Weekly News Snippet - Edition 72

Key highlights:??

MSME:??

1. MSMEs upbeat about business growth, plan to increase workforce: Survey.?
2. Budget 2025: FM boosts MSMEs and focus on manufacturing.? ?

Banking:??

1. Indian Bank to add 300 branches and strengthen leadership development.?
2. Indian Overseas Bank shores up management amid branch expansion.?
3. PSBs clock record ?1.29 lakh crore profit in April-December FY25.??

Finance:??

1. NSDL and NSE under the support of SEBI organized the Mega RISA investor awareness program in Guwahati. ? ? ?

I. MSME:?

MSME Sales Growth:?MSMEs reported sales growth in the October-December quarter of Financial Year 2024-25. Almost 45% of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises believe the fourth quarter could see robust sales growth, according to the first-ever MSME Outlook Survey conducted by Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). At least 30-40% of MSMEs plan to increase their workforce in the next quarter. 1? ?

MSME Boost:?In Union Budget 2025, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister of India, announced significant reforms aimed at empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), alongside a strong focus on enhancing manufacturing, including new initiatives for startups and women entrepreneurs. 2? ?

II. Banking:?

Indian Bank Expansion:?Indian Bank plans to expand its branch network by adding 300 new branches over the next three years, ensuring a presence in every district headquarters. Additionally, the bank is launching a leadership development programme for about 400 employees to strengthen its leadership pipeline & enhance competitiveness.” 3? ?

IOB Restructuring Expansion:?Indian Overseas Bank is undergoing administrative restructuring to enhance management control and support branch expansion. The bank plans to add four new regional offices next fiscal and has already added three this year. With 90 branches added recently and 100 more planned by 2025-26, the bank aims to improve performance and reduce non-performing assets. 4? ?

PSBs' Record Profit:?Public Sector Banks (PSBs) have achieved their highest-ever net profit of ?1.29 lakh crore in the first nine months (April-December) of FY 2024-25, marking a robust 31.3 per cent year-on-year growth. This strong financial performance is underpinned by improved asset quality, healthy credit growth, and adequate capital buffers. 5

III. Finance:?

Investor Awareness Program:?NSDL and NSE under the support of SEBI organized the “Mega RISA investor awareness program” in Guwahati, focusing on stock market education and financial security. The event saw participation from 500+ investors and students from Assam and the Northeast, addressing concerns about fraudulent investment schemes and misleading online platforms. 6??

Bibliography:?

1. https://www.business-standard.com/finance/news/msmes-upbeat-about-business-growth-plan-to-increase-workforce-survey-125020700536_1.html?
2. https://cfo.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/policy/budget-2025-fm-boosts-msmes-rs-10000-crore-startup-fund-and-focus-on-manufacturing/117831909?
3. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/money-and-banking/indian-bank-to-add-300-branches-strengthen-leadership-development-boost-casa-growth/article69180011.ece?
4. https://bfsi.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/banking/indian-overseas-bank-shores-up-management-amid-branch-expansion/117966627?utm_source=category_listing&utm_medium=sectionListing?
5. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/money-and-banking/psbs-clock-record-129-lakh-crore-profit-in-april-december-fy25-finmin/article69189060.ece?
6. https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/video/nse-and-nsdl-under-the-aegis-of-sebi-lead-investor-protection-drive-in-guwahati-to-tackle-investment-frauds-in-northeast-1166555-2025-02-05?

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