Subrata Panda, Aathira Varier

Stories by Subrata Panda, Aathira Varier

India Inc meeting capex need with own cash, says SBI chief C S Setty

India Inc meeting capex need with own cash, says SBI chief C S Setty

Rediff.com   26 Aug 2025

India Inc, which is sitting on cash balances of 13.5 trillion, is using the funds to meet capital expenditure as well as brownfield expansion, resulting in 'anaemic' demand for bank loans, State Bank of India (SBI) chairman CS Setty said at an event on Monday. He added that a slowdown in corporate credit is mainly due to lack of demand.

'Banca channel key to achieve insurance for all'

'Banca channel key to achieve insurance for all'

Rediff.com   23 Aug 2025

'The kind of reach it has with so many bank branches even in the remotest part of the country, it is one channel which will play a very important role in vision of insurance for all.'

Record Rs 474 Cr Insurance Cover For Ganesh Mandal

Record Rs 474 Cr Insurance Cover For Ganesh Mandal

Rediff.com   19 Aug 2025

Of the Rs 474.4 crore insurance cover, the largest component -- Rs 375 crore -- has been allocated towards personal accident cover for volunteers.

Insurers hopeful of reduction in GST on health, life premiums

Insurers hopeful of reduction in GST on health, life premiums

Rediff.com   16 Aug 2025

The life and non-life insurance industries are hopeful of a reduction in the goods and services tax (GST) on health and life insurance premiums, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his speech on Friday, announced GST relaxations aimed at providing relief to ordinary citizens, farmers, the middle class, and the small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector.

ICICI revises minimum balance requirement for new savings a/cs

ICICI revises minimum balance requirement for new savings a/cs

Rediff.com   14 Aug 2025

ICICI Bank has reversed its decision to raise the minimum monthly average balance (MAB) for new savings accounts in metro and urban locations to Rs 50,000, revising it instead to Rs 15,000, effective August 1. The MAB for new savings accounts in semi-urban locations has been revised from Rs 25,000 to Rs 7,500, and for rural locations from Rs 10,000 to Rs 2,500.

When Workplace Stress Turns Deadly

When Workplace Stress Turns Deadly

Rediff.com   13 Aug 2025

At times, this stress reaches a tipping point, resulting in tragedy. 'Organisations need to empower their people managers to foster psychological safety, where employees feel seen, heard, and supported -- not just as professionals, but as people navigating the pressures of work and life.'

'Yes Bank's Commercial Banking Segment Would Grow'

'Yes Bank's Commercial Banking Segment Would Grow'

Rediff.com   12 Aug 2025

'MIB which is a part of retail, will grow in the range of 20 per cent.'

Renewal of life insurers' policies, after 1 year, declines in June quarter

Renewal of life insurers' policies, after 1 year, declines in June quarter

Rediff.com   11 Aug 2025

The 13th-month persistency rate of life insurers - an important metric indicating the retention of new policies - declined in the first quarter of 2025-26 (Q1FY26). This fall was primarily driven by a lower share of high-value policies, following taxation changes implemented in April 2023.

No infra bond issuances in FY26

No infra bond issuances in FY26

Rediff.com   26 Jul 2025

Infrastructure bonds, which were relied upon the most in 2024-25 (FY25) by commercial banks to raise funds through the domestic debt capital market amid lagging deposit growth, seem to have lost their sheen in FY26. So far in FY26, no bank has tapped the domestic debt capital market to raise funds via infra bonds, and the expectation is that the amount raised through this route will be significantly lower than that last year, unless credit demand picks up.

Irdai proposes internal ombudsman to address claims up to Rs 50 lakh

Irdai proposes internal ombudsman to address claims up to Rs 50 lakh

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2025

The Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority of India (Irdai) on Wednesday proposed setting up an internal insurance ombudsman for insurance companies -- except reinsurers-- with over three years of operation, to address unresolved complaints. The ombudsman will have power to hear complaints for claims up to Rs 50 lakhs.

'India is fastest growing market for SME segment'

'India is fastest growing market for SME segment'

Rediff.com   21 Jul 2025

'India is a big market for StanC, and it is also fastest growing economy in the world.'

Axis Bank Q1 net profit down 4% on rise in slippages, provisions

Axis Bank Q1 net profit down 4% on rise in slippages, provisions

Rediff.com   18 Jul 2025

In Q1FY26, the bank reported fresh slippages of 8,200 crore, up 71 per cent Y-o-Y and sequentially. Of this, 7,500 crore is from the retail segment.

Compensation Assured for Crash Victims

Compensation Assured for Crash Victims

Rediff.com   14 Jul 2025

The only case where there could be a change in insurance payout is if Air India's management were found to be aware of the accident and the accident was deliberate.

'Future Generali always wanted to outgrow the industry'

'Future Generali always wanted to outgrow the industry'

Rediff.com   12 Jul 2025

'This will be our first large-size bank partner, and hence, the partnership will be a game-changer for us.'

Govt urges banks to close inoperative Jan Dhan accounts

Govt urges banks to close inoperative Jan Dhan accounts

Rediff.com   7 Jul 2025

State-owned banks have received guidance from the government to close Jan Dhan accounts whose beneficiaries are unwilling to keep them active, amid rising instances of such accounts being misused by fraudsters as mule accounts to defraud people, people aware of the development said.

Need to shift from fortnightly to real-time credit reporting: RBI DG

Need to shift from fortnightly to real-time credit reporting: RBI DG

Rediff.com   3 Jul 2025

There is a need for real-time or near real-time credit reporting, instead of the current fortnightly system, to improve underwriting precision, enable timely reflection of borrower actions such as loan closures or repayments, and deliver a superior consumer experience, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), M Rajeshwar Rao said on Wednesday.

AI 171 Crash: Insurance Cost: $475 Million

AI 171 Crash: Insurance Cost: $475 Million

Rediff.com   1 Jul 2025

'$125 million for the hull and the remaining of over $350 million for liability.'

Mishaps push up helicopter insurance premiums

Mishaps push up helicopter insurance premiums

Rediff.com   27 Jun 2025

Additionally, rates in the aviation sector are also expected to increase due to huge claim outgo in the Air India crash.

$150 Million Insurance Claims Loom After AI 171 Crash

$150 Million Insurance Claims Loom After AI 171 Crash

Rediff.com   23 Jun 2025

The claims will include three kinds of liabilities: Damage to the aircraft; loss of lives who were aboard the aircraft; including the crew members; and third-party liability because of loss of lives where the aircraft crashed; and cargo liability.

'The demand for health insurance is fine'

'The demand for health insurance is fine'

Rediff.com   22 Jun 2025

'The retail industry is still growing in double digits.'