HomeCirculars › RBI/2008-09/171

NRE Deposit Rate Cap Revised to LIBOR/SWAP + 50 bps

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-09/171 · issued 17 Sep 2008 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI capped NRE term deposit rates at LIBOR/SWAP plus 50 bps for 1-3 year maturities, effective September 16, 2008. This replaces the earlier benchmark and applies to fresh deposits and renewals. StCBs and DCCBs must comply immediately.

What changed

The interest rate ceiling on fresh NRE term deposits (1-3 years) was revised from the earlier LIBOR/SWAP rates (effective April 24, 2007) to LIBOR/SWAP rates plus 50 basis points, as on the last working day of the previous month. The same cap applies for maturities beyond three years. The change also covers renewals of existing NRE deposits.

What it means for you

StCBs and DCCBs now have a tighter margin on NRE deposits, limiting their ability to offer aggressive rates to attract NRI funds. This aligns NRE deposit pricing with global benchmarks, reducing arbitrage opportunities. Banks must recalculate their offered rates monthly based on the latest LIBOR/SWAP data.

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

State Co-operative Banks (StCBs), District Central Co-operative Banks (DCCBs), NRE depositors (NRIs)

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

Does this cap apply to NRE deposits with maturities less than one year?

No, the circular specifically addresses term deposits for one to three years' maturity. Shorter maturities are not covered by this directive.

How often should we update the offered NRE deposit rates?

Rates must be set based on LIBOR/SWAP rates as on the last working day of the previous month, so you should review and update rates monthly.

Are existing NRE deposits affected by this change?

Only deposits renewed after their present maturity period are affected. Existing deposits running their current term are not impacted until renewal.

📜 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 #2109: RPCD.CO.RF.BC.Dir.No.28/07.38.01/2008-09 — "Interest Rate on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits" dated September 17, 2008”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2008-09/171 RPCD.CO.RF.BC.No.29/07.38.01/2008-09 September 17, 2008 All State Co-operative Banks (StCBs) and District Central Co-operative Banks (DCCBs) Dear Sir, Interest Rate on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits Please refer to our Circular RPCD.CO.RF.BC.No.79/07.38.01/2006-07 dated April 26, 2007 on Interest Rate on NRE Rupee Deposits. On a review, it has been decided that until further notice and with effect from close of business in India as on September 16, 2008, 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 plus 50 basis points, as on the last working day of the previous month, for US dollar of corresponding maturities (as against LIBOR / SWAP rates effective from close of business on April 24, 2007). The interest rates as determined above for three year deposits will also be applicable in case the maturity period exceeds three years. The change in interest rates will also apply to NRE deposits renewed after their present maturity period. 2. The other instructions as contained in our Circular RPCD.No.RF.Dir.BC 54/D.1-87/88 dated November 2, 1987 shall remain unchanged. An amending directive RPCD.CO.RF.BC.Dir.No.28/07.38.01/2008-09 dated September 17, 2008 is enclosed. Yours faithfully, (B.P.Vijayendra) Chief General Manager RPCD.CO.RF.BC.Dir.No.28/07.38.01/2008-09 September 17, 2008 Interest Rate on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 35 A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (As Applicable to Co-operative Societies) and in partial modification of Directive RPCD No.Dir.BC.53/D.1-87/88 dated November 2, 1987, as amended from time to time, on Interest Rates on Deposits, the Reserve Bank of India being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest so to do, hereby directs undernoted changes in the interest rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) deposits: "With effect from the close of business as on September 16, 2008, 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 plus 50 basis points, as on the last working day of the previous month, for US dollar of corresponding maturities (as against LIBOR /SWAP rates effective from close of business on April 24, 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
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-09/171 · issued 17 Sep 2008. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
🧰 Tools — save, print, templates & related
Topics: Co-operative Banks
Key dataSee the live numbers behind this topic: RBI Penalty Tracker, NPA / Asset-Quality Tracker — updated from official RBI data.
Key termsPlain-English definitions of terms in this circular — see the full Indian banking glossary. KYC / AML · Gross NPA (GNPA) · Deposit insurance (DICGC) · Scheduled Commercial Bank (SCB)

💬 Banker Discussion

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.

Loading comments…
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=4477&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.
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 ↗