Context:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved IndusInd Bank’s request to form an executive committee to oversee the duties of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) until a new CEO is appointed, or for a maximum of three months. The Oversight Committee of the bank’s Board, chaired by Sunil Mehta, will guide the executive committee. This committee includes senior members from various oversight divisions, including Audit, Risk Management, and Compensation & Nomination.
Resignation of MD & CEO Sumant Kathpalia:
- Sumant Kathpalia, the MD & CEO of IndusInd Bank, resigned on April 29, 2025, citing moral responsibility for the accounting lapses that led to a loss of ₹2,000 crore.
- His resignation follows the Deputy CEO Arun Khurana’s resignation on April 28, 2025, in connection with the same accounting issues.
- Arun Khurana had also taken over as CFO after the resignation of Gobind Jain in January 2025.
Impact on Board Composition
- The bank is now without a whole-time director, which is a requirement for private sector banks under RBI norms.
- IndusInd Bank is working to fill the CEO position, with the RBI asking for a list of potential candidates for approval as soon as possible.
Regulatory Oversight and Audit
- The bank is cooperating with external audits and investigations related to the accounting lapses:
- PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) estimated a ₹1,979 crore negative impact from derivative issues, with a 2.27% post-tax impact on the bank’s net worth as of December 2024.
- EY is assisting in reviewing concerns in the microfinance business.
Market Impact:
- Shares of IndusInd Bank saw a marginal increase of ₹838.45 on Wednesday, signaling some stability after the executive changes.
- Analysts suggest that appointing a private sector banker as the new MD & CEO is crucial for re-rating the bank, given its unique portfolio of vehicle finance, microfinance, and gems & jewelry loans, which comprise 37% of its loan book.
