GOLD CARD SCHEME FOR EXPORTERS

Exports play a crucial role in a developing economy like India which attaches considerable importance to export promotion. With a view to further simplify access of Bank credit to exporters especially small and medium exporters and make it borrower friendly in terms of procedure and credit terms, the Minister of Commerce and Industry had proposed issuance of a Gold Card to Credit Worthy Exporters with good track record for easy availability of export credit on best terms. Accordingly, a Gold Card Scheme has been worked out by RBI in consultation with select banks and exporters. The scheme envisages certain additional benefits based on the record of performance of exporters. The Gold Card holders would enjoy simpler and more efficient credit delivery mechanism in recognition of his good track record. The Gold Card Scheme has been introduced in our Bank, the details of which are as under: 

1. The card offered by the bank will be known as "PSB EXPO GOLD CARD SCHEME 

Eligibility:

1. All credit worthy exporters dealing with the bank for a minimum period of three years with good track record.

2. Exporters whose accounts have been classified as 'Standard' continuously for a period of three years and there are no irregularities/adverse features in the conduct of the accounts will be considered as having good track record.

3. Exporters in the Small and Medium Sector who satisfy the laid down conditions will also be eligible under the scheme. Exporters enjoying export credit limits (excluding FOBLC) of Rs.1 crores & above and annual export sales routed through our bank not less than Rs.5 crores during the preceding one calendar year/financial year will be eligible for PSB Expo Gold Card. 

4. The scheme will not be applicable to those exporters who are blacklisted by ECGC or included in RBI's defaulter's list/caution list or making losses for the past 3 years or having overdue export bills in excess of 10 per cent of the previous year's turnover. 


Fixation of Credit Limits :
1. Application for credit will be processed faster than other exporters. The time frame fixed for disposal of applications received for sanction of credit under the scheme is as follows:- 

For disposal of fresh applications    25 days 
Renewal of limits    15 days 
Sanction of adhoc limits    07 days

2. Bank is already following a liberal approach in respect of export finance. Bank will allow 'In-principle' sanction of limits for three years with a provision for automatic renewal subject to fulfillment of terms and conditions of sanction. Sanctioning Authority will also introduce a clause in the terms & conditions of sanction that party will be submitting all the financial papers and other information required by the bank for the renewal and reviewal of account periodically. 

3. PCFC requirements of the PSB Expo Gold Card holders will be met by giving them priority. Their FCDL requirements will also be given priority over non-export borrowers subject to availability of funds.

4. Export credit in foreign currency will be provided on priority basis at LIBOR + 0.75% p.a. subject to availability of funds. In case sufficient dollars are not available with the bank to lend to the exporter at a particular time, service charges at flat rate of 0.1% will be charged by the bank on the inter-bank foreign currency borrowings for the purpose, subject to availability of funds.

5. Bank will consider granting Term Loan in Foreign Currency in deserving cases out of their FCNR(B), RFC, etc. funds subject to availability of funds.

6. Sufficient powers have already been vested with the field functionaries for sanction of adhoc limits to meet urgent credit requirements of exporters. Urgent credit requirements of PSB Expo Gold Card holders will be met on priority basis. In the case of exporters of seasonal commodities, the peak and off-peak levels will be appropriately specified. 

7. With a view to capture only those particulars which are relevant for sanctioning export credit, the Loan Application Form for export credit for Gold Card Holder devised by Indian Banks Association has been adopted. 

8. In case of unanticipated export orders, norms for inventory may be relaxed, taking into account the size and nature of export order.

9. Since the bonafides of the Gold Card holder is already established based on credit worthiness and track record, the same will be given due consideration by the sanctioning authority in respect of security and collaterals while granting export credit under the PSB Expo Gold Card scheme.

Rate of Interest :

1. Rate of interest charged on Rupee Export Credit to the Gold Card Holders will be lower than the normal rate of interest charged by the bank as under:- 

For exporters having credit rating 1 & 2  lower by 0.5% than the normal
rate of interest charged by the bank
For exporters having credit rating 3 & 4  lower by 0.25% than the normal
rate of interest charged by the bank


2. In respect of PSB Expo Gold Card holders, the concessive rate of interest on post-shipment rupee export credit applicable upto 90 days will be extended for a maximum period of 365 days.

Service Charges :
1. All PSB Expo Gold Card holders will be offered discount of 15% in service charges and fee structure for various services/ transactions subject to compliance of FEDAI guidelines.

2. PSB Expo Gold Card holders, in view of their credit worthiness will be considered for exemption from ECGC policy at the discretion of the bank.

Tenure :

1. The Gold Card will be issued for a period of 3 years and will be automatically renewed for a further period of 3 years, unless there are adverse features/irregularities in the account. In case of any misuse of the card or observance of any violation of the terms & conditions, the bank will have the right to recall the card any time.

2. The exporter's record of performance will be reviewed periodically with a view to pass on the benefit of better terms and conditions including rate of interest for better performance.

The following additional facilities/benefits will be allowed to the holders of PSB Expo Gold Card :-

i. Waiving of Annual Fee for the first year on the Credit Card and 50% discount for second year onwards subject to satisfactory utilisation of Credit Card.

ii. Better exchange rates & exchange rates on daily basis will be provided by the branches through E-Mail wherever feasible.

iii.Customer Education Programme will be conducted by the bank for them in which International developments and latest RBI guidelines will be discussed.

iv. Problems of the Gold Card Holders will be discussed and immediate remedial measures will be taken." 

Till the Gold Card is finalised, Zonal Managers may issue letters to the exporters considered eligible by them under 'PSB Expo Gold Card' Scheme. They may submit their requirement of 'PSB Expo Gold Card' and Loan Application Form for 'PSB Expo Gold Card' holders to H.O. Stationery Deptt. and obtain the same from them.

Zonal Managers are advised to take keen interest in the scheme in order to popularise the same and implement in true spirit. Banners be also displayed at the concerned Branches.

One of the criteria of Eligibility for PSB Expo Gold Card was that exporters enjoying export credit limits (excluding FOBLC) of Rs.1 crores & above and annual export sales routed through our bank not less than Rs.5 crores during the preceding one calendar 
year/financial year will be eligible for PSB Expo Gold Card. 

With a view to extend the scheme to all credit worthy exporters including those in Small and Medium Enterprises segment and to simplify credit access, it has been decided to waive the condition of export credit limits and turnover stipulated earlier.