Banking Sector

SBI extends loans offer for farmers till September 30

State Bank of IndiaThe country's largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI) has decided to extend the period of its concessional financing to the farmers against warehouse receipts by five months to September 30, 2009.

It should be noted that the state-run lender in February this year had started offering loans at a concessional rate of 8% to farmers against cold storage and warehouse receipts, in a bid to save them from falling prey to distress sale of their farm produce.

Earlier this week, the lender has extended its special home and car loans scheme last week at 8 per cent and 10 per cent respectively, for the first one year, till September

ICICI Prudential launches ‘Target Return Fund’

ICICI Prudential launches ‘Target Return Fund’ICICI Prudential AMC, a joint venture between ICICI Bank - one of India's foremost financial services companies, and UK-based Prudential plc - a leading international financial services group, has announced the launch of an open ended equity diversified fund, called the 'ICICI Prudential Target Returns Fund' in the Indian market.

The fund seeks to generate capital appreciation by investing predominantly in equity shares of the large market capitalization companies constituting the BSE 100 index.

United Bank of India IPO to knock the door by February 2010

United Bank of India IPO to knock the door by February 2010Public sector United Bank of India (UBI) is witnessing February 2010 deadline for its proposed maiden public offer, after receiving cabinet nod for the long-awaited capital restructuring.

According to sources, the bank intends to file the red herring prospectus with market regulator, Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) after September 2009.

The IPO size was still pending for finalization by the bank, but reports hinted it would be over Rs 50 crore and the shares will carry a premium.

Projections for cut in key rates by RBI; no change likely in repo rate, reverse repo rate, CRR

Projections for cut in key rates by RBI; no change likely in repo rate, reverse repo rate, CRRAccording to anticipations of the investment banking firm Barclays Capital, it is likely that the impending annual credit policy of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may result in the slashing of the key rates by up to 50 basis points. An almost similar opinion has been expressed by the HDFC Bank, which, however, said that it projects a 25-basis-points cut in RBI's policy rates.

Telecom, insurance companies allowed to access credit data

CIBILIn line with the stipulations of the credit flow-regulating Credit Information Companies Act (CICA), 2005, the Credit Information Bureau India Ltd - CIBIL - has been granted 'in-principle approval' for Certificate of Registration by the Reserve Bank of India.

The certification allows companies in the telecommunications and insurance sectors to access credit data. Previously, the credit data could be accessed and shared by financial institutions such as banks and NBFCs.

Two top-rung executives of ICICI Bank reportedly putting in their papers

ICICI Bank

Substantiating the December 2008 reports that some top-rung executives of ICICI Bank may quit after Chanda Kochhar's appointment as the new CEO and MD, two business chiefs - Renuka Ramnath ICICI Ventures' Managing Director and CEO; and Shikha Sharma, Managing Director of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance - are likely to put in their papers, sooner than later.

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