New Banking Licence
Rupee Cooperative Bank set to explore merger proposal, SFB conversion
On August 8, the RBI had ordered cancellation of the banking licence of the ailing UCB from September 22. The high court will take up the matter on October 17
 "Rupee Cooperative Bank set to explore merger proposal, SFB conversion")
New bank licences: CIC structures of large groups on RBI's watch list
The RBI's stance on CIC structures is to be read along with its discomfort with leverage through the pledge of shares.
 "New bank licences: CIC structures of large groups on RBI's watch list")
 "26/11: The day Pak terrorists waged a war on India")
On-tap bank licencing 'credit positive' for NBFCs: Moody's
It also cautioned that more bank licences would be 'credit negative' for existing banks
 "On-tap bank licencing 'credit positive' for NBFCs: Moody's")
Asking for trouble
India has not issued a new bank licence since 2004. There is a persuasive case to be made that India's banking sector needs to be more open; but aspects of the recent decision to award more licences are, none the less, disquieting. Well-informed voices from across the spectrum of opinion have, in the past few days, been raised against the proposal to allow large business conglomerates to set up banks if they have a "successful track record" - judged, presumably, by the licensing authority - and a minimum capital of Rs 500 crore. The head of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council, C Rangarajan, has urged the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to start by issuing licences to "non-corporate businesses" first, and to look elsewhere only if there are no such qualified applicants.
Somasroy Chakraborty: India Inc and the Big Bank theories
Global experience in allowing corporate groups to set up banks reveals that stringent regulation is the best defence against malpractice
RBI finally shuts the doors on corporate houses' bank licence hopes
The central bank's final guidelines for on-tap licences has upset the plans of many a big name that had drawn up elaborate plans for a bank
 "RBI finally shuts the doors on corporate houses' bank licence hopes")
RBI ushers in on-tap bank licence
Conglomerates can hold only 10% stake; focus on NBFCs not controlled by large groups
 "RBI ushers in on-tap bank licence")
Bandhan gets final RBI nod, to start bank on August 23
After a gap of more than a decade, a new private sector lender will start operations from August 23
 "Bandhan gets final RBI nod, to start bank on August 23")
