Thursday, November 27, 2008

disclose info on processing fees

Banks must disclose info on processing fees: RBI

Mumbai, Nov. 26
The Reserve Bank of India has asked all banks/ financial institutions to ensure that all information relating to charges/fees for processing are always disclosed in the loan application forms.
Further, banks must inform ‘all-in-cost’ to the customer to enable him compare the rates charged with other sources of finance.
Under its guidelines on ‘Fair Practices Code for Lenders — Disclosing all information relating to processing fees / charges,’ the RBI said, loan application forms should include information about the fees/charges, if any, payable for processing; the amount of such fees refundable in the case of non-acceptance of application; pre-payment options and any other matter which affects the interest of the borrower, so that a meaningful comparison with that of other banks can be made and informed decision can be taken by the borrower.
The RBI’s directive comes in the wake of it coming across some banks levying, in addition to a processing fee, certain charges which are not initially disclosed to the borrower.

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