The Unfashionably Sensible Engine Room
Let’s be clear about why this balance matters. In many developing economies, you get one without the other. Banks either lend money they don’t really have, creating a bubble, or they sit on mountains of cash with nowhere to put it, stifling growth. India, it seems, may have found a rather pleasant middle ground.
When people and businesses are confident enough to deposit their money, and banks are prudent enough to lend it out at the same rate, you get a virtuous circle. Businesses can get loans to expand, people can afford to buy cars or homes, and the whole economic machine turns over smoothly. It’s a simple concept, but one that is remarkably difficult to achieve in practice. This isn’t a story of explosive, unsustainable growth. It’s a story of foundations being laid, which could suggest a more durable opportunity for those of us with a bit of patience.