Subrata Panda, Aathira Varier

Stories by Subrata Panda, Aathira Varier

Tech Failures Behind UPI Outages

Tech Failures Behind UPI Outages

Rediff.com   16 Apr 2025

An hour-long disruption could affect around 40 million UPI transactions.

RBI's draft circular seeks to standardise gold loan regulations

RBI's draft circular seeks to standardise gold loan regulations

Rediff.com   10 Apr 2025

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday came out with comprehensive draft guidelines to harmonise and regulate gold loans across all financial entities, including putting a cap of 75 per cent on loan-to-value (LTV) ratio. The draft guidelines also aim to address concerns related to certain lending practices, provide clarity on specific aspects, and strengthen the conduct-related standards in the sector.

LIC Hits Back At USTR Bias Claim

LIC Hits Back At USTR Bias Claim

Rediff.com   5 Apr 2025

LIC said USTR's views are based on an incomplete understanding of Indian insurance regulation and LIC's functioning.

USTR Report Intensifies Trade Tensions With India

USTR Report Intensifies Trade Tensions With India

Rediff.com   2 Apr 2025

The US Trade Representative noted that India's average applied tariff rate stood at 17% per cent, the highest of any major world economy.

Motor Insurance Growth Slows Amid Weak Vehicle Sales

Motor Insurance Growth Slows Amid Weak Vehicle Sales

Rediff.com   2 Apr 2025

'The slowdown in motor insurance premium growth is due to slower growth in vehicle sales. Also, there has been minimal hike in third-party rates in the past three years which is affecting the growth rate of third-party premiums.'

Terrorism Premiums To Drop 15% From April 1

Terrorism Premiums To Drop 15% From April 1

Rediff.com   31 Mar 2025

'India has not faced a major terrorism loss since the Mumbai terrorist attacks in 2008.'

1 In 5 Super Rich Indians Plans To Move Abroad

1 In 5 Super Rich Indians Plans To Move Abroad

Rediff.com   27 Mar 2025

These super-rich Indians intend to reside in their chosen host country permanently while retaining their Indian citizenship.

Regulations should safeguard, not stifle: RBI Guv Sanjay Malhotra

Regulations should safeguard, not stifle: RBI Guv Sanjay Malhotra

Rediff.com   27 Mar 2025

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra on Wednesday said regulations should not create unintended barriers to financial inclusion while emphasising that the impact of regulations on individuals and businesses should be considered.

Allianz to explore new avenues in India after exit from Bajaj JVs

Allianz to explore new avenues in India after exit from Bajaj JVs

Rediff.com   26 Mar 2025

Munich-based Allianz will explore new opportunities in the Indian insurance market not only as an investor but also as an operator, the company told Business Standard on Tuesday. "India will continue to be one of Allianz's main growth markets, and Allianz will explore new opportunities to further grow its participation in the Indian insurance market in the future, not only as an investor but also as an operator," the company said.

Credit-deposit growth gap widens amid tight liquidity, shows RBI data

Credit-deposit growth gap widens amid tight liquidity, shows RBI data

Rediff.com   22 Mar 2025

Banking credit in the economy grew by 11.1 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) in the fortnight ended March 7, while deposits grew at 10.2 per cent during the same period, which is a gap of around 90 basis points (bps), according to the latest data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Citi is keen to allocate more global roles to India

Citi is keen to allocate more global roles to India

Rediff.com   20 Mar 2025

US-based Citigroup is likely to allocate more global roles to India than to any other centre it operates in due to the country's strong talent pool, said Jane Fraser, chief executive officer of Citigroup, on Wednesday in an interaction with CNBC-TV18. Fraser also expressed confidence that India will remain the world's fastest-growing economy.

Religare Enterprises begins governance review of firm, subsidiaries

Religare Enterprises begins governance review of firm, subsidiaries

Rediff.com   18 Mar 2025

Religare Enterprises Ltd (REL) on Monday notified the exchanges that its Board has commissioned a governance review of REL and its subsidiaries - Religare Finvest and Religare Housing Development Finance. Additionally, the Board has decided to approach the new promoters, the Burman Group, for immediate funding support to sustain operations of the company.

Meet India's first private reinsurer

Meet India's first private reinsurer

Rediff.com   15 Mar 2025

In Debasish Panda's last board meeting as chairperson of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai), the regulator approved the "R2" licence for Kamlesh Goyal and Prem Watsa-backed Value Attics Reinsurance, making it the first private-sector Indian reinsurer after GIC Re, the public-sector reinsurer. "The authority reviewed and approved the R2 application of Value Attics Reinsurance, making it the first private-sector reinsurer after GIC Re, the public-sector reinsurer.

Why health insurance premium growth is in slow lane

Why health insurance premium growth is in slow lane

Rediff.com   11 Mar 2025

Health insurance premium growth has slowed after touching record highs during the Covid-19 pandemic due to tapering demand from retail consumers amid affordability issues. According to General Insurance Council data, health insurance premiums grew by 10.44 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) in the Apr-Jan period of FY25 in comparison with 20.79 per cent in the year-ago period. It was around 23.57 per cent in FY23, and 25.89 per cent in FY22.

An insurer can now effectively manage market volatility

An insurer can now effectively manage market volatility

Rediff.com   10 Mar 2025

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India's (Irdai's) decision to allow insurers to hedge risks through equity derivatives will help them manage market volatility and protect policyholder returns. However, this move is unlikely to alter their investment strategies.

RBI's Sanjay Malhotra is a Governor with a difference!

RBI's Sanjay Malhotra is a Governor with a difference!

Rediff.com   10 Mar 2025

Since Sanjay Malhotra took office as governor in December, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has adopted a more accommodative stance, which bodes well for banking and the economy as they navigate a growth slowdown, according to analysts.

'Insurance companies will need more capital'

'Insurance companies will need more capital'

Rediff.com   3 Mar 2025

'I now see rates rising again, particularly after recent losses - especially the January wildfires in Los Angeles.'

'How Will I Survive Without My Monthly Withdrawals?'

'How Will I Survive Without My Monthly Withdrawals?'

Rediff.com   24 Feb 2025

'I don't know when I will be able to access those funds.'

Kotak Mahindra Bank's margins to improve after ban removal: Brokerages

Kotak Mahindra Bank's margins to improve after ban removal: Brokerages

Rediff.com   21 Feb 2025

Kotak Mahindra Bank's net interest margin is likely to swell after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lifted its restrictions on the private lender that barred it from issuing fresh credit cards and onboarding new customers through digital mode, brokerages said on Thursday. The bank's net interest margin (NIM) has seen a decline of over 35 basis points (bps) since the restrictions were imposed by the regulator in April 2024.

Should depositors put money in co-operative banks?

Should depositors put money in co-operative banks?

Rediff.com   18 Feb 2025

The co-operative banking sector is well regulated, and a few cases of restrictions being imposed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) should not paint a negative picture of the entire sector, said Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) secretary Ajay Seth on Monday. "Co-operative banks in the country are generally quite robust, and the RBI takes regulatory action whenever issues arise.