Specialist in Indian Banking and Economic Research

Hemindra Hazari

<p>There is a surprising change in the public profiles of the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of India’s first and second largest private sector banks, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hdfc-bank-ltd-4b6b7a92-9087-468d-9dbe-ab169e77f014" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:558:1" rel="noopener">HDFC Bank (HDFCB IN)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/icici-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:547:1" rel="noopener">ICICI Bank Ltd (ICICIBC IN)</a> . What are the implications?</p><p>Both Sashidhar Jagdishan and Sandeep Bakshi stepped into the shoes of high-profile predecessors: the iconic Aditya Puri is credited with the US$ 100 bn plus valuation of HDFC Bank, while Chanda Kochhar continued to build on the ICICI Bank franchise; she was later sacked in disgrace over a conflict of interest.  For better or worse, the ‘brands’ of the respective banks became closely identified with Puri and Kochhar. As compared with their high profile predecessors, Jagdishan and Bakshi maintain a low media profile, while attempting to change the culture, the very DNA of their organizations. At the same time, they are trying to meet the street’s high expectations regarding growth and asset quality.</p><p>Bakshi took charge at ICICI Bank on October 15, 2018, and has remained virtually invisible, unlike his predecessor, who constantly figured in the media. He has preferred to remain mute and let the ICICI Bank share price do the talking. Atypically by ICICI Bank standards, even when the bank made undisputed gains in business (e.g., the increase in its credit card market share by spends), it has declined to make any public statement or provide access and publicity to its achievement. One rarely finds any formal media interview with Bakshi since he took charge as the CEO. During the bank’s results call, he provides a brief introduction and thereafter allows his concerned heads to elaborate on the bank’s performance. Such a demeanour by a senior ICICI Bank executive is welcome but also highly abnormal in the leadership history of this institution.</p><p>This analyst has covered ICICI Bank (including the erstwhile ICICI) for nearly 23 years. For nearly two decades, under the leadership of KV Kamath and subsequently Chanda Kochhar, the institution declined to interact with him on account of his critical <a href="https://hemindrahazari.com/1999/01/07/icici-preference-capital-included-in-tier-1-capital/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a>. The erstwhile ICICI leaders who transitioned to the bank and the coterie surrounding them were noted for their arrogance and intolerance towards any criticism levelled at the institution. It was therefore surprising that ICICI Bank reinitiated contact with this analyst after a gap of nearly 20 years, soon after Bakshi took charge as CEO. This is all the more surprising as it was this analyst who had exposed Sandeep Bakshi’s shameful conduct in <a href="https://hemindrahazari.com/2018/06/22/is-sandeep-bakhshi-fit-and-proper-to-be-coo-of-icici-bank/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">authorising</a>  a false criminal complaint against a whistle blower when he was CEO, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance. (That false complaint had led to the innocent Nitin Balchandani being in jail for 30 days; he was subsequently released by the Rajasthan High Court for lack of evidence.)</p><p>Like other banking analysts, this analyst had interacted with Jagdishan since he was the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), HDFC Bank. In the course of those interactions, Jagdishan came across as a straight-talking individual who did not duck or sidestep critical questions and issues and was candid enough to admit to the bank’s mistakes and shortcoming. This analyst published many reports (<a href="https://hemindrahazari.com/2019/12/09/hdfc-banks-digital-disaster-no-recovery-plan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>, <a href="https://hemindrahazari.com/2020/02/11/can-a-director-of-hdfc-bank-comment-on-bank-matters-in-his-personal-capacity/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> and <a href="https://hemindrahazari.com/2020/12/28/hdfc-bank-honey-i-shrunk-the-chief-risk-officer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>) sharply critical of HDFC Bank and atleast one after Jagdishan took charge. Even though Jagdishan disagreed with some of these views, he continued to engage with this analyst. This is most unlike the conduct of HDFC Bank’s parent, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/housing-development-finance-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:252:1" rel="noopener">HDFC Limited (HDFC IN)</a>, whose veteran leadership is respected, but cannot tolerate the slightest criticism, and declines to reply to any queries from this analyst since a critical <a href="https://hemindrahazari.com/2018/04/19/more-transparency-was-expected-from-hdfc-regarding-its-reliance-naval-exposure/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> was released.</p><p>In corporate India, reared on leader worship, it is rare for CEOs to publicly accept mistakes and apologise, as they believe it would diminish their public image. It is even rarer for them to tolerate criticism and the instinct of many ‘revered corporate icons’ is to boycott critics, both as a punishment and to serve as a warning to any other potential dissenters. For all the sermons they preach on corporate governance, in reality public listed companies are treated like their personal fiefdoms, and their authority is unchallenged by pliant boards of directors, obedient business journalists and tame sell-side analysts.</p><p>It is therefore refreshing to note the apparent decision of Jagdishan and Bakshi to maintain low public visibility, at least for the time being, and for both to tolerate critics and continue to engage with them. Jagdishan has even acknowledged and publicly apologised for HDFC Bank’s failings. Reportedly, the new leaderships at both banks are attempting to change the culture of their respective organisations in a way that will ultimately benefit all stakeholders, including customers and employees, while doing their business in a low profile manner.</p><p>To date, the stock market has rewarded Bakshi and penalised Jagdishan, perhaps because investors have some concerns that the latter’s more humane approach may disrupt the ruthlessly efficient business model built by Aditya Puri. However, this analyst believes that in both institutions the new leadership may eventually prove rewarding to investors. Rather than base the bank’s brand on a celebrity CEO, it is preferable to base it on solid and stable systems.</p>

There is a surprising change in the public profiles of the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of India’s first and second largest private sector banks, HDFC Bank (HDFCB IN) and ICICI Bank Ltd (ICICIBC IN) . What are the implications?Both Sashidhar Jagdishan and Sandeep Bakshi stepped into the shoes of high-profile predecessors: the iconic Aditya Puri is credited with the US$ 100 bn plus valuation of HDFC Bank, while Chanda Kochhar continued to build on the ICICI Bank franchise; she was later sacked in disgrace over a conflict of interest.  For better or worse, the ‘brands’ of the respective banks became closely identified with Puri and Kochhar. As compared with their high profile predecessors, Jagdishan and Bakshi maintain a low media profile, while attempting to change the culture, the very DNA of their organizations. At the same time, they are trying to meet the street’s high expectations regarding growth and asset quality.Bakshi took charge at ICICI Bank on October 15, 2018, and has remained virtually invisible, unlike his predecessor, who constantly figured in the media. He has preferred to remain mute and let the ICICI Bank share price do the talking. Atypically by ICICI Bank standards, even when the bank made undisputed gains in business (e.g., the increase in its credit card market share by spends), it has declined to make any public statement or provide access and publicity to its achievement. One rarely finds any formal media interview with Bakshi since he took charge as the CEO. During the bank’s results call, he provides a brief introduction and thereafter allows his concerned heads to elaborate on the bank’s performance. Such a demeanour by a senior ICICI Bank executive is welcome but also highly abnormal in the leadership history of this institution.This analyst has covered ICICI Bank (including the erstwhile ICICI) for nearly 23 years. For nearly two decades, under the leadership of KV Kamath and subsequently Chanda Kochhar, the institution declined to interact with him on account of his critical reports. The erstwhile ICICI leaders who transitioned to the bank and the coterie surrounding them were noted for their arrogance and intolerance towards any criticism levelled at the institution. It was therefore surprising that ICICI Bank reinitiated contact with this analyst after a gap of nearly 20 years, soon after Bakshi took charge as CEO. This is all the more surprising as it was this analyst who had exposed Sandeep Bakshi’s shameful conduct in authorising  a false criminal complaint against a whistle blower when he was CEO, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance. (That false complaint had led to the innocent Nitin Balchandani being in jail for 30 days; he was subsequently released by the Rajasthan High Court for lack of evidence.)Like other banking analysts, this analyst had interacted with Jagdishan since he was the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), HDFC Bank. In the course of those interactions, Jagdishan came across as a straight-talking individual who did not duck or sidestep critical questions and issues and was candid enough to admit to the bank’s mistakes and shortcoming. This analyst published many reports (here, here and here) sharply critical of HDFC Bank and atleast one after Jagdishan took charge. Even though Jagdishan disagreed with some of these views, he continued to engage with this analyst. This is most unlike the conduct of HDFC Bank’s parent, HDFC Limited (HDFC IN), whose veteran leadership is respected, but cannot tolerate the slightest criticism, and declines to reply to any queries from this analyst since a critical report was released.In corporate India, reared on leader worship, it is rare for CEOs to publicly accept mistakes and apologise, as they believe it would diminish their public image. It is even rarer for them to tolerate criticism and the instinct of many ‘revered corporate icons’ is to boycott critics, both as a punishment and to serve as a warning to any other potential dissenters. For all the sermons they preach on corporate governance, in reality public listed companies are treated like their personal fiefdoms, and their authority is unchallenged by pliant boards of directors, obedient business journalists and tame sell-side analysts.It is therefore refreshing to note the apparent decision of Jagdishan and Bakshi to maintain low public visibility, at least for the time being, and for both to tolerate critics and continue to engage with them. Jagdishan has even acknowledged and publicly apologised for HDFC Bank’s failings. Reportedly, the new leaderships at both banks are attempting to change the culture of their respective organisations in a way that will ultimately benefit all stakeholders, including customers and employees, while doing their business in a low profile manner.To date, the stock market has rewarded Bakshi and penalised Jagdishan, perhaps because investors have some concerns that the latter’s more humane approach may disrupt the ruthlessly efficient business model built by Aditya Puri. However, this analyst believes that in both institutions the new leadership may eventually prove rewarding to investors. Rather than base the bank’s brand on a celebrity CEO, it is preferable to base it on solid and stable systems.

Less News Is Good News: Surprising Change in the Public Profiles of HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank CEOs

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Capital Markets

<div><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zomato-media-pvt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28820:1" rel="noopener">Zomato (ZOM IN)</a>  aims to raise US$1.3bn in its India IPO. This will be the largest listing in India from the technology sector.</p></div><div><p>Zomato operates a technology platform that provides services for restaurant partners, customers, and delivery partners. During FY20, Zomato recorded 41.5m average MAU and was one of the leading Food Services platforms in India, in terms of value of goods sold, according to RedSeer. As of 31 Dec 20, it had a presence in 526 Indian cities and had 350,174 active restaurant listings.</p></div><div>
<p>We have covered some aspects of the deal in our earlier notes  </p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/zomato-pre-ipo-filings-lack-narrative-a-little-bit-of-history-helps" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zomato Pre-IPO - Filings Lack Narrative, a Little Bit of History Helps, </a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/zomato-pre-ipo-food-delivery-revenue-was-probably-up-16x" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zomato Pre-IPO - Food Delivery Revenue Was Probably up 16x, and</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/zomato-pre-ipo-peer-comparison-listed-and-domestic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zomato Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison - Listed and Domestic</a></li>
</ul>
</div><p>In this note, we will talk about the updates from the RHP and the deal pricing.</p>

Zomato (ZOM IN)  aims to raise US$1.3bn in its India IPO. This will be the largest listing in India from the technology sector.Zomato operates a technology platform that provides services for restaurant partners, customers, and delivery partners. During FY20, Zomato recorded 41.5m average MAU and was one of the leading Food Services platforms in India, in terms of value of goods sold, according to RedSeer. As of 31 Dec 20, it had a presence in 526 Indian cities and had 350,174 active restaurant listings.
We have covered some aspects of the deal in our earlier notes  

Zomato Pre-IPO - Filings Lack Narrative, a Little Bit of History Helps, 
Zomato Pre-IPO - Food Delivery Revenue Was Probably up 16x, and
Zomato Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison - Listed and Domestic

In this note, we will talk about the updates from the RHP and the deal pricing.

Zomato IPO - Strong 4Q21, Has a Very Long Runway

<div><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zomato-media-pvt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28820:1" rel="noopener">Zomato (ZOM IN)</a>  aims to raise US$1.1bn in its upcoming India IPO, which will be launched next week. This would be the largest listing in India from the technology sector.</p></div><div><p>Zomato operates a technology platform that provides services for restaurant partners, customers, and delivery partners. During FY20, Zomato recorded 41.5m average MAU and was one of the leading Food Services platforms in India, in terms of value of goods sold, according to RedSeer. As of 31 Dec 20, it had a presence in 526 Indian cities and had 350,174 active restaurant listings.</p></div><div><p>We have covered some aspects of the deal in our earlier notes  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/zomato-pre-ipo-filings-lack-narrative-a-little-bit-of-history-helps" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zomato Pre-IPO - Filings Lack Narrative, a Little Bit of History Helps </a>and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/zomato-pre-ipo-food-delivery-revenue-was-probably-up-16x" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zomato Pre-IPO - Food Delivery Revenue Was Probably up 16x.</a></p></div><div><p>In this note, we will undertake a peer comparison with its global peers and its main local peer.</p></div>

Zomato (ZOM IN)  aims to raise US$1.1bn in its upcoming India IPO, which will be launched next week. This would be the largest listing in India from the technology sector.Zomato operates a technology platform that provides services for restaurant partners, customers, and delivery partners. During FY20, Zomato recorded 41.5m average MAU and was one of the leading Food Services platforms in India, in terms of value of goods sold, according to RedSeer. As of 31 Dec 20, it had a presence in 526 Indian cities and had 350,174 active restaurant listings.We have covered some aspects of the deal in our earlier notes  Zomato Pre-IPO - Filings Lack Narrative, a Little Bit of History Helps and Zomato Pre-IPO - Food Delivery Revenue Was Probably up 16x.In this note, we will undertake a peer comparison with its global peers and its main local peer.

Zomato Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison - Listed and Domestic

Silver Point

Thomas J. Monaco

Independent Insight Provider

Silver Point is a boutique research firm that focuses on the broader financial services sector, with a particular focus on troubled institutions globally. 

Asia Ex Japan

Equity Bottom-Up

<p><strong><em>*No Substance: </em></strong>HDFC Bank (HDFCB.IN) [HDFCB] provided an investor update for FY 1Q22 ahead of its official scheduled July 17, 2021 earnings release. Many of the highlights related to growth of lending and deposits; and</p><p><strong><em>*Where Have All The Flowers Gone: </em></strong>Nothing was discussed regarding HDFCB’s abysmal credit quality nor its quite suspect insider transaction with HDFC ERGO General Insurance (ERGO). For FY 4Q21, net new NPLs actually increased INR 49.2 bn or 130.4% on an annualized basis which is quite worrisome.  We would also be more comfortable if HDFCB was a bit more aggressive with its provisions. By our calculation, reserves are currently short by nearly INR 242 bn or nearly a half year of core operating results. </p>

*No Substance: HDFC Bank (HDFCB.IN) [HDFCB] provided an investor update for FY 1Q22 ahead of its official scheduled July 17, 2021 earnings release. Many of the highlights related to growth of lending and deposits; and*Where Have All The Flowers Gone: Nothing was discussed regarding HDFCB’s abysmal credit quality nor its quite suspect insider transaction with HDFC ERGO General Insurance (ERGO). For FY 4Q21, net new NPLs actually increased INR 49.2 bn or 130.4% on an annualized basis which is quite worrisome.  We would also be more comfortable if HDFCB was a bit more aggressive with its provisions. By our calculation, reserves are currently short by nearly INR 242 bn or nearly a half year of core operating results. 

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<p><strong><em>*Not So Stable: </em></strong>According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), gross NPLS are not anticipated to be as bad as originally believed. In addition, the RBI retains its cautious outlook on MSME credit risk; and</p>
<p><strong><em>* Rose Colored Glasses:</em></strong> As we have highlighted in numerous individual Indian bank notes, credit quality continued to deteriorate at an accelerated pace prior to the second wave of COVID-19. While many financials are already considered technically insolvent, the reality is that there has been absolutely no let up in the breakdown of credit quality.</p>

*Not So Stable: According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), gross NPLS are not anticipated to be as bad as originally believed. In addition, the RBI retains its cautious outlook on MSME credit risk; and
* Rose Colored Glasses: As we have highlighted in numerous individual Indian bank notes, credit quality continued to deteriorate at an accelerated pace prior to the second wave of COVID-19. While many financials are already considered technically insolvent, the reality is that there has been absolutely no let up in the breakdown of credit quality.

Reserve Bank Of India – FSR Is Very Unrealistic

India

Housing Development Finance Corporation Ltd. HDFC provides housing finance company. The Company provides wide range of housing loans, loan for home improvement, extensions, top ups, and non housing loans and loans for non resident Indian (NRI). HDFC serves customers in India, kuwait, Singapore, Oman, UAE, and the United Kingdom.

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HDFC Limited (HDFC IN)

Less News Is Good News: Surprising Change in the Public Profiles of HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank CEOs

Both Jagdishan and Bakshi are implementing changes for the long haul. Rather than base the bank’s brand on a celebrity CEO, it is preferable to...

Hemindra Hazari

Zomato IPO - Strong 4Q21, Has a Very Long Runway

Zomato (ZOM IN) aims to raise US$1.3bn in its India IPO. This will be the largest listing in India from the technology sector.

Sumeet Singh

Zomato Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison - Listed and Domestic

Zomato (ZOM IN) aims to raise US$1.1bn in its upcoming India IPO, which will be launched next week. This would be the largest listing in India...

Sumeet Singh

HDFC Bank – Spigots Are Now Off

HDFC BANK: HDFCB provided an investor update for FY 1Q22 ahead of its official scheduled July 17, 2021 earnings release. Highlights related to...

Thomas J. Monaco

Reserve Bank Of India – FSR Is Very Unrealistic

RESERVE BANK OF INDIA: According to the RBI, NPLS are not anticipated to be as bad. This couldn't be further from the truth. NPLs continue to...

Thomas J. Monaco

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