Category: Press Releases

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated March 23, 2021, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹15 lakh (Rupees Fifteen lakh only) on Sonata Finance Private Limited, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (the company), for non-compliance with certain provisions of the directions issued by RBI on ‘Pricing of Credit’ contained in Non-Banking Financial Company – Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking Company and Deposit taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers vested in RBI under the provisions of clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 58 G read with clause (aa) of sub-section (5) of section 58B of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, taking into account the failure of the company to adhere to the aforesaid directions issued by RBI.

This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the company with its customers.

Background

The statutory inspections of Sonata Finance Private Limited with reference to its financial positions as on March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019, revealed, inter alia, non-compliance with above mentioned directions issued by RBI. In furtherance to the same, a notice was issued to the company advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed for failure to comply with the directions issued by RBI. After considering the company’s reply to the notice, oral submissions made during the personal hearing and examination of additional submissions made by it, RBI came to the conclusion that the charge of non-compliance with aforesaid RBI directions was substantiated and warranted imposition of monetary penalty.

(Yogesh Dayal)     
Chief General Manager

Press Release: 2020-2021/1288

The Reserve Bank of India (RBl) has imposed, by an order dated March 23, 2021, a monetary penalty of ₹1.00 lakh (Rupees One Lakh only) on Nagpur Mahanagarpalika Karmachari Sahakari Bank Ltd., Nagpur (the bank) for contravention of/ non-compliance with the directions issued by RBI on “Exposure Norms and Statutory/Other Restrictions – UCBs”. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers vested in RBI under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Section 46(4)(i) and Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, taking into account the failure of the bank to adhere to the aforesaid directions issued by RBI.

This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers.

Background

The inspection report of the bank based on its financial position as on March 31, 2019, revealed, inter alia, contravention of/ non-compliance with the directions issued by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on “Exposure Norms and Statutory/Other Restrictions -UCBs”. Based on the same, a Notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed for non-compliance with the directions.

After considering the bank’s replies, RBI came to the conclusion that the aforesaid charge of non-compliance with RBI directions was substantiated and warranted imposition of monetary penalty.

(Yogesh Dayal)     
Chief General Manager

Press Release: 2020-2021/1286

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed, by an order dated March 22, 2021, a monetary penalty of ₹6 lakh (Rupees Six lakh only) on Koyana Sahakari Bank Limited, Karad (the bank) for contravention of the directions issued by RBI on Exposure Norms and Statutory / Other Restrictions – UCBs. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers vested in RBI under the provisions of Section 47 A (1) (c) read with Section 46 (4) (i) and Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, taking into account the failure of the bank to adhere to the aforesaid directions issued by RBI.

The action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers.

Background

The inspection report of the bank based on its financial position as on March 31, 2019, revealed that the bank had exceeded prudential inter-bank (single bank) exposure limit. Based on the same, a Notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed for non-compliance with the directions.

After considering the bank’s reply, RBI came to the conclusion that the aforesaid charge of non-compliance with RBI directions was substantiated and warranted imposition of monetary penalty.

(Yogesh Dayal)    
Chief General Manager

Press Release: 2020-2021/1283

The Reserve Bank of India today announced the names of the members of the Standing External Advisory Committee (SEAC) for evaluating applications for Universal Banks as well as Small Finance Banks. The composition of SEAC is:

The secretarial support to the committee would be provided by the Department of Regulation, Reserve Bank of India.

It may be recalled that Guidelines for ‘on tap’ Licensing of Universal Banks in the Private Sector dated August 1, 2016 and Guidelines for ‘on tap’ Licensing of Small Finance Banks in the Private Sector dated December 5, 2019, indicated that the applications for Universal Banks and Small Finance Banks will be initially screened by the Reserve Bank to ensure prima facie eligibility of the applicants. It was also stated that a Standing External Advisory Committee (SEAC) comprising eminent persons with experience in banking, financial sector and other relevant areas, will evaluate the applications thereafter and that the constitution of the SEAC will be announced by Reserve Bank. The tenure of this SEAC will be for three years.

(Yogesh Dayal)     
Chief General Manager

Press Release: 2020-2021/1282

As per the revised Issuance Calendar dated February 01, 2021 for Government of India Dated Securities, the next auction is scheduled to be held on March 26, 2021. On review of position of cash balance, the Government of India has decided to cancel the above scheduled auction.

(Yogesh Dayal)     
Chief General Manager

Press Release: 2020-2021/1281

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated March 22, 2021, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹15 lakh (Rupees Fifteen lakh only) on Fedbank Financial Services Limited, Mumbai (the company) for non-compliance with certain provisions of the directions issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) contained in “Monitoring of Frauds in NBFCs (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016”. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers vested in RBI under the provisions of clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 58 G read with clause (aa) of sub-section (5) of section 58 B of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (the Act).

This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the company with its customers.

Background

The statutory inspection of the company with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2019, revealed, inter alia, non-compliance with the aforesaid directions issued by RBI. In furtherance to the same, a notice was issued to the company advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed for failure to comply with the directions issued by RBI. After considering the company’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made during the personal hearing RBI came to the conclusion that the charge of non-compliance with aforesaid RBI directions was substantiated and warranted imposition of monetary penalty.

(Yogesh Dayal)     
Chief General Manager

Press Release: 2020-2021/1280