HomeCirculars › RBI/2008-09/252

Relaxation in NPA Classification for FX Derivatives

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-09/252 · issued 29 Oct 2008 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI relaxes borrower-wise NPA classification for certain FX derivatives. Positive MTM receivables from non-plain-vanilla FX contracts (April 2007–June 2008) overdue 90+ days won't automatically make other funded facilities NPA, though the receivable itself is NPA.

What changed

Earlier, any positive MTM derivative receivable overdue 90+ days triggered borrower-wise NPA classification for all funded facilities. Now, for FX derivatives other than forwards and plain vanilla swaps/options entered between April 2007 and June 2008, only the overdue receivable is classified as NPA; other funded facilities remain governed by standard IRAC norms.

What it means for you

Banks get relief from automatic cross-contamination of asset quality for clients with complex FX derivative losses from that period. This prevents a single overdue derivative MTM from dragging down entire loan portfolios, but the overdue amount itself must still be recognized as NPA. Foreign branches of Indian banks also benefit.

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 Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding RRBs and LABs), All-India Term Lending and Refinancing Institutions, Foreign branches of Indian banks

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

Does this relaxation apply to all derivative contracts?

No, it applies only to foreign exchange derivative contracts other than forward contracts and plain vanilla swaps and options, entered during April 2007 to June 2008.

If the overdue derivative MTM is parked separately, can other funded facilities remain standard?

Yes, as long as those facilities are not otherwise NPA under standard IRAC norms. The overdue receivable itself must be classified as NPA.

Are foreign branches of Indian banks covered?

Yes, the circular explicitly extends these relaxations to foreign branches of Indian banks.

📜 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 #2057: DBOD.BP.BC.No.69/21.03.009/2008-09 — "Prudential Norms for Off-Balance Sheet Exposures of Banks" dated October 29, 2008”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2008-09/252 DBOD.BP.BC.No.69/21.03.009/2008-09 October 29, 2008 All Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding RRBs and LABs) and All-India Term Lending and Refinancing Institutions Dear Sirs, Prudential Norms for Off-balance Sheet Exposures of Banks Please refer to our circular  DBOD.No.BP.BC.57 / 21.04.157 / 2008 – 09 October 13, 2008  on the captioned subject. 2. In terms of para 2.1 (i) of the aforesaid Circular, any receivable representing positive mark-to-market value of a derivative contract, if overdue for a period of 90 days or more,  is required to be treated as non-performing asset and also makes all other funded facilities granted to the client as non-performing asset, following the principle of borrower-wise classification. 3. On a review of the matter, it has now been decided to confine the applicability of the principle of borrower-wise asset classification to only the overdues arising from forward contracts and plain vanilla swaps and options. Accordingly, any amount, representing positive mark-to-market value of the foreign exchange derivative contracts (other than forward contract and plain vanilla swaps and options) that were entered into during the period April 2007 to June 2008, which has already crystallised or might crystallise in future and is / becomes receivable from the client, should be parked in a separate account maintained in the name of the client / counterparty. This amount, even if overdue for a period of 90 days or more, will not make other funded facilities provided to the client, NPA on account of the principle of borrower-wise asset classification, though such receivable overdue for 90 days or more shall itself be classified as NPA, as per the extant IRAC norms. The classification of all other assets of such clients will, however, continue to be governed by the extant IRAC norms. 4. These relaxations will also be applicable to the foreign branches of Indian banks. All other instructions contained in the aforesaid Circular of October 13, 2008 remain unchanged. Yours faithfully, (Prashant Saran) Chief General Manager-In-Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-09/252 · issued 29 Oct 2008. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=4587&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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