Core Insights - Gold loans provide a convenient solution for various financial needs, including education, business expansion, personal or medical costs, and home renovations, with minimal paperwork and quick access to cash [2][11] How Gold Loans Work - Gold loans involve pledging gold jewelry in exchange for funds, with the loan amount determined by the purity and weight of the jewelry [3][11] - Interest rates on gold loans vary based on the lender, borrower's profile, loan amount, tenure, and repayment option [3][11] Interest Rates - As of October 2025, interest rates for gold loans from various banks and financial institutions are as follows: - State Bank of India: 10.00% - Union Bank of India: 9.65% - Punjab National Bank: 8.35% - HDFC Bank: 9.30% - Muthoot Finance: 22.00% [4] Eligible Items for Pledge - Only specific gold items are accepted for loans, typically gold ornaments with a purity between 18 and 22 karats, and bank-minted coins of 24 karats weighing up to 50 grams [6][11] - Items such as hair pins, cufflinks, gold watches, and imitation jewelry are generally not accepted [6][11] Loan Amount Determination - The loan amount is based on the purity of gold (measured in karats) and net weight, with loans not offered against primary gold like 24-carat bars [9][11] Repayment Options - Various repayment options are available, including: - Paying interest as EMI and principal later - Making partial payments - Bullet repayment - Regular EMI option - Partial prepayment - Prepaying interest upfront [10][11] Market Considerations - Borrowers are advised to check the current market value of their gold and consider lenders offering low interest rates and flexible repayment options [9][11]

NEW DELHI/MUMBAI : The Adani Group’s brand-new airport in Navi Mumbai is not even operational but the conglomerate is already going about raising funds for its second terminal, which is expected to start functioning four years from now. The group plans to raise ₹30,000 crore to build the second terminal and has initiated discussions with Indian and Japanese banks as well as the Singapore government’s investment company Temasek. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first terminal of Navi Mumbai Inter ...

Core Viewpoint - State Bank of India anticipates a limited impact from the transition to the expected credit loss (ECL) framework due to a long transition period that allows for increased provisioning against stressed loans [1][2]. Regulatory Changes - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed a transition from the current "incurred loss" provisioning rule to an ECL framework, with a five-year glide path from April 1, 2027, to March 31, 2031 [3]. - The RBI has invited feedback on the draft circular by November 30 [3]. Classification of Financial Assets - Financial assets will be classified into three stages based on the increase in credit risk since initial recognition: Stage 1 (low risk), Stage 2 (rising risk), and Stage 3 (credit-impaired) [4]. Provisioning Requirements - Stage 1 requires a minimum provisioning rate of 0.40% for most standard loans, 0.25% for farm or MSME loans, and 1.0-1.25% for unsecured retail and project financing during construction [5]. - Stage 2 mandates a minimum 5% provisioning for the most deteriorated loans, 1.5% for secured retail loans, and 0.75-1.0% for operational project loans [6]. - Stage 3 has age-based provisioning floors ranging from 25-40% in the first year for secured or unsecured loans, increasing to 75-100% beyond 3-4 years, with unsecured retail loans requiring full provisioning after the first year [6]. Impact on Banks - Unsecured retail exposure to personal loans, credit cards, and microfinance may face a larger provisioning burden, while housing or gold loans may experience a lower incremental impact [8]. - The RBI estimates a one-time provisioning hit but expects the overall impact on minimum regulatory capital to be modest due to the transition path and existing capital buffers [8]. - Private banks are better positioned to manage the shift due to stronger capital buffers and advanced risk models, while public sector banks may face additional provisioning requirements [10]. Long-term Benefits - The ECL framework is expected to enhance earnings stability, transparency, and comparability, thereby strengthening the resilience of the banking system [11].

Core Insights - A gold loan is a financial product where individuals can borrow money against their gold jewelry, with the amount determined by the purity and weight of the gold [1][5] Interest Rates - As of October 2025, interest rates for gold loans vary across different banks and financial institutions in India, with public sector banks offering rates from 8.35% to 10.50%, while private sector banks range from 9.00% to 10.50% [1] Acceptable Gold Items - Only gold ornaments with a purity of 18 to 22 karats and bank-minted coins (24 karats) up to 50 grams per customer are acceptable for gold loans [2][5] - Items such as gold-plated jewelry, imitation jewelry, and gold bars are not accepted by reputable lenders [4][5] Loan Amount Determination - The loan amount is based on the purity of gold (measured in karats) and net weight, with loans not offered against primary gold (24-carat gold bars and biscuits) [5][4] Repayment Options - Various repayment options are available, including EMI-based repayment, bullet repayment for 3, 6, and 12 months, and an overdraft facility [6]

Banks usually charge a foreclosure fee if an individual wants to close their personal loan before the scheduled tenure. However, in some cases, an individual can get a complete waiver or a conditional waiver of the foreclosure fee.In this article, we will discuss some banks/NBFCs that either don’t charge a foreclosure fee or provide a conditional waiver on the foreclosure fee on personal loans.What is the foreclosure fee?A personal loan tenure usually ranges from 3 months to 7 years. When an individual want ...

Core Insights - Personal loans offer quick access to funds for various expenses but come with multiple charges and complexities that borrowers need to understand before applying [1][4] Interest Rates and Processing Charges - Current personal loan interest rates as of October 2025 range from 9.99% to 24% depending on the bank, with processing charges varying significantly [2][3] - HDFC Bank offers interest rates between 9.99% and 24% with processing charges of ₹6,500 plus GST, while ICICI Bank's rates range from 10.60% to 16.50% with processing charges up to 2% of the loan amount plus taxes [2] Types of Charges - Key charges associated with personal loans include loan processing fees, prepayment or foreclosure charges, and late payment penalties [4][5] - Processing fees typically range from 0.5% to 3.93% of the loan amount and are generally non-refundable [6] - Prepayment or foreclosure charges can range from 2% to 5% of the outstanding principal, with some lenders offering zero charges under specific conditions [6] Late Payment and Other Charges - Late payment penalties usually range from 1% to 2% of the overdue EMI amount, and consistent delays can negatively impact credit scores [6][7] - Additional charges may include statutory charges, stamp duty, and bounce charges for missed EMI payments, which can range from ₹500 to ₹1,200 [11] Importance of Understanding Charges - A clear understanding of these charges is crucial for borrowers to manage repayments effectively and avoid hidden costs, which can lead to defaults and affect credit profiles [9][10]

Core Insights - Private sector banks experienced a decline in market capitalization during the July-September quarter, underperforming compared to government-owned banks due to trade uncertainties affecting market sentiment [1][4] Market Capitalization Performance - HDFC Bank's market capitalization decreased by 4.8% in Q3, while ICICI Bank's fell by 6.7% [3] - Other private sector banks, including Kotak Mahindra Bank and Axis Bank, also saw declines in market capitalization during the same period [3] - In contrast, state-owned banks like State Bank of India (SBI) increased their market capitalization by 10% in Q3, with Bank of Baroda gaining 3.9%, Punjab National Bank adding 2.1%, and Canara Bank increasing by 8.3% [6] Factors Influencing Performance - Private sector banks, with higher exposure to corporate lending, performed worse than state-owned banks, which have a larger share of retail loans, particularly in smaller cities where local factors are more influential [4] - The imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian goods by the US has created headwinds for domestic equity markets, prompting exporters to seek new markets [5] - The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee indicated that the growth outlook remains resilient, supported by domestic factors despite weak external demand [5] Notable Performers and Decliners - IndusInd Bank was the worst performer among private lenders, losing 15.7% of its market capitalization and dropping to the 14th position, following disclosures of accounting lapses [7] - Overall, 12 out of the 20 banks lost market capitalization in Q3, a significant increase from only two in the previous quarter [7]

Core Viewpoint - Emerging market stocks outperformed other asset classes in September, with a notable rise of 6.6% as measured by the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index, surpassing U.S. stocks and the Nasdaq 100 [1][2][4] Group 1: Performance Overview - All major asset classes posted gains in September, with emerging market stocks leading the way [1] - The Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF rose 5.7% in September and is up 24% year-to-date [2] - The ETF holds approximately 6,000 stocks from over 20 emerging economies, with Chinese stocks making up about 29% of the fund [3] Group 2: Driving Factors - A weaker dollar is a significant factor contributing to the rise in emerging market stocks, with the dollar down nearly 10% year-to-date, marking 2025 as its worst year since 1973 [4][8] - The Federal Reserve's shift to a rate-cutting cycle is expected to further weaken the dollar [5] - Improved economic performance in many emerging markets, supported by structural changes, has led to a revised growth outlook from the International Monetary Fund, increasing from 3.7% to 4.1% [9]

Market Overview - The domestic market has seen a rise in investor confidence, particularly in banking, financial, and tech stocks, with Sensex climbing 623.11 points or 0.77% to 81,830.28 and Nifty 50 gaining 181.70 points or 0.73% to 25,075.95 [1][2] Sector Performance - The Nifty IT index surged nearly 2%, while banking and financial indices advanced over 1%, with all indices trading positively except for metals, media, FMCG, and pharma [2] - Heavyweight banking and financial stocks rose following strong quarterly updates from major lenders like Kotak Mahindra and HDFC, which reported robust Q2 metrics in deposit mobilization and loan growth [3] IT Sector Insights - IT stocks contributed significantly to the market rally, with major companies like TCS, Infosys, HCLTech, and Wipro experiencing increased buying interest, driven by optimism around TCS's upcoming results [4] Stock Performance - Among the Sensex pack, Max Health, Shriram Finance, Apollo Hospitals, Tata Consultancy Services, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Axis Bank, and HDFC Bank were the top gainers, trading 1-3% higher [5] - A total of 3,125 stocks were traded on the National Stock Exchange, with 1,297 advancing and 1,731 declining [5] Midcap and Smallcap Movements - In the midcap segment, stocks like Fortis Healthcare, Nykaa, and Paytm surged 3-7%, while Vodafone Idea and Torrent Power saw declines of 2-4% [7] - Smallcap stocks such as Delhivery and Karur Vysya Bank gained 2-4%, while Aegis Logistics and Aditya Birla Real Estate declined 2-5% [8] New Market Developments - Investors are monitoring two large IPOs this week: Tata Capital and LG Electronics India, with TCS set to announce its second-quarter results on October 9 [9]

Market Performance - Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty were trading positively, with Sensex up by 67.62 points to 81,274.79 and Nifty up by 22.3 points to 24,916.55 in early trade on October 6, 2025 [1] - Both indices extended their gains, with Sensex rising by 170.85 points to 81,376.75 and Nifty increasing by 50.40 points to 24,944.30 [1] Sector Performance - Major gainers among Sensex firms included Bajaj Finance, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Bajaj Finserv, Axis Bank, Tata Consultancy Services, HCL Tech, HDFC Bank, and Eternal [2] - Lagging stocks included Power Grid, Adani Ports, Tata Steel, and Tata Motors [2] Global Market Context - In Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei 225 index traded sharply higher, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was lower [2] - U.S. markets ended on a mixed note on October 3, 2025 [2] Investment Sentiment - Positive market sentiment is supported by growth-stimulating monetary policy, although it faces challenges from ongoing Foreign Institutional Investor (FII) selling [3] - FIIs sold equities worth ₹1,583.37 crore on October 3, 2025 [3] - Global oil benchmark Brent crude increased by 1.44% to $65.46 a barrel [3] Recent Index Movements - On October 3, 2025, Sensex increased by 223.86 points or 0.28% to settle at 81,207.17, while Nifty rose by 57.95 points or 0.23% to 24,894.25 [4]