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RBI permits foreign banks’ arms to buy private banks

07 Nov 2013 Evaluate

With a view to bolster its regulatory powers in the wake of global financial crisis, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has finally come out with framework on how foreign banks will operate in the country. As per the guidelines, foreign banks operating in the country will enjoy nearly equal terms with local lenders if they move to a wholly owned subsidiary structure.

Thus, with this Reserve Bank of India has permitted wholly owned subsidiary (WOS) of foreign banks to acquire domestic private sector banks as well as set up branches anywhere in the country. Further, it has also permitted foreign bank’s subsidiary to list on local stock exchanges.

However, foreign bank subsidiary will not be allowed to hold more than 74% of the stake in the private banks they may acquire. Besides, the framework stipulates an initial minimum paid-up voting equity capital for a WOS to be at atleast of Rs 500 crore for the new entrants. It also mandates foreign-owned banks operating as subsidiaries to earmark 40% of their lending to the priority sector, which includes underserved parts of the economy and agriculture, the same obligation as for domestic banks.

Additionally, to prevent foreign domination of the banking sector, the framework has underscored that certain measures are already planned to contain their expansion of foreign banks, if the share exceeds a critical size.

In yet another precautionary measure, it has highlighted that no further entry of new WOSs of foreign banks or capital infusion will be allowed if capital and reserves of all foreign banks in India exceed 20% of the capital and reserves of the entire banking system.

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