MOVES-Goldman hires Citi banker as co-head of investment banking in MENA

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DUBAI, Sept 5 – Goldman Sachs has hired senior Citigroup banker Jassim AlSane as its co-head of investment banking in the Middle East and North Africa region, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

AlSane, a Kuwaiti national, has spent 13 years with Citi where he has most recently been managing director in its investment banking unit, focusing on mostly Abu Dhabi and Kuwait, one of the sources said.

Goldman has also hired Omar AlZaim from HSBC as head of investment banking for Saudi Arabia, one of the sources said.

Goldman Sachs and HSBC did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Citi declined to comment.

Bloomberg reported the news of the appointments earlier on Sunday.

Goldman Sachs has been pushing to win deals in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, where initial public offerings (IPOs) and mergers and acquisitions are on the up.

It landed a lead role https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/abu-dhabis-adnoc-adds-goldman-sachs-lead-banks-drilling-ipo-sources-2021-07-01 in the IPO of ADNOC’s drilling unit, sources said in July, in it first such high-profile deal in the emirate since 2019.

Goldman’s investment banking unit was sidelined from any new business from Abu Dhabi more than two years ago after state fund Mubadala’s subsidiary filed a lawsuit against it to recover losses suffered through its dealings with Malaysia’s fund 1MDB.

The lawsuit was dropped last year.

In Saudi Arabia, Goldman is advising on the sale of Saudi Aramco’s gas pipelines stake sale and previously worked on Aramco’s IPO. (Reporting by Davide Barbuscia and Saeed Azhar; Editing by Pravin Char)



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ICICI Bank gets Irdai nod to cut stake in non-life arm to 30%, BFSI News, ET BFSI

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Mumbai: The insurance regulator Irdai has allowed ICICI Bank to bring down its stake in ICICI Lombard General Insurance to 30%. The private bank currently holds just below 52% in the non-life company.

The approval to reduce promoter stake was conveyed to the bank, while approving the scheme of demerger of the general insurance business of Bharti Axa, which was acquired by ICICI Lombard last year through a scheme of arrangement. The scheme will result in the merger of Bharati Axa General Insurance with ICICI Lombard.

Last year, ICICI Lombard had signed a deal to purchase Bharti Axa, as part of which Bharti Axa shareholders will receive two shares of ICICI Lombard for every 115 shares held by them.

Last month, a senior finance ministry official said that the Indian insurance industry is moving from being a promoter-led to a market-led one with the capital markets becoming a dominant source of capital for the companies. The RBI too has been asking lenders to bring down their stake in insurance companies below 50%. In May 2021, HDFC sold overe 44 lakh shares in HDFC Ergo to bring down its stake below 50% and comply with RBI norms.

Approving the reduction in stake, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) said that the private insurer must ensure that its solvency margin ratio should remain above control level at all times. Also ICICI Bank is required to infuse capital to meet business growth or solvency in proportion to shareholding after merger.



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Madhya Pradesh High Court stays RBI notification on UCBs

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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may need to introspect on the notification related to the appointment of managing director/whole-time director in primary (urban) co-operative banks (UCBs). After a ruling by the Gujarat High Court in 2013, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2021, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has stayed the implementation of RBI’s notification.

The stay may attract more such petitions in different courts as stakes are very high for States in this matter. Also, traditionally, politicians have a larger say in the affairs of the co-operative sector. As per RBI data on May 31, there are 1,531 UCBs in the country — 53 scheduled and 1,478 non-scheduled.

The Centre recently carved out a Ministry exclusively for co-operatives, seen as questioning States’ authority on the subject.

Although the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act notified on September 29, 2020 was meant to provide additional power to the central bank for effectively regulating co-operative banks, there is a feeling that it may not be easy, given the Centre-States tussle on the issue. In the latest case, the petitioner, Bairagarh (Madhya Pradesh)-based Mahanagar Nagrik Sahakari Bank had moved the State High Court challenging the constitutional validity of the amended Section 4 of the Banking Regulation Amendment Act, 1965. It had argued that the RBI order dated June 25, 2021, is ‘absolutely incompetent and lacks in authority’.

 

Eligibility criteria

The RBI’s order debarred persons such as Member of Parliament or State Legislature or Municipal Corporation or Municipality or other local bodies from holding the post of MD/WTD.

Also, persons engaged in any other business or vocation, director of a company (except non-profit one), a partner of any firm which carries on any trade, business or industry, having substantial interest in any company or working as director, manager, managing agent, partner or proprietor of any trading, commercial or industrial concern will not be eligible.

The order states that the tenure of the posts will not be for more than five years at a time, subject to a minimum period of three years at the time of first appointment, unless terminated or removed earlier, and will be eligible for re-appointment. The performance of MD/WTD shall be reviewed by the board annually. Also, the post cannot be held by the same incumbent for more than 15 years. However, after a cooling period of three years, reappointment is possible.

In State’s domain

The petitioner submitted that Bairagarh-based Mahanagar Nagrik Sahakari Bankit was an UCB registered under the MP State Co-operative Societies Act, 1960. The Act governs service conditions of the MD/CEO of the co-operative banks registered under it. It added that the co-operative is part of the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution while banking is a part of the Union List.

It was argued that the power to legislate co-operative societies falls exclusively with the State and not within the domain of the Union, much less the RBI.

The petitioner’s counsel also submitted that the 97th Constitution Amendment (2011) provided that in case of a co-operative society carrying on the business of banking, the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act 1949 will apply.

This provision was struck down by the Gujarat High Court and recently upheld by the Supreme Court.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has stayed the operation and effect of the RBI’s order dated June 25. The matter will be listed for further hearing after eight weeks.

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Will not haul up RBI for declaring loans as NPAs, says Apex Court

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“Economy is booming in the country after the second Covid wave,” said the Supreme Court on Friday as it refused to entertain a batch of pleas seeking contempt action against the Governor of Reserve Bank of India and senior officials of other banks for declaring loan accounts as Non-Performing Assets (NPA).

The top court said that contempt is between court and contemnor and it is not inclined to initiate contempt action against senior officials of banks.

“In our considered view, we are not inclined to exercise our contempt jurisdiction, since it is not in the interest of justice,” said a bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, Vikram Nath and Hima Kohli.

The bench said that petitioners are at liberty to seek remedy under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act (Sarfaesi Act), 2002.

Advocate Vishal Tiwari, appearing in a batch of petitions said that despite the top court’s order of September 3, 2020 that the accounts which were not declared NPA till August 31, 2020 shall not be declared NPA till further orders, banks unilaterally declared the accounts as NPA under the Act.

‘Not going to haul up RBI’

At the outset, the bench said, “Economy is booming in the country after the second Covid wave. That’s what we have read in newspapers. Since the second wave, when these orders were passed, a lot of development has taken place. We are not going to haul up the RBI for this. Contempt is between court and the contemnor”.

Tiwari said that RBI has itself issued a notice in March, last year after the nationwide lockdown granting moratorium from paying the instalment for loan.

‘Several petitions’

Several traders have moved the top court against declaration of their account as NPA by the banks and seeking contempt action against the senior officials of the banks. One of the pleas, filed by Ajay Hotel and Restaurants through its proprietor has contended that it was availing various credit facilities by way of financial assistance against various assets creating security interest in favour of the State Bank of India and timely payment of the instalments of the loan were made and its Account was not turned NPA till August 31, 2020.

“That on May 18, 2021 the State Bank of India (R-3) issued a demand notice under section 13 (2) of the Sarfaesi Act, 2002 to the petitioner demanding the Amount…as on May 18, 2021 inclusive of interest”, the plea said.

It added that the bank had unilaterally classified the petitioner as NPA on November 30, 2020 and no show cause notice was given. The plea said that despite the express order of the top court on September 3, 2020, the banks continued to proceed under provisions of the Act.

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6 Fintech Startups In India That Are Making Use Of Artificial Intelligence AI Technology

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Capital float

To facilitate risk assessment and marketing, Capital Float combines AI technologies with human expertise. AI and machine learning algorithms assist the company in determining the creditworthiness of applicants, allowing them to select the appropriate form of loan for the individual. Capital Float also used AI models in its marketing campaigns to better target clients. In 2018, they bought Walnut, a popular personal finance management app, which pushed them even deeper into the credit-solutions business. They currently offer personal financing (via Walnut), business finance (including short-term loans for small enterprises), and their Buy Now Pay Later platform.

For things like risk assessment, marketing, and collections, Capital Float combines cutting-edge AI tools with skilled human expertise. Capital Float uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to assess applicants’ creditworthiness and identify the best time to provide them a loan. For better client targeting, they’ve also included intelligent AI models into their marketing initiatives.

CreditMate

CreditMate

CreditMate is a debt collection tool that helps lenders collect late payments from debtors. To make its procedures more effective, the software uses AI and machine learning. The company launched its ‘Sherlock’ product in 2019, which employs a machine learning system to rate debt defaulters and handle debt resolution operations efficiently. By meeting the aforementioned needs, Creditmate focuses on offering technology for a better and more effective onboarding of new consumers.

The financial industry is full of highly decision-driven procedures, such as making calls to the correct person at the right time, settling problems, and determining what causes clients to become irritated, and so on. Such processes are currently carried out by millions of human agents. This expertise is gradually being converted into cutting-edge artificial intelligence systems with the support of Fintech companies such as Creditmate.

Lendingkart

Lendingkart

It was founded in 2014 to provide enterprises with quick access to working capital financing solutions. The firm use technology to assess creditworthiness in a timely and efficient manner. It is a non-deposit-taking NBFC that lends to small businesses in India. In addition, LenkinKart aims to assist small businesses by making loans more accessible to them. The company analyses data points from many sources in order to maintain track of small businesses’ creditworthiness and accurately operate it.

When it comes to marketing, AI assists them in determining how well their marketing initiatives and campaigns are doing and which ones are yielding better results, allowing them to better allocate their budget across various channels.

Mswipe

Mswipe

In its Field Force Automation App, Mswipe makes use of artificial intelligence (F2A2). Signzy, a Bengaluru-based firm, has developed F2A2, a technologically sophisticated merchant onboarding solution.

The capacity of Mswipe’s F2A2 Asia technology to digitally record KYC papers and merchant profile information, as well as instantly authenticate them using over 40 government databases, makes it the most unique solution in the region. The onboarding period for new merchants has been cut in half thanks to this cutting-edge technology.

CogNext

CogNext

It is one of the fastest-growing fintech startups, having built the industry’s first no-code regulatory compliance platform since its inception in 2019. It involves simplifying and automating regulatory compliance in order to make it cost-effective for financial institutions, thanks to technologies like AI and ML. It also offers powerful solutions for managing and scaling up the credit business of various financial institutions, using NLP, Deep Learning, and Predictive Analytics.

It operates on a subscription-based business model, with clients such as banks, financial institutions, non-banking finance firms, and neo banks paying an annual subscription fee.

Platform X, a CogNext automated technology platform, delivers regulatory compliance solutions that are “nimble, flexible, interactive, scalable, and cost effective.” Financial institutions can use such technologies to better regulate the risks they take and increase their integrity and transparency. Project X is based on a technology foundation that makes it simple to process client data and calculations.

RazorPay

RazorPay

With its range of solutions, Razorpay is India’s sole payments solution that allows businesses to accept, process, and disburse payments. Third watch, an AI-powered technology, helps e-commerce businesses avoid Return-to-Origin (RTO) fraud losses. Customers commit RTO fraud when they return a product by either switching it for a damaged one or denying that they ever got it in the first place.

It is an Indian payment service that assists businesses in receiving, processing, and disbursing payments through its products. JioMoney, Mobikwik, Airtel Money, FreeCharge, Ola Money, and PayZapp are just a few of the payment options available with Razorpay. It also supports credit cards, debit cards, net banking, UPI, and other popular wallets. From a single platform, it manages the marketplace, simplifies money transactions, collects regular fees, swaps client invoices, and accesses working capital loans.



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I-T Returns: Forms For Exemption For Senior Citizens 75 yrs & Above Notified

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Taxes

oi-PTI

|

The income tax department has notified declaration forms to be filed by senior citizens aged 75 years and above with the banks to get exemption from filing I-T return for fiscal year 2021-22.

The 2021-22 Budget had introduced a provision for exempting senior citizens of 75 years and above having pension income and interest from fixed deposit in the same bank from filing income tax returns for the financial year beginning April 1.

I-T Returns: Forms For Exemption For Senior Citizens 75 yrs & Above Notified

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has now notified rules and declaration forms which senior citizens would have to file with the specified bank who in turn would deduct tax on pension and interest income and deposit with the government.

Such exemption from ITR filing would be available only in case where the interest income is earned in the same bank where pension is deposited. The income-tax act requires all individuals having income exceeding the threshold limit to file their income-tax returns.

While the threshold for senior citizens (60 years or more) and super senior citizens (80 years or more) is slightly higher, crossing the threshold saddles one to file tax-returns. Non-filing of tax return not only attracts penalties and but one also gets subject to higher rate of TDS. Nangia & Co LLP Director Itesh Dodhi said recognising the compliance burden on senior citizens, this year’s budget brought in some relief to the senior citizens above the age of 75.

“The CBDT has notified the forms (Form 12BBA) for declaration by the senior citizens to the banks and notified the reporting requirement by the specified banks. With dedicated counters for senior citizens in all major banks and banks providing doorstep banking to senior citizen, this measure is expected to make life easier for senior citizens,” Dodhi added.

In the Budget Speech 2021-22, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said that in the 75th year of Independence of our country, the government shall reduce compliance burden on senior citizens who are 75 years of age and above.

“For senior citizens who only have pension and interest income, I propose exemption from filing their income tax returns. The paying bank will deduct the necessary tax on their income,” she had said.

PTI

Story first published: Sunday, September 5, 2021, 16:42 [IST]



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Bom Mercantile bank fined Rs 50L for violating RBI regulations, BFSI News, ET BFSI

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Mumbai: Reserve Bank of India has fined Bombay Mercantile Cooperative Bank Rs 50 lakh for sanctioning unsecured advances and offering higher rates on non-resident deposits as compared to domestic deposits.

In a statement, RBI said it observed these violations while inspecting the bank’s books for the financial year ended March 2019.

“A notice was issued to the bank advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed for contravention of the directions issued by RBI. After considering the bank’s reply to the notice and oral submissions made in the personal hearing, RBI came to the conclusion that the aforesaid charge of non-compliance with RBI directions was substantiated and warranted imposition of monetary penalty,” RBI said.

The bank, which was founded in 1939, has 52 branches in 10 states. It was the first cooperative bank to be granted a scheduled status in 1988 by the RBI.tnn

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RBI nod to Jammu & Kashmir govt to acquire over 16.76 cr shares in J&K Bank, BFSI News, ET BFSI

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New Delhi: The Reserve Bank has accorded approval to Jammu & Kashmir government to acquire over 16.76 crore shares in J&K Bank on preferential basis. “The RBI vide its letter dated September 2, 2021 has accorded approval to Government of Jammu & Kashmir to acquire 16,76,72,702 fully paid-up equity shares on preferential basis, i.e., up to 74.24 per cent of the post issue paid-up voting equity capital of the bank subject to compliance of regulatory requirements,” J&K Bank said in a regulatory filing.

In August, the lender had said that Sebi had exempted the Jammu & Kashmir government from complying with its norms on substantial acquisition of shares and takeovers in the proposed acquisition of 16,76,72,702 equity shares (6.06 per cent) of the bank during 2021-22.

Earlier on April 1, the bank had said the Jammu & Kashmir government, as its promoter shareholder, has committed to infuse capital of up to Rs 500 crore in the bank.

In a separate filing, the lender said it has extended the issue closing date of J&K Bank Employee Stock Purchase Scheme, 2021 (JKBESPS 2021) to September 7, 2021 due to “prevailing circumstances”.

The issue under the employee stock purchase scheme (ESPS) was to close on September 3. The issue opened on August 27.

Under the ESPS, J&K Bank aims to raise up to Rs 150 crore by issuing 7.5 crore equity shares, in one or more tranches, to eligible employees of the bank.



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ICICI Lombard gets final IRDAI approval for Bharti Axa acquisition, BFSI News, ET BFSI

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India’s largest private sector general insurer ICICI Lombard late Friday said that it has received the final nod from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) for its acquisition of Bharti Axa General Insurance.

The insurance regulator IRDAI’s final approval for the merger of the two general insurance businesses comes over a year after ICICI Lombard bought out Bharti Axa in an all-stocks deal that reportedly valued the latter at over Rs 2,500 crore.

“IRDAI, through its communication dated September 3, 2021, has granted its final approval with respect to the said transaction,” ICICI Lombard said in a statement on Friday.

“The demerger and transfer of general insurance business, as envisaged in the scheme, shall be effective within 3 days from the date of the final approval,” the insurer said.

IRDAI has also granted approval to ICICI Bank for bringing down its stake in ICICI Lombard to 30 per cent from the current 52%, subject to compliance with requisite regulations.

Separately, the insurance regulator has also asked the merged entity to maintain solvency requirements above the mandated 150% as well as permitted private lender ICICI Bank to infuse capital as necessary proportionate to new shareholding structure, in a letter on Friday as per stock exchange disclosures.

“The proposed transaction is expected to result in value creation for all stakeholders through meaningful revenue and operational synergies. Further, policyholders and partners should benefit from an enhanced product suite and deeper customer connect touch points,” ICICI Lombard added in the statement. “The employees of both the businesses will also benefit via greater opportunities across functions and geographies.”

Last year, ICICI Lombard entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Bharti Enterprises-promoted Bharti AXA General Insurance in an all-stock transaction.

The shareholders of Bharti AXA shall receive two shares of ICICI Lombard for every 115 shares of Bharti AXA held by them. Bharti Enterprises currently owns 51 per cent stake in Bharti AXA General Insurance, while French insurer AXA has 49 per cent.



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ICICI Lombard gets final IRDAI approval for Bharti Axa acquisition, BFSI News, ET BFSI

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India’s largest private sector general insurer ICICI Lombard late Friday said that it has received the final nod from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) for its acquisition of Bharti Axa General Insurance.

The insurance regulator IRDAI’s final approval for the merger of the two general insurance businesses comes over a year after ICICI Lombard bought out Bharti Axa in an all-stocks deal that reportedly valued the latter at over Rs 2,500 crore.

“IRDAI, through its communication dated September 3, 2021, has granted its final approval with respect to the said transaction,” ICICI Lombard said in a statement on Friday.

“The demerger and transfer of general insurance business, as envisaged in the scheme, shall be effective within 3 days from the date of the final approval,” the insurer said.

IRDAI has also granted approval to ICICI Bank for bringing down its stake in ICICI Lombard to 30 per cent from the current 52%, subject to compliance with requisite regulations.

Separately, the insurance regulator has also asked the merged entity to maintain solvency requirements above the mandated 150% as well as permitted private lender ICICI Bank to infuse capital as necessary proportionate to new shareholding structure, in a letter on Friday as per stock exchange disclosures.

“The proposed transaction is expected to result in value creation for all stakeholders through meaningful revenue and operational synergies. Further, policyholders and partners should benefit from an enhanced product suite and deeper customer connect touch points,” ICICI Lombard added in the statement. “The employees of both the businesses will also benefit via greater opportunities across functions and geographies.”

Last year, ICICI Lombard entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Bharti Enterprises-promoted Bharti AXA General Insurance in an all-stock transaction.

The shareholders of Bharti AXA shall receive two shares of ICICI Lombard for every 115 shares of Bharti AXA held by them. Bharti Enterprises currently owns 51 per cent stake in Bharti AXA General Insurance, while French insurer AXA has 49 per cent.



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