Home / Business and Economy / Emirates NBD in Advanced Talks to Acquire Majority Stake in RBL Bank
Emirates NBD in Advanced Talks to Acquire Majority Stake in RBL Bank
14 Oct
Summary
- Emirates NBD in talks to acquire over 51% stake in RBL Bank
- RBL Bank's current market cap is ₹17,800 crore, deal valued at over ₹9,900 crore
- RBL Bank targeting 1% Return on Assets by end of fiscal, currently at 0.56%
As of October 14, 2025, Emirates NBD, a prominent Middle East bank, is in advanced discussions to acquire a majority stake of more than 51% in India's RBL Bank. The potential deal is valued at over ₹9,900 crore, as RBL Bank's current market capitalization stands at ₹17,800 crore.
This acquisition interest comes as RBL Bank is targeting to reach a Return on Assets (RoA) of 1% by the end of the ongoing fiscal year, compared to 0.56% in the first quarter. The bank currently trades at a one-year forward price-to-book multiple of 1 time.
The proposed acquisition by Emirates NBD would be the latest in a series of deals involving foreign institutions in the Indian banking sector. Earlier this year, a Warburg Pincus unit acquired a 9.99% stake in IDFC First Bank, while Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation received approval to increase its stake in Yes Bank to 24%.
However, any change in raising voting rights beyond the current 26% limit for a single investor in a listed private bank would require legislative changes, as this ceiling is prescribed in the Banking Regulations Act. Such changes would be time-consuming and would require the Reserve Bank of India to first make a formal recommendation.
