Rbi

Bank credit demand from industry gains momentum as loan growth accelerates

The data showed credit to 'Micro and Small' and 'Medium' industries continued to exhibit double-digit expansion

98.41% of ₹2,000 banknotes withdrawn since May 2023 returned: RBI

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday said 98.41 per cent of the Rs 2000 banknotes in circulation have been returned. The RBI had announced the withdrawal of Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from circulation on May 19, 2023. "The total value of Rs 2000 banknotes in circulation, which was Rs 3.56 lakh crore at the close of business on May 19, 2023, when the withdrawal of Rs 2000 banknotes was announced, has declined to Rs 5,669 crore at the close of business on December 31, 2025," it said. Thus, 98.41 per cent of the high-value banknotes in circulation as of May 19, 2023, have since been returned. A facility for deposit and/or exchange of the Rs 2000 banknotes was available at all bank branches in the country up to October 7, 2023. From October 9, 2023, the RBI's 19 Issue Offices are also accepting Rs 2000 banknotes from individuals/entities for deposit into their bank accounts. Apart from this, members of the public are sending Rs 2,000 banknotes through India Post from any po

RBI reiterates cautious stance on crypto assets, stablecoins for stability

RBI reiterated its cautious view on crypto assets and stablecoins, stressing that CBDCs should remain the anchor of trust and the core settlement asset in the monetary system

RBI governor urges staff to sharpen supervision, regulatory focus

The RBI staff must sharpen their knowledge, enhance their analytical capabilities, embrace technology, and continuously make improvements in processes, Governor Sanjay Malhotra added

Customer is the purpose

Banks exist to serve the customers, let us serve them well

RBI flags high-cost distribution pressures in insurance sector growth model

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

RBI relaxes risk-weight rules for NBFC infra loans, revises thresholds

However, RBI denied requests to dilute termination protection clauses, calling them critical for safeguarding lenders' interests in the event of early project termination

January 2026 bank holidays: Check state-wise closures in India this month

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

Yield curve steepens due to heavy sovereign issues; long-end demand weakens

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

Over 70% of fintechs' loan book unsecured: Financial Stability Report

Unsecured personal loans dominate fintech lending, with younger borrowers accounting for over half the exposure, as the RBI highlights growth and asset quality trends

India's household debt rises to 41.3% of GDP, above five-year average: RBI

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

External uncertainties may trigger outflows, Fx rate volatility: RBI

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

Up to four banks may tap capital buffers in adverse scenarios: RBI

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

The ATM interchange conundrum: How to make the channel viable again

Stakeholders are pulling in different directions, and the ATM channel has to be reimagined to make it commercially viable. Are there any alternatives?

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