RBI clears the decks for on-tap banking, bars big corporates

Mumbai: Paving the way for entry of new players in banking sector, the Reserve Bank Monday heralded 'on tap' universal banking licence regime, but excluded large industrial houses from the purview though they can invest up to 10 percent in new banks.

At present, there are 27 public sector banks and 24 private sector banks in the country.

"The licensing window will be open on-tap, and the applications ... Could be submitted to the RBI at any point of time," according to the 'Guidelines for 'on tap' Licensing of Universal Banks in the Private Sector' released by RBI.

As per the guidelines, the initial minimum paid-up voting equity capital for a bank should be Rs 500 crore and thereafter, the bank should have a minimum net worth of Rs 500 crore at all times.

"Large industrial houses are excluded as eligible entities but are permitted to invest in the banks up to 10 percent," the guidelines said.

Individuals/professionals who are 'residents' and have 10 years of experience in banking and finance at a senior level and existing non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) that are 'controlled by residents' and have a successful track record for at least 10 years can apply for the licence.

Further, "entities/groups in the private sector that are 'owned and controlled by residents' and have a successful track record for at least 10 years, provided that if such entity/group has total assets of Rs 5,000 crore or more, the non-financial business of the group does not account for 40 percent or more in terms of total assets/in terms of gross income" are also eligible promoters.

The applicant would have to pass the 'Fit and Proper' criteria. According to it, promoter/promoting entity/promoter group should have a past record of sound financials, credentials, integrity and have a minimum 10 years of successful track record.

The foreign shareholding in the bank would be as per the existing FDI. At present, the aggregate foreign investment limit is 74 percent.

While assuming charge on September 4, 2013, Governor Raghuram Rajan had said one of his key reform measures would to put bank licensing on-tap. He fulfilled a part of it in April 2014 by issuing in-principal approvals to two-infra lender IDFC and microfinancier Bandhan, out of 25 applicants. Both of them are operational since last year. These banks came in after a gap of over a decade.

Besides, the RBI gave in-principle approval to 10 payments banks and 11 small finance banks last year.

RBI had last issued guidelines for licensing of new banks

in the private sector on February 22, 2013. Consequently, the RBI issued in-principle approval to two applicants and they have since established the banks (Bandhan Bank and IDFC Bank).

It its monetary policy statement in April 2014, RBI had indicated that after issuing in-principle approval for new licences, the central bank will start working on the framework for on-tap licensing as well as differentiated bank licences.

RBI released draft guidelines on 'on-tap' licences for universal banks in May.

After considering the experience of licensing two universal banks in 2014 and granting in-principle approvals for Small Finance Banks and Payments Banks, RBI has now worked out the framework for granting licences to universal banks on a continuous basis, RBI said in a release.

On approval process, RBI said that the applications will be referred to a Standing External Advisory Committee (SEAC) to be set up by the Reserve Bank. The validity of the in-principle approval issued by the RBI will be 18 months from the date of granting in-principle approval and would thereafter lapse automatically.

On minimum capital requirement, RBI further said the promoter/s and the promoter group/Non Operative Financial Holding Company (NOFHC), should hold a minimum of 40 percent of the paid-up voting equity capital of the bank which would be locked-in for a period of five years from the date of commencement of business of the bank.