IDFC, Bandhan get banking licences

IDFC and Bandhan Financial Services Pvt Ltd today won banking licences, with the RBI approving permits for only two of the 25 applicants.
A day after the Election Commission permitted it to go ahead with the issue of new banking licences, the Reserve Bank of India gave in-principle approval to infrastructure finance company IDFC and Kolkata-based microfinance firm Bandhan to comply with the requirements of a fledged bank in 18 months.
With regard to the application of the Department of Posts, the RBI accepted the recommendation of the high-level screening committee to take further action in consultation with the government.

The RBI originally received 27 applications in July 2013, after which Tata Sons and Videocon Group withdrew, leaving 25 contenders in the fray.
Besides India Post, the other applicants included state-run IFCI and private sector Anil Ambani group and Aditya Birla group, Bajaj Finance, Muthoot Finance, Religare Enterprises and Shriram Capital.
"It will pave way for more entities to come forward and spread financial inclusion. It augurs well for the economy and banking sector," Financial Services Secretary G S Sandhu told PTI.
At present, there are 27 public sector banks and 22 private sector banks in the country.
The RBI has issued bank licences after a gap of a decade. It last awarded licences to Kotak Mahindra Bank and Yes Bank in 2003-04.