Loan-against-property lender Optimo Capital has raised $17.5 million in a new round of funding led by the startup's founder Prashant Pitti with participation from existing investors Blume Ventures and impact venture capital firm Omnivore. Alongside the equity raise, the non-banking financial company, or NBFC, has also raised just under $12.5 million in debt from IDFC Bank and Axis Bank. With the new round, Optimo's total equity fundraising stands at $27.5 million. The Blume-backed company targets medium a ...

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]

Core Insights - JSW One Platforms announced a ₹575-crore fundraise aimed at underwriting more inventory loans and growing its loan book five times to ₹500 crore by the end of this year [1][3] Fund Utilization - Approximately half of the raised capital will be allocated to capitalize its in-house non-banking financial company (NBFC), JSW One Finance Limited, while the remainder will be used to scale up JSW One Platforms and expand distribution channels [2] Loan Disbursement - Over a third of orders on JSW One Platforms utilize credit, resulting in monthly disbursals of ₹475-500 crore in 60-90-day inventory funding loans, primarily underwritten by partner banks and NBFCs [3] Investment and Valuation - The ₹575 crore was raised from various investors, including the State Bank of India and Principal Asset Management, with a cumulative equity raise of ₹1,120 crore, and a valuation of $1 billion during a previous round in May [4] Role in MSME Financing - The growing NBFC arm is expected to play a crucial role in bridging the working capital gap for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) [5] Business Model - JSW One Platforms operates as a full-stack solution provider for MSMEs in manufacturing and construction, with 82% of its e-commerce business derived from manufacturing [6] Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) - The company reported a GMV of ₹12,567 crore in FY25, a 240% increase from the previous year, and anticipates surpassing ₹8,000 crore in GMV in the first half of FY26, reflecting a 50% growth [7] Future Plans - The company aims to break even by the end of the current financial year and plans to go public by FY28 [7] Industry Context - JSW One Platforms is part of a growing cohort of conglomerate-led B2B e-commerce platforms, alongside ventures from Aditya Birla Group, Larsen & Toubro, and Tata Group [8]

Core Insights - Banks and shadow banks are launching various offers to boost credit demand during the festive season, which has been relatively muted this year [2] - Lenders are reducing interest rates on loans for homes, vehicles, and personal use, while waiving processing fees and extending repayment tenures [2] Group 1: Offers and Discounts - Many banks have partnered with retailers and e-commerce companies to provide 'instant' EMI options, cashback deals, and discounts on purchases [3] - ICICI Bank is offering savings of up to ₹50,000 on transactions made through credit or debit cards, internet banking, and cardless EMI [4] - HDFC Bank is providing 'festive treats' with savings of up to ₹50,000 on various loans, including personal, business, and vehicle loans [5] - Axis Bank has launched 'Dil Se Open Celebrations' to offer discounts, cashback, and exclusive deals for upcoming festivals [6] Group 2: Specific Offers by Banks - State Bank of India is providing a 10% instant discount on credit card purchases made during Amazon's 'Great Indian Festival' sale [7] - Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) are focusing on two-wheeler loans following a GST cut, targeting demand in Tier-II and Tier-III cities [8] - Shriram Finance plans to introduce schemes for gold, housing, and vehicle loans to capitalize on festival demand [9] - L&T Finance has announced three festival schemes for two-wheeler customers, including no-cost EMI and prompt payment rebates [10] Group 3: Market Trends - There is a noticeable increase in demand within the auto ecosystem, particularly for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and passenger vehicles [9] - The overall sentiment indicates a steady underlying demand for credit, with expectations of increased borrowing across key segments due to GST rationalization [8]