RBI imposes monetary penalty on The Chiplun Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd., Chiplun, Maharashtra

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed, by an order dated August 09, 2023, a monetary penalty of ₹2.00 lakh (Rupees Two Lakh only) on The Chiplun Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd., Chiplun, Maharashtra (the bank) for non-compliance with directions issued by RBI on ‘Management of Advances’ and ‘Maintenance of Deposit Accounts’. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers vested in RBI under the provisions of Section 47 A (1) (c) read with Section 46 (4) (i) and Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers.

Background

The statutory inspection of the bank conducted by RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2022, and examination of the Risk Assessment Report and all related correspondence pertaining to the same, revealed, inter alia, that the bank had sanctioned gold loans under Bullet Repayment Scheme beyond the regulatory limit and levied penal charges at fixed rate for non-maintenance of minimum balance in saving bank accounts instead of proportionate to actual shortfall observed. Based on the same, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for failure to comply with the directions, as stated therein.

After considering the bank’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made by it during the personal hearing, RBI came to the conclusion that the aforementioned charge of non-compliance with RBI directions was substantiated and warranted imposition of monetary penalty.

Source