RBI mandates at least two Whole Time Directors on bank boards

RBI/2023-24/70 DOR.HGG.GOV.REC.46/29.67.001/2023-24 October 25, 2023 All Private Sector Banks and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of Foreign Banks (excluding Payment Banks and Local Area Banks) Madam / Dear Sir Appointment of Whole-Time Director(s) Please refer to paragraph 10 and 11 of our instructions DOR.GOV.REC.8/29.67.001/2021-22 dated April 26, 2021 on ‘Corporate Governance in Banks - Appointment of Directors and Constitution of Committees of the Board’. 2. Given the growing complexity of the banking sector, it becomes imperative to establish an effective senior management team in the banks to navigate ongoing and emerging challenges. Establishment of such a team may also facilitate succession planning, especially in the background of the regulatory stipulations in respect of tenure and upper age limit for Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD&CEO) positions. 3. To address these issues and challenges, banks are advised to ensure the presence of at least two Whole Time Directors (WTDs), including the MD&CEO, on their Boards. The number of WTDs shall be decided by the Board of the bank by taking into account factors such as the size of operations, business complexity, and other relevant aspects. In compliance to these instructions, banks that currently do not meet the minimum requirement as above are advised to submit their proposals for the appointment of WTD(s) under Section 35B(1)(b) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, within a period of four months from the date of issuance of this circular. Those banks which do not already have the enabling provisions regarding appointment of WTDs in their Articles of Association may first seek necessary approvals under Section 35B(1)(a) of the Act ibid, expeditiously, so as to be in a position to comply with the requirements under these instructions. While ensuring compliance to the above instructions, careful consideration shall also be given to meet the requirements under other applicable statutory/regulatory provisions. Yours faithfully (Scenta Joy) Chief General Manager

Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2023-24/70 · issued 25 Oct 2023. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.

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