Cost of funds seems to have increased by 30-40 basis points in wake of scare, says IIFL Group chairman The IL&FS debacle has raised the cost of funds for non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) by 30-40 basis points, says Nirmal Jain , founder and chairman, IIFL Group, which derives almost 60% …

Annual numbers throw up questions on financial management, complex group structure and debatable accounting policies The new Board of Directors of Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Ltd. (IL&FS) has ordered a fresh audit of its books and it is just as well that it has done so. A quick run …

The company is miles ahead in compliance, not only in ALM but also on capital and liquidity coverage ratio, says the vice chairman of Indiabulls Housing Finance Gagan Banga , vice chairman and managing director of Indiabulls Housing Finance, says the recent move by banks to increase loan purchases from …

Present tariffs not sustainable for sector’s long-term health, says Director General The telecom sector is likely to experience three more quarters of losses, hurt by high levies and “unsustainable tariffs,” Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) director general Rajan Mathews said. “Under the current scenario, I see at least another …

Will take appropriate measures if strongman does not leave office quietly: U.S. Maldives’ judges on Sunday heard a petition by strongman President Abdulla Yameen to have his recent election defeat annulled, potentially triggering U.S. sanctions and plunging the Indian Ocean archipelago into fresh turmoil. Mr. Yameen lost heavily in the …

Beijing’s central bank head calls for ‘constructive solutions’ to end trade spat U.S President Donald Trump said on Sunday that China, under pressure due to Washington’s policies, wanted to have a trade deal with him, but he told them a week ago that they were not ready yet. “I told …

Rejects threats of economic sanctions over Khashoggi case even as Riyadh stocks take a plunge Saudi Arabia warned on Sunday that it would retaliate against any sanctions imposed on it over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as the Riyadh stock market plunged on growing investor jitters. From tech tycoons …

Incentives for honest taxpayers on the anvil The government is working on a proposal to help honest and consistent taxpayers enjoy public services and get tax-related work done on priority, officials said on Sunday. A committee under the Central Board of Direct Taxes is working on the proposal. It is …

Centre to develop ‘model shelters’ for homeless The Centre will develop “model shelters” for urban homeless in States, equipped with facilities such as playground, television and common kitchen, an official said. According to the Housing Ministry, two model shelters will be developed in each State under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana …

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited has launched AskDisha, a chatbot powered by artificial intelligence, to troubleshoot customers’ travel-related queries. AskDisha will support several regional languages and will be voice-enabled. Source : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/a-chatbot-for-customer-support/article25222779.ece