News for 'Reserve Bank of India'

Changes to banking laws have a consumer tilt

Changes to banking laws have a consumer tilt

Rediff.com12 Aug 2024

Better protection for depositors and investors was one of the chief considerations in Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introducing, on Friday, the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha to amend four pieces of legislation. This amendment is also to improve audit quality in public-sector banks (PSBs), offer consistency in reporting by banks to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and provide for an increase in the tenure of directors in cooperative banks.

Got Excess Funds in Bank Accounts?

Got Excess Funds in Bank Accounts?

Rediff.com10 Jul 2024

Keeping surplus money in a bank account has become perilous, alerts Harsh Roongta.

Gold loan offtake stays strong amid retail loan moderation in January

Gold loan offtake stays strong amid retail loan moderation in January

Rediff.com1 Mar 2025

The gold loan portfolio of banks continued to show strong off-take with 76 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth in January 2025 amid moderation in retail credit - especially in the unsecured credit segment - following increase in risk weights in November 2023. The gold loan pool had grown 17.4 per cent Y-o-Y in January 2024.

'Payment banks' micro-lending to significantly impact economy'

'Payment banks' micro-lending to significantly impact economy'

Rediff.com12 Jun 2024

'The transition from payment banks to SFBs is only permissible for banks not owned by corporate entities.'

Gold demand in India saw 5% rise at 802.8 tonnes in 2024

Gold demand in India saw 5% rise at 802.8 tonnes in 2024

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

Gold demand in India witnessed a 5 per cent on-year rise at 802.8 tonnes in 2024 supported by reduction in import duty, and purchases related to weddings and festivals, and going ahead consumption of the yellow metal in 2025 is likely to be between 700-800 tonnes, according to the the World Gold Council. The World Gold Council (WGC) in a report on Wednesday said gold demand in the country in 2024 stood at 802.8 tonnes, as against 761 tonnes in 2023.

Lessons For Start Ups From UPI Success Story

Lessons For Start Ups From UPI Success Story

Rediff.com14 Apr 2025

Isn't there something significant in the UPI example for all of us to learn from and execute to enable world-scale success for our startups?, asks Ajit Balakrishnan.

Rs 45 Bn Scam: ED Launches Searches

Rs 45 Bn Scam: ED Launches Searches

Rediff.com4 Mar 2025

The Enforcement Directorate said on Monday that it had conducted search operations at four locations in Mumbai and Delhi as part of its money laundering investigation into an alleged Rs 4,500 crore (Rs 45 billion) fraud by Pancard Clubs Limited and others, in which more than 5 million investors have been duped.

RBI proposes to tighten banks' LCR norms, releases draft guidelines

RBI proposes to tighten banks' LCR norms, releases draft guidelines

Rediff.com26 Jul 2024

In view of the rising number of mobile and internet banking users, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed to tighten norms related to the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) by increasing the run-off factor for retail deposits. "Banking has undergone rapid transformation in recent years. "While increased usage of technology has facilitated the ability to make instantaneous bank transfers and withdrawals, it has also led to a concomitant increase in risks, requiring proactive management," the RBI said in the draft guidelines released on Thursday.

Trump Tariffs: How Must India Respond?

Trump Tariffs: How Must India Respond?

Rediff.com12 Mar 2025

India should convert the Trump threat to an India opportunity, re-embracing a more liberal trade regime as a way of reviving manufacturing output and exports.

Forex reserves rise by $1.85 billion to $595.05 billion

Forex reserves rise by $1.85 billion to $595.05 billion

Rediff.com7 Jul 2023

India's foreign exchange reserves rose by $1.85 billion to $595.05 billion in the week ended on June 30, the Reserve Bank of India said on Friday. The overall reserve had dropped by $2.90 billion to $593.20 billion in the previous reporting week. In October 2021, the country's forex reserve had reached an all-time high of $645 billion.

Review Tax Regime, Plan Investments

Review Tax Regime, Plan Investments

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

Review your family emergency fund and replenish it if needed. Revisit financial goals to see if there is any change in timeline or the corpus required.

RBI cuts rate by 25 bps to 6%; home, auto loans to get cheaper

RBI cuts rate by 25 bps to 6%; home, auto loans to get cheaper

Rediff.com9 Apr 2025

The RBI on Wednesday slashed key interest rate by 25 basis points, for the second time in a row, to support a shuttering economy hit by reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US. Following the rate cut, the key policy rate eased to 6 per cent providing relief to home, auto and corporate loan borrowers.

Rupee REER declines in Dec after Nov peak

Rupee REER declines in Dec after Nov peak

Rediff.com20 Jan 2025

The Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) of the rupee moderated in December to 107.20 after hitting a peak of 108.14 in November, latest data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) showed. The REER was 103.66 in January 2024. The rupee depreciated around 3 per cent against the dollar in 2024.

Crypto assets can negatively impact financial stability, says RBI report

Crypto assets can negatively impact financial stability, says RBI report

Rediff.com31 Dec 2024

Widespread use of crypto assets, including stablecoins, can have a negative impact on the macroeconomic and financial stability of a country, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said on Monday. In its Financial Stability Report (FSR), the banking regulator highlighted that excessive use of crypto assets can reduce effectiveness of monetary policy, worsen fiscal risks, circumvent capital flow management measures, divert resources available for financing the real economy and threaten global financial stability.

Banks turn cautious on lending to smaller microfinance players

Banks turn cautious on lending to smaller microfinance players

Rediff.com8 Jul 2024

Commercial banks have turned cautious in lending to smaller microfinance institutions (MFIs), which has compelled the latter to borrow from non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) at much higher rates. Recently Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor M Rajeshwar Rao slammed micro lenders for increasing their margins "disproportionately" and said these lenders were quick to pass on the increased cost to the borrowers but reluctant to pass on the benefits under the new regime, where margins are not capped.

Going local for global: Bharat Global Ports to test waters at home first

Going local for global: Bharat Global Ports to test waters at home first

Rediff.com31 Mar 2025

The government is looking to give Bharat Global Ports a certain amount of domestic exposure after it set up the state-owned consortium to increase India's global maritime heft, officials aware of the development said. The intended domestic exposure is meant to give the consortium experience and build its credentials for international projects.

IIHL completes acquisition of Reliance Capital

IIHL completes acquisition of Reliance Capital

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

IndusInd International Holdings chairman Ashok Hinduja on Tuesday announced the acquisition of Reliance Capital, completing the three-year-long resolution process of the debt-ridden company. IndusInd International Holdings Ltd (IIHL) has transferred the bid amount to the escrow account of the lender, and the takeover of the management from the Administrator will happen on Wednesday.

Forex reserves drop $2.9 bn to $593.19 billion

Forex reserves drop $2.9 bn to $593.19 billion

Rediff.com30 Jun 2023

India's forex reserves dropped $2.901 billion to $593.19 billion in the week ended June 23, the Reserve Bank said on Friday. The overall reserves increased by $2.35 billion to $596 in the previous reporting week. It can be noted that in October 2021, the country's forex kitty had reached an all-time high of $645 billion.

Finance Secretary TK Pandey is new Sebi chairman

Finance Secretary TK Pandey is new Sebi chairman

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

The Indian government has appointed Finance Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey as the new chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Pandey, a 1987-batch IAS officer, will replace Madhabi Puri Buch, whose three-year tenure ends on February 28. Pandey's appointment comes at a time when the markets are experiencing bear pressure due to withdrawals by foreign institutional investors (FIIs). Pandey has extensive experience in the finance ministry, having served as the longest-serving secretary in the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) and the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE). He also played a key role in the framing of the 2025-26 Budget and the drafting of the new Income Tax Bill. Pandey's appointment is for an initial period of three years.

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

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

Rediff.com10 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.

It's back to the drawing board for payment banks

It's back to the drawing board for payment banks

Rediff.com15 Mar 2024

RBI's exercise will take into account standards of governance, the viability of the payment bank (PB) business model, and changes, if any, if needed.

Forex reserves rise $1.23 billion to $596.28 billion

Forex reserves rise $1.23 billion to $596.28 billion

Rediff.com14 Jul 2023

India's foreign exchange reserves jumped $1.23 billion to $596.28 billion in the week ended July 7, the Reserve Bank of India said on Friday. In the previous reporting week, the overall forex reserves increased $1.85 billion to $595.05 billion. In October 2021, the country's forex kitty had reached an all-time high of $645 billion.

Vijay Shekhar Sharma steps down as Paytm Payments Bank chairman

Vijay Shekhar Sharma steps down as Paytm Payments Bank chairman

Rediff.com26 Feb 2024

Vijay Shekhar Sharma has stepped down as part-time non-executive Chairman of Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL), and the board of the bank has been reconstituted. The Reserve Bank has barred the PPBL from accepting deposits and credits from any customer post-March 15 for persistent non-compliances and continued material supervisory concerns in the bank. PPBL has reconstituted its Board of Directors with the appointment of Ex-Central Bank of India chairman Srinivasan Sridhar, retired IAS officer Debendranath Sarangi, former executive director of Bank of Baroda Ashok Kumar Garg, and former IAS officer Rajni Sekhri Sibal, Paytm said in a regulatory filing on Monday.

Fresh capex by India Inc will fuel next leg of growth: RBI bulletin

Fresh capex by India Inc will fuel next leg of growth: RBI bulletin

Rediff.com20 Feb 2024

The Indian economy continues to sustain the momentum achieved in the first half of 2023-24 and expectations of a fresh round of capex by the corporate sector is likely to fuel the next leg of growth, the Reserve Bank Bulletin said on Tuesday. "The likelihood of the global economy exhibiting stronger than expected growth in 2024 has brightened in recent months, with risks broadly balanced," said an article on 'State of the Economy' published in the bulletin.

What fintechs must do to scale up presence of e

What fintechs must do to scale up presence of e

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

Non-banking entities such as fintech firms will have to tap into use cases beyond peer-to-peer (P2P) and peer-to-merchant (P2M) transactions to scale up the presence of the retail version of the central bank digital currency (CBDC), which is also known as the e, said industry players. These use cases will enable programmable transactions across domains, including the government's direct benefit transfer (DBT) schemes, with subsidies restricted to specific purposes such as food coupons, hospital bills, fertilisers, pesticides, and cross-border remittances.

Forex reserves jump $5.9 bn to $595 bn

Forex reserves jump $5.9 bn to $595 bn

Rediff.com9 Jun 2023

India's forex kitty jumped $5.929 billion to $595.07 billion for the week ended June 2, the Reserve Bank said on Friday. The reserves had dropped for two consecutive weeks and declined by $4.34 billion to $589.14 billion in the previous reporting week. It can be noted that in October 2021, the country's forex kitty had reached an all-time high of $645 billion.

RBI sees 'sequential pickup in economic activity'

RBI sees 'sequential pickup in economic activity'

Rediff.com19 Feb 2025

High frequency indicators, like vehicles sales, air traffic, steel consumption and GST E-way bills, point towards a sequential pickup in momentum of economic activity during the second half of the fiscal 2024-25 and sustain moving forward, RBI Bulletin said on Wednesday. However, a strong dollar, driven by US economic resilience and trade policy pivots, could exacerbate capital outflows from emerging economies, push risk premiums higher, and intensify external vulnerabilities, said an article on 'State of the Economy' published in RBI's February bulletin.

RBI to conduct daily variable rate repo auctions to infuse liquidity

RBI to conduct daily variable rate repo auctions to infuse liquidity

Rediff.com16 Jan 2025

In a first, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that it will conduct daily variable rate repo (VRR) auctions on all working days in Mumbai, until further notice. The daily auctions, aimed at easing the current liquidity tightness in the banking system, will begin on Friday, with a notified amount of Rs 50,000 crore.

Crypto use suspected in terrorism, secessionist activities: FIU report

Crypto use suspected in terrorism, secessionist activities: FIU report

Rediff.com13 Mar 2025

A trends study conducted by India's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has expressed suspicion that cryptocurrency is being used across the country in serious criminal acts like terrorist financing, fuelling secessionist activities, cybercrime, narcotics trafficking, illegal betting and gambling. The report, which was based on suspicious transaction reports and operational analysis, shared these trends and credible intelligence with law enforcement agencies.

Talent Crunch Affects Bank's Cybersecurity Plans

Talent Crunch Affects Bank's Cybersecurity Plans

Rediff.com14 Dec 2023

'We are also conducting ongoing training and grooming at the branch level to pre-empt such cyberattacks.'

Paytm Payments Bank MD and CEO Surinder Chawla quits

Paytm Payments Bank MD and CEO Surinder Chawla quits

Rediff.com9 Apr 2024

Beleaguered Paytm Payments Bank's managing director and CEO Surinder Chawla has resigned from the company, a regulatory filing said on Tuesday. Chawla's resignation comes amidst Paytm Payments Bank facing prohibitory action from banking regulator RBI. "Surinder Chawla, managing director and CEO of PPBL, has tendered his resignation on April 8, 2024, on account of personal reasons and to explore better career prospects.

India's forex kitty jumps to all-time high of $645.58 bn

India's forex kitty jumps to all-time high of $645.58 bn

Rediff.com6 Apr 2024

India's foreign exchange reserves increased $2.95 billion to $645.58 billion for the week ended March 29, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said on Friday. This is the sixth consecutive week of a jump in overall reserves. The kitty had increased $140 million to $642.63 billion in the previous reporting week.

Trade war may fuel inflation: RBI bulletin

Trade war may fuel inflation: RBI bulletin

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

Escalating trade tensions amid a tariff war after Donald Trump took over as President of the United States (US) could adversely impact global growth and fuel inflation, an article on the "State of the Economy" in the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) monthly bulletin said.

India's forex kitty drops $2.28 bn to $640.33 bn

India's forex kitty drops $2.28 bn to $640.33 bn

Rediff.com26 Apr 2024

India's forex reserves decreased $2.282 billion to $640.33 billion for the seven days ended April 19 in the second consecutive week of drop in the kitty, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said on Friday. The reserves had dropped $5.40 billion to $643.16 billion in the previous reporting week, ending a multi-week trend of an increase, which also saw the overall reserves touching a new all-time high of $$648.56 billion for the week ended April 5.

How To Invest In Debt Funds Now

How To Invest In Debt Funds Now

Rediff.com25 Apr 2025

With the RBI infusing Rs 7.5 lakh crore in liquidity -- and possibly more in the future -- the short- to medium-term corporate bond market is expected to benefit.

SBI, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank remain systemically important banks: RBI

SBI, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank remain systemically important banks: RBI

Rediff.com2 Jan 2023

The RBI on Monday said state-owned SBI, along with private sector lenders ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank continue to be Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs) or institutions which are 'too big to fail'. SIBs are perceived as banks that are 'too big to fail (TBTF)'. This perception of TBTF creates an expectation of government support for these lenders in times of distress.

Growth Or Inflation? What Will RBI Gov Tackle?

Growth Or Inflation? What Will RBI Gov Tackle?

Rediff.com11 Dec 2024

Sanjay Malhotra takes charge as the 26th RBI governor at a time when headline retail inflation has shot up to 6.2%.

CBI raids 7 places in Rs 350-cr crypto ponzi scam, seizes digital evidence

CBI raids 7 places in Rs 350-cr crypto ponzi scam, seizes digital evidence

Rediff.com24 Jan 2025

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted searches at seven locations across India in connection with a Rs 350 crore crypto ponzi scam. The accused, operating seven modules in different cities, allegedly lured investors with promises of high returns on cryptocurrency investments. The CBI seized digital virtual assets totaling USD 38,414 in cryptocurrency wallets, cash amounting to Rs 34.2 lakh, and digital evidence, including mobile phones, laptops, tablets, hard disks, and memory cards. The agency registered the case under the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act.

Regulations should safeguard, not stifle: RBI Guv Sanjay Malhotra

Regulations should safeguard, not stifle: RBI Guv Sanjay Malhotra

Rediff.com27 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.

Pak gets $1 bn as second tranche from IMF; budget under scanner

Pak gets $1 bn as second tranche from IMF; budget under scanner

Rediff.com14 May 2025

The disbursement of the second tranche comes on a day when the International Monetary Fund is holding virtual discussions on Pakistan's upcoming budget, as the visit of its mission to Islamabad was delayed due to security concerns in the region.