Japan’s biggest banks are scaling up investments in Indian financial firms, betting on the world’s fastest-growing major economy, as they contend with a shrinking domestic market and relatively low interest rates at home. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc became the biggest shareholder of Yes Bank Ltd in a landmark deal earlier this year.
The announcement comes days after Mizuho Financial Group Inc agreed to buy a controlling stake in KKR & Co-backed investment bank Avendus Capital Pvt Ltd.
Bloomberg News reported earlier this week that MUFG was nearing a deal. Shriram’s shares reversed earlier losses to trade 2.5% higher on Friday, after having surged more than 50% this year, far outpacing the 16% rise in the NSE Nifty Financial Services Index.
MUFG said the investment will help to establish a business foundation in India’s retail and small business markets and capture the growing domestic demand. The firm will appoint two directors on Shriram’s board.
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Shriram, India’s second-biggest non-bank lender after Bajaj Finance Ltd, operates businesses across urban and rural areas, focusing on loans for commercial vehicles, tractors and passenger cars. Shadow banks play a key role in the economy by providing credit to individuals and companies that are unable to access traditional funding channels.
MUFG has previously said it’s actively looking for acquisition targets in India, where it already has a significant presence. The firm has a wholly owned securities subsidiary in Mumbai, bolstering its local currency financing capabilities and strengthening its Asia-Pacific strategy. It is also among the top arrangers of foreign currency loans in the country.
The deal between MUFG and Shriram underscores rising foreign interest in India’s vast financial services sector, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration has unveiled a long-awaited package of reforms.
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Japan’s megabanks have been vocal about their appetite for Indian assets and the two Asian nations have recently deepened ties, including through a broader economic security pact. At the same time, deep-pocketed firms from the Middle East and Europe are now targeting the expanding middle class in India.
KPMG India Corporate Finance was the lead financial adviser to MUFG and JPMorgan Chase & Co was the financial adviser.
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