HomeCirculars › RBI/2013-14/488

NRE Deposit Rate Deregulation Extended for RRBs and Cooperatives

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/488 · issued 11 Feb 2014 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI extends the freedom for RRBs and cooperative banks to offer uncapped interest rates on incremental NRE deposits of 3+ years maturity until February 28, 2014. From March 1, 2014, rates must revert to not exceed comparable domestic deposit rates.

What changed

The earlier dispensation allowing RRBs and cooperative banks to set interest rates on incremental NRE deposits of 3 years and above without any ceiling, originally valid until January 31, 2014, has been extended to February 28, 2014. After this date, the pre-August 2013 interest rate ceiling will be restored, meaning NRE deposit rates cannot exceed rates on comparable domestic rupee deposits.

What it means for you

Banks get a short additional window to attract NRE deposits without rate caps, leveraging the CRR/SLR exemption benefit. Post-February 28, they must align NRE rates with domestic deposit rates, which may reduce the attractiveness of these deposits for NRIs. This impacts liquidity and cost of funds for RRBs and cooperative banks.

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

Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), State/Central Cooperative Banks (StCBs/CCBs), NRE depositors, Treasury and deposit operations 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 new deadline for the uncapped NRE deposit rate dispensation?

The freedom to offer uncapped interest rates on incremental NRE deposits of 3 years and above is extended until February 28, 2014.

What happens after February 28, 2014?

From March 1, 2014, the interest rate ceiling reverts to the pre-August 2013 position: NRE deposit rates cannot exceed rates on comparable domestic rupee deposits.

Does this apply to all banks?

No, this circular specifically applies to Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and State/Central Cooperative Banks (StCBs/CCBs).

📜 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 #941: RPCD.CO.RRB.RCB.BC.NO.85/03.05.33/2013-14 — "Deregulation of Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits" dated February 11, 2014”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2013-14/488 RPCD.CO.RRB.RCB.BC.NO.85/03.05.33/2013-14 February 11, 2014 All Regional Rural Banks/ State/Central  Cooperative Banks Dear Sir/Madam, Deregulation of Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits Please refer to our circulars RPCD.CO.RRB.BC.No.65/03.05.33/2013-14 and RPCD.CO.RCB.BC.No.68/07.51.014/2013-14 dated December 2, 2013 advising Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and State/Central Cooperative Banks (StCBs/CCBs) that the freedom to offer interest rates on incremental NRE deposits with maturity of 3 years and above without any ceiling in order to pass on the benefit of exemption provided on such deposits from CRR/ SLR requirements will remain valid up to January 31, 2014, subject to review. 2. On a review and in order to give the RRBs/StCBs/CCBs some time, it has been decided to extend the above dispensation till February 28, 2014. With effect from March 1, 2014, the interest rate ceiling will revert to the position prior to August 19, 2013, for RRBs and August 22, 2013, for StCBs/CCBs i.e. interest rates offered by banks on NRE deposits cannot be higher than those offered by them on comparable domestic rupee deposits. 3. All other instructions in this regard, as amended from time to time, will remain unchanged. 4. An amending directive RPCD.CO.RRB.RCB.No.86/03.05.33/2013-14 dated February 11, 2014 is enclosed. Yours faithfully, (A.Udgata) Principal Chief General Manager RPCD.CO.RRB/RCB.Dir.No.86/03.05.33/2013-14 February 11, 2014 Deregulation of Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, and Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, (AACS) and in modification of the directive RPCD.CO.RRB.Dir.No.66/03.05.33/2013-14 and RPCD.CO.RCB.Dir.No.67/07.51.014/2013-14  dated December 2, 2013 on Deregulation of Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits, the Reserve Bank of India being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest so to do, hereby directs that instructions issued vide directive RPCD.CO.RRB.Dir.No.23/03.05.33/2013-14 dated August 19, 2013 for RRBs and RPCD.CO.RCB.Dir.No.25/07.51.014/2013-14 dated August 22, 2013 for StCBs/CCBs will continue till February 28, 2014. With effect from March 1, 2014, the interest rate ceiling will revert to the position prior to August 19, 2013, for RRBs and August 22, 2013 for StCBs/CCBs i.e. interest rates offered by banks on NRE deposits cannot be higher than those offered by them on comparable domestic rupee deposits. Dr.(Smt.) Deepali Pant Joshi Executive Director
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/488 · issued 11 Feb 2014. 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=8740&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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