Bank of Baroda Gets RBI Nod for Standalone PD Subsidiary
Why in the news
RBI cleared Bank of Baroda’s plan to move primary dealing into its own subsidiary, a step in PSB restructuring.
Key facts
- BoB will hive off PD activity from its balance sheet into a wholly owned SPD.
- Final setup needs other regulatory approvals.
- SLF ceiling for SPDs lifted by RBI, Rs 10,000 crore to Rs 15,000 crore (from April 2, 2025), priced at repo.
Background
- RBI began the PD system in 1995 to deepen the G-Sec market.
- From 2006-07 banks could run PD business departmentally.
- RBI now favours clearer risk separation via SPDs.
About Primary Dealers
- RBI-registered NBFCs acting as middlemen in the G-Sec market for liquidity and smooth debt issuance.
- Functions: buy G-Secs from RBI, underwrite and distribute them, trade in the secondary market.
- Bank PDs: a department inside a commercial bank.
- SPDs: wholly owned bank subsidiaries, or NBFCs under the Companies Act.
About Bank of Baroda
- MD and CEO Dr. Debadatta Chand; HQ Vadodara, Gujarat; established 1908.
Exam angle
- PD system launched: 1995.