The Economic Times

January saw Mumbai's new rupee-loan rates climb, propelled mainly by state-owned lenders. By contrast, rates on existing loans dipped slightly and deposit rates declined a touch. The move unfolds in the RBI's policy backdrop, after its prior repo-rate reduction.

Howard Marks believes AI possesses many investor qualities like data processing and unemotional decision-making, but lacks crucial human elements like skin in the game and intuitive risk assessment. While acknowledging AI's rapid advancement and potential, he advises a cautious, selective approach to investing in the technology, warning against going all-in.

Bihar's new microfinance law could stall the sector's rebound. The state assembly passed a bill regulating money lending, a move that may push up loan defaults, echoing issues seen in other states. Lenders are prioritizing borrower engagement to curb repayment delays, and the industry aims to reassure borrowers while safeguarding asset quality.

Where a deceased leaves a widow and lineal descendants, the widow is entitled to one-third of the estate, and the remaining two-thirds devolve upon the lineal descendants. The mother, being an antecedent, does not inherit in the presence of lineal descendants.

Equity investors have faced losses since September 2024, with major indices declining. In contrast, fixed deposit investors are benefiting from steady growth, with some banks offering attractive interest rates. This period highlights the importance of capital protection and diversification in investment strategies.

Senior citizens can evict sons for failing to provide maintenance. However, disinheritance from ancestral property is not automatic. Parents must create a Will to exclude children from self-acquired property. The Jharkhand High Court clarified these rights. However to cut the son from the inheritance of property rights, Will is needed.

Indian banks will be closed on February 28, 2026. This closure is due to it being the fourth Saturday of the month. Banks observe holidays on the second and fourth Saturdays. Customers can still access digital banking services for various transactions. Internet banking, SMS banking, and WhatsApp banking remain available for account management and payments.

The Federation of National Postal Organisations (FNPO) has urged the 8th Pay Commission to merge 50% dearness allowance (DA) with basic pay and grant interim relief to central employees and pensioners from January 1, 2026.

Redington shares surged up to 17% after a teaser from Apple CEO Tim Cook hinted at major product launches next week. With Apple contributing nearly one-third of Redingtons revenue, investor enthusiasm spiked ahead of expected updates to iPhone, iPad and Mac lineups, reinforcing optimism around the distributors growth prospects.

Binance now operates under Abu Dhabi Global Market supervision. This marks a significant move from unregulated trading to institutional compliance. The crypto exchange has restructured its operations to meet stringent global standards. This development is expected to attract more institutional capital. The move signals a new era for digital assets, prioritizing safety and verification.

New rules simplify international travel to India. Duty-free jewellery limits are now weight-based: 40 grams for women and 20 grams for others. Updated gold and silver import regulations allow up to 1kg of gold and 10kg of silver for eligible passengers after a six-month stay abroad.

TRUST Mutual Fund has launched the TRUSTMF Mid Cap Fund, an open-ended equity scheme targeting mid-cap companies. The NFO is open until March 13. The fund focuses on growth at reasonable valuations and aims to deliver long-term capital appreciation through disciplined stock selection and research-driven investment strategies.

Sebi has overhauled mutual fund categorisation and rationalisation norms, discontinuing solution-oriented funds and introducing life cycle funds. The regulator has tightened portfolio overlap rules, enhanced disclosure requirements, and set new investment and structural conditions across equity, debt and FoF categories to improve transparency and product differentiation.

SEBI is set to change how mutual funds value gold and silver from April 1, 2026. Funds will use Indian stock exchange prices instead of LBMA. This allows more gold and silver in equity and hybrid schemes. Lifecycle funds can allocate 10% to gold and silver.

An NRI working in Dubai since 1993 successfully challenged a tax notice for unexplained property investment in India. The ITAT Ahmedabad ruled that funds remitted through proper banking channels from his Dubai earnings, even for property purchase, cannot be deemed unexplained. This decision offers significant relief to NRIs facing similar tax scrutiny.

SEBI has replaced solution-oriented funds with new life cycle funds, featuring a dynamic glide-path strategy across asset classes. Existing investors will see their funds merged into comparable schemes, with potential impacts on returns and taxation. Life cycle funds suit long-term, goal-based investors seeking automatic asset allocation.

March 2026 bank holidays: March will see numerous bank holidays across India due to major festivals like Holi, Eid-Ul-Fitr, and Shree Ram Navami. Bank closures will vary by state, with specific holidays observed for events such as Holika Dahan, Chapchar Kut, and Gudhi Padwa.

SBI Card is implementing significant changes to its reward points redemption policy, effective April 1, 2026. A monthly cap of 60,000 reward points for statement credit will be introduced for most cards, with redemptions now requiring multiples of 4,000 points. Additionally, forfeiture timelines for promotional offer reward points are being updated from January 2026.

Choosing between family floater and individual health insurance plans involves weighing shared coverage against dedicated protection. While floaters offer cost savings for young, healthy families, individual plans provide more robust coverage for members with pre-existing conditions or seniors, ensuring adequate protection for all.

Indian investors face evolving tax rules for popular products like ULIPs, EPF, and mutual funds. Understanding these changes is crucial for long-term financial planning. The government aims to tax investment returns more consistently, impacting how your money grows and is withdrawn.

The Supreme Court ruled that property buyers aware of an arbitral award for the seller's unpaid dues cannot block its attachment. Even with a sale deed, if a buyer knows about pending recovery proceedings, the property remains liable. This decision upholds the principle that judgment debtors cannot evade debts by transferring assets after an award is passed.

Indians working abroad can claim Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) by filing Form 67. Draft rules propose renumbering it to Form 44, requiring CA certificates for companies and individuals with foreign tax payments over Rs 1 lakh. These changes aim to enhance scrutiny and ensure bona fide claims, potentially increasing compliance costs.

Gold and silver ETFs saw gains on Friday. Tata Silver ETF jumped nearly 4%. Other silver ETFs rose 3%. Gold ETFs saw smaller increases. Investors are watching geopolitical tensions and economic risks. Experts suggest buying on dips for long-term gains. MCX gold futures and silver futures also showed increases.

According to the Sebi mandate, short duration funds can invest in debt instruments which have maturity between one and three years. That means these schemes are meant for short-term investments of up to three years or more. They are somewhat in the middle when it comes to interest rate risk. They are riskier than liquid, ultra short term, and low duration funds. However, they have a lower risk compared to medium duration and long-term funds.

Silver ETFs have seen a sharp decline while gold ETFs have delivered positive returns. Experts attribute silver's fall to volatility and profit booking, and gold's rise to its safe-haven status amid global uncertainty. Investors are advised to review their asset allocation for both precious metals. Long-term outlook for both remains positive due to geopolitical tensions and industrial demand for silver.

New labour laws offer clarity on employee rights. Disagreeing with a manager does not automatically mean termination or reduced increments. Employers must follow established service rules and due process. Complaints against managers are handled through grievance procedures. These regulations aim to protect employees from unfair practices and ensure a balanced workplace.

Mutual funds in India will now use domestic stock exchange spot prices for valuing physical gold and silver held by exchange-traded funds, a change effective April 1, 2026. This move by Sebi aims to align valuations with local market conditions and ensure consistent practices, replacing the current reliance on London Bullion Market Association prices.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has revamped mutual fund scheme classifications, mandating uniform naming conventions and eliminating the solution-oriented category. New rules also cap portfolio overlaps for thematic equity funds, potentially leading to consolidation and impacting arbitrage fund returns. These changes aim for investor clarity and scheme uniformity.

Investor interest in multi-asset allocation funds (MAAFs) is surging, with assets under management climbing 72% to 1.75 lakh crore. These schemes offer dynamic asset shifting and volatility cushioning, making them a core holding for many. Driven by strong returns from gold and silver, MAAFs delivered 23% over the past year, outperforming the Nifty 50.

Sebi has revamped mutual fund norms, allowing equity and hybrid schemes to increase exposure to gold and silver while tightening classification rules. The overhaul limits portfolio overlaps, introduces life-cycle funds, discontinues solution-oriented schemes and aims to boost transparency in Indias expanding fund industry.

Air ticket refund rules: Aviation watchdog DGCA has revised ticket refund norms, effective March 26, 2026. Passengers can now cancel or change tickets within 48 hours of booking without extra charges, subject to conditions.

HDFC Bank has significantly increased the annual spending requirement for its premium Infinia credit card fee waiver, raising it from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 18 lakh. Alternatively, customers can maintain a Relationship Value of Rs 50 lakh to retain their card's exclusive benefits. These revised norms aim to make it more challenging for customers to keep their premium privileges.