The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Undertaking of Financial Services) Amendment Directions, 2026 (Revised) to align existing guidelines with the updated credit framework introduced under the 2026 Credit Facilities Directions. Exercising powers under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the RBI revised Paragraph 18(4) of Chapter III (General Guidelines). The amendments expand permissible financial services by allowing acquisition finance and bridge finance for funding promoters’ stake in new companies and clarify provisions relating to lending to individuals against eligible securities. These changes aim to streamline credit practices, enhance flexibility for banks in structuring financing arrangements, and ensure regulatory consistency across frameworks. The revised directions will become effective either upon banks adopting the updated credit facility norms or by July 1, 2026, whichever is earlier, and will replace the earlier 2025 Directions.
RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
RBI/2025-26/258
DOR.CRE.REC.450/24-01-041/2025-26 | Dated: March 30, 2026
Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Undertaking of Financial Services) – Amendment Directions, 2026 (Revised)
Please refer to the Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Undertaking of Financial Services) Directions, 2025 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Directions’).
2. On a review, consequent to the issuance of the Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Credit Facilities) Amendment Directions, 2026 (Revised) dated March 30, 2026, and in exercise of the powers conferred by the section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and all other laws enabling the Reserve Bank of India (hereinafter called the Reserve Bank) in this regard, the Reserve Bank being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest so to do, hereby issues the Amendment Directions (Revised) hereinafter specified.
3. The Amendment Directions (Revised) modify paragraph 18(4) of ‘Chapter-III ‘General Guidelines’ of the Directions as under:
3 (1) The sub-paragraph (ii)(a)iii shall be substituted with the following:
“Acquisition finance and bridge finance for financing of promoter’s stake in new companies”
3(2) The sub-paragraph (ii)(b) shall be substituted with the following: “Lending to individuals against eligible securities”
4. The above revised amendments shall come into force from the date a bank decides to implement the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Credit Facilities) Amendment Directions, 2026 (Revised) dated March 30, 2026 or from July 1, 2026, whichever is earlier, and shall supersede the Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Undertaking of Financial Services) Directions, 2025.
Vaibhav Chaturvedi
(Chief General Manager)
