No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/280 · issued 24 Nov 2011 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI raised the FCNR(B) deposit interest rate ceiling for AD Category-I UCBs from LIBOR/SWAP plus 100 bps to plus 125 bps, effective November 23, 2011. Floating rate deposits also capped at SWAP plus 125 bps with a six-month reset period.
What changed
The ceiling rate for FCNR(B) deposits of all maturities was increased from LIBOR/SWAP rates plus 100 basis points to plus 125 basis points, effective from close of business on November 23, 2011. For floating rate deposits, the ceiling is now SWAP rates plus 125 basis points, with a mandatory six-month interest reset period.
What it means for you
UCBs can now offer higher interest rates on FCNR(B) deposits, making them more competitive for attracting foreign currency deposits. The 25 bps increase in the spread gives banks more flexibility to price deposits, but they must stay within the new ceiling. The six-month reset rule for floating deposits ensures periodic rate adjustments align with market conditions.
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
Update FCNR(B) deposit interest rate ceilings to LIBOR/SWAP plus 125 bps for all maturities effective November 23, 2011.
Ensure floating rate FCNR(B) deposits use SWAP plus 125 bps ceiling with a six-month reset period.
Communicate revised rates to branches and treasury teams immediately.
Review existing FCNR(B) deposit contracts to ensure compliance with the new directive.
Who it affects
AD Category-I Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs), Treasury and deposit operations teams at UCBs, Customers holding or seeking FCNR(B) deposits
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Stated effective dateeffective November 23, 2011
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-18 22:43 IST
repealed_by — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
Status change: withdrawn03 Aug 2026, 04:00 IST
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
What is the new ceiling rate for FCNR(B) deposits?
The ceiling is LIBOR/SWAP rates plus 125 basis points for the respective currency and maturity, up from the previous 100 bps spread.
Does this apply to floating rate FCNR(B) deposits?
Yes, floating rate deposits are also capped at SWAP rates plus 125 bps, with a mandatory six-month interest reset period.
When does this change take effect?
It applies to deposits contracted from the close of business in India on November 23, 2011, until further notice.
📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Repealed byRBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/280
UBD.BPD.AD.CIR No. 4/13.01.000/2011-12
November 24, 2011
The Chief Executive Officers
All AD Category-I UCBs
Dear Sir/Madam
Interest Rates on FCNR(B) deposits - UCBs
Please refer to our circular UBD.BPD.AD.Cir No.26/13.01.000/2008-09 dated November 17, 2008 on the captioned subject.
2. 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 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 in this regard, as amended from time to time, will remain unchanged.
4. An amending directive UBD.BPD.DIR. No. 3 /13.01.000/2011-12 dated November 23, 2011 is enclosed.
Yours faithfully
(A.Udgata)
Chief General Manager-in-Charge
UBD.BPD.DIR. No. 3/13.01.000/2011-12
November 23, 2011
Interest Rates on FCNR(B) Deposits
In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, and in modification of the directive UBD.No.Dir 9/13.01.000 /2008-09 dated November 15, 2008 on Interest Rates on Deposits held in 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 FCNR(B) deposits shall 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 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.”
(S. Karuppasamy)
Executive Director
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/280 · issued 24 Nov 2011. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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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=6843&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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