Lenders get burned

The consumer credit market has been growing but a slowing economy and lax processes have taken their toll on some players, says Kala Rao.

Savvy private banks snap at heels of state stalwarts

India’s smaller, fast-growing private banks, with their healthy loan books, dynamic managers and the latest technology, are the banks to watch, says Kala Rao .

Pressure grows for a more robust microcredit sector

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Professor Mohammed Yunus talks to Kala Rao about the growing role of microfinance in the global economy, the challenges the sector faces moving from the informal to formal status, the need for regulation and the role that governments can play.

Gung-ho push for global domination

Indian companies from Tata to Videocon are making full use of the proceeds from foreign currency convertible bond sales to notch up a slew of high-profile global M&A deals. Kala Rao explains.

The road to sustained economic growth

India’s government has recognised the importance of tackling the country’s infrastructure deficit and is prepared to invest to help solve the problem. The results of this investment could provide excellent lending opportunities for banks. Kala Rao explains.

Reflections on credit risk

Having spent the past few years building up their retail loans, India’s banks are now considering ways to mitigate the effects of a downturn in the property or equity markets. Kala Rao reports.

Unravelling India’s capital flows

India’s economic dreams can only be realised with a consistent approach to capital flows, writes Kala Rao.

India’s hunt for capital continues

A lending boom, high growth levels and the requirements of Basel II are driving the search for extra capital among India’s banks. As Kala Rao reports, restrictions on public sector banks may give rise to new instruments.

Foreign firms work India’s loopholes

Foreign banks that are keen to tap the potential of the under-penetrated Indian market are finding a variety of ways in, despite the barriers. Kala Rao reports.

India’s credit clean-up

Efforts by Indian banks to sort out non-performing assets and laws to protect creditors’ rights have made the lending climate more favourable, reports Kala Rao.

HSBC seeks small fry to land big profits

HSBC in India is preparing for an expected boom in the SME sector by targeting smaller businesses that have growth potential. Kala Rao reports from Mumbai.No customer is too small for HSBC, says Subir Mehra, who heads the bank’s small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) business in India. That is what prompted it to mine its retail banking customers in India, looking for small businesses that are poised to grow dramatically in a fast-expanding economy.

India’s IT outsourcers

Despite concerns over data fraud, communication problems and a backlash from western countries, India is still a prime destination for banks to outsource their business processes, writes Kala Rao.

The Magnificent ten

India’s current government and finance scene includes an energetic, forward-thinking and pragmatic team. Kala Rao profiles the 10 key decision-makers. When, against the odds, the Congress party triumphed in India’s national elections in May, the country’s stock market nosedived. Investors feared that state intervention and meddling would come back into fashion, interest rates would rise and prospects for economic growth would diminish. In short, India’s reform process would move quickly into reverse.

Decade of reform

India’s securities went from third to first world in record time. But is T+1 a step too far, asks Kala Rao.

Tortuous path to pensions reform

Kala Rao reports on India’s timid yet nevertheless genuine attempts to overhaul its pension system – and on the global players licking their lips in anticipation.

Riding India’s growth wave

Foreign investors are bullish on India’s banks and ICICI especially. By Kala Rao and Stephen Timewell in Mumbai.

HSBC takes local stake

After a long-term presence in India, HSBC has surprised everyone by buying into the local banking sector in an apparent strategic shift, writes Kala Rao in Mumbai.