Call rates edge higher amidst tight liquidity condition; further uptick unlikely

24 Jun 2013 Evaluate

Interbank cash rates were trading at 7.25/30% from its Friday’s close of 7.20/30%, as banks preferred borrowing even at the start of second week of reporting cycle amidst tight cash condition. However, further uptick to call rates, which are gyrating near the prevailing repo level, is unlikely as Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to soon start placing surplus government funds with banks through overnight auctions at market-determined rates, a step aimed at easing lenders' cash constraints and boosting lending.

The cash balances will be placed with banks against government bonds as security, an arrangement similar to the RBI's repo auction window, where banks borrow at the repo rate of 7.25% against gilts. This measure would also ease pressure of RBI to buy bonds through open market operations (OMO’s), which are inflationary. However, it is yet to be decided whether the government will want to sell all of its balances, or whether it will be a fixed rate or a variable rate auction.

The banks via Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) borrowed Rs 80215 crore through repo window on June 24, 2013, while bank’s using LAF facility borrowed Rs 68295 crore via repo window and parked Rs 270 crore via reverse repo window on June 21, 2013.

The overnight borrowing rates touched a high and low of 7.35% and 7.15% respectively.

According to the Clearing Corporation of India (CCIL), the weighted average rate (WAR) in the call money market was 7.18% on Monday and total volume stood at Rs 27979.61 crore, so far.

As per CCIL data, WAR in the CBLO (Collateralized Borrowing and Lending Obligation) market was 7.19% on Monday and total volume stood at Rs 53463.60 crore, so far.

The indicative call rates which closed at 7.20/30% on Friday were contributions made from Andhra Bank, AXIS Bank, Bank of America, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Canara Bank, J P Morgan Chase, Citibank N.A., Corporation Bank, Credit Agricole Bank, Indusind Bank, ICICI Bank, ICICI Securities, IDBI Bank, Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Punjab National Bank, RBS, Societe Generale, Standard Chartered, so far.    

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