Private banks’ profit margins recover as FCNR(B) inflows ease deposit funding pressure

India’s private banks saw fresh lending spreads widen sharply in July as FCNR(B) inflows improved liquidity and reduced reliance on expensive wholesale funding. Fresh spreads rose 22 basis points to 3.13%, nearly double those at public sector banks. However, analysts cautioned that margin gains could prove gradual and difficult to sustain.