Important Banking and Economic Indicators

1. CASH RESERVE RATIO

Cash reserve Ratio (CRR) is the amount of funds that the banks have to keep with RBI. If RBI decides to increase the percent of this, the available amount with the banks comes down. RBI is using this method (increase of CRR rate), to drain out the excessive money from the banks. The amount of which shall not be less than three per cent of the total of the Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL) in India, on a fortnightly basis and RBI is empowered to increase the said rate of CRR to such higher rate not exceeding twenty percent of the Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL) under the RBI Act, 1934.

2. STATUTORY LIQUIDITY RATIO

In terms of Section 24 (2-A) of the B.R. Act, 1949 all Scheduled Commercial Banks, in addition to the average daily balance which they are required to maintain in the form of….

  • In cash,or
  • In gold valued at a price not exceeding the current market price, or
  • In unencumbered approved securities valued at a price as specified by the RBI from time to time.

3. REPO RATE

Repo rate, also known as the official bank rate, is the discounted rate at which a central bank repurchases government securities. The central bank makes this transaction with commercial banks to reduce some of the short-term liquidity in the system. The repo rate is dependent on the level of money supply that the bank chooses to fix in the monetary scheme of things. Repo rate is short for repurchase rate. The entity borrowing the security is often referred to as the buyer, while the lender of the securities is referred to as the seller. The central bank has the power to lower the repo rates while expanding the money supply in the country. This enables the banks to exchange their government security holdings for cash. In contrast, when the central bank decides to reduce the money supply, it implements a rise in the repo rates. At times, the central bank of the nation makes a decision regarding the money supply level and the repo rate is determined by the market.

The securities that are being evaluated and sold are transacted at the current market price plus any interest that has accrued. When the sale is concluded, the securities are subsequently resold at a predetermined price. This price is comprised of the original market price and interest, and the pre-agreed interest rate, which is the repo rate.

4. BANK RATE

Bank rate is referred to the rate of interest charged by premier banks on the loans and advances. Bank rate varies based on some defined conditions as laid down the governing authority of the banks. Bank rates are levied to control the money supply to and from the bank. From the consumer’s point of view, bank rate ordinarily denotes to the current rate of interest acquired from savings certificate of Deposit. It is most frequently used by the consumers who are concerned in mortgage

Some commonest types of bank interest rates are as follows:

  • Bank rate on CD, i.e., on certificate of deposit
  • Bank rate on the credit of a credit card or other kind of loan
  • Bank rate on real estate loan

5. INTERBANK RATE

The  rate of interest  charged on short-term  loans made  between banks.  Banks borrow and lend money in the interbank market in order to manage liquidity  and meet the requirements placed  on them. The interest rate charged depends on the availability of money in the market, on prevailing rates and on  the specific terms of the contract, such as term  length.

Banks are required to hold an adequate amount of liquid assets, such as cash, to manage any potential withdrawals from clients. If a bank can’t meet these liquidity requirements, it will need to borrow money in the interbank market to cover the shortfall. Some banks, on the other hand, have excess liquid assets above and beyond the liquidity requirements. These banks will lend money in the interbank market, receiving interest on the assets. There  is a wide range of published interbank rates,  including the LIBOR & MIBOR, which is set daily based on  the average rates on loans made within the London interbank market & Mumbai Interbank Market.

6. GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT

The monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period, though GDP is usually calculated on an annual basis. It includes all of private and public  consumption, government outlays, investments and exports less imports that occur within a defined territory.

GDP = C + G + I + NX

Where:

  • “C” is equal to all private consumption, or consumer spending, in a nation’s economy.
  • “G” is the sum of government spending.
  • “I” is the sum of all the country’s businesses spending on capital.
  • “NX” is the nation’s  total net exports, calculated as total exports minus total imports. (NX = Exports – Imports)

GDP  is  commonly  used as an  indicator of the economic health of a country, as well as to gauge a country’s standard of living.

7. INFLATION

Inflation can be defined as a rise in the general price level and therefore a fall in the value of money. Inflation occurs when the amount of buying power is higher than the output of goods and services. Inflation also occurs when the amount of money exceeds the amount of goods and services available. As to whether the fall in the value of money will affect the functions of money depends on the degree of the fall. Basically, refers to an increase in the supply of currency or credit relative to the availability of goods and services, resulting in higher prices. Therefore, inflation can be measured in terms of percentages. The percentage increase in the price index, as a rate per cent per unit of time, which is usually in years. The two basic price indexes are used when measuring inflation, the producer price index (PPI) and the consumer price index (CPI) which is also known as the cost of living index number.

8. DEFLATION

It is a condition of falling prices accompanied by a decreasing level of employment, output and income. Deflation is just the opposite of inflation. Deflation occurs when the total expenditure of the community is not equal to the existing prices. Consequently, the supply of money decreases and as a result prices fall. Deflation can also be brought about by direct contractions in spending, either in the form of a reduction in government spending, personal spending or investment spending. Deflation has often had the side effect of increasing unemployment in an economy, since the process often leads to a lower level of demand in the economy.

9. DISINFLATION

When prices are falling due to anti-inflationary measures adopted by the authorities, with no corresponding decline in the existing level of employment, output and income, the result of this is disinflation. When acute inflation burdens an economy, disinflation is implemented as a cure. Disinflation is said to take place when deliberate attempts are made to curtail expenditure of all sorts to lower prices and money incomes for the benefit of the community.

10. REFLATION

Reflation is a situation of rising prices, which is deliberately undertaken to relieve a depression. Reflation is a means of motivating the economy to produce. This is achieved by increasing the supply of money or in some instances reducing taxes, which is the opposite of disinflation. Governments can use economic policies such as reducing taxes, changing the supply of money or adjusting the interest rates; which in turn motivates the country to increase their output. The situation is described as semi-inflation or reflation.

11. STAGFLATION

Stagflation is a stagnant economy that is combined with inflation. Basically, when prices are increasing the economy is deceasing. Some economists believe that there are two main reasons for stagflation. Firstly, stagflation can occur when an economy is slowed by an unfavourable supply, such as an increase in the price of oil in an oil importing country, which tends to raise prices at the same time that it slows the economy by making production less profitable. In the 1970’s inflation and recession occurred in different economies at the same time. Basically, what happened was that there was plenty of liquidity in the system and people were spending money as quickly as they got it because prices were going up quickly. This gave rise to the second reason for stagflation.

12. FOREIGN INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENTS

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs), Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) are allowed to invest in the primary and secondary capital markets in India through the portfolio investment scheme (PIS). Under this scheme, FIIs/NRIs can acquire shares/debentures of Indian companies through the stock exchanges in India.

The ceiling for overall investment for FIIs is 24 per cent of the paid up capital of the Indian company and 10 per cent for NRIs/PIOs. The limit is 20 per cent of the paid up capital in the case of public sector banks, including the State Bank of India.

13. FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES

Foreign exchange reserves (also called Forex reserves) in a strict sense are only the foreign currency deposits held by central banks and monetary authorities. However, the term in popular usage commonly includes foreign exchange and gold, SDRs and IMF reserve positions. This broader figure is more readily available, but it is more accurately termed official reserves or international reserves. These are assets of the central bank held in different reserve currencies, such as the dollar, euroyen, and used to back its liabilities, e.g. the local currency issued, and the various bank reserves deposited with the central bank, by the government or financial institutions. and

Large reserves of foreign currency allow a government to manipulate exchange rates – usually to stabilize the foreign exchange rates to provide a more favorable economic environment.

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