Only fresh FCNR (B) deposits mobilized in any of the permitted currencies after September 6, 2013 with a minimum three years maturity and having a lock in period of one year are permissible deposits under the swap window.

Banks are free to mobilise other types of permitted FCNR (B) deposits as specified in the RBI Master Circular on Interest Rates on FCNR (B) Deposits dated July 1, 2013 read with Circular DBOD.Dir.BC. 38/13.03.00/2013-14 dated August 14, 2013. However, such deposits will not qualify as eligible deposit for the purpose of swap with RBI. Banks are advised to maintain separate ledgers for FCNR (B) deposits mobilised under both the schemes along with proper audit trail of transactions.

The swap is in the nature of a simple buy/sell foreign exchange swap from the RBI side covering just the principal portion of the deposits and not the interest component.

Yes. However, only such deposits which are renewed on maturity for a minimum tenor of three years and having a lock in period of one year would qualify as eligible deposits for undertaking swap with RBI.

The swap cost of 3.5 per cent will be compounded semi-annually for the tenor of the swap.

As and when the bank mobilizes USD one million or more of FCNR (B) deposits, it may approach RBI. Normally, banks may enter into swap transactions with RBI once in a week in consultation with the Financial Markets Department of RBI.

The tenor of the swap will be for three years or more in line with the tenor of the underlying FCNR (B) deposits. Bank desirous of availing the swap window may approach RBI for the swap, indicating the tenor in number of days.

Banks would be free to price the deposit within the overall ceiling as per the extant guidelines issued by RBI (c.f. RBI Circular DBOD.Dir.BC. 38/13.03.00/2013-14 dated August 14, 2013).

Yes, banks have to necessarily approach RBI for cancellation of the swap if the underlying FCNR (B) deposit has been prematurely withdrawn. For the sake of operational and mutual convenience of both RBI and the bank, the cancellation of the swap may be undertaken once a threshold amount of deposits have been prematurely withdrawn. The threshold amount will be decided by RBI and conveyed to the bank at the time of bank approaching the RBI for cancellation of swap.

The re-pricing of the swap would be done as given in the illustration at the end of the FAQ.

No.