BUSINESS
Interview | Will make a serious attempt to look at inorganic growth options now, says Ageas Federal Life Insurance CEO Vighnesh Shahane
Although the company has been open for inorganic options for a few years, it will make a serious attempt now, said Shahane.
BUSINESS
Banking Central | What’s the message from HDFC twins' merger to NBFCs?
NBFCs need to rethink their industry positioning going ahead. The primary reason why many NBFCs chose to be so—the benefit of lighter regulations vis-à-vis banks—no longer exists.
BUSINESS
Exclusive | Spandana Sphoorty founder Padmaja Reddy buys Rajshree Tracom, signals return to small loan business
The new NBFC, which will be renamed Keertana Finserve, will focus on gold loans, MSME loans and loans against property. Reddy is slated to be the MD & CEO of the new company
BUSINESS
Banking Central | Where have all the woman CEOs in Indian financial services gone?
Over years, more women have risen to the top in financial services. Yet, there are very few of them compared with their male counterparts.
BUSINESS
Analysis | What does high WPI inflation mean for interest rates?
The spike in WPI will put more pressure on the rate-setting body to initiate a tight policy stance
BUSINESS
Banking Central: RBI's oldest and mightiest enemy is back
Persistently high inflation is worrying in an economy as it hurts low-income groups the most.
BUSINESS
Retail inflation shoots up to 6.95% in March. Will MPC go for a rate hike in June?
The sharp rise in retail inflation puts the MPC in a tight spot. A change in stance is likely soon, followed by a rate hike.
BUSINESS
Banking Central | Big, corporate-led NBFCs need to make a choice
The RBI approach to big NBFCs have been very clear—either operate with tougher, bank-like rules or convert to become banks after rejigging the ownership structure. It is up for the non-banks to decide which way to take
BUSINESS
RBI monetary policy analysis| Das finally picks inflation over growth, how soon will MPC hike rates?
RBI monetary policy | Till now, the MPC has largely focused on growth recovery alone but the attention has now clearly shifted to inflation
ECONOMY
RBI Policy | MPC keeps repo rate unchanged at 4%, retains accommodative stance
The Monetary Policy Committee has so far remained on a growth-supportive stance to guard the economy from the ill-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
BUSINESS
RBI policy tomorrow. Will the MPC shift gears?
Growth is likely to remain the guiding mantra for the rate-setting panel this time as well but the policy stance could change and that’ll be the beginning of a new cycle
BUSINESS
Deepak Parekh exclusive interview | HDFC and HDFC Bank need to have a common culture
Deepak Parekh said over the years, tight RBI regulations have removed the arbitrage between a bank and NBFC. This was a vital reason why HDFC chose to merge with the bank.
BUSINESS
Banking Central | Why did HDFC decide to merge with HDFC Bank now?
The RBI has been tightening regulations on the NBFC sector over years, grouping these entities into different categories based on size and interconnectedness and making capital norms stricter.
BUSINESS
Banking Central | What should Supertech homebuyers do?
Both banks and homebuyers have a long battle ahead at the bankruptcy court
BUSINESS
Banking Central | Will latest RBI framework dilute the spirit of MFI model?
Microfinance has always been an avenue for economically weaker sections, especially women borrowers. The new framework poses some important questions.
BUSINESS
Some MFIs, banks need more time to comply with RBI framework
The RBI, on March 14, issued the Framework for Microfinance Loans, which ensures that entities including banks and seven NBFC-MFIs have been brought under similar regulation.
BUSINESS
RBI Bulletin: Ukraine conflict has heightened uncertainty in global economy
The Indian monetary policy committee (MPC) has been on a prolonged accommodative stance to support growth recovery in the economy.
BUSINESS
Paytm Payments Bank asked to appoint IT auditor on RBI’s terms
On March 11, the RBI said it had asked the payments bank to stop onboarding customers. The regulator also ordered a comprehensive IT system audit. This is the second such ban on a prominent banking institution in the last two years.
BUSINESS
Banking Central | After HDFC Bank, Paytm Payments Bank runs foul of RBI
Paytm Payments Bank ban once again shines the spotlight on how lenders need to get a fix on their digital banking channels
BUSINESS
RBI directs Paytm Payments Bank to stop onboarding new customers, orders IT audit
The bank has also been directed to appoint an IT audit firm to conduct a comprehensive System Audit of its IT system, the RBI said in a release.
BUSINESS
RBI governor Shaktikanta Das launches UPI for feature phones, says move will bump up digital adoption
This comes after the central bank in December announced a plan to introduce UPI in feature phones, which has remained confined to smartphones as a payment platform ever since rolling out in 2016, limiting its use among people in rural areas having feature phones
BUSINESS
Banking Central| Don't ignore cooperative bank depositors
There is a strong case to up the DICGC insurance cover from the present Rs5 lakhs.
BUSINESS
Extended accommodative stance weakens the credibility of MPC’s inflation-fighting credentials: Jayanth Varma
"If MPC’s credibility is diminished, then the MPC might have to take more drastic and painful measures to have the desired impact on inflation," says the MPC member.
BUSINESS
Central bank's communications need to be backed by actions to build credibility, instil confidence: RBI's Das
With the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic in March 2020, communication became more challenging as the RBI had only digital interface with media and market participants while at the same time the central bank had to undertake several emergency conventional and unconventional measures as the crisis unfolded, Das said.
