HomeCirculars › RBI/2011-12/281

Savings Bank Deposit Rate Deregulation for Urban Co-op Banks

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/281 · issued 25 Nov 2011 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI has deregulated savings bank deposit interest rates for urban co-operative banks with immediate effect. Banks can set their own rates, but must offer uniform interest on deposits up to ₹1 lakh. Differential rates are allowed for deposits above ₹1 lakh, without discrimination.

What changed

RBI removed the regulated savings bank deposit interest rate, allowing urban co-operative banks to determine their own rates. A uniform rate is mandatory for deposits up to ₹1 lakh, while differential rates are permitted for deposits above ₹1 lakh, subject to non-discrimination. This applies only to resident Indians; NRE and NRO savings account rates remain regulated at 4% per annum.

What it means for you

Urban co-operative banks now have pricing flexibility to compete for savings deposits, which could improve their liability management. However, the uniform rate requirement for deposits up to ₹1 lakh protects small savers. Banks must ensure no discrimination in interest paid on similar deposits of the same amount and date, adding compliance complexity.

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 Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, Savings bank depositors (resident Indians), Bank treasury and product teams

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

Can we offer different savings rates for different customer segments?

Yes, but only for deposits above ₹1 lakh. For deposits up to ₹1 lakh, you must offer a uniform rate to all customers. For higher deposits, you can differentiate, but must not discriminate between deposits of similar amount accepted on the same date at any branch.

Does this deregulation apply to NRE and NRO savings accounts?

No. The deregulation is only for resident Indians' savings deposits. NRE and NRO savings accounts continue to be regulated at 4% per annum until further review.

When does this change take effect?

With immediate effect from November 25, 2011, as per the circular.

📜 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 #1398: UBD.BPD.DIR.No.4/13.01.000/2011-12 — "Deregulation of Savings Bank Deposit Interest Rate" dated November 25, 2011”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/281 UBD.BPD.(PCB)CIR No.13/13.01.000/2011-12 November 25, 2011 The Chief Executive Officers All Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks Dear Sir/Madam, Deregulation of Savings Bank Deposit Interest Rate Please refer to our circular No.UBD.BPD.(PCB)CIR No.45/13.01.00/2010-11 dated May 3,  2011 enclosing  a Directive   UBD.BPD.DIR. No.3/13.01.00/2010-11 dated May 3, 2011 on interest rates on deposits. 2. As indicated in the Second Quarter Review of Monetary Policy announced on October 25, 2011 , it has been decided to deregulate the savings bank deposit interest rate with immediate effect. Accordingly, banks are free to determine, with immediate effect, their savings bank deposit interest rate, subject to the following two conditions: First, each bank will have to offer a uniform interest rate on savings bank deposits up to ` 1 lakh, irrespective of the amount in the account within this limit. Second, for savings bank deposits over  ` 1 lakh, a bank may provide differential rates of interest, if it so chooses, subject to the condition that banks will not discriminate in the matter of interest paid on such deposits, between one deposit and another of similar amount, accepted on the same date, at any of its offices. 3. The above revised instructions would be applicable to savings bank deposits of resident Indians only. 4. Interest rate on Non-Resident (External) Accounts Scheme and Ordinary Non-Resident Deposit under savings account, which has been prescribed at 4 per cent per annum at present, will continue to be regulated until further review. 5. An amending directive UBD.BPD.DIR. No. 4 /13.01.000/2011-12 dated November 25, 2011 is enclosed. Yours faithfully (A.Udgata) Chief General Manager-in-Charge Encls: As above UBD.BPD.DIR. No.4/13.01.000/2011-12 November 25, 2011 Deregulation of Savings Bank Deposit Interest Rate In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and in partial modification of its directive  UBD.BPD.DIR. No.3/13.01.00/2010-11   dated May 3, 2011 , the Reserve Bank of India, being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest so to do, hereby directs that banks are free to determine their savings bank deposit interest rate for resident Indians only with immediate effect subject to the following two conditions: each bank will have to offer a uniform interest rate on savings bank deposits up to ` 1 lakh, irrespective of the amount in the account within this limit. for savings bank deposits over ` 1 lakh, a bank may provide differential rates of interest, if it so chooses, subject to the condition that banks will not discriminate in the matter of interest paid on such deposits, between one deposit and another of similar amount, accepted on the same date, at any of its offices. ( S. Karuppasamy ) Executive Director
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/281 · issued 25 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=6844&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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