According to an RBI report, in 2017, Non-Banking Financial Company, are performing better than the banks are saddled by bad loans and poor profitability. The realization comes as NBFCs has been the largest net borrowers of funds from the financial system, in a few financial years. There are growth opportunities for NBFCs because they are involved in contributing, immensely, to India’s economic growth, despite the issues regarding the NBFCs.

In other words, no Non-banking Financial Company (NBFC) can commence or carry on a business of a non-banking financial institution These financial institutions do not have a banking license but offer various banking services, namely:

  • loans and advances,
  • retirement plans,
  • money market
  • acquisition of shares/stocks/bonds/debentures/securities issued by Government or local authority
  • or other marketable securities of a like nature,
  • leasing,
  • hire-purchase,
  • insurance business,
  • chit business.

Their business does not

  • include any agriculture activity,
  • industrial activity,
  • purchase or sale of any goods (other than securities),
  • provide any services and sale/purchase/construction of the immovable property.

As per Section 45-IA of the RBI Act, 1934, to get NBFC compliance for your business, you need to:

(a) get your company registered under this Act,

(b) and have a Net Owned Fund (NOF) of 2 crores, minimum.

These are an important segment of the Indian Financial system, raising funds from the public directly or indirectly and lend them to ultimate spenders. They perform brokering such as accepting deposits, making loans and advances, leasing, hire purchase, etc. The funds raised by such means are then lent to various wholesale and retail traders, small scale industries, self-employed persons.

Regulations governing NBFC Compliance are:

To protect the interests of the individuals, investors as well as, borrowers, (some NBFC were reportedly charging exorbitant interest rates and/or using coercive practices to recollect their loan amount), RBI conducts frequent screening and framed new frameworks to address risks, gaps and arbitrage.

In case your business is not registered, then you cannot carry on below activities, without inviting severe penalties:

  • provide loans and credit facilities.
  • trade-in money market instruments.
  • manage portfolios of stocks and shares.
  • underwrite stock and shares and other obligations.
  • get deposits insured.

Companies that are non-banking financial activity, without proper registration, can get prosecuted in a court of law. So if the principal business of your organization is lending, investment, or deposit, then it can get penalized or fined.

Even anyone from the public is invited to complain against such an entity. And then the RBI would be taking an appropriate action

Preparations to get your NBFC Compliance

Basic Rules:

Applicant Company must be:

  • a Registered Company under the Companies Act 1956.
  • is engaged in Financial Activities, as covered under the NBFC Act.
  • is holding minimum Equity Paid-up Capital fund of INR 2 Crore. In the case of Foreign Company and Foreign Investor, the minimum limit is INR 5 Crore.

The Documents Required for NBFC Compliance according to the Regulations:

  • Certificate of Incorporation.
  • Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Article of Association (AoA).
  • Board Resolution in favor of NBFC formation.
  • Documents related to the management and administration of the company.
  • Address proof of the company.
  • Detailed information about Partners or Directors.
  • Audited Accounts of the company for the last three consecutive years.
  • Bank Account with a minimum  Equity Paid-up capital of INR 2 Crore.
  • Income tax PAN, etc.
  • Other Relevant documents that may be requested.

The online process to get registered:

  • The applicant has to apply to RBI’s website (COSMOS).
  • You do not need to go to “Log-in”, for now. Instead, click on “CLICK” for Company Registration on the login page.
  • Download the suitable Application form available in Excel Format.
  • Fill in the data as applicable.
  • You must know and fill in the correct name of the Regional Office in the field “C-8” of the “Annex-I identification Particulars”, in the form.
  • get it signed & stamped from a Statutory Auditor.
  • upload the application form.
  • This online application is made with information regarding the demanded documents and enclosures.
  • This generates a Company registration Number or CAR Number.
  • After applying online, the applicant has to take a hard copy of the submitted application, along with the demanded documents to the Regional Office.
  • Once, the submitted application and documents have been, the regional office sends the application to the Central office of RBI, which conducts a vigilant examination.
  • If the terms and conditions under section 45-I A of the RBI Act, 1934 are fully met and RBI is satisfied, the License will be granted. And now your business has NBFC Compliance.

Exempted Companies from NBFC Registration:

Certain categories of NBFCs which are regulated under other regulators are exempted from obtaining the NBFC License by the RBI, to avoid duplication and unnecessary hassle. These are:

  • Housing Finance Companies, regulated by National Housing Bank,
  • Merchant Banking Companies,
  • Companies engaged in the business of mutual funds/stock-broking/sub-broking, being regulated by SEBI,
  • Venture Capital Fund Companies, also regulated by SEBI,
  • Nidhi Company, regulated under MCA,
  • Stock Exchanges,
  • Insurance companies registered under IRDA,
  • Chit Fund Companies registered with the Chit Fund Act, 1982.

Why NBFCs are preferred by the Inexperienced and/or Rural Public:

Now, their significance is being recognized as complementary to the traditional banking sector in meeting the credit demand unmet by them. They became ideal for those who do not otherwise qualify for a bank loan or who prefer to do business with non-banks. Investors can build a diversified portfolio of loans by investing small sums across a range of borrowers. Participation of NBFCs in the Insurance Business, Gold Loans, Commercial Vehicles & Cars, Micro-finance, etc is incomparable.

  • Mobilization of Resources – by converting savings into investments,
  • Capital Formation – Aids to increase the capital stock of a company,
  • Providing Credit Long-term and Specialized,
  • Employment Generation,
  • Developing Financial Markets – by reaching rural areas,
  • Large numbers of customers successfully,
  • Attracting Foreign Grants,
  • Serving as government’s instrument and, thus, breaking the vicious circle of poverty,
  • Provide loans and credit facilities,
  • Quicker processing, NBFCs have been faster to adopt the digitization,
  • Less stringent Eligibility Criteria/credit rating makes them more accessible,
  • Fewer rules and regulations,
  • Competitive interest rates,
  • Catering in both urban and rural areas,
  • Quicker operations as compared to banks,
  • Finance projects of small-scale companies,
  • provide small-ticket loans for affordable housing projects,
  • promote inclusive growth in the country,
  • infrastructure projects lending.

Conclusion :

You can commence your business only after making NBFC compliance with rules & regulations, as applicable. If your company is engaged in the business of any of the above-mentioned sectors. And it produces a finance flow from that business, more than 50% of the total capital asset of the company for any year, having NBFC License is mandatory. Only those who have a valid NBFC Registration, in their hands, can accept/hold public deposits.

RBI conducts frequent screening and is very particular about the maintenance of the required NOF by all NBFCs. Any non-compliance by NBFCs attracts strict action, eventually leading to the revocation of the Registration.

In recent times, the importance of NBFCs has been established to the RBI, and it is making pragmatic moves to regulate this sector. To keep ahead in the NBFC business, use our Advanced Business Knowledge with Tech, call now at +91 8750008585 or Email:[email protected]. To know more about the services we offer, please visit our website company registration online.

Additionally Check:

Non Banking Financial Company – An Overview

Procedure for Due Diligence of NBFC

FAQs on NBFC