The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) gave approval in principle for 11 entities on Wednesday to set up payments banks.
They are India Post, Reliance Industries Ltd., Aditya Birla Nuvo, Tech Mahindra, Sun Pharma, National Securities Depository Ltd., Airtel M Commerce Services Ltd., Vodafone m-pesa Ltd., Cholamandalam Distribution Services Ltd., Fino PayTech Ltd. and Paytm.
Payments banks will accept deposits upto Rs.1 lakh and remittances, but will not advance loans or issue credit cards. So in other words, they will provide barebones facilities aimed at covering the vast swathe of population that has no access to financial services. They will take deposits, convey remittances and dispense payments to recipients, making them ideal for migrant workers who need to send money home, for instance.