HomeCirculars › RBI/2009-10/443

UCBs Can Now Open Off-site ATMs Without Annual Plan Approval

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/443 · issued 04 May 2010 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI has liberalised off-site ATM norms for well-managed Primary (Urban) Cooperative Banks. Eligible UCBs can now set up off-site ATMs without prior approval through Annual Business Plans, subject to meeting specific regulatory criteria including minimum CRAR of 10%, net NPAs below 5%, and three years of continuous profit.

What changed

Previously, UCBs had to include off-site ATM proposals in their Annual Business Plans for RBI approval. Now, well-managed UCBs meeting six conditions—such as 10% CRAR, net NPAs under 5%, no CRR/SLR default, three years of net profit, sound internal controls with two professional directors, and regulatory comfort—can apply directly to their Regional Office without waiting for the annual plan cycle.

What it means for you

This liberalisation reduces bureaucratic delays for compliant UCBs, enabling faster deployment of ATMs to improve customer reach and digital infrastructure. Banks must ensure continuous compliance with the eligibility criteria, as any slippage could invite regulatory scrutiny. The move aligns with RBI's push for financial inclusion and modernisation of cooperative banking.

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

Primary (Urban) Cooperative Banks (UCBs), RBI Regional Offices handling UCB applications, Customers of eligible UCBs seeking better ATM access

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

What are the key eligibility criteria for UCBs to open off-site ATMs under this liberalised framework?

UCBs must maintain a minimum CRAR of 10% on a continuous basis, have net NPAs below 5%, no default in CRR/SLR during the preceding financial year, continuous net profit for the last three years, a sound internal control system with at least two professional directors on the board, and overall regulatory comfort based on compliance track record.

Do we still need to follow the old Master Circular instructions for ATM operations?

Yes, all other instructions on functional facilities at off-site ATMs, inter-account transfer, telephone connectivity, and shared payment networks remain unchanged as per the Master Circular dated July 1, 2009.

📜 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 #1710: UBD.CO.LS.Cir.No.64/07.01.000/2009-10 — "Annual Policy Statement for the Year 2010-11 - Opening of Off-site ATMs by Primary (Urban) Cooperative Banks - Libera”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2009-10/443 UBD.CO.LS.Cir.No. 64 /07.01.000/2009-10 May 04, 2010 All Primary (Urban) Cooperative Banks Dear Sir/Madam Annual Policy Statement for the year 2010-11- Opening of Off-site ATMs by Primary (Urban) Cooperative banks-Liberalisation Please refer to para 85 of the Annual Policy Statement 2010-11 ( copy enclosed ) in terms of which, it has been decided to allow well managed UCBs to set up off-site ATMs without seeking approval through the Annual Business Plans. 2.  Accordingly, the instructions/guidelines contained in Master circular UBD.BL(PCB)MC.No.14/07.01.000/2009-10 dated July 1, 2009 and circular UBD.CO.LS.Cir.No.52/07.01.000/2009-10 dated June 16, 2008 have been reviewed and it has been decided that approvals for opening off site ATMs in respect of such UCBs will henceforth be considered outside Annual Business Plans, subject to: i)  Maintenance of a minimum CRAR of 10% on a continuous basis with minimum owned funds commensurate with entry point capital norms for the centre where the off-site ATM is proposed/where the bank is registered ii)   Net NPAs being less than 5% iii)  No default in the maintenance of CRR/SLR during the preceding financial year iv)  Continuous net profit for the last three years v) Sound internal control system with at least two professional directors on the board and vi) Regulatory comfort based on inter alia, track record of compliance with the provisions of Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (AACS), RBI Act, 1934 and the instructions/directions issued by RBI from time to time. 3.   UCBs, satisfying the above mentioned norms may prepare an application for opening Off-site Automated Teller Machines, as per their requirement, in their existing area of operation , with the approval of their Board of Directors and submit the same, in duplicate, along with Annexes I , II , III and IV to the respective Regional Offices of Reserve Bank of India. 4.  All other instructions on functional facilities provided at off-site ATMs, inter-account transfer, telephone connection between the ‘stand alone ’ATMs with branch ATMs and Shared Payment Network System, posting of person other than security guard, sharing/interlinking of ATMS, etc. contained in our Master circular dated July 01, 2009 remain unchanged. Yours faithfully (A.Udgata) Chief General Manager Encl. as above Annual Policy Statement for the year 2010-11 85. Liberalisation of Off-site ATMs by UCBs Under the extant policy of branch authorization, UCBs, which are well-managed and meet the regulatory criteria, are required to submit annual business plans, based on which centres are allotted to them according to their choice of opening of branches.  Centres where UCBs desire to open off-site ATMs are also required to be included in their annual business plan.  In order to further improve the banking infrastructure, it has been decided to liberalise the approach to setting up of off-site ATMs by UCBs. Accordingly, it is proposed: to allow well-managed UCBs to set up off-site ATMs  without seeking approval through the Annual Business Plans. ANNEX I 1.   Name and address of the bank 2.   Licence No. and date of licence 3.  Area of Operation (as approved by RBI) 4.  Whether bank has an elected Board of Directors? 5.   If so, whether there are two professional directors? 6.   No. of existing branches (List of branches to be annexed), their location and the population of the centre where the branch is located as per latest census 7.   No. of existing extension counters (List to be annexed) with address 8.  No. of existing Off Site ATMs (List to be annexed) with address 9.  Whether there were / are any default in CRR/SLR (If yes, give details and the  reasons for the same) ANNEX II Financial Position as per audited balance sheet (latest) (Rs. lakhs) Name of the bank: Sl.No.
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/443 · issued 04 May 2010. 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=5645&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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