The Core Report
The Core
Every Monday to Saturday, tune in as financial journalist and host Govindraj Ethiraj gives you the latest news in business, economy and technology
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Mar 21, 2025 • 23min
#537 How DBS Became the World's Best Digital Bank with Piyush Gupta
🎙 In this episode of The Core Report Weekend Edition, Govindraj Ethiraj speaks with Piyush Gupta, CEO of DBS Bank, on how DBS transformed from a traditional bank into the world’s best digital bank.🔍 Discover how AI, customer obsession, and cultural change helped DBS lead a fintech revolution — and how they're using embedded finance, predictive analytics, and Gen AI to reshape banking in 19 countries.💡 Key topics covered:1) How DBS became a billion-dollar AI-powered bank2) The concept of "embedded finance" and invisible banking3) Why "nobody wakes up wanting to go banking"4) Cybersecurity in the age of deepfakesThe future of personalized, AI-driven banking5) What DBS learned from Alibaba, Uber, and Netflix6) DBS’s India strategy & digital-only banking insights🔗 Stay tuned till the end as Piyush reveals DBS’s bold bets on blockchain, digital assets, and the future of programmable money.📌 Timestamps(00:00) Introduction(01:22) DBS’ early adoption of technology for banking(03:15) Programme of Change and Digital Transformation(05:29) Balancing being a tech company and a bank at the same time(06:20) Embedded Finance(07:03) Support from Regulatory Bodies(08:00) Issues around trust(10:00) AI and finance and nudges(12:48) Difference of culture between countries(14:23) Example of AI and mortgages and other use cases(16:40) Gen AI(18:22) Innovation processes(19:38) Blockchain and digital assets(20:40) DBS in India(22:20) Plans for IndiaListeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
Mar 20, 2025 • 32min
#536 The Markets Add Another 899 Points
On Episode 536 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Sheetal Sapale, Vice President (Commercial) at Pharmarack as well as Sumit Mitra, CEO at Tesco Business Solutions.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:00) The markets are on a strong wicket, add another 899 points(01:59) Wall Street takes solace from Federal Reserve comments on the transitory impact of inflation in the US(03:03) The rupee is on best winning streak since January 2024(03:51) Lifestyle diseases see new launches in weight loss even as other categories grow(13:53) Newer GCCs like McDonalds are coming to India, even as older ones like Tesco complete over 20 yearsListeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
Mar 19, 2025 • 38min
#535 Midcaps Clock Best Day In 9 Months
On Episode 535 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Kunal Bajaj, CEO & Co-Founder at CloudExtel as well as Randheer Singh, CEO ForeSee Advisors and former Director E-Mobility, NITI Aayog.SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(07:43) Midcaps clock best day in 9 months(09:51) Gold prices once again hit fresh highs, rupee strengthens further(13:02) Remittances from US and UK overtake Gulf(14:44) India set to impose higher tariffs on steel imports, stocks rise(16:13) Where and how do we really need satellite broadband in India?(25:38) Can game changing fast charging cars come to India soon, after Chinese car company BYD’s 5 minute and 400 km charging announcementListeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
Mar 18, 2025 • 30min
#534 Markets Build On Its Relief Rally
On Episode 534 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Ambareesh Baliga, Veteran Market Expert as well as Safi Ahsan Rizvi, Advisor at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:09) Markets build on its relief rally as bottom fishing kicks off(02:36) Julius Baier downgrades US equities, eyes China & India stocks(10:24) British bank Barclays infuses Rs 2,300 crore into Indian arm in bid to expand play(12:02) China blasts Li Ka Shing conglomerate for “spineless groveling” to US pressure and agreeing to sell Panama Canal to US, among 43 ports(13:43) A Chinese car battery that can be charged in 5 minutes to drive 400 km could be a game changer(16:30) How is India preparing for heat waves for lives and livelihoodsListeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
Mar 17, 2025 • 32min
#533 Markets Edge Up Even As Prominent IPOs Get Hammered
On Episode 533 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Surendra Mehta, National Secretary at the Indian Bullion & Jewellers Association as well as Amit Prothi, Director General at the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:00) Markets edge up even as prominent IPOs get hammered.(02:18) Trump has wiped out an India’s entire market capitalisation on Wall Street, at close to $5 trillion(06:05) Why it makes sense to buy gold in India and not Dubai(15:40) Computer programming jobs are disappearing at a dramatic rate in the US(16:38) Building resiliency in climate change, in telecom infrastructureListeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
Mar 16, 2025 • 30min
#532 Why Retail Investing can be Dangerous
On Episode 532 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Deepak Jayaraman, leadership coach and host of the podcast Play To Potential. We also feature an excerpt from our Weekend Edition interview with Y S Chakravarti, Managing Director and CEO at Shriram Finance.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(00:50) Why retail investing can be dangerous(07:30) Gold prices hit an all time high on continued uncertainty(09:37) Why do we get messages offering us loans even if we don’t want them?(15:00) The China Xi Put, why China is an increasingly attractive market for investors(17:38) How should CEOs and business leaders approach this era of tariff uncertaintyListeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
Mar 14, 2025 • 45min
#531 Smart Lending: Why Business Loans Are Better Than Consumer Debt with Y S Chakravarti
Why do business loans drive economic growth while consumer debt can be risky? In this conversation with Y.S. Chakravarti, we explore the power of smart lending, how financing entrepreneurs creates jobs, and why funding business assets is better than fueling consumption.From real-world lending experiences to lessons on financial discipline, this discussion covers:1. The key differences between business loans and consumer debt2. Why smart lending supports MSMEs and long-term financial stability3. How a ₹50,000 loan helped build a ₹5,000 crore business4. The psychology of borrowing and repayment behavior5. The future of finance: Human insights vs. digital lending models(00:00) Introduction(01:20) An anecdote from Mr. Chakravarti’s early career(05:45) Growth of Shriram Finance(07:34) Truck Finance and Earning Assets(11:22) Why is Shriram Finance amalgamated?(12:55) Main income streams(15:07) No unsecured credit and why(18:53) 2 Wheeler business(21:38) Views on the technology and the digital world(25:00) Customer Acquisition(28:18) RBI reducing the risk weights(30:00) Expansion in Physical Branches v Digital platforms(32:39) Growth hinges on Transportations and MSMEs(37:24) Anecdote on what to avoid (learning from mistakes)(41:10) What can young people learn from the lending business?Smart lending is about more than just providing money—it’s about supporting entrepreneurs, businesses, and long-term financial success. Understanding the difference between business loans and consumer debt is essential for making better financial decisions.Listeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
Mar 12, 2025 • 27min
#530 The Stock Markets Struggle Against Headwinds
On Episode 530 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Ketan Dalal, founder of Katalyst Advisors and former Managing Partner (West) and Joint Tax Leader of PwC India.SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take: Cooked In Washington and Served in India(05:29) The stock markets struggle against headwinds(06:26) Inflows into Mutual Funds fall to 10-month low(07:16) Retail inflation down to 7-month low of 3.6%(10:18) What should India do on capital gains tax?(24:26) Does the US Commerce Secretary understand Commerce, asks the WSJ?Listeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
Mar 11, 2025 • 31min
#529 Can The Sensex Hit 105,000 by December 2025
On Episode 529 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Sumit Jain, Deputy CIO at ASK Investment Managers Private Limited as well as Karan Taurani, Senior Vice President - Research Analyst (Media, Consumer Discretionary & Internet) at Elara Capital.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:09) Can The Sensex Hit 105,000 by December 2025(03:33) Going back to the 101 of investing and stock picking(15:36) Oil prices are holding around $70(17:24) Musk partners Airtel to bring internet service even as Tesla car sales crash globally.(18:33) What does Reliance Retail’s downsizing mean for the industry?Listeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
Mar 10, 2025 • 32min
#528 The US is Headed Into Recession and India Into Recovery
On Episode 528 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Arvind Chari, Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at Q India UK (affiliate of Quantum Advisors India) as well as Vikash Agarwalla, Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG).SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:00) The US is headed into recession and India into recovery(03:36) Why India stands to pull in more FII flows(14:21) Inflation could go below 4%(17:27) Oil prices continue to hold around $70(17:58) Don’t ask for Tax Cuts, we will bring down your logistics costs, says India’s transport minister(20:01) A new pharma research and manufacturing sector is opening up in India and can grow if we get it rightListeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
