Banking News

Banking sector to maintain strong growth over the next two years: ICRA

Profitability in the banking sector is expected to remain healthy, supported by stronger core earnings

720 million basic savings bank accounts exempt from balance penalty: FM

About 72 crore Basic Savings Bank Deposit Accounts (BSBDA), including those under the PM Jan Dhan scheme, are not subject to any penal charges for non-maintenance of minimum balance, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, she said banks offer zero-balance savings accounts facility in Basic Savings Bank Deposit Accounts (BSBDAs), including the accounts opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), to ensure universal access to banking facilities, particularly for unbanked, vulnerable and small depositors, and to promote financial inclusion. These accounts do not require maintenance of any minimum balance, and the account holders are provided basic banking services such as deposits, withdrawals and ATM access free of charge, without levy of any penal charges. "Approximately 72 crore BSBDAs, including PMJDY accounts, are not subject to any penal charges for non-maintenance of minimum balance," Sitharaman said.

Lead Bank Scheme needs to contextualise recent changes instead of tinkering

The draft circular makes changes in the coordination structure, with subcommittees for inclusion and literacy; agriculture; micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs); and payment systems

Holi bank holidays 2026: Check where banks will shut on March 3 and 4

Confused about Holi 2026 bank holidays? Check where banks are shut on March 3 and March 4 across India

IBA to set up committee to review BC payouts, fixed remuneration on cards

Move follows NFIS 2025-30 observations and RBI survey findings flagging inadequate and delayed remuneration as key reasons for inactivity among Business Correspondents

NBFCs' bank licence set to figure at DFS meet on Thursday as reforms loom

The meeting will be attended by senior officials from the Finance Industry Development Council, Sa-Dhan and Microfinance Industry Network

Banks may invest ₹7 trillion in G-secs in FY27 amid rising deposit base

Banks are likely to invest around Rs 7 trillion in G-secs in FY27 as deposit growth strengthens and SLR requirements rise, with RBI expected to use OMOs to manage liquidity, analysts said

Risk-based premium on deposit insurance to test banks' fund-raising ability

From April 21, banks shift to risk-based deposit insurance premiums, with better-rated lenders paying less and a likely hike in the ₹5 lakh insurance cap

UGRO to focus on reducing pricier borrowing costs in FY27, says MD

Non-bank lender UGRO Capital's borrowing costs are higher than peers by 1.25 per cent, and the company will focus on reducing them in FY27, a top official has said. "Our focus is now to reduce our cost of borrowing. Our cost of borrowing is at least 1.25 per cent higher than that of our peers. So, the focus is to reduce that because if we don't reduce that, both the end customer, we cannot service well," the founder and managing director of small-business-focused lender, Sachindra Nath, told PTI. The company, which has grown its assets under management from around Rs 3,000 crore in 2020 to nearly Rs 15,000 crore in 2025, said the sharp expansion in recent years had necessitated higher liability mobilisation, impacting borrowing costs. "With the base now becoming large and growth expected to moderate, the demand for liabilities will also reduce. This will give us the flexibility to negotiate better rates," he said. He indicated that while its liability mix will broadly remain ...

Bharat Bandh Feb 12: Bank services may be affected, warn SBI, PNB & others

Bank strike on February 12: Trade unions have called a nationwide strike on February 12, 2026. Here's what banks have said about possible service disruptions

Banks issue over ₹1 trillion worth of CDs in February as rates soften

Banks raise over Rs 1 trillion via certificates of deposit in early February as short-term rates ease amid surplus liquidity and rising credit demand

Sidbi, Nabfid and Hudco to tap debt capital market for ₹13,500 crore

Sidbi, Nabfid and Hudco will raise Rs 13,500 crore through bond issuances this week, even as higher yields and geopolitical risks continue to weigh on corporate debt fundraising

ESAF SFB to apply for universal banking licence after 2 years, says MD

Thrissur-based ESAF Small Finance Bank will wait at least two years to seek a universal banking licence as it pivots to secured lending to improve asset quality and profitability

SBI Q3FY26 results: Net profit up 24.5% to ₹21,028 crore on strong NII

SBI's Q3FY26 net profit rose 24.5 per cent to ₹21,028 crore on higher NII and non-interest income. The bank raised FY26 credit growth guidance to 13-15 per cent

RBI asks banks to stay open on March 31 to close FY26 govt accounts

RBI says banks handling government receipts and payments will remain open on March 31, 2026, to ensure all transactions are accounted for in FY26

High-level banking panel for Viksit Bharat a key step: Bandhan Bank founder

Bandhan Bank founder and Group Chairman Chandra Shekhar Ghosh on Monday said the Union Budget's proposal to set up a High Level Committee on Banking for Viksit Bharat is a significant step towards aligning the banking sector with India's next phase of growth, while safeguarding financial stability, inclusion and consumer protection. In the budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed formation of the panel to comprehensively review the banking sector, and align it with India's next phase of growth, while safeguarding financial stability, inclusion and consumer protection. She also outlined a proposal for NBFCs with clear targets for credit disbursement and technology adoption, and suggested the restructuring of public sector NBFCs such as Power Finance Corporation and Rural Electrification Corporation to improve scale and efficiency. Ghosh said the proposed committee may play a key role in shaping the future regulatory and policy framework for banks, particularly those engag

Business correspondents seek grant, equity funds for capacity building

The Business Correspondent Resource Council has sought the setting up of infrastructure and equity funds to strengthen last-mile banking, citing NSFI goals and RBI findings

DFS seeks states' support to ensure banking ops during Jan 27 bank strike

The DFS said banks have conveyed that ATMs are being adequately loaded with sufficient cash, and arrangements have been made to ensure timely replenishment

Banking ops to be hit on Tuesday as unions strike for 5-day work week

Banking operations of public sector banks across the country are likely to be impacted on Tuesday with the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) deciding to go ahead with a nationwide strike on January 27 to press for the immediate implementation of a five-day work week. The strike call by the UFBU, an umbrella body of nine unions representing officers and employees, comes after a conciliation meeting on January 23 with the chief labour commissioner failed to yield a positive outcome. With banks remaining closed on January 25 (Sun) and January 26 (Republic Day), the strike on Tuesday will result in a disruption of branch-level services for three consecutive days. "Despite detailed discussions during the conciliation proceedings, there was no assurance on our demand. Hence, we have been compelled to proceed with the strike action," All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), a constituent of UFBU, General Secretary C H Venkatachalam told PTI. All India Bank Officers' Confederation ..

Axis Bank puts Axis Finance stake sale on hold after RBI eases rules

Axis Bank has paused plans to sell a stake in its consumer lending arm, Axis Finance, after the RBI eased proposed curbs on overlapping bank and subsidiary businesses