RBI on July 25, 2023 has issued a Master Circular for Management of Advances by All Primary Urban Co-operative Banks. Primary (Urban) Cooperative Banks (UCBs) are expected to lay down, with the approval of their boards, transparent policies and guidelines for credit dispensation, in respect of each broad category of economic activity, keeping in view the credit exposure norms and various other guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India from time to time.
In order to ensure that the loan policy of the bank reflects approved internal risk appetite and remains in alignment with the extant regulations, it shall be reviewed by the Board at least once in a financial year.
UCBs are expected to provide relief and rehabilitation assistance, in their area of operation to people affected by natural calamities such as droughts, floods, cyclones, etc. In order to avoid delay in taking relief measures on the occurrence of natural calamity, banks should evolve a suitable policy framework with the approval of the Board of Directors.
An element of flexibility may be provided in the measures so as to synchronize the same with the measures which could be appropriate in a given situation.
