The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed, by an order dated March 30, 2024, a monetary penalty of ?3.00 lakh (Rupees Three lakh only) on United Mercantile Urban Co-operative Bank Limited, Kanpur (the bank) for non-compliance direction issued under ‘Supervisory Action Framework (SAF) for Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks (UCBs)’. This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers vested in RBI, conferred under the provisions of section 47A(1)(c) read with sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

The statutory inspection of the bank was conducted by RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2022. Based on supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for its failure to comply with the said directions.

After considering the bank’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made by it during the personal hearing, RBI found, inter alia, that the charge of offering higher interest rates, on term and savings deposits, than those offered by State Bank of India in contravention of specific directions issued under SAF was sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty.

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. Further, imposition of this monetary penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the bank.