7 August 2026
Bankopedia Banking Digest — 2026-08-07 #131
- #1economic_timesneutral
RBI Moves to Curb NBFC Revolving Credit
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) proposes to bar non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) from offering revolving credit products unless they hold explicit central bank authorisation to issue credit cards. The draft circular, open for stakeholder comments, exempts already-authorised card-issuing NBFCs such as SBI Cards & Payment Services.
RBI to restrict NBFCs to term loans only, banning revolving credit without prior approval.
regulationbanking_supervisionfintech - #2moneycontrolpositive
Smallcap Rally Defies Macro Headwinds in Q1FY27
Lotusdew's Prachi Deuskar highlights that small- and micro-cap stocks outperformed large-cap benchmarks by roughly 20% since mid-February, driven by resilient corporate earnings despite a challenging macro environment. She adds that favourable monsoons and controlled fuel costs could keep the RBI from raising interest rates in the next calendar year.
Smallcaps outperformed largecaps by 20% since mid-February despite adverse macro headwinds.
capital_markets - #3economic_timespositive
PNB Housing Enters Micro-Housing Loan Segment
PNB Housing Finance targets a ₹100 crore micro-housing loan book by end of FY27, with disbursements set to accelerate now that its policy framework and employee training are in place. Managing Director Ajai Kumar Shukla insists underwriting standards will not be compromised despite serving lower-income borrowers.
PNB Housing Finance targets ₹100 crore micro-housing loan book by FY27 year-end.
corporate_financefinancial_inclusion - #4moneycontrolpositive
Sebi Backs CAS Amid Trader Concerns
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has described its newly launched Closing Auction Session (CAS) as a significant step in strengthening India's price discovery mechanism, aligning the country with established practices in developed markets. However, traders have flagged concerns over sharp end-of-day price swings and unexpected losses for options traders since the system went live.
Sebi defends CAS as a price discovery upgrade, even as traders report disruptive end-of-day volatility.
regulationcapital_markets - #5financial_expresspositive
India's Offshore Oil Exploration Bet Begins
India's government has launched the Samudra Manthan Programme with a ₹84,084 crore budget through 2031 to de-risk offshore oil and gas exploration and reduce dependence on crude oil imports, which currently account for nearly 90% of domestic requirements. The scheme partially subsidises high-cost deepwater drilling, where a single exploratory well can cost up to ₹1,000 crore.
India commits ₹84,084 crore to offshore oil exploration to cut 90% crude import dependence.
economy_macrocorporate_financeforex - #6reserve_bank_of_indianeutral
RBI Tightens Loan Recovery Conduct Standards
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has finalised Amendment Directions governing loan recovery conduct and engagement of recovery agents, incorporating stakeholder feedback received after the May 2026 draft. The directions cover commercial banks, small finance banks, regional rural banks, urban and rural co-operative banks, and take effect from January 1, 2027.
RBI's new loan recovery conduct rules take effect January 1, 2027, covering all major bank categories.
regulationbanking_supervision - #7hindu_businesslineneutral
UPI Merchant Fee Revival Gains Policy Momentum
A provision in the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill 2026 and RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra's remarks have revived the prospect of levying a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI person-to-merchant transactions. Analysis suggests an MDR below 0.25% on transactions above ₹2,000 could adequately compensate banks, payment service providers, and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
MDR on UPI P2M transactions above ₹2,000 could cover ₹5.8 lakh crore monthly transaction value.
paymentsregulation - #8moneycontrolpositive
LIC Posts Strong Q1 on New Business Surge
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) posted a 22.81% year-on-year rise in profit after tax to ₹13,492 crore in Q1 FY27, driven by strong new business momentum. Its Value of New Business surged 61.32% to ₹3,136 crore, with VNB margin expanding 750 basis points to 22.9%.
LIC's VNB margin jumped 750 basis points to 22.9%, signalling sharply improved new business profitability.
insurance - #9reserve_bank_of_indianeutral
RBI Schedules ₹32,000 Crore G-Sec Auction
The RBI will conduct an underwriting auction on August 7, 2026 for the sale of Government Securities worth ₹32,000 crore, comprising two instruments — a 2031 bond and a 2066 bond. Primary Dealers must submit Additional Competitive Underwriting bids electronically via the e-Kuber system between 9:00 AM and 9:30 AM.
RBI auctions ₹32,000 crore in government securities on August 7, 2026 via Primary Dealers.
government_securitiescapital_markets - #10moneycontrolneutral
Paramotor Partners Aditya Birla on Prepaid Payments
IPO-bound fintech firm Paramotor Digital Technology has partnered with Aditya Birla Capital Digital (ABCDL) to distribute prepaid payment instruments, including digital and physical prepaid cards and gift cards, to corporate and retail customers. The tie-up combines Paramotor's distribution network with ABCDL's prepaid payment infrastructure and regulatory framework.
Paramotor Digital will distribute Aditya Birla Capital Digital's prepaid cards to corporate and retail customers nationwide.
fintechpayments - #11hindu_businesslinepositive
SEBI Charts AI-Driven Investor Outreach for FY27
SEBI's FY27 roadmap includes an AI-driven multilingual investor awareness campaign on WhatsApp, a nationwide financial literacy drive under Project Jagrook, and simplified nomination norms for demat accounts and mutual fund folios. The regulator also plans a single-window clearance for intermediaries and a new SEBI Setu portal to modernise market infrastructure interfaces.
SEBI launches AI-powered WhatsApp campaign and Project Jagrook to deepen retail investor outreach in FY27.
regulationfinancial_inclusiondigital_banking - #12hindu_businesslinepositive
Indel Remit Secures RBI Trade Remittance Licence
Indel Money's foreign exchange arm, Indel Remit, has secured Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approval to offer trade remittance services, enabling non-trade current account transactions under the Foreign Exchange Management Act. The licence allows cross-border payments of up to ₹25 lakh per transaction, strengthening India's cross-border payments infrastructure.
Indel Remit gains RBI licence for trade remittances, enabling cross-border payments up to ₹25 lakh per transaction.
paymentsforexregulation - #13moneycontrolpositive
Bharat Tech Fund Surges Past First Close
Venture capital firm Piper Serica has raised ₹300 crore for its ₹800-crore Bharat Tech Fund within 45 days of launch, targeting startups in semiconductors, defence, spacetech, fintech, robotics, biosciences, and advanced electronics. Strong investor demand has prompted the firm to accelerate its final close ahead of the original December 2026 target.
Piper Serica raises ₹300 crore for deeptech-focused Bharat Tech Fund in just 45 days.
fintechcapital_markets - #14moneycontrolneutral
Mutual Funds Accumulate Stakes in Pharma and Electricals
HDFC Mutual Fund acquired a 0.5% additional stake in Neuland Laboratories for ₹139.32 crore at ₹21,585 per share, while Nippon India Mutual Fund purchased an additional 1.17% stake in Orient Electric for ₹44.5 crore via open market transactions. Neuland Labs shares rose 7.95% following the transaction, while Orient Electric edged down 0.88%.
HDFC MF pays ₹139 crore for 0.5% additional stake in Neuland Labs via open market purchase.
capital_markets - #15hindu_businesslinepositive
LEAP India IPO Draws Global Institutional Anchor Capital
Supply chain asset pooling firm LEAP India raised ₹743.62 crore from 32 anchor investors, including Monetary Authority of Singapore and Norway's Government Pension Fund Global, ahead of its ₹2,480-crore initial public offering (IPO). The IPO opened on August 7 at a price band of ₹151–159 per share and is set to close on August 11.
LEAP India's ₹2,480-crore IPO opens August 7, backed by ₹743.62 crore in anchor investor commitments.
capital_markets