RBI bars lenders’ investments in AIFs investing in their borrowers
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The Reserve Bank of India on 19th December 2023 issued a notification imposing a bar on all regulated entities (REs) with respect to their investments in AIFs. Highlights of the notification are as below –
What has the RBI done?
- Prohibited all regulated entities (REs), including banks, cooperative banks, NBFCs and All India Financial Institutions from making investments in Alternative Investment funds (AIFs), if the AIF has made any investment into a “debtor company”.
- Debtor company means a company in which the RE currently has or previously had a loan or investment exposure anytime during the preceding 12 months
- The bar applies immediately, that is, effective 19th Dec 2023. No further investments to be made.
- If investments already exist, the RE shall exit within 30 days, that is, by 18th Jan 2024
- Further, if an RE has made an investment in an AIF, and the AIF invests in a debtor company, the RE shall make an exit within 30 days.
- Investment by REs in the subordinated units of any AIF scheme with a ‘priority distribution model’ subject to full deduction from RE’s capital funds.