China Cuts Reserve Requirements for Banks as Economy Slows

China Cuts Reserve Requirements for Banks as Economy Slows
The headquarters of the People's Bank of China (PBC or PBOC), the Chinese central bank, in Beijing on Aug. 7, 2011. Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images
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BEIJING—China said on Friday it would cut the amount of cash that banks must hold as reserves for the first time this year, releasing about 530 billion yuan ($83.25 billion) in long-term liquidity to cushion a sharp slowdown in economic growth.

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) said on its website it would cut the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) for all banks by 25 basis points (bps), effective from April 25, but analysts said it might not yet be enough to reverse the slowdown.