Meeting RBI's priority sector targets to be easier for banks
Experts also believe the proposed increase in loan and asset classification limits will make it easier for all categories of banks, including private lenders, to achieve the disbursement targets, while potentially boosting margins. Private lenders usually fell short of achieving the targets set for them.
«A majority of changes are in terms of higher limits, which will make it easier for banks to find the profile of borrowers,» said Karthik Srinivasan, group head, financial sector ratings, ICRA. «Banks achieve their targets, but the sub-categories create issues.»
Analysts said the fact that these norms have been revised for the first time since September 2020 means they are still catching up with inflation and growth since then. But higher limits are welcome for banks that plan to step on the growth accelerator.
On Monday, the RBI raised loan limits for several loans, including housing loans, and broadened the purposes based on which loans may be classified under 'renewable energy', and expanded list of eligible borrowers under the category 'weaker sections'.
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Loan limits to individuals for purchase/construction of a dwelling unit per family have been increased to ₹50 lakh from ₹35 lakh earlier in metros. The threshold has been raised to ₹45 lakh from ₹25 lakh in cities with population up to 5 million.
Bank loans up to a limit of ₹35 crore to borrowers for renewable energy-based power generators and for renewable energy based public utilities, like street lighting systems, remote village