HomeCirculars › RBI/2009-10/321

RBI slashes export credit in foreign currency ceiling rates

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/321 · issued 19 Feb 2010 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI reduced the ceiling rate on export credit in foreign currency from LIBOR + 350 bps to LIBOR + 200 bps, effective February 19, 2010. Banks cannot levy extra charges beyond out-of-pocket expenses. The revision applies only to fresh advances.

What changed

The ceiling rate on export credit in foreign currency was reduced from LIBOR plus 350 basis points to LIBOR plus 200 basis points. For lines of credit with overseas banks, the ceiling was cut from six-month LIBOR/EURO LIBOR/EURIBOR plus 150 bps to plus 100 bps. These changes apply only to new advances, not existing ones.

What it means for you

Banks must immediately lower their lending rates on foreign currency export credit to the new caps, which will reduce borrowing costs for exporters. The prohibition on additional charges (service, management fees) except out-of-pocket expenses tightens banks' ability to recover costs. This could compress margins on export credit portfolios, especially for banks with significant foreign currency lending.

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 offering foreign currency export credit, Exporters availing pre-shipment or post-shipment credit in foreign currency, Banks with lines of credit with overseas 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 circular apply to existing export credit facilities?

No, the revision in interest rates is applicable only to fresh advances made on or after February 19, 2010.

Can banks charge any fees other than interest on these loans?

No, banks cannot levy service charges, management charges, or similar fees. Only recovery of out-of-pocket expenses incurred is permitted.

What benchmark rates are used for these ceilings?

The ceilings are based on LIBOR, EURO LIBOR, or EURIBOR, as applicable. For lines of credit with overseas banks, the benchmark is six-month LIBOR/EURO LIBOR/EURIBOR.

📜 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 #1747: DBOD.DIR.(Exp).BC.No.75/04.02.001/2009-10 — "Interest Rates on Export Credit in Foreign Currency" dated February 19, 2010”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2009-10/321 DBOD.DIR.(Exp).No. 76/04.02.001/2009-10 February 19, 2010 All Scheduled Commercial Banks Dear Sir/Madam, Interest Rates on Export Credit in Foreign Currency Please refer to our circular DBOD.DIR.(Exp).No.107/04.02.001/2008-09 dated February 5, 2009 as also paragraph 7 of Master Circular on Rupee / Foreign Currency Export Credit dated July 1, 2009 relating to export credit in foreign currency. 2. It has been decided, in consultation with the Government of India, to reduce the ceiling rate on export credit in foreign currency by banks to LIBOR plus 200 basis points from the present ceiling rate of LIBOR plus 350 basis points with immediate effect , subject to the express condition that the banks will not levy any other charges viz. service charge, management charge etc except for recovery towards out of pocket expenses incurred.  Similar changes may be effected in interest rates in cases where EURO LIBOR/EURIBOR has been used as the benchmark.  The rates of interest applicable have been incorporated in the Annex to the DBOD.DIR.(Exp).No.75/04.02.001/2009-10 dated February 19, 2010 enclosed to this circular. 3. The revision in the rates of interest would be applicable only to fresh advances. 4. Further, in modification of the instructions contained at para 5.1.3(iii)a of the above mentioned Master Circular dated July 1, 2009, the ceiling interest rate on the lines of credit with overseas banks has also been reduced from six months LIBOR/EURO LIBOR/EURIBOR plus 150 basis points to six months LIBOR/ EURO LIBOR/EURIBOR plus 100 basis points with immediate effect . Yours faithfully, (P.Vijaya Bhaskar) Chief General Manager-in-Charge DBOD.DIR.(Exp).BC.No.75/04.02.001/2009-10 February 19, 2010 Interest Rates on Export Credit in Foreign Currency In exercise of the powers conferred by Sections 21 and 35A 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 that, with effect from February 19, 2010, the interest rates on export credit in foreign currency would be as indicated in the Annex enclosed to this Directive. ( C.Krishnan ) Executive Director Annex Schedule of Interest Rates on Export Credit in Foreign Currency of Scheduled Commercial Banks effective from February 19, 2010
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/321 · issued 19 Feb 2010. 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=5507&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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