Reserve Bank of India (Local Area Banks – Responsible Business Conduct) Amendment Directions, 2026
RBI notification RBI/2026-27/54 · 29 Apr 2026
RBI notification RBI/2026-27/54 · 29 Apr 2026
Summary
Check the official recordThe Reserve Bank of India amends the directions for Local Area Banks regarding business conduct during calamities. Banks may operate from temporary premises with notice to the Regional Office. Extensions beyond 30 days require specific approval. Banks must provide alternative banking services like mobile facilities or satellite offices. Banks must restore ATM services quickly and provide cash alternatives. Banks may open small accounts for persons who lack identification due to the calamity. Banks may waive or reduce fees for customers in affected areas for up to one year. These rules take effect on July 1, 2026.
What you must do
Key dates
Who is affected
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RBI/2026-27/54 DOR.STR.REC.43/21-04-048/2026-27 April 29, 2026
Reserve Bank of India (Local Area Banks – Responsible Business Conduct) Amendment Directions, 2026
Please refer to Reserve Bank of India (Local Area Banks – Resolution of Stressed Assets) Amendment Directions, 2026 dated April 29, 2026.
Consequent to the aforesaid Amendment Directions, in exercise of the powers conferred by the sections 21 and 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and all other laws enabling the Reserve Bank of India (hereinafter called the Reserve Bank) in this regard, the Reserve Bank being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest so to do, hereby issues the Amendment Directions hereinafter specified.
These Amendment Directions modify the Directions as under:
i. In Chapter V – Financial Inclusion and Accessibility, part D shall be inserted as under:
D. Banking services in case of declaration of calamity
26A. A bank may operate their calamity affected branches from temporary premises under advice to the concerned Regional Office of RBI. For continuing the temporary premise beyond 30 days, banks may obtain specific approval from the respective Regional Office of RBI. A bank shall also make arrangements to render banking services in the affected areas by setting up satellite offices, extension counters or mobile banking facilities etc. under intimation to Reserve Bank.
26B. A bank shall take immediate action for restoration of ATM services at the earliest. During the period, it shall provide alternative arrangements to address the immediate cash requirements of the affected areas.
26C. Persons displaced or adversely affected by a calamity may not have access to their identification and personal records. In such cases, small accounts as stipulated in the Reserve Bank of India (Local Area Banks– Know Your Customer) Directions, 2025, may be opened by banks.
26D. A bank at its discretion, may provide relief measures such as waiver / reduction of various fees and charges in respect of customers in the areas where a calamity has been declared, for a period not exceeding one year.
(Vaibhav Chaturvedi)
Chief General Manager