RBI Updates Capital Rules for State and District Co-op Banks

RBI/2022-23/31 DOR.CAP.REC.22/09.18.201/2022-23 April 19, 2022 The Chief Executive Officer All State and Central Co-operative Banks Madam / Dear Sir, Issue and regulation of share capital and securities - State Co-operative Banks and District Central Co-operative Banks The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2020 (No. 39 of 2020), notified in the Gazette of India on September 29, 2020 (vide Notification No. 64 of that date), has come into force with effect from April 01, 2021 for Rural Co-operative Banks (RCBs), i.e. State Co-operative Banks (StCBs) and District Central Co-operative Banks (DCCBs). 2. The extant instructions for RCBs on issue and regulation of capital funds have been reviewed keeping in view, inter alia, the provisions of Section 12 read with Section 56 of the amended Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (BR Act). Augmentation of capital funds 3. RCBs are permitted to raise share capital, as hitherto, by way of (i) issue of shares to persons within their area of operation, in accordance with the provisions of their bye-laws, and (ii) issue of additional shares to the existing members. 4. RCBs are also permitted to issue the following instruments to augment their capital: I. Preference Shares Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preference Shares (PNCPS) eligible for inclusion in Tier I capital Perpetual Cumulative Preference Shares (PCPS) eligible for inclusion in Tier II capital Redeemable Non-Cumulative Preference Shares (RNCPS) eligible for inclusion in Tier II capital Redeemable Cumulative Preference Shares (RCPS) eligible for inclusion in Tier II capital II. Debt instruments Perpetual Debt Instruments (PDI) eligible for inclusion in Tier I capital Long Term Subordinated Bonds (LTSB) eligible for inclusion in Tier II capital 5. The guidelines governing the instruments specified in para 4 (I) &(II) above, indicating the regulatory requirements, are enclosed in Annexes I & II respectively. 6. For the purpose of enhancing investor education on the risk characteristics of regulatory capital requirements, RCBs, which issue regulatory capital instruments as specified in para 4 above, shall adhere to the following conditions: a) For floating rate instruments, banks should not use their Fixed Deposit rate as benchmark. b) A specific sign-off as quoted below, from the investors, for having understood the features and risks of the instruments, may be incorporated in the common application form of the proposed issue: "By making this application, I / we acknowledge that I / we have understood the terms and conditions of the issue of [Name of the share/security] being issued by [Name of the bank] as disclosed in the Prospectus and Offer Document". c) RCBs shall ensure that all the publicity material / offer document, application form and other communication with the investor should clearly state in bold letters (Arial font, size 14, equivalent size in English / Vernacular version) how a PNCPS / PCPS / RNCPS / RCPS / PDI / LTSB, as the case may be, is different from a fixed deposit, and that these instruments are not covered by deposit insurance. d) The procedure for transfer to legal heirs in the event of death of the subscriber of the instrument should also be specified. Refund of share capital 7. In terms of Section 12 (2) (ii) read with Section 56 of the BR Act, a co-operative bank shall not withdraw or reduce its share capital, except to the extent and subject to such conditions as the Reserve Bank may specify in this behalf. Accordingly, it has been decided to permit RCBs to refund the share capital to their members, or nominees / heirs of deceased members, on demand, subject to the following conditions: a) The bank’s capital to risk-weighted assets ratio (CRAR) is 9 percent or above, both as per the latest audited financial statements and the last CRAR as assessed by NABARD during statutory inspection. b) Such refund does not result in the CRAR of the bank falling below regulatory minimum of 9 per cent. 8. It is clarified that for the purpose of computing CRAR as above, accretion to capital funds after the balance sheet date 1 , other than by way of profits, may be taken into account. Any reduction in capital funds, including by way of losses, during the aforesaid period shall also be considered. Repeal 9. The list of circulars, that stand repealed fully or partially, is furnished in Appendix to the circular. Effective Date 10. These instructions shall come into force with immediate effect. Yours faithfully, (Usha Janakiraman) Chief General Manager Encl: As above Annex- I Guidelines on issuance of Preference Shares A. Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preference Shares (PNCPS) eligible for inclusion in Tier-I capital RCBs are permitted to issue Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preference Shares (PNCPS) at face value to their members or any other person residing within their area of operation, with the prior approval of Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The RCBs shall submit the application seeking permission, together with the Prospectus / Offer Document / Information Memorandum, to the concerned Regional Office of the RBI. A certificate from a Chartered Accountant to the effect that the terms of the offer document are in compliance with these instructions shall also be submitted along with the application. The amounts raised through PNCPS shall comply with the following terms and conditions to qualify for inclusion as Tier-I capital. 2. Terms of Issue 2.1 Limits The outstanding amount of PNCPS and Perpetual Debt Instruments (PDI) along with outstanding Innovative Perpetual Debt Instruments (IPDI) shall not exceed 35 per cent of total Tier-I capital at any point of time. The above limit will be based on the amount of Tier-I capital after deduction of goodwill and other intangible assets, but before deduction of equity investment in subsidiaries, if any. PNCPS issued in excess of the overall ceiling of 35 per cent, shall be eligible for inclusion under Upper Tier-II capital, subject to limits prescribed for Tier-II capital. However, investors' rights and obligations would remain unchanged. 2.2 Amount The amount of PNCPS to be raised shall be decided by the Board of Directors of banks. 2.3 Maturity The PNCPS shall be perpetual. 2.4 Options a. PNCPS shall not be issued with a 'put option' or 'step up option'. b. PNCPS may be issued with a call option, subject to following conditions: The call option on the instrument is permissible after the instrument has run for at least ten years; and Call option shall be exercised only with the prior approval of Department of Regulation (DoR), RBI. While considering the proposals received from banks for exercising the call option, the RBI would, among other things, take into consideration the bank’s CRAR position both at the time of exercise of the call option and after exercise of the call option. 2.5 Classification in the Balance Sheet These instruments shall be classified as 'Capital' and shown separately in the Balance Sheet. 2.6 Dividend The rate of dividend payable to the investors will be a fixed rate or a floating rate referenced to a market determined rupee interest benchmark rate. 2.7 Payment of Dividend 2.7.1 The payment of dividend by the bank shall be subject to availability of distributable surplus out of current year’s profits, and if: the CRAR is above the minimum regulatory requirement prescribed by RBI the impact of such payment does not result in bank's CRAR falling below or remaining below the minimum regulatory requirement prescribed by RBI the balance sheet as at the end of the previous year does not show any accumulated loss 2.7.2 The dividend shall not be cumulative, i.e. dividend missed in a year shall not be paid in subsequent years even if adequate profit is available and the level of CRAR conforms to the regulatory minimum. When dividend is paid at a rate lesser than the prescribed rate, the unpaid amount will not be paid in future years, even if adequate profit is available and the level of CRAR conforms to the regulatory minimum. 2.7.3 All instances of non-payment of dividend / payment of dividend at a rate less than that specified should be reported by the issuing RCB to the concerned Regional Office (RO) of NABARD and DoS, RBI. 2.8 Seniority of Claim The claims of the investors in PNCPS shall be senior to the claims of investors in equity shares and subordinated to the claims of all other creditors and the depositors. 2.9 Voting Rights The investors in PNCPS shall not be eligible for any voting rights. 2.10 Discount The PNCPS shall not be subjected to a progressive discount for capital adequacy purposes since these are perpetual. 2.11 Other Conditions 2.11.1 PNCPS shall be fully paid-up, unsecured, and free of any restrictive clauses. 2.11.2 RCBs shall also comply with the terms and conditions, if any, stipulated by other regulatory authorities in regard to issue of the PNCPS, provided they are not in conflict with the terms and conditions specified in these guidelines. Any instance of conflict shall be brought to the notice of DoR of RBI for seeking confirmation of the eligibility of the instrument for inclusion in Tier I capital. 2.12 Compliance with Reserve Requirements 2.12.1 The total amount raised by the bank by issue of PNCPS shall not be reckoned as liability for calculation of net demand and time liabilities for the purpose of reserve requirements and, as such, will not attract CRR / SLR requirements. 2.12.2 However, the amount collected from members / prospective investors and held pending allotment of the PNCPS, shall be reckoned as liability for the purpose of calculating the net demand and time liabilities and shall, accordingly, attract reserve requirements. Such amounts shall not be reckoned for calculation of capital funds. 2.13 Reporting Requirements RCBs issuing PNCPS shall submit a report to the concerned RO of DoS, RBI and NABARD, giving details of the capital raised, including the terms and conditions of issue together with a copy of the Prospectus / Offer Document, soon after the issue is completed. 2.14 Investments in PNCPS and Advances for Purchase of PNCPS RCBs shall not grant any loan or advance to any person for purchasing their own PNCPS or the PNCPS of other banks. Further, RCBs shall not invest in PNCPS of other banks and shall not grant advances against the security of the PNCPS issued by them or other banks. However, StCBs may invest in PNCPS issued by DCCBs affiliated to them subject to the condition that the amount so invested should be deducted from Tier I capital of the StCB. B. Perpetual Cumulative Preference Shares (PCPS) / Redeemable Non-Cumulative Preference Shares (RNCPS) / Redeemable Cumulative Preference Shares (RCPS) for inclusion in Upper Tier-II capital RCBs are permitted to issue Perpetual Cumulative Preference Shares (PCPS) / Redeemable Non-Cumulative Preference Shares (RNCPS) / Redeemable Cumulative Preference Shares (RCPS), at face value, to their members or any other person residing within their area of operation, with the prior approval of the RBI. The RCBs shall submit the application seeking permission, together with the Prospectus / Offer Document / Information Memorandum to the concerned Regional Office of the RBI. A certificate from a Chartered Accountant to the effect that the terms of the offer document are in compliance with these instructions shall also be submitted along with the application. These three instruments, collectively referred to as Tier-II preference shares, shall comply with the following terms and conditions, to qualify for inclusion as Upper Tier-II capital. 2. Terms of issue 2.1 Limits The outstanding amount of these instruments along with other components of Tier-II capital shall not exceed 100 per cent of Tier-I capital at any point of time. The above limit shall be based on the amount of Tier -I capital after deduction of goodwill and other intangible assets, but before deduction of equity investment in subsidiaries, if any. 2.2 Amount The amount to be raised may be decided by the Board of Directors of banks. 2.3 Maturity The Tier-II preference shares could be either perpetual (PCPS) or dated (RNCPS and RCPS) instruments with a minimum maturity of 10 years. 2.4 Options 2.4.1 These instruments shall not be issued with a 'put option' or 'step up option'. 2.4.2 These instruments may be issued with a call option, subject to following conditions: The call option on the instrument is permissible after the instrument has run for at least ten years; and Call option shall be exercised only with the prior approval of DoR, RBI. While considering the proposals received from banks for exercising the call option, the RBI would, among other things, take into consideration the bank's CRAR position both at the time of exercise of the call option and after exercise of the call option. 2.5 Classification in the Balance Sheet These instruments will be classified as 'Borrowings' and shown separately in the Balance sheet. 2.6 Coupon The coupon payable to the investors may be either at a fixed rate or at a floating rate referenced to a market determined rupee interest benchmark rate. 2.7 Payment of Coupon 2.7.1 The coupon payable on these instruments will be treated as interest and accordingly debited to P& L Account. However, it will be payable only if: the bank’s CRAR is above the minimum regulatory requirement prescribed by RBI the impact of such payment does not result in bank’s CRAR falling below or remaining below the minimum regulatory requirement. the bank should not have a net loss. For this purpose, the net loss is defined as either (i) the accumulated loss at the end of the previous financial year or (ii) the loss incurred during the current financial year. 2.7.2 In the case of PCPS and RCPS, the unpaid / partly unpaid coupon will be treated as a liability. The interest amount due and remaining unpaid may be allowed to be paid in later years subject to the bank complying with the above requirements. 2.7.3 In the case of RNCPS, deferred coupon will not be paid in future years, even if adequate profit is available and the level of CRAR conforms to the regulatory minimum. The bank can however pay a coupon at a rate lesser than the specified rate, if adequate profit is available and the level of CRAR conforms to the regulatory minimum, subject to conformity with para 2.7.1. 2.7.4 All instances of non-payment of interest or payment of interest at a rate lesser than the specified rate should be reported by the issuing RCB to the concerned RO of NABARD and DoS, RBI. 2.8 Redemption / Repayment of Redeemable Tier-II Preference Shares RNCPS and RCPS shall not be redeemable at the initiative of the holder. Redemption of these instruments at maturity shall be made only with the prior approval of the DoR, RBI subject, inter alia, to the following conditions: the bank’s CRAR is above the minimum regulatory requirement prescribed by RBI. the impact of such payment does not result in bank’s CRAR falling below or remaining below the minimum regulatory requirement. 2.9 Seniority of Claim The claims of the investors in these instruments shall be senior to the claims of investors in instruments eligible for inclusion in Tier-I capital and subordinate to the claims of all other creditors including those in lower Tier-II capital and the depositors. Amongst the investors of various instruments included in Upper Tier-II capital, the claims shall rank pari passu with each other. 2.10 Voting Rights The investors in Tier-II preference shares shall not be eligible for any voting rights. 2.11 Progressive Discount for the purpose of computing CRAR The Redeemable Preference Shares (both cumulative and non-cumulative) shall be subjected to progressive discount for capital adequacy purposes over the last five years of their tenor, as under: Remaining Maturity of Instruments

Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2022-23/31 · issued 19 Apr 2022. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.

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