HomeCirculars › RBI/2006-2007/353

RBI Cuts NRE Deposit Rate Ceiling to LIBOR/SWAP for RRBs

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2006-2007/353 · issued 26 Apr 2007 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI reduced the maximum interest rate on fresh NRE term deposits (1-3 years) for RRBs from LIBOR/SWAP plus 50 bps to just LIBOR/SWAP rates, effective April 24, 2007. This aligns with the Annual Policy Statement to manage capital inflows and liquidity.

What changed

The interest rate ceiling on fresh NRE term deposits for one to three years was lowered from LIBOR/SWAP plus 50 basis points to LIBOR/SWAP rates only. This change applies to deposits booked or renewed after close of business on April 24, 2007, and also covers maturities beyond three years using the three-year rate.

What it means for you

RRBs must now cap NRE deposit rates at the benchmark LIBOR/SWAP rate, reducing their cost of funds on these deposits. This could make NRE deposits less attractive to NRIs, potentially slowing inflows and easing liquidity pressures. Banks need to adjust their deposit pricing strategies immediately to comply.

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

Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), NRE depositors, Treasury and deposit operations teams at RRBs

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

Does this rate cap apply to NRE deposits with maturities longer than three years?

Yes, for deposits exceeding three years, the interest rate ceiling is the same as that for three-year deposits, i.e., the LIBOR/SWAP rate for three-year US dollar maturities.

When exactly does this new rate ceiling take effect?

It is effective from the close of business in India on April 24, 2007. Any fresh deposit or renewal on or after that date must comply with the new ceiling.

What was the previous rate ceiling before this change?

Earlier, the ceiling was LIBOR/SWAP rates plus 50 basis points, which had been in place since January 31, 2007.

📜 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 #2453: RPCD.No.RRB.BC.82/03.05.33(C)/2006-07 — "Interest Rate on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits" dated April 26, 2007”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2006-2007/353 RPCD.No.RRB.BC.82/03.05.33(C)/2006-07 April 26, 2007 All Regional Rural Banks Dear Sir, Interest Rate on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits Please refer to paragraphs 114 and 116 of the  Annual Policy Statement for the year 2007-08 announced by Governor on April 24, 2007  (copy of the  paragraphs  enclosed). 2 .  Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits On a review of the instructions contained in paragraph 2 of our circular  RPCD.No.RRB.BC.48/03.05.33(C)/ 2006-07 dated February 9. 2007  on Interest Rates on Deposits held in Non-Resident (External) (NRE) Accounts, it has been decided that until further notice and with effect from close of business in India as on April 24, 2007, the interest rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Term Deposits will be as under: The interest rates on fresh Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Term Deposits for one to three years maturity should not exceed the LIBOR / SWAP rates, as on the last working day of the previous month, for US dollar of corresponding maturities. (as against LIBOR / SWAP rates plus 50 basis points effective from close of business on January 31, 2007). The interest rates as determined above for three year deposits will also be applicable in case the maturity period exceeds three years. The changes in interest rates will also apply to NRE deposits renewed after their present maturity period. 3.   All other instructions issued earlier shall remain unchanged. An amending directive  RPCD.No.RRB.DIR.10053/03.05.33(C)/2006-07 dated April 26, 2007  is enclosed. 4. Please acknowledge receipt to our concerned Regional Office. Yours faithfully, (C.S.Murthy) Chief General Manager-in-Charge RPCD.No.RRB.DIR.10053/03.05.33(C)/2006-07 April 26, 2007 Interest Rate on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, and in partial modification of our Directive RPCD.No.RRB.Dir.7240/ 03.05.33(C)/2006-07 dated February 9, 2007 on Interest Rates on Deposits held in Non-Resident (External (NRE) Accounts, the Reserve Bank of India being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest so to do, hereby directs that the Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits shall be as under: ' With effect from close of business as on April 24, 2007, the interest rates on fresh Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Term deposits for one to three years should not exceed the LIBOR / SWAP rates, as on the last working day of the previous month, for US dollar of corresponding maturities (as against LIBOR / SWAP rates plus 50 basis points effective from close of business on January 31, 2007). The interest rates as determined above for three year deposits will also be applicable in case the maturity period exceeds three years. The changes in interest rates will also apply to NRE deposits renewed after their present maturity period.' (V.S.Das) Executive Director Paragraphs 114 & 116 of the Annual Policy Statement for the year 2007-08 Interest Rate Prescriptions 114.In the context of large capital inflows and implications for liquidity and monetary management, there is a need to review the interest rate prescriptions related to NRI deposits,  viz.,  foreign currency nonresident (banks) [FCNR (B))] deposits and Non-Resident (External) Rupee Account [NR(E)RA] deposits, especially in the light of inflation and interest rate differentials between India and the rest of the world. In this context, the following measures are proposed: (b) Interest Rate on NR(E)RA Deposits 116.Currently, the interest rate ceiling on NR(E)RA for one to three years maturity should not exceed 50 basis points above LIBOR/SWAP rates for US dollar of corresponding maturity. In view of the prevailing monetary conditions, it is proposed:•to reduce, with immediate effect, the interest rate ceiling on NR(E)RA deposits by 50 basis points,  i.e. , to LIBOR/SWAP rates.
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2006-2007/353 · issued 26 Apr 2007. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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