Archive · 28 Oct 2025
New RBI Norms May Boost Bank Funding for M&A in Key Sectors
Imagine banks in India usually lend money for everyday things.
Now, the country's main bank, the RBI, has made a new rule.
This rule lets banks lend money to companies that want to buy other companies, especially in big industries like medicine, energy, and building things.
This is like giving banks a new way to help businesses grow.
Banks can pay for up to 70% of the purchase price, with the buyer paying the rest.
This could make borrowing money cheaper for companies wanting to buy others.
However, some rules, like how much debt a company can have after buying another, are a bit strict.
Some think these rules might need adjusting, as big infrastructure deals often have more debt.
Overall, this is a new way for banks to help big industries combine and grow.
New Reserve Bank of India (RBI) norms permit domestic lenders to finance company acquisitions.
Sectors like pharmaceuticals, energy, and infrastructure are expected to see increased M&A activity due to the new rules.
Banks can finance up to 70% of an acquisition's value, with a 10% exposure cap on their Tier 1 capital.
A post-acquisition debt-equity ratio of 3:1 will be implemented from April 2026, though this may challenge typical infrastructure deals.
The move is anticipated to reduce the cost of capital for acquiring firms and provide a new lending avenue for domestic banks.
- Who
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and domestic lenders
- What
- Introduced new norms allowing domestic banks to finance acquisitions, potentially boosting M&A activity in sectors like pharma, energy, and infrastructure.
- When
- Recent move, with internal frameworks expected in the next few months and a new debt-equity ratio effective April 2026.
- Where
- India
- Why
- To provide a new lending avenue for banks and potentially reduce the cost of capital for acquiring firms.
- Sectors Targeted
- Pharmaceuticals & healthcare, energy, infrastructure, industrials, and renewables
- Loan-to-Value Ratio
- Banks can fund up to 70% of acquisition value
- Bank Exposure Cap
- 10% of bank's Tier 1 capital
- Post-Acquisition Debt-Equity Ratio
- 3:1 (effective April 2026)
- Total Investment Activity (H1 2025)
- $50 billion
- M&A vs PE Deals (H1 2025)
- Nearly evenly split at $24 billion and $26 billion respectively
- Combined Net Worth of Banks
- Approx. Rs 28 lakh crore