The shares of JM Financial took a nosedive of 19 percent on March 6, reacting to the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) imposition of restrictions on the company’s loan disbursements.
The regulatory intervention on March 5 led to the immediate cessation of JM Financial Products Ltd (JMFPL) from providing loans against shares and debentures, including the approval and disbursement of loans for Initial Public Offerings (IPOs).
At 9:18 am, JM Financial’s shares were listed at Rs 79.7 on the NSE, registering a notable drop of 16.5 percent from the previous session’s closing price.
“Following a meticulous and comprehensive review of the RBI’s directive regarding JM Financial Products, we assert that our loan sanctioning process has not encountered any significant deficiencies. Moreover, the Company maintains adherence to all relevant regulations and has not infringed upon any regulatory provisions. We reiterate that there are no governance concerns and all our business operations are conducted in a sincere and legitimate manner,” stated JM Financial in a press release.
During an interview with CNBC-TV18, Saswata Guha, Senior Director at Fitch Ratings, commented on the RBI’s recent actions, stating that they signify a shift towards concrete measures instead of internal discussions.
“The regulator’s proactive stance, evidenced by recent actions involving HDFC Bank, Bank of Baroda, Paytm, IIFL, and now JM Financial, reflects its efforts to mitigate risks associated with specific business segments,” Guha added.
The RBI’s decision to take action against JM Financial was prompted by significant deficiencies in the firm’s loan processes. Additionally, the central bank raised concerns about governance issues within the company and violations of regulatory guidelines.
“This action was prompted by notable deficiencies observed in the loans sanctioned by the company for IPO financing and NCD subscriptions,” the RBI stated.
During its assessment, it was discovered that the company facilitated a group of clients in bidding for various IPOs and NCDs using borrowed funds. The credit underwriting process was deemed inadequate, with financing extended against minimal margins, according to the RBI’s report on Tuesday.
On March 5, JM Financial’s shares closed at Rs 95.5 per share, marking a 2 percent decline. Over the past six months, JM Financial shares have demonstrated sideways movement, recording a modest 1.7 percent increase. In contrast, the Nifty 50 benchmark index has surged by approximately 14 percent during the same period.
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