Under a Circular dated August 13, 2019 titled ‘Priority Sector Lending – Lending by banks to NBFCs for On-Lending’, bank credit to registered non-banking financial companies (‘NBFCs’) (other than micro finance institutions) for on-lending was eligible for classification as priority sector lending under certain categories up to March 31, 2020. RBI has, by a Circular dated March 23, 2020, extended the erstwhile priority sector classification for the financial year 2020-21. It has further clarified that the existing loans disbursed under the on-lending model will continue to be classified under priority sector till the date of repayment/maturity. Bank credit to registered NBFCs (other than micro finance institutions) and housing finance company for on-lending will now be allowed up to an overall limit of five percent of individual bank’s total priority sector lending. The eligible portfolio under on-lending mechanism is to be computed by averaging across four quarters, to determine adherence to the prescribed cap.