Guidelines on deregulation of savings bank deposit interest

RBI/2011-12/368
DBOD.Dir.BC. 75/13.03.00/2011-12

January 25, 2012

All Scheduled Commercial Banks
(Excluding RRBs)

Dear Sir/Madam,

Deregulation of Savings Bank Deposit Interest Rate - Guidelines

Please refer to our circular DBOD.Dir.BC. 42 /13.03.00/2011-12 dated October 25, 2011.

2. Based on the references received from banks, we clarify that the revised guidelines issued vide our circular referred to above would be applicable to domestic savings bank deposits held by residents in India. Further, the interest rates applicable on the domestic savings deposit will be determined on the basis of end-of-day balance in the account. Accordingly, while calculating interest on domestic savings bank deposits, banks are required to apply the uniform rate set by them on end-of-day balance up to Rs. 1 lakh and for any end-of-day balance exceeding Rs.1 lakh, banks may apply the differential rate(s) as fixed by them.

3. Banks may ensure that interest rate is applied, as stated above, on the end-of-day balances of all domestic savings deposits accounts and no discrimination is made at any of its offices. Prior approval of the Board/Asset Liability Management Committee (if powers are delegated by the Board) may be obtained by a bank while fixing interest rates on such deposits.

4.  All other instructions in this regard, as amended from time to time, will remain unchanged.

Yours faithfully

(P. R. Ravi Mohan)
Chief General Manager