RBI's tough prescription for UCBs - 6 perspectives

Veteran cooperative bankers Satish Marathe, Pramod Karnad, Suryakant Patil, Vijay Mohan, Atul Khirwadkar, and Jayvadan Bodawala analyze the recent RBI guidelines relating to the appointment of MD/CEO, WTD, and CRO:

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Satish Marathe firmly believes that this process would enhance credibility and inspire confidence among the depositors

The Reserve Bank of India has recently framed new guidelines on the appointment of managing director / whole-time director for urban cooperative banks. It has said the managing director of a UCB shall function under the overall general superintendence, direction and control of the Board of Directors of the bank. The UCBs shall ensure that the MD/ Whole-Time Director shall be a graduate, preferably with qualification in banking / cooperative banking such as CAIIB / diploma in banking and finance/diploma in cooperative business management or equivalent qualification, or Chartered / Cost Accountant / MBA (Finance), or post-graduation in any discipline. A circular issued by the central bank in this regard specifically state that, the MD/ CEO shall not be holding the position of a member of Parliament or state legislature or municipal corporation or municipality or other local bodies.

RBI has also decided that all UCBs having asset size of ₹50 billion or above, shall appoint a Chief Risk Officer (CRO) by 31 March 2022 and set up a Risk Management Committee of the Board. The Board must clearly define the CRO’s role and responsibilities and ensure that he/she functions independently. The CRO shall have adequate professional qualification/experience in the area of risk management. In case the CRO reports to the MD/CEO, the Board or the RMC shall meet the CRO, without the presence of the MD & CEO, at least on a quarterly basis. Further, there shall not be any ‘dual hatting’ for CRO. RBI has also laid a number of other specifications in a couple of latest circulars to the UCBs.