RBI proposes new rules to standardise how lenders set interest rates

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) proposes to rationalise the regulatory framework on setting interest rates for all regulated entities (REs) on a principle-based basis. The measure was among the three developmental and regulatory policies announced post monetary policy.

The RBI said that the new framework aims to standardise rules for different entities with the intention to increase transparency and ensure uniformity. The new norms are unlikely to impact loan equated monthly instalments (EMIs) or bring non banking finance companies (NBFCs) into the external benchmark linked lending regime (EBLR) on par with banks, the RBI said.

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“The interest rate rules is to standardize different rules for different regulated entities. This will improve transparency because people will know what are interest rates and how they are set. So this is more of a rationalization move which will improve consumer protection,” governor Sanjay Malhotra said in a post policy press conference.

The details of the new framework will be there in the draft guidelines, Malhotra said adding that there will not be any major changes or a change in interest calculating structure for NBFCs but only a “rationalization” of the existing norms.

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In the post policy statement on developmental and regulatory policies RBI said the review will harmonise the guidelines across REs while maintaining proportionality. “(They will) address certain operational aspects of the current framework on MCLR (marginal cost of funds based lending rate) and EBLR; and standardise certain divergent market practices concerning interest charging, including day count convention and benchmark reset dates,” RBI said.

The measures seek to ensure uniformity, enhance transparency in loan pricing, strengthen monetary transmission and bolster consumer protection. Deputy governor Shirish Chandra Murmu said the emphasis is on transparency and conduct related measures in the new framework.