Subrata Panda And Manojit Saha

Stories by Subrata Panda And Manojit Saha

MPC Members Were Divided On Rate Cut

MPC Members Were Divided On Rate Cut

Rediff.com   23 Aug 2024

Deputy Governor Michael Patra warned about the spillover effects of food inflation.

Why RBI Cracked Down On P2P Lending

Why RBI Cracked Down On P2P Lending

Rediff.com   22 Aug 2024

Following a review of peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms, certain issues -- including high non-performing asset levels, significantly high balances in escrow accounts, and non-compliance with net owned fund and disclosure requirements -- came to the RBI's attention.

NRI deposits see nearly $4 billion inflows in April-June FY25: RBI data

NRI deposits see nearly $4 billion inflows in April-June FY25: RBI data

Rediff.com   20 Aug 2024

Overseas Indians deposited around $4 billion in non-resident Indian (NRI) deposit schemes in April - June FY25, up 79 per cent over the amount deposited in these schemes in the same period last year, data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday showed. In April - June FY25, inflows into the NRI schemes stood at $3.95 billion, compared to $2.21 billion during the same period a year ago. With this, the total outstanding NRI deposits as of June stood at $155.71 billion.

'Our objective is to keep improving Casa ratio'

'Our objective is to keep improving Casa ratio'

Rediff.com   15 Aug 2024

'The Casa ratio is at 33.4 per cent, which has to keep improving. Right now, there is a bit of liquidity pressure in the market.'

How Banks Plan To Tackle 'Mule' Fraud

How Banks Plan To Tackle 'Mule' Fraud

Rediff.com   8 Aug 2024

'A mule operates someone else's account to transfer illegal money.'

Private banks' bottom line remains healthy in Q1, bad loans inch up

Private banks' bottom line remains healthy in Q1, bad loans inch up

Rediff.com   7 Aug 2024

Private banks' net profit grew 26.3 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to Rs 48,982 crore in the first quarter ended June 2024 (Q1FY25) owing to healthy growth in credit and other income. The gross non-performing assets (GNPAs) increased with the end of dispensation granted during the pandemic, according to the data compiled by BS Research Bureau for listed 18 private banks.

Draft framework: RBI for more options to authenticate digital payments

Draft framework: RBI for more options to authenticate digital payments

Rediff.com   1 Aug 2024

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday issued a draft framework for alternative authentication mechanism for digital payments, wherein it has mandated that all digital payment transactions would have to be authenticated with an additional factor of authentication (AFA), except small value contactless card payments for up to Rs 5,000 at point of sale terminals, e-mandates for recurring transactions, and small value digital payments through offline mode, among others. Additionally, it has said that all digital payment transactions, other than card present transactions, have to ensure that one of the factors of authentication is dynamically created, i.e., the factor is generated after initiation of payment; is specific to the transaction; and cannot be reused.

RBI proposes to tighten banks' LCR norms, releases draft guidelines

RBI proposes to tighten banks' LCR norms, releases draft guidelines

Rediff.com   26 Jul 2024

In view of the rising number of mobile and internet banking users, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed to tighten norms related to the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) by increasing the run-off factor for retail deposits. "Banking has undergone rapid transformation in recent years. "While increased usage of technology has facilitated the ability to make instantaneous bank transfers and withdrawals, it has also led to a concomitant increase in risks, requiring proactive management," the RBI said in the draft guidelines released on Thursday.

Rs 32,619 cr and rising: India Inc back with overseas bonds in 2024

Rs 32,619 cr and rising: India Inc back with overseas bonds in 2024

Rediff.com   25 Jul 2024

Overseas fundraising by Indian firms is experiencing a robust revival in 2024, following a lacklustre 2023. This resurgence is primarily driven by strong demand for high-yield bonds from international investors amid improving liquidity conditions and reduced hedging costs. Indian companies raised ~32,619 crore through overseas bonds in the first half of 2024, surpassing the total amount raised via such instruments in the entire 2023, which stood at ~31,218 crore, according to PRIME Database. In comparison, ~45,237 crore was raised in 2022 and ~1.05 trillion was secured in 2021.

Banks make beeline for fundraise via infrastructure bonds

Banks make beeline for fundraise via infrastructure bonds

Rediff.com   17 Jul 2024

Public-sector banks, including Canara Bank and Bank of India, are tapping the infrastructure bond market. Canara Bank on Tuesday raised Rs 10,000 crore at a coupon rate of 7.40 per cent through 10-year infrastructure bonds. This comes after SBI on July 10 raised Rs 10,000 crore also through infrastructure bonds with a 15-year tenor at a coupon rate of 7.36 per cent.

Major credit card issuers go live on Bharat Bill Payment Systems platform

Major credit card issuers go live on Bharat Bill Payment Systems platform

Rediff.com   15 Jul 2024

Major credit issuers, including the largest - HDFC Bank - have integrated their systems with the Bharat Bill Payment Systems (BBPS) for receiving credit card repayments via third-party applications.

140 million HDFC Bank, Axis customers may face service interruption

140 million HDFC Bank, Axis customers may face service interruption

Rediff.com   12 Jul 2024

As many as 140 million customers of HDFC Bank and Axis Bank are expected to face interruption in banking services in the weekend due to the former's system upgrade and the transition of Citi India business to the latter. Both the banks have notified their customers about the interruption in services. HDFC Bank - the country's largest private sector lender with 93.2 million customers - had announced that it will undertake a system upgrade on July 13, wherein it will migrate its core banking system (CBS) to a new engineered platform to enhance customer experience.

Result preview: Cost of deposits to weigh on banks' margins in Q1

Result preview: Cost of deposits to weigh on banks' margins in Q1

Rediff.com   12 Jul 2024

Despite steady loan growth, the banking sector is expected to report subdued margins in the quarter ending June 2024 (Q1FY25), driven by high demand for deposits amidst tight liquidity conditions. However, according to Bloomberg analysts, listed banks are forecasted to see a 14.5 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) increase in net profit. Estimates showed that banks' net interest income (NII), and revenues from interest minus interest expenses might grow 11.9 per cent Y-o-Y.

RBI Flags Concern Over Illegal Accounts

RBI Flags Concern Over Illegal Accounts

Rediff.com   10 Jul 2024

'We found certain banks having lakhs of such accounts with apparently no valid reason.'

Banks turn cautious on lending to smaller microfinance players

Banks turn cautious on lending to smaller microfinance players

Rediff.com   8 Jul 2024

Commercial banks have turned cautious in lending to smaller microfinance institutions (MFIs), which has compelled the latter to borrow from non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) at much higher rates. Recently Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor M Rajeshwar Rao slammed micro lenders for increasing their margins "disproportionately" and said these lenders were quick to pass on the increased cost to the borrowers but reluctant to pass on the benefits under the new regime, where margins are not capped.

Can the 'new' HDFC Bank reclaim its old glory?

Can the 'new' HDFC Bank reclaim its old glory?

Rediff.com   8 Jul 2024

For over a decade, HDFC Bank consistently outperformed industry growth rates in both deposits and advances, maintaining impeccable asset quality. Amid a landscape where other banks struggled with soaring non-performing assets (NPAs), HDFC Bank thrived, eventually surpassing ICICI Bank to become the largest private sector lender in India. Its net interest margin (NIM) remained stable in the range of 4.1-4.4 per cent.

'High real repo rate can have adverse effects on demand as well as supply'

'High real repo rate can have adverse effects on demand as well as supply'

Rediff.com   6 Jul 2024

'The real repo rate is very high in terms of core inflation.'

'No Hurry To Convert To Universal Bank'

'No Hurry To Convert To Universal Bank'

Rediff.com   11 Jun 2024

'Have a long way to go even as a small finance bank, both in terms of size, and in terms of fulfilling our aspirations for financial inclusion.'

'Climate shocks' add uncertainty to inflation outlook: RBI annual report

'Climate shocks' add uncertainty to inflation outlook: RBI annual report

Rediff.com   31 May 2024

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has identified "climate shocks" as a risk to food inflation rates and overall price rise while stating that the outlook for the country's economic growth remains bright. In its Annual Report for 2023-24, released on Thursday, the central bank said easing supply-chain pressures, broad-based softening in core inflation, and early indications of an above-normal southwest monsoon meant well for the inflation outlook in 2024-25. "The increasing incidence of climate shocks, however, imparts considerable uncertainty to the food inflation and overall inflation outlook," said the RBI while noting headline inflation moderated by 1.3 percentage points on an annual average basis to 5.4 per cent in 2023-24.

US Treasuries drive RBI's bumper surplus to Centre

US Treasuries drive RBI's bumper surplus to Centre

Rediff.com   31 May 2024

A combination of factors, including heavy investments in US Treasury bonds and dollar sales at a healthy profit, facilitated the Indian central bank in transferring a record surplus of Rs 2.11 trillion to the government for 2023-24 (FY24). The RBI's dollar purchases increased in FY24, supported by robust capital inflows endorsing the economy's health.