Banking

The RBI said it will float a framework to compensate customers for losses from small-value fraudulent transactions, with the compensation capped at Rs 25,000.

Updated : Feb 6, 2026

RBI tightens customer protection, eases NBFC norms and boosts MSME credit access

As part of a renewed focus on consumer safeguards, the RBI said it will issue three draft guidelines to address key areas of concern in retail finance. These will cover mis-selling of financial products, recovery of loans and engagement of recovery agents, and limiting customer liability in unauthorised electronic banking transactions.

As of January 30, 2026, public sector banks continue to offer the most competitive home loan rates, typically in the 7.15–7.30% range.

Updated : Feb 6, 2026

Repo rate on hold at 5.25%: How your home loan changes after RBI’s policy pause

The Reserve Bank of India has kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.25%, signalling a pause after a year of sharp rate cuts. For home loan borrowers, this means EMIs are likely to remain stable for now, with limited chances of either immediate relief or sudden increases.

The proposed changes are expected to affect a wide cross-section of the Indian banking population, given the large customer bases of SBI, HDFC Bank, PNB, and ICICI Bank.

Updated : Jan 31, 2026

February updates: Major changes in banking rules to affect SBI, HDFC Bank, PNB and ICICI Bank customers; check details

Starting February 2026, leading Indian lenders such as State Bank of India (SBI), HDFC Bank, Punjab National Bank (PNB) and ICICI Bank will roll out key changes to banking and card-related services, affecting everyday transactions, credit card usage and compliance processes for a broad base of customers.

Public sector banks remain the dominant players in the gold loan market, accounting for 59.9% of portfolio outstanding and 46.6% of active loans as of November 2025.

Updated : Jan 28, 2026

India’s gold loan portfolio swells to 42% to Rs 15.6 lakh crore as PSU banks tighten grip: Report

CRIF High Mark’s latest CreditScape report shows that gold loans have emerged as the fastest-growing segment within retail lending, outpacing consumption and overall retail credit growth. Gold loans now account for about 9.7% of India’s total retail loan portfolio, up from around 8.1% a year earlier.

Elevated gold prices have significantly increased the collateral value of pledged gold, enabling lenders to disburse higher loan amounts against the same quantity of jewellery.

Updated : Jan 22, 2026

Gold price rally, secured credit demand to lift NBFC gold-loan AUM: Crisil

Crisil estimates that the AUM of gold-loan NBFCs will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 40% over the current and next fiscal years. This marks a sharp acceleration compared with the 27% CAGR recorded between fiscals 2023 and 2025.

SBI's C S Setty said India’s evolving trade strategy is one of the key pillars of its resilience in recent times.

Updated : Jan 22, 2026

Davos 2026: Savings shift to markets irreversible, banks to adjust funding strategy, says SBI chairman

SBI chairman C S Setty said a structural shift in household savings from bank deposits to market-linked instruments, which is reshaping the financial system and is unlikely to reverse. He said banks will need to adapt their funding strategies as India strengthens its resilience amid global uncertainty.

A recent State Bank of India research report flagged the sharp rise in unsecured loans as a potential risk to the banking system.

Updated : Jan 21, 2026

Unsecured loan treated as income? Why such loans need strong paperwork to avoid tax trouble

Unsecured loans can quickly turn into a tax headache if documentation is weak, as one recent case highlights. Tax advisory platform TaxBuddy has decoded how a legitimate unsecured loan was treated as income, triggering a hefty tax demand. The case underscores why proof and paper trails are critical when dealing with unsecured borrowings.

While salaried individuals buying cars for personal use get no tax relief, the story is different for business owners and self-employed professionals.

Updated : Jan 8, 2026

Budget 2026: Will car loan interest get tax relief as govt pushes new tax regime?

As Budget 2026 approaches, the spotlight is back on whether the government will offer any tax relief on car loan interest or continue pushing taxpayers towards the deductions-free new tax regime. With vehicle costs rising and household budgets under pressure, the debate is gaining urgency among middle-class buyers and tax experts alike.

By enabling selective and immediate blocking of services, the feature aims to reduce the risk of unauthorised transactions and limit potential losses.

Updated : Jan 6, 2026

Rising digital fraud pushes banks to give customers more control over online transactions

In response to this growing threat, Axis Bank has rolled out a new feature called ‘Safety Centre’ on its mobile banking app ‘open’, allowing users to manage key banking functions in real time without having to contact customer support or visit a branch.

Agriculture gold loans are cheaper, purpose-linked and offer harvest-based repayment, unlike regular gold loans with higher rates and fixed EMIs.

Updated : Jan 2, 2026

Gold loan tagged as agriculture by bank, though I’m not a farmer — should I be worried?

An agriculture gold loan is a specialised credit product designed to meet the financing needs of farmers and those engaged in allied agricultural activities. If your gold loan acknowledgment mentions “agriculture” even though the loan was for personal use, you’re not alone. Such tagging is usually internal, but borrowers should still check their loan agreement carefully.

The average home loan now stands at about Rs 37 lakh, up from Rs 29 lakh three years ago, reflecting both rising property values and stronger borrowing capacity.

Updated : Dec 30, 2025

Smarter loans, safer cards: How India’s youth are using credit differently in 2025

One of the clearest shifts is visible in housing loans. Despite higher interest rates, home loan disbursements grew 12% during the year. Nearly 16% of new home loan borrowers in 2025 were under the age of 30, almost double the share seen just three years ago.

A CIBIL score is a three-digit number that reflects an individual’s creditworthiness. It is calculated based on the credit information contained in the CIBIL Report or Credit Information Report (CIR).

Updated : Dec 27, 2025

Investor query: Will a missed EMI, loan settlement, early prepayment or high card usage hurt my CIBIL score more?

Young professionals planning big-ticket loans often worry about credit score missteps. Here’s expert guidance on EMIs, card usage, loan applications and what truly matters.

From a tax perspective, selling gold attracts capital gains tax.

Updated : Dec 26, 2025

Gold hits lifetime high in 2025, gold loans soar 128%: Should borrowers opt for gold loans in emergencies?

The sharp rise in gold prices has reshaped household borrowing behaviour. Gold loans have emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments of retail credit, with loans against gold jewellery rising 128.5% year-on-year to Rs 3.38 lakh crore in October 2025. Should you go for gold loans?

Perhaps the most damaging mistake is treating loan disbursal as the finish line rather than the starting point.

Updated : Dec 25, 2025

That ‘easy’ personal loan may cost you more than you think. Here’s how to avoid mistakes in 2026

Most borrowers start and end their comparison with one number: the EMI. A lower monthly instalment feels like a win, especially when budgets already feel tight.

Implemented from October 4, 2025, Phase 1 introduced continuous daytime cheque presentation, allowing banks to send cheque images and MICR data in real time.

Updated : Dec 24, 2025

RBI postpones Phase 2 rollout of faster cheque clearing; Phase 1 to continue for now

In a circular issued on December 24, the RBI said the second phase of the Continuous Clearing and Settlement (CCS) framework has been postponed, while Phase 1 will continue to operate as currently implemented.

Under RBI’s 2025 rules, gold loans above Rs 5 lakh now carry a 75% LTV cap to curb excessive leverage and improve transparency.

Updated : Dec 23, 2025

Gold loans surge 128% to Rs 3.38 lakh crore as borrowers shift to secured credit, RBI data shows

RBI data showed that banks’ gold loan portfolios grew by over 120% year-on-year between February and August 2025, with NBFCs reporting similar trends. By October, gold loans accounted for nearly a quarter of incremental personal loan additions, helping push total retail credit outstanding to Rs 64.56 lakh crore.

A 1% charge will apply on transactions exceeding ₹50,000 made under select transportation MCCs, impacting high-value travel-related spends.

Updated : Dec 22, 2025

Credit card changes: ICICI Bank to levy 2% fee on gaming platforms, tweak rewards and benefits from Jan 2026

ICICI Bank is introducing higher charges on wallet and transportation spends beyond certain thresholds. Customers loading funds of Rs 5,000 or more onto third-party wallets such as Amazon Pay, Paytm, MobiKwik, Freecharge and OlaMoney will now be charged a 1% fee on the transaction amount

Emphasising depositor protection, the High Court held that fixed deposit holders cannot be made to bear losses arising from internal mistakes or policy shifts.

Updated : Dec 20, 2025

Allahabad HC bars banks from cutting fixed deposit rates after issuance, even post merger

In the case, PNB lowered the contracted interest rates on certain FDRs from 10.75% to 9.25% and from 10.25% to 8.25%. The affected depositors, including the family of a retired bank employee, challenged the move, arguing that such retrospective reductions were not supported by law or regulatory guidelines.

The cut follows last week’s RBI decision to lower the key interest rate by 25 basis points for the fourth time this year to support growth.

Updated : Dec 13, 2025

Borrowers cheer: SBI revises MCLR to 7.85%, slashes lending rate by 25 bps after RBI rate cut

SBI's MCLR, a key reference for most retail loans, saw reductions across all tenors. The overnight and one-month rates dropped from 7.90% to 7.85%.

hile buyers are not charged interest directly, the cost is often absorbed by the merchant or built subtly into the product’s pricing.

Updated : Dec 6, 2025

No-cost EMI explained: Popular, available but misunderstood — Expert on myths, hidden charges, risks

No-cost EMI has exploded in popularity across India, but experts say most consumers misunderstand how it actually works. Marketed as a zero-interest deal, the scheme often hides costs that buyers rarely notice upfront. A recent explainer by Prateek Singh of LearnApp and Zero1 by Zerodha has reignited debate by revealing how “no-cost” EMI quietly shifts charges and influences spending behaviour.

Fino, which is currently the only publicly listed payments bank in India, will now be able to offer a range of financial services beyond its existing business model.

Updated : Dec 5, 2025

Fino Payments Bank becomes first to secure RBI nod for small finance bank conversion

Fino’s journey began in 2006 as a payments technology company and has played a pivotal role in India's financial inclusion initiatives. It has been actively involved in providing direct benefit transfer (DBT) services to beneficiaries under government schemes.