Page 4 - Finance News

Bond market to remain under pressure; rupee seen range-bound in 2026

Rupee weakened 4.75% in 2025, became worst-performing Asian currency

Growing external borrowings make NBFCs more vulnerable to rupee swings: RBI

RBI says NBFCs' higher foreign currency borrowing has helped steady funding costs, but it raises vulnerability to exchange rate volatility even with most exposure hedged

RBI warns of risks in bank-NBFC interlinkages, asset concentration

The RBI's Financial Stability Report warns that banks are increasingly buying NBFC-originated loans to scale retail portfolios, with nearly 80 per cent of assets sourced from a limited set of non-bank

RBI net short dollar position rises to $66 bn in rupee forwards by Nov end

RBI data shows its outstanding net short dollar position in the rupee forward market rose to $66.04 billion by end-November, up from $63.6 billion at end-October

Microfin borrower indebtedness rises marginally in Sept after two-year dip

RBI's Financial Stability Report shows microfinance borrower indebtedness edged up in September 2025 after a two-year decline, even as credit and active borrowers fell in H1 FY26

High distribution costs limit insurance coverage, says RBI in FSR report

RBI's Financial Stability Report said high distribution-led costs are embedded in pricing, hurting affordability and penetration, while insurers' conservative investing may weaken product appeal

RBI flags stablecoin risks, urges countries to prioritise CBDCs over crypto

In its Financial Stability Report, RBI said central bank money must remain the ultimate settlement asset, warning that stablecoins pose macrofinancial risks and can weaken capital controls

Credit growth nears 12% as deposit growth slows to 9.35% till Dec 15

Credit growth remained strong till December 15, while deposit growth weakened further, widening the credit-deposit gap and underscoring persistent liquidity tightness in the banking system

Finance ministry notifies rules to enable 100% FDI in insurance sector

Revised rules remove the requirement for majority Indian directors in insurers with foreign investment, but mandate that one of the top leadership roles be held by an Indian resident

Rupee enters 2026 on back foot after worst annual drop in 3 years

The currency repeatedly fell to record lows during the year, slipping past the 91 level at one point, highlighting the sustained depreciation pressure

2025: Year of big-bang reforms aimed at ease of doing business in finance

The Reserve Bank of India rolled out sweeping reforms in 2025 to lower compliance costs and improve ease of doing business, from LCR relief and project finance norms to digital lending rules

DFS pushes digitisation, reforms to speed up recoveries through DRTs

The DFS is pushing mandatory e-filing, virtual hearings and legal reforms to improve disposal rates and speed up recoveries through debt recovery tribunals

Housing top reason for partial withdrawals under NPS in FY25: PFRDA

Housing-related needs accounted for the highest number of partial withdrawal requests under the National Pension System in FY25, with Rs 1,327.91 crore withdrawn, PFRDA data show

RBI to conduct OMO purchase auction worth ₹50,000 crore on January 5

The RBI will buy government securities worth ₹50,000 crore in an OMO auction on January 5, 2026, as part of four equal tranches announced for late December and January

Govt plans to amend SARFAESI Act to include special situation funds

Centre is considering amending SARFAESI to include special situation funds as financial institutions and to require borrowers to file representations within 30 days of a demand notice, sources said

MCA extends annual filings deadline to January 31, 2026, waives late fee

The MCA has extended the annual filing deadline by a month to January 31, 2026, with no additional fee, after professionals flagged persistent glitches on the V3 portal

RBI rejects bids for 2037 paper at OMO as banks quote prices above market

RBI rejected bids for the 7.18 per cent 2037 security as quoted prices were above market levels, but purchased ₹50,000 crore of gilts in line with the notified amount

FinMin colloquium to brainstorm ways to check rising debt recovery cases

DFS will meet DRT and DRAT heads and senior bank executives on December 30 to discuss measures to speed up recoveries as pending cases rose to 0.137 million by September 2025, officials said

Half of new bank branches in FY25 opened in tier-1 centres; ATMs dip: RBI

RBI's Trend and Progress report said scheduled commercial banks expanded branches mainly in tier-1 centres in FY25, while ATM numbers declined modestly due to fewer off-site machines

Recovery under IBC improves to nearly 37% in FY25 despite fewer cases

RBI data shows banks improved recovery outcomes under the IBC and SARFAESI in 2024-25 even as the number of cases referred for resolution declined