Post discontinuation of LIBOR, the RBI has proposed to revise the all-in-cost ceiling for ECBs to _______

Solution

In the Monetary policy statement of December 2021, RBI stated that following for External Commercial Borrowing (ECB)/Trade Credit (TC) - Transition from LIBOR to Alternative Reference Rate (ARR): Currently, the benchmark rate for Foreign Currency (FCY) External Commercial Borrowings (ECB)/Trade Credit (TC) is specified as 6-months LIBOR rate or any other 6-month interbank interest rate applicable to the currency of borrowing. In view of the imminent discontinuance of LIBOR, any widely accepted interbank rate or alternative reference rate (ARR) applicable to the currency of borrowing may be used as a benchmark, post discontinuation. To take into account differences in credit risk and term premia between LIBOR and the ARRs, for new foreign currency ECBs and TCs, it is proposed to revise the all-in-cost ceiling from 450 bps to 500 bps and from 250 bps to 300 bps, respectively, over the ARRs. To enable transition of existing ECBs and TCs linked to LIBOR, it is proposed to revise the all-in-cost ceiling from 450 bps to 550 bps and from 250 bps to 350 bps respectively, over the ARRs.