Abhijit Lele &Amp; Sidhartha In Mumbai

Stories by Abhijit Lele &Amp; Sidhartha In Mumbai

Govt asks S&P to clarify rating action

Govt asks S&P to clarify rating action

Rediff.com   30 Mar 2009

The government is also approaching the other two major rating agencies - Moody's and Fitch - to explain its fiscal strategy, the economic situation and the outlook.

Centre calls for bank, industry meet

Centre calls for bank, industry meet

Rediff.com   21 Mar 2009

To discuss ways of increasing lending to optimise stimulus package impact.

Short-term rates headed below 10%

Short-term rates headed below 10%

Rediff.com   18 Mar 2009

With interest rates softening, banks are slowly re-pricing the cost of short-term credit extended to the corporate sector.

Want a Nano? First, pay for applying

Want a Nano? First, pay for applying

Rediff.com   16 Mar 2009

"This is for the first time that a manufacturer will charge for an application form. However, it will be refunded if an application is rejected," said a senior bank executive. Bookings are expected to start by the last week of March. The forms will be collected through various channels. "All the forms and the collected money will be transferred to SBI, where they will be processed, and loans will be given through various banks within 90 days," said a source.

Why India Inc is fuming ahead of elections

Why India Inc is fuming ahead of elections

Rediff.com   11 Mar 2009

The general elections could take a toll on the bottom lines of a host of Indian companies that have accessed overseas debt.

Satyam fallout: Auditors may get additional powers

Satyam fallout: Auditors may get additional powers

Rediff.com   9 Mar 2009

Company balance sheets could soon acquire a new look, with the government asking ICAI to suggest ways to strengthen reporting norms following Satyam Computer Services scandal 7. ICAI sources said the mandate from the government was to ensure that company managements did not use notes to accounts as a cover-up for misdemeanours. The special group will submit its recommendations over the next few weeks.

Insurance premium may not fall further

Insurance premium may not fall further

Rediff.com   25 Feb 2009

Indian reinsurer General Insurance Corporation has hardened its stance while negotiating reinsurance arrangements for the next financial year. During the first round of talks with non-life insurers, GIC said that it would pay at least 5 per cent lower commission on business that is reinsured with it. Further, it has sought a share in underwriting profits, which could be as high as 50 per cent, sources involved with the negotiations said.

IFCI recovers Maytas dues, ICICI Bank takes Rs 95-

IFCI recovers Maytas dues, ICICI Bank takes Rs 95-

Rediff.com   19 Feb 2009

In the coming days, other lenders are expected to initiate similar steps to recover their dues from the company, which is facing the prospects of a change of management. IFCI executives said that the company revoked the guarantee earlier this month to recover its dues amounting to Rs 95 crore from Maytas Infra.

IndusInd Bank may get new identity

IndusInd Bank may get new identity

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2009

In a few months, private sector lender IndusInd Bank may have a new identity. The move was in line with the repositioning exercise initiated by the new management team led by Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Romesh Sobti.

L&T, ITC, Axis stakes may stay with SUUTI

L&T, ITC, Axis stakes may stay with SUUTI

Rediff.com   11 Feb 2009

Shares of ITC, Axis Bank and Larsen & Toubro are likely to stay with the Specified Undertaking of the Unit Trust of India, which was to be wound up in June.Legal opinion received by the government suggests that SUUTI can exist as long as all investors in one of the schemes floated by the erstwhile Unit Trust of India have not redeemed their investment, sources close to the development said. The value of the shares of the three blue chips was estimated at over Rs 15,000 cr.

Lenders seek Subhiksha books review

Lenders seek Subhiksha books review

Rediff.com   9 Feb 2009

To take up debt restructuring of cash-strapped retailer.

Bad debts of state-owned banks under check

Bad debts of state-owned banks under check

Rediff.com   9 Feb 2009

What's worrying for the public sector banks is the rise in delinquency in the housing portfolio, which does not include real estate. But a bank chief said that with low exposure to the real estate sector, the state-run banks have fewer worries. The other area of concern is credit cards but the operations of public sector banks in this segment are small compared with the likes of ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Citibank, the largest players in the business.

Govt banks to see higher pressure on margins

Govt banks to see higher pressure on margins

Rediff.com   7 Feb 2009

Public sector banks could see higher pressure on their net interest margins in the coming months as they have mopped up large amounts of deposits at higher rates and have also effected steep cuts in lending rates between November 2008 and January 2009.

Govt banks up promoter funding

Govt banks up promoter funding

Rediff.com   6 Feb 2009

Public sector banks are increasingly looking at promoter funding as a business opportunity when others are shying away from it.

Low interest in Harshad Mehta's apartment auction

Low interest in Harshad Mehta's apartment auction

Rediff.com   5 Feb 2009

Less than half-a-dozen people have evinced interest in buying the eight apartments owned by the late Harshad Mehta and his family, partly due to a last-minute case filed by the stockbroker's mother, Rasila S Mehta.

Pranab-bank meet may lead to more rate cuts

Pranab-bank meet may lead to more rate cuts

Rediff.com   30 Jan 2009

In a possible precursor to further rate cuts, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee's meeting with public sector bank chiefs on Monday will review their benchmark prime lending rates and interest rates on loans for automobiles, homes, small and medium enterprises and non-banking finance companies.

Lack of literacy hinders no-frill a/cs' use

Lack of literacy hinders no-frill a/cs' use

Rediff.com   23 Jan 2009

The study conducted at select bank branches in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu has found that the lack of financial literacy was the main reason behind the non-operative accounts. Other aspects like distance from branches also had their share in influencing the degree of usage.

'Markets need to be stable for IDR issue'

'Markets need to be stable for IDR issue'

Rediff.com   20 Jan 2009

Standard Chartered CEO-Asia Jaspal Bindra spoke to Anirudh Laskar and Sidhartha about the bank's plans and his assessment of the situation.

'Big bull' Harshad Mehta's flats up for sale

'Big bull' Harshad Mehta's flats up for sale

Rediff.com   8 Jan 2009

Sixteen years after the stock market scam orchestrated by Harshad S Mehta, the custodian has put up eight apartments in a complex called Madhuli, which is occupied by his family in upscale Worli, for sale.

Low interest regime to kick off with SBI cut

Low interest regime to kick off with SBI cut

Rediff.com   5 Jan 2009

Banks led by State Bank of India are set to lower deposit rates by over 50 basis points by the middle of the month, followed by a reduction in lending rates.