Why do some banks keep FX-Retail requests pending, ask for stamp paper, or refuse them?

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My FX-Retail link request has been pending for weeks, and another bank is asking for a notarised agreement on stamp paper. Is this normal? What experiences have people had with SBI, AU, IndusInd, RBL, Kotak and others?

1 Answers

The pending graveyard:

  • SBI - Added 2+ months ago. Still pending. I haven't even bothered escalating. Every time I've had to explain what FX-Retail is to a bank's customer support, it's been a painful experience - and I'd rather not attempt that with SBI's support infrastructure. That said, add it anyway - it costs nothing, and maybe you'll get lucky.
  • AU Small Finance - After 1.5 months of silence, the branch manager finally sent me documents over email (no stamp paper required, thankfully - just print and sign). I submitted them to the branch. Got an email saying "documents not submitted." The branch manager is no longer picking up calls. Have re-added the account. Back to pending.
  • DCB - Still chasing. No resolution.

The stamp paper gang:

This is the part that genuinely baffles me. FX-Retail is an RBI-regulated platform. Your bank is already your bank. And yet:

  • IndusInd - After multiple escalations, asked for a notarised agreement on a ₹600 stamp paper. Asked them what their FX markup would be before signing anything. Still waiting.
  • RBL - ₹1000 stamp paper + bad markup. Politely declined.
  • Deutsche Bank - ₹201 stamp paper + 20p markup + ₹600+GST processing fee per transaction. Hard no.

The ones that just... gave up (or told me to):

  • Kotak - Worst experience of the lot. Multiple emails, multiple escalations. Every single ticket was closed without any action or explanation. Not even a "we don't support this." Just silence and a closed ticket.
  • SBM - Multiple emails, zero progress. Stopped chasing.
  • Equitas - Their response: "We don't support FX-Retail." My response: "Then please get your name removed from the platform." Crickets.
  • Federal (IndMoney account) - Rejected because the account was opened via IndMoney and not through a "normal" branch relationship. Fair enough technically, but worth knowing if you have fintech-opened accounts.