Latest business news
RBI cuts its lending rate to banks by 0.35 per cent, GDP growth from 7 per cent to 6.9 percent
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) headed by Governor Shaktikanta Das today (Wednesday, Aug 7) cut the key interest rate for the fourth time in a row, reducing the policy repo rate by 35 basis points – or 0.35 per cent, from 5.75 per cent to 5.40 per cent – citing economic slowdown and NBFC liquidity crisis.
In the earlier three policies, it has reduced repo rate by 25 basis points each.
The repo rate is the key interest rate at which it lends short-term funds to commercial banks. One basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage point.
With the current rate cut, RBI has reduced 110 bps so far this year. The move, bringing down the repo rate to the lowest in over nine years is intended to spur economic growth. The repo rate cut is expected to bring down equated monthly instalments (EMI) for home and other loan borrowers.
With today’s rate cut the Reserve Bank of India has become the most dovish Asian central bank, according to analysts.
Almost 80 per cent of 66 economists surveyed by news agency Reuters had expected the RBI to cut its benchmark repo rate by 25 bps. Three respondents predicted a 50 bps cut and the remaining 10 forecast the rate would be left unchanged.
The decision of the Monetary Policy Committee to cut repo rate was unanimous, with four members voting to cut rate by 35 basis points and the rest voting for a 25-basis-points reduction.
The central bank lowered the reverse repo rate, at which it borrows money from commercial lenders, to 5.15% from 5.50%. The MPC has maintained its policy stance as accommodative meaning that it is in favour of lowering the interest rates.
The RBI also cut gross domestic product (GDP) growth target for current financial year to 6.9 per cent from 7 per cent in the June policy.
The range of GDP growth is projected at 5.8-6.6 per cent for first half of 2019-20, and 7.3-7.5 per cent for second half “with risks tilted to the downside”, the RBI said in its third bi-monthly policy statement of the current financial year.
On the inflation front, the RBI said it remained within the targeted band. It projected consumer inflation at 3.1 per cent in the second quarter, and 3.5-3.7 per cent in the second half of the current financial year, both below its medium-term goal of 4 per cent.
The last time the RBI made so many back-to-back cuts was after the global financial crisis over a decade ago, when most major central banks were desperate to revive economic growth.
The RBI noted that global economic activity has slowed down since the previous monetary policy meeting in June, owing to trade tensions among leading economies. It also noted that economic activity remained weakened in major emerging market economies. China, Russia and Brazil, among others, saw subdued activity, the RBI said.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Latest business news
Reliance Jio Air Fiber to be launched today: Checkout features here
Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries, during the annual general meeting on August 28,2023 announced the launch of Jio AirFiber on Ganesh Chaturthi. JioFiber features integrated security firewall, support for WiFi 6 and parental controls.
Reliance Jio is set to launch Jio AirFiber, a wireless internet solution today. This service is intended for both offices and homes. It offers speeds upto 1.5Gbps which can be used for activities like lag free video conferencing, online gaming and high definition video streaming.
Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries, during the annual general meeting on August 28, 2023 announced the launch of Jio AirFiber on Ganesh Chaturthi. JioFiber features integrated security firewall, support for WiFi 6 and parental controls.
Jio AirFiber is looking to tap a massive untapped market of over 200 million Indian households. JioAirfiber will be priced competitively at around Rs 6000 as it includes a portable device unit. Jio AirFiber uses 5G technology to provide high speed internet access. It accommodates sets top boxes, smart TVs, tablets, PCs, smartphones and multiple devices while maintaining top notch internet speed.
Jio AirFibre makes a wireless approach establishing digital connections between offices and homes through wireless signals. This eliminates the need for fibre cable and depends on clear line of sight communication with Jio towers. Another major advantage of Jio AirFibre is its extensive coverage potential as it does not depend on physical infrastructure limitations like JioFiber. It is designed to be user friendly plug and play solution.
Jio AirFibre will be available in select cities only. Reliance plans to expand the service more cities in the coming months. Jio AirFibre has large number of features like WiFi 6 support, unlimited data usage and high speed internet connectivity. The WiFi6 support provides faster speeds, better performance and OTT subscription.
The launch of Jio AirFibre will have a major impact on the Indian broadband market. Jio is known for innovative plans and aggressive plans. The rollout of the Jio Air Fibre can lead to other broadband providers to improve their services and reduce their prices.
India News
Uday Kotak steps down as MD and CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank
Kotak Mahindra Bank’s managing director and chief executive officer, Uday Kotak, resigned with effect from September 1.
Kotak Mahindra Bank’s managing director and chief executive officer, Uday Kotak, resigned with effect from September 1.
The bank has said that as an interim arrangement, Dipak Gupta, the joint managing director will perform the duties of the managing director and CEO until December 31, subject to the approval of the RBI and the members of the bank.
Uday Kotak said he is stepping down to facilitate the succession plan at the bank in a communication on social media on Saturday.
Kotak will continue as a non-executive director of the bank. Uday Kotak’s tenure as the chief executive officer and managing director of the bank ends on December 31, 2023.
Uday Kotak said on X that the chairman of the bank, Joint MD and including himself to step down by year-end. He said the succession at Kotak Mahindra Bank has been foremost on his mind. He is keen to ensure a smooth transition by sequencing these departures. He initiated this process now and stepped down voluntarily as CEO, Kotak said.
Kotak said the bank awaits RBI approval of the proposed successor and as an interim his colleague Dipak Gupta, currently Joint MD, will function as MD & CEO, subject to approvals.
He further said that he is deeply attached to the brand Kotak as he is the founder of the bank and he will continue to serve the institution as a Non-Executive Director and significant shareholder. He said that having an outstanding management team to carry the legacy forward. Founders go away, but the institution flourishes into perpetuity, Uday Kotak said.
Uday Kotak stated that JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs dominate the financial world and dreamed of creating such an institution in India. He further said that it is with this dream that he started Kotak Mahindra 38 years ago, with 3 employees in a 300 sqft office in Fort, Mumbai. He had deeply cherished every bit of this memorable journey and lived his dream.
Economy news
Financial changes effective from September, Aadhaar update, nomination deadline for demat account
Some changes will take effect on the first day, while others will be implemented later in the month. This list will affect people’s finances.
In the month of September, there are many changes occurring, particularly in the financial sector. Some changes will take effect on the first day, while others will be implemented later in the month. This list will affect people’s finances.
The deadline to update an individual’s Aadhaar card details for free is quickly approaching. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) extended the deadline from June 14 to September 14, 2023. This scheme is specifically for citizens who obtained their Aadhaar card 10 years ago and have yet to update their information. People can take this opportunity to update their details before it’s too late.
The nomination process for trading and demat accounts is mandatory for holders and the deadline for this has been extended by the Security and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The account holders have to make nominations or opt out of it before September 30.
People will need to update and link of Aadhaar identity documents with PAN cards. Those who have credit cards from Axis Bank will also experience the effects of these changes starting this month.
As per the updated terms and conditions, Axis Bank’s Magnus credit card users need to pay higher fees. The annual fee has been increased to Rs 12,500. Also, the benefits associated with the card will be updated.
This month marks the final opportunity for individuals to exchange Rs 2,000 notes. As stated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in May, individuals may exchange or deposit these notes into their bank accounts before the specified deadline.
The central bank has specified that individuals may exchange or deposit for lower denomination notes, up to Rs 20,000 at a time, until September 30th. Interestingly, even after the deadline, Rs 2,000 notes will still be considered valid tender.
Starting from the current financial year, the Ministry of Finance has made it mandatory to provide both Permanent Account Number (PAN) and Aadhaar card information when making investments in small saving schemes such as the Public Provident Fund (PPF), Post Office Saving Scheme, and Senior Citizens Saving Scheme (SCSS). Existing subscribers must submit their Aadhaar number before September 30th, or their accounts will be frozen.
