The Bank Rate is the penal interest rate at which the central bank lends to commercial banks. It is typically set higher than the standard interest rates to discourage banks from borrowing excessively. The bank rate serves as a tool for the central bank to regulate the money supply and control inflation. When commercial banks borrow at this rate, it is often seen as a last resort, and the cost of borrowing is higher.
The Repo Rate (Repurchase Rate) is the rate at which commercial banks borrow money from the central bank by providing securities as collateral. In this arrangement, commercial banks agree to repurchase the securities at a future date, usually in the short term. The Repo Rate is a key tool used by central banks to manage liquidity in the banking system and to influence interest rates in the economy.
On the other hand, the Reverse Repo Rate is the rate at which central banks borrow funds from commercial banks, typically for short-term periods, by offering securities. In this case, commercial banks lend money to the central bank, which helps manage the liquidity in the banking system and control inflationary pressures. When the central bank raises the reverse repo rate, it encourages commercial banks to park more of their excess reserves with the central bank, thereby reducing the money supply in the market.
Together, the Bank Rate, Repo Rate, and Reverse Repo Rate are critical tools for the central bank to control monetary policy, manage liquidity, and stabilize the economy.