The Reserve Bank of India has decided to change the Bank Rate with immediate effect by realigning it with the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate, which in turn is linked to the policy repo rate under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF). Accordingly, the Bank Rate shall be 9.5 per cent with effect from the close of business today.
This should be viewed and understood as one-time technical adjustment to align the Bank Rate with the MSF rate rather than a change in the monetary policy stance. Henceforth, whenever there is an adjustment of the MSF rate, the Reserve Bank will consider and align the Bank Rate with the revised MSF rate.
All penal interest rates on shortfall in reserve requirements, which are specifically linked to the Bank Rate, also stand revised.