The Hindu Business Line : Tuesday, September 25, 2007

HOUSING FINANCE
‘Housing finance proves a challenge to banks’
Visakhapatnam, Sept. 24 Banks are facing a challenge with respect to housing finance to meet the demand for loans at a cheaper rate of interest and they have to find ways and means to fulfill customer expectations, according to Mr A.L. ... More

CONSUMER FINANCE
ICICI Bank’s car loans at floating rates
Mumbai, Sept. 24 ICICI Bank has launched a floating rate repayment product for car loans, commercial vehicles loans, construction equipment loans and professional equipment loans from September this year, said a press release from the ... More

GENERAL INSURANCE
Airline insurance market softens
Premium rate has fallen 70% over the past two years More

DEBT MARKET
Rs 16,500-cr T-bill, gilts sale
The Reserve Bank of India has announced auctions of government stocks and Treasury Bills worth Rs 16,500 crore. The auction of “5.87 per cent Government Stock 2010” for Rs 5,000 crore (nominal) and “5.48 per cent 2009 ... More

PRIVATE BANKS
Axis Bank to advise rural rich
Mumbai, Sept. 24 Axis Bank plans to offer wealth management services to its semi-urban and rural customers. The bank, which launched its focussed group on wealth management two years back, is now planning to give wealth advisory and wealth ... More

INTEREST RATES
10.5%: Special home loan floating rate offer from HDFC
Mumbai, Sept. 24 This may be the right time to buy a house with interest rates finally showing some signs of cooling. Housing Development and Finance Corporation Ltd has announced a special interest of 10.5 per cent for home loan borrowers ... More

Interest rate: Immediate relief unlikely for corporate financials
Commodities’ prices may continue to remain firm More

TRADE & LABOUR UNIONS
IBA-unions pension talks on Oct 3
New Delhi, Sept. 24 Bank unions and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) are to begin negotiations on October 3 over the contentious issue of allowing bank employees to once again opt for pension as against provident ... More

Insurance staff threaten stir on FDI
The All-India Insurance Employees’ Association (AIIEA) will continue its struggle against the proposed increase in FDI from 26 per cent to 49 per cent in the insurance sector and if the Union Government brings in a bill for the purpose, ... More

OUTLOOK
Banks’ net margins may come under pressure
Credit offtake sluggish, return on investments inadequate More