With signs of relaxation of laws about the arrival of foreign banks in India, increasing number banks seem to be eyeing India to establish operations here.
A source with the knowledge of the subject said, 5-8 banks do intend to enter India. They find Indian market attractive due to the gaps evident in the economy.
Abizer Diwanji, head of financial services at KPMG India said, “India is in focus. It is a high-growth market. Foreign banks are building their base here, focusing on high-net-worth clients”.
Recently Standard Chartered Bank issued IDRs to raise $530 million. The issue was oversubscribed by over 2 times.
Australian banking giant, ANZ has received the license to commence operations in India. The bank has entered India after 10 years after it left the country following high involvement in the Harshad Mehta scam.
Swiss Bank Credit Suisse is also commencing operations in the country.
Alex Thursby, ANZ’s chief executive for Asia Pacific, Europe and America said, “India is a real market of substance”.
Presently there are 34 foreign banks operating in India with Citibank, Standard Chartered and HSBC holding 70% of their total business.
A banking analyst said, “The issue which could delay the entry of these banks in India is the current trouble seen in the Eurozone. Typically, foreign banks are dependent on the fortunes of their head office”.