What are Cooperative Banks?
Cooperative Banks are a type of bank in India that are run by the people, for the people. They work on the idea of helping each other—members pool their money to give loans and financial services to fellow members. Instead of focusing only on profit, these banks focus more on supporting their members’ financial needs and building a strong community.
Features of Cooperative Banks in India
Cooperative Banks are special because they are owned and run by the people who use them. That means the customers are also the owners. These banks are called “cooperative” because they are based on teamwork and mutual support.
Everyone has an equal say in how the bank is run—each person gets one vote, no matter how much money they have. The goal isn’t to make huge profits, but to help each other financially. Like regular banks, they give loans and also take deposits from people.
Cooperative Banks are officially formed and registered under a special law made by the state government where they operate. Each state has its own Cooperative Societies Act for this.
At the national level, NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) is the top organization that guides and supports all cooperative banks in India, especially those working in rural areas.
Regulation of Cooperative Banks in India
In India, Cooperative Banks are controlled by two main authorities:
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI):
- The RBI looks after the banking side of things—like making sure the bank has enough money to stay safe, follows lending rules, and manages financial risks properly.
- Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS):
- This is either a state or central government body that takes care of how the bank is set up and run. It handles things like registering the bank, managing its internal operations, checking its accounts, and even dissolving the bank if needed.
So, while the RBI handles financial rules, the RCS takes care of day-to-day management and structure.
Difference between Commercial Banks and Cooperative Banks
| Basis of Difference | Commercial Banks | Cooperative Banks |
|---|---|---|
| Formed as | Joint-stock Banks | Co-operative organizations |
| Governing Act | Banking Regulation Act, 1949 | Co-operative Societies Act of 1904 |
| Regulation | Controlled directly by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) | Governed by the Registrar of Co-operative Societies |
| SLR and CRR Requirements | Relatively Higher | Relatively Lower |
| Services Offered | Offer a wide range of banking services | Offer a limited range of banking services |
| Area of Operation | Operate on a large scale, usually across the country | Operate on a small scale, generally region-specific |
| Main Functions | Provide short-term finance to industry, trade, commerce, etc. | Primarily meet the credit needs of farmers and rural borrowers |
| Rate of Interest | Lower interest rates on deposits | Slightly higher interest rates on deposits |
| Borrowers | Only account holders; no voting rights or policy influence | Member-shareholders; have voting rights and influence on lending policy |
| Flexibility in Lending | More flexible in lending options | Limited flexibility due to strict cooperative rules |
Structure of Cooperative Banks in India
In India, Cooperative Banks are mainly divided into two types based on where they operate:
- Rural Cooperative Banks (RCBs):
- These work mostly in villages and small towns. They focus on helping farmers and people in rural areas with their banking needs like loans for farming, seeds, equipment, etc.
- Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs):
- These operate in cities and towns. They serve small businesses, workers, and lower- to middle-income groups by offering savings accounts, loans, and other basic banking services.
Each of these categories is further broken down into smaller types based on the level they operate at and the kind of services they offer.
Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) –
These are banks that mostly work in cities and towns.
They usually give loans to small business owners, shopkeepers, and individuals who need financial help.
Based on how they are regulated, UCBs are divided into:
- Scheduled Banks –
- These are listed in the RBI’s Schedule and follow stricter rules.
- Non-Scheduled Banks –
- These are not listed in the RBI’s Schedule and follow simpler rules.
Rural Cooperative Banks (RCBs) –
These banks are meant for villages and rural areas.
They support farmers and rural workers by giving them loans and other financial services.
Based on the purpose and duration of loans, RCBs are of two types:
- Short-Term Structure –
- These provide loans for short needs like buying seeds or fertilizers.
- Long-Term Structure –
- These give loans for longer purposes like buying tractors or improving farmland.
Short-Term Structures
Short-Term Rural Cooperative Credit Structure
These banks give loans for up to 1 year to help farmers with things like buying seeds, fertilizers, and doing seasonal farming work.
They work in three levels (3-tier system):
State Cooperative Banks (SCBs)
- They operate at the state level.
- Every state has one SCB, which is like the head office for cooperative banks in that state.
- It acts as a link between RBI/NABARD and lower-level banks like DCCBs and PACS.
District Cooperative Central Banks (DCCBs)
- These banks work at the district level.
- They take money from the State Cooperative Bank and give loans to village-level societies (PACS) and also to farmers.
Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS)
- These are the smallest units, working at the village or Gram Panchayat level.
- They are directly connected with farmers, giving small loans for farming needs.
- Their loan period is usually 1 to 3 years.
Long-Term Rural Cooperative Credit Structure
These banks provide loans for bigger farming needs that take more time and money, like buying a tractor, digging a well, or improving land.
Loan periods range from 1.5 years to 25 years.
They work in two levels (2-tier system):
State Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Banks (SCARDBs)
- These banks work at the state level.
- They give long-term loans for things like rural development and big agricultural projects.
Primary Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Banks (PCARDBs)
- These banks work at the local level in rural areas.
- They help small and marginal farmers, agricultural workers, and rural artisans with loans for long-term development.
Significance of Cooperative Banks in India
Cooperative banks have a unique way of working, which makes them really important for India’s economy especially for people in villages and small towns. Here’s what makes them so valuable:
1. Reaching the Unbanked (Financial Inclusion)
Many people in India still don’t use banks. Cooperative banks help bring banking to those who’ve never had it before, especially in rural and remote areas.
2. Easy Loans for Everyone (Access to Credit)
These banks give easy loans at reasonable interest rates, which helps farmers, small shop owners, and others who often can’t get loans from big banks.
3. Helping People Save (Promoting Savings)
They encourage people to save money by offering savings and deposit schemes that fit the daily needs of people in rural areas.
4. Supporting Local Needs (Local Development)
Because they are deeply rooted in their communities, cooperative banks understand local problems and provide financial help for things like farming, irrigation, or small business growth.
5. Uplifting Rural India (Rural Development)
Most cooperative banks are located in rural areas and focus on helping farmers, small businesses, and poor families meet their financial needs.
6. Teaching Money Skills (Financial Literacy)
They also teach people how to manage money wisely, understand loans, savings, and banking—something very important in areas with low education levels.
Driving Inclusive Growth
By giving financial help to people who are often left out by big banks, cooperative banks boost small businesses, self-employment, and local industries.
They are especially helpful for people who don’t meet the strict rules of commercial banks.
As India continues to grow and use more digital technology, cooperative banks have the power to help even more people—in both rural and urban areas—leading the country toward fair and inclusive economic progress.
Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2020
In light of the crises related to some UCBs, the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 was amended through the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2020. It is aimed to bring all the UCBs and Multi-State Cooperative Banks under the direct supervision of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Major Features of the Act
- Earlier, the Co-operative Banks were exempted from several provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. The 2020 Amendment Act applies some of these provisions to them, making their regulation under the Act similar to that of commercial banks.
- It seeks to expand RBI regulatory control over cooperative banks with respect to management, capital, audit, and winding up.
- The RBI may prescribe conditions and qualifications for the employment of the Chairman of these banks. (Previously, it was allowed only for multi-state cooperative banks.)
- RBI may remove a Chairman who does not meet ‘fit and proper’ criteria and appoint a suitable person.
- It may issue directions to reconstitute the Board of Directors in order to ensure a sufficient number of qualified members.
- The RBI may supersede the Board of Directors of a cooperative bank after consultation with the State Government.
- It allows the RBI to undertake mergers and restructuring of a bank in the public interest, without having to order a moratorium, which not only limits withdrawals by depositors but also disrupts the bank’s lending operations.
- Previously, RBI had to first place a bank under a moratorium before preparing a revival scheme for stressed banks, and during the moratorium, no legal action could be initiated.
- The audit of these banks would be conducted on par with scheduled commercial banks.
- Certain provisions relating to winding up and special provisions for speedy disposal of winding up proceedings of banks will now be applicable to these banks.
- The amendment act does not affect the existing powers of the State Registrars of Co-operative Societies under state cooperative laws.
- The amendments do not apply to Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) or co-operative societies whose primary object and principal business is long-term finance for agricultural development.
Conclusion
Cooperative banks are a pillar of India’s banking system, offering affordable financial services to rural and urban communities. They focus on financial inclusion, agricultural support, and small business growth, making them essential for India’s economy. Despite facing challenges like governance issues and limited capital, cooperative banks are evolving with digital banking and fintech partnerships. With proper reforms and modernization, they will continue to play a vital role in India’s financial sector.
FAQ’s
Which is the first Cooperative Bank in India?
The first Cooperative Bank in India was the Anyonya Co-operative Bank (ACBL), established in 1889 in Vadodara, Gujarat. It is no longer operational now.
Who regulates Cooperative Banks in India?
They come under the dual control of the Reserve Bank of India and the Registrar of Cooperative Societies of the respective state or central government. While the RBI regulates the banking aspects, the Registrar of Co-operative Societies regulates management-related aspects of these banks.
