Insurance sector watchdog, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), has approved the transfer of shares from existing shareholders of MetLife Insurance to Punjab National Bank (PNB) under a deal between PNB and MetLife, as mentioned in a media report. IRDA, however, approved the transfer on the condition that shares held by PNB would be locked-in for five years from the date of transfer.
Further, the regulator, in consultation with a Consultative Committee, has directed MetLife to abstain from allotting any further shares to IGE India, enhance capital with a view to strengthen solvency position by March 31, 2013 and comply with IRDA’s regulations on bancassurance and corporate agency.
This transaction was pending the insurance regulator's nod for over a year’s period as IRDA was not comfortable with the deal structure and had directed the insurance company to re-work the sale agreement with bank. However, in September, IRDA gave a nod to the proposal of inducting PNB as a shareholder provided certain conditions such as appointment of directors on the board of the insurer by PNB, reduction in the equity stake by some of the existing shareholders and maintenance solvency margin as per the directions suggested by IRDA. Meanwhile, the insurance regulator’s nod for the induction of PNB as a shareholder came a little over a year after the public sector lender had announced plans to pick up 30 per cent stake in MetLife India Insurance for an undisclosed amount.
MetLife is a joint venture (JV) between Jammu & Kashmir Bank, the M Pallonji Group, the US-based MetLife International and some private investors. MetLife International holds a 26 per cent stake in the company, while, the Indian shareholders own the remaining 74 per cent.
Company Name | CMP |
---|---|
SBI | 754.00 |
Bank Of Baroda | 221.95 |
Canara Bank | 94.70 |
PNB | 98.25 |
Union Bank Of India | 106.05 |
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