The country’s main private lender, HDFC Bank, said Thursday it would reimburse the GPS device’s commission to all of its car loan customers who had used the device on loans taken between fiscal years 2013-14 and 2019-20.

In a public notice published in newspapers, HDFC Bank stated: “Notice is hereby given that HDFC Bank Limited (the Bank) will reimburse the commission of the GPS device to car loan customers who have used such device in the framework of the financing of the car loan during the period of fiscal year 2013-14 to fiscal year 2019-20. The refund will be credited to the customer’s refund bank account as registered with the bank.

The action was taken after the regulator investigated a whistleblower complaint alleging wrongdoing in the bank’s auto loan portfolio.

“A review of documents relating to the marketing and sale of third-party non-financial products to the bank’s customers, resulting from a whistleblower complaint to RBI regarding irregularities in the bank’s auto loan portfolio, revealed, between others, a contravention of the aforementioned provisions (Section 6 (2) and Section 8) of the Act (Banking Regulation Act, 1949) and regulatory guidelines, ”RBI said in a May 28 notification.

Addressing the issue at an earnings conference in July last year, the bank’s former chief executive and CEO Aditya Puri said, “We have received whistleblower complaints. Internal investigations into the complaint received in this regard did not reveal any conflict of interest and have no impact on our loan portfolio.

He added: “The investigation brought to light other aspects related to the personal misconduct of a range of employees, for which appropriate disciplinary action was initiated or taken.”

Five regional directors and two central managers were fired after an internal investigation into the case by HDFC Bank uncovered evidence of irregularities and ties to the supplier, reports suggested.