Banking, Finance, Insurance Archives - MediaCatalyst : News - Opinion

15 Sep

Consumers under 40 are skipping life insurance

Kumar AnshumanBanking, Finance, Insurance

Mumbai: The World Life Insurance Report 2026, conducted jointly by the Capgemini Research Institute and LIMRA, shows that even though 68% of adults under the age of 40 see life insurance as essential for a healthy financial future, current offerings do not align with their financial priorities, hindering adoption. The report finds that young consumers[1] seek near-term gratification through easy-to-access benefits throughout their life, which are often not included in a traditional life insurance policy. While some carriers offer these benefits, 1-in-4 consumers are still turning down life insurance due to confusing processes and complex jargon that make policies difficult to understand and use. An…

05 Sep

From EMI Ads to Aspirational Finance: Redefining BFSI Messaging for Bharat

MediaCatalystBanking, Finance, Insurance, Column

Financial affordability has been the one formula Indian marketing of Bharat Financial has used for decades. The "easy EMI" tune has dominated bank, NBFC, and fintech campaigns. The pitch is simply buy now, pay later. While this model suited metropolitans in the last decade's consumption boom, it now feels passé, especially when framed in the context of Bharat - India's small cities, towns, and semi-urban places where its next growth narrative is playing out. Here's the thing: people beyond metros don't merely desire affordability. They aspire to progress. They dream of finance that allows them to grow, not just service payments.…

25 Jul

Satin Creditcare Network Ltd. to Launch Women-Led AIF Fund

Kumar AnshumanBanking, Finance, Insurance

New Delhi: Satin Creditcare Network Ltd. (SCNL), an Indian microfinance institutions, has announced the launch of an MSME-focused debt fund helmed by women. To be structured as a Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) under SEBI regulations, the platform is designed to provide vital debt capital to viable but underfunded micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with a strong focus on those based in rural and semi-urban India. At a time when access to capital remains a persistent barrier for small enterprises, SCNL’s new fund emerges as an essential, debt-driven solution. Championed by women, with an all-women Board of Directors and…

18 Jul

South Indian Bank posts a robust Net Profit of Rs. 321.95 Crore in Q1 FY 2025-26

Kumar AnshumanBanking, Finance, Insurance

South Indian Bank declared net profit of Rs. 321.95 Cr. for the FY Q1 2025-26 registering a growth of 9.46% compared to Rs. 294.13 Cr. in Q1 FY 2024-25. While declaring the results Mr. P R Seshadri, MD & CEO added that, the Bank achieved its highest ever performance in the following areas. Highest ever business of Rs. 2,02,119 Cr. in the history of the Bank Highest ever Provision Coverage Ratio (including write off) of 88.82% Reduced Net NPA to 0.68% Key Highlights Operating Profit of the quarter increased by 32.41% from Rs. 507.68 Cr. in Q1 FY 25 to…

01 Jul

UCB Sector, Gear Up for a Digital Leap and Eye Inclusive Growth, Sahakaar Trends Report by NUCFDC and TransUnion CIBIL

MediaCatalystBanking, Finance, Insurance

The National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation (NUCFDC) and TransUnion CIBIL jointly unveiled the first edition of the Sahakaar Trends report at the 2025 Credit Conference. According to the report, as of March 2025, portfolio balances for Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) stood at INR 2.9 lakh crore, recording a 6% YoY growth and 1.8x growth over the last 5 years (since March 2020). Key product segments saw double-digit growth in portfolio balances, driven by increased demand and wider market reach. The report notes that the sector is poised for its next phase of growth through a tech-led resurgence, with…

27 Jun

JioBlackRock Broking Gets SEBI Nod to Launch Brokerage Services in India

Kumar AnshumanBanking, Finance, Insurance, Business

Mumbai: JioBlackRock Broking Private Limited has received final approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to begin operations as a brokerage firm, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of the JioBlackRock joint venture’s financial services portfolio. JioBlackRock Broking is a wholly owned subsidiary of JioBlackRock Investment Advisers Private Limited, itself a 50:50 joint venture between Jio Financial Services Limited (JFSL) and global investment giant BlackRock Inc. With this regulatory green light, the venture is now poised to offer a comprehensive suite of investment services to Indian investors, including asset management, investment advisory, and now brokerage. The…

23 Jan

Kantar’s India Union Budget 2025 survey highlights a resurgence of inflationary concerns, amid growing calls for tax relief

MediaCatalystBanking, Finance, Insurance

59% Indians cite rising inflation as their primary concern. With the rise in cybercrime and fraud, nearly 50% of Indians express concern over the misuse of AI, highlighting its potential threats to economic security and the resulting personal financial instability. Mumbai: Kantar, the world’s leading marketing data and analytics company has just released findings from the 4th edition of its India Union Budget Survey. This survey maps consumer sentiments & expectations from the Union Budget 2025, ahead of it unveil on Feb 1st. Indian consumer sentiment in 2025 reveals a mix of declining confidence and evolving expectations. While 67% of Indians perceived…

22 Jan

iSPIRT and UGRO Capital to Launch Priority Sector Lenders Association of India (PSLAI)

MediaCatalystBanking, Finance, Insurance

Mumbai: The Priority Sector Lenders Association of India (PSL Association or PSLAI), formed as a Section 8 company, has been conceptualized to make loans under the Priority Sector Lending norms, an important business vertical for Banks and NBFCs. Currently, as per the RBI regulations, Banks are required to maintain at least 40% of their Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANDC) as priority sector loans. This amounts to an annual disbursement of nearly INR 64 trillion to MSMEs. Since loans under PSL are relatively of a small amount and are also considered riskier, the majority of the target is met by institutions…

13 Nov

HSBC Mutual Fund Uses Whimsical Film to Promote Early Financial Planning for Children’s Dreams

MediaCatalystBanking, Finance, Insurance, Business

Mumbai: HSBC Mutual Fund launched a new digital film titled "Naye Nazariye Ki Udaan" (New Vision's Flight) on Children's Day to highlight the importance of early financial planning for a child's future. The film, created by TheSmallBigIdea, aims to educate young parents about Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) in mutual funds. It emphasizes the benefits of starting investments early to build a strong financial foundation that can support a child's long-term goals and aspirations. https://youtu.be/zCU_tYPW-yg "Naye Nazariye Ki Udaan" features a father and child team playfully challenging Sherlock Holmes to find lost keys. Through vibrant visuals and witty dialogue, the film…

29 Sep

Going Public: A Beginner’s Guide to IPOs

MediaCatalystBanking, Finance, Insurance

Investing in the stock market can seem daunting, but understanding the basics of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) can open up exciting opportunities. An IPO is the first time a company offers shares of its stock to the public, transitioning from a private to a publicly traded company. This move allows companies to raise capital for expansion and increases their market visibility. For investors, IPOs offer a chance to get in on the ground floor of potentially successful companies. The IPO Process: From Private to Public Several key steps are involved in an IPO: Preparation: The company evaluates its financial health…