Indian consumers are turning travel loyalty programmes and credit card rewards into an everyday savings tool, as banks and hotel chains deepen partnerships to capture spending across dining, shopping and travel. A new report by Marriott Bonvoy, a travel programme, showed India is among the most engaged hotel loyalty markets in Asia Pacific, with 77%…
The 90-day waiting period in life insurance policies is a clause used across certain insurance products under which specific non-accidental claims may not be payable during the initial period after policy issuance, depending on the product design and underwriting terms. According to Jude Gomes, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer at Ageas Federal Life Insurance,…
Gold traded cautiously while silver remained under pressure on India’s Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) on May 21, as global bullion markets turned volatile amid shifting US interest rate expectations and developments around US-Iran negotiations. MCX silver extended losses in early trade, touching an intraday low of ₹2.71 lakh per kg, down ₹2,291 or 0.83%. Although…
Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund has temporarily suspended subscriptions in its Franklin India Retirement Fund with effect from May 20, restricting fresh inflows into the retirement-oriented scheme. The suspension applies to all fresh and additional investments, including lump sum purchases, switch-ins, and new registrations under systematic investment plans (SIPs) and systematic transfer plans (STPs), according to…
Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund has reopened investor access to its overseas-focused Baroda BNP Paribas Aqua Fund of Fund by removing restrictions on lumpsum investments and allowing fresh SIP and STP registrations from May 20. The fund house has withdrawn the earlier cap of ₹5 lakh per day per investor on lumpsum investments, including switch-ins,…
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released draft amendment directions aimed at strengthening governance, transparency, and borrower protection in the recovery process of bank loans, including stricter rules for the engagement and conduct of recovery agents. The draft — titled Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Responsible Business Conduct) Amendment Directions, 2026 —…
The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) recorded its strongest annual growth to date in FY 2025–26, with over 13.5 million new subscribers added during the year, according to the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). The update was shared during the APY Annual Programme held in New Delhi on May 20, where the regulator reviewed…
Gold and silver traded firm on Thursday (May 21), with both metals extending gains amid inflation concerns, shifting interest rate expectations, and continued geopolitical uncertainty around US–Iran tensions. COMEX gold was last at $4,563 an ounce, up 27.80 or 0.61%, after moving in a range of $4,535.60 to $4,564.80 an ounce. COMEX silver stood at…
Auto and two-wheeler loan originations by value fell sharply in the January-March period after a jump experienced in the preceding December quarter, a report said on Wednesday. Despite the relative volatility in prices of the precious commodity, gold loan originations increased in Q4FY26, according to the report by Crif High Mark, a credit information company….
Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on Wednesday (May 20) proposed allowing third-party payments in mutual funds in specific scenarios, including mutual fund investments through salary deductions by employers for employees and payment of commissions by asset management companies (AMCs), subject to safeguards. Currently, mutual fund investments must be paid directly from…
