HDFC Bank shares fall 5% as part-time chair of India’s largest private bank resigns over 'ethics'
by Priyanka Salve · CNBCKey Points
- Shares of HDFC Bank slid 5% after its part‑time chairman and independent director resigned, raising concerns over ethics.
- In an investor call, HDFC Bank has said that no evidence or details of the alleged unethical practices have been provided to the board.
- Foreign institutional investors own over 47% stake in India's largest private sector lender.
Shares of India's HDFC Bank slid 5% Thursday after Atanu Chakraborty, its part‑time chairman, resigned after flagging governance and ethical concerns within the institution.
During an investor call on Thursday, interim part‑time chairman, Keki Mistry said that Chakraborty had not provided the board with any evidence or details of the alleged unethical practices.
"Certain happenings and practices within the bank, that I have observed over last two years, are not in congruence with my personal Values and Ethics," Chakraborty said in his resignation letter.
Foreign institutional investors own over 47% stake in India's largest private sector lender. The Government of Singapore and Norway's Government Pension Fund Global are among the top foreign investors in HDFC Bank, owning nearly 2.3% and over 1.2% stake, respectively.
The middle and junior levels of the organization should "form the core of a reimaged organization," Chakraborty said in his resignation letter dated March 17, which was submitted to HDFC Bank during late market hours Wednesday.
Mistry's appointment is a "strong firefighting move," said Deven Choksey, founder and managing director of wealth management firm DRChoksey FinServ, in a note on Thursday.
He warned that HDFC shares may see "significant selling pressure," advising investors to avoid "bottom‑fishing" until governance concerns are addressed.
HDFC Bank and India's banking system regulator, Reserve Bank of India, did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.
As of Wednesday, HDFC Bank's market cap stood at 13.08 trillion rupees ($140 billion), higher than the 9.95 trillion‑rupee valuation of State Bank of India, the country's largest public-sector lender, according to LSEG data.