Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/135 · issued 28 Aug 2009 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI has clarified that banks cannot transact Interest Rate Futures (IRFs) on behalf of clients. This restriction applies to all commercial banks (excluding RRBs and LABs) and their overseas branches. Banks must also follow existing limits for non-option derivative contracts.
The rule, in the simplest words
Banks cannot buy or sell Interest Rate Futures (IRFs, which are contracts that let you bet on future interest rates) for their customers.
This rule applies to all commercial banks (except RRBs and LABs, which are smaller rural and local banks) and their branches in other countries.
Banks can still trade IRFs for themselves (called proprietary trading), but not for clients.
Banks must also follow old rules from December 2005 about setting limits for other types of derivative contracts (financial agreements that get their value from something else).
How it plays out — a real example
A payments & clearing officer in Indore, Priya, used to help her customers buy IRF contracts to protect against interest rate changes. After this RBI rule, she tells her client, Mr. Sharma, that she can no longer do that for him. She explains that the bank can only trade IRFs for its own account now, so Mr. Sharma will need to find another way to manage his interest rate risk.
What changed
RBI issued a clarification that banks are not permitted to undertake transactions in Interest Rate Futures (IRFs) on behalf of clients. This builds on the earlier permission allowing banks to take trading positions in IRFs. The guidelines also extend to overseas branches of Indian banks.
What it means for you
Banks must stop offering IRF trading services to clients immediately, limiting their IRF activity to proprietary trading only. This restricts a potential revenue stream from client advisory or execution services. Banks need to review their derivative product offerings and ensure compliance with the client prohibition.
What you must do
Cease all IRF transactions on behalf of clients immediately.
Ensure overseas branches also comply with the client prohibition.
Review and adhere to the limit-setting guidelines for non-option derivative contracts from the December 2005 circular.
Update internal policies and training to reflect the client trading ban.
Who it affects
All commercial banks (excluding RRBs and LABs), Overseas branches of Indian banks, Bank treasury and derivatives desks, Compliance and risk management teams
❓ Common questions
Can banks still trade IRFs for their own account?
Yes, banks are permitted to take trading positions in IRFs for their own books, as allowed by the earlier circular. The ban applies only to client transactions.
Does this apply to all types of clients?
Yes, the restriction covers all clients. Banks cannot undertake IRF transactions on behalf of any client.
What about existing client IRF positions?
The circular does not specify a transition period. Banks should immediately stop new client IRF trades and consult RBI for guidance on existing positions.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2009-10/135
DBOD.BP.BC. No.34 /21.04.157/2009-10
August 28, 2009
The Chairmen/ Chief Executive Officers
All Commercial Banks
(excluding RRBs and LABs)
Dear Sir,
Guidelines on Exchange Traded Interest Rate Derivatives
Please refer to our circular DBOD.BP.BC.No.56/21.04.157/2008-09 dated October 13, 2008 permitting banks to take trading positions also in Interest Rate Futures (IRFs).
2. In this connection, it is clarified that banks are not allowed to undertake transactions in IRFs on behalf of clients. These guidelines will also be applicable to overseas branches of Indian banks.
3. Banks are advised to ensure adherence to our circular No. DBOD.BP.BC.53/21.04.157/2005-06 dated December 28, 2005 as regards setting of limits for non-option derivative contracts.
Yours faithfully
(B. Mahapatra)
Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/135 · issued 28 Aug 2009. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Ensure overseas branches also comply with the client prohibition.
📜 Compliance
Cease all IRF transactions on behalf of clients immediately.
Review and adhere to the limit-setting guidelines for non-option derivative contracts from the December 2005 circular.
Update internal policies and training to reflect the client trading ban.
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template
Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (All commercial banks (excluding RRBs and LABs), Overseas branches of Indian banks, Bank treasury and derivatives desks, Compliance and risk management teams), your first concrete step on “RBI Bars Banks from Client IRF Trades” is: “Cease all IRF transactions on behalf of clients immediately.” (RBI issued this 28 Aug 2009).
Circular: RBI/2009-10/135 -- RBI Bars Banks from Client IRF Trades
Issued: 28 Aug 2009
Action required: Cease all IRF transactions on behalf of clients immediately.
Action required: Ensure overseas branches also comply with the client prohibition.
Action required: Review and adhere to the limit-setting guidelines for non-option derivative contracts from the December 2005 circular.
Action required: Update internal policies and training to reflect the client trading ban.
Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.
💬 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.
BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 03 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=5237&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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