China’s credit expansion cooled dramatically in April, running far below forecasts as both banks and households pulled back. A broad financing gauge rose under 630 billion yuan, versus roughly 1.2 trillion a year earlier, and new loans actually contracted. The biggest shock: households net repaid 786.9 billion yuan, the largest amount since 2010, with both medium and short-term borrowing dropping. Analysts warn the move could end the fixed-asset investment rebound, keeping domestic demand subdued.
Public sector banks hit an all-time high net profit of Rs 1.98 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, extending four straight years of strong performance. FinMin attributes the jump to improved asset quality, faster credit growth, and higher incomes. With capitalization also strengthened, these banks are expected to back India’s next phase of economic expansion.
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RBI data indicates bank credit growth quickened to 16 percent in the fortnight ending April 30. Deposits also climbed, recording 12.3 percent year-on-year growth, alongside rising system-wide totals for both credit and deposits. The credit-deposit ratio stood at 82.01 percent, signaling how money is being allocated across lending and savings.
The Finance Ministry says FY26 credit trends reflect economic strength, highlighting non-food credit growth rising to 15.9% from 10.9% a year earlier. Total credit outstanding climbed to ₹212.9 lakh crore by March 2026, increasing by ₹29.2 lakh crore compared with the previous year’s level, underscoring a faster pace of borrowing and lending.
Punjab National Bank reported a 14% year-on-year rise in Q4 net profit to ₹5,225 crore, driven by expanding digital operations. PNB says digital transactions now exceed 95% of total activity, with over ₹1 lakh crore in digital sanctions and one in three loans approved online. For FY27, it targets 12–13% credit growth and a ₹2 lakh crore digital book.
Indian banks posted robust 15.9% credit growth in FY26, according to the Finance Ministry. The increase was broad-based, driven by services, personal loans, agriculture, and industry—signaling strong underlying demand and a resilient economy. The Ministry also pointed to India’s ability to grow rapidly despite global headwinds.
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India’s first time borrower base has climbed to 4.4 crore, signalling stronger credit growth and faster financial inclusion even as lenders tighten lending norms. Reports say women’s participation is rising sharply, and consumer durable loans are the main entry route. Despite tougher scrutiny, many of these new borrowers show solid repayment discipline, pointing to scalable opportunities in emerging and younger demographics.
Bandhan Bank’s CEO says the lender’s balance sheet is “repaired” and recovery is underway. NIMs have stabilized as funding costs ease, while slippages have reduced and asset quality has improved sharply. With credit costs trending down, the bank is targeting 15% credit growth and about 1.5% ROA for FY27, balancing growth with caution.
In Q4 2025-26, Indian banks saw trading losses surge as rising interest rates and forex market corrections weighed on profitability. With Iran-related uncertainty clouding the outlook, lenders are turning cautious, prioritizing portfolio protection over expansion. Credit growth is expected to slow further as treasury income remains under pressure and risk appetite tightens.
India’s formal loan market roared back in FY26, with credit flows rising 38% after a prior-year contraction. RBI policy rate cuts and liquidity injections helped restart demand, driving credit expansion to ₹44.6 lakh crore. The outstanding financial resources of India’s commercial sector also crossed ₹300 lakh crore for the first time, signaling broad-based momentum.
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A survey of bankers suggests India’s banks are set for robust non-food credit growth of about 11–13% in January–June 2026. Improving balance sheets and steady economic activity are expected to lift lending, with retail and SME segments driving most of the expansion. Industrial credit is projected to recover more gradually, while monetary policy is widely seen as likely to stay stable.
Analysts expect India’s bank credit to expand faster than deposits in FY27, with credit projected at 12–14% versus deposits at 10–12%. The outlook continues a pattern seen for more than a decade, raising liquidity management challenges. Revised liquidity norms could help, but falling CASA ratios remain a key risk to profitability.
Indian bank credit growth is expected to ease to below 12 percent in the coming fiscal year as the West Asia conflict and shifting interest rate dynamics weigh on borrowing and repayment capacity. Icra cautions that small businesses and unsecured loan segments could see more defaults, prompting banks to tighten underwriting for vulnerable sectors.
RBI’s monetary policy measures, including ECLGS, helped revive lending momentum for MSMEs. Credit to industry rebounded to 6.5% in February 2022 from just 1.0% a year earlier, supported by stronger flows to micro and small businesses and improving conditions in large industry. The turnaround is credited to policy-linked credit interventions.
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