Monetary Policy

Although an immediate threat to price stability is not expected, the Central Bank commenced tightening its
monetary policy stance gradually from end 2015 in order to forestall excessive demand pressures on
inflation arising from high credit and monetary expansion and the continued high excess rupee liquidity in
the domestic money market.

The monetary policy stance of the Central Bank continued to be accommodative throughout the year 2015
with a view to supporting economic activity in an environment of continued low inflation and favourable
inflation expectations.

Recent Monetary Policy Measures

The exchange rate was allowed to be determined based on demand and supply conditions in the foreign
exchange market.

Inflation declined further in 2015 mainly reflecting the downward adjustments to administratively
determined domestic prices, including fuel and key consumer items. Inflation, which remained in single
digits continuously for over a period of seven years due to favourable domestic supply conditions, subdued
global commodity prices and the effect of demand management policies of the Central Bank, moved to
negative territory for a brief period during July - September 2015.

In terms of the Financial Survey (M4 ), the growth in credit extended to the private sector accelerated to
23.5 per cent, on a year-on-year basis, by end 2015 from 12.3 per cent recorded at end 2014.

Interest Rates

Benefitting from relatively relaxed monetary conditions, market interest rates remained low during 2015
although some upward movements were witnessed intermittently.

Deposit and Lending Rates

Interest rates offered on deposits by commercial banks remained relatively low during 2015, although a
gradual increase was observed from the middle of the year
FINANCIAL SECTOR PERFORMANCE AND SYSTEM STABILITY

In 2015, the Central Bank continued to engage in activities promoting access to finance with a view to
enhancing financial inclusiveness and balanced growth in the economy

In order to achieve these objectives, the Central Bank coordinated credit delivery through refinance
schemes and interest subsidy/credit guarantee schemes, and delivered credit supplementary services to
strategic sectors of the economy.

In this process, 13 credit schemes were operated through Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) to
provide credits for needy business ventures and people in the Agriculture, Livestock and Micro, Small and
Medium scale enterprises (MSMEs) sectors. Through these credit schemes, loans amounting to Rs. 16,678.8
million were disbursed to 141,298 beneficiaries in 2015.