What can RBI do, if it wants to control credit in the economy?a)Decrea...
CASH RESERVE RATIO (CRR):
This is the percentage of a bank’s total deposit that need to be kept as cash with the RBI. The central bank can change the ratio to a limit. A high percentage means banks have less to lend, which curbs liquidity; a low CRR does the opposite. The RBI can reduce or raise CRR to tighten or ease liquidity as the situation demands. At present, CRR is at 4%.
BANK RATE:
This is the re-discounting rate that RBI extends to banks against securities such as bills of exchange, commercial papers and any other approved securities. In recent years, it has been the repo rather than the bank rate that has acted as a guideline for banks to set their interest rates. It is currently at 8.25%. Directionally, bank rate follows repo.
What can RBI do, if it wants to control credit in the economy?a)Decrea...
Introduction:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the central banking institution in India that is responsible for controlling the credit in the economy. Credit control refers to the measures taken by the central bank to regulate the availability, cost, and use of credit in the economy. The RBI can use various tools to control credit, including bank rate and cash reserve ratio (CRR).
Explanation:
1. Bank Rate:
The bank rate is the rate at which the central bank lends money to commercial banks. By changing the bank rate, the RBI can influence the cost of borrowing for commercial banks and thereby control credit in the economy.
- Decrease Bank Rate: When the RBI decreases the bank rate, it reduces the cost of borrowing for commercial banks. This encourages banks to borrow more from the RBI, leading to an increase in the availability of credit in the economy. This stimulates economic growth and investment.
- Increase Bank Rate: On the other hand, when the RBI increases the bank rate, it raises the cost of borrowing for commercial banks. This discourages banks from borrowing from the RBI, leading to a decrease in the availability of credit in the economy. This helps in controlling inflation and curbing excessive borrowing and spending.
2. Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR):
The cash reserve ratio is the portion of deposits that commercial banks are required to keep with the central bank. By changing the CRR, the RBI can influence the liquidity position of banks and control credit.
- Decrease CRR: When the RBI decreases the CRR, it reduces the amount of funds that banks are required to keep with the central bank. This increases the liquidity position of banks and enables them to lend more to the public. It increases the availability of credit in the economy.
- Increase CRR: Conversely, when the RBI increases the CRR, it raises the amount of funds that banks are required to keep with the central bank. This reduces the liquidity position of banks and restricts their ability to lend. It decreases the availability of credit in the economy.
Conclusion:
In order to control credit in the economy, the RBI can use a combination of measures such as decreasing or increasing the bank rate and decreasing or increasing the CRR. These tools help in regulating the availability and cost of credit, thereby influencing economic growth, inflation, and overall financial stability.