The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), through its Amendment Directions dated February 13, 2026, has revised the Commercial Banks – Undertaking of Financial Services Directions, 2025. The amendments follow the issuance of the Credit Facilities Amendment Directions, 2026 and are issued under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. Specifically, paragraph 18(4) of Chapter III (General Guidelines) has been modified. The revised provisions now explicitly include “acquisition finance and bridge finance for financing of promoter’s stake in new companies” and “lending to individuals against eligible securities” within the regulatory framework governing banks undertaking financial services. These changes align the Undertaking of Financial Services Directions with the updated credit facility norms and clarify the scope of permissible activities. The amendments will take effect from the date a bank adopts the 2026 Credit Facilities Amendment Directions or from April 1, 2026, whichever is earlier.
Reserve Bank of India
RBI/2025-26/215
DOR.CRE.REC.406/24-01-041/2025-26 | Dated: February 13, 2026
Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Undertaking of Financial Services) – Amendment Directions, 2026
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, 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 hereinafter specified.
3. The Amendment Directions 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 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 or from April 1, 2026, whichever is earlier.
Vaibhav Chaturvedi
(Chief General Manager)
