Recent News
Banking/Finance-Industry-Economic Times
Bank employee unions will strike on January 27. This follows failed conciliation talks. Public sector banks may face disruptions. The strike adds to the January 26 public holiday closure. Operations could be significantly affected. Unions are demanding a five-day work week. Discussions with government and Indian Banks' Association yielded no positive results. The strike is confirmed.
Published on: January 23, 2026
The Bombay High Court has granted interim relief to several insurance companies by staying GST demands on co-insurance premiums and ceding commissions, holding that the levy appears to be contrary to CBIC circulars. The stay applies until the next hearing.
Published on: January 23, 2026
India’s fast-growing markets and digital banking are pulling more households into the financial system, but investor education and safeguards are not keeping pace, said Matthew Blake of the World Economic Forum.
Published on: January 23, 2026
If the strike proceeds, it will disrupt public sector banking operations for three consecutive days, with January 25 and 26 being holidays.
Published on: January 23, 2026
State Bank of India has channeled CSR funds towards critical initiatives in Kolar District, supporting an early intervention program for 200 children with developmental delays and providing 300 clubfoot braces for 150 affected children. This follows recent contributions to school upgrades, medical equipment, tree plantation, and an e-ambulance for the Indian Army.
Published on: January 23, 2026
India's Axis Bank has paused plans to sell a stake in its consumer lending arm, Axis Finance. This decision follows the central bank's easing of proposed restrictions on overlapping business activities between banks and their subsidiaries. The move allows Axis Bank to re-evaluate its capital-raising needs for Axis Finance.
Published on: January 23, 2026
The Bombay High Court has provided interim relief to over a dozen insurance companies. A significant GST demand and associated penalties amounting to over Rs 10,000 crore have been temporarily stayed. This order offers immediate respite to companies like Aditya Birla Health Insurance and Oriental Insurance.
Published on: January 23, 2026
The Reserve Bank of India is injecting over 23 billion dollars into the banking system. This move aims to ease funding conditions. The central bank will use three key instruments. These include open market purchases of government bonds. A dollar-rupee buy/sell foreign exchange swap is also planned. Additionally, a variable rate repo auction will be conducted.
Published on: January 23, 2026
The Bombay High Court has put a hold on GST demands exceeding ten thousand crore rupees. These demands were made against thirteen insurance companies. The court's decision follows circulars from the CBIC that exclude co-insurance premiums and ceding commission from GST. Recovery of these disputed tax demands is now stayed. The case will be heard again on February 18.
Published on: January 23, 2026
Brookfield-backed Chronos Properties has renewed a Rs 148 crore bank guarantee. This action keeps them in contention for acquiring IL&FS's Bandra Kurla Complex property. The company submitted demand drafts to the National Company Law Tribunal. This follows a directive from the insolvency appellate tribunal. The appellate tribunal had ordered the renewal within a month to prevent disqualification.
Published on: January 23, 2026
IndusInd Bank has appointed former SBI MD Arijit Basu as its new Non-Executive Independent Director and Part-Time Chairman, effective January 31, 2026. Basu, who brings extensive banking experience, will serve a three-year term. This appointment follows the completion of Sunil Mehta's tenure as chairman.
Published on: January 23, 2026
IndusInd Bank has appointed Arijit Basu as Non-Executive Independent Director and Part-time Chairman for a three-year term starting January 31, 2026. Basu, a seasoned banker with experience at SBI and HDB Financial Services, will succeed Sunil Mehta. His appointment aligns with regulatory requirements and brings extensive financial sector expertise to the bank's leadership.
Published on: January 23, 2026
Davos meeting: India being currently down is a short-term phenomenon in a long-term bull market for stocks in the country; India provides almost a unique growth path, says tephen Schwarzman, founder and CEO of Blackstone.
Published on: January 23, 2026
Non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) saw their lending grow by 22% in the period leading up to the end of December. This expansion was faster than that of bank advances, which reported a 14.4% growth during the same timeframe. NBFCs, excluding bank credit to these companies, had outstanding loans totaling Rs 35.8 lakh crore.
Published on: January 22, 2026
Gold loan NBFCs are set for significant growth. Assets under management are projected to reach over Rs 4 lakh crore by March 2027. This surge is driven by rising gold prices and a shift towards secured credit. NBFCs are expanding their reach to meet borrower demand. Regulatory changes are also expected to support this expansion.
Published on: January 22, 2026
Roha Housing Finance has secured Rs 400 crore from alternative credit investors. This capital will fuel expansion, aiming to grow assets under management to Rs 5,000 crore. The funds are infused as CCD and CCPS, strengthening the company's capital base. This strategic move supports Roha Housing Finance's growth in the affordable housing segment.
Published on: January 22, 2026
PNB Housing Finance is set to boost its business by funding new, small-scale real estate developers. The company is also re-entering construction finance for bigger developers. This strategy aims to increase profit margins by focusing on segments that yield higher returns than prime borrowers. The lender plans to grow its overall business by 17-18% in the coming fiscal year.
Published on: January 22, 2026
Financial resources for businesses saw a significant 15% increase, reaching Rs 298 lakh crore by December. This growth was fueled by both banks and non-bank lenders. Non-bank credit now forms a substantial 47% of these total flows. NBFCs are expanding lending faster than banks. Corporate bond issuance also contributed to this positive trend.
Published on: January 22, 2026
State Bank of India Chairman Challa Sreenivasulu Setty is attending the World Economic Forum in Davos. He is discussing the bank's focus on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. India's economic and technological growth is a key highlight at the forum. Union Ministers are also presenting India's progress in renewable energy and semiconductors. India is set to become the world's third-largest economy.
Published on: January 22, 2026
Potential suitors for IDBI Bank's disinvestment face uncertainty regarding renaming the lender post-acquisition. The RBI previously rejected a rebranding proposal when LIC invested, citing IDBI's reclassification as a private sector bank. This lack of clarity could impact the bidding process, though progress is expected.
Published on: January 21, 2026
In his resignation letter addressed to the company's board of directors, Ratra said that after careful thought and personal reflection, he had decided to explore entrepreneurial opportunities.
Published on: January 21, 2026
Public sector banks are now actively pursuing QR-code led merchant payments. This move challenges established fintech players like BharatPe, PhonePe, and Paytm. Banks aim to capture revenue and data opportunities in this growing digital payment ecosystem.
Published on: January 21, 2026
SBI Chairman Challa Sreenivasulu Setty anticipates a private investment rebound once US tariff issues resolve. He believes SBI can achieve its growth aims organically, focusing on AI to boost efficiency. Setty also noted room for consolidation in public sector banking, but SBI does not need inorganic growth. Savings accounts are stable, but current accounts are impacted by government cash management.
Published on: January 21, 2026
The NCLAT has issued an extension of legal protection for the directors at the helm of the newly formed IL&FS board. Consequently, banks are now required to acquire tribunal authorization prior to pursuing claims against these directors for being wilful defaulters. This ruling upholds the safeguards that were previously set in place after the government assumed control.
Published on: January 21, 2026
Several Indian banks are modifying their lending approaches in response to current market dynamics. Federal Bank and Yes Bank have reduced their retail lending activities, particularly focusing on housing loans which typically offer lower returns. They are also scaling back loans to large corporations that are seeking favorable interest rates.
Published on: January 20, 2026
HDFC Bank announced a significant development today. The Reserve Bank of India has given its approval for Kaizad Bharucha's re-appointment. He will continue as the Whole-time Director, also known as Deputy Managing Director, for another three years. This term will commence from April 19, 2026.
Published on: January 20, 2026
India's fair trade regulator, CCI, has approved Emirates NBD Bank's acquisition of a majority stake in RBL Bank. This move follows an agreement for Emirates NBD to invest approximately USD 3 billion in RBL Bank. The CCI also cleared Apollo Hospitals Enterprise's acquisition of an additional stake in Apollo Health and Lifestyle Ltd.
Published on: January 20, 2026
The meeting would be chaired by Department of Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju and likely to be attended by NABARD Chairman, SIDBI CMD and Executive Director concerned of Reserve Bank of India, sources said.
Published on: January 20, 2026
AU Small Finance Bank is preparing for its universal lender transition. The bank has proposed continuity in senior management and strengthened its board. This comes as AU Small Finance Bank reported a 26% rise in third quarter net profit. The bank is also appointing new independent directors.
Published on: January 20, 2026
New Reserve Bank of India rules will allow private banks to pay significantly higher dividends than state-owned banks. This shift is due to linking payouts to core capital instead of total capital. While ceilings are rising, banks are expected to continue conserving capital. The changes aim for a more robust dividend distribution framework for the banking sector.
Published on: January 20, 2026
Punjab National Bank is on an impressive expansion journey in South India, boasting record-breaking profits of ₹5,100 crore. This financial upswing signals an expected boost in net interest margins, alongside a steady growth in deposits and advances.
Published on: January 20, 2026
As Indian banks grapple with dwindling low-cost CASA deposits, a growing number of savers are shifting their money into market-driven investments seeking higher returns. This shift compels banks to depend increasingly on pricier short-term borrowing methods, such as Certificates of Deposit, to sustain their lending activities.
Published on: January 19, 2026
Banks are set to issue more corporate bonds this quarter. This move aims to cover the difference between loan growth and deposit growth. Yields are rising, but banks need funds. Deposit growth is slow as people seek better returns elsewhere. Banks are also using certificates of deposit. However, these are short-term. Lenders must fund the increasing demand for loans.
Published on: January 19, 2026
Punjab National Bank reported its highest-ever quarterly net profit of ₹5,100 crore for the December quarter, a 13% increase year-on-year. The bank aims for consistent quarterly profits exceeding ₹5,000 crore, driven by growth in retail, agriculture, and MSME sectors, along with new profit-generating verticals. PNB also made a significant floating provision for the ECL framework to strengthen its balance sheet.
Published on: January 19, 2026
The Reserve Bank of India has strengthened priority sector lending compliance, mandating external auditor certificates from intermediaries to prevent double-claiming of loans. This move follows scrutiny of banks for misclassifying agricultural loans. The RBI aims to ensure credit flows to priority sectors by enhancing monitoring and internal controls.
Published on: January 19, 2026
Public sector banks have approved more than 3.96 lakh MSME loan applications. These loans total over Rs 52,300 crore. The approvals occurred between April 1 and December 31, 2025. This was under digital credit underwriting programmes. These programmes use digital footprints for MSME loan appraisal. This offers MSMEs easier access to credit.
Published on: January 19, 2026
India's insurance premium growth is projected to accelerate to 6.9% between 2026-2030, outpacing major global markets like China and the US. This robust expansion is driven by strong economic fundamentals, rising demand, and significant regulatory reforms aimed at increasing transparency and attracting new capital.
Published on: January 19, 2026
India Budget 2026: India's upcoming Union Budget 2026-27 presents a chance to boost economic growth. The focus is on refining the Goods and Services Tax system and modernizing customs procedures. These changes aim to lower business costs, speed up credit flow, and improve trade. The goal is to make indirect taxes a tool for progress, supporting investment and enterprise for a stronger India.
Published on: January 19, 2026
An Indian Supreme Court ruling requiring Tiger Global to pay capital gains tax on its Flipkart stake sale has wide implications for private equity and trading firms using offshore structures. The court overturned a lower court decision and held that Tiger Global cannot claim tax treaty benefits through Mauritius because key decisions were made in the US, not the island nation.
Published on: January 19, 2026
ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank have been instructed by a regulator to make significant one-time provisions. ICICI Bank must set aside an additional Rs 1,283 crore, while HDFC Bank is required to allocate Rs 500 crore. The regulator has also urged both banks to identify and address shortcomings in their loan portfolios. These adjustments are necessary to ensure compliance with Priority Sector Lending (PSL) norms.
Published on: January 18, 2026
India faces escalating natural disaster risks as development surges in vulnerable areas, significantly amplifying potential losses. Swiss Re reports property exposure at $26-29 trillion, with a substantial portion in disaster hotspots. A major catastrophe could severely impact national economic growth, underscoring the urgent need to address the protection gap, especially in these high-risk zones.
Published on: January 18, 2026
Microfinance loan portfolios have been declining since April 2024, according to industry leaders. This trend began after reaching a high of Rs 4.43 lakh crore. The decrease is attributed to loan repayments exceeding new loan disbursements across the sector.
Published on: January 18, 2026
Edelweiss Life Insurance is set for strong growth. The company expects double-digit expansion over the next two to three years. Breakeven is targeted by FY27. This growth will be driven by a balanced approach across multiple distribution channels and diverse products. Significant capital support is also planned to fuel this scaling.
Published on: January 18, 2026
LIC's AUM stands at Rs 57.23 lakh crore. Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju urged LIC to embrace digital marketing and a mobile-first strategy. This push aims to achieve the national goal of "insurance for all". Nagaraju highlighted LIC's role as a Domestic Systemically Important Insurer.
Published on: January 17, 2026
ICICI Bank's board has approved Sandeep Bakhshi's reappointment as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. His new term will begin on October 4, 2026, and conclude on October 3, 2028. This decision is subject to approvals from the RBI and shareholders. Bakhshi has led the bank since 2018, focusing on risk controls and asset quality.
Published on: January 17, 2026
Tiger Global's Supreme Court setback allows the income tax department to revive its 2018-19 assessment and a Rs 968 crore refund claim. The ruling, upholding the tax department's stance on a Flipkart stake sale, has unsettled foreign investors, raising concerns about ongoing and past transactions due to perceived reinterpretation of tax policies.
Published on: January 17, 2026
The National Company Law Tribunal has approved a major restructuring for Poonawalla Finance. This plan will split the company's lending and real estate businesses into separate entities. Poonawalla Finance will continue its lending operations. Its real estate assets will move to new companies, Rising Sun Holdings and Synergist Realtors. This move aims for sharper focus and better investor attraction.
Published on: January 16, 2026
Anuj Tyagi, CEO and MD of HDFC Ergo General Insurance, has resigned. He will depart in mid-April to pursue new ventures. Tyagi joined the company in 2008 and has been leading it since July 2024. The board is ensuring a smooth transition. Tyagi strengthened the company's foundation and expanded its reach. The board thanked him for his service.
Published on: January 16, 2026
Home loan demand is increasingly moving towards Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. These emerging urban centers are now driving the majority of home loan volumes. Improved infrastructure and expanding job opportunities are fueling this growth. Affordability in larger metros is pushing aspirational buyers to smaller cities. This trend indicates a more balanced housing finance cycle across India.
Published on: January 16, 2026
"We would also like to spread our wings outside India, namely to Dubai, Singapore and London as well. We feel that, in the next one year or so, we will set up offices in both Singapore and Dubai. So, London might come later," EDME Insurance Brokers Chief Executive Officer Sanjay Radhakrishnan told PTI.
Published on: January 16, 2026
