Recorded RBI impact
Fine: Rs 10.5 L
Monetary penalty · Fresh imposition
Published by RBI
8 Dec 2023
Case Brief
The Reserve Bank of India imposed a monetary penalty on Berar Finance Limited, Nagpur by order dated December 07, 2023. The penalty was for non-compliance with certain provisions of the RBI’s Know Your Customer Directions, 2016. RBI’s inspection found that the company had not set up a system for periodic review of risk categorisation of accounts and had not put robust software in place for effective identification and reporting of suspicious transactions. RBI issued a show-cause notice, considered the company’s reply and submissions, and then confirmed that the contraventions were substantiated. The penalty was imposed under section 58G read with section 58B(5)(aa) of the RBI Act, 1934.
Why RBI Acted
RBI imposed a monetary penalty on Berar Finance Limited, Nagpur for non-compliance with certain provisions of the Reserve Bank of India (Know Your Customer) Directions, 2016. In the statutory inspection, RBI found that the company did not put in place a system for periodic review of risk categorisation of accounts and did not use robust software for effective identification and reporting of suspicious transactions. After considering the company’s reply, additional submissions, and oral submissions at the personal hearing, RBI concluded that the charge was substantiated and warranted penalty under section 58G read with section 58B(5)(aa) of the RBI Act, 1934.
Operating Impact
The company must absorb the monetary penalty and strengthen its KYC/AML controls, especially periodic account-risk review and suspicious transaction monitoring/reporting. There is no stated restriction on operations, but the compliance deficiencies highlighted by RBI may invite closer supervisory scrutiny going forward.
Regulatory Basis
- Reserve Bank of India (Know Your Customer (KYC)) Directions, 2016
- clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 58 G read with clause (aa) of sub-section (5) of section 58 B of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
Action Facts
- Primary Impact
- Fine: Rs 10.5 L
- Order Date
- 7 Dec 2023
- Effective From
- 7 Dec 2023
- Entities Affected
- 1
- Entity Role
- Primary
- Entity Type
- NBFC