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Co Operative Banking Final Project
Co Operative Banking Final Project
INTRODUCTION
The urban cooperative banking system has witnessed phenomenal growth during the last one and a half decades. From 1307 urban cooperative banks (UCBs) in 1991, the number of UCBs has risen to 2105 in the year 2004. Deposits have increased by over 1100 percent from Rs. 8600 crore to over Rs.100, 000 crore, while advances have risen from Rs. 7800 crore to over Rs.65,000 i.e. by 733 percent during the above 15-year period. This growth path has been possible mainly on account of the enabling policy environment in the Post 1991 period, which encouraged setting up of new urban cooperative banks. Further, the deregulation of interest rates, as available to commercial banks, enabled the UCBs to mobilize vast deposits, which, together with the liberal licensing policy propelled the growth of UCBs in terms of numbers as also in size. This significant growth in business, which has come about in a competitive environment was largely due to the efforts and the ability of the sector to harness resources from the small depositors. Thus, while the sector has shown spectacular growth during the last decade exhibiting substantial potential for sustained growth, there are certain infirmities in the sector that have manifested in the form of weakness of some of the entities resulting in erosion of public confidence and causing concern to the regulators as also to the sector at large. There is, thus, a need to harness the benefit of rapid growth and mitigate the risk to which individual banks and the system are exposed by providing a regulatory and supervisory framework that will address the problems of the sector as also the shortcomings of dual control. Over the years, primary (urban) cooperative banks have registered a significant growth in number, size and volume of business handled. As on 31st March, 2003 there were 2,104 UCBs of which 56 were scheduled banks. About 79 percent of these are located in five states, - Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Recently the problems faced by a few large UCBs have highlighted some of the difficulties these banks face and policy endeavours are geared to consolidating and strengthening this sector and improving governance.
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There was the general realization that urban banks have an important role to play in economic construction. This was asserted by a host of committees. The Indian Central Banking Enquiry Committee (1931) felt that urban banks have a duty to help the small business and middle class people. The Mehta-Bhansali Committee (1939), recommended that those societies which had fulfilled the criteria of banking should be allowed to work as banks and recommended an Association for these banks. The Co-operative Planning Committee (1946) went on record to say that urban banks have been the best agencies for small people in whom Joint stock banks are not generally interested. The Rural Banking Enquiry Committee (1950), impressed by the low cost of establishment and operations recommended the establishment of such banks even in places smaller than taluka towns.
The first study of Urban Co-operative Banks was taken up by RBI in the year 1958-59. The Report published in 1961 acknowledged the widespread and financially sound framework of urban co-operative banks; emphasized the need to establish primary urban cooperative banks in new centers and suggested that State Governments lend active support to their development. In 1963, Varde Committee recommended that such banks should be organised at all Urban Centres with a population of 1 lakh or more and not by any single community or caste. The committee introduced the concept of minimum capital requirement and the criteria of population for defining the urban centre where UCBs were incorporated.
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ROLE OF CO-OPERATIVE BANKING IN INDIA: Co-operative Banks are much more important in India than anywhere else in the world. The distinctive character of this bank is service at a lower cost and service without exploitation. It has gained its importance by the role assigned to them, the expectations they are supposed to fulfill, their number, and the number of offices they operate. Co-operative banks role in rural financing continues to be important day by day, and their business in the urban areas also has increased phenomenally in recent years mainly due to the sharp increase in the number of primary co-operative banks. In rural areas, as far as the agricultural and related activities are concerned, the supply of credit was inadequate, and money lenders would exploit the poor people in rural areas providing them loans at higher rates. So, Co-operative banks mobilize deposits and purvey agricultural and rural credit with a wider outreach and provide institutional
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The Co-operative banks in rural areas mainly finance agricultural based activities like: 1. Farming 2. Cattle 3. Milk 4. Hatchery 5. Personal finance The Co-operative banks in urban areas finance in activities like:1. Self-employment 2. Industries 3. Small scale units 4. Home finance 5. Consumer finance 6. Personal finance
Definition of Co- operative bank:A Co-operative bank, as its name indicates is an institution consisting of a number of individuals who join together to pool their surplus savings for the purpose of eliminating the profits of the bankers or money lenders with a view to distributing the same amongst the depositors and borrowers. The Co-operative Banks Act, of 2007 (the Act) defines a co-operative bank as a cooperative registered as a co-operative bank in terms of the Act whose members 1. are of similar occupation or profession or who are employed by a common employer or who are employed within the same business district; or
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NABARD
NON-GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS
NATIONALIZED BANKS
CO-OPERATIVE BANK
GOLA GHAR
INITIAL INDIVIDUAL
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BENEFITS OF CO - OPERATIVE BANKS:Many advantages of co operative credit/banking system have been claimed:1. Co operatives, like money-lenders, can possess intimate knowledge of the character and financial position of their members, of and the local production possibilities and chances of growth. 2. Co operative have lower administrative costs on account of voluntary services rendered by their members 3. They instill among their members a strong feeling of responsibility for prompt payment of interest and repayment of loans. 4. They promote thrift and savings among their members and mobilize their small savings for productive or useful purposes. 5. The procedure of deposit and withdrawal of a co operative credit society or bank is far less complicated, since personal identification and such other problems do not exist. 6. Co operative may provide loans to their members at lower rates of interest and save them from the clutches of shylocktype moneylenders. 7. They make their members financially more secure. 8. They are suitable to help people of small means. 9. Advantages for members of Co operative Bank and societies:-
Tangible
-Membership certificates. - Co-operative shares. - Incentive loans for start-ups. - Simple procedures for obtaining loans. - Discounts. Special offers, e.g. mobile
Intangible
- Personal advice. - Extra information. - Seminars. - Publications. - Seminars. telephone, - Special events.
subscriptions.
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- Financial support for local projects or - Influence and say. sponsoring. - Member councils. - Social involvement. - Determining the use of social funds and sponsoring.
FEATURES OF CO- OPERATIVE BANK:1. Customer's owned entities : in a co-operative bank, the needs of the customers meet the needs of the owners, as co-operative bank members are both. As a consequence, the first aim of a co-operative bank is not to maximize profit but to provide the best possible products and services to its members. Some co-operative banks only operate with their members but most of them also admit non-member clients to benefit from their banking and financial services.
2. Democratic member control : co-operative banks are owned and controlled by their members, who democratically elect the board of directors. Members usually have equal voting rights, according to the co-operative principle of "one person, one vote".
3. Profit allocation : in a co-operative bank, a significant part of the yearly profit, benefits or surplus is usually allocated to constitute reserves. A part of this profit can also be distributed to the co-operative members, with legal or statutory limitations in most cases. Profit is usually allocated to members either through a patronage dividend, which is related to the use of the co-operatives products and services by each member, or through an interest or a dividend, which is related to the number of shares subscribed by each member.
Co-operative banks are deeply rooted inside local areas and communities. They are involved in local development and contribute to the sustainable development of their communities, as their members and management board usually belong to the communities in which they exercise their
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OBJECTIVES OF CO-OPERATIVE BANK:1. The co-operative system world over has emerged with a distinct objective namely to safeguard the interests of its members and to provide financial assistance to those who are unable to get financial help from other institutions. 2. Still a large number of people in the urban, semi urban and villages are unable to receive the benefits. They have not benefited from the new developments to a desired extent.
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There are two main categories of the co-operative banks: Short term lending oriented co-operative Banks - within this category there are three sub categories of banks viz state co-operative banks, District co-operative banks and Primary Agricultural co-operative societies. Long term lending oriented co-operative Banks - within the second category there are state co-operatives and rural development banks. The co-operative banking structure in India is divided into following main 5 categories: Urban Co-op Banks:Co operative credit societies established in urban areas are referred to as urban co operative banks. In most states, however, no clear-cut definition of an urban co operative bank is statutorily followed. In Maharashtra State, only those urban credit societies can be called as banks which conduct banking business in accordance with section 277F of the Indian Companies Act. 1913 or section 5(b) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and should have a paid-up share capital exceeding Rs. 20,000.
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Unit Banking type. Branch Banking type. Urban co operative banks are also called Primary co operative Banks(PCBs) by the Reserve Bank. The Reserve Bank of India defines PCBs as small-sized co operatively organized banking units which operate in metropolitan, urban and semi-urban centres to cater mainly to the needs of small borrowers, viz., owners of small scale industrial units, retail traders, professionals and salaried classes. The Reserve Bank of India grants banking licenses to existing/new banks and branches. The Urban Banks Department, established in the Reserve Bank in 1984, monitors and regulates the growth of PCBs. A scheme called Small Loans (co operatives Banks) Guarantee Scheme,1984 has been introduce from July 1, 1984 to provide guarantee cover to primary and professionals, single transport operators and self-employed persons, etc. However, out of 560 PCBs invited to join the scheme, only 28 banks have completed all the formalities and have been admitted till end of June 1985.
Primary Agricultural Credit Societies: Primary agricultural credit societies lie at the root of the co operative credit structure of the country. They are at the local or base level. In rural areas, there are PACS, which cater to the short and medium term credit needs of the farmers. They directly deal with the farmers. The PACS raise their funds by way of share capital, membership fees, deposits of members and non- members and loans from the District Central Co operative Bank and the government. The PACS grant short-term and medium-term loans only to their members against the personal security and mortgage security. The rates of interest charged by them vary from state to state They deposit their reserve funds with the District Central Co operative Banks(DCCB).
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State Co-operative Banks: The state co-operative bank is a federation of central co-operative bank and acts as a watchdog of the co-operative banking structure in the state. Its funds are obtained from share capital, deposits, loans and overdrafts from the Reserve Bank of India. The state co-operative banks lend money to central co-operative banks and primary societies and not directly to farmers. The SCBs raise its funds by way of share capital (subscribed to by the affiliated CCBs), deposits from the public, surplus funds of the affiliated CCBs reserve funds loans from the State Bank of India, other commercial banks , and inter- bank borrowings They are also supported by the Reserve Bank. Anywhere between 50-90% of the working capital of the SCBs are contributed by the Reserve Bank. They have no power to supervise or control the activities of the affiliated CCBs. SCBs serve as a leader of co operative movement in a state.
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Land Development Banks: Indian farmers need three types of credit, viz., short term, medium term and long term. Their short term and medium term credit requirements are fulfilled by the co operative banking institutions like PACs, CCBs and SCBs. Farmers have to borrow also for the long term (for a period 5years to 20 years) for buying equipments like pump sets, tractors, etc., and for other development purposes, such as reclamation of land, fencing, digging of new wells, construction of a tank or tube-well , or buying additional lands. Thus, a need for a special kind of institutions. Initially, the LDB were instituted in the form of co operative land mortgage banks. The first co operative Land mortgage Bank was established at Jhind, in Punjab in 1920. However, it did not function well. But it was really establishment of Central Land mortgage Bank in Madras in 1929. Since, 196-67, the Central Land mortgage Banks are renamed as Land Development Banks. The land development banks are organised in 3 tiers namely, state, central and primary level and they meet the long term credit requirements of the farmers for developmental purposes. The SLDBs overseas the primary land development banks situated in the districts and tehsils in the state. They are governed both by the state government and Reserve Bank of India. Recently, the supervision of land development banks has been assumed by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). The sources of funds for these banks are the debentures subscribed by both central and state government.
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Commercial banks constitute those banks driven by profit. These banks exist for no other reason than generating capital. Co-operative banks technically constitute cooperative institutions with an elected managing committee, provisions for the protection of members' rights and a set of communally developed and approved bylaws and amendments. In addition to personal finance, co-op banks exist to handle the finances of rural activities like agricultural and livestock farms and urban activities like entrepreneurship and home buying. In the organized sector of the Indian money market, co operative banks and commercial banks are parallel financial institutions. Both render almost identical banking functions of deposit mobilization, provision of remittance facilities, and advancing of loans. Nevertheless, both institutions are distinct in nature, scope and operations. We may distinguish between co operative and commercial banks on the following counts:
CO-OPERATIVE BANK
Co-operative Banks are Co- operative organisations
COMMERCIAL BANK
Commercial banks are joint stocks banks.
Co-operative banks are governed by the Co- Commercial banks are governed by the operative Societies Act, 1904. Banking Regulation Act
Co operative banks are subject to the rules laid Commercial banks are subject to the control of the down by the Registrar of co operative societies. Reserve Bank of India directly
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Co-operative banks are relatively on a much Commercial banks in India are on a larger scale. smaller scale. Many co-operative banks follow They have adopted the system of branch banking, only unit bank system, though they are co- so they have countrywide operations. operative banks with a numbers of branches but their coverage is not countrywide.
Commercial banks in India are two types: (1) public sector banks and (2)private sector banks.
Co-operative banks usually cater to the credit Commercial banks mostly provide short-term need of agriculturists.
finance to industry, trade and commerce, including priority like experts, etc.
Co-operative banks offer a slightly higher rate Commercial banks offer a less rate of interest of interest to their depositors than commercial to their depositors than commercial banks. banks.
In Co-operative banks, borrowers are member Borrowers of commercial banks are only shareholders, so they have some influence on account-holders and have no voting power as the lending policy of the banks, on account of such, so they cannot have any influence on the their voting power lending policy of these banks.
Co-operative banks have no much scope of Commercial banks on the other hand , are flexibility on account of the rigidities of the free from such rigidities. bye-laws of the co-operative societies.
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With a view to further expanding the outreach of primary (urban) co-operative banks (UCBs) a additional channel for promoting financial inclusion, UCBs have been allowed to lend to self help groups (SHGs) and joint liability groups (JLGs). UCBs may, frame a comprehensive policy with their Boards approval, based on the guidelines given below, before undertaking such activity.
POLICY:Lending to SHGs / JLGs would be considered as a normal business activity of the bank. The comprehensive policy on lending to SHGs / JLGs framed with the Boards approval, including the amount of loan and interest rate chargeable on loans etc., should form part of the overall credit policy of the bank.
METHOD OF LENDING:UCBs may lend directly to SHGs/JLGs. Lending through intermediaries is not permitted. Enrollment of SHG/JLG as member SHGs are small groups, formal/informal, of individuals promoting savings habit among members. These savings are then lent by the group to the members for income generating purposes. On the other hand, JLG is an informal group of individuals coming together for the purpose of availing of bank loan either singly or through the group mechanism against mutual guarantee in order to engage in similar type of economic activities. The SHG would normally consist of 10 to 20 members whereas a JLG would normally have 10 and 20 members. Membership matters are governed by the bye laws adopted by the bank and provisions of the respective State Cooperative Societies Acts or the Multi State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002. UCBs should, therefore, be guided by the provisions contained in the respective Act and take prior approval of the Registrar of co-operative societies (RCS) / Chief registrar of cooperative societies (CRCS), wherever required, while enrolling such
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KYC Norms:
UCBs should adhere to know your customer (KYC) guidelines in respect of each member of the SHG/JLG before opening savings bank account/granting loans. LOAN POLICY: Repo/Reverse Repo and Marginal Standing Facility Rates Repo Rate have been increased by 25 basis points from 7.25 per cent to 7.50 per cent from June 16, 2011. Reverse Repo Rate stands adjusted to 6.50 per cent. Marginal Standing Facility Rate adjusted to 8.50 per cent from June 16, 2011 other terms and condition of the current liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) and marginal standing facility (MSF) schemes remain unchanged. Standing Liquidity Facilities for Banks/PDs The standing liquidity facilities provided to banks (export credit refinance) and primary dealers (PDs) (collateralized liquidity support) from the Reserve Bank would be available at the revised repo rate, i.e., at 7.50 per cent from June 16, 2011. FEMA: Remittance of Assets by Foreign Nationals In order to facilitate foreign nationals employed in India holding valid visas, to collect their pending bonafide dues in India, AD Category- I banks may, now permit such foreign nationals to re-designate their resident account maintained in India as NRO account, on leaving the country after their employment, subject to the conditions that The AD Category-I bank should obtain the full details from the account holder about his/her legitimate dues expected to be received into his/her account.
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Bank-related :1. All banks which are included in the Second Schedule to the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 are Scheduled Banks. These banks comprise Scheduled Commercial Banks and Scheduled Cooperative Banks. 2. Scheduled Commercial Banks in India are categorized into five different groups according to their ownership and / or nature of operation. These bank groups are :i. ii. iii. iv. State Bank of India and its Associates, Nationalized Banks, Private Sector Banks, Foreign Banks, and
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3. Scheduled Co-operative Banks consist of Scheduled State Co-operative Banks and Scheduled Urban Co-operative Banks. 4. During the financial year 2009-10, the following changes have taken place in the commercial banking system: i) The Foreign Bank, FirstRand Bank, was included in the second schedule of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 with effect from July 02, 2009. ii) The name of ABN Amro Bank N. V. was changed to Royal Bank of Scotland N. V. with effect from March 19, 2010. These changes are reflected in the tables where individual banks data are presented.
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I.
GENERAL:
The role of primary (urban) co-operative banks (UCBs) in providing housing finance has been reviewed from time to time. These banks, with their vast network, occupy a very strategic position in the financial system and have an important role to play in providing credit to the housing sector. Further, housing finance to specified categories up to prescribed limits is treated as priority sector lending, and the need for UCBs providing credit to priority sector has come to be increasingly recognized consistent with the social objectives placed before the banking system. Therefore, with a view to enabling the UCBs to play a more positive role in providing finance for housing schemes, particularly to the weaker sections of the community, these banks are permitted to grant loans for housing schemes up to certain limits from their own resources subject to the guidelines detailed hereunder. The bigger banks that have large surplus resources may undertake larger lending for housing, as this will provide a remunerative avenue for investment of their surplus funds. Wherever, banks are still required to obtain special permission of the Registrar for financing housing societies, in each and every case, it is suggested that these banks should obtain general permission to finance housing societies subject to such other terms and conditions as have been prescribed for the purpose.
I.
UCBs may grant loans to the following categories of borrowers: i. Individuals and co-operative / group housing societies.
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(EWS), low income groups (LIG) and Middle income groups (MIG). iii. Owners of houses / flats for extension and up-gradation, including major repairs.
II.
The borrowers in the above categories will be eligible for finance for the following types of housing schemes: (a) Construction / purchase of houses / flats by individuals (b) Repairs, alterations and additions to houses / flats by individuals (c) Schemes for housing and hostels for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes (d) Under slum clearance schemes - directly to the slum dwellers on the guarantee of the Government, or indirectly through Statutory Boards established for this purpose (e) Education, health, social, cultural or other institutions / centres which are part of a housing project and considered necessary for the development of settlements or townships (f) Shopping centres, markets and such other centres catering to the day- today needs of the residents of the housing colonies and forming part of a housing project III. TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR HOUSING LOANS:
Finance provided by the UCBs to the eligible categories of borrowers for eligible housing schemes will be subject to the following terms and conditions: IV. MAXIMUM LOAN AMOUNT & MARGINS:
(i) UCBs based on their commercial judgment and other prudential business considerations, with the approval of their Board of Directors, are free to identify the eligible borrowers, decide margins and grant housing loans depending upon repaying capacity of the borrowers. (ii) The banks may grant housing loans up to a maximum of Rs.25.00 lakh per beneficiary of a dwelling unit. However, Tier II UCBs (all other UCBs which are not Tier I UCBs*) may extend
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Tier of UCBs are categorized as under: - Banks having deposits below Rs.100 crore operating in a single district. - Banks with deposits below Rs.100 crore operating in more than one district will be treated as Tier I provided the branches are in contiguous districts and deposits and advances of branches in one district separately constitute at least 95% of the total deposits and advances respectively of the bank and - Banks with deposits below Rs.100 crore, whose branches were originally in a single district but subsequently, became multi-district due to reorganization of the district Deposits and advances as referred to in the above definition may be reckoned as on 31st March of the immediate preceding financial year.
1. Interest:
Banks may, with the approval of their Boards, determine the rate of interest, keeping in view the size of accommodation, degree of risk and other relevant considerations.
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3. Period of Loan:
(i) Housing loans may be repayable within a maximum period of 15 years, including moratorium or repayment holiday. (ii) The moratorium or repayment holiday may be granted, a. At the option of the beneficiary, or b. Till completion of constructions, or 18 months from the date of disbursement of first installment of the loan, whichever is earlier.
4. Graduated Installments:
(i) The installments should be fixed on a realistic basis taking into account the repaying capacity of the borrower. (ii) In order to make housing finance affordable, banks may consider fixing the installments on a graduated basis, if there is reasonable expectation of growth in the income of the borrower in the coming years. Graduated basis means fixing lower repayment installments in the initial years and gradually increasing the installment amount in subsequent years coinciding with expected increase in income in the subsequent years. AGGREGATE LIMIT FOR HOUSING FINANCE: The exposure of UCBs to housing, real estate and commercial real estate loans would, with effect from November 15, 2010, is limited to 10 per cent of their total assets, instead of 15 per cent of deposits. The above ceiling of 10 per cent of total assets can be exceeded by an additional limit of 5 per cent of total assets for the purpose of grant of housing loans to individuals for purchase or construction of dwelling units costing up to Rs.10 lakh (changed to housing loan upto Rs.15 lakh in terms of circular UBD.BPD.(PCB).Cir.No.47/13.05.000/2010-11 dated May 11, 2011). The
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UCBs may extend additional finance to carry out alterations, additions, repairs to houses / flats already financed by them subject to repayment capacity of borrowers. In the case of individuals who might have raised funds for construction / acquisition of accommodation from other sources and need supplementary finance, banks may extend credit after obtaining paripassu or second mortgage charge over the property mortgaged in favor of other lenders and /or against such other security as they may deem appropriate after due assessment of aggregate repayment capacity of borrowers.
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LENDING TO HOUSING BOARDS: UCBs may extend loans to housing boards within their States. The rate of interest to be charged on the loans to such boards may be fixed at the discretion of the banks. While extending loans to housing boards, banks may not only keep in view the past performance of the housing boards in the matter of recovery from the beneficiaries but should also stipulate that the boards will beneficiaries. ensure prompt and regular recovery of loan installments from the
The builders / contractors generally require huge funds, take advance payments from the prospective buyers or from those on whose behalf construction is undertaken and, therefore, they may not normally require bank finance for the purpose. Any financial assistance extended to them by primary (urban) co-operative banks may result in dual financing. The banks should, therefore, normally refrain from sanctioning loans and advances to this category of borrowers.
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Valuation of Land: It has been observed that while financing builders / contractors, certain
banks are found to be valuing the land for the purpose of security, on the basis of the discounted value of the property after it is developed, 8less the cost of development. This is not in conformity with established norms. In this connection, it is clarified that UCBs should not extend fund based / non-fund based facilities to builders / contractors for acquisition of land even as a part of a housing project. Further, wherever land is accepted as collateral, valuation of such land should be at the current market price only. Banks may also take collateral security, wherever available. As the construction work progresses, the contractors will get paid and such payments should be applied to reduce the balance in the borrower accounts. If possible, the banks could perhaps enter into a tripartite agreement with the borrower and his clients, particularly when no collateral securities are available for such advances. HOUSING LOANS UNDER PRIORITY SECTOR: The following type of loans for housing purposes is eligible for categorization under priority sector :
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PRECAUTIONS: A number of cases have come to the notice of Reserve Bank, where unscrupulous persons have defrauded the banks by obtaining multiple bank finance against the same property by preparing a number of sets of the original documents and submitting the same to various banks for obtaining housing finance. Similarly the salary certificates of employees of certain public sector undertakings were fabricated, so as to match the requirement of banks for availing higher amounts of loan. The estimates given were also on the higher side, so as to avoid contribution of margin money by the borrowers. Such frauds could take place on account of the laxity on the part of the bank officials to follow the laid down procedures for verifying the genuineness of the documents submitted by the borrowers independently through their own advocates /solicitors. The banks should, therefore, take due precaution while accepting various documents.
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advertising for a particular scheme in newspapers / magazines etc. (c) The builder / developer would indicate in the pamphlets / brochures that he would provide
No Objection Certificate (NOC) / permission of the mortgage bank for sale of flats / property if required. UCBs are also advised to ensure compliance of the above terms and conditions and funds should not be released unless the builder / developer fulfill the above requirements. NATIONAL BUILDING CODE: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has formulated a comprehensive building Code namely National Building Code (NBC) of India 2005, providing guidelines for regulating the building construction activities across the country. The Code contains all the important aspects relevant to safe and orderly building development such as administrative regulations, development control rules and general building requirements; fire safety requirements; stipulations regarding materials, structural design and construction (including safety); and building and plumbing services. Adherence to NBC will be advisable in view of the importance of safety of buildings especially against natural disasters. Banks' boards may consider this aspect for incorporation in
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LOAN SYSTEM FOR DELIVERY OF BANK CREDIT: In the case of borrowers enjoying working capital credit limits of Rs.10 crore and above from the banking system, the loan component should normally be 80% and the remaining Cash Credit component. UCBs have been given freedom to change the composition of working capital by increasing the cash credit component beyond 20 per cent or increase the loan component beyond 80 per cent, as the case may be, if they so desire. UCBs are expected to appropriately price each of the two components of working capital finance, taking into account the impact of such decisions on their cash and liquidity management. In the case of borrowers with working capital (fund based) credit limit of less than Rs.10 crore, banks may persuade them to go in for the Loan System by offering an incentive in the form of lower rate of interest on the 'loan component' as compared to the 'cash credit component' The actual percentage of 'loan component' in these cases may be settled by the bank with its borrower clients. I.
Ad hoc Credit Limit: The release of ad hoc / additional credit for meeting temporary
requirements may be considered by the financing bank only after the borrower has fully utilized / exhausted the existing limit.
II.
III.
Rate of Interest: UCBs are allowed to fix separate lending rates for 'loan component'
and 'cash credit component'.
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Period of Loan: The minimum period of the loan for working capital purposes may
be fixed by banks in consultation with borrowers. Banks may decide to split the loan component according to the need of the borrower with different maturity bases for each segment and allow roll over.
V.
Export Credit: In respect of borrowers enjoying export credit limit, the bifurcation of
the working capital limit into loan and cash credit components, would be effected after excluding the export credit limits (pre-shipment and post-shipment).
VI.
Bills Limit: Bills limit for inland sales may be fully carved out of the 'loan component'.
Bills limit also includes limits for purchase of third party (outstation) cheques / bank drafts. Banks must satisfy themselves that the bills limit is not mis-utilised. UCBs may lay down policy guidelines for periodical review of the working capital limit and the same may be scrupulously adhered to.
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Enrolment of Financial Companies as Members:(i) UCBs are normally not expected to enroll non-banking financial institutions like investment and financial companies as their members since it would be in contravention of the State Cooperative Societies Act concerned and will also not be in conformity with the provisions of model bye-law No.9 recommended for adoption, by all banks. (ii) Therefore, the UCBs are not permitted to finance non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), other than those engaged in hire purchase / leasing. Such NBFCs stand reclassified as Asset Finance Companies vide DNBS Circular dated September 15, 2008. Norms for financing Asset Finance Companies:(i) As in the case of finance and investment companies, admission of NBFCs which are not engaged exclusively in leasing / hire purchase business as members may be contrary to the provisions contained in the State Co-operative Societies Act concerned and model bye-law No.9 referred to above. It will, therefore, be necessary for banks to obtain prior approval of the Registrar of Co-operative Societies concerned before admitting them as members. (ii) Even financing the asset finance companies by UCBs on a large scale is not favored by the Reserve Bank of India, since the banks are basically required to cater to the credit needs of the people of small means.
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Banks may adhere to the following guidelines while purchasing / discounting / negotiating / rediscounting of genuine commercial / trade bills : 1. Since banks have already been given freedom to decide their own guidelines for assessing / sanctioning working capital limits of borrowers, they may sanction working capital limit as also bills limit to borrowers after proper appraisal of their credit needs and in accordance with the loan policy as approved by their Board of Directors. 2. Banks should clearly lay down a bills discounting policy approved by their Board of Directors, which should be consistent with their policy of sanctioning of working capital limits. In this case, the procedure for Board approval should include banks' core operating process from the time the bills are tendered till these are realized. Banks may review their core operating processes and simplify the procedure in respect of bills financing. In order to address the problem of delay in
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The Hon'ble Supreme Court in its Judgment dated April 16, 2004 has ordered that excess interest collected by the banks from the borrowers through rounding off the applicable interest rate should be recovered from the banks and credited to a Trust to be created for the benefit of disadvantaged people. The Hon'ble Court had also directed that each concerned bank shall
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Identification of the Beneficiaries:The bank branches should obtain from the concerned Government authorities list of affected villages within their area of operation. From among the identified persons, assessment of loss sustained by the existing constituents of the banks would be easier. In the case of fresh borrowers, however, discreet enquiries should be made in this regard and assistance of the Government. authorities should be sought wherever available for ascertaining genuineness of their requirements. For providing conversion facilities in respect of crop loans, procedure for identification of areas where such facilities have to be provided has been indicated under crop loans in paragraph 12 below.
Coverage:i) Each branch will provide credit assistance not only to its existing borrowers but also to other eligible persons within its command area provided they are not covered by any other financial agency.
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Priorities:Immediate assistance including finances would be needed for protecting and rejuvenating standing crops / orchards / plantations etc. Equally important will be repair and protection of livestock sheds, grains and fodder storage / structures, drainage, pumping, and other measures and operations to repair pump-sets, motors, engines and other necessary implements. Subject to seasonal requirements, next crop financing would be taken up.
Agricultural Loans:i) The bank assistance in relation to agriculture would be needed in the form of short-term loans for the purpose of raising crops and term loans for purchase of milch / draught animals, repairs of existing tube-wells and pump-sets, digging of new tube-wells and installation of new pump-sets, land reclamation, silt / sand removal, protection and rejuvenation of standing crops / orchard / plantations, etc., repairs and protection of livestock sheds, grain and fodder storage structures, etc
. ii) Crop Loans : in the case of natural calamities, such as droughts, floods etc., Government authorities would have declared annewari to indicate the extent to which the crops are damaged. However, where such declaration has not been made banks should not delay in providing
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Block Development Officer Co-operative Inspector Revenue Authority / Village Revenue Assistant Bank official operating in the area PACS / LAMPS / FSS Gram Panchayat Pradhans
In order to avoid delay, the forms in which the State Government Officers have to give certificates at the Credit Camps may be got printed in sufficient numbers by the respective District Magistrates. v) In considering loan applications for the ensuing crop season the current dues of the applicants to the State Government may be ignored, provided the State Government declare a moratorium
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Consumption Loans:As per extant instructions, loans up to Rs.250/- could be sanctioned to existing borrowers for general consumption purposes and the limit could be enhanced to Rs.1,000/- in the States where the State Governments have constituted risk funds for such lending. The present limit may be enhanced to Rs.5,000/- without any collateral and such loans may be provided even if no risk fund has been constituted.
Fresh Loans:Timely fresh financial assistance to resume productive activities may be provided not only to the existing borrowers, but also to other eligible borrowers. Notwithstanding the status of the existing account, fresh loans granted to the borrowers will be treated as current dues.
Restructuring of existing Loans:a. As the repaying capacity of the people affected by natural calamities gets severely impaired due to the damage to the economic pursuits and loss of economic assets, relief in repayment of loans becomes necessary in areas affected by natural calamity and hence, restructuring of the existing loans will be required. The principal amount outstanding in the crop loans and agriculture term loans as well as accrued interest thereon may be converted into term loans. b. The repayment period of restructured term loans may vary depending on the severity of calamity and its recurrence, the extent of loss of economic assets and distress caused. Generally, the restructured period for repayment may be 3 to 5 years. However, where the damage arising out of the calamity is very severe, banks may, at their discretion, extend the period of repayment ranging up to 7 years and in extreme cases of hardship, the repayment period may be prolonged up to a maximum period of 10 years. In all cases of restructuring, moratorium period of at least one year should be considered. Further, the banks should not insist for additional collateral
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Scale of Finance:Scale of finance in respect of different crops will be uniform in a district. The scales will be fixed taking into account the prevailing conditions and norms presently adopted by different lending agencies. In fixing the scales, minimum consumption needs of borrowers will be taken into
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Development Loans - Investment Costs:i) The existing term loan installments will have to be rescheduled / postponed keeping in view the repaying capacity of the borrowers and the nature of natural calamity viz., a) Droughts, floods or cyclones etc. where only crop for that year is damaged and productive assets are not damaged. b) Floods or cyclones where the productive assets are partially or totally damaged and borrowers are in need of a new loan. ii) In regard to natural calamity under category (a), the banks may postpone the payment of installment during the year of natural calamity and extend the loan period by one year except (subject to the following exceptions) a) Those cultivators who had not effected the development or investment for which the loan was obtained or had disposed of the equipment or machinery purchased out of the loan. b) Those who are income tax payers. c) In the case of drought, those who are having perennial sources of irrigation except where water supply was not released from canals or irrigation facility was not available from other perennial sources. d) Tractor owners, except in genuine case where there is loss of income and consequential impairment of their repaying capacity. iii) Under this arrangement the installments defaulted willfully in earlier years will not be eligible for rescheduling. The banks may have to postpone payment of interest by borrowers.
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Apart from rescheduling existing term loans, banks will provide to affected
farmers diverse type of term loans for developmental purposes, such as : i) Minor Irrigation:Term loans are for repairs to wells, pump-sets, etc. which are to be quantified after assessing the extent of damage and estimated cost of repairs.
ii) Bullocks:Where the drought animals have been washed away, requests for fresh loans for a new pair of bullocks / he-buffaloes may be considered. Where loans are given for purchase of new cattle or where farmers have bought milch cattle, reasonable credit may be given for purchase of fodder or feed.
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iv) Insurance:Considering the proneness of areas to cyclones and other natural calamities, the cattle should be insured instead of Risk-cum-Mortality Fund established for similar purpose in other safe areas. Milch animals / draught cattle should be branded for identification as also to serve as safeguard against their re-sale by the beneficiaries.
v) Poultry and Piggery:For poultry piggery and goatery, loans will be considered as per norms of different banks.
vi) Fisheries:In the case of borrowers who have lost their boats, nets and other equipment, re-phasing of payment of existing dues may be allowed on merits. Fresh loans may be granted to them with loan maturity of 3/4 years. Loans for repairs to boats of the existing borrowers may also be considered. In cases where subsidy is available, the quantum of loan should be reduced to that extent. In States where substantial subsidy towards the cost of boats, nets etc., is likely to be available, proper co-ordination with the State Government Department concerned in this regard must be ensured. Apart from complying with other norms and conditions for grant of advances, assistance may be sought from the Department of Fisheries, which may be expected to take measures which would enable banks to proceed with financing for this purpose. The boats should be comprehensively insured against all risks including natural calamities as far as possible.
Land Reclamation:i) It is likely that financial assistance will be required for reclamation of lands covered by sand casting. Normally, sand / silt deposits upto 3 inches will either be ploughed back into the soil or
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Artisans and Self-Employed:i) For all categories of rural artisans and self employed persons including handloom weavers, loans will be needed for repairs of sheds, replacement of implements and purchase of raw materials and stores. In sanctioning the loan, due allowance will be made for subsidy / assistance available from the State Government concerned.
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Small Scale and Tiny Units:i) Rehabilitation of units under village and cottage industry sector, small scale industrial units as also smaller of the medium industrial sector damaged, will also need attention. Term loans for repairs to and renovation of factory buildings / sheds and machinery as also for replacement of damaged parts and working capital for purchase of raw materials and stores will need to be provided urgently. ii) Where the raw materials or finished goods have been washed away or ruined or damaged, banks security for working capital will naturally be eroded and the working capital account (Cash Credit or Loan) will be out of order. In such cases, banks will convert drawings in excess of the value of security into a term loan and also provide further working capital to the borrower. iii) Depending on the damage suffered and time needed for rehabilitation and restarting production and sales, term loan installments will have to be suitably rescheduled keeping in view the income generating capacity of the unit. Short-fall in margins will have to be condoned or even waived and borrower should be allowed time to build up margin gradually from his future cash generation. Wherever State Government or any agency has formulated special scheme for providing grants / subsidy / seed money, suitable margin may be stipulated to the extent of such grants / subsidy / seed money. iv) The primary consideration before the banks in extending credit to a small / tiny unit for its rehabilitation should be the viability of the venture after the rehabilitation programme is implemented.
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I.
Security:-
Where the bank's existing security has been eroded because of damage or destruction by floods, assistance will not be denied merely for want of additional fresh security. The fresh loan may be granted even if the value of security (existing as well as the asset to be acquired from the new loan) is less than the loan amount. For fresh loans sympathetic view will have to be taken : a) Where the crop loan (which has been converted into term loan) was earlier given against personal security / hypothecation of crop which would be the case for crop loans upto Rs.5,000/and the borrower is not able to offer charge / mortgage of land as security for the converted loan, he should not be denied conversion facility merely on the ground of his inability to furnish land as security. b) If the borrower has already taken a term loan against mortgage / charge on land, the bank should be content with a second charge for the converted term loan. c) Banks should not insist on third party guarantees for providing conversion facilities. d) In the case of term loans for replacement of equipment, repairs, etc. and for working capital finance to artisans and self-employed persons or for crop loans, usual security may be obtained. Where land is taken as security in the absence of original Title Records, a Certificate issued by the Revenue Department Officials may be accepted for financing farmers who have lost proof of their titles i.e. in the form of deeds, as also the registration certificates issued to registered sharecroppers.
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II.
Margin:-
Margin requirements be waived or the grants / subsidy given by the concerned State Government may be considered as margin.
III.
Interest:-
The rates of interest will be in accordance with the directives of the Reserve Bank of India. Within the areas of their discretion, however, banks are expected to take a sympathetic view of the difficulties of the borrowers and extend a concessional treatment to calamity-affected people. i) Those meeting the eligibility criteria under the scheme of Differential Rate of Interest should be provided credit in accordance with the provision of the scheme. ii) In respect of current dues in default, no penal interest will be charged. The banks should also suitably defer the compounding of interest charges.
IV.
Other Issues:-
i) Business Continuity Planning:In the backdrop of increased leveraging of technology in banking system, Business Continuity Planning (BCP) has become a key pre-requisite for minimizing business disruption and system failures. As a Business Continuity Planning (BCP) strategy, banks may identify alternate branches for branches located in areas prone to natural calamities. Banks may therefore formulate full-fledged comprehensive BCP along with Disaster-Recovery (DR) arrangements. The banks may also focus on keeping the DR site current, to test them comprehensively and synchronize the data between the primary and secondary sites.
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iii) Currency Management:Banks / branches affected by natural calamity, if required, may contact other banks maintaining its current accounts or the currency chest branch to which it is linked in order to ensure that supply of currency is maintained to its customers.
iv) KYC Norms:To facilitate opening of new accounts by persons affected by natural calamities especially for availing various relief's given by Government / other agencies, banks may open accounts with a) introduction from another account holder who has undergone full KYC procedure, or b) documents of identity such as Voter's Identity Card or a driving license, identity card issued by an office, company, school, college, etc. along with a document indicating the address such as Electricity Bill, Ration Card etc. or c) introduction by two neighbors who have the documents as indicated in paragraph (b) above or
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v) Clearing and Settlement Systems:To ensure continuity in clearing service, Reserve Bank of India has advised the banks for 'on-city back-up centers in 20 large cities and effective low-cost settlement solution for the remaining cities. The banks in a clearing area could meet with a view to providing flexible clearing services where normal clearing services are disrupted. However, notwithstanding these arrangements, banks may also consider discounting cheques for higher amounts to meet customers' requirement of funds. Banks could also consider waiver fees for EFT, ECS or mail services so as to facilitate inward transfer of funds to accounts of persons affected by a natural calamity
APPLICABILITY OF THE GUIDELINES IN THE CASE OF RIOTS AND DISTURBANCES:Whenever Reserve Bank of India advises the banks to extend rehabilitation assistance to the riot / disturbance affected persons, the aforesaid guidelines may broadly be followed by banks for the purpose. It should, however, be ensured that only genuine persons, duly identified by the State Government agencies as having been affected by the riots, etc., are extended rehabilitation / assistance.
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1. Investment of funds:Primary (urban) co-operative banks have been permitted to invest their surplus funds in unsecured redeemable bonds floated by nationalized banks and also in infrastructure bonds floated by the financial institutions, such as, IDBI, ICICI, LIC, GIC, etc. besides PSU bonds, equities of all India financial institutions and units of UTI within the prescribed limit of 10 per cent of their deposits subject to the stipulated conditions/safety measures.
2. Market Intelligence Cells:Market Intelligence Cells have been set up at regional offices of the Bank to detect early signs of sickness and deterioration in financial health of the urban co-operative banks with a view to taking appropriate and timely action.
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4. Branch Expansion:Consequent upon the Maratha Committee recommendations, the Bank has been following a liberal policy regarding extension of area of operation and opening of branches by primary urban co-operative banks. As a result, 3,475 centres have been allotted for branch expansion since 1993, of which 2,002 branches have been opened till June 1999. During the period 1998-99 (July-June), 413 centres were allotted for opening of branches and 405 licenses were issued.
5. No. of Offices of Primary Urban Co-operative Banks:The total number of primary urban cooperative banks including salary earners type of banks increased to 1,936 as on March 31, 1999 from 1,811 as at end-March 1998. The number of offices increased to 5,934 as on December 31, 1998 from 5,417 as on March 31, 1998.
6. Non-Performing Assets:The non-performing assets (NPAs) of the 1,474 reporting PCBs stood at Rs.3,305.98 crore constituting 11.7 per cent of their aggregate advances as on March 31, 1998 .
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8. Liquidation of Banks:Due to precarious financial position, liquidation proceedings have been initiated in respect of six co-operative banks, viz., 1) A wami Mercantile Co-operative Bank Ltd., Mumbai; 2) Ravi Kiran Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd., Mumbai; 3) Suprabhat Sahakari Bank Ltd., Ahmedabad; 4) Vinkar SahakariCo-operative Bank Ltd., Mumbai; 5) Koduvayur Co-operative Urban Bank Ltd., Kerala; and 6) Gudur Cooperative Bank Ltd., Andhra Pradesh. Further, approval for winding up of Indira Sahakari Bank Ltd., Mumbai was conveyed to the Register of Co-operative Societies, Pune.
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CASE STUDIES
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VSofts SuVikas helped the bank achieve its goal:SuVikas, a user-friendly, cost effective, flexible and self-supporting application permits easy performance, improves overall management efficiency, and enables the bank to concentrate on the business of finance without much concern about the ever changing IT trends.
Through this, bank and customer got many benefits like: Quick customer service:The bank was able to substantially decrease the time a customer spends at the counter as the software provides a single view of all accounts of the customer. Which made the bank better as per their customers. Reduced redundant tasks:Reducing redundant tasks meant more resources available for recovery. So, customer were getting auick facilities.
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