**Policy Summary: Expansion of Hedging Options for Small Finance Banks (SFBs) in Rupee Interest Rate Derivatives**
This circular, reference number RBI/2024-25/23 DOR.MRG.REC.1500/00.018/2024-25, issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on April 23, 2024, expands the hedging options available to Small Finance Banks (SFBs). Previously, SFBs were limited to using Interest Rate Futures (IRFs) for proprietary hedging. This policy change now permits SFBs to deal in permissible rupee interest rate derivative products, as defined by the Rupee Interest Rate Derivatives (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2019 dated June 26, 2019, and subsequent amendments, for hedging interest rate risk. This decision aims to provide SFBs with greater flexibility and more effective tools for managing interest rate risk in their balance sheet and commercial operations. The instructions outlined in this circular are applicable to all Small Finance Banks and are effective immediately. For further information, contact Usha Janakiraman, Chief General Manager, Department of Regulation, Central Office, Reserve Bank of India, 12th-13th Floor, Central Office Bhavan, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Mumbai – 400001. Tel No: 22661602, 22601000 Fax No: 022-2270 5670, 2260 5671, 2270 5691, 2260 5692.
Key Entities Referenced
Reserve Bank of India: The central bank of India, responsible for regulating the banking sector and monetary policy.
Small Finance Banks: A type of bank in India focused on providing basic banking services to underserved populations.
Interest Rate Futures: Financial contracts obligating the buyer to receive or the seller to deliver the value of an interest rate on a specific date.
Rupee Interest Rate Derivatives: Financial instruments whose value is derived from rupee interest rates, used for hedging and speculation.
Rupee Interest Rate Derivatives Reserve Bank Directions, 2019: A regulatory document issued by the Reserve Bank of India governing the use of rupee interest rate derivatives.
Mumbai, Maharashtra: A city in India where the central office of Reserve Bank of India is located.
Usha Janakiraman: Chief General Manager at Reserve Bank of India.
Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies: A policy statement issued as part of the Bimonthly Monetary Policy Statement.
भारतीय �रज़व� ब�क
_________________________RESERVE BANK OF INDIA ______________________
www.rbi.org.in
RBI/2024-25/23
DOR.MRG.REC.15/00.00.018/2024-25 April 23, 2024
Dealing in Rupee Interest Rate Derivative products - Small Finance Banks
Please refer to paragraph 4 of Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies
issued as a part of the Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement for 2024-25 dated April
05, 2024 read with Paragraph 1.10 of the ‘Operating Guidelines for Small Finance
Banks’ dated October 6, 2016.
2. Extant guidelines permit Small Finance Banks (SFBs) to use only Interest Rate
Futures (IRFs) for the purpose of proprietary hedging. In order to expand the avenues
available to the SFBs for hedging interest rate risk in their balance sheet and
commercial operations more effectively as well as with a view to provide them with
greater flexibility, it has now been decided to allow them to deal in permissible rupee
interest rate derivative products for hedging interest rate risk in terms of the Rupee
Interest Rate Derivatives (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2019 dated June 26, 2019, as
amended from time to time.
Applicability
3. This circular is applicable to all Small Finance Banks.
4. These instructions shall come into force with immediate effect.
Yours faithfully,
(Usha Janakiraman)
Chief General Manager
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�व�नयमन �वभाग, क�द्र�य कायार्लय, 12वी ं और 13वी ं मंिज़ल, क�द्र�य कायार्लय भवन, शह�द भगत �सहं माग,र् मंबु ई 400001
टेल�फोन /Tel No: 22661602, 22601000 फैक्स/Fax No: 022-2270 5670, 2260 5671, 5691 2270, 2260 5692
Department of Regulation, Central Office, 12th & 13th Floor, Central Office Bhavan, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Mumbai - 400001
Tel No: 22661602, 22601000 Fax No: 022-2270 5670, 2260 5671, 5691, 5692