Mumbai, October 2024.
Kotak
Mahindra Bank Limited (“KMBL”) today announced that it has entered into
an agreement to acquire the Personal Loan book (“Proposed Transaction”)
of Standard Chartered Bank, India, further strengthening its position in the Retail Credit market.
As of September 30, 2024, Proposed Transaction
comprises a total loan outstanding of around ₹4,100 crore (equivalent to ~$490 million). The
Proposed Transaction consists of loans classified as “Standard Loans”
as per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines. The transaction is expected
to be completed over the next three months, subject to regulatory and other
approvals and the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditionsand KMBL will acquire the loan book, which will be
outstanding closer to the completion date.
This
acquisition aligns
with KMBL’s strategy to transform for
scale and focus on customer-centric
growth. Thehigh-quality loan book from Standard Chartered Bank allows KMBL to build on its strength in the affluent customer segment and further reinforces its leadership in the retail
lending space.
KMBL aims to leverage its technology expertise and quality customer service to ensure a seamless transition for existingStandard
Chartered BankPersonal Loan customers, maintaining the high standards both
institutions are known for.
Ambuj Chandna, Head-Products, Consumer
Bank, Kotak Mahindra
Bank, said, “India’s unsecured lending market offers
significant growth potential for Kotak, especially in the higher-end segment.
Our strong risk management, customer-centric products, and technology-driven
approach position us for sustainable growth. This transaction supports our Retail Assets growth strategy and reinforces our commitment to retail
lending. It provides access to a high-quality customer base, and with Kotak
Group’s successful integration track record, we
are committed to a smooth transition.We look forward to welcoming new customers to Kotak Mahindra Bank,
ensuring a seamless transition and enhanced experience with our diverse
products and services.”
Aditya Mandloi, Head – Wealth& Retail Banking, Standard Chartered
Bank, India & South Asia said, “Our decisionto divest the personal loan book
is in line with the Bank’s focus to accelerate growth in the wealth, affluent
and SME segment. India continues to be a key market for Standard Chartered
network, with Wealth & Retail Banking (WRB) and Corporate & Investment
banking (CIB) as the cornerstones and we will continue to invest and grow in
India. Together with Kotak, we remain committed towards ensuring a seamless
transition for our clients”.