Financials | Sector Update
31 December 2014
Sector Update
Financials
State-owned banks’ reforms gather pace
Please refer to our sector
report dated 25 Dec 2014
An indication of concrete reforms blueprint to be seen in Jan 2 conclave?
In a landmark decision, government took a vital reform step for state-owned banks to
split the position of Chairman and Managing Director. Further, a chairman will be a
part time board member (not an executive chairman), who would preside over the
board meeting. So far, SBI was the lone bank among state-owned banks to have a
separate chairman and managing director position (as per the SBI Act of 1980).
To widen the candidates search procedure (to be announced shortly), government has
decided to go for a fresh selection method for three large state-owned banks (PNB,
BOB and CBK), thus indicating its seriousness to appoint the best-in-class at the helm
of affairs.
In our view, splitting top management positions is a step in the right direction and will
widen the top management’s bandwidth. This should result in greater independence
and objectivity to take board/credit decisions. However, the bigger task for the
government would be to make significant changes in the appointment procedure of
the board of directors.
Key factors to watch out: a) new criteria/candidates for the post of MD and CEO of
large state-owned banks, b) procedure for selection of chairman and c) any change in
the appointment of board of directors.
MD & CEO appointments
Mr Animesh Chauhan
New role:
MD &CEO, OBC
Previous role:
ED, CBoI
Superannuation date:
June 30, 2017
Mr Kishore Kumar Sansi
New role:
MD &CEO,
Vijaya Bank
Previous role:
ED, P&S Bk
Superannuation date:
Aug
31, 2017
Mr R Koteeswaran
New role:
MD &CEO,
Indian Overseas Bank
Previous role:
ED, BoI
Superannuation date:
June 30, 2016
Mr P Srinivas
New role:
MD &CEO, UBoI
Previous role:
ED, BoB
Superannuation date:
June 30, 2016
Strong indication of reforms prior to Jan 2 conclave?
The government finally took the decision to split the position of Chairman and
Managing Director, thus indicating a strong intent of expected reforms for state-
owned banks.
Pertinently, it has sent a strong signal that it is not ready to compromise on the
selection of top management candidates, and has called for a fresh selection
procedure for BOB, PNB and CBK.
Media is already speculating on the appointment for top management positions
from the industry, including from private sector banks (link). If this materializes,
in our view, it will be one of the most crucial reforms for state-owned banks.
We believe the bold step of splitting the top management position is a huge
positive, though the lower remaining tenure (18-30 months considering
superannuation age of 60 years) for new appointees is slightly disappointing.
What bold reforms are expected to improve state-owned banks
functioning?
In our note dated Dec 25, 2014 (link), we highlighted in detail the important
reforms needed to improve state-owned banks’ functioning.
In our view, immediate attention is required for the selection/composition of
board of directors, revamp of HR policies, strengthening and providing a
conducive environment for the recovery mechanism.
Further, government needs to ensure that profitability of state-owned banks
precedes growth, considering the capital requirements under Basel III.
Alpesh Mehta
(Alpesh.Mehta@MotilalOswal.com); +91 22 3982 5415
Vallabh Kulkarni
(Vallabh.Kulkarni@MotilalOswal.com); +91 22 3982 5430
31 December 2014
Investors are advised to refer through disclosures made at the end of the Research Report.
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