HomeCirculars › RBI/2008-09/180

FCNR(B) Deposit Rate Ceiling Revised to LIBOR/SWAP Minus 25 bps

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-09/180 · issued 18 Sep 2008 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI has revised the interest rate ceiling on FCNR(B) deposits for Regional Rural Banks from LIBOR/SWAP minus 75 bps to minus 25 bps, effective September 16, 2008.

What changed

The ceiling rate for FCNR(B) deposits of all maturities was increased from LIBOR/SWAP minus 75 basis points to LIBOR/SWAP minus 25 basis points, effective from the close of business on September 16, 2008. For floating rate deposits, the ceiling is now SWAP rates minus 25 bps, with a six-month interest reset period.

What it means for you

Regional Rural Banks must now apply the new ceiling of LIBOR/SWAP minus 25 bps for FCNR(B) deposits of all maturities, replacing the previous ceiling of minus 75 bps. Floating rate deposits are subject to a SWAP minus 25 bps ceiling with a six-month reset period.

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, Non-resident depositors holding FCNR(B) accounts, 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).

What is the effective date for the new FCNR(B) interest rate ceiling?

The revised ceiling applies to deposits contracted from the close of business in India on September 16, 2008.

How does this change affect floating rate FCNR(B) deposits?

Floating rate deposits now have a ceiling of SWAP rates minus 25 basis points, with a mandatory six-month interest reset period.

📜 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Repealed by RBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)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 #2104: RPCD.CO.RRB.BC.Dir.No.34/03.05.33©/2008-09 — "Foreign Currency (Non-Resident) Accounts (Banks) Scheme" dated September 18, 2008”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2008-09/180 RPCD.No.RRB.BC.35/ 03.05.33©/2008-09 September 18, 2008 All Regional Rural Banks Dear Sir, Interest Rate on FCNR(B) Deposits Please refer to our  circular RPCD.No.RRB.BC.106/03.05.33©/2006-07 dated June 28,2007  on authorization to open /maintain Non-Resident (Ordinary / External) accounts in rupees and to accept FCNR deposits. On a review, it has been decided that until further notice and with effect from the close of business in India as on September 16,2008, the interest rates on FCNR (B) Deposits will be as under: In respect of FCNR (B) deposits of all maturities contracted effective from the close of business in India as on September 16, 2008, interest shall be paid within the ceiling rate of LIBOR / SWAP rates minus 25 basis points for the respective currency / corresponding maturities (as against LIBOR /SWAP rates minus 75 basis points effective from close of business on April 24, 2007). On floating rate deposits, interest shall be paid within the ceiling of SWAP rates for the respective currency / maturity minus 25 basis points. For floating rate deposits, the interest reset period shall be six months. 2. A Directive  RPCD.CO.RRB BC.Dir.No.34/03.05.33© / 2008-09 dated September 18, 2008  is enclosed. Yours faithfully, (G.Srinivasan) Chief General Manager-in-Charge RPCD.CO.RRB.BC. Dir.No.34/03.05.33©/2008-09 September 18, 2008 Foreign Currency (Non-Resident) Accounts (Banks) Scheme In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 35 A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 the Reserve Bank of India, being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest so to do, hereby directs the following: Interest rates applicable to deposits accepted under Foreign Currency Non-Resident Accounts (Banks) Scheme In respect of FCNR (B) deposits of all maturities contracted effective from the close of business in India as on September 16, 2008, interest shall be paid within the ceiling rate of LIBOR / SWAP rates minus 25 basis points for the respective currency / corresponding maturities (as against LIBOR / SWAP rates minus 75 basis points effective from close of business on April 24, 2007). On floating rate deposits, interest shall be paid within the ceiling of SWAP rates for the respective currency / maturity minus 25 basis points. For floating rate deposits, the interest reset period shall be six months. (V.S.Das) Executive Director
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-09/180 · issued 18 Sep 2008. 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. Repo rate · CASA · Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) · Deposit insurance (DICGC)

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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=4480&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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