At end-March 2017, there were 11,522 NBFCs registered with the Reserve Bank, of which 178 were NBFCs-D, and 220 were NBFCs-ND-SI. The number of NBFCs has been declining over time with cancellations of registrations exceeding new registrations on account of voluntary surrender NBFC Registration due to non-compliance with the revised criteria of the net-owned fund.
Despite this, there has been a double-digit growth in credit extended by NBFCs, which is depicted by the Consolidated Balance Sheet of NBFCs at the end of March each year. An NBFCs requires a Certificate of Registration in accordance with the rules and regulations specified under Section 45-1A, RBI Act, 1934.
What is a Net owned fund for NBFC
It is important that the purpose of the term “net owned fund” as per clause 7(I) of the section 45-IA, means–
- The aggregate of a paid-up equity capital and free reserves as disclosed in the company’s latest balance-sheet after deducting therefrom-
- Accumulated balance of loss
- Deferred revenue expenditure
- Other intangible assets
- Further reduced by the amounts representing
- Investments of such company in shares of-
- Its subsidiaries
- Companies in the same group
- All other non-banking financial companies
2. The book value of the debentures, bonds, outstanding loans and advances (including hire purchase & lease finance) made to, and deposits with-
- Subsidiaries of such company
- Companies in a same group, to the extent such amount exceeds 10%
When to Surrender NBFC registration
The company can surrender NBFC registration in case of the following factors taken place. As per the section 45-IA (6), the RBI may cancel the registration issued to an NBFC once surrender if:
- NBFC ceases to carry on a business of NBFI (Non-Banking Financial Institution) in India
- NBFC has failed to comply with any condition of Certificate of Registration specified under the Act and additional conditions specified by the RBI at the time of issue of Certificate of registration
- NBFC fails to fulfill the conditions mentioned with respect to the affairs and capital of the Company.
- NBFC fails to comply with any of the direction issued by the Reserve Bank of India
- NBFC fails to maintain the book of accounts in accordance with the requirements of any law or provisions of the Act or RBI directions
- NBFC fails to submit or offer for inspection its books of account and other relevant documents
- NBFC has been prohibited from accepting the deposits by the order made by the Bank under the provisions of this Chapter, and such order has been in force for a period of not less than 3 months.
NBFCs registered under other Regulators
There is a certain class of NBFCs primarily regulated by other regulators that are exempted from the requirement of NBFC registration under Section 45-IA of the RBI Act, 1934. The regulator and kind of NBFIs they deal with are as follows:
Securities and Exchange Board of India
- Venture Capital Fund regulated by SEBI (Venture Capital Funds) Regulations,1996
- Merchant Banking regulated by SEBI (Merchant Banking) Regulations, 1992
- Stock Brokers and Stock Exchanges regulated under the Securities and Exchange Board of India. (Stock Brokers and Sub-brokers) Regulations, 1992 and Securities Contracts (Regulations) (Stock Exchanges and Clearing Corporations) Regulations, 2012
Ministry of Corporate Affairs
- Nidhi Companies: Section 406 of Companies Act, 2013[1] and Companies (Nidhi Companies) Rules, 2014
National Housing Bank
- Housing Finance Companies registered under The National Housing Bank Act, 1987
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India
- Insurance Companies are registered under Insurance Act, 1938
State Government
- Chit Fund Companies, Money Lenders, C-operative societies acting as financial intermediaries, MFIs formed as Trusts or Society
Read our article:Procedure for Appeal against Cancellation of NBFC Registration by RBI
Effects of surrender NBFC Registration
Effects on NBFCs that surrender NBFC Registration to RBI is briefly explained as below:
With surrendering the certificates, the companies cannot be able to transact the business of a non-banking financial institution. The RBI grants the Certificate of registration. These NBFCs have surrender NBFC Registration granted to them by the RBI will cease to carry on further business. The NBFC decided to surrender NBFC registration as ‘non- banking finance company’ cannot accepts public deposits to the RBI.
In the exercise of powers conferred to it under Section 45-IA (6) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, the RBI will cancel their Certificate of Registration of those who surrender its registration for a non-banking finance company to banking regulator RBI. The companies must not transact the business of a Non-Banking Financial Institution, as defined in clause (a) of Section 45-I of the RBI Act, 1934. Now, the NBFCs can’t take part in the business activities specified for non-banking financial institutions.
Case Law Illustration
Any form of entity can enter into the business of money lending, but it is essential to get registered under the respective legislation. The Apex courts have in KalojiTalusappaGangavathi vs. Khyanagouda and Ors (AIR1970SC1420), observed that in order to curb malpractices of the moneylender and protect unwary debtors, the Legislature must impose such stringent restrictions by requiring such person to obtain a license, maintain and furnish accounts and carry out other obligations. Time and again, the courts have dismissed the recovery suit filed by unregistered money lenders holding money lending contracts and transactions void in the absence of a money lending license.
Conclusion
India’s banking sector has been grappling with an unprecedented liquidity crisis after the major scam was unearthed last year. The contagion effect later spread to the other established, forcing the Union government and Reserve Bank of India to announce special measures to support the NBFCs and Housing Finance Companies.
Read our article:NBFC Registration: Step by Step Procedure
