Click Here


RBI tightens priority sector bank lending norms to Housing Finance Companies (HFCs)


December 18, 2009: Loans granted by banks to Housing Finance Companies (HFCs), approved by National Housing Bank for the purpose of refinance, for on-lending to individuals for purchase/construction of dwelling units are eligible to be classified under priority sector. However, the eligibility under this measure is restricted to five per cent of the individual bank’s total priority sector lending, on an ongoing basis. Further such housing loans granted by HFCs can not exceed Rs.20 lakh per dwelling unit per family. The above special dispensation is applicable to loans granted by banks to HFCs up to March 31, 2010.

However, certain scheduled commercial banks are extending short-term loans of tenure ranging from six months to one year to Housing Finance Companies (HFCs), and classifying the same as priority sector advances. Since the housing loans are generally medium to long-term loans taken by the individuals, the short- term loans with tenor of six months to one year granted by banks to HFCs for on-lending purposes would not be co-terminus with the loans taken by individuals.

On examination, Reserve Bank of India has decided that the banks should link the tenor of loans granted by them to HFCs in line with the average portfolio maturity of housing loans, up to Rs. 20 lakh, granted by the HFCs to the individual borrowers. The banks should accordingly note that if the tenor of such loans granted by them to HFCs is not co-terminus with the on-lending of HFCs, as indicated above, they will not be eligible for classification under priority sector.

RBI has also instructed banks to also ensure the end use of the funds strictly as per the guidelines on lending to priority sector.



CLICK FOR UPDATES ON DOMESTIC LENDING RATES

CLICK FOR MORE FEATURES & STORIES

Join Banknet Group Connect with Banknet

Follow Banknet Banknet News Feeds











                





 

 




      Banking | Technology | Finance | Advertise | Terms of use | Disclaimer | Contact us
                         © Banknet India | All rights reserved worldwide.