HomeCirculars › RBI/2006-2007/345

RBI Hikes NBFC Deposit Rate Ceiling to 12.5%

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2006-2007/345 · issued 24 Apr 2007 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI raised the maximum interest rate NBFCs (excluding RNBCs) can pay on public deposits from 11% to 12.5% per annum, effective April 24, 2007. This applies to fresh deposits and renewals, with compounding at intervals no shorter than monthly.

What changed

The ceiling on interest payable on public deposits by NBFCs (other than RNBCs) was increased by 150 basis points from 11% to 12.5% per annum. This revision, effective from April 24, 2007, applies to fresh deposits and renewals of matured deposits. The same ceiling also applies to Miscellaneous Non-Banking Companies (chit fund companies).

What it means for you

NBFCs can now offer higher rates to attract depositors, aligning with market developments and prevailing interest rates. This may increase competition for deposits among NBFCs and between NBFCs and banks. Lenders must ensure compliance with the new ceiling and continue to adhere to existing conditions on compounding rests and brokerage.

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

All Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) accepting public deposits, Miscellaneous Non-Banking Companies (chit fund companies), Deposit-taking NBFCs (excluding Residuary Non-Banking Financial Companies)

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

Does the new 12.5% ceiling apply to existing deposits?

No, it applies only to fresh public deposits and renewals of matured public deposits from April 24, 2007 onward.

Can NBFCs offer interest rates lower than 12.5%?

Yes, 12.5% is the maximum permissible rate; NBFCs may offer lower rates at their discretion.

Are RNBCs covered by this circular?

No, the circular explicitly excludes Residuary Non-Banking Financial Companies (RNBCs) from this ceiling revision.

📜 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 #2462: Notification No.DNBS.195 CGM(PK)-2007 — "Non-Banking Financial Companies Acceptance of Public Deposits (Reserve Bank) Directions, 1998" dated April 24, 2007”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2006-2007/345 DNBS (PD) CC.No.92 /03.02.089/2006-07 April 24, 2007 To All Non-Banking Financial Companies including Miscellaneous Non-Banking Companies (Chit Fund Companies) Dear Sirs, Amendments to NBFC Regulations - Ceiling on rate of interest Please refer to paragraph 217 of the Annual Policy Statement 2007-08 in terms of which it has been stated: "The interest payable on deposits by NBFCs (other than residuary non-banking financial companies (RNBCs)) accepting public deposits is subject to a ceiling of 11.0 per cent per annum. There have been requests from deposit-taking NBFCs for enhancement of the ceiling on the interest payable on deposits. Taking into account the market developments, it is now proposed: to increase the ceiling on the rate of interest payable by NBFCs (other than RNBCs) on deposits by 150 basis points to 12.5 per cent per annum and such interest would be paid or compounded at rests which should not be shorter than monthly rests." 2. Accordingly, it has been decided that, keeping in view the prevailing interest rates in the entire financial system, the maximum interest rate payable on public deposits by NBFCs should be revised to 12.5 per cent per annum on and from April 24, 2007. It is clarified that this is the maximum permissible rate an NBFC can pay on its public deposits and they may offer lower rates. The new rate of interest will be applicable to fresh public deposits and renewals of matured public deposits. 3. The above ceiling rate of interest of 12.5 per cent per annum is also applicable to the deposits accepted / renewed by Miscellaneous Non-Banking Companies (chit fund companies) as per the Directions prescribed by RBI. 4. You are requested to ensure compliance with the new ceiling on rate of interest. Other conditions relating to the rests at which interest can be compounded, rate of brokerage, etc., remain unchanged. 5. A copy each of the amending Notifications No.  195  and  196  is enclosed and updated Non-Banking Financial Companies Acceptance of Public Deposits (Reserve Bank) Directions, 1998 and Miscellaneous Non-Banking Companies (Reserve Bank) Directions, 1977 is enclosed. Yours faithfully, ( P Krishnamurthy ) Chief General Manager-in-Charge RESERVE BANK OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF NON-BANKING SUPERVISION CENTRAL OFFICE CENTRE 1, WORLD TRADE CENTRE CUFFE PARADE, COLABA MUMBAI – 400 005 NOTIFICATION NO. DNBS. 195/ CGM (PK)-2007 Dated April 24, 2007 The Reserve Bank of India, having considered it necessary in the public interest and being satisfied that for the purpose of enabling the Bank to regulate the credit system to the advantage of the country, it is necessary to amend the Non-Banking Financial Companies Acceptance of Public Deposits (Reserve Bank) Directions, 1998, in exercise of the powers conferred by Sections 45J, 45K and 45L of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934) and of all the powers enabling it in this behalf, hereby directs that the said directions contained in Notification No. DFC. 118 / DG (SPT)-98 dated January 31, 1998 shall stand amended, with immediate effect, as follows, namely – In Paragraph 4, sub-paragraph (7) shall be substituted by the following, namely '(7) On and from April 24, 2007, no non-banking financial company shall invite or accept or renew public deposit at a rate of interest exceeding twelve and half per cent per annum. Interest may be paid or compounded at rests which shall not be shorter than monthly rests.' (P Krishnamurthy) Chief General Manager-in-Charge RESERVE BANK OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF NON-BANKING SUPERVISION CENTRAL OFFICE CENTRE 1, WORLD TRADE CENTRE CUFFE PARADE, COLABA MUMBAI - 400 005 NOTIFICATION No. DNBS. 196/ CGM (PK)-2007 Dated April 24, 2007 The Reserve Bank of India, having considered it necessary in the public interest and being satisfied that for the purpose of enabling the Bank to regulate the credit system to the advantage of the country, it is necessary to amend the Miscellaneous Non-Banking Companies (Reserve Bank) Directions, 1977, in exercise of the powers conferred by Sections 45J, 45K and 45L of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934) and of all the powers enabling it in this behalf, hereby directs that the said directions contained in Notification No. DNBC. 39 / DG (H)-77 dated June 20, 1977 shall stand amended with immediate effect, as follows, namely - 1. In paragraph 9A, for the words and figures, "March 4, 2003", the words and figures "April 24, 2007" shall be substituted. 2. In paragraph 9A, in clause (a), for the word "eleven", the words "twelve and a half" shall be substituted. (P Krishnamurthy) Chief General Manager-in-Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2006-2007/345 · issued 24 Apr 2007. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Key termsPlain-English definitions of terms in this circular — see the full Indian banking glossary. NBFC · CRAR (Capital adequacy) · Gross NPA (GNPA) · Wilful defaulter

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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=3449&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.
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