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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
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 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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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'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 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
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
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 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
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
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
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 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 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
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 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
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
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
Banks and NBFCs have ramped up legal hires amid regulatory checks, rising deal flows & compliance demands.
Published on: December 8, 2025
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
Jan Dhan accounts now hold Rs 2.75 lakh crore. This initiative has brought over 57 crore people into formal banking. Most accounts are in rural areas and held by women. Direct Benefit Transfers have also seen significant amounts disbursed this financial year. India's financial inclusion journey shows steady progress.
Published on: December 6, 2025
FPL Technologies finds itself in a tough spot. The Reserve Bank of India has mandated partner banks to stop issuing OneCard credit cards. This pause is due to the RBI's desire to ensure transparency regarding data-sharing practices in this collaboration. The issuance will kick back into gear once guidelines are established.
Published on: December 5, 2025
The Reserve Bank of India will launch a two-month campaign in January to resolve all customer grievances pending for over a month with the RBI Ombudsman. Governor Sanjay Malhotra urged banks to address complaints promptly, noting a rise in pendency due to increased grievance numbers. The central bank is also strengthening customer service through various initiatives and online application availability.
Published on: December 5, 2025
State-run banks are preparing for the stock market debut of their sponsored regional rural banks. At least two such banks are expected to list in the first half of FY27. This move follows a consolidation exercise that reduced the number of regional rural banks. Eligible banks will meet specific financial criteria.
Published on: December 5, 2025
Reserve Bank of India has reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25%, aiming to make home and car loans cheaper. This move is expected to encourage banks to lower lending rates further, providing relief to borrowers.
Published on: December 5, 2025
The RBI has extended lending restrictions on shares and to directors/relatives to NBFCs, aligning them with banks. Banks can now have multiple group entities for lending with board approval. These new rules, effective March 31, 2028, aim to prevent regulatory circumvention and ensure proper business rationalization.
Published on: December 5, 2025
Fino Payments Bank has secured in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India to become a small finance bank. This makes Fino the first among its peers to achieve this milestone. The conversion will allow Fino to offer lending services, expanding its financial solutions for customers. This move is a significant step towards deepening financial inclusion across India.
Published on: December 5, 2025
Indian banks must separate core operations from risky ventures by March 2026. The Reserve Bank of India will permit multiple lending units if boards approve. This new directive, with implementation by March 2028, offers flexibility. Overseas branches will need special clearance for new businesses. Non-financial holding companies also see relaxed rules for managing funds and investments.
Published on: December 5, 2025
SMFG India Credit has introduced a paid menstrual leave policy for all its women employees nationwide, effective December 2, 2025. Women will receive one paid leave per month, automatically approved and without requiring a manager's permission or medical certificate. This initiative aims to enhance employee well-being and foster a more inclusive workplace.
Published on: December 5, 2025
The Reserve Bank of India reported robust financial parameters for banks and non-banking finance companies, facilitating increased resource flow to the commercial sector. Capital adequacy and asset quality remain strong, with credit growth bolstered by greater non-bank intermediation and sustained lending to various segments.
Published on: December 5, 2025
India is preparing to invite bids for its 60.72% stake in IDBI Bank Ltd., valued at approximately $7.1 billion. This move is a significant step in the government's privatization efforts for the lender. Talks with potential suitors are advanced, with a formal bidding process expected soon.
Published on: December 5, 2025
RBI also rejected banks’ suggestion to fix eligibility criteria to open basic accounts based on income and profile of customer saying that fixing an eligibility criteria would undermine the objective of repositioning BSBD account as an affordable banking product available to all customers.
Published on: December 4, 2025
A district consumer commission ruled that an insurance company cannot dictate medical treatment methods. The panel ordered Star Health and Allied Insurance to pay nearly Rs 50,000 with interest and litigation costs for rejecting a Covid-related claim. The insurer had denied the claim, citing home isolation as appropriate, but the commission found this a deficiency in service.
Published on: December 4, 2025
