Shilpy Sinha &Amp; Sidhartha

Stories by Shilpy Sinha &Amp; Sidhartha

Insurance cos ready to clear claims

Insurance cos ready to clear claims

Rediff.com   29 Nov 2008

Insurance industry is gearing up to clear claims from the attack on Mumbai even as many of the injured are finding it tough to produce the required documents.

Insurance cover lapse rate set to decrease

Insurance cover lapse rate set to decrease

Rediff.com   27 Nov 2008

A committee headed by Irda's member actuary R Kannan has suggested a grace period of 15 days for policyholders who pay premium on a monthly basis, while a 30 days grace period will be available to those who pay their premium annually, half-yearly or quarterly.

Central Bank of India to expand overseas

Central Bank of India to expand overseas

Rediff.com   20 Nov 2008

At a time when the global banking industry is feeling the pinch of the global credit crunch, Central Bank of India is planning to expand its foreign presence.

RBI set to increase liquidity

RBI set to increase liquidity

Rediff.com   14 Oct 2008

In a move to boost liquidity, the government and the Reserve Bank of India are considering a special window to enable banks with farm loan relief scheme arrears, a major factor impacting liquidity, to raise funds. The move will help inject liquidity into the system till Parliament approves the Rs 25,000-crore reimbursement.

IDBI seeks RBI approval for Rs 15 billion PE fund

IDBI seeks RBI approval for Rs 15 billion PE fund

Rediff.com   18 Sep 2008

The bank approached RBI for the second time in August this year. The erstwhile development financial institution had approached the regulator in 2007 to get into the private equity business. While no formal proposal was moved, RBI had then advised the bank to concentrate on its upcoming life insurance business. Its joint venture with Fortis and Federal Bank is now up and running.

VC funds no more only technology-driven

VC funds no more only technology-driven

Rediff.com   11 Sep 2008

As the tides of investments change over time, venture capital funds are shifting their focus to businesses related to consumer demand such as education, media and entertainment, food & beverages and alternative energy.

Card transaction value up 42%

Card transaction value up 42%

Rediff.com   1 Sep 2008

According to the latest data released by the Reserve Bank of India, the growth was significantly higher than the 24.51 per cent rise in the value of plastic money transactions in 2006-07 and was partly attributed to banks encouraging people to use cards for transactions. In recent months, banks have increasingly put in place schemes, like cash-back offers, to entice people to use more of debit cards.

Govt asks PFRDA to make pension scheme universal

Govt asks PFRDA to make pension scheme universal

Rediff.com   30 Aug 2008

The government has asked the Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority to open the retirement scheme--which has so far been confined to central government employees--to the self-employed and those in the unorganised sector.

'Pension Bill: More players within 6 months'

'Pension Bill: More players within 6 months'

Rediff.com   12 Aug 2008

After years of waiting, finally there seems to be hope for the passage of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Bill, thanks to the Left's withdrawal of support from the government. The passing of the Bill will provide statutory backing to the regulatory agency, enabling it to issue guidelines and allow non-government employees to save for the long-term. PFRDA Chairman D Swarup spoke to Business Standard about the issues involved.

Banks go slow on training recovery agents

Banks go slow on training recovery agents

Rediff.com   8 Aug 2008

Instead of training executives at a time when delinquency rates are rising across segments, lenders have approached industry body Indian Banks' Association and IIBF to lower the fees, which are in the range of Rs 6,000-8,000 for every agent. Bankers said they were finding it difficult to keep employees and agents away from work for 15 days when they undergo the 100-hour training and certification programme mandated by the RBI.

No overseas exposure by pension funds

No overseas exposure by pension funds

Rediff.com   4 Aug 2008

The four Left parties may no longer be allies of the Congress party-led United Progressive Alliance, but their concerns on the pension Bill will still be addressed by the government.

24 lakh applicants for 20,000 SBI jobs

24 lakh applicants for 20,000 SBI jobs

Rediff.com   1 Aug 2008

With each form costing Rs 250, the bank has raked in around Rs 60 crore (Rs 600 million).

India to join anti-money laundering task force

India to join anti-money laundering task force

Rediff.com   21 Jul 2008

Membership to help domestic banks access developed markets.

Moody's also worried about fiscal

Moody's also worried about fiscal

Rediff.com   17 Jul 2008

A day after Fitch lowered India's local currency outlook to negative, international rating agency Moody's said it was also worried about the reversal of India's fiscal situation due to high oil prices and the lack of policy adjustment by the government. Moody's, however, said it was unlikely to change its investment grade rating to India's sovereign foreign currency rating or the domestic currency rating, which is below investment grade.

India Inc's next hunting ground

India Inc's next hunting ground

Rediff.com   15 Jul 2008

Last week, after months of scrutiny, the Forward Markets Commission, the regulator for futures trading in commodities, approved a proposal from state-owned MMTC Ltd and finance-to-real estate group Indiabulls to set up a national multi-commodity exchange.

Govt hurdle in ADAG power plans

Govt hurdle in ADAG power plans

Rediff.com   7 Jul 2008

Coal ministry says Sasan coal cannot be used for other plant.

'SMEs,retail clients can't borrow now'

'SMEs,retail clients can't borrow now'

Rediff.com   30 May 2008

It's a difficult time for banks both at home and abroad. But Sanjay Nayar, Chief Executive Officer, Citi India, shrugs off Citigroup's problems in the US saying they haven't really impacted the Indian operations. Nayar admits there have been a few problems with the consumer finance business but tells Business Standard that Citi's India operations are well-positioned to see double digit growth over the next few years.

No dilution of labour laws in SEZs: Centre

No dilution of labour laws in SEZs: Centre

Rediff.com   23 May 2008

The United Progressive Alliance government has made it clear to states that it will not permit them any relaxation in labour laws in special economic zones, petrochemical hubs and industrial parks such as easing norms for hiring and firing and employment of women and restricting union activity, among others. Over the last two weeks, at least three state governments have seen their proposals for relaxing labour laws in duty-free areas being rejected by the Centre.

Report forex exposures, govt tells PSU banks

Report forex exposures, govt tells PSU banks

Rediff.com   1 May 2008

The move comes even as Bank of India on Wednesday said its corporate clients will suffer mark-to-market losses of around Rs 125 crore. It has 34 clients with 74 derivative transactions. Last week, State Bank of India said its clients may incur MTM losses of up to Rs 700 crore at the end of March 2008.

Banks put SMEs under lens for forex exposure

Banks put SMEs under lens for forex exposure

Rediff.com   23 Apr 2008

With little clarity on the list of companies that have mark-to-market losses on derivatives transactions, banks are now asking their corporate banking departments to scan the books of borrowers and also seek details of their foreign exchange exposure. Within this pie, banks are segregating companies with turnover of Rs 30-40 crore (Rs 300-400 million) to Rs 100 crore (Rs 1 billion) and those which are above this threshold.