No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2005-06/404 · issued 08 Jun 2006 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI has prohibited banks from using derivative swaps to convert fixed-rate rupee liabilities on Innovative Tier I/II bonds into floating-rate foreign currency liabilities, citing undue exchange risk. Existing swaps must follow strict accounting rules.
What changed
RBI noticed banks were swapping fixed-rate rupee liabilities on Innovative Tier I/II bonds into floating-rate foreign currency liabilities to hedge interest rate risk and reduce cost. This practice exposed banks to exchange rate risk, so RBI has banned new such swaps and set accounting rules for existing ones.
What it means for you
Banks can no longer use these swaps to lower funding costs on capital instruments, potentially increasing their interest rate exposure. Existing swaps must be accounted for conservatively: losses fully provided for, gains parked in a special reserve usable only for future losses on the same swap. This tightens risk management for capital market operations.
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
Stop entering into any new swap transactions that convert fixed-rate rupee liabilities on Innovative Tier I/II bonds into floating-rate foreign currency liabilities.
For existing swaps, compute gains and losses separately; fully provide for any losses.
Credit any gains to a special reserve through the P&L account; draw down only for future losses on the same swap.
Do not renew any existing swap transactions on Tier I/II bonds upon expiry.
Who it affects
All commercial banks (excluding RRBs) that have issued Innovative Tier I/II bonds, Treasury and risk management departments handling derivative structures, Finance and accounting teams managing capital instruments
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-19 18:31 IST
repealed_by — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
Status change: withdrawn05 Aug 2026, 04:00 IST
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
Why did RBI ban these swap transactions?
RBI found that banks were converting fixed-rate rupee liabilities on Innovative Tier I/II bonds into floating-rate foreign currency liabilities via swaps, which exposed them to undue exchange risk if exchange rates moved adversely.
What should we do with existing swaps already entered into?
Compute gains and losses separately. Fully provide for any losses. Credit gains to a special reserve through the P&L account, and use that reserve only to meet future losses from the same swap.
Can we renew existing swap transactions on Tier I/II bonds?
No, RBI has advised banks not to renew any swap transactions on Tier I/II bonds upon their expiry.
📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Repealed byRBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #2647: DBOD.BP.BC.87/21.01.002/2005-06 — "Innovative Tier I / Tier II Bonds - Hedging by Banks through Derivative Structures" dated June 8, 2006”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2005-06/404
DBOD.BP.BC. 87 /21.01.002/2005-06
June 8, 2006
All Commercial Banks
(excluding RRBs)
Dear Sir,
Innovative Tier I/Tier II Bonds - Hedging by banks through Derivative Structures
It has come to our notice that some banks have undertaken swap transactions involving conversion of fixed rate rupee liabilities in respect of Innovative Tier I/Tier II bonds into floating rate foreign currency liabilities. Though the banks have apparently entered into such swaps to hedge the interest rate risk in respect of capital instruments thereby reducing cost, this exposes them to undue exchange risk in the event of adverse exchange rate movement. Banks are, therefore, advised not to enter into such swap transactions in respect of their Innovative Tier I/Tier II bonds.
2. Further, with regard to swaps already entered into banks are advised to follow the following procedure for accounting gains / losses arising out of such swap transactions:
i. The gains/losses arising out of such swap transactions should be computed separately;
ii. Losses, if any, should be fully provided for;
iii. Gains should be taken to a special reserve through Profit & Loss account;
iv. Any draw down from such reserve should be made only for meeting future losses arising out of swap transaction concerned.
3. Banks are also advised not to renew swap transactions entered into by them in respect of Tier I / Tier II bonds on expiry thereof.
Yours faithfully,
(Prashant Saran)
Chief General Manager-in-Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2005-06/404 · issued 08 Jun 2006. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.
BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 05 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly). Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=2898&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
Help us keep this accurate
Found an inaccuracy or have an improvement? Tell us. Every report is reviewed by our team before any change is made — nothing goes live unverified.
Public beta — plain-English informational summaries. Always verify against the official RBI source (circular number cited on every page) before making compliance, credit, treasury, audit, or operational decisions. · Join our WhatsApp channel ↗
BANKPULSE · FREE DAILY BRIEF
Get RBI updates for your role
Every important RBI update, decoded in plain English — for your career, exams & financial awareness.
We collect only your email, name and role, used solely to send your brief — never sold or shared. Withdraw anytime via the unsubscribe link in any email. Independent platform, not affiliated with the RBI. Information, not legal advice.
REPORT AN ERROR · BETA
Spotted an error? Earn 500 BankPulse Credits
Help us stay accurate. If your correction is verified true and approved by our founder, you earn 500 BankPulse Credits — redeemable when the platform monetises.
Reviewed by a human before any credit is awarded. We never change the site from crowd input without verification.
WANT A NEW FEATURE · BETA
What would make BankPulse more useful for you?
Tell us what to build next — a tool, a data view, a role page, anything. We read every suggestion.
Thank you — your ideas directly shape what we build.