Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 1: New Reserve Bank of India (RBI) rules governing bulk fixed deposits will come into effect from October 1, 2026, bringing greater transparency to the pricing and disclosure of large deposits.

The revised framework, issued by the RBI on July 30, primarily applies to single fixed or term deposits of Rs 3 crore and above with scheduled commercial banks. The changes are therefore more relevant to companies, trusts, institutions, high-net-worth individuals and other large depositors.

Under the new rules, banks will have to publish the interest rates applicable to bulk deposits on their websites on every working day. The rates must be displayed by 10 am, with a 10-minute window permitted for updates.

The requirement will allow large depositors to check the applicable rate before placing or renewing a fixed deposit. Banks will also be required to honour the rate disclosed in advance for eligible deposits.

The revised framework also requires banks to offer uniform interest rates for similar bulk deposits accepted on the same day. This means eligible depositors should receive the same rate regardless of whether the deposit is booked through a particular branch or another banking channel, subject to exceptions permitted under the RBI framework.

For ordinary retail customers with fixed deposits below Rs 3 crore, the new rules do not introduce a separate interest-rate regime. Rates on regular FDs will continue to depend on the bank's prevailing deposit-rate schedule, tenure, customer category and other applicable terms.

Existing fixed deposits will also not automatically have their interest rates changed from October 1. Deposits already booked will continue under the terms applicable when they were opened.

Customers renewing deposits of Rs 3 crore or more should check the bank's website for the applicable bulk-deposit rate before completing the renewal.

For retail FD holders, the key change from October 1 is therefore greater transparency in bulk-deposit pricing rather than an automatic change in the returns on existing or regular fixed deposits.