RBI sets rules for Appointment of Managing Director (MD) / Whole-Time Director (WTD) in Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks

The minimum age of a person should not be less than 35 years and not more than 70 years any time during the tenure. Issuing the guidelines for appointment of MDs and WTDs, the RBI said MPs, MLAs and representatives of municipal corporations will not be eligible to hold such positions in the primary urban cooperative banks (UCBs).  The Reserve Bank of India has set the rules for appointing the managing director and whole-time director in urban co-operative banks and barred MPs and MLAs from these posts.  Under Sections 10, 10B, 10BB, 35A, 35B, 36AA and 53A (read with Section 56) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (as amended), hereinafter called as “Act”, relating to appointment, re-appointment, termination and removal of Managing Director (MD) and Whole-Time Director (WTD), the Reserve Bank has set the eligibility criteria. It further said, the person shall be a graduate, preferably, with (a) Qualification in banking/co-operative banking such as CAIIB/Diploma in Banking and Finance /Diploma in Co-operative Business Management or equivalent qualification; or (b) Chartered/Cost Accountant/MBA (Finance); or (c) Post graduation in any discipline.

• The person shall not be below the age of 35 years and above the age of 70 years at any time during his/her term in office. However, within the overall limit of 70 years, as part of their internal policy, individual s Boards are free to prescribe a lower retirement age.
• The person shall have a combined experience of at least eight years at the middle/senior management level in the banking sector (including the experience gained in the concerned UCB) or non-banking finance companies engaged in lending (loan companies) and asset financing.
• Knowledge of regional language may be considered as an advantage.

Besides MPs, MLAs and representatives of municipal corporations and local bodies, persons engaged in business, trade or having substantial interest in any company too will not be eligible for appointment to such positions. The tenure of MD/WTD shall not be for a period more than five years at a time subject to a minimum period of three years at the time of first appointment, unless terminated or removed earlier, and shall be eligible for re-appointment. The performance of MD/WTD shall be reviewed by the Board annually. However, the post of the MD or WTD cannot be held by the same incumbent for more than 15 years. Thereafter, the individual will be eligible for re-appointment as MD/WTD in the same bank, if considered necessary and desirable by the board, after a minimum gap of three years, subject to meeting other conditions. During this three-year cooling period, the individual shall not be appointed or associated with the bank in any capacity, either directly or indirectly. In notification RBI further said the “UCBs whose existing MD/CEO has completed a tenure of five years may approach RBI either to seek re-appointment of the incumbent, if he/she is eligible, or for appointment of a new MD/CEO, within a period of two months  from the date of issue of this circular.” In case a UCB decides to terminate the services of the MD/WTD before the expiry of tenure, it will have to seek prior approval of the Reserve Bank. The directions are applicable to all Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, the RBI said. Source: RBI/2021-22/60 DOR.GOV.REC.25/12.10.000/2021-22 circular dated on 25^th June, 2021