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Yusuf Kathawala

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Associate in the Financial Services Regulatory Practice at the Mumbai office of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. Yusuf advises clients on regulatory matters and works on various transactional matters with respect to financial services. He can be reached at yusuf.kathawala@cyrilshroff.com

Introduction

Global M&A activity in the financial services sector appears to have slowed, despite a strong start in 2024, in line with general market trends. The Financial Institutions Group (“FIG”) is experiencing a unique phase of consolidation, with deal values increasing despite a significant decline in deal volume. This trend can be seen in a 5% YoY rise in deal value and a 30% drop in volume in the first half of 2024[1], suggesting a shift towards larger, strategic mergers.[2]Continue Reading FIG Paper (No. 38): M&A in FIG Space: Recent Trends and Shifts

INTRODUCTION

  • The Reserve Bank of India (“RBI”) has published the “Guidelines on Voluntary transition of Small Finance Banks to Universal Banks” dated April 26, 2024 (“SFB Guidelines 2024”), setting out the glide path for voluntary transition of Small Finance Banks (“SFBs”) to universal banks (“Universal Banks”) in terms of:
    • Guidelines for “on-tap” Licensing of Small Finance Banks in Private Sector dated December 5, 2019 (“SFB Guidelines 2019”);
    • Guidelines for “on tap” Licensing of Universal Banks in the Private Sector dated August 1, 2016 (“Universal Bank Guidelines”);
    • Reserve Bank of India (Acquisition and Holding of Shares or Voting Rights in Banking Companies) Directions, 2023 dated January 16, 2023 (“Acquisition Directions 2023”); and
    • Guidelines on Acquisition and Holding of Shares or Voting Rights in Banking Companies dated January 16, 2023 (“Acquisition Guidelines 2023”).

Continue Reading SFB to Universal Bank – New Glide Path