Did LIC Housing Finance Really Cut Lending Rates to 7.50% on New Home Loans?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- LIC Housing Finance has cut interest rates to 7.50%.
- The rate reduction is effective from June 19.
- This move aligns with RBI’s policy direction.
- The adjustment aims to boost demand in the affordable housing sector.
- Other banks are also following suit with similar rate cuts.
Mumbai, June 21 (NationPress) LIC Housing Finance announced on Saturday a reduction of 50 basis points in the interest rates for new home loans.
With this adjustment, the starting interest rate for new home loan approvals is now 7.50 percent, effective June 19, coinciding with the company’s 36th Foundation Day.
This decision comes in the wake of the recent cuts to the repo rate announced by the RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), as LIC HFL aims to pass on the benefits to new home loan customers, fostering home ownership and enhancing affordability.
“On our 36th Foundation Day, we reaffirm our commitment to making home ownership more attainable. This rate reduction aligns with the RBI’s policy direction and allows us to share the benefits with our clients,” stated Tribhuwan Adhikari, MD and CEO of LIC Housing Finance.
“We believe this adjustment will significantly stimulate housing demand, particularly in the affordable and mid-income sectors, where the desire for home ownership is closely linked to interest rates,” he added.
Earlier this week, the State Bank of India (SBI) also lowered its lending rate by 50 basis points following the Reserve Bank's policy rate cut. With this latest adjustment, SBI's Repo Linked Lending Rate (RLLR) now stands at 7.75 percent, reduced by the same amount.
SBI has similarly decreased its External Benchmark Based Lending Rate (EBLR) by 50 basis points to 8.15 percent, down from 8.65 percent. These new rates took effect from June 15.
In response to the RBI's actions, many banks have cut their lending rates. Notably, HDFC Bank has reduced its lending rate to offer a maximum interest rate of 6.6 percent per annum on Fixed Deposits for amounts less than Rs 3 crore for general customers.