RBI imposes monetary penalty on Krushiseva Urban Co-operative Bank Limited, Kole, Solapur, Maharashtra
The Reserve Bank of India (RBl) has, by an order dated January 08, 2024, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹50,000/- (Rupees Fifty thousand only) on Krushiseva Urban Co-operative Bank Limited, Kole, Solapur, Maharashtra (the bank) for non-compliance with the directions issued by RBI on ‘Loans and advances to directors, their relatives and firms/concerns in which they are interested’ read with RBI directions on ‘Board of Directors - UCBs’ and ‘Exposure Norms and Statutory/Other Restrictions – UCBs’ and for contravention of specific directions issued by RBI under the Supervisory Action Framework (SAF). This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under section 47A(1)(c) read with sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
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 bank with its customers.
Background
The statutory inspection of the bank conducted by RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2022, and examination of the Risk Assessment Report and all correspondence related thereto revealed, inter alia, that the bank had (i) sanctioned loans to directors and their relatives; and (ii) incurred capital expenditure without prior approval of RBI in violation of specific directions issued under SAF. Consequently, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for failure to comply with the said directions, as stated therein.
After considering the bank's reply to the notice and oral submissions made by it during personal hearing and additional submissions made thereafter, RBI came to the conclusion that the charge of non-compliance with the aforesaid RBI directions was substantiated and warranted imposition of monetary penalty on the bank.