Page 5 - Aathira Varier

Protection products drive near double-digit VNB growth for life insurers

Life insurers reported healthy growth in value of new business in FY26 as higher sales of protection and non-par products lifted profitability despite higher operating costs

RBI's AI risk framework to strengthen governance, oversight of AI models

The central bank's draft guidelines require board-approved model risk frameworks, stronger oversight of AI models and enhanced safeguards for customer-facing artificial intelligence applications

Govt sets performance targets for state-run general insurers for FY27

Government sets ambitious FY27 KPIs for PSU insurers, targeting lower claims ratios, faster settlements and stronger digital adoption

Demand for life insurance to remain strong in FY27, says Keki Mistry

Chairman Keki Mistry says favourable demographics, rising financial awareness and regulatory reforms will support long-term growth in India's life insurance sector

Axis Bank scales AI deployment across operations: MD & CEO Amitabh Chaudhry

Axis Bank scales up AI deployment across operations, customer service and risk functions, targeting wider automation and productivity gains by FY27

Pvt life insurers rekindle agency networks amid scrutiny over bancassurance

Private life insurers are ramping up agency investments to diversify distribution as concerns over bancassurance mis-selling trigger closer scrutiny

Share of non-household investors in deposits rise to 26.3% in FY26

India's bank deposits are shifting toward non-household funds, with rising term deposits and falling CASA share, while private banks steadily gain deposit share

IPL insurers may see fewer claims this year on lower weather disruptions

Insurers' loss ratio is estimated at 60-70%, 10-15 percentage points lower than last season

Prime borrowers emerge as key users of Credit Line on UPI: Suryoday SFB

Suryoday SFB launched its Credit on UPI product in August 2025 in partnership with Paytm

Outward remittances under RBI's LRS down 7.85% in April 2026: Bulletin

Decline in international travel-related spending amid geopolitical uncertainty weighed on outward remittances under the RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme

Guardrails cut MFI securitised pool overdues by 60%, says Crisil Ratings

Crisil Ratings says lending guardrails have improved portfolio quality and credit discipline, leading to a sharp reduction in overdue build-up in microfinance securitised pools

NSE IPO windfall may aid PSU insurers, though solvency challenges remain

Listing gains likely to strengthen balance sheets of general insurers

RBI revamps Lead Bank Scheme, strengthens district credit planning

The revised framework formalises block-level credit planning, strengthens Lead District Manager offices and sharpens accountability across banking committees

Insurers may invest up to 5% of surplus funds in private ltd firms: Irdai

The regulator has proposed permitting insurers to invest a portion of surplus shareholders' funds in eligible private companies while tightening promoter-group exposure norms

India's remittance inflows stay resilient despite West Asia conflict

Precautionary transfers boost flows; FCNR (B) deposits may offer near-term support

India sees 30% rise in transactional risk insurance claims: Marsh report

Private equity-backed transactions accounted for 92% of claim notifications, with tax-related issues emerging as the most common trigger

Thaw in West Asia: Marine insurance rates ease, market awaits durable peace

Industry executives expect war-risk insurance rates to soften further if the US-Iran agreement leads to sustained reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and lower regional tensions

Turtlemint sets ₹144-152 price band for ₹883-crore public issue

The insurance-distribution platform aims to raise ₹883 crore through a mix of fresh issue and offer for sale, valuing the company at about ₹4,513 crore

NBFCs can distribute insurance products without seeking RBI approval

New framework permits insurance distribution subject to Irdai approval and lays down safeguards for sale of third-party financial products

War effect: Gulf-based NRIs double down on Indian term life plans

Geopolitical tensions in West Asia are driving Gulf-based NRIs towards Indian term insurance plans, attracted by lower premiums and GST exemptions