The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) plans to make adjustments to the structure regulating interest rates on large fixed deposits (FDs). These new rules will come into effect on October 1, 2026. The RBI's goal is to enhance transparency and improve the system.
Furthermore, the central bank aims to provide banks with some flexibility regarding liquidity requirements, which necessitates these changes.
Under the revised rules, banks are required to disclose information about large fixed deposits daily by 10 AM. Banks will be given 10 minutes to update rates. When paying interest on deposits, including large sums, banks must adhere to the rates displayed on their websites, regardless of the amount deposited.
These changes will increase depositor confidence and ensure greater transparency. A large deposit is defined as a fixed deposit of ₹30 million or more. Interest rates applied to such deposits may differ from those offered on regular savings accounts.
Another significant change is the prohibition of setting different rates for the same amounts. Previously, banks could apply varying rates across their different branches, but now all branches must offer the same rate for large deposits received on the same day.
However, this structure allows banks to differentiate rates under certain circumstances related to liquidity requirements. Banks may offer different interest rates on large deposits depending on the withdrawal rate applicable within the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) framework.


