Group 1 - The State Bank of India (SBI) chairman CS Setty emphasized the need for a level playing field in tax treatment for all financial products, particularly fixed deposits, as bank deposits lag behind credit growth due to a shift towards mutual funds [4][2] - SBI Research recommended aligning tax rates on deposit interest with capital gains to encourage household savings in banks, reflecting a broader consensus in the financial sector on fiscal prudence and consolidation [4][2] - The Indian Banks' Association has been advocating for tax benefits for fixed deposits, highlighting the current eligibility for deductions under the old tax regime, which is less favored by taxpayers [4] Group 2 - The ratio of mutual fund assets under management (AUM) to bank deposits has increased significantly, from 12.6% in 2015 to over 33.5% in 2025, indicating a structural shift in investor behavior [3][4] - Bank deposits have grown nearly three times over the past decade, while mutual fund AUM has seen more than seven times growth, suggesting a trend where savers are increasingly seeking better post-tax returns in equities [3][4] - Concerns have been raised by industry leaders, including Uday Kotak and MV Rao, regarding the systemic risks posed by the ongoing shift of funds from bank deposits to non-banking assets like equities and mutual funds [3][4]