Latest news with #Vaidyanathan
The Print
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Print
HDFC Bank Q1 net profit dips 1.31 pc, makes Rs 9k cr contingent provisioning
On a standalone basis, the country's largest private sector lender reported a net profit of Rs 18,155 crore for the quarter, up from Rs 16,174 crore a year ago. The lender had reported a net profit of Rs 16,475 crore in the year-ago period. Mumbai, Jul 19 (PTI) HDFC Bank on Saturday posted a 1.31 per cent decline in its consolidated net profit to Rs 16,258 crore for the June 2025 quarter. The core net interest income growth moderated to 5 per cent to Rs 31,400 crore during the quarter, as the net interest margin narrowed to 3.35 per cent from 3.46 per cent in the quarter-ago period amid a 6.7 per cent growth in gross advances. The bank's chief financial officer Srinivasan Vaidyanathan said about 70 per cent of its assets are linked to external benchmarks, which are directly exposed to rate revisions by the RBI, and declined to give an outlook on how it sees the key number going ahead. He said the bank, which has previously disclosed its target to grow advances in sync with the industry, is set to grow its deposit market share this fiscal year. The overall provisions jumped to Rs 14,442 crore from Rs 2,602 crore a year ago, the bank said, adding that this includes a floating provision of Rs 9,000 crore. Vaidyanathan clarified that the excess provisions, which are at par with the gains made by share sale in the HDB Financial Services' initial public offering, are not done keeping any specific event in mind or any build of stress. The gross non-performing assets ratio inched up to 1.4 per cent as of June 30 from 1.33 per cent three months ago, largely because of cyclical reverses in the agricultural portfolio. The fresh slippages increased to RS 9,000 crore from Rs 7,500 crore in the quarter-ago period, including agri advances, while excluding the agri portfolio, the same increased to Rs 6,800 crore from Rs 6,200 crore. The bank seemed to be continuing with its 'circumspect' view on the home mortgage front, where it grew by 9 per cent. The CFO stressed that top cities are seeing home loan finance coming at 7.2 per cent, which HDFC Bank finds very low. At present, 80 per cent of the bank branches sell home loans, and the aim is to take it up to 100 per cent. The overall capital adequacy of the bank was at 19.9 per cent, including the core buffers at 17.4 per cent, as of June 30. PTI AA BAL BAL This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
News18
a day ago
- Business
- News18
HDFC Bank Q1 net profit dips 1.31 pc, makes Rs 9k cr contingent provisioning
Mumbai, Jul 19 (PTI) HDFC Bank on Saturday posted a 1.31 per cent decline in its consolidated net profit to Rs 16,258 crore for the June 2025 quarter. The lender had reported a net profit of Rs 16,475 crore in the year-ago period. On a standalone basis, the country's largest private sector lender reported a net profit of Rs 18,155 crore for the quarter, up from Rs 16,174 crore a year ago. The core net interest income growth moderated to 5 per cent to Rs 31,400 crore during the quarter, as the net interest margin narrowed to 3.35 per cent from 3.46 per cent in the quarter-ago period amid a 6.7 per cent growth in gross advances. The bank's chief financial officer Srinivasan Vaidyanathan said about 70 per cent of its assets are linked to external benchmarks, which are directly exposed to rate revisions by the RBI, and declined to give an outlook on how it sees the key number going ahead. He said the bank, which has previously disclosed its target to grow advances in sync with the industry, is set to grow its deposit market share this fiscal year. The overall provisions jumped to Rs 14,442 crore from Rs 2,602 crore a year ago, the bank said, adding that this includes a floating provision of Rs 9,000 crore. Vaidyanathan clarified that the excess provisions, which are at par with the gains made by share sale in the HDB Financial Services' initial public offering, are not done keeping any specific event in mind or any build of stress. The gross non-performing assets ratio inched up to 1.4 per cent as of June 30 from 1.33 per cent three months ago, largely because of cyclical reverses in the agricultural portfolio. The fresh slippages increased to RS 9,000 crore from Rs 7,500 crore in the quarter-ago period, including agri advances, while excluding the agri portfolio, the same increased to Rs 6,800 crore from Rs 6,200 crore. The bank seemed to be continuing with its 'circumspect" view on the home mortgage front, where it grew by 9 per cent. The CFO stressed that top cities are seeing home loan finance coming at 7.2 per cent, which HDFC Bank finds very low. At present, 80 per cent of the bank branches sell home loans, and the aim is to take it up to 100 per cent. The overall capital adequacy of the bank was at 19.9 per cent, including the core buffers at 17.4 per cent, as of June 30. PTI AA BAL BAL view comments First Published: July 19, 2025, 19:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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Business Standard
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Vaidyanathan regrets not insuring IDFC First Bank's MFI loans early
V Vaidyanathan, managing director and chief executive officer of IDFC First Bank, in his message to shareholders, said he regrets not insuring the bank's microfinance (MFI) portfolio from the beginning, as the business has been prone to crises every five to eight years in some state or the other. 'In hindsight, the reasons for doing this business are still intact. What I regret most was not insuring the MFI portfolio from the start; this business has been prone to some crisis or the other every five to eight years in some state or the other — Andhra Pradesh, Assam or Tamil Nadu (floods) are examples. Insurance would have significantly cushioned the blow by ~72 per cent,' Vaidyanathan said in the bank's annual report for FY25. 'Going forward, we will fully insure the portfolio, monitor it closely, keep track of industry practices, and keep it within certain limits of the bank's overall portfolio,' he said. From January 2024 onwards, the bank started insuring disbursals of microfinance loans under the Credit Guarantee Fund for Micro Units (CGFMU). Currently, 66 per cent of the bank's overall microfinance portfolio is insured under CGFMU coverage. As a result, in the event of default, the bank will be paid ~72 per cent of the defaulted amount. The MFI sector has been grappling with stress due to over-leveraging of borrowers, resulting in lenders curtailing disbursals, which led to borrower defaults and a rise in non-performing assets (NPAs) for lenders engaged in the segment. As of March 2025, the gross NPA of the bank in the MFI portfolio was 1.63 per cent, compared to 1.81 per cent in December 2024. Following stress in its MFI portfolio, the bank has shrunk its MFI book by 28 per cent from Rs 13,344 crore as on March 31, 2024 to Rs 9,571 crore as on March 31, 2025. Explaining the impact of stress in the MFI portfolio, Vaidyanathan said there were two effects — NPA provisioning increased in MFI loans during the crisis, and the reduction in book size led to a decline in income compared to earlier years. 'We expect improvement in MFI to start reflecting from Q2FY26 onwards,' he said, adding that the bank has built a well-oiled machinery of 6,500 staff dedicated to lending and collections, supported by robust systems and protocols. 'Over eight years, we have financed 4 million customers through multiple repayment cycles, bringing them into the formal credit system and transforming lives. This has helped us meet weaker section PSL norms, avoid penalties, and also run a profitable business. Given these capabilities, it makes little sense to exit due to this one-off crisis. Instead, we must reflect on what could have been done better to reduce the profit and loss (P&L) impact,' he said, referring to whether the bank will continue in the MFI business. 'I take full responsibility for the MFI issue. We see the MFI book in its entirety, with the positives and negatives it gave us, and will insure the portfolio going forward,' Vaidyanathan said.
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Researchers in U.K., Chennai, explore use of AI and social robots for early dementia detection and support
Dementia, a condition that affects millions worldwide, has become a challenge of significant concern as the global population ages. Traditionally, care for dementia has relied heavily on medication, therapy, and the support of family and caregivers. However, now, the approach to dementia care is beginning to evolve in unexpected ways. Researchers are exploring how technology, particularly robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI), can play a deeper role in supporting human care. Though still in its early stages, a notable example is the collaboration between Imperial College London and the Chennai-based Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), where a team is investigating how social robots could aid those living with dementia. The aim of this research is not only to provide companionship, but also to detect early signs of cognitive decline. Use of social robots The research seeks to use voice recognition and 'social robots' to detect early signs of cognitive decline. Social robots are those that interact and communicate with humans by following social behaviors and rules. According to Ravi Vaidyanathan, professor in biomecharonics at Imperial College London, who leads the research, the idea is to engage people with dementia and use these interactions to monitor their cognitive health. 'We are looking at how we can use voice interactions to diagnose dementia. By collecting data over time, the AI can help doctors spot early warning signs,' Prof Vaidyanathan explained. He believes the technology has the potential to identify changes in speech, like hesitation, difficulty finding words, or changes in inflection, that could signal the early stages of dementia. 'If we can get people to engage with the robot and enjoy the interaction, we create a richer dataset that may lead to more accurate diagnostics,' he added. The pilot studies conducted so far are said to have shown encouraging results. In one particular study at SCARF, a social robot was used to engage participants diagnosed with dementia. The robot initiated conversations with people about their daily lives, asking simple questions such as, 'How did you sleep last night?' and 'How are you feeling today?' Sridhar Vaitheshwaran, consultant psychiatrist and head of DEMCARES at SCARF, pointed out the positive outcomes, saying, 'People with dementia were genuinely interested in the robot and engaged in meaningful conversations. It was clear that they were interacting with it not as a machine, but as a companion.' This finding highlighted the potential for robots to alleviate feelings of isolation that many people with dementia experience. Data for early detection Prof. Vaidyanathan noted that the key goal of the research isn't just about keeping patients engaged but also about collecting meaningful data. 'We're gathering data in real-time, so it's not just about engaging people. It's about how we can make sure this interaction can lead to something useful. If we can detect early signs of dementia based on these conversations, we can better equip physicians with tools for early diagnosis,' he stated. He also stressed the significance of regular check-ins. 'By having conversations with people every day, we can observe fluctuations in their speech over time, which could be early indicators of cognitive decline.' Challenges in scaling up, data privacy One of the biggest challenges in scaling this research, however, lies in the cross-cultural differences in language, speech patterns, and patient engagement. By testing the technology in different cultural contexts, the team aims to make the AI more adaptable to various accents, linguistic nuances, and communication styles. While the potential for social robots in dementia care is exciting, the project also faces the critical issue of data privacy. In the context of AI, voice recordings and other personal data can raise significant concerns. Prof. Vaitheshwaran said of the importance of ethical research practices, 'I think any research, any data that we gather from people needs to be protected and it has to be ethical, and we need to be careful about what we do with the data,' adding that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has developed comprehensive guidelines for the use of patient data. 'All of our studies undergo thorough review by our Ethics Committee to ensure that the data is handled ethically and securely,' he said. The use of voice data, especially in healthcare settings, poses unique privacy challenges. According to the team, the data gathered is handled privately. Close oversight of both the research team and participants is maintained to ensure a degree of control. 'But when it comes to broader implementation, managing these aspects becomes much more complex — and that's something the research community hasn't fully resolved yet,' said Prof Vaidyanathan. He pointed out that as the research evolves, maintaining privacy during the broader deployment of the technology will be an ongoing concern. Early intervention and reducing physician load Looking ahead, Prof. Vaidyanathan said that the next step is to refine the technology for early dementia detection through AI-powered voice screening, which could alert physicians when further evaluation is needed. Ultimately, they aim to support clinicians and people with dementia through technology that is both effective and user-friendly. 'We want to move beyond just helping those already diagnosed with dementia. We aim to identify people at risk before they show any obvious symptoms.' He believes that if dementia is detected in its early stages, it could make a significant difference to managing the disease and improving patients' quality of life. The team also wants to explore combining voice data with other diagnostic methods, like urinary tract information or even genetic markers. 'Voice interactions are one piece of the puzzle, but when combined with other diagnostic tools, we could create a more holistic approach,' Prof. Vaidyanathan said.
Business Wire
12-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Versa and OPSWAT Partner to Enhance Real-Time Device Security for SASE
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Versa, the global leader in Universal Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), today announced a technology partnership with OPSWAT, a global leader in critical infrastructure protection (CIP) cybersecurity solutions, to enhance the real-time device security monitoring capabilities of the Versa SASE Client. Versa and OPSWAT partner to enhance real-time device security for SASE, with OPSWAT MetaDefender SDK extending Versa's SASE endpoint capabilities for Zero Trust enforcement to reduce attack surface risk. Share The Versa SASE Client combines connectivity and security for users and their devices, enabling real-time best-path routing and the enforcement of dynamic security policies based on Zero Trust and continuously evaluated device security posture. As a result of this partnership, Versa has integrated OPSWAT's MetaDefender Endpoint Security SDK into the Versa SASE Client, allowing IT teams to leverage real-time device posture data to automatically validate endpoints and enforce Zero Trust policies – helping to reduce the attack surface. 'Remote workers and BYOD users need access to critical business systems and data; however, this increases organizations' threat risks if endpoint devices are not secure,' said Anusha Vaidyanathan, Senior Director of Product Management at Versa. 'This partnership enables Versa customers to apply OPSWAT's MetaDefender Endpoint Security SDK directly within our VersaONE Universal SASE Platform. As businesses continue to operate in cloud and hybrid settings, this joint solution enables IT teams to minimize risk by verifying device security and compliance policies before granting access to secure company systems.' A newly published video featuring an interview with Ms. Vaidyanathan explains the integration and summarizes its benefits. For more information, see 'Our partnership with Versa validates OPSWAT's commitment to securing critical infrastructure by integrating advanced endpoint compliance capabilities directly into the VersaONE Universal SASE Platform,' said Hamid Karimi, Vice President of Technical Alliances and OEM at OPSWAT. 'With OPSWAT MetaDefender Endpoint Security SDK, Versa customers can confidently ensure device compliance and security before network access, providing better defense against today's evolving cybersecurity threats.' The MetaDefender SDK is a cross-platform, versatile, and modular framework that serves as a powerful endpoint security software development platform, enabling software engineers and technology vendors to build advanced endpoint security products. The SDK's Device Compliance Module enables software engineers to implement features in their products for a wide range of applications, including device posture assessment, as well as for potentially unwanted applications, allowing them to deliver better secure remote access, compliance, network access control, remote support, and other capabilities to their end customers. Availability The Versa SASE Client with OPSWAT enhancements is currently available as part of the Versa Universal SASE Platform. For more information, see About OPSWAT For the last 20 years OPSWAT, a global leader in IT, OT, and ICS critical infrastructure cybersecurity, has continuously evolved an end-to-end solutions platform that gives public and private sector organizations and enterprises the critical advantage needed to protect their complex networks and ensure compliance. Empowered by a 'Trust no file. Trust no device.™' philosophy, OPSWAT solves customers' challenges around the world with zero-trust solutions and patented technologies across every level of their infrastructure, securing their networks, data, and devices, and preventing known and unknown threats, zero-day attacks, and malware. Discover how OPSWAT protects the world's critical infrastructure and helps secure our way of life; visit About Versa Versa, a global leader in SASE, enables organizations to create self-protecting networks that radically simplify and automate their network and security infrastructure. Powered by AI, the VersaONE Universal SASE Platform delivers converged SSE, SD-WAN, and SD-LAN solutions that protect data and defend against cyberthreats while delivering a superior digital experience. Thousands of customers globally, with hundreds of thousands of sites and millions of users, trust Versa with their mission critical networks and security. Versa is privately held and funded by investors such as Sequoia Capital, Mayfield, and BlackRock. For more information, visit and follow Versa on LinkedIn and X (Twitter) @versanetworks. Versa Networks, VOS, the Versa logo, and Versa Titan are or may be registered trademarks of Versa Networks, Inc.
