RBI discussion paper proposes four-tier structure for NBFC regulations

Paper has also sought to raise net-owned funds required for new NBFCs from Rs 2 cr to Rs 20 cr. Timeline of five years for existing NBFCs to adhere to new norms

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday proposed to introduce a scale-based regulatory framework for non-banking financial companies (NBFC) to segregate larger entities and expose them to a stricter set of “bank-like” rules. This is aimed at protecting financial stability while ensuring that smaller NBFCs continue to enjoy light-touch regulations and grow with ease.

In a discussion paper released on its website, the central bank suggested a four-tier pyramid structure for the sector. There will be a base layer (NBFC-BL), which will have NBFCs with an asset size of up to Rs 1,000 crore, accommodating more than 95 per cent