LazyPlus combines the best of Buy-Now-Pay-Later with UPI functionality to support India's evolving credit needs

Kuala Lumpur [Malaysia], March 12: As a strategic move to refresh and strengthen its core vision, Hong Leong Islamic Bank ("HLB Islamic" or the "Bank") is transitioning to a refreshed consumer-facing brand identity, now known as HLB Islamic, and a strengthened core proposition that approaches financial services not as a series of siloed products and transactions, but as total wealth stewardship through a Shariah-principle-guided life-cycle approach known as Hayat @ HLB Islamic. This evolution is rooted in the Bank's new philosophy, 'Timeless Principles Guiding Tomorrow's Wealth', introduced during its 20th anniversary last December to signal a new chapter in wealth stewardship.

India's non-bank financial companies (NBFCs) are expected to expand faster than traditional banks over the coming decade as lenders adopt artificial intelligence and expand into new loan segments, according to a research report by Nomura.

New Delhi [India], March 11: In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, a new generation of entrepreneurs is emerging with ideas that go beyond profit to create meaningful impact. These dynamic leaders are not only building successful enterprises but are also redefining industries through innovation, resilience, and purpose-driven strategies. From embracing technology to addressing real-world challenges, they are shaping businesses that contribute to economic growth while delivering value to society.

Alternative investment funds (AIFs) have transitioned from the margins of the financial system to become an important pillar of India's capital markets, connecting capital with sectors that require it most. Addressing the IVCA Conclave 2026 in Mumbai on Wednesday, Sebi Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey stated that the current geopolitical situation serves as a reminder that capital must do more than chase returns. "It must also build resilience," he noted, adding that for India, this creates a larger role for the AIF industry to finance sectors like renewables, logistics, and strategic manufacturing.

New Delhi [India], March 10: Axis Max Life Insurance Limited, formerly known as Max Life Insurance Company Limited ("Axis Max Life"/ "Company") has entered into a strategic Corporate Agent partnership with Saarathi Finance and Credit Private Limited ("Saarathi Finance"), a next-generation greenfield non-banking financial company (NBFC) focused on bridging the credit gap for India's Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Pune (Maharashtra) [India], March 10: Bajaj Finance, one of India's most trusted non-banking financial companies, is making it easier than ever for individuals to access funds through its range of personal loan offerings. Tailored for both salaried and self-employed borrowers, these loans combine favourable interest rates with adaptable repayment structures, ensuring that financial goals remain within reach regardless of the circumstances.

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], March 10: CreditAccess Grameen Limited (NSE: CREDITACC, BSE: 541770, 'CA Grameen', or the 'Company'), the country's largest Non-Banking Financial Company-Micro Finance Institution (NBFC-MFI), has signed a syndicated social loan facility of USD 75 million, qualifying as an ECB under the automatic route of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). HSBC acted as the Sole Mandated Lead Arranger and Bookrunner for the social loan fund raise, securing participations from HSBC (Gift City), Doha Bank (Qatar), State Bank (Mauritius) Ltd., Bank of China Ltd. (China), and National Development Bank Plc (Sri Lanka). This transaction reinforces CA Grameen's strong track record of raising international funds through innovative financing solutions.

Jameshedpur (Jharkhand) [India], March 10: XLRI - Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur, has opened admissions for the 2026-28 batch of its Blended PGDM programs in Business Management, Human Resource Management, and Finance. The programs are designed for working professionals who seek rigorous management education without interrupting their careers.

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 10: PayU, one of India's leading digital payments and financial services providers, and GoKwik, the category leader in checkout optimization and conversion for direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands, today announced a strategic partnership to launch India's first Integrated Conversion-to-Completion stack. The collaboration is designed to directly address the 'silent revenue killer' faced by D2C brands: the significant leakage caused by checkout drop-offs, payment failures, and conversion inefficiencies in the final moments of purchase.

The Income Tax Department carried out a nationwide verification exercise on restaurants regarding turnovers, revealing a suppression of sales amounting to approximately Rs 408 crore. According to a Ministry of Finance press statement, the investigation targeted tax evasion patterns within the Food & Beverage (F&B) sector following preliminary data analysis initiated in November 2025.