RBI approves merger of Emirates NBD Bank's Indian branches with RBL Bank

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has sanctioned a scheme to merge the Indian branches of Emirates NBD Bank P.J.S.C. into RBL Bank Limited. The RBI announced the approval in a press release dated 16 October 2026. The merger takes effect on 1 December 2026.

What Happened

According to the RBI, it has sanctioned the Scheme of Amalgamation of the Indian branches of Emirates NBD Bank P.J.S.C. with RBL Bank Limited. An amalgamation is a legal process in which the business of one bank is taken over by another. In this scheme, Emirates NBD Bank P.J.S.C. is the transferor bank, the one whose Indian branches are being handed over. RBL Bank Limited is the transferee bank, the one that receives them.

The RBI said it sanctioned the scheme in exercise of its powers under sub-section (4) of Section 44A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. This is the legal provision the release cites for the approval.

The RBI fixed 1 December 2026 as the effective date of the amalgamation. From that date, all the Indian branches of Emirates NBD Bank P.J.S.C. will function as branches of RBL Bank Limited, the release said.

What It Means

The change matters most to people who bank with the Indian branches of Emirates NBD Bank P.J.S.C. According to the RBI, from 1 December 2026 these branches will function as RBL Bank branches. Customers who hold savings accounts, deposits, loans or other services at these branches will therefore deal with RBL Bank Limited from that date.

The RBI release does not set out any changes to interest rates, charges, account numbers, cheque books or other terms of service. Customers who want to know how the change affects a particular account should check directly with their branch or with RBL Bank Limited before the effective date. It also helps to keep copies of any letters or messages the bank sends about the merger.

Customers of either bank who face a service problem that the bank does not resolve can file a complaint with the RBI through its complaint management system at https://cms.rbi.org.in.

Source: RBI press release