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The <keyword id="20018890" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="digital-infrastructure" source="keywords">digital infrastructure</keyword> has made the <keyword id="20572901" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="loan-sanctioning" source="keywords">loan sanctioning</keyword> system adopt an online mode, but the <keyword id="21614839" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="loan-recovery" source="keywords">loan recovery</keyword> still requires a 'feet on the street' approach, says <keyword id="20506781" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="swaminathan-j" source="keywords">Swaminathan J</keyword>, Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Speaking at a media event in Mumbai, the deputy Governor of RBI noted that with the digital infrastructure at place, many <keyword id="22721545" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fintech-players" source="keywords">fintech players</keyword> are giving loans to customers with poor credit profiles, and up on default, use aggressive recovery tactics. "While loan sanctioning and disbursement have become increasingly digital, effective collection and recovery still require a 'feet on the street' and empathetic approach. Many fintech platforms operate on a business model that involves extending <keyword id="22791879" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="small-value-loans" source="keywords">small-value loans</keyword> to customers who often have a poor credit profiles" said the deputy governor. He emphasized that the business model of many fintech platforms involves offering small-value loans to customers who often have poor credit profiles. This has led to the adoption of aggressive recovery strategies, which on many occasions also crosses ethical boundaries. He also highlighted one particularly concerning practice that involves the invasion of customers' privacy, where recovery agents access the personal data and contacts of borrowers and use that as a threat practice. Swaminathan cautioned that such tactics not only infringe on individuals right to privacy, but also risk damaging the reputation of regulated lenders associated with these fintech platforms. He also highlighted RBI's regulations on outsourcing, that even though regulated financial entities delegate certain activities to third parties, they remain ultimately accountable for the actions of their outsourced agents. The deputy governor also noted that the digitisation allows banks and NBFCs to leverage data for greater insights into their customers' requirements and behaviour, which can be used for developing bespoke products apart from facilitating better risk management and compliance. He stated that the role of RBI as a regulator is to establish guardrails or a balanced framework that encourages innovation while ensuring that risks are managed prudently. The deputy governor also indicated the primary goal of RBI is to ensure the stability and integrity of the financial system and not to hinder business operations.

Loan sanctioning has gone digital, but recovery still needs a 'feet on the street' approach, says RBI Deputy Governor

<keyword id="19922074" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Reserve-Bank" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Reserve Bank" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Reserve Bank">Reserve Bank</keyword> Deputy Governor <keyword id="19918795" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Swaminathan" source="keywords">Swaminathan</keyword> J on Wednesday said implementation of <keyword id="22784242" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="risk-based-premium" source="keywords">risk-based premium</keyword> for <keyword id="20132734" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="deposit-insurance" source="keywords">deposit insurance</keyword> merits consideration as it will ensure that institutions with higher risk profiles contribute more to the insurance fund. Speaking at a conference in Jaipur, he also said that as the financial sector becomes more digitised, deposit insurers must work closely with regulators and supervisors to strengthen oversight mechanisms. This includes regularly updating <keyword id="19946068" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="regulatory-frameworks" source="keywords">regulatory frameworks</keyword> to incorporate emerging risks associated with <keyword id="19989657" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="digital-payments" source="keywords">digital payments</keyword>, <keyword id="19906883" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cybersecurity" source="keywords">cybersecurity</keyword>, and <keyword id="22180855" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fintech-innovations" source="keywords">fintech innovations</keyword>. By adopting a proactive stance, deposit insurers can help ensure that <keyword id="19912054" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="financial-institutions" source="keywords">financial institutions</keyword> under their purview are adequately prepared to manage these risks, thereby safeguarding depositor confidence. Swaminathan was addressing the International Conference of the International Association of Deposit Insurers- Asia Pacific Regional Committee (IADI-APRC) hosted by the Deposit Insurance Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC). He further said the implementation of risk-based premium for deposit insurance "merits consideration". "By tying insurance premiums to the level of risk posed by individual financial institutions, deposit insurers can incentivize banks to adopt stronger risk management practices. "This approach not only enhances the overall stability of the financial system but also ensures that institutions with higher risk profiles contribute more to the insurance fund," the deputy governor said. He also emphasised that deposit insurers can further mitigate technology risks by relying on supervisory rating assessments that incorporate evaluation of a financial institution's technological and operational resilience. By using these assessments as a basis for setting insurance premiums or determining intervention strategies, deposit insurers can ensure that their actions are informed by a comprehensive understanding of each institution's risk profile, Swaminathan added. The senior <keyword id="19899808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="RBI" source="keywords">RBI</keyword> official also asked deposit insurers to prioritise crisis preparedness and develop comprehensive contingency plans that account for technology-induced disruptions. This includes conducting regular stress tests and simulations to assess the potential impact of cyber incidents or fintech failures on financial institutions and the broader financial system, he said. The evolving technological landscape presents both significant challenges and opportunities for deposit insurers. By adopting a proactive, risk-based approach, including enhanced oversight, risk-based premiums, reliance on supervisory ratings, faster claim settlements, and industry collaboration, deposit insurers can effectively manage these risks, the deputy governor said.

Risk-based premium for deposit insurance merits consideration: RBI Deputy Governor Swaminathan

Ah, <keyword id="18712" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gold" source="Orion">gold</keyword>! The shiny metal that's been making humans lose their minds since time immemorial. And yet, from King Midas to our neighbourhood aunty and even our moms (and secretly dads), everyone seems to have a super soft spot for the bullion. But here's the kicker: right now, gold prices are breaking all records on their upward trajectory! As of today, prices of 24k carat gold have passed the Rs 80,000 mark per 10 grams. And if experts are to be believed, this train isn't stopping anytime soon! So, as shiny as gold might look, adding even a bit of its glitter as we start decking up for the festive season might not be so easy on your pockets. But let's admit it—we love our gold and can't live without it. No wonder India is the second-largest consumer of the yellow metal in the world, only behind <keyword id="1334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="China" source="Orion">China</keyword>. Such is our fondness for the metal that the <keyword id="20195223" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-gold-council" source="keywords">World Gold Council</keyword> had to up our 2024 annual demand forecast to 850 tonnes, up from the previously estimated 750 tonnes. However, our love for gold isn't just about looking fabulously embellished and blinding people with its bling. Indians also see gold as a long-term, trusty investment, supporting our other hard-earned assets, especially when high <keyword id="22195" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Inflation" source="Orion">inflation</keyword> rates pull our returns down. After all, while inflationary pressures generally weaken the purchasing power of our regular paper money, gold is built differently. When the world is buckling to inflation, gold gains value during these times. This is also why it is considered a solid hedge against inflation. With Diwali and Dhanteras knocking at our doors, the inflation demon continued to bother India like a guest who refused to leave. Just last month, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 5.49%, much higher than the anticipated levels. Moreover, the diverging policy stances among central bankers worldwide, growing geopolitical tensions, tough job markets, and extreme weather events are only adding to the uncertainty. In such economically uncertain times, what should your gold strategy be this festive season? To buy or not to buy, that is the question. Well, let’s get to it. <h2><keyword id="20050894" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="gold-etfs" source="keywords">Gold ETFs</keyword> to the rescue</h2>See, buying physical gold jewellery is certainly a flex, but also a financial fuss. First, you pay a heavy amount to buy gold. Not to mention all those extra, hefty jewellery-making charges. And then you pay even more money to keep it safe in a bank locker, lest it get stolen. But what if we tell you that you can own pure <keyword id="3311599" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="24K-gold" source="Orion">24k gold</keyword>, minus all these frills? Welcome, Gold ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds). Simply put, gold ETFs are like the cool cousins of your traditional gold investments. Instead of stashing gold bars under your mattress like those maniac millionaires we see in Bollywood films, you can now invest and trade in gold through the stock market. It's basically buying units of an ETF on the stock exchange that directly mirror the ongoing domestic prices of gold. Generally, gold ETFs are equivalent to 99.5% pure physical gold bars, and each ETF unit denotes actual, one gram of gold. And let's face it, who would not want that golden glow in their lives? Gold ETFs have witnessed an over seven-fold surge in their AUM (assets under management) in just the last five years. From Rs 5,613.22 crore in September 2019 to Rs 39,823.50 crore in September 2024, gold ETFs seem to be in-thing. Inflows in gold ETFs have shot up by a whopping 2,695% over the last 5 years. In September 2019, gold ETFs had garnered a mere Rs 44.11 crore. Compare that to the inflows worth Rs 1,232.99 crore gold ETFs received last month. Talk about growing, or glowing popularity! In fact, in just 2024, inflows in gold ETFs have surged by nearly 88% since the beginning of this calendar year. From Rs 657.46 crore in January 2024 to Rs 1,232.99 crore in September 2024, good old gold is never out of season. <h2>So, how do these ETFs work? Should I invest in them now?</h2>All you need is a Demat account. Log into your account, choose the gold ETF scheme you want to invest in, and voila! You’re now a bullion-aire! All your gold ETF units will be stored in this account. Then, you can buy and sell gold ETFs just like you buy shares—in real-time. So, if gold prices inch upwards, which is where gold is currently going, the value of your ETF units will also rise in lockstep. Ashwini Kumar, Senior Vice President and Head of Market Data at ICRA Analytics, says that of late, gold ETFs have been increasingly gaining popularity among investors due to the liquidity, safety and transparency they offer. "With the escalating global geopolitical tensions boosting the ‘safe-haven’ appeal of the bullion, investors are preferring to park their funds in gold ETFs as compared to investing in physical gold, as there is no hassle of storing it. The heightened activity in gold ETFs is also driven by the prospects of an imminent further interest rate cut by the <keyword id="20078761" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="u-s-federal-reserve" source="keywords">U.S. Federal Reserve</keyword> in the coming months,” he added. “Investors with a short- to medium-term investment horizon may consider investment through gold ETFs. A buy-on-dips strategy here may help investors capitalise on a temporary correction in prices. Also, given the current market dynamics where equities are showing mixed trends, a modest, 5-10% allocation to gold may serve as a hedge against inflation and market volatility, which may help you balance risks in an optimum manner,” Kumar noted. <h2> Wait, there is no dearth of options</h2>But if ETFs make you go WTF, there’s always digital gold. You can invest in the yellow metal without actually physically holding it for as low as Rs 1. The best part? You can buy or sell this gold 24 X7 seamlessly via multiple apps without having to pay storage costs. On your behalf, your gold is stored in insured vaults by the seller. But remember, digital gold continues to remain unregulated territory in the country, where you venture at your own risk. In 2021, market watchdog SEBI had even asked its members to desist from selling digital gold. Then there are gold mutual funds and the Sarkari SGBs, or sovereign gold bonds. While gold mutual funds invest primarily in gold ETFs, SGBs are issued by the <keyword id="19899808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rbi" source="keywords">RBI</keyword> and are also a reliable substitute for holding physical gold. However, with the RBI currently putting brakes on issuing SGBs, investing in them is out of the question. Plus, you should only get your hands on SGBs if you're in for the long haul. Apart from a 2.5% p.a. interest, you don't have any yearly earnings from them. Moreover, no premature redemption is allowed before 5 years, and you'll have to wait a good 8 years to maximise your returns. <h2> Okay, tell me about returns</h2>In contrast, the seventeen gold ETF schemes currently present in the market offer an average one-year return of 29.12%. Stay with it a little longer, and you can end up with returns worth 16.93% and 13.59% over a 3 and 5-year period, respectively. If you look at it, these returns are comparable with the returns delivered by actual, physical gold. Data from Value Research indicates that gold, as a commodity, has delivered returns worth 27.24%, 16.53%, and 14.18% over a 1, 3, and 5-year period, respectively. So, worth investing, right? <h2>What are the risks?</h2>See, stock markets are as unpredictable as monsoons in Mumbai. One significant market correction can wash away your returns, and one sunny day or an upswing can leave you wallowing in wealth. Since your gold investments are directly linked to these markets, you should steel yourself up for some volatility. Plus, international gold prices are in dollars. So, if our rupee decides to take a nosedive, your returns might look a bit tarnished. Also, know that your ETF might not always perfectly mirror gold prices, which is also known as a tracking error. It's like expecting your Zomato-ordered food to look exactly like the picture on the menu—it's close, but not quite. Then there’s the taxation bit. The budget this year brought down the <keyword id="20552259" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ltcg" source="keywords">LTCG</keyword> (long-term capital gains tax) on gold ETFs from the previous 20% to 12.5% (sans indexation). LTCG is what you pay if you sell your ETF units after 12 months. If you sell your gold ETF units within a year and make handsome returns, the tax you’ll have to pay will be equivalent to your income tax slab rate. <h2>Is gold just for old?</h2>A survey by fintech firm Moneyview thinks otherwise. Per their findings, over 85% of the 3,000 respondents it talked to considered gold to be a valuable asset for wealth preservation, with its intrinsic value and historical performance continuing to drive consumer confidence. Particularly, young investors in the age group of 25–40 years are also investing in gold via both physical and digital ways to build wealth for retirement and other long-term goals. So, young or old, everyone’s going for gold. So, this festive season, with gold prices going north, investing in gold can add that much-needed glitz to your financial attire. But remember, don't go overboard since gold isn't exactly a high-return-yielding asset. But whether you're a seasoned investor looking to diversify or a newbie trying to make their way in the markets, investing in gold offers you a glittering safety cushion. Just remember, while gold can make your portfolio shine, it's your smart investment decisions that truly make you golden. Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. We recommend readers consult certified, qualified, and registered advisors for professional and personalised financial advice.

Can investing in gold this festive season add the much-touted Midas touch to your investments?

Mumbai, The <keyword id="19899808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rbi" source="keywords">RBI</keyword> on Monday released a 'draft framework for recognising <keyword id="20198317" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="self-regulatory-organisations" source="keywords">Self-Regulatory Organisations</keyword> (SRO) for <keyword id="19942953" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fintech-sector" source="keywords">FinTech Sector</keyword>', laying down the characteristics of a <keyword id="19945816" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fintech" source="keywords">FinTech</keyword> SRO, and includes the required functions and governance standards. FinTechs are significantly reshaping the landscape of financial services by streamlining processes, improving accessibility, and reducing costs. Achieving a healthy balance between facilitating innovation by the industry on the one hand, and meeting regulatory priorities in a manner that protects consumers and contains risk, on the other, is crucial to optimising the contribution of the FinTech sector, the RBI said. "Self-regulation within the FinTech sector is a preferred approach for achieving the desired balance," the central bank stated. According to the RBI draft framework, the SRO-FT would derive its strength from its membership, ensuring that it is truly representative of the FinTech sector. Through comprehensive membership agreements that encompass a broad spectrum of industry players, the SRO-FT should gain the legitimacy and credibility to not only frame baseline standards and rules of conduct codes, but also to effectively monitor and enforce them. The SRO-FT must be looked up to and accepted by the industry as the key body for setting market standards, defining rules of conduct and ensuring voluntary adoption of the common framework by its members, the RBI said. The framework also states that the SRO-FT should be development-oriented, actively contributing to the growth and evolution of the industry. This involves providing specialised knowledge and expertise, offering guidance, and contributing to capacity building through training programs, and prescribing minimum eligibility criteria for its members. Also, members should perceive the SRO-FT as a legitimate arbiter of disputes. This would require a transparent and fair resolution mechanism for disputes arising among members that instils confidence in the FinTech industry. By efficiently handling conflicts and grievances, the SRO-FT would contribute to a more stable and harmonious FinTech environment. A proactive <keyword id="20198316" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sroft" source="keywords">SROFT</keyword> should be capable of motivating its members to align with regulatory priorities. This would involve facilitating communication between industry players and regulatory bodies, advocating for necessary changes, and promoting a culture of compliance. The SROFT, as its duty towards ensuring compliance, should be empowered to investigate and take disciplinary action against its members for non-adherence to codes/standards/rules. The RBI said comments from stakeholders and members of the public on the draft framework may be sent by end February 2024, through e-mail. The final framework will be issued taking into account stakeholder and public responses.

RBI releases draft framework for Fintech sector self-regulatory organisations

<ul><li>According to <keyword id="19899808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rbi" source="keywords">RBI</keyword>, the <keyword id="19945816" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fintech" source="keywords">Fintech</keyword> <keyword id="881153" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="self-regulatory-organisation" source="Orion">self regulatory organisation</keyword> (SRO-FT) would derive its strength from its membership, ensuring that it is truly representative of the <keyword id="6133582" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fintech-sector" source="Orion">fintech sector</keyword>. </li><li>The <keyword id="19901291" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sro" source="keywords">SRO</keyword> model enables a balance between regulation and innovation, which is especially critical in fast-evolving sectors such as fintech. </li><li>The SRO-FT is anticipated to function impartially, with credibility and responsibility under the supervision of the regulator. </li></ul>The Reserve Bank(RBI) of India has released a preliminary framework outlining general functions, governance standards, and eligibility requirements for the establishment of a self-regulatory organisation for FinTech firms (SRO-FT). The recognition of SRO-FTs would be determined by the quantity and characteristics of the applications received. According to the RBI, “The SRO-FT would derive its strength from its membership, ensuring that it is truly representative of the fintech sector. Through comprehensive membership agreements that encompass a broad spectrum of industry players, the SRO-FT should gain the legitimacy and credibility to not only frame baseline standards and rules of conduct codes, but also to effectively monitor and enforce them.” Keeping up with technological progress “The RBI's move to establish an SRO framework is a game-changer in financial regulations, especially for digital lending and AI-driven innovation. This is a strong shift towards a collaborative, adaptive ecosystem. By integrating industry insights into regulation, we're ensuring that rules are practical and keep up with technological progress, fostering innovation and growth,” says <keyword id="20212226" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="adhil-shetty" source="keywords">Adhil Shetty</keyword>, CEO, BankBazaar, a financial marketplace. He adds that the SRO model enables a balance between regulation and innovation, which is especially critical in fast-evolving sectors such as fintech. This is not just about ensuring compliance; it's about creating a culture of integrity and ethical practices that are ingrained in the industry's DNA. The RBI's commitment to this collaborative approach is thus a significant step in developing a resilient financial ecosystem. Healthy and sustainable growth of the fintech sector “The creation of an SRO is seen as crucial in combating the influence of unscrupulous lenders, promoting ethical conduct, strengthening lending infrastructure, and formulating adaptable regulatory strategies,” says <keyword id="20212225" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="madhusudan-ekambaram" source="keywords">Madhusudan Ekambaram</keyword>, Co-founder and CEO, KreditBee, a personal loan app. The SRO-FT is anticipated to function impartially, with credibility and responsibility under the supervision of the regulator. Its primary goal is to contribute to the healthy and sustainable growth of the fintech sector, while also charting a smooth path to phased regulatory compliance when necessary. “This collaborative and participatory approach aligns with the RBI's overarching objective of fostering a resilient and sustainable financial ecosystem, emphasising ethical behaviour and transparency,” says Ekambaram. The SRO-FT is thus expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the course of digital lending in India by ensuring the adoption of responsible practices and maintaining integrity within the industry.

Fintech SRO aims to enhance credibility of sector, promote ethical conduct

New Delhi, <keyword id="20004114" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vijay-shekhar-sharma" source="keywords">Vijay Shekhar Sharma</keyword>, one of the most recognised faces of India's fintech industry, has seen a fair share of controversies. Sharma launched <keyword id="19898109" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="paytm" source="keywords">Paytm</keyword> - an acronym for 'pay through mobile' - offering mobile recharges. He launched wallet services in 2011 but the big push came with the 2016 demonetisation. He took out front-page ads in top newspapers with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photo, calling demonetisation the "boldest decision in the financial history of independent India". With fewer currency notes in circulation, Paytm was on a roll. Sharma made a splash in 2018 by getting USD 300 million investment in Paytm from <keyword id="19921921" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="warren-buffett" source="keywords">Warren Buffett</keyword>'s Berkshire Hathaway. *Controversies* Paytm was mired in controversies with its Chinese connection following huge investments from Alibaba Group. The Chinese internet firm became the biggest shareholder in Paytm with a 34.7 per cent stake before the company's initial public offer. Alibaba group firm Antfin sold around 5 per cent shares to lower its stake below 25 per cent to comply with regulatory requirements at the time of IPO. To shed its Chinese-owned entity image, Paytm in August 2023 announced that founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma would acquire a 10.3 stake in Antfin through his overseas entity Resilient Asset Management BV which will make him the largest stakeholder in the company with 19.42 per cent stake. In return, Resilient issued a debt instrument --optionally convertible debentures, to Antfin thereby maintaining the economic interest of Alibaba group firm. With this transaction, Antfin's direct stake in Paytm was reduced to 13.5 per cent. Antfin further sold 3.6 per cent in Paytm to bring its shareholding to less than 10 per cent and at present holds 9.89 per cent of the fintech firm. The company's market cap has eroded drastically since the time of its listing. The company's IPO opened on November 8, 2021, in the price band of Rs 2,080-2,150 per share. The Paytm IPO made history with over Rs 18,300 crore share sale 'making it the largest public issue in India's corporate history. But the company's stock made a weak debut in the market on November 18 and hit a lower circuit after recording about 20 per cent decline during trading hours. It finally closed at Rs 1,560, down by about 27 per cent, compared to its issue price of Rs 2,150. Since then, Paytm shares have not been able to cross even half the mark of the issue price. After the <keyword id="19899808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rbi" source="keywords">RBI</keyword>'s January 31 move, One97 Communications shares tanked around 40 per cent to close at Rs 487.05 on BSE on Friday. Billionaire businessman <keyword id="19952201" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="warren-buffet" source="keywords">Warren Buffet</keyword>'s Berkshire Hathaway sold its stake in Paytm at a loss of 31 per cent per share in November 2023. Berkshire Hathaway had invested in Paytm for about Rs 1279 per share but sold it for Rs 877.29 apiece. At present, Cayman Island-registered SAIF III Mauritius Company Limited is the single largest direct shareholder in Paytm with a 10.83 stake followed by Sharma's Resilient Asset Management BV with a 10.29 per cent stake. SAIF Partners is led by Chinese-origin entrepreneurs with Andrew Y Yan as its managing partner. *Paytm run-ins with RBI* RBI on June 19, 2018, prohibited Paytm Payments Bank from opening any new account and wallet with effect from June 20, 2018, on account of supervisory concerns, which were lifted by RBI on December 27, 2018, with effect from December 31, 2018. The Office of Banking Ombudsman issued a show-cause notice dated March 6, 2019, for Paytm Payments Bank's failure to monitor a certain account maintained with it which had shown a sudden increase in the velocity of daily transactions involving immediate transfer to other banks. The actions were found to be in the violation of RBI's provisions on KYC. RBI rejected Paytm Payments Services Ltd's (PPSL) application to operate as a payment aggregator on November 25, 2022. The banking regulator asked the firm to re-submit applications within 120 days after it gets government approval on investment made by OCL into PPSL as per FDI guidelines. The regulator asked PPSL to continue operations with the condition that no new merchants should be onboard. After completion of 120 days, RBI again granted PPSL an extension but without removing the bar on new merchant onboarding. RBI issued a show cause notice to PPBL on July 29, 2021 for submitting false information to RBI confirming completion of the transfer of the Bharat Bill Payment Operating Unit ("BBPOU") by OCL to PPBL on August 28, 2017. The actual transfer of the BBPOU business by the Company to PPBL was completed only by March 31, 2021. RBI on October 1, 2021, imposed a penalty amounting to Rs 1 crore on PPBL for a contravention of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. RBI imposed a penalty of Rs 5.93 crore on PPBL on October 10, 2023, after it found several non-compliances including banks failure to identify beneficial owners in respect of entities on-boarded by it for providing payout services. RBI found that PPBL did not monitor payout transactions and carry out risk profiling of entities availing payout services, breached the regulatory ceiling of end of the day balance in certain customer advance accounts availing payout services. The banking regulator found that PPBL reported a cyber security incident with delay and failed to implement device binding control measures related to 'SMS delivery receipt check'. PPBL video-based customer identification process infrastructure failed to prevent connections from IP addresses outside India.

Vijay Shekhar Sharma: The controversies of the architect of fintech

<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

<ul><li>A repository will offer a consolidated platform for diverse <keyword id="6355729" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="data" source="Orion">data</keyword>, negating the necessity for lenders to source information from multiple channels. </li><li>Such a repository may also help in curbing fraudulent activities. </li><li><keyword id="30067" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rbi" source="Orion">RBI</keyword> also announced that it will come up with guidelines to govern <keyword id="19753861" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="web-aggregation" source="Orion">web aggregation</keyword> of <keyword id="789627" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="loan-products" source="Orion">loan products</keyword>. </li></ul>The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed the establishment of a <keyword id="19753447" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fintech-repository" source="Orion">fintech repository</keyword>. “This will be operationalised by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub in April 2024 or earlier. FinTechs would be encouraged to provide relevant information voluntarily to this Repository,” said Governor Shaktikanta Das while announcing the Monetary Policy Committee decisions on Friday. The RBI also announced that it will come up with detailed guidelines to govern web aggregation of loan products. The fintech repository holds the potential for various improvements in the . Firstly, it promises enhanced access to fintech information, offering a consolidated platform for diverse data, negating the necessity for lenders to source information from multiple channels. This streamlining of processes not only reduces operational costs but also significantly augments efficiency within the fintech ecosystem. Additionally, the repository's comprehensive compilation of an individual's fintech profile facilitates better credit risk assessment for lenders. By providing a holistic view of a borrower's financial health, it empowers lenders to make more informed credit decisions. Consequently, this informed decision-making has the potential to reduce loan defaults, thus fostering a healthier credit environment overall. “The proposed establishment of a repository by April signals a forward-looking approach, aiming to enhance the efficiency and transparency of financial systems on a macro scale,” says Sheersham Gupta, Director and Senior Technical Analyst at Rupeezy, a trading platform. Another benefit lies in the repository's ability to curb fraudulent activities. By enabling cross-institutional analysis of fintech data, it acts as a tool in identifying and preventing fraudulent transactions. This not only safeguards the interests of lenders but also bolsters trust and stability within the fintech system, benefitting both lenders and borrowers alike. One of the key aims of the repository is to bring about greater financial inclusion, particularly for marginalised communities and businesses. By offering lenders a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of an individual or entity's financial standing, it lays the groundwork for increased accessibility to credit and other fintech services, potentially bridging the gap for those underserved in the fintech domain. Lastly, the repository will provide the regulator with access to a vast dataset of financial information and will play a key role in improving regulatory oversight. Says Anand Agrawal, Co-Founder and Chief Product and Technology Officer , Credgenics, a debt collection platform, "The approach to encouraging voluntary contributions from fintechs will empower regulators with real-time insights and enable informed, agile, and risk-mitigating decision-making. This initiative is a crucial step in the RBI’s approach to streamlining the regulatory framework for fintechs.” With comprehensive insights, regulators can more effectively monitor the fintech system, identify potential risks, and implement proactive measures, contributing to a more robust, stable, and resilient fintech framework.

Fintech repository to be set up by April 2024, says Shaktikanta Das

India's <keyword id="22879519" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="organised-gold-loan-market" source="keywords">organised gold loan market</keyword> is projected to double in the next five years to Rs 14.19 lakh crore despite expected moderation in growth due to stricter regulations, according to a <keyword id="19938520" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="PwC-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="PwC India" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="PwC India">PwC India</keyword> report. In fiscal 2023-24, the organised <keyword id="21627536" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="gold-loan-market" source="keywords">gold loan market</keyword> demonstrated substantial growth, reaching a valuation of Rs 7.1 lakh crore, according to the report titled 'Striking gold: The rise of India's gold loan market' . "It is expected to reach around Rs 14.19 lakh crore by FY 2029 at a five-year CAGR of 14.85 %," it said. Indian families own massive quantities of gold, estimated at 25,000 tonne. Existing gold holdings with <keyword id="19895507" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-households" source="keywords">Indian households</keyword> are valued at roughly Rs 126 lakh crore, the report said. It further said the gold loan market is poised to see moderate growth over the next two years, as gold lenders are facing increased scrutiny from regulatory authorities regarding loan-to-value (LTV) maintenance and auction-related procedures. "The second-largest player in the gold loan market being inactive would have an impact on market growth in FY25," the report said. Also, the <keyword id="19899808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rbi" source="keywords">RBI</keyword>'s advisory to <keyword id="19938300" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NBFCs" source="keywords">NBFCs</keyword> on cash disbursement, which limits the amount of cash disbursal to Rs 20,000, could push customers to rely on the unorganised sector. The regulator has also raised concerns about the evaluation process for lending activities through fintech startups. The increased regulatory scrutiny and revised guidelines have led to a dip in the share prices of leading NBFCs, PwC said. "Gold loan lenders are expected to use this period to ensure that they are compliant with all regulatory guidelines while undertaking several measures to optimise their middle and back offices through digitisation initiatives," it said. Lenders are also expected to implement cost optimisation initiatives that will help drive up the bottom-line profitability of their companies and enhance investor confidence which has slightly depleted as a result of the regulatory scrutiny. Furthermore, the report said rising gold prices over the past financial year may also drive lenders to take a cautious approach to lending rates and pricing as any downward movement in gold prices will result in a substantial LTV breach that will further create operational issues for lenders in the form of auctions. "The growth of the gold loan market is expected to be steered by both banks and NBFCs," the report said. The emergence of digital gold loan aggregator platforms and their strategic collaboration with gold loan lenders such as banks and NBFCs will be a key driving factor for the growth of the industry, enabling gold loan lenders to tap into a previously untapped segment of digitally savvy customers. "While the forecasted growth of the gold loan market means potential growth for all players, the impact on the players may vary. Banks are expected to benefit from their lower interest rates," PwC said. Jaikrishnan G, Partner (Financial Services), PwC India said lending against gold is the oldest form of credit. It remains one of the most attractive options for consumer as well as lenders. "High return-on-assets, manageable risk, timely regulatory interventions, growing adoption, tech-enabled operating models have all contributed to sector growth. As India embraces the vision of Viksit Bharat, gold loans will provide much needed liquidity and credit access to growing small and medium entrepreneur segments," he said. The report further said growth by NBFCs is expected to be fuelled by their expansion and increased outreach to regions with low penetration, bringing new credit customers to the financial services ecosystem. Also, fintechs will play a critical role in bringing in the required technology and innovation into the industry, thus helping lenders to create unique product propositions to boost growth, it said. <keyword id="20037818" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="South-India" source="keywords">South India</keyword> contributes to a vast extent, as it emerges as the dominant market for gold loans, with 79.1% share of the total outstanding loans. The report also noted that an assumption can be made that the entire Rs 126 lakh crore worth of gold will not be available for pledging due to various reasons like jewelry belonging to religious institutions, jewellery with emotional value, and certain jewellery held by individuals who are not in need of finance.

Gold loan market projected to double in 5 years to Rs 14.19 lakh crore, says PwC India's report

Mumbai, Fintech players should form <keyword id="18684976" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="a-self-regulatory-organisation" source="Orion">a self regulatory organisation</keyword> for an orderly growth of the industry that is projected to have revenues of USD 200 billion by 2030, <keyword id="7268643" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rbi-governor-shaktikanta-das" source="Orion">RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das</keyword> said on Wednesday. Addressing the industry at the <keyword id="9621521" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="global-fintech-fest" source="Orion">Global Fintech Fest</keyword> here, Das said fintech players need to evolve industry best practices to avoid misselling, stress on ethical practices, pricing transparency and take care of privacy and data protection concerns. "I would like to use this opportunity to urge and encourage the fintechs to establish a Self Regulatory Organisation (SRO) themselves," he said and assured all help from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the process. The fintech players should form the SRO at the earliest, Das said and hoped that such a platform will be ready at least by the next edition of the yearly event. Stating that other industries also have SROs, Das said forming an SRO will help the players to voice their concerns. He also said that having the SRO will reduce the burden of regulating a dynamic sector off the RBI's shoulders. Das said regulators play a critical role in addressing arbitrage, ensuring compliance with existing laws, and adopting regulations as per technological advancements. Further, he asked the fintech players -- most of them startups -- to avoid the "relentless drive for valuations" and profits, and asked them to focus on customer centricity. "... to focus on customers means embracing a customer-centric approach to innovation by understanding the needs of customers, making provisions that protect customer interests and earn their trust," he added. He said that good governance will be key to durable and long term success of any company and in particular, the fintech players. Technological innovation has "unprecedented potential" to make finance more inclusive, competitive and robust, Das said, adding that advancements in technology need to evolve in a "responsible" manner. "Fintech players should themselves ensure responsible digital innovations. The Reserve Bank on its part will continue to drive the necessary regulatory and other policy measures to promote a vibrant and responsive fintech ecosystem," he said. While stressing that the coming years hold immense promise which need to be leveraged by innovators, the RBI chief said that as per projections, the fintech sector revenues are set to touch USD 200 billion by 2030. "We are at the cusp of a major transformation in fintech sector". Das also spoke about the progress on the Central Bank Digital Currency and said that newer use cases will be soon added on the wholesale CBDC front. The CBDC retail pilot is currently being operated through 13 banks across 26 cities, Das said, adding that around 1.46 million users and 0.31 million merchants are currently part of the pilot as on August 31, 2023. RBI has also enabled full inter-operability of CBDC with UPI QR codes, and is targeting 10 lakh CBDC transactions per day by December 2023 which will give it sufficient data points for analysis, Das said. Meanwhile, Srinivas Jain, the Co-Chairman of the Fintech Convergence Council, said it will be working earnestly to have an SRO in place at the earliest. "We are not on the same pages on who all from the fintech space can be members as currently this space is dominated by payments tech players but there are many others also in the fray," he told PTI.

RBI Governor asks fintech players to form self regulatory organisation

Mumbai, <keyword id="19969771" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="crypto" source="keywords">Crypto</keyword> currencies cannot be referred to as "currencies" as they have no underlying value, a central bank official said. The <keyword id="19899810" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="reserve-bank-of-india" source="keywords">Reserve Bank of India</keyword> (<keyword id="19899808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rbi" source="keywords">RBI</keyword>) has been critical of new-age currencies like bitcoins, saying they pose systemic risk to the financial systems. "Crypto currencies cannot be called currencies as they don't have any underlying value," P <keyword id="19944928" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vasudevan" source="keywords">Vasudevan</keyword>, an executive director at the RBI, said during a panel discussion organised by IIM-Kozhikode here. Ultimately it is a call that the government has to take on how to tackle crypto currencies, the official said. Currently, bitcoins have no legal backing in India and investors have to pay a tax on the income earned by trading in them. In the backdrop of the action against <keyword id="19907220" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="paytm-payments-bank" source="keywords">Paytm Payments Bank</keyword> and curbs imposed on some international card providers, Vasudevan said self-regulation can protect the fintech sector better. He also said that mechanisms could be looked at to highlight bad behaviour.

Crypto currencies have no underlying value, says RBI official

Indian fintech market has received $29 billion in funding across 2,084 deals to date (January 2017-July 2022), gaining 14 per cent share of the global funding and No 2 spot on the deal volume, a new report has said. <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>'s <keyword id="107168" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CAGR" source="Orion">CAGR</keyword> in the fintech sector grew by 20 per cent, which was higher than that of the US, the UK, and China which witnessed a growth of 16 per cent, 15 per cent, and 10 per cent, respectively, according to 'State of the <keyword id="14784626" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="fintech-union" source="Orion">Fintech Union</keyword> 2022' report by the <keyword id="136162" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="boston-consulting-group" source="Orion">Boston Consulting Group</keyword> (BCG) and Matrix Partners India. With 7,460 fintech companies, India is now third behind the US (22,290 fintech companies) and China (8,870). The India fintech ecosystem has 23 unicorns (out of 106 in total) and has reached a scale to establish a strong position in the global financial services market and be benchmarked for its speed of innovation, customer inclusion, and growth, the report noted. "Clocking over $800 billion annual payments transaction value, <keyword id="3680498" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="fintechs" source="Orion">fintechs</keyword> have made a strong contribution to the Indian economy, and play a powerful role in the provision of full-fledged financial services to all Indians. We see this collective segment to be mission critical for the $5 trillion Indian economy," it mentioned. Many large fintechs had started operations from 2008, with Neobanks being the recent entrants. While the number of fintechs scaled up between 2014 and 2021, funding was low till 2015 after which the sector received a rapid funding boost. Covid further boosted payments space, leading to a 210 per cent spike in funding between CY 2020 and 2021. "With rising funding and valuations, we have seen an acceleration in the rate at which Fintechs have become unicorns vs the past," the report said. The report said that "we have a game changing 5 years ahead of us as the financial services landscape is expected to have many strong actors on the stage, like large Incumbents, niche as well as diversified non-banks, new-age and mature fintechs, aggregators and Financial Service Providers". It, however, mentioned that "more than 70 per cent of respondents believe most Fintechs may not be profitable in the next 2-3 years. While scale is an important driver of profitability, early stage focus on 'unit economics' is a critical orientation needed". The volume of digital investment in the country grew from 4.5 million in 2021 to 9 million in 2022, reporting a growth of 100 per cent. The neo banking volume, at the same time, went up from 2.5 million to 4 million, reporting a 60 per cent growth in just one year, the report noted. SEE ALSO : <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/rbi-financial-inclusion-index-heres-what-it-means-and-why-it-is-important/articleshow/93606694.cms">RBI Financial Inclusion Index – here’s what it means and why it is important</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/big-actors-take-a-major-chunk-of-bollywood-profits-but-will-recent-flops-prompt-content-and-revenue-correction/articleshow/93712066.cms">Big actors take a major chunk of Bollywood profits, but will recent flops prompt content and revenue correction?</a>

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