Sensex above 56K mark, HDFC Bank gains 1.8 pc

The deepening conflict in West Asia has placed the Indian economy and the broader Asian region in the "eye of the storm," as supply chain disruptions and surging energy costs threaten to trigger a significant negative growth shock.

New Delhi [India], March 12: There is something quietly powerful about a window... It neither confines nor escapes. It simply allows us to look, to pause, to breathe between inner and outer worlds. In The Painted Window, multi-award-winning contemporary artist Nandita Desai turns this everyday architectural element into the soul of her fifth solo exhibition, transforming vintage and handcrafted windows into luminous works of art. Running from 16th to 21st March 2026 at the Kamalnayan Bajaj Art Gallery, Nariman Point, Mumbai, the exhibition brings together 50 artworks - windows that look outward at the world, and inward at memory and quiet reflection.

Pune (Maharashtra) [India], March 12: Car insurance renewal is often seen as a routine administrative task, but it is much more than that. It presents an excellent opportunity to review your existing policy, assess whether your coverage still matches your needs, and take steps to optimise your premium. By understanding the key factors that influence car insurance costs, such as vehicle value, driving history, add-ons, and usage patterns, you can make informed adjustments that reduce expenses without compromising protection. Thoughtful planning and small, strategic choices at renewal can help you save money, maintain comprehensive coverage, and enjoy greater peace of mind on the road.

Indian stock markets settled in the red on Thursday as escalating tensions in West Asia and again a sharp rise in crude oil prices weighed on investor sentiment.

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.

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 12: As artificial intelligence and advanced analytics reshape credit decisioning across India's lending ecosystem, financial institutions are now increasingly combining advanced analytics with organisational capability to deliver faster credit access and scalable growth.

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.

Dubai [UAE], March 12: Wizz Financial, the global fintech company specializing in cross-border payments and digital wallets, today announced the completion of its first stablecoin-powered cross-border remittance and treasury transaction originating from the United States, with capabilities into 80 countries, in partnership with BitGo Bank & Trust, N.A. ("BitGo"), an OCC-regulated digital asset trust bank and subsidiary of BitGo Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BTGO). Through the partnership, Wizz Financial is utilizing BitGo's institutional-grade wallet infrastructure and e-trade services to facilitate the conversion of fiat currency into stablecoins, enabling near-real-time settlement, enhanced liquidity management, and compliant, scalable cross-border remittance flows across its global network as new corridors are progressively launched.

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], March 12: Swiggy, India's pioneering on-demand convenience platform, and HDFC Bank, India's largest private sector bank, today announced the expansion of their co-branded credit card portfolio with the launch of two new variants: the Swiggy BLCK HDFC Bank Credit Card and the Swiggy Ornge HDFC Bank Credit Card. The Swiggy BLCK and Ornge HDFC Bank Credit Cards are designed to maximize value across food, quick commerce, lifestyle, and travel. Card members will enjoy enhanced, category-leading cashback on Swiggy and premium partner platforms, alongside exclusive instant discounts on Cleartrip and Nykaa. The expanded portfolio offers up to ₹48,000 in annual savings, bringing elevated, everyday benefits to a wider segment of consumers.

New Delhi [India], March 12: As summer approaches, choosing the right air conditioner becomes one of the more important home decisions of the year. For modern homes -- where energy efficiency, air quality, and smart connectivity matter as much as cooling performance -- Samsung ACs are built to tick all three boxes. Whether it is a studio apartment or a large living room, Samsung's 2026 lineup is designed to match the way modern households actually live and cool.