Somasroy Chakraborty

Stories by Somasroy Chakraborty

Banks entice uber rich with super-premium credit cards

Banks entice uber rich with super-premium credit cards

Rediff.com   30 Nov 2012

As the country's HNI population is on a rise, the segment is hard to ignore for domestic banks.

Why the market is in love with J&K Bank

Why the market is in love with J&K Bank

Rediff.com   28 Nov 2012

Tagged as a sleepy, regional lender till a few years earlier, the bank's stock was not much talked about in the investors' community.

Five senior execs quit Tata AIA Life Insurance

Five senior execs quit Tata AIA Life Insurance

Rediff.com   15 Nov 2012

Tata AIA Life Insurance has 13 people at the senior vice-president level.

Banks' retail income beats slowdown in corporate fee

Banks' retail income beats slowdown in corporate fee

Rediff.com   14 Nov 2012

The rising spends on credit cards, increase in sale of third-party products and surge in consumer loan demand have allowed banks to limit the impact of slowdown in corporate fee income.

ICICI Bank cuts home loan rates

ICICI Bank cuts home loan rates

Rediff.com   12 Oct 2012

Will offer lower rates on home loans till end of 2012.

India Inc's capex plans still in the freezer: Bankers

India Inc's capex plans still in the freezer: Bankers

Rediff.com   1 Oct 2012

Nine of 10 bankers who attended the meeting admitted their sanctioned loan pipeline was shrinking fast due to tepid demand.

Why are banks caught in a cleft

Why are banks caught in a cleft

Rediff.com   21 Sep 2012

Bankers say amid the uncertain macroeconomic environment, their greatest worry is the stress on asset quality.

Pay more for credit card repayment in cash

Pay more for credit card repayment in cash

Rediff.com   14 Sep 2012

Currently, the bank charges Rs 50 as cash processing fee.

Banks see slowest growth in a decade

Banks see slowest growth in a decade

Rediff.com   14 Sep 2012

Banks' loans are set to grow at the slowest pace in a decade this financial year, as companies continue to shy away from borrowing in the current uncertain macro-economic environment.

Banks set up play area for kids, conference rooms for HNIs

Banks set up play area for kids, conference rooms for HNIs

Rediff.com   5 Sep 2012

Private lenders like Federal Bank and Axis Bank have set up branches that have special areas for children, with books, toys and video games to keep them engaged while their parents are busy doing banking transactions.

He is HSBC's banker to India's wealthy

He is HSBC's banker to India's wealthy

Rediff.com   15 Aug 2012

It is not often that you find a mechanical engineer leading the private banking business of a foreign bank in India.

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

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.