Recorded RBI impact
Fine: Rs 4.20 L
Monetary penalty · Fresh imposition
Published by RBI
2 Jan 2025
Case Brief
By an order dated December 30, 2024, RBI imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 4.20 lakh on Smriti Nagrik Sahakari Bank Maryadit, Mandsaur (MP). The penalty was levied for non-compliance with RBI directions on customer service for urban cooperative banks and on loans and advances to directors, their relatives, and firms/concerns in which they are interested. RBI's supervisory review found that the bank recovered SMS alert charges from customers not on an actual-usage basis and sanctioned a loan to the relative of a director. The penalty was imposed under Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, after considering the bank's reply, oral submissions, and additional submissions.
Why RBI Acted
RBI imposed a monetary penalty under Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 after a statutory inspection as on March 31, 2023 found non-compliance with directions on 'Customer Service - UCBs' and 'Loans and advances to directors, their relatives, and firms/concerns in which they are interested'. RBI found that the bank recovered SMS alert charges from customers without charging on an actual usage basis, and sanctioned a loan to the relative of the bank's director. The penalty was imposed after considering the bank's reply, oral submissions, and additional submissions.
Operating Impact
The bank must bear the penalty and may face additional regulatory action, as RBI stated the monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action. There is no stated restriction on banking operations, but the findings highlight compliance obligations around customer charges and lending to insiders.
Regulatory Basis
- Section 47A(1)(c)
- Sections 46(4)(i)
- Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949
Action Facts
- Primary Impact
- Fine: Rs 4.20 L
- Order Date
- 30 Dec 2024
- Effective From
- 30 Dec 2024
- Entities Affected
- 1
- Entity Role
- Primary
- Entity Type
- Co-operative bank