Current Affairs - Finance

Public Sector Banks (PSBs) in India saw a significant 33% increase in their dividend payout for the financial year 2023-24, which rose to Rs 27,830 crore from Rs 20,964 crore in the previous year. This surge reflects the remarkable financial growth of PSBs, who collectively posted their highest-ever net profit of Rs 1.41 lakh crore. The increase in dividend payouts demonstrates not only improved profitability but also a positive trend in the financial stability of PSBs, allowing them to return greater value to their shareholders, including the Indian government.

SBI Mutual Fund launched two new investment schemes focused on India's public sector banking sector: the SBI BSE PSU Bank Index Fund and the SBI BSE PSU Bank ETF. These schemes are designed to track the BSE PSU Bank Index, offering investors a way to invest systematically in the public sector banking space. Both funds aim to provide diversified exposure to the leading PSU banks, with 95% of assets allocated to securities in the index, while the remaining 5% is managed for liquidity purposes.

SEBI reduced the minimum investment for Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) instruments on the Social Stock Exchange (SSE) from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1,000. This change aims to make social impact investing more accessible to a broader audience, allowing more people to contribute to non-profit organizations listed on the SSE. ZCZP instruments enable donations to these organizations while promoting social initiatives. This initiative helps encourage greater participation in funding social causes, making it easier for individuals to engage in impactful investments.

Paisabazaar launched PBMoney, a platform designed to help users improve their financial wellness by offering a unified view of their financial accounts. It combines data from bank accounts, mutual funds, stocks, and more into a single dashboard. The platform also provides personalized investment advisory services powered by advanced algorithms, helping users make better financial decisions. Built on the Account Aggregator framework, PBMoney will eventually integrate insurance and GST data for a more comprehensive financial overview.

SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) is the regulatory body currently considering revamping short-selling norms. The proposed changes aim to expand access to short-selling, remove disclosure requirements, and address settlement challenges. SEBI's role is to regulate the securities market, and its involvement in these proposed adjustments reflects its responsibility for overseeing market activities and ensuring smooth functioning.