Page 3 - Aathira Varier

CBDC transactions cross 150 million, value exceeds Rs 34,000 crore

CBDC transactions have crossed 150 million with value exceeding Rs 34,000 crore, as RBI works on programmability and gradual rollout of digital currency

Average unclaimed deposit payouts rise to ₹760 crore per month: RBI

RBI says average monthly payouts of unclaimed deposits rose to Rs 760 crore after campaigns and incentives, up from Rs 180 crore earlier, reflecting improved recovery efforts

MSME, retail demand to drive bank credit growth by 13% in FY27: Crisil

Newer options such as acquisition financing, now allowed for banks by the RBI, should also support credit growth

Banks' Casa ratios rise in Jan-Mar; analysts flag seasonal boost

Banks report higher low-cost deposits in March quarter, but analysts caution the uptick is seasonal amid persistent competition and pressure on deposit mobilisation

System readiness gaps: Insurers likely to seek forbearance for 1 year

Irdai had mandated insurers to transition to Ind AS effective April 1

GIFT City's insurance premium ecosystem hit $1.2 billion in 2025

GIFT City's insurance and reinsurance ecosystem grows over 11-fold to $1.2 billion by 2025, driven by global entrants, rising underwriting capacity and expanding IFSC market

Excess capacity, lower losses drive steep decline in reinsurance rates

Reinsurance rates soften sharply in latest renewal cycle, with property premiums dropping up to 90 per cent amid excess capacity, lower losses and rising competition

ARCs likely to see improved growth in AUM in FY27 amid West Asian conflict

Asset reconstruction companies are likely to see steady AUM growth in FY27, driven by stress in MSMEs and retail segments amid geopolitical tensions and interest rate concerns

Crisil to Icra: Rating upgrades tempered in FY26 as downgrades edged up

West Asia conflict to test India Inc's balance-sheet strength and margins in FY27

Excess capacity, low losses drive steep fall in reinsurance rates

Reinsurance rates have softened significantly, with property premiums dropping up to 90 per cent amid excess capacity, low losses, and intense competition

Irdai forms joint expert group to guide insurers on Ind AS transition

Irdai forms a joint expert group to guide insurers on Ind AS transition, addressing implementation challenges, audit clarity, and actuarial roles

BFSI firms use AI, but only a handful track its impact on revenue

AI adoption is widespread in BFSI firms to improve efficiency, but most companies lack mechanisms to track its revenue impact, limiting its role in driving measurable business outcomes

Irdai notifies Ind AS norms for insurers; allows one-year forbearance

Regulator allows one-year forbearance and extends parallel reporting to two years as insurers transition to Ind AS framework from April 2026

Banks' gold loan portfolio surges 128% in February, shows RBI data

Gold loans drive retail credit growth, with bank lending against jewellery doubling year-on-year in February, sharply outpacing overall retail loan expansion

CMS Info Systems acquires FSS ATM management business for ₹115 crore

The deal will add nearly 8,000 units and new private sector banking ties, strengthening CMS Info Systems' managed services portfolio and advancing its ATM solutions consolidation strategy

Bank credit growth slows to 13.8% in March 15 fortnight, deposits rise

Bank credit growth eased to 13.8 per cent in the March 15 fortnight, while deposit growth improved to 10.8 per cent, reflecting tax outflows and seasonal lending trends

Strait of Hormuz opens to ships but marine covers to stay pricey

Insurance brokers say war-risk premiums will remain elevated as uncertainty persists in West Asia despite Iran allowing passage for non-hostile vessels through Hormuz

IPL insurance premiums likely to drop 15-20% this year on lower claims

Driven by rising valuations, the sum insured has gone up 25-30%

Gold price correction: Lenders seek more collateral if LTV is breached

Borrowers asked to pledge additional gold or repay loans as lenders monitor LTV breaches amid price correction and rising volatility in the gold market

Soft landing for aviation insurance premiums amid benign loss trends

Aviation insurance rates have softened due to excess reinsurance capacity and lower global losses, though geopolitical risks continue to influence underwriting conditions