Banking

Experts say teen fintech apps help companies build long-term customer relationships early.

Updated : May 29, 2026

Pocket Money goes digital: Which payment apps are best for teenagers in India?

Teen-focused payment apps are rapidly gaining traction as fintech firms target younger users growing up in a UPI-first economy. From supervised UPI payments to prepaid cards and budgeting tools, these platforms are changing how teenagers learn money management.

Interest rates on floating-rate loans are generally linked to external benchmarks such as the Reserve Bank of India’s repo rate.

Updated : May 28, 2026

Planning a home loan? Fixed vs floating rates could change your EMI burden

Home loan rates across banks now start as low as 7.10%, but interest rates alone do not tell the full story. Processing fees, fixed versus floating choices and lender-specific terms can significantly affect your total borrowing cost.

HDFC Bank, SBI Cards, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank each saw spending fall by roughly 11–12% sequentially, collectively losing 77 basis points of market share in spending.

Updated : May 27, 2026

Credit card spending slows in April; SBI Cards emerges as top outperformer while ICICI Bank lags

India’s credit card spending slowed sharply in April, but the competitive landscape showed contrasting trends among major issuers. While SBI Cards emerged as the strongest spending performer, ICICI Bank lagged with weaker spending growth despite leading in new card additions.

The Ombudsman directed the bank to issue duplicate documents, publish a public notice and pay compensation of ₹25,000.

Updated : May 26, 2026

What happens if a bank loses your original property papers? Here's what you should know as houseowner

A home loan borrower’s legal battle after a bank allegedly lost original property documents has spotlighted critical consumer rights and lender responsibilities. The case, highlighted by CA Kanan Bahl, raises important questions around accountability when banks mishandle borrowers' original papers.

A noticeable mismatch between ITR disclosures and bank statements can trigger additional verification, slow down approvals or, in some cases, result in rejection.

Updated : May 21, 2026

Can a salary mismatch between ITR and bank records delay your personal loan?

Your salary may be coming in regularly and your tax return may be filed, but a mismatch between your ITR and bank records can still raise questions during loan verification. As lenders increasingly rely on cash-flow analysis, financial consistency is becoming a key factor in personal loan approvals.

Instead of a separate bank account, Pocket Money uses UPI Circle, allowing parents to authorise transactions within set spending limits.

Updated : May 19, 2026

BT Explainer: What is Paytm Pocket Money and how does it work?

Paytm has launched a new feature called Pocket Money that lets teenagers make UPI payments even without having their own bank account. Parents can also track spending, set limits and stay in control through the app.

Experts described the situation as a “credit paradox,” where India has one of the fastest-growing digital lending ecosystems while many borrowers continue receiving silent rejections.

Updated : May 17, 2026

30% Indians face loan rejection without knowing why. Can AI solve this credit awareness gap?

Nearly 30% of Indians have faced loan or credit card rejection without understanding the reason, highlighting a major gap in credit awareness. Industry experts now believe AI-powered tools could help decode credit profiles and provide borrowers with personalized guidance before they apply.

Evolving lending policies, women-focused incentives and affordable housing initiatives are reshaping access to financial security and asset creation.

Updated : May 16, 2026

Has access to home loans become a tool of financial independence for single mothers?

Access to home loans is increasingly becoming a tool of financial independence for single mothers in India, helping transform aspirations of homeownership into achievable long-term goals.

At least 30% of respondents reported being rejected for loans or credit cards, often without fully understanding the reasons behind those decisions.

Updated : May 16, 2026

Do Indians understand credit scores? Report highlights costly knowledge gaps

Despite rising digital adoption and easier access to financial products, many Indians still lack a clear understanding of how credit scores work. A new report highlights major awareness gaps, misconceptions and hidden financial costs that could affect loan approvals and borrowing expenses.

The card enables direct use of USD savings, reducing currency conversion needs and supporting global transactions across multiple geographies.

Updated : May 14, 2026

ICICI Bank, Visa launch India’s First US dollar debit card for NRIs at GIFT City

The launch aims to simplify global banking for Non-Resident Indians by allowing direct access to US dollar savings while reducing currency conversion costs.

Customers can currently request a personalised cheque book by visiting their post office branch.

Updated : May 14, 2026

BT Explainer: How the new personalised post office cheque book facility will work

The Department of Posts has launched personalised cheque books for Post Office Savings Account (POSA) holders, allowing customers to receive cheque books with pre-printed account details at their registered address. The move is aimed at improving convenience, banking security and doorstep service for post office customers.

The RBI said the cancellation of licence comes into effect from the close of business on May 12, following which the bank will no longer be permitted to conduct banking operations.

Updated : May 12, 2026

RBI cancels Mumbai’s Sarvodaya Co-op Bank licence; deposits insured up to ₹5 Lakh

RBI said the bank failed to meet multiple Banking Regulation Act norms, citing inadequate capital, weak earnings prospects, and non-compliance with key regulatory requirements.

Unlike annual or joining fees, credit card interest is usage-based and applies mainly when users fail to clear their full outstanding balance within the due date.

Updated : May 10, 2026

BT Explainer: When do banks start charging interest on credit card transactions?

Credit cards may offer convenience and rewards, but failing to understand how interest works can quickly turn them into one of the most expensive borrowing tools. From partial payments to cash withdrawals, several transactions can trigger high finance charges even when users think they are managing bills correctly.

Paying only the “minimum due” avoids late fees but keeps debt and interest rising.

Updated : May 8, 2026

Are you hurting your credit score despite paying EMIs on time?

Paying EMIs and credit card bills on time may not be enough to maintain a strong credit score. Experts warn that several hidden financial habits — from relying on BNPL apps to closing old credit cards — can quietly damage your credit profile and affect future loan approvals.

Higher interest rates reduce loan eligibility, meaning borrowers may qualify for smaller loan amounts. This can force compromises on property size, location, or quality.

Updated : May 2, 2026

Should you take a home loan in a high-interest economy?

Inflation doesn’t just make everyday expenses costlier—it also quietly increases your loan burden. Rising interest rates can push up EMIs, making borrowing more expensive over time. Understanding how inflation affects different loans is key to managing your finances effectively.

Despite branch closures, core banking services will continue uninterrupted. Customers can access ATMs, UPI, internet banking, and mobile banking platforms throughout the month.

Updated : May 1, 2026

May 2026 bank holidays: When banks will be closed across states, check full dates

Apart from Sundays and the second and fourth Saturdays, banks will remain closed on several regional occasions such as Maharashtra Din, Buddha Purnima, Labour Day, Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti, Sikkim State Day, Kazi Nazrul Islam Jayanti, and Eid-Ul-Adha.

A key differentiator is IPPB’s doorstep banking model, powered by India’s vast postal network.

Updated : Apr 30, 2026

What is a Self Help Group (SHG) Savings Account? Here’s how it works, why it matters

An SHG Savings Account is a specialised banking product designed exclusively for registered Self Help Groups. It allows groups to deposit collective savings, manage transactions, and build a financial track record within the formal banking ecosystem.

In essence, biometric authentication is not replacing the UPI PIN — it is optimising it for a faster, safer, and more intuitive payment journey.

Updated : Apr 30, 2026

No more UPI PIN? Pay up to ₹5,000 using fingerprint or Face ID with biometric UPI payments

ICICI Bank has enabled this feature on its iMobile app, allowing customers to use biometrics for person-to-person transfers, QR-based merchant payments, and online purchases. The feature is available on updated app versions and relies on biometric data already stored securely on the user’s device rather than collecting new data.

Despite the strong sequential uptick, underlying consumption trends remain moderate.

Updated : Apr 30, 2026

Credit card spends jump to ₹2.19 lakh crore in March; HDFC hits record share, SBI Card outperforms

India’s credit card spends surged to ₹2.19 lakh crore in March, driven by seasonal demand, even as annual growth remained moderate. HDFC Bank tightened its dominance with record market share, while SBI Card emerged as the fastest-growing major issuer.

Axis Bank, City Union Bank, ICICI Bank, and IndusInd Bank have been directed to pay 5% of the transferred amount, while Yes Bank has been asked to compensate 7.5% due to additional lapses.

Updated : Apr 23, 2026

78-year-old loses ₹22.9 crore in digital arrest scam, RBI pulls up banks

The RBI has directed five banks, Axis Bank, City Union Bank, ICICI Bank, IndusInd Bank, and Yes Bank, to compensate a victim in a ₹22.92 crore digital arrest fraud, citing lapses in KYC and AML compliance.

Under the new rules, recurring payments up to ₹15,000 can be processed without repeated OTPs, after a one-time AFA approval (OTP/PIN).

Updated : Apr 22, 2026

Now control your auto-debit payments: RBI’s new rules explained

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revamped its auto-debit framework, giving users greater control over recurring digital payments while enhancing security. From OTP-free transactions up to ₹15,000 to mandatory 24-hour pre-debit alerts, the new rules aim to make payments both seamless and transparent.

Banking

Pocket Money goes digital: Which payment apps are best for teenagers in India?

Planning a home loan? Fixed vs floating rates could change your EMI burden

Credit card spending slows in April; SBI Cards emerges as top outperformer while ICICI Bank lags

What happens if a bank loses your original property papers? Here's what you should know as houseowner

Can a salary mismatch between ITR and bank records delay your personal loan?

BT Explainer: What is Paytm Pocket Money and how does it work?

30% Indians face loan rejection without knowing why. Can AI solve this credit awareness gap?

Has access to home loans become a tool of financial independence for single mothers?

Do Indians understand credit scores? Report highlights costly knowledge gaps

ICICI Bank, Visa launch India’s First US dollar debit card for NRIs at GIFT City

BT Explainer: How the new personalised post office cheque book facility will work

RBI cancels Mumbai’s Sarvodaya Co-op Bank licence; deposits insured up to ₹5 Lakh

BT Explainer: When do banks start charging interest on credit card transactions?

Are you hurting your credit score despite paying EMIs on time?

Should you take a home loan in a high-interest economy?

May 2026 bank holidays: When banks will be closed across states, check full dates

What is a Self Help Group (SHG) Savings Account? Here’s how it works, why it matters

No more UPI PIN? Pay up to ₹5,000 using fingerprint or Face ID with biometric UPI payments

Credit card spends jump to ₹2.19 lakh crore in March; HDFC hits record share, SBI Card outperforms

78-year-old loses ₹22.9 crore in digital arrest scam, RBI pulls up banks

Now control your auto-debit payments: RBI’s new rules explained

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