Anup Roy &Amp;Amp; Abhijit Lele

Stories by Anup Roy &Amp;Amp; Abhijit Lele

Amid global rout, govt cancels last bond auction of FY21

Amid global rout, govt cancels last bond auction of FY21

Rediff.com   23 Mar 2021

In the state of the economy report, the RBI said bond vigilantes could undermine the recovery, unsettle financial markets, and trigger capital outflows from emerging markets.

Whistleblower accuses Edelweiss ARC of fund diversion, other irregularities

Whistleblower accuses Edelweiss ARC of fund diversion, other irregularities

Rediff.com   20 Mar 2021

The ministry of corporate affairs (MCA) has launched a probe into the books of Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company (EARC) following allegations by a whistleblower of fund diversion and irregularities. The whistleblower, Paras Kuhad, a former additional solicitor general of India, had written to the Prime Minister's Office and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Kuhad has alleged that Edelweiss Group and Caisse de depot et placement du Qubec (CDPQ), a Canadian institutional investor, which hold stakes in the ARC, diverted funds and did not adhere to norms while making investments in EARC's instruments. Sources have indicated that a probe has been initiated, but the MCA did not comment on the issue.

India Inc goes slow on rupee bonds, eyes international market

India Inc goes slow on rupee bonds, eyes international market

Rediff.com   15 Mar 2021

Indian corporate are fast tapping the international bonds market to raise funds for their operational expenses even as they reduce their presence in the rupee bond market. As bonds are costlier for companies and investors are more sceptical than the banks, chief financial officers say they are looking at other avenues for raising funds in the coming months as dollar bond rates are lower in the range of 100 to 250 basis points. "For corporate with reasonable credit quality, the Indian bond market has become less of an option from a cost point of view. "In addition, conditions imposed in the Indian bond market by investors post Franklin episode have also become very onerous," said Prabal Banerjee, president-finance of Bajaj group. "Hence very few corporate are looking at the local bond market for resource mobilisation, since both, bank loans and the overseas bond markets are much more attractive," he said.

Out of PCA, IDBI Bank can now expand business

Out of PCA, IDBI Bank can now expand business

Rediff.com   11 Mar 2021

The bank will now be in a position to resume normal lending activity, including corporate lending, with tightened risk management framework.

Citibank likely to hive off consumer banking business in India

Citibank likely to hive off consumer banking business in India

Rediff.com   8 Mar 2021

In India, it is not easy to fight it out with the large banks which are nimble-footed and technology-savvy and are continuously innovating on the retail turf with newer products for customer acquisition.

RBI's lack of support pushes up bond yields

RBI's lack of support pushes up bond yields

Rediff.com   23 Feb 2021

The bond market is not in a mood to reason with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on keeping yields low. The 10-year bond yields continued to rise for the fourth straight session to close at 6.202 per cent from its previous close of 6.135 per cent. The yield was at 6 per cent a week ago. The RBI wants the yields to remain at 6 per cent, but bond dealers say the central bank will have to step up its bond-buying programme.

Singapore-based DBS Bank plans to trim India branches in 2-3 years

Singapore-based DBS Bank plans to trim India branches in 2-3 years

Rediff.com   15 Feb 2021

The combined deposits of its Indian operations stood at SGD 9 billion and net advances were at SGD 5.6 billion at the end of December 2020.

RBI's intervention drives down 10-year bond yields to 6% level

RBI's intervention drives down 10-year bond yields to 6% level

Rediff.com   11 Feb 2021

The central bank bought the 10-year bonds at 50 paise above the prevailing rate, and brought down the yields from 6.08 per cent to 6 per cent mark.

RBI to buy bonds worth Rs 20,000 crore via open market operations on Feb 10

RBI to buy bonds worth Rs 20,000 crore via open market operations on Feb 10

Rediff.com   9 Feb 2021

However, the RBI is still not in a mood to issue an OMO calendar, which was the expectation in some sections of the market.

Budget cuts revenue expenditure on welfare schemes, salary, pension

Budget cuts revenue expenditure on welfare schemes, salary, pension

Rediff.com   2 Feb 2021

The continuing fiscal stimulus is heavily tilted towards capex, to the extent that it chips away a part of revenue spending. Accounting for other areas of revenue expenditure, such as salaries, pensions, subsidies and defence (committed spend), the room to spend on welfare schemes, health and education will narrow in FY22.

RBI to crack whip on recovery agents, calls for restricting messaging apps

RBI to crack whip on recovery agents, calls for restricting messaging apps

Rediff.com   28 Jan 2021

Digital lending apps extend small amounts at exorbitant rates. Payment delays invite messages to customer or close family members, often with sensitive information such as Aadhaar and PAN Card scans.

Centre, states team up with RBI, Big Tech to fight Chinese lending apps

Centre, states team up with RBI, Big Tech to fight Chinese lending apps

Rediff.com   22 Jan 2021

A user just needs to download any app floated by such fraudsters and apply for instant loans. These apps are mainly concentrated on Google Play considering the reach and popularity of Android systems.

Cash was king in 2020 even as digital transactions increased

Cash was king in 2020 even as digital transactions increased

Rediff.com   20 Jan 2021

The hoarding of cash accentuated from the very start of 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic started taking hold the world over, and fear of the pandemic prodded people to remain liquid for emergency use.

'Economy well placed to capitalise on recovery in 2021'

'Economy well placed to capitalise on recovery in 2021'

Rediff.com   6 Jan 2021

'The financial sector's performance in the first two quarters was a revelation.' 'It clearly showed the clean-up had been done in the past one-and-a-half years and that capital brought in was significantly stronger.'

If it ain't broke, don't fix it: RBI working paper on 4% inflation target

If it ain't broke, don't fix it: RBI working paper on 4% inflation target

Rediff.com   5 Jan 2021

The paper seems to be suggesting strongly that the tight target range be maintained even as the central bank is all set to miss the target range for three consecutive quarters because of the Covid crisis.

'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.

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.