RBL Bank Denies Emirates NBD Stake Talks, Calls Report Speculative

RBL Bank has officially denied media reports suggesting that Dubai-based Emirates NBD is in talks to acquire a minority stake in the Indian private lender. The bank issued a clarification on July 2, 2025, stating that the article in question is “incorrect and speculative in nature,” and emphasized that it routinely evaluates various strategic opportunities as part of its business operations.

 

The denial came after a report by The Economic Times claimed that Emirates NBD was exploring a 15–20% stake acquisition via preferential allotment, potentially injecting over ₹3,000 crore into RBL Bank. The report had triggered a brief rally in RBL’s stock, which later reversed following the bank’s rebuttal.

 

Key Highlights:

 

Clarification Issued: RBL Bank denies any ongoing discussions with Emirates NBD.

Market Reaction: Shares fell over 2% intraday to ₹253.87 after the clarification.

Ownership Structure: RBL is fully publicly owned, with no promoter group holding.

Regulatory Hurdles: RBI caps foreign ownership in Indian banks at 15%, with rare exceptions.

Strategic Context: Emirates NBD recently received RBI’s in-principle nod to convert its Indian branches into a wholly owned subsidiary.

 

While the report stirred investor excitement, RBL’s swift denial underscores the sensitivity around foreign investments in Indian banking and the importance of regulatory clarity in such high-stakes deals.

 

Sources: Moneycontrol, Financial Express, CNBC-TV18