India's microfinance sector can expect healthy growth if the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) becomes the sole regulator for the sector, SKS Microfinance chairman Vikram Akula said on Thursday. The fast-growing Indian microfinance sector suffered a setback in October when Andhra Pradesh, which had the largest microfinance market in the country, approved legislation to regulate the industry following complaints about high interest rates, aggressive recovery practices and overextended borrowers. "The Banking Act supercedes anything else in the country," and it would be a matter of time before the RBI became the single regulator of for-profit microfinance companies resulting in "measured, yet healthy growth," Akula told reporters. Growth in the sector would be significantly affected if Andhra Pradesh does not recognise the RBI as the sole regulator, he said, adding the company may have to downsize its operations in the state. The RBI panel earlier this month recommended an interest rate cap of 24.7 percent, limited to two the number of microfinance firms that can lend to the same borrower, and also called for a customer protection code for microfinance companies. The creation of a separate classification of MFI-NBFCs (microfinance institution - non-banking finance companies) and access to priority sector lending to companies that fall under this category were two of the recommendations that Akula highlighted as being positive to the sector. The RBI formed a panel in late October in response to the Andhra Pradesh rules, which severely curtailed microfinance activities in the state, curbed collections and hurt new business.
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Friday, February 4, 2011
Set up risk mitigation system: RBI to Fx dealer banks
Revising the guidelines for foreign exchange business, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) today asked banks dealing in forex to set up a comprehensive risk management procedure for trading as well as non-trading activities. "Banks should have a comprehensive and adequate risk management procedure covering both trading and non-trading activities...Such a procedure will assist in limiting and monitoring risk taking activities," the RBI said in revised guidelines for 'Internal Control Over Foreign Exchange Business'. The central bank has also advised the Authorised Dealer (AD) banks to tape conversations in the dealing rooms. "The tapes may be preserved for at least two months and where a dispute has been raised, until the issue is resolved. Access to the equipment and tapes should be subject to strict control," it said. The RBI has also asked the banks to set the limits for inter-bank business as well as transactions in overseas markets. "The limits when exceeded should be promptly reported to appropriate senior management and got approved," it said, adding the procedure would help in exercising control over the forex business and contain risks. Asking the banks to strengthen concurrent audit mechanism, the RBI said that minor irregularities in forex trading should be rectified immediately and the serious ones should be reported to the controlling authorities for action. The RBI has also asked the ADs to segregate their operations into dealing room, risk management, and settlement and reconciliation of accounts. The AD banks, RBI said, should ensure that brokers should not take over the functions of dealers. "Complaints relating to malpractices by brokers should be promptly brought to the notice of the Foreign Exchange Dealers Associations of India, Mumbai," it said. The internal control guidelines were initially framed by the RBI in 1981 and were revised in 1996. The RBI said they are being revised again in view of rapid changes in the global and domestic forex markets and developments in the field of information technology, and introduction of forex derivatives trading.
RBI Governor appears before PAC on 2G issue
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor D Subbarao, who was Finance Secretary when the 2G spectrum allocations were made, today appeared before Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and shared "accurate information" on the controversial issue. Subbarao, as Finance Secretary, had raised questions over the entry fee for mobile operators ahead of the 2G spectrum allocations that led to the resignation of Telecom Minister A Raja and his subsequent arrest by the CBI. "The current RBI Governor was the Finance Secretary and he shared accurate information regarding his communications with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT)," PAC Chairman Murli Manohar Joshi told reporters here. He said the Committee members held "significant discussions" on the issue but ruled out submission of an interim report on the matter during the Budget Session of Parliament. He said the Finance Ministry, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and DoT were interconnected and hold consultations before taking any significant decisions. “We have received very important and pointed information from him,” said PAC chairman Murli Manohar Joshi after the meeting.
RBI to tighten oversight norms for portfolio management
The multi-crore fraud at the Gurgaon branch of Citibank has prompted the banking regulator to review existing norms for the portfolio management services (PMS) of banks. With the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) inspection report on the Citibank fraud ready, banking industry sources said RBI would compile a comprehensive report on the loopholes in PMS guidelines. The report, which is being prepared by the department of banking supervision, will be discussed by the board for financial supervision and the guidelines revised based on feedback. According to RBI norms, no bank can offer PMS without specific permission. However, bank-sponsored non-banking financial services companies are allowed to offer discretionary PMS. PMS offered by banks are classified into four categories: Referral services, investment advisory, non-discretionary and discretionary. Sources said present norms do not clearly distinguish between investment advisory and non-discretionary PMS. The regulator will address the issue while revising the norms. It will also look into the way discretionary PMS are provided by banks. According to sources, the central bank may also bring in norms to govern relationship managers, something current guidelines do not. “Some countries do have norms for relationship managers, and the central bank feels the need to have some kind of code of conduct for them,” said a source. Sources also said that until fresh guidelines are formed, RBI may go slow on issuing fresh permission to banks for PMS. Some government-owned banks, which were planning to offer PMS, are now awaiting RBI’s revised norms before starting operations. Present norms do not allow funds to be accepted by portfolio managers for less than one year. In addition, portfolio funds cannot be deployed in the overnight, inter-bank term deposit & bill rediscounting markets or lent to corporate bodies. Banks must maintain client-wise records of funds accepted and investments made. Portfolio clients are entitled to a statement of account.
Kerala HC paves way for India’s first Islamic bank
The Kerala high court on Thursday 8 dismissed a petition challenging the state government's plans to co-promote an Islamic 8 finance institution. The move could pave the way for introduction of Islamic finance products by existing lenders and also reduce regulatory objections for an Islamic Bank. On Thursday, a division bench comprising Chief Justice J Chalameswar and Justice P R Ramachandra Menon dismissed petitions objecting to the creation of an Islamic financial institution and said the proposed body was to work in accordance with financial laws of the country even while it complied with sharia rules. The move has much broader implications considering Islamic finance has not taken off due to a stand taken by RBI that such a form of banking is not possible given present regulation. This stance was taken by an internal working group of RBI whose report was never made public. In the past, Islamic scholars had made representations to RBI to allow such products. Subsequent representation to allow Islamic finance products was stalled as the government was awaiting the verdict of the Kerala High Court. The key difference between Islamic and conventional banking is that while the conventional form offers interest on deposits mobilized, Islamic finance works on the principles of investment and sharing of profits. Islamic banking products are offered by leading banks in the West who also use Shariah compliant products to mobilize funds from the Middle East. Exisiting lenders like State Bank of India too have considered the feasibility of launching Islamic finance products through its international banking operations. However, these products have not taken off because of lack of regulatory clarity. Some bankers feel that considering that India has the second largest Muslim population in the world, there will be large potential for Islamic banking products.
UK Sinha appointed Sebi chairman
A 1976 BATCH IAS OFFICER OF BIHAR CADRE, UK SINHA IS CURRENTLY THE CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR UTI AMC. HE ALSO HEADS THE MUTUAL FUND INDUSTRY BODY AMFI. Market watchdog's eighth chief's three-year term to start on February 18. The government on Thursday appointed UTI AMC chief U K Sinha as the chairman of capital markets regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). A 1976 batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre, Sinha replaces C B Bhave who retires on February 17, 2011. Sinha has been appointed as Sebi chief for a period of three years from February 18, 2011, said a notification issued by the government on Thursday. He will be the eighth chief of Sebi.
CARRYING THE TORCH OF TRANSFORMATION
Dr.C.Rangarajan, who served as governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 1992 to 1997, was also a distinguished academic, having held faculty positions at University of Pennsylvania and Indian Institute of ManagementAhmedabad. During his tenure at RBI, first as deputy governor and then governor, Rangarajan was responsible for initiating several reforms such as harnessing information technology to streamline banking sector operations. His contribution in helping India manage the fallout of the 1991 financial crisis is notable. It was due to his efforts that the automatic monetisation of the government’s deficit was terminated, which enabled the central bank to absorb the huge losses incurred through various non-resident schemes. Upon completion of his tenure at RBI, Rangarajan was appointed chairman of the Prime Minister’s economic advisory committee.
Sushma Nath appointed as Finance Sec
With barely a month to go for Budget 2011- 12, the government appointed Sushma Nath as the new Finance Secretary and gave her an extension for two months till May 31 this year. Nath, now the Expenditure Secretary, succeeds Ashok Chawla who retired on January 31. She will continue to hold the charge of Expenditure Secretary as well. Nath was to retire on March 31. Meanwhile, R Gopalan, who has been appointed as Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, will hold charge till April 30 this year. Both Nath and Gopalan are expected to be the main architects of the Budget which will be presented by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on February 28.
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