Wednesday, January 22

Finance

India’s Forex Reserves Surge to a Record $645.58 Billion, Signaling Economic Resilience
BFSI, Finance

India’s Forex Reserves Surge to a Record $645.58 Billion, Signaling Economic Resilience

India's forex reserves have soared to a historic milestone, reaching an unprecedented level of $645.58 billion for the week ending March 29. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported an increase of $2.9 billion in forex reserves, primarily driven by a rise in foreign currency assets. This remarkable achievement highlights the country's robust financial stability and serves as a safety net against future risks. Record High Forex Reserves: The latest data released by the RBI reveals that India's foreign exchange reserves have surpassed the previous record of $642.49 billion. The substantial increase of $2.9 billion can be attributed to the rise in foreign currency assets, which reached $570.61 billion during the same period. These reserves act as a buffer against potential risks, particular...
Indian FinTech’s Funding Falls by Over 66% in FY24: Navigating the Downturn
Fintech, Digital Lending, Finance, Payments, Startups

Indian FinTech’s Funding Falls by Over 66% in FY24: Navigating the Downturn

In a significant development for the Indian FinTech sector, the financial year 2024 has witnessed a substantial decline in funding for FinTech startups. The Indian FinTech sector, a beacon of innovation and growth, has faced a significant funding slump in the financial year 2024. According to data from Tracxn, the industry witnessed a 66.67% year-on-year decline in funding, managing to raise only $1.5 billion1. This stark downturn compares to the $4.5 billion raised in the previous fiscal year, marking a challenging period for startups in the space. This decline is primarily attributed to a decrease in seed-stage funding. The trend reflects the challenges faced by the industry, including increasing borrowing costs and macroeconomic conditions. Let's delve deeper into the details. De...
Revolutionary Ways Small Business Loans Are Shattering Gender Barriers for Women Entrepreneurs in 2024
Lending, Finance, Fintech, Microfinance

Revolutionary Ways Small Business Loans Are Shattering Gender Barriers for Women Entrepreneurs in 2024

The Role of Small Business Loans: In an effort to combat gender biases in entrepreneurship, financial institutions are increasingly focusing on empowering women-led SMEs through small business loans. Despite the growth of India’s economy and the significant contribution of MSMEs to the GDP, women-led businesses still face substantial challenges in obtaining credit financing. Recent studies highlight a stark gender disparity within India’s entrepreneurial landscape, attributed to socio-cultural norms, access to credit, and family responsibilities. However, women entrepreneurs remain optimistic about their business growth and recovery. Also Read: RBI’s Risk Weight Hike: Implications for Incremental Bank Lending to NBFCsGovernment initiatives like Mudra Yojana and the Women Entrepre...
From Crisis to Control: India’s Post-Pandemic Stimulus Earns Praise for Inflation Management, 2024
Economics, Finance

From Crisis to Control: India’s Post-Pandemic Stimulus Earns Praise for Inflation Management, 2024

In the wake of the global pandemic, India's fiscal stimulus measures have been hailed as well-managed and effective, according to a recent study conducted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The study reveals that India's post-pandemic fiscal stimulus had a minimal impact on inflation compared to other major economies around the world. These findings highlight the prudent and strategic approach taken by the Indian government and the Reserve Bank of India in mitigating the negative effects of the pandemic. Study Highlights: The RBI study analyzed the impact of pandemic-induced fiscal expansions on inflation in both advanced economies and emerging market economies. It considered supply-side factors and found that countries with larger fiscal stimulus measures experienced higher post-pa...