India Banks Struggle for Deposits as Savings Schemes Outshine

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AuthorVihaan Mehta|Published at:
India Banks Struggle for Deposits as Savings Schemes Outshine
Overview

Indian banks face a critical deposit crunch, with credit growth outpacing mobilizations. Small savings schemes continue to offer compelling returns, forcing banks to rely on costly borrowings and compressing margins. This liability-side pressure could dictate future lending capacity, irrespective of monetary policy easing.

Deposit Drought Hits Indian Banks

India's banking system is grappling with a significant challenge on its liability side: attracting deposits. Despite recent policy rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of India, banks are finding it increasingly difficult to mobilize funds at a pace matching robust credit demand. This imbalance is creating structural pressure, forcing banks into temporary liquidity fixes and potentially capping future lending.

Savings Schemes Compete Aggressively

The government's decision to keep small savings rates unchanged for the January-March 2026 quarter exacerbates the issue. For eight consecutive quarters, schemes like the Public Provident Fund and National Savings Certificate have offered returns between 7.1% and over 8%. These sovereign-backed, often tax-advantaged instruments remain highly attractive to households prioritizing safety and assured returns, effectively setting an informal benchmark for retail deposit pricing.

Credit Outpacing Deposits

Official data reveals a widening gap. By mid-December, bank deposits grew 9.4% year-on-year to approximately ₹246.4 lakh crore. In contrast, credit expansion surged faster at 11.9%, reaching ₹201.8 lakh crore. This divergence was stark in the fortnight ended December 15, which saw deposits contract by nearly ₹1.7 lakh crore, while new loans disbursed totaled around ₹1.1 lakh crore.

Margin Pressure and Economic Impact

Seasonal liquidity drains and a weaker-than-usual January rebound have heightened funding pressures. Banks have resorted to increased borrowings from the RBI and reduced investments to manage immediate needs. However, these are short-term solutions. The sticky nature of deposit rates, driven by competition from small savings schemes, compresses bank margins even as credit demand remains healthy. This friction blunts the intended impact of monetary easing on the broader economy.

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