RBI's Bank Rule Sparks Fierce Fight: Private vs. Public Lenders Clash Over Deposits!

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed a significant change, stating that borrowers with a total banking system debt of ₹10 crore or more can only maintain current accounts with a maximum of two banks. These designated banks must collectively hold at least 10% of the borrower's total banking exposure. The primary objective of this regulation is to prevent borrowers from diverting funds or hiding cash flows from their lenders.

This proposal has created a division within the Indian Banks Association (IBA), with private sector banks reportedly opposing it, while public sector banks are less vocal. Private banks argue that this rule will inevitably benefit their public sector counterparts, who are often the largest lenders in loan syndicates. They also worry about losing a key source of cheap funds, as current accounts do not attract interest, and a significant portion of their fee income from transaction banking services. As of FY25, current account deposits amounted to ₹22.8 trillion, with state-owned banks holding a substantial share.

RBI's stated intent is to ensure transparency and improve credit discipline by giving lenders better visibility into borrower cash flows. Experts suggest this is a necessary step for risk management. This move follows a similar but less restrictive rule from five years ago.

**Impact**: This new regulation proposed by the Reserve Bank of India will have a significant impact on the Indian banking sector. It is poised to alter the dynamics of current account deposits, potentially leading to a redistribution of these low-cost funds between public sector and private sector banks. Private banks may experience a reduction in fee income from transaction services, while public sector banks could see an increase in their deposit base. This could influence the profitability and competitive positioning of different banking groups, making it a crucial development for investors monitoring the financial sector. **Rating**: 8/10

**Difficult Terms**: * **Fund Diversion**: Using money obtained for a specific purpose for another, unauthorized purpose. * **Current Account**: A type of bank account that allows for unlimited transactions, used by businesses for daily operations, and typically does not earn interest. * **Borrower**: An individual or entity that takes a loan or credit from a bank. * **Banking System's Exposure**: The total amount of money a bank or group of banks has lent to a particular borrower or sector. * **Consortium**: A group of banks or financial institutions that come together to provide a large loan to a single borrower. * **Liquidity**: The ease with which an asset can be converted into cash without affecting its market price, or a bank's ability to meet its short-term financial obligations. * **Fee Income**: Revenue earned by banks from providing services rather than from lending interest. * **CASA Deposits**: Deposits held in Current Accounts and Savings Accounts, which are typically low-cost, stable funding sources for banks. * **Transaction Banking**: Services offered by banks to help businesses manage their financial transactions, such as payments, collections, and liquidity management. * **Lead Lender**: The primary bank in a loan syndicate responsible for managing the loan and relationships with the borrower. * **Credit Discipline**: The practice of borrowers managing their debt responsibly and making timely payments.