Branch Authorization Policy for Urban Co-operative Banks

Reserve Bank of India’s rationalization of the branch authorization policy for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs). Understand the new general permission for branch expansion, simplified approval process, and reporting requirements and implications of these changes on UCBs and their growth opportunities.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently announced a rationalization of the branch authorization policy for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs).  New policy focusses on the general permission for branch expansion, the simplified approval process, and reporting requirements.

Under the revised regulatory framework for UCBs, financially strong UCBs are granted general permission for branch expansion in their approved area of operation. This aims to facilitate growth opportunities for UCBs and streamline the branch opening process. UCBs that comply with the applicable Financially Sound and Well Managed (FSWM) criteria are eligible for this general permission.

To avail the general permission, eligible UCBs must formulate a policy approved by their Board of Directors. This policy should consider the bank’s financial health, viability study of new branches, and customer service. UCBs can open new branches up to 10% of the number of full-fledged branches at the end of the previous financial year, with a maximum of five branches, without requiring permission from the RBI. The policy must be periodically updated to align with revised RBI guidelines.

In addition to the general permission, the existing prior approval route for branch expansion will continue for other eligible UCBs. However, the approval process has been simplified to reduce the time taken for granting approvals. UCBs need to submit an Annual Business Plan (ABP) for opening branches, extension counters, or upgrading extension counters into full-fledged branches. The revised timelines ensure that UCBs can open branches in the same financial year for which authorization is obtained.

UCBs are required to report the opening of branches to the concerned Regional Office of the Department of Supervision within 15 calendar days, along with submission to the Central Information System for Banking Infrastructure (CISBI) portal.

The rationalization of the branch authorization policy for Urban Co-operative Banks by the Reserve Bank of India aims to facilitate growth opportunities and streamline the branch opening process. The general permission for branch expansion, along with the simplified approval process and reporting requirements, will enable financially strong UCBs to tap into their potential. UCBs should align their policies with the new guidelines and adhere to the timelines to ensure smooth and efficient branch expansion. This policy change is expected to have a positive impact on UCBs, fostering their development and contributing to the growth of the co-operative banking sector.

RESERVE BANK OF INDIA

RBI/2023-24/39
DOR.REG.No.19/07.01.000/2023-24 Dated: June 08, 2023

Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer
All Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks (except Salary Earners’ Banks)

Madam / Dear Sir

Rationalization of Branch Authorisation Policy for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs)

A reference is made to the circular on the revised criteria for classifying a UCB as Financially Sound and Well Managed (FSWM) issued by RBI vide circular DOR.REG.No.85/07.01.000/2022-23 dated December 01, 2022 on “Review of norms for classification of Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) as Financially Sound and Well Managed (FSWM)”.

2. In order to rationalise the process of branch opening and to enable the UCBs to tap growth opportunities in the sector, it has been decided to grant general permission for branch expansion in the approved area of operation to financially strong UCBs. This is as per the Revised Regulatory Framework for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) released by RBI on July 19, 2022 based on the recommendation of the Expert Committee on  Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks. The details of the scheme are provided in Annex-I.

3. In addition to the general permission, the branch expansion under the prior approval route as per the existing framework will also continue, as hitherto, for other eligible UCBs. However, the process has been simplified to reduce the time taken for granting approvals for opening new branches, the details of which are provided in Annex-II. Department of Regulation, Central Office, Central Office Building, 12^th/ 13th Floor, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Fort,

Commencement

4. The revised instructions shall come into force with immediate effect.

Applicability

5. This circular is applicable to all Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks (except Salary Earners’ Banks).

(Prakash Baliarsingh)
Chief General Manager

Annex-I

Branch Authorization Policy for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) – General Permission

The general permission of branch expansion in the approved area of operation will be available to UCBs in all Tiers (except Salary Earners’ Banks) which comply with applicable Financially Sound and Well Managed (FSWM) criteria.

2. The eligible FSWM UCBs shall put in place a policy, approved by their Board of Directors for opening branches. The policy should be formulated keeping in view the financial health of the bank, viability study of the new branches and customer service and must be updated periodically to keep it aligned with revised RBI guidelines. The eligible UCBs are permitted to open new branches up to 10 per cent of the number of full-fledged branches (at the end of previous financial year) in a financial year, subject to a maximum of five branches without having the need to take permission from Reserve Bank of India. However, if the total number of full-fledged branches (at the end of previous financial year) is less than 10, the bank will be eligible to open at least one branch. Further, the UCBs shall ensure that the proposal for opening of such branches in a particular financial year, based on their policy, is duly approved by their Board of Directors. It is clarified that the banks have the liberty to either open a new branch or upgrade an Extension Counter, which has been in operation for more than three years, to a full-fledged branch, within the overall limit of 10 percent. Opening of Extension counters, Controlling Offices (Regional/ Zonal/ Administrative Office), ATMs etc. is not covered under this route and they will continue to be governed by extant guidelines.

3. UCBs shall report to concerned Regional Office of Department of Supervision (Central Office, in case of UCBs under jurisdiction of Mumbai office) of the Reserve Bank, immediately and in any case not later than 15 calendar days, after opening of the branch complying with all the rules, as per the format given in Annex-III. The UCBs shall also submit the details on the Central Information System for Banking Infrastructure (CISBI) portal as per extant instructions.

Annex-II

Branch Authorization Policy for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) – Timelines for Annual Business Plan (ABP) under Prior Approval Route

As per Master Circular RBI/2015-16/62 DCBR.LS.(PCB)MC.No.16/07.01.000/2015-16  dated July 1, 2015 eligible UCBs have been advised to prepare an Annual Business Plan (ABP) for opening of branches (including extension counters and up-gradation of extension counters into full-fledged branches), in their existing area of operation, for the next financial year, with the approval of their Board of Directors and submit the ABP to the respective Regional Offices of the Reserve Bank of India, preferably by end of December of the previous financial year. In order to reduce the time taken for opening new branches, the following revised timelines must be ensured.

2. While there is no requirement of submission of exact location of branch at the time of submission of ABP, UCBs should try to firm up their plans for opening branches at the requested centres well in advance to quicken the process of opening the branches. The banks may, at their discretion, include the address of their proposed branch in ABP. Strict adherence to timelines indicated above will ensure that all the branches are opened in the same financial year for which the authorization is obtained. Ordinarily, no extension of time will be granted after the expiry of validity period of authorization. Only in exceptional cases, where the bank is unable to open the branch for reasons beyond its control, an extension of time not exceeding 180 calendar days may be granted by the concerned Regional Office of Department of Supervision, under advice to Department of Regulation, Central Office.

Annex-III

Statement of opening of a branch of a FSWM UCB @

@ Separate statements may be submitted for each branch opened using the general permission.