Page 3 - Aathira Varier

Insurers deepen AI adoption to improve underwriting, customer service

Life and general insurers are expanding AI deployment across underwriting, claims, fraud detection and customer service to improve efficiency, productivity and turnaround times

RBL Bank's Q1FY27 results: Net profit rises 27% to ₹254 cr, NII grows 12%

The lender reported higher quarterly profit on strong growth in net interest income and advances, while saying it has already mobilised $150 million under the FCNR(B) scheme

Weak earnings drag ICICI Lombard shares by 10% to second steepest fall

The general insurer's shares tumbled after a 46 per cent drop in June-quarter profit, as higher claims, reserve provisioning and competitive pressures weighed on profitability

RBI's Financial Inclusion Index rises to 70 in FY26 on higher usage

RBI's Financial Inclusion Index improved to 70 in FY26 from 67 a year earlier, driven mainly by higher usage, while all three sub-indices registered growth

StanChart values partnership, expects tie-up to continue: ICICI Pru Life

The insurer says its decade-long bancassurance partnership with Standard Chartered remains strong despite speculation following Prudential Plc's Bharti AXA Life acquisition

South Indian Bank posts 17.3% rise in Q1 FY27 profit at ₹378 crore

Private sector lender's June quarter earnings were supported by higher net interest income, lower provisions and an improvement in asset quality despite a decline in other income

HDFC Life, ICICI Pru post double-digit Q1 profit growth on premiums

HDFC Life and ICICI Prudential Life Insurance reported double-digit growth in first-quarter profit, supported by higher premium collections, investment income and healthy business growth

India posts $2 bn current account deficit in May as trade gap widens

India recorded a $2 billion current account deficit in May as the merchandise trade gap widened, while the balance of payments registered a deficit of $4.4 billion

ICICI Lombard Q1 profit falls 46% to Rs 403 crore on higher claims

ICICI Lombard General Insurance reported a 46 per cent decline in first-quarter profit as higher claims, reserve provisions and large fire losses weighed on profitability

ICICI Prudential Life's Q1 net rises 28% to ₹386.2 cr on higher premium

Higher premium collections and investment income lifted ICICI Prudential Life's Q1FY27 profit, while VNB rose 25 per cent and its margin improved to 26.7 per cent

J&K Bank plans to sell 0.5% stake in PNB MetLife for ₹120.1 crore

Jammu and Kashmir Bank will sell 10.25 million shares in PNB MetLife to MetLife International Holdings, reducing its holding in the insurer to 2.534 per cent

NBFC education loans may grow 20% in FY27 despite US slowdown: Crisil

NBFC education loan portfolios are expected to reach Rs 94,000 crore in FY27 as growing diversification across study destinations offsets weaker demand for US-focused education

India Inc's ECB, FCCB fundraising intent rises to $4.74 billion in May

Indian companies filed proposals to raise $4.74 billion through ECBs and FCCBs in May 2026 under the automatic route, with IRFC, NTPC and REC among key borrowers

Identify recurring complaints: RBI DG Swaminathan to internal ombudsmen

RBI Deputy Governor Swaminathan J has urged internal ombudsmen to identify recurring complaints, conduct root-cause analysis and help strengthen grievance redress across regulated entities

Life insurers' ad expenses fell 19.16% to ₹3,211.6 crore in FY26

Private life insurers pared advertising and publicity spending amid GST changes, EoM pressures and restructuring after the loss of input tax credit benefits

Trai says 1600-, 140- number series can't be tagged and filtered

The telecom regulator said designated 1600 and 140 number series used for banking, financial and government communications cannot be tagged, blocked or filtered by apps

Regulatory changes, valuation pressures pull down life insurers' returns

Three of India's four listed life insurers have delivered negative returns over the past five years as repeated regulatory changes, slower growth and lower valuations weighed on investor sentiment

HDFC Ergo focused on profitable growth rather than market share: Ghosh

HDFC ERGO CEO Parthanil Ghosh says the insurer will prioritise profitable growth, retail health and motor insurance, while expanding AI-driven underwriting and claims management

GenZ is giving credit card market a new swipe beyond metros: Report

Half of India's first-time credit card users are from Gen Z and 46 per cent are from semi-urban and rural markets, reflecting changing patterns in formal credit adoption

Life insurers' June premium rises 13% on strong private sector growth

Life insurers' new business premium rose 13.07 per cent in June, as strong growth by private insurers offset modest gains at LIC and lifted the industry's overall performance