HomeCirculars › RBI/2011-12/476

UCBs Can Now Negotiate Restricted LCs for Non-Borrowers

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/476 · issued 30 Mar 2012 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI now allows UCBs to negotiate restricted LCs even if the beneficiary isn't a regular borrower, provided proceeds go to their regular banker. This relaxes earlier rules but keeps the ban on unrestricted LCs for non-borrowers.

What changed

Previously, UCBs could only purchase/discount/negotiate bills under LCs for borrowers with sanctioned regular credit facilities. Now, for LCs restricted to a particular UCB, the bank may negotiate such LCs at its discretion for non-borrower beneficiaries, based on the creditworthiness of the LC issuing bank, provided the proceeds are remitted to the beneficiary's regular banker. The prohibition on negotiating unrestricted LCs for non-borrowers remains unchanged.

What it means for you

UCBs gain flexibility to serve non-borrower clients under restricted LCs, potentially expanding business opportunities. However, they must assess the LC issuing bank's credit risk carefully and ensure proceeds flow to the beneficiary's regular banker, maintaining discipline. The restriction on unrestricted LCs stays, so UCBs cannot bypass borrower-lender norms for open LCs.

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

Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks (UCBs), Beneficiaries of restricted LCs who are not regular borrowers of the negotiating UCB, LC issuing banks whose creditworthiness is assessed by UCBs

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

Can we negotiate a restricted LC for a beneficiary who is not our borrower?

Yes, RBI now permits this at your discretion, based on the creditworthiness of the LC issuing bank, provided the proceeds are sent to the beneficiary's regular banker.

Does this circular allow negotiation of unrestricted LCs for non-borrowers?

No, the prohibition on negotiating unrestricted LCs for entities without regular credit facilities remains in force.

What compliance requirements apply when negotiating such restricted LCs?

You must adhere to RBI and RCS/CRCS instructions on sharelinking to borrowing and the Co-operative Societies Act membership provisions.

📜 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 #1361: UBD.BPD.(PCB).Cir.No.29/13.05.000/2011-12 — "Discounting of Bills by UCBs - Restricted Letters of Credit (LC)" dated March 30, 2012”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/476 UBD.BPD.(PCB). Cir.No. 29/13.05.000/ 2011-12 March 30, 2012 The Chief Executive Officers of All Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks Madam / Dear Sir, Discounting of Bills by UCBs – Restricted Letters of Credit (LC) Please refer to our Circular UBD.No.BPD.PCB.Cir.37/13.05.00/2003-2004 dated March 16, 2004 wherein UCBs were advised, inter alia, that they should purchase / discount / negotiate bills under LCs only for their borrower constituents who have been sanctioned regular credit facilities. 2. The above instructions have been reviewed and it has been decided that in case of bills drawn under LCs restricted to a particular UCB, and the beneficiary of the LC is not a borrower who has been granted regular credit facility by that UCB, the UCB concerned may, as per their discretion and based on their perception about the credit worthiness of the LC issuing bank, negotiate such LCs, subject to the condition that the proceeds will be remitted to the regular banker of the beneficiary of the LC. However, the prohibition regarding negotiation of unrestricted LCs for borrowers who have not been sanctioned regular credit facilities will continue to be in force. 3. UCBs negotiating bills as above, under restricted LCs, would have to adhere to the instructions of the Reserve Bank / RCS or CRCS regarding sharelinking to borrowing and provisions of Co-operative Societies Act on membership. 4. The guidelines mentioned in para 2 above would be applicable from the date of this circular. All other instructions on discounting of bills under LC will remain unchanged. 5. Please acknowledge receipt of the circular to the Regional Office concerned. Yours faithfully, (A. Udgata) Chief General Manager-in-Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/476 · issued 30 Mar 2012. 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=7100&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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