RBL Bank eyes to join league of big banks post $3 billion deal with UAE’s ENBD Bank

Post signing the $3 billion deal to sell upto 60% stake to Emirates NBD Bank, UAE’s second largest public sector bank, the RBL Bank, a mid-size bank, with the fresh funds at its disposal, will soon join the league of big banks in India said R. Subramaniakumar, MD & CEO, RBL Bank on Sunday (October 19, 2025).

Currently 13th largest in terms of market cap, the bank is eyeing top 5 position among private sector banks in the country.

“Our aspirations is to grow multi-folds, and the capital infusion will help. We are now a mid-size bank and our aspiration is to move into the league of big bank,” he said while addressing a press conference.

The deal, the largest in the Indian banking, sector, is expected to complete in 5 to 8 months.

The bank will soon apply for approvals to the RBI, SEBI, Government of India and Competition Commission of India (CCI). It has called an EGMon November 12, 2025to seek shareholders’ approval for the deal.

Soon after, ENBD Bank will make an open offer to public shareholders of RBL Bank and depending on the response, the size of the preferential allotment to RNBD will be adjusted. But the foreign bank will have a minimum holding of 51% in RBL Bank, it was explained.

After completion of the deal, RBL Bank will be the Indian subsidiary of the foreign bank and will continue to be listed on Indian exchanges.Whether it’s name will change to ENBD has not been decided.Bank officials said it would evolve over the years.

The board composition will also change as ENBD would place it’s nominees and no final decision has been made.

With the fresh funds, the bank will get into lending corporates and wealth management, it s top management said.

Part of the funds will be utilised in technology, brand building and to strengthen digital banking, they said.

The 82-year-old bank, started in rural Maharashtra and formerly known as Rathnakar Bank Ltd, has come a long way by strengthening corporate governance under regulatory supervision and run by professional management. It’s acquisition by ENBD Bank will give it a new direction and elevate it’s stature in the world of banking.