
The National Housing Bank, or NHB, is a crucial institution in India's housing finance sector. It was established in 1988 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India.
The NHB's primary objective is to promote housing finance in India, which has been a significant challenge in the country. It does this by providing financial assistance to housing finance companies and other institutions.
One of the key ways the NHB achieves its goal is by offering refinance facilities to housing finance companies. This allows these companies to extend loans to homebuyers, helping to increase the availability of housing finance in India.
The NHB has been successful in its mission, with significant growth in the housing finance sector over the years.
Related reading: Bank Finance
About NHB
The National Housing Bank (NHB) is a government-owned financial institution in India established in 1988. It was set up to promote the availability of housing finance to individuals, households, and small and medium enterprises.
The NHB's primary goal is to provide financial assistance to housing finance companies, commercial banks, and other financial institutions for the purpose of providing housing loans to borrowers.
The NHB aims to promote the development of the housing finance sector in India through the provision of technical assistance and advisory services to housing finance institutions.
The NHB's vision is to promote a healthy and sustainable housing finance market in India that meets the diverse needs of all segments of the population, including the underserved and vulnerable.
The NHB's vision is to contribute to the overall economic development of the country by promoting the growth of the housing sector in India.
Here are some of the key objectives of the NHB:
- Promote the availability of long-term finance for housing in India
- Develop and maintain a stable and efficient housing finance market in the country
- Encourage the growth of the housing sector in India
- Foster the development of affordable housing solutions for all segments of the population, including low-income groups and underserved communities
- Promote the use of technology and innovation in the housing finance sector
- Foster a culture of financial inclusion and responsible lending practices in the housing finance industry
The NHB also aims to play a central role in promoting the growth of the housing sector in India and ensuring that all individuals have access to affordable and sustainable housing solutions.
Governance
The National Housing Bank is governed by a Board of Directors, which is responsible for overseeing the bank's operations and making key decisions.
The Board of Directors consists of 12 members, including the Chairman and Managing Director, as well as representatives from various government ministries and financial institutions.
The bank's governance structure ensures that it operates in a transparent and accountable manner, with clear lines of authority and decision-making processes.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is a crucial component of a company's governance structure. They are responsible for overseeing the company's strategy, direction, and performance.
A typical Board of Directors consists of 5-15 members, including the CEO, who also serves as a member. Each member brings their unique expertise and experience to the table.
The Board's primary role is to provide strategic guidance and oversight, rather than day-to-day management. This allows the CEO and management team to focus on executing the company's plans.
In terms of composition, the Board should have a mix of internal and external members, including independent directors who are not affiliated with the company. This helps to ensure that the Board is diverse and objective.
Effective Board dynamics are critical to the Board's success. This includes regular communication, respectful dialogue, and a clear decision-making process.
For more insights, see: Dbs Bank Ceo
Who Regulates NHB?
The NHB used to act as the housing finance regulator in India until 2019.
In August 2019, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) took over the powers to regulate HFCs from the NHB following a crisis caused by funds mismanagement in various non-banking housing finance companies.
The RBI provided a formal definition of 'housing finance', which includes financing for residential dwelling units, furnishing, and loans against property.
The RBI's definition of housing finance is more comprehensive than the NHB's regulations.
The RBI introduced strict norms to make HFCs more accountable as the new HFC regulator.
In 2019, the government took over the NHB after deciding to hand over the regulation authority over the housing finance sector to the RBI.
Functions and Powers
The National Housing Bank (NHB) plays a crucial role in regulating and promoting the housing finance sector in India. With its powers, it oversees and regulates housing finance companies, ensuring the sector remains secure.
NHB's regulatory oversight involves inspecting and penalizing companies that violate guidelines, as seen in the case of GIC Housing Finance, which was fined Rs 47,000 along with 18% GST in December 2020.
One of the key functions of NHB is refinancing, which it offers to housing finance institutions, ensuring a steady flow of funds. This is essential for the growth and development of the housing finance sector.
NHB also promotes investments in the housing and housing finance sectors by devising investment-friendly policies. This encourages investments, which is vital for the sector's growth.
The NHB's developmental role involves fostering the growth and development of the housing finance sector through research, surveys, training, and consultancy services. This helps the sector stay updated and informed.
Here are the key functions of NHB in a concise format:
- Regulatory Oversight: NHB oversees and regulates housing finance companies.
- Refinancing: It offers refinancing options to housing finance institutions.
- Promoting Investments: NHB encourages investments in the housing and housing finance sectors.
- Developmental Role: It fosters the growth and development of the housing finance sector.
Initiatives and Schemes
The National Housing Bank (NHB) is involved in several government housing schemes, such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and the Rural Housing Fund (RHF).
The NHB also launched NHB RESIDEX, India's first official residential housing price index, in 2007. It was revamped in 2015 and re-introduced in 2017 with updated strategies and a new base year of 2012-13.
The NHB RESIDEX provides quarterly updates for under-construction housing prices in 50 cities, based on two housing price indices (HPI) – at assessment prices and at market prices. The prices are classified under three categories, based on the carpet area size at the city level.
Here are some key statistics from the NHB RESIDEX:
- Annual growth in HPI ranged from 22.1% in Hyderabad to -6.8% in Chakan at the end of the April-June quarter of 2019.
- Composite housing prices in 50 Indian cities increased by only about 4% annually, between June 2013 and September 2020.
The NHB also provided refinance support of Rs 14,000 crores under the special refinance facility (SRF) and an additional special refinance facility (ASRF) during May-August 2020.
Government Schemes Under NHB
The National Housing Bank (NHB) is involved in several government housing schemes that aim to provide affordable housing to the urban poor and promote the growth of the housing sector in India.
One of the notable schemes is the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), which is designed to provide affordable housing to the urban poor.
The Rural Housing Fund (RHF) is another important scheme that provides support to housing finance companies and banks that finance rural housing.
Check this out: Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program
NHB's government housing schemes have a significant impact on the lives of millions of people in India, providing them with access to affordable housing and improving their overall quality of life.
Here are some of the key government housing schemes under NHB:
These schemes demonstrate NHB's commitment to promoting affordable housing and improving the lives of people in India.
NHB Sunidhi FD Rates Core: NHB Sunidhi FD Rates
NHB Sunidhi FD Rates offer attractive interest rates, but be sure to check the official NHB website for the latest rates as they are subject to change.
NHB Sunidhi FD Rates can be checked on the official NHB website for the most up-to-date information.
The interest rates for NHB Sunidhi FD Rates are attractive, making it a worthwhile option for those looking to invest in a fixed deposit scheme.
A different take: Canara Bank Housing Loan Interest Rate
NHB Suvriddhi FD Rates
The NHB Suvriddhi FD is a tax-saving fixed deposit scheme that offers a great way to save for the future while also getting tax benefits.
You can avail of tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act by investing in this scheme.
The National Housing Bank plays a significant role in shaping the housing finance sector in India through its various schemes and objectives.
By investing in the NHB Suvriddhi FD, you can contribute to the nation's development by enabling affordable housing and promoting investments.
NHB RESIDEX
NHB RESIDEX is a powerful tool for tracking changes in housing prices across India. It's a residential housing price index that was first launched in July 2007, but was revamped in 2015 and re-introduced in 2017 with updated methodology and a new base year of 2012-13.
The index covers 50 housing markets and provides quarterly updates on under-construction housing prices. It's designed to track changes in housing prices at the neighbourhood, city, and national levels.
The NHB RESIDEX comes up with quarterly updates for under-construction housing prices in 50 cities, based on two housing price indices (HPI) – at assessment prices and at market prices. Prices of under-construction property are captured in the market HPI while numbers reported by banks are collated into the assessment HPI.
Here's a breakdown of the NHB RESIDEX's coverage:
- 50 housing markets are currently covered
- Plans are underway to expand this number to 100 markets in the future
- Quarterly updates are provided for under-construction housing prices in 50 cities
- Two housing price indices (HPI) are used: assessment prices and market prices
According to the NHB RESIDEX, composite housing prices in 50 Indian cities increased by only about 4% annually, between June 2013 and September 2020. The HPI recorded an overall increase in 43 cities, decrease in five cities, and no change in two cities, year on year.
History and Organization
The National Housing Bank (NHB) was established in 1988 under the National Housing Bank Act, 1987. It's a Government of India-owned financial institution headquartered in New Delhi.
The bank was initially 100% owned by the Reserve Bank of India, but the stake was transferred to the Government of India in 2019. This move marked a significant shift in the bank's ownership structure.
NHB's primary mandate is to promote the development of the housing finance market in India and provide long-term finance to housing companies and other institutions. Its activities are guided by this overarching goal.

Here are some key functions of NHB:
- Policy Formulation: NHB helps create housing finance policies and provides recommendations to the government.
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY): NHB supports PMAY, a scheme for affordable housing, by coordinating with lending institutions and managing financial resources.
- Capacity Building: NHB conducts training programs to improve skills and knowledge in the housing finance sector.
- Research and Market Analysis: NHB studies the housing finance market to gather insights and data for policymaking.
- Collaborations: NHB partners with organisations to share knowledge and best practices.
- Digital Transformation: NHB uses digital technologies for better processes and transparency in housing finance.
NHB's headquarters is located in New Delhi, and it plays a crucial role in regulating and supervising the activities of Housing Finance Companies (HFCs) in India.
Benefits and Goals
The National Housing Bank (NHB) was formed to promote a sound, safe, sustainable, and cost-effective mortgage lending framework to appeal to all sections of the population.
NHB has several key objectives, including promoting the growth of the housing finance market in India, providing long-term finance to housing companies, and regulating the activities of housing finance companies.
One of the main goals of NHB is to promote the availability of housing finance to individuals, households, and small and medium enterprises. To achieve this, NHB provides financial assistance to housing finance companies, commercial banks, and other financial institutions.
NHB also aims to promote the development of the housing finance sector in India through the provision of technical assistance and advisory services to housing finance institutions. This includes initiatives to promote affordable housing, encourage the use of technology and innovation in the sector, and foster financial inclusion and responsible lending practices.
Curious to learn more? Check out: Td Bank Lending
Here are some of the specific benefits that NHB provides:
- Financial assistance to housing finance companies and banks
- Regulation and supervision of housing finance companies
- Promotion of long-term finance for housing
- Developmental and promotional activities to encourage the growth of the housing sector
NHB's mission is to make housing affordable and accessible to all, particularly the underprivileged and those residing in rural areas. To achieve this, NHB provides support and guidance to institutions that extend housing loans and supplies necessary funds to various housing finance institutions.
By achieving its goals, NHB aims to promote the growth of the housing sector, which in turn positively impacts the economy. This includes increasing access to housing loans, making housing more affordable for many, and promoting innovative financial products to cater to diverse housing needs.
Here's an interesting read: Huntington National Bank Sba Loans
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Housing_Bank
- https://byjus.com/full-form/nhb-full-form/
- https://housing.com/news/national-housing-bank-nhb/
- https://testbook.com/full-form/nhb-full-form
- https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/govt-to-soon-acquire-rbis-stake-in-national-housing-bank-2558019.html
- https://vakilsearch.com/blog/national-housing-bank/
Featured Images: pexels.com