Why are Indian banks cutting deposit rates after the RBI rate cut?

Banks are cutting deposit rates to protect their net interest margins following the RBI's repo rate reduction.

Where are savers moving their money from Indian banks?

Savers are shifting funds from banks to equity markets in search of higher returns.

What is the impact of the RBI rate cut on credit growth in India?

Despite the rate cut, credit growth in India remains strong and is expected to continue robustly.

Home / Business and Economy / Banks' Deposit Dilemma: Rates Cut, Savers Flee

Banks' Deposit Dilemma: Rates Cut, Savers Flee

19 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Banks face pressure to lower deposit rates after RBI's rate cut.
Credit growth remains strong, requiring banks to mobilize deposits.
Savers are leaving banks for equity markets due to low returns.

Banks' Deposit Dilemma: Rates Cut, Savers Flee

Indian banks are navigating a complex financial landscape after the Reserve Bank of India's recent 25-basis point repo rate reduction. The central bank's move necessitates a decrease in deposit rates to safeguard banks' net interest margins.

However, this strategic adjustment conflicts with the urgent need to mobilize deposits. Strong credit growth, projected to continue into the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ending January 2026, demands a substantial funding base. This creates a dilemma for financial institutions, as lowering deposit rates may further deter already hesitant savers.

Savers are actively shifting their funds away from the banking system, seeking better returns in the burgeoning equity markets. This trend exacerbates the deposit mobilization challenge for banks, especially as they aim to support the economy's expanding credit needs through early 2026.