Understand CRR Rates (Cash Reserve Ratio)

CRR or Cash Reserve Ratio, is the percentage of a bank’s total deposits that it needs to maintain as liquid cash. This is an RBI requirement, and the cash reserve is with the RBI. A bank does not earn interest on this liquid cash maintained with the RBI and neither can it use this for investing and lending purposes.

When the CRR increases, banks need to hold a higher proportion of their deposits in reserve, thus reducing the amount of money available for lending. This can lead to a decrease in credit availability, which in turn can slow down economic growth.

In contrast, when the CRR lowers, banks have more funds available to lend, thus leading to an increase in credit availability and potentially stimulating economic growth.

Considering that the CRR is 4.5%, then banks must keep aside Rs. 4.5 every time their deposits raise by Rs. 100. The equation is very simple, but the implications of CRR on the economy at large are many. In technical terms, the scheduled banks must ensure that their liquid cash held with the RBI on a bi-weekly basis does not dip below 4.5% of their total Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL).

This figure of 4.5% may change and vary. To understand the concept of CRR clearly, consider this example. If a bank has net demand and time deposits worth Rs. 10,00,000, and the CRR is 8%, it will have to keep Rs. 8,00,000 with the RBI in the form of liquid cash.

The CRR also has a direct impact on home loans and other types of lending. When the RBI raises the CRR, banks have less money available to lend, which can lead to tighter liquidity in the market. This reduced availability of funds can result in higher interest rates for home loans, making borrowing more expensive for consumers. Conversely, when the RBI lowers the CRR, banks have more funds available for lending, which can increase liquidity and potentially lower interest rates on home loans. Therefore, changes in the CRR can influence the cost and availability of home loans, affecting borrowers' monthly payments and overall financial planning.

What is the current CRR rate?

The CRR is among the important components of the RBI’s monetary policy. As of 2023, the CRR rate is 4.5%, which has been effective since May 21, 2022.

What is CRR in relation to the economy? This question is important as CRR is not just an isolated figure, but one that helps the RBI direct the economy. The next section provides insight.
 

Difference between CRR and SLR
 

CRR or Cash Reserve Ratio and SLR or Statutory Liquid Ratio are both components of the RBI’s monetary policy. SLR defines the percentage of deposits a bank needs to keep as liquid assets. However, the RBI specifies that these funds are maintained not just in cash form, but also in gold, PSU bonds, government securities, and other assets.

CRR and SLR rate:

The rates as of June 8, 2022 are:

• CRR = 4.5%
• SLR = 18%

The key differences between CRR and SLR are as follows:

• CRR includes cash reserves only, but SLR includes liquid assets such as gold, bonds, and securities as well.
• Banks earn interest on the funds reserved as SLR, but no interest is earned on the funds reserved as CRR.
• The RBI keeps CRR funds, but the bank itself holds SLR funds.

Now that you know what CRR is and have some insight into how it impacts lending, investments, and the economy at large, it is advisable to make well-informed financial choices.

Why is CRR higher than SLR?

CRR is typically higher than SLR because it directly controls the money available for lending and helps manage liquidity in the banking system. SLR serves as an additional safeguard for banks' liquidity and solvency. Both ratios are tools used by the central bank to influence the money supply and ensure the stability of the banking system.

What is CRR and how does CRR impact the economy?

Cash Reserve Ratio or CRR is a part of the RBI’s monetary policy, which helps eliminate liquidity risk and regulate money supply in the economy. If the CRR rate increases, banks' ability to issue loans decreases, causing interest rates to rise.

The impact of CRR on the economy can be summarized as follows

1. Money supply: By adjusting the CRR, the central bank can influence the money supply in the economy. Increasing the CRR reduces the funds available with commercial banks for lending, leading to a contraction in the money supply. Conversely, decreasing the CRR increases the lendable resources of banks, resulting in an expansion of the money supply.
2. Inflation control: One of the primary objectives of implementing a CRR is to control inflation. When inflation is high, the central bank may raise the CRR to reduce the liquidity in the banking system and curb excessive lending. This helps in controlling inflationary pressures by limiting the amount of money available for spending.
3. Interest rates: Changes in the CRR can indirectly impact interest rates. Increasing the CRR reduces the lendable resources of banks, which may lead to a scarcity of funds. This can push up interest rates as banks lend at higher rates to manage their reduced liquidity. Conversely, a decrease in the CRR can increase the lendable resources, potentially leading to lower interest rates.
4. Bank profitability: The CRR requirement affects the profitability of commercial banks. Since the funds kept as cash reserves with the central bank do not earn interest, banks have to forgo potential earnings on those funds. Higher CRR requirements can reduce the profitability of banks, while lower CRR requirements can increase their profitability.
5. Credit availability: Changes in the CRR can impact the availability of credit in the economy. When the CRR is high, banks have limited funds available for lending, which can result in reduced credit availability and tighter lending standards. Conversely, a lower CRR can increase the availability of credit as banks have more funds to lend.

It's important to note that the impact of CRR on the economy depends on various factors, including the prevailing economic conditions, monetary policy goals, and the effectiveness of other policy tools used in conjunction with the CRR. Central banks carefully assess these factors to make informed decisions regarding changes in the CRR to achieve their monetary policy objectives.

What are the objectives of Cash Reserve Ratio?

There are a handful of important reasons for CRR to exist.

• CRR ensures that banks always maintain a minimum level of liquidity. This way funds are easily available to customers, even if there is huge demand.
• Another way of saying it is that since the RBI holds part of the bank’s deposit, that portion, as defined by the CRR, remains secure.
• The Central Reserve Ratio (CRR) controls inflation by increasing to dissuade banks from lending more if inflation is high.
• CRR is also linked to the base rate of loans, which is the rate below which banks cannot lend.
• CRR helps control the supply of money in the economy. When CRR reduces, it has a positive effect on the economy.

Importance of Cash Reserve Ratio

1. Monetary policy tool: CRR serves as a crucial instrument for central banks to implement and fine-tune monetary policy to achieve economic objectives.
2. Liquidity management: By mandating banks to hold reserves, CRR aids in managing liquidity in the banking system, ensuring stability.
3. Inflation control: CRR helps in controlling inflation by limiting excessive credit creation, thus preventing the economy from overheating.
4. Financial system stability: It safeguards the banking system by ensuring banks maintain adequate reserves, reducing the risk of bank failures and financial crises.
5. Consumer protection: By stabilising the banking sector, CRR indirectly protects consumers' deposits and investments from systemic risks.
6. Economic stability: CRR contributes to maintaining a stable and balanced economy by preventing rapid and unsustainable credit growth.

Advantages of CRR (Cash Reserve Ratio)

The Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) is a monetary policy tool used by central banks to control liquidity and manage inflation. Here are the advantages of Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR):

1. Liquidity control: CRR helps in regulating the money supply by reducing the funds available for lending.
2. Inflation management: By controlling excessive credit expansion, CRR assists in stabilising prices and managing inflationary pressures.
3. Financial stability: Ensures banks maintain sufficient liquidity, reducing the risk of bank runs and enhancing the stability of the banking system.
4. Monetary policy tool: Acts as an effective tool for central banks to implement monetary policy measures.
5. Economic stability: Contributes to overall economic stability by preventing overheating of the economy and potential financial crises.

How does CRR control inflation?

CRR affects the level of liquidity in the country’s economy and as such, has a direct bearing on inflation. You can think of CRR as one of the faucets the RBI has to control the supply of money in the economy.

RBI can raise CRR to curb inflation, thus reducing the lending capacity of a bank. With less loans, there is less money flowing through the economy and less pressure on inflation.

How is CRR calculated?

CRR is calculated as a percentage of the bank’s NDTL, that is, net demand and time liabilities.

The public and other banks can describe NDTL as the bank's total demand and time liabilities (deposits) minus the deposits with other banks. The banks liabilities could take the form of:

• Demand liabilities such as current deposits, Demand Drafts, cash certificates, etc.
• Time liabilities such as FDs, gold deposits, cash certificates, etc
• Other demand and time liabilities such as deposit interest, dividends, etc.

The formula used for calculating the cash reserve ratio is given below:

CRR(%)= Reserve Requirement / Deposits

Where CRR (cash reserve ratio) = the portion of the cash that the RBI asks respective commercial banks/financial institutes to keep aside and not use for lending or investment purposes.

NDTL = The difference between the sum of demand and time liabilities (deposits) of a bank/financial institute (with the public or the other bank/financial institute) and the deposits in the form of assets held by the other banks/financial institutes.

Deposit = The amount currently present with the banks/lenders

Why does the Cash Reserve Ratio keep on changing?

CRR serves as a safety net for customers, ensuring that banks have enough liquidity to handle a surge in demand for funds through withdrawals. Beyond that, the RBI is free to meet its other objectives and slash or increase the CRR. This means that it can regulate the CRR required from banks to control the flow of money in the economy from time to time. Since this objective is subject to the dynamics of the economy, and therefore, the cash reserve ratio will change periodically.

How CRR can affect your home loan application

The Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) set by central banks plays a pivotal role in shaping the lending landscape, directly impacting various financial products, including home loans.

If CRR increases:

• Higher interest rates: An increase in CRR often leads to a decrease in liquidity in the banking system. This can result in banks raising their lending rates, making home loans more expensive.
• Reduced loan availability: With less liquidity due to higher CRR, banks may become more selective in approving loans, potentially leading to stricter eligibility criteria and reduced loan availability.
• Longer approval time: Due to tighter liquidity conditions, banks may take longer to process and approve home loan applications.
• Lower loan amount: Banks might offer lower loan amounts or require larger down payments from borrowers due to reduced liquidity.

If CRR decreases:

• Lower interest rates: A decrease in CRR typically increases liquidity in the banking system. This can lead to banks lowering their lending rates, making home loans more affordable.
• Increased loan availability: With higher liquidity, banks may be more willing to lend, leading to easier approval and potentially more competitive loan offers.
• Quicker approval time: Improved liquidity conditions can result in faster processing and approval of home loan applications by banks.
• Higher loan amount: Banks may offer higher loan amounts or require smaller down payments from borrowers due to increased liquidity.
• Economic stimulus: A decrease in CRR can stimulate economic activity by encouraging borrowing and investment, which can positively impact the housing market and home loan availability.

The impact of Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) on home loans

CRR significantly impacts the availability and cost of home loans. When the RBI increases the CRR, banks have less money available to lend, resulting in reduced liquidity in the market. This can lead to higher interest rates on home loans as banks adjust to the decreased availability of funds. Higher interest rates mean higher monthly payments for borrowers, making home loans more expensive.

Conversely, when the RBI lowers the CRR, banks have more funds available for lending. This increase in liquidity can lead to lower interest rates on home loans, making borrowing more affordable for consumers. Thus, fluctuations in the CRR can directly affect home loan interest rates and the overall cost of homeownership, influencing borrowers' financial planning and housing affordability.

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