HomeCirculars › RBI/2009-10/185

RRBs Must Join Credit Information Companies

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/185 · issued 20 Oct 2009 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI mandates all Regional Rural Banks to become members of at least one credit information company, supply both positive and negative credit data, and comply with the Credit Information Companies Act, 2005 and its regulations.
The rule, in the simplest words
How it plays out — a real example

As a credit & lending officer in Indore, I must ensure that our Regional Rural Bank (RRB) joins a credit information company and supplies accurate credit data to help lenders make informed decisions. When a borrower requests a copy of their credit information, I will provide it to them within the specified time frame, charging a maximum fee of Rs. 50.

What changed

RBI reminded RRBs that they are classified as credit institutions under the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005, and must join at least one credit information company. RRBs are required to build a database and be ready to supply credit data (positive and negative) in the prescribed format. Borrowers can request a copy of their credit information from the RRB for a maximum fee of Rs. 50.

What it means for you

RRBs must now actively participate in the credit information system, which will improve credit assessment and reduce default risk. Lenders will have access to comprehensive credit histories, enabling better lending decisions. Non-compliance with the Act and regulations could invite regulatory action.

What you must do

Who it affects

All Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Borrowers applying for credit from RRBs, Credit information companies

❓ Common questions

What is the deadline for RRBs to become members of a credit information company?

The Act requires membership within three months from its commencement (December 14, 2006) or any extended time allowed by RBI. This circular urges immediate action.

What data must RRBs supply to credit information companies?

RRBs must supply both positive and negative credit data in the format prescribed by the credit information company.

Can a borrower get a copy of their credit information from an RRB?

Yes, any person applying for credit can request a copy, and the RRB must provide it upon payment of a maximum fee of Rs. 50.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2009-10/185 RPCD.CO RRB.No. 32/03.05.33/2009-10 October 20, 2009 The Chairman All Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) Dear Sir, Credit Information Companies (Regulation) (Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2008 As you are aware, the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005 has been operationalised with effect from December 14, 2006. In terms of Section 15(1) of the Act, every credit institution has to become member of at least one credit information company within a period of three months from commencement of the Act or any extended time allowed by the Reserve Bank on application. 2.  As RRBs fall under credit institutions as defined in sub-section (f) of Section 2 of the Act, they would be required to take membership of at least one credit information company and provide credit data (positive as well as negative) to the credit information company in the format prescribed by the credit information company. The success of credit information collection and dissemination system depends on the data supplied by banks to the credit information companies. Therefore, it is desirable that RRBs should be in readiness to supply data to credit information companies as and when they become operational. In view of this, RRBs are advised to urgently initiate steps to build up database and be in readiness for effective exchange of credit information without any loss of time. 3.  In this connection we also invite your attention to the provisions of sub section (1) of Section 21 of the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005, which provides "any person, who applies for grant or sanction of credit facility, from any credit institution, may request to such institution to furnish him a copy of the credit information obtained by such institution from the credit information company". Further, sub-section (2) of the said Section also specifies that every credit institution shall on receipt of request, as indicated in sub-section (1), furnish to such person a copy of the credit information subject to payment of charges specified by the Reserve Bank under the Regulations. 4.  You might be aware that Reserve Bank, in Credit Information Companies Regulations, 2006, framed under the Act, has already prescribed in Regulation 12(3) a maximum fee of Rs. 50/- (Rupees fifty only) for the purpose. 5. RRBs are, therefore, advised to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005 as well as the rules and regulations framed thereunder. Yours faithfully, (R.C.Sarangi) Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/185 · issued 20 Oct 2009. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
🧰 Tools — save, print, templates & related
Worked example & action-note template

Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (All Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Borrowers applying for credit from RRBs, Credit information companies), your first concrete step on “RRBs Must Join Credit Information Companies” is: “Initiate steps to build a comprehensive credit database of all borrowers.” (RBI issued this 20 Oct 2009).

  1. Circular: RBI/2009-10/185 -- RRBs Must Join Credit Information Companies
  2. Issued: 20 Oct 2009
  3. Action required: Initiate steps to build a comprehensive credit database of all borrowers.
  4. Action required: Become a member of at least one credit information company immediately.
  5. Action required: Supply both positive and negative credit data in the format specified by the credit information company.
  6. Action required: Ensure readiness to provide credit information copies to borrowers upon request, charging a maximum fee of Rs. 50.
  7. Action required: Review and ensure strict compliance with the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005 and its rules.
  8. Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
  9. Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
  10. Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.

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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=5320&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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