BM Finance Fundas: RBI cuts repo rate by 50 bps: What should FD investors do now?
Reserve Bank of India
fixed deposit investors
FD interest rate
RBI
The(RBI) has cut the repo rate for the third time this year by 50 basis points. With the latest cut, the repo rate now stands at 5.5%. The cut in the repo rate brings cheers for borrowers but bad news for. The banks have been cutting theas thestarted reducing the repo rate at the start of 2025. Along with the repo rate cut, the RBI has also cut the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) by 1%.The RBI has cut the repo rate by 25 bps each time in February and April 2025. Due to two successive rate cuts, banks have aggressively reduced FD interest rates.Along with the reduction in fixed deposit interest rates, banks are also reducing the interest rates on savings bank accounts. 'Banks have already reduced interest rates on savings accounts to a floor rate of 2.70%,' said SBI in its report.The RBI has cut the repo rate three times till now. According to the SBI research report, 'Transmission to deposit rates is expected to be strong in the coming quarters. 100 bps repo rate cuts are expected in FY26.'This is likely to happen if the CPI inflation remains below the medium-term target of 4%, supporting growth in fighting cyclical downturns, and if credit growth remains muted.There are limited options available to FD investors when the interest rates are falling in the economy. Here are the steps that they should take to minimise the loss and make the most of the current situation.The interest rates on fixed deposits are expected to fall in the upcoming months, however, it may take some time before it actually happens. There are many banks which are still offering FDs at attractive rates. Therefore, it is essential for FD investors to book FDs at current higher rates as soon as possible. Certain banks are still offering interest rates of 8% or higher for longer-term fixed deposits.However, as most of the highest interest rates currently available on FDs are being offered by Small Finance Banks so you should check the safety of your principal amount. If you book your FDs with any bank which is considered risky it will be better to book your FD in such a way that it is covered under Rs 5 lakh deposit insurance cover. Many major banks are currently offering interest rates of 7% or higher for longer-term fixed deposits.As the interest rate cycle has reversed from rising interest rates to falling interest rates, it may take a while for the interest rate cycle to reach its bottom and make a turn around. While short term FDs will see quick reduction in interest rate, it may take a while for interest rate on medium to long term FDs to fall. So, if you do not have any short-term need, a strategy of locking FDs for medium to long term can be beneficial.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
32 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Financial sector regulators to work on universal KYC
Financial sector regulators, led by the RBI, are developing a universal KYC framework with the CKYCR to streamline verification processes. Nirmala Sitharaman urged regulators to ensure seamless KYC experiences for citizens and expedite refunds of unclaimed amounts through district-level camps. The FSDC also discussed strengthening cybersecurity and implementing budget announcements related to KYC simplification for NRIs, PIOs, and OCIs. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads New Delhi: Financial sector regulators, including the Reserve Bank of India , will look at a universal know your customer (KYC) framework and develop systems with the Central Know Your Customer Registry (CKYCR) to promote the inter-usability of records and avoid multiple minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) in Mumbai on Tuesday urged the financial sector regulators to take proactive steps to ensure that citizens have a seamless experience with the KYC processes across the financial a statement, the finance ministry said the FSDC also considered strengthening the cyber resilience framework of the Indian financial sector through a financial sector-specific cybersecurity FSDC also discussed issues relating to formulating a strategy for implementing the past decisions and the budget announcements, which included prescribing common KYC norms, simplification and digitalisation of the KYC process, including digital onboarding for non-resident Indians (NRIs), PIOs and OCIs in the Indian securities FSDC has representation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai), the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) and officials from the finance and corporate affairs urged the regulators and departments to expedite the process of refund to rightful owners of unclaimed amounts by holding special district-level also emphasised that interest of common citizens be kept in mind and therefore expeditiously refund the claims of the rightful claimants, the statement unclaimed amounts comprise deposits in banks, unclaimed shares and dividends managed by IEPFA and unclaimed insurance and pension funds with Irdai and PFRDA, drive is to be conducted in coordination with RBI, Sebi, MCA, PFRDA and Irdai along with banks, pension agencies and insurance finance ministry statement noted that the FSDC also deliberated on the emerging trends from the domestic and global macro-financial situation and stressed the need to be vigilant."The council recognised the need for proactive efforts to mitigate potential risks to financial stability while adopting adequate safeguards for the financial system's resilience," it said.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Meet fails to find consensus on Metro alignment in Thiruvananthapuram; state govt opts for further consultation
Thiruvananthapuram: The long-pending Metro rail project in the state capital has hit another roadblock, as the high-level meeting chaired by chief minister on Wednesday failed to finalise the alignment. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Instead, the state govt decided to constitute an advisory committee to consult stakeholders on the various alignment proposals, effectively pushing the project back to square one. According to sources, the decision to form the committee was taken after multiple stakeholders presented differing alignment suggestions, complicating the planning process. The committee will be formed under the leadership of the chief secretary. It will examine related matters and submit its recommendations. The committee will include the secretaries of revenue, finance, local self-govt and transport departments. Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), the implementing agency of the project, presented six alignment options during the meeting. However, Shashi Tharoor, MP, who participated online, also submitted his alignment proposals, prompting the chief minister to recommend further stakeholder consultation before moving forward. In a post on social media platform X, Tharoor wrote, "Had a very constructive online meeting this morning (Wednesday), chaired by the Chief Minister @pinarayivijayan, to discuss plans for a Metro in Thiruvananthapuram, something I have been clamouring for ever since becoming an MP." He added that an advisory committee would be formed to evaluate the proposals. "Our vision for the Metro must be to anticipate the needs of generations yet unborn," Tharoor posted. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "I am confident that, with the right approach, we can make Thiruvananthapuram an ideal capital city for the 21st century," he added. Meanwhile, KMRL chief Loknath Behera described the meeting as positive and expressed hope that a final decision would be made soon. "A presentation about the alignments of the proposed Metro rail in Thiruvananthapuram was completed. Now, the govt has to take a final decision," he told TOI. Once the alignment is finalised, it will be handed back to KMRL to revise the detailed project report (DPR) originally prepared by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). The DPR's executive summary was submitted to the state govt in Feb 2024. The finance department gave its approval to the project earlier this year. After the chief minister's nod, the project will be sent to the state cabinet for final clearance. In the 2025-26 state budget, the govt announced that preliminary work on the Metro would begin within the year. However, alignment disputes continue to stall progress. The transport department earlier rejected DMRC's original alignment, citing impracticalities and suggested an alternative route beginning at Kazhakkoottam instead of Pallipuram on NH 66. As per the previous cost estimate prepared by DMRC, the project will cost Rs 11,560.8 crore. The KMRL proposed a conventional Metro in Thiruvananthapuram instead of a light Metro, which was initially proposed. It was earlier said that DMRC would submit the report to the KMRL in Jan last year, which would in turn submit it to the state govt by the end of Jan after reviewing it. However, it was delayed.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Ranchi vendor markets sinking under choked drains, unhygienic surroundings, & poor infra
1 2 Ranchi: The city's main vendor markets, especially Naga Baba Khatal and Kokar, are characterised by choked drains, unhygienic surroundings, and poor infrastructure. These public spaces remain on the margins of municipal attention in spite of being important areas in a civilised society. A vendor at Rs 10.86-crore valued Naga Baba Khatal Vendor Market, Rekha Devi, said, "Overflowing drains, stagnant water, and heaps of rotting vegetables have turned the area unbearable. Even a small shower turns this place into a filthy swamp. The stink is terrible. Customers avoid coming here." Echoing the statement, customer Neha Kumari said, "The area lacks drainage system. We have to walk in muck mixed with vegetable waste. Toilets are barely usable, especially for women." At Kokar Vendor Market, vendors operate beside garbage piles and blocked drains. "The waste isn't picked up regularly, turning into heaps and lying scattered with rainwater," said Imran, a fruit seller. The Atal Vendor Market, built at a cost of Rs 54 crore with 478 shops, is structurally better but overcrowded. Vendors and customers struggle to navigate narrow congested passages. "There's no space to walk during rush hours, especially when shopkeepers display goods outside their stalls," said Arun Kumar, a vendor. Though these markets were constructed to decongest roads and fight encroachments, their neglected condition is forcing vendors back onto roads and footpaths. "The markets helped control encroachment to some extent. However, the vendors prefer doing their business from the roadside, where footfall is higher and conditions are manageable," said Shabnam Ansari, a vendor at Naga Baba Market. Assistant municipal commissioner Nikesh Kumar said, "Each market has four to five cleaning staff. Restoration files have been submitted to the authorities. Upgradation of infrastructure would begin based on approval." "For hundreds of vendors and thousands of customers, restoring hygiene and functionality in these markets isn't about comfortbut survival," said Ritu Sinha, another customer at the Atal Vendor Market.
