These actions on the 2 entities are based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance
FinTech BizNews Service
Mumbai, November 21, 2023: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by separate orders in November, 2023, imposed a monetary penalty on 2 cooperative banks. RBI has imposed a monetary penalty on Mehsana Urban Co-operative Bank and Nasik Merchant’s Co-operative Bank. These actions on the said 2 entities are based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance, as per the press releases issued by the RBI on November 20, 2023.
1 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated November 03,2023, imposed a monetary penalty of ?15 lakh (Rupees Fifteen lakh only) on The Mehsana Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd., Mehsana (the bank) for non-compliance with the directions issued by RBI on ‘Interest Rate on Deposits’. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on the RBI by Section 47-A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
This action is based on deficiency in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers.
Background
The statutory inspection of the bank conducted by RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2021, and examination of the Risk Assessment Report, Inspection Report and all related correspondence pertaining to the same, revealed, inter alia, that the bank had opened Savings Bank accounts of ineligible trusts, whose entire income were not exempted from payment of income-tax under the Income-tax Act, 1961. Consequently, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed for non-compliance with the RBI directions, as stated therein.
After considering the bank’s reply to the notice, the additional submissions made by it and oral submissions made during the Personal Hearing, RBI came to the conclusion that the charge of non-compliance with the aforesaid RBI directions was substantiated and warranted imposition of monetary penalty.
2 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated November 02, 2023, imposed a monetary penalty of ?48.30 lakh (Rupees Forty-eight lakh thirty thousand only) on The Nasik Merchant’s Co-operative Bank Ltd., Nashik (the bank) for non-compliance with the directions issued by RBI on ‘Frauds in UCBs: Changes in Monitoring and Reporting mechanism’ and on ‘Maintenance of Deposit Accounts’. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under Section 47-A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
This action is based on deficiency in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers.
Background
The statutory inspection of the bank conducted by RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2021, and examination of the Risk Assessment Report, Inspection Report and all correspondence related thereto revealed, inter alia, that the bank had (i) reported fraud cases with delay, (ii) levied penal charges for non-maintenance of minimum balances in dormant / inoperative savings bank (SB) accounts, and (iii) levied penal charges for non-maintenance of minimum balances in SB accounts without notifying the customers. Consequently, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for non-compliance with the RBI directions, as stated therein.
After considering the bank’s reply to the notice, the additional submissions made by it and oral submissions made during the personal hearing, RBI came to the conclusion that the charge of non-compliance with the aforesaid RBI directions was substantiated and warranted imposition of monetary penalty on the bank.
