Abhijit Lele, Vishal Chhabria And Anup Roy

Stories by Abhijit Lele, Vishal Chhabria And Anup Roy

'Under him, the RBI delivered strong, timely, and decisive policy initiatives'

'Under him, the RBI delivered strong, timely, and decisive policy initiatives'

Rediff.com   2 Jan 2021

Economists praise Das for his pragmatism and willingness to face challenges head on. And in doing so with the finesse of an able administrator.

Frauds decline in banking system as RBI increases supervision

Frauds decline in banking system as RBI increases supervision

Rediff.com   31 Dec 2020

According to the Trends and Progress Report of the RBI, 98 per cent of frauds in terms of value were related to loans, and their occurrence was spread over several previous years.

From loan moratorium to digitisation, 2020 saw major shifts in banking

From loan moratorium to digitisation, 2020 saw major shifts in banking

Rediff.com   30 Dec 2020

While lenders create a hype around the services offered on digital platforms, customers think otherwise, given that frustration due to the quality of service has only increased, over the years.

Stocks: 'Returns will be much more modest'

Stocks: 'Returns will be much more modest'

Rediff.com   30 Dec 2020

'Valuations were depressed at 8,000 (Nifty 50 index) levels. It was a free ride to 12,000 levels.' 'What went down had to come up. Now fundamentals have to support further gains.'

Pros and cons of Indian banks' cross-selling initiatives

Pros and cons of Indian banks' cross-selling initiatives

Rediff.com   28 Dec 2020

In a bid to gain a bigger share of the customer's wallet, banks are ramping up their cross-selling initiatives.

Why it makes sense to take personal loans from PSBs

Why it makes sense to take personal loans from PSBs

Rediff.com   26 Dec 2020

The interest rate offered by PSBs like SBI, BoB and BoI hover around 8.9 per cent-10.50 per cent. For private banks, the range is between 10.49 per cent and 12 per cent.

Why RBI wants rupee to remain weak for some more time

Why RBI wants rupee to remain weak for some more time

Rediff.com   24 Dec 2020

The RBI governor is focused on growth, and keeping rupee slightly depreciated is part of that 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' strategy.

ATM-isation of banking is here

ATM-isation of banking is here

Rediff.com   22 Dec 2020

But what do banks gain by opening their apps for all? The answer -- rival bank's customers under their fold.

'Demand for home loans is rising steadily'

'Demand for home loans is rising steadily'

Rediff.com   19 Dec 2020

'We tightened our risk frameworks once the Covid crisis started.' 'We are slowly lightening this as we see economic activity pick up, salaries getting restored, and people getting back into jobs.'

'After Covid, demand will be back with a vengeance'

'After Covid, demand will be back with a vengeance'

Rediff.com   11 Dec 2020

'When there is unlocking, there is demand revival.' 'This is going to be the main growth engine in this kind of an economic scenario.'

Tata, Birla, Bajaj, and Piramal Group may lead race for bank licence

Tata, Birla, Bajaj, and Piramal Group may lead race for bank licence

Rediff.com   1 Dec 2020

NBFCs with a proven track record, supported by the brand values of reputed corporate, can play a key role in bringing the benefits of banking and economy to the underserved and newer segments of India.

The bank branch is dead; long live the branch

The bank branch is dead; long live the branch

Rediff.com   22 Nov 2020

Banks now ride on what is defined as a "banking outlet". This is a fixed-point service unit, manned by either the bank's staff or its business correspondent (BC), where all kinds of services - acceptance of deposits, encashment of cheques, cash withdrawal or lending of money - are provided for a minimum of four hours per day, for at least five days a week. Banks are now turning to reposition the manner in which they acquire customers, report Abhijit Lele and Raghu Mohan.

The famous five taking on shady Chinese lending apps

The famous five taking on shady Chinese lending apps

Rediff.com   27 Oct 2020

A bunch of CEOs in their mid-30s and early 40s are trying to rectify the scenario where shady lending applications trap hapless borrowers with astronomically high interest rates and even bodily harm if the money was repaid. Anup Roy reports.

Kalrock to invest Rs 1K crore as Jet readies to take wings

Kalrock to invest Rs 1K crore as Jet readies to take wings

Rediff.com   19 Oct 2020

The winning bid attracted over 99 per cent votes, with lenders overwhelmingly voting for a revival instead of recovery through liquidation.

How SBI plans to keep YONO ahead of the curve

How SBI plans to keep YONO ahead of the curve

Rediff.com   13 Oct 2020

Apart from fulfilling banking services, one can access more than 100 e-commerce sites, book tickets, and even pay for small value groceries through the app. The bank is now proposing to allow other banks to use this to serve their own customers.

Will PNB acquire beleaguered Lakshmi Vilas Bank?

Will PNB acquire beleaguered Lakshmi Vilas Bank?

Rediff.com   8 Oct 2020

PNB has rich experience in the integration of commercial banks.

How Lakshmi Vilas Bank eroded its wealth amid controversy and losses

How Lakshmi Vilas Bank eroded its wealth amid controversy and losses

Rediff.com   8 Oct 2020

It has been a year since the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) initiated prompt corrective action (PCA), an exercise that puts weak banks under central bank scrutiny, against the 94-year-old Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB). But recently, this low-profile Chennai-headquartered bank found itself attracting some unwonted publicity when 60 per cent of its shareholders voted against a proposal to re-appoint seven directors, including one of the promoters, K R Pradeep (who holds around 2 per cent), and the company's managing director & chief executive officer S Sundar.

States' borrowing: Market fatigue is getting evident

States' borrowing: Market fatigue is getting evident

Rediff.com   2 Oct 2020

The spreads between state development loans and equivalent-maturity government papers have started widening, and market participants don't expect them to contract anytime soon. The rise in spreads is a direct measure of market displeasure than a rise in yields.

Home, auto loan inquiry back to 2019 level

Home, auto loan inquiry back to 2019 level

Rediff.com   23 Sep 2020

The public sector lenders saw the biggest rebound in inquiries in July and August 2020, most likely because they were early in recommencing operations than their private and finance counterparts.

SBI, 25 other major Indian banks figure in suspicious transactions list

SBI, 25 other major Indian banks figure in suspicious transactions list

Rediff.com   22 Sep 2020

Banks say they themselves red-flagged the transactions to RBI. It must be noted that these transactions are not outright evidence of fraud or proof of nefarious activities.