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You need not worry about an increase in your equated monthly installments after RBI's late night action on Monday. The finance ministry has leaned on public sector banks that control around 70% of the business against raising rates to keep a large constituency of middle class and corporate borrowers pacified ahead of key elections.
After all, for over a year now, the finance ministry has been prodding RBI to cut rates, while the central bank has refused to toe the government line. Instead, on Monday it signaled a reversal in policy to offset the impact of the weakening rupee by announcing several measures that will push up the cost of funds for banks.
While there were expectations of banks responding with hikes in the coming days, the finance ministry swung into action and impressed upon banks to maintain status quo. By evening the impact was visible as banks started issuing statements, saying rates were not increasing.
"The measures taken by RBI are designed to curb speculation in the market and are not seen by SBI as indicative of any systemic problem or deeper malaise. It is, therefore, expected that the position in the market will stabilize shortly. Hence neither the management nor the board of SBI that met today in Mumbai felt that this requires any adjustment of lending," State Bank of India said in a statement. Taking a cue from the largest lender, others including Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda and IDBI Bank followed suit.
Earlier on Tuesday, finance minister P Chidambaram seemed to lay down the ground rule. While kicking off a pre-election campaign on government schemes, Chidambaram said he did not expect banks to raise interest rates. "These measures are intended to quell excessive speculation in the forex market, reduce volatility and stabilize rupee. They should not be read as a prelude to any policy rate changes," he said.
Admitting that the high current account deficit has made the rupee weaker, the finance minister said, "Given the current account deficit and the inflation, some depreciation of the rupee is expected. But sometimes there is excessive speculation in the foreign exchange market and the role of RBI is to ensure that volatility is reduced."
The tight liquidity situation due to the recent measures raised concerns of growth being impacted. But the finance minister allayed such fears. "These measures will in no way affect our commitment to growth. We must increase credit delivery and stimulate growth."
He reeled off a number of reforms and initiatives taken by the government in the last four months to revive growth and reverse the policy paralysis that has stalled projects approvals. "In the last three-four months, the Cabinet Committee on Investments has cleared projects worth Rs 1.61 lakh crore. Environment clearance for 106 projects has been awarded. A number of steps have been taken to boost exports, improve coal and gas production," said Chidambaram.
Source: TimesofIndia
After all, for over a year now, the finance ministry has been prodding RBI to cut rates, while the central bank has refused to toe the government line. Instead, on Monday it signaled a reversal in policy to offset the impact of the weakening rupee by announcing several measures that will push up the cost of funds for banks.
While there were expectations of banks responding with hikes in the coming days, the finance ministry swung into action and impressed upon banks to maintain status quo. By evening the impact was visible as banks started issuing statements, saying rates were not increasing.
"The measures taken by RBI are designed to curb speculation in the market and are not seen by SBI as indicative of any systemic problem or deeper malaise. It is, therefore, expected that the position in the market will stabilize shortly. Hence neither the management nor the board of SBI that met today in Mumbai felt that this requires any adjustment of lending," State Bank of India said in a statement. Taking a cue from the largest lender, others including Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda and IDBI Bank followed suit.
Earlier on Tuesday, finance minister P Chidambaram seemed to lay down the ground rule. While kicking off a pre-election campaign on government schemes, Chidambaram said he did not expect banks to raise interest rates. "These measures are intended to quell excessive speculation in the forex market, reduce volatility and stabilize rupee. They should not be read as a prelude to any policy rate changes," he said.
Admitting that the high current account deficit has made the rupee weaker, the finance minister said, "Given the current account deficit and the inflation, some depreciation of the rupee is expected. But sometimes there is excessive speculation in the foreign exchange market and the role of RBI is to ensure that volatility is reduced."
The tight liquidity situation due to the recent measures raised concerns of growth being impacted. But the finance minister allayed such fears. "These measures will in no way affect our commitment to growth. We must increase credit delivery and stimulate growth."
He reeled off a number of reforms and initiatives taken by the government in the last four months to revive growth and reverse the policy paralysis that has stalled projects approvals. "In the last three-four months, the Cabinet Committee on Investments has cleared projects worth Rs 1.61 lakh crore. Environment clearance for 106 projects has been awarded. A number of steps have been taken to boost exports, improve coal and gas production," said Chidambaram.
Source: TimesofIndia
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