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RBI Eases Risk Weights for Bank Loans to NBFCs

27 February 20251 min read
BANKING & FINANCERBI Eases RiskWeights for BankLoans to NBFCs27 February 2025safalsetu.com

Why in the news

RBI rolled back the extra risk weights on bank lending to NBFCs from 1 April 2025 to help NBFCs facing funding strain, weak liquidity and stress in small-ticket and microfinance loans.

Background

  • RBI had added 25 percentage points to weights on bank loans to NBFCs and certain consumer credit such as personal loans and credit cards.
  • Bank lending to NBFCs slowed to 6.7% in 2024 from 15% in 2023.
  • Growth up to December 2024 was 4.8% against 13.2% a year earlier.

Impact of the rollback

OnEffect
BanksNBFCs take 9% of bank credit; lower weights free capital for more lending
NBFCsBanks fund them heavily (about ₹13 trillion); eases stress in microfinance and small-ticket loans
Financial systemMatches RBI’s recent liquidity steps under Governor Sanjay Malhotra: repo cut, bond buying, eased ECL, LCR and project finance norms

Significance

  • A pro-growth step supporting NBFC liquidity and broader financial stability.

Exam angle

  • Effective from 1 April 2025; RBI Governor: Sanjay Malhotra.
  • Terms: risk weight, ECL, LCR.

Test yourself

1. What share of total bank credit goes to NBFCs, per the RBI rollback notes?

NBFCs account for 9% of total bank credit.

2. Bank exposure to NBFCs, described as a key funding source, is about:

Banks have roughly ₹13 trillion in exposure to NBFCs.

3. Which RBI Governor's liquidity agenda is linked to the risk weight rollback?

The move fits the liquidity push under Sanjay Malhotra.