News for 'Micro Finance'

Why it's curtains at SKS for Suresh Gurumani

Why it's curtains at SKS for Suresh Gurumani

Rediff.com8 Oct 2010

Gurumani have been roundly criticised for booking eye-popping profits on share sales of exercised options.

RBI may be allowed to cut SLR below 25%

RBI may be allowed to cut SLR below 25%

Rediff.com17 Jan 2007

The government on Wednesday said the ordinance seeking to empower Reserve Bank to cut Statutory Liquidity Ratio below 25 per cent is expected to be brought in by this month-end or early February.

Yunus files appeal against HC verdict

Yunus files appeal against HC verdict

Rediff.com9 Mar 2011

Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus today filed an appeal against the Bangladesh High Court verdict upholding his dismissal from the Grameen Bank, in a final bid to retain his position as head of the pioneering micro-finance agency he founded nearly three decades ago.

Nokia dials rural India

Nokia dials rural India

Rediff.com26 Jun 2008

"The company plans to come up with internet-based services for the rural market soon," Nokia Corporation President and CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo told reporters in New Delhi. The company would also introduce these services in its mid-level mobile devices as well. The Finland-based company is looking at micro finance as a major initiative to increase mobile penetration in India from the current 26 per cent.

First microfinance IPO turns staff into millionaires

First microfinance IPO turns staff into millionaires

Rediff.com23 Aug 2010

A week after SKS Microfinance was listed on BSE, many of the employees are finding themselves in the league of millionaires.

Monthly stipend of Rs 10,000 for management fellow

Monthly stipend of Rs 10,000 for management fellow

Rediff.com26 Sep 2005

The Institute of Rural Management, Anand, invites applications for its Fellow Programme in Rural Management.

NBFC business has to hit the reset button after RBI strengthens norms

NBFC business has to hit the reset button after RBI strengthens norms

Rediff.com11 Dec 2023

"We will raise Rs 300 crore via bonds of two-, three- and five-year tenures. This will be our maiden bond issuance and is part of our effort to widen funding sources," says Vimal Bhandari, executive vice-chairman and chief executive officer (CEO), Arka Fincap. The firm, a subsidiary of Kirloskar Oil, is only five years old and small (assets of around Rs 5,000 crore with an "AA" rating), but the response to this float will be closely watched: It would be the first by a non-banking finance company (NBFC) after Mint Road upped the risk weights on bank exposures to them by 25 percentage points. The move by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has caught NBFCs off guard even though the issue had been flagged by Governor Shaktikanta Das with their corner-room occupants (and that of banks) in July and August 2023 - on consumer credit and the dependency on bank borrowings.

FM rejects tax sops for MFIs

FM rejects tax sops for MFIs

Rediff.com20 Jan 2005

Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday ruled out changes in tax laws for micro-finance institutions and allowing foreign equity in the sector, but kept options open for a separate fund for them.

What will Nabard do with Rs 500 cr?

What will Nabard do with Rs 500 cr?

Rediff.com28 Mar 2007

At the end of the day what counts is that Nabard has been rewarded with the management of another Rs 500 crore

No blanket waiver for farmers: Rahul

No blanket waiver for farmers: Rahul

Rediff.com28 Mar 2008

Interacting with farmers in Gadak district of Karnataka, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi said he is opposed to blanket waiver on farm loans, as it could prove 'destructive for the system'. He called for strengthening micro-finance and credit lending systems as a remedy to farmers' problems. Gandhi stressed on rural excellence and indigenous knowledge to guide the country to a better agrarian situation. He stressed on micro-finance systems & grass-root political units.

FMC may get autonomy in Act amendment

FMC may get autonomy in Act amendment

Rediff.com22 Feb 2007

In an effort to boost commodity trading in the country, the much-awaited amendments to the Forward Contract and Regulations Act of 1952 will happen during the Budget session of the Parliament.

Yunus meets Pranab, Rahul Gandhi

Yunus meets Pranab, Rahul Gandhi

Rediff.com31 Jan 2007

Nobel Laureate and chief architect of Grameen Bank Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh had 45-minute meeting with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Wednesday during which the two discussed micro-financing activity in Bangladesh and India.

Embrace small credit: Yunus tells India Inc

Embrace small credit: Yunus tells India Inc

Rediff.com30 Jan 2007

Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus asked the Indian industry on Tuesday to get into micro-finance activities and the government to enable a legal framework for promotion of 'social business' in the country.

You might soon buy gold at post offices

You might soon buy gold at post offices

Rediff.com15 Jan 2008

The World Gold Council initiates micro-finance scheme to promote investments by low-income groups.

Pfizer grants Rs 1 cr for Tsunami victims

Pfizer grants Rs 1 cr for Tsunami victims

Rediff.com24 Nov 2005

Pharmaceutical major Pfizer and World Vision India on Thursday announced a grant of Rs 1 crore (Rs 10 million) under an economic rehabilitation programme for Tsunami affected communities, which WVI will extend as micro-finance development loans.

Bain to buy 90% stake in Adani Capital and Adani Housing for Rs 1,600 cr

Bain to buy 90% stake in Adani Capital and Adani Housing for Rs 1,600 cr

Rediff.com24 Jul 2023

The Adani group has exited the financial services business by selling its entire 90 per cent stake in Adani Capital and Adani Housing to private equity (PE) firm Bain Capital for Rs 1,440 crore. The total valuation of the Adani financial services business stands at Rs 1,600 crore. Gaurav Gupta, managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Adani firms will hold the rest of the stake.

Investment norms for pension

Investment norms for pension

Rediff.com3 Sep 2005

How merger with Gruh Finance helps Bandhan

How merger with Gruh Finance helps Bandhan

Rediff.com13 Jan 2019

The two entities' combined distribution network would comprise 4,182 banking outlets and 476 ATMs across 34 states and Union territories of India, with more than 31,000 employees serving about 15 million customers across the country.

RBI is protectionist: British trade minister

RBI is protectionist: British trade minister

Rediff.com17 Jan 2008

Stanchart's plan for 100 rural branches stuck.

Union Bank to empower hawkers

Union Bank to empower hawkers

Rediff.com17 Aug 2007

Union Bank of India will bring banking services to the doorsteps of over 2.5 lakh hawkers in Mumbai by partnering with their association and FINO Fintec, a micro finance institution.

Briton shot in Kabul

Briton shot in Kabul

Rediff.com8 Mar 2005

'Steven MacQueen, who was working for the [Afghan] Ministry of Rural Development and Rehabilitation, was killed last night,' British embassy press officer Colin Ball said.

Indian economy to grow at 8%: World Bank

Indian economy to grow at 8%: World Bank

Rediff.com5 Dec 2005

World Bank on Monday said it expects Indian economy to grow by 8 per cent this fiscal but asked the government to open up more sectors for foreign direct investment, encourage private sector participation and improve infrastructure.

Mutual funds plan distinguished new fund offerings for FY24

Mutual funds plan distinguished new fund offerings for FY24

Rediff.com10 Apr 2023

Mutual funds (MFs) are lining up distinguished new fund offerings (NFOs) for the next financial year to win over investors after a lukewarm response to product launches in the 2022-23 financial year (FY23). NFOs drew a lukewarm response in FY23 as launches were mostly in the passive debt space, which has a comparatively lower popularity among retail investors. The limited launches in equity space also failed to rake in huge sums due to subdued investor sentiments in a volatile market.

Bandhan gets fresh equity, awaits RBI's final licence

Bandhan gets fresh equity, awaits RBI's final licence

Rediff.com11 May 2015

Bandhan has got fresh equity infusion of Rs 1,020 crore.

'What kind of jobs are you talking about?'

'What kind of jobs are you talking about?'

Rediff.com31 Mar 2022

'On the road, you see only youth in Swiggy, Big Basket and Zomato uniforms.' 'Just now, I had a delivery from Amazon, and do you know what his qualification was? He was an engineering graduate!' 'The Ola driver who took me to the airport had an MCom degree. 'Where is the match between education and employment?'

Manmohan vs Modi Debate: India Is The Loser

Manmohan vs Modi Debate: India Is The Loser

Rediff.com19 Feb 2024

False and acrimonious debates such as Modi versus Manmohan might allow for victories that are political and partisan. But the real loser is the nation, India and Bharat, notes Arvind Subramanian, former chief economic advisor to the Modi government in its first term.

Fintechs may shift to secure products after RBI order on consumer loans

Fintechs may shift to secure products after RBI order on consumer loans

Rediff.com23 Nov 2023

Fintech companies believe that the impact of Reserve Bank of India's order last week on unsecured loans will be visible in six to 12 months and prompt them to diversify and strengthen their secured portfolio. Fintechs which source funds through banks or non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) are looking at quickly building their secured portfolio options to at least 40 per cent of their total portfolio. "Over the medium to long term, as part of our product strategy, we are evaluating secured products which can be enabled over a digital platform" said Yogi Sadana, the founder of Zype, a lending-focussed fintech.

Is The Rally In Small And Microcap Stocks Sustainable?

Is The Rally In Small And Microcap Stocks Sustainable?

Rediff.com28 Sep 2023

While the corporate sector has benefited from massive capital expenditure, leading to sky-rocketing stock prices, investors would do well to keep an eye on the macroeconomic picture and government finances, not just corporate profits, for signs of trouble, alerts Debashis Basu.

MFI profitability hit by note ban, says ICRA report

MFI profitability hit by note ban, says ICRA report

Rediff.com27 Jan 2017

Collection dived to 75-80% in November-December from 99% after demonetisation.

Kick-start likely for finance SEZs in Budget

Kick-start likely for finance SEZs in Budget

Rediff.com19 Feb 2015

Finance firms in these SEZs likely to get tax breaks.

Shah gets Home, Rajnath Defence; Finance with Nirmala

Shah gets Home, Rajnath Defence; Finance with Nirmala

Rediff.com1 Jun 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will retain DoPT, Atomic Energy as well as all important policy issues and portfolios not allocated.

'Crypto is serious threat to financial stability'

'Crypto is serious threat to financial stability'

Rediff.com11 Mar 2024

'To the believers of crypto regulations, I have only one question to ask, how will you regulate it?'

Digital Loan Apps: Boon Or Bane?

Digital Loan Apps: Boon Or Bane?

Rediff.com18 Jan 2024

For the time being, digital lending remains a grey area, notes Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Credit card payments on foreign tours to attract TCS

Credit card payments on foreign tours to attract TCS

Rediff.com24 Mar 2023

Credit card payments for foreign travel will be brought under the purview of the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) of the Reserve Bank, to ensure that such expenses do not escape TCS (Tax Collection at Source). While moving the Finance Bill 2023 for consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha on Friday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Reserve Bank has been asked to look into ways to bring credit card payments on foreign tours under the LRS. "It has been represented that payments for foreign tours through a credit card are not being captured under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) and such payments escape tax collection at source (TCS)," she said.

Debit card usage slow for three years and UPI transactions up 428%

Debit card usage slow for three years and UPI transactions up 428%

Rediff.com11 Sep 2023

Debit card payments remained sluggish due to the surge in digital transactions after the pandemic, and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has emerged as the most popular mode of money transfer, particularly for small value transactions, according to RBI data. In July 2020, the total debit card spends stood at Rs 2.81 trillion, as compared to Rs 3.15 trillion in July 2023, reflecting a growth of 11.96 per cent. UPI spends have seen a whopping growth of 428 per cent, zooming from Rs 2.90 trillion to Rs 15.33 trillion during the same period, the data revealed.

HDFC Bank gets six months to move HDFC clients to external benchmark

HDFC Bank gets six months to move HDFC clients to external benchmark

Rediff.com12 Jul 2023

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given HDFC Bank six months to migrate HDFC's home loan customers to external benchmark linked lending rate (EBLR), top sources in the bank told Business Standard. Almost half of HDFC's 5.4 million customers are home loan customers. It is mandatory for banks to link retail loans and loans to micro, medium and small enterprises to an external benchmark. Non-banking financial companies do not have such a mandate.

Abolish service tax on micro-insurance

Abolish service tax on micro-insurance

Rediff.com24 Feb 2011

A critical step in this direction would be the abolishment of service tax on micro-insurance in order to encourage and increase penetration of insurance.

G20 Summit: Startups hope Delhi Declaration to help ease capital access

G20 Summit: Startups hope Delhi Declaration to help ease capital access

Rediff.com11 Sep 2023

The Indian startup ecosystem has lauded the inclusion of startups in the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration for the first time ever in the history of G20. Industry stakeholders say that the move will lead to easier access to capital, reduce regulatory hurdles, and may revive funding activity. The Declaration, through the Startup20 initiative, recognised startups as "natural engines of growth" and key to socio-economic transformation by driving innovation and creating employment.

MFIs should not throw caution to wind, warns RBI

MFIs should not throw caution to wind, warns RBI

Rediff.com27 Oct 2021

Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor M Rajeshwar Rao on Wednesday said while the central bank will foster growth in the microfinance (MFI) sector, the lenders in the space should not throw caution to the wind to achieve higher asset growth and returns. MFIs should not try to mimic the strategies of mainstream finance, as those serving the microfinance borrowers have a greater need to balance the social objectives with their lending operations, he said.