Anup Roy And Subrata Panda

Stories by Anup Roy And Subrata Panda

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.

Irdai launches standard personal accident cover

Irdai launches standard personal accident cover

Rediff.com   26 Feb 2021

The product, named Saral Suraksha Bima, will have a maximum sum assured of Rs 1 crore and minimum Rs 2.5 lakh.

Unwinding high indirect taxes on fuel is critical for economy: RBI's Das

Unwinding high indirect taxes on fuel is critical for economy: RBI's Das

Rediff.com   23 Feb 2021

With inflation under control, the Monetary Policy Committee's (MPC's) job is to support growth because the economy had recovered well from the lows in the initial months of the pandemic, according to the panel's members, who met in the first week of this month. The minutes of the meeting show the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor in his statement said: "Given the sharp moderation in inflation along with a stable near-term outlook, monetary policy needs to continue with the accommodative stance to ensure that the recovery gains greater traction and becomes broad-based." Ashima Goyal, external member of the MPC, said: "The current macroeconomic configuration and its expected future evolution imply there is space for the MPC to continue to support the revival of the economy with inflation remaining in the target band."

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.

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.

UPI Jan volume up 77% to 2.3 bn year-on-year, value doubles to Rs 4.3 trn

UPI Jan volume up 77% to 2.3 bn year-on-year, value doubles to Rs 4.3 trn

Rediff.com   4 Feb 2021

While it took UPI three years to reach a billion transactions in a month, the next billion came in just a year. Digital payments, especially UPI, saw increased adoption in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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.

PhonePe beats Google Pay, tops UPI app space in December

PhonePe beats Google Pay, tops UPI app space in December

Rediff.com   19 Jan 2021

These top two apps account for more than 78 per cent of the UPI market in terms of volume of transaction, and 86 per cent of the market by value of transactions in December.

Growth in health insurance segment slows as fear of Covid-19 subsides

Growth in health insurance segment slows as fear of Covid-19 subsides

Rediff.com   13 Jan 2021

Irdai had introduced two Covid specific products in the market - Corona Kavach and Corona Rakshak - that saw huge acceptance among the consumers as these products had lower premiums.

UPI breached 2 billion transactions 3 months in a row

UPI breached 2 billion transactions 3 months in a row

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2021

Surge in UPI transactions is because of an increased consumer interest in making bill payments and recharging mobile phones online, and purchase of non-essential goods on e-commerce platforms.

Soon you can buy insurance at petrol pumps, gas agencies

Soon you can buy insurance at petrol pumps, gas agencies

Rediff.com   9 Jan 2021

This will help expand the distribution channels, said Subhash Chandra Khuntia, chairman of the insurance regulatory and development authority of India.

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.

Mutual funds set for digital disruption

Mutual funds set for digital disruption

Rediff.com   31 Dec 2020

Mutual funds aspirants have the option of snapping up smaller AMCs or applying for a new licence.

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.