Latest news with #VishalKapoor
Hans India
05-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
Energy-efficient induction stoves to be distributed to Anganwadi centres
VIJAYAWADA: Marking a significant step towards environmental sustainability and women's welfare, the State government has made all arrangements for distribution of energy-efficient induction cooktops and compatible utensils to 11,400 Anganwadi Centrrs (AWCs) across the State in the first phase. The programme is being conducted to mark the World Environment Day to be celebrated on Thursday. The initiative, led by the Department of Women and Child Welfare, aligns with the Union Government's Go Electric campaign and the National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP), championed by the Ministry of Power, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL). The State and Central governments are trying to transitioning from LPG to Induction Cooking in the Anganwadi Centres. Timed to coincide with the World Environment Day, the initiative reinforces the State's commitment to climate action and clean energy adoption. Implemented in collaboration with EESL - a joint venture of Central public sector undertakings under the Ministry of Power - the large scale distribution programme will be launched by Minister for Women, Child Welfare and Tribal Welfare G Sandhya Rani along with public representatives on June 5 in Vijayawada. They will oversee the distribution of the energy-efficient induction cooktops and compatible utensils to Anganwadi Centres. Plans are underway to extend this initiative to all 55,607 Anganwadi centres across the State. EESL CEO Vishal Kapoor along with top officers including CGM Animesh Mishra are currently overseeing implementation. Benefits of Transitioning from LPG to Induction Cooking: Energy Efficiency: Induction cooktops are 30 per cent more efficient than traditional LPG stoves. Cost Savings: Switching to 1200 W induction stoves is projected to reduce recurring LPG costs, with annual savings estimated at Rs 24 crore. Environmental Impact: Expected to avoid approximately 28,327 tons of CO₂ emissions per year. Safety and Health: Eliminates open flames, reducing fire hazards and improving kitchen safety. Better Working Conditions: Creates cooler, cleaner, and safer environments for Anganwadi workers, especially during hot summers. Minister Gummidi Sandhya Rani, Secretary Surya Kumari (Department of Women and Child Welfare), and Director M Venu Gopal Reddy expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister Khattar for their continued guidance. They also acknowledged the contributions of Chief Secretary K Vijayanand, BEE, EESL, and other State Designated Agencies for their collaborative efforts. In Vijayawada, the induction stoves distribution programme will be held at Funtimes Club, Teachers Colony from 11 am to 1 pm on June 5.
New York Post
04-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
8 in 10 Americans changing spending habits over recession fears: survey
The current economy is changing how Americans manage their money, according to new research. A recent survey of 2,000 general population Americans revealed that eight in 10 (77%) have changed the way they manage their finances as a result of ongoing economic conditions. With the majority (86%) feeling that the economy remains uncertain — and six in 10 (58%) believing a recession is inevitable — people are doubling down on predictability, stability and long-term control when it comes to their spending. Commissioned by Affirm and conducted by Talker Research, results found that half (50%) want to keep cash available for unexpected expenses or financial uncertainty, two in five (41%) want to manage their budget with fixed, predictable payments, and over a third (36%) are thinking more long-term than ever about their finances. A recent survey of 2,000 general population Americans revealed that eight in 10 (77%) have changed the way they manage their finances as a result of ongoing economic conditions. Farknot Architect – This is unsurprising, given the average respondent predicts today's financial uncertainty will last for 10 more months. In response to these challenges, two in five (39%) are prioritizing strategies like avoiding credit card interest or fees. Americans are also taking active steps to strengthen their financial know-how. More than one in four (28%) are improving their financial literacy, nearly one in four (23%) are exploring how to make different payment options work for them and about one in five (19%) are seeking more value from their financial providers to stay ahead in today's climate. Additionally, most respondents (83%) are focused on what they can control with their finances. 'Control means prioritizing predictability,' said Vishal Kapoor, Affirm's SVP of Product. 'That's why nearly half of consumers (49%) named 'no surprise fees' as their top priority when making purchases this year. Affirm is built to support this need — with transparent terms and no late or hidden fees, we help people spend smarter and plan with confidence.' With the majority (86%) feeling that the economy remains uncertain — and six in 10 (58%) believing a recession is inevitable. Andrii Lysenko – In addition to 'no surprise fees,' just over two in five respondents (41%) pointed to interest-free offers, and roughly one in three (35%) valued the ability to spread payments out over time — further underscoring their long-term mindset. Over a quarter (27%) highlighted the need for clear timelines for when payments are due, while two in five (41%) emphasized a need to manage their budget with fixed, predictable payments. All of these priorities tie back to what respondents find important when managing their money in the current economic climate — control, predictability and total clarity when managing their money. 'Consumers clearly want more from their financial tools. They want payment solutions that help them manage their budgets, avoid surprises and stay financially resilient,' Kapoor added. 'That's exactly what we were built for. From options like 0% APR offers to predictable monthly payments, we're giving people greater flexibility and peace of mind as they plan for the future.' Survey methodology: Talker Research surveyed 2,000 general population Americans; the survey was commissioned by Affirm and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between March 21–25, 2025.
Miami Herald
04-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
How Americans are taking control of their finances in today's economy
The current economy is changing how Americans manage their money, according to new research. A recent survey of 2,000 general population Americans revealed that eight in 10 (77%) have changed the way they manage their finances as a result of ongoing economic conditions. With the majority (86%) feeling that the economy remains uncertain - and six in 10 (58%) believing a recession is inevitable - people are doubling down on predictability, stability and long-term control when it comes to their spending. Commissioned by Affirm and conducted by Talker Research, results found that half (50%) want to keep cash available for unexpected expenses or financial uncertainty, two in five (41%) want to manage their budget with fixed, predictable payments, and over a third (36%) are thinking more long-term than ever about their finances. This is unsurprising, given the average respondent predicts today's financial uncertainty will last for 10 more months. In response to these challenges, two in five (39%) are prioritizing strategies like avoiding credit card interest or fees. Americans are also taking active steps to strengthen their financial know-how. More than one in four (28%) are improving their financial literacy, nearly one in four (23%) are exploring how to make different payment options work for them and about one in five (19%) are seeking more value from their financial providers to stay ahead in today's climate. Additionally, most respondents (83%) are focused on what they can control with their finances. "Control means prioritizing predictability," said Vishal Kapoor, Affirm's SVP of Product. "That's why nearly half of consumers (49%) named 'no surprise fees' as their top priority when making purchases this year. Affirm is built to support this need - with transparent terms and no late or hidden fees, we help people spend smarter and plan with confidence." In addition to "no surprise fees," just over two in five respondents (41%) pointed to interest-free offers, and roughly one in three (35%) valued the ability to spread payments out over time - further underscoring their long-term mindset. Over a quarter (27%) highlighted the need for clear timelines for when payments are due, while two in five (41%) emphasized a need to manage their budget with fixed, predictable payments. All of these priorities tie back to what respondents find important when managing their money in the current economic climate - control, predictability and total clarity when managing their money. "Consumers clearly want more from their financial tools. They want payment solutions that help them manage their budgets, avoid surprises and stay financially resilient," Kapoor added. "That's exactly what we were built for. From options like 0% APR offers to predictable monthly payments, we're giving people greater flexibility and peace of mind as they plan for the future." Survey methodology: Talker Research surveyed 2,000 general population Americans; the survey was commissioned by Affirm and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between March 21–25, 2025. We are sourcing from a non-probability frame and the two main sources we use are: Traditional online access panels - where respondents opt-in to take part in online market research for an incentiveProgrammatic - where respondents are online and are given the option to take part in a survey to receive a virtual incentive usually related to the online activity they are engaging in Those who did not fit the specified sample were terminated from the survey. As the survey is fielded, dynamic online sampling is used, adjusting targeting to achieve the quotas specified as part of the sampling plan. Regardless of which sources a respondent came from, they were directed to an Online Survey, where the survey was conducted in English; a link to the questionnaire can be shared upon request. Respondents were awarded points for completing the survey. These points have a small cash-equivalent monetary value. Cells are only reported on for analysis if they have a minimum of 80 respondents, and statistical significance is calculated at the 95% level. Data is not weighted, but quotas and other parameters are put in place to reach the desired sample. Interviews are excluded from the final analysis if they failed quality-checking measures. This includes: Speeders: Respondents who complete the survey in a time that is quicker than one-third of the median length of interview are disqualified as speedersOpen ends: All verbatim responses (full open-ended questions as well as other please specify options) are checked for inappropriate or irrelevant textBots: Captcha is enabled on surveys, which allows the research team to identify and disqualify botsDuplicates: Survey software has "deduping" based on digital fingerprinting, which ensures nobody is allowed to take the survey more than once It is worth noting that this survey was only available to individuals with internet access, and the results may not be generalizable to those without internet access. The post How Americans are taking control of their finances in today's economy appeared first on Talker. Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.
The Hindu
18-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
How ceiling fans could aid in mitigating climate change?
Ceiling fans are a staple in almost every Indian home, but most of them are shockingly inefficient. In this episode of The Climate Economy, host Kunal Shankar uncovers how replacing conventional fans with energy-efficient BLDC (Brushless Direct Current) models could save up to 15% on individual electricity bills and slash India's national power demand by nearly 5%. To understand the issue better, we speak with Vishal Kapoor, CEO of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), about the massive untapped potential of fan replacement, the behavioural and market barriers holding consumers back, and how smarter policies, subsidies, and innovations like IoT-enabled fans could change the game. This episode dives into the intersection of everyday appliances, climate goals, and economic opportunity. Host: Kunal Shankar Editing: Aniket SIngh Chauhan Camera: Johan Sathyadas, Sabika Syed and Vishnoo Jotshi
National Post
30-04-2025
- Business
- National Post
Affirm Launches "AdaptAI" – its AI-Powered Promotions Platform
Article content Article content SAN FRANCISCO — Affirm (NASDAQ: AFRM), the payment network that empowers consumers and helps merchants drive growth, today announced it is introducing 'AdaptAI,' its AI-powered promotions platform, to its merchant partners. AdaptAI has enabled Affirm to deliver personalized financial benefits – such as exclusive APR rates, special repayment terms, and immediate cash savings – directly to consumers via the Affirm App and Affirm Card. Now, merchants can deliver these same targeted, real-time promotions and credit offers, which are optimized specifically for a customer's shopping preferences, spending habits, and purchase details, at the point of purchase. Article content 'Unlike conventional credit card rewards—which are opaque, static, and subsidized by the financially vulnerable—AdaptAI dynamically matches the right benefit to the right consumer at exactly the right moment,' said Vishal Kapoor, Affirm's SVP of Product. 'Consumers no longer need to spend more, keep track of, or wait months to recoup their rewards. Now, they can immediately receive tailored, transparent value at the time of purchase. This is only made possible with Affirm's AI-powered technology and real-time underwriting, and builds on what we do best: delivering customized payment options that help consumers take their money further.' Article content Today's consumers expect individualized experiences, especially when paying. Affirm has successfully met this need by offering payment solutions customized to each consumer's purchase and financial profile. Now, thanks to AdaptAI, Affirm's merchant partners can unlock additional value for shoppers right at checkout. Article content Each of these bespoke offers translates into tangible consumer value, such as significant savings or added flexibility. Consider a $500 purchase: A merchant using AdaptAI could offer a first-time shopper a 0% APR promotion over 12 months, potentially saving that customer about $120 in interest compared to typical revolving credit card costs. Alternatively, that same merchant could offer its most loyal customers–who Affirm knows value predictability and more time to pay–an interest-bearing offer with extended repayment terms, tied to an event such as a Memorial Day sale. For these customers, spreading a $500 purchase out over 24 months at 10% APR might better align with their budgeting preferences, despite the added cost of about $4 per month in simple interest. This AI-driven nuance can allow merchants to meaningfully reward customers based on their real-time needs, boosting customer satisfaction and loyalty, and ultimately driving greater engagement and conversion. Article content Affirm has leveraged AdaptAI across its own consumer products, including the Affirm App and Affirm Card, driving nearly 10% incremental improvements in conversion rates. Building on this proven success, Affirm is now making this powerful AI-powered promotions platform broadly available for its merchant partners. Article content Merchants interested in offering these tailored benefits to their customers can get in touch here. Article content About Affirm Affirm's mission is to deliver honest financial products that improve lives. By building a new kind of payment network — one based on trust, transparency, and putting people first — we empower millions of consumers to spend and save responsibly, and give thousands of businesses the tools to fuel growth. Unlike most credit cards and other pay-over-time options, we never charge any late or hidden fees. Follow Affirm on social media: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | X. Article content Rates from 0–36% APR. For example, a $800 purchase might cost $72.21/mo over 12 months at 15% APR. Payment options through Affirm are subject to an eligibility check, may not be available everywhere, and are provided by these lending partners: Options depend on your purchase amount, and a down payment may be required. CA residents: Loans by Affirm Loan Services, LLC are made or arranged pursuant to a California Financing Law license. For licenses and disclosures, see Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
