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BUSINESS AND ECONOMY - September 2025

Sep 2025

Dec 06, 2025

PNB Appoints Harmanpreet Kaur as Its First-Ever Female Brand Ambassador

In a landmark announcement, Punjab National Bank (PNB) has appointed Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of the Indian women's cricket team, as its first female brand ambassador. This move reflects the bank's expanding emphasis on women empowerment, brand modernisation, and customer engagement.
The declaration took place at PNB's corporate office in New Delhi, during a ceremony themed "Banking On Champions." Kaur was presented with a framed PNB jersey featuring her name and number, symbolising her induction into the bank's identity.

RBI MPC cuts repo rate by 25 bps to 5.25%, maintains neutral stance; revises GDP, inflation forec...

The RBI-led Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) concluded its three-day meeting and unanimously decided to cut the policy repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25%, according to Governor Sanjay Malhotra.
Consequently, the standing deposit facility (SDF) rate was revised to 5% from 5.25%, while both the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate were revised down to 5.5% from 5.75%.
Explaining the rationale behind the rate cut, the RBI governor said, "The growth-inflation balance, especially the benign inflation outlook on both headline and core, continues to provide the policy space to support the growth momentum."

Dec 05, 2025

Flipkart appoints former Meta executive Dan Neary to board

Flipkart has named Dan Neary, a former senior executive at Meta, to its board of directors. Neary brings more than two decades of technology leadership and a global perspective to the e-commerce firm as it prepares for its next growth phase and anticipated IPO filing. He left Meta after helping steer growth across Asia‑Pacific, including expansion in Australia, Greater China, Southeast Asia, and other markets. His appointment signals Flipkart’s focus on stronger governance and strategic execution. Neary will advise on product, platform scale, and international partnerships while the company pursues its vision of deeper market penetration, customer trust, and innovation ahead of listing.

Dan Neary appointed to Flipkart board
Former Meta executive with APAC expansion experience
Board appointment ahead of planned IPO
Strengthens governance and growth strategy
Will advise on product, platform scale, and partnerships

Brendan Nelson appointed HSBC chairman, replacing Mark Tucker

HSBC Holdings has appointed Brendan Nelson as its new Chairman, marking a return to internal board leadership after the tenure of Mark Tucker. The announcement on December 3, 2025, confirms Nelson’s transition from interim Chairman, a role he assumed on October 1, to the full-time position. Nelson will guide HSBC’s strategic direction alongside CEO Georges Elhedery, with a focus on Asia, adapting to lower interest rates, and navigating geopolitical and financial changes. He joined HSBC’s board in September 2023 and has served as interim group chair since October 2025. He previously held senior roles at KPMG, including head of global banking.

Brendan Nelson named HSBC chairman
Succeeds Mark Tucker; previously interim chair
Focus on Asia and strategic growth

RBI approves Vikram Sahu as CEO of Bank of America in India

India's central bank, the Reserve Bank of India, has approved Vikram Sahu as chief executive officer of Bank of America in India, replacing Kaku Nakhate who led the unit for 15 years. Sahu has more than 25 years of experience in banking and finance, with education from St. Stephen's College, Delhi, and a master's degree from the United States. He previously held roles in Hong Kong, the United States, and Europe. In his new role, he will report to Jin Su, president of Asia Pacific at Bank of America. The appointment comes as the bank expands its Indian business amid a challenging macro backdrop.

RBI approves Vikram Sahu as Bank of America India CEO
Sahu replaces Kaku Nakhate after 15 years
Over 25 years in banking and finance
Education: St. Stephen's College, Delhi; master's in the US
Reports to Jin Su, APAC president

Dec 04, 2025

Investors Await RBI Policy Decision Amid Market Volatility

Mumbai, 2 December 2025: Markets are cautious as investors await the RBI's policy decision later this week. Traders expect guidance on inflation, currency management, and rate trajectory. The rupee weakened further against the dollar, while benchmark indices showed a mixed session. Analysts say the policy could influence foreign flows and risk appetite in the near term. In addition, global cues, including Fed signals, will shape market direction. Participants emphasise the importance of clear communication from the central bank to anchor expectations and support steady growth in the current accounting period.

Market caution ahead of RBI policy decision.
Rupee weakens; indices mixed.
Policy signals may affect inflation and currency path.
Global cues from U.S. Fed influence markets.
Need for clear central bank guidance to anchor expectations.

Markets Mixed as Rupee Slides; Investors Watch RBI Policy

Mumbai, 4 December 2025: Indian stock indices edged higher in late trading as IT shares rose, while the rupee hit fresh lows against the U.S. dollar. The broad trend reflected cautious trading ahead of an RBI policy decision. The Sensex rose modestly while the Nifty hovered near a quiet range. Foreign outflows persisted, and traders cited global cues and domestic inflation risks. Market participants expect a potential policy stance to guide currency stability and fiscal measures. Despite volatility, some sectors posted gains, signaling a nuanced but steady investment environment in India's equity markets.

IT stocks lift markets; rupee hits new low.
Investors await RBI policy decision.
Sensex and Nifty show mixed moves.
Foreign outflows continue; global cues influence behavior.
Policy outcome may affect currency and sectors.

Dec 03, 2025

Ramakrishnan Chander Takes Charge as LIC MD

Ramakrishnan Chander has taken charge as Managing Director of Life Insurance Corporation Of India (LIC).
Prior to his elevation, as the MD, Chander served as LIC's Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and Executive Director of the Investment (Front Office) Department, the State-owned insurer said.

MapmyIndia Mappls Partners with Zoho CRM for Location Intelligence

MapmyIndia Mappls, a digital mapping and geospatial technology company, and Zoho, a global technology company headquartered in India, in December 2025, announced a collaboration to integrate MapmyIndia's Address Capture and Nearby Lead Finder features directly within Zoho CRM.
With this integration, Zoho CRM users can capture verified addresses, visualize customer locations, discover potential leads in nearby areas, and optimize sales routes — all powered by MapmyIndia's indigenous mapping platform, which has been digitally mapping India since 1995. This collaboration empowers businesses to operate more efficiently, serve customers better, and make informed, location-aware decisions — using technology rooted in India's soil.

Maple Infra Trust Acquires 5 Toll Road Highway Assets from Ashoka Concessions

Maple Infrastructure Trust, a SEBI-registered infrastructure investment trust, said five operational highway projects from Ashoka Concessions Ltd. and other associated entities, including ACL group companies had been successfully transferred to itself.
These projects, comprising over 2,100 lane kilometres of operational NHAI toll roads, are located along key economic arteries of India, including the Golden Quadrilateral and the East–West Corridor, spanning West Bengal, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.

'Panch-Jyoti': RBI's 5-year Strategy to Boost Financial Inclusion

Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra in December 2025, unveiled the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NSFI) 2025-30, aimed at expanding financial access and usage across India over the next five years.The strategy promotes a holistic, ecosystem-based approach to improve the quality, reach, and consistency of last-mile financial services.
At the core of the NSFI 2025-30 are five key objectives, known as 'Panch-Jyoti', supported by 47 action points designed to boost financial inclusion. These include a gender-sensitive approach to women-led financial initiatives and tailored strategies to strengthen the financial resilience of households, especially among underserved and vulnerable populations, according to an official RBI statement.
The strategy also emphasises improving the availability and use of equitable, responsible, suitable, and affordable financial products to ensure financial safety and security for households and micro-enterprises.
"The Panch-Jyoti strategy focuses on synergising livelihood, skill development, and support ecosystems and linking them with financial inclusion," the RBI said.

RBI Promotes Usha Janakiraman as Executive Director with Immediate Effect

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in December 2025, appointed Usha Janakiraman as Executive Director (ED) with immediate effect. Prior to being promoted as ED, Janakiraman was serving as Chief General Manager-in-charge, Department of Regulation, Central Office, Mumbai. She has experience of more than three decades in the RBI having worked in the areas of regulation, external investment and operations, banking supervision, public debt management, currency management and other areas in the Central bank.
As Executive Director, she will look after the Department of Supervision (Risk, Analytics and Vulnerability Assessment). Smt. Janakiraman is a Chartered Accountant.

RBI Retains SBI, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank as Systemically Important Banks

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said in December 2025, that State Bank of India (SBI), HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank will continue to be classified as systemically important banks.
Systemically important banks are ones which are too big to fail due to their size, cross-jurisdictional activities, complexity, lack of substitutability, and interconnectedness. The disorderly failure of these banks has the potential to cause significant disruption to the essential services they provide to the banking system, and in turn, to the overall economic activity.

Dec 02, 2025

AU Small Finance Bank Ropes in Ranbir, Rashmika as Brand Ambassadors

AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB), which received the RBI's in-principle approval to transition into a universal bank, roped in film Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna as its brand ambassadors.
The partnership strengthens AU SFB's effort to build a preferred national banking brand with strong consideration across urban, metro, and deeper Bharat markets.

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