Specialist in Indian Banking and Economic Research

Hemindra Hazari

Uday Kotak’s much-hyped press conference on March 29, 2017 ended with a whimper with his announcement of a new digital-based saving account which he believes would double the bank’s customer base (presently 8mn) in 18 months. Prior to the press conference, business TV, had been giving Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB) free publicity by providing its viewership a countdown to the event throughout the day, in the expectation of a major merger and acquisition announcement by KMB. To say that Uday Kotak made no such announcement is an understatement.The press conference highlighted the need for the bank to further boost its market capitalization as an equity issue was announced the following day and the need for Uday Kotak to part divest his holdings to meet regulatory timelines. By permitting Uday Kotak to have a higher stake in the bank than its norms, the regulator has given him significant excess monetary gains at the cost to the bank’s non-promoter shareholders. The Rs40bn (US$616mn) gains estimated is as of March 31, 2017 and if the share price continues to rise till FY2020, the gains to the promoter will be even higher.

Uday Kotak’s much-hyped press conference on March 29, 2017 ended with a whimper with his announcement of a new digital-based saving account which he believes would double the bank’s customer base (presently 8mn) in 18 months. Prior to the press conference, business TV, had been giving Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB) free publicity by providing its viewership a countdown to the event throughout the day, in the expectation of a major merger and acquisition announcement by KMB. To say that Uday Kotak made no such announcement is an understatement.The press conference highlighted the need for the bank to further boost its market capitalization as an equity issue was announced the following day and the need for Uday Kotak to part divest his holdings to meet regulatory timelines. By permitting Uday Kotak to have a higher stake in the bank than its norms, the regulator has given him significant excess monetary gains at the cost to the bank’s non-promoter shareholders. The Rs40bn (US$616mn) gains estimated is as of March 31, 2017 and if the share price continues to rise till FY2020, the gains to the promoter will be even higher.

Kotak Mahindra Bank - US$616mn Forbearance

Head of Research at Fusion Wealth Management Ltd

Michael McGaughy

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

In my research and investing I stress three things: people, structure, and value.  I look for companies that are controlled and managed by quality people, have corporate structures that align minority and majority shareholder interests and trade at valuations that are below fair value if not outright cheap. This note is actually not about any of that and instead just a quick one about bitcoin and how my initial skepticism may have been wrong.  I usually don’t write “macro” or ‘thought pieces’…

In my research and investing I stress three things: people, structure, and value.  I look for companies that are controlled and managed by quality people, have corporate structures that align minority and majority shareholder interests and trade at valuations that are below fair value if not outright cheap. This note is actually not about any of that and instead just a quick one about bitcoin and how my initial skepticism may have been wrong.  I usually don’t write “macro” or ‘thought pieces’…

Post the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) decisive victory in the Uttar Pradesh (UP) state elections, alarm bells have commenced tolling in the capital market.  The cause for concern is the BJP’s promise to the UP electorate to waive off all farm loans and provide fresh loans at zero per cent interest. Media, capital market analysts and prominent bankers have jumped on the bandwagon of moral hazard, ruining the loan payment discipline amongst farmers and apprehensions that the sacrosanct fiscal deficit may be breached as a consequence of such ‘populist’ policies. The BJP electoral promise raises some issues which need to be explored further on whether the central government has the fiscal space to provide for a total farm waiver and whether the criticism of moral hazard is credible.

Post the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) decisive victory in the Uttar Pradesh (UP) state elections, alarm bells have commenced tolling in the capital market.  The cause for concern is the BJP’s promise to the UP electorate to waive off all farm loans and provide fresh loans at zero per cent interest. Media, capital market analysts and prominent bankers have jumped on the bandwagon of moral hazard, ruining the loan payment discipline amongst farmers and apprehensions that the sacrosanct fiscal deficit may be breached as a consequence of such ‘populist’ policies. The BJP electoral promise raises some issues which need to be explored further on whether the central government has the fiscal space to provide for a total farm waiver and whether the criticism of moral hazard is credible.

U.P. Loan Waiver: 'Populist' or a Necessity?

Asia focused research insights & advisory, Asia Advisors

Vinay Patel

Asia focused research insights & advisory

Asia Advisors

Asia Advisors is an independent financial advisory and research firm working closely with corporates and institutions to provide consulting solutions & research insights. We provide advisory services including capital solutions, business strategy and investment insights.
Firm is headed by Vinay Patel who has close to two decades of experience in research and business development at large, international investment banks such as HSBC and ICICI Securities. Led research efforts in areas of Macroeconomics, Asset Allocation & Investment Strategy for close to a decade in global & domestic research teams. As a business head in Singapore, advised top global investment management firms & Portfolio managers in Asia for India related investments.
Vinay was recently joined by Swapnil Manish, an investment banker and ex-ecommerce entrepreneur with more than 12 years of experience. Swapnil was the TMT banker at BNP Paribas and was part of several large M&A and ECM transactions (Bharti-Zain, Bharti Infratel IPO, Schneider-Zicom among several others). He's also had a stint as an ecommerce entrepreneur having launched & led Mumbai's first online grocery player.

Expectations on economic reforms from Modi government are running high after the big win in Uttar Pradesh. Political analysts are expecting this win to ease Modi's chances for another term at national elections in 2019 and that would give him total 7 year period to push for reforms (In his victory speech Modi himself said he is now looking for delivering by 2022 - the 75th year of Indian Independence). Amidst the euphoria of Modi's victory, we would like to highlight some of the ground realities…

Expectations on economic reforms from Modi government are running high after the big win in Uttar Pradesh. Political analysts are expecting this win to ease Modi's chances for another term at national elections in 2019 and that would give him total 7 year period to push for reforms (In his victory speech Modi himself said he is now looking for delivering by 2022 - the 75th year of Indian Independence). Amidst the euphoria of Modi's victory, we would like to highlight some of the ground realities…

Investors Need To Be Patient With Reform Momentum Even As Modi Win Ensures Policy Continuity

Ruling party BJP has won a landslide victory in the largest state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) thereby putting to rest any doubts over the adverse impact of demonetisation on the electoral prospects of the party. Performance in UP is impressive as the opposition had formed an alliance to fight Modi but still lost poorly.  Most political analysts have been caught on the wrong foot as they predicted a hung assembly while the results show that Modi wave seen during the General elections continues. We…

Ruling party BJP has won a landslide victory in the largest state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) thereby putting to rest any doubts over the adverse impact of demonetisation on the electoral prospects of the party. Performance in UP is impressive as the opposition had formed an alliance to fight Modi but still lost poorly.  Most political analysts have been caught on the wrong foot as they predicted a hung assembly while the results show that Modi wave seen during the General elections continues. We…

Landslide Win for Modi in UP Elections;Upper House No.s to Cross 100 Mark by 2018, a +ve for Reforms

India

Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited is a full service commercial bank. The Bank offers a wide range of products and services such as personal, commercial, and corporate banking services, including deposit accounts, loans, and investments. Kotak Mahindra Bank serves customers in India.

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Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB IN)

Kotak Mahindra Bank - US$616mn Forbearance

Uday Kotak’s much-hyped press conference on March 29, 2017 ended with a whimper with his announcement of a new digital-based saving account which...

Hemindra Hazari

Bitcoin - The View From Lagos

In my research and investing I stress three things: people, structure, and value. I look for companies that are controlled and managed by quality...

Michael McGaughy

U.P. Loan Waiver: 'Populist' or a Necessity?

Post the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) decisive victory in the Uttar Pradesh (UP) state elections, alarm bells have commenced tolling in the...

Hemindra Hazari

Investors Need To Be Patient With Reform Momentum Even As Modi Win Ensures Policy Continuity

Expectations on economic reforms from Modi government are running high after the big win in Uttar Pradesh. Political analysts are expecting this...

Asia Advisors

Landslide Win for Modi in UP Elections;Upper House No.s to Cross 100 Mark by 2018, a +ve for Reforms

Ruling party BJP has won a landslide victory in the largest state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) thereby putting to rest any doubts over the adverse impact...

Asia Advisors

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