Tag Archives: Reserve Bank of India

RBI hikes Repo Rate by another 50 basis points to 5.9%

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  • GDP for 2022-23 projected to grow at 7.0%.
  • Internet banking facility to be started for Regional Rural Banks’ customers.
  • Regulation of offline payment aggregators proposed.

Repo Rate hiked to 5.90%

The repo rate, the rate at which RBI lends money to commercial banks, has been hiked by 50 basis points again. Considering the prevailing adverse global environment, resilience in domestic economic activity, uncomfortably high inflation level, the RBI has hiked the policy repo rate by 50 basis points, to 5.40%.

Consequently, the standing deposit facility (SDF) rate stands adjusted to 5.65% and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate to 6.15%. The Monetary Policy Committee has decided to remain focused on withdrawal of accommodation to ensure that inflation remains within the target going forward, while supporting growth, stated RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das.

The Governor’s address can be watched here:https://youtu.be/cb1it7TU8bk

RBI

Additional Measures:

The Governor announced a series of four additional measures, as given below.

1. Discussion paper on Expected Loss-Based Approach to be released for loan-loss provisioning by banks

Banks currently follow incurred-loss approach, where provisions are made after stress has actually materialized, this is to be replaced by a more prudent approach which requires banks to make provisions based on assessment of probable losses.

2. Discussion paper on securitization of Stressed Assets Framework (SSAF) to be released.

Revised framework for securitization of stressed assets was issued in Sep 2021, it has now been decided to introduce a framework for securitization of stressed assets, this will provide alternate mechanism for securitization of NPAs in addition to existing ARC route.

3. Internet banking facility for customers of Regional Rural Banks.

RRBs are currently allowed to provide internet banking facility to customers subject to fulfillment of certain criteria, to spread digital banking in rural areas, these criteria are being rationalized, revised guidelines to be issued separately.

4. Regulation of offline payment aggregators.

Online Payment Aggregators (PAs) have been brought under the purview of RBI regulations since March 2020. It is now proposed to extend these regulations to offline PAs, who handle proximity/ face-to-face transactions. This measure is expected to bring in regulatory synergy and convergence on data standards.

Growth Projection – 7.0% for 2022-23

The Governor informed that the central bank’s growth projection for the Indian economy for 2022-23 is projected at 7.0 per cent with Q2 at 6.3 per cent; Q3 at 4.6 per cent; and Q4:2022-23 at 4.6 per cent, with risks broadly balanced.

The growth for Q1 of 2023-24 is projected at 7.2 per cent.

Against the current challenging global environment, economic activity in India remains stable, stated the RBI Governor. “While real GDP in first quarter of this year turned out to be lower than expectations, it is perhaps the highest among major global economies”, he added.

Inflation

Inflation inched up to 7.0 per cent in August from 6.7 per cent in July, stated the RBI Governor. Global geopolitical developments are weighing heavily on the domestic inflation trajectory, he said.

The RBI Governor stated that monetary policy has to carry forward its calibrated action on policy rates and liquidity conditions consistent with the evolving inflation growth dynamics. It must remain alert and nimble, he stated.

Read the full statement of the Governor here; Statement on Development and Regulatory Policies here; and Monetary Policy Statement here.

Also Read:

RBI Silent on Rs.200 New Currency Notes in Print

Festive Season: Fixed Deposit rates hiked by banks

Interest rates on small savings schemes remain unchanged

Finally Rs.200 Note Gets Into Circulation to Bridge ‘Missing Link’

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As reported earlier, new Rs. 200 notes have entered the circulation with many ATMs being recalibrated to provide the notes which are similar in size to Rs.500 notes but vary in colour with the colour yellow dominating the appearance.

The Reserve Bank of India, the central bank, has described the ne note as the missing link in the demonetisation process ushered in since November 8, 2016. Unlike other developed countries which have machines to give away the change, India has no such plans nor is it feasible for RBI with varying inflation in some parts.

Following the ban on Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 500 notes to check tax avasion, the central bank had introduced Rs. 2,000 notes and new Rs. 500 notes and the missing Rs.1000-note will now be answered by the circulation of new Rs.200 notes.

In a press statement, RBI said, “The Reserve Bank of India will issue on August 25, 2017 Rs. 200 denomination banknotes in the Mahatma Gandhi Series, bearing signature of Urjit R Patel, Governor, Reserve Bank of India from select RBI offices, and some banks.”

The Rs.200 note, issued in a dimension of 66mmX146mm, has the Sanchi Stupa and the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi at the centre and the denominational numeral “200” with rupee symbol in green to blue.

With this Indian currency system now has Rs. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 2,000 currency notes in circulation as of today. There is no word on a new Rs.1000-note. Even the Rs.50-note has been changed to new series with a new look and additional security features.

“To achieve the optimal system of currency that would minimise the number of denominations while increasing the probability of proffering exact change, especially at the lower end of denominations, there is a logical need to introduce the missing denomination of Rs. 200, which will make the present currency system more efficient,” RBI justified its move.

The note has similar features for visually impaired as in other notes — the intaglio or raised printing of Mahatma Gandhi portrait, Ashoka Pillar emblem, raised identification mark ‘H’ with micro-text Rs. 200, four angular bleed lines with two circles in between the lines both on the right and left.

Rs.200 note reverse side

Salient features of the New ₹200 Notes:

1. See through register with denominational numeral 200,
2. Latent image with denominational numeral 200,
3. Denominational numeral २०० in Devnagari,
4. Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi at the centre,
5. Micro letters ‘RBI’, ‘भारत’, ‘India’ and ‘200’,
6. Windowed security thread with inscriptions ‘भारत’ and RBI with colour shift. Colour of the thread changes from green to blue when the note is tilted,
7. Guarantee Clause, Governor’s signature with Promise Clause and RBI emblem towards right of Mahatma Gandhi portrait,
8. Denominational numeral with Rupee Symbol, ₹ 200 in colour changing ink (green to blue) on bottom right,
9. Ashoka Pillar emblem on the right,
10. Mahatma Gandhi portrait and electrotype (200) watermarks,
11. Number panel with numerals growing from small to big on the top left side and bottom right side,
12. For visually impaired: Intaglio or raised printing of Mahatma Gandhi portrait, Ashoka Pillar emblem, raised Identification mark H with micro-text ₹ 200, four angular bleed lines with two circles in between the lines both on the right and left sides.
13. Year of printing of the note on the left,
14. Swachh Bharat logo with slogan,
15. Language panel,
16. Motif of Sanchi Stupa,
17. Denominational numeral २०० in Devnagari.

Auction for Sale (Re-issue) of Government Stocks

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The Government of India have announced the Sale (re-issue) of (i) “6.84 per cent Government Stock, 2022” for a notified amount of Rs. 3000 crore (nominal) through price based auction,

(ii) “6.79 per cent Government Stock 2029” for a notified amount of Rs.7,000 crore (nominal) through price based auction, (iii) “6.57 per cent Government Stock 2033” for a notified amount of Rs. 2,000 crore (nominal) through price based auction, (iv) “7.72 per cent Government Stock, 2055” for a notified amount of Rs. 3,000 crore (nominal) through price based auction. The auctions will be conducted using multiple price method. The auctions will be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai Office, Fort, Mumbai on August 4, 2017 (Friday).

Up to 5% of the notified amount of the sale of the stocks will be allotted to eligible individuals and Institutions as per the Scheme for Non-Competitive Bidding Facility in the Auction of Government Securities.

Both competitive and non-competitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution (E-Kuber) system on
August 4, 2017. The non-competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and
11.30 a.m. and the competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and 12.00 noon.

The result of the auctions will be announced on August 4, 2017 (Friday) and payment by successful bidders will be on August 7, 2017 (Monday).

The Stocks will be eligible for “When Issued” trading in accordance with the guidelines on ‘When Issued transactions in Central Government Securities’ issued by the Reserve Bank of India vide circular No. RBI/2006-07/178 dated November 16, 2006 as amended from time to time.