RBI’s 2025 Interest Rate Framework for Commercial Banks: Key Points Explained
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued updated directions (2025) governing how commercial banks must set and pay interest on domestic deposits, NRE/NRO deposits, and FCNR(B) deposits. The circular emphasises transparency, uniformity, and customer protection. 1. Uniform, Transparent Interest-Rate Framework – Board-approved interest-rate policy. – Uniform, non-discriminatory rates across branches. – No negotiated rates;…
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When Police Refuse to Register an FIR: Legal Remedies Under CrPC & BNSS
(A Practical Guide for Banks and financial institutions) 1. Understanding FIR, Section 154 CrPC and Section 173 BNSS Section 154 CrPC governs how police must record information relating to cognizable offences. Registration of an FIR for cognizable offences is a mandatory duty of the police. When an officer in charge refuses to register an FIR,…
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Non-Fund Based Facilities to Non-Constituent Borrowers: RBI Relaxation and Key Conditions
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), through circular DBOD.Dir.BC.62/13.07.09/2002-03 dated January 24, 2003, had earlier prohibited banks from extending non-fund based facilities to non-constituent borrowers. This restriction was aimed at preventing frauds, fund diversion, and misuse of one-off transaction-based facilities without proper credit assessment. However, over time, this blanket bar created genuine challenges for borrowers…
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How to Claim Overdue Domestic, NRE, and FCNR(B) Deposits Transferred to RBI’s DEA Fund
When Domestic, NRE, or FCNR(B) deposits remain inoperative for 10 consecutive years, banks are required to classify them as unclaimed and transfer the balances to the Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund maintained by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). To reclaim these deposits, the customer (or their legal heir) must approach the bank where…
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Understanding Working Capital Appraisal: Key Financial Terms Explained
The working capital requirement of industrial and trading establishments refers to the total funds invested in various current assets such as raw materials (RM), work-in-process (WIP), finished goods (FG), and outstanding receivables. Banks extend working capital facilities to borrowers based on the nature and level of current assets, after deducting the borrower’s margin contribution, within…
Police Power to Freeze Bank Accounts: Understanding Section 102 CrPC / Section 106 BNSS
Police in India can direct banks to freeze or seize an account if, during investigation, they develop a reasonable suspicion that the account is linked to a crime, but this power is not unlimited and is subject to statutory safeguards and judicial review. The Supreme Court has clarified that a bank account is “property” for…
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