Aathira Varier

Stories by Aathira Varier

FCNR(B) Inflows Squeeze Private Bank Margins in Q2, Recovery Expected

FCNR(B) Inflows Squeeze Private Bank Margins in Q2, Recovery Expected

Rediff.com   2 days ago

Leading private banks in India, including HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank, experienced a decline in net interest margins (NIMs) during the second quarter of the financial year due to significant deposit mobilisation under the Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank), or FCNR (B), scheme. However, banks anticipate a recovery in margins in the coming quarters as these funds are deployed and the interest-rate cycle supports lending yields.

SUV Shift Pushes Average Car Loan Size Up 49%

SUV Shift Pushes Average Car Loan Size Up 49%

Rediff.com   7 days ago

The rise in loan sizes reflects both higher vehicle prices and a shift from entry-level cars to SUVs.

HDFC Bank, Axis, Kotak Mahindra See Robust Deposit Growth in Q2

HDFC Bank, Axis, Kotak Mahindra See Robust Deposit Growth in Q2

Rediff.com   13 Oct 2026

India's leading private-sector banks, including HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank, reported robust deposit growth in the July-September quarter (Q2FY27), significantly aided by the Reserve Bank of India's concessional FCNR(B) swap window.

Employers can now claim ITC on group health, life insurance for staff

Employers can now claim ITC on group health, life insurance for staff

Rediff.com   9 Oct 2026

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has announced that Input Tax Credit (ITC) will now be available on health and life insurance policies provided by employers to their employees, a move expected to significantly reduce costs for businesses, especially MSMEs.

Axis Bank To Hire 12,500 Freshers

Axis Bank To Hire 12,500 Freshers

Rediff.com   5 Oct 2026

'Get people young, train them, assimilate them, and grow them adequately.'

India Inc's credit quality robust in H1FY27, but global risks loom

India Inc's credit quality robust in H1FY27, but global risks loom

Rediff.com   1 Oct 2026

The Indian corporate sector demonstrated strong credit quality in the first half of FY27, driven by robust balance sheets and healthy liquidity, despite facing risks from elevated crude prices, inflation, and global interest rates.

LIC's top management thins as MD exits, other PSU insurers also face vacancies

LIC's top management thins as MD exits, other PSU insurers also face vacancies

Rediff.com   28 Sep 2026

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is facing a thinning of its top management as Managing Director Dinesh Pant exits to join Irdai, leaving one of four MD posts vacant. This comes amidst broader staffing challenges across several public sector insurers and a headless Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB).

Private Capex Projected to Reach Rs 3.2 Trillion in FY27 Amidst Global Uncertainty

Private Capex Projected to Reach Rs 3.2 Trillion in FY27 Amidst Global Uncertainty

Rediff.com   28 Sep 2026

India's private sector capital expenditure is projected to reach approximately 3.2 trillion in the financial year 2026-27, up from 2.6 trillion in FY26, according to a Reserve Bank of India bulletin report, indicating sustained confidence despite global uncertainties.

NRI Deposits See Massive 678% Jump to $36.24 Billion in April-July FY27

NRI Deposits See Massive 678% Jump to $36.24 Billion in April-July FY27

Rediff.com   28 Sep 2026

Non-resident Indian (NRI) deposit schemes witnessed a staggering 678.2 per cent increase, reaching $36.24 billion in the April-July period of FY27, primarily driven by strong FCNR(B) deposit flows and a concessional swap facility introduced by the RBI.

Irdai proposes phased reduction in insurer expense limits, new commission framework

Irdai proposes phased reduction in insurer expense limits, new commission framework

Rediff.com   24 Sep 2026

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has proposed a phased reduction in the expenses of management (EoM) limits for insurers, aiming to lower the overall cost of insurance and enhance returns for policyholders. The proposals also include a new framework for commissions, stricter measures against mis-selling, and mandatory cost audits.

Tax relief on insurance drives higher policy purchases, expands coverage

Tax relief on insurance drives higher policy purchases, expands coverage

Rediff.com   22 Sep 2026

The removal of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on individual health and life insurance has led to a significant increase in new policy purchases and higher coverage levels, despite an initial surge moderating, according to industry experts.

Natural Calamities Trigger Property Insurance Rate Spike, Discounts Cut

Natural Calamities Trigger Property Insurance Rate Spike, Discounts Cut

Rediff.com   21 Sep 2026

Property insurance premium rates are increasing by 25-30 per cent, primarily due to a reduction in discounts, following substantial claims from natural calamities like the Gujarat floods, which caused an estimated 5,000 crore in losses.

RBI likely to hike rates by 50 bps as inflation breaches tolerance band

RBI likely to hike rates by 50 bps as inflation breaches tolerance band

Rediff.com   16 Sep 2026

Economists widely anticipate the Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee will increase the repo rate by 50 basis points, likely split between the October and December meetings, as retail inflation is projected to peak at 6.1 per cent in the third quarter, exceeding the RBI's tolerance limit.

India Inc's foreign funding intent surges to $7.7 billion in July

India Inc's foreign funding intent surges to $7.7 billion in July

Rediff.com   8 Sep 2026

Indian companies, including NBFCs, filed proposals to raise $7.696 billion through external commercial borrowings (ECBs) and foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCBs) in July 2026, a significant increase from $6.09 billion in June.

Ganpati Pandal Insurance Demand Surges

Ganpati Pandal Insurance Demand Surges

Rediff.com   7 Sep 2026

Oriental Insurance has insured around 100 Ganesh pandals this year compared with only 20-30 last year.

InsuranceDekho-RenewBuy merger to deepen India reach, eyes IPO

InsuranceDekho-RenewBuy merger to deepen India reach, eyes IPO

Rediff.com   5 Sep 2026

The merged InsuranceDekho-RenewBuy entity aims to significantly expand its distribution network across India, offering insurance, mutual funds, and loans, with a strong focus on 'Bharat' (rural India), according to CEO Ankit Agarwal.

InsuranceDekho and RenewBuy merge to create India's largest AI-powered insurance platform

InsuranceDekho and RenewBuy merge to create India's largest AI-powered insurance platform

Rediff.com   2 Sep 2026

InsuranceDekho and RenewBuy have merged to establish India's largest artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled insurance distribution platform, targeting a significant premium book and extensive reach across the country.

Why Bank CEOs Are Walking Away

Why Bank CEOs Are Walking Away

Rediff.com   31 Aug 2026

'There is mis-alignment in strategic thinking of the board and management.' 'As the business environment and customer behaviour evolve rapidly, boards are increasingly looking for leaders who can bring new ideas and challenge legacy approaches.'

Credit Card Spending in India Crosses Rs 2 Trillion Mark

Credit Card Spending in India Crosses Rs 2 Trillion Mark

Rediff.com   26 Aug 2026

Credit card spending in India has consistently topped Rs 2 trillion for three consecutive months, with July 2026 recording Rs 2.08 trillion, indicating a new normal for consumer expenditure, according to the latest RBI data.

Irdai's crackdown on insurer operating costs signals stricter compliance

Irdai's crackdown on insurer operating costs signals stricter compliance

Rediff.com   24 Aug 2026

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India's (Irdai) recent actions against insurers for breaching expense of management (EoM) limits indicate a serious commitment to enforcing operating and distribution cost controls, according to industry experts.