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Contents
Introduction Salient Features of Indias Financial Inclusion Strategy Understanding the Business Correspondent Model Technology Enables the Business Correspondents Workow Common Services Centres Scheme Leveraging CSCs as Business Correspondents The BC- CSC Technology Model: Enabling Kiosk Banking SUCCESS STORY: AISECT-SBI Leverage CSCs in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh for Financial Inclusion Direct Cash Transfers Ensure BC Sustainability Roles of the Key Stakeholders Implementation Process: CSC SPV as Banks BC VLEs Check List to Launch Financial Inclusion Services Steps to start Kiosk Banking Solution 2 3 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Introduction
Equal access to nancial services including banking, insurance and pension are the driving forces of economic growth and social development for any country. Over 60% of Indias population lacks bank accounts, due to limited penetration of bank branches and stringent policy requirements. Financial Inclusion is important as it provides an avenue for the poor to bring their savings into the formal nancial system, an avenue to remit money to their families in villages and weaning them away from the clutches of the usurious money lenders. The Government of India has taken a number of proactive steps to ensure equitable access to nancial services, including: On January 25 2006, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), decided to enable banks to use intermediaries as Business Facilitator and Correspondent for providing nancial and banking services. Banks were mandated to cover all unbanked villages in the country, in a phased manner. On February 15th 2011, the Swabhiman Scheme was launched with the objective of making banking facilities available to all citizens. The initial target of the scheme was opening 5 crore accounts and also ensuring access to loans and other credit facilities for farmers and villagers at subsidized rates. On 26th November, 2012, the Prime Minister announced that direct benets like pensions, scholarships, health-care benets and subsidies must reach the intended beneciaries without delays and leakages, directly into the bank account of the beneficiary. It is expected that starting January 1st 2013, 51 districts are to rollout direct cash transfers; 18 States from April 2013, while rest of the country later in 2013-14 One lakh Common Services Centers (CSCs) are being established across the country under the National e-Governance Plan to deliver online services, primarily in rural areas. As one of the worlds largest, government approved ICT enabled networks, the CSC network is ideally positioned to strengthen Indias banking network, by extending the business correspondent network. This document explores how the CSC Network can be leveraged to help India achieve its nancial inclusion objectives.
Banking
Online real-time Banking Credit/ KCC/ Loans NPAs
Insurance
Policy Sale Premium Collection Policy Delivery Grievance Redressal
Government Remittances
MGNREGs Pension Scholarship Payroll Subsidy
Financial Literacy
Training VLEs Financial Literacy Courses Partnership with NABARD
Further, RBI has allowed banks to engage with the CSC Operators/VLEs as BCs. The BC model allows banks to do cash in - cash out transactions through a BC Agent, at a location much closer to the rural population, thus addressing the last mile problem. With a view to ensuring the viability of the BC model, banks have been permitted to collect reasonable service charges from the customer, in a transparent manner under a Boardapproved policy. Banks pay the appointed business correspondents and business facilitators a commission for the services rendered by them. Finally, compliance with KYC norms continues to be the responsibility of banks. Information technology plays a key role in delivering financial inclusion services in an affordable and sustainable manner, especially in remote and hard to reach areas. Some of the popular technology models being deployed for banking include the deployment of GPRS enabled micro-ATM devices and Internet based kiosk banking solutions. Customers are authenticated using smart cards and/or biometric fingerprints. NABARDs Financial Inclusion Funds Based on the recommendations of the Committee on Financial Inclusion set up by the Government of India (GoI) under Dr. C. Rangarajan. The funds have been set up at NABARD with an overall corpus of Rs. 500 crore each. The corpus is shared by GOI, RBI and NABARD in the ratio 40:40:20. The Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF) has been setup for meeting the cost of developmental and promotional interventions for ensuring nancial inclusion. The Financial Inclusion Technology Fund (FITF) has been setup to meet the cost of technology adoption.
BCs activities would be within the normal course of the banks banking business
The banks fully responsible for the actions of the BCs and their retail outlets / Customer Service Points (CSP)
NGOs/ MFIs, Post Ofces, Cooperative Societies, Section 25 Companies, select Individuals and CSC Operators/VLEs can be appointed as BCs
Organization can be a BC for multiple banks, but CSP shall represent and provide banking services of only one bank.
CSP must be within 30 kms (in rural areas) from local bank branch
The banks can reasonable commission/ fee to the BC, however, customers cant be charged
Salient Features of the Business Correspondent Model A Business Correspondent/ Customer Service Point is empowered to provide the following services: Customer enrolment, including collection of biometric and other details Provide card (ID Card, Debit Card, Credit Card), PIN Deposit of money in an account Withdrawal of money from an account Remittances from an account with a bank to an account with the same or any other bank Balance Enquiry and issue Receipts/ Statement of Accounts. Disbursal of credit facilities to borrowers involving small amounts strictly as per the instructions of the Bank. Identification of borrowers and classification of activities as per their requirements Collection and prima facie scrutiny of loan applications including verication of primary data Creating awareness about savings and other products offered by the Bank and education and advice on managing money & debt counselling Preliminary scrutiny of data and submission of applications to the Bank for its review Promoting, nurturing, monitoring and handholding Self Help Groups and/or Joint Liability Groups and/or Credit Groups and others. Facilitating the repayment of dues owed to the Bank by its customers/guarantors. Sale of third party financial products
The above services are offered in respect of the following products: No Frills Savings Bank accounts Recurring Deposit Accounts Remittances Fixed Deposit Overdraft/Retail loans Loans against TDR/NSC/ KVP etc. 6 Catalyzing Financial Inclusion Through the CSCs Gold Loans General purpose Credit card (GCC) Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Current Account Savings Bank account Term Deposits
BC/CSP logs into Banks Kiosk Banking Portal (VLE biometric authentication)
BC/CSP enters amount to be withdrawn. BC/ CSP settlement account is checked for adequate balance.
If the settlement account has adquate balance then Citizen account is debited, Citizen issued receipt.
It is important to note that in the case of a biometric based kiosk banking solution, all transactions occur online, in real-time through a Banks core banking solution (CBS). Since even the financial inclusion (no-frill) accounts are hosted on the CBS, this customer is able to access his account from any BC and at any branch, just like any other customer. This is generally not possible in a smart card based micro-ATM model, since customer authentication happens ofine and in most cases these accounts are not hosted on the Banks CBS. Thus, the citizen is dependent on the BC/ CSP that has opened his/ her bank account. In order to ensure uniformity across banks, the following standards for technology implementation in nancial inclusion have now been issued:
UIDAI standards for micro-ATMs and biometric capture The Indian Banks Association (IBA) and Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) Open Standards for Smart Card Based Solutions for Financial Inclusion. NPCI and IBA standards to support inter-bank biometric based transactions, for interoperable transactions between the Banks based on Bank level authentication other than UIDAI. This inter-operable switch is called Inter-operable Financial Inclusion System (IFIS) and is maintained by NPCI. UIDAIs Aadhaar based inter-operability transaction guidelines for the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS). Catalyzing Financial Inclusion Through the CSCs 7
The location of each of the one lakh CSCs is decided in consultation with the State Designated Agency (SDA) to serve a cluster of 6-7 villages, thereby covering close to 6.50 lakh villages across India. This is the worlds largest government approved ICT enabled network and is ideally positioned to strengthen Indias banking network, by extending the business correspondent network. To facilitate the successful implementation of the CSC Scheme, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) named CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd has been incorporated under the Companies Act 1956. The SPV aims to: Ensure systemic viability & sustainability of the CSC Scheme Monitor achievements of the outcomes by the CSCs Enable delivery of G2C and B2C services through CSCs Provide a standardized framework for collaborative decision making Build stakeholder capacity and replicate best practices
Equitable Reach Located in every 6-7 villages / panchayats Infrastructure Computer, printer, webcam, power back up, connectivity Manpower Manned by local citizens as VLEs Reliability Supervised by State Govt and Govt of India Services Offer G2C and B2C services in villages
Further, on October 21, 2011 the Department of Financial Services (DFS) letter to Banks regarding Financial Inclusion Strategy and Guidelines, urged banks to engage with CSCs Nearly 1 lakh Common Service Centre (CSCs) have been established by the Department of Electronics & Information Technology.
On February 21, 2012 DFS issued a mandate to engage CSCs as BCs in North Eastern States, J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh for kiosk banking facilities (DFS) As a result, 20 SCAs and the CSC SPV have now been appointed as BCs by various banks and implementation has started in 18 States.
Services Offered
No Frill Accounts & Saving Account opening General purpose Credit Card (GCC)/Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Term Deposit/Recurring Deposit Loans against Term Deposit Receipt (TDR) etc Cash-in and cash-out services Note: While the CSP will continue to represent only the bank by which it was appointed, the CSP will be able to do basic ATM type services across banks. Thus servicing accounts of all citizens irrespective of which bank they have an account with SCA/ VLE must maintain a prepaid settlement account with Bank, for daily transaction settlement. The amount to be maintained in the settlement account is decided by the BC and is determined based the number and value of transactions that the BC can execute. CSC invests in a low cost biometric fingerprint scanner, approximately Rs. 2600. SCA/ CSC SPV to invest in manpower for CSC training, community awareness building and monitoring activities. Opening of new account- One-time fee which generally ranges between Rs. 20- Rs.25 per account Transaction commission: % per transaction for deposits and withdrawals, which is generally about 0.5% Additional commissions are paid for business facilitator activities such as loan and kisan credit card processing Monthly incentive of about Rs. 2000 per month for CSCs in Financial Inclusion Plan Villages. However this is payable based on minimum targets of account opened during the month
Investment Required
Expected Revenue
Based on initial implementations, BCs on an average are earning the following: Rs. 8,000- Rs. 10,000 per month per CSP from basic banking activities, with a minimum of Rs. 3000 per month per CSP Up to Rs. 50,000 per month per CSP from business facilitator activities (eg. loans and kisan credit card processing)
SUCCESS STORY AISECT-SBI Leverage CSCs in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh for Financial Inclusion
CSCs operationalised by Aisect have opened over 300,000 bank accounts for SBI, enabling transactions worth over Rs. 200 crores in one year. AISECT, an SCA in Madhya Pradesh has signed Business Facilitator (BF) and Business Correspondent (BC) agreements with the State Bank of India (SBI) to offer financial services in the State. As a Business Facilitator the CSCs generate business for the bank from the communities living in and around their CSCs and book the business to nearest linked SBI branch. As a Business Correspondent, the CSCs with adequate ICT infrastructure act as a Banks Branch and offers the selected banking facilities online. Services offered through the CSCs include: Account Opening Deposit / Withdrawal in Account NREGS Wages Distribution & Govt. Pension Distribution Loan Distribution (Application & Information) Kisan credit card Micro Finance, Loan for Agriculture and Animal Loan for Tractor, Vehicle and House Recurring Deposit & Fixed Deposits in Bank Loan Recovery
Implementation process:
CSCs use SBIs Kiosk banking solution which enables biometric based online user authentication in real-time via SBIs Portal As per the agreement, the BC has to pay the bank a minimum bank guarantee and has to maintain a prepaid settlement account with SBI, against which all transaction settlement is done on a daily basis. The CSCs are activated as a customer service point by AISECT, after approval from the Bank. The customer is recognized through a biometric authentication process. The equipment requirement to enable kiosk banking includes a computer, printer, internet connectivity and a low cost biometric scanner (approximately Rs.2600). To ensure success, VLEs are required to undergo training on an ongoing basis. Further, the SCAs have to take proactive steps to motivate the VLEs to go out into the community and build awareness around the benets of kiosk banking at their CSC. SCAs have also taken proactive steps to ensure that various Government Scheme disbursals including NREGS wages, old age pension and scholarship payment, happen through the CSCs.
Challenges:
Approvals for appointment of CSCs ad CSPs by bank Ensuring accounts are not dormant, and regular transactions take place Creating awareness at the field level regarding the importance of banking Creating demand for banking, by ensuring linkages for direct cash transfer of Government Scheme Beneficiaries
State Government/SDA: Integrating CSC project with the banking mandates for the State, by collaborating with the State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) Linking current government schemes wages and benefit disbursements with bank accounts, to ensure regular cash ow in rural areas Ensuring connectivity in rural areas Mobilizing and sensitizing Government functionaries
Banks: Appointing SCAs/ CSC SPV as BCs, to enable CSCs to deliver financial services in rural areas Provide the technical solutions necessary for online kiosk banking delivery, user authentication and monitoring Offering a wide variety of banking services in rural areas via the BCs Synchronizing with Government machinery Training SCAs and VLEs for delivery of financial services Pay required commissions to Business Correspondent to ensure sustainable service delivery via customer service points Provide technical support for successful delivery of services
CSC SPV/SCAs:
Sign BC and BF agreements with banks Ensuring CSCs have the adequate infrastructure (including biometric devices) to become customer service points Ensuring adherence to banking norms as per BC guidelines Ensuring power and connectivity at its customer service points Ensuring timely service delivery Providing an online mechanism enabling VLEs to deliver financial services via the Banks online solution. Supporting awareness building and training activities Sharing the Commission paid by Bank with CSP in a timely manner Common Services Centre/ Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLE): Getting trained to deliver financial services Signing the relevant agreement with the BC to become CSP Ensuring required infrastructure is available at the CSC to deliver online services Educating the citizens and local government officials on the benefits of availing financial services at CSCs Ensuring timely service delivery and adherence to the banking norms
Map CSP requests, through Regional Ofces, linking to local branch and authorizing appointment of CSP
To identify and register all eligible VLEs who are interested in becoming a KO. Provide BC with the cumulative KO list, as per prescribed formats Provide the KOs with clear instructions on setting-up and operating Kiosk Banking Account Capture KO nger prints
VLE to register with SCA/ SPV to become KO VLE to ensure that information provided at time of registration is authentic Coordinate with the SCA to setup the KO account online
Bank to provide BC with access to the Kiosk Banking solution Provide detailed Instruction Manual for BC/KO operations Conrm KO in the system, after creation by BC Maintain CSP settlement & commission account including sweep in/out from CSP account to complete transactions on behalf of the citizen. Maintain BCs & BC Manager commission accounts Allow CSPV to monitor account activity, including commissions earned and account balance Provide Admin accounts to BC and & BC Manager to monitor KO transaction details and commission earned
Open a settlement account at the local link branch and provide BC with account details
Awareness
Provide the banners to be displayed at the CSP and marketing material to CSP
Display Banks Board at CSC with full details on types of banking services to be offered Create awareness in locality regarding service offerings
Bank To provide technical training to all CSPs at the district level To provide detailed Instruction Manual for BC/CSP operations online
CSC SPV (BC) Make instruction manual available to all BC Managers and CSP
SCA (BC Manager) To circulate Instruction Manual to CSP Coordinate CSP training with local Linked Branches
Negotiate fixed price for the biometric device, with the supplier, for CSCs
Make arrangements for CSP to procure required infrastructure, including connectivity and biometric device Monitor transaction activity of all VLEs created under their account
Transaction Settlement
Bank will reect the cash movement in citizen and CSP settlement a/c in real time Allow transaction monitoring by BC, BC Manager and CSP.
Commission Settlement
Share commission with BC Manager and CSP which are subject to monthly reconciliations.
Conclusion
Due to their location and availability of ICT infrastructure and extensive reach in rural India, CSCs are best poised to deliver nancial services in rural India, helping various banks meet their nancial inclusion mandates. The current policy and regulatory environment favours the appointment of CSCs as business correspondent, and the activation process is underway. Online kiosk banking requiring biometric authentication for the customer, is the preferred technology solution adopted by CSCs. Aadhar based authentication is now being tested through CSCs in Jharkhand. The success of nancial inclusion depends on the availability of internet connectivity, VLE training and motivation, linkages with Government Schemes disbursement, community awareness and sensitization. The Governments mandate to ensure direct cash transfer for benets and subsidy payments will strengthen the sustainability of BCs across the country. However, with the aggressive target set by the Prime Minister, CSCs will play a critical role in strengthening the BC network
Additional Resources
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Department of Financial Services: http://nancialservices.gov.in/ Reserve Bank of India: www.rbi.org.in/ National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI): www.npci.org.in/ NABARD: www.nabard.org Various Notifications issued by RBI: Mar 02, 2012 : Financial Inclusion by Extension of Banking Services - Use of Business Correspondents (BCs) [Inter-operability] Dec 10, 2010 : Financial Inclusion by Extension of Banking Services Use of Business Correspondents / Business Facilitators by Urban Co-operative Banks Sep 28, 2010 : Financial Inclusion by Extension of Banking Services Use of Business Correspondents (BCs) [Guidelines] Apr 26, 2010 : Financial Inclusion by Extension of Banking Services Use of Business Correspondents (BCs) [CSCs as BCs] Nov 30, 2009 : Financial Inclusion by Extension of Banking Services Use of Business Correspondents (BCs) [Working Group] Apr 24, 2009 : Financial Inclusion by Extension of Banking Services Use of Business Facilitators (BFs) and Business Correspondents (BCs) [Distance from Branch] Aug 27, 2008 : Financial Inclusion by Extension of Banking Services Use of Business Correspondents (BCs) [Individuals & Sub-agents] Aug 27, 2008 : Financial Inclusion by Extension of Banking Services Use of Business Correspondents (BCs) Section 25 companies Apr 24, 2008 : Financial Inclusion Use of Business Facilitators/Business Correspondents [Link Branch] Mar 22, 2006 : Financial Inclusion by Extension of Banking Services - Use of Business Facilitators and Correspondents [Prohibiting use of NBFCs] Jan 25, 2006 : Financial Inclusion by Extension of Banking Services - Use of Business Facilitators and Correspondents [BC & BF Model]
January 2008: Rangarajan Committee Report on Financial Inclusion: www.nabard.org/pdf/report_nancial/full%20 Report.pdf Common Services Centre Scheme: apna.csc.gov.in