Tag: Reserve Bank of India

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RBI Penalizes Bandhan Bank and Muthoot Housing Finance

MUMBAI: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced on Friday that it has imposed a penalty of Rs 41.8 lakh on Bandhan Bank due to non-compliance with certain regulations, particularly those related to Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements. The RBI cited that Bandhan Bank did not perform periodic risk categorization reviews for specific account types and approved loans associated with its directors. “This action is based on deficiencies in statutory and regulatory compliance, and it does not imply any judgment on the validity of transactions or agreements between the bank and its customers,” stated the RBI. Additionally, the central bank…

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RBI Holds Policy Rate at 5.25% Amid Inflation Concerns

File Photo MUMBAI: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced on Wednesday that it will maintain the current interest rates amid expectations of a global recovery influenced by the recent ceasefire in the US/Israel-Iran conflict, which has lasted for six weeks. This policy decision follows a prolonged conflict in West Asia that has interrupted energy supplies, increased crude oil prices, and created both fiscal and inflationary pressures for nations like India that rely heavily on imports. This marks the first monetary policy review following the government’s new inflation target announcement for the RBI last month, instructing it to keep retail…

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Muthoot Microfin Plans to Acquire Loan Against Property Firm

KOLKATA: Muthoot Microfin is currently in talks with two non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) in the micro loan against property (LAP) sector to acquire a majority stake, aiming for inorganic growth and expanding its secured lending portfolio, according to sources familiar with the matter. The firm recently entered the micro LAP business as part of a strategy to diversify its product offerings, helping to alleviate its reliance on unsecured microfinance. The inorganic growth would provide Muthoot Microfin with a robust foundation for expanding its micro LAP operations. “Muthoot Microfin is considering a majority stake acquisition that would enable it to gain…

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Borrowing Limits Raised to $1 Billion, ETRealty

MUMBAI: The Reserve Bank of India has released updated guidelines for External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs), revising limits, relaxing maturity requirements, and eliminating cost caps. Under these new regulations, eligible borrowers can secure ECBs up to the greater of $1 billion in outstanding borrowings or 300% of their net worth as per the most recent audited balance sheet. Previously, the borrowing cap was set at $750 million. This update comes at a time when India’s ECB transactions have been on the rise, with Indian companies raising a record $61 billion through this route in FY25, compared to $48 billion in FY24.…

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RBI Holds Interest Rate at 5.25%, Pauses Rate Cuts

NEW DELHI: Following a 25 basis point rate cut in December, the RBI has opted to pause its policy rate amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties. This marks the first monetary policy review since Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman revealed the Budget for FY 2026-27. During the sixth and final bi-monthly monetary policy meeting of the current fiscal year, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to maintain the short-term lending rate (repo rate) at 5.25 percent, adopting a neutral stance. The pause in rate cuts is influenced by the consumer price index (CPI)-based retail inflation, which…

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RBI May Permit Banks to Lend to REITs

MUMBAI: On Friday, the Reserve Bank of India proposed allowing banks to extend loans to Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) with specific prudential safeguards, aiming to enhance the financing pool for the real estate industry. REITs are investment vehicles that manage income-producing real estate, offering investors a way to earn a portion of the income without directly buying properties. Developed in India, REITs and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) aim to liberate banks’ funds tied up in completed and operational real estate and infrastructure projects by refinancing these with pooled resources from institutional and retail investors. Initially, commercial banks were not…

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RBI Urges NBFCs, HFCs to Uphold Underwriting Standards

Sure! Here’s a rewritten version of the content you provided: MUMBAI: On Monday, Reserve Bank Governor Sanjay Malhotra emphasized the necessity for robust underwriting standards and meticulous asset quality monitoring during a meeting with senior officials from selected non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). This engagement is part of the Reserve Bank’s ongoing dialogue with regulated entities. The Governor convened with managing directors and chief executive officers (MDs and CEOs) of various NBFCs, including government-backed firms, housing finance companies (HFCs), and microfinance institutions. In his opening remarks, the Governor acknowledged the vital role NBFCs and HFCs play in promoting credit flow. He…

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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,…

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LIC Housing Finance cuts new home loan rates to 7.15%

NEW DELHI: LIC Housing Finance Ltd announced on Monday that it has lowered its interest rate on new home loans to 7.15 percent. The new rates will take effect from December 22, 2025, with interest starting at 7.15 percent for newly sanctioned home loans. This decision comes as homebuyers continue to cautiously evaluate their purchasing choices, and the reduction is anticipated to enhance homebuyer sentiment. LIC Housing Finance aims to make home ownership more accessible with this initiative. This reduction follows the Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee’s recent 25 basis points repo rate cut. Published On Dec 22,…

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RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25%, Boosting Real Estate Growth

NEW DELHI: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cut the policy repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25%, indicating a shift towards monetary easing as inflation stabilizes at multi-year lows. This decision was made unanimously by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) during its 58th meeting held from December 3-5, 2025. With this rate cut, the standing deposit facility (SDF) rate is now at 5.00%, while the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate have been set to 5.50%. The MPC has also opted to maintain a neutral stance going forward. Growth Outlook Remains Strong India’s GDP…