It is dispensable that every person has ample funds to fulfil their concern. The only prime solution that can be looked at is either getting a loan from the bank or from some financial institution.
In many cases, people cannot qualify for the norms or requirements of getting a loan, which is when a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) comes under the purview.
In the following article, we will emphasize on what exactly NBFC’s are and how can we differentiate them from a bank.
Q. What is an NBFC company?
- A Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) is a company registered with the Companies Act, 1965/2013 of India, engaged in the business of loans and advances, acquisition of shares, stock, bond sire-purchase, insurance business, or chit business. It does not include any institution whose principal business is that includes agricultural or industrial activity; or the sale, purchase or construction of immovable property.
Q. How to differentiate between a Bank and NBFC?
- There are certain rules that help us differentiate an NBFC and a bank:
- NBFC cannot accept demand deposits.
- It is not a part of payment and settlement system and cannot issue cheques to its customers.
- Deposit insurance facility of DICGC is unavailable for NBFC depositors unlike in case of banks.
Q. What are the provisions of registration with Reserve Bank of India (RBI)?
- Commencing a business of non-banking financial institution is defined under section 45 I (a) of RBI Act, 1934. It should have a minimum fund of Rs. 25 Lakh (raised to Rs. 2 crores from April 21, 1999).
The company is required to submit an application for the registration in the prescribed format including documents crucial for bank’s consideration.
Once the bank is satisfied it will issue a certificate of registration stating that conditions as stated in Section 45 I (a) of the RBI Act are fulfilled.
Q. What are the types of NBFC’s registered with RBI?
- Conducting from December 6, 2006, NBFC’s registered with RBI are organized as under:
- Asset Finance Company (AFC)
- Investment Company (IC)
- Loan Company (LC)
Q. What are the types of NBFC’s registered with RBI?
- NBFC’s that are not registered with RBI:
- Housing Finance Companies regulated by National Housing Finance
- Merchant Banker/ Venture Capital Fund Company/ Stock-exchanges/ Stock-brokers/ sub-brokers are regulated by Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
- Insurance companies are regulated by Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA).
- Chit companies are regulated by the respective State Governments.
- Nidhi Companies are regulated by Ministry of Company Affairs, Government of India.
Q. Can NBFC’s accept public deposits and what are the requirements for it?
- Not all NBFC’s are privileged to accept public deposits. Those NBFC’s holding a valid certificate of registration with authorization to accept public deposits can accept public deposits.
There are certain ways that one can still keep in mind:
- There are certain mandatory disclosures about the company in the Application Form issued by the company soliciting deposits.
- NBFCs cannot offer interest rates higher than the ceiling rate prescribed by RBI from time to time. The present ceiling is 11% per annum. The interest may be paid or compounded at rests not shorter than monthly rests.
- NBFCs cannot offer gifts/incentives or any other additional benefit to the depositors.
- NBFCs (except certain AFC) should have a minimum investment grade credit rating.
- The deposits with NBFCs are not insured.
- The repayment of deposits by NBFCs is not guaranteed by RBI.
- There are certain mandatory disclosures about the company in the Application Form issued by the company soliciting deposits.