Non-bank financial companies (NBFCs) are financial institutions that provide banking services without meeting the legal

definition of a bank, i.e. one that does not hold a banking license. These institutions are not allowed to take deposits from the public. Nonetheless, all operations of these institutions are still exercised under bank regulation. The working and operations of NBFCs are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) within the framework of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (Chapter III B) and the directions issued by it under the Act. As per the RBI Act, a 'non-banking financial company' is defined as:- (i) a financial institution which is a company; (ii) a non banking institution which is a company and which has as its principal business the receiving of deposits, under any scheme of arrangement or in any other manner, or lending in any manner; (iii) such other non-banking institution or class of such institutions, as the bank may, with the previous approval of the Central Government and by notification in the Official Gazette, specify. NBFCs offer most sorts of banking services, such as loans and credit facilities, private education funding, retirement planning, trading in money markets, underwriting stocks and shares, TFCs(Term Finance Certificate) and other obligations. These institutions also provide wealth management such as managing portfolios of stocks and shares, discounting services e.g. discounting of instruments and advice on merger and acquisition activities. The number of non-banking financial companies has expanded greatly in the last several years as venture capital companies, retail and industrial companies have entered the lending business.

Types:
1. 2. 3.

Asset finance companys Investment companies Loan companies.

Role of NBFC
Development of sectors like Transport & Infrastructure Substantial employment generation Help & increase wealth creation Broad base economic development Irreplaceable supplement to bank credit in rural segments major thrust on semi-urban, rural areas & first time buyers / users To finance economically weaker sections Huge contribution to the State exchequer

Regulatory framework for NBFC.

Tier I capital of NBFCs should be increased to 12% and three years should be given to achieve the required ratio Asset classification and provisioning norms similar to banks to be brought in a phased manner for NBFCs. Liquidity ratio may be introduced for all registered NBFCs. Government owned entities that qualify as NBFCs may comply with the regulatory framework applicable to NBFCs at the earliest

Some of the important regulations relating to acceptance of deposits by NBFCs are as under: i. The NBFCs are allowed to accept/renew public deposits for a minimum period of 12 months and maximum period of 60 months. They cannot accept deposits repayable on demand. NBFCs cannot offer interest rates higher than the ceiling rate prescribed by RBI from time to time. The present ceiling is 12.5 per cent per annum. The interest may be paid or compounded at rests not shorter than monthly rests. NBFCs cannot offer gifts/incentives or any other additional benefit to the depositors. NBFCs (except certain AFCs) should have minimum investment grade credit rating. The deposits with NBFCs are not insured. The repayment of deposits by NBFCs is not guaranteed by RBI. Certain mandatory disclosures are to be made about the company in the Application Form issued by the company soliciting deposits.

ii.

iii. iv. v. vi.

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