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Banking & Bancassurance

RBI keeps rates at record low on virus fallout, projects retail inflation at 5.1%

According to Das, upside risks to inflation emanates from persistence of second COVID wave and consequent restrictions on activity on a virtually pan-India basis.

“In such a scenario, insulating prices of essential food items from supply side disruptions will necessitate active monitoring and preparedness for coordinated, calibrated and timely measures by both Centre and state governments to prevent emergence of supply side bottlenecks and increase in retail margins,” the governor said.

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Niti Aayog submits names of PSU banks to be privatised to Core Group of Secretaries on Disinvestment

Industry sources say the likely names are Mumbai based Central Bank and Pune based Bank of Maharashtra. 
Following the clearance from the Core Group of Secretaries, headed by the Cabinet Secretary, the finalised names will go to Alternative Mechanism (AM) for its approval and eventually to the Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister for the final nod.

Changes on the regulatory side to facilitate privatisation would start after the Cabinet approval.

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Petitions filed in SC seeking contempt of court proceedings against the RBI Governor, others

The respondents, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor, Shaktikant Das, Chief Executive of Indian Banks Association (IBA) were duty-bound to promulgate and ensure the compliance of the order of this court throughout the country but they deliberately didn’t, the petition said.
The Supreme Court’s order, dated September 3, 2020, was operational on all lending institutions/banks throughout the country and was passed in favour of all borrowers accounts to grant relief from financial stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, said the petition.

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Cyber crime is growing risk to bank ratings: S&P

Cyber attacks can harm credit ratings mainly through reputational damage and potential monetary losses, it said in a report titled ‘Cyber Risk In A New Era: The Effect On Bank Ratings.’

“Cyber attacks have had only a limited effect on bank ratings to date but can trigger more rating actions in the future as cyber incidents become more frequent and complex,” said Credit Analyst Irina Velieva.

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Will bankers embrace sensors under their desks when they return to work?

But not everyone can return at once: banks will have to extend practices like those used for small teams of traders during the pandemic. Shifting rotations of people will pass through giant buildings on different days, without clustering in the same areas on the same floors, to avoid spreading COVID-19. Some of the banks are implementing systems where employees will book “hot seats” on particular days and be monitored while they are sitting at them, sources said.

In some buildings, that could mean cameras that monitor a room’s occupancy level and even sensors that tell building management whether someone is sitting at a desk. “That feels a little personal,” one bank employee said about desk sensors.

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World Insurance Report 2021: Insurers must blend physical and digital distribution models in a post-pandemic era

AI-based analytical tools and a 360-degree view of customers is essential for a customized customer-experience. The most successful insurers will win and retain customers by reinventing their operating ecosystem to support a ‘phygital’ model based on a mix of physical presence and digital engagement.

“Insurers have an opportunity to convert digital traffic to sales by focusing on a hyper-personalized virtual experience,” said Anirban Bose, CEO of Capgemini’s Financial Services and Group Executive Board Member.

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MoF wants staffs of banks and insurance companies to be vaccinated on priority

`In the light of the recent government’s decision to open up vaccination to all persons above the age of 18 years from 1st May 2021.,I would  request you to kindly consider putting in place a special dispensation in your State/UT, to enable the employees/ staff of banks and insurance companies to avail of vaccination easily and on priority basis.This will go a long way in assuring them about their safety/life and will also boost their morale in continuing to provide their best services to customers.” said Madnesh Mishra, joint secretary, MoF

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