RBI nod for leveraged buyouts fails to evoke banker enthusiasm; mixed response to broker lending norms

Core Viewpoint - The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) new guidelines on acquisition financing are designed to facilitate mergers and acquisitions by allowing banks to provide funding under specific conditions, although the complexity of these conditions may deter some banks and borrowers [2][3][5]. Group 1: Acquisition Financing Guidelines - The RBI has permitted banks to fund acquisitions when the acquirer already controls the target company, increasing the stake from 26% to up to 90% [2]. - For listed companies, borrowers must have a minimum net worth of ₹500 crore and three consecutive years of net profits, while unlisted entities require an investment-grade credit rating [3]. - The cap on acquisition financing exposure has been raised to 20% of a bank's eligible capital base from the previously proposed 10% of Tier-1 capital [3][4]. Group 2: Industry Response - Experts believe the new guidelines are more accommodating than the draft, allowing 75% of the acquisition to be funded by banks, with 25% required from the acquirer's equity [5]. - Some bankers express concerns that the numerous conditions may limit the freedom of bank boards and complicate the financing process [6][7]. - There is a sentiment that the guidelines could lead to the creation of specialized M&A teams within banks to handle the complexities of these transactions [8]. Group 3: Broker Funding Rules - The RBI has tightened collateral requirements for bank funding to brokers, mandating that bank guarantees be supported by at least 50% tangible collateral, including cash and high-quality liquid assets [11][12]. - Proprietary trading exposure must now be fully secured with specified high-quality collateral, moving away from reliance on personal or corporate guarantees [12]. - This change is expected to enhance the resilience of the banking system and reduce stress transmission during market volatility [13]. Group 4: Market Impact - Analysts suggest that the impact on trading volumes may be minimal for well-capitalized brokers who maintain strong liquidity buffers [14]. - Proprietary traders accounted for 29.7% of gross turnover on the National Stock Exchange's cash segment in 2025, indicating their significant role in the market [15]. - However, there are concerns that the shift in collateral requirements could reduce activity among prop traders, potentially affecting market volumes [16].