RBI tightens norms on gold loans for non-banking financial companies (NBFCs)

March 21, 2012:

NBFCs that are predominantly engaged in lending against the collateral of gold jewellery have recorded significant growth in recent years both in terms of size of their balance sheet and physical presence. This in turn, has led to their increased dependence on public funds including bank finance and non-convertible debentures issued to retail investors.

Given the rapid pace of their business growth and the nature of their business model, which has inherent concentration risk and is exposed to adverse movement of gold prices, as a prudential measure, Reserve Bank of India has decided that all NBFCs shall

1. hereafter maintain a Loan-to-Value(LTV) ratio not exceeding 60 percent for loans granted against the collateral of gold jewellery and

2. disclose in their balance sheet the percentage of such loans to their total assets.



3. NBFCs primarily engaged in lending against gold jewellery (such loans comprising 50 percent or more of their financial assets) shall maintain a minimum Tier l capital of 12 percent by April 01, 2014.

4. NBFCs should not grant any advance against bullion / primary gold and gold coins.



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