What are Small Finance Banks (SFBs)?

About Small Finance Banks (SFBs):

• SFBs are specialized banks that are licensed by RBIto provide financial services and products to low-income individuals and underserved communities, including microfinance and micro-enterprise services, as well as other basic banking services. 
• Aim:
  • To provide financial inclusion to these segments of the population who are often excluded from the traditional banking system. 
  • SFBs help them to have access to financial products such as small loans, savings, insurance, and other basic banking services.
• SFBs are registered as public limited companies under the Companies Act, 2013 and governed by Banking Regulations Act, 1949; RBI Act, 1934 and other relevant Statutes and Directives from time to time. 
• The guidelines for SFBS were introduced in 2014 by RBI. RBI Guidelines on SFBs in India are:
  • SFBs are granted the scheduled bank status after being operational and are deemed suitable under section 42 of the RBI Act,1934.
  • SFBs are required to primarily focus on providing access to financial services to the unbanked and underbanked segments of the population.
  • They are required to maintain a minimum Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) of 15%.
  • They are required to extend 75% of their Adjusted Net Bank Credit to Priority Sector Lending.
  • SFBs are required to open at least 25% of their total branches in unbanked rural areas.
  • The minimum paid-up voting equity capital for small finance banks shall be Rs.200 crore.
  • SFBs are required to maintain at least 50% of their loan portfolio as microfinance and advances of up to Rs. 25,00,000.
  • SFBs are required to comply with various prudential norms and regulations related to income recognition, asset classification, and provisioning.
  • SFBs are encouraged to adopt technology to improve their operational efficiency and reach the target segments.