RBI hikes priority sector lending target for foreign banks to 40%

23 Jul 2012 Evaluate

Leveling the field play for local banks, the monetary regulator, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has hiked the priority sector lending limits for foreign banks with 20 or more branches in the country to 40% from the current 32% of total credit. However, the target for foreign banks having less than 20 branches in India remains unchanged at 32%, without any sub-targets. These new limits will be brought into effect in a phased manner over a time period extending to a maximum of five years starting from April 1, 2013. Further, these lenders would have to submit an action plan for achieving the target over a specific time frame to be approved by the RBI.

Further, as per the revised guideline, education and home loans up to the specified limits, and advances to individuals for up to Rs 50,000 to clear debts of money lenders, will be treated as priority lending. Further, in the home loan segment, advances of up to Rs 25 lakh in cities with population of over 10 lakh, and Rs 15 lakh in other towns, will be treated as priority lending. Earlier, all loans up to Rs 25 lakh for purchase and construction of dwelling units constituted priority lending. However, the targets for both direct and indirect agricultural lending are kept unchanged at 13.5% and 4.5% of Adjusted Net Bank Credit, respectively.

The other areas in the new priority sector list include loans to micro and small service enterprises and micro and small manufacturing enterprises, loans to food and agro-processing units, overdrafts of up to Rs 50,000 in 'no-frills' accounts, loans to distressed farmers indebted to non institutional lenders, loans to State Sponsored Organizations for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, loans to individuals other than farmers up to Rs 50,000 to pre-pay their debt to non-institutional lenders and loans to individuals for setting up off-grid solar and other off-grid renewable energy solutions for households.

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