RBI sets up Sudarshan Sen-headed Inter-regulatory Working Group on Fin Tech and Digital Banking

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 14 July 2016 constituted an inter regulatory Working Group (WG) to study the entire gamut of regulatory issues relating to Fin Tech (financial technology) and Digital Banking in India.

It will view the growing significance of Fin Tech innovations and their interactions with the financial sector as well as the financial sector entities.

The 13-member working group will be headed by Sudarshan Sen, the executive director of RBI. It has been asked to submit its report within six months from the date of its first meeting.

The terms of reference of the Working Group

• To undertake a scoping exercise to gain a general understanding of the major Fin Tech innovations/developments, counterparties/entities, technology platforms involved and how markets and the financial sector in particular, are adopting new delivery channels, products and technologies.

• To assess opportunities and risks arising for the financial system from digitisation and use of financial technology, and how these can be utilised for optimising financial product innovation and delivery to the benefit of users / customers and other stakeholders.

• To assess the implications and challenges for the various financial sector functions such as intermediation, clearing, payments being taken up by non-financial entities.

• To examine cross country practices in the matter, to study models of successful regulatory responses to disruption across the globe.

• To chalk out appropriate regulatory response with a view to re-aligning / re-orienting regulatory guidelines and statutory provisions for enhancing Fin Tech / digital banking associated opportunities while simultaneously managing the evolving challenges and risk dimensions.

• Any other matter relevant to the above issues.

The Working Group may invite views from representatives from any area relevant to its terms of reference and may also, at its discretion, co-opt entities in the payment, telecom, software and start up ecosystem.

Background

Earlier on 26 April 2016, the Financial Stability and Development Council - Sub Committee (FSDC - SC) at its meeting decided to set up such a Working Group to look into and report on the granular aspects of Fin Tech and its implications. The decision was made to review and appropriately reorient the regulatory framework and respond to the dynamics of the rapidly evolving Fin Tech scenario.

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