RBI Simplifies Guidelines for Opening New Branches by Money Changers

[RBI Circular No. 12 dated 10^th September 2015]

Sub: Guidelines for Grant of Authorisation for Additional Branches of FFMC/AD Cat. II.

Attention of FFMC/AD Cat. II licence holders is invited to paragraph (B) of Annex- I to A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 57 dated March 9, 2009 on Memorandum of Instructions governing money changing activities, wherein guidelines for grant of authorization for additional branches had been given.

2. As part of further simplification of the guidelines, it has now been decided to incorporate the changes in the guidelines in respect of submission of documents by the applicant FFMC/AD Cat. II while applying for authorization for an additional branch. The existing guidelines in respect of required documents and revised position are provided in the table below:--

SNo.	Documents required to be submitted as per existing guidelines	Revised Position
1.	Copy of latest audited accounts with a certificate from Statutory Auditors regarding position of NOF as on date of application.	Only a certificate from Proprietor/Partner/Director /CFO of the entity as regards the position of NOF is required to be submitted.
2.	Confidential Report from applicant’s banker.	This requirement shall be dispensed with.
3.	Declaration to the effect that no proceedings have been initiated or are pending with DoE/DRI	The declaration has to be submitted every time an application for authorisation of a new branch is made, as per existing instructions.
4.	A copy of KYC/AML/CFT policy framework existing in the company	Only a declaration to be submitted that there is no change in the KYC/AML/CFT policy framework since its last submission to RBI. However, in case there is a change, a copy of the revised/latest version of the policy shall be required to be submitted.
5.	Brief write-up on the internal control systems, including internal and external audit.	Only a declaration to be submitted to the effect that there is no change in the internal control systems including internal and external audit since submission of the last write-up to RBI. However, in case there is a change, the revised/latest write-up shall be required to be submitted.

3. The revised guidelines will come into force with immediate effect.

4. The directions contained in this circular have been issued under Section 10(4) and Section 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999) and are without prejudice to permissions / approvals, if any, required under any other law.