Tag: Financial Services

Finance

Kotak Mutual Fund Launches Kotak Services Fund to Tap India’s Expanding Services Economy

Swara Bodke

Written by Intern Swara Bodke || Team Allycaral

Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company Ltd. has announced the launch of the Kotak Services Fund, an open-ended equity scheme following the services theme. The New Fund Offer (NFO) opens on February 4, 2026, and closes on February 18, 2026, providing investors an opportunity to participate in India’s fast-growing services sector, which contributes nearly 55 per cent to the country’s Gross Value Added (GVA) and employs about 31.5 per cent of the workforce.
India’s services economy spans a wide range of sectors including consumer services, telecom, healthcare, logistics, financial services, information technology, power, and oil and gas, many of which are scaling rapidly and unlocking multiple structural growth drivers for long-term investors.
The Kotak Services Fund seeks to capture this opportunity through a disciplined investment approach anchored in Growth at Reasonable Price (GARP) and a bottom-up Business-Management-Value (BMV) framework. The fund will invest across market capitalisations, focusing on quality businesses with strong cash flows, scalable business models, and long-term compounding potential.


Commenting on the launch, Mr. Nilesh Shah, Managing Director, Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company Ltd., said India’s services economy is undergoing a structural transformation driven by rising incomes, increased digital adoption, and expanding urbanisation. He added that these forces are reshaping consumption patterns and access to essential services, and the fund aims to capture evolving opportunities within the services ecosystem to deliver long-term value to investors.
Mr. Rohit Tandon, Fund Manager for the Kotak Services Fund, said the services theme offers a blend of stability and growth across consumption-driven and export-driven segments. He noted that the sector presents a compelling combination of resilience and scalability, and the fund’s portfolio construction will focus on companies capable of sustaining margins, upgrading business models, and deploying capital prudently for long-term wealth creation.
The fund is being launched at a time when service-oriented enterprises are redefining how households, businesses, and institutions operate. With evolving customer expectations and advancements in service delivery models, the sector continues to witness strong growth driven by specialisation, technology-enabled processes, and operational efficiency.
The NFO offers a minimum investment of ₹1,000 and in multiples thereafter during the offer period. The scheme is suitable for investors seeking long-term capital appreciation through a diversified portfolio of companies engaged in service-oriented businesses, as per the product suitability disclosures.

Finance

Axis Bank Launches Sparsh Week 2025: ‘Raising the Bar’ Nationwide

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National, Sept 1, 2025: Axis Bank, one of India’s largest private sector banks, has announced the launch of Sparsh Week 2025 (Sept 1–5), a landmark initiative uniting more than 1 lakh employees across 5,868 branches nationwide.

With the theme “Raise the Bar,” this year’s edition emphasizes customer obsession, leadership visibility, and employee engagement at an unprecedented scale. Senior leaders including Amitabh Chaudhry (MD & CEO), Munish Sharda (ED), Subrat Mohanty (ED), and Neeraj Gambhir (ED) will personally visit 40 cities to interact with customers and mentor teams.

“Sparsh is not just a celebration but a reminder of the culture we are shaping – where empathy, innovation, and service excellence define every interaction,” said Amitabh Chaudhry.

Customer Engagement Highlights

  • 🎯 Exclusive Home Loan offers from 7.6%*
  • 💼 Special benefits across Gold Loans, MSME loans, Current Accounts & Health Insurance
  • 🎙️ Let’s Listen Sessions across 5,800+ branches for direct feedback
  • 🚗 Auto test drives & loan offers in select cities
  • 🤝 Felicitation of wholesale clients & corporate partners
  • 🌍 Outreach through Samaroh to foster new relationships

Thematic Customer Days

  • Students: Piggy to Prodigy Day with learning sessions & Bank tours
  • Women: Nari Shakti Diwas with panel discussions & ARISE awareness programs
  • Seniors: Silver Lining – digital banking & fraud prevention workshops
  • Startups & MSMEs: Startup Sangam & networking events
  • Farmers: Krishi Diwas with agri-advisory, soil-testing & Apna Gaon Melas
  • NRIs: Homecoming meets in UAE, Singapore & US
  • LGBTQ+: Pink Economy events celebrating inclusivity

Impact & Scale

From 55,000 customers in 2024, Axis Bank now targets 1.5 lakh+ customers for Sparsh Week 2025 – nearly triple last year’s outreach.

With its four core mantras — Own the Brand, Own the Customer, Act with Speed, Zero Pendency — Sparsh Week continues to strengthen Axis Bank’s position as a customer-first institution in India’s financial ecosystem.

📖 For more details and updates, visit allycaral.com

Business

ICL Fincorp Strengthens Western India Presence with Grand Launch of Goa Regional Office and Five New Branches

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Goa, July 21, 2025: ICL Fincorp Ltd., one of India’s most trusted and fastest-growing non-banking financial companies, marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of its Regional Office in Goa, along with five new branches across the state.

The grand launch event, held at Panjim Convention Centre, Vistar Estates, Opp. 4 Pillar Hotel, Mala Heritage Area, Panaji, Goa, was attended by eminent dignitaries. The occasion witnessed the presence of Hon. Adv. K.G. Anilkumar, Goodwill Ambassador of LACTC and Chairman & Managing Director of ICL Fincorp; Mrs. Uma Anilkumar, Whole-time Director & CEO of ICL Fincorp, who has spearheaded the company’s CSR initiatives; and Shri. Subish Vasudev, National Administrator, NIDCC, among many other esteemed personalities.

The newly launched regional office is located in Panjim, with branches in Panjim, Margao, Vasco, Mapusa, and Ponda, making ICL Fincorp’s customer-friendly financial services more accessible to the people of Goa.

ICL Fincorp was recently appointed as the National Lending Partner of the National Industries Development Council Committee (NIDCC) under the Government of India. This prestigious recognition underscores the company’s strong credibility and commitment to supporting national development initiatives.

As part of this expansion, the company has also introduced the NIDCC Help Centre, a dedicated support system designed to assist local entrepreneurs, small businesses, and beneficiaries in availing themselves of government schemes and financial programs effectively.

To commemorate the launch, ICL Fincorp reaffirmed its commitment to social responsibility through significant CSR initiatives, including educational support for 100 orphan students, the distribution of 25 sewing machines to promote women empowerment, and the provision of 500 rice kits to underprivileged families.

For over three decades, ICL Fincorp has been synonymous with reliability, transparency, and a customer-centric approach. The inauguration of the regional office and five new branches in Goa reinforces the company’s vision to enhance accessibility and convenience for its growing customer base while upholding the highest standards of service excellence.

Under the visionary leadership of Adv. K.G. Anilkumar and Mrs. Uma Anilkumar, this new chapter strengthens ICL Fincorp’s connection with the people of Goa and reflects its promise to deliver financial solutions that are timely, trustworthy, and transformative.

Business

National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and Government of Goa Join Hands to Launch ‘Student Skilling Program’ in BFSI Sector

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Goa, February 27, 2025 – The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and the Government of Goa have joined forces to launch the ‘Student Skilling Program’ aiming to equip the youth of Goa with industry relevant skills in Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the two entities, marking a significant step towards empowering young individuals with industry-relevant skills and enhancing their employability in the BFSI sector. Goa is the 5th state after Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh and Assam to partner with NSE on skilling youth.

The MoU was exchanged between Shri Bhushan K. Savaikar, Director, Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Goa and Shri Sriram Krishnan, Chief Business Development Officer, NSE in the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant at Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Sanquelim, Goa.

Goa, with its expanding financial ecosystem, is well-positioned to be a significant contributor to this sector, provided its youth are equipped with the right skills. NSE’s Student Skilling Program initiative aligns with the Government of Goa’s vision of unlocking human capital thereby, enabling financial well-being and social mobility. NSE and the state of Goa have prioritized skill development and are committed to bridging the skill gap and enhancing employment opportunities for the youth of the state.

The Student Skilling Program will be conducted in two levels. Level 1 is a 20-hour training program, upon completion of which students will be certified in the ‘Foundation Course in BFSI.’ This will equip students with essential financial management skills, ensuring both personal and professional growth. Level 2 is a 30-hour advanced training program designed to prepare students for the NISM regulatory examination. Successful candidates will gain nationwide industry-recognized certification, enhancing their job prospects in the capital market.

Shri Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD & CEO, NSE said “This partnership with the Government of Goa reflects our commitment to bridging the skill gap in the BFSI sector. By providing structured, high-quality training, we aim to create a workforce that is future-ready and aligned with the evolving needs of the financial industry.”

Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister, Goa, said “The signing of this MOU between the National Stock Exchange and the Government of Goa marks a significant milestone in our commitment to

equip Goan youth with industry-relevant skills in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance sector. This Student Skilling Program will create pathways to rewarding careers for our talented young people while simultaneously addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in

the capital markets space. By partnering with a premier institution like NSE, we are ensuring that our students receive world-class training that aligns with industry standards and emerging trends. This collaboration is a testament to our government’s vision of transforming Goa into a knowledge hub and empowering our youth to thrive in the global economy.”