FAIRFAX
Fairfax's Rs 52,878-crore IDBI Bank deal sets stage for a financial services powerhouse
Fairfax Financial Holdings has successfully acquired a controlling stake in IDBI Bank for Rs 52,878 crore. The investment aims to redefine IDBI Bank as a comprehensive financial services provider in India and abroad. Fairfax plans to integrate its existing insurance and capital market businesses into IDBI Bank to enhance its offerings. The acquisition reflects Fairfax's strategy of leveraging IDBI Bank's infrastructure for greater market competitiveness.
Fairfax Financial likely to exit IIFL Finance, sources say
Canada's Fairfax Financial Holdings intends to divest its nearly 11% stake in IIFL Finance soon. The sale aims to raise funds for acquiring a significant stake in IDBI Bank from the Indian government. Fairfax's current share in IIFL Finance is valued at approximately 30 billion rupees, or $320 million. Additionally, Fairfax is attempting to improve its stake in IIFL Capital through an open offer.
Thomas Cook India expects higher fiscal 2028 travel bookings, delays Europe summer launch
Thomas Cook (India) anticipates a rise in passenger numbers and bookings in fiscal year 2028. The company has postponed its summer European holiday packages due to unrest and extreme weather conditions. Revenue declined in the first half, but travel demand is recovering in the ongoing third quarter. The CEO is optimistic about financial performance improving in the second half of the fiscal year.
The great Indian money hunt: Why India's shadow banks are pulling in billions of dollars
Blackstone is negotiating a significant investment in IIFL Finance, indicating rising global interest in non-bank lenders. Recent deals include investments by Carlyle and Advent International in housing finance firms. The demand for credit in India is growing, with NBFCs playing a crucial role in accessing underserved markets. Foreign investments in the financial sector have exceeded $20 billion since 2025, reflecting confidence in stability.
Blackstone to invest Rs 5,000 crore in IIFL Finance for 16% stake as company raises Rs 6,414 crore
IIFL Finance will raise Rs 6,414 crore through a capital infusion led by Blackstone, which will invest Rs 5,000 crore for an approximately 16% stake. Co-promoters Nirmal Jain and R Venkataraman will contribute Rs 1,264 crore through warrants, while Anchorage Capital will invest Rs 150 crore.
Blackstone set to acquire 15% of IIFL for Rs 5,000 crore
Blackstone will invest around Rs 5,000 crore for a 15% stake in IIFL Finance, while promoters Nirmal Jain and R Venkataraman will invest Rs 1,200 crore to retain their combined holding at around 25%. Mumbai-based investor Rohit Kothari, through Anchorage Capital, will contribute about Rs 100 crore, taking the total capital infusion to over Rs 6,200 crore.
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IIFL Finance board to weigh Blackstone, Advent proposals for Rs 5,000 crore capital raise
IIFL Finance's board will consider separate investment proposals from Blackstone and Advent International for a nearly Rs 5,000 crore capital raise, as the lender also explores a potential transaction involving Fairfax's stake sale.

LIC expects limited impact from IRDAI's proposed commission cuts, cites lower expense ratio
Life Insurance Corporation of India is bracing for new changes set forth by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India. As it approaches an ownership transition, LIC is cutting its ties with IDBI Bank. The company is focused on fostering a varied distribution network while its executives express optimism about the effects of the reforms, which concentrate on reducing commissions and increasing policy affordability for consumers.

IDBI Bank Strike: What's on November 10? Nationwide bank strike, wider protests on the table; here's what you need to know
IDBI Bank Strike: A two-day nationwide strike by IDBI Bank employees and officers against the proposed sale of a majority stake to Canada's Fairfax Financial Holdings ended on Tuesday. The union will decide its next course of action at a meeting on November 10 and may seek support from other bank unions for a nationwide protest. Meanwhile, the Congress has also raised concerns over the proposed Rs 53,000 crore deal.

Stocks in news: ITC, Marico, SBI, Yatra Online, NSE, Container Corp and Sun Pharma
Indian equity benchmarks experienced gains, with Nifty nearing the 23,500 resistance level and strong corporate earnings reported. ITC faced a decline in consolidated net profit, impacted by the cigarette business, despite revenue growth. Marico saw a significant rise in net profit and expanding EBITDA margins during the quarter. Container Corporation of India reported a subdued performance with a slight decline in net profit compared to last year.

IDBI Bank strike on November 2 and 3, 2026: Bank advises customers to use digital channels; removes fee on non-IDBI ATM withdrawals
IDBI Bank strike today: IDBI Bank employees initiated a two-day strike on November 2 and 3, 2026, opposing the sale of the bank's majority ownership. The proposed transaction involves transferring IDBI Bank's stake to Canadian investor Fairfax Financial Holdings. IDBI Bank has encouraged customers to utilise digital services and complete essential transactions before the strike. The United Forum of IDBI Officers & Employees mentioned intimidation from bank management against striking employees.

Maxop Engineering buys majority stake in Faith Automation
Faith manages every stage of a project, from process planning and mechanical design through robot programming, system integration and on-site commissioning. It has revenues of around Rs 300 crore. Its clients include Honda, Mahindra & Mahindra and Stellantis. The company's founding team led by Nilesh Pandhare and six of his colleagues previously worked at Italian firm Comau, which was part of Stellantis.

IDBI Bank employees' forum opposes Fairfax stake sale, seeks parliamentary review
The United Forum of IDBI Officers and Employees has opposed the planned sale of IDBI Bank's majority stake. They have requested an immediate suspension of the sale process due to market volatility. The forum argues that the decision lacks adequate justification and transparency. They are calling for a comprehensive review under parliamentary scrutiny, emphasizing the need for caution.

"What's the hurry?": BRS questions IDBI Bank valuation, seeks answers from Centre over proposed sale
K T Rama Rao raised concerns regarding the proposed sale of IDBI Bank to Fairfax Financial Holdings. He highlighted potential undervaluation and transparency issues in the bidding process. Rao questioned the assessment of the bank's prime real estate assets in Hyderabad. Concerns from IDBI Bank employees about the sale have reportedly not been addressed by the Union Government.

Sitharaman says NDA revived IDBI Bank after UPA-era bad loan crisis
In response to Rahul Gandhi's opposition to IDBI Bank's privatisation, Nirmala Sitharaman stressed the successful recovery of the bank thanks to the NDA government's strategies. She pointed to the previous UPA government's fiscal mismanagement, which caused notable losses. Sitharaman also discussed the reviewed valuation process for the stake sale, criticising Gandhi for his attempts to politicize banking matters and the undue stress placed on bank staff during earlier administrations.

‘IDBI Bank was handed over to us in poor shape’: Sitharaman hits back at Rahul Gandhi amid sale row
Nirmala Sitharaman responded to criticisms regarding the sale of IDBI Bank's majority stake. The bank was previously in poor condition and has since been revived. She stated that prudent management and recapitalization led to its current profitability. Rahul Gandhi has expressed concerns over job security and the impact of privatization on employees. The government approved Fairfax as the strategic buyer for 60.72% of the bank's shares.

“During Congress’s time, banks were created; in Modi era, they are being sold”: Rahul Gandhi targets govt over IDBI Bank sale
Rahul Gandhi has criticised the Centre's proposed sale of a 60.72% stake in IDBI Bank, questioning the privatisation of a profitable public sector lender. Backing the bank's employees, he flagged concerns over reservation provisions, service conditions and pension benefits as the government defended the disinvestment bidding process.

IDBI Bank sale row: Finance Ministry defends valuation process, says reserve price was not changed
The finance ministry has defended the valuation process used in the IDBI Bank stake sale, saying the methodology and bidding procedure were reviewed and approved by the core group of secretaries on disinvestment. It said Fairfax’s Rs 81-a-share bid was above the benchmark and independent fair-value estimates, while safeguards such as a double-blind process and limited tax indemnity helped maximise value for the government and LIC.

IDBI Bank employees' forum opposes majority stake sale to Fairfax, seeks parliamentary review
United Forum of IDBI Officers and Employees has expressed opposition to the proposed sale of IDBI Bank. Concerns include potential undervaluation of the bank's assets and the need for public scrutiny. The government plans to transfer a significant stake in IDBI Bank to Fairfax Financial Holdings. This transaction, valued at approximately Rs 53,000 crore, has raised fundamental questions about social responsibilities.

Target reached, but asset monetisation to continue: DIPAM secretary Arunish Chawla
"We have already identified a cluster of 10 national highways, which will provide the underlying capital asset. So, the second public InvITs is in the works and hopefully before the close of this financial year, it will also come to fruition," Chawla said. "We are also bringing down the equity (stake) in nationalised banks gradually to the minimum public shareholding norm of 75%, that is part of the mandate that we have to share the wealth with the people and also in line with regulations...we are moving ahead on that path."

"Nothing to fear": Top bureaucrat says IDBI staff, pensioners' service conditions won't change after Fairfax deal
The DIPAM secretary's assurance comes as IDBI Bank employees oppose the government’s divestment plan and have called for a strike across the lender’s branches in early November. The United Forum of Bank Unions has also extended support to the proposed strike.

As IDBI Bank employees call for November 2 and 3 all-India strike, United Forum of Bank Unions extends support
The United Forum of Bank Unions has rallied behind IDBI employees who are set to strike on November 2 and 3, voicing opposition to the government's move to offload their shares to foreign entities.

Challenges ahead for Fairfax's management of IDBI Bank post ₹52,878 crore stake deal approval
Fairfax Financial's subsidiary has acquired a 60.7% stake in IDBI Bank for ₹52,878 crore, leading to potential operational changes. The new management faces challenges such as employee resistance and asset quality improvement. Despite having a higher profitability compared to peers, IDBI Bank's gross non-performing asset ratio remains concerning. The bank's success will rely on its ability to enhance asset quality while maintaining earnings growth.

IDBI Bank sale to Fairfax enters final lap, RBI nod now key: DIPAM
The strategic sale of IDBI Bank to Canada’s Fairfax Financial Holdings is expected to be completed by the end of FY27, subject to RBI approval, DIPAM Secretary Arunish Chawla said. Fairfax will acquire a 60.72% stake from the government and LIC for about Rs 53,000 crore, in what the government described as a major step in the bank’s long-delayed privatisation.

Fairfax's IDBI buy: Biggest-ever banking M&A deal in India had no investment bankers
Fairfax Financial Holdings’ $5.6 billion acquisition of a controlling stake in IDBI Bank is significant not just for being the biggest foreign investment in India’s banking sector, but also because the transaction was handled without the involvement of major investment banks. Fairfax and IDBI Bank did not launch a formal process to appoint financial advisers, while KPMG advised the government on the sale and two professional agencies helped determine the government’s fair valuation.

Moody's sees limited impact on Fairfax leverage from IDBI Bank takeover
Fairfax Financial Holdings is preparing to acquire a majority stake in IDBI Bank in India. The Canadian investor's acquisition aims to enhance its presence in the growing Indian financial market. Fairfax plans to fund the transaction through various means, ensuring a stable financial position during the process. IDBI Bank has shown improved profitability since 2021, reflecting successful management changes.

IIFL Finance plans to raise ₹2,500-5,000 crore by selling stake amid Fairfax exit rumors
IIFL Finance is intending to raise ₹2,500-5,000 crore by selling a minority stake. The company's promoters may subscribe to warrants to limit dilution. Fairfax Financial Holdings is likely to sell its stake due to regulatory norms. IIFL aims to enhance its capital position amid evolving market conditions. These measures are expected to create synergies for IIFL Capital as part of IDBI Bank.

Fairfax gets 15 years to reduce stake in IDBI Bank to 26%
Fairfax Financial Holdings will acquire a 60.72% stake in IDBI Bank and reduce its ownership over 15 years. The Reserve Bank of India has allowed Fairfax to decrease its stake to 26% eventually. Fairfax has two years to decide the future of CSB Bank, including merger or sale options. The group aims to transform IDBI Bank into a comprehensive financial services entity.

Fairfax plans to bring Digit, IIFL Capital under IDBI Bank
Fairfax Financial Holdings plans to bring its interests in Go Digit and IIFL Capital Services under IDBI Bank, creating a financial-services group spanning banking, insurance, investment banking and wealth management. The proposed restructuring follows Fairfax's selection as strategic buyer for a 60.72% stake in the Indian lender for about Rs 52,878 crore.
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