Clips

Govt extends RBI dy governor Sinha's term till Jan 2014

The government has extended the term of Anand Sinha, one of the four deputy governors of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), to January 18, 2014.

http://www.business-standard.com/article/finance/govt-extends-rbi-dy-governor-sinha-s-term-till-jan-2014-113022600218_1.html

Mohandas Pai, former Citibank executive Ramesh Ramanathan in race for licence to start a bank

Mohandas Pai and former Citibank executive Ramesh Ramanathan will be part of the business groups throwing their hats in the ring for a licence to start a bank.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/banking/finance/banking/mohandas-pai-former-citibank-executive-ramesh-ramanathan-want-licence-to-start-a-bank/articleshow/18702015.cms

NBFCs want priority sector tag to attract bank funds

With fund flow from banks to the non-banking finance companies drying up, the later has requested the banking regulator to create a separate class of NBFC for those who have bulk of their exposure to the priority sector so that bank finance to this sector could be clasified as priority sector lending.

http://www.business-standard.com/article/finance/nbfcs-want-priority-sector-tag-to-attract-bank-funds-113022600585_1.html

MFIs struggle to stay afloat as capital erodes, losses mount

Hefty provisions, coupled with the high operational costs, are eroding the net worth of microfinance institutions.

http://www.livemint.com/Industry/JPchgs20K34URvgzoPw4KN/MFIs-struggle-to-stay-afloat-as-capital-erodes-losses-mount.html

Sebi hints at single KYC registration

Complying with know your customer (KYC) requirements of each financial institution and intermediary separately can be irritating. Even the regulators know that.

http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_sebi-hints-at-single-kyc-registration_1805072

Sebi and Irda clash again

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irda) are, once again, at odds.

http://www.business-standard.com/article/markets/sebi-and-irda-clash-again-113022700002_1.html

Irda standardises health insurance

In order to remove ambiguity and confusion regarding the claim process, interpretation of health insurance terms and names and procedures related to critical illnesses across insurance companies, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irda) of India has come out with new guidelines.

http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/irda-standardises-health-insurance/1/192829.html

Turning the post office into a force for financial inclusion

In the old times, the post office was the main connector between cities and villages, moving letters and money to every corner of the country, and contributing towards the territorial consolidation of states under construction.

http://blogs.worldbank.org/psd/turning-the-post-office-into-a-force-for-financial-inclusion

New Paper Highlight: More Benefits of Mobile Money: Lowering the Cost of Remittances

One way to cope with an emergency is to borrow money from family and friends. But that typically doesn't work when a disaster strikes a whole area. Sending and receiving money over larger distances, when transferring cash from person-to-person is impractical or impossible, can be very expensive.

http://financialaccess.org/blog/2013/02/new-paper-highlight-more-benefits-mobile-money-lowering-cost-remittances

Unlocking Potential: Women and Mobile Financial Services in Emerging Markets

The majority of individuals around the world without formal bank accounts are women. In the developing world, 63 percent of women lack accounts, versus 54 percent of men.

http://cfi-blog.org/2013/02/26/unlocking-potential-women-and-mobile-financial-services-in-emerging-markets/

A perfect time for securitisation

India's government plans to open up its banking system, granting licences to a swathe of privately-owned banks in an attempt to boost lending in rural areas. This is a good plan, but it would be even better if regulators kick-started a domestic securitisation market at the same time.

http://www.euroweek.com/Article/3161033/A-perfect-time-for-securitisation.html

A day in the life of a tribal village market (Haat)...!

I am quite sure most of you have seen or know of a village haat or bazaar. Ever wonder what exactly happens out there?

http://www.developmentoutlook.org/2013/02/a-day-in-life-of-tribal-village-market.html

Clips

RBI welcomes new banks, with caution

The Reserve Bank of India has spelt out norms for new bank licences after years of waiting, allowing business houses, state-run enterprises and non-banking finance companies to set up banks, in a bid to extend banking services to half of the population that is excluded from them.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/rbi-welcomes-new-banks-with-caution/articleshow/18637599.cms

In its new guidelines, RBI opens bank licences to all

The Reserve Bank of India has opened the window for companies to apply for bank licences. The final guidelines issued on Friday do not debar any class of companies from applying to set up a bank.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/in-its-new-guidelines-rbi-opens-bank-licences-to-all/1078508/

Financial inclusion must for new banks

Out of every 100 that a prospective applicant for a new banking licence wants to lend, it will have to lend 40 to small farmers, students or low-cost home borrowers and entrepreneurs.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/banking/finance/banking/financial-inclusion-must-for-new-banks/articleshow/18636746.cms

Anand Sinha set to get another year as RBI dy governor

Sinha, the architect of new bank licence norms, will be a key member of the central bank.

http://www.business-standard.com/article/finance/anand-sinha-set-to-get-another-year-as-rbi-dy-governor-113022200614_1.html

Coming soon, Post Bank of India

The postal department plans to enter the banking business with the Reserve Bank of India deciding to grant new bank licences to entities with credible track-record.

http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/coming-soon-post-bank-of-india/article4443509.ece

AP High Court ruling has sent MFIs back to square one

Any tourist visiting the Charminar, the historic symbol of Hyderabad, is bound to drive past an impressive red and white stone building near the monument.

http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/microfinance-andhra-pradesh-high-court-ruling/1/192620.html

When Demographics Shift the Way We Think about Youth Finance

The Center for Financial Inclusion at Accion recently released fascinating demographic data through the Mapping the Invisible Market project, as part of their Financial Inclusion 2020 campaign.

http://cfi-blog.org/2013/02/22/when-demographics-shift-the-way-we-think-about-youth-finance/

Sustainable Capacity Building Services Market: A Long Way To Go

In the fall of 2012 CGAP undertook a survey to better understand the dynamics of the market – both demand and supply - for capacity building services for financial service providers.

http://www.cgap.org/blog/sustainable-capacity-building-services-market-long-way-go