Monday, March 10

Month: April 2024

Dripos Raises $11 Million to Replace Multiple Software Tools for Coffee Shops
Startups, AI, Business, Technology

Dripos Raises $11 Million to Replace Multiple Software Tools for Coffee Shops

New York-based coffee shop software company Dripos has secured $11 million in Series A funding to replace multiple software tools with one comprehensive solution. The company aims to simplify operations and improve customer experience for coffee shops. The Problem: Small coffee shops often rely on multiple software tools for point-of-sale, mobile payments, employee management, marketing, and accounting. This fragmented approach can be inefficient and time-consuming for owners and staff. Dripos' Solution: Dripos offers a single platform that combines all these functions, eliminating the need for multiple tools. This streamlines operations, saves time, and provides valuable insights into business performance. Key Features: Point-of-sale system Mobile payments ...
RBI Bars Kotak Mahindra Bank From Onboarding New Customers Via Online, Mobile Banking
Banking, BFSI, Digital Lending, Goverment Notice/Circulars, NBFC, Regtech

RBI Bars Kotak Mahindra Bank From Onboarding New Customers Via Online, Mobile Banking

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has taken a decisive step by prohibiting Kotak Mahindra Bank from onboarding new customers through its online and mobile banking channels. Additionally, the bank is barred from issuing fresh credit cards. However, existing customers, including credit card holders, will continue to receive services from the bank. The regulatory action comes in response to significant concerns arising from the RBI’s IT examination of Kotak Mahindra Bank for the years 2022 and 2023. The central bank identified serious deficiencies and non-compliances in various critical areas: IT Inventory Management: The bank’s management of IT assets was found lacking. Patch and Change Management: Inadequate processes for managing software updates and changes. Us...
Evergreening in the Lending Ecosystem in India: Understanding the Practice and its Implications
Lending, BFSI, Digital Lending, Microfinance, NBFC, Regtech

Evergreening in the Lending Ecosystem in India: Understanding the Practice and its Implications

In the lending ecosystem of India, there are various practices and strategies employed by financial institutions to manage their loan portfolios. One such practice that has garnered attention is "evergreening." Evergreening refers to a process wherein lenders extend new credit or provide additional funds to borrowers who are struggling to repay existing loans, primarily to maintain the appearance of a performing loan. In this article, we will explore the concept of evergreening in the Indian lending ecosystem, its implications, and the regulatory measures in place to address this practice. Understanding Evergreening It involves granting additional credit or restructuring existing loans to borrowers who are facing financial distress, often without addressing the underlying issues causin...
Building Trust and Confidence: The Regulatory Ecosystem of Lending in India
Lending, BFSI, Blog, Digital Lending, Goverment Notice/Circulars, NBFC, Regtech

Building Trust and Confidence: The Regulatory Ecosystem of Lending in India

Lending plays a crucial role in India's financial landscape, providing individuals and businesses with access to capital for various purposes. To ensure the stability, transparency, and fairness of lending practices, the lending space in India operates within a robust regulatory ecosystem governed by multiple authorities and regulations. In this article, we will delve into the key components of the regulatory framework for lending in India, shedding light on the various entities and regulations that shape the lending landscape. Reserve Bank of India (RBI): At the heart of India's lending regulatory framework stands the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). As the central banking institution, the RBI plays a pivotal role in regulating the lending sector. It formulates and implements policies a...
Thunes Announces Acquisition of Tilia LLC to Boost U.S. Growth and Online Gaming Market Presence
Global BFSI, Fintech, Payments, Startups

Thunes Announces Acquisition of Tilia LLC to Boost U.S. Growth and Online Gaming Market Presence

Thunes Announces Agreement to Acquire Tilia LLC Thunes, the global cross-border payments company, has taken a significant step to enhance its foothold in the United States and tap into the burgeoning online gaming market. The company recently finalized a definitive agreement to acquire Tilia LLC, an all-in-one payments platform. Tilia LLC, licensed in 48 U.S. states and territories, specializes in providing payment solutions for various digital realms, including online games, virtual worlds, creator economies, and in-app purchases. With this strategic acquisition, Thunes aims to accelerate its growth trajectory and expand its services within the U.S. Key Highlights of the Acquisition: Enhanced Payment Solutions: Thunes’ global network, which facilitates real-t...
Stablecoins: Promises vs. Reality: BIS report
CBDC, Fintech, Global BFSI, International Reports, Payments, Technology

Stablecoins: Promises vs. Reality: BIS report

Overview: The paper examines the evolution of the stablecoin market over the past decade and investigates whether stablecoins have truly lived up to their name in terms of stability. Stablecoins are a subcategory of cryptoassets designed to maintain a stable value relative to a specified peg. Key Findings: Classification of Stablecoins:  The authors classify stablecoins into four distinct types: Those backed by fiat currency. Those backed by commodities. Those backed by other cryptoassets. Algorithmic stablecoins (not backed by any specific asset). Volatility and Parity:  While stablecoins backed by fiat currency, commodities, or other cryptoassets have generally been less volatile than traditional cryptoassets, none of them has cons...
RBI Imposes Penalty on Fatehabad Central Cooperative Bank for Non-Compliance with Unclaimed Funds Transfer Rules
BFSI, Banking, Goverment Notice/Circulars

RBI Imposes Penalty on Fatehabad Central Cooperative Bank for Non-Compliance with Unclaimed Funds Transfer Rules

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of ₹2 lakh on The Fatehabad Central Cooperative Bank Limited, Fatehabad, for contravention of the provisions of section 26A (2) read with section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (BR Act). The penalty was imposed based on the findings of a statutory inspection conducted by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) with reference to the bank’s financial position as on March 31, 2022. The inspection revealed that the bank had not transferred the eligible unclaimed amounts to the Depositor Education and Awareness Fund within the prescribed time limit. This action is in violation of the provisions of section 26A (2) read with section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (BR Act). Also Read: RBI Imp...
RBI Imposes Monetary Penalty on Panvel Co-operative Urban Bank
BFSI, Goverment Notice/Circulars

RBI Imposes Monetary Penalty on Panvel Co-operative Urban Bank

In a move to ensure compliance with regulatory directives, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of ₹1.00 lakh on The Panvel Co-operative Urban Bank Ltd., Raigad, Maharashtra. According to the press release, the penalty was levied based on the findings of a statutory inspection conducted by the RBI, which revealed the bank's non-compliance with directions issued under the 'Supervisory Action Framework' (SAF) for Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks (UCBs). Specifically, the RBI found that the bank had sanctioned fresh loans carrying a risk weight of more than 100%, in violation of the specific directions issued under the SAF. After considering the bank's response to the show-cause notice, the RBI determined that the charge of non-compliance was sustained, warra...
RBI Imposes Monetary Penalty on Jogindra Central Co-operative Bank for Non-Compliance
BFSI, Banking, Goverment Notice/Circulars

RBI Imposes Monetary Penalty on Jogindra Central Co-operative Bank for Non-Compliance

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of ₹3.5 lakh on Jogindra Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Solan, Himachal Pradesh, for non-compliance with directions issued by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) on ‘Frauds-Guidelines for Classification, Reporting and Monitoring’. Monetary Penalty The penalty was imposed based on the findings of a statutory inspection conducted by NABARD with reference to the bank’s financial position as on March 31, 2021. The inspection revealed that the bank had delayed in reporting frauds. This action is in violation of NABARD’s directions on ‘Frauds-Guidelines for Classification, Reporting and Monitoring’. Also Read: RBI Imposes Penalty on Ambarnath Jai Hind Co-operative Bank for Non-Compliance The RBI h...
RBI Imposes Penalty on Ambarnath Jai Hind Co-operative Bank for Non-Compliance
BFSI, Goverment Notice/Circulars

RBI Imposes Penalty on Ambarnath Jai Hind Co-operative Bank for Non-Compliance

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of ₹3 lakh on Ambarnath Jai Hind Co-operative Bank Limited, Ambarnath, Maharashtra, for non-compliance with certain provisions of RBI directions on ‘Maintenance of Deposit Accounts - Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks’. The penalty was imposed based on the findings of a statutory inspection conducted by RBI with reference to the bank’s financial position as on March 31, 2023. The inspection revealed that the bank had: Collected fixed penal charges for shortfall in the maintenance of minimum balance in savings bank accounts without giving one month notice to customers regarding minimum balance requirement. Collected penal charges for non-maintenance of minimum balance in inoperative accounts. Charged for the activa...