RBI issues revised instructions for Inoperative Accounts /Unclaimed Deposits in Banks

RBI has issued comprehensive guidelines on the measures to be put in place by the banks covering various aspects of classifying accounts and deposits as inoperative accounts and unclaimed deposits, as the case may be, periodic review of such accounts and deposits, measures to prevent fraud in such accounts/deposits, grievance redressal mechanism for expeditious resolution of complaints, steps to be taken for tracing the customers of inoperative accounts/ unclaimed deposits including their nominees/ legal heirs for re-activation of accounts, settlement of claims or closure and the process to be followed by them.

Reclassification of MSMEs

For Priority Sector Lending to MSMEs, banks shall be guided by the classification recorded in the Udyam Registration Certificate (URC).

MHP Exemption for Transfer of Receivables by banks

In order to develop secondary market operations of receivables acquired as part of ‘factoring business’ as defined under the Factoring Regulation Act, 2011, has decided that transfer of receivables by eligible transferors will be exempted from Minimum Holding Period requirement.

‘Draft Omnibus Framework for recognizing Self-Regulatory Organizations for Regulated Entities

The draft omnibus framework contains broad parameters applicable to any Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO) viz., objectives, responsibilities, eligibility criteria, governance standards, application process and other basic conditions for grant of recognition to the SRO. Comments/ feedback from the stakeholders and members of the public on the above draft omnibus framework may be submitted by January 25, 2024, through e-mail.

RBI clarification regarding Investments in Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)

REs shall not make investments in any scheme of AIFs which has downstream investments either directly or indirectly in a debtor company of the RE. investment by REs in the subordinated units of any AIF scheme with a ‘priority distribution model’ shall be subject to full deduction from RE’s capital funds.

Foreign Exchange Management (Manner of Receipt and Payment) Regulations, 2023

These regulations aim to bring greater clarity and structure to foreign exchange transactions in India. Businesses engaged in international trade or financial transactions need to align their processes with these new rules to ensure compliance. It’s crucial for entities to understand the nuances of these regulations to avoid legal complications and to facilitate smoother international transactions.