Reserve Bank of India (Urban Co-operative Banks – Classification, Valuation and Operation of Investment Portfolio) Directions, 2025
UR
- Applies toUrban co-operative banks
- StatusIn force
- RBI text changedRBI updated this document on September 2, 2026. BankPulse is re-reading it. BankPulse checked all 45 points on this page against RBI's new text on 18 October 2026. Every quoted line is still in RBI's text.
- IssuedNovember 28, 2025
- Last amendedSep 02, 2026 · 2 incorporated
- Length45 points in 5 sections · 4 min read
The four dates on this rule
- PublishedNovember 28, 2025The day RBI put this document out. This is the same day as the Issued date on this rule.
- Starts to applyNovember 28, 2025The day this rule starts to apply, as RBI's own text states it.
- Time to get readyNoneIt starts to apply on the day it was published.
- Last date to actNot statedNo date to act by was found in this document. Other dates may sit inside single paragraphs.
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Numbers to remember
| one month | The rating letter must be under one month old and the rationale under one year. RBI Para 4(7) |
| two months | The half-yearly book review must reach the Board within two months, by end May and end November. RBI Para 18 |
| 90 days | Any security bought for short-term trading must be sold within 90 days. RBI Para 38 |
| May 18, 2026 | RBI updated these Directions again on May 18, 2026. RBI Para 164 |
What it says
How firm is each point
Stated by RBI — RBI’s own paragraph says this. We have only made it plainer.
Our reading — BankPulse read RBI’s paragraph and shortened it. The paragraph is the authority, not this line.
Needs judgement — RBI leaves this to the bank to settle, so nobody can give you a fixed number here.
Chapter I. Preliminary
Must know
1. Rating letter within a month
The rating letter must be under one month old and the rationale under one year.
Do it
2. Investment rules for UCBs
This paper sets how urban co-operative banks must class and value what they hold.
3. Rating letter in the offer
The rating letter and the reasoning should form part of the offer document.
Background
4. Start date
These Directions came into effect on the day RBI issued them.
5. Who is covered
These Directions apply to every urban co-operative bank.
6. AFS holds the rest
Available for sale holds whatever is not in held to maturity or held for trading.
7. Rating must still stand
On a secondary market buy the rating must be in force and checked in the monthly bulletin.
8. Rated means a live rating
A rated security is one rated by a SEBI registered agency and carrying a valid rating.
9. Unrated means no rating
An unrated security is one with no current and valid rating.
Chapter II. Role of the Board
Must know
1. Two months to report
The half-yearly book review must reach the Board within two months, by end May and end November.
Do it
2. Board approves the policy
The Board must approve the investment policy.
3. Board clears a shift
The Board must approve any move of securities between the three books.
4. Policy meets the norms
The Board must see the policy keeps dealing within RBI, SEBI and exchange norms.
5. Deposit policy twice yearly
The Board must approve the policy on deposits with other banks and review it twice a year.
6. Board clears the controls
The Board must approve the inside controls for buying non-SLR paper in the market.
7. Broker panel each year
The Board must approve the broker panel and look at it once a year.
8. Auditors check the reconciliation
Internal auditors must check the monthly account match and put it to the Audit Committee.
9. Committee sees closed-out trades
The Audit Committee must look at exchange trades and any that were closed out.
Background
10. Audit results each quarter
Internal audit results on the investment desk go to the Board once a quarter.
11. Monthly review to the Board
A monthly review of trades, with the large ones named, goes to the Board.
Chapter III. General Guidelines
Must know
1. No client dealing
No trade may be done for a portfolio scheme client, as custodian or as agent.
Do it
2. A full written policy
A full investment policy approved by the Board must be adopted.
BankPulse example. A lender cannot buy securities on the strength of practice alone. It must adopt a comprehensive investment policy, and the Board must approve it. A policy the Board has not seen does not count.
3. Policy fits the bank's size
The policy must fit the size of the business, its risk skills, its people and its systems.
4. Review the policy each year
The investment policy must be reviewed at least once a year.
5. Same test as a loan
An investment proposal must face the same credit test as a loan proposal.
6. Check the defaulter lists
Defaulter lists from the credit bureaus and CRILC must be checked before buying.
7. Do your own rating
Own credit work must be done even on rated paper; outside ratings are not enough.
8. Track the issuer often
The issuer's health must be tracked each quarter or half year to catch rating drift.
9. Settle as the regulator says
Trades must be settled the way the regulator concerned lays down.
10. Hold in demat only
Securities must be held only in dematerialised form.
Background
11. Rating gates for bonds
Bond buying needs entry level ratings and limits by industry, maturity and issuer.
12. Own account only
Trades in securities may be done only on the lender's own investment account.
13. Harder look at outsiders
Paper issued by a firm that is not a borrower needs a harder look.
14. No short position
No short position may be held in any security unless these rules allow it.
Chapter IV. Classification of Investments
1. Held to Maturity cap
A UCB cannot hold more than 25% of its investments as Held to Maturity.
2. 90-day trading rule
Any security bought for short-term trading must be sold within 90 days.
Chapter VIII. Investment in non-SLR Securities
1. Non-SLR investment cap
A UCB cannot put more than 10% of its deposits into non-SLR securities.
2. Co-operative share cap
Money put into co-operative society shares cannot exceed 2% of owned funds.
Chapter IX. Placement of Deposits with other banks / institutions
1. Single-bank deposit cap
A UCB cannot park more than 5% of its deposits with any one bank.
Chapter X. Prudential Systems / Controls
1. Single-broker cap
Trades done through any one broker cannot cross 5% of a UCB's yearly transactions.
Chapter XII. Accounting and Provisioning
1. Safety reserve floor
A UCB must keep a safety reserve of at least 5% of its investment portfolio.
2. Only if serviced on time
That accrual holds only where the rate is fixed and interest is not in arrears.
Chapter XIII. Repeal and Other Provisions
1. Later update
RBI updated these Directions again on May 18, 2026.
2. Older rules cancelled
This cancels the older RBI rules on how banks classify and value their investment portfolio.
3. Old actions preserved
Actions already taken under the old rules still follow those old rules.
How this rule has changed
The points above are the rule as it stands today, after every change listed here.
Issued on November 28, 2025. This is the date RBI put the rule out.
Changed on May 18, 2026.
- Directions effective date. These amendment rules apply from the issue date of this letter.
- Minimum IFR level. Every urban co-operative bank must keep Investment Fluctuation Reserve of at least 5 per cent of its investment portfolio.
- Assess IFR annually. The minimum Investment Fluctuation Reserve level must be checked once every year.
Changed on Sep 02, 2026.
- IDPIC shares. Urban co-operative banks can buy Indian Digital Payment Intelligence Corporation shares to become members.
- Umbrella body shares. Urban co-operative banks can buy umbrella organisation shares for the sector to become members.
The same subject for other kinds of institution
The same subject for other kinds of institution.
Other RBI rules for urban co-operative banks
RBI capital adequacy rules for urban co-operative banks 2025
RBI compliance officer and compliance function rules for urban co-operative banks
RBI concurrent audit rules for urban co-operative banks 2026
RBI credit bureau reporting rules for urban co-operative banks 2025
RBI credit card and debit card rules for urban co-operative banks 2025
RBI customer service and fair conduct rules for urban co-operative banks 2025
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