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The Reserve Bank is unlikely to ease the benchmark policy rate from 6.5% during 2024, given the persisting uncertainty over <keyword id="19999654" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="food-inflation" source="keywords">food inflation</keyword>, State Bank of India (<keyword id="19898108" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SBI" source="keywords">SBI</keyword>) chairman C S Setty has recently said. The US Federal Reserve's first cut in <keyword id="20071327" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="interest-rate" source="keywords">interest rate</keyword>s in more than four years happened today, triggering central banks in other economies to follow suit. The Fed trimmed the interest rates by 50 basis point trim to its target interest rate range to 4.75-5%. "On the rate front, a lot of central banks are taking independent calls. While Fed rate cut would influence everyone, <keyword id="19899808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="RBI" source="keywords">RBI</keyword> would be mindful of the food inflation before taking a call on interest rate cut," Setty, who recently took over the reins of the bank, was noted as saying. "Our view is also that the rate cut during the current calendar year may not happen. Probably, we may have to wait for Q4 (January-March 2025) unless there is a good improvement in terms of food inflation," he added. Notably, RBIs <keyword id="19913109" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Monetary-Policy-Committee" source="keywords">Monetary Policy Committee</keyword> (MPC), headed by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das is scheduled to meet next month, between October 7-9 and take a call on interest rate. The committee will largely take <keyword id="19999652" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="retail-inflation" source="keywords">retail inflation</keyword>, which inched to 3.65% in August, up from 3.54% in July, into account for making rate-related decisions On the other hand, India's wholesale price index (WPI) eased to 1.31% on an annual basis, which is also a 4-month low, down from 2.04% in July. The data, released recently by the government, also highlighted the stickiness of food price inflation, which stood largely undeterred at 3.11% in August, as compared to 3.45% in July. Although WPI rates do not directly impact RBIs decision making, it does affect the retail inflation rates, although it takes time to reflect the same. Says Rahul Agrawal, Senior Economist at ICRA Ltd, “The <keyword id="20198768" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="WPI-inflation" source="keywords">WPI inflation</keyword> eased to a four-month low in August 2024, with the fuel and power, core (non-food manufacturing), and crude petroleum and natural gas sub-groups together pulling down the headline WPI print by as much as 70 bps in the month vis-à-vis July 2024. The core WPI inflation dipped to 0.7% in August 2024 from 1.2% in July 2024, amidst a continued softening in global commodity prices. "While prices of most food items have eased further on a month-on-month basis in September 2024, an adverse base would push up the YoY inflation prints for the primary food articles category significantly in the ongoing month, exerting upward pressure to the headline WPI inflation print for September 2024", said Agrawal. The price of the Indian basket of crude oil has averaged 6.0% lower in September 2024 on a sequential basis, touching the lowest levels in 33 months, which would also help contain the uptick in the headline WPI inflation print in the month. We anticipate WPI to touch the 2.0% in September 2024 from 1.3% in August 2024", he continued. Amongst the food articles whose prices dipped during the month were cereals (8.44%), paddy (9.12%), pulses (18.57%) and onions (65.75%), it did little to tame inflation, which continued to stay put in double digits. On the other hand, prices of potato (77.96%) and fruits (16.7%) inched up. The dip in WPI was largely led by slowdown in prices of manufactured food products (3.61%), beverages (1.9%), pharmaceuticals (1.97%) and petrol (4.23%). "While there may not be a one-to-one correspondence between the WPI and the CPI data because of the items, size, number, and relative weights assigned, the CPI data will also down-trend in sync with the RBI’s medium-term target of 4 % for the second time in nearly five years. However high food prices will induce the RBI to be wary", notes Manoranjan Sharma, Chief Economist, Infomerics Ratings.

RBI unlikely to cut interest rate in 2024, food inflation to be deciding factor, says SBI chief Setty

<keyword id="19898109" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Paytm" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Paytm" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Paytm">Paytm</keyword> has regained approval from the National Payments Corporation of India (<keyword id="19998946" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NPCI" source="keywords">NPCI</keyword>) to onboard new UPI users, marking a significant turnaround for the fintech giant. This development follows a setback earlier this year when <keyword id="20410154" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Paytm-Payments-Bank-Limited" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Paytm Payments Bank Limited" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Paytm Payments Bank Limited">Paytm Payments Bank Limited</keyword> (PPBL), an associate company of Paytm, was barred from adding new users to its UPI platform due to regulatory concerns raised by the <keyword id="19899810" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Reserve-Bank-of-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Reserve Bank of India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Reserve Bank of India">Reserve Bank of India</keyword> (RBI). <h2>Paytm gets permission to onboard new UPI users </h2> In a regulatory filing on Tuesday evening, Paytm disclosed that NPCI granted permission for the company to resume onboarding UPI users, provided it complies with all procedural guidelines and circulars issued by the corporation. “We would like to inform you that vide letter dated October 22, 2024, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has granted approval to the Company to on-board new UPI users, with adherence to all NPCI procedural guidelines and circulars,” Paytm said in the filing. This move is seen as a relief for the company, which has been under scrutiny following the RBI’s intervention in January. The NPCI, which had previously allowed Paytm to operate as a Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) for UPI transactions, has now reinstated its ability to bring new users onto the platform, albeit with strict conditions. Paytm can continue UPI operations through its partnerships with major banking institutions, including SBI, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, and YES Bank. The NPCI’s approval comes after a thorough review of Paytm’s compliance with procedural guidelines, including those pertaining to risk management, app branding, multi-bank participation, and data privacy. The fintech firm has been instructed to adhere to key regulatory frameworks, such as the Payments and Settlement Act of 2007 and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act of 2023. This approval follows a request by Paytm’s parent company, <keyword id="20253123" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="One97-Communications" source="keywords">One97 Communications</keyword> Ltd (OCL), in August, seeking permission to resume UPI onboarding. The NPCI’s decision also reflects that Paytm has addressed concerns raised in the RBI’s directive from earlier this year, which had highlighted persistent non-compliance issues with its banking subsidiary, PPBL. On a related note, Paytm reported a strong financial performance for the quarter ending September 2024. The company posted a net profit of ₹928.3 crore, a marked improvement from the ₹290.5 crore loss it recorded during the same period last year. <h2>What had happened? </h2> For the unversed, in January 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) told Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPBL) to stop accepting deposits and processing UPI top-ups. This decision stemmed from ongoing concerns about the bank’s compliance and serious issues that needed addressing. As a result, Paytm found itself unable to onboard new UPI users, significantly disrupting its growing customer base and raising doubts about its future in the crowded <keyword id="19989657" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="digital-payments" source="keywords">digital payments</keyword> market. However, things took a turn for the better in March 2024 when the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) gave Paytm the green light to resume UPI transactions. The catch? Paytm could only operate as a Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP), meaning it had to partner with established banks like SBI, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, and YES Bank for its UPI services. While this arrangement posed some limitations, it allowed Paytm to keep moving forward and adapt to the regulatory challenges it faced in India’s digital payment landscape. (with PTI inputs)

Paytm can onboard new UPI users again, receives NPCI nod months after RBI restrictions

Our experts answer readers' banking questions and write unbiased product reviews (<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/personal-finance-editorial-standards#rating-banking-products" class="not-content-link" target="_blank">here's how we assess banking products</a>). In some cases, we receive a commission from <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/our-partners" class="not-content-link" target="_blank">our partners</a>; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.<ul class="summary-list"><li>Most banks follow the Federal Reserve System's holiday schedule.</li><li>If you're part of an online bank, transactions aren't processed on holidays.</li></ul>Once a holiday weekend comes around, everything can become a frantic rush — family gatherings, last-minute shopping trips, ever-changing holiday decorations. It's easy to lose track of which days your bank is closed, but you also don't want it to affect your day off if you need to access money in one of your bank accounts.We've included a list of holidays when most banks close, plus alternatives for accessing cash if you need money quickly. We also maintain a list of the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/best-banks">best banks</a> in the U.S. <h2>Are banks open on New Year's Eve?</h2>Most financial institutions will be closed on New Year's Eve because it falls on a Sunday this year. If a bank or credit union is regularly open on a Sunday, branches may be open for limited banking hours since New Year's Eve isn't a federal holiday. Contact your local branch for specific hours.<h2>Are banks open on New Year's Day?</h2>Financial institutions will be closed on Monday, January 1, because it's a federal holiday. Brick-and-mortar banks and credit unions will close their branches on New Year's Day. If you use an online bank, your transactions may be delayed until the next business day. Most institutions will reopen with regular banking hours on Tuesday, January 2.<h2>When are banks closed? </h2>Financial institutions close on federal holidays. Most have a holiday list on their website to let you know and prepare ahead of time.Some brick-and-mortar <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/best-national-banks" rel="noopener">national banks</a> have a list in the FAQ section of the website.Others, like <a href="https://www.td.com/us/en/about-us/holiday-schedule" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TD Bank</a> and <a href="https://www.regions.com/about-regions/bank-holidays" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Regions Bank</a>, have separate pages with bank holiday schedules. During these holidays, brick-and-mortar banks will close all of their branches or modify their branch hours. Customer service hours may also vary depending on where you bank.Quick tip: If a bank doesn't have a holiday schedule on its website, your best bet will be to call your nearest branch to know which holidays it's observing. Online banks usually don't have physical branch locations, but you still may be affected. When an online bank observes a holiday, transactions may be delayed until the next day.Customer service availability will usually stay the same with online banks, but there are some exceptions. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/capital-one-bank-review" rel="noopener">Capital One 360</a> offers customer service support for all holidays except the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.Most financial institutions follow the <a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/aboutthefed/k8.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Federal Reserve System's holiday schedule</a>. Here is the holiday schedule for 2024. <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;" border="1"><tbody><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px; text-align: center;">Holiday</td><td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center; height: 21px;">2024</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">New Year's Day</td><td style="width: 16.6667%; height: 21px;">January 1</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">Martin Luther King, Jr. Day</td><td style="width: 16.6667%; height: 21px;">January 15</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day)</td><td style="width: 16.6667%; height: 21px;">February 19</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">Memorial Day</td><td style="width: 16.6667%; height: 21px;">May 27</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">Juneteenth</td><td style="width: 16.6667%; height: 21px;">June 19</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">Fourth of July</td><td style="width: 16.6667%; height: 21px;">July 4</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">Labor Day</td><td style="width: 16.6667%; height: 21px;">September 2</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">Columbus Day</td><td style="width: 16.6667%; height: 21px;">October 14</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">Veterans Day</td><td style="width: 16.6667%; height: 21px;">November 11</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">Thanksgiving Day</td><td style="width: 16.6667%; height: 21px;">November 28</td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 21px;">Christmas Day</td><td style="width: 16.6667%; height: 21px;">December 25</td></tr></tbody></table>If a holiday falls on a Saturday, the bank will still be open on a Friday. But if a holiday occurs on a Sunday, the bank will be closed the following Monday.<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/is-the-stock-market-open-today">The stock market is open</a> on most of the same days as banks, with a few exceptions.<h2>Do transactions go through on bank holidays? </h2>Most banking transactions don't process on bank holidays, regardless of whether you use an online or brick-and-mortar bank. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/ally-bank-review" rel="noopener">Ally Bank</a>, for instance, doesn't let you make any money-related transactions on federal holidays. The online banking platform Chime also has a <a href="https://help.chime.com/hc/en-us/articles/10017608952727" target="_blank" rel="noopener">list of holidays when it can't process direct deposits</a>. Transactions at brick-and-mortar banks like Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America won't be processed until the next business day. Business days are weekdays when branches are in operation.So, instead of hinging on a lagging <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/direct-deposit" rel="noopener">direct deposit</a>, you may want to come up with a backup plan in case the transaction gets delayed.<h2>Where can I get cash when banks are closed? </h2>Branches are closed on federal holidays, but ATMs aren't. If you have a debit or ATM card, you can still use a machine to take out cash during the holidays.If you're out of town, you can also use a debit card to get cash back at a store if you don't have any free ATMs nearby. That way, you don't have to pay an out-of-network <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/bank-atm-fees" rel="noopener">ATM fee</a> if your bank doesn't reimburse charges.<h2>How can I cash a personal check when banks are closed? </h2>If you receive a personal check during the holidays, there are a few roundabout ways access to your money quickly.You can cash the check out at a store if you need money in a pinch.Some ATMs let you cash or deposit checks, but you may already need to have those funds in your account. If your bank's ATM network doesn't let you make check transactions, you can deposit the check using your bank's online or mobile features, then cash your check out using an ATM.Funds likely won't be available right away, so this alternative works best if you prefer to have money safe in your account and don't mind waiting a day or two.

Are banks open today? Here's a list of U.S. bank holidays for 2024

India's retail inflation is projected to surge to 6.15% in October, exceeding the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) tolerance threshold of 6%, according to a new report by Union Bank of India. The spike is attributed to persistent <keyword id="21013592" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="food-price-pressures" source="keywords">food price pressures</keyword> and the waning of favorable base effects from the previous year. Earlier this month, RBI governor Shaktikanta Das also echoed similar sentiments and noted that the inflation print for October 2024 could stay well above 5.5%. This is why, as Das highlighted, cutting interest rates as early as December would be very early and premature The <keyword id="19999655" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Consumer-Price-Index" source="keywords">Consumer Price Index</keyword> (CPI) data for October, which will be released at 4 pm on Tuesday, as opposed to the previous practice of releasing this data at 5:30 pm on the 12th of every month, follows September's inflation reading of 5.49%, up from 3.65% in August 2024. The last time inflation breached the RBI's upper limit was in August 2023. Despite the RBI's anticipation of an October inflation "hump," the Union Bank report suggests that the magnitude of the increase might raise concerns, particularly as November's figures are also tracking at elevated levels. The bank maintains its forecast of unchanged interest rates in December's monetary policy meeting, with a modest 50 basis points rate cut cycle predicted to begin in February 2025. Food inflation remains a key driver of price pressures, with vegetables and edible oils leading the recent surge. In September 2024, India's YoY food inflation rate hit 9.24%, up from 5.66% in the month prior. However, the report projects some easing of food inflation in the January-March quarter, citing typical winter price moderation and improving prospects for rabi crops. Despite this, potential risks from food supply disruptions, imported edible oil prices, and the impact of potential trade tariff hikes will exist. The RBI, which aims to maintain retail inflation at 4%, has held the repo rate steady at 6.5% for the tenth consecutive time in its last meeting as part of its inflation containment strategy. A recent SBI report also noted that expecting rate cuts in this quarter would be immature, and easing was possible only during the first half of 2025. "Given the current estimates of FY25 real GDP growth at 7.2% and CPI at 4.50%, the RBI would quite possibly keep policy rates stable over the coming quarter at least. Emerging trends in the growth outlook would possibly determine the timing and extent of any policy easing. With near-term CPI numbers likely to stay elevated, it’s premature to consider expectations of any easing in the December review. "However, high-frequency data do validate a softness in growth data on an incremental basis. Given the anticipated aligning of CPI closer to the target over H2, a shallow easing, if any can be a reasonable possibility over H1 of CY 25", it added.

Retail inflation expected to breach 6% mark in October, says UBI Report

On September 18, 2024, the US <keyword id="19900043" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fed" source="keywords">Fed</keyword> delivered a jumbo-sized surprise to the global economy. Not only did they trim their interest rates by a massive 50 basis points to bring their yields down to 5%, but also hinted at further rate cuts in the upcoming months. This move from the fed and several other central banks globally had pushed expectations high for a similar rate slash closer home, from the <keyword id="19899808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rbi" source="keywords">RBI</keyword> this month. But governor <keyword id="19913110" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shaktikanta-das" source="keywords">Shaktikanta Das</keyword>, in a “picture abhi baaki hai” moment, decided to hold the repo rates here steady, leaving them unchanged at 6.5% for the record 10th straight time. Although, he did tinker with the policy stand, changing it from “rate cuts are absolutely off the table” to a more accommodating “we’re okay with bringing down the rates, if needed”. This, rather neutral, stance from India’s financial custodian sparked hopes for a rate cut in December this year. However, the stubborn inflation levels in September have again dented such hopes. As consumers, you may be wondering what all the hullabaloo this is about, since it hardly makes a difference to your regular financial routine. Well, the majority of both economic growth and inflation is closely connected to this policy stance from the central bank and it does have a rather indirect effect on both our earnings and spending. But more directly, it would have clear implications for those looking to own a house. Even the slightest modification of interest rates, or the lack of it, influences the <keyword id="19916018" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="emi" source="keywords">EMI</keyword> you pay significantly. So, all aspiring homebuyers, is this the right time to take out a loan and buy a house? Can you expect a rate cut anytime soon, and what will that mean for your home-owning dreams? We lay it out. <h2>What’s the connection?</h2>You see, buying a house is no small feat, at least financially. The task becomes even more herculean if you are scouting for your own roof in cities like Delhi, Noida, Bangalore or Mumbai where, as Circuit from Munnabhai says, “room shuru hote hi khatam ho jata hai”. Naturally, you’ll have to take a <keyword id="6354730" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="home-loan" source="Orion">home loan</keyword> from the bank. Don’t be mistaken, the bank won't give you a loan that covers 100% of the value of the property you want to own. Rather, your loan amount will be equivalent to a certain percentage of the property’s total value. RBI’s guidelines on this are pretty clear: <ul><li>If your loan amount is up to Rs 30 lakh, you can get a loan worth 90% of the property’s value.</li></ul><ul><li>If the loan amount is between Rs 30 lakh and Rs 75 lakh, you are eligible for a loan worth 80% of the property’s value.</li><li>If you are taking a loan of more than Rs 75 lakh, your loan amount will be equivalent to 70% of the property’s value.</li></ul>Now assuming that you have the money, it's all about paying back the principal amount, but not without a little (read hefty) interest added on top. See, when you’re taking a home loan, you are actually signing up for a long-term, even multi-decadal financial commitment, which will unfailingly present itself to your bank accounts and finances every single month, in the form of EMIs, or equated monthly instalments). When you take a home loan, you can choose to pay the interest in two ways (talk about choices!). One is that you decide to keep a fixed rate of interest throughout the tenure of your home loan. So, if you opt for a 25-year fixed-rate home loan at the rate of 8.8% p.a., you’ll have to pay interest at this rate for the next 25 years, till your entire loan is paid off. Yes, you can go backsies and switch to a floating-rate home loan by paying a fee. Floating, as the name suggests, means that your interest rate is not set in stone. But starting October 2019, when it comes to a floating interest rate home loan, your payable interest and EMIs are directly impacted by any changes in <keyword id="20094323" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="repo-rate" source="keywords">repo rate</keyword>, which were left unchanged by RBI this time around. Why are these two so chummy, you might ask. Well, home loan interest rates are a sum of two things: <ol><li>Repo Rate (the rate at which RBI lends money to banks)</li><li>Operational cost + margins</li></ol>Any plus or minus in this equation would send your home loan interests tanking, or skyrocketing. Vivek Iyer, Partner, Grant Thornton Bharat explains that any change in the repo rates impacts the cost of funds and thereby the home loan interest rates. “When the interest rates are expected to reduce, the corresponding impact will be in the form of a reduced EMI. Home loan borrowers should always try to borrow at a floating rate when interest rates are expected to reduce and at a fixed rate when the interest rates are expected to increase. This minimizes the outflow in the form of EMIs that the home loan borrowers will experience”, he continues. So, no change in repo rates means no change in your home loan interest payout and no financial relief whatsoever. A rate cut, which most experts are anticipating will start this December, would mean your EMI payments come down, and your wallet might save a little more. But there’s also a chance of an UNO reverse happening. In case RBI is in the mood to hike the interest, your home loan EMIs might end up taking more from your pockets. Consider this. You took a floating interest rate home loan worth Rs 50 lakh in January 2022 at 8% p.a., for a period of 20 years. This brings your total monthly EMI to Rs Rs 41,822. But, as luck would (or won't) have it, RBI raised the interest rate by 250 basis points between May 2022 and February 2023, bringing it to its current status of 6.5%. Some back-of-the-envelope calculations suggest that now, your home loan interest payout will also rise by a hefty 2.5%, taking the total to 10.5%. In other words, you’ll have to dish out Rs 49,919 per month as EMI. Now, won't you heave a sigh of relief if the RBI were to bring down the interest rate by say, even 50 basis points, or 0.5%? Agreed, your EMI will come down just marginally, to Rs 48,251. But look at this over a 20-year period, and you’ll see how big the difference is. <h2>Are rates set to change anytime soon?</h2>Generally, RBI hikes the repo rates if it sees inflation spiralling out of control. Then, in a bid to reduce consumer spending, it raises interest rates to make borrowing expensive. But when the apex bank sees sluggish consumption in the economy, inflation in control and wants to boost spending, it slashes down on interest rates, making it more lucrative for people to borrow. As of now, most experts are not anticipating any changes in the interest rates anytime soon. This means home loans are not getting cheaper anytime soon. The CPI data, which came out yesterday, saw inflation rise to 5.49% in September, compared to 3.65% last month. Food and beverage prices jumped to a four-month high of 8.36% in September, as opposed to a 5.3% rise in August. So a rate cut seems a no-go at the moment! Apurva Sheth, Head of Market Perspectives and Research, SAMCO Securities explains that the RBI had probably expected a hardening of inflation and that's why it chose to hold on to the rates in the monetary policy announcement last week. “Now, it seems that RBI will take a cautious stance going ahead and will not be in a hurry into rate cuts like its global peers”, he added. In all this, one thing is clear, in the grand movie of the Indian economy, the RBI has chosen stability over drama. And just like in every good Bollywood film, we're left wondering what twist the sequel will bring. Until then, it might be “The End" for rate cuts, but the show must go on for the Indian economy!

Boom or bust — how RBI’s decision to leave rates unchanged affects homebuyers

Amid questions on the depleting <keyword id="20776807" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="loan-to-deposit-ratio" source="keywords">loan-to-deposit ratio</keyword> in <keyword id="19895091" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-banks" source="keywords">Indian banks</keyword>, a recent report by <keyword id="19896146" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Motilal-Oswal" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Motilal Oswal" meta.hostid="269" meta.entityid="Motilal Oswal">Motilal Oswal</keyword> suggests that the loan-to-deposit (LD) ratio is likely to subside on its own in the coming months. The debate on loan-to-deposit ratio (LD), particularly concerning sluggish <keyword id="19998084" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="deposit-growth" source="keywords">deposit growth</keyword> and potential risks to <keyword id="20089808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="financial-stability" source="keywords">financial stability</keyword> is raised by even the finance minister and the <keyword id="20151998" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="RBI-governor" source="keywords">RBI governor</keyword>. However, the report notes that on closer examination, the situation may not be as alarming as it seems. As of 9th August, 2024 the Indian <keyword id="19964544" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="banking-sector" source="keywords">banking sector</keyword>'s loan-to-deposit (LD) ratio stood at 77.2 %, which is slightly below its recent peak of 78.2 % on 22nd March 2024, and its all-time high of 78.8 % in September 2013. The report stated that typically a rising LD ratio is indicative of a tightness in the banking sector, potentially indicating overheating. A lower LD indicates that the bank is aggressive in its credit disbursement practises, which could be risky. It highlighted that an analysis of the sector's transactions with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) through the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF), along with recent trends in the weighted average call rate (WACR), suggests that the current rise in the LD ratio does not indicate tightness, which is why there is no immediate cause of concern. In fact, the report added that the concern over weak deposit growth may be overstated. Historical data show that bank deposits grew at an average rate of 9.5 % during the pre-COVID period (January 2015 to February 2020) and 10.4 % in the post-COVID period (March 2020 to August 2024). Earlier, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also urged state-run banks to enhance deposit mobilization through attractive offers and focusing on Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Loan-to-deposit ratio pegs the total deposits received by the bank against the loans it has offered. It helps in understanding how liquid the bank is. The loan-to-deposit ratio (LDR) is a financial metric that compares a bank's total loans to its total deposits. It's used to assess a bank's liquidity and credit risk, and to inform lending and deposit-taking decisions The report said while the exact measures are unclear, the deposit growth could potentially be increased by making other asset classes less attractive through taxation or interest rates, or by boosting fiscal spending to increase net credit to the government. In its forecast, the report noted that private banks will witness a moderation in their <keyword id="19998083" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="credit-growth" source="keywords">credit growth</keyword>, while public sector banks will maintain a healthy credit growth rate. "Our analysis suggests that deposit growth could be raised by either making other asset classes unattractive (through taxation and/or interest rate) or increasing the growth in net credit to the government by pushing fiscal spending higher" the report added. Alternatively, policymakers might consider curtailing loan growth to lower the LD ratio. However, this could slow deposit growth, particularly if corporate credit growth remains weak. Encouraging savers to shift investments from other assets to bank deposits could also be an option, but this carries risks of overreach and potential damage to economic confidence. Das had also flagged the excessive growth, or froth developing in the personal loan space. Notably, while credit growth in unsecured personal loans like credit cards continues to decline, it remains elevated at 23.3% as of June 2024. However, this is a significant reduction from 34.2% witnessed in November 2023. As fiscal spending increases, bank credit to the government is likely to grow, which should elevate deposits and broad money supply. The report said "However, the extent of foreign capital inflows and the RBI's policy for managing these inflows remain uncertain". Last month, RBI governor Shaktikanta Das had also addressed this issue in the 50th meeting of MPC (Monetary Policy Committee). Per him, deposit mobilisation has been lagging credit growth for some time now. This may potentially expose the system to structural liquidity issues. "While there could be a debate regarding ‘deposits funding loans’ vis-à-vis ‘loans funding deposits’, the current regulatory concern stems from the fact that there could be structural changes happening which banks need to recognise and, accordingly, devise their strategies. Households and consumers who traditionally leaned on banks for parking or investing their savings are increasingly turning to capital markets and other financial intermediaries", Das said. Per him, while bank deposits continue to remain dominant as a percentage of financial assets owned by households, their share has been declining consistently, since households are now increasingly allocating their savings to mutual funds, insurance funds, pension funds and other avenues.

Loan-to-deposit ratio will subside on its own in coming months, notes Motilal Oswal report

In a significant diplomatic move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu at <keyword id="20751669" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hyderabad-House" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Hyderabad House" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Hyderabad House">Hyderabad House</keyword> in Delhi on Monday. This visit is widely seen as an effort to reset ties between the two nations after a year of tense relations. <keyword id="20101322" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="President-Muizzu" source="keywords">President Muizzu</keyword>, who arrived in India on Sunday for a five-day visit, received a red carpet welcome. During a joint press briefing, President Muizzu expressed heartfelt gratitude to India, thanking President Droupadi Murmu, <keyword id="19899320" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="PM-Modi" source="keywords">PM Modi</keyword> and the people of India for their warm reception. He emphasised the Maldives' deep-rooted ties with India, noting that tourism — especially Indian visitors—remains a crucial pillar of the Maldivian economy. “India is our largest source market for tourists, and we hope to welcome even more Indian visitors in the future,” Muizzu remarked. Key areas of cooperation discussed included economic ties and maritime security, critical given the Maldives' position in the Indian Ocean. Following their talks, India granted the financially struggling Maldives a rollover of USD 100 million in Treasury bills, in addition to formalising a <keyword id="23458604" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="currency-swap-agreement" source="keywords">currency swap agreement</keyword> and a ₹3,000 crore currency swap. Prime Minister Modi characterised the "development partnership" as a key component of India-Maldives relations, asserting that India has consistently prioritised the needs of the Maldivian people. "Our development partnership is vital to our relationship with the Maldives, and we have always placed importance on the priorities of its people. This year, SBI rolled over USD 100 million in Treasury Bills, and a USD 400 million currency swap agreement was signed based on the Maldives' requirements," he explained. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="106837748" title="Withdraw troops by mid-March, Maldives tells India" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>In September, India announced that the <keyword id="19934368" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="State-Bank-of-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="State Bank of India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="State Bank of India">State Bank of India</keyword> would purchase Maldivian government bonds worth USD 50 million, following a similar USD 50 million transaction in May 2024. Additionally, Prime Minister Modi and President Muizzu witnessed the first <keyword id="20563654" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="RuPay-card" source="keywords">RuPay card</keyword> payment transaction launched in the Maldives and virtually inaugurated the runway at Hanimaadhoo International Airport. Modi stated that India and the Maldives would soon be connected through UPI. "Recently, we launched the RuPay card in the Maldives, and in the future, we will link both countries via UPI," he said during a joint press briefing. Muizzu also expressed his desire to conclude a <keyword id="19945642" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Free-Trade-Agreement" source="keywords">Free Trade Agreement</keyword> with India, a step he believes will open the door to greater Indian investment in the Maldives. Modi emphasised India's commitment to supporting the Maldives through various initiatives, including supplying essential commodities and Covid vaccines, inaugurating airports, and constructing social housing. He noted that a new drinking water project is now operational on 28 islands, providing clean water to over 30,000 residents. The leaders also discussed the opening of consulates in Addu and Bengaluru. Tensions between India and the Maldives escalated following Muizzu's election last year, which saw a shift towards a pro-China stance and the promise to withdraw Indian troops stationed in the archipelago. His visit to China before India in January had raised eyebrows in New Delhi, as it was perceived as a slight. However, since attending Modi's swearing-in ceremony for a third term in June, Muizzu has moderated his anti-Indian rhetoric, signalling a thaw in relations. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has stated that the discussions provided "a new impetus" to the relationship. This meeting likely marks a positive turn in Indo-Maldivian relations, setting the stage for further cooperation between the two South Asian neighbours. (With inputs from agencies) <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112094153" title="Maldives President Muizzu thanks India for economic support, affirms hope of signing FTA" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Maldives President Muizzu met with PM Modi in Delhi today. Here’s how it went!

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Our experts answer readers' investing questions and write unbiased product reviews (<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/investing-rating-methodology" class="not-content-link" target="_blank">here's how we assess investing products</a>). Paid non-client promotion: In some cases, we receive a commission from <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/our-partners" class="not-content-link" target="_blank">our partners</a>. Our opinions are always our own.<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/what-is-a-custodial-account">Custodial accounts</a>, also known as UGMA/UTMA accounts, are brokerage accounts that allow parents or guardians to invest on behalf of their children or dependents. Ownership of these accounts transfers to the minors once they reach legal age (typically 18 or 21, depending on the state). Many brokerages also offer other custodial options like 529 plans, IRAs, and trusts.You can also check out our guide of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/529-day-plans-by-state">529 plans by state</a> for programs and promotional events. The best custodial accounts are accessible and low-cost, user-friendly platforms for parents/ guardians to invest funds on behalf of their children/dependents. These accounts also offer multiple tax perks. Keep in mind that funds in these accounts must be used for the benefit of the child.<h2>Best Custodial Accounts</h2><ul><li>Charles Schwab - Product Name Only: Best custodial account for all types of investors</li><li>Merrill Edge - Product Name Only: Best custodial account for Bank of America clients</li><li>Vanguard - Product Name Only: Best custodial account for mutual funds</li><li>Fidelity Investments - Product Name Only: Best custodial account for low fees</li><li>TD Ameritrade - Product Name Only: Best custodial for active traders</li><li>E*TRADE - Product Name Only: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/best-robo-advisors">Best for robo advisors</a></li></ul><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/what-is-utma-ugma-custodial-account">UGMA accounts</a> (formerly known as Uniform Gift to Minors Act accounts) can hold cash, stocks, mutual funds, bonds, and other investments. Alternatively, UTMA accounts — also known as Uniform Transfers to Minors Act accounts — allow for alternative assets like real estate, fine art, intellectual property, and precious metals.Here are the best custodial accounts as picked by Insider's editors.<h3>Compare the Best Custodial Accounts</h3><h2>Custodial Accounts Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</h2><h3 class="faq-question">What is the meaning of custodial account?</h3>A custodial account is an investment account for parents/guardians to save money on behalf of a child/minor. The money in this account can only be used for the benefit of the child and becomes legally owned by the dependent when they come of age (varies by state).<h3 class="faq-question">What are the cons of a custodial account?</h3>The cons of a custodial account is that contributions aren't always tax deductible. Plus, the beneficiary of the account may have to pay tax on the gains. Other cons of custodial accounts are that it may affect a child's ability to get financial aid, and the money contributed into the account is irrevocable. <h3 class="faq-question">Can a parent withdraw money from a custodial account?</h3>Parents can make withdrawals from the account at any time, as long as the withdrawal directly helps the minor.<h3 class="faq-question">Are custodial accounts a good idea?</h3>Custodial accounts are a great idea for parents or guardians to save money on behalf of a child or dependent. Funds in a custodial account can be used for tuition, living expenses, and much more as long as it's for the benefit of the beneficiary of the account. <h3 class="faq-question">Is a 529 plan better than a custodial account?</h3>Both custodial accounts and 529 plans help you save money for your child's future, but they don't have the same flexibility and advantages. 529 plans are tax-advantaged and are often state-run programs. Money in a 529 plan can be invested in the stock market. Custodial accounts are generally offered through brokerages and firms. These accounts tend to have fewer limitations compared to 529 plans with more investment options. <h3 class="faq-question">What happens to a custodial account when the child turns 18?</h3>When the beneficiary (aka the child) turns 18 they may earn legal ownership over the assets in the account. Once the beneficiary becomes the owner, parents/guardians will no longer have control over how the funds in the account are used. Depending on the state, the beneficiary may need to be older than 18 to gain ownership of the account (between age 18 and 21). <h3>What is a Custodial Account?</h3>A custodial account is a tax-advantaged investment account that allows parents or guardians to invest on behalf of children and/or dependents until those minors reach their state's age of majority. These accounts also have no income or contribution limits, and you can make early withdrawals without racking up any penalties. By opening a custodial account on behalf of a child/dependent, you're essentially building a nest egg for a kid's future education expenses. You can contribute gifts like money or other assets into a custodial account to build long-term wealth.Custodial accounts are similar to 529 plans. However, a custodial account offers more flexibility and these accounts are easier and cheaper than trusts. But opening a custodial account may affect your child's ability to get financial aid. <h3>How Does a Custodial Account Work?</h3>Like any other brokerage account, custodial accounts can be opened with a bank, credit union, or other investment platform that offers these accounts as an investment option. Both traditional brokers and online brokers offer custodial account options. You don't have to be a parent or legal guardian to open a custodial account on behalf of a child/dependent. Other relatives and friends can also open an account. Custodial accounts no longer have contribution limits, so you can invest as much as you want toward your child's future.<h3>Who Pays Taxes on a Custodial Account?</h3>The child or account beneficiary is responsible for taxes, but each parent or guardian must file taxes on behalf of their minor. However, the account beneficiary won't incur taxes in 2023 if they amass no more than $1,250 in unearned income. The next $1,250 the custodial account earns is taxed at the child's tax rate.In addition, any income earned over $2,500 is taxed at the parent's income tax rate. But with UGMA accounts, any contributions to the beneficiary's account are technically regarded as a "gift" and will incur a federal gift tax. However, you won't run into any gift taxes as a single individual if your contributions don't exceed $17,000 per year. The limit for couples is $34,000.<h2>Custodial Account Reviews</h2><h3>Best Custodial Account for All Types of Investors</h3>Charles SchwabKnown as the Schwab One Custodial Account, this account offers investors several perks. These include a $0 minimum opening deposit, $0 account setup and maintenance fees, and commission-free stocks and ETFs. In addition, you can invest in <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/how-to-invest-in-mutual-funds" rel="noopener">mutual funds</a> and other securities and utilize investment research and other tools.With Schwab Stock Slices, you can invest in fractional shares as long as you meet the $5 minimum requirement. And as with all custodial accounts, won't have to worry about any contribution limits. Parents and guardians might also consider Schwab's custodial IRAs (you can open these as a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/what-is-a-traditional-ira?_gl=1*vmyfkx*_ga*MTA5ODcxMjEwNy4xNjc5OTMzNDI2*_ga_E21CV80ZCZ*MTY4MDcxODQyOC4xNy4xLjE2ODA3MjU5MjIuMTMuMC4w">traditional IRA</a> or <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/what-is-roth-ira?_gl=1*7ekmh2*_ga*MTA5ODcxMjEwNy4xNjc5OTMzNDI2*_ga_E21CV80ZCZ*MTY4MDcxODQyOC4xNy4xLjE2ODA3MjU5NTIuNjAuMC4w">Roth IRA</a>), 529 college savings plans, and education savings accounts (ESA).Another advantage of Schwab's custodial account is that it isn't just for self-directed investors. You can automate your investments by setting up the account through the Charles Schwab Intelligent Portfolios - Product Name Only or Schwab Intelligent Portfolios Premium robo-advisors. Just note that you'll need a minimum of $5,000 for the former and at least $25,000 for the latter.Once the account beneficiary reaches legal age, they'll retain complete ownership of the account's earnings and can then utilize additional Schwab products if so desired.What to look out for: If you decide to take the automated investing route for your custodial account, you'll need at least $5,000 for Schwab Intelligent Portfolios and $25,000 for Schwab Intelligent Portfolios Premium.<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/schwab-intelligent-portfolios-review">Schwab Intelligent Portfolios review</a><h3>Best Custodial Account for Bank of America Clients</h3>Merrill EdgeMerrill Edge - Product Name Only lets you invest for your minor without running into any minimum opening deposits, annual fees, or account maintenance fees. Merrill Edge also offers commission-free stocks, ETFs, and options. And you can choose the robo-advisor route with Merrill Guided Investing or Merrill Guided Investing with an Advisor.If you're already a Bank of America client, you can fund the account by linking your existing Bank of America account. Plus, Merrill Edge allows for checks, wire transfers, and transfers or rollovers from existing accounts.In addition to its custodial accounts, Merrill Edge offers a vast range of other competitive products, including automated investing accounts (robo-advisors), IRAs, 529 plans, retirement calculators, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/what-is-margin-trading-how-it-works" rel="noopener">margin accounts</a>, and more.Merrill Edge also offers 24/7 phone support and live chat.What to look out for: Annual fees for Merrill Edge's automated accounts — Merrill Guided Investing and Merrill Guided Investing with an Advisor — are on the higher side. You'll incur a 0.45% fee for the former and a 0.85% fee for the latter.<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/merrill-edge-review">Merrill Edge review</a><h3>Best Custodial Account for Mutual Funds</h3>VanguardA behemoth in the retirement investing and mutual funds space, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/vanguard-investing-review">Vanguard</a> also offers some competitive features with its custodial accounts. There aren't any opening deposit, maintenance, or account transfer fees, and you can automate transfers from both your bank account and other Vanguard accounts.Vanguard allows for investments in stocks, bonds, Vanguard mutual funds, non-Vanguard funds, and more. Plus, with Vanguard Personal Advisor Services - Product Name Only, you can skip out on the self-directed investing route and take advantage of robo-advice paired with ongoing financial advisor guidance. Note, however, that you'll need at least $50,000 to get started with this service, and you'll be responsible for a 0.30% annual fee.Vanguard's suite of investment products also features <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/what-is-a-529-plan">529 plans</a> and trusts. And if you're looking to deepen your investing knowledge before and/or after you set up a custodial account, the brokerage offers an extensive selection of resources (investing tools and calculators, market news and perspectives, and educational guides) to help you do so.What to look out for: Vanguard doesn't currently offer fractional shares, and options contracts will cost you $1 (many brokerages charge $0.65 per contract).<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/vanguard-digital-advisor-review">Vanguard review</a><h3>Best Custodial Account for Low Fees</h3>FidelityFidelity's custodial account lets you build wealth through stocks, ETFs, options, bonds, mutual funds, and much more. Plus, the account has no minimum opening requirements or fees, and any stocks, ETFs, or options the account holder invests in are commission-free.Its custodial offerings are also supplemented with account perks like Fidelity Viewpoints, an online center with expert commentary on investing strategies, markets, and much more. In addition, Fidelity's Planning &amp; Guidance Center offers tools to help you meet investing goals.Fidelity Investments - Product Name Only offers multiple other minor investment account options beyond UGMA/UTMA custodial accounts. These include its Roth IRA for Kids account, 529 plan, Fidelity Youth Account (this account lets children between the ages of 13 and 17 invest on their own), and trust accounts.What to look out for: Fidelity Go - Product Name Only doesn't support custodial accounts.<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/fidelity-investments-review">Fidelity review</a><h3>Best Custodial Account for Active Traders</h3>TD AmeritradeTD Ameritrade - Product Name Only offers a vast range of accounts for youth. These include its UGMA/UTMA accounts, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/coverdell-education-savings-account" rel="noopener">Coverdell Education Savings accounts</a>, and 529 plans (TD Ameritrade is no longer offering 529 plans to new clients).And like all of the other brokerages listed above, you won't have to worry about minimum deposits to get started. TD Ameritrade also offers a competitive investment selection. It gives you access to commission-free stocks and ETFs, and it provides more than 13,000 mutual funds. If you're a hands-off investor and would rather leave the day-to-day trading decisions to the professionals, you'll have to set up an account through Charles Schwab. TD Ameritrade is no longer accepting new clients for any of its managed portfolios, but you can still open an automated investing account through Schwab Intelligent Portfolios or Schwab Intelligent Portfolios Premium.What to look out for: Schwab acquired TD Ameritrade, so many of the brokerage's offerings have merged with Schwab's. However, both platforms still offer standalone products, so be sure to keep this in mind as you weigh different account options.<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/td-ameritrade-brokerage-review">TD Ameritrade review</a><h3>Best Custodial Account for Automated Investing</h3>E*TRADEE*TRADE - Product Name Only offers account options for all types of investors, but it provides a particularly competitive suite of custodial products. These include its standard UGMA/UTMA custodial account, IRA for Minors, and Coverdell ESA accounts. Its standard custodial account allows for commission-free stocks, ETFs, and options.However, you'll pay $1 per bond, and bond minimums can range from $10 to $250. Fees for funds vary, but E*TRADE currently offers more than 4,500 no-load, no-transaction-fee mutual funds. And those who prefer robo-advice can build wealth through its expert-managed automated investing account,E*TRADE Core Portfolios (note that you'll need at least $500 to set up this account).Its custodial accounts also have no income or contribution limits, and they come with a free debit card, checking perks, and online bill pay. What to look out for: E*TRADE doesn't offer fractional share trading.<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/etrade-investing-review">E*TRADE review</a><h3>Other Custodial Accounts We Considered</h3><ul><li>Ally Invest - Product Name Only: Ally Invest offers a vast collection of investment products, and it gives you the option to set up a self-directed custodial account or an automated custodial account. One thing to consider, however, is that the platform doesn't offer any no-transaction-fee mutual funds.</li><li>Firstrade - Product Name Only: Firstrade provides commission-free trading for stocks, ETFs, options, and mutual funds. The platform also offers international investing accounts, but it doesn't provide any managed accounts or automated investing options.</li><li>M1 Finance - Product Name Only: Offering a combination of self-directed trading and automated investing for stocks and ETFs, M1 Finance is a competitive platform in the online brokerage space. However, only M1 Plus members get access to custodial accounts, and the M1 Plus subscription costs $125 per year.</li><li>Stash Invest - Product Name Only: Stash gives investors access to automated investing (for both stocks and ETFs), round-ups, banking, and more. The platform also offers retirement portfolios and family financial advice packages. One downside to consider, though, is that you'll pay a $9 monthly fee — through the Stash+ plan — to utilize a custodial account.</li><li>Stockpile - Product Name Only: This investment platform is a great wealth-building option for kids and teens. It offers no minimums, no recurring fees, and no gift card or funding fees (you can buy gift cards that are redeemable for different stocks in your child or dependent's account). One downside is that, while Stockpile offers thousands of stocks, it only offers two account types: individual accounts and custodial accounts.</li><li>Loved App: Loved is a financial education app offering investment accounts and financial literacy resources for parents who want to get their kids (or other dependents) into investing at an early age. It lets you invest in themes, goals, and companies that align with your preferences, and you can set up custodial accounts. However, it may not be the best choice for those who want a wider range of account types and investment choices.</li><li>Acorns Invest - Editorial Name Only: Acorns is a beginner-friendly investment app for passive investors wanting to start wealth-building for their kids or teens. Acorns Early is the platform custodial account option. it offers a diverse portfolio of ETFs based on your investment goals and risk tolerance. But it can cost up to $9 per month and its investment options are limited. </li></ul><h3>Why You Should Trust Us: Our Methodology </h3>We reviewed more than a dozen custodial accounts using <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/investing-rating-methodology"> Insider's rating methodology for investing products </a>to find the best options for the lowest fees, ease of use, flexible investment choices, and customer service availability. We also sifted through multiple investment platforms to find the best options both for self-directed traders and hands-off investors.You'll notice that many of the platforms mentioned in our guide offer the option to both trade on your own or automate your custodial account's investments. Investment platforms are given a rating between 0 and 5.

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New Delhi [India], March 20 (ANI): Payments through digital means in India are hitting fresh highs, as its citizens are increasingly adopting the emerging modes of transacting on the internet. In February, transactions worth Rs 18.2 lakh crore were made through Unified Payments Interface (<keyword id="19900911" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="upi" source="keywords">UPI</keyword>) with a staggering 122 crore number of transactions. The transactions made last month through the popular instant payment mechanism were a tad lower than in January, where the total value of transactions was Rs 18.4 lakh crore. The total number of transactions recorded in the month of January was 121 crore. Data maintained by the <keyword id="19907219" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="national-payments-corporation-of-india" source="keywords">National Payments Corporation of India</keyword> (NPCI) showed that an average of Rs 40,000-Rs 80,000 crore worth of UPI transactions are made in India on a daily basis. Coming to NEFT and RTGS, the two other instruments for online payments, the average transactions made through these were an average of Rs 33.85 lakh crore and Rs 146 lakh crore, respectively, data showed. Coming to internet banking and mobile banking, transactions worth Rs 91.24 lakh crore and Rs 28.16 lakh crore, respectively, were made in January 2024. Notably, India today accounts for nearly 46 per cent of the world's digital transactions (as per 2022 data). The share of UPI in digital payments in India has reached close to 80 per cent in 2023, informed <keyword id="19899810" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="reserve-bank-of-india" source="keywords">Reserve Bank of India</keyword> (RBI) Governor <keyword id="19913110" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shaktikanta-das" source="keywords">Shaktikanta Das</keyword> earlier this month, as he outlined the growth of the payments ecosystem in the country. The RBI governor had said India has not only navigated through the fast-evolving technological innovations but also played a pivotal role, as a catalyst, in developing one of the most modern payment systems in the world. Retail digital payments in India have grown from 162 crore transactions in the financial year 2012-13 to over 14,726 crore transactions in 2023-24 (till February 2024) -- approximately a 90-fold increase over 12 years. UPI is India's mobile-based fast payment system, which facilitates customers to make round-the-clock payments instantly, using a Virtual Payment Address (<keyword id="20478991" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vpa" source="keywords">VPA</keyword>) created by the customer. The UPI payment system has become hugely popular for retail digital payments in India, and its adoption is increasing at a rapid pace. A key emphasis of the Indian government has been on ensuring that the benefits of UPI are not limited to India only; other countries, too, benefit from it. So far, Sri Lanka, <keyword id="19956313" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mauritius" source="keywords">Mauritius</keyword>, France, UAE, and <keyword id="19895045" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="singapore" source="keywords">Singapore</keyword> have partnered with India on emerging fintech and payment solutions. (ANI)

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