Report: RBI evaluating potential bidders for majority stake in IDBI Bank

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is currently assessing several potential bidders who have expressed interest in acquiring a majority stake in the government-owned IDBI Bank Ltd, according to three sources familiar with the situation, as reported by Reuters.

Kotak Mahindra Bank, CSB Bank backed by Prem Watsa, and Emirates NBD are among the entities that have submitted expressions of interest for the stake, as per two anonymous sources due to the confidential nature of the talks.

The RBI, Finance Ministry, IDBI, Kotak Mahindra Bank, CSB Bank and Emirates Bank did not respond to requests for comment.

The stake sale in the lender is the first major divestment across state-owned banks as part of a broader privatisation plan and could fetch the government 300 billion Indian rupees ($3.66 billion) at the current market valuation.

The federal government owns 45.48% of IDBI Bank, and is looking to divest a 30.48% stake in the lender, alongside state-owned Life Insurance Corp of India (LIC), which will sell 30.24% from its 49.24% holding in the bank.

Expressions of interest the first step in the stake sale process closed in January, the three people said.

The potential bidders have since begun due diligence on the bank, according to the people, who added financial bids were likely to be placed later this year.

The RBI is also conducting a "fit and proper evaluation", including extensive background and financial checks on the potential buyers, a crucial step before an investor is allowed to pick up a stake in a local bank, the people added.

Potential investors have raised questions around the extent of government control in IDBI Bank after the divestment since it will retain a 15% stake and LIC, a government company, will have a 19% stake, two of the people said.

Buyers with an existing bank might be required to merge the operation with IDBI eventually because RBI regulations do not allow the same investor to own two banking entities, said Ashvin Parekh, a management consultant.

A merger would dilute the amount of equity held by the government and LIC, potentially reducing concerns over government control, he added.