The Reserve Bank of India’s October policy was a close call with growing clamour for easing of policy rates as India’s growth outlook has become more uncertain. India’s real GDP growth outlook is caught between the tailwinds of the GST rate cuts and the headwinds of the US’s steep tariffs. Meanwhile, inflation remains subdued, led by deceleration in food inflation. Despite the heightened uncertainty on India’s growth, RBI on Wednesday maintained status quo on policy rates and retained its neutral stance. T ...

The investing community plans to redraw the rules for VCs with recast playbooks, rebuilt partnerships, and robust value creation in sightFire-side chat with V Vaidyanathan of IDFC FIRST Bank highlighted the importance of VCs and banks to work in tandem to build a resilient financial backbone for startupsThe first edition of MoneyX Dialogues — Venture Capital Unplugged saw a gathering of more than 50 investors discussing the changing playbooks and sector prioritiesIt was a breezy evening in late August Benga ...

Group 1 - Nifty Bank index opened at 54,654, currently at 54,888, up 0.5% from the previous close of 54,636 [1] - The advance/decline ratio is 5/7, indicating a slight bearish bias, with Kotak Mahindra Bank as the top gainer at 1.7% and IDFC First Bank leading the decline at 1.1% [1] - Nifty PSU Bank has decreased by nearly 0.2%, while Nifty Private Bank has increased by 0.6%, showing private banks outperforming public sector banks [2] Group 2 - Nifty Bank futures opened at 55,100, currently trading at 55,200, up nearly 0.4% from the previous close of 55,012 [3] - The futures have broken out of a resistance at 55,150, indicating a bullish trend with potential to rally to 55,500 [3][4] - If the futures drop below the support level of 55,150, it could lead to a trend reversal, potentially dragging the contract down to 54,850 [4] Group 3 - Trade strategy suggests buying Nifty Bank futures at 55,200, with a target of 55,500 and a stop-loss at 55,050 [5] - Supports are identified at 55,150 and 54,850, while resistances are at 55,500 and 55,750 [5]

If you are short of funds and planning to borrow from a fintech lending app, it is imperative that you stay careful about a number of things. At the outset, the app must be approved by the banking regulator, Reserve Bank of India (RBI).There have been several cases in the past where fake apps and agents managed to dupe gullible borrowers. Frauds in the name of lending are not an unusual phenomenon. Read this Livemint article to know more about whether it's safe to borrow via loan apps.Also Read | Can a pers ...

In a remarkable feat, DBS Private Bank’s multi-family office has soared to a record S$1 billion in assets under management (AUM) merely two years post-launch. The DBS Multi Family Office Foundry VCC (DBS MFO), which debuted in 2023, proudly claims the title of the world’s first bank-backed multi-family office. Since its inception, this financial innovator has attracted 25 ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) families from across the globe, according to a press release from Singapore’s largest bank issued on Septembe ...

Core Insights - ixigo has launched the 'Grand Travel Fest' sale, offering significant discounts on flights and hotels to make festive travel more affordable for families and individuals [1][4] Discounts Offered - Travellers can receive up to 12% off on flights and hotels when using ICICI Bank Credit Cards and Credit Card EMI, while RBL Bank Credit Cards, BOBCARD, AU Bank Credit Cards, and IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Card EMI offer up to 15% off [2] - Specific discounts include: - ICICI Bank: 12% off - RBL Bank: 15% off - BOB Card: 15% off - AU Bank: 15% off [2] Validity of Offers - The promotional offers are valid until September 26, 2025, allowing ample time for travellers to book for upcoming festivals such as Dussehra and Diwali [3] Company Perspective - Aloke Bajpai, Group CEO of ixigo, emphasized the importance of festive travel for family gatherings and the company's commitment to making these journeys more affordable and convenient through exclusive bank partnerships [4] - The Grand Travel Fest aims to enhance the travel experience during India's peak travel season by providing savings and a variety of options for flights and hotels [4]

Core Insights - The combination of a tax overhaul and festival demand is driving higher credit growth, potentially providing a short-term boost to the economy while lenders are cautious about overextension [1][19] Tax Reform Impact - The GST has been simplified to two slabs of 5% and 18%, down from four, with a flat 40% tax on luxury and sin goods, leading to lower prices for many essential items while increasing costs for others [2][3][19] - Essentials like milk, staples, and medicines have become cheaper, while items like cars and tobacco have seen price increases [3][19] Lending Strategies - Banks and NBFCs are launching aggressive marketing campaigns to capitalize on the new GST slabs and the festive shopping season, aiming to convert pent-up demand into loans [6][19] - Kotak Mahindra Bank is offering discounts up to ₹30,000 on electronics, while IDFC First Bank has introduced cashback offers on large purchases [7][19] - L&T Finance is promoting "buy now, pay later" schemes and other incentives to stimulate demand in the two-wheeler loan segment [8][20] Credit Growth Projections - Bank credit in India is projected to grow by 11-12% in the second half of FY26, with retail lending expected to expand by 13% [11][20] - The total resources raised in the economy have more than doubled from ₹13.58 lakh crore in 2019-20 to ₹30.08 lakh crore in 2024-25, reflecting an annualized growth rate of over 20% [10][20] Consumer Behavior - The festive season and tax reforms are expected to push deferred purchasing decisions forward, with many consumers having held off on purchases during the inauspicious Pitru Paksha period [12][20] - The mechanics of promotional schemes often involve manufacturers subsidizing loans, allowing lenders to maintain income while offering consumers attractive deals [13][20] Economic Implications - Increased consumer spending on items like televisions and bikes through credit is expected to boost GST collections and factory orders, benefiting lenders and expanding their customer base [15][20] - The government benefits from reinforcing the narrative of successful tax reform and increased accessibility to credit [15][20] Risks and Challenges - The Reserve Bank of India has expressed concerns about the rapid growth of unsecured personal lending, which could lead to rising defaults if economic momentum slows [16][20] - NBFCs face challenges with high funding costs and liquidity mismatches, making them vulnerable to interest rate fluctuations [17][20] - The lending ecosystem in India is at a critical juncture, with banks, NBFCs, and capital markets all influencing credit flows, highlighting both opportunities and potential future stress [18][20]

Key insight: Criminals exploited the banking system's "check float" period as a core part of the scheme.What's at stake: The scheme compromised the personal and financial security of individuals who now have ongoing fears about identity theft.Supporting data: Of the $1.2 million the criminals attempted to steal, banks only lost $22,000 to the scheme.Overview bullets generated by AI with editorial reviewA federal judge recently sentenced a Missouri man who orchestrated a check fraud operation using checks st ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the various online dangers children face and emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in safeguarding their online activities [2][3][4]. Group 1: Online Harms to Children - Children are exposed to a range of online harms from infancy to late teens, including developmental issues, harmful content, exploitation by online predators, privacy breaches, and mental health challenges [2][4]. - Excessive screen time can negatively impact cognitive development and social skills, while inappropriate online content can affect learning and judgment [4]. Group 2: Parental Guidance and Protection Measures - Ongoing conversations about online safety and setting clear guidelines are crucial for protecting children [3][5]. - Recommended protective measures include establishing rules for internet access, imposing physical limitations on device usage, and prioritizing online safety education [5][6]. Group 3: Digital Security Solutions - Equifax offers a subscription service, Equifax Complete Protection, which includes parental controls, daily credit monitoring, dark web monitoring, and device protection to enhance online safety for children [6][8]. - The service costs $34.95 per month and provides various features aimed at protecting personal information and monitoring suspicious activities [7][8].

The liquidity surplus declined to 70 billion rupees ($794 million) on September 21, the lowest since late March, after nearly 2.6 trillion rupees moved out due to income tax and goods and services tax payments. The amount of money in the banking system influences market interest rates, including those on consumer loans. "We expect this shortage to be temporary, as a pickup in government spending should help neutralise its impact over the coming week," said Vivek Kumar, an economist with Quanteco Research, ...