Country's largest bank SBI has announced a hike in its base rate by 25 basis points, making home and auto loans dearer. The Bank also increased its benchmark lending rate by the same margin which would mean the existing borrowers also have to pay more for their loans.The rate hike would be effective from April 25, 2011, the state-run bank said in a statement. After today's rise, State Bank of India's (SBI) base rate goes up to 8.50 per cent from 8.25 per cent. SBI's base rate, below which it cannot lend, is still lower than public sector banks' which have set their baserates at around 9 per cent.