Banks

Missed locker rent for a year: What banks can do and when you may lose access

Not paying locker rent does not cancel the locker immediately, but it can lead to blocked access, penalties and eventually the locker being opened by the bank.

Private banks turn inexpensive as valuations ease, growth trade-offs persist: Kotak

Kotak Institutional Equities said it prefers large private banks such as Axis Bank, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, though it expects similar returns across these lenders. Among mid- and small-sized banks, it prefers Bandhan Bank, DCB Bank, Equitas and Ujjivan.

OPINION | The silent strength of India’s public sector banks

India needs bigger banks to match its growing economy. These banks can support global trade and money flows. Strong PSBs and global banks can grow together 

Why banks sometimes freeze accounts without warning

It feels sudden when it happens, but account freezes are usually tied to compliance checks rather than random decisions by the bank.

OPINION | Vault Matters: RBI’s directive on mis-selling is a band-aid on the wound, not a cure

RBI is trying to fix the distribution aspect of mis-selling. The role of mutual funds and insurers remains unaddressed. Sebi and IRDAI have to step up to address core issues  

OPINION | India’s Banking Liquidity Paradox: Massive infusion but hardening yields

Over 14 months beginning December 2024, RBI injected almost Rs 18 trillion of permanent liquidity. Yet, yields hardened. This was because large-scale dollar sales by the central bank offset the liquidity surge

Overseas investments set for smoother route as RBI reviews norms: Report

Many bankers believe that ambiguities in overseas investment and unofficial curbs discourage outflows.

OPINION | Vault Matters: Why private banks need more returnees like Shyam Srinivasan, Murali Natarajan and Ashok Vaswani

In the backdrop of a shallow talent pool for the top job at private banks, isn’t it time to widen the search and look overseas

High-level banking panel to review voting rights threshold for foreign bank subsidiaries

The proposal to evaluate 26% ceiling on voting rights is viewed as a step towards removing the restrictions around foreign banks taking strategic initiatives. Change will be applicable only to banks operating through the wholly owned subsidiary route.

RBI’s risk-based deposit insurance framework: Who pays less, who pays more, and why it matters

Stronger banks will pay less, weaker banks will pay more, and the rules of risk are being rewritten

Corporate loan revival in sight as Budget 2026 measures spur growth

The recent measures to prop up MSME financing could allow banks to pursue more lending activities to capital-intensive sectors

Financialisation of savings a structural challenge for banks, balance sheets to evolve: SBI chairman CS Setty

Setty said this transition would require banks and markets to prepare for a new funding architecture

OPINION | Vault Matters: When in doubt, hire a PSU Banker

A pattern which started in 2020 has become the playbook for private banks. Does this suggest reluctance to hire young dynamic private bankers or signal a lack of leadership bench strength in private banks?

High-level committee will decide if India needs more, better or bigger banks: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Sitharaman says strong balance sheets give government room to re-examine banking structure; terms of reference yet to be finalised

RBI closely monitoring lenders’ positions on gold loan portfolios, say sources

After a sharp 15 percent correction in gold prices since Jan 30, the central bank is said to have sharpened its oversight on banks and NBFCs

EU banks can open up to 15 branches in India over 4 years under FTA

India has not offered market access in legal services under the proposed agreement with the EU.

Federal Bank Q3 net profit rises 9% YoY to Rs 1,041 crore, shares jump 10% to record high

Net interest income (NII) increased 9 percent year on year to Rs 2,653 crore, compared with Rs 2,431 crore a year ago

Rupee volatility in Q3 expected to offer some support to banks’ forex income

In the December quarter, the rupee depreciated 1.21 percent, even falling past the psychological mark of 91 against the dollar as Trump's tariff continued to weigh on the currency

Can banking stocks continue to outperform amid a sharp rate cut cycle?

Valuations reasonable and there is no major concern about asset quality or capital adequacy

Banks, P2P lending or DeFi: Which one actually works in real life?

Your cheapest option is not always your safest one, and the “future of finance” is not one single lane.

Indian lenders' loan growth picks up pace in December quarter

Loan growth had slowed sharply in mid-2025 due, in part, to stricter regulations, but recovered strongly since then

Year-ender | PSU banks outperform private peers on margins as funding advantage softens RBI rate-cut blow

The decline in the weighted average lending rate on fresh and outstanding rupee loans was higher in the case of private banks relative to public sector banks after the cumulative 100 bps rate cut by RBI. On the deposit side, transmission was higher for public sector banks compared to private banks in case of fresh term deposits.

OPINION | Vault Matters: India needs its ICBC, ABC, and JP Morgan: SBI alone won’t do

Scale brings the ability to absorb losses, to make losses look insignificant, and thereby give the impetus to grow without having to fear about how the profit and loss statement will look. If the economy must fast forward growth in the next ten years, that’s the need of the hour for Indian banking system 

RBI turns dovish: What the next few quarters hold for banks and NBFCs

Banks brace for a slow NIM recovery while NBFCs gain early from cheaper market borrowings