The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), through the Reserve Bank of India (Small Finance Banks – Interest Rate on Deposits) Amendment Directions, 2026 dated June 17, 2026, has temporarily relaxed interest rate restrictions applicable to certain non-resident deposits mobilised by Small Finance Banks. The amendment withdraws the interest rate ceiling on fresh FCNR(B) deposits with tenors of three years and above up to five years, including deposits renewed upon maturity, until September 30, 2026. RBI has also suspended the restriction that capped interest rates on fresh NRE deposits of three years and above at rates offered on comparable domestic rupee term deposits. This relaxation applies from June 17, 2026, to September 30, 2026, and aims to provide banks greater flexibility in attracting NRI and foreign currency deposits. However, transfers from NRO accounts to NRE accounts will not qualify for the exemption. The amendment takes immediate effect and modifies the 2025 Directions governing deposit interest rates for Small Finance Banks.
Reserve Bank of India
RBI/2026-27/139
DOR.SOG(SPE).REC.119/13.03.00/2026-27 | Dated: June 17, 2026
Reserve Bank of India (Small Finance Banks – Interest Rate on Deposits) Amendment Directions, 2026
Please refer to the Reserve Bank of India (Small Finance Banks – Interest Rate on Deposits) Directions, 2025 (hereinafter referred to as ‘Directions’), dated November 28, 2025. On a review, it has been decided to temporarily withdraw interest rate ceiling on fresh FCNR(B) deposits of 3-5 year tenors and restriction on interest rates on NRE deposits of 3 year and above tenors, including the deposits that are renewed upon maturity, from the date of this Amendment Directions till September 30, 2026.
2. Accordingly, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act,1949 and all other laws enabling the Reserve Bank India (RBI) in this regard, the RBI, being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in public interest so to do, hereby, issues the Amendment Directions hereinafter specified.
3. These Amendment Directions shall be called the Reserve Bank of India (Small Finance Banks – Interest Rate on Deposits) Amendment Directions, 2026.
4. These Amendment Directions shall come into effect from the date of issue.
5. These Amendment Directions shall modify the Directions, as under:
(1) In Chapter IV on Rupee Deposits of Non-Residents, the paragraph 26(4) shall be amended as under:
Interest rates on NRE / NRO deposits shall not be higher than those offered by the bank on comparable domestic rupee term deposits1 .
1 The said restriction with respect to interest rates offered on fresh NRE deposits mobilised by banks, including the deposits that are renewed upon maturity, for three years and above tenors, is temporarily withdrawn with effect from June 17, 2026, for the period until September 30, 2026. Any transfer from NRO accounts to NRE accounts shall not qualify for such exemption.
(2) In Chapter V on Foreign Currency Deposits, the paragraph 31(7) shall be amended as under:
| Period of Deposit | Ceiling Rate |
| One year to less than three years | Overnight Alternative Reference Rate for the respective currency/ Swap plus 250 basis points |
| Three years and above upto and including five years | Overnight Alternative Reference Rate for the respective currency/ Swap plus 3502 basis points |
2 The interest rate ceiling applicable to fresh FCNR(B) deposits mobilised by banks, including the deposits that are renewed upon maturity, for three years and above-upto and including five years tenors, is temporarily withdrawn with effect from June 17, 2026, for the period until September 30, 2026.
(Dr. Sudarsana Sahoo)
Chief General Manager
