1 day ago
RBI Revises Rules for Large Bank Fixed Deposits
The Reserve Bank of India is changing how banks set interest rates for very large fixed deposits.
The new rules begin on October 1, 2026.
They mainly affect deposits of Rs 3 crore or more.
Banks must publish the day’s rates online by 10:10 am on working days.
The same kind of deposit made on the same day should receive the same rate at every branch.
Banks may still pay different rates when deposits have different stability or withdrawal conditions.
Existing fixed deposits will keep their agreed rates and rules.
When an FD is newly opened or renewed, the rate available that day will apply.
Large depositors should check the bank’s website and consider lock-in terms, penalties, and the bank’s financial strength.
From October 1, 2026, revised RBI rules will apply to bulk fixed deposits of Rs 3 crore and above.
Banks must publish bulk-deposit interest rates on their websites by 10:10 am each working day.
Similar deposits accepted on the same day must receive the same rate across all branches and customers.
Banks may offer different bulk-deposit rates based on deposit stability under Liquidity Coverage Ratio norms.
Existing FDs remain unchanged, while fresh bookings and renewals will use the applicable published rate.
- Who
- The Reserve Bank of India, banks, and holders of large fixed deposits are affected.
- What
- The RBI has revised rules governing interest-rate disclosure and pricing for bulk fixed deposits of Rs 3 crore and above.
- Where
- The rules apply across branches of commercial, small finance, regional rural, payment, local area, and urban cooperative banks.
- When
- The amendment was issued on July 30, 2026, and takes effect on October 1, 2026.
- Why
- The changes are intended to improve pricing discipline, transparency, and consistency for large deposits.
Key facts
- Effective date
- October 1, 2026
- Affected deposits
- Bulk fixed deposits of Rs 3 crore and above
- Rate publication deadline
- By 10:10 am on each working day
- Rate consistency
- Similar deposits accepted on the same day must receive the same rate across branches and customers
- Pricing flexibility
- Banks may differentiate rates based on deposit stability under Liquidity Coverage Ratio norms
- Existing FDs
- Contracted rates, maturity dates, premature-withdrawal terms, and senior-citizen premiums remain unchanged
- Standard deposits
- The revised bulk-deposit rules do not apply to standard bank FDs below Rs 3 crore
Quotes
Reserve Bank of India
India’s central bank and issuer of the revised deposit directions
“It would be appropriate for the banks to do the necessary categorisation as per their need, based on the differential run-off rates applicable to deposits/ unsecured wholesale funding from various retail and non-retail customers, basis which they compute and submit their LCR Returns to RBI”
financialexpress.com
“What’s new for large depositors is that this rate is now published daily, so there’s less guesswork before renewing or booking. At maturity, it’s worth weighing the prevailing rate, the tenure that suits your needs, and how soon you might need the money before deciding to reinvest”
financialexpress.com
Sources
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