SBI gains after cutting savings bank rate to 3.5% for deposits below Rs 1 cr

STOCK MARKET - Shares of public sector undertakings (PSU) banks were trading higher by upto 4%, recovering from their intra-day lows, after the state-owned banking giant State Bank of India (SBI) cut saving bank interest rates.

SBI rallied by 2.7% to Rs 307 on BSE after the bank introduced a two-tier saving bank interest rate from today, due to the decline in the rate of inflation and high real interest rates.

“The Bank is introducing 2 tier saving bank interest rate w.e.f. 31st July, 2017. While balance above Rs 1 crore will continue to earn interest rate at 4% per annum, interest rate at 3.5% per annum shall be offered on balances of Rs 1 crore and below,” SBI said in a press release.

The decline in the rate of inflation and high real interest rates are the primary considerations warranting a revision in the rate of interest on saving bank deposits, it added.

The revision in saving bank rate would enable the bank to maintain the MCLR (marginal cost based lending rates) at existing rates, benefiting a large segment of retail borrowers in SME, agriculture and affordable housing segments, it added.

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