Banks pass on rate hikes, but go slow when rates fall; RBI study finds

A recent study by the RBI indicates that banks are more responsive to interest rate hikes than to cuts. Specifically, banks relayed 76.4% of repo rate increases, while only 64% of reductions were passed on. Amid periods of tightening, lending rates surged significantly, in contrast to the minimal decreases observed during easing. This research highlights the intricate dynamics of interest rate adjustments, particularly affecting sectors like MSMEs.