            Whether it is investing in companies or shopping for ties, Akhil Gupta looks for value.

LUNCH WITH BS: Akhil Gupta

Business Standard

Where do you see interest rates headed and do you expect a fall in credit flow?
The banking system saw a substantial drop in credit growth in 2007-08.

`We expect 25% growth in retail credit in FY08`

India&#39;s largest private sector bank is not revising interest rates or growth targets, at least not for now.

`We haven`t seen fresh projects in three months`

It's been two-and-half months since Romesh Sobti took over as the managing director and chief executive officer at IndusInd Bank.

`Need to relook strategy if you don`t grow 35-40%`

&nbsp;"I have been used to transfers throughout my career. I am now also used to transfer from active to passive life.

`Customer care is a continuous challenge`

ICICI Bank expects infrastructure boom will help banks post a 25 per cent expansion in their loan books in 2008-09, higher than the 
Reserve Bank of India's projection of a 20 per cent growth.

`Infra boom to fuel loan growth`

            Gagan Banga talks about how one of India's largest NBFCs still retains the financial discipline of a start-up.

LUNCH WITH BS: Gagan Banga

            The Indophile chief of Max New York Life, while scotching rumours of any tension between group partners, elaborates on his plans for the company.

LUNCH WITH BS: Gary Bennett

HDFC Bank, which has seen some fall in the cost of deposits, decided to reduce the base rate from January 1. In an interview, Paresh Sukthankar, executive director, tells Manojit Saha that for a further reduction in the interest rate, the liquidity tightness needs to ease.

Rate cut alone will not reduce cost of funds: Paresh Sukthankar

Karur Vysya Bank recently hogged the headlines as an acquisition target but this was strongly denied by the bank&rsquo;s management. MD and CEO K Venkataraman speaks to Neelasri Barman about the focus areas for the bank.

We will tie up with large institutions for salary packages: K Venkataraman

ICICI Lombard General Insurance has maintained its position as the top entity among private general insurers. This year, the company is betting big on government contracts. In an interview with M Saraswathy, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Bhargav Dasgupta talks about the company&rsquo;s strategies.

A multi-product, multi-channel focus has helped us: Bhargav Dasgupta

Former World Bank economist Percy Mistry, who authored a widely acclaimed report on making Mumbai an international financial centre, says state-run financial institutions need drastic changes in their working and the government should draw up a strategy to exit these institutions. Edited execrpts from an interview with Dev Chatterjee &amp; Abhijit Lele.

New banking licences make no sense: Percy Mistry

Tata AIG General Insurance, which had initially stayed away from the health insurance space, has slowly increased its presence in this segment. Newly appointed chief executive Kaushal K Mishra, in an interview with M Saraswathy, says the company would continue to write business in commercial lines, but at its own terms.

We are still losing money on commercial third-party side: Kaushal K Mishra 

Credit risk insurer Export Credit Guarantee Corp of India (ECGC) had paid its highest ever claims last year. N Shankar, chairman and managing director, in an interview with M Saraswathy, discusses the plan for this year to reduce claims and improve quality of underwritten risks.

We are about to implement a new rating system for foreign buyers: N Shankar

The Chennai-based Shriram Group, the financial services conglomerate, is keen to foray into the banking segment. G S Sundararajan, group director, speaks to Krishna Pophale about their banking aspirations and strategies.

Encourage NBFCs to continue and build on their business models: G S Sundararajan

Bajaj Finserv, the financial holding company of the Bajaj group, which is into lending, insurance and the financial advisory business, has reported healthy profit growth of Rs 249 crore for the quarter ended December, 46 per cent higher from the same period of the previous year. Sanjiv Bajaj, managing director, talks about this to Manojit Saha.

Bigger NBFCs should get benefits of banks: Sanjiv Bajaj


	
Bajaj Finserv, the financial holding company of the Bajaj group, which is into lending, insurance and the financial advisory business, has reported healthy profit growth of Rs 249 crore for the quarter ended December, 46 per cent higher from the same period of the previous year.

With the entire life insurance industry eagerly waiting for the traditional product guidelines to be released, IDBI Federal Life Insurance is betting on adequate re-filing time for existing products. Managing director and chief executive officer G V Nageswara Rao explains the reasons for his concerns and the company&rsquo;s strategy for 2013, in an interview with M Saraswathy.

We will rework our product suite in 2013: G V Nageswara Rao

Government-owned General Insurance Corporation of India, the country&rsquo;s sole national reinsurer, has been accumulating losses for some years. With the markets showing signs of revival, it is hoping to recoup. Ashok Kumar Roy, chairman and managing director, talks about the strategy to M Saraswathy.

We'd like to give up obligatory biz, but after we recoup losses: Ashok Kumar Roy

JP Morgan plans to have a multi-branch strategy in India and is holding talks with the regulator for more branches. Kalpana Morparia, chief executive officer of the lender&rsquo;s India operations, in an interview with Manojit Saha, says economic growth might have bottomed out and the investment cycle would pick up.

We see an active calendar for primary issuances: Kalpana Morparia

Axis Bank, which has a sizable exposure in core sector projects &ndash; implementation of which have been affected due to supply side issues &ndash; sees issues related to coal linkages and others getting sorted out. Shikha Sharma, managing director and chief executive officer of Axis Bank discusses the bank&rsquo;s strategies and priorities with Neelasri Barman and Manojit Saha.

Page 52 - Interviews