The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has returned the universal banking license application filed by Ujjivan Small Finance Bank (SFB) saying the lender must diversify it's asset book more before applying for the license, according to an exchange filing.
“The RBI through their aforesaid letter took note of the Bank's recent efforts towards diversification of its loan portfolio. However, they were of the view that there is scope for progress in this area. Therefore, RBI have returned the above-mentioned application and advised the Bank to consider applying again after demonstrating a diversified loan portfolio,” the notice said.
This is the second application by a SFB that the RBI has “returned” in recent past. The regulator had earlier returned Jana SFB's universal bank license application, while giving in-principle approval to AU SFB to convert to an universal bank and granting in-principle approval to Fino Payments Bank request to transition into a SFB.
Ujjivan SFB's gross loan book stood at Rs. 37,057 crore in Q3FY26 and group loans formed 45% of loan book.
In a statement, the lender confirmed that the RBI has returned its application for transitioning to a Universal Bank. "RBI has taken note of the bank's efforts to diversify its loan portfolio. However, they are of the view that there is scope for progress in this direction. They have returned the application and advised the bank to consider applying again after demonstrating a diversified portfolio," it said.
"The application for transitioning to a Universal Bank was submitted as part of the bank's long-term growth plans. Ujjivan will continue to embark on the path of diversification and will resubmit the application in due course, keeping RBI's guidance in view," it added.
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