How Do Banks Make Money on Credit Cards?

You do not pay any interest during the interest-free period on the credit card. But the bank cannot afford to lend you money for free. The bank must be compensated — two major ways and a few minor ways. High Interest on Unpaid Amount First, when you do not pay your bill on time, the… Continue Reading

New RBI Guidelines on Digital Loans: Know Your Rights

RBI has come out with additional guidelines on digital lending. This is much needed. All of us have read news of unsuspecting borrowers being threatened for loan repayment. All kinds of methods were used to embarrass and harass borrowers. A few borrowers even ended their lives in the face of this continuous intimidation. Access to… Continue Reading

Ask Your Bank for a Lower Interest Rate Today!

The interest rates have been going down for over a year now. I have written many times about how banks and housing finance companies are reluctant to pass on the lower rates or move you to a more transparent interest rate regime (Base Rate to MCLR or MCLR to Repo Rate Linked loans). Even if… Continue Reading

What If Your Lender Fails?

Recently, RBI imposed a moratorium on withdrawals from a leading private bank. The depositors and the investors with the bank were understandably worried. The stock price tanked the following morning. We have been focusing on how the various depositors will be affected. As I understand from the bank’s restructuring plan, the depositors are completely safe… Continue Reading