Paytm Shifts Nodal Account to Axis Bank, RBI Extends Unit Wind-Down Date to March 15

India’s Paytm Payments Bank has been given extra time by the central financial institution to wind down its operations, whereas its father or mother firm has signed on a brand new banking accomplice to attempt to preserve a few of its common merchandise operating and survive its present disaster.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in January ordered Paytm Payments Bank, an affiliate of One 97 Communications (OCL) – also called Paytm, to cease accepting any recent deposits in its accounts, or wallets, from Feb. 29. That deadline was prolonged to March 15, the RBI mentioned on Friday.

“The company (Paytm) has shifted its nodal account to Axis Bank (by opening an escrow account) to continue seamless merchant settlements as before,” Paytm mentioned in a launch.

Paytm QR codes, soundbox and card machines will proceed to work as earlier than, even past March 15, the corporate added.

The motion towards Paytm Payments Bank was triggered by what RBI officers known as persistent non-compliance with rules. Earlier this week, India’s monetary crime preventing company started wanting into particulars of abroad transactions on the platform.

RBI mentioned the deadline extension was to permit clients, together with retailers, “a little more time” to make various preparations.

“No further deposits or credit transactions or top ups shall be allowed in any customer accounts, prepaid instruments, wallets, FASTags, National Common Mobility Cards, etc after March 15, 2024,” it mentioned.

Separately, the RBI additionally issued an in depth set of buyer clarifications.

The regulator mentioned clients can withdraw or use funds from their Paytm Payments Bank accounts and wallets till the time these funds are exhausted however they can’t add any recent funds after March 15.

Customers who obtain their salaries or different transfers together with authorities subsidies into these accounts need to make alternate preparations by mid-March.

Merchants utilizing Paytm’s QR codes for accepting funds can proceed to take action if these QR codes are linked to accounts aside from these held by Paytm Payments Bank.

The financial institution has practically a fifth share of India’s toll collections via a product known as FASTag. The RBI mentioned these FASTags can’t be recharged or topped up after March 15.

Non-executive chairman of Paytm Payments Bank Vijay Shekhar Sharma has met with RBI officers and the finance minister searching for to foyer towards the crackdown, however RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das mentioned on Monday that there could be no overview of its choice.

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