Once upon a time, we had the best of both worlds. The interest rates on debt products used to be high &ndash; as high as 15 per cent or even more, with virtually no risk. No wonder, the equity cult did not catch up then. There was just no incentive to assume risk, for uncertain returns of the stock market. The equity markets themselves were shallow and prone to manipulation. The stock market was seen as a gambler&rsquo;s den.

How to manage an MF portfolio 

Business Standard

Foreign mutual fund (MF) houses have continued to do better in 2011-12 in terms of building assets. Their increasing brand equity and investors&rsquo; rising comfort have helped them gain at a time when the overall industry continues to struggle.

Foreign MFs continue to gain ground in India

Non-resident Indians (NRIs) and their investments or incomes earned in India are governed by a separate set of rules, compared to resident Indians. Matters could be simple if these investments were to be held singly. However, if held jointly with a resident-Indian family member, things may get complicated for the latter.

Turning NRI will increase tax liability for joint investments

With the stock market zooming as much as 14 per cent in the last two months, many investors would be looking to either book profits or enter. But, before that, they should take taxation into consideration. There are a number of levies on stock market transactions that could reduce your returns.

Plan exit or entry to reduce taxation 

I earn Rs 1 lakh a month and have a CIBIL credit score of 600. Still, a public sector bank refused me a home loan.

Debt counselling: Sanjay Agarwal

Amid tight liquidity conditions, the scramble to raise resources has made State Bank of India (SBI) raise short-term deposit rates by 175-200 basis points above card rates. From March 1, for deposits with a maturity of up to 180 days, the bank would offer nine per cent interest per year for fresh deposits between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 1 crore. A senior SBI official said the revision in rates at at the short end was to attract resources.

SBI raises short-term deposit rates

In just two weeks from now, all eyes will be on Finance Minster Pranab Mukherjee, when he presents the Union Budget in Parliament. And, just as the corporate world and industry associations present their litany of demands to the FM, the Gen-Next, too, is looking for a few goodies.

Gen-X wants it all from the FM

Ajay Thakkar, 32, a Mumbai-based businessman, is wondering whether to invest in a bank fixed deposit (FD) now or wait for some more time. Since he is sitting on idle cash, he wants to quickly invest the money, preferably in a debt instrument, as equities are not inspiring much confidence in him.

Is it time to get locked in?

BlackRock Inc's Laurence D Fink said savers need to become more aggressive investors as returns on bank accounts and Treasuries shrink and people grow older.

'Savers need to become investors in new world'

I, 24, just started working in a recruitment agency.

General Insurance: Bhargav Dasgupta

Poor credit history is a common problem that can destabilise your finances. It may happen during the early employment days when individuals borrow to buy vehicles or take personal loans to meet their rising credit card bills. Equally susceptible are mature families who borrow to fund the higher education of their children or any other incidental needs.

How to improve your credit score

With the National Stock Exchange&rsquo;s benchmark index S&amp;P CNX Nifty moving up more than 12 per cent in the past two months, if the market continues to gain like this, the annual returns for the calendar year for its investors could be in excess of 70 per cent &ndash; a really spectacular number indeed.

Investing through the index

Taxation of perquisites has come a long way from 2009, when it was introduced. As a result, for employees, it has become more complicated.

In taxing of perquisites, valuation is the tricky part

I read the insurance regulator wants policies to be sold based on the customer's need.

Life Insurance: V Philip

In about a month&rsquo;s time from now, purchasing general insurance policies for health, motor and property could become more expensive, as the government has asked insurers to bear the risk of loss-making businesses on their books &mdash; else hike the premiums adequately. This would impact the car insurance segment especially, as insurers were used to accumulating their risks in a common insurance pool.

Get ready for higher medical, car insurance premiums

A survey by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has found urban households expect inflation at 13.3 per cent in December 2012, higher than the 12.9 per cent perceived for September 2012. And, the rise is anticipated mainly on account of food price movements.

Rein in prices, say homemakers

Asia-focussed hedge funds that were started with the help of a major backer after the 2008 credit crisis are shutting down as a shrinking pool of key investors makes it harder for them to raise capital.

Asia hedge fund startups falter, backers pull cash

Over the years, the Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) has emerged as a popular mechanism for investors in equity funds. This is not surprising, since a disciplined approach allows investors to limit their downside and reduce the variance on their returns. Also, by investing a fixed amount at a set interval, regardless of market conditions, investors can remove emotions from the decision-making process.

SIP the right way

Only a couple of years earlier, gold and platinum cards were perceived as enhancing the social status of cardholders. However, customers are now exploring value propositions while selecting credit cards.

Gold is old, credit card users opt for rewards, cashback

Federal Bank has become the country&rsquo;s first private sector lender to cut its base rate, or the minimum lending rate, after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) changed its stance on monetary tightening last year. The Kerala-based bank cut its base rate by 10 basis points to 10.65 per cent. The new rate is effective from yesterday.

Federal Bank cuts base rate by 10 bps

The past few years have seen banks and insurance companies launching several &lsquo;pink&rsquo; products. However, on a closer look, many seem just &lsquo;cosmetic&rsquo;. No wonder, experts are not bandying about these products.

Pink products looking pale

Personal Finance: Read about the smart strategies for Personal Finance Planning, Investing, Insurance, banking, budgeting, loans Tax Planning, retirement and insurance. Browse Business Standard to learn more on Personal Finance.

Personal Finance: Investing, Planning, Retirement, Loans, & Insurance | Business Standard

Read about the smart strategies for Personal Finance Planning, Investing, Insurance, banking, budgeting, loans Tax Planning, retirement and insurance. Browse Business Standard to learn more on Personal Finance.

Page 991 - Personal Finance