RBI keeps the policy repo rate unchanged in fifth Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement

In the fifth bi-monthly monetary policy statement announced on Thursday (dated 05.12.2019), MPC decided to keep policy REPO rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) unchanged at 5.15 per cent. The MPC also decided to continue with the accommodative stance as long as it is necessary to revive growth, while ensuring that inflation remains within…

Microfinance as the Next Wave of Financial Inclusion

Mr.M.K.Jain, Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India while speaking at the inaugural session of the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) National Microfinance Congress 2019 in Mumbai, said that “Microfinance, involving the extension of small loans and other financial services to low-income groups, is a vital economic conduit designed to facilitate financial inclusion…

RBI raises the limit for borrowing from NBFC-MFIs

Effective from November 08, 2019 the eligibility criteria for classification under ‘Qualifying Assets’ for NBFC-MFIs are revised. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in it’s circular dated November 08, 2019 increased the household income limits for borrowers of NBFC-MFIs from the current level of ₹1,00,000 for rural areas and ₹1,60,000 for urban/semi-urban areas to ₹1,25,000…

RBI announces On-tap Authorisation of Payment Systems

In order to benefit from diversification of risk as also to encourage innovation and competition, Reserve Bank on 15th October 2019 announced to offer on-tap authorisation for the following entities:   Bharat Bill Payment Operating Unit (BBPOU).  Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS).  White Label ATMs (WLAs). The entities desirous to function / operate / provide platforms…

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Scheme – Seeding of Aadhaar in Bank Accounts

On the subject of the use of Aadhaar to facilitate delivery of social welfare benefits by direct credit to the bank accounts, Reserve Bank of India vide its circular RBI/2015-16/289/FIDD.CO.LBS.BC. No.17/02.01.001/2015-16 dated January 14, 2016 had clarified that the use of Aadhaar Card and seeding of bank accounts with Aadhaar numbers is purely voluntary and…