Ajinkya Kawale, Subrata Panda

Stories by Ajinkya Kawale, Subrata Panda

'We Don't Want To Survive On Govt Incentives'

'We Don't Want To Survive On Govt Incentives'

Rediff.com   20 Mar 2025

'The only solution is for the government to allow us to charge a low controlled MDR of 25 bps on UPI P2M transactions only for merchants with more than a Rs 40 lakh turnover.'

Religare Enterprises begins governance review of firm, subsidiaries

Religare Enterprises begins governance review of firm, subsidiaries

Rediff.com   18 Mar 2025

Religare Enterprises Ltd (REL) on Monday notified the exchanges that its Board has commissioned a governance review of REL and its subsidiaries - Religare Finvest and Religare Housing Development Finance. Additionally, the Board has decided to approach the new promoters, the Burman Group, for immediate funding support to sustain operations of the company.

Navi Mumbai airport opening pushed back by 2 months

Navi Mumbai airport opening pushed back by 2 months

Rediff.com   17 Mar 2025

The entire construction of the Navi Mumbai airport project is expected to be completed in five phases.

'We Expect 1 Million Start Ups By 2035'

'We Expect 1 Million Start Ups By 2035'

Rediff.com   13 Mar 2025

'Binary fission will happen -- startups will lead to more startups.'

RBI's Sanjay Malhotra is a Governor with a difference!

RBI's Sanjay Malhotra is a Governor with a difference!

Rediff.com   10 Mar 2025

Since Sanjay Malhotra took office as governor in December, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has adopted a more accommodative stance, which bodes well for banking and the economy as they navigate a growth slowdown, according to analysts.

International flights at Navi Mumbai airport by July next year

International flights at Navi Mumbai airport by July next year

Rediff.com   3 Mar 2025

It is the first airport in the country to have multi-modal connectivity. This includes a linkage to the project via road, rail, and a metro system.

What fintechs must do to scale up presence of e

What fintechs must do to scale up presence of e

Rediff.com   24 Feb 2025

Non-banking entities such as fintech firms will have to tap into use cases beyond peer-to-peer (P2P) and peer-to-merchant (P2M) transactions to scale up the presence of the retail version of the central bank digital currency (CBDC), which is also known as the e, said industry players. These use cases will enable programmable transactions across domains, including the government's direct benefit transfer (DBT) schemes, with subsidies restricted to specific purposes such as food coupons, hospital bills, fertilisers, pesticides, and cross-border remittances.

Kotak Mahindra Bank's margins to improve after ban removal: Brokerages

Kotak Mahindra Bank's margins to improve after ban removal: Brokerages

Rediff.com   21 Feb 2025

Kotak Mahindra Bank's net interest margin is likely to swell after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lifted its restrictions on the private lender that barred it from issuing fresh credit cards and onboarding new customers through digital mode, brokerages said on Thursday. The bank's net interest margin (NIM) has seen a decline of over 35 basis points (bps) since the restrictions were imposed by the regulator in April 2024.

Why Has FATF Summoned Indian Gaming Firms?

Why Has FATF Summoned Indian Gaming Firms?

Rediff.com   20 Feb 2025

Dream11, Baazi Games, Zupee and WinZO among others are invited for the discussion with the anti-money laundering watchdog.

Should depositors put money in co-operative banks?

Should depositors put money in co-operative banks?

Rediff.com   18 Feb 2025

The co-operative banking sector is well regulated, and a few cases of restrictions being imposed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) should not paint a negative picture of the entire sector, said Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) secretary Ajay Seth on Monday. "Co-operative banks in the country are generally quite robust, and the RBI takes regulatory action whenever issues arise.

Bank Deposits: Govt Plans To Increase Insurance

Bank Deposits: Govt Plans To Increase Insurance

Rediff.com   18 Feb 2025

Currently, deposits of up to Rs 5 lakh are covered under the deposit-insurance scheme.

'Goal for Axis Max Life Insurance is to become listed entity'

'Goal for Axis Max Life Insurance is to become listed entity'

Rediff.com   17 Feb 2025

'However, this process will take some time. Depending on the approval timeline, it may span a few quarters.'

'Should end fourth quarter on a robust note'

'Should end fourth quarter on a robust note'

Rediff.com   2 Feb 2025

'We have opened 100 branches in the last one and a half years. Our manpower is also in place.'

RBI lens on 8 fintech companies in P2P lending space

RBI lens on 8 fintech companies in P2P lending space

Rediff.com   28 Jan 2025

Currently there are 26 licensed players in the P2P lending sector but only 10-11 are actively operating.

Why India Inc is opting for long-term borrowing

Why India Inc is opting for long-term borrowing

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2025

With short-term rates firming up due to tight liquidity conditions, Indian corporates are opting to borrow long term to take advantage of the attractive rates by locking them in these uncertain times. The banking system has a liquidity deficit of over Rs 2 trillion. According to market participants, engineering conglomerate Larsen & Toubro (L&T) raised Rs 1,500 crore through 10-year bonds in December 2024.

BharatPe targets IPO in 18-24 months, Ebitda profitability in FY25

BharatPe targets IPO in 18-24 months, Ebitda profitability in FY25

Rediff.com   15 Jan 2025

Fintech firm BharatPe is targeting an initial public offering (IPO) in the next 18-24 months with the company expecting profitability at an earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and ammotisation (Ebitda) level for FY25, chief executive officer (CEO) Nalin Negi said.

E-commerce spend driving use of credit cards in non-metros, says Visa

E-commerce spend driving use of credit cards in non-metros, says Visa

Rediff.com   14 Jan 2025

With rising disposable incomes in cities beyond metros, the penetration of credit cards - and consequently, credit card spending - is growing at a much faster pace than in traditional metro cities, primarily driven by e-commerce spending.

Draft DPDP rules: Task cut out for banks as operational challenges loom

Draft DPDP rules: Task cut out for banks as operational challenges loom

Rediff.com   9 Jan 2025

The draft digital personal data protection (DPDP) rules, which require banks to obtain explicit consent from their customers before using their data for purposes beyond the original intent, although is being followed in spirit, leaves no room for regulatory arbitrage, experts said. They said that the potential business impact is difficult to assess at this stage, but the formalisation of these rules will mean banks now need to establish clear data processing agreements with third-party entities to ensure compliance.

'We want to grow better than industry, mindful of biz quality'

'We want to grow better than industry, mindful of biz quality'

Rediff.com   3 Jan 2025

'Health and motor insurance will continue to be our two most important segments'

Slowing credit growth, margin pressure await banks in 2025

Slowing credit growth, margin pressure await banks in 2025

Rediff.com   1 Jan 2025

In 2025 banks are in for challenges such as pressure on margins and slowing credit growth. With the likelihood of a repo rate cut in February or April, external benchmark-linked loans of banks will be repriced immediately. However, deposit rates are expected to adjust more gradually, which could impact the net interest margin (NIM) - a key measure of profitability for banks.