MFIs can now raise up to $10 million a year via ECBs

20 Dec 2011 Evaluate

In its bid to help and widen the fund raising sources of capital-starved micro finance institutions (MFIs), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on December 19, allowed MFIs to raise funds via external commercial borrowings (ECBs) up to $10 million or equivalent during a financial year for permitted end-uses under the automatic route.

The MFIs eligible for the same will be those registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860; those registered under Indian Trust Act, 1882; MFIs registered either under the conventional state-level cooperative acts, the national level multi-state cooperative legislation or under the new state-level mutually aided cooperative acts and not being a co-operative bank; non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) categorized as ‘non-banking finance company-micro finance institutions' (NBFC-MFIs) and companies registered under section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956, and involved in micro finance activity.

Further, the MFIs registered as societies, trusts and co-operatives and engaged in micro finance activities should have a satisfactory borrowing relationship for at least 3 years with a scheduled commercial bank authorized to deal in foreign exchange; and would require a certificate of due diligence on ‘fit and proper' status of the board/committee of management of the borrowing entity from the designated authorized dealer (AD) bank.

Currently only non-government organizations, which function as microfinance institutions are allowed to raise up to $5 million. The new notification will cover all microfinance lenders. The Microfinance industry, which has witnessed one of its toughest years on account of the crackdown by the Andhra Pradesh government, tough new regulatory requirements laid down by the RBI and a shortage of funds, could see some improvement in its prospects and bring stability to the market.

The notification further said ECB funds should be routed through normal banking channels. NBFC-MFIs will be permitted to avail of ECBs from multilateral institutions, such as IFC, ADB etc. Companies registered under section 25 of the Companies Act and engaged in micro finance will be permitted to avail of ECBs from international banks, multilateral financial institutions, export credit agencies, foreign equity holders, overseas organizations and individuals.

Last week, RBI issued new guidelines for NBFC-MFIs to have minimum net owned funds of Rs 5 crore, up from Rs 2 crore earlier and capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of 15%, up from 12% earlier. According the new rules, the MFIs which have a 25% exposure to Andhra Pradesh, must achieve 12% capital adequacy by April 2012.

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