FFHL will face the challenge of addressing the 40 per cent controlling stake that its step-down subsidiary holds in CSB Bank. | Photo Credit: AARON HARRIS

While Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd (FFHL)-backed “10955230 Canada Inc.” has emerged as the successful bidder in the strategic restructuring of IDBI Bank, FFHL will now face the challenge of addressing the 40 per cent controlling stake that its step-down subsidiary holds in CSB Bank.

Regulations do not allow a single entity or group to hold controlling stakes in two banks. The options before FFHL, founded by Canada-based Prem Watsa, could therefore be to either merge CSB Bank with IDBI Bank, sell its stake in CSB Bank outright, or seek time from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to pare its holding while relinquishing control of the bank.

FFHL holds a controlling stake in the Thrissur (Kerala)-headquartered CSB Bank through its step-down subsidiary, FIH Mauritius Investments Ltd.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Wednesday approved “10955230 Canada Inc.” as the strategic buyer in the restructuring of IDBI Bank. The transaction, involving the acquisition of a 60.72 per cent stake in IDBI Bank, comprising 30.48 per cent held by the Government of India and 30.24 per cent held by LIC, will be executed for a purchase consideration of ₹52,878 crore.

A merger of CSB Bank and IDBI Bank appears to be the most plausible and synergistic option. While IDBI Bank is a strong, pan-India player in the retail, MSME and corporate banking segments, CSB Bank has carved out strengths in gold loans and Kerala’s NRI banking market.

As of March-end 2026, IDBI Bank’s deposits and advances stood at ₹3,47,163 crore and ₹2,53,626 crore, respectively. In comparison, CSB Bank’s deposits and advances stood at ₹44,246 crore and ₹39,848 crore, respectively. Further, IDBI Bank and CSB Bank had branch networks of 2,174 and 862 outlets, respectively.

IDBI Bank is no stranger to amalgamations. For instance, in 2006, the RBI and the Government amalgamated Satara-based United Western Bank with Industrial Development Bank of India, which had become a banking company in 2004.

While there are likely to be changes at the board level in IDBI Bank, it is unlikely that Fairfax will upset the apple cart by bringing in external executives to manage the bank, given its current operational momentum.

“As for the other two options, an outright sale of the 40 per cent stake in CSB Bank by FFH could attract interest from Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and YES Bank. Alternatively, if FFH agrees to immediately relinquish control of CSB Bank by withdrawing its directors from the board while seeking time to reduce its shareholding, the RBI may also view this disinvestment route favourably,” said an industry expert.

According to a Finance Ministry statement, the successful bidder will be required to present its credentials to the RBI in line with the Fit and Proper assessment conducted at the Expression of Interest (EoI) stage and submit a roadmap for compliance with the regulatory conditions prescribed therein.

IDBI Bank shares jumped 9 per cent to settle at ₹90.44 on the BSE on Tuesday, while CSB Bank stock rose 4 per cent to close at ₹320.95, as investors cheered the outcome of the IDBI Bank stake sale process.

Once completed, the transaction will mark the largest foreign direct investment (FDI) in India’s financial sector to date.

Published on October 14, 2026