Ujjivan decision underscores RBI's high bar on small finance bank upgrades
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.Mumbai: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has returned Ujjivan Small Finance Bank’s application to upgrade to a universal bank, sending a clear signal to the industry: meeting financial criteria is not enough. The regulator is placing heavy emphasis on the diversification of loan books, a move that will force other hopefuls to reassess their transition timelines.Ujjivan was among the three small finance banks (SFBs) that had applied to the central bank to transition to a universal bank.
Conceptualized by a committee headed by former RBI board member Nachiket Mor, SFBs are supposed to undertake basic banking activities like accepting deposits and lending to unserved and underserved sections, including small businesses and small farmers.An upgrade allows these banks to lend 40% of their total loans towards the priority sector, instead of the 60% applicable now, permitting greater discretion. It also allows access to cheaper funds, especially from the market.
In August, AU Small Finance Bank became the only such bank to receive a conditional approval from RBI. Two months later, RBI returned the application of Jana Small Finance Bank.Ujjivan told the stock exchanges on Monday that RBI “took note of the bank’s recent efforts towards diversification of its loan portfolio”.However, RBI was of the view that there is scope for progress in this area and therefore has returned the application and advised the bank to consider applying again after demonstrating a diversified loan portfolio.In a separate statement, the bank's spokesperson said that Ujjivan will continue to embark on the path of diversification and will resubmit the application in due course, keeping RBI’s guidance in mind.As of 31
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