RBI Bans Public Deposits for MNBCs, Tightens Shareholder Norms
No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/133 · issued 28 Aug 2009 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI has prohibited Miscellaneous Non-Banking Companies (MNBCs) from accepting deposits from the public, effective immediately. Only deposits from shareholders are allowed, capped at 15% of net owned funds. Existing public deposits must be repaid on maturity and cannot be renewed.
What changed
RBI amended the Miscellaneous Non-Banking Companies (Reserve Bank) Directions, 1977, to ban acceptance of public deposits by MNBCs. Shareholder deposits are now capped at 15% of net owned funds, and all existing public deposits must be repaid on maturity without renewal. Earlier provisions allowing public deposits and certain exemptions for debentures/bonds have been deleted.
What it means for you
MNBCs can no longer rely on public deposits for funding, which tightens their liquidity and forces them to seek alternative capital sources. Banks and lenders dealing with MNBCs should reassess credit risk, as these firms face reduced funding flexibility. The cap on shareholder deposits also limits related-party funding, potentially impacting MNBCs' balance sheets.
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
Review all deposit portfolios of MNBC clients to ensure compliance with the public deposit ban.
Update internal credit policies to reflect the reduced funding capacity of MNBCs.
Advise MNBC clients to plan repayment of existing public deposits on maturity without renewal.
Monitor shareholder deposit levels to ensure they stay within the 15% of net owned funds limit.
Who it affects
Miscellaneous Non-Banking Companies (MNBCs), Banks and financial institutions lending to MNBCs, Depositors of MNBCs
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-19 08:56 IST
repealed_by — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
Status change: withdrawn03 Aug 2026, 04:00 IST
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
Can MNBCs accept any deposits after this circular?
Yes, only from shareholders, and the total outstanding shareholder deposits must not exceed 15% of the company's net owned funds.
What happens to existing public deposits held by MNBCs?
They must be repaid on their maturity date and cannot be renewed. No new public deposits can be accepted.
Does this affect non-convertible bonds or debentures issued by MNBCs?
Yes, the amendment deletes the exemption for such instruments, so they are now treated as prohibited deposits unless from shareholders.
📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Repealed byRBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #1831: DNBS.(PD).CC.No.159/03.03.01/2009-10 — "Acceptance of Deposits by Chit Fund Companies" dated August 28, 2009”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2009-10/133
DNBS (PD) CC.No. 159 /03.03.01/2009-10
August 28, 2009
To
All Miscellaneous Non-Banking Companies (MNBCs)
Dear Sirs,
Acceptance of Deposits by Chit Fund Companies
The Reserve Bank of India, having considered it necessary in the public interest and being satisfied that for the purpose of enabling the Bank to regulate the credit system of the country to its advantage, it is necessary to amend the Miscellaneous Non-Banking Companies (Reserve Bank) Directions, 1977, in exercise of the powers conferred by Sections 45J,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 with immediate effect, prohibit MNBCs from accepting deposits from public except from the shareholders, which is subject to the conditions specified in the Directions issued by the Reserve Bank. Any deposit accepted and held by the MNBCs other than from its shareholders as on date shall be repaid on maturity and shall not be eligible for renewal.
2. The amending notification No. 207 of date as also the updated Notification DNBC.39/DG(H) -77 dated June 20, 1977 (as amended up-to-date) are enclosed for your information and compliance.
3. Kindly acknowledge receipt to the Regional Office of the Department of Non-Banking Supervision, Reserve Bank of India under whose jurisdiction the Registered Office of your company is situated.
Yours sincerely
(A. Narayana Rao)
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. 207/CGM (ANR)-2009 dated August 28, 2009
The Reserve Bank of India, having considered it necessary in the public interest and being satisfied that for the purpose of enabling the Bank to regulate the credit system of the country to its advantage, it is necessary to amend the Miscellaneous Non-Banking Companies (Reserve Bank) Directions, 1977, (hereinafter referred to as the Directions) in exercise of the powers conferred by Sections 45J, 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. DNBC. 39 / DG (H)-77 dated June 20, 1977 shall stand amended with immediate effect, as follows, namely –
A. In clause (a) of paragraph 5 of the Directions, the first and second provisos shall stand deleted.
B. In clause (b) of paragraph 5 of the Directions,
1. Sub-clause (i) shall be substituted with the following words:
"any deposit from a shareholder, if the amount of such deposit already received and outstanding in the books of the company as on the date of acceptance or renewal of such deposits, exceeds fifteen per cent of its net owned funds".
2. Sub-clause (ii) shall be substituted with the following words:
"any other deposit, including non-convertible bonds or debentures".
3. The following Proviso shall be inserted:
“Provided that where a miscellaneous non-banking company is holding any deposit accepted from any person other than its shareholders, the same shall be repaid on maturity and shall not be eligible for renewal”.
4. Sub-clauses (iii) and (iv) shall stand deleted.
C. In sub-clause (a) of clause (1) of paragraph 9A, the proviso “Provided that nothing contained in this clause shall apply to monies raised by the issue of debentures and bonds”, shall stand deleted.
D. In paragraph 9A, clause (2) shall stand deleted.
E. In Paragraph 9AB, after the words “an existing depositor” and before the words “to renew his deposit” the following words shall be inserted:
“being a shareholder”.
F. In Paragraph 9B, in the title of clauses (ii) and (iii) viz; ‘Repayment of public deposits by miscellaneous non-banking company not being a problem miscellaneous non-banking company’ and ‘Repayment of public deposits by problem miscellaneous non-banking company’ respectively, the word ‘public’ shall stand deleted.
(A. Narayana Rao)
Chief General Manager - in - Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/133 · issued 28 Aug 2009. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.
BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 03 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly). Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=5235&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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