Online bank plan

New York, Dec. 3: The Goldman Sachs group may launch an Internet bank and has not ruled out acquiring consumer banks, people familiar with the matter said. It will seek deposits through an online unit that can be used to fund corporate and real estate lending businesses and support its capital market activities.

Crop loan

Mumbai, Dec. 3: State-run banks will get one per cent more interest assistance from the government to provide short-term crop loans of up to notification today.

WTO meet

Geneva, Dec. 3: World Trade Organisation (WTO) chief Pascal Lamy has sent a fax to member states to prepare ministers for a possible meeting starting December 13 in a bid to conclude a global trade pact, a diplomatic source said.

CERC tariff

New Delhi, Dec. 3: The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) will release the new tariff regulations for five years in a fortnight, chairman Pramod Deo said.

Tata scheme

New Delhi, Dec. 3: Tata Steel has come out with an early separation scheme (ESS) for its employees to downsize its “less skilled” workforce across India operations. A Tata Steel spokesperson confirmed the move.