RBI bans bank from advancing gold loans

20 Nov 2012 Evaluate

In an effort to dissuade people from indulging in speculative activity, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Nov 19 has directed a total ban on banks from advancing any loans to its customers for purchasing gold in any form, which includes primary gold, gold bullion, gold jewellery, gold coins, units of gold Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) and units of gold mutual funds.

Country’s apex bank further clarified that, no advances should be granted by banks against gold bullion to dealers or traders in gold if, in their assessment, such advances are likely to be utilized for purposes of financing gold purchase at auctions or speculative holding of stocks and bullion.

This decision comes in the wake of significant rise in imports of gold in recent years, which is putting pressure on Current Account Deficit (CAD). In the 2011-12 fiscal, country’s gold imports stood at $60 billion and the quantum of import was 1,067 tonnes. Many banks are providing loans to the customers to buy gold. These easily available loans are creating more demand for gold, further leading to increase in gold prices. Additionally, the huge demand created for gold is also triggering imports. However, the RBI has allowed banks to provide finance for genuine working capital requirements of jewelers.

Back in its Monetary Policy Statement of April 2012, RBI constituted a Working Group to study issues relating to gold imports and gold loans by Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in India. The Working Group, submitted its draft report in August 2012, suggested that other than working capital finance, banks are not permitted to finance purchase of gold in any form.

© 2026 The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. MoneyWorks4Me ® is a registered trademark of The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd.

×