News for 'Micro Finance'

Why Do Banks Hide Losses?

Why Do Banks Hide Losses?

Rediff.com21 Mar 2023

Believe it or not, the regulator is even stretching its arm to identify stressed borrowers and gauge the 'distance to default' as a measure of a particular bank's fragility, reveals Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Survey pegs 2024 economic growth at 6.5%

Survey pegs 2024 economic growth at 6.5%

Rediff.com31 Jan 2023

India's economy is projected to slow to 6.5 per cent in the fiscal year starting April but will remain the fastest growing major economy in the world as it fared better in dealing with the extraordinary set of challenges the globe has faced, the Economic Survey 2022-23 said on Tuesday. India's gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 6.5 per cent in 2023-24 compares with an estimated 7 per cent expansion in current fiscal year (April 2022 to March 2023) and 8.7 per cent in the previous year. Like the rest of the world, India too faced an extraordinary set of challenges in tightening financial conditions and supply chain disruptions from a prolonged war in Europe but "withstood them better than most economies", the annual document detailing the state of the economy said.

Jan Dhan Yojana turns 6, has 40 crore beneficiaries, says govt

Jan Dhan Yojana turns 6, has 40 crore beneficiaries, says govt

Rediff.com28 Aug 2020

"The PMJDY has been the foundation stone for the Modi government's people-centric economic initiatives. "Whether it is direct benefit transfers, Covid-19 financial assistance, PM-KISAN, increased wages under MGNREGA, life and health insurance cover, the first step was to provide every adult with a bank account, which PMJDY has nearly completed," Nirmala Sitharaman said on the sixth anniversary of the scheme.

Lessons For Banks To Learn From SVB Collapse

Lessons For Banks To Learn From SVB Collapse

Rediff.com5 Apr 2023

The difference between what the banks play in the US and India is not that of soccer and football but rugby and football. SVB also has a unique character. But when risks are mispriced, the fallout could be very similar, points out Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

PM announces higher aid for rain-affected farmers

PM announces higher aid for rain-affected farmers

Rediff.com8 Apr 2015

Farmers have suffered a lot on account of natural calamities.

Education can be affordable... This Delhi school proves it

Education can be affordable... This Delhi school proves it

Rediff.com5 Sep 2018

Sunshine Schools are looking to attract interest from members of the urban 'aspirational' class -- vegetable vendors, security guards, drivers, etc -- who cannot afford the fees charged by budget private schools.

PM asks bankers to ensure stable credit growth

PM asks bankers to ensure stable credit growth

Rediff.com30 Jul 2020

During a three-hour long virtual meeting with CEOs of large public and private sector banks along with heads of NBFCs, the prime minister assured them that the government is ready to take all steps to support the financial sector.

India's unabated tryst with Russian crude oil is slowly coming to an end

India's unabated tryst with Russian crude oil is slowly coming to an end

Rediff.com2 May 2023

India's unabated tryst with Russian crude oil is slowly coming to an end. The time has come for Indian refiners to navigate, creatively, the choppy waters of the post-honeymoon period, and for Indian policymakers to take cognisance of the broader impact on India from the spillover of the Russian crisis - after Washington's warning to transgressors last week. Shipments from Russia to India have averaged over 1.8 million barrels a day since February, according to data from Paris-based market analytics firm Kpler. But much of the crude shipped to India was non-sanctioned because it traded below a price cap set by the US led G-7 nations in December.

Why it makes sense for banks to lend to MSMEs

Why it makes sense for banks to lend to MSMEs

Rediff.com19 May 2020

'In times of recovery, we may see a rural-urban divide with the urban pockets affected more by COVID-19, but the MFI business model should encourage banks to handhold them in this hour of crisis,' notes Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Sitharaman asks banks to be more customer-friendly

Sitharaman asks banks to be more customer-friendly

Rediff.com21 Feb 2022

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said banks need to focus more on being customer-friendly so that the process of availing credit becomes more hassle-free for borrowers. However, the minister made it clear that banks do not have to be lenient on credit underwriting standards by taking any adverse risks on a proposal. At a meeting between industry representatives and the finance minister, a startup founder in the baking business suggested for credit to be available hassle-free, to which largest lender SBI's chairman Dinesh Kumar Khara said a startup's worries are more on the equity side and assured full support in lending if sufficient equity is on the table.

'Perhaps they want MSMEs to die'

'Perhaps they want MSMEs to die'

Rediff.com24 Mar 2022

'The finance minister said, the MSME is the backbone of the economy. My question is, what have you done for the sector?'

'India needs insurers catering to niche sectors like NBFCs, MFIs'

'India needs insurers catering to niche sectors like NBFCs, MFIs'

Rediff.com23 Dec 2022

India has a huge untapped population which doesn't have facilities for financial aid and insurance, and it is perhaps plausible to look at the option of having niche players catering to smaller sectors akin to non-banks and microfinance institutions in lending, said Rakesh Joshi, member (Finance & Investment), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai). Speaking at the Business Standard BFSI Insight Summit, Joshi said, "Today, most of our insurance companies operate at a national level. There is arguably a case for having differentiated operations, which cater to niche sectors the same way we have non-banking financial companies (NBFC) and microfinance institutions in lending." "The capital requirement for niche players may not be as large as those having national ambitions. "Enabling these niche players, which require lower capital, will enhance the penetration in areas which hitherto had not seen traction from large players," he said.

How govt will judge the performance of PSUs

How govt will judge the performance of PSUs

Rediff.com11 May 2022

The number of times public sector undertakings (PSUs) have held conference calls with investors, their capital management, and debt financing are among the parameters that the Centre will use to judge their performance for the first time, a senior official in the know said. The government will evaluate PSUs for FY22 based on new parameters that were finalised by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) in consultation with the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) last year, the official said. The government had included more conditions in the memorandum of understandings (MoUs) - used to set annual targets - that public sector enterprises sign with the DPE every year. These included a consistent dividend policy, which seeks to transfer dividends by PSUs every quarter; and market capitalisation or share price improvement over the sectoral index on an annual average basis for listed companies.

Privatisation of PSBs gets bankers' thumbs up

Privatisation of PSBs gets bankers' thumbs up

Rediff.com22 Dec 2022

Exuding confidence in sustaining the tempo of credit growth, public sector bankers said on Wednesday that consolidation in the public sector bank (PSB) space has given them a robust base to scale. The privatisation of PSBs can be done through divestment of government stake to a wider base of investors without haste. There is nothing to worry about at this point (high credit offtake) as underwriting standards and risk management are much better.

FM offers Rs 1.63 lakh cr for agri, allied sectors

FM offers Rs 1.63 lakh cr for agri, allied sectors

Rediff.com16 May 2020

Sitharaman also announced Rs 10,000 crore fund to support 2 lakh micro food enterprises for promoting health and wellness, herbal, organic and nutritional products.

RBI may cut rates by 75 bps in FY21: Fitch Solutions

RBI may cut rates by 75 bps in FY21: Fitch Solutions

Rediff.com21 Apr 2020

The disruptions caused by COVID-19 have more severely impacted small and mid-sized corporates, including NBFCs and MFIs, in terms of access to liquidity.

Smartphone sales fall 30% in top 50 Indian cities

Smartphone sales fall 30% in top 50 Indian cities

Rediff.com24 Jan 2017

Demonetisation impacted the smartphone market at almost all levels, including customer demand and stock movement in distribution channels.

Sitharaman unveils new Covid recovery package, expands credit relief

Sitharaman unveils new Covid recovery package, expands credit relief

Rediff.com28 Jun 2021

To help revive the economy battered by COVID-19, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday announced a slew of measures, including Rs 1.1 lakh crore credit guarantee scheme for improving health infrastructure, and enhancing the limit under the ECLGS by 50 per cent to Rs 4.5 lakh crore for the MSME sector facing liquidity crunch. Sharing the details of stimulus package, the finance minister said this comprises eight relief measures and other eight measures to support the economic growth. She announced Rs 1.1 lakh crore loan guarantee scheme for COVID-affected sectors, including health sector, which includes guarantee cover for expansion or for new projects. Besides, she said, additional Rs 1.5 lakh crore limit enhancement done for Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) scheme.

FM readies roadmap to boost infrastructure spending

FM readies roadmap to boost infrastructure spending

Rediff.com11 Jun 2021

Finance Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday asked various ministries to try to spend more than their capital expenditure targets as well as explore public private partnerships for viable projects. During a meeting with senior government officials to discuss the infrastructure roadmap, she also urged the ministries and their CPSEs to ensure clearance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) dues at the earliest. This was the fifth review meeting by the finance minister with ministries and departments on the infrastructure roadmap.

Bandhan Bank still waiting for RBI guidelines on meeting promoter holding norms

Bandhan Bank still waiting for RBI guidelines on meeting promoter holding norms

Rediff.com17 Aug 2018

RBI's licensing norms require a bank to bring down promoter holding to 40 % within 3 years of operation - which, for Bandhan Bank, will be by Aug 23

Final norms on small, payments banks by November: RBI

Final norms on small, payments banks by November: RBI

Rediff.com30 Sep 2014

Draft guidelines for Small Banks and Payments Banks were issued by the RBI in July and comments were invited till August 28.

Sitharaman and Das: Like Dhoni and Jadeja

Sitharaman and Das: Like Dhoni and Jadeja

Rediff.com7 Jan 2022

When it comes to running between the wickets -- which is exactly what an FM and a governor do -- Jadeja always defers to Dhoni's larger judgement of the situation and the needs of the team, observes T C A Srinivasa-Raghavan.

A 'billionloans' for small businesses

A 'billionloans' for small businesses

Rediff.com16 Mar 2017

Ayan Pramanik reports on former Infosys CFO V Balakrishnan's fintech firm, which aims to make borrowing easy for small firms and individuals.

Analysts welcome bank licences for Bandhan, IDFC

Analysts welcome bank licences for Bandhan, IDFC

Rediff.com2 Apr 2014

Analysts on Wednesday welcomed the Reserve Bank's decision to grant bank licences to Bandhan and IDFC, but expressed dismay that only two of the over two dozen aspirants made the cut.

Sitharaman unveils Rs 6 lakh cr stimulus, more to follow

Sitharaman unveils Rs 6 lakh cr stimulus, more to follow

Rediff.com13 May 2020

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday announced Rs 3 lakh crore collateral free automatic loan for businesses, including MSMEs, to benefit 45 lakh small businesses. Detailing parts of the Rs 20 lakh crore economic stimulus package, she said this loan will have a 4-year tenure and will have 12-month moratorium, she said.

Tata Power inks pact with Rockefeller Foundation to light up Bharat

Tata Power inks pact with Rockefeller Foundation to light up Bharat

Rediff.com5 Nov 2019

Tata Power will target 10,000 micro grids across India, for which it has formed a company, TP Renewable Microgrid.

Not eyeing tie-ups to start Bandhan Bank: Ghosh

Not eyeing tie-ups to start Bandhan Bank: Ghosh

Rediff.com7 Apr 2014

Bandhan financial Services will raise funds via internal accruals.

'It's a 6/10 Budget'

'It's a 6/10 Budget'

Rediff.com4 Feb 2022

'The most important expenditure in the Budget that indicates employment generation is infrastructure.'

Expect Another Rate Hike In December

Expect Another Rate Hike In December

Rediff.com14 Oct 2022

Probably 35 bps. There could be even an encore in February 2023 to take the policy rate to 6.5% before the financial year ends, predicts Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

India to become world's fastest growing economy: FinMin report

India to become world's fastest growing economy: FinMin report

Rediff.com10 Nov 2021

Armed with necessary macro and micro growth drivers, India is on its way to becoming the fastest growing major economy in the world, a finance ministry report said. Rapid vaccination and teeming festivities will push India's ongoing recovery resulting in narrowing of demand-supply mismatches and greater employment opportunities, as per the monthly Economic Review prepared by the ministry.

Exporters demand fiscal incentives, credit at affordable rates in Budget

Exporters demand fiscal incentives, credit at affordable rates in Budget

Rediff.com24 Nov 2022

Exporters on Thursday demanded fiscal incentives, tweaking in customs duties on certain products and credit at affordable rates in the forthcoming Budget to boost exports and create jobs. In a pre-budget virtual meeting with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) said the depreciation of the rupee against the US dollar is affecting exports' competitiveness and the sector requires more support. "Creation of employment is the biggest challenge faced by the country...We would urge the government to provide fiscal support to units which provide additional employment in the export sector," the exporter's body said.

Finmin reimposes spending curbs on ministries, depts for Q2

Finmin reimposes spending curbs on ministries, depts for Q2

Rediff.com1 Jul 2021

The finance ministry on Wednesday reimposed expenditure curbs on ministries and government departments for July-September quarter. There will be no spending restrictions on the ministries of health, rural development, agriculture, MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) and railways as part of a two-pronged strategy. "The existing guidelines for expenditure control have been reviewed. "Keeping in view the evolving situation arising out of Covid-19 and anticipated cash position of the government, it is felt essential to regulate Quarterly Expenditure Plan (QEP)/Monthly Expenditure Plan (MEP) of specific ministries/departments for July-September, 2021," the Department of Economic Affairs in the finance ministry said in a notification.

How small banks will boost financial literacy

How small banks will boost financial literacy

Rediff.com22 Sep 2015

Even today, many MFIs already distribute pension and micro insurance products to low-income households.

'Now is the true test of the SIP cycle'

'Now is the true test of the SIP cycle'

Rediff.com15 Jan 2019

'This is the first time we will see how SIP investors react to market correction.'

Rs 81,781 cr dished out by banks in 9-day loan mela

Rs 81,781 cr dished out by banks in 9-day loan mela

Rediff.com14 Oct 2019

Further, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the banks have sufficient liquidity, and efforts are being made to ensure that due payments are released to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector by large corporates.

Pandemic has IFC pumping $1.7 bn in India

Pandemic has IFC pumping $1.7 bn in India

Rediff.com17 Aug 2021

The pandemic has led to the International Finance Corporation massively ramping up its impact investment in the country - its largest client nation globally - at $1.7 billion as of June, a 51 per cent rise over the past 12 months, the largest developmental lender into third world private sector said on Tuesday. This is nearly half of its investment in the whole of South Asia since the pandemic, which touched $3.8 billion as of June 2021, it said. "Our total commitment to India, which is our largest client country globally, at the end of June stood at $1.7 billion representing an increase of over 51 per cent from last year," IFC vice-president for Asia and the Pacific region Alfonso Garcia Mora said in a statement.

Taken An SBI Loan, But Not Repaid It?

Taken An SBI Loan, But Not Repaid It?

Rediff.com6 Jun 2022

There are loans to salaried people where the borrower is employed, but has failed to make repayment. Such loans would be identified and sold in a pool to ARCs.

RBI loan moratorium: 'Which bank will refuse?'

RBI loan moratorium: 'Which bank will refuse?'

Rediff.com27 Mar 2020

How will the RBI announcement on loan moratorium work for those with home loans, auto loans, personal loans, consumer durables loan? Here's what experts have to say.

No plan to print currency notes to tide over crisis: Sitharaman

No plan to print currency notes to tide over crisis: Sitharaman

Rediff.com26 Jul 2021

The government has no plan to print currency notes to tide over the current economic crisis triggered by the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed Parliament on Monday. To a question on whether there is any plan to print currency to tide over the crisis, the finance minister said, "No Sir". Many economists and experts have suggested to the government to print more currency notes to tide over the difficult economic situation with a view to support the economy ravaged by the spread of COVID-19, and protect jobs.

Highlights of Union Budget 2022-23

Highlights of Union Budget 2022-23

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents her fourth Budget in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.