Benchmark lending rate News

Even though the RBI left the policy rates unchanged at the last policy meet citing upside risks to inflation, borrowers can expect lower rates going forward with second largest private lender HDFC Bank today saying there is more room for banks to lower lending rates.

The Reserve Bank of India is expected to go for only a 25 bps rate cut this year and the likelihood of an easing in April is more than in February, says a Citigroup report.

Ahead of the monetary policy announcement by RBI, Fitch Ratings today said there is scope for monetary easing in India as retail inflation is holding below the 5 percent target.

Reserve Bank Governor Urjit Patel is expected to again go in for a 0.25 percent interest rate cut at its next policy review on Wednesday, with an aim to cushion the impact of demonetisation, a majority bankers feel.

At a time when the country is undergoing a demonetisation drive, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in its next policy meeting on December 7, may cut the main interest rate by 50 basis points, feels Keki Mistry, Vice Chairman and CEO of HDFC.

Flamboyant former Reserve Bank Governor Raghuram Rajan too may have cut interest rates like his successor Urjit Patel did at his every first monetary policy review, said rating agency Fitch.

Reserve Bank will go for another round of rate cut in its December review, keeping in line with its dovish stance in the last policy, which might be followed by a pause in the medium term, according to foreign brokerage HSBC.

 In a good news for consumers ahead of Diwali, bankers today promised to swiftly pass on the 0.25 per cent rate cut effected by the Reserve Bank to borrowers, a move that would lower home, auto and corporate loans.