Sponsored
    Follow Us:
Sponsored

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of ₹10 lakh on Bridge Fintech Solutions Private Limited (Finzy) for non-compliance with the ‘Non-Banking Financial Company – Peer to Peer Lending Platform (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2017.’ Following a scrutiny conducted in September 2023, the RBI found multiple violations, including disbursing loans to borrowers without lender approval and assuming partial credit risk, which is not permitted under NBFC-P2P regulations. Additionally, Finzy failed to include necessary regulatory clauses in agreements with service providers, did not conduct an annual review of service providers, and neglected to periodically review compliance with the Fair Practices Code and Grievance Redressal Mechanism.

The penalty was imposed after considering Finzy’s responses to RBI’s show-cause notice, additional submissions, and oral hearings. The RBI clarified that this action was based solely on regulatory deficiencies and does not affect the validity of the company’s transactions with its customers. Further, the penalty does not preclude the RBI from taking additional actions if necessary.

Reserve Bank of India
India’s Central Bank

 

Press Releases

Date : Mar 07, 2025

RBI imposes monetary penalty on Bridge Fintech Solutions Private Limited (“Finzy”)

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated March 04, 2025, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹10.00 lakh (Rupees Ten Lakh only) on Bridge Fintech Solutions Private Limited (the company), also referred to as “Finzy”, for non-compliance with certain provisions of the ‘Non-Banking Financial Company – Peer to Peer Lending Platform (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2017’ issued by RBI. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of Section 58G read with clause (aa) of sub-section (5) of Section 58B of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.

A scrutiny of the company was conducted by RBI in September 2023. Based on supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the company advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for its failure to comply with the said directions.

After considering the company’s reply to the notice, additional submissions made by it and oral submissions made during the personal hearing , RBI found, inter alia, that the following charges against the company were sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty.

The company:

i. disbursed loans to individual borrowers without the specific approval of individual lenders;

ii. took partial credit risk, which was not provided under the ‘Scope of Activities’ for NBFC-P2P companies;

iii. did not, in certain instances, (a) ensure that its agreements with service providers included clauses to recognise the right of RBI to cause an inspection to be made of the service providers, and (b) undertake an annual review of the service providers; and

iv. did not conduct periodic review of the compliance of the Fair Practices Code and functioning of the Grievances Redressal Mechanism.

This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the company with its customers. Further, imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the company.

(Puneet Pancholy)
Chief General Manager

Press Release: 2024-2025/2333

Sponsored

Join Taxguru’s Network for Latest updates on Income Tax, GST, Company Law, Corporate Laws and other related subjects.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sponsored
Sponsored
Ads Free tax News and Updates
Sponsored
Search Post by Date
March 2025
M T W T F S S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31