HomeCirculars › RBI/2011-12/391

Savings Bank Deposit Rate Deregulation: End-of-Day Balance Clarification

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/391 · issued 25 Nov 2011 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI clarifies that revised savings bank deposit interest rate guidelines apply only to domestic resident deposits. Interest must be calculated on end-of-day balances: uniform rate up to Rs. 1 lakh, differential rates allowed above Rs. 1 lakh. Board/ALCO approval needed for rate fixation.

What changed

RBI clarified that the deregulation of savings bank deposit interest rates, initially announced in November 2011, applies only to domestic savings deposits held by residents in India. Banks must now calculate interest on these deposits based on the end-of-day balance, with a uniform rate for balances up to Rs. 1 lakh and the option to apply differential rates for balances exceeding Rs. 1 lakh.

What it means for you

For urban co-operative banks, this clarification standardizes the calculation method for savings deposit interest, ensuring uniformity across all branches. Banks can now offer tiered interest rates on larger balances, potentially attracting high-value depositors, but must obtain board or ALCO approval for rate setting. This may increase operational complexity but offers flexibility in pricing.

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, Domestic resident savings account holders, Bank treasury and ALCO teams

❓ 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 NRI savings accounts?

No, the clarification specifies that the revised guidelines apply only to domestic savings bank deposits held by residents in India.

Can we offer different interest rates for balances above Rs. 1 lakh?

Yes, for any end-of-day balance exceeding Rs. 1 lakh, banks may apply differential rates as fixed by them, subject to board/ALCO approval.

What is the effective date for these changes?

The circular was issued on February 7, 2012, and references the earlier November 25, 2011 circular. Banks should implement these clarifications immediately.

📜 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 #1375: UBD.BPD.(PCB).CIR.No.18/13.01.000/2011-12 — "Deregulation of Savings Bank Deposit Interest Rate - Clarification" dated February 7, 2012”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/391 UBD.BPD.(PCB) CIR No. 18 /13.01.000/2011-12 February 7 , 2012 The Chief Executive Officers All Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks Dear Sir/Madam, Deregulation of Savings Bank Deposit Interest Rate – Clarification Please refer to our circular UBD.BPD.(PCB).CIR No.13/13.01.000/2011-12 dated November 25, 2011 . 2. We clarify that the revised guidelines issued vide our circular referred to above would be applicable to domestic savings bank deposits held by residents in India. Further, the interest rates applicable on the domestic savings deposit will be determined on the basis of end-of-day balance in the account. Accordingly, while calculating interest on domestic savings bank deposits, banks are required to apply the uniform rate set by them on end-of-day balance up to Rs. 1 lakh and for any end-of-day balance exceeding Rs.1 lakh, banks may apply the differential rate(s) as fixed by them. 3. Banks may ensure that interest rate is applied, as stated above, on the end-of-day balances of all domestic savings deposits accounts and no discrimination is made at any of its offices. 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. 4. All other instructions in this regard, as amended from time to time, will remain unchanged. Yours faithfully, (A. Udgata) Chief General Manager-in-Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/391 · 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=6996&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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