HomeCirculars › RBI/2011-12/277

RRBs: NRE & FCNR(B) Deposit Rate Ceilings Revised Upward

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/277 · issued 24 Nov 2011 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI raised NRE term deposit rate ceiling to LIBOR/SWAP + 275 bps (from +175 bps) and FCNR(B) ceiling to LIBOR/SWAP + 125 bps (from +100 bps), effective November 23, 2011. This applies to fresh deposits and renewals for RRBs.

What changed

The interest rate ceiling on NRE term deposits (1-3 year maturity) was increased from LIBOR/SWAP plus 175 basis points to plus 275 basis points. For FCNR(B) deposits of all maturities, the ceiling was raised from LIBOR/SWAP plus 100 basis points to plus 125 basis points. These changes took effect from the close of business on November 23, 2011.

What it means for you

Regional Rural Banks can now offer higher rates on NRE and FCNR(B) deposits, making these products more attractive to non-resident depositors. The wider spread over LIBOR/SWAP gives RRBs more flexibility to compete for foreign currency and rupee remittances. However, the ceilings remain binding; banks must not exceed the new caps.

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 (RRBs), Non-resident depositors holding NRE or 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).

Do these new ceilings apply to existing NRE deposits that are being renewed?

Yes, the circular states that the changes also apply to NRE deposits renewed after their present maturity period.

What is the ceiling for NRE deposits with maturity beyond three years?

The rate determined for three-year deposits (LIBOR/SWAP + 275 bps) will also apply to deposits with maturity exceeding three years.

Are there any changes to other instructions on NRE or FCNR(B) accounts?

No, all other instructions issued earlier remain unchanged.

📜 This document’s life story (2 recorded events, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Partially modified by RRBs: FCNR(B) Deposit Rates Hiked by 75-175 bps
RBI’s words: “Please refer to paragraph 2 of our circular RPCD.CO.RRB.BC.No. 36/03.05.33 (C) /2011-12 dated November 24, 2011”
Repealed by RBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #1403: RPCD.CO.RRB.BC.No.36/03.05.33(C)/2011-12 — "Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits and FCNR (B) Deposits" dated November 24, 2011”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/277 RPCD.CO.RRB.BC.No. 36/03.05.33 (C) /2011-12 November 24, 2011 The Chairmen All Regional Rural Banks Dear Sir, Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits and FCNR (B) Deposits 1. Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits Please refer to paragraph 1 of our circular RPCD.CO.RRB.BC.No. 63/03.05.33(C) /2008-09 dated November 17, 2008 on Interest Rates on Deposits held in Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Accounts. In view of the prevailing market conditions, it has been decided that until further notice and with effect from close of business in India as on November 23, 2011, the interest rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Term Deposits will be as under: 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 275 basis points, as on the last working day of the previous month, for US dollar of corresponding maturities (as against LIBOR / SWAP rates plus 175 basis points effective from the close of business on November 15,2008).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. 2. Interest Rates on FCNR (B) Deposits Please refer to paragraph 2 of our circular  RPCD.CO.RRB.BC.No. 63/03.05.33(C) / 2008-09 dated November 17, 2008 on Interest Rates on Deposits held in FCNR (B) Accounts. It has also been decided that until further notice and with effect from the close of business in India as on November 23, 2011, 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 November 23, 2011, interest shall be paid within the ceiling rate of LIBOR/SWAP rates plus 125 basis points for the respective currency/corresponding maturities (as against LIBOR/SWAP rates plus 100 basis points effective from close of business on November 15, 2008). On floating rate deposits, interest shall be paid within the ceiling of SWAP rates for the respective currency/maturity plus 125 basis points. For floating rate deposits, the interest reset period shall be six months 3.    All other instructions issued earlier shall remain unchanged. 4. An amending directive RPCD.CO.RRB.Dir.No.35/03.05.33(C)/2011-12 dated November 24, 2011 is enclosed. Yours faithfully, (C.D. Srinivasan) Chief General Manager RPCD.CO.RRB.Dir.No.35/03.05.33 (C) /2011-12 November 24, 2011 Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits and FCNR (B) Deposits In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, and in modification of the directive RPCD.CO.RRB.Dir.No.62/03.05.33(C)/2008-09 dated November 17, 2008 on Interest Rates on Deposits held in Non-Resident (External) (NRE) Accounts and FCNR(B) Accounts, the Reserve Bank of India being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest so to do, hereby directs that Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits and FCNR(B) deposits shall be as under: Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits “With effect from close of business as on November 23, 2011, 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 275 basis points, as on the last working day of the previous month, for US dollar of corresponding maturities (as against LIBOR/SWAP rates plus 175 basis points effective from the close of business on November 15, 2008). 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.” Interest Rates on FCNR (B) deposits “In respect of FCNR (B) deposits of all maturities contracted effective from the close of business in India as on November 23, 2011, interest shall be paid within the ceiling rate of LIBOR/SWAP rates plus 125 basis points for the respective currency/corresponding maturities (as against LIBOR/SWAP rates plus 100 basis points effective from the close of business on November 15, 2008). On floating rate deposits, interest shall be paid within the ceiling of SWAP rates for the respective currency/maturity plus 125 basis points. For floating rate deposits, the interest reset period shall be six months.” (V.K.Sharma) Executive Director
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/277 · issued 24 Nov 2011. 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=6840&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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