Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/240 · issued 01 Dec 2009 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI mandates all State and Central Co-operative Banks to become members of at least one credit information company and supply both positive and negative credit data. Banks must build databases urgently and comply with the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005.
The rule, in the simplest words
All co-op banks (banks owned by members) must join at least one credit info company (a company that collects loan records).
Banks must send both good and bad loan data (positive and negative credit info) to the credit info company.
Banks must quickly build a database (a computer list of all loans) to be ready to share data.
If a borrower asks for their own credit report, the bank must give it for a fee of at most Rs. 50 (fifty rupees).
How it plays out — a real example
A co-operative bank branch officer in Indore, Priya, is updating her bank's loan records. She makes sure every customer's loan payment history—both on-time and late payments—is entered into a new database. This way, when the credit info company starts working, her bank can send the data and help other lenders check borrowers' credit health.
What changed
RBI reminded co-operative banks that they are classified as credit institutions under the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005, and must join at least one credit information company within the stipulated timeframe. Banks are required to supply credit data in the format prescribed by the credit information company and be ready for data exchange as soon as these companies become operational.
What it means for you
Co-operative banks now have a clear regulatory obligation to participate in the credit information ecosystem, which will improve credit assessment and reduce default risk. Lenders must invest in building robust databases and ensure timely data submission to avoid non-compliance. The fee for borrowers requesting their credit information is capped at Rs. 50, as per RBI regulations.
What you must do
Initiate steps to build a comprehensive credit database covering both positive and negative data.
Apply for membership of at least one credit information company without delay.
Ensure readiness to supply credit data in the format prescribed by the credit information company.
Comply with Section 21 of the Act by providing credit information copies to borrowers on request at a maximum fee of Rs. 50.
Review and align internal processes with the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005 and its regulations.
Who it affects
All State Co-operative Banks, All Central Co-operative Banks, Credit information companies
❓ Common questions
What is the deadline for co-operative banks to become members of a credit information company?
The Act requires every credit institution to become a member within three months from the commencement of the Act (December 14, 2006) or any extended time allowed by RBI. This circular urges banks to act urgently if they have not yet complied.
What data must co-operative banks supply to credit information companies?
Banks must supply both positive and negative credit data in the format prescribed by the credit information company. The success of the system depends on the quality and timeliness of data provided.
Can a borrower request their credit information from a co-operative bank?
Yes, under Section 21 of the Act, any person applying for credit can request a copy of the credit information obtained by the bank. The bank must provide it subject to a maximum fee of Rs. 50 as per RBI regulations.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2009-10/240
RPCD.CO.RF.BC.No.44/07.40.06/2009-10
December 1, 2009
All State and Central Co-operative Banks
Dear Sir,
Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005
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 Co-operative Banks 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 all State and Central Co-operative Banks should be in readiness to supply data to credit information companies as and when they become operational. In view of this, they 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. State and Central Co-operative Banks 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/2009-10/240 · issued 01 Dec 2009. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (All State Co-operative Banks, All Central Co-operative Banks, Credit information companies), your first concrete step on “Co-op Banks Must Join Credit Info Companies” is: “Initiate steps to build a comprehensive credit database covering both positive and negative data.” (RBI issued this 01 Dec 2009).
Circular: RBI/2009-10/240 -- Co-op Banks Must Join Credit Info Companies
Issued: 01 Dec 2009
Action required: Initiate steps to build a comprehensive credit database covering both positive and negative data.
Action required: Apply for membership of at least one credit information company without delay.
Action required: Ensure readiness to supply credit data in the format prescribed by the credit information company.
Action required: Comply with Section 21 of the Act by providing credit information copies to borrowers on request at a maximum fee of Rs. 50.
Action required: Review and align internal processes with the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005 and its regulations.
Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
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.
💬 Banker Discussion
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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=5392&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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