Hello and welcome to exampundit. Here are the Important Current Affairs based on Banking, Finance, Insurance, Appointments, Sports and other news for 12th May, 2016. These are important for the upcoming UIIC AO 2016, SBI PO Mains 2016 and SBI Clerk Mains 2016.
Current Affairs at a Glance – 12th May, 2016
Kotak Mahindra Bank recently toppled ICICI Bank to emerge as India's 2nd most valued private bankreported a 32% rise in its net profit for the quarter ended March 2016.
Mobile payment and commerce platform Paytm, which has been registering strong growth in online purchase on automobiles, is looking at launching vehicle financing and insurance shortly.
The Reserve Bank of India has imposed a monetary penalty of ₹ 2 lakh on Jalgaon District Co-operative Bank Ltd.
ICICI Bank on Thursday launched the country’s first contactless business credit card in association with Jet Airways for small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their employees. Christened ‘Jet Airways ICICI Bank Business Advantage Card’.
The World Economic Situation and Prospect report by United Nations, in its mid-2016 update, has said India is expected to achieve a 7.5 per cent GDP growth in 2017 and the economic prospects of the South Asian region will be “contingent” on the growth trajectory of India and Iran.
Swiss Relaunched a corporate accelerator, 'InsurTech', to help startups develop business solutions for the insurance sector in India.
India and five other nations, including China and Israel, signed a pact Thursday for automatic exchange of information on tax issues and develop new tools and standards for tackling tax base erosion and evasion.
Axis Bank on Thursday announced the elevation of Rajesh Dahiya and Rajiv Anand as Executive Directors with immediate effect.
Oscar winning music composer A R Rahman today agreed to be the Goodwill Ambassador of the Indian Olympic contingent, joining cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, ace shooter Abhinav Bindra and Bollywood star Salman Khan.
Kotak Mahindra Bank Chief Uday Kotak, who has a net worth of about $7.1 billion, is the sole Indian in Forbes' list of 40 of the most powerful people in the financial world who control the flow of trillions of dollars around the global economy.
Shashank Manohar on 12 May 2016 was elected unanimously and unopposed as the Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) by the Board.
Charlotte Edwards, England’s women cricket team captain, announced her international retirement on 11 May 2016.
Brazil’s Senate voted on Thursday to impeach President Dilma Rousseff after months-long fight that laid raw the country’s fury over corruption and economic decay, hurling Latin America’s largest country into a political turmoil just months before it hosts the Summer Olympics.
Famous West Indian cricket writer, commentator and journalist Tony Cozier: The voice of West Indies cricket, passed away on 11 May 2016 in Barbados. He was 75.
Finance/Banking/Insurance –
Kotak Mahindra announces rise in earnings, becomes 2nd most valued private bank
At a time when most Indian banks profitability has been marred by high levels of bad loans and provisions, Kotak Mahindra Bank's earnings reflect the rise of yet another superior class bank despite the challenging times.
The private lender which recently toppled ICICI Bank to emerge as India's 2nd most valued private bank reported a 32% rise in its net profit for the quarter ended March 2016. Its net profit stood at Rs 695.78 crore as compared with Rs 527.14 crore a year ago.
Analysts expect that the bank will continue to draw huge premiums due to its tightly controlled asset quality and lower credit costs.
Paytm to launch vehicle financing and insurance
Mobile payment and commerce platform Paytm, which has been registering strong growth in online purchase on automobiles, is looking at launching vehicle financing and insurance shortly.
The company has seen online purchase of cars and bikes treble. Paytm sold over 1000 bikes in the month of April this year, contributing to 5% of Hero Electric's pan India total monthly sales.
In order to expand and consolidate its footprint in the automobile market, Paytm will launch vehicle financing this month, and will soon after offer insurance service through third party partners.
Presently, Paytm has over 800 dealers already functioning in their network and local commerce is being used to build this category.
Apart from Hero Electric, Mahindra launched Gusto 125 model exclusively on Paytm in April. An user can book the motorcycle variant as per the ex-showroom price that he wishes to purchase through the Paytm app. Dealers in the Paytm network consequently execute the orders.
RBI slaps Rs. 2 lakh fine on Jalgaon DCC Bank
The Reserve Bank of India has imposed a monetary penalty of ₹2 lakh on Jalgaon District Co-operative Bank Ltd.
In a statement, the central bank said this penalty is for violation of provisions under the Banking Regulation. Act, 1949 (as applicable to co-operative societies) relating to remission of debt due to Jalgaon DCC Bank by Jalgaon Starch Factory in which the then directors of the bank had interest, without obtaining prior permission from RBI.
RBI said it had issued a showcause notice to the bank in response to which the bank has submitted a written reply.
ICICI Bank launches business credit card with Jet Airways
ICICI Bank on Thursday launched the country’s first contactless business credit card in association with Jet Airways for small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their employees.
Christened ‘Jet Airways ICICI Bank Business Advantage Card’, India's largest private sector bank, in a statement said, this co-branded credit card will help customers to save on their business expenses.
It will also provide customers opportunities to earn JPMiles on both spends as well as repayments of credit card on a list of business expense categories, including travel, dining, office stationery, online advertising and vendor payments.
The reward will be in the form of JPMiles, that is allocated to both the SME and the cardholder/s as per the Miles Split Ratio Module (MSRM) chosen by the SME.
Indian economy poised to grow 7.3 % in 2016: U.N. report
Notwithstanding delays in domestic policy reforms, India’s economy “is slowly gaining momentum” and “is projected to grow by 7.3 per cent this year,” a United Nations report forecast on Thursday.
The World Economic Situation and Prospect report, in its mid-2016 update, has said India is expected to achieve a 7.5 per cent GDP growth in 2017 and the economic prospects of the South Asian region will be “contingent” on the growth trajectory of India and Iran.
“India’s economy is slowly gaining momentum, with an expected GDP growth of 7.3 and 7.5 per cent in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
“Despite some delays in domestic policy reforms and enduring fragilities in the banking system, investment demand is supported by the monetary easing cycle, rising FDI, and government efforts towards infrastructure investments and public-private partnerships,” the report, released here said.
Swiss Re launches 'InsurTech' startup accelerator
Swiss Re launched a corporate accelerator, 'InsurTech', to help startups develop business solutions for the insurance sector in India.
The themes identified for the programme include the Internet of Things, systems of engagement and smart analytics.
InsurTech provides an opportunity for startups to develop products and business case.
During the InsurTech programme, startups will have access to the global expertise and insights from the Swiss Re team, mentors from the industry and technical enablement to work effectively from Swiss Re's office in Bengaluru, the company said in a news release.
India, China, 3 others sign pact on tax info sharing
India and five other nations, including China and Israel, signed a pact Thursday for automatic exchange of information on tax issues and develop new tools and standards for tackling tax base erosion and evasion.
The signing ceremony took place Beijing.
Other countries which have already signed the pact include Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Italy and the UK.
The pact allows all signatories to bilaterally and automatically exchange Country-by-Country Reports with each other.
Sponsored
Appointments –
Axis Bank elevates Rajesh Dahiya and Rajiv Anand as EDs
Axis Bank on Thursday announced the elevation of Rajesh Dahiya and Rajiv Anand as Executive Directors with immediate effect.
The private sector bank said Dahiya and Anand have also been inducted on the board, as additional directors, further strengthening the board.
Dahiya and Anand have been elevated as Executive Director (Corporate Centre), and Executive Director (Retail Banking), respectively.
Prior to their elevation, Dahiya and Anand were Group Executive & Head Corporate Centre and Group Executive & Head Retail Banking, respectively.
President approves name of Four Judges for Supreme Court
President Pranab Mukherjee on 11 May 2016 signed the warrant for the appointment of four judges to the Supreme Court. These include three chief justices of high court and one senior advocate.
These names were recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India TS Thakur on 4 May 2016.
The recommended ones were
Justices include
Justice AM Khanwilkar of the Madhya Pradesh High Court
Justice DY Chandrachud of the Allahabad High Court
Justice Ashok Bhushan of the Kerala High Court to the Supreme Court
Senior lawyer
L Nageshwar Rao: Fourth appointment
A R Rahman joins list of Olympic Goodwill Ambassadors
Oscar winning music composer A R Rahman today agreed to be the Goodwill Ambassador of the Indian Olympic contingent, joining cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, ace shooter Abhinav Bindra and Bollywood star Salman Khan.
Tendulkar, Salman and Olympic gold medallist Bindra had earlier accepted the role offered by the Indian Olympic Association.
The IOA said that it has also received an official written confirmation from Rahman.
India –
UP government approves bicycle highway between Taj and lion safari
The Uttar Pradesh government on 11 May 2016 gave its nod to develop nearly 200-km long bicycle highway from Agra to the lion safari in Etawah. The plan aims at encouraging eco-tourism in the vicinity of the Taj Mahal.
The highway was approved in a Cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.
Highlights of the proposed highway
The highway will not run along the Agra-Etawah main road but will cover various historical and tourism centres.
Starting from eastern gate of the Taj Mahal, it will cover areas such as Raja Bhoj ki Haveli, Bateshwarnath Temple, Mela Kothi Jarar, Naugava ka Quila and other rural areas to reach lion safari in Etawah.
Two Harbour Defence Systems commissioned at Vizag to enhance Navy's surveillance capability
Integrated Underwater Harbour Defence and Surveillance System (IUHDSS) and Mine Warfare Data Centre (MWDC) were inaugurated on 11 May 2016.
They were inaugurated by Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral HCS Bisht, at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam.
The two Harbour Defence Systems would enhance the Navy's surveillance capability and response to security threats.
Both the IUHDSS and MWDC will function under the control of the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Andhra Pradesh) Commodore Sanjiv Issar.
Lists –
Uday Kotak sole Indian financier in Forbes' most powerful list
Kotak Mahindra Bank Chief Uday Kotak, who has a net worth of about $7.1 billion, is the sole Indian in Forbes' list of 40 of the most powerful people in the financial world who control the flow of trillions of dollars around the global economy.
57-year-old Kotak is ranked 33rd in the Forbes list of 'Money Masters: The Most Powerful People In The Financial World' topped by Blackstone Group's CEO Stephen Schwarzman, who has a net worth of $10.2 billion and oversees assets worth $344 billion.
It said the 40 financiers on the list dominate the world of money, from banking to buyouts, trading to takeovers.
Sports –
Shashank Manohar unanimously elected as Independent ICC Chairman
Shashank Manohar on 12 May 2016 was elected unanimously and unopposed as the Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) by the Board.
Manohar is the first elected independent Chairman of the Cricket governing body and will serve for two-year term with immediate effect.
He resigned from the post of President of Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) on 10 May 2016.
Before his election, the ICC Full Council approved constitutional amendments to accommodate the new position of an independent ICC Chairman.
Charlotte Edwards, England women’s cricket captain, retires from international cricket
Charlotte Edwards, England’s women cricket team captain, announced her international retirement on 11 May 2016. In her 20-year cricket career, she captained England for ten years and became one of the most influential women in British Sport.
Edwards took the decision following England's 2016 World T20 campaign, where they lost in the semi-finals against Australia.
The 36-year-old, Edwards will continue to play at domestic level including the first edition of the forthcoming Women’s Super League.
ICC lifts suspension on Sri Lankan wicket-keeper Kusal Perera
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on 11 May 2016 announced that it has lifted the provisional suspension imposed on Sri Lanka wicket-keeper batsman Kusal Perera.
The decision was taken after withdrawal of the disciplinary charges against Perera that were made in December 2015. The pronouncement came after the WADA-accredited laboratory in Qatar withdrew its original Adverse Analytical Finding following further investigations.
As a result, Perera can now return to domestic and international cricket with immediate effect.
Stephen Curry named NBA’s Most Valuable Player for second straight year
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry on 10 May 2016 was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the second straight year.
With this, he became the first unanimous winner in the award’s 61-year history after a record-breaking contribution to the Warriors’ historic season.
Stephen Curry, the 11th person to win back-to-back MVP awards, swept all 131 first-place votes including 130 from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters and one from the Kia MVP fan vote. He secured 1310 points to top in the list.
World –
Brazil’s Senate impeaches President Dilma Rousseff
Brazil’s Senate voted on Thursday to impeach President Dilma Rousseff after months-long fight that laid raw the country’s fury over corruption and economic decay, hurling Latin America’s largest country into a political turmoil just months before it hosts the Summer Olympics.
Ms. Rousseff’s enraged backers called the move a coup d’etat and threatened wide-scale protests and strikes. Her foes, meanwhile, insisted that she had broken the law, and that the country’s deep political, social and economic woes could only be tackled with her on the sidelines.
The 55-22 vote means that Ms. Rousseff’s ally-turned-enemy, Vice-President Michel Temer, will take over as acting President later on Thursday while she is suspended. The Senate has 180 days to conduct a trial and decide whether Ms. Rousseff should be permanently removed from office.
Books & Authors –
Chaos and Caliphate: Jihadis and the West in the Struggle for the Middle East by Patrick Cockburn
The book titled Chaos and Caliphate: Jihadis and the West in the Struggle for the Middle East authored by Patrick Cockburn was in news in the first week of May 2016.
The book was in news because it exposes how millions of people were killed by a series of disastrous Western interventions in West Asia.
Obituaries –
Renowned commentator Tony Cozier died
Famous West Indian cricket writer, commentator and journalist Tony Cozier passed away on 11 May 2016 in Barbados. He was 75.
Tony Cozier: The voice of West Indies cricket
Born on 10 July 1940, Winston Anthony Lloyd Tony Cozier was a cricket writer and commentator on West Indian cricket from 1958 until his death.
He was described as having an encyclopaedic knowledge of cricket.
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