Rural Banking engages the attention of the bankers to a great extent. A large number of bankers are involved directly or indirectly in transformation of the rural sector. Hence the importance of rural banking to banks. The book presents different dimensions of rural banking in the country. It traces various schemes and programmes introduced for rural development, where banking system has to play an active role. The rules and regulations introduced from time to time by the controlling authorities in rural banking and the roles of all financial institutions working in rural areas are covered in detail. The book follows the syllabus prescribed for one of the optional papers of CAIIB. It is divided into four Modules dealing with basic features of rural economy; financial services in the rural areas: priority sector lending, poverty alleviation programme; provision for housing and education loans, problems and prospects of rural banking including micro-credit and self-help groups.

MODULE A: RURAL INDIA • Demographic Features 3 • Characteristics of Rural Society • Economic Features • Infrastructure • Agriculture Economy • Rural Development Policies • Rural Issues •
MODULE B: FINANCING RURAL DEVELOPMENT • Regulation of Rural Financial Services • Rural Credit Institutions • Financing Agriculture/Allied Activities • Financing Rural Non-Farm Sector (RNFS) • SME Finance •
MODULE C: PRIORITY SECTOR FINANCING AND GOVT. INITIATIVES • Priority Sector Lending • Poverty Alleviation Programmes • Rural Housing and Education Loans •
MODULE D: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS IN RURAL BANKING • Role of Rural Banking – Emerging Trends in Rural Banking • Transaction Cost and Risk Cost • Financing Poor as Bankable Opportunities Micro Credit and Self-help Groups