HomeCirculars › RBI/2005-06/373

RBI Hikes Export Credit in Foreign Currency Ceiling by 25 bps

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2005-06/373 · issued 21 Apr 2006 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI raised the ceiling on export credit in foreign currency from LIBOR + 75 bps to LIBOR + 100 bps, effective April 18, 2006. This applies to fresh and existing advances, impacting co-operative banks offering foreign currency export finance.

What changed

The ceiling interest rate on export credit in foreign currency was increased by 25 basis points, from LIBOR plus 75 basis points to LIBOR plus 100 basis points. This change applies to both pre-shipment and post-shipment credit, and also to cases where EURO LIBOR or EURIBOR is used as the benchmark. The revision is effective from April 18, 2006, and covers both new and existing advances for their remaining tenure.

What it means for you

Banks can now charge exporters up to 100 bps over LIBOR for foreign currency export credit, up from 75 bps, giving them slightly more room to price risk and cover costs. For co-operative banks, this means higher potential interest income on export credit portfolios, but also a need to reassess pricing strategies to remain competitive. Existing borrowers will see their rates increase for the remaining loan period, which could impact their cost of funds.

Historical instruction — do not use for current compliance. This is what was required at the time; it no longer reflects current RBI requirements. If no replacement rule is linked above, that only means none is recorded on our register yet — it does not prove no later applicable rule exists. Confirm on the official RBI source below.

What banks were required to do at the time

Who it affects

Co-operative banks offering export credit in foreign currency, Exporters availing pre-shipment or post-shipment credit in foreign currency, Treasury and credit departments of co-operative banks

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).

Does this change apply to existing export credit advances?

Yes, the revision applies to both fresh advances and existing advances for the remaining period of the loan, effective from April 18, 2006.

What benchmarks are affected besides LIBOR?

The directive also covers cases where EURO LIBOR or EURIBOR is used as the benchmark, with similar changes to the ceiling rate.

Are there any exceptions to the new ceiling?

For Export Credit Not Otherwise Specified (ECNOS), banks are free to decide rates based on rupee credit rates, PLR, and spread guidelines, not subject to the LIBOR ceiling.

📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Repealed by RBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #2669: RPCD.CO.RF.BC.No.77/07.38.01/2005-06 — "Interest Rate on Export Credit in Foreign Currency" dated April 21, 2006”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2005-06/373 RPCD.CO.RF.BC.No 77/07.38.01/2005-06 April 21, 2006 The Managing Director Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank Ltd. 9, Nagindas Master Road Extension, Fort Mumbai-1 Dear Sir, Interest Rate on Export Credit in Foreign Currency Please refer to paragraph 113 of the Annual Policy Statement for the year 2006-07, announced on April 18, 2006 ( extract of paragraph 113 enclosed ) relating to export credit in foreign currency. 2.       On the basis of the recommendation of the Working Group to Review Export Credit, it has been decided to revise the ceiling rate on export credit in foreign currency by banks to LIBOR plus 100 basis points from the present ceiling rate of LIBOR plus 75 basis points with effect from April 18, 2006. Similar changes may be effected in interest rates in cases where EURO LIBOR/EURIBOR have been used as the benchmark. The rates of interest applicable have been incorporated in the Annex to the enclosed directive RPCD.RF.DIR 77A/ 07.38.01/2005-06 dated April 21, 2006 . 3.    The revision in the rates of interest would be applicable not only to fresh advances but also to the existing advances for the remaining period. 4.     Please acknowledge receipt.  Yours faithfully, (C.S.Murthy) Chief General Manager In-Charge Paragraph 113 of Annual Policy Statement for the year 2006-07: (e) Interest Rate on Export Credit in Foreign Currency: Increase in Ceiling 113. At present, exporters can avail of pre-shipment and post-shipment credit in foreign currency at interest rate within a ceiling of LIBOR plus 75 basis points. On the basis of the recommendations of the Working Group to Review Export Credit, it is proposed: • to increase the ceiling interest rate on export credit in foreign currency by 25 basis points to LIBOR plus 100 basis points from LIBOR plus 75 basis points with immediate effect. RPCD.RF.DIR 77A/07.38.01/ 2005-06 April 21, 2006 Interest Rates on Export Credit in Foreign Currency In exercise of the powers conferred by Sections 21 and 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, (As Applicable to Co-operative Societies), the Reserve Bank of India, being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest so to do, hereby directs that, with effect from April 18, 2006, the interest rates on export credit in foreign currency would be as indicated in the Annex. (V.S.Das) Executive Director Annex Schedule of Interest Rates on Export Credit in Foreign Currency effective from April 18, 2006
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2005-06/373 · issued 21 Apr 2006. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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