RBI further relaxes norms to increase foreign capital flows

11 Sep 2013 Evaluate

In a move to enhance the inflow of foreign capital into the country, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) further relaxed norms that would encourage banks to raise funds in overseas market. Under new norms, the RBI allowed bank for swap facility for term deposits in dollar denomination at a concessional rate of 1 percent below the market rate for the period of 1 to 3 years. Banks can now borrow such funds from their head office, overseas branches and correspondents and overdrafts in nostro accounts up to a limit of 100 percent of their unimpaired Tier I capital as at the close of the previous quarter or $10 million, whichever is higher as against the existing limit of 50 percent.

The central bank said in its notification that during swap period a bank can sell dollars in multiples of a million to RBI and would have to buy the same amount of dollars at the end of the swap period. Central bank said that though the swaps would be for the entire tenor of the borrowing, the rate would be reset after every one year from the date of the swap at hundred basis points lower than the market rate prevailing on the date of reset. The concessional swap window shall be open till November 30, 2013. By adding further, RBI said that while the banks are allowed to borrow in any freely convertible currency, the swap will be available only for conversion of US dollar equivalent into rupees, which would be computed at the relevant cross rate prevailing on the date of the swap.

Further, in other amendment to overseas direct investment norms, the RBI has decided that issue of corporate guarantee on behalf of second generation will be considered under the approval route and on basis of current market conditions relating to excessive volatility in yields of government securities, the central bank has decided to increase the quantum of Held to Maturity (HTM) securities from 100 percent to 200 percent of the audited net owned fund of the bank as at end March.

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