Latest StoriesRegulatory

Bombay HC: Banks Can’t Claim Priority on PMLA-Attached Properties

NAGPUR: The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has delivered a landmark ruling affecting financial institutions and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The court determined that banks’ recovery laws cannot supersede the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), highlighting the government’s priority action against ‘proceeds of crime’. A division bench consisting of Justices Mukulika Jawalkar and Nandesh Deshpande annulled an order from the appellate tribunal that permitted banks, including HDFC Bank and Punjab National Bank, to enforce secured interests over properties seized by the ED in a money laundering case involving alleged misconduct in coal block allocation. The court declared…

CommercialLatest Stories

Sonu Sood Leases Property to HDFC Bank for ₹11.75 Lakh/Month

NEW DELHI: Sonu Sood has leased a commercial space in Trade Centre BKC, Bandra East, Mumbai, to HDFC Bank at an initial monthly rent of ₹11.75 lakh. The lease is for a duration of nine years, starting at ₹11.75 lakh per month for the first three years, followed by a 15% rent increase after each subsequent three-year period. This information is based on property registration documents accessed through Square Yards via the Inspector General of Registration (IGR) website. The agreement was officially registered in February 2026. The lease includes a security deposit of ₹70.50 lakh, three dedicated parking spaces, and…

Housing FinanceLatest Stories

Areion Group Secures ₹936-Crore Bid for Aviom India Housing

MUMBAI: Areion Group has successfully secured the bid for Aviom India Housing Finance, a mortgage lender embroiled in fraud issues, after secured lenders unanimously favored its resolution proposal over a higher but conditional offer from Unity Small Finance Bank, according to sources familiar with the situation. Areion’s ₹936-crore bid is projected to enable a recovery of around 65% for Aviom’s lenders. Despite Unity Small Finance Bank initially offering the highest bid of ₹977.5 crore during the competitive auction, secured lenders supported Areion Group’s unconditional proposal. The preference was influenced by Unity’s conditional offer, which raised concerns about execution, as confirmed…

Housing FinanceLatest Stories

Unity Small Finance Bank Wins Auction for Aviom India Housing

MUMBAI: Unity Small Finance Bank has successfully bid for the bankrupt Aviom India Housing Finance, offering an upfront payment of ₹977.5 crore, according to sources familiar with the matter. Initially, six companies expressed interest in acquiring Aviom India Housing Finance under the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) process, with three ultimately participating in the auction held last week. Areion, a fund backed by Omkara Asset Reconstruction Company, and Authum Investment and Infrastructure were the other two bidders in the auction conducted by Ram Kumar, the RBI-appointed administrator and former general manager of Punjab National Bank. “The bidding involved 13 rounds,…

IndustryLatest Stories

HDFC Capital Advisors Exits Adarsh Developers Again

HDFC Capital Advisors, the private equity branch of HDFC Bank, has successfully exited its second investment of ₹1,100 crore in Bengaluru’s Adarsh Developers. This comes from a total commitment of ₹2,500 crore across four investments with the company. The platform was established in 2022 to develop 17 mid-income residential projects, totaling 10,000 units across 15 million sq ft, in key Bengaluru areas such as Bellandur, Gunjur, Hennur, JP Nagar, and Banashankari. HDFC Capital’s initial investment of ₹395 crore was exited in Q2 2024 with a gross internal rate of return (IRR) of 21%, while the second investment was exited at…

Housing FinanceLatest Stories

Unity SFB Tops Aviom India Housing Race with ₹775 Crore Bid

MUMBAI: Unity Small Finance Bank has taken the lead in the competitive bidding for Aviom India Housing Finance, which is backed by impact investors, tendering an upfront payment of ₹775 crore, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation. Other competitors include Authum Investment and Infrastructure, Northern Arc, DMI Housing, Kifs Housing Finance, and Omkara Asset Reconstruction Company. Authum has proposed ₹750 crore, consisting of ₹450 crore upfront with the remainder staggered over two years. Northern Arc submitted an offer of ₹625 crore, including ₹325 crore upfront and the rest payable in two years. DMI Housing’s offer includes an upfront…

Housing FinanceLatest Stories

Banks Boost Loans to Wealthy for Mortgage Growth

MUMBAI: To spark mortgage growth, banks are focusing on the luxury housing market, designing tailored loan products to cater to increasing demand for high-end properties in major cities and their affluent suburbs. “The premium segment continues to thrive, and that is where the growth lies,” stated Manu Singh, head of housing finance at Kotak Mahindra Bank. “Buyers are seeking larger, luxury homes, often looking for second or third residences in Alibaug or Gurgaon. We view home loans as relationship products; our goal is to be a trusted banking partner for the affluent throughout this journey.” In Mumbai and Delhi, luxury…

CommercialLatest Stories

Raheja Universal Repurchases HQ for ₹211 Crore

Sure! Here’s a rewritten version of the provided content: Representative AI image Realty developer Raheja Universal has reacquired its corporate headquarters, Raheja Centre-Point, located on CST Road near Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex, for Rs 211 crore. Initially developed by Raheja Universal in 2004, the five-storey commercial building served as their headquarters for 16 years before being sold to HDFC in 2020, which has since merged with HDFC Bank. This sale was part of a broader portfolio realignment strategy. The property has now returned to Raheja Universal following a successful bid during a sale process initiated by HDFC Bank. The latest agreement…

Housing FinanceLatest Stories

Banks Expand Home Loan Spreads to Protect Margins

MUMBAI: Banks are raising their spreads above home loan rates to safeguard their margins. SBI and Union Bank of India have increased their mortgage spreads as reference rates decrease. With the repo rate already reduced by 100 basis points this year, further cuts could be on the horizon. Unlike previously, when lower rates primarily benefited new borrowers while existing ones paid higher, the current environment sees new borrowers facing increased costs, despite banks being required by RBI regulations to pass on rate cuts to existing customers. This discrepancy arises from persistent funding costs. Reducing deposit rates remains challenging, particularly for…

Housing FinanceLatest Stories

SBI Raises Home Loan Rates by 25 Basis Points: A Signal?

MUMBAI: India’s largest mortgage lender, State Bank of India (SBI), has raised home loan rates by 25 basis points for new borrowers, indicating a potential shift towards higher interest rates in the housing market. This increase mainly impacts applicants with lower credit scores, as SBI adjusts the upper band of its loan rates. Union Bank of India has also raised its rates, and other public sector lenders may follow. As of late July, SBI’s mortgage rates were between 7.5% and 8.45%. Post-adjustment, new borrowers will face rates between 7.5% and 8.70%. Union Bank of India has upped its rate to…