Aathira Varier

India's extreme heat spell giving parametric insurance a longer season

Extreme heat and erratic weather fuel sharp rise in demand for parametric insurance covers

Net FDI into India rises sharply to $7.65 billion in FY26: RBI data

Net FDI into India rises sharply in FY26, aided by higher gross inflows and reinvested earnings, though portfolio investment flows remain weak

Outward remittances slipped 2% to $28.98 billion in FY26: RBI data

India's outward remittances under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme declined in FY26 amid weaker overseas education and international travel spending

Intermediary-led model keeps insurance costs elevated: Praxis Global

Praxis Global Alliance says high intermediary commissions keep general insurance expense ratios elevated, with renewal business continuing to remain acquisition-cost heavy

LIC Q4 results: Net profit rises 23% to ₹23,420 crore on higher income

LIC reported a 23 per cent rise in fourth-quarter profit on higher premium and investment income, while FY26 profit touched a record Rs 57,419 crore

India's outbound FDI commitments decline 10.8% to $5.6 billion in April

India's outward foreign direct investment commitments fell 10.8 per cent year-on-year in April, led by lower guarantees and debt commitments

Irdai withholds variable pay of some insurers' CEOs over expense targets

Regulator's action follows unmet 'expense of management' targets

RBI allows lenders to disable financed mobiles in loan default cases

The RBI has proposed allowing lenders to restrict financed mobile devices in loan default cases, while mandating safeguards, borrower notices and compensation for wrongful action

Eurobank opens India office, enables UPI-based remittance service

The Athens-headquartered lender will become the first European bank to enable cross-border remittances to India through the UPI framework

Life insurance companies seek broader guardrails for CEO salaries

The regulator cited that the CEO salaries account for major chunk of wage expenses of the company

Credit card adoption rises in Tier-II, -III cities: SBI Card report

Rising incomes, digital adoption, and UPI-linked RuPay cards are accelerating credit card usage in smaller cities, according to SBI Card's latest report

Prudential's India reboot comes with a distribution problem and growth test

Experts said lack of a strong bancassurance or agency network could remain a structural hurdle for Bharti Life Insurance, even as Prudential brings capital strength and experience in India

Liberty Mutual increases stake in Liberty General Insurance to 74%

Liberty Mutual Insurance has raised its stake in Liberty General Insurance to 74 per cent, strengthening control of the Indian insurer amid growing foreign investment interest in the sector

Prudential to acquire 75% stake in Bharti Life Insurance for ₹3,500 crore

Another ₹700 crore payable if certain conditions met; Prudential to reduce stake in ICICI Pru Life Insurance

ULIPs retain dominance in private insurers' product mix despite policy push

This is despite sharper push towards protection products after GST relief

ULIPs dominate private insurers' FY26 product mix despite protection push

Private life insurers continued to depend heavily on ULIPs in FY26, although protection products gained momentum after GST exemption and rising customer demand for life cover

Satin Creditcare Network aims to reach ₹32,000 crore AUM by FY30

Microfinance lender expects stronger growth and better collection efficiencies as it expands branches and diversifies operations

India Inc's ECB, FCCB intent rose to $5.43 bn in March, highest in FY26

Indian firms filed proposals to raise $5.43 billion through ECBs and FCCBs in March, the highest monthly amount in FY26

High commissions a key concern, need attention: Irdai chairman Ajay Seth

Insurance regulator says rising commissions and weak profitability are undermining policyholder value and sector resilience

RBI relaxes approval norms for banks' outward remittance tie-ups

Authorised Dealer banks can now partner with digital remittance platforms without prior RBI approval, subject to compliance safeguards