NBFC Services in India

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NBFC Services in India

Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) are a critical pillar of India’s financial system — providing credit, investments, and financial services to segments that banks often cannot reach. From consumer loans and vehicle finance to SME lending, microfinance, and infrastructure funding, NBFCs drive financial inclusion and economic growth.

Setting up and running an NBFC in India is a highly regulated affair. It requires prior approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), minimum Net Owned Funds (NOF) of ₹10 crore (recently revised), and strict ongoing compliance under RBI Master Directions, the Companies Act, and the Scale-Based Regulatory (SBR) Framework introduced by RBI.

We offer end-to-end advisory for NBFC registration, conversion, compliance, and restructuring — covering CoR application with RBI, capital structuring, FEMA compliance, NBFC audits, returns, and ongoing regulatory support — helping promoters, fintechs, and NBFC boards operate with full regulatory confidence.

₹10 Cr
Minimum Net Owned Funds
RBI
Registered & regulated
4-6
Months typical timeline
SBR
Scale-Based Regulatory Framework
Regulations & Frameworks We Work Under
RBI Act, 1934
Companies Act, 2013
RBI Master Directions
SBR Framework
FEMA
PMLA
FPC (Fair Practices Code)
Digital Lending Guidelines

Our NBFC Services

01

NBFC Registration

End-to-end support for Certificate of Registration (CoR) with RBI, from structuring to approval.

02

NBFC Conversion

Conversion of existing companies into NBFCs and transition between NBFC categories.

03

Takeover & M&A

Acquisition, takeover, and restructuring of existing NBFCs with RBI approval and due diligence.

04

Regulatory Compliance

Ongoing compliance under RBI Master Directions, SBR framework, and Fair Practices Code.

05

RBI Returns & Filings

Periodic returns like NBS-1, NBS-2, NBS-7, ALM, FC-GPR, and annual supervisory returns.

06

NBFC Audit

Statutory audit, concurrent audit, and regulatory compliance audit as per RBI requirements.

07

Policies & Framework

Drafting of credit policy, risk management, KYC/AML, fair practices code, and IT/IS policies.

08

Digital Lending Advisory

Compliance support under RBI’s Digital Lending Guidelines, LSP tie-ups, and data governance.

Types of NBFCs We Help Register

Most Common

NBFC-ICC

Investment and Credit Company — financial institutions engaged in lending, investments, and financing activities.

MFI

NBFC-MFI

Microfinance institution focused on small-ticket loans to low-income borrowers and self-employed individuals.

Factoring

NBFC-Factor

Engaged in factoring and assignment of trade receivables to improve business working capital.

Infra

NBFC-IFC

Infrastructure Finance Company providing funding for infrastructure projects and long-term lending.

Housing

HFC

Housing Finance Company — specialized NBFC providing home loans, regulated jointly by RBI and NHB.

P2P

NBFC-P2P

Peer-to-peer lending platform that matches lenders with borrowers under RBI’s P2P framework.

AA

NBFC-AA

Account Aggregator enabling secure, consent-based sharing of financial data between institutions.

Core

CIC / CIC-ND-SI

Core Investment Company holding investments in group companies — used widely in large corporate groups.

Key Eligibility Requirements

Company Structure

Must be a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013 (private or public limited).

Net Owned Funds

Minimum NOF of ₹10 crore (revised by RBI), higher thresholds for specialized NBFC categories.

Clean Directors & Promoters

Directors and promoters must have clean track records — no defaults, frauds, or regulatory actions.

Fit & Proper Criteria

Directors must meet RBI’s Fit and Proper Criteria, including integrity and financial experience.

Financial Business Plan

Detailed 5-year business plan, projections, target customers, and risk framework.

Banker’s Report

No-objection certificate and banker’s report confirming source and genuineness of NOF.

Documents Required

Company & Corporate

  • Certificate of Incorporation
  • MOA & AOA with NBFC objects
  • Board resolution for NBFC registration
  • Shareholding pattern
  • Latest audited financials
  • Net Owned Funds certificate

Directors & Promoters

  • KYC of directors and promoters
  • PAN, Aadhaar, address proof
  • Educational & professional qualifications
  • Net worth certificate
  • Experience in financial services
  • Fit & Proper declaration

Business & Policy

  • Detailed business plan (5 years)
  • Financial projections
  • Credit & risk management policy
  • KYC / AML / Fair Practices Code
  • IT & IS policy framework
  • Banker’s report on NOF

NBFC Registration Process

1

Structuring

Select the appropriate NBFC category, structure capital, and plan the shareholding pattern.

2

Incorporation

Incorporate the company (or restructure existing) with NBFC-compliant objects and NOF.

3

Application

File online application with RBI through COSMOS portal along with physical submission.

4

Scrutiny

Respond to RBI queries, supervisory review, Fit & Proper evaluation, and compliance checks.

5

CoR Grant

Receive Certificate of Registration from RBI and commence regulated NBFC operations.

Why Set Up an NBFC

Tap into India’s growing credit and lending market
RBI-regulated entity with strong market credibility
Flexible product structuring vs traditional banks
Eligible to raise funds from banks, NCDs, and ECBs
Attractive vehicle for fintech and lending tech
Access to priority sector and co-lending partnerships
Opportunity for PE / VC investment and exits
Strategic value in financial services ecosystem

Ongoing NBFC Compliances

Statutory Audit

Annual statutory audit by qualified auditors with NBFC-specific disclosures.

RBI Returns

NBS-1, NBS-2, NBS-7, ALM, CRILC, and other periodic returns to RBI.

Capital Adequacy (CRAR)

Maintain prescribed Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio at all times.

Asset Classification

Income recognition, asset classification, and provisioning as per RBI norms.

Fair Practices Code

Implementation of FPC, grievance redressal, and customer protection measures.

KYC & AML

Customer due diligence, PMLA reporting, STR and CTR to FIU-IND.

Corporate Governance

Board composition, audit committee, risk committee, and SBR framework compliance.

Digital Lending Norms

Compliance with RBI Digital Lending Guidelines, LSP disclosures, and data protection.

FAQs on NBFC Registration & Compliance

What is an NBFC?
A Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) is a company registered under the Companies Act, 2013 and the RBI Act, 1934, engaged in financial activities like lending, investments, leasing, factoring, and acquisition of shares and securities. NBFCs are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India.
How is an NBFC different from a bank?
NBFCs cannot accept demand deposits or issue cheques drawn on themselves, and deposits are not insured by DICGC. They focus on specific credit and financial products, often serving customers and segments underserved by banks, with more flexibility in product structuring.
What is the minimum capital requirement for an NBFC?
The RBI has revised the minimum Net Owned Funds (NOF) requirement to ₹10 crore for most NBFCs, to be achieved in a phased manner by the notified timelines. Specialized categories like NBFC-MFI, NBFC-Factor, and HFCs may have different or higher thresholds.
How long does NBFC registration take?
The NBFC registration process typically takes 4 to 6 months, depending on the completeness of documentation, RBI’s scrutiny, and response to queries. Some applications may take longer due to additional due diligence on promoters or business plans.
What is the Scale-Based Regulatory (SBR) Framework?
The SBR Framework is an RBI regulatory approach that categorizes NBFCs into four layers — Base Layer, Middle Layer, Upper Layer, and Top Layer — based on size, activity, and perceived riskiness. Compliance requirements increase proportionately with the layer. This framework came into effect from October 2022.
Can foreign investors invest in Indian NBFCs?
Yes. 100% FDI is permitted in NBFCs under the automatic route for 18 specified activities, subject to minimum capitalization norms. Certain sectors and activities may require government approval. FC-GPR and FEMA compliance is mandatory for all foreign investments.
Can I buy an existing NBFC instead of starting fresh?
Yes. Acquiring or taking over an existing NBFC is often faster than applying for a fresh CoR. However, any change in control or shareholding above prescribed limits requires prior RBI approval, along with detailed due diligence of the target NBFC and its portfolio.
What are the key ongoing compliance requirements for an NBFC?
Key compliances include statutory audit, periodic RBI returns (NBS-1, NBS-2, NBS-7, ALM), capital adequacy (CRAR), asset classification and provisioning, Fair Practices Code, KYC/AML, corporate governance, SBR framework compliance, and adherence to digital lending guidelines where applicable.

Build a Compliant, Scalable NBFC with Expert Guidance

Partner with our team for end-to-end NBFC advisory — from structuring and RBI registration to audits, returns, and ongoing regulatory compliance.

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