Business
Gold loan boom: Credit market poised for major expansion; NBFCs plan 3,000 new branches as demand jumps – The Times of India
India’s gold loan market is gearing up for strong expansion, with non-bank lenders preparing to open around 3,000 dedicated branches over the next year to meet rising demand. The market, which is largely led by public-sector banks, grew 36% year-on-year to Rs 14.5 lakh crore by the end of September.According to sector heads quoted by ET, this is the largest annual branch expansion undertaken by gold loan companies. Lenders are setting up exclusive gold-loan centres and adding the product to many existing branches to tap what they see as a fast-growing opportunity.George Alexander Muthoot, managing director of Muthoot Finance, was cited by ET as saying that demand for gold loans is increasing sharply, as borrowers struggling to secure unsecured microfinance loans are turning to secured lending against jewellery. Microfinance firms have become more selective due to heavy stress in their asset quality.Rising gold prices have also boosted loan ticket sizes, making the product particularly attractive to farmers and small traders seeking working capital. Rating agency ICRA has projected the organised market will reach Rs 15 lakh crore in FY26, a year ahead of earlier expectations.Shaji Varghese, CEO of Muthoot Fincorp, said that he expects the momentum to continue, noting that global central bank demand is driving gold prices, reported ET. His firm plans to open 200 branches by March. Major players such as Muthoot Finance, Muthoot Fincorp, IIFL Finance and Bajaj Finance together intend to add about 1,800 branches. Bajaj Finance alone aims to open 900 by March 2027, while IIFL Finance plans 500 by this fiscal year.New entrants are also expanding aggressively. L&T Finance, which entered the gold loan market in February after acquiring Paul Merchants Finance’s 130-branch business, plans to add 200 more outlets. Microfinance players such as Keertana Finserv and Uttrayan Financial Services are diversifying into gold loans to stabilise their portfolios. “We are scaling down our microfinance business,” Padmaja Reddy said, adding they will set up 175 gold-loan branches by FY26, ET reported.Setting up a gold loan branch requires significant security infrastructure, from strong rooms to vaults and cameras, costing between Rs 8 lakh and Rs 20 lakh. Such branches usually break even within 1.5–2 years.ICRA expects NBFC gold-loan assets under management to grow 30–35% in FY26, supported by high gold prices and slower growth in unsecured loan products. Public-sector banks remain dominant in the segment, with their gold loan portfolios growing at a CAGR of 27% in FY24 and FY25, compared with 22% for private banks.
The government on Thursday kept petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) prices unchanged at Rs253.17 per litre and Rs257.08 per litre respectively, for the coming fortnight, starting from January 16.
This decision was notified in a press release issued by the Petroleum Division.
Earlier, it was expected that the prices of all petroleum products would go down by up to Rs4.50 per litre (over 1pc each) today in view of variation in the international market.
Petrol is primarily used in private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws, and two-wheelers, and directly impacts the budgets of the middle and lower-middle classes.
Meanwhile, most of the transport sector runs on HSD. Its price is considered inflationary, as it is mostly used in heavy transport vehicles, trains, and agricultural engines such as trucks, buses, tractors, tube wells, and threshers, and particularly adds to the prices of vegetables and other eatables.
The government is currently charging about Rs100 per litre on petrol and about Rs97 per litre on diesel.
Business
Gold price today: How much 22K, 24K gold cost in Delhi, Patna & other cities – Check rates – The Times of India
Gold prices climbed to a fresh lifetime high in the domestic market on Thursday amid sustained buying by jewellers and stockists, according to the All India Sarafa Association.Gold advanced by Rs 800 to hit a new peak of Rs 1,47,300 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes), extending gains for the fifth consecutive session. The yellow metal had closed at Rs 1,46,500 per 10 grams in the previous session.Since the start of 2026, gold prices have surged Rs 9,600, or around 7 per cent, supported by persistent demand in the physical market. In overseas trade, spot gold slipped USD 12.22, or 0.26 per cent, to USD 4,614.45 per ounce, after having touched a record high of USD 4,643.06 per ounce in the previous session.Here is how much gold costs in major Indian cities today:
Gold price in Delhi today
The price of 22K gold in Delhi is Rs 13,140 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,333 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Chennai today
In Chennai, 22K gold costs Rs 13,290 per gram, up Rs 10, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,498 per gram, higher by Rs 10.
Gold price in Mumbai today
Mumbai markets see 22K gold priced at Rs 13,125 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold stands at Rs 14,318 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Ahmedabad today
In Ahmedabad, 22K gold is priced at Rs 13,130 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold costs Rs 14,323 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Kolkata today
Kolkata markets price 22K gold at Rs 13,125 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold stands at Rs 14,318 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Jaipur today
In Jaipur, 22K gold costs Rs 13,140 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,333 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Hyderabad today
Hyderabad sees 22K gold at Rs 13,125 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,318 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Bhubaneswar today
Bhubaneswar markets see 22K gold priced at Rs 13,125 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold costs Rs 14,318 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Patna today
In Patna, 22K gold costs Rs 13,130 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold is priced at Rs 14,323 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
Gold price in Lucknow today
Lucknow markets see 22K gold priced at Rs 13,140 per gram, down Rs 75, while 24K gold costs Rs 14,333 per gram, lower by Rs 82.
One of Britain’s most prolific rail fare dodgers could face jail after admitting dozens of travel offences.
Charles Brohiri, 29, pleaded guilty to travelling without buying a ticket a total of 112 times over a two-year period, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard.
He could be ordered to pay more than £18,000 in unpaid fares and legal costs, the court was told.
He will be sentenced next month.
District Judge Nina Tempia warned Brohiri “could face a custodial sentence because of the number of offences he has committed”.
He pleaded guilty to 76 offences on Thursday.
It came after he was convicted in his absence of 36 charges at a previous hearing.
During Thursday’s hearing, Judge Tempia dismissed a bid by Brohiri’s lawyers to have the 36 convictions overturned.
They had argued the prosecutions were unlawful because they had not been brought by a qualified legal professional.
But Judge Tempia rejected the argument, saying there had been “no abuse of this court’s process”.
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