Central bank sets up panel to review ownership of private lenders

The need to examine the current guidelines on ownership comes after large shareholders of private sector banks sought RBI’s permission to raise their stakes beyond the permitted 15%.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday said it has constituted an internal working group to review the existing guidelines on ownership and corporate structure of private sector banks. The group will be headed by RBI executive director PK Mohanty.

The RBI panel will examine the existing licensing guidelines and regulations on ownership and control of private sector banks. (Pradeep Gaur/Mint File Photo)

“Though the overarching principles that the ownership and control of private sector banks should be well diversified and that the major shareholders are ‘fit and proper’ have remained unchanged, the specific contours have evolved over the years with specific prescriptions being given as part of licensing guidelines issued at various points in the past. It is, therefore, felt necessary to comprehensively review the extant guidelines on ownership, governance and corporate structure in private sector banks, taking into account key developments which have a bearing on the issue,” RBI said.

The group will examine the existing licensing guidelines and regulations on ownership and control of private sector banks. It will also suggest appropriate norms, keeping in mind the issue of excessive concentration of ownership and control. Besides, it will examine and review the eligibility criteria for individuals or entities to apply for a banking license, and review the promoter shareholding norms at the initial licensing stage.

The need to examine the current guidelines on ownership comes after large shareholders of private sector banks sought RBI’s permission to raise their stakes beyond the permitted 15%. Top on the list were the Hindujas, promoters of IndusInd Bank, who wanted to increase their stakes in the bank.

The Hindujas’ move followed the RBI’s decision to allow Uday Kotak to bring down his stake to 26% by August, and further reduce his stake over a period of time.

Kotak had a prolonged disagreement with RBI over his personal holding in the private lender. The bank licensing rules mandated that a private bank’s promoter will need to pare holding to 40% within three years, 20% in 10 years and to 15% in 15 years. The rules on promoter holding have changed over the years.