The Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN) has welcomed the RBI move to grant in-principle approval to 10 entities to start small finance banks.

The self-regulatory organisation is particularly enthused over the RBI move as eight of the 10 entities approved are microfinance institutions.

All the eight NBFC-MFIs who have got the central bank nod are MFIN members, Ratna Vishwanathan, CEO, MFIN, said in a statement.

In all, 17 MFIN members had applied for the small finance bank licences.

“This is a recognition of the good governance, high standards and responsible business practices adopted by these NBFC- MFI and validates the robustness of the sector,” she said.

MFIN has played a very crucial role in ensuring that NBFC-MFIs have had a level playing field through continuous engagement with the RBI, Ratna said.

MFIN also played a role in the renaming of small banks as small finance banks, Ratna said.

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