RBI tightens norm for regional rural banks on gold lending

26 Jun 2013 Evaluate

In a move to restrain the demand of gold and to curb a record high current account gap, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has tightened norms for regional rural banks (RRBs) on gold lending and also extended the curbs to units of gold exchange traded funds (ETF) and gold mutual funds. The central bank said that like all other banks, the regional rural banks too cannot lend against gold ornaments, gold jewellery and gold coins weighing above 50 grams.

The RBI has suggested the regional rural banks that, while granting advance against the security of specially minted gold coins sold, they should ensure that the weight of the coin(s) does not exceed 50 grams per customer and the amount of loan to any customer against gold coins, gold ornaments and gold jewellery should be within the Board approved limit. Further, the central bank has also clarified that as per the stipulations of its circular, the restriction on grant of loan against ‘gold bullion’ will also be applicable to grant of advance against units of mutual funds and gold ETFs. 

Recently, the RBI had extended restrictions to all co-operative banks on loans against security of gold coins weighting up to 50 grams per customer. While, in May the RBI imposed restrictions on banks and NBFCs for providing loans against gold coins as well as units of mutual funds and gold ETFs.

Gold import, which is mainly responsible for ballooning CAD, rose sharply after the fall in prices in the international market. India’s gold imports touched 162 tonnes in May, while in April, it was around 100-120 tonnes, higher than the average monthly import level of 70-80 tonnes. Strong demand of gold has become a worrying factor for the Indian policymakers, as the country is facing a record current account deficit (CAD), which widened to 6.7% in the third quarter of FY13.

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