Savings bank A/C to be more attractive
Impact
Guaranteed returns on savings bank account may soon be a thing of the past. The Reserve Bank of India has moved a step forward in its proposal to deregulate this interest rate.
At present a working group has been set up by the RBI, in order to assess the modalities of deregulating interest rates.
Deregulating interest rates would mean that banks will now have the freedom to set interest rates on savings bank account, based on their need for funds. At present, the rate of interest offered on savings deposits is mandated at 3.5%. by RBI.
Former Deputy Governor of RBI - Mr. S.S. Tarapore has been a strong proponent of freeing interest rates on savings deposits. In a recent article in a business publication he had said, "The interests of small depositors have been, for all practical purposes, bartered away. With the Consumer Price Index (CPI) showing a year-on-year increase of 13-14% and the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) an increase of 10%, the interest rate on savings bank accounts of 3.5% reflects high negative rates of return. A rock-like savings bank deposit rate of 3.5%, irrespective of the overall situation, reflects policy paralysis".
Highlighting one of the issues in deregulation of interest rates, Deputy Governor of RBI - Ms Usha Thorat said, "On one hand, savings accounts provide banks with low-cost funds of an enduring nature which facilitate asset-liability management and help lower lending rates. On the other hand, the costs not currently recovered in handling such accounts have to be considered as well".
In our opinion, the proposed deregulation of interest rates on savings bank account would benefit the customers, and also bring out the liquidity management ability of banks. However, banks should disclose their interest rates publicly, in order to infuse transparency for account holders, thus precluding any discrimination.