Sony Terminates $10 Billion Merger Deal with Zee Entertainment
Sony issued a notice terminating the merger agreement with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL) and Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited (CME), formerly known as Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited. The $10-billion deal, signed in December 2021, faced challenges in meeting closing conditions within the specified timeframe.
Despite engaging in good faith discussions to extend the merger cooperation agreement's end date, Sony and Zee failed to reach an agreement by the January 21 deadline. The termination came after over two years of negotiations, with disappointment expressed by Sony over unmet closing conditions.
InterGlobe Enterprises Appoints Aditya Pande as its Group Chief Executive Officer
InterGlobe Enterprises, the parent company of domestic carrier IndiGo, announced the appointment of Aditya Pande as its Group Chief Executive Officer.
Pande would report to Rahul Bhatia, CEO, InterGlobe, and all the existing direct reports would, in turn, report to Pande.
This move by InterGlobe was to strengthen its current leadership team as it moves ahead with its ambitious and diversified global plans.
Pande joined InterGlobe after a successful stint of over three years as Group CFO at India's largest business-to-business e-commerce firm Udaan.
Four DISCOMs Secured A+ Rating in the Latest CSRD Report for Exceptional Consumer Service
Four electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs) from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh achieved the prestigious A+ rating in the latest Consumer Service Rating of DISCOMs (CSRD) report. The report, unveiled by Power Minister R. K. Singh, is a comprehensive evaluation of DISCOMs across the country, aimed at enhancing their accountability towards consumers.
Out of the 62 DISCOMs evaluated, Delhi emerged as the frontrunner, with three companies securing the top A+ rating. The notable achievers included BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL), BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL), and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL). This recognition reflects their commitment to delivering exceptional customer service and operational efficiency.
Adding to the accolades, Noida Power Company Limited (NPCL) from Uttar Pradesh also earned an A+ rating, showcasing a dedication to outstanding customer service and operational excellence.
Jan 22, 2024
RBI Approves Praveen Achuthan Kutty as DCB Bank MD & CEO
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted approval for the appointment of Praveen Achuthan Kutty as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DCB Bank.
Praveen Achuthan Kutty brings a wealth of experience, boasting over 32 years in Retail and SME banking. He has been an integral part of DCB Bank's leadership for the past 16 years. His was earlier with Citibank.
SEBI Chairperson Launches CDSL's Multi-Lingual Initiatives for Investor Ease
SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch launched two multi-lingual initiatives of Central Depository Services (India) (CDSL) aimed at increasing inclusivity and accessibility in the capital market landscape. CDSL introduced an upgrade in investor CAS through the 'Apka CAS – Apki Zubaani' initiative, enabling investors to receive their statements in their preferred language amongst 23 diverse Indian languages.
A unique multi-lingual chatbot, 'CDSL Buddy Sahayta 24*7,' on the CDSL website seeks to simplify investors' journeys towards 'Atmanirbharta' or self-sufficiency. Starting with support in four languages, the chatbot provides round-the-clock assistance, becoming a constant companion for investors navigating the complexities of the securities markets.
Jan 21, 2024
HDFC Bank Aims for Singapore Expansion with Banking License Application
HDFC Bank Ltd, India's biggest private sector lender, is seeking to open its first branch in Singapore, signalling its overseas ambitions after sewing up a landmark merger with mortgage financier Housing Development Finance Corporation in 2023.
The bank applied to the Monetary Authority of Singapore for a banking license and is awaiting approval.
As per reports, the banking giant is seeking a bigger presence abroad to tap the Indian diaspora for savings and term deposits, as well as to cross-sell more products, including mortgages.
Jan 20, 2024
Coal India's Venture into Power Generation Gets Cabinet Approval
The Union Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the Rs. 22,000 crore two maiden thermal power generation units planned by Coal India Ltd (CIL) in collaboration with its subsidiaries.
These units, slated to come at pithead (in the vicinity of coal mines), are also part of the Centre's increased efforts to have more pithead units.
The CCEA approved 660 megawatt (Mw) Amarkantak supercritical coal-based thermal power plant (TPP) in Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh, through a joint venture between CIL subsidiary South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) and Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Co Ltd (MPPGCL), owned by the state government.
The Cabinet also approved 1,600 Mw supercritical thermal power plant in Sundargarh district through Mahanadi Basin Power Ltd (MBPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL), another arm of Coal India.
PepsiCo India Appoints Jagrut Kotecha as New CEO
PepsiCo India appointed Jagrut Kotecha as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Kotecha took over from Ahmed El Sheikh, who held the position for seven years.
Kotecha was the company's chief marketing officer in Africa, Middle East, and South Asia (AMESA).
DMI Group Acquires BNPL Start-up ZestMoney
DMI Group, a pan-India financial services platform, acquired the beleaguered 'buy now pay later' (BNPL) ZestMoney (Zest) platform. DMI, which raised over $1.5 billion of equity investment and is supported by global institutional investors and international banks.
This development came more than a month after Bengaluru-based ZestMoney, shut down amid an unsuccessful attempt to revive its business under new management and regulatory uncertainty.
DMI Finance, the NBFC arm of DMI, will be a preferred lender on the ZestMoney platform. Through this acquisition, DMI will have the exclusive right to the use of all ZestMoney brands.
Jan 19, 2024
ICICI Bank Canada Launches 'Money2India (Canada)' Mobile Banking App
ICICI Bank Canada, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ICICI Bank, introduced its latest mobile banking app, 'Money2India (Canada),' providing Canadian customers with a seamless platform for 24/7 fund transfers to any Indian bank without the necessity of opening an account with ICICI Bank Canada.
The app offers a user-friendly interface for customers across Canadian banks, enabling instant and round-the-clock money transfers to any bank in India.
Users can send amounts of up to CAD 30,000 in a single transaction, enhancing flexibility and catering to various transaction needs.
Hyundai India Acquires General Motor's Talegaon Plant
Hyundai Motor India completed the acquisition of General Motors India's manufacturing plant at Talegaon in Maharashtra.
The country's second-largest carmaker also announced that it will invest Rs. 6,000 crore in Maharashtra as part of an agreement inked between the company and the state government in Davos.
The Talegaon manufacturing plant will play the role of a catalyst in achieving HMIL's 1 million annual production capacity milestone.
Google Pay Signs Agreement to Expand UPI for International Payments
Google Pay and NPCI International Payments signed an agreement to expand the scope of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments outside India.
It will enable Indian travellers to transact digitally abroad while establishing systems similar to UPI in other countries. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed at a time when India is simplifying cross-border digital payments by using the UPI's rails to enable remittances between countries.
RBI Clears Appointment of Whole-time Director for 3 Years by Bandhan Bank
Private-sector lender Bandhan Bank informed that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted approval for the appointment of Rajinder Kumar Babbar as Whole-Time Director (designated as Executive Director) of the bank for a period of three years.
Babbar has 35 years of experience in the banking sector across various leadership roles.