HomeCirculars › RBI/2007-2008/341

Revised Capital Deduction Norms for Bank Subsidiaries & Associates

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2007-2008/341 · issued 30 May 2008 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI revised capital adequacy norms requiring banks to deduct 50% each from Tier I and Tier II capital for investments in subsidiary equity and non-equity instruments that are reckoned as regulatory capital on a solo basis under Basel I, and extended similar treatment to banking subsidiaries' investments in parent banks under both Basel I and II, and to banking associates' investments in parent banks under Basel II only.

What changed

Previously, only equity investments in subsidiaries were deducted from Tier I capital under Basel I. Now, both equity and non-equity capital instruments of subsidiaries that are reckoned as regulatory capital must be deducted 50% from Tier I and 50% from Tier II capital on a solo basis. Under Basel II, banking subsidiaries' investments in parent bank regulatory capital face the same 50/50 deduction; under Basel II, banking associates' investments in parent banks also face this deduction, but under Basel I, only banking subsidiaries (not associates) are covered.

What it means for you

Banks must adjust their capital computation to reflect these deductions, potentially reducing regulatory capital ratios on a solo basis. This tightens the link between parent and subsidiary capital, preventing double-counting and ensuring capital adequacy reflects true standalone strength. Lenders with significant subsidiary investments may need to raise additional capital or restructure holdings.

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 commercial banks (excluding RRBs), Banking subsidiaries and associates of parent banks, Non-banking financial subsidiaries/associates (subject to their own regulator's norms)

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

What is the definition of an 'associate' under these norms?

An associate is defined as an entity in which the parent bank holds an equity stake exceeding 30% but less than 50% of the paid-up capital.

Does this circular change the treatment under Basel II for bank investments in subsidiaries?

No, there is no change in the instructions for a bank's investment in its subsidiary or associate under the Basel II Framework; the revised norms primarily affect Basel I treatment.

How should non-banking financial subsidiaries handle investments in parent bank capital?

Such investments are governed by the applicable regulatory capital norms of the respective regulators of those non-banking financial subsidiaries or associates, not by this circular.

📜 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 #2236: DBOD.No.BP.BC 88/21.06.001./2007-08 — "Capital Adequacy Norms - Treatment of Banks' Investments in Subsidiaries / Associates and of the Subsidiaries' / Associ”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2007-2008/341 DBOD No.BP.BC 88/ 21.06.001./ 2007-08 May 30, 2008 The Chairman / CMD/ MD/ CEO All Commercial Banks (excluding RRBs) Dear Sir, Capital Adequacy Norms – Treatment of banks’ investments in subsidiaries/ associates and of the subsidiaries’ /associates’ investments in parent banks Please refer to the paragraph 2.1.3 of the Master Circular DBOD No. BP.BC. 4/21.01.002 / 2007-08 dated July 2, 2007 on ‘Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy’ and paragraph 4.4.6 of our circular DBOD. No. BP.BC. 90 / 20.06.001/ 2006-07 dated April 27, 2007 on ‘Implementation of New Capital Adequacy Framework’ regarding the treatment of banks’ investments in subsidiaries / associates for the purpose of capital adequacy norms. 2.The norms governing the treatment of banks' investment in their subsidiaries and associates, and the investments by the banks’ subsidiaries and associates in their parent banks, have been reviewed and it has been decided to revise the norms, both under the Basel - I and Basel - II Frameworks, as detailed below. 2.1. Bank’s investment in a subsidiary / an associate The investments of a bank in the equity as well as non-equity capital instruments issued by a subsidiary, which are reckoned towards its regulatory capital as per norms prescribed by the respective regulator, should be deducted at 50 per cent each, from Tier I and Tier II capital of the parent bank, while assessing the capital adequacy of the bank on ‘solo’ basis , under the Basel I Framework . (Under the extant instructions under Basel I environment, only the equity investments of a bank only in its subsidiaries are required to be deducted, only from Tier I capital of the bank; no such deduction is required for a bank’s investment in associates.) There is no change in the instructions in regard to the treatment of a bank’s investment in its subsidiary / associate under the Basel II Framework. 2.2 Investments by a banking subsidiary / banking associate in its parent bank The investments made by a banking subsidiary in the equity or non equity regulatory-capital instruments issued by its parent bank, should be deducted from such subsidiary’s regulatory capital at 50 per cent each from Tier I and Tier II capital, in its capital adequacy assessment on a solo basis, under Basel I and Basel II Frameworks . In addition, under the Basel II Framework, the same treatment would be applied to the investment by a banking associate also, in its parent bank. The treatment of investment by the non-banking financial subsidiaries / associates in the parent bank’s regulatory capital would, however, be governed by the applicable regulatory capital norms of the respective regulators of such subsidiaries / associates.  3. It may please be noted that for the purpose of the foregoing norms, an “associate” would be defined as an entity in which the parent bank has an equity stake exceeding 30 per cent but less than 50 per cent of the paid up capital of the investee entity. Yours faithfully, (Prashant Saran) Chief General Manager-in-Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2007-2008/341 · issued 30 May 2008. 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=4203&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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