RBI has Eased norms for accessing foreign funds.These norms had been updated on 25th June 2015 and they allowed banks to borrow from international financial institutions for general banking business without seeking its permission. The banks are allowed to borrow from international/multilateral financial institutions without approaching Reserve Bank for approval.
The flexibility has been provided for international/ multilateral financial institutions of which Indian government is a shareholder or which have been established by more than one government or have shareholding by more than one government and other international organisations.
NOTE: It should be for the purpose of general banking business and not for capital augmentation.
Points to remember
- In another circular, RBI allowed all non-deposit taking NBFCs to act as sub-agents under Money Transfer Service Schemes (MTSS) without taking prior approval from RBI.
- As per a August 2014 circular, NBFCs desirous to act as sub-agents under the MTSS required prior approval of the RBI,which has been removed.
- Deposit accepting non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) are however, not permitted to undertake such activity.