Somasroy Chakraborty &Amp; Raghuvir Badrinath

Stories by Somasroy Chakraborty &Amp; Raghuvir Badrinath

Kingfisher's financial stress puts UB under pressure

Kingfisher's financial stress puts UB under pressure

Rediff.com   9 Aug 2012

While announcing its results on Wednesday for the quarter ended June, UB Holdings said about a tenth of the corporate guarantees for Kingfisher Airlines were being invoked.

Japanese giant Aeon in talks with Indian retailers

Japanese giant Aeon in talks with Indian retailers

Rediff.com   7 Aug 2012

Aeon Co is a diversified conglomerate and operates in various retail segments ranging from supermarkets, convenience stores, department stores, small supermarkets, discount stores and drug stores, besides financial services.

Credit card base of public sector banks rise

Credit card base of public sector banks rise

Rediff.com   19 Jun 2012

Credit cards appear to have found favour with public sector banks, which had, so far, been reluctant in expanding their unsecured loan portfolios aggressively.

Now, lounge banking for the rich

Now, lounge banking for the rich

Rediff.com   6 Jun 2012

Lenders also allow customers to conduct other businesses from such chambers

Britannia plans to go West, targets Indian diaspora

Britannia plans to go West, targets Indian diaspora

Rediff.com   6 Jun 2012

The company, which logged 19 per cent growth in top line at Rs 5,400 crore (Rs 54 billion), derives around Rs 250 crore (Rs 2.5 billion) from global operations and is looking at all vectors to expand its presence overseas.

Get savings account at click of a mouse

Get savings account at click of a mouse

Rediff.com   22 May 2012

ICICI Bank, the largest private sector lender in the country, is offering an 'instant account number' if you apply for a savings deposit account through its website.

Less scope for credit card delinquencies: SBI Cards head

Less scope for credit card delinquencies: SBI Cards head

Rediff.com   16 May 2012

SBI Cards, like most other credit card issuers in the country, suffered losses during the financial crisis of 2008-09 due to sharp increase in delinquencies. The company, a joint venture between State Bank of India and GE Capital, turned profitable in 2010-11. Kadambi Narahari, chief executive officer, shares the strategy to grow the company's cards business in coming years.

HCL Group to foray into insurance sector

HCL Group to foray into insurance sector

Rediff.com   8 May 2012

Indian billionaire Shiv Nadar's foray into the insurance sector is likely to fructify soon. DLF Pramerica Life, seeking an Indian partner for its operation, is in talks with Nadar's HCL Group to sell a majority stake. According to those in the know, both parties are back on the table to iron out the nitty-gritty, after the deal got stuck a year back due to stringent guidelines.

RBI may allow costlier FCCBs for pre-payment

RBI may allow costlier FCCBs for pre-payment

Rediff.com   3 May 2012

Facing huge redemption pressure on funds raised via foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCBs), India Inc has requested the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to allow companies to offer higher interest rates on fresh foreign currency loans or bonds, the proceeds of which will be used to pre-pay existing FCCBs.

Japan's growing yen for Indian assets

Japan's growing yen for Indian assets

Rediff.com   27 Apr 2012

The appetite for Indian assets is growing among investors from the land of the samurai. An appreciating yen, combined with slow economic growth, has persuaded many Japanese investors to explore opportunities beyond their national boundary, and India appears to be one of their preferences.

HDFC Bank set to open rural one-man branches

HDFC Bank set to open rural one-man branches

Rediff.com   24 Apr 2012

ICICI works on similar lines; alternative to Business Correspondents to reach financial inclusion targets.

Badminton enthusiast moves to HDFC Bank

Badminton enthusiast moves to HDFC Bank

Rediff.com   20 Apr 2012

Donald D'Souza, the new head of HDFC Bank's equity capital markets business, prefers to keep himself fit by playing badminton.

HDFC Bank sees no need to offer premium on bulk deposits

HDFC Bank sees no need to offer premium on bulk deposits

Rediff.com   20 Apr 2012

The lender's comfortable liquidity position, combined with downward bias in interest rates and slow credit growth expectations in the first three months of this financial year, has allowed it to take this decision.

Coffee Day Group brews Rs 400-cr expansion plan

Coffee Day Group brews Rs 400-cr expansion plan

Rediff.com   16 Apr 2012

Plans for SEZ, logistics and coffee chain, among other segments

Without branches, HSBC may call off RBS deal

Without branches, HSBC may call off RBS deal

Rediff.com   16 Apr 2012

The deal is stuck because the Reserve Bank of India has declined to transfer the branch licences of RBS to HSBC.

ICICI Prudential losing 300 staff every month

ICICI Prudential losing 300 staff every month

Rediff.com   13 Apr 2012

The life insurance arm of the country's largest private-sector lender does it not to expand workforce, but to maintain its strength, as almost a similar number of staffers keeps leaving every month.

Mallya set to fast-track Whyte & Mackay stake sale

Mallya set to fast-track Whyte & Mackay stake sale

Rediff.com   11 Apr 2012

Mallya had bought the pedigree scotch major, based in Scotland, for $1.2 billion in 2007.

Cigarette smokers pay more than MRP

Cigarette smokers pay more than MRP

Rediff.com   23 Mar 2012

For instance, a pack of 20 Classic branded cigarettes (from ITC) now costs Rs 120.

At 9.3 mn, a third of MFI borrowers are defaulters

At 9.3 mn, a third of MFI borrowers are defaulters

Rediff.com   22 Mar 2012

In absolute terms, close to 9.2 million customers (almost equal to Mumbai's suburban population) have defaulted on loan repayment. Microfinance institutions currently have around 32 million clients in the country.

Global banker returns to head IndusInd arm

Global banker returns to head IndusInd arm

Rediff.com   2 Feb 2012

Before joining IndusInd Bank, he was the regional head of RBS' corporate solutions business in Asia Pacific region and was based in Singapore.