Reserve Bank Of India

'RBI likely to cut policy rates at its June 17 meeting'

New Delhi: Taking a cue from the continued downward surprises in inflation and sluggish growth indicators, the Reserve Bank of India is likely to go for further monetary easing in its June 17 policy meet, global investment banking majors have said.

The headline wholesale inflation fell to 41-month low in April (4.89 per cent), dropping within the central bank's comfort zone of less than 5 per cent and fuelling market hopes of more monetary easing to revive sagging economic growth.



"We believe the WPI inflation report provides ample room for the RBI to cut policy rates at its June 17 policy meeting," Barclays said in a research note. Barclays further added that "we expect the repo rate to be cut to 7 per cent (another 25 bp cut) by mid-2013. Moreover, we think the likelihood of further rate cuts (another 50bp to 6.50 per cent) in the second half of 2013 has risen significantly"....more    

'RBI, SEBI should create awareness against ponzi schemes'

Kolkata: In the backdrop of the chit fund scam, the State Bank of India on Saturday said Reserve Bank of India or Securities and Exchange Board of India should take up major campaigns to create awareness among investors being lured to ponzi schemes. "RBI...or SEBI should begin a major campaign in line with Jago Grahak Jago, woolmark or hallmark (gold) to create awareness among the investors about these ponzi schemes,"...  

Corporate reputations for fair play can be fluff when regulators sleep

Espresso Economics |  Vivian Fernandes

A 19 October, 2011 circular of the National Housing Bank says no penalty or fee for prepayment of home loans can be charged, provided the ...

RBI to take note of falling inflation in next policy review

Frankfurt: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has said it would take into account falling inflation while deciding on policy initiative in its review next month. "We certainly will take note of the softening of inflation and the external payments situation in the next mid-quarter policy statement on June 17," RBI Governor D Subbarao said at an event in Frankfurt on Tuesday. He said he was happy to see that...  

Finance Ministry sees room for easing of rate by RBI

New Delhi: Encouraged by the declining trend in inflation, the Finance Ministry on Tuesday made a case for further rate cut by the Reserve Bank to boost sagging growth. "I think we need to look at statement made by RBI Governor during the last policy review where he had stated that RBI is closely monitoring inflation figures and if there is dramatic change in inflation figures then RBI will take...  

Don't staple note packets, issue clean notes: RBI to banks

Mumbai: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed banks to do away with stapling of note packets and issue only clean currency notes to the public. "...banks should do away with stapling of any note packet and instead secure note packets with paper bands and should sort notes into re-issuables and non-issuables, and issue only clean notes to public," it said in a notification. It also asked banks to...  

RBI puts restrictions on gold imports by banks

Mumbai: With gold imports putting pressure on the current account deficit, the Reserve Bank on Monday imposed restrictions on import of the yellow metal by banks. "To moderate the demand for gold for domestic use, it has been decided to restrict the import of gold on consignment basis by banks, only to meet the genuine needs of exporters of gold jewellery," the RBI said in a statement. As per a...  

RBI probes Cobrapost report, reveals major violations by banks

New Delhi: The Reserve Bank of India is probing the Cobrapost sting operation on alleged money laundering by top banks. The RBI report has revealed major irregularities in top banks. The report shows string of violations on several counts. Sources say the RBI report reveals dummy PANs, unknown NRO IDs, unauthorised gold sale, rampant non-compliance of KYC norms and irregular staff trips. Sources say the RBI probe into ICICI Bank...  

Money laundering: RBI action soon; banks start cracking whip

Srinagar/Chandigarh: Amid fresh allegations of money laundering by banks, RBI and several banks on Thursday said actions are being taken against erring institutions and employees for violating prudential banking norms. The central bank has already completed investigations against banks and would take action against guilty institutions, RBI Governor D Subbarao said in Srinagar. "We have done investigations, we have prepared an internal report. There are processes to be followed to...  

RBI listens to 'silent voices' hurt by inflation: Subbarao

Srinagar: Dismissing the criticism that RBI's steps to check inflation have hurt growth, Reserve Bank Governor D Subbarao on Wednesday said the monetary authority has the responsibility to listen to "silent voices" of millions of people impacted by rising prices. "There is an important constituency in the country that is hurt by inflation. Their voice also needs to be heard. It is the responsibility of public policy institutions like the...  

Money laundering by banks: Will take action depending on crime, says SBI

Twenty three public sector banks, including the SBI, and insurance companies have been named in a sting operation conducted by special investigations website Cobrapost. ...

RBI likely to cut interest rates to prod sputtering economy

Mumbai: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to cut its policy interest rate by a quarter point on Friday for the third time this year as it looks to bolster an economy growing at a decade low and takes comfort from easing inflation. While investors are hoping to hear a less-hawkish tone from RBI Governor Duvvuri Subbarao, the RBI in its report on macroeconomic and monetary developments on...  

Inflation seen range-bound this fiscal, says RBI

Mumbai: Inflation is likely to be range-bound and stay around the current levels in this financial year as supply-side issues, along with recent price adjustments in fuel prices, will offset the recent gains, the Reserve Bank of India said on Thursday. "Headline inflation in 2013-14 is expected to remain range-bound around the current levels," RBI said in its annual Macroeconomic and Monetary Developments report. "While sluggish global growth may dampen...  

'Very limited' room for monetary easing, says RBI

Mumbai: Dashing expectations of an interest rate cut that have risen because of the recent softening in inflation, as well as decline in crude and gold prices, the Reserve Bank of India on Thursday said there is "very limited" space for that in fiscal 2013-14 because of multiple global and domestic risks, notably inflation. A day before its annual monetary policy statement, the bank released the country's macro economic report...  

Falling commodities give RBI room to cut rates: Analysts

Mumbai: Ahead of the annual monetary policy announcement on Friday, analysts are calling for lower interest rates. "Based on a relatively more benign outlook for inflation and the current account deficit following the recent moderation in commodity prices, as well as the continuing sluggishness in investment activity and domestic consumption sentiment, we expect Reserve Bank to reduce short-term lending rate by 25 bps on Friday," domestic rating agency Icra said....  

RBI likely to ease policy rate by 0.25 pc: Barclays

New Delhi: The Reserve Bank of India is likely to cut rates by 0.25 per cent in its monetary policy review on May 3, driven by falling inflation levels and recent declines in the prices of oil, gold, and the trade deficit, according to a Barclays report. "We expect the central bank to cut rates 50 bp (0.50 per cent) by mid- 2013," Barclays said, adding that RBI is likely...  

India likely to improve fiscal situation in 2013: IMF

Washington: At a time when many countries are facing challenges on the fiscal consolidation front, India with its favorable interest rate growth differential has an advantage in addressing deficit concerns in 2013, International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Tuesday. In its latest edition of annual Fiscal Monitor report, the IMF said there is an improved picture across most of the world in terms of countries getting a handle on their...  

Low March inflation will spur rate cuts, say analysts

Mumbai: The drop in headline inflation to a 40-month low of 5.96 per cent for March has increased the possibility of a rate cut by the Reserve Bank at its May 3 annual policy, analysts and rating agencies said on Monday. India Ratings said the cooling off in both core and general inflation readings, coupled with fiscal consolidation and reform measures undertaken by Government, will help RBI Governor Duvvuri Subbarao...  

Licences of loss-making cooperative banks to be cancelled

Varanasi: The Reserve Bank of India will shortly cancel licences of 26 loss-making cooperative banks, including 16 in Uttar Pradesh, Deputy Governor KC Chakrabarty said. A capital of Rs 2,000 crore is required for running 16 cooperatives banks in the state and RBI may not cancel the licenses of these banks if the state government supports them, Chakrabarty told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Varanasi. Banking is...  

India Inc seeks rate cut by RBI to boost economy

New Delhi: Expressing disappointment over poor industrial performance, India Inc on Friday pressed for rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to boost production and further revive the economic growth. Industry chamber FICCI said the RBI should intervene and cut interest rates. "The IIP data for February calls for serious attention. It is important that RBI focuses on bringing down interest rates to stimulate investments which will further...