Page 3 - Finance News

SBI to promote India-Israel bilateral trade in rupee as FTA talks gain pace

The SBI branch has held several meetings and organised webinars recently in collaboration with the Israel-India Chamber of Commerce to promote trade in rupees

Rupee, bond likely to open weak on Monday amid geopolitical concerns

The rupee may open weaker amid strong dollar demand and geopolitical uncertainty, while heavy state bond supply is set to keep government bond yields under upward pressure

FPIs purchase ₹7,524 crore of debt, highest single day in 7 months

Foreign portfolio investors recorded their highest single-day debt inflow in seven months on January 1, even as they exited FAR securities in December amid rupee weakness

Deposit rate cuts tough for banks as govt retains small savings rates

With small savings rates unchanged for the eighth straight quarter despite RBI cuts, banks face limited room to lower deposit rates amid slowing deposit growth and margin pressure

Govt panel reviews foreign banks' plans to open branches in India

Panel chaired by DFS Secretary M Nagaraju reviewed RBI proposals for foreign banks amid a gradual decline in foreign bank presence and India's push for calibrated financial liberalisation

IFSCA seeks vast changes to develop commodity trading hub at GIFT-IFSC

IFSCA has proposed regulatory changes to notify commodity trading as a financial product and deepen participation at GIFT-IFSC to position it as a global commodities hub

Rupee weakens below 90 due to persistent dollar demand from companies

The rupee breached the 90-per-dollar level amid sustained corporate dollar demand and FPI outflows, even as banking system liquidity turned surplus after two weeks

Rupee weakens on corporate dollar demand as thin volumes cap moves

Rupee settled at 89.97 per dollar on Thursday as corporate dollar demand and muted trade volumes pressured the currency. Analysts expect the rupee to stay range-bound amid global policy uncertainty

Bank credit demand from industry gains momentum as loan growth accelerates

The data showed credit to 'Micro and Small' and 'Medium' industries continued to exhibit double-digit expansion

98.41% of ₹2,000 banknotes withdrawn since May 2023 returned: RBI

About 98.41 per cent of the high-value banknotes in circulation as of May 19, 2023, have since been returned

Banks may soon sponsor pension funds as PFRDA approves major NPS reforms

The proposed framework seeks to remove regulatory constraints that had so far limited banks' participation in pension fund management

RBI reiterates cautious stance on crypto assets, stablecoins for stability

RBI reiterated its cautious view on crypto assets and stablecoins, stressing that CBDCs should remain the anchor of trust and the core settlement asset in the monetary system

RBI governor urges staff to sharpen supervision, regulatory focus

The RBI staff must sharpen their knowledge, enhance their analytical capabilities, embrace technology, and continuously make improvements in processes, Governor Sanjay Malhotra added

RBI relaxes risk-weight rules for NBFC infra loans, revises thresholds

However, RBI denied requests to dilute termination protection clauses, calling them critical for safeguarding lenders' interests in the event of early project termination

UPI ends 2025 strong with record 21.63 bn transactions worth ₹27.97 trn

India's UPI processed a record 21.63 billion transactions worth ₹27.97 trillion in December, helping the platform close 2025 with its strongest-ever annual volumes and values

Sammaan Capital board clears scheme to absorb Samman Finserv's NBFC

Board-approved restructuring will transfer Samman Finserv's NBFC business to Sammaan Capital and surrender the licence, aiming to consolidate lending and meet single-NBFC norms

Yield curve steepens due to heavy sovereign issues; long-end demand weakens

RBI's FSR says higher G-Sec and SGS supply and softer demand from insurers and pension funds are keeping long-term yields elevated even as short rates fall on easing and liquidity

Over 70% of fintechs' loan book unsecured: Financial Stability Report

Unsecured personal loans dominate fintech lending, with younger borrowers accounting for over half the exposure, as the RBI highlights growth and asset quality trends

External uncertainties may trigger outflows, Fx rate volatility: RBI

RBI flags risks from global shocks, including a sharp US equity correction, that could spur foreign portfolio outflows and rupee volatility, though it says buffers remain adequate

Up to four banks may tap capital buffers in adverse scenarios: RBI

RBI stress tests suggest some banks may need to draw on capital conservation buffers under adverse macro conditions, though minimum capital norms are likely to remain intact