Bankers Seek 50 Bps Cut In Lending Rates, CRR
Bangalore: Bankers had asked the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to reduce the key policy rates by 50 basis points (0.5 per cent) and slash cash reserve ratio (CRR) by 25-50 basis points in the credit policy review scheduled for January 29.
“The bankers have urged RBI to reduce interest rates by 50 bps at least. Even the CRR should come down by 25-50 bps,” Indian Banks Association (IBA) chief executive K Ramakrishnan said after the customary pre-policy consultation meeting held by RBI with the bankers here.
One basis point is equal to 0.01 per cent.
He said if both these rates are lowered, it will send a positive signal to market. “If both these things happen, transmission will happen and it will be a good sign to the market that growth is going to happen in a big way.”
The likelihood of a rate cut became strong with manufacturing growth remaining in the negative terrain and WPI-based headline hitting a three-year low at 7.18 per cent in December.
Moreover, RBI governor D Subbarao had in the October policy as well at the subsequent mid-quarter review had hinted at a rate cut in the January policy.
On the poor deposits growth, the IBA chairman said the bankers raised concerns regarding sluggish deposit growth along with low credit uptake.
“Sluggish deposit growth is a matter of concern to the bankers. Credit is also not picking up the way it should pick up. It is around 8 per cent now,” he said.
According to Ramakrishnan, both bankers and the central bank are concerned about the rising bad assets in the financial system.
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