What are payments banks?
Payments banks are niche banks set up by the Reserve Bank of India to further the agenda of financial inclusion. These banks will provide small savings accounts and payments /remittance services mainly to migrant labour workforce, low-income households, small businesses, etc.
What can they do?
They can accept demand deposits — current deposits and savings bank deposits — from individuals, small businesses and other entities, but there is an upper limit of Rs 1 lakh per customer. Customers will earn interest on their savings account balance. They can accept and send remittances. The payments banks are also allowed to undertake utility bill payments and can distribute MF, insurance and pension products.
What are they not allowed to do?
They cannot lend to customers or issue credit cards.
Where can they deploy funds?
Payments banks can only park money in government papers and bank deposits.
What are the challenges they are likely to face?
Payments banks will face competition from the existing lenders. Besides, profitability will also remain a challenge as they will be working on narrow margins.
Payments banks are niche banks set up by the Reserve Bank of India to further the agenda of financial inclusion. These banks will provide small savings accounts and payments /remittance services mainly to migrant labour workforce, low-income households, small businesses, etc.
What can they do?
They can accept demand deposits — current deposits and savings bank deposits — from individuals, small businesses and other entities, but there is an upper limit of Rs 1 lakh per customer. Customers will earn interest on their savings account balance. They can accept and send remittances. The payments banks are also allowed to undertake utility bill payments and can distribute MF, insurance and pension products.
What are they not allowed to do?
They cannot lend to customers or issue credit cards.
Where can they deploy funds?
Payments banks can only park money in government papers and bank deposits.
What are the challenges they are likely to face?
Payments banks will face competition from the existing lenders. Besides, profitability will also remain a challenge as they will be working on narrow margins.
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