RBI sets up an Inter-regulatory Working Group on Fin Tech and Digital Banking

In Banking and Finance
July 20, 2016

The Reserve Bank of India has set up an inter regulatory Working Group (WG) to study the entire gamut of regulatory issues relating to Fin Tech and Digital Banking in India.

The Working Group has been set up in view of the growing significance of Fin Tech innovations and their interactions with the financial sector as well as the financial sector entities.

The Financial Stability and Development Council – Sub Committee (FSDC – SC) at its meeting held on April 26, 2016 had decided to set up such a Working Group to look into and report on the granular aspects of Fin Tech and its implications so as to review and appropriately reorient the regulatory framework and respond to the dynamics of the rapidly evolving Fin Tech scenario.

The inter-regulatory Working Group will be headed by RBI’s Executive Director Sudarshan Sen and consist of 12 members. It will submit its report within six months from date of its first meeting,

The terms of reference of the Working Group

To undertake a scoping exercise to gain a general understanding of the major Fin Tech innovations / developments, counterparties / entities, technology platforms involved and how markets, and the financial sector in particular, are adopting new delivery channels, products and technologies.

To assess opportunities and risks arising for the financial system from digitisation and use of financial technology, and how these can be utilised for optimising financial product innovation and delivery to the benefit of users / customers and other stakeholders.

To assess the implications and challenges for the various financial sector functions such as intermediation, clearing, payments being taken up by non-financial entities.

To examine cross country practices in the matter, to study models of successful regulatory responses to disruption across the globe.

To chalk out appropriate regulatory response with a view to re-aligning / re-orienting regulatory guidelines and statutory provisions for enhancing Fin Tech / digital banking associated opportunities while simultaneously managing the evolving challenges and risk dimensions.