Ajinkya Kawale, Aathira Varier

Stories by Ajinkya Kawale, Aathira Varier

Bank Frauds Surge To 21,515 Cr In H1FY26

Bank Frauds Surge To 21,515 Cr In H1FY26

Rediff.com   30 Dec 2025

This was up 30 per cent from the same period last year, even as the number of frauds fell 2.8 times to 5,092.

New Insurance Amendment Bill: Intermediaries with high commissions may see payouts drop

New Insurance Amendment Bill: Intermediaries with high commissions may see payouts drop

Rediff.com   29 Dec 2025

Insurance intermediaries who receive disproportionately high commissions are likely to see a decline in their payouts, post the new Insurance Amendment Bill. The new Bill gives the Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority of India (Irdai) the power to disgorge unlawful gains made by insurers and intermediaries as well as the right to limit commissions paid to intermediaries.

Insurance industry flags concerns over proposed Insurance Amendment Bill

Insurance industry flags concerns over proposed Insurance Amendment Bill

Rediff.com   24 Dec 2025

The insurance industry is trying to get to grips with provisions in the proposed Insurance Amendment Bill, which gives additional powers to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai), while there is ambiguity in the very definition of the insurance business, according to industry experts.

Insurance: Lack of legacy distribution network a challenge for foreign cos

Insurance: Lack of legacy distribution network a challenge for foreign cos

Rediff.com   22 Dec 2025

The Union Cabinet's decision to raise the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in the insurance sector to 100 per cent is unlikely to significantly boost foreign investment as distribution remains a critical factor, requiring overseas players to partner with Indian businesses, experts said.

Tier-II, -III mkts make 62% of new health insurance policies

Tier-II, -III mkts make 62% of new health insurance policies

Rediff.com   12 Dec 2025

Tier-II, Tier-III, and rural regions accounted for 62 per cent of all new health insurance policies sold by insurers so far in 2025-26 (FY26), according to a Policybazaar report. These regions are also witnessing a rise in the sum assured opted by customers.

Insurance sector premium growth crossed 20% in Nov

Insurance sector premium growth crossed 20% in Nov

Rediff.com   9 Dec 2025

Both the life and non-life insurance segment posted over 20 per cent premium growth in November for the first time in this financial year (FY26), supported by the reduction in goods and services tax (GST) on premiums from 18 per cent to zero and a favourable base effect.

Bajaj Finserv targets a 22% profit CAGR, double customers in 5 years

Bajaj Finserv targets a 22% profit CAGR, double customers in 5 years

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2025

Bajaj Finserv - the holding company of Bajaj group's financial services business - has laid out plans for the next five years. During this period, it is eyeing 18-22 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in net profit at Rs 21,000-24,000 crore on a consolidated basis.

Fino 1st payments bank to get RBI nod to turn SFB

Fino 1st payments bank to get RBI nod to turn SFB

Rediff.com   6 Dec 2025

Fino Payments Bank (Fino) has become the first such entity to get an in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to transition into a small finance bank (SFB).

With firefighting behind them, insurers can now shift gears and focus on growth

With firefighting behind them, insurers can now shift gears and focus on growth

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2025

Recent years have been turbulent for the insurance industry due to direct and indirect tax reforms, regulatory overhaul and other external pressures. The events cumulatively slowed growth rate to single digits from the high teens seen earlier.

FinMin: No Directions Given to LIC on Investments

FinMin: No Directions Given to LIC on Investments

Rediff.com   2 Dec 2025

'LIC's investment decisions are taken independently, following strict due diligence, risk assessment and fiduciary compliance.'

WazirX Reboots Operations After Mega Hack

WazirX Reboots Operations After Mega Hack

Rediff.com   1 Dec 2025

'We've not seen a crypto exchange come back after about 45 per cent of the value on the platform was impacted.'

Fraud Bleeds Insurers Of Rs 10,000 Crore A Year

Fraud Bleeds Insurers Of Rs 10,000 Crore A Year

Rediff.com   1 Dec 2025

These losses increase insurance premiums for customers and reduce insurer margins on the other.

BHIM's New Feature To Target Reluctant Users

BHIM's New Feature To Target Reluctant Users

Rediff.com   26 Nov 2025

'This will bring in a lot of net new users to UPI.'

Insurers to Spend More on Tech for DPDP Compliance

Insurers to Spend More on Tech for DPDP Compliance

Rediff.com   21 Nov 2025

The DPDP rules, which have come into effect, require companies to implement a data protection and consent management system by November 2026.

Pent-up demand boosted retail health insurance segment in October

Pent-up demand boosted retail health insurance segment in October

Rediff.com   19 Nov 2025

Even as non-life insurers reported muted premium growth in October, standalone health insurers saw a robust 38 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) surge. This growth was driven by pent-up demand in the retail health insurance segment.

M&M, Manulife to form life insurance JV with 7,200 crore investment

M&M, Manulife to form life insurance JV with 7,200 crore investment

Rediff.com   14 Nov 2025

Canadian firm Manulife and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), an Indian automaker with interests in financial services, have signed an agreement to form a 50:50 life insurance joint venture (JV) with a total capital commitment of up to Rs 3,600 crore each totalling Rs 7,200 crore.

Lenders tap alternative data as next frontier in credit fraud fight

Lenders tap alternative data as next frontier in credit fraud fight

Rediff.com   28 Oct 2025

Risk assessment platforms are increasingly using diverse data sources to help lenders identify groups attempting to access credit from regulated entities and to improve the process of evaluating new-to-credit (NTC) users.

Credit card transactions surge; debit cards' decline: RBI

Credit card transactions surge; debit cards' decline: RBI

Rediff.com   24 Oct 2025

The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) Payment Systems Report highlighted that between 2019 and 2024, credit card transactions doubled in volume and almost tripled in value. During the same period, however, debit card transactions witnessed a decline, both in volume and value.

Trump Tariffs Dim Diamond City's Diwali Sparkle

Trump Tariffs Dim Diamond City's Diwali Sparkle

Rediff.com   18 Oct 2025

For both polishing unit operators and diamond merchants, the US is still the biggest export destination: Three in every 10 diamonds polished in India end up in American stores.

Insurance staff oppose pvt sector entry in top PSU posts

Insurance staff oppose pvt sector entry in top PSU posts

Rediff.com   14 Oct 2025

The All India Insurance Employees' Association has opposed the government directive seeking to open up top posts in the state-owned insurers to the private sector, saying this would lead to greater private influence and "eventual privatisation".