Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of building a balanced investment portfolio that includes both technology stocks and defensive options, highlighting the intrinsic value of companies as a key focus for investment decisions [1] Group 1: Investment Strategy - The company specializes in equities and diversified portfolios, aiming to ensure clients benefit from technology stock growth while maintaining investments in defensive options [1] - There is a strong preference for established technology companies and those in consumer staples and discretionary goods, prioritizing company value over market circumstances [1] Group 2: Experience and Expertise - The company has been an active investor for seven years, managing third-party portfolios and focusing on macroeconomic trends, stock valuation, and the interplay between politics and markets [1] - A Master's degree in Economics and experience as a consultant for public and private organizations contribute to the company's analytical capabilities, particularly in financial and economic aspects [1] Group 3: Challenges and Insights - The company acknowledges the difficulty of the investment principle "buying low and selling high," drawing parallels between the pressures of public tenders and market crises [1] - The experience during market downturns, such as in 2020 and 2022, has provided valuable insights into investment strategies and market behavior [1] Group 4: Advocacy and Inclusion - The company actively promotes financial inclusion programs for women in finance, recognizing the challenges in this area and expressing a commitment to contribute positively [1]

Financial Inclusion Challenges in Pakistan - 80% of Pakistan's 250 million people are financially excluded [3] - 11 trillion rupees are outside the formal sector [4] - Over 40% of agricultural produce is wasted due to lack of storage [4] - 266 billion children are out of school [5] - Microfinance reaches less than 1 million households despite 30 years of formal microfinance [8][9] Institutional Landscape and its Limitations - Pakistan has approximately 35 commercial banks and 12 microfinance banks, plus nearly 40 non-bank financial institutions [7] - Microfinance serves about 12 million microloans, but only around 4 million unique clients [7][8] - Larger microfinance institutions serve only two to three lakh (200,000-300,000) clients, significantly less than institutions in Bangladesh and India [9] Required Institutional "Killer Apps" - Capital: Need for a spectrum of capital, including tier one and tier two capital, for non-bank financial service providers [12][13] - Funding: Need for diverse funding sources beyond shareholder capital, including capital markets activity (retail TFCs, commercial papers, etc) [14][15] - Risk Predicates: Safety nets like collateral (gold), first loss guarantees, and party passive guarantees are needed to encourage lending to vulnerable populations [16][17] - Technology, Product Strategy, and Channel Strategy: Leveraging Pakistan's high teledensity (around 120 million unique SIMs) and the NADRA database for KYC/AML [20] Banking as a Service (BaaS) - Banks need to evolve from product providers to ecosystem enablers, offering "banking as a service" [21] - BaaS involves banks becoming platforms where fintechs and digital companies can access funding and scale [24] - This can enable instant access to financing for e-commerce merchants and women entrepreneurs [24]

Group 1: Investment Agreement - Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group's subsidiary MUFG Bank has signed an investment agreement to acquire a 20% equity stake in Shriram Finance, valued at approximately Rs396.2 billion (about $4.3 billion), pending regulatory approval [1][2] - The agreement involves major shareholders of Shriram Finance, including Shriram Ownership Trust and Shriram Capital Private Limited, and will make Shriram Finance an equity method affiliate of MUFG [2] Group 2: Strategic Collaboration - MUFG Bank has also signed a memorandum of understanding for a strategic collaboration with Shriram Finance aimed at accelerating growth through partnerships [3] - The collaboration intends to leverage MUFG's client network and services alongside Shriram Finance's regional reach and established customer base, supporting the development of India's road transport infrastructure and logistics sector [6] Group 3: Company Background and Focus - Shriram Finance, established in 1979, is the second largest retail non-banking financial company (NBFC) in India by loan balance, with nearly 3,200 branches primarily in rural and semi-urban areas [3] - The company specializes in commercial and passenger vehicle loans, with a strong presence in the used vehicle loan segment [4] Group 4: MUFG's Objectives - By providing growth capital, MUFG aims to enhance Shriram Finance's funding capacity and profitability, particularly in the new commercial vehicles and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) segments [5] - MUFG Bank has been operating in India since 1894, offering a range of banking services to corporate clients [4]

The world is connected through fractured, censored, controllable siloed data and monetary networks.They work at the highest levels, but billions fall through the cracks, underserved and kept apart through fragmentation.We deserve neutral global networks.Infrastructure that lets us store, access, send, and do whatever we want with our own data and money.We believe this will change the world once implemented at scale.This is what Dash is for. ...

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of building a balanced investment portfolio that includes both technology stocks and defensive options, highlighting the intrinsic value of companies as a key focus for investment decisions [1] Group 1: Investment Strategy - The company specializes in equities and diversified portfolios, aiming to ensure clients benefit from technology stock growth while maintaining investments in defensive options [1] - There is a strong preference for established technology companies and those in consumer staples and discretionary goods, prioritizing company value over market circumstances [1] Group 2: Experience and Expertise - The company has been an active investor for seven years, managing third-party portfolios and focusing on macroeconomic trends, stock valuation, and the interplay between politics and markets [1] - A Master's degree in Economics and experience as a consultant for public and private organizations contribute to the company's analytical capabilities, particularly in financial and economic aspects [1] Group 3: Challenges and Insights - The company acknowledges the difficulty of the investment principle "buying low and selling high," drawing parallels between the pressures of public tenders and market crises experienced in 2020 and 2022 [1] - The company also emphasizes the importance of promoting financial inclusion programs for women, recognizing it as a significant challenge and an area for further contribution [1]

Credit for images: Supplied photosWeFi’s co-founder and group CEO Maksym Sakharov has positioned himself at the centre of a financial shift that is starting to reshape how money moves, how value is stored, and who gets real control over their wealth. Leading the world’s first deobank, he sits at the intersection of traditional finance, blockchain, and global regulation, arguing that the next big leap in banking won’t come from sleeker apps or faster KYC, but from rebuilding the system on-chain. In this con ...

Core Insights - VEON Ltd. announces that Banglalink has received permission from Bangladesh Bank to operate as a payment service provider, marking a significant step in expanding into digital financial services [1][2] Company Developments - Banglalink will offer regulated money transfer and payment services, targeting the 72% of Bangladesh's population that remains outside the traditional banking system, thus presenting a substantial opportunity for financial inclusion [2] - The company is preparing for the commercial rollout of its payment services in collaboration with Bangladesh Bank and partner institutions, aiming to integrate financial services into customers' mobile experiences [3] - Initial services will include person-to-person transfers, remittance services, utility and government bill payments, merchant transactions, and salary disbursements, with future plans for micro-savings and insurance payments [4] Strategic Vision - The launch of digital financial services aligns with VEON's DO1440 strategy, which aims to empower customers with relevant digital services [5] - The initiative is expected to enhance Bangladesh's growth as a digital economy, leveraging Banglalink's nationwide reach and VEON's global capabilities to create a secure digital payment ecosystem [5] Market Context - As of September 30, 2025, VEON's digital financial services had 42.1 million monthly active users, reflecting a 25% year-on-year growth, indicating the potential for similar success in Bangladesh's rapidly growing digital economy [5]

Core Insights - VEON Ltd. has been recognized at the World Communication Awards 2025 for its advancements in financial inclusion, resilient connectivity, and digital transformation [1][2] Group Achievements - JazzCash, VEON's digital financial services platform in Pakistan, won the Gold Award in the Beyond Connectivity category, highlighting its role in expanding financial access [2][4] - Kyivstar, VEON's operator in Ukraine, received the Silver Award for Satellite Telecommunications, showcasing its efforts to maintain connectivity in challenging circumstances [2][3] - Jazz, VEON's operator in Pakistan, earned a Silver Award for Best Digital Transformation Programme, reflecting its commitment to delivering AI-powered digital experiences [2][5] Strategic Focus - VEON's CEO emphasized the company's commitment to building digital services that promote access, resilience, and inclusion across its markets [3] - The recognition of JazzCash aligns with VEON's strategy to leverage digital services for economic empowerment and social impact, with JazzCash serving 20.6 million monthly active users and a merchant base of 750,000 [4][9] Technological Innovations - Kyivstar's recent milestone includes the launch of SMS messaging via Starlink Direct to Cell satellites, enhancing connectivity in areas with infrastructure disruptions [3] - Jazz's joint award with Huawei for Best Digital Transformation Programme underscores its evolution into a digital life partner, addressing diverse customer needs across various sectors [5] Industry Recognition - The World Communications Awards are organized by Total Telecoms and are recognized as prestigious accolades in the telecommunications industry, adjudicated by over 100 independent experts [6]

Core Insights - Airtel Payments Bank has established itself as a profitable digital-first bank since its launch in 2016, leveraging technology to drive growth and enhance financial inclusion in India [1][4][12] - The payments bank model has evolved from skepticism to a proven sustainable business model, demonstrating resilience and viability in the digital financial ecosystem [3][10] - Airtel Payments Bank has built a robust network of over 500,000 banking points, enabling it to serve a diverse customer base, including underserved rural populations [13][50] Industry Evolution - The introduction of payments banks by the Reserve Bank of India in 2015 aimed to foster financial inclusion by allowing institutions to accept deposits and enable digital payments without physical branches [2][4] - Over the past decade, India's banking landscape has transformed significantly, moving from traditional banking methods to digital-first solutions, enhancing access to financial services [1][10] Business Model and Strategy - Airtel Payments Bank operates on a low-cost, technology-driven model, allowing it to scale efficiently and serve customers at a fraction of the cost of traditional banks [13][16] - The bank targets three distinct customer segments: rural users needing access and trust, urban users seeking secure digital payment solutions, and businesses requiring cash management services [12][15] - The bank's Safe Second Account offers users a secure option for daily transactions, protecting their primary savings from potential fraud [14][56] Financial Performance - In Q2 FY26, Airtel Payments Bank reported a net profit of INR 11.8 crore on revenues of INR 804 crore, indicating its successful business model [17][56] - The bank has achieved significant growth metrics, including over 4 million cards issued and an annualized gross merchandise value of INR 4,560 billion [20][56] Technological Integration - Airtel Payments Bank has integrated advanced technologies, including AI for customer authentication and fraud detection, enhancing operational efficiency and user experience [27][28] - The bank's technology stack supports high transaction volumes and real-time processing, contributing to user confidence and operational maturity [26][48] Future Outlook - Airtel Payments Bank aims to expand its offerings to include micro-savings and small-ticket insurance products, targeting underserved communities and first-time users [50][56] - The bank is focused on enhancing its B2B capabilities and strengthening its position in transit payments, further embedding itself in India's financial ecosystem [54][56] - The company is committed to ensuring cybersecurity and evolving its monetization strategies to meet future challenges in the digital banking sector [57]

Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India will undergo a digital transformation in its operations soon, according to M Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services. While responding to an observation that services of LIC still remained traditional questions after virtually delivering the 69 Foundation Day Lecture at the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), Hyderabad on Saturday, Nagaruju said: “LIC will become completely digital in next two months.”Stating that the digital transformation w ...