The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of One crore on Bandhan Bank Limited for not meeting the guidelines on its promoter holding norms.
The central bank has, by an order dated October 29, 2019, imposed a penalty of ₹ One crore on Bandhan Bank Limited for non-compliance with the guidelines on promoter holding contained in Guidelines for Licensing of New Banks in Private Sector dated February 22, 2013 read with the conditions imposed by RBI in exercise of powers under section 22 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 at the time of issuing banking licence to the bank.
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This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers vested in RBI, taking into account the default committed by the bank in complying with the aforesaid licensing guidelines and conditions. This action is based on the deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank, RBI stated.
The bank was required to bring down the shareholding of its Non-Operative Financial Holding Company in the bank in excess of 40% of the total paid-up equity capital to 40% within three years from the date of commencement of business of the bank, RBI said.
However, as the bank failed to comply with the said licensing guidelines, a notice (SCN) was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed for non-compliance with the said licensing guidelines.
After considering the reply received from the bank, submissions made by the bank during the personal hearing and the documents submitted by it, RBI came to the conclusion that the bank had failed to comply with the licensing guidelines.