This booklet entitled ” Latest Banking Updates – Bank Promotions (Updated as of 31.05.2020)” has been prepared with an intention to provide ‘Latest Developments in Banking and Financial Sector’ for the enrichment of Bank’s Staff, the Banking knowledge and Banking Developments taking place in present day scenario, when the entire Banking Industry is facing heavy Turbulence in the form of huge NPA and mounting losses.
In view of the recent release of Macro Economic Data the RBI preponed the need for an off-cycle meeting of the monetary policy committee (MPC) in lieu of the scheduled meeting to be held during June 3 to 5, 2020. The MPC met on 20th, 21st and 22nd May 2020, the MPC reviewed domestic and global developments and their implications for the outlook. MPC voted unanimously for a reduction in the policy repo rate and for maintaining the accommodative stance of monetary policy as long as necessary to revive growth, mitigate the impact of COVID-19, while ensuring that inflation remains within the target. On the quantum of reduction, the MPC voted with a 5-1 majority to reduce the policy rate by 40 basis points from 4.4 per cent to 4.0 per cent. Consequently, the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate and the Bank rate stand reduced to 4.25% from 4.65%. The reverse repo rate stands reduced to 3.35% from 3.75%.
RBI has allowed cash withdrawal facility at POS Terminals. Latest updates on FAQ’s as of May 5,2020.
RBI Governor meets MD & CEOs of Public and Private Sector Banks, NBFCs & Mutual Funds to review theCurrent Economic condition, over Video Conference. Credit flows to different sectors of the economy, including liquidity to Non-Banking Financial Companies, Micro Finance Institutions, Housing Finance Companies, Mutual Funds, etc.;Post lockdown strategies for supply of credit, including working capital, to MSMEs, traders and bottom of pyramid customers in semi-urban, rural and urban areas; Impact of measures taken by the Reserve Bank with regard to the provision of liquidity etc.
On April 17th 2020 RBI Governor Shri Shakti Kanta Das announced the second series of measures to give boost to ailing economy by providing relief to various sectors and financial institutions including NBFC. The measures were aimed to (i) maintain adequate liquidity in the system and its constituents in the face of COVID-19 related dislocations; (ii) facilitate and incentivise bank credit flows; (iii) ease financial stress; and (iv) enable the normal functioning of markets.
This is an unconventional monetary policy tool. It involves printing money and distributing it to the public. Milton Friedman coined this term. It basically denotes a helicopter dropping money from the sky. Friedman used the term to signify “unexpectedly dumping money onto a struggling economy with the intention to shock it out of a deep slump”.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced further measures, including extending the time for realisation and repatriation of proceeds for exports made up to or on July 31, 2020 to 15 months from the date of export against nine months earlier, while upping the temporary accommodation it provides to States and Union Territories to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The central bank also said it is not activating the counter cyclical capital buffer for banks.
Things are moving fast with the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. On March 12 WHO declared that the virus is now a pandemic and President Trump announced 30 day ban on all travel from EU to the US. If the virus spread continues the Analysts fear that the Global Economy may slip into recession. If the Economy slips into recession it will slip for two consecutive quarters i.e. six months period. The Supply chains are affected. Various sectors such as Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Service, Transportation, Tourism, Hospitality industry etc will badly impacted. Digital Banking and Online Shopping will increase.
RBI has issued directions to all the financing agencies including all Banks, Financial Institutions, NBFC’s & Cooperative Banks etc under COVIC-19 Regulatory Package.
RBI released the statement on Development and Regulatory Policies alongwith the 7th Bi-Monthly Policy review on 27th March 2020.This Statement sets out various developmental and regulatory policies that directly address the stress in financial conditions caused by COVID-19. They consist of: (i) expanding liquidity in the system sizeably to ensure that financial markets and institutions are able to function normally in the face of COVID-related dislocations; (ii) reinforcing monetary transmission so that bank credit flows on easier terms are sustained to those who have been affected by the pandemic; (iii) easing financial stress caused by COVID-19 disruptions by relaxing repayment pressures and improving access to working capital; and (iv) improving the functioning of markets in view of the high volatility experienced with the onset and spread of the pandemic. The policy initiatives in this section should be read in conjunction with the MPC’s decision on monetary policy actions and stance in its resolution.