RBI panel suggests benchmark for floating interest rate

11 Apr 2014 Evaluate

In a move to bring greater transparency in the pricing of credit, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) panel suggested a benchmark floating interest rate, especially for home loans. As per the panel’s draft report on Pricing of Credit, the Indian Banks Association (IBA) may develop a new benchmark for floating interest rate products, namely, the Indian Banks Base Rate (IBBR), which may be collated and published by IBA on a periodic basis. The RBI Deputy Governor Anand Sinha headed the panel which was set up recently to examine issues related to discrimination in the pricing of credit and recommend measures for transparent and appropriate pricing of credit under a floating rate regime. The RBI has invited feedback and comments on the recommendations in the draft report by May 16.

The panel draft noted that interest rates on floating rate loan will reset periodicity on particular dates only, irrespective of changes made to the base rate or minimum lending rate within the reset period. Banks are restricted to give loans below the base rate to any customer. The base rate (benchmark lending rate) should be linked to the marginal cost of funds if the average deposit tenure is on the lower side. Draft report further added that benefit of interest reduction on the principal on account of pre-payment should be given on the day the money is received by the bank without waiting for the next EMI cycle date to effect the credit.

Regarding retail loans, the draft highlighted that customers should have ‘exit’ and ‘sans exit’ options at the time of entering the contract. These exit option should be easily exercisable by the customer with minimum notice period and without impediments. Panel report further added that these recommendations will also enable informed decision-making by customers and improved asset-liability management at banks. The grievances redressal systems in banks should be made robust and responsive to customers' needs.

© 2025 The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. MoneyWorks4Me ® is a registered trademark of The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd.

×