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Moneta
NRIs can subscribe to pension fund ry
Top Sto Policy............
To enable income security to old-aged Indians living ries...... ............
Bankin ............ ....... 1
abroad, RBI has allowed NRIs to subscribe to the g Polic ............
Bankin ies........ ........ 1
National Pension System (NPS) as an investment gD ............
Insuran evelopments .......... 2
option for NRIs under FEMA, 1999. NRIs may ce........ ............
Econom .. .... ......
subscribe to the NPS, provided such subscriptions y.......... ...................... . 2
New Ap ............ ..
are made through normal banking channels and the pointm ............ ... 4
Produc ents.... ....... 4
ts & All ............
person is eligible to invest as per the provisions of the Forex.. iances .......... 5
............ . . ....
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Glossa ............ ................. 5
ry........ ............
(PFRDA) Act. Financ ............ ......... 6
ial Bas ............
PM launches Gold Monetization, Sovereign Gold Institute ic s.. .. ......
's Train ...................... .. 6
Bond Scheme and India Gold Coins News fr ing Acti ...... 6
om the vities....
The Honourable Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Market Institute ......... 6
Roundu ....
Modi has formally launched the Governments Gold p.......... ................ 7
............
Monetization Scheme, Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme, ........ 8
and India Gold Coins. The Prime Minister said that
the gold available with the country should be put to
productive use, and these schemes show us the way
to achieve this goal. He said gold can be a great tool
for women empowerment and that they would be the
"The information / news items contained in this publication have appeared in various external sources / media for public use or
consumption and are now meant only for members and subscribers. The views expressed and / or events narrated/ stated in the
said information / news items are as perceived by the respective sources. IIBF neither holds nor assumes any responsibility for
the correctness or adequacy or otherwise of the news items / events or any information whatsoever."
Banking Policies - Banking Developments
biggest beneficiaries of the new schemes. He further of RBI subject to certain conditions. RBI has advised
added that the reason behind the success of these that banks offering factoring services may themselves
schemes will be the women of India. He also said that decide percentage of the invoice to be paid upfront
the gold bonds will be more beneficial than physical based on their own assessment of the credit worthiness
gold. Shri Narendra Modi described the launch of of the buyer, due diligence carried out by them and
the India Gold Coins, bearing the Ashok Chakra, as other commercial considerations.
a matter of pride for the nation. He said people would Foreign banks can now deploy four expats in each
no longer have to depend on foreign minted gold branch
bullion or coins. RBI has relaxed the numerical restriction on the
engagement of expatriates by foreign banks in view
of the operational difficulties being faced by them
Banking Policies in doing business in India. Now a foreign bank can
RBI issues operational guidelines for gold bonds deploy a maximum of four expatriates for each branch
Commercial banks and post offices will now have opened in India and not more than six expatriates for
additional responsibilities of maintaining subscription their Head Office functions. The other instructions
records for sovereign gold bonds as Reserve Bank with regard to the posting of trainee officers and
of India (RBI) has mandated some operational remittance facilities by the expatriate officers in Indian
procedures for them. Receiving offices will be required branches remain unchanged.
to preserve applications till the bonds are matured
and repaid. Scheduled commercial banks can engage
Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs), NSC
Banking Developments
Interest on Rupee-denominated offshore bonds to
agents and others to collect application forms on their
attract 5% withholding tax
behalf. Receiving offices, i.e. branches of the scheduled
Commercial Banks (SCBs) and designated post offices The Finance Ministry has clarified that interest
will own the customer and provide necessary services income on rupee-denominated offshore bonds of
with regards to this bond. Indian companies will attract a withholding tax of 5%.
Relaxation of facilities for residents for hedging of In the case of non-resident investors, withholding tax
foreign currency borrowings at the rate of 5%, in the nature of a final tax, would be
RBI has allowed residents having a long-term foreign applicable just as it is applicable for offshore dollar-
currency liability to enter into foreign currency- denominated bonds.
rupee swaps with Multilateral Financial Institutions RBI allows lenders to short sell Government Bonds
or International Financial Institutions (MFI/IFI) in RBI has allowed banks (or custodians) to short
which the Government of India is a shareholding sell in the government bond market with primary
member, subject to certain conditions. Such swaps members or individual bank customers, who invest
could be undertaken by the MFI/IFI on a back-to-back through lenders, holding a kind of depository account
basis with an Authorized Dealers (AD) Category-I with the RBI. This move is aimed at drawing retail
bank in India. The tenure of these swaps should be at participation. A custodian may undertake a short sale
least three years.
transaction with its General Account Holder (GAH)
New Priority Sector Lending target
within the permissible short sale limits. A custodian
In the wake of low monsoon this year, RBI has reduced
the average Priority Sector Lending (PSL) target for may put through a cover transaction with a GAH to
banks to 11.57% for FY16 as against 13.5% set in July square a short sale transaction in the related security
this year. The target is a system-wide average of the undertaken with a market participant other than its
last three years achievement in overall direct lending GAHs.
to non-corporate farmers. Sovereign Gold Bonds issue price at `2,684/gm
RBI allows banks to fix value for factoring business The Government of India has announced that the
Banks may carry out the business of factoring Sovereign Gold Bond will be open for subscription.
departmentally, without obtaining the prior approval The issue price of the Sovereign Gold Bond for
this tranche has been fixed at `2684 (Rupees Two convert optionally convertible debentures/bonds of
Thousand Six Hundred and Eighty Four) per gram of 5% or more in a private sector bank, he/she will have
gold. The rate has been fixed on the basis of simple to apply to the Reserve Bank for obtaining its prior
average of closing price for gold of 999 purity of the approval. The major shareholders that is, shareholders
previous week (October 26-30, 2015) published by the having 5% or more of the paid-up share capital of the
India Bullion and Jewellers Association Ltd (IBJA). bank would have to give an annual declaration to the
Set up an Insolvency Regulator: Dr. TK Viswanathan bank concerned on their fit and proper status and
Committee if in the banks assessment any major shareholder is
The committee on Bankruptcy Law Reforms headed not fit and proper, it will have to immediately furnish
by Dr. TK Viswanathan has proposed an easy exit the requisite information to the Reserve Bank. The
option for low-income individuals unable to repay applicants integrity, reputation & track record in
debts. The comprehensive draft called Insolvency and financial matters and compliance with tax laws, will
Bankruptcy Bill envisages two distinct processes be a barometer to judge the fit and proper criteria.
Fresh Start and Insolvency Resolution to deal with Where the applicant is a body corporate, its track
individual bankruptcy. In the Fresh Start process, record for operating will be seen in a manner that
individuals with income and assets lower than specified is consistent with the standards of good corporate
thresholds (annual gross income not exceeding governance, financial strength and integrity, apart
`60,000 and aggregate value of assets not exceeding from the assessment of individuals and other entities
`20,000) shall be eligible to apply for a discharge from associated with the body corporate.
their qualifying debts. In the Insolvency Resolution RRBs can provide internet facility
Process, the creditors and debtor will negotiate to Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) will now be allowed
arrive at an agreeable repayment plan for composition to provide basic internet banking facilities to its
of the debts and affairs of the debtor, supervised by a customers. The facility will be strictly for non-
resolution professional. The committee also proposes transactional services, such as balance enquiry,
to establish an Insolvency Regulator to exercise balance viewing, account statement download, request
regulatory oversight over insolvency professionals, for supply of cheque books, etc. No online fund-based
insolvency professional agencies and informational transactions will be allowed. RRBs providing such
utilities. facilities must have Capital to Risk (Weighted) Assets
RBI extends deadline for Bharat Bill Payment Ratio (CRAR) of not less than 10% and net worth of
applications `100 crore as on March 31 of the immediate preceding
The Reserve Bank of India has extended the last date financial year and must have no accumulated losses.
for receiving applications for authorising Bharat Also, the gross NPAs must be less than 7% and net
Bill Payment System Operating Units (BBPOUs), to NPAs not more than 3%.
December 18, 2015 from the earlier November 20, Currency swap for SAARC members
2015. Bank and non-bank entities presently engaged The Union Cabinet has given approval for the proposal
in the bill payment activities covered under the current to provide a two year extension with amendments
scope of Bharat Bill Payment System (BPPS) can to the framework on Currency Swap Arrangement
participate either as Bharat Bill Payment Operating for SAARC member countries up to November 14,
Units (BBPOUs) or as agents of authorised BBPOUs. 2017, and extension thereafter, if necessary. Under
Those desirous of becoming BBPOUs will necessarily the facility, RBI offers swaps of varying sizes to each
have to apply within the extended timeline. SAARC Member countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh,
RBI issues Directions for obtaining Prior Approval Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka)
for Acquisition of Shares in Private Sector Banks. depending on their two months import requirement
A person intending to acquire shares or compulsorily and not exceeding US$ 2 billion in total, in USD, Euro
convertible debentures/bonds or voting rights or or INR.
RBI relaxes guidelines for aircraft and chopper Appointment of Chief Executive Officer and other
imports Key Management Personnel, including remuneration,
RBI has told banks to ensure that only the requisite of senior management in this branch office will need
approval of Director General of Civil Aviation IRDAIs nod. The applicant has to be registered or
(DGCA) for import of aircrafts/helicopters in terms certified in a national regulatory environment and
of the extant Foreign Trade Policy has been obtained should have signed the double-taxation avoidance
by the company for operating Scheduled or Non- agreement with the Government of India.
IRDAI fixes third-party motor insurance for e-carts,
Scheduled Air Transport Services (including Air Taxi
e-rickshaws
Services). The Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, 2015 brings
RBI allows foreign investors to acquire distressed e-carts and e-rickshaws under its ambit. E-carts
bonds /e-rickshaws are special purpose battery powered
RBI has allowed FPI to acquire NCDs/bonds, which are vehicles not exceeding 4000 watts, having three
under default, either fully or partly, in the repayment wheels for carrying goods or passengers, as the case
of principal on maturity or principal instalment in the may be, for hire or reward. IRDAI has fixed premium
case of amortising bond. The revised maturity period of for third-party motor insurance for e-carts and
such NCDs/bonds, restructured based on negotiations e-rickshaws at `1,066 to `3,257 depending on the type
with the issuing Indian company, should be three of vehicle. Also, two-wheelers carrying passengers
years or more. The FPI which propose to acquire on hire will have to pay premium between `702 and
such NCDs/bonds under default should disclose to `1615 depending on engine capacity.
the Debenture Trustees the terms of their offer to the Norms relaxed for claiming personal accident cover
existing debenture holders/beneficial owners from under RuPay Cards
whom they are acquiring. Such investment should be Under PMJDY, RuPay Debit Card with an inbuilt
within the overall limit prescribed for corporate debt accident insurance cover of `1 lakh is also provided
from time to time (currently Rs. 2443.23 billion). All to account holders. National Payment Corporation of
other existing conditions for investment by FPIs in India (NPCI) has extended 45 days usage condition
the debt market remain unchanged. to 90 Days for RuPay Classic cardholders with effect
RBI doubles Non-Banking Financial Company - from 25th November 2015. As on 20th November 2015,
Micro Finance Institutions lending limit for longer
out of 697 claims lodged under accidental Insurance
tenure loans
under RuPay Debit Card in PMJDY accounts, 644
NBFC microfinance lenders can now give loans of up
claims have been disposed off.
to `30,000 for tenure not less than 24 months as RBI
has doubled the limit for these debts. RBI has notified
that all loans necessarily be pre-paid without any Economy
penalty, as hitherto. World Bank retains India growth forecast for 2015-
16 at 7.5%
The World Bank retained its Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) growth projection for India at 7.5% for the
current financial year, despite an unfavourable
external environment which has hurt the countrys
Insurance merchandise exports. Indias growth is expected to
gradually accelerate to 7.8% in FY17 and 7.9% in
FY18. The countrys economy grew by 7.3% in FY 15
Only established foreign reinsurers can set up India and by 7% in Q1FY16.
branch office Prepared to deal with external risks: Finance
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Ministry
of India (IRDAI) have specified that only those foreign The Finance Ministry has stated that India is fully
reinsurers who have been in the reinsurance business prepared to deal with any eventuality due to volatility
for 10 years, can set up branch offices in India. in global financial markets. The Financial Stability and
Products
Minister, Mr. Arun Jaitley, also deliberated on the
issue of rising bank NPAs, corporate sector balance
sheet stress and their impact on the bond market.
High volatility in the financial markets is one of the
& Alliances
most prominent risks threatening emerging market
economies. However, India is much better placed
Organisation Organisation Purpose
today on the back of improvement in its macro- tied up with
economic fundamentals and large forex reserves,
which provides cushion against financial market State Bank Emirates NBD To help NRI customers
of India in the Gulf to carry out
volatility. remittances instantly
DIPP notifies relaxation of FDI rules in 15 sectors and more conveniently.
New Appointments Union Bank Honda Motorcycle & For providing finance
of India Scooter India (HMS) option to its customers.
Name Designation/Organisation
Dr. Raghuram Rajan Vice-Chairman, Bank for DCB Bank TVS Credit Services For extending retail loans.
International Settlements (BIS).
Mr. P. K. Gupta Managing Director, State Bank Axis Bank Vistara To introduce cobranded
credit card.
of India.
Mr. Ravi Kishan Takkar Managing Director & CEO, UCO Federal Bank Edelweiss Integrated For extending collateral
Bank. Commodity management in
Management commodity financing.
Ms. Shalini Warrier Chief Operating Officer, Federal Limited (EICML)
Bank.
Ms. Zarin Daruwala CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Union Bank Government of For collection of
of India Maharashtra taxes and receipts.
(India).
Mr. James McMurdo Head, Corporate and Investment RBL Bank Oxigen Services To map Oxigen Wallet
Bank for Asia-Pacific, Deutsche (India) which will allow its retail
points to act as RBLs
Bank. banking correspondents.
Dr. Mukund Laxman Group Chairman, The Cosmos
Abhyankar Co-operative Bank Ltd. Lakshmi SBI Card & Cigna To offer a wider range of
Vilas Bank TTK Health services to its customers.
Mr. Milind Anant Kale Chairman, The Cosmos Co- Insurance
operative Bank Ltd.
Market Roundup
WeightedAverageCallRates BSESensex
26800
7.4
26600
7.2
26400
7
26200
6.8
26000
6.6
25800
6.4
25600
6.2 25400
Source: CCIL Newsletters, November 2015 Source: Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)
RBIReferenceRate
110
100
90
Printed by Dr. J. N. Misra, Published by Dr. J. N. Misra on behalf of Indian
80
Institute of Banking & Finance, and printed at Onlooker Press 16, Sasoon
70 Dock, Colaba, Mumbai - 400 005 and published from India Institute of
60 Banking & Finance, Kohinoor City, Commercial-II, Tower-I,2nd Floor, Kirol
50 Road, Kurla (W), Mumbai - 400 070.
Editor : Dr. J. N. Misra