RBI slaps Rs. 2 cr penalty on SBI for non-compliance

Mumbai: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has fined State Bank of India (SBI), the country's largest lender, Rs 2 crore penalty for failure to comply with central bank instructions.

The order was issued on the last day. Earlier, the RBI had issued a notice to the SBI asking it to show reasons for not imposing the fine.

'RBI has, by an order dated March 15, imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 2 crore on SBI for contravention of provisions of Section 10 (1) (b) (ii) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and specific directions of RBI issued to the bank on payment of remuneration to employees in the form of commission,' the central bank said in a statement.

This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers vested in RBI under the provisions of section 47 A (1) (c) read with sections 46 (4) (i) and 51 (1) of the Act, it added.

This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers.

The statutory inspection of the bank with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018 and the Risk Assessment Reports (RARs) pertaining thereto, and examination of the correspondence with the bank regarding payment of remuneration to its employees in the form of commission, revealed, inter alia, contravention of the provisions of the Act and aforesaid specific directions issued by RBI.

In furtherance to the same, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed for contravention of the provisions of the Act/ specific directions issued by RBI. After considering the bank's replies to the notice, oral submissions made in the personal hearing and examination of additional submissions made by it, RBI came to the conclusion that the aforesaid charges were substantiated and warranted imposition of monetary penalty.