RBI/2015-16/34
IDMD.PDRD. 01/03.64.00/2015-16

July 1, 2015

All Primary Dealers
Dear Sir / Madam

Master Circular – Operational Guidelines for Primary Dealers

The Reserve Bank of India has, from time to time, issued a number of guidelines/instructions to the Primary Dealers (PDs) in regard to their operations. The Master Circular incorporating the guidelines/instructions/circulars on the subject issued up to June 30, 2015 is enclosed. A list of circulars finding reference in this master circular is enclosed as Annex-XI.

2. The banks undertaking PD activities departmentally should follow the extant guidelines applicable to the banks regarding their capital adequacy requirement and risk management. This Master Circular has also been placed on RBI website at www.rbi.org.in.

Yours faithfully

(Rekha Warriar)
Chief General Manager

Encl: As above

Section I – Regulations governing Primary Dealers

1. Primary Dealer System

1.1 Introduction

In 1995, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced the system of Primary Dealers (PDs) in the Government Securities (G-Sec) Market. The objectives of the PD system are to strengthen the infrastructure in G-Sec market, development of underwriting and market making capabilities for G-Sec, improve secondary market trading system and to make PDs an effective conduit for open market operations (OMO). As on June 30, 2015, there are seven standalone PDs and thirteen banks authorized to undertake PD business departmentally.

1.2 Eligibility conditions

1.2.1 The eligibility criteria for an entity to apply to the Reserve Bank of India for undertaking the activities of a PD are as under:

1.2.2 An applicant will not be eligible for authorisation as a PD if, within the last one year, it has been subject to litigation or regulatory action or investigation that the Reserve Bank considers material or otherwise relevant to the business of PD. In making such determination, RBI may consult with the appropriate regulators for their views.

1.2.3 An entity satisfying the criteria stipulated above should submit its application to the Chief General Manager, Internal Debt Management Department (IDMD), RBI, Mumbai. The RBI will, if satisfied, grant ‘in principle approval’. The applicant will, thereafter, submit an undertaking in respect of the terms and conditions agreed to as per the prescribed format given in Annex I. Based on the application and undertaking, an authorisation letter will be issued by RBI. Continuation as a PD would depend on its compliance with the terms and conditions of authorisation.

1.2.4 The decision to authorise PDs will be taken by RBI based on its perception of market needs, suitability of the applicant and the likely value addition to the system.

1.2.5 The applicant entity may also have to adhere to other terms and conditions, as may be specified by RBI from time-to-time.

1.2.6 Existing PDs should submit an annual target (in consultation with RBI) along with plan of action for turnover to be achieved on behalf of mid-segment and retail investors in the month of June every year. The annual target for July 2014-June 2015 should not be less than 150 per cent of minimum NOF for standalone PDs and 100 per cent of minimum NOF for bank PDs. The target will be reviewed annually.

1.2.7 PDs are not permitted to set up step-down subsidiaries.

1.3 Role and obligations of the PDs

PDs are expected to play an active role in the G-Sec market, both in its primary and secondary market segments through various obligations like participating in Primary auction, market making in G-Secs, predominance of investment in G-Secs, achieving minimum secondary market turnover ratio, maintaining efficient internal control system for fair conduct of business etc. A PD is required to have a standing arrangement with RBI based on the execution of an undertaking (Annex I) and the authorization letter issued by RBI every three years. Undertaking will be based on passing of a fresh Board resolution by the PD every three years.

1.4 Facilities from RBI

The RBI currently extends the following facilities to the PDs to enable them to fulfill their obligations effectively:

1. access to Current Account facility with RBI;

2. access to Subsidiary General Ledger (SGL) Account facility with RBI;

3. access to e-Kuber facility for primary auction;

4. permission to borrow and lend in the money market including call money market and to trade in all money market instruments;

5. memberships of electronic dealing, trading and settlement systems (NDS platforms/INFINET/RTGS/CCIL);

6. access to the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) of RBI;

7. access to liquidity support from RBI under a scheme separately notified for standalone PDs; and

8. access to OMO by RBI.

The facilities are subject to review.

1.5 Regulation and Supervision by RBI

Operations of the PDs are subject to prudential and regulatory guidelines issued by RBI from time to time.

1.5.1 Returns: As part of off-site supervision, PDs are required to submit prescribed periodic returns to RBI as per Annex II–A & B. RBI may also prescribe any other return as it may deem necessary.

1.5.2 On-Site Supervision: RBI will have the right to inspect the books, records, documents and accounts of a PD. PDs are required to make available all such documents, records, etc. to the RBI officers and render all necessary assistance as and when required.

1.5.4 In addition, PDs are required to meet registration and such other requirements as stipulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) including operations on the Stock Exchanges, if they undertake any activity regulated by SEBI.

1.5.5 A PD should bring to the attention of RBI any major complaint against it or action initiated/taken against it by authorities such as the Stock Exchanges, SEBI, CBI, Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax Department, etc.

1.5.6 PDs are expected to join Primary Dealers Association of India (PDAI) and Fixed Income Money Market and Derivatives Association (FIMMDA) and abide by the code of conduct framed by them and such other actions as initiated by them in the interest of the securities markets.

2. Primary Market Activities

PDs are expected to support the primary issues of dated securities of Central Government and State Government, T-Bills and CMBs through underwriting/bidding commitments. The related guidelines are as under:

2.1 Underwriting of Dated G-Sec

2.1.1 Dated securities of Central Government

1. The underwriting commitment on dated securities of Central Government will be divided into two parts - a) Minimum Underwriting Commitment (MUC), and b) Additional Competitive Underwriting (ACU).

2. The MUC of each PD will be computed to ensure that at least 50 percent of the notified amount of each issue is mandatorily underwritten equally by all the PDs. The share under MUC will be uniform for all PDs, irrespective of their capital or balance sheet size. The remaining portion of the notified amount will be underwritten through an ACU auction.

3. RBI will announce the MUC of each PD. In the ACU auction, each PD would be required to bid for an amount at least equal to its share of MUC. A PD cannot bid for more than 30 per cent of the notified amount in the ACU auction.

4. The auction could be either uniform price-based or multiple price-based depending upon the market conditions and other relevant factors, which will be announced before the underwriting auction for each issue.

5. Bids will be tendered by the PDs within the stipulated time, indicating both the amount of the underwriting commitment and underwriting commission rates. A PD can submit multiple bids for underwriting. Depending upon the bids submitted for underwriting, RBI will decide the cut-off rate of commission and inform the PDs.

6. Underwriting commission: All successful bidders in the ACU auction will be paid underwriting commission on the ACU segment as per the auction rules. Those PDs who succeed in the ACU for 4 per cent and above of the notified amount of the issue, will be paid commission on the MUC at the weighted average of all the accepted bids in the ACU. Others will get commission on the MUC at the weighted average rate of the three lowest accepted bids in the ACU.

7. In the GOI securities auction, a PD should bid for an amount not less than its total underwriting obligation. If two or more issues are floated on the same day, the minimum bid amount will be applied to each issue separately.

8. Underwriting commission will be paid on the amount accepted for underwriting by the RBI, irrespective of the actual amount of devolvement, by credit to the current account of the respective PDs at the RBI, Fort, Mumbai, on the date of issue of security.

9. In case of devolvement, PDs would be allowed to set-off the accepted bids in the auction against their shortfall in underwriting commitment accepted by the RBI. Devolvement of securities, if any, on PDs will take place on pro-rata basis, depending upon the amount of underwriting obligation of each PD after setting off the successful bids in the auction.

10. RBI reserves the right to accept any amount of underwriting up to 100 per cent of the notified amount or even reject all the bids tendered by PDs for underwriting, without assigning any reason.

11. An illustration on underwriting procedure is given in Annex III.

2.1.2 Dated securities of State Governments

1. On announcement of an auction of State Development Loans (SDLs), which are dated securities of the State Governments, RBI may invite PDs to collectively bid to underwrite up to 100 per cent of the notified amount.

2. The auction could be either uniform price-based or multiple price-based depending upon the market conditions and other relevant factors, which will be announced before the underwriting auction for each issue.

3. A PD can bid to underwrite up to 30 per cent of the notified amount of the issue. If two or more issues are floated on the same day, the limit of 30% is applied by taking the notified amounts separately.

4. Bids will be tendered by PDs within the stipulated time, indicating both the amount of the underwriting commitments and underwriting commission rates. A PD can submit multiple bids for underwriting.

5. Depending upon the bids submitted for underwriting, the RBI will decide the cut-off rate of commission and the underwriting amount up to which bids would be accepted and inform the PDs.

6. RBI reserves the right to accept any amount of underwriting up to 100 per cent of the notified amount or even reject all the bids tendered by PDs for underwriting, without assigning any reason.

7. In case of devolvement, PDs would be allowed to set-off the accepted bids in the auction against their shortfall in underwriting commitment accepted by the RBI. Devolvement of securities, if any, on PDs will take place on pro-rata basis, depending upon the amount of underwriting obligation of each PD after setting off the successful bids in the auction.

8. Underwriting commission will be paid on the amount accepted for underwriting by the RBI, irrespective of the actual amount of devolvement, by credit to the current account of the respective PDs at the RBI, Fort, Mumbai, on the date of issue of security.

2.2 Bidding in Primary auctions of T-Bills/CMBs

1. Each PD will individually commit, at the beginning of the year (April – March), to submit bids for a fixed percentage of the notified amount of T-Bills/CMBs in each auction.

2. The minimum bidding commitment amount / percentage for each PD will be determined by the RBI, in consultation with the PD. While finalizing the bidding commitments, the RBI will take into account the NOF, the offer made by the PD, its track record and its past adherence to the prescribed success ratio. The amount/percentage of minimum bidding commitment so determined by the RBI will remain unchanged for the entire year or till execution of the undertaking for the next year.

3. In any auction of T-Bills/CMBs, if a PD fails to submit the required minimum bid or submits a bid lower than its commitment, the RBI may take appropriate penal action against the PD.

4. A PD would be required to achieve a minimum success ratio of 40 percent of bidding commitment in T-Bills/CMBs auctions (if an auction gets cancelled or if all bids are rejected by RBI then PD should not take that auction’s notified amount in the calculation of success ratio. Also, if RBI accepts partial amount, PD should take only accepted amount for calculation purpose) which will be monitored on a half yearly basis, i.e. April to September and October to March, separately (For illustrations please refer to Annex IV).

5. The CMB transactions may be reported in PDR returns along with the T-Bill transactions.

2.3 ‘When-Issued’ transactions in Central G-Sec

PDs shall adhere to the guidelines issued by the RBI vide circular IDMD.No. 2130/11.01.01 (D)/2006-07 dated November 16, 2006, as amended from time to time, for undertaking “When Issued” transactions.

2.4 Submission of client bids in the primary auctions

The PDs are allowed to submit bids of their SGL/Gilt account holders in the primary auctions as their own bids under competitive route after putting in place the following safeguards:

1. PDs should have a Board approved policy including appropriate risk management system to take care of risks arising out of such activity

2. List of clients, details of business done through such clients and appropriateness of risk management system put in place may be periodically reviewed by the Board.

3. Records maintained in this regard should be subjected to concurrent audit.

PDs may execute the secondary market sale transaction and report the same on NDS-OM (T+1 settlement). With respect to the dated securities, the sale transaction may be made within one hour of intimation of firm allotment in the primary auctions.

2.5 Submission of non-competitive bids

PDs shall adhere to the guidelines issued vide circular RBI/2008-09/479 - IDMD.No.5877/ 08.02.33/2008-09 dated May 22, 2009, as amended from time to time, in respect of submission of non-competitive bids in the auctions of the G-Sec.

2.6 Sale of securities allotted in primary issues on the same day

PDs shall adhere to the guidelines issued vide circulars IDMC.PDRS.No.PDS.1/03.64.00/ 2000-01 dated October 6, 2000, RBI/2005/461–IDMD.PDRS.4777/10.02.01/2004-05 dated May 11, 2005 and RBI/2012-13/133-IDMD.PDRD.188/03.64.00/2012-13 dated July 16, 2012 for undertaking sale of securities allotted in primary issues on the same day. PDs can avail services of brokers for carrying out such sale contracts.

2.7 Settlement of primary auctions

The primary auction settlement is independent from the secondary market settlements and therefore has to be funded separately. Successful PDs shall provide sufficient funds in their current account with the RBI on the auction settlement days before 3:00 pm to meet their obligations against the subscriptions in the primary auctions failing which the shortage will be treated as an instance of ‘SGL bouncing’ and will be subjected to the applicable penal provisions.

3. Secondary Market activities

3.1 Market making in G-Sec: PDs should offer two-way prices in G-Sec through the Negotiated Dealing System-Order Matching (NDS-OM), over-the-counter (OTC) market and recognized Stock Exchanges in India and take principal positions in the secondary market for G-Sec.

3.2 Turnover ratio: A PD should annually achieve a minimum turnover ratio of 5 times for Government dated securities and 10 times for T-Bills/CMBs of the average month-end stocks. The turnover ratio in respect of outright transactions should not be less than 3 times in Government dated securities and 6 times in T-Bills/CMBs (Turnover ratio is the ratio of total purchase and sales during the year in the secondary market to average month-end stocks).

3.3 Secondary Market Transactions - Short-selling

PDs shall adhere to the guidelines issued by the RBI vide circular IDMD.No 03/11.01.01(B)/2005-06 dated February 28, 2006, RBI/2006-07/243- IDMD.No./11.01.01(B)/2006-07 dated January 31, 2007, IDMD.DOD.No. 3165/11.01.01(B)/2007-08 dated January 2008, IDMD.PCD. 14/14.03.07/2011-12 dated December 28, 2011, RBI/2011-12/615 IDMD.PCD.No.21/14.03.07/2011-12 dated June 21, 2012, IDMD.PCD.06/14.03.07/2014-15 dated September 30, 2014 and FMRD.DIRD.02/14.03.007/2014-15 dated December 24, 2014 on “Secondary market transactions in Government Securities - Short Selling” as amended from time to time.

3.4 Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities (STRIPS) in G-Sec

PDs shall adhere to the guidelines issued by the RBI vide circular RBI/2009-10/360-IDMD.DOD.No.7/11.01.09/2009-10 dated March 25, 2010, on STRIPS in G-Sec, as amended from time to time.

3.5 Settlement of Secondary Market transaction

As per circular IDMD.PDRS./4783/10.02.01/2004-05 dated May 11, 2005 all outright secondary market transactions in Government Securities are settled on T+1 basis except for outright secondary market transactions undertaken with respect to FPIs and reported on NDS-OM, which will be settled on T+2 basis subject to conditions mentioned in circular FMRD.DIRD.06/14.03.007/2014-15 dated March 20, 2015, as amended from time to time.

4 Liquidity Support from RBI

In addition to access to the RBI's LAF, standalone PDs are also provided with liquidity support by the RBI against eligible G-Sec including SDLs. The parameters based on which liquidity support will be allocated are given below:

1. Of the total liquidity support, half of the amount will be divided equally among all the standalone PDs. The remaining half (i.e. 50%) will be divided in the ratio of 1:1 based on market performance in primary market and secondary market. Performance in primary market will be computed on the basis of bids accepted in the T-Bill/CMB auctions and G-Sec auctions in the proportionate weights of 1 and 3. Similarly, the secondary market performance will be judged on the basis of outright turnover in T-Bills/CMBs and G-Sec in the proportionate weights of 1 and 3.

2. The PD-wise limit of liquidity support will be revised every half-year (April-September and October-March) based on the market performance of the PDs in the preceding six months.

3. The liquidity support will be made available at the ‘Repo Rate’ announced by the RBI.

4. The liquidity support availed by a PD will be repayable within a period of 90 days. If it is repaid after 90 days, the penal rate of interest payable by PDs is Bank rate plus 5 percentage points for the period beyond 90 days.

5. Investment Guidelines

5.1 Investment policy - PDs should frame and implement, a Board approved, investment policy and operational guidelines on securities transactions. The policy should contain the broad objectives to be followed while undertaking transactions in securities on their own account and on behalf of clients, clearly define the authority to put through deals, and lay down procedure to be followed while putting through deals, various prudential exposure limits, policy regarding dealings through brokers, systems for management of various risks, guidelines for valuation of the portfolio and the reporting systems etc. Operational procedures and controls in relation to the day-to-day business operations should also be worked out and put in place to ensure that operations in securities are conducted in accordance with sound and acceptable business practices. While laying down these guidelines, the PDs should strictly adhere to RBI’s instructions, issued from time to time. The effectiveness of the policy and operational guidelines should be periodically evaluated.

5.2 The investment in G-Sec should have predominance over the non-core activities in terms of investment pattern. Standalone PDs are required to ensure predominance by maintaining at least 50 per cent of their total financial investments (both long term and short term) in G-Sec at any point of time. Investment in G-Sec will include the PD’s Own Stock, Stock with RBI under Liquidity Support / Intra-day Liquidity (IDL)/ LAF, Stock with market for repo borrowings and G-Sec pledged with the CCIL.

5.3 Further, a PD’s investment in G-Sec (including T-Bills and CMBs) and Corporate Bond (to the extent of 50% of NOF) on a daily basis should be at least equal to its net call/notice/repo (including CBLO) borrowing plus net RBI borrowing (through LAF/ Intra-Day Liquidity/ Liquidity Support) plus the minimum prescribed NOF.

5.4 PDs should necessarily hold their investments in G-Sec portfolio in SGL with RBI. They may also have a dematerialised (Demat) account with depositories – National Securities Depository Limited / Central Depository Services (India) Limited. All purchase/sale transactions in G-Secs by PDs should be through SGL / Constituent SGL (CSGL) / Demat accounts.

5.5 PDs should hold all other investments such as CPs, bonds and debentures (privately placed or otherwise) and equity instruments, only in demat form.

5.6 All problem exposures, which are not backed by any security or backed by security of doubtful value, should be fully provided for. Where a PD has filed suit against another party for recovery, such exposures should be evaluated and provisions made to the satisfaction of auditors. Any claim against the PD should also be taken note of and provisions made to the satisfaction of auditors.

5.7 The profit and loss account should reflect the problem exposures if any, and also the effect of valuation of portfolio, as per the instructions issued by the RBI, from time to time. The report of the statutory auditors should contain a certification to this effect.

5.8 HTM Portfolio

5.8.1 Standalone PDs are allowed to categorize a portion of their G-Sec portfolio in the HTM category, subject to the following conditions:

1. The transfer of securities (both Central Government and State Government) to/from HTM portfolio shall be done as per the policy formulated by the Board. Such transfers shall be permitted only once in a quarter.

2. Transfer of securities to/from HTM portfolio should be done with the approval of the Board at the acquisition cost/ book value/ market value on the date of transfer, whichever is the least, and the depreciation, if any, on such transfer shall be fully provided for. PDs are allowed to shift investments to/from HTM portfolio with the approval of the MD of the PD/Head of ALCO, only in case of exigencies. However, it should be ratified by the Board.

3. Only securities acquired by the PD under primary auction will be eligible for classification under HTM category.

4. The quantum of securities that can be classified as HTM shall be restricted to 100% of the audited NOF of the PD as at the end March of the preceding financial year.

5. The profit on sale of securities, if any, from the HTM category shall first be taken to the P & L Account and thereafter be appropriated to the “Reserve Account”; loss on sale shall be recognized in the P & L Account.

6. Investments classified under HTM will be carried at acquisition cost, unless it is more than the face value, in which case the premium should be amortized over the remaining period to maturity. The book value of the security should continue to be reduced to the extent of the amount amortized during the relevant accounting period.

7. The concurrent auditors should specifically verify compliance with these instructions.

8. The facility shall be available until further advice.

5.8.2 Banks undertaking PD activities departmentally may continue to follow the extant guidelines applicable to banks with regard to the classification and valuation of the investment portfolio issued by Department of Banking Regulation (DBR), RBI.

6 Systems/Controls

6.1 Purchase/Sale of securities through SGL transfer forms

All PDs should report / conclude their transactions on NDS / NDS-OM and clear/settle them through CCIL as central counter-party. In such cases where exceptions have been permitted to tender physical SGL transfer forms, the following guidelines should be followed:

1. Records of all SGL transfer forms issued/received should be maintained and a system for verification of the authenticity of the SGL transfer forms received from the counter-party and confirmation of authorized signatories should be put in place.

2. Under no circumstances, a SGL transfer form issued by a PD in favour of counterparty should bounce for want of sufficient balance in the SGL/Current Account. Any instance of return of SGL form from the Public Debt Office (PDO) of the RBI for want of sufficient balance in the account should be immediately brought to the notice of the PD’s top management and reported to RBI with the details of transactions.

3. SGL Transfer forms received by purchasing PDs should be deposited in their SGL Accounts immediately. No sale should be effected by way of return of SGL form held by the PD.

4. SGL transfer form should be in a standard format, prescribed by the RBI, and printed on semi-security paper of uniform size. They should be serially numbered and there should be a control system in place to account for each SGL form.

6.2 Bank Receipt or similar receipt should not be issued or accepted by the PDs under any circumstances in respect of transactions in G-Sec.

6.3 Reconciliation of holdings of G-Sec

Balances as per books of PDs should be reconciled at least at monthly intervals with the balances in the books of PDOs. If the number of transactions so warrant, the reconciliation should be undertaken at more frequent intervals. This reconciliation should be periodically verified during concurrent/internal audit of the PDs.

6.4 Transactions on behalf of Constituents

1. The PDs should undertake all due diligence while acting as agent of their clients for carrying out transactions in securities.

2. PDs should not use the constituents’ funds or assets for proprietary trading or for financing of another intermediary’s operations.

3. All transaction records should give a clear indication that the transaction belongs to constituent and does not belong to PD’s own account.

4. The transactions on behalf of constituents and the operations in the CSGL accounts should be conducted in accordance with the guidelines issued by RBI on the CSGL accounts.

5. PDs who act as custodians (i.e. CSGL account holders) and offer the facility of maintaining gilt accounts to their constituents, should not permit settlement of any sale transaction by their constituents unless the security sold is actually held in the gilt account of the constituent.

6. Indirect access to NDS-OM has been permitted to certain segments of investors through banks and PDs vide circular IDMD.DOD.No.5893/10.25.66/2007-08 dated May 27, 2008. PDs should adhere to the guidelines on maintenance of gilt accounts and investments on behalf of gilt account holders while undertaking 'constituent deals' on NDS-OM.

6.5 Failure to complete delivery of security/funds in an SGL transaction

Any default in delivery of security/funds in an SGL sale /purchase transaction undertaken by a PD will be viewed seriously. A report on such transaction, even if completed through the securities/funds shortage handling procedure of CCIL, must be submitted to the IDMD, RBI immediately. In terms of circular RBI/2010-11/115- IDMD.DOD.17/11.01.01(B)/2010-11 dated July 14, 2010, for any default in delivery of security / funds in a SGL sale / purchase transaction undertaken by a PD (event of bouncing of SGL transfer forms) and the failure of the PD to offer satisfactory explanation for such bouncing of SGL, the PD shall be liable to pay penalties as per the circular ibid.

7. Violation/Circumvention of Instructions

Any violation/circumvention of the above guidelines or the terms and conditions of the undertaking executed by a PD with RBI (Annex I) would be viewed seriously and such violation would attract penal action including the withdrawal of liquidity support, denial of access to the money market, withdrawal of authorization for carrying on the business as a PD, and/or imposition of monetary penalty or liquidated damages, as the RBI may deem fit.

8. Disclosure of Penal Actions

8.1 In order to maintain transparency with regard to imposition of penalties and in conformity with the best practices on disclosure of penalties imposed by the regulator, the details of the penalty levied on a PD shall be placed in the public domain.

8.2 The mode of disclosures of penalties, imposed by RBI will be as follows:

1. A Press Release will be issued by the RBI, giving details of the circumstances under which the penalty is imposed on the PD along with the communication on the imposition of penalty in public domain.

2. The penalty shall also be disclosed in the 'Notes on Accounts' to the Balance Sheet of the PD in its next Annual Report.

9. Exit/Termination procedure:

9.1 RBI may suspend or terminate a PD, as it may deem fit, in the following circumstances:

1. Violation/circumvention of the regulatory guidelines or the terms and conditions of the undertaking executed by a PD with the RBI.

2. Failure to meet the performance criteria and capital standards on an ongoing basis.

3. Repeatedly providing bids and offers in the primary and/or secondary market that are not reasonably competitive.

4. RBI is of the view that the PD has attempted to manipulate the market; involved in market abuse; made an incorrect representation or certification; failed to provide information required under the extant guidelines, or provided information that was incorrect, inaccurate, or incomplete.

5. If it appears, in the Reserve Bank’s judgment that the PD has an inadequate or weak control environment.

6. If a PD becomes the subject of, or involved with, regulatory or legal proceedings that, in the judgment of the Reserve Bank, unfavorably impacts the PD business.

7. PD intends to surrender PD authorisation on its own. In such a case, the PD should discuss the orderly unwinding of any positions held, agree the timing and date of termination of PD operations, and the content of any announcements to be made to the market, by the Reserve Bank. In the interests of discouraging ‘fair-weather’ trading and ensure that a PD is available in the market even when the market condition is not favourable, the Reserve Bank will not approve an application from the same firm for a fresh PD authorisation for some considerable period of time.

9.2 RBI will notify the PD of its intention to impose a sanction, and will provide the PD with an opportunity to submit its view, before taking a final decision.

9.3 RBI will ensure that a PD’s exit is carried out in a way that does not cause undue disruptions to other market participants.

9.4 Such suspension or termination will be made public by RBI through press release. An announcement in this regard shall be made preferably on the last working day of the week, with the sanction effective from the close of business on the same day.

10. List of circulars consolidated and list of circulars referred are enclosed at Annex X and XI respectively.

Section II: Additional Guidelines applicable to banks undertaking
PD business departmentally

1. Introduction

Scheduled commercial banks (except Regional Rural Banks) have been permitted to undertake PD business departmentally from 2006-07.

2. Procedure for Authorization of bank-PDs

2.1 Banks eligible to apply for undertaking PD business, [please see eligibility conditions at paragraph 1.2.1 of Section I above] may approach the Chief General Manager, DBR, RBI, Central Office. On obtaining an in-principle approval from DBR, banks may apply to the Chief General Manager, IDMD, RBI, 23rd Floor, Central Office Building, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001 for an authorization for undertaking PD business departmentally.

2.2 The banks, proposing to undertake the PD business by merging / taking over PD business from their partly / wholly owned subsidiary, or foreign banks, operating in India, proposing to undertake PD business departmentally by merging the PD business being undertaken by a group company, will be subject to the terms and conditions, as applicable, of the undertaking given by such subsidiary/ group company till such time a fresh undertaking is executed by the bank.

2.3 The banks authorized to undertake PD business will be required to have a standing arrangement with RBI based on the execution of an undertaking (Annex I) and the authorization letter issued by RBI every three years (July-June). Undertaking will be based on passing of a fresh Board resolution by the PD every three years.

3. Applicability of guidelines issued for PDs

3.1 The bank-PDs would be governed by the operational guidelines as given in Section – I above, to the extent applicable, unless otherwise stated. Furthermore, the bank-PDs' role and obligations in terms of supporting the primary market auctions for issue of dated G-Sec and T-Bills/CMBs, underwriting of dated G-Sec, market-making in G-Sec and secondary market turnover in G-Sec will also be at par with those applicable to standalone PDs as enumerated in Section - I of this Master Circular.

3.2 Bank-PDs are expected to join PDAI and FIMMDA and abide by the code of conduct framed by them and such other actions initiated by them in the interest of the securities market.

3.3 The requirement of ensuring minimum investment in G-Sec and T-Bills on a daily basis, based on net call / RBI borrowing and NOF will not be applicable to bank-PDs who shall be guided by the extant guidelines applicable to banks.

3.4 As banks have access to the call money market, refinance facility and the LAF of RBI, bank-PDs will not have separate access to these facilities and liquidity support as applicable to the standalone PDs.

3.5 The guidelines issued vide circular IDMD.No/2130/11.01.01 (D)/2006-07 dated November 16, 2006 on ’When-issued’ trades will be applicable to bank-PDs also.

3.6 Bank-PDs shall be guided by the extant guidelines applicable to banks as regards borrowing in call/notice/term money market, ICDs, FCNR (B) loans /External Commercial Borrowings and other sources of funds.

3.7 The investment policy of the bank may be suitably amended to include PD activities also. Within the overall framework of the investment policy, the PD business undertaken by the bank will be limited to dealing, underwriting and market-making in G-Sec. Investments in Corporate / PSU / FIs bonds, CPs, CDs, debt mutual funds and other fixed income securities will not be deemed to be a part of PD business.

3.8 The classification, valuation and operation of investment portfolio guidelines as applicable to banks in regard to "Held for Trading" portfolio will also apply to the portfolio of G-Sec including T-Bills/CMBs earmarked for PD business.

3.9 The G-Sec including T-Bills/CMBs under PD business will count for SLR purpose.

3.10 Bank-PDs shall be guided by the extant guidelines applicable to banks as regards business through brokers, repo transactions, interest rate derivatives (OTC & exchange traded), investment in non-G-Sec, Issue of Subordinated Debt Instruments and declaration of dividend.

4. Maintenance of books and accounts

4.1 The transactions related to PD business, undertaken by a bank departmentally, should be executed through the existing SGL account of the bank. However, Bank-PDs need to maintain distinct PD book as per DBR guidelines RBI/2006-07/104 DBOD.FSD.BC. No.25/24.92.001/2006-07 dated August 9, 2006. The decision regarding maintaining a PD book as part of HFT-G-Sec portfolio or treating the entire HFT-G-Sec- portfolio as PD book is left to the banks. However, banks may clearly indicate in their investment policy the intention of denoting the whole or part of HFT-G-Sec book as PD book with the approval of their Board/ALCO.

4.2 Bank-PDs shall decide about classification (HTM/AFS/HFT-G-Sec-bank/HFT-G-Sec-PD) of securities allotted in the primary auction/purchased in the secondary market, at the time of acquisition of the securities.

4.3 It should be ensured that, at any point of time, there is a minimum balance of Rs.100 crore of G-Sec earmarked for PD business.

4.4 Bank-PDs should subject 100 per cent of the transactions and regulatory returns submitted by PD department to concurrent audit. An auditor’s certificate for having maintained the minimum stipulated balance of Rs.100 crore of G-Sec in the PD-book on an ongoing basis and having adhered to the guidelines/instructions issued by RBI should be forwarded to IDMD, RBI on a quarterly basis.

5. Capital Adequacy and Risk Management

5.1 The capital adequacy and risk management guidelines applicable to a bank undertaking PD activity departmentally, will be as per the extant guidelines applicable to banks. In other words, for the purpose of assessing the bank's capital adequacy requirement and coverage under risk management framework, the PD activity should also be taken into account.

5.2 The bank undertaking PD activity may put in place adequate risk management systems to measure and provide for the risks emanating from the PD activity.

6. Supervision by RBI

6.1 The banks authorized to undertake PD business departmentally are required to submit prescribed periodic returns to RBI promptly. The current list of such returns and their periodicity, etc. is furnished in Annex II- C.

6.2 Reserve Bank reserves its right to amend or modify the above guidelines from time to time, as may be considered necessary.

Annex I

Format of Undertaking

To
The Chief General Manager,
Internal Debt Management Department,
Reserve Bank of India,
Central Office Building,
Mumbai - 400 001

By
             ………………………………………………………………..
             Registered Office ……………………………………………..
             …………………………………………………………………
             ………………………………………………………………….

WHEREAS the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has offered in principle to permit us to undertake Primary Dealer (PD) activity in Government securities in accordance with the Guidelines issued thereon from time to time.

AND WHEREAS as a precondition to our being authorized to undertake PD activity we are required to furnish an undertaking covering the relative terms and conditions.

AND WHEREAS at the duly convened Board of Directors meeting of ________________ on __________, the Board has authorised Shri/Smt./Kum. _________________ and Shri/Smt./Kum. __________________ to execute and furnish an UNDERTAKING for the period July ….. to June ……. to the RBI jointly and severally as set out below:

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the RBI agreeing to permit us to undertake PD activity, we hereby undertake and agree:

1. To commit to aggregatively bid in the auction of Treasury Bills (TBs), including Cash Management Bills (CMBs) to the extent of specific per cent of each issue of auction Treasury Bills/Cash Management Bills as decided every year (April-March) and for a minimum amount equal to the underwriting commitment (allotted under Minimum Underwriting Commitment and Additional Competitive Underwriting) for GoI Dated Securities and to maintain the success ratio in aggregate winning bids at not less than 40 per cent for TBs and CMBs or such other percent as may be notified by RBI keeping in view the relevant factors.

2. To offer to underwrite primary issues of GoI dated securities, TBs, CMBs, and State Government securities, for which auction is held, and accept devolvement, if any, of any amount as may be determined by RBI in terms of prevalent scheme for Bidding/Underwriting.

3. a) To determine prudential ceilings, with the prior approval of the Board of Directors (Board) of the company, for reliance on borrowings from the money market including repos, as a multiple of net owned funds, subject to the guidelines, if any, issued by the RBI in this regard (applicable to standalone PDs only).

b) To adhere to prudential ceilings, with the prior approval of the Board of the bank, subject to the guidelines, if any, issued by the RBI in this regard (applicable to bank-PDs only).

4. To offer firm two-way quotes through NDS / NDS-OM, over the counter telephone market / recognised Stock Exchanges in India and deal in the secondary market in Government dated securities and TBs of varying maturity from time to time and take principal positions.

5. To achieve a sizeable portfolio in Government securities and to actively trade in the Government securities market.

6. To achieve an annual turnover of not less than 5 times in Government dated securities and not less than 10 times in TBs/CMBs of the average of month-end stocks (in the book separately maintained for the PD business) subject to the turnover in respect of outright transactions being not less than 3 times in Government dated securities and 6 times in TBs /CMBs or as may be notified by RBI from time to time.

7. To maintain the capital adequacy standards prescribed by the RBI, and to subject ourselves to all prudential and regulatory guidelines as may be issued by the RBI from time to time.

8. To maintain adequate infrastructure in terms of both physical apparatus and skilled manpower for efficient participation in primary issues, trading in the secondary market, and for providing advice and education to investors.

9. To adhere to “Guidelines on Securities Transaction to be followed by PDs” issued vide circular IDMC.No.PDRS/2049-A/03.64.00/99-2000 dated December 31, 1999 and Master Circulars issued from time to time and put in place necessary internal control systems for fair conduct of business and settlement of trades and maintenance of accounts.

10. To comply with all applicable RBI /Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) requirements under the existing guidelines and which may be laid down from time to time in this behalf, failing which RBI would be at liberty to cancel the authorisation as a PD.

11. To abide by the code of conduct as laid down by RBI/SEBI, the Primary Dealers’ Association of India (PDAI) and the Fixed Income, Money Markets and Derivatives Association of India (FIMMDA).

12. To maintain separate books of account for transactions relating to PD business (distinct from the normal banking business) with necessary audit trails and to ensure that, at any point of time, there is a minimum balance of Rs.100 crore of Government securities or as may be notified by RBI from time to time earmarked for PD business (applicable to bank-PDs only).

13. To maintain and preserve such information, records, books and documents pertaining to our working as a PD as may be specified by the RBI from time to time.

14. To permit the RBI to inspect all records, books, information, documents and make available the records to the officers deputed by the RBI for inspection/scrutiny and render all necessary assistance.

15. To maintain at all times a minimum net owned funds of Rs.150 crore / Rs.250 crore or as may be prescribed by RBI from time to time in Government securities and to deploy the liquidity support from the RBI, net borrowings from call money market and net repo borrowings exclusively in Government securities (applicable to standalone PDs only).

16. To maintain an arm’s length relationship in transactions with group and related entities.

17. To obtain prior approval of RBI for any change in the shareholding pattern of the company (applicable to standalone PDs only).

18. To submit in prescribed formats periodic reports including daily transactions and market information, monthly report of details of transactions in securities and risk position and performance with regard to participation in auctions, annual audited accounts and an annual performance review and such statements, certificates and other documents and information as may be specified by RBI from time to time.

19. To report the matter immediately to Internal Debt Management Department of the RBI and abide by such orders, instructions, decisions or rulings given by the RBI if and when any kind of investigation/inquiry/inspection is initiated against us by statutory/regulatory authorities, e.g. SEBI/RBI, Stock Exchanges, Enforcement Directorate, Income-tax authorities etc.

20. To pay an amount of Rupees Five Lakh, or as applicable, to the RBI, for violation of any of the instructions issued by the RBI in the matter or for non-compliance with any of the undertakings given hereinabove.

We do hereby confirm that the above undertakings will be binding on our successors and assigns.

Dated this day of Two Thousand …………..

Signed, sealed and delivered by the within named, )
being the authorized persons, in terms of the         )
Resolution No._______ of the Board )
at the duly convened Meeting held on___________)    
in the in the presence of _______________           )         

Signatory         (i)
                      (ii)

Witness         (i)
                     (ii)
Notes:

1. Para 3.a, 15 and 17 are applicable to standalone PDs only.
2. Para 3.b, words in italics in para 6 and para 12 are applicable to bank-PDs only.

Annex II-A

Statements / Returns required to be submitted by PDs to IDMD

Annex II-B

Statements / Returns required to be submitted by PDs
to departments other than IDMD of Reserve Bank of India

Note: The last date prescribed for submission of these statements by the departments concerned and/or IDMD should be adhered to.

Annex II-C

Statements / Returns required to be submitted by banks
on their Primary Dealership business to IDMD

Annex IV

Illustrations showing PDs’ Commitment to T-Bills / CMBs auctions and Success Ratio

A PD has committed to bid aggregatively Rs. 500 crore in T-Bills as shown below. The success ratio to be maintained by the PD is 40 per cent in respect of T- Bills/CMBs. Various scenarios in respect of fulfillment of the bidding commitment and the success ratio assuming that the bids tendered and the bids accepted will be as under:

Annex X

List of circulars consolidated

Annex XI

List of circulars referred

¹ In terms of the explanatory note to Section 45-IA of Chapter III-B of the RBI Act, 1934, NOF is calculated as (a) the aggregate of the paid-up equity capital and free reserves as disclosed in the latest balance-sheet of the company after deducting there from– (i) accumulated balance of loss; (ii) deferred revenue expenditure; and (iii) other intangible assets; and (b) further reduced by the amounts representing – (1) investments of such company in shares of – (i) its subsidiaries; (ii) companies in the same group; (iii) all other non-banking financial companies; and (2) the book value of debentures, bonds, outstanding loans and advances (including hire-purchase and lease finance) made to, and deposits with,– (i) subsidiaries of such company; and (ii) companies in the same group, to the extent such amount exceeds ten per cent of (a) above.