What is ASBA:

ASBA means "Application Supported by Blocked Amount", enables investors to apply for IPOs / FPOs and rights issues without making a payment. Instead, the amount is blocked in investors' own account and only an amount proportionate to the shares allotted goes out when allotment is finalized. It is a supplementary process of applying in initial public offers (IPO), right issues and follow on public offers (FPO) made through book building route and co-exists with the current process of using cheque as a mode of payment and submitting applications. Bank is providing this value added service free of cost for issues with book building at Stock Exchanges.

Benefits of ASBA to Investors:

The investor need not pay the application money by cheque rather block his/her bank account to the extent of the application money, thus continue to earn interest on blocked money in the account. The investor does not have to bother about refunds, as in ASBA only an amount proportionate to the securities allotted is taken from the bank account when his/her application is selected for allotment after the basis of allotment is finalized. The application form is simpler and can be downloaded from BSE / NSE websites and need not to visit the office of broker / consultant to collect blank form or deposit the filled up form. The investor deals with the known intermediary i.e. his/her own bank.

The Preamble of the Reserve Bank of India describes the basic functions of the Reserve Bank as: "...to regulate the issue of Bank Notes and keeping of reserves with a view to securing monetary stability in India and generally to operate the currency and credit system of the country to its advantage."

Main Functions Monetary Authority:

Formulates, implements and monitors the monetary policy. Objective: maintaining price stability and ensuring adequate flow of credit to productive sectors.

Regulator and supervisor of the financial system:

Prescribes broad parameters of banking operations within which the country's banking and financial system functions. Objective: maintain public confidence in the system, protect depositors' interest and provide cost-effective banking services to the public.

Manager of Foreign Exchange

Manages the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999. Objective: to facilitate external trade and payment and promote orderly development and maintenance of foreign exchange market in India.

Issuer of currency:

Issues and exchanges or destroys currency and coins not fit for circulation. Objective: to give the public adequate quantity of supplies of currency notes and coins and in good quality.

Developmental role

Performs a wide range of promotional functions to support national objectives.

Related Functions

Banker to the Government: performs merchant banking function for the central and the state governments; also acts as their banker. Banker to banks: maintains banking accounts of all scheduled banks.

A preamble is an introductory and expressionary statement in a document that explains the document's purpose and underlying philosophy What Does Balance Sheet Mean? A financial statement that summarizes a company's assets, liabilities and shareholders' equity at a specific point in time. These three balance sheet segments give investors an idea as to what the company owns and owes, as well as the amount invested by the shareholders.