News for 'India Lends'

Sitharaman urges banks to make loans affordable

Sitharaman urges banks to make loans affordable

Rediff.com18 Nov 2024

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said people are finding current interest rates "very stressful" and urged banks to make them affordable. Speaking at an event organised by State Bank of India, the finance minister said that at present, India requires industry to ramp up and invest in new facilities, and added that lowering lending rates can help achieve the "Viksit Bharat" aspiration.

2025: Top 10 Stocks To Watch Out

2025: Top 10 Stocks To Watch Out

Rediff.com2 Jan 2025

These 10 stocks represent the best mix of value and growth, offering relatively low price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios, a high return on equity, and sufficiently high potential from current levels.

Budget: Why exporters are seeking Rs 750 cr from Sitharaman

Budget: Why exporters are seeking Rs 750 cr from Sitharaman

Rediff.com26 Dec 2024

Exporters on Thursday sought a fund of Rs 750 crore for three years to tap USD 25 billion export potential in the US, aiming to seize potential opportunities that may arise as the US President-elect, Donald Trump, has threatened to impose high tariffs on Chinese goods. In its pre-Budget meeting with the finance ministry, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President Ashwani Kumar has also demanded extension of the five per cent Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES).

PSBs prepare to open AT-1, Tier-2 bond floodgates

PSBs prepare to open AT-1, Tier-2 bond floodgates

Rediff.com3 Dec 2024

Public sector banks (PSBs) have proposed the Finance Ministry their plan to raise Rs 54,800 crore through Additional Tier-1 (AT-1) and Tier-2 bonds in the current financial year (FY25), 37 per cent more than the Rs 39,880 crore raised in FY24

Burmans vs Gaekwad: Who will manage to acquire Religare Enterprise?

Burmans vs Gaekwad: Who will manage to acquire Religare Enterprise?

Rediff.com27 Jan 2025

The race to acquire diversified fintech firm Religare Enterprise Limited (REL) intensified as Dabur group promoters, the Burman family, said it was going ahead with the open offer on Monday and claimed that the counter offer made by US-based businessman Digvijay Gaekwad wasn't valid and will not stand scrutiny of market regulator Sebi. The Burman family claimed that the competing offer falls outside the 15-day window stipulated by the Sebi takeover code, following their initial offer on October 4th, 2023.

'RBI Not Overly Concerned About GDP'

'RBI Not Overly Concerned About GDP'

Rediff.com6 Dec 2024

'The central bank has highlighted that the slowdown in growth has been limited to a few sectors and overall growth is expected to pick up in the second half of the year.'

Interest rate cut at this stage could be premature, risky: RBI Guv

Interest rate cut at this stage could be premature, risky: RBI Guv

Rediff.com18 Oct 2024

Reserve Bank Governor Shaktikanta Das on Friday said that this stage would have been "premature" and "very very risky" as the retail inflation is still high, and future monetary policy action would depend upon the income data and outlook. Earlier this month, the RBI continued to maintain the status quo in the short-term lending interest rate (repo), citing inflationary concerns, though it changed the monetary policy stance to neutral.

After UPI and ULI, banks to set up Unified Recovery Interface

After UPI and ULI, banks to set up Unified Recovery Interface

Rediff.com9 Sep 2024

Eying benefits from digital banking, lenders are now looking at building Unified Recovery Interface (URI) for enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and getting good prices for properties of defaulters. This would be managed by PSB Alliance Ltd, a company set up by all public sector banks in the country. M V Rao, chairman, Indian Banks' Association (IBA), said: "Till now we had Unified Payments Interface (UPI), a product developed by National Payments Corporation Ltd (NPCI).

The Man Who Loves India

The Man Who Loves India

Rediff.com9 Apr 2024

Popular YouTuber Khalid Al Ameri has a few confessions to make and Abhishek Mande Bhot is most willing to lend an ear.

Digital lending set to become a $1 trillion business in India

Digital lending set to become a $1 trillion business in India

Rediff.com8 Aug 2018

India's huge digital prowess and potential will play a huge role in enabling digital lending, says Romita Majumdar.

FPI flows stumble on trail, edge closer to precipice

FPI flows stumble on trail, edge closer to precipice

Rediff.com18 Nov 2024

After a brutal selloff since October, foreign portfolio investor (FPI) flows for the year-to-date (YTD) in 2024 have turned negative. In early September, YTD FPI investments peaked at a record Rs 22,000 crore ($2.6 billion). This wave of selling has also pulled down benchmark indices, with the Nifty's YTD returns declining to 11 per cent from their high of 21 per cent in September.

The ambitious plans of Flipkart-backed super.money

The ambitious plans of Flipkart-backed super.money

Rediff.com17 Dec 2024

Flipkart-backed super.money is on an expansion spree and plans to expand its range of offerings in credit and wealth management after launching its operations in July this year. The Bengaluru-based fintech company is on track to roll out credit products such as credit on Unified Payments Interface (UPI), unsecured credit cards, and personal loans within the first half of the next calendar year (2025).

RBI recognises FACE as fintech SRO

RBI recognises FACE as fintech SRO

Rediff.com29 Aug 2024

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recognised the Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment (FACE) as a self-regulatory organisation (SRO) in the fintech sector, the central bank announced on Wednesday. The banking regulator received three applications for fintech SRO. Of the remaining two applications, one has been returned by the RBI with a provision for resubmission after meeting specific requirements, while the third application is still under examination, said Governor Shaktikanta Das at the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai.

Paralympic Stars Shine Bright

Paralympic Stars Shine Bright

Rediff.com2 Oct 2024

The evening was graced by the presence of Paralympic athletes Navdeep Singh and Avani Lekhara, whose inspiring achievements have brought immense pride to the nation.

RBI bars Navi Finserv, 3 other NBFCs from extending loans

RBI bars Navi Finserv, 3 other NBFCs from extending loans

Rediff.com18 Oct 2024

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has barred four non-banking finance companies (NBFCs), including two microfinance institutions (MFIs), from sanctioning and disbursing loans for charging exorbitant interest rates to the borrowers. These four entities are Asirvad Microfinance, Arohan Financial Services (also an MFI), DMI Finance, which provides personal, consumption, and micro, small and medium enterprises loans, and Flipkart co-founder Sachin Bansal's Navi Finserv, which offers home and personal loans. The ban will take effect on October 21 to "facilitate closure of transactions in the pipeline", the regulator said in a statement.

Why SME players are a worried lot today

Why SME players are a worried lot today

Rediff.com28 Nov 2024

Of the total 199 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) listed this year so far, 22 had an issue size of less than Rs 10 crore, which the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) will no longer allow in the listed ecosystem after its recent consultation paper. The market regulator on Tuesday proposed an overhaul of the rules governing the initial public offerings (IPOs) of SMEs and corporate governance norms for listed SMEs, following concerns over 'systemic risk' seen in the ecosystem with instances of fund diversion and price manipulation.

Inflation soars to 14-month high of 6.2% in Oct

Inflation soars to 14-month high of 6.2% in Oct

Rediff.com12 Nov 2024

Retail inflation breached the Reserve Bank's upper tolerance level, soaring to a 14-month high of 6.21 per cent in October mainly on account of rising food prices. Inflation based on the consumer price index (CPI) was 5.49 per cent in September and 4.87 per cent in the year-ago month. Retail inflation trended below the RBI's upper tolerance band of 6 per cent since September last year.

PSBs clocked 11% growth in H1FY25

PSBs clocked 11% growth in H1FY25

Rediff.com13 Nov 2024

The Union Finance Ministry on Tuesday said that aggregate business of public sector banks (PSBs) has shown strong growth of 11 per cent in the first half of the financial year 2024-25 (H1FY25) to touch Rs 236 trillion. The operating and net profit were also robust. At Rs 1.5 trillion, operating profit grew by 14.4 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) while the net profit saw an impressive 25.6 per cent jump at Rs 85,520 crore in the first half of FY25.

SBI hikes lending rate by 0.1%, EMIs to go up

SBI hikes lending rate by 0.1%, EMIs to go up

Rediff.com16 May 2022

The country's largest lender State Bank of India has raised its marginal cost of funds based lending rate by 10 basis points or 0.1 per cent across all tenures, a move that will lead to an increase in EMIs for borrowers. This is the second hike in a month raising the cost by 0.2 per cent with the two consecutive increases. The revision follows an off-cycle rate increase by the Reserve Bank earlier this month. The central bank hiked the repo rate -- at which it lends short term money to banks -- by 0.40 per cent to 4.40 per cent.

SBI eyes Rs 10K cr via infra bond

SBI eyes Rs 10K cr via infra bond

Rediff.com20 Nov 2024

State Bank of India (SBI), India's largest lender, is looking to raise Rs 10,000 crore through 15-year infrastructure bonds as early as next week, said multiple sources aware of the development. Market participants expect a coupon in the range of 7.15-7.18 per cent for SBI's upcoming infrastructure bond issuance. This comes as demand for longer-tenor papers has remained strong in recent domestic capital market offerings.

'When the market is good, you have to capitalise on it'

'When the market is good, you have to capitalise on it'

Rediff.com29 Nov 2024

'Within India, people want high-quality, personalised banking services, and the demand for such services has exploded.'

Shubman's injury a jolt: Ganguly sounds alarm bells

Shubman's injury a jolt: Ganguly sounds alarm bells

Rediff.com19 Nov 2024

Shubman Gill's thumb fracture is certainly a "jolt" for India ahead of the series opener against Australia

'India Is A Stock Picker's Delight'

'India Is A Stock Picker's Delight'

Rediff.com9 Aug 2024

'In the short term you keep your return expectations very, very low; in the medium term be prepared to invest and in the long term growth will come and your returns from stocks will be high.'

Malayalee From India Review: Timed Right

Malayalee From India Review: Timed Right

Rediff.com8 Jul 2024

Malayalee From India is trapped within its self-serving corniness and refuses to break free in the process, observes Arjun Menon.

Is This The New Celeb Makeup Trick?

Is This The New Celeb Makeup Trick?

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

Like the stars, cast magic with blue and purple iridescent eye shadow.

Banks led by SBI hike lending rate by 50 bps after RBI raises policy rate

Banks led by SBI hike lending rate by 50 bps after RBI raises policy rate

Rediff.com30 Sep 2022

Host of lenders led by State Bank of India (SBI) and Bank of India hiked lending rates after the Reserve Bank raised the benchmark interest rate to tame inflation. The hike has been effected in their benchmark rate linked to the repo rate, which increased by half a percentage point to 5.9 per cent. Even financial institutions like mortgage lender HDFC Ltd hiked the lending rate by 50 basis points effective Saturday.

My Top Films Of 2024

My Top Films Of 2024

Rediff.com23 Dec 2024

Despite the mediocrity at large, these films had me in raptures for the emotions they evoked within as a cheering audience, critic and cinephile.

Citadel: Honey Bunny: Varun-Sam Fire Up Guns & Stunts

Citadel: Honey Bunny: Varun-Sam Fire Up Guns & Stunts

Rediff.com16 Oct 2024

Varun and Samantha's electric chemistry remains the highlight amid all that action, making for a trustworthy team that will not disappoint, says Mayur Sanap.

Loans to get more expensive as banks hike lending rates

Loans to get more expensive as banks hike lending rates

Rediff.com10 Jun 2022

A day after the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) Monetary Policy Committee hiked the policy repo rate by 50 basis points (bps), several commercial banks, including ICICI Bank and Bank of Baroda, raised their external benchmark-linked loan rates by an equal amount on Thursday. HDFC, the country's largest mortgage lender, too, increased its interest rates on housing loans by another 50 bps. In total, it has raised rates by 85 bps since May 4, when the RBI had increased the repo rate by 40 bps in an off-cycle meeting.

Should You Invest In NBFC Bonds?

Should You Invest In NBFC Bonds?

Rediff.com23 Sep 2024

When evaluating bonds, returns shouldn't be the sole factor. Pay close attention to the bond's credit rating. It should ideally be AA or higher.

RBI to Hold Rates Steady at 6.50%

RBI to Hold Rates Steady at 6.50%

Rediff.com29 Nov 2024

'The RBI's MPC will maintain the current policy rates (6.50%) at the policy meeting, given ongoing inflationary pressures.'

Credit cards get a festive boost, spending increases 25% in Sep

Credit cards get a festive boost, spending increases 25% in Sep

Rediff.com30 Oct 2024

Credit card spending in September recorded strong growth of 25 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y), marking the highest increase in six months. Even as many banks saw higher slippages during the July-September quarter of 2024-25, spending growth exceeded 20 per cent for the first time since February. According to the latest data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), September spending reached Rs 1.76 trillion, compared to Rs 1.42 trillion in the same period a year ago. In August 2024, credit card spending was Rs 1.68 trillion.

'Who Does Not Want To Be Prime Minister?'

'Who Does Not Want To Be Prime Minister?'

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

'We are going to need more technical people in government.' 'You can't expect a generalist to understand the complicated world of financial engineering.' 'I regret to say that most of our politicians have no competence to deal with these things. Nor is there a willingness to learn.'

'For digital lending, trust is important'

'For digital lending, trust is important'

Rediff.com19 Nov 2021

'The digital trust level has drastically gone up due to Covid, not only in tier-I and II cities, but also in tier-III, IV and V geographies,'

Bad Bank. Good Intention. Bad Lending

Bad Bank. Good Intention. Bad Lending

Rediff.com9 Nov 2021

Rogue lending under political influence was rife in the Congress-led regime and is not happening in the Modi regime, certainly not on that scale. But if PSBs cannot lend as indiscriminately as they did last time in the name of 'credit expansion', how well will these banks do, asks Debashis Basu.

'We want to create an all-weather franchise'

'We want to create an all-weather franchise'

Rediff.com10 Dec 2024

'We have seen something do very well when the times are good but maybe not as well when the times are bad.'

Credit card delinquencies rise even as retail credit growth moderates

Credit card delinquencies rise even as retail credit growth moderates

Rediff.com24 Sep 2024

Balance-level delinquencies in the credit card segment saw a 17 basis points (bps) year-on-year (Y-o-Y) rise in the quarter ending June 2024 (Q1FY25). In all other credit segments, including personal loans, delinquencies declined even as retail credit growth moderated, consequent to banks tightening the supply of credit to the unsecured segments, a report by TransUnion CIBIL said on Monday. Data shows that balance-level delinquencies, measured in terms of 90 days or more past due, in the credit card segment stood at 1.8 per cent in Q1FY25- highest among all other credit segments.

Murad steps in for Shakib in crucial South Africa Test

Murad steps in for Shakib in crucial South Africa Test

Rediff.com18 Oct 2024

Shakib had earlier said he was almost certain he will not return home for a farewell Test following public anger over his silence during deadly protests in the country.

'Absurd': India counters China's claim over Arunachal

'Absurd': India counters China's claim over Arunachal

Rediff.com19 Mar 2024

"Repeating baseless arguments in this regard does not lend such claims any validity. Arunachal Pradesh was, is and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India. Its people will continue to benefit from our development programmes and infrastructure projects," he said.

Congress Backs Nitish As INDIA Convenor

Congress Backs Nitish As INDIA Convenor

Rediff.com5 Jan 2024

Sources within the INDIA bloc said appointing Nitish Kumar as convenor would lend credibility to the INDIA bloc's demand for conducting a nationwide caste census.