ZCZC
BCN-39
INDIA-RBI-MONEY-LIQUIDITY
RBI eases cash reserve rules to ease liquidity
Mumbai, Sep 27, 2018 (BSS/PTI) – The Reserve Bank of India Thursday
allowed banks to dip further into statutory cash reserves in a bid to ease a
liquidity squeeze afflicting the nation’s money markets.
RBI in a statement said banks could ‘carve out’ up to 15 per cent of
holdings under the statutory liquidity reserves to meet their liquidity
coverage ratio (LCR) requirements as compared to 13 per cent now.
This resulted from a rise in the facility to avail funds for LCR to 13 per
cent from 11 per cent, effective October 1, RBI said in a statement.
The move by the central bank follows concerns over tight liquidity
conditions and banks’ unwillingness to lend to NBFCs.
RBI said it “stands ready to meet the durable liquidity requirements of the
system through various available instruments depending on its dynamic
assessment of the evolving liquidity and market conditions.”
Citing proactive steps taken in the last few days, RBI said it conducted
open market operation (OMO) on September 19 and provided a liberal infusion
of liquidity through term repos in addition to the usual provision via the
liquidity adjustment facility (LAF).
It further said that another OMO will be conducted Thursday to ensure
adequate liquidity in the system.
As of September 26, banks had availed of Rs 1.88 lakh crore through term
repos from the Reserve Bank, the apex bank said in a statement.
“As a result of these steps, the system liquidity is in ample surplus,” it
said.
RBI further announced the relaxation in statutory liquidity ratio (SLR)
requirement with effect from October 1, 2018.
“This should supplement the ability of individual banks to avail of
liquidity, if required, from the repo markets against high-quality
collateral. This, in turn, will help improve the distribution of liquidity in
the financial system as a whole,” it said.
Concerns of liquidity crunch were triggered following defaults by an IL&FS
group company. It spread to non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), which in
turn roiled financial markets.
IL&FS Financial Services, a group company of IL&FS, defaulted on one of its
commercial paper issuances due for repayment on Monday. This was the third
default by the company.
BSS/PTI/HR/1400