HomeCirculars › RBI/2011-12/325

RBI Deregulates NRE/NRO Deposit Rates for Co-op Banks

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/325 · issued 28 Dec 2011 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI has freed StCBs and DCCBs to set their own interest rates on NRE savings and term deposits (1 year+) and NRO savings deposits, effective immediately. Rates cannot exceed comparable domestic rupee deposit rates. Board/ALCO approval is required, and uniform rates must apply across all branches.
The rule, in the simplest words
How it plays out — a real example

A forex & trade-finance officer in Indore, Priya, sees that her co-operative bank can now set its own NRE deposit rates. She checks that the new rate she proposes for a 1-year NRE term deposit is not higher than the 6.5% rate the bank offers on a similar domestic rupee deposit. After getting ALCO approval, she updates the rate board at her branch and ensures all branches offer the same rate.

What changed

Previously, interest rates on NRE deposits and NRO savings accounts were regulated by RBI. Now, co-operative banks can determine these rates themselves, subject to the cap that they cannot be higher than rates on comparable domestic rupee deposits. The deregulation applies to fresh deposits and renewals only.

What it means for you

Co-operative banks gain flexibility to competitively price NRE and NRO deposits, potentially attracting more non-resident funds. However, the cap linking rates to domestic deposits prevents aggressive rate wars. Banks must monitor external liabilities and ensure asset-liability compatibility to manage systemic risk.

What you must do

Who it affects

State Co-operative Banks (StCBs), District Central Co-operative Banks (DCCBs), NRE and NRO depositors, Treasury and ALCO teams at co-operative banks

❓ 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 higher rates on NRE deposits than on domestic deposits?

No. The circular explicitly states that interest rates on NRE and NRO deposits cannot be higher than those offered on comparable domestic rupee deposits.

Does this deregulation apply to existing deposits?

No. The revised rates apply only to fresh deposits and on renewal of maturing deposits, not to existing deposits.

Do we need board approval for every rate change?

Prior approval of the Board or the Asset Liability Management Committee (if powers are delegated) is required when fixing interest rates on these deposits.

📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Partially modified by NRE Deposit Rate Ceiling Removed for 3+ Year Tenors
RBI’s words: “in modification of the directive RPCD.CO.RCB.Dir.BC.No.48/07.38.01/2011-12 dated December 28, 2011”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/325 RPCD.CO.RCB.Dir.BC.No.49 /07.38.01/2011-12 December 28, 2011 All State and Central Co-operative Banks Dear Sir/Madam, Deregulation of Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits and Ordinary Non-Resident (NRO) Accounts Please refer to paragraph 1 of our circular RPCD.CO.RCB.BC.No.38/ 07.38.01/2011-12 dated November 24, 2011 on Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits and paragraph 2 of our circular RPCD.CO.RCB.BC.No.65/ 07.38.01/2010-11 dated May 3, 2011 on Interest Rates on Deposits. 2. With a view to providing greater flexibility to banks in mobilising non-resident deposits and also in view of the prevailing market conditions, it has been decided to deregulate interest rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits and Ordinary Non-Resident (NRO) Accounts (the interest rates on term deposits under Ordinary Non-Resident (NRO) Accounts are already deregulated). Accordingly, banks are free to determine their interest rates on both savings deposits and term deposits of maturity of one year and above under Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposit accounts and savings deposits under Ordinary Non-Resident (NRO) Accounts with immediate effect. However, interest rates offered by banks on NRE and NRO deposits cannot be higher than those offered by them on comparable domestic rupee deposits. 3. Prior approval of the Board/Asset Liability Management Committee (if powers are delegated by the Board) may be obtained by a bank while fixing interest rates on such deposits. At any point of time, individual banks should offer uniform rates at all their branches. 4. The revised deposit rates will apply only to fresh deposits and on renewal of maturing deposits. Further, banks should closely monitor their external liability arising on account of such deregulation and ensure asset-liability compatibility from systemic risk point of view. 5. An amending directive RPCD.CO.RCB.Dir.BC.No.48/07.38.01/2011-12 dated December 28, 2011 is enclosed. Yours faithfully, (C.D.Srinivasan) Chief General Manager RPCD.CO.RCB.Dir.BC. No.48/07.38.01/2011-12 December 28, 2011 Deregulation of Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits and Ordinary Non-Resident (NRO) Account s In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (As Applicable to Co-operative Societies) and in modification of the directive RPCD.CO.RCB.BC.Dir.No.37/07.38.01/2011-12 dated November 24, 2011 on Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) (NRE) Deposits and RPCD.CO.RCB.BC.Dir.No.64/07.38.01/2010 - 11 dated May 3, 2011 on Interest Rates on Deposits, the Reserve Bank of India being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest so to do, hereby directs that State Co-operative Banks (StCBs) and District Central Co-operative Banks (DCCBs) are free to determine their interest rates on both savings deposits and term deposits of maturity of one year and above under Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposit accounts and savings deposits under Ordinary Non-Resident (NRO) Accounts with immediate effect. However, interest rates offered by banks on NRE and NRO deposits cannot be higher than those offered by them on comparable domestic rupee deposits. (V.K.Sharma) Executive Director
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/325 · issued 28 Dec 2011. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Topics: Co-operative Banks
Key dataSee the live numbers behind this topic: RBI Penalty Tracker, NPA / Asset-Quality Tracker — updated from official RBI data.
Key termsPlain-English definitions of terms in this circular — see the full Indian banking glossary. KYC / AML · Gross NPA (GNPA) · Deposit insurance (DICGC) · Scheduled Commercial Bank (SCB)
Who does what — compliance checklist
🏦 Branch Manager
  • Apply uniform rates across all branches for these deposits.
📜 Compliance
  • Obtain Board or ALCO approval before setting new NRE/NRO deposit rates.
  • Ensure offered rates on NRE/NRO deposits do not exceed comparable domestic rupee deposit rates.
  • Monitor external liabilities arising from these deposits and maintain asset-liability compatibility.
  • Apply revised rates only to fresh deposits and renewals of maturing deposits.
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 (State Co-operative Banks (StCBs), District Central Co-operative Banks (DCCBs), NRE and NRO depositors, Treasury and ALCO teams at co-operative banks), your first concrete step on “RBI Deregulates NRE/NRO Deposit Rates for Co-op Banks” is: “Obtain Board or ALCO approval before setting new NRE/NRO deposit rates.” (RBI issued this 28 Dec 2011).

  1. Circular: RBI/2011-12/325 -- RBI Deregulates NRE/NRO Deposit Rates for Co-op Banks
  2. Issued: 28 Dec 2011
  3. Action required: Obtain Board or ALCO approval before setting new NRE/NRO deposit rates.
  4. Action required: Ensure offered rates on NRE/NRO deposits do not exceed comparable domestic rupee deposit rates.
  5. Action required: Apply uniform rates across all branches for these deposits.
  6. Action required: Monitor external liabilities arising from these deposits and maintain asset-liability compatibility.
  7. Action required: Apply revised rates only to fresh deposits and renewals of maturing deposits.
  8. Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
  9. Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
  10. 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.

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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=6906&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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