Japan&rsquo;s three biggest banks received a combined $43 billion credit line from the government to help finance domestic companies&rsquo; overseas takeovers as businesses seek to counter the strong yen.

Japan offers $43 bn for M&As

Business Standard

After SBI cut, Moody&rsquo;s and Fitch retain ratings for the two pvt sector banks.

Now, ICICI and Axis Bank get ratings thumbs-up

Europe&rsquo;s fiscal cauldron continued to bubble over on Wednesday, with no respite in sight from credit rating downgrades and flailing banks, although bank stocks climbed on reports of a recapitalisation plan.

Recapitalise banks or brace for more fiscal problems: IMF 

Moody&rsquo;s Investors Service followed its three-level downgrade of Italy by warning that euro area nations rated below the top Aaa level may see their rankings cut amid contagion from the region&rsquo;s debt crisis.

Moody's sees more European debt rating downgrades, significant market risk

State Bank of India (SBI), the country's largest lender, is gearing up to improve efficiency and asset quality to make good its existing funds. It hopes the government would support it with at least half of the total amount budgeted for capital needs of all public sector banks this financial year.

Capital infusion the only way forward for SBI

Urban cooperative banks in Gujarat lent money to 563,000 people.

Advances grow faster than deposits at UCBs in Gujarat

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has provided an impetus to financial inclusion by liberalising money transfer across the country. The apex bank has issued guidelines to open up the formal banking channel to facilitate fund transfers of small value, subject to monthly ceilings and monitoring.

RBI increases domestic money transfer limits

Bank deposits grew, owing to high interest rates, while growth in bank advances slowed in the first half of the current financial year.

Credit growth slows, deposits up in first half of FY12

For the first time since the start of this financial year, liquidity in the banking system has turned to surplus mode, as banks garnered deposits towards the end of the second quarter. Most banks have parked funds worth Rs 41,530 crore with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in the last two days under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF). However, there were no repo borrowings under LAF on Wednesday.

Banks breathe easy as liquidity improves

The euro zone&rsquo;s services sector shrank for the first time in two years last month as new orders dried up, stoking fears that the region&rsquo;s economy could be heading back into recession, surveys showed today.

Services data fuel euro zone recession worry

Reuters 

Asks banks to furnish capital, ratings and NPA details.

After SBI's rating cut, govt takes stock of its banks

In the Italian mountains of South Tyrol, Luis Durnwalder wishes more of the country could be like his German-speaking province.

Euro's teutonic fault line finds its way to villages

The European Central Bank (ECB) resisted calls to cut interest rates at President Jean-Claude Trichet&rsquo;s final policy meeting on Thursday and may opt to use other tools to stem the sovereign debt crisis.

ECB holds rate at 1.5% at Trichet's final meeting

HDFC Standard Life has justified that it had delayed its settlement due to non co-operation of the claimants. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irda) had issued a show-cause notice, wherein, HDFC Life was penalised for Rs 5 lakh for delaying settlement of claim and has asked the insurer to streamline its processes.

HDFC Life clarifies on Irda show-cause notice

After staying benign for first few days of the month, rates on short-term debt instruments inched up today. The rates are now expected to stay under check on lack of credit demand up till the next policy action decides the future course.

Short-term rates inch up, may stay under check

The National Housing Bank (NHB), regulator in the realty finance sector, is expected to take a decision soon on whether or not there will be a complete waiver of all pre-payment charges on floating-rate home loans.

NHB to decide on pre-payment waiver soon

The impasse over the top job at the country's largest life insurer, Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India, is set to end next week. The search committee, headed by R Gopalan, secretary, department of economic affairs, is expected to interview the shortlisted candidates this Wednesday.

Govt to decide on LIC chairman next week

International Finance Corporation (IFC) plans to float a $500-million trade finance facility for small and medium enterprises from emerging markets, including India, who are suppliers to global apparel and footware brands.

IFC to float $500 mn finance fund for emerging markets

Moody&rsquo;s Investors Service downgrades 12 UK banks even as the central bank pumps in another &pound;75 billion with warning of high inflation.

Most serious crisis since 1930s: BoE chief

Nine Portuguese banks had their debt ratings cut by Moody&rsquo;s Investors Service by one or two levels, which cited concern about funding, bad loans and holdings of government debt.

Moody's downgrades Portugal banks on funding, debt concerns 

European banks are planning to sell more than euro 30 billion ($40 billion) of assets as the debt crisis increases the need to raise capital, according KPMG LLP.

Banks to sell $40 bn of assets amid EU crisis

Finance News: Latest investing news and finance headlines straight from Business Standard.

Page 2582 - Finance News