HomeCirculars › RBI/2012-13/177

RBI Advises Co-operative Banks to Minimize Deposit Rate Variations

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/177 · issued 28 Aug 2012 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI directs state and central co-operative banks to minimize interest rate differences between deposits of ₹15 lakh and above and smaller deposits of similar tenors, citing poor liquidity management and pricing practices.

What changed

RBI observed that banks offer significantly different interest rates on single term deposits of ₹15 lakh and above compared to smaller deposits of the same maturity, and also on deposits with very close maturities. This circular advises banks to adopt a board-approved transparent policy for liability pricing and ensure minimal variation in rates for corresponding maturities.

What it means for you

Banks must now tighten their deposit pricing frameworks to avoid wide spreads that signal weak liquidity management. The directive pushes ALCOs and boards to align rates more closely across deposit slabs. This could compress margins on large-ticket deposits and force better asset-liability matching.

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

State Co-operative Banks, Central Co-operative Banks, Asset-Liability Committees (ALCOs), Treasury and deposit pricing teams

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

What is the minimum deposit threshold for the differential rate rule?

The circular specifically refers to single term deposits of ₹15 lakh and above, as originally permitted in 1998.

Does this circular apply to all banks or only co-operative banks?

It is addressed to Chairmen/CEOs of all State and Central Co-operative Banks, so it applies only to those entities.

What should we do if our current rates have wide variations?

You must immediately put in place a Board-approved transparent policy on liability pricing and ensure that the variation in rates for deposits of ₹15 lakh and above versus smaller deposits of corresponding maturities is minimal.

📜 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 #1236: RPCD.CO.RCB.BC.No.26/07.38.01/2012-13 — "Interest Rate on Deposits" dated August 28, 2012”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2012-13/177 RPCD.CO.RCB.BC.No.26/07.38.01/2012-13 August 28, 2012 The Chairmen / CEOs of All State and Central Co-operative Banks Dear Sir, Interest Rate on Deposits Please refer to our circular RPCD.No.RF.BC.39/07.38.01/98-99 dated December 4, 1998 whereby State and Central Co-operative Banks were permitted to offer, at their discretion, differential rates of interest on single term deposits of ` 15 lakh and above, subject to the condition that the schedule of interest rates payable on deposits, including deposits on which differential interest is paid, is disclosed in advance and not subject to negotiation between the depositor and the bank. 2. In this connection, attention is invited to paragraphs 84 and 85 of the Monetary Policy Statement 2012-13 announced on April 17, 2012 (extract enclosed) on Variation in Interest Rates on Deposits. It has been observed that there are wide variations in the interest rates offered by banks on single term deposits of ` 15 lakh and above and those offered on other deposits (i.e. deposits less than ` 15 lakh) of corresponding maturities. Further, banks are offering significantly different rates on deposits with very little difference in maturities. This suggests inadequate liquidity management system and inadequate pricing methodologies. Banks are, therefore, advised to put in place a Board approved transparent policy on pricing of liabilities. The Board/ALCO should ensure that the variation in interest rates on single term deposits of ` 15 lakh and above and other term deposits (i.e. deposits less than ` 15 lakh) is minimal for corresponding maturities. Yours faithfully (C.D.Srinivasan) Chief General Manager Encl: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/177 · issued 28 Aug 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=7529&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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