Recorded RBI impact
Fine: Rs 3.00 L
Monetary penalty · Fresh imposition
Published by RBI
26 Sept 2022
Case Brief
RBI imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 3.00 lakh on Hissar Urban Cooperative Bank Ltd., Hisar by order dated September 23, 2022. The bank was found to have contravened Section 35A and Section 36(1) read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 after an inspection revealed it had not followed RBI directions issued under the Supervisory Action Framework. The specific lapse noted was that the bank offered interest rates on savings deposits that were not in line with RBI’s directions. RBI issued a show-cause notice, considered the bank’s reply, and then concluded that the charges were substantiated, warranting the penalty.
Why RBI Acted
An inspection of the bank based on its financial position as on March 31, 2021 found contraventions of Section 35A and Section 36(1) read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. RBI stated that the bank failed to adhere to directions issued under the Supervisory Action Framework, specifically by offering interest rates on savings deposits that were not in line with RBI’s directions. After considering the bank’s reply, RBI concluded that the charges were substantiated and imposed a monetary penalty under Section 47A(1)(c) read with Section 46(4)(i) and Section 56 of the Act.
Operating Impact
The bank must absorb the monetary penalty; the press release does not impose any ongoing operational restriction or withdrawal of business rights. The action is primarily backward-looking, but it signals regulatory non-compliance in savings deposit pricing and may affect supervisory scrutiny going forward.
Regulatory Basis
- Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949
- Section 36(1) read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949
- Section 47A(1)(c) read with Section 46(4)(i) and Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949
Action Facts
- Primary Impact
- Fine: Rs 3.00 L
- Order Date
- 23 Sept 2022
- Effective From
- 23 Sept 2022
- Entities Affected
- 1
- Entity Role
- Primary
- Entity Type
- Co-operative bank