Emirates NBD Set To Buy Controlling Stake In RBL Bank: Sources

Emirates NBD was also keen on buying controlling stake in IDBI Bank as part of the government’s effort to sell the lender. However, considering the large equity stake held by the government and Life Insurance Corporation of India in IDBI Bank, RBL Bank looked more enticing to the investor, sources said.

RBL Bank, formerly known as The Ratnakar Bank Ltd, is a private sector lender established in 1943. Originally established as a regional bank in Maharashtra, RBL Bank became a private sector lender in 1970. It, however, remained a closely owned small lender, largely limited to Maharashtra.

In 2010, Bank of America ex-banker Vishwavir Ahuja took over as MD and CEO. In 2014, Ahuja renamed the lender to RBL Bank to make it a national private bank. In December 2021, Ahuja stepped down suddenly, before his tenure ended. The regulator appointed a director on the board to monitor the transition at the lender.

While his deputy Rajeev Ahuja continued to run the bank as interim MD and CEO for a few months after, RBI later appointed K Subramaniakumar as the leader in June 2022.

The domestic lender reported advances worth Rs 94,431 crore as of June 30, 2025, while its deposits stood at Rs 1.12 lakh crore. It reported a net profit of Rs 200 crore for the first quarter, down 46% year-on-year. Its gross non-performing asset ratio stood at 2.78%, higher 18 basis points sequentially, while its net NPA ratio was up nearly 16 basis points quarter-on-quarter at 0.45%.