2 min read . Updated: 07 Nov 2020, 09:13 AM IST
- SBI, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank and ICICI have seen their retail loan book grow 2%-6% in July-September
- Despite the growth in retail loans, overall lending contracted by 0.2% as manufacturing slowed and bad debt kept corporate loans muted
India’s biggest banks are stepping up loans to consumers, betting that people will take advantage of low interest rates to buy homes, cars and gifts as the economy reopens in time for the festival season.
State Bank of India, HDFC Bank Ltd., Axis Bank Ltd. and ICICI Bank Ltd. have seen their retail loan book grow 2%-6% in July-September from a quarter ago after mostly shrinking in the previous three months. They’re benefiting from more money in the hands of government employees as Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks to cushion the the economy from the coronavirus, which is showing early signs of easing in the nation with the second-worst outbreak.
