Page 8 - Rbi

Banks' demand muted at RBI's VRR auction despite lower surplus liquidity

The demand from banks remained muted at the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) three-day variable rate repo (VRR) auction held on Friday, indicating limited demand for short-term funds from banks. The central bank received bids worth Rs 16,750 crore from banks at the VRR auction against the notified amount of Rs 1 lakh crore. The RBI accepted the entire amount at the auction at a cut-off and weighted average rate of 5.26 per cent. Liquidity conditions in the banking system remained in surplus, though at a lower level. According to the latest data available with the RBI, systemic liquidity surplus stood at around Rs 19,163.11 crore as on June 18. The liquidity position improved marginally compared with the previous day but remained lower, reflecting tighter conditions in the banking system. The muted participation in the VRR auction indicates limited demand for short-term funds from banks despite the RBI providing liquidity support through variable rate repo operations. The VRR auctio

India's short-bond rally may lose steam as RBI drains excess cash: Analysts

Expectations of cash withdrawal operations and a possible increase in banks' cash reserve ratio are seen limiting further gains in short-term bonds

RBI steps up dollar buying to rebuild reserves, manage forward book

The central bank is using the rupee's recent strength to replenish foreign exchange reserves and manage its large short dollar forward position, dealers said

RBI move to remove FCNR(B) deposit rate cap opens room for further hikes

Banks, especially smaller lenders, may raise FCNR(B) deposit rates further after RBI temporarily removed the interest-rate ceiling on select maturities

Banking system liquidity surplus near 3-month low on advance tax outflows

Surplus liquidity in the banking system narrowed sharply to its lowest level in nearly three months, weighed down by advance tax outflows, despite liquidity support measures undertaken by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data analysed by PTI, surplus liquidity in the banking system dropped sharply to Rs 4,772.21 crore on June 17, from Rs 23,881.21 crore on June 16. The liquidity surplus reported on June 17 was the lowest level since March 22, 2026, when the banking system was in a liquidity deficit of Rs 65,395.64 crore, the RBI data shows. Experts attributed the narrowing of liquidity to outflows on account of advance tax payments. Further, they added that the central bank may conduct more VRR (variable rate repo) auctions in the coming days to support liquidity in the banking system. The tightening liquidity conditions have pushed the weighted average call money rate above the RBI's repo rate of 5.25 per cent. To ease liquidity pressures

RBI to conduct 3-day VRR auction on Friday, aims to infuse ₹1 trillion

The central bank will conduct a three-day variable rate repo auction to address evolving liquidity conditions after surplus liquidity moderated due to advance tax outflows

HDFC Bank extends Keki Mistry's term as interim chairman by 3 months

RBI has approved the extension of Keki Mistry's tenure as interim part-time chairman of HDFC Bank until September 18, 2026, or until a regular chairman is appointed

Rupee's oil-led gains capped by RBI FX book, hedging flows: Bankers

The RBI's short-dollar ​forward book is estimated to have ballooned to an all-time high of nearly $110 billion, according to two ‌officials at foreign banks, up from $96 billion in April

Citigroup scraps calls for RBI hikes as Iran deal cools price risks

India, which is heavily reliant on oil imports from the West Asia, faces headwinds from higher energy prices as well as forecasts of a weaker monsoon season as El Niño weather phenomenon takes hold

RBI not in favour of offshore settlement for govt bonds despite tax changes

The RBI had previously explored allowing settlement through offshore platforms to expand the foreign investor base for local currency debt, at a time when overseas interest was subdued

India's remittance inflows stay resilient despite West Asia conflict

Precautionary transfers boost flows; FCNR (B) deposits may offer near-term support

Banking system liquidity surplus at lowest in FY27 on advanced tax outflows

Liquidity surplus fell to Rs 23,881 crore from Rs 1.5 trillion a day earlier as advance tax payments drained funds from the banking system

RBI lifts cap on FCNR(B), NRE deposit rates to boost foreign inflows

The central bank has temporarily withdrawn interest rate ceilings on select FCNR(B) and NRE deposits, giving banks greater flexibility to attract NRI funds

RBI injects ₹72,300 crore as advance tax outflows squeeze liquidity

Surplus liquidity fell to ₹23,881.21 crore on June 16 from ₹1.51 trillion a day earlier; overnight rates trade above repo rate

RBI's new misselling rules explained: What changes for bank customers

From influencers to bank agents, all sales channels come under regulator's new rules against financial product misselling

Sales growth of private firms accelerates to 13.9% in Q4FY26: RBI data

Sales growth of listed private non-financial companies strengthened in the March quarter, driven by manufacturing and services sectors, according to RBI data

RBI eases capital norms on ECLGS 5.0 loans with lower risk weight

The central bank has allowed a zero-risk weight on a large portion of ECLGS 5.0-guaranteed loans, reducing capital requirements for lenders under the scheme

PSU banks green deposits surge to ₹3.7k cr in FY26 as RBI framework matures

State-owned lenders witnessed a sharp surge in green deposit mobilisation in FY26 amid increased depositors awareness and the maturation of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) Green Deposit Framework, introduced in 2023. According to PTI's analysis of banks' Annual reports for 2025-26, eight state-owned lenders raised Rs 3,733.11 crore in FY26 through green deposits, compared to Rs 1,831.79 crore in the year-ago period. The rise in green deposits reflects a growing focus among banks and depositors towards sustainable finance, with lenders increasingly linking their fundraising efforts with environmentally responsible lending, analysts said. State Bank of India (SBI), the country's largest lender, raised Rs 317.39 crore through its green deposit products till March 2026, with outstanding green deposits recorded at Rs 218 crore as on March 31, 2026. SBI garnered Rs 189.08 crore through green deposits in FY26, with the entire amount being deployed in clean transportation, particularly i

NBFCs can distribute insurance products without seeking RBI approval

New framework permits insurance distribution subject to Irdai approval and lays down safeguards for sale of third-party financial products

India saw $4.7 billion current account surplus in April: RBI data

India recorded a current account surplus of USD 4.7 billion in April as against a deficit of USD 4.8 billion in the year-ago month, on the back of higher services exports and net transfer receipts, according to Reserve Bank data released on Monday. The imports bill was at USD 72.5 billion, up from USD 65.8 billion, while exports stood at USD 44.6 billion compared to USD 38.7 billion, according to preliminary data on India's Balance of Payments (BoP). The merchandise trade deficit stood at USD 27.9 billion in April 2026, marginally higher than USD 27.1 billion in April 2025. Net services receipts increased to USD 18.6 billion during April from USD 15.9 billion in April 2025. Services exports stood at USD 37 billion, while imports were USD 18.4 billion. Net transfers increased to USD 16 billion in April 2026 from USD 9.4 billion a year earlier, said the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data. On the capital account, India recorded a net outflow of USD 11.3 billion in April 2026 as against