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Banks advised to link MSME loans to external benchmark by RBI: Govt

The Reserve Bank of India has directed banks to link MSME loans to an external benchmark with a three-month reset clause to improve monetary policy transmission. Existing borrowers can switch to this regime under mutually agreed terms.

Published on: December 14, 2025


SBI aims to double YONO app users to 20 cr in 2 years, plans significant investment: Chairman

State Bank of India is launching YONO 2.0, a new version of its mobile banking app. The bank aims to double its YONO user base to 20 crore customers within the next two years. This upgrade offers enhanced digital experiences and seamless integration across banking channels. SBI also anticipates strong credit growth driven by its RAM segment.

Published on: December 14, 2025


ADB approves $108 mn loan to Mizoram to strengthen public healthcare system

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $108 million results-based loan to support the Government of Mizoram in strengthening its public health care system and achieving universal health coverage.

Published on: December 14, 2025


Agentic AI transforms banks frontline sales, boosts productivity and revenue: Report

Agentic AI is revolutionizing frontline banking sales by automating complex workflows and administrative tasks. This technology enables relationship managers to focus on high-value client interactions, leading to significant revenue increases and cost reductions. Banks are adopting agentic AI as a new operating model for enhanced productivity and client engagement.

Published on: December 13, 2025


SBI passes RBI rate cut benefit to borrowers, reduces lending rate by 25 bps

State Bank of India and Indian Overseas Bank have reduced lending rates by 25 basis points, mirroring the RBI's policy rate cut. This move makes loans cheaper for existing and new borrowers, impacting EMIs for retail, MSME, and corporate clients. MCLR and Base Rate have also been lowered.

Published on: December 12, 2025


IRFC aims to cross loan sanction of Rs 60,000 crore in Q3

Outlining long-term strategic vision for the Navratna CPSE at its 40th Foundation Day, Dubey said this milestone signals the organisation's strong fundamentals, disciplined financial architecture and renewed strategic focus, setting the tone for the next phase of the company's growth story.

Published on: December 12, 2025


Credit demand climbs to 11.5% as deposits lag, RBI data shows

Credit demand is increasing across India. Banks are lending more to retail and service sectors. Industrial credit is also firming up. Deposit growth is steady but slower than last year. This trend is expected to continue with a repo rate reduction. Higher disposable income and GST rationalisation are also boosting demand. Rural demand remains robust, and urban demand is recovering.

Published on: December 12, 2025


Floodgates open: What 100% FDI means for insurance, you and India

India has approved 100% foreign direct investment in insurance sector, a significant reform aimed at boosting capital inflows and enhancing service quality. This move is expected to intensify competition, drive innovation, and expand insurance access to millions, strengthening financial inclusion and economic growth.

Published on: December 12, 2025


ESAF Small Finance Bank sells Rs 1700 cr bad loans to ARC for balance sheet clean-up

ESAF Small Finance Bank is offloading Rs 1700 crore in bad loans to asset reconstruction firms to improve its financial health. This move targets technically written-off accounts, with the bank holding a substantial 94% provision. The bank has faced consecutive net losses due to asset quality concerns and elevated credit costs, prompting this significant balance sheet cleanup.

Published on: December 12, 2025


Calibrated approach to be adopted for funding M&A: SBI Chairman

SBI will fund mergers and acquisitions with a careful strategy. The Reserve Bank has permitted banks to finance strategic equity stakes. SBI's approach will be risk-focused and collaborative. The bank is well-positioned to capitalise on opportunities.

Published on: December 12, 2025


Cabinet approves landmark reforms, including 100% FDI in insurance, atomic energy liberalisation

The Union Cabinet has approved major reforms. Foreign direct investment in insurance is now 100 percent. A new Higher Education Commission of India will be formed. The atomic energy sector is open for private companies. India and Oman signed a Free Trade Agreement. MGNREGA employment days have been revised. These steps aim to boost the economy.

Published on: December 12, 2025


India's PNB Housing Finance names Ajai Kumar Shukla as MD, CEO

PNB Housing Finance has appointed Ajai Kumar Shukla as its new managing director and CEO for a five-year term starting December 18. The move, which saw the company's shares rise 5%, comes as the affordable housing segment presents a more attractive market with higher yields and less competition.

Published on: December 12, 2025


India banks seek to double cap on merger finance as deals soar

Indian banks are seeking to increase their merger financing limits. Lenders want to raise the cap to 20% of core capital from 10%. This move aims to help them compete better in a growing deals market. The Reserve Bank of India is considering the proposal. This could allow Indian banks to win more business from global rivals.

Published on: December 12, 2025


Fairfax emerges as frontrunner to acquire government-LIC stake in IDBI Bank

Fairfax Financial seems poised to take the lead in acquiring a significant stake in IDBI Bank, with Kotak Mahindra Bank hot on its heels. As financial bids draw near, there’s speculation about a potential deadline extension. Fairfax is leaning towards a full cash offer amidst the government and LIC's plans to offload more than 60% of the bank's shares.

Published on: December 12, 2025


Despite the stress, big banks keep playing credit cards

Several mid-sized lenders, including Kotak Mahindra Bank, RBL Bank, and IndusInd Bank, are slowing new credit card issuances due to ongoing sector stress and a focus on cleaning up books. This contrasts with larger banks like HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, which continue aggressive portfolio expansion.

Published on: December 11, 2025


Kotak Bank eyes mid-market loans amid slow big-corp demand

Kotak Mahindra Bank is expanding its mid-market corporate loan book, targeting companies with ₹500 crore to ₹1,500 crore in turnover. This segment, which has grown over 35% compounded annually since its launch, is expected to see 20-25% growth over the next five years. The bank aims for this mid-market book to reach at least 20% of its total corporate portfolio.

Published on: December 11, 2025


RBI cancels 4 NBFCs' registration, 4 others surrender certificates

The Reserve Bank of India has taken significant regulatory steps by canceling the registrations of four non-banking financial companies, showing a firm approach to maintaining financial integrity. Alongside, four more NBFCs voluntarily surrendered their certificates as they chose to exit the market.

Published on: December 11, 2025


Lenders to MSME units face concentration risk

MSME lenders face significant concentration risk as a small fraction of borrowers holds over half of the total outstanding loans. Despite this, the sector's portfolio quality improved, with the share of loans at risk declining. Public sector banks lead in the micro segment, while private banks dominate small and medium enterprises.

Published on: December 11, 2025


RBI eases restrictions on cash credit accounts, eases current account norms

The Reserve Bank of India has lifted all restrictions on banks opening and maintaining cash credit accounts, offering greater flexibility for short-term working capital loans. Additionally, the central bank eased norms for current and overdraft accounts, allowing banks to maintain them without restriction for customers with exposures under 100 million rupees.

Published on: December 11, 2025


Public sector bank job exams get an overhaul , SBI results to come first

Bank exam rules: The Finance Ministry has revised the recruitment examination and result declaration timelines for public sector banks to streamline processes and enhance transparency. A new sequence will see SBI results announced first, followed by Nationalised Banks, and then Regional Rural Banks, aiming to reduce attrition and improve workforce planning.

Published on: December 11, 2025


JPMorgan set to open first new India branch in nearly a decade

JPMorgan Chase is poised to open its fourth branch in India, receiving in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India for a new location in Pune. This expansion, the first in nearly a decade, will serve corporate clients with a comprehensive range of financial products.

Published on: December 11, 2025


Fixed deposit growth finds its key driver in rural incomes

Savings deposits in rural centres also posted a robust 10% increase, the fastest pace in six quarters. Experts attribute this shift to rising rural incomes while growth in the metro areas appears to be losing momentum as financially savvy investors increasingly divert funds into higher-yielding avenues such as mutual funds and equities.

Published on: December 11, 2025


RBI talks to banks on uniform fee disclosure, removal of overlaps

The Reserve Bank of India is actively engaging with banks to bring consistency to service charge disclosures and eliminate duplicate fees. This initiative, which comes on the heels of state-run banks lifting penalties for not maintaining minimum average balances, seeks to simplify the charges presented to customers.

Published on: December 10, 2025


RBI wants MFIs to expand product base

The Reserve Bank of India is urging microfinance companies to diversify their lending beyond traditional group-based loans. Officials recommend exploring asset classes like inventory and capital asset financing to enhance stability and economic contribution. This push aims to move NBFC-MFIs from single-product offerings to comprehensive micro-enterprise finance solutions.

Published on: December 10, 2025


SBI MD flags concerns on Account Aggregator's single consent mechanism

SBI's Ashwini Kumar Tewari voiced worries about the Account Aggregator system. He highlighted that customers often give one consent for all financial services without fully grasping the details.

Published on: December 10, 2025


IndusInd Bank chairman Sunil Mehta to step down in January amid organisational overhaul, sources say

IndusInd Bank Chairman Sunil Mehta is expected to step down when his term ends in January, according to sources, amid ongoing leadership changes following major accounting and governance lapses. The bank recently posted its largest-ever quarterly loss after a $230 million hit linked to undisclosed issues in its derivatives portfolio — problems that also led to the exit of the former CEO and deputy CEO.

Published on: December 10, 2025


RBI wants groups to untie their NBFC knots

The Reserve Bank of India is urging large business groups to consolidate their non-banking finance and investment companies. This move aims to simplify structures for better risk assessment and regulatory oversight. Groups with multiple NBFCs, especially those with overlapping businesses, are being advised to merge entities.

Published on: December 9, 2025


Insurers seek Centre's nod for issuing FASTag stickers

Insurance companies have approached the Union government to join the Fastag system. They want to issue Fastag stickers, citing their role in a vehicle's life cycle. This move could benefit new-age general insurers, as vehicle insurance is a significant part of their business. Discussions are ongoing and in early stages.

Published on: December 9, 2025


RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra urges banks to use tech and trim costs in easing cycle

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra met bank chief executives, emphasizing that rate cuts and technology adoption should lower costs and boost efficiency for sustainable growth and financial inclusion. He also urged banks to enhance digital fraud safeguards and improve customer service by reducing grievances and strengthening internal systems.

Published on: December 9, 2025


Credit provided by capital markets will overtake bank credit: Kotak Mahindra AMC chief Nilesh Shah

Mutual fund credit is set to surpass bank credit. Nilesh Shah of Kotak Mahindra AMC predicts this shift. He urges Indians to invest wisely, moving away from unproductive habits. Radhika Gupta of Edelweiss Mutual Fund suggests incentives for early investment. A lock-in period could encourage long-term wealth creation for young investors.

Published on: December 9, 2025


Finance Ministry increases foreign investment limit in AU Small Finance Bank to 74%

The Finance Ministry has raised the foreign investment cap in AU Small Finance Bank to 74% from 49%, requiring prior approval for FDI. This move aims to provide ample room for foreign investment through permissible channels. Foreign portfolio investors held 34.5% of the bank's shares as of September 30.

Published on: December 9, 2025


Abu Dhabi's IHC gets CCI nod to acquire stake in Sammaan Capital

India's fair trade watchdog, CCI, has greenlit Abu Dhabi's International Holding Company's acquisition of stakes in Sammaan Capital, a non-banking financial company. Additionally, CCI approved Schneider Electric SE's acquisition of stakes in its Indian subsidiaries from MacRitchie Investments. These approvals signal significant foreign investment and consolidation within India's financial and industrial sectors.

Published on: December 9, 2025


RBI's final guidelines for bank groups balance structural strengthening with biz flexibility: Crisil

RBI's final guidelines on financial services businesses of commercial banks have averted significant restructuring for 12 major bank groups, representing 55% of sectoral advances. The new rules allow for overlapping lending activities within these groups, subject to board approval, preventing disruption and enabling continued leveraging of group strengths.

Published on: December 9, 2025


Airpay receives RBI approval to operate as cross-border payment aggregator

Airpay Payment Services has received RBI approval to operate as a cross-border payment aggregator, completing its licences under the unified payment aggregator framework. This allows the company to handle online, offline, and international payments, positioning it as a full-stack payments provider for Indian enterprises and SMEs.

Published on: December 9, 2025


Piramal Finance clarifies after reports suggest talks with Keertana Finserv

​The clarification comes amid broader market speculation that Piramal Finance -- a non-deposit taking NBFC with ₹91,500 crore in assets under management (AUM) as of September -- is evaluating a push into the fast-growing gold loan segment.

Published on: December 9, 2025


Sahaj Insurance gets corporate agency licence from IRDAI, aims to sell 10 cr policies in 1st yr

Sahaj Insurance Services, a subsidiary of Sahaj Retail, plans to offer 10 crore insurance policies to rural India. These policies will be simple, affordable, and accessible through Sahaj Centres. Trained Sahaj Mitrs will assist with onboarding, support, and claims. The initiative aims to deepen financial inclusion by integrating government schemes.

Published on: December 9, 2025


IIFCL's $500-m ECB oversubscribed five times, at lowest cost

India Infrastructure Finance Co. Ltd. successfully raised $500 million through external commercial borrowing. The borrowing was oversubscribed five times, securing funds at the lowest cost for a 15-year term. This move strengthens IIFCL's capacity to finance crucial infrastructure projects across India.

Published on: December 8, 2025


General insurers log a premium November

India's general insurance sector experienced robust growth in November. Gross direct premium income surged by 24 percent year-on-year. This expansion was fueled by increased motor sales and a rebound in retail health insurance demand. Standalone health insurers and private multi-line insurers showed significant gains, outpacing public sector competitors.

Published on: December 8, 2025


Lawyers sit pretty as lenders come hunting

Banks and NBFCs have ramped up legal hires amid regulatory checks, rising deal flows & compliance demands.

Published on: December 8, 2025


Piramal Finance eyes Keertana for foray into gold loan segment

Piramal Finance is setting its sights on the lucrative gold loan sector. The company has proposed a buyout of Keertana Finserv, a specialized gold loan provider based in Hyderabad. Keertana Finserv, which is dedicated to gold loans, intends to fully transition away from microfinance by FY26.

Published on: December 8, 2025


ICICI Bank to maintain over 51% stake in all three of its listed entities: ED Sandeep Batra

ICICI Bank plans to keep over 51 percent ownership in its three listed companies. The bank will also increase its stake in ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company to 53 percent before its IPO. This move ensures ICICI Bank maintains control. Prudential's stake will decrease. ICICI Prudential AMC is the most profitable asset manager in India.

Published on: December 8, 2025


Indian and Asia Pacific banks maintain stronger capital than US and European peers: Moody's

Moody’s survey highlights that Asia-Pacific banks, including India’s, have stronger capital positions than peers in the US and Western Europe, supported by prudent regulatory oversight. Large Indian private banks, such as SBI, ICICI, HDFC, and Axis Bank, show high CET1 ratios (14.7–18%) and leverage due to strong internal capital generation and easy access to equity markets, outperforming government-owned peers.

Published on: December 8, 2025


Banks of Tomorrow: How Agentic AI will serve your banking needs before

Indian banks are embracing agentic AI, a new technology that uses intelligent agents to automate financial processes. This innovation promises to revolutionize banking by creating a digital workforce that handles tasks like customer onboarding and query resolution. The technology is feasible now and will significantly boost efficiency and customer service. This marks India's next major financial advancement.

Published on: December 8, 2025


General insurers November premium income up 24%

India’s general insurance industry saw strong growth in November, with Gross Direct Premium Income rising 24.1% year-on-year, driven by higher motor sales and increased retail health demand following the GST exemption. Standalone health insurers grew 35.8% YoY, while private multi-line insurers matched this momentum with 35.5% growth, far outperforming public-sector insurers, which saw a slight 0.4% decline.

Published on: December 8, 2025


Bajaj Finserv plans foray into pension, wealth management in '26

Next year, Bajaj Finserv is paving the way for a dynamic foray into pensions and wealth management, setting the stage for a robust financial future. With ambitions to list its insurance arms in the next four to five years, this strategy is a cornerstone of their ambitious five-year roadmap aimed at tripling revenue by FY30.

Published on: December 7, 2025


Banks unlikely to reduce deposit rates despite RBI easing

Following the latest repo rate decrease, bankers foresee only slight adjustments to deposit rates. The landscape, characterized by sluggish savings yields and elevated credit-deposit ratios, restricts deeper cuts. Consequently, banks will experience continued margin pressure in the near term. However, a turnaround in profitability is anticipated later this fiscal year.

Published on: December 7, 2025


Govt tells banks to flag adverse info on top executives

India's finance ministry is setting a new standard for accountability by instructing state-run banks to swiftly communicate any troubling details regarding their directors and appointees. This move is particularly relevant following the controversial case involving UCO Bank's MD & CEO, who is currently facing a CBI chargesheet.

Published on: December 7, 2025


Large investors in Fino have 18 months to cut stakes

Fino Paytech has secured the green light to upgrade its payments bank to a small finance bank, following the guidelines set by the Reserve Bank of India. Affected major investors are mandated to trim their stakes, with an 18-month timeline to meet these new ownership regulations. In addition, the bank plans to enhance its technological framework and human resource management.

Published on: December 7, 2025


Home loan portfolio cross Rs 9 lakh cr milestone, RAM to drive 14 pc loan growth: SBI Chairman

SBI's mortgage loan portfolio has surged past Rs 9 lakh crore, fueling optimism for a 14% overall credit growth this fiscal year. The bank's Retail, Agriculture, and MSME (RAM) segment, a significant portion of its lending, also crossed a Rs 25 lakh crore milestone. SBI anticipates robust growth across these sectors, with corporate credit showing a positive turnaround.

Published on: December 7, 2025


Bank of Maharashtra slashes retail loan rates by 25 bps

Bank of Maharashtra has lowered interest rates on retail loans by 25 basis points. Home loans now start at 7.10 percent and car loans at 7.45 percent. This move follows the RBI's repo rate cut. The bank aims to make loans more affordable for customers. This offers a significant benefit to borrowers.

Published on: December 7, 2025