Repo Rate vs Bank Rate

Aakash Jain Posted on August 28, 2025

What is a Repo Rate?

When in need of urgent cash, due to a shortage of funds or emergencies, commercial banks borrow money from RBI by selling their securities. A repo rate is the interest charged on the repurchase of these securities. This rate has a direct impact on the cost of borrowing for banks. The repo rate is a useful tool in Indian financial regulation and has the ability to help control the country's monetary base, inflation expectations, and leverage ratio. The current repo rate stands at 6.25%.

What is a Bank Rate?

A bank rate is the interest rate at which commercial banks borrow money from RBI without selling their securities. This rate has a direct impact on the lending rates of commercial banks. To reduce liquidity in the financial system of the country, the central bank may raise the bank rate, and vice versa. The bank rate plays a vital role in controlling the cash flow in the country. This rate is usually higher than the repo rate. The bank rate in India presently stands at 6.50%.

Similarities between Repo Rate and Bank Rate

Here are a few similarities between the repo rate and the bank rate you should know:

RBI determines the repo rate and the bank rate
RBI lends money to banks after considering these rates
These rates regulate the economy by controlling the inflation rate and cash flow

-	Repo Rate	Bank Rate
Concept	Charged on the repurchase of securities that are sold to RBI by commercial banks.	Charged on loans provided by RBI to commercial banks.
Interest Rate	Lower than the bank rate. At present, the repo rate stands at 6.25%.	Higher than the repo rate. At present, the bank rate stands at 6.50%.
Effect	Typically, it does not have a direct effect on the common man and is limited to banks.	Typically, it has a direct impact on the lending rates offered to the common man.
Purpose	Acts as a tool to determine the liquidity rate in the finance sector and curb inflation.	Acts as a tool to determine long-term loan lending rates.
Collateral	Generally, collaterals like agreements, bonds, securities etc. are involved.	Generally, no collateral is involved.
Use Case	Usually, it caters to a bank’s short-term financial requirements.	Usually, it caters to a bank’s long-term financial requirements.
Repurchase Agreement	A repurchase agreement is involved.	No repurchase agreement is involved.

Repo Rate

Bank Rate

Concept

Charged on the repurchase of securities that are sold to RBI by commercial banks.

Charged on loans provided by RBI to commercial banks.

Interest Rate

Lower than the bank rate. At present, the repo rate stands at 6.25%.

Higher than the repo rate. At present, the bank rate stands at 6.50%.

Effect

Typically, it does not have a direct effect on the common man and is limited to banks.

Typically, it has a direct impact on the lending rates offered to the common man.

Purpose

Acts as a tool to determine the liquidity rate in the finance sector and curb inflation.

Acts as a tool to determine long-term loan lending rates.

Collateral

Generally, collaterals like agreements, bonds, securities etc. are involved.

Generally, no collateral is involved.

Use Case

Usually, it caters to a bank’s short-term financial requirements.

Usually, it caters to a bank’s long-term financial requirements.

Repurchase Agreement

A repurchase agreement is involved.

No repurchase agreement is involved.

How Does a Repo Rate and a Bank Rate Change Affect Your Loan?

While both these rates play a crucial role in managing the overall economy of the country, you may wonder how they impact your personal finances. Let us understand this in further detail:

Bank Rate

A bank rate hike has a direct impact on the consumer. This is because an increase in bank rate means that the commercial bank has to pay higher interest to RBI for the amount borrowed. To compensate for this, they raise the interest rates of loans which are offered to customers. This helps commercial banks generate more revenue and reduce financial strain.

Repo Rate

Unlike bank rates, the repo rate has an indirect effect on your finances. It plays a role in the revisions made to your fixed deposit and loan interest rates. A change in the repo rate usually affects the Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate (MCLR).

The MCLR is the threshold limit beyond which the interest rate of your loan cannot be lowered. Hence, even if your CIBIL score is great and you meet all the eligibility criteria, you won’t be offered an interest rate lower than a set percent.

FAQs on Repo Rate vs Bank Rate

Repo Rate vs Bank Rate

What is a reverse repo?

A reverse repo rate is the interest rate at which RBI borrows money from commercial banks. The current reverse repo rate stands at 3.35%. This mechanism is usually implemented when the liquidity in the financial system is too high.

Is bank rate and bank interest rate the same?

No, they are not. Bank rate is the interest charged by RBI on loans provided to commercial banks. Meanwhile, a bank interest rate is charged by a financial institution on a loan taken by a consumer.

What factors lead to an increase in repo rate?

Liquidity crunch or surplus lead to revisions in the repo rates. The impact of geo-political conditions, inflation rates, and other factors that affect the economy are curbed by making revisions to the repo rate.