Banking

BANKING AWARENESS — KEY UPDATES 2025-2026

Updated Edition: May 2026 | A to Z in Banking | Incorporating Latest RBI Guidelines, Amendments & Supreme Court Judgments 2024-2026

PART I: MONETARY POLICY & KEY RBI RATES (2025-2026)

Current RBI Policy Rates (May 2026)

The Reserve Bank of India has been on an accommodative policy stance since February 2025, cutting rates progressively to support growth amid controlled inflation.

KEY: Repo Rate cut by 25 bps in February 2025, April 2025 — cumulative 50 bps cut in 2025. CRR cut by 50 bps in December 2024. RBI shifted to ‘accommodative’ stance.

RBI Governor

Current RBI Governor: Shri SANJAY MALHOTRA (appointed December 11, 2024, for a 3-year term). He succeeded Shri Shaktikanta Das (tenure: December 12, 2018 to December 10, 2024).

Inflation Targeting Framework

India adopted a flexible inflation targeting (FIT) framework under the RBI Act (amended 2016). The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) sets policy rates.

• Inflation Target: 4% (with +/- 2% tolerance band, i.e., 2% to 6%)
• MPC: 6 members — 3 RBI officials (Governor as Chairman) + 3 external members
• Policy decisions by majority vote; Governor has casting vote in case of tie
• MPC meets at least 4 times per year (typically 6 times)
• Failure trigger: If CPI inflation remains outside 2-6% for 3 consecutive quarters

Basel III Implementation in India

LATEST 2026: Basel III Credit Risk (Standardised Approach) Directions 2026 issued April 27, 2026 — effective April 1, 2027 for all SCBs (excluding SFBs, Payment Banks and LABs).

PART II: PRIORITY SECTOR LENDING (PSL) — LATEST 2025-2026

PSL Directions 2025 (effective April 1, 2025)

PSL Amendment Directions 2026 (January 19, 2026)

• ANBC computation revised
• Healthcare infrastructure loan limit raised to ₹12 crore (Tier II–VI centres)
• NCDC (National Co-operative Development Corporation) loans now eligible for PSL
• Startups: Loans up to ₹50 crore qualify for PSL
• Solar pumps and Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plants — new eligible categories
• External auditor certification required for PSL compliance

PART III: NRI ACCOUNTS & DEPOSITS

KEY UPDATE 2025: LRS limit continues at USD 2,50,000 per financial year. TCS at 20% on LRS remittances above ₹7 lakh (except education loans: 0.5%; medical/education self-funded: 5%).

NOTE: LIBOR has been REPLACED by SOFR (USD), SONIA (GBP), EURIBOR (EUR) from June 30, 2023. FCNR(B) interest rates are now SOFR/SONIA/EURIBOR-linked.

PART IV: EXTERNAL COMMERCIAL BORROWINGS (ECB) — 2026 FRAMEWORK

FEMA ECB Regulations 2026 (effective February 16, 2026)

• New definitions: arm’s length basis, benchmark rate, control (aligned with Companies Act 2013)
• Minimum Average Maturity Period (MAMP): 3 years for most ECBs
• Call/put options cannot be exercised before completion of MAMP
• Strengthened end-use monitoring norms
• Automatic route limit: USD 750 million or equivalent per financial year

Prohibited End-Uses of ECB

• Investment in real estate (except affordable housing)
• Investment in capital markets or equity
• On-lending for speculative activities
• Purchase of land
• Repayment of domestic Rupee loans (with some exceptions)

FEMA Export Realisation Period — KEY 2026 UPDATE

Export realisation period EXTENDED from 9 months to 15 MONTHS (FEMA 23(R)(7)/2025-RB, November 2025; confirmed in FEMA Export-Import Regulations 2026, January 13, 2026).

• For goods stored in overseas warehouses: period linked to date of sale (not date of shipment)
• SEZ units: 12 months from date of export (unchanged)
• IFSC exporters: Can retain export proceeds for up to 3 months (extended from 1 month — October 2025)

PART V: KYC, AML & CUSTOMER SERVICE GUIDELINES (2025-2026)

KYC Master Direction 2025 — Periodic Updation

• V-CIP (Video-based Customer Identification Process) — formally recognised for KYC
• BC-led KYC — Business Correspondents can conduct Aadhaar-based e-KYC
• PMLA Amendment 2023: Record keeping period increased to 10 YEARS (from 5 years) — Section 12 PMLA
• Officially Valid Documents (OVDs): Passport, Aadhaar, Voter ID, Driving Licence, NREGA Card, PAN

Small Accounts / BSBD Accounts — Key Features

• No minimum balance requirement
• Free ATM-cum-debit card
• Maximum of 4 free withdrawals per month (including ATM)
• Small Account (simplified KYC): Maximum credit ₹1 lakh/year; balance ₹50,000 at any time; debit ₹10,000/month
• Foreign remittances CAN be credited to Small Accounts within annual credit ceiling
• Holders cannot have another savings account in same bank; existing accounts must be closed within 30 days

RBI Integrated Ombudsman Scheme 2021

• Replaces three earlier schemes — ‘One Nation, One Ombudsman’
• Coverage: All RBI-regulated entities — banks, NBFCs, payment system operators
• Complaint filing: Online at https://cms.rbi.org.in or RBI Toll-Free: 14448
• Award limit: Up to ₹20 lakh (plus ₹1 lakh for loss of time and harassment)
• No fee for filing complaints

Cheque Truncation System (CTS) — Current Status

• CTS is now the ONLY cheque clearing mechanism across India (non-CTS cheques phased out)
• Settlement: T+1 (next working day) for CTS-2010 standard cheques
• Positive Pay System (PPS): Mandatory for cheques of ₹5 lakh and above (from January 1, 2021)
• Cheque validity: 3 months from date (effective April 1, 2012)
• Re-presentation: Within 24 hours (excluding holidays) with SMS/email notification
• Cheque return charges: Payable only where customer is at fault

PART VI: DIGITAL PAYMENTS & PAYMENT SYSTEMS (2025-2026)

KEY UPDATE: RTGS and NEFT are now 24x7x365. UPI transactions crossed 17 billion/month in 2025-26. RBI introduced UPI One World for foreign visitors. ECS has been fully REPLACED by NACH.

ATM Guidelines (Current)

• Free transactions: 5/month at own bank ATMs; 3/month (metros) / 5/month (non-metros) at other bank ATMs
• Charge beyond free limit: Max ₹21 per financial transaction (from January 1, 2022)
• Cash withdrawal dispute resolution: Within 7 working days (else ₹100/day penalty to customer)
• Cardless cash withdrawal via UPI QR at ATMs — permitted
• Talking ATMs with Braille keypads: At least one-third of new ATMs

PART VII: NPA MANAGEMENT, SARFAESI & IBC (2024-2026)

NPA Classification Norms

SARFAESI Act — Latest Judgments (2024-2026)

• Celir LLP v. Bafna Motors (2024) 2 SCC 1: Right of redemption under Section 13(8) EXTINGUISHES on date of valid publication of auction notice (NOT on sale deed execution)
• M. Rajendran v. M/s KPK Oils (2025 INSC 1137): Reaffirmed Celir LLP — urged legislative clarification on Rules 8/9
• 2025 INSC 1144: Section 13(8) 2016 Amendment is NOT retrospective — applies from September 1, 2016
• SBI v. Tanya Energy (2025 SCC OnLine SC 1979): OTS is a CONCESSION not a right — courts cannot compel banks to grant OTS
• Chaitanya Mandal v. Auxilo Finserve (2026 INSC 408): SARFAESI debt recovery cannot be indefinitely stalled — school ordered closed
• DRAT 2026 — Gupta Trading Co. v. Bank of India: Failure to give mandatory 30-day notice before auction vitiates the entire auction sale
• DRAT 2026 — PNB v. Birendra Kachhap: Forfeiture of 25% auction deposit on default is valid

IBC Amendment Act 2026 — Key Changes

Passed by Lok Sabha (March 30, 2026) and Rajya Sabha (April 1, 2026) — most significant reform since IBC’s enactment in 2016:

IBC STATISTICS (FY2023-24): Total CIRPs admitted: 7,058 | Resolved by plan: 978 | Liquidation ordered: 2,531 | Average CIRP duration: 716 days (vs. 330-day limit) | Debt recovered through plans: ₹3.16 lakh crore | Total resolved (direct + pre-admission): over ₹26 lakh crore

PART VIII: BANKING REGULATION ACT — KEY PROVISIONS

Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs) — 2024-25

PART IX: KEY BANKING DEFINITIONS & MSME

PART X: IMPORTANT SUPREME COURT JUDGMENTS (2024-2026)

NI Act / Cheque Bounce

IBC Cases (2024-2026)

PART XI: FINANCIAL INCLUSION & GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

PART XII: IMPORTANT NUMBERS & THRESHOLDS (MAY 2026)

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR CANDIDATES:

1. This article replaces all 2013 data with current 2025-2026 figures. All interest rates, LRS limits, PSL limits, and KYC norms have been updated.
2. Obsolete topics removed: 2013 monetary policy rates, Dr. D. Subbarao era announcements, CRGFTLIH scheme (discontinued), 20/80 gold import scheme (abolished), ECS (replaced by NACH), non-CTS cheques clearing, LIBOR-based rates.
3. For exam preparation: Focus on IBC Amendment Act 2026, FEMA Export-Import Regulations 2026, PSL Directions 2025, and SC judgments 2024-2026.
4. RBI Governor: Sanjay Malhotra (from December 11, 2024). Deputy Governors: T. Rabi Shankar, M. Rajeshwar Rao, Swaminathan J., M.D. Patra (as of May 2026).
5. IBC: Average CIRP time = 716 days (FY2023-24). Total resolved through IBC: over ₹26 lakh crore.

Source: RBI Circulars, Monetary and Credit Information Reviews, IBC Laws, Bar and Bench, LiveLaw (2024-2026) | A to Z in Banking | Bhushan Bhatia | May 2026

Monetary Policy Statement Feb 6, 2026

Policy repo rate remains unchanged at 5.25 per cent. Consequently, the standing deposit facility (SDF) rate remains at 5.00 per cent and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate at 5.50 per cent.

Enhancement in Collateral free loan limit from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh

With a view to facilitate improved access to formal credit, support entrepreneurial activity and strengthen last mile credit delivery for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) with limited collateral, it has been decided to enhance the limit of collateral free loans to MSEs from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh. The above provisions shall be applicable to all loans to MSE borrowers sanctioned or renewed on or after April 01, 2026.

Union Budget 2025_26 link to the Press Release Press Information Bureau

Limit for collateral free agricultural loans: Limit for collateral free agricultural loans including loans for allied activities raised from the existing level of ₹1.6 lakh to ₹2 lakh per borrower applicable w.e.f. 01.01.2025. 

Inoperative Accounts / Unclaimed Deposits in banks: The Reserve Bank on December 2, 2024 issued a circular mandating banks to review annually, accounts with no customer transactions for over a year and ensure segregation of scholarship/ DBT/ EBT accounts to facilitate seamless credit, even if they become inoperative. Banks must streamline the process for activating inoperative accounts, including prominently displaying activation guidelines on websites and branches; to adopt customer-friendly measures like KYC updation through digital and non-home branch channels.

🎯 Practice PSL MCQs Interactively

UPI Lite wallet limit revised: UPI Lite wallet limit enhanced to ₹5,000 and per-transaction limit to ₹1,000.

Review of limit of Bulk Deposits for Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding RRBs), Small Finance Banks and Local Area Banks: As per RBI guidelines, it is proposed to revise the definition of bulk deposits as ‘Single Rupee term deposits of ₹3 crore and above’ for SCBs (excluding RRBs) and SFBs; for Local Area Banks as ‘Single Rupee term deposits of ₹1 crore and above’ as applicable in case of RRBs.

Conditions for Upgrade to Standard: For MSME accounts where aggregate exposure of the lenders is less than ₹25 crores (Master Circular - Prudential norms on Income Recognition, Asset Classification and Provisioning pertaining to Advances dt 02.04.2024) 

An account may be considered for upgradation to ‘standard’ only if it demonstrates satisfactory performance during the specified period. ‘Specified Period’ means a period of one year from the commencement of the first payment of interest or principal, whichever is later, on the credit facility with longest period of moratorium under the terms of restructuring package. ‘Satisfactory Performance’ means no payment (interest and/or principal) shall remain overdue for a period of more than 30 days. In case of cash credit / overdraft account, satisfactory performance means that the outstanding in the account shall not be more than the sanctioned limit or drawing power, whichever is lower, for a period of more than 30 days. 

Conditions for Upgrade to Standard for all accounts other than MSME less than ₹25 crores (Master Circular - Prudential norms on Income Recognition, Asset Classification and Provisioning pertaining to Advances dt 02.04.2024)

Standard accounts classified as NPA and NPA accounts retained in the same category on restructuring by the lenders may be upgraded only when all the outstanding loan / facilities in the account demonstrate ‘satisfactory performance during the period from the date of implementation of RP up to the date by which at least 10 per cent of the sum of outstanding principal debt as per the RP and interest capitalisation sanctioned as part of the restructuring, if any, is repaid (‘monitoring period’).

Provided that the account cannot be upgraded before one year from the commencement of the first payment of interest or principal (whichever is later) on the credit facility with longest period of moratorium under the terms of RP.

Restructuring of frauds/willful defaulters (Master Circular - Prudential norms on Income Recognition, Asset Classification and Provisioning pertaining to Advances dt 02.04.2024)

Borrowers who have committed frauds/ malfeasance/ willful default will remain ineligible for restructuring. However, in cases where the existing promoters are replaced by new promoters, and the borrower company is totally delinked from such erstwhile promoters/management, lenders may take a view on restructuring such accounts based on their viability, without prejudice to the continuance of criminal action against the erstwhile promoters/management.

Categories of NPAs

Banks are required to classify non-performing assets further into the following three categories based on the period for which the asset has remained non-performing and the realisability of the dues:

1. Substandard Assets

2. Doubtful Assets

3. Loss Assets

Substandard Assets

With effect from March 31, 2005, a substandard asset would be one, which has remained NPA for a period less than or equal to 12 months. Such an asset will have well defined credit weaknesses that jeopardise the liquidation of the debt and are characterised by the distinct possibility that the banks will sustain some loss, if deficiencies are not corrected.

Doubtful Assets

With effect from March 31, 2005, an asset would be classified as doubtful if it has remained in the substandard category for a period of 12 months. A loan classified as doubtful has all the weaknesses inherent in assets that were classified as sub­standard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, – on the basis of currently known facts, conditions and values – highly questionable and improbable.

Loss Assets

A loss asset is one where loss has been identified by the bank or internal or external auditors or the RBI inspection, but the amount has not been written off wholly. In other words, such an asset is considered uncollectible and of such little value that its continuance as a bankable asset is not warranted although there may be some salvage or recovery value.

Differential Rate of Interest (DRI) Scheme

Under the DRI Scheme, banks provide finance up to ₹15,000/- at a concessional rate of interest of 4 per cent per annum to the weaker sections of the community for engaging in productive and gainful activities. In order to ensure that persons belonging to SCs/STs also derive adequate benefit under the DRI Scheme, banks have been advised to grant eligible borrowers belonging to SCs/STs such advances to the extent of not less than 2/5th (40 percent) of total DRI advances. Further, the eligibility criteria under DRI, viz. size of land holding should not exceed 1 acre of irrigated land and 2.5 acres of unirrigated land, are not applicable to SCs/STs. Members of SCs/STs satisfying the income criteria of the scheme can also avail of housing loan up to ₹20,000/- per beneficiary over and above the individual loan of ₹15,000/- available under the scheme.

Bulk FD limit for RRBs raised to Rs 1 crore
In an effort to raise more funds, RBI has upped the criteria for ‘bulk deposits’ for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) from the current Rs. 15 lakhs to Rs. 1 crore. According to the amended rules, Bulk Deposit means Single Rupee term deposits of Rs. 2 crore and above for SCBs (excluding RRBs) and Small Finance Banks (SFBs) and Single Rupee term deposits of Rs. 1 crore and above for RRBs.

Customers to benefit from premature withdrawal facility for TDs up to ₹1 crore
In a welcome move, all domestic Term Deposits (TDs) of ₹1 crore and below received from individual customers shall now benefit a premature withdrawal facility, after the RBI’s decision to hike the non-callable limit from ₹15 lakh to ₹ 1 crore. Non-callable FDs are those that do not give premature withdrawal facility. Money invested in these FDs remains locked till end of maturity period. Now, RBI has mandated that customers of all commercial and co-operative banks be allowed to prematurely withdraw money from Fixed Deposits (FDs) of up to Rs. 1 crore. This facility shall also be applicable for Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposit/Ordinary Non-Resident (NRO) Deposits.

Credit Enhancement Guarantee Scheme for Scheduled Castes (CEGSSC)

The CEGSSC was launched by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment on May 6, 2015 with the objective of promoting entrepreneurship amongst the Scheduled Castes (SCs), by providing credit enhancement guarantee to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs), which extend financial assistance to these entrepreneurs. IFCI Ltd. has been designated as the Nodal Agency under the scheme, to issue the guarantee cover in favour of MLIs for financing SC entrepreneurs.

Individual SC entrepreneurs/Registered Companies and Societies/Registered Partnership Firms/Sole Proprietorship firms having more than 51% shareholding and management control for the previous 6 months by SC entrepreneurs/ promoters/ members are eligible for guarantee from IFCI Ltd. against the loans extended by MLIs.

The amount of guarantee cover under CEGSSC ranges from a minimum of ₹0.15 cr to a maximum of ₹5.00 cr.

The tenure of guarantee is up to a maximum of 7 years or repayment period, whichever is earlier.

Risk-weight increased for Unsecured Loans

Risk-weight for unsecured personal loans and loans on credit cards, from 100% to 125%.

RBI issues new rules on inoperative, unclaimed savings accounts, FD, deposits
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued comprehensive guidelines on the measures to be implemented by the banks covering various aspects of how to classify deposits and accounts as unclaimed deposits and inoperative accounts respectively, periodic review of such deposits and accounts, fraud prevention measures to be taken for tracing the customers of unclaimed deposits and inoperative accounts, including their nominees/legal heirs for account reactivation, settlement of claims or closure to be followed. According to the new guidelines, only customer induced transactions, and not bank induced transactions, shall be considered for the purpose of classifying an account as ‘inoperative’. Banks are required to conduct an annual examination of accounts if there haven’t been any customer-initiated transactions for more than a year. If an account is deemed inoperative, the banks are not allowed to impose penalties for failing to maintain the required minimum amounts. Activating inactive accounts will not incur any fees. The revised instructions shall come into effect from April 1, 2024.

Enhancing UPI transaction limit for Specified Categories

To encourage the use of UPI for medical and educational services, it is proposed to enhance the limit for payments to hospitals and educational institutions from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh per transaction. Earlier, in December 2021, the transaction limit for UPI payments for Retail Direct Scheme and for IPO subscriptions were increased to ₹5 lakh.

Classification of MSMEs _ URC

The Reserve Bank on December 28, 2023 amended the Master Direction on ‘Lending to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) Sector’. As per the amendment the existing Para 2.2 of the direction was revised as ‘All the above enterprises are required to register online on the Udyam Registration portal and obtain ‘Udyam Registration Certificate’. For PSL purposes banks shall be guided by the classification recorded in the Udyam Registration Certificate (URC).

Shri Manoranjan Mishra appointed as RBI Executive Director

The Reserve Bank on November 1, 2023 appointed Shri Manoranjan Mishra as Executive Director with effect from November 1, 2023. Prior to being promoted as Executive Director.

UDGAM Portal

The Reserve Bank on October 5, 2023 informed that the search facility in UDGAM portal has been made available for 30 banks on September 28, 2023, which covers around 90 per cent of unclaimed deposits (in value terms) in Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund. The Reserve Bank on August 17, 2023 developed a Centralised Web Portal उद्गम UDGAM (Unclaimed Deposits – Gateway to Access inforMation) for use by members of public to facilitate and make it easier for them to search their unclaimed deposits across multiple banks at one place.

Compensation claim with insurance ombudsman raised to Rs. 50 lakhs
Following amendments made by the Finance Ministry, insurance ombudsman offices can now accept complaints relating to claims of up to Rs 50 lakh; an increase of Rs. 20 lakhs from the earlier limit of Rs. 30 lakhs. This change will help resolve grievances of policyholders against insurance companies and their intermediaries or insurance brokers, in a speedy, cost-effective, and fair manner.

Mechanism for Identification and Classification of Wilful Defaulters (21.09.2023)

A lender shall identify and classify a person as a ‘wilful defaulter’ by following the procedure enumerated in these Directions.

(a) (i) The evidence of wilful default shall be examined by an Identification Committee.

(ii) If the Identification Committee is satisfied that an event of wilful default has occurred, it shall issue a show-cause notice to borrower/ guarantor/ promoter/ director/ persons who are in charge and responsible for the management of the affairs of the entity, and call for the submissions.

(iii) After considering the submissions and where satisfied, the Identification Committee shall make a proposal to the review committee for classification as a wilful defaulter by explaining the reasons in writing.

(iv) The borrower/ guarantor/ promoter/ director/ persons who are in charge and responsible for the management of the affairs of the entity shall thereafter be suitably advised about the proposal to classify them as wilful defaulter along with the reasons therefor.

(v) An opportunity shall be provided to borrower/ guarantor/ promoter/ director/ persons who are in charge and responsible for the management of the affairs of the entity for making a written representation against such a proposal within a reasonable time (say 15 days) to the Review Committee.

(vi) The proposal of the Identification Committee along with the written representation received shall be considered by the Review Committee.

(vii) The Review Committee shall provide an opportunity for a personal hearing also to the borrower/ guarantor/ promoter/ director/ persons who are in charge and responsible for the management of the affairs of the entity. However, if the opportunity is not availed or if the personal hearing is not attended by the borrower/ guarantor/ promoter/ director/ persons who are in charge and responsible for the management of the affairs of the entity, the Review Committee shall, after assessing the facts or material on record, including written representation, if any, consider the proposal of the Identification Committee and take a decision.

(viii) The Review Committee shall pass a reasoned order and the same shall be communicated to the wilful defaulter.

Explanation: If the Identification Committee concludes that the borrower/ guarantor/ promoter/ director/ persons who are in charge and responsible for the management of the affairs of the entity, does not qualify for classification as a wilful defaulter, the review committee need not be set up.

(b) (i) Lenders shall formulate the guidelines, based on their board-approved policy, for nominating authorized officers, who would issue the show cause notice and serve written order on behalf of the Identification Committee and Review Committee respectively.

(ii) The show-cause notice and the order served by the authorised officers shall clearly state that this has the approval of the competent authority i.e. identification/review committee.

(c) A non-whole-time director, including an independent director/ nominee director, shall not be considered as wilful defaulter unless it is conclusively established that:

1. the wilful default by the borrower or the guarantor has taken place with their consent or connivance or

2. he/ she was aware of the fact of wilful default by the borrower or the guarantor, as revealed from the proceedings recorded in the minutes of the meeting of the Board or a Committee of the Board, but has not recorded his/ her objections to the same.

Penal Charges in Loan Accounts

The Reserve Bank on August 18, 2023 issued a circular on penal charges that banks and other lending institutions can charge in case of non-compliance of loan contract with the borrower. As per the circular issued, penalty, if charged, for non-compliance with terms and conditions of a loan contract by the borrower shall be treated as ‘penal charges’ and shall not be levied in the form of ‘penal interest’ that is added to the rate of interest charged on the advances. Further. there shall be no capitalisation of penal charges. The new guidelines will be effective from January 1, 2024. 

Priority Sector Lending (Short Note)

Priority sector refers to those sectors of the economy that are considered important for the development of the basic needs of the country and are assigned priority over other sectors by the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). These sectors include agriculture, micro, small and medium enterprises, export credit, education, housing, social infrastructure, renewable energy, and others. The banks are mandated to encourage the growth of such sectors with adequate and timely credit.

The RBI has issued guidelines for priority sector lending, which specify the targets and sub-targets for different categories of banks and the eligible activities under each sector. The RBI also monitors the performance of banks in achieving these targets and provides incentives and disincentives for compliance or non-compliance. The priority sector lending guidelines aim to harmonise the instructions for different types of banks, align them with emerging national priorities, and support inclusive and sustainable development.