The Reserve Bank has flagged structural pressures in the insurance sector, saying premium growth is being increasingly driven by high-cost distribution-led strategies of insurance companies rather than operating efficiency. While posing no near-term systemic risks, the surface-level stability masks emerging structural pressures that could weigh on medium-term sustainability and coverage expansion, RBI said in its latest financial stability report. "A primary pressure is the persistence of a high expense structure, particularly the acquisition costs. Premium growth has been increasingly driven by high-cost distribution-led strategies rather than operating efficiency," the report said. It further said that while in the life insurance sector, frontloaded acquisition costs limited the extent to which scale efficiencies are passed on to policyholders. Furthermore, expected benefits from digitisation remain unrealised. "From a financial stability perspective, continuously elevated expen
January 2025 holiday calendar, which includes a list of bank and national holidays, is now available. For final confirmation, it is recommended to cross-check with institutional and state calendars
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
Unsecured personal loans dominate fintech lending, with younger borrowers accounting for over half the exposure, as the RBI highlights growth and asset quality trends
RBI says household debt rose to 41.3% of GDP at end-March 2025, led by consumption-oriented retail loans, even as net financial savings improved in Q4 FY25
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
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
Stakeholders are pulling in different directions, and the ATM channel has to be reimagined to make it commercially viable. Are there any alternatives?
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
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 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
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
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
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 remained strong till December 15, while deposit growth weakened further, widening the credit-deposit gap and underscoring persistent liquidity tightness in the banking system
January 1, 2026, a Thursday, is New Year's Day in 2026. In the US, January 1st is a federal holiday; in India, it is a restricted holiday. However, in some states, banks are closed, as per the RBI
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
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
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
RBI's Trends and Progress report shows banks' asset quality improved, with gross NPAs down to 2.1% by September 2025 and net NPAs at 0.5%, aided by recoveries and provisioning