Budget 2018-19

RBI seeks detailed report on what happened between 2011 and now; bankers to recall loans to  Nirav Modi entities   The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has advised Punjab National Bank (PNB) to pay up dues to banks for claims against letters of undertakings (LoUs) and also sought a detailed report on what happened between 2011 and now. Moving into damage control mode after the LoU fraud amounting to Rs 114 billion, the banking regulator also asked all lenders to tighten their monitoring of such LoUs and enhance due diligence in issuing these letters of comfort and non-fund based activities. A top executive at a Mumbai-based public sector bank said the RBI had communicated that PNB would have to honour all its obligations related to LoUs. A junior branch official fraudulently issued LoUs without authority on behalf of firms belonging to the Nirav Modi group — Solar Exports, Stellar Diamonds, and Diamonds R Us — for availing of buyers’ credit from overseas branche...

Some banks have direct exposure to Nirav Modi's companies The fraudulent transactions at Punjab National Bank are likely to hit the books of other lenders as well. Doubts about similar fraudulent practices at other banks were gathering steam, analysts said. The impact of the PNB fraud will extend to counter parties (lenders), hit their asset qualities and increase provisions for bad loans. Most bankers said the entire liability would fall on PNB since the letters of understanding (LoUs) availed by Nirav Modi’s companies were issued on behalf of the bank’s Mumbai branch. Some banks, however, have direct exposure to Nirav Modi ’ s companies, though they have been standard assets so far. Bankers said Modi sent LoUs to banks stating that he would square off all his dues and that his company Firestone Diamond was up for sale. The valuation of the company was Rs 105 billion, he claimed in the letter. But according to a PTI report, the CBI investigation has now...

Modi has been relentless in building his brand regardless of banks having a problem of fraudulent unauthorised transactions with his companies Just about a week ago, diamond jeweller Nirav Modi opened a new store in Macau. Barely three months ago, he had opened a second store in DLF Emporio’s Chanakya mall in New Delhi, with plans for another one, in Bengaluru, later this year. Modi has been relentless in building his brand regardless of banks having a problem of fraudulent and unauthorised transactions with his companies. His website is running Valentine’s Day promotions beside pictures of Hollywood celebrities wearing his jewellery and details of the fashion shows he sponsored recently. Modi’s ambition was to expand to 100 stores by 2020, not unusual for a brand that is trying to grow. He has boutiques in New York, Las Vegas, Honolulu, Singapore and Beijing. There is one store in London, three stores in Macau, and four stores in Hong Kong, where Modi's sister Pu...