28 Feb 2025

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised the lending regulations for urban cooperative banks (UCBs) to provide them with greater flexibility while maintaining regulatory oversight. The definition of small-value loans has now been modified, with the maximum limit per borrower raised to INR 3 crore. Additionally, UCBs can exceed the 10% ceiling on aggregate exposure to real estate by an additional 5% for housing loans to individuals under priority sector classification. The RBI has also revised prudential limits on housing loans for different UCB tiers, with lending limits ranging from INR 60 lakh to INR 3 crore per dwelling unit. UCBs are required to ensure that at least 50% of their total loans comprise small-value loans by March 2026. These guidelines have been implemented with immediate effect.Read more

28 Feb 2025

TVS Emerald has acquired a 10-acre land parcel in Sathnur, Bengaluru, with a development potential of 1.4 million sq ft and an estimated revenue of INR 1,600 crore. This marks the company's fourth land deal this fiscal, bringing its total potential revenue to INR 5,300 crore. Bengaluru's real estate market is witnessing major acquisitions, with Macrotech Developers securing a 20-acre parcel for INR 2,800 crore and Mahindra Lifespaces buying 8.2 acres for INR 1,000 crore. Puravankara has also acquired land in Vajrahalli for INR 700 crore. The city's booming infrastructure and demand continue to attract major investments.Read more

28 Feb 2025

Hyderabad-based CtrlS Datacenters has inaugurated a data centre park in Chennai with an investment of INR 4,000 crore. The company plans to invest an additional INR 5,000 crore over the next two to five years, increasing its total capacity to 75 MW. CtrlS is also exploring land for a larger project in Chennai as part of its USD 2 billion investment plan to expand its overall capacity beyond a gigawatt. The company is reportedly considering an initial public offering (IPO), which could make it one of the first data centre firms to be listed in India. Industry estimates suggest Chennai's data centre capacity will double by 2026, reinforcing its position as a major technology hub.Read more

28 Feb 2025

Sundaram Home Finance is preparing for its next growth phase in the Emerging Business (EB) segment, aiming to double disbursements to over INR 400 crore within the next 12 months. The EB segment caters to small business loans of up to INR 20 lakh and affordable housing finance, offering loans up to INR 35 lakh. Having expanded beyond Tamil Nadu into Andhra Pradesh with five new branches, the company now plans to enter Telangana. With disbursements in the EB segment exceeding INR 200 crore and a workforce of over 300 employees, the company is optimistic about achieving its growth targets. Sundaram Home Finance reported a 35 per cent increase in total disbursements, reaching INR 1,692 crore for the third quarter ending December 31, 2024.Read more

28 Feb 2025

Sustainability is reshaping India’s commercial real estate, with 50-60% of office leasing led by GCCs and IT firms prioritizing green-certified spaces. Despite 3-5% higher construction costs, green buildings reduce electricity consumption by 30-35%, lowering operating expenses. Nearly 95% of CRISIL-rated real estate assets and 100% of REIT office spaces are now green-certified. State governments are incentivizing eco-friendly projects with increased FAR, tax benefits, and fast-track approvals. As global corporations enforce stricter ESG targets, developers in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune are accelerating green projects, ensuring higher occupancy, rental yields, and long-term sustainability in India’s office market.Read more

27 Feb 2025

Apollo Global Management will acquire Bridge Investment Group in an all-stock deal worth approximately USD 1.5 billion, strengthening its real estate portfolio. Bridge shareholders will receive Apollo stock at a 45% premium, driving a surge in Bridge's premarket trading. The acquisition enhances Apollo's real estate equity and credit capabilities while integrating Bridge's USD 50 billion asset management expertise. Following the deal's expected closure in the third quarter, Bridge will operate independently within Apollo, with Bob Morse leading its real estate equity division. This transaction aligns with Apollo's long-term growth strategy, reinforcing its leadership in alternative investments amid rising market demand.Read more

27 Feb 2025

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has issued red notices to 60% of commercial establishments to recover overdue property taxes. Despite repeated reminders, 1.5 lakh properties have defaulted for two to three years. Additionally, GHMC has served distress warrants to 75 properties with decade-long dues. With unpaid taxes exceeding INR 10,000 crore, the corporation faces financial strain. Efforts include official notices, SMS reminders, and legal action against defaulters. GHMC has collected INR 1,470 crore this fiscal year and aims to surpass INR 2,000 crore. It will conduct 'Property Tax Parishkaram' every Saturday until March 29 to resolve taxpayer grievances.Read more

27 Feb 2025

India's e-commerce sector is on a rapid growth trajectory, with ANAROCK projecting a 15% CAGR, reaching USD 550 billion by 2035 from USD 125 billion in 2024. This expansion is fueled by rising internet penetration, smartphone adoption, and digital payments, along with growing demand from Tier 2 and 3 cities. India's overall retail market is also set to triple to USD 2,500 billion by 2035. However, mall supply struggles to keep pace with demand, with vacancy rates dropping to 8.1% in 2024. Retailers are now expanding into smaller cities, driving future growth in both online and offline retail.Read more

27 Feb 2025

MagicLoans reported a sharp rise in demand for high-value home loans in Q4 2024, with the INR 50 lakh - INR 1 crore segment accounting for 36% of total disbursals. Pune led with a 30.6% share, followed by Hyderabad (22.6%), Bengaluru (17.3%), and Gurugram (14.2%), which recorded the highest average loan size. The surge is driven by the RBI's recent rate cut, rising property prices, and government-backed initiatives like the SWAMIH Fund. With home loan disbursals doubling since early 2024, India's housing market is set for continued expansion, driven by increasing affordability and demand for premium properties.Read more

27 Feb 2025

Indian firms are expected to post 7-8% revenue growth in the March quarter of the current fiscal year, driven by a pick-up in rural demand and higher government expenditure, says rating agency ICRA. The growth comes on the back of a consistent revival in earlier quarters, with revenue growing 6-7% in the December 2023 quarter. Operating profit margins are also anticipated to remain at 18.2-18.4%, as has been the case in recent months. Private capital spending, however, is still cautious because of geopolitical tensions, although investment in high-growth areas such as electronics, semiconductors, and EVs is anticipated to persist under government-initiated PLI schemes. Rural demand, which was subdued in early 2023, is expected to stay robust in the first half of 2025, led by healthy kharif crop production and supportive rabi season conditions. A well-distributed monsoon in 2025 will be critical in maintaining this growth.Read more