FOREIGN EXCHANGE MANAGEMENT (DEPOSIT) REGULATIONS, 2000 - LOANS TO NON-RESIDENTS/THIRD PARTIES AGAINST SECURITY OF NON-RESIDENT (EXTERNAL) RUPEE ACCOUNTS [NR (E) RA]/FOREIGN CURRENCY NON-RESIDENT (BANK) ACCOUNTS [FCNR (B)] DEPOSITS
A. P. (DIR SERIES 2012-13) CIRCULAR NO. 44, DATED 12-10-2012
2. The Committee to review the facilities for individuals under FEMA, 1999 (Chairperson: Smt. K.J. Udeshi) has recommended that the banks may sanction Rupee loans in India or foreign currency loans outside India to either the account holder or a third party to the extent of the balance in the NRE/FCNR (B) account subject to margin requirements. The existing position in this regard has been reviewed and it has been decided, in exercise of powers under paragraph 6(d) of Schedule-1 read with para 9(1) of Schedule-2 of the Foreign Exchange Management (Deposit) Regulations, 2000, that the banks may now grant loans against NR(E)RA and FCNR(B) deposits either to the depositors or the third parties as under:-
| Existing provision | Proposed provision |
Rupee loans* in India |
Loans against NRE/FCNR(B) Fixed Deposits | Rs. 100 lakhs ceiling applicable | Rupee loans to be allowed to depositor/third party without any ceiling subject to usual margin requirements** |
Foreign Currency loan* in India/outside India |
Loans against NRE/FCNR(B) Fixed Deposits | Rs. 100 lakhs ceiling applicable | Foreign Currency loans to be allowed to depositor/third party without any ceiling subject to usual margin requirements ** |
* The term 'loan' shall include all types of fund based/non-fund based facilities.
** In case of FCNR deposits, the margin requirement shall be notionally calculated on the rupee equivalent of the deposits in accordance with para 9(2) of Schedule-2 of Foreign Exchange Management (Deposit) Regulations, 2000.
Further, the facility of premature withdrawal of NRE/FCNR deposits shall not be available where loans against such deposits are to be availed of. This requirement may specifically be brought to the notice of the deposit holder at the time of sanction of the loan. The existing loans which are not in conformity with the above instructions shall continue for their existing term and shall not be rolled over/renewed. Other conditions as regards grant of loan against NRE/FCNR deposits shall remain unchanged.
3. The above instructions shall come into force with immediate effect. The banks may bring contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents and customers concerned.
4. The directions contained in this circular have been issued under sections 10(4) and 11 (1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999) and are without prejudice to permissions/approvals, if any, required under any other law.