RBI approval is mandatory for Public (IPO), Preferential issue, QIP by Private bank; Understand what is required for Public issue of securities (SEBI)

Approvals required for various Corporate Actions, Issues by Private Sector Banks

1. Initial Public Offers (lPOs) – Public Issues:
(i) All banks should obtain RBI approval for IPOs. After listing on the stock exchanges, banks are free to price their subsequent issues.
(ii) Issue price should be based on merchant banker's recommendation. There need be no reference to the CCI formula for deciding on the pricing of such issues.
2. Rights issues:
RBI approval would not be required for rights issues by both listed and unlisted banks. However, banks need to comply with the requirements that have been laid down in the circular DBOD.No.PSBD.BC.99/16.13.100/2004-05 dated June 25, 2005 on Rights Issue.
3. Bonus issues:
Private sector banks, both listed and unlisted, need not seek RBI's approval for bonus issues. The issues would, however, be subject to SEBI's requirements on issue of bonus shares, viz. bonus issues (a) should be made from free reserves built out of genuine profits or share premium, (b) should not dilute the value or rights of partly or fully convertible debentures, (c) should not be in lieu of dividend and (d) should not be made unless all partly paid-up shares are fully paid-up. Further, bonus issues may be issued without linkage to rights issues.
4. Preferential issue:
All preferential issues would require prior approval of RBI. Pricing of preferential issues by listed banks may be as per SEBI formula, while for unlisted banks the fair value may be determined by a chartered accountant or a merchant banker.
5. Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP):
Private Sector Banks need to approach RBI for prior 'in principle' approval in case of Qualified Institutional Placements. Banks need to approach RBI along with details of the issue once the bank’s Board approves the proposal of raising capital through this route. Further, allotment to the investors would be subject to compliance with SEBI guidelines on QIPs and RBI guidelines dated February 3, 2004 on acknowledgement of allotment / transfer of shares. Once the allotment process is complete, the banks would also be required to furnish complete details of the issue to RBI in the enclosed format for seeking post facto approval. This would be irrespective of whether any acquisition results in shareholding of 5% or more of the paid up capital of the bank.
6. In case of pricing of issues

• where RBI approval is not required, pricing of issues should be as per SEBI guidelines (ICDR Regulations);
• in cases where prior approval of RBI is required, pricing should take into account both SEBI and RBI guidelines.

Source: Issue and Pricing of Shares by Private Sector Banks vide RBI/2009-10/411 DBOD.No.PSBD.BC.92 /16.13.100/2009-2010 dated 20th April 2010