Data on lending and deposit rates of scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) (excluding regional rural banks and small finance banks) for the month of September 2023.Highlights: Lending Rates:The weighted average lending rate (WALR) on fresh rupee loans of SCBs increased by 3 basis points (bps) from 9.44 per cent in July 2023 to 9.47 per cent in August 2023.1-Year median Marginal Cost of Fund based Lending

SCHEDULED COMMERCIAL BANKS (Including RRBs,SFBs and PBs) ALL SCHEDULED BANKS  09-Sep-2225-AUG-2023*08-SEP-2023*09-Sep-2225-AUG-2023*08-SEP-2023*  ILIABILITIES TO THE BKG.SYSTEM (A)  a) Demand & Time deposits from bks.183335.64246284.1253485.01186364.23248463.22255863.66** b) Borrowings from banks41752.75199018.31188137.5441824.75199142.43188207.97  c) Other demand & time liabilities44678.468276.3270299.5245184.8168988.2871006.97

The Reserve Bank had introduced a scheme for handling wilful defaulters, effective from April 1, 1999. These guidelines were subsequently consolidated into the Master Circular on Wilful Defaulters, last updated on July 1, 2015.  2.The instructions on wilful defaulters have been revised after a review of the extant instructions and consideration of various judgments/ orders from the Hon’ble Supreme Court and Hon’ble High Courts, as well as representations

The Reserve Bank of India had issued a Discussion Paper (DP) on January 14, 2022 proposing revisions to the current norms for the classification, valuation, and operation of investment portfolios of commercial banks. After considering the feedback received on the DP, the Reserve Bank of India (Classification, Valuation and Operation of Investment Portfolio of Commercial Banks) Directions, 2023 has been issued today.

2. The revised Directions include principle-based classification of investment portfolio, tightening of regulations around transfers to/from held to maturity (HTM) category and sales out of HTM, inclusion of non-SLR securities in HTM subject to fulfilment of certain conditions and symmetric recognition of gains and losses.

3. These Directions are expected to enhance the quality of banks' financial reporting, improve disclosures (disclosures of fair value of investments in HTM category, fair value hierarchy, sales out of HTM, etc.), provide a fillip to the corporate bond market, facilitate the use of derivatives for hedging, and strengthen the overall risk management framework of banks. While the revised Directions align the accounting norms for banks' investment portfolios with global financial reporting standards, important prudential safeguards such as investment fluctuation reserve (IFR), due diligence/limits with respect to non-SLR investments, internal control systems, reviews and reporting etc. have been retained and prudential concerns on reliability of valuation have been addressed.

4. The revised Directions shall apply to all commercial banks (excluding Regional Rural Banks) from the financial year commencing on April 1, 2024.

In pursuance of Governor’s Monetary Policy Statement of August 10, 2023, scheduled banks were required to maintain an incremental cash reserve ratio (I-CRR) of 10 per cent on the increase in their net demand and time liabilities (NDTL) between May 19, 2023 and July 28, 2023. The measure was intended to absorb the surplus liquidity generated by various factors, including the return of ₹2000 notes to the banking system. It was indicated that the I-CRR is a temporary measure for managing the liquidity overhang and that the I-CRR will be reviewed on September 8, 2023 or earlier with a view to returning the impounded funds to the banking system ahead of the festival season.

On a review, it has been decided to discontinue the I-CRR in a phased manner. Based on an assessment of current and evolving liquidity conditions, it has been decided that the amounts impounded under the I-CRR would be released in stages so that system liquidity is not subjected to sudden shocks and money markets function in an orderly manner. The release of funds would be as follows:

DateAmount to be released (₹ crore)

September 9, 202325 per cent of the I-CRR maintained

September 23, 202325 per cent of the I-CRR maintained

October 7, 202350 per cent of the I-CRR maintained

Details relating to the winding down of the I-CRR are being notified separately.

(Yogesh Dayal)     
Chief General Manager

Press Release: 2023-2024/886

(Amount in ₹ crore) SCHEDULED COMMERCIAL BANKS (Including RRBs, SFBs and PBs) ALL SCHEDULED BANKS 26-Aug-22    11-AUG-2023*25-AUG-2023* 26-Aug-22    11-AUG-2023* 25-AUG-2023* I LIABILITIES TO THE BKG.SYSTEM (A) a) Demand & Time deposits from bks.188767.08254229.15246284.1 191920.01    256429.72    248463.22 ** b) Borrowings from banks 44956.33190016.47199019.52 45029.33    190103.15    199143.64 c) Other demand & time liabilities

Data on lending and deposit rates of scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) (excluding regional rural banks and small finance banks) for the month of August 2023. Highlights: Lending Rates: The weighted average lending rate (WALR) on fresh rupee loans of SCBs increased by 24 basis points (bps) from 9.20 per cent in June 2023 to 9.44 per cent in July 2023. The WALR on outstanding rupee loans of SCBs increased by 2 bps from 9.82 per cent in June 2023 to 9.84 per cent in July