HDFC Bank Shares Tumble Following Chairman's Sudden Resignation
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Mumbai, March 19 (NationPress) HDFC Bank, recognized as India’s leading financial institution, faced significant global sell-offs on Thursday, leading to a decline of 8% in its American Depositary Receipts (ADR), which dropped to $26.42 from the previous close of $28.71.
In the local market, shares of India’s largest private bank were among the major underperformers, plummeting by as much as 8.66%, reaching an intraday low of Rs 770, compared to a previous close of Rs 843.
This downturn coincides with a pivotal management shift, as HDFC Bank’s part-time Chairman and Independent Director, Atanu Chakraborty, announced his resignation effective immediately on March 18, as per an exchange notification.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has sanctioned the bank’s proposal to appoint Keki Mistry as the interim part-time Chairman, starting March 19, for a duration of three months.
Despite the transition, Mistry reassured stakeholders that there are no significant issues arising from Chakraborty’s departure.
Chakraborty, who became part of the bank’s board in 2021, expressed concerns over specific developments within the institution over the past two years in his resignation letter.
As of 9:44 am, HDFC Bank's market capitalisation was approximately Rs 12,36,130 crore on the BSE.
“Certain occurrences and practices within the bank that I have observed over the last two years are not in alignment with my personal values and ethics. This is the foundation of my aforementioned decision. I confirm that there are no other substantial reasons for my resignation beyond what I have stated,” he noted.
In an interview with NDTV Profit, Chakraborty clarified that his resignation was not tied to any misconduct at the bank, stating, “I am not highlighting any wrongdoings at the bank. My ideologies did not align with the organization, and thus it was time to part ways,” adding that his choice was purely based on ideological differences.
He reaffirmed that there were no malpractices within the organization and that his departure was solely due to differences in philosophy and values.
Additionally, the bank has experienced a notable drop in its market capitalisation over the past week, with a loss of Rs 61,715 crore. Among India’s most valued companies, HDFC Bank was one of the largest decliners during this period.