HomeCirculars › RBI/2006-2007/304

NBFCs must add deposit disclaimer in TV ads

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2006-2007/304 · issued 04 Apr 2007 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI now mandates that all deposit-taking NBFCs (excluding RNBCs) include a specific disclaimer in electronic media ads (TV, websites) even if the ad does not solicit deposits. The disclaimer must state the company's valid CoR date and that RBI does not guarantee financial soundness or repayment.

What changed

Previously, the disclaimer requirement applied to advertisements in print or electronic media. Now, a new clause 13(i)(A) specifically requires that any advertisement in electronic media (including TV) that may attract deposits, even if not soliciting deposits, must include a caption/band with the prescribed disclaimer.

What it means for you

NBFCs must review all their electronic media campaigns—even brand-building ads—to ensure the prescribed disclaimer is prominently displayed. Failure to comply will be treated as a violation of the Certificate of Registration conditions, inviting adverse action. This increases compliance burden but enhances depositor transparency.

Historical instruction — do not use for current compliance. This is what was required at the time; it no longer reflects current RBI requirements. If no replacement rule is linked above, that only means none is recorded on our register yet — it does not prove no later applicable rule exists. Confirm on the official RBI source below.

What banks were required to do at the time

Who it affects

All deposit-taking NBFCs (excluding Residuary Non-Banking Companies), Marketing and compliance departments of NBFCs, Advertising agencies handling NBFC accounts

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).

Does this apply to ads that do not mention deposits at all?

Yes. The circular explicitly covers advertisements that 'purely for promoting its business may attract deposits.' Even brand-building ads on TV or websites must carry the disclaimer.

What is the exact wording required in the disclaimer?

The disclaimer must state: (i) viewers should refer to the newspaper ad or application form for deposit solicitation details; (ii) the company holds a valid CoR dated [date] from RBI under section 45-IA, but RBI does not guarantee financial soundness or repayment.

What happens if we fail to include the disclaimer?

Non-compliance will be treated as a violation of the conditions of the Certificate of Registration and will invite adverse action from RBI.

📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Repealed by RBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #2482: Notification No. DNBS.194/CGM(PK)-2007 — "Non-Banking Financial Companies Acceptance of Public Deposits (Reserve Bank) Directions, 1998" dated April 4, 2007”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2006-2007/304 DNBS (PD) / CC. No. 91 / 03.02.034 / 2006- 07 April 4, 2007 To All Deposit taking Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) (excluding Residuary Non-Banking Companies) Advertisement in electronic media NBFCs may refer to letter DNBS (PD) No. 788 / 02.34 / 2004-05 dated May 12, 2005 on the captioned subject advising therein that NBFCs should explicitly include in their advertisements issued in print or electronic media (including web-sites) or statement in lieu of advertisement (SILA), a statement to the effect. "The company is having a valid Certificate of Registration dated _______ issued by the Reserve Bank of India under section 45-IA of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. However, the Reserve Bank of India does not accept any responsibility or guarantee about the present position as to the financial soundness of the company or for the correctness of any of the statements or representations made or opinions expressed by the company and for repayment of deposits/discharge of the liabilities by the company." NBFCs were also advised to note that failure to incorporate the condition as above explicitly in the advertisement/SILA whether issued in print or electronic media (including web-site) will be treated as violation of the conditions subject to which the Certificate of Registration has been issued and shall invite adverse action. 2. It is possible that the advertisement released by NBFCs accepting deposits purely for promoting its business may attract deposits. To ensure transparency in the interest of depositors in the context of such advertisements and draw attention of the depositors to the above provision, it is proposed to incorporate suitable provision in Non-Banking Financial Companies Acceptance of Public Deposits (Reserve Bank) Directions, 1998. "(i) As regards deposit taking activity of the company, the viewers may refer to the advertisement in the newspaper/information furnished in the application form for soliciting public deposits; (ii) The company is having a valid Certificate of Registration dated _______ issued by the Reserve Bank of India under section 45-IA of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. However, the Reserve Bank of India does not accept any responsibility or guarantee about the present position as to the financial soundness of the company or for the correctness of any of the statements or representations made or opinions expressed by the company and for repayment of deposits/discharge of the liabilities by the company." 3. A copy of the amending Notification No. DNBS. 194/CGM(PK)-2007 dated April 4, 2007 as well as updated Notification No.DFC.118/DG(SPT)-98 dated January 31, 1998 is enclosed for meticulous compliance. Yours faithfully, ( P. Krishnamurthy) Chief General Manager In-Charge RESERVE BANK OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF NON-BANKING SUPERVISION CENTRAL OFFICE CENTRE I, WORLD TRADE CENTRE, CUFFE PARADE, COLABA, MUMBAI 400 005. Notification No. DNBS.194 / CGM(PK)-2007 dated April 4, 2007 The Reserve Bank of India, having satisfied that, in the public interest, and to enable the Bank to regulate the credit system of the country to its advantage, it is necessary to amend the Non-Banking Financial Companies Acceptance of Public Deposits (Reserve Bank) Directions, 1998 , in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 45J, 45JA, 45K and 45L of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934) and of all the powers enabling it in this behalf, hereby directs that the said directions contained in " Notification No.DFC.118/DG(SPT)-98 dated January 31, 1998 " shall stand amended with immediate effect as follows, namely - A new clause 13(i)(A) in paragraph 4 shall be inserted: "Where an NBFC displays any advertisement in electronic media such as TV, even without soliciting deposits, it should incorporate a caption/band in such advertisements indicating the following: i) As regards deposit taking activity of the company, the viewers may refer to the advertisement in the newspaper/information furnished in the application form for soliciting public deposits; ii)The company is having a valid Certificate of Registration dated _______ issued by the Reserve Bank of India under section 45-IA of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. However, the Reserve Bank of India does not accept any responsibility or guarantee about the present position as to the financial soundness of the company or for the correctness of any of the statements or representations made or opinions expressed by the company and for repayment of deposits/discharge of the liabilities by the company." (P. Krishnamurthy) Chief General Manager In-Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2006-2007/304 · issued 04 Apr 2007. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=3389&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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