Banking - General Knowledge Questions

A)
World Bank
B)
Asian Development Bank
C)
Reserve Bank of India
D)
Qatar Development Bank

Correct Answer :   Reserve Bank of India

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Central Bank of the UAE sign MoU to promote innovation in financial products and services The Reserve Bank of India and the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday (15th March 2023) to promote innovation in financial products and services.
 
* As per the MoU, both central banks will work together to explore Central Bank Digital Currencies and investigate interoperability between the CBDCs of CBUAE and RBI.

* They will conduct proof-of-concept and pilot tests of the bilateral CBDC bridge to facilitate cross-border transactions of remittances and trade. This collaboration is expected to increase efficiency and reduce costs in cross-border transactions, furthering the economic ties between India and UAE.
 
* The MoU also includes technical collaboration and knowledge sharing on matters related to Fintech and financial products and services. This collaboration will help both central banks enhance their capabilities and contribute to the development of a robust financial ecosystem.

* The collaboration between RBI and CBUAE is a significant step towards promoting innovation and collaboration in the field of FinTech. The joint exploration of CBDCs and cross-border testing is expected to pave the way for increased efficiency and cost reduction in cross-border transactions, benefiting both India and UAE...

Source : AIR

A)
HDFC Bank
B)
IDFC First Bank
C)
Yes Bank
D)
Union Bank of India

Correct Answer :   IDFC First Bank

IDFC First Bank has tied up with Mumbai Indians as the official banking partner for three years.

IDFC First Bank is India's first universal bank which has introduced services like monthly interest credit on the savings accounts, zero charges on all savings account services and a lifetime free credit card.

The IPL opening ceremony will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Significantly, IPL is starting on 31st March 2023, in the first match, Gujarat Titans will face four-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings.

A)
Mashreq Bank
B)
Dukhan Bank
C)
Qatar Development Bank
D)
Commercial Bank

Correct Answer :   Commercial Bank

Commercial Bank, a digital Bank in Qatar, announced the launch of UPI remittance service to India, becoming the first bank in Qatar to offer this service. Customers can use Commercial Banking digital platforms to initiate UPI payments using UPI-ID.

* The transactions can be completed within 60 seconds and are available 24/7.

* Expressing happiness at the launch, Joseph Abraham, Group Chief Executive Officer, Commercial Bank, said, this represents a significant step forward in our efforts to enhance the customer experience and provide more convenient, secure, and accessible financial services to our clients.

* UPI is an innovative payment system that aligns with our commitment to offer seamless banking services to our customers and we are confident that these services will support us to meet the evolving needs of our customers in today's fast-paced digital world, he added.

* UPI (Unified Payment Interface) is a fast and convenient payment system that allows customers to transfer money between bank accounts in real-time using UPI-ID.

* UPI-ID is a unique identifier that does not require bank account details or IFSC codes to create a beneficiary. Customers can use Commercial Banking digital platforms to make UPI payments using UPI-ID.

* UPI-ID for the beneficiary can be easily created by visiting respective Indian Bank Digital Platforms and by following the steps required...

Source : AIR

A)
Suryoday Small Finance Bank
B)
Jana Small Finance Bank
C)
Equitas Small Finance Bank
D)
ESAF Small Finance Bank

Correct Answer :   Suryoday Small Finance Bank

Suryoday Small Finance Bank on Monday (13th Mar 2023) launched a new savings account for women. Suryoday's Blossom Women’s Savings Account is built on a strong proposition of giving women a complete, simplified, and rewarding banking experience.

Under this new account, women can earn up to 7% interest rate per annum with monthly interest credit coupled with a specially designed RuPay Platinum Debit Card which offers discounts on shopping and online purchases and many more.

R Baskar Babu, MD, and CEO, of Suryoday Small Finance Bank said, “We are committed to providing best-in-class customer experience and solutions to our customers. We believe that Blossom Women’s Savings Account will help women to confidently save, invest and move towards achieving their financial goals."

Further, the new women's savings account can be operated through the Bank’s 571 banking outlets and digital banking platform.

Some of the key benefits of the Blossom Women’s Savings Account are :

* An exclusive and free Rupay Platinum Debit Card that rewards women customers with discounts and cashbacks.

* Monthly Interest Pay-out in the account

* 1 complementary account for child(Savings Aditya Account)

* Concession processing fees on 2-wheeler loans (*select cities only)

* Door-step banking as per availability

* Insurance as per the Debit card variant.

* Average Monthly Balance (AMB) of ₹10,000.

Source : Mint

A)
Bank of India
B)
IDBI Bank
C)
Indian Overseas Bank
D)
Punjab National Bank

Correct Answer :   Punjab National Bank

Punjab National Bank, nation’s public sector bank and Central Warehousing Corporation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate financing under e-NWR (Electronic Negotiable Warehousing Receipt).

The partnership is aimed at providing easy access to finance to farmers/ food processors/ traders against the pledge of agriculture commodities stored in CWC warehouses.

General Manager, Kanwal Jit Shorey signed the agreement on behalf of Punjab National Bank and Shri Rajiv Kumar Bansal, Group General Manager (Comm.) on behalf of CWC in the presence of K.S. Rana, DGM & Shri Neeraj  Jakhmola, CM of PNB and Shri R.R. Aggarwal (GGM- Finance, CWC), Shri Amit Puri (GM Finance, CWC) & Shri Ashwin (AGM, CWC).

Agriculture is an important sector of the country’s economy and government has been focusing on increasing the income of the farmers who drive this segment. One of the main constraints in increasing farm income has been distress sale by the farmers. With a view to curbing the same, the bank has entered this new MoU, PNB said in a statement..

Source : CNBC

A)
AU Small Finance Bank
B)
Jana Small Finance Bank
C)
Ujjivan Small Finance Bank
D)
Equitas Small Finance Bank

Correct Answer :   Ujjivan Small Finance Bank

Ujjivan Small Finance Bank is pleased to announce the launch of the ‘Unpause Initiative’, a programme designed to assist women who have taken a career break for any reason and are now ready to return to the workforce.

The initiative is part of our commitment to promoting workplace diversity and inclusion. The bank’s employees participated in a 3-kilometer walk from its registered headquarters in Koramangala, Bengaluru to support an initiative aimed at empowering women and providing them with the tools they need to move forward to the next phase of their lives.

As part of the ‘Unpause Initiative,’ Ujjivan SFB has also announced a special Hiring Drive and Employee referral programme for women who are resuming their careers.

The hiring programme will be implemented across the bank, and women from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Carol Furtado, Chief Business Officer of Ujjivan SFB, stated regarding the initiative, We believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to building a strong and sustainable organisation.

We acknowledge that women who have taken a career break often face various obstacles when re-entering the workforce. This initiative aims to provide women with the resources and support they need to succeed, to enable them to enrich themselves and contribute to the community at large...

Source : The Print

A)
Axis Bank
B)
Yes Bank
C)
Canara Bank
D)
State Bank of India

Correct Answer :   Yes Bank

Yes Bank said it has partnered with Aadhar Housing Finance Ltd to offer home loans at competitive interest rates to customers from lower and middle-income groups.

* With this partnership, both entities aim to provide, convenient home finance solutions such as home loan for salaried employees, loan for plot purchase and construction, home improvement loan, loan against residential commercial property, balance transfer and top up, among others, to customers from lower and middle-income groups.

* Home loan penetration in India is relatively lower as compared to the most developed economies of the world. This offers an opportunity for lenders to bridge this gap with their product offerings.

* We are happy to partner with Aadhar Housing Finance, to bring forth a slew of affordable home finance solutions that will largely benefit individuals from lower-and middle-income groups by helping them fulfill their dream of building their own home.

* Given our vast network of banking relationships, we aim to cater to the financial requirements of customers across a wide socio-economic spectrum, in line with the Government’s vision of encouraging inclusive growth within the country," Lavesh Sardana, country head - retail assets, Yes Bank said.

* This partnership is in accordance with the co-lending framework of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that enables banks and non-banking companies to jointly bring forth financial solutions that cater to the requirements of the unserved and underserved sections of the society.

*Yes BANK’s wide reach and trust in the market, coupled by our own network and digital, state-of-the-art IT infrastructure, improved control, underwriting functions, and increasing customer reach and distribution capability, will help provide efficient and economical home loan solutions to a wide gamut of customers across geographies, socio-economic groups and yield spectrum, to enable optimum growth," Rishi Anand, CEO and MD, Aadhar Housing Finance...

Source : Mint

A)
Bank of Baroda
B)
IDBI Bank
C)
Bank of India
D)
Union Bank of India

Correct Answer :   Bank of Baroda

The Bank of Baroda board has approved up to 49 per cent divestment in subsidiary BoB Financial Solutions, the company said in a regulatory filing on Thursday (9th March 2023).

"We advise that the Board of Directors of Bank of Baroda (BOB) have approved for divestment up to 49 per cent of Bank's shareholding in its 100 per cent owned subsidiary i.e. BOB Financial Solutions Ltd. (BFSL), and issuance of an advertisement inviting Expressions of Interest, from Suitable Investors/Strategic Partners to acquire shareholding of BOB in BFSL," the filing said.

BOB currently holds 100 per cent of the total equity share capital of BFSL.

"The details about the process of transaction and other relevant details will be published on March 10, 2023 for inviting EOI from the Suitable Investors/Strategic Partners," the filing Added...

Source : Economic Times

A)
ICICI Bank
B)
HDFC Bank
C)
Axis Bank
D)
Kotak Mahindra Bank

Correct Answer :   Axis Bank

The third largest private sector lender in India, Axis Bank on Thursday (9th March 2023) joined hands with FMCG giant ITC to offer lending products and services to farmers who are a part of ITC's agriculture eco-system.

The partnership is expected to enable Axis Bank in reaching out to the unserved and under-served farmers based across rural regions.

Axis Bank will offer a host of credit facilities for rural lending products like Farmer Funding loans & Gold Loans with easy access.

Under the tie-up, the bank will leverage ITCMAARS (Meta Market for Advanced Agricultural Rural Services), a full-stack Agri-tech application for reaching out to the farmers and addressing their financial requirements.

Axis Bank will offer an extensive range of products and services to the farmers through its rural-urban and semi-urban (RUSU) branches located across 656 districts of India.

On this development, Munish Sharda - Group Executive & Head - Bharat Banking, Axis Bank said, "This partnership is in alignment with our Bank’s Bharat Banking mission of extending our reach in the remote regions and providing them with seamless customer experience. With the help of ITCMAARS strong and enduring relationship with over millions of farmers, we believe that we can make a significant contribution in uplifting financial situation of the community thereby unlocking the true potential of Bharat...’’

While Rajnikant Rai, Divisional Chief Executive, Agri Business Division, ITC Ltd said, “ITC has over the years spearheaded multi-dimensional interventions to transform the lives of farmers, powered by the ITC e-Choupal eco-system that connects with over 4 million farmers.

Taking a step forward, to bring the power of digital revolution to farmers, we have now implemented ITCMAARS a phygital eco-system that provides a range of solutions through Hyperlocal and personalised advisory, Agri- Inputs, Financial services, and Market linkages."..

Source : Mint

A)
RBI
B)
LIC
C)
IRDA
D)
SEBI

Correct Answer :   SEBI

Capital markets regulator SEBI on Wednesday (8th Mar 2023) imposed restrictions on the placement of bids, price and volume for the companies undertaking share buyback through the stock exchange route.

* Under the restrictions, a company will not be able to purchase more than 25 per cent of the average daily trading volume (in value) of its shares in the 10 trading days preceding the day in which such purchases are made, Sebi said in a circular.

* Among others, the company will not place bids in the pre-open market, first 30 minutes and the last 30 minutes of the regular trading session and the firm's purchase order price should be within the range of 1 per cent on either side from the last traded price.

* Sebi asked companies as well as appointed brokers to ensure compliance with the provisions. The stock exchange will monitor their compliance and in case of any instance of such non-compliance will impose appropriate fines or other enforcement actions as deem fit.

* Currently, for share buyback, companies have both the options of stock exchange and tender offer...

Source : Business Standard