Page 4 - Personal Finance

Aggressive hybrid funds suit moderate-risk investors with long-term goals

Such funds are not entirely immune to volatility due to their considerable equity allocation

EMI relief may be quicker from Oct as RBI changes loan rules

RBI's latest rule change removes a 3-year lock on loan spreads, letting borrowers see EMI relief sooner and choose fixed rates at reset.

Financial changes in Oct: Higher bank charges, new pension rules and more

New Rules From 1 October 2025: New rules by Banks, Indian Railways and postal department may raise costs and tighten compliance requirements

Unclaimed deposits: Heirs must produce succession certificate or probate

For modest balances, banks may accept a legal heirship certificate with indemnity bond

Festival home-loan offers: Prioritise long-term savings, avoid teaser rates

Compare the full cost of the loan rather than focusing solely on interest rates

Medical negligence: Documentation, expert opinion key to court success

The complaint must be filed in the right forum and within the limitation period

UPI goes live in Qatar, starting with duty-free stores at Hamad airport

With Qatar Duty Free onboard, UPI expands abroad, offering Indians cashless payments on overseas trips.

What are the best health insurance plans post-GST reforms for you

Under the new GST 2.0 set of reforms, holders of individual health and life insurance policies will no longer have to pay any tax on the premium amount

H-1B visa fee hike hits IT funds; investors urged to stay long-term

Fee hike could accelerate offshore delivery, improve competitiveness; AI adoption, re-skilling initiatives expected to provide medium-term growth opportunities

Tax audit guide for businesses and professionals:Rules, limits and pitfalls

As tax filing deadlines for audit cases approach, experts break down who is at risk of a tax audit, common misconceptions, and tips to stay compliant

Tax notice? Joint owners must save documents showing who funded asset buy

At the time of purchase, both sides ought to make a formal declaration of beneficial interest and financial contribution

Direct equity inflows decline: Focus on key fundamentals, not panic

Replace underperformers with quality, well-researched stocks

Money mkt funds can yield better returns than liquid funds in 6-12 months

Before investing, check the proportion of A1+ holdings and their composition

If you are buying a home, check out the best home loan rates available

With home loan interest rates likely to remain stable in the near future, here are the various options available from lenders across the public and private sectors

Midcap funds: Invest amid valuation comfort, strong earnings growth outlook

Enter with 10-year horizon; exposure can range from 20-40 per cent of portfolio, depending on risk appetite

Margin trading: Track trades, set stop-losses, focus on quality stocks

Be on the alert for margin calls, have liquidity for top-ups, especially in volatile markets

Loan against insurance: Compare with FD, gold, and top-up loans

Remember, if surrender value falls below dues, the policy is foreclosed, leading to loss of coverage

Buyers investing in agricultural land must adhere to state-specific rules

Some states allow only agriculturists to buy, while others require outsiders to secure approval prior to purchase

Buying home: Choose based on urgency, risk appetite, and financial capacity

Go for ready home if you need to move in instantly and can pay full EMI; under-construction if you prefer phased payments and can tolerate construction risk

SBI hikes auto sweep threshold to Rs 50,000: What it means for customers

Surplus funds in savings accounts will now be swept into fixed deposits only if balance crosses Rs 50,000