India's RBL Bank rises as Citi outlook on margin expansion improves

** Shares of RBL Bank RBLBANK rise as much as 2.5% to 277 rupees; last up about 2%

** Citi says bank's lending margins, which bottomed out in June, set to improve this quarter

** Notes loan growth picking up via secured retail, commercial lending; microfinance disbursements now exceed repayments

** Fee income gaining momentum; cost-control benefits expected from H2 FY26

** Citi reiterates "buy", PT 300 rupees

** Ends 90-day "positive catalyst" watch during which RBL outperformed Nifty Bank BANKNIFTY by 16%

** Projects 4% QoQ, 11% YoY loan growth

** RBL up 71% YTD vs NSEBANK's 9%