Active Stocks
Tue Mar 19 2024 11:11:02
  1. Tata Consultancy Services share price
  2. 4,021.65 -2.97%
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 148.00 -1.07%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 262.85 -0.81%
  1. NTPC share price
  2. 311.95 -1.64%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 412.50 -1.17%
Business News/ Industry / Banking/  RBI looking at how NBFCs, HFCs set their lending rates
BackBack

RBI looking at how NBFCs, HFCs set their lending rates

The central bank is not likely to enforce external benchmarks on NBFCs and HFCs
  • The matter came up at an internal RBI discussion on external benchmarks, which are binding on all banks beginning 1 October
  • The logo of the Reserve Bank Of India (RBI) at the RBI headquarters in Mumbai. (REUTERS)Premium
    The logo of the Reserve Bank Of India (RBI) at the RBI headquarters in Mumbai. (REUTERS)

    Mumbai: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is studying how non-bank lenders and home financiers price their loans, close on the heels of directing commercial banks to link their loan rates to external benchmarks.

    The matter came up at an internal RBI discussion on external benchmarks, which are binding on all banks beginning 1 October, a person aware of the development said.

    The central bank is keen on greater transparency and order in the rate-setting process at non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and housing finance companies (HFCs), which are not bound by RBI regulations, the person said on condition of anonymity.

    “When we were looking at external benchmarks, there was this issue as to what to do with the NBFC and HFC sector. We decided that since they are not even on the marginal cost of funds-based lending rate (MCLR) regime, we must first graduate them to some level and then think of external benchmarks," the person said.

    However, the person added that while the central bank is examining the rate-setting mechanism, it is in no way going to implement external benchmarks for these entities anytime soon.

    The central bank has mandated various anchor rates—benchmarks based on which lending rates are set—for bank loans since 1994, before which interest rates used to be set by RBI. The way banks set interest rates is critical for the smooth transmission of policy rates. To make this process transparent, RBI has over the years directed banks to price their loans against their benchmark prime lending rate (BPLR), base rate and then MCLR. However, this is the first time banks have been asked to link their lending rates to an external benchmark.

    (Photo: Sarvesh Kumar Sharma/Mint)
    View Full Image
    (Photo: Sarvesh Kumar Sharma/Mint)

    The official said the primary advantage of an external benchmark over an internal rate is transparency. While certain costs such as business strategy and operating costs were part of the anchor rate under the MCLR regime, the external benchmark ensures all those are part of the spread and not built into the anchor.

    “At present, there is no mandate from the central bank to non-banks and housing finance companies to determine their rates based on an anchor, nor are there instructions on what the anchor should be or even how it should be calculated," the person said, adding RBI intends to bring some order to this process before graduating to the next step.

    Some HFCs use prime lending rate as their benchmark for loans and offer loans at a discount to this rate. For instance, Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd (HDFC) has a retail prime lending rate (RPLR) of 16.75%, while it offers floating rate home loans at rates of 8.35-9.25%.

    “We need to graduate them and we are examining the issue of transparency in NBFC rates and will have to take it forward. We also have to be clear that they are not in the same market as banks and have to therefore take that into consideration," the person said.

    While NBFCs have always been under RBI’s supervision, this regulatory jurisdiction was extended to HFCs only recently. Following the crisis at non-banks last year, the Union budget in July expanded RBI’s regulatory span to include HFCs. Following this, RBI said in August that HFCs will be treated as a category of non-banks, adding it will release a revised regulatory framework for these entities.

    Gopika Gopakumar in Mumbai contributed to this story.

    Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Shayan Ghosh
    Shayan Ghosh is a national editor at Mint reporting on traditional banks and shadow banks. He has over 12 years of experience in financial journalism. Based in Mint’s Mumbai bureau since 2018, he tracks interest rate movements and its impact on companies and the broader economy. His interests also include the distressed debt market, especially as India’s bankruptcy law attempts recoveries of billions worth of toxic assets.
    Catch all the Industry News, Banking News and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
    More Less
    Published: 18 Sep 2019, 07:13 PM IST
    Next Story footLogo
    Recommended For You
    Banking Stocks
    ₹1,061.35-0.97%
    ₹1,446.20.06%
    ₹1,081.20.22%
    ₹120.05-1.29%
    ₹730.7-0.37%
    Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App