Banks Ask RBI for Daily Overnight Liquidity Window
Why in the news
Lenders told RBI officials they want a daily overnight borrowing window as the core liquidity tool, for predictability and faster rate-cut transmission.
Key facts
- Request: replace the 14-day Variable Rate Repo (VRR) with daily, on-tap borrowing.
- Reason: 24×7 payment systems make fortnightly needs hard to forecast; daily auctions already run.
| Period | Framework |
|---|---|
| From Feb 2020 | 14-day VRR main tool; overnight to 13-day fine-tuning |
| January 2025 | Daily VRR auctions on working days |
Impact
- Liquidity moved from deficit to mild surplus in March.
- Deposit rates fell 25-40 bps, which should lower MCLR.
Exam angle
- MCLR: Marginal Cost of Fund-based Lending Rate.