Page 2 - Finance News
MUFG deal: Shriram Finance likely to benefit from lower cost of funds
Some experts also said that with a significantly strengthened capital base, the lender may consider a move towards becoming a universal bank
 "MUFG deal: Shriram Finance likely to benefit from lower cost of funds")
GST rate rationalisation gives fillip to retail credit market in Q2FY26
The period saw more demand for vehicle finance (two-wheeler loans and auto loans) and consumer durables; and this also led to an uptick in the CMI for demand to 95 from 92
 "GST rate rationalisation gives fillip to retail credit market in Q2FY26")
India's big bang financial reforms open doors to wave of foreign capital
In the latest step, lawmakers passed a bill this week allowing up to 100 per cent foreign ownership of insurance firms, bolstering an industry long viewed as under-penetrated and capital-starved
 "India's big bang financial reforms open doors to wave of foreign capital")
RBI's OMO auction sees strong demand, but experts say job still half done
Net liquidity fell into deficit after seven weeks; net liquidity in the banking system was in a deficit of ₹68,586 crore on Wednesday
 "RBI's OMO auction sees strong demand, but experts say job still half done")
FinMin unveils single brand logo for Regional Rural Banks nationwide
On the principle of 'One State One RRB', the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, has consolidated 26 Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) across 11 states/UTs, effective from May 1, 2025
 "FinMin unveils single brand logo for Regional Rural Banks nationwide")
RBI clears Paytm arm PPSL as payment aggregator for offline transactions
The approval is in addition to the authorisation for Online Payment Aggregation already granted by the central bank to PPSL last month
 "RBI clears Paytm arm PPSL as payment aggregator for offline transactions")
Finance Ministry asks three RRBs to give IPO blueprint by March-end
The DFS on Tuesday convened a meeting to review the IPO plans of three regional rural banks-Haryana Gramin Bank, Kerala Gramin Bank and Tamil Nadu Grama Bank
 "Finance Ministry asks three RRBs to give IPO blueprint by March-end")
RBI Guv Malhotra signals rates to stay low for 'long period': Report
The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) projections suggested rates "should remain low for a long period of time, governor said
 "RBI Guv Malhotra signals rates to stay low for 'long period': Report")
HDFC Bank cuts FD rates by 15 bps in select tenors; peak rate now 6.45%
HDFC Bank has lowered its fixed deposit rates by 15 bps for select tenors on deposits below Rs 3 crore, bringing its peak deposit rate down to 6.45% from December 17
 "HDFC Bank cuts FD rates by 15 bps in select tenors; peak rate now 6.45%")
RBI intervenes aggressively as rupee rebounds after hitting record lows
The rupee rallied 0.7% to 90.25 in early trading after opening a tad lower on the day at 91.07
Centre projects ₹47,000 cr net revenue loss from GST rate rationalisation
The Centre projected a net revenue loss of about ₹47,000 crore due to GST rate rationalisation, even as higher taxation on select goods was expected to partly offset the impact
 "Centre projects ₹47,000 cr net revenue loss from GST rate rationalisation")
Trump tariffs, trade talks stalemate keep Indian rupee under strain
The rupee is among the worst-performing currencies globally this year, sliding 6% against the dollar
 "Trump tariffs, trade talks stalemate keep Indian rupee under strain")
Rupee slide puts spotlight on limits to India's currency defence
A key reason is the Reserve Bank of India's $64 billion short-dollar position - a pledge to supply large amounts of dollars in the future through derivatives contracts with lenders
 "Rupee slide puts spotlight on limits to India's currency defence")
Rupee slips past 91 against dollar amid FPI outflows, riskoff trade
The rupee is currently the worst-performing Asian currency, with 5.95 per cent depreciation witnessed in 2025 so far
 "Rupee slips past 91 against dollar amid FPI outflows, riskoff trade")
Exit regulation amendments: PFRDA allows loans against pension savings
Partial withdrawal norms for NPS accounts rationalised; annuity mandate at retirement relaxed for smaller balances
 "Exit regulation amendments: PFRDA allows loans against pension savings")
RBI to act only if rupee volatility rises beyond a point: Neelkanth Mishra
Mishra said rupee is expected to average around 90 per dollar by June 2026 and weaken further to 92 per dollar by June 2027
 "RBI to act only if rupee volatility rises beyond a point: Neelkanth Mishra")
RBI swap auction sees strong demand; bids twice the notified amount
The first leg of the swap will be settled on Thursday, when the RBI will inject rupee liquidity into the banking system. The transaction will be reversed after three years
Tax hierarchy sees reshuffle as Odisha, Telangana take unexpected leads
Smaller states such as Odisha and Telangana are emerging as the fastest-growing contributors to GST and direct taxes, challenging the long-held dominance of India's traditional economic powerhouses
 "Tax hierarchy sees reshuffle as Odisha, Telangana take unexpected leads")
Rupee's relentless slide fuelling talk of RBI intervention, say bankers
Dominance of flows has dulled the rupee's sensitivity to daily swings in its Asian peers, allowing the downside momentum to build and raising expectations of depreciation and speculative activity
 "Rupee's relentless slide fuelling talk of RBI intervention, say bankers")
Rupee slides 9 p to record low of 90.87 against US dollar in early trade
The rupee on Monday settled at a new all-time low of 90.78 against the US dollar, registering a loss of 29 paise over its previous close, weighed down by uncertainty over an India-US trade deal
 "Rupee slides 9 p to record low of 90.87 against US dollar in early trade")
