Home, auto loans to become costlier

Home, auto and other loans are set to become costlier with the Reserve Bank today hiking key short-term rates to contain inflation, while giving relief to small savers by increasing the savings bank rate to 4% from 3.5% now.

The signal was given by the RBI in its annual policy review meeting for FY12, where it hiked the repo rate (the rate at which banks borrow from the RBI) by 50 basis points to 7.25%, the ninth increase since March, 2010.

RBI Governor D Subbarao made it clear that containing inflation would take precedence over growth, which has been pegged at a lower level of 8% for FY12 as against the government's projection of 9%.

The move to hike the rates has been necessitated as the RBI feels inflation would remain at an "elevated level" of 9% in the first half of the current financial year before moderating to 6% by March, 2012.

Subbarao's hawkish stance was supported by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who said, "This (hike in rates) was necessary to contain inflation. Inflationary pressure in the economy is still very high."

Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia also endorsed the RBI stance and welcomed the hike in both the lending rate as well as the savings rate.

"Personally, I am very glad that the RBI has given a clear signal going beyond the usual 25 basis points (revision)," he added.

The RBI Chief said over the long run, high inflation is inimical to growth, as it harms investment by creating uncertainty.

"Current elevated rates of inflation pose significant risks to future growth. Bringing them down, therefore, even at the cost of some growth in the short run, should take precedence," he added.

Most bankers felt there was no option but to increase interest rates as the cost of borrowing funds has also gone up, with the RBI hiking the short-term lending rates.

However, the industry is disappointed. "This is certainly a very hawkish monetary stand, which would make the investment environment even more difficult... We are afraid that with growth slowing down, employment targets will not be achieved and this could generate greater social pressures," Ficci Director General Rajiv Kumar said.

The RBI, however, kept the Cash Reserve Ratio (the portion of cash banks are required to keep with the RBI) at 6 per cent, ensuring sufficient liquidity in the system.

The central bank also introduced a new mechanism, Marginal Standing Facility, under which banks would be permitted to borrow short-term funds (overnight) up to 1% of their deposits at 8.25%.