RBI

FIG Paper (No 35- Payments Series 3)– The new Draft Directions for Regulations of Payment Aggregator

Introduction:

In our previous two FIG Papers of PA/PG Framework (here) and (here), we shared our key learnings in connection with operations of payment aggregator and payment gateway guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India (“RBI”) on March 17, 2020 (as amended from time to time) (“PA/PG Guidelines”).

Continue Reading FIG Paper (No 35- Payments Series 3)– The new Draft Directions for Regulations of Payment Aggregator
The Reserve Bank Of India Mandates Compounding For Issuance Of Partly Paid-Up Units By AIFs Prior To March 14, 2024

The Reserve Bank of India (“RBI”) vide its circular dated May 21, 2024 (“Circular”),[1] has required that issuance of partly paid-up units by Alternative Investment Funds (“AIFs”) to foreign investors prior to March 14, 2024, should be regularised through compounding under Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (“FEMA”). Compounding by RBI is prescribed for the contravention of foreign exchange regulations as per Foreign Exchange (Compounding Proceedings) Rules, 2000, and involve payment of a fees. In many instances, compounding requires payment of a monetary penalty to RBI.

Continue Reading The Reserve Bank Of India Mandates Compounding For Issuance Of Partly Paid-Up Units By AIFs Prior To March 14, 2024

INTRODUCTION

  • The Reserve Bank of India (“RBI”) has published the “Guidelines on Voluntary transition of Small Finance Banks to Universal Banks” dated April 26, 2024 (“SFB Guidelines 2024”), setting out the glide path for voluntary transition of Small Finance Banks (“SFBs”) to universal banks (“Universal Banks”) in terms of:
    • Guidelines for “on-tap” Licensing of Small Finance Banks in Private Sector dated December 5, 2019 (“SFB Guidelines 2019”);
    • Guidelines for “on tap” Licensing of Universal Banks in the Private Sector dated August 1, 2016 (“Universal Bank Guidelines”);
    • Reserve Bank of India (Acquisition and Holding of Shares or Voting Rights in Banking Companies) Directions, 2023 dated January 16, 2023 (“Acquisition Directions 2023”); and
    • Guidelines on Acquisition and Holding of Shares or Voting Rights in Banking Companies dated January 16, 2023 (“Acquisition Guidelines 2023”).
Continue Reading SFB to Universal Bank – New Glide Path

This post analyses the permissibility of and key legal considerations for share-based benefits/ incentives, like ESOPs, RSUs, SARs, etc., that foreign companies offer to the employees of their Indian group companies.

Continue Reading Employee Share-based Incentives by foreign companies for employees of group companies in India: Should it be an ESOP, RSU, ESPS, SAR or Phantom Stock?
FIG Paper (No. 34 – Data Law Series 5) Balancing Sectoral Regulation and DPDP Act Compliance by NBFCs & Fintechs

Background

Indian regulators in recent times have shown a keen interest in monitoring the intersection between data, information technology, and cybersecurity with regulated entities—more so in relation to Non-Banking Financial Companies (“NBFCs”) and ‘fintechs’. With the expected enforcement of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (“DPDP Act”), and the promulgation of its rules, it becomes imperative for NBFCs and fintechs to map their journey of compliance from legal and regulatory perspectives.

Continue Reading FIG Paper (No. 34 – Data Law Series 5) Balancing Sectoral Regulation and DPDP Act Compliance by NBFCs & Fintechs
FIG Paper (No. 32) - Outsourcing of Financial Services: Harmonising the Law and Looking Ahead

Background

The Reserve Bank of India (“RBI”) issued the draft Master Direction – Reserve Bank of India (Managing Risks and Code of Conduct in Outsourcing of Financial Services) Directions, 2023 (“Draft MD”), on October 26, 2023. With the COVID-19 pandemic and the digitisation of financial services globally, financial institutions started becoming increasingly dependent on their service partners and agents to reduce costs and avail expertise not available internally.

Continue Reading FIG Paper (No. 32 – Series 1): Outsourcing of Financial Services: Harmonising the Law and Looking Ahead
FIG Paper No. [29], Data Law Series [3]: Implications of Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 for Foreign Banks in India

Introduction:

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (“DPDP Act”) is India’s foray into the global regulatory movement on personal data rights. In designing the DPDP Act, there has been a strong focus on simplicity, brevity, and standardisation. We note a marked effort to align with data regulation across the world, most significantly, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”). While principally similar, the Indian regime has peculiarities for which financial services entities will have to prepare themselves. 

Continue Reading FIG Paper No. 30, Data Law Series 4: Implications of Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 for Foreign Banks in India
Indian Regulatory Perspective on Non-traditional Reinsurance Solutions

Background

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (“IRDAI”) has notified the introduction of first phase of pilots for implementing ‘Risk Based Supervision’ (“RBS”) framework for the insurance sector in India[1], commencing from July 2023. The IRDAI has collaborated with M/s Toronto Centre[2] for the aforesaid project. According to the IRDAI press release, RBS is a shift towards adopting global best practices for supervision which focuses on proportionality, materiality and relies on holistic analysis of the activities of regulated entity from risk perspective. The IRDAI’s intention to shift to the RBS framework for the insurance sector was first divulged vide a notification in October 2018[3], which listed the following benefits for insurance supervision[4]:

Continue Reading Risk Based Supervision: Pilot Basis for New Regime to Take Off?
FIG Paper No. 28, Data Law Series 2: Implications of Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 on Indian Banks

Introduction

In the current landscape, Indian banks are bound by data protection obligations under the provisions and rules of the Information Technology Act, 2000, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 and relevant directives of the Reserve Bank of India (“RBI”). As we await the enforcement of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (“DPDP Act”) and the publishing of its rules (“DPDP Rules”), there will be a paradigm shift in the data processing protocols of banks amongst other financial entities.

Continue Reading FIG Paper No. 28, Data Law Series 2: Implications of Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 on Indian Banks