Source: ET Context: With bank deposits and small-savings schemes offering modest returns, risk-averse investors are increasingly turning to RBI Floating Rate Bonds, a government-backed debt instrument with a seven-year lock-in period. These bonds are gaining traction among individuals seeking safer and higher-yielding alternatives. What are Floating Rate Bonds? Floating Rate Bonds (FRBs) are debt securities issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) or other entities in which the interest rate is not fixed, but periodically reset based on a benchmark rate.Unlike fixed-rate bonds, FRBs protect investors from interest rate risk by adjusting the coupon payments according to market conditions. Key Features Feature Description Issuer RBI (on behalf of Government of India) or financial institutions. Interest Rate Linked to a benchmark such as Treasury Bill yield or Government Security (G-Sec) rate. The rate is reset at predetermined intervals (e.g., every 6 months). Tenure Usually medium to long-term, often ranging from 5 to 10 years. Face Value ₹1,000 per bond (typical for retail investors), but can vary. Coupon Payment Periodic interest payment (e.g., semi-annual) that fluctuates with benchmark rate movements. Marketability Listed on stock exchanges for trading; investors can buy and sell before maturity. Types of Floating Rate Bonds by RBI Advantages Disadvantages

Source: Mint Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has initiated a comprehensive review of the Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR), aiming to simplify and streamline corporate compliance norms for listed companies. What is LODR? The Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR) are a set of regulations framed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) under the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.They govern all companies whose securities are listed on stock exchanges in India and aim to ensure transparency, accountability, and investor protection. Objectives Key Provisions LODR regulations cover various aspects of listing compliance, broadly classified as: A. Continuous Disclosure Requirements B. Corporate Governance Requirements C. Other Compliance Obligations Penalties for Non-Compliance

Source: ET Context: Uday Kotak highlights the urgent need for Indian banks to adapt amid rising financialization, shifting household savings behavior, and increasing competition from non-banking financial services and digital investment platforms. Key Highlights: Key Terms: Darwinian Adaptation Lazy Banking

Source: TH Context: PayU, a leading diversified fintech platform, has received integrated authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a payment aggregator. The approval allows PayU to facilitate payments across online, offline (physical), and cross-border transactions, covering both inward and outward flows. Payment Aggregator A Payment Aggregator collects funds on behalf of a merchant from customers through online or offline digital payment methods (cards, UPI, wallets, net banking, etc.) and then transfers the money to the merchant after deducting applicable fees. Key Functions RBI’s “Guidelines on Regulation of Payment Aggregators and Payment Gateways” (July 2021): S. No. Requirement Details 1 Incorporation Must be a company incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 2013. Foreign entities cannot operate directly as a PA. 2 Net Worth Minimum initial net worth: ₹15 crore for new PAs. RBI may require net worth to increase as operations scale, ensuring financial stability. 3 Regulatory Approvals Must obtain authorisation from RBI before commencing operations. Only authorised PAs can handle customer payment instruments and collect funds on behalf of merchants. 4 Fit & Proper Criteria Promoters, directors, and key management personnel must meet RBI’s fit and proper requirements: integrity, reputation, competence, no prior convictions/defaults, adequate experience in financial services/technology. 5 Governance & Risk Management Must have Board-approved policies for operational risk, fraud management, IT security, cyber risk, data protection, and customer grievance redressal mechanism. 6 Segregation of Funds Customer funds cannot be used for PA’s own business. Funds collected on behalf of merchants must be in a separate “trust account” and remitted as per RBI timelines. 7 Operational Requirements Compliance with RBI’s KYC, AML/CFT norms; maintenance of transaction records; conduct risk assessments; ensure secure transaction processing. 8 Capital & Insurance Maintain sufficient capital buffers; may require insurance coverage for operational or cyber risks. 9 Technology & Security Standards Implement end-to-end encryption, tokenisation, PCI DSS standards for card payments; regular system audits and penetration testing.