MANU/RMIC/0339/2015

Ministry : Reserve Bank of India

Department/Board : Department of Banking Regulation

Circular No. : DBR.No.BAPD.BC.34/22.01.001/2015-2016
                   RBI/2015-2016/148

Date : 06.08.2015

Notification/ Circulars Referred : DBOD.No.BAPD.BC.54 MANU/DBOD/0138/2013;60/22.01.001/2013-14 MANU/DBOD/0146/2013

Citing Reference:
DBOD.No.BAPD.BC.54 MANU/DBOD/0138/2013  Referred

60/22.01.001/2013-14 MANU/DBOD/0146/2013  Referred

All Domestic Scheduled Commercial Banks
(excluding RRBs)

Madam / Dear Sir

Section 23 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 - Relaxations in Branch Authorisation Policy

Please refer to circulars DBOD.No.BAPD.BC.54 and 60/22.01.001/2013-14 dated September 19, 2013 and October 21, 2013 respectively on the above subject, permitting domestic scheduled commercial banks (other than RRBs) to open branches in Tier 1 to Tier 6 centres without the need to take permission from Reserve Bank of India in each case, subject to reporting and certain other conditions.

2. In line with this rationalization, and in order to allow banks greater operational freedom, the instructions regarding merger, closure, shifting, part shifting, opening of extension counters and reporting requirements have been reviewed. The existing instructions have been dispensed with and banks may now undertake these activities in accordance with the instructions given below:

3. Merger/Closure/ Shifting of branches

i) Banks may shift, merge or close all branches except rural branches and sole semi-urban branches at their discretion.

ii) Shifting, merger, or closure of any rural branch as well as a sole semi urban branch would require approval of the DCC/DLRC. Further, while shifting/m........