Banks were also advised that SHGs, registered or unregistered, which engaged in promoting the saving habits among their members, would be eligible to open savings bank accounts with banks irrespective of their availment of credit facilities from banks.
It was also decided that flexibility allowed to banks in respect of margins, security norms, etc., as part of the pilot project for savings-linked loans to SHGs would continue. Further it was decided that NABARD would continue to provide refinance to banks under the linkage project at the rates stipulated by NABARD.