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BUSINESS AND ECONOMY - August 2025

Aug 2025

Dec 28, 2025

J&K Bank Wins 'Best MSME Bank' Award at MSME Banking Excellence Awards 2025

Jammu & Kashmir Bank won the prestigious 'Best MSME Bank – Winner' award at the MSME Banking Excellence Awards 2025, while also securing the Runner-Up position in the 'CSR Initiative & Business Responsibility' category. The MSME Banking Excellence Awards recognise banks for exemplary performance and best practices in promoting MSMEs, corporate social responsibility and sustainable business models.
Notably, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal presented the awards at a high-profile ceremony held in New Delhi. On behalf of the Bank the awards were received by Chief General Manager (Business Development) Sunit Kumar and GM/Divisional Head (ROI) Khursheed Muzaffar.The MSME Banking Excellence.

Dec 27, 2025

ASBL Hosts India's Biggest Real Estate Event

ASBL hosted India's biggest real estate event - ASBL Family Day 2025 at Anvaya Conventions in Hyderabad's Financial District, bringing together thousands of customers and their families in what industry observers are calling the largest customer-focused gathering in Indian real estate history.
The scale and intent of the event marked a clear industry first. No other real estate developer in India has organised a customer celebration of this magnitude, positioning ASBL Founder and CEO Ajitesh Korupolu as the only developer to pioneer large-scale post-possession customer engagement at this level.

Dec 26, 2025

Axis Bank Unveils Digital Merchant Cash Advance Loans for MSMEs

Axis Bank has launched Digital Merchant Cash Advance Loans for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The release states unsecured loans ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, designed to bolster daily cash flow for small businesses across the country. The product is digitally enabled to expedite onboarding with minimal collateral requirements, targeting merchants such as retail shops that need ready working capital. Repayment is aligned with daily business cash flows, enabling quicker disbursement than traditional term loans. The launch broadens Axis Bank’s SME financing portfolio and offers a streamlined alternative to traditional credit lines for daily operations.

Axis Bank launches Digital Merchant Cash Advance Loans for MSMEs
Unsecured loans from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 20 lakh
Digital onboarding with minimal collateral
Designed to support daily cash flow for small businesses
Repayment linked to daily sales; faster disbursement than term loans

RBI Grants Final Payment Aggregator Licence to Mswipe Technologies

Reserve Bank of India has granted the final Payment Aggregator licence to Mswipe Technologies Pvt. Ltd., enabling the Mumbai-based fintech to operate as a fully regulated payment aggregator across both online and offline channels. The licence allows direct onboarding of merchants and the aggregation of multiple customer payment instruments under a single regulatory framework, simplifying onboarding and settlement. It also permits inward and outward cross-border transactions, subject to RBI rules and compliance standards. Mswipe’s ecosystem already includes online payment gateways and in-store tools such as point-of-sale terminals and QR-based acceptance. The licence strengthens the company’s compliance framework and expands cross-channel payment capabilities for merchants nationwide.

RBI grants final Payment Aggregator licence to Mswipe Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
License enables cross-channel processing for online and offline payments
Direct merchant onboarding and consolidation of payment instruments under one framework
Permits inward and outward cross-border transactions under RBI oversight
Integrates online gateways with in-store POS and QR-based solutions

Dec 23, 2025

India Sees Rs 492 Billion Debt Sale by States and PSUs in a Single Day

Indian markets faced a heavy debt supply on Tuesday as states and state-owned entities planned to raise 492 billion rupees in a single-day debt sale. The issue targets include 332 billion rupees from states, 60 billion from Power Finance Corporation, and 100 billion from Bank of India through infrastructure bonds. Market participants cited a demand-supply mismatch as fixed-income yields rose following an RBI rate cut earlier in December. Analysts warned about the challenge of absorbing such a large float amid ongoing investor caution and rising redemptions in the next financial year. The move signals a higher-than-usual debt supply cycle as the government seeks funding for infrastructure and development programs.

States and PSUs plan 492 billion rupees in one-day debt sale.
Major contributors: 332b (states), 60b (Power Finance Corp), 100b (Bank of India).
Yields have risen due to supply surge; RBI policy stance weighs in.
Indicates elevated funding needs for infrastructure.

Oman Launches First Polymer One-Rial Banknote

Oman has introduced its first polymer one-rial banknote, signaling a shift in currency design and security standards. Issued by the Central Bank of Oman, the polymer note will enter circulation from 11 January 2026 and will circulate alongside existing paper-based notes as legal tender. The move underscores a push toward more durable currency and enhanced security features, reducing wear and counterfeiting risk. The transition will be managed to ensure a smooth exchange of old and new notes, with both notes remaining valid until a full phase-out, if any, is announced by monetary authorities.

Central Bank of Oman issues first polymer one-rial note.
Circulation begins January 11, 2026; coexists with paper notes.
Polymer design enhances durability and security.

Ambuja Cements Board Approves ACC and Orient Cement Amalgamation

The board of Ambuja Cements, a member of the Adani group, approved the amalgamation of its subsidiaries ACC Ltd and Orient Cement with the parent company to create a pan-India cement powerhouse. The merger is intended to unlock operational efficiencies by standardising manufacturing and logistics, and by enabling efficient capital deployment across the enlarged network. The consolidation aims to simplify the network, branding, and sales-promotion spends, leading to cost rationalisation. Management expects margin enhancement of at least Rs 100 per metric tonne as a result of the integration, along with elimination of structural duplication and faster, more agile decision-making. Regulatory clearances and detailed integration planning will follow the board’s approval.

Ambuja Cements to amalgamate ACC Ltd and Orient Cement with itself.
Objective: pan-India cement powerhouse with improved logistics and manufacturing efficiency.
Cost rationalisation through branding and promotions optimization.
Projected margin uplift of at least Rs 100 per metric tonne.
Reduction of duplicated structures and faster decision-making expected.

Dec 21, 2025

Finance Ministry Unveils New Logo for Regional Rural Banks (21)

To strengthening rural banking in India the Ministry of Finance has unveiled a new common logo for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). The move is aimed at creating a single and unified brand identity for RRBs across the country, following a major consolidation exercise under the principle of "One State One RRB." The announcement reflects the government's broader effort to modernise rural banking institutions, enhance public trust, and improve the visibility of RRBs as key drivers of financial inclusion and rural development.
Reflecting themes of progress and growth, in rural and remote areas, the logo reinforces the values embodied by RRBs. These include:
Upward Arrow (Symbol of Progress): Represents growth, development and advancement in rural economies.
Hands (Symbol of Nurturing): Conveys care, support and a helping hand to rural communities.
Flame (Symbol of Enlightenment): Signifies warmth, knowledge and empowering rural populations.
The colours of the RRB logo have been so chosen to convey the objectives of the RRBs. Dark blue signifies finance and trust, while green signifies life and growth, reflecting their mission to serve rural India.

SEBI Allows Zero-Coupon Bonds to Be Issued in Smaller Denominations

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has allowed zero-coupon bonds to be issued in reduced denominations of ₹10,000 by modifying the conditions under which issuers can lower the face value of non-convertible debt securities and non-convertible redeemable preference shares (NCRPS) issued through private placement.

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