Executive Summary:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues the Cooperative Banks Interest Rate on Deposits Directions, 2016, effective from the date of its placement on the RBI official website. These directions, issued under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, outline the framework for interest rates on various deposit accounts held by cooperative banks. The guidelines cover domestic rupee deposits, rupee deposits of non-residents, and foreign currency deposits, ensuring transparency and uniformity in interest rate policies.
Key Points / Main Content:
General Guidelines:
* Cooperative banks must have a board-approved comprehensive policy on interest rates.
* Interest rates must be uniform across all branches and customers for similar deposits and disclosed in advance.
* Interest rates should be reasonable, consistent, and transparent, subject to supervisory review.
* Transactions involving interest payments must be rounded off to the nearest rupee (or two decimal places for FCNR B deposits).
* If a term deposit matures on a non-business day, interest at the original contracted rate must be paid for the intervening period.
Domestic Rupee Deposits:
* No interest is paid on current accounts, except for balances of deceased individual depositors or sole proprietorship concerns.
* Savings deposit interest is calculated on a daily product basis, with potentially differential rates for balances exceeding Rupees one lakh.
* Term deposit interest rates can vary based on tenor and size of deposits, but differential rates only apply to bulk deposits.
* Term deposits from individuals and HUFs for amounts up to Rupees one crore must have premature withdrawal facility.
* Cooperative banks may offer additional interest to bank staff, retired staff, and their associations, subject to specific conditions.
* Overdue term deposits attract either the savings account interest rate or the contracted rate, whichever is lower.
* Floating rate term deposits must be linked to a transparent, market-determined external benchmark.
* Interest on savings deposits must be credited at least quarterly.
Rupee Deposits of Non-Residents:
* Only authorized cooperative banks can accept NRE and NRO deposits.
* Interest rates are subject to general guidelines and must not exceed those on comparable domestic deposits.
* Additional interest for bank staff or senior citizens is not available on NRE and NRO deposits.
* Minimum tenor for NRE term deposits is one year, and for NRO term deposits, it is seven days.
* No lien should be marked against NRE savings deposits.
* A comprehensive policy on penalties for premature withdrawal of NRE term deposits must be in place.
Foreign Currency Deposits:
* Only scheduled cooperative banks (Authorised Dealer Category I) can accept FCNR B deposits.
* Interest rates are subject to general guidelines and vary based on the tenor of the deposit.
* Interest reset period for floating rate deposits is six months.
* Interest rates must adhere to prescribed ceilings based on Overnight Alternative Reference Rates.
* Interest is calculated on a 360-day year basis and paid at 180-day intervals, with the option for compounding.
* Specific rules apply for interest calculation on renewal and premature withdrawal of FCNR B deposits.
Prohibitions:
* Cooperative banks are prohibited from paying commissions, brokerage, or incentives on deposits, except in specific cases.
* Offering prizes, lotteries, or free trips for deposit mobilization is prohibited.
* Unethical practices involving agents or third parties for resource raising are prohibited.
* Advertisements highlighting only compounded yield without indicating the simple interest rate are prohibited.
* Accepting interest-free deposits (other than current accounts) or paying compensation indirectly is prohibited.
* Granting advances against term deposits maintained with other banks is prohibited.
* Opening savings accounts in the name of specific entities like government departments and political parties is prohibited, with some exceptions.
Exemptions:
* The directions do not apply to deposits received from institutions participating in the money market or for which participation certificates are issued.
* Payment of interest on delayed collection of outstation instruments is exempt.
Repeal:
* Several circulars related to interest rates on rupee deposits and FCNRB deposits stand repealed.
Impact Analysis:
Cooperative Banks:
* Impact: Must align deposit interest rate policies with the new directives, ensuring uniformity, transparency, and compliance.
* Action Required: Update internal policies, train staff, and implement necessary changes to comply with the new guidelines.
Depositors:
* Impact: Experience standardized and transparent interest rate practices across cooperative banks.
* Action Required: Understand the new rules related to interest rates on different types of deposit accounts, including premature withdrawal penalties.
Reserve Bank of India:
* Impact: Enhanced regulatory framework for cooperative banks, promoting stability and transparency in deposit interest rates.
* Action Required: Supervise and monitor the implementation of these directions by cooperative banks through regular reviews and scrutiny.
Key Entities Referenced
Reserve Bank of India: The central bank of India, responsible for issuing these directions regarding interest rates on deposits in cooperative banks.
Banking Regulation Act, 1949: An act of parliament in India that regulates banking firms in India.
Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934: The legislation that established the Reserve Bank of India.
Cooperative Banks: Banks in India to which these directions apply, including State cooperative banks, Central cooperative banks, and Primary cooperative banks.
Foreign Exchange Management Deposit Regulations, 2000: Regulations pertaining to various accounts for non-residents, such as FCNRB, NRE, and NRO accounts.
NRE Deposits: Non-Resident External Rupee Deposits, a type of deposit account for non-residents.
FCNRB: Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Banks) Scheme; a scheme allowing scheduled cooperative banks to accept foreign currency deposits.
Resident Foreign Currency Account Scheme: A scheme under which resident individuals in India can hold accounts in foreign currency.
RBI/DCBR/2015-16/23
Master Direction DCBR.Dir.No.1/13.01.000/2015-16
May 12, 2016
(Updated as on January 01, 2024)
(Updated as on October 26, 2023)
(Updated as on September 16, 2022)
(Updated as on November 11, 2021)
(Updated as on July 02, 2021)
Master Direction - Reserve Bank of India
(Co-operative Banks - Interest Rate on Deposits) Directions, 2016
In exercise of the powers conferred by Sections 21 and 35 A read with section 56 of the
Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the Reserve Bank of India being satisfied that it is necessary and
expedient in the public interest so to do, hereby, issues the Directions hereinafter specified.
INDEX
Section Particulars
CHAPTER – I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short Title and Commencement
2. Applicability
3. Definitions
CHAPTER – II
GENERAL GUIDELINES
4. Interest Rate framework
CHAPTER – III
DOMESTIC RUPEE DEPOSITS
5. Interest rate on domestic Current Account
6. Interest Rate on domestic Saving Deposits
7. Interest Rates on domestic Term Deposits
18. Payment of Additional Interest on domestic deposits
9. Interest on overdue domestic deposits
10. Floating rate domestic term deposits
11. Periodicity of payment of Interest on domestic savings deposits
12. Interest payable on the domestic deposit account of deceased depositor
13. Penalty on premature withdrawal of domestic term deposit
CHAPTER – IV
RUPEE DEPOSITS OF NON-RESIDENTS
14. Interest rates on Rupee Deposits-Non-Residents
15. Prohibition on marking lien
16. Penalty on premature withdrawal of NRE deposits
17. Interest payable on the NRE term deposit account of deceased depositor
CHAPTER – V
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS
18. Foreign Currency (Non-resident) Accounts (Banks) Scheme
19. Manner of calculation of interest on FCNR(B) deposits
20. Calculation of interest on renewal of FCNR (B) deposits
21. Interest payable on the deposit of a deceased FCNR(B) depositor
22. Payment of interest on FCNR (B) deposits of NRIs on return to India
Conversion of FCNR (B) Accounts of Returning Indians into RFC
23.
Accounts/Resident Rupee Accounts- Payment of interest
24. Premature withdrawal of deposits
25. Penalty on Premature Withdrawal of deposits
26. Resident Foreign Currency Accounts Scheme
CHAPTER – VI
PROHIBITIONS AND EXEMPTIONS
27. Prohibitions
28. Exemptions
SCHEDULE- I
CHAPTER – VII
REPEAL AND OTHER PROVISIONS
29. List of circulars
2CHAPTER - I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short Title and Commencement
(a) These Directions shall be called the Reserve Bank of India (Co-operative Banks -
Interest Rate on Deposits) Directions, 2016.
(b) These directions shall come into effect on the day it is placed on the official website of
the Reserve Bank of India.
2. Applicability
The provisions of these Directions shall apply to every co-operative bank licensed or
permitted to carry on banking business in India by the Reserve Bank of India.
3. Definitions
(a) In these Directions, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms herein shall bear
the meanings assigned to them below:
i) "Bulk Deposit" means:
i) Single Rupee term deposits of Rupees one crore and above for Scheduled
UCBs categorised as Tier 3 and 4 UCBs under the revised regulatory
framework.
ii) Single Rupee term deposits of Rupees fifteen lakh and above for all other Co-
operative banks (i.e., other than Scheduled UCBs in Tier 3 and 4).
ii) “Co-operative bank” means a State co-operative bank, a Central co-operative bank
and a Primary co-operative bank.
iii) "Current Account" means a form of non-interest bearing demand deposit wherefrom
withdrawals are allowed any number of times depending upon the balance in the
account or up to a particular agreed amount and shall also be deemed to include
other deposit accounts which are neither Savings Deposit nor Term Deposit.
iv) "Daily product" means the interest applied on the end of day balance.
v) "Demand deposit" means a deposit received by the bank, which is withdrawable on
demand;
vi) "Domestic Rupee Deposits" mean rupee deposits maintained in India in the form of
current account, savings deposits or term deposit.
vii) "Family" includes members as mentioned in the banks Service/Staff Regulations.
3viii) "FCNR(B) account" means a Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) account
referred to in Foreign Exchange Management (Deposit) Regulations, 2000, as
amended from time to time.
ix) "Individual" means a natural person.
x) "Member of the banks staff" means a person employed on a regular basis, whether
full-time or part-time, and includes a person recruited on probation or employed on a
contract of a specified duration or on deputation and an employee taken over in
pursuance of any scheme of amalgamation, but does not include a person employed
on casual basis.
xi) "Notice deposit" means term deposit for specific period but withdrawable on giving at
least one complete banking day’s notice.
xii) "NRE account" means a Non-resident External deposit account referred to in Foreign
Exchange Management (Deposit) Regulations, 2000, as amended from time to time.
xiii) "NRO account" means a Non-resident Ordinary deposit account referred to in
Foreign Exchange Management (Deposit) Regulations, 2000, as amended from time
to time.
xiv) "Retired member of the banks staff" means an employee retiring whether on
superannuation or otherwise as provided in the banks Service/Staff Regulations.
xv) "RFC account" means a Resident Foreign Currency account referred to in Foreign
Exchange Management (Foreign currency accounts by a person resident in India)
Regulations, 2000, as amended from time to time.
xvi) "Savings deposit" means a form of interest bearing demand deposit which is a
deposit account whether designated as "Savings Account", "Savings Bank Account",
"Savings Deposit Account", "Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account (BSBDA)" or
other account by whatever name called which is subject to the restrictions as to the
number of withdrawals as also the amounts of withdrawals permitted by the bank
during any specified period;
xvii) “Scheduled co-operative bank” means a State co-operative bank and a Primary co-
operative bank included in second schedule of Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
xviii) "Term deposit" means interest bearing deposit received by the bank for a fixed
period and shall also include deposits such as Recurring / Cumulative / Annuity /
Reinvestment deposits and Cash Certificates;
(b) All other expressions unless defined herein shall have the same meaning as have been
assigned to them under the Banking Regulation Act or the Reserve Bank of India Act, or
any statutory modification or re-enactment thereto or as used in commercial parlance, as
the case may be.
4CHAPTER - II
GENERAL GUIDELINES
4. Interest Rate framework
Co-operative banks shall pay interest on deposits of money (other than current account
deposits) accepted by them or renewed by them in their Domestic, Ordinary Non-Resident
(NRO), Non-Resident (External) Accounts (NRE) and Foreign Currency (Non-resident)
Accounts (Banks) Scheme {FCNR(B)} deposit account on the terms and conditions specified
in these directions:
(a) There shall be a comprehensive policy on interest rates on deposits duly approved by
the Board of Directors or any committee of the Board to which powers have been
delegated.
(b) The rates shall be uniform across all branches and for all customers and there shall be
no discrimination in the matter of interest paid on the deposits, between one deposit and
another of similar amount, accepted on the same date, at any of its offices.
(c) Interest rates payable on deposits shall be strictly as per the schedule of interest rates
disclosed in advance
(d) The rates shall not be subject to negotiation between the depositors and the co-
operative bank.
(e) The interest rates offered shall be reasonable, consistent, transparent and available for
supervisory review/scrutiny as and when required.
(f) All transactions, involving payment of interest on deposits shall be rounded off to the
nearest rupee for rupee deposits and to two decimal places for FCNR (B) deposits.
(g) Deposits maturing on a Sunday / holiday / non-business working day
i) If a term deposit is maturing for payment on a Sunday / holiday / non-business
working day, co-operative banks shall pay interest at the originally contracted rate on
the original principal deposit amount for the Sunday / holiday / non-business working
day, intervening between the date of the maturity of the specified term of the deposit
and the date of payment of the proceeds of the deposit on the succeeding working
day.
ii) In case of reinvestment deposits and recurring deposits, co-operative banks shall
pay interest for the intervening non-business working day on the maturity value.
5CHAPTER - III
DOMESTIC RUPEE DEPOSITS
5. Interest rate on domestic Current Account
No interest shall be paid on deposits held in current accounts,
Provided that balances lying in current account standing in the name of a deceased
individual depositor or sole proprietorship concern shall attract interest from the date of
death of the depositor till the date of repayment to the claimant/s at the rate of interest
applicable to savings deposit as on the date of payment.
6. Interest Rate on domestic Saving Deposits
In addition to the conditions laid down in section 4 of these Directions, interest on domestic
rupee savings deposits shall be subject to the following:
Interest on domestic rupee savings deposits shall be calculated on a daily product basis as
under:
(a) A uniform interest rate shall be set on balance up to Rupees one lakh, irrespective of the
amount in the account within this limit.
(b) Differential rates of interest may be provided for any end-of-day savings bank balance
exceeding Rupees one lakh.
7. Interest Rates on domestic Term Deposits
(a) In addition to the conditions laid down in section 4 of these Directions, interest rates on
term deposits shall vary only on account of one or more of the following reasons:
i) Tenor of Deposits
Co-operative banks shall have the freedom to determine the maturity / tenor of the
deposit subject to the condition that minimum tenor of the deposit offered shall be
seven days.
ii) Size of Deposits
Differential interest rate shall be offered only on bulk deposits,
Provided that differential interest shall not be applicable on deposit schemes framed
on the basis of the Bank Term Deposit Scheme, 2006.
iii) Non- availability of premature withdrawal option
Co-operative banks shall have the freedom to offer term deposits without premature
withdrawal option,
Provided that all term deposits accepted from individuals (held singly or jointly) and
6Hindu Undivided Families for amount of Rupees one crore and below shall have
premature-withdrawal-facility.
(b) Payment of Interest on pre-mature withdrawal:
The interest rates applicable on term deposits withdrawn before the maturity date shall
be as under:
i) Interest shall be paid at the rate applicable to the amount and period for which the
deposit remained with the co-operative bank and not at the contracted rate.
ii) No interest shall be paid, where premature withdrawal of deposits takes place before
completion of the minimum period specified in section 7(a)(i).
8. Payment of Additional Interest on domestic deposits
(a) Co-operative banks shall, at their discretion, allow additional interest of one per cent per
annum, over and above the rate of interest mentioned in the schedule of interest rates
on savings or term deposits of banks staff and their exclusive Associations as well as on
deposits of Managing Director who acts as the Chief Executive of the co-operative bank
drawing regular salary from the co-operative bank, subject to the following conditions:
i) The additional interest is payable till the person continues to be eligible for the same
and in case of his ceasing to be so eligible, till the maturity of a term deposit account.
ii) In case of employees taken over pursuant to the scheme of amalgamation, the
additional interest is allowed only if the interest at the contractual rate together with
the additional interest does not exceed the rate, which could have been allowed if
such employees were originally employed by the co-operative bank.
iii) In the case of employees taken on deputation from another bank, the co-operative
bank from which they are deputed may allow additional interest in respect of the
savings or term deposit account opened with it during the period of deputation.
iv) In the case of persons taken on deputation for a fixed tenure or on a contract of a
fixed tenure, the benefit will cease to accrue on the expiry of the term of deputation
or contract, as the case may be.
v) Bank Employees Federations, in which co-operative bank employees are not direct
members, shall not be eligible for additional interest.
vi) The additional interest may be paid on the following deposits after obtaining a
declaration from the depositor concerned, that the monies deposited or which may
be deposited from time to time into such account belong to the depositor:
a. member or a retired member of the co-operative banks staff, either singly or
jointly with any member or members of his/her family; or
7b. the spouse of a deceased member or a deceased retired member of the co-
operative banks staff; and
c. an Association or a Fund, members of which are members of the co-
operative banks staff;
(b) Co-operative banks shall, at their discretion, formulate term deposit schemes specifically
for resident Indian senior citizens, offering higher and fixed rates of interest as compared
to normal deposits of any size,
Provided that this facility is not offered on the term deposit standing in the name of an
HUF or the Karta of the Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), even if the Karta is a resident
Indian senior citizen.
(c) Co-operative banks shall, at their discretion, give their resident Indian retired staff, who
are senior citizens, the benefit of additional interest rates as admissible to senior citizens
over and above the additional interest payable to them by virtue of their being retired
members of the co-operative banks staff.
9. Interest on overdue domestic deposits
(a) The rate of interest to be paid on renewal of overdue term deposits shall be subject to
the stipulation contained in section 4 of these Directions.
(b) If a Term Deposit (TD) matures and proceeds are unpaid, the amount left unclaimed
with the co-operative bank shall attract rate of interest as applicable to savings account
or the contracted rate of interest on the matured TD, whichever is lower.
10. Floating rate domestic term deposits
Floating rate domestic term deposits shall be linked to a directly observable and transparent
market determined external benchmark.
11. Periodicity of payment of interest on domestic savings deposits
(a) Interest on savings deposit shall be credited at quarterly or longer intervals.
(b) Interest on savings bank accounts, including those frozen by the enforcement
authorities, shall be credited on regular basis irrespective of the operational status of the
account.
12. Interest payable on the domestic deposit account of deceased depositor
The rate of interest on matured deposits standing in the name of a deceased individual
depositor, or two or more joint depositors, where one of the depositors has died, shall be
subject to the conditions laid down in section 4 of these Directions.
813. Penalty on premature withdrawal of domestic term deposit
(a) There shall be a comprehensive policy on penalties for premature withdrawal of term
deposits approved by the Board of Directors or any Committee of the Board to which
powers have been delegated.
(b) The components of penalty shall be clearly brought to the notice of the depositors at the
time of acceptance of deposits. If not, no penalty shall be levied.
(c) In case of splitting of the amount of term deposit at the request from the claimant/s of
deceased depositors or Joint account holders, no penalty for premature withdrawal of
the term deposit shall be levied if the period and aggregate amount of the deposit do not
undergo any change.
9CHAPTER - IV
RUPEE DEPOSITS OF NON-RESIDENTS
Rupee deposits of non-residents under Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits and
Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) Deposits shall be accepted by only those co-operative banks that
are authorised by the Reserve Bank of India in this behalf.
14. Interest rates on Rupee Deposits - Non-Residents
Interest on deposits of money accepted or renewed under NRE / NRO deposit scheme shall
be on the terms and conditions specified in the ensuing paragraphs:
(a) The interest rates shall be subject to the conditions laid down in section 4 of these
Directions.
(b) Interest rates on savings deposits under Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposit /
Ordinary Non-Resident (NRO) Deposits shall be in accordance with section 6 of these
Directions.
(c) Interest rates on NRE / NRO term deposits shall vary only on account of one or more of
the following reasons:
i) Tenor of Deposits:
Co-operative banks shall have the freedom to determine the maturity / tenor of
the deposit subject to the condition that minimum tenor of NRE term deposits
shall be one year and that of NRO term deposits shall be seven days.
ii) Size of Deposits
Differential interest rate shall be offered only on bulk deposits
iii) Non-availability of Premature withdrawal option:
Co-operative Banks shall have the freedom to offer NRE / NRO term deposits
without premature withdrawal option, provided that all NRE / NRO term deposits
accepted from individuals (held singly or jointly) for amount of Rupees one crore
and below shall have premature-withdrawal-facility.
(d) Interest rates on NRE/ NRO deposits shall not be higher than those offered by the co-
operative banks on comparable domestic rupee term deposits.
(e) The benefit of additional interest rate on deposits on account of being co-operative
banks own staff or senior citizens shall not be available to NRE and NRO deposits.
(f) Interest on savings deposits shall be credited at quarterly or longer intervals.
10(g) If an NRE account holder, immediately on return to India, requests for conversion of the
NRE term deposit into Resident Foreign Currency Account (RFC), interest shall be paid
as under:
i) if the NRE deposit has not run for a minimum period of one year, interest shall be
paid at a rate not exceeding the rate payable on savings deposits held in RFC
accounts.
ii) In all other cases, interest shall be paid at the contracted rate.
15. Prohibition on marking lien
Co-operative banks shall not mark any type of lien, direct or indirect, against NRE savings
deposits.
16. Penalty on premature withdrawal of NRE deposits
There shall be a comprehensive policy on penalties for premature withdrawal of NRE term
deposits approved by the Board of Directors or any Committee of the Board to which powers
have been delegated, subject to the following:
(a) The components of penalty shall be clearly brought to the notice of the depositors at the
time of acceptance of the deposits.
(b) No penalty shall be levied for premature withdrawal of NRE term deposits for conversion
into Resident Foreign Currency (RFC) Account.
(c) Penalties for premature withdrawal shall be levied for conversion of NRE deposit into
FCNR (B) deposit and vice versa.
17. Interest payable on the NRE term deposit account of deceased depositor
In case the claimants of an NRE term deposit account of a deceased depositor are
residents, the deposit on maturity shall be treated as a domestic rupee term deposit and
interest shall be paid for the subsequent period at the rate applicable to a domestic term
deposit of similar maturity.
11CHAPTER - V
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS
Foreign Currency deposits under Foreign Currency (Non-Resident) Accounts (Banks) Scheme
shall be accepted by scheduled co-operative banks (Authorised Dealer – Category I) only.
18. Foreign Currency (Non-Resident) Accounts (Banks) Scheme
Interest on deposits of money accepted or renewed under the Foreign Currency (Non-
Resident) Accounts (Banks) Scheme shall be in accordance with the terms and conditions
specified in the ensuing paragraphs:
(a) The interest rates shall be subject to the conditions laid down in section 4 of these
Directions.
(b) Interest rates on term deposits under FCNR(B) scheme shall vary only on account of
one or more of the following reasons:
i) Tenor of deposits
The maturity period for term deposits under the FCNR(B) scheme shall be as under:
a. One year and above but less than two years
b. Two years and above but less than three years
c. Three years and above but less than four years
d. Four years and above but less than five years
e. Five years only
Provided that no scheduled co-operative bank (Authorised Dealer) shall accept or
renew FCNR(B) deposits over five years and no recurring deposits shall be
accepted under the FCNR(B) Scheme.
ii) Size of deposits
Scheduled co-operative banks (Authorised Dealers) shall, at their discretion, decide
the currency-wise minimum quantum on which differential rates of interest may be
offered.
(c) The interest rates on all deposits, including where differential rates of interest are
offered, shall be subject to the overall ceiling prescribed at 18 (g) below.
(d) Interest on floating rate deposits shall be paid within the ceiling of swap rates for the
respective currency/ maturity and in case of fixed rate deposits, interest shall be paid
within the ceiling of Overnight Alternative Reference Rate1 for the respective currency/
maturity.
12(e) The interest reset period shall be six months for all floating rate deposits.
(f) The Overnight Alternative Reference Rate1 for the respective currency / SWAP rates as
on the last working day of the preceding month shall form the base for fixing ceiling rates
for the interest rates offered effective in the following month.
(g) The interest rates ceiling on FCNR(B) deposits shall be as under:
Period of deposit Ceiling rate
1 year to less than 3 years Overnight Alternative Reference
Rate1 for the respective currency /
Swap plus 250 basis points
3 years and above upto and Overnight Alternative Reference
including 5 years Rate1 for the respective currency /
Swap plus 350 basis points
(h) The Overnight Alternative Reference Rate1 for the respective currency / Swap rates
quoted / displayed by Financial Benchmarks India Pvt. Ltd. (FBIL) shall be used as the
reference for arriving at the interest rates on FCNR(B) deposits.
19. Manner of calculation of interest on FCNR(B) deposits
(a) Interest on the deposits accepted under the scheme shall be calculated on the basis of
360 days to a year.
(b) The interest on FCNR(B) deposits shall be calculated and paid at intervals of 180 days
each and thereafter for the remaining actual number of days,
Provided that the option to receive the interest on maturity with compounding effect shall
vest with the depositor.
20. Calculation of interest on renewal of FCNR (B) deposits
Interest calculation on renewal of FCNR(B) deposits shall be as under:
(a) If the period from the date of maturity till the date of renewal (both days inclusive) does
not exceed 14 days, the rate of interest payable on the amount of the deposit so
renewed shall be the appropriate rate of interest for the period of renewal as prevailing
on the date of maturity or on the date when the depositor seeks renewal, whichever is
lower.
(b) In all other cases of renewal, interest rates for the overdue period on the renewed
amount shall be determined by treating it as a fresh term deposit.
(c) If, after renewal, the deposit is withdrawn before completion of the minimum stipulated
period under the scheme, the banks may, at their discretion, recover the interest paid for
the overdue period i.e. period beyond the original date of maturity.
1321. Interest payable on the deposit of a deceased FCNR(B) depositor
Scheduled co-operative banks (Authorised Dealers) shall pay interest on the term deposits
standing in the name(s) of a deceased FCNR(B) individual depositor or two or more joint
depositors where one of the depositors has died, as under:-
(a) If paid on the maturity of the deposit, interest shall be paid at the contracted rate;
(b) If the deposit is claimed before the maturity date, interest shall be paid not at the
contracted rate but at the rate applicable to the period for which the deposit remained
with the co-operative bank and without charging penalty for pre-payment;
(c) In case the depositor dies before the date of maturity of the deposit but the amount of
the deposit is claimed after the date of maturity, interest shall be paid at the contracted
rate till the date of maturity and simple interest at the applicable rate operative on the
date of maturity for the period for which the deposit remained with the bank beyond the
date of maturity.
(d) In case of death of the depositor after the date of maturity of the deposit, the interest rate
operative on the date of maturity in respect of savings deposits held under Resident
Foreign Currency (RFC) Account Scheme shall be paid from the date of maturity till the
date of payment.
(e) In case the claimants are residents, the maturity proceeds shall be converted into Indian
Rupees on the date of maturity and interest shall be paid for the subsequent period at
the rate applicable to a domestic term deposit of similar maturity.
22. Payment of interest on FCNR(B) deposits of NRIs on return to India
Scheduled co-operative banks (Authorised Dealers) may, at their discretion, on receipt of
the request from the depositor, allow FCNR(B) deposits of persons of Indian nationality /
origin who return to India for permanent settlement to continue till maturity at the contracted
rate of interest subject to the conditions that:
(a) The rate of interest as applicable to FCNR(B) deposits shall continue.
(b) Such deposits shall be treated as resident deposits from the date of return of the
account holder to India.
(c) The FCNR(B) deposits on maturity shall be converted into Resident Rupee Deposit
Account or RFC Account (if eligible) at the option of the account holder.
(d) The rate of interest on the new deposit (Rupee account or RFC Account) shall be the
relevant rate applicable for such deposit account.
1423. Conversion of FCNR(B) Accounts of Returning Indians into RFC Accounts / Resident
Rupee Accounts - Payment of interest
Subject to the conditions given in section 4 of these Directions, a scheduled co-operative
bank (Authorised Dealer) shall pay interest at the time of conversion of FCNR(B) Account
into RFC/ Resident Rupee Account even if the deposit has not completed the minimum
maturity period mentioned in section 18(b)(i) above,
Provided that the rate of interest shall not exceed the rate payable on savings bank deposits
held under RFC Account Scheme.
24. Premature withdrawal of deposits
(a) Scheduled co-operative banks (Authorised Dealers) shall, on request from the depositor,
permit premature withdrawal of deposits under the FCNR(B) Scheme.
(b) If the premature withdrawal of FCNR(B) deposits takes place before completion of the
minimum stipulated period as mentioned in section 18(b)(i) above, no interest shall be
paid.
25. Penalty on premature withdrawal of deposits
There shall be a comprehensive policy on penalties for premature withdrawal of FCNR(B)
term deposits approved by the Board of Directors or any Committee of the Board to which
powers have been delegated, subject to the following:
(a) The components of penalty shall be clearly brought to the notice of the depositors at the
time of acceptance of the deposits. If not, the exchange loss arising out of premature
withdrawal shall be borne by the banks.
(b) Penalty shall be levied on premature withdrawal of FCNR(B) deposits,
i) when the depositors return to India for permanent settlement.
ii) for conversion of FCNR (B) deposits into NRE deposits or vice-versa.
(c) In case of splitting of the amount of term deposit at the request from the claimant/s, no
penalty for premature withdrawal of the term deposit shall be levied if the period and
aggregate amount of the deposit do not undergo any change.
(d) Scheduled co-operative banks (Authorised Dealers) shall, at their discretion, levy penalty
to recover the swap cost in the case of premature withdrawal of FCNR(B) deposits.
(e) No penalties shall be levied in the case of premature conversion of balances held in
FCNR(B) deposits into RFC Accounts by Non-Resident Indians on their return to India.
1526. Resident Foreign Currency Accounts Scheme
A scheduled co-operative bank (Authorised Dealer) shall have the freedom to determine
interest on deposits of money accepted by it or renewed by it under the Resident Foreign
Currency Account Scheme, in accordance with the comprehensive policy on interest rates
on deposits duly approved by the Board of Directors or any Committee of the Board to which
powers have been delegated.
CHAPTER - VI
PROHIBITIONS AND EXEMPTIONS
27. Prohibitions
Co-operative banks shall not:
(a) Pay any remuneration or fees or commission or brokerage or incentives on deposits in
any form or manner to any individual, firm, company, association, institution or any other
person except:
i) commission paid to agents employed to collect door-to-door deposits under a
special scheme.
ii) remuneration paid to Business facilitators or Business Correspondents.
iii) incentives granted to staff members as approved by the Reserve Bank of India
from time to time.
(b) Offer prize / lottery / free trips (in India and / or abroad), etc., or any other initiative
having element of chance for mobilizing deposits.
(c) Resort to unethical practices of raising of resources through agents / third parties to
meet the credit needs of the existing / prospective borrowers or to grant loans to the
intermediaries based on the consideration of deposit mobilisation.
(d) Issue any advertisement / literature soliciting deposits from public highlighting only the
compounded yield on term deposits without indicating the actual rate of simple interest
offered by the co-operative bank for the particular period. Simple rate of interest per
annum for the period of deposit should be indicated invariably.
(e) Accept interest-free deposit other than in current account or pay compensation indirectly.
(f) Accept deposits from / at the instance of private financiers or unincorporated bodies
under any arrangement which provides for either issue of deposit receipt/s favouring
client/s of private financiers or giving of an authority by power of attorney, nomination or
other-wise, for such clients receiving such deposits on maturity.
(g) Grant advances against term deposits maintained with other banks.
(h) Open a savings deposit account in the name of Government departments / bodies
16depending upon budgetary allocations for performance of their functions / Municipal
Corporations or Municipal Committees / Panchayat Samitis / State Housing Boards /
Water and Sewerage / Drainage Boards / State Text Book Publishing Corporations /
Societies / Metropolitan Development Authority / State / District Level Housing Co-
operative Societies, etc. or any political party or any trading/business or professional
concern, whether such concern is a proprietary or a partnership firm or a company or
an association and entities other than individuals, Karta of HUF and organisations /
agencies listed in Schedule - I.
Explanation
For the purposes of this clause, ‘political party’ means an association or body of
individual citizens of India, which is, or is deemed to be registered with the Election
Commission of India as a political party under the Election Symbols (Reservation and
Allotment) Order, 1968 as in force for the time being.
(i) Create any fund to be utilized for charitable purposes in consultation with the depositors.
28. Exemptions
The provisions in the above paragraphs shall not be applicable to:
(a) A deposit received by the co-operative bank:
i) from the institutions permitted to participate in the Call / Notice / Term Money
Market both as lenders and borrowers.
ii) for which it has issued a participation certificate;
(b) Payment of interest on delayed collection of outstation instruments like cheques, drafts,
bills, telegraphic/mail transfers, etc.
17SCHEDULE- I
(1) Primary Agricultural Credit Society which is being financed by the co-operative bank
(2) Khadi and Village Industries Boards
(3) Agriculture Produce Market Committees
(4) Societies registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 or any other
corresponding law in force in a State or a Union Territory
(5) Companies licensed by the Central Government under Section 8 of Companies Act,
2013 or Section 25 of Companies Act, 1956 or under the corresponding provision in the
Indian Companies Act, 1913 and permitted, not to add to their names the words 'Limited
or the words 'Private Limited
(6) Institutions other than those mentioned in Section 27(h) and whose entire income is
exempt from payment of Income-tax under the Income-Tax Act, 1961
(7) Government departments / bodies / agencies in respect of grants/ subsidies released for
implementation of various programmes / Schemes sponsored by Central Government /
State Governments subject to production of an authorization from the respective Central
/ State Government departments to open savings bank account
(8) Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA)
(9) Self-help Groups (SHGs), registered or unregistered, which are engaged in promoting
savings habits among their members
(10) Farmers Clubs - Vikas Volunteer Vahini – VVV
18CHAPTER - VII
REPEAL AND OTHER PROVISIONS
29. With the issue of these directions, the instructions / guidelines contained in the following
circulars issued by the Reserve Bank of India stand repealed :
A. List of circulars on Interest Rates on Rupee Deposits held in Domestic/NRO/NRE
Accounts
Sr.
Circular No. Date Subject
No.
1 RPCD.No.RF.DIR.445/D.1-84/85 18.03.1985
Acceptance of Interest free Deposits
2 02.09.1985
UBD.DC.21/V.I-85/86 Directives on Interest Rates on Deposits
3 27.03.1989
UBD.No.DC.101/V.1-88/89 Interest Rates on Deposits
4 31.07.1989 Interest Rates on Deposits - Payment of
UBD.No.DC.9/V.1.89/90
Interest on Term Deposits
5 RPCD.No.RF.BC.68/D.1-90/91 01.01.1991 Rounding off Transactions to the Nearest
Rupee
6 16.01.1991
UBD.(PCB)34/DC.V-1-90/91 Interest Rates on Deposits
7 RPCD.No.RF.DIR.BC.36/D.1-91/92 13.09.1991 Interest Rates on Deposits – Payment of
Interest on Term Deposits
8 RPCD.No.RF.BC.15/D.1(F)-92/93 24.08.1992 Resident Foreign Currency Accounts - Waiver
of penalty for Conversion of
FCNR/NRE Account
9 UBD(SUC)74/DC.V.1(B)/92-93 29.08.1992 Resident Foreign Currency Accounts -
Waiver of penalty for Conversion of
FCNR/NRE Account
10 RPCD.No.DIR.BC.108/07.38.01/93-94 02.03.1994
Interest Rates on Deposits
11 RPCD.No.BC.84/07.38.01/95-96 09.02.1996 Deposit Mobilisation Schemes - Offering of
Incentives
12 UBD.No.DS.CIR.(PCB)43/13.01.00/95-96 15.02.1996 Deposit Mobilisation Schemes - Offering
of Incentives
13 30.03.1996
UBD.No.DS.PCB.DIR.24/13.01.00/95-96 Interest Rates on Deposits
14 RPCD.No.BC.130/07.38.01/95-96 25.04.1996 Advances against Fixed Deposit
Receipts (FDRs) issued by Other Banks
15 UBD.No.DS.PCB.Cir.65/13.01.00/95-96 31.05.1996 Advances against Fixed Deposit
Receipts (FDRs) issued by Other Banks
16 RPCD.No.DIR.BC.110/07.38.01/96-97 05.03.1997
Interest Rates on Deposits
17 19.04.1997
UBD.No.DSP.DIR.25/13.01.00/96-97 Interest Rates on Deposits
18 17.07.1997
UBD.No.DS.PCB.Cir.2/13.01.00/97-98 Interest Rates on Deposits
19 21.10.1997
UBD.No.DS.PCB.Cir.12/13.01.00/97-98 Interest Rates on Deposits.
20 29.04.1998
UBD.No.DS.PCB.CIR.53/13.01.00/97-98 Interest Rate on Deposits
1921 RPCD.No.RF.BC.39/07.02.08/98-99 04.12.1998 Interest Rates on Deposits
22 RPCD.No.Dir.BC.23A/07.38.01/2000-01 06.10.2000 Interest Rates on Deposits
23 RPCD.No.Dir.BC.29/07.38.01/2000-01 17.10.2000 Interest Rates on Deposits
24 03.01.2001
UBD.No.DS.Dir.3/13.01.00/2000-01 Interest Rates on Deposits
25 RPCD.CO.No.RF.DIR.BC.65/07.38.01/2000- 05.03.2001 Payment of Interest on the Term Deposit of a
01 Deceased Depositor
26 RPCD.No.RF.DIR.BC.76/07.38.01/2000-01 19.04.2001 Interest Rates on Deposits
27 RPCD.No.RF.DIR.BC.77/07.38.01/2000-01 19.04.2001 Monetary and Credit Policy for the Year
2001-2002 - Interest Rate Policy
28 UBD.No.DS.PCB.Cir.50/13/01.00/2000-2001 19.04.2001 Monetary and Credit Policy for the Year
2001-2002- Interest Rate on Deposits
29 RPCD.No.RF.BC.38/07.38.01/2002-03 29.10.2002
Interest on Current Account
30 RPCD.RF.BC.No.91B/07.38.01/2002-03 29.04.2003 Deposits under Non-Resident (External)
Rupee Accounts (NRE Accounts)
31 UBD.BPD.PCB.Cir.49/13.01.00/2002-03 29.04.2003 Deposits under Non-Resident (External)
Rupee (NRE) Accounts Scheme
32 RPCD.CO.RF.BC.No.9/07.38.01/2003-04 17.07.2003 Interest Rate on Deposits under Non-
Resident (External) Rupee Accounts
(NRE Accounts)
33 UBD.BPD(PCB)Cir.No.46/13.01.00/2003-04 17.04.2004 Interest rates on deposits under Non-
Resident (External) Rupee A/c (NRE
A/cs)
34 RPCD.CO.RF.BC.55/ 07.38.01/2004-05 01.11.2004 Mid-term Review of Annual Policy Statement
for the year 2004-05- Reduction of Tenor of
Domestic /Ordinary Non-Resident (NRO)
Term Deposits
35 UBD.No.28/13.01.00/ 2004-05 01.11.2004 Mid-term Review of Annual Policy Statement
for the Year 2004-05- Reduction of Tenor of
Domestic /Ordinary Non-Resident (NRO)
Term Deposits
36 RPCD.CO.RF.BC.No.31/07.38.01/2009-10 12.10.2009 Payment of Interest on Savings Bank
Account on a Daily Product Basis
37 04.03.2010 Payment of interest on savings bank
UBD.PCB.BPD.Cir.No.48/13.01.000/2009-10
account on daily product basis
38 25.11.2011 Deregulation of Savings Bank Deposit Interest
UBD.BPD.PCB.Cir.No.13/13.01.000/2011-12
Rate
39 RPCD.CO.RCB.BC.No.47/07.38.01/2011-12 26.12.2011 Deregulation of Savings Bank Deposit
Interest Rate - Guidelines
40 RPCD.CO.RCB.Dir.BC.No.49/07.38.01/2011- 28.12.2011 Deregulation of Interest rates on Non-
12 Resident (External) Rupee (NRE)
Deposits and Ordinary Non-Resident
(NRO) Accounts
41 UBD.BPD.PCB.Cir.No.16/13.01.000/2011-12 28.12.2011 Deregulation of Interest Rates on Non-
Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits
and Ordinary Non-Resident
(NRO) Accounts
42 RPCD.CO.RCB.BC.Dir.No.15/07.38.01/2012- 23.07.2012 Interest Rates on Deposits held in
13 Ordinary Non -Resident(NRO) and Non-
Resident (External) (NRE) Accounts
20B. List of circulars on Interest Rates on FCNR(B) Deposits
Sr.
Circular No. Date Subject
No.
1 RPCD.No.DIR.BC.85/07.38.04/96-97 16.12.1996
Calculation of Interest on FCNR (B)
Deposits
2 UBD.No.DS.AD.Cir.6/13.02.00/97-98 20.02.1998 Conversion of FCNR(B) Accounts of the
Returning Indians into RFC
Accounts/Resident Rupee Accounts –
Payment of Interest
3 RPCD.No.RF.BC.100/07.38.04/97-98 17.03.1998 Conversion of FCNR(B) Accounts of
Returning Indians into RFC
Accounts/Resident Rupee Accounts –
Payment of Interest
4 RPCD.No.DIR.BC.111C/07.38.04/97-98 29.04.1998 Interest Rates on Deposits held under
Foreign Currency (Non-Resident)
Accounts (Banks) Scheme –FCNR(B)
Scheme
5 UBD.No.DS.Dir.(AD).15/13.02.00/97-98 29.04.1998 Interest Rates on Deposits held under
Foreign Currency Non-Resident
Accounts (Banks) Scheme
6 RPCD.No.DIR.BC.117/07.38.04/97-98 08.05.1998 Premature Withdrawal of FCNR(B)
Deposit - Recovery of Swap Cost
7 RPCD.No.RF.Dir.BC.15/07.38.04/99-2000 19.08.1999 Interest Rates on Deposits held under
Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Banks)
Scheme
8 RPCD.RF.No.BC.16/07.38.04/99-2000 19.08.1999 Interest Rates on Deposits held under
Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Banks)
Scheme
9 UBD.No.DS.1/13.02.00/1999-2000 21.09.1999 Interest Rates on Deposits held under
Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Banks)
Scheme
10 RPCD.No.RF.DIR.BC.88B/07.38.01/99-2000 27.04.2000 Foreign Currency (Non- Resident)
Accounts (Banks) Scheme
11 UBD.No.DS.DIR(AD).9/13.02.00/1999-2000 27.04.2000 Foreign Currency (Non-Resident)
Accounts (Banks) Scheme
12 RPCD.No.Dir.BC.23C/07.38.04/2000-01 06.10.2000 Foreign Currency (Non- Resident)
Accounts (Banks) Scheme
13 RPCD.CO.No.RF.DIR.BC.66/07.38.04/2000-20 05.03.2001 Foreign Currency (Non- Resident)
01 Accounts (Banks) Scheme
14 UBD.No.AD.DIR.9/13/02.00/2000-2001 18.05.2001 Foreign Currency (Non-Resident)
Accounts (Banks) Scheme
15 RPCD.CO.RF.BC.54/07.38.01/2004-05 01.11.2004 Mid-term Review of Annual Policy
Statement for the year 2004-05- Foreign
Currency Non-Resident (Banks) FCNR
(B) Accounts
2116 RPCD.CO.RF.BC.Dir.No.80/07.38.01/2006-07 26.04.2007 Foreign Currency (Non- Resident)
Accounts (Banks) Scheme
17 UBD.BPD.AD.Cir.No.7/13/01.000/2013-14 07.02.2014
Interest Rates on FCNR(B) Deposits
18 RPCD.CO.RRB.RCB.BC.No.87/03.05.33/2013- 11.02.2014
Interest Rates on FCNR(B) Deposits
14
30. All approvals / acknowledgements given under the above circulars shall be deemed as given
under these Directions.
31. All deposits accepted by banks based on the guidelines contained in the above circulars
prior to issue of these Directions shall be deemed as covered under these Directions.
1Alternative Reference Rate (ARR) refers to any widely accepted ARR for the respective currency (Ref: RBI circular CO. FMRD.
DIRD.S39/14.02.001/2021-22 dated July 08, 2021 on ‘Roadmap for LIBOR Transition’).
22