What is Repo Rate

Central banks all over the world use the repo rate as a key monetary instrument to control the money supply in the economy. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) oversees determining the repo rate in India. NBFCs and banks use the repo rate as an important factor for setting interest rates for different kinds of loans and deposits. Understanding the meaning of repo rate is crucial to get a deeper understanding of how the economy works.

What is repo rate?

Repo rate is an acronym for "Repurchasing option rate". It is the interest rate at which RBI provides credit to commercial banks and lending institutes in the country. The repo rate is the interest rate at which the RBI provides credit to banks in the country. The hike in repo rate makes the credit costlier, and banks pass on that increased costs to customers and ultimately the loans become costlier.

On the other hand, reduced repo rates are intended to increase the availability of funds for banks, lowering the overall cost of borrowing and increasing consumer demand. As a result, the repo rate is one of the monetary tools that can be used to either control inflation or increase demand. It influences interest rates on all loans, including personal loans, car loans, housing loans, and working capital, among others. Let us understand more about repo rate, such as how it works and its impact on the economy.

How does repo rate work?

The repo rate, or repurchase rate, is set by a central bank and represents the interest rate at which commercial banks can borrow money by selling their securities to the central bank. It influences overall interest rates in the economy, affecting borrowing costs, inflation, and economic growth. Adjustments help regulate monetary policy.

Why is repo rate important?

The repo rate, set by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), is crucial as it directly influences borrowing costs and liquidity in the economy. When the repo rate is high, banks find borrowing from the RBI more expensive, leading to higher interest rates for customers, which curbs spending and helps control inflation. Conversely, a low repo rate makes borrowing cheaper, encouraging investment and spending, boosting economic growth. Thus, the repo rate serves as a key tool for the RBI to manage inflation, control liquidity, and ensure economic stability.In essence, repo rate is decided by the MPC of RBI.

Who decides the repo rate?

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the RBI is in charge of determining the repo rate in India. The MPC is a six-person committee made up of three government-appointed members and three RBI-appointed members. The committee meets to discuss the country's macroeconomic situation and choose the repo rate accordingly. In essence, repo rate is decided by the MPC of RBI.    

Inflation, economic growth, exchange rates, and fiscal deficit are just a few of the variables the MPC considers before deciding on the repo rate. The committee aims to safeguard price stability while keeping the goal of economic expansion in mind.

What is the current repo rate in India?

Current repo rate is 6.50% in February 2024. To know the exact repo rate, check on RBI’s official site. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) periodically reviews and adjusts the interest rates. In Feb’24 MPC meeting, RBI announced to not to change the last repo rate i.e: 6.50%. While the reverse repo rate stands at 3.35%.

Reserve Bank of India repo rate

The repo rate is the rate at which the Reserve Bank of India lends to commercial banks in exchange for securities. It plays a vital role in the monetary policy framework, impacting loan rates, investment, and overall economic activity.

Historical repo rates from 2010 to 2024

Here's a table showing the historical repo rates set by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) from 2010 to 2024. These rates reflect the RBI's response to various economic conditions over the years, and tracking the repo rate effect can reveal several insights.

What is reverse repo rate?

The meaning of reverse repo rate is the rate at which the RBI borrows funds from commercial banks, typically in exchange for government securities. It’s a key tool in the RBI's monetary policy used to manage liquidity in the banking system. When banks have excess funds, they can park them with the RBI at the reverse repo rate, earning interest. This incentivizes banks to hold reserves instead of lending them out, which helps reduce liquidity and control inflation. Thus, the reverse repo rate acts as an instrument to stabilize the economy by managing liquidity fluctuations in the market.

What is the difference between repo rate and reverse repo rate?

Repo rates and reverse repo rates are used by central banks and other financial institutions to manage their daily liquidity. The interest rate at which commercial banks obtain funds from the Reserve Bank of India is known as the repo rate. Any government securities can be exchanged for loans from the RBI to commercial banks.

The interest rate on commercial banks' deposits with the central bank is known as the reverse repo rate. Most banks choose this method to keep their money safe in case they have more money than they need. The reverse repo rate is, in other words, an interest rate that is paid on deposited cash.

The repo rate and reverse repo rate are fundamentally different from one another. The repo rate generates income by lending to commercial banks, while the reverse repo rate generates income on the deposits made by commercial banks.

The repo rate is used to manage inflation, while the reverse repo rate is used to control the liquidity of the economy. Central banks always maintain the reverse repo rate lower than the repo rate.

Here is a summary of repo rate vs reverse repo rate:

How repo rate impacts personal loan EMI?

The impact of a change in the repo rate is usually more direct and immediate on loans that offer a floating rate of interest. Commercial banks, however, usually give out a personal loan on a fixed rate of interest. Keep this in mind, existing borrowers may not be affected by a change in the repo rate.

Generally, personal loans are a little more expensive than other types of loans. When RBI increases the repo rate NBFCs, and banks must pay more to RBI while borrowing funds. Thus, the repo rate effect, or impact of repo rate on personal loan interest rates can be significant.

As a result, financial institutions raise interest rates on loans to maintain their profit margins. Due to the rise in personal loan interest rates, borrowers will have to pay more interest on their loans.

In contrast, the cost of borrowing for the banks decreases when the RBI lowers the repo rate. A cheaper EMI for the borrower results from the capacity of banks to issue loans at lower interest rates.

With fluctuation in the repo rate, the prevailing interest rates on a personal loan may be positively or negatively impacted.

Repo rate changes do not immediately affect personal loan EMIs. After the RBI announces a change in the repo rate, it takes some time for the banks to update their interest rates. Therefore, borrowers should closely monitor the repo rate and how it affects the EMIs of personal loans. Borrowers should also keep their credit scores and payment records in good shape so they can get personal loans at better interest rates.

How repo rate impacts fixed deposits?

The repo rate influences fixed deposit interest rates. When the central bank raises the repo rate, banks may increase fixed deposit rates to attract funds, offering better returns to depositors. Conversely, a lower repo rate might lead to lower fixed deposit rates, impacting returns for investors.

How repo rate affects economy?

The repo rate impacts the economy by influencing interest rates. A higher repo rate can lead to increased borrowing costs, slowing economic activity and inflation. Conversely, a lower repo rate stimulates borrowing, promoting spending and investment. Central banks use repo rate adjustments as a tool to achieve monetary policy objectives and economic stability.

• Inflation control: The RBI raises the repo rate to control inflation. Higher rates make loans more expensive, discouraging spending and investment, which helps reduce inflationary pressures.
• Economic growth: When the repo rate is lowered, borrowing costs decrease, encouraging businesses and individuals to take loans, invest, and spend, which boosts economic growth.
• Liquidity management: The repo rate helps the RBI control the availability of funds in the banking system. An increased repo rate reduces liquidity, while a lower rate increases it.
• Investment patterns: Lower repo rates can attract investors to equities and real estate as they seek higher returns, while higher rates can shift investments to safer, fixed-income options.
• Loan repayment costs: A high repo rate makes loans costlier, affecting EMIs on home, personal, and auto loans, which can impact household budgets and consumption.

How repo rate affects stock market?

The repo rate influences the stock market by affecting borrowing costs. When the central bank raises the repo rate, it can increase interest rates, making borrowing more expensive for businesses. This may impact corporate earnings and stock valuations, potentially leading to market adjustments. Conversely, a lower repo rate may stimulate economic activity and benefit stocks.

Use the personal loan EMI calculator to swiftly calculate your monthly payments on personal loans. You are free to pick a suitable loan tenure for yourself to lower your monthly expenses.

Conclusion

The repo rate is a powerful tool that influences inflation, investment, and growth. By adjusting the repo rate, the RBI can encourage or temper economic activity as needed. Both repo and reverse repo rates shape the flow of funds in the market, impacting loan rates and overall economic health. Understanding the repo rate’s impact is crucial for borrowers and investors, helping them make informed decisions on various types of loans and investments.