India’s largest private sector lender ICICI Bank has sold a 3.96% stake in ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd for around Rs 2,250 crore ($295 million), in a bid to fortify its balance sheet.
The lender now holds 51.9% stake in the insurer, it stated during a stock-exchange filing on Friday. However, it did not reveal the name of the buyers.
The bank gave away the shares at an average price of Rs 1,250 each. Shares of ICICI Lombard were trading 0.6% down at Rs 1,268.95 apiece
ICICI Lombard became operational in 2001, as an alliance between ICICI Bank and India-born Canadian billionaire Prem Watsa’s Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.
Also Read: ICICI Bank launches ‘Insta Flexicash’ paperless overdraft facility for salary accounts
Fairfax first divested its stakes in the insurer in 2017 and fully exited in 2019.
Elets The Banking and Finance Post Magazine has carved out a niche for itself in the crowded market with exclusive & unique content. Get in-depth insights on trend-setting innovations & transformation in the BFSI sector. Best offers for Print + Digital issues! Subscribe here➔ www.eletsonline.com/subscription/