Good news for home loan borrowers. Those who are planning
for buying a home loan should wait a little longer to take the interest rate
benefit. A reduction is expected in the auto loan, housing loan and other
corporate loan rates; the Reserve Bank of India yesterday announced a slash in
its benchmark policy rates or Repo rates by 25 basis points, lowering it down
to 7.5 %.
The cash reserve ratio (CRR) is same as before is 4 per
cent. The Repo rate is defined as the interest rate at which RBI lend funds to
the different Indian banks. If RBI reduces the Repo rate, it directs the banks
to lower rates for customers on all product loans. So a change is expected.
The Governor of Reserve Bank, had slashed the
lending rate for short term by 0.25 % to 7.50 %, making the second cut this
year.
The central bank has kept in mind a rigid monetary policy
maintaining sticky inflation, but the latest ease of stand has been encouraged
by the announcement in softening and growth of inflation.
The banks are not going to pass the benefit of RBI’s cut in
Repo rate during this month. So it is best for home loan borrowers to wait a
little more time until the banks announce the cut in Home Loan Interest rates or
other product rates. The Managing Director and Chairman of Bank of Baroda, Mr.
S S Mudra, announced yesterday, "There is a few chance to believe that
reduction will happen at a measured speed. We are expecting ease of deposit
rates as we enter new financial year, and this happens the transmission will
take place".
However, consumers need not be depressed because the rate
cut will be offered, but the change will not be immediate. Borrowers can expect
the interest rate slash in the coming month. The Chairman and Managing Director
of Andhra Bank, Mr. B A Prabhakar added, "As the deposit growth has been
muted, deposit interest rates to have remained same. Therefore, it is expected
the monetary transmission to take place only after two to three months".
When the different
banks reduce the rates for different products like auto loans, home loans, other corporate loans, the
equated monthly installments would be low or the tenure would be shortened.
This effort of RBI will reduce the burden of loans. It is a relief for all loan
borrowers who need loans in the coming quarters.