**Executive Summary**
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of ₹61.95 lakh on Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited for non-compliance with certain RBI directions and contravention of Credit Information Companies Rules, 2006 (CIC Rules). The penalty was imposed following the Statutory Inspection for Supervisory Evaluation (ISE 2024) with reference to the bank's financial position as of March 31, 2024. The order was issued on December 11, 2025, and announced on December 19, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Penalty Imposition:**
* RBI imposed a monetary penalty of ₹61.95 lakh on Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited.
* The order was dated December 11, 2025.
* **Reasons for Penalty:**
* Non-compliance with RBI directions on ‘Access to Banking Services - Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account'.
* Non-compliance with ‘Scope of activities to be undertaken of Business Correspondents (BCs)'.
* Contravention of provisions of Credit Information Companies Rules, 2006 (CIC Rules).
* **RBI Findings:**
* The bank opened another BSBD account of certain customers who already held a BSBD account.
* The bank entered into an arrangement with BCs for undertaking activities not covered within the scope of activities that can be undertaken by BCs.
* The bank furnished inaccurate information to Credit Information Companies (CICs).
* **Legal Basis:**
* The penalty was imposed under the provisions of section 47A(1)(c) read with section 46(4)(i) of the BR Act and section 25(1)(iii) read with section 23(4) of the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005.
* **Disclaimer:**
* The action is based on deficiencies in statutory and regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the bank with its customers.
* The penalty is without prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the bank.
**Impact Analysis**
**Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited**
* **Impact:**
* Financial penalty of ₹61.95 lakh.
* Reputational risk due to non-compliance.
* Required to address deficiencies identified during ISE 2024.
* **Action Required:**
* Pay the penalty.
* Review and rectify processes related to BSBD accounts.
* Review and rectify processes related to the activities of BCs.
* Ensure accurate reporting to Credit Information Companies (CICs).
**Customers with BSBD Accounts**
* **Impact:**
* Potentially impacted by the bank's non-compliance.
* **Action Required:**
* No immediate action required, but should monitor their accounts and bank communications for any updates or required actions.
**Business Correspondents (BCs)**
* **Impact:**
* Potentially impacted by the bank's non-compliance regarding the scope of their activities.
* **Action Required:**
* No immediate action required, but should monitor their accounts and bank communications for any updates or required actions.
**Credit Information Companies (CICs)**
* **Impact:**
* Impacted by the bank's inaccurate reporting of borrower information.
* **Action Required:**
* To ensure the accuracy and validity of information.
Key Entities Referenced
Reserve Bank of India (RBI): Imposed monetary penalty on Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited
Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited: Subject of monetary penalty imposed by RBI for non-compliance.
Credit Information Companies Rules, 2006 (CIC Rules): Rules contravened by Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited.
Banking Regulation Act: Relevant act for penalty imposition on Kotak Mahindra Bank.
Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005: Relevant act for penalty imposition on Kotak Mahindra Bank.
प्रेस प्रकाशनी PRESS RELEASE
भारतीय ररज़र्व बैंक
RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
वेबसाइट
:
www.rbi.org.in/hindi
संचार वर्भाग, केंद्रीय कायाालय, शहीद भगत ससिंह मागा, फोटा, म िंबई - 400 001
Website : www.rbi.org.in Department of Communication, Central Office, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Fort,
ई-मेल/email : helpdoc@rbi.org.in Mumbai - 400 001 फोन/Phone: 022 - 2266 0502
December 19, 2025
RBI imposes monetary penalty on Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, by an order dated December 11, 2025,
imposed a monetary penalty of ₹61.95 lakh (Rupees Sixty One Lakh Ninety Five
Thousand only) on Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (the bank) for non-compliance with
certain directions issued by RBI on ‘Access to Banking Services - Basic Savings
Bank Deposit Account’ and ‘Scope of activities to be undertaken of Business
Correspondents (BCs)’ and contravention of provisions of Credit lnformation
Companies Rules, 2006 (ClC Rules). This penalty has been imposed in exercise of
powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of section 47A(1)(c) read with section
46(4)(i) of the BR Act and section 25(1)(iii) read with section 23(4) of the Credit
Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005.
The Statutory Inspection for Supervisory Evaluation (ISE 2024) of the bank was
conducted by RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2024.
Based on supervisory findings of non-compliance with the provisions of RBI
directions, CIC rules and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued
to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it
for its failure to comply with the said provisions of RBI directions and CIC rules.
After considering the bank’s reply to the notice and additional submissions made
by it, RBI found, inter alia, that the following charges against the bank were
sustained, warranting imposition of monetary penalty:
i. The bank opened another BSBD account of certain customers who were already
holding BSBD account in the bank;
ii. The bank entered into an arrangement with BCs for undertaking activities, which
are not covered within the scope of activities that can be undertaken by BCs; and
iii. The bank furnished inaccurate information, in respect of certain borrowers, to
Credit Information Companies (CICs).
This action is based on deficiencies in statutory and regulatory compliance and is
not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered
into by the bank with its customers. Further, imposition of monetary penalty is without
prejudice to any other action that may be initiated by RBI against the bank.
(Brij Raj)
Press Release: 2025-2026/1742 Chief General Manager