Banking Code BCSBI PDF
Banking Code BCSBI PDF
Lesson ID 991014
Version 2/15052018
BCSBI has 133 members as on January 31, 2018 and membership is open to Scheduled Commercial Banks
(Public sector banks, private sector banks, foreign banks, Regional Rural Banks, Urban Co-Operative Banks,
small finance banks and payment banks) and is on voluntary basis.
These Codes are revised every 3 to 4 years to make them contemporaneous in the fast changing banking
scenario.
Purpose:
i. These are Codes of Customers Rights which set minimum standards of banking practices which
member banks have to follow.
ii. They provide protection to customers and explain how banks have to deal with customers in their day-
to-day operations.
Objective:
The BCSBI Codes have been developed to:
i. Promote good and fair banking practices by setting minimum standards in our dealings with customer.
ii. Increase transparency so that customer can have a better understanding of what customer can
reasonably expect from bank.
iii. Encourage market forces, through competition, to achieve higher operating standards.
iv. Promote a fair and cordial relationship between customer and bank.
v. Foster confidence in the banking system
vi. Promote safe and fair customer dealing in case of banking in a digitized environment
vii. Increase awareness of customers and to enhance customer protection
ii. Treat customer fairly and not discriminate against customer on grounds such as age, religion, caste,
economic status, literacy, physical ability, etc.
iii. Train bank staff attending to customer, adequately and appropriately.
iv. Ensure that staff members attend to customer and customer business promptly and courteously.
Right to Suitability:
i. Offer products as per customer needs and based on an assessment of customer financial
circumstances and understanding.
ii. When customer avails of a banking service or product from bank, bank will not compel customer to
purchase any third party product as a quid pro quo.
Right to Privacy:
i. Not reveal customer personal information to anyone except in following cases:
If bank have to give information required by law or banking regulator.
Sharing information with credit information companies about loans, credit card, etc.
If there is a duty towards the public to reveal the information.
If customer authorise bank to reveal the information.
Bank has to protect our interest through disclosure.
ii. Bank shall not use customer information for marketing purpose, unless customer have specifically
authorized bank to do so
iii. In case bank collect information from customer other than KYC requirement, bank will explain the
purpose for which bank are collecting the same
Term Deposits:
i. In case bank don‟t receive instructions for disposal of deposit at maturity (at the time of deposit or at
maturity), renew the deposit, excluding deposits like tax savings deposits, etc., for the same period as
the matured deposit at the prevailing rate of interest
ii. Bank will accept 15 G/15 H forms as applicable from customer and acknowledge the same
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iii. Bank will issue the requisite TDS certificate, wherever applicable, within stipulated period
iv. Settlement of claims in respect of deceased account holders:
a. In case of accounts with survivor/nominee clause, payment to the survivor(s) / nominee of the
deceased depositors will be made without insisting on production of succession certificate, letter of
administration or probate, etc. or obtaining any bond of indemnity or surety from the survivor(s) /
nominee, irrespective of the amount standing to the credit of the deceased account holder.
b. Accounts without the survivor / nominee clause, bank will adopt a simplified procedure for repayment
to the legal heir(s) of the depositor. Bank will fix a minimum threshold limit (which will be made known
on demand at our branch) up to which claims in respect of the deceased depositor(s) will be settled
without insisting on production of any documents other than a letter of indemnity.
v. Time limit for settlement of claims:
Within a period not exceeding 15 days from the date of receipt of the claim subject to the
production of proof of death of the depositor and suitable identification of the claimant(s), to
the bank‟s satisfaction
vi. Pension accounts:
a. Bank will inform customer that Nomination facility is available for Savings Bank Account opened for
credit of pension.
b. Bank will inform customer that nomination exercised by customer under Arrears of Pension
(Nomination) Rules for receipt of arrears of pension will not be valid for the purpose of deposit
accounts held by customer with bank. For this a separate nomination is necessary in terms of the
Banking Companies (Nomination) Rules, 1985 in case customer desire to avail of nomination facility.
Lending:
Bank will:
i. Give customer the Most Important Terms and Conditions (MITC) governing the loan / credit facility
customer have sought to avail.
ii. Give customer information explaining the key features of our loan and credit card products including
applicable fees and charges while sourcing the application and at the time of communicating the
sanction of the loan / credit card.
iii. Advise customer about the information / documentation bank need from customer to enable customer
to apply.
iv. In case bank offer / approve a credit facility over the telephone, bank will credit customer account with
the amount only after receiving customer acceptance in writing or through any other mode such as
SMS / e-mail and where customer consent is obtained through authenticated electronic means, after
necessary validation.
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v. Not offer any unsolicited pre-approved credit facility in any form, including enhancement of credit card
limit and top up of personal loan limits, etc.
vi. Provide customer with an acknowledgement of customer loan application form indicating the
timeframe within which the application will be processed.
vii. Communicate reasons for rejection in writing through letter/e-mail if bank are not able to sanction the
loan.
viii. Provide customer the sanction letter detailing particulars of amount sanctioned and the terms and
conditions.
ix. At customer request, supply authenticated copies of all the loan documents executed by customer at
our cost along with a copy each of all enclosures quoted in the loan document as part of disbursement
welcome kit. However, reasonable charges will be levied for additional authenticated copies as per
our tariff.
x. Give written receipt for all documents to title taken as security / collateral for any loan.
xi. Bank will endeavour to send customer a communication through letter / e-mail or SMS about the
status of customer account before it becomes a Non Performing Asset (NPA).
xii. Bank will give customer notice, sufficiently in advance, if bank decide to recall / accelerate payment or
performance under the agreement or seek additional securities.
xiii. Return to customer all the securities / documents / title deeds to mortgaged property within 15 working
days of the repayment of all dues agreed to or contracted and report to CERSAI about satisfaction of
our charge. In the event of not able to do so within stipulated time schedule, bank will compensate
customer for the same.
xiv. In the event of our losing customer securities / documents / title deeds, compensate customer for the
loss and extend all assistance to customer for obtaining duplicate documents etc. at our cost.
xv. No levy foreclosure charges / pre-payment penalties on all floating rate term loans sanctioned to
customer (in customer individual capacity) irrespective of whether paid from own funds or takeover by
other Banks.
xvi. In case bank offer customer a One Time Settlement (OTS) for repayment of dues, bank will explain
to customer the details of the offer. If the dues are settled under OTS, bank will explain to customer
the implications of such settlement on customer credit history maintained by the Credit Information
Companies (CICs).
xvii. In case bank securitises (sell) customer loans / dues on customer card to another entity, bank will
advise customer the name and contact details of such entity along with the amount of customer loan /
dues transferred to them. In the normal course, loans / credit card dues, which are Non Performing
Assets (NPAs) are considered for sale to Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC) through
assignments.
xviii. Endeavour to assist customer in case customer have a grievance against the entity to which customer
loan / dues have been transferred by bank.
Credit Cards:
1. When customer apply for a credit card, bank will explain the relevant terms and conditions such as
fees, interest and other charges, billing and payment, method of computation of over dues, financial
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implications of paying only „the minimum amount due‟, renewal and termination procedures, and any
other information that customer may require to operate the card.
2. Bank will disclose the Most Important Terms and Conditions (MITC) in a font size of ten as below:
i. During marketing-MITCs* on “Fees and Charges”
ii. At application / Welcome kit-All MITCs, including, inter-alia, customer liability in case of third party
fraud or where customer have not contributed to the fraud
iii. On Credit card Billing-MITCs on Fees & Charges, drawing limits
iv. On an on-going basis, any change of the terms and conditions
* In MITC, bank would specifically explain that the “free credit period” is lost if any balance of the previous
month‟s bill is outstanding.
3. Bank will advise customer the time, bank will take for conveying our decision on customer application
for credit card
4. Bank will have right to place a lien and right to set off on all monies belonging to customer, being the
card holder, standing to customer credit, in the same capacity, in any account whatsoever with the
Bank or in the possession or custody of the Bank if customer are in default to bank in payment of our
dues. bank will send customer intimation to this effect by e-mail on customer registered e-mail id /
registered mobile number or letter within three days from placing lien / hold on customer deposit
account
5. Bank will send customer monthly credit card statements every month by post/courier/e-mail (if
customer opt for that mode)
If bank make any change in schedule of charges, bank will give customer notice of at least one month
In case bank treat the reversal of charges levied in customer account as SETTLED, bank will inform
Credit Information Companies (CICs) about the settlement and inform customer of the same being
reported to CICs.
Collection of Dues:
i. Whenever bank gives loans, bank will explain to customer the repayment schedule viz. amount,
tenure and periodicity of repayment. However, if customers do not adhere to the repayment schedule,
a defined process in accordance with the laws of the land will be followed for recovery of dues.
ii. Bank will ensure that our Recovery Agents are properly trained to handle their responsibilities with
care and sensitivity. Bank will also ensure that they do not exceed their brief.
iii. Our collection policy is built on courtesy, fair treatment and persuasion. Bank believes in fostering
customer confidence and long- term relationship.
iv. Bank will write to customer when bank initiate recovery proceedings against customer and will inform
customer of the name of the recovery agency / agent, to whom customer case has been assigned as
also their address and telephone numbers.
v. Bank will provide details of the recovery agency firms / companies engaged by bank on our website.
vi. Our staff or any person authorized to represent bank in collection of dues and / or security
repossession will identify himself / herself and produce the authority letter issued by bank and upon
request show customer his / her identity card issued by the bank or under authority of the bank.
vii. Bank will follow collection of dues and security repossession policy in consonance with the law. The
policy will be displayed on our website and a copy of the same will be made available at our branch
for perusal.
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Financial Inclusion:
i. Bank will offer BSBD Accounts, BSBD-Small Account and Jan Dhan account without the requirement
of any Minimum balance, with minimum common facilities.
ii. BSBD-Small Account/ Jan Dhan account to be opened on the basis of simplified KYC norms.
iii. Value added services, if desired at a low cost.
iv. Where bank don‟t have a branch, bank will endeavor to have Business Correspondent/ Business
facilitator and bank will be responsible for all their acts of omission and commission.
v. Bank will explain the various credit plans available and the information required for processing
customer application, MITC available to such loans, the security requirement for the same.
vi. No collateral security on loans up to Rs.1 lakh for Govt. sponsored schemes and education loan up to
Rs. 4 lakh.
vii. Bank will educate and guide the account holders the manner of operating bank accounts and
undertake financial literacy activities to educate customers.
i. In cases where the loss is due to customer negligence such as where customer
have shared the payment credentials, customer will bear the entire loss until
customer report the unauthorized transaction to bank. Any loss occurring after the
reporting of the unauthorized transaction shall be borne by bank.
ii. In cases where the responsibility for the unauthorized electronic banking
transaction lies neither with bank nor customer, but lies elsewhere in the system
and when there is a delay (of 4 to 7 working days after receiving the
communication from bank) on customer part in notifying bank of such a
transaction, customer per transaction liability shall be limited to that transaction
value or the amount whichever is lower as mentioned in RBI guidelines issued from
time to time on the subject.
iii. Further, if the delay in reporting by customer is beyond 7 working days,
customer liability shall be determined as per our Board approved policy
which will be available in public domain / our website. Bank shall provide the details
of our policy in regard to customer liability formulated in pursuance of the RBI
directions on the subject at the time of opening the accounts. Bank will inform all the
customers individually also about our policy on the subject.
On being notified by customer, bank shall credit (shadow reversal) the amount involved in the
unauthorized electronic transaction to customer account within 10 working days from the date of such
notification by customer (without waiting for settlement of insurance claim, if any). The credit shall be
value dated to be as of the date of the unauthorized transaction
Further, bank will ensure that:
i. Customer complaint is resolved and liability, if any, established within such time, as may be
specified in our Board approved policy, but not exceeding 90 days from the date of receipt of
the complaint and customer will be compensated as per RBI guidelines on the subject.
ii. Where bank are unable to resolve the complaint or determine customer liability, if any, within
90 days, the compensation as per RBI guidelines will be paid; and
iii. In case of debit card / bank account, customer will not suffer loss of interest, and in case of
credit card, customers do not bear any additional burden of interest.
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MSE Code aims to give a positive thrust to the MSE sector by providing easy access to efficient and
appropriate banking services.
1. Simple, easy to understand, loan application form along with checklist of documents to be furnished
by customer.
2. At the time of making available the application form, provide information about the interest rates
applicable (along with annualised ROI), fees/charges, if any, payable for processing, pre-payment
options and charges, if any, and any other matter such as CGTMSE guarantee.
3. Give customer Most important Terms and Conditions (MITC) governing the loan/credit facility to
customer have sought to avail.
4. Acknowledge the receipt of application indicating the timeframe for disposal of applications.
5. Dispose of customer application for a credit limit or enhancement in credit limit
i. Up to Rs. 5 lakh: Within 2 weeks
ii. Rs. 5 lakh- Rs. 25 lakh: Within 3 weeks
iii. Above Rs. 25 lakh: Within 6 weeks
6. No processing fee for loans upto Rs.5 lakh.
7. Collateral free loans up to Rs.10 lakh.
8. Assessment of credit requirements based on business plan, etc.
9. Seek customer consent to cover facilities up to Rs.200 lakh under CGTMSE scheme.
10. Not insist on any deposit as „quid pro quo‟ for sanctioning credit facility.
11. Supply, at our cost, authenticated copies of all the loan documents executed by borrower, with a copy
each of all enclosures quoted in the loan document and the list thereof.
12. Convey in writing the reasons for not acceding to customer request for a loan or credit facility.
13. Follow a rating system, the parameters of which will be shared with customer.
14. Disbursal of loan sanctioned within 2 working days from date of compliance with all terms and
conditions of sanction.
15. Allow pre-payment of Floating rate loans without pre-payment/foreclosure charges.
16. Allow pre-payment of fixed rate loans up to Rs. 50 lakh without pre-payment/foreclosure charges.
17. Convey our consent or otherwise within 2 weeks of receipt of a request for transfer of the borrowal
account, either from customer or from the bank / financial institution that proposes to take over the
account.
18. Release all securities immediately on repayment of loan and in any case within 15 days of the
repayment of all dues agreed to or contracted.
19. If any right to set off is to be exercised for any other claim, bank will give due notice with full
particulars about the other claims and retain the securities / documents/title to mortgaged property till
the relevant claim is settled / paid.
20. In addition to providing periodical statements for operating accounts, provide customer with an annual
statement of account of customer term loans / demand loans.
21. If borrowal account is continuously irregular and shows signs of becoming a Non-performing Asset
[NPA], bank will endeavor to send customer timely alerts on transaction related, other related critical
parameters through letter, E-mail, SMS including the status of customer. account.
22. Policy relating to lending to Micro and Small Enterprises and Rehabilitation on our website and also
make it available at the branch. Bank will provide its copy at a nominal price.