits below Rs.50 crore. The system comprises a set of 5 returns of which 4 are requiredto be submitted at quarterly intervals while the fifth return on Bank Profile is an annual return. Theannual return of the Bank Profile is to be prepared at March 31, every year and the other 4 quarterly


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returns are to be prepared at the end of March, June, September and December of every year. UCBs arerequired to submit all these returns to concerned regional offices of the Reserve Bank within one monthfrom the end of the quarter/year. This would come into effect from quarter ending December 31, 2008and the time for submission of the first quarter returns would be 3 months upto March 31, 2009.

September • It was decided to extend the simplified OSS reporting system to all the remaining Tier II UCBs havingdeposits below Rs.50 crore. The system comprises of a set of 8 returns of which 7 are required to besubmitted at quarterly intervals while the 8th return on Bank Profile is an annual return. The annualreturn of the Bank Profile is to be prepared at March 31, every year and the other 7 quarterly returns areto prepared at the end of March, June, September and December of every year. UCBs are required tosubmit all these returns to concerned regional offices of the Reserve Bank within one month from theend of the quarter/year. This would come into effect from quarter ending December 31, 2008.

26 • UCBs were advised to review that their branches are operating from premises which have a subsistingand valid lease agreement, free of any dispute between the bank and the landlord of the premises inquestion. Banks were also advised to report the list of their branches/offices that are operating inpremises in respect of which a dispute is pending with the landlord, to the Regional Director of theReserve Bank concerned before October 15, 2008 as per the prescribed format.

30 • As per extant instructions on treatment of deposits with DCCB/StCB as SLR, UCBs availing loan fromDCCBs/StCBs with which the UCB maintains deposits, can deduct the amount of loan availed from thedeposits irrespective of whether lien had been marked on such deposits or not, for the purpose ofreckoning such deposits as SLR. In this connection, salary earners' co-operative banks were allowedextension of time upto March 31, 2009 for complying with the instructions.

October 7 • Scheduled primary (urban) co-operative banks were advised that cash reserve ratio (CRR) will bereduced by 50 basis points from 9.00 per cent to 8.50 per cent of their net demand and time liabilities(NDTL) with effect from the fortnight beginning October 11, 2008.

• Scheduled State co-operative banks were advised that cash reserve ratio (CRR) will be reduced by 50basis points from 9.00 per cent to 8.50 per cent of their net demand and time liabilities (NDTL) with effectfrom the fortnight beginning October 11, 2008.

10 • On a review of the evolving liquidity situation in the context of global and domestic developments,scheduled primary (urban) co-operative banks were advised to reduce the cash reserve ratio (CRR) by150 basis points from 9.00 per cent to 7.50 per cent of their net demand and time liabilities (NDTL)instead of the 50 basis points (from 9.00 per cent to 8.50 per cent) reduction with effect from the fortnightbeginning October 11, 2008.

• On a review of the evolving liquidity situation in the context of global and domestic developments,scheduled state co-operative banks were advised to reduce the CRR by 150 basis points from 9.00 percent to 7.50 per cent of their net demand and time liabilities (NDTL) instead of 50 basis points (from 9.00per cent to 8.50 per cent) reduction with effect from the fortnight beginning October 11, 2008.

15 • All StCBs/DCCBs were advised that the interest rates on fresh Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE)term deposits for one to three years maturity should not exceed the LIBOR/SWAP rates plus 100 basispoints, as on the last working day of September, 2008 for US dollar of corresponding maturities. Theinterest rates as determined above for three year deposits will also be applicable in case the maturityperiod exceeds three years. The changes in interest rates will also apply to NRE deposits renewed aftertheir present maturity period.

• On a review of the evolving liquidity situation all scheduled State co-operative banks were advised toreduce the CRR by 100 basis points from 7.50 per cent to 6.50 per cent of their NDTL with effect from thecurrent reporting fortnight beginning on October 11, 2008.

16 • All UCBs were advised that the interest rates on fresh Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) termdeposits for one to three years maturity should not exceed the LIBOR/SWAP rates plus 100 basis points,as on the last working day of September, 2008 for US dollar of corresponding maturities. The interestrates as determined above for three year deposits will also be applicable in case the maturity periodexceeds three years. The changes in interest rates will also apply to NRE deposits renewed after theirpresent maturity period.


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October • All UCBs were advised that in respect of FCNR (B) deposits of all maturities contracted effective from theclose of business in India as on October 15, 2008 interest rates shall be paid within the ceiling rate ofLIBOR/SWAP rates plus 25 basis points for the respective currency/corresponding maturities. Onfloating rate deposits, interest shall be paid within the ceiling of SWAP rates for the respective currency/maturity plus 25 basis points. For floating rate deposits, the interest reset period shall be six months.

• On a review of the evolving liquidity situation all scheduled primary (urban) co-operative banks wereadvised to reduce the cash reserve ratio (CRR) by 100 basis points from 7.50 per cent to 6.50 per cent oftheir NDTL with effect from the reporting fortnight beginning on October 11, 2008.

C) Financial Institutions (FIs)

2007

April 20 • Comprehensive guidelines on derivatives were issued to all term-lending and refinancing institutions.The major requirements for undertaking any derivative transaction from the regulatory perspective werelaid down. Guidelines also covered extant instructions relating to rupee interest rate derivatives.

May 16 • In partial modification of the earlier guidelines on purchase /sale of NPAs, all India term lending andrefinance institutions were advised that regarding purchase/sale of NPAs, at least 10 per cent of theestimated cash flows should be realised in the first year and at least 5 per cent in each half yearthereafter, subject to full recovery within three years.

July 31 • Select all India FIs (NHB, NABARD, EXIM Bank, SIDBI, TFCI Ltd., IFCI Ltd., IIBI Ltd.) were informed thatSEBI had permitted FIMMDA to set up its reporting platform for corporate bonds. It was also mandatedto aggregate the trades reported on its platform as well as those reported on BSE and NSE withappropriate value addition. FIMMDA had proposed to go live with its platform from September 1, 2007.The select AIFIs were required to report their secondary market transactions in corporate bonds in theOTC market on FIMMDA's reporting platform with effect from September 1, 2007.

August 22 • All AIFIs were advised to invariably furnish a copy of the loan agreement alongwith a copy each of allenclosures quoted in the loan agreement to all borrowers at the time of sanction/disbursement of loans.

2008

May 22 • In terms of earlier guidelines issued on 'KYC Norms' and 'AML Measures', FIs were required to prepare aprofile for each customer based on risk categorisation. The need for periodical review of riskcategorisation was also emphasised. It was reiterated that financial institutions, as a part of transactionmonitoring mechanism, are required to put in place an appropriate software application to throw alertswhen the transactions are inconsistent with risk categorisation and updated profile of customers.

June 4 • It was observed that, over the years, the Government of India has, from time to time, issued severalspecial securities which do not qualify for the purpose of complying with the SLR requirements of FIs.Such Government securities are governed by a separate set of terms and conditions and entail a higherdegree of illiquidity spread. The issue of valuation of such special securities was examined. It has beendecided that, for the limited purpose of valuation, all special securities issued by the Government ofIndia, directly to the beneficiary entities, which do not carry SLR status, may be valued at a spread of 25bps above the corresponding yield on Government of India securities. This amendment would come intoforce from the financial year 2008-09.

D) Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)

2007

April 4 • NBFCs were advised to explicitly state in their advertisements issued in print/electronic media(including web-sites)/statement in lieu of advertisement, that the company is having a valid certificate ofregistration issued by the Reserve Bank. However, the Reserve Bank does not accept any responsibilityor guarantee about the financial soundness of the company or for the correctness of any of thestatements or representations made or opinions expressed by the company and for repayment ofdeposits/discharge of the liabilities by the company.

24 • The maximum interest rate payable on public deposits by NBFCs/miscellaneous non-bankingcompanies (chit fund companies) (excluding RNBCs) revised to 12.5 per cent per annum. The new rate ofinterest would be applicable to fresh public deposits and renewals of matured public deposits.


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April 25 • The securitisation companies/reconstruction companies registered with the Reserve Bank were advisedto submit quarterly statement in the formats SCRC 1 (statement on assets acquired, securitised andreconstructed) and SCRC 2 (statement on assets acquired, securitised and reconstructed-bank-wise),within 15 days of the close of the quarter to which it pertains. The first such statement was to beforwarded for the quarter ending March 31, 2007.

27 • NBFCs - ND-SI advised to put in place a system for submission of an annual statement of capital funds,risk asset ratio etc., as at end-March every year in form NBS-7. The first such return was to be submittedfor the year ending March 31, 2007. The return was to be submitted within a period of three months fromthe close of the financial year, annually.

May 8 • Deposit taking NBFCs with deposit size of Rs.20 crore and above and NBFCs-ND-SI were advised toframe their internal guidelines on corporate governance which, inter alia, may include constitution ofaudit committee, nomination committee and risk management committee. They were also advised tofollow disclosure and transparency practices and instructions on connected lending.

16 • In partial modification of the earlier guidelines, all NBFCs (including RNBCs) were advised that regardingpurchase/sale of NPAs, at least 10 per cent of the estimated cash flows should be realised in the firstyear and at least 5 per cent in each half year thereafter, subject to full recovery within three years.

24 • In view of several complaints regarding levying of excessive interest and charges on certain loans andadvances by NBFCs, they were advised to lay out appropriate internal principles and procedures indetermining interest rates and processing and other charges, even though interest rates are notregulated by the Reserve Bank. NBFCs were advised to keep in view the guidelines on Fair PracticesCode about transparency in respect of terms and conditions of the loan.

28 • Guidelines were issued to all registered Securitisation Companies/ Reconstruction Companies ondeclaration of net asset value of Security Receipts issued by them.

July 2 • Updated guidelines and directions together with guidance notes as on June 30, 2007 were issued toSecuritisation Companies and Reconstruction Companies.

11 • Guidelines on Corporate Governance were issued to all NBFCs-D with deposit size of Rs.20 crore andabove and all NBFCs-ND-SI vide circular dated May 8, 2007. In view of the suggestions received fromvarious NBFCs / association of NBFCs, the instructions relating to connected lending were kept inabeyance till final evaluation of the suggestions and modifications.

September 4 • All deposits taking NBFCs were advised that a copy of FMR-1 where the amount involved in the fraudwas Rs.25 lakh and above should also be submitted to the regional office of the Reserve Bank underwhose jurisdiction the registered office of the NBFC falls.

October 10 • Guidelines were issued to NBFCs (including RNBCs) on September 28, 2006 for framing the FairPractices Code in which it was prescribed under 'loan appraisal and terms/conditions', that the NBFCsshould convey in writing to the borrower by means of sanction letter or otherwise, the amount of loansanctioned alongwith the terms and conditions including annualised rate of interest and method ofapplication thereof and keep the acceptance of these terms and conditions by the borrower on its record.In this connection, NBFCs were advised to invariably furnish a copy of the loan agreement alongwith acopy each of all enclosures quoted in the loan agreement to all the borrowers at the time of sanction/disbursement of loans.

November 22 • The Ministry of Corporate Affairs regulates Mutual Benefit Financial Companies (Notified Nidhis) andMutual Benefit Companies (Potential Nidhis) comprehensively since 2001. Accordingly reflecting thisstatus, the provisions of the Non-Banking Financial Companies Acceptance of Public Deposits (ReserveBank) Directions, 1998 as applicable to Mutual Benefit Financial Companies were updated and suchcompanies were exempted from the provisions of the said directions. However, if the application of anyMBC (Potential Nidhis) for grant of Nidhi status was rejected by the Government of India under theprovisions of the Companies Act 1956, the provisions of the said Directions as applicable to NBFCswould apply to such companies.


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Appendix

November 26 • Keeping in view the continuous complaints from credit card subscribers and the observations of theHigh Court of Delhi in the context of a public interest litigation in this regard, the Telecom RegulatoryAuthority of India (TRAI) has framed the Telecom Unsolicited Commercial Communications Regulations2007 for curbing unsolicited commercial communications (UCC). NBFCs were advised to implement theinstructions issued in this regard.

December 14 • RNBCs were advised that keeping in view the interest of the depositors it was decided that, where anRNBC failed to repay the deposits alongwith interest on maturity on the claim made by the depositor, itwould be liable to pay interest in the manner prescribed in the directions.

2008

January 15 • With prior approval of Central Government, the Reserve Bank notified mortgage guarantee companies asnon-banking financial companies. Further, mortgage guarantee companies were exempted from theprovisions of Section 45-IA (requirement of registration), Section 45-IB (maintenance of liquid assets)and Section 45-IC (creation and transfer to Reserve Fund a certain percentage of the net profit) of the RBIAct.

February 15 • Guidelines on registration and operations of mortgage guarantee companies and prudential norms andinvestment directions as applicable to them were issued.

March 5 • The securitisation companies/reconstruction companies registered with the Reserve Bank were advisedto furnish a copy of audited balance sheets along with the directors report/auditors report every yearwithin one month from the date of annual general body meeting, in which the audited results areadopted, starting with the balance sheet as on March 31, 2008.

• Deposit taking NBFCs (including RNBCs) were advised that cases of 'negligence and cash shortage' and‘irregularities in foreign exchange transactions’ were to be reported as fraud if the intention to cheat/defraud was suspected/proved. However certain cases where fraudulent intention is not suspected/proved at the time of detection, will be treated as fraud and reported. These include, cases of cashshortages more than Rs.10 thousand and cases of cash shortages more than Rs.5 thousand if detectedby management/auditor/inspecting officer and not reported on the occurance by the persons handlingcash.

April 22 • In order to enable the investors to make informed investment decisions in the security receipts (SRs), thedisclosure in respect of underlying basket of assets required to be made by Securitisation Companies/Reconstruction Companies in the offer documents as above, include disclosure in respect of the date ofacquisition of the assets, valuation of the assets and the interest of SCs/RCs in such assets at the timeof issue of SRs.

May 27 • Indirect access to the NDS-OM was extended to other segments of investors, such as, other non-deposittaking NBFCs, corporates and foreign institutional investors (FIIs). These entities were allowed to placeorders on NDS-OM through direct NDS-OM members viz., banks and PDs using the CSGL route.

June 2 • A system of 'Multi Modal Settlements' (MMS) in Government securities market to facilitate the settlementof Government security transactions undertaken by the non-bank/non-PD NDS members. Under thisarrangement, the funds leg of the transactions would be settled through the fund accounts maintainedby these entities with select commercial banks chosen as 'designated settlement banks' (DSB).

17 • In order to ensure a measured movement towards strengthening the financials of all deposit takingNBFCs by increasing their net owned fund (NoF) to a minimum of Rs.200 lakh, NBFCs-D having aminimum NoF of less than Rs.200 lakh were advised to freeze their deposits at the level currently held bythem. Further AFCs having minimum investment grade credit rating and CRAR of 12 per cent arerequired to bring down their public deposits to a level that is 1.5 times their NoF while all othercompanies may bring down their public deposits upto the revised ceiling prescribed.

July 31 • NBFCs were advised that the balance in deferred tax liability (DTL) account would not be eligible forinclusion in Tier I or Tier II capital for capital adequacy purpose as it was not an eligible item of capital.Further, deferred tax asset (DTA) would be treated as an intangible asset and should be deducted fromTier 1 capital.


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August 1 • NBFCs-ND-SI were advised that they would be required to achieve 12 per cent CRAR by March 31, 2009and 15 per cent CRAR by March 31, 2010. A few modifications were made in their disclosure and ALMreporting norms as well.

14 • All deposit taking NBFCs were advised that they could report frauds perpetrated in their subsidiariesand affiliates/joint ventures. Such frauds should, however, not be included in the report on outstandingfrauds and the quarterly progress reports. They were further advised that in respect of frauds inborrowal accounts additional information under FMR-1 as prescribed may be furnished.

September 15 • NBFCs (excluding RNBCs) were advised that the erstwhile equipment leasing/hire purchase NBFCsshould, duly supported by Statutory Auditor's Certificate as on March 31, 2008, approach the regionaloffice concerned for their appropriate reclassification latest by December 31, 2008. Those NBFCs whichdid not opt for the reclassification by the prescribed date would be deemed to be loan companies.

24 • It was decided to call for basic information from non-deposit taking NBFCs with asset size of Rs.50 croreand above but less than Rs.100 crore at quarterly intervals. The first such returns for the quarter endedSeptember 2008 could be submitted by first week of December 2008. The quarterly return as at end ofeach quarter could be filed online with the regional office of the Department of Non-Banking Supervisionin whose jurisdiction the company was registered, within a period of one month from the close of thequarter.

October 29 • Taking into consideration, the need for enhanced funds for increasing business and meeting regulatoryrequirements, it was decided that NBFCs-ND-SI may augment their capital funds by issue of PerpetualDebt Instruments (PDI) subject to certain conditions.

31 • As a temporary measure, it was decided to permit NBFCs-ND-SI to raise short-term foreign currencyborrowings, under the approval route, subject to certain conditions pertaing to eligibility of borrower andlenders, end-use of funds, maturity etc.

E) Primary Dealers (PDs)

2007

April 20 • Comprehensive guidelines on derivatives were issued to PDs. The major requirements for undertakingany derivative transaction from the regulatory perspective were laid down. Guidelines also coveredextant instructions relating to rupee interest rate derivatives.

July 31 • All PDs were advised that the ceiling of Rs. 3,000 crore on daily reverse repo under the LAF waswithdrawn with effect from August 6, 2007. The Second LAF (SLAF) introduced on November 28, 2005and conducted between 3.00-3.45 p.m. on a daily basis was withdrawn w.e.f. August 6, 2007. The Bankwould continue to conduct LAF operations between 9.30 am and 10.30 am as a single LAF window.

August 23 • All PDs were advised that the CCIL had developed a reporting platform for OTC Interest Rate Derivatives,which would capture the transactions in OTC interest rate derivatives (IRS/FRA). All PDs were requiredto report all their IRS/FRA trades on the reporting platform within 30 minutes from the deal time. Clienttrades were not to be reported. PDs should also ensure that details of all the outstanding IRS/FRAcontracts (excluding the client trades) were migrated to the reporting platform by September 15, 2007.

November 14 • All PDs in Government Securities market and scheduled commercial banks undertaking PD businessdepartmentally were advised that the scheme of underwriting commitment and liquidity support hasbeen revised. It was accordingly decided that the minimum bidding requirement for each PD in theadditional competitive underwriting (ACU) auction would henceforth be equal to the amount ofminimum underwriting commitment (MUC) announced by the Reserve Bank.

2008

January 1 • The cover leg of when-issued (WI) transactions was permitted to be undertaken even outside the NDS-OM platform, i.e., through telephone market.

October 20 • The fixed repo rate under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) was reduced by 100 basis points from9.0 per cent to 8.0 per cent with immediate effect. Accordingly, the special term repo and the repo underthe second LAF would be conducted at the revised rate of 8.0 per cent with effect from October 20, 2008.


2008

Appendix: Chronology of Major Policy Developments (Concluded)

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