Parnika Sokhi &Amp; Somasroy Chakraborty

Stories by Parnika Sokhi &Amp; Somasroy Chakraborty

Banks fear slowdown in lending to SMEs

Banks fear slowdown in lending to SMEs

Rediff.com   29 Jun 2011

The country's largest commercial bank's SME advances grew nearly 23 per cent to Rs 119,676 crore last financial year.

Green signal for FDI in proprietary trading

Green signal for FDI in proprietary trading

Rediff.com   28 Jun 2011

RBI feels allowing foreign companies into this business may affect financial stability.

LIC to rope in Axis Bank for credit card biz

LIC to rope in Axis Bank for credit card biz

Rediff.com   21 Jun 2011

After lying low since its foray into the credit card business two years ago, Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India on Monday announced a tie-up with Axis Bank to offer co-branded credit cards to its policyholders and employees.

RBI's diversity huge opportunity: Deputy governor

RBI's diversity huge opportunity: Deputy governor

Rediff.com   21 Jun 2011

It is clear now that our policy to treat FCCBs as debt upfront turned out to be the right approach.

For PSBs, loss and succession go together

For PSBs, loss and succession go together

Rediff.com   14 Jun 2011

RBI slams public sector banks for the strange phenomenon of profits dipping when a new chairman takes over.

Education loans: Good marks, no security

Education loans: Good marks, no security

Rediff.com   13 May 2011

Bankers' committee suggests banks lend to meritorious students without collateral.

Demand drives banks' overseas fund-raising

Demand drives banks' overseas fund-raising

Rediff.com   12 May 2011

Because of lower ratings, these companies would have to pay higher rates if they raised money directly.

NBFCs lose priority sector tag, see red

NBFCs lose priority sector tag, see red

Rediff.com   5 May 2011

Stocks of most non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) were on a crash course on Wednesday, with the Reserve Bank of India excluding loans given to the sector from the priority sector list.

Race for IL&FS: Orix turns tables on RIL

Race for IL&FS: Orix turns tables on RIL

Rediff.com   28 Apr 2011

Japan's Orix Corporation, which was in talks with Reliance Industries (RIL) to sell its 23.87 per cent stake in Infrastructure Leasing and Finance Company (IL&FS), has bowled a googly.

Barclays Bank likely to review its credit card biz

Barclays Bank likely to review its credit card biz

Rediff.com   21 Apr 2011

According to sources familiar with the developments, Barclays may review several options, including the sale of its credit card operations in India.

Third of banks' MFI loans go into restructuring

Third of banks' MFI loans go into restructuring

Rediff.com   15 Apr 2011

Microfinance companies have been facing a crisis after a crackdown by the Andhra Pradesh government last year in response to allegations they were charging high rates and using coercive recovery practices.

Banks quarrel over MFI debt recast

Banks quarrel over MFI debt recast

Rediff.com   13 Apr 2011

Some banks, including ICICI, want to restructure securitised advances along with other loans. This is being opposed by Axis Bank, IndusInd Bank and YES Bank.

Bahrain unrest gets to Indian banks

Bahrain unrest gets to Indian banks

Rediff.com   8 Apr 2011

Bahrain has of late emerged as a regional hub for banking because of low tax rates and easy regulations. At present, 409 banks and financial institutions have operations there.

Developers offer freebies but buyers not tempted

Developers offer freebies but buyers not tempted

Rediff.com   7 Apr 2011

Freebies do not seem to have attracted many buyers, as both property prices and lending rates continue to remain high.

ADB refuses to back loans to Andhra MFIs

ADB refuses to back loans to Andhra MFIs

Rediff.com   24 Mar 2011

The Manila-based development finance institution has decided not to guarantee loans directed to Andhra Pradesh, where the microfinance activity has fallen sharply due to strict rules introduced by the state government in October last year.

India high profit market for foreign banks

India high profit market for foreign banks

Rediff.com   15 Mar 2011

Compared to other emerging markets, accelerated growth in the domestic economy provided greater business opportunities to foreign banks in India, resulting in higher profitability.

Bankers hope for surprise from RBI

Bankers hope for surprise from RBI

Rediff.com   14 Mar 2011

Expect rate rise pause, amid market expectations to the contrary.

Rich investors keen to invest overseas

Rich investors keen to invest overseas

Rediff.com   8 Mar 2011

Volatility in domestic share market acting as catalyst.

Deposit market faces crisis of expectations

Deposit market faces crisis of expectations

Rediff.com   7 Mar 2011

"Companies are looking for longer maturities, typically one year and above (for bulk deposits), while banks want funds for a short tenure," said B A Prabhakar, executive director, Bank of India.

IL&FS stake: Fin institutions, banks talk with RIL

IL&FS stake: Fin institutions, banks talk with RIL

Rediff.com   2 Mar 2011

Life Insurance Corporation of India, Housing Development Finance Corporation and State Bank of India together own a little over 45 per cent in IL&FS. The deal is expected to be valued around $2.5 billion.