Kamath seeks equal fund access for banks

K V Kamath, CEO and managing director of ICICI Bank, today called for a level playing field for banks to compete with insurance companies and mutual funds for resources.

"We need a level playing field to compete with other institutions like insurance companies and mutual funds (to increase the pace of deposit accretion)," Kamath said.

He added that "as of now, there are no signs of upward pressure on interest rates. Liquidity  in the banking system is comfortable."

"I read market signals, I will continue to read market signals. If market signals an adjustment in rates is required, we will do it," Kamath said on the sidelines of a press meet.

Kamath also said the country's second largest bank has always been in the process of rebalancing its loan portfolio. "We started as a project financing company. We rebalanced our portfolio and went into credit and now into rural lending. We are now into international assets also," Kamath said.