Indian Banking Sector

In a series of recent meetings, the RBI asked banks to probe weaknesses in application programming interfaces (APIs), the software links banks use to connect with non-bank lenders and fintechs

At the Business Standard BFSI Insight Summit 2026, Axis Bank CEO Amitabh Chaudhry discussed tighter liquidity, credit growth, asset quality, and emerging risks for lenders

Punjab National Bank (PNB) aims to bring its cost-to-income ratio below 50 per cent in the current financial year and further reduce it to around 45 per cent by 2028-29, said Ashok Chandra, MD and CEO of the country's second-biggest lender. The bank's cost-to-income ratio stood at 50.38 per cent in the first half of the current fiscal year, down from 53.3 per cent in September 2025, as it focuses on rationalising expenses and maximising profitability, he told PTI in an interview. "We are aiming to go below 50 per cent this financial year. That is the first target we have set for ourselves. In the next two years, by 2028-29, we should be somewhere around 45 per cent," he said. Chandra said the bank was working on two key areas -- rationalisation of expenses and maximisation of profits-- while sensitising its various units about the importance of improving operational efficiency. Every review meeting of the bank now focuses on the cost of deposits, yield on advances, fee-based income

HDFC identified the executives during an internal investigation that began after some leaders grew concerned about the possibility of information being leaked

State-owned Canara Bank on Wednesday reported an 8 per cent increase in net profit at Rs 5,175 crore for the September quarter of this fiscal. During the same quarter of the previous financial year, the bank had earned a net profit of Rs 4,774 crore in the year-ago period. Total income increased to Rs 40,931 crore in the second quarter from Rs 38,598 crore in the same period of the previous fiscal year, Canara Bank said in a regulatory filing. Interest income improved to Rs 35,159 crore from Rs 31,544 crore in the same quarter a year ago. Net Interest Income witnessed a 20 per cent jump in the reported quarter to Rs 11,005 crore as against Rs 9,141 crore a year ago. Operating profit also increased to Rs 8,758 crore as against Rs 8,588 crore in the same quarter a year ago. In terms of asset quality, gross non-performing assets (NPAs) of the bank moderated to 1.33 per cent of gross advances at the end of September 2026 as against 2.35 per cent by the year-ago period. Similarly, ne

HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and SBI saw their market capitalisation decline in the July-September quarter, while Kotak Mahindra Bank overtook Axis Bank to become the fourth-largest lender by market value

Lenders report strong credit and deposit growth aided by FCNR(B) inflows, though analysts flag concerns over CASA momentum

Crisil Coalition Greenwich said banks recovered around $400 million after market spreads widened and positions were normalised following the RBI directive

The viral document, dated September 30, claims the Finance Ministry declared every Saturday a public holiday for public sector banks. PIB says no such notification was issued

Extending the Saturday holiday at banks is no longer just a union demand - it is a logical step for the well-being and operational efficiency of 1.8 million employees in a digitally driven economy

'Digital first, customer first, nation always' is the philosophy guiding State Bank of India (SBI) as it drives business growth, Chairman of the country's biggest lender C S Setty said. Talking to PTI in an interview, Setty said the bank's focus over the past two years has been on strengthening its capital base, deepening its role in the financial sector and building a more digital, customer-centric banking model. Looking back at his tenure, Setty said several of the most visible objectives his team set had been achieved, including capital augmentation, the listing of SBI Mutual Fund and the bank's strategic role in addressing the Yes Bank issue. "These are the most visible outcomes of my tenure," said Setty, who completed his two years as the bank's chairman last month. However, he said the more consequential changes were taking place beneath the surface and would strengthen both SBI and the wider banking industry over the longer term. At the heart of this transformation, he said

Indian Bank's plans to enter the life insurance and asset management segments are progressing as planned, and it would soon approach the board for approval, the bank's MD and CEO Binod Kumar said. The lender is currently in the process of seeking approval from its board for the proposed subsidiaries or joint ventures, following which other necessary processes will be initiated, Kumar told PTI in an interview. Regarding entry into the life insurance and asset management space, he said, "It is very much on track. We are in the process of seeking board approval and thereafter initiate other relevant regulatory and administrative processes." Kumar said identifying the right partner would be a crucial part of the exercise, as a strong partner can help accelerate wealth creation. "It will take time, say one year or so. Identifying a good partner is the most essential part of that. If you have a good partner, wealth creation is faster," he said. Kumar also underlined the strategic import

While the Reserve Bank of India's special swap facility shields banks from FX risk on the deposits' principal amounts, interest payments need to be managed by lenders independently

Indian Bank has received board approval to open a representative office in Dubai, as it seeks to expand its overseas operations, leveraging the large Indian diaspora across West Asia. Currently, the bank has a full-service international branch in Singapore and branches in Colombo and Jaffna (Sri Lanka). Besides, it has an IFSC Banking Unit (IBU) functioning as an offshore/foreign branch from GIFT City, Gandhinagar. "We are getting good business from our GIFT City branch, including participation in various syndicated loans...my aim now is to open a rep office in Dubai...We have a good number of non-resident Indians settled in Dubai and about 33 per cent of the working population is Indian," Indian Bank MD and CEO Binod Kumar told PTI in an interaction. For the representative office in Dubai, the bank's board has given its approval and the bank is in the process of seeking other regulatory approvals. Besides, Kumar said, the bank is exploring the possibility of having a presence in .

Much has been said about over-lending and defaults. Here's how lending works for the bottom-of-the-pyramid

Indian Bank plans to add about 100 branches this year, with a primary focus on increasing the bank's presence in the Central and Western parts of the country. To manage growing business and replace retiring employees, the bank would increase its headcount by about 2,500 personnel, including specialist officers. "Last year we opened 100 branches. This year too we have similar plans. Just on August 15, which was our foundation day, the bank inaugurated 15 branches across the country," Indian Bank MD and CEO Binod Kumar told PTI in an interaction. The bank had 6,003 domestic branches and three overseas -- Singapore, Colombo and Jaffna and IFSC Banking Unit (IBU) at Gandhinagar as of June 30, 2026. The seventh-biggest public sector bank enhanced its presence in the eastern region and Uttar Pradesh with the amalgamation of Allahabad Bank in 2020. "Now we are trying to increase our presence in the Central and Western parts of the country," he said. On the recruitment side, Kumar said,

The CEO search comes after about six months of upheaval at HDFC Bank where leadership issues have weighed on its shares

Earlier in the month, BoB ​had raised $400 million through three-year bonds at a 5.1140% ‌coupon and $300 million through five-year notes at a 5.3180% ​coupon

The slowdown in NFOs is more to do with the product suite being complete rather than concerns on the market's trajectory, Setalvad said.

Public sector lender Indian Bank expects its gold loan book to cross Rs 1.5 lakh crore in the current financial year, supported by robust demand for the product. "Gold loan is safe lending for banks...it is not a consumption loan, but mostly it is income-generating and also helps small businesses to grow. Last year, we saw very significant growth of 30 per cent in the segment due to a jump in gold prices. It will be slower this year as there is a 30 per cent decline in gold prices," Indian Bank MD and CEO Binod Kumar told PTI in an interaction. This growth would come from tonnage, he said, adding that the gold loan segment is likely to grow about 20 per cent. Currently, the gold loan portfolio is around Rs 1.25 lakh crore, and the book should exceed Rs 1.5 lakh crore during this financial year at the anticipated growth rate, he said. Kumar further said that RAM (Retail, Agriculture, and MSME) constitutes 65 per cent of the overall loan book while the remaining 35 per cent is from .