January Insights: Property and Finance

Property & Finance

Co-Lending & New RBI Rules: How They Change Your EMI

Your EMI may look the same on paper, but in January 2026, the rules shaping it have quietly changed. The RBI’s new co-lending framework is a reset of how Indian loans are priced, who bears the risk, and how openly your interest rate is determined. It is not buried bureaucracy. For borrowers, this signifies the end of ambiguous pricing and the start of more transparent accountability among NBFCs and banks.

For many years, co-lending operated in secret, frequently keeping borrowers in the dark about how their EMI was put together. Lenders are no longer able to pass the blame due to mandatory risk sharing and blended rates. These adjustments may have an impact on your monthly payment and the reasons behind it, regardless of whether you have a home loan or are currently repaying one.

What's New in January 26 Co-Lending

The RBI’s revised co-lending framework, which goes into effect on January 1, 2026, gives the lending ecosystem better risk sharing, transparency, and borrower protections. These are not small adjustments; they rebalance how banks and NBFCs collaborate to make loans and, eventually, how interest expenses are borne by you.

Here’s what stands out:

Shared Risk, Shared Skin in the Game

Instead of transferring nearly all of the risk downstream, each lender in a co-lending arrangement must now keep at least 10% of each loan on its own books. Accountability among partners is increased as a result.

Blended Interest Rates for Borrowers

A blended rate, which is a weighted average of the bank's and NBFC's cost of funds, will apply to your loan. As a result, prices become clearer and possibly more predictable.

Escrow Accounts & Clear Disclosures

In order to minimize unpleasant surprises at signing, all fees, interest, and charges must be disclosed up front and funds will flow through escrow accounts.

Faster Loan Classification

All partners must use the same classification if one lender marks a loan as stressed (SMA/NPA). Early warning discipline is strengthened as a result.

So, does your EMI increase or decrease?

Here’s the big picture:

Transparent Pricing = Fairer EMIs

Because lenders must now share genuine risk and show blended rates, borrowers benefit from clearer cost breakdowns. You may see EMIs more aligned with your credit quality and market yields, and less with opaque premium pricing.

Market Reaction Matters

If banks and NBFCs price risk more carefully to maintain margins under these regulations, some lenders may tighten pricing, which could somewhat slow the rate at which EMIs decline.

Repo Cuts Still Help

Along with these structural regulations, the RBI's recent rate cuts (such as the repo rate cut in late 2025) have already led to lower home loan rates and EMIs. This has subsequently been transferred to borrowers by a number of banks.

When taken as a whole, 2026 may result in more equitable, transparent, and, in certain situations, predictable EMIs.

Why This Matters for You

First-time homebuyers: Better knowledge of what influences your EMI and more transparent comparisons between lenders.
Current borrowers: No hidden add-ons in your interest calculation and streamlined loan statements.
Customers of NBFCs: In the medium run, borrowers may gain from increased competition to provide competitive pricing.

One Other Boost to Your Wallet

Not related to co-lending but just as significant: as of January 1, 2026, the RBI has decided that floating-rate loans cannot have pre-payment penalties. This implies that you can shorten the terms of your loan or lower your EMIs without paying extra if you choose to pre-pay.

The bottom line

In 2026, Indian lending will enter a new phase where the structure of your loan will be more transparent and your EMIs will reflect actual pricing. Borrowers stand to benefit from clarity and fairness while lenders adjust to co-lending standards. Examine blended rates, request complete disclosures, and don’t be afraid to compare before making a commitment if you intend to take out a loan this year.

Because the real leverage in this new era of co-lending is held by knowledgeable borrowers.

Home Decor

Pantone Colour of the Year: How to Use It in Your Home Without Overdoing It

The Pantone Colour Institute names a shade that is popular among designers, brands, and creatives worldwide each year. The Pantone Colour Institute names a shade that is popular among designers, brands, and creatives worldwide each year. The Pantone Colour Institute names a shade that is popular among designers, brands, and creatives worldwide each year.

The twist is that many traditional homes, particularly in Indian settings, thrive on vibrancy, texture, and warmth, whereas Cloud Dancer whispers serenity. How can you respect this worldwide trend without sacrificing the character of your house?

Make It a Backdrop, Not the Headline

When Cloud Dancer operates in the background silently and does the heavy lifting without requiring attention, it performs its best. It softens sharp edges and reflects light beautifully on walls and ceilings, which is especially helpful in Indian homes where rooms are frequently filled with furniture, patterns, and sentimental items.

Let it frame your area rather than using it as a “statement colour.” Consider it an area for visual breathing. White doesn’t feel clinical when combined with stone finishes, cane chairs, or solid wood furniture. Without losing its cosiness, the space appears instantly more spacious, serene, and upscale.

Use Vibrant Indian Elements to Draw Attention

This is where the soul of your house resides.

When colour is carefully layered, Indian interiors come to life. Even well-known colours like turmeric, emerald, rust, and indigo seem more sophisticated against Cloud Dancer. Instead of competing for attention, a single Kalamkari cushion, a brass urli, or a hand-painted wall plate suddenly stands out.

The secret is self-control. To keep the room adaptable, let colour show up in movable items like textiles, artwork, and décor. You don’t have to dedicate your whole house to trend relevance.

Light It Right and Layer It Well

White has strong feelings. It feels flat when exposed to the incorrect light. It glows when exposed to the proper light.

Natural daylight brings out Cloud Dancer’s softness, making mornings feel open and peaceful. Warm lighting is crucial after dusk; consider wall washers, table lamps, or soft yellow LEDs. Avoid harsh white lights; they strip the colour of its warmth.

Layering light sources creates depth and intimacy. The result? A home that feels calm during the day and indulgent at night.

Use It to Calm, Not Fade Out

If your style leans bold or maximal, Cloud Dancer can act as a pause between statements. Use it in corridors, entryways, or around windows to visually reset the space. It permits contrast to be emphasised and prevents overstimulation.

In bedrooms, it promotes rest. Energy is balanced in living rooms. When used carefully, it never blends in with the surroundings; instead, it serves as an anchor.

A Colour That Knows When to Step Back

Cloud Dancer isn’t about making overnight changes to your house. It comes down to refinement. Regarding knowing when to let texture, light, and space speak for themselves. This year’s Pantone colour makes a more subdued promise of comfort, balance, and clarity in a world that is chasing big statements.

And Cloud Dancer, when used well, lets your home breathe.

Its strength is in moderation, particularly for Indian households. When applied carefully, it enhances colours you already adore, draws attention to craftsmanship you already possess, and makes space for life to unfold organically. Because the most classic interior designs are based on how a house makes you feel rather than on fashion trends.

A BRAND OF OUIPL

Issue : January 2026