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Tag: Reserve Bank of India

Muthoot Microfin Ltd.: Sadaf Sayeed Appointed as Co-Chair of Sa-Dhan

New Delhi, June 27, 2024 – Mr. Sadaf Sayeed, CEO of Muthoot Microfin, has been appointed as the Co-Chair of Sa-Dhan, the largest and oldest association of microfinance and impact finance institutions in India. The re-election took place during Sa-Dhan’s 26th Annual General Body Meeting.

Sadaf Sayeed (CEO)

Mr. Sadaf Sayeed’s appointment underscores his significant contributions and ongoing commitment to the microfinance sector. His valuable insights, rich perspectives and experience will contribute significantly to the cause of microfinance and inclusive growth in India.

Sa-Dhan, recognized as a Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO) by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has been a pivotal force in the microfinance sector, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The AGM was presided over by Mr. K Paul Thomas, MD of ESAF Small Finance Bank and the current Chairperson of Sa-Dhan.

Commenting on this development Mr. Sadaf Sayeed, said, “I am deeply honoured to be appointed as Co-Chair of Sa-Dhan. This organization has played a crucial role in shaping the microfinance landscape in India. During my tenure, I will work with the board towards ensuring the growth of the microfinance sector and servicing the most underserved constituency of India as well as promoting livelihood solutions and entrepreneurship at the bottom of the pyramid.”

RBI Repo Rate Unchanged Again: What It Means for Real Estate Growth

In a highly anticipated move, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to keep the repo rate steady at 6.5% for the eighth consecutive time. This decision, coupled with robust GDP growth projections, a strong push for infrastructural development, and an increased pace of project launches, is set to bolster the real estate sector significantly. While the industry has largely welcomed the RBI’s decision, developers also emphasized the need for targeted interventions to support the affordable housing segment, which remains a critical area of concern as India strives to meet its ambitious housing goals.

Manoj Gaur, President of CREDAI NCR and CMD of Gaurs Group, remarked. “Even though a marginal reduction in the repo rate would have further raised the real estate sector’s spirit, we welcome RBI’s announcement not to change the interest rate. One area of concern is the affordable housing segment, which definitely requires an intervention. Overall, this is a welcome decision, and the real estate market, with an all-time low unsold stock and experiencing an all-time boom, welcomes this move. The decision supports the growth and stability of the sector.”

Mohit Goel, MD, Omaxe Group, shared a similar sentiment, “By maintaining the repo rate at 6.50% for the eighth consecutive time, the RBI has again relieved both buyers and developers. The sector is experiencing remarkable growth, with increased interest in mid, premium, and luxury housing segments. Stable loan rates will benefit prospective buyers and sustain public confidence in the authorities. We expect this positive step to keep the real estate sector on an upward trajectory, benefiting both buyers and developers.”

Nayan Raheja of Raheja Developers highlighted several benefits of the stable repo rate. “The RBI’s decision to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.5% for the eighth time benefits the real estate sector in several ways: Consumer Confidence: Stability in interest rates boosts confidence, making home purchases more attractive and affordable. Investment Attractiveness: Real estate becomes a more appealing investment compared to volatile options, attracting both domestic and foreign investors. Increased Purchasing Power: Predictable loan costs leave consumers with more disposable income, driving demand for housing. Overall, stable repo rates support growth, affordability, and investment in the real estate sector.”

Sandeep Chillar, Founder & Chairman of Landmark Group, also praised the RBI’s decision. “The RBI’s decision to keep the repo rate unchanged for the eighth consecutive time is on the expected lines. The real estate sector is on an upward growth trajectory, and the stability in the repo rate will give a fillip to the steady growth while adapting to broader economic conditions and policy directions. By aiming to balance financial stability and economic development, the cautious decision to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.5% is likely to help the real estate sector maintain its growth momentum, leading to healthy sales in the coming quarter.”

Harinder Singh Hora, Founder Chairman of Reach Group, also expressed optimism. “These are great times both for the economy and the real estate sector, including the commercial segment. The decision by RBI to keep the repo rate unchanged will bring cheers to the market. The world sees immense possibilities in India, and the growth trajectory is high. The GDP numbers are also expected to get better, and the real estate share in the GDP percentage is rising. Altogether, RBI’s decision will boost real estate investments.”

Uddhav Poddar, Managing Director of Bhumika Group, added, “The decision to maintain the RBI’s repo rate is an extremely positive step for homebuyers and investors. By keeping the rate stable for the eighth consecutive time, the RBI has indicated strong confidence in the real estate sector and homebuyers. This will not only help in balancing inflation but also inject new energy into the real estate market, marking a moment of joy for homebuyers and investors.”

Kushagr Ansal, Director of Ansal Housing, believes the RBI’s decision to maintain the repo rate will positively impact the housing market. “Despite rising housing costs, the unchanged home loan rates offer some relief to prospective buyers. As a result, stable interest rates benefit both buyers and developers, fostering increased consumer confidence and investment in the sector. The RBI’s decision is expected to support the launch of new projects and the expansion of developments in emerging areas of interest.”

Salil Kumar, Director, Sales & Marketing, CRC Group, stated, “The real estate sector has experienced significant growth in recent years, and the RBI’s decision to maintain the repo rate at 6.50% for the eighth consecutive time will have a positive impact on the industry. With rising housing demand, the stability in loan rates will foster greater confidence among buyers and developers, promoting long-term growth. This steadiness in interest rates will enhance both the residential and commercial real estate sectors, creating attractive investment opportunities for buyers across all segments.”

Sanjay Sharma, Director of SKA Group, said that the RBI’s decision to maintain the repo rate at 6.50% for the eighth consecutive time is a positive step towards reducing the financial burden on potential buyers. “This decision is a significant incentive for potential buyers in the commercial sector to proceed with their property purchases. Certainly, the RBI’s decision will accelerate affordable and mid-range commercial projects.”

“By maintaining the repo rate at 6.50% for the eighth consecutive time, the RBI has demonstrated a commendable initiative for buyers,” says Mr. Gurpal Singh Chawla, Managing Director of TREVOC. “This decision not only stabilises interest rates for potential buyers but also reinforces public confidence in the government. It’s a positive step, and we are optimistic that the real estate sector will continue to grow rapidly. Both developers and buyers stand to benefit from this measure.”

Sachin Gawri, Founder and CEO of RISE Infraventures, says, “Once again, the RBI has made no changes to the repo rate, which undoubtedly benefits the real estate sector. This decision by the RBI will prove favorable for both investors and homebuyers. The RBI’s decision indicates that the country’s economy consistently performs well. We are confident that with India’s growing economic flexibility and the decline in inflation, there will be further reduction in the repo rate, resulting in growth in the real estate sector, which is already breaking previous records.”

Mr. Sanchit Bhutani, MD, Group 108 says, “The RBI has once again taken a commendable step by keeping the repo rate steady for the eighth consecutive time. A stable repo rate provides confidence for investors and home buyers. This stability directly impacts the growth of real estate sector, which in turn makes a significant contribution to India’s GDP and future growth prospects.”

Rajjath Goel, Managing Director of MRG Group, emphasized the positive impact on potential buyers. “The Reserve Bank has reassured the real estate industry by maintaining stability in repo rates at 6.50% for the eighth consecutive time, bringing relief to potential buyers. With no adjustments made for over a year, buyers can proceed with their investments without facing the pressure of rising loan interest rates. This decision not only alleviates financial concerns but also demonstrates the authorities’ commitment to controlling inflation. We commend this prudent move and its positive impact on the market.”

Sanjeev Arora, Director, 360 Realtors, noted, “Keeping the repo rate unchanged is on expected lines given the fact that food inflation is rising. Hence RBI will be in a wait and watch mode. Also, the agencies will give some time to the new government before taking any significant monetary decision. The silver lining is that real estate will continue to clock double-digit growth backed by a steep rise in demand. The market will be upbeat in the times to come, marked by increased end-user and investor participation.”

Ashwani Kumar of Pyramid Infratech commented on the advantages for developers and buyers. “The RBI’s maintenance of the repo rates at 6.50% offers developers and potential buyers eyeing investments in the sector advantages. The sector has already been performing well over the last few years, and the decision to keep the repo rate unchanged will benefit both prospective buyers and developers. This stability is expected to enhance both residential and commercial real estate sectors, creating appealing investment avenues across all buyer segments. This will also boost the affordable housing segment, which is looking for some relief.”

Pawan Sharma, MD, Trisol RED, highlighted the positive growth in the housing market. “The decision to maintain the repo rate at 6.5% is expected to bring about positive growth in the housing market. Despite the increasing cost of housing, unchanged home loan rates provide some relief to potential homebuyers. Consequently, stable interest rates benefit buyers and developers, fostering confidence and investment in the sector. The RBI’s decision is poised to encourage the commencement of new projects and the expansion of development in emerging sectors.”

Neeraj Sharma, MD of Escon Infra Realtor, stated, “The RBI’s decision to keep the repo rates unchanged at 6.50% for the eighth time is a welcome step. This move will continue to boost momentum in the real estate sector as before. With this decision by the RBI, the flow of potential buyers will also increase because investing will not burden their pockets. Indeed, with interest rates not rising, investor confidence will increase, and there will be faster growth in residential property demand.”

How to use MobiKwik Pocket UPI for simplified UPI payments

The fintech sector has rapidly evolved by leveraging technology to offer cutting-edge solutions that enable users to manage their finances more effectively and securely.

However, recent data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reveals that during the first half of FY24, over 14,000 banking-related scams took place. As these scams become more sophisticated, fintechs are proactively implementing solutions to strengthen the security and trust of their users.

MobiKwik Pocket UPI

MobiKwik, a fintech company is leveraging the power of UPI by enabling its users to make safe transactions with Pocket UPI – a powerful feature that enhances the functionality of its digital Wallet. Pocket UPI enables users to leverage their MobiKwik Wallet to make payments across all operators’ QRs and UPI IDs seamlessly, without directly linking the bank account.

Pocket UPI enhances security by reducing repetitive exposure to the bank account while making UPI payments. It is a convenient option to make UPI payments for minor and recurring expenses, as it consolidates minor and recurring expenses, decluttering bank statements for improved financial visibility. It works 24/7 even during bank downtimes.

How to get started with Pocket UPI? The process is easy:

First, scroll down on the MobiKwik app and select Pocket UPI. To create your Pocket UPI ID, you must first complete the KYC.
Load your MobiKwik Wallet. You can add balance to your Wallet using UPI, debit cards and credit cards.
Once your balance is topped up, you can start making UPI payments through the Wallet to any QR code, contact, and UPI ID.

How to pay using Pocket UPI?

Tap on the scan icon.
Scan the recipient’s QR code or enter the name/phone number/UPI ID in the bottom bar.
Enter the desired amount.
Choose Pocket UPI from the drop-down menu.
Tap on confirm payment.

Once the payment is made, MobiKwik will send you an alert via text message to confirm the payment along with the remaining balance in your Wallet.

To learn more about how Pocket UPI works, please take a look at our blog. You can also check out this video to see Pocket UPI in action: Know how to use Pocket UPI.

ToneTag emerges as a winner in two categories in Reserve Bank of India’s First Global Hackathon HARBINGER 2021

ToneTag emerges as a winner in two categories in Reserve Bank of India’s First Global Hackathon HARBINGER 2021

ToneTag, India’s fastest-growing voice-based commerce and payments solution provider successfully participated and won in two categories in RBI’s first global hackathon,“HARBINGER 2021 – Innovation for Transformation”. The Bangalore-based company uses audio technology to enable voice-based communication and payment services, has aced two categories – Non-mobile Digital Payment Solutions and Context-based Retail Payment Solutions. The event registered participation from 363organisations globally with only 24 making it to the final round.

 

As India witnessed significant growth in terms of digital payments, the aim of the first-ever global hackathon by RBI was to discover and support the business models that have the potential to make digital payments accessible to the underserved, improving payment convenience and enriching user experience while enhancing security.

 

The winners in each category were selected on the basis of problem comprehension, inventiveness, solution comprehensiveness, ease of implementation, demonstration/user experience etc. ToneTag won in two categories, namely:

  • Non-Mobile Digital Payment Solutions – ToneTag’s Plug & Play acoustics omnichannel solution provides a faster and autonomous payment and checkout experience to businesses and customers alike with its ground wreaking audio and voice technology. This solution enables customers to make secure and reliable peer-to-peer (P2P) or peer-to-merchant (P2M) payments on any mobile device using their voice in any language and dialect. It generates an identification code that is unique to the customer’s voice which is then used for authenticating payments.
  • Context-Based Retail Payment Solutions – ToneTag’s Plug& Play Zone is engineered to create a virtual area or ‘Sound Zone’ inside a store that can be detected by the customer’s mobile phone. The hardware-agnostic audio and voice technology enables sound based proximity engagements and payments that are contactless, frictionless and secure. The customer can simply use their voice to select products, find their location in the store and pay the bill without having to physically interact with any store staff or cashiers. The module operates on tokenised data followed by audio encryption frameworks that allow for a completely secure transaction process.

 

Participating in HARBINGER 2021 provided participants with the opportunity to be mentored by industry experts, present their unique solutions to a prominent panel, and earn big rewards in each category. The hackathon was designed as a competitive event in which participants submit ideas, construct solutions, and present prototypes, and the solutions are reviewed by a panel to determine the winner(s).

 

Sharing his excitement on the win, Kumar Abhishek, Founder & CEO of ToneTag, said,A hackathon by a regulator at this scale is unheard of globally. This shows why RBI is not just leading, but setting example of progressive inclusion for every other regulator.

Being felicitated in two categories at RBI’s first-ever global hackathon is a big motivation towards our vision for financial accessibility at ToneTag. We look forward to providing customers with a highly differentiated offline shopping experience and payments solution that is engaging, convenient and faster, all with the power of their voice and in a language they are comfortable with. Online or offline now checkout with voice”.

Fearing erosion of trust in digital payments, industry bodies urge the Reserve Bank of India to extend the card-on-file tokenization deadline

The Merchant Payments Alliance of India (MPAI) and the Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF) have together voiced their concerns over industry readiness on the recent Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directive on card-on-file tokenization (CoF) and have written to the Central bank requesting an extension of the December 31 deadline for implementation of card data storage norms.

While the RBI’s objective of ensuring security and reducing fraud from the payment ecosystem through this policy change is a step in the right direction, MPAI and ADIF have in their letter highlighted several operational challenges that will hinder the transition to the token-based payments ecosystem.

This policy change affects three major players: banks, intermediary payment systems, and merchants. “Merchants cannot start the testing and certification of their payment processing systems until banks, card networks, and PA/PGs are certified and live with stable APIs for consumer-ready solutions,” the joint letter noted.

The two bodies have sought a phased implementation of the new mandate, a minimum time frame of six months for merchants to comply post readiness of banks, card networks, and payment aggregators/payment gateways, as well as the generation of consumer awareness about the impact of the policy change. They highlight that RBI regulated entities are not prepared, in the absence of a hard mandate to comply.

The RBI had in September 2021 prohibited merchants from storing customer card details on their servers with effect from January 01, 2022, and mandated the adoption of CoF tokenization as an alternative to card storage. MPAI and ADIF believe that if implemented in the present state of readiness, the new RBI mandate could cause major disruptions and loss of revenue, especially for merchants. According to the letter, “Disruptions of this nature erode trust in digital payments and reverses consumer habits back towards cash-based payments.”

MPAI and ADIF are of the view that ‘ecosystem readiness’ is a sequential process of going live with stable API documentation for tokenized transactions. Moreover, in the joint letter, they have highlighted that the digital payments ecosystem is a long way from consumer-ready solutions and that the implementation of tiered timelines for compliance will help minimize disruption to consumer services. Unless regulated entities are compliant, merchants will not be able to successfully process tokenised transactions.

According to Sijo Kuruvilla George, Executive Director, Alliance of Digital India Foundation, “In the scenario that banks are lax on preparedness, the brunt of that will be borne by merchants in the form of loss of revenue – we are looking at revenues losses of anywhere between 20-40% at the minimum should that be the case. It’s also important to note that it’s only after the readiness of bank, card networks and API’s are made available that merchants are even able to take effective measures on their part to comply.”

According to Vishal Mehta, Chair of the Governing Council of the MPAI, “This unpreparedness will impact recent digital payments adopters even deeply. The frequency and intensity of phishing attempts will go as entire card details are to be entered for each transaction, causing a significant increase in irreversible fraudulent transactions.”