Micro Credit or Micro Finance Facility, India
Micro Credit/ Micro Finance Facility : A Lifeline for the Poor 1. What is Micro Credit ? Micro Credit is defined as provision of thrift, credit and other financial services and products of very small amount to the poor in rural, semi-urban and urban areas for enabling them to raise their income levels and improve living standards. Micro Credit Institutions are those which provide these facilities. 2. What are the interest rates applicable ? The reform of the interest rate…
How to encash Cheques in foreign currency?
One of the services rendered by banks as part of their normal banking operations is collection of cheques deposited by their customers, some of which could also be drawn or payable on banks that are outside the country. Such cheques are called foreign currency cheques and, presently, a significant part of these cheques are US-Dollar denominated payable by banks in the United States of America. In the interest of better public awareness, the following FAQs have been prepared for cheques…
What are Gilt Funds in India?
Gilt Funds Gilt funds, as they are conveniently called, are mutual fund schemes floated by asset management companies (AMCs) with exclusive investments in government securities. The schemes are also referred to as mutual funds dedicated exclusively to investments in government securities. Government securities mean and include central government dated securities, state government securities and treasury bills. The gilt funds provide to the investors the safety of investments made in government securities and better returns than direct investments in these securities…
Electronic Clearing Service (ECS), India
What is Electronic Clearing Service (ECS)? Ans : ECS is an electronic mode of payment / receipt for transactions that are repetitive and periodic in nature. ECS is used by institutions for making bulk payment of amounts towards distribution of dividend, interest, salary, pension, etc., or for bulk collection of amounts towards telephone / electricity / water dues, cess / tax collections, loan installment repayments, periodic investments in mutual funds, etc. Essentially, ECS facilitates bulk transfer of monies from one…
Exchange torned, soiled, mutilated and damaged Banknotes
This FAQ describes how and where to exchange torned, soiled, mutilated and damaged Banknotes What are soiled, mutilated and imperfect banknotes? (i) Soiled banknotes are banknotes, which have become dirty and limp due to excessive use. A single numbered banknote cut into two pieces but on which the number is intact is now treated as soiled banknote. A double numbered banknote cut into two pieces but on which both the numbers are intact is now treated as soiled banknote. (ii)…
Deposit insurance and credit guarantee corporation (DICGC)
Q1 Which banks are insured by the DICGC? Commercial Banks: All commercial banks including branches of foreign banks functioning in India, local area banks and regional rural banks are insured by the DICGC. Cooperative Banks: All State, Central and Primary cooperative banks, also called urban cooperative banks, functioning in States / Union Territories which have amended the local Cooperative Societies Act empowering the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to order the Registrar of Cooperative Societies of the State / Union…
Understanding Housing/ Home Loans
1. For what purposes can I seek a first time home loan? You can generally seek a first time home loan for buying a house or a flat, renovation, extension and repairs to your existing house. Most banks have a separate policy for those who are going for a second house. Please remember to seek specific clarifications on the above-mentioned issues from your commercial bank. 2. How will your bank decide your home loan eligibility? Your bank will assess your…
Money Market in India
What is Money Market? The money market provides investment avenues of short term tenor. Money market transactions are generally used for funding the transactions in other markets including Government securities market and meeting short term liquidity mismatches. By definition, money market is for a maximum tenor of up to one year. Within the one year, depending upon the tenors, money market is classified into: i. Overnight market - The tenor of transactions is one working day. ii. Notice money market…
Major Investment Banks in India
An investment bank is a financial institution that assists individuals, corporations and governments in raising capital by underwriting and/or acting as the client's agent in the issuance of securities eg: IPO/ FPO work is handled by investment banks. An investment bank also assist companies in mergers and acquisitions, and provide ancillary services such as market making, trading of derivatives, fixed income instruments, foreign exchange, commodities, and equity securities. The following is the list of major indian investment banks based out…
Why invest in GSecs in India?
2. Why should one invest in Government securities? Holding of cash in excess of the day-to-day needs of a bank does not give any return to it. Investment in gold has attendant problems in regard to appraising its purity, valuation, safe custody, etc. Investing in Government securities has the following advantages: Besides providing a return in the form of coupons (interest), Government securities offer the maximum safety as they carry the Sovereign’s commitment for payment of interest and repayment of…