Bank of Baroda: Loans to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, is now 7.25%.

In the wake of the global pandemic and as the nation is in a lockdown, the onus falls on the various financial and lending institutions to come forward and help people tread these uncharted waters. Financial institutions should continue to play a larger role in creating a cohesive environment in this “New Normal” at a time when partnerships will be steered by new ethics, challenges and responses and in recognition of this responsibility and as a caring institution, Bank of Baroda, which is a very large and leading public sector lender, has made sure that the credit process keeps functioning.

Given the evolving situation and anticipating the customer’s requirement, the Bank has announced series of facilities and initiatives that addresses the needs of every section of society. The Bank’s branches, Business Correspondents and ATMs are working at any given point of time, with constant replenishment of cash to meet requirements for all.

The Bank’s Initiatives

While Bank of Baroda has more than 9,000 branches, it also has 18,000 plus Banking Correspondents (BC) who have extended constant support to customers across the country. The Bank has also announced an extension of financial support to the BCs towards the maintenance of hygiene and safety at BC touch points. A first-time initiative among public sector banks, the effort is meant to ensure protection by the Bank from COVID-19, towards its customers and members of the public and the business correspondents themselves. 

A financial support of INR 2000 has been given to each active and functional BC agent towards the maintenance of hygiene at their outlets for the purchase of sanitizers, disinfectants, masks, gloves etc. An additional INR 100 per working day is being given to every active BC agents towards transportation.

For the women beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) the Bank has arranged that all account holders receive an amount of INR 500 each for each of the next three months, as an ex gratia payment under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package announced by the government. The money is be credited to the individual bank account holders and an SMS is also sent to the account holders informing them on the date when they should withdraw from the nearby branch or the BC touch points.

The Bank’s Marginal Cost of Funds Based Lending Rate (MCLR) has been reduced by 15 basis points to 8.00% w.e.f. 12th April 2020.  For its retail customers, the Bank has reduced its Baroda Repo Linked Lending Rate (BRLLR) by 75 basis points with effect from March 28, 2020. The BRLLR linked to RBI Repo Rate is revised downwards in line with the reduction on Reserve Bank of India Repo Rate from 5.15% to 4.40% after the central bank slashed it by 75 basis points. The move was aimed encouraging customers to avail the credit lines that have been opened and assure that the Bank is available at all times to meet all the credit requirements most conveniently. The BRLLR for all new floating rate loans for all personal loans and retail loans of all asset classes and floating rate loans to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, is now 7.25%. For existing loans, the interest rate under the external benchmark shall be reset at monthly intervals linked to BRLLR. However, there has been no change in the mark-up /base spread or strategic premium.

Share: