Manojit Saha &Amp; Sidhartha

Stories by Manojit Saha &Amp; Sidhartha

SBI on cost-cutting drive

SBI on cost-cutting drive

Rediff.com   21 May 2010

The scaling down of the branch expansion plan is part of SBI's overall game plan to check costs.

 'Europe's problems will have a global impact'

'Europe's problems will have a global impact'

Rediff.com   21 May 2010

Rohit Chatterji, the new managing director and head of investment banking at J P Morgan, is cautious about the European crisis turning from a liquidity issue to a solvency crisis.

SBI to reach 12,000 unbanked villages

SBI to reach 12,000 unbanked villages

Rediff.com   12 May 2010

State Bank of India (SBI) wants to extend its footprint to 11,943 unbanked villages, with a population of at least 2,000, this financial year. The country's largest lender recently submitted its plan to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Reserve Bank rolls out HR reforms

Reserve Bank rolls out HR reforms

Rediff.com   3 May 2010

Winds of change are blowing across Mumbai's Mint Road.

RBI governor on how to boost growth

RBI governor on how to boost growth

Rediff.com   21 Apr 2010

Growth is coming from sectors which are interest rate-sensitive, says D Subbarao.

Realtors scurry for loan & they're to pay for it

Realtors scurry for loan & they're to pay for it

Rediff.com   16 Apr 2010

For developers who came out of a prolonged slowdown of 2008-09, the fund raising spree could be dangerous, say consultants.

LIC may seek bank licence

LIC may seek bank licence

Rediff.com   8 Mar 2010

The country's largest insurer had been keen to run a bank for a long time to manage the large premium collection and claim settlement work.

RBI data may dash Pranab's hopes on bank reach

RBI data may dash Pranab's hopes on bank reach

Rediff.com   2 Mar 2010

Just 6.4% of branches owned by new private sector banks are in the rural areas

Bankers' take on India's finance minister

Bankers' take on India's finance minister

Rediff.com   24 Feb 2010

Indian banks, which are increasingly getting worried due to asset-liability mismatch, have sought the government's approval to float tax-free bonds.

Irda hits back at Sebi on Ulips

Irda hits back at Sebi on Ulips

Rediff.com   17 Feb 2010

Questions market regulator's showcause to insurers on conceptual, legal, structural grounds.

Interest rate war likely even if RBI hikes rates

Interest rate war likely even if RBI hikes rates

Rediff.com   29 Jan 2010

Contrary to popular perception on interest rate movement, expected to head north following a likely central bank action on monetary tightening, banks may actually end by cutting rates in the below-prime lending rate region for at least their corporate clients. This is because of the huge pipeline of undisbursed loans the banks are sitting on and their scramble to bloat top line to reach closer to the yearly targets.

Sebi, FMC merger on the backburner

Sebi, FMC merger on the backburner

Rediff.com   25 Jan 2010

The process has been suspended for the time being as Agriculture, Food & Consumer Affairs Minister Sharad Pawar, a political heavyweight, is opposed to any intrusion into his turf.

Insurance fee may be cut in phases

Insurance fee may be cut in phases

Rediff.com   21 Jan 2010

The high level coordination committee on financial markets, which consists of financial sector regulators, is likely to opt for a phased reduction in the commission paid to insurance agents.

200,000 recruits to bring bank to your doorstep

200,000 recruits to bring bank to your doorstep

Rediff.com   19 Jan 2010

With the Reserve Bank of India allowing retired teachers, kirana shop owners and public call office (PCO) operators to be hired as business correspondents, banks are set to hire over 200,000 people over the next few years to push financial inclusion initiatives.

A dozen banks to get new chiefs this year

A dozen banks to get new chiefs this year

Rediff.com   4 Jan 2010

The government has also set the ball rolling on filling up the vacancies in the second rung. It has sought a dossier on general managers who could be promoted to the level of executive directors.

Irda may widen infra definition

Irda may widen infra definition

Rediff.com   30 Dec 2009

The Insurance Regulatory Development Authority (Irda) is likely to broaden the definition of infrastructure to include more sectors. The move, being discussed with insurance companies, is aimed at enabling insurers to get access to more papers to invest in and diversify their portfolio.

'2009 was a good year, next will be brighter'

'2009 was a good year, next will be brighter'

Rediff.com   23 Dec 2009

Vedika Bhandarkar, managing director & head of investment banking, recounts how even in a supposedly bad year, the bank raised about Rs 1,00,000 crore (Rs 1,000 billion).

The rupee symbol: 5 designs shortlisted

The rupee symbol: 5 designs shortlisted

Rediff.com   17 Dec 2009

The long wait for a symbol of the rupee is expected to end by March next year. A committee headed by Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor Usha Thorat has shortlisted five symbols from 4,000 entries for a public competition to select a design for the symbol.

A year on, mobile banking yet to buzz

A year on, mobile banking yet to buzz

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2009

RBI wonders if banks are doing enough to push the service.

Banking still miles away from Jalanga

Banking still miles away from Jalanga

Rediff.com   7 Dec 2009

Jalanga or its neighbouring villages do not have a single bank branch. The nearest bank branch, that of UCO Bank, where Das has an account, is located at Bhadrak, around 20 km from the village.