BUSINESS
IDFC First Bank's co-branded credit card with IndiGo: Should you apply?
The IndiGo IDFC FIRST Credit Card offers rewards in IndiGo BluChips, travel perks, and insurance covers, but has limitations like lack of lounge access and low returns on spends
BUSINESS
World Senior Citizen's Day: Smart financial decisions for a comfortable retirement
Senior citizens can secure their retirement finances by organising investments, creating a realistic cash flow plan, managing medical expenses, and being cautious of potential scams and financial frauds.
BUSINESS
RBI's new rules will ensure clearance of cheques within hours
RBI's new guidelines for cheque clearing under CTS will speed up cheque clearance to just a few hours, improving customer experience and reducing risks associated with delayed settlements
BUSINESS
Buy Now, Pay Later: The festive season's hottest payment trend — is it right for you?
BNPL schemes are gaining popularity during the festive season, offering convenience and flexibility, but also pose risks of debt accumulation and credit score impact if not managed properly.
BUSINESS
RBI’s proposed guidelines: Simplifying settlement of claims for deceased depositors
The Reserve Bank of India has announced a draft circular to streamline the process for settling claims related to deceased depositors, aiming to reduce the burden on nominees and legal heirs.
BUSINESS
Is premium banking worth the hype? Uncovering benefits and limitations
Personalised advice, solutions and the sense of exclusivity might seem like privileges, but evaluate minimum requirements and charges closely before signing up for premium banking programmes.
BUSINESS
RBI seeks to standardise death claim settlements, ease process for nominees
The RBI proposes standardising procedures for settling claims of deceased depositors, aiming to simplify documentation, reduce administrative hurdles, and provide relief to nominees and legal heirs during a difficult time.
BUSINESS
MPC status quo: Depositors should lock in rates now, consider debt funds and corporate FDs for higher returns
The RBI kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.50% in its August review, however, lenders have already reduced FD rates by 10-70 bps since February this year.
BUSINESS
RBI MPC impact: Home loan EMI, interest burden unchanged after status quo on repo rate
Your home loan EMIs, interest outgo will remain unchanged post RBI's pause on key policy rates. However, home loan rates have dropped from 8.50-9 percent in 2024 to as low as 7.3-7.5 percent due to previous rate cuts, boosting borrowers' savings.
BUSINESS
Holiday Loans: 27% of Indians borrow for vacations, but at what cost?
A survey reveals 27 percent of Indians use personal loans for vacations, with Gen Z and millennials driving the trend, but holiday loans come with high interest rates and debt risks.
BUSINESS
Rs 1,700 crore lost: The hidden costs of studying abroad borne by Indian students’ families
Indian students studying abroad often face hidden costs like exchange rate markups and transaction fees, but smart planning and using products like zero-markup forex cards can help minimise these expenses significantly.
BUSINESS
Top financial changes in August: New UPI rules, RBI repo rate decision and revision in bank credit cards terms
There are a host of changes coming to the country's financial landscape, from the digital payments system being tweaked, an RBI decision on interest rates, an overhaul of the mutual fund industry and a looming deadline to verify income tax returns.
BUSINESS
Smart festive shopping: Don’t let FOMO derail your budget
Navigate festive sales wisely by prioritising needs, budgeting, maintaining a healthy EMI-to-income ratio, avoiding multiple loans and leveraging cashback platforms to ensure financial stability and maximise savings.
BUSINESS
Building credit history: A guide for new-to-credit borrowers
New to credit? Start with a credit card or secured card, use it responsibly, and repay on time. Monitor your report and avoid common mistakes to build a strong credit score
BUSINESS
Wish to exclude legal heirs from inheritance? Follow these steps for a watertight will
Draft your will with clear intent, ensure proper execution, and attestation and registration to minimise potential disputes later.
BUSINESS
Drafting a will online? Watch out for these common errors
Creating an online will can be convenient and cost-effective, but it's crucial to ensure legal validity and review regularly to reflect changing circumstances.
BUSINESS
TCS layoffs: How emergency fund, insurance coverage and robust financial plan can cushion the blow
An adequate emergency fund can help you meet your EMI commitments during such crises. You can also re-evaluate and pause your systematic investment plans (SIPs) until cashflows are back on track.
BUSINESS
Gold loan interest rates start at just 8%: Here are best offers from banks and NBFCs
Indian Bank, Punjab National Bank, and Canara Bank are offering gold loans at interest rates between 8 percent and 8.80 percent per annum.
BUSINESS
Rate Race: PSBs take the lead, drive interest on home loans below 7.5%
Lowest home loan interest rate: Private banks are yet to pass on the full benefit of RBI’s 100-bps repo rate cut to their home loan customers.
BUSINESS
Stolen identities, frozen dreams: How to survive credit frauds
It is important to monitor one’s credit report frequently to ensure there is no fraud
BUSINESS
Need quick cash for financial emergencies? Consider taking a loan against your car
Loans against cars allow you to tap into your asset to ensure liquidity in times of crises, but lack of diligence in repaying the loan will have consequences.
BUSINESS
Major financial changes in July: Revision of bank charges, new PAN rules, & ITR deadline extension
Aadhaar is now mandatory for new PAN cards, and you now have time till September 15 to file your income tax returns. That apart, SBI Card, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank have introduced a slew of changes. Read on.
BUSINESS
Uncovered: Air accident insurance benefits that credit cards offer
Most credit cards offer complimentary air accident insurance, providing financial protection to primary cardholders in case of death due to air accidents, with varying coverage and terms.
BUSINESS
Avoiding property demolition: Smart tips for homebuyers to ensure a secure purchase
Recently, numerous residential projects across various locations have faced demolition due to unauthorised construction. Buyers should research developers, check RERA records, verify property details, and understand land tenure to avoid similar situations.
