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Regulatory document · Reserve Bank of India

Supervisory Action Framework for Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks (UCBs)

UR

The four dates on this rule

At a glanceA bank may enter the framework when net bad loans pass 6 per cent of net advances. This framework is addressed to every primary urban co-operative bank in India.

Official RBI page

Numbers to remember

6 per centA bank may enter the framework when net bad loans pass 6 per cent of net advances. RBI Para 2.1
100 per centFresh loans carrying risk weights above 100 per cent may be restricted. RBI Para 2.1
9 per centA capital ratio under 9 per cent can place the bank under the framework. RBI Para 2.3
12 monthsThe board may have to plan a return to 9 per cent capital within 12 months. RBI Para 2.3

What it says

Must know

1. The bad loan trigger

A bank may enter the framework when net bad loans pass 6 per cent of net advances.

BankPulse example. A co-operative bank has net advances of 500 crore rupees. Its net bad loans are 35 crore rupees, which is 7 per cent. That exceeds 6 per cent, so the bank can be placed in the framework.

2. Plan to cut bad loans

RBI may ask the board to approve a plan bringing net bad loans below 6 per cent.

3. Risky loans restricted

Fresh loans carrying risk weights above 100 per cent may be restricted.

4. Dividend fully barred

While losses persist, dividends and donations may be prohibited outright.

5. The capital trigger

A capital ratio under 9 per cent can place the bank under the framework.

6. Twelve months to repair

The board may have to plan a return to 9 per cent capital within 12 months.

7. Borrowing restricted

Fresh borrowing may be barred except to cover temporary liquidity gaps.

8. Reported numbers count too

RBI can also act on reported or audited figures and review them after inspection.

Do it

1. Costs must fall

RBI may direct steps that cut interest costs and running expenses.

2. Before the board

The circular must be placed before the bank's board at its next meeting.

Background

1. Who is covered

This framework is addressed to every primary urban co-operative bank in India.

2. What it replaces

It replaces the earlier 2014 version of the framework with a tighter one.

3. Why it was revised

The framework was revised for faster resolution of co-operative banks under financial stress.

4. Three things watched

RBI tracks asset quality, profitability and capital of every urban co-operative bank.

5. Action on a trigger

Crossing a stated threshold can bring corrective steps by the bank or supervisory action by RBI.

6. The board reviews progress

The board may have to review the plan's progress every quarter or every month.

7. Dividend needs permission

The bank may need RBI's prior approval to declare a dividend or make a donation.

8. Lending to weak sectors cut

RBI may curtail new credit to sectors carrying a high share of bad loans and defaults.

9. Smaller exposure limits

Limits on exposure for fresh loans and advances may be reduced.

10. The loss trigger

Losses in two straight financial years, or accumulated losses on the balance sheet, can pull a bank in.

11. A plan to restore profit

The board may have to approve a plan restoring profit and wiping out accumulated losses.

12. Spending cap

Capital spending beyond a set limit may need RBI's prior approval.

13. Merger on the table

RBI may seek a board proposal to merge the bank or convert it into a credit society.

14. Balance sheet frozen

Growth in the size of the balance sheet may be restricted.

15. Lending near stop

New loans may be banned unless fully secured by term deposits or small savings instruments.

16. Deposits capped

The bank may be stopped from growing its deposits at all.

17. The last resort

RBI may impose all-inclusive directions under section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act.

18. The licence question

A show cause notice for cancelling the banking licence may follow.

19. When depositors come first

These steps arrive when normal functioning stops serving the bank's depositors and the public.

20. Inspection decides

Action normally follows the bank's position as assessed in RBI's statutory inspection.

21. RBI keeps a free hand

RBI can still act on other stress indicators or on serious governance issues.

22. In force at once

The revised framework took effect immediately, and earlier actions were reviewed under it.

Where to go next