0001144967 hdb:PowerMember us-gaap:RetainedEarningsAppropriatedMember 2019-04-01 2020-03-31LenderConcentrationRiskMember hdb:ConcentrationOfCreditRiskByIndustryMember 2021-04-01 2022-03-31
Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM
20-F
REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended March 31 2020
, 2022
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from
                
to
OR
SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of event requiring this shell company report
Commission file number
001-15216
 
HDFC BANK LIMITED
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Not Applicable
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)
India
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
HDFC Bank House,
Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel
, Mumbai
400013
,
India
(Address of principal executive offices)
Name: Santosh Haldankar,
Senior
Vice President (Legal) and Company Secretary
Telephone:
91-22-3976-0711
91
-
22
-
3976-0711
Email: Santosh.Haldankar@hdfcbank.com
Santosh.Haldankar
@hdfcbank.com
Office
Address: 
HDFC Bank Ltd; Legal & Secretarial Dept; 2nd floor, Zenith House
,
Opp. Race Course Gate No. 5 & 6, , Keshavrao Khadye Marg
,
Mahalaxmi(west)Mahalaxmi (west), Mumbai 400 034,India.
India.
(Name, telephone,
e-mail
email and/or facsimile number and address of company contact person)
 
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Trading Symbol(s)
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
American Depositary Shares, each representing three Equity Shares, Par value Rs. 1.0 per share
 
HDB
 
The New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Not Applicable
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: Not Applicable
 
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:
Equity Shares, as of March 31, 2020                5,483,286,4602022                
5,545,540,976
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    
Yes
  ☒    No  
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.    Yes  
    No  
Note—Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   
Yes
  ☒    No  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§
S-T(§232.405
of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  
    No  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated
filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “emerging growth company” in
Rule 12b-2
of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer 
 ☒                Accelerated
filer  
Non-accelerated
filer  
                Emerging growth company  
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  
† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on the attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. 
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP
  
            International Financial Reporting Standards as issued
            by the International Accounting Standards Board  
  
Other  
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow:    Item 17  
    Item 18  
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2
of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No
    No  


CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
Form
20-F
 
  
Item Caption
  
Location
   
Part I
     
Item 1 Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors  
Not Applicable
  
Item 2 Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable  
Not Applicable
  
Item 3 Key Information  
Exchange Rates and Certain Defined Terms
  1
   
Risk Factors
  3036
   
Selected Financial and Other Data
  7380
Item 4 Information on the Company  
Business
  3
   
Selected Statistical Information
  7683
   
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
  9491
   
Principal Shareholders
  141142
   
Related Party Transactions
  142143
   
Supervision and Regulation
  152151
Item 5 Operating and Financial Review and Prospects  
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
  9491
Item 6 Directors, Senior Management and Employees  
Business—Employees
  2930
   
Management
  119120
   
Principal Shareholders
  141142
Item 7 Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions  
Principal Shareholders
  141142
   
Management—Loans to Members of ourOur Senior Management
  131134
   
Related Party Transactions
  142143
Item 8 Financial Information  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms
  F-2
   
Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto
  F-11F-5
   
Business—Legal Proceedings
  2931
Item 9 The Offer and Listing  
Certain Information About Our American Depositary Share and Equity Shares
  5666
   
Restrictions on Foreign Ownership of Indian Securities
  187192
Item 10 Additional Information  
Management
  119120
   
Description of Equity Shares
  5767
   
Dividend Policy
  7279
   
Taxation
  145
   
Supervision and Regulation
  152151
   
Exchange Controls
  185190
Restrictions on Foreign Ownership of Indian Securities
192
Additional Information
196
 
ii

  
Item Caption
  
Location
   
 
Restrictions on Foreign Ownership of Indian Securities
187
Additional Information
191
Item 11 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk  
Business—Risk Management
  2123
   
Selected Statistical Information
  7683
Item 12 Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities  
Not Applicable
  
Item 12D ADSs fee disclosure  
Description of American Depositary Shares—Fees and Charges for Holders of American Depositary Shares
  6575
Part II
     
Item 13 Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies  
Not Applicable
  
Item 14 Material Modifications to the Rights of Security
Holders and Use of Proceeds
  
Not Applicable
  
Item 15 Controls and Procedures  
Management—Controls and Procedures
  132135
   
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
  192197
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm—Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
  193198
Item 16A Audit Committee Financial Expert  
Management—Audit Committee Financial Expert
  133136
Item 16B Code of Ethics  
Management—Code of Ethics
  133136
Item 16C Principal Accountant Fees and Services  
Management—Principal Accountant Fees and Services
  134136
Item 16D Exemption from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees  
Not Applicable
  
Item 16E Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers  
Not Applicable
  
Item 16F Changes in or disagreements with accountants  
Not Applicable
  
Item 16G Significant Differences in Corporate Governance Practices  
Management—Compliance with NYSE Listing Standards on Corporate Governance
  134137
Item 16H Mine Safety Disclosure  
Not Applicable
  
 
iii

EXCHANGE RATES AND CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS
In this document, all references to “we”, “us”, “our”, “HDFC Bank” or “the Bank” shall mean HDFC Bank Limited or where the context requires also to its subsidiaries whose financials are consolidated for accounting purposes. References to the “U.S.” or “United States” are to the United States of America, its territories and its possessions. References to “India” are to the Republic of India. References to the “Companies Act” in the document mean the Indian Companies Act, 2013 and all rules and regulations issued thereunder. References to “$” or, “US$” or, “dollars” or “United States dollars” are to the legal currency of the United States and references to “Rs.”, ”INR”“INR”, “rupees” or “Indian rupees” are to the legal currency of India.
Our financial statements are presented in Indian rupees and in some cases translated into United States dollars. The financial statements and all other financial data included in this report, except as otherwise noted, are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP. U.S. GAAP differs in certain material respects from accounting principles generally accepted in India, the requirements of India’s Banking Regulation Act and related regulations issued by the Reserve Bank of India (“RBI”) (collectively, “Indian GAAP”), which form the basis of our statutory general purpose financial statements in India. Principal differences applicable to our business include: determination of the allowance for credit losses, classification and valuation of investments, accounting for deferred income taxes, stock-based compensation, loan origination fees, derivative financial instruments, business combinations and the presentation format and disclosures of the financial statements and related notes. References to a particular “fiscal” are to our fiscal year ended March 31 of such year.
Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Indian rupee and the United States dollar will affect the United States dollar equivalent of the Indian rupee price of the equity shares on the Indian stock exchanges and, as a result, will affect the market price of our American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) in the United States. These fluctuations will also affect the conversion into United States dollars by the depositary of any cash dividends paid in Indian rupees on the equity shares represented by ADSs.
Investor expectations that reforms implemented by the Governmentgovernment of India (the “Government of India” or the “Government”) will lead to an improvement in the long-termlong term growth outlook helped to improve the rupee’s performance, reducing the depreciation trend to 3.85 percent in fiscal year 2015. During fiscal year 2016, the rupee depreciated by 6.32 percent primarily reflecting global risk aversion and a strong United States dollar. However, in line with other emerging markets, which experienced currency appreciation in fiscal year 2017, the Indian rupee also appreciated by 2.1 percent against the United States dollar. This was mainly attributed to repricing of the Indian assets by international investors (driven by domestic economic and political stability) alongside the disappointment relating to the United States reform agenda. In fiscal year 2018, the rupee ranged between a high of Rs. 65.71 per US$ 1.00 and a low of Rs. 63.38 per US$ 1.00. Pressure developed in the last two quarters of fiscal year 2018 as oil prices rose and trade war risks escalated globally. In fiscal year 2019, while the rupee depreciated overall by 6.3 percent against the United States dollar, it ranged between a high of Rs. 74.4 per US$ 1.00 and a low of Rs. 64.85 per US$ 1.00. Rising oil prices and a slowdown in global trade volumes, as well as a risk aversion towards emerging market currencies (because of tariffs and trade war risks) have all affected the rupee negatively in fiscal year 2019. The rupee further depreciated in fiscal year 2020, amid weak global demand, low domestic economic growth and foreign portfolio investment outflows, as well as a result of foreign investors becoming more risk averse with respect to investments in India. In fiscal year 2020, the rupee ranged between a high of Rs. 76.37 per US$ 1.00 and a low of Rs. 68.40 per US$ 1.00. The rupee appreciated by 2.8 percent in fiscal year 2021, in part due to a weak dollar and robust foreign flows. In fiscal year 2021, the rupee traded in the range of
75.08-73.14 per
US $1.00. With foreign capital outflows and
geo-political
risks, the rupee depreciated by 3.8 percent against the United States dollar in fiscal year 2022. In fiscal year 2022, the rupee ranged between a high of Rs. 77.07 per US$ 1.00 and a low of Rs. 72.37 per US$ 1.00
Although we have translated selected Indian rupee amounts in this document into United States dollars for convenience, this does not mean that the Indian rupee amounts referred to could have been, or could be, converted to United States dollars at any particular rate, the rates stated above, or at all. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from Indian rupees to United States dollars are based on the noon buying rate in the City of New York for cable transfers in Indian rupees at US$ 1.00 = Rs. 75.3975.87 on March 31, 2020.2022. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York certifies this rate for customs purposes on each date the rate is given. The noon buying rate on July 24, 202015, 2022 was Rs. 74.7779.74 per US$ 1.00.
 
1

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We have included statements in this report which contain words or phrases such as “will”, “aim”, “will likely result”, “believe”, “expect”, “will continue”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “contemplate”, “seek to”, “future”, “objective”, “goal”, “project”, “should”, “will pursue” and similar expressions or variations of these expressions, that are “forward-looking statements”. Actual results may differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements due to certain risks or uncertainties associated with our expectations with respect to, but not limited to, our ability to implement our strategy successfully, the market acceptance of and demand for various banking services, future levels of our
non-performing/impaired
assets, our growth and expansion, the adequacy of our provision/allowance for credit and investment losses, technological changes, volatility in investment income, our ability to market new products, cash flow projections, the outcome of any legal, tax or regulatory proceedings in India and in other jurisdictions we are or become a party to, the future impact of new accounting standards, our ability to pay dividends, the impact of changes in banking regulations and other regulatory changes on us in India and other jurisdictions, our ability to roll over our short-termshort term funding sources and our exposure to market and operational risks. By their nature, certain of the market risk disclosures are only estimates and could be materially different from what may actually occur in the future. As a result, actual future gains, losses or impact on net income could materially differ from those that have been estimated.
In addition, other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by the forward-looking statements contained in this document include, but are not limited to: general economic and political conditions, instability or uncertainty in India and the other countries which have an impact on our business activities or investments caused by any factor, including terrorist attacks in India, the United States or elsewhere, anti-terrorist or other attacks by the United States, a United
States-led
coalition or any other country, tensions between India and Pakistan related to the Kashmir region or between India and China, military armament or social unrest in any part of India; the monetary and interest rate policies of the Government of India, natural calamities, pandemics, inflation, deflation, unanticipated turbulence in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity prices or other rates or prices; the performance of the financial markets in India and globally, changes in Indian and foreign laws and regulations, including tax, accounting and banking regulations, changes in competition and the pricing environment in India, and regional or general changes in asset valuations. For further discussion on the factors that could cause actual results to differ, see “
Risk Factors
”.
 
2

BUSINESS
Overview
We are a new generation private sector bank in India. Our goal is to be the preferred provider of financial services to our customers in India across metro, urban, semi-urban and rural markets. Our strategy is to provide a comprehensive range of financial products and services to our customers through multiple distribution channels, with what we believe are high-quality services, advanced technology platforms and superior execution.
We have three principal business activities: retail banking, wholesale banking and treasury operations. Our retail banking products include deposit products, loans including loans to small and medium enterprises, credit cards, debit cards, third-party mutual funds and insurance products, bill payment services, loans to small and medium enterprises and other products and services. With respect toUnder wholesale banking, we offer customers a wide range of financing products, such as documentary creditscommercial and bank guarantees, foreign exchange and derivative products, investmenttransactional banking services, including working capital finance, trade services, transactional services and corporate deposit products.cash management. We offerare also a rangeleading provider of deposit and transaction banking services, such asstructured solutions in India, which combine cash management custodialservices with vendor and clearing bank services and correspondent banking.distributor finance to facilitate supply chain management for our corporate customers. Our treasury operations manage our balance sheet, and include customer-driven services such as advisory services related to foreign exchange and derivative transactions for corporate and institutional customers, supplemented by proprietary trading, including Indian Government securities. Further, our
non-banking
finance company (“NBFC”) subsidiary HDB Financial Services Limited (“HDBFSL”) offers a wide range of loans and asset finance products including mortgage loans, commercial vehicle loans, consumer loans and gold loans, as well as a range of business process outsourcing solutions. We provide our customers with brokerage accounts through our subsidiary HDFC Securities Limited (“HSL”), which we believe is one of the leading stock brokerage companies in India and which offers a suite of products and services across various asset classes, such as equity, gold and debt, among others.and via multiple platforms,
i.e.
, online, mobile, telephone and branches.
Our financial conditionsAs a result of trade tensions and results of operation are affected
geo-political
risks, global growth slowed to 2.9 percent in 2019 from 3.6 percent in 2018, according to IMF estimates. In 2020, growth declined by a further 3.1 percent, driven by the general economic conditions
COVID-19
pandemic and related lockdowns and movement restrictions across the globe, which caused GDP to contract in India. The Indianmajor economies. With the availability of vaccines and policy support, the global economy started regaining strength in 2021, when, as per the IMF, global growth stood at 6.1 percent. However, global recovery is oneexpected to halt again in 2022 on account of the largest economiesRussia-Ukraine crisis, the China slowdown, rising commodity prices, and elevated inflation. Moreover, the decrease or removal of monetary stimulus across the globe could also weigh on global recovery. Volatility across industry sectors has increased contributing to an uncertain investment climate. The IMF estimates global growth to slow down to 3.6 percent in 2022.
The
COVID-19
pandemic also adversely impacted India’s economic growth. The Government imposed a strict lockdown between March 25, 2020 and May 31, 2020. While this helped to control the spread of the pandemic during the first wave, it adversely impacted all sectors of the economy, with the consumption and services sectors worst affected. India’s GDP contracted by 23.8 percent in the worldfirst quarter of fiscal year 2021. With improved mobility and policy measures, economic activity started to improve again from the second quarter of fiscal year 2021. GDP rebounded with a gross domestic product (“GDP”) at current market prices of an estimated Rs. 189.7 trillion for fiscal 2019 and an estimated Rs. 203.4 trillion for fiscal 2020. In recent years, India has become an attractive destination for foreign direct investment (“FDI”), owing to its well-developed private corporate sector, large consumer market potential, large pool of well-educated and English-speaking workers and well-established legal systems. Overall, India attracted FDI (including reinvested earnings) of approximately US$ 73.45 billion in fiscal 2020, US$ 62.0 billion in fiscal 2019 and US$ 60.9 billion in fiscal 2018. India attracted an average of US$ 49.42 billion FDI from fiscal 2011 through fiscal 2020 compared to an average of US$ 11.3 billion from fiscal 2001 through fiscal 2010. One measure of India’s progress has been the upward trend in the ease of doing business rankings, a measure published annually by the World Bank. In 2019, India improved 14 places to the 63rd place (out of a total of 190 countries) and was ranked as one of the top ten improvers
year-on-year.
The Indian economy faced multiple challenges during fiscal 2020, including the NBFC crisis, fiscal constraints, elevated
US-China
trade tensions, certain regional geopolitical uncertainties, the consistent slowdown in domestic consumption growth and the impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic. Due to the challenging international and domestic environment, real GDP growth in India slowed to 4.20.7 percent in fiscal 2020 from 6.1 percent in fiscal 2019. On the supply side, this
year-on-year
decline was primarily driven by reducedyear on year growth in the manufacturing sector, which grew at a rate of 0.1 percent in fiscal 2020 compared to 5.9 percent in fiscal 2019. On the demand side, investment growth (as measured by the “gross fixed capital formation” component of GDP) has been on a downward trajectory since the lastthird quarter of fiscal 2019 and turned negative beginningyear 2021 as compared to a contraction of 6.6 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2020. Private consumption has also experienced a slowdown, growing at 5.3year 2021. The fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2021 reaffirmed that the economy was recovering as growth momentum picked up pace. India’s GDP grew by 2.5 percent in the fourth quarter, due to improvements across all sectors of the economy. For the full year, India’s GDP declined by 6.6 percent in fiscal 2020year 2021 compared to 7.2 percent in fiscal 2019. In addition, construction activity also slowed, growing at a rategrowth of 1.43.7 percent in the prior year.
However, the “second wave” of
COVID-19
and related containment measures adversely affected the pace of recovery for the Indian economy during the first quarter of fiscal 2020 compared to 6.1 percent during fiscal 2019.year 2022. On a quarterly
quarter-by-quarter
basis, India’s real GDP growth in fiscal 2020 showed a steady decline from 5.2declined by 17.1 percent in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022, although
year-on-year
growth stood at 20.1 percent, primarily due to 4.4support from a low base. Economic activity started recovering from the second quarter of fiscal year 2022 with improved access to vaccines and removal of
COVID-19-related
restrictions. In the second quarter of fiscal year 2022, India’s GDP growth stood at 8.4 percent, but economic activity came under stress again as the Omicron variant started spreading. With a reversal of the low base from fiscal year 2021 and Omicron related curbs, GDP growth slowed to 4.1 percent in the secondfourth quarter 4.1of fiscal year 2022 from 5.4 percent in the third quarter and 3.1of fiscal year 2022. Overall, GDP growth stood at 8.7 percent in the fourth quarter.fiscal year 2022, against a decline of 6.6 percent in fiscal year 2021.
Due to
COVID-19
related disruptions, realMoving forward, we expect India’s GDP growth is likely to slow down further and contract in fiscal 2021. However, India’s significant reliance onyear 2023, with rising commodity prices and global supply chain disruptions resulting from
geo-political
tensions as major challenges. Elevated inflation levels could keep private consumption may work in its favor amidst slowing external demandrecovery slow and significant economicmight delay private capital expenditure due to a likely decline in other major economies. Globally, the IMF projects 2020profit margins. Moreover, export growth could slow with a global slowdown. Foreign portfolio investments in India could remain weak, as investors are expected to prefer lower risk assets in uncertain times. We estimate India’s GDP growth to decline by 4.9at 7.3 percent and the WTO expects trade to contract between 13.0 percent and 32.0 percent in 2020.
While headline inflation stayed below the central bank’s 4.0 percent target in the first half of fiscal 2021, inflation started rising in the second half offor the fiscal year due2023 subject to a sharp rise in vegetable prices. Headline inflation breached the central bank’s upper target limit of 6.0 percent for the first time in December 2019. Further, consumer price index (“CPI”) inflation averaged 6.2 percent in the second half of the year compared to an average of 3.3 percent in the first half of the fiscal 2020. Going forward, while
COVID-19
related supply disruptions may put some pressure on inflation in the near term, lower oil prices, normal monsoons and weak demand could push down inflation in the second half of fiscal 2021. On balance, we expect headline inflation to average below the RBI’s median 4.0 percent target in fiscal 2021.
The Indian Union Budget for fiscal 2021 tried to strike a balance between fiscal consolidation and supporting growth. The budget focuses on infrastructure and includes an investment of Rs. 103 trillion in infrastructure development over the next five years. The Government has more recently announced a “self-reliant India” package worth Rs. 20 trillion or 20 percent of GDP to mitigate the economic impact of
COVID-19.
With respect to the fiscal situation, the fiscal deficit is budgeted at 3.5 percent of GDP in fiscal 2021 compared to a provisional estimate of 4.6 percent in fiscal 2020 (compared to the budget estimate of 3.3 percent). However, the impact of
COVID-19
on both Government revenue and expenditure is likely to also result in a significant fiscal deviation from the Government’s target in fiscal 2021.further downside risks.
 
3

Besides growth,
geo-political
tensions and lingering supply side disruptions are likely to weigh on domestic retail inflation. CPI inflation rose to 6.95 percent in March 2022, reflecting the impact of higher food prices, fuel prices and core inflation (CPI excluding food and fuel). For fiscal year 2022, CPI inflation averaged 5.5 percent. More recently, headline CPI inflation rose to an
8-year
high of 7.8 percent in April 2022, led by an abroad-based increase in food, fuel and core (CPI excluding food and fuel) inflation. Going forward, CPI inflation is expected to average above 7 percent in the first half of fiscal year 2023 due to a rise in food prices, higher commodity prices and pass through of rising input costs. For the full fiscal year 2023, we expect CPI inflation to average
6.5-6.7 percent
(assuming average crude oil prices at US$ 105 pbl for fiscal year 2023), above the RBI’s target range of 4
+/-2 percent.
In response to the adverse impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic and related disruptions, the Government significantly increased spending in both fiscal year 2021 and fiscal year 2022. While the fiscal deficit was 9.2 percent in fiscal year 2021, it narrowed to 6.7 percent in fiscal year 2022 (as per provisional data), mainly due to improved revenue collections. In the wake of rising commodity prices, the Government has recently reduced excise duties on diesel and petrol and some other raw materials. To ease pressure on food prices, the Government has imposed a ban on wheat exports and removed import duty on crude, soybean and sunflower oil for two years. However, import exemptions for these vegetable oils are capped at 2.0 million metric tons. Additionally, to provide relief to farmers, the Government has extended the free food program until September 2022 and increased fertilizer subsidies. More recently, the Government has introduced a windfall tax on domestically produced crude oil along with export duty on petrol, diesel & ATF exports, which is expected to garner additional tax revenue of Rs. 1.0 trillion. Taking these factors into account, we estimate the fiscal deficit to be at 6.4 percent of GDP in the fiscal year 2023.
Since commencing operations in January 1995 we have grown rapidly. As of March 31, 2020,2022, we had 5,416 banking outlets6,342 branches and 14,901 ATMs / 18,130 ATMs/Cash Deposit and Withdrawal Machines (“CDMs”) in 2,8033,188 cities and towns and 56.171.0 million customers. In addition, we had 5,379 banking outlets managed15,341 business correspondents, which were primarily manned by common service centers (“CSCs”). On account of the expansion in our geographical reach and the resultant increase in market penetration, our assets have grown from Rs. 13,280.117,979.8 billion as of March 31, 20192021 to Rs. 15,961.921,113.7 billion as of March 31, 2020.2022. Our net income has increased from Rs. 220.1326.0 billion for fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 260.3386.0 billion for fiscal 2020.year 2022. Our loans and deposits as of March 31, 2020 were at2022 amounted to Rs. 10,425.014,036.9 billion and Rs. 11,462.115,580.0 billion, respectively. Across business cycles, we believe we have maintained a strong balance sheet and a low cost of funds. As of March 31, 2020,2022, gross
non-performing
customer assets as a percentage of gross customer assets was 1.43 percent, while net
non-performing
customer assets constituted 0.52 percent of net customer assets.1.32 percent. Our net customer assets represented 94.193.8 percent of our deposits and our deposits represented 71.873.8 percent of our total liabilities and shareholders’ equity. The average
non-interestnon-interest-bearing
bearing current accounts and
low-interestlow-interest-bearing
bearing savings accounts represented 38.044.6 percent of average total deposits as offor the year ended March 31, 2020.2022. These
low-cost
deposits and the cash float associated with our transactional services led to an average cost of funds (including equity) of 4.53.1 percent for fiscal 2020.year 2022. We had a return on equity (net income as a percentage of average total shareholders’ equity) of 15.516.1 percent for fiscal 2019year 2021 and 15.116.8 percent for fiscal 2020, andyear 2022. As at March 31, 20202022 we had a total capital adequacy ratio (calculated pursuant to RBI guidelines) of 18.5218.90 percent. Our Common Equity Tier I
(“CET-I”)
ratio was 16.4316.67 percent as at March 31, 2020.2022.
About Our Bank
HDFC Bank was incorporated in August 1994 and commenced operations as a scheduled commercial bank in January 1995. In 2000, we merged with Times Bank Limited and, in 2008, we acquired Centurion Bank of Punjab Limited (“CBoP”). We are part of the HDFC Group of companies established by our principal shareholder, Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited (“HDFC Limited”), a listed public limited company established under the laws of India. HDFC Limited is primarily engaged in financial services, including mortgages, property-related lending and deposit services. The subsidiaries and associated companies of HDFC Limited are also largely engaged in a range of financial services, including asset management, life insurance and general insurance. HDFC Limited and its subsidiaries (together, “HDFC Group”) owned 21.2421.0 percent of our outstanding equity shares as of March 31, 20202022 and our Chairperson and Managing Director are nominated by HDFC Limited and appointed with the approval of our shareholders and the RBI. See also “Principal Shareholders”
Principal Shareholders
. We have no agreements with HDFC Limited or any of its group companies that restrict us from competing with them or that restrict HDFC Limited or any of its group companies from competing with our business. We currently distribute products of HDFC Limited and its group companies, such as home loans of HDFC Limited, life and general insurance products of HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited and HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited, respectively, and mutual funds of HDFC Asset Management Company Limited.
We have two subsidiaries: HDBFSL and HSL. HDBFSL is a
non-depositnon-deposit-taking
taking NBFC engaged primarily in the business of retail asset financing while HSL is primarily in the business of providing brokerage and other investment services. Effective April 1, 2018, the financial results of our subsidiary companies have been prepared in accordance with notified Indian Accounting Standards (April 1, 2017 being the transition date). HDBFSL’s total assets and shareholders’ equity as of March 31, 20202022 were Rs. 607.1620.3 billion and Rs. 80.295.4 billion, respectively. HDBFSL’s net income was Rs. 10.010.1 billion for fiscal 2020.year 2022. As of March 31, 2020,2022, HDBFSL had 1,4681,374 branches across 1,070989 cities in India. HSL’s total assets and shareholders’ equity as of March 31, 20202022 were Rs. 27.779.2 billion and Rs. 12.516.6 billion, respectively. HSL’s net income was Rs. 3.89.8 billion for fiscal 2020.year 2022. On December 1, 2016, Atlas Documentary Facilitators Company Private Ltd., which provided back office transaction processing services to us, and its subsidiary HBL Global Private Ltd., which provided direct sales support for certain products of the Bank, amalgamated with HDBFSL.
Our principal corporate and registered office is located at HDFC Bank House, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 013, India. Our telephone number is
91-22-6652-1000.
Our agent in the United States for the 2001, 2005, 2007, 2015 and 2018 ADS offerings is Depositary Management Corporation, 570 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
4

Proposed Transaction
The Board of Directors at its meeting held on April 4, 2022 approved a composite scheme of amalgamation (the “Scheme”) for the amalgamation of: (i) HDFC Investments Limited and HDFC Holdings Limited, each a subsidiary of HDFC Limited, with and into HDFC Limited; and (ii) HDFC Limited with and into HDFC Bank (the “Proposed Transaction”). The share exchange ratio shall be 42 equity shares of HDFC Bank (each having a face value of Rs. 1) for every 25 equity shares of HDFC Limited (each having a face value of Rs. 2).
We expect the Proposed Transaction to be strategically beneficial to both the Bank and HDFC Limited as it takes advantage of existing complementarities. Following the Proposed Transaction, we expect to grow our housing loan portfolio and enhance our existing customer base, benefiting from HDFC Limited’s technological capabilities to evaluate the credit worthiness of customers and its existing offices to market our products and services across India. The housing market environment has changed with recent laws bringing in greater transparency and price corrections lowering inventories. Home loan customers are typically retained for a longer time than our other retail customers. There is a sizeable customer base of HDFC Limited that presently does not do banking with us yet and to whom we can make product and service offerings. HDFC Limited’s rural and affordable housing lending is expected to qualify as priority sector lending for us and can enable a higher flow of credit into priority sector lending, including agriculture. At the same time, we expect the combined entity resulting from the completion of the Proposed Transaction to benefit from our lower cost of funds and distribution. As the present regulatory environment is more conducive in terms of reduced reserve requirements of about 22 percent (compared to 26 percent previously), we expect acquiring liability customers and deposit mobilization to be a key focus area for us to fund future growth. In addition, we expect to reduce the proportion of our exposure to unsecured loans and benefit from a larger balance sheet and capital base, which would allow us to underwrite larger ticket loans and also enable a greater flow of credit into the Indian economy. More secured and long-tenure products are expected to strengthen the Bank’s robust asset portfolio mix. The Scheme also enlists certain rationales and benefits of the Proposed Transaction. Those expectations and anticipated benefits as well as the rationales mentioned in the Scheme are based on estimations and there is no assurance that they will materialize or materialize to the fullest extent as anticipated. See also “
Risk Factors—The Scheme with HDFC Limited may be more difficult, costly or time-consuming than expected, and implementation may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger and will expose us to incremental regulatory requirements
.”
The completion of the Scheme and the Proposed Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of requisite approvals from the RBI, the Competition Commission of India, the National Housing Bank, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority, the National Company Law Tribunal, the Securities Exchange Board of India, BSE Limited, the National Stock Exchange of India Limited and other statutory and regulatory authorities, and the respective shareholders and creditors, under applicable Indian law. The required satisfaction (or waiver) of the foregoing conditions could determine the completion of the Proposed Transaction for a significant period of time or prevent it from occurring. It is currently anticipated that the Proposed Transaction may be completed during fiscal year 2024 or earlier. While HDFC Bank has received certain approvals and no objection letters in regard to the Proposed Transaction subject to certain conditions, further approvals and letters will be required in due course. There can be no assurance that the remaining closing conditions will be satisfied in a timely manner or at all, or that an effect, event, development or change will not transpire that could delay or prevent these conditions from being satisfied.
The success of the Proposed Transaction will depend on, among other things, our ability to realize the anticipated revenue enhancements and efficiencies and to combine our businesses in a manner that does not materially disrupt the existing customer relationships of either institution, or result in decreased revenues or earnings including resulting from any loss of customers, and that permits growth opportunities to occur. If we are not able to successfully achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of the Scheme may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected. HDFC Bank is subject to various regulatory requirements, including capital requirements prescribed by the RBI. Upon the Scheme becoming effective, HDFC Bank as a combined entity may have heightened requirements to meet in this regard, such as meeting the incremental Statutory Liquidity Ratio (“SLR”), Cash Reserve Ratio (“CRR”) and Priority Sector Lending (“PSL”) requirements.
Upon the Scheme becoming effective and following RBI’s permission if received for relaxation of certain regulatory requirements for subsidiaries of HDFC Bank (for which forbearance application was filed on March 28, 2022), the subsidiaries of HDFC Limited will become subsidiaries of HDFC Bank leading to a simplified corporate structure. In addition, upon the Scheme becoming effective, the Bank will issue equity shares to the shareholders of HDFC Limited as on the record date, which is to be determined by the Boards of Directors of HDFC Limited and HDFC Bank, and the equity shares held by HDFC Limited in the Bank will be extinguished. The shares proposed to be issued pursuant to the Proposed Transaction will not be registered with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933 (as amended, including the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, the “Securities Act”) or the securities law of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States, and are being offered and sold in reliance on certain exemptions from registration under the Securities Act. See also “
Risk Factors—
The Scheme with HDFC Limited is subject to a number of conditions, some of which are outside of the parties
control, and, if these conditions are not satisfied, the Scheme may be terminated and the Proposed Transaction may not be completed
” and “
Risk Factors—Uncertainty about the Proposed Transaction may adversely affect the relationships of the Parties with their respective investors, customers, business partners and employees, whether or not the Proposed Transaction is completed
”.
5

Our Competitive Strengths
We attribute our growth and continuing success to the following competitive strengths:
We have a strong brand presence and extensive reach through a large distribution network
At HDFC Bank, we are focused on understandingoffering a comprehensive range of financial products and solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of our customers’ financial needs and providing them with relevant banking solutions.customers. We are driven by our core values: customer focus, operational excellence, product leadership, sustainability and people. This has helped us grow and achieve our status as one of the largest private sector banks in India, while delivering value to our customers, stakeholders, the Government, employees and the community.community at large. We believe HDFC Bank is one of the most trusted and preferred bank brands in India. We have been acknowledged as “India’s Most Valuable Brand”Best Bank” by BrandZEuromoney Awards for Excellence 2021. We have also been acknowledged as the sixth consecutive year.“Best Private Bank in India” by PWM Global Private Banking Awards 2021. We have capitalized on our strong brand presence by establishing an extensive branchbanking network throughout India, serving a broad range of customers in metro, urban, semi-urban and rural regions. As of March 31, 2020,2022, we had 5,416 banking outlets6,342 branches and 14,901 ATMs / 18,130 ATMs/CDMs in 2,8033,188 cities and towns and over 5671.0 million customers, and of our total banking outlets, 51.8branches, 50.2 percent were in the semi-urban and rural areas. In addition, we had 5,379 banking outlets managed15,341 business correspondents, which were primarily manned by CSCs. Our banking outletsextensive branch network is further complemented by our digital platforms, including onlineinternet banking, mobile banking, WhatsApp banking and mobilephone banking solutions, to provide our customers with a lifestyle banking experience, which is categorized into eightseven categories: Pay, Save, Invest, Borrow, Shop, Trade Insure and Advice.Insure. Our focus is on delivering a highly personalized multi-channel experience to our customers.
4

We provide a wide range of products and high qualityhigh-quality service to our clients in order to meet their banking needs
Whether in retail banking, wholesale banking or treasury operations, we consider ourselves a
one-stopone-stop-shop”
shop” for our customers’ banking needs. We consider our high-quality service offerings to be a vital component of our business and believe in pursuing excellence in execution through multiple internal initiatives focused on continuous improvement. This pursuit of high-quality service and operational execution directly supports our ability to offer a wide range of banking products.
Our retail banking products include deposit products, retail loans (such as vehicle and personal loans), and other products and services, such as private banking, depositary accounts, brokerage services, foreign exchange services, distribution of third-party products (such as insurance and mutual funds), bill payments and sale of gold and silver bullion. In addition, we are the largest credit card issuer in India with 14.516.5 million cards outstanding as of March 31, 2020.2022. With respect to wholesale banking, we offer customersa wide range of commercial and transactional banking services to businesses and organizations of all sizes. Our services include working capital loans, term loans, bill collections, letters of credit,finance, trade services, transactional services and cash management. Our product offerings include documentary credits and bank guarantees, foreign exchange and derivative products, and investment banking services. We also offer a range ofservices and corporate deposit products and transaction banking services such as cash management, custodial and clearing bank services and correspondent banking. We have made significant inroads into the banking consortia of a number of leading Indian corporates including multinationals. We believe our large scale and low cost of funding enable us to pursue high-quality wholesale financing opportunities competitively and at an advantage compared to our peers. We collect taxes for the Government and are bankers to companies in respect of issuances of equity shares and bonds to the public. Our NBFC subsidiary HDBFSL offers loan and asset finance products including tractor loans, consumer loans and gold loans, as well as business process outsourcing solutions such as form processing, document verification, contact center management and other front and back-office services.
We are able to provide this wide range of products across our physical and digital network, meaning we can provide our targeted rural customers with banking products and services similar to those provided to our urban customers, which we believe gives us a competitive advantage. Our wide range of products and focus on superior service and execution also create multiple cross-selling opportunities for us and, we believe, promote customer retention.
We have achieved robust and consistent financial performance while maintaining a healthy asset quality during our growth
On account of our superior operational execution, broad range of products, expansion in our geographical reach and the resulting increase in market penetration through our extensive branch network, our assets have grown from Rs. 13,280.117,979.8 billion as of March 31, 20192021 to Rs. 15,961.921,113.7 billion as of March 31, 2020.2022. Our net interest margin was 4.54.4 percent in fiscal 2019year 2021 and 4.64.3 percent in fiscal 2020.year 2022. Our current and savings account deposits as a percentage of our total deposits were 42.248.1 percent as of March 31, 2020,2022, and we believe this strong current and savings account profile has enabled us to tap into a
low-cost
funding base. In addition to the significant growth in our assets and net revenue, we remain focused on maintaining a healthy asset quality. We continue to have low levels of
non-performing
customer assets as compared to the average levels in the Indian banking industry. Our gross
non-performing
customer assets as a percentage of total customer assets was 1.431.32 percent as of March 31, 2020 and our net
non-performing
customer assets was 0.52 percent of net customer assets as of March 31, 2020.2022. Our net income has increased from Rs. 220.1326.0 billion for fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 260.3386.0 billion for fiscal 2020.year 2022. Net income as a percentage of average total shareholders’ equity was 15.516.1 percent in fiscal 2019year 2021 and 15.116.8 percent in fiscal 2020year 2022 and net income as a percentage of average total assets was 1.92.0 percent in fiscal 2019year 2021 and 2.1 percent in fiscal 2020.year 2022. We believe the combination of strong net income growth, robust deposit-taking, a low cost of funds and prudent risk management has enabled us to generate attractive returns on capital.
6

We have an advanced technology platform
We continue to make substantial investmentshave accelerated the technology and digital transformation with a continued focus on creating a seamless digital experience for our customers. Our progress against our regulatory commitments over the past year has resulted in our advanced technology platform and systems and expand our electronically linked branch network. the partial lifting of the restrictions on new card acquisitions in August 2021, followed by the full removal of the embargo on the Digital 2.0 program in March 2022.
We have implemented mobile data based networking options in semi-urban and rural areas where telecomtaken significant strides to ensure further fortification of our IT infrastructure and architecture as a robust, scalable and secure ecosystem. Strategic technology initiatives, such as a hybrid cloud approach, disaster recovery (“DR”) resiliency, capacity enhancements, data connectivitycenter migration to
state-of-the-art
facilities, comprehensive obsolescence management and monitoring, a next-generation security operations center, are weak. These networks have enabledpivotal for us to improve our core banking servicesusher in such areas and provide a link between our banking outlets and data centers.
Our aim has always been to improve customer experience throughthe next age of digital innovation as an “Experiential Leader” and we are constantly working to develop new technology and improve the digital aspects of our business.
banking.
We have invested in a digital banking platform, Backbase, to provide a single, unified multi-channelomni-channel experience to our customers for mobile banking, online banking, the public website and payments. The latest version of our mobile banking app (v11.1) has been rolled out to our customers.
The
COVID-19
5

We have a dedicatedpandemic has also accelerated the shift towards digital innovation team responsible for researching and experimenting with technology We have built a varied enterprise ecosystem and are making progress in transitioning frombanking over the traditional product-oriented approach to a customer-oriented approach. We seek to enable differentiated experiences through applications such as SmartBuy, which we believe is India’s first bank-initiated marketplace offering deals across key categories, including travel, hotels, e-shopping, among others and PayZapp which is our comprehensive mobile payment solution.past two years. In addition we seek to improve our customers’ experience using APIs that allow forservices like Insta Account Opening, Video Know Your Customer (“KYC”) and Insta Credit Cards introduced at the seamless and secure exchangebeginning of information between the Bank’s systems and third parties, making ourpandemic, several products and services availablenew features have been launched recently or are placed in a pipeline for launch to all our merchants and on platforms that our customers prefer. Finally, wecustomers. See also utilize analytics that help us improve our customer acquisition and retention. We believe that our direct banking platforms are stable and robust, enabling new ways to connect with our customers to cross-sell various products and improve customer retention.
Our product innovations include pre-approved personal loans for salaried accounts granted in as little as 10 seconds and “Digital Loan Against Securities (“LAS”), among others.Business Strategy—Project Future Ready
In 2017, we began virtual relationship banking to engage with customers through technology, which has since become a fully-fledged customer engagement channel, providing end-to-end services. We have over 5.6 million customers engaged through virtual relationship management (“VRM). In addition, we have also begun utilizing artificial intelligence (“AI”) technologies. Our virtual assistant EVA, which we believe is India’s first AI-enabled assistant, is capable of both acquiring and servicing customers, as well as processing banking transactions. EVA has also been extended to several other platforms, including Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and WhatsApp. Furthermore we extensively use robotic process automation (“RPA”) to automate backend processes, resulting in higher productivity and reduced turnaround times. In what we believe in another industry-first, we launched myApps, a suite of applications, in fiscal 2020. myApps offers digital payment modes and other value-added services for four key segments: smart cities, housing societies, clubs and religious institutions to enable digitization of their ecosystem.
During fiscal 2020, we were recognized for our commitment to technology, including being awarded the Nasscom DSCI Excellence Awards 2019 for best security practices in the banking sector, the Business Today – Money Today Financial Award 2019 for best fintech engagement and the Dun & Bradstreet BankTech Award 2020 for best use of banking technology for data analytics/BI/Big data. We believe our “Experiential Leadership” strategy and culture of innovation and development will be a crucial strength in remaining competitive in the years to come.
We have an experienced management team
Our leadership team brings together a diversity of talent and a wealth of experience. Many of the members of our management have had a long tenure with us, which gives us a deep bench of experienced managers. They have substantial experience in banking or other industries and share our common vision of excellence in execution. Our experienced management team is led by Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan, who has been with our Bank since 1996 and who was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank in October 2020. Formerly our Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Jagdishan was appointed as Change Agent in 2019. He was additionally responsible for legal and secretarial, human resources, corporate communication, infrastructure, administration and corporate social responsibility functions. Having a management team with such breadth and depth of experience is well suited to leverage the competitive strengths we have already developed across our large, diverse and growing branch network as well as allowing our management team to focus on creating new opportunities for our business. As the world becomes increasingly digital, our management team intends to steer the Bank to leadership in this emerging domain with innovative products and services. See also “
Management
”.
Our Business Strategy
Our business strategy emphasizes the following elements:
Project Future Ready
In fiscal year 2022 we launched our “Project Future Ready” to catalyse, create and capture the next wave of growth. Project Future Ready classifies its growth engines under business verticals, delivery channels and technology/digital, which will be backed by the Bank’s traditional strengths in internal audit, underwriting, risk management and governance.
We believe our growth engines will be powered by our robust technology and digital platforms and will account for the bulk of our future investments. The next wave of strategic technology and digital programs shall pave the way for new customer journeys and
best-in-class
products and services through innovation and transformation. We continue staying invested in creating a seamless and digital customer experience across digital touchpoints. Our digital factory approach to developing new products and customer experiences enables us to build our own capabilities to
co-create
tech-related intellectual property (“IP”). Additionally, agile and integrated Development, Operations and Security lifecycle (“DevSecOps”) principles and practices as well as revamping our tech to cloud-native architectures are pivotal enablers in the next phase of our digital transformation journey.
The focus on our digital programs is intended to pave the way towards the next level of
neo-banking
experiences for customers. From shaping new customer journeys to introducing
best-in-class
products and services, transformation and innovation shall be at the forefront. Key initiatives in this area are:
Vyapar: Digital onboarding of merchants for payment acceptance and servicing of banking transactions for the merchant community (Live);
Xpress Car Loans: Anytime-anywhere digital auto loans with seamless connectivity to multiple platforms and loan disbursement within 30 minutes;
7

PayZapp 2.0: Enhanced experience for
app-customers
to onboard and auto-link HDFC Bank cards, to manage the wallet and limits, and to display transactions via a rich user interface;
Wealth App: A new wealth management app with client-self-profiling, goal setting, mutual fund order execution and portfolio
re-balancing;
SME Customer Experience Transformation: New technology to support
scaled-up
business volumes and enhance the entire SME customer experience across commercial and retail business lines; and
Biz Express: A new web portal for SME segments covering digital
on-boarding,
managing their multiple accounts, making payments with hierarchy, raising GST; compliant invoices for payment, multiple collection modes, raising service requests online, etc.
Increase our market share of India’s expanding banking and financial services industry
In addition to benefiting from the overall growth in India’s economy and financial services industry, we believe we can increase our market share by continuing to focus on our competitive strengths, including our strong brand, our diverse product offering and our extensive banking outlet and ATM networks, to increase our market penetration. We believe we can expand our market share by focusing on developing our digital offerings to target mass markets across India. We believe digital offerings will position us well to capitalize on growth in India’s banking and financial services sector, arising from India’s emerging middle class and growing number of bankable households. We believe we can also capture an increased market share by expanding our branch footprint, particularly by focusing on rural and semi-urban areas. As of March 31, 2020,2022, we had 5,416 banking outlets6,342 branches and 14,90118,130 ATMs/CDMs in 2,8033,188 cities and towns. In addition, we had 5,379 banking outlets managed15,341 business correspondents, which were primarily manned by CSCs. In line with the CSCs.Bank’s core value of product leadership, the bank has significantly enhanced its process of managing the retail distribution franchise and its expansion by developing a scientific approach and using a “Distribution Planning Tool”. This data science tool combines data sources, including
geo-spatial
data on urbanization levels in India, credit bureau information on the presence of financial companies in an area and various internal data sources with a
front-end
data visualization solution. The Distribution Planning Tool has enabled the Bank to merge data-based insights with
on-the-ground
intelligence to take informed decisions on the expansion of distribution points (branches, ATMs/CDMs and business correspondents) at locations which carry high business potential across the country. We believe these areas represent a significant opportunity forexpect this approach to help optimize our continued growth as we expand banking services to those areas which have traditionally been underservedexpansion and which, by entering such markets, will enable us to establish new customer bases. We also believe that delivering banking services which are integrated withincrease our existing businessmarket share and product groups helps us to provide viable opportunities to the sections of the rural and semi-urban customer base that is consistent with our targeted customer profile throughout India.profitability.
6

Continue our investments in technology to support our digital strategy
We believehave taken multiple steps to ensure our robust and scalable technology setup is strengthened further as we continue monitoring our progress against commitments to the regulator. To this effect, significant strides were taken in the following technology areas:
1.
Implementation of a Landing Zone for Hyperscalers
We have invested in a Hybrid-Cloud approach with leading cloud service partners, AWS, Azure and GCP. A common landing zone has been implemented across these partners to create a secure and streamlined environment for all cloud deployments in the future. The landing zone also forms part of the Bank’s agenda to foster agility and DevSecOps in the technology and digital transformation journey.
2.
Capacity Upgrades
Our capacity management program has made significant inroads to ensure capacity planning and management are adequate for the Bank’s business growth. Strengthening of capacity management practices has culminated in a threshold of 70 percent across key parameters such as user concurrency, system performance, etc. in the utilization of databases, servers, storage, networks and security devices. This has resulted in planned capacity upgrades of critical applications, such as:
NetBanking and MobileBanking being scaled up to cater to 90,000 concurrent users.
The foundations of the banking platform being upgraded along with the modernization of more than 300 services. This enhances our scalability and capacity to cater to cater more than three times the number of Unified Payments Interface (“UPI”) transactions. Successfully managing over 2.3 million UPI transactions per hour, we are ranked among the top players in India as published in National Payments Corporation of India’s (“NPCI”) UPI performance metrics dashboard. Our average customer uptime has increased to 99.94 percent through lower technical declines in fiscal year 2022.
Our senior management and the Board continue remaining focused on capacity, performance, scalability and availability of internet accessthe Bank’s critical applications.
8

3.
DR & Resiliency
We have notably intensified the rigor in our DR drills for critical applications and broadband connectivityplan to continue strengthening our DR processes and capabilities, with a focus on the following projects:
Reduction of the recovery time objective (“RTO”) for key applications to
40-60
minutes, which has been completed for 56 key applications;
Deep automation to improve configuration drift management between primary and DR sites;
Enrichment of existing automation tools for DR to cover all DR scenarios and reduce the RTO time further; and
Refactoring key applications into an “Hot DR”/“Active-Active” design.
4.
Migration of the primary data center
We started fully migrating and consolidating our primary data center to
state-of-the-art
facilities in Mumbai and Bengaluru, partnering with Sify and NTT. We achieved 100 percent migration of production applications in November 2021 followed by 100 percent migration of UAT applications in March 2022. Further, a phase-wise plan is in place to migrate the Bank’s Chandivali, Mumbai data center to the NTT facility by January 2023.
The migration to the new facilities forms part of the Board’s continued focus on ensuring a robust IT infrastructure for the Bank’s applications and operations with higher customer uptimes across India requiresdigital touchpoints.
5.
Technology Obsolescence Management
We established a technology obsolescence program management office in June 2021 to allow for comprehensive digital strategy to proactively develop new methods of reaching out to our customers. As a result, we are continuously investing in technology as a means of improving our customers’ banking experience, offering them a range of products tailored to their financial needsobsolescence tracking and making it easier for them to interact with their banking accounts with us. We believe our culture of innovation and development to be crucial to remaining competitive.management. As part of our dedication to digitization and technological development,this, we have expanded our digital innovation teamintroduced procedures to research, developidentify and experiment with new technologies. In recent years, we have hosted Digital Innovation Summits in order to tap into emerging technological trends and innovations inremediate obsolete components 6 months before their support ends. As of the FinTech space. We have also recently appointed a new User Interface (“UI”) and User Experience (“UX”) team which is responsible for maintaining a seamless UI/UX across all bank channels and products. Since 2018, we have also expanded into application programming interface (“API”) banking and have developeddate of this report, the scope covers more than 150 APIs for our partners19,000 components across the Bank’s IT environment. Further, a detailed plan is in place to use. These innovations and developments, which have saved costs and generated revenue for us, stood out as emerging banking trends and have won a number of awards and accolades from distinguished members and institutes of the banking industry.
While we currently provide a range of options for customersremediate components pertaining to access their accounts, including internet banking, telephone banking, artificial intelligence driven chat bots and banking applications on mobile devices, we believe additional investments in our technology infrastructure to further develop our digital strategy will allow us to cross-sell a wider range of products on our digital platform in response to our customers’ needs and thereby expand our relationshiphigh-risk applications. Together with our customers across a range of customer segments. We are utilizing new technologies, such as RPA, machine learning, AIsenior management, we continue monitoring obsolescence through periodic reviews and block-chain to further enhance our current digital portfolio. We believe a comprehensive digital strategy will provide benefits in developing long-term customer relationships by allowing customers to interact with us and access their accounts wherever and whenever they desire with a seamless financial experience.reporting.
Cross-sell our broad financial product portfolio across our customer base
We are able to offer our complete suite of financial products across our branch network, including in rural locations. By matching our broad customer base with our ability to offer our complete suite of products to both rural and urban customers across retail banking, wholesale banking and treasury product lines, we believe that we can continue to generate organic growth by cross-selling different products by proactively offering our customers complementary products as their relationships with us develop and their financial needs grow and evolve.
Maintain strong asset quality through disciplined credit risk management
We have maintained high qualityhigh-quality loan and investment portfolios through careful targeting of our customer base, and by putting in place what we believe are comprehensive risk assessment processes and diligent risk monitoring and remediation procedures. Our gross
non-performing
customer assets as a percentage of gross customer assets was 1.431.32 percent as of March 31, 2020 and our net
non-performing
customer assets as a percentage of net customer assets was 0.52 percent as of March 31, 2020.2022. We believe we can maintain strong asset quality appropriate to the loan portfolio composition while achieving growth.
Maintain a low cost of funds
We believe we can maintain a relatively
low-cost
funding base as compared to our competitors, by leveraging our strengths and expanding our base of retail savings and current deposits and increasing the free float generated by transaction services, such as cash management and stock exchange clearing. Our
non-interestnon-interest-bearing
bearing current and
low-interestlow-interest-bearing
bearing savings account deposits were 42.248.1 percent of our total deposits as of March 31, 2020.2022. Our average cost of funds (including equity) was 4.53.6 percent for fiscal 2019year 2021 and remained unchanged3.1 percent in fiscal 2020.year 2022.
9

Embed ESG principles within our wider business strategy
We include environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors in our business strategy, including in the design of our products and services and the implementation of our processes and policies. Our ESG strategy, which seeks to create value for all stakeholders, focuses on climate change, community and society, along with certain practices related to customers and suppliers, lending, procurement and governance. We have a board-level Corporate Social Responsibility and ESG Committee with oversight of our sustainability and climate change initiatives, and the Board has approved an ESG policy framework to identify and mitigate the Bank’s climate change-related risks. In fiscal year 2022, we committed to become carbon neutral in our operations by fiscal year 2032 and are putting in place an implementation framework to achieve carbon neutrality, including continuing our investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects to lower our carbon footprint. Other initiatives to reduce ESG risks include initiatives in digital banking, contributions to tree planting targets, green building, managing greenhouse gas emissions through various initiatives, including those to reduce fuel consumption by our corporate fleet and paper consumption across the Bank, the use of renewable energy and a reduction in energy consumption.
With increasing focus on formalizing climate change risk management and enhancing related disclosures, some stakeholders are also placing more emphasis on financial institutions’ actions and investment decisions in respect of ESG matters. We continue to monitor the impacts of climate change risks, including as the result of regulatory developments, changing market practices and the transition to a low carbon economy, and to accelerate the development of our climate risk management capabilities. Developments in data and methodologies are expected to continue to help improve and enhance our measurement and reporting of climate change risks and financed emissions. We are exploring frameworks to model and assess climate risks. We also continue our efforts to acquire granular data and test tools for climate risk assessments and to adopt suitable methodologies to analyze exposures under different climate scenarios through suitable partnerships—including exploring options to tie up with data providers.
Evaluation of environmental and social risk is also an integral part of our overall credit appraisal and approval process. In particular, large industrial/infrastructure projects where the extension of long term financing is greater than Rs. 100 million and longer than 5 years are covered under our Social and Environment Monitoring System (“SEMS”). SEMS necessitates an assessment of environmental, health, social and safety risks in addition to other risks as part of the overall credit appraisal process. Recently, we introduced a new ESG assessment framework in corporate lending to enable a more comprehensive assessment of ESG and climate change issues relating to our corporate borrowers and to expand the scope of our lending that is subject to SEMS. In addition, we are increasingly emphasizing green financing solutions and tailoring the Bank’s portfolio towards climate-sensitive financing and companies with appropriate risk assessment systems and processes.
COVID-19
Pandemic
On March 11, 2020, the
COVID-19
outbreak was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (“WHO”). Following the discovery of a “double mutant” variant in the country in March 2021, India has experienced a significant surge of
COVID-19
cases. Governments and companies ourselves included, have introduced a variety of measures to contain the spread of the virus. These include the implementation ofWe also took measures and implemented remote working arrangements for the majority of our workforce, provision of appropriate masks and hand sanitizers for
at-risk
employees, use of physical distancing measures, periodic disinfection and fumigation of operational bank locations and the establishment of a specific
COVID-19
employee helpline. In addition, as a result of the increase in remote working, we have strengthened our cybersecurity measures, including implementing
two-factor
authentication, increasing employee awareness of unusual activity and ensuring IT support is available 24 hours per day. We also implemented additional measures to enable customers to complete their banking activity remotely where possible. We believe that due to the measures we have taken following the
COVID-19
outbreak, our capital and liquidity position remains strong and our employees continue to balance their personal and professional circumstances diligently, leading to robust processes, coordination and communication within our business units and a high level of customer service and care.
The pandemic and its aftermath are likely to result inpresent both challenges and opportunities for the Indian banking system. For example, opportunities in the healthcare sector are likely to grow,continue growing, as the management of the pandemic underscores the need to expand capacity in this area. While the stimulus package announced by the government between May 13, 2020 and May 17, 2020 committed more spending on healthcare (the specific allocation of funds will be determined by the path of the pandemic and the resulting financial costs), it is likely that going forward both the central and state governments will increase spending on health and associated sectors, such as sanitation. Growth in the healthcare sector is likely to also havehas a positive impact on the pharmaceuticals and medical equipment segments. AsTo strengthen the manufacturing segment, the Government increasesannounced the Production Linked Incentive Scheme in March 2020. In the fiscal year 2022 budget, Rs. 1.9 trillion were allocated to the scheme for five years, with a focus to boost production in textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals and 10 other segments. Additionally, the Government plans to increase its focus on these sectors, it is likelycapital spending to drawRs. 7.5 trillion in private sector participation.fiscal year 2023 from Rs. 5.9 trillion in fiscal year 2022. This creates significant potentialmay lead to increased demand for the Bank in terms of both credit and
non-fund
businesses.
7

Agriculture is likely to see significant structural change, as proposed changes in farm produce marketing laws and the Essential Commodities Act 1955 are implemented. While we expect to see growing interestancillary products in the agricultural sector, obstacles toinfrastructure segment, as well as the procurement
crowding-in
of produce and warehousing may continue to persist. This would directly benefit the food processing industry by inviting more corporate investment and expanding the demand for banks to fund this sector.
private capital expenditure.
The government has also allocated considerable funding (Rs. 100 billion in the recent stimulus package)100.0 billion) to formalize the micro-food processing segment through technical and infrastructure support and the implementation of safety and quality standards. The micro-segment is likely to grow in “clusters” and to offer increased credit opportunities for banks, particularly through the micro-finance and the self-help group (“SHG”) channels.
10

Loans to micro, small and medium enterprises (“MSMEs”) are likely to see immediate traction withfurther improvement as the government providing a 100 percent guarantee onGovernment extended the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme until March 2023. The Government has also increased the cover by another Rs. 3,000500 billion collateral-free lending to this segment.Rs. 5 trillion, in February 2022. While the sovereign back-stop makes lending to this segment viable in the near term, the effort to strengthen and scale up MSMEs may create high-quality borrowers in the process. The earlier decision to infuse Rs. 500 billion as equity through a fund of funds (20 percent investment from the central government and the remaining 80 percent from private investors) in MSMEs with growth potential is an example. The Government has also provided both a full and partial credit guarantee for NBFCs, housing finance companies and microfinance institutions. This reduces the risk of bank lending to these entities in the near term and over the medium term could assist such institutions in overcoming a cycle of elevated risk perception, shortage of liquidity and credit and balance sheet distress.
Furthermore, increased savings that are typical in the wake of a major economic shock are likely to provide the banking system with low-cost deposits. A lower risk appetite by the general public could drive investments away from alternatives, such as equities, and therefore further increase deposits. With respect to policy measures, the RBI is likely to continue its strategy of maintaining large surplus liquidity in the system and to cut the policy rate further. These measures will ensure
low-cost
funds for banks.
Finally, the possibility of a noticeablean anticipated shift in global value chains away from China, in order to reduce concentration risk, as well as in response to a shifting geopolitical
geo-political
landscape, presents India with unique opportunities. India could gain global market share across sectors including more traditional sectors, such as textiles, furniture and basic chemicals, as well as more technologically complex sectors, such as mobile phone handsets, pharmaceuticals and auto components.
However, challenges still remain. WeAs a result of
geo-political
tensions and rising commodity prices, we expect GDP growth to contract by approximately 7.5slow to 7.3 percent in the fiscal year 2021, which is likely2023. Elevated inflation levels could hurt private capital expenditure recovery due to reducelow profit margins as well as private consumption. With respect to Indian exports, a slowdown in global demand for credit and compromise credit quality. A global recession could dent export growth across sectors. Banks need to navigatehurt investments. The Bank expects the enhanced risk carefully, particularly in sectors such as hospitality and civil aviation where
COVID-19
is likelypandemic to have a prolonged impact.impact in the hospitality travel, tourism, recreation, personal services and civil aviation sectors of the Indian economy. The rise in precautionary savings among households and the possibility of rising unemployment, which is often the corollary of a slowdown in economic growth, could reduce the demand for retail lending and in particular for larger borrowings.lending.
Given the dynamic nature of the outbreak, the extent to which
COVID-19
will continue to impact our business, financial condition and results of operations will depend on future developments, including the length of the pandemic and how long it takes our clients’ businesses to recover, which remain highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted at this time. For additional information related to the
COVID-19
pandemic see “
Risk Factors—The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Certain Factors Affecting our Results of Operation
”.
8

Our Principal Business Activities
Our principal business activities consist of retail banking, wholesale banking and treasury operations. The following table sets forth our net revenues attributable to each area for the last three fiscals:fiscal years:
 
  
Year ended March 31,
 
  
2018
  
2019
  
2020
 
  
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Retail banking
  Rs.414,894.0   81.6  Rs.473,748.2   79.6  Rs.540,456.5  US$7,168.8   80.2
Wholesale banking
  77,623.6   15.3  111,803.5   18.8  126,677.3   1,680.3   18.8
Treasury operations
  15,842.2   3.1  9,796.8   1.6  6,990.7   92.7   1.0
Net revenue
  Rs.508,359.8   100.0  Rs.595,348.5   100.0  Rs.674,124.5  US$8,941.8   100.0
   
Years ended March 31,
 
   
2020
  
2021
  
2022
 
               
   
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Retail banking
   Rs.540,456.5    80.2  Rs.567,389.2    72.5  Rs.640,670.1   US$8,444.2    71.8
Wholesale banking
   126,677.3    18.8  198,576.0    25.4  235,811.3    3,108.1    26.4
Treasury operations
   6,990.7    1.0  16,463.6    2.1  15,952.8    210.3    1.8
Net revenue
   Rs.674,124.5    100.0  Rs.782,428.8    100.0  Rs.892,434.2   US$11,762.6    100.0
Retail Banking
Overview
We consider ourselves a
one-stop
shop for the financial needs of our customers. We provide a comprehensive range of financial products including deposit products, loans, credit cards, debit cards, payment wallets, third-party mutual funds and insurance products, bill payment services and other services. Our retail banking loan products include loans to small and medium enterprises for commercial vehicles, construction equipment and other business purposes. We group these loans as part of our retail banking business considering, among other things, the customer profile, the nature of the product, the differing risks and returns, the market segment, our organization structure and our internal business reporting mechanism. Such grouping ensures optimumoptimal utilization and deployment of specialized resources in our retail banking business. We also have specific products designed for lower incomelower-income individuals through our Sustainable Livelihood Initiative. Through this initiative, we reach out to the
un-banked
and under-banked segments of the Indian population in rural areas. We actively market our services through our banking outlets and alternate sales channels, as well as through our relationships with automobile dealers and corporate clients. We follow a multi-channel strategy to reach out to our customers bringing to them choice, convenience and what we believe to be a superior experience. Innovation has been the springboard of growth in this segment and so has a strong focus on analytics and customer relationship management, which we believe has helped us to understand our customers better and offer tailor-made solutions. We further believe that these factors lead to better customer engagement.
As of March 31, 2020,2022, we had 5,416 banking outlets6,342 branches and 14,90118,130 ATMs/CDMs in 2,8033,188 cities and towns. In addition, we had 5,379 banking outlets managed15,341 business correspondents, which were primarily manned by the CSCs. We also provide telephone, internet and mobile banking to our customers. We plan to continue to expand our banking outlet and ATM network as well as our other distribution channels, subject to regulatory guidelines/approvals.
11

Retail Loans and Other Asset Products
We offer a wide range of retail loans, including loans for the purchase of automobiles, personal loans, retail business banking loans, loans for the purchase of commercial vehicles and construction equipment finance,
two-wheeler
loans, credit cards and loans against securities. Our retail loans, of which 32.927.4 percent were unsecured, made up 66.3constituted 64.6 percent of our gross loans as of March 31, 2020.2022. Apart from our banking outlets, we use our ATMs, telephone banking, internet banking and mobile banking to promote our loan products. We perform our own credit analysis of the borrowers and the value of the collateral if the loan is secured. See “—
Risk Management—Credit Risk—Retail Credit Risk”Risk
. We also buy mortgage and other asset-backed securities and invest in retail loan portfolios through assignments. In addition to taking collateral, in most cases, we obtain debit instructions/post-dated checkscheques covering repayments at the time a retail loan is made. It is a criminal offense in India to issue a bad check.cheque. Our unsecured personal loans, which are not supported by any collateral, are a greater credit risk for us than our secured loan portfolio. We may be unable to collect in part or at all on an unsecured personal loan in the event of
non-payment
by the borrower. Accordingly, personal loans are granted at a higher contracted interest rate since they carry a higher credit risk as compared to secured loans. Also see “RiskSee also “
Risk Factors—Our unsecured loan portfolio is not supported by any collateral that could help ensure repayment of the loan, and in the event of
non-payment
by a borrower of one of these loans, we may be unable to collect the unpaid balance”balance
.
9

The following table shows the gross book value and percentage share of our retail credit products:
 
   
At March 31, 2020 Value
   
% of Total Value
 
   
(in millions)
     
Retail Assets:
      
Auto loans
  Rs.952,053.1   US$12,628.4    13.3
Personal loans / Credit cards
   1,920,601.6    25,475.5    26.8
Retail business banking
   1,658,770.3    22,002.5    23.1
Commercial vehicle and construction equipment finance
   747,382.4    9,913.5    10.4
Housing loans
   634,612.4    8,417.7    8.9
Other retail loans
   1,127,380.6    14,954.0    15.7
Total retail loans
   7,040,800.4    93,391.6    98.2
Mortgage-backed securities
   38.1    0.5    —  
Asset-backed securities
   126,773.2    1,681.6    1.8
Total retail assets
  Rs.7,167,611.7   US$95,073.7    100.0
Note:
The figures above exclude
securitized-out
receivables. Mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are reflected at fair values.
   
At March 31, 2022 Value
   
% of Total Value
 
   
(in millions)
     
Retail Assets:
      
Auto loans
   Rs.1,042,793.0   US$13,744.5    11.2 
Personal loans/Credit cards
   2,341,971.8    30,868.2    25.2 
Retail business banking
   2,617,087.1    34,494.4    28.1 
Commercial vehicle and construction equipment finance
   951,066.0    12,535.5    10.2 
Housing loans
   830,882.4    10,951.4    8.9 
Other retail loans
   1,526,734.4    20,122.9    16.4 
Total retail loans
   Rs.9,310,534.7   US$122,716.9    100.0 
Auto Loans
We offer loans at fixed interest rates for financing of new and used automobilecar purchases. In addition to our general promotional efforts, for retail loans, we specifically market our offerings at various customer touch points such as authorized original equipment manufacturer dealers,manufacturers, dealer showrooms and outlets, authorized direct sales agents and our banking outlets, cross salesas well as actively cross-selling these products through other lending businesses of the Bank, phone banking channels,Bank. We also market our products through outbound and inbound calls with customers, as well as through the bank’s digital touch points,points. We recently launched “Xpress Car Loans”, an industry-first
end-to-end
digital new car loan program for both internalexisting customers and external. We believe that we arenew customers, where the leader in the auto loan segment, havingamount can be credited to dealers’ accounts within 30 minutes. Having established our presence throughoutin this business over the country overlast two decades.decades we believe we have consistently been a market leader and are well-equipped to serve the entire automobile ecosystem, including original equipment manufacturers, dealers and
end-customers.
Personal Loans and Credit Cards
We offer unsecured loans at fixed rates to salaried individuals, self-employed professionals, small businesses and individual businessmen.
We offer credit cards fromon VISA, MasterCard, Diners and RupayRuPay platforms including gold, silver, corporate, business, platinum, titanium, signature, world, black and infinite credit cards under the classification of corporate cards, business cards,
co-brand
cards, premium retail cards and super premium retail cards. We had approximately 12.515.0 million and 14.516.5 million cards outstanding (
i.e.,
total credit cards in circulation) as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020,2022, respectively.
We offer Easy EMI (equated monthly installments) through credit cards, debit cards and consumer loans. Easy EMI is available instantly at no extra cost across multiple product categories, including offline and online channels.channels under multiple brands.
Our efforts in the payments business are continuously focused on meeting customers’ specific requirements in the most accessible and relevant manner, while simplifying transactions.
 
1012

Over the past two years, we have experienced outages in our internet banking, mobile banking and payment utilities, including an outage in our internet banking and payment system in November 2020 due to a power failure in the primary data center. In response to these outages, the RBI issued an order on December 2, 2020 (the “December 2020 Order”), advising us to temporarily stop (a) all launches of the digital business- generating activities under our planned Digital 2.0 program and other proposed business-generating IT applications and (b) the sourcing of new credit card customers. In addition, the RBI appointed a third-party auditor to conduct an audit of the Bank’s systems. After completion of that audit, our progress against regulatory commitments resulted in the partial lifting of the restrictions imposed by the December 2020 Order in August 2021, followed by the full removal of the embargo on the Digital 2.0 program in March 2022. See also “
Risk Factors
A failure, inadequacy or security breach in our information technology and telecommunication systems may adversely affect our business, results of operation or financial condition
”.
We have adopted preventive measures to strengthen our technology infrastructure and mitigate the risks of outages. Some of the key initiatives undertaken include the migration of core data centres in Bengaluru and Mumbai to
state-of-the-art
facilities which has reinforced our capability to switchover in less than 45 minutes when needed. The capacity for unified payment interface UPI has been tripled, Net Banking and Mobile Banking capacity has been doubled to manage 90,000 users concurrently (a significant step as most of our customers now rely on our digital channels for banking needs), disaster recovery drills have been completed for all critical payment systems and upgrades in network and security have been carried out. In addition, we have intensified our DR drills for critical applications and intend to further strengthen our DR processes and capabilities through (a) a focus on reducing RTO for key applications to
40-60
minutes, which has been completed for critical applications as planned, (b) deep automation to improve configuration drift management between Primary and DR sites, (c) enrichment of existing automation tools for DR to cover all scenarios and further reduce RTO time, and (d) refactoring key applications into an “Active-Active” always available design.
Retail Business Banking
We address the borrowing needs of the community of small businessmen primarily located within the servicing range of our banking outlets by offering facilities such as credit lines, term loans for expansion or addition of facilities and discounting of receivables. We classify these business banking loans as a retail product. Such lending is typically secured with current assets as well as immovable property and fixed assets in some cases. We also offer letters of credit, guarantees and other basic trade finance products, foreign exchange and cash management services to such businesses.
Commercial Vehicles and Construction Equipment Finance
We have a strong market presence in the commercial vehicle and construction equipment financing businesses. We offer a wide range of banking products across the country which can be customized to the individual needs of our customers.
We provide secured financing for a full range of commercial vehicles and construction equipment along with working capital, trade advances, bank guarantees, and transaction banking products and services, among others, both traditional and digital, to entities engagedcompanies active in the infrastructure, logistics and transportation businesses.industries. In addition to funding domestic assets, we also extend financing for imported assets for which we open foreign letters of credit and offer treasury services, such asincluding forex and forward exchange covers. We coordinate and collaboratehave an excellent relationship with most leading original equipment manufacturers, including their authorized dealerstogether with whom we collaborate to jointly promote ourand market financing options to their clients. We have a strong market presence in the commercial vehicle and construction equipment financing business.options.
Housing Loans
We provide home loans through an arrangement with our principal shareholder HDFC Limited. Under this arrangement, we source loans for HDFC Limited through our banking outlets.distribution channels. HDFC Limited approves and disburses the loans, which are kept on their books, and we receive a sourcing fee for these loans. We have a right, but not an obligation, to purchase up to 70 percent of the fully disbursed home loans sourced under this arrangement through either the issue of mortgage-backed pass through certificates (“PTCs”) or a direct assignment of the loans. The balance is retained by HDFC Limited.
Other Retail Loans
Two-Wheeler
Loans
We offer loans for financing the purchase of mopeds, scooters and motorcycles. We market this product in ways similar to our marketing of automobile loans.
Loans Against Securities
We offer loans against equity shares, mutual fund units, bonds and other securities that are on our approved list. We limit our loans against equity shares to Rs. 2.0 million per retail customer in line with regulatory guidelines and limit the amount of our total exposure secured by particular securities. We lend only against shares in book-entry (dematerialized) form, which ensures that we obtain perfected and first-priority security interests. The minimum margin for lending against shares is prescribed by the RBI. The collateral value of the security for these loans is dependent on the quoted price of the security.
13

Loan Assignments
We purchase loan portfolios, generally in India, from other banks, financial institutions and financial companies, which are similar to asset-backed securities, except that such loans are not represented by PTCs. Some of these loans also qualify toward our directed lending obligations.
Kisan Gold Card (Agri Loans)
Under the Kisan Gold Card (“KGC”) scheme, funds are extended to farmers in accordance with the RBI’s Kisan Credit Card scheme which is aimed at financing agricultural and related credit requirements. The KGC is a credit facility of a specified amount, which is offered to farmers to finance certain requirements, including the production of crops, post-harvest repair and maintenance expenses, and miscellaneous consumption needs.needs, and allied agricultural activities, such as animal husbandry, poultry farming and maintaining fisheries. In addition to loans for recurring needs, long-termlong term investment loans are granted for purposes including the purchase of farm machinery, establishing logistical facilities and land development activities, such as the digging of tube wells, installation of irrigation sprinklers, construction of post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets like storage facilities, packaging, assaying and sorting grading units, primary processing centres, and sheds for animals.
Depending on the requirements, various types of facilities are extended under KGC. These include cash credit, overdrafts, term loans, farm development loans and drop line overdraft limits. The amount of cash credit funding is based on the farmer’s cropping pattern, the amount of land used and scale of finance, while for term loans it is based on the unit cost of assets. These facilities are extended under a range of crop and geography specificgeography-specific products, which are designed on the basis of the harvest cycles and the local needs of farmers spread across diverse agro-climatic zones.
Through this product,our knowledge of rural customers’ preferences, we have established a strong footprint in rural areas and we are able to impact the lives of thousands of rural people making banking accessible to areas which lack formal sources of financial services, including credit. Our focus in rural markets is not only to increase credit uptake, but also to strengthen relationships with rural customers by empowering them. In addition to advising farmers on their financial needs, we are increasingly focusing on educating them on the benefits of various governmental and regulatory schemes, such as crop insurance, interest subvention and interest subvention.agriculture infrastructure.
11

We also aim to cater to other financial needs of rural customers through appropriate banking products.
Loans Against Gold Jewelry
We offer loans against gold jewelry to all customer segments, including women, and small and marginal farmers.farmers and MSME customers. Such loans are typically offered with different repayment modes, with repayment either at monthly intervals or at maturity. Collateral value is dependent on the market price of the gold and therefore these loans also have margin requirements in the event of a decrease in the value of the gold. Customers may avail themselves of an additional loan in case of an increase in the value of the gold. Loans against gold jewelry are also extended to existing customers of the bank in order to cater to their additional funding needs.
We also offer loans which primarily include loans/overdrafts against time deposits, health care equipment financing loans, tractor loans and loans to self-help groups.
Retail Deposit Products
Retail deposits provide us with a
low-cost,
stable funding base and have been a key focus area for us since commencing operations. Retail deposits represented approximately 77.281.1 percent of our total deposits as of March 31, 2020.2022. The following chart shows the book value of our retail deposits by our various deposit products:
 
  
At March 31, 2020
   
At March 31, 2022
 
  
Value (in millions)
   
% of total
   
Value (in millions)
   
% of total
 
Savings
   Rs.3,013,542.2   US$39,972.7    34.1   Rs.5,008,100.3   US$66,009.0    39.6 
Current
   949,640.3    12,596.4    10.7   1,556,279.5    20,512.4    12.3 
Time
   4,883,365.2    64,774.7    55.2   6,071,527.5    80,025.4    48.1 
Total
   Rs.8,846,547.7   US$117,343.8    100.0   Rs.12,635,907.3   US$166,546.8    100.0 
14

Our individual retail account holders have access to the benefits of a wide range of direct banking services, including debit and ATM cards, access to internet, phone banking and mobile banking services, access to our growing branch and ATM network, access to our other distribution channels and eligibility for utility bill payments and other services. Our retail deposit products include the following:
 
Savings accounts, which are demand deposits, primarily for individuals and trusts.
 
Current accounts, which are
non-interestnon-interest-bearing
bearing checking accounts designed primarily for business customers. Customers have a choice to select from a wide range of regular and premium product offerings with differentwhich are differentiated by basis minimum average quarterly account balance requirements.requirements and the nature of the transactions.
 
Time deposits, which pay a fixed return over a predetermined time period.
As of March 31, 2022, 29 percent of our retail deposit customers contributed 81 percent of our retail deposits.
We also offer special value-added accounts, which offer our customers added value and convenience. These include a time deposit account that allows for automatic transfers from a time deposit account to a savings account, as well as a time deposit account with an automatic overdraft facility.
Other Retail Services and Products
Debit Cards
We had approximately 26.936.7 million and 32.143.0 million debit cards outstanding as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020,2022, respectively. The cards can be used at ATMs, and
point-of-salespoint-of-sale
terminals and payment gateways in India and in other countries across the world.
Individual Depositary Accounts
We provide depositary accounts to individual retail customers for holding debt and equity instruments. Securities traded on the Indian exchanges are generally not held through a broker’s account or in a street name. Instead, an individual has his or her own account with a depositary participant. Depositary participants, including us, provide services through the major depositaries established by the two major stock exchanges. Depositary participants record ownership details and effect transfers in book-entry form on behalf of the buyers and sellers of securities. We provide a complete package of services, including account opening, registration of transfers and other transactions and information reporting.
12

Mutual Fund Sales
We are a registered distributor with the Association of Mutual Funds in India (“AMFI”). We engage in distributing mutual fund products to our customers through our staff, who are AMFI certified. We offer units of most large and reputable mutual fund houses in India to our customers. We distribute mutual fund products primarily through our banking outlets and our private bankingwealth relationship managers. We receive trail income on the new business as well as on the existing assets under management.
Insurance
WeHDFC Bank is registered as a corporate agent for the solicitation of life, general and health insurance business under regulations prescribed by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India. Currently, we have arrangements with three life insurance companies, namely HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited, Tata AIA Life Insurance Company Limited and Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance Company Limited, three general insurance companies, namely HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company Limited and ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited (formerly known as Bharti AXA General Insurance Company Limited) and two health insurance companies, namely Aditya Birla Health Insurance Company Limited to distribute their life insurance, general insurance and health insurance products, respectively, to our customers. We also have two similar distribution arrangements in each of these segments.Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited. We earn commissioncommissions on new premiumspremium collected as well as trail income in subsequent years in certain cases while the policy is still in force. Our commission income for fiscal 2020year 2022 included fees of Rs. 21,827.615,565.1 million in respect of life insurance business and Rs. 2,722.52,661.1 million in respect of
non-life
insurance business of which Rs. 10,126.4 million was for displaying publicity materials at the Bank’s banking outlets/ATMs.
.
Bill Payment Services
We are a part of the Bharat Bill Payment System network and offer our customers bill payment services for all utility companies, including water, electricity, gas, telephone,
direct-to-home,
mobile recharge, Fastag, LPG cylinder, cable television, housing society and internet service providers, as well as financial products such as insurance and mutual funds. Customers canWe also set up autopayoffer Smartpay (autopay functionality) for all these bills. We believe this is a valuable convenience that we offer our customers. We offer these services to customers through multiple distribution channels: internet banking, our mobile applicationbanking and telephonephone banking.
15

Corporate Salary Accounts
We offer Corporate Salary Accounts, which allow employerssalary accounts to makeemployees of corporate and government entities, enabling employees’ salaries to be credited by the entity directly or via the Bank. A salary payments toaccount is a grouptype of employeessavings account with a single transfer. We then transfer the funds into the employees’ individual accounts and offer them preferred services, such as lowerno minimum balance requirements.requirement in lieu of regular salary credits. Benefits, including a premium debit card and complimentary personal accident cover are provided, amongst others. We also offer salary accounts tailored for employees of the defense and government sector. As of March 31, 2020,2022, these accounts constituted 29.027.9 percent of our savings deposits by value.
Non-Resident
Indian Services
Non-resident
Indians (NRIs) are an important target market segment for us given their relative affluence and strong ties with family members in India. Our private and premium banking programs in India are also extended to NRI clients. Relationship managers in India facilitate the banking and investment transactions of our NRI clients. Through our overseas branch in Bahrain, we offer deposits, bonds, equity, mutual funds, treasury and structured products offered by third parties to our NRI clients. We also have referral arrangements with product/service providers for NRI clients. Our
non-resident
deposits amounted to Rs. 1,023.31,144.8 billion as of March 31, 20192021 and Rs. 1,119.41,186.0 billion as of March 31, 2020.2022.
Retail Foreign Exchange
We purchase foreign currency from and sell foreign currency to retail customers in the form of cash, traveler’s checks,cheques, demand drafts, foreign exchange cards and other remittances. We also carry out foreign currency checkcheque collections.
13

Customers and Marketing
We identify and target distinct market customer segments for our retail services. Customers are at the core of all marketing initiatives of the Bank, and we rely on digital and analytics to improve their experience. Digital marketing relies on advanced analytics to identify and target the right customer with the right product at the right time and to provide customers with an omni-channel experience with high levels of personalization. Our investments in advanced analytics tools in the cloud have contributed to our understanding of customer behavior and preferences and thus help curate personalized interventions at scale and create relevant customer engagement. We markethave invested in marketing technology solutions to create frictionless digital journeys that allow customers to consume our products through our banking outlets, through our digital channels such as our website, e-mails, SMS, WhatsApp and mobile app, through telemarketing and through our dedicated sales team for niche market segments. We also use third-party agents and direct sales associates to market certainfinancial products and services with minimum physical interface. We execute digital marketing plans at scale and in tandem with traditional marketing channels to identify prospective customers.provide our customers quick and easy access to all our financial solutions, including loans, deposits and payment solutions.
Additionally,
The “Infinite Smiles” program helps us establish customer-centric actions through improvements in products, services, processes and policies, and enables us to measure customer loyalty through a closed-loop customer feedback system. The insights we obtain new customers through joint marketing efforts with our wholesale banking department, such as our Corporate Salary Account packagereceive help us implement changes to further improve customer experiences and we cross-sell several retail products to our customers. strengthen their loyalty.
We also market our auto loan and
two-wheeler
loan products through joint efforts with relevant manufacturers and distributors.
We have programs that target other specific segments of the retail market. UnderFor example, under our private and premium banking programs, the relationship managers distribute mutual funds and insurance products and provide incidental advice related to these products. Customers interested in alternate products and refer(such as fixed income, products,private equity, alternate investment funds and structured products offered by third parties. The program also offersstructures) or services such as succession planning, services, including efficient tax planning, trust formation and will-writing through referrals. Clientsare referred to HSL who have referral arrangements with the concerned product/service providers. Customers seeking investment advice on alternate products are also referred to HDFC SecuritiesHSL (a registered investment adviser regulated by SEBI IA(Investment Advisers) Regulations 2013), where a team of certified investment advisers provide unbiasedthis service. In addition, we participate in the distribution of government bonds and independent advicehave referral
tie-ups
with other corporates for customers desirous of availing their products and services that synergize with our businesses. Our commission income included income from marketing and distribution of Rs. 30,590.5 million for fiscal year 2022 and Rs. 21,126.7 million for fiscal year 2021, which comprised income for displaying publicity materials at our branches/ATMs, commissions on mutual funds, pension and other investment/saving products and sourcing and referral income.
We continue to clients of the private banking programs. As of March 31, 2020, 34.0 percent of our retail deposit customers contributed 70.0 percent of our retail deposits.
We also have a strong commitmentbe strongly committed to financial inclusion programs tothat extend banking services to underserved populations. Our Sustainable Livelihood Initiative targets lower incomecaters to lower-income individuals to finance their economic activity, and also provides skillskills training, livelihood financing, credit counseling and market linkages for better price discovery.in terms of access to, or contacts in, their local markets. Through this initiativethese initiatives, we aim to reach out to the
un-banked
unbanked and under-bankedunderbanked segments of the Indian population.populations and to empower vulnerable and economically weaker sections of the society.
Wholesale Banking
Overview
We provide our corporate and institutional clients with a wide range of commercial banking products and transactional services.
16

Our principal commercial banking products include a range of financing products, documentary credits (primarily letters of credit) and bank guarantees, foreign exchange and derivative products, investment banking services and corporate deposit products. Our financing products include loans, overdrafts, bill discounting and credit substitutes, such as commercial paper, debentures, preference shares and other funded products. Our foreign exchange and derivatives products assist corporations in managing their currency and interest rate exposures.
In terms of commercial banking products, our customers include companies that are part of private sector business houses, public sector enterprises and multinational corporations, as well as small and
mid-sized
businesses. Our customers also include suppliers and distributors of corporations to whom we provide credit facilities and with whom we thereby establish relationships as part of a supply chain initiative for both our commercial banking products and transactional services. We aim to provide our corporate customers with high-quality customized service. We have relationship managers who focus on particular clients and who work with teams that specialize in providing specific products and services, such as cash management and treasury advisory services.
Loans to small and medium enterprises, which are generally loans for commercial vehicles, construction equipment and business purposes, are included as part of our retail banking business. We group these loans as part of our retail banking business considering, among other things, the customer profile, the nature of the product, the differing risks and returns, our organization structure and our internal business reporting mechanism. Such grouping ensures optimumoptimal utilization and deployment of specialized resources in our retail banking business.
Our principal transactional services include cash management services, capital markets transactional services and correspondent banking services. We provide physical and electronic payment and collection mechanisms to a range of corporations, financial institutions and Government entities. Our capital markets transactional services include custodial services for mutual funds and clearing bank services for the major Indian stock exchanges and commodity exchanges. In addition, we provide correspondent banking services, including cash management services and funds transfers, to foreign banks and
co-operative
banks.
14

Commercial Banking Products
Commercial Loan Products and Credit Substitutes
Our principal financing products are working capital facilities and term loans. Working capital facilities primarily consist of cash credit facilities and bill discounting. Cash credit facilities are revolving credits provided to our customers that are secured by working capital such as inventory and accounts receivable. Bill discounting consists of short-termshort term loans which are secured by bills of exchange that have been accepted by our customers or drawn on another bank. In many cases, we provide a package of working capital financing that may consist of loans and a cash credit facility as well as documentary credits or bank guarantees. Term loans consist of short-termshort term loans and medium-termmedium term loans which are typically loans of up to five years in duration. Over 90.0 percent of our loans are denominated in rupees with the balance being denominated in various foreign currencies, principally the USU.S. dollar.
We also purchase credit substitutes, which typically comprise commercial paper and debentures issued by the same customers with whom we have a lending relationship in our wholesale banking business. Investment decisions for credit substitute securities are subject to the same credit approval processes as loans, and we bear the same customer risk as we do for loans extended to these customers. Additionally, the yield and maturity terms are generally directly negotiated by us with the issuer.
The following table sets forth the asset allocation of our commercial loans and financing products by asset type. For accounting purposes, we classify commercial paper and debentures as credit substitutes (which, in turn, are classified as investments).
 
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2018
   
2019
   
2020
   
2020
 
   
(in millions)
 
Gross commercial loans
  Rs.2,162,814.4   Rs.2,873,561.0   Rs.3,583,055.2   US$47,527.0 
Credit substitutes:
        
Commercial paper
  Rs.34,248.6   Rs.25,734.3   Rs.124,393.4   US$1,650.0 
Non-convertible
debentures
   289,782.9    247,152.5    237,980.3    3,156.7 
Total credit substitutes
  Rs.324,031.5   Rs.272,886.8   Rs.362,373.7   US$4,806.7 
Gross commercial loans plus credit substitutes
  Rs.2,486,845.9   Rs.3,146,447.8   Rs.3,945,428.9   US$52,333.7 
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
   
(in millions)
 
Gross commercial loans
  Rs.3,583,055.2   Rs.4,214,885.3   Rs.5,099,009.3   US$67,207.2 
Credit substitutes:
        
Commercial paper
  Rs.124,393.4   Rs.9,804.1   Rs.1,468.2   US$19.4 
Non-convertible
debentures
   237,980.3    537,472.8    581,551.5    7,665.1 
Preferred shares
           0.5    0.0 
Total credit substitutes
  Rs.362,373.7   Rs.547,276.9   Rs.583,020.2   US$7,684.5 
Gross commercial loans plus credit substitutes
  Rs.3,945,428.9   Rs.4,762,162.2   Rs.5,682,029.5   US$74,891.7 
Whilst we generally lend on a cash-flowcash flow basis, we also require collateral from a large number of our borrowers. As of March 31, 2020,2022, approximately 64.460.6 percent of the aggregate principal amount of our gross wholesale loans was secured by collateral (Rs. 1,274.1and Rs. 2,007.5 billion in aggregate principal amount of loans were unsecured).unsecured. However, collateral securing each individual loan may not be adequate in relation to the value of the loan. All borrowers must meet our internal credit assessment procedures, regardless of whether the loan is secured. See “
Risk Management—Credit Risk—Wholesale Credit Risk”Risk
.
17

We price our loans based on a combination of our own cost of funds, market rates, tenor of the loan, our rating of the customer and the overall revenues from the customer.customer and with reference to the applicable benchmark. An individual loan is priced on a fixed or floating rate and the pricing is based on a margin that depends on, among other factors, the credit assessment of the borrower. We are required to follow the system requirements related to the interest rate on advances, issued by the RBI from time to time, while pricing our loans. For a detailed discussion of these requirements, see “Supervision
Supervision and Regulation—Regulations Relating to Making Loans”Loans
.
The RBI requires banks to lend to specific sectors of the economy. For a detailed discussion of these requirements, see “Supervision
Supervision and Regulation—Directed Lending”Lending
.
15

Bill Collection, Documentary Credits and Bank Guarantees
We provide bill collection, documentary credit facilities and bank guarantees for our corporate customers. Documentary credits and bank guarantees are typically provided on an ongoing basis. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the value of transactions processed with respect to our bill collection, documentary credits and bank guarantees:
 
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2018
   
2019
   
2020
   
2020
 
   
(in millions)
 
Bill collection
   Rs.4,345,163.8    Rs.5,197,456.2    Rs.6,039,408.6   US$80,108.9 
Documentary credits
   1,262,413.0    1,787,206.9    1,753,159.7    23,254.5 
Bank guarantees
   289,821.8    313,578.3    303,348.0    4,023.7 
Total
   Rs.5,897,398.6    Rs.7,298,241.4    Rs.8,095,916.3   US$107,387.1 
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
         
       
(in millions)
     
Bill collection
  Rs.6,039,408.6   Rs.5,863,622.6   Rs.8,826,470.0   US$116,336.8 
Documentary credits
   1,753,159.7    1,410,029.3    2,543,661.3    33,526.6 
Bank guarantees
   303,348.0    420,229.2    455,008.5    5,997.2 
Total
  Rs.8,095,916.3   Rs.7,693,881.1   Rs.11,825,139.8   US$155,860.5 
Bill collection
: We provide bill collection services for our corporate clients in which we collect bills on behalf of a corporate client from the bank of our client’s customer (
i.e.
, import bill collection). Under the import bill collection system, we receive instructions from overseas banks, deal with necessary documents and effect remittances on behalf of our clients. We also provide export collection, where we receive documents from our corporate clients and send such documents to the overseas bank for collection. Once the export collection is realized, we credit our corporate clients’ accounts with the relevant amount.
Documentary credits
: We issue documentary credit facilities on behalf of our customers for trade financing, sourcing of raw materials and capital equipment purchases.
Bank guarantees:
We provide bank guarantees on behalf of our customers to guarantee their payment or performance obligations. A part of our guarantee portfolio consists of margin guarantees to brokers issued in favor of stock exchanges.
Foreign Exchange and Derivatives
Our foreign exchange and derivative product offering to our customers covers a range of products, including foreign exchange and interest rate transactions and hedging solutions, such as spot and forward foreign exchange contracts, forward rate agreements, currency swaps, currency options and interest rate derivatives. These transactions enable our customers to transfer, modify or reduce their foreign exchange and interest rate risks. A specified group of relationship managers from our treasury front office works on such product offerings in line with the customers’ risk and other requirements and within the framework of theour Suitability and Appropriateness policy of the Bank.policy.
Forward exchange contracts are commitments to buy or sell foreignfixed amounts of currency at a future date at the contracted rate. Currency swaps are commitments to exchange cash flows by way of interest in one currency against another and exchange of principal amounts at maturity based on predetermined rates. Rupee interest rate swaps are commitments to exchange fixed and floating rate cash flows in rupees.rupees without exchanging the notional principal. A forward rate agreement gives the buyer the ability to determine the underlying rate of interest for a specified period commencing on a specified future date (the settlement date) when the settlement amount is determined, being the difference between the contracted rate and the market rate on the settlement date. The underlying rate of interest could be an interest rate curve, interest rate index or bond yield. Currency options give the buyer the right, but not an obligation, to buy or sell specified amounts of currency at agreed rates of exchange on or before a specified future date.
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We enter into forward exchange contracts, currency options, forward rate agreements, currency swaps and rupee interest rate swaps in the inter-bank market, broadly to support our customercustomers’ requirements and, to a limited extent, for our own account. The following table presents the aggregate notional principal amounts of our outstanding foreign exchange and derivative contracts with our customers as of March 31, 2018, 20192020, 2021 and 2020,2022, together with the fair values on each reporting date.
 
  
As of March 31,
 
 
As of March 31,
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2020
   
Notional
   
Fair Value
   
Notional
   
Fair Value
   
Notional
   
Fair Value
   
Notional
   
Fair Value
 
 
Notional
 
Fair Value
 
Notional
 
Fair Value
 
Notional
 
Fair Value
 
Notional
 
Fair Value
                 
 
(In millions)
   
(In millions)
 
Interest rate swaps and forward rate agreements
 Rs.1,106,546.0  Rs.1,847.5  Rs.1,073,100.9  Rs.698.2  Rs.1,545,303.1  Rs.1,404.5  US$20,497.5  US$18.6    Rs.1,545,303.1    Rs.1,404.5    Rs.1,684,294.2   Rs.785.5    Rs.3,163,571.7   Rs.2,253.9   US$41,697.3   US$29.7 
Forward exchange contracts, currency swaps, currency options
 Rs.864,449.8  Rs.(5,261.4)  Rs.884,608.8  Rs.2,416.0  Rs.1,309,254.8  Rs.7,532.1  US$17,366.4  US$100.0    Rs.1,309,254.8    Rs.7,532.1    Rs.1,490,543.6   Rs.4,275.8    Rs.1,892,709.0   Rs.(12,243.4)   US$24,946.7   US$(161.4
16

Investment Banking
Our Investment Banking Group offers services in the debt and equity capital markets. The group has arranged project financing for clients across various sectors including telecoms, roads, healthcare, energy, real estate, data centres and cement. The group advised on aggregate issuances of over Rs. 500550.8 billion worth of rupee denominatedrupee-denominated corporate bonds across public sector undertakings, financial institutions and our corporate clients, during fiscal 2020, becoming the third largestthird-largest corporate bond arranger in the market for fiscal 2020.year 2022. In the equity capital markets business, the group concluded various transactions, including anseven initial public offering, a qualified institutional placement, aofferings, one rights issue and one share buybacks.buyback. In the advisory business, we advise clients in the infrastructure, new economy and digital, financial services, industrials and healthcare sectors.
Wholesale Deposit Products
As of March 31, 2020,2022, we had wholesale deposits aggregating to Rs. 2,615.52,944.1 billion, which represented 22.818.9 percent of our total deposits. We offer both
non-interestnon-interest-bearing
bearing current accounts and time deposits. We are permitted to vary the interest rates on our wholesale deposits based on the size of the deposit (for deposits greater than Rs. 20.0 million), provided the rates booked on a day are the same for all customers of that deposit size for that maturity. See “Selected
Selected Statistical Information”Information
for further information about our total deposits.
Transactional Services
Cash Management Services
We believe that the Indian market is one of the most promising Cash Management Services (“CMS”) markets. However, it is also marked by some distinctive characteristics and challenges such as a vast geography, a large number of small business-intensive towns, a large unorganized sector in various business supply chains, and infrastructural limitations for accessibility to many parts of the country. Over the years, such challenges have made it a daunting task for CMS providers in the country to uncover the business potential and extend suitable services and product solutions to the business community.
We are a technology-driven bank and have been providing digital CMS solutions to our customers from diverse industry segments. We believe that we have been consistently aligning our product and services strategy to meet our customers’ needs. This, we believe, has helped us to keep ahead of competitors and retain a satisfied customer base that is growing by the year.
We offer traditional and new age electronicdigital banking products and experience an increasing demand for electronicdigital banking services. While we believe that we have been one of the leading banks in the traditional CMS market, we believe that we have also been able to forge a similar position in the new age CMS market,
i.e.,
electronicdigital cash management, and we also believe that we have aligned our product offering with changing and dynamic customer needs. Currently, approximately 8095 percent of our transactions are done on the electronic platform.
Today, we believe that we are a leading service provider of electronicdigital banking products with a large share of business across customer segments. We have, thus, been able to reduce our transaction costs while maintaining our fees and float levels.
19

Clearing Bank Services for Stock and Commodity Exchanges
We serveact as a clearing bank for the equity cash and derivatives (F&O) segment, currency derivatives, commodity derivatives and other segments for major stock and commodity exchanges in India, including the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the BSE Limited, Multi Commodity Exchange, and National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Limited.Limited as well as the two exchanges set up in Gujarat International Finance
Tec-City
(“GIFT City”), NSE International Limited and India International Exchange. As a clearing bank, we provide the exchanges or their exchanges/clearing corporations with a means for collecting payments due to them from their members or custodians and a means of making payments as part of settlement obligations to these institutions.investors through registered brokers and custodians. In addition to benefiting from the cash float, which reducescurrent account balances that help reduce our overall cost of funds, we also earn interest, and generate transaction fees and commissions by offering various fund basedfund-based and
non-fundnon-fund-based
based facilities and transactional services to the exchangesstock brokers and theirclearing members.
17

Custodial Services
We provide custodial services to domestic and foreign investors that include domestic mutual funds, portfolio managers, insurance companies, alternative investment funds and foreign portfolio investors (“FPIs”). These services include safekeeping of securities, trade settlement, collection of dividends and interest payments on securities, fund accounting services and derivatives clearing services (including currency derivatives and interest rate futures). We are registered as a designated depository participant with the local securities regulator,
i.e.,
, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, and are permitted to grant registration to FPIs.
Correspondent Banking Services
We act as a correspondent bank for
co-operative
banks, foreign banks and certain private banks. We provide cash management services, funds transfer services, such as letters of credit, foreign exchange transactions and foreign checkcheque collection. We earn revenue on a
fee-for-service
basis and benefit from the cash float, which reduces our overall cost of funds.
We are well-positioned to offer this service to
co-operative
banks, foreign banks and select private banks in light of the structure of the Indian banking industry and our position within it.
Co-operative
banks are generally restricted to a particular state and foreign banks/some private banks have limited branch networks. The customers of these banks frequently need services in other areas of the country where their own banks do not operate. Because of our technology platforms, our geographical reach and the electronic connectivity of our branch network, we can provide these banks with the ability to provide such services to their customers.
Tax Collections
We have been appointed by the Government of India to collect direct taxes. In fiscal 2019year 2021 and 20202022, we collected Rs. 3,1563,028 billion and Rs. 3,0054,089 billion, respectively, of direct taxes for the Government of India. We are also appointed to collect Goods and Services Tax (“GST”) and excise dutiesother indirect taxes in India. In fiscals 2019fiscal years 2021 and 20202022 we collected Rs. 2,0761,657 billion and Rs. 1,8672,247 billion, respectively, of such indirect taxes for the Government of India and relevant state Governments. We earn a fee from the Government of India for each tax collection and benefit from the cash float. We hope to expand our range of transactional services by providing more services to Government entities.
Treasury
Overview
Our treasury group manages our balance sheet, including our maintenance of reserve requirements and the management of market and liquidity risk. Our treasury group also provides advice and execution services to our corporate and institutional customers with respect to their foreign exchange and derivatives transactions. In addition, our treasury group seeks to optimize profits from our proprietary trading, which is principally concentrated on Indian Government securities.
Our client-based activities consist primarily of advising corporate and institutional customers and transacting spot and forward foreign exchange contracts and derivatives. Our primary customers are multinational corporations, large and
medium-sized
medium sized domestic corporations, financial institutions, banks and public sector undertakings. We also advise and enter into foreign exchange contracts with some small companies and NRIs.
The following describes our activities in the foreign exchange and derivatives markets, domestic money markets and the debt securities desk and equities market. See also “—
Risk Management”Management
for a discussion of our management of market risk.
Foreign Exchange and Derivatives
We enter into forward exchange contracts, currency options, forward rate agreements, currency swapsOur treasury operations primarily include liquidity management and rupeemanaging the interest rate swapsrisks in our investment portfolio along with inter-bank participants. To support our clients’ activities, we are an active participant in the Indian inter-bank foreign exchange market. We also trade, to a more limited extent, for our own account. We also engage in proprietary trades of rupee-based interest rate swaps and use them as part of our asset liability management. Forward exchange contracts are commitments to buy or sell foreign currency at a future date at the contracted rate. Currency swaps are commitments to exchange cash flows by way of interest in one currency against another currency and exchange of principal amounts at maturity based on predetermined rates. Rupee interest rate swaps are commitments to exchange fixed and floating rate cash flows in rupees. A forward rate agreement gives the buyer the ability to determine the underlying rate of interest for a specified period commencing on a specified future date (the settlement date) when the settlement amount is determined being the difference between the contracted rate and the market rate on the settlement date. Currency options give the buyer the right, but not an obligation, to buy or sell specified amounts of currency at agreed rates of exchange on or before a specified future date.trading.
 
1820

Our treasury operations also include foreign exchange and derivative product offerings to our customers covering a range of products, including foreign exchange and interest rate transactions and hedging solutions, such as spot and forward exchange contracts, forward rate agreements and derivatives. Whilst “plain vanilla” products are offered to all customer segments, derivative products are offered mostly to our wholesale customers in accordance with the RBI guidelines. A specified group of relationship managers from our treasury front office works on such product offerings in line with the customers’ risk and other requirements and within the framework of our Suitability and Appropriateness policy.
We also enter into derivative contracts not denominated in rupees. Typically the market risks arising out of such products are economically hedged in the interbank market. We also operate under a capped risk exposure to each interbank counterparty. In order to manage residual risks and for overall balance sheet management, we also undertake limited proprietary trading transactions, subject to limits approved by our board of directors (the “Board”).
The following table sets out the aggregate notional principal amounts of our outstanding foreign exchange and derivative inter-bank contracts as of March 31, 2018, 20192020, 2021 and 2020,2022, together with the fair values on each reporting date:
 
  
As of March 31,
 
  
2018
 
2019
 
2020
  
2020
 
  
Notional
  
Fair Value
 
Notional
  
Fair Value
 
Notional
  
Fair Value
  
Notional
  
Fair Value
 
  
(In millions)
 
Interest rate swaps and forward rate agreements
  Rs.1,980,227.2  Rs.(750.2)     Rs.2,086,766.2  Rs.131.0  Rs.2,099,192.7   Rs.(3,504.6)  US$27,844.4  US$(46.5
Forward exchange contracts, currency swaps, currency options
  Rs.3,876,140.5  Rs.(1,124.3)  Rs.5,156,391.8  Rs.829.9  Rs.5,276,918.2   Rs.322.6        US$69,994.9  US$4.3 
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2020
  
2021
  
2022
   
2022
 
   
Notional
   
Fair Value
  
Notional
   
Fair Value
  
Notional
   
Fair Value
   
Notional
   
Fair Value
 
                 
              
(In millions)
             
Interest rate swaps and forward rate agreements
  Rs.2,099,192.7   Rs.(3,504.6 Rs.1,492,003.7   Rs.(2,256.4 Rs.2,029,651.4   Rs.225.1   US$26,751.8   US$3.0 
Forward exchange contracts, currency swaps, currency options
  Rs.5,276,918.2   Rs.322.6  Rs.3,913,667.3   Rs.(278.2 Rs.5,402,291.4   Rs.15,147.5   US$71,204.6   US$199.7 
Domestic Money Market and Debt Securities Desk
Our principal activity in the domestic money market and debt securities market is to ensure that we comply with our reserve requirements including Liquidity Coverage Ratio (“LCR”). These consist of a cash reserve ratio, which we meet by maintaining balances with the RBI, and a statutory liquidity ratio, which we meet by purchasing Indian Government securities. See also “Supervision
Supervision and Regulation—Legal Reserve Requirements”Requirements
”. The Bank meets the LCR requirement by maintaining an adequate level of high-quality liquid assets, mainly government securities above its mandated statutory requirements. See also “
Supervision and Regulation—Regulations on Asset Liability Management
. Our local currency desk primarily trades Indian Government securities for our own account. We also participate in the inter-bank call deposit market and engage in limited trading of other debt instruments. The LCR requirement stands at 100.00 percent as of March 31, 2020. The Bank meets the LCR requirement by maintaining an adequate level of high quality liquid assets mainly government securities above its mandated statutory requirements. See also “Supervision and Regulation—Regulations on Asset Liability Management”.
Equities Market
We trade a limited amount of equities of Indian companies for our own account as part of the equity trading portfolio of our treasury operations, which are specified in the approved list of equity universe that is reviewed at least on a quarterly basis.basis or on a need-based basis as mandated in the Bank’s internal policy. As of March 31, 2020,2022, we had an internal aggregate approved limit of Rs. 3001,300 million for proprietary equity trading, which included Rs. 100650 million (defined as a
sub-limit
of the aggregate approved limit) for primary purchases of equity investments for proprietary trading and Rs. 100260 million (defined as a
sub-limit
of the aggregate approved limit) for investment in index funds or equity mutual funds for proprietary trading.trading with requisite approvals. We set limits on the amount invested in any individual company as well as a stop-loss trigger level and a value at risk (“VaR”)
value-at-risk
limit for the proprietary equity trading portfolio. Our exposure as of March 31, 20202022 was within these limits.
In addition, we had long-termlong term and strategic investments in equities and equity-linked instruments within the board-approved quantum for such investments. All such investments are carried out after review and approval of the proposal by the investment committee and the board, if applicable.
Distribution Channels
We deliver our products and services through a variety of distribution channels, including banking outlets, direct sales agents, ATMs, and telephone, mobile and internet banking.
21

Banking Outlets
Our banking outlets are comprised of branches and business correspondents. As of March 31, 2020,2022, we had a total of 5,416 banking outlets6,342 branches covering 2,8033,188 cities and towns, which include 162 banking outlets that were manned by our business correspondents.towns. In addition, we had 5,379 banking outlets managed15,341 business correspondents, which were primarily manned by the CSCs. All of our banking outlets are electronically linked so that our customers can access their accounts from any banking outlet regardless of where they have their accounts.
Almost all of our banking outlets focus exclusively on providing retail services and products, though a few also provide wholesale banking services. The range of products and services available at each banking outlet depends in part on the size and location of the banking outlet. We offer various banking services to our customers through our arrangements with correspondent banks and exchange houses in overseas locations.
19

As part of its banking outlet licensing conditions, the RBI requires that at least 25.00 percent of all incremental banking outlets added during the year be located in unbanked rural areas that do not have a brickcentres/left wing extremism (“LWE”) affected districts/north eastern states and mortar structure of any scheduled commercial bank for customer-based banking transactions. As per the guidelines of the RBI, a rural area is defined as a center with a population up to 9,999. As of March 31, 2020, 2,385Sikkim, where during fiscal year 2022, 270 of our banking outlets (including banking outlets managedmanned by the CSCs) are in unbanked areas.were added. With the objective of liberalizing and rationalizing the branch licensing process, the RBI granted general permission, effective from October 2013, to banks like us to open banking outlets in Tier 1 to Tier 6 centers, subject to a requirement to report to the RBI and other prescribed conditions. In May 2017, the RBI further liberalized the branch authorization policy. See “Supervision
Supervision and Regulation—Regulations Relating to the Opening of Banking Outlets”Outlets
.
We have overseas banking outlets in Bahrain, Hong Kong and the Dubai International Finance Centre (“DIFC”). These banking outlets cater to the needs of our overseas clients, both corporate and individual. They offer banking, trade finance and wealth management (primarily for
non-resident
individual customers). In addition, we have representative offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Nairobi. We also have a presence in the International Financial Service Centre Banking Unit at the Gujarat International Finance
Tec-City
(“GIFT City”) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. This unit operates in a similar fashion to our foreign banking outlets and customers are able to purchase products such as trade credits and foreign currency term loans, including external commercial borrowings and derivatives to hedge loans. Our unit in GIFT City is regulated and supervised by the RBI.
Automated Teller Machines
As of March 31, 2020,2022, we had 14,90118,130 ATMs/CDMs, of which 7,0888,703 were located at our banking outlets or extension counters and 7,8139,427 were located
off-siteoff-site.
All our ATMs are equipped with access toa voice-guided system and a Braille keypad for the general public.
visually challenged. Customers can use our ATMs for a variety of functions, including withdrawing cash, monitoring bank balances, mobile
recharge/top-up,
and cardless cash withdrawals. Customers can access their accounts from any of the HDFC Bank ATMs or
non-HDFC
Bank ATMs. ATM cards issued by American Express or other banks in the Rupay, Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, JCB, UPI, Cirrus, Citrus or Discover Financial Services networks can be used in our ATMs and we receive a fee for each transaction. Our debit cards issued with respective networks (Rupay/VISA/MasterCard) can be used at ATMs of other banks for which we pay the acquiring bank a fee. Our customers can use our CDMs for a variety of functions, including cash deposits, cash withdrawals and monitoring bank balances.
Telephone Banking
We provide telephone banking services to our customers in 2,8033,188 cities and towns as at March 31, 2020.2022. Customers can access their accounts over the phone through our
24-hour
automated voice response system and can conduct balance and transaction inquiries, order checkcheque books and order stop payments of checks.cheques. In certain cities, we also have staff available during select hours to assist customers who want to speak directly to one of our telephone bankers. In select cities, customers can also engage in financial transactions such as opening deposits.
Mobile Banking
Our mobile banking application is specially designed to help our customers manage their banking needs more efficiently. With a secure access and an intuitive, multi-feature design, the application provides our customers with an improved banking experience. Our mobile banking application is designed for an era where everything gets doneour customers can get most of their banking needs serviced on their mobile phone,phones, from sending money (via the national electronic funds transfer (“NEFT”), immediate payment service (“IMPS”) and unified payment interface (“UPI”) to managing accounts, bills and investments. OurWe believe that banking with our mobile banking application is easy, convenient and secure.
Internet Banking
Our internet banking platform is convenient, comprehensive and safe, enabling our customers to bank 24/7 from the comfort of their home or office. Users can perform the majority of banking transactions online and the platform is safeguarded bybe assured of the highest levels of security standards. The platform provides several different services, including viewing balances and statements, fund transfers, payment of bills, opening term and recurring deposit accounts, mobile and
direct-to-home
recharges, ordering checkcheque books and online shopping.
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Payment Wallets
PayZapp aims to make digital payments safe. PayZapp provides a comprehensive solution for all payment, banking and financial requirements for our internal and external customers. It offers a platform for making different types of payments, including grocery, food delivery, shopping, mobile and
direct-to-home
recharges, rent payments, FASTag recharge and utility bills. Using PayZapp, customers can also apply for a credit card or a personal loan, send money to others and transfer money to a bank account.
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Risk Management
Risk is inherent in our business and sound risk management is critical to our success. The major types of risk we face are credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk, interest rate risk and operational risk. We have developed and implemented comprehensive policies and procedures to identify, assess, monitor and manage our risk.
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the possibility of losslosses associated with diminution in the credit quality of borrowers or counterparties. In a bank’s portfolio, losses result from a customer’s or counterparty’s default due to the failureinability or the unwillingness of anysuch customer or counterparty to abide bymeet commitments in relation to borrowing, trading, settlement and other financial transactions. Alternatively, losses result from a reduction in portfolio value arising from the terms and conditionsactual or perceived deterioration in credit quality of anythe underlying borrowers. Credit risk typically results from a bank’s dealings with an individual, association of persons, corporate entity, other bank, financial contract with us. We identify and manage this risk through (a) our target defined markets, (b) our credit approval process, (c) our post-disbursement monitoring and (d) our remedial management procedures. We haveinstitution or a comprehensive centralized risk management function, independent of our operations and business units.sovereign.
The organizational structureBoard of Directors of the Bank is responsible for managing the comprehensive risks faced by the Bank, including credit risk. The Board endorses the credit risk strategy and approves the credit risk policies of the Bank. The Bank’s Risk Policy & Monitoring Committee (“RPMC”), which is a Board-level committee, supports the Board by supervising the implementation of the credit risk teamstrategy. It guides the development of policies, procedures and systems for managing credit risk. The RPMC ensures complete independence from anythat these policies are adequate and appropriate to changing business activity or responsibility. There is a deliberate separationconditions, the structure and needs of the Bank and the risk function fromappetite of the businessBank. It periodically reviews the portfolio composition and the status of impaired credits.
The Retail and Wholesale Credit Risk Management functions in order to ensure that there is no conflict of interest which may compromise our functioning or portfolio. Thus,under the Chief Risk Officer (“CRO”) runs the credit risk management centrally in the Bank. The risk management function is not embedded withinclearly demarcated and independent from the operations, credit and business and does not have any business responsibility or association, or any reporting relationship to any business function. To ensure last mile credit delivery and effective credit monitoring, our credit risk officers are placed across allfunctions of the Bank’s operating regions, so as to ensure that ground level and location-specific factors are included in the risk assessment and management process.Bank.
Retail Credit Risk
We offerRetail lending, given the granularity of individual exposures, is managed largely on a range of retailportfolio basis across various products such as auto loans, personal loans, credit cards, business banking,
two-wheeler
loans, loans against securities and commercial vehicle loans. Our retail credit policy and approval process are designed to accommodate the high volumes of relatively homogeneous, small-value transactions in retail loans.customer segments. There are product programsrobust
front-end
and
back-end
systems in place to ensure credit quality and to minimize losses from defaults. The Retail Credit Risk team is responsible for each of these products, which defineestablishing the target markets, credit philosophy and process, detailed underwriting criteria for evaluating individual credits, exception reporting systems and individual loan exposure caps.
For individual customers to be eligible for a loan, minimum credit parameters, so defined, are to be met for each product. Any deviations need to be approved at the designated levels. The product parameters have been selected based on the perceived risk characteristics specificappetite, ensuring adherence to the product. The quantitative parameters considered include income, residence stabilityrisk appetite limits approved by the Board and reviewing and monitoring the naturekey risk indicators of the employment/business, whileretail and SME portfolios of the qualitative parameters include accessibilityBank. It is also responsible for conducting product review, stress testing, formulating key risk indicators and profile. Our credit policiesportfolio analysis and product programsdistribution trends.
Retail Lending Master Policy (“RLMP”) and SME – Credit Policies & Procedures Manual (“SME – CPPM”) are based on a statistical analysis of our own experience and industry data, in combination with the judgment of our senior officers.
The retail credit risk team managesgovernance frameworks for managing credit risk in the retail assets and has the following constituents:SME portfolios.
(a)
Central Risk Unit
: The central risk unit drives credit risk management centrally for retail assets. It is responsible for formulating policies and evaluates proposals for the launch of new products and new geographies. The central risk unit also conducts periodic reviews that cover our portfolio management information system, credit management information system and post-approval reviews. The product risk teams conduct detailed studies on portfolio performance in each customer segment.
(b)
Retail Underwriting
: This unit is primarily responsible for approving individual credit exposures and ensuring portfolio composition and quality. The unit ensures implementation of all policies and procedures, as applicable.
(c)
Risk Intelligence and Control
: This unit is responsible for the sampling of documents to ensure prospective borrowers with fraudulent intent are prevented from availing themselves of loans. The unit initiates market reference checks to avoid a recurrence of fraud and financial losses.
(d)
Retail Collections Unit
: This unit is responsible for the remedial management of problem exposures in retail assets. The collections unit uses specific strategies for various segments and products for remedial management.
We mine data on our borrower account behavior as well as static data regularly to monitor the portfolio performance of each product segment regularly, and use these as inputs in revising our product programs, target market definitions and credit assessment criteria to meet our twin objectives of combining volume growth and maintenance of asset quality.
Our vehicle loans, loan against gold and loan against securities are generally secured on the asset financed. Retail business banking loans are secured with current assets as well as immovable property and fixed assets in some cases. However, collateral securing each individual loan may not be adequate in relation to the value of the loan. If the customer fails to pay, we would, as applicable, liquidate collateral and/or set off accounts. In most cases, we obtain direct debit instructions or post-dated checks from the customer. It is a criminal offense in India to issue a bad check.
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Wholesale Credit Risk
The wholesale credit risk team sits within the Risk Management Group and is primarily responsible for implementing the wholesale credit risk strategy approved by the Board, developing procedures and systems for managing credit risk, carrying out an independent assessment of credit risk, approving individual credit exposures, periodically monitoring the overall portfolio quality, concentrations and risk mitigatingrisk-mitigating actions and ensuringconducting stress testing to ensure that portfolio composition and quality are within the Bank’s risk appetite.
For our wholesale banking products, we target leading private businesses and public sector enterprises in the country, subsidiaries of multinational corporations and leaders in the small and medium enterprises (“SME”) segment. We also have product-specific offerings for entities engaged in the capital markets and commodities businesses.
We consider the credit risk of our counterparties comprehensively. Accordingly, our credit policies and procedures apply not only to credit exposures but also to credit substitutes and contingent exposures. OurThe Bank’s Credit Policies & Procedure Manual and Credit Program (“Credit(the “Credit Policies”) are central in controlling credit risk in various activities and products. TheseThe Credit Policies articulate our credit risk strategy and thereby the approach for credit origination, approval and maintenance. The Credit Policies generally address such areas as target markets, portfolio mix, prudential exposure ceilings, concentration limits, price and
non-price
terms, structure of limits, approval authorities, exception reporting system, prudential accounting and provisioning norms. Each credit proposal is evaluated by the business units against the credit standards prescribed in our Credit Policies. They are then subjected to a greater degree of riskcredit analysis based on product type and customer profile by credit risk specialists in the Risk Management Group.Wholesale Credit Group headed by the Chief Credit Officer.
Independent
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There is a framework for independent review and approval of credit ratings by specifically designated rating approvers.approvers in the ratings unit, which sits within the Credit Risk function independent of business, operations and credit. We have in place a process of risk-grading each borrower according to its management, industry, financial health and the performance of its business and eachbusiness. Each borrower is graded on a model scale of 1 to 10, which is further mapped to a master scale of HDB 1 to HDB 10 (HDB 1 indicating the highest and HDB 10 the lowest rating; we further classify HDB 1 to HDB 7 as “investment grade” ratings, while HDB 8 or lower are classified as
“non-investment
grade” ratings). We have specific models applicable to each significant segment of wholesale credit (
e.g.,
, large corporate,
SME-manufacturing,
SME-services
manufacturer, small manufacturer, large services, small services and NBFCs). For a standalone borrower rating, the model encapsulates risks associated with the industry, business, management and financials into quantitative and qualitative factors. The detailed risk parameters and weightages vary according to the respective models. The risk rating assigned to the borrower is a function of aggregated weighted scores after an assessment under each of the above four risk categories. Wholesale loans that are investment grade are disclosed as either “pass” or “labeled” and considered to be performing. “Labeled” loans are investment grade loans showing evidence of weakness and following deteriorating trends which, if not corrected, could adversely impact repayment of the obligations.
To ensure adequate diversification of risk, concentration limits have been set up in terms of:
(a)
Borrower/business group
: Based on the RBI guidelines on the Large Exposure Framework (“LEF”), exposure ceilings are established for exposures to single borrowers, borrower groups, NBFCs, connected NBFC groups or a group of connected counterparties, which include an NBFC in the group. See also “
Supervision and Regulation—Large Exposures Framework
”.
(b)
Industry
: We have established ceilings on aggregate exposure to an industry. For this purpose, advances and investments as well as
non-fund-based
exposures are aggregated. Retail advances are exempt from this exposure limit.
(c)
Risk grading
: In addition to the exposure ceilings described above, we have set quantitative ceilings on aggregate funded and
non-funded
exposure (excluding retail assets) specific to each risk rating category at the portfolio level.
The RBI restricts us from lending to companies with which we have any directors in common. In addition, the RBI requires that we direct a portion of our lending to certain specified sectors (“Priority Sector Lending” or “PSL”). See also “
Supervision and Regulation—Directed Lending
”.
Credit Management
The Credit Group, under the Chief Credit Officer (“CCO”), consists of the Retail Credit Group and the Wholesale Credit Group. The CCO reports directly to the Managing Director and is responsible for leading and overseeing the implementation of the overall credit strategy and the management of the retail and wholesale credit portfolios of the Bank. The credit underwriting and portfolio management under the retail and wholesale credit functions are aligned with the Board-approved credit appetite thereby maintaining credit quality of the portfolio. The Credit Group is not assigned any business target. No official in the Retail Credit Group or Wholesale Credit Group has any business responsibility or association, thereby assuring compliance to the four pillars, namely, independence (total independence and freedom to operate without any influence which may compromise risk acceptance), knowledge base (specialization and experience over a period of time), absence of conflict of interest (absolute separation from any business targets or responsibilities, ensuring the quality of risk management) and regulatory compliance (ensuring continuous operation within a
low-risk
environment).
Retail Credit
We offer a range of retail products, such as auto loans, personal loans, credit cards, mortgage loans,
two-wheeler
loans, loans against securities and commercial vehicle loans. Our retail credit programs and approval processes are designed to accommodate the high volumes of relatively homogeneous, small-value transactions in retail loans. There are product programs for each of these products, which define the target markets, credit philosophy and process, detailed underwriting criteria for evaluating individual credits, exception reporting systems and individual loan exposure caps.
For individual customers to be eligible for a loan, minimum credit parameters, so defined, are to be met for each product. Any deviation needs to be approved at the designated levels. The product parameters have been selected based on the perceived risk characteristics specific to the product. The quantitative parameters considered include income, residence stability and the nature of the employment/business, while the qualitative parameters include accessibility and profile. Our credit and product programs are based on a statistical analysis of our own experience and industry data, in combination with the judgment of our senior officers.
The retail credit team manages credit in retail assets and has the following constituents:
(a)
Central Credit Program Unit
: This unit drives credit portfolio management centrally for retail assets. It is responsible for formulating credit product programs and evaluating proposals for the launch of new products and entering new geographies. The unit also conducts periodic reviews that cover our portfolio management information system, credit management information system and post-approval reviews. The credit program teams conduct detailed studies on portfolio performance in each customer segment.
(b)
Retail Underwriting
: This unit is primarily responsible for approving credit exposures and ensuring portfolio composition and quality. The unit ensures implementation of all policies and procedures, as applicable.
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(c)
Credit Intelligence and Control
: This unit is responsible for the sampling of documents to ensure prospective borrowers with fraudulent intent are prevented from availing themselves of loans. The unit
inter alia
initiates market reference checks to avoid a recurrence of fraud and financial losses.
(d)
Retail Collections Unit
: This unit is responsible for the remedial management of problem exposures in retail assets. The collections unit uses specific strategies for various segments and products for remedial management.
We mine data on our borrower account behavior as well as static data regularly to monitor the portfolio performance of each product segment, and use these as inputs in revising our product programs, target market definitions and credit assessment criteria to meet our twin objectives of combining volume growth and preservation of asset quality.
Our vehicle loans, loan against gold, mortgage loan and loan against securities are generally secured on the asset financed. If the customer fails to pay, we would, as applicable, liquidate collateral and/or set off accounts. In most cases, we obtain direct debit instructions or post-dated cheques from the customer. It is a criminal offense in India to issue a bad cheque.
Wholesale Credit
For our wholesale banking products, we target leading private businesses and public-sector enterprises in the country, as well as subsidiaries of multinational corporations. We consider the credit risk of our counterparties comprehensively. Accordingly, our credit policies and procedures apply not only to credit exposures but also to credit substitutes and contingent exposures.
The Wholesale Credit Group is primarily responsible for implementing the credit strategy approved by the Board, developing procedures and systems for managing credit originated by the wholesale business groups, carrying out an independent assessment of credit, approving individual credit appetite by specifically appointed credit approvers as well as monitoring and ensuring portfolio composition and quality.
Based on what we believe is an adequately comprehensive riskcredit assessment, credit exposure limits areappetite is set on individual counterparties. These limits takeThis appetite takes into account the overall potential exposurerisk on the counterparty, be it on balance sheet or off balance
off-balance
sheet, across the banking book and the trading book, including foreign exchange and derivatives exposures. These limits areThis appetite is reviewed in detail at annual or more frequent intervals.
While we primarily make our credit decisions on a cash flow basis, we also obtain security for a significant portion of credit facilities extended by us as a second potential remedy. This can take the form of a floating charge on the movable assets of the borrower or a (first or residual) charge on the fixed assets and properties owned by the borrower. We may also require guarantees and letters of support from the flagship companies of the group in cases where facilities are granted based on our comfort level or relationship with the parent company.
We do not extend credit on the judgment of one officer alone. Our credit approval process is based on a three-tier approval system that combines credit approval authorities and discretionary powers. The required three approvals are provided by credit approvers who derive their authority from their credit skills and experience. The level for approval of a credit varies depending upon the grading of the borrower, the quantum of facilities required and whether we have been dealing with the customer by providing credit facilities in the past. As such, initial approvals would typically require a higher level of approval for a borrower with the same grading and for sanctioning the same facility.
To ensure adequate diversification of risk, concentration limits have been set up in terms of:
a)
Borrower/business group
: Exposure to a borrower or business group is subject to the general ceilings established by the RBI from time to time, or specific approval by the RBI. In June 2019, the RBI issued the revised Large Exposure Framework (“LEF”), which aims to align the exposure norms for Indian banks with the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (“BCBS”) standards. These guidelines have come into effect from April 1, 2019 and certain provisions have become effective from April 1, 2020. Based on the LEF, the exposure-ceiling limit for a single borrower is 20.00 percent of a bank’s available, eligible capital base amounting to Tier 1 capital as defined in the guideline. The Bank may, as permitted in the LEF and in exceptional circumstances, with the approval of the Board, consider enhancement of the exposure to a single counterparty up to a further 5.00 percent of eligible capital base. The exposure-ceiling limit in the case of a borrower group is 25.00 percent of a bank’s eligible capital base as referenced above. Further, the ceiling on a bank’s exposure to a single NBFC or housing finance company (“HFC”) is 15.00 percent of a bank’s eligible capital base (RBI guidelines on LEF stipulate at 20.00 percent of a bank’s eligible capital base). The ceiling on a bank’s exposure to a group of connected NBFCs or a group of connected counterparties, which include an NBFC in the group, is subject to a LEF ceiling of 25.00 percent of a bank’s eligible capital base. The interbank exposures, except
intra-day
interbank exposures, are subject to the LEF limit of 25.00 percent of the bank’s eligible capital base. See also “
Supervision and Regulation—Large Exposures Framework
”.
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b)
Industry
: While exposure to any one industry cannot exceed 12.00 percent of aggregate exposures, exposure to NBFCs or HFCs is restricted to 7.5 percent of the bank’s aggregate exposure. For this purpose, advances and investments as well as
non-fund
based exposures are aggregated. Retail advances are exempt from this exposure limit. Further, exposure to banks and state-sponsored financial institutions is capped at a level of 25.00 percent.
c)
Risk grading
: In addition to the exposure ceilings described above, we have set quantitative ceilings on aggregate funded and
non-funded
exposure (excluding retail assets) specific to each risk rating category at the portfolio level.
While we primarily make our credit decisions on a cash-flow basis, we also obtain security for a significant portion of credit facilities extended by us as a second potential remedy. This can take the form of a floating charge on the movable assets of the borrower or a (first or residual) charge on the fixed assets and properties owned by the borrower. We may also require guarantees and letters of support from the flagship companies of the group in cases where facilities are granted based on our comfort level or relationship with the parent company.
We have a process for regular monitoring of all accounts at several levels. These include periodic calls on the customer, plant visits, credit reviews and monitoring of secondary data. These are designed to detect any early warning signals of deterioration in credit quality so that we can take timely corrective action.
SME Credit
In order to manage credit in SME assets, the “wholesale
credit-SME
function” draws from the wholesale and retail credit functions. The RBI restricts usSME policy and strategy is broadly aligned with the wholesale credit function with suitable amendments to make it appropriate for SME customers. It incorporates certain procedures and systems for managing credit, which have been taken from lending to companies with which we have any directors in common. In addition, the RBI requires that we direct a portion of our lending to certain specified sectors (“Priority Sector Lending” or “PSL”). See also “
Supervision and Regulation—Directed Lending
”.retail credit function.
Market Risk
Market risk refers to the potential loss on account of adverse changes in market variables or other risk factors which affect the value of financial instruments that we hold. The financial instruments may include investment in money market instruments, debt securities (such as gilts, bonds and PTCs), equities, foreign exchange products and derivative instruments (both linear and
non-linear
products).
25

The market variables which affect the valuation of these instruments typically include interest rates, credit spreads, equity prices, net asset values (“NAVs”), foreign exchange rates, implied volatilities (including the foreign exchange volatility surface, cap/floor volatility and volatility smiles), exchange derivative prices, and commoditybullion prices. Any change in the relevant market risk variable has an adverse or favorable impact on the valuation depending on the direction of the change and the type of position held (long or short). While the positions are taken with a view to earn from the upside potential, there is always a possibility of downside risk. Thus, the Bank must constantly review the positions to ensure that the risk on account of such positions is within our overall risk appetite. The Bank’s overall risk appetite for various risks is defined by the Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (“ICAAP”) review committee, by stipulating specific risk appetite for key risk types. The risk appetite for trading risk is set through a
pre-approved
treasury limits package as well as through specific trading limits and trigger levels for a few product programs. In addition, the Bank’s risk limits with respect to interbank counterparties are guided by the interbank counterparty exposure limit while the Bank’s Asset Liability Management (“ALM”) limits prescribe the appetite for liquidity risk and interest rate risk in the banking book (“IRRBB”). The process for monitoring and reviewing risk exposure is outlined in the various risk policies.
The market risk department formulates procedures for portfolio risk valuation for market risk measures, assesses market risk factors impacting the trading portfolio and recommends various market risk controlscontrols/mitigants relating to limits and trigger levels for the treasury (including investment banking portfolios for primary undertaking and distribution) and
non-treasury
positions. The treasury
mid-office
is responsible for monitoring and reporting market risks arising from the trading desks and also carries out rate scanscans of the deals. The market data cell in the
mid-office
maintains market data, performs market data scanscans to check market data sanctity and verifies the rates submitted by the treasury front office for polling various benchmarks.
23

Our Board of Directors (the “Board”) has delegated the responsibility for market risk management of the balance sheet on an ongoing basis to the Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”). This committee, which is chaired by the Managing Director and includes the heads of the business groups, generally meets fortnightly. The ALCO reviews the product pricing for deposits and assets as well as the maturity profile and mix of our assets and liabilities. It articulates the interest rate view and decides on future business strategy with respect to interest rates. It reviews and sets funding policy, and also reviews developments in the markets and the economy and their impact on the balance sheet and business along with a review of the trading levels. Moreover, it reviews the utilization of liquidity and interest rate risk limits set by the Board and decides on the inter-segment transfer pricing policy.
The financial control department is responsible for collecting data, preparing regulatory and analytical reports and monitoring whether the interest rate and other policies and limits established by the ALCO are being observed. The Balance Sheet Management desk, which is part of the treasury group, also assists in implementing our asset liability strategy and in providing information to the ALCO.
Policies and Procedures—Trading and Asset Liability Management Risks
The following sections briefly describe our policies and procedures with respect to trading risk (price risk) and ALM risk (interest rate risk in the banking book and liquidity risk).
I. Trading Risk
Trading risk is the risk arising from price fluctuations due to market factors, such as changes in interest rates, equity prices, commodityNAVs, bullion prices, exchange rates, exchange derivative prices and the variations in their implied volatilities in respect of the trading portfolio held by the Bank. The trading portfolio includes holdings in the
held-for-trading
and
available-for-sale
portfolios, as per RBI guidelines and consists of positions in bonds, securities, currencies, interest rate swaps, andforward rate agreements, interest rate options, cross-currency interest rate swaps and currency options.
The trading risk is managed by establishing a sound process for price validation and by setting various limits or trigger levels, such as value at risk limits, stop-loss trigger levels, price value per basis point (PV01) limits, option Greek limits and position limits, namely, intraday and net overnight forex open position. Additional controls such as order size and outstanding exposure limits are prescribed, wherever applicable, based on
case-by-case
review. Moreover, measures such as investment limits and deal size thresholds are prescribed as part of the investment policy for managing outstanding investment or trading positions.
The treasury limitstrading limits/trigger levels are reviewed by the market risk department and presented to the Risk Policy and Monitoring Committee (“RPMC”)RPMC for its recommendation to the Board for approval. The limitslimits/trigger levels are reviewed annually or more frequently (depending on market conditions) or upon introduction of new products.
The market risk policy sets the framework for market risk monitoring. The risk on account of semi-liquid or illiquid positions in trading is recognized inmonitoring and includes the
non-standard
product policy as part of the market risk policy. The
non-standard
product policywhich stipulates requirements for case-specific evaluation of risk exposure in respect of
non-standard
products (that is, products which are not part of the standard product list decided by treasury and the market risk department). Additionally, limits have been assigned to restrict the aggregate exposure in
non-standard
positions. Further, the stress testing policy prescribes the stress scenarios that are applied on the outstanding trading positions to recognize and analyze the impact of the stress conditions on the trading portfolio. Stress tests are based on historical scenarios as well as on sensitivity factors, such as an assessment based on hypothetical/judgmental scenarios.scenarios, and include topical scenarios based on evolving risk themes.
26

Validation of valuation models applied for validation of trading products areis conducted by the treasury analytics team, which are then reviewed by the market risk department and governed by the Board approvedBoard-approved independent model validation policy. All market risk model validations are also reviewed by the treasury analytics team. The Valuation Committee is apprised of the model validation results in its quarterly meetings. Moreover, the market data of major interest rate curves, captured in the valuation systems, are compared against an independent market data source on a
month-end
basis for accurate valuation in accordance with the independent model validation policy of the Bank.
24

Table Simultaneously, valuations of Contentsforex, derivatives and structured products in treasury systems are compared with valuations from the respective counterparty bank (with whom the Bank has a credit support annex (“CSA”) agreement) every month by the treasury analytics team along with validation of valuations from the Bank’s external independent model validator on an annual and an
ad-hoc
basis. Lastly, internal independent validation of valuations of forex, derivative, bond and money market instrument is conducted monthly by the treasury analytics team.
II. Asset Liability Management
The ALM risk management process consists of management of liquidity risk and IRRBB. Liquidity risk is the risk that the Bank may not be able to fund increases in assets or meet obligations as they fall due without incurring unacceptable losses. IRRBB refers to the potential adverse financial impact on the Bank’s banking book from changes in interest rates. The banking book is comprised of assets and liabilities that are incurred to create a steady income flow or to fulfill statutory obligations. Such assets and liabilities are generally held to maturity. The Bank carries various assets, liabilities and
off-balance
sheet items across markets, maturities and benchmarks, exposing itself to risks from changing interest rates. The Bank’s objective is to maintain liquidity risk and IRRBB within certain tolerance limits. The ALM limits are reviewed by the market risk department and presented to the RPMC for its recommendation to the Board for approval. The limits are reviewed at least annually.
Structure and Organization
The ALM risk management process of the Bank operates in the following hierarchical manner:
Board of Directors
The Board has the overall responsibility for the management of liquidity and interest rate risk. The Board decides the strategy, policies and procedures of the Bank to manage liquidity and interest rate risk, including setting the Bank’s risk tolerance and limits.
Risk Policy and Monitoring Committee of the Board
The RPMC is a Board-level committee, which supports the Board by supervising the implementation of risk strategy. It guides the development of policies, procedures and systems for managing risk. It ensures that these are adequate and appropriate to changing business conditions, the structure and needs of the Bank and the risk appetite of the Bank. It ensures that frameworks are established for assessing and managing liquidity and interest rate risks faced by the Bank. The RPMC meets at least once every quarter. The RPMC’s role includes, inter alia:
 
 1.
to review and recommend for Board approval the liquidity and interest rate risk policies and behavioral studies or any other amendment thereto; and
 
 2.
to ratify excess utilization of Board-approved limits except where delegated to the ALCO.
Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”)
The ALCO is the decision-making unit responsible for ensuring adherence to the risk tolerance and limits set by the Board, as well as implementing the Bank’s liquidity and interest rate risk management strategy in line with the Bank’s risk management objectives and risk tolerance. The ALCO is also responsible for balance sheet planning from a risk-return perspective, including strategic management of interest rate and liquidity risks. The role of the ALCO includes the following:
 
product pricing for deposits and customer advances;
 
deciding the desired maturity profile and mix of incremental assets and liabilities;
 
articulating the Bank’s interest rate view and deciding on its future business strategy;
 
reviewing and articulating funding strategy;strategy and deciding on source and mix of liabilities or sale of assets;
 
ensuring adherence to the liquidity and interest rate risk limits set by the Board;Board and ratification of utilization, wherever applicable;
 
determining the structure, responsibilities and controls for managing liquidity and interest rate risk;risk and overseeing the liquidity positions of the Bank level (including domestic and overseas branches) and reviewing liquidity risk and interest rate risk in banking book positions at the group level (including the Bank and its subsidiaries);
 
27

ensuring adequate representation of risk management function on the ALCO;ALCO to adhere with operational independence of liquidity management and risk monitoring;
 
reviewing ALM stress test results and ensuring that a well-documented contingency funding plan is in place; and
 
25

deciding on the transfer pricing policy of the Bank.Bank and considering liquidity costs and benefits an integral part of the Bank’s strategic planning; and
regularly reporting to the Board on the ALM risk profile of the Bank through ALCO minutes.
ALM Support Group
The ALM support group is responsible for analyzing, monitoring and reporting the relevant risk profiles to senior management and relevant committees. The ALM support group comprises the balance sheet management desk (Treasury), market risk department, treasury
mid-office
and financial control.
Risk Measurement Systems and Reporting
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is measured using the flow approach and the stock approach. The flow approach involves comprehensive tracking of cash flow mismatches, whereas the stock approach involves the measurement of critical ratios in respect of liquidity risk.
For measuring and managing net funding requirements, the use of a maturity ladder and calculation of cumulative surplus or deficit of funds at selected maturity dates has been adopted as a standard tool. The time buckets for classification of assets and liabilities for the purposes of this statement is as per the RBI’s prescribed guidelines.
Stock approach involves measurement of certain critical ratios in respect of liquidity risk. Based on the RBI guidelines, a set of liquidity ratios under stock approach is monitored on a periodic basis.
In addition, the Bank is required to maintain a Liquidity Coverage Ratio.Ratio (“LCR”) and a Net Stable Funding Ratio (“NSFR”). The minimum regulatory LCR has been stipulated at 100 percent from April 1, 2021, and the minimum regulatory requirement for the ratio as on March 31, 2020 wasNSFR at 100 percent.percent has been introduced in October 2021. Analysis of liquidity risk also involves examining how funding requirements are likely to be affected under crisis scenarios. The Bank has a Board-approved liquidity stress test policy and framework guided by regulatory instructions. The Bank has an extensive intraday liquidity risk management framework for monitoring intraday positions during the day.
Interest Rate Risk in Banking Book
Interest rate risk is the risk where changes in market interest rates affect a bank’s financial position. Changes in interest rates impact a bank’s earnings through changes in its net interest income (“NII”). Changes in interest rates also impact a bank’s market value of equity (“MVE”) or net worth through changes in the economic value of its rate-sensitive assets, liabilities and
off-balance
sheet positions. The interest rate risk, when viewed from these two perspectives, is known as “earnings perspective” and “economic value perspective”, respectively.
The Bank measures and controls IRRBB using both the earnings perspective (measured using the traditional gap analysis method) and the economic value perspective (measured using the duration gap analysis method) as detailed below. These methods involve grouping of rate-sensitive assets (“RSA”) and rate-sensitive liabilities (“RSL”), including
off-balance
sheet items, based on the maturity or repricing dates. The Bank classifies an asset or liability as rate sensitive or
non-rate
sensitive in line with the RBI guidelines, as amended, from time to time.
A significant portion of
non-maturing
deposits are grouped in the “over 1 year to 3 year” category.
Non-rateNon-rate-sensitive
sensitive liabilities and assets primarily comprise capital, reserves and surplus, other liabilities, cash and balances with the RBI, current account balances with banks, fixed assets and other assets.
The banking book is represented by excluding from the total book the trading book (
i.e.,
, on and
off-balance
sheet items) andfrom the commensurate liabilities, as applicable, in the form of short-term borrowings and deposits.total book.
 
Earnings Perspective (impact on net interest income)
The traditional gap analysis (“TGA”) method measures the level of a bank’s exposure to interest rate risk in terms of sensitivity of its NII to interest rate movements over a
one-year
horizon. It involves bucketing of all RSA, RSL and
off-balance
sheet items maturing or getting repriced in the next year and computing changes of income under 200 basis points upward and downward parallel rate shocks over a year’s horizon.
 
26

Economic Value Perspective (impact on market value of equity)
28

While the earnings perspective calculates the short-termshort term impact of the rate changes, the Economic Value Perspective calculates the long-termlong term impact on the MVE of the Bank through changes in the economic value of its rate-sensitive assets, liabilities and
off-balance
sheet positions. The Economic value perspectiveValue Perspective is measured using the duration gap analysis method (“DGA”). DGA involves computing the modified duration gap between RSA and RSL and thereby the Duration of Equity (“DoE”). The DoE is a measure of sensitivity of MVE to changes in interest rates. Using the DoE, the Bank estimates the change in MVE under 200 basis points upward and downward parallel rate shocks. The assumptions for coupons and yields used in the duration gap analysis stem from the RBI guidelines.
Operational Risk Management
Operational risk is the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems or from external events and includes risk of loss as a result of legal risk. The way operational risk is managed has the potential to positively or negatively impact the Bank’s customers, financial performance and reputation. The Bank has put in place Board-approved governance and organizational structure with clearly defined roles and responsibilities to mitigate operational risk arising from the Bank’s business and operations.
Organizational Structure for Managing Operational Risk
The Board is primarily responsible for ensuring effective management of the operational risks of the Bank. The Board sets the overall strategy and direction for operational risk management (“ORM”) within the Bank. This strategy is developed further and subsequently implemented by theThe responsibilities towards effective implementation of operational risk management have been given to RPMC of the Bank. The RPMC is also responsible for overseeing the effective implementation of the ORM framework approved by the Board, as well as developing a strong ORM culture and sense of responsibility at every level in the organization. The ORMoperational risk management committee (“ORMC”), which is headedchaired by the Chief Risk Officer and consists of senior management functionaries, (including the Group Head—Audit, Group Head—Operations and senior representatives from all the relevant business verticals), oversees the implementation of the operational risk management framework approved by the Board. An independent operational risk management department (“ORMD”) is responsible for implementation of the framework across the Bank. The operational risk management policy stipulates the roles and responsibilities of employees, business units, operations and support functions in managing operational risk.
Risk Measurement and Monitoring
While
The Bank’s organizational structure for managing operational risk consists of the businessfollowing three lines of defense.
Business, operations, and support & other functions: These functions are primarily responsible for the implementation of sound risk management practices (including cost-benefit analyses) in theirthe
day-to-day
operations and any resulting impact of operational risk losses in their units. Specifically, these functions are responsible for developing risk mitigation strategies for their units and will be the first line of defense against operational risk;
Operational risk management department: ORMD is responsible for designing and developing tools for monitoring ofimplementing the operational risk management framework across the Bank consistent withBank. The department designs and develops tools required for implementing the framework, approved byincluding policies and processes, and guidelines towards implementation and is also responsible for the Board. Identificationmaintenance of the framework. ORMD represents the second line of defense against operational risk; and implementation
Internal audit department: Internal audit is the third line of defense in mitigating measures is carried out by the respective units within the Bank and reviewed by the ORMD. The internaloperational risk exposures. Internal audit department evaluates the adequacy and effectiveness of the internal control systems and procedures in the risk management functions, as well as across the various business and support units of the Bank.
The Bank applies a number of risk management techniques to effectively manage operational risks. These techniques include:
 
risk control self-assessment, (the “RCSA”), to identify high-risk areas so that the Bank can initiate timely remedial measures. This assessment is conducted annually to update senior management of the risk level across the Bank;
 
key risk indicators (the “KRI”) are metrics that are derived from various factors to provide an early warning of, or to monitor, the increasing risk or control failures in an activity. As these indicators are quantifiable, they can be measured continuously to identify trends in values;
 
the loss data maintenance (the “LDM”) establishesto establish the Bank’s process of recognizing, recording and mitigating operational losses. Units or functions accounting loss data are required to report every operational risk loss data in a timely manner to ORMD. Operational losses experienced by the units are followed up by the respective control functions for initiation of mitigative measures as applicable;
 
conducting aannual scenario analysis annually to derive information on hypothetical severe loss situations. The Bank uses this information for risk management purposes, as well as for analyzing the possible financial impact; and
periodic reporting on risk assessment and monitoring to the line as well as to senior management to enable them to take timely action.
 
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periodic reporting of risk assessments and monitoring to senior management to ensure timely actions are initiated at all levels. Operational risk reports specifically reflect key risk areas and risk sensitive units so as to motivate units to take timely corrective action.
Capital Requirement
The Bank currently follows the basic indicator approach for computing operational risk capital charge. BCBS published a document titled ‘Basel“Basel III: Finalizing post-crisis reforms’reforms” in December 2017, containing details of the standardized approach for estimating a minimum operational risk capital charge, which would replace all the existing methods for computation of operational risk capital. The Bank will implement the revised approach once the RBI guidelines are notified.
Competition
We face intense competition in all our principal lines of business. Our primary competitors are large public sector banks, other private sector banks, foreign banks and in some product areas, NBFCs. In addition, new entrants into the financial services industry, including companies in the financial technology sector, may further intensify competition in the business environments, especially in the digital business environment, in which we operate. In February 2013,the last decade, the RBI issued guidelines for the entry of new banks in the private sector, including eligibility criteria, capital requirements, shareholding structure, business plan and corporate governance practices. Pursuant to these guidelines, in fiscal 2016 IDFC Bank and Bandhan Bank commenced banking operations.
In November 2014, the RBI released guidelines for the licensing of paymentspayment banks and small finance banks in the private sector.sector and
“on-tap”
licensing of universal banks in the private sector (moving from the previous “stop and go” licensing approach to a continuous or
“on-tap”
licensing regime). See “
Supervision and Regulation—Entry of new banks in the private sector
”. Since promulgation, suchthe introduction of the new rules, new banks, payment banks and small finance banks have been established and are operational pursuant to theseprescribed guidelines, which havehas increased competition in the markets in which we operate.
In August 2016, the RBI released final guidelines for
“on-tap”
Licensing of Universal Banks in the private sector. The guidelines aim at moving from the current “stop and go” licensing approach (wherein the RBI notifies the licensing window during which a private entity may apply for a banking license) to a continuous or
“on-tap”
licensing regime. Among other things, the new guidelines specify conditions for the eligibility of promoters, corporate structure and foreign shareholdings. One of the key features of the new guidelines is that, unlike the February 2013 guidelines (mentioned above), the new guidelines make the
“Non-Operative
Financial Holding Company” structure
non-mandatory
in the case of promoters being individuals or standalone promoting/converting entities which do not have other group entities. See “Supervision and Regulation—Entry of new banks in the private sector”.
Within the public sector banking space, in August 2019, the Government implemented consolidated measures, announcing the merger of ten10 public sector banks into four bigger banks. This led to a reduction in the number of public sector banks in the country. The consolidation became effective in April 2020.
Retail Banking
In retail banking, our principal competitors are large public sector banks, which have much larger deposit bases and branch networks than ours, other new generation private sector banks, old generation private sector banks, foreign banks and NBFCs in the case of retail loan products. The retail deposit share of foreign banks is small in comparison to the public sector banks. However, some foreign banks have a significant presence among NRIs and also compete for
non-branch-based
products.
In mutual fund sales The country’s digital payments market is dominated by the Government’s United Payment Interface and other investment-relateddigital wallet platforms and online payment systems, offering contactless,
in-app
or online transactions. While the Bank’s payment app, PayZapp, is the dominant mobile app amongst banks in the wallet space, with users across bank and
non-bank
customers for payments across offline and online merchants, the Bank faces competition from fintech players in the payment sector as well as payment apps from other banks that are also offering paylater/credit options to customers in addition to ecommerce payments. In the distribution of third-party products, our principal competitors are brokers, foreign banks and other new private sector banks.
Wholesale Banking
Our principal competitors in wholesale banking are public and new private sector banks as well as foreign banks. The large public sector banks have traditionally been market leaders in commercial lending. Foreign banks have focused primarily on serving the needs of multinational companies and Indian corporations with cross-border financing requirements, including trade and transactional services and foreign exchange products and derivatives, while the large public sector banks have extensive branch networks and large local currency funding capabilities.
Treasury
InFor our treasury advisory services for corporate clients,customer business in foreign exchange and derivative products, we compete principally with private sector banks, foreign banks in foreign exchange and derivatives, as well as public sector banks and new generation private sector banks in the foreign exchange and money markets business.
non-metro
locations.
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Employees
We had 116,971141,579 employees as of March 31, 2020.2022. Most of our employees are located in India. We consider our relationship with our employees to be positive. Further to our acquisition of CBoP in 2008, several employees of CBoP continue to be part of a labor union. These employees represent less than 1 percent of our total employee strength.
Our compensation structure has fixed as well as variable pay components. Our variable pay plans are comprised of periodic performance linked pay (PLP), annual performance linked bonus and employee stock option plans.
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In addition to basic compensation, employees are eligible to participate in our provident fund and other employee benefit plans. The provident fund, to which both we and our employees contribute, is a savings scheme required by Government regulation under which the fund is required to pay to employees a minimum annual return, which is proposed to be notified at 8.5 percent for fiscal 2020.as declared by the provident fund authorities. If such return is not generated internally by the fund, we are liable for the difference. Our provident fund has generated sufficient funds internally to meet the annual return requirement since inception of the fund. We have also set up a superannuation fund to which we contribute defined amounts. Employees above certain seniority levels are given a choice to contribute to the national pension scheme. We also contribute specified amounts to a pension fund in respect of certain of our former-CBoPformer CBoP employees. In addition, we contribute specified amounts to a gratuity fund set up pursuant to Indian statutory requirements.
We focus on training ourdelivering cutting-edge learning offerings to develop the capabilities among employees on a continuous basis. We have training centers, where we conduct regular training programswhich are necessary for our employees. Managementpurpose and executive trainees generally undergo up to eight-week training modules covering most aspects of banking. We offer courses conducted by bothgrowth. Both internal and external faculty. In additionfaculty is involved in these offerings. The learning team designs the program based on the learning need analysis, and the form of delivery mode is chosen to ongoingensure learning effectiveness and an optimal learner experience. Courses are taught online through eLearning/mLearning, through live
on-the-jobinstructor-led
training, we provide employees courses in specific areasclassroom/virtual sessions, case studies, role plays, videos and activities or specialized operations on an
as-needed
basis.a combination of the foregoing.
Properties
Our registered office and corporate headquarters is located at HDFC Bank House, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 013. In addition to the corporate office, we have administrative offices in most of the metros and some other major cities in India.
As of March 31, 2020,2022, we had a network consisting of 5,416 banking outlets6,342 branches and 14,90118,130 ATMs/CDMs, including 7,8139,427 at
non-branch
locations. In addition, we had 5,379 banking outlets managed15,341 business correspondents, which were primarily manned by the CSCs. These facilities are located throughout India with the exception of three banking outlets which are located in Bahrain, Hong Kong and Dubai. We also have representative offices in the United Arab Emirates and Kenya. We set up and commenced business in an International Financial Service Centre Banking Unit at the Gujarat International Finance
Tec-City
in June 2017. This branch is treated as an overseas branch.
Intellectual Property
We utilize a number of different forms of intellectual property in our business including our HDFC Bank brand and the names of the various products we provide to our customers. We believe that we currently own, have licensed or otherwise possess the rights to use all intellectual property and other proprietary rights, including all trademarks, domain names, copyrights, patents and trade secrets used in our business.
Legal Proceedings
We are involved in a number of legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our business, including certain spurious or vexatious proceedings with significant financial claims present on the face of the complaint, but we believe that theysuch spurious or vexatious proceedings lack any merit, based on the historical dismissal of similar claims. Accordingly, we
On September 3, 2020, a securities class action lawsuit was filed against the Bank and certain of its current and former directors and officers in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The complaint was amended on February 8, 2021. The Bank, on July 23, 2021, through its legal counsel, has filed the reply memorandum of law in further support of the motion to dismiss the securities class action suit. The Bank’s motion to dismiss remains pending before the Court. Given the uncertainty inherent in these matters, and based on an assessment made after taking appropriate legal advice, at this point in time, the Bank does not believe there are currently nothat the ultimate outcome of this matter will be materially unfavorable to the Bank. See “
Risk Factors—Our business and financial results could be impacted materially by adverse results in legal proceedings which, if adversely determined, might materially affect our financial condition or the results of our operations.
”.
 
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RISK FACTORSRisk Factor Summary
You should carefully consider the following risk factors in evaluating us and our business.
1.
Economic and Political Risks
Risks Relating to Our Business
A slowdown in economic growth in India would cause us to experience slower growth in our asset portfolio and deterioration in the quality of our assets.
Our performance and the quality and growth of our assets are dependent on the health of the overall Indian economy, which is, in turn, linked to global economic conditions. While economic growth in India is generally affected by inflation, interest rates, external trade, capital flows and, given India’s dependence on imported oil for its energy needs, oil prices, the fiscal year 2021 faces a new challenge due to the spread of the
COVID-19
pandemic. A decline in global growth and volatility in global financial markets is likely to weaken the Indian financial and economic environment.
Outside India, global output is expected to contract in 2020. The IMF predicts global growth to contract by 4.9 percent in 2020 from growth of 2.9 percent in 2019, with developed economies such as the United States contracting by 8.0 percent in 2020 from positive growth of 2.3 percent in 2019. Developing economies are also expected to contract compared to a positive growth of 3.7 percent in 2019, which could have huge negative implications for emerging markets, including India, through trade channels and adverse impact on investors’ sentiment.
While negative risk sentiment has been dominant so far, some improvement in risk sentiments are starting to emerge as the pandemic reaches a peak in most economies and economic activity begins to resume. While foreign portfolio investors were a net seller in both debt and equity instruments during March to April 2020, this trend was reversed in the equity segment in May 2020. From a medium-term perspective, foreign portfolio flows in India are likely to improve from the current lows, as investors are likely to seek higher yields given the surplus global liquidity.
With respect to the spread of the pandemic, India has a relatively low number of cases per million, which may be a favorable factor in determining the speed of recovery from the current crisis. As on July 13, 2020, India had 637 cases per million compared to approximately 10,000 cases per million in the U.S. and approximately 4,265 in the U.K. In part as a result of strict government measures, the spread of the pandemic has now been slowed but there can be no assurances that the number of cases in India will remain at current levels, in particular in the event of a recurrence or “multiple waves” of the outbreak.
Moreover, the credit guarantees announced by the government in its recent stimulus package for the MSME and NBFC sectors, along with surplus liquidity in India’s economy, are likely to push credit growth.
However, the sharp deceleration in GDP is likely to rein in the demand for credit and compromise credit quality. A global recession is likely to negatively impact export growth across sectors. Banks need to navigate the terrain of enhanced risk carefully, particularly in sectors such as hospitality and civil aviation where the impact of
COVID-19
is likely to be prolonged. The rise in precautionary savings among households and the possibility of rising unemployment, which is often the corollary of a slowdown in economic growth, could reduce the demand for retail lending, particularly for larger purchases. Any prolonged slowdown may adversely impact credit growth and the level of
non-performing
and restructured loans. If the Indian economy deteriorates, our asset base may erode, which would result in a material decrease in our net profits and total assets which could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial position. See also “
The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
If we are unable to manage our rapid growth, our operations may suffer and our performance may decline.
We have grown rapidly over the last three fiscals. Our loan growth rate has been significantly higher than that of the Indian banking industry. Our loans in the three-year period ended March 31, 2019 grew at a compounded annual growth rate of 22.2 percent. The compounded annual growth for the Indian Banking Industry for the same period was approximately 7.1 percent. The growth in our business is partly attributable to the expansion of our branch network. As at March 31, 2015, we had a branch network comprised of 4,014 banking outlets, which increased to 5,416 banking outlets as at March 31, 2020. Section 23 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (the “Banking Regulation Act”) provides that banks must obtain the prior approval of the RBI to open new banking outlets. Further, the RBI may cancel a license for violations of the conditions under which it was granted. The RBI issues instructions and guidelines to banks on branch authorization from time to time. With the objective of liberalizing the branch licensing process, the RBI, effective October 2013, granted general permission to banks, including us, to open banking outlets in Tier 1 to Tier 6 centers, subject to a requirement to report to the RBI and certain other conditions. In May 2017, the RBI has further liberalized the branch authorization policy. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Regulations Relating to the Opening of Banking Outlets
”. If we are unable to perform in a manner satisfactory to the RBI in any of these centers or comply with the specified conditions, it may have an impact on the number of banking outlets we will be able to open, which would, in turn, have an impact on our future growth.
 
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In addition, our rapid growth has placed, and if it continues, will place, significant demands on our operational, credit, financial and other internal risk controls including:
recruiting, training and retaining sufficient skilled personnel;
upgrading, expanding and securing our technology platform;
developing and improving our products and delivery channels;
preserving our asset quality as our geographical presence increases and customer profile changes;
complying with regulatory requirements such as the Know Your Customer (“KYC”) norms; and
maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.
If our internal risk controls are insufficient to sustain our rapid rate of growth, if we fail to properly manage our rapid growth, or if we fail to perform adequately in any of the above areas, our operations would suffer and our business, results of operations and financial position would be materially adversely affected.
Our business is particularly vulnerable to interest rate risk, and volatility in interest rates could adversely affect our net interest margin, the value of our fixed income portfolio, our treasury income and our financial performance.
Our results of operations depend to a great extent on our net interest revenue. During fiscal 2020, net interest revenue after allowances for credit losses represented 70.6 percent of our net revenue. Changes in market interest rates affect the interest rates charged on our interest-earning assets differently from the interest rates paid on our interest-bearing liabilities and also affect the value of our investments. An increase in interest rates could result in an increase in interest expense relative to interest revenue if we are not able to increase the rates charged on our loans, which would lead to a reduction in our net interest revenue and net interest margin. Further, an increase in interest rates could negatively affect demand for our loans and credit substitutes and we may not be able to achieve our volume growth, which could adversely affect our net income. A decrease in interest rates could result in a decrease in interest revenue relative to interest expense due to the repricing of our loans at a pace faster than the rates we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities. The quantum of the changes in interest rates for our assets and liabilities may also be different.
The combination of global disinflationary pressures, better supply management of food items, including prudent food stock management, appropriate monetary policy action, fiscal consolidation and subdued global commodity prices have helped to keep domestic inflation in check in recent years, thereby causing consumer price index inflation to decrease from levels of 8.25 percent in March 2014 to 5.25 percent in March 2015 to 4.83 percent in March 2016 to 3.89 percent in March 2017. Furthermore, headline inflation remained within the RBI’s target zone during March 2018 and 2019. However, headline inflation rose to 5.8 percent in March 2020 due to food inflation caused by supply shortages.
The softening in inflation led the RBI to cut the policy repo rate by 75 basis points in fiscal 2016, by another 50 basis points in fiscal 2017 and by 25 basis points in fiscal 2018. While the repo rate was raised by 50 basis points during the first half of fiscal 2019, the policy rate was again reduced by 25 basis points in the fourth quarter, as inflation started easing. In fiscal 2020, the RBI continued to reduce the policy rate in the first half of the fiscal year to support growth. As headline inflation started picking up, the central bank paused the easing cycle after slashing the repo rate by 25 basis points in October 2019. However, due to pandemic related disruptions the repo rate was reduced by 75 basis points in March 2020 and by an additional 40 basis points in May 2020.
To make the liquidity situation more comfortable, the RBI conducted net open market operations (“OMOs”) with purchases of Rs. 1.1 trillion in fiscal 2017 and sales of Rs. 0.9 trillion in fiscal 2018. In fiscal 2019, the RBI again conducted OMO purchases of Rs.3.0 trillion. In fiscal 2020, in addition to open market operations, the RBI injected liquidity using new instruments, such as FX swap operations, long-term repo auctions (“LTROs”) and targeted long-term repo auctions (“TLROs”). To manage liquidity conditions, the RBI also simultaneously sold and purchased government securities.
In response to the declining policy rates, easing liquidity conditions, the benchmark bond yield eased during most of fiscals 2016, 2017 and 2018. However, yields in fiscal 2019 remained elevated on concerns of risks to inflation and fiscal concerns at both the center and state level. As a result of monetary easing, benchmark yield started decreasing in fiscal 2020. The RBI reduced the policy rate by 185 basis points in fiscal 2020, including an emergency rate cut of 75 basis points in February 2020. As of March 31, 2020, the repo rate stood at 4.4 percent. To address the
COVID-19
related economic disruption the RBI reduced the policy rate further by 40 basis points to 4.0 percent in May 2020. See also “
The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
 
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Furthermore, elevated precautionary savings that are typical in the wake of a major economic shock are likely to provide the banking system with low-cost deposits. An increase in risk aversion that could potentially drive investments away from alternatives such as equities could also boost deposits. In addition, the RBI is likely to continue its strategy of maintaining significant surplus liquidity in the system and is likely to cut the policy rate further. These measures will ensure
low-cost
funds for banks.
Domestically, if the fiscal deficit both federally and for states rises sharply, bond yields are likely to remain volatile and see some upward pressure. Any volatility in interest rates could thereby adversely affect our net interest margin, the value of our fixed income portfolio, our treasury income and our financial performance.
On July 27, 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority announced that it will no longer compel or persuade banks to contribute to LIBOR rate setting after 2021. Accordingly, it appears likely that LIBOR will be discontinued as early as January 1, 2022. It has become clear that various jurisdictions are working on a rate or rates as accepted alternatives to LIBOR. For example, in the United States the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a group convened by the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York has identified the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) as its preferred alternative rate for U.S. Dollar LIBOR. SOFR is a measure of the cost of borrowing cash overnight, collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities, and is based on directly observable U.S. Treasury-backed repurchase transactions. These changes will have effect on the markets for LIBOR-based financial instruments. The nature of potential changes, alternative reference rates or other reforms may adversely affect market liquidity, the pricing of LIBOR-based instruments and the availability and cost of associated hedging instruments and borrowings. Payments under contracts referencing new reference rates may differ from those referencing LIBOR. The transition may change our risk profile and require changes to risk and pricing models, valuation tools, product design and hedging strategies. Although we are unable to quantify the ultimate impact of the transition from LIBOR given the nature of the potential changes, we continue to monitor the developments related to the future of LIBOR in line with any regulatory or quasi-regulatory guidance. Moreover, the failure to manage any potential transition from LIBOR to a different reference rate, or rates, may adversely affect our reputation, business and financial condition, and results of operations. See “
Selected Statistical Information—Analysis of Changes in Interest Revenue and Interest Expense ” and “ Selected Statistical Information—Yields, Spreads and Margins
”.
Financial and political instability in other countries may cause increased volatility in the Indian financial market.
The
Our and our customers’ exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could adversely affect our operating results.
We may not adequately assess, monitor and manage risks inherent in our business, and any failure to manage risks could adversely affect our business, financial position or results of operations.
In order to support and grow our business, we must maintain a minimum capital adequacy ratio, and a lack of access to the capital markets may prevent us from maintaining an adequate ratio.
We rely on third parties, including service providers, overseas correspondent banks and other Indian marketbanks, who may not perform their obligations satisfactorily or in compliance with the law.
2.
Risks Relating to Our Business
If we are unable to manage our growth, our operations may suffer and our performance may decline.
Our success depends in large part upon our management team and skilled personnel and our ability to attract and retain such persons.
Our funding is primarily short and medium term, and if depositors do not roll over deposited funds upon maturity, our net income may decrease.
Any increase in interest rates would have an adverse effect on the value of our fixed income securities portfolio and could have a material adverse effect on our net income.
We could experience a decline in our revenue generated from activities on the equity markets if there is a prolonged or significant downturn on the Indian economy are influenced by the economicstock exchanges, and we may face difficulties in getting regulatory approvals necessary to conduct our business if we fail to meet regulatory limits on capital market conditions in other countries, particularly the emerging market countries in Asia. Financial turmoil in Asia, Russia and elsewhereexposures.
Any failure or material weakness of our internal control system could cause significant errors, which may have a materially adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial position or results of operations.
Significant fraud, system failure or calamities would disrupt our revenue-generating activities in the world in recent years has affectedshort term and could harm our reputation and adversely impact our revenue-generating capabilities.
We may not successfully implement our sustainability strategies or satisfy our ESG commitments, or our performance may not meet investor or other stakeholder expectations or standards, which could adversely impact our reputation, access to capital, business and financial condition.
We are subject to climate change-related risks, including the Indian economy. Although economic conditions are different in each country, investors’ reactionsphysical risks of severe weather and water scarcity, as well as the risks of transitioning to developments in one country cana low carbon economy, which could have adverse effects on the securities of companies in other countries, including India. A loss of investor confidence in the financial systems of other markets may cause increased volatility in the Indian financial market and, more generally, in the Indian economy. Any financial instability or disruptions could also have a significant negative impact on the Indian economyour industry, business and could harm the Bank’s business, its future financial performance and the pricesresults of its equity shares and ADSs.operations.
The global credit
Negative publicity could damage our reputation and equity markets have experienced substantial dislocations, liquidity disruptions and market corrections in recent years. In particular,
sub-prime
mortgage loans in the United States have experienced increased rates of delinquency, foreclosure and loss. The recent history of financial crises, which have affected both emerging and developed economies, has given rise to heightened liquidity and credit concerns and caused an increase in volatility in the global creditadversely impact our business and financial markets. Developmentsresults.
Many of our branches have been recently added to our branch network and are not operating with the same efficiency as compared to the rest of our existing branches, which adversely affects our profitability.
Deficiencies in accuracy and completeness of information about customers and counterparties may adversely impact us.
We present our financial information differently in other markets or in certain reporting contexts.
Statistical, industry and financial data obtained from industry publications and other third-party sources may be incomplete or unreliable.
We may be unable to fully capture the Eurozone have further exacerbated concerns relating to liquidityexpected value from acquisitions, which could materially and volatility in global capital markets.adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Developments in the Eurozone during the past couple of years have exacerbated concerns in the financial markets. Large budget deficits and rising public debts have triggered sovereign debt crisis in multiple European countries that resulted in the bailout of certain economies and increased the risk of government debt defaults, forcing governments to undertake aggressive budget cuts and austerity measures. On the back of this crises, the U.K. voted to leave the European Union in 2016 under the withdrawal agreement between the U.K. and the EU (“Brexit”), , prompting a plunge in the pound sterling and a credit rating downgrade. The outcome of the U.K. referendum created fear of potential further exits from the European Economic and Monetary Union. While some of these apprehensions were alleviated by favorable outcomes of subsequent Dutch and French elections, election results in Germany, Italy (where
anti-EU
parties gained support), the rise of separatists in Spain remain and the recently concluded European Union elections show that these fears still persist.
 
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3.
Credit Risks
On January 31, 2020, the U.K. withdrew from the EU under the leadership of a new Prime Minister. The withdrawal agreement provides for a transition period during which the rules and regulations of the EU continue to apply to the U.K. until December 31, 2020. If the transition period ends without the U.K. and the EU agreeing upon the terms of their relationship, such as a free trade arrangement, tariffs and other trade restrictions may come into force immediately. Even if the United Kingdom agreed the terms of its departure from the EU, negotiations on the terms and conditions are expected to continue during the transition period, which ends on December 31, 2020. Nevertheless, the uncertainty regarding the terms and conditions of, among others, a new trade agreement, law enforcement and access to fishing waters, the perception of the economic impact and the possibility of a departure without a deal could adversely affect the commercial activity and the economic conditions of the United Kingdom and the EU, challenging finance and foreign exchange global markets.
In addition, the sovereign ratings of various European Union countries have been downgraded since 2012. Financial markets and the supply of credit could continue to be negatively impacted by ongoing concerns surrounding the sovereign debts and fiscal deficits of European countries, the possibility of further downgrades of, or defaults on, sovereign debt, concerns regarding a sharper slowdown in Eurozone than was earlier anticipated, as well as uncertainties regarding the stability and overall standing of the European Monetary Union. These and other related events have had a significant impact on the global credit and financial markets as a whole, including reduced liquidity, greater volatility, the widening of credit spreads and a lack of price transparency.
In response to such developments, legislators and financial regulators in the United States, Europe and other jurisdictions, including India, have implemented several policy measures designed to add stability to the financial markets. However, the overall impact of these and other legislative and regulatory efforts on the global financial markets is uncertain, and they may not have the intended stabilizing effects. In the event that the current adverse conditions in the global credit markets continue or if there is any significant financial disruption, this could cause increased volatility in the Indian financial market and have an adverse effect on our business, future financial performance and the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs.
Furthermore, the
COVID-19
pandemic has caused significant disruption in the global financial markets. See also “The
COVID-19
pandemic may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation”.
If the level of
non-performing
loans in our portfolio increases, we will be required to increase our provisions, which would negatively impact our income.
Our gross
non-performing
loans and
non-performing
credit substitutes represented 1.43 percent of our gross customer assets as of March 31, 2020. Our
non-performing
loans and
non-performing
credit substitutes net of specific provisions represented 0.52 percent of our net customer assets portfolio as of March 31, 2020. Our management of credit risk involves having appropriate credit policies, underwriting standards, approval processes, loan portfolio monitoring, remedial management and the overall architecture for managing credit risk. In the case of our secured loan portfolio, the frequency of the valuation of collateral may vary based on the nature of the loan and the type of collateral. A decline in the value of collateral or an inappropriate collateral valuation increases the risk in the secured loan portfolio because of inadequate coverage of collateral. As of March 31, 2020, 66.2 percent of our loan book was partially or fully secured by collateral. Our risk mitigation and risk monitoring techniques may not be accurate or appropriately implemented and we may not be able to anticipate future economic and financial events, leading to an increase in our
non-performing
loans. See “
Note 9—Loans”
in our consolidated financial statements.
Provisions are created by a charge to expense, and represent our estimate for loan losses and risks inherent in the credit portfolio. See “
Selected Statistical
Information—Non-performing
Loans
”. The determination of an appropriate level of loan losses and provisions required inherently involves a degree of subjectivity and requires that we make estimates of current credit risks and future trends, all of which may undergo material changes. Our provisions may not be adequate to cover any further increase in the amount of
non-performing
loans or any further deterioration in our
non-performing
loan portfolio. Further, as part of its supervision process, the RBI assesses our asset classification and provisioning requirements. In the event that additional provisioning is required by the RBI, our net income, balance sheet and capital adequacy could be affected, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, future financial performance, shareholders’ equity and the price of our equity shares. If we are not able to continue to reduce our existing
non-performing
loans, or if there is a significant increase in the amount of new loans classified as
non-performing
loans as a result of a change in the methodology of
non-performing
loans classification mandated by the RBI or otherwise, our asset quality may deteriorate, our provisioning for probable losses may increase and our business, future financial performance and the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs could be adversely affected. In addition, we are a relatively young bank operating in a growing economy and we have yet not experienced a significant and prolonged downturn in the economy.
 
33

A number of factors outside of our control affect our ability to control and reduce
non-performing
loans. These factors include developments in the Indian economy, domestic or global turmoil, global competition, changes in interest rates and exchange rates and changes in regulations, including with respect to regulations requiring us to lend to certain sectors identified by the RBI or the Government of India. For example, recently, certain state governments have announced waiver of amounts due under agricultural loans provided by the banks. Demands for similar waivers have been raised by farmers in other states as well. Also, in the past, the central and state governments have waived farm loans from time to time to provide some respite to the debt-ridden agricultural sector. It is unclear when the governments will compensate the banks for the waivers so announced. Further, such frequent farm waivers may create expectations of future waivers among the farmers and lead to a delay in or cessation of loan repayments, which may lead to a rise in our
non-performing
loans. These factors, coupled with other factors such as volatility in commodity markets, declining business and consumer confidence and decreases in business and consumer spending, could impact the operations of our customers and in turn impact their ability to fulfill their obligations under the loans granted to them by us. In addition, the expansion of our business may cause our
non-performing
loans to increase and the overall quality of our loan portfolio to deteriorate. If our
non-performing
loans increase, we will be required to increase our provisions, which would result in our net income being less than it otherwise would have been and would adversely affect our financial condition.
We have high concentrations of exposures to certain customers and sectors, and if any of these exposures were to become
non-performing,
the quality of our portfolio could be adversely affected and our ability to meet capital requirements could be jeopardized.
As of March 31, 2020, our largest single customer exposure, based on the higher of the outstanding balances of, or limit on, funded and non-funded exposures, calculated based on our Indian GAAP financial statements, was Rs. 244.6 billion, representing 13.3 percent of our capital funds which comprised of Tier I and Tier II capital. Similarly our 10 largest customer exposures totaled Rs. 1,264.8 billion, representing 68.6 percent of our capital funds. None of our 10 largest customer exposures was classified as
non-performing
as of March 31, 2020. However, if any of our 10 largest customer exposures were to become
non-performing,
our net income would decline and, due to the magnitude of the exposures, our ability to meet capital requirements could be jeopardized. See “
Management
s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
” for a detailed discussion on customer exposures. The RBI released guidelines on the LEF in December 2016 and April 2019, and further revised these guidelines by its circulars dated June 2019 and September 2019. The guidelines govern exposure of banks to a single counterparty and a group of connected counterparties. Under this framework, the sum of all the exposure values of a bank to a single counterparty must not be higher than 20 percent of the bank’s available eligible capital base at all times and the sum of all the exposure values of a bank to a group of connected counterparties (as defined in the guidelines) must not be higher than 25 percent of the bank’s available eligible capital base at all times. The eligible capital base for this purpose is the effective amount of Tier I capital fulfilling the criteria mentioned in the Basel III guidelines issued by RBI as per the last audited balance sheet. Most of the guidelines under this framework have been implemented with effect from April 1, 2019 and the extant exposure norms applicable for credit exposure to individual borrowers or to groups of companies under the same management control will no longer be applicable from that date. As of March 31, 2020, there were no exposures which exceeded the ceiling permitted under the LEF guidelines.
As a result of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI in its circular dated May 23, 2020, increased the permitted exposure of a bank to a group of connected counterparties from 25 percent to 30 percent of the eligible capital base of a bank. The increased limit will apply to June 30, 2021. See also “
The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
Further, in June 2019, the RBI issued the Reserve Bank of India (Prudential Framework for Resolution of Stressed Assets) Directions, 2019. These directions replace the framework for resolution of stressed assets (including the framework for revitalizing distressed assets, joint lenders forum mechanism, strategic debt restructuring, and the scheme of sustainable structuring of stressed assets). In accordance with the circular, lenders must recognize developing stress in loan accounts, immediately on default. Lenders must put in place policies approved by their board of directors for the resolution of stressed assets, including the timelines for such resolution and they are expected to initiate implementation of the resolution plan even before default occurs. If a default occurs, however, lenders have a review period of 30 days within which their resolution strategy is to be decided. The directions provide the timelines within which the banks are required to implement the resolution plan, depending on the aggregate exposure of the borrower to the lender. For large accounts with the aggregate exposure of the lenders being Rs. 20 billion or more, the RBI has specified that the resolution plan must be implemented within 180 days from the end of the review period. If there is a delayed implementation of the resolution plan, lenders are required to make an additional provision of 20 percent of the total amount outstanding in addition to the provisions already held and provisions required to be made as per asset classification status of the borrower’s account, subject to a total provisioning of 100 percent of the total amount outstanding. Lenders are required to make appropriate disclosures of resolution plans implemented in their financial statements under “Notes on Accounts”.
 
34

As a result of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI in its circulars dated April 17, 2020 and May 23, 2020 temporarily relaxed the review period, as well as the timeline for the resolution of distressed assets for lenders. With respect to accounts which fell within the review period as of March 1, 2020, the period from March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020 will be excluded from the calculation of the
30-day
review period. With respect to all such accounts, the residual review period will resume from September 1, 2020, upon expiry of which the lenders will have the usual 180 days for resolution. Further, with respect to the accounts where the review period was complete, but the
180-day
resolution period had not expired by March 1, 2020, the timeline for resolution will be extended by 180 days from the date on which the
180-day
period was originally set to expire. Consequently, the requirement to make an additional provision of 20 percent for delays in implementing the resolution plan will only be triggered once the extended resolution period expires. See also “
The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
As of March 31, 2020, our largest industry concentrations, based on RBI guidelines, were as follows: retail trade (4.4 percent), power (4.3 percent), consumer services (3.3 percent) and NBFC (3.3 percent). In addition, as of March 31, 2020, 24.7 percent of our exposures were consumer loans. Industry-specific difficulties in these or other sectors may increase our level of
non-performing
customer assets. If we experience a downturn in an industry in which we have concentrated exposure, our net income will likely decline significantly and our financial condition may be materially adversely affected. As of March 31, 2020, our
non-performing
loans and credit substitutes as a percentage of total
non-performing
customer assets in accordance with U.S.GAAP were concentrated in the following industries: agriculture production-food (14.3 percent), road transportation (8.3 percent), retail trade (5.6 percent) and food and beverage (5.2 percent). In addition, 13.8 percent of our
non-performing
customer assets were consumer loans.
We are required to undertake directed lending under RBI guidelines. Consequently, we may experience a higher level of
non-performing
loans in our directed lending portfolio, which could adversely impact the quality of our loan portfolio, our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs. Further, in the case of any shortfall in complying with these requirements, we may be required to invest in deposits of Indian development banks as directed by the RBI. These deposits yield low returns, thereby impacting our profitability.
The RBI prescribes guidelines on PSL in India. Under these guidelines, banks in India are required to lend 40.0 percent of their adjusted net bank credit (“ANBC”) or the credit equivalent amount of
off-balance
sheet exposures (“CEOBE”), whichever is higher, as defined by the RBI and computed in accordance with Indian GAAP figures, to certain eligible sectors categorized as priority sectors. The RBI has issued revised priority sector lending norms applicable from fiscal 2016 onwards. The priority sector requirements must be met as of March 31 of each year with reference to the higher of the ANBC and the CEOBE as of the corresponding date of the preceding year. From fiscal 2017, PSL achievement is required to be evaluated at the end of the fiscal based on the average of priority sector
target/sub-target
achievement as at the end of each quarter of that fiscal. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Directed Lending
”. Under the guidelines, scheduled commercial banks having any shortfall in lending to the priority sector shall be allocated amounts for contribution to the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (“RIDF”) established with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (“NABARD”) and other Funds with NABARD, National Housing Bank (“NHB”), Small Industries Development Bank of India (“SIDBI”) or Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Limited (“MUDRA”), as decided by the RBI from time to time. The interest rates on such deposits may be lower than the interest rates which the Bank would have obtained by investing these funds at its discretion.
Further, the RBI has directed banks to maintain direct lending to
non-corporate
farmers at the banking system’s average level for the last three years, which would be notified by the RBI at the beginning of each year. The target for fiscal 2020 was 12.11 percent. Failure to maintain these lending levels to
non-corporate
farmers will attract penalties. The RBI has also directed banks to continue to pursue the target of 13.5 percent of ANBC towards lending to borrowers who constituted the direct agriculture lending category under the earlier guidelines. If we fail to adhere to the RBI’s policies and directions, we may be subject to penalties, which may adversely affect our results of operations. Furthermore, the RBI can make changes to the types of loans that qualify under the PSL scheme. Changes that reduce the types of loans that can qualify toward meeting our PSL targets could increase shortfalls under the overall target or under certain
sub-targets.
Our total PSL achievement for fiscal 2020 stood at 40.27 percent and our achievement of direct lending to
non-corporate
farmers stood at 13.56 percent for fiscal 2020 as against a requirement of 40 percent and 12.11 percent, respectively. In fiscal 2020 agricultural loans made to small and marginal farmers were at 7.84 percent of ANBC, against the requirement of 8.0 percent with a shortfall of Rs. 12.20 billion. Advances to sections termed “weaker” by the RBI were 10.44 percent against the requirement of 10.0 percent. Our achievement stood at 13.87 percent compared to a target of 13.5 percent of ANBC towards lending to borrowers, who constituted the direct agriculture lending category under the earlier guidelines.
We may experience a higher level of
non-performing
assets in our directed lending portfolio, particularly in loans to the agricultural sector, small enterprises and weaker sections, where we are less able to control the portfolio quality and where economic difficulties are likely to affect our borrowers more severely. Our gross
non-performing
assets in the directed lending sector as a percentage to gross loans were 0.5 percent as of March 31, 2020 (0.6 percent as of March 31, 2019). Further expansion of the PSL scheme could result in an increase of
non-performing
assets due to our limited ability to control the portfolio quality under the directed lending requirements.
 
35

In addition to the PSL requirements, the RBI has encouraged banks in India to have a financial inclusion plan for expanding banking services to rural and unbanked centers and to customers who currently do not have access to banking services. The expansion into these markets involves significant investments and recurring costs. The profitability of these operations depends on our ability to generate business volumes in these centers and from these customers. Future changes by the RBI in the directed lending norms may result in our inability to meet the PSL requirements as well as require us to increase our lending to relatively more risky segments and may result in an increase in
non-performing
loans.
We may be unable to foreclose on collateral in a timely fashion or at all when borrowers default on their obligations to us, or the value of collateral may decrease, any of which may result in failure to recover the expected value of collateral security, increased losses and a decline in net income.
Although we typically lend on a cash-flow basis, many of our loans are secured by collateral, which consists of liens on inventory, receivables and other current assets, and in some cases, charges on fixed assets, such as property, movable assets (such as vehicles) and financial assets (such as marketable securities). As of March 31, 2020, 66.2 percent of our loans were partially or fully secured by collateral. We may not be able to realize the full value of the collateral, due to, among other things, stock market volatility, changes in economic policies of the Indian government, obstacles and delays in legal proceedings, borrowers and guarantors not being traceable, our records of borrowers’ and guarantors, addresses being ambiguous or outdated and defects in the perfection of collateral and fraudulent transfers by borrowers. In the event that a specialized regulatory agency gains jurisdiction over the borrower, creditor actions can be further delayed. In addition, the value of collateral may be less than we expect or may decline. For example, the global economic slowdown and other domestic factors had led to a downturn in real estate prices in India, which negatively impacted the value of our collateral.
The RBI has introduced various mechanisms, from time to time, to enable the lenders to timely resolve and initiate recovery with regards to stressed assets. In June 2019, the RBI issued the Reserve Bank of India (Prudential Framework for Resolution of Stressed Assets) Directions, 2019, which replaced the framework for the resolution of stressed assets (including the framework for revitalizing distressed assets, joint lenders forum mechanism, strategic debt restructuring, and the scheme of sustainable structuring of stressed assets). See “Supervision and Regulations – Resolution of Stressed Assets ”.
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code was introduced in December 1, 2016, with the aim to provide for the efficient and timely resolution of insolvency of all persons, including companies, partnership firms, limited liability partnerships and individuals. For further details, see
Supervision and Regulation—The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016
.
However, given the limited experience of this framework, there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully implement the above-mentioned mechanisms and recover the amounts due to us in full. Furthermore, as a part of the relief measures introduced as a result of the of
COVID-19
pandemic, the Government has proposed suspending the initiation of new insolvency proceedings for a period of six months from March 25, 2020. The inability to foreclose on such loans due or otherwise liquidate our collateral may result in failure to recover the expected value of such collateral security, which may, in turn, give rise to increased losses and a decline in net income. See also “
The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
Our unsecured loan portfolio is not supported by any collateral that could help ensure repayment of the loan, and in the event of
non-payment
by a borrower of one of these loans, we may be unable to collect the unpaid balance.
We offer unsecured personal loans and credit cards to the retail customer segment, including salaried individuals and self-employed professionals. In addition, we offer unsecured loans to small businesses and individual businessmen. Unsecured loans are a greater credit risk for us than our secured loan portfolio because they may not be supported by realizable collateral that could help ensure an adequate source of repayment for the loan. Although we normally obtain direct debit instructions or postdated checks from our customers for our unsecured loan products, we may be unable to collect in part or at all in the event of
non-payment
by a borrower. Further, any expansion in our unsecured loan portfolio could require us to increase our provision for credit losses, which would decrease our earnings. Also see “
Business—Retail Banking—Retail Loans and Other Asset Products
”.
Our and our customers’ exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could adversely affect our operating results.
Foreign currency exchange rates depend on various factors and can be volatile and difficult to predict. We enter into derivative contracts with our borrowers to manage their foreign currency exchange risk exposure. Volatility in these exchange rates may lead to losses in derivative transactions for our borrowers. On maturity or on premature termination of the derivative contracts and under certain circumstances, we may have to bear these losses. The use of derivative financial instruments may also generate obligations for us to make additional cash payments, which would negatively affect our liquidity. Any losses suffered by our customers as a result of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.
 
36

Table of Contents
4.
Risks Relating to Our Industry
We may not adequately assess, monitor and manage risks inherent in our business, and any failure to manage risks could adversely affect our business, financial position or results of operations.
We are exposed to a variety of risks, including liquidity risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, operational risk (including fraud) and legal risk (including actions taken by our own employees). The effectiveness of our risk management is limited by the quality and timeliness of available data and other factors outside of our control.
For example, our hedging strategies and other risk management techniques may not be fully effective in mitigating risks in all market environments or against all types of risk, including risks that are unidentified or unanticipated. Some methods of managing risks are based upon observed historical market behavior. As a result, these methods may not predict future risk exposures, which could be greater than the historical measures indicated. Other risk management methods depend upon an evaluation of information regarding markets, customers or other matters. This information may not in all cases be accurate, complete,
up-to-date
or properly evaluated. As part of our ordinary decision-making process, we rely on various models for risk and data analysis. These models are based on historical data and supplemented with managerial input and comments. There are no assurances that these models and the data they analyze are accurate or adequate to guide our strategic and operational decisions and protect us from risks. Any deficiencies or inaccuracies in the models or the data might have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operation.
Additionally, management of operational, legal or regulatory risk requires, among other things, policies and procedures to ensure certain prohibited actions are not taken and to properly record and verify a number of transactions and events. Although we believe we have established such policies and procedures, they may not be fully effective and we cannot guarantee that our employees will follow these policies and procedures in all circumstances. Unexpected shortcomings in these policies and procedures or a failure to follow them may have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.
Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to respond to new technological advances and emerging banking and finance industry standards and practices on a cost-effective and timely basis. The development and implementation of such technology entails significant technical and business risks. There can be no assurance that we will successfully implement new technologies or adapt its transaction-processing systems to customer requirements or emerging market standards. Failure to properly monitor, assess and manage risks, could lead to losses which may have an adverse effect on our future business, financial position or results of operations.
In order to support and grow our business, we must maintain a minimum capital adequacy ratio, and a lack of access to the capital markets may prevent us from maintaining an adequate ratio.
As of March 31, 2020, the RBI requires a minimum capital adequacy ratio of 11.075 percent (including capital conservation buffer) of our total risk-weighted assets. We adopted the Basel III capital regulations effective April 1, 2013. Our capital adequacy ratio, calculated in accordance with Indian GAAP, was 18.52 percent as of March 31, 2020. Our
CET-I
ratio was 16.43 percent as of March 31, 2020. Our ability to support and grow our business would be limited by a declining capital adequacy ratio. While we anticipate accessing the capital markets to offset declines in our capital adequacy ratio, we may be unable to access the markets at the appropriate time or the terms of any such financing may be unattractive due to various reasons attributable to changes in the general environment, including political, legal and economic conditions.
37

The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision issued a comprehensive reform package entitled “Basel III: A global regulatory framework for more resilient banks and banking systems” in December 2010. In May 2012, the RBI released guidelines on implementation of the Basel III capital regulations in India and in July 2015, the RBI issued a master circular consolidating all relevant guidelines on Basel III, and time to time amendments. The key items covered under these guidelines include: (i) improving the quality, consistency and transparency of the capital base; (ii) enhancing risk coverage; (iii) grading the enhancement of the total capital requirement; (iv) introducing a capital conservation buffer and countercyclical buffer; and (v) supplementing the risk-based capital requirement with a leverage ratio. One of the major changes in the Basel III capital regulations is that the Tier I capital will predominantly consist of common equity of the banks, which includes common shares, reserves and stock surplus. Innovative instruments and perpetual
non-cumulative
preference shares will not be considered a part of
CET-I
capital. Basel III also defines criteria for instruments to be included in Tier II capital to improve their loss absorbency. The guidelines also set out criteria for loss absorption through the conversion or
write-off
of all
non-common
equity regulatory capital instruments at the point of
non-viability.
The point of
non-viability
is defined as a trigger event upon the occurrence of which
non-common
equity Tier I and Tier II instruments issued by banks in India may be required to be, at the option of the RBI, written off or converted into common equity. Additionally, the guidelines have set out criteria for loss absorption through the conversion or
write-off
of Additional Tier I capital instruments at a
pre-specified
trigger level. The RBI by way of its circular dated March 27, 2020 has deferred the implementation of the last tranche of the capital conservation buffer from March 31, 2020 to September 30, 2020. Consequently, for Additional Tier I instruments issued before September 30, 2020, i.e., before the full implementation of Basel III there would be two
pre-specified
triggers. A lower
pre-specified
trigger at
CET-I
of 5.5 percent of risk weighted assets (“RWAs”) will apply and remain effective before September 30, 2020; from this date the trigger will be raised at
CET-I
of 6.125 percent of RWAs for all such instruments. Additional Tier I instruments issued on or after September 30, 2020 will have only one
pre-specified
trigger at
CET-I
of 6.125 percent of RWAs. The capital requirement, including the capital conservation buffer, will be 11.5 percent (excluding additional
CET-I
capital required to be maintained by
D-SIB),
and 11.7 percent (if calculated including additional
CET-I
capital requirement of 0.2 percent required to be maintained by
D-SIB)
once these guidelines are fully phased in. Domestic systemically important banks
(“D-SIB”)
are required to maintain additional
CET-I
capital requirement ranging from 0.2 percent to 0.8 percent of risk weighted assets. We were classified as a
D-SIB
from April 1, 2018 onwards and were required to maintain additional
CET-I
of 0.2 percent with effect from April 1, 2019. See “Supervision and Regulation—Domestic Systemically Important Banks”. Banks will also be required to have an additional capital requirement towards countercyclical capital buffer varying between 0 percent and 2.5 percent of the risk weighted assets as and when announced by the RBI. In its first
bi-monthly
monetary policy statement for fiscal 2017, the RBI stated that, following the review and empirical testing of countercyclical capital buffer indicators, it was not necessary to activate the countercyclical capital buffer regime at that point in time. The RBI has reiterated this by its notification dated April 1, 2020 and stated that it is not necessary to activate countercyclical capital buffer for a period of one year or earlier, as may be necessary. Additionally, the Basel III LCR, which is a measure of the Bank’s high-quality liquid assets compared to its anticipated cash outflows over a
30-day
stressed period, began applying in a phased manner that started with a minimum requirement of 60 percent from January 1, 2015 and reached a minimum of 100 percent on January 1, 2019. However, in view of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI pursuant to its circular dated April 17, 2020 has reduced the LCR requirement from 100 percent to 80 percent for the period from April 17, 2020 to September 30, 2020. The reduced LCR requirement is to be increased in two phases; first to 90 percent on October 1, 2020 and second to 100 percent from April 1, 2021 onwards. See “The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation.” These various requirements including requirements to increase capital to meet increasing capital adequacy ratios could require us to forego certain business opportunities. Since, we have been classified as a
D-SIB,
pursuant to a circular issued by the RBI dated June 2019, under Basel III, , we are required to maintain a minimum leverage ratio of 4 percent as compared to 3.5 percent required to be maintained by other scheduled commercial banks, with effect from October 1, 2019.
We believe that the demand for Basel
III-compliant
debt instruments, such as Tier II capital eligible securities, may be limited in India. In the past, the RBI has reviewed and made amendments in its guidelines on Basel III capital regulations with a view to facilitating the issuance of
non-equity
regulatory capital instruments by banks under the Basel III framework. It is unclear what effect, if any, these amendments may have on the issuance of Basel
III-compliant
securities or if there will be sufficient demand for such securities. It is also possible that the RBI could further amend the eligibility criteria of such instruments in the future if the objectives identified by the RBI are not met, which would create additional uncertainty regarding the market for Basel
III-compliant
securities in India.
If we are unable to meet the new and revised requirements, including both requirements applicable to banks generally and requirements imposed on us as a
D-SIB,
our business, future financial performance and the price of our ADSs and equity shares could be adversely affected.
We rely on third parties, including service providers, overseas correspondent banks and other Indian banks, who may not perform their obligations satisfactorily or in compliance with law.
Our business leads us to rely on different types of third parties, which exposes us to risks. For example, we enter into outsourcing arrangements with third party vendors, in compliance with the RBI guidelines on outsourcing. These vendors provide services which include, among others, cash management services, software services, client sourcing, debt recovery services and call center services. However, we cannot guarantee that there will be no disruptions in the provision of such services or that these third parties will adhere to their contractual obligations. Additionally, we also rely on our overseas correspondent banks to facilitate international transactions, and the Indian banking industry as a whole is interdependent in facilitating domestic transactions. There is no assurance that our overseas correspondent banks or our domestic banking partners will not fail or face financial problems (such as financial problems arising out of or in relation to frauds uncovered in early 2018 at one of India’s public sector banks). If there is a disruption in the third-party services, or if the third-party service providers discontinue their service agreement with us, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected. In case of any dispute with any of the foregoing parties, we cannot assure you that the terms of our arrangements with such parties will not be breached, which may result in costs such as litigation costs or the costs of entering into agreements with third parties in the same industry, and such costs may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. We may also suffer from reputational and legal risks if one of these third parties acts unethically or unlawfully, and if any Bank in India, especially a private Bank, or any of our key overseas correspondent banks were to fail, this could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, growth prospects or the price of our equity shares.
38

HDFC Limited holds a significant percentage of our share capital and can exercise influence over board decisions that could directly or indirectly favor the interests of HDFC Limited over our interests.
HDFC Group owned 21.24 percent of our equity as of March 31, 2020. So long as HDFC Group holds at least a 20 percent equity stake in us, HDFC Limited is entitled to nominate two directors, our Chairperson and Managing Director, to our Board of Directors. These two directors are not required to retire by rotation and their appointments are subject to RBI approval. Shyamala Gopinath has been reappointed as part-time
Non-Executive
Chairperson for three years with effect from January 2, 2018. Renu Karnard, the Managing Director of HDFC Limited is a member of our Board of Directors. While we are professionally managed and overseen by an independent board of directors, HDFC Limited can exercise influence over our board and over matters subject to a shareholder vote, which could result in decisions that favor HDFC Limited or result in us foregoing opportunities to the benefit of HDFC Limited. Such decisions may restrict our growth or harm our financial condition.
In the past, there have been reports in the Indian media suggesting that we may merge with financial institutions, including HDFC Limited. We consider business combination opportunities as they arise. At present, we are not actively considering a business combination with any financial institution. Any significant business combination would involve compliance with regulatory requirements and shareholder and regulatory approvals.
Additionally, on July 15, 2014, the RBI issued guidelines in relation to the issuance of long-term bonds with a view to encouraging financing of infrastructure and affordable housing. Regulatory incentives in the form of an exemption from the reserve requirements and a relaxation in PSL norms are stipulated as being restricted to bonds that are used to incrementally finance long-term infrastructure projects and loans for affordable housing. Any incremental infrastructure or affordable housing loans acquired from other financial institutions, such as those that could be involved in a business combination with HDFC Limited, to be reckoned for regulatory incentives will require the prior approval of the RBI. We cannot predict the impact any potential business combination would have on our business, financial condition, growth prospects or the prices of our equity shares.
We may face conflicts of interest relating to our promoter and principal shareholder, HDFC Limited, which could cause us to forego business opportunities and consequently have an adverse effect on our financial performance.
HDFC Limited is primarily engaged in financial services, including home loans, property-related lending and deposit products. The subsidiaries and associated companies of HDFC Limited are also largely engaged in a range of financial services, including asset management, life and other insurance and mutual funds. Although we have no agreements with HDFC Limited or any other HDFC Group companies that restrict us from offering products and services that are offered by them, our relationship with these companies may cause us not to offer products and services that are already offered by other HDFC Group companies and may effectively prevent us from taking advantage of business opportunities. See Note 28 “
Related Party Transactions
” in our consolidated financial statements for a summary of transactions we have engaged in with HDFC Limited during fiscal 2020. We currently distribute products of HDFC Limited and its group companies. If we stop distributing these products or forego other opportunities because of our relationship with HDFC Limited, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance.
HDFC Limited may prevent us from using the HDFC Bank brand if they reduce their shareholding in us to below 5 percent.
As part of a shareholder agreement executed when HDFC Bank was formed, HDFC Limited has the right to prevent us from using “HDFC” as part of our name or brand if HDFC Limited reduces its shareholding in HDFC Bank to an amount below 5 percent of our outstanding share capital. If HDFC Limited were to exercise this right, we would be required to change our name and brand, which could require us to expend significant resources to establish new branding and name recognition in the market as well as undertake efforts to rebrand our banking outlets and our digital presence. This could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance.
RBI guidelines relating to ownership in private banks could discourage or prevent a change of control or other business combination involving us, such as with HDFC Limited, which could restrict the growth of our business and operations.
RBI guidelines prescribe a policy framework for the ownership and governance of private sector banks. Under Section 12 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, as amended, effective from January 18, 2013 through the Banking Laws Amendment Act, 2012, no person holding shares in a financial institution shall, in respect of any shares held by such person, exercise voting rights in excess of 10 percent of the total voting rights of all the shareholders of such financial institution, provided that the RBI may increase, in a phased manner, such ceiling on voting rights from 10 to 26 percent. The notification dated July 21, 2016 issued by RBI and published in the Gazette of India dated September 17, 2016 states that the current ceiling voting rights is at 26 percent. These guidelines prescribe requirements regarding shareholding and voting rights in relation to all private sector banks licensed by the RBI to operate in India. The guidelines specify the following ownership limits for shareholders based on their categorization:
 
(i)
In the case of individuals and
non-financial
entities (other than promoters/a promoter group), 10 percent of the
paid-up
capital. However, in the case of promoters being individuals and
non-financial
entities in existing banks, the permitted promoter/promoter group shareholding shall be as prescribed under the February 2013 guidelines,
i.e.,
15 percent.
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(ii)
In the case of entities from the financial sector, other than regulated or diversified or listed, 15 percent of the
paid-up
capital.
(iii)
In the case of “regulated, well diversified, listed entities from the financial sector” shareholding by supranational institutions, public sector undertaking or governments, up to 40 percent of the
paid-up
capital is permitted for both promoters/a promoter group and
non-promoters.
The RBI may permit an increase of its stake beyond the limits mentioned above on a
case-to-case
basis under circumstances such as relinquishment by existing promoters, rehabilitation, restructuring of problems, weak banks, entrenchment of existing promoters or in the interest of the bank or in the interest of consolidation in the banking sector.
Such restrictions could discourage or prevent a change in control, merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination involving us, which might be beneficial to our shareholders. The RBI’s approval is required for the acquisition or transfer of a bank’s shares, which will increase the aggregate holding (direct and indirect, beneficial or otherwise) of an individual or a group to the equivalent of 5 percent or more of its total
paid-up
capital. The RBI, when considering whether to grant an approval, may take into account all matters that it considers relevant to the application, including ensuring that shareholders whose aggregate holdings are above specified thresholds meet fitness and propriety tests, as prescribed by the RBI. The RBI has accorded its approval for HDFC Limited to hold more than 10 percent of our stock. HDFC Limited’s substantial stake in us could discourage or prevent another entity from exploring the possibility of a combination with us. These obstacles to potentially synergistic business combinations could negatively impact our share price and have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete effectively with other large banks and consequently our ability to maintain and improve our financial condition.
Additionally, under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (the “SEBI Listing Regulations”), all related party transactions will require approval from the audit committee. Further, all material related party transactions (based on the threshold provided under the SEBI Listing Regulations) will require shareholders’ approval. Further, pursuant to the SEBI Listing Regulations, no related party shall vote to approve such transactions. For transactions with HDFC Limited, shareholder approvals have been obtained for fiscal 2020. However, if we are unable to obtain the necessary shareholder approvals for transactions with HDFC Limited in the future, we would be required to forego certain opportunities, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance.
Foreign investment in our shares may be restricted due to regulations governing aggregate foreign investment in the Bank’s
paid-up
equity share capital.
Aggregate
Further competition and the development of advanced payment systems by our competitors would adversely impact our cash float and decrease fees we receive in connection with cash management services.
Our business is highly competitive, which makes it challenging for us to offer competitive prices to retain existing customers and solicit new business, and our strategy depends on our ability to compete effectively.
We may face increased competition as a result of revised guidelines that relax restrictions on foreign investment from all sourcesownership and participation in athe Indian banking industry, and the entry of new banks in the private sector, bank is permitted upwhich could cause us to 49 percent oflose existing business or be unable to compete effectively for new business.
If the
paid-up
capital under the automatic route. This limit can goodwill recorded in connection with our acquisitions becomes impaired, we may be increasedrequired to 74 percent of therecord impairment charges, which would decrease our net income and total assets.
paid-up
capital
5.
Risks Relating to Our Ownership Structure and the Proposed Transaction
The Scheme with prior approval from the Government of India. Pursuant to a letter dated February 4, 2015, the Foreign Investment Promotion Board has approved foreign investment in the Bank up to 74 percent of its
paid-up
capital. The approvalHDFC Limited is subject to examination bya number of conditions, some of which are outside of the RBI for compounding onparties’ control, and, if these conditions are not satisfied, the changeScheme may be terminated and the Proposed Transaction may not be completed.
Uncertainty about the Proposed Transaction may adversely affect the relationships of foreign shareholding since April 2010. If the Bankparties with their respective investors, customers, business partners and employees, whether or not the Proposed Transaction is subjectcompleted.
The Scheme with HDFC Limited may be more difficult, costly or time-consuming than expected, and implementation may fail to any penaltiesrealize the anticipated benefits of the merger and will expose us to incremental regulatory requirements.
HDFC Limited holds a significant percentage of our share capital and can exercise influence over board decisions that could directly or an unfavorable ruling byindirectly favor the RBI, thisinterests of HDFC Limited over our interests.
We may face conflicts of interest relating to our promoter and principal shareholder, HDFC Limited, which could cause us to forgo business opportunities and consequently have an adverse effect on the Bank’s results of operation andour financial condition. The RBI had previously imposed a restriction on the purchase of equity shares of the Bank by foreign investors, under its circular dated March 19, 2012. On February 16, 2017, the RBI lifted such restriction since the foreign shareholding in the Bank was below the maximum prescribed percentage of 74 percent. Thereafter the RBI notified by press release on February 17, 2017, and by separate letter to us dated February 28, 2017, that the foreign shareholding in all forms in the Bank crossed the said limit of 74 percent again. This was due to secondary market purchases of the Bank’s equity shares during this period. Consequently, the RBI
re-imposed
the restrictions on the purchase of the Bank’s equity shares by foreign investors. Further, SEBI also enquired regarding the measures that the Bank has taken and will take in respect of breaches of the maximum prescribed percentage of foreign shareholding in the Bank, by its letter dated March 9, 2018. As of March 31, 2020, foreign investment in the Bank, including the shareholdings of HDFC Limited and its subsidiaries, constituted 69.90 percent, respectively of the
paid-up
capital of the Bank. The restrictions on the purchases of the Bank’s equity shares could negatively, affect the price of the Bank’s shares and could limit the ability of investors to trade the Bank’s shares in the market. These limitations and any consequent regulatory actions may also negatively affect the Bank’s ability to raise additional capital to meet its capital adequacy requirements or to fund future growth through future issuances of additional equity shares, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Foreign Ownership Restrictionperformance.
”.
 
40
HDFC Limited may prevent us from using the HDFC Bank brand if they reduce their shareholding in us to below 5 percent.
33

Our success depends in large part upon our management team and skilled personnel and our ability to attract and retain such persons.
We are highly dependent on our management team, including the efforts of our Managing Director and other members of our senior management. Our future performance is dependent on the continued service of these persons or similarly skilled and qualified successors. The term of the Bank’s current Managing Director, Mr. Aditya Puri, will end on October 26, 2020. On April 30, 2020, the Bank submitted to the RBI for approval, in order of preference, the names of three candidates to succeed Mr. Puri. As of the date of this report, the RBI has not communicated a decision with respect to its preference for the Bank’s new Managing Director. We also face a continuing challenge to recruit and retain a sufficient number of skilled personnel, particularly if we continue to grow. Competition for management and other skilled personnel in our industry is intense, and we may not be able to attract and retain the personnel we need in the future. The loss of key personnel may restrict our ability to grow and consequently have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial position.
6.
Legal and Regulatory Risks
We have previously been subject to penalties imposed by the RBI. Any regulatory investigations, fines, sanctions and requirements relating to conduct of business and financial crime could negatively affect our business and financial results, or cause serious reputational harm.
The RBI is empowered under the Banking Regulation Act to impose penalties on banks and their employees to enforce applicable regulatory requirements. The Financial Intelligence Unit (India) (the
“FIU-IND”),
in January 2015, levied a fine on us of Rs. 2.6 million relating to our failure to detect and report attempted suspicious transactions which appeared in media during financial year 2013. We filed an appeal against the order before the appellate tribunal stating that there were only enquiries made by the reporters of the media and there were no instances of any attempted suspicious transactions. In June 2017, the appellate tribunal dismissed the penalty levied by the FIU and observed that the prescribed matter fell within the provisions of section 13(2)(a) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (“PMLA”), 2002 (pursuant to which a warning was required to be given to the Bank), and that the matter did not fall within section 13(2)(d) of the PMLA (pursuant to which monetary penalties can be imposed on failure to comply with certain obligations under the PMLA) as mentioned by the FIU. However,
FIU-IND
challenged the appellate tribunal’s order in the Delhi High Court. Subsequently, through its order dated September 4, 2019, the Delhi High Court held that the violation of the reporting obligations on the part of the respondent banks warranted issuance of a warning in writing under Section 13(2)(a) of the Act, instead of a monetary penalty as imposed under Section 13(2)(d) of the Act, and disposed of the case filed by
FIU-IND.
In October 2015, there were media reports about irregularities in advance import remittances in various banks, further to which the RBI had conducted a scrutiny of the transactions carried out by us. In April 2016, the RBI issued a show cause notice to us to which we submitted our detailed response. After considering our submissions, the RBI imposed a penalty of Rs. 20.0 million on us in July 2016, which we paid, on account of pendency in receipt of bills of entry relating to advance import remittances made and lapses in adhering to KYC and Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) guidelines in this respect. During 2019 we received two separate fines for
non-compliance
with certain RBI directives. In its order dated February 4, 2019, the RBI imposed a monetary penalty of Rs. 2.0 million on us for failing to comply with the RBI’s KYC and AML standards, as set out in their circulars dated November 29, 2004 and May 22, 2008. In its order dated June 13, 2019, the RBI imposed a monetary penalty of Rs. 10 million on us for failing to comply with its KYC, AML and fraud reporting standards, following an investigation into bills of entry submitted by certain importers. The penalties were imposed under Section 47A(1)(c) and Section 46(4)(i) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. We have since implemented corrective action to strengthen our internal control mechanisms so as to ensure that such incidents do not repeat themselves. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Penalties
”. In 2020, the Bank received one fine for
non-compliance
with RBI regulations. In its order dated January 29, 2020, the RBI imposed a monetary penalty of Rs. 10 million on the Bank for failure to undertake ongoing due diligence with respect to 39 current accounts which had been opened by customers of the Bank to participate in an initial public offering, but where the transactions effected were disproportionate to the declared income and profile of the customers. This penalty was imposed by the RBI using the powers conferred under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Section 46(4)(i) of the Banking Regulation Act 1949. The Bank has since strengthened its internal control mechanisms so as to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.
In May 2020, following an internal inquiry we determined that certain employees received unauthorized commissions from a third-party vendor of GPS products, with whom we have an agreement to offer GPS devices to our auto loan customers. The personal misconduct of these employees is in violation of our code of conduct and governance standards and we have taken disciplinary action with respect to the employees involved, including separation of services of certain employees.
We cannot predict the initiation or outcome of any further investigations by other authorities or different investigations by the RBI. The penalties imposed by the RBI have generated adverse publicity for our business. Such adverse publicity, or any future scrutiny, investigation, inspection or audit which could result in fines, public reprimands, damage to our reputation, significant time and attention from our management, costs for investigations and remediation of affected customers, may materially adversely affect our business and financial results.
 
41

Transactions with counterparties in countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism by the United States Department of State, Department, the Government of India or other countries, or with persons targeted by United States, Indian, EU or other economic sanctions may cause potential customers and investors to avoid doing business with us or investing in our securities, harm our reputation or result in regulatory action which could materially and adversely affect our business.
We engage in business with customers and counterparties from diverse backgrounds. In light of United States, Indian, EU and other sanctions, it cannot be ruled out that some of our customers or counterparties may become the subject of sanctions. Such sanctions may result in our inability to gain or retain such customers or counterparties or receive payments from them. In addition, the association with such individuals or countries may damage our reputation or result in significant fines. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial results and the prices of our securities.
These laws, regulations and sanctions or similar legislative or regulatory developments may further limit our business operations. If we were determined to have engaged in activities targeted by certain United States, Indian, EU or other statutes, regulations or executive orders, we could lose our ability to open or maintain correspondent or payable-through accounts with United States financial institutions, among other potential sanctions. In addition, depending on socio-political developments, even though we take measures designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, our reputation may suffer due to our association with certain restricted targets. The above circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial results and the prices of our securities.
Material changes in Indian banking regulations may adversely affect our business and our future financial performance.
We operate in a highly regulated environment in which the RBI extensively supervises and regulates all banks. Our business could be directly affected by any changes in policies for banks in respect of directed lending, reserve requirements and other areas. For example, the RBI could change its methods of enforcing directed lending standards so as to require more lending to certain sectors, which could require us to change certain aspects of our business. In addition, we could be subject to other changes in laws and regulations, such as those affecting the extent to which we can engage in specific business, those that reduce our income through a cap on either fees or interest rates chargeable to our customers, or those affecting foreign investment in the banking industry, as well as changes in other government policies and enforcement decisions, income tax laws, foreign investment laws and accounting principles. Laws and regulations governing the banking sector may change in the future and any changes may adversely affect our business, our future financial performance and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
Our funding is primarily short- and medium-term and if depositors do not roll over deposited funds upon maturity our net income may decrease.
Most of our funding requirements are met through short-term and medium-term funding sources, primarily in the form of retail deposits. Short-term deposits are those with a maturity not exceeding one year. Medium-term deposits are those with a maturity of greater than one year but not exceeding three years. See “
Selected Statistical Information—Funding
”. However, a portion of our assets have long-term maturities, which sometimes causes funding mismatches. As of March 31, 2020, 37.0 percent of our loans are expected to mature within the next one year and 41.6 percent of our loans are expected to mature between the next one to three years. As of March 31, 2020, 35.3 percent of our deposits are expected to mature within the next year and 37.5 percent of our deposits are expected to mature between the next one to three years. In our experience, a substantial portion of our customer deposits has been rolled over upon maturity and has been, over time, a stable source of funding. However, if a substantial number of our depositors do not roll over deposited funds upon maturity, our liquidity position will be adversely affected and we may be required to seek more expensive sources of funding to finance our operations, which would result in a decline in our net income and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. We may also face a concentration of deposits by our larger depositors. Any sudden or large withdrawals by such large depositors may impact our liquidity position.
Any increase in interest rates would have an adverse effect on the value of our fixed income securities portfolio and could have a material adverse effect on our net income.
Any increase in interest rates would have an adverse effect on the value of our fixed income securities portfolio and could have a material adverse effect on our net revenue. Policy rates were successively increased from February 2010 to March 2012 during which period the bout of interest rate tightening in India was faster than in many other economies. The RBI raised key policy rates from 5.25 percent (repo rate) in April 2010 to 8.5 percent in October 2011. However, key policy rates were eased from 8.0 percent (repo rate) in April 2012 to 7.25 percent in May 2013. In July 2013, the RBI increased the rate for borrowings under its marginal standing facility (which was introduced by the RBI in fiscal 2012) from 100 basis points to 300 basis points above the repo rate. This rate was eased from 200 basis points above the repo rate in September 2013 to 100 basis points above repo rate in October 2013. In contrast, the policy rates were tightened from 7.5 percent (repo rate) in September 2013 to 8.0 percent in January 2014. The RBI reduced the policy repo rate again to 7.75 percent in January 2015, further reducing it to 7.5 percent in March 2015, 7.25 percent in June 2015, 6.75 percent in September 2015, 6.5 percent in April 2016, 6.25 percent in October 2016, and 6.0 percent in August 2017, before increasing it to 6.25 percent in June 2018 and 6.5 percent in August 2018. The RBI began decreasing the policy rate again in February 2019 and reduced the policy rate further in April 2019, June 2019, August 2019, October 2019 and February 2020. The central bank reduced the policy rate by 40 basis points in May 2020 to address
COVID-19
related disruptions.
 
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We are, however, more structurally exposed to interest rate risk than banks in many other countries because of certain mandated reserve requirements of the RBI. See
“Supervision and Regulation—Legal Reserve Requirements”.
These requirements result in Indian banks, such as ourselves, maintaining (as per RBI guidelines currently in force) a portion of our liabilities in bonds issued by the Government (18.0 percent as of May 2020 computed as per guidelines issued by the RBI). We are also required to maintain 3 percent of our liabilities (computed as per guidelines issued by the RBI) by way of a balance with the RBI. This, in turn, means that we could be adversely impacted by a rise in interest rates, especially if the rise were sudden or sharp. A rise in yields on fixed income securities, including government securities, will likely adversely impact our profitability. The aforementioned requirements would also have a negative impact on our net interest income and net interest margins since interest earned on our investments in government issued securities is generally lower than that earned on our other interest earning assets.
Further competition and the development of advanced payment systems by our competitors would adversely impact our cash float and decrease fees we receive in connection with cash management services.
The Indian market for CMS is marked by some distinctive characteristics and challenges such as a vast geography, a large number of small business-intensive towns, a large unorganized sector in various business supply chains and infrastructural limitations for accessibility to many parts of the country. Over the years, such challenges have made it a daunting task for CMS providers in the country to uncover the business potential and extend suitable services and product solutions to the business community.
We have been able to retain and increase our share of business in cash management services through traditional product offerings as well as by offering new age electronic banking services. With new entrants in the payment space such as new payment banks now being granted licenses to conduct business and certain financial technology companies, the competition in the payments landscape is likely to increase. Any increased competition within the payment space, any introduction of a more advanced payment system in India or an inability for us to sustain our technology investments, may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
We could experience a decline in our revenue generated from activities on the equity markets if there is a prolonged or significant downturn on the Indian stock exchanges, and we may face difficulties in getting regulatory approvals necessary to conduct our business if we fail to meet regulatory limits on capital market exposures.
We provide a variety of services and products to participants involved with the Indian stock exchanges. These include working capital funding and margin guarantees to share brokers, personal loans secured by shares, initial public offering finance for retail customers, stock exchange clearing services, collecting bankers to various public offerings and depositary accounts. If there is a prolonged or significant downturn on the Indian stock exchanges, our revenue generated by offering these products and services may decrease, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
We are required to maintain our capital market exposures within the limits as prescribed by the RBI. Our capital market exposures are comprised primarily of investments in equity shares, loans to share brokers and financial guarantees issued to stock exchanges on behalf of share brokers.
As per RBI norms, a bank’s capital market exposure is limited to 40 percent of its net worth under Indian GAAP as of March 31 of the previous year, both on a consolidated and
non-consolidated
basis. Our capital market exposure as of March 31, 2020 was 13.7 percent of our net worth on a
non-consolidated
basis and 14.3 percent on a consolidated basis, in each case, under Indian GAAP. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Large Exposures Framework
”. If we fail to meet these regulatory limits in the future, we may face difficulties in obtaining other regulatory approvals necessary to conduct our normal course of business, which would have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.
Any failure or material weakness of our internal control system could cause significant errors, which may have a materially adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial position or results of operations.
We are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal measures commensurate with our size and complexity of operations. Our internal or concurrent audit functions are equipped to make an independent and objective evaluation of the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls on an ongoing basis to ensure that business units adhere to our policies, compliance requirements and internal circular guidelines. While we periodically test and update, as necessary, our internal control systems, we are exposed to operational risks arising from the potential inadequacy or failure of internal processes or systems, and our actions may not be sufficient to guarantee effective internal controls in all circumstances. Given our high volume of transactions, it is possible that errors may repeat or compound before they are discovered and rectified. Our systems and internal control procedures that are designed to monitor our operations and overall compliance may not identify every instance of
non-compliance
or every suspicious transaction. If internal control weaknesses are identified, our actions may not be sufficient to fully correct such internal control weakness. We face operational risks in our various businesses and there may be losses due to deal errors, settlement problems, pricing errors, inaccurate reporting, breaches of confidentiality, fraud and failure of mission critical systems or infrastructure. Any error tampering or manipulation could result in losses that may be difficult to detect. As a result, we may come under additional regulatory scrutiny or be the target of enforcement actions, or suffer monetary losses or adverse reputation effects which, in each case, could be material, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operation.
43

For example, pursuant to the media reports during fiscal 2018, certain unpublished price sensitive information (“UPSI”) relating to our financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 and June 30, 2017 was leaked in a private “group” on the WhatsApp mobile app ahead of the official publication of such results. Following this leak, we received an order from SEBI on February 23, 2018 directing us to (i) strengthen our processes, systems, and controls relating to information security to prevent future leaks, (ii) submit a report on (a) the systems and controls, how they have been strengthened, and at what regular intervals they are monitored, and (b) the details of persons who are responsible for monitoring such systems, and (iii) conduct an internal inquiry into the leakage of UPSI relating to our financial results and submit a report in relation thereto. In accordance with the SEBI order, we filed both reports with SEBI on May 30, 2018. Any additional action by SEBI in connection with its investigation and our respective reports may subject us to further scrutiny or enforcement actions and have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial position or results of operation.
Significant fraud, system failure or calamities would disrupt our revenue-generating activities in the short-term and could harm our reputation and adversely impact our revenue-generating capabilities.
Our business is highly dependent on our ability to efficiently and reliably process a high volume of transactions across numerous locations and delivery channels. We place heavy reliance on our technology infrastructure for processing this data and therefore ensuring the security of this system and its availability is of paramount importance. Our systemic and operational controls may not be adequate to prevent any adverse impact from frauds, errors, hacking and system failures. A significant system breakdown or system failure caused by intentional or unintentional acts would have an adverse impact on our revenue-generating activities and lead to financial loss. Our reputation could be adversely affected by fraud committed by employees, customers or outsiders, or by our perceived inability to properly manage fraud-related risks. Our inability or perceived inability to manage these risks could lead to enhanced regulatory oversight and scrutiny. Fraud or system failures by other Indian banking institutions (such as frauds uncovered in early 2018 at one of India’s public sector banks) could also adversely affect our reputation and revenue-generating activity by reflecting negatively on our industry more generally, and in certain circumstances we could be required to absorb losses arising from intentional or unintentional acts by third-party institutions. We have established a geographically remote disaster recovery site to support critical applications, and we believe that we would be able to restore data and resume processing in the event of a significant system breakdown or failure. However, it is possible the disaster recovery site may also fail or it may take considerable time to make the system fully operational and achieve complete business resumption using the alternate site. Therefore, in such a scenario where the primary site is also completely unavailable, there may be significant disruption to our operations, which would materially adversely affect our reputation and financial condition.
Our business and financial results could be impacted materially by adverse results in legal proceedings.
Legal proceedings, including lawsuits, investigations by regulatory authorities and other inspections or audits, could result in judgments, fines, public reprimands, damage to our reputation, significant time and attention from our management, costs for investigations and remediation of affected customers, or other adverse effects on our business and financial results. We establish reserves for legal claims when payments associated with claims become probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. We may still incur legal costs for a matter even if we have not established a reserve. In addition, the actual cost of resolving a legal claim may be substantially higher than any amounts reserved for that matter. The ultimate resolution of any pending or future legal proceeding, depending on the remedy sought and granted, could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. See “
Business—Legal Proceedings
”.
We may breach third partythird-party intellectual property rights.
We may be subject to claims by third parties, both inside and outside India, if we breach their intellectual property rights by using slogans, names, designs, software or other such rights, which are of a similar nature to the intellectual property these third parties may have registered. Any legal proceedings which result in a finding that we have breached third parties’ intellectual property rights, or any settlements concerning such claims, may require us to provide financial compensation to such third parties or make changes to our marketing strategies or to the brand names of our products, which may have a materially adverse effect on our business prospects, reputation, results of operations and financial condition.
Negative publicity could damage our reputation and adversely impact our business and financial results.
Reputational risk, or the risk to our business, earnings and capital from negative publicity, is inherent in our business. The reputation of the financial services industry in general has been closely monitored as a result of the financial crisis and other matters affecting the financial services industry. Negative public opinion about the financial services industry generally or us specifically could adversely affect our ability to attract and retain customers, and may expose us to litigation and regulatory action. Negative publicity can result from our actual or alleged conduct in any number of activities, including lending practices, mortgage servicing and foreclosure practices, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions and related disclosure, sharing or inadequate protection of customer information, and actions taken by government regulators and community organizations in response to that conduct. Although we take steps to minimize reputational risk in dealing with customers and other constituencies, we, as a large financial services organization with a high industry profile, are inherently exposed to this risk.
 
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Table of Contents
7.
Technology Risks
We face cyber threats, such as hacking, phishing and trojans, attempting to exploit our network to disrupt services to customers and/or theft or leaking of sensitive internal Bank data or customer information. This may cause damage to our reputation and adversely impact our business and financial results.
We offer internet banking services to our customers. Our internet banking channel includes multiple services such as electronic funds transfer, bill payment services, usage of credit cards
on-line,
requesting account statements, and requesting check books. We are therefore exposed to various cyber threats related to these services or to other sensitive Bank information, with such threats including: (a) phishing and trojans targeting our customers, whereby fraudsters send unsolicited mails to our customers seeking account-sensitive information or infecting customer computers in an attempt to search and export account-sensitive information; (b) hacking, whereby attackers seek to hack into our website with the primary intention of causing reputational damage to us by disrupting services; (c) data theft whereby cyber criminals attempt to intrude into our network with the intention of stealing our data or information or to extort money; and (d) leaking, whereby sensitive internal Bank data or customer information is inappropriately disclosed by parties entitled to access it. Attempted cyber threats fluctuate in frequency but are generally increasing in frequency, and while certain of the foregoing events have occurred in the past, we cannot guarantee they will not reoccur in the future. As the sophistication of cyber-incidents continues to evolve, we will likely be required to expend additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any vulnerability to cyber incidents. In addition, cyber incidents may remain undetected for an extended period.
There is also the risk of our customers incorrectly blaming us and terminating their accounts with us for a cyber-incident which might have occurred on their own system or with that of an unrelated third party. Any cyber security breach could also subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny and expose us to civil litigation and related financial liability.
A failure, inadequacy or security breach in our information technology and telecommunication systems may adversely affect our business, results of operation or financial condition.
Our ability to operate and remain competitive depends in part on our ability to maintain and upgrade our information technology systems and infrastructure on a timely and cost-effective basis, including our ability to process a large number of transactions on a daily basis. Our operations also rely on the secure processing, storage and transmission of confidential and other information in its computer systems and networks. Our financial, accounting or other data processing systems and management information systems or our corporate website may fail to operate adequately or become disabled as a result of events that may be beyond our control or may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses or other attacks. See “
—We face cyber threats, such as hacking, phishing and trojans, attempting to exploit our network to disrupt services to customers and/or theft of sensitive internal Bank data or customer information. This may cause damage to our reputation and adversely impact our business and financial results
”. Further, the information available to and received by our management through its existing systems may not be timely and sufficient to manage risks or to plan for and respond to changes in market conditions and other developments in our operations. If any of these systems are disabled or if there are other shortcomings or failures in our internal processes or systems, it may disrupt our business or impact our operational efficiencies, and render us liable to regulatory intervention or damage to its reputation. The occurrence of any such events may adversely affect our business, results of operation and financial condition.
Our business is highly competitive, which makes it challenging for us to offer competitive prices to retain existing customers and solicit new business, and our strategy depends on our ability to compete effectively.
We face strong competition in all areas of our business, and some of our competitors are larger than we are. We compete directly with large public and private sector banks, some of which are larger than we are based on certain metrics such as customer assets and deposits, branch network and capital. These banks are becoming more competitive as they improve their customer services and technology. In addition, we compete directly with foreign banks, which include some of the largest multinational financial companies in the world. See “
—We may face increased competition as a result of revised guidelines that relax restrictions on foreign ownership and participation in the Indian banking industry, and the entry of new banks in the private sector which could cause us to lose existing business or be unable to compete effectively for new business.
”. In addition, new entrants into the financial services industry, including companies in the financial technology sector, may further intensify competition in the business environments, especially in the digital business environment, in which we operate, and as a result, we may be forced to adapt our business to compete more effectively. There can be no assurance that we will be able to respond effectively to current or future competition or that the technological investments we make in response to such competition will be successful. Due to competitive pressures, we may be unable to successfully execute our growth strategy and offer products and services (whether current or new offerings) at reasonable returns and this may adversely impact our business. If we are unable to retain and attract new customers, our revenue and net income will decline, which could materially adversely affect our financial condition. See “ 
Business—Competition
”.
 
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We may face increased competition as a result of revised guidelines that relax restrictions on foreign ownership and participation in the Indian banking industry, and the entry of new banks in the private sector which could cause us to lose existing business or be unable to compete effectively for new business.
The Government of India regulates foreign ownership in private sector banks. Foreign ownership up to 49 percent of the
paid-up
capital is permitted in Indian private sector banks under the automatic route and this limit can be increased up to 74 percent with prior approval of the Government of India. However, under the Banking Regulation Act, read together with the Reserve Bank of India (Ownership in Private Sector Banks) Directions, 2016, a shareholder cannot exercise voting rights in excess of 10 percent of the total voting rights of all the shareholders of a financial institution. The RBI may increase the ceiling on voting rights in a phased manner up to 26 percent. The notification dated July 21, 2016 issued by RBI and published in the Gazette of India on September 17, 2016 states that the current ceiling on voting rights is at 26 percent. The RBI has also from time to time issued various circulars and regulations regarding ownership of private banks and licensing of new private sector banks in India. See “Supervision and Regulation—Entry of new banks in the private sector”. Reduced restrictions on foreign ownership of Indian banks could increase the presence of foreign banks in India, increased competition in the industry in which we operate.
In February 2013, the RBI released guidelines for the licensing of new banks in the private sector. The RBI permitted private sector entities owned and controlled by Indian residents and entities in the public sector in India to apply to the RBI for a license to operate a bank through a wholly owned
non-operative
financial holding company (“NOFHC”) route, subject to compliance with certain specified criteria. Such a NOFHC was permitted to be the holding company of a bank as well as any other financial services entity, with the objective that the holding company ring-fences the regulated financial services entities in the group, including the bank, from other activities of the group. Pursuant to these guidelines, in fiscal 2016 IDFC Bank and Bandhan Bank commenced banking operations.
In November 2014, the RBI released guidelines for the licensing of payments banks and small finance banks (the “November 2014 Guidelines”) in the private sector. Since promulgation, such banks have been established and operational pursuant to these guidelines, which have increased competition in the markets in which we operate. In December 2019, the RBI released guidelines for
“on-tap”
licensing of small finance banks (the “December 2019 Guidelines”). The RBI in its circular dated March 28, 2020 issued modifications to existing regulations under the November 2014 Guidelines to harmonize such regulations with the December 2019 Guidelines.
In August 2016, the RBI released final guidelines for
“on-tap”
Licensing of Universal Banks in the Private Sector. The guidelines aim at moving from the current “stop and go” licensing approach (wherein the RBI notifies the licensing window during which a private entity may apply for a banking license) to a continuous or
“on-tap”
licensing regime. Among other things, the new guidelines specify conditions for the eligibility of promoters, corporate structure and foreign shareholdings. One of the key features of the new guidelines is that, unlike the February 2013 guidelines (mentioned above), the new guidelines make the NOFHC structure
non-mandatory
in the case of promoters being individuals or standalone promoting/converting entities which do not have other group entities.
In May 2016, the RBI issued the Reserve Bank of India (Ownership in Private Sector Banks) Directions, 2016. These guidelines prescribe requirements regarding shareholding and voting rights in relation to all private sector banks licensed by the RBI to operate in India. See “Supervision and Regulation—Entry of new banks in the private sector”.
Any growth in the presence of foreign banks or new banks in the private sector may increase the competition that we face and, as a result, have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.
If the goodwill recorded in connection with our acquisitions becomes impaired, we may be required to record impairment charges, which would decrease our net income and total assets.
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, we have accounted for our acquisitions using the purchase method of accounting. We recorded the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the assets and liabilities of the acquired companies as goodwill. U.S. GAAP requires us to test goodwill for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill may be impaired. Goodwill is tested by initially estimating fair value of the reporting unit and then comparing it against the carrying amount including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, we are required to record an impairment loss. The amount of impairment and the remaining amount of goodwill, if any, is determined by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit as of the test date against the carrying value of the assets and liabilities of that reporting unit as of the same date. See Notes 2v and 2w, “Summary of significant accounting policies—Business combination” and “Summary of significant accounting policies—Goodwill and other intangibles”, in our consolidated financial statements.
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Many of our banking outlets have been recently added to our branch network and are not operating with the same efficiency as compared to the rest of our existing banking outlets, which adversely affects our profitability.
As at March 31, 2015, we had 4,014 banking outlets and as at March 31, 2020, we had 5,416 banking outlets, a significant increase in the number of banking outlets. Some of the newly added banking outlets are currently operating at a lower efficiency level as compared with our established banking outlets. While we believe that the newly added banking outlets will achieve the productivity benchmark set for our entire network over time, the success in achieving our benchmark level of efficiency and productivity will depend on various internal and external factors, some of which are not under our control. The
sub-optimal
performance of the newly added banking outlets, if continued over an extended period of time, would have a material adverse effect on our profitability.
Deficiencies in accuracy and completeness of information about customers and counterparties may adversely impact us.
We rely on accuracy and completeness of information about customers and counterparties while carrying out transactions with them or on their behalf. We may also rely on representations as to the accuracy and completeness of such information. For example, we may rely on reports of independent auditors with respect to financial statements, and decide to extend credit based on the assumption that the customer’s audited financial statements conform to generally accepted accounting principles and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the customer. Our financial condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted by reliance on information that is inaccurate or materially misleading. This may affect the quality of information available to us about the credit history of our borrowers, especially individuals and small businesses. As a result, our ability to effectively manage our credit risk may be adversely affected.
We present our financial information differently in other markets or in certain reporting contexts.
In India, our equity shares are traded on the BSE Limited (the “BSE”) and National Stock Exchange of India Limited (the “NSE”). BSE and NSE rules, in connection with other applicable Indian laws, require us to report our financial results in India in Indian GAAP. Because of the difference in accounting principles and presentation, certain financial information available in our required filings in the United States may be presented differently than in the financial information we provide under Indian GAAP.
Additionally, we make available information on our website and in our presentations in order to provide investors a view of our business through metrics similar to what our management uses to measure our performance. Some of the information we make available from time to time may be in relation to our unconsolidated or our consolidated results under Indian GAAP or under U.S. GAAP. Potential investors should read any notes or disclaimers to such financial information when evaluating our performance to confirm how the information is being presented, since the information that may have been prepared with a different presentation may not be directly comparable.
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs, in its press release dated January 18, 2016, had issued a roadmap for implementation of Indian Accounting Standards
(“IND-AS”)
converged with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”) with certain carve-outs for scheduled commercial banks, insurance companies and
non-banking
financial companies (the “Roadmap”). This Roadmap required such institutions to prepare
IND-AS-based
financial statements for the accounting periods commencing on or after April 1, 2018 and to prepare comparative financial information for accounting periods beginning April 1, 2017 and thereafter. The RBI, in its circular dated February 11, 2016, required all scheduled commercial banks to comply with
IND-AS
for financial statements for the same periods stated above. The RBI did not permit banks to adopt
IND-AS
earlier than the above timelines. The RBI circular also required the RBI to issue guidance and clarifications, as and when required, on the relevant aspects of
IND-AS
implementation. In April 2018, the RBI deferred the effective date for implementation of
IND-AS
by one year, by which point the necessary legislative amendments were expected to have been completed. The legislative amendments recommended by the RBI are under consideration by the Government of India. Accordingly, the RBI, in its circular dated March 22, 2019 deferred the implementation of
IND-AS
until further notice.
In conjunction with the implementation of
IND-AS
for our local Indian results, we may adopt IFRS for the purposes of our filings pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of, and our reports pursuant to Rule
13a-16
or
15d-16
under, the Exchange Act. Should we choose to do so, our first year of reporting in accordance with IFRS would be same as the accounting period for
IND-AS
which is dependent on instructions to be issued by the RBI for the implementation of
IND-AS.
For our first year of reporting in accordance with IFRS, we would be permitted to file two years, rather than three years, of statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows prepared in accordance with IFRS.
47

The new accounting standards are expected to change, among other things, our methodologies for estimating allowances for probable loan losses and classifying and valuing our investment portfolio, as well as our revenue recognition policy. It is possible that our financial condition, results of operations and changes in shareholders’ equity may appear materially different under
IND-AS
or IFRS than under Indian GAAP or U.S. GAAP, respectively. Further, during the transition to reporting under the new standards, we may encounter difficulties in the implementation of the new standards and development of our management information systems. Given the increased competition for the small number of IFRS-experienced accounting personnel in India, it may be difficult for us to employ the appropriate accounting personnel to assist us in preparing
IND-AS
or IFRS financial statements. Moreover, there is no significant body of established practice from which we may draw when forming judgments regarding the application of the new accounting standards. There can be no assurance that the Bank’s controls and procedures will be effective in these circumstances or that a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting will not occur. Further, failure to successfully adopt
IND-AS
or IFRS could adversely affect the Bank’s business, financial condition and results of operations
Statistical, industry and financial data obtained from industry publications and other third-party sources may be incomplete or unreliable.
We have not independently verified certain data obtained from industry publications and other third-party sources referred to in this document and therefore, while we believe them to be true, we cannot assure you that they are complete or reliable. Such data may also be produced on different bases from those used in the industry publications we have referenced. Therefore, discussions of matters relating to India, its economy and the industries in which we currently operate are subject to the caveat that the statistical and other data upon which such discussions are based may be incomplete or unreliable.
8.
Risks Relating to India
Any adverse change in India’s credit rating, or the credit rating of any country in which our foreign banking outlets are located, by an international rating agency could adversely affect our business and profitability.
While the Bank is rated
BBB-
by Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”), Moody’s has recently downgraded the Bank’s rating to Baa3 from Baa2, in line with the downgrade in India’s sovereign rating. International rating agencies have pegged the ratings of all Indian banks at the sovereign rating (that is,
BBB-
by S&P and Baa3 by Moody’s). However, domestically the Bank is rated AAA by CRISIL, CARE and India Ratings (the Indian arm of Fitch Ratings), which are the highest credit ratings assigned on the domestic scale.
A significant deterioration in the Bank’s existing financial strength and business position may also pose a rating downgrade risk. The Bank’s rating may also be revised when the rating agencies undertake changes to their rating methodologies. For instance, in April 2015, Moody’s revised its Bank rating methodology and the assessment of government support to banks, following which the ratings of several banks globally, including Indian banks, were revised. Following this methodology change, the Bank’s rating was revised to Baa3 from Baa2 so as to cap it at the Indian sovereign rating.
In addition, the rating of our foreign banking outlets may be impacted by the sovereign rating of the country in which those banking outlets are located, particularly if the sovereign rating is below India’s rating. Pursuant to applicable ratings criteria published by S&P, the rating of any bond issued in a jurisdiction is capped by the host country rating. Accordingly, any revision to the sovereign rating of the countries in which our banking outlets are located to below India’s rating could impact the rating of our foreign banking outlets and any securities issued from those banking outlets. For example, in fiscal 2016, declining oil prices caused the credit ratings of many oil exporting countries to be downgraded and we had outstanding bonds issued from a branch in such a country which were negatively affected by such downgrade.
Going forward, the risk of a sovereign rating downgrade remains low at present, but it is likely that the sovereign ratings outlook may be revised down, given the slowdown in economic growth. No assurance can be given that a further sovereign rating downgrade will not occur. However, any further downgrade in India’s credit rating, or the credit rating of any country in which our foreign banking outlets are located by international rating agencies may adversely impact our business financial position and liquidity, limit our access to capital markets, and increase our cost of borrowing.
If there is any change in tax laws or regulations, or their interpretation, such changes may significantly affect our financial statements for the current and future years, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial position, business and results of operations.
Any change in Indian tax laws, including the upward revision to the currently applicable normal corporate tax rate of 25.17 percent along with applicable surcharge and cess, could affect our tax burden. Other benefits such as exemption for interest received in respect of
tax-free
bonds, if withdrawn in the future, may no longer be available to us. Any adverse order passed by the appellate authorities/tribunals/courts would have an impact on our profitability.
48
Any adverse change in India’s credit rating, or the credit rating of any country in which our foreign banking outlets are located, by an international rating agency could adversely affect our business and profitability.
If there is any change in tax laws or regulations, or their interpretation, such changes may significantly affect our financial statements for the current and future years, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial position, business and results of operations.
Any volatility in the exchange rate may lead to a decline in India’s foreign exchange reserves and may affect liquidity and interest rates in the Indian economy, which could adversely impact us.
Political instability or changes in the Government could delay the liberalization of the Indian economy and adversely affect economic conditions in India generally, which would impact the Bank’s financial results and prospects.
Terrorist attacks, civil unrest and other acts of violence or war involving India and other countries would negatively affect the Indian market where our shares trade and lead to a loss of confidence and impair travel, which could reduce our customers’ appetite for our products and services.
Natural calamities, including those exacerbated by climate change, and public health epidemics could adversely affect the Indian economy or the economies of other countries where we operate and, in turn, negatively impact our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
The COVID-19 pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
.
Investors may have difficulty enforcing foreign judgments in India against the Bank or its management.
34

As of July 1, 2017, GST replaced most indirect taxes levied by the central government and state governments, providing a unified tax regime in respect of goods and services for all of India.9.
There continue to be several challenges to the successful implementation of GST, making compliance with the tax difficult. These include variations in the tax rate, legal challenges, complex return filings, certain reconciliation issues, input tax credit issues, and IT infrastructure issues. The GST law continues to evolve and the authorities have been trying to address public concerns by issuing a series of notifications, clarifications, press releases and FAQs to resolve a wide range of issues. We expect challenges to certain aspects of the GST law to continue until the remaining issues, particularly those related to technical aspects of the law, are settled. Any such changes and the related uncertainties with respect to GST may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The General Anti-Avoidance Rules (“GAAR”) have come into effect from April 1, 2017. The tax consequences of the GAAR provisions being applied to an arrangement could result in denial of tax benefit amongst other consequences. In the absence of any precedents on the subject, the application of these provisions is uncertain. If the GAAR provisions are made applicable to us, it may have an adverse tax impact on us.
The Finance Act 2018, has withdrawn exemption previously granted in respect of payment of long term capital gains tax and such tax became payable by the investors from April 1, 2018. We cannot predict whether any tax laws or regulations impacting our products will be enacted, what the nature and impact of the specific terms of any such laws or regulations will be or whether, if at all, any laws or regulations would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Any volatility in the exchange rate may lead to a decline in India’s foreign exchange reserves and may affect liquidity and interest rates in the Indian economy, which could adversely impact us.
Capital flows picked up substantially over the past couple of years, reflecting a reassessment of investor expectations about future domestic growth prospects following the election of a
pro-reform
government in 2014 and 2019. While the CAD remained a main area of concern over fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2013, it shrunk sharply in fiscal 2014 to 1.7 percent of GDP, and fell further in fiscal 2017 to 0.7 percent of GDP. A sharp contraction in the oil imports bill on the back of a near 50 percent decline in global crude prices was the main reason behind the improvement in the current account position. However, with the subsequent rise in oil prices, CAD as a percentage of GDP stood higher at 1.8 percent in fiscal 2018 and 2.1 percent in fiscal 2019. CAD narrowed to 0.9 percent in fiscal 2020 on the back of a pickup in remittances and an improvement in the trade balance. Going ahead, we expect CAD to narrow to 0.3 percent in fiscal year 2021, on account of weak internal and external demand.
The possibility of a noticeable shift in global value chains away from China, in order to reduce concentration risk, as well as in response to a shifting geopolitical landscape, presents India with unique opportunities. India could gain global market share across sectors including more traditional sectors, such as textiles, furniture and basic chemicals, as well as more technologically complex sectors, such as mobile phone handsets, pharmaceuticals and auto components.
During fiscal 2014, the rupee came under significant and sustained selling pressure driven by growing anxiety about domestic growth prospects and global risk aversion. The rupee depreciated in fiscal 2014 by 10.1 percent compared to the United States dollar. Investor expectations that reforms implemented by the Government will lead to an improvement in the long-term growth outlook helped to improve the rupee’s performance, reducing the depreciation trend to 3.85 percent in fiscal 2015. During fiscal 2016, the rupee depreciated by 6.32 percent primarily reflecting global risk aversion and a strong United States dollar. However, in line with other emerging markets, which experienced currency appreciation in fiscal 2017, the Indian rupee also appreciated by 2.1 percent against the United States dollar. This was mainly attributed to repricing of the Indian assets by international investors (driven by domestic economic and political stability) alongside the disappointment relating to the United States reform agenda. In fiscal 2018, the rupee ranged between a high of Rs. 65.71 per US$ 1.00 and a low of Rs. 63.38 per US$ 1.00. Pressure developed in the last two quarters of fiscal 2018 as oil prices rose and trade war risks escalated globally. In fiscal 2019, the rupee depreciated by 6.3 percent against the United States dollar as a result of rising oil prices, a slowdown in global trade volumes and a general risk aversion towards emerging market currencies (because of tariffs and trade war risks). The rupee further depreciated by 8.0 percent in fiscal 2020 due to risk aversion amid weak global demand, dismal domestic growth and foreign investment outflows. In fiscal 2020, the rupee ranged between a high of Rs. 76.37 per US$1.00 and a low of Rs. 68.40 per US$1.00. Going forward, the Indian rupee may be impacted by factors such as: (a) favorable current account position; (b) an increase in foreign flows as investment sentiment improves; (c) low oil prices; and (d) a downward trend in the strength of the U.S. dollar in the second half of 2020.
49

Further, global risk aversion, in particular in the event the
COVID-19
pandemic continues or escalates, could mean a continuation of the rotation of global fund flows from emerging markets to developed markets over the medium term. Nevertheless, it remains a possibility that the RBI will intervene in the foreign exchange markets to stamp out excess volatility in the exchange rate in the event of potential shocks, such as rise in protectionist tendencies creating panic in EM economies or excess financial market volatility in the event of a second wave. Any such intervention by the RBI may result in a decline in India’s foreign exchange reserves and, subsequently, reduce the amount of liquidity in the domestic financial system, which would, in turn, cause domestic interest rates to rise.
Further, any increased volatility in capital flows may also affect monetary policy decision-making. For instance, a period of net capital outflows might force the RBI to keep monetary policy tighter than optimal to guard against currency depreciation.
Political instability or changes in the central and state governments in India could delay the liberalization of the Indian economy and adversely affect economic conditions in India generally, which would impact our financial results and prospects.
Since 1991, successive Indian governments have pursued policies of economic liberalization, including significantly relaxing restrictions on the private sector. Nevertheless, the roles of the Indian central and state governments in the Indian economy as producers, consumers and regulators remain significant as independent factors in the Indian economy. The
re-election
of the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided the Indian political leadership with a new mandate to continue its reform agenda. These reforms could lead to changes in the rate of economic liberalization, and specific laws and policies affecting financial institutions, foreign investments, currency exchange rates, and other matters affecting investment in India.
Recently, as a result of rising border tensions, the Government is considering the possibility of reducing its economic relationship with China. The Government is exploring the option of imposing both tariff and
non-tariff restrictions
on Chinese goods for this purpose. Such
non-tariff
measures may include increased inspections, product testing and enhanced quality certification requirements. The imposition of these restrictions could result in trade tensions between the two countries and a slowdown in economic recovery. In addition, the Government might also impose restrictions on investment from China. As our performance and the quality and growth of our assets are dependent on the health of the overall Indian economy, any prolonged disagreement or instability in political or economic relations between the two countries could delay the economic recovery and impact business adversely. If the Indian economy deteriorates, our asset base may erode, which would result in a material decrease in our net profits and total assets, which in turn could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial position.
Further, protests against privatizations and government corruption scandals, which have occurred in the past, could slow the pace of liberalization and deregulation. Any change in India’s policy of economic liberalization and deregulation could adversely affect business and economic conditions in India generally, and our business in particular.
Terrorist attacks, civil unrest and other acts of violence or war involving India and other countries would negatively affect the Indian market where our shares trade and lead to a loss of confidence and impair travel, which could reduce our customers’ appetite for our products and services.
Terrorist attacks, such as those in Mumbai in November 2008 and in Pulwana in February 2019, and other acts of violence or war may negatively affect the Indian markets on which our equity shares trade and also adversely affect the worldwide financial markets. These acts may also result in a loss of business confidence, make travel and other services more difficult and, as a result, ultimately adversely affect our business. In addition, any deterioration in relations between India and Pakistan or between India and China might result in investor concern about stability in the region, which could adversely affect the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
India has also witnessed civil disturbances in recent years and future civil unrest as well as other adverse social, economic and political events in India could have an adverse impact on us. Such incidents also create a greater perception that investment in Indian companies involves a higher degree of risk, which could have an adverse impact on our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
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Natural calamities, climate change and health epidemics could adversely affect the Indian economy, or the economy of other countries where we operate, our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
India has experienced natural calamities such as earthquakes, floods and droughts in the past few years. The extent and severity of these natural disasters determine their impact on the Indian economy. In particular, climatic and weather conditions, such as the level and timing of monsoon rainfall, impact the agricultural sector, which constituted approximately ~18 percent of India’s GDP in fiscal 2020 (in current prices terms). Prolonged spells of below or above normal rainfall or other natural calamities, or global or regional climate change, could adversely affect the Indian economy and our business, especially our rural portfolio. Similarly, global or regional climate change in India and other countries where we operate could result in change in weather patterns and frequency of natural calamities like droughts, floods and cyclones, which could affect the economy of India, the countries where we operate and our operations in those countries.
Health epidemics could also disrupt our business. In fiscal 2010, there were outbreaks of swine flu, caused by the H1N1 virus, in certain regions of the world, including India and several countries in which we operate. In the ongoing fiscal year, the
COVID-19
pandemic is posing challenges to business operations, such as nationwide lockdowns, travel restrictions and social distancing. The government has recently started easing lockdown related restrictions, which may lead to some increase in economic activity. However, in the event of a second wave of infections, economic growth may contract more than anticipated, which could in turn adversely affect our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
The
COVID-19
pandemic may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Public health crises such as the
COVID-19
pandemic or similar outbreaks may adversely impact our business. On March 11, 2020, the
COVID-19
outbreak was declared a global pandemic by the WHO and has led to the implementation of various responses, including government-imposed quarantines, travel restrictions,
“stay-at-home”
orders and similar mandates for many individuals to substantially restrict daily activities and for many businesses to curtail or cease normal operations. In India, our main place of business, on March 24, 2020, the Government announced a strict
21-day
lockdown across the country, which was later extended until May 31, 2020. On May 30, 2020, the Government announced a phased reopening of certain activities outside specified containment zones, while the lockdown was extended to June 30, 2020 in such containment zones. Certain states of India further extended the lockdown to July 31, 2020.
To reduce the impact of the pandemic on Indian borrowers, on March 27, 2020 the RBI announced
COVID-19
related regulations, which included permission for financial institutions to extend a three-month moratorium on term loan repayments due between March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020. This was later renewed for a second period from June 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020. As of June 30, 2020, approximately 9 percent of loans to our customers (measured by total value of our portfolio) were in moratorium. Interest on the term loans continues to accrue during the moratorium and the resulting increase in the interest-burden may adversely affect our customers’ ability to repay their loans, which could adversely affect our profitability. Similarly, the RBI permitted financial institutions to grant deferments with respect to interest payments on working capital facilities between March 31, 2020 and August 31, 2020. At the financial institutions discretion, the interest accumulated during the deferment period may be converted to a funded interest term loan (“FITL”). Furthermore, the RBI also announced that with respect to
non-performing
loans, for which a lender’s
180-day
resolution period had not expired by March 1, 2020, an additional
180-day
resolution period would begin from the date on which the original resolution period was set to expire. There can be no assurance that customers who are granted a moratorium will be able to resume their regular repayment schedule following the end of the moratorium. In accordance with RBI guidelines, we have also waived certain fees for customers. In addition, in response to the pandemic the RBI also reduced the repo rate by 40 basis points to 4.0 percent in May 2020. See also “
Our business is particularly vulnerable to interest rate risk and volatility in interest rates could adversely affect our net interest margin, the value of our fixed income portfolio, our treasury income and our financial performance
”.
The impact of
COVID-19,
including changes in customer behavior and pandemic fears and restrictions on business and individual activities, has led to significant volatility in global and Indian financial markets and a significant decrease in global and local economic activity. This may persist even after the restrictions related to the
COVID-19
outbreak are lifted. The continued slowdown in economic activity has led to a decrease in loan originations, sale of third-party products, use of credit and debit cards, by customers the efficiency of our debt collection efforts and the waiver of certain fees. As a result, we estimate that our fees and other related income (measured on a non-amortized basis under Indian GAAP) decreased by approximately Rs. 4,500 million during the end of fiscal 2020, compared to the same period in fiscal 2019, and by approximately Rs. 20,000 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, compared to the same period in fiscal 2020. The slowdown in economic activity has also significantly affected the business of many of our customers and could result in financial distress for our customer base. Moreover, the continued volatility in global and Indian financial and capital markets could adversely affect our corporate customers’ ability to access debt markets, their cost of funds and other terms of any new debt, which, alongside the economic slowdown, may lead to a rise in the number of customer defaults and consequently an increase in provisions for credit losses. See also “
We have high concentrations of exposures to certain customers and sectors and if any of these exposures were to become
non-performing,
the quality of our portfolio could be adversely affected and our ability to meet capital requirements could be jeopardized
”.
51

Similarly, such market volatility, or a downgrade in our credit rating, may negatively affect our ability to access capital. We have implemented remote working arrangements for the majority of our employees, which may result in decreased employee productivity and efficiency and exacerbate certain
IT-related
risks, including an increased risk of cybersecurity attacks and the unauthorized dissemination of confidential information about us or our customers.
COVID-19
may also lead to significant increases in employee absenteeism, including due to illness, quarantines and other restrictions related to the pandemic. Even where such restrictions are eased, we may still elect to continue our remote working arrangements, for example in the event of an outbreak of
COVID-19
among our employees, as a preventive measure to contain the spread of the virus and protect the health of our workforce, or as a strategic measure. Even if the number of new
COVID-19
cases were to significantly decrease, the negative effects on Indian and global economic conditions may persist into the future. The level of economic activity may not fully recover in the short term, or at all, due to changes in lifestyle and business practice.
The extent to which the
COVID-19
pandemic will impact our business, financial condition and results of operation, as well as our regulatory capital and liquidity ratios, will depend on future developments, including the possibility of a recurrence or “multiple waves” of the outbreak, which are highly uncertain. This includes, among other things, any new information concerning the severity of the
COVID-19
pandemic and any action to contain its spread or mitigate its impact, whether government-mandated or elected by us.
Investors may have difficulty enforcing foreign judgments in India against the Bank or its management.
The Bank is a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of India. Substantially all of the Bank’s directors and executive officers and some of the experts named herein are residents of India and a substantial portion of the assets of the Bank and such persons are located in India. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process on the Bank or such persons in jurisdictions outside of India, or to enforce against them judgments obtained in courts outside of India predicated upon civil liabilities of the Bank or such directors and executive officers under laws other than Indian Law.
In addition, India is not a party to any multilateral international treaty in relation to the recognition or enforcement of foreign judgments
.
Recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments is provided for under section 13 and section 44A of the Indian Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (the “Civil Procedure Code”). Section 44A of the Civil Procedure Code provides that where a foreign judgment has been rendered by a superior court in any country or territory outside India that the Government has, by notification, declared to be a reciprocating territory, that judgment may be enforced in India by proceedings in execution as if it had been rendered by the relevant court in India. However, section 44A of the Civil Procedure Code is applicable only to monetary decrees other than those in the nature of any amounts payable in respect of taxes or other charges of a like nature or in respect of a fine or other penalty and is not applicable to arbitration awards, even if such awards are enforceable as a decree or judgment. Furthermore, the execution of a foreign decree under section 44A of the Civil Procedure Code is also subject to the exception under Section 13 of the Civil Procedure Code, as discussed below.
The United States has not been declared by the government to be a reciprocating territory for the purposes of section 44A of the Civil Procedure Code. However, the United Kingdom has been declared by the government to be a reciprocating territory and the High Courts in England as the relevant superior courts. A judgment of a court in a jurisdiction which is not a reciprocating territory, such as the United States, may be enforced only by a new suit upon the judgment and not by proceedings in execution. Section 13 of the Civil Procedure Code provides that a foreign judgment shall be conclusive as to any matter thereby directly adjudicated upon except: (i) where it has not been pronounced by a court of competent jurisdiction; (ii) where it has not been given on the merits of the case; (iii) where it appears on the face of the proceedings to be founded on an incorrect view of international law or a refusal to recognize the law of India in cases where such law is applicable; (iv) where the proceedings in which the judgment was obtained were opposed to natural justice; (v) where it has been obtained by fraud; or (vi) where it sustains a claim founded on a breach of any law in force in India. A foreign judgment which is conclusive under Section 13 of the Civil Procedure Code may be enforced either by a new suit upon judgment or by proceedings in execution. The suit must be brought in India within three years from the date of the judgment in the same manner as any other suit filed to enforce a civil liability in India. It is unlikely that a court in India would award damages on the same basis as a foreign court if an action is brought in India. Furthermore, it is unlikely that an Indian court would enforce a foreign judgment if it viewed the amount of damages awarded as excessive or inconsistent with Indian practice. A party seeking to enforce a foreign judgment in India is required to obtain approval from the RBI to repatriate outside India any amount recovered pursuant to execution. Any judgment in a foreign currency would be converted into Indian rupees on the date of the judgment and not on the date of the payment. The Bank cannot predict whether a suit brought in an Indian court will be disposed of in a timely manner or be subject to considerable delays.
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Risks Relating to the ADSs and Equity Shares
Historically, our ADSs have traded at a premium to the trading prices of our underlying equity shares, a situation which may not continue.
Historically, our ADSs have traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) at a premium to the trading prices of our underlying equity shares on the Indian stock exchanges. See “
Certain Information About Our American Depositary Shares and Equity Shares
” for the underlying data. We believe that this price premium has resulted from the relatively small portion of our market capitalization previously represented by ADSs, restrictions imposed by Indian law on the conversion of equity shares into ADSs, and an apparent preference for investors to trade dollar-denominated securities. Over time, some of the restrictions on issuance of ADSs imposed by Indian law have been relaxed and we expect that other restrictions may be relaxed in the future. It is possible that in the future our ADSs will not trade at any premium to our equity shares and could even trade at a discount to our equity shares.
Investors in ADSs will not be able to vote.
Investors in ADSs will have no voting rights, unlike holders of equity shares. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary will abstain from voting the equity shares represented by the ADSs. If you wish, you may withdraw the equity shares underlying the ADSs and seek to vote (subject to Indian restrictions on foreign ownership) the equity shares you obtain upon withdrawal. However, this withdrawal process may be subject to delays and additional costs and you may not be able to redeposit the equity shares. For a discussion of the legal restrictions triggered by a withdrawal of equity shares from the depositary facility upon surrender of ADSs, see “
Restrictions on Foreign Ownership of Indian Securities
” and “
Description of American Depositary Shares—Voting Rights
”.
Your ability to withdraw equity shares from the depositary facility is uncertain and may be subject to delays.
India’s restrictions on foreign ownership of Indian companies limit the number of equity shares that may be owned by foreign investors and generally require government approval for foreign investments. Investors who withdraw equity shares from the ADSs depositary facility for the purpose of selling such equity shares will be subject to Indian regulatory restrictions on foreign ownership upon withdrawal. The withdrawal process may be subject to delays. For a discussion of the legal restrictions triggered by a withdrawal of equity shares from the depositary facility upon surrender of ADSs, see “
Restrictions on Foreign Ownership of Indian Securities
”.
Restrictions on deposit of equity shares in the depositary facility could adversely affect the price of our ADSs.
Under current Indian regulations, an ADSs holder who surrenders ADSs and withdraws equity shares may deposit those equity shares again in the depositary facility in exchange for ADSs. An investor who has purchased equity shares in the Indian market may also deposit those equity shares in the ADSs program. However, the deposit of equity shares may be subject to securities law restrictions and the restriction that the cumulative aggregate number of equity shares that can be deposited as of any time cannot exceed the cumulative aggregate number represented by ADSs converted into underlying equity shares as of such time. These restrictions increase the risk that the market price of our ADSs will be below that of our equity shares.
There is a limited market for the ADSs.
Although our ADSs are listed and traded on the NYSE, any trading market for our ADSs may not be sustained, and there is no assurance that the present price of our ADSs will correspond to the future price at which our ADSs will trade in the public market. Indian legal restrictions may also limit the supply of ADSs. The only way to add to the supply of ADSs would be through an additional issuance. We cannot guarantee that a market for the ADSs will continue.
Investors in ADSs will not be able to vote.
Your ability to withdraw equity shares from the depositary facility is uncertain and may be subject to delays.
Restrictions on deposit of equity shares in the depositary facility could adversely affect the price of our ADSs.
There is a limited market for the ADSs.
Conditions in the Indian securities market may affect the price or liquidity of our equity shares and ADSs.
The Indian securities markets are smaller and more volatile than securities markets in more developed economies. The Indian stock exchanges have in the past experienced substantial fluctuations in the prices of listed securities. Currently, prices of securities listed on Indian exchanges are displaying signs of volatility linked among other factors to the uncertainty in the global markets and the rising inflationary and interest rate pressures domestically. The governing bodies of the Indian stock exchanges have from time to time imposed restrictions on trading in certain securities, limitations on price movements and margin requirements. Future fluctuations or trading restrictions could have a material adverse effect on the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
Settlement of trades of equity shares on Indian stock exchanges may be subject to delays.
You may be subject to Indian taxes arising out of capital gains.
You may be unable to exercise preemptive rights available to other shareholders.
 
53

Settlement of trades of equity shares on Indian stock exchanges may be subject to delays.
The equity shares represented by our ADSs are listed on the NSE and BSE. Settlement on these stock exchanges may be subject to delays and an investor in equity shares withdrawn from the depositary facility upon surrender of ADSs may not be able to settle trades on these stock exchanges in a timely manner.
You may be subject to Indian taxes arising out of capital gains.
Generally, capital gains, whether short-term or long-term, arising on the sale of the underlying equity shares in India are subject to Indian capital gains tax. Investors are advised to consult their own tax advisers and to carefully consider the potential tax consequences of an investment in ADSs. See also “
Taxation
”.
You may be unable to exercise preemptive rights available to other shareholders.
A company incorporated in India must offer its holders of equity shares preemptive rights to subscribe and pay for a proportionate number of shares to maintain their existing ownership percentages prior to the issuance of any new equity shares, unless these rights have been waived by at least 75 percent of the company’s shareholders present and voting at a shareholders’ general meeting. United States investors in our ADSs may be unable to exercise preemptive rights for our equity shares underlying our ADSs unless a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) is effective with respect to those rights or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available. Our decision to file a registration statement will depend on the costs and potential liabilities associated with any registration statement as well as the perceived benefits of enabling United States investors in our ADSs to exercise their preemptive rights and any other factors we consider appropriate at the time. We do not commit to filing a registration statement under those circumstances. If we issue any securities in the future, these securities may be issued to the depositary, which may sell these securities in the securities markets in India for the benefit of the investors in our ADSs. There can be no assurance as to the value, if any, the depositary would receive upon the sale of these securities. To the extent that investors in our ADSs are unable to exercise preemptive rights, their proportional interests in us would be reduced.
Financial difficulty and other problems in certain financial institutions in India could adversely affect our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
Because the equity shares underlying our ADSs are quoted in rupees in India, you may be subject to potential losses arising out of exchange rate risk on the Indian rupee and risks associated with the conversion of rupee proceeds into foreign currency.
There may be less information available on Indian securities markets than securities markets in developed countries.
HDFC Limited’s significant holdings could have an effect on the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs.
Investors may be subject to Indian taxes arising out of capital gains on the sale of equity shares.
Future issuances or sales of equity shares and ADSs could significantly affect the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act withholding may affect payments on our equity shares and ADSs.
35

RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the following risk factors in evaluating us and our business.
Economic and Political Risks
A slowdown in economic growth in India would cause us to experience slower growth in our asset portfolio and deterioration in the quality of our assets.
Our performance and the quality and growth of our assets are dependent on the health of the overall Indian economy. In addition to inflation, interest rates, external trade and capital flows, the
COVID-19
pandemic, and in particular its domestic impact, has been an important driver for India’s growth trajectory in fiscal year 2022. While we experienced solid growth in the first half of fiscal year 2021, the impact from the pandemic on India affected the quality of our loan portfolio. Our gross
non-performing
loans as a percentage of our total loan portfolio decreased from 1.8 percent in fiscal year 2021 to 1.3 percent in fiscal year 2022. While a successful vaccination drive could improve growth prospects, a significant proportion of Indian adults are yet to be vaccinated. An increase in the number of
COVID-19
cases and any future wave may slow or halt any future economic recovery.
In 2020, global GDP contracted by 3.1 percent, but in 2021, global GDP grew by 6.1 percent, as
COVID-19-related
disruptions eased. However, global growth is likely to slow down again in 2022 due to increasing
geo-political
tensions and elevated inflation levels. In addition, interest rate hikes by central banks to control inflation could hurt growth and investment sentiments. In India, while gross FDI flows stood at US$ 83.6 billion in fiscal year 2022 compared to US$ 82 billion in fiscal year 2021, the portfolio segment recorded a net outflow of US$ 17.2 billion in fiscal year 2022. We believe that with normalization of liquidity conditions and removal of the accommodative monetary policy stance across the globe, foreign portfolio flows in India could remain weak, as investors are expected to prefer lower risk assets in uncertain times.
We believe that overall bank credit growth is likely to increase in fiscal year 2023 from 8.6 percent in fiscal year 2022 (end of period) and 5.6 percent in fiscal year 2021 (end of period), although there could be variations from segment to segment. Industry credit growth could improve with the extension of ECGLS (Emergency Credit Guarantee Line Scheme) and PLI (Production) schemes. Additionally, the Government’s large CAPEX plan could provide support to the industrial credit. In particular, credit to large corporates could increase in the absence of intermediaries. If inflation remains high, however, low profit margins could limit the industrial credit demand. Moreover, lending to the retail segment could slow as rising living cost could limit discretionary spending. The impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic is likely to be prolonged in certain sectors of the Indian economy, including hospitality and civil aviation, which could adversely affect the Bank’s operations in those areas.
Moving ahead, economic growth could be negatively impacted if
geo-political
tensions remain or even escalate and commodity prices rise further. A stronger than expected slowdown in the economy might adversely impact credit growth and the level of
non-performing
and restructured loans. If the Indian economy growth prospects deteriorate, our asset base may erode, which would result in a material decrease in our net profits and total assets which could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial position. See also “
—The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
Our business is particularly vulnerable to interest rate risk, and volatility in interest rates could adversely affect our net interest margin, the value of our fixed income portfolio, our treasury income and our financial performance.
Our results of operations depend to a great extent on our net interest revenue. During fiscal year 2022, net interest revenue after allowances for credit losses represented 69.7 percent of our net revenue. Changes in market interest rates affect the interest rates charged on our interest-earning assets differently from the interest rates paid on our interest-bearing liabilities and also affect the value of our investments. An increase in interest rates could result in an increase in interest expense relative to interest revenue if we are not able to increase the rates charged on our loans, which would lead to a reduction in our net interest revenue and net interest margin. Further, an increase in interest rates could negatively affect demand for our loans and credit substitutes, and we may not be able to achieve our volume growth, which could adversely affect our net income. A decrease in interest rates could result in a decrease in interest revenue relative to interest expense due to the repricing of our loans at a pace faster than the rates we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities. The quantum of the changes in interest rates for our assets and liabilities may also be different.
The combination of global disinflationary pressures and better supply management of food items, including prudent food stock management, appropriate monetary policy action, fiscal consolidation and subdued global commodity prices have helped to keep domestic inflation in check in recent years. Headline inflation averaged below the RBI’s target zone during fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year 2019. However, headline inflation rose to 5.8 percent in March 2020 and increased further to above the RBI’s upper tolerance limit of 6 percent between April and November 2020.
In May and June 2021, headline inflation stood at 6.3 percent and rose to 6.95 percent in March 2022. CPI inflation rose to an
8-year
high of 7.8 percent in April 2022. Going forward, headline inflation is expected to increase and average at
6.5-6.7 percent
in the fiscal year 2023.
36

The softening in inflation led the RBI to cut the policy repo rate by 75 basis points in fiscal year 2016, by another 50 basis points in fiscal year 2017 and by 25 basis points in fiscal year 2018. While the repo rate was raised by 50 basis points during the first half of fiscal year 2019, the policy rate was again reduced by 25 basis points in the fourth quarter, as inflation started easing. In fiscal year 2020, the RBI continued to reduce the policy rate in the first half of the fiscal year. However, as headline inflation started picking up, the central bank paused the easing cycle after decreasing the repo rate by 25 basis points in October 2019. In March 2020, the RBI again reduced the repo rate by 75 basis points to address pandemic-related disruptions. In May 2020, to address the
COVID-19-related
economic disruption, the RBI implemented an emergency rate cut of 40 basis points. However, to control rising inflationary pressures due to supply chain disruptions and
geo-political
tensions, the RBI announced an
off-cycle
rate hike in May 2022 of 40 basis points and a rate hike of 50 basis points in its June 2022 policy meeting, taking the repo rate to 4.90 percent. The RBI’s concerns about the broad-based nature of the increase in inflation and the risk of the second-round impact on inflation expectations could lead to a more aggressive path by the central bank going forward. As a result, the RBI is expected to make further raises well beyond the
pre-pandemic
levels, arriving at approximately
5.75-6.05 percent
by fiscal
year-end.
To make the liquidity situation more comfortable, the RBI conducted net open market operations (“OMOs”) with purchases of Rs. 1.1 trillion in fiscal year 2017 and sales of Rs. 0.9 trillion in fiscal year 2018. In fiscal year 2019, the RBI conducted net OMO purchases of Rs. 3.0 trillion. In addition to open market operations, the RBI injected liquidity using new instruments, such as FX swap operations, long term repo auctions (“LTROs”) and targeted long term repo auctions (“TLROs”) in fiscal year 2020. In fiscal year 2021, the RBI conducted net OMO purchases of Rs. 3.1 trillion, special OMO (simultaneous sale and purchase of government securities) of Rs. 1.9 trillion and targeted long term repo operation of Rs. 5.5 billion. Furthermore, the RBI provided special credit lines for sectors hit by the pandemic. The RBI maintained adequate liquidity in the system in fiscal year 2022 and conducted net OMO purchases worth Rs. 2.1 trillion. For fiscal year 2023 the RBI plans to reduce liquidity surplus in the system and hiked the CRR rate by 50 basis points to 4.5 percent in April 2022.
Domestically, if the fiscal deficit both federally and at state level rises sharply, bond yields are likely to remain volatile and see upward pressure. While interest rate hikes by the RBI to control inflation along with liquidity withdrawals via CRR increase could add further pressure, the RBI is expected to continue managing yields actively and capping them. Any volatility in interest rates could adversely affect our net interest margin, the value of our fixed income portfolio, our treasury income and our financial performance.
Financial and political instability in other countries may cause increased volatility in the Indian financial market.
The Indian market and the Indian economy are influenced by the economic and market conditions in other countries, particularly the emerging market countries in Asia. Financial turmoil in Sri Lanka, Russia and elsewhere in the world in recent years has affected the Indian financial market as investor sentiment took a hit during such episodes. Although economic conditions are different in each country, investors’ reactions to developments in one country can have adverse effects on the securities of companies in other countries, including India. A loss of investor confidence in the financial systems of other markets may cause increased volatility in the Indian financial market and, more generally, in the Indian economy. Any financial instability or disruptions could also have a negative impact on the Indian economy and could harm the Bank’s business, its future financial performance and the prices of its equity shares and ADSs.
The macroeconomic, trade and regulatory environment has become increasingly fragmented, with continuing disruptions of global supply chains in several industries. The mismatch between supply and demand has pushed up commodity and other prices, particularly in the energy sector, creating further challenges for monetary authorities and customers. Against the backdrop of both a
vaccine-led
economic recovery and increasing inflationary pressures, interest rates generally rose during 2021. Central banks in developed markets have either begun, or are expected to soon begin, to raise benchmark rates in order to help ease inflationary pressures.
The global credit and equity markets have experienced substantial dislocations, liquidity disruptions and market corrections in the last few years, most recently due to the impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic. In Europe, the impacts of the European sovereign debt crisis, the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, Italian political and economic developments, protests in France, the refugee crisis and the increasing attractiveness to voters of populist and anti-austerity movements have all contributed to political and economic uncertainty. An escalation of political risks could have consequences both for the financial system and the greater economy as a whole, potentially leading to declines in business levels, write-downs of assets and losses across businesses in the United Kingdom and the European Union, which could lead to adverse consequences for global financial and foreign exchange markets.
The United Kingdom Government concluded a Trade Cooperation Agreement (the “TCA”) with the European Union which came into effect on January 1, 2021. Given the ongoing uncertainty over the United Kingdom’s future trading relationships with the EU, following its withdrawal from the European Union, it is difficult to determine the exact impact of the TCA over the long term. However, the United Kingdom’s economy and those of the Eurozone countries are very tightly linked as a result of EU integration projects (other than the Euro), and any trade disputes between the United Kingdom and the European Union may have an adverse impact on global financial markets. The currently unsettled future relationship between the EU and the United Kingdom is also likely to lead to further uncertainty in relation to the regulation of cross-border business activities.
37

Heightened tensions across the
geo-political
landscape could also have implications for the Bank and its customers. Diplomatic tensions between China and the United States, and extending to the United Kingdom, the EU, India and other countries, may affect the Bank, creating regulatory, reputational and market risks. The United States, the United Kingdom, the EU, Canada and other countries have imposed various sanctions and trade restrictions on Chinese individuals and companies. In response, China has announced sanctions, trade restrictions and laws that could impact the Bank and its customers.
In February 2022, Russia launched a large-scale military invasion of Ukraine, following which many governments enacted severe sanctions on Russia. The invasion and ongoing conflict have disrupted financial markets and have had adverse impacts on supply chains, prevailing levels of inflation and other macroeconomic conditions. The ongoing conflict could even spill over to neighboring countries, and due to political instability in Eastern Europe, it is possible that further sanctions may be imposed on Russia. Failure to comply with those laws could expose the Bank to civil and criminal prosecution and penalties, the imposition of export or economic sanctions against the Bank and reputational damage, all of which could materially and adversely affect the Bank’s financial results. To the extent Russia’s invasion of Ukraine adversely affects our business and financial results, it may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in this “
Risk Factors
” section.
In recent months, overall risk appetite has decreased as investors assessed risks associated with the Russia-Ukraine war. Riskier assets, such as equity stock, fell after western nations had imposed several rounds of sanctions against Russia. While fears of a global slowdown amidst high inflation weighed on sentiments, global liquidity withdrawal with major central banks, including the United States Federal Reserve, beginning balance sheet reduction and rate hikes tightened financial conditions.
Moving forward, recurrent or future waves of
COVID-19
or similar health crises across the globe, and prolonged
geo-political
tensions could adversely affect global financial markets leading to adverse
follow-on
consequences in India. There is also a risk that central banks could start acting more aggressively if inflation remains elevated. See also “—
The
COVID-19
pandemic may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”. In response to these developments, including the
COVID-19
pandemic, as well as past financial and liquidity crises in these markets, legislators and financial regulators in the United States, Europe and other jurisdictions, including India, have implemented several policy measures designed to add stability to the financial markets. However, the overall impact of these and other legislative and regulatory efforts on the global financial markets is uncertain, and they may not have the intended stabilizing effects. In the event that the current adverse conditions in the global credit markets continue or if there is any significant financial disruption, this could cause increased volatility in the Indian financial market and have an adverse effect on our business, future financial performance and the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs.
Our and our customers’ exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could adversely affect our operating results.
Foreign currency exchange rates depend on various factors and can be volatile and difficult to predict. We enter into derivative contracts with our borrowers to manage their foreign currency exchange risk exposure. Volatility in these exchange rates may lead to losses in derivative transactions for our borrowers. On maturity or on premature termination of the derivative contracts and under certain circumstances, we may have to bear these losses. The use of derivative financial instruments may also generate obligations for us to make additional cash payments, which would negatively affect our liquidity. Any losses suffered by our customers as a result of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.
We may not adequately assess, monitor and manage risks inherent in our business, and any failure to manage risks could adversely affect our business, financial position or results of operations.
We are exposed to a variety of risks, including liquidity risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, operational risk (including fraud) and legal risk (including actions taken by our own employees). The effectiveness of our risk management is limited by the quality and timeliness of available data and other factors outside of our control.
For example, our hedging strategies and other risk management techniques may not be fully effective in mitigating risks in all market environments or against all types of risk, including risks that are unidentified or unanticipated. Some methods of managing risks are based upon observed historical market behavior. As a result, these methods may not predict future risk exposures, which could be greater than the historical measures indicated. Other risk management methods depend upon an evaluation of information regarding markets, customers or other matters. This information may not in all cases be accurate, complete,
up-to-date
or properly evaluated. As part of our ordinary decision-making process, we rely on various models for risk and data analysis. These models are based on historical data and supplemented with managerial input and comments. There are no assurances that these models and the data they analyze are accurate or adequate to guide our strategic and operational decisions and protect us from risks. Any deficiencies or inaccuracies in the models or the data might have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operation.
Additionally, management of operational, legal or regulatory risk requires, among other things, policies and procedures to ensure certain prohibited actions are not taken and to properly record and verify a number of transactions and events. Although we believe we have established such policies and procedures, they may not be fully effective, and we cannot guarantee that our employees will follow these policies and procedures in all circumstances. Unexpected shortcomings in these policies and procedures or a failure to follow them may have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.
38

Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to respond to new technological advances and emerging banking and finance industry standards and practices on a cost-effective and timely basis. The development and implementation of such technology entails significant technical and business risks. There can be no assurance that we will successfully implement new technologies or adapt transaction-processing systems to customer requirements or emerging market standards. Failure to properly monitor, assess and manage risks could lead to losses which may have an adverse effect on our future business, financial position or results of operations.
In order to support and grow our business, we must maintain a minimum capital adequacy ratio, and a lack of access to the capital markets may prevent us from maintaining an adequate ratio.
As of March 31, 2022, the RBI requires a minimum capital adequacy ratio of 11.7 percent (including requirements for the capital conservation buffer and due to our Bank’s classification as a Domestic Systemically Important Bank
(D-SIB))
of our total risk-weighted assets (“RWAs”). We adopted the Basel III capital regulations effective April 1, 2013. Our capital adequacy ratio, calculated in accordance with Indian GAAP, was 18.90 percent as of March 31, 2022. Our
CET-I
ratio was 16.67 percent as of March 31, 2022. Our ability to support and grow our business would be limited by a declining capital adequacy ratio. While we anticipate accessing the capital markets to offset declines in our capital adequacy ratio, we may be unable to access the markets at the appropriate time, or the terms of any such financing may be unattractive due to various reasons attributable to changes in the general environment, including political, legal and economic conditions.
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision issued a comprehensive reform package entitled “Basel III: A global regulatory framework for more resilient banks and banking systems” in December 2010. In May 2012, the RBI released guidelines on implementation of the Basel III capital regulations in India, and in July 2015, the RBI issued a master circular on capital regulations (consolidated master circular issued in April 2022) and
time-to-time
amendments. The key items covered under these guidelines include: (i) improving the quality, consistency and transparency of the capital base; (ii) enhancing risk coverage; (iii) grading the enhancement of the total capital requirement; (iv) introducing a capital conservation buffer and countercyclical buffer; and (v) supplementing the risk-based capital requirement with a leverage ratio. One of the major changes in the Basel III capital regulations is that the Tier I capital will predominantly consist of common equity of the banks, which includes common shares, reserves and stock surplus. Innovative instruments and perpetual
non-cumulative
preference shares will not be considered a part of
CET-I
capital. Basel III also defines criteria for instruments to be included in Tier II capital to improve their loss absorbency. The guidelines also set out criteria for loss absorption through the conversion or
write-off
of all
non-common
equity regulatory capital instruments at the point of
non-viability.
The point of
non-viability
is defined as a trigger event upon the occurrence of which
non-common
equity Tier I and Tier II instruments issued by banks in India may be required to be, at the option of the RBI, written off or converted into common equity. Additionally, the guidelines have set out criteria for loss absorption through the conversion or
write-off
of Additional Tier I capital instruments at a
pre-specified
trigger level. The RBI has implemented the last tranche of the capital conservation buffer from October 1, 2021. The minimum Common Equity Tier 1 capital of 5.5 percent of RWAs is required to be maintained by banks along with a capital conservation buffer of 2.5 percent of RWAs, in the form of Common Equity Tier 1 capital.
D-SIBs
are required to maintain additional
CET-I
capital requirements ranging from 0.2 percent to 1.0 percent of risk-weighted assets. We were classified as a
D-SIB
from April 1, 2018 onwards and were required to maintain additional
CET-I
of 0.2 percent with effect from April 1, 2019. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Domestic Systemically Important Banks
”. Banks will also be required to have an additional capital requirement towards countercyclical capital buffer (“CCCB”) varying between 0 percent and 2.5 percent of the RWAs as and when implementation is announced by the RBI. The RBI has not yet activated the CCCB, and in its press release dated April 5, 2022, has stated that it is not necessary to activate CCCB at this point. Additionally, the Basel III LCR, which is a measure of the Bank’s high-quality liquid assets compared to its anticipated cash outflows over a
30-day
stressed period, commenced applying in a phased manner that started with a minimum requirement of 60 percent from January 1, 2015 and reached a minimum of 100 percent on January 1, 2019. However, in view of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI pursuant to its circular dated April 17, 2020 had reduced the LCR requirement from 100 percent to 80 percent for the period from April 17, 2020 to September 30, 2020. The RBI increased the reduced LCR requirement in two phases: (i) from 80 percent to 90 percent from October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 and (ii) from 90 percent to 100 percent from April 1, 2021. In 2020, banks were permitted to avail themselves of funds under the marginal standing facility by dipping into the Statutory Liquidity Ratio (“SLR”) up to an additional 1.0 percent of their net demand and time liabilities (“NDTL”) (
i.e
., cumulatively up to 3.0 percent of their NDTL). This facility, which was initially available until June 30, 2020, was extended in phases until December 31, 2021. With effect from January 1, 2022, banks can dip into the SLR up to 2 percent of NDTL instead of 3 percent for overnight borrowing under the MSF. See “—
The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”. These various requirements, including requirements to increase capital to meet increasing capital adequacy ratios, could require us to forgo certain business opportunities. Since we have been classified as a
D-SIB,
pursuant to a circular issued by the RBI dated June 2019, under Basel III, we are required to maintain a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0 percent as compared to 3.5 percent required to be maintained by other scheduled commercial banks, with effect from October 1, 2019.
We believe that the demand for Basel III compliant debt instruments, such as Tier II capital eligible securities, may be limited in India. In the past, the RBI has reviewed and made amendments in its guidelines on Basel III capital regulations with a view to facilitating the issuance of
non-equity
regulatory capital instruments by banks under the Basel III framework. It is unclear what effect, if any, these amendments may have on the issuance of Basel III compliant securities or if there will be sufficient demand for such securities. It is also possible that the RBI could further amend the eligibility criteria of such instruments in the future if the objectives identified by the RBI are not met, which would create additional uncertainty regarding the market for Basel III compliant securities in India.
39

If we are unable to meet the new and revised requirements, including both requirements applicable to banks generally and requirements imposed on us as a
D-SIB,
our business, future financial performance and the price of our ADSs and equity shares could be adversely affected.
We rely on third parties, including service providers, overseas correspondent banks and other Indian banks, who may not perform their obligations satisfactorily or in compliance with the law.
Our business leads us to rely on different types of third parties, which exposes us to risks. For example, we enter into outsourcing arrangements with third-party agencies/ vendors, in compliance with the RBI guidelines on outsourcing. These entities provide services which include, among others, cash management services, software services, client sourcing, debt recovery services and call center services. However, we cannot guarantee that there will be no disruptions in the provision of such services or that these third parties will adhere to their contractual obligations. Additionally, we also rely on our overseas correspondent banks to facilitate international transactions, and the Indian banking industry as a whole is interdependent in facilitating domestic transactions. There is no assurance that our overseas correspondent banks or our domestic banking partners will not fail or face financial problems (such as financial problems arising out of or in relation to frauds uncovered in early 2018 at one of India’s public sector banks). If there is a disruption in the third-party services, or if the third-party service providers discontinue their service agreement with us, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected. In case of any dispute with any of the foregoing parties, we cannot assure you that the terms of our arrangements with such parties will not be breached, which may result in costs such as litigation costs or the costs of entering into agreements with third parties in the same industry, and such costs may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. We may also suffer from reputational and legal risks if one of these third parties acts unethically or unlawfully, and if any Bank in India, especially a private Bank, or any of our key overseas correspondent banks were to fail, this could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, growth prospects or the price of our equity shares.
Risks Relating to Our Business
If we are unable to manage our growth, our operations may suffer and our performance may decline.
We have grown consistently over the last years. Our loan growth rate has been significantly higher than that of the Indian banking industry. Our loans in the three-year period ended March 31, 2021 grew at a compounded annual growth rate of 17.8 percent. The compounded annual growth for the Indian Banking Industry for the same period was approximately 7.4 percent. The growth in our business is partly attributable to the expansion of our branch network. As at March 31, 2017, we had a branch network comprised of 4,715 branches, which increased to 6,342 branches as at March 31, 2022. Section 23 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (the “Banking Regulation Act”) provides that banks must obtain the prior approval of the RBI to open new banking outlets. Further, the RBI may cancel a license for violations of the conditions under which it was granted. The RBI issues instructions and guidelines to banks on branch authorization from time to time. With the objective of liberalizing the branch licensing process, the RBI, effective October 2013, granted general permission to banks, including us, to open banking outlets in Tier 1 to Tier 6 centers, subject to a requirement to report to the RBI and certain other conditions. In May 2017, the RBI has further liberalized the branch authorization policy. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Regulations Relating to the Opening of Banking Outlets
”. If we are unable to perform in a manner satisfactory to the RBI in any of these centers or comply with the specified conditions, it may have an impact on the number of banking outlets we will be able to open, which would, in turn, have an impact on our future growth. In addition, our rapid growth has placed, and if it continues, will place, significant demands on our operational, credit, financial and other internal risk controls including:
recruiting, training and retaining sufficient skilled personnel;
upgrading, expanding and securing our technology platform;
developing and improving our products and delivery channels;
preserving our asset quality as our geographical presence increases and customer profile changes;
complying with regulatory requirements such as the KYC norms; and
maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.
If our internal risk controls are insufficient to sustain our rapid rate of growth, if we fail to properly manage our rapid growth or if we fail to perform adequately in any of the above areas, our operations would suffer and our business, results of operations and financial position would be materially adversely affected.
Our success depends in large part upon our management team and skilled personnel and our ability to attract and retain such persons.
We are highly dependent on our management team, including the efforts of our Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, and our Executive Director, as well as other members of our senior management. Our future performance is dependent on the continued service of these persons or similarly skilled and qualified successors. In addition, we also face a continuing challenge to recruit and retain a sufficient number of skilled personnel, particularly if we continue to grow. Competition for management and other skilled personnel in our industry is intense, and we may not be able to attract and retain the personnel we need in the future. The loss of key personnel may restrict our ability to grow and consequently have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial position.
40

Our funding is primarily short and medium term and if depositors do not roll over deposited funds upon maturity, our net income may decrease.
Most of our funding requirements are met through short term and medium term funding sources, primarily in the form of retail deposits. Short term deposits are those with a maturity not exceeding one year. Medium term deposits are those with a maturity of greater than one year but not exceeding three years. See “
Selected Statistical Information—Funding
”. However, a portion of our assets have long term maturities, which sometimes causes funding mismatches. As of March 31, 2022, 33.5 percent of our loans are expected to mature within the next year and 43.3 percent of our loans are expected to mature in the next one to three years. As of March 31, 2022, 27.9 percent of our deposits are expected to mature within the next year and 42.9 percent of our deposits are expected to mature between the next one to three years. In our experience, a substantial portion of our customer deposits has been rolled over upon maturity and has been, over time, a stable source of funding. However, if a substantial number of our depositors do not roll over deposited funds upon maturity, our liquidity position will be adversely affected and we may be required to seek more expensive sources of funding to finance our operations, which would result in a decline in our net income and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. We may also face a concentration of deposits by our larger depositors. Any sudden or large withdrawals by such large depositors may impact our liquidity position.
Any increase in interest rates would have an adverse effect on the value of our fixed income securities portfolio and could have a material adverse effect on our net income.
Any increase in interest rates would have an adverse effect on the value of our fixed income securities portfolio and could have a material adverse effect on our net revenue. Policy rates were successively increased from February 2010 to March 2012, during which period the bout of interest rate tightening in India was faster than in many other economies. The RBI raised key policy rates from 5.25 percent (repo rate) in April 2010 to 8.5 percent in October 2011. However, key policy rates were eased from 8.0 percent (repo rate) in April 2012 to 7.25 percent in May 2013. In July 2013, the RBI increased the rate for borrowings under its marginal standing facility (which was introduced by the RBI in fiscal year 2012) from 100 basis points to 300 basis points above the repo rate. This rate was eased from 200 basis points above the repo rate in September 2013 to 100 basis points above repo rate in October 2013. In contrast, the policy rates were tightened from 7.5 percent (repo rate) in September 2013 to 8.0 percent in January 2014. The RBI reduced the policy repo rate again to 7.75 percent in January 2015, further reducing it to 7.5 percent in March 2015, 7.25 percent in June 2015, 6.75 percent in September 2015, 6.5 percent in April 2016, 6.25 percent in October 2016 and 6.0 percent in August 2017, before increasing it to 6.25 percent in June 2018 and 6.5 percent in August 2018. The RBI began decreasing the policy rate again in February 2019 and reduced the policy rate further in April 2019, June 2019, August 2019, October 2019 and February 2020. The central bank reduced the policy rate by 40 basis points in May 2020 to address
COVID-19
related disruptions. However, taking cognizance of rising inflationary pressures as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war, the RBI hiked rates by 40 basis points in an
off-cycle
meeting in May 2022 and by another 50 basis points in June 2022.
We are, however, more structurally exposed to interest rate risk than banks in many other countries because of certain mandated reserve requirements of the RBI. See
“Supervision and Regulation—Legal Reserve Requirements”.
These requirements result in Indian banks, such as ourselves, maintaining (as per RBI guidelines currently in force) a portion of our liabilities in bonds issued by the Government (18.0 percent as of May 2021 computed as per guidelines issued by the RBI). We are also required to maintain 4.5 percent of our liabilities (computed as per guidelines issued by the RBI) by way of a balance with the RBI. This, in turn, means that we could be adversely impacted by a rise in interest rates, especially if the rise were sudden or sharp. A rise in yields on fixed income securities, including government securities, will likely adversely impact our profitability. The aforementioned requirements would also have a negative impact on our net interest income and net interest margins since interest earned on our investments in government-issued securities is generally lower than that earned on our other interest earning assets.
We could experience a decline in our revenue generated from activities on the equity markets if there is a prolonged or significant downturn on the Indian stock exchanges, and we may face difficulties in getting regulatory approvals necessary to conduct our business if we fail to meet regulatory limits on capital market exposures.
We provide a variety of services and products to participants involved with the Indian stock exchanges. These include working capital funding and margin guarantees to share brokers, personal loans secured by shares, initial public offering finance for retail customers, stock exchange clearing services, collecting bankers to various public offerings and depositary accounts. If there is a prolonged or significant downturn on the Indian stock exchanges, our revenue generated by offering these products and services may decrease, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
We are required to maintain our capital market exposures within the limits as prescribed by the RBI. Our capital market exposures are comprised primarily of investments in equity shares, loans to share brokers and financial guarantees issued to stock exchanges on behalf of share brokers.
In accordance with RBI guidance, a bank’s capital market exposure is limited to 40 percent of its net worth under Indian GAAP as of March 31 of the previous year, both on a consolidated and
non-consolidated
basis. Our capital market exposure as of March 31, 2022 was 16.9 percent of our net worth on a
non-consolidated
basis and 19.9 percent on a consolidated basis, in each case, under Indian GAAP. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Large Exposures Framework
”. If we fail to meet these regulatory limits in the future, we may face difficulties in obtaining other regulatory approvals necessary to conduct our normal course of business, which would have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.
41

Any failure or material weakness of our internal control system could cause significant errors, which may have a materially adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial position or results of operations.
We are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal measures commensurate with our size and complexity of operations. Our internal or concurrent audit functions are equipped to make an independent and objective evaluation of the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls on an ongoing basis to ensure that business units adhere to our policies, compliance requirements and internal circular guidelines. While we periodically test and update, as necessary, our internal control systems, we are exposed to operational risks arising from the potential inadequacy or failure of internal processes or systems, and our actions may not be sufficient to guarantee effective internal controls in all circumstances. Given our high volume of transactions, it is possible that errors may repeat or compound before they are discovered and rectified. Our systems and internal control procedures that are designed to monitor our operations and overall compliance may not identify every instance of
non-compliance
or every suspicious transaction. If internal control weaknesses are identified, our actions may not be sufficient to fully correct such internal control weakness. We face operational risks in our various businesses and there may be losses due to deal errors, settlement problems, pricing errors, inaccurate reporting, breaches of confidentiality, fraud and failure of mission-critical systems or infrastructure. Any error tampering or manipulation could result in losses that may be difficult to detect.
For example, pursuant to the media reports during fiscal year 2018, certain unpublished price-sensitive information (“UPSI”) relating to our financial results for the quarters ended December 31, 2015 and June 30, 2017 had been leaked in a private “group” on the WhatsApp mobile app before such results were officially published. Following this leak, we received an order from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) on February 23, 2018, directing us to (i) strengthen our processes, systems and controls relating to information security to prevent future leaks, (ii) submit a report on (a) the systems and controls, how they have been strengthened, and at what regular intervals they are monitored, and (b) the details of persons who are responsible for monitoring such systems, and (iii) conduct an internal inquiry into the leakage of UPSI relating to our financial results and submit a report in relation thereto. In accordance with the SEBI order, we filed both reports with SEBI on May 30, 2018. Any additional action by SEBI in connection with its investigation and our respective reports may subject us to further scrutiny or enforcement actions and have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial position or results of operations. From time to time SEBI has asked for information on the above matter, which we have provided. On August 31, 2020, SEBI also passed an Adjudication Order against one of our customers in connection with the UPSI matter. Through a letter dated June 10, 2021, SEBI sought clarifications on the status of implementation of the recommendations provided by our legal counsels for strengthening our systems and controls. While we have responded to SEBI on June 23, 2021, confirming the status of implementation of the legal counsels’ suggestions, we believe that we have complied with the directions under SEBI’s letters dated February 23, 2018 and June 10, 2021 and we have not received further correspondence from SEBI in this regard, there can be no assurance that a failure of our internal control system may not occur in the future, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
In addition and as a result of any of the foregoing, we may come under additional regulatory scrutiny or be the target of enforcement actions, or suffer monetary losses or adverse reputation effects which, in each case, could be material, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.
Significant fraud, system failure or calamities would disrupt our revenue-generating activities in the short term and could harm our reputation and adversely impact our revenue-generating capabilities.
Our business is highly dependent on our ability to efficiently and reliably process a high volume of transactions across numerous locations and delivery channels. We place heavy reliance on our technology infrastructure for processing this data and therefore ensuring the security of this system, and its availability is of paramount importance. Our systemic and operational controls may not be adequate to prevent any adverse impact from frauds, errors, hacking and system failures. A significant system breakdown or system failure caused by intentional or unintentional acts would have an adverse impact on our revenue-generating activities and lead to financial loss. For example, over the past two years we have experienced outages in our internet banking, mobile banking and payment utilities. Our reputation could be adversely affected by fraud committed by employees, customers or outsiders, or by our perceived inability to properly manage fraud-related risks. Our inability or perceived inability to manage these risks could lead to enhanced regulatory oversight and scrutiny. Fraud or system failures by other Indian banking institutions (such as frauds uncovered in early 2018 at one of India’s public sector banks) could also adversely affect our reputation and revenue-generating activity by reflecting negatively on our industry more generally, and in certain circumstances we could be required to absorb losses arising from intentional or unintentional acts by third-party institutions. We have established a geographically remote disaster recovery site to support critical applications, and we believe that we would be able to restore data and resume processing in the event of a significant system breakdown or failure. However, it is possible the disaster recovery site may also fail or it may take considerable time to make the system fully operational and achieve complete business resumption using the alternate site. Therefore, in such a scenario where the primary site is also completely unavailable, there may be significant disruption to our operations, which would materially adversely affect our reputation and financial condition.
42

We may not successfully implement our sustainability strategies or satisfy our ESG commitments, or our performance may not meet investor or other stakeholder expectations or standards, which could adversely impact our reputation, access to capital, business and financial condition.
Modern customers are increasingly favoring companies that are committed to addressing the social and environmental challenges we face as a society, and we seek to ensure that customers are aware of our commitment to embedded ESG issues in our business strategy by developing products and services aligned with these new standards and goals. We believe that we have been at the forefront of the banking industry transformation in India, and, as a large financial services organization with a high industry profile, our practices and commitments are subject to scrutiny by all our stakeholders.
If we are not successful in implementing our ESG and other sustainability initiatives and commitments, or if we fail to satisfy investor or other stakeholder expectations or standards in the execution of our sustainability strategies, including as the result of
non-successful
investments in new technologies, changes in customer behavior and preferences with respect to sustainability, uncertainty about market signals with respect to sustainability matters including climate change and negative feedback on our sustainability strategies, our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects, access to capital and our reputation may be adversely affected.
We are subject to climate change-related risks, including the physical risks of severe weather and water scarcity, as well as the risks of transitioning to a low carbon economy, which could have a significant negative impact on our industry, business and results of operations.
We are subject to physical and transition risks relating to climate change, which have the potential to result in adverse financial and
non-financial
impacts for the Bank. Physical risks relating to climate change include extreme weather events (such as hurricanes, extreme rainfall, earthquakes and forest fires); periods of abnormal, severe or unseasonal weather conditions (such as increased average temperature); rising sea levels; alteration or loss of biodiversity or impacts to marine ecosystems affecting tourist destinations; reduced availability of water; and insect plagues. In addition, the transition to a low carbon economy may result in new or stricter legal regulations (including new carbon taxes or greenhouse gas restrictions or reporting requirements) and other related changes, including changes in customer behavior or preferences and changes in energy consumption practices or energy costs. Transition risks can impact the Bank’s operating costs as well as its credit portfolio, for example, in the event of regulatory or policy changes, or changing market practices, that shift demand among certain business sectors and result in loan defaults from certain industries like coal, thermal and infrastructure.
Negative publicity could damage our reputation and adversely impact our business and financial results.
Reputational risk, or the risk to our business, earnings and capital from negative publicity, is inherent in our business. The reputation of the financial services industry in general has been closely monitored as a result of the financial crisis and other matters affecting the financial services industry. Negative public opinion about the financial services industry generally or us specifically could adversely affect our ability to attract and retain customers, and may expose us to litigation and regulatory action. Negative publicity can result from our actual or alleged conduct in any number of activities, including lending practices, mortgage servicing and foreclosure practices, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions and related disclosure, sharing or inadequate protection of customer information, and actions taken by government regulators and community organizations in response to that conduct. For example, in the past, we have experienced outages in our internet banking, mobile banking and payment utilities, including an outage in our internet banking and payment system in November 2020 due to a power failure in the primary data center. See “
—A failure, inadequacy or security breach in our information technology and telecommunication systems may adversely affect our business, results of operation or financial condition
”.
Many of our branches have been recently added to our branch network and are not operating with the same efficiency as compared to the rest of our existing branches, which adversely affects our profitability.
As at March 31, 2017, we had 4,715 branches, and as at March 31, 2022, we had 6,342 branches, a significant increase in the number of branches. Some of the newly added branches are currently operating at a lower efficiency level as compared with our established branches. While we believe that the newly added branches will achieve the productivity benchmark set for our entire network over time, the success in achieving our benchmark level of efficiency and productivity will depend on various internal and external factors, some of which are not under our control. The
sub-optimal
performance of the newly added branches, if continued over an extended period of time, would have a material adverse effect on our profitability.
43

Deficiencies in accuracy and completeness of information about customers and counterparties may adversely impact us.
We rely on accuracy and completeness of information about customers and counterparties while carrying out transactions with them or on their behalf. We may also rely on representations as to the accuracy and completeness of such information. For example, we may rely on reports of independent auditors with respect to financial statements, and decide to extend credit based on the assumption that the customer’s audited financial statements conform to generally accepted accounting principles and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the customer. Our financial condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted by reliance on information that is inaccurate or materially misleading. This may affect the quality of information available to us about the credit history of our borrowers, especially individuals and small businesses. As a result, our ability to effectively manage our credit risk may be adversely affected.
We present our financial information differently in other markets or in certain reporting contexts.
In India, our equity shares are traded on the BSE Limited (the “BSE”) and National Stock Exchange of India Limited (the “NSE”). BSE and NSE rules, in connection with other applicable Indian laws, require us to report our financial results in India in Indian GAAP. Because of the difference in accounting principles and presentation, certain financial information available in our required filings in the United States may be presented differently than in the financial information we provide under Indian GAAP.
Additionally, we make available information on our website and in our presentations in order to provide investors a view of our business through metrics similar to what our management uses to measure our performance. Some of the information we make available from time to time may be in relation to our unconsolidated or consolidated results under Indian GAAP or under U.S. GAAP. Potential investors should read any notes or disclaimers to such financial information when evaluating our performance to confirm how the information is being presented, since the information that may have been prepared with a different presentation may not be directly comparable.
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs, in its press release dated January 18, 2016, had issued a roadmap for implementation of Indian Accounting Standards
(“IND-AS”)
converged with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”) with certain carve-outs for scheduled commercial banks, insurance companies and
non-banking
financial companies (the “Roadmap”). This Roadmap required such institutions to prepare
IND-AS-based
financial statements for the accounting periods commencing on or after April 1, 2018, and to prepare comparative financial information for accounting periods beginning April 1, 2017 and thereafter. The RBI, in its circular dated February 11, 2016, required all scheduled commercial banks to comply with
IND-AS
for financial statements for the same periods stated above. The RBI did not permit banks to adopt
IND-AS
earlier than the above timelines. The RBI circular also stated that the RBI will issue instructions, guidance and clarifications, as and when required, on the relevant aspects of the implementation of
IND-AS.
In April 2018, the RBI deferred the effective date for implementation of
IND-AS
by one year, by which point the necessary legislative amendments were expected to have been completed. The legislative amendments recommended by the RBI are under consideration by the Government of India. Accordingly, the RBI, in its circular dated March 22, 2019, deferred the implementation of
IND-AS
until further notice.
In conjunction with the implementation of
IND-AS
for our local Indian results, we may adopt IFRS for the purposes of our filings pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of, and our reports pursuant to
Rule13a-16
or
15d-16
under, the Exchange Act. Should we choose to do so, our first year of reporting in accordance with IFRS would be the same as the accounting period for
IND-AS,
which is dependent on instructions to be issued by the RBI for the implementation of
IND-AS.
For our first year of reporting in accordance with IFRS, we would be permitted to file two years, rather than three years, of statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows prepared in accordance with IFRS.
The new accounting standards are expected to change, among other things, our methodologies for estimating allowances for probable loan losses and classifying and valuing our investment portfolio, as well as our revenue recognition policy. It is possible that our financial condition, results of operations and changes in shareholders’ equity may appear materially different under
IND-AS
or IFRS than under Indian GAAP or U.S. GAAP, respectively. Further, during the transition to reporting under the new standards, we may encounter difficulties in the implementation of the new standards and development of our management information systems. Given the increased competition for the small number of IFRS-experienced accounting personnel in India, it may be difficult for us to employ the appropriate accounting personnel to assist us in preparing
IND-AS
or IFRS financial statements. Moreover, there is no significant body of established practice from which we may draw when forming judgments regarding the application of the new accounting standards. There can be no assurance that the Bank’s controls and procedures will be effective in these circumstances or that a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting will not occur. Further, failure to successfully adopt
IND-AS
or IFRS could adversely affect the Bank’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Statistical, industry and financial data obtained from industry publications and other third-party sources may be incomplete or unreliable.
We have not independently verified certain data obtained from industry publications and other third-party sources referred to in this document and therefore, while we believe them to be true, we cannot assure you that they are complete or reliable. Such data may also be produced on different bases from those used in the industry publications we have referenced. Therefore, discussions of matters relating to India, its economy and the industries in which we currently operate are subject to the caveat that the statistical and other data upon which such discussions are based may be incomplete or unreliable.
44

We may be unable to fully capture the expected value from acquisitions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We may from time to time undertake acquisitions as part of our growth strategy, which could subject us to a number of risks, such as: (i) the rationale and assumptions underlying the business plans supporting the valuation of a target business may prove inaccurate, in particular with respect to synergies and expected commercial demand; (ii) we may fail to successfully integrate any acquired business, including its technologies, products and personnel; (iii) we may fail to retain key employees, customers and suppliers of any acquired business; (iv) we may be required or wish to terminate
pre-existing
contractual relationships, which could prove costly and/or be executed at unfavorable terms and conditions; (v) we may fail to discover certain contingent or undisclosed liabilities in businesses that we acquire, or our due diligence to discover any such liabilities may be inadequate; and (vi) it may be necessary to obtain regulatory and other approvals in connection with certain acquisitions, and there can be no assurance that such approvals will be obtained, and even if granted, that there will be no burdensome conditions attached to such approvals, all of which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial conditions.
The Banking Regulation Act, 1949 gives powers to the RBI to undertake amalgamations of banking companies. In the past, the RBI has ordered mergers of riskier banks with banks that had larger balance sheets, primarily in the interest of the depositors. For example, the Government of India announced the amalgamation of 10 public sector banks into four larger banks in April 2020 as part of a consolidation measure to create fewer banks that would be individually larger in scale. More recently, Lakshmi Vilas Bank Ltd. was amalgamated with DBS Bank India Limited with effect from November 27, 2020. Any such direction by the RBI in relation to our Bank could have an adverse effect on our business or that of our subsidiaries.
Credit Risks
If the level of
non-performing
loans in our portfolio increases, we will be required to increase our provisions, which would negatively impact our income.
Our gross
non-performing
customer assets represented 1.32 percent of our gross customer assets as of March 31, 2022. Our management of credit risk involves having appropriate credit policies, underwriting standards, approval processes, loan portfolio monitoring, remedial management and the overall architecture for managing credit risk. In the case of our secured loan portfolio, the frequency of the valuation of collateral may vary based on the nature of the loan and the type of collateral. A decline in the value of collateral or an inappropriate collateral valuation increases the risk in the secured loan portfolio because of inadequate coverage of collateral. As of March 31, 2022, 68.4 percent of our loan book was partially or fully secured by collateral. Our risk mitigation and risk monitoring techniques may not be accurate or appropriately implemented, and we may not be able to anticipate future economic and financial events, leading to an increase in our
non-performing
loans. See Note 9 “
Loans
” in our consolidated financial statements. As a result of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the Government and the RBI implemented various regulatory measures, including those aimed at alleviating financial pressure on borrowers. These measures included a moratorium on debt repayments and temporary permission to classify certain distressed loans as “Standard” if the cause of the distress was related to the pandemic. See “—
The
COVID-19
pandemic may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
Provisions are created by a charge to expense and represent our estimate for loan losses and risks inherent in the credit portfolio. See “
Selected Statistical
Information—Non-performing
Loans
”. The determination of an appropriate level of loan losses and provisions required inherently involves a degree of subjectivity and requires that we make estimates of current credit risks and future trends, all of which may undergo material changes. Our provisions may not be adequate to cover any further increase in the amount of
non-performing
loans or any further deterioration in our
non-performing
loan portfolio. Further, as part of its supervision process, the RBI assesses our asset classification and provisioning requirements. In the event that additional provisioning is required by the RBI, our net income, balance sheet and capital adequacy could be affected, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, future financial performance, shareholders’ equity and the price of our equity shares. If we are not able to continue to reduce our existing
non-performing
loans, or if there is a significant increase in the amount of new loans classified as
non-performing
loans as a result of a change in the methodology of
non-performing
loans classification mandated by the RBI or otherwise, our asset quality may deteriorate, our provisioning for probable losses may increase and our business, future financial performance and the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs could be adversely affected. In addition, we are a relatively young bank operating in a growing economy, and we have not yet experienced a significant and prolonged downturn in the economy.
A number of factors outside of our control affect our ability to control and reduce
non-performing
loans. These factors include developments in the Indian economy, domestic or global turmoil, global competition, changes in interest rates and exchange rates and changes in regulations, including with respect to regulations requiring us to lend to certain sectors identified by the RBI or the Government of India and
COVID-19
related regulatory changes, including those on the classification of
non-performing
loans and repayment moratoriums. For example, recently, certain state governments have announced waivers of amounts due under agricultural loans provided by the banks. Demands for similar waivers have been raised by farmers in other states as well. Also, in the past, the central and state governments have waived farm loans from time to time to provide some respite to the debt-ridden agricultural sector. It is unclear when the governments will compensate the banks for the waivers so announced. Further, such frequent farm waivers may create expectations of future waivers among the farmers and lead to a delay in or cessation of loan repayments, which may lead to a rise in our
non-performing
loans. These factors, coupled with other factors such as volatility in commodity markets, declining business and consumer confidence and decreases in business and consumer spending, could impact the operations of our customers and in turn impact their ability to fulfill their obligations under the loans granted to them by us. In addition, the expansion of our business may cause our
non-performing
loans to increase and the overall quality of our loan portfolio to deteriorate. If our
non-performing
loans further increase, we will be required to increase our provisions, which would result in our net income being less than it otherwise would have been and would adversely affect our financial condition.
45

We have high concentrations of exposures to certain customers and sectors, and if any of these exposures were to become
non-performing,
the quality of our portfolio could be adversely affected and our ability to meet capital requirements could be jeopardized.
As of March 31, 2022, our largest single customer exposure, based on the higher of the outstanding balances of, or limit on, funded and
non-funded
exposures, calculated based on our Indian GAAP financial statements, was Rs. 266.2 billion, representing 10.4 percent of our capital funds which comprised Tier I and Tier II capital. Similarly our 10 largest customer exposures totaled Rs. 1,725.1 billion, representing 67.5 percent of our capital funds. None of our 10 largest customer exposures was classified as
non-performing
as of March 31, 2022. However, if any of our 10 largest customer exposures were to become
non-performing,
our net income would decline and, due to the magnitude of the exposures, our ability to meet capital requirements could be jeopardized. See “
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
” for a detailed discussion on customer exposures. The RBI has released guidelines on the LEF, which are revised from time to time. The guidelines govern exposure of banks to a single counterparty and a group of connected counterparties. Under this framework, the sum of all the exposure values of a bank to a single counterparty must not be higher than 20 percent of the bank’s available eligible capital base at all times, and the sum of all the exposure values of a bank to a group of connected counterparties (as defined in the guidelines) must not be higher than 25 percent of the bank’s available eligible capital base at all times. The eligible capital base for this purpose is the effective amount of Tier I capital fulfilling the criteria mentioned in the Basel III guidelines issued by RBI as per the last audited balance sheet. As of March 31, 2022, there were no exposures which exceeded the ceiling permitted under the LEF guidelines.
As a result of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI in its circular dated May 23, 2020, increased the permitted exposure of a bank to a group of connected counterparties from 25 percent to 30 percent of the eligible capital base of a bank. The increased limit applied until June 30, 2021. See also “
—The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
The RBI in its circular from February 2021 exempted from the framework lending by foreign sovereigns or their central banks that are subject to a 0.0 percent risk weight under the Basel III guidelines, and where such lending is denominated in the domestic currency of that sovereign and met out of resources of the same currency. Further, through its circular issued in March 2021, the RBI determined that
non-centrally
cleared derivatives exposures will continue to be outside the purview of exposure limits until September 30, 2021. For further details on the LEF, see “
Supervision and Regulation—Large Exposure Framework
”.
In April 2022, the RBI issued the master circular on prudential norms on income recognition, asset classification and provisioning pertaining to advances, which consolidates the guidelines for resolution of stressed assets. In 2019, the RBI has replaced the framework for the resolution of stressed assets (including the framework for revitalizing distressed assets, joint lenders forum mechanism, strategic debt restructuring and the scheme of sustainable structuring of stressed assets). As per the existing guidelines, the lenders must recognize developing stress in loan accounts, immediately on default. Lenders must put in place policies approved by their board of directors for the resolution of stressed assets, including the timelines for such resolution, and they are expected to initiate implementation of the resolution plan even before default occurs. If a default occurs, however, lenders have a review period of 30 days within which their resolution strategy is to be decided. The RBI guidelines provide the timelines within which the banks are required to implement the resolution plan, depending on the aggregate exposure of the borrower to the lender. For large accounts with the aggregate exposure of the lenders being Rs. 20.0 billion or more, the RBI has specified that the resolution plan must be implemented within 180 days from the end of the review period. If there is a delayed implementation of the resolution plan, lenders are required to make an additional provision of 20 percent of the total amount outstanding, in addition to the provisions already held and provisions required to be made as per asset classification status of the borrower’s account, subject to a total provisioning of 100 percent of the total amount outstanding. Lenders are required to make appropriate disclosures of resolution plans implemented in their financial statements under “Notes on Accounts”.
As a result of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI in its circulars dated April 17, 2020 and May 23, 2020, temporarily relaxed the review period, as well as the timeline for the resolution of distressed assets for lenders. With respect to accounts which fell within the review period as of March 1, 2020, the period from March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020 will be excluded from the calculation of the
30-day
review period. With respect to all such accounts, the residual review period will resume from September 1, 2020, upon expiry of which the lenders will have the usual 180 days for resolution. Further, with respect to the accounts where the review period was complete, but the
180-day
resolution period had not expired by March 1, 2020, the timeline for resolution was
to be extended by 180 days from the date on which the
180-day
period was originally set to expire. Consequently, the requirement to make an additional provision of 20 percent for delays in implementing the resolution plan would only be triggered once the extended resolution period expires.
46

As a result of the impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI through its circulars dated August 2020, September 2020 and August 2021, issued certain guidelines in relation to the resolution of distressed assets, with the intent to facilitate the revival of real sector activities and mitigate the impact on the ultimate borrowers. The RBI provided a window under the prudential framework described above to enable lenders to implement a resolution plan in respect of (i) eligible corporate exposures without a change in ownership and (ii) personal loans, while classifying such exposures as “Standard”, subject to specified conditions. The lending institutions are permitted to provide resolution under such a facility only to borrowers who are experiencing financial distress as a result of
COVID-19.
The RBI also provided specific thresholds (ceilings or floors, as the case may be) for certain key ratios that should be considered by the lending institutions in the resolution assumptions with respect to an eligible borrower. In May 2021 and June 2021, on account of the resurgence of the
COVID-19
pandemic in India, the RBI issued an additional set of measures broadly in line with the circulars referred to above. The RBI permitted lending institutions to offer a limited window to individual borrowers and small businesses to implement resolution plans in respect of their credit exposures while classifying the same as ‘Standard’ upon implementation of the resolution plan, subject to certain specified conditions. In respect of individuals who have availed themselves of business loans and small businesses where resolution plans had been implemented under the guidelines set out in the circular from August 2020 described above, lending institutions are permitted until September 30, 2021, as a
one-time
measure, to review the working capital sanctioned limits and/or drawing power based on a number of factors, including a reassessment of the borrower’s working capital cycle and a reduction in the borrower’s margins, without such review being treated as restructuring. By March 31, 2022, the margins and working capital limits were restored to the levels set by the resolution plan implemented under the circular from August 2020. The circular also lists the disclosure requirements for the lending institutions with respect to the resolution plans implemented. In August 2020, May 2021 and June 2021, the RBI also issued guidelines for the restructuring of existing loans to micro, small and medium enterprises classified as “Standard”, without a downgrade in the asset classification, subject to certain conditions. See also “
—The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
As of March 31, 2022, our largest industry concentrations, based on RBI guidelines, were as follows: financial institutions (6.5 percent), power (4.6 percent), NBFC (3.6 percent) and retail trade (3.6 percent). In addition, as of March 31, 2022, 22.4 percent of our exposures were consumer loans. Industry-specific difficulties in these or other sectors may increase our level of
non-performing
customer assets. If we experience a downturn in an industry in which we have concentrated exposure, our net income will likely decline significantly and our financial condition may be materially adversely affected. As of March 31, 2022, our
non-performing
loans and credit substitutes as a percentage of total
non-performing
customer assets in accordance with U.S. GAAP were concentrated in the following industries: agriculture production-food (11.9 percent), retail trade (7.7 percent), agriculture-allied (6.7 percent) and road transportation (6.6 percent). In addition, 18.0 percent of our
non-performing
customer assets were consumer loans.
We are required to undertake directed lending under RBI guidelines. Consequently, we may experience a higher level of
non-performing
loans in our directed lending portfolio, which could adversely impact the quality of our loan portfolio, our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs. Further, in the case of any shortfall in complying with these requirements, we may be required to invest in deposits of Indian development banks as directed by the RBI. These deposits yield low returns, thereby impacting our profitability.
The RBI prescribes guidelines on PSL in India. Under these guidelines, banks in India are required to lend 40.0 percent of their adjusted net bank credit (“ANBC”) or the credit equivalent amount of
off-balance
sheet exposures (“CEOBE”), whichever is higher, as defined by the RBI and computed in accordance with Indian GAAP figures, to certain eligible sectors categorized as priority sectors. The priority sector requirements must be met with reference to the higher of the ANBC and the CEOBE as of the corresponding date of the preceding year. PSL achievement is to be evaluated at the end of the fiscal year based on the average of priority sector
target/sub-target
achievement as at the end of each quarter of that fiscal year. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Directed Lending
”. Under the guidelines, scheduled commercial banks having any shortfall in lending to the priority sector shall be allocated amounts for contribution to the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (“RIDF”) established with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (“NABARD”) and other Funds with NABARD, National Housing Bank (“NHB”), Small Industries Development Bank of India (“SIDBI”) or Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Limited (“MUDRA”), as decided by the RBI from time to time. The interest rates on such deposits may be lower than the interest rates which the Bank would have obtained by investing these funds at its discretion.
Further, the RBI has directed banks to maintain direct lending to
non-corporate
farmers at the banking system’s average level for the last three years, which would be notified by the RBI at the beginning of each year. The target for fiscal year 2022 was 12.73 percent. The RBI has also directed banks to continue to pursue the target of 13.5 percent of ANBC towards lending to borrowers who constituted the direct agriculture lending category under the earlier guidelines. If we fail to adhere to the RBI’s policies and directions, we may be subject to penalties, which may adversely affect our results of operations. Furthermore, the RBI can make changes to the types of loans that qualify under the PSL scheme. Changes that reduce the types of loans that can qualify toward meeting our PSL targets could increase shortfalls under the overall target or under certain
sub-targets.
In August 2020, the RBI issued new guidelines requiring all MSMEs to register on the Government’s “Udyam” portal by March 2021. The Udyam Registration Certificates (“URCs”) were made mandatory to classify lending to MSMEs as PSL. Subsequently, until March 2022 the RBI granted a relaxation in URC requirements to enterprises for which the erstwhile eligible documentation had been obtained up to June 30, 2020. This relaxation has been extended up to June 30, 2022. As of the date of this annual report, registration count published on Udyam suggests that the majority of enterprises are yet to register. Going forward, this low registration count could adversely impact our PSL achievement. In September 2020, the RBI issued new guidelines through which it increased the target for lending to small and marginal farmers and economically weaker sections in a phased manner through fiscal year 2024 to 10.0 percent and 12.0 percent, respectively.
47

Our total PSL achievement for fiscal year 2022 stood at 40.63 percent as against a requirement of 40 percent, and our achievement of direct lending to
non-corporate
farmers stood at 7.58 percent for fiscal year 2022 as against a requirement of 12.73 percent. Our achievement of lending to micro enterprises stood at 6.54 percent as against a target of 7.5 percent. Lending to the total agricultural sector stood at 10.80 percent as against a requirement of 18 percent, and lending to small and marginal farmers stood at 2.35 percent, against the requirement of 9.0 percent. Advances to sections termed “weaker” by the RBI were 4.17 percent against the requirement of 11.0 percent. Beginning in fiscal year 2022, the RBI assigns weightages to incremental priority sector credit in identified districts. A higher weight (125 percent) will be assigned in the identified districts where the credit flow is comparatively lower, and a lower weight (90 percent) will be assigned in districts where the credit flow is comparatively higher. This will be valid for up to fiscal year 2024 and will be reviewed thereafter. The districts not further specified will continue to have an existing weightage of 100 percent. Adjustments for weights to incremental PSL credit by the RBI are pending.
In fiscal year 2021, the Government excluded retail and wholesale traders from the MSME definition, which adversely impacted the Bank’s PSL achievement. Following representations made by various industry bodies, the Government reinstated retail and wholesale traders as MSME for priority sector lending in July 2021. Thereafter, the RBI accepted our revised filing of PSL achievement for fiscal year 2021, including the lending to retail and wholesale trader segments. Following the revision, total PSL achievement stood at 39.88 percent, lending to micro enterprises stood at 7.50 percent and advances to sections termed “weaker” by the RBI were 4.26 percent. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Directed Lending
”.
We may experience a higher level of
non-performing
assets in our directed lending portfolio, particularly in loans to the agricultural sector, small enterprises and weaker sections, where we are less able to control the portfolio quality and where economic difficulties are likely to affect our borrowers more severely. Our gross
non-performing
assets in the directed lending sector as a percentage to gross loans were 0.56 percent as of March 31, 2022 (0.43 percent as of March 31, 2021). Further increases in the above-mentioned targets of the specified PSL categories could result in an increase in
non-performing
assets due to our limited ability to control the portfolio quality under the directed lending requirements.
In addition to the PSL requirements, the RBI has encouraged banks in India to develop a financial inclusion plan for expanding banking services to rural and unbanked centers and to customers who currently do not have access to banking services. The expansion into these markets involves significant investments and recurring costs. The profitability of these operations depends on our ability to generate business volumes in these centers and from these customers. As described above, recent changes by the RBI in the directed lending norms may result in our inability to meet the PSL requirements as well as require us to increase our lending to relatively more risky segments, and may result in an increase in
non-performing
loans. In addition to the PSL requirements, the RBI has encouraged banks in India to have a financial inclusion plan for expanding banking services to rural and unbanked centers and to customers who currently do not have access to banking services. The expansion into these markets involves significant investments and recurring costs. The profitability of these operations depends on our ability to generate business volumes in these centers and from these customers. Future changes by the RBI in the directed lending norms may result in our inability to meet the PSL requirements as well as require us to increase our lending to relatively more risky segments, and may result in an increase in
non-performing
loans.
We may be unable to foreclose on collateral in a timely fashion or at all when borrowers default on their obligations to us, or the value of collateral may decrease, any of which may result in failure to recover the expected value of collateral security, increased losses and a decline in net income.
Although we typically lend on a cash flow basis, many of our loans are secured by collateral, which consists of liens on inventory, receivables and other current assets, and in some cases, charges on fixed assets, such as property, movable assets (such as vehicles) and financial assets (such as marketable securities). As of March 31, 2022, 68.4 percent of our loans were partially or fully secured by collateral. We may not be able to realize the full value of the collateral, due to, among other things, stock market volatility, changes in economic policies of the Indian government, obstacles and delays in legal proceedings, borrowers and guarantors not being traceable, our records of borrowers’ and guarantors’ addresses being ambiguous or outdated and defects in the perfection of collateral and fraudulent transfers by borrowers. In the event that a specialized regulatory agency gains jurisdiction over the borrower, creditor actions can be further delayed. In addition, the value of collateral may be less than we expect or may decline. For example, the global economic slowdown and other domestic factors had led to a downturn in real estate prices in India, which negatively impacted the value of our collateral.
The RBI has introduced various mechanisms, from time to time, to enable the lenders to timely resolve and initiate recovery with regards to stressed assets. In April 2022, the RBI issued the master circular on prudential norms on income recognition, asset classification and provisioning pertaining to advances, which consolidated the RBI’s (Prudential Framework for Resolution of Stressed Assets) Directions 2019. In 2019, the RBI had replaced the erstwhile framework for the resolution of stressed assets (including the framework for revitalizing distressed assets, joint lenders forum mechanism, strategic debt restructuring and the scheme of sustainable structuring of stressed assets). See “
Supervision and Regulations—Resolution of Stressed Assets
”.
48

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code was introduced in 2016, with the aim to provide for the efficient and timely resolution of insolvency of all persons, including companies, partnership firms, limited liability partnerships and individuals. For further details, see “
Supervision and Regulation—The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016
”. However, given the limited experience of this framework, there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully implement the above-mentioned mechanisms and recover the amounts due to us in full. Furthermore, in order to provide relief to corporate entities, which may be facing financial distress as a result of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code was amended with effect from June 5, 2020. Pursuant to the amendment, no application for the initiation of a corporate insolvency resolution process of a corporate debtor can be filed under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, in relation to a default arising on or after March 25, 2020, for a period of six months or such further period, not exceeding one year from such date, as may be notified. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Act 2021 provides among others things, for a
pre-packaged
insolvency resolution process for corporate debtors which are classified as micro, small or medium enterprises. The objective of this amendment is to provide an efficient alternative insolvency resolution process for micro, small and medium enterprises which is efficient and cost effective. The inability to foreclose on such loans due or otherwise liquidate our collateral may result in failure to recover the expected value of such collateral security, which may, in turn, give rise to increased losses and a decline in net income. See also “
—The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
Our unsecured loan portfolio is not supported by any collateral that could help ensure repayment of the loan, and in the event of
non-payment
by a borrower of one of these loans, we may be unable to collect the unpaid balance.
We offer unsecured personal loans and credit cards to the retail customer segment, including salaried individuals and self-employed professionals. In addition, we offer unsecured loans to small businesses and individual businessmen. Unsecured loans are a greater credit risk for us than our secured loan portfolio because they may not be supported by realizable collateral that could help ensure an adequate source of repayment for the loan. Although we normally obtain direct debit instructions or postdated cheques from our customers for our unsecured loan products, we may be unable to collect in part or at all in the event of
non-payment
by a borrower. Further, any expansion in our unsecured loan portfolio could require us to increase our provision for credit losses, which would decrease our earnings. Also see “
Business—Retail Banking—Retail Loans and Other Asset Products
”.
Risks Relating to Our Industry
RBI guidelines relating to ownership in private banks could discourage or prevent a change of control or other business combination involving us, such as with HDFC Limited, which could restrict the growth of our business and operations.
RBI guidelines prescribe a policy framework for the ownership and governance of private sector banks. Under Section 12 of the Banking Regulation Act 1949, as amended, no person holding shares in a financial institution shall, in respect of any shares held by such person, exercise voting rights in excess of 10 percent of the total voting rights of all the shareholders of such financial institution; provided that the RBI may increase, in a phased manner, such ceiling on voting rights from 10 to 26 percent. The notification dated July 21, 2016 issued by RBI and published in the Gazette of India dated September 17, 2016 states that the current ceiling voting rights is at 26 percent. In May 2016, RBI issued the RBI (Ownership in Private Sector Banks) Directions 2016. These guidelines prescribe requirements regarding shareholding and voting rights in relation to all private sector banks licensed by the RBI to operate in India. The guidelines specify the following ownership limits for shareholders based on their categorization:
(i)
In the case of individuals and
non-financial
entities (other than promoters/a promoter group), 10 percent of the
paid-up
capital. However, in the case of promoters being individuals and
non-financial
entities in existing banks, the permitted promoter/promoter group shareholding shall be as prescribed under the February 2013 guidelines,
i.e.
, 15 percent.
(ii)
In the case of entities from the financial sector, other than regulated or diversified or listed, 15 percent of the
paid-up
capital.
(iii)
In the case of “regulated, well diversified, listed entities from the financial sector” shareholding by supranational institutions, public sector undertaking or governments, up to 40 percent of the
paid-up
capital is permitted for both promoters/a promoter group and
non-promoters.
49

In June 2020, the RBI set up an internal working group to examine and review the extant licensing and regulatory guidelines relating to ownership and control, corporate structure of private sector banks and other related issues. The group submitted its report in October 2020, and some of the key recommendations are as follows: (i) the cap on promoters’ stakes over the course of 15 years may be raised from the current level of 15.0 percent to 26.0 percent of the
paid-up
voting equity share capital of the bank; (ii) the RBI may introduce regulations in relation to the issuance of ADRs and GDRs by banks, which ensure that such issuances are not used by dominant shareholders to indirectly enhance their voting power, including mandating prior approval by the RBI before entering into agreements with depositories, requiring a provision in the depository agreement assigning no voting rights to depositories and a mechanism for disclosure of the details of the ultimate depository receipt holders so that indirect holdings can be disclosed along with direct holdings; (iii) large corporate/industrial houses may be allowed as promoters of banks only after necessary amendments to the Banking Regulations Act 1949;
(iv) non-operative
financial holding companies (“NOFHCs”) should continue to be the preferred structure for all new licenses to be issued for Universal Banks. However, NOFHC structures should be mandatory only in cases where the individual promoters, promoting entities and converting entities have other group entities; and (v) listing requirements for small finance banks, payments banks and universal banks. For further details, see “
Supervision and Regulation—Entry of New Banks in Private Sector
”. If some, or all, of the recommendations in this report are implemented, a change of control or business combination of the Bank may be discouraged or prevented, which could restrict the growth of our business and operations.
The RBI may permit an increase of its stake beyond the limits mentioned above on a
case-to-case
basis under circumstances such as relinquishment by existing promoters, rehabilitation, restructuring of problems, weak banks, entrenchment of existing promoters or in the interest of the bank or in the interest of consolidation in the banking sector.
Such restrictions could discourage or prevent a change in control, merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination involving us, which might be beneficial to our shareholders. The RBI’s approval is required for the acquisition or transfer of a bank’s shares, which will increase the aggregate holding (direct and indirect, beneficial or otherwise) of an individual or a group to the equivalent of 5 percent or more of its total
paid-up
capital under the Master Directions on “Prior approval for acquisition of shares or voting rights in private sector banks” issued by the RBI in November 2015. Under the directions, every person who intends to make an acquisition, or to make an agreement for an acquisition, which will, or is likely to, take the aggregate holding of such person together with shares, voting rights, compulsorily convertible debentures, bonds held by him, his relatives, associate enterprises and persons acting in concert with him, to 5 percent or more of the
paid-up
share capital of the relevant bank or entitles him to exercise 5 percent or more of the total voting rights of the relevant bank, shall seek prior approval of RBI. Existing major shareholders who have already obtained prior approval of the RBI for being a major shareholding in a bank prior to making a new acquisition are exempt, subject to certain conditions.
The RBI, when considering whether to grant an approval, may take into account all matters that it considers relevant to the application, including ensuring that shareholders whose aggregate holdings are above specified thresholds meet fitness and propriety tests, as prescribed by the RBI. The RBI has accorded its approval for HDFC Limited to hold more than 10 percent of our stock. HDFC Limited’s substantial stake in us could discourage or prevent another entity from exploring the possibility of a combination with us. These obstacles to potentially synergistic business combinations could negatively impact our share price and have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete effectively with other large banks and consequently our ability to maintain and improve our financial condition.
Additionally, under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (the “SEBI Listing Regulations”), all related party transactions, including any subsequent material modification, will require approval from the audit committee of the listed entity subject to the conditions mentioned in the SEBI Listing Regulations. Further, all material related party transactions (based on the threshold provided under the SEBI Listing Regulations), including any subsequent material modification, will require prior shareholders’ approval. Further, pursuant to the SEBI Listing Regulations, no related party shall vote to approve such resolutions regardless of being a related party to the particular transaction or not. For transactions with HDFC Limited, shareholder approvals have been obtained for fiscal year 2021. However, if we are unable to obtain the necessary shareholder approvals for transactions with HDFC Limited in the future, we would be required to forego certain opportunities, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance.
Reforms to and replacement of IBORs and certain other rates or indices may adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations.
There continues to be a major transition in progress in the global financial markets with respect to the replacement of IBORs, including the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), and certain other rates or indices that serve as “benchmarks”. Such benchmarks have been used extensively across the global financial markets and in our business. However, there continue to be risks and challenges associated with the transition from IBORs that may result in consequences that cannot be fully anticipated, which expose us to various financial, operational, supervisory, conduct and legal risks, which we continue to monitor closely.
50

On July 27, 2017, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority announced that it will no longer compel or persuade banks to contribute to the LIBOR rate setting after 2021. As at the end of December 2021, the publication of most LIBOR settings has ceased and the global financial markets generally transitioned away from the use of all LIBOR settings, except for the publication until June 30, 2023 of certain U.S. dollar LIBOR settings. While alternate reference rates for the different currencies have been identified, there is still a lack of clarity or consensus about the use of these rates for all types of instruments that have referenced LIBOR. The impact of the transition to alternative reference rates is therefore uncertain and could adversely affect loans, securities and other instruments that reference, or are indirectly affected by LIBOR. In India, the Mumbai Inter-bank Forward Outright Rate (“MIFOR”) is calculated using rolling forward premia in percentage terms along with the US$ LIBOR for the respective tenures up to 12 months. The Financial Benchmark India Private Limited has commenced publishing an Adjusted MIFOR from June 15, 2021, which is used for legacy contracts, and has modified the MIFOR from June 30, 2021, which is used for new contracts. On July 8, 2021, the RBI issued a roadmap for LIBOR transition advising banks to use these alternate rates instead of MIFOR from December 31, 2021 except for managing risks pertaining to
pre-existing
MIFOR exposures.
The LIBOR transition project is being successfully implemented within the Bank. We have adhered to the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) protocol for derivative contracts and are in discussion with counterparties which have outstanding legacy derivative trades, referencing LIBOR, which are to be discontinued post June 30, 2023 for early adherence to the protocol/amended fallback agreement. The inclusion of fallback clauses in the existing loan contracts that are linked to LIBOR currencies other than US$ is complete. While fallback language for US$ LIBOR-linked loans is expected to be implemented before June 2023, there continue to be risks and challenges associated with the transition from IBORs that cannot be fully anticipated at present. This exposes us to various financial, operational, supervisory, conduct and legal risks, which we continue to monitor closely.
Foreign investment in our shares may be restricted due to regulations governing aggregate foreign investment in the Bank’s
paid-up
equity share capital.
Aggregate foreign investment from all sources in a private sector bank is permitted up to 49 percent of the
paid-up
capital under the automatic route. This limit can be increased to 74 percent of the
paid-up
capital with prior approval from the Government of India. Pursuant to a letter dated February 4, 2015, the Foreign Investment Promotion Board has approved foreign investment in the Bank up to 74 percent of its
paid-up
capital. The approval is subject to examination by the RBI for compounding on the change of foreign shareholding since April 2010. If the Bank is subject to any penalties or an unfavorable ruling by the RBI, this could have an adverse effect on the Bank’s results of operation and financial condition. The RBI had previously imposed a restriction on the purchase of equity shares of the Bank by foreign investors, under its circular dated March 19, 2012. On February 16, 2017, the RBI lifted such restriction since the foreign shareholding in the Bank was below the maximum prescribed percentage of 74 percent. Thereafter, the RBI notified by press release on February 17, 2017, and by separate letter to us dated February 28, 2017, that the foreign shareholding in all forms in the Bank crossed the said limit of 74 percent again. This was due to secondary market purchases of the Bank’s equity shares during this period. Consequently, the RBI
re-imposed
the restrictions on the purchase of the Bank’s equity shares by foreign investors. Further, SEBI also enquired regarding the measures that the Bank has taken and will take in respect of breaches of the maximum prescribed percentage of foreign shareholding in the Bank, by its letter dated March 9, 2018. As of March 31, 2022, foreign investment in the Bank, including the shareholdings of HDFC Limited and its subsidiaries, constituted 68.69 percent, respectively, of the
paid-up
capital of the Bank. The restrictions on the purchases of the Bank’s equity shares could negatively, affect the price of the Bank’s shares and could limit the ability of investors to trade the Bank’s shares in the market. These limitations and any consequent regulatory actions may also negatively affect the Bank’s ability to raise additional capital to meet its capital adequacy requirements or to fund future growth through future issuances of additional equity shares, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Foreign Ownership Restriction
”.
Further competition and the development of advanced payment systems by our competitors would adversely impact our cash float and decrease fees we receive in connection with cash management services.
The Indian market for CMS is marked by some distinctive characteristics and challenges such as a vast geography, a large number of small business-intensive towns, a large unorganized sector in various business supply chains and infrastructural limitations for accessibility to many parts of the country. Over the years, such challenges have made it a daunting task for CMS providers in the country to uncover the business potential and extend suitable services and product solutions to the business community.
51

We have been able to retain and increase our share of business in cash management services through traditional product offerings as well as by offering new age electronic banking services. However, with new entrants in the payment space such as new payment banks now being granted licenses to conduct business and certain financial technology companies, the competition in the payments landscape is likely to increase. Technological advances and the growth of
e-commerce
have made it possible for nonbanks to offer products and services that traditionally were banking products such as electronic securities trading, payments processing and online automated algorithmic-based investment advice. The introduction of Central Bank Digital Currencies could potentially have significant impacts on the banking system and the role of commercial banks within it by disrupting the current provision of banking products and services. It could allow new competitors, some previously hindered by banking regulation (such as FinTechs), to provide customers with access to banking facilities and increase disintermediation of banking services. New technologies have required and could require us to spend more to modify or adapt its products or make additional capital investments to attract and retain clients and customers or to match products and services offered by its competitors, including technology companies. Any increased competition within the payment space, any introduction of a more advanced payment system in India or an inability for us to sustain our technology investments, may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
Our business is highly competitive, which makes it challenging for us to offer competitive prices to retain existing customers and solicit new business, and our strategy depends on our ability to compete effectively.
We face strong competition in all areas of our business, and some of our competitors are larger than we are. We compete directly with large public and private sector banks, some of which are larger than we are based on certain metrics such as customer assets and deposits, branch network and capital. These banks are becoming more competitive as they improve their customer services and technology. In addition, we compete directly with foreign banks, which include some of the largest multinational financial companies in the world. See “
—We may face increased competition as a result of revised guidelines that relax restrictions on foreign ownership and participation in the Indian banking industry, and the entry of new banks in the private sector which could cause us to lose existing business or be unable to compete effectively for new business
”. In addition, new entrants into the financial services industry, including companies in the financial technology sector, may further intensify competition in the business environments, especially in the digital business environment, in which we operate, and as a result, we may be forced to adapt our business to compete more effectively. There can be no assurance that we will be able to respond effectively to current or future competition or that the technological investments we make in response to such competition will be successful. Due to competitive pressures, we may be unable to successfully execute our growth strategy and offer products and services (whether current or new offerings) at reasonable returns and this may adversely impact our business. If we are unable to retain and attract new customers, our revenue and net income will decline, which could materially adversely affect our financial condition. See “
 Business—Competition
”.
We may face increased competition as a result of revised guidelines that relax restrictions on foreign ownership and participation in the Indian banking industry, and the entry of new banks in the private sector which could cause us to lose existing business or be unable to compete effectively for new business.
The Government of India regulates foreign ownership in private sector banks. Foreign ownership up to 49 percent of the
paid-up
capital is permitted in Indian private sector banks under the automatic route and this limit can be increased up to 74 percent with prior approval of the Government of India. However, under the Banking Regulation Act, read together with the Reserve Bank of India (Ownership in Private Sector Banks) Directions 2016, a shareholder cannot exercise voting rights in excess of 10 percent of the total voting rights of all the shareholders of a financial institution. The RBI may increase the ceiling on voting rights in a phased manner up to 26 percent. The notification dated July 21, 2016 issued by RBI and published in the Gazette of India on September 17, 2016 states that the current ceiling on voting rights is at 26 percent. The RBI has also from time to time issued various circulars and regulations regarding ownership of private banks and licensing of new private sector banks in India. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Entry of new banks in the private sector
”. Reduced restrictions on foreign ownership of Indian banks could lead to a higher presence of foreign banks in India and thus increase competition in the industry in which we operate.
In February 2013, the RBI released guidelines for the licensing of new banks in the private sector. The RBI permitted private sector entities owned and controlled by Indian residents and entities in the public sector in India to apply to the RBI for a license to operate a bank through a wholly owned NOFHC route, subject to compliance with certain specified criteria. Such a NOFHC was permitted to be the holding company of a bank as well as any other financial services entity, with the objective that the holding company ring-fences the regulated financial services entities in the group, including the bank, from other activities of the group. Pursuant to these guidelines, in fiscal year 2016 IDFC Bank and Bandhan Bank commenced banking operations.
In November 2014, the RBI released guidelines for the licensing of payments banks (“Payments Banks Guidelines”) and small finance banks (“Small Finance Banks Guidelines”) in the private sector. This has led to the establishment of new payments banks and small finance banks, which have increased competition in the markets in which we operate. In December 2019, the RBI released guidelines for continuous licensing of small finance banks (the “December 2019 Guidelines”), lowering regulatory burdens for new market entrants, which may further increase competition in this segment of the market. The December 2019 Guidelines stated that a Standing External Advisory Committee (“SEAC”) comprising eminent persons with experience in banking, the financial sector and other relevant areas, will evaluate the applications and that the constituent members of the SEAC will be announced by the RBI. In March 2021, the RBI announced the constituent members of the SEAC, which will have a tenure of three years. The RBI in its circular dated March 28, 2020 issued modifications to Payments Bank Guidelines and the Small Finance Banks Guidelines to harmonize them with the December 2019 Guidelines.
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In May 2016, the RBI issued the Reserve Bank of India (Ownership in Private Sector Banks) Directions 2016. These guidelines prescribe requirements regarding shareholding and voting rights in relation to all private sector banks licensed by the RBI to operate in India. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Entry of new banks in the private sector
”.
In August 2016, the RBI released final guidelines for
“on-tap”
Licensing of Universal Banks in the Private Sector. The guidelines aim at moving from the current “stop and go” licensing approach (wherein the RBI notifies the licensing window during which a private entity may apply for a banking license) to a continuous or
“on-tap”
licensing regime. Among other things, the new guidelines specify conditions for the eligibility of promoters, corporate structure and foreign shareholdings. One of the key features of the new guidelines is that, unlike the February 2013 guidelines (mentioned above), the new guidelines make the NOFHC structure
non-mandatory
in the case of promoters being individuals or standalone promoting/converting entities which do not have other group entities. In 2021, a few entities had applied for “on tap” licenses pursuant to the above mentioned guidelines. The RBI has assessed the applications and, in May 2022, released the names of the applicants which were found not suitable for being granted
in-principle
approval.
If the goodwill recorded in connection with our acquisitions becomes impaired, we may be required to record impairment charges, which would decrease our net income and total assets.
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, we have accounted for our acquisitions of business using the acquisition method of accounting. We recorded the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the assets and liabilities of the acquired companies as goodwill. U.S. GAAP requires us to test goodwill for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill may be impaired. Goodwill is tested by initially estimating fair value of the reporting unit and then comparing it against the carrying amount including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, we are required to record an impairment loss. The amount of impairment and the remaining amount of goodwill, if any, is determined by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit as of the test date against the carrying value of the assets and liabilities of that reporting unit as of the same date. See Note 2v “
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Business combination
” and Note 2w “
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Goodwill
” in our consolidated financial statements.
Risks Relating to Our Ownership Structure and the Proposed Transaction
The Scheme with HDFC Limited is subject to a number of conditions, some of which are outside of the parties’ control, and, if these conditions are not satisfied, the Scheme may be terminated and the Proposed Transaction may not be completed.
On April 4, 2022, the Bank’s Board of Directors approved a composite scheme of amalgamation (the “Scheme”) for the amalgamation of: (i) HDFC Investments Limited and HDFC Holdings Limited, each a subsidiary of HDFC Limited, with and into HDFC Limited, and (ii) HDFC Limited with and into HDFC Bank, under Sections 230 to 232 of the Companies Act and other applicable laws including the rules and regulations (the “Proposed Transaction”). The Proposed Transaction is subject to the disclosure requirements, rules and practices applicable in India, which differ from those of the United States, in particular from the requirements of the U.S. proxy solicitation and tender offer rules of the Exchange Act.
The Scheme and completion of the Proposed Transaction are subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of requisite approvals from the RBI, the Competition Commission of India, the National Housing Bank, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority, the National Company Law Tribunal (the “Tribunal”), Securities Exchange Board of India, BSE Limited, the National Stock Exchange of India Limited and other applicable statutory and regulatory authorities, and the respective shareholders and creditors, under applicable law, and such other conditions as may be mutually agreed between HDFC Limited and the Bank. The required satisfaction (or, to the extent permitted under applicable law, waiver) of the foregoing conditions could delay the completion of the Proposed Transaction for a significant period of time or prevent it from occurring. Any delay in completing the Proposed Transaction could cause us not to realize some or all of the benefits that we expect the Proposed Transaction to achieve. There can be no assurance that such conditions will be satisfied in a timely manner or at all, or that an effect, event, development or change will not transpire that could delay or prevent these conditions from being satisfied.
If the Proposed Transaction is not completed for any reason, the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs may decline to the extent that the market price of our equity shares and ADSs reflects positive market assumptions that the Proposed Transaction will be completed and the related benefits will be realized. In addition, if the Proposed Transaction is not completed or in the event of any of the said approvals not being obtained or complied with or satisfied or the Scheme not being sanctioned by the Tribunal or orders not being passed as aforesaid before the expiry of 24 months from the last of the dates of approval of the Scheme by the respective Boards of each of the parties to the Scheme (the “Parties”), either we, HDFC Limited, HDFC Investments Limited or HDFC Holdings Limited may terminate this Scheme and upon such termination the Scheme shall stand revoked, cancelled and be of no effect; provided that, in case of
non-satisfaction
of any other conditions precedent, the Parties shall proceed in such manner as may be mutually agreed between them. We or HDFC Limited may also elect to terminate the Scheme in certain other circumstances, and the Parties, acting jointly and not individually, may withdraw the Scheme from the Tribunal at any time before the Scheme has become effective.
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Uncertainty about the Proposed Transaction may adversely affect the relationships of the Parties with their respective investors, customers, business partners and employees, whether or not the Proposed Transaction is completed.
We have incurred, and will continue to incur, significant transaction expenses in connection with the Proposed Transaction, regardless of whether the Proposed Transaction is completed, such as legal, accounting, financial advisory, compliance and integration costs. The risks arising in connection with any failure to complete the Proposed Transaction may have an adverse effect on our business, operations, financial results and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
We may also be subject to additional risks if the Proposed Transaction is not completed, including limitations on our ability to retain and hire key personnel; reputational harm including relationships with investors, customers and business partners due to the adverse perception of any failure to successfully complete the Proposed Transaction; and potential disruption to our business and distraction of our workforce and management team to pursue other opportunities that could be beneficial to us, in each case without realizing any of the benefits of having the Proposed Transaction completed. We could also be subject to litigation related to any failure to complete the Proposed Transaction or any related action that could be brought to enforce a party’s obligations under the Scheme.
In response to the announcement of the Proposed Transaction, existing or prospective customers or persons with whom we have business relationships, may delay or defer certain business decisions or might decide to seek to terminate, change or renegotiate their relationship with us in connection with the Proposed Transaction, which could negatively affect our revenues, earnings and cash available for distribution, as well as the price of our equity shares and ADSs, regardless of whether the Proposed Transaction is completed. Our current and prospective employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles with us following the Proposed Transaction, which may materially adversely affect our ability to attract, retain or motivate key management and other personnel during the pendency of the Proposed Transaction.
The Scheme with HDFC Limited may be more difficult, costly or time-consuming than expected, and implementation may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger and will expose us to incremental regulatory requirements.
The success of the Proposed Transaction will depend, in part, on our ability to realize the anticipated cost savings from combining the businesses under the Scheme. To realize those anticipated benefits and cost savings, HDFC Bank and HDFC Limited must successfully integrate and combine their businesses without adversely affecting current revenues and future growth. If we do not successfully achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Transaction may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected. In addition, the actual cost savings of the Proposed Transaction could be less than anticipated, and integration may result in additional and unforeseen expenses.
An inability to realize the full extent of the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Transaction, as well as any delays encountered in the integration process, could have an adverse effect upon our revenues, earnings, levels of expenses and results of operations following the completion of the Proposed Transaction, which may negatively affect the price of our equity shares and ADSs. Integrating entities of such size and complexity will require substantial resources including time, expense and effort from the management. If management’s attention is diverted or there are any difficulties associated with integrating such businesses, our results of operations could be adversely affected during this transition period and for an undetermined period after completion of the Proposed Transaction.
Further, once the Scheme is effective, HDFC Banks’s net interest income, profitability and return on equity may all be lower, at least in the short term, than in past periods due to the merging of HDFC Limited’s higher capital cost, liabilities and large capital base.
Additionally, HDFC Bank is subject to various regulatory requirements, including capital and liquidity requirements prescribed by the RBI. Upon the Scheme becoming effective, HDFC Bank as a combined entity may have heightened requirements to meet in this regard, including meeting the incremental Statutory Liquidity Ratio (“SLR”), Cash Reserve Ratio (“CRR”) and Priority Sector Lending (“PSL”) requirements. While we have requested the RBI for certain relaxations in this regard, including in relation to SLR, CRR and PSL requirements, it cannot be assured that those will be granted and if not granted then it cannot be assured that we will be able to meet the aforesaid requirements including the capital and liquidity requirements immediately once the Scheme becomes effective.
HDFC Limited holds a significant percentage of our share capital and can exercise influence over board decisions that could directly or indirectly favor the interests of HDFC Limited over our interests.
HDFC Group owned 21.0 percent of our equity as of March 31, 2022. As per our Articles, so long as HDFC Limited, its subsidiary or any other company promoted by HDFC Limited, either singly or in the aggregate, holds not less than 20 percent of the
paid-up
equity share capital in the Bank, the Board of Directors of the Bank shall with the approval of the shareholders, appoint the
non-retiring
directors from persons nominated by HDFC Limited. HDFC Limited shall be entitled to nominate the part-time Chairman and the Managing Director or the full-time Chairman, as the case may be, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of the Bank and the shareholders.
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Renu Karnad, the Managing Director of HDFC Limited, is a
Non-Executive
Director of the Bank and was nominated by HDFC Limited. While we are professionally managed and overseen by an independent board of directors, HDFC Limited can exercise influence over our board and over matters subject to a shareholder vote, which could result in decisions that favor HDFC Limited or result in us foregoing opportunities to the benefit of HDFC Limited. Such decisions may restrict our growth or harm our financial condition.
On July 15, 2014, the RBI issued guidelines in relation to the issuance of long term bonds with a view to encouraging financing of infrastructure and affordable housing. Regulatory incentives in the form of an exemption from the reserve requirements and a relaxation in PSL norms are stipulated as being restricted to bonds that are used to incrementally finance long term infrastructure projects and loans for affordable housing. Any incremental infrastructure or affordable housing loans acquired from other financial institutions, such as those that could be involved in a business combination with HDFC Limited like the Proposed Transaction, to be reckoned for regulatory incentives will require the prior approval of the RBI. We cannot predict the impact any potential business combination, including the Proposed Transaction, would have on our business, financial condition, growth prospects or the prices of our equity shares. See also “
—The Scheme with HDFC Limited is subject to a number of conditions, some of which are outside of the parties’ control, and, if these conditions are not satisfied, the Scheme may be terminated and the Proposed Transaction may not be completed
”.
We may face conflicts of interest relating to our promoter and principal shareholder, HDFC Limited, which could cause us to forgo business opportunities and consequently have an adverse effect on our financial performance.
HDFC Limited is primarily engaged in financial services, including home loans, property-related lending and deposit products. The subsidiaries and associated companies of HDFC Limited are also largely engaged in a range of financial services, including asset management, life and other insurance and mutual funds. Although we have no agreements with HDFC Limited or any other HDFC Group companies that restrict us from offering products and services that are offered by them, our relationship with these companies may cause us not to offer products and services that are already offered by other HDFC Group companies and may effectively prevent us from taking advantage of business opportunities. See Note 27 “
Related Party Transactions
” in our consolidated financial statements for a summary of transactions we have engaged in with HDFC Limited during fiscal year 2022. We currently distribute products of HDFC Limited and its group companies. If we stop distributing these products or forgo other opportunities because of our relationship with HDFC Limited, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance. See also “
—The Scheme with HDFC Limited is subject to a number of conditions, some of which are outside of the parties
control, and, if these conditions are not satisfied, the Scheme may be terminated and the Proposed Transaction may not be completed
”.
HDFC Limited may prevent us from using the HDFC Bank brand if they reduce their shareholding in us to below 5 percent.
As part of a shareholder agreement executed when HDFC Bank was formed, HDFC Limited has the right to prevent us from using “HDFC” as part of our name or brand if HDFC Limited reduces its shareholding in HDFC Bank to an amount below five percent of our outstanding share capital. If HDFC Limited were to exercise this right, we would be required to change our name and brand, which could require us to expend significant resources to establish new branding and name recognition in the market as well as undertake efforts to rebrand our banking outlets and our digital presence. This could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance. See also “
—The Scheme with HDFC Limited is subject to a number of conditions, some of which are outside of the parties
control, and, if these conditions are not satisfied, the Scheme may be terminated and the Proposed Transaction may not be completed
”.
Legal and Regulatory Risks
We have previously been subject to penalties imposed by the RBI. Any regulatory investigations, fines, sanctions and requirements relating to conduct of business and financial crime could negatively affect our business and financial results, or cause serious reputational harm.
The RBI is empowered under the Banking Regulation Act to impose penalties on banks and their employees in order to enforce applicable regulatory requirements. During 2019, we received two separate fines for
non-compliance
with certain RBI directives. In its order dated February 4, 2019, the RBI imposed a monetary penalty of Rs. 2.0 million on us for failing to comply with the RBI’s KYC and AML standards, as set out in their circulars dated November 29, 2004 and May 22, 2008. In its order dated June 13, 2019, the RBI imposed a monetary penalty of Rs. 10 million on us for failing to comply with the KYC, AML and fraud reporting standards, following an investigation into bills of entry submitted by certain importers. The penalties were imposed under Section 47A(1)(c) and Section 46(4)(i) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. We have since implemented corrective action to strengthen our internal control mechanisms so as to ensure that such incidents do not repeat themselves. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Penalties
”. In 2020, the Bank received one fine for
non-compliance
with RBI regulations. In its order dated January 29, 2020, the RBI imposed a monetary penalty in the amount of Rs. 10 million on the Bank for failure to undertake ongoing due diligence with respect to 39 current accounts which had been opened by customers of the Bank to participate in an initial public offering, but where the transactions effected were disproportionate to the declared income and profile of the customers. This penalty was imposed by the RBI using the powers conferred under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Section 46(4)(i) of the Banking Regulation Act 1949. The Bank has since strengthened its internal control mechanisms so as to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.
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The RBI, through its letter dated December 4, 2020, imposed a monetary penalty of Rs. 0.1 million on the Bank for the failure to settle transactions in Government securities in the Subsidiary General Ledger which led to a shortage in the balance of certain securities in the Bank’s Constituent Subsidiary General Ledger account on November 19, 2020. The Bank has since enhanced its review mechanism to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
SEBI, through its order dated January 21, 2021, levied a penalty of Rs. 10.0 million on the Bank for alleged noncompliance with a SEBI interim order dated October 7, 2019 issued against BRH Wealth Kreators Ltd. (“BRH”). The penalty was levied for the sale of securities pledged by BRH Wealth Kreators Ltd to the Bank, to recover amounts outstanding under recalled credit facilities the Bank had extended to BRH. The Bank filed an appeal against the SEBI order in the Securities Appellate Tribunal (“SAT”) on February 8, 2021. The SAT through its interim order dated February 19, 2021, stayed the operation of the SEBI order dated January 21, 2021 and, through its final order dated February 18, 2022, allowed the Bank’s appeal and quashed SEBI’s order.
On May 27, 2021, the RBI levied a penalty of Rs. 100 million against the Bank for the marketing and sale of third-party
non-financial
products to the Bank’s auto loan customers, after concluding that this was in contravention of Section 6(2) and Section 8 of the Banking Regulation Act 1949. The penalty, which was imposed by the RBI using the powers conferred under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Section 46(4)(i) of the Banking Regulation Act 1949, has been paid by us. In May 2020, following an internal inquiry arising from a whistle-blower complaint, we had determined that certain employees received unauthorized commissions from a third-party vendor of GPS products, with whom we had an agreement to offer GPS devices to our auto loan customers. The personal misconduct of these employees was in violation of our code of conduct and governance standards. We have taken disciplinary action against the employees involved, including separation of services of certain employees, discontinued sale of such third-party
non-financial
products, and taken certain other remedial actions.
We cannot predict the initiation or outcome of any further investigations by other authorities or different investigations by the RBI. The penalties imposed by the RBI have generated adverse publicity for our business. Such adverse publicity, or any future scrutiny, investigation, inspection or audit which could result in fines, public reprimands, damage to our reputation, significant time and attention from our management, costs for investigations and remediation of affected customers, may materially adversely affect our business and financial results.
Transactions with counterparties in countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism by the United States Department of State, the Government of India or other countries, or with persons targeted by United States, Indian, EU or other economic sanctions may cause potential customers and investors to avoid doing business with us or investing in our securities, harm our reputation or result in regulatory action which could materially and adversely affect our business.
We engage in business with customers and counterparties from diverse backgrounds. In light of United States, Indian, EU and other sanctions, it cannot be ruled out that some of our customers or counterparties may become the subject of sanctions. Such sanctions may result in our inability to gain or retain such customers or counterparties or receive payments from them. In addition, the association with such individuals or countries may damage our reputation or result in significant fines. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial results and the prices of our securities. These laws, regulations and sanctions or similar legislative or regulatory developments may further limit our business operations.
In June 2021 one of our individual customers was designated by the United States as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (“SDGT”) under Executive Order 13224. We provided several banking, credit and brokerage products and services to this customer, which had been initiated prior to the customer’s designation. With respect to this customer, during the period covered by this report, we blocked five accounts, a credit card, a brokerage account and an investment services account, and terminated two outstanding loans and access to a safe deposit box. We intend to continue blocking this customer’s accounts while he remains designated as an SDGT. Revenue and net income generated in connection with the above-described products and services in the year ended March 31, 2022 were negligible relative to our overall revenue and net income.
Notwithstanding the above case, if we were determined to have engaged in activities targeted by certain United States, Indian, EU or other statutes, regulations or executive orders, we could lose our ability to open or maintain correspondent or payable-through accounts with United States financial institutions, among other potential sanctions. In addition, depending on socio-political developments, even though we take measures designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, our reputation may suffer due to our association with certain restricted targets. The above circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial results and the prices of our securities.
Material changes in Indian banking regulations may adversely affect our business and our future financial performance.
We operate in a highly regulated environment in which the RBI extensively supervises and regulates all banks. Our business could be directly affected by any changes in policies for banks in respect of directed lending, reserve requirements and other areas. For example, the RBI could change its methods of enforcing directed lending standards so as to require more lending to certain sectors, which could require us to change certain aspects of our business. In addition, we could be subject to other changes in laws and regulations, such as those affecting the extent to which we can engage in specific business, those that reduce our income through a cap on either fees or interest rates chargeable to our customers, or those affecting foreign investment in the banking industry, as well as changes in other government policies and enforcement decisions, income tax laws, foreign investment laws and accounting principles. Laws and regulations governing the banking sector may change in the future and any changes may adversely affect our business, our future financial performance and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
We are exposed to the risks of the Indian financial system by being a part of the system which may be affected by the financial difficulties faced by certain Indian financial institutions because the commercial soundness of many financial institutions may be closely related as a result of credit, trading, clearing or other relationships. Such “systemic risk”, may adversely affect financial intermediaries, such as clearing agencies, banks, securities firms and exchanges with which we interact on a daily basis. Any such difficulties or instability of the Indian financial system in general could create an adverse market perception about Indian financial institutions and banks and adversely affect our business. Our transactions with these financial institutions expose us to various risks in the event of default by a counterparty, which can be exacerbated during periods of market illiquidity.
Because the equity shares underlying our ADSs are quoted in rupees in India, you may be subject to potential losses arising out of exchange rate risk on the Indian rupee and risks associated with the conversion of rupee proceeds into foreign currency.
Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the United States dollar and the Indian rupee may affect the value of your investment in our ADSs. Specifically, if the relative value of the Indian rupee to the United States dollar declines, each of the following values will also decline:
the United States dollar equivalent of the Indian rupee trading price of our equity shares in India and, indirectly, the United States dollar trading price of our ADSs in the United States;
the United States dollar equivalent of the proceeds that you would receive upon the sale in India of any equity shares that you withdraw from the depositary; and
the United States dollar equivalent of cash dividends, if any, paid in Indian rupees on the equity shares represented by our ADSs.
There may be less information available on Indian securities markets than securities markets in developed countries.
There is a difference between the level of regulation and monitoring of the Indian securities markets and the activities of investors, brokers and other participants and that of markets in the United States and other developed economies. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) and the stock exchanges are responsible for improving disclosure and other regulatory standards for the Indian securities markets. The SEBI has issued regulations and guidelines on disclosure requirements, insider trading and other matters. There may, however, be less publicly available information about Indian companies than is regularly made available by public companies in developed economies.
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HDFC Limited’s significant holdings could have an effect on the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs.
HDFC Limited and its subsidiaries hold a significant portion of our equity, and are entitled to certain rights to appoint directors to our Board. While we are professionally managed and overseen by an independent board of directors, HDFC Limited can exercise influence over our board and over matters subject to a shareholder vote that could directly or indirectly favor the interests of HDFC Limited over our interests. See “
—HDFC Limited holds a significant percentage of our share capital and can exercise influence over board decisions that could directly or indirectly favor the interests of HDFC Limited over our interests
” and “
—We may face conflicts of interest relating to our promoter and principal shareholder, HDFC Limited, which could cause us to forego business opportunities and consequently have an adverse effect on our financial performance
”. HDFC Limited’s concentration of ownership may adversely affect the trading price of our equity shares to the extent investors perceive a disadvantage in owning stock of a company with a significant shareholder.
Investors may be subject to Indian taxes arising out of capital gains on the sale of equity shares.
Under current Indian tax laws and regulations, capital gains arising from the sale of shares in an Indian company are generally taxable in India. Until March 31, 2018, any gain realized on the sale of listed equity shares on a stock exchange held for more than 12 months was not subject to capital gains tax in India if securities transaction tax (“STT”) was paid on the transaction. STT is levied on and collected by a domestic stock exchange on which the equity shares are sold. However, with the enactment of the Finance Act, 2018, (“Finance Act”) the exemption previously granted in respect of payment of long-term capital gains tax has been withdrawn and such taxes are now payable by the investors with effect from April 1, 2018. Further, any gain realized on the sale of listed equity shares held for a period of 12 months or less will be subject to short-term capital gains tax in India. Capital gains arising from the sale of equity shares will be exempt from taxation in India in cases where the exemption from taxation in India is provided under a treaty between India and the country of which the seller is resident.
Indian tax treaties, for example with the United States and the United Kingdom, do not limit India’s ability to impose tax on capital gains. The treaties provide that except as provided in case of taxation of shipping and air transport provisions, each contracting state may tax capital gains in accordance with the provisions of the domestic law. As a result, residents of other countries may be liable for tax in India as well as in their own jurisdiction on a gain upon the sale of equity shares. However, credit for the same may be available in accordance with the provisions of the respective treaty and in accordance with the provisions under the domestic law, if applicable.
Future issuances or sales of equity shares and ADSs could significantly affect the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs.
The future issuance of shares by us or the disposal of shares by any of our major shareholders, or the perception that such issuance or sales may occur, may significantly affect the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs. There can be no assurance that we will not issue further shares or that the major shareholders will not dispose of, pledge or otherwise encumber their shares.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act withholding may affect payments on our equity shares and ADSs.
Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”) (provisions commonly known as “FATCA” or the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) impose (a) certain reporting and due diligence requirements on foreign financial institutions (“FFIs”) and, (b) potentially require such FFIs to deduct a 30 percent withholding tax from (i) certain payments from sources within the United States, and (ii) “foreign passthru payments” (which is not yet defined in current guidance) made to certain FFIs that do not comply with such reporting and due diligence requirements or certain other payees that do not provide required information. We as well as relevant intermediaries such as custodians and depositary participants are classified as FFIs for these purposes. The United States has entered into a number of intergovernmental agreements (“IGAs”) with other jurisdictions which may modify the operation of this withholding. India has entered into a Model 1 IGA with the United States for giving effect to FATCA, and Indian FFIs, including us, are generally required to comply with FATCA based on the terms of the IGA and relevant rules made pursuant thereto.
Under current guidance it is not clear whether or to what extent payments on ADSs or equity shares will be considered “foreign passthru payments” subject to FATCA withholding or the extent to which withholding on “foreign passthru payments” will be required under the applicable IGA. Investors should consult their own tax advisers on how the FATCA rules may apply to payments they receive in respect of the ADSs or equity shares.
Should any withholding tax in respect of FATCA be deducted or withheld from any payments arising to any investor, neither we nor any other person will pay additional amounts as a result of the deduction or withholding.
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CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT OUR AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES AND EQUITY SHARES
Our ADSs, each representing three equity shares, par value Rs. 1.0 per equity share, are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “HDB”. Our equity shares, including those underlying the ADSs, are listed on the NSE under the symbol “HDFCBANK” and the BSE Limited (formerly known as Bombay Stock Exchange Limited) under the trading code 500180. Our fiscal quarters end on June 30 of each year for the first quarter, September 30 for the second quarter, December 31 for the third quarter and March 31 for the fourth quarter.
As of March 31, 2020, there were 1,349,474 holders of record of our equity shares, including the shares underlying ADSs of which 1484 had registered addresses in the United States and held an aggregate of 20,958,930 equity shares representing 0.11 percent of our shareholders. In our records, only the depositary, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., is the shareholder with respect to equity shares underlying the ADSs.
Upon our acquisition of CBoP in 2008, CBoP had global depository receipts (GDRs) outstanding, representing the right to receive shares in CBoP, which, upon the consummation of the acquisition, converted into our GDRs, representing the right to receive our shares. As of March 31, 2019, there were 22,860,766 GDRs outstanding, representing 11,430,383 shares of the Bank (in aggregate 0.42 percent of our
paid-up
capital). In 2019, the Bank terminated its Global Depository Receipts (“GDRs”) program by delisting of the GDRs from Luxembourg Stock Exchange with effect from July 15, 2019. The remaining securities underlying the GDRs were sold by JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. on March 3, 2020. The net proceeds of the sales, after deduction of applicable withholding taxes, are being made available to the remaining GDR holders.
 
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Our business and financial results could be impacted materially by adverse results in legal proceedings.
Legal proceedings, including lawsuits, investigations by regulatory authorities and other inspections or audits, could result in judgments, fines, public reprimands, damage to our reputation, significant time and attention from our management, costs for investigations and remediation of affected customers, or other adverse effects on our business and financial results. For example, on September 3, 2020, a securities class action lawsuit was filed against the Bank and certain of its current and former officers in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (the “Court”). The complaint was amended on February 8, 2021. The amended complaint alleges that the Bank, its former Managing Director, Mr. Aditya Puri, and the present Managing Director & CEO, Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan, made materially false and misleading statements regarding certain aspects of the Bank’s business and compliance policies, which resulted in the Bank’s ADSs’ price declining on July 13, 2020 thereby allegedly causing damage to the Bank’s investors. On April 9, 2021, the Bank, Mr. Puri, and Mr. Jagdishan served their motion to dismiss the amended complaint, and on July 23, 2021, they served their reply brief in support of the motion and filed all of the motion papers. The Bank’s motion to dismiss remains pending before the Court. The Bank believes that the asserted claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against the allegations.
The Bank establishes reserves for legal claims when payments associated with claims become probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. The Bank may still incur legal costs for a matter even if it has not established a reserve. In addition, the actual cost of resolving a legal claim may be substantially higher than any amounts reserved for that matter. The ultimate resolution of any pending or future legal proceeding, depending on the remedy sought and granted, could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
We may breach third-party intellectual property rights.
We may be subject to claims by third parties both inside and outside India, if we breach their intellectual property rights by using slogans, names, designs, software or other such rights, which are of a similar nature to the intellectual property these third parties may have registered. Any legal proceedings which result in a finding that we have breached third parties’ intellectual property rights, or any settlements concerning such claims, may require us to provide financial compensation to such third parties or make changes to our marketing strategies or to the brand names of our products, which may have a materially adverse effect on our business prospects, reputation, results of operations and financial condition.
Technology Risks
We face cyber threats, such as hacking, phishing and trojans, attempting to exploit our network to disrupt services to customers and/or theft or leaking of sensitive internal Bank data or customer information. This may cause damage to our reputation and adversely impact our business and financial results.
We offer internet banking services to our customers. Our internet banking channel includes multiple services such as electronic funds transfer, bill payment services, usage of credit cards online, requesting account statements and requesting cheque books. We, our employees, customers, regulators and third parties (including providers of products and services) are therefore exposed to various cyber threats related to these services or to other sensitive Bank information, with such threats including: (a) phishing and trojans targeting our customers, whereby fraudsters send unsolicited emails to our customers seeking account-sensitive information or infecting customer computers in an attempt to search and export account-sensitive information; (b) hacking, whereby attackers seek to hack into our website with the primary intention of causing reputational damage to us by disrupting services; (c) data theft, whereby cyber criminals attempt to intrude into our network with the intention of stealing our data or information or to extort money; and (d) leaking, whereby sensitive internal Bank data or customer information is inappropriately disclosed by parties entitled to access it. The financial services industry, including the Bank, is particularly at risk because of the use of and reliance on digital banking and other digital services, including mobile banking products, such as mobile payments and other
web-
and cloud-based products and applications and the development of additional remote connectivity solutions, which increase cybersecurity risks and exposure. Attempted cyber threats fluctuate in frequency but are generally increasing in frequency, and while certain of the foregoing events have occurred in the past, we cannot guarantee they will not reoccur in the future. We help protect our customers and organization by investing in our cybersecurity capabilities, helping us to execute our business priorities and grow safely. While we focus on controls to prevent, detect and mitigate the impacts of persistent and increasingly advanced cyber threats, we will likely be required to expend additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any vulnerability to cyber incidents as the sophistication of cyber-incidents continues to evolve. In addition, cyber incidents may remain undetected for an extended period.
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Remote access tools were required to ensure continuity of services during the extended period of the
COVID-19
pandemic. We have assessed our work-from-home setup to ensure that the risks emanating from remote access were addressed and the security posture was not diluted. The work-from-home setup was integrated with our Cyber Security Operations Centre (“SOC”) to monitor IP geolocation and brute force attacks. Despite several measures implemented to control risks resulting from remote access, any failure, cyberattack or other information or security breach that significantly degrades, deletes or compromises our systems or data could adversely impact third parties, counterparties and the critical infrastructure of the financial services industry. There is also the risk of our customers incorrectly blaming us and terminating their accounts with us for a cyber-incident which might have occurred on their own system or with that of an unrelated third party. Any cybersecurity breach could also subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny and expose us to civil litigation and related financial liability.
A failure, inadequacy or security breach in our information technology and telecommunication systems may adversely affect our business, results of operation or financial condition.
Our ability to operate and remain competitive depends in part on our ability to maintain and upgrade our information technology systems and infrastructure on a timely and cost-effective basis, including our ability to process a large number of transactions on a daily basis. Our operations also rely on the secure processing, storage and transmission of confidential and other information in our computer systems and networks. Our financial, accounting or other data processing systems and management information systems or our corporate website may fail to operate adequately or become disabled as a result of events that may be beyond our control or may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses or other attacks. See “
—We face cyber threats, such as hacking, phishing and trojans, attempting to exploit our network to disrupt services to customers and/or theft of sensitive internal Bank data or customer information. This may cause damage to our reputation and adversely impact our business and financial results
”.
Over the past two years, we have experienced outages in our internet banking, mobile banking and payment utilities, including an outage in our internet banking and payment system in November 2020 due to a power failure in the primary data center. In response to these outages, the RBI issued an order on December 2, 2020, (the “December 2020 Order”), advising us to temporarily stop (a) all launches of the digital business-generating activities under our planned Digital 2.0 program and other proposed business-generating IT applications and (b) the sourcing of new credit card customers. In addition, the RBI appointed a third-party auditor to conduct an audit of the Bank’s systems. After completion of that audit, our progress against regulatory commitments has resulted in the partial lifting of the restrictions imposed by the December 2020 Order in August 2021, followed by the full removal of the embargo on the Digital 2.0 program in March 2022.
Furthermore, the information available to, and received by, our management through its existing systems may not be timely and sufficient to manage risks or to plan for and respond to changes in market conditions and other developments in our operations. If any of these systems are disabled or if there are other shortcomings or failures in our internal processes or systems, including further outages in our digital business in the future, it may disrupt our business or impact our operational efficiencies, and render us liable to regulatory intervention or damage to its reputation. The occurrence of any such events may adversely affect our business, results of operation and financial condition.
Risks Relating to India
Any adverse change in India’s credit rating, or the credit rating of any country in which our foreign banking outlets are located, by an international rating agency could adversely affect our business and profitability.
While the Bank is rated
BBB-by
Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”), Moody’s downgraded the Bank’s rating to Baa3 from Baa2, in line with the downgrade in India’s sovereign rating in fiscal year 2021. International rating agencies have pegged the ratings of all Indian banks at the sovereign rating (that is,
BBB-by
S&P and Baa3 by Moody’s). However, domestically the Bank is rated AAA by CRISIL, CARE and India Ratings (the Indian arm of Fitch Ratings), which are the highest credit ratings assigned on the domestic scale.
A significant deterioration in the Bank’s existing financial strength and business position may also pose a rating downgrade risk. The Bank’s rating may also be revised when the rating agencies undertake changes to their rating methodologies. For instance, in April 2015, Moody’s revised its Bank rating methodology and the assessment of government support to banks, following which the ratings of several banks globally, including Indian banks, were revised. Following this methodology change, the Bank’s rating was revised to Baa3 from Baa2 so as to cap it at the Indian sovereign rating at that time.
In addition, the rating of our foreign banking outlets may be impacted by the sovereign rating of the country in which those banking outlets are located, particularly if the sovereign rating is below India’s rating. Pursuant to applicable ratings criteria published by S&P, the rating of any bond issued in a jurisdiction is capped by the host country rating. Accordingly, any revision to the sovereign rating of the countries in which our banking outlets are located to below India’s rating could impact the rating of our foreign banking outlets and any securities issued from those banking outlets. For example, in fiscal year 2016, declining oil prices caused the credit ratings of many oil exporting countries to be downgraded and we had outstanding bonds issued from a branch in such a country which were negatively affected by such downgrade.
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Going forward, the risk of a sovereign rating downgrade remains low at present, but it is likely that the sovereign ratings outlook may be revised down, given the slowdown in economic growth and high government debt. No assurance can be given that a further sovereign rating downgrade will not occur. However, any further downgrade in India’s credit rating, or the credit rating of any country in which our foreign banking outlets are located by international rating agencies may adversely impact our business financial position and liquidity, limit our access to capital markets, and increase our cost of borrowing.
If there is any change in tax laws or regulations, or their interpretation, such changes may significantly affect our financial statements for the current and future years, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial position, business and results of operations.
Any change in Indian tax laws, including the upward revision to the currently applicable normal corporate tax rate of 25 percent along with applicable surcharge and cess, could affect our tax burden. Other benefits such as an exemption for interest received in respect of
tax-free
bonds and a lower tax rate on long term capital gains on equity shares, if withdrawn in the future, may no longer be available to us. Any adverse order passed by the appellate authorities, tribunals or courts would have an impact on our profitability.
As of July 1, 2017, GST replaced most indirect taxes levied by the central government and state governments, providing a unified tax regime in respect of goods and services for all of India.
There continue to be several challenges to the successful implementation of GST, making compliance with the tax difficult. These include variations in the tax rate, legal challenges, complex return filings, certain reconciliation issues, input tax credit issues, and IT infrastructure issues. The GST law continues to evolve and the authorities have been trying to address public concerns by issuing a series of notifications, clarifications, press releases and FAQs to resolve a wide range of issues. We expect challenges to certain aspects of the GST law to continue until the remaining issues, particularly those related to technical aspects of the law, are settled. Any such changes and the related uncertainties with respect to GST may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The General Anti-Avoidance Rules (“GAAR”) have come into effect from April 1, 2017. The tax consequences of the GAAR provisions being applied to an arrangement could result in denial of tax benefits, amongst other consequences. In the absence of any precedents on the subject, the application of these provisions is uncertain. If the GAAR provisions are made applicable to us, it may have an adverse tax impact on the Bank.
The Finance Act 2018 has withdrawn exemption previously granted in respect of payment of long term capital gains tax and such tax became payable by the investors from April 1, 2018. We cannot predict whether any tax laws or regulations impacting our products will be enacted, what the nature and impact of the specific terms of any such laws or regulations will be or whether, if at all, any laws or regulations would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Bank cannot predict whether any tax laws or regulations impacting its products will be enacted, what the nature and impact of the specific terms of any such laws or regulations will be or whether, if at all, any laws or regulations would have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.
Any volatility in the exchange rate may lead to a decline in India’s foreign exchange reserves and may affect liquidity and interest rates in the Indian economy, which could adversely impact us.
Capital flows increased substantially in recent years, reflecting a reassessment of investor expectations about future domestic growth prospects following the election of a
pro-reform
government in India in 2019. The rise in oil prices over the last few years has led to an increased current account deficit, which as a percentage of GDP was 2.1 percent in fiscal year 2019. The current account deficit narrowed to 0.9 percent in fiscal year 2020 as a result of an upturn in remittances and an improvement in the trade balance. In fiscal year 2021, due to the
COVID-19
pandemic’s impact on demand, imports declined by 16.6 percent compared to the prior year. However, due to an improvement in the balance for trade in goods and services later in the year, India recorded a rare current account surplus of 0.9 percent of GDP. For fiscal year 2022, India’s current account deficit stood at 1.2 percent of GDP and, for fiscal year 2023, we estimate India’s current account deficit to rise to 3.0 percent of GDP, mainly driven by a higher import bill, reflecting high crude oil prices and a slowdown in export growth due to weak global demand.
In fiscal year 2019, the rupee depreciated by 6.3 percent against the U.S. dollar as a result of rising oil prices, a slowdown in global trade volumes and a general risk aversion towards emerging market currencies (as a result of tariffs and trade war risks). The rupee further depreciated by 8.0 percent in fiscal year 2020, mainly due to investor risk aversion amid weak global demand, weak domestic growth and foreign investment outflows. In fiscal year 2020, the rupee ranged between a high of Rs. 76.37 per US$ 1.00 and a low of Rs. 68.40 per US$ 1.00. The rupee appreciated by 2.8 percent in fiscal year 2021, supported by a weakened U.S. dollar and robust foreign capital inflows. In fiscal year 2021, the rupee traded in the range of
75.08-73.14 per
US$ 1.00. With foreign capital outflows and
geo-political
risks, the rupee depreciated by 3.8 percent against the U.S. dollar in fiscal year 2022.
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Going forward, elevated commodity prices, a stronger U.S. dollar and persistent foreign investment outflows are likely to keep the US dollar to rupee exchange rate under pressure. However, in the medium term the dollar rally is expected to pause and commodity prices are expected to come off from their recent highs, providing some respite for the rupee. US$ 1.00 is expected to settle between Rs. 79 and Rs.80 by the end of fiscal year 2023.
Moving ahead, global risk aversion, in particular in the event the
COVID-19
pandemic further escalates, could mean a shift of global fund flows from emerging markets to developed markets over the medium term. Additionally, removal of global liquidity, monetary tightening in developed countries and any escalation in
geo-political
tensions could make emerging market assets less attractive. Nevertheless, it remains a possibility that the RBI will intervene in the foreign exchange markets to remove excess volatility in the exchange rate in the event of potential shocks, such as a rise in protectionist tendencies creating panic in emerging market economies or excess financial market volatility in the event of another wave. Any such intervention by the RBI may result in a decline in India’s foreign exchange reserves and, subsequently, reduce the amount of liquidity in the domestic financial system, which could, in turn, cause domestic interest rates to rise.
Further, any increased volatility in capital flows may also affect monetary policy decision-making. For instance, a period of net capital outflows might force the RBI to keep monetary policy tighter than optimal to guard against currency depreciation.
Political instability or changes in the Government could delay the liberalization of the Indian economy and adversely affect economic conditions in India generally, which would impact the Bank’s financial results and prospects.
Since 1991, successive Indian governments have pursued policies of economic liberalization, including significantly relaxing restrictions on the private sector. Nevertheless, the roles of the Indian central and state governments as producers, consumers and regulators remain significant factors in the Indian economy. The election of a
pro-business
majority government in May 2019 marked a distinct increase in expectations for policy and economic reforms among certain sectors of the Indian economy. There can be no assurance that the Government’s reforms will work as intended or that any such reforms would continue or succeed if there were a change in the current majority leadership in the Government or if a different government were elected in the future. Any future government may reverse some or all of the policy changes introduced by the current Government and may introduce reforms or policies that adversely affect the Bank. The speed of economic liberalization is subject to change and specific laws and policies affecting banking and finance companies, foreign investment, currency exchange and other matters affecting investment in the Bank’s securities continue to evolve. Other major reforms that have been implemented are a goods and services tax and the demonetization of certain banknotes. Any significant change in India’s economic liberalization plans, deregulation policies or other major economic reforms could adversely affect business and economic conditions in India generally and therefore adversely affect the Bank’s business, results of operation and financial condition.
Terrorist attacks, civil unrest and other acts of violence or war involving India and other countries would negatively affect the Indian market where our shares trade and lead to a loss of confidence and impair travel, which could reduce our customers’ appetite for our products and services.
Terrorist attacks, such as those in Mumbai in November 2008 and in Pulwana in February 2019, and other acts of violence or war may negatively affect the Indian markets on which our equity shares trade and also adversely affect the worldwide financial markets. These acts may also result in a loss of business confidence, make travel and other services more difficult and, as a result, ultimately adversely affect our business. In addition, any deterioration in relations between India and Pakistan or between India and China might result in investor concern about stability in the region, which could adversely affect the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
India has also witnessed civil disturbances in recent years and future civil unrest as well as other adverse social, economic and political events in India could have an adverse impact on us. Such incidents also create a greater perception that investment in Indian companies involves a higher degree of risk, which could have an adverse impact on our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
Natural calamities, including those exacerbated by climate change, and public health epidemics could adversely affect the Indian economy or the economies of other countries where we operate which, in turn, could negatively impact our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
India has experienced natural calamities such as earthquakes, floods and droughts in the past few years. The extent and severity of these natural disasters determine the size and duration of their impact on the Indian economy. In particular, the agricultural sector, which constituted approximately 19 percent of India’s GDP in fiscal year 2022 (in current price terms), is particularly sensitive to certain climatic and weather conditions, such as the level and timing of monsoon rainfall. Prolonged spells of below or above normal rainfall or other natural calamities, including those believed to be exacerbated by global or regional climate change, could adversely affect the Indian economy and, in turn, negatively impact our business, especially our rural portfolio. Similarly, global or regional climate change in India and other countries where we operate could result in change in weather patterns and frequency of severe weather like droughts, floods and cyclones, which could affect the local economy in the countries where we operate and negatively impact our operations in those countries.
Public health epidemics could also disrupt our business. In fiscal year 2010, there were outbreaks of swine flu, caused by the H1N1 virus, in certain regions of the world, including India and several countries in which we operate. After having adversely affected business prospects in fiscal year 2021, restrictions related to the second
COVID-19
wave and emergence of the omicron variant posed challenges to business operations, such as weekend restrictions, travel restrictions and social distancing. Although most such restrictions have been eased, in the event of another wave of infections, economic growth may slow down more than expected. This could in turn adversely affect our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
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The COVID-19 pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation.
Public health crises such as the
COVID-19
pandemic or similar outbreaks have, and may continue to, adversely impact our business. On March 11, 2020, the
COVID-19
outbreak was declared a pandemic by the WHO and led to the implementation of various responses, including government-imposed quarantines, travel restrictions,
“stay-at-home”
orders and similar mandates for many individuals to substantially restrict daily activities and for many businesses to curtail or cease normal operations.
India, our main place of business, is in the group of countries most affected by the
COVID-19
pandemic. In 2021, India experienced a “second wave” of
COVID-19,
including a significant surge of
COVID-19
cases following the discovery of a “double mutant” coronavirus variant in the country. The delta variant was significantly more virulent than other coronavirus variants, resulting in a significant increase in
COVID-19
cases and related deaths. By December 2021, the then new omicron variant started spreading in India. With improved vaccination rates, however, its impact was less severe than of previous waves. Moving forward, there continues to be significant uncertainty relating to the further progression of other waves.
Due to the
COVID-19
pandemic, all major central banks, including the United States Federal Reserve, implemented bond purchase programs and decreased interest rates in 2020. However, as a result of the availability of vaccines, improving economic conditions and a sharp rise in inflation many central banks have started raising rates. Additionally, while many central banks have already slowed/ended bond purchases, the United States Federal Reserve has started reducing its balance sheet from June 2022.
In India, taking into account inflationary pressure, the RBI hiked the policy repo rate in May 2022 and June 2022. See also “
—Financial and political instability in other countries may cause increased volatility in the Indian financial market
”.
To reduce the impact of the pandemic on Indian borrowers, on March 27, 2020, the RBI announced
COVID-19-related
regulations, which included permission for financial institutions to extend a three-month moratorium on term loan repayments due between March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020. This was later renewed for a second period from June 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020. In May 2021 and June 2021, as a result of the resurgence of the
COVID-19
pandemic in India, the RBI issued an additional set of measures, permitting lending institutions to offer a limited window to individual borrowers and small businesses to implement resolution plans in respect of their credit exposures while classifying the same as “Standard”, and therefore not in default, subject to certain specified conditions. With respect to individuals who have availed themselves of business loans and small businesses where resolution plans were implemented in accordance with the terms of the circular dated August 2020 described above, lending institutions are permitted, as a
one-time
measure and until September 30, 2021, to review the working capital sanctioned limits and/or drawing power based on a reassessment of the working capital cycle and reduction of margins, without being classified as a restructuring. In August 2020 and May 2021, the RBI also issued guidelines for the restructuring of existing loans to micro, small and medium enterprises classified as “Standard”, without resulting in a downgrade in the asset classification, subject to certain conditions. These guidelines were further amended in June 2021 to increase the limits from Rs. 250 million to Rs. 500 million. During fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2021, the Bank implemented the loan-restructuring packages announced by RBI on account of the
COVID-19
situation which grant temporary extensions in repayment obligations to the borrowers without any interest or financial concessions. The total balance outstanding of such restructured loans as of March 31, 2022 was Rs. 239.8 billion. Interest on the term loans continues to accrue during the moratorium and the resulting increase in the interest burden may adversely affect our customers’ ability to repay their loans, which could adversely affect our profitability. Similarly, the RBI permitted financial institutions to grant deferments with respect to interest payments on working capital facilities between March 31, 2020 and August 31, 2020. At the financial institutions’ discretion, the interest accumulated during the deferment period may be converted to a funded interest term loan (“FITL”). Furthermore, the RBI also announced that with respect to
non-performing
loans, for which a lender’s
180-day
resolution period had not expired by March 1, 2020, an additional
180-day
resolution period would begin from the date on which the original resolution period was set to expire. There can be no assurance that customers who are granted a moratorium will be able to resume their regular repayment schedule following the end of the moratorium. In accordance with RBI guidelines, we have also waived certain fees for customers. In addition, in response to the pandemic, the RBI also reduced the repo rate by 40 basis points to 4.0 percent in May 2020, which has been increased to 4.90 percent in June 2022. See also “
Our business is particularly vulnerable to interest rate risk, and volatility in interest rates could adversely affect our net interest margin, the value of our fixed income portfolio, our treasury income and our financial performance
”. In its circulars dated April 17, 2020 and December 4, 2020, the RBI notified banks that they should continue to conserve capital to support the economy and absorb any potential losses and, accordingly, directed banks to not make any further dividend payouts from the profits pertaining to fiscal year ended March 31, 2020. On April 22, 2021, the RBI permitted commercial banks to again pay dividends relating to the profits for fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, subject to the quantum of the dividend not exceeding fifty percent of the amount determined in accordance with the dividend payout ratio prescribed by the RBI. The RBI has also directed all banks to ensure they continue to meet the applicable minimum regulatory capital requirements following any dividend payments. When declaring the dividend, the board of directors of the bank is required to consider the current and projected capital position of the bank compared to the applicable capital requirements and the adequacy of provisions, taking into account the economic environment and the outlook for profitability.
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The impact of
COVID-19,
including changes in customer behavior and pandemic fears and restrictions on business and individual activities, has led to significant volatility in global and Indian financial markets and a significant decrease in global and local economic activity. While there has been a gradual recovery in economic activity, it was slow due to another of wave of
COVID-19
infections and disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine war. In fiscal year 2022, real GDP was just 1.5 percent above
pre-pandemic
levels (fiscal year 2020). This has led to a decrease in loan originations, sale of third-party products, use of credit and debit cards by customers, and the efficiency of our debt collection efforts and the waiver of certain fees. The slowdown in economic activity and rising input cost have also significantly affected the business of many of our customers and could result in financial distress for our customer base. Moreover, the continued volatility in global and Indian financial and capital markets could adversely affect our corporate customers’ ability to access debt markets, their cost of funds and other terms of any new debt, which, alongside the economic slowdown, may lead to a rise in the number of customer defaults and consequently an increase in provisions for credit losses. See also “—
We have high concentrations of exposures to certain customers and sectors and if any of these exposures were to become
non-performing,
the quality of our portfolio could be adversely affected and our ability to meet capital requirements could be jeopardized
”.
Similarly, such market volatility, or a downgrade in our credit rating, may negatively affect our ability to access capital. We have implemented remote working arrangements for the majority of our employees, which may result in decreased employee productivity and efficiency and exacerbate certain
IT-related
risks, including an increased risk of cybersecurity attacks and the unauthorized dissemination of confidential information about us or our customers.
COVID-19
may also lead to significant increases in employee absenteeism, including due to illness, quarantines and other restrictions related to the pandemic. Even where such restrictions are eased, we may still elect to continue our remote working arrangements, for example in the event of an outbreak of
COVID-19
among our employees, as a preventive measure to contain the spread of the virus and protect the health of our workforce, or as a strategic measure.
The extent to which the
COVID-19
pandemic will continue to impact our business, financial condition and results of operation, as well as our regulatory capital and liquidity ratios, will depend on future developments, including the emergence of new mutants of
COVID-19.
Subsequent outbreaks that necessitate lockdown measures could prolong the economic impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic. Even if the number of new
COVID-19
cases were to significantly decrease, the negative effects on Indian and global economic conditions may persist into the future. In addition, disruptions related to the Russia-Ukraine crisis pose a major threat to the global growth outlook. Elevated commodity prices and monetary tightening by major central banks could hurt global demand, which could also adversely affect exports in India. The level of economic activity may slow further in the short term, due to changes in social norms, changes in customer and corporate client behavior and the macroeconomic business environment. India, where a substantial portion of our operations is located, continues to be subject to regulatory, social and political uncertainties.
Investors may have difficulty enforcing foreign judgments in India against the Bank or its management.
The Bank is a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of India. Substantially all of the Bank’s directors and executive officers and some of the experts named herein are residents of India and a substantial portion of the assets of the Bank and such persons are located in India. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process on the Bank or such persons in jurisdictions outside of India, or to enforce against them judgments obtained in courts outside of India predicated upon civil liabilities of the Bank or such directors and executive officers under laws other than Indian Law.
In addition, India is not a party to any multilateral international treaty in relation to the recognition or enforcement of foreign judgments
.
Recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments is provided for under Section 13 and Section 44A of the Indian Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (the “Civil Procedure Code”). Section 44A of the Civil Procedure Code provides that where a foreign judgment has been rendered by a superior court in any country or territory outside India that the Government has, by notification, declared to be a reciprocating territory, that judgment may be enforced in India by proceedings in execution as if it had been rendered by the relevant court in India. However, Section 44A of the Civil Procedure Code is applicable only to monetary decrees other than those in the nature of any amounts payable in respect of taxes or other charges of a like nature or in respect of a fine or other penalty and is not applicable to arbitration awards, even if such awards are enforceable as a decree or judgment. Furthermore, the execution of a foreign decree under Section 44A of the Civil Procedure Code is also subject to the exception under Section 13 of the Civil Procedure Code, as discussed below.
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The United States has not been declared by the government to be a reciprocating territory for the purposes of Section 44A of the Civil Procedure Code. However, the United Kingdom has been declared by the government to be a reciprocating territory and the High Courts in England as the relevant superior courts. A judgment of a court in a jurisdiction which is not a reciprocating territory, such as the United States, may be enforced only by a new suit upon the judgment and not by proceedings in execution. Section 13 of the Civil Procedure Code provides that a foreign judgment shall be conclusive as to any matter thereby directly adjudicated upon except: (i) where it has not been pronounced by a court of competent jurisdiction; (ii) where it has not been given on the merits of the case; (iii) where it appears on the face of the proceedings to be founded on an incorrect view of international law or a refusal to recognize the law of India in cases where such law is applicable; (iv) where the proceedings in which the judgment was obtained were opposed to natural justice; (v) where it has been obtained by fraud; or (vi) where it sustains a claim founded on a breach of any law in force in India. A foreign judgment which is conclusive under Section 13 of the Civil Procedure Code may be enforced either by a new suit upon judgment or by proceedings in execution. The suit must be brought in India within three years from the date of the judgment in the same manner as any other suit filed to enforce a civil liability in India. It is unlikely that a court in India would award damages on the same basis as a foreign court if an action is brought in India. Furthermore, it is unlikely that an Indian court would enforce a foreign judgment if it viewed the amount of damages awarded as excessive or inconsistent with Indian practice. A party seeking to enforce a foreign judgment in India is required to obtain approval from the RBI to repatriate outside India any amount recovered pursuant to execution. Any judgment in a foreign currency would be converted into Indian rupees on the date of the judgment and not on the date of the payment. The Bank cannot predict whether a suit brought in an Indian court will be disposed of in a timely manner or be subject to considerable delays.
Risks Relating to the ADSs and Equity Shares
Historically, our ADSs have traded at a premium to the trading prices of our underlying equity shares, a situation which may not continue.
Historically, our ADSs have traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) at a premium to the trading prices of our underlying equity shares on the Indian stock exchanges. See “
Certain Information About Our American Depositary Shares and Equity Shares
” for the underlying data. We believe that this price premium has resulted from the relatively small portion of our market capitalization previously represented by ADSs, restrictions imposed by Indian law on the conversion of equity shares into ADSs, and an apparent preference for investors to trade dollar-denominated securities. Over time, some of the restrictions on issuance of ADSs imposed by Indian law have been relaxed and we expect that other restrictions may be relaxed in the future. It is possible that in the future our ADSs will not trade at any premium to our equity shares and could even trade at a discount to our equity shares.
Investors in ADSs will not be able to vote.
Investors in ADSs will have no voting rights, unlike holders of equity shares. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary will abstain from voting the equity shares represented by the ADSs. If you wish, you may withdraw the equity shares underlying the ADSs and seek to vote (subject to Indian restrictions on foreign ownership) the equity shares you obtain upon withdrawal. However, this withdrawal process may be subject to delays and additional costs and you may not be able to redeposit the equity shares. For a discussion of the legal restrictions triggered by a withdrawal of equity shares from the depositary facility upon surrender of ADSs, see “
Restrictions on Foreign Ownership of Indian Securities
” and “
Description of American Depositary Shares—Voting Rights
”.
Your ability to withdraw equity shares from the depositary facility is uncertain and may be subject to delays.
India’s restrictions on foreign ownership of Indian companies limit the number of equity shares that may be owned by foreign investors and generally require government approval for foreign investments. Investors who withdraw equity shares from the ADSs’ depositary facility for the purpose of selling such equity shares will be subject to Indian regulatory restrictions on foreign ownership upon withdrawal. The withdrawal process may be subject to delays. For a discussion of the legal restrictions triggered by a withdrawal of equity shares from the depositary facility upon surrender of ADSs, see “
Restrictions on Foreign Ownership of Indian Securities
”.
Restrictions on deposit of equity shares in the depositary facility could adversely affect the price of our ADSs.
Under current Indian regulations, an ADS holder who surrenders ADSs and withdraws equity shares may deposit those equity shares again in the depositary facility in exchange for ADSs. An investor who has purchased equity shares in the Indian market may also deposit those equity shares in the ADS program. However, the deposit of equity shares may be subject to securities law restrictions and the restriction that the cumulative aggregate number of equity shares that can be deposited as of any time cannot exceed the cumulative aggregate number represented by ADSs converted into underlying equity shares as of such time. These restrictions increase the risk that the market price of our ADSs will be below that of our equity shares.
There is a limited market for the ADSs.
Although our ADSs are listed and traded on the NYSE, any trading market for our ADSs may not be sustained, and there is no assurance that the present price of our ADSs will correspond to the future price at which our ADSs will trade in the public market. Indian legal restrictions may also limit the supply of ADSs. The only way to add to the supply of ADSs would be through an additional issuance. We cannot guarantee that a market for the ADSs will continue.
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Conditions in the Indian securities market may affect the price or liquidity of our equity shares and ADSs.
The Indian securities markets are smaller and more volatile than securities markets in more developed economies. The Indian stock exchanges have in the past experienced substantial fluctuations in the prices of listed securities. Currently, prices of securities listed on Indian exchanges are displaying signs of volatility linked, among other factors, to the uncertainty in the global markets and the rising inflationary and interest rate pressures domestically. The governing bodies of the Indian stock exchanges have from time to time imposed restrictions on trading in certain securities, limitations on price movements and margin requirements. Future fluctuations or trading restrictions could have a material adverse effect on the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
Settlement of trades of equity shares on Indian stock exchanges may be subject to delays.
The equity shares represented by our ADSs are listed on the NSE and BSE. Settlement on these stock exchanges may be subject to delays and an investor in equity shares withdrawn from the depositary facility upon surrender of ADSs may not be able to settle trades on these stock exchanges in a timely manner.
You may be subject to Indian taxes arising out of capital gains.
Generally, capital gains, whether short term or long term, arising on the sale of the underlying equity shares in India, are subject to Indian capital gains tax. Investors are advised to consult their own tax advisers and to carefully consider the potential tax consequences of an investment in ADSs. See also “
Taxation
”.
You may be unable to exercise preemptive rights available to other shareholders.
A company incorporated in India must offer its holders of equity shares preemptive rights to subscribe and pay for a proportionate number of shares to maintain their existing ownership percentages prior to the issuance of any new equity shares, unless these rights have been waived by at least 75 percent of the company’s shareholders present and voting at a shareholders’ general meeting. United States investors in our ADSs may be unable to exercise preemptive rights for our equity shares underlying our ADSs unless a registration statement under the Securities Act is effective with respect to those rights or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available. Our decision to file a registration statement will depend on the costs and potential liabilities associated with any registration statement as well as the perceived benefits of enabling United States investors in our ADSs to exercise their preemptive rights and any other factors we consider appropriate at the time. We do not commit to filing a registration statement under those circumstances. If we issue any securities in the future, these securities may be issued to the depositary, which may sell these securities in the securities markets in India for the benefit of the investors in our ADSs. There can be no assurance as to the value, if any, the depositary would receive upon the sale of these securities. To the extent that investors in our ADSs are unable to exercise preemptive rights, their proportional interests in us would be reduced.
Financial difficulty and other problems in certain financial institutions in India could adversely affect our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
We are exposed to the risks of the Indian financial system by being a part of the system which may be affected by the financial difficulties faced by certain Indian financial institutions because the commercial soundness of many financial institutions may be closely related as a result of credit, trading, clearing or other relationships. Such “systemic risk” may adversely affect financial intermediaries, such as clearing agencies, banks, securities firms and exchanges with which we interact on a daily basis. Any such difficulties or instability of the Indian financial system in general could create an adverse market perception about Indian financial institutions and banks and adversely affect our business. Our transactions with these financial institutions expose us to various risks in the event of default by a counterparty, which can be exacerbated during periods of market illiquidity.
Because the equity shares underlying our ADSs are quoted in rupees in India, you may be subject to potential losses arising out of exchange rate risk on the Indian rupee and risks associated with the conversion of rupee proceeds into foreign currency.
Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the United States dollar and the Indian rupee may affect the value of your investment in our ADSs. Specifically, if the relative value of the Indian rupee to the United States dollar declines, each of the following values will also decline:
the United States dollar equivalent of the Indian rupee trading price of our equity shares in India and, indirectly, the United States dollar trading price of our ADSs in the United States;
the United States dollar equivalent of the proceeds that you would receive upon the sale in India of any equity shares that you withdraw from the depositary; and
the United States dollar equivalent of cash dividends, if any, paid in Indian rupees on the equity shares represented by our ADSs.
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There may be less information available on Indian securities markets than securities markets in developed countries.
There is a difference between the level of regulation and monitoring of the Indian securities markets and the activities of investors, brokers and other participants and that of markets in the United States and other developed economies. The SEBI and the stock exchanges are responsible for improving disclosure and other regulatory standards for the Indian securities markets. The SEBI has issued regulations and guidelines on disclosure requirements, insider trading and other matters. There may, however, be less publicly available information about Indian companies than is regularly made available by public companies in developed economies.
HDFC Limited’s significant holdings could have an effect on the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs.
HDFC Limited and its subsidiaries hold a significant portion of our equity, and are entitled to certain rights to appoint directors to our Board. While we are professionally managed and overseen by an independent board of directors, HDFC Limited can exercise influence over our Board and over matters subject to a shareholder vote that could directly or indirectly favor the interests of HDFC Limited over our interests. See “
—HDFC Limited holds a significant percentage of our share capital and can exercise influence over board decisions that could directly or indirectly favor the interests of HDFC Limited over our interests
” and “
—We may face conflicts of interest relating to our promoter and principal shareholder, HDFC Limited, which could cause us to forgo business opportunities and consequently have an adverse effect on our financial performance
”. HDFC Limited’s concentration of ownership may adversely affect the trading price of our equity shares to the extent investors perceive a disadvantage in owning stock of a company with a significant shareholder.
Investors may be subject to Indian taxes arising out of capital gains on the sale of equity shares.
Under current Indian tax laws and regulations, capital gains arising from the sale of shares in an Indian company are generally taxable in India. Until March 31, 2018, any gain realized on the sale of listed equity shares on a stock exchange held for more than 12 months was not subject to capital gains tax in India if securities transaction tax (“STT”) was paid on the transaction. STT is levied on and collected by a domestic stock exchange on which the equity shares are sold. However, with the enactment of the Finance Act, 2018 (“Finance Act”), the exemption previously granted in respect of payment of long term capital gains tax has been withdrawn and such taxes are now payable by the investors with effect from April 1, 2018. Further, any gain realized on the sale of listed equity shares held for a period of 12 months or less will be subject to short term capital gains tax in India. Capital gains arising from the sale of equity shares will be exempt from taxation in India in cases where the exemption from taxation in India is provided under a treaty between India and the country of which the seller is resident.
Indian tax treaties, for example with the United States and the United Kingdom, do not limit India’s ability to impose tax on capital gains. The treaties provide that except as provided in case of taxation of shipping and air transport provisions, each contracting state may tax capital gains in accordance with the provisions of the domestic law. As a result, residents of other countries may be liable for tax in India as well as in their own jurisdiction on a gain upon the sale of equity shares. However, credit for the same may be available in accordance with the provisions of the respective treaty and in accordance with the provisions under the domestic law, if applicable.
Future issuances or sales of equity shares and ADSs could significantly affect the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs.
The future issuance of shares by us or the disposal of shares by any of our major shareholders, or the perception that such issuance or sales may occur, may significantly affect the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs. There can be no assurance that we will not issue further shares or that the major shareholders will not dispose of, pledge or otherwise encumber their shares.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act withholding may affect payments on our equity shares and ADSs.
Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”) (provisions commonly known as “FATCA” or the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), impose (a) certain reporting and due diligence requirements on foreign financial institutions (“FFIs”) and (b) potentially require such FFIs to deduct a 30 percent withholding tax from (i) certain payments from sources within the United States and (ii) “foreign passthru payments” (which is not yet defined in current guidance) made to certain FFIs that do not comply with such reporting, and due diligence requirements or certain other payees that do not provide required information. We, as well as relevant intermediaries such as custodians and depositary participants, are classified as FFIs for these purposes. The United States has entered into a number of intergovernmental agreements (“IGAs”) with other jurisdictions which may modify the operation of this withholding. India has entered into a Model 1 IGA with the United States for giving effect to FATCA, and Indian FFIs, including us, are generally required to comply with FATCA based on the terms of the IGA and relevant rules made pursuant thereto.
Under current guidance it is not clear whether or to what extent payments on ADSs or equity shares will be considered “foreign pass-thru payments” subject to FATCA withholding or the extent to which withholding on “foreign pass thru payments” will be required under the applicable IGA. However, under current guidance, even if withholding were required pursuant to FATCA with respect to payments on ADSs or equity shares, such withholding would not apply prior to two years after the date on which final regulations on this issue are published. Investors should consult their own tax advisers on how the FATCA rules may apply to payments they receive in respect of the ADSs or equity shares.
Should any withholding tax in respect of FATCA be deducted or withheld from any payments arising to any investor, neither we nor any other person will pay additional amounts as a result of the deduction or withholding.
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CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT OUR AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES AND EQUITY SHARES
Our ADSs, each representing three equity shares, par value Rs. 1.0 per equity share, are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “HDB”. Our equity shares, including those underlying the ADSs, are listed on the NSE under the symbol “HDFCBANK” and the BSE Limited (formerly known as Bombay Stock Exchange Limited) under the trading code 500180. Our fiscal quarters end on June 30 of each year for the first quarter, September 30 for the second quarter, December 31 for the third quarter and March 31 for the fourth quarter.
As of March 31, 2022, there were 2,151,630 holders of record of our equity shares, including the shares underlying ADSs of which 2209 had registered addresses in the United States and held an aggregate of 2,263,152 equity shares representing 0.1 percent of our shareholders. In our records, only the depositary, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., is the shareholder with respect to equity shares underlying the ADSs.
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DESCRIPTION OF EQUITY SHARES
The Company
We are registered under Corporate Identity Number L65920MH1994PLC080618 with the Registrar of Companies, Maharashtra State, India. Our Memorandum of Association permits us to engage in a wide variety of activities, including all the activities in which we currently engage or intend to engage, as well as other activities in which we currently have no intention of engaging.
Our authorized share capital is Rs. 6,500,000,000 consisting of 6,500,000,000 equity shares of par value Rs. 1.0 each. The shareholders of the Bank at the 25th Annual General Meeting held on July 12, 2019 approved the
sub-division
(split) of one equity share of the Bank from a face value of Rs. 2/- each into two equity shares with a face value of Rs. 1/- each, effective as of September 20, 2019.
The Board of Directors, at their meeting held on July 20, 2019, also declared a special interim dividend of Rs. 2.5 per equity share for fiscal 2020, and fixed the record date for the dividend as August 2, 2019.
Dividends
Under Indian law and subject to the Banking Regulation Act, a company pays dividends upon a recommendation by its board of directors and approval by a majority of its shareholders at the annual general meeting of shareholders held within sixfive months of the end of each fiscal year. The shareholders have the right to decrease but not increase the dividend amount recommended by the Board of Directors. Dividends are generally declared as a percentage of par value (on a per share basis) and distributed and paid to shareholders. The Companies Act provides that shares of a company of the same class must receive equal dividend treatment.
These distributions and payments are required to be deposited into a separate bank account within five (5) days of the declaration of such dividend and paid to shareholders within thirty (30) days of the annual general meeting where the resolution for declaration of dividends is approved.
The Companies Act states that any dividends that remain unpaid or unclaimed after that period are to be transferred to a special bank account. Any dividend amount that remains unclaimed for seven years from the date of the transfer is to be transferred by us to a fund, called the Investor Education and Protection Fund, created by the Government.
Our Articles of Association authorize our Board of Directors to declare interim dividends, the amount of which must be deposited in a separate bank account within five (5) days and paid to the shareholders within thirty (30) days of the declaration.
Under the Companies Act, final dividends payable can be paid only in cash to the registered shareholder at a record date fixed prior to the relevant annual general meeting, to his order or to the order of his banker.
Before paying any dividend on our shares, we are required under the Banking Regulation Act to write off all capitalized expenses (including preliminary expenses, organization expenses, share-selling commission, brokerage, amounts of losses incurred and any other item of expenditure not represented by tangible assets). We are permitted to declare dividends of up to 35.0 percent of net profit calculated under Indian GAAP without prior RBI approval subject to compliance with certain prescribed requirements. Further, upon compliance with the prescribed requirements, we are also permitted to declare interim dividends subject to the above-mentioned cap computed for the relevant accounting period.
Dividends may only be paid out of our profits for the relevant year arrived at after providing for depreciation or out of the profits of the company for any previous financial years arrived at after providing for depreciation and in certain contingencies out of the free reserves of the company, provided that in computing profits any amount representing unrealized gains, notional gains or revaluation of assets and any change in carrying amount of an asset or of a liability on measurement of the asset or the liability at fair value shall be excluded. Before declaring dividends, we are required by the RBI to transfer 25.0 percent of our net profits (calculated under Indian GAAP) of each year to a reserve fund.
Bonus Shares
In addition to permitting dividends to be paid out of current or retained earnings calculated under Indian GAAP, the Companies Act permits our Board of Directors, subject to the approval of our shareholders, to distribute to the shareholders, in the form of fully
paid-up
bonus equity shares, an amount transferred from the company’s free reserves, securities premium account or the capital redemption reserve account. Bonus equity shares can be distributed only with the prior approval of the RBI. These bonus equity shares must be distributed to shareholders in proportion to the number of equity shares owned by them.
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Bonus shares can only be issued if the company has not defaulted in payments of the employees, such as contribution to provident fund, gratuity and bonus statutory dues or principal/interest payments on fixed deposits or debt securities issued by it. Bonus shares must not be issued in lieu of dividend. Further, listed companies are also required to follow the SEBI (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2018 (the “SEBI ICDR Regulations”) for issuance of bonus shares.
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Pre-emptive
Rights and Issue of Additional Shares
Subject to the Banking Regulation Act, and other applicable guidelines issued by the RBI, the Companies Act gives shareholders the right to subscribe for new shares in proportion to their existing shareholdings unless otherwise determined by a resolution passed by three-fourths of the shareholders present and voting at a general meeting. Under the Companies Act and our Articles of Association, in the event of an issuance of securities, subject to the limitations set forth above, we must first offer the new equity shares to the holders of equity shares on a fixed record date. The offer, required to be made by notice, must include:
 
the right, exercisable by the shareholders of record, to renounce the shares offered in favor of any other person;
 
the number of shares offered; and
 
the period of the offer, which may not be less than 15 days from the date of the offer and shall not exceed 30 days. If the offer is not accepted, it is deemed to have been declined.
Our Board of Directors is permitted to distribute equity shares not accepted by existing shareholders in the manner it deems beneficial for us in accordance with our Articles.Articles of Association. Holders of ADSs may not be able to participate in any such offer. See “
Description of American Depositary Shares—Share Dividends and Other Distributions
”.
General Meetings of Shareholders
There are two types of general meetings of shareholders: annual general meetings and extraordinary general meetings. We are required to convene our annual general meeting within five months after the end of each fiscal year. We may convene an extraordinary general meeting when necessary or at the request of the shareholders holding on the date of the request at least 10 percent of our
paid-up
capital. A general meeting is generally convened by our company secretary in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors. Written notice or notice via email or other permitted electronic means stating the agenda of the meeting must be given at least 21 clear days prior to the date set for the general meeting to the shareholders whose names are in the register at the record date. Shorter notice is permitted if consent is received from 95 percent of the members entitled to vote. Those shareholders who are not registered at the record date do not receive notice of this meeting and are not entitled to attend or vote at this meeting.
The annual general meeting is held in Mumbai, the city in which our registered office is located. General meetings other than the annual general meeting may be held at any location if so determined by a resolution of our Board of Directors. Due to the
COVID-19
pandemic and related restrictions, the Bank’s annual general meeting in fiscal year 2021 was held remotely on July 17, 2021, using video conferencing and other audio-visual technology.
Voting Rights
Section 108 of the Companies Act and Rule 20 of the Companies (Management and Administration) Rules 2014 deal with the exercise of the right to vote by members by electronic means. In terms of Rule 20 of the Companies (Management and Administration) Rules 2014, every listed company (other than a company referred to in Chapters XB or XC of the SEBI ICDR Regulations) is required to provide to its members facility to exercise their right to vote at general meetings by electronic means. Section 110 of the Companies Act allows such a company to transact all items of business at a general meeting, provided the company offers to its members a facility to exercise their right to vote at general meetings by electronic means. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has clarified that voting by show of hands would not be allowable in cases where Rule 20 is applicable.
A shareholder has one vote for each equity share and voting may be on a poll or through electronic means or postal ballot. Under Section 12 of the Banking Regulation Act 1949 as amended with effect from January 18, 2013 by the Banking Laws Amendment Act 2012, no person holding shares in a banking company shall, in respect of any shares held by such person, exercise voting rights on poll in excess of ten10.0 percent of the total voting rights of all the shareholders of the banking company, provided that RBI may increase, in a phased manner, such ceiling on voting rights from ten10.0 percent to
twenty-six
26.0 percent. On July 21, 2016 the RBI issued a notification, which was notified in the Gazette of India on September 17, 2016, which stated that the current ceiling on voting rights is at
twenty-six
26.0 percent. At a general meeting, upon a show of hands, every member holding shares and entitled to vote and present in person has one vote. Upon a poll, the voting rights of each shareholder entitled to vote and present in person or by proxy is in the same proportion as the capital paid up
paid-up
on each share held by such holder bears to the company’s total paid up
paid-up
capital, subject to the limits prescribed under the Banking Regulation Act. Voting is by a show of hands, unless a poll is ordered by the Chairman of the meeting. However, voting by show of hands is not permitted for listed companies. The Chairman of the meeting has a casting vote.
 
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Unless the Articles of Association provide for a larger number, the quorum for a general meeting is: (a) five members present (in person or by proxy) if the number of members as of the date of the meeting is not more than one thousand; (b) fifteen15 members present (in person or by proxy) if the number of members as of the date of the meeting is more than one thousand but not more than five thousand; and (c) thirty members present (in person or by proxy) if the number of members as of the date of the meeting exceeds five thousand. Generally, resolutions may be passed by simple majority of the shareholders present and voting at any general meeting. However, resolutions such as an amendment to the organizational documents, commencement of a new line of business, an issue of additional equity shares (which is not a preemptive issue) and reductions of share capital, require that the votes cast in favor of the resolution (whether by show of hands or on a poll) are not less than three times the number of votes, if any, cast against the resolution. As provided in our Articles of Association, a shareholder may exercise his voting rights by proxy to be given in the form prescribed by us. This proxy, however, is required to be lodged with us at least 48 hours before the time of the relevant meeting. However, due to the
COVID-19
pandemic and related restrictions in place, proxies are not permitted at general meetings conducted remotely. A shareholder may, by a single power of attorney, grant general power of representation covering several general meetings. A corporate shareholder is also entitled to nominate a representative to attend and vote on its behalf at all general meetings. The Companies Act also provides for the passing of resolutions in relation to certain matters specified by the Government of India, by means of a postal ballot. A notice to all the shareholders must be sent along with a draft resolution explaining the reasons thereforetherefor and requesting the shareholders to send their assent or dissent in writing on a postal ballot within a period of 30 days from the date of dispatch of the notice. Shareholders may exercise their right to vote at general meetings, through postal ballot by sending their votes through the postal arrangements or through electronic means
(e-voting),
for which separate facilities are provided to the shareholders.
ADS holders have no voting rights with respect to the deposited shares.
Annual Report
At least 21 clear days before an annual general meeting, we must circulate either a detailed or abridged version of our Indian GAAP audited financial accounts, together with the Directors’ Report and the Auditor’s Report, to the shareholders along with a notice convening the annual general meeting. We are also required under the Companies Act to make available upon the request of any shareholder our complete balance sheet and profit and loss account. The above-mentioned documents must also be made available for inspection at its registered office during working hours for a period of 21 days before the date of the annual general meeting. A statement containing the salient features of these documents in a prescribed manner (or copies of these documents) is required to be sent to every member of the company and to every debenture trustee at least 21 days before the date of the annual general meeting. Under the Companies Act, we must file with the Registrar of Companies our Indian GAAP balance sheet and profit and loss account within 30 days in form
AOC-4
of the conclusion of the annual general meeting and our annual return in form
MGT-7
within 60 days of the conclusion of that meeting. We also upload the annual return in form
MGT-7
to our website and include a
web-link
to the form
MGT-7
in our annual report.
Register of Shareholders, Record Dates and Transfer of Shares
The equity shares are in registered form. We maintain a register of our shareholders in Mumbai. We register transfers of equity shares on the register of shareholders upon presentation of certificates in respect of the transfer of equity shares held in physical form together with a transfer deed duly executed by the transferor and transferee. These transfer deeds are subject to stamp duty, which has been fixed at 0.25 percent of the transfer price. As set out in the SEBI directive, effective April 1, 2019, physical transfer of shares is prohibited in the case of listed Indian companies. Therefore, shareholders need to dematerialize the shares for transfer.
For the purpose of determining equity shares entitled to annual dividends, the register of shareholders is closed for a period prior to the annual general meeting. The Companies Act and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 permit us, pursuant to a resolution of our Board of Directors and upon at least seven days’ advance notice to the stock exchanges, to set the record date and close the register of shareholders after seven days’ public notice for not more than 30 days at a time, and for not more than 45 days in a year, in order for us to determine which shareholders are entitled to certain rights pertaining to the equity shares. Trading of equity shares and delivery of certificates in respect of the equity shares may, however, continue after the register of shareholders is closed.
 
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Transfer of Shares
Shares held through depositories are transferred in the form of book entries or in electronic form in accordance with the regulations laid down by the SEBI. These regulations provide the regime for the functioning of the depositories and the participants and set out the manner in which the records are to be kept and maintained and the safeguards to be followed in this system. Transfers of beneficial ownership of shares held through a depositary are exempt from stamp duty. We have entered into an agreement for such depository services with the National Securities Depository Limited (“NSDL”) and the Central Depository Services India Limited (“CDSL”).Limited.
The SEBI requires that our equity shares for trading and settlement purposes be in book-entry form for all investors, except for transactions that are not made on a stock exchange and transactions that are not required to be reported to the stock exchange. Transfers of equity shares in book-entry form require both the seller and the purchaser of the equity shares to establish accounts with depositary participants appointed by depositories established under the Depositaries Act 1996. Charges for opening an account with a depositary participant, transaction charges for each trade and custodian charges for securities held in each account vary depending upon the practice of each depositary participant. Upon delivery, the equity shares shall be registered in the name of the relevant depositary on our books and this depositary shall enter the name of the investor in its records as the beneficial owner. The transfer of beneficial ownership shall be done through the records of the depositary. The beneficial owner shall be entitled to all rights and benefits and subject to all liabilities in respect of his securities held by a depositary.
The requirement to hold the equity shares in book-entry form will apply to the ADS holders when the equity shares are withdrawn from the depositary facility upon surrender of the ADSs. In order to trade the equity shares in the Indian market, the withdrawing ADS holder will be required to comply with the procedures described above.
Our equity shares are freely transferable, subject to the provisions of the Companies Act under which, if a transfer of equity shares contravenes the provisions of Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act 1956, the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 or the regulations issued under it or any other law in force at the time, the National Company Law Tribunal may, on application made by us, a depositary incorporated in India, an investor, the SEBI or certain other parties, direct a rectification of the register of records. It was a condition of our listing that we transfer equity shares and deliver share certificates duly endorsed for the transfer within 15 days of the date of lodgment of transfer. If a company without sufficient cause refuses to register a transfer of equity shares within thirty (30) days from the date on which the instrument of transfer is delivered to the company, the transferee may appeal to the National Company Law Tribunal seeking to register the transfer of equity shares. The National Company Law Tribunal may, in its discretion, issue an interim order suspending the voting rights attached to the relevant equity shares before completing its investigation of the alleged contravention. However, effective from and on April 1, 2019, the SEBI decided that except in cases of transmission or transposition of securities, requests for effecting the transfer of securities shall not be processed unless the securities are held in dematerialized form with a depositary. Our Articles of Association provide for certain restrictions on the transfer of equity shares, including granting power to the Board of Directors in certain circumstances, to refuse to register or acknowledge transfer of equity shares or other securities issued by us. Furthermore, the RBI requires us to obtain its approval before registering a transfer of equity shares in favor of a person which together with equity shares already held by him represent more than five (5) percent of our share capital.
Our transfer agent, Datamatics Business Solutions Limited, is located in Mumbai. Certain foreign exchange control and security regulations apply to the transfer of equity shares by a
non-resident
or a foreigner.
Disclosure of Ownership Interest
The provisions of the Companies Act generally require beneficial owners of equity shares of Indian companies that are not holders of record to declare to the company details of the holder of record and holders of record to declare details of the beneficial owner. While it is unclear whether these provisions apply to holders of an Indian company’s ADSs, investors who exchange ADSs for equity shares are subject to this provision. Failure to comply with these provisions would not affect the obligation of a company to register a transfer of equity shares or to pay any dividends to the registered holder of any equity shares in respect of which this declaration has not been made, but any person who fails to make the required declaration may be liable for an initial fine of up to Rs. 50,000 coupled with a further fine of up to Rs. 1,000 for each day this failure continues. However, under the Banking Regulation Act, a registered holder of any equity shares, except in certain conditions, shall not be liable to any suit or proceeding on the ground that the title to those equity shares vests in another person.
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Acquisition by the Issuer of Its Own Shares
The Companies Act permits a company to acquire its own equity shares and reduce its capital under certain circumstances. Such reduction of capital requires compliance with
buy-back
provisions specified in the Companies Act and by the SEBI.
ADS holders will be eligible to participate in a
buy-back
in certain cases. An ADS holder may acquire equity shares by withdrawing them from the depositary facility and then sell those equity shares back to us. ADS holders should note that equity shares withdrawn from the depositary facility may only be redeposited into the depositary facility under certain circumstances.
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There can be no assurance that the equity shares offered by an ADS investor in any
buy-back
of shares by us will be accepted by us. The position regarding participation of ADS holders in a
buy-back
is not clear. ADS investors are advised to consult their Indian legal advisers prior to participating in any
buy-back
by us, including in relation to any regulatory approvals and tax issues relating to the
buy-back.
Liquidation Rights
Subject to the rights of depositors, creditors and employees, in the event of our winding up,
winding-up,
the holders of the equity shares are entitled to be repaid the amounts of capital paid up or credited as paid up on these equity shares. All surplus assets remaining belong to the holders of the equity shares in proportion to the amount paid up or credited as paid up on these equity shares, respectively, at the commencement of the winding up.
winding-up.
Acquisition of the Undertaking by the Government
Under the Banking Regulation Act, the Government may, after consultation with the RBI, in the interest of our depositors or banking policy or better provision of credit generally or to a particular community or area, acquire our banking business. The RBI may acquire our business if it is satisfied that we have failed to comply with the directions given to us by the RBI or that our business is being managed in a manner detrimental to the interest of our depositors. Similarly, the Government of India may also acquire our business based on a report by the RBI.
Takeover Code
Under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Substantial Acquisitions of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations 2011, as amended (the “Takeover Code”), upon the acquisition of shares which taken together with the shares/voting rights already held aggregates 5 percent or more of the outstanding shares or voting rights of a publicly listed Indian company, a purchaser is required to notify the company and all the stock exchanges on which the shares of such company are listed. Such notification is also required when a person holds 5 percent or more of the outstanding shares or voting rights in a target company and there is a change in his holding either due to purchase or disposal of shares of 2 percent or more of the outstanding shares/voting rights in the target company or if such change results in shareholding falling below 5 percent, if there has been a change from the previous disclosure.
No acquisition of shares/voting rights by an acquirer in a target company which entitles the acquirer, together with persons acting in concert with them, to 25 percent or more of such shares or voting rights is permissible unless the acquirer makes a public announcement of an open offer for acquiring the shares of the target company in the manner provided in the Takeover Code. The public announcement of an open offer is also mandatory where an acquirer who, together with persons acting in concert with them, holds 25 percent of the shares/voting rights in the target company, but less than the maximum permissible
non-public
shareholding, seeks to acquire an additional 5 percent or more of the shares/voting rights in the target company during any fiscal year. However, the Takeover Code applies only to shares or securities convertible into shares which carry a voting right. This provision will apply to an ADS holder only once he or she converts the ADSs into the underlying equity shares.
In terms of the Takeover Code, the acquirer or holder of shares/voting rights in a target company shall in accordance with the “Continual Disclosure” requirements disclose to the target company and the stock exchanges the details of holdings of equity shares/voting rights if such holding of shares/voting rights is 25 percent or more of the outstanding shares/aggregate voting rights as at March 31 every year.
 
6171

DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
American Depositary Shares
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as depositary, issues the American Depositary Shares, or ADSs. Each ADS represents an ownership interest in three equity shares, which we have deposited with the custodian, as agent of the depositary, under the deposit agreement among ourselves, the depositary and each ADR holder. In the future, each ADS will also represent any securities, cash or other property deposited with the depositary but which it has not distributed directly to an ADR holder. The ADSs are evidenced by what is known as American Depositary Receipts or ADRs.
The depositary’s office is located at J.P. Morgan Depositary Receipts, 383 Madison Ave, Floor 11, New York, NY 10179.
Investors may hold ADSs either directly or indirectly through their broker or other financial institution. If an investor holds ADSs directly, by having an ADR certificate evidencing a specific number of ADSs registered in his name on the books of the depositary, or by holding an ADS in the depositary’s direct registration system, he is an ADR holder. This description assumes that the investor holds his ADSs directly. If an investor holds the ADSs through his broker or financial institution nominee, he must rely on the procedures of such broker or financial institution to assert the rights of an ADR holder described in this section. Investors should consult with their broker or financial institution to find out what these procedures are.
Because the depositary’s nominee will actually be the registered owner of the shares, investors must rely on the depositary to exercise the rights of a shareholder on their behalf. The obligations of the depositary and its agents are set out in the deposit agreement. The deposit agreement and the ADSs are governed by New York law.
The following is a summary of the material terms of the deposit agreement. Because it is a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to investors. For more complete information, investors should read the entire deposit agreement and the form of ADR, which contains the terms of the ADSs. Investors can read a copy of the amended and restated deposit agreement, which was filed as an exhibit to the registration statement on Form
F-6
on September 9, 2015. Investors may also obtain a copy of the amended and restated deposit agreement at the Securities and Exchange Commission Office, Public Reference Room, which is located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Investors may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330.at1-800-SEC-0330.
See “
Description of Equity Shares—The Company
”.
Share Dividends and Other Distributions
We may make various types of distributions with respect to our securities. The depositary has agreed to pay to the investor the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on shares or other deposited securities, after deducting its charges and expenses. The investor will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of deposited securities that the investor’s ADSs represent. To the extent practicable, the depositary will deliver such distributions to ADR holders in proportion to their interests in the following manner:
Cash
The depositary will distribute any United States dollars available to it resulting from a cash dividend or other cash distribution if this is practicable and can be done in a reasonable manner. The depositary will distribute this cash in a practicable manner, and may deduct any taxes required to be withheld, any expenses of converting foreign currency and transferring funds to the United States and other expenses and adjustments. If exchange rates fluctuate during a time when the depositary cannot convert a foreign currency, investors may lose some or all of the value of the distribution.
Shares
In the case of a distribution in shares, the depositary will issue additional ADRs to evidence the number of ADSs representing such shares. Only whole ADSs will be issued. The depositary will sell any shares which would result in fractional ADSs and distribute the net proceeds to the ADR holders entitled to them.
 
6272

Rights to Receive Additional Shares
In the case of a distribution of rights to subscribe for additional shares or other rights, if we provide satisfactory evidence that the depositary may lawfully distribute the rights, the depositary may arrange for ADR holders to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the rights. However, if we do not furnish such evidence, the depositary may:
 
sell the rights, if practicable, and distribute the net proceeds as cash.
 
if it is not practicable to sell the rights, allow the rights to lapse, in which case ADR holders will receive nothing.
We have no obligation to file a registration statement under the Securities Act in order to make any rights available to ADR holders or furnish evidence that the depositary may lawfully make any rights available to ADR holders.
Other Distributions
In the case of a distribution of securities or property other than those described above, the depositary may either:
 
distribute such securities or property in any manner it deems equitable and practicable; or
 
to the extent the depositary deems distribution of such securities or property not to be equitable and practicable, sell such securities or property and distribute any net proceeds in the same way it distributes cash.
Any United States dollars will be distributed by checkscheques drawn on a bank in the United States for whole dollars and cents (fractional cents will be withheld without liability for interest and handled by the depositary in accordance with its then current practices).
The depositary may choose, after consultation with us, if practicable, any practical method of distribution for any specific ADR holder, including the distribution of foreign currency, securities or property, or it may retain those items, without paying interest on or investing them, on behalf of the ADR holder as deposited securities, in which case the ADSs will also represent the retained items.
The depositary is not responsible if it fails to determine that any distribution or action is lawful or reasonably practicable.
We cannot assure investors that the depositary will be able to convert any currency at a specified exchange rate or sell any property, rights, shares or other securities at a specified price, or that any of such transactions can be completed within a specified time period. All purchases and sales of securities will be handled by the depositary in accordance with its then current policies, which are currently set forth in the “Depositary Receipt Sale and Purchase of Security” section available at https://
www.adr.com/Investors/FindOutAboutDRs
, the location and contents of which the depositary shall be solely responsible for.
Deposit, Withdrawal and Cancellation
The depositary issues ADSs upon the deposit of shares or evidence of rights to receive shares with the custodian after payment of the fees and expenses owing to the depositary in connection with such issuance.
Except for shares that we deposit, no shares may be deposited by persons located in India, residents of India or for, or on the account of, such persons. Under current Indian laws and regulations, the depositary cannot accept deposits of outstanding shares and issue ADRs evidencing ADSs representing such shares without prior approval of the Government of India. However, an investor who surrenders an ADS and withdraws shares may be permitted to redeposit those shares in the depositary facility in exchange for ADSs and the depositary may accept deposits of outstanding shares purchased by a
non-resident
of India on the local stock exchange and issue ADSs representing those shares. However, in each case, the number of shares
re-deposited
or deposited cannot exceed the number represented by ADSs converted into underlying shares.
Shares deposited in the future with the custodian must be accompanied by certain documents, including instruments showing that such shares have been properly transferred or endorsed to the person on whose behalf the deposit is being made. To the extent delivery of certificates is impracticable, the shares may be deposited by any other delivery means reasonably acceptable to the depositary or custodian, including by way of crediting the shares to an account maintained by the custodian with us or an accredited intermediary acting as registrar for the shares.
63

We will inform the depositary if any of the shares permitted to be deposited do not rank
pari passu
with other deposited securities and the depositary will arrange for the issuance of temporary ADSs representing such shares until such time as the shares become fully fungible with the other deposited securities.
73

The custodian will hold all deposited shares for the account of the depositary. ADR holders thus have no direct ownership interest in the shares and only have such rights as are contained in the deposit agreement. The custodian will also hold any additional securities, property and cash received on or in substitution for the deposited shares. The deposited shares and any such additional items are referred to as “deposited securities”.
Upon each deposit of shares, receipt of related delivery documentation and compliance with the other provisions of the deposit agreement, including the payment of the fees and charges of the depositary and any taxes or other fees or charges owing, the depositary will issue an ADR or ADRs in the name of the person entitled thereto evidencing the number of ADSs to which such person is entitled. All ADSs issued will be evidenced by way of registration in the depositary’s direct registration system, unless certificated ADRs are specifically requested by the holder. Rather than receiving a certificate, registered holders will receive periodic statements from the depositary showing the number of ADSs to which they are entitled. Certificated ADRs will be delivered at the depositary’s designated transfer office.
When an investor turns in his ADR certificate at the depositary’s office, or provides proper instructions and documentation in the case of direct registration ADSs, the depositary will, upon payment of certain applicable fees, charges and taxes, deliver the underlying shares. Delivery of deposited securities in certificated form will be made at the custodian’s office or, at the investor’s risk and expense, the depositary may deliver such deposited securities at such other place as may be requested by the investor. A stamp duty will be payable by the relevant ADR holder in respect of any withdrawal of shares, unless the shares are held in dematerialized form. Any subsequent transfer by the holder of the shares after withdrawal will require the approval of the RBI, which approval must be obtained by the purchaser and us under the provisions of the Foreign Management Regulation Act, 1999 unless the transfer is on a stock exchange or in connection with an offer under the Indian takeover regulations.
The depositary may only restrict the withdrawal of deposited securities in connection with:
 
temporary delays caused by closing the Bank’s transfer books or those of the depositary or the deposit of shares in connection with voting at a shareholders’ meeting, or the payment of dividends;
 
the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges; or
 
compliance with any United States or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the ADRs or to the withdrawal of deposited securities.
This right of withdrawal may not be limited by any other provision of the deposit agreement.
Voting Rights
Investors who hold ADRs have no voting rights with respect to the deposited equity shares. The depositary will abstain from exercising the voting rights of the deposited equity shares. The RBI examined the matter relating to the exercise of voting rights by the depositary and issued a circular dated February 5, 2007 pursuant to which the Bank furnished to the RBI a copy of its agreement with the depositary. We have given an undertaking to the RBI stating that we will not recognize voting by the depositary if the vote given by the depositary is in contravention of its agreement with us and that we or the depositary will not bring about any change in our depositary agreement without the prior approval of the RBI.
Equity shares which have been withdrawn from the depositary facility and transferred on our register of shareholders to a person other than the depositary or its nominee may be voted by that person. However, such shareholders may not receive sufficient advance notice of shareholder meetings to enable them to withdraw the underlying shares and vote at such meetings.
Record Dates
The depositary may, after consultation with us, if practicable, fix record dates for the determination of the ADR holders, who will be entitled or obligated (as the case may be) to receive any distribution on or in respect of deposited securities, or to pay the fee assessed by the depositary for administration of the ADR program and any expenses provided for in the ADR, subject to the provisions of the deposit agreement.
64

Reports and Other Communications
The depositary will make available for inspection by ADR holders at the offices of the depositary and at the transfer office any written communications from us which are both received by the custodian or its nominee as a holder of deposited securities and made generally available to the holders of deposited securities. The depositary will distribute copies of such communications, or English translations or summaries thereof, to ADR holders when furnished by us.
74

Fees and Charges for Holders of American Depositary Shares
The depositary collects the following fees from holders of ADRs or intermediaries acting on their behalf:
 
Category
  
Depositary actions
  
Associated fee
(a)
  Issuing ADSs  Issuing ADSs upon deposits of shares, issuances in respect of share distributions, rights and other distributions, stock dividends, stock splits, mergers, exchanges of securities or any other transaction or event or other distribution affecting the ADSs or the deposited securities.  US$ 5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) issued or delivered.
(b)
  Distributing dividends  Distribution of cash.  US$ 0.02 or less per ADS.
(c)
  Distributing or selling securities  Distribution to ADR holders of securities received by the depositary or net proceeds from the sale of such securities.  US$ 5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof), the fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of ADSs which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities.
(d)
  Cancellation or reduction of ADSs  Acceptance of ADSs surrendered for withdrawal of deposited shares, or the cancellation or reduction of ADSs for any other reason.  US$ 5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) reduced, canceled or surrendered (as the case may be).
65

(e)
  Transferring, splitting or combining ADRs  Transfer, split or combination of depositary receipts.  US$ 1.50 per ADR.
(f)
  General depositary services  Services performed by the depositary in administering the ADRs.  US$ 0.01 per ADS per calendar year (or portion thereof).
(g)
  Other  Fees, charges and expenses incurred on behalf of holders in connection with:  The amount of such fees, charges and expenses incurred by the depositary and/or any of its agents.
    
•   compliance with foreign exchange control regulations or any law or regulation relating to foreign investment;
  
    
•   the servicing of shares or other deposited securities;
  
    
•   the sale of securities;
  
    
•   the delivery of deposited securities;
  
    
•   the depositary’s or its custodian’s compliance with applicable laws, rules or regulations;
  
    
•   stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges;
  
66

    
•   cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery charges;
  
    
•   transfer or registration fees for the registration or transfer of deposited securities on any applicable register in connection with the deposit or withdrawal of deposited securities;
  
    
•   the conversion of foreign currency into United States dollars (which are deducted by the depositary out of such foreign currency); or
  
    
•   the fees of any division, branch or affiliate of the depositary utilized by the depositary to direct, manage and/or execute any public or private sale of securities under the deposit agreement.
  
75

As provided in the amended and restated deposit agreement, the depositary may collect its fees for making cash and other distributions to holders by deducting fees from distributable amounts or by selling a portion of the distributable property. The depositary may generally refuse to provide services until its fees for those services are paid.
Fees Paid by the Depositary to usUs
Direct and Indirect Payments
The depositary has agreed to contribute certain reasonable direct and indirect expenses related to our ADS program incurred by us in connection with the program. Under certain circumstances, we may be required to repay to the depositary amounts contributed by them.
67

The table below sets forth the contribution received by us from the depositary towards our direct and indirect expenses during fiscal 2020.year 2022.
 
Category
  
Contribution
received
 
Legal, accounting fees and other expenses incurred in connection with our ADS program
 �� 
US$
 4,712,196.179,406,308.19
(approximately Rs. 355.3713.7 million)
 
 
Payment of Taxes
ADR holders must pay any tax or other governmental charge payable by the custodian or the depositary on any ADS or ADR, deposited security or distribution, and by holding or having held an ADR, the holder and all prior holders, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify, defend and savehold harmless the depositary and its agents. If an ADR holder owes any tax or other governmental charge, the depositary may:
 
deduct the amount thereof from any cash distributions; or
 
sell deposited securities and deduct the amount owing from the net proceeds of such sale.
In either case the ADR holder remains liable for any shortfall. Additionally, if any tax or governmental charge is unpaid, the depositary may also refuse to effect any registration, registration of transfer,
split-up
or combination of deposited securities or withdrawal of deposited securities (except under limited circumstances mandated by securities regulations). If any tax or governmental charge is required to be withheld on any
non-cash
distribution, the depositary may sell the distributed property or securities to pay such taxes and distribute any remaining net proceeds to the ADR holders entitled to them.
Reclassifications, Recapitalizations and Mergers
If we take certain actions that affect the deposited securities, including (1) any change in par value,
split-up,
consolidation, cancellation or other reclassification of deposited securities or (2) any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, liquidation, receivership, bankruptcy or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, then the depositary may choose to:
 
amend the form of ADR;
 
distribute additional or amended ADRs;
 
distribute cash, securities or other property it has received in connection with such actions;
 
sell any securities or property received and distribute the proceeds as cash; or
 
take no action.
If the depositary does not choose any of the above options, any of the cash, securities or other property it receives will constitute part of the deposited securities and each ADS will then represent a proportionate interest in such property.
Amendment and Termination
We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the ADSs without the consent of ADR holders for any reason. ADR holders must be given at least 30 days’ notice of any amendment that imposes or increases any fees or charges (other than stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges, transfer or registration fees, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or prejudices any substantial existing right of ADR holders. If an ADR holder continues to hold an ADR or ADRs after being notified of these changes, the ADR holder is deemed to agree to, and be bound by, such amendment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an amendment can become effective before notice is given if this is necessary to ensure compliance with a new law, rule or regulation.
 
6876

No amendment will impair an ADR holder’s right to surrender its ADSs and receive the underlying securities, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. If a governmental or regulatory body adopts new laws, rules or regulations which require the deposit agreement or the ADS to be amended, the Bank and the depositary may make the necessary amendments, which could take effect before an ADR holder receives notice thereof.
The depositary may terminate the deposit agreement by giving the ADR holders at least 30 days’ prior notice and it must do so at our request. After termination, the depositary’s only responsibility will be (i) to deliver deposited securities to ADR holders who surrender their ADRs and (ii) to hold or sell distributions received on deposited securities. As soon as practicable after the expiration of six months from the termination date, the depositary will sell the remaining deposited securities and hold the net proceeds of such sales, together with any other cash then held by it under the deposit agreement, in trust for the pro rata benefit of ADR holders who have not yet surrendered their ADRs. After making those sales, the depositary shall have no obligations except to account for such proceeds and other cash. The depositary will not be required to invest such proceeds or pay interest on them.
Limitations on Obligations and Liability to ADR Holders
The deposit agreement expressly limits the obligations and liability of the depositary, ourselves and our respective agents. Neither we nor the depositary nor any such agent will be liable if:
 
any present or future law, rule, regulation, fiat, order or decree of the United States, the Republic of India or any other country, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or securities exchange or market or automated quotation system, the provisions of or regulation governing any deposited securities, any present or future provision of our charter, any act of God, war, terrorism, nationalization or other circumstance beyond its control shall prevent or delay, or shall cause it to be subject to any civil or criminal penalty in connection with any act which the deposit agreement or the ADRs provide shall be done or performed by it;
 
it exercises or fails to exercise discretion under the deposit agreement or the ADR;
 
it takes any action or inaction in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting shares for deposit, any registered holder of ADRs, or any other person believed by it to be competent to give such advice or information;
 
it performs its obligations under the deposit agreement without gross negligence or willful misconduct; or
 
it relies upon any written notice, request, direction, instruction or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, presented or given by the proper party or parties.
Neither the depositary nor its agents have any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any deposited securities or the ADRs. We and our agents shall only be obligated to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any deposited securities or the ADRs, which, in our opinion, may involve us in expense or liability, if indemnity satisfactory to us against all expense (including fees and disbursements of counsel) and liability is furnished as often as we require.
The depositary will not be liable for the price received in connection with any sale of securities or any delay or omission to act nor will the depositary be responsible for any error or delay in action, omission to act, default or negligence on the part of the party retained in connection with any sale or proposed sale of securities.
The depositary may own and deal in any class of securities and in ADSs.
Disclosure of Interest in ADSs
From time to time, we may request ADR holders and beneficial owners of ADSs to provide information as to:
 
the capacity in which they own or owned ADSs;
 
69

the identity of any other persons then or previously interested in such ADSs; and
 
the nature of such interest and various other matters.
Investors in ADSs agree to provide any information requested by us or the depositary pursuant to the deposit agreement. The depositary has agreed to use reasonable efforts, without risk, liability or expense on the part of the depositary, to comply with written instructions received from us requesting that it forward any such requests to investors in ADSs and other holders and beneficial owners and to forward to us any responses to such requests to the extent permitted by applicable law.
77

We may restrict transfers of the shares where any such transfer might result in ownership of shares in contravention of, or exceeding the limits under, applicable law or our organizational documents. We may also instruct ADR holders that we are restricting the transfers of ADSs where such a transfer may result in the total number of shares represented by the ADSs beneficially owned by ADR holders contravening or exceeding the limits under the applicable law or our organizational documents. We reserve the right to instruct ADR holders to deliver their ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of the shares underlying such ADSs and holders agree to comply with such instructions.
Requirements for Depositary Actions
We, the depositary, or the custodian may refuse to:
 
issue, register or transfer an ADR or ADRs;
 
effect a
split-up
or combination of ADRs;
 
deliver distributions on any such ADRs; or
 
permit the withdrawal of deposited securities (unless the deposit agreement provides otherwise), until the following conditions have been met:
 
the holder has paid all taxes, governmental charges and fees and expenses as required in the deposit agreement;
 
the holder has provided the depositary with any information it may deem necessary or proper, including, without limitation, proof of identity and the genuineness of any signature, and information as to citizenship, residence, exchange control approval, beneficial ownership of any securities, compliance with applicable law, regulations, provisions of or governing deposited securities and terms of the deposit agreement and the ADRs; and
 
the holder has complied with such regulations as the depositary may establish consistent with the deposit agreement.
The depositary may also suspend the issuance of ADSs, the deposit of shares, the registration, transfer,
split-up
or combination of ADRs, or the withdrawal of deposited securities (unless the deposit agreement provides otherwise), if the register for ADRs or any deposited securities is closed or if any such action is deemed advisable by the depositary.
Books of Depositary
The depositary or its agent will maintain a register for the registration, registration of transfer, combination and
split-up
of ADRs, which, in the case of registered ADRs, shall include the depositary’s direct registration system. ADR holders may inspect the depositary’s designated records at all reasonable times. Such register may be closed at any time from time to time, when deemed expedient by the depositary.
The depositary will maintain facilities for the delivery and receipt of ADRs.
70

Pre-release
of ADSs
The depositary may issue ADSs prior to the receipt of shares and deliver shares prior to the receipt of ADSs for the withdrawal of deposited securities. Each such transaction is called a
pre-release
of the ADSs. A
pre-release
is closed out as soon as the underlying shares (or other ADSs) are delivered to the depositary. The depositary may
pre-release
ADSs only if:
 
the person or entity to whom ADSs or shares will be delivered;
 
represents that, at the time of the
pre-release,
the applicant or its customer owns the shares or ADSs to be delivered;
 
agrees to indicate the depositary as owner of such shares or ADSs in its records and to hold such shares or ADSs in trust for the depositary until they have been delivered to the depositary or custodian;
 
unconditionally guarantees to deliver the shares or ADSs to the depositary or custodian, as applicable;
 
agrees to any additional restrictions or requirements that the depositary deems appropriate; and
 
the depositary has received collateral for the full market value of the
pre-released
ADSs or shares.
In general, the number of
pre-released
ADSs and shares is limited to 30.0 percent of all ADSs outstanding at any given time (without giving effect to those ADSs issued prior to the receipt of shares). However, the depositary may change or disregard such limit from time to time as it deems appropriate. The depositary may also set limits with respect to the number of ADSs and shares involved in
pre-release
transactions with any one person on a
case-by-case
basis as it deems appropriate. The depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in conjunction with
pre-release
transactions, including earnings on collateral but excluding the collateral itself.
The DepositaryDividend Policy
79
Taxation
145
Supervision and Regulation
151
Exchange Controls
190
Restrictions on Foreign Ownership of Indian Securities
192
Additional Information
196
ii

Item Caption
The depositary is JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., a commercial bank offering a wide range
Location
Item 11Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Business—Risk Management
23
Selected Statistical Information
83
Item 12Description of banking servicesSecurities Other than Equity Securities
Not Applicable
Item 12DADSs fee disclosure
Description of American Depositary Shares—Fees and Charges for Holders of American Depositary Shares
75
Part II
Item 13Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
Not Applicable
Item 14Material Modifications to its customers both domesticallythe Rights of Security
Holders
and internationally. JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association is a wholly owned bank subsidiaryUse of JPMorgan Chase & Co., a Delaware corporation.Proceeds
Not Applicable
Item 15Controls and Procedures
Management—Controls and Procedures
135
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
197
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm—Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
198
Item 16AAudit Committee Financial Expert
Management—Audit Committee Financial Expert
136
Item 16BCode of Ethics
Management—Code of Ethics
136
Item 16CPrincipal Accountant Fees and Services
Management—Principal Accountant Fees and Services
136
Item 16DExemption from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
Not Applicable
Item 16EPurchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
Not Applicable
Item 16FChanges in or disagreements with accountants
Not Applicable
Item 16GSignificant Differences in Corporate Governance Practices
Management—Compliance with NYSE Listing Standards on Corporate Governance
137
Item 16HMine Safety Disclosure
Not Applicable
iii

EXCHANGE RATES AND CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS
In this document, all references to “we”, “us”, “our”, “HDFC Bank” or “the Bank” shall mean HDFC Bank Limited or where the context requires also to its subsidiaries whose financials are consolidated for accounting purposes. References to the “U.S.” or “United States” are to the United States of America, its territories and its possessions. References to “India” are to the Republic of India. References to the “Companies Act” in the document mean the Indian Companies Act, 2013 and all rules and regulations issued thereunder. References to “$”, “US$”, “dollars” or “United States dollars” are to the legal currency of the United States and references to “Rs.”, “INR”, “rupees” or “Indian rupees” are to the legal currency of India.
Our financial statements are presented in Indian rupees and in some cases translated into United States dollars. The financial statements and all other financial data included in this report, except as otherwise noted, are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP. U.S. GAAP differs in certain material respects from accounting principles generally accepted in India, the requirements of India’s Banking Regulation Act and related regulations issued by the Reserve Bank of India (“RBI”) (collectively, “Indian GAAP”), which form the basis of our statutory general purpose financial statements in India. Principal differences applicable to our business include: determination of the allowance for credit losses, classification and valuation of investments, accounting for deferred income taxes, stock-based compensation, loan origination fees, derivative financial instruments, business combinations and the presentation format and disclosures of the financial statements and related notes. References to a particular “fiscal” are to our fiscal year ended March 31 of such year.
Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Indian rupee and the United States dollar will affect the United States dollar equivalent of the Indian rupee price of the equity shares on the Indian stock exchanges and, as a result, will affect the market price of our American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) in the United States. These fluctuations will also affect the conversion into United States dollars by the depositary of any cash dividends paid in Indian rupees on the equity shares represented by ADSs.
Investor expectations that reforms implemented by the government of India (the “Government of India” or the “Government”) will lead to an improvement in the long term growth outlook helped to improve the rupee’s performance, reducing the depreciation trend to 3.85 percent in fiscal year 2015. During fiscal year 2016, the rupee depreciated by 6.32 percent primarily reflecting global risk aversion and a strong United States dollar. However, in line with other emerging markets, which experienced currency appreciation in fiscal year 2017, the Indian rupee also appreciated by 2.1 percent against the United States dollar. This was mainly attributed to repricing of the Indian assets by international investors (driven by domestic economic and political stability) alongside the disappointment relating to the United States reform agenda. In fiscal year 2018, the rupee ranged between a high of Rs. 65.71 per US$ 1.00 and a low of Rs. 63.38 per US$ 1.00. Pressure developed in the last two quarters of fiscal year 2018 as oil prices rose and trade war risks escalated globally. In fiscal year 2019, while the rupee depreciated overall by 6.3 percent against the United States dollar, it ranged between a high of Rs. 74.4 per US$ 1.00 and a low of Rs. 64.85 per US$ 1.00. Rising oil prices and a slowdown in global trade volumes, as well as a risk aversion towards emerging market currencies (because of tariffs and trade war risks) have all affected the rupee negatively in fiscal year 2019. The rupee further depreciated in fiscal year 2020, amid weak global demand, low domestic economic growth and foreign portfolio investment outflows, as well as a result of foreign investors becoming more risk averse with respect to investments in India. In fiscal year 2020, the rupee ranged between a high of Rs. 76.37 per US$ 1.00 and a low of Rs. 68.40 per US$ 1.00. The rupee appreciated by 2.8 percent in fiscal year 2021, in part due to a weak dollar and robust foreign flows. In fiscal year 2021, the rupee traded in the range of
75.08-73.14 per
US $1.00. With foreign capital outflows and
geo-political
risks, the rupee depreciated by 3.8 percent against the United States dollar in fiscal year 2022. In fiscal year 2022, the rupee ranged between a high of Rs. 77.07 per US$ 1.00 and a low of Rs. 72.37 per US$ 1.00
Although we have translated selected Indian rupee amounts in this document into United States dollars for convenience, this does not mean that the Indian rupee amounts referred to could have been, or could be, converted to United States dollars at any particular rate, the rates stated above, or at all. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from Indian rupees to United States dollars are based on the noon buying rate in the City of New York for cable transfers in Indian rupees at US$ 1.00 = Rs. 75.87 on March 31, 2022. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York certifies this rate for customs purposes on each date the rate is given. The noon buying rate on July 15, 2022 was Rs. 79.74 per US$ 1.00.
1

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We have included statements in this report which contain words or phrases such as “will”, “aim”, “will likely result”, “believe”, “expect”, “will continue”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “contemplate”, “seek to”, “future”, “objective”, “goal”, “project”, “should”, “will pursue” and similar expressions or variations of these expressions, that are “forward-looking statements”. Actual results may differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements due to certain risks or uncertainties associated with our expectations with respect to, but not limited to, our ability to implement our strategy successfully, the market acceptance of and demand for various banking services, future levels of our
non-performing/impaired
assets, our growth and expansion, the adequacy of our provision/allowance for credit and investment losses, technological changes, volatility in investment income, our ability to market new products, cash flow projections, the outcome of any legal, tax or regulatory proceedings in India and in other jurisdictions we are or become a party to, the future impact of new accounting standards, our ability to pay dividends, the impact of changes in banking regulations and other regulatory changes on us in India and other jurisdictions, our ability to roll over our short term funding sources and our exposure to market and operational risks. By their nature, certain of the market risk disclosures are only estimates and could be materially different from what may actually occur in the future. As a result, actual future gains, losses or impact on net income could materially differ from those that have been estimated.
In addition, other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by the forward-looking statements contained in this document include, but are not limited to: general economic and political conditions, instability or uncertainty in India and the other countries which have an impact on our business activities or investments caused by any factor, including terrorist attacks in India, the United States or elsewhere, anti-terrorist or other attacks by the United States, a United
States-led
coalition or any other country, tensions between India and Pakistan related to the Kashmir region or between India and China, military armament or social unrest in any part of India; the monetary and interest rate policies of the Government of India, natural calamities, pandemics, inflation, deflation, unanticipated turbulence in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity prices or other rates or prices; the performance of the financial markets in India and globally, changes in Indian and foreign laws and regulations, including tax, accounting and banking regulations, changes in competition and the pricing environment in India, and regional or general changes in asset valuations. For further discussion on the factors that could cause actual results to differ, see “
Risk Factors
”.
2

BUSINESS
Overview
We are a new generation private sector bank in India. Our goal is to be the preferred provider of financial services to our customers in India across metro, urban, semi-urban and rural markets. Our strategy is to provide a comprehensive range of financial products and services to our customers through multiple distribution channels, with what we believe are high-quality services, advanced technology platforms and superior execution.
We have three principal business activities: retail banking, wholesale banking and treasury operations. Our retail banking products include deposit products, loans including loans to small and medium enterprises, credit cards, debit cards, third-party mutual funds and insurance products, bill payment services, and other products and services. Under wholesale banking, we offer a wide range of commercial and transactional banking services, including working capital finance, trade services, transactional services and cash management. We are also a leading provider of structured solutions in India, which combine cash management services with vendor and distributor finance to facilitate supply chain management for our corporate customers. Our treasury operations manage our balance sheet, and include customer-driven services such as advisory services related to foreign exchange and derivative transactions for corporate and institutional customers, supplemented by proprietary trading, including Indian Government securities. Further, our
non-banking
finance company (“NBFC”) subsidiary HDB Financial Services Limited (“HDBFSL”) offers a wide range of loans and asset finance products including mortgage loans, commercial vehicle loans, consumer loans and gold loans, as well as a range of business process outsourcing solutions. We provide our customers with brokerage accounts through our subsidiary HDFC Securities Limited (“HSL”), which we believe is one of the leading stock brokerage companies in India and which offers a suite of products and services across various asset classes, such as equity, gold and debt, and via multiple platforms,
i.e.
, online, mobile, telephone and branches.
As a result of trade tensions and
geo-political
risks, global growth slowed to 2.9 percent in 2019 from 3.6 percent in 2018, according to IMF estimates. In 2020, growth declined by a further 3.1 percent, driven by the
COVID-19
pandemic and related lockdowns and movement restrictions across the globe, which caused GDP to contract in major economies. With the availability of vaccines and policy support, the global economy started regaining strength in 2021, when, as per the IMF, global growth stood at 6.1 percent. However, global recovery is expected to halt again in 2022 on account of the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the China slowdown, rising commodity prices, and elevated inflation. Moreover, the decrease or removal of monetary stimulus across the globe could also weigh on global recovery. Volatility across industry sectors has increased contributing to an uncertain investment climate. The IMF estimates global growth to slow down to 3.6 percent in 2022.
The
COVID-19
pandemic also adversely impacted India’s economic growth. The Government imposed a strict lockdown between March 25, 2020 and May 31, 2020. While this helped to control the spread of the pandemic during the first wave, it adversely impacted all sectors of the economy, with the consumption and services sectors worst affected. India’s GDP contracted by 23.8 percent in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. With improved mobility and policy measures, economic activity started to improve again from the second quarter of fiscal year 2021. GDP rebounded with 0.7 percent year on year growth in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 as compared to a contraction of 6.6 percent in the second quarter of fiscal year 2021. The fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2021 reaffirmed that the economy was recovering as growth momentum picked up pace. India’s GDP grew by 2.5 percent in the fourth quarter, due to improvements across all sectors of the economy. For the full year, India’s GDP declined by 6.6 percent in fiscal year 2021 compared to growth of 3.7 percent in the prior year.
However, the “second wave” of
COVID-19
and related containment measures adversely affected the pace of recovery for the Indian economy during the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. On a
quarter-by-quarter
basis, India’s GDP declined by 17.1 percent in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022, although
year-on-year
growth stood at 20.1 percent, primarily due to support from a low base. Economic activity started recovering from the second quarter of fiscal year 2022 with improved access to vaccines and removal of
COVID-19-related
restrictions. In the second quarter of fiscal year 2022, India’s GDP growth stood at 8.4 percent, but economic activity came under stress again as the Omicron variant started spreading. With a reversal of the low base from fiscal year 2021 and Omicron related curbs, GDP growth slowed to 4.1 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022 from 5.4 percent in the third quarter of fiscal year 2022. Overall, GDP growth stood at 8.7 percent in fiscal year 2022, against a decline of 6.6 percent in fiscal year 2021.
Moving forward, we expect India’s GDP growth to slow down in fiscal year 2023, with rising commodity prices and global supply chain disruptions resulting from
geo-political
tensions as major challenges. Elevated inflation levels could keep private consumption recovery slow and might delay private capital expenditure due to a likely decline in profit margins. Moreover, export growth could slow with a global slowdown. Foreign portfolio investments in India could remain weak, as investors are expected to prefer lower risk assets in uncertain times. We estimate India’s GDP growth at 7.3 percent for the fiscal year 2023 subject to further downside risks.
3

Besides growth,
geo-political
tensions and lingering supply side disruptions are likely to weigh on domestic retail inflation. CPI inflation rose to 6.95 percent in March 2022, reflecting the impact of higher food prices, fuel prices and core inflation (CPI excluding food and fuel). For fiscal year 2022, CPI inflation averaged 5.5 percent. More recently, headline CPI inflation rose to an
8-year
high of 7.8 percent in April 2022, led by an abroad-based increase in food, fuel and core (CPI excluding food and fuel) inflation. Going forward, CPI inflation is expected to average above 7 percent in the first half of fiscal year 2023 due to a rise in food prices, higher commodity prices and pass through of rising input costs. For the full fiscal year 2023, we expect CPI inflation to average
6.5-6.7 percent
(assuming average crude oil prices at US$ 105 pbl for fiscal year 2023), above the RBI’s target range of 4
+/-2 percent.
In response to the adverse impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic and related disruptions, the Government significantly increased spending in both fiscal year 2021 and fiscal year 2022. While the fiscal deficit was 9.2 percent in fiscal year 2021, it narrowed to 6.7 percent in fiscal year 2022 (as per provisional data), mainly due to improved revenue collections. In the wake of rising commodity prices, the Government has recently reduced excise duties on diesel and petrol and some other raw materials. To ease pressure on food prices, the Government has imposed a ban on wheat exports and removed import duty on crude, soybean and sunflower oil for two years. However, import exemptions for these vegetable oils are capped at 2.0 million metric tons. Additionally, to provide relief to farmers, the Government has extended the free food program until September 2022 and increased fertilizer subsidies. More recently, the Government has introduced a windfall tax on domestically produced crude oil along with export duty on petrol, diesel & ATF exports, which is expected to garner additional tax revenue of Rs. 1.0 trillion. Taking these factors into account, we estimate the fiscal deficit to be at 6.4 percent of GDP in the fiscal year 2023.
Since commencing operations in January 1995 we have grown rapidly. As of March 31, 2022, we had 6,342 branches and 18,130 ATMs/Cash Deposit and Withdrawal Machines (“CDMs”) in 3,188 cities and towns and 71.0 million customers. In addition, we had 15,341 business correspondents, which were primarily manned by common service centers (“CSCs”). On account of the expansion in our geographical reach and the resultant increase in market penetration, our assets have grown from Rs. 17,979.8 billion as of March 31, 2021 to Rs. 21,113.7 billion as of March 31, 2022. Our net income has increased from Rs. 326.0 billion for fiscal year 2021 to Rs. 386.0 billion for fiscal year 2022. Our loans and deposits as of March 31, 2022 amounted to Rs. 14,036.9 billion and Rs. 15,580.0 billion, respectively. Across business cycles, we believe we have maintained a strong balance sheet and a low cost of funds. As of March 31, 2022, gross
non-performing
customer assets as a percentage of gross customer assets was 1.32 percent. Our net customer assets represented 93.8 percent of our deposits and our deposits represented 73.8 percent of our total liabilities and shareholders’ equity. The average
non-interest-bearing
current accounts and
low-interest-bearing
savings accounts represented 44.6 percent of average total deposits for the year ended March 31, 2022. These
low-cost
deposits and the cash float associated with our transactional services led to an average cost of funds (including equity) of 3.1 percent for fiscal year 2022. We had a return on equity (net income as a percentage of average total shareholders’ equity) of 16.1 percent for fiscal year 2021 and 16.8 percent for fiscal year 2022. As at March 31, 2022 we had a total capital adequacy ratio (calculated pursuant to RBI guidelines) of 18.90 percent. Our Common Equity Tier I
(“CET-I”)
ratio was 16.67 percent as at March 31, 2022.
About Our Bank
HDFC Bank was incorporated in August 1994 and commenced operations as a scheduled commercial bank in January 1995. In 2000, we merged with Times Bank Limited and, in 2008, we acquired Centurion Bank of Punjab Limited (“CBoP”). We are part of the HDFC Group of companies established by our principal shareholder, Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited (“HDFC Limited”), a listed public limited company established under the laws of India. HDFC Limited is primarily engaged in financial services, including mortgages, property-related lending and deposit services. The subsidiaries and associated companies of HDFC Limited are also largely engaged in a range of financial services, including asset management, life insurance and general insurance. HDFC Limited and its subsidiaries (together, “HDFC Group”) owned 21.0 percent of our outstanding equity shares as of March 31, 2022 and our Chairperson and Managing Director are nominated by HDFC Limited and appointed with the approval of our shareholders and the RBI. See also “
Principal Shareholders
”. We have no agreements with HDFC Limited or any of its group companies that restrict us from competing with them or that restrict HDFC Limited or any of its group companies from competing with our business. We currently distribute products of HDFC Limited and its group companies, such as home loans of HDFC Limited, life and general insurance products of HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited and HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited, respectively, and mutual funds of HDFC Asset Management Company Limited.
We have two subsidiaries: HDBFSL and HSL. HDBFSL is a
non-deposit-taking
NBFC engaged primarily in the business of retail asset financing while HSL is primarily in the business of providing brokerage and other investment services. Effective April 1, 2018, the financial results of our subsidiary companies have been prepared in accordance with notified Indian Accounting Standards (April 1, 2017 being the transition date). HDBFSL’s total assets and shareholders’ equity as of March 31, 2022 were Rs. 620.3 billion and Rs. 95.4 billion, respectively. HDBFSL’s net income was Rs. 10.1 billion for fiscal year 2022. As of March 31, 2022, HDBFSL had 1,374 branches across 989 cities in India. HSL’s total assets and shareholders’ equity as of March 31, 2022 were Rs. 79.2 billion and Rs. 16.6 billion, respectively. HSL’s net income was Rs. 9.8 billion for fiscal year 2022. On December 1, 2016, Atlas Documentary Facilitators Company Private Ltd., which provided back office transaction processing services to us, and its subsidiary HBL Global Private Ltd., which provided direct sales support for certain products of the Bank, amalgamated with HDBFSL.
Our principal corporate and registered office is located at HDFC Bank House, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 013, India. Our telephone number is
91-22-6652-1000.
Our agent in the United States for the 2001, 2005, 2007, 2015 and 2018 ADS offerings is Depositary Management Corporation, 570 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
4

Proposed Transaction
The Board of Directors at its meeting held on April 4, 2022 approved a composite scheme of amalgamation (the “Scheme”) for the amalgamation of: (i) HDFC Investments Limited and HDFC Holdings Limited, each a subsidiary of HDFC Limited, with and into HDFC Limited; and (ii) HDFC Limited with and into HDFC Bank (the “Proposed Transaction”). The share exchange ratio shall be 42 equity shares of HDFC Bank (each having a face value of Rs. 1) for every 25 equity shares of HDFC Limited (each having a face value of Rs. 2).
We expect the Proposed Transaction to be strategically beneficial to both the Bank and HDFC Limited as it takes advantage of existing complementarities. Following the Proposed Transaction, we expect to grow our housing loan portfolio and enhance our existing customer base, benefiting from HDFC Limited’s technological capabilities to evaluate the credit worthiness of customers and its existing offices to market our products and services across India. The housing market environment has changed with recent laws bringing in greater transparency and price corrections lowering inventories. Home loan customers are typically retained for a longer time than our other retail customers. There is a sizeable customer base of HDFC Limited that presently does not do banking with us yet and to whom we can make product and service offerings. HDFC Limited’s rural and affordable housing lending is expected to qualify as priority sector lending for us and can enable a higher flow of credit into priority sector lending, including agriculture. At the same time, we expect the combined entity resulting from the completion of the Proposed Transaction to benefit from our lower cost of funds and distribution. As the present regulatory environment is more conducive in terms of reduced reserve requirements of about 22 percent (compared to 26 percent previously), we expect acquiring liability customers and deposit mobilization to be a key focus area for us to fund future growth. In addition, we expect to reduce the proportion of our exposure to unsecured loans and benefit from a larger balance sheet and capital base, which would allow us to underwrite larger ticket loans and also enable a greater flow of credit into the Indian economy. More secured and long-tenure products are expected to strengthen the Bank’s robust asset portfolio mix. The Scheme also enlists certain rationales and benefits of the Proposed Transaction. Those expectations and anticipated benefits as well as the rationales mentioned in the Scheme are based on estimations and there is no assurance that they will materialize or materialize to the fullest extent as anticipated. See also “
Risk Factors—The Scheme with HDFC Limited may be more difficult, costly or time-consuming than expected, and implementation may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger and will expose us to incremental regulatory requirements
.”
The completion of the Scheme and the Proposed Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of requisite approvals from the RBI, the Competition Commission of India, the National Housing Bank, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority, the National Company Law Tribunal, the Securities Exchange Board of India, BSE Limited, the National Stock Exchange of India Limited and other statutory and regulatory authorities, and the respective shareholders and creditors, under applicable Indian law. The required satisfaction (or waiver) of the foregoing conditions could determine the completion of the Proposed Transaction for a significant period of time or prevent it from occurring. It is currently anticipated that the Proposed Transaction may be completed during fiscal year 2024 or earlier. While HDFC Bank has received certain approvals and no objection letters in regard to the Proposed Transaction subject to certain conditions, further approvals and letters will be required in due course. There can be no assurance that the remaining closing conditions will be satisfied in a timely manner or at all, or that an effect, event, development or change will not transpire that could delay or prevent these conditions from being satisfied.
The success of the Proposed Transaction will depend on, among other things, our ability to realize the anticipated revenue enhancements and efficiencies and to combine our businesses in a manner that does not materially disrupt the existing customer relationships of either institution, or result in decreased revenues or earnings including resulting from any loss of customers, and that permits growth opportunities to occur. If we are not able to successfully achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of the Scheme may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected. HDFC Bank is subject to various regulatory requirements, including capital requirements prescribed by the RBI. Upon the Scheme becoming effective, HDFC Bank as a combined entity may have heightened requirements to meet in this regard, such as meeting the incremental Statutory Liquidity Ratio (“SLR”), Cash Reserve Ratio (“CRR”) and Priority Sector Lending (“PSL”) requirements.
Upon the Scheme becoming effective and following RBI’s permission if received for relaxation of certain regulatory requirements for subsidiaries of HDFC Bank (for which forbearance application was filed on March 28, 2022), the subsidiaries of HDFC Limited will become subsidiaries of HDFC Bank leading to a simplified corporate structure. In addition, upon the Scheme becoming effective, the Bank will issue equity shares to the shareholders of HDFC Limited as on the record date, which is to be determined by the Boards of Directors of HDFC Limited and HDFC Bank, and the equity shares held by HDFC Limited in the Bank will be extinguished. The shares proposed to be issued pursuant to the Proposed Transaction will not be registered with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933 (as amended, including the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, the “Securities Act”) or the securities law of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States, and are being offered and sold in reliance on certain exemptions from registration under the Securities Act. See also “
Risk Factors—
The Scheme with HDFC Limited is subject to a number of conditions, some of which are outside of the parties
control, and, if these conditions are not satisfied, the Scheme may be terminated and the Proposed Transaction may not be completed
” and “
Risk Factors—Uncertainty about the Proposed Transaction may adversely affect the relationships of the Parties with their respective investors, customers, business partners and employees, whether or not the Proposed Transaction is completed
”.
5

Our Competitive Strengths
We attribute our growth and continuing success to the following competitive strengths:
We have a strong brand presence and extensive reach through a large distribution network
At HDFC Bank, we are focused on offering a comprehensive range of financial products and solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of our customers. We are driven by our core values: customer focus, operational excellence, product leadership, sustainability and people. This has helped us grow and achieve our status as one of the largest private sector banks in India, while delivering value to our customers, stakeholders, the Government, employees and the community at large. We believe HDFC Bank is one of the most trusted and preferred bank brands in India. We have been acknowledged as “India’s Best Bank” by Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2021. We have also been acknowledged as the “Best Private Bank in India” by PWM Global Private Banking Awards 2021. We have capitalized on our strong brand presence by establishing an extensive banking network throughout India, serving a broad range of customers in metro, urban, semi-urban and rural regions. As of March 31, 2022, we had 6,342 branches and 18,130 ATMs/CDMs in 3,188 cities and towns and over 71.0 million customers, and of our total branches, 50.2 percent were in the semi-urban and rural areas. In addition, we had 15,341 business correspondents, which were primarily manned by CSCs. Our extensive branch network is further complemented by our digital platforms, including internet banking, mobile banking, WhatsApp banking and phone banking solutions, to provide our customers with a lifestyle banking experience, which is categorized into seven categories: Pay, Save, Invest, Borrow, Shop, Trade and Insure. Our focus is on delivering a highly personalized multi-channel experience to our customers.
We provide a wide range of products and high-quality service to our clients in order to meet their banking needs
Whether in retail banking, wholesale banking or treasury operations, we consider ourselves a
“one-stop-shop”
for our customers’ banking needs. We consider our high-quality service offerings to be a vital component of our business and believe in pursuing excellence in execution through multiple internal initiatives focused on continuous improvement. This pursuit of high-quality service and operational execution directly supports our ability to offer a wide range of banking products.
Our retail banking products include deposit products, retail loans (such as vehicle and personal loans), and other products and services, such as private banking, depositary accounts, brokerage services, foreign exchange services, distribution of third-party products (such as insurance and mutual funds), bill payments and sale of gold and silver bullion. In addition, we are the largest credit card issuer in India with 16.5 million cards outstanding as of March 31, 2022. With respect to wholesale banking, we offer a wide range of commercial and transactional banking services to businesses and organizations of all sizes. Our services include working capital finance, trade services, transactional services and cash management. Our product offerings include documentary credits and bank guarantees, foreign exchange and derivative products, investment banking services and corporate deposit products and services such as custodial and clearing bank services and correspondent banking. We have made significant inroads into the banking consortia of a number of leading Indian corporates including multinationals. We believe our large scale and low cost of funding enable us to pursue high-quality wholesale financing opportunities competitively and at an advantage compared to our peers. We collect taxes for the Government and are bankers to companies in respect of issuances of equity shares and bonds to the public. Our NBFC subsidiary HDBFSL offers loan and asset finance products including tractor loans, consumer loans and gold loans, as well as business process outsourcing solutions such as form processing, document verification, contact center management and other front and back-office services.
We are able to provide this wide range of products across our physical and digital network, meaning we can provide our targeted rural customers with banking products and services similar to those provided to our urban customers, which we believe gives us a competitive advantage. Our wide range of products and focus on superior service and execution also create multiple cross-selling opportunities for us and, we believe, promote customer retention.
We have achieved robust and consistent financial performance while maintaining a healthy asset quality during our growth
On account of our superior operational execution, broad range of products, expansion in our geographical reach and the resulting increase in market penetration through our extensive branch network, our assets have grown from Rs. 17,979.8 billion as of March 31, 2021 to Rs. 21,113.7 billion as of March 31, 2022. Our net interest margin was 4.4 percent in fiscal year 2021 and 4.3 percent in fiscal year 2022. Our current and savings account deposits as a percentage of our total deposits were 48.1 percent as of March 31, 2022, and we believe this strong current and savings account profile has enabled us to tap into a
low-cost
funding base. In addition to the significant growth in our assets and net revenue, we remain focused on maintaining a healthy asset quality. We continue to have low levels of
non-performing
customer assets as compared to the average levels in the Indian banking industry. Our gross
non-performing
customer assets as a percentage of total customer assets was 1.32 percent as of March 31, 2022. Our net income has increased from Rs. 326.0 billion for fiscal year 2021 to Rs. 386.0 billion for fiscal year 2022. Net income as a percentage of average total shareholders’ equity was 16.1 percent in fiscal year 2021 and 16.8 percent in fiscal year 2022 and net income as a percentage of average total assets was 2.0 percent in fiscal year 2021 and 2.1 percent in fiscal year 2022. We believe the combination of strong net income growth, robust deposit-taking, a low cost of funds and prudent risk management has enabled us to generate attractive returns on capital.
6

We have an advanced technology platform
We have accelerated the technology and digital transformation with a continued focus on creating a seamless digital experience for our customers. Our progress against our regulatory commitments over the past year has resulted in the partial lifting of the restrictions on new card acquisitions in August 2021, followed by the full removal of the embargo on the Digital 2.0 program in March 2022.
We have taken significant strides to ensure further fortification of our IT infrastructure and architecture as a robust, scalable and secure ecosystem. Strategic technology initiatives, such as a hybrid cloud approach, disaster recovery (“DR”) resiliency, capacity enhancements, data center migration to
state-of-the-art
facilities, comprehensive obsolescence management and monitoring, a next-generation security operations center, are pivotal for us to usher in the next age of digital banking.
We have invested in a digital banking platform, Backbase, to provide a single, unified omni-channel experience to our customers for mobile banking, online banking, the public website and payments. The latest version of our mobile banking app (v11.1) has been rolled out to our customers.
The
COVID-19
pandemic has also accelerated the shift towards digital banking over the past two years. In addition to services like Insta Account Opening, Video Know Your Customer (“KYC”) and Insta Credit Cards introduced at the beginning of the pandemic, several products and new features have been launched recently or are placed in a pipeline for launch to our customers. See also “
—Our Business Strategy—Project Future Ready
”.
We have an experienced management team
Our leadership team brings together a diversity of talent and a wealth of experience. Many of the members of our management have had a long tenure with us, which gives us a deep bench of experienced managers. They have substantial experience in banking or other industries and share our common vision of excellence in execution. Our experienced management team is led by Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan, who has been with our Bank since 1996 and who was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank in October 2020. Formerly our Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Jagdishan was appointed as Change Agent in 2019. He was additionally responsible for legal and secretarial, human resources, corporate communication, infrastructure, administration and corporate social responsibility functions. Having a management team with such breadth and depth of experience is well suited to leverage the competitive strengths we have already developed across our large, diverse and growing branch network as well as allowing our management team to focus on creating new opportunities for our business. As the world becomes increasingly digital, our management team intends to steer the Bank to leadership in this emerging domain with innovative products and services. See also “
Management
”.
Our Business Strategy
Our business strategy emphasizes the following elements:
Project Future Ready
In fiscal year 2022 we launched our “Project Future Ready” to catalyse, create and capture the next wave of growth. Project Future Ready classifies its growth engines under business verticals, delivery channels and technology/digital, which will be backed by the Bank’s traditional strengths in internal audit, underwriting, risk management and governance.
We believe our growth engines will be powered by our robust technology and digital platforms and will account for the bulk of our future investments. The next wave of strategic technology and digital programs shall pave the way for new customer journeys and
best-in-class
products and services through innovation and transformation. We continue staying invested in creating a seamless and digital customer experience across digital touchpoints. Our digital factory approach to developing new products and customer experiences enables us to build our own capabilities to
co-create
tech-related intellectual property (“IP”). Additionally, agile and integrated Development, Operations and Security lifecycle (“DevSecOps”) principles and practices as well as revamping our tech to cloud-native architectures are pivotal enablers in the next phase of our digital transformation journey.
The focus on our digital programs is intended to pave the way towards the next level of
neo-banking
experiences for customers. From shaping new customer journeys to introducing
best-in-class
products and services, transformation and innovation shall be at the forefront. Key initiatives in this area are:
Vyapar: Digital onboarding of merchants for payment acceptance and servicing of banking transactions for the merchant community (Live);
Xpress Car Loans: Anytime-anywhere digital auto loans with seamless connectivity to multiple platforms and loan disbursement within 30 minutes;
7

PayZapp 2.0: Enhanced experience for
app-customers
to onboard and auto-link HDFC Bank cards, to manage the wallet and limits, and to display transactions via a rich user interface;
Wealth App: A new wealth management app with client-self-profiling, goal setting, mutual fund order execution and portfolio
re-balancing;
SME Customer Experience Transformation: New technology to support
scaled-up
business volumes and enhance the entire SME customer experience across commercial and retail business lines; and
Biz Express: A new web portal for SME segments covering digital
on-boarding,
managing their multiple accounts, making payments with hierarchy, raising GST; compliant invoices for payment, multiple collection modes, raising service requests online, etc.
Increase our market share of India’s expanding banking and financial services industry
In addition to benefiting from the overall growth in India’s economy and financial services industry, we believe we can increase our market share by continuing to focus on our competitive strengths, including our strong brand, our diverse product offering and our extensive banking outlet and ATM networks, to increase our market penetration. We believe we can expand our market share by focusing on developing our digital offerings to target mass markets across India. We believe digital offerings will position us well to capitalize on growth in India’s banking and financial services sector, arising from India’s emerging middle class and growing number of bankable households. We believe we can also capture an increased market share by expanding our branch footprint, particularly by focusing on rural and semi-urban areas. As of March 31, 2022, we had 6,342 branches and 18,130 ATMs/CDMs in 3,188 cities and towns. In addition, we had 15,341 business correspondents, which were primarily manned by CSCs. In line with the Bank’s core value of product leadership, the bank has significantly enhanced its process of managing the retail distribution franchise and its expansion by developing a scientific approach and using a “Distribution Planning Tool”. This data science tool combines data sources, including
geo-spatial
data on urbanization levels in India, credit bureau information on the presence of financial companies in an area and various internal data sources with a
front-end
data visualization solution. The Distribution Planning Tool has enabled the Bank to merge data-based insights with
on-the-ground
intelligence to take informed decisions on the expansion of distribution points (branches, ATMs/CDMs and business correspondents) at locations which carry high business potential across the country. We expect this approach to help optimize our expansion and increase our market share and profitability.
Continue our investments in technology to support our digital strategy
We have taken multiple steps to ensure our robust and scalable technology setup is strengthened further as we continue monitoring our progress against commitments to the regulator. To this effect, significant strides were taken in the following technology areas:
 
1.
71Implementation of a Landing Zone for Hyperscalers
We have invested in a Hybrid-Cloud approach with leading cloud service partners, AWS, Azure and GCP. A common landing zone has been implemented across these partners to create a secure and streamlined environment for all cloud deployments in the future. The landing zone also forms part of the Bank’s agenda to foster agility and DevSecOps in the technology and digital transformation journey.
2.
Capacity Upgrades
Our capacity management program has made significant inroads to ensure capacity planning and management are adequate for the Bank’s business growth. Strengthening of capacity management practices has culminated in a threshold of 70 percent across key parameters such as user concurrency, system performance, etc. in the utilization of databases, servers, storage, networks and security devices. This has resulted in planned capacity upgrades of critical applications, such as:
NetBanking and MobileBanking being scaled up to cater to 90,000 concurrent users.
The foundations of the banking platform being upgraded along with the modernization of more than 300 services. This enhances our scalability and capacity to cater to cater more than three times the number of Unified Payments Interface (“UPI”) transactions. Successfully managing over 2.3 million UPI transactions per hour, we are ranked among the top players in India as published in National Payments Corporation of India’s (“NPCI”) UPI performance metrics dashboard. Our average customer uptime has increased to 99.94 percent through lower technical declines in fiscal year 2022.
Our senior management and the Board continue remaining focused on capacity, performance, scalability and availability of the Bank’s critical applications.
8

3.
DIVIDEND POLICYDR & Resiliency
We have paid dividends every year since fiscal 1997. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the dividend per equity share and the total amount of dividends declared on the equity shares, both exclusive of dividend tax. All dividends were paid in rupees.
   
Dividend per equity share
   
Total amount of dividends declared
 
           
(in millions)
 
Relating to Fiscal Year
        
2016
           4.75   US$        0.063            24,017.8   US$        318.6 
2017
   5.50    0.073    28,188.0    373.9 
2018
   6.50    0.086    33,736.2    447.5 
2019
   7.50    0.099    40,849.6    541.8 
2020*
   2.50    0.033    13,664.1    181.2 
We have notably intensified the rigor in our DR drills for critical applications and plan to continue strengthening our DR processes and capabilities, with a focus on the following projects:
Reduction of the recovery time objective (“RTO”) for key applications to
40-60
minutes, which has been completed for 56 key applications;
 
*
i) A special interim dividend was declared in a meeting of the Board held on July 20, 2019 to commemorate 25 years of HDFC Bank’s operations with the record date fixed as August 2, 2019.
Deep automation to improve configuration drift management between primary and DR sites;
 
ii) The RBI in its circular No.
RBI/2019-20/218
DOR.BP.BC.No.64/21.02.067/2019-20,
dated April 17, 2020 decided that banks shall not make any further dividend
pay-outs
from the profits pertaining to the financial year ended March 31, 2020 until further instructions. This restriction was put in place to ensure that banks conserve capital and retain their ability to support the economy and absorb losses in an environment of heightened uncertainty caused by
COVID-19.
Enrichment of existing automation tools for DR to cover all DR scenarios and reduce the RTO time further; and
Refactoring key applications into an “Hot DR”/“Active-Active” design.
4.
Migration of the primary data center
We started fully migrating and consolidating our primary data center to
state-of-the-art
facilities in Mumbai and Bengaluru, partnering with Sify and NTT. We achieved 100 percent migration of production applications in November 2021 followed by 100 percent migration of UAT applications in March 2022. Further, a phase-wise plan is in place to migrate the Bank’s Chandivali, Mumbai data center to the NTT facility by January 2023.
The migration to the new facilities forms part of the Board’s continued focus on ensuring a robust IT infrastructure for the Bank’s applications and operations with higher customer uptimes across digital touchpoints.
5.
Technology Obsolescence Management
We established a technology obsolescence program management office in June 2021 to allow for comprehensive obsolescence tracking and management. As part of this, we have introduced procedures to identify and remediate obsolete components 6 months before their support ends. As of the date of this report, the scope covers more than 19,000 components across the Bank’s IT environment. Further, a detailed plan is in place to remediate components pertaining to high-risk applications. Together with our senior management, we continue monitoring obsolescence through periodic reviews and reporting.
Cross-sell our broad financial product portfolio across our customer base
We are able to offer our complete suite of financial products across our branch network, including in rural locations. By matching our broad customer base with our ability to offer our complete suite of products to both rural and urban customers across retail banking, wholesale banking and treasury product lines, we believe that we can continue to generate organic growth by cross-selling different products by proactively offering our customers complementary products as their relationships with us develop and their financial needs grow and evolve.
Maintain strong asset quality through disciplined credit risk management
We have maintained high-quality loan and investment portfolios through careful targeting of our customer base, and by putting in place what we believe are comprehensive risk assessment processes and diligent risk monitoring and remediation procedures. Our gross
non-performing
customer assets as a percentage of gross customer assets was 1.32 percent as of March 31, 2022. We believe we can maintain strong asset quality appropriate to the loan portfolio composition while achieving growth.
Maintain a low cost of funds
We believe we can maintain a relatively
low-cost
funding base as compared to our competitors, by leveraging our strengths and expanding our base of retail savings and current deposits and increasing the free float generated by transaction services, such as cash management and stock exchange clearing. Our
non-interest-bearing
current and
low-interest-bearing
savings account deposits were 48.1 percent of our total deposits as of March 31, 2022. Our average cost of funds (including equity) was 3.6 percent for fiscal year 2021 and 3.1 percent in fiscal year 2022.
9

Embed ESG principles within our wider business strategy
We include environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors in our business strategy, including in the design of our products and services and the implementation of our processes and policies. Our ESG strategy, which seeks to create value for all stakeholders, focuses on climate change, community and society, along with certain practices related to customers and suppliers, lending, procurement and governance. We have a board-level Corporate Social Responsibility and ESG Committee with oversight of our sustainability and climate change initiatives, and the Board has approved an ESG policy framework to identify and mitigate the Bank’s climate change-related risks. In fiscal year 2022, we committed to become carbon neutral in our operations by fiscal year 2032 and are putting in place an implementation framework to achieve carbon neutrality, including continuing our investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects to lower our carbon footprint. Other initiatives to reduce ESG risks include initiatives in digital banking, contributions to tree planting targets, green building, managing greenhouse gas emissions through various initiatives, including those to reduce fuel consumption by our corporate fleet and paper consumption across the Bank, the use of renewable energy and a reduction in energy consumption.
With increasing focus on formalizing climate change risk management and enhancing related disclosures, some stakeholders are also placing more emphasis on financial institutions’ actions and investment decisions in respect of ESG matters. We continue to monitor the impacts of climate change risks, including as the result of regulatory developments, changing market practices and the transition to a low carbon economy, and to accelerate the development of our climate risk management capabilities. Developments in data and methodologies are expected to continue to help improve and enhance our measurement and reporting of climate change risks and financed emissions. We are exploring frameworks to model and assess climate risks. We also continue our efforts to acquire granular data and test tools for climate risk assessments and to adopt suitable methodologies to analyze exposures under different climate scenarios through suitable partnerships—including exploring options to tie up with data providers.
Evaluation of environmental and social risk is also an integral part of our overall credit appraisal and approval process. In particular, large industrial/infrastructure projects where the extension of long term financing is greater than Rs. 100 million and longer than 5 years are covered under our Social and Environment Monitoring System (“SEMS”). SEMS necessitates an assessment of environmental, health, social and safety risks in addition to other risks as part of the overall credit appraisal process. Recently, we introduced a new ESG assessment framework in corporate lending to enable a more comprehensive assessment of ESG and climate change issues relating to our corporate borrowers and to expand the scope of our lending that is subject to SEMS. In addition, we are increasingly emphasizing green financing solutions and tailoring the Bank’s portfolio towards climate-sensitive financing and companies with appropriate risk assessment systems and processes.
COVID-19
Pandemic
On March 11, 2020, the
COVID-19
outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (“WHO”). Following the discovery of a “double mutant” variant in the country in March 2021, India has experienced a significant surge of
COVID-19
cases. Governments and companies introduced a variety of measures to contain the spread of the virus. We also took measures and implemented remote working arrangements for the majority of our workforce, provision of appropriate masks and hand sanitizers for
at-risk
employees, use of physical distancing measures, periodic disinfection and fumigation of operational bank locations and the establishment of a specific
COVID-19
employee helpline. In addition, as a result of the increase in remote working, we have strengthened our cybersecurity measures, including implementing
two-factor
authentication, increasing employee awareness of unusual activity and ensuring IT support is available 24 hours per day. We also implemented additional measures to enable customers to complete their banking activity remotely where possible. We believe that our capital and liquidity position remains strong leading to robust processes, coordination and communication within our business units and a high level of customer service and care.
The pandemic and its aftermath present both challenges and opportunities for the Indian banking system. For example, opportunities in the healthcare sector are likely to continue growing, as the management of the pandemic underscores the need to expand capacity in this area. Growth in the healthcare sector also has a positive impact on the pharmaceuticals and medical equipment segments. To strengthen the manufacturing segment, the Government announced the Production Linked Incentive Scheme in March 2020. In the fiscal year 2022 budget, Rs. 1.9 trillion were allocated to the scheme for five years, with a focus to boost production in textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals and 10 other segments. Additionally, the Government plans to increase its capital spending to Rs. 7.5 trillion in fiscal year 2023 from Rs. 5.9 trillion in fiscal year 2022. This may lead to increased demand for ancillary products in the infrastructure segment, as well as the
crowding-in
of private capital expenditure.
The government has also allocated considerable funding (Rs. 100.0 billion) to formalize the micro-food processing segment through technical and infrastructure support and the implementation of safety and quality standards. The micro-segment is likely to grow in “clusters” and to offer increased credit opportunities for banks, particularly through the micro-finance and the self-help group (“SHG”) channels.
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Loans to micro, small and medium enterprises (“MSMEs”) are likely to see further improvement as the Government extended the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme until March 2023. The Government has also increased the cover by another Rs. 500 billion to Rs. 5 trillion, in February 2022. While the sovereign back-stop makes lending to this segment viable in the near term, the effort to strengthen and scale up MSMEs may create high-quality borrowers in the process. The earlier decision to infuse Rs. 500 billion as equity through a fund of funds (20 percent investment from the central government and the remaining 80 percent from private investors) in MSMEs with growth potential is an example. The Government has also provided both a full and partial credit guarantee for NBFCs, housing finance companies and microfinance institutions. This reduces the risk of bank lending to these entities in the near term and over the medium term could assist such institutions in overcoming a cycle of elevated risk perception, shortage of liquidity and credit and balance sheet distress.
Finally, an anticipated shift in global value chains away from China, in order to reduce concentration risk, as well as in response to a shifting
geo-political
landscape, presents India with unique opportunities. India could gain global market share across sectors including more traditional sectors, such as textiles, furniture and basic chemicals, as well as more technologically complex sectors, such as mobile phone handsets, pharmaceuticals and auto components.
However, challenges still remain. As a result of
geo-political
tensions and rising commodity prices, we expect GDP growth to slow to 7.3 percent in fiscal year 2023. Elevated inflation levels could hurt private capital expenditure recovery due to low profit margins as well as private consumption. With respect to Indian exports, a slowdown in global demand could hurt investments. The Bank expects the
COVID-19
pandemic to have a prolonged impact in the hospitality travel, tourism, recreation, personal services and civil aviation sectors of the Indian economy. The possibility of rising unemployment, which is often the corollary of a slowdown in economic growth, could reduce the demand for retail lending.
Given the dynamic nature of the outbreak, the extent to which
COVID-19
will continue to impact our business, financial condition and results of operations will depend on future developments, including the length of the pandemic and how long it takes our clients’ businesses to recover, which remain highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted at this time. For additional information related to the
COVID-19
pandemic see “
Risk Factors—The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Certain Factors Affecting our Results of Operation
”.
Our Principal Business Activities
Our principal business activities consist of retail banking, wholesale banking and treasury operations. The following table sets forth our net revenues attributable to each area for the last three fiscal years:
   
Years ended March 31,
 
   
2020
  
2021
  
2022
 
               
   
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Retail banking
   Rs.540,456.5    80.2  Rs.567,389.2    72.5  Rs.640,670.1   US$8,444.2    71.8
Wholesale banking
   126,677.3    18.8  198,576.0    25.4  235,811.3    3,108.1    26.4
Treasury operations
   6,990.7    1.0  16,463.6    2.1  15,952.8    210.3    1.8
Net revenue
   Rs.674,124.5    100.0  Rs.782,428.8    100.0  Rs.892,434.2   US$11,762.6    100.0
Retail Banking
Overview
We consider ourselves a
one-stop
shop for the financial needs of our customers. We provide a comprehensive range of financial products including deposit products, loans, credit cards, debit cards, payment wallets, third-party mutual funds and insurance products, bill payment services and other services. Our retail banking loan products include loans to small and medium enterprises for commercial vehicles, construction equipment and other business purposes. We group these loans as part of our retail banking business considering, among other things, the customer profile, the nature of the product, the differing risks and returns, the market segment, our organization structure and our internal business reporting mechanism. Such grouping ensures optimal utilization and deployment of specialized resources in our retail banking business. We also have specific products designed for lower-income individuals through our Sustainable Livelihood Initiative. Through this initiative, we reach out to the
un-banked
and under-banked segments of the Indian population in rural areas. We actively market our services through our banking outlets and alternate sales channels, as well as through our relationships with automobile dealers and corporate clients. We follow a multi-channel strategy to reach out to our customers bringing to them choice, convenience and what we believe to be a superior experience. Innovation has been the springboard of growth in this segment and so has a strong focus on analytics and customer relationship management, which we believe has helped us to understand our customers better and offer tailor-made solutions. We further believe that these factors lead to better customer engagement.
As of March 31, 2022, we had 6,342 branches and 18,130 ATMs/CDMs in 3,188 cities and towns. In addition, we had 15,341 business correspondents, which were primarily manned by CSCs. We also provide telephone, internet and mobile banking to our customers. We plan to continue to expand our banking outlet and ATM network as well as our other distribution channels, subject to regulatory guidelines/approvals.
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Retail Loans and Other Asset Products
We offer a wide range of retail loans, including loans for the purchase of automobiles, personal loans, retail business banking loans, loans for the purchase of commercial vehicles and construction equipment finance,
two-wheeler
loans, credit cards and loans against securities. Our retail loans, of which 27.4 percent were unsecured, constituted 64.6 percent of our gross loans as of March 31, 2022. Apart from our banking outlets, we use our ATMs, telephone banking, internet banking and mobile banking to promote our loan products. We perform our own credit analysis of the borrowers and the value of the collateral if the loan is secured. See “
—Risk Management—Credit Risk—Retail Credit Risk
”. We also buy mortgage and other asset-backed securities and invest in retail loan portfolios through assignments. In addition to taking collateral, in most cases, we obtain debit instructions/post-dated cheques covering repayments at the time a retail loan is made. It is a criminal offense in India to issue a bad cheque. Our unsecured personal loans, which are not supported by any collateral, are a greater credit risk for us than our secured loan portfolio. We may be unable to collect in part or at all on an unsecured personal loan in the event of
non-payment
by the borrower. Accordingly, personal loans are granted at a higher contracted interest rate since they carry a higher credit risk as compared to secured loans. See also “
Risk Factors—Our unsecured loan portfolio is not supported by any collateral that could help ensure repayment of the loan, and in the event of
non-payment
by a borrower of one of these loans, we may be unable to collect the unpaid balance
”.
The following table shows the gross book value and percentage share of our retail credit products:
   
At March 31, 2022 Value
   
% of Total Value
 
   
(in millions)
     
Retail Assets:
      
Auto loans
   Rs.1,042,793.0   US$13,744.5    11.2 
Personal loans/Credit cards
   2,341,971.8    30,868.2    25.2 
Retail business banking
   2,617,087.1    34,494.4    28.1 
Commercial vehicle and construction equipment finance
   951,066.0    12,535.5    10.2 
Housing loans
   830,882.4    10,951.4    8.9 
Other retail loans
   1,526,734.4    20,122.9    16.4 
Total retail loans
   Rs.9,310,534.7   US$122,716.9    100.0 
Auto Loans
We offer loans at fixed interest rates for financing of new and used car purchases. In addition to our general promotional efforts, we specifically market our offerings at various customer touch points such as authorized original equipment manufacturers, dealer showrooms and outlets, authorized direct sales agents and our banking outlets, as well as actively cross-selling these products through other lending businesses of the Bank. We also market our products through outbound and inbound calls with customers, as well as through the bank’s digital touch points. We recently launched “Xpress Car Loans”, an industry-first
end-to-end
digital new car loan program for both existing customers and new customers, where the loan amount can be credited to dealers’ accounts within 30 minutes. Having established our presence in this business over the last two decades we believe we have consistently been a market leader and are well-equipped to serve the entire automobile ecosystem, including original equipment manufacturers, dealers and
end-customers.
Personal Loans and Credit Cards
We offer unsecured loans at fixed rates to salaried individuals, self-employed professionals, small businesses and individual businessmen.
We offer credit cards on VISA, MasterCard, Diners and RuPay platforms under the classification of corporate cards, business cards,
co-brand
cards, premium retail cards and super premium retail cards. We had approximately 15.0 million and 16.5 million cards outstanding (
i.e.,
total credit cards in circulation) as of March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, respectively.
We offer Easy EMI (equated monthly installments) through credit cards, debit cards and consumer loans. Easy EMI is available at no extra cost across multiple product categories, including offline and online channels under multiple brands.
Our efforts in the payments business are continuously focused on meeting customers’ specific requirements in the most accessible and relevant manner, while simplifying transactions.
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Over the past two years, we have experienced outages in our internet banking, mobile banking and payment utilities, including an outage in our internet banking and payment system in November 2020 due to a power failure in the primary data center. In response to these outages, the RBI issued an order on December 2, 2020 (the “December 2020 Order”), advising us to temporarily stop (a) all launches of the digital business- generating activities under our planned Digital 2.0 program and other proposed business-generating IT applications and (b) the sourcing of new credit card customers. In addition, the RBI appointed a third-party auditor to conduct an audit of the Bank’s systems. After completion of that audit, our progress against regulatory commitments resulted in the partial lifting of the restrictions imposed by the December 2020 Order in August 2021, followed by the full removal of the embargo on the Digital 2.0 program in March 2022. See also “
Risk Factors
A failure, inadequacy or security breach in our information technology and telecommunication systems may adversely affect our business, results of operation or financial condition
”.
We have adopted preventive measures to strengthen our technology infrastructure and mitigate the risks of outages. Some of the key initiatives undertaken include the migration of core data centres in Bengaluru and Mumbai to
state-of-the-art
facilities which has reinforced our capability to switchover in less than 45 minutes when needed. The capacity for unified payment interface UPI has been tripled, Net Banking and Mobile Banking capacity has been doubled to manage 90,000 users concurrently (a significant step as most of our customers now rely on our digital channels for banking needs), disaster recovery drills have been completed for all critical payment systems and upgrades in network and security have been carried out. In addition, we have intensified our DR drills for critical applications and intend to further strengthen our DR processes and capabilities through (a) a focus on reducing RTO for key applications to
40-60
minutes, which has been completed for critical applications as planned, (b) deep automation to improve configuration drift management between Primary and DR sites, (c) enrichment of existing automation tools for DR to cover all scenarios and further reduce RTO time, and (d) refactoring key applications into an “Active-Active” always available design.
Retail Business Banking
We address the borrowing needs of the community of small businessmen primarily located within the servicing range of our banking outlets by offering facilities such as credit lines, term loans for expansion or addition of facilities and discounting of receivables. We classify these business banking loans as a retail product. Such lending is typically secured with current assets as well as immovable property and fixed assets in some cases. We also offer letters of credit, guarantees and other basic trade finance products, foreign exchange and cash management services to such businesses.
Commercial Vehicles and Construction Equipment Finance
We have a strong market presence in the commercial vehicle and construction equipment financing businesses. We offer a wide range of banking products across the country which can be customized to the individual needs of our customers.
We provide secured financing for a full range of commercial vehicles and construction equipment along with working capital, trade advances, bank guarantees, and transaction banking products and services, among others, both traditional and digital, to companies active in the infrastructure, logistics and transportation industries. In addition to funding domestic assets, we also extend financing for imported assets for which we open foreign letters of credit and offer treasury services, including forex and forward exchange covers. We have an excellent relationship with most leading original equipment manufacturers, together with whom we collaborate to promote and market financing options.
Housing Loans
We provide home loans through an arrangement with our principal shareholder HDFC Limited. Under this arrangement, we source loans for HDFC Limited through our distribution channels. HDFC Limited approves and disburses the loans, which are kept on their books, and we receive a sourcing fee for these loans. We have a right, but not an obligation, to purchase up to 70 percent of the fully disbursed home loans sourced under this arrangement through either the issue of mortgage-backed pass through certificates (“PTCs”) or a direct assignment of the loans. The balance is retained by HDFC Limited.
Other Retail Loans
Two-Wheeler
Loans
We offer loans for financing the purchase of mopeds, scooters and motorcycles. We market this product in ways similar to our marketing of automobile loans.
Loans Against Securities
We offer loans against equity shares, mutual fund units, bonds and other securities that are on our approved list. We limit our loans against equity shares to Rs. 2.0 million per retail customer in line with regulatory guidelines and limit the amount of our total exposure secured by particular securities. We lend only against shares in book-entry (dematerialized) form, which ensures that we obtain perfected and first-priority security interests. The minimum margin for lending against shares is prescribed by the RBI. The collateral value of the security for these loans is dependent on the quoted price of the security.
13

Loan Assignments
We purchase loan portfolios, generally in India, from other banks, financial institutions and financial companies, which are similar to asset-backed securities, except that such loans are not represented by PTCs. Some of these loans also qualify toward our directed lending obligations.
Kisan Gold Card
Under the Kisan Gold Card (“KGC”) scheme, funds are extended to farmers in accordance with the RBI’s Kisan Credit Card scheme which is aimed at financing agricultural and related credit requirements. The KGC is a credit facility of a specified amount, which is offered to farmers to finance certain requirements, including the production of crops, post-harvest repair and maintenance expenses, miscellaneous consumption needs, and allied agricultural activities, such as animal husbandry, poultry farming and maintaining fisheries. In addition to loans for recurring needs, long term investment loans are granted for purposes including the purchase of farm machinery, establishing logistical facilities and land development activities, such as the digging of tube wells, installation of irrigation sprinklers, construction of post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets like storage facilities, packaging, assaying and sorting grading units, primary processing centres, and sheds for animals.
Depending on the requirements, various types of facilities are extended under KGC. These include cash credit, overdrafts, term loans, farm development loans and drop line overdraft limits. The amount of cash credit funding is based on the farmer’s cropping pattern, the amount of land used and scale of finance, while for term loans it is based on the unit cost of assets. These facilities are extended under a range of crop and geography-specific products, which are designed on the basis of the harvest cycles and the local needs of farmers spread across diverse agro-climatic zones.    
Through our knowledge of rural customers’ preferences, we have established a strong footprint in rural areas and we are able to impact the lives of thousands of rural people making banking accessible to areas which lack formal sources of financial services, including credit. Our focus in rural markets is not only to increase credit uptake, but also to strengthen relationships with rural customers by empowering them. In addition to advising farmers on their financial needs, we are increasingly focusing on educating them on the benefits of various governmental and regulatory schemes, such as crop insurance, interest subvention and agriculture infrastructure.
We also aim to cater to other financial needs of rural customers through appropriate banking products.
Loans Against Gold Jewelry
We offer loans against gold jewelry to all customer segments, including women, small and marginal farmers and MSME customers. Such loans are typically offered with different repayment modes, with repayment either at monthly intervals or at maturity. Collateral value is dependent on the market price of the gold and therefore these loans also have margin requirements in the event of a decrease in the value of the gold. Customers may avail themselves of an additional loan in case of an increase in the value of the gold. Loans against gold jewelry are also extended to existing customers of the bank in order to cater to their additional funding needs.
We also offer loans which primarily include loans/overdrafts against time deposits, health care equipment financing loans, tractor loans and loans to self-help groups.
Retail Deposit Products
Retail deposits provide us with a
low-cost,
stable funding base and have been a key focus area for us since commencing operations. Retail deposits represented approximately 81.1 percent of our total deposits as of March 31, 2022. The following chart shows the book value of our retail deposits by our various deposit products:
   
At March 31, 2022
 
   
Value (in millions)
   
% of total
 
Savings
   Rs.5,008,100.3   US$66,009.0    39.6 
Current
   1,556,279.5    20,512.4    12.3 
Time
   6,071,527.5    80,025.4    48.1 
Total
   Rs.12,635,907.3   US$166,546.8    100.0 
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Our individual retail account holders have access to the benefits of a wide range of direct banking services, including debit and ATM cards, access to internet, phone banking and mobile banking services, access to our growing branch and ATM network, access to our other distribution channels and eligibility for utility bill payments and other services. Our retail deposit products include the following:
Savings accounts, which are demand deposits, primarily for individuals and trusts.
Current accounts, which are
non-interest-bearing
accounts designed primarily for business customers. Customers have a choice to select from a wide range of product offerings which are differentiated by basis minimum average quarterly account balance requirements and the nature of the transactions.
Time deposits, which pay a fixed return over a predetermined time period.
As of March 31, 2022, 29 percent of our retail deposit customers contributed 81 percent of our retail deposits.
We also offer special value-added accounts, which offer our customers added value and convenience. These include a time deposit account that allows for automatic transfers from a time deposit account to a savings account, as well as a time deposit account with an overdraft facility.
Other Retail Services and Products
Debit Cards
We had approximately 36.7 million and 43.0 million debit cards outstanding as of March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, respectively. The cards can be used at ATMs,
point-of-sale
terminals and payment gateways in India and in other countries across the world.
Individual Depositary Accounts
We provide depositary accounts to individual retail customers for holding debt and equity instruments. Securities traded on the Indian exchanges are generally not held through a broker’s account or in a street name. Instead, an individual has his or her own account with a depositary participant. Depositary participants, including us, provide services through the major depositaries established by the two major stock exchanges. Depositary participants record ownership details and effect transfers in book-entry form on behalf of the buyers and sellers of securities. We provide a complete package of services, including account opening, registration of transfers and other transactions and information reporting.
Mutual Fund Sales
We are a registered distributor with the Association of Mutual Funds in India (“AMFI”). We engage in distributing mutual fund products to our customers through our staff, who are AMFI certified. We offer units of most large and reputable mutual fund houses in India to our customers. We distribute mutual fund products primarily through our banking outlets and our wealth relationship managers. We receive trail income on the new business as well as on the existing assets under management.
Insurance
HDFC Bank is registered as a corporate agent for the solicitation of life, general and health insurance business under regulations prescribed by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India. Currently, we have arrangements with three life insurance companies, namely HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited, Tata AIA Life Insurance Company Limited and Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance Company Limited, three general insurance companies, namely HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company Limited and ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited (formerly known as Bharti AXA General Insurance Company Limited) and two health insurance companies, namely Aditya Birla Health Insurance Company Limited and Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited. We earn commissions on new premium collected as well as trail income in subsequent years in certain cases while the policy is still in force. Our commission income for fiscal year 2022 included fees of Rs. 15,565.1 million in respect of life insurance business and Rs. 2,661.1 million in respect of
non-life
insurance business
.
Bill Payment Services
We are a part of the Bharat Bill Payment System network and offer our customers bill payment services for all utility companies, including water, electricity, gas, telephone,
direct-to-home,
mobile recharge, Fastag, LPG cylinder, cable television, housing society and internet service providers, as well as financial products such as insurance and mutual funds. We also offer Smartpay (autopay functionality) for all these bills. We believe this is a valuable convenience that we offer our customers. We offer these services to customers through multiple distribution channels: internet banking, mobile banking and phone banking.
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Corporate Salary Accounts
We offer Corporate salary accounts to employees of corporate and government entities, enabling employees’ salaries to be credited by the entity directly or via the Bank. A salary account is a type of savings account with no minimum balance requirement in lieu of regular salary credits. Benefits, including a premium debit card and complimentary personal accident cover are provided, amongst others. We also offer salary accounts tailored for employees of the defense and government sector. As of March 31, 2022, these accounts constituted 27.9 percent of our savings deposits by value.
Non-Resident
Indian Services
Non-resident
Indians (NRIs) are an important target market segment for us given their relative affluence and strong ties with family members in India. Our private and premium banking programs in India are also extended to NRI clients. Relationship managers in India facilitate the banking and investment transactions of our NRI clients. Through our overseas branch in Bahrain, we offer deposits, bonds, equity, mutual funds, treasury and structured products offered by third parties to our NRI clients. We also have referral arrangements with product/service providers for NRI clients. Our
non-resident
deposits amounted to Rs. 1,144.8 billion as of March 31, 2021 and Rs. 1,186.0 billion as of March 31, 2022.
Retail Foreign Exchange
We purchase foreign currency from and sell foreign currency to retail customers in the form of cash, traveler’s cheques, demand drafts, foreign exchange cards and other remittances. We also carry out foreign currency cheque collections.
Customers and Marketing
We identify and target distinct market customer segments for our retail services. Customers are at the core of all marketing initiatives of the Bank, and we rely on digital and analytics to improve their experience. Digital marketing relies on advanced analytics to identify and target the right customer with the right product at the right time and to provide customers with an omni-channel experience with high levels of personalization. Our investments in advanced analytics tools in the cloud have contributed to our understanding of customer behavior and preferences and thus help curate personalized interventions at scale and create relevant customer engagement. We have invested in marketing technology solutions to create frictionless digital journeys that allow customers to consume our financial products and services with minimum physical interface. We execute digital marketing plans at scale and in tandem with traditional marketing channels to provide our customers quick and easy access to all our financial solutions, including loans, deposits and payment solutions.
The “Infinite Smiles” program helps us establish customer-centric actions through improvements in products, services, processes and policies, and enables us to measure customer loyalty through a closed-loop customer feedback system. The insights we receive help us implement changes to further improve customer experiences and strengthen their loyalty.
We also have programs that target other specific segments of the retail market. For example, under our private and premium banking programs, the relationship managers distribute mutual funds and insurance products and provide incidental advice related to these products. Customers interested in alternate products (such as fixed income, private equity, alternate investment funds and structures) or services such as succession planning, tax planning, trust formation and will-writing are referred to HSL who have referral arrangements with the concerned product/service providers. Customers seeking investment advice on alternate products are also referred to HSL (a registered investment adviser regulated by SEBI (Investment Advisers) Regulations 2013), where a team of certified investment advisers provide this service. In addition, we participate in the distribution of government bonds and have referral
tie-ups
with other corporates for customers desirous of availing their products and services that synergize with our businesses. Our commission income included income from marketing and distribution of Rs. 30,590.5 million for fiscal year 2022 and Rs. 21,126.7 million for fiscal year 2021, which comprised income for displaying publicity materials at our branches/ATMs, commissions on mutual funds, pension and other investment/saving products and sourcing and referral income.
We continue to be strongly committed to financial inclusion programs that extend banking services to underserved populations. Our Sustainable Livelihood Initiative caters to lower-income individuals to finance their economic activity, and also provides skills training, livelihood financing, credit counseling and market linkages in terms of access to, or contacts in, their local markets. Through these initiatives, we aim to reach the unbanked and underbanked segments of the Indian populations and to empower vulnerable and economically weaker sections of the society.
Wholesale Banking
Overview
We provide our corporate and institutional clients with a wide range of commercial banking products and transactional services.
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Our principal commercial banking products include a range of financing products, documentary credits (primarily letters of credit) and bank guarantees, foreign exchange and derivative products, investment banking services and corporate deposit products. Our financing products include loans, overdrafts, bill discounting and credit substitutes, such as commercial paper, debentures, preference shares and other funded products. Our foreign exchange and derivatives products assist corporations in managing their currency and interest rate exposures.
In terms of commercial banking products, our customers include companies that are part of private sector business houses, public sector enterprises and multinational corporations, as well as small and
mid-sized
businesses. Our customers also include suppliers and distributors of corporations to whom we provide credit facilities and with whom we thereby establish relationships as part of a supply chain initiative for both our commercial banking products and transactional services. We aim to provide our corporate customers with high-quality customized service. We have relationship managers who focus on particular clients and who work with teams that specialize in providing specific products and services, such as cash management and treasury advisory services.
Loans to small and medium enterprises, which are generally loans for commercial vehicles, construction equipment and business purposes, are included as part of our retail banking business. We group these loans as part of our retail banking business considering, among other things, the customer profile, the nature of the product, the differing risks and returns, our organization structure and our internal business reporting mechanism. Such grouping ensures optimal utilization and deployment of specialized resources in our retail banking business.
Our principal transactional services include cash management services, capital markets transactional services and correspondent banking services. We provide physical and electronic payment and collection mechanisms to a range of corporations, financial institutions and Government entities. Our capital markets transactional services include custodial services for mutual funds and clearing bank services for the major Indian stock exchanges and commodity exchanges. In addition, we provide correspondent banking services, including cash management services and funds transfers, to foreign banks and
co-operative
banks.
Commercial Banking Products
Commercial Loan Products and Credit Substitutes
Our principal financing products are working capital facilities and term loans. Working capital facilities primarily consist of cash credit facilities and bill discounting. Cash credit facilities are revolving credits provided to our customers that are secured by working capital such as inventory and accounts receivable. Bill discounting consists of short term loans which are secured by bills of exchange that have been accepted by our customers or drawn on another bank. In many cases, we provide a package of working capital financing that may consist of loans and a cash credit facility as well as documentary credits or bank guarantees. Term loans consist of short term loans and medium term loans which are typically loans of up to five years in duration. Over 90.0 percent of our loans are denominated in rupees with the balance being denominated in various foreign currencies, principally the U.S. dollar.
We also purchase credit substitutes, which typically comprise commercial paper and debentures issued by the same customers with whom we have a lending relationship in our wholesale banking business. Investment decisions for credit substitute securities are subject to the same credit approval processes as loans, and we bear the same customer risk as we do for loans extended to these customers. Additionally, the yield and maturity terms are generally directly negotiated by us with the issuer.
The following table sets forth the asset allocation of our commercial loans and financing products by asset type. For accounting purposes, we classify commercial paper and debentures as credit substitutes (which, in turn, are classified as investments).
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
   
(in millions)
 
Gross commercial loans
  Rs.3,583,055.2   Rs.4,214,885.3   Rs.5,099,009.3   US$67,207.2 
Credit substitutes:
        
Commercial paper
  Rs.124,393.4   Rs.9,804.1   Rs.1,468.2   US$19.4 
Non-convertible
debentures
   237,980.3    537,472.8    581,551.5    7,665.1 
Preferred shares
           0.5    0.0 
Total credit substitutes
  Rs.362,373.7   Rs.547,276.9   Rs.583,020.2   US$7,684.5 
Gross commercial loans plus credit substitutes
  Rs.3,945,428.9   Rs.4,762,162.2   Rs.5,682,029.5   US$74,891.7 
Whilst we generally lend on a cash flow basis, we also require collateral from a large number of our borrowers. As of March 31, 2022, approximately 60.6 percent of the aggregate principal amount of our gross wholesale loans was secured by collateral and Rs. 2,007.5 billion in aggregate principal amount of loans were unsecured. However, collateral securing each individual loan may not be adequate in relation to the value of the loan. All borrowers must meet our internal credit assessment procedures, regardless of whether the loan is secured. See “
—Risk Management—Credit Risk—Wholesale Credit Risk
”.
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We price our loans based on a combination of our own cost of funds, market rates, tenor of the loan, our rating of the customer and the overall revenues from the customer and with reference to the applicable benchmark. An individual loan is priced on a fixed or floating rate and the pricing is based on a margin that depends on, among other factors, the credit assessment of the borrower. We are required to follow the system requirements related to the interest rate on advances, issued by the RBI from time to time, while pricing our loans. For a detailed discussion of these requirements, see “
Supervision and Regulation—Regulations Relating to Making Loans
”.
The RBI requires banks to lend to specific sectors of the economy. For a detailed discussion of these requirements, see “
Supervision and Regulation—Directed Lending
”.
Bill Collection, Documentary Credits and Bank Guarantees
We provide bill collection, documentary credit facilities and bank guarantees for our corporate customers. Documentary credits and bank guarantees are typically provided on an ongoing basis. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the value of transactions processed with respect to our bill collection, documentary credits and bank guarantees:
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
         
       
(in millions)
     
Bill collection
  Rs.6,039,408.6   Rs.5,863,622.6   Rs.8,826,470.0   US$116,336.8 
Documentary credits
   1,753,159.7    1,410,029.3    2,543,661.3    33,526.6 
Bank guarantees
   303,348.0    420,229.2    455,008.5    5,997.2 
Total
  Rs.8,095,916.3   Rs.7,693,881.1   Rs.11,825,139.8   US$155,860.5 
Bill collection
: We provide bill collection services for our corporate clients in which we collect bills on behalf of a corporate client from the bank of our client’s customer (
i.e.
, import bill collection). Under the import bill collection system, we receive instructions from overseas banks, deal with necessary documents and effect remittances on behalf of our clients. We also provide export collection, where we receive documents from our corporate clients and send such documents to the overseas bank for collection. Once the export collection is realized, we credit our corporate clients’ accounts with the relevant amount.
Documentary credits
: We issue documentary credit facilities on behalf of our customers for trade financing, sourcing of raw materials and capital equipment purchases.
Bank guarantees:
We provide bank guarantees on behalf of our customers to guarantee their payment or performance obligations. A part of our guarantee portfolio consists of margin guarantees to brokers issued in favor of stock exchanges.
Foreign Exchange and Derivatives
Our foreign exchange and derivative product offering to our customers covers a range of products, including foreign exchange and interest rate transactions and hedging solutions, such as spot and forward foreign exchange contracts, forward rate agreements, currency swaps, currency options and interest rate derivatives. These transactions enable our customers to transfer, modify or reduce their foreign exchange and interest rate risks. A specified group of relationship managers from our treasury front office works on such product offerings in line with the customers’ risk and other requirements and within the framework of our Suitability and Appropriateness policy.
Forward exchange contracts are commitments to buy or sell fixed amounts of currency at a future date at the contracted rate. Currency swaps are commitments to exchange cash flows by way of interest in one currency against another and exchange of principal amounts at maturity based on predetermined rates. Rupee interest rate swaps are commitments to exchange fixed and floating rate cash flows in rupees without exchanging the notional principal. A forward rate agreement gives the buyer the ability to determine the underlying rate of interest for a specified period commencing on a specified future date (the settlement date) when the settlement amount is determined, being the difference between the contracted rate and the market rate on the settlement date. The underlying rate of interest could be an interest rate curve, interest rate index or bond yield. Currency options give the buyer the right, but not an obligation, to buy or sell specified amounts of currency at agreed rates of exchange on or before a specified future date.
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We enter into forward exchange contracts, currency options, forward rate agreements, currency swaps and rupee interest rate swaps in the inter-bank market, broadly to support our customers’ requirements and, to a limited extent, for our own account. The following table presents the aggregate notional principal amounts of our outstanding foreign exchange and derivative contracts with our customers as of March 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022, together with the fair values on each reporting date.
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
   
Notional
   
Fair Value
   
Notional
   
Fair Value
   
Notional
   
Fair Value
   
Notional
   
Fair Value
 
                 
   
(In millions)
 
Interest rate swaps and forward rate agreements
   Rs.1,545,303.1    Rs.1,404.5    Rs.1,684,294.2   Rs.785.5    Rs.3,163,571.7   Rs.2,253.9   US$41,697.3   US$29.7 
Forward exchange contracts, currency swaps, currency options
   Rs.1,309,254.8    Rs.7,532.1    Rs.1,490,543.6   Rs.4,275.8    Rs.1,892,709.0   Rs.(12,243.4)   US$24,946.7   US$(161.4
Investment Banking
Our Investment Banking Group offers services in the debt and equity capital markets. The group has arranged project financing for clients across various sectors including telecoms, roads, healthcare, energy, real estate, data centres and cement. The group advised on aggregate issuances of over Rs. 550.8 billion worth of rupee-denominated corporate bonds across public sector undertakings, financial institutions and our corporate clients, becoming the third-largest corporate bond arranger in the market for fiscal year 2022. In the equity capital markets business, the group concluded various transactions, including seven initial public offerings, one rights issue and one share buyback. In the advisory business, we advise clients in the infrastructure, new economy and digital, financial services, industrials and healthcare sectors.
Wholesale Deposit Products
As of March 31, 2022, we had wholesale deposits aggregating to Rs. 2,944.1 billion, which represented 18.9 percent of our total deposits. We offer both
non-interest-bearing
current accounts and time deposits. We are permitted to vary the interest rates on our wholesale deposits based on the size of the deposit (for deposits greater than Rs. 20.0 million), provided the rates booked on a day are the same for all customers of that deposit size for that maturity. See “
Selected Statistical Information
” for further information about our total deposits.
Transactional Services
Cash Management Services
We believe that the Indian market is one of the most promising Cash Management Services (“CMS”) markets. However, it is also marked by some distinctive characteristics and challenges such as a vast geography, a large number of small business-intensive towns, a large unorganized sector in various business supply chains, and infrastructural limitations for accessibility to many parts of the country. Over the years, such challenges have made it a daunting task for CMS providers in the country to uncover the business potential and extend suitable services and product solutions to the business community.
We are a technology-driven bank and have been providing digital CMS solutions to our customers from diverse industry segments. We believe that we have been consistently aligning our product and services strategy to meet our customers’ needs. This, we believe, has helped us to keep ahead of competitors and retain a satisfied customer base that is growing by the year.
We offer traditional and new age digital banking products and experience an increasing demand for digital banking services. While we believe that we have been one of the leading banks in the traditional CMS market, we believe that we have also been able to forge a similar position in the new age CMS market,
i.e.,
digital cash management, and we also believe that we have aligned our product offering with changing and dynamic customer needs. Currently, approximately 95 percent of our transactions are done on the electronic platform.
Today, we believe that we are a leading service provider of digital banking products with a large share of business across customer segments. We have, thus, been able to reduce our transaction costs while maintaining our fees and float levels.
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Clearing Bank Services for Stock and Commodity Exchanges
We act as a clearing bank for the cash and derivatives (F&O) segment, currency derivatives, commodity derivatives and other segments for the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the BSE Limited, Multi Commodity Exchange, National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Limited as well as the two exchanges set up in Gujarat International Finance
Tec-City
(“GIFT City”), NSE International Limited and India International Exchange. As a clearing bank, we provide the exchanges/clearing corporations with a means for collecting and making payments as part of settlement obligations to investors through registered brokers and custodians. In addition to benefiting from the current account balances that help reduce our overall cost of funds, we also earn interest, transaction fees and commissions by offering various fund-based and
non-fund-based
facilities and transactional services to the stock brokers and clearing members.
Custodial Services
We provide custodial services to domestic and foreign investors that include domestic mutual funds, portfolio managers, insurance companies, alternative investment funds and foreign portfolio investors (“FPIs”). These services include safekeeping of securities, trade settlement, collection of dividends and interest payments on securities, fund accounting services and derivatives clearing services (including currency derivatives and interest rate futures). We are registered as a designated depository participant with the local securities regulator,
i.e.
, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, and are permitted to grant registration to FPIs.
Correspondent Banking Services
We act as a correspondent bank for
co-operative
banks, foreign banks and certain private banks. We provide cash management services, funds transfer services, such as letters of credit, foreign exchange transactions and foreign cheque collection. We earn revenue on a
fee-for-service
basis and benefit from the cash float, which reduces our overall cost of funds.
We are well-positioned to offer this service to
co-operative
banks, foreign banks and select private banks in light of the structure of the Indian banking industry and our position within it.
Co-operative
banks are generally restricted to a particular state and foreign banks/some private banks have limited branch networks. The customers of these banks frequently need services in other areas of the country where their own banks do not operate. Because of our technology platforms, our geographical reach and the electronic connectivity of our branch network, we can provide these banks with the ability to provide such services to their customers.
Tax Collections
We have been appointed by the Government of India to collect direct taxes. In fiscal year 2021 and 2022, we collected Rs. 3,028 billion and Rs. 4,089 billion, respectively, of direct taxes for the Government of India. We are also appointed to collect Goods and Services Tax (“GST”) and other indirect taxes in India. In fiscal years 2021 and 2022 we collected Rs. 1,657 billion and Rs. 2,247 billion, respectively, of such indirect taxes for the Government of India and relevant state Governments. We earn a fee from the Government of India for each tax collection and benefit from the cash float. We hope to expand our range of transactional services by providing more services to Government entities.
Treasury
Overview
Our treasury group manages our balance sheet, including our maintenance of reserve requirements and the management of market and liquidity risk. Our treasury group also provides advice and execution services to our corporate and institutional customers with respect to their foreign exchange and derivatives transactions. In addition, our treasury group seeks to optimize profits from our proprietary trading, which is principally concentrated on Indian Government securities.
Our client-based activities consist primarily of advising corporate and institutional customers and transacting spot and forward foreign exchange contracts and derivatives. Our primary customers are multinational corporations, large and medium sized domestic corporations, financial institutions, banks and public sector undertakings. We also advise and enter into foreign exchange contracts with some small companies and NRIs.
The following describes our activities in the foreign exchange and derivatives markets, domestic money markets and the debt securities desk and equities market. See also “
—Risk Management
” for a discussion of our management of market risk.
Foreign Exchange and Derivatives
Our treasury operations primarily include liquidity management and managing the interest rate risks in our investment portfolio along with limited proprietary trading.
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Our treasury operations also include foreign exchange and derivative product offerings to our customers covering a range of products, including foreign exchange and interest rate transactions and hedging solutions, such as spot and forward exchange contracts, forward rate agreements and derivatives. Whilst “plain vanilla” products are offered to all customer segments, derivative products are offered mostly to our wholesale customers in accordance with the RBI guidelines. A specified group of relationship managers from our treasury front office works on such product offerings in line with the customers’ risk and other requirements and within the framework of our Suitability and Appropriateness policy.
We also enter into derivative contracts not denominated in rupees. Typically the market risks arising out of such products are economically hedged in the interbank market. We also operate under a capped risk exposure to each interbank counterparty. In order to manage residual risks and for overall balance sheet management, we also undertake limited proprietary trading transactions, subject to limits approved by our board of directors (the “Board”).
The following table sets out the aggregate notional principal amounts of our outstanding foreign exchange and derivative inter-bank contracts as of March 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022, together with the fair values on each reporting date:
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2020
  
2021
  
2022
   
2022
 
   
Notional
   
Fair Value
  
Notional
   
Fair Value
  
Notional
   
Fair Value
   
Notional
   
Fair Value
 
                 
              
(In millions)
             
Interest rate swaps and forward rate agreements
  Rs.2,099,192.7   Rs.(3,504.6 Rs.1,492,003.7   Rs.(2,256.4 Rs.2,029,651.4   Rs.225.1   US$26,751.8   US$3.0 
Forward exchange contracts, currency swaps, currency options
  Rs.5,276,918.2   Rs.322.6  Rs.3,913,667.3   Rs.(278.2 Rs.5,402,291.4   Rs.15,147.5   US$71,204.6   US$199.7 
Domestic Money Market and Debt Securities Desk
Our principal activity in the domestic money market and debt securities market is to ensure that we comply with our reserve requirements including Liquidity Coverage Ratio (“LCR”). These consist of a cash reserve ratio, which we meet by maintaining balances with the RBI, and a statutory liquidity ratio, which we meet by purchasing Indian Government securities. See also “
Supervision and Regulation—Legal Reserve Requirements
”. The Bank meets the LCR requirement by maintaining an adequate level of high-quality liquid assets, mainly government securities above its mandated statutory requirements. See also “
Supervision and Regulation—Regulations on Asset Liability Management
”. Our local currency desk primarily trades Indian Government securities for our own account. We also participate in the inter-bank call deposit market and engage in limited trading of other debt instruments.
Equities Market
We trade a limited amount of equities of Indian companies for our own account as part of the equity trading portfolio of our treasury operations, which are specified in the approved list of equity universe that is reviewed at least on a quarterly basis or on a need-based basis as mandated in the Bank’s internal policy. As of March 31, 2022, we had an internal aggregate approved limit of Rs. 1,300 million for proprietary equity trading, which included Rs. 650 million (defined as a
sub-limit
of the aggregate approved limit) for primary purchases of equity investments for proprietary trading and Rs. 260 million (defined as a
sub-limit
of the aggregate approved limit) for investment in equity mutual funds for proprietary trading with requisite approvals. We set limits on the amount invested in any individual company as well as a stop-loss trigger level and a
value-at-risk
limit for the proprietary equity trading portfolio. Our exposure as of March 31, 2022 was within these limits.
In addition, we had long term and strategic investments in equities and equity-linked instruments within the board-approved quantum for such investments. All such investments are carried out after review and approval of the proposal by the investment committee and the board, if applicable.
Distribution Channels
We deliver our products and services through a variety of distribution channels, including banking outlets, direct sales agents, ATMs, and telephone, mobile and internet banking.
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Banking Outlets
Our banking outlets are comprised of branches and business correspondents. As of March 31, 2022, we had a total of 6,342 branches covering 3,188 cities and towns. In addition, we had 15,341 business correspondents, which were primarily manned by CSCs. All of our banking outlets are electronically linked so that our customers can access their accounts from any banking outlet regardless of where they have their accounts.
Almost all of our banking outlets focus exclusively on providing retail services and products, though a few also provide wholesale banking services. The range of products and services available at each banking outlet depends in part on the size and location of the banking outlet. We offer various banking services to our customers through our arrangements with correspondent banks and exchange houses in overseas locations.
As part of its banking outlet licensing conditions, the RBI requires that at least 25.00 percent of all incremental banking outlets added during the year be located in unbanked rural centres/left wing extremism (“LWE”) affected districts/north eastern states and Sikkim, where during fiscal year 2022, 270 of our banking outlets (including banking outlets manned by the CSCs) were added. With the objective of liberalizing and rationalizing the branch licensing process, the RBI granted general permission, effective from October 2013, to banks like us to open banking outlets in Tier 1 to Tier 6 centers, subject to a requirement to report to the RBI and other prescribed conditions. In May 2017, the RBI further liberalized the branch authorization policy. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Regulations Relating to the Opening of Banking Outlets
”.
We have overseas banking outlets in Bahrain, Hong Kong and the Dubai International Finance Centre (“DIFC”). These banking outlets cater to the needs of our overseas clients, both corporate and individual. They offer banking, trade finance and wealth management (primarily for
non-resident
individual customers). In addition, we have representative offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Nairobi. We also have a presence in the International Financial Service Centre Banking Unit at the Gujarat International Finance
Tec-City
(“GIFT City”) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. This unit operates in a similar fashion to our foreign banking outlets and customers are able to purchase products such as trade credits and foreign currency term loans, including external commercial borrowings and derivatives to hedge loans. Our unit in GIFT City is regulated and supervised by the RBI.
Automated Teller Machines
As of March 31, 2022, we had 18,130 ATMs/CDMs, of which 8,703 were located at our banking outlets or extension counters and 9,427 were located
off-site.
All our ATMs are equipped with a voice-guided system and a Braille keypad for the visually challenged. Customers can use our ATMs for a variety of functions, including withdrawing cash, monitoring bank balances, mobile
recharge/top-up,
and cardless cash withdrawals. Customers can access their accounts from any of the HDFC Bank ATMs or
non-HDFC
Bank ATMs. ATM cards issued by American Express or other banks in the Rupay, Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, JCB, UPI, Cirrus, Citrus or Discover Financial Services networks can be used in our ATMs and we receive a fee for each transaction. Our debit cards issued with respective networks (Rupay/VISA/MasterCard) can be used at ATMs of other banks for which we pay the acquiring bank a fee. Our customers can use our CDMs for a variety of functions, including cash deposits, cash withdrawals and monitoring bank balances.
Telephone Banking
We provide telephone banking services to our customers in 3,188 cities and towns as at March 31, 2022. Customers can access their accounts over the phone through our
24-hour
automated voice response system and can conduct balance and transaction inquiries, order cheque books and order stop payments of cheques. In certain cities, we also have staff available during select hours to assist customers who want to speak directly to one of our telephone bankers. In select cities, customers can also engage in financial transactions such as opening deposits.
Mobile Banking
Our mobile banking application is specially designed to help our customers manage their banking needs more efficiently. With a secure access and an intuitive, multi-feature design, the application provides our customers with an improved banking experience. Our mobile banking application is designed for an era where our customers can get most of their banking needs serviced on their mobile phones, from sending money (via the national electronic funds transfer (“NEFT”), immediate payment service and unified payment interface (“UPI”) to managing accounts, bills and investments. We believe that banking with our mobile banking application is easy, convenient and secure.
Internet Banking
Our internet banking platform is convenient, comprehensive and safe, enabling our customers to bank 24/7 from the comfort of their home or office. Users can perform the majority of banking transactions online and be assured of the highest levels of security standards. The platform provides several different services, including viewing balances and statements, fund transfers, payment of bills, opening term and recurring deposit accounts, mobile and
direct-to-home
recharges, ordering cheque books and online shopping.
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Payment Wallets
PayZapp aims to make digital payments safe. PayZapp provides a comprehensive solution for all payment, banking and financial requirements for our internal and external customers. It offers a platform for making different types of payments, including grocery, food delivery, shopping, mobile and
direct-to-home
recharges, rent payments, FASTag recharge and utility bills. Using PayZapp, customers can also apply for a credit card or a personal loan, send money to others and transfer money to a bank account.
Risk Management
Risk is inherent in our business and sound risk management is critical to our success. The major types of risk we face are credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk, interest rate risk and operational risk. We have developed and implemented comprehensive policies and procedures to identify, assess, monitor and manage our risk.
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the possibility of losses associated with diminution in the credit quality of borrowers or counterparties. In a bank’s portfolio, losses result from a customer’s or counterparty’s default due to the inability or the unwillingness of such customer or counterparty to meet commitments in relation to borrowing, trading, settlement and other financial transactions. Alternatively, losses result from a reduction in portfolio value arising from the actual or perceived deterioration in credit quality of the underlying borrowers. Credit risk typically results from a bank’s dealings with an individual, association of persons, corporate entity, other bank, financial institution or a sovereign.
The Board of Directors of the Bank is responsible for managing the comprehensive risks faced by the Bank, including credit risk. The Board endorses the credit risk strategy and approves the credit risk policies of the Bank. The Bank’s Risk Policy & Monitoring Committee (“RPMC”), which is a Board-level committee, supports the Board by supervising the implementation of the credit risk strategy. It guides the development of policies, procedures and systems for managing credit risk. The RPMC ensures that these policies are adequate and appropriate to changing business conditions, the structure and needs of the Bank and the risk appetite of the Bank. It periodically reviews the portfolio composition and the status of impaired credits.
The Retail and Wholesale Credit Risk Management functions under the Chief Risk Officer (“CRO”) runs the credit risk management centrally in the Bank. The risk management function is clearly demarcated and independent from the operations, credit and business functions of the Bank.
Retail Credit Risk
Retail lending, given the granularity of individual exposures, is managed largely on a portfolio basis across various products and customer segments. There are robust
front-end
and
back-end
systems in place to ensure credit quality and to minimize losses from defaults. The Retail Credit Risk team is responsible for establishing the risk appetite, ensuring adherence to the risk appetite limits approved by the Board and reviewing and monitoring the key risk indicators of the retail and SME portfolios of the Bank. It is also responsible for conducting product review, stress testing, formulating key risk indicators and portfolio analysis and distribution trends.
Retail Lending Master Policy (“RLMP”) and SME – Credit Policies & Procedures Manual (“SME – CPPM”) are the governance frameworks for managing credit risk in the retail and SME portfolios.
Wholesale Credit Risk
The wholesale credit risk team sits within the Risk Management Group and is primarily responsible for implementing the wholesale credit risk strategy approved by the Board, developing procedures and systems for managing credit risk, periodically monitoring the overall portfolio quality, concentrations and risk-mitigating actions and conducting stress testing to ensure that portfolio composition and quality are within the Bank’s risk appetite.
The Bank’s Credit Policies & Procedure Manual (the “Credit Policies”) are central in controlling credit risk in various activities and products. The Credit Policies articulate our credit risk strategy and thereby the approach for credit origination, approval and maintenance. Each credit proposal is evaluated by the business units against the credit standards prescribed in our Credit Policies. They are then subjected to a greater degree of credit analysis based on product type and customer profile by credit specialists in the Wholesale Credit Group headed by the Chief Credit Officer.
23

There is a framework for independent review and approval of credit ratings by specifically designated rating approvers in the ratings unit, which sits within the Credit Risk function independent of business, operations and credit. We have in place a process of risk-grading each borrower according to its management, industry, financial health and the performance of its business. Each borrower is graded on a model scale of 1 to 10, which is further mapped to a master scale of HDB 1 to HDB 10 (HDB 1 indicating the highest and HDB 10 the lowest rating; we further classify HDB 1 to HDB 7 as “investment grade” ratings, while HDB 8 or lower are classified as
“non-investment
grade” ratings). We have specific models applicable to each significant segment of wholesale credit (
e.g.
, large manufacturer, small manufacturer, large services, small services and NBFCs). For a standalone borrower rating, the model encapsulates risks associated with the industry, business, management and financials into quantitative and qualitative factors. The detailed risk parameters and weightages vary according to the respective models. The risk rating assigned to the borrower is a function of aggregated weighted scores after an assessment under each of the above four risk categories. Wholesale loans that are investment grade are disclosed as either “pass” or “labeled” and considered to be performing. “Labeled” loans are investment grade loans showing evidence of weakness and following deteriorating trends which, if not corrected, could adversely impact repayment of the obligations.
To ensure adequate diversification of risk, concentration limits have been set up in terms of:
(a)
Borrower/business group
: Based on the RBI guidelines on the Large Exposure Framework (“LEF”), exposure ceilings are generally declared and paidestablished for exposures to single borrowers, borrower groups, NBFCs, connected NBFC groups or a group of connected counterparties, which include an NBFC in the fiscal following the fiscal to which they relate. Under Indian law, a company pays dividends upon a recommendation by its board of directors and approval by a majority of the shareholders at the annual general meeting of shareholders held within six months of the end of each fiscal year. The shareholders have the right to decrease but not to increase the dividend amount recommended by the Board of Directors.
By an ordinary resolution on July 12, 2019, the shareholders of the Bank approved a subdivision (stock split) of the Bank’s equity shares to reduce the face value of each equity share from Rs. 2.0 to Rs. 1.0 per equity share effective as of September 20, 2019. The number of issued and subscribed equity shares increased to 5,470,763,894 shares of par value Rs. 1.0 each. All share/ADS and per share/ADS data reflect the effect of the stock split retroactively. One ADS continues to represent three equity shares.
In accordance with the Finance Act 2020, with effect from April 1, 2020, the dividend distribution tax payable by a company upon the distribution of dividends has been abolished. As a result, as of April 1, 2020, the Bank is no longer required to pay direct tax in respect of dividends paid by the Bank. Although no direct taxes are to be paid by the Bank on dividends distributed from and after April 1, 2020, under Section 115AC of the Finance Act 2020, such dividends are now taxable to ADR holders at the rate of 10 percent plus applicable surcharge and cess,
and such amount of tax is required to be withheld or deducted from the amount of any dividends distributed to ADR holders after March 31, 2020.
Future dividends will depend on our revenues, cash flows, financial condition (including capital position) and other factors. ADS holders will be entitled to receive dividends payable in respect of the equity shares represented by ADSs. One ADS represents three equity shares. Cash dividends in respect of the equity shares represented by ADSs will be paid to the depositary in Indian rupees and, except in certain instances, will be converted by the depositary into United States dollars. The depositary will distribute these proceeds to ADS holders. The equity shares represented by ADSs will rank equally with all other equity shares in respect of dividends.
For a description of regulation of dividends, seegroup. See also
Supervision and Regulation—Special Provisions of the Banking Regulation Act—Restrictions on Payment of DividendsLarge Exposures Framework
”.
 
(b)
72
Industry
: We have established ceilings on aggregate exposure to an industry. For this purpose, advances and investments as well as
non-fund-based
exposures are aggregated. Retail advances are exempt from this exposure limit.
(c)
Risk grading
: In addition to the exposure ceilings described above, we have set quantitative ceilings on aggregate funded and
non-funded
exposure (excluding retail assets) specific to each risk rating category at the portfolio level.
The RBI restricts us from lending to companies with which we have any directors in common. In addition, the RBI requires that we direct a portion of our lending to certain specified sectors (“Priority Sector Lending” or “PSL”). See also “
Supervision and Regulation—Directed Lending
”.
Credit Management
The Credit Group, under the Chief Credit Officer (“CCO”), consists of the Retail Credit Group and the Wholesale Credit Group. The CCO reports directly to the Managing Director and is responsible for leading and overseeing the implementation of the overall credit strategy and the management of the retail and wholesale credit portfolios of the Bank. The credit underwriting and portfolio management under the retail and wholesale credit functions are aligned with the Board-approved credit appetite thereby maintaining credit quality of the portfolio. The Credit Group is not assigned any business target. No official in the Retail Credit Group or Wholesale Credit Group has any business responsibility or association, thereby assuring compliance to the four pillars, namely, independence (total independence and freedom to operate without any influence which may compromise risk acceptance), knowledge base (specialization and experience over a period of time), absence of conflict of interest (absolute separation from any business targets or responsibilities, ensuring the quality of risk management) and regulatory compliance (ensuring continuous operation within a
low-risk
environment).
Retail Credit
We offer a range of retail products, such as auto loans, personal loans, credit cards, mortgage loans,
two-wheeler
loans, loans against securities and commercial vehicle loans. Our retail credit programs and approval processes are designed to accommodate the high volumes of relatively homogeneous, small-value transactions in retail loans. There are product programs for each of these products, which define the target markets, credit philosophy and process, detailed underwriting criteria for evaluating individual credits, exception reporting systems and individual loan exposure caps.
For individual customers to be eligible for a loan, minimum credit parameters, so defined, are to be met for each product. Any deviation needs to be approved at the designated levels. The product parameters have been selected based on the perceived risk characteristics specific to the product. The quantitative parameters considered include income, residence stability and the nature of the employment/business, while the qualitative parameters include accessibility and profile. Our credit and product programs are based on a statistical analysis of our own experience and industry data, in combination with the judgment of our senior officers.
The retail credit team manages credit in retail assets and has the following constituents:
(a)
Central Credit Program Unit
: This unit drives credit portfolio management centrally for retail assets. It is responsible for formulating credit product programs and evaluating proposals for the launch of new products and entering new geographies. The unit also conducts periodic reviews that cover our portfolio management information system, credit management information system and post-approval reviews. The credit program teams conduct detailed studies on portfolio performance in each customer segment.
(b)
Retail Underwriting
: This unit is primarily responsible for approving credit exposures and ensuring portfolio composition and quality. The unit ensures implementation of all policies and procedures, as applicable.
24

(c)
SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATACredit Intelligence and Control
The following tables set forth our selected financial and other data. Our selected income statement data: This unit is responsible for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2018, 2019sampling of documents to ensure prospective borrowers with fraudulent intent are prevented from availing themselves of loans. The unit
inter alia
initiates market reference checks to avoid a recurrence of fraud and 2020 and the selected balance sheet data as of March 31, 2019 and 2020 are derived from our audited financial statements included in this report. Our selected balance sheet data as of March 31, 2016, March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018 and selected income statement datalosses.
(d)
Retail Collections Unit
: This unit is responsible for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2016remedial management of problem exposures in retail assets. The collections unit uses specific strategies for various segments and March 31, 2017 are derived from our audited financial statements not included in this report.
For the convenience of the reader, the selected financial data as of andproducts for the year ended March 31, 2020 have been translated into U.S. dollars at the rate on such date of Rs. 75.39 per US$1.00. The U.S. dollar equivalent information should not be construed to imply that the real amounts represent, or could have been or could be converted into, U.S. dollars at such rates or at any other rate.remedial management.
By an ordinary resolution on July 12, 2019, the shareholders of the Bank approved a sub division (stock split) of the Bank’s equity shares to reduce the face value of each equity share from Rs. 2.0 to Rs. 1.0 per equity share effective as of September 20, 2019. The number of issued and subscribed equity shares increased to 5,470,763,894 shares of par value Rs. 1.0 each. All share/ADS and per share/ADS data reflect the effect of the stock split retroactively. One ADS continues to represent three equity shares.
You should read the following data with the more detailed information contained in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements. Footnotes to the following data appear below the final table.
We mine data on our borrower account behavior as well as static data regularly to monitor the portfolio performance of each product segment, and use these as inputs in revising our product programs, target market definitions and credit assessment criteria to meet our twin objectives of combining volume growth and preservation of asset quality.
Our vehicle loans, loan against gold, mortgage loan and loan against securities are generally secured on the asset financed. If the customer fails to pay, we would, as applicable, liquidate collateral and/or set off accounts. In most cases, we obtain direct debit instructions or post-dated cheques from the customer. It is a criminal offense in India to issue a bad cheque.
Wholesale Credit
For our wholesale banking products, we target leading private businesses and public-sector enterprises in the country, as well as subsidiaries of multinational corporations. We consider the credit risk of our counterparties comprehensively. Accordingly, our credit policies and procedures apply not only to credit exposures but also to credit substitutes and contingent exposures.
The Wholesale Credit Group is primarily responsible for implementing the credit strategy approved by the Board, developing procedures and systems for managing credit originated by the wholesale business groups, carrying out an independent assessment of credit, approving individual credit appetite by specifically appointed credit approvers as well as monitoring and ensuring portfolio composition and quality.
Based on what we believe is an adequately comprehensive credit assessment, credit appetite is set on individual counterparties. This appetite takes into account the overall potential risk on the counterparty, be it on balance sheet or
off-balance
sheet, across the banking book and the trading book, including foreign exchange and derivatives exposures. This appetite is reviewed in detail at annual or more frequent intervals.
While we primarily make our credit decisions on a cash flow basis, we also obtain security for a significant portion of credit facilities extended by us as a second potential remedy. This can take the form of a floating charge on the movable assets of the borrower or a (first or residual) charge on the fixed assets and properties owned by the borrower. We may also require guarantees and letters of support from the flagship companies of the group in cases where facilities are granted based on our comfort level or relationship with the parent company.
We do not extend credit on the judgment of one officer alone. Our credit approval process is based on a three-tier approval system that combines credit approval authorities and discretionary powers. The required three approvals are provided by credit approvers who derive their authority from their credit skills and experience. The level for approval of a credit varies depending upon the grading of the borrower, the quantum of facilities required and whether we have been dealing with the customer by providing credit facilities in the past. As such, initial approvals would typically require a higher level of approval for a borrower with the same grading and for sanctioning the same facility.
We have a process for regular monitoring of all accounts at several levels. These include periodic calls on the customer, plant visits, credit reviews and monitoring of secondary data. These are designed to detect any early warning signals of deterioration in credit quality so that we can take timely corrective action.
SME Credit
In order to manage credit in SME assets, the “wholesale
credit-SME
function” draws from the wholesale and retail credit functions. The SME policy and strategy is broadly aligned with the wholesale credit function with suitable amendments to make it appropriate for SME customers. It incorporates certain procedures and systems for managing credit, which have been taken from the retail credit function.
Market Risk
Market risk refers to the potential loss on account of adverse changes in market variables or other risk factors which affect the value of financial instruments that we hold. The financial instruments may include investment in money market instruments, debt securities (such as gilts, bonds and PTCs), equities, foreign exchange products and derivative instruments (both linear and
non-linear
products).
25

The market variables which affect the valuation of these instruments typically include interest rates, credit spreads, equity prices, net asset values (“NAVs”), foreign exchange rates, implied volatilities (including the foreign exchange volatility surface, cap/floor volatility and volatility smiles), exchange derivative prices, and bullion prices. Any change in the relevant market risk variable has an adverse or favorable impact on the valuation depending on the direction of the change and the type of position held (long or short). While the positions are taken with a view to earn from the upside potential, there is always a possibility of downside risk. Thus, the Bank must constantly review the positions to ensure that the risk on account of such positions is within our overall risk appetite. The risk appetite for trading risk is set through a
pre-approved
treasury limits package as well as through specific trading limits and trigger levels for a few product programs. In addition, the Bank’s risk limits with respect to interbank counterparties are guided by the interbank counterparty exposure limit while the Bank’s Asset Liability Management (“ALM”) limits prescribe the appetite for liquidity risk and interest rate risk in the banking book (“IRRBB”). The process for monitoring and reviewing risk exposure is outlined in the various risk policies.
The market risk department formulates procedures for risk valuation for market risk measures, assesses market risk factors impacting the trading portfolio and recommends various market risk controls/mitigants relating to limits and trigger levels for the treasury (including investment banking portfolios for primary undertaking and distribution) and
non-treasury
positions. The treasury
mid-office
is responsible for monitoring and reporting market risks arising from the trading desks and also carries out rate scans of the deals. The market data cell in the
mid-office
maintains market data, performs market data scans to check market data sanctity and verifies the rates submitted by the treasury front office for polling various benchmarks.
Our Board has delegated the responsibility for risk management of the balance sheet on an ongoing basis to the Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”). This committee, which is chaired by the Managing Director and includes the heads of the business groups, generally meets fortnightly. The ALCO reviews the product pricing for deposits and assets as well as the maturity profile and mix of our assets and liabilities. It articulates the interest rate view and decides on future business strategy with respect to interest rates. It reviews and sets funding policy, and also reviews developments in the markets and the economy and their impact on the balance sheet and business along with a review of the trading levels. Moreover, it reviews the utilization of liquidity and interest rate risk limits set by the Board and decides on the inter-segment transfer pricing policy.
The financial control department is responsible for collecting data, preparing regulatory and analytical reports and monitoring whether the interest rate and other policies and limits established by the ALCO are being observed. The Balance Sheet Management desk, which is part of the treasury group, also assists in implementing our asset liability strategy and in providing information to the ALCO.
Policies and Procedures—Trading and Asset Liability Management Risks
The following sections briefly describe our policies and procedures with respect to trading risk (price risk) and ALM risk (interest rate risk in the banking book and liquidity risk).
I. Trading Risk
Trading risk is the risk arising from price fluctuations due to market factors, such as changes in interest rates, equity prices, NAVs, bullion prices, exchange rates, exchange derivative prices and the variations in their implied volatilities in respect of the trading portfolio held by the Bank. The trading portfolio includes holdings in the
held-for-trading
and
available-for-sale
portfolios, as per RBI guidelines and consists of positions in bonds, securities, currencies, interest rate swaps, forward rate agreements, interest rate options, cross-currency interest rate swaps and currency options.
The trading risk is managed by establishing a sound process for price validation and by setting various limits or trigger levels, such as value at risk limits, stop-loss trigger levels, price value per basis point (PV01) limits, option Greek limits and position limits, namely, intraday and net overnight forex open position. Additional controls such as order size and outstanding exposure limits are prescribed, wherever applicable, based on
case-by-case
review. Moreover, measures such as investment limits and deal size thresholds are prescribed as part of the investment policy for managing outstanding investment or trading positions.
The trading limits/trigger levels are reviewed by the market risk department and presented to the RPMC for its recommendation to the Board for approval. The limits/trigger levels are reviewed annually or more frequently (depending on market conditions) or upon introduction of new products.
The market risk policy sets the framework for market risk monitoring and includes the
non-standard
product policy which stipulates requirements for case-specific evaluation of risk exposure in respect of
non-standard
products (that is, products which are not part of the standard product list decided by treasury and the market risk department). Additionally, limits have been assigned to restrict the aggregate exposure in
non-standard
positions. Further, the stress testing policy prescribes the stress scenarios that are applied on the outstanding trading positions to recognize and analyze the impact of the stress conditions on the trading portfolio. Stress tests are based on historical scenarios as well as on sensitivity factors, such as an assessment based on hypothetical/judgmental scenarios, and include topical scenarios based on evolving risk themes.
26

Validation of valuation models applied for trading products is conducted by the treasury analytics team, which are then reviewed by the market risk department and governed by the Board-approved independent model validation policy. All market risk model validations are also reviewed by the treasury analytics team. The Valuation Committee is apprised of the model validation results in its quarterly meetings. Moreover, the market data of major interest rate curves, captured in the valuation systems, are compared against an independent market data source on a
month-end
basis for accurate valuation in accordance with the independent model validation policy of the Bank. Simultaneously, valuations of forex, derivatives and structured products in treasury systems are compared with valuations from the respective counterparty bank (with whom the Bank has a credit support annex (“CSA”) agreement) every month by the treasury analytics team along with validation of valuations from the Bank’s external independent model validator on an annual and an
ad-hoc
basis. Lastly, internal independent validation of valuations of forex, derivative, bond and money market instrument is conducted monthly by the treasury analytics team.
II. Asset Liability Management
The ALM risk management process consists of management of liquidity risk and IRRBB. Liquidity risk is the risk that the Bank may not be able to fund increases in assets or meet obligations as they fall due without incurring unacceptable losses. IRRBB refers to the potential adverse financial impact on the Bank’s banking book from changes in interest rates. The banking book is comprised of assets and liabilities that are incurred to create a steady income flow or to fulfill statutory obligations. Such assets and liabilities are generally held to maturity. The Bank carries various assets, liabilities and
off-balance
sheet items across markets, maturities and benchmarks, exposing itself to risks from changing interest rates. The Bank’s objective is to maintain liquidity risk and IRRBB within certain tolerance limits. The ALM limits are reviewed by the market risk department and presented to the RPMC for its recommendation to the Board for approval. The limits are reviewed at least annually.
Structure and Organization
The ALM risk management process of the Bank operates in the following hierarchical manner:
Board of Directors
The Board has the overall responsibility for the management of liquidity and interest rate risk. The Board decides the strategy, policies and procedures of the Bank to manage liquidity and interest rate risk, including setting the Bank’s risk tolerance and limits.
Risk Policy and Monitoring Committee of the Board
The RPMC is a Board-level committee, which supports the Board by supervising the implementation of risk strategy. It guides the development of policies, procedures and systems for managing risk. It ensures that these are adequate and appropriate to changing business conditions, the structure and needs of the Bank and the risk appetite of the Bank. It ensures that frameworks are established for assessing and managing liquidity and interest rate risks faced by the Bank. The RPMC meets at least once every quarter. The RPMC’s role includes, inter alia:
 
   
Year ended March 31,
 
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
   
2019
   
2020
   
2020
 
   
(in millions, except per equity share data and ADS data)
 
Selected income statement data:
            
Interest and dividend revenue
  Rs.625,428.6   Rs.725,554.3   Rs.843,465.3   Rs.1,041,714.9   Rs.1,211,982.9   US$16,076.2 
Interest expense
   333,067.1    373,758.7    420,314.7    534,209.3    618,455.5    8,203.4 
Net interest revenue
   292,361.5    351,795.6    423,150.6    507,505.6    593,527.4    7,872.8 
Provisions for credit losses
   21,531.3    37,951.4    59,397.8    72,279.3    117,621.9    1,560.2 
Net interest revenue after provisions for credit losses
   270,830.2    313,844.2    363,752.8    435,226.3    475,905.5    6,312.6 
Non-interest
revenue, net
   96,833.9    110,326.1    144,607.0    160,122.2    198,219.0    2,629.4 
Net revenue
   367,664.1    424,170.3    508,359.8    595,348.5    674,124.5    8,942.0 
Non-interest
expense
   182,077.3    204,204.8    231,253.4    255,389.5    308,280.5    4,089.2 
Income before income tax expense
   185,586.8    219,965.5    277,106.4    339,959.0    365,844.0    4,852.8 
Income tax expense
   67,536.9    79,224.9    98,272.5    119,393.5    105,480.0    1,399.1 
Net income before noncontrolling interest
   118,049.9    140,740.6    178,833.9    220,565.5    260,364.0    3,453.7 
Less: Net income attributable to shareholders of noncontrolling interest
   134.6    210.8    319.0    461.7    94.1    1.2 
Net income attributable to HDFC Bank Limited
  Rs.117,915.3   Rs.140,529.8   Rs.178,514.9   Rs.220,103.8   Rs.260,269.9   US$3,452.5 
Per equity share data:
            
Earnings per equity share, basic
  Rs.23.42   Rs.27.62   Rs.34.59   Rs.41.07   Rs.47.59   US$0.63 
Earnings per equity share, diluted
   23.17    27.29    34.15    40.66    47.27    0.62 
Dividends per share
   4.75    5.50    6.50    7.50    2.50    0.03 
Book value
(1)
   171.92    200.21    226.23    299.74    345.25    4.58 
Equity share data:
            
Equity shares outstanding at end of period
   5,056.4    5,125.0    5,190.2    5,446.6    5,483.3    5,483.3 
Weighted average equity shares outstanding—basic
   5,034.8    5,088.6    5,161.0    5,360.0    5,468.8    5,468.8 
Weighted average equity shares outstanding—diluted
   5,090.8    5,150.8    5,227.8    5,413.6    5,505.8    5,505.8 
ADS data (where one ADS represents three shares):
            
Earnings per ADS—basic
   70.26    82.85    103.77    123.21    142.77    1.89 
Earnings per ADS—diluted
   69.50    81.86    102.45    121.98    141.81    1.86 
1.
to review and recommend for Board approval the liquidity and interest rate risk policies and behavioral studies or any other amendment thereto; and
2.
to ratify excess utilization of Board-approved limits except where delegated to the ALCO.
Asset Liability Committee
The ALCO is the decision-making unit responsible for ensuring adherence to the risk tolerance and limits set by the Board, as well as implementing the Bank’s liquidity and interest rate risk management strategy in line with the Bank’s risk management objectives and risk tolerance. The ALCO is also responsible for balance sheet planning from a risk-return perspective, including strategic management of interest rate and liquidity risks. The role of the ALCO includes the following:
product pricing for deposits and customer advances;
deciding the desired maturity profile and mix of incremental assets and liabilities;
articulating the Bank’s interest rate view and deciding on its future business strategy;
reviewing and articulating funding strategy and deciding on source and mix of liabilities or sale of assets;
ensuring adherence to the liquidity and interest rate risk limits set by the Board and ratification of utilization, wherever applicable;
determining the structure, responsibilities and controls for managing liquidity and interest rate risk and overseeing the liquidity positions of the Bank level (including domestic and overseas branches) and reviewing liquidity risk and interest rate risk in banking book positions at the group level (including the Bank and its subsidiaries);
27

ensuring adequate representation of risk management function on ALCO to adhere with operational independence of liquidity management and risk monitoring;
reviewing ALM stress test results and ensuring that a well-documented contingency funding plan is in place;
deciding on the transfer pricing policy of the Bank and considering liquidity costs and benefits an integral part of the Bank’s strategic planning; and
regularly reporting to the Board on the ALM risk profile of the Bank through ALCO minutes.
ALM Support Group
The ALM support group is responsible for analyzing, monitoring and reporting the relevant risk profiles to senior management and relevant committees. The ALM support group comprises the balance sheet management desk (Treasury), market risk department, treasury
mid-office
and financial control.
Risk Measurement Systems and Reporting
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is measured using the flow approach and the stock approach. The flow approach involves comprehensive tracking of cash flow mismatches, whereas the stock approach involves the measurement of critical ratios in respect of liquidity risk.
For measuring and managing net funding requirements, the use of a maturity ladder and calculation of cumulative surplus or deficit of funds at selected maturity dates has been adopted as a standard tool. The time buckets for classification of assets and liabilities for the purposes of this statement is as per the RBI’s prescribed guidelines.
Stock approach involves measurement of certain critical ratios in respect of liquidity risk. Based on the RBI guidelines, a set of liquidity ratios under stock approach is monitored on a periodic basis.
In addition, the Bank is required to maintain a Liquidity Coverage Ratio (“LCR”) and a Net Stable Funding Ratio (“NSFR”). The minimum regulatory LCR has been stipulated at 100 percent from April 1, 2021, and the minimum regulatory requirement for NSFR at 100 percent has been introduced in October 2021. Analysis of liquidity risk also involves examining how funding requirements are likely to be affected under crisis scenarios. The Bank has a Board-approved liquidity stress test policy and framework guided by regulatory instructions. The Bank has an extensive intraday liquidity risk management framework for monitoring intraday positions during the day.
Interest Rate Risk in Banking Book
Interest rate risk is the risk where changes in market interest rates affect a bank’s financial position. Changes in interest rates impact a bank’s earnings through changes in its net interest income (“NII”). Changes in interest rates also impact a bank’s market value of equity (“MVE”) or net worth through changes in the economic value of its rate-sensitive assets, liabilities and
off-balance
sheet positions. The interest rate risk, when viewed from these two perspectives, is known as “earnings perspective” and “economic value perspective”, respectively.
The Bank measures and controls IRRBB using both the earnings perspective (measured using the traditional gap analysis method) and the economic value perspective (measured using the duration gap analysis method) as detailed below. These methods involve grouping of rate-sensitive assets (“RSA”) and rate-sensitive liabilities (“RSL”), including
off-balance
sheet items, based on the maturity or repricing dates. The Bank classifies an asset or liability as rate sensitive or
non-rate
sensitive in line with the RBI guidelines, as amended, from time to time.
A significant portion of
non-maturing
deposits are grouped in the “over 1 year to 3 year” category.
Non-rate-sensitive
liabilities and assets primarily comprise capital, reserves and surplus, other liabilities, cash and balances with the RBI, current account balances with banks, fixed assets and other assets.
The banking book is represented by excluding the trading book (
i.e.
, on and
off-balance
sheet items) from the total book.
Earnings Perspective (impact on net interest income)
The traditional gap analysis (“TGA”) method measures the level of a bank’s exposure to interest rate risk in terms of sensitivity of its NII to interest rate movements over a
one-year
horizon. It involves bucketing of all RSA, RSL and
off-balance
sheet items maturing or getting repriced in the next year and computing changes of income under 200 basis points upward and downward parallel rate shocks over a year’s horizon.
Economic Value Perspective (impact on market value of equity)
28

While the earnings perspective calculates the short term impact of the rate changes, the Economic Value Perspective calculates the long term impact on the MVE of the Bank through changes in the economic value of its rate-sensitive assets, liabilities and
off-balance
sheet positions. The Economic Value Perspective is measured using the duration gap analysis method (“DGA”). DGA involves computing the modified duration gap between RSA and RSL and thereby the Duration of Equity (“DoE”). The DoE is a measure of sensitivity of MVE to changes in interest rates. Using the DoE, the Bank estimates the change in MVE under 200 basis points upward and downward parallel rate shocks. The assumptions for coupons and yields used in the duration gap analysis stem from the RBI guidelines.
Operational Risk Management
Operational risk is the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems or from external events and includes risk of loss as a result of legal risk. The Bank has put in place Board-approved governance and organizational structure with clearly defined roles and responsibilities to mitigate operational risk arising from the Bank’s business and operations.
Organizational Structure for Managing Operational Risk
The Board is primarily responsible for ensuring effective management of the operational risks of the Bank. The Board sets the overall strategy and direction for operational risk management (“ORM”) within the Bank. The responsibilities towards effective implementation of operational risk management have been given to RPMC of the Bank. The RPMC is also responsible for developing a strong ORM culture and sense of responsibility at every level in the organization. The operational risk management committee (“ORMC”), which is chaired by the Chief Risk Officer and consists of senior management functionaries, oversees the implementation of the operational risk management framework approved by the Board. An independent operational risk management department (“ORMD”) is responsible for implementation of the framework across the Bank. The operational risk management policy stipulates the roles and responsibilities of employees, business units, operations and support functions in managing operational risk.
Risk Measurement and Monitoring
The Bank’s organizational structure for managing operational risk consists of the following three lines of defense.
Business, operations, support & other functions: These functions are primarily responsible for the implementation of sound risk management practices (including cost-benefit analyses) in the
day-to-day
operations and any resulting impact of operational risk losses in their units. Specifically, these functions are responsible for developing risk mitigation strategies for their units and will be the first line of defense against operational risk;
Operational risk management department: ORMD is responsible for implementing the operational risk management framework across the Bank. The department designs and develops tools required for implementing the framework, including policies and processes, and guidelines towards implementation and is also responsible for the maintenance of the framework. ORMD represents the second line of defense against operational risk; and
Internal audit department: Internal audit is the third line of defense in mitigating operational risk exposures. Internal audit evaluates the adequacy and effectiveness of the internal control systems and procedures in the risk management functions, as well as across the various business and support units of the Bank.
The Bank applies a number of risk management techniques to effectively manage operational risks. These techniques include:
risk control self-assessment, to identify high-risk areas so the Bank can initiate timely remedial measures. This assessment is conducted annually to update senior management of the risk level across the Bank;
key risk indicators that are derived from various factors to provide an early warning of, or to monitor, the increasing risk or control failures in an activity. As these indicators are quantifiable, they can be measured continuously to identify trends in values;
loss data maintenance to establish the Bank’s process of recognizing, recording and mitigating operational losses. Units or functions accounting loss data are required to report every operational risk loss data in a timely manner to ORMD. Operational losses experienced by the units are followed up by the respective control functions for initiation of mitigative measures as applicable;
annual scenario analysis to derive information on hypothetical severe loss situations. The Bank uses this information for risk management purposes, as well as for analyzing the possible financial impact; and
periodic reporting on risk assessment and monitoring to the line as well as to senior management to enable them to take timely action.
29

Capital Requirement
The Bank currently follows the basic indicator approach for computing operational risk capital charge. BCBS published a document titled “Basel III: Finalizing post-crisis reforms” in December 2017, containing details of the standardized approach for estimating a minimum operational risk capital charge, which would replace all the existing methods for computation of operational risk capital. The Bank will implement the revised approach once the RBI guidelines are notified.
Competition
We face intense competition in all our principal lines of business. Our primary competitors are large public sector banks, other private sector banks, foreign banks and in some product areas, NBFCs. In addition, new entrants into the financial services industry, including companies in the financial technology sector, may further intensify competition in the business environments, especially in the digital business environment, in which we operate. In the last decade, the RBI issued guidelines for the entry of new banks in the private sector, licensing of payment banks and small finance banks in the private sector and
“on-tap”
licensing of universal banks in the private sector (moving from the previous “stop and go” licensing approach to a continuous or
“on-tap”
licensing regime). See “
Supervision and Regulation—Entry of new banks in the private sector
”. Since the introduction of the new rules, new banks, payment banks and small finance banks have been established and are operational pursuant to prescribed guidelines, which has increased competition in the markets in which we operate.
Within the public sector banking space, in August 2019, the Government implemented consolidated measures, announcing the merger of 10 public sector banks into four bigger banks. This led to a reduction in the number of public sector banks in the country. The consolidation became effective in April 2020.
Retail Banking
In retail banking, our principal competitors are large public sector banks, which have much larger deposit bases and branch networks than ours, other new generation private sector banks, old generation private sector banks, foreign banks and NBFCs in the case of retail loan products. The retail deposit share of foreign banks is small in comparison to the public sector banks. However, some foreign banks have a significant presence among NRIs and also compete for
non-branch-based
products. The country’s digital payments market is dominated by the Government’s United Payment Interface and other digital wallet platforms and online payment systems, offering contactless,
in-app
or online transactions. While the Bank’s payment app, PayZapp, is the dominant mobile app amongst banks in the wallet space, with users across bank and
non-bank
customers for payments across offline and online merchants, the Bank faces competition from fintech players in the payment sector as well as payment apps from other banks that are also offering paylater/credit options to customers in addition to ecommerce payments. In the distribution of third-party products, our principal competitors are brokers, foreign banks and other new private sector banks.
Wholesale Banking
Our principal competitors in wholesale banking are public and new private sector banks as well as foreign banks. The large public sector banks have traditionally been market leaders in commercial lending. Foreign banks have focused primarily on serving the needs of multinational companies and Indian corporations with cross-border financing requirements, including trade and transactional services and foreign exchange products and derivatives, while the large public sector banks have extensive branch networks and large local currency funding capabilities.
Treasury
For our customer business in foreign exchange and derivative products, we compete principally with private sector banks, foreign banks and public sector banks in
non-metro
locations.
Employees
We had 141,579 employees as of March 31, 2022. Most of our employees are located in India. We consider our relationship with our employees to be positive. Further to our acquisition of CBoP in 2008, several employees of CBoP continue to be part of a labor union. These employees represent less than 1 percent of our total employee strength.
Our compensation structure has fixed as well as variable pay components. Our variable pay plans are comprised of periodic performance linked pay (PLP), annual performance linked bonus and employee stock option plans.
30

In addition to basic compensation, employees are eligible to participate in our provident fund and other employee benefit plans. The provident fund, to which both we and our employees contribute, is a savings scheme required by Government regulation under which the fund is required to pay to employees a minimum annual return, as declared by the provident fund authorities. If such return is not generated internally by the fund, we are liable for the difference. Our provident fund has generated sufficient funds internally to meet the annual return requirement since inception of the fund. We have also set up a superannuation fund to which we contribute defined amounts. Employees above certain seniority levels are given a choice to contribute to the national pension scheme. We also contribute specified amounts to a pension fund in respect of certain of our former CBoP employees. In addition, we contribute specified amounts to a gratuity fund set up pursuant to Indian statutory requirements.
We focus on delivering cutting-edge learning offerings to develop the capabilities among employees which are necessary for purpose and growth. Both internal and external faculty is involved in these offerings. The learning team designs the program based on the learning need analysis, and the form of delivery mode is chosen to ensure learning effectiveness and an optimal learner experience. Courses are taught online through eLearning/mLearning, through live
instructor-led
classroom/virtual sessions, case studies, role plays, videos and activities or a combination of the foregoing.
Properties
Our registered office and corporate headquarters is located at HDFC Bank House, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 013. In addition to the corporate office, we have administrative offices in most of the metros and some other major cities in India.
As of March 31, 2022, we had a network consisting of 6,342 branches and 18,130 ATMs/CDMs, including 9,427 at
non-branch
locations. In addition, we had 15,341 business correspondents, which were primarily manned by CSCs. These facilities are located throughout India with the exception of three banking outlets which are located in Bahrain, Hong Kong and Dubai. We also have representative offices in the United Arab Emirates and Kenya. We set up and commenced business in an International Financial Service Centre Banking Unit at the Gujarat International Finance
Tec-City
in June 2017. This branch is treated as an overseas branch.
Intellectual Property
We utilize a number of different forms of intellectual property in our business including our HDFC Bank brand and the names of the various products we provide to our customers. We believe that we currently own, have licensed or otherwise possess the rights to use all intellectual property and other proprietary rights, including all trademarks, domain names, copyrights, patents and trade secrets used in our business.
Legal Proceedings
We are involved in a number of legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our business, including certain spurious or vexatious proceedings with significant financial claims present on the face of the complaint, but we believe that such spurious or vexatious proceedings lack any merit, based on the historical dismissal of similar claims.
On September 3, 2020, a securities class action lawsuit was filed against the Bank and certain of its current and former directors and officers in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The complaint was amended on February 8, 2021. The Bank, on July 23, 2021, through its legal counsel, has filed the reply memorandum of law in further support of the motion to dismiss the securities class action suit. The Bank’s motion to dismiss remains pending before the Court. Given the uncertainty inherent in these matters, and based on an assessment made after taking appropriate legal advice, at this point in time, the Bank does not believe that the ultimate outcome of this matter will be materially unfavorable to the Bank. See “
Risk Factors—Our business and financial results could be impacted materially by adverse results in legal proceedings
”.
31

Risk Factor Summary
1.
Economic and Political Risks
A slowdown in economic growth in India would cause us to experience slower growth in our asset portfolio and deterioration in the quality of our assets.
Our business is particularly vulnerable to interest rate risk, and volatility in interest rates could adversely affect our net interest margin, the value of our fixed income portfolio, our treasury income and our financial performance.
Financial and political instability in other countries may cause increased volatility in the Indian financial market.
Our and our customers’ exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could adversely affect our operating results.
We may not adequately assess, monitor and manage risks inherent in our business, and any failure to manage risks could adversely affect our business, financial position or results of operations.
In order to support and grow our business, we must maintain a minimum capital adequacy ratio, and a lack of access to the capital markets may prevent us from maintaining an adequate ratio.
We rely on third parties, including service providers, overseas correspondent banks and other Indian banks, who may not perform their obligations satisfactorily or in compliance with the law.
 
732.
Risks Relating to Our Business
If we are unable to manage our growth, our operations may suffer and our performance may decline.
Our success depends in large part upon our management team and skilled personnel and our ability to attract and retain such persons.
Our funding is primarily short and medium term, and if depositors do not roll over deposited funds upon maturity, our net income may decrease.
Any increase in interest rates would have an adverse effect on the value of our fixed income securities portfolio and could have a material adverse effect on our net income.
We could experience a decline in our revenue generated from activities on the equity markets if there is a prolonged or significant downturn on the Indian stock exchanges, and we may face difficulties in getting regulatory approvals necessary to conduct our business if we fail to meet regulatory limits on capital market exposures.
Any failure or material weakness of our internal control system could cause significant errors, which may have a materially adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial position or results of operations.
Significant fraud, system failure or calamities would disrupt our revenue-generating activities in the short term and could harm our reputation and adversely impact our revenue-generating capabilities.
We may not successfully implement our sustainability strategies or satisfy our ESG commitments, or our performance may not meet investor or other stakeholder expectations or standards, which could adversely impact our reputation, access to capital, business and financial condition.
We are subject to climate change-related risks, including the physical risks of severe weather and water scarcity, as well as the risks of transitioning to a low carbon economy, which could have a significant negative impact on our industry, business and results of operations.
Negative publicity could damage our reputation and adversely impact our business and financial results.
Many of our branches have been recently added to our branch network and are not operating with the same efficiency as compared to the rest of our existing branches, which adversely affects our profitability.
Deficiencies in accuracy and completeness of information about customers and counterparties may adversely impact us.
We present our financial information differently in other markets or in certain reporting contexts.
Statistical, industry and financial data obtained from industry publications and other third-party sources may be incomplete or unreliable.
We may be unable to fully capture the expected value from acquisitions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
32

   
As of March 31,
 
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
   
2019
   
2020
   
2020
 
   
(in millions)
 
Selected balance sheet data:
            
Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash
  Rs.377,671.7   Rs.430,708.6   Rs.574,151.0   Rs. 734,872.6   Rs. 611,961.0   US$8,117.3 
Loans, net of allowance
   4,935,474.3    5,910,412.8    7,263,671.8    8,963,232.6    10,425,022.4    138,281.2 
Investments:
            
Investments held for trading
   71,860.9    35,363.7    167,513.9    265,516.1    304,962.9    4,045.1 
Investments available for sale, debt securities
   1,877,503.7    2,109,877.9    2,221,443.3    2,633,348.4    3,406,289.2    45,182.2 
Total
   1,949,364.6    2,145,241.6    2,388,957.2    2,898,864.5    3,711,252.1    49,227.4 
Total assets
(2)
  Rs.7,736,723.3   Rs. 9,066,980.5   Rs. 11,367,308.8   Rs.13,280,073.6   Rs.15,961,889.1   US$211,724.1 
Long-term debt
   522,313.5    730,920.7    932,906.3    1,044,553.0    1,026,518.3    13,616.1 
Short-term borrowings
   253,562.4    322,265.6    779,201.7    654,058.0    377,417.6    5,006.2 
Total deposits
   5,457,860.3    6,431,322.9    7,883,751.5    9,225,026.9    11,462,071.3    152,037.0 
Of which:
            
Interest-bearing deposits
   4,575,414.5    5,277,644.0    6,693,649.3    7,804,717.5    9,730,481.3    129,068.6 
Non-interest bearing
deposits
   882,445.8    1,153,678.9    1,190,102.2    1,420,309.4    1,731,590.0    22,968.4 
Total liabilities
(2)
   6,865,928.1    8,039,079.4    10,190,815.5    11,644,449.0    14,065,395.3    186,568.4 
Noncontrolling interest
   1,485.0    1,847.5    2,329.7    3,049.3    3,411.4    45.3 
HDFC Bank Limited shareholders’ equity
   869,310.2    1,026,053.6    1,174,163.6    1,632,575.3    1,893,082.4    25,110.4 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  Rs. 7,736,723.3   Rs. 9,066,980.5   Rs. 11,367,308.8   Rs. 13,280,073.6   Rs. 15,961,889.1    211,724.1 
   
Year ended March 31,
 
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
   
2019
   
2020
   
2020
 
   
(in millions)
 
Period average
(3)
            
Interest-earning assets
  Rs.6,334,288.6   Rs.7,584,354.9   Rs.9,052,769.4   Rs. 11,082,789.8   Rs.12,882,466.7   US$ 170,877.7 
Loans, net of allowance
   4,278,152.9    5,156,042.6    6,507,446.5    8,012,985.1    9,342,363.0    123,920.5 
Total assets
   6,776,037.8    8,099,122.2    9,634,335.7    11,774,471.6    13,797,721.6    183,017.9 
Interest-bearing deposits
   4,301,515.1    5,053,872.7    5,849,539.4    7,131,163.3    8,684,183.5    115,190.1 
Non-interest
bearing deposits
   620,340.4    784,108.7    946,157.4    1,029,226.1    1,202,574.5    15,951.4 
Total deposits
   4,921,855.5    5,837,981.4    6,795,696.8    8,160,389.4    9,886,758.0    131,141.5 
Interest-bearing liabilities
   5,130,083.6    6,104,324.6    7,260,929.1    8,926,793.0    10,306,283.8    136,706.2 
Long-term debt
   485,713.4    646,512.9    881,556.7    1,015,061.9    1,023,425.5    13,575.1 
Short-term borrowings
   342,855.1    403,939.0    529,833.0    780,567.8    598,674.8    7,941.0 
Total liabilities
   5,955,268.7    7,155,571.9    8,553,295.8    10,355,177.0    12,069,459.7    160,093.6 
Total shareholders’ equity
   820,769.1    943,550.3    1,081,039.9    1,419,294.6    1,728,261.9    22,924.3 
3.
Credit Risks
If the level of
non-performing
loans in our portfolio increases, we will be required to increase our provisions, which would negatively impact our income.
We have high concentrations of exposures to certain customers and sectors, and if any of these exposures were to become
non-performing,
the quality of our portfolio could be adversely affected and our ability to meet capital requirements could be jeopardized.
We are required to undertake directed lending under RBI guidelines. Consequently, we may experience a higher level of
non-performing
loans in our directed lending portfolio, which could adversely impact the quality of our loan portfolio, our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs. Further, in the case of any shortfall in complying with these requirements, we may be required to invest in deposits of Indian development banks as directed by the RBI. These deposits yield low returns, thereby impacting our profitability.
We may be unable to foreclose on collateral in a timely fashion or at all when borrowers default on their obligations to us, or the value of collateral may decrease, any of which may result in failure to recover the expected value of collateral security, increased losses and a decline in net income.
Our unsecured loan portfolio is not supported by any collateral that could help ensure repayment of the loan, and in the event of
non-payment
by a borrower of one of these loans, we may be unable to collect the unpaid balance.
 
744.
Risks Relating to Our Industry
RBI guidelines relating to ownership in private banks could discourage or prevent a change of control or other business combination involving us, such as with HDFC Limited, which could restrict the growth of our business and operations.
Foreign investment in our shares may be restricted due to regulations governing aggregate foreign investment in the Bank’s
paid-up
equity share capital.
Further competition and the development of advanced payment systems by our competitors would adversely impact our cash float and decrease fees we receive in connection with cash management services.
Our business is highly competitive, which makes it challenging for us to offer competitive prices to retain existing customers and solicit new business, and our strategy depends on our ability to compete effectively.
We may face increased competition as a result of revised guidelines that relax restrictions on foreign ownership and participation in the Indian banking industry, and the entry of new banks in the private sector, which could cause us to lose existing business or be unable to compete effectively for new business.
If the goodwill recorded in connection with our acquisitions becomes impaired, we may be required to record impairment charges, which would decrease our net income and total assets.
5.
Risks Relating to Our Ownership Structure and the Proposed Transaction
The Scheme with HDFC Limited is subject to a number of conditions, some of which are outside of the parties’ control, and, if these conditions are not satisfied, the Scheme may be terminated and the Proposed Transaction may not be completed.
Uncertainty about the Proposed Transaction may adversely affect the relationships of the parties with their respective investors, customers, business partners and employees, whether or not the Proposed Transaction is completed.
The Scheme with HDFC Limited may be more difficult, costly or time-consuming than expected, and implementation may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger and will expose us to incremental regulatory requirements.
HDFC Limited holds a significant percentage of our share capital and can exercise influence over board decisions that could directly or indirectly favor the interests of HDFC Limited over our interests.
We may face conflicts of interest relating to our promoter and principal shareholder, HDFC Limited, which could cause us to forgo business opportunities and consequently have an adverse effect on our financial performance.
HDFC Limited may prevent us from using the HDFC Bank brand if they reduce their shareholding in us to below 5 percent.
33

   
As of or for the year ended March 31,
 
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
   
2019
   
2020
 
   
(in percentage)
 
Profitability:
          
Net income attributable to HDFC Bank Limited as a percentage of:
          
Average total assets
   1.7    1.7    1.9    1.9    1.9 
Average total shareholders’ equity
   14.4    14.9    16.5    15.5    15.1 
Dividend payout ratio
(4)
   20.4    20.1    18.9    18.6    5.3 
Spread
(5)
   4.1    4.1    4.2    4.0    4.0 
Net interest margin
(6)
   4.6    4.6    4.7    4.6    4.6 
Cost-to-net
revenue ratio
(7)
   49.5    48.1    45.5    42.9    45.7 
Cost-to-average
assets ratio
(8)
   2.7    2.5    2.4    2.2    2.2 
Capital:
          
Total capital adequacy ratio
(9)
   15.53    14.55    14.82    17.11    18.52 
Tier I capital adequacy ratio
(9)
   13.22    12.79    13.25    15.78    17.23 
Tier II capital adequacy ratio
(9)
   2.31    1.76    1.57    1.33    1.29 
Average total shareholders’ equity as a percentage of average total assets
   12.1    11.7    11.2    12.1    12.5 
Asset quality:
          
Gross
non-performing
customer assets as a percentage of gross customer assets
(10)
   1.0    1.3    1.4    1.5    1.4 
Net
non-performing
customer assets as a percentage of net customer assets
(10)
   0.4    0.6    0.6    0.6    0.5 
Total allowance for credit losses as a percentage of gross
non-performing
credit assets
   108.3    94.6    103.5    105.6    126.3 
6.
Legal and Regulatory Risks
We have previously been subject to penalties imposed by the RBI. Any regulatory investigations, fines, sanctions and requirements relating to conduct of business and financial crime could negatively affect our business and financial results, or cause serious reputational harm.
 
(1)
Transactions with counterparties in countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism by the United States Department of State, the Government of India or other countries, or with persons targeted by United States, Indian, EU or other economic sanctions may cause potential customers and investors to avoid doing business with us or investing in our securities, harm our reputation or result in regulatory action which could materially and adversely affect our business.
Material changes in Indian banking regulations may adversely affect our business and our future financial performance.
Our business and financial results could be impacted materially by adverse results in legal proceedings.
We may breach third-party intellectual property rights.
7.
Technology Risks
We face cyber threats, such as hacking, phishing and trojans, attempting to exploit our network to disrupt services to customers and/or theft or leaking of sensitive internal Bank data or customer information. This may cause damage to our reputation and adversely impact our business and financial results.
A failure, inadequacy or security breach in our information technology and telecommunication systems may adversely affect our business, results of operation or financial condition.
8.
Risks Relating to India
Any adverse change in India’s credit rating, or the credit rating of any country in which our foreign banking outlets are located, by an international rating agency could adversely affect our business and profitability.
If there is any change in tax laws or regulations, or their interpretation, such changes may significantly affect our financial statements for the current and future years, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial position, business and results of operations.
Any volatility in the exchange rate may lead to a decline in India’s foreign exchange reserves and may affect liquidity and interest rates in the Indian economy, which could adversely impact us.
Political instability or changes in the Government could delay the liberalization of the Indian economy and adversely affect economic conditions in India generally, which would impact the Bank’s financial results and prospects.
Terrorist attacks, civil unrest and other acts of violence or war involving India and other countries would negatively affect the Indian market where our shares trade and lead to a loss of confidence and impair travel, which could reduce our customers’ appetite for our products and services.
Natural calamities, including those exacerbated by climate change, and public health epidemics could adversely affect the Indian economy or the economies of other countries where we operate and, in turn, negatively impact our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
The COVID-19 pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
.
Investors may have difficulty enforcing foreign judgments in India against the Bank or its management.
34

Represents the difference between total assets and total liabilities, reduced by noncontrolling interests
9.
Risks Relating to the ADSs and Equity Shares
Historically, our ADSs have traded at a premium to the trading prices of our underlying equity shares, a situation which may not continue.
Investors in ADSs will not be able to vote.
Your ability to withdraw equity shares from the depositary facility is uncertain and may be subject to delays.
Restrictions on deposit of equity shares in the depositary facility could adversely affect the price of our ADSs.
There is a limited market for the ADSs.
Conditions in the Indian securities market may affect the price or liquidity of our equity shares and ADSs.
Settlement of trades of equity shares on Indian stock exchanges may be subject to delays.
You may be subject to Indian taxes arising out of capital gains.
You may be unable to exercise preemptive rights available to other shareholders.
Financial difficulty and other problems in certain financial institutions in India could adversely affect our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
Because the equity shares underlying our ADSs are quoted in rupees in India, you may be subject to potential losses arising out of exchange rate risk on the Indian rupee and risks associated with the conversion of rupee proceeds into foreign currency.
There may be less information available on Indian securities markets than securities markets in developed countries.
HDFC Limited’s significant holdings could have an effect on the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs.
Investors may be subject to Indian taxes arising out of capital gains on the sale of equity shares.
Future issuances or sales of equity shares and ADSs could significantly affect the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act withholding may affect payments on our equity shares and ADSs.
35

RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the following risk factors in evaluating us and our business.
Economic and Political Risks
A slowdown in economic growth in India would cause us to experience slower growth in our asset portfolio and deterioration in the quality of our assets.
Our performance and the quality and growth of our assets are dependent on the health of the overall Indian economy. In addition to inflation, interest rates, external trade and capital flows, the
COVID-19
pandemic, and in particular its domestic impact, has been an important driver for India’s growth trajectory in fiscal year 2022. While we experienced solid growth in the first half of fiscal year 2021, the impact from the pandemic on India affected the quality of our loan portfolio. Our gross
non-performing
loans as a percentage of our total loan portfolio decreased from 1.8 percent in fiscal year 2021 to 1.3 percent in fiscal year 2022. While a successful vaccination drive could improve growth prospects, a significant proportion of Indian adults are yet to be vaccinated. An increase in the number of
COVID-19
cases and any future wave may slow or halt any future economic recovery.
In 2020, global GDP contracted by 3.1 percent, but in 2021, global GDP grew by 6.1 percent, as
COVID-19-related
disruptions eased. However, global growth is likely to slow down again in 2022 due to increasing
geo-political
tensions and elevated inflation levels. In addition, interest rate hikes by central banks to control inflation could hurt growth and investment sentiments. In India, while gross FDI flows stood at US$ 83.6 billion in fiscal year 2022 compared to US$ 82 billion in fiscal year 2021, the portfolio segment recorded a net outflow of US$ 17.2 billion in fiscal year 2022. We believe that with normalization of liquidity conditions and removal of the accommodative monetary policy stance across the globe, foreign portfolio flows in India could remain weak, as investors are expected to prefer lower risk assets in uncertain times.
We believe that overall bank credit growth is likely to increase in fiscal year 2023 from 8.6 percent in fiscal year 2022 (end of period) and 5.6 percent in fiscal year 2021 (end of period), although there could be variations from segment to segment. Industry credit growth could improve with the extension of ECGLS (Emergency Credit Guarantee Line Scheme) and PLI (Production) schemes. Additionally, the Government’s large CAPEX plan could provide support to the industrial credit. In particular, credit to large corporates could increase in the absence of intermediaries. If inflation remains high, however, low profit margins could limit the industrial credit demand. Moreover, lending to the retail segment could slow as rising living cost could limit discretionary spending. The impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic is likely to be prolonged in certain sectors of the Indian economy, including hospitality and civil aviation, which could adversely affect the Bank’s operations in those areas.
Moving ahead, economic growth could be negatively impacted if
geo-political
tensions remain or even escalate and commodity prices rise further. A stronger than expected slowdown in the economy might adversely impact credit growth and the level of
non-performing
and restructured loans. If the Indian economy growth prospects deteriorate, our asset base may erode, which would result in a material decrease in our net profits and total assets which could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial position. See also “
—The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
Our business is particularly vulnerable to interest rate risk, and volatility in interest rates could adversely affect our net interest margin, the value of our fixed income portfolio, our treasury income and our financial performance.
Our results of operations depend to a great extent on our net interest revenue. During fiscal year 2022, net interest revenue after allowances for credit losses represented 69.7 percent of our net revenue. Changes in market interest rates affect the interest rates charged on our interest-earning assets differently from the interest rates paid on our interest-bearing liabilities and also affect the value of our investments. An increase in interest rates could result in an increase in interest expense relative to interest revenue if we are not able to increase the rates charged on our loans, which would lead to a reduction in our net interest revenue and net interest margin. Further, an increase in interest rates could negatively affect demand for our loans and credit substitutes, and we may not be able to achieve our volume growth, which could adversely affect our net income. A decrease in interest rates could result in a decrease in interest revenue relative to interest expense due to the repricing of our loans at a pace faster than the rates we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities. The quantum of the changes in interest rates for our assets and liabilities may also be different.
The combination of global disinflationary pressures and better supply management of food items, including prudent food stock management, appropriate monetary policy action, fiscal consolidation and subdued global commodity prices have helped to keep domestic inflation in check in recent years. Headline inflation averaged below the RBI’s target zone during fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year 2019. However, headline inflation rose to 5.8 percent in March 2020 and increased further to above the RBI’s upper tolerance limit of 6 percent between April and November 2020.
In May and June 2021, headline inflation stood at 6.3 percent and rose to 6.95 percent in March 2022. CPI inflation rose to an
8-year
high of 7.8 percent in April 2022. Going forward, headline inflation is expected to increase and average at
6.5-6.7 percent
in the fiscal year 2023.
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The softening in inflation led the RBI to cut the policy repo rate by 75 basis points in fiscal year 2016, by another 50 basis points in fiscal year 2017 and by 25 basis points in fiscal year 2018. While the repo rate was raised by 50 basis points during the first half of fiscal year 2019, the policy rate was again reduced by 25 basis points in the fourth quarter, as inflation started easing. In fiscal year 2020, the RBI continued to reduce the policy rate in the first half of the fiscal year. However, as headline inflation started picking up, the central bank paused the easing cycle after decreasing the repo rate by 25 basis points in October 2019. In March 2020, the RBI again reduced the repo rate by 75 basis points to address pandemic-related disruptions. In May 2020, to address the
COVID-19-related
economic disruption, the RBI implemented an emergency rate cut of 40 basis points. However, to control rising inflationary pressures due to supply chain disruptions and
geo-political
tensions, the RBI announced an
off-cycle
rate hike in May 2022 of 40 basis points and a rate hike of 50 basis points in its June 2022 policy meeting, taking the repo rate to 4.90 percent. The RBI’s concerns about the broad-based nature of the increase in inflation and the risk of the second-round impact on inflation expectations could lead to a more aggressive path by the central bank going forward. As a result, the RBI is expected to make further raises well beyond the
pre-pandemic
levels, arriving at approximately
5.75-6.05 percent
by fiscal
year-end.
To make the liquidity situation more comfortable, the RBI conducted net open market operations (“OMOs”) with purchases of Rs. 1.1 trillion in fiscal year 2017 and sales of Rs. 0.9 trillion in fiscal year 2018. In fiscal year 2019, the RBI conducted net OMO purchases of Rs. 3.0 trillion. In addition to open market operations, the RBI injected liquidity using new instruments, such as FX swap operations, long term repo auctions (“LTROs”) and targeted long term repo auctions (“TLROs”) in fiscal year 2020. In fiscal year 2021, the RBI conducted net OMO purchases of Rs. 3.1 trillion, special OMO (simultaneous sale and purchase of government securities) of Rs. 1.9 trillion and targeted long term repo operation of Rs. 5.5 billion. Furthermore, the RBI provided special credit lines for sectors hit by the pandemic. The RBI maintained adequate liquidity in the system in fiscal year 2022 and conducted net OMO purchases worth Rs. 2.1 trillion. For fiscal year 2023 the RBI plans to reduce liquidity surplus in the system and hiked the CRR rate by 50 basis points to 4.5 percent in April 2022.
Domestically, if the fiscal deficit both federally and at state level rises sharply, bond yields are likely to remain volatile and see upward pressure. While interest rate hikes by the RBI to control inflation along with liquidity withdrawals via CRR increase could add further pressure, the RBI is expected to continue managing yields actively and capping them. Any volatility in interest rates could adversely affect our net interest margin, the value of our fixed income portfolio, our treasury income and our financial performance.
Financial and political instability in other countries may cause increased volatility in the Indian financial market.
The Indian market and the Indian economy are influenced by the economic and market conditions in other countries, particularly the emerging market countries in Asia. Financial turmoil in Sri Lanka, Russia and elsewhere in the world in recent years has affected the Indian financial market as investor sentiment took a hit during such episodes. Although economic conditions are different in subsidiaries, divided by the number of shares outstanding at the end of each country, investors’ reactions to developments in one country can have adverse effects on the securities of companies in other countries, including India. A loss of investor confidence in the financial systems of other markets may cause increased volatility in the Indian financial market and, more generally, in the Indian economy. Any financial instability or disruptions could also have a negative impact on the Indian economy and could harm the Bank’s business, its future financial performance and the prices of its equity shares and ADSs.
The macroeconomic, trade and regulatory environment has become increasingly fragmented, with continuing disruptions of global supply chains in several industries. The mismatch between supply and demand has pushed up commodity and other prices, particularly in the energy sector, creating further challenges for monetary authorities and customers. Against the backdrop of both a
vaccine-led
economic recovery and increasing inflationary pressures, interest rates generally rose during 2021. Central banks in developed markets have either begun, or are expected to soon begin, to raise benchmark rates in order to help ease inflationary pressures.
The global credit and equity markets have experienced substantial dislocations, liquidity disruptions and market corrections in the last few years, most recently due to the impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic. In Europe, the impacts of the European sovereign debt crisis, the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, Italian political and economic developments, protests in France, the refugee crisis and the increasing attractiveness to voters of populist and anti-austerity movements have all contributed to political and economic uncertainty. An escalation of political risks could have consequences both for the financial system and the greater economy as a whole, potentially leading to declines in business levels, write-downs of assets and losses across businesses in the United Kingdom and the European Union, which could lead to adverse consequences for global financial and foreign exchange markets.
The United Kingdom Government concluded a Trade Cooperation Agreement (the “TCA”) with the European Union which came into effect on January 1, 2021. Given the ongoing uncertainty over the United Kingdom’s future trading relationships with the EU, following its withdrawal from the European Union, it is difficult to determine the exact impact of the TCA over the long term. However, the United Kingdom’s economy and those of the Eurozone countries are very tightly linked as a result of EU integration projects (other than the Euro), and any trade disputes between the United Kingdom and the European Union may have an adverse impact on global financial markets. The currently unsettled future relationship between the EU and the United Kingdom is also likely to lead to further uncertainty in relation to the regulation of cross-border business activities.
37

Heightened tensions across the
geo-political
landscape could also have implications for the Bank and its customers. Diplomatic tensions between China and the United States, and extending to the United Kingdom, the EU, India and other countries, may affect the Bank, creating regulatory, reputational and market risks. The United States, the United Kingdom, the EU, Canada and other countries have imposed various sanctions and trade restrictions on Chinese individuals and companies. In response, China has announced sanctions, trade restrictions and laws that could impact the Bank and its customers.
In February 2022, Russia launched a large-scale military invasion of Ukraine, following which many governments enacted severe sanctions on Russia. The invasion and ongoing conflict have disrupted financial markets and have had adverse impacts on supply chains, prevailing levels of inflation and other macroeconomic conditions. The ongoing conflict could even spill over to neighboring countries, and due to political instability in Eastern Europe, it is possible that further sanctions may be imposed on Russia. Failure to comply with those laws could expose the Bank to civil and criminal prosecution and penalties, the imposition of export or economic sanctions against the Bank and reputational damage, all of which could materially and adversely affect the Bank’s financial results. To the extent Russia’s invasion of Ukraine adversely affects our business and financial results, it may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in this “
Risk Factors
” section.
In recent months, overall risk appetite has decreased as investors assessed risks associated with the Russia-Ukraine war. Riskier assets, such as equity stock, fell after western nations had imposed several rounds of sanctions against Russia. While fears of a global slowdown amidst high inflation weighed on sentiments, global liquidity withdrawal with major central banks, including the United States Federal Reserve, beginning balance sheet reduction and rate hikes tightened financial conditions.
Moving forward, recurrent or future waves of
COVID-19
or similar health crises across the globe, and prolonged
geo-political
tensions could adversely affect global financial markets leading to adverse
follow-on
consequences in India. There is also a risk that central banks could start acting more aggressively if inflation remains elevated. See also “—
The
COVID-19
pandemic may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”. In response to these developments, including the
COVID-19
pandemic, as well as past financial and liquidity crises in these markets, legislators and financial regulators in the United States, Europe and other jurisdictions, including India, have implemented several policy measures designed to add stability to the financial markets. However, the overall impact of these and other legislative and regulatory efforts on the global financial markets is uncertain, and they may not have the intended stabilizing effects. In the event that the current adverse conditions in the global credit markets continue or if there is any significant financial disruption, this could cause increased volatility in the Indian financial market and have an adverse effect on our business, future financial performance and the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs.
Our and our customers’ exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could adversely affect our operating results.
Foreign currency exchange rates depend on various factors and can be volatile and difficult to predict. We enter into derivative contracts with our borrowers to manage their foreign currency exchange risk exposure. Volatility in these exchange rates may lead to losses in derivative transactions for our borrowers. On maturity or on premature termination of the derivative contracts and under certain circumstances, we may have to bear these losses. The use of derivative financial instruments may also generate obligations for us to make additional cash payments, which would negatively affect our liquidity. Any losses suffered by our customers as a result of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.
We may not adequately assess, monitor and manage risks inherent in our business, and any failure to manage risks could adversely affect our business, financial position or results of operations.
We are exposed to a variety of risks, including liquidity risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, operational risk (including fraud) and legal risk (including actions taken by our own employees). The effectiveness of our risk management is limited by the quality and timeliness of available data and other factors outside of our control.
For example, our hedging strategies and other risk management techniques may not be fully effective in mitigating risks in all market environments or against all types of risk, including risks that are unidentified or unanticipated. Some methods of managing risks are based upon observed historical market behavior. As a result, these methods may not predict future risk exposures, which could be greater than the historical measures indicated. Other risk management methods depend upon an evaluation of information regarding markets, customers or other matters. This information may not in all cases be accurate, complete,
up-to-date
or properly evaluated. As part of our ordinary decision-making process, we rely on various models for risk and data analysis. These models are based on historical data and supplemented with managerial input and comments. There are no assurances that these models and the data they analyze are accurate or adequate to guide our strategic and operational decisions and protect us from risks. Any deficiencies or inaccuracies in the models or the data might have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operation.
Additionally, management of operational, legal or regulatory risk requires, among other things, policies and procedures to ensure certain prohibited actions are not taken and to properly record and verify a number of transactions and events. Although we believe we have established such policies and procedures, they may not be fully effective, and we cannot guarantee that our employees will follow these policies and procedures in all circumstances. Unexpected shortcomings in these policies and procedures or a failure to follow them may have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.
38

Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to respond to new technological advances and emerging banking and finance industry standards and practices on a cost-effective and timely basis. The development and implementation of such technology entails significant technical and business risks. There can be no assurance that we will successfully implement new technologies or adapt transaction-processing systems to customer requirements or emerging market standards. Failure to properly monitor, assess and manage risks could lead to losses which may have an adverse effect on our future business, financial position or results of operations.
In order to support and grow our business, we must maintain a minimum capital adequacy ratio, and a lack of access to the capital markets may prevent us from maintaining an adequate ratio.
As of March 31, 2022, the RBI requires a minimum capital adequacy ratio of 11.7 percent (including requirements for the capital conservation buffer and due to our Bank’s classification as a Domestic Systemically Important Bank
(D-SIB))
of our total risk-weighted assets (“RWAs”). We adopted the Basel III capital regulations effective April 1, 2013. Our capital adequacy ratio, calculated in accordance with Indian GAAP, was 18.90 percent as of March 31, 2022. Our
CET-I
ratio was 16.67 percent as of March 31, 2022. Our ability to support and grow our business would be limited by a declining capital adequacy ratio. While we anticipate accessing the capital markets to offset declines in our capital adequacy ratio, we may be unable to access the markets at the appropriate time, or the terms of any such financing may be unattractive due to various reasons attributable to changes in the general environment, including political, legal and economic conditions.
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision issued a comprehensive reform package entitled “Basel III: A global regulatory framework for more resilient banks and banking systems” in December 2010. In May 2012, the RBI released guidelines on implementation of the Basel III capital regulations in India, and in July 2015, the RBI issued a master circular on capital regulations (consolidated master circular issued in April 2022) and
time-to-time
amendments. The key items covered under these guidelines include: (i) improving the quality, consistency and transparency of the capital base; (ii) enhancing risk coverage; (iii) grading the enhancement of the total capital requirement; (iv) introducing a capital conservation buffer and countercyclical buffer; and (v) supplementing the risk-based capital requirement with a leverage ratio. One of the major changes in the Basel III capital regulations is that the Tier I capital will predominantly consist of common equity of the banks, which includes common shares, reserves and stock surplus. Innovative instruments and perpetual
non-cumulative
preference shares will not be considered a part of
CET-I
capital. Basel III also defines criteria for instruments to be included in Tier II capital to improve their loss absorbency. The guidelines also set out criteria for loss absorption through the conversion or
write-off
of all
non-common
equity regulatory capital instruments at the point of
non-viability.
The point of
non-viability
is defined as a trigger event upon the occurrence of which
non-common
equity Tier I and Tier II instruments issued by banks in India may be required to be, at the option of the RBI, written off or converted into common equity. Additionally, the guidelines have set out criteria for loss absorption through the conversion or
write-off
of Additional Tier I capital instruments at a
pre-specified
trigger level. The RBI has implemented the last tranche of the capital conservation buffer from October 1, 2021. The minimum Common Equity Tier 1 capital of 5.5 percent of RWAs is required to be maintained by banks along with a capital conservation buffer of 2.5 percent of RWAs, in the form of Common Equity Tier 1 capital.
D-SIBs
are required to maintain additional
CET-I
capital requirements ranging from 0.2 percent to 1.0 percent of risk-weighted assets. We were classified as a
D-SIB
from April 1, 2018 onwards and were required to maintain additional
CET-I
of 0.2 percent with effect from April 1, 2019. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Domestic Systemically Important Banks
”. Banks will also be required to have an additional capital requirement towards countercyclical capital buffer (“CCCB”) varying between 0 percent and 2.5 percent of the RWAs as and when implementation is announced by the RBI. The RBI has not yet activated the CCCB, and in its press release dated April 5, 2022, has stated that it is not necessary to activate CCCB at this point. Additionally, the Basel III LCR, which is a measure of the Bank’s high-quality liquid assets compared to its anticipated cash outflows over a
30-day
stressed period, commenced applying in a phased manner that started with a minimum requirement of 60 percent from January 1, 2015 and reached a minimum of 100 percent on January 1, 2019. However, in view of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI pursuant to its circular dated April 17, 2020 had reduced the LCR requirement from 100 percent to 80 percent for the period from April 17, 2020 to September 30, 2020. The RBI increased the reduced LCR requirement in two phases: (i) from 80 percent to 90 percent from October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 and (ii) from 90 percent to 100 percent from April 1, 2021. In 2020, banks were permitted to avail themselves of funds under the marginal standing facility by dipping into the Statutory Liquidity Ratio (“SLR”) up to an additional 1.0 percent of their net demand and time liabilities (“NDTL”) (
i.e
., cumulatively up to 3.0 percent of their NDTL). This facility, which was initially available until June 30, 2020, was extended in phases until December 31, 2021. With effect from January 1, 2022, banks can dip into the SLR up to 2 percent of NDTL instead of 3 percent for overnight borrowing under the MSF. See “—
The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”. These various requirements, including requirements to increase capital to meet increasing capital adequacy ratios, could require us to forgo certain business opportunities. Since we have been classified as a
D-SIB,
pursuant to a circular issued by the RBI dated June 2019, under Basel III, we are required to maintain a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0 percent as compared to 3.5 percent required to be maintained by other scheduled commercial banks, with effect from October 1, 2019.
We believe that the demand for Basel III compliant debt instruments, such as Tier II capital eligible securities, may be limited in India. In the past, the RBI has reviewed and made amendments in its guidelines on Basel III capital regulations with a view to facilitating the issuance of
non-equity
regulatory capital instruments by banks under the Basel III framework. It is unclear what effect, if any, these amendments may have on the issuance of Basel III compliant securities or if there will be sufficient demand for such securities. It is also possible that the RBI could further amend the eligibility criteria of such instruments in the future if the objectives identified by the RBI are not met, which would create additional uncertainty regarding the market for Basel III compliant securities in India.
39

If we are unable to meet the new and revised requirements, including both requirements applicable to banks generally and requirements imposed on us as a
D-SIB,
our business, future financial performance and the price of our ADSs and equity shares could be adversely affected.
We rely on third parties, including service providers, overseas correspondent banks and other Indian banks, who may not perform their obligations satisfactorily or in compliance with the law.
Our business leads us to rely on different types of third parties, which exposes us to risks. For example, we enter into outsourcing arrangements with third-party agencies/ vendors, in compliance with the RBI guidelines on outsourcing. These entities provide services which include, among others, cash management services, software services, client sourcing, debt recovery services and call center services. However, we cannot guarantee that there will be no disruptions in the provision of such services or that these third parties will adhere to their contractual obligations. Additionally, we also rely on our overseas correspondent banks to facilitate international transactions, and the Indian banking industry as a whole is interdependent in facilitating domestic transactions. There is no assurance that our overseas correspondent banks or our domestic banking partners will not fail or face financial problems (such as financial problems arising out of or in relation to frauds uncovered in early 2018 at one of India’s public sector banks). If there is a disruption in the third-party services, or if the third-party service providers discontinue their service agreement with us, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected. In case of any dispute with any of the foregoing parties, we cannot assure you that the terms of our arrangements with such parties will not be breached, which may result in costs such as litigation costs or the costs of entering into agreements with third parties in the same industry, and such costs may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. We may also suffer from reputational and legal risks if one of these third parties acts unethically or unlawfully, and if any Bank in India, especially a private Bank, or any of our key overseas correspondent banks were to fail, this could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, growth prospects or the price of our equity shares.
Risks Relating to Our Business
If we are unable to manage our growth, our operations may suffer and our performance may decline.
We have grown consistently over the last years. Our loan growth rate has been significantly higher than that of the Indian banking industry. Our loans in the three-year period ended March 31, 2021 grew at a compounded annual growth rate of 17.8 percent. The compounded annual growth for the Indian Banking Industry for the same period was approximately 7.4 percent. The growth in our business is partly attributable to the expansion of our branch network. As at March 31, 2017, we had a branch network comprised of 4,715 branches, which increased to 6,342 branches as at March 31, 2022. Section 23 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (the “Banking Regulation Act”) provides that banks must obtain the prior approval of the RBI to open new banking outlets. Further, the RBI may cancel a license for violations of the conditions under which it was granted. The RBI issues instructions and guidelines to banks on branch authorization from time to time. With the objective of liberalizing the branch licensing process, the RBI, effective October 2013, granted general permission to banks, including us, to open banking outlets in Tier 1 to Tier 6 centers, subject to a requirement to report to the RBI and certain other conditions. In May 2017, the RBI has further liberalized the branch authorization policy. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Regulations Relating to the Opening of Banking Outlets
”. If we are unable to perform in a manner satisfactory to the RBI in any of these centers or comply with the specified conditions, it may have an impact on the number of banking outlets we will be able to open, which would, in turn, have an impact on our future growth. In addition, our rapid growth has placed, and if it continues, will place, significant demands on our operational, credit, financial and other internal risk controls including:
recruiting, training and retaining sufficient skilled personnel;
upgrading, expanding and securing our technology platform;
developing and improving our products and delivery channels;
preserving our asset quality as our geographical presence increases and customer profile changes;
complying with regulatory requirements such as the KYC norms; and
maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.
If our internal risk controls are insufficient to sustain our rapid rate of growth, if we fail to properly manage our rapid growth or if we fail to perform adequately in any of the above areas, our operations would suffer and our business, results of operations and financial position would be materially adversely affected.
Our success depends in large part upon our management team and skilled personnel and our ability to attract and retain such persons.
We are highly dependent on our management team, including the efforts of our Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, and our Executive Director, as well as other members of our senior management. Our future performance is dependent on the continued service of these persons or similarly skilled and qualified successors. In addition, we also face a continuing challenge to recruit and retain a sufficient number of skilled personnel, particularly if we continue to grow. Competition for management and other skilled personnel in our industry is intense, and we may not be able to attract and retain the personnel we need in the future. The loss of key personnel may restrict our ability to grow and consequently have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial position.
40

Our funding is primarily short and medium term and if depositors do not roll over deposited funds upon maturity, our net income may decrease.
Most of our funding requirements are met through short term and medium term funding sources, primarily in the form of retail deposits. Short term deposits are those with a maturity not exceeding one year. Medium term deposits are those with a maturity of greater than one year but not exceeding three years. See “
Selected Statistical Information—Funding
”. However, a portion of our assets have long term maturities, which sometimes causes funding mismatches. As of March 31, 2022, 33.5 percent of our loans are expected to mature within the next year and 43.3 percent of our loans are expected to mature in the next one to three years. As of March 31, 2022, 27.9 percent of our deposits are expected to mature within the next year and 42.9 percent of our deposits are expected to mature between the next one to three years. In our experience, a substantial portion of our customer deposits has been rolled over upon maturity and has been, over time, a stable source of funding. However, if a substantial number of our depositors do not roll over deposited funds upon maturity, our liquidity position will be adversely affected and we may be required to seek more expensive sources of funding to finance our operations, which would result in a decline in our net income and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. We may also face a concentration of deposits by our larger depositors. Any sudden or large withdrawals by such large depositors may impact our liquidity position.
Any increase in interest rates would have an adverse effect on the value of our fixed income securities portfolio and could have a material adverse effect on our net income.
Any increase in interest rates would have an adverse effect on the value of our fixed income securities portfolio and could have a material adverse effect on our net revenue. Policy rates were successively increased from February 2010 to March 2012, during which period the bout of interest rate tightening in India was faster than in many other economies. The RBI raised key policy rates from 5.25 percent (repo rate) in April 2010 to 8.5 percent in October 2011. However, key policy rates were eased from 8.0 percent (repo rate) in April 2012 to 7.25 percent in May 2013. In July 2013, the RBI increased the rate for borrowings under its marginal standing facility (which was introduced by the RBI in fiscal year 2012) from 100 basis points to 300 basis points above the repo rate. This rate was eased from 200 basis points above the repo rate in September 2013 to 100 basis points above repo rate in October 2013. In contrast, the policy rates were tightened from 7.5 percent (repo rate) in September 2013 to 8.0 percent in January 2014. The RBI reduced the policy repo rate again to 7.75 percent in January 2015, further reducing it to 7.5 percent in March 2015, 7.25 percent in June 2015, 6.75 percent in September 2015, 6.5 percent in April 2016, 6.25 percent in October 2016 and 6.0 percent in August 2017, before increasing it to 6.25 percent in June 2018 and 6.5 percent in August 2018. The RBI began decreasing the policy rate again in February 2019 and reduced the policy rate further in April 2019, June 2019, August 2019, October 2019 and February 2020. The central bank reduced the policy rate by 40 basis points in May 2020 to address
COVID-19
related disruptions. However, taking cognizance of rising inflationary pressures as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war, the RBI hiked rates by 40 basis points in an
off-cycle
meeting in May 2022 and by another 50 basis points in June 2022.
We are, however, more structurally exposed to interest rate risk than banks in many other countries because of certain mandated reserve requirements of the RBI. See
“Supervision and Regulation—Legal Reserve Requirements”.
These requirements result in Indian banks, such as ourselves, maintaining (as per RBI guidelines currently in force) a portion of our liabilities in bonds issued by the Government (18.0 percent as of May 2021 computed as per guidelines issued by the RBI). We are also required to maintain 4.5 percent of our liabilities (computed as per guidelines issued by the RBI) by way of a balance with the RBI. This, in turn, means that we could be adversely impacted by a rise in interest rates, especially if the rise were sudden or sharp. A rise in yields on fixed income securities, including government securities, will likely adversely impact our profitability. The aforementioned requirements would also have a negative impact on our net interest income and net interest margins since interest earned on our investments in government-issued securities is generally lower than that earned on our other interest earning assets.
We could experience a decline in our revenue generated from activities on the equity markets if there is a prolonged or significant downturn on the Indian stock exchanges, and we may face difficulties in getting regulatory approvals necessary to conduct our business if we fail to meet regulatory limits on capital market exposures.
We provide a variety of services and products to participants involved with the Indian stock exchanges. These include working capital funding and margin guarantees to share brokers, personal loans secured by shares, initial public offering finance for retail customers, stock exchange clearing services, collecting bankers to various public offerings and depositary accounts. If there is a prolonged or significant downturn on the Indian stock exchanges, our revenue generated by offering these products and services may decrease, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
We are required to maintain our capital market exposures within the limits as prescribed by the RBI. Our capital market exposures are comprised primarily of investments in equity shares, loans to share brokers and financial guarantees issued to stock exchanges on behalf of share brokers.
In accordance with RBI guidance, a bank’s capital market exposure is limited to 40 percent of its net worth under Indian GAAP as of March 31 of the previous year, both on a consolidated and
non-consolidated
basis. Our capital market exposure as of March 31, 2022 was 16.9 percent of our net worth on a
non-consolidated
basis and 19.9 percent on a consolidated basis, in each case, under Indian GAAP. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Large Exposures Framework
”. If we fail to meet these regulatory limits in the future, we may face difficulties in obtaining other regulatory approvals necessary to conduct our normal course of business, which would have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.
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Any failure or material weakness of our internal control system could cause significant errors, which may have a materially adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial position or results of operations.
We are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal measures commensurate with our size and complexity of operations. Our internal or concurrent audit functions are equipped to make an independent and objective evaluation of the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls on an ongoing basis to ensure that business units adhere to our policies, compliance requirements and internal circular guidelines. While we periodically test and update, as necessary, our internal control systems, we are exposed to operational risks arising from the potential inadequacy or failure of internal processes or systems, and our actions may not be sufficient to guarantee effective internal controls in all circumstances. Given our high volume of transactions, it is possible that errors may repeat or compound before they are discovered and rectified. Our systems and internal control procedures that are designed to monitor our operations and overall compliance may not identify every instance of
non-compliance
or every suspicious transaction. If internal control weaknesses are identified, our actions may not be sufficient to fully correct such internal control weakness. We face operational risks in our various businesses and there may be losses due to deal errors, settlement problems, pricing errors, inaccurate reporting, breaches of confidentiality, fraud and failure of mission-critical systems or infrastructure. Any error tampering or manipulation could result in losses that may be difficult to detect.
For example, pursuant to the media reports during fiscal year 2018, certain unpublished price-sensitive information (“UPSI”) relating to our financial results for the quarters ended December 31, 2015 and June 30, 2017 had been leaked in a private “group” on the WhatsApp mobile app before such results were officially published. Following this leak, we received an order from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) on February 23, 2018, directing us to (i) strengthen our processes, systems and controls relating to information security to prevent future leaks, (ii) submit a report on (a) the systems and controls, how they have been strengthened, and at what regular intervals they are monitored, and (b) the details of persons who are responsible for monitoring such systems, and (iii) conduct an internal inquiry into the leakage of UPSI relating to our financial results and submit a report in relation thereto. In accordance with the SEBI order, we filed both reports with SEBI on May 30, 2018. Any additional action by SEBI in connection with its investigation and our respective reports may subject us to further scrutiny or enforcement actions and have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial position or results of operations. From time to time SEBI has asked for information on the above matter, which we have provided. On August 31, 2020, SEBI also passed an Adjudication Order against one of our customers in connection with the UPSI matter. Through a letter dated June 10, 2021, SEBI sought clarifications on the status of implementation of the recommendations provided by our legal counsels for strengthening our systems and controls. While we have responded to SEBI on June 23, 2021, confirming the status of implementation of the legal counsels’ suggestions, we believe that we have complied with the directions under SEBI’s letters dated February 23, 2018 and June 10, 2021 and we have not received further correspondence from SEBI in this regard, there can be no assurance that a failure of our internal control system may not occur in the future, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
In addition and as a result of any of the foregoing, we may come under additional regulatory scrutiny or be the target of enforcement actions, or suffer monetary losses or adverse reputation effects which, in each case, could be material, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.
Significant fraud, system failure or calamities would disrupt our revenue-generating activities in the short term and could harm our reputation and adversely impact our revenue-generating capabilities.
Our business is highly dependent on our ability to efficiently and reliably process a high volume of transactions across numerous locations and delivery channels. We place heavy reliance on our technology infrastructure for processing this data and therefore ensuring the security of this system, and its availability is of paramount importance. Our systemic and operational controls may not be adequate to prevent any adverse impact from frauds, errors, hacking and system failures. A significant system breakdown or system failure caused by intentional or unintentional acts would have an adverse impact on our revenue-generating activities and lead to financial loss. For example, over the past two years we have experienced outages in our internet banking, mobile banking and payment utilities. Our reputation could be adversely affected by fraud committed by employees, customers or outsiders, or by our perceived inability to properly manage fraud-related risks. Our inability or perceived inability to manage these risks could lead to enhanced regulatory oversight and scrutiny. Fraud or system failures by other Indian banking institutions (such as frauds uncovered in early 2018 at one of India’s public sector banks) could also adversely affect our reputation and revenue-generating activity by reflecting negatively on our industry more generally, and in certain circumstances we could be required to absorb losses arising from intentional or unintentional acts by third-party institutions. We have established a geographically remote disaster recovery site to support critical applications, and we believe that we would be able to restore data and resume processing in the event of a significant system breakdown or failure. However, it is possible the disaster recovery site may also fail or it may take considerable time to make the system fully operational and achieve complete business resumption using the alternate site. Therefore, in such a scenario where the primary site is also completely unavailable, there may be significant disruption to our operations, which would materially adversely affect our reputation and financial condition.
42

We may not successfully implement our sustainability strategies or satisfy our ESG commitments, or our performance may not meet investor or other stakeholder expectations or standards, which could adversely impact our reputation, access to capital, business and financial condition.
Modern customers are increasingly favoring companies that are committed to addressing the social and environmental challenges we face as a society, and we seek to ensure that customers are aware of our commitment to embedded ESG issues in our business strategy by developing products and services aligned with these new standards and goals. We believe that we have been at the forefront of the banking industry transformation in India, and, as a large financial services organization with a high industry profile, our practices and commitments are subject to scrutiny by all our stakeholders.
If we are not successful in implementing our ESG and other sustainability initiatives and commitments, or if we fail to satisfy investor or other stakeholder expectations or standards in the execution of our sustainability strategies, including as the result of
non-successful
investments in new technologies, changes in customer behavior and preferences with respect to sustainability, uncertainty about market signals with respect to sustainability matters including climate change and negative feedback on our sustainability strategies, our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects, access to capital and our reputation may be adversely affected.
We are subject to climate change-related risks, including the physical risks of severe weather and water scarcity, as well as the risks of transitioning to a low carbon economy, which could have a significant negative impact on our industry, business and results of operations.
We are subject to physical and transition risks relating to climate change, which have the potential to result in adverse financial and
non-financial
impacts for the Bank. Physical risks relating to climate change include extreme weather events (such as hurricanes, extreme rainfall, earthquakes and forest fires); periods of abnormal, severe or unseasonal weather conditions (such as increased average temperature); rising sea levels; alteration or loss of biodiversity or impacts to marine ecosystems affecting tourist destinations; reduced availability of water; and insect plagues. In addition, the transition to a low carbon economy may result in new or stricter legal regulations (including new carbon taxes or greenhouse gas restrictions or reporting requirements) and other related changes, including changes in customer behavior or preferences and changes in energy consumption practices or energy costs. Transition risks can impact the Bank’s operating costs as well as its credit portfolio, for example, in the event of regulatory or policy changes, or changing market practices, that shift demand among certain business sectors and result in loan defaults from certain industries like coal, thermal and infrastructure.
Negative publicity could damage our reputation and adversely impact our business and financial results.
Reputational risk, or the risk to our business, earnings and capital from negative publicity, is inherent in our business. The reputation of the financial services industry in general has been closely monitored as a result of the financial crisis and other matters affecting the financial services industry. Negative public opinion about the financial services industry generally or us specifically could adversely affect our ability to attract and retain customers, and may expose us to litigation and regulatory action. Negative publicity can result from our actual or alleged conduct in any number of activities, including lending practices, mortgage servicing and foreclosure practices, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions and related disclosure, sharing or inadequate protection of customer information, and actions taken by government regulators and community organizations in response to that conduct. For example, in the past, we have experienced outages in our internet banking, mobile banking and payment utilities, including an outage in our internet banking and payment system in November 2020 due to a power failure in the primary data center. See “
—A failure, inadequacy or security breach in our information technology and telecommunication systems may adversely affect our business, results of operation or financial condition
”.
Many of our branches have been recently added to our branch network and are not operating with the same efficiency as compared to the rest of our existing branches, which adversely affects our profitability.
As at March 31, 2017, we had 4,715 branches, and as at March 31, 2022, we had 6,342 branches, a significant increase in the number of branches. Some of the newly added branches are currently operating at a lower efficiency level as compared with our established branches. While we believe that the newly added branches will achieve the productivity benchmark set for our entire network over time, the success in achieving our benchmark level of efficiency and productivity will depend on various internal and external factors, some of which are not under our control. The
sub-optimal
performance of the newly added branches, if continued over an extended period of time, would have a material adverse effect on our profitability.
43

Deficiencies in accuracy and completeness of information about customers and counterparties may adversely impact us.
We rely on accuracy and completeness of information about customers and counterparties while carrying out transactions with them or on their behalf. We may also rely on representations as to the accuracy and completeness of such information. For example, we may rely on reports of independent auditors with respect to financial statements, and decide to extend credit based on the assumption that the customer’s audited financial statements conform to generally accepted accounting principles and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the customer. Our financial condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted by reliance on information that is inaccurate or materially misleading. This may affect the quality of information available to us about the credit history of our borrowers, especially individuals and small businesses. As a result, our ability to effectively manage our credit risk may be adversely affected.
We present our financial information differently in other markets or in certain reporting contexts.
In India, our equity shares are traded on the BSE Limited (the “BSE”) and National Stock Exchange of India Limited (the “NSE”). BSE and NSE rules, in connection with other applicable Indian laws, require us to report our financial results in India in Indian GAAP. Because of the difference in accounting principles and presentation, certain financial information available in our required filings in the United States may be presented differently than in the financial information we provide under Indian GAAP.
Additionally, we make available information on our website and in our presentations in order to provide investors a view of our business through metrics similar to what our management uses to measure our performance. Some of the information we make available from time to time may be in relation to our unconsolidated or consolidated results under Indian GAAP or under U.S. GAAP. Potential investors should read any notes or disclaimers to such financial information when evaluating our performance to confirm how the information is being presented, since the information that may have been prepared with a different presentation may not be directly comparable.
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs, in its press release dated January 18, 2016, had issued a roadmap for implementation of Indian Accounting Standards
(“IND-AS”)
converged with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”) with certain carve-outs for scheduled commercial banks, insurance companies and
non-banking
financial companies (the “Roadmap”). This Roadmap required such institutions to prepare
IND-AS-based
financial statements for the accounting periods commencing on or after April 1, 2018, and to prepare comparative financial information for accounting periods beginning April 1, 2017 and thereafter. The RBI, in its circular dated February 11, 2016, required all scheduled commercial banks to comply with
IND-AS
for financial statements for the same periods stated above. The RBI did not permit banks to adopt
IND-AS
earlier than the above timelines. The RBI circular also stated that the RBI will issue instructions, guidance and clarifications, as and when required, on the relevant aspects of the implementation of
IND-AS.
In April 2018, the RBI deferred the effective date for implementation of
IND-AS
by one year, by which point the necessary legislative amendments were expected to have been completed. The legislative amendments recommended by the RBI are under consideration by the Government of India. Accordingly, the RBI, in its circular dated March 22, 2019, deferred the implementation of
IND-AS
until further notice.
In conjunction with the implementation of
IND-AS
for our local Indian results, we may adopt IFRS for the purposes of our filings pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of, and our reports pursuant to
Rule13a-16
or
15d-16
under, the Exchange Act. Should we choose to do so, our first year of reporting in accordance with IFRS would be the same as the accounting period for
IND-AS,
which is dependent on instructions to be issued by the RBI for the implementation of
IND-AS.
For our first year of reporting in accordance with IFRS, we would be permitted to file two years, rather than three years, of statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows prepared in accordance with IFRS.
The new accounting standards are expected to change, among other things, our methodologies for estimating allowances for probable loan losses and classifying and valuing our investment portfolio, as well as our revenue recognition policy. It is possible that our financial condition, results of operations and changes in shareholders’ equity may appear materially different under
IND-AS
or IFRS than under Indian GAAP or U.S. GAAP, respectively. Further, during the transition to reporting under the new standards, we may encounter difficulties in the implementation of the new standards and development of our management information systems. Given the increased competition for the small number of IFRS-experienced accounting personnel in India, it may be difficult for us to employ the appropriate accounting personnel to assist us in preparing
IND-AS
or IFRS financial statements. Moreover, there is no significant body of established practice from which we may draw when forming judgments regarding the application of the new accounting standards. There can be no assurance that the Bank’s controls and procedures will be effective in these circumstances or that a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting will not occur. Further, failure to successfully adopt
IND-AS
or IFRS could adversely affect the Bank’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Statistical, industry and financial data obtained from industry publications and other third-party sources may be incomplete or unreliable.
We have not independently verified certain data obtained from industry publications and other third-party sources referred to in this document and therefore, while we believe them to be true, we cannot assure you that they are complete or reliable. Such data may also be produced on different bases from those used in the industry publications we have referenced. Therefore, discussions of matters relating to India, its economy and the industries in which we currently operate are subject to the caveat that the statistical and other data upon which such discussions are based may be incomplete or unreliable.
44

We may be unable to fully capture the expected value from acquisitions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We may from time to time undertake acquisitions as part of our growth strategy, which could subject us to a number of risks, such as: (i) the rationale and assumptions underlying the business plans supporting the valuation of a target business may prove inaccurate, in particular with respect to synergies and expected commercial demand; (ii) we may fail to successfully integrate any acquired business, including its technologies, products and personnel; (iii) we may fail to retain key employees, customers and suppliers of any acquired business; (iv) we may be required or wish to terminate
pre-existing
contractual relationships, which could prove costly and/or be executed at unfavorable terms and conditions; (v) we may fail to discover certain contingent or undisclosed liabilities in businesses that we acquire, or our due diligence to discover any such liabilities may be inadequate; and (vi) it may be necessary to obtain regulatory and other approvals in connection with certain acquisitions, and there can be no assurance that such approvals will be obtained, and even if granted, that there will be no burdensome conditions attached to such approvals, all of which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial conditions.
The Banking Regulation Act, 1949 gives powers to the RBI to undertake amalgamations of banking companies. In the past, the RBI has ordered mergers of riskier banks with banks that had larger balance sheets, primarily in the interest of the depositors. For example, the Government of India announced the amalgamation of 10 public sector banks into four larger banks in April 2020 as part of a consolidation measure to create fewer banks that would be individually larger in scale. More recently, Lakshmi Vilas Bank Ltd. was amalgamated with DBS Bank India Limited with effect from November 27, 2020. Any such direction by the RBI in relation to our Bank could have an adverse effect on our business or that of our subsidiaries.
Credit Risks
If the level of
non-performing
loans in our portfolio increases, we will be required to increase our provisions, which would negatively impact our income.
Our gross
non-performing
customer assets represented 1.32 percent of our gross customer assets as of March 31, 2022. Our management of credit risk involves having appropriate credit policies, underwriting standards, approval processes, loan portfolio monitoring, remedial management and the overall architecture for managing credit risk. In the case of our secured loan portfolio, the frequency of the valuation of collateral may vary based on the nature of the loan and the type of collateral. A decline in the value of collateral or an inappropriate collateral valuation increases the risk in the secured loan portfolio because of inadequate coverage of collateral. As of March 31, 2022, 68.4 percent of our loan book was partially or fully secured by collateral. Our risk mitigation and risk monitoring techniques may not be accurate or appropriately implemented, and we may not be able to anticipate future economic and financial events, leading to an increase in our
non-performing
loans. See Note 9 “
Loans
” in our consolidated financial statements. As a result of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the Government and the RBI implemented various regulatory measures, including those aimed at alleviating financial pressure on borrowers. These measures included a moratorium on debt repayments and temporary permission to classify certain distressed loans as “Standard” if the cause of the distress was related to the pandemic. See “—
The
COVID-19
pandemic may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
Provisions are created by a charge to expense and represent our estimate for loan losses and risks inherent in the credit portfolio. See “
Selected Statistical
Information—Non-performing
Loans
”. The determination of an appropriate level of loan losses and provisions required inherently involves a degree of subjectivity and requires that we make estimates of current credit risks and future trends, all of which may undergo material changes. Our provisions may not be adequate to cover any further increase in the amount of
non-performing
loans or any further deterioration in our
non-performing
loan portfolio. Further, as part of its supervision process, the RBI assesses our asset classification and provisioning requirements. In the event that additional provisioning is required by the RBI, our net income, balance sheet and capital adequacy could be affected, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, future financial performance, shareholders’ equity and the price of our equity shares. If we are not able to continue to reduce our existing
non-performing
loans, or if there is a significant increase in the amount of new loans classified as
non-performing
loans as a result of a change in the methodology of
non-performing
loans classification mandated by the RBI or otherwise, our asset quality may deteriorate, our provisioning for probable losses may increase and our business, future financial performance and the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs could be adversely affected. In addition, we are a relatively young bank operating in a growing economy, and we have not yet experienced a significant and prolonged downturn in the economy.
A number of factors outside of our control affect our ability to control and reduce
non-performing
loans. These factors include developments in the Indian economy, domestic or global turmoil, global competition, changes in interest rates and exchange rates and changes in regulations, including with respect to regulations requiring us to lend to certain sectors identified by the RBI or the Government of India and
COVID-19
related regulatory changes, including those on the classification of
non-performing
loans and repayment moratoriums. For example, recently, certain state governments have announced waivers of amounts due under agricultural loans provided by the banks. Demands for similar waivers have been raised by farmers in other states as well. Also, in the past, the central and state governments have waived farm loans from time to time to provide some respite to the debt-ridden agricultural sector. It is unclear when the governments will compensate the banks for the waivers so announced. Further, such frequent farm waivers may create expectations of future waivers among the farmers and lead to a delay in or cessation of loan repayments, which may lead to a rise in our
non-performing
loans. These factors, coupled with other factors such as volatility in commodity markets, declining business and consumer confidence and decreases in business and consumer spending, could impact the operations of our customers and in turn impact their ability to fulfill their obligations under the loans granted to them by us. In addition, the expansion of our business may cause our
non-performing
loans to increase and the overall quality of our loan portfolio to deteriorate. If our
non-performing
loans further increase, we will be required to increase our provisions, which would result in our net income being less than it otherwise would have been and would adversely affect our financial condition.
45

We have high concentrations of exposures to certain customers and sectors, and if any of these exposures were to become
non-performing,
the quality of our portfolio could be adversely affected and our ability to meet capital requirements could be jeopardized.
As of March 31, 2022, our largest single customer exposure, based on the higher of the outstanding balances of, or limit on, funded and
non-funded
exposures, calculated based on our Indian GAAP financial statements, was Rs. 266.2 billion, representing 10.4 percent of our capital funds which comprised Tier I and Tier II capital. Similarly our 10 largest customer exposures totaled Rs. 1,725.1 billion, representing 67.5 percent of our capital funds. None of our 10 largest customer exposures was classified as
non-performing
as of March 31, 2022. However, if any of our 10 largest customer exposures were to become
non-performing,
our net income would decline and, due to the magnitude of the exposures, our ability to meet capital requirements could be jeopardized. See “
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
” for a detailed discussion on customer exposures. The RBI has released guidelines on the LEF, which are revised from time to time. The guidelines govern exposure of banks to a single counterparty and a group of connected counterparties. Under this framework, the sum of all the exposure values of a bank to a single counterparty must not be higher than 20 percent of the bank’s available eligible capital base at all times, and the sum of all the exposure values of a bank to a group of connected counterparties (as defined in the guidelines) must not be higher than 25 percent of the bank’s available eligible capital base at all times. The eligible capital base for this purpose is the effective amount of Tier I capital fulfilling the criteria mentioned in the Basel III guidelines issued by RBI as per the last audited balance sheet. As of March 31, 2022, there were no exposures which exceeded the ceiling permitted under the LEF guidelines.
As a result of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI in its circular dated May 23, 2020, increased the permitted exposure of a bank to a group of connected counterparties from 25 percent to 30 percent of the eligible capital base of a bank. The increased limit applied until June 30, 2021. See also “
—The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
The RBI in its circular from February 2021 exempted from the framework lending by foreign sovereigns or their central banks that are subject to a 0.0 percent risk weight under the Basel III guidelines, and where such lending is denominated in the domestic currency of that sovereign and met out of resources of the same currency. Further, through its circular issued in March 2021, the RBI determined that
non-centrally
cleared derivatives exposures will continue to be outside the purview of exposure limits until September 30, 2021. For further details on the LEF, see “
Supervision and Regulation—Large Exposure Framework
”.
In April 2022, the RBI issued the master circular on prudential norms on income recognition, asset classification and provisioning pertaining to advances, which consolidates the guidelines for resolution of stressed assets. In 2019, the RBI has replaced the framework for the resolution of stressed assets (including the framework for revitalizing distressed assets, joint lenders forum mechanism, strategic debt restructuring and the scheme of sustainable structuring of stressed assets). As per the existing guidelines, the lenders must recognize developing stress in loan accounts, immediately on default. Lenders must put in place policies approved by their board of directors for the resolution of stressed assets, including the timelines for such resolution, and they are expected to initiate implementation of the resolution plan even before default occurs. If a default occurs, however, lenders have a review period of 30 days within which their resolution strategy is to be decided. The RBI guidelines provide the timelines within which the banks are required to implement the resolution plan, depending on the aggregate exposure of the borrower to the lender. For large accounts with the aggregate exposure of the lenders being Rs. 20.0 billion or more, the RBI has specified that the resolution plan must be implemented within 180 days from the end of the review period. If there is a delayed implementation of the resolution plan, lenders are required to make an additional provision of 20 percent of the total amount outstanding, in addition to the provisions already held and provisions required to be made as per asset classification status of the borrower’s account, subject to a total provisioning of 100 percent of the total amount outstanding. Lenders are required to make appropriate disclosures of resolution plans implemented in their financial statements under “Notes on Accounts”.
As a result of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI in its circulars dated April 17, 2020 and May 23, 2020, temporarily relaxed the review period, as well as the timeline for the resolution of distressed assets for lenders. With respect to accounts which fell within the review period as of March 1, 2020, the period from March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020 will be excluded from the calculation of the
30-day
review period. With respect to all such accounts, the residual review period will resume from September 1, 2020, upon expiry of which the lenders will have the usual 180 days for resolution. Further, with respect to the accounts where the review period was complete, but the
180-day
resolution period had not expired by March 1, 2020, the timeline for resolution was
to be extended by 180 days from the date on which the
180-day
period was originally set to expire. Consequently, the requirement to make an additional provision of 20 percent for delays in implementing the resolution plan would only be triggered once the extended resolution period expires.
46

As a result of the impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI through its circulars dated August 2020, September 2020 and August 2021, issued certain guidelines in relation to the resolution of distressed assets, with the intent to facilitate the revival of real sector activities and mitigate the impact on the ultimate borrowers. The RBI provided a window under the prudential framework described above to enable lenders to implement a resolution plan in respect of (i) eligible corporate exposures without a change in ownership and (ii) personal loans, while classifying such exposures as “Standard”, subject to specified conditions. The lending institutions are permitted to provide resolution under such a facility only to borrowers who are experiencing financial distress as a result of
COVID-19.
The RBI also provided specific thresholds (ceilings or floors, as the case may be) for certain key ratios that should be considered by the lending institutions in the resolution assumptions with respect to an eligible borrower. In May 2021 and June 2021, on account of the resurgence of the
COVID-19
pandemic in India, the RBI issued an additional set of measures broadly in line with the circulars referred to above. The RBI permitted lending institutions to offer a limited window to individual borrowers and small businesses to implement resolution plans in respect of their credit exposures while classifying the same as ‘Standard’ upon implementation of the resolution plan, subject to certain specified conditions. In respect of individuals who have availed themselves of business loans and small businesses where resolution plans had been implemented under the guidelines set out in the circular from August 2020 described above, lending institutions are permitted until September 30, 2021, as a
one-time
measure, to review the working capital sanctioned limits and/or drawing power based on a number of factors, including a reassessment of the borrower’s working capital cycle and a reduction in the borrower’s margins, without such review being treated as restructuring. By March 31, 2022, the margins and working capital limits were restored to the levels set by the resolution plan implemented under the circular from August 2020. The circular also lists the disclosure requirements for the lending institutions with respect to the resolution plans implemented. In August 2020, May 2021 and June 2021, the RBI also issued guidelines for the restructuring of existing loans to micro, small and medium enterprises classified as “Standard”, without a downgrade in the asset classification, subject to certain conditions. See also “
—The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
As of March 31, 2022, our largest industry concentrations, based on RBI guidelines, were as follows: financial institutions (6.5 percent), power (4.6 percent), NBFC (3.6 percent) and retail trade (3.6 percent). In addition, as of March 31, 2022, 22.4 percent of our exposures were consumer loans. Industry-specific difficulties in these or other sectors may increase our level of
non-performing
customer assets. If we experience a downturn in an industry in which we have concentrated exposure, our net income will likely decline significantly and our financial condition may be materially adversely affected. As of March 31, 2022, our
non-performing
loans and credit substitutes as a percentage of total
non-performing
customer assets in accordance with U.S. GAAP were concentrated in the following industries: agriculture production-food (11.9 percent), retail trade (7.7 percent), agriculture-allied (6.7 percent) and road transportation (6.6 percent). In addition, 18.0 percent of our
non-performing
customer assets were consumer loans.
We are required to undertake directed lending under RBI guidelines. Consequently, we may experience a higher level of
non-performing
loans in our directed lending portfolio, which could adversely impact the quality of our loan portfolio, our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs. Further, in the case of any shortfall in complying with these requirements, we may be required to invest in deposits of Indian development banks as directed by the RBI. These deposits yield low returns, thereby impacting our profitability.
The RBI prescribes guidelines on PSL in India. Under these guidelines, banks in India are required to lend 40.0 percent of their adjusted net bank credit (“ANBC”) or the credit equivalent amount of
off-balance
sheet exposures (“CEOBE”), whichever is higher, as defined by the RBI and computed in accordance with Indian GAAP figures, to certain eligible sectors categorized as priority sectors. The priority sector requirements must be met with reference to the higher of the ANBC and the CEOBE as of the corresponding date of the preceding year. PSL achievement is to be evaluated at the end of the fiscal year based on the average of priority sector
target/sub-target
achievement as at the end of each quarter of that fiscal year. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Directed Lending
”. Under the guidelines, scheduled commercial banks having any shortfall in lending to the priority sector shall be allocated amounts for contribution to the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (“RIDF”) established with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (“NABARD”) and other Funds with NABARD, National Housing Bank (“NHB”), Small Industries Development Bank of India (“SIDBI”) or Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Limited (“MUDRA”), as decided by the RBI from time to time. The interest rates on such deposits may be lower than the interest rates which the Bank would have obtained by investing these funds at its discretion.
Further, the RBI has directed banks to maintain direct lending to
non-corporate
farmers at the banking system’s average level for the last three years, which would be notified by the RBI at the beginning of each year. The target for fiscal year 2022 was 12.73 percent. The RBI has also directed banks to continue to pursue the target of 13.5 percent of ANBC towards lending to borrowers who constituted the direct agriculture lending category under the earlier guidelines. If we fail to adhere to the RBI’s policies and directions, we may be subject to penalties, which may adversely affect our results of operations. Furthermore, the RBI can make changes to the types of loans that qualify under the PSL scheme. Changes that reduce the types of loans that can qualify toward meeting our PSL targets could increase shortfalls under the overall target or under certain
sub-targets.
In August 2020, the RBI issued new guidelines requiring all MSMEs to register on the Government’s “Udyam” portal by March 2021. The Udyam Registration Certificates (“URCs”) were made mandatory to classify lending to MSMEs as PSL. Subsequently, until March 2022 the RBI granted a relaxation in URC requirements to enterprises for which the erstwhile eligible documentation had been obtained up to June 30, 2020. This relaxation has been extended up to June 30, 2022. As of the date of this annual report, registration count published on Udyam suggests that the majority of enterprises are yet to register. Going forward, this low registration count could adversely impact our PSL achievement. In September 2020, the RBI issued new guidelines through which it increased the target for lending to small and marginal farmers and economically weaker sections in a phased manner through fiscal year 2024 to 10.0 percent and 12.0 percent, respectively.
47

Our total PSL achievement for fiscal year 2022 stood at 40.63 percent as against a requirement of 40 percent, and our achievement of direct lending to
non-corporate
farmers stood at 7.58 percent for fiscal year 2022 as against a requirement of 12.73 percent. Our achievement of lending to micro enterprises stood at 6.54 percent as against a target of 7.5 percent. Lending to the total agricultural sector stood at 10.80 percent as against a requirement of 18 percent, and lending to small and marginal farmers stood at 2.35 percent, against the requirement of 9.0 percent. Advances to sections termed “weaker” by the RBI were 4.17 percent against the requirement of 11.0 percent. Beginning in fiscal year 2022, the RBI assigns weightages to incremental priority sector credit in identified districts. A higher weight (125 percent) will be assigned in the identified districts where the credit flow is comparatively lower, and a lower weight (90 percent) will be assigned in districts where the credit flow is comparatively higher. This will be valid for up to fiscal year 2024 and will be reviewed thereafter. The districts not further specified will continue to have an existing weightage of 100 percent. Adjustments for weights to incremental PSL credit by the RBI are pending.
In fiscal year 2021, the Government excluded retail and wholesale traders from the MSME definition, which adversely impacted the Bank’s PSL achievement. Following representations made by various industry bodies, the Government reinstated retail and wholesale traders as MSME for priority sector lending in July 2021. Thereafter, the RBI accepted our revised filing of PSL achievement for fiscal year 2021, including the lending to retail and wholesale trader segments. Following the revision, total PSL achievement stood at 39.88 percent, lending to micro enterprises stood at 7.50 percent and advances to sections termed “weaker” by the RBI were 4.26 percent. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Directed Lending
”.
We may experience a higher level of
non-performing
assets in our directed lending portfolio, particularly in loans to the agricultural sector, small enterprises and weaker sections, where we are less able to control the portfolio quality and where economic difficulties are likely to affect our borrowers more severely. Our gross
non-performing
assets in the directed lending sector as a percentage to gross loans were 0.56 percent as of March 31, 2022 (0.43 percent as of March 31, 2021). Further increases in the above-mentioned targets of the specified PSL categories could result in an increase in
non-performing
assets due to our limited ability to control the portfolio quality under the directed lending requirements.
In addition to the PSL requirements, the RBI has encouraged banks in India to develop a financial inclusion plan for expanding banking services to rural and unbanked centers and to customers who currently do not have access to banking services. The expansion into these markets involves significant investments and recurring costs. The profitability of these operations depends on our ability to generate business volumes in these centers and from these customers. As described above, recent changes by the RBI in the directed lending norms may result in our inability to meet the PSL requirements as well as require us to increase our lending to relatively more risky segments, and may result in an increase in
non-performing
loans. In addition to the PSL requirements, the RBI has encouraged banks in India to have a financial inclusion plan for expanding banking services to rural and unbanked centers and to customers who currently do not have access to banking services. The expansion into these markets involves significant investments and recurring costs. The profitability of these operations depends on our ability to generate business volumes in these centers and from these customers. Future changes by the RBI in the directed lending norms may result in our inability to meet the PSL requirements as well as require us to increase our lending to relatively more risky segments, and may result in an increase in
non-performing
loans.
We may be unable to foreclose on collateral in a timely fashion or at all when borrowers default on their obligations to us, or the value of collateral may decrease, any of which may result in failure to recover the expected value of collateral security, increased losses and a decline in net income.
Although we typically lend on a cash flow basis, many of our loans are secured by collateral, which consists of liens on inventory, receivables and other current assets, and in some cases, charges on fixed assets, such as property, movable assets (such as vehicles) and financial assets (such as marketable securities). As of March 31, 2022, 68.4 percent of our loans were partially or fully secured by collateral. We may not be able to realize the full value of the collateral, due to, among other things, stock market volatility, changes in economic policies of the Indian government, obstacles and delays in legal proceedings, borrowers and guarantors not being traceable, our records of borrowers’ and guarantors’ addresses being ambiguous or outdated and defects in the perfection of collateral and fraudulent transfers by borrowers. In the event that a specialized regulatory agency gains jurisdiction over the borrower, creditor actions can be further delayed. In addition, the value of collateral may be less than we expect or may decline. For example, the global economic slowdown and other domestic factors had led to a downturn in real estate prices in India, which negatively impacted the value of our collateral.
The RBI has introduced various mechanisms, from time to time, to enable the lenders to timely resolve and initiate recovery with regards to stressed assets. In April 2022, the RBI issued the master circular on prudential norms on income recognition, asset classification and provisioning pertaining to advances, which consolidated the RBI’s (Prudential Framework for Resolution of Stressed Assets) Directions 2019. In 2019, the RBI had replaced the erstwhile framework for the resolution of stressed assets (including the framework for revitalizing distressed assets, joint lenders forum mechanism, strategic debt restructuring and the scheme of sustainable structuring of stressed assets). See “
Supervision and Regulations—Resolution of Stressed Assets
”.
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The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code was introduced in 2016, with the aim to provide for the efficient and timely resolution of insolvency of all persons, including companies, partnership firms, limited liability partnerships and individuals. For further details, see “
Supervision and Regulation—The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016
”. However, given the limited experience of this framework, there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully implement the above-mentioned mechanisms and recover the amounts due to us in full. Furthermore, in order to provide relief to corporate entities, which may be facing financial distress as a result of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code was amended with effect from June 5, 2020. Pursuant to the amendment, no application for the initiation of a corporate insolvency resolution process of a corporate debtor can be filed under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, in relation to a default arising on or after March 25, 2020, for a period of six months or such further period, not exceeding one year from such date, as may be notified. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Act 2021 provides among others things, for a
pre-packaged
insolvency resolution process for corporate debtors which are classified as micro, small or medium enterprises. The objective of this amendment is to provide an efficient alternative insolvency resolution process for micro, small and medium enterprises which is efficient and cost effective. The inability to foreclose on such loans due or otherwise liquidate our collateral may result in failure to recover the expected value of such collateral security, which may, in turn, give rise to increased losses and a decline in net income. See also “
—The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
Our unsecured loan portfolio is not supported by any collateral that could help ensure repayment of the loan, and in the event of
non-payment
by a borrower of one of these loans, we may be unable to collect the unpaid balance.
We offer unsecured personal loans and credit cards to the retail customer segment, including salaried individuals and self-employed professionals. In addition, we offer unsecured loans to small businesses and individual businessmen. Unsecured loans are a greater credit risk for us than our secured loan portfolio because they may not be supported by realizable collateral that could help ensure an adequate source of repayment for the loan. Although we normally obtain direct debit instructions or postdated cheques from our customers for our unsecured loan products, we may be unable to collect in part or at all in the event of
non-payment
by a borrower. Further, any expansion in our unsecured loan portfolio could require us to increase our provision for credit losses, which would decrease our earnings. Also see “
Business—Retail Banking—Retail Loans and Other Asset Products
”.
Risks Relating to Our Industry
RBI guidelines relating to ownership in private banks could discourage or prevent a change of control or other business combination involving us, such as with HDFC Limited, which could restrict the growth of our business and operations.
RBI guidelines prescribe a policy framework for the ownership and governance of private sector banks. Under Section 12 of the Banking Regulation Act 1949, as amended, no person holding shares in a financial institution shall, in respect of any shares held by such person, exercise voting rights in excess of 10 percent of the total voting rights of all the shareholders of such financial institution; provided that the RBI may increase, in a phased manner, such ceiling on voting rights from 10 to 26 percent. The notification dated July 21, 2016 issued by RBI and published in the Gazette of India dated September 17, 2016 states that the current ceiling voting rights is at 26 percent. In May 2016, RBI issued the RBI (Ownership in Private Sector Banks) Directions 2016. These guidelines prescribe requirements regarding shareholding and voting rights in relation to all private sector banks licensed by the RBI to operate in India. The guidelines specify the following ownership limits for shareholders based on their categorization:
(i)
In the case of individuals and
non-financial
entities (other than promoters/a promoter group), 10 percent of the
paid-up
capital. However, in the case of promoters being individuals and
non-financial
entities in existing banks, the permitted promoter/promoter group shareholding shall be as prescribed under the February 2013 guidelines,
i.e.
, 15 percent.
(ii)
In the case of entities from the financial sector, other than regulated or diversified or listed, 15 percent of the
paid-up
capital.
(iii)
In the case of “regulated, well diversified, listed entities from the financial sector” shareholding by supranational institutions, public sector undertaking or governments, up to 40 percent of the
paid-up
capital is permitted for both promoters/a promoter group and
non-promoters.
49

In June 2020, the RBI set up an internal working group to examine and review the extant licensing and regulatory guidelines relating to ownership and control, corporate structure of private sector banks and other related issues. The group submitted its report in October 2020, and some of the key recommendations are as follows: (i) the cap on promoters’ stakes over the course of 15 years may be raised from the current level of 15.0 percent to 26.0 percent of the
paid-up
voting equity share capital of the bank; (ii) the RBI may introduce regulations in relation to the issuance of ADRs and GDRs by banks, which ensure that such issuances are not used by dominant shareholders to indirectly enhance their voting power, including mandating prior approval by the RBI before entering into agreements with depositories, requiring a provision in the depository agreement assigning no voting rights to depositories and a mechanism for disclosure of the details of the ultimate depository receipt holders so that indirect holdings can be disclosed along with direct holdings; (iii) large corporate/industrial houses may be allowed as promoters of banks only after necessary amendments to the Banking Regulations Act 1949;
(iv) non-operative
financial holding companies (“NOFHCs”) should continue to be the preferred structure for all new licenses to be issued for Universal Banks. However, NOFHC structures should be mandatory only in cases where the individual promoters, promoting entities and converting entities have other group entities; and (v) listing requirements for small finance banks, payments banks and universal banks. For further details, see “
Supervision and Regulation—Entry of New Banks in Private Sector
”. If some, or all, of the recommendations in this report are implemented, a change of control or business combination of the Bank may be discouraged or prevented, which could restrict the growth of our business and operations.
The RBI may permit an increase of its stake beyond the limits mentioned above on a
case-to-case
basis under circumstances such as relinquishment by existing promoters, rehabilitation, restructuring of problems, weak banks, entrenchment of existing promoters or in the interest of the bank or in the interest of consolidation in the banking sector.
Such restrictions could discourage or prevent a change in control, merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination involving us, which might be beneficial to our shareholders. The RBI’s approval is required for the acquisition or transfer of a bank’s shares, which will increase the aggregate holding (direct and indirect, beneficial or otherwise) of an individual or a group to the equivalent of 5 percent or more of its total
paid-up
capital under the Master Directions on “Prior approval for acquisition of shares or voting rights in private sector banks” issued by the RBI in November 2015. Under the directions, every person who intends to make an acquisition, or to make an agreement for an acquisition, which will, or is likely to, take the aggregate holding of such person together with shares, voting rights, compulsorily convertible debentures, bonds held by him, his relatives, associate enterprises and persons acting in concert with him, to 5 percent or more of the
paid-up
share capital of the relevant bank or entitles him to exercise 5 percent or more of the total voting rights of the relevant bank, shall seek prior approval of RBI. Existing major shareholders who have already obtained prior approval of the RBI for being a major shareholding in a bank prior to making a new acquisition are exempt, subject to certain conditions.
The RBI, when considering whether to grant an approval, may take into account all matters that it considers relevant to the application, including ensuring that shareholders whose aggregate holdings are above specified thresholds meet fitness and propriety tests, as prescribed by the RBI. The RBI has accorded its approval for HDFC Limited to hold more than 10 percent of our stock. HDFC Limited’s substantial stake in us could discourage or prevent another entity from exploring the possibility of a combination with us. These obstacles to potentially synergistic business combinations could negatively impact our share price and have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete effectively with other large banks and consequently our ability to maintain and improve our financial condition.
Additionally, under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (the “SEBI Listing Regulations”), all related party transactions, including any subsequent material modification, will require approval from the audit committee of the listed entity subject to the conditions mentioned in the SEBI Listing Regulations. Further, all material related party transactions (based on the threshold provided under the SEBI Listing Regulations), including any subsequent material modification, will require prior shareholders’ approval. Further, pursuant to the SEBI Listing Regulations, no related party shall vote to approve such resolutions regardless of being a related party to the particular transaction or not. For transactions with HDFC Limited, shareholder approvals have been obtained for fiscal year 2021. However, if we are unable to obtain the necessary shareholder approvals for transactions with HDFC Limited in the future, we would be required to forego certain opportunities, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance.
Reforms to and replacement of IBORs and certain other rates or indices may adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations.
There continues to be a major transition in progress in the global financial markets with respect to the replacement of IBORs, including the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), and certain other rates or indices that serve as “benchmarks”. Such benchmarks have been used extensively across the global financial markets and in our business. However, there continue to be risks and challenges associated with the transition from IBORs that may result in consequences that cannot be fully anticipated, which expose us to various financial, operational, supervisory, conduct and legal risks, which we continue to monitor closely.
50

On July 27, 2017, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority announced that it will no longer compel or persuade banks to contribute to the LIBOR rate setting after 2021. As at the end of December 2021, the publication of most LIBOR settings has ceased and the global financial markets generally transitioned away from the use of all LIBOR settings, except for the publication until June 30, 2023 of certain U.S. dollar LIBOR settings. While alternate reference rates for the different currencies have been identified, there is still a lack of clarity or consensus about the use of these rates for all types of instruments that have referenced LIBOR. The impact of the transition to alternative reference rates is therefore uncertain and could adversely affect loans, securities and other instruments that reference, or are indirectly affected by LIBOR. In India, the Mumbai Inter-bank Forward Outright Rate (“MIFOR”) is calculated using rolling forward premia in percentage terms along with the US$ LIBOR for the respective tenures up to 12 months. The Financial Benchmark India Private Limited has commenced publishing an Adjusted MIFOR from June 15, 2021, which is used for legacy contracts, and has modified the MIFOR from June 30, 2021, which is used for new contracts. On July 8, 2021, the RBI issued a roadmap for LIBOR transition advising banks to use these alternate rates instead of MIFOR from December 31, 2021 except for managing risks pertaining to
pre-existing
MIFOR exposures.
The LIBOR transition project is being successfully implemented within the Bank. We have adhered to the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) protocol for derivative contracts and are in discussion with counterparties which have outstanding legacy derivative trades, referencing LIBOR, which are to be discontinued post June 30, 2023 for early adherence to the protocol/amended fallback agreement. The inclusion of fallback clauses in the existing loan contracts that are linked to LIBOR currencies other than US$ is complete. While fallback language for US$ LIBOR-linked loans is expected to be implemented before June 2023, there continue to be risks and challenges associated with the transition from IBORs that cannot be fully anticipated at present. This exposes us to various financial, operational, supervisory, conduct and legal risks, which we continue to monitor closely.
Foreign investment in our shares may be restricted due to regulations governing aggregate foreign investment in the Bank’s
paid-up
equity share capital.
Aggregate foreign investment from all sources in a private sector bank is permitted up to 49 percent of the
paid-up
capital under the automatic route. This limit can be increased to 74 percent of the
paid-up
capital with prior approval from the Government of India. Pursuant to a letter dated February 4, 2015, the Foreign Investment Promotion Board has approved foreign investment in the Bank up to 74 percent of its
paid-up
capital. The approval is subject to examination by the RBI for compounding on the change of foreign shareholding since April 2010. If the Bank is subject to any penalties or an unfavorable ruling by the RBI, this could have an adverse effect on the Bank’s results of operation and financial condition. The RBI had previously imposed a restriction on the purchase of equity shares of the Bank by foreign investors, under its circular dated March 19, 2012. On February 16, 2017, the RBI lifted such restriction since the foreign shareholding in the Bank was below the maximum prescribed percentage of 74 percent. Thereafter, the RBI notified by press release on February 17, 2017, and by separate letter to us dated February 28, 2017, that the foreign shareholding in all forms in the Bank crossed the said limit of 74 percent again. This was due to secondary market purchases of the Bank’s equity shares during this period. Consequently, the RBI
re-imposed
the restrictions on the purchase of the Bank’s equity shares by foreign investors. Further, SEBI also enquired regarding the measures that the Bank has taken and will take in respect of breaches of the maximum prescribed percentage of foreign shareholding in the Bank, by its letter dated March 9, 2018. As of March 31, 2022, foreign investment in the Bank, including the shareholdings of HDFC Limited and its subsidiaries, constituted 68.69 percent, respectively, of the
paid-up
capital of the Bank. The restrictions on the purchases of the Bank’s equity shares could negatively, affect the price of the Bank’s shares and could limit the ability of investors to trade the Bank’s shares in the market. These limitations and any consequent regulatory actions may also negatively affect the Bank’s ability to raise additional capital to meet its capital adequacy requirements or to fund future growth through future issuances of additional equity shares, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Foreign Ownership Restriction
”.
Further competition and the development of advanced payment systems by our competitors would adversely impact our cash float and decrease fees we receive in connection with cash management services.
The Indian market for CMS is marked by some distinctive characteristics and challenges such as a vast geography, a large number of small business-intensive towns, a large unorganized sector in various business supply chains and infrastructural limitations for accessibility to many parts of the country. Over the years, such challenges have made it a daunting task for CMS providers in the country to uncover the business potential and extend suitable services and product solutions to the business community.
51

We have been able to retain and increase our share of business in cash management services through traditional product offerings as well as by offering new age electronic banking services. However, with new entrants in the payment space such as new payment banks now being granted licenses to conduct business and certain financial technology companies, the competition in the payments landscape is likely to increase. Technological advances and the growth of
e-commerce
have made it possible for nonbanks to offer products and services that traditionally were banking products such as electronic securities trading, payments processing and online automated algorithmic-based investment advice. The introduction of Central Bank Digital Currencies could potentially have significant impacts on the banking system and the role of commercial banks within it by disrupting the current provision of banking products and services. It could allow new competitors, some previously hindered by banking regulation (such as FinTechs), to provide customers with access to banking facilities and increase disintermediation of banking services. New technologies have required and could require us to spend more to modify or adapt its products or make additional capital investments to attract and retain clients and customers or to match products and services offered by its competitors, including technology companies. Any increased competition within the payment space, any introduction of a more advanced payment system in India or an inability for us to sustain our technology investments, may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
Our business is highly competitive, which makes it challenging for us to offer competitive prices to retain existing customers and solicit new business, and our strategy depends on our ability to compete effectively.
We face strong competition in all areas of our business, and some of our competitors are larger than we are. We compete directly with large public and private sector banks, some of which are larger than we are based on certain metrics such as customer assets and deposits, branch network and capital. These banks are becoming more competitive as they improve their customer services and technology. In addition, we compete directly with foreign banks, which include some of the largest multinational financial companies in the world. See “
—We may face increased competition as a result of revised guidelines that relax restrictions on foreign ownership and participation in the Indian banking industry, and the entry of new banks in the private sector which could cause us to lose existing business or be unable to compete effectively for new business
”. In addition, new entrants into the financial services industry, including companies in the financial technology sector, may further intensify competition in the business environments, especially in the digital business environment, in which we operate, and as a result, we may be forced to adapt our business to compete more effectively. There can be no assurance that we will be able to respond effectively to current or future competition or that the technological investments we make in response to such competition will be successful. Due to competitive pressures, we may be unable to successfully execute our growth strategy and offer products and services (whether current or new offerings) at reasonable returns and this may adversely impact our business. If we are unable to retain and attract new customers, our revenue and net income will decline, which could materially adversely affect our financial condition. See “
 Business—Competition
”.
We may face increased competition as a result of revised guidelines that relax restrictions on foreign ownership and participation in the Indian banking industry, and the entry of new banks in the private sector which could cause us to lose existing business or be unable to compete effectively for new business.
The Government of India regulates foreign ownership in private sector banks. Foreign ownership up to 49 percent of the
paid-up
capital is permitted in Indian private sector banks under the automatic route and this limit can be increased up to 74 percent with prior approval of the Government of India. However, under the Banking Regulation Act, read together with the Reserve Bank of India (Ownership in Private Sector Banks) Directions 2016, a shareholder cannot exercise voting rights in excess of 10 percent of the total voting rights of all the shareholders of a financial institution. The RBI may increase the ceiling on voting rights in a phased manner up to 26 percent. The notification dated July 21, 2016 issued by RBI and published in the Gazette of India on September 17, 2016 states that the current ceiling on voting rights is at 26 percent. The RBI has also from time to time issued various circulars and regulations regarding ownership of private banks and licensing of new private sector banks in India. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Entry of new banks in the private sector
”. Reduced restrictions on foreign ownership of Indian banks could lead to a higher presence of foreign banks in India and thus increase competition in the industry in which we operate.
In February 2013, the RBI released guidelines for the licensing of new banks in the private sector. The RBI permitted private sector entities owned and controlled by Indian residents and entities in the public sector in India to apply to the RBI for a license to operate a bank through a wholly owned NOFHC route, subject to compliance with certain specified criteria. Such a NOFHC was permitted to be the holding company of a bank as well as any other financial services entity, with the objective that the holding company ring-fences the regulated financial services entities in the group, including the bank, from other activities of the group. Pursuant to these guidelines, in fiscal year 2016 IDFC Bank and Bandhan Bank commenced banking operations.
In November 2014, the RBI released guidelines for the licensing of payments banks (“Payments Banks Guidelines”) and small finance banks (“Small Finance Banks Guidelines”) in the private sector. This has led to the establishment of new payments banks and small finance banks, which have increased competition in the markets in which we operate. In December 2019, the RBI released guidelines for continuous licensing of small finance banks (the “December 2019 Guidelines”), lowering regulatory burdens for new market entrants, which may further increase competition in this segment of the market. The December 2019 Guidelines stated that a Standing External Advisory Committee (“SEAC”) comprising eminent persons with experience in banking, the financial sector and other relevant areas, will evaluate the applications and that the constituent members of the SEAC will be announced by the RBI. In March 2021, the RBI announced the constituent members of the SEAC, which will have a tenure of three years. The RBI in its circular dated March 28, 2020 issued modifications to Payments Bank Guidelines and the Small Finance Banks Guidelines to harmonize them with the December 2019 Guidelines.
52

In May 2016, the RBI issued the Reserve Bank of India (Ownership in Private Sector Banks) Directions 2016. These guidelines prescribe requirements regarding shareholding and voting rights in relation to all private sector banks licensed by the RBI to operate in India. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Entry of new banks in the private sector
”.
In August 2016, the RBI released final guidelines for
“on-tap”
Licensing of Universal Banks in the Private Sector. The guidelines aim at moving from the current “stop and go” licensing approach (wherein the RBI notifies the licensing window during which a private entity may apply for a banking license) to a continuous or
“on-tap”
licensing regime. Among other things, the new guidelines specify conditions for the eligibility of promoters, corporate structure and foreign shareholdings. One of the key features of the new guidelines is that, unlike the February 2013 guidelines (mentioned above), the new guidelines make the NOFHC structure
non-mandatory
in the case of promoters being individuals or standalone promoting/converting entities which do not have other group entities. In 2021, a few entities had applied for “on tap” licenses pursuant to the above mentioned guidelines. The RBI has assessed the applications and, in May 2022, released the names of the applicants which were found not suitable for being granted
in-principle
approval.
If the goodwill recorded in connection with our acquisitions becomes impaired, we may be required to record impairment charges, which would decrease our net income and total assets.
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, we have accounted for our acquisitions of business using the acquisition method of accounting. We recorded the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the assets and liabilities of the acquired companies as goodwill. U.S. GAAP requires us to test goodwill for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill may be impaired. Goodwill is tested by initially estimating fair value of the reporting unit and then comparing it against the carrying amount including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, we are required to record an impairment loss. The amount of impairment and the remaining amount of goodwill, if any, is determined by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit as of the test date against the carrying value of the assets and liabilities of that reporting unit as of the same date. See Note 2v “
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Business combination
” and Note 2w “
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Goodwill
” in our consolidated financial statements.
Risks Relating to Our Ownership Structure and the Proposed Transaction
The Scheme with HDFC Limited is subject to a number of conditions, some of which are outside of the parties’ control, and, if these conditions are not satisfied, the Scheme may be terminated and the Proposed Transaction may not be completed.
On April 4, 2022, the Bank’s Board of Directors approved a composite scheme of amalgamation (the “Scheme”) for the amalgamation of: (i) HDFC Investments Limited and HDFC Holdings Limited, each a subsidiary of HDFC Limited, with and into HDFC Limited, and (ii) HDFC Limited with and into HDFC Bank, under Sections 230 to 232 of the Companies Act and other applicable laws including the rules and regulations (the “Proposed Transaction”). The Proposed Transaction is subject to the disclosure requirements, rules and practices applicable in India, which differ from those of the United States, in particular from the requirements of the U.S. proxy solicitation and tender offer rules of the Exchange Act.
The Scheme and completion of the Proposed Transaction are subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of requisite approvals from the RBI, the Competition Commission of India, the National Housing Bank, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority, the National Company Law Tribunal (the “Tribunal”), Securities Exchange Board of India, BSE Limited, the National Stock Exchange of India Limited and other applicable statutory and regulatory authorities, and the respective shareholders and creditors, under applicable law, and such other conditions as may be mutually agreed between HDFC Limited and the Bank. The required satisfaction (or, to the extent permitted under applicable law, waiver) of the foregoing conditions could delay the completion of the Proposed Transaction for a significant period of time or prevent it from occurring. Any delay in completing the Proposed Transaction could cause us not to realize some or all of the benefits that we expect the Proposed Transaction to achieve. There can be no assurance that such conditions will be satisfied in a timely manner or at all, or that an effect, event, development or change will not transpire that could delay or prevent these conditions from being satisfied.
If the Proposed Transaction is not completed for any reason, the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs may decline to the extent that the market price of our equity shares and ADSs reflects positive market assumptions that the Proposed Transaction will be completed and the related benefits will be realized. In addition, if the Proposed Transaction is not completed or in the event of any of the said approvals not being obtained or complied with or satisfied or the Scheme not being sanctioned by the Tribunal or orders not being passed as aforesaid before the expiry of 24 months from the last of the dates of approval of the Scheme by the respective Boards of each of the parties to the Scheme (the “Parties”), either we, HDFC Limited, HDFC Investments Limited or HDFC Holdings Limited may terminate this Scheme and upon such termination the Scheme shall stand revoked, cancelled and be of no effect; provided that, in case of
non-satisfaction
of any other conditions precedent, the Parties shall proceed in such manner as may be mutually agreed between them. We or HDFC Limited may also elect to terminate the Scheme in certain other circumstances, and the Parties, acting jointly and not individually, may withdraw the Scheme from the Tribunal at any time before the Scheme has become effective.
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Uncertainty about the Proposed Transaction may adversely affect the relationships of the Parties with their respective investors, customers, business partners and employees, whether or not the Proposed Transaction is completed.
We have incurred, and will continue to incur, significant transaction expenses in connection with the Proposed Transaction, regardless of whether the Proposed Transaction is completed, such as legal, accounting, financial advisory, compliance and integration costs. The risks arising in connection with any failure to complete the Proposed Transaction may have an adverse effect on our business, operations, financial results and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
We may also be subject to additional risks if the Proposed Transaction is not completed, including limitations on our ability to retain and hire key personnel; reputational harm including relationships with investors, customers and business partners due to the adverse perception of any failure to successfully complete the Proposed Transaction; and potential disruption to our business and distraction of our workforce and management team to pursue other opportunities that could be beneficial to us, in each case without realizing any of the benefits of having the Proposed Transaction completed. We could also be subject to litigation related to any failure to complete the Proposed Transaction or any related action that could be brought to enforce a party’s obligations under the Scheme.
In response to the announcement of the Proposed Transaction, existing or prospective customers or persons with whom we have business relationships, may delay or defer certain business decisions or might decide to seek to terminate, change or renegotiate their relationship with us in connection with the Proposed Transaction, which could negatively affect our revenues, earnings and cash available for distribution, as well as the price of our equity shares and ADSs, regardless of whether the Proposed Transaction is completed. Our current and prospective employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles with us following the Proposed Transaction, which may materially adversely affect our ability to attract, retain or motivate key management and other personnel during the pendency of the Proposed Transaction.
The Scheme with HDFC Limited may be more difficult, costly or time-consuming than expected, and implementation may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger and will expose us to incremental regulatory requirements.
The success of the Proposed Transaction will depend, in part, on our ability to realize the anticipated cost savings from combining the businesses under the Scheme. To realize those anticipated benefits and cost savings, HDFC Bank and HDFC Limited must successfully integrate and combine their businesses without adversely affecting current revenues and future growth. If we do not successfully achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Transaction may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected. In addition, the actual cost savings of the Proposed Transaction could be less than anticipated, and integration may result in additional and unforeseen expenses.
An inability to realize the full extent of the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Transaction, as well as any delays encountered in the integration process, could have an adverse effect upon our revenues, earnings, levels of expenses and results of operations following the completion of the Proposed Transaction, which may negatively affect the price of our equity shares and ADSs. Integrating entities of such size and complexity will require substantial resources including time, expense and effort from the management. If management’s attention is diverted or there are any difficulties associated with integrating such businesses, our results of operations could be adversely affected during this transition period and for an undetermined period after completion of the Proposed Transaction.
Further, once the Scheme is effective, HDFC Banks’s net interest income, profitability and return on equity may all be lower, at least in the short term, than in past periods due to the merging of HDFC Limited’s higher capital cost, liabilities and large capital base.
Additionally, HDFC Bank is subject to various regulatory requirements, including capital and liquidity requirements prescribed by the RBI. Upon the Scheme becoming effective, HDFC Bank as a combined entity may have heightened requirements to meet in this regard, including meeting the incremental Statutory Liquidity Ratio (“SLR”), Cash Reserve Ratio (“CRR”) and Priority Sector Lending (“PSL”) requirements. While we have requested the RBI for certain relaxations in this regard, including in relation to SLR, CRR and PSL requirements, it cannot be assured that those will be granted and if not granted then it cannot be assured that we will be able to meet the aforesaid requirements including the capital and liquidity requirements immediately once the Scheme becomes effective.
HDFC Limited holds a significant percentage of our share capital and can exercise influence over board decisions that could directly or indirectly favor the interests of HDFC Limited over our interests.
HDFC Group owned 21.0 percent of our equity as of March 31, 2022. As per our Articles, so long as HDFC Limited, its subsidiary or any other company promoted by HDFC Limited, either singly or in the aggregate, holds not less than 20 percent of the
paid-up
equity share capital in the Bank, the Board of Directors of the Bank shall with the approval of the shareholders, appoint the
non-retiring
directors from persons nominated by HDFC Limited. HDFC Limited shall be entitled to nominate the part-time Chairman and the Managing Director or the full-time Chairman, as the case may be, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of the Bank and the shareholders.
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Renu Karnad, the Managing Director of HDFC Limited, is a
Non-Executive
Director of the Bank and was nominated by HDFC Limited. While we are professionally managed and overseen by an independent board of directors, HDFC Limited can exercise influence over our board and over matters subject to a shareholder vote, which could result in decisions that favor HDFC Limited or result in us foregoing opportunities to the benefit of HDFC Limited. Such decisions may restrict our growth or harm our financial condition.
On July 15, 2014, the RBI issued guidelines in relation to the issuance of long term bonds with a view to encouraging financing of infrastructure and affordable housing. Regulatory incentives in the form of an exemption from the reserve requirements and a relaxation in PSL norms are stipulated as being restricted to bonds that are used to incrementally finance long term infrastructure projects and loans for affordable housing. Any incremental infrastructure or affordable housing loans acquired from other financial institutions, such as those that could be involved in a business combination with HDFC Limited like the Proposed Transaction, to be reckoned for regulatory incentives will require the prior approval of the RBI. We cannot predict the impact any potential business combination, including the Proposed Transaction, would have on our business, financial condition, growth prospects or the prices of our equity shares. See also “
—The Scheme with HDFC Limited is subject to a number of conditions, some of which are outside of the parties’ control, and, if these conditions are not satisfied, the Scheme may be terminated and the Proposed Transaction may not be completed
”.
We may face conflicts of interest relating to our promoter and principal shareholder, HDFC Limited, which could cause us to forgo business opportunities and consequently have an adverse effect on our financial performance.
HDFC Limited is primarily engaged in financial services, including home loans, property-related lending and deposit products. The subsidiaries and associated companies of HDFC Limited are also largely engaged in a range of financial services, including asset management, life and other insurance and mutual funds. Although we have no agreements with HDFC Limited or any other HDFC Group companies that restrict us from offering products and services that are offered by them, our relationship with these companies may cause us not to offer products and services that are already offered by other HDFC Group companies and may effectively prevent us from taking advantage of business opportunities. See Note 27 “
Related Party Transactions
” in our consolidated financial statements for a summary of transactions we have engaged in with HDFC Limited during fiscal year 2022. We currently distribute products of HDFC Limited and its group companies. If we stop distributing these products or forgo other opportunities because of our relationship with HDFC Limited, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance. See also “
—The Scheme with HDFC Limited is subject to a number of conditions, some of which are outside of the parties
control, and, if these conditions are not satisfied, the Scheme may be terminated and the Proposed Transaction may not be completed
”.
HDFC Limited may prevent us from using the HDFC Bank brand if they reduce their shareholding in us to below 5 percent.
As part of a shareholder agreement executed when HDFC Bank was formed, HDFC Limited has the right to prevent us from using “HDFC” as part of our name or brand if HDFC Limited reduces its shareholding in HDFC Bank to an amount below five percent of our outstanding share capital. If HDFC Limited were to exercise this right, we would be required to change our name and brand, which could require us to expend significant resources to establish new branding and name recognition in the market as well as undertake efforts to rebrand our banking outlets and our digital presence. This could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance. See also “
—The Scheme with HDFC Limited is subject to a number of conditions, some of which are outside of the parties
control, and, if these conditions are not satisfied, the Scheme may be terminated and the Proposed Transaction may not be completed
”.
Legal and Regulatory Risks
We have previously been subject to penalties imposed by the RBI. Any regulatory investigations, fines, sanctions and requirements relating to conduct of business and financial crime could negatively affect our business and financial results, or cause serious reputational harm.
The RBI is empowered under the Banking Regulation Act to impose penalties on banks and their employees in order to enforce applicable regulatory requirements. During 2019, we received two separate fines for
non-compliance
with certain RBI directives. In its order dated February 4, 2019, the RBI imposed a monetary penalty of Rs. 2.0 million on us for failing to comply with the RBI’s KYC and AML standards, as set out in their circulars dated November 29, 2004 and May 22, 2008. In its order dated June 13, 2019, the RBI imposed a monetary penalty of Rs. 10 million on us for failing to comply with the KYC, AML and fraud reporting standards, following an investigation into bills of entry submitted by certain importers. The penalties were imposed under Section 47A(1)(c) and Section 46(4)(i) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. We have since implemented corrective action to strengthen our internal control mechanisms so as to ensure that such incidents do not repeat themselves. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Penalties
”. In 2020, the Bank received one fine for
non-compliance
with RBI regulations. In its order dated January 29, 2020, the RBI imposed a monetary penalty in the amount of Rs. 10 million on the Bank for failure to undertake ongoing due diligence with respect to 39 current accounts which had been opened by customers of the Bank to participate in an initial public offering, but where the transactions effected were disproportionate to the declared income and profile of the customers. This penalty was imposed by the RBI using the powers conferred under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Section 46(4)(i) of the Banking Regulation Act 1949. The Bank has since strengthened its internal control mechanisms so as to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.
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The RBI, through its letter dated December 4, 2020, imposed a monetary penalty of Rs. 0.1 million on the Bank for the failure to settle transactions in Government securities in the Subsidiary General Ledger which led to a shortage in the balance of certain securities in the Bank’s Constituent Subsidiary General Ledger account on November 19, 2020. The Bank has since enhanced its review mechanism to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
SEBI, through its order dated January 21, 2021, levied a penalty of Rs. 10.0 million on the Bank for alleged noncompliance with a SEBI interim order dated October 7, 2019 issued against BRH Wealth Kreators Ltd. (“BRH”). The penalty was levied for the sale of securities pledged by BRH Wealth Kreators Ltd to the Bank, to recover amounts outstanding under recalled credit facilities the Bank had extended to BRH. The Bank filed an appeal against the SEBI order in the Securities Appellate Tribunal (“SAT”) on February 8, 2021. The SAT through its interim order dated February 19, 2021, stayed the operation of the SEBI order dated January 21, 2021 and, through its final order dated February 18, 2022, allowed the Bank’s appeal and quashed SEBI’s order.
On May 27, 2021, the RBI levied a penalty of Rs. 100 million against the Bank for the marketing and sale of third-party
non-financial
products to the Bank’s auto loan customers, after concluding that this was in contravention of Section 6(2) and Section 8 of the Banking Regulation Act 1949. The penalty, which was imposed by the RBI using the powers conferred under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Section 46(4)(i) of the Banking Regulation Act 1949, has been paid by us. In May 2020, following an internal inquiry arising from a whistle-blower complaint, we had determined that certain employees received unauthorized commissions from a third-party vendor of GPS products, with whom we had an agreement to offer GPS devices to our auto loan customers. The personal misconduct of these employees was in violation of our code of conduct and governance standards. We have taken disciplinary action against the employees involved, including separation of services of certain employees, discontinued sale of such third-party
non-financial
products, and taken certain other remedial actions.
We cannot predict the initiation or outcome of any further investigations by other authorities or different investigations by the RBI. The penalties imposed by the RBI have generated adverse publicity for our business. Such adverse publicity, or any future scrutiny, investigation, inspection or audit which could result in fines, public reprimands, damage to our reputation, significant time and attention from our management, costs for investigations and remediation of affected customers, may materially adversely affect our business and financial results.
Transactions with counterparties in countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism by the United States Department of State, the Government of India or other countries, or with persons targeted by United States, Indian, EU or other economic sanctions may cause potential customers and investors to avoid doing business with us or investing in our securities, harm our reputation or result in regulatory action which could materially and adversely affect our business.
We engage in business with customers and counterparties from diverse backgrounds. In light of United States, Indian, EU and other sanctions, it cannot be ruled out that some of our customers or counterparties may become the subject of sanctions. Such sanctions may result in our inability to gain or retain such customers or counterparties or receive payments from them. In addition, the association with such individuals or countries may damage our reputation or result in significant fines. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial results and the prices of our securities. These laws, regulations and sanctions or similar legislative or regulatory developments may further limit our business operations.
In June 2021 one of our individual customers was designated by the United States as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (“SDGT”) under Executive Order 13224. We provided several banking, credit and brokerage products and services to this customer, which had been initiated prior to the customer’s designation. With respect to this customer, during the period covered by this report, we blocked five accounts, a credit card, a brokerage account and an investment services account, and terminated two outstanding loans and access to a safe deposit box. We intend to continue blocking this customer’s accounts while he remains designated as an SDGT. Revenue and net income generated in connection with the above-described products and services in the year ended March 31, 2022 were negligible relative to our overall revenue and net income.
Notwithstanding the above case, if we were determined to have engaged in activities targeted by certain United States, Indian, EU or other statutes, regulations or executive orders, we could lose our ability to open or maintain correspondent or payable-through accounts with United States financial institutions, among other potential sanctions. In addition, depending on socio-political developments, even though we take measures designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, our reputation may suffer due to our association with certain restricted targets. The above circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial results and the prices of our securities.
Material changes in Indian banking regulations may adversely affect our business and our future financial performance.
We operate in a highly regulated environment in which the RBI extensively supervises and regulates all banks. Our business could be directly affected by any changes in policies for banks in respect of directed lending, reserve requirements and other areas. For example, the RBI could change its methods of enforcing directed lending standards so as to require more lending to certain sectors, which could require us to change certain aspects of our business. In addition, we could be subject to other changes in laws and regulations, such as those affecting the extent to which we can engage in specific business, those that reduce our income through a cap on either fees or interest rates chargeable to our customers, or those affecting foreign investment in the banking industry, as well as changes in other government policies and enforcement decisions, income tax laws, foreign investment laws and accounting principles. Laws and regulations governing the banking sector may change in the future and any changes may adversely affect our business, our future financial performance and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
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Our business and financial results could be impacted materially by adverse results in legal proceedings.
Legal proceedings, including lawsuits, investigations by regulatory authorities and other inspections or audits, could result in judgments, fines, public reprimands, damage to our reputation, significant time and attention from our management, costs for investigations and remediation of affected customers, or other adverse effects on our business and financial results. For example, on September 3, 2020, a securities class action lawsuit was filed against the Bank and certain of its current and former officers in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (the “Court”). The complaint was amended on February 8, 2021. The amended complaint alleges that the Bank, its former Managing Director, Mr. Aditya Puri, and the present Managing Director & CEO, Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan, made materially false and misleading statements regarding certain aspects of the Bank’s business and compliance policies, which resulted in the Bank’s ADSs’ price declining on July 13, 2020 thereby allegedly causing damage to the Bank’s investors. On April 9, 2021, the Bank, Mr. Puri, and Mr. Jagdishan served their motion to dismiss the amended complaint, and on July 23, 2021, they served their reply brief in support of the motion and filed all of the motion papers. The Bank’s motion to dismiss remains pending before the Court. The Bank believes that the asserted claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against the allegations.
The Bank establishes reserves for legal claims when payments associated with claims become probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. The Bank may still incur legal costs for a matter even if it has not established a reserve. In addition, the actual cost of resolving a legal claim may be substantially higher than any amounts reserved for that matter. The ultimate resolution of any pending or future legal proceeding, depending on the remedy sought and granted, could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
We may breach third-party intellectual property rights.
We may be subject to claims by third parties both inside and outside India, if we breach their intellectual property rights by using slogans, names, designs, software or other such rights, which are of a similar nature to the intellectual property these third parties may have registered. Any legal proceedings which result in a finding that we have breached third parties’ intellectual property rights, or any settlements concerning such claims, may require us to provide financial compensation to such third parties or make changes to our marketing strategies or to the brand names of our products, which may have a materially adverse effect on our business prospects, reputation, results of operations and financial condition.
Technology Risks
We face cyber threats, such as hacking, phishing and trojans, attempting to exploit our network to disrupt services to customers and/or theft or leaking of sensitive internal Bank data or customer information. This may cause damage to our reputation and adversely impact our business and financial results.
We offer internet banking services to our customers. Our internet banking channel includes multiple services such as electronic funds transfer, bill payment services, usage of credit cards online, requesting account statements and requesting cheque books. We, our employees, customers, regulators and third parties (including providers of products and services) are therefore exposed to various cyber threats related to these services or to other sensitive Bank information, with such threats including: (a) phishing and trojans targeting our customers, whereby fraudsters send unsolicited emails to our customers seeking account-sensitive information or infecting customer computers in an attempt to search and export account-sensitive information; (b) hacking, whereby attackers seek to hack into our website with the primary intention of causing reputational damage to us by disrupting services; (c) data theft, whereby cyber criminals attempt to intrude into our network with the intention of stealing our data or information or to extort money; and (d) leaking, whereby sensitive internal Bank data or customer information is inappropriately disclosed by parties entitled to access it. The financial services industry, including the Bank, is particularly at risk because of the use of and reliance on digital banking and other digital services, including mobile banking products, such as mobile payments and other
web-
and cloud-based products and applications and the development of additional remote connectivity solutions, which increase cybersecurity risks and exposure. Attempted cyber threats fluctuate in frequency but are generally increasing in frequency, and while certain of the foregoing events have occurred in the past, we cannot guarantee they will not reoccur in the future. We help protect our customers and organization by investing in our cybersecurity capabilities, helping us to execute our business priorities and grow safely. While we focus on controls to prevent, detect and mitigate the impacts of persistent and increasingly advanced cyber threats, we will likely be required to expend additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any vulnerability to cyber incidents as the sophistication of cyber-incidents continues to evolve. In addition, cyber incidents may remain undetected for an extended period.
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Remote access tools were required to ensure continuity of services during the extended period of the
COVID-19
pandemic. We have assessed our work-from-home setup to ensure that the risks emanating from remote access were addressed and the security posture was not diluted. The work-from-home setup was integrated with our Cyber Security Operations Centre (“SOC”) to monitor IP geolocation and brute force attacks. Despite several measures implemented to control risks resulting from remote access, any failure, cyberattack or other information or security breach that significantly degrades, deletes or compromises our systems or data could adversely impact third parties, counterparties and the critical infrastructure of the financial services industry. There is also the risk of our customers incorrectly blaming us and terminating their accounts with us for a cyber-incident which might have occurred on their own system or with that of an unrelated third party. Any cybersecurity breach could also subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny and expose us to civil litigation and related financial liability.
A failure, inadequacy or security breach in our information technology and telecommunication systems may adversely affect our business, results of operation or financial condition.
Our ability to operate and remain competitive depends in part on our ability to maintain and upgrade our information technology systems and infrastructure on a timely and cost-effective basis, including our ability to process a large number of transactions on a daily basis. Our operations also rely on the secure processing, storage and transmission of confidential and other information in our computer systems and networks. Our financial, accounting or other data processing systems and management information systems or our corporate website may fail to operate adequately or become disabled as a result of events that may be beyond our control or may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses or other attacks. See “
—We face cyber threats, such as hacking, phishing and trojans, attempting to exploit our network to disrupt services to customers and/or theft of sensitive internal Bank data or customer information. This may cause damage to our reputation and adversely impact our business and financial results
”.
Over the past two years, we have experienced outages in our internet banking, mobile banking and payment utilities, including an outage in our internet banking and payment system in November 2020 due to a power failure in the primary data center. In response to these outages, the RBI issued an order on December 2, 2020, (the “December 2020 Order”), advising us to temporarily stop (a) all launches of the digital business-generating activities under our planned Digital 2.0 program and other proposed business-generating IT applications and (b) the sourcing of new credit card customers. In addition, the RBI appointed a third-party auditor to conduct an audit of the Bank’s systems. After completion of that audit, our progress against regulatory commitments has resulted in the partial lifting of the restrictions imposed by the December 2020 Order in August 2021, followed by the full removal of the embargo on the Digital 2.0 program in March 2022.
Furthermore, the information available to, and received by, our management through its existing systems may not be timely and sufficient to manage risks or to plan for and respond to changes in market conditions and other developments in our operations. If any of these systems are disabled or if there are other shortcomings or failures in our internal processes or systems, including further outages in our digital business in the future, it may disrupt our business or impact our operational efficiencies, and render us liable to regulatory intervention or damage to its reputation. The occurrence of any such events may adversely affect our business, results of operation and financial condition.
Risks Relating to India
Any adverse change in India’s credit rating, or the credit rating of any country in which our foreign banking outlets are located, by an international rating agency could adversely affect our business and profitability.
While the Bank is rated
BBB-by
Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”), Moody’s downgraded the Bank’s rating to Baa3 from Baa2, in line with the downgrade in India’s sovereign rating in fiscal year 2021. International rating agencies have pegged the ratings of all Indian banks at the sovereign rating (that is,
BBB-by
S&P and Baa3 by Moody’s). However, domestically the Bank is rated AAA by CRISIL, CARE and India Ratings (the Indian arm of Fitch Ratings), which are the highest credit ratings assigned on the domestic scale.
A significant deterioration in the Bank’s existing financial strength and business position may also pose a rating downgrade risk. The Bank’s rating may also be revised when the rating agencies undertake changes to their rating methodologies. For instance, in April 2015, Moody’s revised its Bank rating methodology and the assessment of government support to banks, following which the ratings of several banks globally, including Indian banks, were revised. Following this methodology change, the Bank’s rating was revised to Baa3 from Baa2 so as to cap it at the Indian sovereign rating at that time.
In addition, the rating of our foreign banking outlets may be impacted by the sovereign rating of the country in which those banking outlets are located, particularly if the sovereign rating is below India’s rating. Pursuant to applicable ratings criteria published by S&P, the rating of any bond issued in a jurisdiction is capped by the host country rating. Accordingly, any revision to the sovereign rating of the countries in which our banking outlets are located to below India’s rating could impact the rating of our foreign banking outlets and any securities issued from those banking outlets. For example, in fiscal year 2016, declining oil prices caused the credit ratings of many oil exporting countries to be downgraded and we had outstanding bonds issued from a branch in such a country which were negatively affected by such downgrade.
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Going forward, the risk of a sovereign rating downgrade remains low at present, but it is likely that the sovereign ratings outlook may be revised down, given the slowdown in economic growth and high government debt. No assurance can be given that a further sovereign rating downgrade will not occur. However, any further downgrade in India’s credit rating, or the credit rating of any country in which our foreign banking outlets are located by international rating agencies may adversely impact our business financial position and liquidity, limit our access to capital markets, and increase our cost of borrowing.
If there is any change in tax laws or regulations, or their interpretation, such changes may significantly affect our financial statements for the current and future years, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial position, business and results of operations.
Any change in Indian tax laws, including the upward revision to the currently applicable normal corporate tax rate of 25 percent along with applicable surcharge and cess, could affect our tax burden. Other benefits such as an exemption for interest received in respect of
tax-free
bonds and a lower tax rate on long term capital gains on equity shares, if withdrawn in the future, may no longer be available to us. Any adverse order passed by the appellate authorities, tribunals or courts would have an impact on our profitability.
As of July 1, 2017, GST replaced most indirect taxes levied by the central government and state governments, providing a unified tax regime in respect of goods and services for all of India.
There continue to be several challenges to the successful implementation of GST, making compliance with the tax difficult. These include variations in the tax rate, legal challenges, complex return filings, certain reconciliation issues, input tax credit issues, and IT infrastructure issues. The GST law continues to evolve and the authorities have been trying to address public concerns by issuing a series of notifications, clarifications, press releases and FAQs to resolve a wide range of issues. We expect challenges to certain aspects of the GST law to continue until the remaining issues, particularly those related to technical aspects of the law, are settled. Any such changes and the related uncertainties with respect to GST may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The General Anti-Avoidance Rules (“GAAR”) have come into effect from April 1, 2017. The tax consequences of the GAAR provisions being applied to an arrangement could result in denial of tax benefits, amongst other consequences. In the absence of any precedents on the subject, the application of these provisions is uncertain. If the GAAR provisions are made applicable to us, it may have an adverse tax impact on the Bank.
The Finance Act 2018 has withdrawn exemption previously granted in respect of payment of long term capital gains tax and such tax became payable by the investors from April 1, 2018. We cannot predict whether any tax laws or regulations impacting our products will be enacted, what the nature and impact of the specific terms of any such laws or regulations will be or whether, if at all, any laws or regulations would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Bank cannot predict whether any tax laws or regulations impacting its products will be enacted, what the nature and impact of the specific terms of any such laws or regulations will be or whether, if at all, any laws or regulations would have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.
Any volatility in the exchange rate may lead to a decline in India’s foreign exchange reserves and may affect liquidity and interest rates in the Indian economy, which could adversely impact us.
Capital flows increased substantially in recent years, reflecting a reassessment of investor expectations about future domestic growth prospects following the election of a
pro-reform
government in India in 2019. The rise in oil prices over the last few years has led to an increased current account deficit, which as a percentage of GDP was 2.1 percent in fiscal year 2019. The current account deficit narrowed to 0.9 percent in fiscal year 2020 as a result of an upturn in remittances and an improvement in the trade balance. In fiscal year 2021, due to the
COVID-19
pandemic’s impact on demand, imports declined by 16.6 percent compared to the prior year. However, due to an improvement in the balance for trade in goods and services later in the year, India recorded a rare current account surplus of 0.9 percent of GDP. For fiscal year 2022, India’s current account deficit stood at 1.2 percent of GDP and, for fiscal year 2023, we estimate India’s current account deficit to rise to 3.0 percent of GDP, mainly driven by a higher import bill, reflecting high crude oil prices and a slowdown in export growth due to weak global demand.
In fiscal year 2019, the rupee depreciated by 6.3 percent against the U.S. dollar as a result of rising oil prices, a slowdown in global trade volumes and a general risk aversion towards emerging market currencies (as a result of tariffs and trade war risks). The rupee further depreciated by 8.0 percent in fiscal year 2020, mainly due to investor risk aversion amid weak global demand, weak domestic growth and foreign investment outflows. In fiscal year 2020, the rupee ranged between a high of Rs. 76.37 per US$ 1.00 and a low of Rs. 68.40 per US$ 1.00. The rupee appreciated by 2.8 percent in fiscal year 2021, supported by a weakened U.S. dollar and robust foreign capital inflows. In fiscal year 2021, the rupee traded in the range of
75.08-73.14 per
US$ 1.00. With foreign capital outflows and
geo-political
risks, the rupee depreciated by 3.8 percent against the U.S. dollar in fiscal year 2022.
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Going forward, elevated commodity prices, a stronger U.S. dollar and persistent foreign investment outflows are likely to keep the US dollar to rupee exchange rate under pressure. However, in the medium term the dollar rally is expected to pause and commodity prices are expected to come off from their recent highs, providing some respite for the rupee. US$ 1.00 is expected to settle between Rs. 79 and Rs.80 by the end of fiscal year 2023.
Moving ahead, global risk aversion, in particular in the event the
COVID-19
pandemic further escalates, could mean a shift of global fund flows from emerging markets to developed markets over the medium term. Additionally, removal of global liquidity, monetary tightening in developed countries and any escalation in
geo-political
tensions could make emerging market assets less attractive. Nevertheless, it remains a possibility that the RBI will intervene in the foreign exchange markets to remove excess volatility in the exchange rate in the event of potential shocks, such as a rise in protectionist tendencies creating panic in emerging market economies or excess financial market volatility in the event of another wave. Any such intervention by the RBI may result in a decline in India’s foreign exchange reserves and, subsequently, reduce the amount of liquidity in the domestic financial system, which could, in turn, cause domestic interest rates to rise.
Further, any increased volatility in capital flows may also affect monetary policy decision-making. For instance, a period of net capital outflows might force the RBI to keep monetary policy tighter than optimal to guard against currency depreciation.
Political instability or changes in the Government could delay the liberalization of the Indian economy and adversely affect economic conditions in India generally, which would impact the Bank’s financial results and prospects.
Since 1991, successive Indian governments have pursued policies of economic liberalization, including significantly relaxing restrictions on the private sector. Nevertheless, the roles of the Indian central and state governments as producers, consumers and regulators remain significant factors in the Indian economy. The election of a
pro-business
majority government in May 2019 marked a distinct increase in expectations for policy and economic reforms among certain sectors of the Indian economy. There can be no assurance that the Government’s reforms will work as intended or that any such reforms would continue or succeed if there were a change in the current majority leadership in the Government or if a different government were elected in the future. Any future government may reverse some or all of the policy changes introduced by the current Government and may introduce reforms or policies that adversely affect the Bank. The speed of economic liberalization is subject to change and specific laws and policies affecting banking and finance companies, foreign investment, currency exchange and other matters affecting investment in the Bank’s securities continue to evolve. Other major reforms that have been implemented are a goods and services tax and the demonetization of certain banknotes. Any significant change in India’s economic liberalization plans, deregulation policies or other major economic reforms could adversely affect business and economic conditions in India generally and therefore adversely affect the Bank’s business, results of operation and financial condition.
Terrorist attacks, civil unrest and other acts of violence or war involving India and other countries would negatively affect the Indian market where our shares trade and lead to a loss of confidence and impair travel, which could reduce our customers’ appetite for our products and services.
Terrorist attacks, such as those in Mumbai in November 2008 and in Pulwana in February 2019, and other acts of violence or war may negatively affect the Indian markets on which our equity shares trade and also adversely affect the worldwide financial markets. These acts may also result in a loss of business confidence, make travel and other services more difficult and, as a result, ultimately adversely affect our business. In addition, any deterioration in relations between India and Pakistan or between India and China might result in investor concern about stability in the region, which could adversely affect the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
India has also witnessed civil disturbances in recent years and future civil unrest as well as other adverse social, economic and political events in India could have an adverse impact on us. Such incidents also create a greater perception that investment in Indian companies involves a higher degree of risk, which could have an adverse impact on our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
Natural calamities, including those exacerbated by climate change, and public health epidemics could adversely affect the Indian economy or the economies of other countries where we operate which, in turn, could negatively impact our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
India has experienced natural calamities such as earthquakes, floods and droughts in the past few years. The extent and severity of these natural disasters determine the size and duration of their impact on the Indian economy. In particular, the agricultural sector, which constituted approximately 19 percent of India’s GDP in fiscal year 2022 (in current price terms), is particularly sensitive to certain climatic and weather conditions, such as the level and timing of monsoon rainfall. Prolonged spells of below or above normal rainfall or other natural calamities, including those believed to be exacerbated by global or regional climate change, could adversely affect the Indian economy and, in turn, negatively impact our business, especially our rural portfolio. Similarly, global or regional climate change in India and other countries where we operate could result in change in weather patterns and frequency of severe weather like droughts, floods and cyclones, which could affect the local economy in the countries where we operate and negatively impact our operations in those countries.
Public health epidemics could also disrupt our business. In fiscal year 2010, there were outbreaks of swine flu, caused by the H1N1 virus, in certain regions of the world, including India and several countries in which we operate. After having adversely affected business prospects in fiscal year 2021, restrictions related to the second
COVID-19
wave and emergence of the omicron variant posed challenges to business operations, such as weekend restrictions, travel restrictions and social distancing. Although most such restrictions have been eased, in the event of another wave of infections, economic growth may slow down more than expected. This could in turn adversely affect our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
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The COVID-19 pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation.
Public health crises such as the
COVID-19
pandemic or similar outbreaks have, and may continue to, adversely impact our business. On March 11, 2020, the
COVID-19
outbreak was declared a pandemic by the WHO and led to the implementation of various responses, including government-imposed quarantines, travel restrictions,
“stay-at-home”
orders and similar mandates for many individuals to substantially restrict daily activities and for many businesses to curtail or cease normal operations.
India, our main place of business, is in the group of countries most affected by the
COVID-19
pandemic. In 2021, India experienced a “second wave” of
COVID-19,
including a significant surge of
COVID-19
cases following the discovery of a “double mutant” coronavirus variant in the country. The delta variant was significantly more virulent than other coronavirus variants, resulting in a significant increase in
COVID-19
cases and related deaths. By December 2021, the then new omicron variant started spreading in India. With improved vaccination rates, however, its impact was less severe than of previous waves. Moving forward, there continues to be significant uncertainty relating to the further progression of other waves.
Due to the
COVID-19
pandemic, all major central banks, including the United States Federal Reserve, implemented bond purchase programs and decreased interest rates in 2020. However, as a result of the availability of vaccines, improving economic conditions and a sharp rise in inflation many central banks have started raising rates. Additionally, while many central banks have already slowed/ended bond purchases, the United States Federal Reserve has started reducing its balance sheet from June 2022.
In India, taking into account inflationary pressure, the RBI hiked the policy repo rate in May 2022 and June 2022. See also “
—Financial and political instability in other countries may cause increased volatility in the Indian financial market
”.
To reduce the impact of the pandemic on Indian borrowers, on March 27, 2020, the RBI announced
COVID-19-related
regulations, which included permission for financial institutions to extend a three-month moratorium on term loan repayments due between March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020. This was later renewed for a second period from June 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020. In May 2021 and June 2021, as a result of the resurgence of the
COVID-19
pandemic in India, the RBI issued an additional set of measures, permitting lending institutions to offer a limited window to individual borrowers and small businesses to implement resolution plans in respect of their credit exposures while classifying the same as “Standard”, and therefore not in default, subject to certain specified conditions. With respect to individuals who have availed themselves of business loans and small businesses where resolution plans were implemented in accordance with the terms of the circular dated August 2020 described above, lending institutions are permitted, as a
one-time
measure and until September 30, 2021, to review the working capital sanctioned limits and/or drawing power based on a reassessment of the working capital cycle and reduction of margins, without being classified as a restructuring. In August 2020 and May 2021, the RBI also issued guidelines for the restructuring of existing loans to micro, small and medium enterprises classified as “Standard”, without resulting in a downgrade in the asset classification, subject to certain conditions. These guidelines were further amended in June 2021 to increase the limits from Rs. 250 million to Rs. 500 million. During fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2021, the Bank implemented the loan-restructuring packages announced by RBI on account of the
COVID-19
situation which grant temporary extensions in repayment obligations to the borrowers without any interest or financial concessions. The total balance outstanding of such restructured loans as of March 31, 2022 was Rs. 239.8 billion. Interest on the term loans continues to accrue during the moratorium and the resulting increase in the interest burden may adversely affect our customers’ ability to repay their loans, which could adversely affect our profitability. Similarly, the RBI permitted financial institutions to grant deferments with respect to interest payments on working capital facilities between March 31, 2020 and August 31, 2020. At the financial institutions’ discretion, the interest accumulated during the deferment period may be converted to a funded interest term loan (“FITL”). Furthermore, the RBI also announced that with respect to
non-performing
loans, for which a lender’s
180-day
resolution period had not expired by March 1, 2020, an additional
180-day
resolution period would begin from the date on which the original resolution period was set to expire. There can be no assurance that customers who are granted a moratorium will be able to resume their regular repayment schedule following the end of the moratorium. In accordance with RBI guidelines, we have also waived certain fees for customers. In addition, in response to the pandemic, the RBI also reduced the repo rate by 40 basis points to 4.0 percent in May 2020, which has been increased to 4.90 percent in June 2022. See also “
Our business is particularly vulnerable to interest rate risk, and volatility in interest rates could adversely affect our net interest margin, the value of our fixed income portfolio, our treasury income and our financial performance
”. In its circulars dated April 17, 2020 and December 4, 2020, the RBI notified banks that they should continue to conserve capital to support the economy and absorb any potential losses and, accordingly, directed banks to not make any further dividend payouts from the profits pertaining to fiscal year ended March 31, 2020. On April 22, 2021, the RBI permitted commercial banks to again pay dividends relating to the profits for fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, subject to the quantum of the dividend not exceeding fifty percent of the amount determined in accordance with the dividend payout ratio prescribed by the RBI. The RBI has also directed all banks to ensure they continue to meet the applicable minimum regulatory capital requirements following any dividend payments. When declaring the dividend, the board of directors of the bank is required to consider the current and projected capital position of the bank compared to the applicable capital requirements and the adequacy of provisions, taking into account the economic environment and the outlook for profitability.
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The impact of
COVID-19,
including changes in customer behavior and pandemic fears and restrictions on business and individual activities, has led to significant volatility in global and Indian financial markets and a significant decrease in global and local economic activity. While there has been a gradual recovery in economic activity, it was slow due to another of wave of
COVID-19
infections and disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine war. In fiscal year 2022, real GDP was just 1.5 percent above
pre-pandemic
levels (fiscal year 2020). This has led to a decrease in loan originations, sale of third-party products, use of credit and debit cards by customers, and the efficiency of our debt collection efforts and the waiver of certain fees. The slowdown in economic activity and rising input cost have also significantly affected the business of many of our customers and could result in financial distress for our customer base. Moreover, the continued volatility in global and Indian financial and capital markets could adversely affect our corporate customers’ ability to access debt markets, their cost of funds and other terms of any new debt, which, alongside the economic slowdown, may lead to a rise in the number of customer defaults and consequently an increase in provisions for credit losses. See also “—
We have high concentrations of exposures to certain customers and sectors and if any of these exposures were to become
non-performing,
the quality of our portfolio could be adversely affected and our ability to meet capital requirements could be jeopardized
”.
Similarly, such market volatility, or a downgrade in our credit rating, may negatively affect our ability to access capital. We have implemented remote working arrangements for the majority of our employees, which may result in decreased employee productivity and efficiency and exacerbate certain
IT-related
risks, including an increased risk of cybersecurity attacks and the unauthorized dissemination of confidential information about us or our customers.
COVID-19
may also lead to significant increases in employee absenteeism, including due to illness, quarantines and other restrictions related to the pandemic. Even where such restrictions are eased, we may still elect to continue our remote working arrangements, for example in the event of an outbreak of
COVID-19
among our employees, as a preventive measure to contain the spread of the virus and protect the health of our workforce, or as a strategic measure.
The extent to which the
COVID-19
pandemic will continue to impact our business, financial condition and results of operation, as well as our regulatory capital and liquidity ratios, will depend on future developments, including the emergence of new mutants of
COVID-19.
Subsequent outbreaks that necessitate lockdown measures could prolong the economic impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic. Even if the number of new
COVID-19
cases were to significantly decrease, the negative effects on Indian and global economic conditions may persist into the future. In addition, disruptions related to the Russia-Ukraine crisis pose a major threat to the global growth outlook. Elevated commodity prices and monetary tightening by major central banks could hurt global demand, which could also adversely affect exports in India. The level of economic activity may slow further in the short term, due to changes in social norms, changes in customer and corporate client behavior and the macroeconomic business environment. India, where a substantial portion of our operations is located, continues to be subject to regulatory, social and political uncertainties.
Investors may have difficulty enforcing foreign judgments in India against the Bank or its management.
The Bank is a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of India. Substantially all of the Bank’s directors and executive officers and some of the experts named herein are residents of India and a substantial portion of the assets of the Bank and such persons are located in India. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process on the Bank or such persons in jurisdictions outside of India, or to enforce against them judgments obtained in courts outside of India predicated upon civil liabilities of the Bank or such directors and executive officers under laws other than Indian Law.
In addition, India is not a party to any multilateral international treaty in relation to the recognition or enforcement of foreign judgments
.
Recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments is provided for under Section 13 and Section 44A of the Indian Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (the “Civil Procedure Code”). Section 44A of the Civil Procedure Code provides that where a foreign judgment has been rendered by a superior court in any country or territory outside India that the Government has, by notification, declared to be a reciprocating territory, that judgment may be enforced in India by proceedings in execution as if it had been rendered by the relevant court in India. However, Section 44A of the Civil Procedure Code is applicable only to monetary decrees other than those in the nature of any amounts payable in respect of taxes or other charges of a like nature or in respect of a fine or other penalty and is not applicable to arbitration awards, even if such awards are enforceable as a decree or judgment. Furthermore, the execution of a foreign decree under Section 44A of the Civil Procedure Code is also subject to the exception under Section 13 of the Civil Procedure Code, as discussed below.
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The United States has not been declared by the government to be a reciprocating territory for the purposes of Section 44A of the Civil Procedure Code. However, the United Kingdom has been declared by the government to be a reciprocating territory and the High Courts in England as the relevant superior courts. A judgment of a court in a jurisdiction which is not a reciprocating territory, such as the United States, may be enforced only by a new suit upon the judgment and not by proceedings in execution. Section 13 of the Civil Procedure Code provides that a foreign judgment shall be conclusive as to any matter thereby directly adjudicated upon except: (i) where it has not been pronounced by a court of competent jurisdiction; (ii) where it has not been given on the merits of the case; (iii) where it appears on the face of the proceedings to be founded on an incorrect view of international law or a refusal to recognize the law of India in cases where such law is applicable; (iv) where the proceedings in which the judgment was obtained were opposed to natural justice; (v) where it has been obtained by fraud; or (vi) where it sustains a claim founded on a breach of any law in force in India. A foreign judgment which is conclusive under Section 13 of the Civil Procedure Code may be enforced either by a new suit upon judgment or by proceedings in execution. The suit must be brought in India within three years from the date of the judgment in the same manner as any other suit filed to enforce a civil liability in India. It is unlikely that a court in India would award damages on the same basis as a foreign court if an action is brought in India. Furthermore, it is unlikely that an Indian court would enforce a foreign judgment if it viewed the amount of damages awarded as excessive or inconsistent with Indian practice. A party seeking to enforce a foreign judgment in India is required to obtain approval from the RBI to repatriate outside India any amount recovered pursuant to execution. Any judgment in a foreign currency would be converted into Indian rupees on the date of the judgment and not on the date of the payment. The Bank cannot predict whether a suit brought in an Indian court will be disposed of in a timely manner or be subject to considerable delays.
Risks Relating to the ADSs and Equity Shares
Historically, our ADSs have traded at a premium to the trading prices of our underlying equity shares, a situation which may not continue.
Historically, our ADSs have traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) at a premium to the trading prices of our underlying equity shares on the Indian stock exchanges. See “
Certain Information About Our American Depositary Shares and Equity Shares
” for the underlying data. We believe that this price premium has resulted from the relatively small portion of our market capitalization previously represented by ADSs, restrictions imposed by Indian law on the conversion of equity shares into ADSs, and an apparent preference for investors to trade dollar-denominated securities. Over time, some of the restrictions on issuance of ADSs imposed by Indian law have been relaxed and we expect that other restrictions may be relaxed in the future. It is possible that in the future our ADSs will not trade at any premium to our equity shares and could even trade at a discount to our equity shares.
Investors in ADSs will not be able to vote.
Investors in ADSs will have no voting rights, unlike holders of equity shares. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary will abstain from voting the equity shares represented by the ADSs. If you wish, you may withdraw the equity shares underlying the ADSs and seek to vote (subject to Indian restrictions on foreign ownership) the equity shares you obtain upon withdrawal. However, this withdrawal process may be subject to delays and additional costs and you may not be able to redeposit the equity shares. For a discussion of the legal restrictions triggered by a withdrawal of equity shares from the depositary facility upon surrender of ADSs, see “
Restrictions on Foreign Ownership of Indian Securities
” and “
Description of American Depositary Shares—Voting Rights
”.
Your ability to withdraw equity shares from the depositary facility is uncertain and may be subject to delays.
India’s restrictions on foreign ownership of Indian companies limit the number of equity shares that may be owned by foreign investors and generally require government approval for foreign investments. Investors who withdraw equity shares from the ADSs’ depositary facility for the purpose of selling such equity shares will be subject to Indian regulatory restrictions on foreign ownership upon withdrawal. The withdrawal process may be subject to delays. For a discussion of the legal restrictions triggered by a withdrawal of equity shares from the depositary facility upon surrender of ADSs, see “
Restrictions on Foreign Ownership of Indian Securities
”.
Restrictions on deposit of equity shares in the depositary facility could adversely affect the price of our ADSs.
Under current Indian regulations, an ADS holder who surrenders ADSs and withdraws equity shares may deposit those equity shares again in the depositary facility in exchange for ADSs. An investor who has purchased equity shares in the Indian market may also deposit those equity shares in the ADS program. However, the deposit of equity shares may be subject to securities law restrictions and the restriction that the cumulative aggregate number of equity shares that can be deposited as of any time cannot exceed the cumulative aggregate number represented by ADSs converted into underlying equity shares as of such time. These restrictions increase the risk that the market price of our ADSs will be below that of our equity shares.
There is a limited market for the ADSs.
Although our ADSs are listed and traded on the NYSE, any trading market for our ADSs may not be sustained, and there is no assurance that the present price of our ADSs will correspond to the future price at which our ADSs will trade in the public market. Indian legal restrictions may also limit the supply of ADSs. The only way to add to the supply of ADSs would be through an additional issuance. We cannot guarantee that a market for the ADSs will continue.
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Conditions in the Indian securities market may affect the price or liquidity of our equity shares and ADSs.
The Indian securities markets are smaller and more volatile than securities markets in more developed economies. The Indian stock exchanges have in the past experienced substantial fluctuations in the prices of listed securities. Currently, prices of securities listed on Indian exchanges are displaying signs of volatility linked, among other factors, to the uncertainty in the global markets and the rising inflationary and interest rate pressures domestically. The governing bodies of the Indian stock exchanges have from time to time imposed restrictions on trading in certain securities, limitations on price movements and margin requirements. Future fluctuations or trading restrictions could have a material adverse effect on the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
Settlement of trades of equity shares on Indian stock exchanges may be subject to delays.
The equity shares represented by our ADSs are listed on the NSE and BSE. Settlement on these stock exchanges may be subject to delays and an investor in equity shares withdrawn from the depositary facility upon surrender of ADSs may not be able to settle trades on these stock exchanges in a timely manner.
You may be subject to Indian taxes arising out of capital gains.
Generally, capital gains, whether short term or long term, arising on the sale of the underlying equity shares in India, are subject to Indian capital gains tax. Investors are advised to consult their own tax advisers and to carefully consider the potential tax consequences of an investment in ADSs. See also “
Taxation
”.
You may be unable to exercise preemptive rights available to other shareholders.
A company incorporated in India must offer its holders of equity shares preemptive rights to subscribe and pay for a proportionate number of shares to maintain their existing ownership percentages prior to the issuance of any new equity shares, unless these rights have been waived by at least 75 percent of the company’s shareholders present and voting at a shareholders’ general meeting. United States investors in our ADSs may be unable to exercise preemptive rights for our equity shares underlying our ADSs unless a registration statement under the Securities Act is effective with respect to those rights or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available. Our decision to file a registration statement will depend on the costs and potential liabilities associated with any registration statement as well as the perceived benefits of enabling United States investors in our ADSs to exercise their preemptive rights and any other factors we consider appropriate at the time. We do not commit to filing a registration statement under those circumstances. If we issue any securities in the future, these securities may be issued to the depositary, which may sell these securities in the securities markets in India for the benefit of the investors in our ADSs. There can be no assurance as to the value, if any, the depositary would receive upon the sale of these securities. To the extent that investors in our ADSs are unable to exercise preemptive rights, their proportional interests in us would be reduced.
Financial difficulty and other problems in certain financial institutions in India could adversely affect our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
We are exposed to the risks of the Indian financial system by being a part of the system which may be affected by the financial difficulties faced by certain Indian financial institutions because the commercial soundness of many financial institutions may be closely related as a result of credit, trading, clearing or other relationships. Such “systemic risk” may adversely affect financial intermediaries, such as clearing agencies, banks, securities firms and exchanges with which we interact on a daily basis. Any such difficulties or instability of the Indian financial system in general could create an adverse market perception about Indian financial institutions and banks and adversely affect our business. Our transactions with these financial institutions expose us to various risks in the event of default by a counterparty, which can be exacerbated during periods of market illiquidity.
Because the equity shares underlying our ADSs are quoted in rupees in India, you may be subject to potential losses arising out of exchange rate risk on the Indian rupee and risks associated with the conversion of rupee proceeds into foreign currency.
Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the United States dollar and the Indian rupee may affect the value of your investment in our ADSs. Specifically, if the relative value of the Indian rupee to the United States dollar declines, each of the following values will also decline:
the United States dollar equivalent of the Indian rupee trading price of our equity shares in India and, indirectly, the United States dollar trading price of our ADSs in the United States;
the United States dollar equivalent of the proceeds that you would receive upon the sale in India of any equity shares that you withdraw from the depositary; and
the United States dollar equivalent of cash dividends, if any, paid in Indian rupees on the equity shares represented by our ADSs.
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There may be less information available on Indian securities markets than securities markets in developed countries.
There is a difference between the level of regulation and monitoring of the Indian securities markets and the activities of investors, brokers and other participants and that of markets in the United States and other developed economies. The SEBI and the stock exchanges are responsible for improving disclosure and other regulatory standards for the Indian securities markets. The SEBI has issued regulations and guidelines on disclosure requirements, insider trading and other matters. There may, however, be less publicly available information about Indian companies than is regularly made available by public companies in developed economies.
HDFC Limited’s significant holdings could have an effect on the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs.
HDFC Limited and its subsidiaries hold a significant portion of our equity, and are entitled to certain rights to appoint directors to our Board. While we are professionally managed and overseen by an independent board of directors, HDFC Limited can exercise influence over our Board and over matters subject to a shareholder vote that could directly or indirectly favor the interests of HDFC Limited over our interests. See “
—HDFC Limited holds a significant percentage of our share capital and can exercise influence over board decisions that could directly or indirectly favor the interests of HDFC Limited over our interests
” and “
—We may face conflicts of interest relating to our promoter and principal shareholder, HDFC Limited, which could cause us to forgo business opportunities and consequently have an adverse effect on our financial performance
”. HDFC Limited’s concentration of ownership may adversely affect the trading price of our equity shares to the extent investors perceive a disadvantage in owning stock of a company with a significant shareholder.
Investors may be subject to Indian taxes arising out of capital gains on the sale of equity shares.
Under current Indian tax laws and regulations, capital gains arising from the sale of shares in an Indian company are generally taxable in India. Until March 31, 2018, any gain realized on the sale of listed equity shares on a stock exchange held for more than 12 months was not subject to capital gains tax in India if securities transaction tax (“STT”) was paid on the transaction. STT is levied on and collected by a domestic stock exchange on which the equity shares are sold. However, with the enactment of the Finance Act, 2018 (“Finance Act”), the exemption previously granted in respect of payment of long term capital gains tax has been withdrawn and such taxes are now payable by the investors with effect from April 1, 2018. Further, any gain realized on the sale of listed equity shares held for a period of 12 months or less will be subject to short term capital gains tax in India. Capital gains arising from the sale of equity shares will be exempt from taxation in India in cases where the exemption from taxation in India is provided under a treaty between India and the country of which the seller is resident.
Indian tax treaties, for example with the United States and the United Kingdom, do not limit India’s ability to impose tax on capital gains. The treaties provide that except as provided in case of taxation of shipping and air transport provisions, each contracting state may tax capital gains in accordance with the provisions of the domestic law. As a result, residents of other countries may be liable for tax in India as well as in their own jurisdiction on a gain upon the sale of equity shares. However, credit for the same may be available in accordance with the provisions of the respective treaty and in accordance with the provisions under the domestic law, if applicable.
Future issuances or sales of equity shares and ADSs could significantly affect the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs.
The future issuance of shares by us or the disposal of shares by any of our major shareholders, or the perception that such issuance or sales may occur, may significantly affect the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs. There can be no assurance that we will not issue further shares or that the major shareholders will not dispose of, pledge or otherwise encumber their shares.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act withholding may affect payments on our equity shares and ADSs.
Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”) (provisions commonly known as “FATCA” or the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), impose (a) certain reporting and due diligence requirements on foreign financial institutions (“FFIs”) and (b) potentially require such FFIs to deduct a 30 percent withholding tax from (i) certain payments from sources within the United States and (ii) “foreign passthru payments” (which is not yet defined in current guidance) made to certain FFIs that do not comply with such reporting, and due diligence requirements or certain other payees that do not provide required information. We, as well as relevant intermediaries such as custodians and depositary participants, are classified as FFIs for these purposes. The United States has entered into a number of intergovernmental agreements (“IGAs”) with other jurisdictions which may modify the operation of this withholding. India has entered into a Model 1 IGA with the United States for giving effect to FATCA, and Indian FFIs, including us, are generally required to comply with FATCA based on the terms of the IGA and relevant rules made pursuant thereto.
Under current guidance it is not clear whether or to what extent payments on ADSs or equity shares will be considered “foreign pass-thru payments” subject to FATCA withholding or the extent to which withholding on “foreign pass thru payments” will be required under the applicable IGA. However, under current guidance, even if withholding were required pursuant to FATCA with respect to payments on ADSs or equity shares, such withholding would not apply prior to two years after the date on which final regulations on this issue are published. Investors should consult their own tax advisers on how the FATCA rules may apply to payments they receive in respect of the ADSs or equity shares.
Should any withholding tax in respect of FATCA be deducted or withheld from any payments arising to any investor, neither we nor any other person will pay additional amounts as a result of the deduction or withholding.
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CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT OUR AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES AND EQUITY SHARES
Our ADSs, each representing three equity shares, par value Rs. 1.0 per equity share, are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “HDB”. Our equity shares, including those underlying the ADSs, are listed on the NSE under the symbol “HDFCBANK” and the BSE Limited (formerly known as Bombay Stock Exchange Limited) under the trading code 500180. Our fiscal quarters end on June 30 of each year for the first quarter, September 30 for the second quarter, December 31 for the third quarter and March 31 for the fourth quarter.
As of March 31, 2022, there were 2,151,630 holders of record of our equity shares, including the shares underlying ADSs of which 2209 had registered addresses in the United States and held an aggregate of 2,263,152 equity shares representing 0.1 percent of our shareholders. In our records, only the depositary, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., is the shareholder with respect to equity shares underlying the ADSs.
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DESCRIPTION OF EQUITY SHARES
The Company
We are registered under Corporate Identity Number L65920MH1994PLC080618 with the Registrar of Companies, Maharashtra State, India. Our Memorandum of Association permits us to engage in a wide variety of activities, including all the activities in which we currently engage or intend to engage, as well as other activities in which we currently have no intention of engaging.
Our authorized share capital is Rs. 6,500,000,000 consisting of 6,500,000,000 equity shares of par value Rs. 1.0 each.
Dividends
Under Indian law and subject to the Banking Regulation Act, a company pays dividends upon a recommendation by its board of directors and approval by a majority of its shareholders at the annual general meeting of shareholders held within five months of the end of each fiscal year. The shareholders have the right to decrease but not increase the dividend amount recommended by the Board of Directors. Dividends are generally declared as a percentage of par value (on a per share basis) and distributed and paid to shareholders. The Companies Act provides that shares of a company of the same class must receive equal dividend treatment.
These distributions and payments are required to be deposited into a separate bank account within five (5) days of the declaration of such dividend and paid to shareholders within thirty (30) days of the annual general meeting where the resolution for declaration of dividends is approved.
The Companies Act states that any dividends that remain unpaid or unclaimed after that period are to be transferred to a special bank account. Any dividend amount that remains unclaimed for seven years from the date of the transfer is to be transferred by us to a fund, called the Investor Education and Protection Fund, created by the Government.
Our Articles of Association authorize our Board of Directors to declare interim dividends, the amount of which must be deposited in a separate bank account within five (5) days and paid to the shareholders within thirty (30) days of the declaration.
Under the Companies Act, final dividends payable can be paid only in cash to the registered shareholder at a record date fixed prior to the relevant annual general meeting, to his order or to the order of his banker.
Before paying any dividend on our shares, we are required under the Banking Regulation Act to write off all capitalized expenses (including preliminary expenses, organization expenses, share-selling commission, brokerage, amounts of losses incurred and any other item of expenditure not represented by tangible assets). We are permitted to declare dividends of up to 35.0 percent of net profit calculated under Indian GAAP without prior RBI approval subject to compliance with certain prescribed requirements. Further, upon compliance with the prescribed requirements, we are also permitted to declare interim dividends subject to the above-mentioned cap computed for the relevant accounting period.
Dividends may only be paid out of our profits for the relevant year arrived at after providing for depreciation or out of the profits of the company for any previous financial years arrived at after providing for depreciation and in certain contingencies out of the free reserves of the company, provided that in computing profits any amount representing unrealized gains, notional gains or revaluation of assets and any change in carrying amount of an asset or of a liability on measurement of the asset or the liability at fair value shall be excluded. Before declaring dividends, we are required by the RBI to transfer 25.0 percent of our net profits (calculated under Indian GAAP) of each year to a reserve fund.
Bonus Shares
In addition to permitting dividends to be paid out of current or retained earnings calculated under Indian GAAP, the Companies Act permits our Board of Directors, subject to the approval of our shareholders, to distribute to the shareholders, in the form of fully
paid-up
bonus equity shares, an amount transferred from the company’s free reserves, securities premium account or the capital redemption reserve account. Bonus equity shares can be distributed only with the prior approval of the RBI. These bonus equity shares must be distributed to shareholders in proportion to the number of equity shares owned by them.
Bonus shares can only be issued if the company has not defaulted in payments of the employees, such as contribution to provident fund, gratuity and bonus statutory dues or principal/interest payments on fixed deposits or debt securities issued by it. Bonus shares must not be issued in lieu of dividend. Further, listed companies are also required to follow the SEBI (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2018 (the “SEBI ICDR Regulations”) for issuance of bonus shares.
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Pre-emptive
Rights and Issue of Additional Shares
Subject to the Banking Regulation Act, and other applicable guidelines issued by the RBI, the Companies Act gives shareholders the right to subscribe for new shares in proportion to their existing shareholdings unless otherwise determined by a resolution passed by three-fourths of the shareholders present and voting at a general meeting. Under the Companies Act and our Articles of Association, in the event of an issuance of securities, subject to the limitations set forth above, we must first offer the new equity shares to the holders of equity shares on a fixed record date. The offer, required to be made by notice, must include:
the right, exercisable by the shareholders of record, to renounce the shares offered in favor of any other person;
the number of shares offered; and
the period of the offer, which may not be less than 15 days from the date of the offer and shall not exceed 30 days. If the offer is not accepted, it is deemed to have been declined.
Our Board of Directors is permitted to distribute equity shares not accepted by existing shareholders in the manner it deems beneficial for us in accordance with our Articles of Association. Holders of ADSs may not be able to participate in any such offer. See “
Description of American Depositary Shares—Share Dividends and Other Distributions
”.
General Meetings of Shareholders
There are two types of general meetings of shareholders: annual general meetings and extraordinary general meetings. We are required to convene our annual general meeting within five months after the end of each fiscal year. We may convene an extraordinary general meeting when necessary or at the request of the shareholders holding on the date of the request at least 10 percent of our
paid-up
capital. A general meeting is generally convened by our company secretary in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors. Written notice or notice via email or other permitted electronic means stating the agenda of the meeting must be given at least 21 clear days prior to the date set for the general meeting to the shareholders whose names are in the register at the record date. Shorter notice is permitted if consent is received from 95 percent of the members entitled to vote. Those shareholders who are not registered at the record date do not receive notice of this meeting and are not entitled to attend or vote at this meeting.
The annual general meeting is held in Mumbai, the city in which our registered office is located. General meetings other than the annual general meeting may be held at any location if so determined by a resolution of our Board of Directors. Due to the
COVID-19
pandemic and related restrictions, the Bank’s annual general meeting in fiscal year 2021 was held remotely on July 17, 2021, using video conferencing and other audio-visual technology.
Voting Rights
Section 108 of the Companies Act and Rule 20 of the Companies (Management and Administration) Rules 2014 deal with the exercise of the right to vote by members by electronic means. In terms of Rule 20 of the Companies (Management and Administration) Rules 2014, every listed company (other than a company referred to in Chapters XB or XC of the SEBI ICDR Regulations) is required to provide to its members facility to exercise their right to vote at general meetings by electronic means. Section 110 of the Companies Act allows such a company to transact all items of business at a general meeting, provided the company offers to its members a facility to exercise their right to vote at general meetings by electronic means. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has clarified that voting by show of hands would not be allowable in cases where Rule 20 is applicable.
A shareholder has one vote for each equity share and voting may be on a poll or through electronic means or postal ballot. Under Section 12 of the Banking Regulation Act 1949 as amended with effect from January 18, 2013 by the Banking Laws Amendment Act 2012, no person holding shares in a banking company shall, in respect of any shares held by such person, exercise voting rights on poll in excess of 10.0 percent of the total voting rights of all the shareholders of the banking company, provided that RBI may increase, in a phased manner, such ceiling on voting rights from 10.0 percent to 26.0 percent. On July 21, 2016 the RBI issued a notification, which was notified in the Gazette of India on September 17, 2016, which stated that the current ceiling on voting rights is at 26.0 percent. At a general meeting, upon a show of hands, every member holding shares and entitled to vote and present in person has one vote. Upon a poll, the voting rights of each shareholder entitled to vote and present in person or by proxy is in the same proportion as the capital
paid-up
on each share held by such holder bears to the company’s total
paid-up
capital, subject to the limits prescribed under the Banking Regulation Act. Voting is by a show of hands, unless a poll is ordered by the Chairman of the meeting. However, voting by show of hands is not permitted for listed companies. The Chairman of the meeting has a casting vote.
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Unless the Articles of Association provide for a larger number, the quorum for a general meeting is: (a) five members present (in person or by proxy) if the number of members as of the date of the meeting is not more than one thousand; (b) 15 members present (in person or by proxy) if the number of members as of the date of the meeting is more than one thousand but not more than five thousand; and (c) thirty members present (in person or by proxy) if the number of members as of the date of the meeting exceeds five thousand. Generally, resolutions may be passed by simple majority of the shareholders present and voting at any general meeting. However, resolutions such as an amendment to the organizational documents, commencement of a new line of business, an issue of additional equity shares (which is not a preemptive issue) and reductions of share capital, require that the votes cast in favor of the resolution (whether by show of hands or on a poll) are not less than three times the number of votes, if any, cast against the resolution. As provided in our Articles of Association, a shareholder may exercise his voting rights by proxy to be given in the form prescribed by us. This proxy, however, is required to be lodged with us at least 48 hours before the time of the relevant meeting. However, due to the
COVID-19
pandemic and related restrictions in place, proxies are not permitted at general meetings conducted remotely. A shareholder may, by a single power of attorney, grant general power of representation covering several general meetings. A corporate shareholder is also entitled to nominate a representative to attend and vote on its behalf at all general meetings. The Companies Act also provides for the passing of resolutions in relation to certain matters specified by the Government of India, by means of a postal ballot. A notice to all the shareholders must be sent along with a draft resolution explaining the reasons therefor and requesting the shareholders to send their assent or dissent in writing on a postal ballot within a period of 30 days from the date of dispatch of the notice. Shareholders may exercise their right to vote at general meetings, through postal ballot by sending their votes through the postal arrangements or through electronic means
(e-voting),
for which separate facilities are provided to the shareholders.
ADS holders have no voting rights with respect to the deposited shares.
Annual Report
At least 21 clear days before an annual general meeting, we must circulate either a detailed or abridged version of our Indian GAAP audited financial accounts, together with the Directors’ Report and the Auditor’s Report, to the shareholders along with a notice convening the annual general meeting. We are also required under the Companies Act to make available upon the request of any shareholder our complete balance sheet and profit and loss account. The above-mentioned documents must also be made available for inspection at its registered office during working hours for a period of 21 days before the date of the annual general meeting. A statement containing the salient features of these documents in a prescribed manner (or copies of these documents) is required to be sent to every member of the company and to every debenture trustee at least 21 days before the date of the annual general meeting. Under the Companies Act, we must file with the Registrar of Companies our Indian GAAP balance sheet and profit and loss account within 30 days in form
AOC-4
of the conclusion of the annual general meeting and our annual return in form
MGT-7
within 60 days of the conclusion of that meeting. We also upload the annual return in form
MGT-7
to our website and include a
web-link
to the form
MGT-7
in our annual report.
Register of Shareholders, Record Dates and Transfer of Shares
The equity shares are in registered form. We maintain a register of our shareholders in Mumbai. We register transfers of equity shares on the register of shareholders upon presentation of certificates in respect of the transfer of equity shares held in physical form together with a transfer deed duly executed by the transferor and transferee. These transfer deeds are subject to stamp duty, which has been fixed at 0.25 percent of the transfer price. As set out in the SEBI directive, effective April 1, 2019, physical transfer of shares is prohibited in the case of listed Indian companies. Therefore, shareholders need to dematerialize the shares for transfer.
For the purpose of determining equity shares entitled to annual dividends, the register of shareholders is closed for a period prior to the annual general meeting. The Companies Act and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 permit us, pursuant to a resolution of our Board of Directors and upon at least seven days’ advance notice to the stock exchanges, to set the record date and close the register of shareholders after seven days’ public notice for not more than 30 days at a time, and for not more than 45 days in a year, in order for us to determine which shareholders are entitled to certain rights pertaining to the equity shares. Trading of equity shares and delivery of certificates in respect of the equity shares may, however, continue after the register of shareholders is closed.
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Transfer of Shares
Shares held through depositories are transferred in the form of book entries or in electronic form in accordance with the regulations laid down by the SEBI. These regulations provide the regime for the functioning of the depositories and the participants and set out the manner in which the records are to be kept and maintained and the safeguards to be followed in this system. Transfers of beneficial ownership of shares held through a depositary are exempt from stamp duty. We have entered into an agreement for such depository services with the National Securities Depository Limited and the Central Depository Services India Limited.
The SEBI requires that our equity shares for trading and settlement purposes be in book-entry form for all investors, except for transactions that are not made on a stock exchange and transactions that are not required to be reported to the stock exchange. Transfers of equity shares in book-entry form require both the seller and the purchaser of the equity shares to establish accounts with depositary participants appointed by depositories established under the Depositaries Act 1996. Charges for opening an account with a depositary participant, transaction charges for each trade and custodian charges for securities held in each account vary depending upon the practice of each depositary participant. Upon delivery, the equity shares shall be registered in the name of the relevant depositary on our books and this depositary shall enter the name of the investor in its records as the beneficial owner. The transfer of beneficial ownership shall be done through the records of the depositary. The beneficial owner shall be entitled to all rights and benefits and subject to all liabilities in respect of his securities held by a depositary.
The requirement to hold the equity shares in book-entry form will apply to the ADS holders when the equity shares are withdrawn from the depositary facility upon surrender of the ADSs. In order to trade the equity shares in the Indian market, the withdrawing ADS holder will be required to comply with the procedures described above.
Our equity shares are freely transferable, subject to the provisions of the Companies Act under which, if a transfer of equity shares contravenes the provisions of Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act 1956, the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 or the regulations issued under it or any other law in force at the time, the National Company Law Tribunal may, on application made by us, a depositary incorporated in India, an investor, the SEBI or certain other parties, direct a rectification of the register of records. It was a condition of our listing that we transfer equity shares and deliver share certificates duly endorsed for the transfer within 15 days of the date of lodgment of transfer. If a company without sufficient cause refuses to register a transfer of equity shares within thirty (30) days from the date on which the instrument of transfer is delivered to the company, the transferee may appeal to the National Company Law Tribunal seeking to register the transfer of equity shares. The National Company Law Tribunal may, in its discretion, issue an interim order suspending the voting rights attached to the relevant equity shares before completing its investigation of the alleged contravention. However, effective from and on April 1, 2019, the SEBI decided that except in cases of transmission or transposition of securities, requests for effecting the transfer of securities shall not be processed unless the securities are held in dematerialized form with a depositary. Our Articles of Association provide for certain restrictions on the transfer of equity shares, including granting power to the Board of Directors in certain circumstances, to refuse to register or acknowledge transfer of equity shares or other securities issued by us. Furthermore, the RBI requires us to obtain its approval before registering a transfer of equity shares in favor of a person which together with equity shares already held by him represent more than five (5) percent of our share capital.
Our transfer agent, Datamatics Business Solutions Limited, is located in Mumbai. Certain foreign exchange control and security regulations apply to the transfer of equity shares by a
non-resident
or a foreigner.
Disclosure of Ownership Interest
The provisions of the Companies Act generally require beneficial owners of equity shares of Indian companies that are not holders of record to declare to the company details of the holder of record and holders of record to declare details of the beneficial owner. While it is unclear whether these provisions apply to holders of an Indian company’s ADSs, investors who exchange ADSs for equity shares are subject to this provision. Failure to comply with these provisions would not affect the obligation of a company to register a transfer of equity shares or to pay any dividends to the registered holder of any equity shares in respect of which this declaration has not been made, but any person who fails to make the required declaration may be liable for an initial fine of up to Rs. 50,000 coupled with a further fine of up to Rs. 1,000 for each day this failure continues. However, under the Banking Regulation Act, a registered holder of any equity shares, except in certain conditions, shall not be liable to any suit or proceeding on the ground that the title to those equity shares vests in another person.
Acquisition by the Issuer of Its Own Shares
The Companies Act permits a company to acquire its own equity shares and reduce its capital under certain circumstances. Such reduction of capital requires compliance with
buy-back
provisions specified in the Companies Act and by the SEBI.
ADS holders will be eligible to participate in a
buy-back
in certain cases. An ADS holder may acquire equity shares by withdrawing them from the depositary facility and then sell those equity shares back to us. ADS holders should note that equity shares withdrawn from the depositary facility may only be redeposited into the depositary facility under certain circumstances.
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There can be no assurance that the equity shares offered by an ADS investor in any
buy-back
of shares by us will be accepted by us. The position regarding participation of ADS holders in a
buy-back
is not clear. ADS investors are advised to consult their Indian legal advisers prior to participating in any
buy-back
by us, including in relation to any regulatory approvals and tax issues relating to the
buy-back.
Liquidation Rights
Subject to the rights of depositors, creditors and employees, in the event of our
winding-up,
the holders of the equity shares are entitled to be repaid the amounts of capital paid up or credited as paid up on these equity shares. All surplus assets remaining belong to the holders of the equity shares in proportion to the amount paid up or credited as paid up on these equity shares, respectively, at the commencement of the
winding-up.
Acquisition of the Undertaking by the Government
Under the Banking Regulation Act, the Government may, after consultation with the RBI, in the interest of our depositors or banking policy or better provision of credit generally or to a particular community or area, acquire our banking business. The RBI may acquire our business if it is satisfied that we have failed to comply with the directions given to us by the RBI or that our business is being managed in a manner detrimental to the interest of our depositors. Similarly, the Government of India may also acquire our business based on a report by the RBI.
Takeover Code
Under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Substantial Acquisitions of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations 2011, as amended (the “Takeover Code”), upon the acquisition of shares which taken together with the shares/voting rights already held aggregates 5 percent or more of the outstanding shares or voting rights of a publicly listed Indian company, a purchaser is required to notify the company and all the stock exchanges on which the shares of such company are listed. Such notification is also required when a person holds 5 percent or more of the outstanding shares or voting rights in a target company and there is a change in his holding either due to purchase or disposal of shares of 2 percent or more of the outstanding shares/voting rights in the target company or if such change results in shareholding falling below 5 percent, if there has been a change from the previous disclosure.
No acquisition of shares/voting rights by an acquirer in a target company which entitles the acquirer, together with persons acting in concert with them, to 25 percent or more of such shares or voting rights is permissible unless the acquirer makes a public announcement of an open offer for acquiring the shares of the target company in the manner provided in the Takeover Code. The public announcement of an open offer is also mandatory where an acquirer who, together with persons acting in concert with them, holds 25 percent of the shares/voting rights in the target company, but less than the maximum permissible
non-public
shareholding, seeks to acquire an additional 5 percent or more of the shares/voting rights in the target company during any fiscal year. However, the Takeover Code applies only to shares or securities convertible into shares which carry a voting right. This provision will apply to an ADS holder only once he or she converts the ADSs into the underlying equity shares.
In terms of the Takeover Code, the acquirer or holder of shares/voting rights in a target company shall in accordance with the “Continual Disclosure” requirements disclose to the target company and the stock exchanges the details of holdings of equity shares/voting rights if such holding of shares/voting rights is 25 percent or more of the outstanding shares/aggregate voting rights as at March 31 every year.
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DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
American Depositary Shares
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as depositary, issues the American Depositary Shares, or ADSs. Each ADS represents an ownership interest in three equity shares, which we have deposited with the custodian, as agent of the depositary, under the deposit agreement among ourselves, the depositary and each ADR holder. In the future, each ADS will also represent any securities, cash or other property deposited with the depositary but which it has not distributed directly to an ADR holder. The ADSs are evidenced by what is known as American Depositary Receipts or ADRs.
The depositary’s office is located at J.P. Morgan Depositary Receipts, 383 Madison Ave, Floor 11, New York, NY 10179.
Investors may hold ADSs either directly or indirectly through their broker or other financial institution. If an investor holds ADSs directly, by having an ADR certificate evidencing a specific number of ADSs registered in his name on the books of the depositary, or by holding an ADS in the depositary’s direct registration system, he is an ADR holder. This description assumes that the investor holds his ADSs directly. If an investor holds the ADSs through his broker or financial institution nominee, he must rely on the procedures of such broker or financial institution to assert the rights of an ADR holder described in this section. Investors should consult with their broker or financial institution to find out what these procedures are.
Because the depositary’s nominee will actually be the registered owner of the shares, investors must rely on the depositary to exercise the rights of a shareholder on their behalf. The obligations of the depositary and its agents are set out in the deposit agreement. The deposit agreement and the ADSs are governed by New York law.
The following is a summary of the material terms of the deposit agreement. Because it is a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to investors. For more complete information, investors should read the entire deposit agreement and the form of ADR, which contains the terms of the ADSs. Investors can read a copy of the amended and restated deposit agreement, which was filed as an exhibit to the registration statement on Form
F-6
on September 9, 2015. Investors may also obtain a copy of the amended and restated deposit agreement at the Securities and Exchange Commission Office, Public Reference Room, which is located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Investors may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC
at1-800-SEC-0330.
See “
Description of Equity Shares—The Company
”.
Share Dividends and Other Distributions
We may make various types of distributions with respect to our securities. The depositary has agreed to pay to the investor the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on shares or other deposited securities, after deducting its charges and expenses. The investor will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of deposited securities that the investor’s ADSs represent. To the extent practicable, the depositary will deliver such distributions to ADR holders in proportion to their interests in the following manner:
Cash
The depositary will distribute any United States dollars available to it resulting from a cash dividend or other cash distribution if this is practicable and can be done in a reasonable manner. The depositary will distribute this cash in a practicable manner, and may deduct any taxes required to be withheld, any expenses of converting foreign currency and transferring funds to the United States and other expenses and adjustments. If exchange rates fluctuate during a time when the depositary cannot convert a foreign currency, investors may lose some or all of the value of the distribution.
Shares
In the case of a distribution in shares, the depositary will issue additional ADRs to evidence the number of ADSs representing such shares. Only whole ADSs will be issued. The depositary will sell any shares which would result in fractional ADSs and distribute the net proceeds to the ADR holders entitled to them.
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Rights to Receive Additional Shares
In the case of a distribution of rights to subscribe for additional shares or other rights, if we provide satisfactory evidence that the depositary may lawfully distribute the rights, the depositary may arrange for ADR holders to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the rights. However, if we do not furnish such evidence, the depositary may:
sell the rights, if practicable, and distribute the net proceeds as cash.
if it is not practicable to sell the rights, allow the rights to lapse, in which case ADR holders will receive nothing.
We have no obligation to file a registration statement under the Securities Act in order to make any rights available to ADR holders or furnish evidence that the depositary may lawfully make any rights available to ADR holders.
Other Distributions
In the case of a distribution of securities or property other than those described above, the depositary may either:
distribute such securities or property in any manner it deems equitable and practicable; or
to the extent the depositary deems distribution of such securities or property not to be equitable and practicable, sell such securities or property and distribute any net proceeds in the same way it distributes cash.
Any United States dollars will be distributed by cheques drawn on a bank in the United States for whole dollars and cents (fractional cents will be withheld without liability for interest and handled by the depositary in accordance with its then current practices).
The depositary may choose, after consultation with us, if practicable, any practical method of distribution for any specific ADR holder, including the distribution of foreign currency, securities or property, or it may retain those items, without paying interest on or investing them, on behalf of the ADR holder as deposited securities, in which case the ADSs will also represent the retained items.
The depositary is not responsible if it fails to determine that any distribution or action is lawful or reasonably practicable.
We cannot assure investors that the depositary will be able to convert any currency at a specified exchange rate or sell any property, rights, shares or other securities at a specified price, or that any of such transactions can be completed within a specified time period. All purchases and sales of securities will be handled by the depositary in accordance with its then current policies, which are currently set forth in the “Depositary Receipt Sale and Purchase of Security” section available at https://
www.adr.com/Investors/FindOutAboutDRs
, the location and contents of which the depositary shall be solely responsible for.
Deposit, Withdrawal and Cancellation
The depositary issues ADSs upon the deposit of shares or evidence of rights to receive shares with the custodian after payment of the fees and expenses owing to the depositary in connection with such issuance.
Except for shares that we deposit, no shares may be deposited by persons located in India, residents of India or for, or on the account of, such persons. Under current Indian laws and regulations, the depositary cannot accept deposits of outstanding shares and issue ADRs evidencing ADSs representing such shares without prior approval of the Government of India. However, an investor who surrenders an ADS and withdraws shares may be permitted to redeposit those shares in the depositary facility in exchange for ADSs and the depositary may accept deposits of outstanding shares purchased by a
non-resident
of India on the local stock exchange and issue ADSs representing those shares. However, in each case, the number of shares
re-deposited
or deposited cannot exceed the number represented by ADSs converted into underlying shares.
Shares deposited in the future with the custodian must be accompanied by certain documents, including instruments showing that such shares have been properly transferred or endorsed to the person on whose behalf the deposit is being made. To the extent delivery of certificates is impracticable, the shares may be deposited by any other delivery means reasonably acceptable to the depositary or custodian, including by way of crediting the shares to an account maintained by the custodian with us or an accredited intermediary acting as registrar for the shares.
We will inform the depositary if any of the shares permitted to be deposited do not rank
pari passu
with other deposited securities and the depositary will arrange for the issuance of temporary ADSs representing such shares until such time as the shares become fully fungible with the other deposited securities.
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The custodian will hold all deposited shares for the account of the depositary. ADR holders thus have no direct ownership interest in the shares and only have such rights as are contained in the deposit agreement. The custodian will also hold any additional securities, property and cash received on or in substitution for the deposited shares. The deposited shares and any such additional items are referred to as “deposited securities”.
Upon each deposit of shares, receipt of related delivery documentation and compliance with the other provisions of the deposit agreement, including the payment of the fees and charges of the depositary and any taxes or other fees or charges owing, the depositary will issue an ADR or ADRs in the name of the person entitled thereto evidencing the number of ADSs to which such person is entitled. All ADSs issued will be evidenced by way of registration in the depositary’s direct registration system, unless certificated ADRs are specifically requested by the holder. Rather than receiving a certificate, registered holders will receive periodic statements from the depositary showing the number of ADSs to which they are entitled. Certificated ADRs will be delivered at the depositary’s designated transfer office.
When an investor turns in his ADR certificate at the depositary’s office, or provides proper instructions and documentation in the case of direct registration ADSs, the depositary will, upon payment of certain applicable fees, charges and taxes, deliver the underlying shares. Delivery of deposited securities in certificated form will be made at the custodian’s office or, at the investor’s risk and expense, the depositary may deliver such deposited securities at such other place as may be requested by the investor. A stamp duty will be payable by the relevant ADR holder in respect of any withdrawal of shares, unless the shares are held in dematerialized form. Any subsequent transfer by the holder of the shares after withdrawal will require the approval of the RBI, which approval must be obtained by the purchaser and us under the provisions of the Foreign Management Regulation Act, 1999 unless the transfer is on a stock exchange or in connection with an offer under the Indian takeover regulations.
The depositary may only restrict the withdrawal of deposited securities in connection with:
temporary delays caused by closing the Bank’s transfer books or those of the depositary or the deposit of shares in connection with voting at a shareholders’ meeting, or the payment of dividends;
the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges; or
compliance with any United States or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the ADRs or to the withdrawal of deposited securities.
This right of withdrawal may not be limited by any other provision of the deposit agreement.
Voting Rights
Investors who hold ADRs have no voting rights with respect to the deposited equity shares. The depositary will abstain from exercising the voting rights of the deposited equity shares. The RBI examined the matter relating to the exercise of voting rights by the depositary and issued a circular dated February 5, 2007 pursuant to which the Bank furnished to the RBI a copy of its agreement with the depositary. We have given an undertaking to the RBI stating that we will not recognize voting by the depositary if the vote given by the depositary is in contravention of its agreement with us and that we or the depositary will not bring about any change in our depositary agreement without the prior approval of the RBI.
Equity shares which have been withdrawn from the depositary facility and transferred on our register of shareholders to a person other than the depositary or its nominee may be voted by that person. However, such shareholders may not receive sufficient advance notice of shareholder meetings to enable them to withdraw the underlying shares and vote at such meetings.
Record Dates
The depositary may, after consultation with us, if practicable, fix record dates for the determination of the ADR holders, who will be entitled or obligated (as the case may be) to receive any distribution on or in respect of deposited securities, or to pay the fee assessed by the depositary for administration of the ADR program and any expenses provided for in the ADR, subject to the provisions of the deposit agreement.
Reports and Other Communications
The depositary will make available for inspection by ADR holders at the offices of the depositary and at the transfer office any written communications from us which are both received by the custodian or its nominee as a holder of deposited securities and made generally available to the holders of deposited securities. The depositary will distribute copies of such communications, or English translations or summaries thereof, to ADR holders when furnished by us.
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Fees and Charges for Holders of American Depositary Shares
The depositary collects the following fees from holders of ADRs or intermediaries acting on their behalf:
Category
Depositary actions
Associated fee
(a)
Issuing ADSsIssuing ADSs upon deposits of shares, issuances in respect of share distributions, rights and other distributions, stock dividends, stock splits, mergers, exchanges of securities or any other transaction or event or other distribution affecting the ADSs or the deposited securities.US$ 5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) issued or delivered.
(b)
Distributing dividendsDistribution of cash.US$ 0.02 or less per ADS.
(c)
Distributing or selling securitiesDistribution to ADR holders of securities received by the depositary or net proceeds from the sale of such securities.US$ 5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof), the fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of ADSs which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities.
(d)
Cancellation or reduction of ADSsAcceptance of ADSs surrendered for withdrawal of deposited shares, or the cancellation or reduction of ADSs for any other reason.US$ 5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) reduced, canceled or surrendered (as the case may be).
(e)
Transferring, splitting or combining ADRsTransfer, split or combination of depositary receipts.US$ 1.50 per ADR.
(f)
General depositary servicesServices performed by the depositary in administering the ADRs.US$ 0.01 per ADS per calendar year (or portion thereof).
(g)
OtherFees, charges and expenses incurred on behalf of holders in connection with:The amount of such fees, charges and expenses incurred by the depositary and/or any of its agents.
•   compliance with foreign exchange control regulations or any law or regulation relating to foreign investment;
•   the servicing of shares or other deposited securities;
•   the sale of securities;
•   the delivery of deposited securities;
•   the depositary’s or its custodian’s compliance with applicable laws, rules or regulations;
•   stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges;
•   cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery charges;
•   transfer or registration fees for the registration or transfer of deposited securities on any applicable register in connection with the deposit or withdrawal of deposited securities;
•   the conversion of foreign currency into United States dollars (which are deducted by the depositary out of such foreign currency); or
•   the fees of any division, branch or affiliate of the depositary utilized by the depositary to direct, manage and/or execute any public or private sale of securities under the deposit agreement.
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(2)
With effect from April 1, 2019, the Bank adopted FASB ASU
2016-02 “Leases
(Topic 842)” using the modified retrospective method.

(3)
Average balances are the average of daily outstanding amounts.
As provided in the amended and restated deposit agreement, the depositary may collect its fees for making cash and other distributions to holders by deducting fees from distributable amounts or by selling a portion of the distributable property. The depositary may generally refuse to provide services until its fees for those services are paid.
Fees Paid by the Depositary to Us
Direct and Indirect Payments
The depositary has agreed to contribute certain reasonable direct and indirect expenses related to our ADS program incurred by us in connection with the program. Under certain circumstances, we may be required to repay to the depositary amounts contributed by them.
The table below sets forth the contribution received by us from the depositary towards our direct and indirect expenses during fiscal year 2022.
Category
Contribution
received
Legal, accounting fees and other expenses incurred in connection with our ADS program
 �� 
US$9,406,308.19
(approximately Rs. 713.7 million)
 
Payment of Taxes
ADR holders must pay any tax or other governmental charge payable by the custodian or the depositary on any ADS or ADR, deposited security or distribution, and by holding or having held an ADR, the holder and all prior holders, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the depositary and its agents. If an ADR holder owes any tax or other governmental charge, the depositary may:
deduct the amount thereof from any cash distributions; or
(4)
sell deposited securities and deduct the amount owing from the net proceeds of such sale.
In either case the ADR holder remains liable for any shortfall. Additionally, if any tax or governmental charge is unpaid, the depositary may also refuse to effect any registration, registration of transfer,
split-up
or combination of deposited securities or withdrawal of deposited securities (except under limited circumstances mandated by securities regulations). If any tax or governmental charge is required to be withheld on any
non-cash
distribution, the depositary may sell the distributed property or securities to pay such taxes and distribute any remaining net proceeds to the ADR holders entitled to them.
Reclassifications, Recapitalizations and Mergers
If we take certain actions that affect the deposited securities, including (1) any change in par value,
split-up,
consolidation, cancellation or other reclassification of deposited securities or (2) any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, liquidation, receivership, bankruptcy or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, then the depositary may choose to:
amend the form of ADR;
distribute additional or amended ADRs;
distribute cash, securities or other property it has received in connection with such actions;
sell any securities or property received and distribute the proceeds as cash; or
take no action.
If the depositary does not choose any of the above options, any of the cash, securities or other property it receives will constitute part of the deposited securities and each ADS will then represent a proportionate interest in such property.
Amendment and Termination
We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the ADSs without the consent of ADR holders for any reason. ADR holders must be given at least 30 days’ notice of any amendment that imposes or increases any fees or charges (other than stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges, transfer or registration fees, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or prejudices any substantial existing right of ADR holders. If an ADR holder continues to hold an ADR or ADRs after being notified of these changes, the ADR holder is deemed to agree to, and be bound by, such amendment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an amendment can become effective before notice is given if this is necessary to ensure compliance with a new law, rule or regulation.
76

No amendment will impair an ADR holder’s right to surrender its ADSs and receive the underlying securities, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. If a governmental or regulatory body adopts new laws, rules or regulations which require the deposit agreement or the ADS to be amended, the Bank and the depositary may make the necessary amendments, which could take effect before an ADR holder receives notice thereof.
The depositary may terminate the deposit agreement by giving the ADR holders at least 30 days’ prior notice and it must do so at our request. After termination, the depositary’s only responsibility will be (i) to deliver deposited securities to ADR holders who surrender their ADRs and (ii) to hold or sell distributions received on deposited securities. As soon as practicable after the expiration of six months from the termination date, the depositary will sell the remaining deposited securities and hold the net proceeds of such sales, together with any other cash then held by it under the deposit agreement, in trust for the pro rata benefit of ADR holders who have not yet surrendered their ADRs. After making those sales, the depositary shall have no obligations except to account for such proceeds and other cash. The depositary will not be required to invest such proceeds or pay interest on them.
Limitations on Obligations and Liability to ADR Holders
The deposit agreement expressly limits the obligations and liability of the depositary, ourselves and our respective agents. Neither we nor the depositary nor any such agent will be liable if:
any present or future law, rule, regulation, fiat, order or decree of the United States, the Republic of India or any other country, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or securities exchange or market or automated quotation system, the provisions of or regulation governing any deposited securities, any present or future provision of our charter, any act of God, war, terrorism, nationalization or other circumstance beyond its control shall prevent or delay, or shall cause it to be subject to any civil or criminal penalty in connection with any act which the deposit agreement or the ADRs provide shall be done or performed by it;
it exercises or fails to exercise discretion under the deposit agreement or the ADR;
it takes any action or inaction in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting shares for deposit, any registered holder of ADRs, or any other person believed by it to be competent to give such advice or information;
it performs its obligations under the deposit agreement without gross negligence or willful misconduct; or
it relies upon any written notice, request, direction, instruction or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, presented or given by the proper party or parties.
Neither the depositary nor its agents have any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any deposited securities or the ADRs. We and our agents shall only be obligated to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any deposited securities or the ADRs, which, in our opinion, may involve us in expense or liability, if indemnity satisfactory to us against all expense (including fees and disbursements of counsel) and liability is furnished as often as we require.
The depositary will not be liable for the price received in connection with any sale of securities or any delay or omission to act nor will the depositary be responsible for any error or delay in action, omission to act, default or negligence on the part of the party retained in connection with any sale or proposed sale of securities.
The depositary may own and deal in any class of securities and in ADSs.
Disclosure of Interest in ADSs
From time to time, we may request ADR holders and beneficial owners of ADSs to provide information as to:
the capacity in which they own or owned ADSs;
the identity of any other persons then or previously interested in such ADSs; and
the nature of such interest and various other matters.
Investors in ADSs agree to provide any information requested by us or the depositary pursuant to the deposit agreement. The depositary has agreed to use reasonable efforts, without risk, liability or expense on the part of the depositary, to comply with written instructions received from us requesting that it forward any such requests to investors in ADSs and other holders and beneficial owners and to forward to us any responses to such requests to the extent permitted by applicable law.
77

We may restrict transfers of the shares where any such transfer might result in ownership of shares in contravention of, or exceeding the limits under, applicable law or our organizational documents. We may also instruct ADR holders that we are restricting the transfers of ADSs where such a transfer may result in the total number of shares represented by the ADSs beneficially owned by ADR holders contravening or exceeding the limits under the applicable law or our organizational documents. We reserve the right to instruct ADR holders to deliver their ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of the shares underlying such ADSs and holders agree to comply with such instructions.
Requirements for Depositary Actions
We, the depositary, or the custodian may refuse to:
issue, register or transfer an ADR or ADRs;
effect a
split-up
or combination of ADRs;
deliver distributions on any such ADRs; or
permit the withdrawal of deposited securities (unless the deposit agreement provides otherwise), until the following conditions have been met:
the holder has paid all taxes, governmental charges and fees and expenses as required in the deposit agreement;
the holder has provided the depositary with any information it may deem necessary or proper, including, without limitation, proof of identity and the genuineness of any signature, and information as to citizenship, residence, exchange control approval, beneficial ownership of any securities, compliance with applicable law, regulations, provisions of or governing deposited securities and terms of the deposit agreement and the ADRs; and
the holder has complied with such regulations as the depositary may establish consistent with the deposit agreement.
The depositary may also suspend the issuance of ADSs, the deposit of shares, the registration, transfer,
split-up
or combination of ADRs, or the withdrawal of deposited securities (unless the deposit agreement provides otherwise), if the register for ADRs or any deposited securities is closed or if any such action is deemed advisable by the depositary.
Books of Depositary
The depositary or its agent will maintain a register for the registration, registration of transfer, combination and
split-up
of ADRs, which, in the case of registered ADRs, shall include the depositary’s direct registration system. ADR holders may inspect the depositary’s designated records at all reasonable times. Such register may be closed at any time from time to time, when deemed expedient by the depositary.
The depositary will maintain facilities for the delivery and receipt of ADRs.
Pre-release
of ADSs
The depositary may issue ADSs prior to the receipt of shares and deliver shares prior to the receipt of ADSs for the withdrawal of deposited securities. Each such transaction is called a
pre-release
of the ADSs. A
pre-release
is closed out as soon as the underlying shares (or other ADSs) are delivered to the depositary. The depositary may
pre-release
ADSs only if:
the person or entity to whom ADSs or shares will be delivered;
represents that, at the time of the
pre-release,
the applicant or its customer owns the shares or ADSs to be delivered;
agrees to indicate the depositary as owner of such shares or ADSs in its records and to hold such shares or ADSs in trust for the depositary until they have been delivered to the depositary or custodian;
unconditionally guarantees to deliver the shares or ADSs to the depositary or custodian, as applicable;
agrees to any additional restrictions or requirements that the depositary deems appropriate; and
the depositary has received collateral for the full market value of the
pre-released
ADSs or shares.
In general, the number of
pre-released
ADSs and shares is limited to 30.0 percent of all ADSs outstanding at any given time (without giving effect to those ADSs issued prior to the receipt of shares). However, the depositary may change or disregard such limit from time to time as it deems appropriate. The depositary may also set limits with respect to the number of ADSs and shares involved in
pre-release
transactions with any one person on a
case-by-case
basis as it deems appropriate. The depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in conjunction with
pre-release
transactions, including earnings on collateral but excluding the collateral itself.
Represents the ratio of total dividends payable on equity shares relating to each fiscal year, excluding the dividend distribution tax, as a percentage of net income of that year. Dividends declared each year are typically paid in the following fiscal year. With effect from April 1, 2020, dividend distribution tax on dividends distributed has been abolished. The RBI in its circular No. RBI/2019-20/218 DOR.BP.BC.No.64/21.02.067/2019-20, dated April 17, 2020 decided that banks shall not make any further dividend pay-outs from the profits pertaining to the financial year ended March 31, 2020 until further instructions. See “
Dividend Policy
79
Taxation
145
Supervision and Regulation
151
Exchange Controls
190
Restrictions on Foreign Ownership of Indian Securities
192
Additional Information
196
ii

Item Caption
Location
Item 11Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Business—Risk Management
23
Selected Statistical Information
83
Item 12Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities
Not Applicable
Item 12DADSs fee disclosure
Description of American Depositary Shares—Fees and Charges for Holders of American Depositary Shares
75
Part II
Item 13Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
Not Applicable
Item 14Material Modifications to the Rights of Security
Holders and Use of Proceeds
Not Applicable
Item 15Controls and Procedures
Management—Controls and Procedures
135
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
197
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm—Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
198
Item 16AAudit Committee Financial Expert
Management—Audit Committee Financial Expert
136
Item 16BCode of Ethics
Management—Code of Ethics
136
Item 16CPrincipal Accountant Fees and Services
Management—Principal Accountant Fees and Services
136
Item 16DExemption from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
Not Applicable
Item 16EPurchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
Not Applicable
Item 16FChanges in or disagreements with accountants
Not Applicable
Item 16GSignificant Differences in Corporate Governance Practices
Management—Compliance with NYSE Listing Standards on Corporate Governance
137
Item 16HMine Safety Disclosure
Not Applicable
iii

EXCHANGE RATES AND CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS
In this document, all references to “we”, “us”, “our”, “HDFC Bank” or “the Bank” shall mean HDFC Bank Limited or where the context requires also to its subsidiaries whose financials are consolidated for accounting purposes. References to the “U.S.” or “United States” are to the United States of America, its territories and its possessions. References to “India” are to the Republic of India. References to the “Companies Act” in the document mean the Indian Companies Act, 2013 and all rules and regulations issued thereunder. References to “$”, “US$”, “dollars” or “United States dollars” are to the legal currency of the United States and references to “Rs.”, “INR”, “rupees” or “Indian rupees” are to the legal currency of India.
Our financial statements are presented in Indian rupees and in some cases translated into United States dollars. The financial statements and all other financial data included in this report, except as otherwise noted, are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP. U.S. GAAP differs in certain material respects from accounting principles generally accepted in India, the requirements of India’s Banking Regulation Act and related regulations issued by the Reserve Bank of India (“RBI”) (collectively, “Indian GAAP”), which form the basis of our statutory general purpose financial statements in India. Principal differences applicable to our business include: determination of the allowance for credit losses, classification and valuation of investments, accounting for deferred income taxes, stock-based compensation, loan origination fees, derivative financial instruments, business combinations and the presentation format and disclosures of the financial statements and related notes. References to a particular “fiscal” are to our fiscal year ended March 31 of such year.
Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Indian rupee and the United States dollar will affect the United States dollar equivalent of the Indian rupee price of the equity shares on the Indian stock exchanges and, as a result, will affect the market price of our American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) in the United States. These fluctuations will also affect the conversion into United States dollars by the depositary of any cash dividends paid in Indian rupees on the equity shares represented by ADSs.
Investor expectations that reforms implemented by the government of India (the “Government of India” or the “Government”) will lead to an improvement in the long term growth outlook helped to improve the rupee’s performance, reducing the depreciation trend to 3.85 percent in fiscal year 2015. During fiscal year 2016, the rupee depreciated by 6.32 percent primarily reflecting global risk aversion and a strong United States dollar. However, in line with other emerging markets, which experienced currency appreciation in fiscal year 2017, the Indian rupee also appreciated by 2.1 percent against the United States dollar. This was mainly attributed to repricing of the Indian assets by international investors (driven by domestic economic and political stability) alongside the disappointment relating to the United States reform agenda. In fiscal year 2018, the rupee ranged between a high of Rs. 65.71 per US$ 1.00 and a low of Rs. 63.38 per US$ 1.00. Pressure developed in the last two quarters of fiscal year 2018 as oil prices rose and trade war risks escalated globally. In fiscal year 2019, while the rupee depreciated overall by 6.3 percent against the United States dollar, it ranged between a high of Rs. 74.4 per US$ 1.00 and a low of Rs. 64.85 per US$ 1.00. Rising oil prices and a slowdown in global trade volumes, as well as a risk aversion towards emerging market currencies (because of tariffs and trade war risks) have all affected the rupee negatively in fiscal year 2019. The rupee further depreciated in fiscal year 2020, amid weak global demand, low domestic economic growth and foreign portfolio investment outflows, as well as a result of foreign investors becoming more risk averse with respect to investments in India. In fiscal year 2020, the rupee ranged between a high of Rs. 76.37 per US$ 1.00 and a low of Rs. 68.40 per US$ 1.00. The rupee appreciated by 2.8 percent in fiscal year 2021, in part due to a weak dollar and robust foreign flows. In fiscal year 2021, the rupee traded in the range of
75.08-73.14 per
US $1.00. With foreign capital outflows and
geo-political
risks, the rupee depreciated by 3.8 percent against the United States dollar in fiscal year 2022. In fiscal year 2022, the rupee ranged between a high of Rs. 77.07 per US$ 1.00 and a low of Rs. 72.37 per US$ 1.00
Although we have translated selected Indian rupee amounts in this document into United States dollars for convenience, this does not mean that the Indian rupee amounts referred to could have been, or could be, converted to United States dollars at any particular rate, the rates stated above, or at all. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from Indian rupees to United States dollars are based on the noon buying rate in the City of New York for cable transfers in Indian rupees at US$ 1.00 = Rs. 75.87 on March 31, 2022. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York certifies this rate for customs purposes on each date the rate is given. The noon buying rate on July 15, 2022 was Rs. 79.74 per US$ 1.00.
1

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We have included statements in this report which contain words or phrases such as “will”, “aim”, “will likely result”, “believe”, “expect”, “will continue”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “contemplate”, “seek to”, “future”, “objective”, “goal”, “project”, “should”, “will pursue” and similar expressions or variations of these expressions, that are “forward-looking statements”. Actual results may differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements due to certain risks or uncertainties associated with our expectations with respect to, but not limited to, our ability to implement our strategy successfully, the market acceptance of and demand for various banking services, future levels of our
non-performing/impaired
assets, our growth and expansion, the adequacy of our provision/allowance for credit and investment losses, technological changes, volatility in investment income, our ability to market new products, cash flow projections, the outcome of any legal, tax or regulatory proceedings in India and in other jurisdictions we are or become a party to, the future impact of new accounting standards, our ability to pay dividends, the impact of changes in banking regulations and other regulatory changes on us in India and other jurisdictions, our ability to roll over our short term funding sources and our exposure to market and operational risks. By their nature, certain of the market risk disclosures are only estimates and could be materially different from what may actually occur in the future. As a result, actual future gains, losses or impact on net income could materially differ from those that have been estimated.
In addition, other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by the forward-looking statements contained in this document include, but are not limited to: general economic and political conditions, instability or uncertainty in India and the other countries which have an impact on our business activities or investments caused by any factor, including terrorist attacks in India, the United States or elsewhere, anti-terrorist or other attacks by the United States, a United
States-led
coalition or any other country, tensions between India and Pakistan related to the Kashmir region or between India and China, military armament or social unrest in any part of India; the monetary and interest rate policies of the Government of India, natural calamities, pandemics, inflation, deflation, unanticipated turbulence in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity prices or other rates or prices; the performance of the financial markets in India and globally, changes in Indian and foreign laws and regulations, including tax, accounting and banking regulations, changes in competition and the pricing environment in India, and regional or general changes in asset valuations. For further discussion on the factors that could cause actual results to differ, see “
Risk Factors
”.
2

BUSINESS
Overview
We are a new generation private sector bank in India. Our goal is to be the preferred provider of financial services to our customers in India across metro, urban, semi-urban and rural markets. Our strategy is to provide a comprehensive range of financial products and services to our customers through multiple distribution channels, with what we believe are high-quality services, advanced technology platforms and superior execution.
We have three principal business activities: retail banking, wholesale banking and treasury operations. Our retail banking products include deposit products, loans including loans to small and medium enterprises, credit cards, debit cards, third-party mutual funds and insurance products, bill payment services, and other products and services. Under wholesale banking, we offer a wide range of commercial and transactional banking services, including working capital finance, trade services, transactional services and cash management. We are also a leading provider of structured solutions in India, which combine cash management services with vendor and distributor finance to facilitate supply chain management for our corporate customers. Our treasury operations manage our balance sheet, and include customer-driven services such as advisory services related to foreign exchange and derivative transactions for corporate and institutional customers, supplemented by proprietary trading, including Indian Government securities. Further, our
non-banking
finance company (“NBFC”) subsidiary HDB Financial Services Limited (“HDBFSL”) offers a wide range of loans and asset finance products including mortgage loans, commercial vehicle loans, consumer loans and gold loans, as well as a range of business process outsourcing solutions. We provide our customers with brokerage accounts through our subsidiary HDFC Securities Limited (“HSL”), which we believe is one of the leading stock brokerage companies in India and which offers a suite of products and services across various asset classes, such as equity, gold and debt, and via multiple platforms,
i.e.
, online, mobile, telephone and branches.
As a result of trade tensions and
geo-political
risks, global growth slowed to 2.9 percent in 2019 from 3.6 percent in 2018, according to IMF estimates. In 2020, growth declined by a further 3.1 percent, driven by the
COVID-19
pandemic and related lockdowns and movement restrictions across the globe, which caused GDP to contract in major economies. With the availability of vaccines and policy support, the global economy started regaining strength in 2021, when, as per the IMF, global growth stood at 6.1 percent. However, global recovery is expected to halt again in 2022 on account of the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the China slowdown, rising commodity prices, and elevated inflation. Moreover, the decrease or removal of monetary stimulus across the globe could also weigh on global recovery. Volatility across industry sectors has increased contributing to an uncertain investment climate. The IMF estimates global growth to slow down to 3.6 percent in 2022.
The
COVID-19
pandemic also adversely impacted India’s economic growth. The Government imposed a strict lockdown between March 25, 2020 and May 31, 2020. While this helped to control the spread of the pandemic during the first wave, it adversely impacted all sectors of the economy, with the consumption and services sectors worst affected. India’s GDP contracted by 23.8 percent in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. With improved mobility and policy measures, economic activity started to improve again from the second quarter of fiscal year 2021. GDP rebounded with 0.7 percent year on year growth in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 as compared to a contraction of 6.6 percent in the second quarter of fiscal year 2021. The fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2021 reaffirmed that the economy was recovering as growth momentum picked up pace. India’s GDP grew by 2.5 percent in the fourth quarter, due to improvements across all sectors of the economy. For the full year, India’s GDP declined by 6.6 percent in fiscal year 2021 compared to growth of 3.7 percent in the prior year.
However, the “second wave” of
COVID-19
and related containment measures adversely affected the pace of recovery for the Indian economy during the first quarter of fiscal year 2022. On a
quarter-by-quarter
basis, India’s GDP declined by 17.1 percent in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022, although
year-on-year
growth stood at 20.1 percent, primarily due to support from a low base. Economic activity started recovering from the second quarter of fiscal year 2022 with improved access to vaccines and removal of
COVID-19-related
restrictions. In the second quarter of fiscal year 2022, India’s GDP growth stood at 8.4 percent, but economic activity came under stress again as the Omicron variant started spreading. With a reversal of the low base from fiscal year 2021 and Omicron related curbs, GDP growth slowed to 4.1 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022 from 5.4 percent in the third quarter of fiscal year 2022. Overall, GDP growth stood at 8.7 percent in fiscal year 2022, against a decline of 6.6 percent in fiscal year 2021.
Moving forward, we expect India’s GDP growth to slow down in fiscal year 2023, with rising commodity prices and global supply chain disruptions resulting from
geo-political
tensions as major challenges. Elevated inflation levels could keep private consumption recovery slow and might delay private capital expenditure due to a likely decline in profit margins. Moreover, export growth could slow with a global slowdown. Foreign portfolio investments in India could remain weak, as investors are expected to prefer lower risk assets in uncertain times. We estimate India’s GDP growth at 7.3 percent for the fiscal year 2023 subject to further downside risks.
3

Besides growth,
geo-political
tensions and lingering supply side disruptions are likely to weigh on domestic retail inflation. CPI inflation rose to 6.95 percent in March 2022, reflecting the impact of higher food prices, fuel prices and core inflation (CPI excluding food and fuel). For fiscal year 2022, CPI inflation averaged 5.5 percent. More recently, headline CPI inflation rose to an
8-year
high of 7.8 percent in April 2022, led by an abroad-based increase in food, fuel and core (CPI excluding food and fuel) inflation. Going forward, CPI inflation is expected to average above 7 percent in the first half of fiscal year 2023 due to a rise in food prices, higher commodity prices and pass through of rising input costs. For the full fiscal year 2023, we expect CPI inflation to average
6.5-6.7 percent
(assuming average crude oil prices at US$ 105 pbl for fiscal year 2023), above the RBI’s target range of 4
+/-2 percent.
In response to the adverse impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic and related disruptions, the Government significantly increased spending in both fiscal year 2021 and fiscal year 2022. While the fiscal deficit was 9.2 percent in fiscal year 2021, it narrowed to 6.7 percent in fiscal year 2022 (as per provisional data), mainly due to improved revenue collections. In the wake of rising commodity prices, the Government has recently reduced excise duties on diesel and petrol and some other raw materials. To ease pressure on food prices, the Government has imposed a ban on wheat exports and removed import duty on crude, soybean and sunflower oil for two years. However, import exemptions for these vegetable oils are capped at 2.0 million metric tons. Additionally, to provide relief to farmers, the Government has extended the free food program until September 2022 and increased fertilizer subsidies. More recently, the Government has introduced a windfall tax on domestically produced crude oil along with export duty on petrol, diesel & ATF exports, which is expected to garner additional tax revenue of Rs. 1.0 trillion. Taking these factors into account, we estimate the fiscal deficit to be at 6.4 percent of GDP in the fiscal year 2023.
Since commencing operations in January 1995 we have grown rapidly. As of March 31, 2022, we had 6,342 branches and 18,130 ATMs/Cash Deposit and Withdrawal Machines (“CDMs”) in 3,188 cities and towns and 71.0 million customers. In addition, we had 15,341 business correspondents, which were primarily manned by common service centers (“CSCs”). On account of the expansion in our geographical reach and the resultant increase in market penetration, our assets have grown from Rs. 17,979.8 billion as of March 31, 2021 to Rs. 21,113.7 billion as of March 31, 2022. Our net income has increased from Rs. 326.0 billion for fiscal year 2021 to Rs. 386.0 billion for fiscal year 2022. Our loans and deposits as of March 31, 2022 amounted to Rs. 14,036.9 billion and Rs. 15,580.0 billion, respectively. Across business cycles, we believe we have maintained a strong balance sheet and a low cost of funds. As of March 31, 2022, gross
non-performing
customer assets as a percentage of gross customer assets was 1.32 percent. Our net customer assets represented 93.8 percent of our deposits and our deposits represented 73.8 percent of our total liabilities and shareholders’ equity. The average
non-interest-bearing
current accounts and
low-interest-bearing
savings accounts represented 44.6 percent of average total deposits for the year ended March 31, 2022. These
low-cost
deposits and the cash float associated with our transactional services led to an average cost of funds (including equity) of 3.1 percent for fiscal year 2022. We had a return on equity (net income as a percentage of average total shareholders’ equity) of 16.1 percent for fiscal year 2021 and 16.8 percent for fiscal year 2022. As at March 31, 2022 we had a total capital adequacy ratio (calculated pursuant to RBI guidelines) of 18.90 percent. Our Common Equity Tier I
(“CET-I”)
ratio was 16.67 percent as at March 31, 2022.
About Our Bank
HDFC Bank was incorporated in August 1994 and commenced operations as a scheduled commercial bank in January 1995. In 2000, we merged with Times Bank Limited and, in 2008, we acquired Centurion Bank of Punjab Limited (“CBoP”). We are part of the HDFC Group of companies established by our principal shareholder, Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited (“HDFC Limited”), a listed public limited company established under the laws of India. HDFC Limited is primarily engaged in financial services, including mortgages, property-related lending and deposit services. The subsidiaries and associated companies of HDFC Limited are also largely engaged in a range of financial services, including asset management, life insurance and general insurance. HDFC Limited and its subsidiaries (together, “HDFC Group”) owned 21.0 percent of our outstanding equity shares as of March 31, 2022 and our Chairperson and Managing Director are nominated by HDFC Limited and appointed with the approval of our shareholders and the RBI. See also “
Principal Shareholders
”. We have no agreements with HDFC Limited or any of its group companies that restrict us from competing with them or that restrict HDFC Limited or any of its group companies from competing with our business. We currently distribute products of HDFC Limited and its group companies, such as home loans of HDFC Limited, life and general insurance products of HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited and HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited, respectively, and mutual funds of HDFC Asset Management Company Limited.
We have two subsidiaries: HDBFSL and HSL. HDBFSL is a
non-deposit-taking
NBFC engaged primarily in the business of retail asset financing while HSL is primarily in the business of providing brokerage and other investment services. Effective April 1, 2018, the financial results of our subsidiary companies have been prepared in accordance with notified Indian Accounting Standards (April 1, 2017 being the transition date). HDBFSL’s total assets and shareholders’ equity as of March 31, 2022 were Rs. 620.3 billion and Rs. 95.4 billion, respectively. HDBFSL’s net income was Rs. 10.1 billion for fiscal year 2022. As of March 31, 2022, HDBFSL had 1,374 branches across 989 cities in India. HSL’s total assets and shareholders’ equity as of March 31, 2022 were Rs. 79.2 billion and Rs. 16.6 billion, respectively. HSL’s net income was Rs. 9.8 billion for fiscal year 2022. On December 1, 2016, Atlas Documentary Facilitators Company Private Ltd., which provided back office transaction processing services to us, and its subsidiary HBL Global Private Ltd., which provided direct sales support for certain products of the Bank, amalgamated with HDBFSL.
Our principal corporate and registered office is located at HDFC Bank House, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 013, India. Our telephone number is
91-22-6652-1000.
Our agent in the United States for the 2001, 2005, 2007, 2015 and 2018 ADS offerings is Depositary Management Corporation, 570 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
4

Proposed Transaction
The Board of Directors at its meeting held on April 4, 2022 approved a composite scheme of amalgamation (the “Scheme”) for the amalgamation of: (i) HDFC Investments Limited and HDFC Holdings Limited, each a subsidiary of HDFC Limited, with and into HDFC Limited; and (ii) HDFC Limited with and into HDFC Bank (the “Proposed Transaction”). The share exchange ratio shall be 42 equity shares of HDFC Bank (each having a face value of Rs. 1) for every 25 equity shares of HDFC Limited (each having a face value of Rs. 2).
We expect the Proposed Transaction to be strategically beneficial to both the Bank and HDFC Limited as it takes advantage of existing complementarities. Following the Proposed Transaction, we expect to grow our housing loan portfolio and enhance our existing customer base, benefiting from HDFC Limited’s technological capabilities to evaluate the credit worthiness of customers and its existing offices to market our products and services across India. The housing market environment has changed with recent laws bringing in greater transparency and price corrections lowering inventories. Home loan customers are typically retained for a longer time than our other retail customers. There is a sizeable customer base of HDFC Limited that presently does not do banking with us yet and to whom we can make product and service offerings. HDFC Limited’s rural and affordable housing lending is expected to qualify as priority sector lending for us and can enable a higher flow of credit into priority sector lending, including agriculture. At the same time, we expect the combined entity resulting from the completion of the Proposed Transaction to benefit from our lower cost of funds and distribution. As the present regulatory environment is more conducive in terms of reduced reserve requirements of about 22 percent (compared to 26 percent previously), we expect acquiring liability customers and deposit mobilization to be a key focus area for us to fund future growth. In addition, we expect to reduce the proportion of our exposure to unsecured loans and benefit from a larger balance sheet and capital base, which would allow us to underwrite larger ticket loans and also enable a greater flow of credit into the Indian economy. More secured and long-tenure products are expected to strengthen the Bank’s robust asset portfolio mix. The Scheme also enlists certain rationales and benefits of the Proposed Transaction. Those expectations and anticipated benefits as well as the rationales mentioned in the Scheme are based on estimations and there is no assurance that they will materialize or materialize to the fullest extent as anticipated. See also “
Risk Factors—The Scheme with HDFC Limited may be more difficult, costly or time-consuming than expected, and implementation may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger and will expose us to incremental regulatory requirements
.”
The completion of the Scheme and the Proposed Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of requisite approvals from the RBI, the Competition Commission of India, the National Housing Bank, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority, the National Company Law Tribunal, the Securities Exchange Board of India, BSE Limited, the National Stock Exchange of India Limited and other statutory and regulatory authorities, and the respective shareholders and creditors, under applicable Indian law. The required satisfaction (or waiver) of the foregoing conditions could determine the completion of the Proposed Transaction for a significant period of time or prevent it from occurring. It is currently anticipated that the Proposed Transaction may be completed during fiscal year 2024 or earlier. While HDFC Bank has received certain approvals and no objection letters in regard to the Proposed Transaction subject to certain conditions, further approvals and letters will be required in due course. There can be no assurance that the remaining closing conditions will be satisfied in a timely manner or at all, or that an effect, event, development or change will not transpire that could delay or prevent these conditions from being satisfied.
The success of the Proposed Transaction will depend on, among other things, our ability to realize the anticipated revenue enhancements and efficiencies and to combine our businesses in a manner that does not materially disrupt the existing customer relationships of either institution, or result in decreased revenues or earnings including resulting from any loss of customers, and that permits growth opportunities to occur. If we are not able to successfully achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of the Scheme may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected. HDFC Bank is subject to various regulatory requirements, including capital requirements prescribed by the RBI. Upon the Scheme becoming effective, HDFC Bank as a combined entity may have heightened requirements to meet in this regard, such as meeting the incremental Statutory Liquidity Ratio (“SLR”), Cash Reserve Ratio (“CRR”) and Priority Sector Lending (“PSL”) requirements.
Upon the Scheme becoming effective and following RBI’s permission if received for relaxation of certain regulatory requirements for subsidiaries of HDFC Bank (for which forbearance application was filed on March 28, 2022), the subsidiaries of HDFC Limited will become subsidiaries of HDFC Bank leading to a simplified corporate structure. In addition, upon the Scheme becoming effective, the Bank will issue equity shares to the shareholders of HDFC Limited as on the record date, which is to be determined by the Boards of Directors of HDFC Limited and HDFC Bank, and the equity shares held by HDFC Limited in the Bank will be extinguished. The shares proposed to be issued pursuant to the Proposed Transaction will not be registered with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933 (as amended, including the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, the “Securities Act”) or the securities law of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States, and are being offered and sold in reliance on certain exemptions from registration under the Securities Act. See also “
Risk Factors—
The Scheme with HDFC Limited is subject to a number of conditions, some of which are outside of the parties
control, and, if these conditions are not satisfied, the Scheme may be terminated and the Proposed Transaction may not be completed
” and “
Risk Factors—Uncertainty about the Proposed Transaction may adversely affect the relationships of the Parties with their respective investors, customers, business partners and employees, whether or not the Proposed Transaction is completed
”.
5

Our Competitive Strengths
We attribute our growth and continuing success to the following competitive strengths:
We have a strong brand presence and extensive reach through a large distribution network
At HDFC Bank, we are focused on offering a comprehensive range of financial products and solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of our customers. We are driven by our core values: customer focus, operational excellence, product leadership, sustainability and people. This has helped us grow and achieve our status as one of the largest private sector banks in India, while delivering value to our customers, stakeholders, the Government, employees and the community at large. We believe HDFC Bank is one of the most trusted and preferred bank brands in India. We have been acknowledged as “India’s Best Bank” by Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2021. We have also been acknowledged as the “Best Private Bank in India” by PWM Global Private Banking Awards 2021. We have capitalized on our strong brand presence by establishing an extensive banking network throughout India, serving a broad range of customers in metro, urban, semi-urban and rural regions. As of March 31, 2022, we had 6,342 branches and 18,130 ATMs/CDMs in 3,188 cities and towns and over 71.0 million customers, and of our total branches, 50.2 percent were in the semi-urban and rural areas. In addition, we had 15,341 business correspondents, which were primarily manned by CSCs. Our extensive branch network is further complemented by our digital platforms, including internet banking, mobile banking, WhatsApp banking and phone banking solutions, to provide our customers with a lifestyle banking experience, which is categorized into seven categories: Pay, Save, Invest, Borrow, Shop, Trade and Insure. Our focus is on delivering a highly personalized multi-channel experience to our customers.
We provide a wide range of products and high-quality service to our clients in order to meet their banking needs
Whether in retail banking, wholesale banking or treasury operations, we consider ourselves a
“one-stop-shop”
for our customers’ banking needs. We consider our high-quality service offerings to be a vital component of our business and believe in pursuing excellence in execution through multiple internal initiatives focused on continuous improvement. This pursuit of high-quality service and operational execution directly supports our ability to offer a wide range of banking products.
Our retail banking products include deposit products, retail loans (such as vehicle and personal loans), and other products and services, such as private banking, depositary accounts, brokerage services, foreign exchange services, distribution of third-party products (such as insurance and mutual funds), bill payments and sale of gold and silver bullion. In addition, we are the largest credit card issuer in India with 16.5 million cards outstanding as of March 31, 2022. With respect to wholesale banking, we offer a wide range of commercial and transactional banking services to businesses and organizations of all sizes. Our services include working capital finance, trade services, transactional services and cash management. Our product offerings include documentary credits and bank guarantees, foreign exchange and derivative products, investment banking services and corporate deposit products and services such as custodial and clearing bank services and correspondent banking. We have made significant inroads into the banking consortia of a number of leading Indian corporates including multinationals. We believe our large scale and low cost of funding enable us to pursue high-quality wholesale financing opportunities competitively and at an advantage compared to our peers. We collect taxes for the Government and are bankers to companies in respect of issuances of equity shares and bonds to the public. Our NBFC subsidiary HDBFSL offers loan and asset finance products including tractor loans, consumer loans and gold loans, as well as business process outsourcing solutions such as form processing, document verification, contact center management and other front and back-office services.
We are able to provide this wide range of products across our physical and digital network, meaning we can provide our targeted rural customers with banking products and services similar to those provided to our urban customers, which we believe gives us a competitive advantage. Our wide range of products and focus on superior service and execution also create multiple cross-selling opportunities for us and, we believe, promote customer retention.
We have achieved robust and consistent financial performance while maintaining a healthy asset quality during our growth
On account of our superior operational execution, broad range of products, expansion in our geographical reach and the resulting increase in market penetration through our extensive branch network, our assets have grown from Rs. 17,979.8 billion as of March 31, 2021 to Rs. 21,113.7 billion as of March 31, 2022. Our net interest margin was 4.4 percent in fiscal year 2021 and 4.3 percent in fiscal year 2022. Our current and savings account deposits as a percentage of our total deposits were 48.1 percent as of March 31, 2022, and we believe this strong current and savings account profile has enabled us to tap into a
low-cost
funding base. In addition to the significant growth in our assets and net revenue, we remain focused on maintaining a healthy asset quality. We continue to have low levels of
non-performing
customer assets as compared to the average levels in the Indian banking industry. Our gross
non-performing
customer assets as a percentage of total customer assets was 1.32 percent as of March 31, 2022. Our net income has increased from Rs. 326.0 billion for fiscal year 2021 to Rs. 386.0 billion for fiscal year 2022. Net income as a percentage of average total shareholders’ equity was 16.1 percent in fiscal year 2021 and 16.8 percent in fiscal year 2022 and net income as a percentage of average total assets was 2.0 percent in fiscal year 2021 and 2.1 percent in fiscal year 2022. We believe the combination of strong net income growth, robust deposit-taking, a low cost of funds and prudent risk management has enabled us to generate attractive returns on capital.
6

We have an advanced technology platform
We have accelerated the technology and digital transformation with a continued focus on creating a seamless digital experience for our customers. Our progress against our regulatory commitments over the past year has resulted in the partial lifting of the restrictions on new card acquisitions in August 2021, followed by the full removal of the embargo on the Digital 2.0 program in March 2022.
We have taken significant strides to ensure further fortification of our IT infrastructure and architecture as a robust, scalable and secure ecosystem. Strategic technology initiatives, such as a hybrid cloud approach, disaster recovery (“DR”) resiliency, capacity enhancements, data center migration to
state-of-the-art
facilities, comprehensive obsolescence management and monitoring, a next-generation security operations center, are pivotal for us to usher in the next age of digital banking.
We have invested in a digital banking platform, Backbase, to provide a single, unified omni-channel experience to our customers for mobile banking, online banking, the public website and payments. The latest version of our mobile banking app (v11.1) has been rolled out to our customers.
The
COVID-19
pandemic has also accelerated the shift towards digital banking over the past two years. In addition to services like Insta Account Opening, Video Know Your Customer (“KYC”) and Insta Credit Cards introduced at the beginning of the pandemic, several products and new features have been launched recently or are placed in a pipeline for launch to our customers. See also “
—Our Business Strategy—Project Future Ready
”.
We have an experienced management team
Our leadership team brings together a diversity of talent and a wealth of experience. Many of the members of our management have had a long tenure with us, which gives us a deep bench of experienced managers. They have substantial experience in banking or other industries and share our common vision of excellence in execution. Our experienced management team is led by Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan, who has been with our Bank since 1996 and who was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank in October 2020. Formerly our Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Jagdishan was appointed as Change Agent in 2019. He was additionally responsible for legal and secretarial, human resources, corporate communication, infrastructure, administration and corporate social responsibility functions. Having a management team with such breadth and depth of experience is well suited to leverage the competitive strengths we have already developed across our large, diverse and growing branch network as well as allowing our management team to focus on creating new opportunities for our business. As the world becomes increasingly digital, our management team intends to steer the Bank to leadership in this emerging domain with innovative products and services. See also “
Management
”.
Our Business Strategy
Our business strategy emphasizes the following elements:
Project Future Ready
In fiscal year 2022 we launched our “Project Future Ready” to catalyse, create and capture the next wave of growth. Project Future Ready classifies its growth engines under business verticals, delivery channels and technology/digital, which will be backed by the Bank’s traditional strengths in internal audit, underwriting, risk management and governance.
We believe our growth engines will be powered by our robust technology and digital platforms and will account for the bulk of our future investments. The next wave of strategic technology and digital programs shall pave the way for new customer journeys and
best-in-class
products and services through innovation and transformation. We continue staying invested in creating a seamless and digital customer experience across digital touchpoints. Our digital factory approach to developing new products and customer experiences enables us to build our own capabilities to
co-create
tech-related intellectual property (“IP”). Additionally, agile and integrated Development, Operations and Security lifecycle (“DevSecOps”) principles and practices as well as revamping our tech to cloud-native architectures are pivotal enablers in the next phase of our digital transformation journey.
The focus on our digital programs is intended to pave the way towards the next level of
neo-banking
experiences for customers. From shaping new customer journeys to introducing
best-in-class
products and services, transformation and innovation shall be at the forefront. Key initiatives in this area are:
Vyapar: Digital onboarding of merchants for payment acceptance and servicing of banking transactions for the merchant community (Live);
Xpress Car Loans: Anytime-anywhere digital auto loans with seamless connectivity to multiple platforms and loan disbursement within 30 minutes;
7

PayZapp 2.0: Enhanced experience for
app-customers
to onboard and auto-link HDFC Bank cards, to manage the wallet and limits, and to display transactions via a rich user interface;
Wealth App: A new wealth management app with client-self-profiling, goal setting, mutual fund order execution and portfolio
re-balancing;
SME Customer Experience Transformation: New technology to support
scaled-up
business volumes and enhance the entire SME customer experience across commercial and retail business lines; and
Biz Express: A new web portal for SME segments covering digital
on-boarding,
managing their multiple accounts, making payments with hierarchy, raising GST; compliant invoices for payment, multiple collection modes, raising service requests online, etc.
Increase our market share of India’s expanding banking and financial services industry
In addition to benefiting from the overall growth in India’s economy and financial services industry, we believe we can increase our market share by continuing to focus on our competitive strengths, including our strong brand, our diverse product offering and our extensive banking outlet and ATM networks, to increase our market penetration. We believe we can expand our market share by focusing on developing our digital offerings to target mass markets across India. We believe digital offerings will position us well to capitalize on growth in India’s banking and financial services sector, arising from India’s emerging middle class and growing number of bankable households. We believe we can also capture an increased market share by expanding our branch footprint, particularly by focusing on rural and semi-urban areas. As of March 31, 2022, we had 6,342 branches and 18,130 ATMs/CDMs in 3,188 cities and towns. In addition, we had 15,341 business correspondents, which were primarily manned by CSCs. In line with the Bank’s core value of product leadership, the bank has significantly enhanced its process of managing the retail distribution franchise and its expansion by developing a scientific approach and using a “Distribution Planning Tool”. This data science tool combines data sources, including
geo-spatial
data on urbanization levels in India, credit bureau information on the presence of financial companies in an area and various internal data sources with a
front-end
data visualization solution. The Distribution Planning Tool has enabled the Bank to merge data-based insights with
on-the-ground
intelligence to take informed decisions on the expansion of distribution points (branches, ATMs/CDMs and business correspondents) at locations which carry high business potential across the country. We expect this approach to help optimize our expansion and increase our market share and profitability.
Continue our investments in technology to support our digital strategy
We have taken multiple steps to ensure our robust and scalable technology setup is strengthened further as we continue monitoring our progress against commitments to the regulator. To this effect, significant strides were taken in the following technology areas:
1.
Implementation of a Landing Zone for Hyperscalers
We have invested in a Hybrid-Cloud approach with leading cloud service partners, AWS, Azure and GCP. A common landing zone has been implemented across these partners to create a secure and streamlined environment for all cloud deployments in the future. The landing zone also forms part of the Bank’s agenda to foster agility and DevSecOps in the technology and digital transformation journey.
2.
Capacity Upgrades
Our capacity management program has made significant inroads to ensure capacity planning and management are adequate for the Bank’s business growth. Strengthening of capacity management practices has culminated in a threshold of 70 percent across key parameters such as user concurrency, system performance, etc. in the utilization of databases, servers, storage, networks and security devices. This has resulted in planned capacity upgrades of critical applications, such as:
NetBanking and MobileBanking being scaled up to cater to 90,000 concurrent users.
The foundations of the banking platform being upgraded along with the modernization of more than 300 services. This enhances our scalability and capacity to cater to cater more than three times the number of Unified Payments Interface (“UPI”) transactions. Successfully managing over 2.3 million UPI transactions per hour, we are ranked among the top players in India as published in National Payments Corporation of India’s (“NPCI”) UPI performance metrics dashboard. Our average customer uptime has increased to 99.94 percent through lower technical declines in fiscal year 2022.
Our senior management and the Board continue remaining focused on capacity, performance, scalability and availability of the Bank’s critical applications.
8

3.
DR & Resiliency
We have notably intensified the rigor in our DR drills for critical applications and plan to continue strengthening our DR processes and capabilities, with a focus on the following projects:
Reduction of the recovery time objective (“RTO”) for key applications to
40-60
minutes, which has been completed for 56 key applications;
Deep automation to improve configuration drift management between primary and DR sites;
Enrichment of existing automation tools for DR to cover all DR scenarios and reduce the RTO time further; and
Refactoring key applications into an “Hot DR”/“Active-Active” design.
4.
Migration of the primary data center
We started fully migrating and consolidating our primary data center to
state-of-the-art
facilities in Mumbai and Bengaluru, partnering with Sify and NTT. We achieved 100 percent migration of production applications in November 2021 followed by 100 percent migration of UAT applications in March 2022. Further, a phase-wise plan is in place to migrate the Bank’s Chandivali, Mumbai data center to the NTT facility by January 2023.
The migration to the new facilities forms part of the Board’s continued focus on ensuring a robust IT infrastructure for the Bank’s applications and operations with higher customer uptimes across digital touchpoints.
5.
Technology Obsolescence Management
We established a technology obsolescence program management office in June 2021 to allow for comprehensive obsolescence tracking and management. As part of this, we have introduced procedures to identify and remediate obsolete components 6 months before their support ends. As of the date of this report, the scope covers more than 19,000 components across the Bank’s IT environment. Further, a detailed plan is in place to remediate components pertaining to high-risk applications. Together with our senior management, we continue monitoring obsolescence through periodic reviews and reporting.
Cross-sell our broad financial product portfolio across our customer base
We are able to offer our complete suite of financial products across our branch network, including in rural locations. By matching our broad customer base with our ability to offer our complete suite of products to both rural and urban customers across retail banking, wholesale banking and treasury product lines, we believe that we can continue to generate organic growth by cross-selling different products by proactively offering our customers complementary products as their relationships with us develop and their financial needs grow and evolve.
Maintain strong asset quality through disciplined credit risk management
We have maintained high-quality loan and investment portfolios through careful targeting of our customer base, and by putting in place what we believe are comprehensive risk assessment processes and diligent risk monitoring and remediation procedures. Our gross
non-performing
customer assets as a percentage of gross customer assets was 1.32 percent as of March 31, 2022. We believe we can maintain strong asset quality appropriate to the loan portfolio composition while achieving growth.
Maintain a low cost of funds
We believe we can maintain a relatively
low-cost
funding base as compared to our competitors, by leveraging our strengths and expanding our base of retail savings and current deposits and increasing the free float generated by transaction services, such as cash management and stock exchange clearing. Our
non-interest-bearing
current and
low-interest-bearing
savings account deposits were 48.1 percent of our total deposits as of March 31, 2022. Our average cost of funds (including equity) was 3.6 percent for fiscal year 2021 and 3.1 percent in fiscal year 2022.
9

Embed ESG principles within our wider business strategy
We include environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors in our business strategy, including in the design of our products and services and the implementation of our processes and policies. Our ESG strategy, which seeks to create value for all stakeholders, focuses on climate change, community and society, along with certain practices related to customers and suppliers, lending, procurement and governance. We have a board-level Corporate Social Responsibility and ESG Committee with oversight of our sustainability and climate change initiatives, and the Board has approved an ESG policy framework to identify and mitigate the Bank’s climate change-related risks. In fiscal year 2022, we committed to become carbon neutral in our operations by fiscal year 2032 and are putting in place an implementation framework to achieve carbon neutrality, including continuing our investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects to lower our carbon footprint. Other initiatives to reduce ESG risks include initiatives in digital banking, contributions to tree planting targets, green building, managing greenhouse gas emissions through various initiatives, including those to reduce fuel consumption by our corporate fleet and paper consumption across the Bank, the use of renewable energy and a reduction in energy consumption.
With increasing focus on formalizing climate change risk management and enhancing related disclosures, some stakeholders are also placing more emphasis on financial institutions’ actions and investment decisions in respect of ESG matters. We continue to monitor the impacts of climate change risks, including as the result of regulatory developments, changing market practices and the transition to a low carbon economy, and to accelerate the development of our climate risk management capabilities. Developments in data and methodologies are expected to continue to help improve and enhance our measurement and reporting of climate change risks and financed emissions. We are exploring frameworks to model and assess climate risks. We also continue our efforts to acquire granular data and test tools for climate risk assessments and to adopt suitable methodologies to analyze exposures under different climate scenarios through suitable partnerships—including exploring options to tie up with data providers.
Evaluation of environmental and social risk is also an integral part of our overall credit appraisal and approval process. In particular, large industrial/infrastructure projects where the extension of long term financing is greater than Rs. 100 million and longer than 5 years are covered under our Social and Environment Monitoring System (“SEMS”). SEMS necessitates an assessment of environmental, health, social and safety risks in addition to other risks as part of the overall credit appraisal process. Recently, we introduced a new ESG assessment framework in corporate lending to enable a more comprehensive assessment of ESG and climate change issues relating to our corporate borrowers and to expand the scope of our lending that is subject to SEMS. In addition, we are increasingly emphasizing green financing solutions and tailoring the Bank’s portfolio towards climate-sensitive financing and companies with appropriate risk assessment systems and processes.
COVID-19
Pandemic
On March 11, 2020, the
COVID-19
outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (“WHO”). Following the discovery of a “double mutant” variant in the country in March 2021, India has experienced a significant surge of
COVID-19
cases. Governments and companies introduced a variety of measures to contain the spread of the virus. We also took measures and implemented remote working arrangements for the majority of our workforce, provision of appropriate masks and hand sanitizers for
at-risk
employees, use of physical distancing measures, periodic disinfection and fumigation of operational bank locations and the establishment of a specific
COVID-19
employee helpline. In addition, as a result of the increase in remote working, we have strengthened our cybersecurity measures, including implementing
two-factor
authentication, increasing employee awareness of unusual activity and ensuring IT support is available 24 hours per day. We also implemented additional measures to enable customers to complete their banking activity remotely where possible. We believe that our capital and liquidity position remains strong leading to robust processes, coordination and communication within our business units and a high level of customer service and care.
The pandemic and its aftermath present both challenges and opportunities for the Indian banking system. For example, opportunities in the healthcare sector are likely to continue growing, as the management of the pandemic underscores the need to expand capacity in this area. Growth in the healthcare sector also has a positive impact on the pharmaceuticals and medical equipment segments. To strengthen the manufacturing segment, the Government announced the Production Linked Incentive Scheme in March 2020. In the fiscal year 2022 budget, Rs. 1.9 trillion were allocated to the scheme for five years, with a focus to boost production in textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals and 10 other segments. Additionally, the Government plans to increase its capital spending to Rs. 7.5 trillion in fiscal year 2023 from Rs. 5.9 trillion in fiscal year 2022. This may lead to increased demand for ancillary products in the infrastructure segment, as well as the
crowding-in
of private capital expenditure.
The government has also allocated considerable funding (Rs. 100.0 billion) to formalize the micro-food processing segment through technical and infrastructure support and the implementation of safety and quality standards. The micro-segment is likely to grow in “clusters” and to offer increased credit opportunities for banks, particularly through the micro-finance and the self-help group (“SHG”) channels.
10

Loans to micro, small and medium enterprises (“MSMEs”) are likely to see further improvement as the Government extended the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme until March 2023. The Government has also increased the cover by another Rs. 500 billion to Rs. 5 trillion, in February 2022. While the sovereign back-stop makes lending to this segment viable in the near term, the effort to strengthen and scale up MSMEs may create high-quality borrowers in the process. The earlier decision to infuse Rs. 500 billion as equity through a fund of funds (20 percent investment from the central government and the remaining 80 percent from private investors) in MSMEs with growth potential is an example. The Government has also provided both a full and partial credit guarantee for NBFCs, housing finance companies and microfinance institutions. This reduces the risk of bank lending to these entities in the near term and over the medium term could assist such institutions in overcoming a cycle of elevated risk perception, shortage of liquidity and credit and balance sheet distress.
Finally, an anticipated shift in global value chains away from China, in order to reduce concentration risk, as well as in response to a shifting
geo-political
landscape, presents India with unique opportunities. India could gain global market share across sectors including more traditional sectors, such as textiles, furniture and basic chemicals, as well as more technologically complex sectors, such as mobile phone handsets, pharmaceuticals and auto components.
However, challenges still remain. As a result of
geo-political
tensions and rising commodity prices, we expect GDP growth to slow to 7.3 percent in fiscal year 2023. Elevated inflation levels could hurt private capital expenditure recovery due to low profit margins as well as private consumption. With respect to Indian exports, a slowdown in global demand could hurt investments. The Bank expects the
COVID-19
pandemic to have a prolonged impact in the hospitality travel, tourism, recreation, personal services and civil aviation sectors of the Indian economy. The possibility of rising unemployment, which is often the corollary of a slowdown in economic growth, could reduce the demand for retail lending.
Given the dynamic nature of the outbreak, the extent to which
COVID-19
will continue to impact our business, financial condition and results of operations will depend on future developments, including the length of the pandemic and how long it takes our clients’ businesses to recover, which remain highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted at this time. For additional information related to the
COVID-19
pandemic see “
Risk Factors—The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Certain Factors Affecting our Results of Operation
”.
Our Principal Business Activities
Our principal business activities consist of retail banking, wholesale banking and treasury operations. The following table sets forth our net revenues attributable to each area for the last three fiscal years:
   
Years ended March 31,
 
   
2020
  
2021
  
2022
 
               
   
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Retail banking
   Rs.540,456.5    80.2  Rs.567,389.2    72.5  Rs.640,670.1   US$8,444.2    71.8
Wholesale banking
   126,677.3    18.8  198,576.0    25.4  235,811.3    3,108.1    26.4
Treasury operations
   6,990.7    1.0  16,463.6    2.1  15,952.8    210.3    1.8
Net revenue
   Rs.674,124.5    100.0  Rs.782,428.8    100.0  Rs.892,434.2   US$11,762.6    100.0
Retail Banking
Overview
We consider ourselves a
one-stop
shop for the financial needs of our customers. We provide a comprehensive range of financial products including deposit products, loans, credit cards, debit cards, payment wallets, third-party mutual funds and insurance products, bill payment services and other services. Our retail banking loan products include loans to small and medium enterprises for commercial vehicles, construction equipment and other business purposes. We group these loans as part of our retail banking business considering, among other things, the customer profile, the nature of the product, the differing risks and returns, the market segment, our organization structure and our internal business reporting mechanism. Such grouping ensures optimal utilization and deployment of specialized resources in our retail banking business. We also have specific products designed for lower-income individuals through our Sustainable Livelihood Initiative. Through this initiative, we reach out to the
un-banked
and under-banked segments of the Indian population in rural areas. We actively market our services through our banking outlets and alternate sales channels, as well as through our relationships with automobile dealers and corporate clients. We follow a multi-channel strategy to reach out to our customers bringing to them choice, convenience and what we believe to be a superior experience. Innovation has been the springboard of growth in this segment and so has a strong focus on analytics and customer relationship management, which we believe has helped us to understand our customers better and offer tailor-made solutions. We further believe that these factors lead to better customer engagement.
As of March 31, 2022, we had 6,342 branches and 18,130 ATMs/CDMs in 3,188 cities and towns. In addition, we had 15,341 business correspondents, which were primarily manned by CSCs. We also provide telephone, internet and mobile banking to our customers. We plan to continue to expand our banking outlet and ATM network as well as our other distribution channels, subject to regulatory guidelines/approvals.
11

Retail Loans and Other Asset Products
We offer a wide range of retail loans, including loans for the purchase of automobiles, personal loans, retail business banking loans, loans for the purchase of commercial vehicles and construction equipment finance,
two-wheeler
loans, credit cards and loans against securities. Our retail loans, of which 27.4 percent were unsecured, constituted 64.6 percent of our gross loans as of March 31, 2022. Apart from our banking outlets, we use our ATMs, telephone banking, internet banking and mobile banking to promote our loan products. We perform our own credit analysis of the borrowers and the value of the collateral if the loan is secured. See “
—Risk Management—Credit Risk—Retail Credit Risk
”. We also buy mortgage and other asset-backed securities and invest in retail loan portfolios through assignments. In addition to taking collateral, in most cases, we obtain debit instructions/post-dated cheques covering repayments at the time a retail loan is made. It is a criminal offense in India to issue a bad cheque. Our unsecured personal loans, which are not supported by any collateral, are a greater credit risk for us than our secured loan portfolio. We may be unable to collect in part or at all on an unsecured personal loan in the event of
non-payment
by the borrower. Accordingly, personal loans are granted at a higher contracted interest rate since they carry a higher credit risk as compared to secured loans. See also “
Risk Factors—Our unsecured loan portfolio is not supported by any collateral that could help ensure repayment of the loan, and in the event of
non-payment
by a borrower of one of these loans, we may be unable to collect the unpaid balance
”.
The following table shows the gross book value and percentage share of our retail credit products:
   
At March 31, 2022 Value
   
% of Total Value
 
   
(in millions)
     
Retail Assets:
      
Auto loans
   Rs.1,042,793.0   US$13,744.5    11.2 
Personal loans/Credit cards
   2,341,971.8    30,868.2    25.2 
Retail business banking
   2,617,087.1    34,494.4    28.1 
Commercial vehicle and construction equipment finance
   951,066.0    12,535.5    10.2 
Housing loans
   830,882.4    10,951.4    8.9 
Other retail loans
   1,526,734.4    20,122.9    16.4 
Total retail loans
   Rs.9,310,534.7   US$122,716.9    100.0 
Auto Loans
We offer loans at fixed interest rates for financing of new and used car purchases. In addition to our general promotional efforts, we specifically market our offerings at various customer touch points such as authorized original equipment manufacturers, dealer showrooms and outlets, authorized direct sales agents and our banking outlets, as well as actively cross-selling these products through other lending businesses of the Bank. We also market our products through outbound and inbound calls with customers, as well as through the bank’s digital touch points. We recently launched “Xpress Car Loans”, an industry-first
end-to-end
digital new car loan program for both existing customers and new customers, where the loan amount can be credited to dealers’ accounts within 30 minutes. Having established our presence in this business over the last two decades we believe we have consistently been a market leader and are well-equipped to serve the entire automobile ecosystem, including original equipment manufacturers, dealers and
end-customers.
Personal Loans and Credit Cards
We offer unsecured loans at fixed rates to salaried individuals, self-employed professionals, small businesses and individual businessmen.
We offer credit cards on VISA, MasterCard, Diners and RuPay platforms under the classification of corporate cards, business cards,
co-brand
cards, premium retail cards and super premium retail cards. We had approximately 15.0 million and 16.5 million cards outstanding (
i.e.,
total credit cards in circulation) as of March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, respectively.
We offer Easy EMI (equated monthly installments) through credit cards, debit cards and consumer loans. Easy EMI is available at no extra cost across multiple product categories, including offline and online channels under multiple brands.
Our efforts in the payments business are continuously focused on meeting customers’ specific requirements in the most accessible and relevant manner, while simplifying transactions.
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Over the past two years, we have experienced outages in our internet banking, mobile banking and payment utilities, including an outage in our internet banking and payment system in November 2020 due to a power failure in the primary data center. In response to these outages, the RBI issued an order on December 2, 2020 (the “December 2020 Order”), advising us to temporarily stop (a) all launches of the digital business- generating activities under our planned Digital 2.0 program and other proposed business-generating IT applications and (b) the sourcing of new credit card customers. In addition, the RBI appointed a third-party auditor to conduct an audit of the Bank’s systems. After completion of that audit, our progress against regulatory commitments resulted in the partial lifting of the restrictions imposed by the December 2020 Order in August 2021, followed by the full removal of the embargo on the Digital 2.0 program in March 2022. See also “
Risk Factors
A failure, inadequacy or security breach in our information technology and telecommunication systems may adversely affect our business, results of operation or financial condition
”.
We have adopted preventive measures to strengthen our technology infrastructure and mitigate the risks of outages. Some of the key initiatives undertaken include the migration of core data centres in Bengaluru and Mumbai to
state-of-the-art
facilities which has reinforced our capability to switchover in less than 45 minutes when needed. The capacity for unified payment interface UPI has been tripled, Net Banking and Mobile Banking capacity has been doubled to manage 90,000 users concurrently (a significant step as most of our customers now rely on our digital channels for banking needs), disaster recovery drills have been completed for all critical payment systems and upgrades in network and security have been carried out. In addition, we have intensified our DR drills for critical applications and intend to further strengthen our DR processes and capabilities through (a) a focus on reducing RTO for key applications to
40-60
minutes, which has been completed for critical applications as planned, (b) deep automation to improve configuration drift management between Primary and DR sites, (c) enrichment of existing automation tools for DR to cover all scenarios and further reduce RTO time, and (d) refactoring key applications into an “Active-Active” always available design.
Retail Business Banking
We address the borrowing needs of the community of small businessmen primarily located within the servicing range of our banking outlets by offering facilities such as credit lines, term loans for expansion or addition of facilities and discounting of receivables. We classify these business banking loans as a retail product. Such lending is typically secured with current assets as well as immovable property and fixed assets in some cases. We also offer letters of credit, guarantees and other basic trade finance products, foreign exchange and cash management services to such businesses.
Commercial Vehicles and Construction Equipment Finance
We have a strong market presence in the commercial vehicle and construction equipment financing businesses. We offer a wide range of banking products across the country which can be customized to the individual needs of our customers.
We provide secured financing for a full range of commercial vehicles and construction equipment along with working capital, trade advances, bank guarantees, and transaction banking products and services, among others, both traditional and digital, to companies active in the infrastructure, logistics and transportation industries. In addition to funding domestic assets, we also extend financing for imported assets for which we open foreign letters of credit and offer treasury services, including forex and forward exchange covers. We have an excellent relationship with most leading original equipment manufacturers, together with whom we collaborate to promote and market financing options.
Housing Loans
We provide home loans through an arrangement with our principal shareholder HDFC Limited. Under this arrangement, we source loans for HDFC Limited through our distribution channels. HDFC Limited approves and disburses the loans, which are kept on their books, and we receive a sourcing fee for these loans. We have a right, but not an obligation, to purchase up to 70 percent of the fully disbursed home loans sourced under this arrangement through either the issue of mortgage-backed pass through certificates (“PTCs”) or a direct assignment of the loans. The balance is retained by HDFC Limited.
Other Retail Loans
Two-Wheeler
Loans
We offer loans for financing the purchase of mopeds, scooters and motorcycles. We market this product in ways similar to our marketing of automobile loans.
Loans Against Securities
We offer loans against equity shares, mutual fund units, bonds and other securities that are on our approved list. We limit our loans against equity shares to Rs. 2.0 million per retail customer in line with regulatory guidelines and limit the amount of our total exposure secured by particular securities. We lend only against shares in book-entry (dematerialized) form, which ensures that we obtain perfected and first-priority security interests. The minimum margin for lending against shares is prescribed by the RBI. The collateral value of the security for these loans is dependent on the quoted price of the security.
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Loan Assignments
We purchase loan portfolios, generally in India, from other banks, financial institutions and financial companies, which are similar to asset-backed securities, except that such loans are not represented by PTCs. Some of these loans also qualify toward our directed lending obligations.
Kisan Gold Card
Under the Kisan Gold Card (“KGC”) scheme, funds are extended to farmers in accordance with the RBI’s Kisan Credit Card scheme which is aimed at financing agricultural and related credit requirements. The KGC is a credit facility of a specified amount, which is offered to farmers to finance certain requirements, including the production of crops, post-harvest repair and maintenance expenses, miscellaneous consumption needs, and allied agricultural activities, such as animal husbandry, poultry farming and maintaining fisheries. In addition to loans for recurring needs, long term investment loans are granted for purposes including the purchase of farm machinery, establishing logistical facilities and land development activities, such as the digging of tube wells, installation of irrigation sprinklers, construction of post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets like storage facilities, packaging, assaying and sorting grading units, primary processing centres, and sheds for animals.
Depending on the requirements, various types of facilities are extended under KGC. These include cash credit, overdrafts, term loans, farm development loans and drop line overdraft limits. The amount of cash credit funding is based on the farmer’s cropping pattern, the amount of land used and scale of finance, while for term loans it is based on the unit cost of assets. These facilities are extended under a range of crop and geography-specific products, which are designed on the basis of the harvest cycles and the local needs of farmers spread across diverse agro-climatic zones.    
Through our knowledge of rural customers’ preferences, we have established a strong footprint in rural areas and we are able to impact the lives of thousands of rural people making banking accessible to areas which lack formal sources of financial services, including credit. Our focus in rural markets is not only to increase credit uptake, but also to strengthen relationships with rural customers by empowering them. In addition to advising farmers on their financial needs, we are increasingly focusing on educating them on the benefits of various governmental and regulatory schemes, such as crop insurance, interest subvention and agriculture infrastructure.
We also aim to cater to other financial needs of rural customers through appropriate banking products.
Loans Against Gold Jewelry
We offer loans against gold jewelry to all customer segments, including women, small and marginal farmers and MSME customers. Such loans are typically offered with different repayment modes, with repayment either at monthly intervals or at maturity. Collateral value is dependent on the market price of the gold and therefore these loans also have margin requirements in the event of a decrease in the value of the gold. Customers may avail themselves of an additional loan in case of an increase in the value of the gold. Loans against gold jewelry are also extended to existing customers of the bank in order to cater to their additional funding needs.
We also offer loans which primarily include loans/overdrafts against time deposits, health care equipment financing loans, tractor loans and loans to self-help groups.
Retail Deposit Products
Retail deposits provide us with a
low-cost,
stable funding base and have been a key focus area for us since commencing operations. Retail deposits represented approximately 81.1 percent of our total deposits as of March 31, 2022. The following chart shows the book value of our retail deposits by our various deposit products:
   
At March 31, 2022
 
   
Value (in millions)
   
% of total
 
Savings
   Rs.5,008,100.3   US$66,009.0    39.6 
Current
   1,556,279.5    20,512.4    12.3 
Time
   6,071,527.5    80,025.4    48.1 
Total
   Rs.12,635,907.3   US$166,546.8    100.0 
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Our individual retail account holders have access to the benefits of a wide range of direct banking services, including debit and ATM cards, access to internet, phone banking and mobile banking services, access to our growing branch and ATM network, access to our other distribution channels and eligibility for utility bill payments and other services. Our retail deposit products include the following:
Savings accounts, which are demand deposits, primarily for individuals and trusts.
Current accounts, which are
non-interest-bearing
accounts designed primarily for business customers. Customers have a choice to select from a wide range of product offerings which are differentiated by basis minimum average quarterly account balance requirements and the nature of the transactions.
Time deposits, which pay a fixed return over a predetermined time period.
As of March 31, 2022, 29 percent of our retail deposit customers contributed 81 percent of our retail deposits.
We also offer special value-added accounts, which offer our customers added value and convenience. These include a time deposit account that allows for automatic transfers from a time deposit account to a savings account, as well as a time deposit account with an overdraft facility.
Other Retail Services and Products
Debit Cards
We had approximately 36.7 million and 43.0 million debit cards outstanding as of March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, respectively. The cards can be used at ATMs,
point-of-sale
terminals and payment gateways in India and in other countries across the world.
Individual Depositary Accounts
We provide depositary accounts to individual retail customers for holding debt and equity instruments. Securities traded on the Indian exchanges are generally not held through a broker’s account or in a street name. Instead, an individual has his or her own account with a depositary participant. Depositary participants, including us, provide services through the major depositaries established by the two major stock exchanges. Depositary participants record ownership details and effect transfers in book-entry form on behalf of the buyers and sellers of securities. We provide a complete package of services, including account opening, registration of transfers and other transactions and information reporting.
Mutual Fund Sales
We are a registered distributor with the Association of Mutual Funds in India (“AMFI”). We engage in distributing mutual fund products to our customers through our staff, who are AMFI certified. We offer units of most large and reputable mutual fund houses in India to our customers. We distribute mutual fund products primarily through our banking outlets and our wealth relationship managers. We receive trail income on the new business as well as on the existing assets under management.
Insurance
HDFC Bank is registered as a corporate agent for the solicitation of life, general and health insurance business under regulations prescribed by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India. Currently, we have arrangements with three life insurance companies, namely HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited, Tata AIA Life Insurance Company Limited and Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance Company Limited, three general insurance companies, namely HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company Limited and ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited (formerly known as Bharti AXA General Insurance Company Limited) and two health insurance companies, namely Aditya Birla Health Insurance Company Limited and Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited. We earn commissions on new premium collected as well as trail income in subsequent years in certain cases while the policy is still in force. Our commission income for fiscal year 2022 included fees of Rs. 15,565.1 million in respect of life insurance business and Rs. 2,661.1 million in respect of
non-life
insurance business
.
Bill Payment Services
We are a part of the Bharat Bill Payment System network and offer our customers bill payment services for all utility companies, including water, electricity, gas, telephone,
direct-to-home,
mobile recharge, Fastag, LPG cylinder, cable television, housing society and internet service providers, as well as financial products such as insurance and mutual funds. We also offer Smartpay (autopay functionality) for all these bills. We believe this is a valuable convenience that we offer our customers. We offer these services to customers through multiple distribution channels: internet banking, mobile banking and phone banking.
15

Corporate Salary Accounts
We offer Corporate salary accounts to employees of corporate and government entities, enabling employees’ salaries to be credited by the entity directly or via the Bank. A salary account is a type of savings account with no minimum balance requirement in lieu of regular salary credits. Benefits, including a premium debit card and complimentary personal accident cover are provided, amongst others. We also offer salary accounts tailored for employees of the defense and government sector. As of March 31, 2022, these accounts constituted 27.9 percent of our savings deposits by value.
Non-Resident
Indian Services
Non-resident
Indians (NRIs) are an important target market segment for us given their relative affluence and strong ties with family members in India. Our private and premium banking programs in India are also extended to NRI clients. Relationship managers in India facilitate the banking and investment transactions of our NRI clients. Through our overseas branch in Bahrain, we offer deposits, bonds, equity, mutual funds, treasury and structured products offered by third parties to our NRI clients. We also have referral arrangements with product/service providers for NRI clients. Our
non-resident
deposits amounted to Rs. 1,144.8 billion as of March 31, 2021 and Rs. 1,186.0 billion as of March 31, 2022.
Retail Foreign Exchange
We purchase foreign currency from and sell foreign currency to retail customers in the form of cash, traveler’s cheques, demand drafts, foreign exchange cards and other remittances. We also carry out foreign currency cheque collections.
Customers and Marketing
We identify and target distinct market customer segments for our retail services. Customers are at the core of all marketing initiatives of the Bank, and we rely on digital and analytics to improve their experience. Digital marketing relies on advanced analytics to identify and target the right customer with the right product at the right time and to provide customers with an omni-channel experience with high levels of personalization. Our investments in advanced analytics tools in the cloud have contributed to our understanding of customer behavior and preferences and thus help curate personalized interventions at scale and create relevant customer engagement. We have invested in marketing technology solutions to create frictionless digital journeys that allow customers to consume our financial products and services with minimum physical interface. We execute digital marketing plans at scale and in tandem with traditional marketing channels to provide our customers quick and easy access to all our financial solutions, including loans, deposits and payment solutions.
The “Infinite Smiles” program helps us establish customer-centric actions through improvements in products, services, processes and policies, and enables us to measure customer loyalty through a closed-loop customer feedback system. The insights we receive help us implement changes to further improve customer experiences and strengthen their loyalty.
We also have programs that target other specific segments of the retail market. For example, under our private and premium banking programs, the relationship managers distribute mutual funds and insurance products and provide incidental advice related to these products. Customers interested in alternate products (such as fixed income, private equity, alternate investment funds and structures) or services such as succession planning, tax planning, trust formation and will-writing are referred to HSL who have referral arrangements with the concerned product/service providers. Customers seeking investment advice on alternate products are also referred to HSL (a registered investment adviser regulated by SEBI (Investment Advisers) Regulations 2013), where a team of certified investment advisers provide this service. In addition, we participate in the distribution of government bonds and have referral
tie-ups
with other corporates for customers desirous of availing their products and services that synergize with our businesses. Our commission income included income from marketing and distribution of Rs. 30,590.5 million for fiscal year 2022 and Rs. 21,126.7 million for fiscal year 2021, which comprised income for displaying publicity materials at our branches/ATMs, commissions on mutual funds, pension and other investment/saving products and sourcing and referral income.
We continue to be strongly committed to financial inclusion programs that extend banking services to underserved populations. Our Sustainable Livelihood Initiative caters to lower-income individuals to finance their economic activity, and also provides skills training, livelihood financing, credit counseling and market linkages in terms of access to, or contacts in, their local markets. Through these initiatives, we aim to reach the unbanked and underbanked segments of the Indian populations and to empower vulnerable and economically weaker sections of the society.
Wholesale Banking
Overview
We provide our corporate and institutional clients with a wide range of commercial banking products and transactional services.
16

Our principal commercial banking products include a range of financing products, documentary credits (primarily letters of credit) and bank guarantees, foreign exchange and derivative products, investment banking services and corporate deposit products. Our financing products include loans, overdrafts, bill discounting and credit substitutes, such as commercial paper, debentures, preference shares and other funded products. Our foreign exchange and derivatives products assist corporations in managing their currency and interest rate exposures.
In terms of commercial banking products, our customers include companies that are part of private sector business houses, public sector enterprises and multinational corporations, as well as small and
mid-sized
businesses. Our customers also include suppliers and distributors of corporations to whom we provide credit facilities and with whom we thereby establish relationships as part of a supply chain initiative for both our commercial banking products and transactional services. We aim to provide our corporate customers with high-quality customized service. We have relationship managers who focus on particular clients and who work with teams that specialize in providing specific products and services, such as cash management and treasury advisory services.
Loans to small and medium enterprises, which are generally loans for commercial vehicles, construction equipment and business purposes, are included as part of our retail banking business. We group these loans as part of our retail banking business considering, among other things, the customer profile, the nature of the product, the differing risks and returns, our organization structure and our internal business reporting mechanism. Such grouping ensures optimal utilization and deployment of specialized resources in our retail banking business.
Our principal transactional services include cash management services, capital markets transactional services and correspondent banking services. We provide physical and electronic payment and collection mechanisms to a range of corporations, financial institutions and Government entities. Our capital markets transactional services include custodial services for mutual funds and clearing bank services for the major Indian stock exchanges and commodity exchanges. In addition, we provide correspondent banking services, including cash management services and funds transfers, to foreign banks and
co-operative
banks.
Commercial Banking Products
Commercial Loan Products and Credit Substitutes
Our principal financing products are working capital facilities and term loans. Working capital facilities primarily consist of cash credit facilities and bill discounting. Cash credit facilities are revolving credits provided to our customers that are secured by working capital such as inventory and accounts receivable. Bill discounting consists of short term loans which are secured by bills of exchange that have been accepted by our customers or drawn on another bank. In many cases, we provide a package of working capital financing that may consist of loans and a cash credit facility as well as documentary credits or bank guarantees. Term loans consist of short term loans and medium term loans which are typically loans of up to five years in duration. Over 90.0 percent of our loans are denominated in rupees with the balance being denominated in various foreign currencies, principally the U.S. dollar.
We also purchase credit substitutes, which typically comprise commercial paper and debentures issued by the same customers with whom we have a lending relationship in our wholesale banking business. Investment decisions for credit substitute securities are subject to the same credit approval processes as loans, and we bear the same customer risk as we do for loans extended to these customers. Additionally, the yield and maturity terms are generally directly negotiated by us with the issuer.
The following table sets forth the asset allocation of our commercial loans and financing products by asset type. For accounting purposes, we classify commercial paper and debentures as credit substitutes (which, in turn, are classified as investments).
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
   
(in millions)
 
Gross commercial loans
  Rs.3,583,055.2   Rs.4,214,885.3   Rs.5,099,009.3   US$67,207.2 
Credit substitutes:
        
Commercial paper
  Rs.124,393.4   Rs.9,804.1   Rs.1,468.2   US$19.4 
Non-convertible
debentures
   237,980.3    537,472.8    581,551.5    7,665.1 
Preferred shares
           0.5    0.0 
Total credit substitutes
  Rs.362,373.7   Rs.547,276.9   Rs.583,020.2   US$7,684.5 
Gross commercial loans plus credit substitutes
  Rs.3,945,428.9   Rs.4,762,162.2   Rs.5,682,029.5   US$74,891.7 
Whilst we generally lend on a cash flow basis, we also require collateral from a large number of our borrowers. As of March 31, 2022, approximately 60.6 percent of the aggregate principal amount of our gross wholesale loans was secured by collateral and Rs. 2,007.5 billion in aggregate principal amount of loans were unsecured. However, collateral securing each individual loan may not be adequate in relation to the value of the loan. All borrowers must meet our internal credit assessment procedures, regardless of whether the loan is secured. See “
—Risk Management—Credit Risk—Wholesale Credit Risk
”.
17

We price our loans based on a combination of our own cost of funds, market rates, tenor of the loan, our rating of the customer and the overall revenues from the customer and with reference to the applicable benchmark. An individual loan is priced on a fixed or floating rate and the pricing is based on a margin that depends on, among other factors, the credit assessment of the borrower. We are required to follow the system requirements related to the interest rate on advances, issued by the RBI from time to time, while pricing our loans. For a detailed discussion of these requirements, see “
Supervision and Regulation—Regulations Relating to Making Loans
”.
The RBI requires banks to lend to specific sectors of the economy. For a detailed discussion of these requirements, see “
Supervision and Regulation—Directed Lending
”.
Bill Collection, Documentary Credits and Bank Guarantees
We provide bill collection, documentary credit facilities and bank guarantees for our corporate customers. Documentary credits and bank guarantees are typically provided on an ongoing basis. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the value of transactions processed with respect to our bill collection, documentary credits and bank guarantees:
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
         
       
(in millions)
     
Bill collection
  Rs.6,039,408.6   Rs.5,863,622.6   Rs.8,826,470.0   US$116,336.8 
Documentary credits
   1,753,159.7    1,410,029.3    2,543,661.3    33,526.6 
Bank guarantees
   303,348.0    420,229.2    455,008.5    5,997.2 
Total
  Rs.8,095,916.3   Rs.7,693,881.1   Rs.11,825,139.8   US$155,860.5 
Bill collection
: We provide bill collection services for our corporate clients in which we collect bills on behalf of a corporate client from the bank of our client’s customer (
i.e.
, import bill collection). Under the import bill collection system, we receive instructions from overseas banks, deal with necessary documents and effect remittances on behalf of our clients. We also provide export collection, where we receive documents from our corporate clients and send such documents to the overseas bank for collection. Once the export collection is realized, we credit our corporate clients’ accounts with the relevant amount.
Documentary credits
: We issue documentary credit facilities on behalf of our customers for trade financing, sourcing of raw materials and capital equipment purchases.
Bank guarantees:
We provide bank guarantees on behalf of our customers to guarantee their payment or performance obligations. A part of our guarantee portfolio consists of margin guarantees to brokers issued in favor of stock exchanges.
Foreign Exchange and Derivatives
Our foreign exchange and derivative product offering to our customers covers a range of products, including foreign exchange and interest rate transactions and hedging solutions, such as spot and forward foreign exchange contracts, forward rate agreements, currency swaps, currency options and interest rate derivatives. These transactions enable our customers to transfer, modify or reduce their foreign exchange and interest rate risks. A specified group of relationship managers from our treasury front office works on such product offerings in line with the customers’ risk and other requirements and within the framework of our Suitability and Appropriateness policy.
Forward exchange contracts are commitments to buy or sell fixed amounts of currency at a future date at the contracted rate. Currency swaps are commitments to exchange cash flows by way of interest in one currency against another and exchange of principal amounts at maturity based on predetermined rates. Rupee interest rate swaps are commitments to exchange fixed and floating rate cash flows in rupees without exchanging the notional principal. A forward rate agreement gives the buyer the ability to determine the underlying rate of interest for a specified period commencing on a specified future date (the settlement date) when the settlement amount is determined, being the difference between the contracted rate and the market rate on the settlement date. The underlying rate of interest could be an interest rate curve, interest rate index or bond yield. Currency options give the buyer the right, but not an obligation, to buy or sell specified amounts of currency at agreed rates of exchange on or before a specified future date.
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We enter into forward exchange contracts, currency options, forward rate agreements, currency swaps and rupee interest rate swaps in the inter-bank market, broadly to support our customers’ requirements and, to a limited extent, for our own account. The following table presents the aggregate notional principal amounts of our outstanding foreign exchange and derivative contracts with our customers as of March 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022, together with the fair values on each reporting date.
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
   
Notional
   
Fair Value
   
Notional
   
Fair Value
   
Notional
   
Fair Value
   
Notional
   
Fair Value
 
                 
   
(In millions)
 
Interest rate swaps and forward rate agreements
   Rs.1,545,303.1    Rs.1,404.5    Rs.1,684,294.2   Rs.785.5    Rs.3,163,571.7   Rs.2,253.9   US$41,697.3   US$29.7 
Forward exchange contracts, currency swaps, currency options
   Rs.1,309,254.8    Rs.7,532.1    Rs.1,490,543.6   Rs.4,275.8    Rs.1,892,709.0   Rs.(12,243.4)   US$24,946.7   US$(161.4
Investment Banking
Our Investment Banking Group offers services in the debt and equity capital markets. The group has arranged project financing for clients across various sectors including telecoms, roads, healthcare, energy, real estate, data centres and cement. The group advised on aggregate issuances of over Rs. 550.8 billion worth of rupee-denominated corporate bonds across public sector undertakings, financial institutions and our corporate clients, becoming the third-largest corporate bond arranger in the market for fiscal year 2022. In the equity capital markets business, the group concluded various transactions, including seven initial public offerings, one rights issue and one share buyback. In the advisory business, we advise clients in the infrastructure, new economy and digital, financial services, industrials and healthcare sectors.
Wholesale Deposit Products
As of March 31, 2022, we had wholesale deposits aggregating to Rs. 2,944.1 billion, which represented 18.9 percent of our total deposits. We offer both
non-interest-bearing
current accounts and time deposits. We are permitted to vary the interest rates on our wholesale deposits based on the size of the deposit (for deposits greater than Rs. 20.0 million), provided the rates booked on a day are the same for all customers of that deposit size for that maturity. See “
Selected Statistical Information
” for further information about our total deposits.
Transactional Services
Cash Management Services
We believe that the Indian market is one of the most promising Cash Management Services (“CMS”) markets. However, it is also marked by some distinctive characteristics and challenges such as a vast geography, a large number of small business-intensive towns, a large unorganized sector in various business supply chains, and infrastructural limitations for accessibility to many parts of the country. Over the years, such challenges have made it a daunting task for CMS providers in the country to uncover the business potential and extend suitable services and product solutions to the business community.
We are a technology-driven bank and have been providing digital CMS solutions to our customers from diverse industry segments. We believe that we have been consistently aligning our product and services strategy to meet our customers’ needs. This, we believe, has helped us to keep ahead of competitors and retain a satisfied customer base that is growing by the year.
We offer traditional and new age digital banking products and experience an increasing demand for digital banking services. While we believe that we have been one of the leading banks in the traditional CMS market, we believe that we have also been able to forge a similar position in the new age CMS market,
i.e.,
digital cash management, and we also believe that we have aligned our product offering with changing and dynamic customer needs. Currently, approximately 95 percent of our transactions are done on the electronic platform.
Today, we believe that we are a leading service provider of digital banking products with a large share of business across customer segments. We have, thus, been able to reduce our transaction costs while maintaining our fees and float levels.
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Clearing Bank Services for Stock and Commodity Exchanges
We act as a clearing bank for the cash and derivatives (F&O) segment, currency derivatives, commodity derivatives and other segments for the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the BSE Limited, Multi Commodity Exchange, National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Limited as well as the two exchanges set up in Gujarat International Finance
Tec-City
(“GIFT City”), NSE International Limited and India International Exchange. As a clearing bank, we provide the exchanges/clearing corporations with a means for collecting and making payments as part of settlement obligations to investors through registered brokers and custodians. In addition to benefiting from the current account balances that help reduce our overall cost of funds, we also earn interest, transaction fees and commissions by offering various fund-based and
non-fund-based
facilities and transactional services to the stock brokers and clearing members.
Custodial Services
We provide custodial services to domestic and foreign investors that include domestic mutual funds, portfolio managers, insurance companies, alternative investment funds and foreign portfolio investors (“FPIs”). These services include safekeeping of securities, trade settlement, collection of dividends and interest payments on securities, fund accounting services and derivatives clearing services (including currency derivatives and interest rate futures). We are registered as a designated depository participant with the local securities regulator,
i.e.
, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, and are permitted to grant registration to FPIs.
Correspondent Banking Services
We act as a correspondent bank for
co-operative
banks, foreign banks and certain private banks. We provide cash management services, funds transfer services, such as letters of credit, foreign exchange transactions and foreign cheque collection. We earn revenue on a
fee-for-service
basis and benefit from the cash float, which reduces our overall cost of funds.
We are well-positioned to offer this service to
co-operative
banks, foreign banks and select private banks in light of the structure of the Indian banking industry and our position within it.
Co-operative
banks are generally restricted to a particular state and foreign banks/some private banks have limited branch networks. The customers of these banks frequently need services in other areas of the country where their own banks do not operate. Because of our technology platforms, our geographical reach and the electronic connectivity of our branch network, we can provide these banks with the ability to provide such services to their customers.
Tax Collections
We have been appointed by the Government of India to collect direct taxes. In fiscal year 2021 and 2022, we collected Rs. 3,028 billion and Rs. 4,089 billion, respectively, of direct taxes for the Government of India. We are also appointed to collect Goods and Services Tax (“GST”) and other indirect taxes in India. In fiscal years 2021 and 2022 we collected Rs. 1,657 billion and Rs. 2,247 billion, respectively, of such indirect taxes for the Government of India and relevant state Governments. We earn a fee from the Government of India for each tax collection and benefit from the cash float. We hope to expand our range of transactional services by providing more services to Government entities.
Treasury
Overview
Our treasury group manages our balance sheet, including our maintenance of reserve requirements and the management of market and liquidity risk. Our treasury group also provides advice and execution services to our corporate and institutional customers with respect to their foreign exchange and derivatives transactions. In addition, our treasury group seeks to optimize profits from our proprietary trading, which is principally concentrated on Indian Government securities.
Our client-based activities consist primarily of advising corporate and institutional customers and transacting spot and forward foreign exchange contracts and derivatives. Our primary customers are multinational corporations, large and medium sized domestic corporations, financial institutions, banks and public sector undertakings. We also advise and enter into foreign exchange contracts with some small companies and NRIs.
The following describes our activities in the foreign exchange and derivatives markets, domestic money markets and the debt securities desk and equities market. See also “
—Risk Management
” for a discussion of our management of market risk.
Foreign Exchange and Derivatives
Our treasury operations primarily include liquidity management and managing the interest rate risks in our investment portfolio along with limited proprietary trading.
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Our treasury operations also include foreign exchange and derivative product offerings to our customers covering a range of products, including foreign exchange and interest rate transactions and hedging solutions, such as spot and forward exchange contracts, forward rate agreements and derivatives. Whilst “plain vanilla” products are offered to all customer segments, derivative products are offered mostly to our wholesale customers in accordance with the RBI guidelines. A specified group of relationship managers from our treasury front office works on such product offerings in line with the customers’ risk and other requirements and within the framework of our Suitability and Appropriateness policy.
We also enter into derivative contracts not denominated in rupees. Typically the market risks arising out of such products are economically hedged in the interbank market. We also operate under a capped risk exposure to each interbank counterparty. In order to manage residual risks and for overall balance sheet management, we also undertake limited proprietary trading transactions, subject to limits approved by our board of directors (the “Board”).
The following table sets out the aggregate notional principal amounts of our outstanding foreign exchange and derivative inter-bank contracts as of March 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022, together with the fair values on each reporting date:
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2020
  
2021
  
2022
   
2022
 
   
Notional
   
Fair Value
  
Notional
   
Fair Value
  
Notional
   
Fair Value
   
Notional
   
Fair Value
 
                 
              
(In millions)
             
Interest rate swaps and forward rate agreements
  Rs.2,099,192.7   Rs.(3,504.6 Rs.1,492,003.7   Rs.(2,256.4 Rs.2,029,651.4   Rs.225.1   US$26,751.8   US$3.0 
Forward exchange contracts, currency swaps, currency options
  Rs.5,276,918.2   Rs.322.6  Rs.3,913,667.3   Rs.(278.2 Rs.5,402,291.4   Rs.15,147.5   US$71,204.6   US$199.7 
Domestic Money Market and Debt Securities Desk
Our principal activity in the domestic money market and debt securities market is to ensure that we comply with our reserve requirements including Liquidity Coverage Ratio (“LCR”). These consist of a cash reserve ratio, which we meet by maintaining balances with the RBI, and a statutory liquidity ratio, which we meet by purchasing Indian Government securities. See also “
Supervision and Regulation—Legal Reserve Requirements
”. The Bank meets the LCR requirement by maintaining an adequate level of high-quality liquid assets, mainly government securities above its mandated statutory requirements. See also “
Supervision and Regulation—Regulations on Asset Liability Management
”. Our local currency desk primarily trades Indian Government securities for our own account. We also participate in the inter-bank call deposit market and engage in limited trading of other debt instruments.
Equities Market
We trade a limited amount of equities of Indian companies for our own account as part of the equity trading portfolio of our treasury operations, which are specified in the approved list of equity universe that is reviewed at least on a quarterly basis or on a need-based basis as mandated in the Bank’s internal policy. As of March 31, 2022, we had an internal aggregate approved limit of Rs. 1,300 million for proprietary equity trading, which included Rs. 650 million (defined as a
sub-limit
of the aggregate approved limit) for primary purchases of equity investments for proprietary trading and Rs. 260 million (defined as a
sub-limit
of the aggregate approved limit) for investment in equity mutual funds for proprietary trading with requisite approvals. We set limits on the amount invested in any individual company as well as a stop-loss trigger level and a
value-at-risk
limit for the proprietary equity trading portfolio. Our exposure as of March 31, 2022 was within these limits.
In addition, we had long term and strategic investments in equities and equity-linked instruments within the board-approved quantum for such investments. All such investments are carried out after review and approval of the proposal by the investment committee and the board, if applicable.
Distribution Channels
We deliver our products and services through a variety of distribution channels, including banking outlets, direct sales agents, ATMs, and telephone, mobile and internet banking.
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Banking Outlets
Our banking outlets are comprised of branches and business correspondents. As of March 31, 2022, we had a total of 6,342 branches covering 3,188 cities and towns. In addition, we had 15,341 business correspondents, which were primarily manned by CSCs. All of our banking outlets are electronically linked so that our customers can access their accounts from any banking outlet regardless of where they have their accounts.
Almost all of our banking outlets focus exclusively on providing retail services and products, though a few also provide wholesale banking services. The range of products and services available at each banking outlet depends in part on the size and location of the banking outlet. We offer various banking services to our customers through our arrangements with correspondent banks and exchange houses in overseas locations.
As part of its banking outlet licensing conditions, the RBI requires that at least 25.00 percent of all incremental banking outlets added during the year be located in unbanked rural centres/left wing extremism (“LWE”) affected districts/north eastern states and Sikkim, where during fiscal year 2022, 270 of our banking outlets (including banking outlets manned by the CSCs) were added. With the objective of liberalizing and rationalizing the branch licensing process, the RBI granted general permission, effective from October 2013, to banks like us to open banking outlets in Tier 1 to Tier 6 centers, subject to a requirement to report to the RBI and other prescribed conditions. In May 2017, the RBI further liberalized the branch authorization policy. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Regulations Relating to the Opening of Banking Outlets
”.
We have overseas banking outlets in Bahrain, Hong Kong and the Dubai International Finance Centre (“DIFC”). These banking outlets cater to the needs of our overseas clients, both corporate and individual. They offer banking, trade finance and wealth management (primarily for
non-resident
individual customers). In addition, we have representative offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Nairobi. We also have a presence in the International Financial Service Centre Banking Unit at the Gujarat International Finance
Tec-City
(“GIFT City”) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. This unit operates in a similar fashion to our foreign banking outlets and customers are able to purchase products such as trade credits and foreign currency term loans, including external commercial borrowings and derivatives to hedge loans. Our unit in GIFT City is regulated and supervised by the RBI.
Automated Teller Machines
As of March 31, 2022, we had 18,130 ATMs/CDMs, of which 8,703 were located at our banking outlets or extension counters and 9,427 were located
off-site.
All our ATMs are equipped with a voice-guided system and a Braille keypad for the visually challenged. Customers can use our ATMs for a variety of functions, including withdrawing cash, monitoring bank balances, mobile
recharge/top-up,
and cardless cash withdrawals. Customers can access their accounts from any of the HDFC Bank ATMs or
non-HDFC
Bank ATMs. ATM cards issued by American Express or other banks in the Rupay, Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, JCB, UPI, Cirrus, Citrus or Discover Financial Services networks can be used in our ATMs and we receive a fee for each transaction. Our debit cards issued with respective networks (Rupay/VISA/MasterCard) can be used at ATMs of other banks for which we pay the acquiring bank a fee. Our customers can use our CDMs for a variety of functions, including cash deposits, cash withdrawals and monitoring bank balances.
Telephone Banking
We provide telephone banking services to our customers in 3,188 cities and towns as at March 31, 2022. Customers can access their accounts over the phone through our
24-hour
automated voice response system and can conduct balance and transaction inquiries, order cheque books and order stop payments of cheques. In certain cities, we also have staff available during select hours to assist customers who want to speak directly to one of our telephone bankers. In select cities, customers can also engage in financial transactions such as opening deposits.
Mobile Banking
Our mobile banking application is specially designed to help our customers manage their banking needs more efficiently. With a secure access and an intuitive, multi-feature design, the application provides our customers with an improved banking experience. Our mobile banking application is designed for an era where our customers can get most of their banking needs serviced on their mobile phones, from sending money (via the national electronic funds transfer (“NEFT”), immediate payment service and unified payment interface (“UPI”) to managing accounts, bills and investments. We believe that banking with our mobile banking application is easy, convenient and secure.
Internet Banking
Our internet banking platform is convenient, comprehensive and safe, enabling our customers to bank 24/7 from the comfort of their home or office. Users can perform the majority of banking transactions online and be assured of the highest levels of security standards. The platform provides several different services, including viewing balances and statements, fund transfers, payment of bills, opening term and recurring deposit accounts, mobile and
direct-to-home
recharges, ordering cheque books and online shopping.
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Payment Wallets
PayZapp aims to make digital payments safe. PayZapp provides a comprehensive solution for all payment, banking and financial requirements for our internal and external customers. It offers a platform for making different types of payments, including grocery, food delivery, shopping, mobile and
direct-to-home
recharges, rent payments, FASTag recharge and utility bills. Using PayZapp, customers can also apply for a credit card or a personal loan, send money to others and transfer money to a bank account.
Risk Management
Risk is inherent in our business and sound risk management is critical to our success. The major types of risk we face are credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk, interest rate risk and operational risk. We have developed and implemented comprehensive policies and procedures to identify, assess, monitor and manage our risk.
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the possibility of losses associated with diminution in the credit quality of borrowers or counterparties. In a bank’s portfolio, losses result from a customer’s or counterparty’s default due to the inability or the unwillingness of such customer or counterparty to meet commitments in relation to borrowing, trading, settlement and other financial transactions. Alternatively, losses result from a reduction in portfolio value arising from the actual or perceived deterioration in credit quality of the underlying borrowers. Credit risk typically results from a bank’s dealings with an individual, association of persons, corporate entity, other bank, financial institution or a sovereign.
The Board of Directors of the Bank is responsible for managing the comprehensive risks faced by the Bank, including credit risk. The Board endorses the credit risk strategy and approves the credit risk policies of the Bank. The Bank’s Risk Policy & Monitoring Committee (“RPMC”), which is a Board-level committee, supports the Board by supervising the implementation of the credit risk strategy. It guides the development of policies, procedures and systems for managing credit risk. The RPMC ensures that these policies are adequate and appropriate to changing business conditions, the structure and needs of the Bank and the risk appetite of the Bank. It periodically reviews the portfolio composition and the status of impaired credits.
The Retail and Wholesale Credit Risk Management functions under the Chief Risk Officer (“CRO”) runs the credit risk management centrally in the Bank. The risk management function is clearly demarcated and independent from the operations, credit and business functions of the Bank.
Retail Credit Risk
Retail lending, given the granularity of individual exposures, is managed largely on a portfolio basis across various products and customer segments. There are robust
front-end
and
back-end
systems in place to ensure credit quality and to minimize losses from defaults. The Retail Credit Risk team is responsible for establishing the risk appetite, ensuring adherence to the risk appetite limits approved by the Board and reviewing and monitoring the key risk indicators of the retail and SME portfolios of the Bank. It is also responsible for conducting product review, stress testing, formulating key risk indicators and portfolio analysis and distribution trends.
Retail Lending Master Policy (“RLMP”) and SME – Credit Policies & Procedures Manual (“SME – CPPM”) are the governance frameworks for managing credit risk in the retail and SME portfolios.
Wholesale Credit Risk
The wholesale credit risk team sits within the Risk Management Group and is primarily responsible for implementing the wholesale credit risk strategy approved by the Board, developing procedures and systems for managing credit risk, periodically monitoring the overall portfolio quality, concentrations and risk-mitigating actions and conducting stress testing to ensure that portfolio composition and quality are within the Bank’s risk appetite.
The Bank’s Credit Policies & Procedure Manual (the “Credit Policies”) are central in controlling credit risk in various activities and products. The Credit Policies articulate our credit risk strategy and thereby the approach for credit origination, approval and maintenance. Each credit proposal is evaluated by the business units against the credit standards prescribed in our Credit Policies. They are then subjected to a greater degree of credit analysis based on product type and customer profile by credit specialists in the Wholesale Credit Group headed by the Chief Credit Officer.
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There is a framework for independent review and approval of credit ratings by specifically designated rating approvers in the ratings unit, which sits within the Credit Risk function independent of business, operations and credit. We have in place a process of risk-grading each borrower according to its management, industry, financial health and the performance of its business. Each borrower is graded on a model scale of 1 to 10, which is further mapped to a master scale of HDB 1 to HDB 10 (HDB 1 indicating the highest and HDB 10 the lowest rating; we further classify HDB 1 to HDB 7 as “investment grade” ratings, while HDB 8 or lower are classified as
“non-investment
grade” ratings). We have specific models applicable to each significant segment of wholesale credit (
e.g.
, large manufacturer, small manufacturer, large services, small services and NBFCs). For a standalone borrower rating, the model encapsulates risks associated with the industry, business, management and financials into quantitative and qualitative factors. The detailed risk parameters and weightages vary according to the respective models. The risk rating assigned to the borrower is a function of aggregated weighted scores after an assessment under each of the above four risk categories. Wholesale loans that are investment grade are disclosed as either “pass” or “labeled” and considered to be performing. “Labeled” loans are investment grade loans showing evidence of weakness and following deteriorating trends which, if not corrected, could adversely impact repayment of the obligations.
To ensure adequate diversification of risk, concentration limits have been set up in terms of:
(a)
Borrower/business group
: Based on the RBI guidelines on the Large Exposure Framework (“LEF”), exposure ceilings are established for exposures to single borrowers, borrower groups, NBFCs, connected NBFC groups or a group of connected counterparties, which include an NBFC in the group. See also “
Supervision and Regulation—Large Exposures Framework
”.
(b)
Industry
: We have established ceilings on aggregate exposure to an industry. For this purpose, advances and investments as well as
non-fund-based
exposures are aggregated. Retail advances are exempt from this exposure limit.
(c)
Risk grading
: In addition to the exposure ceilings described above, we have set quantitative ceilings on aggregate funded and
non-funded
exposure (excluding retail assets) specific to each risk rating category at the portfolio level.
The RBI restricts us from lending to companies with which we have any directors in common. In addition, the RBI requires that we direct a portion of our lending to certain specified sectors (“Priority Sector Lending” or “PSL”). See also “
Supervision and Regulation—Directed Lending
”.
Credit Management
The Credit Group, under the Chief Credit Officer (“CCO”), consists of the Retail Credit Group and the Wholesale Credit Group. The CCO reports directly to the Managing Director and is responsible for leading and overseeing the implementation of the overall credit strategy and the management of the retail and wholesale credit portfolios of the Bank. The credit underwriting and portfolio management under the retail and wholesale credit functions are aligned with the Board-approved credit appetite thereby maintaining credit quality of the portfolio. The Credit Group is not assigned any business target. No official in the Retail Credit Group or Wholesale Credit Group has any business responsibility or association, thereby assuring compliance to the four pillars, namely, independence (total independence and freedom to operate without any influence which may compromise risk acceptance), knowledge base (specialization and experience over a period of time), absence of conflict of interest (absolute separation from any business targets or responsibilities, ensuring the quality of risk management) and regulatory compliance (ensuring continuous operation within a
low-risk
environment).
Retail Credit
We offer a range of retail products, such as auto loans, personal loans, credit cards, mortgage loans,
two-wheeler
loans, loans against securities and commercial vehicle loans. Our retail credit programs and approval processes are designed to accommodate the high volumes of relatively homogeneous, small-value transactions in retail loans. There are product programs for each of these products, which define the target markets, credit philosophy and process, detailed underwriting criteria for evaluating individual credits, exception reporting systems and individual loan exposure caps.
For individual customers to be eligible for a loan, minimum credit parameters, so defined, are to be met for each product. Any deviation needs to be approved at the designated levels. The product parameters have been selected based on the perceived risk characteristics specific to the product. The quantitative parameters considered include income, residence stability and the nature of the employment/business, while the qualitative parameters include accessibility and profile. Our credit and product programs are based on a statistical analysis of our own experience and industry data, in combination with the judgment of our senior officers.
The retail credit team manages credit in retail assets and has the following constituents:
(a)
Central Credit Program Unit
: This unit drives credit portfolio management centrally for retail assets. It is responsible for formulating credit product programs and evaluating proposals for the launch of new products and entering new geographies. The unit also conducts periodic reviews that cover our portfolio management information system, credit management information system and post-approval reviews. The credit program teams conduct detailed studies on portfolio performance in each customer segment.
(b)
Retail Underwriting
: This unit is primarily responsible for approving credit exposures and ensuring portfolio composition and quality. The unit ensures implementation of all policies and procedures, as applicable.
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(c)
Credit Intelligence and Control
: This unit is responsible for the sampling of documents to ensure prospective borrowers with fraudulent intent are prevented from availing themselves of loans. The unit
inter alia
initiates market reference checks to avoid a recurrence of fraud and financial losses.
(d)
Retail Collections Unit
: This unit is responsible for the remedial management of problem exposures in retail assets. The collections unit uses specific strategies for various segments and products for remedial management.
We mine data on our borrower account behavior as well as static data regularly to monitor the portfolio performance of each product segment, and use these as inputs in revising our product programs, target market definitions and credit assessment criteria to meet our twin objectives of combining volume growth and preservation of asset quality.
Our vehicle loans, loan against gold, mortgage loan and loan against securities are generally secured on the asset financed. If the customer fails to pay, we would, as applicable, liquidate collateral and/or set off accounts. In most cases, we obtain direct debit instructions or post-dated cheques from the customer. It is a criminal offense in India to issue a bad cheque.
Wholesale Credit
For our wholesale banking products, we target leading private businesses and public-sector enterprises in the country, as well as subsidiaries of multinational corporations. We consider the credit risk of our counterparties comprehensively. Accordingly, our credit policies and procedures apply not only to credit exposures but also to credit substitutes and contingent exposures.
The Wholesale Credit Group is primarily responsible for implementing the credit strategy approved by the Board, developing procedures and systems for managing credit originated by the wholesale business groups, carrying out an independent assessment of credit, approving individual credit appetite by specifically appointed credit approvers as well as monitoring and ensuring portfolio composition and quality.
Based on what we believe is an adequately comprehensive credit assessment, credit appetite is set on individual counterparties. This appetite takes into account the overall potential risk on the counterparty, be it on balance sheet or
off-balance
sheet, across the banking book and the trading book, including foreign exchange and derivatives exposures. This appetite is reviewed in detail at annual or more frequent intervals.
While we primarily make our credit decisions on a cash flow basis, we also obtain security for a significant portion of credit facilities extended by us as a second potential remedy. This can take the form of a floating charge on the movable assets of the borrower or a (first or residual) charge on the fixed assets and properties owned by the borrower. We may also require guarantees and letters of support from the flagship companies of the group in cases where facilities are granted based on our comfort level or relationship with the parent company.
We do not extend credit on the judgment of one officer alone. Our credit approval process is based on a three-tier approval system that combines credit approval authorities and discretionary powers. The required three approvals are provided by credit approvers who derive their authority from their credit skills and experience. The level for approval of a credit varies depending upon the grading of the borrower, the quantum of facilities required and whether we have been dealing with the customer by providing credit facilities in the past. As such, initial approvals would typically require a higher level of approval for a borrower with the same grading and for sanctioning the same facility.
We have a process for regular monitoring of all accounts at several levels. These include periodic calls on the customer, plant visits, credit reviews and monitoring of secondary data. These are designed to detect any early warning signals of deterioration in credit quality so that we can take timely corrective action.
SME Credit
In order to manage credit in SME assets, the “wholesale
credit-SME
function” draws from the wholesale and retail credit functions. The SME policy and strategy is broadly aligned with the wholesale credit function with suitable amendments to make it appropriate for SME customers. It incorporates certain procedures and systems for managing credit, which have been taken from the retail credit function.
Market Risk
Market risk refers to the potential loss on account of adverse changes in market variables or other risk factors which affect the value of financial instruments that we hold. The financial instruments may include investment in money market instruments, debt securities (such as gilts, bonds and PTCs), equities, foreign exchange products and derivative instruments (both linear and
non-linear
products).
25

The market variables which affect the valuation of these instruments typically include interest rates, credit spreads, equity prices, net asset values (“NAVs”), foreign exchange rates, implied volatilities (including the foreign exchange volatility surface, cap/floor volatility and volatility smiles), exchange derivative prices, and bullion prices. Any change in the relevant market risk variable has an adverse or favorable impact on the valuation depending on the direction of the change and the type of position held (long or short). While the positions are taken with a view to earn from the upside potential, there is always a possibility of downside risk. Thus, the Bank must constantly review the positions to ensure that the risk on account of such positions is within our overall risk appetite. The risk appetite for trading risk is set through a
pre-approved
treasury limits package as well as through specific trading limits and trigger levels for a few product programs. In addition, the Bank’s risk limits with respect to interbank counterparties are guided by the interbank counterparty exposure limit while the Bank’s Asset Liability Management (“ALM”) limits prescribe the appetite for liquidity risk and interest rate risk in the banking book (“IRRBB”). The process for monitoring and reviewing risk exposure is outlined in the various risk policies.
The market risk department formulates procedures for risk valuation for market risk measures, assesses market risk factors impacting the trading portfolio and recommends various market risk controls/mitigants relating to limits and trigger levels for the treasury (including investment banking portfolios for primary undertaking and distribution) and
non-treasury
positions. The treasury
mid-office
is responsible for monitoring and reporting market risks arising from the trading desks and also carries out rate scans of the deals. The market data cell in the
mid-office
maintains market data, performs market data scans to check market data sanctity and verifies the rates submitted by the treasury front office for polling various benchmarks.
Our Board has delegated the responsibility for risk management of the balance sheet on an ongoing basis to the Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”). This committee, which is chaired by the Managing Director and includes the heads of the business groups, generally meets fortnightly. The ALCO reviews the product pricing for deposits and assets as well as the maturity profile and mix of our assets and liabilities. It articulates the interest rate view and decides on future business strategy with respect to interest rates. It reviews and sets funding policy, and also reviews developments in the markets and the economy and their impact on the balance sheet and business along with a review of the trading levels. Moreover, it reviews the utilization of liquidity and interest rate risk limits set by the Board and decides on the inter-segment transfer pricing policy.
The financial control department is responsible for collecting data, preparing regulatory and analytical reports and monitoring whether the interest rate and other policies and limits established by the ALCO are being observed. The Balance Sheet Management desk, which is part of the treasury group, also assists in implementing our asset liability strategy and in providing information to the ALCO.
Policies and Procedures—Trading and Asset Liability Management Risks
The following sections briefly describe our policies and procedures with respect to trading risk (price risk) and ALM risk (interest rate risk in the banking book and liquidity risk).
I. Trading Risk
Trading risk is the risk arising from price fluctuations due to market factors, such as changes in interest rates, equity prices, NAVs, bullion prices, exchange rates, exchange derivative prices and the variations in their implied volatilities in respect of the trading portfolio held by the Bank. The trading portfolio includes holdings in the
held-for-trading
and
available-for-sale
portfolios, as per RBI guidelines and consists of positions in bonds, securities, currencies, interest rate swaps, forward rate agreements, interest rate options, cross-currency interest rate swaps and currency options.
The trading risk is managed by establishing a sound process for price validation and by setting various limits or trigger levels, such as value at risk limits, stop-loss trigger levels, price value per basis point (PV01) limits, option Greek limits and position limits, namely, intraday and net overnight forex open position. Additional controls such as order size and outstanding exposure limits are prescribed, wherever applicable, based on
case-by-case
review. Moreover, measures such as investment limits and deal size thresholds are prescribed as part of the investment policy for managing outstanding investment or trading positions.
The trading limits/trigger levels are reviewed by the market risk department and presented to the RPMC for its recommendation to the Board for approval. The limits/trigger levels are reviewed annually or more frequently (depending on market conditions) or upon introduction of new products.
The market risk policy sets the framework for market risk monitoring and includes the
non-standard
product policy which stipulates requirements for case-specific evaluation of risk exposure in respect of
non-standard
products (that is, products which are not part of the standard product list decided by treasury and the market risk department). Additionally, limits have been assigned to restrict the aggregate exposure in
non-standard
positions. Further, the stress testing policy prescribes the stress scenarios that are applied on the outstanding trading positions to recognize and analyze the impact of the stress conditions on the trading portfolio. Stress tests are based on historical scenarios as well as on sensitivity factors, such as an assessment based on hypothetical/judgmental scenarios, and include topical scenarios based on evolving risk themes.
26

Validation of valuation models applied for trading products is conducted by the treasury analytics team, which are then reviewed by the market risk department and governed by the Board-approved independent model validation policy. All market risk model validations are also reviewed by the treasury analytics team. The Valuation Committee is apprised of the model validation results in its quarterly meetings. Moreover, the market data of major interest rate curves, captured in the valuation systems, are compared against an independent market data source on a
month-end
basis for accurate valuation in accordance with the independent model validation policy of the Bank. Simultaneously, valuations of forex, derivatives and structured products in treasury systems are compared with valuations from the respective counterparty bank (with whom the Bank has a credit support annex (“CSA”) agreement) every month by the treasury analytics team along with validation of valuations from the Bank’s external independent model validator on an annual and an
ad-hoc
basis. Lastly, internal independent validation of valuations of forex, derivative, bond and money market instrument is conducted monthly by the treasury analytics team.
II. Asset Liability Management
The ALM risk management process consists of management of liquidity risk and IRRBB. Liquidity risk is the risk that the Bank may not be able to fund increases in assets or meet obligations as they fall due without incurring unacceptable losses. IRRBB refers to the potential adverse financial impact on the Bank’s banking book from changes in interest rates. The banking book is comprised of assets and liabilities that are incurred to create a steady income flow or to fulfill statutory obligations. Such assets and liabilities are generally held to maturity. The Bank carries various assets, liabilities and
off-balance
sheet items across markets, maturities and benchmarks, exposing itself to risks from changing interest rates. The Bank’s objective is to maintain liquidity risk and IRRBB within certain tolerance limits. The ALM limits are reviewed by the market risk department and presented to the RPMC for its recommendation to the Board for approval. The limits are reviewed at least annually.
Structure and Organization
The ALM risk management process of the Bank operates in the following hierarchical manner:
Board of Directors
The Board has the overall responsibility for the management of liquidity and interest rate risk. The Board decides the strategy, policies and procedures of the Bank to manage liquidity and interest rate risk, including setting the Bank’s risk tolerance and limits.
Risk Policy and Monitoring Committee of the Board
The RPMC is a Board-level committee, which supports the Board by supervising the implementation of risk strategy. It guides the development of policies, procedures and systems for managing risk. It ensures that these are adequate and appropriate to changing business conditions, the structure and needs of the Bank and the risk appetite of the Bank. It ensures that frameworks are established for assessing and managing liquidity and interest rate risks faced by the Bank. The RPMC meets at least once every quarter. The RPMC’s role includes, inter alia:
1.
to review and recommend for Board approval the liquidity and interest rate risk policies and behavioral studies or any other amendment thereto; and
2.
to ratify excess utilization of Board-approved limits except where delegated to the ALCO.
Asset Liability Committee
The ALCO is the decision-making unit responsible for ensuring adherence to the risk tolerance and limits set by the Board, as well as implementing the Bank’s liquidity and interest rate risk management strategy in line with the Bank’s risk management objectives and risk tolerance. The ALCO is also responsible for balance sheet planning from a risk-return perspective, including strategic management of interest rate and liquidity risks. The role of the ALCO includes the following:
product pricing for deposits and customer advances;
deciding the desired maturity profile and mix of incremental assets and liabilities;
articulating the Bank’s interest rate view and deciding on its future business strategy;
reviewing and articulating funding strategy and deciding on source and mix of liabilities or sale of assets;
ensuring adherence to the liquidity and interest rate risk limits set by the Board and ratification of utilization, wherever applicable;
determining the structure, responsibilities and controls for managing liquidity and interest rate risk and overseeing the liquidity positions of the Bank level (including domestic and overseas branches) and reviewing liquidity risk and interest rate risk in banking book positions at the group level (including the Bank and its subsidiaries);
27

ensuring adequate representation of risk management function on ALCO to adhere with operational independence of liquidity management and risk monitoring;
reviewing ALM stress test results and ensuring that a well-documented contingency funding plan is in place;
deciding on the transfer pricing policy of the Bank and considering liquidity costs and benefits an integral part of the Bank’s strategic planning; and
regularly reporting to the Board on the ALM risk profile of the Bank through ALCO minutes.
ALM Support Group
The ALM support group is responsible for analyzing, monitoring and reporting the relevant risk profiles to senior management and relevant committees. The ALM support group comprises the balance sheet management desk (Treasury), market risk department, treasury
mid-office
and financial control.
Risk Measurement Systems and Reporting
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is measured using the flow approach and the stock approach. The flow approach involves comprehensive tracking of cash flow mismatches, whereas the stock approach involves the measurement of critical ratios in respect of liquidity risk.
For measuring and managing net funding requirements, the use of a maturity ladder and calculation of cumulative surplus or deficit of funds at selected maturity dates has been adopted as a standard tool. The time buckets for classification of assets and liabilities for the purposes of this statement is as per the RBI’s prescribed guidelines.
Stock approach involves measurement of certain critical ratios in respect of liquidity risk. Based on the RBI guidelines, a set of liquidity ratios under stock approach is monitored on a periodic basis.
In addition, the Bank is required to maintain a Liquidity Coverage Ratio (“LCR”) and a Net Stable Funding Ratio (“NSFR”). The minimum regulatory LCR has been stipulated at 100 percent from April 1, 2021, and the minimum regulatory requirement for NSFR at 100 percent has been introduced in October 2021. Analysis of liquidity risk also involves examining how funding requirements are likely to be affected under crisis scenarios. The Bank has a Board-approved liquidity stress test policy and framework guided by regulatory instructions. The Bank has an extensive intraday liquidity risk management framework for monitoring intraday positions during the day.
Interest Rate Risk in Banking Book
Interest rate risk is the risk where changes in market interest rates affect a bank’s financial position. Changes in interest rates impact a bank’s earnings through changes in its net interest income (“NII”). Changes in interest rates also impact a bank’s market value of equity (“MVE”) or net worth through changes in the economic value of its rate-sensitive assets, liabilities and
off-balance
sheet positions. The interest rate risk, when viewed from these two perspectives, is known as “earnings perspective” and “economic value perspective”, respectively.
The Bank measures and controls IRRBB using both the earnings perspective (measured using the traditional gap analysis method) and the economic value perspective (measured using the duration gap analysis method) as detailed below. These methods involve grouping of rate-sensitive assets (“RSA”) and rate-sensitive liabilities (“RSL”), including
off-balance
sheet items, based on the maturity or repricing dates. The Bank classifies an asset or liability as rate sensitive or
non-rate
sensitive in line with the RBI guidelines, as amended, from time to time.
A significant portion of
non-maturing
deposits are grouped in the “over 1 year to 3 year” category.
Non-rate-sensitive
liabilities and assets primarily comprise capital, reserves and surplus, other liabilities, cash and balances with the RBI, current account balances with banks, fixed assets and other assets.
The banking book is represented by excluding the trading book (
i.e.
, on and
off-balance
sheet items) from the total book.
Earnings Perspective (impact on net interest income)
The traditional gap analysis (“TGA”) method measures the level of a bank’s exposure to interest rate risk in terms of sensitivity of its NII to interest rate movements over a
one-year
horizon. It involves bucketing of all RSA, RSL and
off-balance
sheet items maturing or getting repriced in the next year and computing changes of income under 200 basis points upward and downward parallel rate shocks over a year’s horizon.
Economic Value Perspective (impact on market value of equity)
28

While the earnings perspective calculates the short term impact of the rate changes, the Economic Value Perspective calculates the long term impact on the MVE of the Bank through changes in the economic value of its rate-sensitive assets, liabilities and
off-balance
sheet positions. The Economic Value Perspective is measured using the duration gap analysis method (“DGA”). DGA involves computing the modified duration gap between RSA and RSL and thereby the Duration of Equity (“DoE”). The DoE is a measure of sensitivity of MVE to changes in interest rates. Using the DoE, the Bank estimates the change in MVE under 200 basis points upward and downward parallel rate shocks. The assumptions for coupons and yields used in the duration gap analysis stem from the RBI guidelines.
Operational Risk Management
Operational risk is the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people and systems or from external events and includes risk of loss as a result of legal risk. The Bank has put in place Board-approved governance and organizational structure with clearly defined roles and responsibilities to mitigate operational risk arising from the Bank’s business and operations.
Organizational Structure for Managing Operational Risk
The Board is primarily responsible for ensuring effective management of the operational risks of the Bank. The Board sets the overall strategy and direction for operational risk management (“ORM”) within the Bank. The responsibilities towards effective implementation of operational risk management have been given to RPMC of the Bank. The RPMC is also responsible for developing a strong ORM culture and sense of responsibility at every level in the organization. The operational risk management committee (“ORMC”), which is chaired by the Chief Risk Officer and consists of senior management functionaries, oversees the implementation of the operational risk management framework approved by the Board. An independent operational risk management department (“ORMD”) is responsible for implementation of the framework across the Bank. The operational risk management policy stipulates the roles and responsibilities of employees, business units, operations and support functions in managing operational risk.
Risk Measurement and Monitoring
The Bank’s organizational structure for managing operational risk consists of the following three lines of defense.
Business, operations, support & other functions: These functions are primarily responsible for the implementation of sound risk management practices (including cost-benefit analyses) in the
day-to-day
operations and any resulting impact of operational risk losses in their units. Specifically, these functions are responsible for developing risk mitigation strategies for their units and will be the first line of defense against operational risk;
Operational risk management department: ORMD is responsible for implementing the operational risk management framework across the Bank. The department designs and develops tools required for implementing the framework, including policies and processes, and guidelines towards implementation and is also responsible for the maintenance of the framework. ORMD represents the second line of defense against operational risk; and
Internal audit department: Internal audit is the third line of defense in mitigating operational risk exposures. Internal audit evaluates the adequacy and effectiveness of the internal control systems and procedures in the risk management functions, as well as across the various business and support units of the Bank.
The Bank applies a number of risk management techniques to effectively manage operational risks. These techniques include:
risk control self-assessment, to identify high-risk areas so the Bank can initiate timely remedial measures. This assessment is conducted annually to update senior management of the risk level across the Bank;
key risk indicators that are derived from various factors to provide an early warning of, or to monitor, the increasing risk or control failures in an activity. As these indicators are quantifiable, they can be measured continuously to identify trends in values;
loss data maintenance to establish the Bank’s process of recognizing, recording and mitigating operational losses. Units or functions accounting loss data are required to report every operational risk loss data in a timely manner to ORMD. Operational losses experienced by the units are followed up by the respective control functions for initiation of mitigative measures as applicable;
annual scenario analysis to derive information on hypothetical severe loss situations. The Bank uses this information for risk management purposes, as well as for analyzing the possible financial impact; and
periodic reporting on risk assessment and monitoring to the line as well as to senior management to enable them to take timely action.
29

Capital Requirement
The Bank currently follows the basic indicator approach for computing operational risk capital charge. BCBS published a document titled “Basel III: Finalizing post-crisis reforms” in December 2017, containing details of the standardized approach for estimating a minimum operational risk capital charge, which would replace all the existing methods for computation of operational risk capital. The Bank will implement the revised approach once the RBI guidelines are notified.
Competition
We face intense competition in all our principal lines of business. Our primary competitors are large public sector banks, other private sector banks, foreign banks and in some product areas, NBFCs. In addition, new entrants into the financial services industry, including companies in the financial technology sector, may further intensify competition in the business environments, especially in the digital business environment, in which we operate. In the last decade, the RBI issued guidelines for the entry of new banks in the private sector, licensing of payment banks and small finance banks in the private sector and
“on-tap”
licensing of universal banks in the private sector (moving from the previous “stop and go” licensing approach to a continuous or
“on-tap”
licensing regime). See “
Supervision and Regulation—Entry of new banks in the private sector
”. Since the introduction of the new rules, new banks, payment banks and small finance banks have been established and are operational pursuant to prescribed guidelines, which has increased competition in the markets in which we operate.
Within the public sector banking space, in August 2019, the Government implemented consolidated measures, announcing the merger of 10 public sector banks into four bigger banks. This led to a reduction in the number of public sector banks in the country. The consolidation became effective in April 2020.
Retail Banking
In retail banking, our principal competitors are large public sector banks, which have much larger deposit bases and branch networks than ours, other new generation private sector banks, old generation private sector banks, foreign banks and NBFCs in the case of retail loan products. The retail deposit share of foreign banks is small in comparison to the public sector banks. However, some foreign banks have a significant presence among NRIs and also compete for
non-branch-based
products. The country’s digital payments market is dominated by the Government’s United Payment Interface and other digital wallet platforms and online payment systems, offering contactless,
in-app
or online transactions. While the Bank’s payment app, PayZapp, is the dominant mobile app amongst banks in the wallet space, with users across bank and
non-bank
customers for payments across offline and online merchants, the Bank faces competition from fintech players in the payment sector as well as payment apps from other banks that are also offering paylater/credit options to customers in addition to ecommerce payments. In the distribution of third-party products, our principal competitors are brokers, foreign banks and other new private sector banks.
Wholesale Banking
Our principal competitors in wholesale banking are public and new private sector banks as well as foreign banks. The large public sector banks have traditionally been market leaders in commercial lending. Foreign banks have focused primarily on serving the needs of multinational companies and Indian corporations with cross-border financing requirements, including trade and transactional services and foreign exchange products and derivatives, while the large public sector banks have extensive branch networks and large local currency funding capabilities.
Treasury
For our customer business in foreign exchange and derivative products, we compete principally with private sector banks, foreign banks and public sector banks in
non-metro
locations.
Employees
We had 141,579 employees as of March 31, 2022. Most of our employees are located in India. We consider our relationship with our employees to be positive. Further to our acquisition of CBoP in 2008, several employees of CBoP continue to be part of a labor union. These employees represent less than 1 percent of our total employee strength.
Our compensation structure has fixed as well as variable pay components. Our variable pay plans are comprised of periodic performance linked pay (PLP), annual performance linked bonus and employee stock option plans.
30

In addition to basic compensation, employees are eligible to participate in our provident fund and other employee benefit plans. The provident fund, to which both we and our employees contribute, is a savings scheme required by Government regulation under which the fund is required to pay to employees a minimum annual return, as declared by the provident fund authorities. If such return is not generated internally by the fund, we are liable for the difference. Our provident fund has generated sufficient funds internally to meet the annual return requirement since inception of the fund. We have also set up a superannuation fund to which we contribute defined amounts. Employees above certain seniority levels are given a choice to contribute to the national pension scheme. We also contribute specified amounts to a pension fund in respect of certain of our former CBoP employees. In addition, we contribute specified amounts to a gratuity fund set up pursuant to Indian statutory requirements.
We focus on delivering cutting-edge learning offerings to develop the capabilities among employees which are necessary for purpose and growth. Both internal and external faculty is involved in these offerings. The learning team designs the program based on the learning need analysis, and the form of delivery mode is chosen to ensure learning effectiveness and an optimal learner experience. Courses are taught online through eLearning/mLearning, through live
instructor-led
classroom/virtual sessions, case studies, role plays, videos and activities or a combination of the foregoing.
Properties
Our registered office and corporate headquarters is located at HDFC Bank House, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 013. In addition to the corporate office, we have administrative offices in most of the metros and some other major cities in India.
As of March 31, 2022, we had a network consisting of 6,342 branches and 18,130 ATMs/CDMs, including 9,427 at
non-branch
locations. In addition, we had 15,341 business correspondents, which were primarily manned by CSCs. These facilities are located throughout India with the exception of three banking outlets which are located in Bahrain, Hong Kong and Dubai. We also have representative offices in the United Arab Emirates and Kenya. We set up and commenced business in an International Financial Service Centre Banking Unit at the Gujarat International Finance
Tec-City
in June 2017. This branch is treated as an overseas branch.
Intellectual Property
We utilize a number of different forms of intellectual property in our business including our HDFC Bank brand and the names of the various products we provide to our customers. We believe that we currently own, have licensed or otherwise possess the rights to use all intellectual property and other proprietary rights, including all trademarks, domain names, copyrights, patents and trade secrets used in our business.
Legal Proceedings
We are involved in a number of legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our business, including certain spurious or vexatious proceedings with significant financial claims present on the face of the complaint, but we believe that such spurious or vexatious proceedings lack any merit, based on the historical dismissal of similar claims.
On September 3, 2020, a securities class action lawsuit was filed against the Bank and certain of its current and former directors and officers in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The complaint was amended on February 8, 2021. The Bank, on July 23, 2021, through its legal counsel, has filed the reply memorandum of law in further support of the motion to dismiss the securities class action suit. The Bank’s motion to dismiss remains pending before the Court. Given the uncertainty inherent in these matters, and based on an assessment made after taking appropriate legal advice, at this point in time, the Bank does not believe that the ultimate outcome of this matter will be materially unfavorable to the Bank. See “
Risk Factors—Our business and financial results could be impacted materially by adverse results in legal proceedings
”.
31

Risk Factor Summary
1.
Economic and Political Risks
A slowdown in economic growth in India would cause us to experience slower growth in our asset portfolio and deterioration in the quality of our assets.
Our business is particularly vulnerable to interest rate risk, and volatility in interest rates could adversely affect our net interest margin, the value of our fixed income portfolio, our treasury income and our financial performance.
Financial and political instability in other countries may cause increased volatility in the Indian financial market.
Our and our customers’ exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could adversely affect our operating results.
We may not adequately assess, monitor and manage risks inherent in our business, and any failure to manage risks could adversely affect our business, financial position or results of operations.
In order to support and grow our business, we must maintain a minimum capital adequacy ratio, and a lack of access to the capital markets may prevent us from maintaining an adequate ratio.
We rely on third parties, including service providers, overseas correspondent banks and other Indian banks, who may not perform their obligations satisfactorily or in compliance with the law.
2.
Risks Relating to Our Business
If we are unable to manage our growth, our operations may suffer and our performance may decline.
Our success depends in large part upon our management team and skilled personnel and our ability to attract and retain such persons.
Our funding is primarily short and medium term, and if depositors do not roll over deposited funds upon maturity, our net income may decrease.
Any increase in interest rates would have an adverse effect on the value of our fixed income securities portfolio and could have a material adverse effect on our net income.
We could experience a decline in our revenue generated from activities on the equity markets if there is a prolonged or significant downturn on the Indian stock exchanges, and we may face difficulties in getting regulatory approvals necessary to conduct our business if we fail to meet regulatory limits on capital market exposures.
Any failure or material weakness of our internal control system could cause significant errors, which may have a materially adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial position or results of operations.
Significant fraud, system failure or calamities would disrupt our revenue-generating activities in the short term and could harm our reputation and adversely impact our revenue-generating capabilities.
We may not successfully implement our sustainability strategies or satisfy our ESG commitments, or our performance may not meet investor or other stakeholder expectations or standards, which could adversely impact our reputation, access to capital, business and financial condition.
We are subject to climate change-related risks, including the physical risks of severe weather and water scarcity, as well as the risks of transitioning to a low carbon economy, which could have a significant negative impact on our industry, business and results of operations.
Negative publicity could damage our reputation and adversely impact our business and financial results.
Many of our branches have been recently added to our branch network and are not operating with the same efficiency as compared to the rest of our existing branches, which adversely affects our profitability.
Deficiencies in accuracy and completeness of information about customers and counterparties may adversely impact us.
We present our financial information differently in other markets or in certain reporting contexts.
Statistical, industry and financial data obtained from industry publications and other third-party sources may be incomplete or unreliable.
We may be unable to fully capture the expected value from acquisitions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
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3.
Credit Risks
If the level of
non-performing
loans in our portfolio increases, we will be required to increase our provisions, which would negatively impact our income.
We have high concentrations of exposures to certain customers and sectors, and if any of these exposures were to become
non-performing,
the quality of our portfolio could be adversely affected and our ability to meet capital requirements could be jeopardized.
We are required to undertake directed lending under RBI guidelines. Consequently, we may experience a higher level of
non-performing
loans in our directed lending portfolio, which could adversely impact the quality of our loan portfolio, our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs. Further, in the case of any shortfall in complying with these requirements, we may be required to invest in deposits of Indian development banks as directed by the RBI. These deposits yield low returns, thereby impacting our profitability.
We may be unable to foreclose on collateral in a timely fashion or at all when borrowers default on their obligations to us, or the value of collateral may decrease, any of which may result in failure to recover the expected value of collateral security, increased losses and a decline in net income.
Our unsecured loan portfolio is not supported by any collateral that could help ensure repayment of the loan, and in the event of
non-payment
by a borrower of one of these loans, we may be unable to collect the unpaid balance.
4.
Risks Relating to Our Industry
RBI guidelines relating to ownership in private banks could discourage or prevent a change of control or other business combination involving us, such as with HDFC Limited, which could restrict the growth of our business and operations.
Foreign investment in our shares may be restricted due to regulations governing aggregate foreign investment in the Bank’s
paid-up
equity share capital.
Further competition and the development of advanced payment systems by our competitors would adversely impact our cash float and decrease fees we receive in connection with cash management services.
Our business is highly competitive, which makes it challenging for us to offer competitive prices to retain existing customers and solicit new business, and our strategy depends on our ability to compete effectively.
We may face increased competition as a result of revised guidelines that relax restrictions on foreign ownership and participation in the Indian banking industry, and the entry of new banks in the private sector, which could cause us to lose existing business or be unable to compete effectively for new business.
If the goodwill recorded in connection with our acquisitions becomes impaired, we may be required to record impairment charges, which would decrease our net income and total assets.
5.
Risks Relating to Our Ownership Structure and the Proposed Transaction
The Scheme with HDFC Limited is subject to a number of conditions, some of which are outside of the parties’ control, and, if these conditions are not satisfied, the Scheme may be terminated and the Proposed Transaction may not be completed.
Uncertainty about the Proposed Transaction may adversely affect the relationships of the parties with their respective investors, customers, business partners and employees, whether or not the Proposed Transaction is completed.
The Scheme with HDFC Limited may be more difficult, costly or time-consuming than expected, and implementation may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger and will expose us to incremental regulatory requirements.
HDFC Limited holds a significant percentage of our share capital and can exercise influence over board decisions that could directly or indirectly favor the interests of HDFC Limited over our interests.
We may face conflicts of interest relating to our promoter and principal shareholder, HDFC Limited, which could cause us to forgo business opportunities and consequently have an adverse effect on our financial performance.
HDFC Limited may prevent us from using the HDFC Bank brand if they reduce their shareholding in us to below 5 percent.
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6.
Legal and Regulatory Risks
We have previously been subject to penalties imposed by the RBI. Any regulatory investigations, fines, sanctions and requirements relating to conduct of business and financial crime could negatively affect our business and financial results, or cause serious reputational harm.
Transactions with counterparties in countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism by the United States Department of State, the Government of India or other countries, or with persons targeted by United States, Indian, EU or other economic sanctions may cause potential customers and investors to avoid doing business with us or investing in our securities, harm our reputation or result in regulatory action which could materially and adversely affect our business.
Material changes in Indian banking regulations may adversely affect our business and our future financial performance.
Our business and financial results could be impacted materially by adverse results in legal proceedings.
We may breach third-party intellectual property rights.
7.
Technology Risks
We face cyber threats, such as hacking, phishing and trojans, attempting to exploit our network to disrupt services to customers and/or theft or leaking of sensitive internal Bank data or customer information. This may cause damage to our reputation and adversely impact our business and financial results.
A failure, inadequacy or security breach in our information technology and telecommunication systems may adversely affect our business, results of operation or financial condition.
8.
Risks Relating to India
Any adverse change in India’s credit rating, or the credit rating of any country in which our foreign banking outlets are located, by an international rating agency could adversely affect our business and profitability.
If there is any change in tax laws or regulations, or their interpretation, such changes may significantly affect our financial statements for the current and future years, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial position, business and results of operations.
Any volatility in the exchange rate may lead to a decline in India’s foreign exchange reserves and may affect liquidity and interest rates in the Indian economy, which could adversely impact us.
Political instability or changes in the Government could delay the liberalization of the Indian economy and adversely affect economic conditions in India generally, which would impact the Bank’s financial results and prospects.
Terrorist attacks, civil unrest and other acts of violence or war involving India and other countries would negatively affect the Indian market where our shares trade and lead to a loss of confidence and impair travel, which could reduce our customers’ appetite for our products and services.
Natural calamities, including those exacerbated by climate change, and public health epidemics could adversely affect the Indian economy or the economies of other countries where we operate and, in turn, negatively impact our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
The COVID-19 pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
.
Investors may have difficulty enforcing foreign judgments in India against the Bank or its management.
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9.
Risks Relating to the ADSs and Equity Shares
Historically, our ADSs have traded at a premium to the trading prices of our underlying equity shares, a situation which may not continue.
Investors in ADSs will not be able to vote.
Your ability to withdraw equity shares from the depositary facility is uncertain and may be subject to delays.
Restrictions on deposit of equity shares in the depositary facility could adversely affect the price of our ADSs.
There is a limited market for the ADSs.
Conditions in the Indian securities market may affect the price or liquidity of our equity shares and ADSs.
Settlement of trades of equity shares on Indian stock exchanges may be subject to delays.
You may be subject to Indian taxes arising out of capital gains.
You may be unable to exercise preemptive rights available to other shareholders.
Financial difficulty and other problems in certain financial institutions in India could adversely affect our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
Because the equity shares underlying our ADSs are quoted in rupees in India, you may be subject to potential losses arising out of exchange rate risk on the Indian rupee and risks associated with the conversion of rupee proceeds into foreign currency.
There may be less information available on Indian securities markets than securities markets in developed countries.
HDFC Limited’s significant holdings could have an effect on the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs.
Investors may be subject to Indian taxes arising out of capital gains on the sale of equity shares.
Future issuances or sales of equity shares and ADSs could significantly affect the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act withholding may affect payments on our equity shares and ADSs.
35

RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the following risk factors in evaluating us and our business.
Economic and Political Risks
A slowdown in economic growth in India would cause us to experience slower growth in our asset portfolio and deterioration in the quality of our assets.
Our performance and the quality and growth of our assets are dependent on the health of the overall Indian economy. In addition to inflation, interest rates, external trade and capital flows, the
COVID-19
pandemic, and in particular its domestic impact, has been an important driver for India’s growth trajectory in fiscal year 2022. While we experienced solid growth in the first half of fiscal year 2021, the impact from the pandemic on India affected the quality of our loan portfolio. Our gross
non-performing
loans as a percentage of our total loan portfolio decreased from 1.8 percent in fiscal year 2021 to 1.3 percent in fiscal year 2022. While a successful vaccination drive could improve growth prospects, a significant proportion of Indian adults are yet to be vaccinated. An increase in the number of
COVID-19
cases and any future wave may slow or halt any future economic recovery.
In 2020, global GDP contracted by 3.1 percent, but in 2021, global GDP grew by 6.1 percent, as
COVID-19-related
disruptions eased. However, global growth is likely to slow down again in 2022 due to increasing
geo-political
tensions and elevated inflation levels. In addition, interest rate hikes by central banks to control inflation could hurt growth and investment sentiments. In India, while gross FDI flows stood at US$ 83.6 billion in fiscal year 2022 compared to US$ 82 billion in fiscal year 2021, the portfolio segment recorded a net outflow of US$ 17.2 billion in fiscal year 2022. We believe that with normalization of liquidity conditions and removal of the accommodative monetary policy stance across the globe, foreign portfolio flows in India could remain weak, as investors are expected to prefer lower risk assets in uncertain times.
We believe that overall bank credit growth is likely to increase in fiscal year 2023 from 8.6 percent in fiscal year 2022 (end of period) and 5.6 percent in fiscal year 2021 (end of period), although there could be variations from segment to segment. Industry credit growth could improve with the extension of ECGLS (Emergency Credit Guarantee Line Scheme) and PLI (Production) schemes. Additionally, the Government’s large CAPEX plan could provide support to the industrial credit. In particular, credit to large corporates could increase in the absence of intermediaries. If inflation remains high, however, low profit margins could limit the industrial credit demand. Moreover, lending to the retail segment could slow as rising living cost could limit discretionary spending. The impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic is likely to be prolonged in certain sectors of the Indian economy, including hospitality and civil aviation, which could adversely affect the Bank’s operations in those areas.
Moving ahead, economic growth could be negatively impacted if
geo-political
tensions remain or even escalate and commodity prices rise further. A stronger than expected slowdown in the economy might adversely impact credit growth and the level of
non-performing
and restructured loans. If the Indian economy growth prospects deteriorate, our asset base may erode, which would result in a material decrease in our net profits and total assets which could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial position. See also “
—The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
Our business is particularly vulnerable to interest rate risk, and volatility in interest rates could adversely affect our net interest margin, the value of our fixed income portfolio, our treasury income and our financial performance.
Our results of operations depend to a great extent on our net interest revenue. During fiscal year 2022, net interest revenue after allowances for credit losses represented 69.7 percent of our net revenue. Changes in market interest rates affect the interest rates charged on our interest-earning assets differently from the interest rates paid on our interest-bearing liabilities and also affect the value of our investments. An increase in interest rates could result in an increase in interest expense relative to interest revenue if we are not able to increase the rates charged on our loans, which would lead to a reduction in our net interest revenue and net interest margin. Further, an increase in interest rates could negatively affect demand for our loans and credit substitutes, and we may not be able to achieve our volume growth, which could adversely affect our net income. A decrease in interest rates could result in a decrease in interest revenue relative to interest expense due to the repricing of our loans at a pace faster than the rates we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities. The quantum of the changes in interest rates for our assets and liabilities may also be different.
The combination of global disinflationary pressures and better supply management of food items, including prudent food stock management, appropriate monetary policy action, fiscal consolidation and subdued global commodity prices have helped to keep domestic inflation in check in recent years. Headline inflation averaged below the RBI’s target zone during fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year 2019. However, headline inflation rose to 5.8 percent in March 2020 and increased further to above the RBI’s upper tolerance limit of 6 percent between April and November 2020.
In May and June 2021, headline inflation stood at 6.3 percent and rose to 6.95 percent in March 2022. CPI inflation rose to an
8-year
high of 7.8 percent in April 2022. Going forward, headline inflation is expected to increase and average at
6.5-6.7 percent
in the fiscal year 2023.
36

The softening in inflation led the RBI to cut the policy repo rate by 75 basis points in fiscal year 2016, by another 50 basis points in fiscal year 2017 and by 25 basis points in fiscal year 2018. While the repo rate was raised by 50 basis points during the first half of fiscal year 2019, the policy rate was again reduced by 25 basis points in the fourth quarter, as inflation started easing. In fiscal year 2020, the RBI continued to reduce the policy rate in the first half of the fiscal year. However, as headline inflation started picking up, the central bank paused the easing cycle after decreasing the repo rate by 25 basis points in October 2019. In March 2020, the RBI again reduced the repo rate by 75 basis points to address pandemic-related disruptions. In May 2020, to address the
COVID-19-related
economic disruption, the RBI implemented an emergency rate cut of 40 basis points. However, to control rising inflationary pressures due to supply chain disruptions and
geo-political
tensions, the RBI announced an
off-cycle
rate hike in May 2022 of 40 basis points and a rate hike of 50 basis points in its June 2022 policy meeting, taking the repo rate to 4.90 percent. The RBI’s concerns about the broad-based nature of the increase in inflation and the risk of the second-round impact on inflation expectations could lead to a more aggressive path by the central bank going forward. As a result, the RBI is expected to make further raises well beyond the
pre-pandemic
levels, arriving at approximately
5.75-6.05 percent
by fiscal
year-end.
To make the liquidity situation more comfortable, the RBI conducted net open market operations (“OMOs”) with purchases of Rs. 1.1 trillion in fiscal year 2017 and sales of Rs. 0.9 trillion in fiscal year 2018. In fiscal year 2019, the RBI conducted net OMO purchases of Rs. 3.0 trillion. In addition to open market operations, the RBI injected liquidity using new instruments, such as FX swap operations, long term repo auctions (“LTROs”) and targeted long term repo auctions (“TLROs”) in fiscal year 2020. In fiscal year 2021, the RBI conducted net OMO purchases of Rs. 3.1 trillion, special OMO (simultaneous sale and purchase of government securities) of Rs. 1.9 trillion and targeted long term repo operation of Rs. 5.5 billion. Furthermore, the RBI provided special credit lines for sectors hit by the pandemic. The RBI maintained adequate liquidity in the system in fiscal year 2022 and conducted net OMO purchases worth Rs. 2.1 trillion. For fiscal year 2023 the RBI plans to reduce liquidity surplus in the system and hiked the CRR rate by 50 basis points to 4.5 percent in April 2022.
Domestically, if the fiscal deficit both federally and at state level rises sharply, bond yields are likely to remain volatile and see upward pressure. While interest rate hikes by the RBI to control inflation along with liquidity withdrawals via CRR increase could add further pressure, the RBI is expected to continue managing yields actively and capping them. Any volatility in interest rates could adversely affect our net interest margin, the value of our fixed income portfolio, our treasury income and our financial performance.
Financial and political instability in other countries may cause increased volatility in the Indian financial market.
The Indian market and the Indian economy are influenced by the economic and market conditions in other countries, particularly the emerging market countries in Asia. Financial turmoil in Sri Lanka, Russia and elsewhere in the world in recent years has affected the Indian financial market as investor sentiment took a hit during such episodes. Although economic conditions are different in each country, investors’ reactions to developments in one country can have adverse effects on the securities of companies in other countries, including India. A loss of investor confidence in the financial systems of other markets may cause increased volatility in the Indian financial market and, more generally, in the Indian economy. Any financial instability or disruptions could also have a negative impact on the Indian economy and could harm the Bank’s business, its future financial performance and the prices of its equity shares and ADSs.
The macroeconomic, trade and regulatory environment has become increasingly fragmented, with continuing disruptions of global supply chains in several industries. The mismatch between supply and demand has pushed up commodity and other prices, particularly in the energy sector, creating further challenges for monetary authorities and customers. Against the backdrop of both a
vaccine-led
economic recovery and increasing inflationary pressures, interest rates generally rose during 2021. Central banks in developed markets have either begun, or are expected to soon begin, to raise benchmark rates in order to help ease inflationary pressures.
The global credit and equity markets have experienced substantial dislocations, liquidity disruptions and market corrections in the last few years, most recently due to the impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic. In Europe, the impacts of the European sovereign debt crisis, the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, Italian political and economic developments, protests in France, the refugee crisis and the increasing attractiveness to voters of populist and anti-austerity movements have all contributed to political and economic uncertainty. An escalation of political risks could have consequences both for the financial system and the greater economy as a whole, potentially leading to declines in business levels, write-downs of assets and losses across businesses in the United Kingdom and the European Union, which could lead to adverse consequences for global financial and foreign exchange markets.
The United Kingdom Government concluded a Trade Cooperation Agreement (the “TCA”) with the European Union which came into effect on January 1, 2021. Given the ongoing uncertainty over the United Kingdom’s future trading relationships with the EU, following its withdrawal from the European Union, it is difficult to determine the exact impact of the TCA over the long term. However, the United Kingdom’s economy and those of the Eurozone countries are very tightly linked as a result of EU integration projects (other than the Euro), and any trade disputes between the United Kingdom and the European Union may have an adverse impact on global financial markets. The currently unsettled future relationship between the EU and the United Kingdom is also likely to lead to further uncertainty in relation to the regulation of cross-border business activities.
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Heightened tensions across the
geo-political
landscape could also have implications for the Bank and its customers. Diplomatic tensions between China and the United States, and extending to the United Kingdom, the EU, India and other countries, may affect the Bank, creating regulatory, reputational and market risks. The United States, the United Kingdom, the EU, Canada and other countries have imposed various sanctions and trade restrictions on Chinese individuals and companies. In response, China has announced sanctions, trade restrictions and laws that could impact the Bank and its customers.
In February 2022, Russia launched a large-scale military invasion of Ukraine, following which many governments enacted severe sanctions on Russia. The invasion and ongoing conflict have disrupted financial markets and have had adverse impacts on supply chains, prevailing levels of inflation and other macroeconomic conditions. The ongoing conflict could even spill over to neighboring countries, and due to political instability in Eastern Europe, it is possible that further sanctions may be imposed on Russia. Failure to comply with those laws could expose the Bank to civil and criminal prosecution and penalties, the imposition of export or economic sanctions against the Bank and reputational damage, all of which could materially and adversely affect the Bank’s financial results. To the extent Russia’s invasion of Ukraine adversely affects our business and financial results, it may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in this “
Risk Factors
” section.
In recent months, overall risk appetite has decreased as investors assessed risks associated with the Russia-Ukraine war. Riskier assets, such as equity stock, fell after western nations had imposed several rounds of sanctions against Russia. While fears of a global slowdown amidst high inflation weighed on sentiments, global liquidity withdrawal with major central banks, including the United States Federal Reserve, beginning balance sheet reduction and rate hikes tightened financial conditions.
Moving forward, recurrent or future waves of
COVID-19
or similar health crises across the globe, and prolonged
geo-political
tensions could adversely affect global financial markets leading to adverse
follow-on
consequences in India. There is also a risk that central banks could start acting more aggressively if inflation remains elevated. See also “—
The
COVID-19
pandemic may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”. In response to these developments, including the
COVID-19
pandemic, as well as past financial and liquidity crises in these markets, legislators and financial regulators in the United States, Europe and other jurisdictions, including India, have implemented several policy measures designed to add stability to the financial markets. However, the overall impact of these and other legislative and regulatory efforts on the global financial markets is uncertain, and they may not have the intended stabilizing effects. In the event that the current adverse conditions in the global credit markets continue or if there is any significant financial disruption, this could cause increased volatility in the Indian financial market and have an adverse effect on our business, future financial performance and the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs.
Our and our customers’ exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could adversely affect our operating results.
Foreign currency exchange rates depend on various factors and can be volatile and difficult to predict. We enter into derivative contracts with our borrowers to manage their foreign currency exchange risk exposure. Volatility in these exchange rates may lead to losses in derivative transactions for our borrowers. On maturity or on premature termination of the derivative contracts and under certain circumstances, we may have to bear these losses. The use of derivative financial instruments may also generate obligations for us to make additional cash payments, which would negatively affect our liquidity. Any losses suffered by our customers as a result of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.
We may not adequately assess, monitor and manage risks inherent in our business, and any failure to manage risks could adversely affect our business, financial position or results of operations.
We are exposed to a variety of risks, including liquidity risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, operational risk (including fraud) and legal risk (including actions taken by our own employees). The effectiveness of our risk management is limited by the quality and timeliness of available data and other factors outside of our control.
For example, our hedging strategies and other risk management techniques may not be fully effective in mitigating risks in all market environments or against all types of risk, including risks that are unidentified or unanticipated. Some methods of managing risks are based upon observed historical market behavior. As a result, these methods may not predict future risk exposures, which could be greater than the historical measures indicated. Other risk management methods depend upon an evaluation of information regarding markets, customers or other matters. This information may not in all cases be accurate, complete,
up-to-date
or properly evaluated. As part of our ordinary decision-making process, we rely on various models for risk and data analysis. These models are based on historical data and supplemented with managerial input and comments. There are no assurances that these models and the data they analyze are accurate or adequate to guide our strategic and operational decisions and protect us from risks. Any deficiencies or inaccuracies in the models or the data might have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operation.
Additionally, management of operational, legal or regulatory risk requires, among other things, policies and procedures to ensure certain prohibited actions are not taken and to properly record and verify a number of transactions and events. Although we believe we have established such policies and procedures, they may not be fully effective, and we cannot guarantee that our employees will follow these policies and procedures in all circumstances. Unexpected shortcomings in these policies and procedures or a failure to follow them may have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.
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Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to respond to new technological advances and emerging banking and finance industry standards and practices on a cost-effective and timely basis. The development and implementation of such technology entails significant technical and business risks. There can be no assurance that we will successfully implement new technologies or adapt transaction-processing systems to customer requirements or emerging market standards. Failure to properly monitor, assess and manage risks could lead to losses which may have an adverse effect on our future business, financial position or results of operations.
In order to support and grow our business, we must maintain a minimum capital adequacy ratio, and a lack of access to the capital markets may prevent us from maintaining an adequate ratio.
As of March 31, 2022, the RBI requires a minimum capital adequacy ratio of 11.7 percent (including requirements for the capital conservation buffer and due to our Bank’s classification as a Domestic Systemically Important Bank
(D-SIB))
of our total risk-weighted assets (“RWAs”). We adopted the Basel III capital regulations effective April 1, 2013. Our capital adequacy ratio, calculated in accordance with Indian GAAP, was 18.90 percent as of March 31, 2022. Our
CET-I
ratio was 16.67 percent as of March 31, 2022. Our ability to support and grow our business would be limited by a declining capital adequacy ratio. While we anticipate accessing the capital markets to offset declines in our capital adequacy ratio, we may be unable to access the markets at the appropriate time, or the terms of any such financing may be unattractive due to various reasons attributable to changes in the general environment, including political, legal and economic conditions.
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision issued a comprehensive reform package entitled “Basel III: A global regulatory framework for more resilient banks and banking systems” in December 2010. In May 2012, the RBI released guidelines on implementation of the Basel III capital regulations in India, and in July 2015, the RBI issued a master circular on capital regulations (consolidated master circular issued in April 2022) and
time-to-time
amendments. The key items covered under these guidelines include: (i) improving the quality, consistency and transparency of the capital base; (ii) enhancing risk coverage; (iii) grading the enhancement of the total capital requirement; (iv) introducing a capital conservation buffer and countercyclical buffer; and (v) supplementing the risk-based capital requirement with a leverage ratio. One of the major changes in the Basel III capital regulations is that the Tier I capital will predominantly consist of common equity of the banks, which includes common shares, reserves and stock surplus. Innovative instruments and perpetual
non-cumulative
preference shares will not be considered a part of
CET-I
capital. Basel III also defines criteria for instruments to be included in Tier II capital to improve their loss absorbency. The guidelines also set out criteria for loss absorption through the conversion or
write-off
of all
non-common
equity regulatory capital instruments at the point of
non-viability.
The point of
non-viability
is defined as a trigger event upon the occurrence of which
non-common
equity Tier I and Tier II instruments issued by banks in India may be required to be, at the option of the RBI, written off or converted into common equity. Additionally, the guidelines have set out criteria for loss absorption through the conversion or
write-off
of Additional Tier I capital instruments at a
pre-specified
trigger level. The RBI has implemented the last tranche of the capital conservation buffer from October 1, 2021. The minimum Common Equity Tier 1 capital of 5.5 percent of RWAs is required to be maintained by banks along with a capital conservation buffer of 2.5 percent of RWAs, in the form of Common Equity Tier 1 capital.
D-SIBs
are required to maintain additional
CET-I
capital requirements ranging from 0.2 percent to 1.0 percent of risk-weighted assets. We were classified as a
D-SIB
from April 1, 2018 onwards and were required to maintain additional
CET-I
of 0.2 percent with effect from April 1, 2019. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Domestic Systemically Important Banks
”. Banks will also be required to have an additional capital requirement towards countercyclical capital buffer (“CCCB”) varying between 0 percent and 2.5 percent of the RWAs as and when implementation is announced by the RBI. The RBI has not yet activated the CCCB, and in its press release dated April 5, 2022, has stated that it is not necessary to activate CCCB at this point. Additionally, the Basel III LCR, which is a measure of the Bank’s high-quality liquid assets compared to its anticipated cash outflows over a
30-day
stressed period, commenced applying in a phased manner that started with a minimum requirement of 60 percent from January 1, 2015 and reached a minimum of 100 percent on January 1, 2019. However, in view of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI pursuant to its circular dated April 17, 2020 had reduced the LCR requirement from 100 percent to 80 percent for the period from April 17, 2020 to September 30, 2020. The RBI increased the reduced LCR requirement in two phases: (i) from 80 percent to 90 percent from October 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 and (ii) from 90 percent to 100 percent from April 1, 2021. In 2020, banks were permitted to avail themselves of funds under the marginal standing facility by dipping into the Statutory Liquidity Ratio (“SLR”) up to an additional 1.0 percent of their net demand and time liabilities (“NDTL”) (
i.e
., cumulatively up to 3.0 percent of their NDTL). This facility, which was initially available until June 30, 2020, was extended in phases until December 31, 2021. With effect from January 1, 2022, banks can dip into the SLR up to 2 percent of NDTL instead of 3 percent for overnight borrowing under the MSF. See “—
The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”. These various requirements, including requirements to increase capital to meet increasing capital adequacy ratios, could require us to forgo certain business opportunities. Since we have been classified as a
D-SIB,
pursuant to a circular issued by the RBI dated June 2019, under Basel III, we are required to maintain a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0 percent as compared to 3.5 percent required to be maintained by other scheduled commercial banks, with effect from October 1, 2019.
We believe that the demand for Basel III compliant debt instruments, such as Tier II capital eligible securities, may be limited in India. In the past, the RBI has reviewed and made amendments in its guidelines on Basel III capital regulations with a view to facilitating the issuance of
non-equity
regulatory capital instruments by banks under the Basel III framework. It is unclear what effect, if any, these amendments may have on the issuance of Basel III compliant securities or if there will be sufficient demand for such securities. It is also possible that the RBI could further amend the eligibility criteria of such instruments in the future if the objectives identified by the RBI are not met, which would create additional uncertainty regarding the market for Basel III compliant securities in India.
39

If we are unable to meet the new and revised requirements, including both requirements applicable to banks generally and requirements imposed on us as a
D-SIB,
our business, future financial performance and the price of our ADSs and equity shares could be adversely affected.
We rely on third parties, including service providers, overseas correspondent banks and other Indian banks, who may not perform their obligations satisfactorily or in compliance with the law.
Our business leads us to rely on different types of third parties, which exposes us to risks. For example, we enter into outsourcing arrangements with third-party agencies/ vendors, in compliance with the RBI guidelines on outsourcing. These entities provide services which include, among others, cash management services, software services, client sourcing, debt recovery services and call center services. However, we cannot guarantee that there will be no disruptions in the provision of such services or that these third parties will adhere to their contractual obligations. Additionally, we also rely on our overseas correspondent banks to facilitate international transactions, and the Indian banking industry as a whole is interdependent in facilitating domestic transactions. There is no assurance that our overseas correspondent banks or our domestic banking partners will not fail or face financial problems (such as financial problems arising out of or in relation to frauds uncovered in early 2018 at one of India’s public sector banks). If there is a disruption in the third-party services, or if the third-party service providers discontinue their service agreement with us, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected. In case of any dispute with any of the foregoing parties, we cannot assure you that the terms of our arrangements with such parties will not be breached, which may result in costs such as litigation costs or the costs of entering into agreements with third parties in the same industry, and such costs may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. We may also suffer from reputational and legal risks if one of these third parties acts unethically or unlawfully, and if any Bank in India, especially a private Bank, or any of our key overseas correspondent banks were to fail, this could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, growth prospects or the price of our equity shares.
Risks Relating to Our Business
If we are unable to manage our growth, our operations may suffer and our performance may decline.
We have grown consistently over the last years. Our loan growth rate has been significantly higher than that of the Indian banking industry. Our loans in the three-year period ended March 31, 2021 grew at a compounded annual growth rate of 17.8 percent. The compounded annual growth for the Indian Banking Industry for the same period was approximately 7.4 percent. The growth in our business is partly attributable to the expansion of our branch network. As at March 31, 2017, we had a branch network comprised of 4,715 branches, which increased to 6,342 branches as at March 31, 2022. Section 23 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (the “Banking Regulation Act”) provides that banks must obtain the prior approval of the RBI to open new banking outlets. Further, the RBI may cancel a license for violations of the conditions under which it was granted. The RBI issues instructions and guidelines to banks on branch authorization from time to time. With the objective of liberalizing the branch licensing process, the RBI, effective October 2013, granted general permission to banks, including us, to open banking outlets in Tier 1 to Tier 6 centers, subject to a requirement to report to the RBI and certain other conditions. In May 2017, the RBI has further liberalized the branch authorization policy. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Regulations Relating to the Opening of Banking Outlets
”. If we are unable to perform in a manner satisfactory to the RBI in any of these centers or comply with the specified conditions, it may have an impact on the number of banking outlets we will be able to open, which would, in turn, have an impact on our future growth. In addition, our rapid growth has placed, and if it continues, will place, significant demands on our operational, credit, financial and other internal risk controls including:
recruiting, training and retaining sufficient skilled personnel;
upgrading, expanding and securing our technology platform;
developing and improving our products and delivery channels;
preserving our asset quality as our geographical presence increases and customer profile changes;
complying with regulatory requirements such as the KYC norms; and
maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.
If our internal risk controls are insufficient to sustain our rapid rate of growth, if we fail to properly manage our rapid growth or if we fail to perform adequately in any of the above areas, our operations would suffer and our business, results of operations and financial position would be materially adversely affected.
Our success depends in large part upon our management team and skilled personnel and our ability to attract and retain such persons.
We are highly dependent on our management team, including the efforts of our Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, and our Executive Director, as well as other members of our senior management. Our future performance is dependent on the continued service of these persons or similarly skilled and qualified successors. In addition, we also face a continuing challenge to recruit and retain a sufficient number of skilled personnel, particularly if we continue to grow. Competition for management and other skilled personnel in our industry is intense, and we may not be able to attract and retain the personnel we need in the future. The loss of key personnel may restrict our ability to grow and consequently have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial position.
40

Our funding is primarily short and medium term and if depositors do not roll over deposited funds upon maturity, our net income may decrease.
Most of our funding requirements are met through short term and medium term funding sources, primarily in the form of retail deposits. Short term deposits are those with a maturity not exceeding one year. Medium term deposits are those with a maturity of greater than one year but not exceeding three years. See “
Selected Statistical Information—Funding
”. However, a portion of our assets have long term maturities, which sometimes causes funding mismatches. As of March 31, 2022, 33.5 percent of our loans are expected to mature within the next year and 43.3 percent of our loans are expected to mature in the next one to three years. As of March 31, 2022, 27.9 percent of our deposits are expected to mature within the next year and 42.9 percent of our deposits are expected to mature between the next one to three years. In our experience, a substantial portion of our customer deposits has been rolled over upon maturity and has been, over time, a stable source of funding. However, if a substantial number of our depositors do not roll over deposited funds upon maturity, our liquidity position will be adversely affected and we may be required to seek more expensive sources of funding to finance our operations, which would result in a decline in our net income and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. We may also face a concentration of deposits by our larger depositors. Any sudden or large withdrawals by such large depositors may impact our liquidity position.
Any increase in interest rates would have an adverse effect on the value of our fixed income securities portfolio and could have a material adverse effect on our net income.
Any increase in interest rates would have an adverse effect on the value of our fixed income securities portfolio and could have a material adverse effect on our net revenue. Policy rates were successively increased from February 2010 to March 2012, during which period the bout of interest rate tightening in India was faster than in many other economies. The RBI raised key policy rates from 5.25 percent (repo rate) in April 2010 to 8.5 percent in October 2011. However, key policy rates were eased from 8.0 percent (repo rate) in April 2012 to 7.25 percent in May 2013. In July 2013, the RBI increased the rate for borrowings under its marginal standing facility (which was introduced by the RBI in fiscal year 2012) from 100 basis points to 300 basis points above the repo rate. This rate was eased from 200 basis points above the repo rate in September 2013 to 100 basis points above repo rate in October 2013. In contrast, the policy rates were tightened from 7.5 percent (repo rate) in September 2013 to 8.0 percent in January 2014. The RBI reduced the policy repo rate again to 7.75 percent in January 2015, further reducing it to 7.5 percent in March 2015, 7.25 percent in June 2015, 6.75 percent in September 2015, 6.5 percent in April 2016, 6.25 percent in October 2016 and 6.0 percent in August 2017, before increasing it to 6.25 percent in June 2018 and 6.5 percent in August 2018. The RBI began decreasing the policy rate again in February 2019 and reduced the policy rate further in April 2019, June 2019, August 2019, October 2019 and February 2020. The central bank reduced the policy rate by 40 basis points in May 2020 to address
COVID-19
related disruptions. However, taking cognizance of rising inflationary pressures as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war, the RBI hiked rates by 40 basis points in an
off-cycle
meeting in May 2022 and by another 50 basis points in June 2022.
We are, however, more structurally exposed to interest rate risk than banks in many other countries because of certain mandated reserve requirements of the RBI. See
“Supervision and Regulation—Legal Reserve Requirements”.
These requirements result in Indian banks, such as ourselves, maintaining (as per RBI guidelines currently in force) a portion of our liabilities in bonds issued by the Government (18.0 percent as of May 2021 computed as per guidelines issued by the RBI). We are also required to maintain 4.5 percent of our liabilities (computed as per guidelines issued by the RBI) by way of a balance with the RBI. This, in turn, means that we could be adversely impacted by a rise in interest rates, especially if the rise were sudden or sharp. A rise in yields on fixed income securities, including government securities, will likely adversely impact our profitability. The aforementioned requirements would also have a negative impact on our net interest income and net interest margins since interest earned on our investments in government-issued securities is generally lower than that earned on our other interest earning assets.
We could experience a decline in our revenue generated from activities on the equity markets if there is a prolonged or significant downturn on the Indian stock exchanges, and we may face difficulties in getting regulatory approvals necessary to conduct our business if we fail to meet regulatory limits on capital market exposures.
We provide a variety of services and products to participants involved with the Indian stock exchanges. These include working capital funding and margin guarantees to share brokers, personal loans secured by shares, initial public offering finance for retail customers, stock exchange clearing services, collecting bankers to various public offerings and depositary accounts. If there is a prolonged or significant downturn on the Indian stock exchanges, our revenue generated by offering these products and services may decrease, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
We are required to maintain our capital market exposures within the limits as prescribed by the RBI. Our capital market exposures are comprised primarily of investments in equity shares, loans to share brokers and financial guarantees issued to stock exchanges on behalf of share brokers.
In accordance with RBI guidance, a bank’s capital market exposure is limited to 40 percent of its net worth under Indian GAAP as of March 31 of the previous year, both on a consolidated and
non-consolidated
basis. Our capital market exposure as of March 31, 2022 was 16.9 percent of our net worth on a
non-consolidated
basis and 19.9 percent on a consolidated basis, in each case, under Indian GAAP. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Large Exposures Framework
”. If we fail to meet these regulatory limits in the future, we may face difficulties in obtaining other regulatory approvals necessary to conduct our normal course of business, which would have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.
41

Any failure or material weakness of our internal control system could cause significant errors, which may have a materially adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial position or results of operations.
We are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal measures commensurate with our size and complexity of operations. Our internal or concurrent audit functions are equipped to make an independent and objective evaluation of the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls on an ongoing basis to ensure that business units adhere to our policies, compliance requirements and internal circular guidelines. While we periodically test and update, as necessary, our internal control systems, we are exposed to operational risks arising from the potential inadequacy or failure of internal processes or systems, and our actions may not be sufficient to guarantee effective internal controls in all circumstances. Given our high volume of transactions, it is possible that errors may repeat or compound before they are discovered and rectified. Our systems and internal control procedures that are designed to monitor our operations and overall compliance may not identify every instance of
non-compliance
or every suspicious transaction. If internal control weaknesses are identified, our actions may not be sufficient to fully correct such internal control weakness. We face operational risks in our various businesses and there may be losses due to deal errors, settlement problems, pricing errors, inaccurate reporting, breaches of confidentiality, fraud and failure of mission-critical systems or infrastructure. Any error tampering or manipulation could result in losses that may be difficult to detect.
For example, pursuant to the media reports during fiscal year 2018, certain unpublished price-sensitive information (“UPSI”) relating to our financial results for the quarters ended December 31, 2015 and June 30, 2017 had been leaked in a private “group” on the WhatsApp mobile app before such results were officially published. Following this leak, we received an order from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”) on February 23, 2018, directing us to (i) strengthen our processes, systems and controls relating to information security to prevent future leaks, (ii) submit a report on (a) the systems and controls, how they have been strengthened, and at what regular intervals they are monitored, and (b) the details of persons who are responsible for monitoring such systems, and (iii) conduct an internal inquiry into the leakage of UPSI relating to our financial results and submit a report in relation thereto. In accordance with the SEBI order, we filed both reports with SEBI on May 30, 2018. Any additional action by SEBI in connection with its investigation and our respective reports may subject us to further scrutiny or enforcement actions and have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial position or results of operations. From time to time SEBI has asked for information on the above matter, which we have provided. On August 31, 2020, SEBI also passed an Adjudication Order against one of our customers in connection with the UPSI matter. Through a letter dated June 10, 2021, SEBI sought clarifications on the status of implementation of the recommendations provided by our legal counsels for strengthening our systems and controls. While we have responded to SEBI on June 23, 2021, confirming the status of implementation of the legal counsels’ suggestions, we believe that we have complied with the directions under SEBI’s letters dated February 23, 2018 and June 10, 2021 and we have not received further correspondence from SEBI in this regard, there can be no assurance that a failure of our internal control system may not occur in the future, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
In addition and as a result of any of the foregoing, we may come under additional regulatory scrutiny or be the target of enforcement actions, or suffer monetary losses or adverse reputation effects which, in each case, could be material, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations.
Significant fraud, system failure or calamities would disrupt our revenue-generating activities in the short term and could harm our reputation and adversely impact our revenue-generating capabilities.
Our business is highly dependent on our ability to efficiently and reliably process a high volume of transactions across numerous locations and delivery channels. We place heavy reliance on our technology infrastructure for processing this data and therefore ensuring the security of this system, and its availability is of paramount importance. Our systemic and operational controls may not be adequate to prevent any adverse impact from frauds, errors, hacking and system failures. A significant system breakdown or system failure caused by intentional or unintentional acts would have an adverse impact on our revenue-generating activities and lead to financial loss. For example, over the past two years we have experienced outages in our internet banking, mobile banking and payment utilities. Our reputation could be adversely affected by fraud committed by employees, customers or outsiders, or by our perceived inability to properly manage fraud-related risks. Our inability or perceived inability to manage these risks could lead to enhanced regulatory oversight and scrutiny. Fraud or system failures by other Indian banking institutions (such as frauds uncovered in early 2018 at one of India’s public sector banks) could also adversely affect our reputation and revenue-generating activity by reflecting negatively on our industry more generally, and in certain circumstances we could be required to absorb losses arising from intentional or unintentional acts by third-party institutions. We have established a geographically remote disaster recovery site to support critical applications, and we believe that we would be able to restore data and resume processing in the event of a significant system breakdown or failure. However, it is possible the disaster recovery site may also fail or it may take considerable time to make the system fully operational and achieve complete business resumption using the alternate site. Therefore, in such a scenario where the primary site is also completely unavailable, there may be significant disruption to our operations, which would materially adversely affect our reputation and financial condition.
42

We may not successfully implement our sustainability strategies or satisfy our ESG commitments, or our performance may not meet investor or other stakeholder expectations or standards, which could adversely impact our reputation, access to capital, business and financial condition.
Modern customers are increasingly favoring companies that are committed to addressing the social and environmental challenges we face as a society, and we seek to ensure that customers are aware of our commitment to embedded ESG issues in our business strategy by developing products and services aligned with these new standards and goals. We believe that we have been at the forefront of the banking industry transformation in India, and, as a large financial services organization with a high industry profile, our practices and commitments are subject to scrutiny by all our stakeholders.
If we are not successful in implementing our ESG and other sustainability initiatives and commitments, or if we fail to satisfy investor or other stakeholder expectations or standards in the execution of our sustainability strategies, including as the result of
non-successful
investments in new technologies, changes in customer behavior and preferences with respect to sustainability, uncertainty about market signals with respect to sustainability matters including climate change and negative feedback on our sustainability strategies, our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects, access to capital and our reputation may be adversely affected.
We are subject to climate change-related risks, including the physical risks of severe weather and water scarcity, as well as the risks of transitioning to a low carbon economy, which could have a significant negative impact on our industry, business and results of operations.
We are subject to physical and transition risks relating to climate change, which have the potential to result in adverse financial and
non-financial
impacts for the Bank. Physical risks relating to climate change include extreme weather events (such as hurricanes, extreme rainfall, earthquakes and forest fires); periods of abnormal, severe or unseasonal weather conditions (such as increased average temperature); rising sea levels; alteration or loss of biodiversity or impacts to marine ecosystems affecting tourist destinations; reduced availability of water; and insect plagues. In addition, the transition to a low carbon economy may result in new or stricter legal regulations (including new carbon taxes or greenhouse gas restrictions or reporting requirements) and other related changes, including changes in customer behavior or preferences and changes in energy consumption practices or energy costs. Transition risks can impact the Bank’s operating costs as well as its credit portfolio, for example, in the event of regulatory or policy changes, or changing market practices, that shift demand among certain business sectors and result in loan defaults from certain industries like coal, thermal and infrastructure.
Negative publicity could damage our reputation and adversely impact our business and financial results.
Reputational risk, or the risk to our business, earnings and capital from negative publicity, is inherent in our business. The reputation of the financial services industry in general has been closely monitored as a result of the financial crisis and other matters affecting the financial services industry. Negative public opinion about the financial services industry generally or us specifically could adversely affect our ability to attract and retain customers, and may expose us to litigation and regulatory action. Negative publicity can result from our actual or alleged conduct in any number of activities, including lending practices, mortgage servicing and foreclosure practices, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions and related disclosure, sharing or inadequate protection of customer information, and actions taken by government regulators and community organizations in response to that conduct. For example, in the past, we have experienced outages in our internet banking, mobile banking and payment utilities, including an outage in our internet banking and payment system in November 2020 due to a power failure in the primary data center. See “
—A failure, inadequacy or security breach in our information technology and telecommunication systems may adversely affect our business, results of operation or financial condition
”.
Many of our branches have been recently added to our branch network and are not operating with the same efficiency as compared to the rest of our existing branches, which adversely affects our profitability.
As at March 31, 2017, we had 4,715 branches, and as at March 31, 2022, we had 6,342 branches, a significant increase in the number of branches. Some of the newly added branches are currently operating at a lower efficiency level as compared with our established branches. While we believe that the newly added branches will achieve the productivity benchmark set for our entire network over time, the success in achieving our benchmark level of efficiency and productivity will depend on various internal and external factors, some of which are not under our control. The
sub-optimal
performance of the newly added branches, if continued over an extended period of time, would have a material adverse effect on our profitability.
43

Deficiencies in accuracy and completeness of information about customers and counterparties may adversely impact us.
We rely on accuracy and completeness of information about customers and counterparties while carrying out transactions with them or on their behalf. We may also rely on representations as to the accuracy and completeness of such information. For example, we may rely on reports of independent auditors with respect to financial statements, and decide to extend credit based on the assumption that the customer’s audited financial statements conform to generally accepted accounting principles and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the customer. Our financial condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted by reliance on information that is inaccurate or materially misleading. This may affect the quality of information available to us about the credit history of our borrowers, especially individuals and small businesses. As a result, our ability to effectively manage our credit risk may be adversely affected.
We present our financial information differently in other markets or in certain reporting contexts.
In India, our equity shares are traded on the BSE Limited (the “BSE”) and National Stock Exchange of India Limited (the “NSE”). BSE and NSE rules, in connection with other applicable Indian laws, require us to report our financial results in India in Indian GAAP. Because of the difference in accounting principles and presentation, certain financial information available in our required filings in the United States may be presented differently than in the financial information we provide under Indian GAAP.
Additionally, we make available information on our website and in our presentations in order to provide investors a view of our business through metrics similar to what our management uses to measure our performance. Some of the information we make available from time to time may be in relation to our unconsolidated or consolidated results under Indian GAAP or under U.S. GAAP. Potential investors should read any notes or disclaimers to such financial information when evaluating our performance to confirm how the information is being presented, since the information that may have been prepared with a different presentation may not be directly comparable.
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs, in its press release dated January 18, 2016, had issued a roadmap for implementation of Indian Accounting Standards
(“IND-AS”)
converged with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”) with certain carve-outs for scheduled commercial banks, insurance companies and
non-banking
financial companies (the “Roadmap”). This Roadmap required such institutions to prepare
IND-AS-based
financial statements for the accounting periods commencing on or after April 1, 2018, and to prepare comparative financial information for accounting periods beginning April 1, 2017 and thereafter. The RBI, in its circular dated February 11, 2016, required all scheduled commercial banks to comply with
IND-AS
for financial statements for the same periods stated above. The RBI did not permit banks to adopt
IND-AS
earlier than the above timelines. The RBI circular also stated that the RBI will issue instructions, guidance and clarifications, as and when required, on the relevant aspects of the implementation of
IND-AS.
In April 2018, the RBI deferred the effective date for implementation of
IND-AS
by one year, by which point the necessary legislative amendments were expected to have been completed. The legislative amendments recommended by the RBI are under consideration by the Government of India. Accordingly, the RBI, in its circular dated March 22, 2019, deferred the implementation of
IND-AS
until further notice.
In conjunction with the implementation of
IND-AS
for our local Indian results, we may adopt IFRS for the purposes of our filings pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of, and our reports pursuant to
Rule13a-16
or
15d-16
under, the Exchange Act. Should we choose to do so, our first year of reporting in accordance with IFRS would be the same as the accounting period for
IND-AS,
which is dependent on instructions to be issued by the RBI for the implementation of
IND-AS.
For our first year of reporting in accordance with IFRS, we would be permitted to file two years, rather than three years, of statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows prepared in accordance with IFRS.
The new accounting standards are expected to change, among other things, our methodologies for estimating allowances for probable loan losses and classifying and valuing our investment portfolio, as well as our revenue recognition policy. It is possible that our financial condition, results of operations and changes in shareholders’ equity may appear materially different under
IND-AS
or IFRS than under Indian GAAP or U.S. GAAP, respectively. Further, during the transition to reporting under the new standards, we may encounter difficulties in the implementation of the new standards and development of our management information systems. Given the increased competition for the small number of IFRS-experienced accounting personnel in India, it may be difficult for us to employ the appropriate accounting personnel to assist us in preparing
IND-AS
or IFRS financial statements. Moreover, there is no significant body of established practice from which we may draw when forming judgments regarding the application of the new accounting standards. There can be no assurance that the Bank’s controls and procedures will be effective in these circumstances or that a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting will not occur. Further, failure to successfully adopt
IND-AS
or IFRS could adversely affect the Bank’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Statistical, industry and financial data obtained from industry publications and other third-party sources may be incomplete or unreliable.
We have not independently verified certain data obtained from industry publications and other third-party sources referred to in this document and therefore, while we believe them to be true, we cannot assure you that they are complete or reliable. Such data may also be produced on different bases from those used in the industry publications we have referenced. Therefore, discussions of matters relating to India, its economy and the industries in which we currently operate are subject to the caveat that the statistical and other data upon which such discussions are based may be incomplete or unreliable.
44

We may be unable to fully capture the expected value from acquisitions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We may from time to time undertake acquisitions as part of our growth strategy, which could subject us to a number of risks, such as: (i) the rationale and assumptions underlying the business plans supporting the valuation of a target business may prove inaccurate, in particular with respect to synergies and expected commercial demand; (ii) we may fail to successfully integrate any acquired business, including its technologies, products and personnel; (iii) we may fail to retain key employees, customers and suppliers of any acquired business; (iv) we may be required or wish to terminate
pre-existing
contractual relationships, which could prove costly and/or be executed at unfavorable terms and conditions; (v) we may fail to discover certain contingent or undisclosed liabilities in businesses that we acquire, or our due diligence to discover any such liabilities may be inadequate; and (vi) it may be necessary to obtain regulatory and other approvals in connection with certain acquisitions, and there can be no assurance that such approvals will be obtained, and even if granted, that there will be no burdensome conditions attached to such approvals, all of which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial conditions.
The Banking Regulation Act, 1949 gives powers to the RBI to undertake amalgamations of banking companies. In the past, the RBI has ordered mergers of riskier banks with banks that had larger balance sheets, primarily in the interest of the depositors. For example, the Government of India announced the amalgamation of 10 public sector banks into four larger banks in April 2020 as part of a consolidation measure to create fewer banks that would be individually larger in scale. More recently, Lakshmi Vilas Bank Ltd. was amalgamated with DBS Bank India Limited with effect from November 27, 2020. Any such direction by the RBI in relation to our Bank could have an adverse effect on our business or that of our subsidiaries.
Credit Risks
If the level of
non-performing
loans in our portfolio increases, we will be required to increase our provisions, which would negatively impact our income.
Our gross
non-performing
customer assets represented 1.32 percent of our gross customer assets as of March 31, 2022. Our management of credit risk involves having appropriate credit policies, underwriting standards, approval processes, loan portfolio monitoring, remedial management and the overall architecture for managing credit risk. In the case of our secured loan portfolio, the frequency of the valuation of collateral may vary based on the nature of the loan and the type of collateral. A decline in the value of collateral or an inappropriate collateral valuation increases the risk in the secured loan portfolio because of inadequate coverage of collateral. As of March 31, 2022, 68.4 percent of our loan book was partially or fully secured by collateral. Our risk mitigation and risk monitoring techniques may not be accurate or appropriately implemented, and we may not be able to anticipate future economic and financial events, leading to an increase in our
non-performing
loans. See Note 9 “
Loans
” in our consolidated financial statements. As a result of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the Government and the RBI implemented various regulatory measures, including those aimed at alleviating financial pressure on borrowers. These measures included a moratorium on debt repayments and temporary permission to classify certain distressed loans as “Standard” if the cause of the distress was related to the pandemic. See “—
The
COVID-19
pandemic may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
Provisions are created by a charge to expense and represent our estimate for loan losses and risks inherent in the credit portfolio. See “
Selected Statistical
Information—Non-performing
Loans
”. The determination of an appropriate level of loan losses and provisions required inherently involves a degree of subjectivity and requires that we make estimates of current credit risks and future trends, all of which may undergo material changes. Our provisions may not be adequate to cover any further increase in the amount of
non-performing
loans or any further deterioration in our
non-performing
loan portfolio. Further, as part of its supervision process, the RBI assesses our asset classification and provisioning requirements. In the event that additional provisioning is required by the RBI, our net income, balance sheet and capital adequacy could be affected, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, future financial performance, shareholders’ equity and the price of our equity shares. If we are not able to continue to reduce our existing
non-performing
loans, or if there is a significant increase in the amount of new loans classified as
non-performing
loans as a result of a change in the methodology of
non-performing
loans classification mandated by the RBI or otherwise, our asset quality may deteriorate, our provisioning for probable losses may increase and our business, future financial performance and the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs could be adversely affected. In addition, we are a relatively young bank operating in a growing economy, and we have not yet experienced a significant and prolonged downturn in the economy.
A number of factors outside of our control affect our ability to control and reduce
non-performing
loans. These factors include developments in the Indian economy, domestic or global turmoil, global competition, changes in interest rates and exchange rates and changes in regulations, including with respect to regulations requiring us to lend to certain sectors identified by the RBI or the Government of India and
COVID-19
related regulatory changes, including those on the classification of
non-performing
loans and repayment moratoriums. For example, recently, certain state governments have announced waivers of amounts due under agricultural loans provided by the banks. Demands for similar waivers have been raised by farmers in other states as well. Also, in the past, the central and state governments have waived farm loans from time to time to provide some respite to the debt-ridden agricultural sector. It is unclear when the governments will compensate the banks for the waivers so announced. Further, such frequent farm waivers may create expectations of future waivers among the farmers and lead to a delay in or cessation of loan repayments, which may lead to a rise in our
non-performing
loans. These factors, coupled with other factors such as volatility in commodity markets, declining business and consumer confidence and decreases in business and consumer spending, could impact the operations of our customers and in turn impact their ability to fulfill their obligations under the loans granted to them by us. In addition, the expansion of our business may cause our
non-performing
loans to increase and the overall quality of our loan portfolio to deteriorate. If our
non-performing
loans further increase, we will be required to increase our provisions, which would result in our net income being less than it otherwise would have been and would adversely affect our financial condition.
45

We have high concentrations of exposures to certain customers and sectors, and if any of these exposures were to become
non-performing,
the quality of our portfolio could be adversely affected and our ability to meet capital requirements could be jeopardized.
As of March 31, 2022, our largest single customer exposure, based on the higher of the outstanding balances of, or limit on, funded and
non-funded
exposures, calculated based on our Indian GAAP financial statements, was Rs. 266.2 billion, representing 10.4 percent of our capital funds which comprised Tier I and Tier II capital. Similarly our 10 largest customer exposures totaled Rs. 1,725.1 billion, representing 67.5 percent of our capital funds. None of our 10 largest customer exposures was classified as
non-performing
as of March 31, 2022. However, if any of our 10 largest customer exposures were to become
non-performing,
our net income would decline and, due to the magnitude of the exposures, our ability to meet capital requirements could be jeopardized. See “
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
” for a detailed discussion on customer exposures. The RBI has released guidelines on the LEF, which are revised from time to time. The guidelines govern exposure of banks to a single counterparty and a group of connected counterparties. Under this framework, the sum of all the exposure values of a bank to a single counterparty must not be higher than 20 percent of the bank’s available eligible capital base at all times, and the sum of all the exposure values of a bank to a group of connected counterparties (as defined in the guidelines) must not be higher than 25 percent of the bank’s available eligible capital base at all times. The eligible capital base for this purpose is the effective amount of Tier I capital fulfilling the criteria mentioned in the Basel III guidelines issued by RBI as per the last audited balance sheet. As of March 31, 2022, there were no exposures which exceeded the ceiling permitted under the LEF guidelines.
As a result of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI in its circular dated May 23, 2020, increased the permitted exposure of a bank to a group of connected counterparties from 25 percent to 30 percent of the eligible capital base of a bank. The increased limit applied until June 30, 2021. See also “
—The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
The RBI in its circular from February 2021 exempted from the framework lending by foreign sovereigns or their central banks that are subject to a 0.0 percent risk weight under the Basel III guidelines, and where such lending is denominated in the domestic currency of that sovereign and met out of resources of the same currency. Further, through its circular issued in March 2021, the RBI determined that
non-centrally
cleared derivatives exposures will continue to be outside the purview of exposure limits until September 30, 2021. For further details on the LEF, see “
Supervision and Regulation—Large Exposure Framework
”.
In April 2022, the RBI issued the master circular on prudential norms on income recognition, asset classification and provisioning pertaining to advances, which consolidates the guidelines for resolution of stressed assets. In 2019, the RBI has replaced the framework for the resolution of stressed assets (including the framework for revitalizing distressed assets, joint lenders forum mechanism, strategic debt restructuring and the scheme of sustainable structuring of stressed assets). As per the existing guidelines, the lenders must recognize developing stress in loan accounts, immediately on default. Lenders must put in place policies approved by their board of directors for the resolution of stressed assets, including the timelines for such resolution, and they are expected to initiate implementation of the resolution plan even before default occurs. If a default occurs, however, lenders have a review period of 30 days within which their resolution strategy is to be decided. The RBI guidelines provide the timelines within which the banks are required to implement the resolution plan, depending on the aggregate exposure of the borrower to the lender. For large accounts with the aggregate exposure of the lenders being Rs. 20.0 billion or more, the RBI has specified that the resolution plan must be implemented within 180 days from the end of the review period. If there is a delayed implementation of the resolution plan, lenders are required to make an additional provision of 20 percent of the total amount outstanding, in addition to the provisions already held and provisions required to be made as per asset classification status of the borrower’s account, subject to a total provisioning of 100 percent of the total amount outstanding. Lenders are required to make appropriate disclosures of resolution plans implemented in their financial statements under “Notes on Accounts”.
As a result of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI in its circulars dated April 17, 2020 and May 23, 2020, temporarily relaxed the review period, as well as the timeline for the resolution of distressed assets for lenders. With respect to accounts which fell within the review period as of March 1, 2020, the period from March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020 will be excluded from the calculation of the
30-day
review period. With respect to all such accounts, the residual review period will resume from September 1, 2020, upon expiry of which the lenders will have the usual 180 days for resolution. Further, with respect to the accounts where the review period was complete, but the
180-day
resolution period had not expired by March 1, 2020, the timeline for resolution was
to be extended by 180 days from the date on which the
180-day
period was originally set to expire. Consequently, the requirement to make an additional provision of 20 percent for delays in implementing the resolution plan would only be triggered once the extended resolution period expires.
46

As a result of the impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI through its circulars dated August 2020, September 2020 and August 2021, issued certain guidelines in relation to the resolution of distressed assets, with the intent to facilitate the revival of real sector activities and mitigate the impact on the ultimate borrowers. The RBI provided a window under the prudential framework described above to enable lenders to implement a resolution plan in respect of (i) eligible corporate exposures without a change in ownership and (ii) personal loans, while classifying such exposures as “Standard”, subject to specified conditions. The lending institutions are permitted to provide resolution under such a facility only to borrowers who are experiencing financial distress as a result of
COVID-19.
The RBI also provided specific thresholds (ceilings or floors, as the case may be) for certain key ratios that should be considered by the lending institutions in the resolution assumptions with respect to an eligible borrower. In May 2021 and June 2021, on account of the resurgence of the
COVID-19
pandemic in India, the RBI issued an additional set of measures broadly in line with the circulars referred to above. The RBI permitted lending institutions to offer a limited window to individual borrowers and small businesses to implement resolution plans in respect of their credit exposures while classifying the same as ‘Standard’ upon implementation of the resolution plan, subject to certain specified conditions. In respect of individuals who have availed themselves of business loans and small businesses where resolution plans had been implemented under the guidelines set out in the circular from August 2020 described above, lending institutions are permitted until September 30, 2021, as a
one-time
measure, to review the working capital sanctioned limits and/or drawing power based on a number of factors, including a reassessment of the borrower’s working capital cycle and a reduction in the borrower’s margins, without such review being treated as restructuring. By March 31, 2022, the margins and working capital limits were restored to the levels set by the resolution plan implemented under the circular from August 2020. The circular also lists the disclosure requirements for the lending institutions with respect to the resolution plans implemented. In August 2020, May 2021 and June 2021, the RBI also issued guidelines for the restructuring of existing loans to micro, small and medium enterprises classified as “Standard”, without a downgrade in the asset classification, subject to certain conditions. See also “
—The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
As of March 31, 2022, our largest industry concentrations, based on RBI guidelines, were as follows: financial institutions (6.5 percent), power (4.6 percent), NBFC (3.6 percent) and retail trade (3.6 percent). In addition, as of March 31, 2022, 22.4 percent of our exposures were consumer loans. Industry-specific difficulties in these or other sectors may increase our level of
non-performing
customer assets. If we experience a downturn in an industry in which we have concentrated exposure, our net income will likely decline significantly and our financial condition may be materially adversely affected. As of March 31, 2022, our
non-performing
loans and credit substitutes as a percentage of total
non-performing
customer assets in accordance with U.S. GAAP were concentrated in the following industries: agriculture production-food (11.9 percent), retail trade (7.7 percent), agriculture-allied (6.7 percent) and road transportation (6.6 percent). In addition, 18.0 percent of our
non-performing
customer assets were consumer loans.
We are required to undertake directed lending under RBI guidelines. Consequently, we may experience a higher level of
non-performing
loans in our directed lending portfolio, which could adversely impact the quality of our loan portfolio, our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs. Further, in the case of any shortfall in complying with these requirements, we may be required to invest in deposits of Indian development banks as directed by the RBI. These deposits yield low returns, thereby impacting our profitability.
The RBI prescribes guidelines on PSL in India. Under these guidelines, banks in India are required to lend 40.0 percent of their adjusted net bank credit (“ANBC”) or the credit equivalent amount of
off-balance
sheet exposures (“CEOBE”), whichever is higher, as defined by the RBI and computed in accordance with Indian GAAP figures, to certain eligible sectors categorized as priority sectors. The priority sector requirements must be met with reference to the higher of the ANBC and the CEOBE as of the corresponding date of the preceding year. PSL achievement is to be evaluated at the end of the fiscal year based on the average of priority sector
target/sub-target
achievement as at the end of each quarter of that fiscal year. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Directed Lending
”. Under the guidelines, scheduled commercial banks having any shortfall in lending to the priority sector shall be allocated amounts for contribution to the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (“RIDF”) established with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (“NABARD”) and other Funds with NABARD, National Housing Bank (“NHB”), Small Industries Development Bank of India (“SIDBI”) or Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Limited (“MUDRA”), as decided by the RBI from time to time. The interest rates on such deposits may be lower than the interest rates which the Bank would have obtained by investing these funds at its discretion.
Further, the RBI has directed banks to maintain direct lending to
non-corporate
farmers at the banking system’s average level for the last three years, which would be notified by the RBI at the beginning of each year. The target for fiscal year 2022 was 12.73 percent. The RBI has also directed banks to continue to pursue the target of 13.5 percent of ANBC towards lending to borrowers who constituted the direct agriculture lending category under the earlier guidelines. If we fail to adhere to the RBI’s policies and directions, we may be subject to penalties, which may adversely affect our results of operations. Furthermore, the RBI can make changes to the types of loans that qualify under the PSL scheme. Changes that reduce the types of loans that can qualify toward meeting our PSL targets could increase shortfalls under the overall target or under certain
sub-targets.
In August 2020, the RBI issued new guidelines requiring all MSMEs to register on the Government’s “Udyam” portal by March 2021. The Udyam Registration Certificates (“URCs”) were made mandatory to classify lending to MSMEs as PSL. Subsequently, until March 2022 the RBI granted a relaxation in URC requirements to enterprises for which the erstwhile eligible documentation had been obtained up to June 30, 2020. This relaxation has been extended up to June 30, 2022. As of the date of this annual report, registration count published on Udyam suggests that the majority of enterprises are yet to register. Going forward, this low registration count could adversely impact our PSL achievement. In September 2020, the RBI issued new guidelines through which it increased the target for lending to small and marginal farmers and economically weaker sections in a phased manner through fiscal year 2024 to 10.0 percent and 12.0 percent, respectively.
47

Our total PSL achievement for fiscal year 2022 stood at 40.63 percent as against a requirement of 40 percent, and our achievement of direct lending to
non-corporate
farmers stood at 7.58 percent for fiscal year 2022 as against a requirement of 12.73 percent. Our achievement of lending to micro enterprises stood at 6.54 percent as against a target of 7.5 percent. Lending to the total agricultural sector stood at 10.80 percent as against a requirement of 18 percent, and lending to small and marginal farmers stood at 2.35 percent, against the requirement of 9.0 percent. Advances to sections termed “weaker” by the RBI were 4.17 percent against the requirement of 11.0 percent. Beginning in fiscal year 2022, the RBI assigns weightages to incremental priority sector credit in identified districts. A higher weight (125 percent) will be assigned in the identified districts where the credit flow is comparatively lower, and a lower weight (90 percent) will be assigned in districts where the credit flow is comparatively higher. This will be valid for up to fiscal year 2024 and will be reviewed thereafter. The districts not further specified will continue to have an existing weightage of 100 percent. Adjustments for weights to incremental PSL credit by the RBI are pending.
In fiscal year 2021, the Government excluded retail and wholesale traders from the MSME definition, which adversely impacted the Bank’s PSL achievement. Following representations made by various industry bodies, the Government reinstated retail and wholesale traders as MSME for priority sector lending in July 2021. Thereafter, the RBI accepted our revised filing of PSL achievement for fiscal year 2021, including the lending to retail and wholesale trader segments. Following the revision, total PSL achievement stood at 39.88 percent, lending to micro enterprises stood at 7.50 percent and advances to sections termed “weaker” by the RBI were 4.26 percent. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Directed Lending
”.
We may experience a higher level of
non-performing
assets in our directed lending portfolio, particularly in loans to the agricultural sector, small enterprises and weaker sections, where we are less able to control the portfolio quality and where economic difficulties are likely to affect our borrowers more severely. Our gross
non-performing
assets in the directed lending sector as a percentage to gross loans were 0.56 percent as of March 31, 2022 (0.43 percent as of March 31, 2021). Further increases in the above-mentioned targets of the specified PSL categories could result in an increase in
non-performing
assets due to our limited ability to control the portfolio quality under the directed lending requirements.
In addition to the PSL requirements, the RBI has encouraged banks in India to develop a financial inclusion plan for expanding banking services to rural and unbanked centers and to customers who currently do not have access to banking services. The expansion into these markets involves significant investments and recurring costs. The profitability of these operations depends on our ability to generate business volumes in these centers and from these customers. As described above, recent changes by the RBI in the directed lending norms may result in our inability to meet the PSL requirements as well as require us to increase our lending to relatively more risky segments, and may result in an increase in
non-performing
loans. In addition to the PSL requirements, the RBI has encouraged banks in India to have a financial inclusion plan for expanding banking services to rural and unbanked centers and to customers who currently do not have access to banking services. The expansion into these markets involves significant investments and recurring costs. The profitability of these operations depends on our ability to generate business volumes in these centers and from these customers. Future changes by the RBI in the directed lending norms may result in our inability to meet the PSL requirements as well as require us to increase our lending to relatively more risky segments, and may result in an increase in
non-performing
loans.
We may be unable to foreclose on collateral in a timely fashion or at all when borrowers default on their obligations to us, or the value of collateral may decrease, any of which may result in failure to recover the expected value of collateral security, increased losses and a decline in net income.
Although we typically lend on a cash flow basis, many of our loans are secured by collateral, which consists of liens on inventory, receivables and other current assets, and in some cases, charges on fixed assets, such as property, movable assets (such as vehicles) and financial assets (such as marketable securities). As of March 31, 2022, 68.4 percent of our loans were partially or fully secured by collateral. We may not be able to realize the full value of the collateral, due to, among other things, stock market volatility, changes in economic policies of the Indian government, obstacles and delays in legal proceedings, borrowers and guarantors not being traceable, our records of borrowers’ and guarantors’ addresses being ambiguous or outdated and defects in the perfection of collateral and fraudulent transfers by borrowers. In the event that a specialized regulatory agency gains jurisdiction over the borrower, creditor actions can be further delayed. In addition, the value of collateral may be less than we expect or may decline. For example, the global economic slowdown and other domestic factors had led to a downturn in real estate prices in India, which negatively impacted the value of our collateral.
The RBI has introduced various mechanisms, from time to time, to enable the lenders to timely resolve and initiate recovery with regards to stressed assets. In April 2022, the RBI issued the master circular on prudential norms on income recognition, asset classification and provisioning pertaining to advances, which consolidated the RBI’s (Prudential Framework for Resolution of Stressed Assets) Directions 2019. In 2019, the RBI had replaced the erstwhile framework for the resolution of stressed assets (including the framework for revitalizing distressed assets, joint lenders forum mechanism, strategic debt restructuring and the scheme of sustainable structuring of stressed assets). See “
Supervision and Regulations—Resolution of Stressed Assets
”.
48

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code was introduced in 2016, with the aim to provide for the efficient and timely resolution of insolvency of all persons, including companies, partnership firms, limited liability partnerships and individuals. For further details, see “
Supervision and Regulation—The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016
”. However, given the limited experience of this framework, there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully implement the above-mentioned mechanisms and recover the amounts due to us in full. Furthermore, in order to provide relief to corporate entities, which may be facing financial distress as a result of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code was amended with effect from June 5, 2020. Pursuant to the amendment, no application for the initiation of a corporate insolvency resolution process of a corporate debtor can be filed under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, in relation to a default arising on or after March 25, 2020, for a period of six months or such further period, not exceeding one year from such date, as may be notified. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Act 2021 provides among others things, for a
pre-packaged
insolvency resolution process for corporate debtors which are classified as micro, small or medium enterprises. The objective of this amendment is to provide an efficient alternative insolvency resolution process for micro, small and medium enterprises which is efficient and cost effective. The inability to foreclose on such loans due or otherwise liquidate our collateral may result in failure to recover the expected value of such collateral security, which may, in turn, give rise to increased losses and a decline in net income. See also “
—The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
Our unsecured loan portfolio is not supported by any collateral that could help ensure repayment of the loan, and in the event of
non-payment
by a borrower of one of these loans, we may be unable to collect the unpaid balance.
We offer unsecured personal loans and credit cards to the retail customer segment, including salaried individuals and self-employed professionals. In addition, we offer unsecured loans to small businesses and individual businessmen. Unsecured loans are a greater credit risk for us than our secured loan portfolio because they may not be supported by realizable collateral that could help ensure an adequate source of repayment for the loan. Although we normally obtain direct debit instructions or postdated cheques from our customers for our unsecured loan products, we may be unable to collect in part or at all in the event of
non-payment
by a borrower. Further, any expansion in our unsecured loan portfolio could require us to increase our provision for credit losses, which would decrease our earnings. Also see “
Business—Retail Banking—Retail Loans and Other Asset Products
”.
Risks Relating to Our Industry
RBI guidelines relating to ownership in private banks could discourage or prevent a change of control or other business combination involving us, such as with HDFC Limited, which could restrict the growth of our business and operations.
RBI guidelines prescribe a policy framework for the ownership and governance of private sector banks. Under Section 12 of the Banking Regulation Act 1949, as amended, no person holding shares in a financial institution shall, in respect of any shares held by such person, exercise voting rights in excess of 10 percent of the total voting rights of all the shareholders of such financial institution; provided that the RBI may increase, in a phased manner, such ceiling on voting rights from 10 to 26 percent. The notification dated July 21, 2016 issued by RBI and published in the Gazette of India dated September 17, 2016 states that the current ceiling voting rights is at 26 percent. In May 2016, RBI issued the RBI (Ownership in Private Sector Banks) Directions 2016. These guidelines prescribe requirements regarding shareholding and voting rights in relation to all private sector banks licensed by the RBI to operate in India. The guidelines specify the following ownership limits for shareholders based on their categorization:
(i)
In the case of individuals and
non-financial
entities (other than promoters/a promoter group), 10 percent of the
paid-up
capital. However, in the case of promoters being individuals and
non-financial
entities in existing banks, the permitted promoter/promoter group shareholding shall be as prescribed under the February 2013 guidelines,
i.e.
, 15 percent.
(ii)
In the case of entities from the financial sector, other than regulated or diversified or listed, 15 percent of the
paid-up
capital.
(iii)
In the case of “regulated, well diversified, listed entities from the financial sector” shareholding by supranational institutions, public sector undertaking or governments, up to 40 percent of the
paid-up
capital is permitted for both promoters/a promoter group and
non-promoters.
49

In June 2020, the RBI set up an internal working group to examine and review the extant licensing and regulatory guidelines relating to ownership and control, corporate structure of private sector banks and other related issues. The group submitted its report in October 2020, and some of the key recommendations are as follows: (i) the cap on promoters’ stakes over the course of 15 years may be raised from the current level of 15.0 percent to 26.0 percent of the
paid-up
voting equity share capital of the bank; (ii) the RBI may introduce regulations in relation to the issuance of ADRs and GDRs by banks, which ensure that such issuances are not used by dominant shareholders to indirectly enhance their voting power, including mandating prior approval by the RBI before entering into agreements with depositories, requiring a provision in the depository agreement assigning no voting rights to depositories and a mechanism for disclosure of the details of the ultimate depository receipt holders so that indirect holdings can be disclosed along with direct holdings; (iii) large corporate/industrial houses may be allowed as promoters of banks only after necessary amendments to the Banking Regulations Act 1949;
(iv) non-operative
financial holding companies (“NOFHCs”) should continue to be the preferred structure for all new licenses to be issued for Universal Banks. However, NOFHC structures should be mandatory only in cases where the individual promoters, promoting entities and converting entities have other group entities; and (v) listing requirements for small finance banks, payments banks and universal banks. For further details, see “
Supervision and Regulation—Entry of New Banks in Private Sector
”. If some, or all, of the recommendations in this report are implemented, a change of control or business combination of the Bank may be discouraged or prevented, which could restrict the growth of our business and operations.
The RBI may permit an increase of its stake beyond the limits mentioned above on a
case-to-case
basis under circumstances such as relinquishment by existing promoters, rehabilitation, restructuring of problems, weak banks, entrenchment of existing promoters or in the interest of the bank or in the interest of consolidation in the banking sector.
Such restrictions could discourage or prevent a change in control, merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination involving us, which might be beneficial to our shareholders. The RBI’s approval is required for the acquisition or transfer of a bank’s shares, which will increase the aggregate holding (direct and indirect, beneficial or otherwise) of an individual or a group to the equivalent of 5 percent or more of its total
paid-up
capital under the Master Directions on “Prior approval for acquisition of shares or voting rights in private sector banks” issued by the RBI in November 2015. Under the directions, every person who intends to make an acquisition, or to make an agreement for an acquisition, which will, or is likely to, take the aggregate holding of such person together with shares, voting rights, compulsorily convertible debentures, bonds held by him, his relatives, associate enterprises and persons acting in concert with him, to 5 percent or more of the
paid-up
share capital of the relevant bank or entitles him to exercise 5 percent or more of the total voting rights of the relevant bank, shall seek prior approval of RBI. Existing major shareholders who have already obtained prior approval of the RBI for being a major shareholding in a bank prior to making a new acquisition are exempt, subject to certain conditions.
The RBI, when considering whether to grant an approval, may take into account all matters that it considers relevant to the application, including ensuring that shareholders whose aggregate holdings are above specified thresholds meet fitness and propriety tests, as prescribed by the RBI. The RBI has accorded its approval for HDFC Limited to hold more than 10 percent of our stock. HDFC Limited’s substantial stake in us could discourage or prevent another entity from exploring the possibility of a combination with us. These obstacles to potentially synergistic business combinations could negatively impact our share price and have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete effectively with other large banks and consequently our ability to maintain and improve our financial condition.
Additionally, under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (the “SEBI Listing Regulations”), all related party transactions, including any subsequent material modification, will require approval from the audit committee of the listed entity subject to the conditions mentioned in the SEBI Listing Regulations. Further, all material related party transactions (based on the threshold provided under the SEBI Listing Regulations), including any subsequent material modification, will require prior shareholders’ approval. Further, pursuant to the SEBI Listing Regulations, no related party shall vote to approve such resolutions regardless of being a related party to the particular transaction or not. For transactions with HDFC Limited, shareholder approvals have been obtained for fiscal year 2021. However, if we are unable to obtain the necessary shareholder approvals for transactions with HDFC Limited in the future, we would be required to forego certain opportunities, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance.
Reforms to and replacement of IBORs and certain other rates or indices may adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations.
There continues to be a major transition in progress in the global financial markets with respect to the replacement of IBORs, including the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), and certain other rates or indices that serve as “benchmarks”. Such benchmarks have been used extensively across the global financial markets and in our business. However, there continue to be risks and challenges associated with the transition from IBORs that may result in consequences that cannot be fully anticipated, which expose us to various financial, operational, supervisory, conduct and legal risks, which we continue to monitor closely.
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On July 27, 2017, the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority announced that it will no longer compel or persuade banks to contribute to the LIBOR rate setting after 2021. As at the end of December 2021, the publication of most LIBOR settings has ceased and the global financial markets generally transitioned away from the use of all LIBOR settings, except for the publication until June 30, 2023 of certain U.S. dollar LIBOR settings. While alternate reference rates for the different currencies have been identified, there is still a lack of clarity or consensus about the use of these rates for all types of instruments that have referenced LIBOR. The impact of the transition to alternative reference rates is therefore uncertain and could adversely affect loans, securities and other instruments that reference, or are indirectly affected by LIBOR. In India, the Mumbai Inter-bank Forward Outright Rate (“MIFOR”) is calculated using rolling forward premia in percentage terms along with the US$ LIBOR for the respective tenures up to 12 months. The Financial Benchmark India Private Limited has commenced publishing an Adjusted MIFOR from June 15, 2021, which is used for legacy contracts, and has modified the MIFOR from June 30, 2021, which is used for new contracts. On July 8, 2021, the RBI issued a roadmap for LIBOR transition advising banks to use these alternate rates instead of MIFOR from December 31, 2021 except for managing risks pertaining to
pre-existing
MIFOR exposures.
The LIBOR transition project is being successfully implemented within the Bank. We have adhered to the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) protocol for derivative contracts and are in discussion with counterparties which have outstanding legacy derivative trades, referencing LIBOR, which are to be discontinued post June 30, 2023 for early adherence to the protocol/amended fallback agreement. The inclusion of fallback clauses in the existing loan contracts that are linked to LIBOR currencies other than US$ is complete. While fallback language for US$ LIBOR-linked loans is expected to be implemented before June 2023, there continue to be risks and challenges associated with the transition from IBORs that cannot be fully anticipated at present. This exposes us to various financial, operational, supervisory, conduct and legal risks, which we continue to monitor closely.
Foreign investment in our shares may be restricted due to regulations governing aggregate foreign investment in the Bank’s
paid-up
equity share capital.
Aggregate foreign investment from all sources in a private sector bank is permitted up to 49 percent of the
paid-up
capital under the automatic route. This limit can be increased to 74 percent of the
paid-up
capital with prior approval from the Government of India. Pursuant to a letter dated February 4, 2015, the Foreign Investment Promotion Board has approved foreign investment in the Bank up to 74 percent of its
paid-up
capital. The approval is subject to examination by the RBI for compounding on the change of foreign shareholding since April 2010. If the Bank is subject to any penalties or an unfavorable ruling by the RBI, this could have an adverse effect on the Bank’s results of operation and financial condition. The RBI had previously imposed a restriction on the purchase of equity shares of the Bank by foreign investors, under its circular dated March 19, 2012. On February 16, 2017, the RBI lifted such restriction since the foreign shareholding in the Bank was below the maximum prescribed percentage of 74 percent. Thereafter, the RBI notified by press release on February 17, 2017, and by separate letter to us dated February 28, 2017, that the foreign shareholding in all forms in the Bank crossed the said limit of 74 percent again. This was due to secondary market purchases of the Bank’s equity shares during this period. Consequently, the RBI
re-imposed
the restrictions on the purchase of the Bank’s equity shares by foreign investors. Further, SEBI also enquired regarding the measures that the Bank has taken and will take in respect of breaches of the maximum prescribed percentage of foreign shareholding in the Bank, by its letter dated March 9, 2018. As of March 31, 2022, foreign investment in the Bank, including the shareholdings of HDFC Limited and its subsidiaries, constituted 68.69 percent, respectively, of the
paid-up
capital of the Bank. The restrictions on the purchases of the Bank’s equity shares could negatively, affect the price of the Bank’s shares and could limit the ability of investors to trade the Bank’s shares in the market. These limitations and any consequent regulatory actions may also negatively affect the Bank’s ability to raise additional capital to meet its capital adequacy requirements or to fund future growth through future issuances of additional equity shares, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Foreign Ownership Restriction
”.
Further competition and the development of advanced payment systems by our competitors would adversely impact our cash float and decrease fees we receive in connection with cash management services.
The Indian market for CMS is marked by some distinctive characteristics and challenges such as a vast geography, a large number of small business-intensive towns, a large unorganized sector in various business supply chains and infrastructural limitations for accessibility to many parts of the country. Over the years, such challenges have made it a daunting task for CMS providers in the country to uncover the business potential and extend suitable services and product solutions to the business community.
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We have been able to retain and increase our share of business in cash management services through traditional product offerings as well as by offering new age electronic banking services. However, with new entrants in the payment space such as new payment banks now being granted licenses to conduct business and certain financial technology companies, the competition in the payments landscape is likely to increase. Technological advances and the growth of
e-commerce
have made it possible for nonbanks to offer products and services that traditionally were banking products such as electronic securities trading, payments processing and online automated algorithmic-based investment advice. The introduction of Central Bank Digital Currencies could potentially have significant impacts on the banking system and the role of commercial banks within it by disrupting the current provision of banking products and services. It could allow new competitors, some previously hindered by banking regulation (such as FinTechs), to provide customers with access to banking facilities and increase disintermediation of banking services. New technologies have required and could require us to spend more to modify or adapt its products or make additional capital investments to attract and retain clients and customers or to match products and services offered by its competitors, including technology companies. Any increased competition within the payment space, any introduction of a more advanced payment system in India or an inability for us to sustain our technology investments, may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
Our business is highly competitive, which makes it challenging for us to offer competitive prices to retain existing customers and solicit new business, and our strategy depends on our ability to compete effectively.
We face strong competition in all areas of our business, and some of our competitors are larger than we are. We compete directly with large public and private sector banks, some of which are larger than we are based on certain metrics such as customer assets and deposits, branch network and capital. These banks are becoming more competitive as they improve their customer services and technology. In addition, we compete directly with foreign banks, which include some of the largest multinational financial companies in the world. See “
—We may face increased competition as a result of revised guidelines that relax restrictions on foreign ownership and participation in the Indian banking industry, and the entry of new banks in the private sector which could cause us to lose existing business or be unable to compete effectively for new business
”. In addition, new entrants into the financial services industry, including companies in the financial technology sector, may further intensify competition in the business environments, especially in the digital business environment, in which we operate, and as a result, we may be forced to adapt our business to compete more effectively. There can be no assurance that we will be able to respond effectively to current or future competition or that the technological investments we make in response to such competition will be successful. Due to competitive pressures, we may be unable to successfully execute our growth strategy and offer products and services (whether current or new offerings) at reasonable returns and this may adversely impact our business. If we are unable to retain and attract new customers, our revenue and net income will decline, which could materially adversely affect our financial condition. See “
 Business—Competition
”.
We may face increased competition as a result of revised guidelines that relax restrictions on foreign ownership and participation in the Indian banking industry, and the entry of new banks in the private sector which could cause us to lose existing business or be unable to compete effectively for new business.
The Government of India regulates foreign ownership in private sector banks. Foreign ownership up to 49 percent of the
paid-up
capital is permitted in Indian private sector banks under the automatic route and this limit can be increased up to 74 percent with prior approval of the Government of India. However, under the Banking Regulation Act, read together with the Reserve Bank of India (Ownership in Private Sector Banks) Directions 2016, a shareholder cannot exercise voting rights in excess of 10 percent of the total voting rights of all the shareholders of a financial institution. The RBI may increase the ceiling on voting rights in a phased manner up to 26 percent. The notification dated July 21, 2016 issued by RBI and published in the Gazette of India on September 17, 2016 states that the current ceiling on voting rights is at 26 percent. The RBI has also from time to time issued various circulars and regulations regarding ownership of private banks and licensing of new private sector banks in India. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Entry of new banks in the private sector
”. Reduced restrictions on foreign ownership of Indian banks could lead to a higher presence of foreign banks in India and thus increase competition in the industry in which we operate.
In February 2013, the RBI released guidelines for the licensing of new banks in the private sector. The RBI permitted private sector entities owned and controlled by Indian residents and entities in the public sector in India to apply to the RBI for a license to operate a bank through a wholly owned NOFHC route, subject to compliance with certain specified criteria. Such a NOFHC was permitted to be the holding company of a bank as well as any other financial services entity, with the objective that the holding company ring-fences the regulated financial services entities in the group, including the bank, from other activities of the group. Pursuant to these guidelines, in fiscal year 2016 IDFC Bank and Bandhan Bank commenced banking operations.
In November 2014, the RBI released guidelines for the licensing of payments banks (“Payments Banks Guidelines”) and small finance banks (“Small Finance Banks Guidelines”) in the private sector. This has led to the establishment of new payments banks and small finance banks, which have increased competition in the markets in which we operate. In December 2019, the RBI released guidelines for continuous licensing of small finance banks (the “December 2019 Guidelines”), lowering regulatory burdens for new market entrants, which may further increase competition in this segment of the market. The December 2019 Guidelines stated that a Standing External Advisory Committee (“SEAC”) comprising eminent persons with experience in banking, the financial sector and other relevant areas, will evaluate the applications and that the constituent members of the SEAC will be announced by the RBI. In March 2021, the RBI announced the constituent members of the SEAC, which will have a tenure of three years. The RBI in its circular dated March 28, 2020 issued modifications to Payments Bank Guidelines and the Small Finance Banks Guidelines to harmonize them with the December 2019 Guidelines.
52

In May 2016, the RBI issued the Reserve Bank of India (Ownership in Private Sector Banks) Directions 2016. These guidelines prescribe requirements regarding shareholding and voting rights in relation to all private sector banks licensed by the RBI to operate in India. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Entry of new banks in the private sector
”.
In August 2016, the RBI released final guidelines for
“on-tap”
Licensing of Universal Banks in the Private Sector. The guidelines aim at moving from the current “stop and go” licensing approach (wherein the RBI notifies the licensing window during which a private entity may apply for a banking license) to a continuous or
“on-tap”
licensing regime. Among other things, the new guidelines specify conditions for the eligibility of promoters, corporate structure and foreign shareholdings. One of the key features of the new guidelines is that, unlike the February 2013 guidelines (mentioned above), the new guidelines make the NOFHC structure
non-mandatory
in the case of promoters being individuals or standalone promoting/converting entities which do not have other group entities. In 2021, a few entities had applied for “on tap” licenses pursuant to the above mentioned guidelines. The RBI has assessed the applications and, in May 2022, released the names of the applicants which were found not suitable for being granted
in-principle
approval.
If the goodwill recorded in connection with our acquisitions becomes impaired, we may be required to record impairment charges, which would decrease our net income and total assets.
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, we have accounted for our acquisitions of business using the acquisition method of accounting. We recorded the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the assets and liabilities of the acquired companies as goodwill. U.S. GAAP requires us to test goodwill for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill may be impaired. Goodwill is tested by initially estimating fair value of the reporting unit and then comparing it against the carrying amount including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, we are required to record an impairment loss. The amount of impairment and the remaining amount of goodwill, if any, is determined by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit as of the test date against the carrying value of the assets and liabilities of that reporting unit as of the same date. See Note 2v “
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Business combination
” and Note 2w “
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Goodwill
” in our consolidated financial statements.
Risks Relating to Our Ownership Structure and the Proposed Transaction
The Scheme with HDFC Limited is subject to a number of conditions, some of which are outside of the parties’ control, and, if these conditions are not satisfied, the Scheme may be terminated and the Proposed Transaction may not be completed.
On April 4, 2022, the Bank’s Board of Directors approved a composite scheme of amalgamation (the “Scheme”) for the amalgamation of: (i) HDFC Investments Limited and HDFC Holdings Limited, each a subsidiary of HDFC Limited, with and into HDFC Limited, and (ii) HDFC Limited with and into HDFC Bank, under Sections 230 to 232 of the Companies Act and other applicable laws including the rules and regulations (the “Proposed Transaction”). The Proposed Transaction is subject to the disclosure requirements, rules and practices applicable in India, which differ from those of the United States, in particular from the requirements of the U.S. proxy solicitation and tender offer rules of the Exchange Act.
The Scheme and completion of the Proposed Transaction are subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of requisite approvals from the RBI, the Competition Commission of India, the National Housing Bank, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority, the National Company Law Tribunal (the “Tribunal”), Securities Exchange Board of India, BSE Limited, the National Stock Exchange of India Limited and other applicable statutory and regulatory authorities, and the respective shareholders and creditors, under applicable law, and such other conditions as may be mutually agreed between HDFC Limited and the Bank. The required satisfaction (or, to the extent permitted under applicable law, waiver) of the foregoing conditions could delay the completion of the Proposed Transaction for a significant period of time or prevent it from occurring. Any delay in completing the Proposed Transaction could cause us not to realize some or all of the benefits that we expect the Proposed Transaction to achieve. There can be no assurance that such conditions will be satisfied in a timely manner or at all, or that an effect, event, development or change will not transpire that could delay or prevent these conditions from being satisfied.
If the Proposed Transaction is not completed for any reason, the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs may decline to the extent that the market price of our equity shares and ADSs reflects positive market assumptions that the Proposed Transaction will be completed and the related benefits will be realized. In addition, if the Proposed Transaction is not completed or in the event of any of the said approvals not being obtained or complied with or satisfied or the Scheme not being sanctioned by the Tribunal or orders not being passed as aforesaid before the expiry of 24 months from the last of the dates of approval of the Scheme by the respective Boards of each of the parties to the Scheme (the “Parties”), either we, HDFC Limited, HDFC Investments Limited or HDFC Holdings Limited may terminate this Scheme and upon such termination the Scheme shall stand revoked, cancelled and be of no effect; provided that, in case of
non-satisfaction
of any other conditions precedent, the Parties shall proceed in such manner as may be mutually agreed between them. We or HDFC Limited may also elect to terminate the Scheme in certain other circumstances, and the Parties, acting jointly and not individually, may withdraw the Scheme from the Tribunal at any time before the Scheme has become effective.
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Uncertainty about the Proposed Transaction may adversely affect the relationships of the Parties with their respective investors, customers, business partners and employees, whether or not the Proposed Transaction is completed.
We have incurred, and will continue to incur, significant transaction expenses in connection with the Proposed Transaction, regardless of whether the Proposed Transaction is completed, such as legal, accounting, financial advisory, compliance and integration costs. The risks arising in connection with any failure to complete the Proposed Transaction may have an adverse effect on our business, operations, financial results and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
We may also be subject to additional risks if the Proposed Transaction is not completed, including limitations on our ability to retain and hire key personnel; reputational harm including relationships with investors, customers and business partners due to the adverse perception of any failure to successfully complete the Proposed Transaction; and potential disruption to our business and distraction of our workforce and management team to pursue other opportunities that could be beneficial to us, in each case without realizing any of the benefits of having the Proposed Transaction completed. We could also be subject to litigation related to any failure to complete the Proposed Transaction or any related action that could be brought to enforce a party’s obligations under the Scheme.
In response to the announcement of the Proposed Transaction, existing or prospective customers or persons with whom we have business relationships, may delay or defer certain business decisions or might decide to seek to terminate, change or renegotiate their relationship with us in connection with the Proposed Transaction, which could negatively affect our revenues, earnings and cash available for distribution, as well as the price of our equity shares and ADSs, regardless of whether the Proposed Transaction is completed. Our current and prospective employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles with us following the Proposed Transaction, which may materially adversely affect our ability to attract, retain or motivate key management and other personnel during the pendency of the Proposed Transaction.
The Scheme with HDFC Limited may be more difficult, costly or time-consuming than expected, and implementation may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger and will expose us to incremental regulatory requirements.
The success of the Proposed Transaction will depend, in part, on our ability to realize the anticipated cost savings from combining the businesses under the Scheme. To realize those anticipated benefits and cost savings, HDFC Bank and HDFC Limited must successfully integrate and combine their businesses without adversely affecting current revenues and future growth. If we do not successfully achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Transaction may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected. In addition, the actual cost savings of the Proposed Transaction could be less than anticipated, and integration may result in additional and unforeseen expenses.
An inability to realize the full extent of the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Transaction, as well as any delays encountered in the integration process, could have an adverse effect upon our revenues, earnings, levels of expenses and results of operations following the completion of the Proposed Transaction, which may negatively affect the price of our equity shares and ADSs. Integrating entities of such size and complexity will require substantial resources including time, expense and effort from the management. If management’s attention is diverted or there are any difficulties associated with integrating such businesses, our results of operations could be adversely affected during this transition period and for an undetermined period after completion of the Proposed Transaction.
Further, once the Scheme is effective, HDFC Banks’s net interest income, profitability and return on equity may all be lower, at least in the short term, than in past periods due to the merging of HDFC Limited’s higher capital cost, liabilities and large capital base.
Additionally, HDFC Bank is subject to various regulatory requirements, including capital and liquidity requirements prescribed by the RBI. Upon the Scheme becoming effective, HDFC Bank as a combined entity may have heightened requirements to meet in this regard, including meeting the incremental Statutory Liquidity Ratio (“SLR”), Cash Reserve Ratio (“CRR”) and Priority Sector Lending (“PSL”) requirements. While we have requested the RBI for certain relaxations in this regard, including in relation to SLR, CRR and PSL requirements, it cannot be assured that those will be granted and if not granted then it cannot be assured that we will be able to meet the aforesaid requirements including the capital and liquidity requirements immediately once the Scheme becomes effective.
HDFC Limited holds a significant percentage of our share capital and can exercise influence over board decisions that could directly or indirectly favor the interests of HDFC Limited over our interests.
HDFC Group owned 21.0 percent of our equity as of March 31, 2022. As per our Articles, so long as HDFC Limited, its subsidiary or any other company promoted by HDFC Limited, either singly or in the aggregate, holds not less than 20 percent of the
paid-up
equity share capital in the Bank, the Board of Directors of the Bank shall with the approval of the shareholders, appoint the
non-retiring
directors from persons nominated by HDFC Limited. HDFC Limited shall be entitled to nominate the part-time Chairman and the Managing Director or the full-time Chairman, as the case may be, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of the Bank and the shareholders.
54

Renu Karnad, the Managing Director of HDFC Limited, is a
Non-Executive
Director of the Bank and was nominated by HDFC Limited. While we are professionally managed and overseen by an independent board of directors, HDFC Limited can exercise influence over our board and over matters subject to a shareholder vote, which could result in decisions that favor HDFC Limited or result in us foregoing opportunities to the benefit of HDFC Limited. Such decisions may restrict our growth or harm our financial condition.
On July 15, 2014, the RBI issued guidelines in relation to the issuance of long term bonds with a view to encouraging financing of infrastructure and affordable housing. Regulatory incentives in the form of an exemption from the reserve requirements and a relaxation in PSL norms are stipulated as being restricted to bonds that are used to incrementally finance long term infrastructure projects and loans for affordable housing. Any incremental infrastructure or affordable housing loans acquired from other financial institutions, such as those that could be involved in a business combination with HDFC Limited like the Proposed Transaction, to be reckoned for regulatory incentives will require the prior approval of the RBI. We cannot predict the impact any potential business combination, including the Proposed Transaction, would have on our business, financial condition, growth prospects or the prices of our equity shares. See also “
—The Scheme with HDFC Limited is subject to a number of conditions, some of which are outside of the parties’ control, and, if these conditions are not satisfied, the Scheme may be terminated and the Proposed Transaction may not be completed
”.
We may face conflicts of interest relating to our promoter and principal shareholder, HDFC Limited, which could cause us to forgo business opportunities and consequently have an adverse effect on our financial performance.
HDFC Limited is primarily engaged in financial services, including home loans, property-related lending and deposit products. The subsidiaries and associated companies of HDFC Limited are also largely engaged in a range of financial services, including asset management, life and other insurance and mutual funds. Although we have no agreements with HDFC Limited or any other HDFC Group companies that restrict us from offering products and services that are offered by them, our relationship with these companies may cause us not to offer products and services that are already offered by other HDFC Group companies and may effectively prevent us from taking advantage of business opportunities. See Note 27 “
Related Party Transactions
” in our consolidated financial statements for a summary of transactions we have engaged in with HDFC Limited during fiscal year 2022. We currently distribute products of HDFC Limited and its group companies. If we stop distributing these products or forgo other opportunities because of our relationship with HDFC Limited, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance. See also “
—The Scheme with HDFC Limited is subject to a number of conditions, some of which are outside of the parties
control, and, if these conditions are not satisfied, the Scheme may be terminated and the Proposed Transaction may not be completed
”.
HDFC Limited may prevent us from using the HDFC Bank brand if they reduce their shareholding in us to below 5 percent.
As part of a shareholder agreement executed when HDFC Bank was formed, HDFC Limited has the right to prevent us from using “HDFC” as part of our name or brand if HDFC Limited reduces its shareholding in HDFC Bank to an amount below five percent of our outstanding share capital. If HDFC Limited were to exercise this right, we would be required to change our name and brand, which could require us to expend significant resources to establish new branding and name recognition in the market as well as undertake efforts to rebrand our banking outlets and our digital presence. This could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance. See also “
—The Scheme with HDFC Limited is subject to a number of conditions, some of which are outside of the parties
control, and, if these conditions are not satisfied, the Scheme may be terminated and the Proposed Transaction may not be completed
”.
Legal and Regulatory Risks
We have previously been subject to penalties imposed by the RBI. Any regulatory investigations, fines, sanctions and requirements relating to conduct of business and financial crime could negatively affect our business and financial results, or cause serious reputational harm.
The RBI is empowered under the Banking Regulation Act to impose penalties on banks and their employees in order to enforce applicable regulatory requirements. During 2019, we received two separate fines for
non-compliance
with certain RBI directives. In its order dated February 4, 2019, the RBI imposed a monetary penalty of Rs. 2.0 million on us for failing to comply with the RBI’s KYC and AML standards, as set out in their circulars dated November 29, 2004 and May 22, 2008. In its order dated June 13, 2019, the RBI imposed a monetary penalty of Rs. 10 million on us for failing to comply with the KYC, AML and fraud reporting standards, following an investigation into bills of entry submitted by certain importers. The penalties were imposed under Section 47A(1)(c) and Section 46(4)(i) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. We have since implemented corrective action to strengthen our internal control mechanisms so as to ensure that such incidents do not repeat themselves. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Penalties
”. In 2020, the Bank received one fine for
non-compliance
with RBI regulations. In its order dated January 29, 2020, the RBI imposed a monetary penalty in the amount of Rs. 10 million on the Bank for failure to undertake ongoing due diligence with respect to 39 current accounts which had been opened by customers of the Bank to participate in an initial public offering, but where the transactions effected were disproportionate to the declared income and profile of the customers. This penalty was imposed by the RBI using the powers conferred under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Section 46(4)(i) of the Banking Regulation Act 1949. The Bank has since strengthened its internal control mechanisms so as to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.
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The RBI, through its letter dated December 4, 2020, imposed a monetary penalty of Rs. 0.1 million on the Bank for the failure to settle transactions in Government securities in the Subsidiary General Ledger which led to a shortage in the balance of certain securities in the Bank’s Constituent Subsidiary General Ledger account on November 19, 2020. The Bank has since enhanced its review mechanism to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
SEBI, through its order dated January 21, 2021, levied a penalty of Rs. 10.0 million on the Bank for alleged noncompliance with a SEBI interim order dated October 7, 2019 issued against BRH Wealth Kreators Ltd. (“BRH”). The penalty was levied for the sale of securities pledged by BRH Wealth Kreators Ltd to the Bank, to recover amounts outstanding under recalled credit facilities the Bank had extended to BRH. The Bank filed an appeal against the SEBI order in the Securities Appellate Tribunal (“SAT”) on February 8, 2021. The SAT through its interim order dated February 19, 2021, stayed the operation of the SEBI order dated January 21, 2021 and, through its final order dated February 18, 2022, allowed the Bank’s appeal and quashed SEBI’s order.
On May 27, 2021, the RBI levied a penalty of Rs. 100 million against the Bank for the marketing and sale of third-party
non-financial
products to the Bank’s auto loan customers, after concluding that this was in contravention of Section 6(2) and Section 8 of the Banking Regulation Act 1949. The penalty, which was imposed by the RBI using the powers conferred under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Section 46(4)(i) of the Banking Regulation Act 1949, has been paid by us. In May 2020, following an internal inquiry arising from a whistle-blower complaint, we had determined that certain employees received unauthorized commissions from a third-party vendor of GPS products, with whom we had an agreement to offer GPS devices to our auto loan customers. The personal misconduct of these employees was in violation of our code of conduct and governance standards. We have taken disciplinary action against the employees involved, including separation of services of certain employees, discontinued sale of such third-party
non-financial
products, and taken certain other remedial actions.
We cannot predict the initiation or outcome of any further investigations by other authorities or different investigations by the RBI. The penalties imposed by the RBI have generated adverse publicity for our business. Such adverse publicity, or any future scrutiny, investigation, inspection or audit which could result in fines, public reprimands, damage to our reputation, significant time and attention from our management, costs for investigations and remediation of affected customers, may materially adversely affect our business and financial results.
Transactions with counterparties in countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism by the United States Department of State, the Government of India or other countries, or with persons targeted by United States, Indian, EU or other economic sanctions may cause potential customers and investors to avoid doing business with us or investing in our securities, harm our reputation or result in regulatory action which could materially and adversely affect our business.
We engage in business with customers and counterparties from diverse backgrounds. In light of United States, Indian, EU and other sanctions, it cannot be ruled out that some of our customers or counterparties may become the subject of sanctions. Such sanctions may result in our inability to gain or retain such customers or counterparties or receive payments from them. In addition, the association with such individuals or countries may damage our reputation or result in significant fines. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial results and the prices of our securities. These laws, regulations and sanctions or similar legislative or regulatory developments may further limit our business operations.
In June 2021 one of our individual customers was designated by the United States as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (“SDGT”) under Executive Order 13224. We provided several banking, credit and brokerage products and services to this customer, which had been initiated prior to the customer’s designation. With respect to this customer, during the period covered by this report, we blocked five accounts, a credit card, a brokerage account and an investment services account, and terminated two outstanding loans and access to a safe deposit box. We intend to continue blocking this customer’s accounts while he remains designated as an SDGT. Revenue and net income generated in connection with the above-described products and services in the year ended March 31, 2022 were negligible relative to our overall revenue and net income.
Notwithstanding the above case, if we were determined to have engaged in activities targeted by certain United States, Indian, EU or other statutes, regulations or executive orders, we could lose our ability to open or maintain correspondent or payable-through accounts with United States financial institutions, among other potential sanctions. In addition, depending on socio-political developments, even though we take measures designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, our reputation may suffer due to our association with certain restricted targets. The above circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial results and the prices of our securities.
Material changes in Indian banking regulations may adversely affect our business and our future financial performance.
We operate in a highly regulated environment in which the RBI extensively supervises and regulates all banks. Our business could be directly affected by any changes in policies for banks in respect of directed lending, reserve requirements and other areas. For example, the RBI could change its methods of enforcing directed lending standards so as to require more lending to certain sectors, which could require us to change certain aspects of our business. In addition, we could be subject to other changes in laws and regulations, such as those affecting the extent to which we can engage in specific business, those that reduce our income through a cap on either fees or interest rates chargeable to our customers, or those affecting foreign investment in the banking industry, as well as changes in other government policies and enforcement decisions, income tax laws, foreign investment laws and accounting principles. Laws and regulations governing the banking sector may change in the future and any changes may adversely affect our business, our future financial performance and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
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Our business and financial results could be impacted materially by adverse results in legal proceedings.
Legal proceedings, including lawsuits, investigations by regulatory authorities and other inspections or audits, could result in judgments, fines, public reprimands, damage to our reputation, significant time and attention from our management, costs for investigations and remediation of affected customers, or other adverse effects on our business and financial results. For example, on September 3, 2020, a securities class action lawsuit was filed against the Bank and certain of its current and former officers in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (the “Court”). The complaint was amended on February 8, 2021. The amended complaint alleges that the Bank, its former Managing Director, Mr. Aditya Puri, and the present Managing Director & CEO, Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan, made materially false and misleading statements regarding certain aspects of the Bank’s business and compliance policies, which resulted in the Bank’s ADSs’ price declining on July 13, 2020 thereby allegedly causing damage to the Bank’s investors. On April 9, 2021, the Bank, Mr. Puri, and Mr. Jagdishan served their motion to dismiss the amended complaint, and on July 23, 2021, they served their reply brief in support of the motion and filed all of the motion papers. The Bank’s motion to dismiss remains pending before the Court. The Bank believes that the asserted claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against the allegations.
The Bank establishes reserves for legal claims when payments associated with claims become probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. The Bank may still incur legal costs for a matter even if it has not established a reserve. In addition, the actual cost of resolving a legal claim may be substantially higher than any amounts reserved for that matter. The ultimate resolution of any pending or future legal proceeding, depending on the remedy sought and granted, could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
We may breach third-party intellectual property rights.
We may be subject to claims by third parties both inside and outside India, if we breach their intellectual property rights by using slogans, names, designs, software or other such rights, which are of a similar nature to the intellectual property these third parties may have registered. Any legal proceedings which result in a finding that we have breached third parties’ intellectual property rights, or any settlements concerning such claims, may require us to provide financial compensation to such third parties or make changes to our marketing strategies or to the brand names of our products, which may have a materially adverse effect on our business prospects, reputation, results of operations and financial condition.
Technology Risks
We face cyber threats, such as hacking, phishing and trojans, attempting to exploit our network to disrupt services to customers and/or theft or leaking of sensitive internal Bank data or customer information. This may cause damage to our reputation and adversely impact our business and financial results.
We offer internet banking services to our customers. Our internet banking channel includes multiple services such as electronic funds transfer, bill payment services, usage of credit cards online, requesting account statements and requesting cheque books. We, our employees, customers, regulators and third parties (including providers of products and services) are therefore exposed to various cyber threats related to these services or to other sensitive Bank information, with such threats including: (a) phishing and trojans targeting our customers, whereby fraudsters send unsolicited emails to our customers seeking account-sensitive information or infecting customer computers in an attempt to search and export account-sensitive information; (b) hacking, whereby attackers seek to hack into our website with the primary intention of causing reputational damage to us by disrupting services; (c) data theft, whereby cyber criminals attempt to intrude into our network with the intention of stealing our data or information or to extort money; and (d) leaking, whereby sensitive internal Bank data or customer information is inappropriately disclosed by parties entitled to access it. The financial services industry, including the Bank, is particularly at risk because of the use of and reliance on digital banking and other digital services, including mobile banking products, such as mobile payments and other
web-
and cloud-based products and applications and the development of additional remote connectivity solutions, which increase cybersecurity risks and exposure. Attempted cyber threats fluctuate in frequency but are generally increasing in frequency, and while certain of the foregoing events have occurred in the past, we cannot guarantee they will not reoccur in the future. We help protect our customers and organization by investing in our cybersecurity capabilities, helping us to execute our business priorities and grow safely. While we focus on controls to prevent, detect and mitigate the impacts of persistent and increasingly advanced cyber threats, we will likely be required to expend additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any vulnerability to cyber incidents as the sophistication of cyber-incidents continues to evolve. In addition, cyber incidents may remain undetected for an extended period.
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Remote access tools were required to ensure continuity of services during the extended period of the
COVID-19
pandemic. We have assessed our work-from-home setup to ensure that the risks emanating from remote access were addressed and the security posture was not diluted. The work-from-home setup was integrated with our Cyber Security Operations Centre (“SOC”) to monitor IP geolocation and brute force attacks. Despite several measures implemented to control risks resulting from remote access, any failure, cyberattack or other information or security breach that significantly degrades, deletes or compromises our systems or data could adversely impact third parties, counterparties and the critical infrastructure of the financial services industry. There is also the risk of our customers incorrectly blaming us and terminating their accounts with us for a cyber-incident which might have occurred on their own system or with that of an unrelated third party. Any cybersecurity breach could also subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny and expose us to civil litigation and related financial liability.
A failure, inadequacy or security breach in our information technology and telecommunication systems may adversely affect our business, results of operation or financial condition.
Our ability to operate and remain competitive depends in part on our ability to maintain and upgrade our information technology systems and infrastructure on a timely and cost-effective basis, including our ability to process a large number of transactions on a daily basis. Our operations also rely on the secure processing, storage and transmission of confidential and other information in our computer systems and networks. Our financial, accounting or other data processing systems and management information systems or our corporate website may fail to operate adequately or become disabled as a result of events that may be beyond our control or may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses or other attacks. See “
—We face cyber threats, such as hacking, phishing and trojans, attempting to exploit our network to disrupt services to customers and/or theft of sensitive internal Bank data or customer information. This may cause damage to our reputation and adversely impact our business and financial results
”.
Over the past two years, we have experienced outages in our internet banking, mobile banking and payment utilities, including an outage in our internet banking and payment system in November 2020 due to a power failure in the primary data center. In response to these outages, the RBI issued an order on December 2, 2020, (the “December 2020 Order”), advising us to temporarily stop (a) all launches of the digital business-generating activities under our planned Digital 2.0 program and other proposed business-generating IT applications and (b) the sourcing of new credit card customers. In addition, the RBI appointed a third-party auditor to conduct an audit of the Bank’s systems. After completion of that audit, our progress against regulatory commitments has resulted in the partial lifting of the restrictions imposed by the December 2020 Order in August 2021, followed by the full removal of the embargo on the Digital 2.0 program in March 2022.
Furthermore, the information available to, and received by, our management through its existing systems may not be timely and sufficient to manage risks or to plan for and respond to changes in market conditions and other developments in our operations. If any of these systems are disabled or if there are other shortcomings or failures in our internal processes or systems, including further outages in our digital business in the future, it may disrupt our business or impact our operational efficiencies, and render us liable to regulatory intervention or damage to its reputation. The occurrence of any such events may adversely affect our business, results of operation and financial condition.
Risks Relating to India
Any adverse change in India’s credit rating, or the credit rating of any country in which our foreign banking outlets are located, by an international rating agency could adversely affect our business and profitability.
While the Bank is rated
BBB-by
Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”), Moody’s downgraded the Bank’s rating to Baa3 from Baa2, in line with the downgrade in India’s sovereign rating in fiscal year 2021. International rating agencies have pegged the ratings of all Indian banks at the sovereign rating (that is,
BBB-by
S&P and Baa3 by Moody’s). However, domestically the Bank is rated AAA by CRISIL, CARE and India Ratings (the Indian arm of Fitch Ratings), which are the highest credit ratings assigned on the domestic scale.
A significant deterioration in the Bank’s existing financial strength and business position may also pose a rating downgrade risk. The Bank’s rating may also be revised when the rating agencies undertake changes to their rating methodologies. For instance, in April 2015, Moody’s revised its Bank rating methodology and the assessment of government support to banks, following which the ratings of several banks globally, including Indian banks, were revised. Following this methodology change, the Bank’s rating was revised to Baa3 from Baa2 so as to cap it at the Indian sovereign rating at that time.
In addition, the rating of our foreign banking outlets may be impacted by the sovereign rating of the country in which those banking outlets are located, particularly if the sovereign rating is below India’s rating. Pursuant to applicable ratings criteria published by S&P, the rating of any bond issued in a jurisdiction is capped by the host country rating. Accordingly, any revision to the sovereign rating of the countries in which our banking outlets are located to below India’s rating could impact the rating of our foreign banking outlets and any securities issued from those banking outlets. For example, in fiscal year 2016, declining oil prices caused the credit ratings of many oil exporting countries to be downgraded and we had outstanding bonds issued from a branch in such a country which were negatively affected by such downgrade.
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Going forward, the risk of a sovereign rating downgrade remains low at present, but it is likely that the sovereign ratings outlook may be revised down, given the slowdown in economic growth and high government debt. No assurance can be given that a further sovereign rating downgrade will not occur. However, any further downgrade in India’s credit rating, or the credit rating of any country in which our foreign banking outlets are located by international rating agencies may adversely impact our business financial position and liquidity, limit our access to capital markets, and increase our cost of borrowing.
If there is any change in tax laws or regulations, or their interpretation, such changes may significantly affect our financial statements for the current and future years, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial position, business and results of operations.
Any change in Indian tax laws, including the upward revision to the currently applicable normal corporate tax rate of 25 percent along with applicable surcharge and cess, could affect our tax burden. Other benefits such as an exemption for interest received in respect of
tax-free
bonds and a lower tax rate on long term capital gains on equity shares, if withdrawn in the future, may no longer be available to us. Any adverse order passed by the appellate authorities, tribunals or courts would have an impact on our profitability.
As of July 1, 2017, GST replaced most indirect taxes levied by the central government and state governments, providing a unified tax regime in respect of goods and services for all of India.
There continue to be several challenges to the successful implementation of GST, making compliance with the tax difficult. These include variations in the tax rate, legal challenges, complex return filings, certain reconciliation issues, input tax credit issues, and IT infrastructure issues. The GST law continues to evolve and the authorities have been trying to address public concerns by issuing a series of notifications, clarifications, press releases and FAQs to resolve a wide range of issues. We expect challenges to certain aspects of the GST law to continue until the remaining issues, particularly those related to technical aspects of the law, are settled. Any such changes and the related uncertainties with respect to GST may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The General Anti-Avoidance Rules (“GAAR”) have come into effect from April 1, 2017. The tax consequences of the GAAR provisions being applied to an arrangement could result in denial of tax benefits, amongst other consequences. In the absence of any precedents on the subject, the application of these provisions is uncertain. If the GAAR provisions are made applicable to us, it may have an adverse tax impact on the Bank.
The Finance Act 2018 has withdrawn exemption previously granted in respect of payment of long term capital gains tax and such tax became payable by the investors from April 1, 2018. We cannot predict whether any tax laws or regulations impacting our products will be enacted, what the nature and impact of the specific terms of any such laws or regulations will be or whether, if at all, any laws or regulations would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Bank cannot predict whether any tax laws or regulations impacting its products will be enacted, what the nature and impact of the specific terms of any such laws or regulations will be or whether, if at all, any laws or regulations would have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.
Any volatility in the exchange rate may lead to a decline in India’s foreign exchange reserves and may affect liquidity and interest rates in the Indian economy, which could adversely impact us.
Capital flows increased substantially in recent years, reflecting a reassessment of investor expectations about future domestic growth prospects following the election of a
pro-reform
government in India in 2019. The rise in oil prices over the last few years has led to an increased current account deficit, which as a percentage of GDP was 2.1 percent in fiscal year 2019. The current account deficit narrowed to 0.9 percent in fiscal year 2020 as a result of an upturn in remittances and an improvement in the trade balance. In fiscal year 2021, due to the
COVID-19
pandemic’s impact on demand, imports declined by 16.6 percent compared to the prior year. However, due to an improvement in the balance for trade in goods and services later in the year, India recorded a rare current account surplus of 0.9 percent of GDP. For fiscal year 2022, India’s current account deficit stood at 1.2 percent of GDP and, for fiscal year 2023, we estimate India’s current account deficit to rise to 3.0 percent of GDP, mainly driven by a higher import bill, reflecting high crude oil prices and a slowdown in export growth due to weak global demand.
In fiscal year 2019, the rupee depreciated by 6.3 percent against the U.S. dollar as a result of rising oil prices, a slowdown in global trade volumes and a general risk aversion towards emerging market currencies (as a result of tariffs and trade war risks). The rupee further depreciated by 8.0 percent in fiscal year 2020, mainly due to investor risk aversion amid weak global demand, weak domestic growth and foreign investment outflows. In fiscal year 2020, the rupee ranged between a high of Rs. 76.37 per US$ 1.00 and a low of Rs. 68.40 per US$ 1.00. The rupee appreciated by 2.8 percent in fiscal year 2021, supported by a weakened U.S. dollar and robust foreign capital inflows. In fiscal year 2021, the rupee traded in the range of
75.08-73.14 per
US$ 1.00. With foreign capital outflows and
geo-political
risks, the rupee depreciated by 3.8 percent against the U.S. dollar in fiscal year 2022.
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Going forward, elevated commodity prices, a stronger U.S. dollar and persistent foreign investment outflows are likely to keep the US dollar to rupee exchange rate under pressure. However, in the medium term the dollar rally is expected to pause and commodity prices are expected to come off from their recent highs, providing some respite for the rupee. US$ 1.00 is expected to settle between Rs. 79 and Rs.80 by the end of fiscal year 2023.
Moving ahead, global risk aversion, in particular in the event the
COVID-19
pandemic further escalates, could mean a shift of global fund flows from emerging markets to developed markets over the medium term. Additionally, removal of global liquidity, monetary tightening in developed countries and any escalation in
geo-political
tensions could make emerging market assets less attractive. Nevertheless, it remains a possibility that the RBI will intervene in the foreign exchange markets to remove excess volatility in the exchange rate in the event of potential shocks, such as a rise in protectionist tendencies creating panic in emerging market economies or excess financial market volatility in the event of another wave. Any such intervention by the RBI may result in a decline in India’s foreign exchange reserves and, subsequently, reduce the amount of liquidity in the domestic financial system, which could, in turn, cause domestic interest rates to rise.
Further, any increased volatility in capital flows may also affect monetary policy decision-making. For instance, a period of net capital outflows might force the RBI to keep monetary policy tighter than optimal to guard against currency depreciation.
Political instability or changes in the Government could delay the liberalization of the Indian economy and adversely affect economic conditions in India generally, which would impact the Bank’s financial results and prospects.
Since 1991, successive Indian governments have pursued policies of economic liberalization, including significantly relaxing restrictions on the private sector. Nevertheless, the roles of the Indian central and state governments as producers, consumers and regulators remain significant factors in the Indian economy. The election of a
pro-business
majority government in May 2019 marked a distinct increase in expectations for policy and economic reforms among certain sectors of the Indian economy. There can be no assurance that the Government’s reforms will work as intended or that any such reforms would continue or succeed if there were a change in the current majority leadership in the Government or if a different government were elected in the future. Any future government may reverse some or all of the policy changes introduced by the current Government and may introduce reforms or policies that adversely affect the Bank. The speed of economic liberalization is subject to change and specific laws and policies affecting banking and finance companies, foreign investment, currency exchange and other matters affecting investment in the Bank’s securities continue to evolve. Other major reforms that have been implemented are a goods and services tax and the demonetization of certain banknotes. Any significant change in India’s economic liberalization plans, deregulation policies or other major economic reforms could adversely affect business and economic conditions in India generally and therefore adversely affect the Bank’s business, results of operation and financial condition.
Terrorist attacks, civil unrest and other acts of violence or war involving India and other countries would negatively affect the Indian market where our shares trade and lead to a loss of confidence and impair travel, which could reduce our customers’ appetite for our products and services.
Terrorist attacks, such as those in Mumbai in November 2008 and in Pulwana in February 2019, and other acts of violence or war may negatively affect the Indian markets on which our equity shares trade and also adversely affect the worldwide financial markets. These acts may also result in a loss of business confidence, make travel and other services more difficult and, as a result, ultimately adversely affect our business. In addition, any deterioration in relations between India and Pakistan or between India and China might result in investor concern about stability in the region, which could adversely affect the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
India has also witnessed civil disturbances in recent years and future civil unrest as well as other adverse social, economic and political events in India could have an adverse impact on us. Such incidents also create a greater perception that investment in Indian companies involves a higher degree of risk, which could have an adverse impact on our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
Natural calamities, including those exacerbated by climate change, and public health epidemics could adversely affect the Indian economy or the economies of other countries where we operate which, in turn, could negatively impact our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
India has experienced natural calamities such as earthquakes, floods and droughts in the past few years. The extent and severity of these natural disasters determine the size and duration of their impact on the Indian economy. In particular, the agricultural sector, which constituted approximately 19 percent of India’s GDP in fiscal year 2022 (in current price terms), is particularly sensitive to certain climatic and weather conditions, such as the level and timing of monsoon rainfall. Prolonged spells of below or above normal rainfall or other natural calamities, including those believed to be exacerbated by global or regional climate change, could adversely affect the Indian economy and, in turn, negatively impact our business, especially our rural portfolio. Similarly, global or regional climate change in India and other countries where we operate could result in change in weather patterns and frequency of severe weather like droughts, floods and cyclones, which could affect the local economy in the countries where we operate and negatively impact our operations in those countries.
Public health epidemics could also disrupt our business. In fiscal year 2010, there were outbreaks of swine flu, caused by the H1N1 virus, in certain regions of the world, including India and several countries in which we operate. After having adversely affected business prospects in fiscal year 2021, restrictions related to the second
COVID-19
wave and emergence of the omicron variant posed challenges to business operations, such as weekend restrictions, travel restrictions and social distancing. Although most such restrictions have been eased, in the event of another wave of infections, economic growth may slow down more than expected. This could in turn adversely affect our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
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The COVID-19 pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation.
Public health crises such as the
COVID-19
pandemic or similar outbreaks have, and may continue to, adversely impact our business. On March 11, 2020, the
COVID-19
outbreak was declared a pandemic by the WHO and led to the implementation of various responses, including government-imposed quarantines, travel restrictions,
“stay-at-home”
orders and similar mandates for many individuals to substantially restrict daily activities and for many businesses to curtail or cease normal operations.
India, our main place of business, is in the group of countries most affected by the
COVID-19
pandemic. In 2021, India experienced a “second wave” of
COVID-19,
including a significant surge of
COVID-19
cases following the discovery of a “double mutant” coronavirus variant in the country. The delta variant was significantly more virulent than other coronavirus variants, resulting in a significant increase in
COVID-19
cases and related deaths. By December 2021, the then new omicron variant started spreading in India. With improved vaccination rates, however, its impact was less severe than of previous waves. Moving forward, there continues to be significant uncertainty relating to the further progression of other waves.
Due to the
COVID-19
pandemic, all major central banks, including the United States Federal Reserve, implemented bond purchase programs and decreased interest rates in 2020. However, as a result of the availability of vaccines, improving economic conditions and a sharp rise in inflation many central banks have started raising rates. Additionally, while many central banks have already slowed/ended bond purchases, the United States Federal Reserve has started reducing its balance sheet from June 2022.
In India, taking into account inflationary pressure, the RBI hiked the policy repo rate in May 2022 and June 2022. See also “
—Financial and political instability in other countries may cause increased volatility in the Indian financial market
”.
To reduce the impact of the pandemic on Indian borrowers, on March 27, 2020, the RBI announced
COVID-19-related
regulations, which included permission for financial institutions to extend a three-month moratorium on term loan repayments due between March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020. This was later renewed for a second period from June 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020. In May 2021 and June 2021, as a result of the resurgence of the
COVID-19
pandemic in India, the RBI issued an additional set of measures, permitting lending institutions to offer a limited window to individual borrowers and small businesses to implement resolution plans in respect of their credit exposures while classifying the same as “Standard”, and therefore not in default, subject to certain specified conditions. With respect to individuals who have availed themselves of business loans and small businesses where resolution plans were implemented in accordance with the terms of the circular dated August 2020 described above, lending institutions are permitted, as a
one-time
measure and until September 30, 2021, to review the working capital sanctioned limits and/or drawing power based on a reassessment of the working capital cycle and reduction of margins, without being classified as a restructuring. In August 2020 and May 2021, the RBI also issued guidelines for the restructuring of existing loans to micro, small and medium enterprises classified as “Standard”, without resulting in a downgrade in the asset classification, subject to certain conditions. These guidelines were further amended in June 2021 to increase the limits from Rs. 250 million to Rs. 500 million. During fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2021, the Bank implemented the loan-restructuring packages announced by RBI on account of the
COVID-19
situation which grant temporary extensions in repayment obligations to the borrowers without any interest or financial concessions. The total balance outstanding of such restructured loans as of March 31, 2022 was Rs. 239.8 billion. Interest on the term loans continues to accrue during the moratorium and the resulting increase in the interest burden may adversely affect our customers’ ability to repay their loans, which could adversely affect our profitability. Similarly, the RBI permitted financial institutions to grant deferments with respect to interest payments on working capital facilities between March 31, 2020 and August 31, 2020. At the financial institutions’ discretion, the interest accumulated during the deferment period may be converted to a funded interest term loan (“FITL”). Furthermore, the RBI also announced that with respect to
non-performing
loans, for which a lender’s
180-day
resolution period had not expired by March 1, 2020, an additional
180-day
resolution period would begin from the date on which the original resolution period was set to expire. There can be no assurance that customers who are granted a moratorium will be able to resume their regular repayment schedule following the end of the moratorium. In accordance with RBI guidelines, we have also waived certain fees for customers. In addition, in response to the pandemic, the RBI also reduced the repo rate by 40 basis points to 4.0 percent in May 2020, which has been increased to 4.90 percent in June 2022. See also “
Our business is particularly vulnerable to interest rate risk, and volatility in interest rates could adversely affect our net interest margin, the value of our fixed income portfolio, our treasury income and our financial performance
”. In its circulars dated April 17, 2020 and December 4, 2020, the RBI notified banks that they should continue to conserve capital to support the economy and absorb any potential losses and, accordingly, directed banks to not make any further dividend payouts from the profits pertaining to fiscal year ended March 31, 2020. On April 22, 2021, the RBI permitted commercial banks to again pay dividends relating to the profits for fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, subject to the quantum of the dividend not exceeding fifty percent of the amount determined in accordance with the dividend payout ratio prescribed by the RBI. The RBI has also directed all banks to ensure they continue to meet the applicable minimum regulatory capital requirements following any dividend payments. When declaring the dividend, the board of directors of the bank is required to consider the current and projected capital position of the bank compared to the applicable capital requirements and the adequacy of provisions, taking into account the economic environment and the outlook for profitability.
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The impact of
COVID-19,
including changes in customer behavior and pandemic fears and restrictions on business and individual activities, has led to significant volatility in global and Indian financial markets and a significant decrease in global and local economic activity. While there has been a gradual recovery in economic activity, it was slow due to another of wave of
COVID-19
infections and disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine war. In fiscal year 2022, real GDP was just 1.5 percent above
pre-pandemic
levels (fiscal year 2020). This has led to a decrease in loan originations, sale of third-party products, use of credit and debit cards by customers, and the efficiency of our debt collection efforts and the waiver of certain fees. The slowdown in economic activity and rising input cost have also significantly affected the business of many of our customers and could result in financial distress for our customer base. Moreover, the continued volatility in global and Indian financial and capital markets could adversely affect our corporate customers’ ability to access debt markets, their cost of funds and other terms of any new debt, which, alongside the economic slowdown, may lead to a rise in the number of customer defaults and consequently an increase in provisions for credit losses. See also “—
We have high concentrations of exposures to certain customers and sectors and if any of these exposures were to become
non-performing,
the quality of our portfolio could be adversely affected and our ability to meet capital requirements could be jeopardized
”.
Similarly, such market volatility, or a downgrade in our credit rating, may negatively affect our ability to access capital. We have implemented remote working arrangements for the majority of our employees, which may result in decreased employee productivity and efficiency and exacerbate certain
IT-related
risks, including an increased risk of cybersecurity attacks and the unauthorized dissemination of confidential information about us or our customers.
COVID-19
may also lead to significant increases in employee absenteeism, including due to illness, quarantines and other restrictions related to the pandemic. Even where such restrictions are eased, we may still elect to continue our remote working arrangements, for example in the event of an outbreak of
COVID-19
among our employees, as a preventive measure to contain the spread of the virus and protect the health of our workforce, or as a strategic measure.
The extent to which the
COVID-19
pandemic will continue to impact our business, financial condition and results of operation, as well as our regulatory capital and liquidity ratios, will depend on future developments, including the emergence of new mutants of
COVID-19.
Subsequent outbreaks that necessitate lockdown measures could prolong the economic impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic. Even if the number of new
COVID-19
cases were to significantly decrease, the negative effects on Indian and global economic conditions may persist into the future. In addition, disruptions related to the Russia-Ukraine crisis pose a major threat to the global growth outlook. Elevated commodity prices and monetary tightening by major central banks could hurt global demand, which could also adversely affect exports in India. The level of economic activity may slow further in the short term, due to changes in social norms, changes in customer and corporate client behavior and the macroeconomic business environment. India, where a substantial portion of our operations is located, continues to be subject to regulatory, social and political uncertainties.
Investors may have difficulty enforcing foreign judgments in India against the Bank or its management.
The Bank is a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of India. Substantially all of the Bank’s directors and executive officers and some of the experts named herein are residents of India and a substantial portion of the assets of the Bank and such persons are located in India. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process on the Bank or such persons in jurisdictions outside of India, or to enforce against them judgments obtained in courts outside of India predicated upon civil liabilities of the Bank or such directors and executive officers under laws other than Indian Law.
In addition, India is not a party to any multilateral international treaty in relation to the recognition or enforcement of foreign judgments
.
Recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments is provided for under Section 13 and Section 44A of the Indian Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (the “Civil Procedure Code”). Section 44A of the Civil Procedure Code provides that where a foreign judgment has been rendered by a superior court in any country or territory outside India that the Government has, by notification, declared to be a reciprocating territory, that judgment may be enforced in India by proceedings in execution as if it had been rendered by the relevant court in India. However, Section 44A of the Civil Procedure Code is applicable only to monetary decrees other than those in the nature of any amounts payable in respect of taxes or other charges of a like nature or in respect of a fine or other penalty and is not applicable to arbitration awards, even if such awards are enforceable as a decree or judgment. Furthermore, the execution of a foreign decree under Section 44A of the Civil Procedure Code is also subject to the exception under Section 13 of the Civil Procedure Code, as discussed below.
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The United States has not been declared by the government to be a reciprocating territory for the purposes of Section 44A of the Civil Procedure Code. However, the United Kingdom has been declared by the government to be a reciprocating territory and the High Courts in England as the relevant superior courts. A judgment of a court in a jurisdiction which is not a reciprocating territory, such as the United States, may be enforced only by a new suit upon the judgment and not by proceedings in execution. Section 13 of the Civil Procedure Code provides that a foreign judgment shall be conclusive as to any matter thereby directly adjudicated upon except: (i) where it has not been pronounced by a court of competent jurisdiction; (ii) where it has not been given on the merits of the case; (iii) where it appears on the face of the proceedings to be founded on an incorrect view of international law or a refusal to recognize the law of India in cases where such law is applicable; (iv) where the proceedings in which the judgment was obtained were opposed to natural justice; (v) where it has been obtained by fraud; or (vi) where it sustains a claim founded on a breach of any law in force in India. A foreign judgment which is conclusive under Section 13 of the Civil Procedure Code may be enforced either by a new suit upon judgment or by proceedings in execution. The suit must be brought in India within three years from the date of the judgment in the same manner as any other suit filed to enforce a civil liability in India. It is unlikely that a court in India would award damages on the same basis as a foreign court if an action is brought in India. Furthermore, it is unlikely that an Indian court would enforce a foreign judgment if it viewed the amount of damages awarded as excessive or inconsistent with Indian practice. A party seeking to enforce a foreign judgment in India is required to obtain approval from the RBI to repatriate outside India any amount recovered pursuant to execution. Any judgment in a foreign currency would be converted into Indian rupees on the date of the judgment and not on the date of the payment. The Bank cannot predict whether a suit brought in an Indian court will be disposed of in a timely manner or be subject to considerable delays.
Risks Relating to the ADSs and Equity Shares
Historically, our ADSs have traded at a premium to the trading prices of our underlying equity shares, a situation which may not continue.
Historically, our ADSs have traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) at a premium to the trading prices of our underlying equity shares on the Indian stock exchanges. See “
Certain Information About Our American Depositary Shares and Equity Shares
” for the underlying data. We believe that this price premium has resulted from the relatively small portion of our market capitalization previously represented by ADSs, restrictions imposed by Indian law on the conversion of equity shares into ADSs, and an apparent preference for investors to trade dollar-denominated securities. Over time, some of the restrictions on issuance of ADSs imposed by Indian law have been relaxed and we expect that other restrictions may be relaxed in the future. It is possible that in the future our ADSs will not trade at any premium to our equity shares and could even trade at a discount to our equity shares.
Investors in ADSs will not be able to vote.
Investors in ADSs will have no voting rights, unlike holders of equity shares. Under the deposit agreement, the depositary will abstain from voting the equity shares represented by the ADSs. If you wish, you may withdraw the equity shares underlying the ADSs and seek to vote (subject to Indian restrictions on foreign ownership) the equity shares you obtain upon withdrawal. However, this withdrawal process may be subject to delays and additional costs and you may not be able to redeposit the equity shares. For a discussion of the legal restrictions triggered by a withdrawal of equity shares from the depositary facility upon surrender of ADSs, see “
Restrictions on Foreign Ownership of Indian Securities
” and “
Description of American Depositary Shares—Voting Rights
”.
Your ability to withdraw equity shares from the depositary facility is uncertain and may be subject to delays.
India’s restrictions on foreign ownership of Indian companies limit the number of equity shares that may be owned by foreign investors and generally require government approval for foreign investments. Investors who withdraw equity shares from the ADSs’ depositary facility for the purpose of selling such equity shares will be subject to Indian regulatory restrictions on foreign ownership upon withdrawal. The withdrawal process may be subject to delays. For a discussion of the legal restrictions triggered by a withdrawal of equity shares from the depositary facility upon surrender of ADSs, see “
Restrictions on Foreign Ownership of Indian Securities
”.
Restrictions on deposit of equity shares in the depositary facility could adversely affect the price of our ADSs.
Under current Indian regulations, an ADS holder who surrenders ADSs and withdraws equity shares may deposit those equity shares again in the depositary facility in exchange for ADSs. An investor who has purchased equity shares in the Indian market may also deposit those equity shares in the ADS program. However, the deposit of equity shares may be subject to securities law restrictions and the restriction that the cumulative aggregate number of equity shares that can be deposited as of any time cannot exceed the cumulative aggregate number represented by ADSs converted into underlying equity shares as of such time. These restrictions increase the risk that the market price of our ADSs will be below that of our equity shares.
There is a limited market for the ADSs.
Although our ADSs are listed and traded on the NYSE, any trading market for our ADSs may not be sustained, and there is no assurance that the present price of our ADSs will correspond to the future price at which our ADSs will trade in the public market. Indian legal restrictions may also limit the supply of ADSs. The only way to add to the supply of ADSs would be through an additional issuance. We cannot guarantee that a market for the ADSs will continue.
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Conditions in the Indian securities market may affect the price or liquidity of our equity shares and ADSs.
The Indian securities markets are smaller and more volatile than securities markets in more developed economies. The Indian stock exchanges have in the past experienced substantial fluctuations in the prices of listed securities. Currently, prices of securities listed on Indian exchanges are displaying signs of volatility linked, among other factors, to the uncertainty in the global markets and the rising inflationary and interest rate pressures domestically. The governing bodies of the Indian stock exchanges have from time to time imposed restrictions on trading in certain securities, limitations on price movements and margin requirements. Future fluctuations or trading restrictions could have a material adverse effect on the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
Settlement of trades of equity shares on Indian stock exchanges may be subject to delays.
The equity shares represented by our ADSs are listed on the NSE and BSE. Settlement on these stock exchanges may be subject to delays and an investor in equity shares withdrawn from the depositary facility upon surrender of ADSs may not be able to settle trades on these stock exchanges in a timely manner.
You may be subject to Indian taxes arising out of capital gains.
Generally, capital gains, whether short term or long term, arising on the sale of the underlying equity shares in India, are subject to Indian capital gains tax. Investors are advised to consult their own tax advisers and to carefully consider the potential tax consequences of an investment in ADSs. See also “
Taxation
”.
You may be unable to exercise preemptive rights available to other shareholders.
A company incorporated in India must offer its holders of equity shares preemptive rights to subscribe and pay for a proportionate number of shares to maintain their existing ownership percentages prior to the issuance of any new equity shares, unless these rights have been waived by at least 75 percent of the company’s shareholders present and voting at a shareholders’ general meeting. United States investors in our ADSs may be unable to exercise preemptive rights for our equity shares underlying our ADSs unless a registration statement under the Securities Act is effective with respect to those rights or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available. Our decision to file a registration statement will depend on the costs and potential liabilities associated with any registration statement as well as the perceived benefits of enabling United States investors in our ADSs to exercise their preemptive rights and any other factors we consider appropriate at the time. We do not commit to filing a registration statement under those circumstances. If we issue any securities in the future, these securities may be issued to the depositary, which may sell these securities in the securities markets in India for the benefit of the investors in our ADSs. There can be no assurance as to the value, if any, the depositary would receive upon the sale of these securities. To the extent that investors in our ADSs are unable to exercise preemptive rights, their proportional interests in us would be reduced.
Financial difficulty and other problems in certain financial institutions in India could adversely affect our business and the price of our equity shares and ADSs.
We are exposed to the risks of the Indian financial system by being a part of the system which may be affected by the financial difficulties faced by certain Indian financial institutions because the commercial soundness of many financial institutions may be closely related as a result of credit, trading, clearing or other relationships. Such “systemic risk” may adversely affect financial intermediaries, such as clearing agencies, banks, securities firms and exchanges with which we interact on a daily basis. Any such difficulties or instability of the Indian financial system in general could create an adverse market perception about Indian financial institutions and banks and adversely affect our business. Our transactions with these financial institutions expose us to various risks in the event of default by a counterparty, which can be exacerbated during periods of market illiquidity.
Because the equity shares underlying our ADSs are quoted in rupees in India, you may be subject to potential losses arising out of exchange rate risk on the Indian rupee and risks associated with the conversion of rupee proceeds into foreign currency.
Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the United States dollar and the Indian rupee may affect the value of your investment in our ADSs. Specifically, if the relative value of the Indian rupee to the United States dollar declines, each of the following values will also decline:
the United States dollar equivalent of the Indian rupee trading price of our equity shares in India and, indirectly, the United States dollar trading price of our ADSs in the United States;
the United States dollar equivalent of the proceeds that you would receive upon the sale in India of any equity shares that you withdraw from the depositary; and
the United States dollar equivalent of cash dividends, if any, paid in Indian rupees on the equity shares represented by our ADSs.
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There may be less information available on Indian securities markets than securities markets in developed countries.
There is a difference between the level of regulation and monitoring of the Indian securities markets and the activities of investors, brokers and other participants and that of markets in the United States and other developed economies. The SEBI and the stock exchanges are responsible for improving disclosure and other regulatory standards for the Indian securities markets. The SEBI has issued regulations and guidelines on disclosure requirements, insider trading and other matters. There may, however, be less publicly available information about Indian companies than is regularly made available by public companies in developed economies.
HDFC Limited’s significant holdings could have an effect on the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs.
HDFC Limited and its subsidiaries hold a significant portion of our equity, and are entitled to certain rights to appoint directors to our Board. While we are professionally managed and overseen by an independent board of directors, HDFC Limited can exercise influence over our Board and over matters subject to a shareholder vote that could directly or indirectly favor the interests of HDFC Limited over our interests. See “
—HDFC Limited holds a significant percentage of our share capital and can exercise influence over board decisions that could directly or indirectly favor the interests of HDFC Limited over our interests
” and “
—We may face conflicts of interest relating to our promoter and principal shareholder, HDFC Limited, which could cause us to forgo business opportunities and consequently have an adverse effect on our financial performance
”. HDFC Limited’s concentration of ownership may adversely affect the trading price of our equity shares to the extent investors perceive a disadvantage in owning stock of a company with a significant shareholder.
Investors may be subject to Indian taxes arising out of capital gains on the sale of equity shares.
Under current Indian tax laws and regulations, capital gains arising from the sale of shares in an Indian company are generally taxable in India. Until March 31, 2018, any gain realized on the sale of listed equity shares on a stock exchange held for more than 12 months was not subject to capital gains tax in India if securities transaction tax (“STT”) was paid on the transaction. STT is levied on and collected by a domestic stock exchange on which the equity shares are sold. However, with the enactment of the Finance Act, 2018 (“Finance Act”), the exemption previously granted in respect of payment of long term capital gains tax has been withdrawn and such taxes are now payable by the investors with effect from April 1, 2018. Further, any gain realized on the sale of listed equity shares held for a period of 12 months or less will be subject to short term capital gains tax in India. Capital gains arising from the sale of equity shares will be exempt from taxation in India in cases where the exemption from taxation in India is provided under a treaty between India and the country of which the seller is resident.
Indian tax treaties, for example with the United States and the United Kingdom, do not limit India’s ability to impose tax on capital gains. The treaties provide that except as provided in case of taxation of shipping and air transport provisions, each contracting state may tax capital gains in accordance with the provisions of the domestic law. As a result, residents of other countries may be liable for tax in India as well as in their own jurisdiction on a gain upon the sale of equity shares. However, credit for the same may be available in accordance with the provisions of the respective treaty and in accordance with the provisions under the domestic law, if applicable.
Future issuances or sales of equity shares and ADSs could significantly affect the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs.
The future issuance of shares by us or the disposal of shares by any of our major shareholders, or the perception that such issuance or sales may occur, may significantly affect the trading price of our equity shares and ADSs. There can be no assurance that we will not issue further shares or that the major shareholders will not dispose of, pledge or otherwise encumber their shares.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act withholding may affect payments on our equity shares and ADSs.
Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”) (provisions commonly known as “FATCA” or the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), impose (a) certain reporting and due diligence requirements on foreign financial institutions (“FFIs”) and (b) potentially require such FFIs to deduct a 30 percent withholding tax from (i) certain payments from sources within the United States and (ii) “foreign passthru payments” (which is not yet defined in current guidance) made to certain FFIs that do not comply with such reporting, and due diligence requirements or certain other payees that do not provide required information. We, as well as relevant intermediaries such as custodians and depositary participants, are classified as FFIs for these purposes. The United States has entered into a number of intergovernmental agreements (“IGAs”) with other jurisdictions which may modify the operation of this withholding. India has entered into a Model 1 IGA with the United States for giving effect to FATCA, and Indian FFIs, including us, are generally required to comply with FATCA based on the terms of the IGA and relevant rules made pursuant thereto.
Under current guidance it is not clear whether or to what extent payments on ADSs or equity shares will be considered “foreign pass-thru payments” subject to FATCA withholding or the extent to which withholding on “foreign pass thru payments” will be required under the applicable IGA. However, under current guidance, even if withholding were required pursuant to FATCA with respect to payments on ADSs or equity shares, such withholding would not apply prior to two years after the date on which final regulations on this issue are published. Investors should consult their own tax advisers on how the FATCA rules may apply to payments they receive in respect of the ADSs or equity shares.
Should any withholding tax in respect of FATCA be deducted or withheld from any payments arising to any investor, neither we nor any other person will pay additional amounts as a result of the deduction or withholding.
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CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT OUR AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES AND EQUITY SHARES
Our ADSs, each representing three equity shares, par value Rs. 1.0 per equity share, are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “HDB”. Our equity shares, including those underlying the ADSs, are listed on the NSE under the symbol “HDFCBANK” and the BSE Limited (formerly known as Bombay Stock Exchange Limited) under the trading code 500180. Our fiscal quarters end on June 30 of each year for the first quarter, September 30 for the second quarter, December 31 for the third quarter and March 31 for the fourth quarter.
As of March 31, 2022, there were 2,151,630 holders of record of our equity shares, including the shares underlying ADSs of which 2209 had registered addresses in the United States and held an aggregate of 2,263,152 equity shares representing 0.1 percent of our shareholders. In our records, only the depositary, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., is the shareholder with respect to equity shares underlying the ADSs.
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DESCRIPTION OF EQUITY SHARES
The Company
We are registered under Corporate Identity Number L65920MH1994PLC080618 with the Registrar of Companies, Maharashtra State, India. Our Memorandum of Association permits us to engage in a wide variety of activities, including all the activities in which we currently engage or intend to engage, as well as other activities in which we currently have no intention of engaging.
Our authorized share capital is Rs. 6,500,000,000 consisting of 6,500,000,000 equity shares of par value Rs. 1.0 each.
Dividends
Under Indian law and subject to the Banking Regulation Act, a company pays dividends upon a recommendation by its board of directors and approval by a majority of its shareholders at the annual general meeting of shareholders held within five months of the end of each fiscal year. The shareholders have the right to decrease but not increase the dividend amount recommended by the Board of Directors. Dividends are generally declared as a percentage of par value (on a per share basis) and distributed and paid to shareholders. The Companies Act provides that shares of a company of the same class must receive equal dividend treatment.
These distributions and payments are required to be deposited into a separate bank account within five (5) days of the declaration of such dividend and paid to shareholders within thirty (30) days of the annual general meeting where the resolution for declaration of dividends is approved.
The Companies Act states that any dividends that remain unpaid or unclaimed after that period are to be transferred to a special bank account. Any dividend amount that remains unclaimed for seven years from the date of the transfer is to be transferred by us to a fund, called the Investor Education and Protection Fund, created by the Government.
Our Articles of Association authorize our Board of Directors to declare interim dividends, the amount of which must be deposited in a separate bank account within five (5) days and paid to the shareholders within thirty (30) days of the declaration.
Under the Companies Act, final dividends payable can be paid only in cash to the registered shareholder at a record date fixed prior to the relevant annual general meeting, to his order or to the order of his banker.
Before paying any dividend on our shares, we are required under the Banking Regulation Act to write off all capitalized expenses (including preliminary expenses, organization expenses, share-selling commission, brokerage, amounts of losses incurred and any other item of expenditure not represented by tangible assets). We are permitted to declare dividends of up to 35.0 percent of net profit calculated under Indian GAAP without prior RBI approval subject to compliance with certain prescribed requirements. Further, upon compliance with the prescribed requirements, we are also permitted to declare interim dividends subject to the above-mentioned cap computed for the relevant accounting period.
Dividends may only be paid out of our profits for the relevant year arrived at after providing for depreciation or out of the profits of the company for any previous financial years arrived at after providing for depreciation and in certain contingencies out of the free reserves of the company, provided that in computing profits any amount representing unrealized gains, notional gains or revaluation of assets and any change in carrying amount of an asset or of a liability on measurement of the asset or the liability at fair value shall be excluded. Before declaring dividends, we are required by the RBI to transfer 25.0 percent of our net profits (calculated under Indian GAAP) of each year to a reserve fund.
Bonus Shares
In addition to permitting dividends to be paid out of current or retained earnings calculated under Indian GAAP, the Companies Act permits our Board of Directors, subject to the approval of our shareholders, to distribute to the shareholders, in the form of fully
paid-up
bonus equity shares, an amount transferred from the company’s free reserves, securities premium account or the capital redemption reserve account. Bonus equity shares can be distributed only with the prior approval of the RBI. These bonus equity shares must be distributed to shareholders in proportion to the number of equity shares owned by them.
Bonus shares can only be issued if the company has not defaulted in payments of the employees, such as contribution to provident fund, gratuity and bonus statutory dues or principal/interest payments on fixed deposits or debt securities issued by it. Bonus shares must not be issued in lieu of dividend. Further, listed companies are also required to follow the SEBI (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2018 (the “SEBI ICDR Regulations”) for issuance of bonus shares.
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Pre-emptive
Rights and Issue of Additional Shares
Subject to the Banking Regulation Act, and other applicable guidelines issued by the RBI, the Companies Act gives shareholders the right to subscribe for new shares in proportion to their existing shareholdings unless otherwise determined by a resolution passed by three-fourths of the shareholders present and voting at a general meeting. Under the Companies Act and our Articles of Association, in the event of an issuance of securities, subject to the limitations set forth above, we must first offer the new equity shares to the holders of equity shares on a fixed record date. The offer, required to be made by notice, must include:
the right, exercisable by the shareholders of record, to renounce the shares offered in favor of any other person;
the number of shares offered; and
the period of the offer, which may not be less than 15 days from the date of the offer and shall not exceed 30 days. If the offer is not accepted, it is deemed to have been declined.
Our Board of Directors is permitted to distribute equity shares not accepted by existing shareholders in the manner it deems beneficial for us in accordance with our Articles of Association. Holders of ADSs may not be able to participate in any such offer. See “
Description of American Depositary Shares—Share Dividends and Other Distributions
”.
General Meetings of Shareholders
There are two types of general meetings of shareholders: annual general meetings and extraordinary general meetings. We are required to convene our annual general meeting within five months after the end of each fiscal year. We may convene an extraordinary general meeting when necessary or at the request of the shareholders holding on the date of the request at least 10 percent of our
paid-up
capital. A general meeting is generally convened by our company secretary in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors. Written notice or notice via email or other permitted electronic means stating the agenda of the meeting must be given at least 21 clear days prior to the date set for the general meeting to the shareholders whose names are in the register at the record date. Shorter notice is permitted if consent is received from 95 percent of the members entitled to vote. Those shareholders who are not registered at the record date do not receive notice of this meeting and are not entitled to attend or vote at this meeting.
The annual general meeting is held in Mumbai, the city in which our registered office is located. General meetings other than the annual general meeting may be held at any location if so determined by a resolution of our Board of Directors. Due to the
COVID-19
pandemic and related restrictions, the Bank’s annual general meeting in fiscal year 2021 was held remotely on July 17, 2021, using video conferencing and other audio-visual technology.
Voting Rights
Section 108 of the Companies Act and Rule 20 of the Companies (Management and Administration) Rules 2014 deal with the exercise of the right to vote by members by electronic means. In terms of Rule 20 of the Companies (Management and Administration) Rules 2014, every listed company (other than a company referred to in Chapters XB or XC of the SEBI ICDR Regulations) is required to provide to its members facility to exercise their right to vote at general meetings by electronic means. Section 110 of the Companies Act allows such a company to transact all items of business at a general meeting, provided the company offers to its members a facility to exercise their right to vote at general meetings by electronic means. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has clarified that voting by show of hands would not be allowable in cases where Rule 20 is applicable.
A shareholder has one vote for each equity share and voting may be on a poll or through electronic means or postal ballot. Under Section 12 of the Banking Regulation Act 1949 as amended with effect from January 18, 2013 by the Banking Laws Amendment Act 2012, no person holding shares in a banking company shall, in respect of any shares held by such person, exercise voting rights on poll in excess of 10.0 percent of the total voting rights of all the shareholders of the banking company, provided that RBI may increase, in a phased manner, such ceiling on voting rights from 10.0 percent to 26.0 percent. On July 21, 2016 the RBI issued a notification, which was notified in the Gazette of India on September 17, 2016, which stated that the current ceiling on voting rights is at 26.0 percent. At a general meeting, upon a show of hands, every member holding shares and entitled to vote and present in person has one vote. Upon a poll, the voting rights of each shareholder entitled to vote and present in person or by proxy is in the same proportion as the capital
paid-up
on each share held by such holder bears to the company’s total
paid-up
capital, subject to the limits prescribed under the Banking Regulation Act. Voting is by a show of hands, unless a poll is ordered by the Chairman of the meeting. However, voting by show of hands is not permitted for listed companies. The Chairman of the meeting has a casting vote.
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Unless the Articles of Association provide for a larger number, the quorum for a general meeting is: (a) five members present (in person or by proxy) if the number of members as of the date of the meeting is not more than one thousand; (b) 15 members present (in person or by proxy) if the number of members as of the date of the meeting is more than one thousand but not more than five thousand; and (c) thirty members present (in person or by proxy) if the number of members as of the date of the meeting exceeds five thousand. Generally, resolutions may be passed by simple majority of the shareholders present and voting at any general meeting. However, resolutions such as an amendment to the organizational documents, commencement of a new line of business, an issue of additional equity shares (which is not a preemptive issue) and reductions of share capital, require that the votes cast in favor of the resolution (whether by show of hands or on a poll) are not less than three times the number of votes, if any, cast against the resolution. As provided in our Articles of Association, a shareholder may exercise his voting rights by proxy to be given in the form prescribed by us. This proxy, however, is required to be lodged with us at least 48 hours before the time of the relevant meeting. However, due to the
COVID-19
pandemic and related restrictions in place, proxies are not permitted at general meetings conducted remotely. A shareholder may, by a single power of attorney, grant general power of representation covering several general meetings. A corporate shareholder is also entitled to nominate a representative to attend and vote on its behalf at all general meetings. The Companies Act also provides for the passing of resolutions in relation to certain matters specified by the Government of India, by means of a postal ballot. A notice to all the shareholders must be sent along with a draft resolution explaining the reasons therefor and requesting the shareholders to send their assent or dissent in writing on a postal ballot within a period of 30 days from the date of dispatch of the notice. Shareholders may exercise their right to vote at general meetings, through postal ballot by sending their votes through the postal arrangements or through electronic means
(e-voting),
for which separate facilities are provided to the shareholders.
ADS holders have no voting rights with respect to the deposited shares.
Annual Report
At least 21 clear days before an annual general meeting, we must circulate either a detailed or abridged version of our Indian GAAP audited financial accounts, together with the Directors’ Report and the Auditor’s Report, to the shareholders along with a notice convening the annual general meeting. We are also required under the Companies Act to make available upon the request of any shareholder our complete balance sheet and profit and loss account. The above-mentioned documents must also be made available for inspection at its registered office during working hours for a period of 21 days before the date of the annual general meeting. A statement containing the salient features of these documents in a prescribed manner (or copies of these documents) is required to be sent to every member of the company and to every debenture trustee at least 21 days before the date of the annual general meeting. Under the Companies Act, we must file with the Registrar of Companies our Indian GAAP balance sheet and profit and loss account within 30 days in form
AOC-4
of the conclusion of the annual general meeting and our annual return in form
MGT-7
within 60 days of the conclusion of that meeting. We also upload the annual return in form
MGT-7
to our website and include a
web-link
to the form
MGT-7
in our annual report.
Register of Shareholders, Record Dates and Transfer of Shares
The equity shares are in registered form. We maintain a register of our shareholders in Mumbai. We register transfers of equity shares on the register of shareholders upon presentation of certificates in respect of the transfer of equity shares held in physical form together with a transfer deed duly executed by the transferor and transferee. These transfer deeds are subject to stamp duty, which has been fixed at 0.25 percent of the transfer price. As set out in the SEBI directive, effective April 1, 2019, physical transfer of shares is prohibited in the case of listed Indian companies. Therefore, shareholders need to dematerialize the shares for transfer.
For the purpose of determining equity shares entitled to annual dividends, the register of shareholders is closed for a period prior to the annual general meeting. The Companies Act and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 permit us, pursuant to a resolution of our Board of Directors and upon at least seven days’ advance notice to the stock exchanges, to set the record date and close the register of shareholders after seven days’ public notice for not more than 30 days at a time, and for not more than 45 days in a year, in order for us to determine which shareholders are entitled to certain rights pertaining to the equity shares. Trading of equity shares and delivery of certificates in respect of the equity shares may, however, continue after the register of shareholders is closed.
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Transfer of Shares
Shares held through depositories are transferred in the form of book entries or in electronic form in accordance with the regulations laid down by the SEBI. These regulations provide the regime for the functioning of the depositories and the participants and set out the manner in which the records are to be kept and maintained and the safeguards to be followed in this system. Transfers of beneficial ownership of shares held through a depositary are exempt from stamp duty. We have entered into an agreement for such depository services with the National Securities Depository Limited and the Central Depository Services India Limited.
The SEBI requires that our equity shares for trading and settlement purposes be in book-entry form for all investors, except for transactions that are not made on a stock exchange and transactions that are not required to be reported to the stock exchange. Transfers of equity shares in book-entry form require both the seller and the purchaser of the equity shares to establish accounts with depositary participants appointed by depositories established under the Depositaries Act 1996. Charges for opening an account with a depositary participant, transaction charges for each trade and custodian charges for securities held in each account vary depending upon the practice of each depositary participant. Upon delivery, the equity shares shall be registered in the name of the relevant depositary on our books and this depositary shall enter the name of the investor in its records as the beneficial owner. The transfer of beneficial ownership shall be done through the records of the depositary. The beneficial owner shall be entitled to all rights and benefits and subject to all liabilities in respect of his securities held by a depositary.
The requirement to hold the equity shares in book-entry form will apply to the ADS holders when the equity shares are withdrawn from the depositary facility upon surrender of the ADSs. In order to trade the equity shares in the Indian market, the withdrawing ADS holder will be required to comply with the procedures described above.
Our equity shares are freely transferable, subject to the provisions of the Companies Act under which, if a transfer of equity shares contravenes the provisions of Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act 1956, the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 or the regulations issued under it or any other law in force at the time, the National Company Law Tribunal may, on application made by us, a depositary incorporated in India, an investor, the SEBI or certain other parties, direct a rectification of the register of records. It was a condition of our listing that we transfer equity shares and deliver share certificates duly endorsed for the transfer within 15 days of the date of lodgment of transfer. If a company without sufficient cause refuses to register a transfer of equity shares within thirty (30) days from the date on which the instrument of transfer is delivered to the company, the transferee may appeal to the National Company Law Tribunal seeking to register the transfer of equity shares. The National Company Law Tribunal may, in its discretion, issue an interim order suspending the voting rights attached to the relevant equity shares before completing its investigation of the alleged contravention. However, effective from and on April 1, 2019, the SEBI decided that except in cases of transmission or transposition of securities, requests for effecting the transfer of securities shall not be processed unless the securities are held in dematerialized form with a depositary. Our Articles of Association provide for certain restrictions on the transfer of equity shares, including granting power to the Board of Directors in certain circumstances, to refuse to register or acknowledge transfer of equity shares or other securities issued by us. Furthermore, the RBI requires us to obtain its approval before registering a transfer of equity shares in favor of a person which together with equity shares already held by him represent more than five (5) percent of our share capital.
Our transfer agent, Datamatics Business Solutions Limited, is located in Mumbai. Certain foreign exchange control and security regulations apply to the transfer of equity shares by a
non-resident
or a foreigner.
Disclosure of Ownership Interest
The provisions of the Companies Act generally require beneficial owners of equity shares of Indian companies that are not holders of record to declare to the company details of the holder of record and holders of record to declare details of the beneficial owner. While it is unclear whether these provisions apply to holders of an Indian company’s ADSs, investors who exchange ADSs for equity shares are subject to this provision. Failure to comply with these provisions would not affect the obligation of a company to register a transfer of equity shares or to pay any dividends to the registered holder of any equity shares in respect of which this declaration has not been made, but any person who fails to make the required declaration may be liable for an initial fine of up to Rs. 50,000 coupled with a further fine of up to Rs. 1,000 for each day this failure continues. However, under the Banking Regulation Act, a registered holder of any equity shares, except in certain conditions, shall not be liable to any suit or proceeding on the ground that the title to those equity shares vests in another person.
Acquisition by the Issuer of Its Own Shares
The Companies Act permits a company to acquire its own equity shares and reduce its capital under certain circumstances. Such reduction of capital requires compliance with
buy-back
provisions specified in the Companies Act and by the SEBI.
ADS holders will be eligible to participate in a
buy-back
in certain cases. An ADS holder may acquire equity shares by withdrawing them from the depositary facility and then sell those equity shares back to us. ADS holders should note that equity shares withdrawn from the depositary facility may only be redeposited into the depositary facility under certain circumstances.
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There can be no assurance that the equity shares offered by an ADS investor in any
buy-back
of shares by us will be accepted by us. The position regarding participation of ADS holders in a
buy-back
is not clear. ADS investors are advised to consult their Indian legal advisers prior to participating in any
buy-back
by us, including in relation to any regulatory approvals and tax issues relating to the
buy-back.
Liquidation Rights
Subject to the rights of depositors, creditors and employees, in the event of our
winding-up,
the holders of the equity shares are entitled to be repaid the amounts of capital paid up or credited as paid up on these equity shares. All surplus assets remaining belong to the holders of the equity shares in proportion to the amount paid up or credited as paid up on these equity shares, respectively, at the commencement of the
winding-up.
Acquisition of the Undertaking by the Government
Under the Banking Regulation Act, the Government may, after consultation with the RBI, in the interest of our depositors or banking policy or better provision of credit generally or to a particular community or area, acquire our banking business. The RBI may acquire our business if it is satisfied that we have failed to comply with the directions given to us by the RBI or that our business is being managed in a manner detrimental to the interest of our depositors. Similarly, the Government of India may also acquire our business based on a report by the RBI.
Takeover Code
Under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Substantial Acquisitions of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations 2011, as amended (the “Takeover Code”), upon the acquisition of shares which taken together with the shares/voting rights already held aggregates 5 percent or more of the outstanding shares or voting rights of a publicly listed Indian company, a purchaser is required to notify the company and all the stock exchanges on which the shares of such company are listed. Such notification is also required when a person holds 5 percent or more of the outstanding shares or voting rights in a target company and there is a change in his holding either due to purchase or disposal of shares of 2 percent or more of the outstanding shares/voting rights in the target company or if such change results in shareholding falling below 5 percent, if there has been a change from the previous disclosure.
No acquisition of shares/voting rights by an acquirer in a target company which entitles the acquirer, together with persons acting in concert with them, to 25 percent or more of such shares or voting rights is permissible unless the acquirer makes a public announcement of an open offer for acquiring the shares of the target company in the manner provided in the Takeover Code. The public announcement of an open offer is also mandatory where an acquirer who, together with persons acting in concert with them, holds 25 percent of the shares/voting rights in the target company, but less than the maximum permissible
non-public
shareholding, seeks to acquire an additional 5 percent or more of the shares/voting rights in the target company during any fiscal year. However, the Takeover Code applies only to shares or securities convertible into shares which carry a voting right. This provision will apply to an ADS holder only once he or she converts the ADSs into the underlying equity shares.
In terms of the Takeover Code, the acquirer or holder of shares/voting rights in a target company shall in accordance with the “Continual Disclosure” requirements disclose to the target company and the stock exchanges the details of holdings of equity shares/voting rights if such holding of shares/voting rights is 25 percent or more of the outstanding shares/aggregate voting rights as at March 31 every year.
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DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
American Depositary Shares
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as depositary, issues the American Depositary Shares, or ADSs. Each ADS represents an ownership interest in three equity shares, which we have deposited with the custodian, as agent of the depositary, under the deposit agreement among ourselves, the depositary and each ADR holder. In the future, each ADS will also represent any securities, cash or other property deposited with the depositary but which it has not distributed directly to an ADR holder. The ADSs are evidenced by what is known as American Depositary Receipts or ADRs.
The depositary’s office is located at J.P. Morgan Depositary Receipts, 383 Madison Ave, Floor 11, New York, NY 10179.
Investors may hold ADSs either directly or indirectly through their broker or other financial institution. If an investor holds ADSs directly, by having an ADR certificate evidencing a specific number of ADSs registered in his name on the books of the depositary, or by holding an ADS in the depositary’s direct registration system, he is an ADR holder. This description assumes that the investor holds his ADSs directly. If an investor holds the ADSs through his broker or financial institution nominee, he must rely on the procedures of such broker or financial institution to assert the rights of an ADR holder described in this section. Investors should consult with their broker or financial institution to find out what these procedures are.
Because the depositary’s nominee will actually be the registered owner of the shares, investors must rely on the depositary to exercise the rights of a shareholder on their behalf. The obligations of the depositary and its agents are set out in the deposit agreement. The deposit agreement and the ADSs are governed by New York law.
The following is a summary of the material terms of the deposit agreement. Because it is a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to investors. For more complete information, investors should read the entire deposit agreement and the form of ADR, which contains the terms of the ADSs. Investors can read a copy of the amended and restated deposit agreement, which was filed as an exhibit to the registration statement on Form
F-6
on September 9, 2015. Investors may also obtain a copy of the amended and restated deposit agreement at the Securities and Exchange Commission Office, Public Reference Room, which is located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Investors may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC
at1-800-SEC-0330.
See “
Description of Equity Shares—The Company
”.
Share Dividends and Other Distributions
We may make various types of distributions with respect to our securities. The depositary has agreed to pay to the investor the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on shares or other deposited securities, after deducting its charges and expenses. The investor will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of deposited securities that the investor’s ADSs represent. To the extent practicable, the depositary will deliver such distributions to ADR holders in proportion to their interests in the following manner:
Cash
The depositary will distribute any United States dollars available to it resulting from a cash dividend or other cash distribution if this is practicable and can be done in a reasonable manner. The depositary will distribute this cash in a practicable manner, and may deduct any taxes required to be withheld, any expenses of converting foreign currency and transferring funds to the United States and other expenses and adjustments. If exchange rates fluctuate during a time when the depositary cannot convert a foreign currency, investors may lose some or all of the value of the distribution.
Shares
In the case of a distribution in shares, the depositary will issue additional ADRs to evidence the number of ADSs representing such shares. Only whole ADSs will be issued. The depositary will sell any shares which would result in fractional ADSs and distribute the net proceeds to the ADR holders entitled to them.
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Rights to Receive Additional Shares
In the case of a distribution of rights to subscribe for additional shares or other rights, if we provide satisfactory evidence that the depositary may lawfully distribute the rights, the depositary may arrange for ADR holders to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the rights. However, if we do not furnish such evidence, the depositary may:
sell the rights, if practicable, and distribute the net proceeds as cash.
if it is not practicable to sell the rights, allow the rights to lapse, in which case ADR holders will receive nothing.
We have no obligation to file a registration statement under the Securities Act in order to make any rights available to ADR holders or furnish evidence that the depositary may lawfully make any rights available to ADR holders.
Other Distributions
In the case of a distribution of securities or property other than those described above, the depositary may either:
distribute such securities or property in any manner it deems equitable and practicable; or
to the extent the depositary deems distribution of such securities or property not to be equitable and practicable, sell such securities or property and distribute any net proceeds in the same way it distributes cash.
Any United States dollars will be distributed by cheques drawn on a bank in the United States for whole dollars and cents (fractional cents will be withheld without liability for interest and handled by the depositary in accordance with its then current practices).
The depositary may choose, after consultation with us, if practicable, any practical method of distribution for any specific ADR holder, including the distribution of foreign currency, securities or property, or it may retain those items, without paying interest on or investing them, on behalf of the ADR holder as deposited securities, in which case the ADSs will also represent the retained items.
The depositary is not responsible if it fails to determine that any distribution or action is lawful or reasonably practicable.
We cannot assure investors that the depositary will be able to convert any currency at a specified exchange rate or sell any property, rights, shares or other securities at a specified price, or that any of such transactions can be completed within a specified time period. All purchases and sales of securities will be handled by the depositary in accordance with its then current policies, which are currently set forth in the “Depositary Receipt Sale and Purchase of Security” section available at https://
www.adr.com/Investors/FindOutAboutDRs
, the location and contents of which the depositary shall be solely responsible for.
Deposit, Withdrawal and Cancellation
The depositary issues ADSs upon the deposit of shares or evidence of rights to receive shares with the custodian after payment of the fees and expenses owing to the depositary in connection with such issuance.
Except for shares that we deposit, no shares may be deposited by persons located in India, residents of India or for, or on the account of, such persons. Under current Indian laws and regulations, the depositary cannot accept deposits of outstanding shares and issue ADRs evidencing ADSs representing such shares without prior approval of the Government of India. However, an investor who surrenders an ADS and withdraws shares may be permitted to redeposit those shares in the depositary facility in exchange for ADSs and the depositary may accept deposits of outstanding shares purchased by a
non-resident
of India on the local stock exchange and issue ADSs representing those shares. However, in each case, the number of shares
re-deposited
or deposited cannot exceed the number represented by ADSs converted into underlying shares.
Shares deposited in the future with the custodian must be accompanied by certain documents, including instruments showing that such shares have been properly transferred or endorsed to the person on whose behalf the deposit is being made. To the extent delivery of certificates is impracticable, the shares may be deposited by any other delivery means reasonably acceptable to the depositary or custodian, including by way of crediting the shares to an account maintained by the custodian with us or an accredited intermediary acting as registrar for the shares.
We will inform the depositary if any of the shares permitted to be deposited do not rank
pari passu
with other deposited securities and the depositary will arrange for the issuance of temporary ADSs representing such shares until such time as the shares become fully fungible with the other deposited securities.
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The custodian will hold all deposited shares for the account of the depositary. ADR holders thus have no direct ownership interest in the shares and only have such rights as are contained in the deposit agreement. The custodian will also hold any additional securities, property and cash received on or in substitution for the deposited shares. The deposited shares and any such additional items are referred to as “deposited securities”.
Upon each deposit of shares, receipt of related delivery documentation and compliance with the other provisions of the deposit agreement, including the payment of the fees and charges of the depositary and any taxes or other fees or charges owing, the depositary will issue an ADR or ADRs in the name of the person entitled thereto evidencing the number of ADSs to which such person is entitled. All ADSs issued will be evidenced by way of registration in the depositary’s direct registration system, unless certificated ADRs are specifically requested by the holder. Rather than receiving a certificate, registered holders will receive periodic statements from the depositary showing the number of ADSs to which they are entitled. Certificated ADRs will be delivered at the depositary’s designated transfer office.
When an investor turns in his ADR certificate at the depositary’s office, or provides proper instructions and documentation in the case of direct registration ADSs, the depositary will, upon payment of certain applicable fees, charges and taxes, deliver the underlying shares. Delivery of deposited securities in certificated form will be made at the custodian’s office or, at the investor’s risk and expense, the depositary may deliver such deposited securities at such other place as may be requested by the investor. A stamp duty will be payable by the relevant ADR holder in respect of any withdrawal of shares, unless the shares are held in dematerialized form. Any subsequent transfer by the holder of the shares after withdrawal will require the approval of the RBI, which approval must be obtained by the purchaser and us under the provisions of the Foreign Management Regulation Act, 1999 unless the transfer is on a stock exchange or in connection with an offer under the Indian takeover regulations.
The depositary may only restrict the withdrawal of deposited securities in connection with:
temporary delays caused by closing the Bank’s transfer books or those of the depositary or the deposit of shares in connection with voting at a shareholders’ meeting, or the payment of dividends;
the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges; or
compliance with any United States or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the ADRs or to the withdrawal of deposited securities.
This right of withdrawal may not be limited by any other provision of the deposit agreement.
Voting Rights
Investors who hold ADRs have no voting rights with respect to the deposited equity shares. The depositary will abstain from exercising the voting rights of the deposited equity shares. The RBI examined the matter relating to the exercise of voting rights by the depositary and issued a circular dated February 5, 2007 pursuant to which the Bank furnished to the RBI a copy of its agreement with the depositary. We have given an undertaking to the RBI stating that we will not recognize voting by the depositary if the vote given by the depositary is in contravention of its agreement with us and that we or the depositary will not bring about any change in our depositary agreement without the prior approval of the RBI.
Equity shares which have been withdrawn from the depositary facility and transferred on our register of shareholders to a person other than the depositary or its nominee may be voted by that person. However, such shareholders may not receive sufficient advance notice of shareholder meetings to enable them to withdraw the underlying shares and vote at such meetings.
Record Dates
The depositary may, after consultation with us, if practicable, fix record dates for the determination of the ADR holders, who will be entitled or obligated (as the case may be) to receive any distribution on or in respect of deposited securities, or to pay the fee assessed by the depositary for administration of the ADR program and any expenses provided for in the ADR, subject to the provisions of the deposit agreement.
Reports and Other Communications
The depositary will make available for inspection by ADR holders at the offices of the depositary and at the transfer office any written communications from us which are both received by the custodian or its nominee as a holder of deposited securities and made generally available to the holders of deposited securities. The depositary will distribute copies of such communications, or English translations or summaries thereof, to ADR holders when furnished by us.
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Fees and Charges for Holders of American Depositary Shares
The depositary collects the following fees from holders of ADRs or intermediaries acting on their behalf:
Category
Depositary actions
Associated fee
(a)
Issuing ADSsIssuing ADSs upon deposits of shares, issuances in respect of share distributions, rights and other distributions, stock dividends, stock splits, mergers, exchanges of securities or any other transaction or event or other distribution affecting the ADSs or the deposited securities.US$ 5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) issued or delivered.
(b)
Distributing dividendsDistribution of cash.US$ 0.02 or less per ADS.
(c)
Distributing or selling securitiesDistribution to ADR holders of securities received by the depositary or net proceeds from the sale of such securities.US$ 5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof), the fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of ADSs which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities.
(d)
Cancellation or reduction of ADSsAcceptance of ADSs surrendered for withdrawal of deposited shares, or the cancellation or reduction of ADSs for any other reason.US$ 5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) reduced, canceled or surrendered (as the case may be).
(e)
Transferring, splitting or combining ADRsTransfer, split or combination of depositary receipts.US$ 1.50 per ADR.
(f)
General depositary servicesServices performed by the depositary in administering the ADRs.US$ 0.01 per ADS per calendar year (or portion thereof).
(g)
OtherFees, charges and expenses incurred on behalf of holders in connection with:The amount of such fees, charges and expenses incurred by the depositary and/or any of its agents.
•   compliance with foreign exchange control regulations or any law or regulation relating to foreign investment;
•   the servicing of shares or other deposited securities;
•   the sale of securities;
•   the delivery of deposited securities;
•   the depositary’s or its custodian’s compliance with applicable laws, rules or regulations;
•   stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges;
•   cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery charges;
•   transfer or registration fees for the registration or transfer of deposited securities on any applicable register in connection with the deposit or withdrawal of deposited securities;
•   the conversion of foreign currency into United States dollars (which are deducted by the depositary out of such foreign currency); or
•   the fees of any division, branch or affiliate of the depositary utilized by the depositary to direct, manage and/or execute any public or private sale of securities under the deposit agreement.
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As provided in the amended and restated deposit agreement, the depositary may collect its fees for making cash and other distributions to holders by deducting fees from distributable amounts or by selling a portion of the distributable property. The depositary may generally refuse to provide services until its fees for those services are paid.
Fees Paid by the Depositary to Us
Direct and Indirect Payments
The depositary has agreed to contribute certain reasonable direct and indirect expenses related to our ADS program incurred by us in connection with the program. Under certain circumstances, we may be required to repay to the depositary amounts contributed by them.
The table below sets forth the contribution received by us from the depositary towards our direct and indirect expenses during fiscal year 2022.
Category
Contribution
received
Legal, accounting fees and other expenses incurred in connection with our ADS program
 �� 
US$9,406,308.19
(approximately Rs. 713.7 million)
 
Payment of Taxes
ADR holders must pay any tax or other governmental charge payable by the custodian or the depositary on any ADS or ADR, deposited security or distribution, and by holding or having held an ADR, the holder and all prior holders, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the depositary and its agents. If an ADR holder owes any tax or other governmental charge, the depositary may:
deduct the amount thereof from any cash distributions; or
sell deposited securities and deduct the amount owing from the net proceeds of such sale.
In either case the ADR holder remains liable for any shortfall. Additionally, if any tax or governmental charge is unpaid, the depositary may also refuse to effect any registration, registration of transfer,
split-up
or combination of deposited securities or withdrawal of deposited securities (except under limited circumstances mandated by securities regulations). If any tax or governmental charge is required to be withheld on any
non-cash
distribution, the depositary may sell the distributed property or securities to pay such taxes and distribute any remaining net proceeds to the ADR holders entitled to them.
Reclassifications, Recapitalizations and Mergers
If we take certain actions that affect the deposited securities, including (1) any change in par value,
split-up,
consolidation, cancellation or other reclassification of deposited securities or (2) any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, liquidation, receivership, bankruptcy or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, then the depositary may choose to:
amend the form of ADR;
distribute additional or amended ADRs;
distribute cash, securities or other property it has received in connection with such actions;
sell any securities or property received and distribute the proceeds as cash; or
take no action.
If the depositary does not choose any of the above options, any of the cash, securities or other property it receives will constitute part of the deposited securities and each ADS will then represent a proportionate interest in such property.
Amendment and Termination
We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the ADSs without the consent of ADR holders for any reason. ADR holders must be given at least 30 days’ notice of any amendment that imposes or increases any fees or charges (other than stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges, transfer or registration fees, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or prejudices any substantial existing right of ADR holders. If an ADR holder continues to hold an ADR or ADRs after being notified of these changes, the ADR holder is deemed to agree to, and be bound by, such amendment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an amendment can become effective before notice is given if this is necessary to ensure compliance with a new law, rule or regulation.
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No amendment will impair an ADR holder’s right to surrender its ADSs and receive the underlying securities, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. If a governmental or regulatory body adopts new laws, rules or regulations which require the deposit agreement or the ADS to be amended, the Bank and the depositary may make the necessary amendments, which could take effect before an ADR holder receives notice thereof.
The depositary may terminate the deposit agreement by giving the ADR holders at least 30 days’ prior notice and it must do so at our request. After termination, the depositary’s only responsibility will be (i) to deliver deposited securities to ADR holders who surrender their ADRs and (ii) to hold or sell distributions received on deposited securities. As soon as practicable after the expiration of six months from the termination date, the depositary will sell the remaining deposited securities and hold the net proceeds of such sales, together with any other cash then held by it under the deposit agreement, in trust for the pro rata benefit of ADR holders who have not yet surrendered their ADRs. After making those sales, the depositary shall have no obligations except to account for such proceeds and other cash. The depositary will not be required to invest such proceeds or pay interest on them.
Limitations on Obligations and Liability to ADR Holders
The deposit agreement expressly limits the obligations and liability of the depositary, ourselves and our respective agents. Neither we nor the depositary nor any such agent will be liable if:
any present or future law, rule, regulation, fiat, order or decree of the United States, the Republic of India or any other country, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or securities exchange or market or automated quotation system, the provisions of or regulation governing any deposited securities, any present or future provision of our charter, any act of God, war, terrorism, nationalization or other circumstance beyond its control shall prevent or delay, or shall cause it to be subject to any civil or criminal penalty in connection with any act which the deposit agreement or the ADRs provide shall be done or performed by it;
it exercises or fails to exercise discretion under the deposit agreement or the ADR;
it takes any action or inaction in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting shares for deposit, any registered holder of ADRs, or any other person believed by it to be competent to give such advice or information;
it performs its obligations under the deposit agreement without gross negligence or willful misconduct; or
it relies upon any written notice, request, direction, instruction or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, presented or given by the proper party or parties.
Neither the depositary nor its agents have any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any deposited securities or the ADRs. We and our agents shall only be obligated to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any deposited securities or the ADRs, which, in our opinion, may involve us in expense or liability, if indemnity satisfactory to us against all expense (including fees and disbursements of counsel) and liability is furnished as often as we require.
The depositary will not be liable for the price received in connection with any sale of securities or any delay or omission to act nor will the depositary be responsible for any error or delay in action, omission to act, default or negligence on the part of the party retained in connection with any sale or proposed sale of securities.
The depositary may own and deal in any class of securities and in ADSs.
Disclosure of Interest in ADSs
From time to time, we may request ADR holders and beneficial owners of ADSs to provide information as to:
the capacity in which they own or owned ADSs;
the identity of any other persons then or previously interested in such ADSs; and
the nature of such interest and various other matters.
Investors in ADSs agree to provide any information requested by us or the depositary pursuant to the deposit agreement. The depositary has agreed to use reasonable efforts, without risk, liability or expense on the part of the depositary, to comply with written instructions received from us requesting that it forward any such requests to investors in ADSs and other holders and beneficial owners and to forward to us any responses to such requests to the extent permitted by applicable law.
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We may restrict transfers of the shares where any such transfer might result in ownership of shares in contravention of, or exceeding the limits under, applicable law or our organizational documents. We may also instruct ADR holders that we are restricting the transfers of ADSs where such a transfer may result in the total number of shares represented by the ADSs beneficially owned by ADR holders contravening or exceeding the limits under the applicable law or our organizational documents. We reserve the right to instruct ADR holders to deliver their ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of the shares underlying such ADSs and holders agree to comply with such instructions.
Requirements for Depositary Actions
We, the depositary, or the custodian may refuse to:
issue, register or transfer an ADR or ADRs;
effect a
split-up
or combination of ADRs;
deliver distributions on any such ADRs; or
permit the withdrawal of deposited securities (unless the deposit agreement provides otherwise), until the following conditions have been met:
the holder has paid all taxes, governmental charges and fees and expenses as required in the deposit agreement;
the holder has provided the depositary with any information it may deem necessary or proper, including, without limitation, proof of identity and the genuineness of any signature, and information as to citizenship, residence, exchange control approval, beneficial ownership of any securities, compliance with applicable law, regulations, provisions of or governing deposited securities and terms of the deposit agreement and the ADRs; and
the holder has complied with such regulations as the depositary may establish consistent with the deposit agreement.
The depositary may also suspend the issuance of ADSs, the deposit of shares, the registration, transfer,
split-up
or combination of ADRs, or the withdrawal of deposited securities (unless the deposit agreement provides otherwise), if the register for ADRs or any deposited securities is closed or if any such action is deemed advisable by the depositary.
Books of Depositary
The depositary or its agent will maintain a register for the registration, registration of transfer, combination and
split-up
of ADRs, which, in the case of registered ADRs, shall include the depositary’s direct registration system. ADR holders may inspect the depositary’s designated records at all reasonable times. Such register may be closed at any time from time to time, when deemed expedient by the depositary.
The depositary will maintain facilities for the delivery and receipt of ADRs.
Pre-release
of ADSs
The depositary may issue ADSs prior to the receipt of shares and deliver shares prior to the receipt of ADSs for the withdrawal of deposited securities. Each such transaction is called a
pre-release
of the ADSs. A
pre-release
is closed out as soon as the underlying shares (or other ADSs) are delivered to the depositary. The depositary may
pre-release
ADSs only if:
the person or entity to whom ADSs or shares will be delivered;
represents that, at the time of the
pre-release,
the applicant or its customer owns the shares or ADSs to be delivered;
agrees to indicate the depositary as owner of such shares or ADSs in its records and to hold such shares or ADSs in trust for the depositary until they have been delivered to the depositary or custodian;
unconditionally guarantees to deliver the shares or ADSs to the depositary or custodian, as applicable;
agrees to any additional restrictions or requirements that the depositary deems appropriate; and
the depositary has received collateral for the full market value of the
pre-released
ADSs or shares.
In general, the number of
pre-released
ADSs and shares is limited to 30.0 percent of all ADSs outstanding at any given time (without giving effect to those ADSs issued prior to the receipt of shares). However, the depositary may change or disregard such limit from time to time as it deems appropriate. The depositary may also set limits with respect to the number of ADSs and shares involved in
pre-release
transactions with any one person on a
case-by-case
basis as it deems appropriate. The depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in conjunction with
pre-release
transactions, including earnings on collateral but excluding the collateral itself.
The Depositary
The depositary is JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., a commercial bank offering a wide range of banking services to its customers both domestically and internationally. JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association is a wholly owned bank subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co., a Delaware corporation.
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DIVIDEND POLICY
We have paid dividends every year since fiscal year 1997. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the dividend per equity share and the total amount of dividends declared on the equity shares, both exclusive of dividend tax. All dividends were paid in rupees.
   
Dividend per equity share
   
Total amount of dividends declared
 
           
(in millions)
 
Relating to Fiscal Year
        
2018
   6.50   US$0.086    33,736.2    US$444.7 
2019
   7.50    0.099    40,849.6    538.4 
2020*
   2.50    0.033    13,664.1    180.1 
2021**
   6.50    0.086    35,833.0    472.3 
2022***
   15.50    0.204    85,955.9    1,132.9 
*i)
A special interim dividend was declared in a meeting of the Board held on July 20, 2019 to commemorate 25 years of HDFC Bank’s operations with the record date fixed as August 2, 2019.
ii)
The RBI, in its circular dated April 17, 2020, prohibited banks from making any further dividend
pay-outs
from the profits pertaining to fiscal year ended March 31, 2020 until further notice. This restriction was put in place to ensure that banks conserve capital and retain their ability to support the economy and absorb losses in an environment of heightened uncertainty caused by the
COVID-19
pandemic. On December 4, 2020, the RBI repeated its view that in light of the ongoing stress and heightened uncertainty caused by the pandemic, banks should continue to conserve capital and maintained the prohibition on making dividend payments on equity shares from the profits pertaining to fiscal year ended March 31, 2020.
**
On April 22, 2021, the RBI limited dividend payouts for fiscal year 2021 to 50 percent of the amount determined under the applicable dividend payout ratio. The Board, at its meeting on June 18, 2021,
inter alia
, recommended a dividend of Rs. 6.5 per equity share of the Bank for fiscal year ended March 31, 2021. This was approved by the members at the Annual General Meeting held on July 17, 2021.
***
On April 23, 2022, the Board recommended a dividend of Rs. 15.50 per share of the Bank for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, which was approved by the shareholders for payment at their Annual General Meeting held on July 16, 2022.
Our dividends are generally declared and paid in the fiscal year following the fiscal year to which they relate. Under Indian law, a company pays dividends upon a recommendation by its board of directors and approval by a majority of the shareholders at the annual general meeting of shareholders held within five months of the end of each fiscal year. The shareholders have the right to decrease but not to increase the dividend amount recommended by the Board of Directors. As per the RBI guidelines, the dividend payout (excluding dividend tax) for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022 cannot exceed 35 percent of the net income of Rs. 369,613.6 million as calculated under Indian GAAP.
In accordance with the Finance Act 2020, with effect from April 1, 2020, the dividend distribution tax payable by a company upon the distribution of dividends has been abolished. As a result, as of April 1, 2020, the Bank is no longer required to pay direct tax in respect of dividends paid by the Bank. Although no direct taxes are to be paid by the Bank on dividends distributed from and after April 1, 2020, under Section 115AC of the Finance Act 2020, such dividends are now taxable to ADR holders at the rate of 10 percent plus applicable surcharge and cess, and such amount of tax is required to be withheld or deducted from the amount of any dividends distributed to ADR holders after March 31, 2020.
Future dividends will depend on our revenues, cash flows, financial condition (including capital position) and other factors. ADS holders will be entitled to receive dividends payable in respect of the equity shares represented by ADSs. One ADS represents three equity shares. Cash dividends in respect of the equity shares represented by ADSs will be paid to the depositary in Indian rupees and, except in certain instances, will be converted by the depositary into United States dollars. The depositary will distribute these proceeds to ADS holders. The equity shares represented by ADSs will rank equally with all other equity shares in respect of dividends.
For a description of regulation of dividends, see “
Supervision and Regulation—Special Provisions of the Banking Regulation Act—Restrictions on Payment of Dividends
”.
79

SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
The following tables set forth our selected financial and other data. Our selected income statement data for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022 and the selected balance sheet data as of March 31, 2021 and 2022 are derived from our audited financial statements included in this report.
For the convenience of the reader, the selected financial data as of and for the year ended March 31, 2022 have been translated into U.S. dollars at the rate on such date of Rs. 75.87 per US$1.00. The U.S. dollar equivalent information should not be construed to imply that the real amounts represent, or could have been or could be converted into, U.S. dollars at such rates or at any other rate.
By an ordinary resolution on July 12, 2019, the shareholders of the Bank approved a subdivision (stock split) of the Bank’s equity shares to reduce the face value of each equity share from Rs. 2.0 to Rs. 1.0 per equity share effective as of September 20, 2019. The number of issued and subscribed equity shares increased to 5,470,763,894 shares of par value Rs. 1.0 each. All share/ADS and per share/ADS data reflect the effect of the stock split retroactively. One ADS continues to represent three equity shares.
You should read the following data with the more detailed information contained in “
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
” and our financial statements. Footnotes to the following data appear below the final table.
   
Year ended March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
   
(in millions, except per equity share data and ADS data)
 
Selected income statement data:
        
Interest and dividend revenue
  Rs.1,211,982.9   Rs.1,275,967.6   Rs.1,333,137.0   US$17,571.3 
Interest expense
   618,455.5    592,281.1    584,297.5    7,701.4 
Net interest revenue
   593,527.4    683,686.5    748,839.5    9,869.9 
Provisions for credit losses
(1)
   117,621.9    154,233.4    126,979.5    1,673.6 
Net interest revenue after provisions for credit losses
   475,905.5    529,453.1    621,860.0    8,196.3 
Non-interest
revenue, net
   198,219.0    252,975.7    270,574.2    3,566.3 
Net revenue
   674,124.5    782,428.8    892,434.2    11,762.6 
Non-interest
expense
   308,280.5    342,602.3    373,272.0    4,920.0 
Income before income tax expense
   365,844.0    439,826.5    519,162.2    6,842.6 
Income tax expense
   105,480.0    113,820.1    132,559.2    1,747.2 
Net income before
non-controlling
interest
   260,364.0    326,006.4    386,603.0    5,095.4 
Less: Net income attributable to shareholders of
non-controlling
interest
   94.1    29.3    602.6    7.9 
Net income attributable to HDFC Bank Limited
  Rs.260,269.9   Rs.325,977.1   Rs. 386,000.4   US$5,087.5 
Per equity share data:
        
Earnings per equity share, basic
  Rs.47.59   Rs.59.27   Rs.69.76   US$0.92 
Earnings per equity share, diluted
   47.27    59.02    69.38    0.91 
Dividends per share
   2.50    6.50    15.50    0.20 
Book value
(2)
   345.25    391.75    451.69    5.95 
Equity share data:
        
Equity shares outstanding at end of period
   5,483.3    5,512.8    5,545.5    5,545.5 
Weighted average equity shares outstanding—basic
   5,468.8    5,499.6    5,533.1    5,533.1 
Weighted average equity shares outstanding—diluted
   5,505.8    5,523.5    5,563.5    5,563.5 
ADS data (where one ADS represents three shares):
        
Earnings per ADS—basic
   142.77    177.81    209.28    2.76 
Earnings per ADS—diluted
   141.81    177.06    208.14    2.73 
80

   
As of March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
   
(in millions)
 
Selected balance sheet data:
        
Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash
  Rs.611,961.0   Rs.930,694.7   Rs.1,122,031.1   US$14,788.9 
Loans, net of allowance
(1)
   10,425,022.4    11,700,189.2    14,036,872.2    185,012.2 
Investments:
        
Investments held for trading
   304,962.9    99,620.2    53,199.5    701.2 
Investments available for sale, debt securities
   3,406,289.2    4,275,449.9    4,388,563.1    57,843.2 
Total
   3,711,252.1    4,375,070.1    4,441,762.6    58,544.4 
Total assets
(3)
  Rs.15,961,889.1   Rs.17,979,782.0   Rs.21,113,705.5   US$278,287.9 
Long term debt
   1,026,518.3    1,174,758.2    1,554,333.4    20,486.8 
Short term borrowings
   377,417.6    239,264.1    554,167.6    7,304.2 
Total deposits
   11,462,071.3    13,337,230.2    15,580,031.9    205,351.7 
Of which:
        
Interest-bearing deposits
   9,730,481.3    11,226,467.8    13,197,979.7    173,955.2 
Non-interest-bearing
deposits
   1,731,590.0    2,110,762.4    2,382,052.2    31,396.5 
Total liabilities
(3)
   14,065,395.3    15,816,377.2    18,604,252.1    245,212.2 
Noncontrolling interest
   3,411.4    3,776.4    4,615.0    60.8 
HDFC Bank Limited shareholders’ equity
   1,893,082.4    2,159,628.4    2,504,838.4    33,014.9 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  Rs.15,961,889.1   Rs.17,979,782.0   Rs.21,113,705.5   US$278,287.9 
   
Year ended March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
   
(in millions)
 
Period average
(4)
        
Interest-earning assets
  Rs.12,882,466.7   Rs.15,385,116.2   Rs.17,476,144.8   US$230,343.3 
Loans, net of allowance
   9,342,363.0    10,589,490.6    12,175,749.9    160,481.7 
Total assets
   13,797,721.6    16,396,029.4    18,648,153.1    245,790.9 
Interest-bearing deposits
   8,684,183.5    10,628,807.9    11,951,645.0    157,527.9 
Non-interest-bearing
deposits
   1,202,574.5    1,430,913.3    1,769,880.8    23,327.8 
Total deposits
   9,886,758.0    12,059,721.2    13,721,525.8    180,855.8 
Interest-bearing liabilities
   10,306,283.8    12,287,815.7    13,945,086.1    183,802.4 
Long term debt
   1,023,425.5    1,109,959.9    1,243,226.8    16,386.3 
Short term borrowings
   598,674.8    549,047.9    750,214.3    9,888.2 
Total liabilities
   12,069,459.7    14,368,425.0    16,347,325.5    215,464.9 
Total shareholders’ equity
   1,728,261.9    2,027,604.4    2,300,827.6    30,325.9 
81

   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
 
   
(in percentage)
 
Profitability:
      
Net income attributable to HDFC Bank Limited as a percentage of:
      
Average total assets
   1.9    2.0    2.1 
Average total shareholders’ equity
   15.1    16.1    16.8 
Dividend payout ratio
(5)
   5.3    11.0    22.3 
Spread
(6)
   4.0    4.0    3.9 
Net interest margin
(7)
   4.6    4.4    4.3 
Cost-to-net
revenue ratio
(8)
   45.7    43.8    41.8 
Cost-to-average
assets ratio
(9)
   2.2    2.1    2.0 
Capital:
      
Total capital adequacy ratio
(10)
   18.52    18.79    18.90 
Tier I capital adequacy ratio
(10)
   17.23    17.56    17.87 
Tier II capital adequacy ratio
(10)
   1.29    1.23    1.03 
Average total shareholders’ equity as a percentage of average total assets
   12.5    12.4    12.3 
Asset quality:
      
Gross
non-performing
customer assets as a percentage of gross customer assets
(11)
   1.4    1.7    1.3 
(1)
With effect from April 1, 2020, the Bank adopted FASB ASU
2016-13
“Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326)” using the modified retrospective method for reporting periods beginning after April 1, 2020. Prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP.
(2)
Represents the difference between total assets and total liabilities, reduced by noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries, divided by the number of shares outstanding at the end of each reporting period.
(3)
With effect from April 1, 2019, the Bank adopted FASB ASU
2016-02
“Leases (Topic 842)” using the modified retrospective method.
(4)
Average balances are the average of daily outstanding amounts.
(5)
Represents the ratio of total dividends payable on equity shares relating to each fiscal year, excluding the dividend distribution tax, as a percentage of net income of that year. Dividends declared each year are typically paid in the following fiscal year. With effect from April 1, 2020, dividend distribution tax on dividends distributed has been abolished. The dividend for fiscal year 2020 represents the special interim dividend paid during that year. See “
Dividend Policy
.
(5)(6)
Represents the difference between yield on average interest-earning assets and cost of average interest-bearing liabilities. Yield on average interest-earning assets is the ratio of interest revenue to average interest-earning assets. Cost of average interest-bearing liabilities is the ratio of interest expense to average interest-bearing liabilities. For purposes of calculating spread, interest-bearing liabilities includes
non-interestnon-interest-bearing
bearing current accounts.
(6)(7)
Represents the ratio of net interest revenue to average interest-earning assets. The difference in net interest margin and spread arises due to the difference in the amount of average interest-earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities. If average interest-earning assets exceed average interest-bearing liabilities, the net interest margin is greater than the spread. If average interest-bearing liabilities exceed average interest-earning assets, the net interest margin is less than the spread.
(7)(8)
Represents the ratio of
non-interest
expense to the sum of net interest revenue after provision for credit losses and
non-interest
revenue.
(8)(9)
Represents the ratio of
non-interest
expense to average total assets.
(9)(10)
Calculated in accordance with RBI guidelines (Basel III Capital Regulations, generally referred to as “Basel III”). See also “
Supervision and Regulation
”.
(10)(11)
Customer assets consist of loans and credit substitutes.
 
7582

SELECTED STATISTICAL INFORMATION
The following information should be read together with our financial statements included in this report as well as “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”. Certain amounts presented in this section are in accordance with U.S. GAAP and certain figures are presented according to RBI guidelines where noted. Footnotes appear at the end of each related section of tables.
Average Balance Sheet
The table below presents the average balances for our assets and liabilities together with the related interest revenue and expense amounts, resulting in the presentation of the average yields and cost for each period. The average balance is the daily average of balances outstanding. The average yield on average interest-earning assets is the ratio of interest revenue to average interest-earning assets. The average cost of average interest-bearing liabilities is the ratio of interest expense to average interest-bearing liabilities. The average balances of loans include
non-performing
loans and are net of allowance for credit losses.
 
  
Year ended March 31,
 
  
2018
  
2019
  
2020
 
  
Average
balance
  
Interest
revenue/
expense
  
Average
yield/
cost
  
Average
balance
  
Interest
revenue/
expense
  
Average
yield/
cost
  
Average
balance
  
Interest
revenue/
expense
  
Average
yield/
cost
 
  
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Assets:
         
Interest-earning assets:
         
Due from banks
(1)
 Rs.155,134.1  Rs. 6,969.3   4.5% Rs. 148,277.5  Rs.7,221.5   4.9% Rs. 431,461.7  Rs. 18,665.8   4.3%
Investments available for sale debt securities
  2,185,498.3   158,209.2   7.2   2,617,688.2   190,992.5   7.3   2,811,228.3   198,383.2   7.1 
Investments held for trading
  76,921.8   4,049.1   5.3   165,237.5   8,892.9   5.4   160,667.5   7,392.1   4.6 
Loans, net:
         
Retail loans
  4,629,220.5   515,334.1   11.1   5,655,160.9   626,359.1   11.1   6,465,548.5   736,290.1   11.4 
Wholesale loans
  1,878,226.0   152,124.6   8.1   2,357,824.2   201,323.9   8.5   2,876,814.5   245,504.7   8.5 
Other assets
  127,768.7   6,779.0   5.3   138,601.5   6,925.0   5.0   136,746.2   5,747.0   4.2 
Total interest-earning assets:
 Rs. 9,052,769.4  Rs. 843,465.3   9.3% Rs. 11,082,789.8  Rs. 1,041,714.9   9.4% Rs. 12,882,466.7  Rs.1,211,982.9   9.4%
Non-interest-earning
assets:
         
Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash
  346,111.0     415,721.0     490,459.0   
Property and equipment
  38,790.1     40,943.0     45,124.2   
Other assets
  196,665.2     235,017.8     379,671.7   
Total
non-interest
earning assets
  581,566.3     691,681.8     915,254.9   
Total assets
 Rs. 9,634,335.7  Rs. 843,465.3   8.8% Rs. 11,774,471.6  Rs. 1,041,714.9   8.8% Rs.13,797,721.6  Rs.1,211,982.9   8.8%
Liabilities:
         
Interest-bearing liabilities:
         
Savings account deposits
 Rs. 1,919,734.0  Rs. 72,103.0   3.8% Rs.2,226,287.0  Rs.80,630.0   3.6% Rs.2,552,856.0  Rs.92,813.0   3.6%
Time deposits
  3,929,805.4   254,614.8   6.5   4,904,876.3   329,396.4   6.7   6,131,327.5   415,075.8   6.8 
Short-term borrowings
(2)
  529,833.0   26,299.4   5.0   780,567.8   39,101.8   5.0   598,674.8   27,366.2   4.6 
Long-term debt
  881,556.7   67,297.5   7.6   1,015,061.9   85,081.1   8.4   1,023,425.5   83,200.5   8.1 
Total interest-bearing liabilities
 Rs.7,260,929.1  Rs.420,314.7   5.8% Rs.8,926,793.0  Rs.534,209.3   6.0% Rs.10,306,283.8  Rs.618,455.5   6.0%
Non-interest-bearing
liabilities:
         
Non-interest-bearing
deposits
  946,157.4     1,029,226.1     1,202,574.5   
Other liabilities
  346,209.3     399,157.9     560,601.4   
Total
non-interest-bearing
liabilities
  1,292,366.7     1,428,384.0     1,763,175.9   
Total liabilities
 Rs.8,553,295.8  Rs.420,314.7   4.9% Rs.10,355,177.0  Rs.534,209.3   5.2% Rs.12,069,459.7  Rs.618,455.5   5.1%
Total shareholders’ equity
  1,081,039.9     1,419,294.6     1,728,261.9   
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 Rs.9,634,335.7  Rs.420,314.7   4.4% Rs.11,774,471.6  Rs.534,209.3   4.5% Rs.13,797,721.6  Rs.618,455.5   4.5%
(1)
Includes securities purchased under agreements to resell.
(2)
Includes securities sold under repurchase agreements.
  
Year ended March 31,
 
  
2020
  
2021
  
2022
 
  
Average
balance
  
Interest
revenue/
expense
  
Average
yield/
cost
  
Average
balance
  
Interest
revenue/
expense
  
Average
yield/
cost
  
Average
balance
  
Interest
revenue/
expense
  
Average
yield/
cost
 
  
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Assets:
         
Interest-earning assets:
         
Due from banks
 Rs.131,074.9  Rs.3,138.5   2.4 Rs.147,708.6  Rs.1,019.5   0.7 Rs.108,184.0  Rs.1,090.9   1.0
Investments available for sale debt securities
  2,811,228.3   198,383.2   7.1   3,751,942.6   226,690.9   6.0   4,132,605.2   240,943.0   5.8 
Investments held for trading
  160,667.5   7,392.1   4.6   81,621.3   3,373.8   4.1   81,809.4   1,647.5   2.0 
Loans, net:
         
Retail loans
  6,465,548.5   736,290.1   11.4   6,975,006.4   757,784.4   10.9   8,014,536.7   827,230.7   10.3 
Wholesale loans
  2,876,814.5   245,504.7   8.5   3,614,484.2   259,263.4   7.2   4,161,213.2   230,694.9   5.5 
Securities purchased with agreement to resell
  300,386.8   15,527.3   5.2   674,912.0   23,149.6   3.4   699,778.0   25,101.0   3.6 
Other assets
  136,746.2   5,747.0   4.2   139,441.1   4,686.0   3.4   278,018.3   6,429.0   2.3 
Total interest-earning assets:
 Rs.12,882,466.7  Rs.1,211,982.9   9.4 Rs.15,385,116.2  Rs.1,275,967.6   8.3 Rs.17,476,144.8  Rs.1,333,137.0   7.6
Non-interest-earning
assets:
         
Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash
  490,459.0     474,736.0     668,669.0   
Property and equipment
  45,124.2     50,822.3     57,591.1   
Other assets
  379,671.7     485,354.9     445,748.2   
Total
non-interest
earning assets
  915,254.9     1,010,913.2     1,172,008.3   
Total assets
 Rs.13,797,721.6  Rs.1,211,982.9   8.8 Rs.16,396,029.4  Rs.1,275,967.6   7.8 Rs.18,648,153.1  Rs.1,333,137.0   7.1
Liabilities:
         
Interest-bearing liabilities:
         
Savings account deposits
 Rs.2,552,856.0  Rs.92,813.0   3.6 Rs.3,392,406.0  Rs.108,107.0   3.2 Rs.4,348,242.0  Rs.137,400.0   3.2
Time deposits
  6,131,327.5   415,075.8   6.8   7,236,401.9   393,153.2   5.4   7,603,403.0   351,610.1   4.6 
Short term borrowings
  478,191.0   22,175.2   4.6   239,096.7   3,359.4   1.4   403,780.3   6,537.1   1.6 
Long term debt
  1,023,425.5   83,200.5   8.1   1,109,959.9   78,361.5   7.1   1,243,226.8   77,456.3   6.2 
Securities sold with agreement to repurchase
  120,483.8   5,191.0   4.3   309,951.2   9,300.0   3.0   346,434.0   11,294.0   3.3 
Total interest-bearing liabilities
 Rs.10,306,283.8  Rs.618,455.5   6.0 Rs.12,287,815.7  Rs.592,281.1   4.8 Rs.13,945,086.1  Rs.584,297.5   4.2
Non-interest-bearing
liabilities:
         
Non-interest-bearing
deposits
  1,202,574.5     1,430,913.3     1,769,880.8   
Other liabilities
  560,601.4     649,696.0     632,358.6   
Total
non-interest-bearing
liabilities
  1,763,175.9     2,080,609.3     2,402,239.4   
Total liabilities
 Rs.12,069,459.7  Rs.618,455.5   5.1 Rs.14,368,425.0  Rs.592,281.1   4.1 Rs.16,347,325.5  Rs.584,297.5   3.6
Total shareholders’ equity
  1,728,261.9     2,027,604.4     2,300,827.6   
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 Rs.13,797,721.6  Rs.618,455.5   4.5 Rs.16,396,029.4  Rs.592,281.1   3.6 Rs.18,648,153.1  Rs.584,297.5   3.1
 
7683

Analysis of Changes in Interest Revenue and Interest Expense
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the allocation of the changes in our interest revenue and interest expense between average balance and average rate.
 
   
Fiscal 2019 vs. Fiscal 2018
Increase (decrease)
(1)
due to
  
Fiscal 2020 vs. Fiscal 2019
Increase (decrease)
(1)
due to
 
   
Net change
   
Change in
Average balance
  
Change in
average rate
  
Net change
  
Change in
Average balance
  
Change in
average rate
 
          
(in millions)
       
Interest revenue:
        
Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash
  Rs.252.2   Rs. (308.0) Rs. 560.2  Rs. 11,444.3  Rs. 13,791.8  Rs. (2,347.5
Investments available for sale debt securities
   32,783.3    31,323.0   1,460.3   7,390.7   13,736.0   (6,345.3
Investments held for trading
   4,843.8    4,648.9   194.9   (1,500.8  (246.0  (1,254.8
Loans, net:
        
Retail loans
   111,025.0    114,209.7   (3,184.7  109,931.1   89,757.6   20,173.5 
Wholesale loans
   49,199.3    38,844.5   10,354.8   44,180.7   44,314.2   (133.5
Other assets
   146.0    655.5   (509.5  (1,178.0  (92.7  (1,085.3
Total interest-earning assets
  Rs. 198,249.6   Rs.189,373.6  Rs. 8,876.0  Rs. 170,268.0  Rs. 161,260.9  Rs.9,007.1 
Interest expense:
        
Savings account deposits
  Rs. 8,527.0   Rs.11,513.8  Rs. (2,986.8) Rs. 12,183.0  Rs.11,827.4  Rs.355.6 
Time deposits
   74,781.6    63,175.5   11,606.1   85,679.4   82,364.7   3,314.7 
Short-term borrowings
   12,802.4    12,445.8   356.6   (11,735.6  (9,111.8  (2,623.8
Long-term debt
   17,783.6    10,191.7   7,591.9   (1,880.6  701.0   (2,581.6
Total interest-bearing liabilities
  Rs. 113,894.6   Rs.97,326.8  Rs.16,567.8  Rs.84,246.2  Rs.85,781.3  Rs. (1,535.1
Net interest revenue
  Rs.84,355.0   Rs.92,046.8  Rs. (7,691.8) Rs. 86,021.8  Rs.75,479.6  Rs. 10,542.2 
   
Fiscal Year 2021 vs. Fiscal Year 2020
Increase (decrease)
(1)
due to
  
Fiscal Year 2022 vs. Fiscal Year 2021
Increase (decrease)
(1)
due to
 
   
Net change
  
Change in
Average balance
  
Change in
Average rate
  
Net change
  
Change in
Average balance
  
Change in
Average rate
 
   
(in millions)
 
Interest revenue:
       
Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash
  Rs.(2,119.0 Rs.398.3  Rs.(2,517.3 Rs.71.4  Rs.(272.8 Rs.344.2 
Investments available for sale debt securities
   28,307.7   66,384.5   (38,076.8  14,252.1   22,999.5   (8,747.4
Investments held for trading
   (4,018.3  (3,636.8  (381.5  (1,726.3  7.8   (1,734.1
Loans, net:
       
Retail loans
   21,494.2   58,016.6   (36,522.4  69,446.3   112,937.5   (43,491.2
Wholesale loans
   13,758.8   62,952.0   (49,193.2  (28,568.5  39,216.3   (67,784.8
Securities purchased with agreement to resell
   7,622.3   19,359.6   (11,737.3  1,951.4   852.9   1,098.5 
Other assets
   (1,061.0  113.3   (1,174.3  1,743.0   4,657.0   (2,914.0
Total interest-earning assets
  Rs.63,984.7  Rs.203,587.5  Rs.(139,602.8 Rs.57,169.4  Rs.180,398.2  Rs.(123,228.8
Interest expense:
       
Savings account deposits
  Rs.15,294.0  Rs.30,523.1  Rs.(15,229.1)  Rs.29,293.0  Rs.30,460.0  Rs.(1,167.0
Time deposits
   (21,922.6  74,810.8   (96,733.4  (41,543.1  19,939.1   (61,482.2
Short term borrowings
   (18,815.8  (11,087.5  (7,728.3  3,177.7   2,313.9   863.8 
Long term debt
   (4,839.0  7,034.9   (11,873.9  (905.2  9,408.4   (10,313.6
Securities sold with agreement to repurchase
   4,109.0   8,163.1   (4,054.1  1,994.0   1,094.7   899.3 
Total interest-bearing liabilities
  Rs.(26,174.4 Rs.109,444.4  Rs.(135,618.8 Rs.(7,983.6 Rs.63,216.1  Rs.(71,199.7
Net interest revenue
  Rs.90,159.1  Rs.94,143.1  Rs.(3,984.0 Rs.65,153.0  Rs.117,182.1  Rs.(52,029.1
 
(1)
The changes in net interest revenue between periods have been reflected as attributed either to average balance or average rate changes. For purposes of this table, changes whichthat are due to both average balance and average rate have been allocated solely to changes in average rate.
 
7784

Yields, Spreads and Margins
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the yields, spreads and interest margins on our interest-earning assets.
 
   
Year ended March 31,
 
   
2018
  
2019
  
2020
 
   
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Interest and dividend revenue
  Rs.843,465.3  Rs.1,041,714.9  Rs.1,211,982.9 
Average interest-earning assets
   9,052,769.4   11,082,789.8   12,882,466.7 
Interest expense
   420,314.7   534,209.3   618,455.5 
Average interest-bearing liabilities
   7,260,929.1   8,926,793.0   10,306,283.8 
Average total assets
   9,634,335.7   11,774,471.6   13,797,721.6 
Average interest-earning assets as a percentage of average total assets
   94.0%  94.1%  93.4%
Average interest-bearing liabilities as a percentage of average total assets
   75.4%  75.8%  74.7%
Average interest-earning assets as a percentage of average interest-bearing liabilities
   124.7%  124.2%  125.0%
Yield
   9.3%  9.4%  9.4%
Cost of funds
(1)
   4.9%  5.2%  5.1%
Spread
(2)
   4.2%  4.0%  4.0%
Net interest margin
(3)
   4.7%  4.6%  4.6%
   
Years ended March 31,
 
   
2020
  
2021
  
2022
 
   
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Interest and dividend revenue
  Rs.1,211,982.9  Rs.1,275,967.6  Rs.1,333,137.0 
Average interest-earning assets
   12,882,466.7   15,385,116.2   17,476,144.8 
Interest expense
   618,455.5   592,281.1   584,297.5 
Average interest-bearing liabilities
   10,306,283.8   12,287,815.7   13,945,086.1 
Average total assets
   13,797,721.6   16,396,029.4   18,648,153.1 
Average interest-earning assets as a percentage of average total assets
   93.4  93.8  93.7
Average interest-bearing liabilities as a percentage of average total assets
   74.7  74.9  74.8
Average interest-earning assets as a percentage of average interest-bearing liabilities
   125.0  125.2  125.3
Yield
   9.4  8.3  7.6
Cost of funds
(1)
   5.1  4.1  3.6
Spread
(2)
   4.0  4.0  3.9
Net interest margin
(3)
   4.6  4.4  4.3
 
(1)
Excludes total shareholders’ equity.
(2)
Represents the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities. The yield on average interest-earning assets is the ratio of interest revenue to average interest-earning assets. The cost of average interest-bearing liabilities is the ratio of interest expense to average interest-bearing liabilities. For purposes of calculating spread, interest-bearing liabilities includeincludes
non-interestnon-interest-bearing
bearing current accounts.
(3)
The net interest margin is the ratio of net interest revenue to average interest-earning assets. The difference in the net interest margin and spread arises due to the difference in the amount of average interest-earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities. If average interest-earning assets exceed average interest-bearing liabilities, the net interest margin is greater than the spread. If average interest-bearing liabilities exceed average interest-earning assets, the net interest margin is less than the spread.
Return on Equity and Assets
The following table presents selected financial ratios for the periods indicated.
   
Year ended March 31,
 
   
2018
  
2019
  
2020
 
   
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Net income
  Rs.178,514.9  Rs.220,103.8  Rs.260,269.9 
Average total assets
   9,634,335.7   11,774,471.6   13,797,721.6 
Average total shareholders’ equity
   1,081,039.9   1,419,294.6   1,728,262.0 
Net income as a percentage of average total assets
   1.9%  1.9%  1.9%
Net income as a percentage of average total shareholders’ equity
   16.5%  15.5%  15.1%
Average total shareholders’ equity as a percentage of average total assets
   11.2%  12.1%  12.5%
Dividend payout-ratio
   18.9%  18.6%  5.3%
78

Investment Portfolio
Available for Sale Debt Investments
The following tables set forth, as of the dates indicated, information related to our investments available for sale debt securities.
  
At March 31,
 
  
2018
  
2019
  
2020
 
  
Amortized
Cost
  
Gross
unrealized
gain
  
Gross
unrealized
loss
  
Fair value
  
Amortized
cost
  
Gross
unrealized
gain
  
Gross
unrealized
loss
  
Fair value
  
Amortized
cost
  
Gross
unrealized
gain
  
Gross
unrealized
loss
  
Fair Value
 
  
(in millions)
 
Government
securities
 Rs. 1,872,187.9  Rs. 11,519.2  Rs. 17,572.9  Rs. 1,866,134.2  Rs. 2,292,568.3  Rs. 26,746.0  Rs. 10,310.6  Rs. 2,309,003.7  Rs. 2,814,520.3  Rs. 63,967.7  Rs. 1,491.6  Rs. 2,876,996.4 
Government
securities
outside
India
  4,223.8   —     6.8   4,217.0   7,201.6   3.3   —     7,204.9   8,367.0   48.4   0.0   8,415.4 
Other debt
securities
  333,385.3   495.4   1,682.1   332,198.6   277,475.7   930.8   1,570.1   276,836.4   390,452.4   2,522.3   1,086.9   391,887.8 
Total debt
securities
 Rs. 2,209,797.0  Rs.12,014.6  Rs. 19,261.8  Rs. 2,202,549.8  Rs.2,577,245.6  Rs. 27,680.1  Rs. 11,880.7  Rs. 2,593,045.0  Rs. 3,213,339.7  Rs. 66,538.4  Rs. 2,578.5  Rs. 3,277,299.6 
Others*
  19,186.3   66.0   358.8   18,893.5   40,259.7   166.3   122.6   40,303.4   127,392.6   1,747.0   150.0   128,989.6 
Total
 Rs. 2,228,983.3  Rs. 12,080.6  Rs. 19,620.6  Rs. 2,221,443.3  Rs. 2,617,505.3  Rs. 27,846.4  Rs. 12,003.3  Rs. 2,633,348.4  Rs. 3,340,732.3  Rs. 68,285.4  Rs. 2,728.5  Rs. 3,406,289.2 
*
Includes asset and mortgage backed securities and mutual funds.
Held for Trading Investments
The following table sets forth, as of the dates indicated, information related to our investments held for trading:
   
At March 31,
 
   
2018
   
2019
   
2020
 
   
Amortized
cost
   
Gross
unrealized
gain
   
Gross
unrealized
loss
   
Fair value
   
Amortized
cost
   
Gross
unrealized
gain
   
Gross
unrealized
loss
   
Fair value
   
Amortized
cost
   
Gross
unrealized
gain
   
Gross
unrealized
loss
   
Fair value
 
   
(in millions)
 
Government securities
  Rs.25,962.2   Rs.19.0   Rs.8.0   Rs.25,973.2   Rs.134,084.9   Rs.163.2   Rs.0.1   Rs.134,248.0   Rs.207,131.4   Rs.592.9   Rs.17.2   Rs.207,707.1 
Other debt securities
   49,982.3    62.8    0.4    50,044.7    33,990.6    15.8    1.1    34,005.3    4,495.9    7.1    32.5    4,470.5 
Total debt securities
  Rs.75,944.5   Rs.81.8   Rs.8.4   Rs.76,017.9   Rs.168,075.5   Rs.179.0   Rs.1.2   Rs.168,253.3   Rs.211,627.3   Rs.600.0   Rs.49.7   Rs.212,177.6 
Non-debt
securities
   91,488.6    7.4    —      91,496.0    96,935.6    327.2    —      97,262.8    92,683.9    101.40    —      92,785.3 
Total
  Rs.167,433.1   Rs.89.2   Rs.8.4   Rs.167,513.9   Rs.265,011.1   Rs.506.2   Rs.1.2   Rs.265,516.1   Rs.304,311.2   Rs.701.4   Rs.49.7   Rs.304,962.9 
Residual Maturity Profile
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, an analysis of the residual maturity profile of our investments in government and other debt securities classified as
available-for-sale
debt securities and their market yields.
79

   
At March 31, 2020
 
   
Up to one year
  
One to five years
  
Five to ten years
  
More than ten years
 
   
Amount
   
Yield
  
Amount
   
Yield
  
Amount
   
Yield
  
Amount
   
Yield
 
   
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Government securities
  Rs.859,680.4    4.3% Rs.747,677.6    5.6% Rs. 930,580.1    6.5% Rs.339,058.3    6.4%
Government securities outside India
   8,415.4    2.1   —      —     —      —     —      —   
Other debt securities
   247,850.6    6.2   114,141.2    7.4   15,722.2    8.6   14,173.8    9.1 
Total debt securities, fair value
  Rs.1,115,946.4    4.7% Rs.861,818.8    5.8% Rs.946,302.3    6.6% Rs. 353,232.1    6.5%
Total amortized cost
  Rs. 1,112,389.9    Rs. 838,625.0    Rs.916,798.3    Rs.345,526.5   
Funding
Our funding operations are designed to ensure stability, low cost of funding and effective liquidity management. The primary source of funding is deposits raised from retail customers, which were 7780 percent and 81 percent of total deposits as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020.2022, respectively. Wholesale banking deposits represented 2320 percent and 19 percent of total deposits as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020.2022, respectively.
Total Deposits
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, our average outstanding deposits and the percentage composition by each category of deposits. The average cost (interest expense divided by the average of the daily balance for the relevant period) of savings deposits was 3.83.2 percent in fiscal 2018, 3.6year 2021 and 3.2 percent in fiscal 2019 and 3.6 percent in fiscal 2020.year 2022. The average cost of time deposits was 6.55.4 percent in fiscal 2018, 6.7year 2021 and 4.6 percent in fiscal 2019 and 6.8 percent in fiscal 2020.year 2022. The average deposits for the periods set forth are as follows:
 
   
Year ended March 31,
 
   
2018
  
2019
  
2020
 
   
Amount
   
% of total
  
Amount
   
% of total
  
Amount
   
% of total
 
   
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Current deposits
  Rs. 946,157.4    14.0% Rs. 1,029,226.1    12.6% Rs. 1,202,574.5    12.2%
Savings deposits
   1,919,734.0    28.2   2,226,287.0    27.3   2,552,856.0    25.8 
Time deposits
   3,929,805.4    57.8   4,904,876.3    60.1   6,131,327.5    62.0 
Total
  Rs. 6,795,696.8    100.0% Rs.8,160,389.4    100.0% Rs.9,886,758.0    100.0%
As of March 31, 2020, individual time deposits in excess of Rs. 0.1 million had a balance to maturity profile as follows:
  
At March 31, 2020
 
  
Up to three months
  
Three to six months
  
Six to twelve months
  
More than one year
 
  
(in millions)
 
Balance to maturity for time deposits exceeding Rs. 0.1 million each
 Rs.1,933,085.3  Rs.1,156,010.4  Rs.1,957,460.5  Rs.1,351,141.9 
Short-term Borrowings
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, information related to our short-term borrowings, which are comprised primarily of money-market borrowings. Short-term borrowings include securities sold under repurchase agreements.
   
Years ended March 31,
 
   
2018
  
2019
  
2020
 
   
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Period end
  Rs. 917,201.7  Rs. 828,058.0  Rs. 885,399.6 
Average balance during the period
  Rs.529,833.0  Rs.780,567.8  Rs.598,674.8 
Maximum outstanding
  Rs.917,619.6  Rs. 1,112,780.5  Rs.971,364.0 
Average interest rate during the period
(1)
   5.0%  5.0%  4.6%
Average interest rate at period end
(2)
   5.1%  5.6%  1.6%
(1)
Represents the ratio of interest expense on short-term borrowings to the average of daily balances of short-term borrowings.
(2)
Represents the weighted average rate of short-term borrowings outstanding as of March 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
   
Years ended March 31,
 
   
2020
  
2021
  
2022
 
   
Amount
   
% of total
  
Amount
   
% of total
  
Amount
   
% of total
 
   
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Current deposits
  Rs. 1,202,574.5    12.2 Rs. 1,430,913.3    11.9 Rs. 1,769,880.8    12.9
Savings deposits
   2,552,856.0    25.8   3,392,406.0    28.1   4,348,242.0    31.7 
Time deposits
   6,131,327.5    62.0   7,236,401.9    60.0   7,603,403.0    55.4 
Total
  Rs.9,886,758.0    100.0 Rs. 12,059,721.2    100.0 Rs. 13,721,525.8   100.0 
 
80

Subordinated Debt
We also obtain funds from the issuance of unsecured subordinated debt securities, which qualify as Tier I or Tier II capital as per the eligibility criteria under the RBI’s Basel III capital regulations. Subordinated debt and Perpetual Debt Instruments with face value outstanding as of March 31, 2020 were Rs. 133.76 billion (previous year: Rs. 128.32 billion) and Rs. 85.00 billion (previous year: 83.00 billion), respectively. The breakup of the same is shown hereunder:
Type
  
Currency
   
Year of
issue
   
Year of
maturity
   
Average
tenor
(years)
   
Interest rate
(%)
   
Year of call
   
Step-up rate

(%)
   
Face value
(Rupees in billions)
 
Tier II
   INR    2010-11    2025-26    15.0    8.70    2020-21    9.20    11.05 
Tier II
   INR    2011-12    2026-27    15.0    9.48    2021-22    —      36.50 
Tier II
   INR    2012-13    2027-28    15.0    9.45    2022-23    —      34.77 
Tier II
   INR    2012-13    2022-23    10.0    10.20    —      —      2.50 
Tier II
   INR    2012-13    2022-23    10.0    9.70    —      —      1.50 
Tier II
   INR    2012-13    2022-23    10.0    9.60    —      —      2.00 
Tier II
   INR    2013-14    2023-24    10.0    10.20    —      —      1.00 
Tier II
   INR    2013-14    2023-24    10.0    10.05    —      —      0.50 
Tier II
   INR    2013-14    2023-24    10.0    10.19    —      —      0.80 
Tier II
   INR    2014-15    2024-25    10.0    9.70    —      —      2.00 
Tier II
   INR    2014-15    2024-25    10.0    9.55    —      —      1.00 
Tier II
   INR    2014-15    2024-25    10.0    9.55    —      —      2.00 
Tier II
   INR    2016-17    2026-27    10.0    8.79    —      —      2.20 
Tier II
   INR    2016-17    2026-27    10.0    8.05    —      —      1.70 
Tier II
   INR    2017-18    2027-28    10.0    7.56    —      —      20.00 
Tier II
   INR    2017-18    2027-28    10.0    8.42    —      —      1.50 
Tier II
   INR    2017-18    2027-28    10.0    8.45    —      —      1.30 
Tier II
   INR    2018-19    2028-29    10.0    9.05    —      —      2.50 
Tier II
   INR    2018-19    2028-29    10.0    9.70    —      —      3.50 
Tier II
   INR    2019-20    2029-30    10.0    8.85    —      —      3.15 
Tier II
   INR    2019-20    2029-30    9.4    8.36    —      —      2.29 
Perpetual Bond
   INR    2017-18        8.85    2022-23    —      80.00 
Perpetual Bond
   INR    2018-19        9.40    2028-29    —      2.00 
Perpetual Bond
   INR    2018-19        9.15    2028-29    —      1.00 
Perpetual Bond
   INR    2019-20        9.70    2029-30    —      1.00 
Perpetual Bond
   INR    2019-20        8.84    2029-30    —      1.00 
We have a right to redeem certain of the issuances as noted above under “year of call”. If not called, the interest rate on some of the debt instruments increases to the
step-up
rate.
8185

Asset Liability GapUninsured Deposits
Demand and time deposits of up to Rs. 0.5 million accepted by scheduled commercial banks in India have to be mandatorily insured with the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (“DICGC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the RBI. As of March 31, 2022, total deposits that exceed DICGC insurance limits, or are otherwise uninsured, were estimated to be Rs. 12,118.5 billion. All the deposits outside India are treated for these purposes as uninsured. The followingbelow table sets forth, forpresents the periods indicated, our asset-liability gap position:contractual maturities of estimated time deposits that exceed DICGC insurance limits, or are otherwise uninsured.
  
As of March 31, 2020
(1)
 
  
0-28 days
  
29-90 days
  
91-180 days
  
6-12 months
  
Total within
one year
  
Over
1 year
to 3 years
  
Over
3 years
to 5 years
  
Over
5 years
  
Total
 
  
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash
(2)(3)
  320,549.8   24,023.5   20,942.8   28,517.9   394,034.0   127,865.3   4,019.6   86,042.1   611,961.0 
Investments held for trading
(4)
  201,763.1   103,199.8   —     —     304,962.9   —     —     —     304,962.9 
Investments available for sale debt securities
(5)(6)
  1,465,620.5   228,048.0   177,712.2   222,120.8   2,093,501.5   753,615.3   71,907.1   487,265.3   3,406,289.2 
Securities purchased under agreement to resell
  250,000.0   —     —     —     250,000.0   —     —     —     250,000.0 
Loans, net
(7)(8)
  795,345.2   947,105.2   978,423.1   1,138,054.9   3,858,928.4   4,337,357.7   1,098,384.7   1,130,351.6   10,425,022.4 
Accrued interest receivable
  103,035.9   —     —     —     103,035.9   —     —     —     103,035.9 
Other assets
(13)
  2,883.8   16,387.9   11,983.6   64,047.0   95,302.3   577,184.4   21,623.1   20,643.6   714,753.4 
Total financial assets
  3,139,198.3   1,318,764.4   1,189,061.7   1,452,740.6   7,099,765.0   5,796,022.7   1,195,934.5   1,724,302.6   15,816,024.8 
Deposits
(9)(10)
  1,500,338.6   838,832.4   723,406.7   983,261.2   4,045,838.9   4,295,337.8   146,312.3   2,974,582.3   11,462,071.3 
Debt
(11)
  179,851.2   183,029.8   55,092.3   196,237.6   614,210.9   474,693.4   112,200.0   202,831.6   1,403,935.9 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
  507,982.0   —     —     —     507,982.0   —     —     —     507,982.0 
Other Liabilities
(12)(13)
  197,137.7   58,840.2   47,145.0   4,190.1   307,313.0   384,093.1   —     —     691,406.1 
Total financial liabilities
  2,385,309.5   1,080,702.4   825,644.0   1,183,688.9   5,475,344.8   5,154,124.3   258,512.3   3,177,413.9   14,065,395.3 
Asset/(liability) gap
  753,888.8   238,062.0   363,417.7   269,051.7   1,624,420.2   641,898.4   937,422.2   (1,453,111.3  1,750,629.5 
Cumulative gap
  753,888.8   991,950.8   1,355,368.5   1,624,420.2   1,624,420.2   2,266,318.6   3,203,740.8   1,750,629.5   1,750,629.5 
Cumulative gap as a percentage of total financial assets
  24.0%  22.3%  24.0%  22.9%  22.9%  17.6%  22.7%  11.1%  11.1%
 
(1)
Assets and liabilities are classified into the applicableAt March 31, 2022
(in billions)
Uninsured time deposits with a maturity categories based on residual maturity unless specifically mentioned.of:
Up to three months
Rs.1,958.4
Three to six months
1,236.0
Six to twelve months
2,133.6
More than one year
1,667.6
(2)
Cash on hand is classified in the
“0-28”
days category.
(3)
Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash include balances with the RBI to satisfy its cash reserve ratio requirements. These balances are held in the form of overnight cash deposits but we classify these balances as part of the applicable maturity categories on a basis proportionate to the classification of related deposits.
(4)
Securities in the trading book are classified based on the expected time of realization for such investments. Units of open ended mutual funds, if any, are classified in
“0-28”
days category.
(5)
Securities held towards satisfying the statutory liquidity requirement prescribed by the RBI are classified based on the applicable maturity categories on a basis proportionate to the classification of related deposits.
(6)
Shares in the
available-for-sale
debt investment portfolio are classified in the “over 5 years” category. Units of open ended mutual funds, if any, are classified in
“0-28”
days category.
(7)
Includes net
non-performing
loans which are classified in the “Over 3 years to 5 years” and “Over 5 years” categories.
(8)
Ambiguous maturity overdrafts are classified under various maturity categories based on a historical behavioral analysis that we have performed to determine the appropriate maturity categorization of such advances.
(9)
Current and savings deposits are classified under various maturity categories based on a historical behavioral analysis that we have performed to determine the appropriate maturity categorization of such deposits.
(10)
Time deposits under Rs. 20 million are classified under various maturity categories based on the historical behavioral analysis that we have performed to determine the appropriate maturity categorization of such deposits taking into account rollovers and premature withdrawals. The rest have been classified under various maturity categories based on the residual maturity.
(11)
Includes short-term borrowings and long-term debt.
(12)
Cash floats are classified under various maturity categories based on the historical behavioral analysis that we have performed to determine the appropriate maturity categorization of such floats.
(13)
Other assets and other liabilities are classified under various maturity categories based on historical behavioral analysis that we have performed to determine the appropriate maturity categorization of such other assets and other liabilities.
82

For further information on how we manage our asset liability risk, see “
Business—Risk Management—Market Risk
”.
Loan Portfolio and Credit Substitutes
As of March 31, 2020,2022, our gross loan portfolio amounted to Rs. 10,623.914,409.5 billion. As of that date, our gross credit substitutes outstanding were Rs. 362.4583.0 billion. Almost all our gross loans and credit substitutes are to borrowers in India and approximately 9091 percent are denominated in rupees. For a description of our retail and wholesale loan products, see “
Business—Retail Banking—Retail Loans and Other Asset Products
” and “
Business—Wholesale Banking—Commercial Banking Products—Commercial Loan Products and Credit Substitutes
”.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, our gross loan portfolio classified by product group:
 
   
At March 31,
 
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
   
2019
   
2020
 
   
(in millions)
 
Retail loans
  Rs. 3,458,565.7   Rs. 4,048,961.3   Rs. 5,213,364.6   Rs. 6,237,903.6   Rs. 7,040,800.4 
Wholesale loans
   1,534,268.7    1,939,948.4    2,162,814.4    2,873,561.0    3,583,055.2 
Gross loans
  Rs.4,992,834.4   Rs.5,988,909.7   Rs.7,376,179.0   Rs.9,111,464.6   Rs. 10,623,855.6 
Credit substitutes (at fair value)
   297,241.0    419,540.6    324,031.5    272,886.8    362,373.7 
Gross loans plus credit substitutes
  Rs.5,290,075.4   Rs.6,408,450.3   Rs.7,700,210.5   Rs.9,384,351.4   Rs.10,986,229.3 
   
At March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
 
   
(in millions)
 
Retail loans
  Rs.7,828,832.6   Rs.9,310,534.7 
Wholesale loans
   4,214,885.3    5,099,009.3 
Gross loans
  Rs.12,043,717.9   Rs.14,409,544.0 
Credit substitutes (at fair value)
   547,276.9    583,020.2 
Gross loans plus credit substitutes
  Rs.12,590,994.8   Rs.14,992,564.2 
Maturity and Interest Rate Sensitivity of Loans and Credit Substitutes
The following tables set forth, for the period indicated, the maturity and interest rate sensitivity of our loans and credit substitutes:
 
  
At March 31, 2020
   
At March 31, 2022
 
  
Due in one
year or less
   
Due in one
to five years
   
Due after
five years
   
Due in one
year or less
   
Due in one
to five years
   
Due in five
to fifteen years
   
Due after
fifteen years
 
  
(in millions)
   
(in millions)
 
Retail loans
  Rs. 2,140,034.9   Rs. 4,290,512.7   Rs.610,252.8   Rs. 2,525,390.8   Rs.6,006,016.1   Rs.730,840.8   Rs. 48,287.0 
Wholesale loans
   1,718,893.5    1,191,304.1    672,857.6    2,174,459.2    1,844,496.2    1,058,681.6    21,372.3 
Gross loans
  Rs.3,858,928.4   Rs.5,481,816.8   Rs. 1,283,110.4   Rs.4,699,850.0   Rs.7,850,512.3   Rs.1,789,522.4    69,659.3 
Credit substitutes (at fair value)
   244,961.2    107,058.6    10,353.9    145,905.1    425,328.3    11,786.3    0.5 
Gross loans plus credit substitutes
  Rs.4,103,889.6   Rs.5,588,875.4   Rs.1,293,464.3   Rs.4,845,755.1   Rs.8,275,840.6   Rs.1,801,308.7   Rs.69,659.8 
  
At March 31, 2020
   
At March 31, 2022
 
  
Due in one
year or less
   
Due in one
to five years
   
Due after five
years
   
Due in one
year or less
   
Due in one
to five years
   
Due in five
to fifteen years
   
Due after
fifteen years
 
  
(in millions)
   
(in millions)
 
Interest rate classification of loans by maturity:
              
Variable rates
  Rs.991,618.2   Rs.2,493,424.0   Rs.1,167,250.7   Rs.1,770,928.1   Rs. 4,156,842.6   Rs. 1,511,608.6    63,595.7 
Fixed rates
   2,867,310.2    2,988,392.8    115,859.7    2,928,921.9    3,693,669.7    277,913.8    6,063.6 
Gross loans
  Rs.3,858,928.4   Rs.5,481,816.8   Rs.1,283,110.4   Rs.4,699,850.0   Rs.7,850,512.3   Rs.1,789,522.4    69,659.3 
Interest rate classification of credit substitutes by maturity:
              
Variable rates
  Rs.—     Rs.—     Rs.—     Rs.1,636.0   Rs.53,342.3   Rs.1,153.5    —   
Fixed rates
   244,961.2    107,058.6    10,353.9    144,269.1    371,986.0    10,632.8    0.5 
Gross credit substitutes
  Rs.244,961.2   Rs.107,058.6   Rs.10,353.9   Rs.145,905.1   Rs.425,328.3   Rs.11,786.3    0.5 
Interest rate classification of loans and credit substitutes by maturity:
              
Variable rates
  Rs.991,618.2   Rs.2,493,424.0   Rs.1,167,250.7   Rs.1,772,564.1   Rs.4,210,184.9   Rs.1,512,762.1    63,595.7 
Fixed rates
   3,112,271.4    3,095,451.4    126,213.6    3,073,191.0    4,065,655.7    288,546.6    6,064.1 
Gross loans and credit substitutes
  Rs.4,103,889.6   Rs.5,588,875.4   Rs.1,293,464.3   Rs.4,845,755.1   Rs.8,275,840.6   Rs.1,801,308.7    69,659.8 
Concentration of Loans and Credit Substitutes
As of March 31, 2020, our ten largest exposures based on the higher of the outstanding balances of, or limits on, funded and non-funded exposures, computed based on our Indian GAAP financial statements, totaled Rs. 1,264.8 billion and represented 68.6 percent of our capital funds comprised of Tier 1 and Tier II capital, and similarly the largest group of companies under the same management control accounted for 21.2 percent of our capital funds.
 
83

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, our gross loans and fair value of credit substitutes outstanding by the borrower’s industry or economic activity and as a percentage of our gross loans and fair value of credit substitutes (where such percentage exceeds 2.0 percent of the total). For the purpose of industry-wise classification of retail loans the end use (i.e., business purpose or personal use) is taken into consideration. Accordingly, exposures to individual and
non-individual
borrowers, where the credit facilities are for business purposes, are being reported under the industry relating to the activity of the borrower. Where the credit facilities are for personal use, the exposure to the individual borrower is classified under Consumer Loans. From fiscal 2017, Agriculture and allied activities is classified under Agriculture Production - Food, Agriculture Production - Non Food, Agriculture - Allied, and Animal Husbandry, respectively. Services are classified under Business Services, and Consumer Services, respectively, and Wholesale Trade is classified under Wholesale Trade - non consumer goods (now named as Wholesale Trade - Industrial), and Wholesale Trade-consumer goods (now named as Wholesale Trade - Non Industrial), respectively. Credit Card receivables and Housing Loans hitherto classified under retail loans are classified under Consumer Loans from fiscal 2017. From fiscal 2018, Agri produce trade is added by classifying certain sub segments from Wholesale Trade - Industrial, Wholesale Trade - Non Industrial and Retail Trade. From fiscal 2020,
Non-Banking
Financial Companies/Financial Intermediaries are classified under the following two sub segments:
Non-Banking
Financial Companies and Financial Intermediaries. Similarly from fiscal 2020 Banks and Financial Institutions are classified under the following two sub segments: Banks and Financial Institutions.
  
At March 31,
 
  
2016
  
2017
  
2018
  
2019
  
2020
 
  
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Consumer Loans
 Rs.670,622.8   12.7% Rs.1,526,978.2   23.8% Rs.1,948,328.2   25.3% Rs.2,477,945.6   26.4% Rs.2,961,194.3   27.0%
Retail trade
  258,095.4   4.9   323,818.6   5.1   386,399.2   5.0   446,928.5   4.8   533,499.0   4.9 
Power
  119,207.9   2.3   145,608.7   2.3   193,978.4   2.5   288,358.1   3.1   507,625.8   4.6 
Consumer Services
  —     —    264,554.4   4.1   311,794.7   4.0   358,017.7   3.8   401,061.5   3.7 
Non-Banking
Financial Companies
  —     —    —     —    —     —    —     —    394,310.2   3.6 
Road Transportation
  184,398.2   3.5   241,771.3   3.8   310,740.7   4.0   376,547.1   4.0   376,829.5   3.4 
Automobile & Auto Ancillary
  210,699.3   4.0   271,963.5   4.2   312,786.0   4.1   363,393.0   3.9   349,030.4   3.2 
Agriculture Production-Food
  —     —    284,748.8   4.4   319,141.4   4.1   330,092.5   3.5   313,143.6   2.9 
Real Estate & Property Services
  125,193.8   2.4   170,245.8   2.7   235,683.0   3.1   259,035.6   2.8   285,179.9   2.6 
Financial Institutions
  —     —    —     —    —     —    —     —    278,536.3   2.5 
Food and Beverage
  155,489.6   2.9   178,848.8   2.8   211,367.5   2.7   233,798.9   2.5   262,299.2   2.4 
Engineering
  —     —    —     —    —     —    —     —    252,451.3   2.3 
Telecom
  —     —    129,510.8   2.0   —     —    267,561.0   2.9   243,344.6   2.2 
Business Services
  —     —    161,452.2   2.5   208,815.4   2.7   237,102.9   2.5   246,307.2   2.2 
Wholesale
Trade-Non
Industrial
  —     —    237,302.7   3.7   183,081.2   2.4   200,337.7   2.1   238,436.5   2.2 
Iron & Steel
  117,845.3   2.2   —     —    —     —    201,003.0   2.1   232,669.6   2.1 
Agriculture-Allied
  —     —    129,207.9   2.0   163,496.3   2.1   191,132.7   2.0   223,443.8   2.0 
Non-Banking
Financial Companies/Financial Intermediaries
  220,012.7   4.2   338,599.3   5.3   341,744.3   4.4   409,751.1   4.4   —     —   
Housing Finance Companies
  —     —    143,236.6   2.2   171,780.2   2.2   203,904.2   2.2   —     —   
Wholesale Trade-Industrial
  —     —    170,084.4   2.7   167,357.3   2.2   192,776.2   2.1   —     —   
Agriculture Production – Non food
  —     —    202,350.3   3.2   199,451.2   2.6   192,657.8   2.1   —     —   
Textiles & Garments
  —     —    —     —    164,476.1   2.1   191,963.6   2.0   —     —   
Activities allied to agriculture
  550,848.4   10.4   —     —    —     —    —     —    —     —   
Wholesale Trade
  362,316.5   6.8   —     —    —     —    —     —    —     —   
Services
  310,019.3   5.9   —     —    —     —    —     —    —     —   
Others (including unclassified retail)
  2,005,326.2   37.8   1,488,168.0   23.2   1,869,789.4   24.5   1,962,044.2   20.8   2,886,866.6   26.2 
Total
 Rs. 5,290,075.4   100.0% Rs. 6,408,450.3   100.0% Rs.7,700,210.5   100.0% Rs. 9,384,351.4   100.0% Rs. 10,986,229.3   100.0%
Pursuant to the RBI’s LEF guidelines, the exposure-ceiling limit for a single borrower is 20 percent of our available eligible capital base. We may, as permitted in the LEF and in exceptional circumstances, with the approval of the Board, consider further increasing the exposure to a single counterparty by up to five percent of our available eligible capital base. Tier I capital that fulfils the criteria set out in the RBI’s Basel III guidelines must be considered as eligible capital base for this purpose. See “Supervision and Regulation—Credit Exposure Limits ”. As of March 31, 2020, there were no exposures which exceeded the ceiling under the LEF guidelines.
8486

Directed Lending
The RBI has established guidelines requiring Indian banks to lend 4040.0 percent of their ANBC, as computed in accordance with RBI guidelines, or the credit equivalent amount of off balance
off-balance
sheet exposures, whichever is higher, as of the corresponding date of the preceding year, to certain sectors called “priority sectors”. Priority sectors are broadly comprised of agriculture, micro enterprises and other PSL, which includes small and medium enterprises, residential mortgages, education, renewalrenewable energy and social infrastructure, among others, subject to satisfying certain criteria.
We are required to comply with the PSL requirements as of March 31 of each fiscal year, a date specified by the RBI for reporting. From fiscal 2017, theThe assessment of whether we have achieved the PSL requirements is made at the end of the fiscal year based on the average of priority sector
target/sub-target
achievement as at the end of each quarter. Accordingly, onOn the basis of the quarterly average, calculation, the Bank met its total priority sector lending requirementsPSL requirement in fiscal 2020.year 2022. The Bank’s total PSL achievement for fiscal 2020year 2022 stood at 40.340.6 percent. Lending to micro enterprises stood at 6.5 percent as against the requirement of 7.5 percent. Advances to the agriculture sector were 17.710.8 percent of ANBC compared to the requirement of 18.0 percent and agricultural advances made to small and marginal farmers were 7.82.4 percent of ANBC, compared to the requirement of 8.09.0 percent. Beginning fiscal year 2022, the RBI will assign weightages to incremental priority sector credit in identified districts. A higher weight (125 percent) will be assigned in the identified districts where the credit flow is comparatively lower and a lower weight (90 percent) will be assigned in districts where the credit flow is comparatively higher. This will be valid for up to fiscal year 2024 and will be reviewed thereafter. The districts not further specified will continue to have an existing weightage of 100 percent. Adjustments for weights to incremental PSL credit by RBI are pending.
In fiscal year 2021, the Government excluded retail and wholesale traders from the MSME definition, which adversely impacted the Bank’s PSL achievement. Following representations made by various industry bodies, the Government reinstated retail and wholesale traders as MSME for priority sector lending in July 2021. Thereafter, the RBI accepted our revised filing of PSL achievement for fiscal year 2021, including the lending to retail and wholesale trader segment. Following the revision, total PSL achievement stood at 39.88 percent, lending to micro enterprises stood at 7.50 percent and advances to sections termed “weaker” by the RBI were 4.26 percent. See “
Supervision and Regulation—Directed Lending
”.
The PSL master circular mentionsdirections mention that Scheduled Commercial Banks having any shortfall in lending to priority sectorsectors shall be allocated amounts for contribution to the RIDF established with NABARD and other Funds with NABARD, NHB, SIDBI or MUDRA Ltd., as decided by the RBI from time to time.
We may be required by the RBI to deposit with the Indian Development Banks certain amounts as specified by the RBI in the coming year due to the shortfall in the above mentionedabove-mentioned
sub-categories
of priority sector lending targets. As of March 31, 2020,2022, our total investments as directed by RBI in such deposits were Rs. 91.97447.4 billion, yielding returns ranging from 3.42.3 percent to 8.36.5 percent.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, our loans, broken down by sector, forming part of our directed lending:
 
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
   
2019
   
2020
 
   
(in millions)
 
Directed lending:
          
Agriculture
  Rs. 528,672.4   Rs. 631,861.6   Rs. 735,135.0   Rs. 742,724.9   Rs. 823,267.2 
Micro small and medium enterprises
   682,621.9    785,715.9    814,006.9    1,168,199.9    1,438,145.6 
Other
   217,302.5    223,502.7    205,145.0    295,582.8    321,819.3 
Total directed lending
  Rs. 1,428,596.8   Rs. 1,641,080.2   Rs. 1,754,286.9   Rs. 2,206,507.6   Rs. 2,583,232.1 
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
 
   
(in millions)
 
Directed lending:
      
Agriculture
  Rs.823,267.2   Rs.929,039.3   Rs. 1,022,103.4 
Micro, small and medium enterprises
   1,438,145.6    1,767,746.8    2,573,219.5 
Other
   321,819.3    326,168.7    352,350.5 
Total directed lending
  Rs. 2,583,232.1   Rs. 3,022,954.8   Rs.3,947,673.4 
 
8587

Non-Performing
Loans
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, information about our
non-performing
loan portfolio:
 
  
As of March 31,
 
  
2016
  
2017
  
2018
  
2019
  
2020
 
  
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Non-performing
loans:
     
Retail loans
 Rs. 37,423.0  Rs. 52,704.0  Rs. 75,904.5  Rs. 102,268.8  Rs. 122,003.5 
Wholesale loans
  15,559.7   30,275.7   32,812.8   38,153.7   35,423.4 
Gross
non-performing
loans
 Rs.52,982.7  Rs.82,979.7  Rs. 108,717.3  Rs.140,422.5  Rs.157,426.9 
Allowances for credit losses
 Rs.31,008.1  Rs.45,730.1  Rs.62,600.5  Rs.85,783.0  Rs.101,601.9 
Unallocated allowances for credit losses
  26,352.0   32,766.8   49,906.7   62,449.0   97,231.3 
Non-performing
loans net of specific allowances for credit losses
  21,974.6   37,249.6   46,116.8   54,639.5   55,825.0 
Gross loan assets
  4,992,834.4   5,988,909.7   7,376,179.0   9,111,464.6   10,623,855.6 
Net loan assets
 Rs. 4,935,474.3  Rs. 5,910,412.8  Rs. 7,263,671.8  Rs. 8,963,232.6  Rs. 10,425,022.3 
Gross
non-performing
loans as a percentage of gross loans
  1.1%  1.4%  1.5%  1.5%  1.5%
Gross unsecured
non-performing
loans as a percentage of gross
non-performing
loans
  11.1%  31.4%  27.9%  25.5%  15.3%
Gross unsecured
non-performing
loans as a percentage of gross unsecured loans.
  0.5%  1.7%  1.5%  1.3%  0.7%
Non-performing
loans net of specific allowances for credit losses as a percentage of net loan assets
  0.4%  0.6%  0.6%  0.6%  0.5%
Specific allowances for credit losses as a percentage of gross
non-performing
loans
  58.5%  55.1%  57.6%  61.1%  64.5%
Total allowances for credit losses as a percentage of gross
non-performing
loans
  108.3%  94.6%  103.5%  105.6%  126.3%
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
  
2022
 
   
Retail
  
Wholesale
  
Total
  
Retail
  
Wholesale
  
Total
 
   
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Non-performing
loans
  Rs.173,602.9  Rs.40,179.5  Rs.213,782.4  Rs.165,348.4  Rs.31,921.1  Rs.197,269.5 
Allowance for credit losses
   271,929.4   71,599.3   343,528.7   298,270.9   74,400.9   372,671.8 
Net charge-offs
   87,236.2   3,314.7   90,550.9   96,281.1   1,555.3   97,836.4 
Gross loan
   7,828,832.6   4,214,885.3   12,043,717.9   9,310,534.7   5,099,009.3   14,409,544.0 
Net loan
   7,556,903.2   4,143,286.0   11,700,189.2   9,012,263.8   5,024,608.4   14,036,872.2 
Average loans
   6,975,006.4   3,614,484.2   10,589,490.6   8,014,536.7   4,161,213.2   12,175,749.9 
Gross
non-performing
loans as a percentage of gross loans
   2.2  1.0  1.8  1.8  0.6  1.4
Gross unsecured
non-performing
loans as a percentage of gross
non-performing
loans
   25.5  22.1  24.9  24.8  23.7  24.6
Gross unsecured
non-performing
loans as a percentage of gross unsecured loans
   1.8  0.5  1.3  1.6  0.4  1.1
Total allowances for credit losses as a percentage of gross loans
   3.5  1.7  2.9  3.2  1.5  2.6
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average outstanding loans
   1.3  0.1  0.9  1.2  ~0.0  0.8
86

Recognition of
Non-Performing
Loans
We classify our loan portfolio into loans that are performing and loans that are
non-performingnon-performing.
or impaired. We have categorized our gross loans based on their performance status as follows:
 
   
At March 31,
 
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
   
2019
   
2020
 
   
(in millions)
 
Performing
  Rs. 4,939,851.7   Rs. 5,905,930.0   Rs. 7,267,461.7   Rs. 8,971,042.1   Rs. 10,466,428.7 
Non-performing
or impaired:
          
On accrual status
   4,291.3    —      —      —      —   
On
non-accrual
status
   48,691.4    82,979.7    108,717.3    140,422.5    157,426.9 
Total
non-performing
or impaired
   52,982.7    82,979.7    108,717.3    140,422.5    157,426.9 
Total
  Rs.4,992,834.4   Rs.5,988,909.7   Rs.7,376,179.0   Rs.9,111,464.6   Rs.10,623,855.6 
   
At March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
 
   
(in millions)
 
Performing
  Rs.11,829,935.5   Rs.14,212,274.5 
Non-performing:
    
On accrual status
   —      —   
On
non-accrual
status
   213,782.4    197,269.5 
Total
non-performing
   213,782.4    197,269.5 
Total
  Rs.12,043,717.9   Rs.14,409,544.0 
We consider a loan to be performing when no principal or interest payment is three months or more past due and where we expect to recover all amounts due to us. In the case of wholesale loans, we also identify loans as
non-performing
or impaired even when principal or interest payments are less than three months past due but where we believe recovery of all principal and interest amounts is doubtful. Interest income from loans is recognized on an accrual basis using the effective interest method when earned except in respect of loans placed on
non-accrual
status, for which interest income is recognized when received. Loans are placed on
“non-accrual”
status when interest or principal payments are three months90 days past due.
Our methodology for determining specific and unallocated allowances is discussed separately below for each category of loans.
Retail
Our retail loan loss allowance consists of specific and allowances for loans collectively evaluated for impairment (termed as “unallocated allowance”).
We establish a specific allowance on our retail loan portfolio based on factors such as the nature of the product, delinquency levels or the number of days the loan is past due and the nature of the security available. Additionally we monitor loan to value ratios for loans against securities. The loans are charged off against allowances typically when the account becomes 150 to 1,083 days past due depending on the type of loans. The defined delinquency levels at which major loan types are charged off are 150 days past due for personal loans, credit card receivables, auto loans, commercial vehicle and construction equipment finance, 720 days past due for housing loans and on a customer by customer basis in respect of retail business banking when we believe that any future cash flows from these loans are remote, including realization of collateral, if applicable, and where any restructuring or any other settlement arrangements are not feasible. Subsequent recoveries, if any, against
write-off
cases, are adjusted to provision for credit losses in the consolidated statement of income.
We also record unallocated allowances for retail loans by product type. Our retail loan portfolio is comprised of groups of large numbers of small value homogeneous loans. We establish an unallocated allowance for loans in each product group based on our estimate of the overall portfolio quality, asset growth, economic conditions and other risk factors. We estimate unallocated allowance for retail loans based on the probability of default and loss given default, determined for the respective risk pools.
 
8788

Wholesale
The allowance for wholesale loans consists of specific and unallocated components. The allowance for such credit losses is evaluated on a regular basis by us and is based upon our view of the probability of recovery of loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, factors affecting the industry which the loan exposure relates to and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. Loans are charged off against the allowance when management believes that the loan balance may not be recovered. Subsequent recoveries, if any, against write off cases are adjusted to provision for credit losses in the consolidated statement of income.
We grade our wholesale loan accounts considering both qualitative and quantitative criteria. Wholesale loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by us in determining impairment include payment status, the financial condition of the borrower, the value of collateral held, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due.
We establish specific allowances for each impaired wholesale loan customer in the aggregate for all facilities, including term loans, cash credits, bills discounted and lease finance, based on either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the net realizable value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Collateral values are generally based on appraisals from internal and external valuation sources.
Wholesale loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls are generally not classified as impaired but are placed on a surveillance watch list and closely monitored for deterioration. We determine the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a
case-by-case
basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, market information, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. These factors are considered by the Bank for selection of loans for credit reviews and assessment of impairment.
The Bank has also established an unallocated allowance for wholesale standard loans based on the internal rating grades assigned, the probability of default associated with internal rating grade pools and the loss given default.
Analysis of
Non-Performing
Loans by Industry Sector
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, our
non-performing
loans by borrowers’ industry or economic activity in each of the respective periods and as a percentage of our loans in the respective industry or economic activity sector. These figures do not include credit substitutes, which we include for purposes of calculating our industry concentration for RBI reporting. See “
Risk Factors—We have high concentrations of exposures to certain customers and sectors and if any of these exposures were to become
non-performing,
the quality of our portfolio could be adversely affected and our ability to meet capital requirements could be jeopardized”jeopardized
.
 
88

  
As of March 31,
 
  
2016
  
2017
  
2018
  
2019
  
2020
 
Industry
 
Gross
Loans
  
Non
performing
loans
  
% of
loans in
industry
  
Gross
Loans
  
Non
performing
loans
  
% of
loans in
industry
  
Gross
Loans
  
Non
performing
loans
  
% of
loans in
industry
  
Gross
Loans
  
Non
performing
loans
  
% of
loans in
industry
  
Gross
Loans
  
Non
performing
loans
  
% of
loans in
industry
 
  
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Capital Market Intermediaries
 Rs. 18,583.0  Rs. 37.3   0.2% Rs. —    Rs. —        Rs. —    Rs. —     —  % Rs. 46,092.7  Rs. 9.2   0.0% Rs. 26,869.3  Rs. 4,767.2   17.7%
Agriculture Production - Food
  —     —      282,673.8   4,217.1   1.5   318,643.5   12,227.0   3.8   330,092.5   18,915.0   5.7   313,143.6   22,546.3   7.2 
Plastic & Products
  24,351.8   283.9   1.2   32,751.4   278.5   0.9   41,665.0   155.6   0.4   51,589.9   205.9   0.4   54,140.2   2,472.2   4.6 
Agriculture Produce Trade
  —     —      —     —      97,396.9   1,522.9   1.6   122,512.2   2,816.6   2.3   93,403.7   3,742.4   4.0 
Road Transportation
  183,707.5   1,826.0   1.0   241,771.3   2,518.7   1.0   310,740.7   3,313.8   1.1   376,547.1   5,536.7   1.5   376,334.2   13,067.6   3.5 
Agriculture Production - Non food
  —     —      202,350.3   2,854.5   1.4   199,451.2   4,156.8   2.1   192,657.8   5,492.5   2.9   171,869.3   5,857.2   3.4 
Agriculture-Allied
  —     —      129,207.9   3,218.8   2.5   163,496.3   6,184.0   3.8   191,132.7   6,641.6   3.5   223,443.8   7,542.7   3.4 
Food and Beverage
  152,253.7   1,871.7   1.2   166,494.3   3,361.2   2.0   210,780.7   7,007.4   3.3   233,798.9   8,577.3   3.7   260,907.9   8,137.5   3.1 
Infrastructure Development
  63,931.9   2,991.7   4.7   88,135.0   2,738.2   3.1   109,841.9   3,366.7   3.1   128,273.5   3,652.2   2.8   165,578.8   4,911.0   3.0 
Mining and Minerals
  54,165.4   534.5   1.0   57,585.4   1,183.8   2.1   49,165.3   303.0   0.6   65,879.6   1,220.4   1.9   67,326.2   1,942.5   2.9 
Housing Finance Companies
  —     —      —     —      —     —     —     —     —     —     163,359.7   3,962.7   2.4 
Automobile & Auto Ancillary
  199,606.7   1,789.3   0.9   240,301.6   2,353.5   1.0   299,680.3   2,608.6   0.9   352,979.1   4,262.9   1.2   330,632.5   6,150.1   1.9 
Real Estate & Property Services
  121,992.9   3,559.2   2.9   168,660.4   3,822.8   2.3   233,700.5   4,015.9   1.7   257,056.8   4,175.1   1.6   280,870.4   5,165.5   1.8 
Wholesale Trade - Industrial
  —     —      166,940.1   3,905.8   2.3   167,253.4   3,469.0   2.1   192,708.4   3,657.1   1.9   211,849.6   3,880.9   1.8 
Other Industries
  —     —      315,497.4   5,426.8   1.7   334,256.9   3,028.6   0.9   376,953.2   4,730.1   1.3   504,075.6   8,497.9   1.7 
Retail Trade
  253,373.6   2,450.3   1.0   320,876.9   3,731.5   1.2   385,217.8   6,279.0   1.6   445,757.8   7,767.0   1.7   533,155.3   8,823.1   1.7 
Wholesale Trade - Non Industrial
  —     —      232,111.9   15,722.9   6.8   180,841.8   15,239.0   8.4   200,089.4   15,856.7   7.9   238,436.5   3,893.0   1.6 
Consumer Services
  —     —      260,053.9   2,331.4   0.9   308,333.2   2,754.2   0.9   354,060.4   3,771.1   1.1   399,046.4   5,667.6   1.4 
Paper, Printing and Stationery
  28,610.4   178.5   0.6   31,448.5   1,634.9   5.2   38,025.5   1,592.8   4.2   41,926.3   1,881.6   4.5   46,067.4   637.2   1.4 
Business Services
  —     —      159,666.1   1,450.0   0.9   207,868.8   2,224.1   1.1   236,853.7   3,074.9   1.3   244,028.7   3,216.2   1.3 
Textiles & Garments
  92,386.0   996.0   1.1   109,393.7   1,511.8   1.4   159,873.4   2,531.5   1.6   187,527.5   2,544.7   1.4   210,558.2   2,587.7   1.2 
Media & Entertainment
  13,694.2   153.2   1.1   16,761.1   137.4   0.8   16,414.6   76.7   0.5   19,190.2   96.5   0.5   29,495.0   310.4   1.1 
Engineering
  95,022.6   1,112.1   1.2   110,827.8   538.5   0.5   133,216.6   983.1   0.7   159,462.7   2,962.3   1.9   240,196.0   2,431.7   1.0 
FMCG & Personal Care
  10,785.2   55.1   0.5   18,499.9   45.6   0.2   26,273.4   117.8   0.4   31,209.3   221.1   0.7   32,285.3   314.3   1.0 
Non-ferrous
Metals
  23,968.0   41.1   0.2   33,010.3   247.7   0.8   40,081.6   119.2   0.3   64,986.2   190.7   0.3   82,217.4   716.7   0.9 
Financial Intermediaries
              8,797.2   69.3   0.8 
Consumer Durables
  32,864.7   161.3   0.5   43,224.5   174.2   0.4   47,822.9   205.9   0.4   59,776.8   296.9   0.5   71,659.2   529.4   0.7 
Consumer Loans
  670,622.8   3,818.7   0.6   1,526,978.2   10,760.3   0.7   1,948,328.2   15,236.4   0.8   2,477,945.6   22,513.7   0.9   2,958,437.7   21,718.9   0.7 
Information Technology
  15,365.5   200.4   1.3   23,518.6   171.5   0.7   40,074.1   117.8   0.3   33,414.7   176.5   0.5   44,115.4   281.4   0.6 
Gems and Jewellry
  69,659.9   449.8   0.6   69,339.0   789.1   1.1   85,017.9   1,255.4   1.5   100,642.9   1,083.6   1.1   78,029.6   488.4   0.6 
Iron and Steel
  97,934.7   4,712.7   4.8   106,816.0   4,499.4   4.2   135,431.1   4,196.0   3.1   195,488.6   3,943.2   2.0   231,524.9   1,295.0   0.6 
Drugs and Pharmaceuticals
  36,854.5   372.0   1.0   31,133.3   381.7   1.2   54,444.1   410.2   0.8   57,963.6   359.8   0.6   74,475.8   409.5   0.5 
Chemical and Products
  38,095.6   68.7   0.2   49,020.6   102.7   0.2   58,460.5   193.2   0.3   71,892.6   166.4   0.2   87,466.3   185.2   0.2 
NBFC
              317,450.0   637.4   0.2 
Coal & Petroleum Products
  46,279.5   97.3   0.2   48,513.8   119.7   0.2   53,206.1   135.6   0.3   92,504.7   187.8   0.2   136,531.9   211.2   0.2 
Cement & Products
  37,872.7   43.4   0.1   38,204.8   56.5   0.1   74,435.8   121.0   0.2   115,169.4   83.8   0.1   126,169.7   128.4   0.1 
Fertilisers & Pesticides
  69,044.6   2.3   0.0   64,778.6   1.5   0.0   81,113.1   1.9   0.0   91,942.1   41.7   0.0   114,574.6   46.2   0.0 
Glass & Glass Products
  8,111.7   1,727.1   21.3   10,165.3   1,701.0   16.7   10,877.3   1,962.2   18.0   14,017.0   1,785.3   12.7   11,765.4   3.9   0.0 
Telecom
  69,477.6   54.6   0.1   108,104.6   47.4   0.0   125,842.1   576.3   0.5   246,272.4   530.0   0.2   232,932.0   66.0   0.0 
Power
  103,437.7   114.5   0.1   125,213.0   94.2   0.1   159,239.8   92.8   0.1   251,169.4   82.9   0.0   458,628.1   103.7   0.0 
Leather & Products
  6,189.0   27.1   0.4   6,898.0   78.1   1.1   11,298.2   80.9   0.7   15,806.2   99.6   0.6   19,426.2   4.2   0.0 
Animal Husbandry
  —     —      24,393.9   124.7   0.5   28,038.2   466.6   1.7   19,849.3   508.4   2.6   23,605.4   4.1   0.0 
Rubber & Products
  5,767.0   159.0   2.8   7,483.4   116.5   1.6   8,311.6   4.4   0.1   11,059.7   5.6   0.1   12,038.7   1.0   0.0 
Fishing
  5,117.6   19.9   0.4   7,188.8   11.4   0.2   8,653.5   11.5   0.1   11,384.5   31.8   0.3   12,802.4   0.9   0.0 
Wood & Products
  8,482.6   291.0   3.4   10,994.0   345.4   3.1   14,782.7   201.8   1.4   19,098.5   165.1   0.9   17,449.8   1.0   0.0 
Other
Non-metallic/Mineral
Products
  9,246.2   83.7   0.9   11,819.7   87.5   0.7   17,680.8   57.0   0.3   20,375.4   14.7   0.1   24,427.1   0.2   0.0 
NBFC / Financial Intermediaries
  130,684.6   957.5   0.7   180,220.7   76.6   0.0   231,249.9   111.7   0.0   311,477.1   84.4   0.0   —     —     —   
Banks and Financial Institutions
  14,494.9   13.0   0.1   —     —        —       —     —     —     —   
Shipping
  2,096.9   6.2   0.3   2,289.8   8.9   0.4   3,838.3   2.0   0.1   7,709.1   2.0   0.0   —     —     —   
Tobacco & Products
  531.1   4.4   0.8   —     —      —     —     —     867.4   0.1   0.0   —     —     —   
Airlines
  —     —      —     —      —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —   
Railways
  —     —      —     —      —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —   
Activities allied to agriculture
  550,848.4   7,397.1   1.3   —     —      —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —   
Wholesale Trade
  349,927.1   4,671.8   1.3   —     —      —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —   
Services
  306,593.9   2,473.7   0.8   —     —      —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —   
Miscellaneous industries
  47,072.1   1,057.5   2.2   —     —      —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —   
Retail advances not otherwise classified
  842,772.6   6,118.1   0.7   —     —      —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —   
Total
  
 
52,982.7
 
   
 
82,979.7
 
   
 
108,717.3
 
   
 
140,422.5
 
   
 
157,426.9
 
 
Specific allowance for credit losses
   31,008.1     45,730.1     62,600.5     85,783.0     101,601.9  
Non-performing
loans, net
  
 
21,974.6
 
   
 
37,249.6
 
   
 
46,116.8
 
   
 
54,639.5
 
   
 
55,825.0
 
 
89

As of March 31, 2020, our gross
non-performing
loan as a percentage of gross loans in the respective industries was the highest in Capital Market Intermediaries, Agriculture Production - Food and Plastic & Products.
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
  
2022
 
Industry
  
Gross
Loans
   
Non-
performing
loans
   
% of
loans in
industry
  
Gross
Loans
   
Non-
performing
Loans
   
% of
loans in
industry
 
   
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Capital Market Intermediaries
Exchanges in the capital markets segment offer a platform to their broker members (capital market intermediaries) for trading in the cash, derivatives, currency derivatives and commodity segments. Exchanges appoint banks to clear and settle trade obligations. The Bank has had a presence in the stock & commodity exchange segment since the late 1990s as a clearing bank in the Indian capital markets. As a clearing bank, the Bank has been offering various transactional services and credit facilities in the form of fund and
non-fund
based exposures, primarily to brokers in the capital market segments who hold their primary or secondary settlement accounts with the Bank. This acts as a key relationship point as well as a risk mitigant, as all payments to and from the exchanges are required by the relevant exchange to only be settled through these exchanges. The segment is highly regulated. As on March 31, 2020, high NPAs were the result of borrower specific issues.
Rs.13,037.0Rs.3,877.429.7Rs.17,633.0Rs.3,356.419.0
Agriculture Production - Production—Food
337,904.821,028.56.2350,859.623,569.76.7
Agriculture
Production—Non-Food
165,146.58,348.75.1168,993.88,831.45.2
Agriculture production in India is largely dependent on the length of the monsoon season and is impacted by weather conditions which result in uncertainty in crop yields and wide swings in farm income. Government policy on food grain pricing and procurement as well as the prevalent market conditions impact farm income. In fiscal 2020, natural calamities such as floods affected several states thereby impacting farm output. This has impacted recoveries in recent harvest cycles, resulting in delinquency.Agriculture—Allied
253,095.510,829.64.3316,128.513,255.04.2
Road Transportation
368,388.518,344.85.0406,376.412,961.63.2
Plastic & Products
68,201.12,519.23.789,176.32,608.72.9
Competitive rivalry among producers is high owing to the presence of several players in the market for plastic The market is highly fragmented in nature with a larger share occupied by mediumAnimal Husbandry
27,321.2786.52.932,980.0952.12.9
Agriculture Produce Trade
145,999.22,241.51.588,374.12,531.32.9
Retail Trade
540,350.317,242.83.2589,947.315,124.12.6
Consumer Services
424,765.49,965.62.3465,465.810,352.32.2
Wood & Products
22,191.6387.91.727,851.6607.72.2
Infrastructure Development
167,416.15,356.23.2272,428.05,801.52.1
Business Services
251,243.16,275.92.5281,216.85,306.91.9
Automobile & Auto Ancillary
381,562.77,969.62.1443,538.77,766.31.8
Tobacco & Products
4,460.442.71.05,633.998.71.8
Media & Entertainment
22,725.5429.01.923,591.4404.81.7
FMCG & Personal Care
28,406.5607.52.137,281.7590.41.6
Mining and small enterprises engaged in manufacturing of plastic. The principal strategy employed by market players is an increased focus on high margin products. The industry is facing volatility in raw material pricesMinerals
129,538.51,894.81.5103,056.61,622.31.6
Engineering
189,952.72,631.41.4253,105.14,152.81.6
Food and forex fluctuations along with subdued demand from the auto industry, which is one of the end user industries. For the Bank, the problem exposure mainly relates to a borrower which was affected by high leverageBeverage
342,573.56,233.61.8433,042.26,689.61.5
Wholesale Trade—Industrial
258,854.13,525.41.4347,202.94,586.91.3
Wholesale
Trade—Non-Industrial
301,508.24,958.91.6417,954.85,190.31.2
Other Industries
525,732.48,557.51.6732,166.48,654.91.2
Rubber & Products
14,641.7202.61.420,158.5245.41.2
Railways
729.8—  —  1,007.512.31.2
Information Technology
41,209.3776.01.958,441.1652.71.1
Textiles & Garments
257,577.93,991.01.5324,419.63,556.31.1
Fishing
13,847.3169.01.217,275.8166.51.0
Consumer Loans
3,241,292.947,028.81.53,746,781.735,554.70.9
Consumer Durables
84,103.31,073.11.3127,218.7986.10.8
Financial Intermediaries
12,376.3151.01.213,304.0110.90.8
Non-ferrous
Metals
80,348.8845.21.191,539.5717.70.8
Paper, Printing and a decrease in margins.Stationery
65,089.7483.30.793,290.8652.30.7
Gems and Jewelry
124,802.2576.60.5131,799.7945.90.7
Glass & Glass Products
8,262.918.20.27,713.052.10.7
Leather & Products
22,743.1104.80.530,766.5197.50.6
Housing Finance Companies
234,937.34,912.82.1282,156.71,416.80.5
Real Estate & Property Services
298,277.12,686.10.9383,765.52,004.50.5
Drugs and Pharmaceuticals
93,248.4313.90.3123,309.0675.90.5
Power
630,189.43,973.40.6671,859.42,217.80.3
Other
Non-metallic/Mineral
Products
33,380.1198.00.653,367.8143.00.3
Cement & Products
110,502.3262.70.287,637.4255.90.3
Iron and Steel
248,140.21,095.00.4321,587.7764.40.2
Coal & Petroleum Products
172,989.4414.40.2233,583.7360.50.2
Chemical and Products
108,517.7192.50.2150,696.2233.10.2
Shipping
13,939.917.00.115,718.417.70.1
Fertilisers & Pesticides
104,239.912.9—  33,242.221.50.1
Telecom
162,837.3149.30.1331,131.1160.6—  
NBFC
415,787.661.1—  509,445.4107.7—  
Financial Institutions
443,257.318.7—  618,494.124.3—  
Top Ten
Non-Performing
LoansTotal
As of March 31, 2020 our top ten
non-performing
loans represented 12.8 percent of our gross
non-performing
loans and 0.2 percent of our gross loan portfolio.
 
90213,782.4

The following table sets forth information regarding our ten largest
non-performing
loans. The table also sets forth our share of collateral value. We periodically obtain details of collateral from borrowers and external valuation reports and carry out certain procedures for updating and assessing fair values of collateral, however these procedures may not be conclusive to determine the precise net realizable values of any such collateral, which may be substantially less. None of the loans is collateral dependent (i.e. the borrower has no means of repaying the impaired loan other than the collateral). Interest payments not being serviced as of fiscal 2020 for these loans is because of specific factors which have temporarily resulted in inadequate cash flows. The fair value of the collateral and our share thereof and the present value of expected future cash flows from these loans are adequate to cover the principal outstanding net of allowances for credit losses.
 
   
At March 31, 2020
 
   
Industry
  
Type of banking
arrangement
   
Gross
principal
        outstanding        
   
Principal
outstanding net
    of allowance
     for credit losses
   
Our share in
Collateral value
   
Currently
servicing
all Interest
payments
 
   
(in millions)
 
Borrower 1
  Housing Finance Companies   Consortium   Rs.3,496.1   Rs.45.0   Rs.329.5    No 
Borrower 2
  Agriculture Production-Food   Consortium    3,391.2    1,492.1    2,574.4    No 
Borrower 3
  Capital Market Intermediaries   Multiple    3,285.0    1,542.5    2,268.3    No 
Borrower 4
  Real Estate & Property Services   Multiple    2,502.7    —      3,334.1    No 
Borrower 5
  Plastic & Products   Consortium    2,243.9    345.9    735.6    No 
Borrower 6
  Housing Finance Companies   Multiple    1,416.8    —      —      No 
Borrower 7
  
Infrastructure Development
   Consortium    1,125.3    138.9    1,405.9    No 
Borrower 8
  Capital Market Intermediaries   Sole    1,109.5    543.0    1,432.3    No 
Borrower 9
  
Food and Beverage
   Sole    830.8    412.4    745.4    No 
Borrower 10
  
Mining and Minerals
   Consortium    705.1    —        No 
      Rs.20,106.3   Rs.4,519.8     
 
91197,269.5

Restructuring of
Non-Performing
Loans
Our
non-performing
loans are restructured on a
case-by-case
basis after our management has determined that restructuring is the best means of maximizing realization of the loan. These loans continue to be on a
non-accrual
basis and are reclassified as performing loans only after sustained performance under the loan’s renegotiated terms for a period of at least one year.
The following table sets forth, as of the dates indicated, our
non-performing
loans that have been restructured through rescheduling of principal repayments and deferral or waiver of interest:
 
   
At March 31,
 
   
2016
  
2017
  
2018
  
2019
  
2020
 
   
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Gross restructured loans
  Rs.4,245.8  Rs.3,069.3  Rs.3,012.9  Rs.3,013.0  Rs.1,490.5 
Allowance for credit losses
   2,090.2   686.4   1,561.7   2,340.6   516.8 
Net restructured loan
  Rs.2,155.6  Rs.2,382.9  Rs.1,451.2  Rs.672.4  Rs.973.7 
Gross restructured loans as a percentage of gross
non-performing
loans
   8.0%  3.7%  2.8%  2.1%  0.9%
Net restructured loans as a percentage of net
non-performing
loans
   9.8%  6.4%  3.1%  1.2%  1.7%
If there is a failure to meet payment or other terms of a restructured loan, it may be considered a failed restructuring, in which case it is no longer classified as a restructured loan. See
“Supervision
89

As of March 31, 2022, our gross
non-performing
loans as a percentage of gross loans in the respective industries were the highest in Capital Market Intermediaries, Agriculture Production—Food and Agriculture
Production—Non-Food.
Capital Market Intermediaries
Exchanges in the capital markets segment offer a platform to their broker members (capital market intermediaries) for trading in the cash, derivatives, currency derivatives and commodity segments. Exchanges appoint banks to clear and settle trade obligations. The Bank has had a presence in the stock & commodity exchange segment since the late 1990s as a clearing bank in the Indian capital markets. As a clearing bank, the Bank has been offering various transactional services and credit facilities in the form of fund and
non-fund-based
exposures, primarily to brokers in the capital market segments who hold their primary or secondary settlement accounts with the Bank. This acts as a key relationship point as well as a risk mitigant, as all payments to and from the exchanges are required by the relevant exchange to only be settled through these exchanges. The segment is highly regulated. As on March 31, 2022, high NPAs were the result of borrower-specific issues.
Agriculture Production—Food
The agricultural food industry in India is predominantly dependent on the domestic farm production, which is impacted by the monsoon and various other climatic conditions.
Despite disrupted supply chains and other problems related to the second wave of
COVID-19,
farm production and exports reported healthy growth during financial year 2022. Increased exports volumes were registered in particular in
non-basmati
rice, other cereals, dairy products and sugar, primarily due to widening demand-supply gaps at the global level. Domestic price inflation, logistic issues, including worldwide container shortages and increased freight costs, as well as raw material price volatility adversely impacted the food industry.
Agriculture
Production—Non-Food
Non-food
agricultural production (including, amongst others, cotton, jute plantations and rubber trees) in India is impacted by changes in the monsoon season, other weather conditions, as well as increased input costs. In light of global challenges, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, reduced farm production, a surge in crude oil prices and renewed
COVID-19
related lockdowns in China, demand and supply were disrupted. These disruptions have directly impacted the farming community and related supply chains, resulting in a significant decrease in profit margins and an increase in defaults.
Remediation Strategy for
Non-Performing
Loans
We focus on early problem recognition and active remedial management efforts in relation to our
non-performing
loans. Because we are involved primarily in working capital finance with respect to wholesale loans, we track our borrower’s performance and liquidity on an ongoing basis. This enables us to define remedial strategies proactively and manage our exposures to industries or customers who we believe are displaying deteriorating credit trends. Relationship managers lead the recovery effort together with strong support from the credit group in the corporate office in Mumbai. Recovery is pursued through, among others, legal processes, enforcement of collateral, negotiated
one-time
settlements and other similar strategies. The particular strategy pursued depends upon the level of cooperation of the borrower, our assessment of the borrower’s management integrity and long term viability, the credit structure and the role of other creditors.
90

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our audited financial statements included in this report. The following discussion is based on our audited financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and on information publicly available from the RBI and other sources.
Introduction
Overview
We are a
new-generation
private sector bank in India. Our principal business activities are retail banking, wholesale banking and treasury services. Our retail banking division provides various products such as deposit products, loans including loans to small and medium enterprises, credit cards, debit cards, third-party mutual funds and insurance products, bill payment services and other products and services. Through our wholesale banking operations we provide products such as loans, deposit products, documentary credits, guarantees, debt syndication services and foreign exchange and derivative products. We also provide cash management services, clearing and settlement services for stock and commodity exchanges, tax and other collections for the Government, custody services and correspondent banking services. Our treasury services segment undertakes trading operations on the proprietary account (including investments in government securities), foreign exchange operations and derivatives trading both on the proprietary account and customer flows and borrowings.
Proposed Transaction
The Board of Directors at its meeting held on April 4, 2022 approved the Scheme for the amalgamation of: (i) HDFC Investments Limited and HDFC Holdings Limited, each a subsidiary of HDFC Limited, with and into HDFC Limited; and (ii) HDFC Limited with and into HDFC Bank, and their respective shareholders and creditors (the “Proposed Transaction”). The share exchange ratio shall be 42 equity shares of HDFC Bank (each having a face value of Rs. 1) for every 25 equity shares of HDFC Limited (each having a face value of Rs. 2). See also “
Business—Proposed Transaction
”.
The completion of the Scheme and the Proposed Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of requisite approvals from the RBI, the Competition Commission of India, the National Housing Bank, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority, the National Company Law Tribunal, the Securities Exchange Board of India, BSE Limited, the National Stock Exchange of India Limited and other statutory and regulatory authorities, and the respective shareholders and creditors, under applicable Indian law. It is currently anticipated that the Proposed Transaction will be completed during fiscal year 2024. While HDFC Bank has received certain approvals and no objection letters in regard to the Proposed Transaction subject to certain conditions, further approvals and letters will be required in due course. There can be no assurance that the remaining closing conditions will be satisfied in a timely manner or at all, or that an effect, event, development or change will not transpire that could delay or prevent these conditions from being satisfied.
See also “
Risk Factors—The Scheme with HDFC Limited is subject to a number of conditions, some of which are outside of the parties’ control, and, if these conditions are not satisfied, the Scheme may be terminated and the Proposed Transaction may not be completed
”, “Risk Factors—Uncertainty about the Proposed Transaction may adversely affect the relationships of the Parties with their respective investors, customers, business partners and employees, whether or not the Proposed Transaction is completed” and “
Risk Factors— The Scheme with HDFC Limited may be more difficult, costly or time-consuming than expected, and implementation may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger and will expose us to incremental regulatory requirements
.”
Certain Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
Our revenue consists of interest and dividend revenue as well as
non-interest
revenue. Our interest and dividend revenue is primarily generated by interest on loans, interest or dividends from securities and interest from other activities. We offer a range of loans to retail customers and working capital and term loans to corporate customers. The primary components of our securities portfolio are statutory liquidity ratio investments, credit substitutes and other investments. Statutory liquidity ratio investments principally consist of Government of India treasury securities. Credit substitute securities typically consist of commercial paper and debentures issued by the same customers with whom we have a lending relationship in our wholesale banking business. Other investments include asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, deposit certificates issued by banks and units of mutual funds. Interest revenue from other activities consists primarily of interest on our placements made to comply with the extant RBI guidelines on shortfalls in directed lending
sub-limits
and interest from inter-bank placements.
91

Two important measures of our results of operations are net interest revenue, which is equal to our interest and dividend revenue net of interest expense, and net interest revenue after allowance for credit losses. Interest expense includes interest on deposits as well as on borrowings. Our interest revenue and expense are affected by fluctuations in interest rates as well as volume of activity. Our interest expense is also affected by the extent to which we fund our activities with
low-interest
and
non-interest-bearing
deposits, and the extent to which we rely on borrowings. Until March 31, 2020 our allowance for credit losses was comprised of specific and unallocated allowances for loan loss. Impairments of credit substitutes were not included in our loan loss provision, but were reflected under “
Non-interest
revenue—other than temporary losses on available for sale debt securities
” in our consolidated statements of income. Effective April 1, 2020, we adopted the Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) accounting guidance. The adoption of this guidance established a single allowance framework for all financial assets measured at amortized cost,
available-for-sale
debt securities and certain
off-balance
sheet credit exposures. Our allowance for credit losses is comprised of the allowance for loan losses, which covers our loan portfolios. Consistent with prior years, the impairment of our
available-for-sale
debt securities, including credit substitutes, are not included in our allowances for credit losses, but are reflected under “
Non-interest
revenue—allowance on available for sale debt securities
” in our consolidated financial statements of income.
We also use net interest margin and spread to measure our results. Net interest margin represents the ratio of net interest revenue to average interest-earning assets. Spread represents the difference between yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities, including current accounts which are
non-interest-bearing.
Our
non-interest
revenue includes fee and commission income, realized gains and losses on sales of securities and spread from foreign exchange and derivative transactions, and income from affiliates. Our principal sources of fee and commission revenue are retail banking services, retail asset fees and charges, credit card fees, home loan sourcing commissions, cash management services, documentary credits and bank guarantees, and distribution of third-party mutual funds and insurance products.
Our
non-interest
expense includes expenses for salaries and staff benefits, premises and equipment maintenance, depreciation and amortization, expenditure for the purchase of priority sector lending certificates and administrative and other expenses. The costs of outsourcing back office and other functions are included in administrative and other expenses.
Our financial condition and results of operations are affected by general economic conditions prevailing in India. According to estimates by the Indian Central Statistics Office, real GDP declined by 6.6 percent in fiscal year 2021 as compared to a growth of 3.7 percent in fiscal year 2020. Following the availability of
COVID-19
vaccines as well as fiscal and monetary measures, India’s GDP grew by 8.7 percent in 2022. On the monetary side, the RBI provided liquidity to intensive sectors and emergency health care services. Additionally, the RBI opened an on tap special long term repo operations window for small finance banks. In line with GDP, the overall bank credit growth improved to 8.6 percent in March 2022 compared to 5.6 percent in March 2021.
While our results may not necessarily track the GDP figures directly, the economic performance affects the environment in which we operate. For example, a weak GDP growth resulting from a decline in consumption and in the level of production of goods and services may lead to a reduced demand for bank credit.
Headline CPI tracked above the RBI’s upper tolerance limit of 6.0 percent between April 2020 and November 2020, as a result of supply shortages caused by the
COVID-19
pandemic. In addition, a sharp increase in food inflation and certain segments of core inflation (such as recreation and health services) kept headline inflation elevated. In fiscal year 2021, headline inflation averaged 6.2 percent compared to 4.8 percent in fiscal year 2020, 3.4 percent in fiscal year 2019 and 3.6 percent in fiscal year 2018. Due to mounting inflationary pressures, the RBI did not reduce the policy rates further following an emergency rate cut of 40 basis points in May 2020.
In fiscal year 2022, inflation averaged 5.5 percent; however, headline inflation rose to an
8-year
high of 7.8 percent in April 2022. To control inflation, the RBI has made an
off-cycle
rate hike of 40 basis points in May 2022 and another 50 basis points in June 2022. The RBI is expected to make
3-4
additional rate hikes in fiscal year 2023.
A high interest rate environment acts as a headwind for economic growth.
Owing to the pandemic-related disruption, the fiscal year deficit target widened to 9.2 percent of GDP in fiscal year 2021. This compares to 4.7 percent of GDP in fiscal year 2020 and 3.4 percent in fiscal year 2019. Alongside the shift of the Food Corporation of India loans on to the Government’s balance sheet and a pandemic-related increase in Government spending, subdued economic activity and the resultant decrease in tax revenue also contributed to the widening of the deficit in fiscal year 2021. For fiscal year 2022, the fiscal deficit narrowed to 6.7 percent, as tax collections improved with economic activity. The Government is targeting a fiscal deficit of 6.4 percent of GDP for fiscal year 2023 and plans to focus on capital expenditure to revive growth. However, the fiscal deficit is expected to exceed the budget estimate by approximately 40 basis points, mainly driven by a loss of revenue due to an import duty cut on diesel, petrol and other raw materials, and an increased subsidy bill.
92

Our financial condition and results of operations are also affected by widespread health emergencies (or concerns over the possibility of such emergencies), such as the
COVID-19
pandemic and the actions taken in response to it, which can cause significant volatility in demand for our products, changes in customer behavior and preferences, financial distress for our customers and related increases in customer defaults and provisions for losses, disruptions to our capital expenditure initiatives, limitations on our employees’ ability to work and travel, significant changes in the economic or political conditions in markets in which we operate and related currency volatility, restrictions on our access to, and increases in the cost of, capital and increased regulatory requirements, such as the RBI’s
COVID-19-related
regulations, which included permission for financial institutions to extend a three-month moratorium on term loan repayments due between March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020. This was later renewed for a second period from June 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020. In May 2021, the RBI issued an additional set of measures, permitting lending institutions to offer a limited window to individual borrowers and small businesses to implement resolution plans in respect of their credit exposures while classifying such borrowers as “standard” subject to certain specified conditions. In August 2020 and May 2021, the RBI also issued guidelines for the restructuring of existing loans to micro, small and medium enterprises classified as “standard”, without a downgrade in the asset classification, subject to certain conditions. Since March 2021, India has been experiencing a “second wave” of
COVID-19
infections, including a significant surge of
COVID-19
cases following the discovery of a “double mutant” coronavirus variant in the country. While the initial lockdown imposed in March 2020 in response to the first outbreak of
COVID-19
in India was lifted, regional lockdowns continue to be implemented in areas with a significant number of
COVID-19
cases. The slowdown during the year led to a decrease in loan originations, third party product sales, credit and debit card use by customers and collection effort efficiency. As a consequence, there may be a rise in the number of customer defaults and an increase in the provisions thereagainst. The Supreme Court of India, in a public interest litigation, through an interim order dated September 3, 2020 (“Interim Order”), had directed that the accounts that were not declared as NPA until August 31, 2020, should not be declared as NPA until a further order is made. The Interim Order was vacated on March 23, 2021. In accordance with the instructions in the RBI circular dated April 7, 2021 issued in connection with this matter, we continued with the asset classification of borrower accounts as per our existing policy in this regard.
Furthermore, while in ordinary circumstances, declining fiscal deficits tend to have a favorable impact on our operations, as a lower fiscal deficit allows the RBI to reduce rates, support a sustainable level of inflation and prevent private investment from being crowded out, the current expansion is also likely to benefit us by offering support to slowing growth, providing relief to businesses and assisting in mitigating
COVID-19-related
disruptions. Given the dynamic nature of the outbreak, the extent to which
COVID-19
will continue to impact our business, financial condition and results of operations will depend on future developments, which remain highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted at this time.
Notwithstanding the pace of growth in India, we believe we have maintained a strong balance sheet and Regulation—Restructured Assets
” and “
Supervision and Regulation—
Resolution of Stressed Assets
.”
Remediation Strategy for
Non-Performing
Loans
We focus on early problem recognition and active remedial management efforts in relation to our
non-performing
loans. Because we are involved primarily in working capital finance with respect to wholesale loans, we track our borrower’s performance and liquidity on an ongoing basis. This enables us to define remedial strategies proactively and manage our exposures to industries or customers that we believe are displaying deteriorating credit trends. Relationship managers lead the recovery effort together with strong support from the credit group in the corporate office in Mumbai. Recovery is pursued through, among others, legal processes, enforcement of collateral, negotiated
one-time
settlements and other similar strategies. The particular strategy pursued depends upon the level of cooperation of the borrower, our assessment of the borrower’s management integrity and long-term viability, the credit structure and the role of other creditors.
92

Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, movements in our allowance for credit losses:
   
For the years ended March 31,
 
   
2016
  
2017
  
2018
  
2019
  
2020
 
   
(in millions)
 
Specific allowance for credit losses at the beginning of the period
  Rs.24,709.0  Rs.31,008.1  Rs.45,730.1  Rs.62,600.5  Rs.85,783.0 
Additions during the period
      
Retail
   24,446.1   34,723.4   50,794.5   69,848.2   95,977.2 
Wholesale
   2,071.6   6,561.8   4,054.2   6,665.9   12,521.3 
Less allowances no longer required on account of write-offs
   (20,218.6  (26,563.2  (37,978.3  (53,331.6  (92,679.6
Specific allowance for credit losses at the end of period
  Rs.31,008.1  Rs.45,730.1  Rs.62,600.5  Rs.85,783.0  Rs.101,601.9 
Unallocated allowance for credit losses at the beginning of the period
  Rs.22,625.1  Rs.26,352.0  Rs.32,766.8  Rs.49,906.7  Rs.62,449.0 
Additions during the period
   3,726.9   6,414.8   17,139.9   12,542.3   34,782.3 
Unallocated allowance for credit losses at the end of the period
  Rs.26,352.0  Rs.32,766.8  Rs.49,906.7  Rs.62,449.0  Rs.97,231.3 
Total allowance for credit losses at the beginning of the period
  Rs.47,334.1  Rs.57,360.1  Rs.78,496.9  Rs.112,507.2  Rs.148,232.0 
Allowance no longer required on account of write-offs
   (20,218.6  (26,563.2  (37,978.3  (53,331.6  (92,679.6
Additions during the period
   30,244.6   47,700.0   71,988.6   89,056.4   143,280.8 
Total allowance for credit losses at the end of the period
  Rs.57,360.1  Rs.78,496.9  Rs.112,507.2  Rs.148,232.0  Rs.198,833.2 
Allowances for credit losses for the periods presented have been disclosed net of recoveries.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the allocation of the total allowance for credit losses:
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
   
2019
   
2020
 
   
(in millions)
 
Wholesale
          
Allocated
  Rs.7,413.4   Rs.11,713.5   Rs.15,323.0   Rs.20,233.2   Rs.26,426.4 
Unallocated
   3,803.4    4,656.2    7,759.3    9,507.9    13,201.9 
Subtotal
  Rs.11,216.8   Rs.16,369.7   Rs.23,082.3   Rs.29,741.1   Rs.39,628.3 
Retail
          
Allocated
   23,594.7    34,016.6    47,277.5    65,549.8    75,175.5 
Unallocated
   22,548.6    28,110.6    42,147.4    52,941.1    84,029.4 
Subtotal
  Rs.46,143.3   Rs.62,127.2   Rs.89,424.9   Rs.118,490.9   Rs.159,204.9 
Allowance for credit losses
  Rs.57,360.1   Rs.78,496.9   Rs.112,507.2   Rs.148,232.0   Rs.198,833.2 
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our audited financial statements included in this report. The following discussion is based on our audited financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and on information publicly available from the RBI and other sources.
Introduction
Overview
We are a new generation private sector bank in India. Our principal business activities are retail banking, wholesale banking and treasury services. Our retail banking division provides various products such as deposit products, loans, credit cards, debit cards, third-party mutual funds and insurance products, bill payment services and other products and services. Through our wholesale banking operations we provide products such as loans, deposit products, documentary credits, guarantees, debt syndication services and foreign exchange and derivative products. We also provide cash management services, clearing and settlement services for stock and commodity exchanges, tax and other collections for the Government, custody services and correspondent banking services. Our treasury services segment undertakes trading operations on the proprietary account (including investments in government securities), foreign exchange operations and derivatives trading both on the proprietary account and customer flows and borrowings.
Certain Factors Affecting our Results of Operations
Our revenue consists of interest and dividend revenue as well as
non-interest
revenue. Our interest and dividend revenue is primarily generated by interest on loans, interest or dividends from securities and interest from other activities. We offer a range of loans to retail customers and working capital and term loans to corporate customers. The primary components of our securities portfolio are statutory liquidity ratio investments, credit substitutes and other investments. Statutory liquidity ratio investments principally consist of Government of India treasury securities. Credit substitute securities typically consist of commercial paper and debentures issued by the same customers with whom we have a lending relationship in our wholesale banking business. Other investments include asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, deposit certificates issued by banks and units of mutual funds. Interest revenue from other activities consists primarily of interest on our placements made to comply with the extant RBI guidelines on shortfalls in directed lending
sub-limits
and interest from inter-bank placements.
Two important measures of our results of operations are net interest revenue, which is equal to our interest and dividend revenue net of interest expense, and net interest revenue after allowance for credit losses. Interest expense includes interest on deposits as well as on borrowings. Our interest revenue and expense are affected by fluctuations in interest rates as well as volume of activity. Our interest expense is also affected by the extent to which we fund our activities with
low-interest
and
non-interest
bearing deposits, and the extent to which we rely on borrowings. Our allowance for credit losses is comprised of specific and unallocated allowances for loan loss. Impairments of credit substitutes are not included in our loan loss provision, but are reflected under
“Non-interest
revenue—other than temporary losses on available for sale debt securities” in our consolidated statements of income.
We also use net interest margin and spread to measure our results. Net interest margin represents the ratio of net interest revenue to average interest-earning assets. Spread represents the difference between yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities, including current accounts which are
non-interest
bearing.
Our
non-interest
revenue includes fee and commission income, realized gains and losses on sales of securities and spread from foreign exchange and derivative transactions and income from affiliates. Our principal sources of fee and commission revenue are retail banking services, retail asset fees and charges, credit card fees, home loan sourcing commissions, cash management services, documentary credits and bank guarantees and distribution of third party mutual funds and insurance products.
Our
non-interest
expense includes expenses for salaries and staff benefits, premises and equipment maintenance, depreciation and amortization, expenditure for the purchase of priority sector lending certificates and administrative and other expenses. The costs of outsourcing back office and other functions are included in administrative and other expenses.
Our financial condition and results of operations are affected by general economic conditions prevailing in India. During fiscal 2020, economic growth moderated as compared to fiscal 2019. As per the estimates of the Indian Central Statistics Office (“CSO”), real GDP growth slowed down to 4.2 percent in fiscal 2020 from 6.1 percent in fiscal 2019. Moreover, GDP growth decreased to below 7 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and decelerated thereafter. While the economy started showing some signs of recovery during the initial months of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, the spread of coronavirus and the subsequent lockdown in March 2020 weighed on growth. Real GDP growth slipped to a low cost of funds. As of March 31, 2022, net
non-performing
customer assets (which consist of loans and credit substitutes) constituted 0.4 percent of net customer assets. In addition, our net customer assets represented 93.8 percent of our deposits and our deposits represented 73.8 percent of our total liabilities and shareholders’ equity. Our average
non-interest-bearing
current accounts and
low-interest-bearing
savings accounts represented 44.6 percent of our average total deposits for the year ended March 31, 2022. These
low-cost
deposits and the cash float associated with our transactional services led to an average cost of funds (including equity) for fiscal year 2022 of 3.1 percent in the last quarter of fiscal 2020. While our results may not necessarily track the GDP figures directly, how the economy performs affects the environment in which we operate. For example, a weak GDP growth resulting from a decline in consumption and in the level of production of goods and services, may cause a reduced demand for bank credit.
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Moreover, inflation also increased during fiscal 2020, with the average level of CPI increasing to 4.8 percent in fiscal 2020 from 3.4 percent in fiscal 2019 and 3.6 percent in fiscal 2018. While inflation remained under control during the first half of fiscal 2020, vegetable-led food inflation weighed on headline inflation in the second half of fiscal 2020. As a result of the transitionary nature of inflation pressure, the RBI kept the policy rates unchanged between October 2019 and February 2020. Since then, the RBI has reduced the policy rate by 115 basis points cumulatively at its last two emergency meetings to address
COVID-19
related disruptions. The repo rate stood at 4.0 percent as of July 1, 2020. A lower interest rate scenario helps support economic growth and is generally beneficial to the environment in which we operate, provided inflation is under control.
On the fiscal side, the Government appears to be committed to fiscal consolidation with the fiscal deficit reducing from 4.5 percent in fiscal 2014 to 3.5 percent in fiscal 2018. However, given rising fiscal pressures in 2019 and 2020, the Government moved away from its policy of fiscal consolidation. The fiscal deficit as a percentage of GDP stood at 3.4 percent in fiscal 2019 compared to the target of 3.3 percent. For fiscal 2020, the provisional data shows a higher fiscal deficit at 4.6 percent of GDP compared to the revised estimate of 3.8 percent. For fiscal 2021 the budget projects a fiscal deficit of 3.5 percent. However,
COVID-19
related Government spending is likely to result in a significant upward revision of the fiscal 2021 deficit.
Our financial condition and results of operations are also affected by widespread health emergencies (or concerns over the possibility of such emergencies), such as the
COVID-19
pandemic and the actions taken in response to it, which can cause significant volatility in demand for our products, changes in customer behavior and preferences, financial distress for our customers and related increases in customer defaults and provisions for losses, disruptions to our capital expenditure initiatives, limitations on our employees’ ability to work and travel, significant changes in the economic or political conditions in markets in which we operate and related currency volatility, restrictions on our access to, and increases in the cost of, capital and increased regulatory requirements, such as the RBI’s optional moratorium on debt repayments announced on March 23, 2020. As of June 30, 2020, approximately 9 percent of loans to our customers (measured by total value of our portfolio) were in moratorium. In addition, the RBI ordered banks to halt dividend payments for fiscal 2020, and we have accordingly not proposed a final dividend for such fiscal year. This restriction shall be reassessed by the RBI based on the financial results of banks for the quarter ending September 30, 2020. Furthermore, while in ordinary circumstances, declining fiscal deficits tend to have a favorable impact on our operations, as lower fiscal deficit allows the RBI to reduce rates, support a sustainable level of inflation and prevent private investment from being crowded out, the current expansion is also likely to benefit us by offering support to slowing growth, providing relief to businesses and assisting in mitigating
COVID-19
related disruptions. Given the dynamic nature of the outbreak, the extent to which
COVID-19
will continue to impact our business, financial condition and results of operations will depend on future developments, which remain highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted at this time.
Notwithstanding the pace of growth in India, we believe we have maintained a strong balance sheet and a low cost of funds. As of March 31, 2020, net
non-performing
customer assets (which consist of loans and credit substitutes) constituted 0.5 percent of net customer assets. In addition, our net customer assets represented 94.1 percent of our deposits and our deposits represented 71.8 percent of our total liabilities and shareholders’ equity. Our average
non-interest
bearing current accounts and
low-interest
bearing savings accounts represented 38.0 percent of our average total deposits for the year ended March 31, 2020. These
low-cost
deposits and the cash float associated with our transactional services led to an average cost of funds (including equity) for fiscal 2020 of 4.5 percent.
Critical Accounting Estimates—Allowance for Credit Losses
We have set forth below the details of our accounting policy and estimates used for the purposes of allowances for credit losses. We provide an allowance for credit losses based on management’s best estimate of losses inherent in the loan portfolio which includes troubled debt restructuring. The allowance for credit losses consists of allowances for retail loans and wholesale loans.
Retail
Our retail loan loss allowance consists of specific allowance and allowance for loans collectively evaluated for impairment (termed as “unallocated allowance”).
We establish a specific allowance on the retail loan portfolio based on factors such as the nature of the product, delinquency levels or the number of days the loan is past due and the nature of the security available. Additionally, we monitor loan to value ratios for loan against securities. The loans are charged off against allowances typically when the account becomes 150 to 1,083 days past due depending on the type of loan. The defined delinquency levels at which major loan types are charged off are 150 days past due for personal loans, credit card receivables, auto loans, commercial vehicle and construction equipment finance, 720 days past due for housing loans and on a customer by customer basis in respect of retail business banking when management believes that any future cash flows from these loans are remote including realization of collateral, if applicable, and where any restructuring or any other settlement arrangements are not feasible. Subsequent recoveries, if any, against
write-off
cases, are adjusted to allowance for credit losses in the consolidated statement of income.
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We also record unallocated allowances for retail loans by product type. Our retail loan portfolio is comprised of groups of large numbers of small value homogeneous loans. We establish an unallocated allowance for loans in each product group based on our estimate of the overall portfolio quality, asset growth, economic conditions and other risk factors. We estimate our unallocated allowance for retail loans based on its probability of default and loss given default, determined for the respective pools.
Wholesale
The allowance for wholesale loans consists of specific and unallocated components. The allowance for such credit losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s view of the probability of recovery of loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, factors affecting the industry which the loan exposure relates to and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. Loans are charged off against the allowance when management believes that the loan balance may not be recovered. Subsequent recoveries, if any, against
write-off
cases, are adjusted to allowance for credit losses in the consolidated statement of income.
We grade our wholesale loan accounts considering both qualitative and quantitative criteria. Wholesale loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, the financial condition of the borrower, the value of collateral held, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due.
We establish specific allowances for each impaired wholesale loan customer in the aggregate for all facilities, including term loans, cash credits, bills discounted and lease finance, based on either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the net realizable value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Collateral values are generally based on appraisals from internal and external valuation sources.
Wholesale loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls are generally not classified as impaired but are placed on a surveillance watch list and closely monitored for deterioration. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a
case-by-case
basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, market information, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. These factors are considered by the Bank for selection of loans for credit reviews and assessment of impairment.
We have set forth below the details of our accounting policy and estimates used for the purposes of allowances for credit losses. We provide an allowance for credit losses based on our estimate of losses inherent in the loan portfolio which includes troubled debt restructuring. The allowance for credit losses consists of allowances for retail loans and wholesale loans. Upon adoption of ASC 326, we revised our accounting policy for Allowance for credit losses as detailed below.
Retail
Until March 31, 2020 our retail loan loss allowance consisted of specific allowance and allowance for loans collectively evaluated for impairment (termed as “unallocated allowance”). We established a specific allowance on the retail loan portfolio based on factors such as the nature of the product, delinquency levels or the number of days the loan is past due and the nature of the security available. Additionally, we monitored loan to value ratios for loans against securities. The loans were charged off against allowances typically when the account became 150 to 1,083 days past due depending on the type of loan. The defined delinquency levels at which major loan types are charged off were 150 days past due for personal loans, credit card receivables, auto loans, commercial vehicle and construction equipment finance, 720 days past due for housing loans and on a customer by customer basis in respect of retail business banking when management believed that any future cash flows from these loans were remote including realization of collateral, if applicable, and where any restructuring or any other settlement arrangements were not feasible. Subsequent recoveries, if any, against
write-off
cases, were adjusted to provision for credit losses in the consolidated statement of income. We also recorded unallocated allowances for our retail loans by product type. Our retail loan portfolio is comprised of groups of large numbers of small value homogeneous loans. We established an unallocated allowance for loans in each product group based on its estimate of the overall portfolio quality, asset growth, economic conditions and other risk factors. We estimated our unallocated allowance for retail loans based on the probability of default and loss given default, determined for the respective risk pools.
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Wholesale
Until March 31, 2020, the allowance for wholesale loans consisted of specific and unallocated components. The allowance for such credit losses was evaluated on a regular basis by management and was based upon management’s view of the probability of recovery of loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, factors affecting the industry which the loan exposure relates to and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation was inherently subjective as it required estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information became available.
Loans were charged off against the allowance when management believes that the loan balance may not be recovered. Subsequent recoveries, if any, against
write-off
cases, were adjusted to provision for credit losses in the consolidated statement of income. We grade our wholesale loan accounts considering both qualitative and quantitative criteria. Wholesale loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, the financial condition of the borrower, the value of collateral held, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due.
We established specific allowances for each impaired wholesale loan customer, in the aggregate, for all facilities, including term loans, cash credits, bills discounted and lease finance, based on either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the net realizable value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Collateral values are generally based on appraisals from internal and external valuation sources. Wholesale loans that experienced insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls were generally not classified as impaired but were placed on a surveillance watch list and closely monitored for deterioration. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a
case-by-case
basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, market information, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. These factors were considered by us for selection of loans for credit reviews and assessment of impairment.
Until March 31, 2020 we also established an unallocated allowance for wholesale standard loans based on the internal rating grades assigned, and the probability of default associated with the internal rating grade pools and the loss given default.
Effective April 1, 2020, we adopted the CECL accounting guidance. The adoption of this guidance established a single allowance framework for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain
off-balance
sheet credit exposures including undrawn commitments not cancellable, investments including AFS debt securities and other financial assets measured at amortized cost. This framework requires that management’s estimate reflects credit losses over the instrument’s remaining expected life and considers expected future changes in macroeconomic conditions.
Our allowance for credit losses is comprised of:
the allowance for loan losses, which covers our loan portfolios and is presented separately on the balance sheet in loans;
the allowance for lending-related commitments, which is recognized on the balance sheet in “
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
”;
the allowance for credit losses on investment securities, which covers our AFS debt securities and is recognized on the balance sheet in “
Investments available for sale debt securities
” on the balance sheet; and
the allowance for credit losses on other financial assets measured at amortized cost, and other
off-balance
sheet credit exposures, which are recognized on the balance sheet in “
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
.
All changes in the allowance for credit losses are recognized in the income statement.
Determining the appropriateness of the allowance for credit losses is complex and requires significant judgment by management about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Subsequent evaluations of credit exposures, considering the macroeconomic conditions, forecasts and other factors then prevailing, may result in significant changes in the allowance for credit losses in future periods.
Our policies used to determine our allowance for credit losses and our allowance for lending-related commitments are described in the following paragraphs.
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Our portfolio is bifurcated into retail and wholesale portfolios, wherein the retail portfolio is segmented into homogenous pools using various factors such as nature of product, delinquencies, and other demographic and behavioral variables of the borrowers. The wholesale portfolio is segmented into various risk grades on the basis of a host of quantitative and qualitative factors including financial performance, industry risk, business risk and management quality. The allowance for loan-related losses and allowance for lending-related commitments represents expected credit losses over the remaining expected life of outstanding loans and lending-related commitments that are not unconditionally cancellable. We do not record an allowance for future drawings on unconditionally cancellable lending-related commitments (
e.g.,
credit cards). We do not record an allowance on accrued interest receivables on the balance sheet due to our policy to reverse interest income on loans more than 90 days past due and in the case of agricultural loans more than 365 days past due, and also on any loans classified as
non-performing.
The expected life for retail loans and wholesale loans is determined by considering their contractual term and expected prepayments. The expected life of funded credit card loans is generally estimated by considering expected future payments on the credit card account. We have an unconditionally cancellable clause (“UCC”) for credit card lines and as allowed by CECL accounting guidance, we make an allowance only for debt drawn at the time of expected loss measurement. We apply expected principal payments to the credit card receivable balances existing at the reporting date until the balance is exhausted.
The estimate of expected credit losses includes expected recoveries of amounts previously charged off or expected to be charged off, even if such recoveries result in a negative allowance. Retail loans are typically charged off against allowances when the account becomes 150 to 1,083 days past due depending on the type of loan. The defined delinquency levels at which major loan types are charged off are 150 days past due for personal loans and credit card receivables, 180 days for auto loans, commercial vehicle and construction equipment finance, and 720 days past due for housing loans and on a customer by customer basis in respect of retail business banking when management believes that any future cash flows from these loans are remote including realization of collateral, if applicable, and where any restructuring or any other settlement arrangements are not feasible. Wholesale loans are charged off against the allowance when management believes that the loan balance may not be recovered including following the realization of collateral, if applicable, and where any restructuring or any other settlement arrangements are not feasible. Subsequent recoveries, if any, against
write-off
cases, are adjusted to provision for credit losses in the consolidated statement of income.
Wholesale loans are considered
non-performing
when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining
non-performance
include payment status, the financial condition of the borrower, the value of collateral held, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Wholesale loans that experienced insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls are generally not classified as
non-performing
but are placed on a surveillance watch list and closely monitored for deterioration. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a
case-by-case
basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, market information, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. These factors are considered by us for selection of loans for credit reviews and assessment of allowance.
In order to estimate the allowance, we primarily rely on our risk-segmentation models, which are also an integral part of our risk management framework. Risk segmentation aims to group homogenous exposures together to allow for collective assessment of expected losses. Expected Loss estimation under collective assessment, is primarily based on probability of default (“PD”), loss given default (“LGD”) and exposure at default (“EAD”) estimates. We have modeled our PD estimates at the aforementioned granularity for our retail and wholesale portfolios and have also created the remaining expected life structure of the same for computation of credit losses.
Our
off-balance
sheet credit exposures include unfunded loan commitments, financial guarantees, including standby letters of credit, and other similar instruments. For
off-balance
sheet credit exposures, we recognize an allowance for credit loss (“ACL”) associated with the unfunded amounts. We do not recognize an ACL for commitments that are unconditionally cancelable at our discretion. ACL for
off-balance
sheet credit exposures are reported as a liability in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. ACL in such cases is measured for the remaining contractual term, adjusted for prepayments, of the financial asset (including
off-balance
sheet credit exposures) using historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts.
Collective and Individual Assessments
Management estimates the allowance balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical loan default and loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information incorporate management’s view of current conditions and forecasts.
The methodology for estimating the amount of credit losses reported in the allowance for credit losses has two basic components: first, a pooled component for expected credit losses for pools of loans that share similar risk characteristics and second an asset-specific component involving loans that do not share risk characteristics and the measurement of expected credit losses for such individual loans.
As an integral part of the credit process, we have a credit rating model appropriate to our retail and wholesale credit segments. We monitor credit quality within our segments based on primary credit quality indicators. This internal rating grading is updated at least annually based on credit rating model scale.
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A majority of our credit exposures share risk characteristics with other similar exposures, and as a result are collectively assessed for allowance (“portfolio-based component”).
If an exposure does not share risk characteristics with other exposures, we generally estimate expected credit losses on an individual basis, considering expected repayment and conditions impacting that individual exposure (“asset-specific component”). The asset-specific component covers loans modified or reasonably expected to be modified in a TDR, collateral-dependent loans, as well as, borrowers with financial difficulties.
Portfolio-based component (Pooled Loans)
The portfolio-based component begins with a quantitative calculation that considers the likelihood of the borrower changing delinquency status or moving from one risk rating to another. The quantitative calculation covers expected credit losses over an instrument’s expected life and is estimated by applying credit loss factors to our exposure at default.
In addition to our historical experience, we seek to incorporate any reasonable and supportable information regarding the prevalent and future economic and operating conditions, and their impact on credit losses into our allowance. We therefore include in our estimation the use of quantitative statistical models to predict the impact of macro-economic variables on defaults. We rely on a single macro-economic variable that is relevant to the specific pool of loans to develop reasonable and supportable forecasts specific to the relevant macro-economic variable. In deploying these models we have assessed the impact of an exhaustive set of macro-economic variables, key such variables are GDP, Private Final Consumption Expenditure, Gross Fixed Capital Formation and the index of industrial production (“IIP”) on our expected losses, and use consensus macro-economic forecasts surveyed and published by the RBI: Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy. As the consensus macro-economic forecasts are published for a year we revert to the historical average default rate beyond this period on a straight line basis. Any adjustments needed to the modeled expected losses in the quantitative calculations are addressed through a qualitative adjustment. Qualitative adjustment, among other things includes the uncertainty of forward-looking scenarios based on the likelihood and severity of a possible recession; the uncertainty of economic conditions related to an alternative downside scenario; certain portfolio characteristics and concentrations; collateral coverage; model limitations; idiosyncratic events; and other relevant criterias. The qualitative adjustment also reflects the estimated impact of the pandemic and the war between Russia and Ukraine on the economic forecasts and their impact on credit loss estimates. The total ACL is comprised of the quantitative and qualitative components.
We estimate our allowance for credit losses for pooled loans based on their probability of default and loss given default, determined for the respective risk pools. The allowance for credit losses for the quantitative component of pooled loans is the product of multiplying the PD, LGD and EAD.
Asset-specific component
To determine the asset-specific component of the allowance, collateral-dependent loans (including those loans for which foreclosure is probable) and larger, and
non-accrual
risk-rated loans in the wholesale portfolio segment are generally evaluated individually, while smaller loans (both scored and risk-rated) are aggregated for evaluation using factors relevant for the respective class of assets.
We generally measure the asset-specific allowance as the difference between the amortized cost of the loan and the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected, discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate. Subsequent changes in impairment, including those related to the passage of time, are generally recognized as an adjustment to the allowance for credit losses. For collateral-dependent loans, the fair value of collateral less estimated costs to sell is used to determine the
charge-off
amount for declines in value (to reduce the amortized cost of the loan to the fair value of collateral) or the amount of the negative allowance that should be recognized (for recoveries of prior charge-offs associated with improvements in the fair value of collateral).
The asset-specific component of the allowance for credit losses that have been or are expected to be modified in TDRs incorporates the effect of the modification on the loan’s expected cash flows (including forgone interest, principal forgiveness, as well as other concessions), and also the potential for
re-default.
For wholesale loans modified or expected to be modified in TDRs, expected losses incorporate management’s expectation of the borrower’s ability to repay under the modified terms.
Estimating the timing and amounts of future cash flows is highly judgmental as these cash flow projections rely upon estimates such as loss severities, asset valuations, default rates (including
re-default
rates on modified loans), the amounts and timing of interest or principal payments (including any expected prepayments) or other factors that are reflective of current and expected market conditions. All of these estimates and assumptions require significant management judgment and certain assumptions are highly subjective.
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Impairment of debt securities
Until March 31, 2020, declines in the fair values of held to maturity and available for sale debt securities below their carrying value that were other than temporary were reflected in net income as other than temporary impairment losses, based on management’s best estimate of the fair value of the investment. We conducted a review each year to identify other than temporary declines based on an evaluation of all significant factors. Our review of impairment generally entailed identification and evaluation of investments that had indications of possible impairment, analysis of evidential matter, including an evaluation of factors or triggers that would or could cause individual investments to have other than temporary impairment and documentation of the results of these analysis, as required under business policies. Estimates of any declines in the fair values of credit substitute securities that were other than temporary were measured on a
case-by-case
basis together with loans to those customers. We did not recognize an impairment for debt securities if the cause of the decline is related solely to an interest rate increase, we did not intend to sell the security and it was not more likely than not that we would be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis.
Upon adoption of ASU
2016-13,
Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (CECL) with effect from April 1, 2020 we conduct reviews of all
available-for-sale
debt securities with fair value below their carrying value or with zero loss expectation. We evaluate whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If the assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded through a provision for credit loss expense, limited by the amount that fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income. The allowance is increased or decreased if credit conditions subsequently worsen or improve. Reversals of credit losses is recognized in earnings. We recognize the entire difference between the amortized cost basis and fair value in earnings for impaired AFS debt securities that we have an intent to sell or for which we believe we will
more-likely-than-not
be required to sell prior to recovery of the amortized cost basis. We have applied ASC 326 to AFS debt securities when other-than-temporary-impairment has been recognized before the adoption. Amortized cost of a security, including the security’s effective interest rate where an other-than-temporary impairment had been recognized up to March 31, 2020 has remained unchanged. Amounts previously recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income as of the adoption date that relate to improvements in cash flows continue to be accreted to interest income over the remaining life of the security on a level-yield basis. Recoveries of amounts previously written off relating to improvements in cash flows after the date of adoption are recorded to income in the period received. We do not record an allowance on accrued interest receivables on the balance sheet due to our policy to reverse interest income on debt securities in a timely manner in line with our
non-accrual
and past due policies and also on any debt security classified as
non-performing.
We do not purchase debt securities with credit deterioration.
Sensitivity
CECL is sensitive to the changes in key assumptions and the qualitative adjustments that require the application of significant management judgment. Future amounts of CECL could be dependent on various factors such as loan growth and the economic environment, in particular since the potential variability in the current economic conditions remains high. Furthermore, the variability in the general economic conditions impacts each product differently and hence could result in a variation in CECL.
We undertook a sensitivity analysis to assess the magnitude of CECL under extreme circumstances. As part of this sensitivity analysis, we analyzed variability in provisions on account of a change in the assumptions underlying our forward-looking outlook. For this analysis, we sensitized macroeconomic variables and increased the impact of our qualitative adjustments. We also shifted the cash flows by some percentage points to the next bucket thereby simulating an extension of tenor of the loans. We observed that the impact was not significant. While the sensitivity analysis is useful and helps us to understand how the changes in our macroeconomic assumptions may impact our modeled ECLs, we are aware of the fact that it is not meant to enable us to forecast how the Bank’s allowance for credit losses is expected to change in a different macroeconomic outlook. Importantly, the analysis is an enabler and does not encompass many factors, including qualitative factors which could have offsetting effects on the estimates. Considering the variety of factors contemplated when developing the macroeconomic outlooks, the Bank believes the allowance for credit losses as at March 31, 2022 is appropriate.
Critical Accounting Policies
We have set forth below some of our critical accounting policies under U.S. GAAP. Investors should keep in mind that we prepare our general purpose financial statements in accordance with Indian GAAP and also report to the RBI and the Indian stock exchanges in accordance with Indian GAAP. In certain circumstances, we may take action that is required or permitted by Indian banking regulations which may have consequences under Indian GAAP that may be different from those under U.S. GAAP.
97

Revenue Recognition
Interest income from loans and from investments is recognized on an accrual basis using the effective interest method when earned except in respect of loans or investments placed on
non-accrual
status, where it is recognized when received. Fees and commissions from guarantees issued are amortized over the contractual period of the commitment. Dividends from investments are recognized when declared. Realized gains and losses on sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the weighted average cost method. Other fees and income are recognized when earned, which is when the service that results in the income has been provided. We amortize the annual fees on credit cards over the contractual period of the fees.
Investments in Securities
Investments consist of securities purchased as part of our treasury operations, such as government securities and other debt securities, and investments purchased as part of our wholesale banking operations, such as credit substitute securities issued by our wholesale banking customers. Credit substitute securities typically consist of commercial paper and short-term debentures issued by the same customers with whom we have a lending relationship in our wholesale banking business. Investment decisions for credit substitute securities are subject to the same credit approval processes as for loans, and we bear the same customer credit risk as we do for loans extended to those customers. Additionally, the yield and maturity terms are generally directly negotiated by us with the issuer. As our exposures to such securities are similar to our exposures on our loan portfolio, additional disclosures have been provided on impairment status in Note 7
Credit Substitutes
of the consolidated financial statements and on concentrations of credit risk in Note 1110 “
Concentrations of Credit Risk
of the consolidated financial statements.
96

All other securities including mortgage and asset-backed securities are actively managed as part of our treasury operations. The issuers of such securities are either government, public financial institutions or private issuers. These investments are typically purchased from the market, and debt securities are generally publicly rated.
Securities that are held principally for resale in the near term are classified as held for trading (“HFT”) and are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in net income. Debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held to maturity (“HTM”) and are carried at amortized cost.
All debt securities that are not classified as HTM or HFT are classified as available for sale debt securities (“AFS”) and are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on such securities, net of applicable taxes, are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of shareholders’ equity.
Up to March 31, 2018 equityEquity securities with readily determinable fair values that were notare classified as HFT were classified as available for sale and were carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on such securities, net of applicable taxes, were reported in accumulatedunder other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Dividend income on such securities was included in Interest and dividend revenue- available for sale debt securities.
Non-marketable
equity securities were carried at cost.
We adopted ASU
2016-01
and ASU
2018-03
with effect from April 1, 2018. The
available-for-sale
category was eliminated for equity securities which were reclassified to other assets. This resulted in a cumulative
catch-up
reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings. Marketable securities are measured at fair value, change in fair value recorded in earnings.
Non-
marketable equity securities under the measurement alternative are carried at cost plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer and impairment, if any. Our review for impairment for equity method, cost method and measurement alternative securities typically includes an analysis of the facts and circumstances of each security, the intent or requirement to sell the security, and the expectations of cash flows.
Fair values are based on market quotations where a market quotation is available or otherwise based on present values at current interest rates for such investments.
Transfers between categories are recorded at fair value on the date of the transfer.
Declines in the fair values of held to maturity and available for sale debt securities below their carrying value that are other than temporary are reflected in net income as other than temporary impairment losses, based on management’s best estimate of the fair value of the investment. We conduct a review each year to identify other than temporary declines based on an evaluation of all significant factors. Our review of impairment generally entails identification and evaluation of investments that have indications of possible impairment, analysis of evidential matter, including an evaluation of factors or triggers that would or could cause individual investments to have other than temporary impairment and documentation of the results of these analyses, as required under business policies. Estimates of any declines in the fair values of credit substitute securities that are other than temporary are measured on a
case-by-case
basis together with loans to those customers. We do not recognize an impairment for debt securities if the cause of the decline is related solely to an interest rate increase, we do not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles
Under applicable accounting guidance, goodwill is reviewed at the reporting unit level for potential impairment at least on an annual basis at the end of the reporting period, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate a potential impairment. ThisUntil March 31, 2020 this analysis iswas a
two-step
process. The first step of the goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, then the goodwill of the reporting unit iswas considered not impaired; however, if the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step is to be performed. The second step involvesinvolved calculating an implied fair value of goodwill for each reporting unit for which the first step indicated possible impairment. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined inOn April 1, 2020, we adopted ASU
2017-04
which eliminated the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination, which is the excess of the fair value of the reporting unit, as determined in the first step, over the aggregate fair values of the individual assets, liabilities and identifiable intangibles as if the reporting unit was being acquired in a business combination. The adjustmentsrequirement to measure the assets, liabilities and intangibles at fair value are for the purpose of measuringcalculate the implied fair value of goodwill and such adjustments are not reflected inGoodwill (the second step). Accordingly, if the consolidated balance sheet. If the implied fair value of goodwill exceeds the goodwill assigned to the reporting unit, there is no impairment. If the goodwill assigned to a reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment charge is recorded for the excess. An impairment loss recognized cannot exceed the amount of goodwill assigned to a reporting unit, and the loss establishes a new basis in the goodwill. Subsequent reversal of goodwill impairment losses is not permitted. ASC
350-20
“Goodwill” stipulates that goodwill of a reporting unit shall be tested on an annual basis and in the interim period under certain circumstances. Accordingly, we have determined that we will test the goodwill on our books for impairment at annual rests, unless circumstances warrant us to carry out impairment tests in an interim period. We examined our goodwill that had arisen on acquisition of CBoP for possible impairment as of March 31, 2020. The results of the first step of the impairment test showed no indication of impairment. Accordingly, we did not perform the second step of the impairment test.
 
9798

Fair Value Measurements
FASB ASC 820 (Topic 820) “Fair Value Measures and Disclosures” establishes a fair value hierarchy structure that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to determine the fair value of an asset or liability. ASC 820 distinguishes between inputs that are based on observed market data and unobservable inputs that reflect market participants’ assumptions. It emphasizes the use of valuation methodologies that maximize market inputs. For financial instruments carried at fair value, the best evidence of fair value is a quoted price in an actively traded market (Level 1). Where the market for a financial instrument is not active, valuation techniques are used. The majority of valuation techniques use market inputs that are either observable or indirectly derived from and corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the financial instrument (Level 2). Because Level 1 and Level 2 instruments are determined by observable inputs, less judgment is applied in determining their fair values. In the absence of observable market inputs, the financial instrument is valued based on valuation techniques that feature one or more significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). The determination of the level of fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement of an asset or a liability is classified often requires judgment. We consider the following factors in developing the fair value hierarchy:
 
whether the asset or liability is transacted in an active market with a quoted market price that is readily available;
 
the size of transactions occurring in an active market;
 
the level of
bid-ask
spreads;
 
whether only a few transactions are observed over a significant period of time;
 
whether the inputs to the valuation techniques can be derived from or corroborated with market data; and
 
whether significant adjustments are made to the observed pricing information or model output to determine the fair value.
Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date for the identical assets or liabilities. A financial instrument is classified as a Level 1 measurement if it is listed on an exchange. We regard financial instruments such as equity securities and bonds listed on the primary exchanges of a country to be actively traded.
Level 2 inputs are inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument but do not qualify as Level 1 inputs. We generally classify derivative contracts and investments in debt securities, units of mutual funds, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities as Level 2 measurements. Currently, substantially all such items qualify as Level 2 measurements. Level 2 items are fair valued using quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
Level 3 inputs are unobservable estimates that management expects market participants would use to determine the fair value of the asset or liability. That is, Level 3 inputs incorporate market participants’ assumptions about risk and the risk premium required by market participants in order to bear that risk. We develop Level 3 inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances.
If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that primarily use, as inputs, observable market-based parameters. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value. These adjustments may include amounts to reflect counterparty credit quality, among other things, as well as unobservable parameters. Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time.
We review and update our fair value hierarchy classifications semi-annually. Changes from one half year to the next related to the observability of inputs to a fair value measurement may result in a reclassification between hierarchy levels. Imprecision in estimating unobservable market inputs can impact the amount of revenue, loss or changes in common shareholder’s equity recorded for a particular financial instrument. Furthermore, while we believe our valuation methods are appropriate, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial assets and liabilities could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. See Note 3130 “
Fair Value Measurement
of the consolidated financial statements, “
Fair Value Measurement
for further details including the classification hierarchy associated with assets and liabilities measured at fair value.
 
9899

As of March 31, 2020,2022, our Level 3 instruments recorded at fair value on a recurring basis were
available-for-sale
mortgage and asset-backed securities aggregating Rs. 127,454.3 million.143.9 billion. The Level 3 instruments comprised 3.43.2 percent of our total securities portfolio and 0.80.7 percent of our total assets, as of March 31, 2020.2022. The valuation of these mortgage and asset-backed securities is dependent on the estimated cash flows that the underlying trust would pay out. The cash flows for mortgage and asset-backed securities are discounted at the
yield-to-maturity
rates and credit spreads published by Fixed Income Money Market and Derivatives Association on month ends.
Available-for-sale
securities aggregating Rs. 0.1 billion and Rs. 5.3 billion classified as Level 1 as of March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019 were transferred to Level 2 during fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2020, respectively.
A control framework has been established, which is designed to ensure that fair values are either determined or validated by a function independent of the risk-taker. To that end, the ultimate responsibility for the validation of the valuation model rests with the treasury analytics section. The valuation model is also reviewed by the market risk department. The middle office department, which functions independent of the risk taker, is responsible for reporting fair values. Wherever necessary the valuation model is vetted through independent experts. In addition, the model prices are compared with market maker quotes. The types of valuation techniques used include present value based models, Black-Scholes valuation models, including variations and interest rate models as used by market practitioners. Where appropriate the models are calibrated to market prices. The models used, apply appropriate control processes and procedures to ensure that the derived inputs are used to value only those instruments that share similar risk to the relevant benchmark indexes and therefore demonstrate a similar response to market factors. Market data used along with interpolation techniques are as per market conventions.
The validation process consists of an independent validation of the pricing model. The pricing model validation for significant product variants is conducted using an external validation agency or authority. In addition the model prices are also validated by comparing with market maker quotes. All market data conventions are adhered to in terms of yield curve components, volatility surfaces and calibration instruments.
Lease accounting
Effective April 1, 2019, we adopted FASB ASU
2016-02 “Leases
(Topic 842)”. We applied Topic 842 using the modified retrospective method. As a result, comparative information has not been adjusted and continues to be reported under ASC 840. As of April 1, 2019, the date of our initial application of ASC 842, we recognizedrecognize lease liabilities measured as the present value of lease payments not yet paid, discounted using the incremental borrowing rate as at the date of initial application.rate. The
right-of-use
asset as of the date of the initial application includes an initial measurement of the lease liabilities adjusted for accrued lease payments as of date of initial application.liabilities.
At the inception of the contract, we assess whether the contract, is or contains, a lease. Our assessment is based on whether (1) the contract involves the use of distinct identified assets, (2) we have the right to substantially all the economic benefit from the use of the asset throughout the term of the contract, and (3) we have the right to direct the use of the asset. Leases are examined for classification as either finance leases or operating leases. A lease is classified as finance lease if any one of the following criteria is met: (1) the lease transfers ownership of the asset by the end of the lease term, (2) the lease contains an option to purchase the assetsasset that is reasonably certain to be exercised, (3) the lease term is for majoritythe major part of the remaining useful life of the asset or (4) the present value of the lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the asset. A lease is classified as an operating lease if it does not meet any one of the above criteria.
Our lessee arrangements consist of operating leases. We record
right-of-use
assets and lease liabilities at the lease commencement date.
Right-of-use
assets are reported in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, and the related lease liabilities are reported in accrued expenses and other liabilities. We have elected not to record
right-of-use
assetassets for short-term-leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less and thus, all leases with a lease term exceeding 12 months are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet.
Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is recorded in
non-interest
expense- premises and equipment in the consolidated statements of income. We made an accounting policy decision not to separate lease and
non-lease
components of a contract that is or contains a lease. At the lease commencement, lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the remaining lease payments and discounted using the incremental borrowing rate as at the date of the lease commencement.
Right-of-use
assets initially equal the lease liabilities, adjusted for any lease payments made prior to lease commencement and for any lease incentives.
We assess leased assets for impairment, and if the carrying amount of the leased asset exceeds the undiscounted cash flows from the lease payments and the estimated residual value upon disposition of the leased asset, an impairment loss is recognized.
 
99
100

Status of
IND-AS
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs, in its press release dated January 18, 2016, issued a roadmap for the implementation of
IND-AS
converged with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board with certain carve outscarve-outs for scheduled commercial banks, insurance companies and
non-banking
financial companies (the “2016 Roadmap”), which was subsequently confirmed by the RBI through its circular dated February 11, 2016. The 2016 Roadmap required such institutions to prepare
IND-AS-based
financial statements for accounting periods commencing on or after April 1, 2018, with comparative financial information for accounting periods commencing on or after April 1, 2017. The implementation of
IND-AS
by banks requires certain legislative changes in the format of financial statements to comply with disclosures required by
IND-AS.
In April 2018, the RBI deferred the effective date for implementation of
IND-AS
by one year, by which point the necessary legislative amendments were expected to have been completed. The legislative amendments recommended by the RBI are under consideration ofby the Government of India. Accordingly the RBI, in March 2019, the RBI has deferred the implementation of
IND-AS
until further notice.
In conjunction with the implementation of
IND-AS
for our local Indian results, we may adopt IFRS for the purposes of our filings pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of, and our reports pursuant to Rule
13a-16
or
15d-16
under the Exchange Act. Should we choose to do so, for our first year of reporting in accordance with IFRS, we would be permitted to file two years, rather than three years, of statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows prepared in accordance with IFRS.
Transition to Alternate Reference Rate
In 2017 the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) announced that it would no longer compel banks to contribute to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) setting after 2021. On March 5, 2021, the FCA announced the future cessation or loss of representativeness of the 35 LIBOR benchmark settings currently published by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (“IBA”), which administers LIBOR. As at the end of December 2021, the publication of most LIBOR settings calculated has ceased and the global financial markets generally transitioned away from the use of all LIBOR settings, except for the publication until June 30, 2023 of certain U.S. dollar LIBOR settings. It has become clear that various jurisdictions are working on a rate or rates as accepted alternatives to LIBOR. In India, instruments such as external commercial borrowings, other debt contracts and certain derivatives are typically linked to LIBOR. In addition, the Mumbai Interbank Forward Offer Rate (“MIFOR”), a benchmark used for interest rate swap transactions, is also a rate that is based on LIBOR. In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU
2020-04
“Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting”, which provides for optional expedients and other guidance related to the modification of contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by the reference rate reform. The Bank adopted the ASU effective April 1, 2021. The LIBOR Transition project is being successfully implemented within the Bank. The Bank has adhered to the ISDA protocol for derivative contracts and is in discussion with counterparties who have outstanding legacy derivative trades, referencing LIBOR, which are to be discontinued post June 30, 2023 for early adherence/execution to the Protocol/amended fallback agreement. The inclusion of fallback clauses in the existing loans contracts that are linked to LIBOR currencies other than US$ is complete. Fallback language for US$ LIBOR-linked loans is expected to be completed before June 2023. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Bank’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Effective
In June 2016,August 2020, the FASB issued ASU
2016-132020-06
Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): MeasurementDebt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic
470-20)
and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic
815-40)”.
This ASU simplifies the accounting for convertible debt and convertible preferred stock by reducing the number of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. Theaccounting models for these instruments, resulting in fewer embedded conversion features, which are recognized separately from the host contract. Additionally, this ASU introduces a newrevises the criteria for determining whether contracts in an entity’s own equity meet the scope exception from derivative accounting, model,which will change the Current Expected Credit Losses model (“CECL”), which requires earlier recognitionpopulation of credit losses, while also providing transparency about credit risk. The CECL model utilizes a lifetime “expected credit loss” measurement objective for the recognition of credit losses for loans, held to maturity securities and other receivables at the time the financial asset is originated or acquired. The expected credit losses are required to be adjusted each period for changes in expected lifetime credit losses. The update requires use of judgment in determining the relevant information and estimation methodscontracts that are appropriate for measurement of expected credit losses which is to be based on relevant information about past events, historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectabilityrecognized as assets or liabilities. The amendments in this ASU also revise certain aspects of the reported amount. In regardguidance on calculating earnings per share with respect to
Available-for-Sale
Debt Securities, convertible instruments and instruments that may be settled in the credit losses are required to be recorded through an allowance and theentity’s own shares. This ASU limits the amount of the allowance for credit losses to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost. While the update changes the measurement of the allowance for credit losses, it does not change the credit riskeffective for the Bank’s loan portfolios. The FASB has issued multiple updates to ASU
2016-13
as codifiedinterim and annual periods in Topic 326, viz. ASUs
2018-19,
2019-04,
2019-05,
2019-10,
2019-11,
2020-02,
and
2020-03.
These ASUs have provided for various minor technical corrections and improvements to the codification as well as other transition matters. ASU
2016-13
is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We will adopt2021. The Bank does not expect the guidance in fiscal 2021. Key implementation initiatives have included model development and validation, data acquisition for model estimation and new disclosures, and the establishment of policies encompassing aspects of the standard including internal controls. The allowance methodologies and model, duly validated and tested, will be implemented for fiscal 2021. At the date of adoption, the ASU will result in a negative adjustment to retained earnings. The ultimate impact is dependent on the finalization of the assessment of the characteristics of our portfolio, macroeconomic conditions and related forecasts at date of adoption and the potential impact of
COVID-19.
On adoption, the CECL transitional amount (being a cumulative effect adjustment) will be included in shareholders’ equity. This will have no impact on our regulatory capital requirements which are based on Indian GAAP. We are currently assessing the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2017-04
“Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)—Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”. The amendment in this update simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill impairment by eliminating the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill (i.e., the current Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test) to measure a goodwill impairment charge. The impairment test is simply the comparison of the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount (the current Step 1), with the impairment charge being the deficit in fair value but not exceeding the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The amendments in the ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We expect to adopt the guidance in fiscal 2021. Early adoption is permitted for interim and annual goodwill impairment testing dates after January 1, 2017. The adoption of this guidance is not expected ASU
2020-06
to have a material impact on ourits consolidated financial position or results of operations or disclosures.
100

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2018-13
“Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement”. The amendments modify certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. Entities are required to disclose and describe the range and weighted-average of significant observable inputs used to prospectively develop Level 3 fair value measurements. The amendments in the ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We expect to adopt the guidance in fiscal 2021. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Bank’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2018-15
“Intangibles—Goodwill and
Other—Internal-Use
Software (Subtopic
350-40):
Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract”. The update aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain
internal-use
software, regardless of whether they convey a license to the hosted software. The accounting for the service element of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract is not affected by this ASU. The amendments in the ASU are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity has the option to apply amendments in the ASU either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. We expect to adopt the guidance in fiscal 2021. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU
2019-12,
“Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.” This ASU is part of the FASB’s initiative to make narrow-scope simplifications and improvements to accounting standards through a series of short-term projects. The ASU removes specific exceptions to general principles in Topic 740 (eliminating the need for an organization to analyze whether certain exceptions apply in a given period) and improving financial statement preparers’ application of certain income
tax-related
guidance. The amendments in the ASU are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We expect to adopt the guidance in fiscal 2022. We are currently assessing the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU
2020-01,
“Investments – Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) – Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815.” ASU
2016-01
made targeted improvements to accounting for financial instruments, including providing an entity with the ability to measure certain equity securities without a readily determinable fair value at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. Among other topics, the amendments clarify that an entity should consider observable transactions that require it to either apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting. The amendments in the ASU are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We expect to adopt the guidance in fiscal 2022. We are currently assessing the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2020-04
“Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting”. The ASU provides for optional expedients and other guidance related to modification of contracts , hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by the reference rate reform. The ASU also provides an election to account for certain contract amendments related to reference rate reform as modifications rather than extinguishments without the requirement to assess the significance of the amendments. The various practical expedients and elections allow hedge accounting to continue uninterrupted during the transition period. The amendments in the update are elective and applicable on issue. We are currently assessing the update and its impact on our transition away from LIBOR for our financial instruments.statements.
 
101

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 20202022 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 20192021
Net Interest Revenue afterAfter Allowance for Credit Losses
Our net interest revenue after allowances for credit losses increased by 9.317.5 percent from Rs. 435.2529.5 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 475.9621.9 billion in fiscal 2020.year 2022. Our net interest margin was 4.64.3 percent for fiscal 2020.year 2022. The following table sets out the components of net interest revenue after allowance for credit losses.
 
   
Year ended March 31,
 
   
2019
   
2020
   
Increase/

Decrease
  
% Increase/

Decrease
 
   
(in million, except percentages)
 
Interest on loans
  Rs.827,683.0   Rs.981,794.8   Rs.154,111.8   18.6 
Interest on securities, including dividends and interest on trading assets
   199,885.4    205,775.3    5,889.9   2.9 
Other interest revenue
   14,146.5    24,412.8    10,266.3   72.6 
Total interest and dividend revenue
  
 
1,041,714.9
 
  
 
1,211,982.9
 
  
 
170,268.0
 
 
 
16.3
 
Interest on deposits
   410,026.4    507,888.8    97,862.4   23.9 
Interest on short-term borrowings
   39,054.3    27,216.8    (11,837.5  (30.3
Interest on long-term debt
   85,081.1    83,200.5    (1,880.6  (2.2
Other interest expense
   47.5    149.4    101.9   214.5 
Total interest expense
  
 
534,209.3
 
  
 
618,455.5
 
  
 
84,246.2
 
 
 
15.8
 
Net interest revenue
  
Rs.
    507,505.6
 
  
Rs.
    593,527.4
 
  
Rs.
    86,021.8
 
 
 
16.9
 
Less: Allowance for credit losses:
       
Retail
   64,051.0    104,516.8    40,465.8   63.2 
Wholesale
   8,228.3    13,105.1    4,876.8   59.3 
Total
  
Rs.
72,279.3
 
  
Rs.
117,621.9
 
  
Rs.
45,342.6
 
 
 
62.7
 
Net interest revenue after allowance for credit losses
  
Rs.
435,226.3
 
  
Rs.
475,905.5
 
  
Rs.
40,679.2
 
 
 
9.3
 
   
Years ended March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
Increase/
Decrease
  
% Increase/
Decrease
 
   
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Interest on loans
  Rs.1,017,047.8   Rs.1,057,925.6    Rs. 40,877.8   4.0 
Interest on securities, including dividends and interest on trading assets
   230,064.7    242,590.5    12,525.8   5.4 
Other interest revenue
   28,855.1    32,620.9    3,765.8   13.1 
Total interest and dividend revenue
  
 
1,275,967.6
 
  
 
1,333,137.0
 
  
 
57,169.4
 
 
 
4.5
 
Interest on deposits
   501,260.2    489,010.1    (12,250.1  (2.4
Interest on short term borrowings
   12,531.8    17,675.2    5,143.4   41.0 
Interest on long term debt
   78,361.5    77,456.3    (905.2  (1.2
Other interest expense
   127.6    155.9    28.3   22.2 
Total interest expense
  
 
592,281.1
 
  
 
584,297.5
 
  
 
(7,983.6
 
 
(1.3
Net interest revenue
  
Rs.
683,686.5
 
  
Rs.
748,839.5
 
  
Rs.
 65,153.0
 
 
 
9.5
 
Less: Provision for credit losses:
       
Retail
   145,821.9    122,622.6    (23,199.3  (15.9
Wholesale
   8,411.5    4,356.9    (4,054.6  (48.2
Total
  
Rs.
154,233.4
 
  
Rs.
126,979.5
 
  
Rs.
 (27,253.9
 
 
(17.7
Net interest revenue after allowance for credit losses
  
Rs.
 529,453.1
 
  
Rs.
 621,860.0
 
  
Rs.
 92,406.9
 
 
 
17.5
 
Interest and Dividend Revenue
Interest income on loans increased by 18.64.0 percent from Rs. 1,017.0 billion in fiscal year 2021 to Rs. 1,057.9 billion in fiscal year 2022, primarily due to an increase in our average loan book. The average balance of our total loan book increased by 16.615.0 percent from Rs. 8,013.010,589.5 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 9,342.312,175.7 billion in fiscal 2020.year 2022. Our average balance of retail loans increased by 14.314.9 percent from Rs. 5,655.26,975.0 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 6,465.58,014.5 billion in fiscal 2020.year 2022. The growth in retail loans was primarily across the retail business banking, housing loans and personal loans/credit cards housing loans and retail business banking segments. Our average balance of wholesale loans increased by 22.015.1 percent from Rs. 2,357.83,614.5 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 2,876.84,161.2 billion in fiscal 2020.year 2022. Retail loan yields increaseddecreased from 11.110.9 percent in fiscal 2019year 2021 to 11.410.3 percent in fiscal 2020.year 2022. Wholesale loan yields remained stable at 8.5decreased from 7.2 percent in fiscals 2019 and 2020.fiscal year 2021 to 5.5 percent in fiscal year 2022.
Interest on securities, including dividends and interest on trading assets, increased by 2.95.4 percent from Rs. 199.9230.1 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 205.8242.6 billion in fiscal 2020.year 2022. This was primarily driven by an increase in the average balance of our investments. The average balance of our investments increased by Rs. 189.0380.8 billion from Rs. 2,782.93,833.6 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 2,971.94,214.4 billion in fiscal 2020.year 2022. Yields on our investmentinvestments decreased from 7.26.0 percent in fiscal 2019year 2021 to 6.95.8 percent in fiscal 2020.year 2022.
Other interest revenue increased by 72.613.1 percent from Rs. 14.128.9 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 24.432.6 billion in fiscal 2020,year 2022, primarily due to an increase in the average balance of dues from banks and other interest earning assets during fiscal 2020year 2022. The average balance of dues from banks and other interest earning assets increased by 98.112.9 percent from Rs. 286.9962.1 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 568.21,086.0 billion in fiscal 2020. This increase was partially offset by a decline in yieldsyear 2022. The yield on our dues from banks and other interest earning assets from 4.9remained stable at 3.0 percent in fiscal 2019 to 4.3 percent in fiscal 2020.years 2021 and 2022.
 
102

Interest Expense
Our interest expense on deposits increaseddecreased by 23.92.4 percent from Rs. 410.0501.3 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 507.9489.0 billion in fiscal 2020.year 2022. This increase was primarily due to an increase in our average interest bearing deposits, which increased by 21.8 percent from Rs. 7,131.2 billion in fiscal 2019 to Rs. 8,684.2 billion in fiscal 2020. This increase was augmented by an increasea decrease in the average cost of our deposits. The average cost of our deposits, including
non-interestnon-interest-bearing
bearing deposits, increaseddecreased from 5.04.2 percent in fiscal 2019year 2021 to 5.13.6 percent in fiscal 2020.year 2022. This was partially offset by an increase in the average balance of our interest-bearing deposits. The average balance of our interest-bearing deposits increased by 12.4 percent from Rs. 10,628.8 billion in fiscal year 2021 to Rs. 11,951.6 billion in fiscal year 2022.
The average balance of our savings account deposits increased from Rs. 2,226.33,392.4 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 2,552.94,348.2 billion in fiscal 2020year 2022, and the average balance of our time deposits increased from Rs. 4,904.97,236.4 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 6,131.37,603.4 billion in fiscal 2020. Costyear 2022. The cost of our time deposits increaseddecreased from 6.75.4 percent in fiscal 2019year 2021 to 6.84.6 percent in fiscal 2020.year 2022.
Interest expense on our short-termshort term borrowings decreasedincreased by 30.041.0 percent from Rs. 39.112.7 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 27.417.8 billion in fiscal 2020year 2022, primarily on account of a decreasean increase in the average balance of our short-term borrowings. The average balance of our short-termshort term borrowings, decreasedwhich increased by 23.336.6 percent from Rs. 780.6549.0 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 598.7750.2 billion in fiscal 2020. In addition, this decrease was also driven by a decline in theyear 2022. The cost of our short-termshort term borrowings which decreasedincreased from 5.02.3 percent in fiscal 2019year 2021 to 4.62.4 percent in fiscal 2020.year 2022. Interest expense on our long-termlong term debt decreased by 2.21.2 percent, primarily on account of a decrease in the cost of our long term-debt, which decreased from 8.47.1 percent in fiscal 2019year 2021 to 8.16.2 percent in fiscal 2020.year 2022. The average balance of our long-termlong term debt increased from Rs. 1,015.11,110.0 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 1,023.41,243.2 billion in fiscal 2020.year 2022.
AllowanceProvision for Credit Losses
Our loan lossThe CECL accounting guidance requires the measurement of our allowance for credit losses consiststo be based on our estimate of lifetime expected credit losses inherent in our financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain
off-balance
sheet credit exposures.
For the purposes of incorporating reasonable and supportable forecast into the CECL calculation, we have developed models using macroeconomic variables such as GDP, private final consumption expenditure, Gross Fixed Capital Formation, index of industrial production on its expected losses, and uses consensus macro-economic forecasts surveyed and published by the Reserve Bank of India: Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy. The output of our models is appropriately adjusted with additional forward looking quantitative/qualitative factors, including economic, business and portfolio specific outlook where required.
The Bank relies on a single economic variable to develop reasonable and unallocated components. Allowancessupportable forecasts and uses consensus macro-economic forecasts surveyed and published by the RBI: Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy. For this the Bank considers the published data as per the RBI’s
bi-monthly
forecasters survey. Accordingly, as of March 31, 2021 the GDP growth was mainly impacted due to the impact of
COVID-19
pandemic and the resulting extended periods of lockdowns. Although, the GDP forecast for fiscal year 2022 was optimistic given in light roll out of vaccinations and the expected vanishing of the virus, the Bank applied relevant forward looking overlays for the reporting as of March 31, 2021 to take cognizance of the possibility of a “third wave”. As of March 31, 2022 the GDP growth was reported at 4.1 percent for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022 which is lower than the economic outlook as of March 31, 2021. For the March 31, 2022 reporting, the Bank has considered GDP growth forecast of 4.0 percent for March 2023 which is a slowdown in outlook forecast with rising commodity prices and global supply chain disruptions resulting from
geo-political
tensions as major challenges.
In addition to the above judgment and estimates, provision for credit losses increasedis impacted by 62.7 percentunanticipated changes in asset quality of portfolio such as increase and decrease in credit or internal risk ratings, or improvement or deterioration in the borrower’s delinquencies or credit scores, all of which have some degree of uncertainty. As the macroeconomic outlook improved in fiscal year 2022, along with improvements in asset quality, the provision for credit losses decreased from Rs. 72.3154.2 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 117.6127.0 billion in fiscal 2020.year 2022.
Our loan loss allowanceprovisions for credit losses inof our retail loan portfolio increased by 63.2 percentloans decreased from Rs. 64.1145.8 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 104.5122.6 billion in fiscal 2020. Our retail specific loan loss allowance increased from Rs. 53.3 billionyear 2022. The decrease in fiscal 2019 to Rs. 73.4 billionallowances was in fiscal 2020. This increase was primarily due to higher allowances in our personal loans/ credit cards and commercial transportation segments. Our retail unallocated allowances increased from Rs. 10.8 billion in fiscal 2019 to Rs. 31.1 billion in fiscal 2020, primarily attributable to an increase in the unallocated allowances on our retail business banking, personal loans/credit cards and commercial transportationretail business banking, partially offset by an increase in other retails segments.
Our loan loss allowanceprovisions for credit losses in our wholesale loan portfolio increased by 59.3 percentloans decreased from Rs. 8.28.4 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 13.14.4 billion in fiscal 2020. Our wholesale specificyear 2022. While we experienced solid growth in the first half of fiscal year 2021, the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic on India to an extent affected the quality of our loan lossportfolio. The decrease in our estimate of losses is offset by the increase in allowance increased from Rs. 6.5 billion in fiscal 2019due to Rs. 9.4 billion in fiscal 2020. Our wholesale unallocated loan loss allowance increased from Rs. 1.7 billion in fiscal 2019 to Rs. 3.7 billion in fiscal 2020. Our wholesale unallocated loan loss was higher in fiscal 2020 primarily on account of the growth in our wholesale loan portfolio and anportfolio. An increase in our estimatethe number of losses in our wholesale loan portfolio.COVID-19 cases and global supply chain disruptions resulting from geo-political tensions may slow or halt any future economic recovery.
During fiscal 2020, we implemented the package announced by RBI on account
103

Non-Interest
Revenue
Our
non-interest
revenue increased by 23.87.0 percent from Rs. 160.1253.0 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 198.2270.6 billion in fiscal 2020.year 2022. The following table sets forth the components of our
non-interest
revenue:
 
   
Years ended March 31,
 
   
2019
   
2020
   
Increase/
Decrease
  
% Increase/
Decrease
 
   
(in million, except percentages)
 
Fees and commissions
  Rs.134,155.2   Rs.160,099.5   Rs.25,944.3   19.3 
AFS securities gains/(loss), net
   1,515.0    16,717.2    15,202.2   1,003.4 
Trading securities gains/(loss), net
   1,028.4    1,323.4    295.0   28.7 
Foreign exchange transactions
   1,917.8    15,265.6    13,347.8   696.0 
Derivatives gains/(loss)
   12,409.1    3,550.0    (8,859.1  (71.4
Other
   9,096.7    1,263.3    (7,833.4  (86.1
Total
non-interest
revenue
  
Rs.
    160,122.2
 
  
Rs.
    198,219.0
 
  
Rs.
    38,096.8
 
 
 
23.8
 
   
Years ended March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
Increase/
Decrease
   
% Increase/
Decrease
 
   
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Fees and commissions
  Rs. 165,410.4   Rs. 202,979.5   Rs. 37,569.1    22.7 
AFS securities gains, net
   53,010.1    19,660.9    (33,349.2   (62.9
Trading securities gains/(losses), net
   1,481.0    2,455.5    974.5    65.8 
Foreign exchange transactions
   27,762.6    34,851.4    7,088.8    25.5 
Derivatives gains/(losses)
   (3,253.0   1,422.0    4,675.0    (143.7
Other
   8,564.6    9,204.9    640.3    7.5 
Total
non-interest
revenue
  
Rs.
 252,975.7
 
  
Rs.
 270,574.2
 
  
Rs.
17,598.5
 
  
 
7.0
 
Fees and commissions increased by 19.322.7 percent from Rs. 134.2165.4 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 160.1203.0 billion in fiscal 2020,year 2022, primarily on account of an increase in payments and cards businesslending-related fees, deposit-related fees and commissions on distribution of mutual funds and insurance products.
The gain on AFS securities was primarily attributable to realized net gains from the sale of debt securities and Government of India securities. The gain on AFS securities decreased due to a reduction in realized net gains from the sale of Government of India securities. The gain on trading securities was primarily attributable to net gains on mutual funds and equity shares.
In fiscal year 2022, derivative transactions (unadjusted for credit spread) resulted in a gain of Rs. 1.5 billion, primarily on account of a gain of Rs. 4.8 billion from currency options, interest rate derivatives and forward rate agreements, which mainly resulted from
mark-to-market
gains, partially offset by a loss of Rs. 1.7 billion from currency swaps and a loss of Rs. 1.6 billion from forward exchange contracts. In fiscal year 2021, derivative transactions (unadjusted for credit spread) resulted in a loss of Rs. 3.4 billion, primarily on account of a loss of Rs. 3.4 billion from currency swaps and a loss of Rs. 2.2 billion from forward exchange contracts, mainly driven by
mark-to-market
losses, partially offset by gains of Rs. 2.2 billion (unadjusted for credit spread) from currency options, interest rate derivatives and forward rate agreements. Income from foreign exchange transactions amounted to Rs. 34.9 billion during fiscal year 2022 as compared to Rs. 27.8 billion during fiscal year 2021. As a result, income from foreign exchange transactions and derivatives increased from Rs. 24.5 billion in fiscal year 2021 to Rs. 36.3 billion in fiscal year 2022.
Our other
non-interest
revenue increased by Rs. 0.6 billion to Rs. 9.2 billion in fiscal year 2022 as compared to Rs. 8.6 billion in fiscal year 2021, mainly driven by realized gains on the sale of our equity investments and
mark-to-market
gains from our equity instruments that are carried at fair value.
Non-Interest
Expense
Our
non-interest
expense was comprised of the following:
   
Years ended March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
Increase/
Decrease
   
%
Increase/
Decrease
   
2021 % of
net revenues
   
2022 % of
net revenues
 
   
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Salaries and staff benefits
  Rs.143,755.9   Rs.165,287.7   Rs.21,531.8    15.0    18.4    18.5 
Premises and equipment
   35,763.2    36,236.0    472.8    1.3    4.6    4.1 
Depreciation and amortization
   13,860.2    16,816.9    2,956.7    21.3    1.7    1.9 
Administrative and other
   149,223.0    154,931.4    5,708.4    3.8    19.1    17.4 
Total non-interest
expense
  
Rs.
 342,602.3
 
  
Rs.
 373,272.0
 
  
Rs.
 30,669.7
 
  
 
9.0
 
  
 
43.8
 
  
 
41.8
 
Total
non-interest
expense increased by 9.0 percent from Rs. 342.6 billion in fiscal year 2021 to Rs. 373.3 billion in fiscal year 2022. Our net interest revenue after allowances for credit losses increased by 17.5 percent from Rs. 529.5 billion in fiscal year 2021 to Rs. 621.9 billion in fiscal year 2022. Our net revenue increased by 14.1 percent from Rs. 782.4 billion in fiscal year 2021 to Rs. 892.4 billion in fiscal year 2022. As a result, our
non-interest
expense as a percentage of our net revenues was 41.8 percent in fiscal year 2022 as compared to 43.8 percent in fiscal year 2021.
Salaries and staff benefits increased by 15.0 percent from Rs. 143.8 billion in fiscal year 2021 to Rs. 165.3 billion in fiscal year 2022, primarily attributable to an increase in the number of employees and annual wage revisions. The number of employees increased from 120,093 as of March 31, 2021 to 141,579 as of March 31, 2022.
Premises and equipment costs increased by 1.3 percent from Rs. 35.8 billion in fiscal year 2021 to Rs. 36.2 billion in fiscal year 2022, primarily on account of an increase in our infrastructure costs. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased from Rs. 13.9 billion in fiscal year 2021 to Rs. 16.8 billion in fiscal year 2022, mainly due to expansion of our branches and branch facilities.
104

Administrative and other expenses increased by 3.8 percent from Rs. 149.2 billion in fiscal year 2021 to Rs. 154.9 billion in fiscal year 2022, primarily on account of higher collection/servicing cost, card-related costs and insurance expenses. As of March 31, 2022, we had 6,342 branches and 18,130 ATMs and CDMs across 3,188 locations, compared to 5,608 branches and 16,087 ATMs and CDMs across 2,902 locations as of March 31, 2021. This increase also led to an overall increase in our
non-interest
expense.
Income Tax
Our income tax expense, net of interest earned on income tax refunds, increased by 16.5 percent from Rs. 113.8 billion in fiscal year 2021 to Rs. 132.6 billion in fiscal year 2022. Our annual effective tax rate was 25.5 percent in fiscal year 2022 as compared to 25.9 percent in fiscal year 2021.
The following table gives a reconciliation of the Indian statutory income tax rate to our annual effective income tax rate for fiscal years 2021 and 2022:
   
Year ended March 31,
 
   
2021
  
2022
 
Effective statutory income tax rate
   25.17  25.17 
Adjustments to reconcile statutory income tax rate to effective income tax rate:
   
Stock-based compensation (net of forfeitures)
   0.61   0.67 
Income exempt from taxes
   (0.01  —   
Income subject to rates other than the statutory income tax rate
   —     (0.45
Other, net
   0.12   0.14 
Annual effective income tax rate
  
 
25.89
 
 
25.53
Net Income
As a result of the foregoing factors, our net income after taxes increased by 18.4 percent from Rs. 326.0 billion in fiscal year 2021 to Rs. 386.0 billion in fiscal year 2022.
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2021 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2020
Net Interest Revenue After Allowance for Credit Losses
Our net interest revenue after allowances for credit losses increased by 11.3 percent from Rs. 475.9 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 529.5 billion in fiscal year 2021. Our net interest margin was 4.4 percent for fiscal year 2021. The following table sets out the components of net interest revenue after allowance for credit losses.
   
Years ended March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
Increase/
Decrease
   
% Increase/
Decrease
 
   
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Interest on loans
   Rs.981,794.8    Rs.1,017,047.8    Rs.35,253.0    3.6 
Interest on securities, including dividends and interest on trading assets
   205,775.3    230,064.7    24,289.4    11.8 
Other interest revenue
   24,412.8    28,855.1    4,442.3    18.2 
Total interest and dividend revenue
  
 
1,211,982.9
 
  
 
1,275,967.6
 
  
 
63,984.7
 
  
 
5.3
 
Interest on deposits
   507,888.8    501,260.2    (6,628.6   (1.3
Interest on short term borrowings
   27,216.8    12,531.8    (14,685.0   (54.0
Interest on long term debt
   83,200.5    78,361.5    (4,839.0   (5.8
Other interest expense
   149.4    127.6    (21.8   (14.6
Total interest expense
  
 
618,455.5
 
  
 
592,281.1
 
  
 
(26,174.4
  
 
(4.2
Net interest revenue
  
 
Rs.593,527.4
 
  
 
Rs.683,686.5
 
  
 
Rs.90,159.1
 
  
 
15.2
 
Less: Provision for credit losses:
        
Retail
   104,516.8    145,821.9    41,305.1    39.5 
Wholesale
   13,105.1    8,411.5    (4,693.6   (35.8
Total
  
 
Rs.117,621.9
 
  
 
Rs.154,233.4
 
  
 
Rs.36,611.5
 
  
 
31.1
 
Net interest revenue after allowance for credit losses
  
 
Rs.475,905.5
 
  
 
Rs.529,453.1
 
  
 
Rs.53,547.6
 
  
 
11.3
 
105

Interest and Dividend Revenue
Interest income on loans increased by 3.6 percent from Rs. 981.8 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 1,017.0 billion in fiscal year 2021, primarily due to an increase in our average loan book. The average balance of our total loan book increased by 13.3 percent from Rs. 9,342.4 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 10,589.5 billion in fiscal year 2021. Our average balance of retail loans increased by 7.9 percent from Rs. 6,465.5 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 6,975.0 billion in fiscal year 2021. The growth in retail loans was primarily across the retail business banking, housing loans and personal loans/credit cards segments. Our average balance of wholesale loans increased by 25.6 percent from Rs. 2,876.8 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 3,614.5 billion in fiscal year 2021. Retail loan yields decreased from 11.4 percent in fiscal year 2020 to 10.9 percent in fiscal year 2021. Wholesale loan yields decreased from 8.5 percent in fiscal year 2020 to 7.2 percent in fiscal year 2021.
Interest on securities, including dividends and interest on trading assets, increased by 11.8 percent from Rs. 205.8 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 230.1 billion in fiscal year 2021. This was primarily driven by an increase in the average balance of our investments. The average balance of our investments increased by Rs. 861.7 billion from Rs. 2,971.9 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 3,833.6 billion in fiscal year 2021. Yields on our investments decreased from 6.9 percent in fiscal year 2020 to 6.0 percent in fiscal year 2021.
Other interest revenue increased by 18.2 percent from Rs. 24.4 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 28.9 billion in fiscal year 2021, primarily due to an increase in the average balance of dues from banks and other interest earning assets during fiscal year 2021. The average balance of dues from banks and other interest earning assets increased by 69.3 percent from Rs. 568.2 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 962.1 billion in fiscal year 2021. This was partially offset by a decline in yields thereon from 4.3 percent in fiscal year 2020 to 3.0 percent in fiscal year 2021.
Interest Expense
Our interest expense on deposits decreased by 1.3 percent from Rs. 507.9 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 501.3 billion in fiscal year 2021. This was primarily due to a decrease in the average cost of our deposits. The average cost of our deposits, including
non-interest-bearing
deposits, decreased from 5.1 percent in fiscal year 2020 to 4.2 percent in fiscal year 2021. This was partially offset by an increase in the average balance of our interest-bearing deposits. The average balance of our interest-bearing deposits increased by 22.4 percent from Rs. 8,684.2 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 10,628.8 billion in fiscal year 2021.
The average balance of our savings account deposits increased from Rs. 2,552.9 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 3,392.4 billion in fiscal year 2021, and the average balance of our time deposits increased from Rs. 6,131.3 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 7,236.4 billion in fiscal year 2021. The cost of our time deposits decreased from 6.8 percent in fiscal year 2020 to 5.4 percent in fiscal year 2021.
Interest expense on our short term borrowings decreased by 53.7 percent from Rs. 27.4 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 12.7 billion in fiscal year 2021, primarily on account of a decrease in the cost of our short term borrowings, which decreased from 4.6 percent in fiscal year 2020 to 2.3 percent in fiscal year 2021. In addition, this decrease was driven by a decrease in the average balance of our short term borrowings, which decreased by 8.3 percent from Rs. 598.7 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 549.0 billion in fiscal year 2021. Interest expense on our long term debt decreased by 5.8 percent, primarily on account of a decrease in the cost of our long term-debt, which decreased from 8.1 percent in fiscal year 2020 to 7.1 percent in fiscal year 2021. The average balance of our long term debt increased from Rs. 1,023.4 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 1,110.0 billion in fiscal year 2021.
Provision for Credit Losses
We adopted ASC topic 326 with effect from April 1, 2020. Until March 31, 2020, our loan loss allowance for credit losses consisted of specific and unallocated components. ASC 326 replaced our existing credit loss measurement methodology with the CECL accounting guidance. The CECL accounting guidance requires the measurement of our allowance for credit losses to be based on our estimate of lifetime expected credit losses inherent in our financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain
off-balance
sheet credit exposures. Upon the adoption of the ASC 326 accounting guidance, we recorded a net increase of Rs. 81.0 billion in the allowance for loans comprised of Rs. 54.1 billion in relation to our retail loans and Rs. 26.9 billion in relation to our wholesale loans. This increase was recognized net of tax in our retained earnings as of April 1, 2020.
Our provisions for credit losses increased by 31.1 percent from Rs. 117.6 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 154.2 billion in fiscal year 2021. The provisions for loan losses increased primarily due to the weaker economic outlook related to
COVID-19
and the impact of the adoption of the new credit loss accounting standard. For the purposes of incorporating reasonable and supportable forecast into the CECL calculation, we have developed models using macroeconomic variables such as GDP, gross fixed capital formation, private final consumption expenditure, gross value added, index of industrial production and wholesale price index for wholesale and retail loans. The output of our models is appropriately adjusted with additional forward-looking factors, including business- and portfolio-specific outlook where required.
Our provisions for credit losses of our retail loans increased from Rs. 104.5 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 145.8 billion in fiscal year 2021. The increase in our provisions for credit losses of our retail loans was primarily attributable to the adoption of the new credit loss accounting standard and higher allowances in our auto loans, personal loans/credit cards, retail business banking and commercial transportation segments, primarily driven by the growth of these segments. Our provisions for our wholesale loans decreased from Rs. 13.1 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 8.4 billion in fiscal year 2021, primarily attributable to a decrease in our estimate of losses in our wholesale loan portfolio. This decrease was partially offset by the growth in our wholesale loan portfolio and our adoption of the new credit loss accounting standard.
106

Non-Interest
Revenue
Our
non-interest
revenue increased by 27.6 percent from Rs. 198.2 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 253.0 billion in fiscal year 2021. The following table sets forth the components of our
non-interest
revenue:
   
Years ended March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
Increase/
Decrease
   
% Increase/
Decrease
 
   
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Fees and commissions
   Rs.160,099.5    Rs.165,410.4    Rs.5,310.9    3.3 
AFS securities gains, net
   16,717.2    53,010.1    36,292.9    217.1 
Trading securities gains/(losses), net
   1,323.4    1,481.0    157.6    11.9 
Foreign exchange transactions
   15,265.6    27,762.6    12,497.0    81.9 
Derivatives gains/(losses)
   3,550.0    (3,253.0   (6,803.0   (191.6
Other
   1,263.3    8,564.6    7,301.3    578.0 
Total
non-interest
revenue
  
 
Rs.198,219.0
 
  
 
Rs.252,975.7
 
  
 
Rs.54,756.7
 
  
 
27.6
 
Fees and commissions increased by 3.3 percent from Rs. 160.1 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 165.4 billion in fiscal year 2021, primarily on account of an increase in commissions on distribution of mutual funds and insurance products, and brokerage income. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in our payments and cards business fees and fees on retail assets.
The gain on AFS securities was primarily attributable to net realized gains on the sale of Government of India securities. The gain on trading securities was primarily attributable to net realized gains on the sale of our Government of India securities, equity shares and corporate bonds.debt securities.
103

In fiscal year 2021, derivative transactions (unadjusted for credit spread) resulted in a loss of Rs. 3.4 billion, primarily on account of a loss of Rs. 3.4 billion from currency swaps and a loss of Rs. 2.2 billion from forward exchange contracts, primarily attributable to
mark-to-market
losses, partially offset by gains of Rs. 2.2 billion (unadjusted for credit spread) from currency options, interest rate derivatives and forward rate agreements. In fiscal year 2020, derivative transactions (unadjusted for credit spread) resulted in a gain of Rs. 3.8 billion, primarily on account of a gain of Rs. 4.1 billion from currency swapswaps and currency options and Rs. 2.2 billion from forward exchange contracts, primarily due to
mark-to-market
gains, and gains on cancellations of forward exchange contracts. In fiscal 2020, interest rate derivatives resulted inpartially offset by a loss of Rs. 2.5 billion (unadjusted for credit spreads). In fiscal 2019, derivative transactions (unadjusted for credit spreads) resulted in a gain of Rs. 12.4 billion, primarily on account of a gain of Rs. 10.9 billion from forward exchange contracts due to
mark-to-market
gains and gains on cancellations of forward exchange contracts. In fiscal 2019, currency swaps and currency options resulted in a gain of Rs. 0.8 billion (unadjusted for credit spreads) and interest rate derivatives and forward rate agreements resulted in a gain of Rs. 0.7 billion (unadjusted for credit spreads).derivatives. Income from foreign exchange transactions amounted to Rs. 27.8 billion during fiscal year 2021 as compared to Rs. 15.3 billion during fiscal 2020 as compared to Rs. 1.9 billion during fiscal 2019.year 2020. As a result, income from foreign exchange transactions and derivatives increased from Rs. 14.3 billion in fiscal 2019 to Rs. 18.8 billion in fiscal 2020.year 2020 to Rs. 24.5 billion in fiscal year 2021.
Our other
non-interest
revenue totaledincreased by Rs. 7.3 billion to Rs. 8.6 billion in fiscal year 2021 as compared to Rs. 1.3 billion in fiscal year 2020, comparedprimarily attributable to Rs. 9.1 billion in fiscal 2019. In fiscal 2019, we adopted ASU
2016-01
“Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic
825-10)”
as a result of which our equity investments were measured at fair value with changes in the fair value being recognized through net income. Our other
non-interest
revenue in fiscal 2019 was primarily attributed by the gain on sale of some of our equity investments and
mark-to-market
gains on our equity instruments that are carried at fair value.
Non-Interest
Expense
Our
non-interest
expense was comprised of the following:
 
   
Years ended March 31,
 
   
2019
   
2020
   
Increase/
Decrease
  
percent
Increase/
Decrease
  
2019 % of
net revenues
   
2020 % of
net revenues
 
   
(in million, except percentages)
 
Salaries and staff benefits
  Rs.104,652.6   Rs.130,506.9   Rs.25,854.3   24.7   17.6    19.4 
Premises and equipment
   29,527.7    31,533.9    2,006.2   6.8   5.0    4.7 
Depreciation and amortization
   12,247.8    12,800.3    552.5   4.5   2.1    1.9 
Administrative and other
   108,960.4    133,439.4    24,479.0   22.5   18.3    19.8 
Amortization of intangibles
   1.0    —      (1.0  (100.0  —      —   
Total
non-interest
expense
  
Rs.
    255,389.5
 
  
Rs.
    308,280.5
 
  
Rs.
    52,891.0
 
 
 
20.7
 
 
 
42.9
 
  
 
45.7
 
   
Years ended March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
Increase/
Decrease
   
percent
Increase/
Decrease
   
2020 % of
net revenues
   
2021 % of
net revenues
 
   
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Salaries and staff benefits
   Rs.130,506.9    Rs.143,755.9    Rs.13,249.0    10.2    19.4    18.4 
Premises and equipment
   31,533.9    35,763.2    4,229.3    13.4    4.7    4.6 
Depreciation and amortization
   12,800.3    13,860.2    1,059.9    8.3    1.9    1.7 
Administrative and other
   133,439.4    149,223.0    15,783.6    11.8    19.8    19.1 
Total
non-interest
expense
  
 
Rs.308,280.5
 
  
 
Rs.342,602.3
 
  
 
Rs.34,321.8
 
  
 
11.1
 
  
 
45.7
 
  
 
43.8
 
Total
non-interest
expense increased by 20.711.1 percent from Rs. 255.4 billion in fiscal 2019 to Rs. 308.3 billion in fiscal 2020.year 2020 to Rs. 342.6 billion in fiscal year 2021. Our net interest revenue after allowances for credit losses increased by 9.311.3 percent from Rs. 435.2 billion in fiscal 2019 to Rs. 475.9 billion in fiscal 2020.year 2020 to Rs. 529.5 billion in fiscal year 2021. Our net revenue increased by 13.216.1 percent from Rs. 595.3 billion in fiscal 2019 to Rs. 674.1 billion in fiscal 2020.year 2020 to Rs. 782.4 billion in fiscal year 2021. As a result, our
non-interest
expense as a percentage of our net revenues was 43.8 percent in fiscal year 2021 as compared to 45.7 percent in fiscal 2020 compared to 42.9 percent in fiscal 2019.year 2020.
Salaries and staff benefits increased by 24.710.2 percent from Rs. 104.7 billion in fiscal 2019 to Rs. 130.5 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 143.8 billion in fiscal year 2021, primarily attributable to an increase in the number of our employees and annual wage revisions. The number of our employees increased from 98,061 as of March 31, 2019 to 116,971 as of March 31, 2020.2020 to 120,093 as of March 31, 2021.
Premises and equipment costs increased by 6.813.4 percent from Rs. 29.5 billion in fiscal 2019 to Rs. 31.5 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 35.8 billion in fiscal year 2021, primarily on account of an increase in our premises and leaseinfrastructure costs. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased from Rs. 12.2 billion in fiscal 2019 to Rs. 12.8 billion in fiscal 2020.year 2020 to Rs. 13.9 billion in fiscal year 2021.
107

Administrative and other expenses increased by 22.511.8 percent from Rs. 109.0 billion in fiscal 2019 to Rs. 133.4 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 149.2 billion in fiscal year 2021, primarily on account of higher cards related costs backedand insurance expenses. This was partially offset by an increasea decrease in cards spends,our expenditure for the purchase of priority sector lending certificates and insurance expenses.certificates. As of March 31, 2020,2021, we had 5,416 banking outlets5,608 branches and 16,087 ATMs and CDMs across 2,902 locations, compared to 5,254 branches and 14,901 ATMs and CDMs across 2,803 locations which increased from 5,103 banking outlets and 13,489 ATMs and CDMs across 2,748 locations as of March 31, 2019.2020. This also led to an overall increase in our
non-interest
expense.
The intangible assets (i.e., favorable leases) that were acquired through the merger of CBoP were amortized over their estimated remaining useful life. This amortization resulted in a charge of Rs. 1.0 million in fiscal 2019. There were no intangible assets remaining to be amortized in fiscal 2020.
Income Tax
Our income tax expense, net of interest earned on income tax refunds, decreasedincreased by 11.77.9 percent, from Rs. 119.4 billion in fiscal 2019 to Rs. 105.5 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 113.8 billion in fiscal year 2021. Our annual effective tax rate was 25.9 percent in fiscal year 2021 as compared to 28.8 percent in fiscal year 2020. Our statutory incomeeffective tax rate decreasedwas higher in fiscal year 2020 primarily on account of the effect of change in our statutory tax rate from 34.94 percent in fiscal year 2019 to 25.17 percent in fiscal year 2020. Pursuant to thethis change in the statutory tax rate, we statedhad, in fiscal year 2020, recognized a charge in our income tax expense on stating our deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2019 at the newly enacted rate by recognizing a charge of Rs. 11.2 billion in our income tax expense for fiscal 2020. Consequently, our annual effective tax rate was 28.8 percent in fiscal 2020 compared to 35.1 percent in fiscal 2019.rate.
104

The following table gives a reconciliation of the Indian statutory income tax rate to our annual effective income tax rate for fiscals 2019fiscal years 2020 and 2020:2021:
 
   
Year ended March 31,
 
   
2019
  
2020
 
Effective statutory income tax rate
   34.94%  25.17%
Adjustments to reconcile statutory income tax rate to effective income tax rate:
   
Stock-based compensation (net of forfeitures)
   0.55   0.51 
Income exempt from taxes
   (0.42  (0.20
Interest on income tax refunds
   (0.10  —   
Effect of change in statutory tax rate
   —     3.07 
Other, net
   0.15   0.29 
Annual effective income tax rate
  
 
35.12
 
 
28.84
   
Years ended March 31,
 
   
2020
  
2021
 
Effective statutory income tax rate
   25.17  25.17
Adjustments to reconcile statutory income tax rate to effective income tax rate:
   
Stock-based compensation
   0.51   0.61 
Income exempt from taxes
   (0.20  (0.01
Effect of change in statutory tax rate
   3.07   —   
Other, net
   0.29   0.12 
Annual effective income tax rate
  
 
28.84
 
 
25.89
Net Income
As a result of the foregoing factors, our net income after taxes increased by 18.225.2 percent from Rs. 220.1 billion in fiscal 2019 to Rs. 260.3 billion in fiscal 2020.
105

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2019 Comparedyear 2020 to Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2018
Net Interest Revenue after Allowance for Credit Losses
Our net interest revenue after allowances for credit losses increased by 19.6 percent from Rs. 363.8326.0 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 435.2 billion in fiscal 2019. Our net interest margin was 4.6 percent for fiscal 2019. The following table sets out the components of net interest revenue after allowance for credit lossesyear 2021.
   
Year ended March 31,
 
   
2018
   
2019
   
Increase/
Decrease
  
% Increase/
Decrease
 
   
(in million, except percentages)
 
Interest on loans
  Rs.667,458.7   Rs.827,683.0   Rs.160,224.3   24.0 
Interest on securities, including dividends and interest on trading assets
   162,258.3    199,885.4    37,627.1   23.2 
Other interest revenue
   13,748.3    14,146.5    398.2   2.9 
Total interest and dividend revenue
  
 
843,465.3
 
  
 
1,041,714.9
 
  
 
198,249.6
 
 
 
23.5
 
Interest on deposits
   326,717.8    410,026.4    83,308.6   25.5 
Interest on short-term borrowings
   26,004.4    39,054.3    13,049.9   50.2 
Interest on long-term debt
   67,297.5    85,081.1    17,783.6   26.4 
Other interest expense
   295.0    47.5    (247.5  (83.9
Total interest expense
  
 
420,314.7
 
  
 
534,209.3
 
  
 
113,894.6
 
 
 
27.1
 
Net interest revenue
  
Rs.
423,150.6
 
  
Rs.
507,505.6
 
  
Rs.
84,355.0
 
 
 
19.9
 
Less: Allowance for credit losses:
       
Retail
   52,577.1    64,051.0    11,473.9   21.8 
Wholesale
   6,820.7    8,228.3    1,407.6   20.6 
Total
  
Rs.
59,397.8
 
  
Rs.
72,279.3
 
  
Rs.
12,881.5
 
 
 
21.7
 
Net interest revenue after allowance for credit losses
  
Rs.
    363,752.8
 
  
Rs.
    435,226.3
 
  
Rs.
    71,473.5
 
 
 
19.6
 
Interest and Dividend Revenue
Interest income on loans increased by 24.0 percent, primarily due to an increase in our average loan book. The average balance of our total loan book increased by 23.1 percent from Rs. 6,507.4 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 8,013.0 billion in fiscal 2019. Our average balance of retail loans increased by 22.2 percent from Rs. 4,629.2 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 5,655.2 billion in fiscal 2019. The growth in retail loans was across the product segments. Our average balance of wholesale loans increased by 25.5 percent from Rs. 1,878.2 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 2,357.8 billion in fiscal 2019. Retail loan yields remained stable at 11.1 percent in 2019 as compared to fiscal 2018. Wholesale loan yields increased from 8.1 percent in fiscal 2018 to 8.5 percent in fiscal 2019.
Interest on securities, including dividends and interest on trading assets, increased by 23.2 percent from Rs. 162.3 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 199.9 billion in fiscal 2019. This was primarily driven by an increase in the average balance of investments. The average balance of our investments increased by Rs. 518.9 billion from Rs. 2,263.8 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 2,782.7 billion in fiscal 2019. Investment yields remained stable at 7.2 percent in 2019 compared to fiscal 2018.
Other interest revenue increased by 2.9 percent from Rs. 13.7 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 14.2 billion in fiscal 2019, primarily due to increase in yield on dues from banks from 4.5 percent in 2018 to 4.9 percent in 2019. The average balance of dues from banks and other interest earning assets increased by 1.1 percent from Rs. 281.5 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 284.6 billion in fiscal 2019.
106

Interest Expense
Our interest expense on deposits increased by 25.5 percent from Rs. 326.7 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 410.0 billion in fiscal 2019. This increase was primarily due to an increase in our average interest bearing deposits, which increased by 21.9 percent from Rs. 5.849.5 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 7,131.2 billion in fiscal 2019. This growth was further driven by an increase in the average cost of our deposits. The average cost of our deposits, including
non-interest
bearing deposits increased from 4.8 percent in fiscal 2018 to 5.0 percent in fiscal 2019.
The average balance of our savings account deposits increased from Rs. 1,919.7 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 2,226.3 billion in fiscal 2019 and the average balance of our time deposits increased from Rs. 3,929.8 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 4,904.9 billion in fiscal 2019. Cost of time deposits increased from 6.5 percent in fiscal 2018 to 6.7 percent in fiscal 2019.
Interest expense on our short-term borrowings increased by 48.7 percent from Rs. 26.3 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 39.1 billion in fiscal 2019 primarily on account of an increase in the average balance of our short-term borrowings. The average balance of our short-term borrowings increased by 47.3 percent from Rs. 529.8 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 780.6 billion in fiscal 2019. The cost of our short-term borrowings remained stable at 5.0 percent in fiscals 2018 and 2019. Interest expense on our long-term debt increased by 26.4 percent primarily on account of an increase in our average balance of long-term debt from Rs. 881.6 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 1,015.1 billion in fiscal 2019. This increase was further augmented by an increase in the cost of our long-term debt, which increased from 7.6 percent in fiscal 2018 to 8.4 percent in fiscal 2019.
Allowance for Credit Losses
Our loan loss allowance for credit losses consists of specific and unallocated components. Allowances for credit losses increased by 21.7 percent from Rs. 59.4 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 72.3 billion in fiscal 2019.
Our loan loss allowance for credit losses in our retail loan portfolio increased by 21.8 percent from Rs. 52.6 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 64.1 billion in fiscal 2019. Our retail specific loan loss allowance increased from Rs. 38.6 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 53.3 billion in fiscal 2019. This increase was primarily due to higher allowances in our auto loans and personal loans/ credit card segments. Our retail unallocated allowances decreased from Rs. 14.0 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 10.8 billion in fiscal 2019, primarily attributable to a decrease in allowances in our retail business banking and agriculture segments and partially offset by an increase in allowances in our personal loans/ credit cards segments.
Our loan loss allowance for credit losses in our wholesale loan portfolio increased by 20.6 percent from Rs. 6.8 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 8.2 billion in fiscal 2019. Our wholesale specific loan loss allowance increased from Rs. 3.7 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 6.5 billion in fiscal 2019. Our wholesale unallocated loan loss allowance decreased from Rs. 3.1 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 1.7 billion in fiscal 2019. Our wholesale unallocated loan loss was higher in fiscal 2018 primarily on account of an increase in our estimate of losses in our wholesale loan portfolio.
Non-Interest
Revenue
Our
non-interest
revenue increased by 10.7 percent from Rs. 144.6 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 160.1 billion in fiscal 2019. The following table sets forth the components of our
non-interest
revenue:
   
Years ended March 31,
 
   
2018
   
2019
   
Increase/
Decrease
  
% Increase/
Decrease
 
   
(in million, except percentages)
 
Fees and commissions
  Rs.120,060.9   Rs.134,155.2   Rs.14,094.3   11.7 
Realized gains/(loss) on AFS securities
   10,704.1    1,515.0    (9,189.1  (85.8
Trading securities gains/(loss), net
   (63.4   1,028.4    1,091.8   * 
Foreign exchange transactions
   6,209.5    1,917.8    (4,291.7  (69.1
Derivatives gains/(loss)
   6,742.6    12,409.1    5,666.5   84.0 
Other
   953.3    9,096.7    8,143.4   854.2 
Total
non-interest
revenue
  
Rs.
    144,607.0
 
  
Rs.
    160,122.2
 
  
Rs.
    15,515.2
 
 
 
10.7
 
*
Not meaningful
Fees and commissions increased by 11.7 percent from Rs. 120.1 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 134.2 billion in fiscal 2019, primarily on account of an increase in payments and cards business fees and deposit related fees.
The realized gain on AFS securities was primarily attributable to the sale of Government of India securities. The gain on trading securities was primarily on account of realized and
mark-to-market
gains on units of mutual funds.
107

In fiscal 2019, derivative transactions (unadjusted for credit spread) resulted in a gain of Rs. 12.4 billion, primarily on account of a gain of Rs. 10.9 billion from forward exchange contracts due to
mark-to-market
gains and gains on cancellations of forward exchange contracts. In fiscal 2019, currency swaps and currency options resulted in a gain of Rs. 0.8 billion (unadjusted for credit spreads) and interest rate derivatives and forward rate agreements resulted in a gain of Rs. 0.7 billion (unadjusted for credit spreads). In fiscal 2018, derivative transactions (unadjusted for credit spreads) resulted in a gain of Rs. 6.0 billion, primarily on account of a gain of Rs. 6.9 billion from forward exchange contracts due to
mark-to-market
gains and gains on cancellations of forward exchange contracts. In fiscal 2018, currency swaps and currency options resulted in a loss of Rs. 1.9 billion (unadjusted for credit spreads), partially offset by a gain of Rs. 1.0 billion (unadjusted for credit spreads) from interest rate derivatives and forward rate agreements. Income from foreign exchange transactions amounted to Rs. 1.9 billion during fiscal 2019 compared to Rs. 6.2 billion during fiscal 2018. As a result, income from foreign exchange transactions and derivatives increased from Rs. 13.0 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 14.3 billion in fiscal 2019.
Other
non-interest
revenue was primarily attributable to the gain on the sale of certain of our equity investments and
mark-to-market
gains on our equity instruments that are carried at fair value. This was primarily because our equity investments were measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income in accordance with ASU
2016-01
“Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic
825-10)”
which we adopted in fiscal 2019. Certain of our equity investments were measured at prices observed in orderly transactions during the year.
Non-Interest
Expense
Our
non-interest
expense was comprised of the following:
   
Years ended March 31,
 
   
2018
   
2019
   
Increase/
Decrease
  
percent
Increase/
Decrease
  
2018 % of
net revenues
   
2019 % of
net revenues
 
   
(in million, except percentages)
 
Salaries and staff benefits
  Rs.98,483.7   Rs.104,652.6   Rs.6,168.9   6.0   19.4    17.6 
Premises and equipment
   29,816.9    29,527.7    (289.2  (1.0  5.9    5.0 
Depreciation and amortization
   9,678.9    12,247.8    2,568.9   26.5   1.9    2.1 
Administrative and other
   93,272.9    108,960.4    15,687.5   16.8   18.3    18.2 
Amortization of intangibles
   1.0    1.0    —     —     —      —   
Total
non-interest
expense
  
Rs.
    231,253.4
 
  
Rs.
    255,389.5
 
  
Rs.
    24,136.1
 
 
 
10.4
 
 
 
45.5
 
  
 
42.9
 
Total
non-interest
expense increased by 10.4 percent from Rs. 231.3 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 255.4 billion in fiscal 2019. Our net interest revenue after allowances for credit losses increased by 19.6 percent from Rs. 363.8 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 435.2 billion in fiscal 2019. Our net revenue increased by 17.1 percent from Rs. 508.4 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 595.3 billion in fiscal 2019. As a result, our
non-interest
expense as a percentage of our net revenues was 42.9 percent in fiscal 2019 as compared to 45.5 percent in fiscal 2018.
Salaries and staff benefits increased by 6.3 percent from Rs. 98.5 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 104.7 billion in fiscal 2019 primarily attributable to an increase in the number of our employees and annual wage revisions. The number of our employees increased from 88,253 as of March 31, 2018 to 98,061 as of March 31, 2019.
Premises and equipment costs decreased by 1.0 percent from Rs. 29.8 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 29.5 billion in fiscal 2019 primarily on account of a decrease in equipment maintenance costs. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased from Rs. 9.7 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 12.2 billion in fiscal 2019.
Administrative and other expenses increased by 16.8 percent from Rs. 93.3 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 109.0 billion in fiscal 2019, primarily on account of higher cards-related costs backed by an increase in cards spends, expenditure for the purchase of priority sector lending certificates and insurance expenses. As of March 31, 2019, we had 5,103 banking outlets and 13,160 ATMs across 2,748 locations, compared to 4,787 banking outlets and 12,635 ATMs across 2,691 locations as of March 31, 2018. This also led to an overall increase in our
non-interest
expense. We continued to amortize the intangible assets (i.e., favorable leases) that were acquired on the merger of CBoP over their estimated remaining useful life. This amortization resulted in a charge of Rs. 1.0 million in fiscal 2019.
Income Tax
Our income tax expense, net of interest earned on income tax refunds, increased by 21.5 percent, from Rs. 98.3 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 119.4 billion in fiscal 2019. Our effective tax rate was 35.5 percent in fiscal 2018 and 35.1 percent in fiscal 2019. The effective tax rate was lower in fiscal 2019 primarily on account of lower stock-based compensation and higher income exempt from taxes in fiscal 2019 as compared to in fiscal 2018.
108

The following table gives a reconciliation of the Indian statutory income tax rate to our annual effective income tax rate for fiscals 2018 and 2019:
   
Year ended March 31,
 
   
2018
  
2019
 
Effective statutory income tax rate
   34.61%  34.94%
Adjustments to reconcile statutory income tax rate to effective income tax rate:
   
Stock-based compensation (net of forfeitures)
   0.82   0.55 
Income exempt from taxes
   (0.19  (0.42
Interest on income tax refunds
   —     (0.10
Effect of change in statutory tax rate
   (0.08  —   
Other, net
   0.30   0.15 
Annual effective income tax rate
  
 
35.46
 
 
35.12
Net Income
As a result of the foregoing factors, our net income after taxes increased by 23.3 percent from Rs. 178.5 billion in fiscal 2018 to Rs. 220.1 billion in fiscal 2019.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our growth is financed by a combination of cash generated from operations, increases in our customer deposits, borrowings and new issuances of equity capital and other securities qualifying as Tier I and Tier II capital. We believe that cash flows from operations, available cash balances and our ability to generate cash through
short-
and long-term debt and deposits are sufficient to fund our operating liquidity needs.
108

The following table sets forth our cash flows from operating activities, investing activities and financing activities in a condensed format. We have aggregated certain line items set forth in the cash flow statement that is part of our financial statements included elsewhere in this report in order to facilitate an understanding of significant trends in our business.
 
  
Year ended March 31,
   
Years ended March 31,
 
  
2018
   
2019
   
2020
   
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
  
(in million)
   
(in millions)
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
          
Net income before
non-controlling
interest
  Rs.178,833.9   Rs.220,565.5   Rs.260,364.0   Rs.260,364.0  Rs.326,006.4  Rs.386,603.0 
Non-cash
adjustments to net income
   69,065.3    88,974.5    141,478.0    141,478.0  123,423.8  135,507.9 
Net change in other assets and liabilities
   (153,625.0   (126,267.8   (230,662.3   (230,662.3 472,346.0  58,907.3 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  
Rs.
94,274.2
 
  
Rs.
183,272.2
 
  
Rs.
171,179.7
 
  
Rs.
171,179.7
 
 
Rs.
921,776.2
 
 
Rs.
581,018.2
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
          
Net change in term placements
   (8,806.4   24,447.4    6,055.7    Rs.6,055.7  Rs.4,168.0  Rs.(366,297.2
Net change in investments
   (149,594.3   (390,904.0   (740,545.6   (740,545.6 (823,663.2 (162,341.6
Net change in repurchase and resell agreements
   (462,018.6   609,805.1    160,195.5    160,195.5  (171,982.8 (307,207.6
Loans purchased net of repayments
   21,777.2    (150,642.9   (129,916.5   (129,916.5 (65,522.2 (125,978.2
Increase in loans originated, net of principal collections
   (1,440,601.9   (1,610,724.3   (1,428,007.7   (1,428,007.7 (1,446,355.1 (2,328,833.2
Net additions to property and equipment
   (9,086.4   (16,142.7   (18,111.9   (18,111.9 (17,653.7 (26,125.3
Activity in equity securities, net
   4.7    (2,821.4   (157.9   (157.9 (140.7 14,503.3 
Net cash used in investing activities
  
Rs.
(2,048,325.7
  
Rs.
(1,536,982.8
  
Rs.
(2,150,488.4)
 
  
Rs.
(2,150,488.4
 
Rs.
(2,521,149.7
 
Rs.
(3,302,279.8
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
          
Net increase in deposits
   1,447,097.0    1,331,850.9    2,213,972.5   Rs.2,213,972.5  Rs.1,882,763.1  Rs.2,237,238.5 
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings
   456,558.6    (127,707.1   (277,587.3
Net increase (decrease) in short term borrowings
   (277,587.3 (138,024.7 314,735.9 
Proceeds from issuance of shares by subsidiaries to
non-controlling
interest
   366.5    459.8    466.8    466.8  492.4  691.8 
Net increase in long-term debt
   200,366.9    96,009.1    (43,104.9
Net increase (decrease) in long term debt
   (43,104.9 155,704.2  369,583.2 
Proceeds from issuance of equity shares for options exercised
   27,259.1    22,008.2    18,486.8    18,486.8  17,601.0  26,097.3 
Net proceeds from issuance of equity shares
   —      235,896.2    —             
Payment of dividends and dividend tax
   (34,490.3   (41,015.2   (66,447.3   (66,447.3 (166.6 (36,239.2
Purchase of subsidiary shares from non-controlling interest
   (143.3   —      —   
Net cash provided by financing activities
  
Rs.
2,097,014.5
 
  
Rs.
1,517,501.9
 
  
Rs.
1,845,786.6
 
  
Rs.
1,845,786.6
 
 
Rs.
1,918,369.4
 
 
Rs.
2,912,107.5
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and due from banks, and restricted cash
   479.4    (3,069.7   10,610.5   Rs.10,610.5  Rs.(262.2 Rs.490.5 
Net change in cash and due from banks, and restricted cash
  
 
143,442.4
 
  
 
160,721.6
 
  
 
(122,911.6
  
Rs.
(122,911.6
 
Rs.
318,733.7
 
 
Rs.
191,336.4
 
Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash, beginning of year
   430,708.6    574,151.0    734,872.6   Rs.734,872.6  Rs.611,961.0  Rs.930,694.7 
Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash, end of year
  
Rs.
574,151.0
 
  
Rs.
734,872.6
 
  
Rs.
611,961.0
 
  
Rs.
611,961.0
 
 
Rs.
930,694.7
 
 
Rs.
1,122,031.1
 
109

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 20202022 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 20192021
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Our net cash provided by operating activities reflects our net income, adjustments for tax and
non-cash
charges (such as depreciation and amortization), as well as changes in other assets and liabilities. Our net cash provided by operating activities decreased from Rs. 183.3921.8 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 171.2581.0 billion in fiscal 2020,year 2022, mainly due to lower cash flows in fiscal 2020year 2022 as compared to in fiscal 2019.year 2021. This was largely a result of a higher increase in ourlower investments held for trading amounting to Rs. 48.8 billion in fiscal 2020year 2022 as compared to Rs. 388.5 billion in fiscal 2019,year 2021, partially offset by an increase in our net income.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
We used our cash from operations and financing activities primarily to invest in our loan book and debt securities. Net cash flows used for loansloan origination and purchase, net of principal collections and repayments, decreasedincreased from Rs. 1,761.41,511.9 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 1,557.92,454.8 billion in fiscal 2020,year 2022, largely on account of a lesseran increase in both retail and wholesale loan portfolios in fiscal 2020year 2022 as compared to in fiscal 2019.year 2021. Net cash flows used for investing in our debt securities increased fromwas Rs. 390.9162.3 billion in fiscal 2019 to Rs. 740.5 billion in fiscal 2020,year 2022, primarily on account of an increase in our
available-for-sale
Government of Indiagovernment securities and credit substitutes and asset and mortgage backed securities. Cashsubstitutes. Net cash flows fromused in repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements decreasedincreased from Rs. 609.8172.0 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 160.2307.2 billion in fiscal 2020.year 2022. Net cash flow used in term placement aggregated Rs. 366.3 billion in fiscal year 2022 compared to net cash flow from term placement of Rs. 4.2 billion in fiscal year 2021.
109

Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Our primary sources of cash flows from financing activities are deposits and, to a lesser extent, borrowings. Our total deposits increased by 24.216.8 percent from Rs. 9,225.013,337.2 billion in fiscal 20192021 to Rs. 11,462.115,580.0 billion in fiscal 2020. There was a 24.6year 2022. Time deposits increased by 12.4 percent increase in our time deposits from Rs. 5,317.77,191.5 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 6,626.78,080.6 billion in fiscal 2020.year 2022. Savings account deposits increased by 24.826.8 percent from Rs. 2,487.04,034.9 billion as of March 31, 20192021 to Rs. 3,103.85,117.4 billion as of March 31, 2020.2022. Our
non-interest-bearing
current account deposits increased by 21.912.9 percent from Rs. 1,420.32,110.8 billion as of March 31, 20192021 to Rs. 1,731.62,382.1 billion as of March 31, 2020.2022. Savings account deposits at Rs. 3,103.85,117.4 billion and current account deposits at Rs. 1,731.62,382.1 billion accounted for 42.248.1 percent of our total deposits as of March 31, 2020.2022. Our short-termshort term borrowings decreasedincreased by Rs. 276.6314.9 billion from Rs. 654.1239.3 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 377.4554.2 billion in fiscal 2020.year 2022. Our long-termlong term debt decreasedincreased by 1.732.3 percent from Rs. 1,044.61,174.8 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 1,026.51,554.3 billion in fiscal 2020.year 2022. Short term borrowings are mainly comprised of money market borrowings which are unsecured and are utilized for our treasury operations. Long term borrowings comprised primarily of subordinated debt and other long term debt. Of our total long term debt of Rs. 1,554.3 billion, Rs. 169.1 billion is perpetual debt and Rs. 1,385.2 billion pertains to other long term debt. Of our total other long term debt Rs. 246.5 billion will mature by fiscal year 2023, Rs. 817.1 billion between fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2025, Rs. 130.0 billion between fiscal year 2026 and fiscal year 2027 and Rs. 191.6 billion beyond fiscal year 2027.
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 20192021 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 20182020
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Our net cash provided by operating activities reflects our net income, adjustments for tax and
non-cash
charges (such as depreciation and amortization), as well as changes in other assets and liabilities. Our net cash provided by operating activities increased from Rs. 94.3171.2 billion in fiscal 2018year 2020 to Rs. 183.3921.8 billion in fiscal 2019,year 2021, mainly due to higher cash flows in fiscal 2019year 2021 as compared to fiscal 2018.year 2020. This was largely a result of an increase in our net income and a lesser increasedecrease in our investment portfolioinvestments held for trading in fiscal 2019year 2021 as compared to fiscal 2018, partially offset by a decreasean increase in our bills payable.investments held for trading in fiscal year 2020.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
We used our cash from operations and financing activities primarily to invest in our loan book and debt securities. Loans originatedNet cash flows used for loan origination and purchased,purchase, net of principal collections and repayments, decreased from Rs. 1,557.9 billion in fiscal year 2020 to Rs. 1,511.9 billion in fiscal year 2021, largely on account of a lesser increase in retail and wholesale loan portfolios in fiscal year 2021 as compared to fiscal year 2020. Net cash flows used for investing in our debt securities increased from Rs. 1,418.8740.5 billion in fiscal 2018year 2020 to Rs. 1,761.4823.7 billion in fiscal 2019, largelyyear 2021, primarily on account of an increase in both retailour
available-for-sale
government securities and wholesale loan portfolios. The increasecredit substitutes. Net cash flows used in investmentsrepurchase and reverse repurchase agreements aggregated Rs. 172.0 billion in fiscal 2019 wasyear 2021 as compared to net cash flows from repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements aggregating Rs. 241.3160.2 billion primarily on account of an increase in
available-for-sale
Government of India securities, partially offset by a decrease in our investments in credit substitutes.fiscal year 2020.
110

Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Our primary sources of cash flows from financing activities are deposits and, to a lesser extent, borrowings. Our total deposits increased by 17.016.4 percent from Rs. 7,883.811,462.1 billion in fiscal 2018year 2020 to Rs. 9,225.013,337.2 billion in fiscal 2019. There was a 19.3year 2021. Time deposits increased by 8.5 percent increase in our time deposits from Rs. 4,455.76,626.7 billion in fiscal 2018year 2020 to Rs. 5,317.77,191.5 billion in fiscal 2019.year 2021. Savings account deposits increased by 11.130.0 percent from Rs. 2,238.03,103.8 billion as of March 31, 20182020 to Rs. 2,487.04,034.9 billion as of March 31, 2019.2021. Our
non-interest-bearing
current account deposits increased by 19.321.9 percent from Rs. 1,190.11,731.6 billion as of March 31, 20182020 to Rs. 1,420.32,110.8 billion as of March 31, 2019.2021. Savings account deposits at Rs. 2,487.04,034.9 billion and current account deposits at Rs. 1,420.32,110.8 billion accounted for 42.446.1 percent of our total deposits as of March 31, 2019.2021. Our short-termshort term borrowings decreased by Rs. 125.1138.2 billion from Rs. 779.2377.4 billion in fiscal 2018year 2020 to Rs. 654.1239.3 billion in fiscal 2019.year 2021. Our long-termlong term debt increased by 12.014.4 percent from Rs. 932.91,026.5 billion in fiscal 2018year 2020 to Rs. 1,044.61,174.8 billion in fiscal 2019. During fiscal 2019, we raised long-term debt accounting to Rs. 320.1 billion including the long-term debtyear 2021.
110

Pursuant to shareholder and regulatory approvals, we raised equity share capital through a preferential allotment to the Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited, concluding a qualified institutional placement and making an American Depositary Share offering aggregating to Rs. 235.9 billion, net of issuance costs, during fiscal 2019
Financial Condition
Assets
The following table sets forth the principal components of our assets as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020:2022:
 
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2019
   
2020
   
Increase/

(decrease)
  
% Increase/

(decrease)
 
   
(in million except percentages)
 
Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash
  Rs.734,872.6   Rs.611,961.0   Rs.(122,911.6  (16.7
Investments held for trading
   265,516.1    304,962.9    39,446.8   14.9 
Investments available for sale debt securities
   2,633,348.4    3,406,289.2    772,940.8   29.4 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
   76,213.5    250,000.0    173,786.5   228.0 
Loans, net
   8,963,232.6    10,425,022.4    1,461,789.8   16.3 
Accrued interest receivable
   93,031.7    103,035.9    10,004.2   10.8 
Property and equipment
   43,187.8    48,327.7    5,139.9   11.9 
Intangibles
   —      —      —     —   
Goodwill
   74,937.9    74,937.9    —     —   
Other assets
   395,733.0    737,352.1    341,619.1   86.3 
Total assets
  
Rs.
 13,280,073.6
 
  
Rs.
 15,961,889.1
 
  
Rs.
 2,681,815.5
 
 
 
20.2
 
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
Increase/
(decrease)
  
% Increase/
(decrease)
 
   
(in millions except percentages)
 
Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash
  Rs.930,694.7   Rs.1,122,031.1   Rs.191,336.4   20.6 
Investments held for trading
   99,620.2    53,199.5    (46,420.7  (46.6
Investments available for sale debt securities
   4,275,449.9    4,388,563.1    113,113.2   2.6 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
   270,060.0    373,053.3    102,993.3   38.1 
Loans, net
   11,700,189.2    14,036,872.2    2,336,683.0   20.0 
Accrued interest receivable
   118,762.9    134,467.7    15,704.8   13.2 
Property and equipment
   53,094.4    65,826.4    12,732.0   24.0 
Goodwill
   74,937.9    74,937.9    —     —   
Other assets
   456,972.8    864,754.3    407,781.5   89.2 
Total assets
  
Rs.
17,979,782.0
 
  
Rs.
21,113,705.5
 
  
Rs.
3,133,923.5
 
 
 
17.4
 
Our total assets increased by 20.217.4 percent from Rs. 13,280.117,979.8 billion as of March 31, 20192021 to Rs. 15,961.921,113.7 billion as of March 31, 2020.2022.
Our cash and due from banks, and restricted cash decreasedincreased by 20.6 percent from Rs. 734.9930.7 billion as of March 31, 20192021 to Rs. 612.01,122.0 billion as of March 31, 2020,2022, primarily on account of net cash used in our investing activities, partially offset by net cash provided by our operating and financing activities, partially offset by net cash used in our investing activities. Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash is comprised of cash and balances due from banks. We are also required to maintain cash balances with the RBI to meet our cash reserve ratio requirement. Banks in India, including us, are required to maintain a specific percentage of our demand and time liabilities by way of a balance in a current account with the RBI. This is to maintain the solvency of the banking system. We have classified the cash reserve maintained with the RBI as restricted cash.
Securities held under the trading portfolio are for trading purposes and are generally sold within 90 days from the date of purchase. Investments held for trading increaseddecreased by 14.946.6 percent from Rs. 265.599.6 billion as of March 31, 20192021 to Rs. 305.053.2 billion as of March 31, 20202022, primarily on account of an increasea decrease in our investments in Government securities.corporate bonds and units of mutual fund.
Investments available for sale debt securities increased by 29.42.6 percent primarily on account of an increase in our Governmentgovernment securities and credit substitutes and asset and mortgage backed securities.substitutes.
Net loans increased by 16.320.0 percent on account of an increase in both retail and wholesale loan portfolios. Our gross retail loan portfolio increased by 12.918.9 percent from Rs. 6,237.97,828.8 billion as of March 31, 20192021 to Rs. 7,040.89,310.5 billion as of March 31, 2020.2022. The growth in retail loans was primarily across the retail business banking, housing loans and personal loans/credit cards housing loans and retail business banking segments. Our gross wholesale loan book increased by 24.721.0 percent from Rs. 2,873.64,214.9 billion as of March 31, 20192021 to Rs. 3,583.15,099.0 billion as of March 31, 2020.2022. Our allowances for credit losses increased from Rs. 271.9 billion for our retail loans and Rs. 71.6 billion for our wholesale loans as of March 31, 2021 to Rs. 298.3 billion for our retail loans and Rs. 74.4 billion for our wholesale loans as of March 31, 2022.
111

Accrued interest receivable increased by 10.813.2 percent from Rs. 93.0 billion as at March 31, 2019 to Rs. 103.0118.8 billion as of March 31, 2020,2021 to Rs. 134.5 billion as of March 31, 2022, primarily on account of an increase in our loans and investment securities.
Our property and equipment increased by Rs. 5.112.7 billion. We added 316 banking outlets354 branches and 7161,186 ATMs and CDMs in fiscal 2019year 2021 and 313 banking outlets734 branches and 1,4122,043 ATMs and CDMs in fiscal 2020.year 2022.
We paid a purchase consideration of Rs. 102.8 billion to acquire the net assets of CBoP at a fair value of Rs. 27.8 billion, thereby recognizing unidentified intangibles (goodwill) of Rs. 74.9 billion during fiscal year 2009. The primary purpose of the acquisition was to realize potential synergies, growth opportunities and cost savings from combining our businesses. The goodwill arising from the business combination is tested on an annual basis for impairment. The said goodwill has not been impaired as of March 31, 20202022 and has been carried forward at the same value as the value at the acquisition date.
111

Other assets increased by 86.389.2 percent from Rs. 395.7457.0 billion as of March 31, 20192021 to Rs. 737.4864.8 billion as of March 31, 2020,2022, primarily due to an increase in receivables on account of sale of securities pending settlementterm placement from Rs. 4.9105.2 billion as of March 31, 20192021 to Rs. 222.0471.5 billion as of March 31, 2020 and an increase in derivatives from Rs. 132.5 billion as of March 31, 2019 to Rs. 190.5 billion as of March 31, 2020. The increase in derivatives was largely attributable to an increase in
mark-to-market
gains from forward exchange contracts and interest rate derivatives. We adopted the FASB guidance ASU
2016-02
“Leases (Topic 842)” effective April 1, 2019. To transition to the new guidance, we chose not to reassess (1) the classification of our existing leases, (2) any initial direct costs associated with the leases, or (3) whether any existing contracts are or contain leases. In addition, we elected not to provide a comparative presentation for fiscals 2019 and 2018. Accordingly as of March 31, 2020, other2022. Other assets include a
right-of-use
asset of Rs. 60.871.6 billion as of March 31, 2022 and of Rs. 64.5 billion as of March 31, 2021, related to our future lease payments as a lessee under operating leases.leases as of March 31, 2022.
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
The following table sets forth the principal components of our liabilities and shareholders’ equity as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020:2022:
 
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2019
   
2020
   
Increase/
(decrease)
   
Increase/
(decrease)
 
   
(in million, except percentages)
   
%
 
Liabilities
        
Interest bearing deposits
  Rs.7,804,717.5   Rs.9,730,481.3   Rs.1,925,763.8    24.7 
Non-interest
bearing deposits
   1,420,309.4    1,731,590.0    311,280.6    21.9 
Total deposits
  
 
9,225,026.9
 
  
 
11,462,071.3
 
  
 
2,237,044.4
 
  
 
24.2
 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
   174,000.0    507,982.0    333,982.0    191.9 
Short-term borrowings
   654,058.0    377,417.6    (276,640.4   (42.3
Accrued interest payable
   79,372.5    80,078.9    706.4    0.9 
Long-term debt
   1,044,553.0    1,026,518.3    (18,034.7   (1.7
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
   467,438.6    611,327.2    143,888.6    30.8 
Total liabilities
  
 
11,644,449.0
 
  
 
14,065,395.3
 
  
 
2,420,946.3
 
  
 
20.8
 
Non-controlling
interest in subsidiaries
   3,049.3    3,411.4    362.1    11.9 
HDFC Bank Limited shareholders’ equity
   1,632,575.3    1,893,082.4    260,507.1    16.0 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  
Rs.
13,280,073.6
 
  
Rs.
15,961,889.1
 
  
Rs.
2,681,815.5
 
  
 
20.2
 
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
Increase/
(decrease)
  
% Increase/
(decrease)
 
   
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Liabilities
       
Interest-bearing deposits
  Rs.11,226,467.8   Rs.13,197,979.7   Rs.1,971,511.9   17.6 
Non-interest-bearing
deposits
   2,110,762.4    2,382,052.2    271,289.8   12.9 
Total deposits
  
 
13,337,230.2
 
  
 
15,580,031.9
 
  
 
2,242,801.7
 
 
 
16.8
 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
   356,059.2    151,844.9    (204,214.3  (57.4
Short term borrowings
   239,264.1    554,167.6    314,903.5   131.6 
Accrued interest payable
   77,969.1    82,412.8    4,443.7   5.7 
Long term debt
   1,174,758.2    1,554,333.4    379,575.2   32.3 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
   631,096.4    681,461.5    50,365.1   8.0 
Total liabilities
  
 
15,816,377.2
 
  
 
18,604,252.1
 
  
 
2,787,874.9
 
 
 
17.6
 
Non-controlling
interest in subsidiaries
   3,776.4    4,615.0    838.6   22.2 
HDFC Bank Limited shareholders’ equity
   2,159,628.4    2,504,838.4    345,210.0   16.0 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  
Rs.
17,979,782.0
 
  
Rs.
21,113,705.5
 
  
Rs.
3,133,923.5
 
 
 
17.4
 
Our total liabilities increased by 20.817.6 percent from Rs. 11,644.415,816.4 billion as of March 31, 20192021 to Rs. 14,065.418,604.3 billion as of March 31, 2020.2022. This increase was primarily attributable to the growth in our deposits. The increase in our interest-bearing deposits was on account of an increase in time deposits and savings deposits. Time deposits increased by 24.612.4 percent from Rs. 5,317.77,191.5 billion as of March 31, 20192021 to Rs. 6,626.78,080.6 billion as of March 31, 2020.2022. Savings account deposits increased by 24.826.8 percent from Rs. 2,487.04,034.9 billion as of March 31, 20192021 to Rs. 3,103.85,117.4 billion as of March 31, 2020.2022. Our
non-interestnon-interest-bearing
bearing current account deposits increased by 21.912.9 percent from Rs. 1,420.32,110.8 billion as of March 31, 20192021 to Rs. 1,731.62,382.1 billion as of March 31, 2020.2022.
Most of our funding requirements are met through short-termshort term and medium-termmedium term funding sources. Of our total
non-equity
sources of funding, primarily comprised of deposits and borrowings, deposits accounted for 81.583.7 percent, short-termshort term borrowings accounted for 2.73.0 percent and long-termlong term debt accounted for 7.38.4 percent as of March 31, 2020.2022. Our short-termshort term borrowings, comprised primarily of money market borrowings, decreasedincreased by Rs. 276.6314.9 billion from Rs. 654.1239.3 billion as of March 31, 20192021 to Rs. 377.4554.2 billion as of March 31, 2020.2022. Our long-termlong term debt decreasedincreased by 1.732.3 percent from Rs. 1,044.61,174.8 billion in fiscal 2019year 2021 to Rs. 1,026.51,554.3 billion in fiscal 2020.year 2022.
Accrued interest payable increased by Rs. 0.74.4 billion from Rs. 79.478.0 billion as of March 31, 20192021 to Rs. 80.182.4 billion as of March 31, 2020.2022. This increase was primarily on account of interest accrued on our time deposits partially offset by a decreasean increase in the interest accrued on our borrowings.
 
112

Accrued expenses and other liabilities increased by 30.88.0 percent from Rs. 467.4631.1 billion as of March 31, 20192021 to Rs. 611.3681.5 billion as of March 31, 2020,2022, primarily on account of an increase in remittances in transit and other payables, partially offset by a decrease in derivatives from Rs. 128.481.9 billion as of March 31, 20192021 to Rs. 184.874.8 billion as of March 31, 2020. This was largely attributable to an increase in
mark-to-market
losses from forward exchange contracts and interest rate derivatives. We adopted the FASB guidance ASU
2016-02
“Leases (Topic 842)” effective April 1, 2019. To transition to the new guidance, we chose not to reassess the classification of our existing leases, any initial direct costs associated with the leases, or whether any existing contracts are or contain leases. In addition, we elected not to provide a comparative presentation for fiscals 2019 and 2018. Accordingly, as of March 31, 2020, accrued2022. Accrued expenses and other liabilities include lease liability of Rs. 65.670.4 billion as of March 31, 2021 and Rs. 78.1 billion as of March 31, 2022 related to our future lease payments as a lessee under operating leases.
By an ordinary resolution Accrued expenses and other liabilities include our allowance for credit losses on July 12, 2019, our shareholders approved a sub-division (stock split) of equity shares to reduce the face value of each equity share from
off-balance
sheet credit exposures and undrawn commitments, aggregating Rs. 2.0 to Rs. 1.0 per equity share effective5.6 billion as of September 20, 2019. Accordingly, all share/ADS data reflect the effectMarch 31, 2021 and Rs. 6.1 billion as of the stock split retroactively. March 31, 2022.
Shareholders’ equity increased on the exercise of 36,673,24032,764,494 stock options by employees and on an increase in our retained earnings, andpartially offset by a decrease in the balance of our accumulated other comprehensive income (primarily on account of
mark-to-market
gains on available for sale debt securities).income. One ADS continues to represent three equity shares.
Capital
We are a banking company within the meaning of the Indian Banking Regulation Act, 1949, registered with and subject to supervision by the RBI. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements could lead to regulatory actions by the RBI that, if undertaken, could have a material effect on our financial position. The RBI issued detailed guidelines for implementation of Basel III capital regulations in May 2012. The minimum capital requirements under Basel III are being
phased-in
as per the guidelines prescribed by the RBI. Accordingly, we are required to maintain a minimum Common Equity Tier I ratio of 7.5758.2 percent, a minimum total Tier I capital ratio of 9.0759.7 percent and a minimum total capital ratio of 11.07511.7 percent (each including capital conservation buffer and additional capital applicable to us as a
D-SIB)
as of March 31, 2020.2022.
Our regulatory capital and capital adequacy ratios measured in accordance with Indian GAAP and calculated under Basel III as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 20202022 are as follows:
 
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
   
(in million, except percentages)
 
Tier I capital
  Rs.1,470,227.6  Rs.1,714,144.4  US$22,737.0 
Tier II capital
   124,348.8   128,434.1   1,703.6 
        Total capital
  
Rs.
1,594,576.4
 
 
Rs.
1,842,578.5
 
 
US$
24,440.6
 
Total risk weighted assets
  Rs.9,319,298.7  Rs.9,947,157.4  US$131,942.7 
Capital ratios of the Bank:
    
Common Equity Tier I
   14.93%  16.43%  16.43%
Tier I
   15.78%  17.23%  17.23%
Total capital
   17.11%  18.52%  18.52%
Minimum capital ratios required by the RBI:*
    
Tier I
   9.025%  9.075%  9.075%
Total capital
   11.025%  11.075%  11.075%
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
  
2022
  
2022
 
   
(in millions, except percentages)
 
Tier I capital
  Rs.1,985,873.6  Rs.2,418,067.5  US$31,871.2 
Tier II capital
   139,589.4   139,277.5   1,835.7 
Total capital
  
Rs.
2,125,463.0
 
 
Rs.
2,557,345.0
 
 
US$
33,706.9
 
Total risk weighted assets
  Rs.11,311,438.8  Rs.13,535,108.5  US$178,398.7 
Capital ratios of the Bank:
    
Common Equity Tier I
   16.85  16.67  16.67
Tier I
   17.56  17.87  17.87
Total capital
   18.79  18.90  18.90
Minimum capital ratios required by the RBI:*
    
Tier I
   9.075  9.700  9.700
Total capital
   11.075  11.700  11.700
 
*
The Tier I and Total capital ratio includesinclude a capital conservation buffer and additional capital applicable to us as a
D-SIB.
Capital Expenditure
Our capital expenditures consistexpenditure consists principally of expenditures relating to our branch network expansion, as well as investments in our technology and communications infrastructure. Our capital expenditure was Rs. 18.126.1 billion in fiscal 2020.year 2022. We have current plans for capital expenditures of approximately Rs. 25.440.1 billion in fiscal 2021.year 2023. Our budgeted capital expenditure is primarily to expand our branch and ATM network, to upgrade and expand our hardware, data center, network and other systems, to add new equipment in and expand our existing premises and to relocate our banking outletsbranches and back-offices. We believe that our capital and free reserves are sufficient to fund our capital expenditure needs. We may use these budgeted amounts for other purposes depending on, among other factors, the business environment prevailing at the time, and consequently our actual capital expenditures may be higher or lower than our budgeted amounts.
See also “
Risk Factors—A slowdown in economic growth in India would cause us to experience slower growth in our asset portfolio and deterioration in the quality of our assets”assets
, “—
Risk Factors—
Financial and political instability in other countries may cause increased volatility in the Indian financial markets”market
and “—
Risk Factors—
The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations”operation
.
113

Financial Instruments and
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
Our foreign exchange and derivative product offerings to our customers cover a range of products, including foreign exchange and interest rate transactions and hedging solutions, such as spot and forward foreign exchange contracts, forward rate agreements, currency swaps, currency options and interest rate derivatives. These transactions enable our customers to transfer, modify or reduce their foreign exchange and interest rate risks. A specified group of relationship managers from our Treasury front office works on such product offerings jointly with the relationship managers from Wholesale Banking.
113

We enter into forward exchange contracts, currency options, forward rate agreements, currency swaps and rupee interest rate swaps with inter-bank participants, similar to our Wholesale Banking business, where we enter into such transactions with our customers. To support our clients’ activities, we are an active participant in the Indian inter-bank foreign exchange market. We also trade, to a more limited extent, for our own account. We also engage in proprietary trades of rupee-based interest rate swaps and use them as part of our asset liability management.
Forward exchange contracts are commitments to buy or sell foreign currency at a future date at the contracted rate. A currency option is a contract where the purchaser of the option has the right but not the obligation to either purchase or sell and the seller of the option agrees to sell or purchase an agreed amount of a specified currency at a price agreed in advance and denominated in another currency on a specified date or by an agreed date in the future. A forward rate agreement is a financial contract between two parties to exchange interest payments for a “notional principal” amount on a settlement date, for a specified period from a start date to a maturity date. Currency swaps are commitments to exchange cash flows by way of interest in one currency against another currency and exchanges of principal amounts at maturity (or on specified intermittent dates) based on predetermined rates. Rupee interest rate swaps are commitments to exchange fixed and floating rate cash flows in rupees.
We earn profit on customer transactions by way of a margin as a
mark-up
over the inter-bank exchange or interest rate. We earn profit on inter-bank transactions by way of a spread between the purchase rate and the sale rate. These profits are recorded as income from foreign exchange and derivative transactions. The Bank’sOur Board of Directors imposes limits on our ability to hold overnight positions in foreign exchange and derivatives, and the same are intimatedcommunicated to the RBI.
The following table presents the aggregate notional principal amounts of the Bank’sour outstanding forward exchange and derivative contracts as of March 31, 2020,2022, together with the fair values on each reporting date:
 
   
As of March 31, 2020
 
   
Notional
   
Gross Assets
   
Gross Liabilities
   
Net Fair Value
  
Notional
   
Net Fair Value
 
   
(In million)
 
Interest rate derivatives
  Rs.3,644,495.8   Rs.49,876.8   Rs.51,976.9   Rs.(2,100.1)  US$48,341.9   US$(27.9
Currency options
   304,252.4    3,034.4    4,342.0    (1,307.6  4,035.7    (17.3
Currency swaps
   202,725.6    12,396.0    6,592.1    5,803.9   2,689.0    77.0 
Forward exchange contracts
   6,079,195.0    125,230.4    121,872.0    3,358.4   80,636.6    44.6 
Total
  
Rs.
10,230,668.8
 
  
Rs.
190,537.6
 
  
Rs.
184,783.0
 
  
Rs.
5,754.6
 
 
US$
135,703.2
 
  
US$
76.4
 
   
As of March 31, 2022
 
   
Notional
   
Gross Assets
   
Gross Liabilities
   
Net Fair Value
  
Notional
   
Net Fair Value
 
   
(In millions)
 
Interest rate derivatives
  Rs.5,142,612.3   Rs.28,564.1   Rs.27,644.4   Rs.919.7  US$67,781.9   US$12.1 
Forward rate agreements
   50,610.7    1,574.1    14.8    1,559.3   667.1    20.6 
Currency options
   434,371.3    1,845.1    2,439.5    (594.4  5,725.2    (7.8
Currency swaps
   308,757.4    10,463.6    4,312.3    6,151.3   4,069.6    81.1 
Forward exchange contracts
   6,551,871.8    37,755.4    40,408.2    (2,652.8  86,356.6    (35.0
Total
  
Rs.
12,488,223.5
 
  
Rs.
80,202.3
 
  
Rs.
74,819.2
 
  
Rs.
5,383.1
 
 
US$
164,600.4
 
  
US$
71.0
 
We have not designated the above derivative contracts as accounting hedges and accordingly the contracts are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet with subsequent changes in fair value recorded in earnings.
 
114

Guarantees and Documentary Credits
As a part of our commercial banking activities, we issue documentary credits and guarantees. Documentary credits, such as letters of credit, enhance the credit standing of our customers. Guarantees generally represent irrevocable assurances that we will make payments in the event that the customer fails to fulfilfulfill its financial or performance obligations. Financial guarantees are obligations to pay a third-party beneficiary where a customer fails to make payment towards a specified financial obligation. Performance guarantees are obligations to pay a third-party beneficiary where a customer fails to perform a
non-financial
contractual obligation. The nominal values of guarantees and documentary credits for the dates set forth below were as follows:
 
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2019
   
2020
   
2020
 
   
(In million)
 
Nominal values:
      
Bank guarantees:
      
Financial guarantees
  Rs.254,075.9   Rs.263,758.0   US$3,498.6 
Performance guarantees
   285,748.4    330,164.6    4,379.4 
Documentary credits
   475,617.8    440,232.7    5,839.4 
Total
  
Rs.
1,015,442.1
 
  
Rs.
1,034,155.3
 
  
US$
13,717.4
 
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
   
(In millions)
 
Nominal values:
      
Bank guarantees:
      
Financial guarantees
  Rs.334,040.8   Rs.422,406.2   US$5,567.5 
Performance guarantees
   421,162.2    417,227.2    5,499.2 
Documentary credits
   376,536.2    615,639.6    8,114.4 
Total
  
Rs.
1,131,739.2
 
  
Rs.
1,455,273.0
 
  
US$
19,181.1
 
Guarantees and documentary credits outstanding increased by 1.828.6 percent tofrom Rs. 1,034.11,131.7 billion as of March 31, 2020 from2021 to Rs. 1,015.41,455.3 billion as of March 31, 2019,2022, principally due to growth in our trade finance business.
Undrawn commitmentsCommitments
The Bank has outstandingOur undrawn commitments to providein respect of loans and financing provided to customers. These loan commitmentscustomers aggregated to Rs. 452.9628.3 billion and Rs. 539.8730.9 billion (US$ 7.29.6 billion) as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020,2022, respectively. Among other things, the making of a loan is subject to a review of the creditworthiness of the customer at the time the customer seeks to borrow, at which time the Bank haswe have the unilateral right to decline to make the loan. If the Bankwe were to make such loans, the interest rates would be dependent on the lending rates in effect when the loans were disbursed. Further, the Bank haswe have unconditional cancellable commitments aggregating to Rs. 3,150.94,826.7 billion and Rs. 3,806.25,528.4 billion (US$ 50.572.9 billion) as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020,2022, respectively. See also Note 24 to the Bank’s23 “
Financial Instruments
” in our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
The table below summarizes our principal contractual obligations as of March 31, 2020:
Contractual Obligations
   
Payments due by period, as of March 31, 2020
 
   
Total
   
Less than 1 year
   
1-3 years
   
3-5 years
   
After 5 years
 
   
(in million)
 
Subordinated debt
(a)
  Rs.133,730.9   Rs.—    Rs.6,000.0  Rs.7,300.0   Rs.120,430.9 
Other long-term debt
   807,814.7    223,540.8    312,093.7    112,446.2    159,734.0 
Operating leases
(b)
   97,225.7    11,411.4    20,426.0    17,067.3    48,321.0 
Short-term borrowings
   377,417.6    377,417.6    —      —      —   
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
   507,982.0    507,982.0    —      —      —   
Unconditional purchase obligations
(c)
   12,756.9    12,756.9    —      —      —   
Total
  
Rs.
1,936,927.8
 
  
Rs.
1,133,108.7
 
  
Rs.
338,519.7
 
  
Rs.
136,813.5
 
  
Rs.
328,485.9
 
(a)
Scheduled maturities of subordinated debt do not include perpetual bonds of Rs. 84,972.7 million (net of debt issuance cost).
(b)
Operating leases are principally for the lease of office, branch and ATM premises, residential premises for executives and office equipment.
(c)
Unconditional purchase obligations represent committed capital contracts as of March 31, 2020. See
“—Note 27—Commitments and contingencies
of our consolidated financial statements.
115

Commercial Commitments
Our commercial commitments consist principally of letters of credit, guarantees, forward exchange and derivative contracts.
We have recognized a liability of Rs. 4.2 billion as of March 31, 2020, in accordance with FASB ASC
460-10
in respect of guarantees issued or modified. Based on historical trends, in accordance with FASB ASC 450, we have recognized a liability of Rs. 3.0 billion as of March 31, 2020.
As part of our risk management activities, we continuously monitor the creditworthiness of customers as well as guarantee exposures. However, if a customer fails to perform a specified obligation to a beneficiary, the beneficiary may draw upon the guarantee by presenting documents that are in compliance with the guarantee. In that event, we make payment on account of the defaulting customer to the beneficiary, up to the full notional amount of the guarantee. The customer is obligated to reimburse us for any such payment. If the customer fails to pay, we would, as applicable, liquidate collateral and/or set off accounts; if insufficient collateral is held, we recognize a loss.
The residual maturities of the above commitments as of March 31, 20202022 are set forth in the following table:
 
   
Amount of commitment expiration per period, as of March 31, 2020
 
   
Total amounts

Committed*
   
Up to 1 year
   
1-3
years
   
3-5
years
   
Over 5 years
 
   
(in million)
 
Documentary credits
  Rs.440,232.7   Rs.431,254.8   Rs.8,118.7   Rs.129.7   Rs.729.5 
Guarantees
   593,922.6    412,232.1    136,067.5    34,585.7    11,037.3 
Forward exchange and derivative contracts
   10,230,668.8    7,330,772.8    1,376,129.2    1,400,047.0    123,719.8 
Total
  
Rs.
11,264,824.1
 
  
Rs.
8,174,259.7
 
  
Rs.
1,520,315.4
 
  
Rs.
1,434,762.4
 
  
Rs.
135,486.6
 
   
Amount of commitment expiration per period, as of March 31, 2022
 
   
Total amounts
Committed
(1)
   
Up to 1 year
   
1-3 years
   
3-5 years
   
Over 5 years
 
   
(in millions)
 
Documentary credits
  Rs.615,639.6   Rs.602,719.3   Rs.10,822.9   Rs.1,774.3   Rs.323.1 
Guarantees
   839,633.4    609,042.1    171,867.9    41,936.6    16,786.8 
Forward exchange and derivative contracts
   12,488,223.4    8,611,223.1    2,141,771.7    1,563,041.2    172,187.4 
Total
  
Rs.
13,943,496.4
 
  
Rs.
9,822,984.5
 
  
Rs.
2,324,462.5
 
  
Rs.
1,606,752.1
 
  
Rs.
189,297.3
 
 
*(1)
Denotes nominal values of documentary credits and guarantees and notional principal amounts of forward exchange and derivative contracts.
115

Extent of dependenceDependence on single customer exposuresSingle Customer Exposures
Our exposures to our ten10 largest borrowers as of March 31, 2020,2022, based on the higher of the outstanding balances of or limits on, funded and
non-funded
exposures, were as follows. None of these exposures werewas impaired as of March 31, 2020:2022:
 
  
March 31, 2020
   
March 31, 2022
 
  
Borrower Industry
  
Funded

Exposure
   
Non-Funded

Exposure
   
Total Exposure
   
Total

Exposure
   
Borrower Industry
  
Funded
Exposure
   
Non-Funded

Exposure
   
Total Exposure
   
Total
Exposure
 
     
(in million)
              
(in millions)
     
Borrower 1
  Power  Rs.243,382.8   Rs.1,200.0   Rs.244,582.8   US$3,244.2   Power  Rs.265,661.9   Rs.500.0   Rs.266,161.9   US$3,508.1 
Borrower 2
  Financial Intermediaries   180,100.0    305.1    180,405.1    2,393.0   Financial Institution   245,435.0    —      245,435.0    3,234.9 
Borrower 3
  Financial Intermediaries   163,738.7    610.9    164,349.6    2,180.0   Coal & Petroleum Products   119,950.5    116,547.4    236,497.9    3,117.1 
Borrower 4
  Coal and Petroleum Products   74,421.4    75,432.2    149,853.6    1,987.7   Housing Finance Companies   150,283.8    —      150,283.8    1,980.8 
Borrower 5
  Financial Institutions   135,455.0    —      135,455.0    1,796.7   Coal & Petroleum Products   126,639.8    19,268.4    145,908.2    1,923.1 
Borrower 6
  Coal and Petroleum Products   31,934.6    55,651.4    87,586.0    1,161.8   Financial Institution   142,600.0    —      142,600.0    1,879.5 
Borrower 7
  Telecom   63,228.0    15,355.2    78,583.2    1,042.4   Financial Intermediaries   140,000.0    232.0    140,232.0    1,848.3 
Borrower 8
  Financial Intermediaries   75,035.9    221.6    75,257.5    998.2   Telecom   137,700.0    199.2    137,899.2    1,817.6 
Borrower 9
  Financial Intermediaries   75,027.7    182.8    75,210.5    997.6   Power   133,670.0    —      133,670.0    1,761.8 
Borrower 10
  Iron and Steel   51,361.3    22,128.1    73,489.4    974.8   Telecom   108,591.5    17,855.7    126,447.2    1,666.6 
116

Of the total exposure to these ten borrowers, approximately 5942.3 percent was secured by collateral.
In June 2019, the RBI issued the revised Large Exposures Framework, which aims to align the exposure norms for Indian banks with BCBS standards. The guidelines came into effect from April 1, 2019, except for certain provisions which will becomebecame effective from April 1, 2020. See
Supervision and Regulation—Large Exposures Framework
”. As per this Large Exposure Framework, a bank’s exposures to a single NBFC is restricted to 15.0 percent of its available eligible capital base, while exposure values of a bank to a single counterparty must not be higher than 20.0 percent of its available eligible capital base, which can be extended to 25.0 percent by a bank’s board of directors under exceptional circumstances. The RBI in its circular dated September 12, 2019 stated that a bank’s exposure to a single NBFC (excluding gold loan companies) will be restricted to 20.0 percent of that bank’s eligible capital base. Bank finance to NBFCs predominantly engaged in lending against gold will continue to be governed by limits prescribed in the RBI circular dated May 18, 2012. A bank’s exposure to a single NBFC, having gold loans equivalent to or exceeding 50.0 percent of its total financial assets, is restricted to 7.5 percent of the banks’ capital funds, which can be extended to 12.5 percent if the additional exposure is on account of funds
on-lent
by the NBFC to the infrastructure sector. Tier I capital that fulfills the criteria set out in the RBI’s Basel III guidelines must be considered as eligible capital base for this purpose. As of March 31, 2022, our exposure to our 10 largest borrowers was equal to or more than 5.0 percent of our eligible capital base under this framework and was mainly comprised of large credit facilities to these borrowers. There were no exposures that exceeded the regulatory ceiling established by RBI.
Cross-border Exposures
The RBI requires banks in India to implement RBI prescribed guidelines on country risk management in respect of those countries where a bank has net funded exposure in excess of a prescribed percentage of its total assets. In the normal course of business, we have both direct and indirect exposure to risks related to counterparties and entities in foreign countries. We monitor such cross-border exposures on an ongoing basis. As of March 31, 2022, our aggregate country risk exposure was 2.4 percent of our total assets, and our net funded exposure to any other country did not exceed 1 percent of our total assets as per the said guidelines.
116

Cybersecurity
We offer internet and mobile banking services to our customers. Our internet and mobile banking channel includes multiple services, such as electronic funds transfer, bill payment services, usage of credit cards online, requesting account statements and requesting cheque books. We are therefore exposed to cyber threats, such as: hacking, phishing and trojans, targeting our customers, wherein fraudsters send unsolicited emails to our customers seeking account sensitive information; hacking, wherein hackers seek to hack into our website with the primary intention of causing reputational damage to us; and data theft, wherein cyber criminals may intrude into our network with the intention of stealing our internal data or our customer information or to extort money.
We have implemented various measures to mitigate risks that emanate from offering online banking to our customers. These are briefly enumerated below:
Security Operations Center (“SOC”): We have founded a next-generation SOC featuring advanced technologies for predictive security and incident management. To this effect, we have provisioned the Securonix platform on AWS and configured more than 10,000 logging sources and devices to allow for comprehensive monitoring.
Security Orchestration, Automation & Response (“SOAR”): SOAR has been introduced to reduce the incident response time by connecting security solutions with each other and increasing automation throughout the life cycle of an incident.
Micro-segmentation: In our data center network micro-segmentation enables higher visibility across network flows as well as stronger preparedness against and management of ransomware-related incidents.
Industry-leading service providers: We have engaged industry-leading service providers to facilitate continual discovery and attack surface assessment for our critical public facing properties, which assures good defensive posture against cybersecurity threats.
Phishing: We identify phishing sites and trojans targeting our customers and, once identified, those sites are shut down by us. Forensic information such as customers details, which may have been compromised, are retrieved from such sites and dealt with accordingly. We have implemented a “Secure Access” system which provides an additional layer of security in addition to the customer identification (ID) and password requirement for internet banking transactions. This system evaluates every critical financial transaction based on our risk model and helps us determine whether the incumbent transaction is genuine or suspicious. Should the transaction be deemed suspicious, the system will either decline the transaction or ask for additional authentication. Our practice is to send awareness emails to our customers, to educate them about phishing and the measures they should take to protect themselves from falling victim to it. Our cybersecurity awareness has been fortified in view of the reports that fraudulent vishing calls have been on the rise due to the pandemic and lack of staff in our offices. We launched the “Mooh Band Rakho” (keep your mouth shut) campaign to improve customers’ awareness of the increase in fraudulent calls. The campaign runs on a regular basis. In addition, customer ecommerce transactions and card transactions are continuously monitored.
Hacking and Data Theft: We have implemented a network firewall, web application firewalls and an intrusion prevention system at the perimeter of our network, in order to block any attempts made to hack or breach our network. Our cybersecurity operations center (“CSOC”), which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, analyzes logs of its perimeter defenses to identify any attempts made to breach our network. We have developed an Incident Management Procedure, a Cybersecurity Policy and a Cyber Crisis Management Plan for the incident management process to ensure that in the event of any incident, relevant stakeholders are aware of their role in resolving the incident. We also test our internet-facing infrastructure and applications for vulnerability including periodic red team assessments. Any vulnerability identified is remediated in a timely manner to ensure the online banking services stay protected against the evolving threat. In addition, we have deployed a host intrusion prevention solution on the internet banking setup to protect against unpatched vulnerabilities. We have defined baseline security standards for the technologies in use. These standards were created taking into consideration industry best practices and are reviewed on a regular basis to counter new threat vectors and avoid obsolescence. We perform daily malware scanning of the default landing pages of internet websites so that our customers are not compromised by malware that has been injected on
non-logged
web pages. We have also subscribed to anti-DDOS services (Distributed Denial Of Services) to strengthen our protection against DDOS attacks.
117

Threat intelligence feeds and indicators of compromise received from government agencies, service providers and dark web monitoring vendors are logged in the security technologies deployed in our security operations centre.
We have also undertaken internal data security measures that are taken with respect to breaches or theft of material or sensitive customer data. These are briefly enumerated below:
Data Loss Prevention (“DLP”): Information is an important asset of any organization that supports business processes and management decisions. Usage and protection of business information can be heavily influenced by individuals in the
end-user
environment, where most of the corporate data is processed, shared and stored. We have implemented enterprise solutions such as DLP to monitor sensitive data stored, transmitted and shared by users, and to prevent and detect data breaches. Individual business functions are also involved in incident reviews which helps create a sense of ownership and awareness amongst our employees.
Laptop Encryption: Data encryption ensures that business-critical and sensitive data is not misplaced, thereby preventing any reputational damage and curtailing monetary losses. We recognize that the cost which arises out of loss of data in a laptop is far higher than the cost of replacing the actual device. We have therefore implemented a laptop encryption tool on our laptops.
Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance (“DMARC”): We have implemented a DMARC system which gives us the ability to protect the domain from unauthorized use, commonly known as “email spoofing”. The purpose and primary outcome of implementing DMARC is to protect a domain from being used in business email compromise attacks, phishing emails, email scams and other cyber threat activities.
Anti-Advanced Persistence Threat: An Anti-Advanced Persistence Threat (“APT”) is a prolonged and targeted cyber-attack in which an intruder gains access to a network and remains undetected for an extended period of time. We have implemented an
anti-APT
system to prevent these attacks. All network elements such as email and web are protected by the
anti-APT
system, which is also installed on endpoint computers.
Business Continuity During the
COVID-19
Pandemic-forced Lockdown
To ensure business continuity following the outbreak of
COVID-19
and the government mandated lockdown, we implemented our crisis management plan. We advised our employees to either work from their homes or locations near their homes. In implementing our response to the
COVID-19
pandemic, the crisis management team prioritized certain critical functions such as IT and treasury to minimize potential business disruptions. We adopted a multipronged strategy to prioritize the safety of our employees while ensuring technology and security enabled service delivery to our customers. Following the gradual easing of the nationwide lockdown, we largely reverted to our
pre-pandemic
operating strategy, but continued implementing various continuity strategies, due to the evolving pandemic.
We implemented the following technology interventions to ensure business continued unhampered following the outbreak of
COVID-19.
a new strategy of “Work from Home” was incorporated;
an information security awareness campaign series for all employees was rolled out;
we ensured continuity of information technology services by increasing hardware capacity and enabling secure access from home;
we applied a continuous high alert watch, to ensure IT security;
we arranged for an external recertification audit by BSI for ISMS and BCMS (ISO27001 and ISO 22301);
cybersecurity threats were thwarted by our own implementation of
two-factor
authentication, strengthening anti-virus features in the devices at home and prohibiting any download on local storage drives; and
our endpoint security posture during
COVID-19
improved incrementally by our undertaking of several technology security initiatives.
118

In addition, to protect the health and safety of our employees, we:
provided face masks to security guards, pantry staff and other support staff and made hand sanitizers available across locations;
introduced a free of charge service of a doctor “on call��. We also ensured they had access to
COVID-19
care packages;
allowed employees to claim medical expenses incurred for
COVID-19
treatment;
facilitated the inoculation of employees and their immediate family members against
COVID-19;
and
published “Back to Work” guidelines for ensuring employee safety, once the number of daily cases declined.
In order to maintain operational stability, we:
introduced multiple shifts to ensure adherence to government guidelines and social distancing requirements;
ensured efficient execution of moratorium extensions to customers;
used the disaster recovery site at Kanjurmarg as a contingency site to ensure the continuity of our treasury department;
set up a crisis group on our mobile platform for faster communication, action and response; and
enhanced the BCP strategy based on our forward-looking initiatives.
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MANAGEMENT
Directors and Senior Management
Our Memorandum and Articles of Association (“Articles”) provide that, until otherwise determined by the general meeting of shareholders, the number of our directors shall not be less than three or more than 15, excluding directors appointed pursuant to the terms of issued debt. As of March 31, 2022, our Board of Directors consisted of eleven (11) directors.
As per the Companies Act, unless the Articles provide for the retirement of all directors at every annual general meeting, not less than
two-thirds
of the total number of directors shall be persons whose period of office is liable to determination by retirement of directors by rotation. However, any retiring director may be reappointed by resolution of the shareholders. Pursuant to the Companies Act, every company shall have at least one director who has stayed in India for a total period of not less than 182 days in the previous calendar year (
i.e.
, an Indian resident).
As per our Articles, so long as HDFC Limited, its subsidiary or any other company promoted by HDFC Limited, either singly or in the aggregate, holds not less than 20 percent of the
paid-up
equity share capital in the Bank, the Board of Directors of the Bank shall, with the approval of the shareholders, appoint the
non-retiring
directors from persons nominated by HDFC Limited. HDFC Limited shall be entitled to nominate the part-time Chairman and the Managing Director or the full-time Chairman as the case may be, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of the Bank and the shareholders. Currently, Mrs. Renu Karnad is the
Non-Executive
Director (“NED”) (nominee of HDFC Limited) of the Bank. The Banking Regulation Act 1949 (“the Banking Regulation Act”) and subsequent RBI notification, dated November 24, 2016, requires that not less than 51 percent of the board members shall consist of persons who have specialized knowledge or practical experience in one or more of the following areas: accounting, finance, agriculture and rural economy, banking, cooperation, economics, law, small-scale industry, information technology, payment and settlement systems, human resources, risk management, business management and any other matter which in the opinion of the RBI will be useful to the banking company. Of these, not less than two directors shall have specialized knowledge or practical experience in respect of agriculture and the rural economy, cooperation or small-scale industry. Mr. Malay Patel and Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari are the Independent Directors on the Board who have specialized knowledge and practical experience in small scale industry and Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi is the Independent Director on the Board with specialized knowledge and practical experience in agriculture and rural economy. Mr. M.D. Ranganath is the Independent Director on the Board of the Bank with expertise in Information Technology. The skills, special knowledge and practical experience of the individual directors comprise of the following:
Sr.
No.
Name
Designation
Expertise/ Competence
1
Mr. Atanu ChakrabortyPart-time
Non-Executive
Chairman and Independent Director
Finance, Economy, Public Policy, Administration and Infrastructure, Banking, Risk Management, Payment & Settlement System, Business Management
2
Mr. Kaizad BharuchaExecutive DirectorBanking Business, Credit & Risk Management, Business Management
3
Mrs. Lily VaderaIndependent DirectorBanking, Finance, International Relations
4
Mr. Malay PatelIndependent DirectorSmall Scale Industries, Business Management
5
Mr. M. D. RanganathIndependent DirectorFinance, Accountancy, Information Technology, Risk Management, Business Management
6
Mrs. Renu Karnad
Non-Executive
Director
Risk Management, Housing & Real Estate, Financial, Accounting & Audit, Consumer Behavior, Sales & Marketing, Legal and Strategy Management, Economics, Business Management
7
Mr. Sandeep ParekhIndependent DirectorLaw (with focus on securities market and financial regulations), Payment & Settlement System, Business Management
8
Mr. Sanjiv SacharIndependent DirectorHuman Resource Management, Economics, Finance, Accountancy, Business Management
9
Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan
Managing Director & Chief
Executive Officer
Economics of Money, Banking and Finance, Accountancy, Business Management
10
Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita MaheshwariIndependent DirectorMedicine, Healthcare, Entrepreneurship, General Administration, Small Scale Industries, Business Management
11
Mr. Umesh Chandra SarangiIndependent DirectorAgriculture and Rural Economy, Cooperation, Business Management
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Interested directors may not vote at board proceedings, except in relation to contracts or arrangements with a company in which that director holds (or two or more directors collectively hold) not more than 2 percent of the
paid-up
share capital. None of our directors or members of our senior management holds 1 percent or more of our equity shares.
Our Board of Directors, as of March 31, 2022, comprised of:
Name of Director
Designation
Age
Mr. Atanu Chakraborty
(1)
Part time
Non-Executive
Chairman and Independent Director
62
Mr. Sashidhar JagdishanManaging Director & CEO57
Mr. Kaizad BharuchaExecutive Director57
Mrs. Lily Vadera
(2)
Independent Director61
Mr. Malay PatelIndependent Director45
Mr. M. D. RanganathIndependent Director60
Mrs. Renu Karnad
(3)
Non-Executive Director (Nominee of HDFC Limited)69
Mr. Sandeep ParekhIndependent Director50
Mr. Sanjiv SacharIndependent Director64
Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita MaheshwariIndependent Director56
Mr. Umesh Chandra SarangiIndependent Director70
(1)
Mr. Atanu Chakraborty was appointed as the part-time
Non-Executive
Chairman and Independent Director of the Bank with effect from May 5, 2021, pursuant to the approval by the RBI and by the shareholders of the Bank at its 27th Annual General Meeting held on July 17, 2021.
(2)
Mrs. Lily Vadera was appointed as an Independent Director of the Bank for a period of five (5) years with effect from November 26, 2021, pursuant to the approval by the shareholders of the Bank through postal ballot on March 27, 2022.
(3)
At the meeting of the Board of Directors held on April 16, 2022, Mrs. Renu Karnad was reappointed as the NED (Nominee of Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited, promoter of the Bank) on the Board of Directors, for a period of five (5) years with effect from September 3, 2022, subject to the approval by the Bank’s shareholders.
(4)
Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni tendered his resignation as
Non-Executive
(Non-Independent)
Director of the Bank with effect from February 18, 2022.
The following are brief biographies of our directors, including the part-time
Non-Executive
Chairman and Independent Director of the Bank:
Mr.
 Atanu Chakraborty,
62 years of age, was appointed as the part-time
Non-Executive
Chairman and Independent Director of the Bank with effect from May 5, 2021, pursuant to the approval granted by the RBI and by the shareholders of the Bank at its 27th Annual General Meeting held on July 17, 2021. He has served in the Government of India, for a period of thirty-five (35) years, as a member of the Indian Administrative Service (“IAS”) in Gujarat cadre, during which he mainly worked in areas of Finance & Economic Policy, Infrastructure, and Petroleum & Natural Gas. In the Government of India, he held various posts, such as Secretary to Government of India at the Department of Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Finance (“DEA”) during fiscal year 2020. As Secretary of the DEA, he coordinated economic policymaking across all ministries and departments. Furthermore, he managed the entire formulation process of the budget for the Government of India, including its passage in Parliament. He was responsible for the policies for fiscal management, public debt management and the development & management of financial markets.
Mr. Chakraborty also handled the domestic and foreign issues related to financial stability and currency. He managed the flow of funds by multilateral and bilateral financial institutions. He also headed a multi-disciplinary task force for the National Infrastructure Pipeline (“NIP”). He served as Secretary to the Government of India for Disinvestment at the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (“DIPAM”), where he was responsible for both the policy and the execution of disinvestments of the Government of India’s stake in state-owned enterprises.
121

Between 2002 and 2007, Mr. Chakraborty served as Director and subsequently as Joint Secretary at the Department of Expenditure of the Ministry of Finance. During his tenure, he evaluated projects in the Infrastructure sector and oversaw subsidies by the Government of India. He also updated and modernized the Government’s Financial & Procurement rules. Mr. Chakraborty has also served in various roles at the Gujarat State Government, including as Secretary to its Finance Department. He had been responsible for piloting the private sector investment legislation in the State. In the State Government, he was immersed in both public governance and development areas.
Mr. Chakraborty has also served as alternate Governor on the Board of the World Bank, as well as on the Central Board of Directors of the RBI. He was the Chairman of the National Infrastructure Investment Fund (“NIIF”) and a Director of various listed companies. Mr. Chakraborty was the CEO and Managing Director of the GSPC group of companies, as well as Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd. Mr. Chakraborty has published articles in renowned journals in the areas of public finance, risk sharing in infrastructure projects and gas infrastructure. Mr. Chakraborty graduated with a Bachelor in Engineering in Electronics and Communication from NIT Kurukshetra. He holds a Diploma in Business Finance from the Institute of Financial Analysts of India (“ICFAI”), Hyderabad, and a Master in Business Administration from the University of Hull, United Kingdom.
Mrs.
 Renu Karnad
, aged 69 years, is a NED of the Bank. She has been the Managing Director of HDFC Limited since 2010. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Delhi and a degree in Law from the University of Mumbai. She is also a Parvin Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, NJ, United States. Mrs. Karnad brings with her valuable experience and knowledge of the mortgage sector, having been associated with real estate and mortgage industry in India for over 40 years. Over the years, she has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, such as the “Outstanding Woman Business Leader” award granted by CBNC-TV18 at the India Business Leader Awards 2012, induction in the Hall of Fame, Fortune India magazine’s most powerful women from 2011 to 2019, “Top ten powerful women to watch out for in Asia” by
Wall Street Journal Asia
in 2006, etc. She has previously been a NED on the Board of the Bank.
Mr.
 Malay Patel
, aged 45 years, is a NED of the Bank. He has graduated from Rutgers University, NJ, United States, and holds an Associate of Arts in Business Administration from Bergen County College, NJ, United States. He is a Director on the Board of Eewa Engineering Company Private Limited, a company in the plastics and packaging industry that exports to more than 50 countries. Previously, he has been involved in various roles, such as import & export, procurement, and sales and marketing, at Eewa Engineering Company Private Limited. Mr. Malay Patel has special knowledge and practical experience in matters relating to small scale industries as they relate to
Section 10-A
(2 a) of the Banking Regulation Act 1949.
Mr.
 Umesh Chandra Sarangi
,
aged 70 years, is a NED of the Bank. He holds a Master of Science in Botany from Utkal University, where he was a gold medalist. Mr. Sarangi has over three decades of experience at the IAS and brought in significant reforms for the modernization of agriculture, in particular on agro-processing and export. As the former Chairman of National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (“NABARD”) from December 2007 to December 2010, Mr. Sarangi focused on accelerated initiatives for rural infrastructure, such as microfinance, financial inclusion, watershed development and tribal development. Mr. Sarangi was appointed as a Director with specialized knowledge and experience in agriculture and rural economy pursuant to
Section 10-A
(2)(a) of the Banking Regulation Act 1949.
Mr.
 Sanjiv Sachar
,
aged 64 years, is a NED of the Bank. He is a Fellow Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and former Senior Partner of Egon Zehnder, the world’s largest privately held executive search firm. Mr. Sachar set up the Egon Zehnder practice in India in 1995 and played a key role in establishing the firm as a market leader in the executive search space across various country segments. Over the course of his two decades at Egon Zehnder, Mr. Sachar has mentored senior executives across industry sectors that today serve as either board members, CEOs or CFOs of large corporations in India and overseas. Mr. Sachar was also the
co-founder
of the chartered accountancy and management consulting firm, Sachar Vasudeva & Associates, and
co-founded
another executive search firm, Direct Impact.
Mr.
 Sandeep Parekh
,
aged 50 years, is a NED of the Bank. He holds a Master of Laws in Securities and Financial Regulation from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Laws from Delhi University. He is the Managing Partner of Finsec Law Advisors, a financial sector law firm based in Mumbai. He was an Executive Director at SEBI from 2006 to 2008, heading both the Enforcement and Legal Affairs departments. He is a member of the visiting faculty at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. He has worked for law firms in Delhi, Mumbai and Washington, D.C. Mr. Parekh focuses on securities regulations, investment regulations, private equity, corporate governance and financial regulation. He is admitted to practice law in the State of New York. He was recognized by the World Economic Forum as a “Young Global Leader” in 2008. He was Chairman and member of various committees and
sub-committees
at the SEBI and the RBI and is presently a member of SEBI’s Mutual Fund Advisory Committee.
Mr.
 M.D. Ranganath
, aged 60 years, is a NED of the Bank. He holds a Master in Technology from IIT, Madras, and a Bachelor in Engineering from the University of Mysore. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Management (“PGDM”) from IIM, Ahmedabad, and is a member of CPA, Australia. Mr. Ranganath has over twenty eight (28) years of experience in the Global IT services and financial services industry. He is currently the President of Catamaran Ventures and was CFO of Infosys Limited, a listed global IT services company, until November 2018. During his tenure of 18 years at Infosys, he was an integral part of its growth and transformation into a globally respected IT services company and effectively assumed leadership roles in a variety of areas culminating in the role of the CFO: Strategy, Finance, Merger & Acquisition (M&A), Consulting, Risk Management, and Corporate planning. Prior to Infosys, he worked at ICICI Limited for eight (8) years and was responsible for credit, treasury, equity portfolio management and corporate planning. In 2017 and 2018, Mr. Ranganath was the recipient of the Best CFO Asia award in the technology sector by Institutional Investor publication, predicated on a poll of
buy-side
and sell-side investors.
122

Dr.
 (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari
, aged 56 years, is a NED of the Bank. Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari was appointed as an Independent Director. She is a US Board certified Pediatric Cardiologist, and completed her MBBS at Osmania Medical College followed by post-graduation at AIIMS, Delhi and Yale University, CT, United States, With over thirty (30) years of experience, she has lived and worked in the United States and India. In addition to being a clinician, Dr. (Mrs.) Maheshwari is a medical entrepreneur and
co-founder
at: (a) Teleradiology Solutions (India’s first and largest teleradiology company that has provided over 5 million diagnostic reports to patients and hospitals globally including for the Tripura state government), (b) Telrad Tech which builds
AI-enabled
telehealth software and (c) RXDX healthcare—a chain of multi-specialty neighborhood clinics in Bangalore. She has also incubated other
start-up
companies in the telehealth space such as Healtheminds—a telecounselling platform. She is active in the social arena in India where she runs two trust funds. “People4people” has built over 450 playgrounds in government schools and Telrad Foundation provides teleradiology and telemedicine services to poor areas in Asia that do not have access to high quality medical care. Her other interests include teaching—she has been running India’s
e-teaching
program for postgraduates in Pediatric Cardiology for over a decade. In 2019, she helped the Kerala National health mission Hridayam launch
e-classes
in pediatric cardiology for pediatricians in the state. She has over 200 academic presentations and publications to her credit and is an inspirational speaker having given over 200 lectures, including several TEDx talks. Dr. (Mrs.) Maheshwari is the recipient of several prestigious awards and honors including: WOW (Woman of Worth) 2019 award from Outlook Business, 50 most powerful women of India in March 2016, Amazing Indian award from Times Now 2014, Top 20 Women Health Care Achievers in India from Modern Medicare in 2009, Outstanding Fellow Teacher of the Year Award in 1995 by Yale University, amongst others.
Mr.
 Sashidhar Jagdishan
, aged 57 years, is the Managing Director and CEO of the Bank. He has an overall experience of thirty (30) years. He has graduated in Science with specialization in Physics, is a Chartered Accountant by profession and holds a Master’s degree in Economics of Money, Banking & Finance from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. Mr. Jagdishan joined the Bank in 1996 as a Manager in the Finance function. He became Business Head – Finance in 1999 and was appointed as Chief Financial Officer in 2008. He played a critical role in supporting the growth trajectory of the Bank and led the finance function with a pivotal role in aligning the organization in achieving the strategic objectives over the years. Prior to his appointment as Managing Director and CEO of the Bank, he was the Group Head of the Bank in addition to overseeing the functions of Finance, Human Resources, Legal & Secretarial, Administration, Infrastructure, Corporate Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility. Mr. Jagdishan is not a director in any other listed or public limited company.
Mr.
 Kaizad Bharucha
, aged 57 years, is the Executive Director of the Bank. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from University of Mumbai and is a career banker with over thirty-five (35) years of experience. He has been associated with the Bank since 1995. In his current position as Executive Director, he is responsible for Wholesale Banking covering areas of Corporate Banking, PSUs, Capital & Commodities Markets, Financial Institutions, Custody, Mutual Funds, Global Capability Centre & Financial Sponsors coverage and Banks coverage. As Executive Director, in his earlier position, he was responsible for Corporate Banking, Emerging Corporate Group, Business Banking, Healthcare Finance, Agri Lending, Tractor Financing, Commercial Vehicle finance, Commercial Equipment Finance, Infrastructure Finance, Department for Special operations and inclusive Banking initiatives group. In his previous position as Group Head—Credit & Market Risk, he was responsible for the Risk Management activities at the Bank, namely Credit Risk, Market Risk, Debt Management, Risk Intelligence and Control functions. Prior to joining the Bank, he worked at SBI Commercial and International Bank in various areas including Trade Finance and Corporate Banking. He has represented HDFC Bank as a member of the working group on banking related committees. Mr. Bharucha is not a director in any other listed or public limited company.
123

Senior Management
Our senior management is comprised of the following:
Name
Position
Age
Mr. Sashidhar JagdishanManaging Director and CEO57
Mr. Kaizad BharuchaExecutive Director57
Mr. Ashish ParthasarthyHead – Treasury, GIB, NRI, Overseas and Teleservice Channels54
Ms. Ashima BhatHead – Business Finance & Strategy, Administration, Infrastructure, ESG & CSR51
Mr. Arvind KapilHead – Retail Assets and SLI50
Mr. Arvind VohraHead – Retail Branch Banking50
Mr. Anjani RathorChief Digital Officer49
Mr. Arup RakshitHead – Treasury-Sales, Analytics and Overseas53
Mr. Bhavesh ZaveriHead – Operations, ATM and Cash Management Product56
Mr. Benjamin FrankHead – Wholesale Credit57
Mr. Chakrapani VenkatachariHead – Internal Audit and Quality Initiatives Group58
Mr. Jimmy TataChief Credit Officer55
Mr. Nirav ShahHead – Corporate Banking and PSUs50
Mr. Parag RaoHead – Payments Business, Digital & IT56
Mr. Rakesh SinghHead – Investment Banking, Private Banking, Marketing and Products53
Mr. Rahul ShuklaHead – Commercial Banking and Rural Business53
Mr. Ramesh LakshminarayananChief Information Officer51
Mr. Raveesh BhatiaHead – Emerging Corporates Group56
Ms. Smita BhagatHead – Government, Institutional Business, Partnerships, Inclusive Banking and
Start-ups
56
Mr. Srinivasan VaidyanathanChief Financial Officer58
Mr. S. SampathkumarHead – NRI Domestic & Overseas Business, Third Party Products and Telesales & Service Relationships49
Mr. Sanmoy ChakrabartiChief Risk Officer46
Mr. Vinay RazdanChief Human Resources Officer55
Note:
Mr. Dhiraj Relli has resigned from the services of the Bank with effect from September 30, 2021. Currently he is the Managing Director and CEO of HDFC Securities Limited, a subsidiary of the Bank.
A brief biography of each of the members of the Bank’s senior management is set out below:
Mr.
 Ashish Parthasarthy
is the Head of Treasury, GIB, NRI, Overseas and Teleservice Channels. He holds a Bachelor in Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Karnataka
(NIT-K),
and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from IIM, Bangalore. He has over 33 years of experience in banking, with particular expertise in the interest rate and currency markets.
Ms.
 Ashima Bhat
is the Head of Business Finance & Strategy, Administration, Infrastructure, ESG & CSR. Ms. Bhat has over 28 years of experience in banking. She completed a Master in Management Studies, majoring in marketing, from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies. Ms. Bhat joined the Bank in 1994 in its
start-up
stage. She has worked within and headed businesses in various positions across the Bank, including Corporate Banking, Supply Chain, SME, Commercial Banking and Emerging Corporates Group.
Mr.
 Arvind Kapil
is the Head of Retail Assets and Sustainable Livelihood Initiative. He is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School’s advanced management program, holds a Master in Management Studies from Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Management Studies and Research and a Bachelor of Engineering from K.J. Somaiya College of Engineering in Mumbai. Mr. Kapil has been with the Bank for over two decades and has significant experience in the finance industry. He joined the Bank from Countrywide Consumer Financial Services.
124

Mr.
 Arvind Vohra
is the Head of Retail Branch Banking. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Communication Engineering as well as a Postgraduate degree in Management with a specialization in marketing and finance from Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar, and completed a senior leadership program at London Business School. He has nearly two and a half decades of experience working across consumer goods, telecommunications and banking sectors. He has held leadership positions in sales, marketing and business leadership roles in global organizations such as Whirlpool, Philips, Standard Chartered Bank and Vodafone India. Mr. Vohra led business operations at Vodafone India, was on the Board of Directors of Vodafone India’s consumer fixed line subsidiary and led the incubation of the consumer IOT (Internet of Things) business. He joined the Bank from Vodafone India in September 2018.
Mr.
 Anjani Rathor
is the Chief Digital Officer. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma from IIM, Calcutta, and a Bachelor of Technology from IIT Kharagpur. He has over 20 years of experience across Telecom, Aviation, Consulting and Financial Services in companies such as Airtel, Boeing, Accenture and CitiCorp. He joined the Bank in February 2020.
Mr.
 Arup Rakshit
is the Head of Treasury-Sales, Analytics and Overseas. He holds a Bachelor of Technology from IIT, BHU, Varanasi and a Master of Business Administration from IIM, Calcutta. Mr. Rakshit has more than 28 years of experience. Prior to joining HDFC Bank, he worked with different banks, including Deutsche Bank and ABN AMRO Bank. Mr. Rakshit is also an active member of the management committee of the Foreign Exchange Dealers Association of India and the India Forex Committee.
Mr.
 Bhavesh Zaveri
is the Head—Operations, ATM and Cash Management Product. He holds a Master in Commerce from Mumbai University and is a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers. He has over 36 years of experience in banking, having worked with Oman International Bank and Barclays Bank prior to joining the Bank in April 1998. Mr. Zaveri has been on various committees at the RBI and the IBA and served as a Director on the Board of National Payment Corporation of India Ltd, SWIFT SCRL, Brussels, The Clearing Corporation of India Ltd. (“CCIL”), SWIFT India Domestic Services Pvt Ltd, HDB Financial Services Ltd, HDFC Securities Ltd and the Goods and Service Tax Network (“GSTN”).
Mr.
 Benjamin Frank
is the Head of Wholesale Credit. He has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Madras, a Master in Business Administration from ICFAI University and is a Certified Financial Risk Manager from the Global Association of Risk Professionals. He has over 35 years of experience in the banking industry across Branch Banking, International Banking, Corporate Banking and Credit Risk Management. He previously worked at IDBI Bank and State Bank of India. He joined the Bank in April 2004.
Mr.
 Chakrapani Venkatachari
is the Head of Internal Audit and Quality Initiatives Group. He holds a Bachelor in Commerce from Mumbai University, is an Associate Member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers and a Certified Information System Auditor. He has over 38 years of banking experience, having worked with the Bank of Baroda and Standard Chartered Bank prior to joining the Bank in 1994.
Mr.
 Jimmy Tata
is HDFC Bank’s Chief Credit Officer. He holds a Master in Financial Management from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies at Mumbai University and is a qualified Chartered Financial Analyst with the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts in Hyderabad. Mr. Tata has been with the Bank since 1994 and has over 30 years of broad experience across the financial sector. Prior to joining the Bank he worked at Apple Industries Limited in various capacities in their financial services division.
Mr.
 Nirav Shah
is the Head of Corporate Banking and PSUs. He has approximately 27 years of experience, 23 years of which have been with the Bank. He joined the Bank in 1999 as a Relationship Manager and, in just over a decade, went on to head businesses such as the Emerging Corporates Group, Infrastructure Finance Group, Rural Banking Group, and Transportation Finance, before taking up his current role in 2020. This is his second role with the Corporate Bank. In his earlier role in 2011, he was Western Region Head, during which he was responsible in Finance for acquiring and developing several large corporate relationships. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Management Studies (“MMS”) from Mumbai University.
Mr.
 Parag Rao
is the Head of Payments Business, Digital & IT. He holds a Master in Management Studies from S.P. Jain Institute of Management at Mumbai University and a Bachelor of Engineering from the Regional Engineering College in Jamshedpur. He has over 29 years of professional experience in FMCG companies such as Cadbury’s, Hindustan Unilever and Pepsico India. He joined the Bank from IBM Global Services in April 2002.
Mr.
 Rakesh Singh
is the Head of Investment Banking, Private Banking, Marketing and Products. He holds a Master in Business Administration from the Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad and has over 29 years of experience in the financial sector. Prior to joining HDFC Bank, he worked at Rothschild, Morgan Stanley, DSP Merrill Lynch, Standard Chartered Bank and ANZ Investment Bank. He also serves as a Trustee on the board of Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action.
Mr.
 Rahul Shukla
is the Head of Commercial Banking and Rural Banking. He holds a Bachelor in Technology from IIT Varanasi and a Master in Business Administration from IIM, Bangalore. He started his career in Citibank and, in 2010, he took over as Managing Director and Head of Corporate Banking for the South Asia Region, and was a member of the Indian Management Committee and various regulatory governance committees. He has over 30 years of banking experience, joining the Bank from Citibank in March 2018.
125

Mr.
 Ramesh Lakshminarayanan
is the Chief Information Officer. Mr. Lakshminarayanan holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Mumbai University and a Master in Business Administration from the University of Pune. Prior to joining HDFC Bank, he worked at CRISIL, where he spent three years as Chief Technology and Information Officer. He has over 25 years of experience and has held leadership positions within organizations such as Citibank, ABN AMRO Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Group.
Mr.
 Raveesh K. Bhatia
is Head of Emerging Corporates Group. He holds an MBA from IIM, Ahmedabad, and has over three decades of work experience. Prior to joining HDFC Bank, he worked with international banks, such as ABN AMRO Bank, BNP Paribas, Standard Chartered Bank, as well as in a consulting role with SB Billimoria.
Ms.
 Smita Bhagat
is the Head of Government and Institutional Business, Alternate Banking Channels and Partnerships, Inclusive Banking Group and
Start-ups.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Statistics, a Master of Commerce in financial management and a Master in Business Administration from the University of Rajasthan. She has more than 25 years of experience in banking and joined the Bank from ICICI Bank in 1999.
Mr.
 Srinivasan Vaidyanathan
is the Chief Financial Officer. He is a Commerce graduate, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, a Fellow of the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India, a Fellow of the Association of International Accountants, United Kingdom, Member of CMA, United States, and has a Master in Business Administration. He has over 28 years of experience in the financial services industry. He joined the Bank in 2018.
Mr.
 S. Sampathkumar
is the Head of NRI Domestic & Overseas Business, Third Party Products and Telesales & Service Relationships. He has over two and a half decades of experience and is an alumnus of the University of Madras, Tamil Nadu.
Mr.
 Sanmoy Chakrabarti
is the Chief Risk Officer. He holds a Master’s degree in Quantitative Economics from the Indian Statistical Institute. Mr. Sanmoy has been with the Bank since 2010 and has over two decades of experience. Previously, he has been in charge of Market Risk, Treasury
Mid-Office,
Operational Risk Management, ICAAP and Basel Credit risk functions of the Bank. Prior to joining the Bank, he has worked at Bank Danamon Ltd, Citibank and ICICI Bank.
Mr.
 Vinay Razdan
is the Chief Human Resources Officer. He is an alumnus of Delhi University and holds a Postgraduate qualification in personnel management and industrial relations from XLRI, Jamshedpur. Mr. Razdan has over three decades of experience in different roles within the human resources function and has worked across geographies and industry segments. He has held leadership positions with leading organizations in the FMCG, IT Services and Telecommunication sectors. He joined the Bank in September 2018.
Corporate Governance
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee of the Bank, as of March 31, 2022, includes Mr. M.D Ranganath, Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi and Mr. Sanjiv Sachar as its members. Each member of the Audit Committee is an Independent Director. Mr. M. D. Ranganath and Mr. Sanjiv Sachar are the members of Audit Committee with financial expertise. The Audit Committee is chaired by Mr. M.D Ranganath. The Audit Committee met 16 times during fiscal year 2022.
The terms of reference of the Audit Committee include,
inter alia
, the following:
a.
overseeing the Bank’s financial reporting process and disclosure of financial information to ensure that the financial statement is correct, sufficient and credible;
b.
recommending the appointment and removal of external auditors and the fixing of their fees;
c.
reviewing with management the annual financial statements and auditors report before their submission to the Board, with special emphasis on accounting policies and practices, compliance with accounting standards, disclosure of related party transactions and other legal requirements relating to financial statements;
d.
reviewing the adequacy of the audit and compliance functions, including their policies, procedures, techniques and other regulatory requirements; and
e.
any other terms of reference as may be included from time to time in the Companies Act 2013, SEBI Listing Regulations, 2015, including any amendments or reenactments thereof from time to time.
The Board has also adopted a charter for the Audit Committee in connection with certain United States regulatory standards as the Bank’s securities are also listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
126

Nomination and Remuneration Committee
The terms of reference of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee (“NRC”) include scrutinizing the nominations of the directors with reference to their qualifications and experience, identifying “fit and proper” persons, assessing their competency and reviewing compensation levels of the Bank’s employees
vis-à-vis
other banks and the banking industry in general.
The NRC has formulated a Policy for Appointment and Fit and Proper Criteria of Directors, which
inter alia
provides for criteria to assess the competency of the persons nominated, which includes:
a.
academic qualifications;
b.
previous experience;
c.
track record; and
d.
integrity of the candidate.
For assessing the integrity and suitability, features like criminal records, financial position, civil actions undertaken to pursue personal debts, refusal of admission to and expulsion from professional bodies, sanctions applied by regulators or similar bodies and previous questionable business practices are considered.
The Bank’s compensation policy provides a fair and consistent basis for motivating and rewarding employees appropriately according to their job profile or role size, performance, contribution, skill and competence.
The NRC also formulates criteria for the evaluation of performance of individual directors, including Independent Directors, the Board of Directors and its committees. The criteria for the evaluation of performance of directors (including Independent Directors) include personal attributes, such as attendance at meetings, communication skills, leadership skills and adaptability, and professional attributes such as their understanding of the Bank’s core business and strategic objectives, industry knowledge, independent judgment, and adherence to the Bank’s Code of Conduct, Ethics and Values.
Mr. Sanjiv Sachar, Mr. Sandeep Parekh, Mr. M.D Ranganath, Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi and Mr. Atanu Chakraborty were the members of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee as of March 31, 2022. Mr. Atanu Chakraborty (with effect from June 9, 2021) was inducted as a member of the NRC. All members of the NRC are Independent Directors. The NRC is chaired by Mr. Sanjiv Sachar and met 13 times during fiscal year 2022.
Stakeholders’ Relationship Committee (“SRC”)
The SRC approves and monitors the transfer, transmission, splitting and consolidation of shares and considers requests for dematerialization of shares. Allotments of shares to employees exercising stock options are granted under the various Employees Stock Option Schemes, which are made in terms of the powers delegated by the Board in this regard. The SRC also monitors the redressal of grievances from shareholders relating to matters such as the transfer of shares and
non-receipt
of our annual report and dividends, etc.
The powers to approve share transfers and dematerialization requests have been delegated to executives of the Bank to avoid delays that may arise due to
non-availability
of the members of the SRC. Mr. Santosh Haldankar, Company Secretary of the Bank is the Compliance Officer responsible for expediting the share transfer formalities.
As of March 31, 2022, the SRC consisted of Mr. Malay Patel, Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi, Mr. Sandeep Parekh, Mrs. Renu Karnad and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha. During the year, Mr. Kaizad Bharucha (with effect from September 17, 2021) and, subsequently, Mrs. Lily Vadera (with effect from June 10, 2022) were inducted as members of the Committee. The SRC is chaired by Mr. Malay Patel, who is an Independent Director and met four times during fiscal year 2022.
During the year ended March 31, 2022, the Bank received 82 complaints from the shareholders. The Bank had attended to all the complaints except one that was pending as it had been received during the end of quarter. This complaint was responded and was closed subsequently, all other complaints were closed to the satisfaction of the shareholders as on March 31, 2022.
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2,308 letters were received from the shareholders relating to change of address, nomination requests, updating of email IDs and PAN numbers, updating of complete bank account details (
i.e.
, core banking account no., IFSC and MICR code), Mandate for crediting dividend by National Automated Clearing House (“NACH”) and National Electronic Fund Transfer (“NEFT”), Issuance of Duplicate Share Certificate and claim of shares from Unclaimed Suspense account queries relating to the annual reports,
non-receipt
of share certificates upon
sub-division
of the Bank’s shares from the face value of Rs. 2/- each to the face value of Rs. 1/- each, amalgamation, request for revalidation of dividend warrants and various other investor-related matters.
Risk Policy and Monitoring Committee (“RPMC”)
The RPMC has been formed as per the guidelines of the RBI on asset liability management and risk management systems. The RPMC is a board-level committee, which supports the Board by supervising the implementation of the risk strategy. It guides the development of policies, procedures and systems for managing risk. It ensures that these are adequate and appropriate to changing business conditions, the structure and needs of the Bank and the risk appetite of the Bank.
The RPMC monitors the compliance of risk parameters and aggregate exposures with the risk appetite set by the Board. It ensures that frameworks are established for assessing and managing various risks faced by the Bank, systems are developed to relate risk to the Bank’s capital level and methods are in place for monitoring compliance with internal risk management policies and processes. The RPMC ensures that the Bank has a suitable framework for risk management and oversees the implementation of the risk management policy.
The functions of the RPMC also include the review of the enterprise-wide risk frameworks such as the Risk Appetite Framework (“RAF”), Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (“ICAAP”), stress testing framework, etc. The RPMC also reviews the cyber security framework at the Bank from time to time.
Further, as per RBI guidelines, the Chief Risk Officer of the Bank regularly interacts with the members of the RPMC without the presence of management at the meetings of the RPMC.
As of March 31, 2022, the RPMC consisted of Mrs. Lily Vadera, Mr. Sandeep Parekh, Mr. M.D. Ranganath, Mrs. Renu Karnad, Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan, Mr. Sanjiv Sachar, and Mr. Atanu Chakraborty. During the year, Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni ceased to be a member of the RPMC with effect from September 17, 2021 while Mr. Atanu Chakraborty (with effect from June 9, 2021), Mr. Sandeep Parekh (with effect from September 17, 2021) were inducted as members of the RPMC. Further, Mrs. Lily Vadera was inducted as a Chairperson and member of the Committee with effect from January 15, 2022. The RPMC is chaired by Mrs. Lily Vadera, an Independent Director of the Bank and met nine times during fiscal year 2022.
Credit Approval Committee
The Committee considers credit appetite proposals to the customers of the Bank within such authority as delegated to it by the Board from time to time. This facilitates quick response to the needs of the customers and timely disbursement of loans. As of March 31, 2022, the Credit Approval Committee consisted of Mr. Malay Patel, Mr. Kaizad Bharucha and Mrs. Renu Karnad. During the year, Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni ceased to be a member of the Committee pursuant to his resignation as director of the Bank with effect from February 18, 2022 while, subsequently, Mr. Sandeep Parekh was inducted as a member of the Committee with effect from June 10, 2022. The Credit Approval Committee met 30 times during fiscal year 2022.
Premises Committee
The Committee approves purchases and leasing of land parcels for proposed buildings and premises for the use of the Bank’s branches, back offices, ATMs, residential training centre(s), currency chests, guest houses, (including relocation and renewals) and of residential premises for Bank employees in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Board from time to time. As of March 31, 2022, Mrs. Renu Karnad (Chairperson), Mr. Sandeep Parekh and Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari were the members of the Premises Committee. During the year, Mr. Malay Patel ceased to be a member of the Committee, while Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari was inducted as a member of the Committee with effect from September 17, 2021. The Premises Committee met four times during fiscal year 2022.
128

Fraud Monitoring Committee (“FMC”)
Pursuant to the directions of the RBI, the Bank has constituted the FMC, exclusively dedicated to the monitoring and following up of cases of fraud involving amounts of Rs. 10 million and above. The objectives of the FMC are the effective detection and immediate reporting of fraud, and actions taken against the perpetrators of fraud with the concerned regulatory and enforcement agencies. The terms of reference of the FMC include:
a.
identify the systemic lacunae, if any, that facilitated perpetration of the fraud and put in place measures to plug the same;
b.
identify the reasons for delay in detection, if any, and report to the top management of the Bank and the RBI;
c.
monitor the progress of any Central Bureau of Investigation and any police investigation and any appropriate recovery position;
d.
ensure that staff accountability is examined at all levels in all cases of fraud and that staff side action, if required, is completed quickly without loss of time;
e.
review the efficacy of the remedial action taken to prevent any recurrence of fraud, such as the strengthening of internal controls; and
f.
put in place other measures as may be considered relevant to strengthen preventive measures against frauds.
As of March 31, 2022, the members of the FMC were Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi (Chairperson), Mrs. Renu Karnad, Mr. Kaizad Bharucha, Mr. Sanjiv Sachar, and Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan. During the year, Mr. Malay Patel and Mr. Sandeep Parekh ceased to be members of the FMC while, Mrs. Renu Karnad and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha were inducted as the members of the FMC with effect from September 17, 2021. The FMC met four times during fiscal year 2022.
Customer Service Committee (“CSC”)
The CSC has been constituted to monitor and bring about continuous improvements in the quality of services rendered to the Bank’s customers and ensure implementation of directives received from the RBI in this regard. The terms of reference of the CSC are to formulate a comprehensive deposit policy incorporating the issues arising out of the demise of a depositor for the operation of his account, the product approval process, annual survey of depositor satisfaction and the triennial audit of such services. The CSC is constituted to bring about continuous improvements in the quality of customer services provided by the Bank. The CSC would also oversee the functioning of the Standing Committee on Customer Service, and also bring out innovative measures for enhancing the customer experience and quality of customer service thereby enhancing the customer satisfaction level across all categories of clientele, at all times.
As of March 31, 2022, the members of the CSC were Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi, Mr. Sandeep Parekh, Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan, Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari, Mr. Kaizad Bharucha and Mr. Atanu Chakraborty. During the year, Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni ceased to be a member of the Committee pursuant to his resignation as director of the Bank with effect from February 18, 2022. Mr. Malay Patel ceased to be the member and Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi was designated as the Chairman, Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari, Mr. Kaizad Bharucha and Mr. Atanu Chakraborty were inducted as members of the CSC with effect from September 17, 2021. The CSC met five times during fiscal year 2022.
Corporate Social Responsibility & ESG (“CSR & ESG”) Committee
The CSR & ESG Committee of the Board was constituted to identify, execute and monitor CSR projects and assist the Board and the Bank in fulfilling its corporate social responsibility objectives and achieving the desired results. The CSR & ESG Committee also ensures legal and regulatory compliance from a CSR perspective and reporting, as well as communication to all the stakeholders on the Bank’s CSR initiatives.
The Board has constituted a CSR & ESG Committee with the following terms of reference:
a.
formulating the Bank’s CSR strategy, policy and goals;
b.
monitoring the Bank’s CSR policy and performance;
c.
reviewing the CSR projects and initiatives from time to time;
d.
ensuring legal and regulatory compliance from a CSR viewpoint;
e.
ensuring reporting and communication to the Bank’s stakeholders on the Bank’s CSR; and
f.
monitoring the Bank’s ESG framework, strategy, goals and disclosures.
129

As of March 31, 2022, the members of CSR & ESG Committee were Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari, Mr. Sanjiv Sachar, Mr. Malay Patel, Mrs. Renu Karnad and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha. During the year, Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi ceased to be a member of the Committee and Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari was inducted as Chairperson and member of the CSR & ESG Committee with effect from September 17, 2021. The CSR & ESG Committee met five times during fiscal year 2022.
Digital Transaction Monitoring Committee (“DTMC”)
In order to promote digital transactions of the Bank and to provide directions in terms of strategy and action plans including monitoring the progress of achievement in the digital transactions space, the terms of reference of the DTMC include:
a.
framing of the Bank-level strategy and action plans for achieving the target of digital transactions in an organized manner, as may be set by the Government, regulatory authorities and Indian Banks’ Association, etc., from time to time;
b.
monitoring the progress of achievement in digital transactions in line with the Bank’s strategy and action plans;
c.
reviewing and exploring new opportunities for increasing the digital transactions of the Bank from time to time and giving the necessary directions in implementing and improving a high level of digitalization in the Bank;
d.
reviewing the Digital Banking strategy of the Bank as and when required, thereby providing direction on focus areas;
e.
reviewing the progress made on the initiatives relating to Digital Banking covering performance initiatives as determined by the Board of Directors and Government of India from time to time;
f.
reviewing customer services rendered on digital platforms from time to time; and
g.
any other terms of reference as may be specified by the Government, regulatory authorities and Indian Banks’ Association, etc., from time to time.
As of March 31, 2022, the members of the DTMC were Mr. Malay Patel, Mr. Sandeep Parekh, and Mr. M.D. Ranganath. During the year, Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni ceased to be a member of the DTMC pursuant to his resignation as director of the Bank with effect from February 18, 2022 while, subsequently, Mrs. Lily Vadera was inducted as member of the DTMC with effect from June 10, 2022. The DTMC met four times during fiscal year 2022.
IT Strategy Committee
The Bank has in place an IT Strategy Committee to look into various technology related aspects. The functions of the Committee are to formulate the IT strategy and related policy documents, ensure that the IT strategy is aligned with the business strategy, and review IT risks, etc.
The terms of reference of the IT Strategy Committee include:
a.
approving IT strategy and related policy documents and reviewing the same from time to time;
b.
ensuring that the management has put an effective strategic planning process in place;
c.
approving the Bank’s IT budget to ensure it aligns with the business needs;
d.
approving reallocation of resources within IT to facilitate meeting priorities and business needs; and
e.
reviewing and approving IT implementation plans.
As of March 31, 2022, the members of IT Strategy Committee were the external IT consultant, Prof. H. Krishmurthy in addition to the Board members Mr. M.D. Ranganath, Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan, Mr. Atanu Chakraborty and Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari. During the year, Mr. Atanu Chakraborty and Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan were inducted as members of the Committee with effect from June 9, 2021. Further, Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari was inducted as member on the Committee with effect from September 17, 2021 and Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni ceased to be a member of the Committee pursuant to his resignation as director of the Bank with effect from February 18, 2022. The IT Strategy Committee met nine times during fiscal year 2022.
130

Review Committee for Willful Defaulters’ Identification
The Board has constituted a Review Committee for Willful Defaulters’ Identification to review the orders passed by the Committee of Executives for Identification of Wilful Defaulters and provide the final decision with regard to identified willful defaulters and any other matters as may be decided by the Board from time to time. As of March 31, 2022, Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan (Chairperson), Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi, Mr. Sandeep Parekh, Mr. M. D. Ranganath, Mr. Malay Patel and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha were the members of the Review Committee for Willful Defaulters’ Identification. During the year, Mr. Sanjiv Sachar ceased to be a member, while Mr. Malay Patel and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha were inducted as members of the Committee with effect from September 17, 2021. No meetings of the Review Committee for Willful Defaulters’ Identification were held during fiscal year 2022.
Review Committee for
Non-Cooperative
Borrowers
The Board has constituted a Review Committee to review matters related to
non-cooperative
borrowers, which are handled by the Internal Committee of Executives appointed for this purpose and any other matters as may be decided by the Board from time to time. As of March 31, 2022, Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan (Chairperson), Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi, Mr. Sandeep Parekh, Mr. M. D. Ranganath, Mr. Malay Patel and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha were the members of the Review Committee for
Non-Cooperative
Borrowers. During the year, Mr. Sanjiv Sachar ceased to be a member, while Mr. Malay Patel and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha were inducted as members of the Committee with effect from September 17, 2021. No meetings of the Review Committee for
Non-Cooperative
Borrowers were held during fiscal year 2022.
Meeting of the Independent Directors
The Independent Directors of the Bank held two meetings during fiscal year 2022. All Independent Directors as on the date of that meeting were present at the meeting held on April 29, 2021. At the meeting held on September 9, 2021, leave of absence was granted to Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari while all other Independent Directors as on the date of that meeting were present.
Committees of Executives
We have also established committees of executives that meet frequently to discuss and determine the management of assets and liabilities and other operations and personnel issues.
Borrowing Powers of Directors
At its 21st Annual General Meeting held on July 21, 2015, the Bank’s shareholders passed a special resolution pursuant to Section 180(1)(c) of the Companies Act 1956 authorizing the Board to borrow, for the purpose of conducting the Bank’s business, such sum or sums of money as they may deem necessary, notwithstanding the fact that the money so borrowed and the monies to be borrowed from time to time (apart from (i) temporary loans obtained from the companies banker in the ordinary course of business and (ii) acceptances of deposits of money from the public repayable on demand or otherwise and withdrawable by cheque, draft, order or otherwise, as well as temporary loans obtained in the ordinary course of business from banks, whether in India or outside India) will exceed the aggregate of the
paid-up
capital of the Bank and its free reserves, provided that the total outstanding amount of such borrowings shall not exceed Rs. 500.0 billion over and above the aggregate of the
paid-up
capital of the Bank and its free reserves at any time.
Compensation of Directors and Members of Our Senior Management
The compensation arrangements for our Chairperson, Managing Director and Executive Directors are approved by the shareholders and the RBI on the recommendation of our Board of Directors.
During fiscal year 2022, the aggregate amount of compensation paid to our Managing Director, Executive Director and members of our senior management as on March 31, 2022 was Rs. 759.9 million. This remuneration includes basic salary, allowances, performance bonus, and cash allowances in lieu of perquisites or the taxable value of perquisites (if availed of) as computed under the income tax rules, but excludes gratuities, provident fund settlements, superannuation settlements and perquisites upon the exercise of stock options.
All NEDs, including the independent directors and the Chairman, receive sitting fees and reimbursement of
out-of-pocket
expenses for attending each meeting of the Board and its various Committees. No stock options are granted to any of the NEDs.
Pursuant to the provisions of Companies Act 2013, the NEDs are paid sitting fees of Rs. 50,000 or Rs. 100,000 per meeting for attending Committee & Board meetings, respectively. The Board of Directors increased the sitting fees of certain key Committee meetings to Rs. 100,000 per meeting with effect from April 1, 2021, namely, Audit Committee, Risk Policy & Monitoring Committee, Nomination & Remuneration Committee, Credit Approval Committee and IT Strategy Committee. Subsequently, sitting fees payable for attending Independent Directors Meeting and Customer Service Committee meeting was increased to Rs. 1,00,000 with effect from August 14, 2021 and November 26, 2021, respectively.
131

The details of the remuneration paid during fiscal year 2022 to Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan, Managing Director & CEO, and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha, Executive Director are as follows:
Particulars
  
Sashidhar Jagdishan
   
Kaizad Bharucha*
 
   
(Rs. in million, except stock options)
 
Basic
   25.2    26.4 
Allowances and perquisites
   33.1    28.3 
Provident fund
   3.0    3.2 
Superannuation
   3.8    4.0 
Performance bonus
   —      44.6 
Number of stock options granted during the year
   —      **
Note:
Mr. Aditya Puri retired as Managing Director of the Bank on October 26, 2020. For the performance period April 1, 2020 to October 26, 2020 cash variable pay of Rs. 71.1 million was approved by the RBI on March 23, 2022. Of the said approved amount of Rs. 71.1 million, Rs. 28.4 million (40 percent) was paid in fiscal year 2022 and the balance 60 percent will be deferred over a period of three years. Mr. Aditya Puri, was also paid cash variable pay of Rs. 43.4 million for fiscal year 2020 as approved by the RBI on April 29, 2021. Mr. Aditya Puri was paid Rs. 6.9 million being Tranche 2 of the deferred cash variable pay for fiscal year 2019 and Rs. 5.7 million being Tranche 3 of the deferred cash variable pay for fiscal year 2018. Thus, the total payout to Mr. Aditya Puri in fiscal year 2022 was Rs. 84.4 million.
*
The Annual remuneration paid to Mr. Kaizad Bharucha, Executive Director, includes the payment of arrears for fiscal year 2021 which was approved by the RBI on March 23, 2022. For fiscal year 2021, cash variable pay of Rs. 35.2 million was approved by the RBI on March 23, 2022. Of the said approved amount of Rs. 35.2 million, Rs. 17.6 million (50 percent) was paid in fiscal year 2022 and the balance 50 percent will be deferred over a period of three years. Mr. Kaizad Bharucha was also paid cash variable pay of Rs. 20.8 million fiscal year 2020 as approved by the RBI on April 29, 2021. Mr. Kaizad Bharucha was paid Rs. 3.3 million being Tranche 2 of the deferred cash variable pay for fiscal year 2019 and Rs. 2.9 million being Tranche 3 of the deferred cash variable pay for fiscal year 2018. Thus, the total payout to Mr. Kaizad Bharuza in fiscal year 2022 was Rs. 44.6 million.
**
Mr. Kaizad Bharucha was granted a total quantum of 120,730
employee stock options for the performance in fiscal year 2021 based on the approval received from the RBI on March 23, 2022. The options were granted on April 12, 2022.
The Bank provides a gratuity scheme for the benefit of all employees who have completed a minimum of five years of continuous service, including our Managing Director, Executive Director and Officers. This scheme provides for the payment of a gratuity in the form of a
lump-sum
payment upon the retirement, termination or resignation of employment or death while in employment of its employees in an amount equal to 15 days’ basic salary, payable for each completed year of service. The Bank makes annual contributions to a gratuity fund administered by trustees and managed by insurance companies. The Bank accounts for the liability of future gratuity benefits based on an independent external actuarial valuation, which is carried out annually. Perquisites, which are evaluated as per the income tax rules, where applicable, or, alternatively, at the actual cost to the Bank, are also provided to directors. Available perquisites include furnished accommodation, including gas, electricity, water, telephone, furnishings and the use of a vehicle, club fees, personal accident insurance, reimbursement for medical expenses, leave travel concessions and retirement benefits, such as provident funds, superannuation fund gratuity and National Pension Scheme.
132

The details of sitting fees and remuneration paid to NEDs during fiscal year 2022 are as follows:
Director
  
Sitting Fees

(in Rs.)
   
Remuneration to NEDs

(in Rs.)
 
Mr. Atanu Chakraborty
(1)
   3,650,000    3,170,699 
Mr. Malay Patel
   5,550,000    2,000,000 
Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi
   5,100,000    2,000,000 
Mr. Renu Karnad
   5,650,000    2,000,000 
Mr. Sanjiv Sachar
   5,800,000    2,000,000 
Mr. Sandeep Parekh
   4,350,000    2,000,000 
Mr. M.D. Ranganath
   6,450,000    2,000,000 
Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari
   2,100,000    2,000,000 
Mr. Lily Vadera
(2)
   600,000    690,217 
Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni
(3)
   5,500,000    1,772,222 
Total
  
 
44,750,000
 
  
 
19,633,138
 
(1)
During the year, Mr. Atanu Chakraborty was paid remuneration of Rs. 3,170,699, (
i.e.
, Rs. 3,500,000 per annum) on proportionate basis for the period from May 5, 2021 to March 31, 2022 as he was appointed as the Part-time Chairman and Independent Director of the Bank with effect from May 5, 2021. The remuneration of the Chairman has been approved by the RBI.
(2)
Mrs. Lily Vadera was appointed as an Independent Director of the Bank with effect from November 26, 2021.
(3)
Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni tendered his resignation as NED
(Non-Independent)
of the Bank with effect from February 18, 2022.
During fiscal year 2022, there were no other pecuniary relationships or transactions of the NEDs
vis-à-vis
the Bank, except banking transactions in the ordinary course of business done on an
arm’s-length
basis.
Pursuant to the guidelines issued by RBI on Corporate Governance in Banks—Appointment of Directors and Constitution of Committees of the Board (“RBI Guidelines”) dated April 26, 2021 and read with the relevant shareholders’ resolution passed at the 27
th
Annual General Meeting of the Bank held on July 17, 2021, the NEDs of the Bank, other than the Part-time Chairman, were paid compensation in the form of fixed remuneration of Rs. 2,000,000 each for fiscal year 2022. This is in addition to the sitting fees and reimbursement of
out-of-pocket
expenses paid for attending Committee & Board meetings.
Other than our Chairperson, Managing Director, and Executive Director, none of our Directors has a service contract with us.
133

Loans to Members of Our Senior Management
Loans to members of our senior management are granted in the normal course of business, as is the case with employees of the Bank. All loans granted to members of senior management are in accordance with the provisions of local regulations. The table below provides the details of staff loans granted to our senior management as of March 31, 2022:
Name
  
Largest amount
outstanding since
March 31, 2021
   
Amount outstanding
as of March 31,
2022
   
Interest rate as of
March 31, 2022
%
   
Nature of Loan
 
                 
   
(Rs. in millions, except percentages)
 
Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan
   5.33    5.19    2.50    Housing Loan 
Ms. Ashima Bhat
   3.91    3.82    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Ashish Parthasarthy
   4.81    4.71    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Arvind Kapil
   7.50    7.40    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Arvind Kapil
   7.50    7.41    5.00    Additional Housing Loan 
Mr. Arvind Vohra
   2.44    2.38    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Bhavesh Zaveri
   6.68    6.39    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Bhavesh Zaveri
   6.73    6.44    5.00    Additional Housing Loan 
Mr. Bhavesh Zaveri
   0.25    0.16    5.00    Personal Loan 
Mr. Benjamin Frank
   0.36    0.24    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Benjamin Frank
   0.60��   0.49    5.00    Personal Loan 
Mr. Chakrapani Venkatachari
   4.07    3.40    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Chakrapani Venkatachari
   4.38    3.61    5.00    Additional Housing Loan 
Mr. Nirav Shah
   6.71    6.59    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Nirav Shah
   6.99    6.87    5.00    Additional Housing Loan 
Mr. Raveesh Bhatia
   0.56    0.55    5.00    Personal Loan 
Mr. Rakesh Singh
   6.71    6.54    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Rakesh Singh
   6.83    6.66    5.00    Additional Housing Loan 
Ms. Smita Bhagat
   6.69    6.37    2.50    Housing Loan 
Ms. Smita Bhagat
   6.73    6.42    5.00    Additional Housing Loan 
Mr. S. Sampathkumar
   1.76    1.72    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. S. Sampathkumar
   0.6    0.49    5.00    Personal Loan 
Employees’ Stock Options
Our shareholders approved plan “A” in January 2000, plan “B” in June 2003, plan “C” in June 2005, plan “D” in June 2007, plan “E” in June 2010, plan “F” in June 2013 and Plan “G” in July 2016 for the issuance of stock options to employees and directors of the Bank under the ESOSs, namely
ESOS-001
to ESOS- 035. Under plan “A”, the option price is set as the average of the daily closing prices on the BSE during the 60 days preceding the grant date. Under plan “B”, the option price is set as the closing price on the business day preceding the grant date on whichever stock exchange in India has the highest trading volume for our shares during the two weeks preceding the date of grant. Under plans “C”, “D”, “E”, “F” and “G”, the option price is set as the closing price on the business day preceding the grant date on the stock exchange which has the highest trading volume. Our Nomination and Remuneration Committee (formerly, the Compensation Committee) has issued options under these plans several times since January 2000. Stock options granted under
ESOS-001
to
ESOS-009
vest at the rate of 30.0 percent, 30.0 percent and 40.0 percent on each of the three successive anniversaries following the date of grant, stock options granted under
ESOS-010
to
ESOS-013
vest at the rate of 50.0 percent on each of the two successive anniversaries following the date of grant, those granted under
ESOS-014
and
ESOS-015
vest completely on the first anniversary of the date of the grant, stock options granted under
ESOS-016
to
ESOS-018
vest at the rate of 75.0 percent and 25.0 percent on each of the two successive anniversaries following the date of grant, stock options granted under
ESOS-019
to
ESOS-026
vest at the rate of 40.0 percent, 30.0 percent and 30.0 percent on each of the three successive anniversaries, stock options granted under
ESOS-027
and
ESOS-028
vest at the rate of 40.0 percent, 30.0 percent and 30.0 percent at intervals of fifteen months, twenty-seven months and thirty-nine months, options granted under
ESOS-029
to
ESOS-32
vest at the rate of 35.0 percent, 30.0 percent, 20.0 percent and 15.0 percent on each of the four successive anniversaries and
ESOS-33
to ESOS 37 vest at the rate of 25.0 percent on each of the four successive anniversaries. All of the above are subject to standard vesting conditions. In fiscal year 2022, 32.7 million equity shares having a face value of Rs. 1.0 each were allotted as a result of the exercise of stock options by the employees of the Bank. This resulted in our
paid-up
capital increasing by Rs. 32.7 million and the share premium by Rs. 26,064.6 million. As of March 31, 2022, 158,106,016 options convertible to equity shares of Rs. 1.0 each were outstanding.
134

Other Compensation
All employees, including our Managing Director, Executive Director and officers, receive the benefit of our gratuity and provident fund retirement schemes. Our superannuation fund covers all employees at a senior manager level and above, including our Managing Director. Our gratuity fund, required under Indian law to be paid to an employee following the completion of a minimum of five years of continuous service, is a defined benefit plan which, upon the retirement, termination of employment or death while in employment of such employee, pays a lump sum equal to 15 days’ basic salary for each completed year of service. The superannuation fund is a retirement plan under which we contribute annually 13.0 percent (15.0 percent for the Managing Director, Executive Director and certain employees of CBoP) of the eligible employee’s annual salary to the administrator of the fund. In the case of the provident fund (“PF”), as required by Indian law, each of the employer and the employee contribute monthly at a determined rate of 12.0 percent of the employee’s PF base salary. Of this 12.0 percent, the Bank contributes a specified amount (8.33 percent of the lower of Rs. 15,000 or the employee’s PF base salary) to the pension scheme administered by the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, and the balance is contributed to a fund set up by the Bank and administered by a board of trustees.
Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Bank performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2022. Based on this evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer, Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan, and our Principal Financial Officer, Mr. Srinivasan Vaidyanathan, have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules
13a-15(e)
and
15d-15(e)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), are effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in filings and submissions under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions about required disclosure.
There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules
13a-15(f)
and
15d-15(f)
of the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of our assets;
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and
provide reasonable assurance regarding the prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisitions, use or dispositions of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness for future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
135

Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2021. In conducting its assessment, management based its evaluation on the framework contained in the Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013). Based on its assessment, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of March 31, 2022. Our independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG Assurance and Consulting Services LLP (“KPMG”), has performed an integrated audit and has issued their report, included herein, on (1) our consolidated financial statements, and (2) the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of March 31, 2022.
Changes in Internal Controls
There were no changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could, or are reasonably likely to, materially affect these controls during the period covered by this report.
Audit Committee Financial Expert
Mr. M.D Ranganath and Mr. Sanjiv Sachar are the Audit Committee financial experts, as defined in Item 401(h) of Regulation
S-K,
and are independent pursuant to the applicable SEC rules.
Code of Ethics
We have a written code of conduct and ethics, which is applicable to the Board Members and officials of the Bank one level below the Board (the “Code of Ethics”). We believe this Code of Ethics constitutes a “code of ethics”, as defined in Item 16B of Form
20-F.
We will provide a copy of such Code of Ethics to any person without charge upon request. Requests may be made by writing to shareholder.grievances@hdfcbank.com.
We encourage an open and transparent system of working and dealings among our employees, customers and members of the general public coming into contact with the Bank by adopting the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior. The Bank’s whistle blower policy (the “Whistle Blower Policy”) aims at quickly spotting aberrations and dealing with them at the earliest through an established mechanism. It enables our employees and other stakeholders to make protected disclosures under the Whistle Blower Policy without fear of reprisal, retaliation, discrimination or harassment of any kind. Through the Whistle Blower Policy, the Bank empowers employees and other stakeholders to make or report protected disclosures related to any violation or suspected violation of the Code of Conduct, including (a) breaches of applicable law, (b) fraud or corruption, (c) leakage/suspected leakage of unpublished price sensitive information in violation of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations 2015 and the related internal policy of the Bank,
i.e.
, the Share Dealing Code of the Bank, and (d) willful data breach or unauthorized disclosure of the Bank’s proprietary data, including customer data.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The following table sets forth, for the fiscal years indicated, the fees pertaining to our principal accountant and its associated entities for various services provided during those periods:
   
Fiscal Year Ended
 
Type of Services
  
March 31, 2021
   
March 31, 2022
   
Description of Services
 
             
   
(in millions)
     
Audit services
  Rs.61.7   Rs.63.7    Audit of financial statements 
Audit-related services
   6.7    19.2    Limited review 
Tax services
   —      —      Tax services 
Other services
   2.5    13.9    Certification & other services 
Total
  Rs.70.9   Rs.96.8   
136

Our Audit Committee charter requires us to receive the approval of our Audit Committee on every occasion on which we engage our principal accountants or their associated entities to provide any
non-audit
services to us. All of the
non-audit
services provided to us by our principal accountants or their associated entities in the previous two fiscal years have been
pre-approved
by our Audit Committee.
Compliance with NYSE Listing Standards on Corporate Governance
We are incorporated under the Companies Act and our equity shares are listed on the BSE Limited (formerly known as Bombay Stock Exchange Limited) and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, which are the major stock exchanges in India. Our corporate governance framework is in compliance with the Companies Act 2013 and rules made thereunder, the regulations and guidelines of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations 2015 (“SEBI Listing Regulations”). We also have American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”).
Companies listed on the NYSE must comply with certain standards of corporate governance set forth in Section 303A of the NYSE’s Listed Company Manual. Listed companies that are foreign private issuers, as the term is defined in Rule
3b-4
of the Exchange Act, are permitted to follow home country practices in lieu of the provisions of this Section 303A, except that foreign private issuers are required to comply with the requirements of Sections 303A.06, 303A.11 and 303A.12(b) and (c) of the NYSE’s Listed Company Manual. As per these requirements, a foreign private issuer must:
1.
Establish an independent audit committee that has specified responsibilities and authority. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.06];
2.
Provide prompt written notice by its CEO if any executive officer becomes aware of any
non-compliance
with any applicable corporate governance rules. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.12(b)];
3.
Provide to the NYSE annual written affirmations with respect to its corporate governance practices, and interim written affirmations in the event of a change to the board or a board committee. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.12(c)]; and
4.
Include a statement of significant differences between its corporate governance practices and those followed by United States companies in the annual report of the foreign private issuer. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.11].
In a few cases, the Indian corporate governance rules under SEBI Listing Regulations differ from those in the NYSE’s Listed Company Manual as summarized below:
NYSE Corporate Governance Standards applicable to NYSE
Listed Companies
Corporate Governance Rules as per SEBI Listing Regulations
An NYSE listed company needs to have a majority of independent directors. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.01]
The board of a listed company must have a combination of executive and
non-executive
directors, including at least one female director, and not less than 50 percent of the directors may be
non-executive
directors. The board of directors of the 500 largest listed entities, as determined by market capitalization at the end of the most recent financial year, shall have at least one independent female director by April 1, 2019 and the board of directors of the 1,000 largest listed entities, as determined by market capitalization at the end of the most recent financial year, shall have at least one independent female director by April 1, 2020.
No listed entity shall appoint a person or continue the directorship of any person as a
non-executive
director who has attained the age of 75 years unless a special resolution is passed to that effect, in which case the explanatory statement annexed to the notice for such motion shall indicate the justification for appointing such a person if: (i) the chairperson of the board of directors is a
non-executive
director, at least
one-third
of the board of directors must be comprised of independent directors; (ii) the company does not have a regular
non-executive
chairperson, at least half of the board of directors must be comprised of independent directors; and (iii) the regular
non-executive
chairperson is a promoter of the listed company or is related to any promoter or person occupying management positions at the level of board of director or at one level below the board of directors, at least half of the board of directors of the listed company must consist of independent directors.
137

The requirements under the SEBI Listing Regulations which become applicable to a listed entity on the basis of market capitalization criteria continue to apply to such entity even if when it falls below the specified threshold.
A director must meet certain criteria in order to qualify as “independent”. An NYSE listed company must disclose the identity of its independent directors and the basis upon which it is determined that they are independent. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.02 ]A director must meet certain criteria in order to qualify as “independent”. The appointment, reappointment or removal of an independent director of a listed entity, shall be subject to the approval of shareholders by way of a special resolution. No independent director, who resigns from a listed entity, shall be appointed as an executive or full-time director on the board of the listed entity, its holding, subsidiary or associate company or on the board of a company belonging to its promoter group, unless a period of one year has elapsed from the date of resignation as an independent director.
Executive Sessions
Non-management
directors need to meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.03]
The board of directors of a listed company must meet at least four times a year, with a maximum time gap of 120 days between any two meetings. The independent directors of the listed company must hold at least one meeting each year without the presence of the
non-independent
directors and the members of management, and all the independent directors have to endeavor to be present at such meeting.
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee
An NYSE listed company needs to have a nominating/corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.04]A listed company needs to have a nomination and remuneration committee. All members of the nomination and remuneration committee must be
non-executive
directors and at least
two-thirds
must be independent directors.
Listed companies in India are not required to constitute a separate corporate governance committee. The Companies Act 2013 and the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations 2015 (the “SEBI Listing Regulations”) prescribe the corporate governance requirements which include,
inter alia
, obligations regarding the appointment of internal auditors, the constitution of the board of directors as per the prescribed composition and the constitution of an audit committee and nomination and remuneration committee.
The nominating/corporate governance committee needs to have a written charter that addresses certain specific committee purposes and responsibilities and provides for an annual performance evaluation of the committee. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.04]The nomination and remuneration committee must have the terms of reference specified in the SEBI Listing Regulations and the Companies Act 2013 such as formulating criteria to determine the qualifications, positive attributes and independence of directors, formulating criteria to evaluate the performance of directors, recommending a remuneration policy for directors and devising a board diversity policy.
Compensation Committee
An NYSE listed company needs to have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors. Compensation committee members must satisfy certain additional independence requirements set forth in Section 303A.02 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual by the deadline specified therein. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.05]A listed company is permitted to have a combined nomination and remuneration committee. All members of the nomination and remuneration committee must be
non-executive
directors and at least
two-thirds
must be independent directors. The chairperson of the nomination and remuneration committee must be an independent director.
138

The compensation committee needs to have a written charter that addresses certain specific rights, purposes and responsibilities of the committee, and provides for an annual performance evaluation of the committee. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.05]The terms of reference and the role of the nomination and remuneration committee have been specified under the Companies Act 2013 and SEBI Listing Regulations and must include,
inter alia
, formulating the policy relating to the remuneration of directors, key managerial personnel and other employees, formulating criteria to determine the qualifications, positive attributes and independence of directors and formulating criteria to evaluate the performance of directors.
Audit Committee
An NYSE listed company needs to have an audit committee with at least three members. All the members of the audit committee must satisfy the independence requirements of Rule
10A-3
under the Exchange Act and the requirements of NYSE Corporate Governance Standard 303A.02. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Sections 303A.06 and 303A.07]
A listed company must have a qualified audit committee with a minimum of three directors as members and at least
two-thirds
of such members must be independent directors. In case of a listed entity having outstanding equity shares with superior voting rights, the audit committee must consist of only independent directors. All members of the audit committee should be financially literate and at least one member must have accounting or related financial management expertise.
The audit committee needs to have a written charter that addresses certain specific purposes of the committee, provides for an annual performance evaluation of the committee and sets forth certain specific minimum duties and responsibilities. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.07]The terms of reference and the role of the audit committee of a listed company have been specified in the SEBI Listing Regulations and the Companies Act 2013 and include,
inter alia
, oversight of the listed company’s financial reporting process and disclosure of its financial information to ensure that such information is correct, sufficient and credible, the recommendation for appointment and remuneration of the auditors of the listed company, and the review of the auditor’s independence and performance.
Internal Audit Function
An NYSE listed company needs to have an internal audit function to provide management and the audit committee with ongoing assessments of the company’s risk management processes and system of internal control. A company may choose to outsource this function to a third-party service provider other than its independent auditor. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.07]A listed company must appoint an internal auditor to conduct an internal audit. The auditor must review the accounts of the company and submit a report along with financial statements of the company placed before the company in a general meeting. It is the role of the audit committee to review the adequacy of the company’s internal audit function and all internal audit reports relating to internal control weaknesses of the company. The audit committee should also evaluate the internal financial controls and risk management systems of the company.
In addition, a listed company must put in place procedures to inform board members about risk assessment and minimization procedures. The board of directors is responsible for framing, implementing and monitoring the company’s risk assessment plan. Further, the top 1000 listed companies (determined on the basis of market capitalization as at the end of the immediately previous financial year) and companies qualifying as a ‘high value debt listed entity’ must establish a risk management committee, consisting of at least three members with a majority of them being board members including at least one independent director, and, in case of a listed entity having outstanding equity shares with superior voting rights, at least
two-thirds
of the Risk Management Committee shall comprise independent directors. The board of directors shall define the roles and responsibilities of the risk management committee. Where a listed company has equity shares with superior voting rights issued and outstanding,
two-thirds
of the committee members are required to be independent directors.
The board may delegate the monitoring and review of the risk management plan to the risk management committee.
139

Shareholder Approval of Equity Compensation Plans
Shareholders must be given the opportunity to vote on all equity-compensation plans and material revisions thereto, with limited exemptions. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.08]Under the SEBI (Share Based Employee Benefits and Sweat Equity) Regulations, 2021, shareholders’ approval is required for all equity compensation plans and material revisions thereto.
Corporate Governance Guidelines/Code of Ethics
An NYSE listed company needs to adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.09]A listed company is required to comply with all mandatory corporate governance requirements as prescribed under the Companies Act 2013 and the SEBI Listing Regulations, and disclose such compliance to stock exchanges in the corporate governance report contained in the listed company’s annual report. The listed company should also state in its annual report the extent to which it has complied with the
non-mandatory
corporate governance requirements. The listed entity is also required to submit a compliance report on corporate governance on a quarterly basis.
An NYSE listed company needs to adopt and disclose a code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees, and promptly disclose any waivers of the code for directors or executive officers. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.10]A listed company needs to adopt a code of conduct (or code of ethics), which is applicable to all members of the board of directors and senior management. The company’s annual report and the yearly compliance report on corporate governance must both disclose any
non-compliance
with any requirement of the compliance report on corporate governance and contain a declaration signed by the CEO stating that all board members and senior management personnel have complied with the code of conduct.
Certifications as to Compliance
The CEO of each NYSE listed company has to certify on an annual basis that he or she is not aware of any violation by the company of the NYSE corporate governance listing standards. This certification, as well as the CEO/CFO certification required under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, must be disclosed in the company’s annual report to shareholders. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.12]The CEO and the CFO are required to provide an annual certification on the true and fair view of the company’s financial statements and compliance with existing accounting standards, applicable laws and regulations. In addition, a listed company is required to submit a quarterly compliance report and an annual corporate governance report to stock exchanges which must include a certificate from either the auditors or the practicing company secretary regarding the company’s compliance with the conditions of corporate governance. A listed company is also required to submit a secretarial compliance report to stock exchanges annually.
Posting of Charters and Guidelines on Website
An NYSE listed company is required to post the charters of its audit, compensation, and nominating/corporate governance committees, its corporate governance guidelines, and its code of business conduct and ethics on the company’s website, and to state in its proxy statement or annual report that these documents are so posted. The listed company’s website address must be included in such postings. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Sections 303A.04, 303A.05, 303A.07, 303A.09 and 303A.10]A listed company must maintain a functional website containing information about the company including,
inter alia
, information regarding the composition of various board committees, the company’s code of conduct, details of certain of its policies, a copy of the annual report and contact information.
140

Memorandum and Articles of Association
Our main objective is to carry on banking and related activities. Our objective and purpose can be found in clauses A and B of our Articles.
Under the Articles, a director may not vote, participate in discussions or be counted for the purpose of a quorum with respect to any decision relating to whether we will enter into any contract or arrangement if the director is directly or indirectly interested in such contract or arrangement. The Board of Directors may not hold meetings in the absence of a quorum. Under the Companies Act, the quorum for meetings of the Board is
one-third
of the total number of directors (any fraction contained in that
one-third
being rounded off as one) or two directors, whichever is higher. However, where the number of interested directors is equal to or exceeds
two-thirds
of the total number of directors present, the remaining number of directors (
i.e.,
directors who are not interested) present at the meeting, being not less than two, will constitute the quorum during such time. Pursuant to the SEBI Listing Regulations, the quorum for meetings of the Board shall be
one-third
of its total strength or three directors, whichever is higher, including at least one independent director.
Pursuant to the Companies Act, our directors have the power to borrow money for business purposes only with the consent of the shareholders (with certain limited exceptions) through a special resolution (with three-fourths majority).
Sections 172 to 187 of the Articles set forth certain rights and restrictions relating to dividend distributions. One of these restrictions is that dividends may be approved only at a general meeting of shareholders, but in no event in an amount greater than the amount recommended by the Board of Directors.
Subject to the Companies Act, the profits of a company are divisible among shareholders in proportion to the amount of capital paid up on the shares held by those shareholders. In the event of liquidation, any surplus will be distributed in proportion to the capital paid up or which ought to have been paid up on the shares held by the shareholders at the time of commencement of the
winding-up.
The Board of Directors may make calls on shareholders in respect of all money unpaid on the shares held by them and not by the conditions of allotment thereof.
The rights and privileges of any class of shareholders may not be modified without the approval of three-fourths of the issued shares of that class or the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the issued shares of that class.
The annual general meeting shall be called for at a time during business hours at our registered office or at some other place within Mumbai as the Board of Directors may determine. The notice of the meeting shall specify it as the “annual general meeting”. Any general meeting of the shareholders of the Bank other than its annual general meeting is called an “extraordinary general meeting”. The Board of Directors is required to call an extraordinary general meeting upon the request of a set number of shareholders, as set forth in the Companies Act.
141

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The following table contains information relating to the beneficial ownership of our equity shares as of March 31, 2022 by:
each person or group of affiliated persons known by us to beneficially own 5 percent or more of our equity shares; and
our individual directors and their relatives as a group.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting and investment power with respect to equity shares. Unless otherwise indicated, the persons listed in the table have sole voting and sole investment control with respect to all equity shares beneficially owned. All shares issued in India have the same voting rights. We have not issued different classes of securities.
We were founded by our promoter HDFC Limited, a housing finance company in India. As of March 31, 2022, HDFC Group held an aggregate of 21.00 percent of our equity shares.
   
Number of Shares
   
Percentage of
Total Equity
Shares
Outstanding
 
HDFC Group
   1,164,625,834    21.00
Directors and relatives
   48,77,958    0.09
One ADS is represented by three equity shares. The ADSs are represented by underlying equity shares. As of March 31, 2022, Indian equity shares totaling 1,028,115,525 were held in the form of ADSs and constituted 18.54 percent of the Bank’s capital. In our records, the depositary, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., was the only shareholder with respect to equity shares underlying ADSs. We are unable to estimate the number of record holders of ADSs in the United States
142

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The following is a summary of transactions we have engaged in with our promoter and principal shareholder, HDFC Limited, and its subsidiaries and other related parties, including those in which we or our management have a significant equity interest.
All transactions with HDFC group companies and the other related parties listed below are on terms that we believe are as favorable to us as those that could be obtained from a
non-affiliated
third party in an
arm’s-length
transaction. In addition, the RBI guidelines stipulate that we can only transact business with HDFC Limited and its affiliates on an
arm’s-length
basis.
Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited (“HDFC Limited”)
Home Loans
We participate in the home loan business by sourcing loans for HDFC Limited. Under this arrangement, HDFC Limited approves and disburses the loans, which are kept on the books of HDFC Limited, and we are paid a sourcing fee. We also have an option but not an obligation to purchase up to 70 percent of the fully disbursed home loans sourced under this arrangement. During fiscal year 2022, we purchased home loans aggregating Rs. 282,052.4 million from HDFC Limited under the above arrangement, some of which qualified as priority sector advances. We earned Rs. 4,458.4 million from HDFC Limited in fiscal year 2022 as fees for sourcing these loans. We paid Rs. 7,008.8 million to HDFC Limited towards administration and servicing of these loans. An amount of Rs. 653.0 million was receivable from HDFC Limited as of March 31, 2022. An amount of Rs. 637.0 million was payable to HDFC Limited as of March 31, 2022.
Property
We have facilities located on properties owned or leased by HDFC Limited. In fiscal year 2022, we paid an aggregate of Rs. 19.2 million as rental fees and maintenance charges to HDFC Limited for use of these properties. As of March 31, 2022, an amount of Rs. 4.4 million was payable to HDFC Limited. We believe that we pay market rates for these properties. As of March 31, 2022, HDFC Limited held a deposit of Rs. 3.2 million that we have paid to secure these leased properties.
Other Transactions
We also enter into foreign exchange and derivative transactions with HDFC Limited. The notional principal amount and the
mark-to-market
gains in respect of foreign exchange and derivative contracts outstanding as of March 31, 2022 were Rs. 111,787.1 million and Rs. 1,101.1 million, respectively. We have given a guarantee of Rs. 3.9 million on behalf of HDFC Limited. We earned Rs. 7.3 million by rendering of various services to HDFC Limited. As of March 31, 2022, an amount of Rs. 0.3 million was receivable from HDFC Limited towards these services.
During fiscal year 2022, we paid dividends of Rs. 5,620.0 million to HDFC Limited.
HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited (“HDFC Life”)
In fiscal year 2022, we paid HDFC Life Rs. 2,545.8 million as our contribution towards superannuation, gratuity and insurance premiums. In the same period, we received fees and commissions from HDFC Life aggregating Rs. 21,150.5 million for the sale of insurance policies and other services. As of March 31, 2022, Rs. 1,248.6 million was receivable from HDFC Life. During fiscal year 2022, we received Rs. 26,165.9 million for debt securities sold to HDFC Life, and we paid Rs. 2,006.2 million for debt securities purchased from HDFC Life. As of March 31, 2022, HDFC Life had invested Rs. 3,500.0 million in the Bank’s bonds. During fiscal year 2022, we paid dividends of Rs. 119.7 million to HDFC Life.
HDFC Asset Management Company Limited (“HDFC AMC”)
In fiscal year 2022, we earned Rs. 1.0 million fees from HDFC AMC towards referral fees and other services rendered. As of March 31, 2022, an amount of Rs. 0.1 million was receivable from HDFC AMC.
HDFC Ergo General Insurance Company Limited (“HDFC Ergo”)
We paid Rs. 2,013.1 million for insurance premiums to HDFC Ergo in fiscal year 2022. During fiscal year 2022, we received Rs. 1,661.0 million for the sale of insurance policies and other services rendered. As of March 31, 2022, an amount of Rs. 159.9 million was receivable from HDFC Ergo. As of March 31, 2022, HDFC Ergo had invested Rs. 200.0 million in the Bank’s bonds. We have given a guarantee of Rs. 27.9 million on behalf of HDFC Ergo. During fiscal year 2022, we received Rs. 2,712.0 million for debt securities sold to HDFC Ergo.
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HDFC Credila Financial Services Limited (“Credila”)
During fiscal year 2022, we earned Rs. 126.8 million in fees from Credila for sourcing education loans. As of March 31, 2022, Rs. 33.3 million was receivable from Credila.
HDFC Pension Management Company Limited (“HDFC PMC”)
We have given a guarantee of Rs. 0.1 million on behalf of HDFC PMC, which is a subsidiary of HDFC Life.
HDFC Investments Limited (“HDFC Investments”)
During fiscal year 2022, we paid dividends of Rs. 1,950.0 million to HDFC Investments.
HDFC Holdings Limited (“HDFC Holdings”)
During fiscal year 2022, we paid dividends of Rs. 0.1 million to HDFC Holdings.
HDFC Ventures Trustee Company Limited (“HDFC Venture Trustee”)
During fiscal year 2022, we earned Rs. 0.1 million fees from HDFC Venture Trustee for services rendered.
Key Management Personnel (“KMP”)
In fiscal year 2022, we paid a total remuneration of Rs. 171.6 million to Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan, our Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha, our Executive Director. As of March 31, 2022, the outstanding balance of the loans given to Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan was Rs. 5.2 million. During fiscal year 2022, we paid dividends aggregating to Rs. 25.0 million to Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha.
144

TAXATION
Indian Taxation
The following is a summary of the principal Indian tax consequences for
non-resident
investors of the ADSs and the equity shares issuable on surrender of ADSs for equity shares (conversion). The summary is based on the provisions of Section 115AC and other applicable provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961) (Indian Income Tax Act) and the Depositary Receipt Scheme, 2014 promulgated by the Government of India (the “Depositary Receipt Scheme”) (together, the “Section 115AC Regime”). Further, it only addresses the tax consequences for persons who are
non-residents,
as defined in the Indian Income Tax Act, who acquire ADSs or equity shares (upon conversion) and who hold such ADSs or equity shares (upon conversion) as capital assets as per the Indian Income Tax Act, and does not address the tax consequences which may be relevant to other classes of
non-resident
investors, including dealers. The summary assumes that the person continues to remain a
non-resident
when income by way of dividends and capital gains is earned.
EACH INVESTOR IS ADVISED TO CONSULT HIS/HER TAX ADVISOR ABOUT THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES APPLICABLE TO HIS/HER INVESTMENT IN THE ADSs.
The following discussion describes the material Indian income tax and stamp duty consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposal of the ADSs.
This summary is not intended to constitute a complete analysis of the tax consequences under Indian law of the acquisition, ownership and sale of the ADSs (or equity shares upon conversion) by
non-resident
investors. Investors should therefore consult their tax advisors about the tax consequences of such acquisition, ownership and sale including, specifically, tax consequences under Indian law, the laws of the jurisdiction of their residence, any tax treaty between India and their country of residence or the United States, the country of residence of the overseas depositary bank (the “Depositary”), as applicable, and, in particular, the Section 115AC regime. The Indian Income Tax Act is amended every year by the Finance Act of the relevant year. Some or all of the tax consequences of the Section 115AC regime may be modified or amended by future amendments to the Indian Income Tax Act.
Taxation of Distributions
Prior to April 1, 2020, Indian companies distributing dividends were subject to a dividend distribution tax on the amount of any dividends distributed. The Finance Act 2020 amended
Section 115-O
of the Indian Income tax Act such that Indian companies are no longer required to pay dividend distribution tax on dividends declared, distributed or paid (whichever is earlier) after March 31, 2020. However, such dividends received on our shares are no longer
tax-exempt
to recipients under Section 10(34) of the Indian Income Tax Act (other than those where tax under
section115-O
or 115BBDA has already been paid).
Further, the provisions of Section 115BBDA, which deals with tax on dividends to be paid by a resident specified assessee,
i.e.
, persons other than domestic companies, fund/university/trust/institution/other entities referred to in clauses (iv), (v), (vi) and (via) under section 10(23C) and a trust or institution registered under section 12A or section 12AA or section 12AB, provide that tax at a rate of 10.0 percent on dividend income above Rs. 1 million is no longer applicable. In addition, section 115AC of the Indian Income Tax Act provides that if total income of a
non-resident
includes income by way of dividends on ADRs, then the same shall be taxable at the rate of 10.0 percent plus applicable surcharge and cess. Accordingly, dividends distributed to the Depositary in respect of the equity shares underlying the ADSs, dividends distributed to ADS holders in respect of the ADSs, and dividends distributed to the holders of the equity shares following conversion of the ADSs into shares are taxable in the hands of holders at 10.0 percent plus applicable surcharge and cess.
Distribution to
non-residents
of bonus ADSs or bonus shares or rights to subscribe for equity shares for the purposes of this section, (“
Rights
”) made with respect to ADSs or equity shares should not be subject to Indian tax provided there is no disproportionate or
non-uniform
allotment.
Taxation of Capital Gains in Relation to ADSs
The taxation of capital gains in the hands of the
non-resident
investor in the time of ADSs and after conversion of ADSs into equity shares is set forth below.
Transfer of ADSs Between
Non-Residents
The transfer of ADSs by a
non-resident
to another
non-resident
outside India is covered under Section 115AC of the Indian Income Tax Act. However, pursuant to a specific exemption under Section 47(viia) of the Indian Income Tax Act, this is not considered a “transfer”, and therefore is not liable to capital gains tax in India.
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Conversion of ADSs into Equity Shares
The receipt of equity shares by a
non-resident
upon conversion of ADSs should not constitute a taxable event for Indian income tax purposes as per the provisions of section 47(x) of the Indian Income Tax Act.
Sale of Equity Shares Received Upon Conversion of ADSs
The Finance Act, 2018 has withdrawn the exemption granted to gains arising on account of transfer of a long term capital asset being equity shares listed on a recognized stock exchange. To tax such gains, new section 112A has been inserted under the Act. However, for the purpose of computing the period of holding of such equity share, provisions of Explanation 1(he) to section 2(42A) provides that the period of holding of the ADSs shall also be considered. If, on the other hand, equity shares received upon conversion of ADSs and the total period of holding is below 12 months from the date of request for redemption, and the sale is through a recognized stock exchange and STT is paid in respect of such sale, then the gains realized are considered short term capital gains. Such gains are taxable at the rate of 15.0 percent, plus the applicable surcharge and education cess, under Section 111A(1)(b)(i) of the Indian Income Tax Act.
In respect of a sale and purchase of equity shares entered into on a recognized stock exchange, both the buyer and the seller are required to pay STT on the basis of the transaction value of the securities, if the transaction is a delivery-based transaction, which means that the transaction involves actual delivery or transfer of shares. The seller of the shares is required to pay applicable STT of the transaction value of the securities if the transaction is a
non-delivery
based transaction, which means that the transaction is settled without taking actual delivery or transfer of the shares, as would be the case with our equity shares.
For the purpose of computing capital gains tax on the sale of the equity shares, the cost of acquisition of equity shares received in exchange for ADSs will be determined on the basis of the prevailing price of the equity shares on the BSE or the NSE as of the date on which the depositary gives notice to its custodian for the delivery of such equity shares upon redemption of the ADSs. A
non-resident
holder’s holding period (for the purpose of determining the applicable Indian capital gains tax) in respect of equity shares received in exchange for ADSs commences on the date on which a request for redemption of the ADSs was made by the relevant Depositary to its custodian.
The provision of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (the “DTAA”) entered into by the Government of India with the country of residence of the
non-resident
investor will be applicable to the extent they are more beneficial to the
non-resident
investor section 90(2). The India-United States income tax treaty does not limit India’s ability to tax capital gains. However, section 90(2A) has made the beneficial provision clause provided under section 90(2) subject to the provisions of General Anti-Avoidance Rules under Chapter
X-A.
Tax on Buyback of Shares
As per section 115QA of the Indian Income Tax Act, a company listed on the stock exchange is required to pay the additional income tax on distributed income on the buyback of shares. Distributed income has been defined under the Act as the difference between the money received by the shareholder on buyback and the issue price of the shares which the Company would have received at the time of issuance of the shares.
Tax Deduction at Source and Return of Income
Tax on dividends, long term and short term capital gains, if payable, as discussed above, upon a sale of equity shares, is to be deducted at source by the person responsible for paying the
non-resident,
in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Indian Income Tax Act, and the
non-resident
will be entitled to a certificate evidencing such tax deduction in accordance with the provisions of Section 203 of the Indian Income Tax Act. However, as per the provisions of Section 195 of the Indian Income Tax Act, any income other than income from salaries or other specific sections provided for the purpose of withholding tax shall be as per the Indian Income Tax Act or the provisions of the DTAA subject to Chapter
X-A
of the Act, (whichever is more beneficial to the assessee), unless a lower withholding tax certificate is obtained from the tax authorities. Further, the
non-resident
investor must furnish a certificate of his or her residence in a country outside India as per section 90(4) of the Indian Income Tax Act, and such other documents as may be prescribed as per the provision of section 90(5) of the Indian Income Tax Act, to get the benefit of the applicable DTAA. The withholding tax rates are subject to the recipients of income furnishing details, as may be prescribed, to the payer. Failure to provide such details will result in the applicable withholding tax rate being the higher of the rates in force or 20.0 percent, in accordance with section 206AA of the Indian Income Tax Act.
As per provisions of Section 115A, if a
non-resident
has income from dividends, interest, royalty or fees for technical services only during the year and tax has been deducted on the same and the rate of tax deduction is not less than the rate specified in Section 115A, then the
non-resident
is not required to file the return of income in India.
146

Capital Losses
Neither Section 115AC nor the Depositary Receipt Scheme deals with capital losses arising on a transfer of equity shares in India. In general terms, losses arising from a transfer of a capital asset in India can only be set off against capital gains on transfer of another capital asset. Furthermore, a long term capital loss can be set off only against a long term capital gain. To the extent that losses are not absorbed in the year of transfer, they may be carried forward for a period of eight assessment years immediately succeeding the assessment year for which the loss was first determined by the assessing authority and may be set off against the capital gains assessable for such subsequent assessment years. In order to set off capital losses as above, the
non-resident
investor would be required to file appropriate and timely tax returns in India and undergo the customary assessment procedures.
Stamp Duty
There is no stamp duty on the sale or transfer of ADSs outside India.
Generally, the transfer of ordinary shares in physical form would be subject to Indian stamp duty at the applicable rate of the market value of the ordinary shares on the trade date, and such stamp duty customarily is borne by the transferee,
i.e.
, the purchaser. In order to register a transfer of equity shares in physical form, it is necessary to present a stamped deed of transfer. An acquisition of shares in physical form from the depositary in exchange for ADSs representing such equity shares will not render an investor liable for Indian stamp duty. We will be required to pay stamp duty at the applicable rate on the share certificate. However, since our equity shares are compulsorily deliverable in dematerialized form (except for trades of up to 500 equity shares, which may be delivered in physical form), there would be no stamp duty payable in India on transfer.
Other Taxes
At present, there is no wealth tax, gift tax or inheritance tax which may apply to the ADSs or the underlying shares.
Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following summary describes certain material United States federal income tax consequences relating to an investment in our ADSs or equity shares as of the date hereof. This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code, its legislative history, existing final, temporary and proposed Treasury Regulations, rulings and judicial decisions, all as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to prospective and retroactive rulings and changes.
This summary does not purport to address all United States federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a particular investor, and you are urged to consult your own tax advisor regarding your specific tax situation. The summary applies only to investors who own ADSs or equity shares as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment) under the Internal Revenue Code, and does not address the tax consequences that may be relevant to investors in special tax situations, including, for example:
insurance companies;
regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts;
tax-exempt
organizations;
broker-dealers;
traders in securities that elect to
mark-to-market;
banks or certain other financial institutions;
United States investors whose functional currency is not the United States dollar;
certain former citizens or residents of the United States subject to Section 877 of the Internal Revenue Code;
investors that hold our ADSs or equity shares as part of a hedge, straddle or conversion transaction; or
holders that own, directly, indirectly or constructively, 10.0 percent or more of our total combined voting stock.
Further, this summary does not address the alternative minimum tax consequences of an investment in ADSs or equity shares, or the indirect consequences to owners of equity or partnership interests in entities that own our ADSs or equity shares. In addition, this summary does not address the United States federal estate or gift, state, local and foreign tax consequences of an investment in our ADSs or equity shares.
You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the United States federal, state, local and foreign and other tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of our ADSs or equity shares in your particular circumstances.
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Taxation of U.S. Holders
You are a “U.S. Holder” if you are, for United States federal income tax purposes, a beneficial owner of ADSs or equity shares and you are:
an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
an estate, the income of which is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source; or
a trust, if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or if the trust has made a valid election to be treated as a United States person.
If a partnership holds ADSs or equity shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. Partners of partnerships holding our ADSs or equity shares should consult their own tax advisors.
For United States federal income tax purposes, a U.S. Holder of an ADS will generally be treated as the owner of the equity shares represented by the ADS. Accordingly, no gain or loss will be recognized upon the exchange of an ADS for equity shares. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the equity shares will be the same as the tax basis in the ADS surrendered therefore, and the holding period in the equity shares will include the period during which the holder held the surrendered ADS.
The U.S. government has expressed concerns that parties to whom ADSs are released before the underlying shares are delivered to the depositary
(“pre-release”),
or intermediaries in the chain of ownership between holders of ADSs and the issuer of the security underlying the ADSs, may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming of foreign tax credits by holders of ADSs. These actions would also be inconsistent with the claiming of the reduced rate of tax, described below, applicable to dividends that constitute qualified dividend income received by certain
non-corporate
holders. Accordingly, the availability of the reduced tax rate for qualified dividend income received by certain
non-corporate
U.S. Holders, each described below, could be affected by actions taken by such parties or intermediaries.
This discussion assumes that we are not, and will not become, a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for United States federal income tax purposes, as described below.
Distributions on ADSs or Equity Shares
The gross amount of cash distributions made by us to a U.S. Holder, with respect to ADSs or equity shares generally, will be taxable to such U.S. Holder as ordinary dividend income when such U.S. Holder receives the distribution, actually or constructively, to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for United States federal income tax purposes).
Subject to the discussion above regarding
“pre-release”,
if dividends constitute qualified dividend income (“QDI”), individual U.S. Holders of our ADSs or equity shares will generally pay tax on such dividends at a reduced rate, provided certain holding period requirements and other conditions are satisfied. Assuming we are not a PFIC in the taxable year in which we pay the dividends or in the preceding taxable year, dividends paid by us will be QDI if we are a qualified foreign corporation (“QFC”) at the time the dividends are paid. We believe that we are currently, and will continue to be, a QFC, so we expect all dividends paid by us to be QDI for United States federal income tax purposes. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for United States federal income tax purposes) will be treated first as a
non-taxable
return of capital, reducing such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the ADSs or equity shares. Any distribution in excess of such tax basis will be treated as capital gain and will be either long term or short term capital gain depending upon whether the U.S. Holder held the ADSs or equity shares for more than one year. However, we currently do not, and we do not intend to, calculate our earnings and profits under United States federal income tax principles. Therefore, a U.S. Holder should expect that a distribution generally will be reported as dividend income. Dividends paid by us generally will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction available to certain United States corporate shareholders and will generally be treated as “passive income” for purposes of computing allowable foreign tax credits for U.S. tax purposes. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under your particular circumstances.
The amount of any cash distribution paid in Indian rupees will equal the United States dollar value of the distribution, calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect at the time the distribution is received by the depositary, in the case of ADSs, or by the U.S. Holder, in the case of equity shares, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted to United States dollars at that time. Generally, a U.S. Holder should not recognize any foreign currency gain or loss if such Indian rupees are converted into United States dollars on the date received, and it is expected that the depositary will, in the ordinary course, convert foreign currency received by it as distributions into United States dollars on the date of receipt. However, if the Indian rupees are not converted into United States dollars on the date of receipt, gain or loss may be recognized upon a subsequent sale or other disposition of the Indian rupees. Such foreign currency gain or loss, if any, will be United States source ordinary income or loss.
148

Sale or Exchange of ADSs or Equity Shares
A U.S. Holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of ADSs or equity shares measured by the difference between the United States dollar value of the amount received and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis (determined in United States dollars) in the ADSs or equity shares. Any gain or loss will be long term capital gain or loss if the ADSs or equity shares in the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition have been held for more than one year, and will generally be United States source gain or loss. The holding period for equity shares withdrawn from the depositary facility will include the holding period of the ADSs exchanged therefor. Your ability to deduct capital losses is subject to limitations. Under certain circumstances described under “—
Indian Taxation of the ADSs—Taxation of Capital Gains in Relation to ADSs
”, you may be subject to Indian tax upon the disposition of ADSs or equity shares. In such circumstances and subject to applicable limitations, a U.S. Holder entitled to the benefits of the India-United States income tax treaty may be able to credit the Indian tax against the U.S. Holder’s United States federal income tax liability. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under your particular circumstances.
For cash-basis U.S. Holders who receive foreign currency in connection with a sale or other taxable disposition of equity shares, the amount realized will be based upon the United States dollar value of the foreign currency received with respect to such equity shares as determined on the settlement date of such sale, exchange or other taxable disposition.
Pursuant to the Treasury Regulations applicable to foreign currency transactions, accrual-basis U.S. Holders may elect the same treatment required of cash-basis taxpayers with respect to a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of ADSs or equity shares, provided that the election is applied consistently from year to year. Such election cannot be changed without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). Accrual-basis U.S. Holders that do not elect to be treated as cash-basis taxpayers for this purpose may have foreign currency gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes because of differences between the United States dollar value of the foreign currency received prevailing on the date of such sale, exchange or other taxable disposition and the value prevailing on the date of payment. Any such foreign currency gain or loss will generally be treated as ordinary income or loss that is sourced from within the United States, in addition to the gain or loss, if any, recognized on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of ADSs or equity shares.
Medicare Tax
Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals, estates, or trusts are required to pay a 3.8 percent Medicare surtax on all or part of that holder’s “net investment income”, which includes, among other items, dividends on, and capital gains from the sale or other taxable disposition of, the ADSs or equity shares, subject to certain limitations and exceptions. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this surtax on their ownership and disposition of the ADSs or equity shares.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
U.S. Holders generally will be subject to a special, adverse tax regime that would differ in certain respects from the tax treatment described above if we are, or were to become, a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes. Although the determination of whether a corporation is a PFIC is made annually, and thus may be subject to change, based on an active banking exception, we do not believe that we are, nor do we expect to become, a PFIC. However, the matter is not free from doubt. We urge you to consult your own tax advisor regarding the potential application of the PFIC rules.
Information with Respect to Foreign Financial Assets
Individuals (and, under proposed Treasury Regulations, certain entities) who are U.S. Holders that own “specified foreign financial assets”, including stock of a
non-U.S.
corporation not held through a financial institution, with an aggregate value in excess of certain dollar thresholds, may be required to file an information report with respect to such assets on IRS Form 8938 with their United States federal income tax returns. Penalties apply for failure to properly complete and file IRS Form 8938. U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of this reporting requirement to their ownership of our ADSs or equity shares.
Taxation of
Non-U.S.
Holders
A
“Non-U.S.
Holder” is a beneficial owner of our ADSs or equity shares that is neither a U.S. Holder nor a partnership or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If a partnership holds our ADSs or equity shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. Partners in partnerships holding our ADSs or equity shares should consult their own tax advisors.
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Distributions on ADSs or Equity Shares
Non-U.S.
Holders generally will not be subject to United States federal income or withholding tax on dividends received from us with respect to ADSs or equity shares, unless such income is considered effectively connected with the
Non-U.S.
Holder’s conduct of a United States trade or business for United States federal income tax purposes (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the income is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained in the United States).
Sale or Exchange of ADSs or Equity Shares
Non-U.S.
Holders generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of ADSs or equity shares unless:
such gain is considered effectively connected with the
Non-U.S.
Holder’s conduct of a United States trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the income is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained in the United States); or
such
Non-U.S.
Holder is an individual that is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the disposition, and certain other conditions are met.
In addition, if you are a corporate
Non-U.S.
Holder, any effectively connected dividend income or gain (subject to certain adjustments) may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a rate of 30.0 percent (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty).
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
In general, dividends on ADSs or equity shares, and payments of the proceeds of a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of ADSs or equity shares, paid to a U.S. Holder within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, are subject to information reporting and may be subject to backup withholding at a rate currently equal to 24.0 percent, unless the U.S. Holder:
is a corporation or other exempt recipient; or
provides an accurate taxpayer identification number and certifies that no loss of exemption from backup withholding applies to such U.S. Holder.
Non-U.S.
Holders generally are not subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, such
Non-U.S.
Holders may be required to provide a certification to establish their
non-U.S.
status in connection with payments received within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Holders generally will be allowed a credit of the amount of any backup withholding against their United States federal income tax liability or may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules that exceed such income tax liability by filing a refund claim with the IRS.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code (provisions commonly known as FATCA) impose (a) certain reporting and due diligence requirements on foreign financial institutions and (b) potentially require such foreign financial institutions to deduct a 30.0 percent withholding tax from (i) certain payments from sources within the United States and (ii) “foreign pass thru payments” (which is not yet defined in current guidance) made to certain
non-U.S.
financial institutions that do not comply with such reporting and due diligence requirements or certain other payees that do not provide required information. The United States has entered into a number of IGAs with other jurisdictions with respect to FATCA which may modify the operation of this withholding. The Bank, as well as relevant intermediaries such as custodians and depositary participants, are classified as financial institutions for these purposes. Given that India has entered into a Model 1 IGA with the United States for giving effect to FATCA, Indian financial institutions such as the Bank are also required to comply with FATCA, based on the terms of the IGA and relevant rules made pursuant thereto.
Under current guidance, it is not clear whether or to what extent payments on ADSs or equity shares will be considered “foreign pass thru payments” subject to FATCA withholding or the extent to which withholding on “foreign pass thru payments” will be required under the applicable IGA. However, under current guidance, even if withholding were required pursuant to FATCA with respect to payments on ADSs or equity shares, such withholding would not apply prior to two years after the date on which final regulations on this issue are published. Investors should consult their own tax advisers on how the FATCA rules may apply to payments they receive in respect of the ADSs or equity shares.
Should any withholding tax in respect of FATCA be deducted or withheld from any payments arising to any investor, neither the Bank nor any other person will pay additional amounts as a result of the deduction or withholding.
150

SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
The main legislation governing commercial banks in India is the Banking Regulation Act 1949 (the “Banking Regulation Act”). The provisions of the Banking Regulation Act are in addition to and not, save as expressly provided in the Banking Regulation Act, in derogation of the Companies Act 2013 and any other law currently in force. Other important laws include the Reserve Bank of India Act 1934, the Negotiable Instruments Act 1881, the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act 2002 (the “SARFAESI Act”) and the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act 1891. Additionally, the RBI, from time to time, issues guidelines to be followed by banks. Compliance with all regulatory requirements is evaluated with respect to our financial statements under Indian GAAP.
RBI Regulations
Commercial banks in India are required under the Banking Regulation Act to obtain a license from the RBI to carry on banking business in India. Before granting the license, the RBI must be satisfied that certain conditions are complied with, including (i) that the bank is or will be in a position to pay its present and future depositors in full as their claims accrue; (ii) that the affairs of the bank are not being or are not likely to be conducted in a manner detrimental to the interests of present or future depositors; (iii) that the general character of the proposed management of the bank will not be prejudicial to the public interest or the interest of its depositors; (iv) that the bank has adequate capital and earnings prospects; (v) that public interest will be served if a license is granted to the bank; (vi) that having regard to the banking facilities available in the proposed principal area of operations of the bank, the potential scope for expansion of banks already in existence in the area and other relevant factors, the grant of the license would not be prejudicial to the operation and consolidation of the banking system consistent with monetary stability and economic growth; and (vii) any other condition, the fulfillment of which would, in the opinion of the RBI, be necessary to ensure that the carrying on of banking business in India by the bank will not be prejudicial to the public interest or the interests of the depositors. The RBI can cancel the license if the bank fails to meet the above conditions or if the bank ceases to carry on banking operations in India.
Being licensed by the RBI, we are regulated and supervised by the RBI. It requires us to furnish statements, information and certain details relating to our business. The RBI has issued guidelines and for commercial banks on recognition of income, classification of assets, valuation of investments, maintenance of capital adequacy and provisioning for
non-performing
and restructured assets among others. The RBI has set up a Board for Financial Supervision (“Board”), under the chairmanship of its Governor, with the primary objective of undertaking consolidated supervision of the financial sector comprised of commercial banks, financial institutions and NBFCs. This Board oversees the functioning of the Department of Banking Supervision, Department of
Non-Banking
Supervision and Financial Institutions Division of the RBI and gives directions relating to regulatory and supervisory issues.
Entry of New Banks in the Private Sector
In February 2013, the RBI released guidelines for licensing of new banks in the private sector. The key items covered under these guidelines are as follows: (i) promoters eligible to apply for banking licenses; (ii) corporate structure; (iii) minimum voting equity capital requirements for new banks; (iv) regulatory framework; (v) foreign shareholding cap; (vi) corporate governance; (vii) prudential norms; (viii) exposure norms; and (ix) business plan. The RBI has permitted private sector entities owned and controlled by Indian residents and entities in the public sector in India to apply to the RBI for a license to operate a bank through a wholly owned
non-operative
financial holding company (“NOFHC”), subject to compliance with certain specified criteria. Such a NOFHC is permitted to be the holding company of the bank as well as any other financial services entity, with the objective that the holding company ring-fences the regulated financial services entities in the group, including the bank, from other activities of the group. Pursuant to these guidelines, two banks, namely IDFC First Bank and Bandhan Bank, commenced banking operations in fiscal year 2016.
In November 2014, RBI released guidelines on licensing of payments banks (“Payments Banks Guidelines”) and small finance banks (“Small Finance Banks Guidelines”) in the private sector. The objective of setting up of payments banks is to further financial inclusion by providing (i) small savings accounts and (ii) payments/remittance services to migrant labor workforce, low income households, small businesses, other unorganized sector entities and other users. Previously, payments banks were allowed to accept deposits of up to Rs. 0.1 million; recently, on April 8, 2021, the RBI enhanced the
end-of-day
maximum balance limit to Rs. 0.2 million per individual customer of the respective payments bank. Payments banks are not allowed to undertake lending activities or issue credit cards. In August 2015, the RBI gave
in-principle
approvals to 11 applicants to set up payments banks. The objective of setting up small finance banks (“SFBs”) is to further financial inclusion by (i) providing savings vehicles, and (ii) supplying credit to small business units, small and marginal farmers, micro and small industries, and other unorganized sector entities, through high-tech and
low-cost
operations. SFBs primarily undertake basic banking activities, such as the acceptance of deposits and lending to unserved and underserved sections of society, including small business units, small and marginal farmers, micro and small industries and unorganized sector entities, with no restriction in their area of operations. The minimum
paid-up
equity capital requirement for such banks is Rs. 1,000.0 million. The foreign shareholding in payments banks would be as per the FDI policy for private sector banks, as amended from time to time. In September 2015, the RBI granted
��in-principle”
approval to 10 applicants to set up SFBs. All 10 applicants received their final license.
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The guidelines issued in 2014 stated that after gaining experience in dealing with SFBs, the RBI would consider
“on-tap”
licensing of these banks. Accordingly, in December 2019, the RBI released guidelines for
“on-tap”
licensing of SFBs (the “December 2019 Guidelines”). Pursuant to the December 2019 Guidelines, the minimum
paid-up
voting equity capital for SFBs is Rs. 2,000.0 million, subject to a few exceptions. Further, the RBI, in its circular dated March 28, 2020, issued certain modifications to the Payments Bank Guidelines and the Small Finance Banks Guidelines to harmonize them with the December 2019 Guidelines. The December 2019 Guidelines stated that a Standing External Advisory Committee (“SEAC”) comprising eminent persons with experience in banking, financial sector and other relevant areas, will evaluate the applications and that the constituent members of the SEAC will be announced by the RBI. In March 2021, the RBI announced the constituent members of the SEAC, who will have a tenure of three years.
In August 2016, the RBI released the guidelines for
“on-tap”
licensing of universal banks in the private sector. The guidelines aim at moving from the current “stop and go” licensing approach (wherein the RBI notifies the licensing window during which a private entity may apply for a banking license) to a continuous or
“on-tap”
licensing regime. Among other things, the new guidelines specify conditions for the eligibility of promoters, corporate structure and foreign shareholdings. One of the key features of the new guidelines is that, unlike the February 2013 guidelines (mentioned above), the new guidelines make the NOFHC structure
non-mandatory
in the case of promoters being individuals or standalone promoting/converting entities that do not have other group entities. In 2021, a few entities had applied for “on tap” licenses pursuant to the above-mentioned guidelines. The RBI has assessed the applications and, in May 2022, released the names of the applicants which were found not suitable for being granted
in-principle
approval.
In May 2016, the RBI also issued the Reserve Bank of India (Ownership in Private Sector Banks) Directions 2016. These guidelines prescribe requirements regarding shareholding and voting rights in relation to all private sector banks licensed by the RBI to operate in India. The guidelines specify the following ownership limits for shareholders based on their categorization:
(i)
In the case of individuals and
non-financial
entities (other than promoters/promoter group), 10.0 percent of the
paid-up
capital. However, in the case of promoters being individuals and
non-financial
entities in existing banks, the permitted promoter/promoter group shareholding shall be as prescribed under the February 2013 guidelines,
i.e.
,15.0 percent.
(ii)
In the case of entities from the financial sector, other than regulated or diversified or listed, 15.0 percent of the
paid-up
capital.
(iii)
In the case of “regulated, well diversified, listed entities from the financial sector” shareholding by supranational institutions, public sector undertaking or government, up to 40.0 percent of the
paid-up
capital is permitted for both promoters/promoter group and
non-promoters.
In June 2020, the RBI set up an internal working group to examine and review the extant licensing and regulatory guidelines relating to ownership and control, corporate structure of private sector banks and other related issues. The group submitted its report in October 2020, and some of the key recommendations are as follows: (i) the cap on promoters’ stakes over the course of 15 years may be raised from the current level of 15.0 percent to 26.0 percent of the
paid-up
voting equity share capital of the bank; (ii) the RBI may introduce regulations in relation to the issuance of ADRs and GDRs by banks, which ensure that such issuances are not used by dominant shareholders to indirectly enhance their voting power, including mandating prior approval by the RBI before entering into agreements with depositories, requiring a provision in the depository agreement assigning no voting rights to depositories and a mechanism for disclosure of the details of the ultimate depository receipt holders so that indirect holdings can be disclosed along with direct holdings; (iii) large corporate/industrial houses may be allowed as promoters of banks only after necessary amendments to the Banking Regulations Act; (iv) NOFHCs should continue to be the preferred structure for all new licenses to be issued for Universal Banks. However, NOFHC structures should be mandatory only in cases where the individual promoters, promoting entities and converting entities have other group entities; and (v) listing requirements for small finance banks, payments banks and universal banks.
By a press release dated November 2021 (the “November 2021 Press Release”), the RBI accepted a few recommendations suggested by the internal working group to the report dated October 2020. One of the recommendations that was accepted with modifications, was the adjustment of initial capital requirements for new banks: (i) for universal banks from Rs. 5.0 billion to Rs. 10.0 billion; (ii) for SFBs from Rs. 3.0 billion to Rs. 2.0 billion; and (iii) for UCBs transiting to SFBs from Rs. 1.0 billion to Rs. 1.5 billion initial
paid-up
voting equity share capital/net worth), which has to be further increased to Rs. 3.0 billion (present Rs. 2.0 billion) within five years. The amendments to the extant guidelines will be notified in due course, and all the stakeholders are to be guided by the decisions in the report.
Financial Holding Company Structure in India
The RBI constituted a Working Group in June 2010 to examine the feasibility of introducing a Financial Holding Company (“FHC”) Structure in India under the chairpersonship of the Deputy Governor. In May 2011, the Working Group submitted its report to recommend a roadmap for the introduction of a holding company structure in the Indian financial sector together with the required regulatory, supervisory and legislative framework. The report served as a guiding document for the introduction of an alternate organizational structure for banks and financial conglomerates in India. Key recommendations of the Working Group were as follows: (i) FHC structure; (ii) regulatory framework; (iii) statutory and taxation related changes; (iv) caps on expansion in
non-banking
business; (v) capital raising; and (vi) transitioning to the FHC structure.
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In August 2013, the RBI issued a discussion paper titled “Banking Structure in India—The Way Forward”. The key recommendations in the paper relate to: (i) adoption of the FHC structure; (ii) differential licensing (allowing banks to be licensed to provide only specified services); (iii) consolidation of
large-sized
Indian banks; (iv) requiring large foreign banks to operate through subsidiaries in India and the reduction of the Government’s ownership of state-owned banks to ease the burden on the state where these banks will have to be capitalized to comply with Basel III requirements.
On April 7, 2014, the RBI introduced a new category of NBFCs called NOFHCs and, accordingly, amended the
Non-Banking
Financial
(Non-Deposit
Accepting or Holding) Companies Prudential Norms (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2007. The RBI directions define a NOFHC as a
non-deposit-taking
NBFC that holds the shares of a banking company and the shares of all other financial services companies in its group, whether regulated by RBI or by any other financial regulator, to the extent permissible under the applicable regulatory prescriptions.
Under the guidelines for
“on-tap”
licensing of universal banks in the private sector, the RBI has made the NOFHC structure
non-mandatory
in the case of promoters being individuals or standalone promoting/converting entities that do not have other group entities. Under the December 2019 Guidelines, if there is an intermediate company between the promoting entity and the small finance bank, such an intermediate company should be an NOFHC. However, if the small finance bank is set up under a holding company structure without an NOFHC, such holding company is required to be registered as an NBFC-core investment company (“CIC”) with the RBI.
In a report submitted by the internal working group of the RBI in October 2020, certain recommendations were made relating to NOFHCs, including: (i) NOFHCs should continue to be the preferred structure for all new licenses to be issued for universal banks; however, NOFHC are mandatory only in cases where the individual promoters, promoting entities, and converting entities have other group entities; (ii) while banks licensed before 2013 may move to an NOFHC structure at their discretion, once the NOFHC structure attains a
tax-neutral
status, all banks licensed before 2013 must move to the NOFHC structure within 5 years from announcement of
tax-neutrality;
(iii) until the NOFHC structure is made feasible and operational, the concerns with regard to banks undertaking different activities through subsidiaries, joint ventures or associates should be addressed through suitable regulations; and (iv) banks currently under the NOFHC structure may be allowed to exit from such a structure if they do not have other group entities in their corporate structure.
In the November 2021 Press Release, the RBI clarified that where the NOFHC structure is mandatory, the promoters/promoting entities should be eligible to set up a Universal Bank/Small Finance Bank.
Regulations Relating to the Opening of Banking Outlets
Section 23 of the Banking Regulation Act provides that banks must obtain the prior permission of the RBI to open new banking outlets. The RBI may cancel a license for violations of the conditions under which it was granted.
The RBI issues instructions and guidelines to banks on branch authorization from time to time. Centers are categorized as Tier 1 to Tier 6 based on population (as per the 2011 census) and classified in the following manner:
Tier 1—100,000 and above;
Tier 2—50,000 to 99,999;
Tier 3—20,000 to 49,999;
Tier 4—10,000 to 19,999;
Tier 5—5,000 to 9,999; and
Tier 6—Less than 5,000.
The RBI, with effect from September 19, 2013, granted general permission to domestic scheduled commercial banks like us to open banking outlets in Tier 1 to Tier 6 centers, subject to reporting to the RBI and prescribed conditions such as (i) at least 25 percent of the total number of banking outlets opened during the fiscal year must be opened in unbanked rural (Tier 5 and Tier 6) centers, which are defined as centers that do not have a brick and mortar structure of any scheduled commercial bank for customer-based banking transactions; and (ii) the total number of banking outlets opened in Tier 1 centers during a fiscal year cannot exceed the total number of banking outlets opened in Tier 2 to Tier 6 centers and all centers in the north eastern states of India and the state of Sikkim. The RBI also permitted banks to open banking outlets in Tier 1 centers over and above the number permitted in accordance with the paragraph above, as an incentive for opening more banking outlets in underbanked districts of underbanked states, subject to specified conditions.
The RBI also permitted scheduled commercial banks to install
off-site/mobile
ATMs at centers/places identified by them, without the need to get permission from the RBI in each case. This, however, is subject to certain conditions, including for closure/shifting of any such
off-site/mobile
ATMs, wherever the RBI considers it necessary. Banks need to report full details of the
off-site
ATMs installed by them in terms of the above general permission as a part of the periodic reports submitted to the RBI.
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In May 2017, the RBI has further liberalized the branch authorization policy. Some of the key changes made pursuant to the revised guidelines are as follows:
A concept of “banking outlets” has been introduced. A banking outlet for a domestic scheduled commercial bank has been defined as a fixed point service delivery unit, manned by either bank’s staff or its business correspondent where services of acceptance of deposits, encashment of checks/cash withdrawal or lending of money are provided for a minimum of four hours per day for at least five days a week.
At least 25.0 percent of the total number of “banking outlets” opened during a fiscal year must be opened in unbanked rural centers (Tier 5 and Tier 6). The definition of unbanked rural centers has been modified to mean a rural (Tier 5 and Tier 6) center that does not have a
CBS-enabled
banking outlet of a scheduled commercial bank.
The restriction on the number of banking outlets that may be opened in Tier 1 centers has been removed.
Appointment of Auditors
The appointment of the auditors of banks is subject to the approval of the RBI. The RBI can direct a special audit in the interest of the depositors or in the public interest. In April 2021, the RBI issued guidelines for the appointment of statutory central auditors (“SCAs”) and statutory auditors (“SAs”) of commercial banks (excluding regional rural banks (“RRBs”)) pursuant to which the commercial banks are required to receive prior approval from the RBI for the appointment of SCAs and SAs. The guidelines provide for eligibility criteria for SCAs and SAs, and also provide the number of joint auditors a bank is required to appoint based on its assets size.
Capital Adequacy Requirements
The RBI issued guidelines for the implementation of the New Capital Adequacy Framework (“Basel II”). In order to maintain consistency and harmony with international standards, foreign banks in India and Indian banks having operational presence outside India were advised to adopt the Standardized Approach for Credit Risk and Basic Indicator Approach for Operational Risk with effect from March 31, 2008, while other commercial banks were advised to adopt these approaches with effect from March 31, 2009.
Under these guidelines, we were required to maintain a minimum ratio of capital to risk-adjusted assets and
off-balance
sheet items of 9.0 percent, at least 6.0 percent of which must be Tier I capital. Until March 31, 2013, we were also required to ensure that our Basel II minimum capital requirement continued to be higher than the prudential floor of 80.0 percent of the minimum capital requirement computed as per the Basel I framework for credit and market risks. In May 2013, the RBI withdrew the requirement of parallel run and prudential floor for implementation of Basel II
vis-à-vis
Basel I.
In May 2012, the RBI released guidelines on implementation of Basel III capital regulations in India with effect from April 1, 2013. The RBI has also issued a master circular on “Basel III Capital Regulations”, which is updated from time to time and consolidates all relevant guidelines on Basel III. The key items covered under these guidelines include: (i) improving the quality, consistency and transparency of the capital base; (ii) enhancing risk coverage; (iii) graded enhancement of the total capital requirement; (iv) introduction of capital conservation buffer and countercyclical buffer; and (v) supplementing the risk-based capital requirement with a leverage ratio. One of the major changes in the Basel III capital regulations is that the Tier I capital will predominantly consist of common equity of the banks which includes common shares, reserves and stock surplus. Innovative instruments and perpetual
non-cumulative
preference share will not be considered a part of
CET-I
capital. Basel III also defines criteria for instruments to be included in Tier II capital to improve their loss absorbency. The guidelines also set out criteria for loss absorption through
conversion/write-off
of all
non-common
equity regulatory capital instruments at the point of
non-viability.
The point of
non-viability
is defined as a trigger event upon the occurrence of which
non-CET-I
and Tier II instruments issued by banks in India may be required to be, at the option of the RBI, written off or converted into common equity. Under the Basel III capital regulations, the capital funds of a bank are classified into
CET-I,
Additional Tier I
(“AT-I”)
and Tier II capital. Tier I capital, comprised of, among others,
CET-I
and
AT-I,
provides the most permanent and readily available support against unexpected losses.
CET-I
capital is comprised of, amongst others,
paid-up
equity capital, stock surplus (share premium), reserves consisting of any statutory reserves, revaluation reserves and capital reserves. By its circular dated March 2016, the RBI has allowed banks, at their discretion, to include foreign currency translation reserves arising due to the translation of financial statements of their foreign operations in terms of Accounting Standard (“AS”) 11 as
CET-I
capital at a discount of 25.0 percent, subject to certain conditions. Further, the RBI has permitted deferred tax assets which relate to timing differences (other than those related to accumulated losses) to be recognized in the
CET-I
capital up to 10.0 percent of a bank’s
CET-I
capital, at the discretion of banks (instead of full deduction from
CET-I
capital), subject to certain terms and conditions.
AT-I
capital is comprised of, among others, perpetual
non-cumulative
preference shares and debt capital instruments eligible for inclusion as
AT-I
capital. Regulatory adjustments/deductions such as equity investments in financial subsidiaries (in accordance with the directions of the RBI), intangible assets, deferred tax assets (in the manner and to the extent, specified by the RBI), gaps in provisioning and losses in the current period and those brought forward from the previous period are required to be deducted from
CET-I
capital in a phased manner and fully deducted therefrom by March 31, 2017.
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Tier II capital consists of, amongst others, revaluation reserves at a discount of 55.0 percent, general provisions and loss reserves (allowed up to a maximum of 1.25 percent of the total credit risk-weighted assets), hybrid debt capital instruments (which combine features of both equity and debt securities) such as perpetual cumulative preference shares, redeemable
non-cumulative
preference shares/redeemable cumulative preference shares and debt capital instruments (which should be fully paid up, with a fixed maturity of minimum five years and should not contain clauses that permit
step-ups
or other incentives to redeem). In its circular dated March 1, 2016, the RBI has stated that revaluation reserves arising out of a change in the carrying amount of a bank’s property consequent to its revaluation may, at the discretion of the bank, be considered as
CET-I
capital. As of January 1, 2013, capital instruments which are not Basel III compliant (such as capital debt instruments with
step-ups)
are being phased out in a gradual manner (at a rate of 10.0 percent per year). In April 2018, the RBI advised all banks to create an Investment Fluctuation Reserve (the “IFR”) with effect from fiscal year 2019, with a view to building up adequate reserves to protect against an increase in yields in the future. The IFR is eligible for inclusion in Tier II capital, and recently the RBI has clarified that there is no ceiling on the percentage of IFR which may be included as a part of the Tier II capital.
The Basel III capital regulations require a bank to maintain a minimum
CET-I
capital ratio of 5.5 percent, a minimum Tier I capital ratio of 7.0 percent and a capital conservation buffer of 2.5 percent of its risk-weighted assets with the minimum overall capital adequacy ratio of 9.0 percent of its risk-weighted assets. The transitional arrangements for the implementation of Basel III capital regulations in India began from April 1, 2013, and the guidelines were to be fully
phased-in
and implemented as of March 31, 2019. In January 2019, the RBI has decided to defer the implementation of the last tranche of the capital conservation buffer from March 31, 2019 to March 31, 2020. In response to the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI has implemented the last tranche of the capital conservation buffer effective October 1, 2021. See also “
Risk Factors —The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
Risk-adjusted assets considered for determining the capital adequacy ratios are the aggregation of risk-weighted assets of credit risk, market risk and operational risk.
In respect of credit risk, the risk adjusted assets and
off-balance
sheet items considered for determining the capital adequacy ratio are the risk-weighted total of certain funded and
non-funded
exposures. Degrees of credit risk expressed as percentage weighting have been assigned to various balance sheet asset items and conversion factors to
off-balance
sheet items. The value of each item is multiplied by the relevant weight and/or conversion factor to arrive at risk-adjusted values of assets and
off-balance
sheet items. Standby letters of credit and general guarantees are treated similarly to funded exposures and are subject to a 100.0 percent credit conversion factor. The credit conversion factor for certain
off-balance
sheet items such as performance bonds, bid bonds and standby letters of credit related to particular transactions is 50.0 percent while that for short-term self-liquidating trade-related contingencies such as documentary credits collateralized by the underlying shipments is 20.0 percent. The credit conversion factor for other commitments like formal standby facilities and credit lines is either 20.0 percent or 50.0 percent, based on the original maturity of the facility. Differential risk weights for credit exposures linked to their external credit rating or asset class have been prescribed.
The RBI has prescribed a matrix of risk weights varying from 35.0 percent to 75.0 percent (since revised to a maximum of 50.0 percent for loans sanctioned on or after June 7, 2017) for individual housing loans based on the size of the loan and the
loan-to-value
ratios. In October 2020, as a countercyclical measure, the RBI decided to rationalize the risk weights, irrespective of the amount. The risk weights for all new housing loans to be sanctioned on or after October 16, 2020 and up to March 31, 2022 would be required to be 35.0 percent for the loan to value ratio of less than and equal to 80.0 percent, and 50.0 percent for loan to value ratio of greater that 80.0 percent and less than and equal to 90.0 percent. In April 2022, this rationalization was extended to loans sanctioned up to March 31, 2023. In relation to the retail portfolio, retail claims were required to be assigned a risk-weight of 75.0 percent, except as provided otherwise by the RBI for
non-performing
assets. “Low value of individual exposures” was one of the four qualifying criteria which prescribed that the maximum aggregated retail exposure to one counterparty shall not exceed the absolute threshold limit of Rs. 50.0 million. In order to reduce the cost of credit for this segment, which consists of individuals and small businesses (
i.e.
, with turnover of up to Rs. 500.0 million), and also to harmonize the maximum exposure limit with the existing RBI regulations on the Basel III framework, the RBI increased threshold limit for aggregated retail exposure to a counterparty to Rs. 75.0 million from October 12, 2020. The risk weight of 75.0 percent would apply to all fresh exposures and also to existing exposures where incremental exposure may be taken by the banks up to the revised limit of Rs. 75.0 million. Consumer credit, including personal loans, but excluding credit card receivables, carry a risk weight of 100.0 percent or higher corresponding to the rating of the exposure, or lack of such rating. The risk weight for capital markets exposure and credit card receivables is 125.0 percent, or higher corresponding to the rating of the exposure, or lack of such rating. Exposure to venture capital funds are risk-weighted at 150.0 percent. Other loans/credit exposures are risk-weighted based on their ratings or turnover. The RBI has also prescribed detailed guidelines for the capital treatment of securitisation exposures. The RBI requires banks in India to compute the capital requirements for operational risk under the “Basic Indicator Approach”. Under this approach, banks must hold capital for operational risk equal to the average over the previous three years of a fixed percentage of positive annual gross income. The BCBS has set this percentage at 15.0 percent, which has been followed by the RBI.
Banks are required to maintain a capital charge for market risks on their trading books in respect of securities included under the
held-for-trading
and
available-for-sale
categories, open gold position, open foreign exchange position limits, trading positions in derivatives and derivatives entered into for hedging trading book exposures. With effect from fiscal year 2015, banks are also required to quantify incurred credit valuation adjustment losses and standard credit valuation adjustment capital charge on their derivatives portfolio.
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The minimum Common Equity Tier 1 capital of 5.5 percent of risk-weighted assets is required to be maintained by the banks along with a capital conservation buffer (“CCB”) of 2.5 percent of risk-weighted assets, in the form of Common Equity Tier 1 capital. In its press release from January 2022, the RBI confirmed that the Bank continues to be a domestic systemically important bank
(“D-SIB”)
with an additional
CET-I
requirement of 0.2 percent. The capital requirement, including the CCB and the additional requirement, is 11.7 percent. In September 2014, the RBI reviewed its guidelines on Basel III capital regulations with a view to facilitate issuance of
non-equity
regulatory capital instruments by banks under Basel III framework. Accordingly, certain specific eligibility criteria of such instruments were amended. These amendments were also intended to incentivize investors and to increase the investor base.
In December 2021, the RBI released draft master directions on minimum capital requirements for operational risk. The directions propose all the existing approaches,
i.e.
, the basic indicator approach, the standardized approach/alternative standardized approach and the advanced measurement approach for measuring minimum operational risk capital requirements, with the new standardized approach being in line with Basel III. The directions are expected to become effective on April 1, 2023 and will be applicable to all commercial banks excluding local area banks, payments banks, RRBs and SFBs.
In December 2021, the RBI has given general permission to banks (other than foreign banks, SFBs, payment banks and RRBs), which meet the regulatory capital requirements, to contribute capital to overseas branches and subsidiaries, retain profits in them and repatriate/transfer profits therefrom with the approval of their respective board of directors, but without having to obtain prior approval from the RBI.
Domestic Systemically Important Banks
In July 2014, the RBI released a framework for dealing with
D-SIBs.
The
D-SIB
framework requires that the RBI disclose the names of banks designated as
D-SIBs.
Banks identified as systemically important based on their size, interconnectedness in the financial system, complexity and lack of readily available substitutes or financial infrastructure would be required to maintain additional
CET-I
capital ranging from 0.2 percent to 1.0 percent of risk-weighted assets
(“RWAs”). D-SIBs
may implement the increased capital requirement in a phased manner from April 2016 to April 2019. Our Bank has been classified as a domestic systemically important bank by the RBI during fiscal year 2018. The higher capital requirements under the bucketing structure, as provided in the
D-SIB
Framework, in the form of additional
CET-I,
were phased in beginning on April 1, 2018, and became fully effective from April 1, 2019. The RBI, in its circular dated June 28, 2019, reduced the minimum leverage ratio from 4.5 percent to 4.0 percent for
D-SIBs
and 3.5 percent for other banks, with effect from October 1, 2019. In its press release dated January 2022, the RBI has confirmed that the Bank continues to be a
D-SIB
with an additional
CET-I
requirement of 0.2 percent (making the Bank’s aggregate capital requirement 11.7 percent).
Countercyclical Capital Buffer
In February 2015, the RBI released guidelines for implementation of Countercyclical Capital Buffer (“CCCB”). The CCCB regime requires banks to build up a buffer of capital in good times which may be used to maintain flow of credit to the real sector in difficult times. It also achieves the broader macro-prudential goal of restricting the banking sector from indiscriminate lending in the periods of excess credit growth that have often been associated with the building up of system-wide risk. While the framework for CCCB has taken effect, the activation of CCCB will take place when notified by the RBI. Some of the key points mentioned in the guidelines are as follows: (i) CCCB may be maintained in the form of CET I capital or other fully loss absorbing capital only, and the amount of the CCCB may vary from 0.0 percent to 2.5 percent of total risk-weighted assets of the banks; (ii) the CCCB decision would normally be
pre-announced
with a lead time of four quarters; however, depending on the CCCB indicators, the banks may be advised to build up the requisite buffer in a shorter time period; and (iii) banks will be subject to restrictions on discretionary distributions (including dividend payments, share buybacks and staff bonus payments) if they do not meet the requirement on CCCB. The RBI has not activated the CCCB yet and in its notification dated April 5, 2022, has stated that it is not necessary to activate CCCB at this point in time.
Loan Loss Provisions and
Non-Performing
Assets
The RBI has issued guidelines on income recognition, asset classification, provisioning standards and the valuation of investments applicable to banks, which are revised from time to time. These guidelines are applied for the calculation of impaired assets under Indian GAAP. Whereas our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, loan loss provision is made in accordance with ASC 326 and ASC 450 and as described under “
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
” and under Note 2i “
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Allowance for credit losses
” to our consolidated financial statements. The principal features of the RBI guidelines are set forth below. It should be noted that in light of the impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI relaxed certain requirements including in relation to asset classification, provisioning and restructuring of loans. See also “
COVID-19
Regulatory Package
” below.
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Non-Performing
Assets
An asset, including a leased asset, becomes
non-performing
when it ceases to generate income for the bank.
The RBI guidelines stipulate the criteria for determining and classifying a
non-performing
asset (“NPA”). An NPA is a loan or an advance where:
interest and/or an installment of principal remain overdue (as defined below) for a period of more than 90 days in respect of a term loan;
the account remains
“out-of-order”(as
defined below) in respect of an overdraft (“OD”) or cash credit (“CC”) for more than 90 days;
the bill remains overdue for a period of more than 90 days in the case of bills purchased and discounted;
the installment of principal or interest thereon remains overdue for two crop seasons for short-duration crops;
the installment of principal or interest thereon remains overdue for one crop season for long-duration crops;
the amount of a liquidity facility remains outstanding for more than 90 days, in respect of securitisation transactions undertaken in accordance with the RBI (Securitisation of Standard Assets) Directions, 2021; or
in respect of derivative transactions, the overdue receivables representing the positive
mark-to-market
value of a derivative contract, if remain unpaid for a period of 90 days from the specified due date for payment.
Effective March 31, 2022, the RBI has directed that banks should classify an account as an NPA only if the interest imposed at specified rests remains overdue for more than 90 days.
“Overdue”
Any amount due to the Bank under any credit facility is “overdue” if it is not paid on the due date fixed by the Bank. Borrower accounts shall be flagged as overdue by the banks as part of their
day-end
processes for the due date, irrespective of the time when such processes are run. In November 2021 the RBI has clarified that the exact dates for repayment of the loan, the frequency of payment, the breakup between principal and interest and examples of SMA/NPA classification, etc. shall be specified in the loan agreement and that the borrower shall be apprised of the same at the time of loan sanction and also at the time of any subsequent changes to the sanction terms/loan agreement until full repayment of the loan. For new loans, these rules shall be complied with at the earliest, but not later than December 31, 2021; for existing loans, compliance with the rules shall be ensured at the time of review/renewal.
“Out-of-Order”
Status
An OD/CC account is treated as
“out-of-order”
if the outstanding balance remains continuously in excess of the sanctioned limit/drawing power for 90 days. In circumstances where the outstanding balance in the CC/OD account is less than the sanctioned limit/drawing power, but (i) there are no credits continuously for a period of 90 days; or (ii) the credits are not sufficient to cover the interest debited during the previous
90-day-period
(including the day for which the day end process is being run), these accounts should be treated as
“out-of-order”.
The definition of “out of order” shall be applicable to all loan products being offered as an overdraft facility, including those which are not meant for business purposes or which have no credits other than interest repayments.
Asset Classification
Banks are required to classify NPAs into the following three categories based on the period for which the asset has remained
non-performing
and the realizability of the dues:
Sub-standard
Assets
: Assets that are
non-performing
for a period less than or equal to 12 months. Such an asset has well-defined credit weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt and is characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if deficiencies are not corrected.
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Doubtful Assets
: An asset will be classified as doubtful if it remains in the substandard category for a period of 12 months. A loan classified as doubtful has all the weaknesses inherent in assets that are classified as
sub-standard,
with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently known facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable.
Loss Assets
: Assets on which losses have been identified by the Bank or internal or external auditors or on inspection by the RBI, but the amount of which has not been written off fully. Such an asset is considered uncollectable and of such little value that its continuance as a bankable asset is not warranted, although there may be some salvage or recovery value.
There are separate asset classification guidelines that will apply to projects under implementation before the commencement of their commercial operation.
In April 2021, the RBI clarified that in respect of borrower accounts which were not granted any moratorium under the RBI’s
COVID-19
Regulatory Package, as explained in “—
COVID-19
Regulatory Package
” below, asset classification remains as per the regulations summarized above. In respect of borrower accounts which were granted a moratorium under the RBI’s
COVID-19
Regulatory Package, the asset classification for the period from March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020 would be governed in terms of RBI circulars summarized in “—
COVID-19
Regulatory Package
” below.
In September 2020, the RBI directed Indian banks to put in place or upgrade their systems by June 30, 2021, in order to ensure the completeness and integrity of the automated asset classification (classification of advances and investments as NPA/NPI), provisioning calculation and income recognition processes.
Restructured Assets
The RBI has issued prudential guidelines on the restructuring of advances by banks. The guidelines essentially deal with the norms/conditions, the fulfillment of which is required to maintain the category of the restructured account as a “standard asset”. A standard asset can be restructured by rescheduling principal repayments and/or the interest element, subject to compliance with certain conditions, but must be separately disclosed as a restructured asset.
In case of a restructuring, accounts classified as “standard” shall be immediately downgraded to
non-performing
assets (“NPAs”),
i.e.
“sub-standard”.
Upon restructuring, NPAs continue to have the same asset classification as prior to restructuring. In addition, the RBI has specified guidelines regarding the upgrade of the asset classification.
In May 2013, the RBI issued additional guidelines in relation to restructured assets wherein such regulatory forbearance regarding asset classification on restructured accounts will be withdrawn for all restructurings with effect from April 1, 2015, with the exception of provisions related to changes in “Date of Commencement of Commercial Operations” (“DCCO”) in respect of infrastructure as well as
non-infrastructure
project loans. This implies that a standard account would immediately be classified as a
sub-standard
account upon restructuring. These guidelines are also applicable to
non-performing
assets, which, upon restructuring, would continue to have the same asset classification as prior to the restructuring and may be classified into lower categories in accordance with applicable asset classification norms based on the
pre-restructuring
repayment schedule. However, the standard asset classification may be retained, subject to specified conditions, in respect of certain loans granted for infrastructure projects given the importance of the infrastructure sector in national growth and development and the uncertainty involved in obtaining approvals from various authorities. The RBI has, in its circular dated February 7, 2020, issued guidelines regarding the deferment of the DCCO for projects in
non-infrastructure
and commercial real estate (“CRE”) sectors, and clarified that deferment in certain instances will not be treated as restructuring.
Resolution of Stressed Assets
In April 2022, the RBI has issued the master circular on prudential norms on income recognition, asset classification and provisioning pertaining to advances, which consolidated the Reserve Bank of India (Prudential Framework for Resolution of Stressed Assets) Directions, 2019. In 2019, the RBI has replaced the erstwhile framework for the resolution of stressed assets (including the framework for revitalizing distressed assets, the joint lenders forum mechanism, strategic debt restructuring, and the scheme of sustainable structuring of stressed assets).
As per the existing guidelines, the lenders must recognize developing stress in loan accounts, immediately on default. Lenders must put in place policies approved by their board of directors for the resolution of stressed assets, including the timelines for such resolution, and they are expected to implement the resolution plan before default occurs. If a default occurs, lenders have a review period of 30 days within which their resolution strategy must be decided. The RBI guidelines provide the timelines within which the banks are required to implement the resolution plan, depending on the aggregate exposure of the borrower to the lender. For large accounts with the aggregate exposure of the lenders being Rs. 20 billion or more, the RBI has specified that the resolution plan must be implemented within 180 days from the end of the review period. If implementation of the resolution plan is delayed, lenders are required to make an additional provision of 20.0 percent of the total outstanding in addition to any provisions already made and those provisions required to be made as per the asset classification status of the borrower, subject to a total provision of 100.0 percent of the total amount outstanding. Lenders are required to make appropriate disclosures of implemented resolution plans in their financial statements under “Notes on Accounts”.
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The RBI has also directed lenders to recognise incipient stress in loan accounts, immediately on default, by classifying such assets as special mention accounts (“SMA”). The duration for which the principal or interest is overdue (
i.e.
,
30-90
days) determines the relevant
sub-category.
The instructions on SMA classification of borrower accounts are applicable to all loans, except for agricultural advances governed by crop season-based asset classification norms; loans classified as NPAs may be upgraded as “standard assets” only after the arrears of interest and principal have been paid by the borrower in full.
As a result of the impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI through its circulars from August 2020 and September 2020 issued certain guidelines in relation to the resolution of distressed assets, with the intent to facilitate the revival of real sector activities and mitigate the impact on the ultimate borrowers. The RBI provided a window under the prudential framework described above to enable lenders to implement a resolution plan in respect of (i) eligible corporate exposures without a change in ownership and (ii) personal loans, while classifying such exposures as “standard”, subject to specified conditions. The lending institutions are permitted to provide resolution under such a facility only to borrowers who are experiencing financial distress as a result of
COVID-19.
The RBI also provided specific thresholds (ceilings or floors, as the case may be) for certain key ratios that should be considered by the lending institutions in the resolution assumptions with respect to an eligible borrower. In May 2021, on account of the resurgence of the
COVID-19
pandemic in India, the RBI issued an additional set of measures broadly in line with the circulars referred to above. The RBI permitted lending institutions to offer a limited window to individual borrowers and small businesses to implement resolution plans in respect of their credit exposures while classifying the same as “standard” upon implementation of the resolution plan, subject to certain specified conditions. In respect of individuals which have availed themselves of business loans and small businesses where resolution plans had been implemented under the guidelines set out in the circular from August 2020 described above, lending institutions are permitted until September 30, 2021, as a
one-time
measure, to review the working capital sanctioned limits and/or drawing power based on a number of factors, including a reassessment of the borrower’s working capital cycle, a reduction in the borrower’s margins, without such review being treated as restructuring. By March 31, 2022, the margins and working capital limits will be restored to the levels set by the resolution plan implemented under the circular from August 2020. The circular also lists the disclosure requirements for the lending institutions with respect to the resolution plans implemented. In June 2021, the threshold for eligible borrowers who may be considered for resolution under the framework as determined under the May 2021 circular was raised from Rs. 250.0 million to Rs. 500.0 million. In August 2020, May 2021 and June 2021, the RBI also issued guidelines for the restructuring of existing loans to micro, small and medium enterprises classified as “standard”, without a downgrade in the asset classification, subject to certain conditions.
Act Relating to Recovery of NPAs
As a part of the financial sector reforms, the Government introduced the SARFAESI Act. The SARFAESI Act provides banks and other lenders increased powers in the recovery of the collateral underlying NPAs.
Provisioning and Write-Offs
Provisions are based on guidelines specific to the classification of assets. The following guidelines apply to various asset classifications:
Standard Assets
Banks are required to make general provisions for standard assets at the rates mentioned in the guidelines calculated based on the loan amount funded and outstanding on a global loan portfolio basis. The provisioning requirement for housing loans at teaser rates is 2.0 percent and will reduce to 0.40 percent after one year from the date on which the teaser rates are reset at higher rates if the accounts remain standard. In November 2012, the RBI increased the provisioning requirement for restructured standard assets from 2.0 percent to 2.75 percent. In May 2013, the RBI increased the provisioning requirement for all types of accounts restructured to 5.0 percent with effect from June 1, 2013. For the stock of restructured standard accounts as of May 31, 2013, this increase was required to be implemented in a phased manner by March 31, 2016. The provisioning requirements for other loans range from 0.25 percent to 1.0 percent on the outstanding loans based on the type of exposure. Derivative exposures, such as credit exposures computed as per the current
marked-to-market
value of the contract arising on account of the interest rate and foreign exchange derivative transactions and gold are subject to the same provisioning requirement applicable to the loan assets in the standard category of the concerned counterparties. All conditions applicable for the treatment of the provisions for standard assets would also apply to the aforesaid provisions for derivatives and gold exposures.
The RBI has also introduced incremental provisioning requirements with effect from April 1, 2014, for banks’ exposures to entities with unhedged foreign currency exposure. Banks are required to collect specific information from its customers and assess the extent to which a customer is exposed to unhedged foreign currency on account of volatility in the exchange rate of the rupee
vis-à-vis
foreign currencies and calculate the incremental provisions based on the methodology prescribed by the RBI.
The RBI has encouraged banks to make provisions at higher rates in respect of advances to stressed sectors of the economy, and advised the banks to (i) put in place a Board-approved policy for making provisions for standard assets at rates higher than the regulatory minimum based on evaluation of risk and stress in various sectors; and (ii) review, at least on a quarterly basis, the performance of various sectors of the economy, to which the bank has an exposure, to evaluate the present and emerging risks and stress therein. The review may include quantitative and qualitative aspects as well as sector specific parameters.
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Sub-Standard
Assets
A general provision of 15.0 percent on total outstanding loans is required without making any allowance for the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India guarantee cover and securities available. The unsecured exposures which are identified as
sub-standard
are subject to an additional provision of 10.0 percent,
i.e.
, a total of 25.0 percent on the outstanding balance. However, unsecured loans classified as
sub-standard
in relation to infrastructure lending, where certain safeguards such as escrow accounts are available, are subject to an additional provision of only 5.0 percent (
i.e.
, a total of 20.0 percent on the outstanding balance).
Unsecured exposure is defined as an exposure where the realizable value of security, as assessed by the Bank, approved valuers or the RBI’s inspecting officers, is not more than 10.0 percent,
ab initio
, of the outstanding exposure. Exposure includes all funded and
non-funded
exposures (including underwriting and similar commitments). Security means tangible security properly discharged to the Bank and will not include intangible securities such as guarantees and comfort letters.
Doubtful Assets
A 100.0 percent provision is made against the unsecured portion of the doubtful asset. In cases where there is a secured portion of the asset, depending upon the period for which the asset remains doubtful, a 25.0 percent to 100.0 percent provision is required to be made against the secured asset as follows:
Up to one year: 25.0 percent provision.
One to three years: 40.0 percent provision.
More than three years: 100.0 percent provision.
Loss Assets
The entire asset is required to be written off or 100.0 percent of the outstanding amount is required to be provided for.
Floating Provisions
In June 2006, the RBI issued prudential standards on the creation and utilization of floating provisions (provisions which are not made in respect of specific
non-performing
assets or are made in excess of regulatory requirements for provisions for standard assets). Floating provisions must be held separately and cannot be reversed by credit to the profit and loss account. The RBI has permitted banks to utilize a prescribed percentage of the floating provisions held by them for making specific loan loss allowances for impaired accounts under extraordinary circumstances. Until the utilization of such provisions, they can be netted off from gross
non-performing
assets to arrive at disclosure of net
non-performing
assets, or alternatively, can be treated as part of Tier II capital within the overall ceiling of 1.25 percent of credit RWAs.
In May 2021, in order to mitigate the adverse impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic on banks and as a measure to enable capital conservation, the RBI permitted banks to utilize 100.0 percent of their floating provisions and countercyclical provisioning buffer held by them as on December 31, 2020 for making specific provisions for
non-performing
assets with prior approval of their board of directors. The RBI clarified that such utilization was permitted to commence with immediate effect and to extend until March 31, 2022.
Provisioning Coverage Ratio
With a view to ensuring counter-cyclical provisioning in the banking system, the RBI mandated that banks should augment their provisioning cushions consisting of specific provisions against NPAs as well as floating provisions (to the extent not used at Tier II capital) and ensure that their total Provisioning Coverage Ratio (“PCR”), including the above floating provisions, is not less than 70.0 percent as of September 30, 2010. Under the current regime (i) the PCR of 70.0 percent may be computed with reference to the gross NPA position in the relevant banks as of September 30, 2010; (ii) the surplus of the provision under PCR over the amount required by the guidelines would be treated as a “countercyclical provisioning buffer”; and (iii) banks may utilize up to a prescribed percentage of the countercyclical provisioning buffer/floating provisions held by them for making specific provisions for NPAs during periods of system-wide downturn, with prior approval of the RBI. The RBI released a discussion paper on the dynamic loan loss provisioning framework in March 30, 2012. The framework proposes to replace the existing standards of general provisioning and recommends that banks make provisions on their loan book based on historical loss experience for different asset classes. Banks can draw down from dynamic provisions during periods of downturn. The RBI has advised that the dynamic provision framework is expected to be in place with improvement in the system.
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COVID-19
Regulatory Package
In view of the impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI has relaxed certain requirements, including in relation to asset classification, provisioning and the restructuring of loans. The below is a summary of the material regulations included in the
COVID-19
regulatory package:
(i)
Rescheduling of payments:
In respect of all term loans (including agricultural term loans, retail and crop loans), all commercial banks (including RRBs, SFBs and local area banks),
co-operative
banks,
all-India
financial institutions, and NBFCs (including housing finance companies) were permitted to grant a moratorium on the payment of all installments falling due between March 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020.
In respect of working capital facilities sanctioned in the form of cash credit/overdraft (“CC/OD”), lending institutions were permitted to defer the recovery of interest applied in respect of all such facilities during the period from March 1, 2020 up to August 31, 2020. Lending institutions were permitted, at their discretion, to convert the accumulated interest for the deferment period up to August 31, 2020, into a funded interest term loan (“FITL”), such being required to be repayable not later than March 31, 2021.
In respect of working capital facilities sanctioned in the form of CC/OD to borrowers facing financial difficulties as a result of the economic fallout of the pandemic, lending institutions were permitted to, as a
one-time
measure:
a)
recalculate the “drawing power” by reducing the margins until August 31, 2020. However, in all cases where such a temporary improvement in drawing power was considered, the margins were required to be restored to the original levels by March 31, 2021; or
b)
review the working capital sanctioned limits by March 31, 2021, based on a reassessment of the working capital cycle.
Based on an announcement by the Government, the RBI in October 2020 directed Indian banks and certain other lending institutions to implement an
ex-gratia
interest payment scheme, under which certain loans, including home, auto, education, consumer durable, personal and Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise loans, in an amount up to Rs. 20.0 million incurred before February 29, 2020 were not to be charged compound interest for the moratorium period between March 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020 and instead would only be charged simple interest. Lending institutions, including the Bank, were required to credit back to the borrower the difference between the simple interest and compound interest during the moratorium period on or before November 5, 2020. Subsequently, the lending institutions could claim reimbursement from the Government.
In addition to the
ex-gratia
interest payment scheme described above, in its circular from April 2021, the RBI directed all the relevant lending institutions to immediately put in place a board-approved policy to refund/adjust the “interest on interest” charged to the borrowers during the moratorium period (
i.e.
, March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020) in conformity with a judgment of the Indian Supreme Court. This relief would be available to all borrowers, including those who had availed themselves of working capital facilities during the moratorium period between March 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020, irrespective of whether such borrowers had fully, partially or not at all availed themselves of the moratorium.
(ii)
Asset classification and provisioning:
For the purpose of asset classification, all accounts classified as “standard” as on February 29, 2020 even if overdue, the moratorium period, wherever granted, was to be excluded by the lending institutions from the number of days past due.
In respect of working capital facilities sanctioned in the form of CC/OD, the deferment period, wherever granted in respect of all facilities classified as “standard”, including special mention accounts (“SMAs”), which are accounts that have the potential to become NPAs or stressed assets, as on February 29, 2020, were to be excluded for the determination of the
out-of-order
status.
The conversion of accumulated interest into a FITL and the changes in the credit terms permitted to borrowers outlined under “
Rescheduling of payments
” above would not be treated as concessions granted due to financial difficulty of the borrower for the purposes of the prudential norms. Consequently, such a measure, by itself, would not result in an asset classification downgrade.
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The rescheduling of payments, including interest, would not qualify as a default for the purposes of supervisory reporting and reporting to credit information companies (“CICs”) by the lending institutions. CICs must ensure that permitted actions taken by lending institutions as a consequence of the
COVID-19
pandemic would not adversely impact the credit history of the borrowers.
In accordance with the provisions described above, with respect to accounts classified as “standard”, but which have become overdue, and where the asset classification benefit has been extended, lending institutions were required to make general provisions equaling not less than 10.0 percent of the total outstanding value of such accounts. Such provisions were to be phased in over the course of two financial quarters as described below:
a)
Financial quarter ended March 31, 2020– not less than 5.0 percent; and
b)
Financial quarter ending June 30, 2020– not less than 5.0 percent.
These provisioning requirements were not to be used to arrive at net NPAs until they are adjusted against the actual provisioning requirements.
(iii)
Resolution of stressed assets
In respect of accounts which were within the review period as on March 1, 2020, the period from March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020 would be excluded from the calculation of the
30-day
timeline for the review period under the RBI’s guidelines. In respect of all such accounts, the residual review period would resume from September 1, 2020, upon expiry of which the lenders would have the usual 180 days for resolution.
In respect of accounts where the review period had been completed, but the
180-day
resolution period had not expired as on March 1, 2020, the timeline for resolution was extended by 180 days from the date on which the
180-day
period was originally set to expire.
Regulations Relating to Sale of Assets to Asset Reconstruction Companies (“ARCs”)
The SARFAESI Act provides for the sale of financial assets by banks and financial institutions to asset reconstruction companies. The RBI has also issued guidelines to banks on the process to be followed for the sale of financial assets to asset reconstruction companies. These guidelines provide that a Bank may sell financial assets to an asset reconstruction company provided the asset is an NPA. A bank could also sell a standard asset only if (i) the asset is under consortium or multiple banking arrangement; (ii) at least 75.0 percent by value of the asset is classified as
non-performing
in the books of other banks and financial institutions; and (iii) at least 75.0 percent by value of the banks and financial institutions in the consortium or multiple banking arrangements agree to the sale of the asset to a securitisation company or a reconstruction company. Banks selling financial assets must ensure that there is no known liability being transferred to them and that they do not assume any operational, legal or any other type of risks relating to the financial assets sold. Further, banks cannot sell financial assets at a contingent price with an agreement to bear a part of the shortfall on ultimate realization. However, banks may sell specific financial assets with an agreement to share any surplus realized by the asset reconstruction company in the future. While each bank is required to make its own assessment of the value offered in the sale before accepting or rejecting an offer for purchase of financial assets by an asset reconstruction company, in consortium or multiple banking arrangements where more than 75.0 percent, by value of the banks or financial institutions, accept the offer, the remaining banks or financial institutions are obliged to accept the offer. Consideration for the sale may be in the form of cash or bonds/debentures issued by the asset reconstruction company or trusts set up by it to acquire financial assets. Banks can also invest in security receipts or pass-through certificates issued by the asset reconstruction company or trusts set up by it to acquire the financial assets.
In June 2019, the RBI permitted asset reconstruction companies to acquire assets from other asset reconstruction companies subject to stipulated conditions. In December 2019, the RBI restricted asset reconstruction companies from buying financial assets from a bank or financial institution which is a sponsor of the asset reconstruction company, lender to the asset reconstruction company or a subscriber to the asset reconstruction fund, or an entity in the group to which the asset reconstruction companies belong.
In July 2020, the RBI published a fair practices code for asset reconstruction companies to ensure transparency and fairness in their operation. The asset reconstruction companies registered with the RBI are advised to put in place a fair practices code duly approved by their board and publish the code in the public domain for the information of all stakeholders.
In April 2021, the RBI set up a committee to undertake a comprehensive review of the existing legal and regulatory framework applicable to ARCs and recommend measures to improve the effectiveness of ARCs, in particular the role of ARCs in the resolution of distressed assets, including under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016. In September 2021, the committee submitted its report, which had recommendations primarily related to acquisition, securitisation and reconstruction of financial assets and liquidity and trading of security receipts. Further recommendations were concerned with governance and transparency, minimum net owned fund requirements, legal topics and taxation topics.
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Guidelines on Sale and Purchase of
Non-Performing
Assets (“NPAs”) among Banks, Financial Institutions and Non-banking Financial Institutions
In order to increase the options available to banks for resolving their NPAs and to develop a healthy secondary market for NPAs, in July 2005, the RBI issued guidelines for the purchase and sale of NPAs among banks, financial institutions and NBFCs. In terms of these guidelines, banks’ boards are required to establish policies covering, among others, a valuation procedure to be followed to ensure that the economic value of financial assets is reasonably estimated based on the assessed cash flows arising out of repayment and recovery prospects. Purchases and sales of NPAs must be without recourse to the seller, on a cash basis, with the entire consideration being paid
up-front,
and after the sale there should not be any known liability devolving on the seller. Previously, an asset needed to be classified by the seller as
non-performing
for at least two years to be eligible for sale and the purchasing bank needed to have held the NPA in its books for at least 15 months before it could sell the asset to another bank.
In February 2014, the RBI issued guidelines wherein the requirement of a minimum holding period of two years by the seller in relation to sale transactions with other banks, financial institutions and NBFCs, was removed. These guidelines reduce the purchasing bank’s holding period requirement to 12 months before it can sell the asset to another bank, financial institution or NBFC. In accordance with these RBI guidelines, the asset cannot be sold back to the original seller.
Further, to incentivize the early sale of NPAs to securitisation companies and reconstruction companies, banks are allowed to spread over any shortfall, if the sale value is lower than the net book value, over a period of two years for NPAs sold up to March 31, 2016. In its circular of June 2016, the RBI has further extended the dispensation of amortizing the shortfall on the sale of NPAs to securitisation companies and reconstruction companies to March 31, 2017. However, in respect of NPAs sold during the period from April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, banks may amortize the shortfall over a period of only four quarters from the quarter in which the sale took place.
Guidelines on Sale of Standard Assets
The RBI first issued guidelines for the securitisation of standard assets in February 2006. The guidelines provide that for a transaction to be treated as a securitisation, a
two-stage
process must be followed. In the first stage there must be a sale of a single asset or pooling and transferring of assets to a bankruptcy remote special purpose vehicle (“SPV”) in return for immediate cash payment and in the second stage repackaging and selling the security interests representing claims on incoming cash flows from the asset or pool of assets to third-party investors should be effected. Further, for enabling the transferred assets to be removed from the balance sheet of the seller in a securitisation structure, the isolation of assets or “true sale” from the seller or originator to the SPV is an essential prerequisite. Also, an
arm’s-length
relationship must be maintained between the originator, the seller and the SPV.
Certain regulatory standards for capital adequacy, valuation, profit and loss on sale of assets, income recognition and provisioning, accounting treatment for securitisation transactions and disclosure standards have been prescribed. The guidelines are applicable for originators and have prescribed provisions for service providers like: credit enhancers, liquidity support providers and underwriters and investors. Quarterly reporting to the audit
sub-committee
of the board of directors by originating banks of the securitisation transactions has also been prescribed. Apart from banks, these guidelines are also applicable to financial institutions and NBFCs.
In May 2012, the RBI revised the guidelines on transfer of assets through securitisation and direct assignment of cash flows. These guidelines govern the securitisation of debt obligations of a homogenous pool of obligors as well as the direct sale or transfer of a single standard asset. The roles of both the selling and purchasing banks have been defined more clearly. All
on-balance
sheet standard assets except those expressly disallowed in the guidelines are eligible for securitisation subject to being held by the originating bank for a minimum holding period. The guidelines also prescribe a minimum retention requirement,
i.e.
, the minimum part of the securitized debts that the originator is required to retain during the term of securitisation. Overseas banking outlets of Indian banks cannot undertake securitisation in other jurisdictions unless there is a minimum retention requirement in that jurisdiction. These requirements have been established to ensure that the originator exercises due diligence with regard to the securitized assets. The guidelines also establish the upper limit on the total retained exposure of the originator, the disclosures to be made by the originators, applicability of capital adequacy and asset classification and provisioning norms to these transactions. The norms also stipulate stress testing and extensive monitoring requirements on the purchased portfolios. Transactions which do not meet the requirements established by the guidelines will be assigned very high-risk weights under capital adequacy norms. The guidelines on transfer of assets through securitisation and direct assignment of cash flows do not apply to:
transfer of loan accounts of borrowers by a bank to other banks, financial institutions or NBFCs, at the request of the borrower;
inter-bank participations;
trading in bonds;
sale of the entire portfolio of assets consequent upon a decision to exit the line of business completely (which should have the approval of the board of directors of the bank);
consortium and syndication arrangements and arrangement under a corporate debt restructuring mechanism; and
any other arrangements/transactions specifically exempted by the RBI.
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In June 2020, the RBI released the drafts of a framework for the securitisation of standard assets and for the sale of loan exposures. The framework proposes to revisit the guidelines for the sale of both standard and distressed loan exposures, and will apply to all scheduled commercial banks and NBFCs (including housing finance companies).
In September 2021, the RBI issued master directions on securitisation of standard assets and sale of loan exposures. These guidelines are applicable to all banks, financial institutions, SFBs and NBFCs. The aim of the revised guidelines was to develop a strong and robust securitisation market in India, while incentivizing simpler securitisation structures, and to align the regulatory framework with the Basel guidelines on securitization, which have become effective January 1, 2018, and the IFRS requirements. Among other things, the guidelines prescribe minimum retention requirements (“MRR”) based on the maturity of the underlying loan assets and different average maturities for residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”). The guidelines also prescribe conditions for the transfer of loan assets.
Salient features of the securitisation of standard assets are as follows: (i) transactions that result in the issuance of multiple tranches of securities reflecting different credit risks will be treated as securitisation transactions and accordingly covered under the securitisation guidelines; (ii) a securitisation external ratings-based approach has been introduced for calculation of risk weighted assets for credit risk of securitisation exposures. For unrated securitisation exposures, the lender shall maintain capital charge equal to the actual exposure. A differential credit risk has been prescribed for securitisations under the ‘standardised approach’; (iii) a special form of securitization, called the “simple, transparent and comparable securitization” (“STC”), has been prescribed with clearly defined criteria and preferential capital treatment; (iv) the definition of securitization has been modified to allow single-asset securitisations; (v) securitisation of exposures purchased from other lenders has been allowed; (vi) carve-outs for RMBS in prescriptions regarding minimum holding periods (“MHP”), MRR and reset of credit enhancements have been introduced; and (vi) criteria for transfers of credit risk have been prescribed, which if met will exempt the originator from maintaining capital against the exposures so transferred.
Salient features of the sale of loan exposures (in contrast to the existing guidelines) are as follows: (i) the sale of standard assets may be made by assignment, novation or loan participation contracts (either funded participation or risk participation), whereas the sale of stressed assets may be made by assignment or novation only; (ii) direct assignment transactions shall be classified as a special form in these guidelines; (iii) the requirement of MRR for sale of loans has been abolished; (iv) the price discovery process has been deregulated to follow the lenders’ policy; (v) stressed assets may be sold to any entity that is permitted to take on loan exposures by its statutory or regulatory framework; and (vi) some of the existing conditions for the sale of NPAs have been consolidated and standardized.
Regulations Relating to Making Loans
The provisions of the Banking Regulation Act govern loans made by banks in India. The RBI issues directions covering the loan activities of banks. Major guidelines include norms for bank lending to the priority sector,
non-bank
financial companies, guidelines on banks’ benchmark lending rates, base rates and norms for loans against shares.
In terms of Section 20(1) of the Banking Regulation Act, a bank cannot grant any loans and advances against the security of its own shares. A banking company is prohibited from entering into any commitment for granting any loans or advances to or on behalf of any of its directors, or any firm in which any of its directors has an interest as a partner, manager, employee or guarantor or any other company (not being a subsidiary of the banking company or a company registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act or a Government company), or the subsidiary or the holding company of such a company of which any of the directors of the bank is a director, managing agent, manager, employee or guarantor or in which he holds substantial interest, or any individual in respect of whom any of its directors is a partner or guarantor. There are certain exceptions in this regard which exclude any transaction which the RBI may specify by general or special order as not being a loan or advance for the purpose of such section. The Government may, on the recommendation of the RBI and subject to conditions as it may deem fit to impose, exempt any banking company from the restriction on lending to the subsidiary, holding company or any other company in which any of the directors of the banking company is a director, managing agent, manager, employee, guarantor or in which such person holds substantial interest.
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In the context of granting greater functional autonomy to banks, effective October 18, 1994, the RBI decided to remove restrictions on the lending rates of scheduled commercial banks for credit limits of over Rs. 0.2 million. Banks were given the freedom to fix the lending rates for such credit limits subject to the Benchmark Prime Lending Rate (“BPLR”) and spread guidelines. The BPLR system, however, fell short of its original objective of bringing transparency to lending rates. This was mainly because under the BPLR system, banks could lend below BPLR. Banks consequently were advised by the RBI to switch over to the system of Base Rate with effect from July 1, 2010. The base rate system was aimed at enhancing transparency in lending rates of banks and enabling better assessment of transmission of the monetary policy. The Base Rate included all elements of the lending rates that were common across all categories of borrowers. Banks were allowed to choose any benchmark to arrive at their Base Rate for a specific tenor that could be disclosed. For loans sanctioned up to June 30, 2010, the BPLR was applicable. However, for loans sanctioned up to June 30, 2010, but renewed from July 1, 2010, the Base Rate was applicable.
In December 2015, the RBI issued revised guidelines on computing interest rates on advances based on the marginal cost of funds. The revised guidelines were issued with a view to improving the transmission of policy rates into bank lending rates, improving transparency in the methodology followed by banks for determining interest rates on advances, and ensuring the availability of bank credit at interest rates which are fair to the borrowers as well as the banks. The guidelines came into effect from April 1, 2016. Pursuant to the revised guidelines, all rupee loans sanctioned and credit limits renewed with effect from April 1, 2016, will be priced with reference to the marginal cost of funds-based lending rate system (“MCLR”). Actual lending rates will be determined by adding the components of spread to the MCLR. Banks will review and publish their MCLR of different maturities every month on a
pre-announced
date. The guidelines provide that existing loans and credit limits linked to the Base Rate may continue until repayment or renewal. Certain types of loans, including fixed rate loans with tenor over three years and loans linked to a market-determined external benchmark, are exempt from provisions of MCLR. The existing borrowers will have the option to move to MCLR-linked loans at mutually acceptable terms.
With effect from October 1, 2019 all new floating rate personal or retail loans and floating rate loans to micro and small enterprises are required to be linked to an external benchmark. Banks can adopt any of the following benchmarks: (i) RBI policy repo rate, (ii) Government of India
3-Months
Treasury Bill yield published by Financial Benchmarks India Private Ltd (“FBIL”), (iii) Government of India
6-Months
Treasury Bill yield published by FBIL, and (iv) any other benchmark market interest rate published by FBIL. However, adoption of multiple benchmarks by the same bank is not permitted within a loan category. The RBI in its circular dated February 26, 2020 extended the requirement to link external benchmarks to new floating rate loans granted to medium enterprises, from April 1, 2020.
Directed Lending
Priority Sector Lending
The guidelines on lending to the priority sector are set forth in the RBI Master Directions on Priority Sector Lending—Targets and Classification as updated from time to time. The priority sector is broadly comprised of agriculture, micro, small and medium enterprises (“MSMEs”), export credit, education, housing, social infrastructure, renewable energy, and others subject to certain limits.
The priority sector lending targets are linked to the adjusted net bank credit (“ANBC”) or the credit equivalent amount of
off-balance
sheet exposures (“CEOBE”), whichever is higher, as on the corresponding date of the previous year. Domestic banks and foreign banks having 20 or more branches in India, are required to achieve total priority sector lending equivalent to 40.0 percent of their ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher. Of the total priority sector advances, agricultural advances are required to be 18.0 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher. Advances to weaker sections are required to be 11.0 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher. Within the 18.0 percent target for agriculture, a target of 9.0 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher, is prescribed for small and marginal farmers. The targets for small and marginal farmers, and weaker sectors will be implemented in a phased manner through fiscal year 2024. Banks have also been directed to ensure that their overall direct lending to
non-corporate
farmers does not fall below the system-wide average of the achievements over the last three years (which will be notified by the RBI at the beginning of each year; the percentage applicable to fiscal year 2022 was 12.73 percent). The banks should continue to undertake all efforts to reach the level of 13.5 percent of ANBC (which was the erstwhile target for direct lending to the agriculture sector). The target for micro enterprises is set at 7.5 percent.
Loans to individuals up to Rs. 3.5 million in metropolitan centers (with populations of 1.0 million or more) and loans up to Rs. 2.5 million in other centers for the purchase or construction of a dwelling unit per family (provided the overall cost of the dwelling unit in the metropolitan center and at other centers does not exceed Rs. 4.5 million and Rs. 3.0 million, respectively), excluding loans granted by banks to their own employees, are to be treated as part of priority sector lending. Loans to individual borrowers for educational purposes, including vocational courses up to Rs. 2.0 million, are also to be treated as part of priority sector lending. Investments by banks in securitized assets and outright purchases of loans representing loans to various categories of the priority sector (except “others”) are eligible for classification under the priority sector only if certain criteria are fulfilled.
Bank loans up to a limit of Rs. 50.0 million per borrower for building social infrastructure for activities, namely schools, drinking water facilities and sanitation facilities and loans up to a limit of Rs. 100.0 million per borrower for building health care facilities including under “Ayushman Bharat” in certain eligible centers as prescribed by the RBI are treated as priority sector lending. Further, Bank loans up to a limit of Rs. 300.0 million to borrowers for purposes like solar-based power generators, biomass-based power generators, windmills, micro-hydel plants and for
non-conventional
energy-based public utilities like street lighting systems, and remote village electrification are also treated as priority sector lending.
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Scheduled commercial banks (excluding SFBs, RRBs, UCBs and LABs) are permitted to
co-lend
with all registered
Non-Banking
Financial Companies (including Housing Finance Companies) for lending to the priority sector.
Banks are required to ensure compliance with priority sector lending targets on a quarterly basis. Domestic scheduled commercial banks having a shortfall in lending to priority sector targets are allocated amounts for contribution to the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund established with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development or funds with other financial institutions, as may be decided by the RBI, as and when funds are required by them. The interest rates on banks’ contributions to these schemes and periods of deposits, among other things, are fixed by the RBI from time to time. Additionally, as per RBI guidelines,
non-achievement
of priority sector targets and
sub-targets
is taken into account by the RBI when granting regulatory clearances and approvals for various purposes. While computing priority sector achievement, a simple average of all quarters will be arrived at and considered for computation of overall shortfall/excess at the end of the year. Beginning in fiscal year 2022, the RBI assigns weightages to incremental priority sector credit in identified districts. A higher weight (125 percent) will be assigned in the identified districts where the credit flow is comparatively lower and a lower weight (90 percent) will be assigned in the identified districts where the credit flow is comparatively higher. This will be valid for up to fiscal year 2024 and will be reviewed thereafter. The districts not further specified will continue to have an existing weightage of 100 percent. Adjustments for weights to incremental PSL credit by the RBI are pending.
In fiscal year 2021, the Government of India excluded retail and wholesale traders from the MSME definition. This had adversely impacted the Bank’s PSL achievement for fiscal year 2021. Based on representations made by various industry bodies for reinstatement of this segment, the Government of India reinstated retail and wholesale traders as MSME for priority sector lending in July 2021. Thereafter, the RBI accepted the Bank’s revised filing of PSL achievement for fiscal year 2021 including the lending to the retail and wholesale trader segments. The revised achievement was as follows: Total PSL achievement stood at 39.9 percent, lending to micro enterprises at 7.5 percent and advances to sections identified as “weaker” by the RBI at 4.3 percent.
Further, foreign banks with less than 20 branches are directed to achieve a total priority sector lending target of 40.0 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher, out of which up to 32.0 percent can be in the form of lending for exports and not less than 8.0 percent can be to any other priority sector.
In order to enable banks to achieve the priority sector lending target and
sub-targets,
the RBI, in its circular dated April 7, 2016, has introduced the Priority Sector Lending Certificates (“PSLC”) Scheme. The scheme permits banks to purchase PSLCs in the event of a shortfall from those banks that have achieved a surplus in their priority sector lending targets. There are four kinds of PSLCs:
(i)
PSLC Agriculture: counting for achievement towards the total agriculture lending target;
(ii)
PSLC SF/MF: counting for achievement towards the
sub-target
for lending to small and marginal farmers;
(iii)
PSLC Micro Enterprises: counting for achievement towards the
sub-target
for lending to micro enterprises; and
(iv)
PSLC General: counting for achievement towards the overall priority sector target.
The RBI has permitted bank loans to registered NBFCs (other than MFIs) for
on-lending
purposes to be classified as priority sector loans, within the relevant categories as outlined above, subject to the condition that a bank’s loans to registered NBFCs (other than MFIs) and HFCs for
on-lending
purposes will only be permitted up to an overall limit of 5.0 percent of an individual bank’s total priority sector lending. The RBI clarified that a bank’s loan for
on-lending
will continue to be classified under the priority sector until the date of their repayment or maturity. The RBI also clarified that bank loans made to HFCs for
on-lending
for the purpose of housing will continue on an
on-going
basis. Furthermore, existing loans disbursed under the
on-lending
model will continue to be classified under the applicable priority sector until the date of repayment/maturity.
Previously, lending by SFBs to Micro-Finance Institutions (“MFIs”) for
on-lending
did not fall under the priority sector lending classification. Due to the
COVID-19
pandemic and to address the liquidity position of smaller MFIs, the RBI decided to permit new credit extended by SFBs to registered NBFC-MFIs and other MFIs (including, among others, societies and trusts), which are members of
RBI-recognized
“Self-Regulatory Organizations” of the sector and which have a “gross loan portfolio” of up to Rs. 5,000.0 million as of March 31 of the previous fiscal year, for the purpose of
on-lending
to the priority sector, to be classified as PSL. Such credit will be permitted to be classified as up to 10.0 percent of a bank’s total priority sector portfolio. This dispensation was valid until March 31, 2022. Such loans disbursed, were to be classified as PSL until the earlier date of the repayment or maturity. In May 2022, the RBI extended
this dispensation and allowed this classification on an
on-going
basis for eligible entities with a ‘gross loan portfolio’ of up to Rs. 5,000.0 million as of March 31 of the previous fiscal year.
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Export Credit
The RBI also requires banks to make loans to exporters. We provide export credit for
pre-shipment
and post-shipment requirements of exporters in rupees as well as foreign currencies. Export credit in the agriculture and MSME sectors is permitted to be classified as priority sector lending in the corresponding agriculture and MSME categories. Export credit (other than in the agriculture and MSME categories) is permitted to be classified as priority sector lending in the following manner: (i) the incremental export credit extended by domestic banks over the corresponding date of the preceding year, up to 2.0 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher, subject to a limit of Rs. 400.0 million per borrower will be classified as priority sector lending; (ii) the incremental export credit extended by foreign banks with 20 or more branches over the corresponding date of the preceding year, up to 2.0 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher; and (iii) export credit extended by foreign banks with less than 20 branches up to 32.0 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher.
Lending to Infrastructure Sector and Affordable Housing Sector
In order to allow banks to provide long-term funds for project loans to the infrastructure sector and the affordable housing sector, the RBI, in July 2014, issued guidelines for the issuance of long-term bonds by banks for financing infrastructure sector loans and lending to the affordable housing sector. Under these guidelines, banks are permitted to issue long-term fully paid, redeemable and unsecured bonds with a minimum maturity of seven years to enable lending to long-term projects in certain specified infrastructure
sub-sectors
and the affordable housing sector as prescribed in the guidelines. To encourage lending to these sectors, these long-term bonds are not subject to cash reserve ratio (“CRR”) or statutory liquidity ratio (“SLR”) requirements. These bonds are also not included in the computation of ANBC for the purposes of priority sector lending targets subject to the guidelines. However, any infrastructure or affordable housing loans acquired from other banks and financial institutions (such as those that could be involved in a business combination with the Bank) will require the prior approval of the RBI to avail themselves of these regulatory incentives.
Credit Exposure Limits
As a prudential measure aimed at better risk management and avoiding the concentration of credit risks, the RBI has advised banks to fix limits on their exposure to specific industries and sectors and has prescribed regulatory limits on banks’ exposures to individual borrowers and borrower groups. In addition, banks are also required to observe certain statutory and regulatory exposure limits in respect of advances against or investments in shares, convertible debentures or bonds, units of equity-oriented mutual funds and all exposures to venture capital funds (“VCFs”).
The RBI limits exposure to individual borrowers to not more than 15.0 percent of the capital funds of a Bank and limits exposure to a borrower group to not more than 40.0 percent of the capital funds of a bank. See also “
Large Exposure Framework
” discussed below. The capital funds for this purpose are comprised of Tier I and Tier II capital, as defined under the capital adequacy standards and as per the published accounts as of March 31 of the previous year. The infusion of Tier I or Tier II capital, either through domestic or overseas issuances, after the published balance sheet date is also eligible for inclusion in the capital funds for determining the exposure ceiling. In the case of infrastructure projects, such as power, telecommunications, road and port projects, an additional exposure of up to 5.0 percent of capital funds is allowed in respect of individual borrowers and up to 10.0 percent in respect of group borrowers. Banks may, in exceptional circumstances and with the approval of their boards, consider increasing their exposure to an individual borrower or a borrower group by a further 5.0 percent of capital funds. With effect from May 2008, the RBI revised the prudential limit to 25.0 percent of capital funds in respect of a bank’s exposure to oil companies to which specified oil bonds have been issued by the Government of India. Banks need to make appropriate disclosures in their annual financial statements in respect of exposures where they have exceeded the prudential exposure limits during the year.
Exposures (both lending and investment, including
off-balance
sheet exposures) of a bank to a single NBFC, NBFC-Asset Financing Company (“AFC”), or NBFC-Infrastructure Finance Company (“IFC”) should not exceed 10.0 percent, 15.0 percent and 15.0 percent, respectively, of a bank’s capital funds. A bank may, however, assume exposures on a single NBFC,
NBFC-AFC,
or
NBFC-IFC
up to 15.0 percent, 20.0 percent and 20.0 percent, respectively, of its capital funds, provided the exposure in excess of 10.0 percent, 15.0 percent and 15.0 percent (referred to above) is on account of funds that the NBFC,
NBFC-AFC,
or
NBFC-IFC
has lent out to the infrastructure sector. Further, all banks may consider fixing internal limits for their aggregate exposure to all NBFCs combined.
Exposure includes credit exposure (funded and
non-funded
credit limits) and investment exposure (including underwriting and similar commitments). The sanctioned limits or outstanding amount, whichever is higher, would be included when arriving at the exposure limit. However, in the case of fully drawn term loans, where there is no scope for
re-drawing
of any portion of the sanctioned limit, banks may consider the outstanding as the exposure. For the purpose of exposure norms, banks shall compute their credit exposures, arising on account of the interest rate and foreign exchange derivative transactions and gold, using the Current Exposure Method. While computing credit exposures, banks may exclude “sold options”, provided that the entire premium or fee or any other form of income is received or realized.
Credit exposure comprises the following elements:
all types of funded and
non-funded
credit limits; and
facilities extended by way of equipment leasing, hire purchase finance and factoring services.
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Apart from limiting exposures to an individual or a group of borrowers, as indicated above, the RBI guidelines also require banks to consider fixing internal limits for aggregate commitments to specific sectors, so that their exposures are evenly spread across various sectors. These limits are subject to a periodic review by banks.
In August 2016, the RBI has issued a circular imposing certain restrictions on lending by banks to large borrowers. The circular aims to mitigate the risk posed to the banking system by large loans to single corporate borrowers, and also encourage large corporates with borrowings from the banking system above a
cut-off
level to tap the market for their working capital and term loan needs. As per the circular, which is effective April 1, 2017, banks are required to keep exposures to specified borrowers within a normally permitted lending limit (“NPLL”) specified in the circular from the fiscal year succeeding that in which the borrower is identified as a specified borrower. For incremental exposures in excess of the NPLL, banks are required to maintain an additional provision of 3.0 percent on such excess. Additional risk weight of 75.0 percent over and above the applicable risk weight for the exposure to the specified borrower is also required to be maintained by the Bank in case of any incremental exposure. The guidelines define “specified borrowers” as having an aggregate fund-based credit limit (as described in the circular) of over Rs. 250.0 billion at any time during fiscal year 2018; Rs. 150.0 billion at any time during fiscal year 2019; and Rs. 100.0 billion at any time from April 1, 2019, onwards.
In December 2018, the RBI issued guidelines in relation to bank credit to large borrowers. The guidelines state that borrowers having a fund-based working capital limit of Rs. 1,500.0 million and above from the banking system, will need to have a loan component of at least 40.0 percent. Accordingly, for such borrowers drawings up to 40.0 percent of the total fund-based working capital limits shall only be allowed from the loan component, and drawings in excess of this may be allowed as a cash credit facility. These guidelines became effective on April 1, 2019, and with effect from July 1, 2019, the mandatory loan component was revised to 60.0 percent. The RBI also specified that with effect from April 1, 2019, the undrawn portion of cash credit/overdraft limits sanctioned to large borrowers, irrespective of whether unconditionally cancellable or not, will be subject to a credit conversion factor of 20.0 percent.
Large Exposures FrameworkMANAGEMENT
—Supervision
Directors and Regulation.” Senior Management
Our Memorandum and Articles of Association (“Articles”) provide that, until otherwise determined by the general meeting of shareholders, the number of our directors shall not be less than three or more than 15, excluding directors appointed pursuant to the terms of issued debt. As of March 31, 2022, our Board of Directors consisted of eleven (11) directors.
As per this Large Exposure Framework,the Companies Act, unless the Articles provide for the retirement of all directors at every annual general meeting, not less than
two-thirds
of the total number of directors shall be persons whose period of office is liable to determination by retirement of directors by rotation. However, any retiring director may be reappointed by resolution of the shareholders. Pursuant to the Companies Act, every company shall have at least one director who has stayed in India for a bank’s exposures to a single NBFC is restricted to 15 percenttotal period of their available eligible capital base, while exposure values of a bank to a single counterparty must not be higherless than 182 days in the previous calendar year (
i.e.
, an Indian resident).
As per our Articles, so long as HDFC Limited, its subsidiary or any other company promoted by HDFC Limited, either singly or in the aggregate, holds not less than 20 percent of its available eligiblethe
paid-up
equity share capital base,in the Bank, the Board of Directors of the Bank shall, with the approval of the shareholders, appoint the
non-retiring
directors from persons nominated by HDFC Limited. HDFC Limited shall be entitled to nominate the part-time Chairman and the Managing Director or the full-time Chairman as the case may be, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of the Bank and the shareholders. Currently, Mrs. Renu Karnad is the
Non-Executive
Director (“NED”) (nominee of HDFC Limited) of the Bank. The Banking Regulation Act 1949 (“the Banking Regulation Act”) and subsequent RBI notification, dated November 24, 2016, requires that not less than 51 percent of the board members shall consist of persons who have specialized knowledge or practical experience in one or more of the following areas: accounting, finance, agriculture and rural economy, banking, cooperation, economics, law, small-scale industry, information technology, payment and settlement systems, human resources, risk management, business management and any other matter which can be extended to 25 percent by a bank’s boardin the opinion of directors under exceptional circumstances. Thethe RBI in its circular dated September 12, 2019 stated that a bank’s exposure to a single NBFC (excluding gold loan companies) will be restricteduseful to 20the banking company. Of these, not less than two directors shall have specialized knowledge or practical experience in respect of agriculture and the rural economy, cooperation or small-scale industry. Mr. Malay Patel and Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari are the Independent Directors on the Board who have specialized knowledge and practical experience in small scale industry and Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi is the Independent Director on the Board with specialized knowledge and practical experience in agriculture and rural economy. Mr. M.D. Ranganath is the Independent Director on the Board of the Bank with expertise in Information Technology. The skills, special knowledge and practical experience of the individual directors comprise of the following:
Sr.
No.
Name
Designation
Expertise/ Competence
1
Mr. Atanu ChakrabortyPart-time
Non-Executive
Chairman and Independent Director
Finance, Economy, Public Policy, Administration and Infrastructure, Banking, Risk Management, Payment & Settlement System, Business Management
2
Mr. Kaizad BharuchaExecutive DirectorBanking Business, Credit & Risk Management, Business Management
3
Mrs. Lily VaderaIndependent DirectorBanking, Finance, International Relations
4
Mr. Malay PatelIndependent DirectorSmall Scale Industries, Business Management
5
Mr. M. D. RanganathIndependent DirectorFinance, Accountancy, Information Technology, Risk Management, Business Management
6
Mrs. Renu Karnad
Non-Executive
Director
Risk Management, Housing & Real Estate, Financial, Accounting & Audit, Consumer Behavior, Sales & Marketing, Legal and Strategy Management, Economics, Business Management
7
Mr. Sandeep ParekhIndependent DirectorLaw (with focus on securities market and financial regulations), Payment & Settlement System, Business Management
8
Mr. Sanjiv SacharIndependent DirectorHuman Resource Management, Economics, Finance, Accountancy, Business Management
9
Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan
Managing Director & Chief
Executive Officer
Economics of Money, Banking and Finance, Accountancy, Business Management
10
Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita MaheshwariIndependent DirectorMedicine, Healthcare, Entrepreneurship, General Administration, Small Scale Industries, Business Management
11
Mr. Umesh Chandra SarangiIndependent DirectorAgriculture and Rural Economy, Cooperation, Business Management
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Interested directors may not vote at board proceedings, except in relation to contracts or arrangements with a company in which that director holds (or two or more directors collectively hold) not more than 2 percent of that bank’s eligible capital base. Bank finance to NBFCs predominantly engaged in lending against gold will continue to be governed by limits prescribed in RBI circular dated May 18, 2012. A bank’s exposure to a single NBFC, having gold loans equivalent tothe
paid-up
share capital. None of our directors or exceeding 50 per centmembers of its total financial assets is restricted to 7.5 per centour senior management holds 1 percent or more of the banks’ capital funds, which can be extended to 12.5 per cent if the additional exposure is on accountour equity shares.
Our Board of funds on-lent by the NBFC to the infrastructure sector. Tier I capital that fulfills the criteria set out in the RBI’s Basel III guidelines must be consideredDirectors, as eligible capital base for this purpose. As of March 31, 2020,2022, comprised of:
Name of Director
Designation
Age
Mr. Atanu Chakraborty
(1)
Part time
Non-Executive
Chairman and Independent Director
62
Mr. Sashidhar JagdishanManaging Director & CEO57
Mr. Kaizad BharuchaExecutive Director57
Mrs. Lily Vadera
(2)
Independent Director61
Mr. Malay PatelIndependent Director45
Mr. M. D. RanganathIndependent Director60
Mrs. Renu Karnad
(3)
Non-Executive Director (Nominee of HDFC Limited)69
Mr. Sandeep ParekhIndependent Director50
Mr. Sanjiv SacharIndependent Director64
Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita MaheshwariIndependent Director56
Mr. Umesh Chandra SarangiIndependent Director70
(1)
Mr. Atanu Chakraborty was appointed as the part-time
Non-Executive
Chairman and Independent Director of the Bank with effect from May 5, 2021, pursuant to the approval by the RBI and by the shareholders of the Bank at its 27th Annual General Meeting held on July 17, 2021.
(2)
Mrs. Lily Vadera was appointed as an Independent Director of the Bank for a period of five (5) years with effect from November 26, 2021, pursuant to the approval by the shareholders of the Bank through postal ballot on March 27, 2022.
(3)
At the meeting of the Board of Directors held on April 16, 2022, Mrs. Renu Karnad was reappointed as the NED (Nominee of Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited, promoter of the Bank) on the Board of Directors, for a period of five (5) years with effect from September 3, 2022, subject to the approval by the Bank’s shareholders.
(4)
Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni tendered his resignation as
Non-Executive
(Non-Independent)
Director of the Bank with effect from February 18, 2022.
The following are brief biographies of our exposure to our ten largest borrowers, exposure to six borrowers was equal to or more than 5 percentdirectors, including the part-time
Non-Executive
Chairman and Independent Director of our eligible capital base under this framework and was mainly comprised of large credit facilities to these borrowers. There were no exposures that exceeded the regulatory ceiling established by RBI.
Cross border exposures
The RBI requires banks in India to implement RBI prescribed guidelines on country risk management in respect of those countries where a bank has net funded exposure in excess of a prescribed percentage of its total assets. In the normal course of business, we have both direct and indirect exposure to risks related to counterparties and entities in foreign countries. We monitor such cross-border exposures on an ongoing basis. As of March 31, 2020, our aggregate country risk exposure was 2.2 percent of our total assets and our net funded exposure to any other country did not exceed 1 percent of our total assets as per the said guidelines.Bank:
Cybersecurity
Mr.
We offer internet Atanu Chakraborty,
62 years of age, was appointed as the part-time
Non-Executive
Chairman and mobile banking servicesIndependent Director of the Bank with effect from May 5, 2021, pursuant to our customers. Our internetthe approval granted by the RBI and mobile banking channel includes multiple services,by the shareholders of the Bank at its 27th Annual General Meeting held on July 17, 2021. He has served in the Government of India, for a period of thirty-five (35) years, as a member of the Indian Administrative Service (“IAS”) in Gujarat cadre, during which he mainly worked in areas of Finance & Economic Policy, Infrastructure, and Petroleum & Natural Gas. In the Government of India, he held various posts, such as electronicSecretary to Government of India at the Department of Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Finance (“DEA”) during fiscal year 2020. As Secretary of the DEA, he coordinated economic policymaking across all ministries and departments. Furthermore, he managed the entire formulation process of the budget for the Government of India, including its passage in Parliament. He was responsible for the policies for fiscal management, public debt management and the development & management of financial markets.
Mr. Chakraborty also handled the domestic and foreign issues related to financial stability and currency. He managed the flow of funds transfer, bill payment services, usageby multilateral and bilateral financial institutions. He also headed a multi-disciplinary task force for the National Infrastructure Pipeline (“NIP”). He served as Secretary to the Government of credit cards online, requesting account statementsIndia for Disinvestment at the Department of Investment and requesting check books. We are therefore exposed to cyber threats, such as hacking, phishingPublic Asset Management (“DIPAM”), where he was responsible for both the policy and trojans, targeting our customers, wherein fraudsters send unsolicited mails to our customers seeking account sensitive information; hacking, wherein hackers seek to hack into our website with the primary intentionexecution of causing reputational damage to us; and data theft, wherein cyber criminals may intrude into our network withdisinvestments of the intentionGovernment of stealing our internal data or our customer information or to extort money.
We have implemented various measures to mitigate risks that emanate from offering online banking to our customers. These are briefly enumerated below:India’s stake in state-owned enterprises.
 
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Phishing: We identify phishing sites

Between 2002 and trojans targeting our customers2007, Mr. Chakraborty served as Director and then shut down such sites. Forensic informationsubsequently as Joint Secretary at the Department of Expenditure of the Ministry of Finance. During his tenure, he evaluated projects in the Infrastructure sector and oversaw subsidies by the Government of India. He also updated and modernized the Government’s Financial & Procurement rules. Mr. Chakraborty has also served in various roles at the Gujarat State Government, including as Secretary to its Finance Department. He had been responsible for piloting the private sector investment legislation in the State. In the State Government, he was immersed in both public governance and development areas.
Mr. Chakraborty has also served as alternate Governor on the Board of the World Bank, as well as on the Central Board of Directors of the RBI. He was the Chairman of the National Infrastructure Investment Fund (“NIIF”) and a Director of various listed companies. Mr. Chakraborty was the CEO and Managing Director of the GSPC group of companies, as well as Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd. Mr. Chakraborty has published articles in renowned journals in the areas of public finance, risk sharing in infrastructure projects and gas infrastructure. Mr. Chakraborty graduated with a Bachelor in Engineering in Electronics and Communication from NIT Kurukshetra. He holds a Diploma in Business Finance from the Institute of Financial Analysts of India (“ICFAI”), Hyderabad, and a Master in Business Administration from the University of Hull, United Kingdom.
Mrs.
 Renu Karnad
, aged 69 years, is a NED of the Bank. She has been the Managing Director of HDFC Limited since 2010. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Delhi and a degree in Law from the University of Mumbai. She is also a Parvin Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, NJ, United States. Mrs. Karnad brings with her valuable experience and knowledge of the mortgage sector, having been associated with real estate and mortgage industry in India for over 40 years. Over the years, she has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, such as customers details, which may havethe “Outstanding Woman Business Leader” award granted by CBNC-TV18 at the India Business Leader Awards 2012, induction in the Hall of Fame, Fortune India magazine’s most powerful women from 2011 to 2019, “Top ten powerful women to watch out for in Asia” by
Wall Street Journal Asia
in 2006, etc. She has previously been compromised are retrieveda NED on the Board of the Bank.
Mr.
 Malay Patel
, aged 45 years, is a NED of the Bank. He has graduated from Rutgers University, NJ, United States, and holds an Associate of Arts in Business Administration from Bergen County College, NJ, United States. He is a Director on the Board of Eewa Engineering Company Private Limited, a company in the plastics and packaging industry that exports to more than 50 countries. Previously, he has been involved in various roles, such sitesas import & export, procurement, and acted upon. We have implemented Secure Access which providessales and marketing, at Eewa Engineering Company Private Limited. Mr. Malay Patel has special knowledge and practical experience in matters relating to small scale industries as they relate to
Section 10-A
(2 a) of the Banking Regulation Act 1949.
Mr.
 Umesh Chandra Sarangi
,
aged 70 years, is a NED of the Bank. He holds a Master of Science in Botany from Utkal University, where he was a gold medalist. Mr. Sarangi has over three decades of experience at the IAS and brought in significant reforms for the modernization of agriculture, in particular on agro-processing and export. As the former Chairman of National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (“NABARD”) from December 2007 to December 2010, Mr. Sarangi focused on accelerated initiatives for rural infrastructure, such as microfinance, financial inclusion, watershed development and tribal development. Mr. Sarangi was appointed as a Director with specialized knowledge and experience in agriculture and rural economy pursuant to
Section 10-A
(2)(a) of the Banking Regulation Act 1949.
Mr.
 Sanjiv Sachar
,
aged 64 years, is a NED of the Bank. He is a Fellow Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and former Senior Partner of Egon Zehnder, the world’s largest privately held executive search firm. Mr. Sachar set up the Egon Zehnder practice in India in 1995 and played a key role in establishing the firm as a market leader in the executive search space across various country segments. Over the course of his two decades at Egon Zehnder, Mr. Sachar has mentored senior executives across industry sectors that today serve as either board members, CEOs or CFOs of large corporations in India and overseas. Mr. Sachar was also the
co-founder
of the chartered accountancy and management consulting firm, Sachar Vasudeva & Associates, and
co-founded
another executive search firm, Direct Impact.
Mr.
 Sandeep Parekh
,
aged 50 years, is a NED of the Bank. He holds a Master of Laws in Securities and Financial Regulation from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Laws from Delhi University. He is the Managing Partner of Finsec Law Advisors, a financial sector law firm based in Mumbai. He was an additional layerExecutive Director at SEBI from 2006 to 2008, heading both the Enforcement and Legal Affairs departments. He is a member of securitythe visiting faculty at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. He has worked for law firms in additionDelhi, Mumbai and Washington, D.C. Mr. Parekh focuses on securities regulations, investment regulations, private equity, corporate governance and financial regulation. He is admitted to practice law in the customer identification (ID)State of New York. He was recognized by the World Economic Forum as a “Young Global Leader” in 2008. He was Chairman and password requirement for internet banking transactions. This system evaluates every critical financial transaction based on our risk modelmember of various committees and helps us to determine whether
sub-committees
at the incumbent transaction is genuine or suspicious. Should the transaction be deemed suspicious, the system has the option of either declining the transaction or asking for additional authentication. As a practice, we send awareness mails to our customers educating them about phishingSEBI and the measures that they needRBI and is presently a member of SEBI’s Mutual Fund Advisory Committee.
Mr.
 M.D. Ranganath
, aged 60 years, is a NED of the Bank. He holds a Master in Technology from IIT, Madras, and a Bachelor in Engineering from the University of Mysore. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Management (“PGDM”) from IIM, Ahmedabad, and is a member of CPA, Australia. Mr. Ranganath has over twenty eight (28) years of experience in the Global IT services and financial services industry. He is currently the President of Catamaran Ventures and was CFO of Infosys Limited, a listed global IT services company, until November 2018. During his tenure of 18 years at Infosys, he was an integral part of its growth and transformation into a globally respected IT services company and effectively assumed leadership roles in a variety of areas culminating in the role of the CFO: Strategy, Finance, Merger & Acquisition (M&A), Consulting, Risk Management, and Corporate planning. Prior to take to protect themselves from falling prey to it.Infosys, he worked at ICICI Limited for eight (8) years and was responsible for credit, treasury, equity portfolio management and corporate planning. In 2017 and 2018, Mr. Ranganath was the recipient of the Best CFO Asia award in the technology sector by Institutional Investor publication, predicated on a poll of
buy-side
and sell-side investors.
 
Hacking and Data Theft: We have implemented a network firewall, web application firewalls and intrusion prevention system at the perimeter of our network to block any attempts made to hack or intrude into our network. Our 24 by 7 cybersecurity operations center (CSOC) analyzes logs of its perimeter defences to identify any attempts made to intrude into our network. We have developed an incident management procedure, a cybersecurity policy and a cyber crisis management plan for the incident management process to ensure that in the event of any incident, relevant stakeholders are made aware of what their role is in resolving the incident. We also test our internet-facing infrastructure and applications for vulnerability. Any vulnerability thus identified is remediated in a time-bound manner. In addition, we have deployed a host intrusion prevention solution on the internet banking setup to protect against the unpatched vulnerabilities and exploits. We have defined baseline security standards for the technologies in use. These standards were created taking into consideration industry-best practices and are reviewed on a regular basis to counter new threat vectors and avoid obsolescence. We perform daily malware scanning of the default landing pages of internet websites so that the customers are not compromised by malware that has been injected on the
non-logged
web pages. We have also subscribed to anti-DDOS services (Distributed Denial Of Services).
We have also undertaken internal data security measures that are taken with respect to breaches or theft of material or sensitive customer data. These are briefly enumerated below:
Data Loss Prevention (“DLP”): Information is an important asset of any organization that supports business processes and management decisions. Usage and protection of business information can be heavily influenced by individuals in the end user environment, where most of the corporate data is processed, shared and stored. We have implemented enterprise solutions such as DLP to monitor sensitive data stored, transmitted and shared by users, and to prevent and detect data breaches. Individual business functions are also involved in incident reviews which helps create a sense of ownership and awareness amongst our employees.
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Laptop Encryption: Data encryption helpsDr.
 (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari
, aged 56 years, is a NED of the Bank. Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari was appointed as an Independent Director. She is a US Board certified Pediatric Cardiologist, and completed her MBBS at Osmania Medical College followed by post-graduation at AIIMS, Delhi and Yale University, CT, United States, With over thirty (30) years of experience, she has lived and worked in the United States and India. In addition to ensurebeing a clinician, Dr. (Mrs.) Maheshwari is a medical entrepreneur and
co-founder
at: (a) Teleradiology Solutions (India’s first and largest teleradiology company that business-criticalhas provided over 5 million diagnostic reports to patients and sensitive data doeshospitals globally including for the Tripura state government), (b) Telrad Tech which builds
AI-enabled
telehealth software and (c) RXDX healthcare—a chain of multi-specialty neighborhood clinics in Bangalore. She has also incubated other
start-up
companies in the telehealth space such as Healtheminds—a telecounselling platform. She is active in the social arena in India where she runs two trust funds. “People4people” has built over 450 playgrounds in government schools and Telrad Foundation provides teleradiology and telemedicine services to poor areas in Asia that do not fall intohave access to high quality medical care. Her other interests include teaching—she has been running India’s
e-teaching
program for postgraduates in Pediatric Cardiology for over a decade. In 2019, she helped the wrong hands, thereby preventing reputational damageKerala National health mission Hridayam launch
e-classes
in pediatric cardiology for pediatricians in the state. She has over 200 academic presentations and publications to her credit and is an inspirational speaker having given over 200 lectures, including several TEDx talks. Dr. (Mrs.) Maheshwari is the recipient of several prestigious awards and honors including: WOW (Woman of Worth) 2019 award from Outlook Business, 50 most powerful women of India in March 2016, Amazing Indian award from Times Now 2014, Top 20 Women Health Care Achievers in India from Modern Medicare in 2009, Outstanding Fellow Teacher of the Year Award in 1995 by Yale University, amongst others.
Mr.
 Sashidhar Jagdishan
, aged 57 years, is the Managing Director and CEO of the Bank. He has an overall experience of thirty (30) years. He has graduated in Science with specialization in Physics, is a Chartered Accountant by profession and holds a Master’s degree in Economics of Money, Banking & Finance from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. Mr. Jagdishan joined the Bank in 1996 as a Manager in the Finance function. He became Business Head – Finance in 1999 and was appointed as Chief Financial Officer in 2008. He played a critical role in supporting the growth trajectory of the Bank and led the finance function with a pivotal role in aligning the organization in achieving the strategic objectives over the years. Prior to his appointment as Managing Director and CEO of the Bank, he was the Group Head of the Bank in addition to overseeing the functions of Finance, Human Resources, Legal & Secretarial, Administration, Infrastructure, Corporate Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility. Mr. Jagdishan is not a director in any other listed or curtailingpublic limited company.
Mr.
 Kaizad Bharucha
, aged 57 years, is the Executive Director of the Bank. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from University of Mumbai and is a career banker with over thirty-five (35) years of experience. He has been associated with the Bank since 1995. In his current position as Executive Director, he is responsible for Wholesale Banking covering areas of Corporate Banking, PSUs, Capital & Commodities Markets, Financial Institutions, Custody, Mutual Funds, Global Capability Centre & Financial Sponsors coverage and Banks coverage. As Executive Director, in his earlier position, he was responsible for Corporate Banking, Emerging Corporate Group, Business Banking, Healthcare Finance, Agri Lending, Tractor Financing, Commercial Vehicle finance, Commercial Equipment Finance, Infrastructure Finance, Department for Special operations and inclusive Banking initiatives group. In his previous position as Group Head—Credit & Market Risk, he was responsible for the Risk Management activities at the Bank, namely Credit Risk, Market Risk, Debt Management, Risk Intelligence and Control functions. Prior to joining the Bank, he worked at SBI Commercial and International Bank in various areas including Trade Finance and Corporate Banking. He has represented HDFC Bank as a member of the working group on banking related committees. Mr. Bharucha is not a director in any monetary losses. The cost arising out of loss of data residing in a laptop is far higher than the cost of replacing the actual device. We have therefore implemented a laptop encryption tool on the laptops used by our employees.
other listed or public limited company.
 
Network Access Control: We have implemented a Network Access Control (NAC) system to prevent
end-stations
that lack antivirus, patches, or host intrusion prevention software from accessing the network. The NAC system allows us to define policies, such as the types of computers or roles of users allowed to access areas of the network. It assists in the mitigation of
zero-day
attacks and provides authorization, authentication and accounting of network connections.
Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance (“DMARC”): We have implemented a DMARC system which gives us the ability to protect the domain from unauthorized use, commonly known as email spoofing. The purpose and primary outcome of implementing DMARC is to protect a domain from being used in business email compromise attacks, phishing emails, email scams and other cyber threat activities.
Anti-Advanced Persistence Threat (“APT”): An APT is a prolonged and targeted cyber-attack in which an intruder gains access to a network and remains undetected for an extended period of time. We have implemented an
anti-APT
system to prevent these attacks. All network elements such as email and web are protected with the
anti-APT
system, which is also installed on endpoint computers.
Awareness programs: Our comprehensive
e-learning
module, Information Security Ambassador, is a mandatory assessment based course on information and cybersecurity, accessible to all employees. We also send awareness emails, which include cyber-tips, guidance on information, cybersecurity and other related issues as well as operating guidelines to all employees. As a part of
on-floor
awareness, we also have posters and desktop calendars on phishing, vishing and smishing. All new joiners are informed of various aspects of information security issues in an everyday work environment and complete our induction module, the Information Security Pledge, through classroom training. To gauge the awareness level of our employees, we run phishing surveys. We also test our employees using our own phishing attacks and measure their response and accordingly provide them specific education and awareness to ensure they are better prepared to face such attacks in future.
Business continuity during the
COVID-19
pandemic-forced lockdown
To ensure business continuity following the outbreak of
COVID-19
and the government mandated lockdown, we implemented our crisis management plan. We advised our employees to either work from their homes or locations near their homes. In implementing our response to the
COVID-19
pandemic, the crisis management team prioritized certain critical functions such as IT and treasury to minimize potential business disruptions.
Our remote working policy led to increased information technology and cybersecurity risks. To mitigate such risks, we:
a) through the Chief Information Security Officer, distributed cybersecurity related information and best practices to all employees;
b) made available IT resources including laptops, and mobile email access as well as virtual desktop infrastructure and virtual private networks;
c) increased hardware capacity for select servers, enabling applications to be securely accessed from home;
d) ensured the IT team monitored any unusual activity, such as hacking attempts, to prevent critical data from being made public; and
e) implemented
two-factor
authentication, strengthened cybersecurity programs and prohibited any downloads on local storage devices.
In addition, to protect the health and safety of our employees, we:
a) increased the frequency of cleaning and sanitization across our offices and banking outlets;
b) identified pandemic response coordinators for each location;
c) provided face masks to security guards, pantry staff and other support staff and made available hand sanitizers at all locations;
d) prohibited vendors and visitors from entering our premises other than under exception circumstances;
e) complied with the regulatory requirements, and responded to the government and regulatory guidance and circulars; and
f) provided accommodation for critical IT resources working in data centers in our training center accommodation and nearby hotels.
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Senior Management
Our senior management is comprised of the following:
Name
Position
Age
Mr. Sashidhar JagdishanManaging Director and CEO57
Mr. Kaizad BharuchaExecutive Director57
Mr. Ashish ParthasarthyHead – Treasury, GIB, NRI, Overseas and Teleservice Channels54
Ms. Ashima BhatHead – Business Finance & Strategy, Administration, Infrastructure, ESG & CSR51
Mr. Arvind KapilHead – Retail Assets and SLI50
Mr. Arvind VohraHead – Retail Branch Banking50
Mr. Anjani RathorChief Digital Officer49
Mr. Arup RakshitHead – Treasury-Sales, Analytics and Overseas53
Mr. Bhavesh ZaveriHead – Operations, ATM and Cash Management Product56
Mr. Benjamin FrankHead – Wholesale Credit57
Mr. Chakrapani VenkatachariHead – Internal Audit and Quality Initiatives Group58
Mr. Jimmy TataChief Credit Officer55
Mr. Nirav ShahHead – Corporate Banking and PSUs50
Mr. Parag RaoHead – Payments Business, Digital & IT56
Mr. Rakesh SinghHead – Investment Banking, Private Banking, Marketing and Products53
Mr. Rahul ShuklaHead – Commercial Banking and Rural Business53
Mr. Ramesh LakshminarayananChief Information Officer51
Mr. Raveesh BhatiaHead – Emerging Corporates Group56
Ms. Smita BhagatHead – Government, Institutional Business, Partnerships, Inclusive Banking and
Start-ups
56
Mr. Srinivasan VaidyanathanChief Financial Officer58
Mr. S. SampathkumarHead – NRI Domestic & Overseas Business, Third Party Products and Telesales & Service Relationships49
Mr. Sanmoy ChakrabartiChief Risk Officer46
Mr. Vinay RazdanChief Human Resources Officer55
Note:
Mr. Dhiraj Relli has resigned from the services of the Bank with effect from September 30, 2021. Currently he is the Managing Director and CEO of HDFC Securities Limited, a subsidiary of the Bank.
A brief biography of each of the members of the Bank’s senior management is set out below:
Mr.
 Ashish Parthasarthy
is the Head of Treasury, GIB, NRI, Overseas and Teleservice Channels. He holds a Bachelor in Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Karnataka
(NIT-K),
and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from IIM, Bangalore. He has over 33 years of experience in banking, with particular expertise in the interest rate and currency markets.
Ms.
 Ashima Bhat
is the Head of Business Finance & Strategy, Administration, Infrastructure, ESG & CSR. Ms. Bhat has over 28 years of experience in banking. She completed a Master in Management Studies, majoring in marketing, from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies. Ms. Bhat joined the Bank in 1994 in its
start-up
stage. She has worked within and headed businesses in various positions across the Bank, including Corporate Banking, Supply Chain, SME, Commercial Banking and Emerging Corporates Group.
Mr.
 Arvind Kapil
is the Head of Retail Assets and Sustainable Livelihood Initiative. He is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School’s advanced management program, holds a Master in Management Studies from Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Management Studies and Research and a Bachelor of Engineering from K.J. Somaiya College of Engineering in Mumbai. Mr. Kapil has been with the Bank for over two decades and has significant experience in the finance industry. He joined the Bank from Countrywide Consumer Financial Services.
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Mr.
 Arvind Vohra
is the Head of Retail Branch Banking. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Communication Engineering as well as a Postgraduate degree in Management with a specialization in marketing and finance from Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar, and completed a senior leadership program at London Business School. He has nearly two and a half decades of experience working across consumer goods, telecommunications and banking sectors. He has held leadership positions in sales, marketing and business leadership roles in global organizations such as Whirlpool, Philips, Standard Chartered Bank and Vodafone India. Mr. Vohra led business operations at Vodafone India, was on the Board of Directors of Vodafone India’s consumer fixed line subsidiary and led the incubation of the consumer IOT (Internet of Things) business. He joined the Bank from Vodafone India in September 2018.
Mr.
 Anjani Rathor
is the Chief Digital Officer. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma from IIM, Calcutta, and a Bachelor of Technology from IIT Kharagpur. He has over 20 years of experience across Telecom, Aviation, Consulting and Financial Services in companies such as Airtel, Boeing, Accenture and CitiCorp. He joined the Bank in February 2020.
Mr.
 Arup Rakshit
is the Head of Treasury-Sales, Analytics and Overseas. He holds a Bachelor of Technology from IIT, BHU, Varanasi and a Master of Business Administration from IIM, Calcutta. Mr. Rakshit has more than 28 years of experience. Prior to joining HDFC Bank, he worked with different banks, including Deutsche Bank and ABN AMRO Bank. Mr. Rakshit is also an active member of the management committee of the Foreign Exchange Dealers Association of India and the India Forex Committee.
Mr.
 Bhavesh Zaveri
is the Head—Operations, ATM and Cash Management Product. He holds a Master in Commerce from Mumbai University and is a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers. He has over 36 years of experience in banking, having worked with Oman International Bank and Barclays Bank prior to joining the Bank in April 1998. Mr. Zaveri has been on various committees at the RBI and the IBA and served as a Director on the Board of National Payment Corporation of India Ltd, SWIFT SCRL, Brussels, The Clearing Corporation of India Ltd. (“CCIL”), SWIFT India Domestic Services Pvt Ltd, HDB Financial Services Ltd, HDFC Securities Ltd and the Goods and Service Tax Network (“GSTN”).
Mr.
 Benjamin Frank
is the Head of Wholesale Credit. He has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Madras, a Master in Business Administration from ICFAI University and is a Certified Financial Risk Manager from the Global Association of Risk Professionals. He has over 35 years of experience in the banking industry across Branch Banking, International Banking, Corporate Banking and Credit Risk Management. He previously worked at IDBI Bank and State Bank of India. He joined the Bank in April 2004.
Mr.
 Chakrapani Venkatachari
is the Head of Internal Audit and Quality Initiatives Group. He holds a Bachelor in Commerce from Mumbai University, is an Associate Member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers and a Certified Information System Auditor. He has over 38 years of banking experience, having worked with the Bank of Baroda and Standard Chartered Bank prior to joining the Bank in 1994.
Mr.
 Jimmy Tata
is HDFC Bank’s Chief Credit Officer. He holds a Master in Financial Management from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies at Mumbai University and is a qualified Chartered Financial Analyst with the Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts in Hyderabad. Mr. Tata has been with the Bank since 1994 and has over 30 years of broad experience across the financial sector. Prior to joining the Bank he worked at Apple Industries Limited in various capacities in their financial services division.
Mr.
 Nirav Shah
is the Head of Corporate Banking and PSUs. He has approximately 27 years of experience, 23 years of which have been with the Bank. He joined the Bank in 1999 as a Relationship Manager and, in just over a decade, went on to head businesses such as the Emerging Corporates Group, Infrastructure Finance Group, Rural Banking Group, and Transportation Finance, before taking up his current role in 2020. This is his second role with the Corporate Bank. In his earlier role in 2011, he was Western Region Head, during which he was responsible in Finance for acquiring and developing several large corporate relationships. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Management Studies (“MMS”) from Mumbai University.
Mr.
 Parag Rao
is the Head of Payments Business, Digital & IT. He holds a Master in Management Studies from S.P. Jain Institute of Management at Mumbai University and a Bachelor of Engineering from the Regional Engineering College in Jamshedpur. He has over 29 years of professional experience in FMCG companies such as Cadbury’s, Hindustan Unilever and Pepsico India. He joined the Bank from IBM Global Services in April 2002.
Mr.
 Rakesh Singh
is the Head of Investment Banking, Private Banking, Marketing and Products. He holds a Master in Business Administration from the Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad and has over 29 years of experience in the financial sector. Prior to joining HDFC Bank, he worked at Rothschild, Morgan Stanley, DSP Merrill Lynch, Standard Chartered Bank and ANZ Investment Bank. He also serves as a Trustee on the board of Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action.
Mr.
 Rahul Shukla
is the Head of Commercial Banking and Rural Banking. He holds a Bachelor in Technology from IIT Varanasi and a Master in Business Administration from IIM, Bangalore. He started his career in Citibank and, in 2010, he took over as Managing Director and Head of Corporate Banking for the South Asia Region, and was a member of the Indian Management Committee and various regulatory governance committees. He has over 30 years of banking experience, joining the Bank from Citibank in March 2018.
125

Mr.
 Ramesh Lakshminarayanan
is the Chief Information Officer. Mr. Lakshminarayanan holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Mumbai University and a Master in Business Administration from the University of Pune. Prior to joining HDFC Bank, he worked at CRISIL, where he spent three years as Chief Technology and Information Officer. He has over 25 years of experience and has held leadership positions within organizations such as Citibank, ABN AMRO Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Group.
Mr.
 Raveesh K. Bhatia
is Head of Emerging Corporates Group. He holds an MBA from IIM, Ahmedabad, and has over three decades of work experience. Prior to joining HDFC Bank, he worked with international banks, such as ABN AMRO Bank, BNP Paribas, Standard Chartered Bank, as well as in a consulting role with SB Billimoria.
Ms.
 Smita Bhagat
is the Head of Government and Institutional Business, Alternate Banking Channels and Partnerships, Inclusive Banking Group and
Start-ups.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Statistics, a Master of Commerce in financial management and a Master in Business Administration from the University of Rajasthan. She has more than 25 years of experience in banking and joined the Bank from ICICI Bank in 1999.
Mr.
 Srinivasan Vaidyanathan
is the Chief Financial Officer. He is a Commerce graduate, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, a Fellow of the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India, a Fellow of the Association of International Accountants, United Kingdom, Member of CMA, United States, and has a Master in Business Administration. He has over 28 years of experience in the financial services industry. He joined the Bank in 2018.
Mr.
 S. Sampathkumar
is the Head of NRI Domestic & Overseas Business, Third Party Products and Telesales & Service Relationships. He has over two and a half decades of experience and is an alumnus of the University of Madras, Tamil Nadu.
Mr.
 Sanmoy Chakrabarti
is the Chief Risk Officer. He holds a Master’s degree in Quantitative Economics from the Indian Statistical Institute. Mr. Sanmoy has been with the Bank since 2010 and has over two decades of experience. Previously, he has been in charge of Market Risk, Treasury
Mid-Office,
Operational Risk Management, ICAAP and Basel Credit risk functions of the Bank. Prior to joining the Bank, he has worked at Bank Danamon Ltd, Citibank and ICICI Bank.
Mr.
 Vinay Razdan
is the Chief Human Resources Officer. He is an alumnus of Delhi University and holds a Postgraduate qualification in personnel management and industrial relations from XLRI, Jamshedpur. Mr. Razdan has over three decades of experience in different roles within the human resources function and has worked across geographies and industry segments. He has held leadership positions with leading organizations in the FMCG, IT Services and Telecommunication sectors. He joined the Bank in September 2018.
Corporate Governance
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee of the Bank, as of March 31, 2022, includes Mr. M.D Ranganath, Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi and Mr. Sanjiv Sachar as its members. Each member of the Audit Committee is an Independent Director. Mr. M. D. Ranganath and Mr. Sanjiv Sachar are the members of Audit Committee with financial expertise. The Audit Committee is chaired by Mr. M.D Ranganath. The Audit Committee met 16 times during fiscal year 2022.
The terms of reference of the Audit Committee include,
inter alia
, the following:
a.
overseeing the Bank’s financial reporting process and disclosure of financial information to ensure that the financial statement is correct, sufficient and credible;
b.
recommending the appointment and removal of external auditors and the fixing of their fees;
c.
reviewing with management the annual financial statements and auditors report before their submission to the Board, with special emphasis on accounting policies and practices, compliance with accounting standards, disclosure of related party transactions and other legal requirements relating to financial statements;
d.
reviewing the adequacy of the audit and compliance functions, including their policies, procedures, techniques and other regulatory requirements; and
e.
any other terms of reference as may be included from time to time in the Companies Act 2013, SEBI Listing Regulations, 2015, including any amendments or reenactments thereof from time to time.
The Board has also adopted a charter for the Audit Committee in connection with certain United States regulatory standards as the Bank’s securities are also listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
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Nomination and Remuneration Committee
The terms of reference of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee (“NRC”) include scrutinizing the nominations of the directors with reference to their qualifications and experience, identifying “fit and proper” persons, assessing their competency and reviewing compensation levels of the Bank’s employees
vis-à-vis
other banks and the banking industry in general.
The NRC has formulated a Policy for Appointment and Fit and Proper Criteria of Directors, which
inter alia
provides for criteria to assess the competency of the persons nominated, which includes:
a.
academic qualifications;
b.
previous experience;
c.
track record; and
d.
integrity of the candidate.
For assessing the integrity and suitability, features like criminal records, financial position, civil actions undertaken to pursue personal debts, refusal of admission to and expulsion from professional bodies, sanctions applied by regulators or similar bodies and previous questionable business practices are considered.
The Bank’s compensation policy provides a fair and consistent basis for motivating and rewarding employees appropriately according to their job profile or role size, performance, contribution, skill and competence.
The NRC also formulates criteria for the evaluation of performance of individual directors, including Independent Directors, the Board of Directors and its committees. The criteria for the evaluation of performance of directors (including Independent Directors) include personal attributes, such as attendance at meetings, communication skills, leadership skills and adaptability, and professional attributes such as their understanding of the Bank’s core business and strategic objectives, industry knowledge, independent judgment, and adherence to the Bank’s Code of Conduct, Ethics and Values.
Mr. Sanjiv Sachar, Mr. Sandeep Parekh, Mr. M.D Ranganath, Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi and Mr. Atanu Chakraborty were the members of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee as of March 31, 2022. Mr. Atanu Chakraborty (with effect from June 9, 2021) was inducted as a member of the NRC. All members of the NRC are Independent Directors. The NRC is chaired by Mr. Sanjiv Sachar and met 13 times during fiscal year 2022.
Stakeholders’ Relationship Committee (“SRC”)
The SRC approves and monitors the transfer, transmission, splitting and consolidation of shares and considers requests for dematerialization of shares. Allotments of shares to employees exercising stock options are granted under the various Employees Stock Option Schemes, which are made in terms of the powers delegated by the Board in this regard. The SRC also monitors the redressal of grievances from shareholders relating to matters such as the transfer of shares and
non-receipt
of our annual report and dividends, etc.
The powers to approve share transfers and dematerialization requests have been delegated to executives of the Bank to avoid delays that may arise due to
non-availability
of the members of the SRC. Mr. Santosh Haldankar, Company Secretary of the Bank is the Compliance Officer responsible for expediting the share transfer formalities.
As of March 31, 2022, the SRC consisted of Mr. Malay Patel, Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi, Mr. Sandeep Parekh, Mrs. Renu Karnad and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha. During the year, Mr. Kaizad Bharucha (with effect from September 17, 2021) and, subsequently, Mrs. Lily Vadera (with effect from June 10, 2022) were inducted as members of the Committee. The SRC is chaired by Mr. Malay Patel, who is an Independent Director and met four times during fiscal year 2022.
During the year ended March 31, 2022, the Bank received 82 complaints from the shareholders. The Bank had attended to all the complaints except one that was pending as it had been received during the end of quarter. This complaint was responded and was closed subsequently, all other complaints were closed to the satisfaction of the shareholders as on March 31, 2022.
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2,308 letters were received from the shareholders relating to change of address, nomination requests, updating of email IDs and PAN numbers, updating of complete bank account details (
i.e.
, core banking account no., IFSC and MICR code), Mandate for crediting dividend by National Automated Clearing House (“NACH”) and National Electronic Fund Transfer (“NEFT”), Issuance of Duplicate Share Certificate and claim of shares from Unclaimed Suspense account queries relating to the annual reports,
non-receipt
of share certificates upon
sub-division
of the Bank’s shares from the face value of Rs. 2/- each to the face value of Rs. 1/- each, amalgamation, request for revalidation of dividend warrants and various other investor-related matters.
Risk Policy and Monitoring Committee (“RPMC”)
The RPMC has been formed as per the guidelines of the RBI on asset liability management and risk management systems. The RPMC is a board-level committee, which supports the Board by supervising the implementation of the risk strategy. It guides the development of policies, procedures and systems for managing risk. It ensures that these are adequate and appropriate to changing business conditions, the structure and needs of the Bank and the risk appetite of the Bank.
The RPMC monitors the compliance of risk parameters and aggregate exposures with the risk appetite set by the Board. It ensures that frameworks are established for assessing and managing various risks faced by the Bank, systems are developed to relate risk to the Bank’s capital level and methods are in place for monitoring compliance with internal risk management policies and processes. The RPMC ensures that the Bank has a suitable framework for risk management and oversees the implementation of the risk management policy.
The functions of the RPMC also include the review of the enterprise-wide risk frameworks such as the Risk Appetite Framework (“RAF”), Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (“ICAAP”), stress testing framework, etc. The RPMC also reviews the cyber security framework at the Bank from time to time.
Further, as per RBI guidelines, the Chief Risk Officer of the Bank regularly interacts with the members of the RPMC without the presence of management at the meetings of the RPMC.
As of March 31, 2022, the RPMC consisted of Mrs. Lily Vadera, Mr. Sandeep Parekh, Mr. M.D. Ranganath, Mrs. Renu Karnad, Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan, Mr. Sanjiv Sachar, and Mr. Atanu Chakraborty. During the year, Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni ceased to be a member of the RPMC with effect from September 17, 2021 while Mr. Atanu Chakraborty (with effect from June 9, 2021), Mr. Sandeep Parekh (with effect from September 17, 2021) were inducted as members of the RPMC. Further, Mrs. Lily Vadera was inducted as a Chairperson and member of the Committee with effect from January 15, 2022. The RPMC is chaired by Mrs. Lily Vadera, an Independent Director of the Bank and met nine times during fiscal year 2022.
Credit Approval Committee
The Committee considers credit appetite proposals to the customers of the Bank within such authority as delegated to it by the Board from time to time. This facilitates quick response to the needs of the customers and timely disbursement of loans. As of March 31, 2022, the Credit Approval Committee consisted of Mr. Malay Patel, Mr. Kaizad Bharucha and Mrs. Renu Karnad. During the year, Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni ceased to be a member of the Committee pursuant to his resignation as director of the Bank with effect from February 18, 2022 while, subsequently, Mr. Sandeep Parekh was inducted as a member of the Committee with effect from June 10, 2022. The Credit Approval Committee met 30 times during fiscal year 2022.
Premises Committee
The Committee approves purchases and leasing of land parcels for proposed buildings and premises for the use of the Bank’s branches, back offices, ATMs, residential training centre(s), currency chests, guest houses, (including relocation and renewals) and of residential premises for Bank employees in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Board from time to time. As of March 31, 2022, Mrs. Renu Karnad (Chairperson), Mr. Sandeep Parekh and Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari were the members of the Premises Committee. During the year, Mr. Malay Patel ceased to be a member of the Committee, while Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari was inducted as a member of the Committee with effect from September 17, 2021. The Premises Committee met four times during fiscal year 2022.
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Fraud Monitoring Committee (“FMC”)
Pursuant to the directions of the RBI, the Bank has constituted the FMC, exclusively dedicated to the monitoring and following up of cases of fraud involving amounts of Rs. 10 million and above. The objectives of the FMC are the effective detection and immediate reporting of fraud, and actions taken against the perpetrators of fraud with the concerned regulatory and enforcement agencies. The terms of reference of the FMC include:
a.
identify the systemic lacunae, if any, that facilitated perpetration of the fraud and put in place measures to plug the same;
b.
identify the reasons for delay in detection, if any, and report to the top management of the Bank and the RBI;
c.
monitor the progress of any Central Bureau of Investigation and any police investigation and any appropriate recovery position;
d.
ensure that staff accountability is examined at all levels in all cases of fraud and that staff side action, if required, is completed quickly without loss of time;
e.
review the efficacy of the remedial action taken to prevent any recurrence of fraud, such as the strengthening of internal controls; and
f.
put in place other measures as may be considered relevant to strengthen preventive measures against frauds.
As of March 31, 2022, the members of the FMC were Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi (Chairperson), Mrs. Renu Karnad, Mr. Kaizad Bharucha, Mr. Sanjiv Sachar, and Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan. During the year, Mr. Malay Patel and Mr. Sandeep Parekh ceased to be members of the FMC while, Mrs. Renu Karnad and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha were inducted as the members of the FMC with effect from September 17, 2021. The FMC met four times during fiscal year 2022.
Customer Service Committee (“CSC”)
The CSC has been constituted to monitor and bring about continuous improvements in the quality of services rendered to the Bank’s customers and ensure implementation of directives received from the RBI in this regard. The terms of reference of the CSC are to formulate a comprehensive deposit policy incorporating the issues arising out of the demise of a depositor for the operation of his account, the product approval process, annual survey of depositor satisfaction and the triennial audit of such services. The CSC is constituted to bring about continuous improvements in the quality of customer services provided by the Bank. The CSC would also oversee the functioning of the Standing Committee on Customer Service, and also bring out innovative measures for enhancing the customer experience and quality of customer service thereby enhancing the customer satisfaction level across all categories of clientele, at all times.
As of March 31, 2022, the members of the CSC were Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi, Mr. Sandeep Parekh, Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan, Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari, Mr. Kaizad Bharucha and Mr. Atanu Chakraborty. During the year, Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni ceased to be a member of the Committee pursuant to his resignation as director of the Bank with effect from February 18, 2022. Mr. Malay Patel ceased to be the member and Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi was designated as the Chairman, Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari, Mr. Kaizad Bharucha and Mr. Atanu Chakraborty were inducted as members of the CSC with effect from September 17, 2021. The CSC met five times during fiscal year 2022.
Corporate Social Responsibility & ESG (“CSR & ESG”) Committee
The CSR & ESG Committee of the Board was constituted to identify, execute and monitor CSR projects and assist the Board and the Bank in fulfilling its corporate social responsibility objectives and achieving the desired results. The CSR & ESG Committee also ensures legal and regulatory compliance from a CSR perspective and reporting, as well as communication to all the stakeholders on the Bank’s CSR initiatives.
The Board has constituted a CSR & ESG Committee with the following terms of reference:
a.
formulating the Bank’s CSR strategy, policy and goals;
b.
monitoring the Bank’s CSR policy and performance;
c.
reviewing the CSR projects and initiatives from time to time;
d.
ensuring legal and regulatory compliance from a CSR viewpoint;
e.
ensuring reporting and communication to the Bank’s stakeholders on the Bank’s CSR; and
f.
monitoring the Bank’s ESG framework, strategy, goals and disclosures.
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As of March 31, 2022, the members of CSR & ESG Committee were Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari, Mr. Sanjiv Sachar, Mr. Malay Patel, Mrs. Renu Karnad and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha. During the year, Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi ceased to be a member of the Committee and Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari was inducted as Chairperson and member of the CSR & ESG Committee with effect from September 17, 2021. The CSR & ESG Committee met five times during fiscal year 2022.
Digital Transaction Monitoring Committee (“DTMC”)
In order to promote digital transactions of the Bank and to provide directions in terms of strategy and action plans including monitoring the progress of achievement in the digital transactions space, the terms of reference of the DTMC include:
a.
framing of the Bank-level strategy and action plans for achieving the target of digital transactions in an organized manner, as may be set by the Government, regulatory authorities and Indian Banks’ Association, etc., from time to time;
b.
monitoring the progress of achievement in digital transactions in line with the Bank’s strategy and action plans;
c.
reviewing and exploring new opportunities for increasing the digital transactions of the Bank from time to time and giving the necessary directions in implementing and improving a high level of digitalization in the Bank;
d.
reviewing the Digital Banking strategy of the Bank as and when required, thereby providing direction on focus areas;
e.
reviewing the progress made on the initiatives relating to Digital Banking covering performance initiatives as determined by the Board of Directors and Government of India from time to time;
f.
reviewing customer services rendered on digital platforms from time to time; and
g.
any other terms of reference as may be specified by the Government, regulatory authorities and Indian Banks’ Association, etc., from time to time.
As of March 31, 2022, the members of the DTMC were Mr. Malay Patel, Mr. Sandeep Parekh, and Mr. M.D. Ranganath. During the year, Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni ceased to be a member of the DTMC pursuant to his resignation as director of the Bank with effect from February 18, 2022 while, subsequently, Mrs. Lily Vadera was inducted as member of the DTMC with effect from June 10, 2022. The DTMC met four times during fiscal year 2022.
IT Strategy Committee
The Bank has in place an IT Strategy Committee to look into various technology related aspects. The functions of the Committee are to formulate the IT strategy and related policy documents, ensure that the IT strategy is aligned with the business strategy, and review IT risks, etc.
The terms of reference of the IT Strategy Committee include:
a.
approving IT strategy and related policy documents and reviewing the same from time to time;
b.
ensuring that the management has put an effective strategic planning process in place;
c.
approving the Bank’s IT budget to ensure it aligns with the business needs;
d.
approving reallocation of resources within IT to facilitate meeting priorities and business needs; and
e.
reviewing and approving IT implementation plans.
As of March 31, 2022, the members of IT Strategy Committee were the external IT consultant, Prof. H. Krishmurthy in addition to the Board members Mr. M.D. Ranganath, Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan, Mr. Atanu Chakraborty and Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari. During the year, Mr. Atanu Chakraborty and Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan were inducted as members of the Committee with effect from June 9, 2021. Further, Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari was inducted as member on the Committee with effect from September 17, 2021 and Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni ceased to be a member of the Committee pursuant to his resignation as director of the Bank with effect from February 18, 2022. The IT Strategy Committee met nine times during fiscal year 2022.
130

Review Committee for Willful Defaulters’ Identification
The Board has constituted a Review Committee for Willful Defaulters’ Identification to review the orders passed by the Committee of Executives for Identification of Wilful Defaulters and provide the final decision with regard to identified willful defaulters and any other matters as may be decided by the Board from time to time. As of March 31, 2022, Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan (Chairperson), Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi, Mr. Sandeep Parekh, Mr. M. D. Ranganath, Mr. Malay Patel and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha were the members of the Review Committee for Willful Defaulters’ Identification. During the year, Mr. Sanjiv Sachar ceased to be a member, while Mr. Malay Patel and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha were inducted as members of the Committee with effect from September 17, 2021. No meetings of the Review Committee for Willful Defaulters’ Identification were held during fiscal year 2022.
Review Committee for
Non-Cooperative
Borrowers
The Board has constituted a Review Committee to review matters related to
non-cooperative
borrowers, which are handled by the Internal Committee of Executives appointed for this purpose and any other matters as may be decided by the Board from time to time. As of March 31, 2022, Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan (Chairperson), Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi, Mr. Sandeep Parekh, Mr. M. D. Ranganath, Mr. Malay Patel and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha were the members of the Review Committee for
Non-Cooperative
Borrowers. During the year, Mr. Sanjiv Sachar ceased to be a member, while Mr. Malay Patel and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha were inducted as members of the Committee with effect from September 17, 2021. No meetings of the Review Committee for
Non-Cooperative
Borrowers were held during fiscal year 2022.
Meeting of the Independent Directors
The Independent Directors of the Bank held two meetings during fiscal year 2022. All Independent Directors as on the date of that meeting were present at the meeting held on April 29, 2021. At the meeting held on September 9, 2021, leave of absence was granted to Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari while all other Independent Directors as on the date of that meeting were present.
Committees of Executives
We have also established committees of executives that meet frequently to discuss and determine the management of assets and liabilities and other operations and personnel issues.
Borrowing Powers of Directors
At its 21st Annual General Meeting held on July 21, 2015, the Bank’s shareholders passed a special resolution pursuant to Section 180(1)(c) of the Companies Act 1956 authorizing the Board to borrow, for the purpose of conducting the Bank’s business, such sum or sums of money as they may deem necessary, notwithstanding the fact that the money so borrowed and the monies to be borrowed from time to time (apart from (i) temporary loans obtained from the companies banker in the ordinary course of business and (ii) acceptances of deposits of money from the public repayable on demand or otherwise and withdrawable by cheque, draft, order or otherwise, as well as temporary loans obtained in the ordinary course of business from banks, whether in India or outside India) will exceed the aggregate of the
paid-up
capital of the Bank and its free reserves, provided that the total outstanding amount of such borrowings shall not exceed Rs. 500.0 billion over and above the aggregate of the
paid-up
capital of the Bank and its free reserves at any time.
Compensation of Directors and Members of Our Senior Management
The compensation arrangements for our Chairperson, Managing Director and Executive Directors are approved by the shareholders and the RBI on the recommendation of our Board of Directors.
During fiscal year 2022, the aggregate amount of compensation paid to our Managing Director, Executive Director and members of our senior management as on March 31, 2022 was Rs. 759.9 million. This remuneration includes basic salary, allowances, performance bonus, and cash allowances in lieu of perquisites or the taxable value of perquisites (if availed of) as computed under the income tax rules, but excludes gratuities, provident fund settlements, superannuation settlements and perquisites upon the exercise of stock options.
All NEDs, including the independent directors and the Chairman, receive sitting fees and reimbursement of
out-of-pocket
expenses for attending each meeting of the Board and its various Committees. No stock options are granted to any of the NEDs.
Pursuant to the provisions of Companies Act 2013, the NEDs are paid sitting fees of Rs. 50,000 or Rs. 100,000 per meeting for attending Committee & Board meetings, respectively. The Board of Directors increased the sitting fees of certain key Committee meetings to Rs. 100,000 per meeting with effect from April 1, 2021, namely, Audit Committee, Risk Policy & Monitoring Committee, Nomination & Remuneration Committee, Credit Approval Committee and IT Strategy Committee. Subsequently, sitting fees payable for attending Independent Directors Meeting and Customer Service Committee meeting was increased to Rs. 1,00,000 with effect from August 14, 2021 and November 26, 2021, respectively.
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The details of the remuneration paid during fiscal year 2022 to Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan, Managing Director & CEO, and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha, Executive Director are as follows:
Particulars
  
Sashidhar Jagdishan
   
Kaizad Bharucha*
 
   
(Rs. in million, except stock options)
 
Basic
   25.2    26.4 
Allowances and perquisites
   33.1    28.3 
Provident fund
   3.0    3.2 
Superannuation
   3.8    4.0 
Performance bonus
   —      44.6 
Number of stock options granted during the year
   —      **
Note:
Mr. Aditya Puri retired as Managing Director of the Bank on October 26, 2020. For the performance period April 1, 2020 to October 26, 2020 cash variable pay of Rs. 71.1 million was approved by the RBI on March 23, 2022. Of the said approved amount of Rs. 71.1 million, Rs. 28.4 million (40 percent) was paid in fiscal year 2022 and the balance 60 percent will be deferred over a period of three years. Mr. Aditya Puri, was also paid cash variable pay of Rs. 43.4 million for fiscal year 2020 as approved by the RBI on April 29, 2021. Mr. Aditya Puri was paid Rs. 6.9 million being Tranche 2 of the deferred cash variable pay for fiscal year 2019 and Rs. 5.7 million being Tranche 3 of the deferred cash variable pay for fiscal year 2018. Thus, the total payout to Mr. Aditya Puri in fiscal year 2022 was Rs. 84.4 million.
*
The Annual remuneration paid to Mr. Kaizad Bharucha, Executive Director, includes the payment of arrears for fiscal year 2021 which was approved by the RBI on March 23, 2022. For fiscal year 2021, cash variable pay of Rs. 35.2 million was approved by the RBI on March 23, 2022. Of the said approved amount of Rs. 35.2 million, Rs. 17.6 million (50 percent) was paid in fiscal year 2022 and the balance 50 percent will be deferred over a period of three years. Mr. Kaizad Bharucha was also paid cash variable pay of Rs. 20.8 million fiscal year 2020 as approved by the RBI on April 29, 2021. Mr. Kaizad Bharucha was paid Rs. 3.3 million being Tranche 2 of the deferred cash variable pay for fiscal year 2019 and Rs. 2.9 million being Tranche 3 of the deferred cash variable pay for fiscal year 2018. Thus, the total payout to Mr. Kaizad Bharuza in fiscal year 2022 was Rs. 44.6 million.
**
Mr. Kaizad Bharucha was granted a total quantum of 120,730
employee stock options for the performance in fiscal year 2021 based on the approval received from the RBI on March 23, 2022. The options were granted on April 12, 2022.
The Bank provides a gratuity scheme for the benefit of all employees who have completed a minimum of five years of continuous service, including our Managing Director, Executive Director and Officers. This scheme provides for the payment of a gratuity in the form of a
lump-sum
payment upon the retirement, termination or resignation of employment or death while in employment of its employees in an amount equal to 15 days’ basic salary, payable for each completed year of service. The Bank makes annual contributions to a gratuity fund administered by trustees and managed by insurance companies. The Bank accounts for the liability of future gratuity benefits based on an independent external actuarial valuation, which is carried out annually. Perquisites, which are evaluated as per the income tax rules, where applicable, or, alternatively, at the actual cost to the Bank, are also provided to directors. Available perquisites include furnished accommodation, including gas, electricity, water, telephone, furnishings and the use of a vehicle, club fees, personal accident insurance, reimbursement for medical expenses, leave travel concessions and retirement benefits, such as provident funds, superannuation fund gratuity and National Pension Scheme.
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The details of sitting fees and remuneration paid to NEDs during fiscal year 2022 are as follows:
Director
  
Sitting Fees

(in Rs.)
   
Remuneration to NEDs

(in Rs.)
 
Mr. Atanu Chakraborty
(1)
   3,650,000    3,170,699 
Mr. Malay Patel
   5,550,000    2,000,000 
Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi
   5,100,000    2,000,000 
Mr. Renu Karnad
   5,650,000    2,000,000 
Mr. Sanjiv Sachar
   5,800,000    2,000,000 
Mr. Sandeep Parekh
   4,350,000    2,000,000 
Mr. M.D. Ranganath
   6,450,000    2,000,000 
Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari
   2,100,000    2,000,000 
Mr. Lily Vadera
(2)
   600,000    690,217 
Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni
(3)
   5,500,000    1,772,222 
Total
  
 
44,750,000
 
  
 
19,633,138
 
(1)
During the year, Mr. Atanu Chakraborty was paid remuneration of Rs. 3,170,699, (
i.e.
, Rs. 3,500,000 per annum) on proportionate basis for the period from May 5, 2021 to March 31, 2022 as he was appointed as the Part-time Chairman and Independent Director of the Bank with effect from May 5, 2021. The remuneration of the Chairman has been approved by the RBI.
(2)
Mrs. Lily Vadera was appointed as an Independent Director of the Bank with effect from November 26, 2021.
(3)
Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni tendered his resignation as NED
(Non-Independent)
of the Bank with effect from February 18, 2022.
During fiscal year 2022, there were no other pecuniary relationships or transactions of the NEDs
vis-à-vis
the Bank, except banking transactions in the ordinary course of business done on an
arm’s-length
basis.
Pursuant to the guidelines issued by RBI on Corporate Governance in Banks—Appointment of Directors and Constitution of Committees of the Board (“RBI Guidelines”) dated April 26, 2021 and read with the relevant shareholders’ resolution passed at the 27
th
Annual General Meeting of the Bank held on July 17, 2021, the NEDs of the Bank, other than the Part-time Chairman, were paid compensation in the form of fixed remuneration of Rs. 2,000,000 each for fiscal year 2022. This is in addition to the sitting fees and reimbursement of
out-of-pocket
expenses paid for attending Committee & Board meetings.
Other than our Chairperson, Managing Director, and Executive Director, none of our Directors has a service contract with us.
133

Loans to Members of Our Senior Management
Loans to members of our senior management are granted in the normal course of business, as is the case with employees of the Bank. All loans granted to members of senior management are in accordance with the provisions of local regulations. The table below provides the details of staff loans granted to our senior management as of March 31, 2022:
Name
  
Largest amount
outstanding since
March 31, 2021
   
Amount outstanding
as of March 31,
2022
   
Interest rate as of
March 31, 2022
%
   
Nature of Loan
 
                 
   
(Rs. in millions, except percentages)
 
Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan
   5.33    5.19    2.50    Housing Loan 
Ms. Ashima Bhat
   3.91    3.82    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Ashish Parthasarthy
   4.81    4.71    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Arvind Kapil
   7.50    7.40    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Arvind Kapil
   7.50    7.41    5.00    Additional Housing Loan 
Mr. Arvind Vohra
   2.44    2.38    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Bhavesh Zaveri
   6.68    6.39    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Bhavesh Zaveri
   6.73    6.44    5.00    Additional Housing Loan 
Mr. Bhavesh Zaveri
   0.25    0.16    5.00    Personal Loan 
Mr. Benjamin Frank
   0.36    0.24    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Benjamin Frank
   0.60��   0.49    5.00    Personal Loan 
Mr. Chakrapani Venkatachari
   4.07    3.40    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Chakrapani Venkatachari
   4.38    3.61    5.00    Additional Housing Loan 
Mr. Nirav Shah
   6.71    6.59    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Nirav Shah
   6.99    6.87    5.00    Additional Housing Loan 
Mr. Raveesh Bhatia
   0.56    0.55    5.00    Personal Loan 
Mr. Rakesh Singh
   6.71    6.54    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Rakesh Singh
   6.83    6.66    5.00    Additional Housing Loan 
Ms. Smita Bhagat
   6.69    6.37    2.50    Housing Loan 
Ms. Smita Bhagat
   6.73    6.42    5.00    Additional Housing Loan 
Mr. S. Sampathkumar
   1.76    1.72    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. S. Sampathkumar
   0.6    0.49    5.00    Personal Loan 
Employees’ Stock Options
Our shareholders approved plan “A” in January 2000, plan “B” in June 2003, plan “C” in June 2005, plan “D” in June 2007, plan “E” in June 2010, plan “F” in June 2013 and Plan “G” in July 2016 for the issuance of stock options to employees and directors of the Bank under the ESOSs, namely
ESOS-001
to ESOS- 035. Under plan “A”, the option price is set as the average of the daily closing prices on the BSE during the 60 days preceding the grant date. Under plan “B”, the option price is set as the closing price on the business day preceding the grant date on whichever stock exchange in India has the highest trading volume for our shares during the two weeks preceding the date of grant. Under plans “C”, “D”, “E”, “F” and “G”, the option price is set as the closing price on the business day preceding the grant date on the stock exchange which has the highest trading volume. Our Nomination and Remuneration Committee (formerly, the Compensation Committee) has issued options under these plans several times since January 2000. Stock options granted under
ESOS-001
to
ESOS-009
vest at the rate of 30.0 percent, 30.0 percent and 40.0 percent on each of the three successive anniversaries following the date of grant, stock options granted under
ESOS-010
to
ESOS-013
vest at the rate of 50.0 percent on each of the two successive anniversaries following the date of grant, those granted under
ESOS-014
and
ESOS-015
vest completely on the first anniversary of the date of the grant, stock options granted under
ESOS-016
to
ESOS-018
vest at the rate of 75.0 percent and 25.0 percent on each of the two successive anniversaries following the date of grant, stock options granted under
ESOS-019
to
ESOS-026
vest at the rate of 40.0 percent, 30.0 percent and 30.0 percent on each of the three successive anniversaries, stock options granted under
ESOS-027
and
ESOS-028
vest at the rate of 40.0 percent, 30.0 percent and 30.0 percent at intervals of fifteen months, twenty-seven months and thirty-nine months, options granted under
ESOS-029
to
ESOS-32
vest at the rate of 35.0 percent, 30.0 percent, 20.0 percent and 15.0 percent on each of the four successive anniversaries and
ESOS-33
to ESOS 37 vest at the rate of 25.0 percent on each of the four successive anniversaries. All of the above are subject to standard vesting conditions. In fiscal year 2022, 32.7 million equity shares having a face value of Rs. 1.0 each were allotted as a result of the exercise of stock options by the employees of the Bank. This resulted in our
paid-up
capital increasing by Rs. 32.7 million and the share premium by Rs. 26,064.6 million. As of March 31, 2022, 158,106,016 options convertible to equity shares of Rs. 1.0 each were outstanding.
134

Other Compensation
All employees, including our Managing Director, Executive Director and officers, receive the benefit of our gratuity and provident fund retirement schemes. Our superannuation fund covers all employees at a senior manager level and above, including our Managing Director. Our gratuity fund, required under Indian law to be paid to an employee following the completion of a minimum of five years of continuous service, is a defined benefit plan which, upon the retirement, termination of employment or death while in employment of such employee, pays a lump sum equal to 15 days’ basic salary for each completed year of service. The superannuation fund is a retirement plan under which we contribute annually 13.0 percent (15.0 percent for the Managing Director, Executive Director and certain employees of CBoP) of the eligible employee’s annual salary to the administrator of the fund. In the case of the provident fund (“PF”), as required by Indian law, each of the employer and the employee contribute monthly at a determined rate of 12.0 percent of the employee’s PF base salary. Of this 12.0 percent, the Bank contributes a specified amount (8.33 percent of the lower of Rs. 15,000 or the employee’s PF base salary) to the pension scheme administered by the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, and the balance is contributed to a fund set up by the Bank and administered by a board of trustees.
Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Bank performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2022. Based on this evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer, Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan, and our Principal Financial Officer, Mr. Srinivasan Vaidyanathan, have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules
13a-15(e)
and
15d-15(e)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), are effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in filings and submissions under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions about required disclosure.
There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules
13a-15(f)
and
15d-15(f)
of the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of our assets;
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and
provide reasonable assurance regarding the prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisitions, use or dispositions of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness for future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
135

Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2021. In conducting its assessment, management based its evaluation on the framework contained in the Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013). Based on its assessment, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of March 31, 2022. Our independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG Assurance and Consulting Services LLP (“KPMG”), has performed an integrated audit and has issued their report, included herein, on (1) our consolidated financial statements, and (2) the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of March 31, 2022.
Changes in Internal Controls
There were no changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could, or are reasonably likely to, materially affect these controls during the period covered by this report.
Audit Committee Financial Expert
Mr. M.D Ranganath and Mr. Sanjiv Sachar are the Audit Committee financial experts, as defined in Item 401(h) of Regulation
S-K,
and are independent pursuant to the applicable SEC rules.
Code of Ethics
We have a written code of conduct and ethics, which is applicable to the Board Members and officials of the Bank one level below the Board (the “Code of Ethics”). We believe this Code of Ethics constitutes a “code of ethics”, as defined in Item 16B of Form
20-F.
We will provide a copy of such Code of Ethics to any person without charge upon request. Requests may be made by writing to shareholder.grievances@hdfcbank.com.
We encourage an open and transparent system of working and dealings among our employees, customers and members of the general public coming into contact with the Bank by adopting the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior. The Bank’s whistle blower policy (the “Whistle Blower Policy”) aims at quickly spotting aberrations and dealing with them at the earliest through an established mechanism. It enables our employees and other stakeholders to make protected disclosures under the Whistle Blower Policy without fear of reprisal, retaliation, discrimination or harassment of any kind. Through the Whistle Blower Policy, the Bank empowers employees and other stakeholders to make or report protected disclosures related to any violation or suspected violation of the Code of Conduct, including (a) breaches of applicable law, (b) fraud or corruption, (c) leakage/suspected leakage of unpublished price sensitive information in violation of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations 2015 and the related internal policy of the Bank,
i.e.
, the Share Dealing Code of the Bank, and (d) willful data breach or unauthorized disclosure of the Bank’s proprietary data, including customer data.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The following table sets forth, for the fiscal years indicated, the fees pertaining to our principal accountant and its associated entities for various services provided during those periods:
   
Fiscal Year Ended
 
Type of Services
  
March 31, 2021
   
March 31, 2022
   
Description of Services
 
             
   
(in millions)
     
Audit services
  Rs.61.7   Rs.63.7    Audit of financial statements 
Audit-related services
   6.7    19.2    Limited review 
Tax services
   —      —      Tax services 
Other services
   2.5    13.9    Certification & other services 
Total
  Rs.70.9   Rs.96.8   
136

Our Audit Committee charter requires us to receive the approval of our Audit Committee on every occasion on which we engage our principal accountants or their associated entities to provide any
non-audit
services to us. All of the
non-audit
services provided to us by our principal accountants or their associated entities in the previous two fiscal years have been
pre-approved
by our Audit Committee.
Compliance with NYSE Listing Standards on Corporate Governance
We are incorporated under the Companies Act and our equity shares are listed on the BSE Limited (formerly known as Bombay Stock Exchange Limited) and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, which are the major stock exchanges in India. Our corporate governance framework is in compliance with the Companies Act 2013 and rules made thereunder, the regulations and guidelines of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations 2015 (“SEBI Listing Regulations”). We also have American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”).
Companies listed on the NYSE must comply with certain standards of corporate governance set forth in Section 303A of the NYSE’s Listed Company Manual. Listed companies that are foreign private issuers, as the term is defined in Rule
3b-4
of the Exchange Act, are permitted to follow home country practices in lieu of the provisions of this Section 303A, except that foreign private issuers are required to comply with the requirements of Sections 303A.06, 303A.11 and 303A.12(b) and (c) of the NYSE’s Listed Company Manual. As per these requirements, a foreign private issuer must:
1.
Establish an independent audit committee that has specified responsibilities and authority. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.06];
2.
Provide prompt written notice by its CEO if any executive officer becomes aware of any
non-compliance
with any applicable corporate governance rules. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.12(b)];
3.
Provide to the NYSE annual written affirmations with respect to its corporate governance practices, and interim written affirmations in the event of a change to the board or a board committee. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.12(c)]; and
4.
Include a statement of significant differences between its corporate governance practices and those followed by United States companies in the annual report of the foreign private issuer. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.11].
In a few cases, the Indian corporate governance rules under SEBI Listing Regulations differ from those in the NYSE’s Listed Company Manual as summarized below:
NYSE Corporate Governance Standards applicable to NYSE
Listed Companies
Corporate Governance Rules as per SEBI Listing Regulations
An NYSE listed company needs to have a majority of independent directors. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.01]
The board of a listed company must have a combination of executive and
non-executive
directors, including at least one female director, and not less than 50 percent of the directors may be
non-executive
directors. The board of directors of the 500 largest listed entities, as determined by market capitalization at the end of the most recent financial year, shall have at least one independent female director by April 1, 2019 and the board of directors of the 1,000 largest listed entities, as determined by market capitalization at the end of the most recent financial year, shall have at least one independent female director by April 1, 2020.
No listed entity shall appoint a person or continue the directorship of any person as a
non-executive
director who has attained the age of 75 years unless a special resolution is passed to that effect, in which case the explanatory statement annexed to the notice for such motion shall indicate the justification for appointing such a person if: (i) the chairperson of the board of directors is a
non-executive
director, at least
one-third
of the board of directors must be comprised of independent directors; (ii) the company does not have a regular
non-executive
chairperson, at least half of the board of directors must be comprised of independent directors; and (iii) the regular
non-executive
chairperson is a promoter of the listed company or is related to any promoter or person occupying management positions at the level of board of director or at one level below the board of directors, at least half of the board of directors of the listed company must consist of independent directors.
137

The requirements under the SEBI Listing Regulations which become applicable to a listed entity on the basis of market capitalization criteria continue to apply to such entity even if when it falls below the specified threshold.
A director must meet certain criteria in order to qualify as “independent”. An NYSE listed company must disclose the identity of its independent directors and the basis upon which it is determined that they are independent. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.02 ]A director must meet certain criteria in order to qualify as “independent”. The appointment, reappointment or removal of an independent director of a listed entity, shall be subject to the approval of shareholders by way of a special resolution. No independent director, who resigns from a listed entity, shall be appointed as an executive or full-time director on the board of the listed entity, its holding, subsidiary or associate company or on the board of a company belonging to its promoter group, unless a period of one year has elapsed from the date of resignation as an independent director.
Executive Sessions
Non-management
directors need to meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.03]
The board of directors of a listed company must meet at least four times a year, with a maximum time gap of 120 days between any two meetings. The independent directors of the listed company must hold at least one meeting each year without the presence of the
non-independent
directors and the members of management, and all the independent directors have to endeavor to be present at such meeting.
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee
An NYSE listed company needs to have a nominating/corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.04]A listed company needs to have a nomination and remuneration committee. All members of the nomination and remuneration committee must be
non-executive
directors and at least
two-thirds
must be independent directors.
Listed companies in India are not required to constitute a separate corporate governance committee. The Companies Act 2013 and the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations 2015 (the “SEBI Listing Regulations”) prescribe the corporate governance requirements which include,
inter alia
, obligations regarding the appointment of internal auditors, the constitution of the board of directors as per the prescribed composition and the constitution of an audit committee and nomination and remuneration committee.
The nominating/corporate governance committee needs to have a written charter that addresses certain specific committee purposes and responsibilities and provides for an annual performance evaluation of the committee. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.04]The nomination and remuneration committee must have the terms of reference specified in the SEBI Listing Regulations and the Companies Act 2013 such as formulating criteria to determine the qualifications, positive attributes and independence of directors, formulating criteria to evaluate the performance of directors, recommending a remuneration policy for directors and devising a board diversity policy.
Compensation Committee
An NYSE listed company needs to have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors. Compensation committee members must satisfy certain additional independence requirements set forth in Section 303A.02 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual by the deadline specified therein. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.05]A listed company is permitted to have a combined nomination and remuneration committee. All members of the nomination and remuneration committee must be
non-executive
directors and at least
two-thirds
must be independent directors. The chairperson of the nomination and remuneration committee must be an independent director.
138

The compensation committee needs to have a written charter that addresses certain specific rights, purposes and responsibilities of the committee, and provides for an annual performance evaluation of the committee. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.05]The terms of reference and the role of the nomination and remuneration committee have been specified under the Companies Act 2013 and SEBI Listing Regulations and must include,
inter alia
, formulating the policy relating to the remuneration of directors, key managerial personnel and other employees, formulating criteria to determine the qualifications, positive attributes and independence of directors and formulating criteria to evaluate the performance of directors.
Audit Committee
An NYSE listed company needs to have an audit committee with at least three members. All the members of the audit committee must satisfy the independence requirements of Rule
10A-3
under the Exchange Act and the requirements of NYSE Corporate Governance Standard 303A.02. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Sections 303A.06 and 303A.07]
A listed company must have a qualified audit committee with a minimum of three directors as members and at least
two-thirds
of such members must be independent directors. In case of a listed entity having outstanding equity shares with superior voting rights, the audit committee must consist of only independent directors. All members of the audit committee should be financially literate and at least one member must have accounting or related financial management expertise.
The audit committee needs to have a written charter that addresses certain specific purposes of the committee, provides for an annual performance evaluation of the committee and sets forth certain specific minimum duties and responsibilities. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.07]The terms of reference and the role of the audit committee of a listed company have been specified in the SEBI Listing Regulations and the Companies Act 2013 and include,
inter alia
, oversight of the listed company’s financial reporting process and disclosure of its financial information to ensure that such information is correct, sufficient and credible, the recommendation for appointment and remuneration of the auditors of the listed company, and the review of the auditor’s independence and performance.
Internal Audit Function
An NYSE listed company needs to have an internal audit function to provide management and the audit committee with ongoing assessments of the company’s risk management processes and system of internal control. A company may choose to outsource this function to a third-party service provider other than its independent auditor. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.07]A listed company must appoint an internal auditor to conduct an internal audit. The auditor must review the accounts of the company and submit a report along with financial statements of the company placed before the company in a general meeting. It is the role of the audit committee to review the adequacy of the company’s internal audit function and all internal audit reports relating to internal control weaknesses of the company. The audit committee should also evaluate the internal financial controls and risk management systems of the company.
In addition, a listed company must put in place procedures to inform board members about risk assessment and minimization procedures. The board of directors is responsible for framing, implementing and monitoring the company’s risk assessment plan. Further, the top 1000 listed companies (determined on the basis of market capitalization as at the end of the immediately previous financial year) and companies qualifying as a ‘high value debt listed entity’ must establish a risk management committee, consisting of at least three members with a majority of them being board members including at least one independent director, and, in case of a listed entity having outstanding equity shares with superior voting rights, at least
two-thirds
of the Risk Management Committee shall comprise independent directors. The board of directors shall define the roles and responsibilities of the risk management committee. Where a listed company has equity shares with superior voting rights issued and outstanding,
two-thirds
of the committee members are required to be independent directors.
The board may delegate the monitoring and review of the risk management plan to the risk management committee.
139

Shareholder Approval of Equity Compensation Plans
Shareholders must be given the opportunity to vote on all equity-compensation plans and material revisions thereto, with limited exemptions. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.08]Under the SEBI (Share Based Employee Benefits and Sweat Equity) Regulations, 2021, shareholders’ approval is required for all equity compensation plans and material revisions thereto.
Corporate Governance Guidelines/Code of Ethics
An NYSE listed company needs to adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.09]A listed company is required to comply with all mandatory corporate governance requirements as prescribed under the Companies Act 2013 and the SEBI Listing Regulations, and disclose such compliance to stock exchanges in the corporate governance report contained in the listed company’s annual report. The listed company should also state in its annual report the extent to which it has complied with the
non-mandatory
corporate governance requirements. The listed entity is also required to submit a compliance report on corporate governance on a quarterly basis.
An NYSE listed company needs to adopt and disclose a code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees, and promptly disclose any waivers of the code for directors or executive officers. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.10]A listed company needs to adopt a code of conduct (or code of ethics), which is applicable to all members of the board of directors and senior management. The company’s annual report and the yearly compliance report on corporate governance must both disclose any
non-compliance
with any requirement of the compliance report on corporate governance and contain a declaration signed by the CEO stating that all board members and senior management personnel have complied with the code of conduct.
Certifications as to Compliance
The CEO of each NYSE listed company has to certify on an annual basis that he or she is not aware of any violation by the company of the NYSE corporate governance listing standards. This certification, as well as the CEO/CFO certification required under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, must be disclosed in the company’s annual report to shareholders. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.12]The CEO and the CFO are required to provide an annual certification on the true and fair view of the company’s financial statements and compliance with existing accounting standards, applicable laws and regulations. In addition, a listed company is required to submit a quarterly compliance report and an annual corporate governance report to stock exchanges which must include a certificate from either the auditors or the practicing company secretary regarding the company’s compliance with the conditions of corporate governance. A listed company is also required to submit a secretarial compliance report to stock exchanges annually.
Posting of Charters and Guidelines on Website
An NYSE listed company is required to post the charters of its audit, compensation, and nominating/corporate governance committees, its corporate governance guidelines, and its code of business conduct and ethics on the company’s website, and to state in its proxy statement or annual report that these documents are so posted. The listed company’s website address must be included in such postings. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Sections 303A.04, 303A.05, 303A.07, 303A.09 and 303A.10]A listed company must maintain a functional website containing information about the company including,
inter alia
, information regarding the composition of various board committees, the company’s code of conduct, details of certain of its policies, a copy of the annual report and contact information.
140

Memorandum and Articles of Association
Our main objective is to carry on banking and related activities. Our objective and purpose can be found in clauses A and B of our Articles.
Under the Articles, a director may not vote, participate in discussions or be counted for the purpose of a quorum with respect to any decision relating to whether we will enter into any contract or arrangement if the director is directly or indirectly interested in such contract or arrangement. The Board of Directors may not hold meetings in the absence of a quorum. Under the Companies Act, the quorum for meetings of the Board is
one-third
of the total number of directors (any fraction contained in that
one-third
being rounded off as one) or two directors, whichever is higher. However, where the number of interested directors is equal to or exceeds
two-thirds
of the total number of directors present, the remaining number of directors (
i.e.,
directors who are not interested) present at the meeting, being not less than two, will constitute the quorum during such time. Pursuant to the SEBI Listing Regulations, the quorum for meetings of the Board shall be
one-third
of its total strength or three directors, whichever is higher, including at least one independent director.
Pursuant to the Companies Act, our directors have the power to borrow money for business purposes only with the consent of the shareholders (with certain limited exceptions) through a special resolution (with three-fourths majority).
Sections 172 to 187 of the Articles set forth certain rights and restrictions relating to dividend distributions. One of these restrictions is that dividends may be approved only at a general meeting of shareholders, but in no event in an amount greater than the amount recommended by the Board of Directors.
Subject to the Companies Act, the profits of a company are divisible among shareholders in proportion to the amount of capital paid up on the shares held by those shareholders. In the event of liquidation, any surplus will be distributed in proportion to the capital paid up or which ought to have been paid up on the shares held by the shareholders at the time of commencement of the
winding-up.
The Board of Directors may make calls on shareholders in respect of all money unpaid on the shares held by them and not by the conditions of allotment thereof.
The rights and privileges of any class of shareholders may not be modified without the approval of three-fourths of the issued shares of that class or the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the issued shares of that class.
The annual general meeting shall be called for at a time during business hours at our registered office or at some other place within Mumbai as the Board of Directors may determine. The notice of the meeting shall specify it as the “annual general meeting”. Any general meeting of the shareholders of the Bank other than its annual general meeting is called an “extraordinary general meeting”. The Board of Directors is required to call an extraordinary general meeting upon the request of a set number of shareholders, as set forth in the Companies Act.
141

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The following table contains information relating to the beneficial ownership of our equity shares as of March 31, 2022 by:
each person or group of affiliated persons known by us to beneficially own 5 percent or more of our equity shares; and
our individual directors and their relatives as a group.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting and investment power with respect to equity shares. Unless otherwise indicated, the persons listed in the table have sole voting and sole investment control with respect to all equity shares beneficially owned. All shares issued in India have the same voting rights. We have not issued different classes of securities.
We were founded by our promoter HDFC Limited, a housing finance company in India. As of March 31, 2022, HDFC Group held an aggregate of 21.00 percent of our equity shares.
   
Number of Shares
   
Percentage of
Total Equity
Shares
Outstanding
 
HDFC Group
   1,164,625,834    21.00
Directors and relatives
   48,77,958    0.09
One ADS is represented by three equity shares. The ADSs are represented by underlying equity shares. As of March 31, 2022, Indian equity shares totaling 1,028,115,525 were held in the form of ADSs and constituted 18.54 percent of the Bank’s capital. In our records, the depositary, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., was the only shareholder with respect to equity shares underlying ADSs. We are unable to estimate the number of record holders of ADSs in the United States
142

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The following is a summary of transactions we have engaged in with our promoter and principal shareholder, HDFC Limited, and its subsidiaries and other related parties, including those in which we or our management have a significant equity interest.
All transactions with HDFC group companies and the other related parties listed below are on terms that we believe are as favorable to us as those that could be obtained from a
non-affiliated
third party in an
arm’s-length
transaction. In addition, the RBI guidelines stipulate that we can only transact business with HDFC Limited and its affiliates on an
arm’s-length
basis.
Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited (“HDFC Limited”)
Home Loans
We participate in the home loan business by sourcing loans for HDFC Limited. Under this arrangement, HDFC Limited approves and disburses the loans, which are kept on the books of HDFC Limited, and we are paid a sourcing fee. We also have an option but not an obligation to purchase up to 70 percent of the fully disbursed home loans sourced under this arrangement. During fiscal year 2022, we purchased home loans aggregating Rs. 282,052.4 million from HDFC Limited under the above arrangement, some of which qualified as priority sector advances. We earned Rs. 4,458.4 million from HDFC Limited in fiscal year 2022 as fees for sourcing these loans. We paid Rs. 7,008.8 million to HDFC Limited towards administration and servicing of these loans. An amount of Rs. 653.0 million was receivable from HDFC Limited as of March 31, 2022. An amount of Rs. 637.0 million was payable to HDFC Limited as of March 31, 2022.
Property
We have facilities located on properties owned or leased by HDFC Limited. In fiscal year 2022, we paid an aggregate of Rs. 19.2 million as rental fees and maintenance charges to HDFC Limited for use of these properties. As of March 31, 2022, an amount of Rs. 4.4 million was payable to HDFC Limited. We believe that we pay market rates for these properties. As of March 31, 2022, HDFC Limited held a deposit of Rs. 3.2 million that we have paid to secure these leased properties.
Other Transactions
We also enter into foreign exchange and derivative transactions with HDFC Limited. The notional principal amount and the
mark-to-market
gains in respect of foreign exchange and derivative contracts outstanding as of March 31, 2022 were Rs. 111,787.1 million and Rs. 1,101.1 million, respectively. We have given a guarantee of Rs. 3.9 million on behalf of HDFC Limited. We earned Rs. 7.3 million by rendering of various services to HDFC Limited. As of March 31, 2022, an amount of Rs. 0.3 million was receivable from HDFC Limited towards these services.
During fiscal year 2022, we paid dividends of Rs. 5,620.0 million to HDFC Limited.
HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited (“HDFC Life”)
In fiscal year 2022, we paid HDFC Life Rs. 2,545.8 million as our contribution towards superannuation, gratuity and insurance premiums. In the same period, we received fees and commissions from HDFC Life aggregating Rs. 21,150.5 million for the sale of insurance policies and other services. As of March 31, 2022, Rs. 1,248.6 million was receivable from HDFC Life. During fiscal year 2022, we received Rs. 26,165.9 million for debt securities sold to HDFC Life, and we paid Rs. 2,006.2 million for debt securities purchased from HDFC Life. As of March 31, 2022, HDFC Life had invested Rs. 3,500.0 million in the Bank’s bonds. During fiscal year 2022, we paid dividends of Rs. 119.7 million to HDFC Life.
HDFC Asset Management Company Limited (“HDFC AMC”)
In fiscal year 2022, we earned Rs. 1.0 million fees from HDFC AMC towards referral fees and other services rendered. As of March 31, 2022, an amount of Rs. 0.1 million was receivable from HDFC AMC.
HDFC Ergo General Insurance Company Limited (“HDFC Ergo”)
We paid Rs. 2,013.1 million for insurance premiums to HDFC Ergo in fiscal year 2022. During fiscal year 2022, we received Rs. 1,661.0 million for the sale of insurance policies and other services rendered. As of March 31, 2022, an amount of Rs. 159.9 million was receivable from HDFC Ergo. As of March 31, 2022, HDFC Ergo had invested Rs. 200.0 million in the Bank’s bonds. We have given a guarantee of Rs. 27.9 million on behalf of HDFC Ergo. During fiscal year 2022, we received Rs. 2,712.0 million for debt securities sold to HDFC Ergo.
143

HDFC Credila Financial Services Limited (“Credila”)
During fiscal year 2022, we earned Rs. 126.8 million in fees from Credila for sourcing education loans. As of March 31, 2022, Rs. 33.3 million was receivable from Credila.
HDFC Pension Management Company Limited (“HDFC PMC”)
We have given a guarantee of Rs. 0.1 million on behalf of HDFC PMC, which is a subsidiary of HDFC Life.
HDFC Investments Limited (“HDFC Investments”)
During fiscal year 2022, we paid dividends of Rs. 1,950.0 million to HDFC Investments.
HDFC Holdings Limited (“HDFC Holdings”)
During fiscal year 2022, we paid dividends of Rs. 0.1 million to HDFC Holdings.
HDFC Ventures Trustee Company Limited (“HDFC Venture Trustee”)
During fiscal year 2022, we earned Rs. 0.1 million fees from HDFC Venture Trustee for services rendered.
Key Management Personnel (“KMP”)
In fiscal year 2022, we paid a total remuneration of Rs. 171.6 million to Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan, our Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha, our Executive Director. As of March 31, 2022, the outstanding balance of the loans given to Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan was Rs. 5.2 million. During fiscal year 2022, we paid dividends aggregating to Rs. 25.0 million to Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha.
144

TAXATION
Indian Taxation
The following is a summary of the principal Indian tax consequences for
non-resident
investors of the ADSs and the equity shares issuable on surrender of ADSs for equity shares (conversion). The summary is based on the provisions of Section 115AC and other applicable provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961) (Indian Income Tax Act) and the Depositary Receipt Scheme, 2014 promulgated by the Government of India (the “Depositary Receipt Scheme”) (together, the “Section 115AC Regime”). Further, it only addresses the tax consequences for persons who are
non-residents,
as defined in the Indian Income Tax Act, who acquire ADSs or equity shares (upon conversion) and who hold such ADSs or equity shares (upon conversion) as capital assets as per the Indian Income Tax Act, and does not address the tax consequences which may be relevant to other classes of
non-resident
investors, including dealers. The summary assumes that the person continues to remain a
non-resident
when income by way of dividends and capital gains is earned.
EACH INVESTOR IS ADVISED TO CONSULT HIS/HER TAX ADVISOR ABOUT THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES APPLICABLE TO HIS/HER INVESTMENT IN THE ADSs.
The following discussion describes the material Indian income tax and stamp duty consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposal of the ADSs.
This summary is not intended to constitute a complete analysis of the tax consequences under Indian law of the acquisition, ownership and sale of the ADSs (or equity shares upon conversion) by
non-resident
investors. Investors should therefore consult their tax advisors about the tax consequences of such acquisition, ownership and sale including, specifically, tax consequences under Indian law, the laws of the jurisdiction of their residence, any tax treaty between India and their country of residence or the United States, the country of residence of the overseas depositary bank (the “Depositary”), as applicable, and, in particular, the Section 115AC regime. The Indian Income Tax Act is amended every year by the Finance Act of the relevant year. Some or all of the tax consequences of the Section 115AC regime may be modified or amended by future amendments to the Indian Income Tax Act.
Taxation of Distributions
Prior to April 1, 2020, Indian companies distributing dividends were subject to a dividend distribution tax on the amount of any dividends distributed. The Finance Act 2020 amended
Section 115-O
of the Indian Income tax Act such that Indian companies are no longer required to pay dividend distribution tax on dividends declared, distributed or paid (whichever is earlier) after March 31, 2020. However, such dividends received on our shares are no longer
tax-exempt
to recipients under Section 10(34) of the Indian Income Tax Act (other than those where tax under
section115-O
or 115BBDA has already been paid).
Further, the provisions of Section 115BBDA, which deals with tax on dividends to be paid by a resident specified assessee,
i.e.
, persons other than domestic companies, fund/university/trust/institution/other entities referred to in clauses (iv), (v), (vi) and (via) under section 10(23C) and a trust or institution registered under section 12A or section 12AA or section 12AB, provide that tax at a rate of 10.0 percent on dividend income above Rs. 1 million is no longer applicable. In addition, section 115AC of the Indian Income Tax Act provides that if total income of a
non-resident
includes income by way of dividends on ADRs, then the same shall be taxable at the rate of 10.0 percent plus applicable surcharge and cess. Accordingly, dividends distributed to the Depositary in respect of the equity shares underlying the ADSs, dividends distributed to ADS holders in respect of the ADSs, and dividends distributed to the holders of the equity shares following conversion of the ADSs into shares are taxable in the hands of holders at 10.0 percent plus applicable surcharge and cess.
Distribution to
non-residents
of bonus ADSs or bonus shares or rights to subscribe for equity shares for the purposes of this section, (“
Rights
”) made with respect to ADSs or equity shares should not be subject to Indian tax provided there is no disproportionate or
non-uniform
allotment.
Taxation of Capital Gains in Relation to ADSs
The taxation of capital gains in the hands of the
non-resident
investor in the time of ADSs and after conversion of ADSs into equity shares is set forth below.
Transfer of ADSs Between
Non-Residents
The transfer of ADSs by a
non-resident
to another
non-resident
outside India is covered under Section 115AC of the Indian Income Tax Act. However, pursuant to a specific exemption under Section 47(viia) of the Indian Income Tax Act, this is not considered a “transfer”, and therefore is not liable to capital gains tax in India.
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Conversion of ADSs into Equity Shares
The receipt of equity shares by a
non-resident
upon conversion of ADSs should not constitute a taxable event for Indian income tax purposes as per the provisions of section 47(x) of the Indian Income Tax Act.
Sale of Equity Shares Received Upon Conversion of ADSs
The Finance Act, 2018 has withdrawn the exemption granted to gains arising on account of transfer of a long term capital asset being equity shares listed on a recognized stock exchange. To tax such gains, new section 112A has been inserted under the Act. However, for the purpose of computing the period of holding of such equity share, provisions of Explanation 1(he) to section 2(42A) provides that the period of holding of the ADSs shall also be considered. If, on the other hand, equity shares received upon conversion of ADSs and the total period of holding is below 12 months from the date of request for redemption, and the sale is through a recognized stock exchange and STT is paid in respect of such sale, then the gains realized are considered short term capital gains. Such gains are taxable at the rate of 15.0 percent, plus the applicable surcharge and education cess, under Section 111A(1)(b)(i) of the Indian Income Tax Act.
In respect of a sale and purchase of equity shares entered into on a recognized stock exchange, both the buyer and the seller are required to pay STT on the basis of the transaction value of the securities, if the transaction is a delivery-based transaction, which means that the transaction involves actual delivery or transfer of shares. The seller of the shares is required to pay applicable STT of the transaction value of the securities if the transaction is a
non-delivery
based transaction, which means that the transaction is settled without taking actual delivery or transfer of the shares, as would be the case with our equity shares.
For the purpose of computing capital gains tax on the sale of the equity shares, the cost of acquisition of equity shares received in exchange for ADSs will be determined on the basis of the prevailing price of the equity shares on the BSE or the NSE as of the date on which the depositary gives notice to its custodian for the delivery of such equity shares upon redemption of the ADSs. A
non-resident
holder’s holding period (for the purpose of determining the applicable Indian capital gains tax) in respect of equity shares received in exchange for ADSs commences on the date on which a request for redemption of the ADSs was made by the relevant Depositary to its custodian.
The provision of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (the “DTAA”) entered into by the Government of India with the country of residence of the
non-resident
investor will be applicable to the extent they are more beneficial to the
non-resident
investor section 90(2). The India-United States income tax treaty does not limit India’s ability to tax capital gains. However, section 90(2A) has made the beneficial provision clause provided under section 90(2) subject to the provisions of General Anti-Avoidance Rules under Chapter
X-A.
Tax on Buyback of Shares
As per section 115QA of the Indian Income Tax Act, a company listed on the stock exchange is required to pay the additional income tax on distributed income on the buyback of shares. Distributed income has been defined under the Act as the difference between the money received by the shareholder on buyback and the issue price of the shares which the Company would have received at the time of issuance of the shares.
Tax Deduction at Source and Return of Income
Tax on dividends, long term and short term capital gains, if payable, as discussed above, upon a sale of equity shares, is to be deducted at source by the person responsible for paying the
non-resident,
in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Indian Income Tax Act, and the
non-resident
will be entitled to a certificate evidencing such tax deduction in accordance with the provisions of Section 203 of the Indian Income Tax Act. However, as per the provisions of Section 195 of the Indian Income Tax Act, any income other than income from salaries or other specific sections provided for the purpose of withholding tax shall be as per the Indian Income Tax Act or the provisions of the DTAA subject to Chapter
X-A
of the Act, (whichever is more beneficial to the assessee), unless a lower withholding tax certificate is obtained from the tax authorities. Further, the
non-resident
investor must furnish a certificate of his or her residence in a country outside India as per section 90(4) of the Indian Income Tax Act, and such other documents as may be prescribed as per the provision of section 90(5) of the Indian Income Tax Act, to get the benefit of the applicable DTAA. The withholding tax rates are subject to the recipients of income furnishing details, as may be prescribed, to the payer. Failure to provide such details will result in the applicable withholding tax rate being the higher of the rates in force or 20.0 percent, in accordance with section 206AA of the Indian Income Tax Act.
As per provisions of Section 115A, if a
non-resident
has income from dividends, interest, royalty or fees for technical services only during the year and tax has been deducted on the same and the rate of tax deduction is not less than the rate specified in Section 115A, then the
non-resident
is not required to file the return of income in India.
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Capital Losses
Neither Section 115AC nor the Depositary Receipt Scheme deals with capital losses arising on a transfer of equity shares in India. In general terms, losses arising from a transfer of a capital asset in India can only be set off against capital gains on transfer of another capital asset. Furthermore, a long term capital loss can be set off only against a long term capital gain. To the extent that losses are not absorbed in the year of transfer, they may be carried forward for a period of eight assessment years immediately succeeding the assessment year for which the loss was first determined by the assessing authority and may be set off against the capital gains assessable for such subsequent assessment years. In order to set off capital losses as above, the
non-resident
investor would be required to file appropriate and timely tax returns in India and undergo the customary assessment procedures.
Stamp Duty
There is no stamp duty on the sale or transfer of ADSs outside India.
Generally, the transfer of ordinary shares in physical form would be subject to Indian stamp duty at the applicable rate of the market value of the ordinary shares on the trade date, and such stamp duty customarily is borne by the transferee,
i.e.
, the purchaser. In order to register a transfer of equity shares in physical form, it is necessary to present a stamped deed of transfer. An acquisition of shares in physical form from the depositary in exchange for ADSs representing such equity shares will not render an investor liable for Indian stamp duty. We will be required to pay stamp duty at the applicable rate on the share certificate. However, since our equity shares are compulsorily deliverable in dematerialized form (except for trades of up to 500 equity shares, which may be delivered in physical form), there would be no stamp duty payable in India on transfer.
Other Taxes
At present, there is no wealth tax, gift tax or inheritance tax which may apply to the ADSs or the underlying shares.
Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following summary describes certain material United States federal income tax consequences relating to an investment in our ADSs or equity shares as of the date hereof. This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code, its legislative history, existing final, temporary and proposed Treasury Regulations, rulings and judicial decisions, all as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to prospective and retroactive rulings and changes.
This summary does not purport to address all United States federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a particular investor, and you are urged to consult your own tax advisor regarding your specific tax situation. The summary applies only to investors who own ADSs or equity shares as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment) under the Internal Revenue Code, and does not address the tax consequences that may be relevant to investors in special tax situations, including, for example:
insurance companies;
regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts;
tax-exempt
organizations;
broker-dealers;
traders in securities that elect to
mark-to-market;
banks or certain other financial institutions;
United States investors whose functional currency is not the United States dollar;
certain former citizens or residents of the United States subject to Section 877 of the Internal Revenue Code;
investors that hold our ADSs or equity shares as part of a hedge, straddle or conversion transaction; or
holders that own, directly, indirectly or constructively, 10.0 percent or more of our total combined voting stock.
Further, this summary does not address the alternative minimum tax consequences of an investment in ADSs or equity shares, or the indirect consequences to owners of equity or partnership interests in entities that own our ADSs or equity shares. In addition, this summary does not address the United States federal estate or gift, state, local and foreign tax consequences of an investment in our ADSs or equity shares.
You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the United States federal, state, local and foreign and other tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of our ADSs or equity shares in your particular circumstances.
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Taxation of U.S. Holders
You are a “U.S. Holder” if you are, for United States federal income tax purposes, a beneficial owner of ADSs or equity shares and you are:
an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
an estate, the income of which is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source; or
a trust, if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or if the trust has made a valid election to be treated as a United States person.
If a partnership holds ADSs or equity shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. Partners of partnerships holding our ADSs or equity shares should consult their own tax advisors.
For United States federal income tax purposes, a U.S. Holder of an ADS will generally be treated as the owner of the equity shares represented by the ADS. Accordingly, no gain or loss will be recognized upon the exchange of an ADS for equity shares. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the equity shares will be the same as the tax basis in the ADS surrendered therefore, and the holding period in the equity shares will include the period during which the holder held the surrendered ADS.
The U.S. government has expressed concerns that parties to whom ADSs are released before the underlying shares are delivered to the depositary
(“pre-release”),
or intermediaries in the chain of ownership between holders of ADSs and the issuer of the security underlying the ADSs, may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming of foreign tax credits by holders of ADSs. These actions would also be inconsistent with the claiming of the reduced rate of tax, described below, applicable to dividends that constitute qualified dividend income received by certain
non-corporate
holders. Accordingly, the availability of the reduced tax rate for qualified dividend income received by certain
non-corporate
U.S. Holders, each described below, could be affected by actions taken by such parties or intermediaries.
This discussion assumes that we are not, and will not become, a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for United States federal income tax purposes, as described below.
Distributions on ADSs or Equity Shares
The gross amount of cash distributions made by us to a U.S. Holder, with respect to ADSs or equity shares generally, will be taxable to such U.S. Holder as ordinary dividend income when such U.S. Holder receives the distribution, actually or constructively, to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for United States federal income tax purposes).
Subject to the discussion above regarding
“pre-release”,
if dividends constitute qualified dividend income (“QDI”), individual U.S. Holders of our ADSs or equity shares will generally pay tax on such dividends at a reduced rate, provided certain holding period requirements and other conditions are satisfied. Assuming we are not a PFIC in the taxable year in which we pay the dividends or in the preceding taxable year, dividends paid by us will be QDI if we are a qualified foreign corporation (“QFC”) at the time the dividends are paid. We believe that we are currently, and will continue to be, a QFC, so we expect all dividends paid by us to be QDI for United States federal income tax purposes. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for United States federal income tax purposes) will be treated first as a
non-taxable
return of capital, reducing such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the ADSs or equity shares. Any distribution in excess of such tax basis will be treated as capital gain and will be either long term or short term capital gain depending upon whether the U.S. Holder held the ADSs or equity shares for more than one year. However, we currently do not, and we do not intend to, calculate our earnings and profits under United States federal income tax principles. Therefore, a U.S. Holder should expect that a distribution generally will be reported as dividend income. Dividends paid by us generally will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction available to certain United States corporate shareholders and will generally be treated as “passive income” for purposes of computing allowable foreign tax credits for U.S. tax purposes. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under your particular circumstances.
The amount of any cash distribution paid in Indian rupees will equal the United States dollar value of the distribution, calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect at the time the distribution is received by the depositary, in the case of ADSs, or by the U.S. Holder, in the case of equity shares, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted to United States dollars at that time. Generally, a U.S. Holder should not recognize any foreign currency gain or loss if such Indian rupees are converted into United States dollars on the date received, and it is expected that the depositary will, in the ordinary course, convert foreign currency received by it as distributions into United States dollars on the date of receipt. However, if the Indian rupees are not converted into United States dollars on the date of receipt, gain or loss may be recognized upon a subsequent sale or other disposition of the Indian rupees. Such foreign currency gain or loss, if any, will be United States source ordinary income or loss.
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Sale or Exchange of ADSs or Equity Shares
A U.S. Holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of ADSs or equity shares measured by the difference between the United States dollar value of the amount received and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis (determined in United States dollars) in the ADSs or equity shares. Any gain or loss will be long term capital gain or loss if the ADSs or equity shares in the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition have been held for more than one year, and will generally be United States source gain or loss. The holding period for equity shares withdrawn from the depositary facility will include the holding period of the ADSs exchanged therefor. Your ability to deduct capital losses is subject to limitations. Under certain circumstances described under “—
Indian Taxation of the ADSs—Taxation of Capital Gains in Relation to ADSs
”, you may be subject to Indian tax upon the disposition of ADSs or equity shares. In such circumstances and subject to applicable limitations, a U.S. Holder entitled to the benefits of the India-United States income tax treaty may be able to credit the Indian tax against the U.S. Holder’s United States federal income tax liability. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under your particular circumstances.
For cash-basis U.S. Holders who receive foreign currency in connection with a sale or other taxable disposition of equity shares, the amount realized will be based upon the United States dollar value of the foreign currency received with respect to such equity shares as determined on the settlement date of such sale, exchange or other taxable disposition.
Pursuant to the Treasury Regulations applicable to foreign currency transactions, accrual-basis U.S. Holders may elect the same treatment required of cash-basis taxpayers with respect to a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of ADSs or equity shares, provided that the election is applied consistently from year to year. Such election cannot be changed without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). Accrual-basis U.S. Holders that do not elect to be treated as cash-basis taxpayers for this purpose may have foreign currency gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes because of differences between the United States dollar value of the foreign currency received prevailing on the date of such sale, exchange or other taxable disposition and the value prevailing on the date of payment. Any such foreign currency gain or loss will generally be treated as ordinary income or loss that is sourced from within the United States, in addition to the gain or loss, if any, recognized on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of ADSs or equity shares.
Medicare Tax
Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals, estates, or trusts are required to pay a 3.8 percent Medicare surtax on all or part of that holder’s “net investment income”, which includes, among other items, dividends on, and capital gains from the sale or other taxable disposition of, the ADSs or equity shares, subject to certain limitations and exceptions. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this surtax on their ownership and disposition of the ADSs or equity shares.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
U.S. Holders generally will be subject to a special, adverse tax regime that would differ in certain respects from the tax treatment described above if we are, or were to become, a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes. Although the determination of whether a corporation is a PFIC is made annually, and thus may be subject to change, based on an active banking exception, we do not believe that we are, nor do we expect to become, a PFIC. However, the matter is not free from doubt. We urge you to consult your own tax advisor regarding the potential application of the PFIC rules.
Information with Respect to Foreign Financial Assets
Individuals (and, under proposed Treasury Regulations, certain entities) who are U.S. Holders that own “specified foreign financial assets”, including stock of a
non-U.S.
corporation not held through a financial institution, with an aggregate value in excess of certain dollar thresholds, may be required to file an information report with respect to such assets on IRS Form 8938 with their United States federal income tax returns. Penalties apply for failure to properly complete and file IRS Form 8938. U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of this reporting requirement to their ownership of our ADSs or equity shares.
Taxation of
Non-U.S.
Holders
A
“Non-U.S.
Holder” is a beneficial owner of our ADSs or equity shares that is neither a U.S. Holder nor a partnership or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If a partnership holds our ADSs or equity shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. Partners in partnerships holding our ADSs or equity shares should consult their own tax advisors.
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Distributions on ADSs or Equity Shares
Non-U.S.
Holders generally will not be subject to United States federal income or withholding tax on dividends received from us with respect to ADSs or equity shares, unless such income is considered effectively connected with the
Non-U.S.
Holder’s conduct of a United States trade or business for United States federal income tax purposes (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the income is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained in the United States).
Sale or Exchange of ADSs or Equity Shares
Non-U.S.
Holders generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of ADSs or equity shares unless:
such gain is considered effectively connected with the
Non-U.S.
Holder’s conduct of a United States trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the income is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained in the United States); or
such
Non-U.S.
Holder is an individual that is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the disposition, and certain other conditions are met.
In addition, if you are a corporate
Non-U.S.
Holder, any effectively connected dividend income or gain (subject to certain adjustments) may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a rate of 30.0 percent (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty).
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
In general, dividends on ADSs or equity shares, and payments of the proceeds of a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of ADSs or equity shares, paid to a U.S. Holder within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, are subject to information reporting and may be subject to backup withholding at a rate currently equal to 24.0 percent, unless the U.S. Holder:
is a corporation or other exempt recipient; or
provides an accurate taxpayer identification number and certifies that no loss of exemption from backup withholding applies to such U.S. Holder.
Non-U.S.
Holders generally are not subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, such
Non-U.S.
Holders may be required to provide a certification to establish their
non-U.S.
status in connection with payments received within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Holders generally will be allowed a credit of the amount of any backup withholding against their United States federal income tax liability or may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules that exceed such income tax liability by filing a refund claim with the IRS.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code (provisions commonly known as FATCA) impose (a) certain reporting and due diligence requirements on foreign financial institutions and (b) potentially require such foreign financial institutions to deduct a 30.0 percent withholding tax from (i) certain payments from sources within the United States and (ii) “foreign pass thru payments” (which is not yet defined in current guidance) made to certain
non-U.S.
financial institutions that do not comply with such reporting and due diligence requirements or certain other payees that do not provide required information. The United States has entered into a number of IGAs with other jurisdictions with respect to FATCA which may modify the operation of this withholding. The Bank, as well as relevant intermediaries such as custodians and depositary participants, are classified as financial institutions for these purposes. Given that India has entered into a Model 1 IGA with the United States for giving effect to FATCA, Indian financial institutions such as the Bank are also required to comply with FATCA, based on the terms of the IGA and relevant rules made pursuant thereto.
Under current guidance, it is not clear whether or to what extent payments on ADSs or equity shares will be considered “foreign pass thru payments” subject to FATCA withholding or the extent to which withholding on “foreign pass thru payments” will be required under the applicable IGA. However, under current guidance, even if withholding were required pursuant to FATCA with respect to payments on ADSs or equity shares, such withholding would not apply prior to two years after the date on which final regulations on this issue are published. Investors should consult their own tax advisers on how the FATCA rules may apply to payments they receive in respect of the ADSs or equity shares.
Should any withholding tax in respect of FATCA be deducted or withheld from any payments arising to any investor, neither the Bank nor any other person will pay additional amounts as a result of the deduction or withholding.
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SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
The main legislation governing commercial banks in India is the Banking Regulation Act 1949 (the “Banking Regulation Act”). The provisions of the Banking Regulation Act are in addition to and not, save as expressly provided in the Banking Regulation Act, in derogation of the Companies Act 2013 and any other law currently in force. Other important laws include the Reserve Bank of India Act 1934, the Negotiable Instruments Act 1881, the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act 2002 (the “SARFAESI Act”) and the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act 1891. Additionally, the RBI, from time to time, issues guidelines to be followed by banks. Compliance with all regulatory requirements is evaluated with respect to our financial statements under Indian GAAP.
RBI Regulations
Commercial banks in India are required under the Banking Regulation Act to obtain a license from the RBI to carry on banking business in India. Before granting the license, the RBI must be satisfied that certain conditions are complied with, including (i) that the bank is or will be in a position to pay its present and future depositors in full as their claims accrue; (ii) that the affairs of the bank are not being or are not likely to be conducted in a manner detrimental to the interests of present or future depositors; (iii) that the general character of the proposed management of the bank will not be prejudicial to the public interest or the interest of its depositors; (iv) that the bank has adequate capital and earnings prospects; (v) that public interest will be served if a license is granted to the bank; (vi) that having regard to the banking facilities available in the proposed principal area of operations of the bank, the potential scope for expansion of banks already in existence in the area and other relevant factors, the grant of the license would not be prejudicial to the operation and consolidation of the banking system consistent with monetary stability and economic growth; and (vii) any other condition, the fulfillment of which would, in the opinion of the RBI, be necessary to ensure that the carrying on of banking business in India by the bank will not be prejudicial to the public interest or the interests of the depositors. The RBI can cancel the license if the bank fails to meet the above conditions or if the bank ceases to carry on banking operations in India.
Being licensed by the RBI, we are regulated and supervised by the RBI. It requires us to furnish statements, information and certain details relating to our business. The RBI has issued guidelines and for commercial banks on recognition of income, classification of assets, valuation of investments, maintenance of capital adequacy and provisioning for
non-performing
and restructured assets among others. The RBI has set up a Board for Financial Supervision (“Board”), under the chairmanship of its Governor, with the primary objective of undertaking consolidated supervision of the financial sector comprised of commercial banks, financial institutions and NBFCs. This Board oversees the functioning of the Department of Banking Supervision, Department of
Non-Banking
Supervision and Financial Institutions Division of the RBI and gives directions relating to regulatory and supervisory issues.
Entry of New Banks in the Private Sector
In February 2013, the RBI released guidelines for licensing of new banks in the private sector. The key items covered under these guidelines are as follows: (i) promoters eligible to apply for banking licenses; (ii) corporate structure; (iii) minimum voting equity capital requirements for new banks; (iv) regulatory framework; (v) foreign shareholding cap; (vi) corporate governance; (vii) prudential norms; (viii) exposure norms; and (ix) business plan. The RBI has permitted private sector entities owned and controlled by Indian residents and entities in the public sector in India to apply to the RBI for a license to operate a bank through a wholly owned
non-operative
financial holding company (“NOFHC”), subject to compliance with certain specified criteria. Such a NOFHC is permitted to be the holding company of the bank as well as any other financial services entity, with the objective that the holding company ring-fences the regulated financial services entities in the group, including the bank, from other activities of the group. Pursuant to these guidelines, two banks, namely IDFC First Bank and Bandhan Bank, commenced banking operations in fiscal year 2016.
In November 2014, RBI released guidelines on licensing of payments banks (“Payments Banks Guidelines”) and small finance banks (“Small Finance Banks Guidelines”) in the private sector. The objective of setting up of payments banks is to further financial inclusion by providing (i) small savings accounts and (ii) payments/remittance services to migrant labor workforce, low income households, small businesses, other unorganized sector entities and other users. Previously, payments banks were allowed to accept deposits of up to Rs. 0.1 million; recently, on April 8, 2021, the RBI enhanced the
end-of-day
maximum balance limit to Rs. 0.2 million per individual customer of the respective payments bank. Payments banks are not allowed to undertake lending activities or issue credit cards. In August 2015, the RBI gave
in-principle
approvals to 11 applicants to set up payments banks. The objective of setting up small finance banks (“SFBs”) is to further financial inclusion by (i) providing savings vehicles, and (ii) supplying credit to small business units, small and marginal farmers, micro and small industries, and other unorganized sector entities, through high-tech and
low-cost
operations. SFBs primarily undertake basic banking activities, such as the acceptance of deposits and lending to unserved and underserved sections of society, including small business units, small and marginal farmers, micro and small industries and unorganized sector entities, with no restriction in their area of operations. The minimum
paid-up
equity capital requirement for such banks is Rs. 1,000.0 million. The foreign shareholding in payments banks would be as per the FDI policy for private sector banks, as amended from time to time. In September 2015, the RBI granted
��in-principle”
approval to 10 applicants to set up SFBs. All 10 applicants received their final license.
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The guidelines issued in 2014 stated that after gaining experience in dealing with SFBs, the RBI would consider
“on-tap”
licensing of these banks. Accordingly, in December 2019, the RBI released guidelines for
“on-tap”
licensing of SFBs (the “December 2019 Guidelines”). Pursuant to the December 2019 Guidelines, the minimum
paid-up
voting equity capital for SFBs is Rs. 2,000.0 million, subject to a few exceptions. Further, the RBI, in its circular dated March 28, 2020, issued certain modifications to the Payments Bank Guidelines and the Small Finance Banks Guidelines to harmonize them with the December 2019 Guidelines. The December 2019 Guidelines stated that a Standing External Advisory Committee (“SEAC”) comprising eminent persons with experience in banking, financial sector and other relevant areas, will evaluate the applications and that the constituent members of the SEAC will be announced by the RBI. In March 2021, the RBI announced the constituent members of the SEAC, who will have a tenure of three years.
In August 2016, the RBI released the guidelines for
“on-tap”
licensing of universal banks in the private sector. The guidelines aim at moving from the current “stop and go” licensing approach (wherein the RBI notifies the licensing window during which a private entity may apply for a banking license) to a continuous or
“on-tap”
licensing regime. Among other things, the new guidelines specify conditions for the eligibility of promoters, corporate structure and foreign shareholdings. One of the key features of the new guidelines is that, unlike the February 2013 guidelines (mentioned above), the new guidelines make the NOFHC structure
non-mandatory
in the case of promoters being individuals or standalone promoting/converting entities that do not have other group entities. In 2021, a few entities had applied for “on tap” licenses pursuant to the above-mentioned guidelines. The RBI has assessed the applications and, in May 2022, released the names of the applicants which were found not suitable for being granted
in-principle
approval.
In May 2016, the RBI also issued the Reserve Bank of India (Ownership in Private Sector Banks) Directions 2016. These guidelines prescribe requirements regarding shareholding and voting rights in relation to all private sector banks licensed by the RBI to operate in India. The guidelines specify the following ownership limits for shareholders based on their categorization:
(i)
In the case of individuals and
non-financial
entities (other than promoters/promoter group), 10.0 percent of the
paid-up
capital. However, in the case of promoters being individuals and
non-financial
entities in existing banks, the permitted promoter/promoter group shareholding shall be as prescribed under the February 2013 guidelines,
i.e.
,15.0 percent.
(ii)
In the case of entities from the financial sector, other than regulated or diversified or listed, 15.0 percent of the
paid-up
capital.
(iii)
In the case of “regulated, well diversified, listed entities from the financial sector” shareholding by supranational institutions, public sector undertaking or government, up to 40.0 percent of the
paid-up
capital is permitted for both promoters/promoter group and
non-promoters.
In June 2020, the RBI set up an internal working group to examine and review the extant licensing and regulatory guidelines relating to ownership and control, corporate structure of private sector banks and other related issues. The group submitted its report in October 2020, and some of the key recommendations are as follows: (i) the cap on promoters’ stakes over the course of 15 years may be raised from the current level of 15.0 percent to 26.0 percent of the
paid-up
voting equity share capital of the bank; (ii) the RBI may introduce regulations in relation to the issuance of ADRs and GDRs by banks, which ensure that such issuances are not used by dominant shareholders to indirectly enhance their voting power, including mandating prior approval by the RBI before entering into agreements with depositories, requiring a provision in the depository agreement assigning no voting rights to depositories and a mechanism for disclosure of the details of the ultimate depository receipt holders so that indirect holdings can be disclosed along with direct holdings; (iii) large corporate/industrial houses may be allowed as promoters of banks only after necessary amendments to the Banking Regulations Act; (iv) NOFHCs should continue to be the preferred structure for all new licenses to be issued for Universal Banks. However, NOFHC structures should be mandatory only in cases where the individual promoters, promoting entities and converting entities have other group entities; and (v) listing requirements for small finance banks, payments banks and universal banks.
By a press release dated November 2021 (the “November 2021 Press Release”), the RBI accepted a few recommendations suggested by the internal working group to the report dated October 2020. One of the recommendations that was accepted with modifications, was the adjustment of initial capital requirements for new banks: (i) for universal banks from Rs. 5.0 billion to Rs. 10.0 billion; (ii) for SFBs from Rs. 3.0 billion to Rs. 2.0 billion; and (iii) for UCBs transiting to SFBs from Rs. 1.0 billion to Rs. 1.5 billion initial
paid-up
voting equity share capital/net worth), which has to be further increased to Rs. 3.0 billion (present Rs. 2.0 billion) within five years. The amendments to the extant guidelines will be notified in due course, and all the stakeholders are to be guided by the decisions in the report.
Financial Holding Company Structure in India
The RBI constituted a Working Group in June 2010 to examine the feasibility of introducing a Financial Holding Company (“FHC”) Structure in India under the chairpersonship of the Deputy Governor. In May 2011, the Working Group submitted its report to recommend a roadmap for the introduction of a holding company structure in the Indian financial sector together with the required regulatory, supervisory and legislative framework. The report served as a guiding document for the introduction of an alternate organizational structure for banks and financial conglomerates in India. Key recommendations of the Working Group were as follows: (i) FHC structure; (ii) regulatory framework; (iii) statutory and taxation related changes; (iv) caps on expansion in
non-banking
business; (v) capital raising; and (vi) transitioning to the FHC structure.
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In August 2013, the RBI issued a discussion paper titled “Banking Structure in India—The Way Forward”. The key recommendations in the paper relate to: (i) adoption of the FHC structure; (ii) differential licensing (allowing banks to be licensed to provide only specified services); (iii) consolidation of
large-sized
Indian banks; (iv) requiring large foreign banks to operate through subsidiaries in India and the reduction of the Government’s ownership of state-owned banks to ease the burden on the state where these banks will have to be capitalized to comply with Basel III requirements.
On April 7, 2014, the RBI introduced a new category of NBFCs called NOFHCs and, accordingly, amended the
Non-Banking
Financial
(Non-Deposit
Accepting or Holding) Companies Prudential Norms (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2007. The RBI directions define a NOFHC as a
non-deposit-taking
NBFC that holds the shares of a banking company and the shares of all other financial services companies in its group, whether regulated by RBI or by any other financial regulator, to the extent permissible under the applicable regulatory prescriptions.
Under the guidelines for
“on-tap”
licensing of universal banks in the private sector, the RBI has made the NOFHC structure
non-mandatory
in the case of promoters being individuals or standalone promoting/converting entities that do not have other group entities. Under the December 2019 Guidelines, if there is an intermediate company between the promoting entity and the small finance bank, such an intermediate company should be an NOFHC. However, if the small finance bank is set up under a holding company structure without an NOFHC, such holding company is required to be registered as an NBFC-core investment company (“CIC”) with the RBI.
In a report submitted by the internal working group of the RBI in October 2020, certain recommendations were made relating to NOFHCs, including: (i) NOFHCs should continue to be the preferred structure for all new licenses to be issued for universal banks; however, NOFHC are mandatory only in cases where the individual promoters, promoting entities, and converting entities have other group entities; (ii) while banks licensed before 2013 may move to an NOFHC structure at their discretion, once the NOFHC structure attains a
tax-neutral
status, all banks licensed before 2013 must move to the NOFHC structure within 5 years from announcement of
tax-neutrality;
(iii) until the NOFHC structure is made feasible and operational, the concerns with regard to banks undertaking different activities through subsidiaries, joint ventures or associates should be addressed through suitable regulations; and (iv) banks currently under the NOFHC structure may be allowed to exit from such a structure if they do not have other group entities in their corporate structure.
In the November 2021 Press Release, the RBI clarified that where the NOFHC structure is mandatory, the promoters/promoting entities should be eligible to set up a Universal Bank/Small Finance Bank.
Regulations Relating to the Opening of Banking Outlets
Section 23 of the Banking Regulation Act provides that banks must obtain the prior permission of the RBI to open new banking outlets. The RBI may cancel a license for violations of the conditions under which it was granted.
The RBI issues instructions and guidelines to banks on branch authorization from time to time. Centers are categorized as Tier 1 to Tier 6 based on population (as per the 2011 census) and classified in the following manner:
Tier 1—100,000 and above;
Tier 2—50,000 to 99,999;
Tier 3—20,000 to 49,999;
Tier 4—10,000 to 19,999;
Tier 5—5,000 to 9,999; and
Tier 6—Less than 5,000.
The RBI, with effect from September 19, 2013, granted general permission to domestic scheduled commercial banks like us to open banking outlets in Tier 1 to Tier 6 centers, subject to reporting to the RBI and prescribed conditions such as (i) at least 25 percent of the total number of banking outlets opened during the fiscal year must be opened in unbanked rural (Tier 5 and Tier 6) centers, which are defined as centers that do not have a brick and mortar structure of any scheduled commercial bank for customer-based banking transactions; and (ii) the total number of banking outlets opened in Tier 1 centers during a fiscal year cannot exceed the total number of banking outlets opened in Tier 2 to Tier 6 centers and all centers in the north eastern states of India and the state of Sikkim. The RBI also permitted banks to open banking outlets in Tier 1 centers over and above the number permitted in accordance with the paragraph above, as an incentive for opening more banking outlets in underbanked districts of underbanked states, subject to specified conditions.
The RBI also permitted scheduled commercial banks to install
off-site/mobile
ATMs at centers/places identified by them, without the need to get permission from the RBI in each case. This, however, is subject to certain conditions, including for closure/shifting of any such
off-site/mobile
ATMs, wherever the RBI considers it necessary. Banks need to report full details of the
off-site
ATMs installed by them in terms of the above general permission as a part of the periodic reports submitted to the RBI.
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In May 2017, the RBI has further liberalized the branch authorization policy. Some of the key changes made pursuant to the revised guidelines are as follows:
A concept of “banking outlets” has been introduced. A banking outlet for a domestic scheduled commercial bank has been defined as a fixed point service delivery unit, manned by either bank’s staff or its business correspondent where services of acceptance of deposits, encashment of checks/cash withdrawal or lending of money are provided for a minimum of four hours per day for at least five days a week.
At least 25.0 percent of the total number of “banking outlets” opened during a fiscal year must be opened in unbanked rural centers (Tier 5 and Tier 6). The definition of unbanked rural centers has been modified to mean a rural (Tier 5 and Tier 6) center that does not have a
CBS-enabled
banking outlet of a scheduled commercial bank.
The restriction on the number of banking outlets that may be opened in Tier 1 centers has been removed.
Appointment of Auditors
The appointment of the auditors of banks is subject to the approval of the RBI. The RBI can direct a special audit in the interest of the depositors or in the public interest. In April 2021, the RBI issued guidelines for the appointment of statutory central auditors (“SCAs”) and statutory auditors (“SAs”) of commercial banks (excluding regional rural banks (“RRBs”)) pursuant to which the commercial banks are required to receive prior approval from the RBI for the appointment of SCAs and SAs. The guidelines provide for eligibility criteria for SCAs and SAs, and also provide the number of joint auditors a bank is required to appoint based on its assets size.
Capital Adequacy Requirements
The RBI issued guidelines for the implementation of the New Capital Adequacy Framework (“Basel II”). In order to maintain consistency and harmony with international standards, foreign banks in India and Indian banks having operational presence outside India were advised to adopt the Standardized Approach for Credit Risk and Basic Indicator Approach for Operational Risk with effect from March 31, 2008, while other commercial banks were advised to adopt these approaches with effect from March 31, 2009.
Under these guidelines, we were required to maintain a minimum ratio of capital to risk-adjusted assets and
off-balance
sheet items of 9.0 percent, at least 6.0 percent of which must be Tier I capital. Until March 31, 2013, we were also required to ensure that our Basel II minimum capital requirement continued to be higher than the prudential floor of 80.0 percent of the minimum capital requirement computed as per the Basel I framework for credit and market risks. In May 2013, the RBI withdrew the requirement of parallel run and prudential floor for implementation of Basel II
vis-à-vis
Basel I.
In May 2012, the RBI released guidelines on implementation of Basel III capital regulations in India with effect from April 1, 2013. The RBI has also issued a master circular on “Basel III Capital Regulations”, which is updated from time to time and consolidates all relevant guidelines on Basel III. The key items covered under these guidelines include: (i) improving the quality, consistency and transparency of the capital base; (ii) enhancing risk coverage; (iii) graded enhancement of the total capital requirement; (iv) introduction of capital conservation buffer and countercyclical buffer; and (v) supplementing the risk-based capital requirement with a leverage ratio. One of the major changes in the Basel III capital regulations is that the Tier I capital will predominantly consist of common equity of the banks which includes common shares, reserves and stock surplus. Innovative instruments and perpetual
non-cumulative
preference share will not be considered a part of
CET-I
capital. Basel III also defines criteria for instruments to be included in Tier II capital to improve their loss absorbency. The guidelines also set out criteria for loss absorption through
conversion/write-off
of all
non-common
equity regulatory capital instruments at the point of
non-viability.
The point of
non-viability
is defined as a trigger event upon the occurrence of which
non-CET-I
and Tier II instruments issued by banks in India may be required to be, at the option of the RBI, written off or converted into common equity. Under the Basel III capital regulations, the capital funds of a bank are classified into
CET-I,
Additional Tier I
(“AT-I”)
and Tier II capital. Tier I capital, comprised of, among others,
CET-I
and
AT-I,
provides the most permanent and readily available support against unexpected losses.
CET-I
capital is comprised of, amongst others,
paid-up
equity capital, stock surplus (share premium), reserves consisting of any statutory reserves, revaluation reserves and capital reserves. By its circular dated March 2016, the RBI has allowed banks, at their discretion, to include foreign currency translation reserves arising due to the translation of financial statements of their foreign operations in terms of Accounting Standard (“AS”) 11 as
CET-I
capital at a discount of 25.0 percent, subject to certain conditions. Further, the RBI has permitted deferred tax assets which relate to timing differences (other than those related to accumulated losses) to be recognized in the
CET-I
capital up to 10.0 percent of a bank’s
CET-I
capital, at the discretion of banks (instead of full deduction from
CET-I
capital), subject to certain terms and conditions.
AT-I
capital is comprised of, among others, perpetual
non-cumulative
preference shares and debt capital instruments eligible for inclusion as
AT-I
capital. Regulatory adjustments/deductions such as equity investments in financial subsidiaries (in accordance with the directions of the RBI), intangible assets, deferred tax assets (in the manner and to the extent, specified by the RBI), gaps in provisioning and losses in the current period and those brought forward from the previous period are required to be deducted from
CET-I
capital in a phased manner and fully deducted therefrom by March 31, 2017.
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Tier II capital consists of, amongst others, revaluation reserves at a discount of 55.0 percent, general provisions and loss reserves (allowed up to a maximum of 1.25 percent of the total credit risk-weighted assets), hybrid debt capital instruments (which combine features of both equity and debt securities) such as perpetual cumulative preference shares, redeemable
non-cumulative
preference shares/redeemable cumulative preference shares and debt capital instruments (which should be fully paid up, with a fixed maturity of minimum five years and should not contain clauses that permit
step-ups
or other incentives to redeem). In its circular dated March 1, 2016, the RBI has stated that revaluation reserves arising out of a change in the carrying amount of a bank’s property consequent to its revaluation may, at the discretion of the bank, be considered as
CET-I
capital. As of January 1, 2013, capital instruments which are not Basel III compliant (such as capital debt instruments with
step-ups)
are being phased out in a gradual manner (at a rate of 10.0 percent per year). In April 2018, the RBI advised all banks to create an Investment Fluctuation Reserve (the “IFR”) with effect from fiscal year 2019, with a view to building up adequate reserves to protect against an increase in yields in the future. The IFR is eligible for inclusion in Tier II capital, and recently the RBI has clarified that there is no ceiling on the percentage of IFR which may be included as a part of the Tier II capital.
The Basel III capital regulations require a bank to maintain a minimum
CET-I
capital ratio of 5.5 percent, a minimum Tier I capital ratio of 7.0 percent and a capital conservation buffer of 2.5 percent of its risk-weighted assets with the minimum overall capital adequacy ratio of 9.0 percent of its risk-weighted assets. The transitional arrangements for the implementation of Basel III capital regulations in India began from April 1, 2013, and the guidelines were to be fully
phased-in
and implemented as of March 31, 2019. In January 2019, the RBI has decided to defer the implementation of the last tranche of the capital conservation buffer from March 31, 2019 to March 31, 2020. In response to the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI has implemented the last tranche of the capital conservation buffer effective October 1, 2021. See also “
Risk Factors —The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
Risk-adjusted assets considered for determining the capital adequacy ratios are the aggregation of risk-weighted assets of credit risk, market risk and operational risk.
In respect of credit risk, the risk adjusted assets and
off-balance
sheet items considered for determining the capital adequacy ratio are the risk-weighted total of certain funded and
non-funded
exposures. Degrees of credit risk expressed as percentage weighting have been assigned to various balance sheet asset items and conversion factors to
off-balance
sheet items. The value of each item is multiplied by the relevant weight and/or conversion factor to arrive at risk-adjusted values of assets and
off-balance
sheet items. Standby letters of credit and general guarantees are treated similarly to funded exposures and are subject to a 100.0 percent credit conversion factor. The credit conversion factor for certain
off-balance
sheet items such as performance bonds, bid bonds and standby letters of credit related to particular transactions is 50.0 percent while that for short-term self-liquidating trade-related contingencies such as documentary credits collateralized by the underlying shipments is 20.0 percent. The credit conversion factor for other commitments like formal standby facilities and credit lines is either 20.0 percent or 50.0 percent, based on the original maturity of the facility. Differential risk weights for credit exposures linked to their external credit rating or asset class have been prescribed.
The RBI has prescribed a matrix of risk weights varying from 35.0 percent to 75.0 percent (since revised to a maximum of 50.0 percent for loans sanctioned on or after June 7, 2017) for individual housing loans based on the size of the loan and the
loan-to-value
ratios. In October 2020, as a countercyclical measure, the RBI decided to rationalize the risk weights, irrespective of the amount. The risk weights for all new housing loans to be sanctioned on or after October 16, 2020 and up to March 31, 2022 would be required to be 35.0 percent for the loan to value ratio of less than and equal to 80.0 percent, and 50.0 percent for loan to value ratio of greater that 80.0 percent and less than and equal to 90.0 percent. In April 2022, this rationalization was extended to loans sanctioned up to March 31, 2023. In relation to the retail portfolio, retail claims were required to be assigned a risk-weight of 75.0 percent, except as provided otherwise by the RBI for
non-performing
assets. “Low value of individual exposures” was one of the four qualifying criteria which prescribed that the maximum aggregated retail exposure to one counterparty shall not exceed the absolute threshold limit of Rs. 50.0 million. In order to reduce the cost of credit for this segment, which consists of individuals and small businesses (
i.e.
, with turnover of up to Rs. 500.0 million), and also to harmonize the maximum exposure limit with the existing RBI regulations on the Basel III framework, the RBI increased threshold limit for aggregated retail exposure to a counterparty to Rs. 75.0 million from October 12, 2020. The risk weight of 75.0 percent would apply to all fresh exposures and also to existing exposures where incremental exposure may be taken by the banks up to the revised limit of Rs. 75.0 million. Consumer credit, including personal loans, but excluding credit card receivables, carry a risk weight of 100.0 percent or higher corresponding to the rating of the exposure, or lack of such rating. The risk weight for capital markets exposure and credit card receivables is 125.0 percent, or higher corresponding to the rating of the exposure, or lack of such rating. Exposure to venture capital funds are risk-weighted at 150.0 percent. Other loans/credit exposures are risk-weighted based on their ratings or turnover. The RBI has also prescribed detailed guidelines for the capital treatment of securitisation exposures. The RBI requires banks in India to compute the capital requirements for operational risk under the “Basic Indicator Approach”. Under this approach, banks must hold capital for operational risk equal to the average over the previous three years of a fixed percentage of positive annual gross income. The BCBS has set this percentage at 15.0 percent, which has been followed by the RBI.
Banks are required to maintain a capital charge for market risks on their trading books in respect of securities included under the
held-for-trading
and
available-for-sale
categories, open gold position, open foreign exchange position limits, trading positions in derivatives and derivatives entered into for hedging trading book exposures. With effect from fiscal year 2015, banks are also required to quantify incurred credit valuation adjustment losses and standard credit valuation adjustment capital charge on their derivatives portfolio.
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The minimum Common Equity Tier 1 capital of 5.5 percent of risk-weighted assets is required to be maintained by the banks along with a capital conservation buffer (“CCB”) of 2.5 percent of risk-weighted assets, in the form of Common Equity Tier 1 capital. In its press release from January 2022, the RBI confirmed that the Bank continues to be a domestic systemically important bank
(“D-SIB”)
with an additional
CET-I
requirement of 0.2 percent. The capital requirement, including the CCB and the additional requirement, is 11.7 percent. In September 2014, the RBI reviewed its guidelines on Basel III capital regulations with a view to facilitate issuance of
non-equity
regulatory capital instruments by banks under Basel III framework. Accordingly, certain specific eligibility criteria of such instruments were amended. These amendments were also intended to incentivize investors and to increase the investor base.
In December 2021, the RBI released draft master directions on minimum capital requirements for operational risk. The directions propose all the existing approaches,
i.e.
, the basic indicator approach, the standardized approach/alternative standardized approach and the advanced measurement approach for measuring minimum operational risk capital requirements, with the new standardized approach being in line with Basel III. The directions are expected to become effective on April 1, 2023 and will be applicable to all commercial banks excluding local area banks, payments banks, RRBs and SFBs.
In December 2021, the RBI has given general permission to banks (other than foreign banks, SFBs, payment banks and RRBs), which meet the regulatory capital requirements, to contribute capital to overseas branches and subsidiaries, retain profits in them and repatriate/transfer profits therefrom with the approval of their respective board of directors, but without having to obtain prior approval from the RBI.
Domestic Systemically Important Banks
In July 2014, the RBI released a framework for dealing with
D-SIBs.
The
D-SIB
framework requires that the RBI disclose the names of banks designated as
D-SIBs.
Banks identified as systemically important based on their size, interconnectedness in the financial system, complexity and lack of readily available substitutes or financial infrastructure would be required to maintain additional
CET-I
capital ranging from 0.2 percent to 1.0 percent of risk-weighted assets
(“RWAs”). D-SIBs
may implement the increased capital requirement in a phased manner from April 2016 to April 2019. Our Bank has been classified as a domestic systemically important bank by the RBI during fiscal year 2018. The higher capital requirements under the bucketing structure, as provided in the
D-SIB
Framework, in the form of additional
CET-I,
were phased in beginning on April 1, 2018, and became fully effective from April 1, 2019. The RBI, in its circular dated June 28, 2019, reduced the minimum leverage ratio from 4.5 percent to 4.0 percent for
D-SIBs
and 3.5 percent for other banks, with effect from October 1, 2019. In its press release dated January 2022, the RBI has confirmed that the Bank continues to be a
D-SIB
with an additional
CET-I
requirement of 0.2 percent (making the Bank’s aggregate capital requirement 11.7 percent).
Countercyclical Capital Buffer
In February 2015, the RBI released guidelines for implementation of Countercyclical Capital Buffer (“CCCB”). The CCCB regime requires banks to build up a buffer of capital in good times which may be used to maintain flow of credit to the real sector in difficult times. It also achieves the broader macro-prudential goal of restricting the banking sector from indiscriminate lending in the periods of excess credit growth that have often been associated with the building up of system-wide risk. While the framework for CCCB has taken effect, the activation of CCCB will take place when notified by the RBI. Some of the key points mentioned in the guidelines are as follows: (i) CCCB may be maintained in the form of CET I capital or other fully loss absorbing capital only, and the amount of the CCCB may vary from 0.0 percent to 2.5 percent of total risk-weighted assets of the banks; (ii) the CCCB decision would normally be
pre-announced
with a lead time of four quarters; however, depending on the CCCB indicators, the banks may be advised to build up the requisite buffer in a shorter time period; and (iii) banks will be subject to restrictions on discretionary distributions (including dividend payments, share buybacks and staff bonus payments) if they do not meet the requirement on CCCB. The RBI has not activated the CCCB yet and in its notification dated April 5, 2022, has stated that it is not necessary to activate CCCB at this point in time.
Loan Loss Provisions and
Non-Performing
Assets
The RBI has issued guidelines on income recognition, asset classification, provisioning standards and the valuation of investments applicable to banks, which are revised from time to time. These guidelines are applied for the calculation of impaired assets under Indian GAAP. Whereas our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, loan loss provision is made in accordance with ASC 326 and ASC 450 and as described under “
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
” and under Note 2i “
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Allowance for credit losses
” to our consolidated financial statements. The principal features of the RBI guidelines are set forth below. It should be noted that in light of the impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI relaxed certain requirements including in relation to asset classification, provisioning and restructuring of loans. See also “
COVID-19
Regulatory Package
” below.
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Non-Performing
Assets
An asset, including a leased asset, becomes
non-performing
when it ceases to generate income for the bank.
The RBI guidelines stipulate the criteria for determining and classifying a
non-performing
asset (“NPA”). An NPA is a loan or an advance where:
interest and/or an installment of principal remain overdue (as defined below) for a period of more than 90 days in respect of a term loan;
the account remains
“out-of-order”(as
defined below) in respect of an overdraft (“OD”) or cash credit (“CC”) for more than 90 days;
the bill remains overdue for a period of more than 90 days in the case of bills purchased and discounted;
the installment of principal or interest thereon remains overdue for two crop seasons for short-duration crops;
the installment of principal or interest thereon remains overdue for one crop season for long-duration crops;
the amount of a liquidity facility remains outstanding for more than 90 days, in respect of securitisation transactions undertaken in accordance with the RBI (Securitisation of Standard Assets) Directions, 2021; or
in respect of derivative transactions, the overdue receivables representing the positive
mark-to-market
value of a derivative contract, if remain unpaid for a period of 90 days from the specified due date for payment.
Effective March 31, 2022, the RBI has directed that banks should classify an account as an NPA only if the interest imposed at specified rests remains overdue for more than 90 days.
“Overdue”
Any amount due to the Bank under any credit facility is “overdue” if it is not paid on the due date fixed by the Bank. Borrower accounts shall be flagged as overdue by the banks as part of their
day-end
processes for the due date, irrespective of the time when such processes are run. In November 2021 the RBI has clarified that the exact dates for repayment of the loan, the frequency of payment, the breakup between principal and interest and examples of SMA/NPA classification, etc. shall be specified in the loan agreement and that the borrower shall be apprised of the same at the time of loan sanction and also at the time of any subsequent changes to the sanction terms/loan agreement until full repayment of the loan. For new loans, these rules shall be complied with at the earliest, but not later than December 31, 2021; for existing loans, compliance with the rules shall be ensured at the time of review/renewal.
“Out-of-Order”
Status
An OD/CC account is treated as
“out-of-order”
if the outstanding balance remains continuously in excess of the sanctioned limit/drawing power for 90 days. In circumstances where the outstanding balance in the CC/OD account is less than the sanctioned limit/drawing power, but (i) there are no credits continuously for a period of 90 days; or (ii) the credits are not sufficient to cover the interest debited during the previous
90-day-period
(including the day for which the day end process is being run), these accounts should be treated as
“out-of-order”.
The definition of “out of order” shall be applicable to all loan products being offered as an overdraft facility, including those which are not meant for business purposes or which have no credits other than interest repayments.
Asset Classification
Banks are required to classify NPAs into the following three categories based on the period for which the asset has remained
non-performing
and the realizability of the dues:
Sub-standard
Assets
: Assets that are
non-performing
for a period less than or equal to 12 months. Such an asset has well-defined credit weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt and is characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if deficiencies are not corrected.
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Doubtful Assets
: An asset will be classified as doubtful if it remains in the substandard category for a period of 12 months. A loan classified as doubtful has all the weaknesses inherent in assets that are classified as
sub-standard,
with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently known facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable.
Loss Assets
: Assets on which losses have been identified by the Bank or internal or external auditors or on inspection by the RBI, but the amount of which has not been written off fully. Such an asset is considered uncollectable and of such little value that its continuance as a bankable asset is not warranted, although there may be some salvage or recovery value.
There are separate asset classification guidelines that will apply to projects under implementation before the commencement of their commercial operation.
In April 2021, the RBI clarified that in respect of borrower accounts which were not granted any moratorium under the RBI’s
COVID-19
Regulatory Package, as explained in “—
COVID-19
Regulatory Package
” below, asset classification remains as per the regulations summarized above. In respect of borrower accounts which were granted a moratorium under the RBI’s
COVID-19
Regulatory Package, the asset classification for the period from March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020 would be governed in terms of RBI circulars summarized in “—
COVID-19
Regulatory Package
” below.
In September 2020, the RBI directed Indian banks to put in place or upgrade their systems by June 30, 2021, in order to ensure the completeness and integrity of the automated asset classification (classification of advances and investments as NPA/NPI), provisioning calculation and income recognition processes.
Restructured Assets
The RBI has issued prudential guidelines on the restructuring of advances by banks. The guidelines essentially deal with the norms/conditions, the fulfillment of which is required to maintain the category of the restructured account as a “standard asset”. A standard asset can be restructured by rescheduling principal repayments and/or the interest element, subject to compliance with certain conditions, but must be separately disclosed as a restructured asset.
In case of a restructuring, accounts classified as “standard” shall be immediately downgraded to
non-performing
assets (“NPAs”),
i.e.
“sub-standard”.
Upon restructuring, NPAs continue to have the same asset classification as prior to restructuring. In addition, the RBI has specified guidelines regarding the upgrade of the asset classification.
In May 2013, the RBI issued additional guidelines in relation to restructured assets wherein such regulatory forbearance regarding asset classification on restructured accounts will be withdrawn for all restructurings with effect from April 1, 2015, with the exception of provisions related to changes in “Date of Commencement of Commercial Operations” (“DCCO”) in respect of infrastructure as well as
non-infrastructure
project loans. This implies that a standard account would immediately be classified as a
sub-standard
account upon restructuring. These guidelines are also applicable to
non-performing
assets, which, upon restructuring, would continue to have the same asset classification as prior to the restructuring and may be classified into lower categories in accordance with applicable asset classification norms based on the
pre-restructuring
repayment schedule. However, the standard asset classification may be retained, subject to specified conditions, in respect of certain loans granted for infrastructure projects given the importance of the infrastructure sector in national growth and development and the uncertainty involved in obtaining approvals from various authorities. The RBI has, in its circular dated February 7, 2020, issued guidelines regarding the deferment of the DCCO for projects in
non-infrastructure
and commercial real estate (“CRE”) sectors, and clarified that deferment in certain instances will not be treated as restructuring.
Resolution of Stressed Assets
In April 2022, the RBI has issued the master circular on prudential norms on income recognition, asset classification and provisioning pertaining to advances, which consolidated the Reserve Bank of India (Prudential Framework for Resolution of Stressed Assets) Directions, 2019. In 2019, the RBI has replaced the erstwhile framework for the resolution of stressed assets (including the framework for revitalizing distressed assets, the joint lenders forum mechanism, strategic debt restructuring, and the scheme of sustainable structuring of stressed assets).
As per the existing guidelines, the lenders must recognize developing stress in loan accounts, immediately on default. Lenders must put in place policies approved by their board of directors for the resolution of stressed assets, including the timelines for such resolution, and they are expected to implement the resolution plan before default occurs. If a default occurs, lenders have a review period of 30 days within which their resolution strategy must be decided. The RBI guidelines provide the timelines within which the banks are required to implement the resolution plan, depending on the aggregate exposure of the borrower to the lender. For large accounts with the aggregate exposure of the lenders being Rs. 20 billion or more, the RBI has specified that the resolution plan must be implemented within 180 days from the end of the review period. If implementation of the resolution plan is delayed, lenders are required to make an additional provision of 20.0 percent of the total outstanding in addition to any provisions already made and those provisions required to be made as per the asset classification status of the borrower, subject to a total provision of 100.0 percent of the total amount outstanding. Lenders are required to make appropriate disclosures of implemented resolution plans in their financial statements under “Notes on Accounts”.
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The RBI has also directed lenders to recognise incipient stress in loan accounts, immediately on default, by classifying such assets as special mention accounts (“SMA”). The duration for which the principal or interest is overdue (
i.e.
,
30-90
days) determines the relevant
sub-category.
The instructions on SMA classification of borrower accounts are applicable to all loans, except for agricultural advances governed by crop season-based asset classification norms; loans classified as NPAs may be upgraded as “standard assets” only after the arrears of interest and principal have been paid by the borrower in full.
As a result of the impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI through its circulars from August 2020 and September 2020 issued certain guidelines in relation to the resolution of distressed assets, with the intent to facilitate the revival of real sector activities and mitigate the impact on the ultimate borrowers. The RBI provided a window under the prudential framework described above to enable lenders to implement a resolution plan in respect of (i) eligible corporate exposures without a change in ownership and (ii) personal loans, while classifying such exposures as “standard”, subject to specified conditions. The lending institutions are permitted to provide resolution under such a facility only to borrowers who are experiencing financial distress as a result of
COVID-19.
The RBI also provided specific thresholds (ceilings or floors, as the case may be) for certain key ratios that should be considered by the lending institutions in the resolution assumptions with respect to an eligible borrower. In May 2021, on account of the resurgence of the
COVID-19
pandemic in India, the RBI issued an additional set of measures broadly in line with the circulars referred to above. The RBI permitted lending institutions to offer a limited window to individual borrowers and small businesses to implement resolution plans in respect of their credit exposures while classifying the same as “standard” upon implementation of the resolution plan, subject to certain specified conditions. In respect of individuals which have availed themselves of business loans and small businesses where resolution plans had been implemented under the guidelines set out in the circular from August 2020 described above, lending institutions are permitted until September 30, 2021, as a
one-time
measure, to review the working capital sanctioned limits and/or drawing power based on a number of factors, including a reassessment of the borrower’s working capital cycle, a reduction in the borrower’s margins, without such review being treated as restructuring. By March 31, 2022, the margins and working capital limits will be restored to the levels set by the resolution plan implemented under the circular from August 2020. The circular also lists the disclosure requirements for the lending institutions with respect to the resolution plans implemented. In June 2021, the threshold for eligible borrowers who may be considered for resolution under the framework as determined under the May 2021 circular was raised from Rs. 250.0 million to Rs. 500.0 million. In August 2020, May 2021 and June 2021, the RBI also issued guidelines for the restructuring of existing loans to micro, small and medium enterprises classified as “standard”, without a downgrade in the asset classification, subject to certain conditions.
Act Relating to Recovery of NPAs
As a part of the financial sector reforms, the Government introduced the SARFAESI Act. The SARFAESI Act provides banks and other lenders increased powers in the recovery of the collateral underlying NPAs.
Provisioning and Write-Offs
Provisions are based on guidelines specific to the classification of assets. The following guidelines apply to various asset classifications:
Standard Assets
Banks are required to make general provisions for standard assets at the rates mentioned in the guidelines calculated based on the loan amount funded and outstanding on a global loan portfolio basis. The provisioning requirement for housing loans at teaser rates is 2.0 percent and will reduce to 0.40 percent after one year from the date on which the teaser rates are reset at higher rates if the accounts remain standard. In November 2012, the RBI increased the provisioning requirement for restructured standard assets from 2.0 percent to 2.75 percent. In May 2013, the RBI increased the provisioning requirement for all types of accounts restructured to 5.0 percent with effect from June 1, 2013. For the stock of restructured standard accounts as of May 31, 2013, this increase was required to be implemented in a phased manner by March 31, 2016. The provisioning requirements for other loans range from 0.25 percent to 1.0 percent on the outstanding loans based on the type of exposure. Derivative exposures, such as credit exposures computed as per the current
marked-to-market
value of the contract arising on account of the interest rate and foreign exchange derivative transactions and gold are subject to the same provisioning requirement applicable to the loan assets in the standard category of the concerned counterparties. All conditions applicable for the treatment of the provisions for standard assets would also apply to the aforesaid provisions for derivatives and gold exposures.
The RBI has also introduced incremental provisioning requirements with effect from April 1, 2014, for banks’ exposures to entities with unhedged foreign currency exposure. Banks are required to collect specific information from its customers and assess the extent to which a customer is exposed to unhedged foreign currency on account of volatility in the exchange rate of the rupee
vis-à-vis
foreign currencies and calculate the incremental provisions based on the methodology prescribed by the RBI.
The RBI has encouraged banks to make provisions at higher rates in respect of advances to stressed sectors of the economy, and advised the banks to (i) put in place a Board-approved policy for making provisions for standard assets at rates higher than the regulatory minimum based on evaluation of risk and stress in various sectors; and (ii) review, at least on a quarterly basis, the performance of various sectors of the economy, to which the bank has an exposure, to evaluate the present and emerging risks and stress therein. The review may include quantitative and qualitative aspects as well as sector specific parameters.
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Sub-Standard
Assets
A general provision of 15.0 percent on total outstanding loans is required without making any allowance for the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India guarantee cover and securities available. The unsecured exposures which are identified as
sub-standard
are subject to an additional provision of 10.0 percent,
i.e.
, a total of 25.0 percent on the outstanding balance. However, unsecured loans classified as
sub-standard
in relation to infrastructure lending, where certain safeguards such as escrow accounts are available, are subject to an additional provision of only 5.0 percent (
i.e.
, a total of 20.0 percent on the outstanding balance).
Unsecured exposure is defined as an exposure where the realizable value of security, as assessed by the Bank, approved valuers or the RBI’s inspecting officers, is not more than 10.0 percent,
ab initio
, of the outstanding exposure. Exposure includes all funded and
non-funded
exposures (including underwriting and similar commitments). Security means tangible security properly discharged to the Bank and will not include intangible securities such as guarantees and comfort letters.
Doubtful Assets
A 100.0 percent provision is made against the unsecured portion of the doubtful asset. In cases where there is a secured portion of the asset, depending upon the period for which the asset remains doubtful, a 25.0 percent to 100.0 percent provision is required to be made against the secured asset as follows:
Up to one year: 25.0 percent provision.
One to three years: 40.0 percent provision.
More than three years: 100.0 percent provision.
Loss Assets
The entire asset is required to be written off or 100.0 percent of the outstanding amount is required to be provided for.
Floating Provisions
In June 2006, the RBI issued prudential standards on the creation and utilization of floating provisions (provisions which are not made in respect of specific
non-performing
assets or are made in excess of regulatory requirements for provisions for standard assets). Floating provisions must be held separately and cannot be reversed by credit to the profit and loss account. The RBI has permitted banks to utilize a prescribed percentage of the floating provisions held by them for making specific loan loss allowances for impaired accounts under extraordinary circumstances. Until the utilization of such provisions, they can be netted off from gross
non-performing
assets to arrive at disclosure of net
non-performing
assets, or alternatively, can be treated as part of Tier II capital within the overall ceiling of 1.25 percent of credit RWAs.
In May 2021, in order to mitigate the adverse impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic on banks and as a measure to enable capital conservation, the RBI permitted banks to utilize 100.0 percent of their floating provisions and countercyclical provisioning buffer held by them as on December 31, 2020 for making specific provisions for
non-performing
assets with prior approval of their board of directors. The RBI clarified that such utilization was permitted to commence with immediate effect and to extend until March 31, 2022.
Provisioning Coverage Ratio
With a view to ensuring counter-cyclical provisioning in the banking system, the RBI mandated that banks should augment their provisioning cushions consisting of specific provisions against NPAs as well as floating provisions (to the extent not used at Tier II capital) and ensure that their total Provisioning Coverage Ratio (“PCR”), including the above floating provisions, is not less than 70.0 percent as of September 30, 2010. Under the current regime (i) the PCR of 70.0 percent may be computed with reference to the gross NPA position in the relevant banks as of September 30, 2010; (ii) the surplus of the provision under PCR over the amount required by the guidelines would be treated as a “countercyclical provisioning buffer”; and (iii) banks may utilize up to a prescribed percentage of the countercyclical provisioning buffer/floating provisions held by them for making specific provisions for NPAs during periods of system-wide downturn, with prior approval of the RBI. The RBI released a discussion paper on the dynamic loan loss provisioning framework in March 30, 2012. The framework proposes to replace the existing standards of general provisioning and recommends that banks make provisions on their loan book based on historical loss experience for different asset classes. Banks can draw down from dynamic provisions during periods of downturn. The RBI has advised that the dynamic provision framework is expected to be in place with improvement in the system.
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COVID-19
Regulatory Package
In view of the impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI has relaxed certain requirements, including in relation to asset classification, provisioning and the restructuring of loans. The below is a summary of the material regulations included in the
COVID-19
regulatory package:
(i)
Rescheduling of payments:
In respect of all term loans (including agricultural term loans, retail and crop loans), all commercial banks (including RRBs, SFBs and local area banks),
co-operative
banks,
all-India
financial institutions, and NBFCs (including housing finance companies) were permitted to grant a moratorium on the payment of all installments falling due between March 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020.
In respect of working capital facilities sanctioned in the form of cash credit/overdraft (“CC/OD”), lending institutions were permitted to defer the recovery of interest applied in respect of all such facilities during the period from March 1, 2020 up to August 31, 2020. Lending institutions were permitted, at their discretion, to convert the accumulated interest for the deferment period up to August 31, 2020, into a funded interest term loan (“FITL”), such being required to be repayable not later than March 31, 2021.
In respect of working capital facilities sanctioned in the form of CC/OD to borrowers facing financial difficulties as a result of the economic fallout of the pandemic, lending institutions were permitted to, as a
one-time
measure:
a)
recalculate the “drawing power” by reducing the margins until August 31, 2020. However, in all cases where such a temporary improvement in drawing power was considered, the margins were required to be restored to the original levels by March 31, 2021; or
b)
review the working capital sanctioned limits by March 31, 2021, based on a reassessment of the working capital cycle.
Based on an announcement by the Government, the RBI in October 2020 directed Indian banks and certain other lending institutions to implement an
ex-gratia
interest payment scheme, under which certain loans, including home, auto, education, consumer durable, personal and Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise loans, in an amount up to Rs. 20.0 million incurred before February 29, 2020 were not to be charged compound interest for the moratorium period between March 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020 and instead would only be charged simple interest. Lending institutions, including the Bank, were required to credit back to the borrower the difference between the simple interest and compound interest during the moratorium period on or before November 5, 2020. Subsequently, the lending institutions could claim reimbursement from the Government.
In addition to the
ex-gratia
interest payment scheme described above, in its circular from April 2021, the RBI directed all the relevant lending institutions to immediately put in place a board-approved policy to refund/adjust the “interest on interest” charged to the borrowers during the moratorium period (
i.e.
, March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020) in conformity with a judgment of the Indian Supreme Court. This relief would be available to all borrowers, including those who had availed themselves of working capital facilities during the moratorium period between March 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020, irrespective of whether such borrowers had fully, partially or not at all availed themselves of the moratorium.
(ii)
Asset classification and provisioning:
For the purpose of asset classification, all accounts classified as “standard” as on February 29, 2020 even if overdue, the moratorium period, wherever granted, was to be excluded by the lending institutions from the number of days past due.
In respect of working capital facilities sanctioned in the form of CC/OD, the deferment period, wherever granted in respect of all facilities classified as “standard”, including special mention accounts (“SMAs”), which are accounts that have the potential to become NPAs or stressed assets, as on February 29, 2020, were to be excluded for the determination of the
out-of-order
status.
The conversion of accumulated interest into a FITL and the changes in the credit terms permitted to borrowers outlined under “
Rescheduling of payments
” above would not be treated as concessions granted due to financial difficulty of the borrower for the purposes of the prudential norms. Consequently, such a measure, by itself, would not result in an asset classification downgrade.
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The rescheduling of payments, including interest, would not qualify as a default for the purposes of supervisory reporting and reporting to credit information companies (“CICs”) by the lending institutions. CICs must ensure that permitted actions taken by lending institutions as a consequence of the
COVID-19
pandemic would not adversely impact the credit history of the borrowers.
In accordance with the provisions described above, with respect to accounts classified as “standard”, but which have become overdue, and where the asset classification benefit has been extended, lending institutions were required to make general provisions equaling not less than 10.0 percent of the total outstanding value of such accounts. Such provisions were to be phased in over the course of two financial quarters as described below:
a)
Financial quarter ended March 31, 2020– not less than 5.0 percent; and
b)
Financial quarter ending June 30, 2020– not less than 5.0 percent.
These provisioning requirements were not to be used to arrive at net NPAs until they are adjusted against the actual provisioning requirements.
(iii)
Resolution of stressed assets
In respect of accounts which were within the review period as on March 1, 2020, the period from March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020 would be excluded from the calculation of the
30-day
timeline for the review period under the RBI’s guidelines. In respect of all such accounts, the residual review period would resume from September 1, 2020, upon expiry of which the lenders would have the usual 180 days for resolution.
In respect of accounts where the review period had been completed, but the
180-day
resolution period had not expired as on March 1, 2020, the timeline for resolution was extended by 180 days from the date on which the
180-day
period was originally set to expire.
Regulations Relating to Sale of Assets to Asset Reconstruction Companies (“ARCs”)
The SARFAESI Act provides for the sale of financial assets by banks and financial institutions to asset reconstruction companies. The RBI has also issued guidelines to banks on the process to be followed for the sale of financial assets to asset reconstruction companies. These guidelines provide that a Bank may sell financial assets to an asset reconstruction company provided the asset is an NPA. A bank could also sell a standard asset only if (i) the asset is under consortium or multiple banking arrangement; (ii) at least 75.0 percent by value of the asset is classified as
non-performing
in the books of other banks and financial institutions; and (iii) at least 75.0 percent by value of the banks and financial institutions in the consortium or multiple banking arrangements agree to the sale of the asset to a securitisation company or a reconstruction company. Banks selling financial assets must ensure that there is no known liability being transferred to them and that they do not assume any operational, legal or any other type of risks relating to the financial assets sold. Further, banks cannot sell financial assets at a contingent price with an agreement to bear a part of the shortfall on ultimate realization. However, banks may sell specific financial assets with an agreement to share any surplus realized by the asset reconstruction company in the future. While each bank is required to make its own assessment of the value offered in the sale before accepting or rejecting an offer for purchase of financial assets by an asset reconstruction company, in consortium or multiple banking arrangements where more than 75.0 percent, by value of the banks or financial institutions, accept the offer, the remaining banks or financial institutions are obliged to accept the offer. Consideration for the sale may be in the form of cash or bonds/debentures issued by the asset reconstruction company or trusts set up by it to acquire financial assets. Banks can also invest in security receipts or pass-through certificates issued by the asset reconstruction company or trusts set up by it to acquire the financial assets.
In June 2019, the RBI permitted asset reconstruction companies to acquire assets from other asset reconstruction companies subject to stipulated conditions. In December 2019, the RBI restricted asset reconstruction companies from buying financial assets from a bank or financial institution which is a sponsor of the asset reconstruction company, lender to the asset reconstruction company or a subscriber to the asset reconstruction fund, or an entity in the group to which the asset reconstruction companies belong.
In July 2020, the RBI published a fair practices code for asset reconstruction companies to ensure transparency and fairness in their operation. The asset reconstruction companies registered with the RBI are advised to put in place a fair practices code duly approved by their board and publish the code in the public domain for the information of all stakeholders.
In April 2021, the RBI set up a committee to undertake a comprehensive review of the existing legal and regulatory framework applicable to ARCs and recommend measures to improve the effectiveness of ARCs, in particular the role of ARCs in the resolution of distressed assets, including under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016. In September 2021, the committee submitted its report, which had recommendations primarily related to acquisition, securitisation and reconstruction of financial assets and liquidity and trading of security receipts. Further recommendations were concerned with governance and transparency, minimum net owned fund requirements, legal topics and taxation topics.
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Guidelines on Sale and Purchase of
Non-Performing
Assets (“NPAs”) among Banks, Financial Institutions and Non-banking Financial Institutions
In order to increase the options available to banks for resolving their NPAs and to develop a healthy secondary market for NPAs, in July 2005, the RBI issued guidelines for the purchase and sale of NPAs among banks, financial institutions and NBFCs. In terms of these guidelines, banks’ boards are required to establish policies covering, among others, a valuation procedure to be followed to ensure that the economic value of financial assets is reasonably estimated based on the assessed cash flows arising out of repayment and recovery prospects. Purchases and sales of NPAs must be without recourse to the seller, on a cash basis, with the entire consideration being paid
up-front,
and after the sale there should not be any known liability devolving on the seller. Previously, an asset needed to be classified by the seller as
non-performing
for at least two years to be eligible for sale and the purchasing bank needed to have held the NPA in its books for at least 15 months before it could sell the asset to another bank.
In February 2014, the RBI issued guidelines wherein the requirement of a minimum holding period of two years by the seller in relation to sale transactions with other banks, financial institutions and NBFCs, was removed. These guidelines reduce the purchasing bank’s holding period requirement to 12 months before it can sell the asset to another bank, financial institution or NBFC. In accordance with these RBI guidelines, the asset cannot be sold back to the original seller.
Further, to incentivize the early sale of NPAs to securitisation companies and reconstruction companies, banks are allowed to spread over any shortfall, if the sale value is lower than the net book value, over a period of two years for NPAs sold up to March 31, 2016. In its circular of June 2016, the RBI has further extended the dispensation of amortizing the shortfall on the sale of NPAs to securitisation companies and reconstruction companies to March 31, 2017. However, in respect of NPAs sold during the period from April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, banks may amortize the shortfall over a period of only four quarters from the quarter in which the sale took place.
Guidelines on Sale of Standard Assets
The RBI first issued guidelines for the securitisation of standard assets in February 2006. The guidelines provide that for a transaction to be treated as a securitisation, a
two-stage
process must be followed. In the first stage there must be a sale of a single asset or pooling and transferring of assets to a bankruptcy remote special purpose vehicle (“SPV”) in return for immediate cash payment and in the second stage repackaging and selling the security interests representing claims on incoming cash flows from the asset or pool of assets to third-party investors should be effected. Further, for enabling the transferred assets to be removed from the balance sheet of the seller in a securitisation structure, the isolation of assets or “true sale” from the seller or originator to the SPV is an essential prerequisite. Also, an
arm’s-length
relationship must be maintained between the originator, the seller and the SPV.
Certain regulatory standards for capital adequacy, valuation, profit and loss on sale of assets, income recognition and provisioning, accounting treatment for securitisation transactions and disclosure standards have been prescribed. The guidelines are applicable for originators and have prescribed provisions for service providers like: credit enhancers, liquidity support providers and underwriters and investors. Quarterly reporting to the audit
sub-committee
of the board of directors by originating banks of the securitisation transactions has also been prescribed. Apart from banks, these guidelines are also applicable to financial institutions and NBFCs.
In May 2012, the RBI revised the guidelines on transfer of assets through securitisation and direct assignment of cash flows. These guidelines govern the securitisation of debt obligations of a homogenous pool of obligors as well as the direct sale or transfer of a single standard asset. The roles of both the selling and purchasing banks have been defined more clearly. All
on-balance
sheet standard assets except those expressly disallowed in the guidelines are eligible for securitisation subject to being held by the originating bank for a minimum holding period. The guidelines also prescribe a minimum retention requirement,
i.e.
, the minimum part of the securitized debts that the originator is required to retain during the term of securitisation. Overseas banking outlets of Indian banks cannot undertake securitisation in other jurisdictions unless there is a minimum retention requirement in that jurisdiction. These requirements have been established to ensure that the originator exercises due diligence with regard to the securitized assets. The guidelines also establish the upper limit on the total retained exposure of the originator, the disclosures to be made by the originators, applicability of capital adequacy and asset classification and provisioning norms to these transactions. The norms also stipulate stress testing and extensive monitoring requirements on the purchased portfolios. Transactions which do not meet the requirements established by the guidelines will be assigned very high-risk weights under capital adequacy norms. The guidelines on transfer of assets through securitisation and direct assignment of cash flows do not apply to:
transfer of loan accounts of borrowers by a bank to other banks, financial institutions or NBFCs, at the request of the borrower;
inter-bank participations;
trading in bonds;
sale of the entire portfolio of assets consequent upon a decision to exit the line of business completely (which should have the approval of the board of directors of the bank);
consortium and syndication arrangements and arrangement under a corporate debt restructuring mechanism; and
any other arrangements/transactions specifically exempted by the RBI.
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In June 2020, the RBI released the drafts of a framework for the securitisation of standard assets and for the sale of loan exposures. The framework proposes to revisit the guidelines for the sale of both standard and distressed loan exposures, and will apply to all scheduled commercial banks and NBFCs (including housing finance companies).
In September 2021, the RBI issued master directions on securitisation of standard assets and sale of loan exposures. These guidelines are applicable to all banks, financial institutions, SFBs and NBFCs. The aim of the revised guidelines was to develop a strong and robust securitisation market in India, while incentivizing simpler securitisation structures, and to align the regulatory framework with the Basel guidelines on securitization, which have become effective January 1, 2018, and the IFRS requirements. Among other things, the guidelines prescribe minimum retention requirements (“MRR”) based on the maturity of the underlying loan assets and different average maturities for residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”). The guidelines also prescribe conditions for the transfer of loan assets.
Salient features of the securitisation of standard assets are as follows: (i) transactions that result in the issuance of multiple tranches of securities reflecting different credit risks will be treated as securitisation transactions and accordingly covered under the securitisation guidelines; (ii) a securitisation external ratings-based approach has been introduced for calculation of risk weighted assets for credit risk of securitisation exposures. For unrated securitisation exposures, the lender shall maintain capital charge equal to the actual exposure. A differential credit risk has been prescribed for securitisations under the ‘standardised approach’; (iii) a special form of securitization, called the “simple, transparent and comparable securitization” (“STC”), has been prescribed with clearly defined criteria and preferential capital treatment; (iv) the definition of securitization has been modified to allow single-asset securitisations; (v) securitisation of exposures purchased from other lenders has been allowed; (vi) carve-outs for RMBS in prescriptions regarding minimum holding periods (“MHP”), MRR and reset of credit enhancements have been introduced; and (vi) criteria for transfers of credit risk have been prescribed, which if met will exempt the originator from maintaining capital against the exposures so transferred.
Salient features of the sale of loan exposures (in contrast to the existing guidelines) are as follows: (i) the sale of standard assets may be made by assignment, novation or loan participation contracts (either funded participation or risk participation), whereas the sale of stressed assets may be made by assignment or novation only; (ii) direct assignment transactions shall be classified as a special form in these guidelines; (iii) the requirement of MRR for sale of loans has been abolished; (iv) the price discovery process has been deregulated to follow the lenders’ policy; (v) stressed assets may be sold to any entity that is permitted to take on loan exposures by its statutory or regulatory framework; and (vi) some of the existing conditions for the sale of NPAs have been consolidated and standardized.
Regulations Relating to Making Loans
The provisions of the Banking Regulation Act govern loans made by banks in India. The RBI issues directions covering the loan activities of banks. Major guidelines include norms for bank lending to the priority sector,
non-bank
financial companies, guidelines on banks’ benchmark lending rates, base rates and norms for loans against shares.
In terms of Section 20(1) of the Banking Regulation Act, a bank cannot grant any loans and advances against the security of its own shares. A banking company is prohibited from entering into any commitment for granting any loans or advances to or on behalf of any of its directors, or any firm in which any of its directors has an interest as a partner, manager, employee or guarantor or any other company (not being a subsidiary of the banking company or a company registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act or a Government company), or the subsidiary or the holding company of such a company of which any of the directors of the bank is a director, managing agent, manager, employee or guarantor or in which he holds substantial interest, or any individual in respect of whom any of its directors is a partner or guarantor. There are certain exceptions in this regard which exclude any transaction which the RBI may specify by general or special order as not being a loan or advance for the purpose of such section. The Government may, on the recommendation of the RBI and subject to conditions as it may deem fit to impose, exempt any banking company from the restriction on lending to the subsidiary, holding company or any other company in which any of the directors of the banking company is a director, managing agent, manager, employee, guarantor or in which such person holds substantial interest.
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In the context of granting greater functional autonomy to banks, effective October 18, 1994, the RBI decided to remove restrictions on the lending rates of scheduled commercial banks for credit limits of over Rs. 0.2 million. Banks were given the freedom to fix the lending rates for such credit limits subject to the Benchmark Prime Lending Rate (“BPLR”) and spread guidelines. The BPLR system, however, fell short of its original objective of bringing transparency to lending rates. This was mainly because under the BPLR system, banks could lend below BPLR. Banks consequently were advised by the RBI to switch over to the system of Base Rate with effect from July 1, 2010. The base rate system was aimed at enhancing transparency in lending rates of banks and enabling better assessment of transmission of the monetary policy. The Base Rate included all elements of the lending rates that were common across all categories of borrowers. Banks were allowed to choose any benchmark to arrive at their Base Rate for a specific tenor that could be disclosed. For loans sanctioned up to June 30, 2010, the BPLR was applicable. However, for loans sanctioned up to June 30, 2010, but renewed from July 1, 2010, the Base Rate was applicable.
In December 2015, the RBI issued revised guidelines on computing interest rates on advances based on the marginal cost of funds. The revised guidelines were issued with a view to improving the transmission of policy rates into bank lending rates, improving transparency in the methodology followed by banks for determining interest rates on advances, and ensuring the availability of bank credit at interest rates which are fair to the borrowers as well as the banks. The guidelines came into effect from April 1, 2016. Pursuant to the revised guidelines, all rupee loans sanctioned and credit limits renewed with effect from April 1, 2016, will be priced with reference to the marginal cost of funds-based lending rate system (“MCLR”). Actual lending rates will be determined by adding the components of spread to the MCLR. Banks will review and publish their MCLR of different maturities every month on a
pre-announced
date. The guidelines provide that existing loans and credit limits linked to the Base Rate may continue until repayment or renewal. Certain types of loans, including fixed rate loans with tenor over three years and loans linked to a market-determined external benchmark, are exempt from provisions of MCLR. The existing borrowers will have the option to move to MCLR-linked loans at mutually acceptable terms.
With effect from October 1, 2019 all new floating rate personal or retail loans and floating rate loans to micro and small enterprises are required to be linked to an external benchmark. Banks can adopt any of the following benchmarks: (i) RBI policy repo rate, (ii) Government of India
3-Months
Treasury Bill yield published by Financial Benchmarks India Private Ltd (“FBIL”), (iii) Government of India
6-Months
Treasury Bill yield published by FBIL, and (iv) any other benchmark market interest rate published by FBIL. However, adoption of multiple benchmarks by the same bank is not permitted within a loan category. The RBI in its circular dated February 26, 2020 extended the requirement to link external benchmarks to new floating rate loans granted to medium enterprises, from April 1, 2020.
Directed Lending
Priority Sector Lending
The guidelines on lending to the priority sector are set forth in the RBI Master Directions on Priority Sector Lending—Targets and Classification as updated from time to time. The priority sector is broadly comprised of agriculture, micro, small and medium enterprises (“MSMEs”), export credit, education, housing, social infrastructure, renewable energy, and others subject to certain limits.
The priority sector lending targets are linked to the adjusted net bank credit (“ANBC”) or the credit equivalent amount of
off-balance
sheet exposures (“CEOBE”), whichever is higher, as on the corresponding date of the previous year. Domestic banks and foreign banks having 20 or more branches in India, are required to achieve total priority sector lending equivalent to 40.0 percent of their ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher. Of the total priority sector advances, agricultural advances are required to be 18.0 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher. Advances to weaker sections are required to be 11.0 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher. Within the 18.0 percent target for agriculture, a target of 9.0 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher, is prescribed for small and marginal farmers. The targets for small and marginal farmers, and weaker sectors will be implemented in a phased manner through fiscal year 2024. Banks have also been directed to ensure that their overall direct lending to
non-corporate
farmers does not fall below the system-wide average of the achievements over the last three years (which will be notified by the RBI at the beginning of each year; the percentage applicable to fiscal year 2022 was 12.73 percent). The banks should continue to undertake all efforts to reach the level of 13.5 percent of ANBC (which was the erstwhile target for direct lending to the agriculture sector). The target for micro enterprises is set at 7.5 percent.
Loans to individuals up to Rs. 3.5 million in metropolitan centers (with populations of 1.0 million or more) and loans up to Rs. 2.5 million in other centers for the purchase or construction of a dwelling unit per family (provided the overall cost of the dwelling unit in the metropolitan center and at other centers does not exceed Rs. 4.5 million and Rs. 3.0 million, respectively), excluding loans granted by banks to their own employees, are to be treated as part of priority sector lending. Loans to individual borrowers for educational purposes, including vocational courses up to Rs. 2.0 million, are also to be treated as part of priority sector lending. Investments by banks in securitized assets and outright purchases of loans representing loans to various categories of the priority sector (except “others”) are eligible for classification under the priority sector only if certain criteria are fulfilled.
Bank loans up to a limit of Rs. 50.0 million per borrower for building social infrastructure for activities, namely schools, drinking water facilities and sanitation facilities and loans up to a limit of Rs. 100.0 million per borrower for building health care facilities including under “Ayushman Bharat” in certain eligible centers as prescribed by the RBI are treated as priority sector lending. Further, Bank loans up to a limit of Rs. 300.0 million to borrowers for purposes like solar-based power generators, biomass-based power generators, windmills, micro-hydel plants and for
non-conventional
energy-based public utilities like street lighting systems, and remote village electrification are also treated as priority sector lending.
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Scheduled commercial banks (excluding SFBs, RRBs, UCBs and LABs) are permitted to
co-lend
with all registered
Non-Banking
Financial Companies (including Housing Finance Companies) for lending to the priority sector.
Banks are required to ensure compliance with priority sector lending targets on a quarterly basis. Domestic scheduled commercial banks having a shortfall in lending to priority sector targets are allocated amounts for contribution to the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund established with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development or funds with other financial institutions, as may be decided by the RBI, as and when funds are required by them. The interest rates on banks’ contributions to these schemes and periods of deposits, among other things, are fixed by the RBI from time to time. Additionally, as per RBI guidelines,
non-achievement
of priority sector targets and
sub-targets
is taken into account by the RBI when granting regulatory clearances and approvals for various purposes. While computing priority sector achievement, a simple average of all quarters will be arrived at and considered for computation of overall shortfall/excess at the end of the year. Beginning in fiscal year 2022, the RBI assigns weightages to incremental priority sector credit in identified districts. A higher weight (125 percent) will be assigned in the identified districts where the credit flow is comparatively lower and a lower weight (90 percent) will be assigned in the identified districts where the credit flow is comparatively higher. This will be valid for up to fiscal year 2024 and will be reviewed thereafter. The districts not further specified will continue to have an existing weightage of 100 percent. Adjustments for weights to incremental PSL credit by the RBI are pending.
In fiscal year 2021, the Government of India excluded retail and wholesale traders from the MSME definition. This had adversely impacted the Bank’s PSL achievement for fiscal year 2021. Based on representations made by various industry bodies for reinstatement of this segment, the Government of India reinstated retail and wholesale traders as MSME for priority sector lending in July 2021. Thereafter, the RBI accepted the Bank’s revised filing of PSL achievement for fiscal year 2021 including the lending to the retail and wholesale trader segments. The revised achievement was as follows: Total PSL achievement stood at 39.9 percent, lending to micro enterprises at 7.5 percent and advances to sections identified as “weaker” by the RBI at 4.3 percent.
Further, foreign banks with less than 20 branches are directed to achieve a total priority sector lending target of 40.0 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher, out of which up to 32.0 percent can be in the form of lending for exports and not less than 8.0 percent can be to any other priority sector.
In order to enable banks to achieve the priority sector lending target and
sub-targets,
the RBI, in its circular dated April 7, 2016, has introduced the Priority Sector Lending Certificates (“PSLC”) Scheme. The scheme permits banks to purchase PSLCs in the event of a shortfall from those banks that have achieved a surplus in their priority sector lending targets. There are four kinds of PSLCs:
(i)
PSLC Agriculture: counting for achievement towards the total agriculture lending target;
(ii)
PSLC SF/MF: counting for achievement towards the
sub-target
for lending to small and marginal farmers;
(iii)
PSLC Micro Enterprises: counting for achievement towards the
sub-target
for lending to micro enterprises; and
(iv)
PSLC General: counting for achievement towards the overall priority sector target.
The RBI has permitted bank loans to registered NBFCs (other than MFIs) for
on-lending
purposes to be classified as priority sector loans, within the relevant categories as outlined above, subject to the condition that a bank’s loans to registered NBFCs (other than MFIs) and HFCs for
on-lending
purposes will only be permitted up to an overall limit of 5.0 percent of an individual bank’s total priority sector lending. The RBI clarified that a bank’s loan for
on-lending
will continue to be classified under the priority sector until the date of their repayment or maturity. The RBI also clarified that bank loans made to HFCs for
on-lending
for the purpose of housing will continue on an
on-going
basis. Furthermore, existing loans disbursed under the
on-lending
model will continue to be classified under the applicable priority sector until the date of repayment/maturity.
Previously, lending by SFBs to Micro-Finance Institutions (“MFIs”) for
on-lending
did not fall under the priority sector lending classification. Due to the
COVID-19
pandemic and to address the liquidity position of smaller MFIs, the RBI decided to permit new credit extended by SFBs to registered NBFC-MFIs and other MFIs (including, among others, societies and trusts), which are members of
RBI-recognized
“Self-Regulatory Organizations” of the sector and which have a “gross loan portfolio” of up to Rs. 5,000.0 million as of March 31 of the previous fiscal year, for the purpose of
on-lending
to the priority sector, to be classified as PSL. Such credit will be permitted to be classified as up to 10.0 percent of a bank’s total priority sector portfolio. This dispensation was valid until March 31, 2022. Such loans disbursed, were to be classified as PSL until the earlier date of the repayment or maturity. In May 2022, the RBI extended
this dispensation and allowed this classification on an
on-going
basis for eligible entities with a ‘gross loan portfolio’ of up to Rs. 5,000.0 million as of March 31 of the previous fiscal year.
166

Export Credit
The RBI also requires banks to make loans to exporters. We provide export credit for
pre-shipment
and post-shipment requirements of exporters in rupees as well as foreign currencies. Export credit in the agriculture and MSME sectors is permitted to be classified as priority sector lending in the corresponding agriculture and MSME categories. Export credit (other than in the agriculture and MSME categories) is permitted to be classified as priority sector lending in the following manner: (i) the incremental export credit extended by domestic banks over the corresponding date of the preceding year, up to 2.0 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher, subject to a limit of Rs. 400.0 million per borrower will be classified as priority sector lending; (ii) the incremental export credit extended by foreign banks with 20 or more branches over the corresponding date of the preceding year, up to 2.0 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher; and (iii) export credit extended by foreign banks with less than 20 branches up to 32.0 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher.
Lending to Infrastructure Sector and Affordable Housing Sector
In order to allow banks to provide long-term funds for project loans to the infrastructure sector and the affordable housing sector, the RBI, in July 2014, issued guidelines for the issuance of long-term bonds by banks for financing infrastructure sector loans and lending to the affordable housing sector. Under these guidelines, banks are permitted to issue long-term fully paid, redeemable and unsecured bonds with a minimum maturity of seven years to enable lending to long-term projects in certain specified infrastructure
sub-sectors
and the affordable housing sector as prescribed in the guidelines. To encourage lending to these sectors, these long-term bonds are not subject to cash reserve ratio (“CRR”) or statutory liquidity ratio (“SLR”) requirements. These bonds are also not included in the computation of ANBC for the purposes of priority sector lending targets subject to the guidelines. However, any infrastructure or affordable housing loans acquired from other banks and financial institutions (such as those that could be involved in a business combination with the Bank) will require the prior approval of the RBI to avail themselves of these regulatory incentives.
Credit Exposure Limits
As a prudential measure aimed at better risk management and avoiding the concentration of credit risks, the RBI has advised banks to fix limits on their exposure to specific industries and sectors and has prescribed regulatory limits on banks’ exposures to individual borrowers and borrower groups. In addition, banks are also required to observe certain statutory and regulatory exposure limits in respect of advances against or investments in shares, convertible debentures or bonds, units of equity-oriented mutual funds and all exposures to venture capital funds (“VCFs”).
The RBI limits exposure to individual borrowers to not more than 15.0 percent of the capital funds of a Bank and limits exposure to a borrower group to not more than 40.0 percent of the capital funds of a bank. See also “
Large Exposure Framework
” discussed below. The capital funds for this purpose are comprised of Tier I and Tier II capital, as defined under the capital adequacy standards and as per the published accounts as of March 31 of the previous year. The infusion of Tier I or Tier II capital, either through domestic or overseas issuances, after the published balance sheet date is also eligible for inclusion in the capital funds for determining the exposure ceiling. In the case of infrastructure projects, such as power, telecommunications, road and port projects, an additional exposure of up to 5.0 percent of capital funds is allowed in respect of individual borrowers and up to 10.0 percent in respect of group borrowers. Banks may, in exceptional circumstances and with the approval of their boards, consider increasing their exposure to an individual borrower or a borrower group by a further 5.0 percent of capital funds. With effect from May 2008, the RBI revised the prudential limit to 25.0 percent of capital funds in respect of a bank’s exposure to oil companies to which specified oil bonds have been issued by the Government of India. Banks need to make appropriate disclosures in their annual financial statements in respect of exposures where they have exceeded the prudential exposure limits during the year.
Exposures (both lending and investment, including
off-balance
sheet exposures) of a bank to a single NBFC, NBFC-Asset Financing Company (“AFC”), or NBFC-Infrastructure Finance Company (“IFC”) should not exceed 10.0 percent, 15.0 percent and 15.0 percent, respectively, of a bank’s capital funds. A bank may, however, assume exposures on a single NBFC,
NBFC-AFC,
or
NBFC-IFC
up to 15.0 percent, 20.0 percent and 20.0 percent, respectively, of its capital funds, provided the exposure in excess of 10.0 percent, 15.0 percent and 15.0 percent (referred to above) is on account of funds that the NBFC,
NBFC-AFC,
or
NBFC-IFC
has lent out to the infrastructure sector. Further, all banks may consider fixing internal limits for their aggregate exposure to all NBFCs combined.
Exposure includes credit exposure (funded and
non-funded
credit limits) and investment exposure (including underwriting and similar commitments). The sanctioned limits or outstanding amount, whichever is higher, would be included when arriving at the exposure limit. However, in the case of fully drawn term loans, where there is no scope for
re-drawing
of any portion of the sanctioned limit, banks may consider the outstanding as the exposure. For the purpose of exposure norms, banks shall compute their credit exposures, arising on account of the interest rate and foreign exchange derivative transactions and gold, using the Current Exposure Method. While computing credit exposures, banks may exclude “sold options”, provided that the entire premium or fee or any other form of income is received or realized.
Credit exposure comprises the following elements:
all types of funded and
non-funded
credit limits; and
facilities extended by way of equipment leasing, hire purchase finance and factoring services.
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Apart from limiting exposures to an individual or a group of borrowers, as indicated above, the RBI guidelines also require banks to consider fixing internal limits for aggregate commitments to specific sectors, so that their exposures are evenly spread across various sectors. These limits are subject to a periodic review by banks.
In August 2016, the RBI has issued a circular imposing certain restrictions on lending by banks to large borrowers. The circular aims to mitigate the risk posed to the banking system by large loans to single corporate borrowers, and also encourage large corporates with borrowings from the banking system above a
cut-off
level to tap the market for their working capital and term loan needs. As per the circular, which is effective April 1, 2017, banks are required to keep exposures to specified borrowers within a normally permitted lending limit (“NPLL”) specified in the circular from the fiscal year succeeding that in which the borrower is identified as a specified borrower. For incremental exposures in excess of the NPLL, banks are required to maintain an additional provision of 3.0 percent on such excess. Additional risk weight of 75.0 percent over and above the applicable risk weight for the exposure to the specified borrower is also required to be maintained by the Bank in case of any incremental exposure. The guidelines define “specified borrowers” as having an aggregate fund-based credit limit (as described in the circular) of over Rs. 250.0 billion at any time during fiscal year 2018; Rs. 150.0 billion at any time during fiscal year 2019; and Rs. 100.0 billion at any time from April 1, 2019, onwards.
In December 2018, the RBI issued guidelines in relation to bank credit to large borrowers. The guidelines state that borrowers having a fund-based working capital limit of Rs. 1,500.0 million and above from the banking system, will need to have a loan component of at least 40.0 percent. Accordingly, for such borrowers drawings up to 40.0 percent of the total fund-based working capital limits shall only be allowed from the loan component, and drawings in excess of this may be allowed as a cash credit facility. These guidelines became effective on April 1, 2019, and with effect from July 1, 2019, the mandatory loan component was revised to 60.0 percent. The RBI also specified that with effect from April 1, 2019, the undrawn portion of cash credit/overdraft limits sanctioned to large borrowers, irrespective of whether unconditionally cancellable or not, will be subject to a credit conversion factor of 20.0 percent.
MANAGEMENT
Directors and Senior Management
Our Memorandum and Articles of Association (“Articles”) provide that, until otherwise determined by the general meeting of shareholders, the number of our directors shall not be less than 3three or more than 15, excluding directors appointed pursuant to the terms of issued debt. OurAs of March 31, 2022, our Board of Directors consistsconsisted of 10 members.eleven (11) directors.
As per the Companies Act, unless the Articles provide for the retirement of all directors at every annual general meeting, not less than
two-thirds
of the total number of directors shall be persons whose period of office is liable to determination by retirement of directors by rotation. However, any retiring director may be
re-appointed
reappointed by resolution of the shareholders. Pursuant to the Companies Act, every company shall have at least one director who has stayed in India for a total period of not less than 182 days in the previous calendar year (i.e.(
i.e.
, an Indian resident).
Under the terms ofAs per our Articles, our promoter, HDFC Limited, has a right to nominate the
non-retiring
directors to our Board, so long as HDFC Limited, its subsidiariessubsidiary or any other company promoted by HDFC Limited, either singly or in the aggregate, holds not less than 20 percent of ourthe
paid-up
equity share capital. The capital in the Bank, the Board of Directors of the Bank shall, with the approval of the shareholders, appoint the
non-retiring
directors sofrom persons nominated by HDFC Limited. HDFC Limited currently areshall be entitled to nominate the Chairpersonpart-time Chairman and the Managing Director or the full-time Chairman as the case may be, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of the Bank and the shareholders. Currently, Mrs. Renu Karnad is the
Non-Executive
Director (“NED”) (nominee of HDFC Limited) of the Bank.
The Banking Regulation Act 1949 (“the Banking Regulation Act”) and subsequent RBI notification, dated November 24, 2016, requires that not less than 51 percent of the board members shall consist of persons who have specialized knowledge or practical experience in one or more of the following areas: accounting, finance, agriculture and rural economy, banking,
co-operation,
cooperation, economics, law, small-scale industry, information technology, payment and settlement systems, human resources, risk management, business management and any other matter which in the opinion of the RBI will be useful to the banking company. Of these, not less than two directors shall have specialized knowledge or practical experience in respect of agriculture and the rural economy,
co-operation
cooperation or small-scale industry. Mr. Malay Patel isand Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari are the Independent DirectorDirectors on the Board havingwho have specialized knowledge and practical experience in small scale industry and Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi is the Independent Director on the Board havingwith specialized knowledge and practical experience in agriculture and rural economy. Mr. Srikanth NadhamuniM.D. Ranganath is the
Non-Executive
and
Non-Independent
Independent Director on the Board of the Bank havingwith expertise in Information Technology. The skills, special knowledge and practical experience of the individual directors comprise of the following:
Sr.
No.
Name
Designation
Expertise/ Competence
1
Mr. Atanu ChakrabortyPart-time
Non-Executive
Chairman and Independent Director
Finance, Economy, Public Policy, Administration and Infrastructure, Banking, Risk Management, Payment & Settlement System, Business Management
2
Mr. Kaizad BharuchaExecutive DirectorBanking Business, Credit & Risk Management, Business Management
3
Mrs. Lily VaderaIndependent DirectorBanking, Finance, International Relations
4
Mr. Malay PatelIndependent DirectorSmall Scale Industries, Business Management
5
Mr. M. D. RanganathIndependent DirectorFinance, Accountancy, Information Technology, Risk Management, Business Management
6
Mrs. Renu Karnad
Non-Executive
Director
Risk Management, Housing & Real Estate, Financial, Accounting & Audit, Consumer Behavior, Sales & Marketing, Legal and Strategy Management, Economics, Business Management
7
Mr. Sandeep ParekhIndependent DirectorLaw (with focus on securities market and financial regulations), Payment & Settlement System, Business Management
8
Mr. Sanjiv SacharIndependent DirectorHuman Resource Management, Economics, Finance, Accountancy, Business Management
9
Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan
Managing Director & Chief
Executive Officer
Economics of Money, Banking and Finance, Accountancy, Business Management
10
Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita MaheshwariIndependent DirectorMedicine, Healthcare, Entrepreneurship, General Administration, Small Scale Industries, Business Management
11
Mr. Umesh Chandra SarangiIndependent DirectorAgriculture and Rural Economy, Cooperation, Business Management
120

Interested directors may not vote at board proceedings, except in relation to contracts or arrangements with a company in which that director holds (or two or more directors together) holdscollectively hold) not more than 2 percent of the
paid-up
share capital. None of our directors or members of our senior management holds 1 percent or more of our equity shares.
Our Board of Directors, as of March 31, 2020,2022, comprised of:
 
Name of Director
  
PositionDesignation
  
Age
Mrs. Shyamala GopinathMr. Atanu Chakraborty
Part-time Non-Executive Chairperson
(1)
  70
Mrs. Renu KarnadAdditionalPart time
Non-Executive
Chairman and Independent Director
  68
Mr. Malay Patel
Non-Executive
Director
43
Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi
Non-Executive
Director
68
Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni
Non-Executive
Director
56
Mr. Sanjiv Sachar
Non-Executive
Director
 62
Mr. Sandeep Parekh 
Non-Executive
Director
49
Mr. M.D. Ranganath
Non-Executive
Director
58
Mr. Aditya PuriSashidhar Jagdishan  Managing Director & CEO  6957
Mr. Kaizad Bharucha  Executive Director  5457
Mrs. Lily Vadera
(2)
Independent Director61
Mr. Malay PatelIndependent Director45
Mr. M. D. RanganathIndependent Director60
Mrs. Renu Karnad
(3)
Non-Executive Director (Nominee of HDFC Limited)69
Mr. Sandeep ParekhIndependent Director50
Mr. Sanjiv SacharIndependent Director64
Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita MaheshwariIndependent Director56
Mr. Umesh Chandra SarangiIndependent Director70
(1)
Mr. Atanu Chakraborty was appointed as the part-time
Non-Executive
Chairman and Independent Director of the Bank with effect from May 5, 2021, pursuant to the approval by the RBI and by the shareholders of the Bank at its 27th Annual General Meeting held on July 17, 2021.
(2)
Mrs. Lily Vadera was appointed as an Independent Director of the Bank for a period of five (5) years with effect from November 26, 2021, pursuant to the approval by the shareholders of the Bank through postal ballot on March 27, 2022.
(3)
At the meeting of the Board of Directors held on April 16, 2022, Mrs. Renu Karnad was reappointed as the NED (Nominee of Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited, promoter of the Bank) on the Board of Directors, for a period of five (5) years with effect from September 3, 2022, subject to the approval by the Bank’s shareholders.
(4)
Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni tendered his resignation as
Non-Executive
(Non-Independent)
Director of the Bank with effect from February 18, 2022.
The Board hadfollowing are brief biographies of our directors, including the part-time
Non-Executive
Chairman and Independent Director of the Bank:
Mr.
 Atanu Chakraborty,
62 years of age, was appointed both Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishanas the part-time
Non-Executive
Chairman and Mr. Bhavesh Zaveri each as AdditionalIndependent Director and Executive Director, subjectof the Bank with effect from May 5, 2021, pursuant to the approval ofgranted by the RBI and by the shareholders of the Bank at its 27th Annual General Meeting held on July 17, 2021. He has served in the Government of India, for a period of threethirty-five (35) years, commencing November 28, 2019/ fromas a member of the Indian Administrative Service (“IAS”) in Gujarat cadre, during which he mainly worked in areas of Finance & Economic Policy, Infrastructure, and Petroleum & Natural Gas. In the Government of India, he held various posts, such dateas Secretary to Government of India at the Department of Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Finance (“DEA”) during fiscal year 2020. As Secretary of the DEA, he coordinated economic policymaking across all ministries and on such termsdepartments. Furthermore, he managed the entire formulation process of the budget for the Government of India, including its passage in Parliament. He was responsible for the policies for fiscal management, public debt management and the development & management of financial markets.
Mr. Chakraborty also handled the domestic and foreign issues related to financial stability and currency. He managed the flow of funds by multilateral and bilateral financial institutions. He also headed a multi-disciplinary task force for the National Infrastructure Pipeline (“NIP”). He served as may be approved by the RBI. The Bank had accordingly made an applicationSecretary to the RBI seeking approvalGovernment of India for these appointments. The RBI, through its communication dated April 7, 2020, advisedDisinvestment at the Bank to examineDepartment of Investment and submitPublic Asset Management (“DIPAM”), where he was responsible for both the said proposals after a new managing director assumes charge later this year. Accordingly, their appointments as executive directors have not taken effect. Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishanpolicy and Mr. Bhavesh Zaveri resigned as additional directors from the Boardexecution of disinvestments of the BankGovernment of India’s stake in accordance with the Companies Act, with effect from April 18, 2020.state-owned enterprises.
 
119121

The termBetween 2002 and 2007, Mr. Chakraborty served as Director and subsequently as Joint Secretary at the Department of Expenditure of the Bank’s current Managing Director,Ministry of Finance. During his tenure, he evaluated projects in the Infrastructure sector and oversaw subsidies by the Government of India. He also updated and modernized the Government’s Financial & Procurement rules. Mr. Aditya Puri, will end on October 26, 2020. The Board constituted a search committee tasked with identifying and evaluating internal and external candidates and preparing a final shortlist of candidates to be submitted toChakraborty has also served in various roles at the RBI, in accordance with RBI regulations. On April 30, 2020, the Bank submitted in order of preference the names of three candidates to the RBI for approval. As of the date of this report, the RBI had not communicated a decision with respectGujarat State Government, including as Secretary to its preferenceFinance Department. He had been responsible for piloting the Bank’s new Managing Director.private sector investment legislation in the State. In the State Government, he was immersed in both public governance and development areas.
The following are brief biographies of our directors:
Mrs.
 Shyamala Gopinath
, 70 years of age, is the
part-time Non-Executive Chairperson
of the Bank. She holds a master’s degree in commerce and is a certified associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB). Mrs. Shyamala GopinathMr. Chakraborty has over 42 years of experience in financial sector policy formulation in different capacities at RBI. As Deputy Governor of the RBI for seven years, and a member of the RBI’s board of directors, she guided and influenced national policies in diverse areas such as regulation and supervision, development of financial markets, capital account management, management of government borrowings, foreign exchange reserves management and the payment and settlement system. She has served on several committees while with the RBI. During 2001-2003, she worked as senior financial sector expert in the then Monetary Affairs and Exchange Department of the International Monetary Fund (Financial Institutions Division). She was on the Corporate Bonds and Securitisation Advisory Committee (CoBoSAC), a
Sub-Committee
of SEBI. Shealso served as the Chairpersonalternate Governor on the Advisory Board on Bank, Commercial and Financial Frauds for two years from 2012 to 2014. In addition to her work for HDFC Bank, she is an Independent Director for several other companies, including
not-for-profit
entities. She is also Chairperson of the Board of Governorsthe World Bank, as well as on the Central Board of IndianDirectors of the RBI. He was the Chairman of the National Infrastructure Investment Fund (“NIIF”) and a Director of various listed companies. Mr. Chakraborty was the CEO and Managing Director of the GSPC group of companies, as well as Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd. Mr. Chakraborty has published articles in renowned journals in the areas of public finance, risk sharing in infrastructure projects and gas infrastructure. Mr. Chakraborty graduated with a Bachelor in Engineering in Electronics and Communication from NIT Kurukshetra. He holds a Diploma in Business Finance from the Institute of Management, Raipur. Mrs. Gopinath does not hold any sharesFinancial Analysts of India (“ICFAI”), Hyderabad, and a Master in Business Administration from the Bank as on March 31, 2020.University of Hull, United Kingdom.
Mrs.
 Renu Karnad
, 68aged 69 years, of age, is the Additional
Non-Executive
Directora NED of the Bank. She has been the Managing Director of the Housing Development Finance CorporationHDFC Limited since 2010. She hasholds a postgraduateMaster’s degree in economicsEconomics from the University of Delhi and holds a degree in lawLaw from the University of Mumbai. She is also a Parvin Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, USA.NJ, United States. Mrs. Karnad brings with her significantvaluable experience and knowledge of the mortgage sector, having been associated with the real estate and mortgage industry in India for over 40 years. Over the years, she has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, such as the “Outstanding Woman Business Leader” award granted by CBNC-TV18 at the India Business Leader Awards 2012, induction in the Hall of Fame, Fortune India magazine’s most powerful women from 2011 to 2019, “Top ten powerful women to watch out for in Asia” by
Wall Street Journal Asia
in 2006, etc. She has previously been a
Non-Executive
Director NED on the Board of the Bank in the past. Mrs. Renu Karnad, along with her relatives, holds 595,320 equity shares in the Bank as on March 31, 2020. The shareholders of the Bank have approved the appointment of Mrs. Renu Karnad as a Non-Executive Director of the Bank at the AGM held on July 18, 2020.Bank.
Mr.
 Malay Patel
43, aged 45 years, of age, is a
Non-Executive
Director NED of the Bank. He holds a major in engineering (mechanical)has graduated from Rutgers University, Livingston, NJ, USA,United States, and holds an associateAssociate of artsArts in business administration (A.A.B.A.) in businessBusiness Administration from Bergen County College, Fairlawn, New Jersey, USA.NJ, United States. He is a directorDirector on the boardBoard of Eewa Engineering Company Private Limited, a company in the plastics and packaging industry. Heindustry that exports to more than 50 countries. Previously, he has been involved in variedvarious roles, such as import & export, import, procurement, and sales and marketing, among others inat Eewa Engineering Company Private Limited. HeMr. Malay Patel has special knowledge and practical experience in matters relating to small scale industries in terms ofas they relate to
Section 10-A
(2)(a)(2 a) of the Banking Regulation Act 1949. He does not hold any shares in the Bank as on March 31, 2020.
Mr.
 Umesh Chandra Sarangi
, 68
aged 70 years, of age, is a
Non-Executive
Director NED of the Bank. He holds a master’s degreeMaster of Science in science (botany)Botany from the Utkal University, where he was a gold medalist. Mr. Sarangi has a total of 37 yearsover three decades of experience at the IAS and brought in significant reforms for the Indian Administrative Services.modernization of agriculture, in particular on agro-processing and export. As the erstwhileformer Chairman of the National Bank for AgricultureAgricultural and Rural Development (NABARD)(“NABARD”) from December 2007 to December 2010, heMr. Sarangi focused on accelerated initiatives for rural infrastructure, accelerated initiatives such as microfinance, financial inclusion, watershed development and tribal development. He has beenMr. Sarangi was appointed as a Director havingwith specialized knowledge and practical experience in agriculture and rural economy pursuant to
Section 10-A
(2)(a) of the Banking Regulation Act 1949. Mr. Sarangi does not hold any shares in the Bank as on March 31, 2020.
Mr.
 Srikanth Nadhamuni,
56 years of age, is a
Non-Executive
Director of the Bank. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electronics and communications from National Institute of Engineering and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Louisiana State University. He is a technologist and an entrepreneur with 30 years of experience in the areas of central processing unit (“CPU”) design, healthcare,
e-governance,
national ID, biometrics, financial technology and banking sectors. He is currently the Chairman of Novopay Solutions Private Limited, a company involved in the area of mobile payments and is the chief executive officer of Khosla Labs Private Limited, a
start-up
incubator. He was also a
co-founder
of the
e-Governments
Foundation, which aims to improve governance in Indian cities and which created the municipal enterprise resource planning (ERP) suite, which improves service delivery of cities. He was the Chief Technology Officer of Aadhaar (UID Authority of India) during 2009 to 2012 where he participated in design and development of the world’s largest biometric based ID system. He was instrumental in development of Aadhaar technology, several banking and financial protocols including MicroATM, Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS) and Aadhaar Payment Bridge (APB). He spent 14 years in Silicon Valley (California, USA) working for several global companies such as Sun Microsystems (CPU design), Intel Corporation (CPU design), Silicon Graphics (interactive TV) and WebMD (internet healthcare). He was appointed as a Director for his expertise in the field of Information Technology. Mr. Nadhamuni does not hold any shares in the Bank as on March 31, 2020.
120

Mr.
 Sanjiv Sachar
62,
aged 64 years, of age, is a
Non-Executive
Director NED of the Bank. He is a Fellow memberAssociate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. In November 2016 he retired as theIndia and former Senior Partner of Egon Zehnder, the world’s largest privately held executive search firm. HeMr. Sachar set up the Egon Zehnder practice in India in 1995 and played a key role in establishing the firm as a market leader in the executive search space across various country segments. Over the course of his two decades at Egon Zehnder, Mr. Sachar has mentored senior executives across industry sectors who have gone on to becomethat today serve as either board members, CEOs or CFOs of large corporatescorporations in India and overseas. He hasMr. Sachar was also been the
co-founder
of the chartered accountancy and management consulting firm, Sachar Vasudeva & Associates, and
co-founded
another executive search firm, Direct Impact. Mr. Sanjiv Sachar does not hold any shares in the Bank as on March 31, 2020.
Mr.
 Sandeep Parekh
49,
aged 50 years, of age, is a
Non-Executive
Director NED of the Bank. He holds an LL.M. (Securitiesa Master of Laws in Securities and Financial Regulations) degreeRegulation from Georgetown University and an LL.B. degreea Bachelor of Laws from Delhi University. He is the managing partnerManaging Partner of Finsec Law Advisors, a financial sector law firm based in Mumbai. He was an Executive Director at the SEBI from 2006 to 2008, heading both the enforcementEnforcement and legal affairsLegal Affairs departments. He is ona member of the visiting faculty at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. He has worked for law firms in Delhi, Mumbai and Washington, D.C. Mr. Parekh focuses on securities regulations, investment regulations, private equity, corporate governance and financial regulations.regulation. He is admitted to practice law in the State of New York and is a member of Mensa.York. He was recognized by the World Economic Forum as a “Young Global Leader” in 2008. He was Chairman and member of various SEBI and RBI committees and
sub-committees
at the SEBI and the RBI and is presently the Chairman of SEBI’s proxy advisory working group and a member of SEBI’s mutual fund advisory committee. Mr. Parekh does not hold any shares in the Bank as on March 31, 2020.Mutual Fund Advisory Committee.
Mr.
 M.D. Ranganath
58, aged 60 years, of age, is a
Non-Executive
Director NED of the Bank. He holds a master’s degreeMaster in technologyTechnology from IIT, Madras, and a bachelor’s degreeBachelor in engineeringEngineering from the University of Mysore. He hasalso holds a postgraduate diplomaPostgraduate Diploma in managementManagement (“PGDM”) from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM),IIM, Ahmedabad, and is a member of CPA, Australia. HeMr. Ranganath has over 27twenty eight (28) years of experience in the globalGlobal IT services and the financial services industry. He is currently the President of Catamaran Ventures and was Chief Financial OfficerCFO of Infosys Limited, a globally listed global IT services company, until November 2018. During his tenure of 18 years at Infosys, he was an integral part of theits growth and transformation of Infosys into a globally respected IT services company and successfully heldeffectively assumed leadership roles in a wide spectrumvariety of areas including strategy, finance, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), consulting, risk management, and corporate planning, culminating in the role of Chief Financial Officer, where he worked closely with the board of InfosysCFO: Strategy, Finance, Merger & Acquisition (M&A), Consulting, Risk Management, and its committees in formulating and executing its strategic priorities.Corporate planning. Prior to Infosys, he worked at ICICI Limited for eight (8) years where heand was responsible for credit, treasury, equity portfolio management and corporate planning. In the years 2017 and 2018, Mr. Ranganath was the recipient of the Best CFO Asia award in the technology sector by Institutional Investor publication, basedpredicated on a poll of the
buy-side
and sell-side investor community. Mr. Ranganath does not hold any sharesinvestors.
122

Dr.
 (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari
, aged 56 years, is a NED of the Bank. Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari was appointed as an Independent Director. She is a US Board certified Pediatric Cardiologist, and completed her MBBS at Osmania Medical College followed by post-graduation at AIIMS, Delhi and Yale University, CT, United States, With over thirty (30) years of experience, she has lived and worked in the BankUnited States and India. In addition to being a clinician, Dr. (Mrs.) Maheshwari is a medical entrepreneur and
co-founder
at: (a) Teleradiology Solutions (India’s first and largest teleradiology company that has provided over 5 million diagnostic reports to patients and hospitals globally including for the Tripura state government), (b) Telrad Tech which builds
AI-enabled
telehealth software and (c) RXDX healthcare—a chain of multi-specialty neighborhood clinics in Bangalore. She has also incubated other
start-up
companies in the telehealth space such as onHealtheminds—a telecounselling platform. She is active in the social arena in India where she runs two trust funds. “People4people” has built over 450 playgrounds in government schools and Telrad Foundation provides teleradiology and telemedicine services to poor areas in Asia that do not have access to high quality medical care. Her other interests include teaching—she has been running India’s
e-teaching
program for postgraduates in Pediatric Cardiology for over a decade. In 2019, she helped the Kerala National health mission Hridayam launch
e-classes
in pediatric cardiology for pediatricians in the state. She has over 200 academic presentations and publications to her credit and is an inspirational speaker having given over 200 lectures, including several TEDx talks. Dr. (Mrs.) Maheshwari is the recipient of several prestigious awards and honors including: WOW (Woman of Worth) 2019 award from Outlook Business, 50 most powerful women of India in March 31, 2020.2016, Amazing Indian award from Times Now 2014, Top 20 Women Health Care Achievers in India from Modern Medicare in 2009, Outstanding Fellow Teacher of the Year Award in 1995 by Yale University, amongst others.
Mr.
 Aditya Puri,Sashidhar Jagdishan
69, aged 57 years, of age, has beenis the Managing Director and CEO of the Bank. He has an overall experience of thirty (30) years. He has graduated in Science with specialization in Physics, is a Chartered Accountant by profession and holds a Master’s degree in Economics of Money, Banking & Finance from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. Mr. Jagdishan joined the Bank in 1996 as a Manager in the Finance function. He became Business Head – Finance in 1999 and was appointed as Chief Financial Officer in 2008. He played a critical role in supporting the growth trajectory of the Bank since September 1994. He holdsand led the finance function with a bachelor’s degreepivotal role in commerce from Punjab University and is an associate member ofaligning the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.organization in achieving the strategic objectives over the years. Prior to joining the Bank, Mr. Puri was the Chief Executive Officer of Citibank, Malaysia from 1992 to 1994. He has over four decades of experience in the banking sector in India and abroad. He was the first member to be inducted into the Chartered Accountants Hall of Fame by the Institute of Chartered Accountant of India. He was also ranked as the ‘Best CEO’ in Finance Asia’s Survey 2020. Mr. Puri, along with his relatives, holds 7,796,251 equity shares in the Bank as on March 31, 2020. Mr. Puri’s present termappointment as Managing Director and CEO of the Bank, will end on October 26, 2020.he was the Group Head of the Bank in addition to overseeing the functions of Finance, Human Resources, Legal & Secretarial, Administration, Infrastructure, Corporate Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility. Mr. Jagdishan is not a director in any other listed or public limited company.
Mr.
 Kaizad Bharucha
54, aged 57 years, of age, is anthe Executive Director of the Bank. He holds a bachelorBachelor of commerce degreeCommerce from the University of Mumbai.Mumbai and is a career banker with over thirty-five (35) years of experience. He has been associated with the Bank since 1995. In his current position as Executive Director, he is responsible for Wholesale Banking covering areas of Corporate Banking, PSUs, Capital & Commodities Markets, Financial Institutions, Custody, Mutual Funds, Global Capability Centre & Financial Sponsors coverage and Banks coverage. As Executive Director, in his earlier position, he was responsible for Corporate Banking, Emerging Corporate Group, Business Banking, Healthcare Finance, Group,Agri Lending, Tractor Financing, Commercial Vehicle finance, Commercial Equipment Finance, Infrastructure Finance, Group, Rural Banking Group, Department for Special Operationsoperations and Inclusiveinclusive Banking Initiatives Group. In addition to the above, Mr. Kaizad Bharucha is a senior member on various internal committees of the Bank across several functions.initiatives group. In his previous position as Group Head—Credit & Market Risk, he was responsible for the Bank’s entireRisk Management activities at the Bank, namely Credit Risk, Market Risk, Debt Management, Risk Intelligence and Control functions. He is a career banker with over three decades of banking experience. Prior to joining the Bank, he worked at SBI Commercial and International Bank in various areas including Trade Finance and Corporate Banking. He has represented HDFC Bank as a member of the working group constituted by the RBI to examine the role of the Credit Information Bureau and on the
sub-committee
with regard to adoption of the Basel II guidelines.banking related committees. Mr. Bharucha along with his relatives, holds 2,135,102 equity sharesis not a director in the Bank as on March 31, 2020.any other listed or public limited company.
 
121123

Senior Management
As of March 31, 2020, ourOur senior management wasis comprised of the following:
 
Name
  
Position
  
Age
Mr. Aditya PuriSashidhar Jagdishan  Managing Director and CEO  6957
Mr. Kaizad Bharucha  Executive Director  5457
Mr. Ashish Parthasarthy  Head – Treasury, Government Institutional Business & Startups, Liability Products & Third Party Products, Non Resident BusinessGIB, NRI, Overseas and Private Banking GroupTeleservice Channels  5254
Ms. Ashima Bhat  Head – Business Finance & Strategy, Administration, and Infrastructure, Corporate Social ResponsibilityESG & CSR  49
Mr. Ashok Khanna
(1)
Head – Secured Loans (Vehicles)6351
Mr. Arvind Kapil  Head – Retail Assets*Assets and SLI  4850
Mr. Arvind Vohra  Head – Retail Branch Banking  4850
Mr. Anjani Kumar Rathor  Chief Digital Officer  4749
Mr. Arup RakshitHead – Treasury-Sales, Analytics and Overseas53
Mr. Bhavesh Zaveri  Head – Operations, TechnologyATM and Cash Management ProductsProduct  5456
Mr. Benjamin Frank  Joint Head – Wholesale Credit  5557
Mr. Chakrapani Venkatachari  Head – Internal Audit and Quality Initiatives Group  56
Mr. Dhiraj RelliCurrently on secondment to HDFC Securities Limited (HSL), our subsidiary4958
Mr. Jimmy Tata  Chief RiskCredit Officer  53
Mr. Munish Mittal
(2)
Chief Information Officer5155
Mr. Nirav Shah  Head – Emerging Corporates Group, Infrastructure Finance Group, RuralCorporate Banking Group, Transportation Group, Tractor Financeand PSUs  4850
Mr. Parag Rao  Head – Payments Consumer Finance,Business, Digital Banking and Marketing*& IT  5456
Mr. Rakesh Singh  Head – Investment Banking, Private Banking, , Capital MarketMarketing and Financial InstitutionsProducts  5153
Mr. Rahul Shukla  Head – CorporateCommercial Banking and Rural Business Banking, Healthcare Finance53
Mr. Ramesh LakshminarayananChief Information Officer  51
Mr. Sashidhar JagdishanRaveesh Bhatia  Head – Finance, Human Resources, Legal & Secretarial, Corporate Communications, Admin, Infra, CSR and Change Agent of the BankEmerging Corporates Group  5556
Ms. Smita Bhagat  Head – Government, and Institutional Business, , EcommercePartnerships, Inclusive Banking and
Start-ups
  5456
Mr. Srinivasan Vaidyanathan  Chief Financial Officer  5658
Mr. SS. Sampathkumar  Head – Liability Products,NRI Domestic & Overseas Business, Third Party Products and
Non-Resident
Business Telesales & Service Relationships
  4749
Mr. Sanmoy ChakrabartiChief Risk Officer46
Mr. Vinay Razdan  Head –Chief Human Resources Officer  5355
 
(1)
retired on March 31, 2020.
Note:
Mr. Dhiraj Relli has resigned from the services of the Bank with effect from September 30, 2021. Currently he is the Managing Director and CEO of HDFC Securities Limited, a subsidiary of the Bank.
(2)
resigned from the services in July 2020, last working day in October 2020.
*
Designation effective April 2020.
A brief biography of each of the members of the Bank’s senior management is set out below:
Mr.
 Ashish Parthasarthy
is the Head of Treasury, Government Institutional Business &
Start-ups,
Liability Products & Third Party Products, Non Resident BusinessGIB, NRI, Overseas and Private Banking Group.Teleservice Channels. He holds a bachelor’s degreeBachelor in engineeringEngineering from the National Institute of Technology, Karnataka
(NIT-K),
and has a postgraduate diplomaPostgraduate Diploma in managementManagement from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore
(IIM-B).
IIM, Bangalore. He has over 2933 years of experience in banking, with particular expertise in the interest rate and currency markets.
122

Ms.
 Ashima Bhat
is the Head of Business Finance & Strategy, Administration, and Infrastructure, Corporate Social Responsibility.ESG & CSR. Ms. Bhat has over 2528 years of experience in banking. She has completed a master’s degreeMaster in management studies,Management Studies, majoring in marketing, from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies. Ms. Bhat joined the Bank in 1994 in its
start-up
stage. She has worked within and headed businesses in various positions across the Bank, including Corporate Banking, Supply Chain, SME, Commercial Banking and Emerging Corporates Group.
Mr. Ashok Khanna
was the Head of Secured Loans (Vehicles). Mr. Khanna is a sales and marketing professional with over 30 years of experience in the automobile companies and banking industry in various capacities. Prior to joining the Bank, he was the Executive Director for Retail Assets at Centurion Bank of Punjab. He has also worked with automobile manufacturers, such as Kinetic Engineering, Toyota (in the Middle East) and other related companies, such as Firestone Tyres. He retired on March 31, 2020.
Mr.
 Arvind Kapil
is the Head of Retail Assets.Assets and Sustainable Livelihood Initiative. He is an alumnus of the Harvard Business SchoolSchool’s advanced management program, holds a master’s degreeMaster in management studiesManagement Studies from Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Management Studies and Research and a bachelor’s degree in engineeringBachelor of Engineering from K.J. Somaiya College of Engineering in Mumbai. Mr. Kapil has been with the Bank for over 25 years oftwo decades and has significant experience in the finance industry and heindustry. He joined the Bank from Countrywide Consumer Financial Services.
124

Mr.
 Arvind Vohra
is the Head of Retail Branch Banking. He hasholds a postgraduateBachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Communication Engineering as well as a Postgraduate degree in Management with a specialization in marketing and finance from Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar, and has completed a senior leadership program at London Business School. He has nearly two and a half decades of experience working across banking,consumer goods, telecommunications and consumer goods.banking sectors. He has held leadership positions in sales, marketing and business leadership roles in global organizations such as Whirlpool, Philips, and Standard Chartered Bank.Bank and Vodafone India. Mr. Vohra led business operations at Vodafone India. In addition, heIndia, was on the boardBoard of directors forDirectors of Vodafone India’s consumer fixed line subsidiary and led the incubation of the consumer (“InternetIOT (Internet of Things”)Things) business. He joined the Bank from Vodafone India in September 2018.
Mr.
 Anjani Kumar Rathor
is the Chief Digital Officer. He holds a postgraduate diplomaPostgraduate Diploma from IIM, Calcutta, and an aerospace engineering degreea Bachelor of Technology from IIT Kharagpur. He has over 20 years of experience across Telecom, Aviation, Consulting and Financial Services and Aviation in companies such as Airtel, Boeing, Accenture and CitiCorp. He joined the Bank in February 2020.
Mr.
 Bhavesh ZaveriArup Rakshit
is the Head of Treasury-Sales, Analytics and Overseas. He holds a Bachelor of Technology from IIT, BHU, Varanasi and a Master of Business Administration from IIM, Calcutta. Mr. Rakshit has more than 28 years of experience. Prior to joining HDFC Bank, he worked with different banks, including Deutsche Bank and ABN AMRO Bank. Mr. Rakshit is also an active member of the management committee of the Foreign Exchange Dealers Association of India and the India Forex Committee.
Mr.
 Bhavesh Zaveri
is the Head—Operations, TechnologyATM and Cash Management Products.Product. He holds a master’s degreeMaster in commerceCommerce from Mumbai University and is a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers. He has over 2836 years of experience in banking, having worked with Oman International Bank and Barclays Bank prior to joining the Bank in April 1998. Mr. Zaveri has been on various committees at the RBI &and the IBA committees and served as a directorDirector on the Board of National Payment Corporation of India Ltd, SWIFT SCRL, Brussels, The Clearing Corporation of India Ltd. (CCIL)(“CCIL”), SWIFT India Domestic Services Pvt Ltd, HDB Financial Services Ltd, HDFC Securities Ltd and the Goods and Service Tax Network (GSTN)(“GSTN”).
Mr.
 Benjamin Frank
is Jointthe Head of Wholesale Credit. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Madras, a master’s degreeMaster in business administrationBusiness Administration from ICFAI University and is a Certified Financial Risk Manager from the Global Association of Risk Professionals. He has over 3135 years of experience in the banking industry across Branch Banking, International Banking, Corporate Banking and Credit Risk Management. He previously worked at IDBI Bank and State Bank of India. He joined the Bank in April 2004.
Mr.
 Chakrapani Venkatachari
is the Head of Internal Audit and Quality Initiatives Group. He holds a bachelor’s degreeBachelor in commerceCommerce from Mumbai University, is an Associate Member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers and a Certified Information System Auditor. He has over 3338 years of banking experience, having worked with the Bank of Baroda and Standard Chartered Bank prior to joining the Bank in 1994.
Mr.
 Dhiraj Relli
is currently on secondment to HDFC Securities Limited (HSL), our subsidiary, where he currently holds the position of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. An employee of HDFC since 2008, he has served as Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Branch Banking at HDFC Bank. Mr. Relli is a member of the Trading Member Advisory Committee of National Stock Exchange and a Member of the Advisory Committee of Bombay Stock Exchange. Mr. Relli is a B.Com. (Honors) graduate from Delhi University and a qualified chartered accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. He completed the Advance Management Program from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore.
Mr.
Jimmy Tata
is HDFC Bank’s Chief RiskCredit Officer. He holds a master’s degreeMaster in Financial Management from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies at Mumbai University and is a qualified as a Chartered Financial Analyst with the Institute of Chartered Financial AccountantsAnalysts in Hyderabad. Mr. Tata has been with the Bank since 1994 and has over 30 years of broad experience across various sectors.the financial sector. Prior to joining the Bank he worked as a Financial Analyst in the Financial Division ofat Apple Industries Limited.
Mr.
 Munish Mittal
is the Chief Information Officer. He holds a bachelor’s degreeLimited in science from Punjab University and a master’svarious capacities in business administration from the Indira Gandhi National Open University. Mr. Mittal has more than 31 years of experience, having worked at Bank of Punjab, Datapro and ESPL prior to joining the Bank in August 1996.their financial services division.
123

Mr.
 Nirav Shah
is the Head of Corporate Banking and PSUs. He has approximately 27 years of experience, 23 years of which have been with the Bank. He joined the Bank in 1999 as a Relationship Manager and, in just over a decade, went on to head businesses such as the Emerging Corporates Group, Infrastructure Finance Group, Rural Banking Group, and Transportation groupFinance, before taking up his current role in 2020. This is his second role with the Corporate Bank. In his earlier role in 2011, he was Western Region Head, during which he was responsible in Finance for acquiring and Tractor Finance.developing several large corporate relationships. He holds a master’s degree in management studiesBachelor of Commerce and a Master of Management Studies (“MMS”) from K.J. Somaiya Management Institute at Mumbai University. He has over 23 years of professional experience, joining the Bank from Global Trust Bank in July 1999.
Mr.
 Parag Rao
is the Head of Payments Consumer Finance,Business, Digital Banking and Marketing.& IT. He holds a master’s degreeMaster in management studies degreeManagement Studies from S.P. Jain Institute of Management at Mumbai University and a bachelor’s degree in engineeringBachelor of Engineering from the Regional Engineering College in Jamshedpur. He has over 2829 years of professional experience joiningin FMCG companies such as Cadbury’s, Hindustan Unilever and Pepsico India. He joined the Bank from IBM Global Services in April 2002.
Mr.
 Rakesh Singh
is the Head of Investment Banking, Private Banking, Capital MarketMarketing and Financial Institutions.Products. He holds a master’s degreeMaster in business administrationBusiness Administration from the Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad and has over 2329 years of experience in the financial sector. Mr. Singh joined thePrior to joining HDFC Bank, fromhe worked at Rothschild, in India where he was the Managing Director and
Co-Head
of Financing Advisory. Earlier in his career, he held key positions at Morgan Stanley, DSP Merrill Lynch, Standard Chartered Bank and ANZ Investment Bank. He also serves as a Trustee on the board of Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action.
Mr.
 Rahul Shukla
is the Head of CorporateCommercial Banking and Business Banking, Healthcare Finance.Rural Banking. He holds a bachelor’s degreeBachelor in technologyTechnology from IIT Varanasi and an MBAa Master in Business Administration from IIM, Bangalore. He started his career in Citibank and, in 2010, he took over as Managing Director and Head of Corporate Banking for the South Asia Region, and was a member of the Indian Management Committee and various regulatory governance committees. He has over 2730 years of banking experience, joining the Bank from Citibank in March 2018.
125

Mr.
 Sashidhar JagdishanRamesh Lakshminarayanan
is the Head of Finance, Human Resources, Legal & Secretarial, Corporate Communications, Admin, Infra, CSR and also designated as Change Agent of the Bank. HeChief Information Officer. Mr. Lakshminarayanan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in physicsPhysics from Mumbai University and a Master in Business Administration from the University of MumbaiPune. Prior to joining HDFC Bank, he worked at CRISIL, where he spent three years as Chief Technology and Information Officer. He has over 25 years of experience and has held leadership positions within organizations such as Citibank, ABN AMRO Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Group.
Mr.
 Raveesh K. Bhatia
is Head of Emerging Corporates Group. He holds an MBA from IIM, Ahmedabad, and has over three decades of work experience. Prior to joining HDFC Bank, he worked with international banks, such as ABN AMRO Bank, BNP Paribas, Standard Chartered Bank, as well as in a master’s degree in economics of money, banking and finance from the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom. He is also a Chartered Accountant of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Mr. Jagdishan has beenconsulting role with the Bank since 1996.SB Billimoria.
Ms.
 Smita Bhagat
is the Head of Government and Institutional Business, EcommerceAlternate Banking Channels and Partnerships, Inclusive Banking Group and
Start-ups.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economicsEconomics and statistics,Statistics, a Master of Commerce degree in financial management and a master’s degreeMaster in business administrationBusiness Administration from the University of Rajasthan. She has over 22more than 25 years of experience in banking and joined the Bank from ICICI Bank in 1999.
Mr.
 Srinivasan Vaidyanathan
is the Head of Finance.Chief Financial Officer. He is a commerceCommerce graduate, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, a Fellow of the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India, a Fellow of the Association of International Accountants, UK,United Kingdom, Member of CMA, USA,United States, and has a master’s degreeMaster in business administration.Business Administration. He has over 28 years of experience in the financial services industry. He joined the Bank from Citigroup in 2018.
Mr.
 S. Sampath KumarSampathkumar
is the Head of Liability Products,NRI Domestic & Overseas Business, Third Party Products and
Non-Resident
Business. Telesales & Service Relationships. He has over two and a half decades of experience and is an alumnus of the University of Madras, Tamil Nadu.
Mr.
 Sanmoy Chakrabarti
is the Chief Risk Officer. He holds a Master’s degree in Quantitative Economics from the Indian Statistical Institute. Mr. Sanmoy has been with the Bank since 2010 and has over two decades of experience. Previously, he has been in charge of Market Risk, Treasury
Mid-Office,
Operational Risk Management, ICAAP and Basel Credit risk functions of the Bank. Prior to joining the Bank, he has worked at Bank Danamon Ltd, Citibank and ICICI Bank.
Mr.
Vinay Razdan
is Head ofthe Chief Human Resources.Resources Officer. He is an alumnus of Delhi University and holds a postgraduatePostgraduate qualification in personnel management and industrial relations from XLRI, Jamshedpur. Mr. Razdan has over three decades of experience in different roles within the human resources function and has worked across geographies and industry segments. He has held leadership positions with leading organizations in the FMCG, IT Services and Telecommunication sectors. He joined the Bank in September 2018.
124

Corporate Governance
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee of the Bank, as of March 31, 2020, has2022, includes Mr. M.D Ranganath, Mrs. Shyamala Gopinath, Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi and Mr. Sanjiv Sachar as its members. Each member of the Audit Committee is an Independent Director. Mr. M. D. Ranganath and Mr. Sanjiv Sachar are the members of Audit Committee with financial expertise. The Audit Committee is chaired by Mr. M.D Ranganath. The Audit Committee met nine16 times during fiscal 2020.year 2022.
The terms of reference of the Audit Committee include,
inter alia
, the following:
 
 a.
overseeing the Bank’s financial reporting process and disclosure of financial information to ensure that the financial statement is correct, sufficient and credible;
 
 b.
recommending the appointment and removal of external auditors and the fixing of their fees;
 
 c.
reviewing with management the annual financial statements and auditors report before their submission to the Board, with special emphasis on accounting policies and practices, compliance with accounting standards, disclosure of related party transactions and other legal requirements relating to financial statements;
 
 d.
reviewing the adequacy of the audit and compliance functions, including their policies, procedures, techniques and other regulatory requirements; and
 
 e.
reviewing and approving all related party transactions ; and
f.
any other terms of reference as may be included from time to time in the Companies Act and the2013, SEBI Listing Regulations, 2015, including any amendments or
re-enactments
reenactments thereof from time to time.
The Board has also adopted a charter for the Audit Committee in connection with certain United States regulatory standards as the Bank’s securities are also listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
126

Nomination and Remuneration Committee
The terms of reference of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee (“NRC”) include scrutinizing the nominations of the directors with reference to their qualifications and experience, to identifyidentifying “fit and proper” persons, and assessassessing their competency and reviewing the compensation levels of the Bank’s employees
vis-à-vis
other banks and the banking industry in general.
The NRC has formulated a Policy for Appointment and Fit and Proper Criteria of Directors, which
inter alia
provides for criteria for assessingto assess the competency of the persons nominated, are as follows:
which includes:
 
Academic
a.
academic qualifications;
 
Previous
b.
previous experience;
 
Track
c.
track record; and
 
Integrity
d.
integrity of the candidate.
For assessing the integrity and suitability, features like criminal records, financial position, civil actions undertaken to pursue personal debts, refusal of admission to and expulsion from professional bodies, sanctions applied by regulators or similar bodies and previous questionable business practices are considered.
The Bank’s compensation policy provides a fair and consistent basis for motivating and rewarding employees appropriately according to their job profile or role size, performance, contribution, skill and competence.
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The Nomination and Remuneration CommitteeNRC also formulates criteria for the evaluation of performance of individual Directorsdirectors, including Independent Directors, the Board of Directors and its committees. The criteria for the evaluation of performance of Directorsdirectors (including Independent Directors) include personal attributes, such as attendance at meetings, communication skills, leadership skills and adaptability, and professional attributes such as their understanding of the Bank’s core business and strategic objectives, industry knowledge, independent judgment, and adherence to the Bank’s Code of Conduct, ethicsEthics and values. Values.
Mr. Sanjiv Sachar, Mrs. Shyamala Gopinath, Mr. Sandeep Parekh, and Mr. M.D Ranganath, Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi and Mr. Atanu Chakraborty were the members of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee as of March 31, 2020.2022. Mr. Atanu Chakraborty (with effect from June 9, 2021) was inducted as a member of the NRC. All members of the Nomination and Remuneration CommitteeNRC are Independent Directors. The Nomination and Remuneration CommitteeNRC is chaired by Mr. Sanjiv Sachar. The CommitteeSachar and met nine13 times during fiscal 2020.year 2022.
Stakeholders’ Relationship Committee (“SRC”)
The Stakeholders’ Relationship Committee (the “SRC”)SRC approves and monitors the transfer, transmission, splitting and consolidation of shares and considers requests for dematerialization of shares. Allotments of shares to employees exercising stock options are granted under the various Employees Stock Option Schemes, (“ESOSs”), which are made in terms of the powers delegated by the Board in this regard. The committeeSRC also monitors the redressal of grievances from shareholders relating to matters such as the transfer of shares and
non-receipt
of our annual report and dividends.dividends, etc.
The powers to approve share transfers and dematerialization requests have been delegated to executives of the Bank to avoid delays that may arise due to
non-availability
of the members of the SRC. Mr. Santosh Haldankar, Senior Vice President-Legal & Company Secretary of the Bank is the Compliance Officer responsible for expediting the share transfer formalities.
As of March 31, 2020,2022, the SRC consisted of Mr. Malay Patel, Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi, Mr. Malay Patel, Mr. Aditya PuriSandeep Parekh, Mrs. Renu Karnad and Mr. Sandeep Parekh.Kaizad Bharucha. During the year, Mr. Kaizad Bharucha (with effect from September 17, 2021) and, subsequently, Mrs. Lily Vadera (with effect from June 10, 2022) were inducted as members of the Committee. The Stakeholders’ Relationship CommitteeSRC is chaired by Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi,Malay Patel, who is an Independent Director. The SRCDirector and met four times during fiscal 2020.year 2022.
As of March 31, 2020, no instruments of transfer were pending for transfer. The details of the transfers are reported to the SRC from time to time.
During the year ended March 31, 2020,2022, the Bank received 2,86282 complaints from the shareholders. The Bank hashad attended to all the complaints. 119 complaints remainedexcept one that was pending as it had been received during the end of quarter. This complaint was responded and 3was closed subsequently, all other complaints have not been resolvedwere closed to the satisfaction of the shareholders as ofon March 31, 2020. 6,0012022.
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2,308 letters were received from the shareholders relating to change of address, nomination requests, updating of email IDs and PAN No(s),numbers, updating of complete bank account details such as(
i.e.
, core banking account no,no., IFSC and/and MICR code, mandate payingcode), Mandate for dividendscrediting dividend by the National Automated Clearing House (NACH)(“NACH”) and National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT)(“NEFT”), Issuance of Duplicate Share Certificate and claim of shares from Unclaimed Suspense account and from the Authority of Investors Education and Protection Fund, queries relating to the annual reports,
non-receipt
of share certificates upon
sub-division
of the Bank’s shares from the face value of Rs. 2/- each to the face value of Rs. 1/- each, amalgamation, request for revalidation of dividend warrants and various other investor relatedinvestor-related matters. These letters have also been responded to.
Risk Policy and Monitoring Committee (“RPMC”)
The RPMC has been formed as per the guidelines of the RBI on asset liability management and risk management systems. The RPMC is a board-level committee, which supports the Board by supervising the implementation of the risk strategy. It guides the development of policies, procedures and systems for managing risk. It ensures that these are adequate and appropriate to changing business conditions, the structure and needs of the Bank and the risk appetite of the Bank.
The RPMC monitors the compliance of risk parameters and aggregate exposures with the risk appetite set by the Board. It ensures that frameworks are established for assessing and managing various risks faced by the Bank, systems are developed to relate risk to the Bank‘sBank’s capital level and methods are in place for monitoring compliance with internal risk management policies and processes. The RPMC ensures that the Bank has a suitable framework for risk management and oversees the implementation of the risk management policy.
The functions of the RPMC also include the review of the enterprise-wide risk frameworks such as the risk appetite framework (the “RAF”Risk Appetite Framework (“RAF”), ICAAP and theInternal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (“ICAAP”), stress testing framework.framework, etc. The RPMC also reviews the cybersecuritycyber security framework inat the Bank from time to time.
Further, as per RBI guidelines, the Chief Risk Officer of the Bank regularly interacts with the members of the RPMC without the presence of management at the meetings of the RPMC . RPMC.
As of March 31, 2020,2022, the Risk PolicyRPMC consisted of Mrs. Lily Vadera, Mr. Sandeep Parekh, Mr. M.D. Ranganath, Mrs. Renu Karnad, Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan, Mr. Sanjiv Sachar, and Monitoring Committee consisted ofMr. Atanu Chakraborty. During the year, Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni ceased to be a member of the RPMC with effect from September 17, 2021 while Mr. Atanu Chakraborty (with effect from June 9, 2021), Mr. Sandeep Parekh (with effect from September 17, 2021) were inducted as members of the RPMC. Further, Mrs. Shyamala Gopinath, Mr. M.D RanganathLily Vadera was inducted as a Chairperson and Mr. Aditya Puri.member of the Committee with effect from January 15, 2022. The CommitteeRPMC is chaired by Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni. The CommitteeMrs. Lily Vadera, an Independent Director of the Bank and met sixnine times during fiscal 2020.year 2022.
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Credit Approval Committee
The committeeCommittee considers proposals for approval, renewal, or modification of various types of funded and
non-funded
credit facilitiesappetite proposals to the customers of the Bank within itssuch authority as delegated to it by the Board from time to time. This facilitates a quick response to the needs of the customers and timely disbursement of loans. As of March 31, 2020,2022, the Credit Approval Committee consisted of Mr. Malay Patel, Mr. Aditya Puri, Mr. Kaizad Bharucha and Mrs. Renu Karnad. During the year, Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni.Nadhamuni ceased to be a member of the Committee pursuant to his resignation as director of the Bank with effect from February 18, 2022 while, subsequently, Mr. Sandeep Parekh was inducted as a member of the Committee with effect from June 10, 2022. The Credit Approval Committee met 2430 times during fiscal 2020.year 2022.
Premises Committee
The committeeCommittee approves purchases and leasing of land parcels for proposed buildings &and premises for the use of the Bank’s branches, back offices, ATMs, residential training centers,centre(s), currency chests, guest houses, (including relocation and renewals) and of residential premises for Bank employees in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Board from time to time. As of March 31, 2020,2022, Mrs. Renu Karnad (Chairperson), Mr. Aditya PuriSandeep Parekh and Mr. Malay PatelDr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari were the members of the Premises Committee. During the year, Mr. Keki MistryMalay Patel ceased to be a member of the Premises Committee, pursuant to his completion of tenurewhile Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari was inducted as a Directormember of the Bank.Committee with effect from September 17, 2021. The premises committeePremises Committee met four times during fiscal 2020.year 2022.
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Fraud Monitoring Committee (“FMC”)
Pursuant to the directions of the RBI, the Bank has constituted a Fraud Monitoring Committee,the FMC, exclusively dedicated to the monitoring and following up of cases of fraud involving amounts of Rs. 10 million and above. The objectives of the Fraud Monitoring CommitteeFMC are the effective detection and immediate reporting of fraud, including anyand actions taken against the perpetrators of such fraud towith the concerned regulatory and enforcement agencies. The terms of reference of the Fraud Monitoring CommitteeFMC include:
 
 a.
identify the systemic lacunae, if any, that facilitated perpetration of the fraud and put in place measures to plug the same;
 
 b.
identify the reasons for delay in detection, if any, and report to the top management of the Bank and the RBI;
 
 c.
monitor the progress of the investigation by theany Central Bureau of Investigation and any police authoritiesinvestigation and theany appropriate recovery position;
 
 d.
ensure that staff accountability is examined at all levels in all cases of fraud and that staff side action, if required, is completed quickly without loss of time;
 
 e.
review the efficacy of the remedial action taken to prevent any recurrence of fraud, such as the strengthening of internal controls; and
 
 f.
put in place other measures as may be considered relevant to strengthen preventive measures to protect against future instances of fraud.frauds.
As of March 31, 2020,2022, the members of the Fraud Monitoring CommitteeFMC were Mrs. Shyamala Gopinath, Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi (Chairperson), Mrs. Renu Karnad, Mr. Kaizad Bharucha, Mr. Sanjiv Sachar, and Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan. During the year, Mr. Malay Patel Mr. Aditya Puri and Mr. Sandeep Parekh. DuringParekh ceased to be members of the year,FMC while, Mrs. Renu Karnad and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha were inducted as the Fraud Monitoring Committeemembers of the FMC with effect from September 17, 2021. The FMC met four times during fiscal 2020.year 2022.
Customer Service Committee (“CSC”)
The Customer Service CommitteeCSC has been constituted to monitor and bring about continuous improvements in the quality of services rendered to the Bank’s customers and also ensures theensure implementation of directives received from the RBI in this regard. The terms of reference of the Customer Service CommitteeCSC are to formulate a comprehensive deposit policy incorporating the issues arising fromout of the deathdemise of a depositor in relation tofor the operation of the deceased’shis account, the product approval process, the annual survey of depositor satisfaction and the triennial audit of such services. The CSC is constituted to bring about continuous improvements in the quality of customer services provided by the Bank. The CSC would also oversee the functioning of the Standing Committee on Customer Service, and also bring out innovative measures for enhancing the customer experience and quality of customer service thereby enhancing the customer satisfaction level across all categories of clientele, at all times.
As of March 31, 2020,2022, the members of the Customer Service CommitteeCSC were Mrs. Shyamala Gopinath, Mr. Malay Patel,Umesh Chandra Sarangi, Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni,Sandeep Parekh, Mr. Aditya PuriSashidhar Jagdishan, Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari, Mr. Kaizad Bharucha and Mr. Sandeep Parekh.Atanu Chakraborty. During the year, Mr. Keki MistrySrikanth Nadhamuni ceased to be a member of the Committee pursuant to his completion of tenureresignation as a Directordirector of the Bank.Bank with effect from February 18, 2022. Mr. Malay Patel ceased to be the member and Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi was designated as the Chairman, Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari, Mr. Kaizad Bharucha and Mr. Atanu Chakraborty were inducted as members of the CSC with effect from September 17, 2021. The Customer Service CommitteeCSC met fourfive times during fiscal 2020.year 2022.
127

Corporate Social Responsibility & ESG (“CSR”CSR & ESG”) Committee
The CSR & ESG Committee of the Board was constituted to identify, execute and monitor CSR projects and assist the Board and the Bank in fulfilling its corporate social responsibility objectives and achieving the desired results. The CSR & ESG Committee also ensures legal and regulatory compliance from a CSR perspective and reporting, as well as communication to all the stakeholders on the Bank’s CSR initiatives.
The Board has constituted a CSR & ESG Committee with the following terms of reference:
 
 a.
to formulateformulating the Bank’s CSR strategy, policy and goals;
 
 b.
to monitormonitoring the Bank’s CSR policy and performance;
 
 c.
to reviewreviewing the CSR projects and initiatives from time to time;
 
 d.
to ensureensuring legal and regulatory compliance with respect to CSR;from a CSR viewpoint;
 
 e.
to ensureensuring reporting and communication to the Bank’s stakeholders on the Bank’s CSR; and
 
 f.
to monitormonitoring the Bank’s environmental, social, governanceESG framework, strategy, goals and disclosures.
129

As of March 31, 2020,2022, the members of CSR & ESG Committee were Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi,Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari, Mr. Sanjiv Sachar, Mr. Malay Patel, Mrs. Renu Karnad and Mr. Aditya Puri.Kaizad Bharucha. During the year, Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi ceased to be a member of the Committee and Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari was inducted as Chairperson and member of the CSR & ESG Committee with effect from September 17, 2021. The CSR & ESG Committee met fourfive times during fiscal 2019.year 2022.
Digital Transaction Monitoring Committee (“DTMC”)
In order to promote digital transactions of the Bank and to provide directions in terms of strategy and action plans including monitoring the progress of achievement in the digital transactions space, the terms of reference of the Digital Transaction Monitoring CommitteeDTMC include:
 
 a.
framing of the Bank-level strategy and action plans for achieving the target of digital transactions in an organized manner, as may be set by the Government, regulatory authorities and IBAIndian Banks’ Association, etc., from time to time;
 
 b.
monitoring the progress of achievement in digital transactions in line with the Bank’s strategy and action plans;
 
 c.
reviewing and exploring new opportunities for increasing the digital transactions of the Bank from time to time and giving the necessary directions in implementing and improving a high levelslevel of digitalization in the Bank;
 
 d.
reviewing the Digital Banking strategy of the Bank as and when required, thereby providing direction on focus areas;
 
 e.
reviewing the progress made on the initiatives relating to Digital Banking covering performance initiatives as determined by the Board of Directors and Government of India from time to time;
 
 f.
to review thereviewing customer services rendered on digital platforms from time to time; and
 
 g.
any other terms of reference as may be specified by the Government, regulatory authorities and IBAIndian Banks’ Association, etc., from time to time.
As of March 31, 2020,2022, the members of Digital Transaction Monitoring Committeethe DTMC were Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni, Mr. Malay Patel, Mr. Aditya Puri,Sandeep Parekh, and Mr. M.D. Ranganath. During the year, Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni ceased to be a member of the DTMC pursuant to his resignation as director of the Bank with effect from February 18, 2022 while, subsequently, Mrs. Lily Vadera was inducted as member of the DTMC with effect from June 10, 2022. The CommitteeDTMC met four times during fiscal 2020.year 2022.
IT Strategy Committee
The Bank has in place an IT Strategy Committee to look into various technology related aspects. The functions of the Committee are to formulate the IT strategy and related policy documents, ensure that the IT strategy is aligned with the business strategy, and review IT risks, etc.
The terms of reference of the IT Strategy Committee include:
a.
approving IT strategy and related policy documents and reviewing the same from time to time;
b.
ensuring that the management has put an effective strategic planning process in place;
c.
approving the Bank’s IT budget to ensure it aligns with the business needs;
d.
approving reallocation of resources within IT to facilitate meeting priorities and business needs; and
e.
reviewing and approving IT implementation plans.
As of March 31, 2022, the members of IT Strategy Committee were the external IT consultant, Prof. H. Krishmurthy in addition to the Board members Mr. M.D. Ranganath, Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan, Mr. Atanu Chakraborty and Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari. During the year, Mr. Atanu Chakraborty and Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan were inducted as members of the Committee with effect from June 9, 2021. Further, Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari was inducted as member on the Committee with effect from September 17, 2021 and Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni ceased to be a member of the Committee pursuant to his resignation as director of the Bank with effect from February 18, 2022. The IT Strategy Committee met nine times during fiscal year 2022.
130

Review Committee for Willful Defaulters’ Identification
The Board has constituted a Review Committee for Willful DefaultersDefaulters’ Identification to review the orders passed by the Committee of Executives for Identification of WillfulWilful Defaulters and provide the final decision with regard to identified willful defaulters and any other matters as may be decided by the Board from time to time. As of March 31, 2020, Mrs. Shyamala Gopinath,2022, Mr. Aditya Puri,Sashidhar Jagdishan (Chairperson), Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi, Mr. Sandeep Parekh, Mr. M. D. Ranganath, Mr. Malay Patel and Mr. Sanjiv SacharKaizad Bharucha were the members of the Review Committee for Willful DefaultersDefaulters’ Identification. The Committee met twice duringDuring the year, on July 20, 2019Mr. Sanjiv Sachar ceased to be a member, while Mr. Malay Patel and October 19, 2019.Mr. Kaizad Bharucha were inducted as members of the Committee with effect from September 17, 2021. No meetings of the Review Committee for Willful Defaulters’ Identification were held during fiscal year 2022.
Review Committee for
Non-Cooperative
Borrowers
The Board has constituted a Review Committee to review matters related to
non-cooperative
borrowers, which are handled by the internal committeeInternal Committee of executivesExecutives appointed for this purpose and any other matters as may be decided by the Board from time to time. As of March 31, 2020, Mrs. Shyamala Gopinath,2022, Mr. Aditya Puri,Sashidhar Jagdishan (Chairperson), Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi, Mr. Sandeep Parekh, Mr. M. D. Ranganath, Mr. Malay Patel and Mr. Sanjiv SacharKaizad Bharucha were the members of the Review Committee for
Non-Cooperative
Borrower.Borrowers. During the year, Mr. Sanjiv Sachar ceased to be a member, while Mr. Malay Patel and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha were inducted as members of the Committee with effect from September 17, 2021. No meetings of the Review Committee for
Non-Cooperative
Borrowers were held during fiscal 2020.
128

year 2022.
Meeting of the Independent Directors
The Independent Directors of the Bank held atwo meetings during fiscal year 2022. All Independent Directors as on the date of that meeting were present at the meeting held on April 29, 2021. At the meeting held on September 18, 2019. All the9, 2021, leave of absence was granted to Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari while all other Independent Directors attendedas on the meeting.date of that meeting were present.
Committees of Executives
We have also established committees of executives that meet frequently to discuss and determine the management of assets and liabilities and other operations and personnel issues.
Borrowing Powers of Directors
At its 21st Annual General Meeting held on July 21, 2015, the Bank’s shareholders passed a special resolution pursuant to Section 180(1)(c) of the Companies Act 1956 authorizing the Board to borrow, for the purpose of conducting the Bank’s business, such sum or sums of money as they may deem necessary, notwithstanding the fact that the money so borrowed and the monies to be borrowed from time to time (apart from (i) temporary loans obtained from the companies banker in the ordinary course of business and (ii) acceptances of deposits of money from the public repayable on demand or otherwise and withdrawable by cheque, draft, order or otherwise, and/oras well as temporary loans obtained in the ordinary course of business from banks, whether in India or outside India) will exceed the aggregate of the
paid-up
capital of the Bank and its free reserves, provided that the total outstanding amount of such borrowings shall not exceed Rs. 500500.0 billion over and above the aggregate of the
paid-up
capital of the Bank and its free reserves at any time.
Compensation of Directors and Members of Our Senior Management
The compensation arrangements for our Chairperson, Managing Director and Executive Directors are approved by the shareholders and the RBI on the recommendation of our Board of Directors.
During fiscal 2020,year 2022, the aggregate amount of compensation paid to our Managing Director, Executive Director and members of our senior management as on March 31, 20202022 was Rs. 851.7759.9 million. This remuneration includes basic salary, allowances, performance bonus, and cash allowances in lieu of perquisites or the taxable value of perquisites (if availed)availed of) as computed under the income tax rules, but excludes gratuities, provident fund settlements, superannuation settlements and perquisites upon the exercise of stock options.
Under our organizational documents, each director, exceptAll NEDs, including the Managing Directorindependent directors and Executive Director, is entitled tothe Chairman, receive sitting fees and reimbursement of
out-of-pocket
expenses for attending each meeting of the Board and its various Committees. No stock options are granted to any of Directors orthe NEDs.
Pursuant to the provisions of a Board committee. The amount of sitting fees is decided by the Board from time to time in accordance with applicable regulations prescribed by the Companies Act or2013, the Government of India. DirectorsNEDs are paid sitting fees at the rate of Rs. 50,000 or Rs. 100,000 per meeting for attending committee meetings and Rs. 100,000 for attendingCommittee & Board meetings, respectively.
We reimburse directors for travel and related expenses in connection with The Board and committee meetings and related matters. Stock options have not been granted to
Non-Executive
Directors.
Mrs. Shyamala Gopinath, Chairperson, was paid remuneration of Rs. 3.5 million during fiscal 2020. Mrs. Shyamala Gopinath is also paidDirectors increased the sitting fees of certain key Committee meetings to Rs. 100,000 per meeting with effect from April 1, 2021, namely, Audit Committee, Risk Policy & Monitoring Committee, Nomination & Remuneration Committee, Credit Approval Committee and IT Strategy Committee. Subsequently, sitting fees payable for attending BoardIndependent Directors Meeting and Customer Service Committee meetings.meeting was increased to Rs. 1,00,000 with effect from August 14, 2021 and November 26, 2021, respectively.
 
129131

The details of the remuneration paid during fiscal 2020year 2022 to Mr. Aditya Puri,Sashidhar Jagdishan, Managing Director & CEO, and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha, Executive Director are as follows:
 
Particulars
  
Aditya Puri
   
Kaizad Bharucha
 
   
(Rs. in million, except stock options)
 
Basic
   65.3    22.7 
Allowances and perquisites
   34.3    24.8 
Provident fund
   7.8    2.7 
Superannuation
   9.8    3.4 
Performance bonus
   72.0   32.7** 
Number of stock options granted during the year***
   681,600    266,400 
Particulars
  
Sashidhar Jagdishan
   
Kaizad Bharucha*
 
   
(Rs. in million, except stock options)
 
Basic
   25.2    26.4 
Allowances and perquisites
   33.1    28.3 
Provident fund
   3.0    3.2 
Superannuation
   3.8    4.0 
Performance bonus
   —      44.6 
Number of stock options granted during the year
   —      **
 
Note:
Mr. Aditya Puri retired as Managing Director of the Bank on October 26, 2020. For the performance period April 1, 2020 to October 26, 2020 cash variable pay of Rs. 71.1 million was approved by the RBI on March 23, 2022. Of the said approved amount of Rs. 71.1 million, Rs. 28.4 million (40 percent) was paid in fiscal year 2022 and the balance 60 percent will be deferred over a period of three years. Mr. Aditya Puri, was also paid cash variable pay of Rs. 43.4 million for fiscal year 2020 as approved by the RBI on April 29, 2021. Mr. Aditya Puri was paid Rs. 6.9 million being Tranche 2 of the deferred cash variable pay for fiscal year 2019 and Rs. 5.7 million being Tranche 3 of the deferred cash variable pay for fiscal year 2018. Thus, the total payout to Mr. Aditya Puri in fiscal year 2022 was Rs. 84.4 million.
*
60%The Annual remuneration paid to Mr. Kaizad Bharucha, Executive Director, includes the payment of the performance bonuses relating to FY 2018 and FY 2019 amounting to Rs. 25.8 million and Rs. 31.0 million, respectively,arrears for fiscal year 2021 which was approved by the RBI on March 23, 2022. For fiscal year 2021, cash variable pay of Rs. 35.2 million was approved by the RBI on March 23, 2022. Of the said approved amount of Rs. 35.2 million, Rs. 17.6 million (50 percent) was paid in FY 2020. Also includesfiscal year 2022 and the balance 50 percent will be deferred over a period of three years. Mr. Kaizad Bharucha was also paid cash variable pay of Rs. 20.8 million fiscal year 2020 as approved by the RBI on April 29, 2021. Mr. Kaizad Bharucha was paid Rs. 3.3 million being Tranche 2 of the deferred bonuscash variable pay for previous years amountingfiscal year 2019 and Rs. 2.9 million being Tranche 3 of the deferred cash variable pay for fiscal year 2018. Thus, the total payout to Mr. Kaizad Bharuza in fiscal year 2022 was Rs. 15.244.6 million.
**
60% of the performance bonuses relating to FY 2018 and FY 2019 amounting to Rs. 12.9 million and Rs. 14.9 million, respectively, approved by the RBI in FY 2020. Also includes a deferred bonus of previous years amounting to Rs. 4.9 million.
***
The stock options granted to Mr. Aditya Puri and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha have beenwas granted ata total quantum of 120,730
employee stock options for the closing market price of the Bank’s securitiesperformance in fiscal year 2021 based on the NSEapproval received from the RBI on the day prior to the date of grant.March 23, 2022. The options were granted vest at the rate of 25.0 percent on each of the four successive anniversaries from the date of the grant, subject to performance and approval of the RBI. The options so vested are to be exercised within two years from the respective dates of vesting.
April 12, 2022.
The Bank provides a gratuity scheme for the benefit of all employees who have completed a minimum of five years of continuous service, including our Managing Director, Executive Director and Officers. This scheme provides for the payment of a gratuity in the form of a
lump-sum
payment upon the retirement, termination or resignation of employment or death while in employment of its employees in an amount equal to 15 days’ basic salary, payable for each completed year of service. The Bank makes annual contributions to a gratuity fund administered by trustees and managed by insurance companies. The Bank accounts for the liability of future gratuity benefits based on an independent external actuarial valuation, which is carried out annually. Perquisites, which are evaluated as per the income tax rules, where applicable, or, alternatively, at the actual cost to the Bank, are also provided to directors. Available perquisites include furnished accommodation, including gas, electricity, water, telephone, furnishings and the use of a vehicle, club fees, personal accident insurance, reimbursement for medical expenses, leave travel concessions and retirement benefits, such as provident funds, superannuation fund gratuity and National Pension Scheme.
132

The details of sitting fees and remuneration paid to
Non-Executive
Directors NEDs during fiscal 2020year 2022 are as follows:
 
Name of the Director
  
Sitting Fees (Rs.)
   
Commission # (Rs.)
 
Mrs. Shyamala Gopinath
   2,900,000    —   
Mrs. Renu Karnad*
   150,000    —   
Mr. Malay Patel
   3,350,000    1,000,000 
Mr. Keki Mistry**
   1,450,000    1,000,000 
Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi
   2,100,000    1,000,000 
Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni
   2,750,000    1,000,000 
Mr. Sanjiv Sachar
   2,300,000    1,000,000 
Mr. Sandeep Parekh
   2,100,000    1,000,000 
Mr. M.D. Ranganath
   2,650,000    1,000,000 
Director
  
Sitting Fees

(in Rs.)
   
Remuneration to NEDs

(in Rs.)
 
Mr. Atanu Chakraborty
(1)
   3,650,000    3,170,699 
Mr. Malay Patel
   5,550,000    2,000,000 
Mr. Umesh Chandra Sarangi
   5,100,000    2,000,000 
Mr. Renu Karnad
   5,650,000    2,000,000 
Mr. Sanjiv Sachar
   5,800,000    2,000,000 
Mr. Sandeep Parekh
   4,350,000    2,000,000 
Mr. M.D. Ranganath
   6,450,000    2,000,000 
Dr. (Mrs.) Sunita Maheshwari
   2,100,000    2,000,000 
Mr. Lily Vadera
(2)
   600,000    690,217 
Mr. Srikanth Nadhamuni
(3)
   5,500,000    1,772,222 
Total
  
 
44,750,000
 
  
 
19,633,138
 
 
*(1)
Mrs. Renu KarnadDuring the year, Mr. Atanu Chakraborty was paid remuneration of Rs. 3,170,699, (
i.e.
, Rs. 3,500,000 per annum) on proportionate basis for the period from May 5, 2021 to March 31, 2022 as he was appointed as an Additional
Non-Executive
Director with effect from March 3, 2020, subject to the approval of shareholders at the ensuing Annual General Meeting. The shareholders of the Bank have approved the appointment of Mrs. Renu Karnad as a Non-ExecutivePart-time Chairman and Independent Director of the Bank at the AGM held on July 18, 2020.
**
Mr. Keki Mistry ceased to be a director of the Bank with effect from closeMay 5, 2021. The remuneration of business hours on January 18, 2020 on completionthe Chairman has been approved by the RBI.
(2)
Mrs. Lily Vadera was appointed as an Independent Director of a term of eight continuous years, being the maximum term prescribed under the Banking Regulation Act 1949.Bank with effect from November 26, 2021.
#(3)
Refers to commission for FYMr. Srikanth Nadhamuni tendered his resignation as NED
2018-19,(Non-Independent)
paid out in FY
2019-20.
of the Bank with effect from February 18, 2022.
During fiscal 2020year 2022, there were no other pecuniary relationships or transactions of the
Non-Executive
Directors NEDs
vis-a-visvis-à-vis
the Bank, except banking transactions in the ordinary course of business done on an
arm’s-length
basis.
130

AtDirectors and Constitution of Committees of the 22nd annual general meetingBoard (“RBI Guidelines”) dated April 26, 2021 and read with the relevant shareholders’ resolution passed at the 27
th
Annual General Meeting of the Bank held on July 21, 201617, 2021, the shareholders have approved the payment of profit-related commission to
Non-Executive
Directors, including Independent Directors, but excluding the Chairperson with effect from the fiscal 2016 (being the year in which RBI issued guidelines on compensation to
non-executive
directors of private sector banks), not exceeding in aggregate 1 percent of the net profitNEDs of the Bank, forother than the relevant fiscal subject to a maximumPart-time Chairman, were paid compensation in the form of Rupees one million per annum per Director.
The details of remuneration paid to employees who were employed throughout the year and were in receipt offixed remuneration of more than Rs. 10.2 million per annum and those employed2,000,000 each for part of thefiscal year and were2022. This is in receipt of remuneration of more than Rs. 0.85 million per month are given in Annexure 7addition to the Directors’ Report.sitting fees and reimbursement of
out-of-pocket
expenses paid for attending Committee & Board meetings.
Other than our Chairperson, Managing Director, and Executive Director, none of our Directors has a service contract with us.
133

Loans to Members of Our Senior Management
Loans to members of our senior management are granted in the normal course of business, as is the case with employees of the Bank. All loans granted to members of senior management are in accordance with the provisions of local regulations. The table below provides the details of staff loans granted to our senior management as of March 31, 2020:2022:
 
Name
  
Largest amount
outstanding since
March 31, 2019
   
Amount outstanding
as of March 31,
2020
   
Interest rate as of
March 31, 2020
%
   
Nature of Loan
 
   
(Rs. in millions, except percentages)
 
Mr. Aditya Puri
   24.73    21.20    2.00 to 5.00    Housing Loan 
Mr. Kaizad Barucha
   4.04    3.96    2.50    Housing Loan 
Ms. Ashima Bhat
   4.07    3.99    9.30    Housing Loan 
Mr. Ashish Parthasarthy
   5.00    4.91    9.30    Housing Loan 
Mr. Arvind Kapil
   0.14    0.04    5.00    Personal Loan 
Mr. Bhavesh Zaveri
   14.52    13.98    9.30    Housing Loan 
Mr. Bhavesh Zaveri
   0.52    0.34    5.00    Personal Loan 
Mr. Benjamin Frank
   0.59    0.48    9.30    Housing Loan 
Mr. Benjamin Frank
   0.18    0.07    5.00    Personal Loan 
Mr. Chakrapani Venkatachari
   11.15    9.82    9.30    Housing Loan 
Mr. Munish Mittal
   3.65    2.97    9.30    Housing Loan 
Mr. Munish Mittal
   0.43    0.27    5.00    Personal Loan 
Mr. Nirav Shah
   14.17    13.94    9.30    Housing Loan 
Mr. Nirav Shah
   0.25    0.16    5.00    Personal Loan 
Mr. Rakesh Singh
   14.17    13.86    9.30    Housing Loan 
Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan
   5.59    5.46    9.30    Housing Loan 
Ms. Smita Bhagat
   14.62    14.03    9.30    Housing Loan 
Mr. S. Sampathkumar
   1.84    1.80    9.30    Housing Loan 
Mr. S. Sampathkumar
   0.57    0.40    5.00    Personal Loan 
131

Name
  
Largest amount
outstanding since
March 31, 2021
   
Amount outstanding
as of March 31,
2022
   
Interest rate as of
March 31, 2022
%
   
Nature of Loan
 
                 
   
(Rs. in millions, except percentages)
 
Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan
   5.33    5.19    2.50    Housing Loan 
Ms. Ashima Bhat
   3.91    3.82    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Ashish Parthasarthy
   4.81    4.71    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Arvind Kapil
   7.50    7.40    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Arvind Kapil
   7.50    7.41    5.00    Additional Housing Loan 
Mr. Arvind Vohra
   2.44    2.38    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Bhavesh Zaveri
   6.68    6.39    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Bhavesh Zaveri
   6.73    6.44    5.00    Additional Housing Loan 
Mr. Bhavesh Zaveri
   0.25    0.16    5.00    Personal Loan 
Mr. Benjamin Frank
   0.36    0.24    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Benjamin Frank
   0.60��   0.49    5.00    Personal Loan 
Mr. Chakrapani Venkatachari
   4.07    3.40    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Chakrapani Venkatachari
   4.38    3.61    5.00    Additional Housing Loan 
Mr. Nirav Shah
   6.71    6.59    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Nirav Shah
   6.99    6.87    5.00    Additional Housing Loan 
Mr. Raveesh Bhatia
   0.56    0.55    5.00    Personal Loan 
Mr. Rakesh Singh
   6.71    6.54    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. Rakesh Singh
   6.83    6.66    5.00    Additional Housing Loan 
Ms. Smita Bhagat
   6.69    6.37    2.50    Housing Loan 
Ms. Smita Bhagat
   6.73    6.42    5.00    Additional Housing Loan 
Mr. S. Sampathkumar
   1.76    1.72    2.50    Housing Loan 
Mr. S. Sampathkumar
   0.6    0.49    5.00    Personal Loan 
EmployeesEmployees’ Stock Options
Our shareholders approved plan “A” in January 2000, plan “B” in June 2003, plan “C” in June 2005, plan “D” in June 2007, plan “E” in June 2010, plan “F” in June 2013 and Plan “G” in July 2016 for the issuance of stock options to employees and directors of the Bank under the ESOSs, namely
ESOS-001
to ESOS- 034.035. Under plan “A”, the option price is set as the average of the daily closing prices on the BSE during the 60 days preceding the grant date. Under plan “B”, the option price is set as the closing price on the business day preceding the grant date on whichever stock exchange in India has the highest trading volume for our shares during the two weeks preceding the date of grant. Under plans “C”, “D”, “E”, “F” and “G”, the option price is set as the closing price on the business day preceding the grant date on the stock exchange which has the highest trading volume. Our Nomination and Remuneration Committee (formerly, the Compensation Committee) has issued options under these plans several times since January 2000. Stock options granted under
ESOS-001
to
ESOS-009
vest at the rate of 30.0 percent, 30.0 percent and 40.0 percent on each of the three successive anniversaries following the date of grant, stock options granted under
ESOS-010
to
ESOS-013
vest at the rate of 50.0 percent on each of the two successive anniversaries following the date of grant, those granted under
ESOS-014
and
ESOS-015
vest completely on the first anniversary of the date of the grant, stock options granted under
ESOS-016
to
ESOS-018
vest at the rate of 75.0 percent and 25.0 percent on each of the two successive anniversaries following the date of grant, stock options granted under
ESOS-019
to
ESOS-026
vest at the rate of 40.0 percent, 30.0 percent and 30.0 percent on each of the three successive anniversaries, stock options granted under
ESOS-027
and
ESOS-028
vest at the rate of 40.0 percent, 30.0 percent and 30.0 percent at intervals of fifteen months, twenty-seven months and thirty –ninethirty-nine months, options granted under
ESOS-029
to
ESOS-32
vest at the rate of 35.0 percent, 30.0 percent, 20.0 percent and 15.0 percent on each of the four successive anniversaries and
ESOS-33
to ESOS 3437 vest at the rate of 25.0 percent on each of the four successive anniversaries. All of the above are subject to standard vesting conditions. In fiscal 2020, 36.7year 2022, 32.7 million equity shares having a face value of Rs. 1.0 each were allotted as a result of the exercise of stock options by the employees of the Bank. This resulted in our
paid-up
capital increasing by Rs. 36.732.7 million and the share premium by Rs. 18,450.126,064.6 million. As of March 31, 2020, 142,865,6022022, 158,106,016 options convertible to equity shares of Rs. 1.0 each were outstanding.
134

Other Compensation
All employees, including our Managing Director, Executive Director and officers, receive the benefit of our gratuity and provident fund retirement schemes. Our superannuation fund covers all employees at a senior manager level and above, including our Managing Director. Our gratuity fund, required under Indian law to be paid to an employee following the completion of a minimum of five years of continuous service, is a defined benefit plan which, upon the retirement, termination of employment or death while in employment of such employee, pays a lump sum equal to 15 days’ basic salary for each completed year of service. The superannuation fund is a retirement plan under which we contribute annually 13.0 percent (15.0 percent for the Managing Director, Executive Director and certain employees of CBoP) of the eligible employee’s annual salary to the administrator of the fund. In the case of the provident fund (“PF”), as required by Indian law, each of the employer and the employee contribute monthly at a determined rate of 12.0 percent of the employee’s PF base salary. Of this 12.0 percent, the Bank contributes a specified amount (8.33 percent of the lower of Rs. 15,000 or the employee’s PF base salary) to the pension scheme administered by the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, and the balance is contributed to a fund set up by the Bank and administered by a board of trustees.
Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Bank performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2020.2022. Based on this evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer, Mr. Aditya Puri,Sashidhar Jagdishan, and our Principal Financial Officer, Mr. Srinivasan Vaidyanathan, have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules
13a-15(e)
and
15d-15(e)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), are effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in filings and submissions under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions about required disclosure.
There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.
132

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules
13a-15(f)
and
15d-15(f)
of the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
 
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of our assets;
 
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and
 
provide reasonable assurance regarding the prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisitions, use or dispositions of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness for future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
135

Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2020.2021. In conducting its assessment, management based its evaluation on the framework contained in the Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013). Based on its assessment, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of March 31, 2020.2022. Our independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG Assurance and Consulting Services LLP (“KPMG”), has performed an integrated audit and has issued their report, included herein, on (1) our consolidated financial statements, and (2) the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of March 31, 2020. KPMG (Registered) (a partnership firm with Registration No. BA-62445) converted into KPMG Assurance and Consulting Services LLP (a Limited Liability Partnership with LLP Registration No. AAT-0367), with effect from July 23, 2020.2022.
Changes in Internal Controls
There were no changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could, or are reasonably likely to, materially affect these controls during the period covered by this report.
Audit Committee Financial Expert
Mr. M.D Ranganath and Mr. Sanjiv Sachar are the Audit Committee financial experts, as defined in Item 401(h) of Regulation
S-K,
and are independent pursuant to the applicable SEC rules.
Code of Ethics
We have a written Codecode of Ethics,conduct and ethics, which is applicable to the Board Members and officials of the Bank one level below the Board.Board (the “Code of Ethics”). We believe the codethis Code of Ethics constitutes a “code of ethics”, as defined in Item 16B of Form
20-F.
We will provide a copy of such Code of Ethics to any person without charge upon request. Requests may be made by writing to shareholder.grievances@hdfcbank.com.
We also have a whistleblower policy that contains procedures for receiving, retainingencourage an open and treating complaints received,transparent system of working and procedures fordealings among our employees, customers and members of the confidential and anonymous submission by employees of complaints, regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters or conduct which results in a violation of law bygeneral public coming into contact with the Bank or in a substantial mismanagementby adopting the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior. The Bank’s whistle blower policy (the “Whistle Blower Policy”) aims at quickly spotting aberrations and dealing with them at the Bank’s resources. Under this whistleblower policy,earliest through an established mechanism. It enables our employees are encouragedand other stakeholders to report questionable accounting matters or any fraudulent financial information provided to our shareholders,make protected disclosures under the government or the financial markets, or any conduct that results in a violationWhistle Blower Policy without fear of law by the Bank, to our management (on an anonymous basis, if employees so desire). Under this policy we have also prohibitedreprisal, retaliation, discrimination retaliation or harassment of any kind againstkind. Through the Whistle Blower Policy, the Bank empowers employees and other stakeholders to make or report protected disclosures related to any employee who, based onviolation or suspected violation of the employee’s reasonable belief that such conductCode of Conduct, including (a) breaches of applicable law, (b) fraud or practices have occurredcorruption, (c) leakage/suspected leakage of unpublished price sensitive information in violation of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations 2015 and the related internal policy of the Bank,
i.e.
, the Share Dealing Code of the Bank, and (d) willful data breach or are occurring, reports such information or participates in an investigation.
133

Tableunauthorized disclosure of Contentsthe Bank’s proprietary data, including customer data.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The following table sets forth, for the fiscal years indicatesindicated, the fees pertaining to our principal accountant and its associated entities for various services provided during thesethose periods:
 
  
Fiscal Year Ended
   
Fiscal Year Ended
 
Type of Services
  
March 31, 2019
   
March 31, 2020
   
Description of Services
   
March 31, 2021
   
March 31, 2022
   
Description of Services
 
            
  
(in millions)
       
(in millions)
     
Audit services
  Rs. 52.2   Rs. 50.8    Audit of financial statements   Rs.61.7   Rs.63.7    Audit of financial statements 
Audit-related services
   2.7    5.1    Limited review    6.7    19.2    Limited review 
Tax services
   2.4    —      Tax services    —      —      Tax services 
Other services
   6.4    5.7    Certification/other services    2.5    13.9    Certification & other services 
Total
  Rs.63.7   Rs.61.6     Rs.70.9   Rs.96.8   
136

Our Audit Committee charter requires us to receive the approval of our Audit Committee on every occasion on which we engage our principal accountants or their associated entities to provide any
non-audit
services to us. All of the
non-audit
services provided to us by our principal accountants or their associated entities in the previous two fiscal years have been
pre-approved
by our Audit Committee.
Compliance with NYSE Listing Standards on Corporate Governance
We are incorporated under the Companies Act and our equity shares are listed on the BSE Limited (formerly known as Bombay Stock Exchange Limited) and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, which are the major stock exchanges in India. Our corporate governance framework is in compliance with the Companies Act 2013 and rules made thereunder, the regulations and guidelines of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”)(Listing Obligations and the requirements of the listing agreements entered into with the Indian stock exchangesDisclosure Requirements) Regulations 2015 (“SEBI Listing Agreement”Regulations”). We also have American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”).
Companies listed on the NYSE must comply with certain standards of corporate governance set forth in Section 303A of the NYSE’s Listed Company Manual. Listed companies that are foreign private issuers, as the term is defined in Rule
3b-4
of the Exchange Act, are permitted to follow home country practices in lieu of the provisions of this Section 303A, except that foreign private issuers are required to comply with the requirements of Sections 303A.06, 303A.11 and 303A.12(b) and (c) of the NYSE’s Listed Company Manual. As per these requirements, a foreign private issuer must:
 
 1.
Establish an independent audit committee that has specified responsibilities and authority. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.06];
 
 2.
Provide prompt written notice by its chief executive officerCEO if any executive officer becomes aware of any
non-compliance
with any applicable corporate governance rules. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.12(b)];
 
 3.
Provide to the NYSE annual written affirmations with respect to its corporate governance practices, and interim written affirmations in the event of a change to the board or a board committee. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.12(c)]; and
 
 4.
Include a statement of significant differences between its corporate governance practices and those followed by United States companies in the annual report of the foreign private issuer. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.11].
134

In a few cases, the Indian corporate governance rules under SEBI Listing Regulations differ from those in the NYSE’s Listed Company Manual as summarized below:
 
NYSE Corporate Governance Standards applicable to NYSE
Listed
Companies
  
Corporate Governance Rules as per SEBI Listing Regulations
An NYSE listed company needs to have a majority of independent directors. [ NYSE[NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.01 ]303A.01]  
The board of a listed company must have a combination of executive and
non-executive
directors, including at least one female director, and not less than 50 percent of the directors may be
non-executive
directors. The board of directors of the 500 largest listed entities, as determined by market capitalization at the end of the most recent financial year, shall have at least one independent female director by April 1, 2019 and the board of directors of the 1,000 largest listed entities, as determined by market capitalization at the end of the most recent financial year, shall have at least one independent female director by April 1, 2020.
 
If:No listed entity shall appoint a person or continue the directorship of any person as a
non-executive
director who has attained the age of 75 years unless a special resolution is passed to that effect, in which case the explanatory statement annexed to the notice for such motion shall indicate the justification for appointing such a person if: (i) the chairperson of the board of directors is a
non-executive
director, at least
one-third
of the board of directors must be comprised of independent directors; (ii) the company does not have a regular
non-executive
chairperson, at least half of the board of directors must be comprised of independent directors; and (iii) the regular
non-executive
chairperson is a promoter of the listed company or is related to any promoter or person occupying management positions at the level of board of director or at one level below the board of directors, at least half of the board of directors of the listed company must consist of independent directors.
137

The requirements under the SEBI Listing Regulations which become applicable to a listed entity on the basis of market capitalization criteria continue to apply to such entity even if when it falls below the specified threshold.
A director must meet certain criteria in order to qualify as “independent”. An NYSE listed company must disclose the identity of its independent directors and the basis upon which it is determined that they are independent. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.02 ]  
A director must meet certain criteria in order to qualify as “independent”.
The appointment, reappointment or removal of an independent director of a listed entity, shall be subject to the approval of shareholders by way of a special resolution. No independent director, who resigns from a listed entity, shall be appointed as an executive or full-time director on the board of the listed entity, its holding, subsidiary or associate company or on the board of a company belonging to its promoter group, unless a period of one year has elapsed from the date of resignation as an independent director.
Executive Sessions
  
Non-management
directors need to meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management. [ NYSE[NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.03 ]
303A.03]
  The board of directors of a listed company must meet at least four times a year, with a maximum time gap of 120 days between any two meetings. The independent directors of the listed company must hold at least one meeting each year without the presence of the
non-independent
directors and the members of management, and all the independent directors have to endeavor to be present at such meeting.
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee
  
An NYSE listed company needs to have a nominating/corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors. [ NYSE[NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.04 ]303A.04]  A listed company needs to have a nomination and remuneration committee. All members of the nomination and remuneration committee must be
non-executive
directors and at least 50 percent must be independent directors. Where a listed company has equity shares with superior voting rights issued and outstanding,
two-thirds
of the
non-executive
directors must be independent directors.
135

  Listed companies in India are not required to constitute a separate corporate governance committee. The Companies Act 2013 and the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations 2015 (the “SEBI Listing Regulations”) prescribe the corporate governance requirements which include,
inter alia
, obligations regarding the appointment of internal auditors, the constitution of the board of directors as per the prescribed composition and the constitution of an audit committee and nomination and remuneration committee.
The nominating/corporate governance committee needs to have a written charter that addresses certain specific committee purposes and responsibilities and provides for an annual performance evaluation of the committee. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.04 ]303A.04]  The nomination and remuneration committee must have the terms of reference specified in the SEBI Listing Regulations and the Companies Act 2013 such as formulating criteria to determine the qualifications, positive attributes and independence of directors, formulating criteria to evaluate the performance of directors, recommending a remuneration policy for directors and devising a board diversity policy.
Compensation Committee
  
An NYSE listed company needs to have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors. Compensation committee members must satisfy certain additional independence requirements set forth in Section 303A.02 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual by the deadline specified therein. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.05]  A listed company is permitted to have a combined nomination and remuneration committee. All members of the nomination and remuneration committee must be
non-executive
directors and at least 50 percent must be independent directors. Where a listed company has equity shares with superior voting rights issued and outstanding,
two-thirds
of the
non-executive
directors must be independent directors. The chairperson of the nomination and remuneration committee must be an independent director.
138

The compensation committee needs to have a written charter that addresses certain specific rights, purposes and responsibilities of the committee, and provides for an annual performance evaluation of the committee. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.05]  The terms of reference and the role of the nomination and remuneration committee have been specified under the Companies Act 2013 and SEBI Listing Regulations and must include,
inter alia
, formulating the policy relating to the remuneration of directors, key managerial personnel and other employees, formulating criteria to determine the qualifications, positive attributes and independence of directors and formulating criteria to evaluate the performance of directors.
136

Audit Committee
  
An NYSE listed company needs to have an audit committee with at least three members. All the members of the audit committee must satisfy the independence requirements of Rule
10A-3
under the Exchange Act and the requirements of NYSE Corporate Governance Standard 303A.02. [ NYSE[NYSE Listed Company Manual Sections 303A.06 and 303A.07 ]303A.07]
  A listed company must have a qualified audit committee with a minimum of three directors as members and at least
two-thirds
of such members must be independent directors. In case of a listed entity having outstanding equity shares with superior voting rights, the audit committee must consist of only independent directors. All members of the audit committee should be financially literate and at least one member must have accounting or related financial management expertise.
The audit committee needs to have a written charter that addresses certain specific purposes of the committee, provides for an annual performance evaluation of the committee and sets forth certain specific minimum duties and responsibilities. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.07 ]303A.07]  The terms of reference and the role of the audit committee of a listed company have been specified in the SEBI Listing Regulations and the Companies Act 2013 and include,
inter alia
, oversight of the listed company’s financial reporting process and disclosure of its financial information to ensure that such information is correct, sufficient and credible, the recommendation for appointment and remuneration of the auditors of the listed company, and the review of the auditor’s independence and performance.
Internal Audit Function
  
An NYSE listed company needs to have an internal audit function to provide management and the audit committee with ongoing assessments of the company’s risk management processes and system of internal control. A company may choose to outsource this function to a third partythird-party service provider other than its independent auditor. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.07 ]303A.07]  A listed company must appoint an internal auditor to conduct an internal audit. The auditor must review the accounts of the company and submit a report along with financial statements of the company placed before the company in a general meeting. It is the role of the audit committee to review the adequacy of the company’s internal audit function and all internal audit reports relating to internal control weaknesses of the company. The audit committee should also evaluate the internal financial controls and risk management systems of the company.
  
In addition, a listed company must put in place procedures to inform board members about risk assessment and minimization procedures. The board of directors is responsible for framing, implementing and monitoring the company’s risk assessment and minimization plan. Further, the top 5001000 listed companies (determined on the basis of market capitalization as at the end of the immediately previous financial year) and companies qualifying as a ‘high value debt listed entity’ must establish a risk management committee, consisting of at least three members with a majority of them being board members including at least one independent director, and, in case of a listed entity having outstanding equity shares with superior voting rights, at least
two-thirds
of the Risk Management Committee shall comprise independent directors. The board of directors shall define the roles and responsibilities of the risk management committee. Where a listed company has equity shares with superior voting rights issued and outstanding, two thirds
two-thirds
of the committee members are required to be independent directors.
 
The board may delegate the monitoring and review of the risk management plan to the risk management committee.
 
137139

Shareholder Approval of Equity Compensation Plans
  
Shareholders must be given the opportunity to vote on all equity-compensation plans and material revisions thereto, with limited exemptions. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.08]  Under the SEBI (Share Based Employee Benefits)Benefits and Sweat Equity) Regulations, 2014,2021, shareholders’ approval is required for all equity compensation plans and material revisions thereto.
Corporate Governance Guidelines/Code of Ethics
  
An NYSE listed company needs to adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.09]  A listed company is required to comply with all mandatory corporate governance requirements as prescribed under the Companies Act 2013 and the SEBI Listing Regulations, and disclose such compliance to stock exchanges in the corporate governance report contained in the listed company’s annual report. The listed company should also state in its annual report the extent to which it has complied with the
non-mandatory
corporate governance requirements. The listed entity is also required to submit a compliance report on corporate governance on a quarterly basis.
An NYSE listed company needs to adopt and disclose a code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees, and promptly disclose any waivers of the code for directors or executive officers. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.10]  A listed company needs to adopt a code of conduct (or code of ethics), which is applicable to all members of the board of directors and senior management. The company’s annual report and the yearly compliance report on corporate governance must both disclose any
non-compliance
with any requirement of the compliance report on corporate governance and contain a declaration signed by the chief executive officerCEO stating that all board members and senior management personnel have complied with the code of conduct.
Certifications as to Compliance
  
The CEO of each NYSE listed company has to certify on an annual basis that he or she is not aware of any violation by the company of the NYSE corporate governance listing standards. This certification, as well as the CEO/CFO certification required under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, must be disclosed in the company’s annual report to shareholders. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.12]  The CEO and the CFO are required to provide an annual certification on the true and fair view of the company’s financial statements and compliance with existing accounting standards, applicable laws and regulations. In addition, a listed company is required to submit a quarterly compliance report and an annual corporate governance report to stock exchanges which must include a certificate from either the auditors or the practicing company secretary regarding the company’s compliance with the conditions of corporate governance. A listed company is also required to submit a secretarial compliance report to stock exchanges annually.
138

Posting of Charters and Guidelines on Website
  
An NYSE listed company is required to post the charters of its audit, compensation, and nominating/corporate governance committees, its corporate governance guidelines, and its code of business conduct and ethics on the company’s website, and to state in its proxy statement or annual report that these documents are so posted. The listed company’s website address must be included in such postings. [NYSE Listed Company Manual Sections 303A.04, 303A.05, 303A.07, 303A.09 and 303A.10]  A listed company must maintain a functional website containing information about the company including,
inter alia
, information regarding the composition of various board committees, the company’s code of conduct, details of certain of its policies, a copy of the annual report and contact information.
 
139140

Memorandum and Articles of Association
Our main objective is to carry on banking and related activities. Our objective and purpose can be found in clauses A and B of our Articles.
Under the Articles, a director may not vote, participate in discussions or be counted for the purpose of a quorum with respect to any decision relating to whether we will enter into any contract or arrangement if the director is directly or indirectly interested in such contract or arrangement. The Board of Directors may not hold meetings in the absence of a quorum. Under the Companies Act, the quorum for meetings of the Board is
one-third
of the total number of directors (any fraction contained in that
one-third
being rounded off as one) or two directors, whichever is higher. However, where the number of interested directors is equal to or exceeds
two-thirds
of the total number of directors present, the remaining number of directors (
i.e.,
directors who are not interested) present at the meeting, being not less than two, will constitute the quorum during such time. Pursuant to the SEBI Listing Regulations, the quorum for meetings of the Board shall be
one-third
of its total strength or three directors, whichever is higher, including at least one independent director.
Pursuant to the Companies Act, our directors have the power to borrow money for business purposes only with the consent of the shareholders (with certain limited exceptions) through a special resolution (with three-fourths majority).
Sections 172 to 187 of the Articles set forth certain rights and restrictions relating to dividend distributions. One of these restrictions is that dividends may be approved only at a general meeting of shareholders, but in no event in an amount greater than the amount recommended by the Board of Directors.
Subject to the Companies Act, the profits of a company are divisible among shareholders in proportion to the amount of capital paid up on the shares held by those shareholders. In the event of liquidation, any surplus will be distributed in proportion to the capital paid up or which ought to have been paid up on the shares held by the shareholders at the time of commencement of the winding up.
winding-up.
The Board of Directors may make calls on shareholders in respect of all money unpaid on the shares held by them and not by the conditions of allotment thereof.
The rights and privileges of any class of shareholders may not be modified without the approval of three-fourths of the issued shares of that class or the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the issued shares of that class.
The annual general meeting shall be called for at a time during business hours at our registered office or at some other place within Mumbai as the Board of Directors may determine. The notice of the meeting shall specify it as the “annual general meeting”. Any general meeting of the shareholders of the Bank other than its annual general meeting is called an “extraordinary general meeting”. The Board of Directors is required to call an extraordinary general meeting upon the request of a set number of shareholders, as set forth in the Companies Act.
 
140141

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The following table contains information relating to the beneficial ownership of our equity shares as of March 31, 20202022 by:
 
each person or group of affiliated persons known by us to beneficially own 5 percent or more of our equity shares; and
 
our individual directors and their relatives as a group.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting and investment power with respect to equity shares. Unless otherwise indicated, the persons listed in the table have sole voting and sole investment control with respect to all equity shares beneficially owned. All shares issued in India have the same voting rights. We have not issued different classes of securities.
By an ordinary resolution on July 12, 2019, the shareholders of the Bank approved a sub-division (stock split) of equity shares to reduce the face value of each equity share from Rs. 2.0 to Rs. 1 per equity share effective as of September 20, 2019. The number of issued and subscribed equity shares increased to 5,470,763,894 shares of par value Rs. 1.0 each. All share/ADS and per share/ADS data reflect the effect of the stock split retroactively. One ADS continues to represent three equity shares.
We were founded by our promoter HDFC Limited, a housing finance company in India. As of March 31, 2020,2022, HDFC Group held an aggregate of 21.2421.00 percent of our equity shares.
 
   
Number of Shares
   
Percentage of

Total Equity

Shares

Outstanding
 
HDFC Group
   1,164,625,834    21.24
Directors and relatives
   12,546,251    0.23
   
Number of Shares
   
Percentage of
Total Equity
Shares
Outstanding
 
HDFC Group
   1,164,625,834    21.00
Directors and relatives
   48,77,958    0.09
One ADS is represented by three equity shares. The ADSs are represented by underlying equity shares. As onof March 31, 2020,2022, Indian equity shares totaling 1,028,115,5281,028,115,525 were held in the form of ADSs and constituted 18.7518.54 percent of the Bank’s capital. In our records, the depositary, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., was the only shareholder with respect to equity shares underlying ADSs. We are unable to estimate the number of record holders of ADSs in the United States.
States
 
141142

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The following is a summary of transactions we have engaged in with our promoter and principal shareholder, HDFC Limited, and its subsidiaries and other related parties, including those in which we or our management have a significant equity interest.
All transactions with HDFC group companies and the other related parties listed below are on terms that we believe are as favorable to us as those that could be obtained from a
non-affiliated
third party in an
arm’s-length
transaction. In addition, the RBI guidelines stipulate that we can only transact business with HDFC Limited and its affiliates on an
arm’s-length
basis.
Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited (“HDFC Limited”)
Home Loans
We participate in the home loan business by sellingsourcing loans provided byfor HDFC Limited. Under this arrangement, HDFC Limited approves and disburses the loans, which are kept on the books of HDFC Limited, and we are paid a sourcing fee. We also have an option but not an obligation to purchase up to 70 percent of the fully disbursed home loans sourced under this arrangement. During fiscal 2020,year 2022, we purchased home loans aggregating Rs. 241,272.5282,052.4 million from HDFC Limited under the above arrangement, some of which qualified as priority sector advances. We earned Rs. 2,841.44,458.4 million from HDFC Limited in fiscal 2020year 2022 as fees for sellingsourcing these loans. We paid Rs. 5,612.27,008.8 million to HDFC Limited towards administration and servicing of these loans. An amount of Rs. 444.6653.0 million was receivable from HDFC Limited as of March 31, 2020.2022. An amount of Rs. 997.9637.0 million was payable to HDFC Limited as of March 31, 2020.2022.
Property
We have facilities located on properties owned or leased by HDFC Limited. In fiscal 2020,year 2022, we paid an aggregate of Rs. 25.819.2 million as rental fees maintenance and servicemaintenance charges to HDFC Limited for use of these properties. As of March 31, 2020,2022, an amount of Rs. 4.94.4 million was payable to HDFC Limited. We believe that we pay market rates for these properties. As of March 31, 2020,2022, HDFC Limited held a deposit of Rs. 4.73.2 million that we have paid to secure these leased properties.
Other Transactions
We also enter into foreign exchange and derivative transactions with HDFC Limited. The notional principal amount and the mark to market
mark-to-market
gains in respect of foreign exchange and derivative contracts outstanding as of March 31, 20202022 were Rs. 120,099.5111,787.1 million and Rs. 53.51,101.1 million, respectively. We have issuedgiven a guarantee of Rs. 3.9 million on behalf of HDFC Limited. We earned Rs.19.4Rs. 7.3 million by rendering of various services to HDFC Limited. As of March 31, 2020,2022, an amount of Rs. 0.3 million was receivable from HDFC Limited towards these services.
During fiscal 2020,year 2022, we paid a dividend (including a special dividend)dividends of Rs. 8,646.25,620.0 million to HDFC Limited.
HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited (“HDFC Life”)
In fiscal 2020,year 2022, we paid HDFC Life Rs. 1,560.32,545.8 million as our contribution towards superannuation, gratuity and insurance premiums. In the same period, we received fees and commissions from HDFC Life aggregating Rs. 14,746.021,150.5 million for the sale of insurance policies and other services. As of March 31, 2020,2022, Rs. 966.61,248.6 million was receivable from HDFC Life. During fiscal 2020,year 2022, we received Rs. 26,165.9 million for debt securities sold to HDFC Life, and we paid Rs. 2,006.2 million for debt securities of Rs. 26,213.8 million and purchased from HDFC Life. As of March 31, 2022, HDFC Life debt securitieshad invested Rs. 3,500.0 million in the Bank’s bonds. During fiscal year 2022, we paid dividends of Rs. 4,872.8 million. During fiscal 2020, we paid a dividend (including a special dividend) of Rs. 308.0119.7 million to HDFC Life.
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HDFC Asset Management Company Limited (“HDFC AMC”)
In fiscal 2020,year 2022, we earned Rs. 41.91.0 million fees from HDFC AMC for the distribution of units of mutual fundstowards referral fees and other services rendered. As of March 31, 2020, fees2022, an amount of Rs. 0.20.1 million werewas receivable from HDFC AMC.
HDFC Ergo General Insurance Company Limited (“HDFC Ergo”)
We paid Rs. 1,559.22,013.1 million for insurance premiums to HDFC Ergo towards insurance premiums in fiscal 2020.year 2022. During fiscal 2020,year 2022, we received Rs. 2,146.21,661.0 million for the sale of insurance policies and other services rendered. As of March 31, 2020,2022, an amount of Rs. 183.7159.9 million was receivable from HDFC Ergo. As of March 31, 2020,2022, HDFC Ergo had invested Rs. 200.0 million in the Bank’s Tier II bonds. We have given a guarantee of Rs. 20.927.9 million on behalf of HDFC Ergo. During fiscal 2020,year 2022, we received Rs. 2,712.0 million for debt securities sold to HDFC Ergo, debt securities of Rs. 1,547.2 million.Ergo.
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HDFC Credila Financial Services Private Limited (“Credila”)
During fiscal 2020,year 2022, we earned Rs. 51.0126.8 million in fees from Credila for sourcing education loans. As of March 31, 2020, our investments in debt securities of Credila amounted to2022, Rs. 6,000.0 million. As of March 31, 2020, Rs. 10.833.3 million was receivable from Credila.
HDFC Pension Management Company Limited (“HDFC PMC”)
We have given a guarantee of Rs. 9.00.1 million on behalf of HDFC PMC.PMC, which is a subsidiary of HDFC Life.
HDFC Investments Limited (“HDFC Investments”)
During fiscal 2020year 2022, we paid a dividend (including a special dividend)dividends of Rs. 3,000.01,950.0 million to HDFC Investments.
HDFC Holdings Limited (“HDFC Holdings”)
During fiscal 2020,year 2022, we paid a dividend (including a special dividend)dividends of Rs. 0.1 million to HDFC Holdings.
HDFC ERGO Health Insurance Limited( “HDFC Ergo Health”Ventures Trustee Company Limited (“HDFC Venture Trustee”) (formerly known as Apollo Munich Health Insurance Co. Ltd.
During fiscal year 2022, we earned Rs. 0.1 million fees from HDFC Venture Trustee for services rendered.
Key Management Personnel (“KMP”)
In fiscal 2020, HDFC Ergo Health became a related party by virtue of becoming a subsidiary of HDFC Limited effective from January 9, 2020. During that period, we received Rs. 11.5 million for the sale of insurance policies and other services. As of March 31, 2020, Rs. 3.4 million was receivable from HDFC Ergo Health.
GRUH Finance Limited (“GRUH Finance”)
In fiscal 2020, Gruh Finance ceased to be a related party of the Bank as a result of the merger between Gruh Finance and Bandhan Bank Limited, which became effective on October 17, 2019. In fiscal 2020 we earned Rs. 5.1 million fees from GRUH Finance for services rendered.
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Key Management Personnel
In fiscal 2020,year 2022, we paid a total remuneration of Rs. 275.6171.6 million to Mr. Aditya Puri,Sashidhar Jagdishan, our managing directorManaging Director and Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha, our executive director. In the same fiscal year, we paid Rs. 3.1 million to Mr. Kaizad Bharucha, as rent for his residential accommodation.Executive Director. As of March 31, 2020,2022, the outstanding balance of the security deposit we had given to Mr. Kaizad Bharucha was Rs.7.6 million. As of March 31, 2020, the outstanding balances of the housing loans given to Mr. Aditya PuriSashidhar Jagdishan was Rs. 5.2 million. During fiscal year 2022, we paid dividends aggregating to Rs. 25.0 million to Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha were Rs. 21.2 million and Rs. 4.0 million, respectively. During fiscal 2020, we paid a dividend (including a special dividend) aggregating to Rs.104.0 million to Mr. Aditya Puri and Mr. Kaizad Bharucha.
Salisbury Investments Private Limited (“Salisbury Investments”)
We have paid a security deposit of Rs. 35.0 million to Salisbury Investments. In fiscal 2020, we paid rent of Rs. 6.6 million for the residential accommodation of our managing director to Salisbury Investments in which the relatives of the managing director hold a stake.
 
144

TAXATION
Indian Taxation
The following is a summary of the principal Indian tax consequences for
non-resident
investors of the ADSs and the equity shares issuable on surrender of ADSs for equity shares (conversion). The summary is based on the provisions of Section 115AC and other applicable provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961) (Indian Income Tax Act) and the Depositary Receipt Scheme, 2014 promulgated by the Government of India (the “Depositary Receipt Scheme”) (together, the “Section 115AC Regime”). Further, it only addresses the tax consequences for persons who are
non-residents,
as defined in the Indian Income Tax Act, who acquire ADSs or equity shares (upon conversion) and who hold such ADSs or equity shares (upon conversion) as capital assetassets as per the Indian Income Tax Act, and does not address the tax consequences which may be relevant to other classes of
non-resident
investors, including dealers. The summary assumes that the person continues to remain a
non-resident
when income by way of dividends and capital gains is earned.
EACH INVESTOR IS ADVISED TO CONSULT HIS/HER TAX ADVISOR ABOUT THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES APPLICABLE TO HIS/HER INVESTMENT IN THE ADSs.
The following discussion describes the material Indian income tax and stamp duty consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposal of the ADSs.
This summary is not intended to constitute a complete analysis of the tax consequences under Indian law of the acquisition, ownership and sale of the ADSs (or equity shares upon conversion) by
non-resident
investors. Investors should therefore consult their tax advisors about the tax consequences of such acquisition, ownership and sale including, specifically, tax consequences under Indian law, the laws of the jurisdiction of their residence, any tax treaty between India and their country of residence or the United States, the country of residence of the overseas depositary bank (the “Depositary”), as applicable, and, in particular, the Section 115AC regime. The Indian Income Tax Act is amended every year by the Finance Act of the relevant year. Some or all of the tax consequences of the Section 115AC regime may be modified or amended by future amendments to the Indian Income Tax Act.
Taxation of Distributions
Prior to April 1, 2020, Indian companies distributing dividends were subject to a dividend distribution tax on the amount of any dividends distributed. The Finance Act 2020 amended
Section 115-O
of the Indian Income tax Act such that Indian companies are no longer required to pay dividend distribution tax on dividends declared, distributed or paid (whichever is earlier) after March 31, 2020. However, such dividends received on our shares are no longer
tax-exempt
to recipientrecipients under Section 10(34) of the Indian Income Tax Act (other than those where tax under section
115-Osection115-O
or 115BBDA has already been already paid).
Further, the provisions of Section 115BBDA, which deals with tax on dividends to be paid by a resident specified assessee,
i.e.,
, persons other than domestic companies, fund/university/trust/institution/other entities referred to in clauses (iv), (v), (vi) and (via) under section 10(23C) and a trust or institution registered under section 12A or section 12AA or section 12AB, provide that tax at a rate of 10.0 percent on dividend income above Rs. 1 million is no longer applicable. In addition, section 115AC of the Indian Income taxTax Act provides that if total income of a
non-resident
includes income by way of dividends on ADRs, then the same shall be taxable at the rate of 10.0 percent plus applicable surcharge and cess. Accordingly, dividends distributed to the Depositary in respect of the equity shares underlying the ADSs, dividends distributed to ADS holders in respect of the ADSs, and dividends distributed to the holders of the equity shares following conversion of the ADSs into shares are taxable in the hands of holders at 10.0 percent plus applicable surcharge and cesscess.
Distribution to
non-residents
of bonus ADSs or bonus shares or rights to subscribe for equity shares for the purposes of this section, ((“
Rights
”) made with respect to ADSs or equity shares should not be subject to Indian tax provided that there is no disproportionate or
non-uniform
allotment.
Taxation of Capital Gains in Relation to ADSs
The taxation of capital gains in the hands of the
non-resident
investor in the time of ADSs and after conversion of ADSs into equity shares is set forth below.
145

Transfer of ADSs betweenBetween
non-residentsNon-Residents
The transfer of ADSs by a
non-resident
to another
non-resident
outside India is covered under Section 115AC of the Indian Income Tax Act. However, pursuant to a specific exemption under Section 47(viia) of the Indian Income Tax Act, this is not considered a “transfer”, and therefore is not liable to capital gains tax in India.
145

Conversion of ADSs into Equity Shares
The receipt of equity shares by a
non-resident
upon conversion of ADSs should not constitute a taxable event for Indian income tax purposes as per the provisions of section 47(x) of the Indian Income Tax Act.
Sale of Equity Shares Received Upon Conversion of ADSs
The Finance Act, 2018 has withdrawn the exemption granted to gains arising on account of transfer of a long-termlong term capital asset being an equity shares listed on a recognized stock exchange. To tax such gains, new section 112A has been inserted under the Act. However, for the purpose of computing the period of holding of such equity share, provisions of Explanation 1(he) to section 2(42A) provides that the period of holding of the ADSs shall also be considered. If, on the other hand, equity shares received upon conversion of ADSs and the total period of holding is below 12 months from the date of request for redemption, and the sale is through a recognized stock exchange and STT is paid in respect of such sale, then the gains realized are considered short-termshort term capital gains. Such gains are taxable at the rate of 15.0 percent, plus the applicable surcharge and education cess, under Section 111A(1)(b)(i) of the Indian Income Tax Act.
In respect of a sale and purchase of equity shares entered into on a recognized stock exchange, both the buyer and the seller are required to pay STT on the basis of the transaction value of the securities, if the transaction is a delivery baseddelivery-based transaction, which means that the transaction involves actual delivery or transfer of shares. The seller of the shares is required to pay applicable STT of the transaction value of the securities if the transaction is a
non-delivery
based transaction, which means that the transaction is settled without taking actual delivery or transfer of the shares, as would be the case with our equity shares.
For the purpose of computing capital gains tax on the sale of the equity shares, the cost of acquisition of equity shares received in exchange for ADSs will be determined on the basis of the prevailing price of the equity shares on the BSE or the NSE as of the date on which the depositary gives notice to its custodian for the delivery of such equity shares upon redemption of the ADSs. A
non-resident
holder’s holding period (for the purpose of determining the applicable Indian capital gains tax) in respect of equity shares received in exchange for ADSs commences on the date on which a request for redemption of the ADSs was made by the relevant Depositary to its custodian.
The provision of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (the “DTAA”) entered into by the Government of India with the country of residence of the
non-resident
investor will be applicable to the extent they are more beneficial to the
non-resident
investor [sectionsection 90(2)]. The India-United States income tax treaty does not limit India’s ability to tax capital gains. However, section 90(2A) has made the beneficial provision clause provided under section 90(2) is now subject to the provisions of General Anti-Avoidance Rules under Chapter
X-A.
Tax on
Buy-back
Buyback of Shares
The Finance Act (No. 2), 2019 has proposed to amendAs per section 115QA of the Act. The effect of this amendment would mean thatIndian Income Tax Act, a company listed on the stock exchange would haveis required to pay the additional income tax on distributed income on the buyback of shares. Distributed income has been defined under the Act as the difference between the money received by the shareholder on buyback and the issue price of the shares which the Company would have received at the time of issuance of the shares.
146

Tax Deduction at Source and returnReturn of incomeIncome
Tax on dividends, long-termlong term and short-termshort term capital gains, if payable, as discussed above, upon a sale of equity shares, is to be deducted at source by the person responsible for paying the
non-resident,
in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Indian Income Tax Act, and the
non-resident
will be entitled to a certificate evidencing such tax deduction in accordance with the provisions of Section 203 of the Indian Income Tax Act. However, as per the provisions of Section 195 of the Indian Income Tax Act, any income other than income from salaries or other specific sections provided for the purpose of withholding tax shall be as per the Indian Income Tax Act or the provisions of the DTAA subject to Chapter
X-A
of the Act, (whichever is more beneficial to the assessee), unless a lower withholding tax certificate is obtained from the tax authorities. Further, the
non-resident
investor must furnish a certificate of his or her residence in a country outside India as per section 90(4) of the Indian Income Tax Act, and such other documents as may be prescribed as per the provision of section 90(5) of the Indian Income Tax Act, to get the benefit of the applicable DTAA. The withholding tax rates are subject to the recipients of income furnishing details, as may be prescribed, to the payer. Failure to provide such details will result in the applicable withholding tax rate being the higher of the rates in force or 20.0 percent, in accordance with section 206AA of the Indian Income Tax Act.
As per provisions of Sec.Section 115A, if a
non-resident
has income from dividends, interest, royalty or fees for technical services only during the year and tax has been deducted on the same and the rate of tax deduction is not less than the rate specified in sectionSection 115A, then the
non-resident
is not required to file the return of income in India.
146

Capital Losses
Neither Section 115AC nor the Depositary Receipt Scheme deals with capital losses arising on a transfer of equity shares in India. In general terms, losses arising from a transfer of a capital asset in India can only be set off against capital gains on transfer of another capital asset. Furthermore, a long-termlong term capital loss can be set off only against a long-termlong term capital gain. To the extent that losses are not absorbed in the year of transfer, they may be carried forward for a period of eight assessment years immediately succeeding the assessment year for which the loss was first determined by the assessing authority and may be set off against the capital gains assessable for such subsequent assessment years. In order to set off capital losses as above, the
non-resident
investor would be required to file appropriate and timely tax returns in India and undergo the customary assessment procedures.
Stamp Duty
There is no stamp duty on the sale or transfer of ADSs outside India.
Generally, the transfer of ordinary shares in physical form would be subject to Indian stamp duty at the applicable rate of the market value of the ordinary shares on the trade date, and such stamp duty customarily is borne by the transferee,
i.e.
, the purchaser. In order to register a transfer of equity shares in physical form, it is necessary to present a stamped deed of transfer. An acquisition of shares in physical form from the depositary in exchange for ADSs representing such equity shares will not render an investor liable for Indian stamp duty. We will be required to pay stamp duty at the applicable rate on the share certificate. However, since our equity shares are compulsorily deliverable in dematerialized form (except for trades of up to 500 equity shares, which may be delivered in physical form), there would be no stamp duty payable in India on transfer.
Other Taxes
At present, there is no wealth tax, gift tax or inheritance tax which may apply to the ADSs or the underlying shares.
Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following summary describes certain material United States federal income tax consequences relating to an investment in our ADSs or equity shares as of the date hereof. This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code, its legislative history, existing final, temporary and proposed Treasury Regulations, rulings and judicial decisions, all as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to prospective and retroactive rulings and changes.
This summary does not purport to address all United States federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a particular investor, and you are urged to consult your own tax advisor regarding your specific tax situation. The summary applies only to investors who own ADSs or equity shares as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment) under the Internal Revenue Code, and does not address the tax consequences that may be relevant to investors in special tax situations, including, for example:
 
insurance companies;
 
regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts;
 
tax-exempt
organizations;
 
broker-dealers;
 
147

traders in securities that elect to
mark-to-market;
 
banks or certain other financial institutions;
 
United States investors whose functional currency is not the United States dollar;
 
certain former citizens or residents of the United States subject to Section 877 of the Internal Revenue Code;
 
investors that hold our ADSs or equity shares as part of a hedge, straddle or conversion transaction; or
 
holders that own, directly, indirectly or constructively, 10.0 percent or more of our total combined voting stock.
Further, this summary does not address the alternative minimum tax consequences of an investment in ADSs or equity shares, or the indirect consequences to owners of equity or partnership interests in entities that own our ADSs or equity shares. In addition, this summary does not address the United States federal estate or gift, state, local and foreign tax consequences of an investment in our ADSs or equity shares.
You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the United States federal, state, local and foreign and other tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of our ADSs or equity shares in your particular circumstances.
147

Taxation of U.S. Holders
You are a “U.S. Holder” if you are, for United States federal income tax purposes, a beneficial owner of ADSs or equity shares and you are:
 
an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
 
a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
 
an estate, the income of which is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source; or
 
a trust, if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or if the trust has made a valid election to be treated as a United States person.
If a partnership holds ADSs or equity shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. Partners of partnerships holding our ADSs or equity shares should consult their own tax advisors.
For United States federal income tax purposes, a U.S. Holder of an ADS will generally be treated as the owner of the equity shares represented by the ADS. Accordingly, no gain or loss will be recognized upon the exchange of an ADS for equity shares. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the equity shares will be the same as the tax basis in the ADS surrendered therefore, and the holding period in the equity shares will include the period during which the holder held the surrendered ADS.
The U.S. government has expressed concerns that parties to whom ADSs are released before the underlying shares are delivered to the depositary
(“pre-release”),
or intermediaries in the chain of ownership between holders of ADSs and the issuer of the security underlying the ADSs, may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming of foreign tax credits by holders of ADSs. These actions would also be inconsistent with the claiming of the reduced rate of tax, described below, applicable to dividends that constitute qualified dividend income received by certain
non-corporate
holders. Accordingly, the availability of the reduced tax rate for qualified dividend income received by certain
non-corporate
U.S. Holders, each described below, could be affected by actions taken by such parties or intermediaries.
This discussion assumes that we are not, and will not become, a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for United States federal income tax purposes, as described below.
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Distributions on ADSs or Equity Shares
The gross amount of cash distributions made by us to a U.S. Holder, with respect to ADSs or equity shares generally, will be taxable to such U.S. Holder as ordinary dividend income when such U.S. Holder receives the distribution, actually or constructively, to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for United States federal income tax purposes).
Subject to the discussion above regarding
“pre-release”,
if dividends constitute qualified dividend income (“QDI”), individual U.S. Holders of our ADSs or equity shares will generally pay tax on such dividends at a reduced rate, provided certain holding period requirements and other conditions are satisfied. Assuming we are not a PFIC in the taxable year in which we pay the dividends or in the preceding taxable year, dividends paid by us will be QDI if we are a qualified foreign corporation (“QFC”) at the time the dividends are paid. We believe that we are currently, and will continue to be, a QFC, so we expect all dividends paid by us to be QDI for United States federal income tax purposes. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for United States federal income tax purposes) will be treated first as a
non-taxable
return of capital, reducing such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the ADSs or equity shares. Any distribution in excess of such tax basis will be treated as capital gain and will be either long-termlong term or short-termshort term capital gain depending upon whether the U.S. Holder held the ADSs or equity shares for more than one year. However, we currently do not, and we do not intend to, calculate our earnings and profits under United States federal income tax principles. Therefore, a U.S. Holder should expect that a distribution generally will be reported as dividend income. Dividends paid by us generally will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction available to certain United States corporate shareholders and will generally be treated as “passive income” for purposes of computing allowable foreign tax credits for U.S. tax purposes. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under your particular circumstances.
The amount of any cash distribution paid in Indian rupees will equal the United States dollar value of the distribution, calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect at the time the distribution is received by the depositary, in the case of ADSs, or by the U.S. Holder, in the case of equity shares, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted to United States dollars at that time. Generally, a U.S. Holder should not recognize any foreign currency gain or loss if such Indian rupees are converted into United States dollars on the date received, and it is expected that the depositary will, in the ordinary course, convert foreign currency received by it as distributions into United States dollars on the date of receipt. However, if the Indian rupees are not converted into United States dollars on the date of receipt, gain or loss may be recognized upon a subsequent sale or other disposition of the Indian rupees. Such foreign currency gain or loss, if any, will be United States source ordinary income or loss.
148

Sale or Exchange of ADSs or Equity Shares
A U.S. Holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of ADSs or equity shares measured by the difference between the United States dollar value of the amount received and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis (determined in United States dollars) in the ADSs or equity shares. Any gain or loss will be long-termlong term capital gain or loss if the ADSs or equity shares in the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition have been held for more than one year, and will generally be United States source gain or loss. The holding period for equity shares withdrawn from the depositary facility will include the holding period of the ADSs exchanged therefor. Your ability to deduct capital losses is subject to limitations. Under certain circumstances described under “—
Indian Taxation of the ADSs—Taxation of Capital Gains in Relation to ADSs
”, you may be subject to Indian tax upon the disposition of ADSs or equity shares. In such circumstances and subject to applicable limitations, a U.S. Holder entitled to the benefits of the India-United States income tax treaty may be able to credit the Indian tax against the U.S. Holder’s United States federal income tax liability. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under your particular circumstances.
For cash-basis U.S. Holders who receive foreign currency in connection with a sale or other taxable disposition of equity shares, the amount realized will be based upon the United States dollar value of the foreign currency received with respect to such equity shares as determined on the settlement date of such sale, exchange or other taxable disposition.
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Pursuant to the Treasury Regulations applicable to foreign currency transactions, accrual-basis U.S. Holders may elect the same treatment required of cash-basis taxpayers with respect to a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of ADSs or equity shares, provided that the election is applied consistently from year to year. Such election cannot be changed without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). Accrual-basis U.S. Holders that do not elect to be treated as cash-basis taxpayers for this purpose may have foreign currency gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes because of differences between the United States dollar value of the foreign currency received prevailing on the date of such sale, exchange or other taxable disposition and the value prevailing on the date of payment. Any such foreign currency gain or loss will generally be treated as ordinary income or loss that is sourced from within the United States, in addition to the gain or loss, if any, recognized on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of ADSs or equity shares.
Medicare Tax
Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals, estates, or trusts are required to pay a 3.8 percent Medicare surtax on all or part of that holder’s “net investment income”, which includes, among other items, dividends on, and capital gains from the sale or other taxable disposition of, the ADSs or equity shares, subject to certain limitations and exceptions. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this surtax on their ownership and disposition of the ADSs or equity shares.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
U.S. Holders generally will be subject to a special, adverse tax regime that would differ in certain respects from the tax treatment described above if we are, or were to become, a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes. Although the determination of whether a corporation is a PFIC is made annually, and thus may be subject to change, based on an active banking exception, we do not believe that we are, nor do we expect to become, a PFIC. However, the matter is not free from doubt. We urge you to consult your own tax advisor regarding the potential application of the PFIC rules.
Information with Respect to Foreign Financial Assets
Individuals (and, under proposed Treasury Regulations, certain entities) who are U.S. Holders that own “specified foreign financial assets”, including stock of a
non-U.S.
corporation not held through a financial institution, with an aggregate value in excess of certain dollar thresholds, may be required to file an information report with respect to such assets on IRS Form 8938 with their United States federal income tax returns. Penalties apply for failure to properly complete and file IRS Form 8938. U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of this reporting requirement to their ownership of our ADSs or equity shares.
Taxation of
Non-U.S.
Holders
A
“Non-U.S.
Holder” is a beneficial owner of our ADSs or equity shares that is neither a U.S. Holder nor a partnership or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If a partnership holds our ADSs or equity shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. Partners in partnerships holding our ADSs or equity shares should consult their own tax advisors.
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Distributions on ADSs or Equity Shares
Non-U.S.
Holders generally will not be subject to United States federal income or withholding tax on dividends received from us with respect to ADSs or equity shares, unless such income is considered effectively connected with the
Non-U.S.
Holder’s conduct of a United States trade or business for United States federal income tax purposes (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the income is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained in the United States).
Sale or Exchange of ADSs or Equity Shares
Non-U.S.
Holders generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of ADSs or equity shares unless:
 
such gain is considered effectively connected with the
Non-U.S.
Holder’s conduct of a United States trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the income is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained in the United States); or
 
such
Non-U.S.
Holder is an individual that is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the disposition, and certain other conditions are met.
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In addition, if you are a corporate
Non-U.S.
Holder, any effectively connected dividend income or gain (subject to certain adjustments) may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a rate of 30.0 percent (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty).
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
In general, dividends on ADSs or equity shares, and payments of the proceeds of a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of ADSs or equity shares, paid to a U.S. Holder within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, are subject to information reporting and may be subject to backup withholding at a rate currently equal to 24.0 percent, unless the U.S. Holder:
 
is a corporation or other exempt recipient; or
 
provides an accurate taxpayer identification number and certifies that no loss of exemption from backup withholding applies to such U.S. Holder.
Non-U.S.
Holders generally are not subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, such
Non-U.S.
Holders may be required to provide a certification to establish their
non-U.S.
status in connection with payments received within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Holders generally will be allowed a credit of the amount of any backup withholding against their United States federal income tax liability or may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules that exceed such income tax liability by filing a refund claim with the IRS.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code (provisions commonly known as FATCA) impose (a) certain reporting and due diligence requirements on foreign financial institutions and (b) potentially require such foreign financial institutions to deduct a 30.0 percent withholding tax from (i) certain payments from sources within the United States and (ii) “foreign passthrupass thru payments” (which is not yet defined in current guidance) made to certain
non-U.S.
financial institutions that do not comply with such reporting and due diligence requirements or certain other payees that do not provide required information. The United States has entered into a number of IGAs with other jurisdictions with respect to FATCA which may modify the operation of this withholding. The Bank, as well as relevant intermediaries such as custodians and depositary participants, are classified as financial institutions for these purposes. Given that India has entered into a Model 1 IGA with the United States for giving effect to FATCA, Indian financial institutions such as the Bank are also required to comply with FATCA, based on the terms of the IGA and relevant rules made pursuant thereto.
Under current guidance, it is not clear whether or to what extent payments on ADSs or equity shares will be considered “foreign passthrupass thru payments” subject to FATCA withholding or the extent to which withholding on “foreign passthrupass thru payments” will be required under the applicable IGA. However, under current guidance, even if withholding were required pursuant to FATCA with respect to payments on ADSs or equity shares, such withholding would not apply prior to two years after the date on which final regulations on this issue are published. Investors should consult their own tax advisers on how the FATCA rules may apply to payments they receive in respect of the ADSs or equity shares.
Should any withholding tax in respect of FATCA be deducted or withheld from any payments arising to any investor, neither the Bank nor any other person will pay additional amounts as a result of the deduction or withholding.
 
151150

SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
The main legislation governing commercial banks in India is the Banking Regulation Act 1949 (the “Banking Regulation Act”). The provisions of the Banking Regulation Act are in addition to and not, save as expressly provided in the Banking Regulation Act, in derogation of the Companies Act 2013 and any other law currently in force. Other important laws include the Reserve Bank of India Act 1934, the Negotiable Instruments Act 1881, the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act 2002 (the “SARFAESI Act”) and the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act 1891. Additionally, the RBI, from time to time, issues guidelines to be followed by banks. Compliance with all regulatory requirements is evaluated with respect to our financial statements under Indian GAAP.
RBI Regulations
Commercial banks in India are required under the Banking Regulation Act to obtain a license from the RBI to carry on banking business in India. Before granting the license, the RBI must be satisfied that certain conditions are complied with, including (i) that the Bankbank is or will be in a position to pay its present and future depositors in full as their claims accrue; (ii) that the affairs of the Bank willbank are not bebeing or are not likely to be conducted in a manner detrimental to the interests of present or future depositors; (iii) that the general character of the proposed management of the Bankbank will not be prejudicial to the public interest or the interest of its depositors; (iv) that the Bankbank has adequate capital and earnings prospects; (v) that public interest will be served if a license is granted to the Bank;bank; (vi) that having regard to the banking facilities available in the proposed principal area of operations of the Bank,bank, the potential scope for expansion of banks already in existence in the area and other relevant factors, the grant of the license would not be prejudicial to the operation and consolidation of the banking system consistent with monetary stability and economic growth; and (vii) any other condition, the fulfillment of which would, in the opinion of the RBI, be necessary to ensure that the carrying on of banking business in India by the Bankbank will not be prejudicial to the public interest or the interests of the depositors. The RBI can cancel the license if the Bankbank fails to meet the above conditions or if the Bankbank ceases to carry on banking operations in India.
Being licensed by the RBI, we are regulated and supervised by the RBI. It requires us to furnish statements, information and certain details relating to our business. The RBI has issued guidelines and for commercial banks on recognition of income, classification of assets, valuation of investments, maintenance of capital adequacy and provisioning for
non-performing
and restructured assets among others. The RBI has set up a Board for Financial Supervision (“Board”), under the chairmanship of its Governor, with the primary objective of undertaking consolidated supervision of the financial sector comprised of commercial banks, financial institutions and
non-banking
finance companies (“NBFCs”). NBFCs. This Board oversees the functioning of the Department of Banking Supervision, Department of
Non-Banking
Supervision and Financial Institutions Division of the RBI and gives directions relating to regulatory and supervisory issues. The appointment of the auditors of banks is subject to the approval of the RBI. The RBI can direct a special audit in the interest of the depositors or in the public interest.
Entry of New Banks in the Private Sector
In February 2013, the RBI released guidelines for licensing of new banks in the private sector. The key items covered under these guidelines are as follows: (i) promoters eligible to apply for banking licenses; (ii) corporate structure; (iii) minimum voting equity capital requirements for new banks; (iv) regulatory framework; (v) foreign shareholding cap; (vi) corporate governance; (vii) prudential norms; (viii) exposure norms; and (ix) business plan. The RBI has permitted private sector entities owned and controlled by Indian residents and entities in the public sector in India to apply to the RBI for a license to operate a bank through a wholly owned
non-operative
financial holding company (“NOFHC”), subject to compliance with certain specified criteria. Such a NOFHC is permitted to be the holding company of the bank as well as any other financial services entity, with the objective that the holding company ring-fences the regulated financial services entities in the group, including the bank, from other activities of the group. Pursuant to these guidelines, two banks, namely IDFC First Bank and Bandhan Bank, commenced banking operations in fiscal year 2016.
In November 2014, RBI released guidelines on licensing of payments banks (“Payments Banks Guidelines”) and small finance banks (“Small Finance Banks Guidelines”) in the private sector (the “November 2014 Guidelines”).sector. The objective of setting up of payments banks is to further financial inclusion by providing (i) small savings accounts and (ii) payments/remittance services to migrant labor workforce, low income households, small businesses, other unorganized sector entities and other users. PaymentsPreviously, payments banks arewere allowed to accept deposits of up to Rs. 100,000. However, they0.1 million; recently, on April 8, 2021, the RBI enhanced the
end-of-day
maximum balance limit to Rs. 0.2 million per individual customer of the respective payments bank. Payments banks are not allowed to undertake lending activities or issue credit cards. The foreign shareholding in payments banks would be as per the Foreign Direct Investment (“FDI”) policy for private sector banks, as amended from time to time. In August 2015, the RBI gave
in-principle
approvals to 11 applicants to set up payments banks. The objective of setting up small finance banks (“SFBs”) is to further financial inclusion by (i) providing savings vehicles, and (ii) supplying credit to small business units, small and marginal farmers, micro and small industries, and other unorganized sector entities, through high-tech and
low-cost
operations. SFBs primarily undertake basic banking activities, such as the acceptance of deposits and lending to unserved and underserved sections of society, including small business units, small and marginal farmers, micro and small industries and unorganized sector entities, with no restriction in their area of operations. The minimum
paid-up
equity capital requirement for such banks is Rs. 1,000.0 million. The foreign shareholding in payments banks would be as per the FDI policy for private sector banks, as amended from time to time. In September 2015, the RBI also granted
��in-principle”
approval to ten10 applicants to setup small finance banks.set up SFBs. All 10 applicants have received their final license.
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The Novemberguidelines issued in 2014 Guidelines stated that after gaining experience in dealing with small finance banks,SFBs, the RBI would consider “on tap”
“on-tap”
licensing of these banks. Accordingly, in December 2019, the RBI released guidelines for
“on-tap”
licensing of small finance banksSFBs (the “December 2019 Guidelines”). Pursuant to the December 2019 Guidelines, the minimum
paid-up
voting equity capital for SFBs is Rs. 2,000.0 million, subject to a few exceptions. Further, the RBI, in its circular dated March 28, 2020, issued certain modifications to the November 2014Payments Bank Guidelines and the Small Finance Banks Guidelines to harmonize them with the December 2019 Guidelines.
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In August 2016, the RBI released the guidelines for
“on-tap”
licensing of universal banks in the private sector. The guidelines aim at moving from the current “stop and go” licensing approach (wherein the RBI notifies the licensing window during which a private entity may apply for a banking license) to a continuous or
“on-tap”
licensing regime. Among other things, the new guidelines specify conditions for the eligibility of promoters, corporate structure and foreign shareholdings. One of the key features of the new guidelines is that, unlike the February 2013 guidelines (mentioned above), the new guidelines make the NOFHC structure
non-mandatory
in the case of promoters being individuals or standalone promoting/converting entities whichthat do not have other group entities. In 2021, a few entities had applied for “on tap” licenses pursuant to the above-mentioned guidelines. The RBI has assessed the applications and, in May 2022, released the names of the applicants which were found not suitable for being granted
in-principle
approval.
In May 2016, the RBI also issued the Reserve Bank of India (Ownership in Private Sector Banks) Directions 2016. These guidelines prescribe requirements regarding shareholding and voting rights in relation to all private sector banks licensed by the RBI to operate in India. The guidelines specify the following ownership limits for shareholders based on their categorization:
 
(i)
In the case of individuals and
non-financial
entities (other than promoters/promoter group), 10.0 percent of the paid up
paid-up
capital. However, in the case of promoters being individuals and
non-financial
entities in existing banks, the permitted promoter/promoter group shareholding shall be as prescribed under the February 2013 guidelines,
i.e.,
15.0,15.0 percent.
 
(ii)
In the case of entities from the financial sector, other than regulated or diversified or listed, 15.0 percent of the
paid-up
capital.
 
(iii)
In the case of “regulated, well diversified, listed entities from the financial sector” shareholding by supranational institutions, public sector undertaking or government, up to 40.0 percent of the
paid-up
capital is permitted for both promoters/promoter group and
non-promoters.
In June 2020, the RBI set up an internal working group to examine and review the extant licensing and regulatory guidelines relating to ownership and control, corporate structure of private sector banks and other related issues. The group submitted its report in October 2020, and some of the key recommendations are as follows: (i) the cap on promoters’ stakes over the course of 15 years may be raised from the current level of 15.0 percent to 26.0 percent of the
paid-up
voting equity share capital of the bank; (ii) the RBI may introduce regulations in relation to the issuance of ADRs and GDRs by banks, which ensure that such issuances are not used by dominant shareholders to indirectly enhance their voting power, including mandating prior approval by the RBI before entering into agreements with depositories, requiring a provision in the depository agreement assigning no voting rights to depositories and a mechanism for disclosure of the details of the ultimate depository receipt holders so that indirect holdings can be disclosed along with direct holdings; (iii) large corporate/industrial houses may be allowed as promoters of banks only after necessary amendments to the Banking Regulations Act; (iv) NOFHCs should continue to be the preferred structure for all new licenses to be issued for Universal Banks. However, NOFHC structures should be mandatory only in cases where the individual promoters, promoting entities and converting entities have other group entities; and (v) listing requirements for small finance banks, payments banks and universal banks.
By a press release dated November 2021 (the “November 2021 Press Release”), the RBI accepted a few recommendations suggested by the internal working group to the report dated October 2020. One of the recommendations that was accepted with modifications, was the adjustment of initial capital requirements for new banks: (i) for universal banks from Rs. 5.0 billion to Rs. 10.0 billion; (ii) for SFBs from Rs. 3.0 billion to Rs. 2.0 billion; and (iii) for UCBs transiting to SFBs from Rs. 1.0 billion to Rs. 1.5 billion initial
paid-up
voting equity share capital/net worth), which has to be further increased to Rs. 3.0 billion (present Rs. 2.0 billion) within five years. The amendments to the extant guidelines will be notified in due course, and all the stakeholders are to be guided by the decisions in the report.
Financial Holding Company Structure in India
The RBI constituted a Working Group in June 2010 to examine the feasibility of introducing a Financial Holding Company (“FHC”) Structure in India under the chairpersonship of the Deputy Governor. In May 2011, the Working Group submitted its report to recommend a roadmap for the introduction of a holding company structure in the Indian financial sector together with the required regulatory, supervisory and legislative framework. The report served as a guiding document for the introduction of an alternate organizational structure for banks and financial conglomerates in India. Key recommendations of the Working Group were as follows: (i) FHC structure; (ii) regulatory framework; (iii) statutory and taxation related changes; (iv) caps on expansion in
non-banking
business; (v) capital raising; and (vi) transitioning to the FHC structure.
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In August 2013, the RBI issued a discussion paper titled “Banking Structure in India—The Way Forward”. The key recommendations in the paper relate to: (i) adoption of the FHC structure; (ii) differential licensing (allowing banks to be licensed to provide only specified services); (iii) consolidation of
large-sized
Indian banks; (iv) requiring large foreign banks to operate through subsidiaries in India and the reduction of the Government’s ownership of state-owned banks to ease the burden on the state where these banks will have to be capitalized to comply with Basel III requirements.
On April 7, 2014, the RBI introduced a new category of NBFCs called NOFHCs and, accordingly, amended the
Non-Banking
Financial
(Non-Deposit
Accepting or Holding) Companies Prudential Norms (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2007. The RBI directions define a NOFHC as a
non-depositnon-deposit-taking
taking NBFC whichthat holds the shares of a banking company and the shares of all other financial services companies in its group, whether regulated by RBI or by any other financial regulator, to the extent permissible under the applicable regulatory prescriptions.
Under the guidelines for
“on-tap”
licensing of universal banks in the private sector, the RBI has made the NOFHC structure
non-mandatory
in the case of promoters being individuals or standalone promoting/converting entities whichthat do not have other group entities. Under the December 2019 Guidelines, if there is an intermediate company between the promoting entity and the small finance bank, such an intermediate company should be aan NOFHC. However, if the small finance bank is set up under a holding company structure without aan NOFHC, such holding company is required to be registered as a NBFC –CICan NBFC-core investment company (“CIC”) with the RBI.
In a report submitted by the internal working group of the RBI in October 2020, certain recommendations were made relating to NOFHCs, including: (i) NOFHCs should continue to be the preferred structure for all new licenses to be issued for universal banks; however, NOFHC are mandatory only in cases where the individual promoters, promoting entities, and converting entities have other group entities; (ii) while banks licensed before 2013 may move to an NOFHC structure at their discretion, once the NOFHC structure attains a
tax-neutral
status, all banks licensed before 2013 must move to the NOFHC structure within 5 years from announcement of
tax-neutrality;
(iii) until the NOFHC structure is made feasible and operational, the concerns with regard to banks undertaking different activities through subsidiaries, joint ventures or associates should be addressed through suitable regulations; and (iv) banks currently under the NOFHC structure may be allowed to exit from such a structure if they do not have other group entities in their corporate structure.
In the November 2021 Press Release, the RBI clarified that where the NOFHC structure is mandatory, the promoters/promoting entities should be eligible to set up a Universal Bank/Small Finance Bank.
Regulations Relating to the Opening of Banking Outlets
Section 23 of the Banking Regulation Act provides that banks must obtain the prior permission of the RBI to open new banking outlets. The RBI may cancel a license for violations of the conditions under which it was granted.
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The RBI issues instructions and guidelines to banks on branch authorization from time to time. Centers are categorized as Tier 1 to Tier 6 based on population (as per the 2011 census) and classified in the following manner:
 
Tier 1—100,000 and above;
 
Tier 2—50,000 to 99,999;
 
Tier 3—20,000 to 49,999;
 
Tier 4—10,000 to 19,999;
 
Tier 5—5,000 to 9,999; and
 
Tier 6—Less than 5,000.
The RBI, with effect from September 19, 2013, granted general permission to domestic scheduled commercial banks like us to open banking outlets in Tier 1 to Tier 6 centers, subject to reporting to the RBI and prescribed conditions such as (i) at least 25 percent of the total number of banking outlets opened during the fiscal year must be opened in unbanked rural (Tier 5 and Tier 6) centers, which are defined as centers that do not have a brick and mortar structure of any scheduled commercial bank for customer-based banking transactions; and (ii) the total number of banking outlets opened in Tier 1 centers during a fiscal year cannot exceed the total number of banking outlets opened in Tier 2 to Tier 6 centers and all centers in the north eastern states of India and the state of Sikkim. The RBI also permitted banks to open banking outlets in Tier 1 centers over and above the number permitted in accordance with the paragraph above, as an incentive for opening more banking outlets in underbanked districts of underbanked States,states, subject to specified conditions.
The RBI also permitted scheduled commercial banks to install
off-site/mobile
ATMs at centers/places identified by them, without the need to get permission from the RBI in each case. This, however, is subject to certain conditions, including for closure/shifting of any such
off-site/mobile
ATMs, wherever the RBI considers it necessary. Banks need to report full details of the
off-site
ATMs installed by them in terms of the above general permission as a part of the periodic reports submitted to the RBI.
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In May 2017, the RBI has further liberalized the branch authorization policy. Some of the key changes made pursuant to the revised guidelines are as follows:
 
TheA concept of “branch”“banking outlets” has been replaced by “banking outlets”.introduced. A banking outlet for a domestic scheduled commercial bank has been defined as a fixed point service delivery unit, manned by either bank’s staff or its business correspondent where services of acceptance of deposits, encashment of checks/cash withdrawal or lending of money are provided for a minimum of four hours per day for at least five days a week.
 
At least 25.0 percent of the total number of “banking outlets” opened during a financialfiscal year must be opened in unbanked rural centers (Tier 5 and Tier 6). The definition of unbanked rural centers has been modified to mean a rural (Tier 5 and Tier 6) center that does not have a CBS enabled
CBS-enabled
banking outlet of a scheduled commercial bank.
 
The restriction on the number of banking outlets that may be opened in Tier 1 centers has been removed.
Appointment of Auditors
The appointment of the auditors of banks is subject to the approval of the RBI. The RBI can direct a special audit in the interest of the depositors or in the public interest. In April 2021, the RBI issued guidelines for the appointment of statutory central auditors (“SCAs”) and statutory auditors (“SAs”) of commercial banks (excluding regional rural banks (“RRBs”)) pursuant to which the commercial banks are required to receive prior approval from the RBI for the appointment of SCAs and SAs. The guidelines provide for eligibility criteria for SCAs and SAs, and also provide the number of joint auditors a bank is required to appoint based on its assets size.
Capital Adequacy Requirements
The RBI issued guidelines for the implementation of the New Capital Adequacy Framework (“Basel II”). In order to maintain consistency and harmony with international standards, foreign banks in India and Indian banks having operational presence outside India were advised to adopt the Standardized Approach for Credit Risk and Basic Indicator Approach for Operational Risk with effect from March 31, 2008, while other commercial banks were advised to adopt these approaches with effect from March 31, 2009.
Under these guidelines, we were required to maintain a minimum ratio of capital to risk-adjusted assets and
off-balance
sheet items of 99.0 percent, at least 66.0 percent of which must be Tier I capital. Until March 31, 2013, we were also required to ensure that our Basel II minimum capital requirement continued to be higher than the prudential floor of 8080.0 percent of the minimum capital requirement computed as per the Basel I framework for credit and market risks. In May 2013, the RBI withdrew the requirement of parallel run and prudential floor for implementation of Basel II
vis-à-vis
Basel I.
In May 2012, the RBI released guidelines on implementation of Basel III capital regulations in India with effect from April 1, 2013. The RBI has also issued a master circular on “Basel III Capital Regulations” consolidating, which is updated from time to time and consolidates all relevant guidelines on Basel III. The key items covered under these guidelines include: (i) improving the quality, consistency and transparency of the capital base; (ii) enhancing risk coverage; (iii) graded enhancement of the total capital requirement; (iv) introduction of capital conservation buffer and countercyclical buffer; and (v) supplementing the risk-based capital requirement with a leverage ratio. One of the major changes in the Basel III capital regulations is that the Tier I capital will predominantly consist of common equity of the banks which includes common shares, reserves and stock surplus. Innovative instruments and perpetual
non-cumulative
preference share will not be considered a part of
CET-I
capital. Basel III also defines criteria for instruments to be included in Tier II capital to improve their loss absorbency. The guidelines also set out criteria for loss absorption through
conversion/write-off
of all
non-common
equity regulatory capital instruments at the point of
non-viability.
The point of
non-viability
is defined as a trigger event upon the occurrence of which
non-CET-I
and Tier II instruments issued by banks in India may be required to be, at the option of the RBI, written off or converted into common equity.
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Under the Basel III capital regulations, the capital funds of a bank are classified into
CET-I,
Additional Tier I
(“AT-I”)
and Tier II capital. Tier I capital, comprised of, among others,
CET-I
and
AT-I,
provides the most permanent and readily available support against unexpected losses.
CET-I
capital is comprised of, amongst others,
paid-up
equity capital, andstock surplus (share premium), reserves consisting of any statutory reserves, freerevaluation reserves and capital reserves. By its circular dated March 2016, the RBI has allowed banks, at their discretion, to include foreign currency translation reserves arising due to the translation of financial statements of their foreign operations in terms of Accounting Standard (“AS”) 11 as
CET-I
capital at a discount of 25.0 percent, subject to certain conditions. Further, the RBI has permitted deferred tax assets which relate to timing differences (other than those related to accumulated losses) to be recognized in the
CET-I
capital up to 10.0 percent of a bank’s
CET-I
capital, at the discretion of banks (instead of full deduction from
CET-I
capital), subject to certain terms and conditions.
AT-I
capital is comprised of, among others, perpetual
non-cumulative
preference shares and debt capital instruments eligible for inclusion as
AT-I
capital. Regulatory adjustments/deductions such as equity investments in financial subsidiaries (in accordance with the directions of the RBI), intangible assets, deferred tax assets (in the manner and to the extent, specified by the RBI), gaps in provisioning and losses in the current period and those brought forward from the previous period are required to be deducted from
CET-I
capital in a phased manner and fully deducted therefrom by March 31, 2017.
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Tier II capital consists of, amongst others, revaluation reserves at a discount of 55.0 percent, general provisions and loss reserves (allowed up to a maximum of 1.25 percent of the total credit risk weightedrisk-weighted assets), hybrid debt capital instruments (which combine features of both equity and debt securities) such as perpetual cumulative preference shares, redeemable
non-cumulative
preference shares/redeemable cumulative preference shares and debt capital instruments (which should be fully paid up, with a fixed maturity of minimum five years and should not contain clauses that permit
step-ups
or other incentives to redeem). In its circular dated March 1, 2016, the RBI has stated that revaluation reserves arising out of a change in the carrying amount of a bank’s property consequent to its revaluation may, at the discretion of the bank, be considered as
CET-I
capital. As of January 1, 2013, capital instruments which are not Basel III compliant (such as capital debt instruments with
step-ups)
are being
phased-out
phased out in a gradual manner (at a rate of 10.0 percent per year). In April 2018, the RBI advised all banks to create an Investment Fluctuation Reserve (the “IFR”) with effect from the financialfiscal year
2018-19,
2019, with a view to building up adequate reserves to protect against an increase in yields in the future. The IFR is eligible for inclusion in Tier II capital, and recently the RBI has clarified that there is no ceiling on the percentage of IFR which may be included as a part of the Tier II capital.
The Basel III capital regulations require a bank to maintain a minimum
CET-I
capital ratio of 5.5 percent, a minimum Tier I capital ratio of 7.0 percent and a capital conservation buffer of 2.5 percent of its risk-weighted assets with the minimum overall capital adequacy ratio of 9.0 percent of its risk-weighted assets. The transitional arrangements for the implementation of Basel III capital regulations in India began from April 1, 2013, and the guidelines were to be fully
phased-in
and implemented as of March 31, 2019. In January 2019, the RBI has decided to defer the implementation of the last tranche of the capital conservation buffer from March 31, 2019 to March 31, 2020. In response to the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI has implemented the last tranche of the capital conservation buffer effective October 1, 2021. See also “
Risk adjustedFactors —The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
Risk-adjusted assets considered for determining the capital adequacy ratios are the aggregation of risk weightedrisk-weighted assets of credit risk, market risk and operational risk.
In respect of credit risk, the risk adjusted assets and
off-balance
sheet items considered for determining the capital adequacy ratio are the risk weightedrisk-weighted total of certain funded and
non-funded
exposures. Degrees of credit risk expressed as percentage weighting have been assigned to various balance sheet asset items and conversion factors to
off-balance
sheet items. The value of each item is multiplied by the relevant weight and/or conversion factor to arrive at risk-adjusted values of assets and
off-balance
sheet items. Standby letters of credit and general guarantees are treated similarly to funded exposures and are subject to a 100.0 percent credit conversion factor. The credit conversion factor for certain
off-balance
sheet items such as performance bonds, bid bonds and standby letters of credit related to particular transactions is 50.0 percent while that for short-term self-liquidating trade-related contingencies such as documentary credits collateralized by the underlying shipments is 20.0 percent. The credit conversion factor for other commitments like formal standby facilities and credit lines is either 20.0 percent or 50.0 percent, based on the original maturity of the facility. Differential risk weights for credit exposures linked to their external credit rating or asset class have been prescribed.
The RBI has prescribed a matrix of risk weights varying from 35.0 percent to 75.0 percent (since revised to a maximum of 50.0 percent for loans sanctioned on or after June 7, 2017) for individual housing loans based on the size of the loan and the
loan-to-value
ratios. In October 2020, as a countercyclical measure, the RBI decided to rationalize the risk weights, irrespective of the amount. The risk weights for all new housing loans to be sanctioned on or after October 16, 2020 and up to March 31, 2022 would be required to be 35.0 percent for the loan to value ratio of less than and equal to 80.0 percent, and 50.0 percent for loan to value ratio of greater that 80.0 percent and less than and equal to 90.0 percent. In April 2022, this rationalization was extended to loans sanctioned up to March 31, 2023. In relation to the retail portfolio, retail claims were required to be assigned a risk-weight of 75.0 percent, except as provided otherwise by the RBI for
non-performing
assets. “Low value of individual exposures” was one of the four qualifying criteria which prescribed that the maximum aggregated retail exposure to one counterparty shall not exceed the absolute threshold limit of Rs. 50.0 million. In order to reduce the cost of credit for this segment, which consists of individuals and small businesses (
i.e.
, with turnover of up to Rs. 500.0 million), and also to harmonize the maximum exposure limit with the existing RBI regulations on the Basel III framework, the RBI increased threshold limit for aggregated retail exposure to a counterparty to Rs. 75.0 million from October 12, 2020. The risk weight of 75.0 percent would apply to all fresh exposures and also to existing exposures where incremental exposure may be taken by the banks up to the revised limit of Rs. 75.0 million. Consumer credit, including personal loans, but excluding credit card receivables, carry a risk weight of 100.0 percent or higher corresponding to the rating of the exposure, or lack of such rating. The risk weight for capital markets exposure and credit card receivables is 125.0 percent, or higher corresponding to the rating of the exposure, or lack of such rating. Exposure to venture capital funds are risk weightedrisk-weighted at 150.0 percent. Other loans/credit exposures are risk-weighted based on their ratings or turnover. The RBI has also prescribed detailed guidelines for the capital treatment of securitizationsecuritisation exposures. The RBI requires banks in India to compute the capital requirements for operational risk under the “Basic Indicator Approach”. Under this approach, banks must hold capital for operational risk equal to the average over the previous three years of a fixed percentage of positive annual gross income. The BCBS has set this percentage at 15.0 percent, which has been followed by the RBI.
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Banks are required to maintain a capital charge for market risks on their trading books in respect of securities included under the
held-for-trading
and
available-for-sale
categories, open gold position, open foreign exchange position limits, trading positions in derivatives and derivatives entered into for hedging trading book exposures. With effect from fiscal year 2015, banks are also required to quantify incurred credit valuation adjustment losses and standard credit valuation adjustment capital charge on their derivatives portfolio.
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The Basel IIIminimum Common Equity Tier 1 capital regulations require a bank to maintain a minimum
CET-I
capital ratio of 5.5 percent a minimum Tier I capital ratio of 7.0 percent andrisk-weighted assets is required to be maintained by the banks along with a capital conservation buffer (“CCB”) of 2.5 percent of risk-weighted assets, in the form of Common Equity Tier 1 capital. In its risk weighted assets withpress release from January 2022, the minimum overall capital adequacy ratio of 9.0 percent of its risk weighted assets. The transitional arrangements forRBI confirmed that the implementation of Basel III capital regulations in India began from April 1, 2013, and the guidelines wereBank continues to be fullya domestic systemically important bank
phased-in(“D-SIB”)
and implemented aswith an additional
CET-I
requirement of March 31, 2019. In January 2019, the RBI has decided to defer the implementation of the last tranche of capital conservation buffer from March 31, 2019 to March 31, 2020. In response to the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI in its circular dated March 27, 2020, further deferred the implementation of the last tranche of the capital conservation buffer from March 31, 2020 to September 30, 2020. See also “
The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
A lower
pre-specified
trigger at
CET-I
of 5.5 percent of risk weighted assets will apply and remain effective before September 30, 2020; from this date the trigger will be raised to
CET-I
of 6.125 percent of risk weighted assets for all such instruments. Additional Tier I instruments issued on, or after, September 30, 2020 will have only one
pre-specified
trigger of
CET-I
of 6.125 percent of risk weighted assets.0.2 percent. The capital requirement, including the capital conservation buffer, will be 11.5 percent once these guidelines are fully phased in.CCB and the additional requirement, is 11.7 percent. In September 2014, the RBI reviewed its guidelines on Basel III capital regulations with a view to facilitate issuance of
non-equity
regulatory capital instruments by banks under Basel III framework. Accordingly, certain specific eligibility criteria of such instruments were amended. These amendments were also intended to incentivize investors and to increase the investor base.
In December 2021, the RBI released draft master directions on minimum capital requirements for operational risk. The directions propose all the existing approaches,
i.e.
, the basic indicator approach, the standardized approach/alternative standardized approach and the advanced measurement approach for measuring minimum operational risk capital requirements, with the new standardized approach being in line with Basel III. The directions are expected to become effective on April 1, 2023 and will be applicable to all commercial banks excluding local area banks, payments banks, RRBs and SFBs.
In December 2021, the RBI has given general permission to banks (other than foreign banks, SFBs, payment banks and RRBs), which meet the regulatory capital requirements, to contribute capital to overseas branches and subsidiaries, retain profits in them and repatriate/transfer profits therefrom with the approval of their respective board of directors, but without having to obtain prior approval from the RBI.
Domestic Systemically Important Banks
In July 2014, the RBI released a framework for dealing with domestic systemically important banks
(“D-SIBs”).D-SIBs.
The
D-SIB
framework requires that the RBI disclose the names of banks designated as
D-SIBsD-SIBs.
every year in August. Banks identified as systemically important based on their size, inter-connectednessinterconnectedness in the financial system, complexity and lack of readily available substitutes or financial infrastructure would be required to maintain additional
CET-I
capital ranging from 0.2 percent to 0.81.0 percent of risk-weighted assets
(“RWAs”). D-SIBs
may implement the increased capital requirement in a phased manner from April 2016 to April 2019. Our Bank has been classified as a domestic systemically important bank by the RBI during fiscal year 2018. The higher capital requirements under the bucketing structure, as provided in the
D-SIB
Framework, in the form of additional
CET-I,
were
phased-in
phased in beginning on April 1, 2018, and became fully effective from April 1, 2019. The RBI, in its circular dated June 28, 2019, reduced the minimum leverage ratio from 4.5 percent to 4.0 percent for
D-SIBs
and 3.5 percent for other banks, with effect from October 1, 2019. In its press release dated January 2022, the RBI has confirmed that the Bank continues to be a
D-SIB
with an additional
CET-I
requirement of 0.2 percent (making the Bank’s aggregate capital requirement 11.7 percent).
Countercyclical Capital Buffer
In February 2015, the RBI released guidelines for implementation of Countercyclical Capital Buffer (“CCCB”). The CCCB regime requires banks to build up a buffer of capital in good times which may be used to maintain flow of credit to the real sector in difficult times. It also achieves the broader macro-prudential goal of restricting the banking sector from indiscriminate lending in the periods of excess credit growth that have often been associated with the building up of system-wide risk. While the framework for CCCB has taken effect, the activation of CCCB will take place when notified by the RBI. Some of the key points mentioned in the guidelines are as follows: (i) CCCB may be maintained in the form of CET I capital or other fully loss absorbing capital only, and the amount of the CCCB may vary from 0.0 percent to 2.5 percent of total risk weightedrisk-weighted assets of the banks; (ii) the CCCB decision would normally be
pre-announced
with a lead time of four quarters; however, depending on the CCCB indicators, the banks may be advised to build up the requisite buffer in a shorter time period; and (iii) banks will be subject to restrictions on discretionary distributions (including dividend payments, share buybacks and staff bonus payments) if they do not meet the requirement on CCCB. In its first
bi-monthly
monetary policy statement for fiscal 2017, theThe RBI stated that, following the review and empirical testing of CCCB indicators, it washas not necessary to activateactivated the CCCB regime at that point in time. The RBI reiterated this statementyet and in its notification dated April 1, 2020, and5, 2022, has stated that it is not necessary to activate CCCB for a period of one year or earlier, as may be necessary.at this point in time.
Loan Loss Provisions and
Non-Performing
Assets
The RBI has issued guidelines on income recognition, asset classification, provisioning standards and the valuation of investments applicable to banks, which are revised from time to time. These guidelines are applied for the calculation of impaired assets under Indian GAAP. ForWhereas our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, loan loss provision is made in accordance with ASC 310326 and ASC 450 and as described under “Management’s
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”Operations
and under noteNote 2i “Allowance
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Allowance for credit losses”,losses
to our consolidated financial statements. The principal features of the RBI guidelines are set forth below. It should be noted that in light of the impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI relaxed certain requirements including in relation to asset classification, provisioning and restructuring of loans. See also “—
COVID-19
Regulatory Package
” below.
 
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Non-Performing
Assets
An asset, including a leased asset, becomes
non-performing
when it ceases to generate income for the bank.
The RBI guidelines stipulate the criteria for determining and classifying a
non-performing
asset (“NPA”). An NPA is a loan or an advance where:
 
interest and/or an installment of principal remain overdue (as defined below) for a period of more than 90 days in respect of a term loan;
 
the account remains
“out-of-order”
(as
defined below) in respect of an overdraft (“OD”) or cash credit (“CC”) for more than 90 days;
 
the bill remains overdue for a period of more than 90 days in the case of bills purchased and discounted;
 
the installment of principal or interest thereon remains overdue for two crop seasons for short durationshort-duration crops;
 
the installment of principal or interest thereon remains overdue for one crop season for long durationlong-duration crops;
 
the amount of a liquidity facility remains outstanding for more than 90 days, in respect of securitizationsecuritisation transactions undertaken in accordance with the RBI guidelines on securitization dated February 1, 2006;(Securitisation of Standard Assets) Directions, 2021; or
 
in respect of derivative transactions, the overdue receivables representing the positive
mark-to-market
value of a derivative contract, if remain unpaid for a period of 90 days from the specified due date for payment.
BanksEffective March 31, 2022, the RBI has directed that banks should classify an account as an NPA only if the interest imposed during any quarter is not fully repaid withinat specified rests remains overdue for more than 90 days from the end of the relevant quarter.days.
“Overdue”
Any amount due to the Bank under any credit facility is “overdue” if it is not paid on the due date fixed by the Bank. Borrower accounts shall be flagged as overdue by the banks as part of their
day-end
processes for the due date, irrespective of the time when such processes are run. In November 2021 the RBI has clarified that the exact dates for repayment of the loan, the frequency of payment, the breakup between principal and interest and examples of SMA/NPA classification, etc. shall be specified in the loan agreement and that the borrower shall be apprised of the same at the time of loan sanction and also at the time of any subsequent changes to the sanction terms/loan agreement until full repayment of the loan. For new loans, these rules shall be complied with at the earliest, but not later than December 31, 2021; for existing loans, compliance with the rules shall be ensured at the time of review/renewal.
“Out-of-Order”
Status
An OD/CC account should beis treated as
“out-of-order”
if the outstanding balance remains continuously in excess of the sanctioned limit/drawing power for 90 days. In circumstances where the outstanding balance in the principal operatingCC/OD account is less than the sanctioned limit/drawing power, but (i) there are no credits continuously for a period of 90 days as of the date of the balance sheet of the Bank;days; or (ii) the credits are not sufficient to cover the interest debited during the same period,previous
90-day-period
(including the day for which the day end process is being run), these accounts should be treated as
“out-of-order”.
The definition of “out of order” shall be applicable to all loan products being offered as an overdraft facility, including those which are not meant for business purposes or which have no credits other than interest repayments.
Asset Classification
Banks are required to classify NPAs into the following three categories based on the period for which the asset has remained
non-performing
and the realizability of the dues:
Sub-standard
Assets:Assets
: Assets that are
non-performing
for a period less than or equal to 12 months. Such an asset has well-defined credit weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt and is characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if deficiencies are not corrected.
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Doubtful Assets:Assets
: An asset will be classified as doubtful if it remains in the substandard category for a period of 12 months. A loan classified as doubtful has all the weaknesses inherent in assets that are classified as
sub-standard,
with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently known facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable.
Loss Assets:Assets
: Assets on which losses have been identified by the Bank or internal or external auditors or on inspection by the RBI, but the amount of which has not been written off fully. Such an asset is considered uncollectable and of such little value that its continuance as a bankable asset is not warranted, although there may be some salvage or recovery value.
There are separate asset classification guidelines that will apply to projects under implementation before the commencement of their commercial operation.
In April 2021, the RBI clarified that in respect of borrower accounts which were not granted any moratorium under the RBI’s
COVID-19
Regulatory Package, as explained in “—
COVID-19
Regulatory Package
” below, asset classification remains as per the regulations summarized above. In respect of borrower accounts which were granted a moratorium under the RBI’s
COVID-19
Regulatory Package, the asset classification for the period from March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020 would be governed in terms of RBI circulars summarized in “—
COVID-19
Regulatory Package
” below.
In September 2020, the RBI directed Indian banks to put in place or upgrade their systems by June 30, 2021, in order to ensure the completeness and integrity of the automated asset classification (classification of advances and investments as NPA/NPI), provisioning calculation and income recognition processes.
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Restructured Assets
The RBI has issued prudential guidelines on the restructuring of advances by banks. The guidelines essentially deal with the norms/conditions, the fulfillment of which is required to maintain the category of the restructured account as a “standard asset”. A standard asset can be restructured by rescheduling principal repayments and/or the interest element, subject to compliance with certain conditions, but must be separately disclosed as a restructured asset.
The following categories of advances are not eligible for being classification as a standard asset upon restructuring: (a) consumer and personal advances; (b) advances classified as capital market exposures; and (c) advances classified as commercial real estate exposures.
The criteria to be fulfilled for the restructured advance to be treated as a “standard asset” includes the viability of the business, infusion of promoters’ contribution, full security coverage and cap on maximum tenor of repayment. The economic loss, if any, arising as a resultIn case of a restructuring, needsaccounts classified as “standard” shall be immediately downgraded to be provided for in
non-performing
assets (“NPAs”),
i.e.
“sub-standard”.
Upon restructuring, NPAs continue to have the bookssame asset classification as prior to restructuring. In addition, the RBI has specified guidelines regarding the upgrade of the Bank. The provision is computed as the difference between the fair value of the account before and after restructuring.
Similar guidelines apply to
sub-standard
assets.
Sub-standard
accounts which have been subjected to restructuring, whether in respect of a principal installment or interest amount, are eligible to be upgraded to the standard category only after the specified period, i.e., a period of one year after the date when the first payment of interest or of principal, whichever is earlier, falls due, subject to satisfactory performance during the period.asset classification.
In May 2013, the RBI issued additional guidelines in relation to restructured assets wherein such regulatory forbearance regarding asset classification on restructured accounts will be withdrawn for all restructurings with effect from April 1, 2015, with the exception of provisions related to changes in “Date of Commencement of Commercial Operations” (“DCCO”) in respect of infrastructure as well as
non-infrastructure
project loans. This implies that a standard account would immediately be classified as a
sub-standard
account upon restructuring. These guidelines are also applicable to
non-performing
assets, which, upon restructuring, would continue to have the same asset classification as prior to the restructuring and may be classified into lower categories in accordance with applicable asset classification norms based on the
pre-restructuring
repayment schedule. However, the standard asset classification may be retained, subject to specified conditions, in respect of certain loans granted for infrastructure projects given the importance of the infrastructure sector in national growth and development and the uncertainty involved in obtaining approvals from various authorities. The RBI has, in its circular dated February 7, 2020, issued guidelines regarding the deferment of the DCCO for projects in
non-infrastructure
and commercial real estate (“CRE”) sectors, and clarified that deferment in certain instances will not be treated as restructuring.
Resolution of Stressed Assets
In June 2019,April 2022, the RBI has issued the master circular on prudential norms on income recognition, asset classification and provisioning pertaining to advances, which consolidated the Reserve Bank of India (Prudential Framework for Resolution of Stressed Assets) Directions, 2019. These directions replaceIn 2019, the RBI has replaced the erstwhile framework for the resolution of stressed assets (including the framework for revitalizing distressed assets, the joint lenders forum mechanism, strategic debt restructuring, and the scheme of sustainable structuring of stressed assets).
As set out inper the circular,existing guidelines, the lenders must recognize developing stress in loan accounts, immediately on default. Lenders must put in place policies approved by their board of directors for the resolution of stressed assets, including the timelines for such resolution, and they are expected to implement the resolution plan before default occurs. If a default occurs, lenders have a review period of 30 days within which their resolution strategy must be decided. The RBI directionsguidelines provide the timelines within which the banks are required to implement the resolution plan, depending on the aggregate exposure of the borrower to the lender. For large accounts with the aggregate exposure of the lenders being Rs. 20 billion or more, the RBI has specified that the resolution plan must be implemented within 180 days from the end of the review period. If implementation of the resolution plan is delayed, lenders are required to make an additional provision of 20.0 percent of the total outstanding in addition to any provisions already made and those provisions required to be made as per the asset classification status of the borrower, subject to a total provision of 100.0 percent of the total amount outstanding. Lenders are required to make appropriate disclosures of implemented resolution plans in their financial statements under “Notes on Accounts”.
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The RBI has also directed lenders to recognise incipient stress in loan accounts, immediately on default, by classifying such assets as special mention accounts (“SMA”). The duration for which the principal or interest is overdue (
i.e.
,
30-90
days) determines the relevant
sub-category.
The instructions on SMA classification of borrower accounts are applicable to all loans, except for agricultural advances governed by crop season-based asset classification norms; loans classified as NPAs may be upgraded as “standard assets” only after the arrears of interest and principal have been paid by the borrower in full.
As a result of the impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI through its circulars from August 2020 and September 2020 issued certain guidelines in relation to the resolution of distressed assets, with the intent to facilitate the revival of real sector activities and mitigate the impact on the ultimate borrowers. The RBI provided a window under the prudential framework described above to enable lenders to implement a resolution plan in respect of (i) eligible corporate exposures without a change in ownership and (ii) personal loans, while classifying such exposures as “standard”, subject to specified conditions. The lending institutions are permitted to provide resolution under such a facility only to borrowers who are experiencing financial distress as a result of
COVID-19.
The RBI also provided specific thresholds (ceilings or floors, as the case may be) for certain key ratios that should be considered by the lending institutions in the resolution assumptions with respect to an eligible borrower. In May 2021, on account of the resurgence of the
COVID-19
pandemic in India, the RBI issued an additional set of measures broadly in line with the circulars referred to above. The RBI permitted lending institutions to offer a limited window to individual borrowers and small businesses to implement resolution plans in respect of their credit exposures while classifying the same as “standard” upon implementation of the resolution plan, subject to certain specified conditions. In respect of individuals which have availed themselves of business loans and small businesses where resolution plans had been implemented under the guidelines set out in the circular from August 2020 described above, lending institutions are permitted until September 30, 2021, as a
one-time
measure, to review the working capital sanctioned limits and/or drawing power based on a number of factors, including a reassessment of the borrower’s working capital cycle, a reduction in the borrower’s margins, without such review being treated as restructuring. By March 31, 2022, the margins and working capital limits will be restored to the levels set by the resolution plan implemented under the circular from August 2020. The circular also lists the disclosure requirements for the lending institutions with respect to the resolution plans implemented. In June 2021, the threshold for eligible borrowers who may be considered for resolution under the framework as determined under the May 2021 circular was raised from Rs. 250.0 million to Rs. 500.0 million. In August 2020, May 2021 and June 2021, the RBI also issued guidelines for the restructuring of existing loans to micro, small and medium enterprises classified as “standard”, without a downgrade in the asset classification, subject to certain conditions.
Act Relating to Recovery of NPAs
As a part of the financial sector reforms, the Government introduced the SARFAESI Act. The SARFAESI Act provides banks and other lenders increased powers in the recovery of the collateral underlying NPAs.
Provisioning and Write-Offs
Provisions are based on guidelines specific to the classification of assets. The following guidelines apply to various asset classifications:
Standard Assets
Banks are required to make general provisions for standard assets forat the rates mentioned in the guidelines calculated based on the loan amount funded and outstanding on a global loan portfolio basis. The provisioning requirement for housing loans at teaser rates is 2.0 percent and will reduce to 0.40 percent after one year from the date on which the teaser rates are reset at higher rates if the accounts remain standard. In November 2012, the RBI increased the provisioning requirement for restructured standard assets from 2.0 percent to 2.75 percent. In May 2013, the RBI increased the provisioning requirement for all types of accounts restructured to 5.0 percent with effect from June 1, 2013. For the stock of restructured standard accounts as of May 31, 2013, this increase was required to be implemented in a phased manner by March 31, 2016. The provisioning requirements for other loans range from 0.25 percent to 1.0 percent on the outstanding loans based on the type of exposure. Derivative exposures, such as credit exposures computed as per the current marked to market
marked-to-market
value of the contract arising on account of the interest rate and foreign exchange derivative transactions and gold are subject to the same provisioning requirement applicable to the loan assets in the standard category of the concerned counterparties. All conditions applicable for the treatment of the provisions for standard assets would also apply to the aforesaid provisions for derivatives and gold exposures.
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In February 2014, the RBI directed banks to form a JLF if the aggregate exposure of both fund-based and
non-fund
based facilities taken together of lenders in an account is Rs. 1,000 million and above and the account is reported by any of the lenders to CRILC as special mention
account-2
(“SMA-2”).
If the lenders fail to convene the JLF or fail to agree upon a common CAP within the stipulated time frame, the account will be subjected to accelerated provisioning of 5.0 percent if the account is classified as a standard asset in the accounts of the lenders. In October 2014, the RBI decided that accelerated provisioning will be applicable only to the lead Bank having responsibility to convene the JLF and not to all the lenders in the consortium or multiple banking arrangements. In case the lead Bank fails to convene the JLF, the Bank with the second-largest aggregate exposure shall convene the JLF.
The RBI has also introduced incremental provisioning requirements with effect from April 1, 2014, for banks’ exposures to entities with unhedged foreign currency exposure. Banks are required to collect specific information from its customers and assess the extent to which a customer is exposed to unhedged foreign currency on account of volatility in the exchange rate of the rupee
vis-à-vis
foreign currencies and calculate the incremental provisions based on the methodology prescribed by the RBI.
By its circular dated April 18, 2017, theThe RBI has advisedencouraged banks to make provisions at higher rates in respect of standard advances to stressed sectors of the economy, and requires Bankadvised the banks to (i) put in place a Board-approved policy for making provisions for standard assets at rates higher than the regulatory minimum based on evaluation of risk and stress in various sectors; and (ii) review, the policyat least on a quarterly basis;basis, the performance of various sectors of the economy, to which the bank has an exposure, to evaluate the present and (iii)emerging risks and stress therein. The review the telecommay include quantitative and qualitative aspects as well as sector by June 30, 2017, and consider making provisions for standard assets in this sector at higher rates.specific parameters.
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Sub-Standard
Assets
A general provision of 15.0 percent on total outstanding loans is required without making any allowance for the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India guarantee cover and securities available. The unsecured exposures which are identified as
sub-standard
are subject to an additional provision of 10.0 percent,
i.e.
, a total of 25.0 percent on the outstanding balance. However, unsecured loans classified as
sub-standard
in relation to infrastructure lending, where certain safeguards such as escrow accounts are available, are subject to an additional provision of only 5.0 percent (i.e.(
i.e.
, a total of 20.0 percent on the outstanding balance).
Unsecured exposure is defined as an exposure where the realizable value of security, as assessed by the Bank, approved valuers or the RBI’s inspecting officers, is not more than 1010.0 percent,
ab initio
, of the outstanding exposure. Exposure includes all funded and
non-funded
exposures (including underwriting and similar commitments). Security means tangible security properly discharged to the Bank and will not include intangible securities such as guarantees and comfort letters.
Doubtful Assets
A 100.0 percent provision is made against the unsecured portion of the doubtful asset. In cases where there is a secured portion of the asset, depending upon the period for which the asset remains doubtful, a 25.0 percent to 100.0 percent provision is required to be made against the secured asset as follows:
 
Up to one year: 25.0 percent provision.
 
One to three years: 40.0 percent provision.
 
More than three years: 100.0 percent provision.
Loss Assets
The entire asset is required to be written off or 100.0 percent of the outstanding amount is required to be provided for.
Floating Provisions
In June 2006, the RBI issued prudential standards on the creation and utilization of floating provisions (provisions which are not made in respect of specific
non-performing
assets or are made in excess of regulatory requirements for provisions for standard assets). Floating provisions must be held separately and cannot be reversed by credit to the profit and loss account. The RBI has permitted banks to utilize a prescribed percentage of the floating provisions held by them for making specific loan loss allowances for impaired accounts under extraordinary circumstances. Until the utilization of such provisions, they can be netted off from gross
non-performing
assets to arrive at disclosure of net
non-performing
assets, or alternatively, can be treated as part of Tier II capital within the overall ceiling of 1.25 percent of credit RWAs.
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TableIn May 2021, in order to mitigate the adverse impact of Contentsthe
COVID-19
pandemic on banks and as a measure to enable capital conservation, the RBI permitted banks to utilize 100.0 percent of their floating provisions and countercyclical provisioning buffer held by them as on December 31, 2020 for making specific provisions for
non-performing
assets with prior approval of their board of directors. The RBI clarified that such utilization was permitted to commence with immediate effect and to extend until March 31, 2022.
Provisioning Coverage Ratio
With a view to ensuring counter-cyclical provisioning in the banking system, the RBI mandated that banks should augment their provisioning cushions consisting of specific provisions against NPAs as well as floating provisions (to the extent not used at Tier II capital), and ensure that their total Provisioning Coverage Ratio (“PCR”), including the above floating provisions, is not less than 7070.0 percent as of September 30, 2010. Under the current regime (i) the PCR of 70.0 percent may be computed with reference to the gross NPA position in the relevant banks as of September 30, 2010; (ii) the surplus of the provision under PCR over the amount required by the guidelines would be treated as a “countercyclical provisioning buffer”; and (iii) banks may utilize up to a prescribed percentage of the countercyclical provisioning buffer/floating provisions held by them for making specific provisions for NPAs during periods of system widesystem-wide downturn, as perwith prior approval of the policy approved by the bank’s board of directors.RBI. The RBI released a discussion paper on the dynamic loan loss provisioning framework in March 30, 2012. The framework proposes to replace the existing standards of general provisioning and recommends that banks make provisions on their loan book based on historical loss experience for different asset classes. Banks can draw down from dynamic provisions during periods of downturn. The RBI has advised that the dynamic provision framework is expected to be in place with improvement in the system.
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COVID-19
Regulatory Package
In view of the impact of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI has relaxed certain requirements, including in relation to asset classification, provisioning and the restructuring of loans. The below is a summary of the material regulations included in the
COVID-19
regulatory package:
 
(i)
Rescheduling of payments:
 
In respect of all term loans (including agricultural term loans, retail and crop loans), all commercial banks (including regional rural banks, small finance banksRRBs, SFBs and local area banks),
co-operative
banks,
all-India
financial institutions, and NBFCs (including housing finance companies) arewere permitted to grant a moratorium on the payment of all installments falling due between March 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020.
 
In respect of working capital facilities sanctioned in the form of cash credit/overdraft (“CC/OD”), lending institutions arewere permitted to defer the recovery of interest applied in respect of all such facilities during the period from March 1, 2020 up to August 31, 2020. Lending institutions arewere permitted, at their discretion, to convert the accumulated interest for the deferment period up to August 31, 2020, into a funded interest term loan (“FITL”) which shall, such being required to be repayable not later than March 31, 2021.
 
In respect of working capital facilities sanctioned in the form of CC/OD to borrowers facing financial difficulties as a result of the economic fallout of the pandemic, lending institutions may,were permitted to, as a
one-time
measure:
a)
recalculate the “drawing power” by reducing the margins until August 31, 2020. However, in all cases where such a temporary improvement in drawing power was considered, the margins were required to be restored to the original levels by March 31, 2021; or
b)
review the working capital sanctioned limits by March 31, 2021, based on a reassessment of the working capital cycle.
Based on an announcement by the Government, the RBI in October 2020 directed Indian banks and certain other lending institutions to implement an
ex-gratia
interest payment scheme, under which certain loans, including home, auto, education, consumer durable, personal and Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise loans, in an amount up to Rs. 20.0 million incurred before February 29, 2020 were not to be charged compound interest for the moratorium period between March 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020 and instead would only be charged simple interest. Lending institutions, including the Bank, were required to credit back to the borrower the difference between the simple interest and compound interest during the moratorium period on or before November 5, 2020. Subsequently, the lending institutions could claim reimbursement from the Government.
In addition to the
ex-gratia
interest payment scheme described above, in its circular from April 2021, the RBI directed all the relevant lending institutions to immediately put in place a board-approved policy to refund/adjust the “interest on interest” charged to the borrowers during the moratorium period (
i.e.
, March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020) in conformity with a judgment of the Indian Supreme Court. This relief would be available to all borrowers, including those who had availed themselves of working capital facilities during the moratorium period between March 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020, irrespective of whether such borrowers had fully, partially or not at all availed themselves of the moratorium.
(ii)
Asset classification and provisioning:
 
recalculateFor the “drawing power” by reducing the margins until August 31, 2020. However, in all cases where such a temporary improvement in drawing power is considered, the margins shall be restored to the original levels by March 31, 2021; or,
review the working capital sanctioned limits up to March 31, 2021, based on a reassessmentpurpose of the working capital cycle.
(ii)Assetasset classification, and provisioning:
In respect of all accounts classified as standard“standard” as on February 29, 2020 even if overdue, the moratorium period, wherever granted, shallwas to be excluded by the lending institutions from the number of days
past-due
for the purpose of asset classification. past due.
 
In respect of working capital facilities sanctioned in the form of CC/OD, the deferment period, wherever granted in respect of all facilities classified as standard,“standard”, including special mention accounts (“SMAs”), which are accounts that have the potential to become NPAs or stressed assets, as on February 29, 2020, shallwere to be excluded for the determination of the
out-of-order
status.
 
The conversion of accumulated interest into a FITL and the changes in the credit terms permitted to borrowers to specifically tide over economic fallout from
COVID-19,
as outlined under “—
Rescheduling of payments
” above willwould not be treated as concessions granted due to financial difficulty of the borrower for the purposes of the prudential norms. Consequently, such a measure, by itself, shallwould not result in an asset classification downgrade.
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The rescheduling of payments, including interest, willwould not qualify as a default for the purposes of supervisory reporting and reporting to credit information companies (“CICs”) by the lending institutions. CICs shallmust ensure that permitted actions taken by lending institutions as a consequence of the
COVID-19
pandemic dowould not adversely impact the credit history of the beneficiaries.borrowers.
 
In accordance with the provisions described above, with respect to accounts classified as standard,“standard”, but which have become overdue, and where the asset classification benefit ishas been extended, lending institutions shallwere required to make general provisions equaling not less than 1010.0 percent of the total outstanding value of such accounts. Such provisions arewere to be phased in over the course of two financial quarters as described below:
a)
Financial quarter ended March 31, 2020– not less than 5.0 percent; and
 
Financial quarter ended March 31, 2020– not less than 5 percent; and
Financial quarter ending June 30, 2020– not less than 5
b)
Financial quarter ending June 30, 2020– not less than 5.0 percent.
 
These provisioning requirements shallwere not to be used to arrive at net NPAs until thesethey are adjusted against the actual provisioning requirements.
 
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(iii)
Resolution of stressed assets
 
In respect of accounts which were within the review period as on March 1, 2020, the period from March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020 shallwould be excluded from the calculation of the
30-day
timeline for the review period under the RBI’s guidelines. In respect of all such accounts, the residual review period shallwould resume from September 1, 2020, upon expiry of which the lenders shallwould have the usual 180 days for resolution.
 
In respect of accounts where the review period hashad been completed, but the
180-day
resolution period had not expired as on March 1, 2020, the timeline for resolution iswas extended by 180 days from the date on which the
180-day
period was originally set to expire.
Regulations Relating to Sale of Assets to Asset Reconstruction Companies (“ARCs”)
The SARFAESI Act provides for the sale of financial assets by banks and financial institutions to asset reconstruction companies. The RBI has also issued guidelines to banks on the process to be followed for the sale of financial assets to asset reconstruction companies. These guidelines provide that a Bank may sell financial assets to an asset reconstruction company provided the asset is an NPA. A Bankbank could also sell a standard asset only if (i) the asset is under consortium or multiple banking arrangement; (ii) at least 75.0 percent by value of the of the asset is classified as
non-performing
in the books of other banks and financial institutions; and (iii) at least 75.0 percent by value of the banks and financial institutions in the consortium or multiple banking arrangements agree to the sale of the asset to a securitizationsecuritisation company or a reconstruction company. The banksBanks selling financial assets must ensure that there is no known liability being transferred to them and that they do not assume any operational, legal or any other type of risks relating to the financial assets sold. Further, banks cannot sell financial assets at a contingent price with an agreement to bear a part of the shortfall on ultimate realization. However, banks may sell specific financial assets with an agreement to share any surplus realized by the asset reconstruction company in the future. While each bank is required to make its own assessment of the value offered in the sale before accepting or rejecting an offer for purchase of financial assets by an asset reconstruction company, in consortium or multiple banking arrangements where more than 75.0 percent, by value of the banks or financial institutions, accept the offer, the remaining banks or financial institutions are obliged to accept the offer. Consideration for the sale may be in the form of cash or bonds/debentures issued by the asset reconstruction company or trusts set up by it to acquire financial assets. Banks can also invest in security receipts or pass-through certificates issued by the asset reconstruction company or trusts set up by it to acquire the financial assets.
In June 2019, the RBI permitted asset reconstruction companies to acquire assets from other asset reconstruction companies subject to stipulated conditions. In December 2019, the RBI restricted asset reconstruction companies from buying financial assets from a bank or financial institution which is a sponsor of the asset reconstruction company, lender to the asset reconstruction company or a subscriber to the asset reconstruction fund, or an entity in the group to which the asset reconstruction companies belong.
In July 2020, the RBI published a fair practices code for asset reconstruction companies to ensure transparency and fairness in their operation. The asset reconstruction companies registered with the RBI are advised to put in place a fair practices code duly approved by their board and publish the code in the public domain for the information of all stakeholders.
In April 2021, the RBI set up a committee to undertake a comprehensive review of the existing legal and regulatory framework applicable to ARCs and recommend measures to improve the effectiveness of ARCs, in particular the role of ARCs in the resolution of distressed assets, including under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016. In September 2021, the committee submitted its report, which had recommendations primarily related to acquisition, securitisation and reconstruction of financial assets and liquidity and trading of security receipts. Further recommendations were concerned with governance and transparency, minimum net owned fund requirements, legal topics and taxation topics.
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Guidelines on Sale and Purchase of
Non-Performing
Assets (“NPAs”) among Banks, Financial Institutions and
Non-banking
Financial Institutions
In order to increase the options available to banks for resolving their NPAs and to develop a healthy secondary market for NPAs, in July 2005, the RBI issued guidelines for the purchase and sale of NPAs among banks, financial institutions and NBFCs. In terms of these guidelines, banks’ boards are required to establish policies covering, among others, a valuation procedure to be followed to ensure that the economic value of financial assets is reasonably estimated based on the assessed cash flows arising out of repayment and recovery prospects. Purchases and sales of NPAs must be without recourse to the seller, on a cash basis, with the entire consideration being paid
up-front,
and after the sale there should not be any known liability devolving on the seller. Previously, an asset needed to be classified by the seller as
non-performing
for at least two years to be eligible for sale and the purchasing bank needed to have held the NPA in its books for at least 15 months before it could sell the asset to another bank.
In February 2014, the RBI issued guidelines wherein the requirement of a minimum holding period of two years by the seller in relation to sale transactions with other banks, financial institutions and NBFCs, was removed. These guidelines reduce the purchasing bank’s holding period requirement to 12 months before it can sell the asset to another bank, financial institution or NBFC. In accordance with these RBI guidelines, the asset cannot be sold back to the original seller.
Further, to incentivize the early sale of NPAs to securitizationsecuritisation companies and/orand reconstruction companies, banks are allowed to spread over any shortfall, if the sale value is lower than the net book value, over a period of two years for NPAs sold up to March 31, 2016. In its circular of June 2016, the RBI has further extended the dispensation of amortizing the shortfall on the sale of NPAs to securitizationsecuritisation companies and reconstruction companies to March 31, 2017. However, in respect of NPAs sold during the period from April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, banks may amortize the shortfall over a period of only four quarters from the quarter in which the sale took place.
Guidelines on Sale of Standard Assets
The RBI first issued guidelines for the securitizationsecuritisation of standard assets in February 2006. The guidelines provide that for a transaction to be treated as a securitization,securitisation, a
two-stage
process must be followed. In the first stage there must be a sale of a single asset or pooling and transferring of assets to a bankruptcy remote special purpose vehicle (“SPV”) in return for immediate cash payment and in the second stage repackaging and selling the security interests representing claims on incoming cash flows from the asset or pool of assets to third-party investors should be effected. Further, for enabling the transferred assets to be removed from the balance sheet of the seller in a securitizationsecuritisation structure, the isolation of assets or “true sale” from the seller or originator to the SPV is an essential prerequisite. Also, an
arm’s-length
relationship must be maintained between the originator, the seller and the SPV.
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Certain regulatory standards for capital adequacy, valuation, profit and loss on sale of assets, income recognition and provisioning, accounting treatment for securitizationsecuritisation transactions and disclosure standards have been prescribed. The guidelines are applicable for originators and have prescribed provisions for service providers like: credit enhancers, liquidity support providers and underwriters and investors. Quarterly reporting to the audit
sub-committee
of the board of directors by originating banks of the securitizationsecuritisation transactions has also been prescribed. Apart from banks, these guidelines are also applicable to financial institutions and NBFCs.
In May 2012, the RBI revised the guidelines on transfer of assets through securitizationsecuritisation and direct assignment of cash flows. These guidelines govern the securitizationsecuritisation of debt obligations of a homogenous pool of obligors as well as the direct sale or transfer of a single standard asset. The roles of both the selling and purchasing banks have been defined more clearly. All
on-balance
sheet standard assets except those expressly disallowed in the guidelines are eligible for securitizationsecuritisation subject to being held by the originating bank for a minimum holding period. The guidelines also prescribe a minimum retention requirement,
i.e.
, the minimum part of the securitized debts that the originator is required to retain during the term of securitization.securitisation. Overseas banking outlets of Indian banks cannot undertake securitizationsecuritisation in other jurisdictions unless there is a minimum retention requirement in that jurisdiction. These requirements have been established to ensure that the originator exercises due diligence with regard to the securitized assets. The guidelines also establish the upper limit on the total retained exposure of the originator, the disclosures to be made by the originators, applicability of capital adequacy and asset classification and provisioning norms to these transactions. The norms also stipulate stress testing and extensive monitoring requirements on the purchased portfolios. Transactions which do not meet the requirements established by the guidelines will be assigned very high-risk weights under capital adequacy norms. The guidelines on transfer of assets through securitizationsecuritisation and direct assignment of cash flows do not apply to:
 
transfer of loan accounts of borrowers by a bank to other bank/banks, financial institutions/institutions or NBFCs, and vice versa, at the request/instancerequest of the borrower;
 
inter-bank participations;
 
trading in bonds;
 
sale of the entire portfolio of assets consequent upon a decision to exit the line of business completely (which should have the approval of the board of directors of the Bank)bank);
 
consortium and syndication arrangements and arrangement under a corporate debt restructuring mechanism; and
 
any other arrangement/arrangements/transactions specifically exempted by the RBI.
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In June 2020, the RBI released the drafts of a framework for the securitisation of standard assets and for the sale of loan exposures. The framework proposes to revisit the guidelines for the sale of both standard and distressed loan exposures, and will apply to all scheduled commercial banks and NBFCs (including housing finance companies).
In September 2021, the RBI issued master directions on securitisation of standard assets and sale of loan exposures. These guidelines are applicable to all banks, financial institutions, SFBs and NBFCs. The aim of the revised guidelines was to develop a strong and robust securitisation market in India, while incentivizing simpler securitisation structures, and to align the regulatory framework with the Basel guidelines on securitization, which have become effective January 1, 2018, and the IFRS requirements. Among other things, the guidelines prescribe minimum retention requirements (“MRR”) based on the maturity of the underlying loan assets and different average maturities for residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”). The guidelines also prescribe conditions for the transfer of loan assets.
Salient features of the securitisation of standard assets are as follows: (i) transactions that result in the issuance of multiple tranches of securities reflecting different credit risks will be treated as securitisation transactions and accordingly covered under the securitisation guidelines; (ii) a securitisation external ratings-based approach has been introduced for calculation of risk weighted assets for credit risk of securitisation exposures. For unrated securitisation exposures, the lender shall maintain capital charge equal to the actual exposure. A differential credit risk has been prescribed for securitisations under the ‘standardised approach’; (iii) a special form of securitization, called the “simple, transparent and comparable securitization” (“STC”), has been prescribed with clearly defined criteria and preferential capital treatment; (iv) the definition of securitization has been modified to allow single-asset securitisations; (v) securitisation of exposures purchased from other lenders has been allowed; (vi) carve-outs for RMBS in prescriptions regarding minimum holding periods (“MHP”), MRR and reset of credit enhancements have been introduced; and (vi) criteria for transfers of credit risk have been prescribed, which if met will exempt the originator from maintaining capital against the exposures so transferred.
Salient features of the sale of loan exposures (in contrast to the existing guidelines) are as follows: (i) the sale of standard assets may be made by assignment, novation or loan participation contracts (either funded participation or risk participation), whereas the sale of stressed assets may be made by assignment or novation only; (ii) direct assignment transactions shall be classified as a special form in these guidelines; (iii) the requirement of MRR for sale of loans has been abolished; (iv) the price discovery process has been deregulated to follow the lenders’ policy; (v) stressed assets may be sold to any entity that is permitted to take on loan exposures by its statutory or regulatory framework; and (vi) some of the existing conditions for the sale of NPAs have been consolidated and standardized.
Regulations Relating to Making Loans
The provisions of the Banking Regulation Act govern loans made by banks in India. The RBI issues directions covering the loan activities of banks. Major guidelines include norms for bank lending to the priority sectors,sector,
non-bank
financial companies, guidelines on banks’ benchmark lending rates, base rates and norms for loans against shares.
In terms of Section 20(1) of the Banking Regulation Act, a bank cannot grant any loans and advances against the security of its own shares. A banking company is prohibited from entering into any commitment for granting any loans or advances to or on behalf of any of its directors, or any firm in which any of its directors has an interest as a partner, manager, employee or guarantor or any other company (not being a subsidiary of the banking company or a company registered under sectionSection 8 of the Companies Act or a Government company), or the subsidiary or the holding company of such a company of which any of the directors of the bank is a director, managing agent, manager, employee or guarantor or in which he holds substantial interest, or any individual in respect of whom any of its directors is a partner or guarantor. There are certain exceptions in this regard which exclude any transaction which the RBI may specify by general or special order as not being a loan or advance for the purpose of such section. The Government may, on the recommendation of the RBI and subject to conditions as it may deem fit to impose, exempt any banking company from the restriction on lending to the subsidiary, holding company or any other company in which any of the directors of the banking company is a director, managing agent, manager, employee, guarantor or in which such person holds substantial interest.
164

In the context of granting greater functional autonomy to banks, effective October 18, 1994, the RBI decided to remove restrictions on the lending rates of scheduled commercial banks for credit limits of over Rs. 0.2 million. Banks were given the freedom to fix the lending rates for such credit limits subject to the Benchmark Prime Lending Rate (“BPLR”) and spread guidelines. The BPLR system, however, fell short of its original objective of bringing transparency to lending rates. This was mainly because under the BPLR system, banks could lend below BPLR. Banks consequently were advised by the RBI to switch over to the system of Base Rate with effect from July 1, 2010. The base rate system was aimed at enhancing transparency in lending rates of banks and enabling better assessment of transmission of the monetary policy. The Base Rate included all elements of the lending rates that were common across all categories of borrowers. Banks were allowed to choose any benchmark to arrive at their Base Rate for a specific tenor that could be disclosed. For loans sanctioned up to June 30, 2010, the BPLR was applicable. However, for loans sanctioned up to June 30, 2010, but renewed from July 1, 2010, the Base Rate was applicable.
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In December 2015, the RBI issued revised guidelines on computing interest rates on advances based on the marginal cost of funds. The revised guidelines were issued with a view to improving the transmission of policy rates into bank lending rates, improving transparency in the methodology followed by banks for determining interest rates on advances, and ensuring the availability of bank credit at interest rates which are fair to the borrowers as well as the banks. The guidelines came into effect from April 1, 2016. Pursuant to the revised guidelines, all rupee loans sanctioned and credit limits renewed with effect from April 1, 2016, will be priced with reference to the marginal cost of funds basedfunds-based lending rate system (MCLR)(“MCLR”). Actual lending rates will be determined by adding the components of spread to the MCLR. Banks will review and publish their MCLR of different maturities every month on a
pre-announced
date. The guidelines provide that existing loans and credit limits linked to the Base Rate may continue until repayment or renewal. Certain types of loans, including fixed rate loans with tenor over three years and loans linked to a market determinedmarket-determined external benchmark, are exempt from provisions of MCLR. The existing borrowers will have the option to move to MCLR-linked loanloans at mutually acceptable terms.
With effect from October 1, 2019 all new floating rate personal or retail loans and floating rate loans to micro and small enterprises are required to be linked to an external benchmark. Banks can adopt any of the following benchmarks: (i) RBI policy repo rate, (ii) Government of India
3-Months
Treasury Bill yield published by Financial Benchmarks India Private Ltd (“FBIL”), (iii) Government of India
6-Months
Treasury Bill yield published by FBIL, and (iv) any other benchmark market interest rate published by FBIL. However, adoption of multiple benchmarks by the same bank is not permitted within a loan category. The RBI in its circular dated February 26, 2020 extended from April 1, 2020, the requirement to link external benchmarks to new floating rate loans granted to medium enterprises.enterprises, from April 1, 2020.
Directed Lending
Priority Sector Lending
The guidelines on lending to the priority sector are set forth in the RBI Master Directions on Priority Sector Lending—Targets and Classification as updated from time to time. The priority sector is broadly comprised of agriculture, micro, small and medium enterprises (“MSMEs”), export credit, education, housing, export credit, social infrastructure, renewable energy, and others subject to certain limits. The guidelines take into account the revised definition of MSMEs as per the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006.
The priority sector lending targets are linked to the adjusted net bank credit (“ANBC”) or the credit equivalent amount of
off-balance
sheet exposures (“CEOBE”), whichever is higher, as on the corresponding date of the previous year. Domestic banks and foreign banks having 20 or more branches in India, are required to achieve total priority sector lending equivalent to 40.0 percent of their ANBC or CEOBE.CEOBE, whichever is higher. Of the total priority sector advances, agricultural advances are required to be 18.0 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher. Advances to weaker sections are required to be 10.011.0 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher. Within the 18.0 percent target for agriculture, a target of 8.09.0 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher, is prescribed for small and marginal farmers. The targets for small and marginal farmers, and weaker sectors will be implemented in a phased manner through fiscal year 2024. Banks have also been directed to ensure that their overall direct lending to
non-corporate
farmers does not fall below the system-wide average of the achievements over the last three years (which will be notified by the RBI at the beginning of each year; the percentage applicable to fiscal year the current percentage being 12.112022 was 12.73 percent). The RBI further reiterated that the banks should continue to undertake all efforts to reach the level of 13.5 percent of ANBC (which was the erstwhile target for direct lending to the beneficiaries who earlier constituted the direct agriculture sector.sector). The target for micro enterprises is set at 7.5 percent.
Loans to individuals up to Rs. 3.5 million in metropolitan centers (with populations of 11.0 million or more) and loans up to Rs. 2.5 million in other centers for the purchase or construction of a dwelling unit per family (provided the overall cost of the dwelling unit in the metropolitan center and at other centers does not exceed Rs. 4.5 million and Rs. 3.0 million, respectively), excluding loans granted by banks to their own employees, are to be treated as part of priority sector lending. Loans to individual borrowers for educational purposes, including vocational courses up to Rs. 1.02.0 million, are also to be treated as part of priority sector lending. Investments by banks in securitized assets and outright purchases of loans representing loans to various categories of the priority sector (except “others”) are eligible for classification under the priority sector only if certain criteria are fulfilled.
Bank loans up to a limit of Rs. 5050.0 million per borrower for building social infrastructure for activities, namely schools, health care facilities, drinking water facilities and sanitation facilities and loans up to a limit of Rs. 100.0 million per borrower for building health care facilities including under “Ayushman Bharat” in certain eligible centers as prescribed by the RBI are treated as priority sector lending. Further, Bank loans up to a limit of Rs. 150300.0 million to borrowers for purposes like solar-based power generators, biomass-based power generators, windmills, micro-hydel plants and for
non-conventional
energy-based public utilities like street lighting systems, and remote village electrification are also treated as priority sector lending. Additionally, in March 2018, the RBI removed the loan limits applicable
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Scheduled commercial banks (excluding SFBs, RRBs, UCBs and LABs) are permitted to MSMEs
co-lend
with all registered
Non-Banking
Financial Companies (including Housing Finance Companies) for classification underlending to the priority sector.
Banks are required to ensure compliance with priority sector lending targets on a quarterly basis. Domestic scheduled commercial banks having a shortfall in lending to priority sector targets are allocated amounts for contribution to the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund established with the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development or funds with other financial institutions, as may be decided by the RBI, as and when funds are required by them. The interest rates on banks’ contributions to these schemes and periods of deposits, among other things, are fixed by the RBI from time to time. Additionally, as per RBI guidelines,
non-achievement
of priority sector targets and
sub-targets
is taken into account by the RBI when granting regulatory clearances and approvals for various purposes. While computing priority sector achievement, a simple average of all quarters will be arrived at and considered for computation of overall shortfall/excess at the end of the year. Beginning in fiscal year 2022, the RBI assigns weightages to incremental priority sector credit in identified districts. A higher weight (125 percent) will be assigned in the identified districts where the credit flow is comparatively lower and a lower weight (90 percent) will be assigned in the identified districts where the credit flow is comparatively higher. This will be valid for up to fiscal year 2024 and will be reviewed thereafter. The districts not further specified will continue to have an existing weightage of 100 percent. Adjustments for weights to incremental PSL credit by the RBI are pending.
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Foreign banks having 20 or more banking outlets in India were broughtexcluded retail and wholesale traders from the MSME definition. This had adversely impacted the Bank’s PSL achievement for fiscal year 2021. Based on par with domestic banksrepresentations made by various industry bodies for reinstatement of this segment, the Government of India reinstated retail and wholesale traders as MSME for priority sector targetslending in a phased manner over a maximum period of five years commencing on April 1, 2013, and since have a priority sector lending target of 40.0 percent of ANBC. In March 2018,July 2021. Thereafter, the RBI directed such banks to achieve a
sub-target
accepted the Bank’s revised filing of 8.0 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher,PSL achievement for banksfiscal year 2021 including the lending to smallthe retail and marginal farmers. Further, a
sub-target
ofwholesale trader segments. The revised achievement was as follows: Total PSL achievement stood at 39.9 percent, lending to micro enterprises at 7.5 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher, for banks lendingand advances to microenterprises has also become applicable for foreign banks with 20 banking outlets or more from March 31, 2018.sections identified as “weaker” by the RBI at 4.3 percent.
Further, foreign banks with less than 20 banking outletsbranches are directed to achieve a total priority sector lending target of 40.0 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher, on par without of which up to 32.0 percent can be in the form of lending for exports and not less than 8.0 percent can be to any other banks by fiscal 2020.priority sector.
In order to enable banks to achieve the priority sector lending target and
sub-targets,
the RBI, in its circular dated April 7, 2016, has introduced the Priority Sector Lending Certificates (“PSLC”) Scheme. The scheme permits banks to purchase PSLCs in the event of a shortfall from those banks that have achieved a surplus in their priority sector lending targets. There are four kinds of PSLCs:
 
(i)
PSLC Agriculture: counting for achievement towards the total agriculture lending target;
 
(ii)
PSLC SF/MF: counting for achievement towards the
sub-target
for lending to small and marginal farmers;
 
(iii)
PSLC Micro Enterprises: counting for achievement towards the
sub-target
for lending to micro enterprises; and
 
(iv)
PSLC General: counting for achievement towards the overall priority sector target.
Initially until March 31, 2020, theThe RBI in its circular dated August 13, 2019,has permitted bank loans to registered NBFCs (other than MFIs) for
on-lending
purposes to be classified as priority sector loans, within the relevant categories as outlined above. However, in its circular dated March 23, 2020, the RBI extended this classification to fiscal 2021,above, subject to the condition that a bank’s loans to registered NBFCs (other than MFIs) and HFCs for
on-lending
purposes will only be permitted up to an overall limit of five per cent5.0 percent of an individual bank’s total priority sector lending. The RBI clarified that a bank’s loan for
on-lending
will continue to be classified under the priority sector until the date of their repayment or maturity. The RBI also clarified that bank loans made to HFCs for
on-lending
for the purpose of housing will continue on an
on-going
basis. Furthermore, existing loans disbursed under the
on-lending
model will continue to be classified under the applicable priority sector until the date of repayment/maturity.
Previously, lending by SFBs to Micro-Finance Institutions (“MFIs”) for
on-lending
did not fall under the priority sector lending classification. Due to the
COVID-19
pandemic and to address the liquidity position of smaller MFIs, the RBI decided to permit new credit extended by SFBs to registered NBFC-MFIs and other MFIs (including, among others, societies and trusts), which are members of
RBI-recognized
“Self-Regulatory Organizations” of the sector and which have a “gross loan portfolio” of up to Rs. 5,000.0 million as of March 31 of the previous fiscal year, for the purpose of
on-lending
to the priority sector, to be classified as PSL. Such credit will be permitted to be classified as up to 10.0 percent of a bank’s total priority sector portfolio. This dispensation was valid until March 31, 2022. Such loans disbursed, were to be classified as PSL until the earlier date of the repayment or maturity. In May 2022, the RBI extended
this dispensation and allowed this classification on an
on-going
basis for eligible entities with a ‘gross loan portfolio’ of up to Rs. 5,000.0 million as of March 31 of the previous fiscal year.
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Export Credit
The RBI also requires banks to make loans to exporters. We provide export credit for
pre-shipment
and post-shipment requirements of exporters in rupees as well as foreign currencies. TheExport credit in the agriculture and MSME sectors is permitted to be classified as priority sector lending in the corresponding agriculture and MSME categories. Export credit (other than in the agriculture and MSME categories) is permitted to be classified as priority sector lending in the following manner: (i) the incremental export credit extended by domestic banks over the corresponding date of the preceding year, up to 2.0 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher, subject to a limit of Rs. 400400.0 million per borrower shallwill be classified as priority sector lending. Prior to September 20, 2019,lending; (ii) the maximum limit ofincremental export credit to units having turnover of up to Rs. 1 billion was Rs. 250 million. A similar limit is applicable toextended by foreign banks with 20 or more banking outlets in India with effect from April 1, 2017. Until March 31, 2017, foreign banks with 20branches over the corresponding date of the preceding year, up to 2.0 percent of ANBC or more banking outlets are allowed to count a certain percentage of theirCEOBE, whichever is higher; and (iii) export credit limit as priority sector lending. Foreignextended by foreign banks with less than 20 banking outlets are allowed to classifybranches up to 32.0 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher, as priority sector lending. The interest rates applicable for all tenors of rupee-denominated export credit advances are required to be at or above Base Rate. As per RBI directions, the Base Rate system has been replaced by the MCLR and all rupee loans and credit limits sanctioned or renewed with effect from April 1, 2016, are required to be priced with reference to the MCLR. Existing loans and credit limits may remain linked to the Base Rate until repayment or renewal. With effect from May 5, 2012, the RBI has deregulated the interest rates on export credit in foreign currencies and has permitted banks to determine their own interest rates in respect thereof.
With effect from October 1, 2019 all new floating rate personal or retail loans and floating rate loans to micro and small enterprises are required to be linked to an external benchmark.
higher.
Lending to Infrastructure Sector and Affordable Housing Sector
In order to allow banks to provide long-term funds for project loans to the infrastructure sector and the affordable housing sector, the RBI, in July 2014, issued guidelines for the issuance of long-term bonds by banks for financing infrastructure sector loans and lending to the affordable housing sector. Under these guidelines, banks are permitted to issue long-term fully paid, redeemable and unsecured bonds with a minimum maturity of seven years to enable lending to long-term projects in certain specified infrastructure
sub-sectors
and the affordable housing sector as prescribed in the guidelines. To encourage lending to these sectors, these long-term bonds are not subject to cash reserve ratio (“CRR”) or statutory liquidity ratio (“SLR”) requirements. These bonds are also not included in the computation of ANBC for the purposes of priority sector lending targets subject to the guidelines. However, any infrastructure or affordable housing loans acquired from other banks and financial institutions (such as those that could be involved in a business combination with the Bank) will require the prior approval of the RBI to avail themselves of these regulatory incentives.
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Credit Exposure Limits
As a prudential measure aimed at better risk management and avoiding the concentration of credit risks, the RBI has advised banks to fix limits on their exposure to specific industries and sectors and has prescribed regulatory limits on banks’ exposures to individual borrowers and borrower groups. In addition, banks are also required to observe certain statutory and regulatory exposure limits in respect of advances against or investments in shares, convertible debentures or bonds, units of equity-oriented mutual funds and all exposures to venture capital funds (VCFs)(“VCFs”).
The RBI limits exposure to individual borrowers to not more than 15.0 percent of the capital funds of a Bank and limits exposure to a borrower group to not more than 40.0 percent of the capital funds of a bank. See also “
Large Exposure Framework
” discussed below. The capital funds for this purpose are comprised of Tier I and Tier II capital, as defined under the capital adequacy standards and as per the published accounts as of March 31 of the previous year. The infusion of Tier I or Tier II capital, either through domestic or overseas issuances, after the published balance sheet date is also eligible for inclusion in the capital funds for determining the exposure ceiling. In the case of infrastructure projects, such as power, telecommunications, road and port projects, an additional exposure of up to 5.0 percent of capital funds is allowed in respect of individual borrowers and up to 10.0 percent in respect of group borrowers. Banks may, in exceptional circumstances and with the approval of their boards, consider increasing their exposure to an individual borrower or a borrower group by a further 5.0 percent of capital funds. With effect from May 2008, the RBI revised the prudential limit to 25.0 percent of capital funds in respect of a bank’s exposure to oil companies to which specified oil bonds have been issued by the Government of India. Banks need to make appropriate disclosures in their annual financial statements in respect of exposures where they have exceeded the prudential exposure limits during the year.
Exposures (both lending and investment, including off balance
off-balance
sheet exposures) of a bank to a single NBFC, NBFC-Asset Financing Company (AFC)(“AFC”), or NBFC-Infrastructure Finance Company (IFC)(“IFC”) should not exceed 10.0 percent, 15.0 percent and 15.0 percent, respectively, of a bank’s capital funds. A Bankbank may, however, assume exposures on a single NBFC,
NBFC-AFC,
or
NBFC-IFC
up to 15.0 percent, 20.0 percent and 20.0 percent, respectively, of its capital funds, provided the exposure in excess of 10.0 percent, 15.0 percent and 15.0 percent (referred to above) is on account of funds that the NBFC,
NBFC-AFC,
or
NBFC-IFC
has lent out to the infrastructure sector. Further, all banks may consider fixing internal limits for their aggregate exposure to all NBFCs combined.
Exposure includes credit exposure (funded and
non-funded
credit limits) and investment exposure (including underwriting and similar commitments). The sanctioned limits or outstanding amount, whichever is higher, would be included when arriving at the exposure limit. However, in the case of fully drawn term loans, where there is no scope for
re-drawing
of any portion of the sanctioned limit, banks may consider the outstanding as the exposure. For the purpose of exposure norms, banks shall compute their credit exposures, arising on account of the interest rate and foreign exchange derivative transactions and gold, using the Current Exposure Method. While computing credit exposures, banks may exclude “sold options”, provided that the entire premium or fee or any other form of income is received or realized.
Credit exposure comprises the following elements:
 
all types of funded and
non-funded
credit limits; and
 
facilities extended by way of equipment leasing, hire purchase finance and factoring services.
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Apart from limiting exposures to an individual or a group of borrowers, as indicated above, the RBI guidelines also require banks to consider fixing internal limits for aggregate commitments to specific sectors, so that their exposures are evenly spread across various sectors. These limits are subject to a periodic review by banks.
In August 2016, the RBI has issued a circular imposing certain restrictions on lending by banks to large borrowers. The circular aims to mitigate the risk posed to the banking system by large loans to single corporate borrowers, and also encourage large corporates with borrowings from the banking system above a
cut-off
level to tap the market for their working capital and term loan needs. As per the circular, which is effective April 1, 2017, banks are required to keep exposures to specified borrowers within a normally permitted lending limit (“NPLL”) specified in the circular from the fiscal year succeeding that in which the borrower is identified as a specified borrower. For incremental exposures in excess of the NPLL, banks are required to maintain an additional provision of 3.0 percent on such excess. Additional risk weight of 75.0 percent over and above the applicable risk weight for the exposure to the specified borrower is also required to be maintained by the Bank in case of any incremental exposure. The guidelines define “specified borrowers” as having an aggregate fund basedfund-based credit limit (as described in the circular) of over Rs. 250250.0 billion at any time during fiscal year 2018; Rs. 150150.0 billion at any time during fiscal year 2019; and Rs. 100100.0 billion at any time from April 1, 2019, onwards.
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In December 2018, the RBI issued guidelines in relation to bank credit to large borrowers. The guidelines state that borrowers having a fund-based working capital limit of Rs. 1,5001,500.0 million and above from the banking system, will need to have a loan component of at least 40.0 percent. Accordingly, for such borrowers drawings up to 40.0 percent of the total fund-based working capital limits shall only be allowed from the loan component, and drawings in excess of this may be allowed as a cash credit facility. These guidelines will becomebecame effective fromon April 1, 2019, and with effect from July 1, 2019, the mandatory loan component will bewas revised to 60.0 percent. The RBI also specified that with effect from April 1, 2019, the undrawn portion of cash credit/overdraft limits sanctioned to large borrowers, irrespective of whether unconditionally cancellable or not, will be subject to a credit conversion factor of 20.0 percent.
Large Exposures Framework
In June 2019, the RBI issued the revised Large Exposures Framework, which aims to align the exposure norms for Indian Banksbanks with BCBS standards. The guidelines have comecame into effect from April 1, 2019, except for certain provisions which will become effectivecame into effect from April 1, 2020. The framework defines “large exposures” and governs banks’ exposures to counterparties. The framework prescribes that the sum of all exposure values of a bank to a single counterparty must not be higher than 20.0 percent of the bank’s available eligible capital base at all times, and that to a group of connected counterparties must not be higher than 25.0 percent of the bank’s available eligible capital base. Tier I capital fulfilling the criteria mentioned in the Basel III guidelines issued by RBI is required to be considered as eligible capital base for this purpose.
In terms of the Large Exposure Framework, banks’ exposures to a single NBFC isare restricted to 15.0 percent of their available eligible capital base, while the general single counterparty exposure limit is 20.0 percent, which can be extended to 25.0 percent by banks’ boards under exceptional circumstances. However, the RBI in its circular dated September 12, 2019, stated that a bank’s exposure to a single NBFC (excluding gold loan companies) will be restricted to 20.0 percent of such bank’s eligible capital base. Bank finance to NBFCs predominantly engaged in lending against gold will continue to be governed by limits prescribed in the RBI circular dated May 18, 2012. As a result of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI, in its circular dated May 23, 2020, decided, as a
one-time
measure, to increase a bank’s permitted exposure to a group of connected counterparties from 25.0 percent to 30.0 percent of the eligible capital base of such bank. The increased limit will be applicable until to June 30, 2021. The RBI in its circular from February 2021 exempted from the framework lending by foreign sovereigns or their central banks that are (i) subject to a 0.0 percent risk weight under the Basel III guidelines; and (ii) where such lending is denominated in the domestic currency of that sovereign and met out of resources of the same currency. Further, through its circular issued in March 2021, the RBI determined that
non-centrally
cleared derivatives exposures will continue to be outside the purview of exposure limits until September 30, 2021. Under the Banking Regulation Act, Indian branches of foreign banks are required to maintain minimum paid up capital and reserves, and in order to meet this requirement, deposit with the RBI either cash or unencumbered approved securities. In September 2021, the RBI allowed the Indian branches of foreign banks to include cash and/or encumbered approved securities which has been availed as interest-free funds from the bank’s head office or remittable surplus retained in Indian books of accounts to mitigate/offset, while reducing the ambit in the calculation of large exposure framework only to their Head office, subject to certain conditions. The amount held under the Banking Regulation Act and earmarked as credit risk mitigation shall be disclosed through a note as set out in the circular. Foreign banks are allowed to exclude derivative contracts executed prior to April 1, 2019 when computing the derivative exposure of their head offices (including overseas branches). The RBI has also clarified that double counting of the funds placed with the RBI to fulfill the requirement to maintain minimum paid up capital and reserves under the Banking Regulation Act as both capital and credit risk mitigation is not allowed.
The RBI has issued separate guidelines in relation to the Large Exposure Framework for NBFCs.
Regulations Relating to Capital Market Exposure Limits
The RBI has issued guidelines on financing to participants in the capital markets. These guidelines place a ceiling on the overall exposure of a bank to the capital markets.
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The aggregate exposure that a bank has to the capital markets in all forms (both fundfund- and
non-fundnon-fund-based)
based) must not exceed 4040.0 percent of its net worth (both for the stand-alone and the consolidated bank) as of March 31 of the previous year. Within this overall ceiling, the bank’s direct investment in shares, convertible bonds/debentures, units of equity-oriented mutual funds and exposure to VCFs must not exceed 2020.0 percent of its net worth (both for the stand-alone and the consolidated Bank). Net worth is comprised of the aggregate of
paid-up
capital, free reserves (including share premium but excluding revaluation reserves), investment fluctuation reserve and credit balance in the profit and loss account, less the debit balance in the profit and loss account, accumulated losses and intangible assets. There are guidelines on loans against equity shares in respect of amount, margin requirement and purpose.
The following exposures are subject to the ceiling:
 
direct investment in equity shares, convertible bonds, convertible debentures and units of equity-oriented mutual funds, the fund assets of which are not exclusively invested in corporate debt;
 
advances against shares/bonds/shares, bonds, debentures or other securities or advances without security to individuals for investment in shares (including in primary offerings and employee stock option plans), convertible bonds, convertible debentures and units of equity-oriented mutual funds;
 
advances for any other purposes where shares or convertible bonds or convertible debentures or units of equity orientedequity-oriented mutual funds are taken as primary security;
 
advances for any other purposes to the extent secured by collateral of shares, convertible bonds, convertible debentures or units of equity orientedequity-oriented mutual funds (
i.e.
, where the primary security other than shares or convertible bonds or convertible debentures or units of equity orientedequity-oriented mutual funds does not fully secure the advances;advances);
 
secured and unsecured advances to stockbrokers and guarantees issued on behalf of stockbrokers and market makers;
 
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loans sanctioned to companies against the security of shares/bonds/debentures or other securities or on a clean basis for meeting a promoter’s contribution to the equity of new companies;
 
bridge loans to companies against expected equity flows/issues;
 
underwriting commitments taken up by banks in respect of primary issues of shares or convertible bonds or convertible debentures or units of equity-oriented mutual funds;
 
financing to stockbrokers for margin trading;
 
all exposure to venture capital funds (both registered and unregistered); and
 
irrevocable payment commitments issued by custodian banks in favor of stock exchanges.
Regulations Relating to Other Loan Exposures
The RBI requires banks to have put in place a policy for exposure to real estate with the approval of their boards. The policy is required to include exposure limits, collateral to be considered, collateral cover and margins and credit authorization. The RBI has also permitted banks to extend financial assistance to Indian companies for the acquisition of equity in overseas joint ventures or wholly owned subsidiaries or in other overseas companies, new or existing, as strategic investments. Banks are not, however, permitted to provide companies “acquisition finance” to acquire companies in India.
Limits on Intra-group Transactions and Exposures
In February 2014, the RBI issued guidelines on the management of intra-group transactions and exposures which have been in effect since October 1, 2014. These guidelines contain both quantitative limits for the financial intra-group transactions and exposures (“ITEs”) and prudential measures for the
non-financial
ITEs to ensure that the banks engage in ITEs in a prudent manner in order to contain the concentration and contagion risk arising out of ITEs. These measures are aimed at ensuring an
arm’s-length
relationship in dealings with group entities and prescribe minimum requirements with respect to group risk management and group-wide oversight and prudential limits on intra-group exposures. Effective October 2014, a bank’s exposure to a
non-financial
or unregulated financial services entity in its group will be capped at 5.0 percent of its
paid-in
capital and reserves and its exposure to a regulated financial services company in its group will be capped at 10.0 percent of its
paid-in
capital and reserves. In the event a bank’s current intra-group exposure is more than the limits stipulated in the guidelines, that bank was required to bring the exposure within the limits by no later than March 31, 2016. Any exposure beyond the permissible limits subsequent to March 31, 2016, is deducted from
CET-I
capital of the bank.
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Regulation Relating to Country Risk Management
The RBI has issued detailed guidelines on country risk management that cover banks’ exposure to those countries to which they have a net funded exposure of 1.0 percent or more of their total assets, and no provision is maintained on such country exposure.which became effective in fiscal year 2005. The countries are categorized into seven risk categories, namely: insignificant, low, moderate, high, very high, restricted and
off-credit.
Required provisioning is based on exposures exceeding 180 days on a graded scale ranging from 0.25 percent to 100.0 percent. Banks may maintain a lower level of provisioning of 25.0 percent of the requirement in respect of exposures with a contractual maturity of less than 180 days.
Regulations Relating to Investments
Exposure Limits
Credit exposure limits specified by the RBI in respect of a bank’s lending to individual borrowers and borrower groups apply in respect of
non-convertible
debt instruments. Within the overall capital market exposure ceiling, a bank’s direct investments in equity securities, convertible bonds and debentures and units of equity-oriented mutual funds should not exceed 20.0 percent of its net worth as of March 31 of the previous year. A bank’s aggregate investment in subordinated bonds eligible for Tier II capital status issued by other banks or financial institutions is restricted to up to 10.0 percent of the investing bank’s capital funds (Tier I plus Tier II capital). Investments in the instruments issued by banks or financial institutions that are eligible for capital status are either risk weightedrisk-weighted or deducted from the investee bank’s capital, for capital adequacy purposes, depending upon the extent of investment as prescribed by the RBI under the Basel III capital regulations.
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In order to contain the risks arising out of investment by banks in
non-statutory
liquidity ratio
(“non-SLR”)
securities, and, in particular, the risks arising out of investment in bonds through private placement, the RBI has issued detailed guidelines on investment by banks in
non-SLR
securities. Banks have been advised to restrict their new investments in unlisted securities to 10.0 percent of their total
non-SLR
investments as of March 31 of the previous year. Banks are permitted to invest in unlisted
non-SLR
securities within this limit, provided that such securities comply with disclosure requirements for listed companies as prescribed by the SEBI. Banks’ investments in unlisted
non-SLR
securities may exceed the limit of 10.0 percent by an additional 10.0 percent, provided further that the investment is on account of investments in securitizationsecuritisation papers issued for infrastructure projects and bonds/debentures issued by securitizationsecuritisation companies or reconstruction companies set up under the SARFAESI Act and registered with the RBI. Investments in security receipts issued by securitizationsecuritisation companies or reconstruction companies registered with the RBI, investments in asset-backed securities and mortgage-backed securities, that are rated at or above the minimum investment grade and investments in unlisted convertible debentures will not be treated as unlisted
non-SLR
securities for computing compliance with the prudential limits. The guidelines relating to listing and rating requirements of
non-SLR
securities do not apply to investments in VCFs, commercial paper, certificates of deposit and mutual fund schemes where any part of the corpus can be invested in equity. Banks are not permitted to invest in unrated
non-SLR
securities, except in the case of unrated bonds of companies engaged in infrastructure activities, within the overall ceiling of 10.0 percent for unlisted
non-SLR
securities.
The total investment by banks in liquid/short-term debt schemes (by whatever name called) of mutual funds with a weighted average maturity of the portfolio of not more than one year, will be subject to a prudential cap of 10.0 percent of their net worth as on March 31 of the previous year. The weighted average maturity would be calculated as the average of the remaining period of maturity of securities weighted by the sums invested.
Non-Performing
Investments
The RBI has defined
non-performing
investments as those where principal or interest is unpaid for more than 90 days including preference shares where a fixed dividend is not paid or declared. The
non-availability
of the latest balance sheet of a company in whose equity securities a bank has invested will also render those equity shares
non-performing
investments. If any credit facility availed of by the issuer is an NPA in the books of the Bank, investment in any of the securities issued by the same issuer would also be treated as a
Non-Performing
Investment (“NPI”) and vice versa. However, if only preference shares have been classified as an NPI, the investment in any of the other performing securities issued by the same issuer may not be classified as an NPI and any performing credit given to that borrower need not be treated as an NPA.
Restrictions on Investments in a Single Company
In terms of Section 19(2) of the Banking Regulation Act, no banking company may hold shares in any company except as provided in
sub-section (1) of,
that Act, whether as pledgee, mortgagee or absolute owner of an amount exceeding 30.0 percent of the
paid-up
share capital of that company or 30.0 percent of its own
paid-up
share capital and reserves, whichever is lower. Further, in terms of Section 19(3) of the Banking Regulation Act, banks must not hold shares, whether as pledgee, mortgagee or absolute owner, in any company in the management of which the managing director, any other director or manager of the Bank is in any manner concerned or interested.
170

Limit on Transactions through Individual Brokers
Guidelines issued by the RBI require banks to empanel brokers for transactions in securities. These guidelines also require that a disproportionate part of the bank’s business should not be transacted only through one broker or a few brokers. The RBI specifies that not more than 5.0 percent of the total transactions through empaneled brokers can be transacted through one broker during a year. If for any reason this limit is breached, the RBI has stipulated that the board of directors of the bank concerned should be informed on a half-yearly basis of such occurrences. These guidelines are not applicable to banks’ dealings through Primary Dealers.
Repo Directions
In July 2018, the RBI has issued the Repurchase Transactions (Repo) (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2018. These directions are applicable to repurchase transactions (Repo)(repo), excluding repo/reverse repo transactions under Liquidity Adjustment Facility and Marginal Standing Facility. The directions also cover repo contracts where a third entity (known as the
Tri-Party
Agent) acts as an intermediary between two parties to the repo to facilitate services like collateral selection and payment and settlement.
168

Valuation of Investments
The RBI has issued guidelines for the categorization and valuation of banks’ investments. The salient features of the guidelines are given below.
 
Banks are required to classify their entire portfolio of approved securities under three categories: “held for trading”, “available for sale” and “held to maturity”; banks must decide the category of investment at the time of acquisition.
 
Held to maturity (“HTM”) investments compulsorily include: (i) recapitalization bonds received from the Government; (ii) investments in subsidiaries and joint ventures; and (iii) investment in the long-term bonds (with a minimum residual maturity of seven years) issued by companies engaged in infrastructure activities. The minimum residual maturity of these bonds must be of seven years at the time of investment in these bonds. Once invested, banks may continue to classify these investments under the HTM category even if the residual maturity falls below seven years subsequently. Held to maturity investments also include any other investments identified for inclusion in this category subject to the condition that such investments cannot exceed 25 percent of total investments. Banks are permitted to exceed the limit of 25 percent of investments for the held to maturity category provided the excess is comprised only of investments eligible for statutory liquidity ratiothe SLR and the aggregate of such investments in the held to maturity category does not exceed a specified percentage of the prescribed demand and time liabilities.
 
Profit on the sale of investments in the HTM category is appropriated to the capital reserve account after being recognized in the profit and loss account. Loss on any sale is recognized in the profit and loss account.
 
Investments under the held for trading category must be sold within 90 days.
 
Available for sale and held for trading securities are required to be valued at market or fair value at prescribed intervals. The market price of the security available from the stock exchange, the price of securities in subsidiary general ledger transactions, the RBI price list or prices declared by the Primary Dealers Association of India jointly with the Fixed Income Money Market and Derivatives Association of India serves as the “market value” for investments in available for sale and held for trading securities.
 
Profit or loss on the sale of investments in both the held for trading and available for sale categories is recorded in the income statement.profit and loss account.
 
Shifting of investments from or to the HTM is generally not allowed. However, itcategory is permitted only under exceptional circumstances with the approval of the board of directors once a year, normally at the beginning of the accounting year; shifting of investments from available for sale to held for trading may be done, subject to depreciation, if any, applicable on the date of transfer, with the approval of the board of directors, the asset liability management committee or the investment committee; shifting from held for trading to available for sale is generally not permitted, save for under exceptional circumstances where banks are not able to sell the security within 90 days due to tight liquidity conditions, or extreme volatility, or the market becoming unidirectional, in which case transfer is permitted only with the approval of the board of directors, the asset liability management committee or the investment committee.
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The
one-time
transfer of securities to/from the HTM category with the approval of the board of directors is permitted to be undertaken by banks at the beginning of the accounting year. Additionally, in order to enable banksBanks shall have the option to shift their excess SLR securities and direct sale from the HTM category to AFS/the ATS/HFT forduring the purposes of complying withquarter in which the existing SLR requirements, the RBI by way of a circular dated October 4, 2017, permitted such shifting as per specified timelines in additionHTM ceiling is progressively brought down to the shifting permitted at the beginninglimits as indicated in
sub-section
6(iv)(a) of the accounting year. Furthermore, such additional shiftingmaster direction – classification, valuation and operation of securities explicitly permitted by the RBIinvestment portfolio of commercial banks (directions) 2021 dated August 25, 2021, as amended from time to time, direct salestime. The transfer of securities from the HTM for bringing down SLR holdings into the AFS/HFT category is subject to certain conditions, among others: (i) security originally placed under the HTM category salesat a discount shall be transferred to the RBIAFS/HFT category at the acquisition price/book value; (ii) security originally placed under
pre-announced
OMO auctions and repurchase of Government securities by the Government of India from banks will be excluded from the 5.0 percent cap prescribed for value of sales and transfers of securities to/from HTM category under paragraph 2.3(ii) ofat a premium shall be transferred to the master circular on “Prudential Norms for Classification, ValuationAFS/HFT category at the amortised cost; and Operation of Investment Portfolio by Banks”.(iii) following the transfer, securities shall be immediately
re-valued,
and resultant depreciation, if any, shall be provided.
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HTM securities are not marked to market
marked-to-market
and are carried at acquisition cost. Any premium on acquisition of held to maturity securities is amortized.
Depreciation or appreciation for each basket within the available for sale categories is aggregated. While net depreciation is provided for, net appreciation in each basket, if any, is not recognized except to the extent of depreciation already provided.
Investments in security receipts or pass throughpass-through certificates issued by asset reconstruction companies or trusts set up by asset reconstruction companies are valued at the lower of redemption value of the security receipts or the net book value of the underlying financial asset.
The banks are permitted to exceed the limit of 25.0 percent of the total investments under the HTM category provided that the excess comprised only SLR securities and investments are made by banks under targeted long-term repo operations as specified by the RBI. Currently, the total SLR securities held under the HTM category should not be more than 19.5 percent of Net Demand and Time Liabilities (“NDTL”) as on the last Friday of the second preceding fortnight. Banks are granted a special dispensation until March 31, 2023 enhancing their HTM limit to 23.0 percent of NDTL, for SLR securities acquired between September 1, 2020 and March 31, 2023. The enhanced limit will be restored in a phased manner over three quarters beginning with the quarter ending June 30, 2023.
In January 2022, the RBI released a discussion paper about the review of prudential norms for classification, valuation and operations of investment portfolios of commercial banks. The paper proposes to comprehensively align the prudential framework with global standards, while retaining certain elements considering the domestic context.
Prohibition on Short Selling
The RBI does not permit short selling of securities by banks, except short selling of central government securities subject to stipulated conditions. The RBI has permitted scheduled commercial banks to undertake short sales of central government securities, subject to the short position being covered within a maximum period of three months, including the day of trade. The short positions must be covered only by an outright purchase of an equivalent amount of the same security or through a long position in the when issued market or allotment in primary auction.
In February 2015, the RBI permitted
re-repo
of government securities, including state development loans and treasury bills, acquired under reverse repo subject to conditions prescribed by the RBI.
In September 2014, scheduled commercial banks and primary dealers or bond houses were permitted to execute the sale leg of short sale transactions in relation to government securities in the over the counter market. In its circular dated October 29, 2015, the RBI has allowed custodians and banks to short-sell in the government bond market with primary members or individual bank customers, who invest through lenders.
The Short Sale (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2018 came into force with effect from July 26, 2018 allowing certain regulated entities which have the approval of the regulators concerned, to undertake short sales. Under the directions, the maximum amount of a security (face value) that can be short sold are either liquid securities up to 2.0 percent of the total outstanding stock of each security, or Rs. 5,000.0 million, whichever is higher, and other securities up to 1.0 percent of the total outstanding stock of each security, or Rs. 2,500.0 million, whichever is higher. Liquid securities are securities identified and published by the Fixed Income Money Market and Derivatives Association of India (“FIMMDA”)/Financial Benchmarks India Limited (“FBIL”) as a “liquid security” for the purpose of short sale transactions.
172

Regulations Relating to Deposits
The RBI has permitted banks to independently determine rates of interest offered on fixed deposits. However, banks are not permitted to pay interest on current account deposits. From April 1, 2010, payment of interest on a savings account deposit is calculated on a daily product basis against the previous practice of interest being payable on the minimum balance held in the account during the period from the tenth day to the last calendar day of the month. With effect from October 25, 2011, the RBI permitted banks to offer varying rates of interest on savings deposits of resident Indians subject to the following conditions:
 
each bank will have to offer a uniform interest rate on savings bank deposits up to Rs. 0.1 million, irrespective of the amount in the account within this limit. While calculating interest on such deposits, banks are required to apply the uniform rate set by them on
end-of-day
balance up to Rs. 0.1 million; and
 
for any
end-of-day
savings bank deposits over Rs. 0.1 million a bank may provide differential rates of interest, if it so chooses, by ensuring that it does not discriminate in interest paid on such deposits, between one deposit and another of similar amount, accepted on the same date, at any of its offices.
With effect from December 16, 2011, the RBI also permitted banks the flexibility to offer varying rates of interest on
Non-Resident
(External) (“NRE”) and
Non-Resident
(Ordinary) (“NRO”) deposit accounts. However, banks are not permitted to offer rates of interest on NRE or NRO deposit accounts that are higher than those offered on domestic rupee deposit accounts of the same tenor and maturity.
Previously, banks were required to pay interest of 4.0 percent per annum on domestic savings deposits, rupee-denominated NRE Accounts Scheme and NRO Scheme savings deposits. In respect of savings and timeterm deposits accepted from employees, banks are permitted to pay an additional interest of 1.0 percent over the interest payable on deposits from the public.
The RBI has prescribed minimum and maximum maturity thresholds for certain types of deposits.
The RBI has permitted banks the flexibility to offer varying rates of interest on domestic term deposits of the same maturity based on the size of these deposits, subject to the following conditions:
 
a single term deposit is of Rs. 10.020.0 million (increased from Rs. 1.5 million with effect from April 1, 2013) and above; and
 
interest on deposits is paid in accordance with the schedule of interest rates disclosed in advance by the bank and not pursuant to negotiation between the depositor and the bank.
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In April 2015, theThe RBI has permitted banks to offer differential interest rates based on whether the term deposits are with or without premature withdrawal facility, subject to the following guidelines:
Allall term deposits of individuals (held singlyindividually or jointly) of Rs. 1.5 million and below should, necessarily, havehaving a premature withdrawal facility.
For all term deposits other than mentioned above, banks can offer deposits without the option of premature withdrawal as well. However, banks that offer such term deposits should ensure that the customers are given the option to choose between term deposits either with or without premature withdrawal facility.
Banks should disclose in advance the schedule of interest rates payable on deposits i.e., all deposits mobilized by banks should be strictly in conformity with the published schedule.
The banks should have a board approved policy with regard to interest rates on deposits including deposits with differential rates of interest and ensure that the interest rates offered are reasonable, consistent, transparent and available for supervisory review/scrutiny as and when required.
To achieve greater financial inclusion, banks have been advised by the RBI to offer a basic savings bank deposit (“BSBD”) account without any requirement of minimum balance and without carrying a charge for the stipulated basic minimum services that would make such accounts available as a normal banking service to all. The RBI, in its circular dated June 10, 2019, advised banks to offer the following minimum facilities: (i) deposit of cash at banking outlets as well as ATMs and CDMs, (ii) receipt or payment of monies through any electronic channel or by means of deposit or collection of cheques drawn by the central or state government agencies and departments, (iii) no limit on the number and value of deposits that can be made in a month, (iv) a minimum of four withdrawals in a month, including ATM withdrawal, (v) the provision of ATM cards or
ATM-cum-debit
cards, and (vi) value-added services in addition to such minimum facilities as described here, including the issuance of cheque books. The holders of BSBD accounts will not be eligible to open any other savings bank deposit account in the bank in which such holder maintains a BSBD account. In addition, BSBD accounts shall be subject to the RBI’s KYC and anti-money laundering requirements for opening bank accounts.
On March 3, 2016, the RBI issued the Master Direction on Interest Rates on Deposits. The master direction is applicable to all Scheduled Commercial Banksscheduled commercial banks, SFBs, payment banks and local area banks accepting deposits in rupeerupees and foreign currency. This master direction consolidates instructions on rules and regulations framed by the RBI under various acts including banking issues and foreign exchange transactions.
On July 6, 2017, the RBI released guidelines titled “Customer Protection – Limiting Liability of Customers in Unauthorised Electronic Banking Transactions”, for customer protection by limiting the liability of customers in unauthorized electronic banking transactions. Under these guidelines, banks have been directed to (i) put in place appropriate internal control systems and procedures to ensure safety and security of electronic banking transactions carried out by customers; and (ii) facilitate ease of reporting and monitoring of unauthorized transactions by customers to banks. Further, indicators have been identified by the RBI to banks on situations where liability may or may not be accorded to the customers in case of unauthorized transactions, and the limits on and timelines for such liability of customers for third-party breaches. On January 4, 2019, these guidelines have been extended to apply to
non-bank
prepaid payment instruments issuers.
FCNR (B)173

In February 2021, the RBI issued the Master Direction on Digital Security Controls with the aim of providing necessary guidelines for regulated entities (including scheduled commercial banks) to set up robust governance structures and implement common universal standards of security controls for digital payment products and services like internet banking, mobile payments, and card payments. Regulated entities were required to prepare a policy for digital payment products and services, and to conduct risk assessments with regard to the safety and security of digital payments products and associated processes and services, including providing for online dispute resolution mechanisms to resolve disputes and grievances of customers relating to digital payments. The guidelines will come into effect six months from the date of publication.
FCNR(B) Deposits
The RBI has granted general permission to
non-resident
Indians and Persons of Indian Origin (“PIOs”) to open Foreign Currency
Non-residentNon-resident(Bank)
(Bank) (“FCNR(B)”) accounts with authorized Indian banks. These FCNR(B) accounts can be funded by: (i) interest accruing on the account; (ii) interest on investment; (iii) maturity proceeds if such investments were made from the relevant FCNR(B) account; (iv) transferring funds from other NRE/FCNR(B) accounts; or (v) any other funds which are repatriable under the prevailing RBI regulations. The RBI permits FCNR(B) deposit holders to avail themselves of credit facilities (both offshore and onshore) and offer their FCNR(B) deposits as collateral for such facilities, subject to certain terms and conditions.
As an accelerated measure to increase foreign currency flows into the country, the RBI had, in September 2013, introduced a United States dollar-rupee swap window for fresh FCNR(B) dollar funds, mobilized for a minimum tenor of three years and more. Under the swap arrangement, a bank could sell United States dollars in multiples of US$ 11.0 million to the RBI and simultaneously agree to buy the same amount of United States dollars at the end of the swap period. The swap was undertaken at a fixed rate of 3.5 percent per annum. The swap window was open till November 30, 2013.
In August 2013, the RBI exempted the FCNR(B)/NRE deposits raised by banks during a specified period having maturity of three years and above from maintenance of CRR and SLR. The RBI also permitted exclusion of loans made in India against these FCNR(B)/NRE deposits from the ANBC computation for priority sector lending targets. The exemption granted on incremental FCNR(B)/NRE deposits from maintenance of CRR/SLR was withdrawn with effect from the fortnight beginning March 8, 2014.
In November 2021, in view of the discontinuance of LIBOR as a benchmark rate, the RBI permitted banks to offer interest rates on FCNR(B) deposits using the widely accepted “Overnight Alternative Reference Rate for the respective currency” with upward revisions of the interest rates capped at 50 basis points. The relevant section of the Master Direction—RBI (Interest Rate on Deposits) Directions 2016 was amended accordingly. From July 7, 2022 to October 31, 2022, the RBI has permitted banks to raise fresh FCNR(B) and NRE deposits without reference to the existing regulations on interest rates.
171

TableWith effect from the reporting fortnight beginning July 30, 2022, the RBI has exempted incremental FCNR(B) and NRE deposits with a reference base date of ContentsJuly 1, 2022, from the maintenance requirement of CRR and SLR. The exemption is available for deposits mobilized up to November 4, 2022. It has been clarified that transfers from
non-resident
(ordinary) (“NRO”) accounts to NRE accounts shall not qualify for the relaxation.
Deposit Insurance
Demand and time deposits of up to Rs. 100,0000.1 million accepted by scheduled commercial banks in India have to be mandatorily insured with the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (the “DICGC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the RBI. Banks are required to pay the insurance premium to the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation on a semi-annual basis. The cost of the insurance premium cannot be passed on to the customer. The RBI, in its press release dated February 4, 2020, raised the limit of insurance cover for depositors in insured banks from the present level of Rs. 100,0000.1 million to Rs. 500,0000.5 million per depositor, effective February 4, 2020. The DICGC, in its circular dated February 5, 2020, increased the limit of deposit insurance cover and rate of premium payable to insured banks from Rs. 10 paise per Rs. 100 of assessable deposits to Rs. 12 paise per Rs. 100 of assessable deposits per annum, effective from April 1, 2020.
Regulations Relating to Debit Cards, Credit Cards and Online Payments
On December 17, 2021, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued a notification regarding the incentive scheme for promotion of RuPay Debit cards and
low-value
BHIM UPI transactions (P2M). Bharat Interface for Money (“BHIM”) is a payment app that allows its users to make simple, easy and quick transactions using a Unified Payments Interface (“UPI”). The Government decided to incentivize banks by paying them a certain percentage value of RuPay Debit card transactions (P2M) and
low-value
UPI transactions (up to Rs. 2,000.0) (P2M) for a period of one year, starting April 1, 2021. The scheme is only applicable to banks, which have operations in India, and transactions, which are conducted in India.
The RBI has issued a Master Direction on Credit Card and Debit Card—Issuance and Conduct Directions 2022. While the directions have come into effect substantially on July 1, 2022, certain provisions will only be effective from October 1, 2022. The provisions of the master direction relating to credit cards apply to all scheduled banks and NBFCs operating in India, with an exemption for payment banks, state
co-operative
banks and district central
co-operative
banks. The provisions of the master direction relating to debit cards apply to every bank operating in India. The master direction primarily covers the general and conduct-related provisions for credit, debit and
co-branded
cards and complements prudential, payment, technology and cyber security-related directions.
174

Regulation Relating to Financial Statement Disclosure and Presentation
In August 2021, the RBI issued consolidated guidelines on the presentation and disclosure of financial statements. These guidelines are applicable to all banking companies licensed to operate in India, including banks incorporated outside India. Under the Banking Regulation Act, every banking company has to prepare a balance sheet and a profit and loss account in respect of all business transacted as of the last working day of the year or period
.
The guidelines specify general instructions for the compilation of the balance sheet and profit and loss account for the banks. Banks are required to disclose information in the notes to the financial statements and have to ensure that the balance sheet and profit and loss account reflect a true and fair picture of the financial position. Window dressing of financials, short provisioning, misclassification of NPAs, under-reporting/incorrect computation of exposure/risk weight, incorrect capitalization of expenses, capitalization of interest, among other things, are subject to penalties as provided for under the Banking Regulation Act.
Demonetization Measures
On November 8, 2016, the Government of India announced its decision for existing bank notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 10001,000 denominations of the then existing series issued by the RBI to no longer be valid. Citizens were to return all such bank notes to banks as they could no longer be used for transactions or exchange purposes with effect from November 9, 2016. New bank notes of denominations of Rs. 500 and Rs. 20002,000 were introduced to replace the old notes. Limits for the exchange of demonetized notes and withdrawal of new notes were specified which were subsequently lifted.
Regulations Relating to Knowing the Customer and Anti-Money Laundering
The RBI has issued several guidelines on customer identification and monitoring of transactions. Banks have been advised to put in place systems and procedures to control financial frauds, identify money laundering and suspicious activities, and monitor high valuehigh-value cash transactions. The RBI has also issued guidelines from time to time advising banks to be vigilant while opening accounts for new customers to prevent misuse of the banking system for perpetration of frauds.
Banks have been advised to ensure that a proper policy framework on KYC and AML measures duly approved by the board of directors or regulated entities (as specified in the guidelines) or any committee of the board of directors, is formulated and implemented. This framework is required to,
inter alia
, include procedures/process in relation to (a) customer acceptance policy; (b) customer identification procedures; (c) monitoring of transactions; and (d) risk management.
RBI guidelines require that a profile of the customers should be prepared based on risk categorization. Banks have been advised to apply enhanced due diligence for high-risk customers. The guidelines provide that banks should undertake customer identification procedures while establishing a banking relationship or carrying out a financial transaction or when the Bank has a doubt about the authenticity or the adequacy of the previously obtained customer identification data. Banks must obtain sufficient information necessary to establish the identity of each new customer and the purpose of the intended banking relationship. The guidelines also provide that banks should monitor transactions depending on the account’s risk sensitivity. Prevention of Money Laundering Rules, 2005 require every banking company, and financial institution, as the case may be, to identify the beneficial owner and take all reasonable steps to verify his identity. The term “beneficial owner” has been defined as the natural person who ultimately owns or controls a client and/or the person on whose behalf the transaction is being conducted, including a person who exercises ultimate effective control over a judicial person. The procedure for identification of the beneficial owner has been specified by the Government of India in the Prevention of Money Laundering Rules, 2005 and the regulations prescribed by the RBI from time to time.
The KYC procedures for opening accounts have been simplified for “small accounts” in order to ensure that the implementation of the KYC guidelines do not result in the denial of the banking services to those who are financially or socially disadvantaged. A “small account” is defined as a savings account in a banking company where (i) the aggregate of all credits in a financialfiscal year does not exceed Rs. 0.1 million; (ii) the aggregate of all withdrawals and transfers in a month does not exceed Rs. 0.01 million; and (iii) the balance at any point of time does not exceed Rs. 0.05 million. Small accounts are permitted to remain operational initially for a period of 12 months, and thereafter for a further period of 12 months, subject to the account holder applying, and providing evidence of having applied for, any of the officially valid documents during the first twelve months of the opening of such account. In April 2020, the RBI directed that small accounts shall remain operational between April 1, 2020 and June 30, 2020 and such other periods as may be notified by the Government.
In January 2020, the RBI also allowed the use of video-based customer identification processes for the establishment of an account relationship with individual customers, subject to certain conditions, including obtaining such customers’ informed consent.
In addition to keeping customer information confidential, banks must ensure that only information relevant to the perceived risk is collected and that the same is not intrusive in nature. Apart from addressing this concern the guidelines set out in detail the framework to be adopted by banks as regards their customer dealings and are directed towards prevention of financial frauds and money laundering transactions.
175

In December 2020, the RBI made it mandatory for regulated entities to upload KYC records pertaining to accounts of legal entities opened on or after April 1, 2021, with the Central KYC Registry in India. Furthermore, regulated entities are also required to upload or update the KYC data pertaining to accounts of individual customers opened prior to January 1, 2017 and accounts of legal entities opened prior to April 1, 2021, when such KYC data is updated.
In April 2021, the RBI published a notice stating that customer due diligence for members of a “self-help group” (
i.e.
, a group of micro entrepreneurs who have agreed to contribute their savings to a common fund owned by the group, which can disburse small loans to the members of the group and may apply for loans from a bank) may be undertaken at the time the self-help group applies for a loan or other financial product from a bank.
In May 2021, the RBI advised regulated entities that in respect of the customer accounts where KYC (as required to be completed under RBI guidelines) is periodically required to be updated and such update was due and pending as on the date of the circular, no restrictions on operations of such account should be imposed until December 31, 2021 only on account of this reason. The relaxation of this rule was made in light of the
COVID-19-related
restrictions in various parts of the country, and was further extended until March 31, 2022.
In a bid to prevent money laundering activities, the Government enacted the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 (the “PML Act”) which came into effect from July 1, 2005. The PML Act seeks to prevent money laundering and to provide for confiscation of property derived from, or involved in, money laundering and for incidental matters or matters connected therewith.
172

All the instructions/guidelines issued to banks on KYC norms, AML standards and obligations of the banks under the PML Act have been consolidated in the Know Your Customer Directions, 2016, issued by the RBI, as updated from time to time. Separate guidelines wereIn April 2021, the RBI also issued by the RBIa master circular on July 20, 2017, on detection reporting, monitoring and impounding of counterfeit notes by banks in India.
The PML Act and the rules relating thereto require that banking companies, financial institutions and intermediaries (together, Institutions) to maintain a comprehensive record of all their transactions, including the nature and value of each transaction. Further, it mandates verification of the identity of all their clients and also requires the Institutions to maintain records of their respective clients. These details are to be provided to the authority established by the PML Act, who is empowered to order confiscation of property where the authority is of the opinion that a crime as recognized under the PML Act has been committed. In addition, the applicable exchange control regulations prescribe reporting mechanisms for transactions in foreign exchange and require authorized dealers to report identified suspicious transactions to the RBI.
Banks are advised to develop suitable mechanisms through an appropriate policy framework for enhanced monitoring of accounts suspected of having terrorist links, identification of the transactions carried out in these accounts and suitable reporting to the Director, Financial Intelligence Unit (India) (the “FIU”). Banks are required to report to the FIU:
 
 (a)
all cash transactions with a value of more than Rs. 11.0 million or an equivalent in foreign currency;
 
 (b)
all series of cash transactions integrally connected to each other which have been valued below Rs. 11.0 million or an equivalent in foreign currency where such series of transactions havehas taken place within a month and the aggregate value of such transactions exceeds Rs. 11.0 million;
 
 (c)
all transactions involving receipts by
non-profit
organizations with a value of more than Rs. 11.0 million or an equivalent in foreign currency;
 
 (d)
all cash transactions in which forged or counterfeit currency notes or bank notes have been used and where any forgery of a valuable security or a document has taken place facilitating the transaction; and
 
 (e)
all other suspicious transactions whether or not made in cash and by such other ways as mentioned in the Rules.
Pursuant to recent amendments, banks have been directed to periodically carry out AML and terrorist financing (“TF”) risk assessments to identify, assess and mitigate money laundering and terrorist financing risks related to clients, countries or geographic areas, as well as products, services, transactions or delivery channels. While assessing the AML and TF risk, banks are required to account for certain sector-specific vulnerabilities, which the relevant regulatory authority for each sector may share with them from time to time. Further, the internal risk assessment carried out by the banks should be commensurate to their size, geographical presence and complexity of their activities and structure. Banks are required to apply a risk-based approach for mitigation and management of the identified risk and should maintain board approvedboard-approved policies, controls and procedures for such purposes.
176

Legal Reserve Requirements
Cash Reserve Ratio
Each bank is required to maintain a specific percentage of its net demand and time liabilities by way of a balance in a current account with the RBI. This is to maintain the solvency of the banking system. The amendments made to the Reserve Bank of India Act 1934 and the Banking Regulation Act during fiscal year 2007 enhanced the operational flexibility in monetary management of the RBI. The RBI (Amendment) Act 2006 came into force on April 1, 2007. Section 3 of this Act removed the floor and the ceiling rates on CRR and no interest was payable on the CRR balances of banks with effect from March 31, 2007. Scheduled commercial banks are exempted from maintaining CRR on the following liabilities:
 
 (a)
liabilities to the banking system in India as computed under clause (d) of the explanation to section 42(1) of the Reserve Bank of India Act 1934;
 
 (b)
credit balances in Asian Clearing Union (US$) Accounts; and
 
 (c)
demand and time liabilities in respect of the banks’ Offshore Banking Units.offshore banking units.
In its circulars from February 2021 and May 2021, the RBI allowed scheduled commercial banks to deduct the amount equivalent to credit disbursed to “New MSME Borrowers” from their net demand and time liabilities used in the calculation of CRR. For the purpose of this exemption, “New MSME Borrowers” are those MSME borrowers who have not previously availed themselves of any credit facilities from the banking system as on January 1, 2021. This exemption is available only up to Rs. 2.5 million per borrower disbursed up to the fortnight ending December 31, 2021, for a period of one year from the date of origination of the loan or the tenure of the loan, whichever is earlier.
The CRR requirement as of March 31, 2019, was 4.0 percent of the prescribed net demand and time liabilities of the Bank. In order to address the volatility in rupee exchange rates in early 2013, the RBI in July 2013 increased the requirement of minimum daily CRR balance maintenance to 99.0 percent of the requirement with effect from the first day of the fortnight beginning July 27, 2013. In September 2013, the RBI reduced the minimum daily maintenance of the CRR from 99.0 percent of the requirement to 95.0 percent. In April 2016, the RBI further reduced this requirement to 90.0 percent, with effect from the fortnight beginning April 16, 2016. In response to the
COVID-19
pandemic, the RBI, in its circular dated March 27, 2020, for a period of one year, decided to reduce the CRR of all banks by 100 basis points from 4.0 percent to 3.0 percent of their net demand and time liabilities, from the reporting period beginning on March 28, 2020 and ending on March 26, 2021. Furthermore, given strains on banks’ reporting abilities as a result of social distancing measures for staff, the RBI reduced the minimum CRR balance maintenance requirement from 9090.0 percent to 8080.0 percent, effective from the first day of the reporting period beginning on March 28, 2020. This
one-time
dispensation has beenwas further extended by the RBI until September 25, 2020 through its circular dated June 26, 2020. In its circular dated February 5, 2021, RBI decided to gradually restore the CRR in two phases. Accordingly, banks were required to maintain the CRR at 3.5 percent of their net demand and time liabilities effective from the reporting fortnight beginning March 27, 2021 and 4.0 percent of their net demand and time liabilities effective from the fortnight beginning May 22, 2021. The RBI has increased the CRR required to be maintained by every bank to 4.50 percent of its net demand and time liabilities effective from the reporting fortnight beginning May 21, 2022. See also “
Risk Factors
The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
173

Statutory Liquidity Ratio (“SLR”)
In order to maintainensure liquidity in the banking system and in addition to the CRR, each bank is required to maintain a specified percentage of its net demand and time liabilities by wayin form of liquid assets, such as cash, gold or approved securities, such as
e.g.
, Government of India and State Government Securities. The exact percentage of this ratiois 18.0 percent from April 11, 2020, and is fixed by the RBI from time to time and is 18.0 percent from April 11, 2020.time. The RBI master circular on the Statutory Liquidity RatioSLR specifies certain liabilities which will not be included in the calculation of the Statutory Liquidity Ratio.SLR.
In May 2022, the RBI instituted the Standing Deposit Facility (“SDF”) with immediate effect. Balances held by banks with the RBI under the SDF are an eligible SLR asset and form part of “cash” for the purpose of
SLR-maintenance.
177

Revisions in Constitution of Bank Assets
The capital regulations with respect to Liquidity Standards under the Basel III framework (LCR, Liquidity Risk Monitoring Tools and LCR Disclosure Standards) were revised by the RBI by way of a circular dated August 2, 2017, to
re-define
the “Level 1” of bank assets as comprising of the following:
 
 i.
Cash including cash reserves in excess of required CRR.
 
 ii.
For banks incorporated in India,
 
Reserves held with foreign Central Bankscentral banks in excess of the reserve requirement, where a foreign sovereign has been assigned a 0 percent risk weight as per the rating by an international rating agency.
 
Reserves held with foreign Central Bankscentral banks in excess of the reserve requirement, to the extent these balances cover the Bank’s stressed net cash outflows in that specific currency, in cases where a foreign sovereign has been assigned a
non-0 percent
risk weight as per the rating by an international rating agency, but a 0 percent risk weight has been assigned at national discretion under the Basel II Framework.framework.
 
 iii.
Government securities in excess of the minimum SLR requirement.
 
 iv.
Within the mandatory SLR requirement, Government securities to the extent allowed by the RBI, under Marginal Standing Facility (MSF).
 
 v.
Marketable securities issued or guaranteed by foreign sovereigns satisfying all the following conditions:
(a)
assigned a 0 percent risk weight under the Basel II standardized approach for credit risk;
(a) assigned a 0 percent risk weight under the Basel II standardized approach for credit risk;
(b)
traded in large, deep and active repo or cash markets characterized by a low level of concentration and proven record as a reliable source of liquidity in the markets (repo or sale), even during stressed market conditions; and
(b) traded in large, deep and active repo or cash markets characterized by a low level of concentration and proven record as a reliable source of liquidity in the markets (repo or sale), even during stressed market conditions; and
(c) not issued by a bank/financial institution/
(c)
not issued by a bank, financial institution, NBFC or any of its affiliated entities.
In June 2014, the RBI issued guidelines in relation to liquidity coverage ratio (“LCR”), liquidity risk monitoring tools and LCR disclosure standards pursuant to the publication of the “Basel III: The Liquidity Coverage Ratio” and liquidity risk monitoring tools in January 2013 and the Liquidity Coverage Ratio Disclosure Standards in January 2014 by the BCBS. The objective of the LCR standard is to ensure that a bank maintains an adequate level of unencumbered high qualityhigh-quality liquid assets which could be converted into cash to meet its liquidity needs for a
30-calendar
30-calendar-day
day
time horizon under a significantly severe liquidity stress scenario. The LCR requirement of 100.0 percent is being implemented in a phased manner over a period of four years, with a minimum requirement of 60.0 percent effective January 1, 2015. The prescribed LCR level as of January 1, 2018, was 90.0 percent and was required to be at the increased prescribed level of 100.0 percent on January 1, 2019
.
2019. In April 2020, the RBI reduced the LCR requirement from 100100.0 percent to 8080.0 percent, effective between April 17, 2020 and September 30, 2020. The RBI proposed to increase the reduced LCR requirement in two phases: (i) from 8080.0 percent to 9090.0 percent between October 1, 2020 toand March 31, 2021, and (ii) from 9090.0 percent to 100100.0 percent from April 1, 2021.
In 2020, banks were allowed to avail themselves of funds under the MSF by utilizing the SLR up to an additional 1.0 percent of their NDTL (
i.e.
, cumulatively up to 3.0 percent of their NDTL). This facility, which had been available initially until June 30, 2020, was extended in phases until December 31, 2021. With effect from January 1, 2022, banks can utilize the SLR up to 2.0 percent of NDTL instead of 3.0 percent for overnight borrowing under the MSF.
See also “
Risk Factors—The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
174

Net Stable Funding Ratio
Net stable funding ratio (“NSFR”) is a global regulatory standard under the Basel III framework. The draft guidelines on NSFR were issued by the RBI by its circular dated May 28, 2015. The RBI has published final guidelines on NSFR on May 17, 2018, and it was required to be implemented from April 1, 2020. Until then, banks were required to comply with Basel III on a “best efforts” basis. In March 2020, the RBI has deferred theThe implementation of the NSFR guidelines has been deferred, and the guidelines are now due to come into effect from October 1, 2020.2021.
178

Regulations on Asset Liability Management
Since 1999, the RBI has issued several guidelines relating to ALM in banks in India. The RBI guidelines cover,
inter alia
, the interest rate risk and liquidity risk measurement and reporting framework, including establishing prudential limits. The guidelines require that gap statements for liquidity and interest rate risk are prepared by scheduling all assets and liabilities according to the stated and anticipated
re-pricing
date or maturity date. The RBI has advised banks to actively monitor the difference in the amount of assets and liabilities maturing or being
re-priced
in a particular period and place internal prudential limits on the gaps in each time period, as a risk control mechanism. Additionally, the RBI has advised banks to manage their asset-liability liquidity structure within negative gap limits for one day,
2-7
days,
8-14
days and
15-28
days set at 5.0 percent, 10.0 percent, 15.0 percent and 20.0 percent, respectively, of the cumulative cash outflows in the respective time buckets in order to recognize the cumulative impact on liquidity. In respect of other time periods, the RBI has directed banks to lay down internal standards in respect of liquidity gaps. In order to recognize the cumulative impact on liquidity, banks are also advised to prepare the statement of structural liquidity on a daily basis and also undertake dynamic liquidity management. Banks are required to submit the liquidity statements periodically to RBI, as specified in these guidelines.
The RBI’s Guidelines on Banks’ Asset Liability Management Framework—Interest Rate Risk issued in November 2010 mandate that banks in India to evaluate interest rate risk using both methods,
i.e.
, TGA and DGA. Banks are required to submit the TGA and DGA results from time to time to the RBI as mentioned in the guidelines.
Further, RBI guidelines on stress testing issued in 2007 have reinforced stress testing as an integral part of a bank’s risk management process, the results of which are used to evaluate the potential vulnerability to some unlikely but plausible events or movements in financial variables that affect both interest rate risk and liquidity risk in the Bank. In December 2013, the RBI specified the minimum level of stress testing to be carried out by all banks.
In November 2012, the RBI issued enhanced guidelines on liquidity risk management by banks. These guidelines consolidate various instructions on liquidity risk management that the RBI had issued from time to time, and where appropriate, harmonize and enhance these instructions in line with the principles for sound liquidity risk management and supervision issued by the BCBS. The RBI’s guidelines require banks to establish a sound process for identifying, measuring, monitoring and controlling liquidity risk, including a robust framework for comprehensively projecting cash flows arising from assets, liabilities and
off-balance
sheet items over an appropriate time horizon. The key items covered under these guidelines include: (i) governance of liquidity risk management including liquidity risk management policy, strategies and practices and liquidity risk tolerance; (ii) management of liquidity risk, including identification, measurement and monitoring of liquidity risk; (iii) collateral position management;
(iv) intra-day
liquidity position management; and (v) stress testing.
Foreign Currency Dealership
The RBI has granted us a full-fledged Authorized Dealers’ License to deal in foreign exchange through our designated banking outlets. Under this license, we have been granted permission to: engage in foreign exchange transactions in all currencies; open and maintain foreign currency accounts abroad; raise foreign currency and rupee-denominated deposits from
non-resident
Indians; grant foreign currency loans to
on-shore
and
off-shore
corporations; open documentary credits; grant import and export loans; handle collection of bills and funds transfer services; issue foreign currency guarantees; and enter into derivative transactions and risk management activities that are incidental to our normal functions authorized under our organizational documents and as permitted under the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act.
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Our foreign exchange operations are subject to the guidelines contained in the Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999 (Foreign Exchange Management Act). As an authorized dealer, we are, as required, enrolled as a member of the Foreign Exchange Dealers Association of India, which prescribes the rules relating to the foreign exchange business in India.
The RBI from time to time has issued directions regarding the reporting requirements for holdings of, and dealings in, all foreign currencies, as well as foreign exchange transactions by authorized dealers like the Bank. The last such directions were issued by the RBI by way of a circular dated May 22, 2020.
Simplified hedging facility guidelines were issued by the RBI by way of a circular dated November 9, 2017, to simplify the process for hedging exchange rate risk by reducing documentation requirements, avoiding prescriptive stipulations regarding products, purpose and hedging flexibility, and to encourage a more dynamic and efficient hedging culture. These guidelines stipulate operational mechanism and guidelines for resident and
non-resident
entities, other than individuals, for hedging exchange rate risk on transactions, contracted or anticipated, with respect to any Over the Counter (“OTC”) derivative or Exchange Traded Currency Derivative (“ETCD”) permitted under the Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999 (“FEMA”). Additionally, different facilities have been provided for hedging trade exposures (i.e.(
i.e.
, currency risks arising out of genuine trade transactions involving exports from and imports to India), invoiced in Indian Rupees in India, by way of the RBI Circular dated October 12, 2017.
In April 2020, the RBI issued revised directions on the hedging of foreign exchange risk, which aimaimed to ease access to the domestic foreign exchange derivative markets. The directions will comecame into effect fromon September 1, 2020. The directions on the participation of “Banks in Offshore Non-deliverable Rupee Derivative Markets” issued in March 2020 came into effect on June 1, 2020.
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We are required to determine our limits on net overnight open foreign exchange positions and maturity gapsour foreign exchange value at risk in accordance with RBI guidelines, as applicable, and within limits approvedthe open position threshold prescribed by the RBI. Further,Furthermore, we are permitted to hedge foreign currency loan exposures of Indian corporations in the form of foreign exchange forward contracts, interest rate swaps, currency swaps, currency option contracts and forward rate agreements, subject to certain conditions.
On June 1, 2022, the RBI also issued directions for
non-centrally
cleared derivatives contracts to improve the security of settlement of
over-the-counter
(“OTC”) derivatives that are not centrally cleared.
Setting Up Wholly Owned Subsidiaries by Foreign Banks
In November 2013, the RBI released its framework for establishing wholly owned subsidiaries of foreign banks in India, which aims to tighten regulatory control and encourage foreign banks to convert their existing banking outlets into wholly owned subsidiaries.
Key features of the framework include:
 
requiring certain foreign banks, including banks with complex structures and banks belonging to jurisdictions which: (i) do not have adequate disclosure requirements; or (ii) have legislation which give preferential treatment to deposits of the home country in a
winding-up
proceeding, to set up a wholly owned subsidiary in order to enter the Indian market;
 
permitting foreign banks that do not fall under the above categories to either set up a branch office or a wholly owned subsidiary;
 
offering near-national treatment to wholly owned subsidiaries of foreign banks, subject to certain conditions;
 
requiring newly incorporated wholly owned subsidiaries to have an initial minimum
paid-up
voting equity capital of 5 billion rupees.Rs. 5.0 billion. In the case of existing banking outlets of foreign banks that wish to convert into a wholly owned subsidiary, itthey must have a minimum net worth of 5 billion rupees;Rs. 5.0 billion;
 
requiring at least 50.0 percent of the board of directors of wholly owned subsidiaries to be Indian nationals,
non-resident
Indians or persons of Indian origin; and
 
mandating that wholly owned subsidiaries comply with the priority sector lending requirements applicable to domestic commercial banks.
Statutes Governing Foreign Exchange and Cross-Border Business Transactions
Foreign exchange and cross-border transactions undertaken by banks are subject to the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act. All banks are required to monitor the transactions in all
non-resident
accounts to prevent money laundering. These transactions are governed by the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act and the PML Act.
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In terms of the guidelines prescribed by the RBI (last updated on November 9, 2017)September 1, 2020) (the “Inter-Bank Dealings Guidelines”), overseas foreign currency borrowings by a bank in India (including overdraft balances in nostroits “nostro” accounts not adjusted within five days) should not exceed 100.0 percent of its unimpaired Tier I capital or US$ 10 million (or its equivalent), whichever is higher. The aforesaid limit applies to the aggregate amount availed of by all the offices and banking outlets in India from all their banking outlets and correspondents abroad and includes overseas borrowings in gold for funding domestic gold loans.
The following borrowings would continue to be outside the above limit:
 
 1.
overseas borrowing by banks for the purpose of financing export credit subject to certain conditions prescribed by the RBI;
 
 2.
capital funds raised or augmented by the issue of Innovative Perpetual Debt Instruments and Debt Capital Instruments in foreign currency;
 
 3.
subordinated debt placed by head offices of foreign banks with their banking outlets in India as Tier II capital; and
 
 4.
any other overseas borrowing with the specific approval of the RBI.
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Under the Inter-Bank Dealings Guidelines, ADAuthorised dealer (“AD”) – category I banks are permitted to borrow from international/multilateral FIs without approaching the RBI on a
case-by-case
approval. Such FIs shall include: (i) international/multilateral FIs of which the Government is a shareholding member; (ii) FIs which have been established by more than one government; or (iii) FIs which have shareholding by more than one government and other international organizations. However, all such borrowings should be for the purpose of general banking business and not for capital augmentation.
On July 7, 2022, the RBI has introduced certain measures in order to enhance forex inflows into India. One of these measures allows AD – category I banks from July 8, 2022 to October 31, 2022 to utilise overseas foreign currency borrowing (“OFCBs”) for
on-lending
in foreign currency for a wider set of
end-use
purposes than before, subject to a negative list set out for external commercial borrowings (“ECB”) and availability of the facility will be until maturity/repayment of the OFCB. Prior to this relaxation, AD – category I banks could undertake OFCB up to a limit of 100 percent of their unimpaired Tier 1 capital or US$ 10 million whichever is higher, but were not allowed to
on-lend
the funds so borrowed in foreign currency except for the purpose of export financing.
Cyber Security Frameworks in Banks
In its circular dated June 2, 2016, the RBI directed banks to formulate a cyber security policy duly approved by their board of directors by September 30, 2016, to combat cyber threats. This policy is required to be distinct from banks’ broader information technology/information security policy.
The Bank had developed a Cybersecurity Policy and Cybersecurity Framework which is to ensure appropriate cybersecuritycyber security practices are followed across the Bank’s information systems. The Cybersecurity Policy is formally approved by the Bank’s Board. See also “
Management’s Discussion and Analysis Ofof Financial Conditions Andand Results of Operations—Cybersecurity
”.
Special Provisions of the Banking Regulation Act
Prohibited Business
Section 6 of the Banking Regulation Act specifies the business activities in which a bank may engage. Banks are prohibited from engaging in business activities other than the specified activities.
Reserve Fund
Any bank incorporated in India is required to create a reserve fund to which it must transfer not less than 25.0 percent of the profits of each year before any dividend is declared. Banks are required to take prior approval from the RBI before appropriating any amount from the reserve fund or any other free reserves. The Government may, on the recommendation of the RBI, exempt a bank from requirements relating to its reserve fund.
Restrictions on Payment of Dividends
The Banking Regulation Act requires that a bank pay dividends on its shares only after all of its capital expenses (including preliminary expenses, organization expenses, share selling commissions, brokerage on public offerings, amounts of losses and any other items of expenditure not represented by tangible assets) have been completely written off. The Government may exempt banks from this provision by issuing a notification on the recommendation of the RBI.
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Banks that comply with the following prudential requirements are eligible to declare dividends:
 
the capital adequacy ratio must be at least 9.0 percent for the preceding two completed years and the accounting year for which the Bank proposes to declare a dividend;
 
netNet
non-performing
assets must be less than 7.0 percent of advances. In the event a bank does not meet the above capital adequacy norm, but has capital adequacy of at least 9.0 percent for the fiscal year for which it proposes to declare a dividend it would be eligible to declare a dividend if its net
non-performing
asset ratio is less than 5.0 percent;
 
the bank has complied with the provisions of Sections 15 and 17 of the Banking Regulation Act;
 
the bank has complied with the prevailing regulations/guidelines issued by the RBI, including creating adequate provisions for the impairment of assets and staff retirement benefits and the transfer of profits to statutory reserves;
 
dividends should be payable out of the current year’s profits; and
 
the RBI has not placed any explicit restrictions on the Bank for declarations of dividends.
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Banks that comply with the above prudential requirements can pay dividends subject to compliance with the following conditions:
 
the dividend payout ratio (calculated as a percentage of “dividends payable in a year” (excluding dividend tax) to “net profit during the year”) should not exceed 40.0 percent. The RBI has prescribed a matrix of criteria linked to the capital adequacy ratio and the net
non-performing
assets ratio in order to ascertain the maximum permissible range of the dividend payout ratio; and
 
if the financial statements for which the dividend is declared have any audit qualifications which have an adverse bearing on the profits, the same should be adjusted while calculating the dividend payout ratio.
In case the profit for the relevant periods includes any extra-ordinary profits/income, the payout ratio shall be computed after excluding such extra-ordinaryextraordinary items for compliance with the prudential payout ratio.
In addition to the above, the master circular on “Basel III Capital Regulations” as amended and updated from time to time, also regulates the distribution of dividends by banks. The circular provides that the dividend distribution can be made by a bank only through the current year’s profit. It also requires the banks to maintain a capital conservation buffer outside the period of stress which can be drawn down if losses are incurred during a stressed period. One of the ways in which the banks can build the capital conservation buffer is by reducing the dividend payments. In case of shortfall in the prescribed capital conservation buffer, dividend payment restrictions would be imposed on the banks as per the conditions of the Basel III regulations. The circular further provides that perpetual
non-cumulative
preference shares and perpetual debt instruments issued by a bank for inclusion in the additional Tier I capital of the Bank, may have a dividend stopper arrangement to stop dividend payments on common shares in the event the holders of additional Tier I instruments are not paid dividend or coupon.
In its circularcirculars dated April 17, 2020 and December 4, 2020, the RBI directed banks to not make any further dividend payouts from the profits pertaining to the financialfiscal year ended March 31, 2020 until further notice. This restriction will be reassessed by the RBI based on the financial results of banks for the quarter ending September 30, 2020. This circular hasThese circulars had been issued by the RBI in light of the heightened uncertainty caused by the
COVID-19
pandemic, and is expected to help the banks conserve capital to retain their capacity to support the economy and absorb losses. The RBI, in April, 2021, permitted commercial banks to pay dividends on equity shares pertaining to the profits for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, subject to the quantum of dividend being not more than 50.0 percent of the amount determined as per the dividend payout ratio prescribed in paragraph 4 of the RBI circular on “Declaration of Dividends by Banks” from May 2005. The RBI has also directed that all banks should continue to meet the applicable minimum regulatory capital requirements after making a dividend payment. Furthermore, while declaring the dividend, the board of directors of the bank will be responsible for considering the current and projected capital position of the bank
vis-à-vis
the applicable capital requirements and the adequacy of provisions, taking into account the economic environment and the outlook for profitability. See also “
Risk Factors—The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
”.
Restriction on Share Capital and Voting Rights
Banks were earlier permitted to issue only ordinary shares. In January 2013, the Banking Regulation Act was amended to,
inter alia
, permit banks to also issue preference shares. However, guidelines governing the issuance of preference shares are yet to be issued. The amended Banking Regulation Act also permits the RBI to increase the cap on the voting rights of a single shareholder of a private bank from the existing cap of 10.0 percent to 26.0 percent in a phased manner. The RBI has issued the Ownership in Private Sector Banks Directions 2016, which state that the voting rights in private sector banks shall be limited to the level notified by the RBI from time to time and that the current ceiling on voting rights is 15.0 percent. The RBI, in a notification dated July 21, 2016, which was notified in the
Gazette of India
on September 17, 2016, increased the ceiling on voting rights to 2626.0 percent.
Restriction on Transfer of Shares
RBI approval is required before a bank can register the transfer of shares to an individual or group which acquires 5.0 percent or more of its total
paid-up
capital.capital under the master directions on “Prior approval for acquisition of shares or voting rights in private sector banks” issued by the RBI in November 2015. Under the directions, every person who intends to make an acquisition, or to make an agreement for an acquisition, which will, or is likely to, take the aggregate holding of such person together with shares, voting rights, compulsorily convertible debentures, bonds held by him, his relatives, associate enterprises and persons acting in concert with him, to 5.0 percent or more of the
paid-up
share capital of the relevant bank, or entitles him to exercise 5.0 percent or more of the total voting rights of the relevant bank, shall seek prior approval of the RBI. Existing major shareholders who have already obtained prior approval of the RBI for being a major shareholding in a bank prior to making a new acquisition are exempt, subject to certain conditions.
 
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Regulatory Reporting and Examination Procedures
The RBI is empowered under the Banking Regulation Act to inspect the books of accounts and the other operations of a bank. The RBI monitors prudential parameters at regular intervals. The findings of these inspections are provided to banks, which are required to comply with the actions recommended in order to correct any discrepancies in their operations as contained in the inspection findings within a stipulated time frame. Further, banks are required to keep the inspection report confidential as per the instructions issued by the RBI. To this end and to enable
off-site
monitoring and surveillance by the RBI, banks are required to report to the RBI on financial and operating measures such as:
 
assets, liabilities and
off-balance
sheet exposures;
 
the risk weighting of these exposures, the capital base and the capital adequacy ratio;
 
asset quality;
 
concentration of exposures;
 
connected and related lending and the profile of ownership, control and management; and
 
other prudential parameters.
The RBI also conducts periodic
on-site
inspections of matters relating to the Bank’s capital, asset quality, management, earnings, liquidity and systems and controls on an annual basis. We have been subjected to
on-site
inspection by the RBI at yearly intervals. The inspection report, along with the report on actions taken by us, has to be placed before our Board of Directors. On approval by our Board, we are required to submit the report on actions taken by us to the RBI. The RBI also discusses the findings of the inspection with our management team along with members of the Audit Committee of our Board.
The RBI also conducts
on-site
supervision of selected banking outlets of banks with respect to their general operations and foreign exchange relatedexchange-related transactions.
The existing supervisory framework has been modified towards establishing a risk-based supervision framework which envisages continuous monitoring of banks through robust offsite reports to the RBI coupled with need-based
on-site
inspection. We have been subject to supervision under this framework with effect from fiscal year 2014.
In September 2020, the RBI published the revised long form audit report requirements. The revised formats were required to be used for the period covering fiscal year 2021 and onwards.
Penalties
The RBI is empowered under the Banking Regulation Act, to impose penalties on banks and their employees in case of infringement of any provision of the Act. The penalty may be a fixed amount or may be related to the amount involved in any contravention of the regulations. The penalty may also include imprisonment.
The Financial Intelligence Unit (India) (the
“FIU-IND”),
in January 2015, levied a fine on us of Rs. 2.6 million relating to our failure to detect and report attempted suspicious transactions, which was publicized by media outlets in 2013. We filed an appeal against the order before the appellate tribunal stating that there were only roving enquiries made by the reporters of the media and there were no instances of any attempted suspicious transactions. In June 2017, the appellate tribunal, dismissed the penalty levied by the
FIU-IND
and observed that in accordance with the provisions of section 13(2)(a) of the PMLA, 2002 a warning was required to be given to the Bank, and that the prescribed matter did not fall within section 13(2)(d) of the PMLA, 2002 (pursuant to which a monetary penalty can be imposed on failure to comply with certain obligations under the PMLA, 2002) as mentioned by the FIU.
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By way of a circular dated October 12, 2017 the RBI specifically levied penal interest for delayed reporting/wrong
reporting/non-reporting
of currency chest transactions and inclusion of ineligible amounts in currency chest balances. Subsequently, the RBI issued a Master Direction circular dated July 1, 2019, and updated on October 3, 2019. The intention behind the levy of penal interest iswas to inculcate discipline among banks so as to ensure prompt/correct reporting, and so that pleasreporting. Requests by banks for waiver of penal interest on grounds that
delayed/wrong/non-reporting
does not result in utilization of RBI’s funds or shortfall in the maintenance of CRR or SLR.SLR or that they were the result of clerical mistakes, unintentional or arithmetical errors, first time error or inexperience of staff etc., were not considered as valid grounds for the waiver of penal interest. On similar lines, by way of an additional circular dated October 12, 2017,July 1, 2020, the RBI revised the scheme of penalties for banking outlets based on performance in rendering customer service to the members of the public, to ensure that all banking outlets provide better customer service to members of the public with regard to exchange of notes and coins.
In its order dated February 4, 2019, the RBI imposed a monetary penalty of Rs. 2.0 million on us for failing to comply with the RBI’s KYC and AML standards, as set out in their circulars dated November 29, 2004 and May 22, 2008.
In its order dated June 13, 2019, the RBI imposed a monetary penalty of Rs. 10 million on us for failing to comply with the KYC, AML and fraud reporting standards, following an investigation into bills of entry submitted by certain importers. The penalties were imposed under Section 47A(1)(c) and Section 46(4)(i) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. We haveAct. The Bank has since implemented corrective action to strengthen ourits internal control mechanisms so as to ensure that such incidents do not repeat themselves.
Following the dismissal
183

FIU-IND
by the appealed tribunal in June 2017, the
FIU-IND
challenged the tribunal’s order in the Delhi High Court. Subsequently, the Delhi High Court, in its order dated September 4, 2019, held that the violation of the reporting obligations by the respondent banks warranted issuance of a warning in writing under Section 13(2)(a) of the Act, instead of a monetary penalty as imposed under Section 13(2)(d) of the Act, and disposed of the case filed by the
FIU-IND.
In 2020, the Bank received one finepenalty for
non-compliance
with RBI regulations. In its order dated January 29, 2020, the RBI imposed a monetary penalty in the amount of Rs. 10 million on the Bank for failure to undertake ongoing due diligence with respect to 39 current accounts, which had been opened by customers of the Bank to participate in an initial public offering, but where the transactions effected were disproportionate to the declared income and profile of the customers. This penalty was imposed by the RBI using the powers conferred under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Section 46(4)(i) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.Act. The Bank has since strengthened its internal control mechanisms to ensure that such incidents are not repeated. See also “
Risk Factors—We have previously been subject to penalties imposed by the RBI. Any regulatory investigations, fines, sanctions, and requirements relating to conduct of business and financial crime could negatively affect our business and financial results, or cause serious reputational harm
”.
The RBI, through its letter dated December 4, 2020, imposed a monetary penalty of Rs. 0.1 million on the Bank for the failure to settle transactions in Government securities in the Subsidiary General Ledger which lead to a shortage in the balance of certain securities in the Bank’s Constituent Subsidiary General Ledger account on November 19, 2020. The Bank has since enhanced its review mechanism to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
SEBI, through its order dated January 21, 2021, levied a penalty of Rs. 10.0 million on the Bank for alleged noncompliance with a SEBI interim order dated October 7, 2019 issued against BRH Wealth Kreators Ltd. (“BRH”). The penalty was levied for the sale of securities pledged by BRH Wealth Kreators Ltd to the Bank, to recover amounts outstanding under recalled credit facilities the Bank had extended to BRH. The Bank filed an appeal against the SEBI order in the Securities Appellate Tribunal (“SAT”) on February 8, 2021. The SAT through its interim order dated February 19, 2021, stayed the operation of the SEBI order dated January 21, 2021 and, through its final order dated February 18, 2022, allowed the Bank’s appeal and quashed SEBI’s order.
On May 27, 2021, the RBI levied a penalty of Rs. 100 million against the Bank for the marketing and sale of third-party
non-financial
products to the Bank’s auto loan customers, after concluding that this was in contravention of Section 6(2) and Section 8 of the Banking Regulation Act 1949. The penalty, which was imposed by the RBI using the powers conferred under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Section 46(4)(i) of the Banking Regulation Act 1949, has been paid by us. In May 2020, following an internal inquiry arising from a whistle-blower complaint, we had determined that certain employees received unauthorized commissions from a third-party vendor of GPS products, with whom we had an agreement to offer GPS devices to our auto loan customers. The personal misconduct of these employees was in violation of our code of conduct and governance standards. We have taken disciplinary action against the employees involved, including separation of services of certain employees, discontinued sale of such third-party
non-financial
products, and taken certain other remedial actions.
Assets to beBe Maintained in India
Every bank is required to ensure that its assets in India (including import-export bills drawn on/in India and the
RBI-approved
securities, even if the bills and the securities are held outside India) are not less than 7575.0 percent of its demand and time liabilities in India.
Secrecy Obligations
Banks’ obligations relating to maintaining secrecy arise out of regulatory prescription and also common law principles governing the relationship between them and their customers. Banks cannot disclose any information to third parties except under certain limited and clearly defined circumstances as detailed in the guidelines issued by the RBI.
Subsidiaries and Other Investments
Banks require the prior permission of the RBI to incorporate a subsidiary. Banks are required to maintain an
“arm’s-length”
relationship in respect of their subsidiaries and are prohibited from taking actions such as taking undue advantage in borrowing or lending funds, transferring or selling or buying securities at rates other than market rates, giving special consideration for securities transactions, overindulgence in supporting or financing subsidiaries and financing its clients through them when it itself is not able or not permitted to do so. Banks and their subsidiaries have to observe the prudential standards stipulated by the RBI, from time to time, in respect of their underwriting commitments.
Banks also require the prior specific approval of the RBI to participate in the equity of financial services ventures, including stock exchanges and depositories, notwithstanding the fact that such investments may be within the ceiling prescribed under Section 19(2) of the Banking Regulation Act. Further, investment by a bank in its subsidiaries, financial services companies or financial institutions should not exceed 10.0 percent of its
paid-up
capital and reserves. Investments by banks in companies which are not its subsidiaries and are not financial services companies would be subject to a limit of 10.0 percent of the investee company’s paid up
paid-up
share capital or 10.0 percent of the Bank’s paid up share capital and reserves, whichever is less. Any investment above this limit will be subject to the RBI approval except as provided otherwise. Equity investments in any
non-financial
services company held by (a) a bank; (b) the bank’s subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures or entities directly or indirectly controlled by the bank; and (c) mutual funds managed by Asset Management Companies controlled by the Bank should in the aggregate not exceed 20.0 percent of the investee company’s
paid-up
share capital. Further, a bank’s equity investments in subsidiaries and other entities that are engaged in financial services activities together with equity investments in entities engaged in
non-financial
services activities should not exceed 20.0 percent of the Bank’s
paid-up
share capital and reserves.
 
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Introduction of Legal Entity Identifier for Large Corporate Borrowers
Pursuant to the Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies dated November 2, 2017, the RBI decided to introduce the Legal Entity Identifier (“LEI”) system for all borrowers of banks having total fund basedfund-based and
non-fundnon-fund-based
based exposure of Rs. 5050.0 million and above in a phased manner (and for their parent entity, as well as all subsidiaries and associates). The LEI is a
20-digit
unique code to identify parties to financial transactions worldwide. Borrowers who do not obtain LEI as per the schedule are not to be granted renewal/enhancement of credit facilities. A separate roadmap for borrowers having exposure between
In January 2021, the RBI announced that with effect from April 1, 2021 the LEI system shall be applicable to all payment transactions of Rs. 50500.0 million and upabove undertaken by entities using the
RBI-run
centralized payment systems Real Time Gross Settlement and National Electronic Funds Transfer. In December 2021, AD category I banks have been directed to obtain the LEI from the resident entities
(non-individuals)
undertaking capital or current account transactions of Rs. 500500.0 million has also been announcedand above under FEMA, with effect from October 1, 2022. In April 2022, the RBI advised
non-individual
borrowers enjoying aggregate exposure of Rs. 50.0 million and above from banks and financial institutions to be issued by RBI.obtain LEI codes within the specified timelines.
Guidelines for Merger/Amalgamation of Private Sector Banks
The RBI issued detailed guidelines in May 2005 on the merger or amalgamation of private sector banks and for the amalgamation of a NBFC with a banking company. The guidelines lay down the process for a merger proposal, the determination of swap ratios, disclosures, the stages at which the board of directors will get involved in the merger process and norms of buying and selling of shares by the promoters before and during the merger process.
In April 2016, the RBI issued the Reserve Bank of India (Amalgamation of Private Sector Banks) Directions, 2016. The new directions are substantially the same as the 2005 guidelines mentioned above.
Appointment and Remuneration of the Chairman, the Managing Director and Other Directors
Banks require the prior approval of the RBI to appoint their Chairman and Managing Director and any other directors and to fix their remuneration. The RBI is empowered to remove the appointee on the grounds of public interest or the interest of depositors or to ensure the proper management of the Bank. Further, the RBI may order meetings of the board of directors of banks to discuss any matter in relation to the Bank, appoint observers to these meetings and in general may make changes to the management as it may deem necessary and can also order the convening of a general meeting of the company to elect new directors.
In January 2012, the RBI issued revised guidelines relating to salary and other remuneration payable to whole time directors, chief executive officers and other risk takers of new private sector banks. With these guidelines, the RBI aims to achieve effective governance of compensation, alignment of compensation with prudent risk taking and require banks to make appropriate disclosures in their financial statements. Banks are required to formulate and adopt a comprehensive compensation policy in line with the guidelines covering all their employees and conduct annual review thereof. The policy should cover all aspects of the compensation structure such as fixed pay, perquisites, bonus, variable pay deferrals, guaranteed pay, severance package, stock, pension plan and gratuity. These guidelines became effective from the fiscal year 2012-2013.2013. The guidelines also state that private sector banks would be required to obtain regulatory approval for grant of remuneration to whole time directors/chief executive officers in terms of Section 35B of the Banking Regulation Act, on a
case-by-case
basis. In June 2015, the RBI issued guidelines for compensation of
non-executive
directors of private sector banks. The guidelines required the banks to formulate and adopt a comprehensive compensation policy for the
non-executive
directors (other than the part-time
non-executive
Chairman) in accordance with the Companies Act. The policy may provide for payment of compensation in the form of profit relatedprofit-related commissions (not exceeding Rs. 1.0 million per annum for each director), sitting fees and reimbursement of expenses for participation in the Board and other meetings.
In November 2019, the RBI issued revised guidelines regarding the compensation of full-time directors, chief executive officers, material risk takers and control function staff. The revised guidelines are applicable for pay cycles beginningwhich began on April 1, 2020. The revised guidelines were issued based on experience gained by the RBI and evolving international best practices. Among other things, the RBI has directed all private sector banks to raise the variable portion of remuneration to at least half of the total compensation for the chief executives and full-time directors so that top management rewards reflect the “pay for performance” principle. In addition, total variable pay was limited to a maximum of 300300.0 percent of the fixed pay.
 
181185

On April 26, 2021, the RBI issued a circular stating that a comprehensive review of the framework regarding the governance of private banks has been carried out, and a Master Direction on Governance will be issued in due course. The circular also addressed several operative aspects and contained instructions with regard to the chair and meetings of the board of directors of banks, the composition of certain committees of the board of directors, the age, tenure and remuneration of directors, and the appointment of the whole-time directors (“WTDs”). Some of the key points addressed by the circular are as follows:
The chair of the board shall be an independent director.
The posts of managing director (“MD”) and chief executive officer (“CEO”) or WTD cannot be held by the same person for more than 15 years. The individual will be eligible for reappointment as MD and CEO or WTD in the same bank, if considered necessary and desirable by the board of directors, after a minimum gap of three years, subject to meeting other conditions. During this three-year cooling period, the individual may not be appointed or associated with the bank or its group entities in any capacity, either directly or indirectly.
The upper age limit for a person serving as MD and CEO or WTDs in a private bank would continue to be 70 years.
An MD and CEO or WTD who is also a promoter or major shareholder, cannot hold these posts for more than 12 years.
The circular is applicable to private banks, SFBs and wholly owned subsidiaries of foreign banks. In respect of the State Bank of India and nationalized banks, the guidelines would apply to the extent its requirements are not inconsistent with provisions of specific statutes applicable to these banks or instructions issued under such statutes. The circular is not applicable to foreign banks operating as branches in India.
The instructions came into effect from the date of the issuance of the circular. However, in order to enable a smooth transition to the revised requirements, banks were permitted to delay compliance with these instructions until October 1, 2021.
Regulations and Guidelines of the SEBI
SEBI was established in 1992 in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act 1992 to protect the interests of public investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate, the Indian securities market, including all related matters. We are subject to SEBI regulations in respect of capital issuances as well as some of our activities, including acting as agent for collecting subscriptions to public offerings of securities made by other Indian companies, underwriting, custodial, depositary participant, and investment banking and because our equity shares are listed on Indian stock exchanges. These regulations provide for registering with SEBI and the functions, responsibilities and the code of conduct applicable for each of these activities.activities, and compliance and disclosure requirements in relation to listed companies, including disclosures required to be made to the stock exchanges, and corporate governance requirements.
In June 2017, SEBI constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Uday Kotak (the “Kotak Committee”), to consult on corporate governance. The Kotak Committee recommended amendments to regulations in order to better align Indian corporate governance norms with global best practices. SEBI in its board meeting on March 28, 2018, accepted most of these recommendations.
Foreign Ownership Restriction
Aggregate foreign investment from all sources in a private sector bank is permitted up to 49.0 percent of the paid up
paid-up
capital under the automatic route. This limit can be increased up to 74.0 percent of the paid up
paid-up
capital with prior approval from the FIPB.Government of India. Pursuant to a letter dated February 4, 2015, FIPBthe Foreign Investment Promotion Board has approved foreign investment in the Bank up to 74.0 percent of its paid up
paid-up
capital. The approval is subject to examination by the RBI for compounding on the change of foreign shareholding since April 2010.
In the event the Bank is subject to any penalties or an unfavorable ruling by the RBI, this could have an adverse effect on the Bank’s results of operation and financial condition. See
Risk Factors – Factors—Foreign investment in our shares may be restricted due to regulations governing aggregate foreign investment in the Bank’s
paid-up
equity share capital”capital
.
The RBI had previously imposed a restriction on the purchase of equity shares of the Bank by foreign investors, under its circular dated March 19, 2012. On February 16, 2017, the RBI lifted the restriction on the purchase of the equity shares of the Bank by foreign investors, since the foreign shareholding in the Bank was below the maximum prescribed percentage of 74.0 percent. TheThereafter the RBI notified by press release on February 17, 2017, and by separate letter to us dated February 28, 2017, that the foreign shareholding in all forms in the Bank crossed the said limit of 74.0 percent.percent again. This was due to secondary market purchases of the Bank’s equity shares during this period. Consequently, the RBI
re-imposed
the restrictions on the purchase of the Bank’s equity shares by foreign investors. Further, SEBI has also enquired regarding the measures that the Bank has taken and will take in respect of breaches of the maximum prescribed percentage of foreign shareholding in the Bank, by its letter dated March 9, 2018. As of March 31, 2020,2022, foreign investment in the Bank, including the shareholdings of HDFC Limited and its subsidiaries, constituted 69.9068.69 percent of the
paid-up
capital of the Bank. The restrictions on the purchases of the Bank’s equity shares could negatively, affect the price of the Bank’s shares and could limit the ability of investors to trade in the Bank’s shares in the market. These limitations and any consequent regulatory actions may also negatively affect the Bank’s ability to raise additional capital to meet its capital adequacy requirements or to fund future growth through issuances of additional equity shares, which could have a material adverse effect on the Bank’s business and financial results.
On May 24, 2017, the Government announced its approval to phase out of the FIPB. It is proposed thatThe government has notified administrative ministries or departments be allowed toin each relevant sector as competent authorities which will process applications for FDI requiring government approval in consultation with the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (“DIPP”), which will also issueas per the Standard Operating Procedure (“SOP”) for processing.
186

In accordance with the Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999 (the “Foreign Exchange Management Act”), and the Foreign Exchange Management
(Non-debt)
Instruments Rules, 2019 (the “NDI Rules”) an FPI may invest in the capital of an Indian banking company in the private sector under the portfolio investment scheme which limits the individual holding of aan FPI below 1010.0 percent of the capital of the Indian banking company. The aggregate limit for FPI investment is limited by the sectoral caps applicable to an Indian company in relation to FDI in accordance with the NDI Rules. With respect to the Bank, this limit is 7574.0 percent. Subject to a resolution of the board of directors, and a special resolution of the shareholders of the Indian banking company, this limit maycould be decreased to 2424.0 percent or 4949.0 percent of the total
paid-up
capital of a private sector banking company before March 31, 2020. An Indian banking company which has decreased its aggregate limit of FDI investment can increase it again, to the aggregate limit of 4949.0 percent or 7474.0 percent. However, once the aggregate limit of FPI investment is increased, such limit cannot be reduced to a lower threshold by the Indian banking company. Further, in accordance with the existing policy of the RBI, any allotment or transfer of shares which will take the aggregate shareholding of an individual or a group to an equivalent of 5.0 percent or more of ourthe Bank’s
paid-up
capital would require the prior acknowledgement of the RBI before we can affect the allotment or transfer of shares. Foreign banks are permitted to have presence in India either by opening banking outlets or through wholly owned subsidiaries, but not both.
182

Moratorium, Reconstruction and Amalgamation of Banks
A bank can apply to the high court for the suspension of its business. The high court, after considering the application of the Bank, may order a moratorium staying commencement of an action or proceedings against the relevant banking company for a maximum period of six months. During suchPreviously, during the period of moratorium, if the RBI iswas satisfied that it is: (a) in the public interest; or (b) in the interest of the depositors; or (c) in order to secure the proper management of the Bank; or (d) in the interests of the banking system of the country as a whole, it maycould prepare a scheme for the reconstruction of the Bank or amalgamation of the Bank with any other bank. Recently, pursuant to the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act 2020, the RBI has been permitted to initiate a scheme for reconstruction or amalgamation of a bank even where no moratorium has been imposed, if the considerations referred to above are met. In circumstances entailing reconstruction of the Bank or amalgamation of the Bank with another Bank, the RBI would invite suggestions and objections on the draft scheme prior to placing the scheme before the Government for its sanction. The Government may sanction the scheme with or without modifications. The law does not require consent of the shareholders or creditors of such banks.
Special Status of Banks in India
The special status of banks is recognized under various statutes including the erstwhile Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act 1985 (the “SICA”), Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial InstitutionsBankruptcy Insolvency Resolution and Bankruptcy of Individuals and Partnership Firms Act 1993 (the “DRT Act”) and the SARFAESI Act. As a bank, we are entitled to certain benefits under the DRT Act which provide for the establishment of Debt Recovery Tribunals for expeditious adjudication and recovery of debts due to any bank or Public Financial Institution or to a consortium of banks and Public Financial Institutions. Under the DRT Act, the procedures for recovery of debt have been simplified and indicative time frames have been fixed for speedy disposal of cases and no court or other authority can exercise jurisdiction in relation to matters covered by this Act, except the higher courts in India in certain circumstances. The erstwhile SICA providesprovided for reference of “sick” industrial companies to the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (the “BIFR”). Under the SICA, other than the board of directors of a company, a scheduled Bank (where it has an interest in the “sick” industrial company by any financial assistance or obligation, rendered by it or undertaken by it) maycould refer the company to the BIFR. The SICA has been repealed by the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Repeal Act 2003 (the “SICA Repeal Act”). The Ministry of Finance has notified the SICA Repeal Act, and sectionSection 4(b) of the SICA Repeal Act came into force on December 1, 2016. Consequently, the SICA stands repealed and the BIFR and Appellate Authority for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (“AAIFR”) have been dissolved.
The SARFAESI Act focuses on improving the rights and simplifying the procedures for enforcement of security interest of banks and financial institutions and other specified secured creditors as well as asset reconstruction companies by providing that such secured creditors can take over management control of a borrower company upon default and/or sell assets without the intervention of courts, in accordance with the provisions of the SARFAESI Act. It also provides the legal framework for the securitizationsecuritisation and reconstruction of financial assets.
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016
Banks, as creditors, will benefit from the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016 (the “Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code”), which came into effect on December 1, 2016. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code is a comprehensive piece of legislation that provides for the efficient and timely resolution of insolvency. It amends 11 laws, including the Companies Act, the SARFAESI Act and the Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1993.DRT Act. It provides for insolvency resolution processes for companies and individuals, and requires that such processes be completed within 180 days. As per the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, the insolvency process can end under either of two circumstances: (i) when the creditors decide to evolve a resolution plan or sell the assets of the debtor; or (ii) when the
180-day
180-day-time
time
period for negotiations has come to an end. In case a plan cannot be negotiated during the time limit, the assets of the debtor will be sold to repay the debtor’s outstanding dues. The proceeds from the sale of assets will be distributed based on an order of priority specified under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.
187

In order to provide relief to corporate entities, which may be facing financial distress as a result of the
COVID-19
pandemic, the President of India has promulgated the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020, which came intowas amended with effect onfrom June 5, 2020. Pursuant to this ordinance,the amendment, no application for the initiation of a corporate insolvency resolution process of a corporate debtor can be filed under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, in relation to a default arising on or after March 25, 2020, for a period of six months or such further period, not exceeding one year from such date, as may be notified. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Act 2021 provides, among others, for a
pre-packaged
insolvency resolution process for corporate debtors which are classified as micro, small or medium enterprises. The objective of this amendment is to provide an efficient alternative insolvency resolution process for micro, small and medium enterprises which is efficient and cost effective. See also “
Risk Factors—The
COVID-19
pandemic or similar public health crises may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation
” for further information on the
COVID-19
pandemic.
183

On June 13, 2017, the RBI announced the constitution of an Internal Advisory Committee (the “IAC”) to focus on large stressed accounts. The IAC recommended 12 accounts totaling to approximately 2525.0 percent of the current gross NPAs of the banking system for immediate reference under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.
TheAmendments to the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act 20171949
The Government of India has recently promulgatedenacted the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act 2017, which is deemed to have come into force on May 5, 2017. This amendment insertsadds two new sections into the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.Act. The sections enable the Government to authorize the RBI to direct banking companies to resolve specific stressed assets by initiating an insolvency resolution process, where required. The RBI has also been empowered to issue other directions for resolution, and appoint or approve for appointment, authorities or committees to advise banking companies for stressed asset resolution.
Recently, the Government enacted the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act 2020 which, among other things, brought
co-operative
banks under the supervision of the RBI. The amendment also allows the RBI to prepare a scheme for the reconstruction or amalgamation of a banking company without the necessity of first making an order of moratorium.
Credit Information Bureau
The Parliament of India has enacted the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act 2005, pursuant to which every credit institution, including a bank, has to become a member of a credit information bureau and furnish to it such credit information as may be required of the credit institution by the credit information bureau about persons who enjoy a credit relationship with it. Other credit institutions, credit information bureaus and such other persons as the RBI specifies may access such disclosed credit information.
In August 2020, the RBI allowed lending institutions to implement viable resolution plans for eligible borrowers which had faced distress as a result of
COVID-19.
The lending institutions had to make the required credit reporting in relation to such restructured assets. The RBI has, through its circular dated March 12, 2021, revised the data format for the furnishing of information to credit information companies and other regulatory measures, in order to enable banks to report information relating restructured loans to credit information companies as envisaged in the resolution framework for
COVID-19-related
financial distress.
Regulations Governing International Banking Outlets and Representative Offices
We have overseas banking outlets in Bahrain, Hong Kong and the DIFC. We have one representative office each in Dubai, UAE, Abu Dhabi, UAE and Nairobi, Kenya. Our branch in Bahrain is regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain, and has been granted a license designating it as a wholesale bank branch. The activities that can be carried out from the Bahrain branch are deposit taking, providing credit, dealing in financial instruments as principal, dealing in financial instruments as agent, managing financial instruments, operating a collective investment undertaking, arranging deals in financial instruments, advising on financial instruments and issuing/administering means of payment. Our branch in Hong Kong is a full service branch and is regulated by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. The branch is permitted to undertake banking business in that jurisdiction with certain restrictions. In August 2014, we opened a branch in the DIFC to provide financial services covering arrangement of credit or deals in investments, advising on financial products or credit and arranging custodian services. The activities cater to the requirements of
non-resident
Indians and Indian corporates overseas. The branch is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority.
Our representative offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE, are regulated by the Central Bank of UAE and our representative office in Nairobi, Kenya, is regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya.
In June 2017, we opened a branch at the International Financial Service Centre at GIFT City in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. This branch is considered a foreign branch by RBI, and offers products such as trade credits, foreign currency term loans (including external commercial borrowings) and derivatives to hedge loans.
National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development
184The National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development Act 2021 has been passed by the parliament of India. The Act seeks to establish the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development as the principal development financial institution for infrastructure financing, in order to provide long-term finance for such segments of the economy where the risks involved are beyond the acceptable limits of commercial banks and other ordinary financial institutions.
188

Liberalisation of Forex Inflows
On July 7, 2022, the RBI has introduced certain measures in order to enhance forex inflows, amongst others:
(i)
Foreign portfolio investors (“FPIs”) are permitted to invest in government securities with
7-
and
14-year-maturities.
(ii)
During the period between July 8, 2022 and October 31, 2022, short-term investments by FPIs in government securities and corporate bonds are exempt from the limit on short-term investments until maturity or sale of such investments; the regulations required that such short-term investments shall not exceed 30 percent of the total investment of that FPI in any category.
(iii)
During the period between July 8, 2022 and October 31, 2022, investments by FPIs in commercial paper and
non-convertible
debentures with an original maturity of up to one year are exempt from the limit on short-term investments until maturity or sale of such investments.
(iv)
Until December 31, 2022, the maximum borrowing limit under the ECB framework has been increased temporarily from US$ 750 million or its equivalent per financial year to US$ 1.5 billion. In addition, the
all-in
cost ceiling under the ECB framework has been raised by 100 basis points for the same period, provided that the borrower has an investment grade rating.
International Trade Settlement in Indian Rupees
In its circular dated July 11, 2022, the RBI set up an additional arrangement for invoicing, payment and settlement of exports/imports in Indian rupees. Before utilizing this mechanism, AD banks require prior approval from the Foreign Exchange Department of the RBI, Central Office at Mumbai.
The broad framework for cross-border trade transactions in rupees under FEMA is as follows:
a)
Invoicing—all exports and imports may be denominated and invoiced in rupees;
b)
Exchange rate—the exchange rate between the currencies of the trading partner countries may be market-determined; and
c)
Settlement—the settlement of trade transactions shall occur in rupees in accordance with the procedure laid down in the circular.
For settlement of trade transactions with any country, AD banks in India may open special rupee “vostro” accounts of corresponding banks of the partner trading country. Under the circular,
a)
Indian importers shall make payment in rupees which shall be credited into the special “vostro” account of the correspondent bank of the partner country against the invoices for the supply of goods or services from the overseas seller/supplier; and
b)
Indian exporters shall be paid the export proceeds in rupees from the balance in the designated special “vostro” account of the correspondent bank of the partner country.
In addition, Indian exporters may receive advance payments against exports from overseas importers in Indian rupees through the above mechanism. Before allowing any such receipt of advance payments against exports, Indian banks shall ensure that available funds in these accounts are first used towards payment obligations arising out of already executed export orders/export payments.
The balance in the special “vostro” accounts may be used for:
i)
Payments for projects and investments;
ii)
Export/import advance flow management; and
iii)
Investments in government treasury bills, government securities etc. within existing guidelines and prescribed limits as well as subject to FEMA and similar statutory provisions.
Disclosures pursuant to Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act
Pursuant to Section 13(r) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), an issuer is required to disclose in its periodic reports whether it or any of its affiliates knowingly engaged in certain activities, transactions or dealings relating to Iran or with individuals or entities designated pursuant to certain Executive Orders. Disclosure may be required even where the activities, transactions or dealings were conducted in compliance with applicable law. Except as set forth below, as of the date of this annual report, HDFC Bank is not aware of any other activity, transaction or dealing by it or any of its affiliates during the year ended March 31, 2022 that requires disclosure under Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act. An individual customer of HDFC Bank was designated by the United States as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (“SDGT”) under Executive Order 13224 in June 2021. HDFC Bank provided several banking, credit and brokerage products and services to this customer, which were initiated prior to the customer’s designation. With respect to this customer, during the period covered by this report, HDFC Bank blocked five accounts, a credit card, a brokerage account and an investment services account, and terminated two outstanding loans and access to a safe deposit box. HDFC Bank intends to continue blocking this customer’s accounts while he remains designated as an SDGT. Revenue and net income generated by HDFC Bank in connection with the above-described products and services in the year ended March 31, 2022 were negligible relative to the overall revenue and net income of HDFC Bank.
189

EXCHANGE CONTROLS
Restrictions on Conversion of Rupees
There are restrictions on the conversion of rupees into dollars. Before February 29, 1992, the RBI determined the official value of the rupee in relation to a weighted basket of currencies of India’s major trading partners. In the February 1992 budget, a new dual exchange rate mechanism was introduced by allowing conversion of 60.0 percent of the foreign exchange received on trade or by current account at a market-determined rate and the remaining 40.0 percent at the official rate. All importers were, however, required to buy foreign exchange at the market rate, except for certain priority imports. In March 1993, the exchange rate was unified and allowed to float. In February 1994 and again in August 1994, the RBI announced relaxations in payment restrictions in the case of a number of transactions. Since August 1994, the Government of India has substantially complied with its obligations owed to the International Monetary Fund, under which India is committed to refrain from using exchange restrictions on current international transactions as an instrument in managing the balance of payments. Effective July 1995, the process of current account convertibility was advanced by relaxing restrictions on foreign exchange for various purposes, such as foreign travel and medical treatment. The Government has also, since 1999, relaxed restrictions on capital account transactions by resident Indians. For example, the RBI permits persons resident in India to remit monies outside India for any permissible current or capital account transaction or a combination of both. The limit for such remittances varies: it has been increasing from 2,000since 2000 and was US$ 200,000 per financial year, but was reduced to US$ 75,000 in September 2013 for exchange control purposes. As a result of stability in the foreign exchange market, this limit was enhanced to US$ 125,000 in June 2014 and, as of June 2015, has been further increased to US$ 250,000 per person per year.
Restrictions on Sales of the Equity Shares Underlying the ADSs and Repatriation of Sale Proceeds
Under the laws of India, ADSs issued by Indian companies to
non-residents
are freely transferable outside of India. Similarly, RBI approval is not required for the sale of equity shares underlying ADSs by a
non-resident
of India to a person resident in India, subject to reporting requirements and the applicable pricing norms if the shares are not sold on a recognized Indian exchange. However, RBI guidelines relating to the acquisition by purchase or otherwise of the shares of a private bank will apply to both resident and
non-resident
investors where such acquisition results in any person owning or controlling 5.0 percent or more of the paid up
paid-up
capital of the private bank.
The Ministry of Finance, Government of India, has granted general permission for the transfer of ADRs outside India and also permitted
non-resident
holders of ADRs to surrender ADRs in exchange for the underlying shares of the Indian issuer company. Pursuant to the terms of the deposit agreement, an investor who surrenders ADRs and withdraws shares is permitted to redeposit such shares subject to the total issued ADRs and obtain ADRs at a later time, subject to compliance with applicable regulations.
Unlisted companies (private or public) that were previously prohibited from issuing ADSs on
non-Indian
stock exchanges if they were not already listed on a stock exchange in India were, in October 2013, granted a general permission to list on
non-Indian
stock exchanges without having to be listed in India, subject to certain conditions.
In April 2014, the provisions of the Companies Act regulating the issuance of ADSs by Indian companies came into force. In May 2014, the Government of India accepted the recommendations of the M. S.M.S. Sahoo Committee, which had drafted a new scheme to regulate ADRs. On October 21, 2014, the Government notified the Depository Receipts Scheme 2014 (“DR Scheme”), which came into force on December 15, 2014. The relevant provisions of the Companies Act and the DR Scheme will only apply to depository receipts (including ADSs) issued after April 1, 2014, and the date of the notification of the DR Scheme, respectively. In October 2019, the SEBI issued a framework for the issuance of depository receipts by a listed company. It includes the eligibility criteria for such companies, the permissible jurisdictions where such issuance or transfer may be done and the obligations of listed companies while issuing depository receipts. This framework also provides the obligations of Indian depositories and domestic custodians, whereby Indian depositories are required to develop a system to monitor the foreign holding, including that held by way of depository receipts, as per the limits prescribed under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 and applicable SEBI Regulations, and to disseminate the information regarding outstanding depository receipts and available limits for conversion. For this purpose, the framework requires Indian depositories to make necessary arrangements with the domestic custodian and/or a foreign depository. In October 2020, the SEBI issued broad operational guidelines for the above purpose.
In February 2021, the SEBI issued the master circular for depositories, which consolidated the regulations governing ADRs as well as depository receipts.
190

Two-Way
Fungibility of ADSs
The RBI permits the
re-conversion
of shares of Indian companies into ADSs, subject to the following conditions:
 
the Indian company has issued ADSs;
 
the shares of the Indian company are purchased by a registered stockbroker in India in the name of the depository, on behalf of the
non-resident
investor who wishes to convert such shares into ADSs;
 
185

shares are purchased on a recognized stock exchange;
 
the shares are purchased with the permission of the custodian of the ADSs of the Indian company and are deposited with the custodian;
 
the number of shares so purchased does not exceed the ADSs converted into underlying shares, and areis in compliance with the sectoral caps applicable under the Foreign Direct Investment regime; and
 
the
non-resident
investor, broker, custodian and the overseas depository comply with the provisions of the Depository Receipt Mechanism and the guidelines issued in relation thereto from time to time.
The RBI requires the domestic custodian to ensure compliance with RBI guidelines and to file reports with the RBI from time to time. The domestic custodian is also required to perform,
inter alia
, the following functions in the context of the
two-way
fungibility of ADSs as per Indian laws:
 
provide a certificate to the RBI and the SEBI stating that the sectoral caps for foreign investment in the relevant company have not been breached;
 
monitor the total number of ADSs that have been converted into underlying shares by
non-resident
investors;
 
liaise with the issuer company to verify that the sectoral caps for foreign direct investment, if any, are not being breached; and
 
file a monthly report about the ADS transactions under the
two-way
fungibility arrangement with the RBI and the SEBI.
An investor who surrenders an ADS and withdraws equity shares may be entitled to redeposit those equity shares in the depositary facility in exchange for ADSs, and the depositary may accept deposits of outstanding equity shares purchased by a
non-resident
on the local stock exchange and issue ADSs representing those equity shares. However, in each case, the aggregate number of equity shares
re-deposited
or deposited by such persons cannot exceed the number of shares represented by ADSs as have been previously cancelled and not already replaced by further newly issued ADSs. The RBI has issued a notification,
inter alia
, permitting Indian companies to sponsor ADS issues against shares held by their shareholders at a price to be determined by the lead manager. Investors who seek to sell any equity shares in India withdrawn from the depositary facility and to convert the rupee proceeds from the sale into foreign currency and repatriate the foreign currency from India will, subject to the foregoing, not have to obtain RBI approval for each transaction.
 
186
191

RESTRICTIONS ON FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF INDIAN SECURITIES
Investment in equity instruments of a company in India by a person resident outside India is governed by the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (the “Foreign Exchange Management Act”), and the Foreign Exchange Management
(Non-debt)(Non-debt
InstrumentsInstruments) Rules 2019 (the “NDI Rules”). An investment by a person resident outside India which does not comply with the conditions of the NDI Rules requires prior permission of the RBI, which may be provided in consultation with the Government subject to such conditions as may be considered necessary. The NDI Rules supersede the Foreign Exchange Management (Transfer or Issue of Security by a Person Resident Outside India) Regulations, 2017 (the “FEMA Transfer or Issue of Security Regulations 2017”). As was provided under FEMA Transfer or Issue of Security Regulations 2017, the NDI Rules also prescribe an “automatic route” under which no prior consent and approval is required from the RBI or the Government for FDI in certain industries within specified sectoral caps. In respect of all industries that do not fall under the automatic route, and in respect of investments which do not comply with the conditions mentioned under the automatic route, approval is required from the Government under the “government route”.
The Government also publishes a Consolidated Policy on Foreign Direct Investment (the “Consolidated FDI Policy”) which read together with Foreign Exchange Management Act, rules and regulations issued thereunder, and circulars issued by the Government and the RBI from time to time, provides the framework for foreign investments in India.
Under the current foreign investment rules, the following restrictions are applicable to
non-resident
ownership:
Foreign Direct Investment
The Government has put in place a policy framework on FDI that is embodied in the circular on Consolidated FDI Policy, which is generally updated every yearperiodically to include the regulatory changes effected in the interim. The DIPP,Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (“DPIIT”), Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Government make policy pronouncements on FDI through press notes/press releases which are notified as amendments to the applicable rules and regulations issued under FEMA. These notifications take effect from the date of issue of the press notes/press releases, unless specified otherwise therein. The procedural instructions may be issued by the RBI vide A.P. (DIR Series) Circulars. The regulatory framework, over a period of time, thus, consists of acts, regulations, press notes, press releases and clarifications that are consolidated in the circular on Consolidated FDI Policy from time to time.
The present Consolidated FDI Policy subsumes and supersedes all press notes, press releases, clarifications and circulars issued by the DIPPDPIIT that were in force as of August 27, 2017October 15, 2020, and reflects the FDI policy as of August 28, 2017.October 15, 2020. Certain actions, such as those listed below, require government approval in consultation with the DIPP by way of prior approval from the administrative ministries or departments:
 
foreign investments, including a transfer of shares, in excess of specified sectoral caps;
 
transfer of control and/or ownership (as a result of a share transfer and/or new share issuance) pursuant to an amalgamation, merger or acquisition of an Indian company engaged in an activity having limitations on foreign ownership, currently owned or controlled by resident Indian citizens and Indian companies, which are owned or controlled by resident Indian citizens to a
non-resident
entity;
 
foreign investments in a
non-operating
company that does not have any downstream investments for undertaking activities which are under Government route. Further, as and when such a company commences business or makes downstream investment, it will have to comply with the relevant sectoral conditions on entry route, conditionalities and caps;
 
foreign investments by an unincorporated entity in certain cases; and
 
foreign investment by swap of shares for sectors under the Government approval route.
On May 24, 2017, the Government approved the
phase-out
of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (“FIPB”), which had been set up to regulate all foreign direct investment into India and whose approval was required for foreign investment in certain sectors, including defense and public sector banks. The DIPP has also issuedGovernment nominated the SOP for processing of applications and the decision of the Government under the existing FDI Policy. The SOP provides a list ofrelevant administrative ministries andor departments for each sector as competent to grantauthorities which shall process applications for FDI requiring government approval (the “Competent Authorities”) in relation to the corresponding sector and the procedure for obtaining such approval. The abolition of the FIPB and the SOP are both set out in the Consolidated FDI Policy dated August 28, 2017.
line with standard operating procedures (“SOP”).
187

A person residing outside India or any entity incorporated outside India has general permission to purchase shares, convertible debentures or preference shares of an Indian company subject to certain terms and conditions. Further, a citizen of Bangladesh or Pakistan or any entity incorporated in Bangladesh or Pakistan may, with the prior approval of the Government, purchase shares, convertible debentures or preference shares of an Indian company subject to certain prescribed terms and conditions. The Government has recently revised the FDI regime and amended the NDI Rules to require governmental approval for any FDI (a) by an entity of a country which shares a land border with India (
i.e
., Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and China, each a “Neighboring Country”) or (b) where the beneficial owner of an investment into India is (i) situated in a Neighboring Country or (ii) a citizen of a Neighboring Country.
192

Subject to certain exceptions, FDI and investment by
non-resident
Indians in Indian companies do not require the prior approval of the Government of India (acting through the concerned ministries or departments, in consultation with the DIPP and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry)departments) or the RBI. The Government of India has indicated that in all cases where FDI is allowed under the automatic route pursuant to the Consolidated FDI Policy, the RBI would continue to be the primary agency for the purposes of monitoring and regulating foreign investment. For cases that do require an FDI approval, including cases approved by the Government in the past, the monitoring and compliance of conditions shall be done by the concerned administrative ministries and departments. Further, in cases where the approval of the Government of India is obtained, no approval of the RBI is required. In both cases, the prescribed applicable norms with respect to determining the price at which the shares may be issued by the Indian company to the
non-resident
investor would need to be complied with, and a declaration in the prescribed form, detailing the foreign investment, must be filed with the RBI once the foreign investment is made in the Indian company. The foregoing description applies only to an issuance of shares by, and not to a transfer of shares of, Indian companies.
The burden of compliance with the sectoral or statutory caps on such foreign investment and the related conditions, if any, is on the company receiving foreign investment.
The Government has set up the Foreign Investment Implementation Authority (the “FIIA”), in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The FIIA has been mandated to: (i) translate FDI approvals into implementation; (ii) provide a proactive
one-stop
after-care service to foreign investors by helping them obtain necessary approvals; (iii) sort out operational problems; and (iv) meet with various government agencies to find solutions to foreign investment problems and maximize opportunities through a cooperative approach.
In May 2016, the RBI issued the Reserve Bank of India (Ownership in Private Sector Banks) Directions, 2016. These guidelines prescribe requirements regarding shareholding and voting rights in relation to all private sector banks licensed by the RBI to operate in India. In relation to foreign investment in private sector banks in India, the guidelines state that the foreign investment limits and
sub-limits
and also computation of foreign investment in private sector banks shall be as specified in the Consolidated FDI Policy and the Foreign Exchange Management Act, and regulations made in relation thereto, as amended from time to time. As per the Consolidated FDI Policy dated August 28, 2017October 15, 2020 issued by the Government of India, and the NDI Rules, the following restrictions are applicable to foreign ownership in the Bank:
 
Foreign investors may own up to 74 percent of the equity shares of a private sector Indian banking company subject to compliance with guidelines issued by the RBI from time to time. FDI up to 49 percent is permitted under the automatic route and FDI above 49 percent and up to 74 percent requires prior approval of the Competent Authorities. It includes FDI, ADSs, Global Depositary Receipts and investments by FPIscompetent authorities. This 74 percent limit will include investment under the foreign portfolio investment scheme by FPIs, NRIs and also by
non-resident
Indians. In addition, it encompasses shares acquired prior to September 16, 2003 by subscription inerstwhile OCBs, and continue to include IPOs, private placements, GDR/ADRs and public offerings and acquisitionsacquisition of shares from existing shareholders. Aggregate foreign investment in the Bank from all sources is allowed up to a maximum of 74 percent of the
paid-up
capital of the Bank. At least 26 percent of the
paid-up
capital would have to be held by Indian residents, except in the case of a wholly-owned subsidiary of a foreign bank.
 
188

An FPI may invest in the capital of an Indian banking company in the private sector under the portfolio investment scheme which limits the individual holding of an FPI to below 10 percent of the capital of the Indian banking company. With effect from April 1, 2020, the aggregate limit for FPI investment is prescribed by sectoral caps applicable to Indian companies in relation to FDI, in accordance with the NDI Rules. Subject to a resolution of the board of directors and a special resolution of the shareholders of the Indian banking company, the 74 percent limit ordinarily applicable to Indian banking companies maycould be decreased to 24 percent, or 49 percent of the total
paid-up
capital of a private sector banking company before March 31, March, 2020. An Indian banking company which has decreased its aggregate limit of FDI investment can increase it again, to the aggregate limit of 74 percent. However, once the aggregate limit of FPI investment is increased, the same cannot be reduced to a lower threshold by the Indian banking company. The total holding by each FPI or an investor group shall be less than 10 percent of the total
paid-up
capital on a fully diluted basis or less than 10 percent of the
paid-up
value of each series of debentures or preference shares or share warrants issued by an Indian company, and the total holdings of all FPIs put together, including any other direct and indirect foreign investments in the Indian company permitted under these rules, shall not exceed 24 percent of
paid-up
equity capital on a fully diluted basis or
paid-up
value of each series of debentures or preference shares or share warrants. The aggregate limit of 24 percent may be increased by the Indian company concerned up to the sectoral cap/statutory ceiling, as applicable, with the approval of its board of directors and its general body through a resolution and a special resolution, respectively.
No single
non-resident
Indian may own more than 5 percent of the total
paid-up
capital of a private sector banking company, and the aggregate limitholdings of all NRIs and OCIs cannot exceed 10 percent of the total
paid-up
capital. However,
non-resident
Indians’ holdings can be allowed up to 24 percent of the total
paid-up
capital, provided the banking company passes a special resolution of the shareholders to that effect. In addition, overseas corporate bodies (while OCBs have been derecognized as a class of investors in India with effect from September 16, 2003, erstwhile OCBs which are incorporated outside India and are not under the adverse notice of RBI can make fresh investments as incorporated
i.e.non-resident
, entities in which
non-resident
Indians hold at least 60 percent) are not permitted to invest underaccordance with the portfolio investment scheme though they may continue to hold investments that have already been made under the portfolio investment scheme until such time as these investments are sold on the stock exchange.FDI Policy and Foreign Exchange Management
(Non-Debt
Instrument) Rules 2019.
193

FPI Regulations
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Foreign Portfolio Investors) Regulations, 2014 have been replaced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Foreign Portfolio Investors) Regulations 2019 (the “FPI Regulations”). SEBI has also issued operational guidelines dated November 5, November 2019 under the FPI Regulations (the “FPI Operational Guidelines”). , which have been modified subsequently on April 29, 2022.
The regulatory regime governing FPIs and investments made by them replaces the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Foreign Institutional Investors) Regulations, 1995 (the “FII Regulations”) and the regime for investments by qualified foreign investors (“QFIs”). Pursuant to the original regulations governing FPIs, which came into effect on June 1, 2014, an FII, which held a valid certificate of registration from the SEBI, was deemed to be a registered FPI until the expiry of the block of three years for which fees had been paid as per the FII Regulations. Further, an FII was not eligible to invest as an FII after registering as an FPI.
Similarly, a QFI could continue to buy, sell or otherwise deal in securities until May 31, 2015, or until the QFI obtained a certificate of registration as FPI, whichever occurred earlier.
The FPI Regulations specify that the shares purchased by a single FPI or an investor group must be below 10 percent of the total paid up
paid-up
equity capital of a company on a fully diluted basis. It should be noted that multiple entities registered as FPIs, directly or indirectly, having common ownership of more than 50 percent or common control, shall be treated as part of the same investor group, and the investment limits of all such entities shall be combined to calculate the investment limit as applicable to a single FPI.
Under the FPI Regulations, only FPIs classified as Category I and persons eligible for registration as Category I FPIs may issue offshore derivative instruments (“ODIs”). Such ODIs are required to be issued after compliance with applicable “know your client” norms. The ODIs cannot be issued or transferred to persons who are not eligible to be registered as a Category I FPI under the FPI Regulations. Further, any transfer of an ODI requires prior consent of the FPI which has issued the ODI.
The FPI Operational Guidelines directs all the issuers of ODIs to identify and verify the beneficial owners in the subscriber entities who hold in excess of 25 percent, in the case of a company, 15 percent, in the case of partnership firms, trusts and unincorporated bodies, and 10 percent, in case the FPI is based in a high-risk jurisdiction. Prescribed documents for verification of the ODI subscribers and the beneficial owners are required to be submitted by the ODI issuers, and the ODI issuers are also required to file suspicious transaction reports in relation to the ODIs issued by it,them, if any, with the Indian Financial Intelligence Unit.
Investors in ADSs do not need to seek the specific approval from the Government of India to purchase, hold or dispose of their ADSs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an FPI, a
non-resident
Indian or an overseas corporate body were to withdraw its equity shares from the ADS program, its investment in the equity shares would be subject to the general restrictions on foreign ownership.
FPIs are now also permitted to acquire debt securities issued by infrastructure investment trusts and real estate investment trusts registered with SEBI.
Issue of Securities Through the Depository Receipt Mechanism
Issue of securities through the depository receipt mechanism by Indian companies is governed by the Companies Act, the Companies (Issue of Global Depository Receipts) Rules, 2014 (the “Depository Receipts Rules”), the DR Scheme and the NDI Rules. SEBI has through its circular dated October 10, October 2019 (the “SEBI DR Circular”) on the issue of depository receipts, among other things, provided the framework for issue and transfer of equity shares and debt securities which form the underlying instruments of the depository receipts.
189receipts, by listed companies.

The Government of India notified the DR Scheme on October 21, 2014, which came into force on December 15, 2014. Consequently, the Issue of Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds and Ordinary Shares (Through Depository Receipt Mechanism) Scheme, 1993 has been repealed except to the extent relating to foreign currency convertible bonds.
Under the DR Scheme, an Indian company, listed or unlisted, private or public, is permitted to issue securities, including equity shares, through the depository receipt mechanism if such company has not been specifically prohibited from accessing capital markets or dealing in securities. Permissible securities that can be issued by an Indian company through the depository receipt mechanism are “securities” as defined under the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act 1956, which includes,
inter alia
, shares, bonds, derivatives and units of mutual funds, electronic gold receipts, bullion spot delivery contracts, bullion depository receipts with underlying bullion and similar instruments issued by private companies, provided that such securities are in dematerialized form.
194

The SEBI DR Circular defines “permissible securities” as equity shares and debt securities, which are in dematerialized form and rank
pari passu
with the securities issued and listed on a recognized stock exchange. The SEBI DR Circular also provides the criteria for companies to be eligible to issue the permissible securities, and prohibits listed companies from issuing permissible securities if any of itstheir promoters, promoter group or directors or selling shareholders are debarred from accessing the capital market by SEBI, any of the promoters or directors of the listed company is a promoterare promoters or directordirectors of any other company which is debarred from accessing the capital market by SEBI, the listed company or any of its promoters or directors isare a willful defaulter, or any of its promoters or directors is a fugitive economic offender. The SEBI DR Circular further states that for the purpose of an initial issue and listing of depositary receipts, pursuant to transfer by existing holders, the listed company shall provide an opportunity to its equity shareholders to tender their shares for participation in such listing of depositary receipts.
An Indian company can issue securities to a foreign depository for the purpose of issuing depository receipts through any mode permissible for the issue of such securities to other investors. The foreign depository can issue depository receipts by way of a public offering or private placement or in any other manner prevalent in the permissible jurisdiction. The DR Scheme specifies a list of permissible jurisdictions and defines a “permissible jurisdiction” as a jurisdiction which is a member of the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering and whose securities market regulator is a member of the International Organization of Securities Commissions.
In terms of the DR Scheme, securities can be issued through the depository receipt mechanism up to such a limit that the aggregate underlying securities issued to foreign depositories for issuance of depository receipts along with securities already held by persons resident outside India does not exceed the applicable foreign investment limits prescribed by regulations framed under the Foreign Exchange Management Act. Further, the SEBI DR Circular requires that within this limit, the maximum aggregate permissible securities which may be issued by the listed company or transferred by the existing holders for the purpose of issue of depository receipts shall be such that the listed company is able to ensure compliance with the minimum public shareholding requirement, after excluding the permissible securities held by the depository for the purpose of issue of depository receipts.
The depository receipts and the underlying securities may be converted into each other subject to the applicable foreign investment limit.
It should be noted that the RBI guidelines relating to the acquisition by purchase or otherwise of shares of a private bank will apply to both resident and
non-resident
investors where such acquisition results in any person owning or controlling 5.0 percent or more of the
paid-up
capital of the private bank.
The DR Scheme provides that underlying securities shall not be issued to a foreign depository for issuance of depository receipts at a price which is less than the price applicable to a corresponding mode of issuance to domestic investors. The SEBI DR Circular further states that in case of a simultaneous listing of permissible securities on stock exchange(s) in India pursuant to a public offer/preferential allotment/qualified institutions placement, and depositary receipts on the international exchange, the price of issue or transfer of permissible securities, for the purpose of issuing depositary receipts by a foreign depository, shall not be less than the price finalized for the domestic investors under the applicable laws. Where permissible securities are issued by a listed company or transferred by the existing holders, for the purpose of issuing depositary receipts by a foreign depository, such permissible securities shall be issued at a price not less than the price applicable to a corresponding mode of issue of such permissible securities to domestic investors under the applicable laws.
In terms of the DR Scheme, the foreign depository is entitled to exercise voting rights, if any, associated with the underlying securities whether pursuant to voting instructions from the holder of depository receipts or otherwise. Further, a holder of depository receipts issued against underlying equity shares shall have the same obligations as if it is the holder of the equity shares if it has the right to issue voting instruction. However, in accordance with the SEBI DR Circular, the voting rights on permissible securities, if any, can be exercised by the holder of depository receipts through the foreign depository pursuant only to voting instruction from such holder of depository receipts.
In relation to listed companies, the SEBI DR Circular requires Indian depositories to develop a system to monitor the foreign holding, including that held by way of depository receipts, in line with the limits prescribed under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 and applicable SEBI Regulations, and disseminate the information regarding outstanding depository receipts and available limits for conversion. The Indian depositories are required to make necessary arrangements with the domestic custodian and/or a foreign depository. In October 2020, the SEBI issued broad operational guidelines for this purpose.
In February 2021, the SEBI issued the master circular for depositories, which consolidated the regulations governing ADRs as well as depository receipts.
 
190
195

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
It is possible to read and copy documents referred to in this annual report on Form
20-F
that have been filed with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room located at 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549. The SEC filings are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the internet website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. The internet website maintained by the Bank is www.hdfcbank.com. No material on the Bank’s website forms any part of, or is incorporated by reference into, this annual report on
Form
20-F.
References herein to the Bank’s website shall not be deemed to cause such incorporation.
 
191
196

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The management of
HDFC Bank Limited
(the “Bank”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Bank’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Bank’s management, its Audit Committee and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.
There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any internal control or system of control, however well-designed, including the possibility of human error and the possible circumvention or overriding of such controls or systems. Moreover, because of changing conditions, the reliability of internal controls may vary over time. As a result, even effective internal controls can provide no more than reasonable assurance with respect to the accuracy and completeness of financial statements and their process of preparation.
The Bank management assessed the effectiveness of the Bank’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2020.2022. In making this assessment, it has used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013). Based on those criteria and our assessment we believe that, as of March 31, 2020,2022, the Bank’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
The Bank’s independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG Assurance and Consulting Services LLP, has issued an audit report on the Bank’s internal control over financial reporting.
HDFC BANK LIMITED
HDFC Bank House,
Senapati Bapat Marg,
Lower Parel,
Mumbai 400 013, India
July 31, 202029, 2022
192
197

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
HDFC Bank Limited
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited HDFC Bank Limited and subsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2020,2022, based on criteria established in
Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013)
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2020,2022, based on criteria established in
Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013)
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of March 31, 20202022 and 2019,2021, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2020,2022, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated July 31, 202029, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ KPMG Assurance and Consulting Services LLP
Mumbai, India
July 31, 202029, 2022
KPMG (Registered) (a partnership firm with Registration No. BA-62445) converted into KPMG Assurance and Consulting Services LLP (a Limited Liability Partnership with LLP Registration No. AAT-0367), with effect from July 23, 2020.
 
193
198


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
HDFC Bank Limited
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of HDFC Bank Limited and subsidiaries (the Company) as of March 31, 20202022 and 2019,2021, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2020,2022, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 20202022, and 2019,2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2020,2022, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2020,2022, based on criteria established in
Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013)
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated July 31, 202029, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 2(i) to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for the recognition and measurement of credit losses as of April 1, 2020 due to the adoption of ASC Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended March 31, 20202022 have been translated into United States dollars solely for the convenience of the reader. We have audited the translation, and, in our opinion, such financial statements expressed in Indian rupee have been translated into United States dollars on the basis set forth in Note 2(y)2(z) to the consolidated financial statements.
F-2

Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
F-2

Assessment of the allowancesallowance for credit losses collectivelyfor loans evaluated for impairmenton a collective basis
As discussed in Notes 2(i)2 (i) and 9 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s allowance for credit losses for loans as of March 31, 2022 was Rs. 372,671.8 million, of which Rs. 334,217.7 million related to the allowance for credit losses on loans collectively evaluated on a collective basis (the collective ACL). The methodology for impairment (the unallocated allowance) as at March 31 2020 was Rs. 97,231.3 million. For wholesaleestimating the amount of credit losses reported in the allowance for credit losses has a pooled component for expected credit losses for pools of loans the Company estimates the unallocated allowance by segmenting the borrowers into internal rating grades, where the internal rating grades reflect the economic conditions of the borrower.that share similar risk characteristics. The estimated probability of default for each internal rating grade pool and the loss given default estimatecollective ACL is then applied to the total loan balance of each internal rating grade pool to compute the unallocated allowance. The Company estimates probability of default for each internal rating grade poolprimarily based on the default experience of individual borrowers, including other qualitative factors. For retail loans, the Company estimates the unallocated allowance based on historic credit loss experience, computed based on credit risk parametersCompany’s estimate of probability of default and(PD), loss given default including other qualitative factors. These loss estimates are computed by segmenting(LGD), and exposure at default (EAD), determined for the retail loan portfolio into homogenous poolsrespective risk pools. The Company estimated the collective ACL using a current expected credit losses methodology which is based on shared riskrelevant information about historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The Company relies on a single macroeconomic variable that is relevant to the specific pool of loans to develop a reasonable and supportable forecast specific to the relevant macroeconomic variable. After the reasonable and supportable forecast period, the Company reverts to the historical average default rate for the remaining expected life of the loans over a straight line basis. The quantitative component of the collective ACL is the product of multiplying the PD, LGD, and EAD. Any adjustments needed to the modeled expected losses in the quantitative calculations are addressed through a qualitative adjustment. The qualitative adjustment, among other things includes the uncertainty of forward-looking scenarios based on the likelihood and severity of a possible recession; the uncertainty of economic conditions related to an alternative downside scenario; certain portfolio characteristics and their respective loss experience.concentrations; collateral coverage; model limitations; idiosyncratic events; and other relevant criterias.
We identified the assessment of the unallocated allowancecollective ACL as a critical audit matter because it involved significant measurement uncertainty requiringmatter. A high degree of audit effort, including specialized skills and knowledge, and subjective and complex auditor judgment and knowledge and experiencewas involved in the industry. Thisassessment of the collective ACL due to significant measurement uncertainty. Specifically, this assessment encompassed the evaluation of the various components of the unallocated allowancecollective ACL methodology, including the methodologiesmethods and models used to estimate the probability of default and loss given defaultPD, LGD and their key factors andsignificant assumptions. Such significant assumptions includingincluded pooling of loans, macroeconomic conditions, , remaining expected life structure, the internalhistorical look-back period, credit rating gradesmodels for wholesale loans and how retail loans with sharedsimilar risk characteristics are pooled,for homogenous retail loans. The assessment also included the evaluation of the qualitative adjustments and other qualitative factors. Further,their significant assumptions, including consideration of the assessmentuncertainty of internal rating grades for wholesale loansforward-looking scenarios based on Company’s internalthe likelihood and severity of a possible recession; the uncertainty of economic conditions related to an alternative downside scenario; certain portfolio characteristics and concentrations; collateral coverage; model limitations; and idiosyncratic events. The assessment also included an evaluation of the conceptual soundness and performance of the PD, LGD and credit rating modelsmodels. In addition, auditor judgment was required the use of significant judgment as well as industry knowledge and experience to evaluate individual borrower’s economic condition.the sufficiency of audit evidence obtained.
F-3

The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls over (1)related to the approvalCompany’s measurement of the unallocated allowance methodology, (2) the determinationcollective ACL estimate including controls over the:
development and review of the key assumptions and inputs used to estimate the probability of default and loss given default, (3) Company’s collective ACL methodology
development and validation of the probabilityPD, LGD and credit rating models
identification and determination of defaultthe significant assumptions used in the PD and loss given defaultLGD models and (4) the qualitative adjustments and
analysis of the unallocated allowancecollective ACL results trends, and ratios. trends.
We evaluated the Company’s process to develop the unallocated allowancecollective ACL estimate by testingreviewing certain sources of data, factors and assumptions that the Company used and considered the appropriateness, relevance and reliability of such data, factors, and assumptions. WeIn addition, we involved credit risk professionals with specialized industryskills and knowledge, and experience, who assisted in:
 
evaluating the Company’s unallocated allowancecollective ACL methodology including significant unallocated allowance models,and key assumptions for compliance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles
 
evaluating judgments made by the Company’s determinationCompany relative to the development and performance testing of probability of defaultPD, LGD and loss given default supported with appropriate observable data, considering the portfolio characteristics,credit rating models by comparing them to relevant applicable industry and regulatory practices
 
determining
assessing the conceptual soundness and performance review of the PD, LGD and credit rating models by inspecting the model documentation to determine whether retail loansthe models are pooled by shared risk characteristics and wholesale loans are pooled by internal credit ratings,suitable for their intended use
 
evaluating the methodology used for the macroeconomic conditions assumption by comparing it to develop the resultingCompany’s business environment and relevant industry practices
assessing the appropriateness of the source for macroeconomic conditions through comparison to publicly available forecasts
evaluating the remaining expected life structure and length of the historical look-back period by comparing them to specific portfolio risk characteristics and trends
determining whether the loan portfolio is pooled by similar risk characteristics by comparing to the Company’s business environment and relevant industry practices and
evaluating the appropriateness of the qualitative factorsadjustments and the effect of those factorsadjustments on the unallocated allowance compared withcollective ACL by reviewing relevant credit risk factors and consistency with credit trends and identified limitations of the underlying quantitative models.
We also assessed the sufficiency of the audit evidence obtained related to the collective ACL estimate by evaluating the:
Cumulative results of the audit procedures
Qualitative aspects of the Company’s accounting and
Potential bias in the accounting estimates.
evaluating the Company’s methodology to assign an internal rating grade to the wholesale loan borrower.
/s/ KPMG Assurance and Consulting Services LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2015.
Mumbai, India
July 31, 202029, 2022
KPMG (Registered) (a partnership firm with Registration No. BA-62445) converted into KPMG Assurance and Consulting Services LLP (a Limited Liability Partnership with LLP Registration No. AAT-0367), with effect from July 23, 2020.
 
F-3
F-4

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
As of
 
 
March 31, 2019
  
March 31, 2020
  
March 31, 2020
 
 
(In millions, except number of shares)
 
ASSETS:
         
Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash
 Rs.
    734,872.6
  Rs.
     611,961.0
  US$
8,117.3
 
Investments held for trading, at fair value
  
265,516.1
   
304,962.9
   
4,045.1
 
Investments available for sale debt securities, at fair value
[includes restricted investments of Rs. 1,634,673.3 and
Rs. 1,760,859.1 (US$ 23,356.7), as of March 31, 2019 and
March 31, 2020, respectively]million
  
2,633,348.4
   
3,406,289.2
   
45,182.2
 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
  
76,213.5
   
250,000.0
   
3,316.1
 
Loans [net of allowance of Rs. 148,232.0 and Rs. 198,833.2
(US$ 2,637.4),
 
as of March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020,
respectively]
  
8,963,232.6
   
10,425,022.4
   
138,281.2
 
Accrued interest receivable
  
93,031.7
   
103,035.9
   
1,366.7
 
Property and equipment, net
  
43,187.8
   
48,327.7
   
641.0
 
Goodwill
  
74,937.9
   
74,937.9
   
994.0
 
Other assets
  
395,733.0
   
737,352.1
   
9,780.5
 
             
Total assets
 Rs.
13,280,073.6
  Rs.
   15,961,889.1
  US$
211,724.1
 
             
             
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
         
Liabilities:
         
Interest-bearing deposits
 Rs.
    7,804,717.5
  Rs.
    9,730,481.3
  US$
129,068.6
 
Non-interest-bearing deposits
  
1,420,309.4
   
1,731,590.0
   
22,968.4
 
             
Total deposits
  
9,225,026.9
   
11,462,071.3
   
152,037.0
 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
  
174,000.0
   
507,982.0
   
6,738.1
 
Short-term borrowings
  
654,058.0
   
377,417.6
   
5,006.2
 
Accrued interest payable
  
79,372.5
   
80,078.9
   
1,062.2
 
Long-term debt
  
1,044,553.0
   
1,026,518.3
   
13,616.1
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
  
467,438.6
   
611,327.2
   
8,108.8
 
             
Total liabilities
 Rs.
    11,644,449.0
  Rs.
   14,065,395.3
  US$
186,568.4
 
             
             
Commitments and contingencies (see note 27)
      
Shareholders’ equity:
         
Equity shares: par value—Rs. 1.0 each; authorized 6,500,000,000 shares and 6,500,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 5,446,613,220 shares and 5,483,286,460 shares, as of
March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020, respectively
 Rs.    
    
5,446.6
  Rs.
    
     5,483.3
  US$
72.7
 
Additional paid-in capital
  
739,763.6
   
765,888.6
   
10,159.0
 
Retained earnings
  
587,235.2
   
713,340.6
   
9,462.0
 
Statutory reserve
  
288,321.1
   
356,038.3
   
4,722.6
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
  
11,808.8
   
52,331.6
   
694.1
 
             
Total HDFC Bank Limited shareholders’ equity
  
1,632,575.3
   
1,893,082.4
   
25,110.4
 
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries
  
3,049.3
   
3,411.4
   
45.3
 
Total shareholders’ equity
  
1,635,624.6
   
1,896,493.8
   
25,155.7
 
             
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 Rs.
 13,280,073.6
  Rs.
15,961,889.1
  US$
     
 211,724.1
 
             
   
As of
 
   
March 31, 2021
   
March 31, 2022
  
March 31, 2022
 
            
   
(In millions, except number of shares)
 
ASSETS:
              
Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash
  Rs.    930,694.7   Rs.     1,122,031.1  US$14,788.9 
Investments held for trading, at fair value
   99,620.2    53,199.5   701.2 
Investments available for sale debt securities, at fair value [includes restricted investments of Rs. 1,694,645.4 and Rs. 1,648,213.8 (US$ 21,724.2), as of March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, respectively]
   4,275,449.9    4,388,563.1   57,843.2 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
   270,060.0    373,053.3   4,917.0 
Loans [net of allowance of Rs. 343,528.7
 
and Rs. 372,671.8

(US$ 4,911.9), as of March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022,
respectively]
   11,700,189.2    14,036,872.2   185,012.2 
Accrued interest receivable
   118,762.9    134,467.7   1,772.3 
Property and equipment, net
   53,094.4    65,826.4   867.6 
Goodwill
   74,937.9    74,937.9   987.7 
Other assets
   456,972.8    864,754.3   11,397.8 
   
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
Total assets
  Rs.    17,979,782.0   Rs.    21,113,705.5  US$278,287.9 
   
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
    
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
              
Liabilities:
              
Interest-bearing deposits
  Rs.    11,226,467.8   Rs.    13,197,979.7  US$173,955.2 
Non-interest-bearing
deposits
   2,110,762.4    2,382,052.2   31,396.5 
   
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
Total deposits
   13,337,230.2    15,580,031.9   205,351.7 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
   356,059.2    151,844.9   2,001.4 
Short-term borrowings
   239,264.1    554,167.6   7,304.2 
Accrued interest payable
   77,969.1    82,412.8   1,086.2 
Long-term debt
   1,174,758.2    1,554,333.4   20,486.8 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
   631,096.4    681,461.5   8,981.9 
   
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
Total liabilities
  Rs.    15,816,377.2   Rs.    18,604,252.1  US$245,212.2 
   
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
    
Commitments and contingencies (see note 26)
             
Shareholders’ equity:
              
Equity shares: par value—Rs. 1.0 each; authorized 6,500,000,000 shares and 6,500,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 5,512,776,482 shares and 5,545,540,976 shares, as of March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, respectively
  Rs.    5,512.8   Rs.    5,545.5  US$73.1 
Additional
paid-in
capital
   794,220.3    834,615.2   11,000.6 
Retained earnings
   897,873.7    1,153,191.1   15,199.6 
Statutory reserve
   434,835.3    529,279.1   6,976.1 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
   27,186.3    (17,792.5  (234.5
   
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
Total HDFC Bank Limited shareholders’ equity
   2,159,628.4    2,504,838.4   33,014.9 
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries
   3,776.4    4,615.0   60.8 
Total shareholders’ equity
   2,163,404.8    2,509,453.4   33,075.7 
   
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  Rs.    17,979,782.0   Rs.               21,113,705.5  US$              278,287.9 
   
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-
4F-5

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
Fiscal years ended March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions, except share and per share amounts)
 
Interest and dividend revenue:
            
Loans
 Rs.
667,458.7
  Rs.
827,683.0
  Rs.
981,794.8
  US$
 
 
 
 
 
13,022.9
 
Trading securities
  
4,049.1
   
8,892.9
   
7,392.1
   
98.1
 
Available for sale debt securities
  
158,209.2
   
190,992.5
   
198,383.2
   
2,631.4
 
Other
  
13,748.3
   
14,146.5
   
24,412.8
   
323.8
 
                 
Total interest and dividend revenue
  
843,465.3
   
1,041,714.9
   
1,211,982.9
   
16,076.2
 
Interest expense:
            
Deposits
  
326,717.8
   
410,026.4
   
507,888.8
   
6,736.8
 
Short-term borrowings
  
26,004.4
   
39,054.3
   
27,216.8
   
361.0
 
Long-term debt
  
67,297.5
   
85,081.1
   
83,200.5
   
1,103.6
 
Other
  
295.0
   
47.5
   
149.4
   
2.0
 
                 
Total interest expense
  
420,314.7
   
534,209.3
   
618,455.5
   
8,203.4
 
                 
Net interest revenue
  
423,150.6
   
507,505.6
   
593,527.4
   
7,872.8
 
Provision for credit losses
  
59,397.8
   
72,279.3
   
117,621.9
   
1,560.2
 
                 
Net interest revenue after provision for credit losses
  
363,752.8
   
435,226.3
   
475,905.5
   
6,312.6
 
                 
Non-interest revenue, net:
            
Fees and commissions
  
120,060.9
   
134,155.2
   
160,099.5
   
2,123.6
 
Trading securities gain/(loss), net
  
(63.4
)  
1,028.4
   
1,323.4
   
17.6
 
Realized gain/(loss) on sales of available for sale debt
securities, net
  
10,853.2
   
2,596.0
   
25,826.2
   
342.6
 
Other than temporary impairment losses on available for
sale debt securities
  
(149.1
)  
(1,081.0
)  
(9,109.0
)  
(120.8
)
Foreign exchange transactions
  
6,209.5
   
1,917.8
   
15,265.6
   
202.5
 
Derivatives gain/(loss), net
  
6,742.6
   
12,409.1
   
3,550.0
   
47.1
 
Other, net
  
953.3
   
9,096.7
   
1,263.3
   
16.8
 
                 
Total non-interest revenue, net
  
144,607.0
   
160,122.2
   
198,219.0
   
2,629.4
 
                 
Total revenue, net
  
508,359.8
   
595,348.5
   
674,124.5
   
8,942.0
 
                 
Non-interest expense:
            
Salaries and staff benefits
  
98,483.7
   
104,652.6
   
130,506.9
   
1,731.1
 
Premises and equipment
  
29,816.9
   
29,527.7
   
31,533.9
   
418.3
 
Depreciation and amortization
  
9,678.9
   
12,247.8
   
12,800.3
   
169.8
 
Administrative and other
  
93,272.9
   
108,960.4
   
133,439.4
   
1,770.0
 
Amortization of intangible assets
  
1.0
   
1.0
   
—  
   
—  
 
                 
Total non-interest expense
  
231,253.4
   
255,389.5
   
308,280.5
   
4,089.2
 
                 
Income before income tax expense
  
277,106.4
   
339,959.0
   
365,844.0
   
4,852.8
 
Income tax expense
  
98,272.5
   
119,393.5
   
105,480.0
   
1,399.1
 
                 
Net income before noncontrolling interest
 Rs.
178,833.9
  Rs.
220,565.5
  Rs.
 
260,364.0
  US$
3,453.7
 
Less: Net income attributable to shareholders of
noncontrolling interest
  
319.0
   
461.7
   
94.1
   
1.2
 
                 
Net income attributable to HDFC Bank Limited
 Rs.
 
 
 
 
 
178,514.9
  Rs.
 
220,103.8
  Rs.
260,269.9
  US$
3,452.5
 
                 
Per share information: (see note: 29)
 
                
Earnings per equity share—basic
 Rs.
34.59
  Rs.
41.07
  Rs.
47.59
  US$
0.63
 
Earnings per equity share—diluted
 Rs.
34.15
  Rs.
40.66
  Rs.
47.27
  US$
0.62
 
Per ADS information (where 1 ADS represents 3 shares): (see
note: 29)
            
Earnings per ADS—basic
 Rs.
103.77
  Rs.
123.21
  Rs.
142.77
  US$
1.89
 
Earnings per ADS—diluted
 Rs.
102.45
  Rs.
121.98
  Rs.
141.81
  US$
1.86
 
Dividends declared per equity share
 Rs.
6.5
  Rs
7.5
  Rs
2.5
  US$
0.03
 
   
Fiscal years ended March 31,
 
   
2020
  
2021
  
2022
   
2022
 
               
   
(In millions, except share and per share amounts)
 
Interest and dividend revenue:
                  
Loans
  Rs.981,794.8  Rs.    1,017,047.8  Rs.1,057,925.6   US$    13,943.9 
Trading securities
   7,392.1   3,373.8   1,647.5    21.7 
Available for sale debt securities
   198,383.2   226,690.9   240,943.0    3,175.7 
Other
   24,412.8   28,855.1   32,620.9    430.0 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total interest and dividend revenue
   1,211,982.9   1,275,967.6   1,333,137.0    17,571.3 
Interest expense:
                  
Deposits
   507,888.8   501,260.2   489,010.1    6,445.4 
Short-term borrowings
   27,216.8   12,531.8   17,675.2    233.0 
Long-term debt
   83,200.5   78,361.5   77,456.3    1,020.9 
Other
   149.4   127.6   155.9    2.1 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total interest expense
   618,455.5   592,281.1   584,297.5    7,701.4 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
Net interest revenue
   593,527.4   683,686.5   748,839.5    9,869.9 
Provision for credit losses
   117,621.9   154,233.4   126,979.5    1,673.6 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
Net interest revenue after provision for credit losses
   475,905.5   529,453.1   621,860.0    8,196.3 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
Non-interest
revenue, net:
                  
Fees and commissions
   160,099.5   165,410.4   202,979.5    2,675.4 
Trading securities gain/(loss), net
   1,323.4   1,481.0   2,455.5    32.4 
Realized gain/(loss) on sales of available for sale debt securities, net
   25,826.2   55,925.2   16,745.8    220.7 
Allowance on available for sale debt securities
(1)
   (9,109.0  (2,915.1  2,915.1    38.4 
Foreign exchange transactions
   15,265.6   27,762.6   34,851.4    459.4 
Derivatives gain/(loss), net
   3,550.0   (3,253.0  1,422.0    18.7 
Other, net
   1,263.3   8,564.6   9,204.9    121.3 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
non-interest
revenue, net
   198,219.0   252,975.7   270,574.2    3,566.3 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total revenue, net
   674,124.5   782,428.8   892,434.2    11,762.6 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
Non-interest
expense:
                  
Salaries and staff benefits
   130,506.9   143,755.9   165,287.7    2,178.6 
Premises and equipment
   31,533.9   35,763.2   36,236.0    477.6 
Depreciation and amortization
   12,800.3   13,860.2   16,816.9    221.7 
Administrative and other
   133,439.4   149,223.0   154,931.4    2,042.1 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
non-interest
expense
   308,280.5   342,602.3   373,272.0    4,920.0 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
Income before income tax expense
   365,844.0   439,826.5   519,162.2    6,842.6 
Income tax expense
   105,480.0   113,820.1   132,559.2    1,747.2 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
Net income before noncontrolling interest
  Rs.260,364.0  Rs.326,006.4  Rs.386,603.0   US$5,095.4 
Less: Net income attributable to shareholders of noncontrolling interest
   94.1   29.3   602.6    7.9 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
Net income attributable to HDFC Bank Limited
  Rs.    260,269.9  Rs.325,977.1  Rs.386,000.4   US$       5,087.5 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
Per share information: (see note: 28)
                  
Earnings per equity share—basic
  Rs.47.59  Rs.59.27  Rs.69.76   US$0.92 
Earnings per equity share—diluted
  Rs.47.27  Rs.59.02  Rs.69.38   US$0.91 
Per ADS information (where 1 ADS represents 3 shares):
(see note: 28)
                  
Earnings per ADS—basic
  Rs.142.77  Rs.177.81  Rs.209.28   US$2.76 
Earnings per ADS—diluted
  Rs.141.81  Rs.177.06  Rs.        208.14   US$2.73 
Dividends declared per equity share
  Rs.2.5  Rs6.5  Rs15.5   US$0.2 
(1)
For fiscal year 2020 the amount represents Other than temporary impairment. The Bank adopted the CECL accounting guidance on April 1, 2020.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-
5F-6

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
Fiscal years ended March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Net income before noncontrolling interest
 Rs.
178,833.9
  Rs.
    220,565.5
  Rs.
260,364.0
  US$
3,453.7
 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
            
Foreign currency translation adjustment:
            
Net unrealized gain (loss) arising during the
period [net of tax
Rs. 
(39.6),
Rs. 
(356.6)
 
and
Rs. (426.7), as of March
 
31, 2018,
 
March
 
31,
2019 and March
 
31, 2020,
 
respectively]
  
72.1
   
663.9
   
1,771.7
   
23.5
 
Available for sale debt securities:
            
Net unrealized gain (loss) arising during the period
[net of tax Rs. 11,319.5, Rs. (9,187.8) and
Rs. (15,704.2), as of March 31, 2018, March 31,
2019 and March 31, 2020, respectively]
  
(21,445.3
)  
17,105.1
   
47,574.2
   
631.0
 
Reclassification adjustment for net (gain) loss
included in net income [net of tax Rs. 4,541.5,
Rs. 1,018.1 and Rs. 4,739.2, as of March 31,
2018, March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020,
respectively]
  
(8,455.1
)  
(1,895.5
)  
(8,823.1
)  
(117.0
)
                 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
  
(29,828.3
)  
15,873.5
   
40,522.8
   
537.5
 
Total comprehensive income
  
149,005.6
   
236,439.0
   
300,886.8
   
3,991.2
 
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders of noncontrolling interest
  
319.0
   
461.7
   
94.1
   
1.2
 
                 
Comprehensive income attributable to HDFC Bank Limited
 Rs.
    148,686.6
  Rs.
235,977.3
  Rs.
  
 
 
300,792.7
  US$
    3,990.0
 
                 
   
Fiscal years ended March 31,
 
   
2020
  
2021
  
2022
  
2022
 
              
   
(In millions)
 
Net income before noncontrolling interest
  Rs.260,364.0  Rs.    326,006.4  Rs.             386,603.0  US$       5,095.4 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
                 
Foreign currency translation adjustment:
                 
Net unrealized gain (loss) arising during the period [net of tax Rs. (426.7), Rs. 381.0 and Rs. (436.4), as of March 31, 2020, March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, respectively]
   1,771.7   (1,132.8  1,297.5   17.1 
Available for sale debt securities:
                 
Net unrealized gain (loss) arising during the period [net of tax Rs. (15,704.2), Rs. 249.0 and Rs. 12,138.8, as of March 31, 2020, March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, respectively]
   47,574.2   (740.6  (36,088.6  (475.7
Reclassification adjustment for net (gain) loss included in net income [net of tax Rs. 4,739.2, Rs. 7,827.8 and Rs. 3,426.8, as of March 31, 2020, March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, respectively]
   (8,823.1  (23,271.9  (10,187.7  (134.3
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
   40,522.8   (25,145.3   (44,978.8  (592.9
Total comprehensive income
   300,886.8   300,861.1   341,624.2   4,502.5 
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders of noncontrolling interest
   94.1   29.3   602.6   7.9 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Comprehensive income attributable to HDFC Bank Limited
  Rs.    300,792.7  
Rs
.
300,831.8  Rs.    341,021.6  US$    4,494.6 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-
6F-7

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
Fiscal years ended March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
            
Net income before noncontrolling interest
  
Rs.178,833.9
   
Rs.220,565.5
   
Rs.260,364.0
  US$
3,453.7
 
Adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
            
Provision for credit losses
  
59,397.8
   
72,279.3
   
117,621.9
   
1,560.2
 
Depreciation and amortization
  
9,678.9
   
12,247.8
   
12,800.3
   
169.8
 
Amortization of intangible assets
  
1.0
   
1.0
   
— 
   
 
Amortization of deferred customer acquisition costs and fees
  
9,246.2
   
10,423.1
   
11,673.2
   
154.8
 
Amortization of premium (discount) on investments
  
3,599.4
   
4,532.1
   
5,196.8
   
68.9
 
Other than temporary impairment losses on available for sale debt securities
  
149.1
   
1,081.0
   
9,109.0
   
120.8
 
Deferred tax expense/
(
benefit
)
  
(10,403.5
)  
(8,129.4
)  
(101.2
  
(1.3
Other gains, net
  
   
(6,717.5
)  
133.7
   
1.8
 
Share-based compensation expense
  
6,594.6
   
5,343.3
   
7,476.1
   
99.2
 
Net realized (gain) loss on sale of available for sale debt securities
  
(10,853.2
)  
(2,596.0
)  
(25,826.2
)  
(342.6
)
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment, net
  
(64.5
)  
(64.8
)  
81.9
   
1.1
 
Unrealized exchange (gain) loss
  
1,719.5
   
574.6
   
3,312.5
   
43.9
 
Net change in:
            
Investments held for trading
  
(131,816.3
)  
(96,555.7
)  
(227,480.4
)  
(3,017.4
)
Accrued interest receivable
  
(10,527.8
)  
(15,060.3
)  
(9,752.6
)  
(129.4
)
Other assets
  
90,525.6
   
(112,726.3
)  
(140,959.9
)  
(1,869.7
)
Accrued interest payable
  
20,997.1
   
13,775.0
   
563.7
   
7.5
 
Accrued expense and other liabilities
  
(122,803.6
)  
84,299.5
   
146,966.9
   
1,949.4
 
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  
94,274.2
   
183,272.2
   
171,179.7
   
2,270.7
 
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
            
Term placements
, net
  
(8,806.4
)  
24,447.4
   
6,055.7
   
80.3
 
Activity in available for sale debt securities:
            
Purchases
  
(1,518,100.1
)  
(1,781,754.9
)  
(2,608,516.6
)  
(34,600.3
)
Proceeds from sales
  
197,206.3
   
453,778.9
   
1,214,082.0
   
16,104.0
 
Maturities, prepayments and calls
  
1,171,299.5
   
937,072.0
   
653,889.0
   
8,673.4
 
Net change in repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements
  
(462,018.6
)  
609,805.1
   
160,195.5
   
2,124.9
 
Loans purchased
  
(55,216.0
)  
(240,356.2
)  
(252,738.1
)  
(3,352.3
)
Repayments on loans purchased
  
76,993.2
   
89,713.3
   
122,821.6
   
1,629.1
 
Increase in loans originated, net of principal collections
  
(1,440,601.9
)  
(1,610,724.3
)  
(1,428,007.7
)  
(18,941.6
)
Additions to property and equipment
  
(9,181.5
)  
(16,355.0
)  
(18,294.3
)  
(242.7
)
Proceeds from sale or disposal of property and equipment
  
95.1
   
212.3
   
182.4
   
2.4
 
Activity in equity securities
, net
  
4.7
   
(2,821.4
)  
(157.9
)  
(2.1
)
                 
Net cash used in investing activities
  
(2,048,325.7
)  
(1,536,982.8
)  
(2,150,488.4
)  
(28,524.9
)
                 
  
Fiscal years ended March 31,
 
  
2020
  
2021
  
2022
  
2022
 
             
  
(In millions)
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
    
Net income before noncontrolling interest
 
Rs.
260,364.0  
Rs.
326,006.4  
Rs.
386,603.0  US$5,095.4 
Adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities
                
Provision for credit losses
  117,621.9   154,233.4   126,979.5   1,673.6 
Depreciation and amortization
  12,800.3   13,860.2   16,816.9   221.7 
Amortization of deferred customer acquisition costs and
fees
  11,673.2   7,930.2   10,912.3   143.8 
Amortization of premium (discount) on investments
  5,196.8   5,875.3   8,493.3   111.9 
Allowance on available for sale debt securities
  9,109.0   2,915.1   (2,915.1  (38.4
Deferred tax expense/ (benefit)
  (101.2  (8,267.3  (9,887.3  (130.3
Other gains, net
  133.7   (7,428.4  (7,206.5  (95.0
Share-based compensation expense
  7,476.1   10,603.5   13,874.5   182.9 
Net realized (gain) loss on sale of available for sale debt
securities
  (25,826.2  (55,925.2  (16,745.8  (220.7
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment, net
  81.9   (16.2  (0.9  —   
Unrealized exchange (gain) loss
  3,312.5   (356.8  (4,813.0  (63.4
Net change in:
                
Investments held for trading
  (227,480.4  388,530.5   48,845.7   643.8 
Accrued interest receivable
  (9,752.6  (15,804.6  (15,640.8  (206.2
Other assets
  (140,959.9  82,993.4   (26,227.6  (345.7
Accrued interest payable
  563.7   (2,073.9  4,417.8   58.2 
Accrued expense and other liabilities
  146,966.9   18,700.6   47,512.2   626.2 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  171,179.7   921,776.2   581,018.2   7,657.8 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                
Term placements, net
  6,055.7   4,168.0   (366,297.2  (4,828.0
Activity in available for sale debt securities:
                
Purchases
  (2,608,516.6  (3,217,140.1  (1,736,498.7  (22,887.8
Proceeds from sales
  1,214,082.0   1,609,149.3   766,585.0   10,103.9 
Maturities, prepayments and calls
  653,889.0   784,327.6   807,572.1   10,644.2 
Net change in repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase
agreements
  160,195.5   (171,982.8  (307,207.6  (4,049.1
Loans purchased
  (252,738.1  (189,797.8  (282,420.1  (3,722.4
Repayments on loans purchased
  122,821.6   124,275.6   156,441.9   2,062.0 
Increase in loans originated, net of principal collections
  (1,428,007.7  (1,446,355.1  (2,328,833.2  (30,695.0
Additions to property and equipment
  (18,294.3  (17,806.5  (26,324.4  (347.0
Proceeds from sale or disposal of property and equipment
  182.4   152.8   199.1   2.6 
Activity in equity securities, net
  (157.9  (140.7  14,503.3   191.2 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Net cash used in investing activities
  (2,150,488.4  (2,521,149.7  (3,302,279.8  (43,525.4
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-
7F-8

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS—(Continued)
 
Fiscal years ended March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
            
Net increase in deposits
  
1,447,097.0
   
1,331,850.9
   
2,213,972.5
   
29,366.9
 
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings
  
456,558.6
   
(127,707.1
)  
(277,587.3
)  
(3,682.0
)
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest
  
(143.3
)  
   
   
 
Proceeds from issue of shares by a subsidiary to noncontrolling interests
  
366.5
   
459.8
   
466.8
   
6.2
 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
  
425,517.1
   
320,093.6
   
272,104.7
   
3,609.3
 
Repayment of long-term debt
  
(225,150.2
)  
(224,084.5
)  
(315,209.6
)  
(4,181.1
)
Proceeds from issuance of equity shares for options exercised
  
27,259.1
   
22,008.2
   
18,486.8
   
245.2
 
Proceeds from issuance of equity shares (net of issuance cost)
  
   
235,896.2
   
   
 
Payment of dividends and dividend tax
  
(34,490.3
)  
(41,015.2
)  
(66,447.3
)  
(881.4
)
                 
Net cash provided by financing activities
  
2,097,014.5
   
1,517,501.9
   
1,845,786.6
   
24,483.1
 
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and due from banks, and restricted cash
  
479.4
   
(3,069.7
  
10,610.5
   
140.8
 
Net change in cash and due from banks, and restricted cash
  
143,442.4
   
160,721.6
   
(122,911.6
)  
(1,630.3
)
Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash, beginning of year
  
430,708.6
   
574,151.0
   
734,872.6
   
9,747.6
 
                 
Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash, end of year
 Rs.
574,151.0
  Rs.
734,872.6
  Rs.
611,961.0
  US$
8,117.3
 
                 
                 
Supplementary cash flow information:
            
Interest paid
 Rs.
399,287.9
  Rs.
520,351.2
  Rs.
617,749.1
  US$
8,194.0
 
Income taxes paid, net of refunds
 Rs.
100,089.3
  Rs.
119,365.0
  Rs.
104,013.4
  US$
1,379.7
 
Non-cash investment activities
            
i
)
 
Payable for purchase of property and equipment
 Rs.
1,064.5
  Rs.
1,323.7
  Rs.
1,232.7
  US$
16.4
 
ii) Trade date sale receivable of available for sale debt securities
 
Rs.
 
 
Rs.
 
 
Rs.
32,730.8
 
 
US$
434.2
 
 
   
Fiscal years ended March 31,
 
   
2020
  
2021
  
2022
  
2022
 
              
   
(In millions)
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
                 
Net increase in deposits
   2,213,972.5   1,882,763.1   2,237,238.5   29,487.8 
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings
   (277,587.3  (138,024.7  314,735.9   4,148.4 
Proceeds from issue of shares by a subsidiary to noncontrolling interests
   466.8   492.4   691.8   9.1 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
   272,104.7   481,989.2   722,908.9   9,528.3 
Repayment of long-term debt
   (315,209.6  (326,285.0  (353,325.7  (4,657.0
Proceeds from issuance of equity shares for options exercised
   18,486.8   17,601.0   26,097.3   344.0 
Payment of dividends and dividend tax
   (66,447.3  (166.6  (36,239.2  (477.6
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Net cash provided by financing activities
   1,845,786.6   1,918,369.4   2,912,107.5  ��38,383.0 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and due from banks, and restricted cash
   10,610.5   (262.2  490.5   6.5 
Net change in cash and due from banks, and restricted cash
   (122,911.6  318,733.7   191,336.4   2,521.9 
Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash, beginning of year
   734,872.6   611,961.0   930,694.7   12,267.0 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash, end of year
  Rs.611,961.0  Rs.930,694.7  Rs.1,122,031.1  US$14,788.9 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
     
Supplementary cash flow information:
                 
Interest paid
  Rs.617,749.1  Rs.594,390.9  Rs.579,853.8  US$7,642.7 
Income taxes paid, net of refunds
  Rs.104,013.4  Rs.130,214.5  Rs.148,381.6  US$1,955.7 
Non-cash
investment activities
                 
i) Payable for purchase of property and equipment
  Rs.1,232.7  Rs.2,061.2  Rs.5,483.3  US$72.3 
ii) Trade date sale receivable of available for sale debt securities
  Rs.32,730.8  Rs.—    Rs.      749.8  US$      9.9 
i
i
i)iii) Operating lease right-of-use assets represent non-cash investing activities. Refer to note 27- lease26-Lease commitments for more information and balances as at March 31, 2020.2022.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-
8
F-9


HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
Number of
Equity
Shares
  
Equity
Share
Capital
  
Additional
Paid In
Capital
  
Retained
Earnings
  
Statutory
Reserve*
  
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (loss)
  
Total HDFC
Bank
Limited
Shareholders’
Equity
  
Noncontrolling
interest
  
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
 
(In millions, except for equity shares)
 
Balance at March 31, 2017
  
5,125,091,434
  Rs.
5,125.1
  Rs.
442,721.8
   
Rs. 364,471.9
  Rs.
187,703.2
  Rs.
26,031.6
  Rs.
1,026,053.6
  Rs.
1,847.5
  Rs.
1,027,901.1
 
Shares issued upon exercise of options
  
65,089,100
   
65.1
   
27,194.0
            
27,259.1
      
27,259.1
 
Share-based compensation
        
6,594.6
            
6,594.6
      
6,594.6
 
Dividends, including dividend tax
           
(34,490.3
)        
(34,490.3
)     
(34,490.3
)
Change in ownership interest in subsidiary
        
60.0
            
60.0
   
(203.3
)  
(143.3
)
Shares issued to noncontrolling interest
                    
   
366.5
   
366.5
 
Transfer to statutory reserve
           
(45,620.3
)  
45,620.3
      
      
 
Net income
           
178,514.9
         
178,514.9
   
319.0
   
178,833.9
 
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive
 
income
                 
(29,828.3
)  
(29,828.3
)     
(29,828.3
)
Balance at March 31, 2018
  
5,190,180,534
  
Rs.
 
5,190.2
  
Rs.
 
476,570.4
  Rs.
462,876.2
  
Rs.
 
233,323.5
  Rs.
(3,796.7
) 
Rs.
 
1,174,163.6
  Rs.
2,329.7
  
Rs.
 
1,176,493.3
 
                                     
 
Number of
Equity
Shares
  
Equity
Share
Capital
  
Additional
Paid In
Capital
  
Retained
Earnings
  
Statutory
Reserve*
  
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (loss)
  
Total HDFC
Bank
Limited
Shareholders’
Equity
  
Noncontrolling
interest
  
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
 
(In millions, except for equity shares)
 
Balance at March 31, 2018
  
5,190,180,534
  Rs.
5,190.2
  Rs.
476,570.4
  Rs.
462,876.2
  Rs.
233,323.5
  Rs.
(3,796.7
) Rs.
1,174,163.6
  Rs.
2,329.7
  Rs.
1,176,493.3
 
Adoption of accounting standard 
(1)
           
268.0
      
(268.0
)  
      
 
Shares issued in public offering (net of
 
issuance cost of Rs. 1,262.9 million)
  
208,888,078
   
208.9
   
235,687.3
            
235,896.2
      
235,896.2
 
Shares issued upon exercise of options
  
47,544,608
   
47.5
   
21,960.7
            
22,008.2
      
22,008.2
 
Share-based compensation
        
5,343.3
            
5,343.3
      
5,343.3
 
Dividends, including dividend tax
           
(41,015.2
)        
(41,015.2
)     
(41,015.2
)
Change in ownership interest in subsidiary
        
201.9
            
201.9
   
(201.9
)  
 
Shares issued to noncontrolling interest
                       
459.8
   
459.8
 
Transfer to statutory reserve
           
(54,997.6
)  
54,997.6
             
Net income
           
220,103.8
         
220,103.8
   
461.7
   
220,565.5
 
Net change in accumulated other
 
comprehensive income
                 
15,873.5
   
15,873.5
      
15,873.5
 
Balance at March 31, 2019
  
5,446,613,220
  
Rs.
 
5,446.6
  
Rs.
 
739,763.6
  
Rs.
 
587,235.2
  
Rs.
 
288,321.1
  Rs.
11,808.8
  
Rs.
 
1,632,575.3
  Rs.
3,049.3
  
Rs.
 
1,635,624.6
 
                                     
  
Number of

Equity

Shares
  
Equity

Share

Capital
  
Additional

Paid In

Capital
  
Retained

Earnings
  
Statutory

Reserve*
  
Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (loss)
  
Total HDFC

Bank

Limited

Shareholders’

Equity
  
Noncontrolling

interest
  
Total

Shareholders’

Equity
 
                            
  
(In millions, except for number of equity shares)
 
Balance at March 31, 2019
 
 
5,446,613,220
 
 
Rs.
 5,446.6
 
 
Rs.
 739,763.6
 
 
Rs.
 587,235.2
 
 
Rs.
 288,321.1
 
 
Rs.
 11,808.8
 
 
Rs.
 1,632,575.3
 
 
Rs.
 3,049.3
 
 
Rs.
 1,635,624.6
 
Shares issued upon exercise of options
  36,673,240   36.7   18,450.1               18,486.8       18,486.8 
Share-based compensation
          7,476.1               7,476.1       7,476.1 
Dividends, including dividend tax
              (66,447.3          (66,447.3      (66,447.3
Change in ownership interest in subsidiary
          198.8               198.8   (198.8  —   
Shares issued to noncontrolling interest
                          —     466.8   466.8 
Transfer to statutory reserve
              (67,717.2  67,717.2       —         —   
Net income
              260,269.9           260,269.9   94.1   260,364.0 
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income
                      40,522.8   40,522.8       40,522.8 
Balance at March 31, 2020
  5,483,286,460  Rs. 5,483.3  Rs. 765,888.6  Rs. 713,340.6  Rs. 356,038.3  Rs. 52,331.6  Rs. 1,893,082.4  Rs. 3,411.4  Rs. 1,896,493.8 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
Number of

Equity

Shares
  
Equity

Share

Capital
  
Additional

Paid In

Capital
  
Retained

Earnings
  
Statutory

Reserve*
  
Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (loss)
  
Total HDFC

Bank

Limited

Shareholders’

Equity
  
Noncontrolling

interest
  
Total

Shareholders’

Equity
 
                            
  
(In millions, except for number of equity shares)
 
Balance at March 31, 2020
 
 
5,483,286,460
 
 
Rs.
 5,483.3
 
 
Rs.
 765,888.6
 
 
Rs.
 713,340.6
 
 
Rs.
 356,038.3
 
 
Rs.
 52,331.6
 
 
Rs.
 1,893,082.4
 
 
Rs.
 3,411.4
 
 
Rs.
 1,896,493.8
 
Adoption of accounting standard (1)
              (62,480.4          (62,480.4      (62,480.4
Shares issued upon exercise of options
  29,490,022   29.5   17,571.5               17,601.0       17,601.0 
Share-based compensation
          10,603.5               10,603.5       10,603.5 
Dividends
              (166.6          (166.6      (166.6
Change in ownership interest in subsidiary
          156.7               156.7   (156.7  —   
Shares issued to noncontrolling interest
                          —     492.4   492.4 
Transfer to statutory reserve
              (78,797.0  78,797.0       —         —   
Net income
              325,977.1           325,977.1   29.3   326,006.4 
Net change in accumulated other comprehensive income
                      (25,145.3  (25,145.3      (25,145.3
Balance at March 31, 2021
 
 
5,512,776,482
 
 
Rs.
 5,512.8
 
 
Rs.
 794,220.3
 
 
Rs.
 897,873.7
 
 
Rs.
 434,835.3
 
 
Rs.
 27,186.3
 
 
Rs.
 2,159,628.4
 
 
Rs.
 3,776.4
 
 
Rs.
 2,163,404.8
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
(1)
Effective April 1, 2018,2020, the Bank adopted ASU 2016-01 “Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10)(see note 19)
2016-13 Financial
Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (see notes 2g, 2i, 5, 9, 20 and 23).
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-
9
F-10

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY—(Continued)
  
Number of

Equity

Shares
  
Equity

Share

Capital
  
Additional

Paid In

Capital
  
Retained

Earnings
  
Statutory

Reserve*
  
Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (loss)
  
Total HDFC

Bank

Limited

Shareholders’

Equity
  
Noncontrolling

interest
  
Total

Shareholders’

Equity
 
                            
  
(In millions, except for number of equity shares)
 
Balance at March 31,
2021

 
5,512,776,482
 
 
 
Rs.
 5,512.8
 
 
 
Rs.
 794,220.3
 
 
 
Rs.
 897,873.7
 
 
 
Rs.
 434,835.3
 
 
 
Rs.
 27,186.3
 
 
 
Rs.
 2,159,628.4
 
 
 
Rs.
 3,776.4
 
 
 
Rs.
 2,163,404.8
 
Shares issued upon exercise of options
 32,764,494   32.7   26,064.6               26,097.3       26,097.3 
Share-based
compensation

         13,874.5               13,874.5       13,874.5 
Dividends

             (36,239.2          (36,239.2      (36,239.2
Change in ownership interest in subsidiary          455.8               455.8   (455.8  —   
Shares issued to
noncontrolling
interest

                         0—     691.8   691.8 
Transfer to statutory
reserve

             (94,443.8  94,443.8       0—         —   
Net income

             386,000.4           386,000.4   602.6   386,603.0 
Net change in
accumulated other
comprehensive
income

                     (44,978.8  (44,978.8      (44,978.8
Balance at March 31,
2022

 
5,545,540,976
 
 
Rs.
5,545.5
 
 
Rs.
834,615.2
 
 
Rs.
1,153,191.1
 
 
Rs.
529,279.1
 
 
Rs.
(17,792.5
)

 
Rs.
2,504,838.4
 
 
Rs.
4,615.0
 
 
Rs.
2,509,453.4
 
Balance at March 31,
2022

 
5,545,540,976
 
 
US$
73.1
 
 
US$
11,000.6
 
 
US$
15,199.6
 
 
US$
6,976.1
 
 
US$
(234.5
 
US$
33,014.9
 
 
US$
60.8
 
 
US$
33,075.7
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
Number of
Equity
Shares
  
Equity
Share
Capital
  
Additional
Paid In
Capital
  
Retained
Earnings
  
Statutory
Reserve*
  
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (loss)
  
Total HDFC
Bank
Limited
Shareholders’
Equity
  
Noncontrolling
interest
  
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 
  
(In millions, except for equity shares)
 
Balance at March 31,
2019
  
5,446,613,220
  Rs.
 5,446.6
  Rs.
 739,763.6
  Rs.
 587,235.2
  Rs.
 288,321.1
  Rs.
 11,808.8
  Rs.
 1,632,575.3
  Rs.
 3,049.3
  Rs.
 1,635,624.6
 
Shares issued upon
exercise of options
  
36,673,240
   
36.7
   
18,450.1
            
18,486.8
      
18,486.8
 
Share-based
compensation
        
7,476.1
            
7,476.1
      
7,476.1
 
Dividends, including
dividend tax
           
(66,447.3
)        
(66,447.3
)��    
(66,447.3
)
Change in ownership
interest in subsidiary
        
198.8
            
198.8
   
(198.8
)  
 
 
 
Shares issued to
noncontrolling
interest
                    
   
466.8
   
466.8
 
Transfer to statutory
reserve
           
(67,717.2
)  
67,717.2
      
      
 
Net income
           
260,269.9
         
260,269.9
   
94.1
   
260,364.0
 
Net change in
accumulated other
comprehensive
income
                 
40,522.8
   
40,522.8
      
40,522.8
 
Balance at March 31,
2020
  
5,483,286,460
  Rs.
5,483.3
  Rs.
 765,888.6
  Rs.
  713,340.6
  Rs.
 356,038.3
  Rs.
 52,331.6
  Rs.
  1,893,082.4
  Rs.
  3,411.4
  Rs.
  1,896,493.8
 
Balance at March 31,
2020
  
5,483,286,460
  US$
72.7
  US$
10,159.0
  US$
9,462.0
  US$
4,722.6
  US$
694.1
  US$
25,110.4
  US$
45.3
  US$
25,155.7
 
                                     
*
Under local regulations, the Bank is required to transfer 25% of its profit after tax (per Indian GAAP) to a non-distributableanon-distributable statutory reserve and to meet certain other conditions in order to pay dividends without prior RBI approval.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-
10F-11

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Bank overview
HDFC Bank Limited (the “Bank”) was incorporated in August 1994 with its registered office in Mumbai, India. The Bank is a banking company governed by India’s Banking Regulation Act, 1949. The Bank’s shares are listed on the BSE Limited (formerly known as Bombay Stock Exchange Limited) and The National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. Its American Depositary Shares (ADS)(“ADS”) are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Global Depositary Receipts (GDR)(“GDR”) which were listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange have since been delisted effective July 15, 2019.
The Bank’s largest shareholder is Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited (“HDFC Limited”), which, along with its subsidiaries, owns 21.4%21.1% and 21.2%21.0% of the Bank’s equity as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020,2022, respectively. The remainder of the Bank’s equity is widely held by the public and by foreign and Indian institutional investors.
By
way of
an ordinary resolution on July 12, 2019, the shareholders of the Bank approved a subdivision (stock split) of
the
Bank’s
equity shares to reduce the face value of each equity share from Rs.
2.0
to Rs.
1.0
 per equity share effective as of September 20, 2019. The number of issued and subscribed equity shares increased to
5,470,763,894
shares of par value Rs.
1.0
each. All share/ADS and per share/ADS data reflect the effect of the stock split retroactively. One ADS continues to represent three
equity
shares.
On July 17, 2018, the Bank made a preferential allotment of 78,193,634 equity shares to Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited at an issue price of Rs. 1,087.05 per equity share. On August 2, 2018, the Bank issued 35,000,000 American Depositary Shares (ADSs) representing 105,000,000 equity shares at a price of US$ 52.00 per ADS. The Bank also allotted 25,694,444 equity shares pursuant to a qualified institutional placement (QIP) offering at a price of Rs. 1,080.0 per equity shares. The total number of shares issued pursuant to exercise of stock options during the period is 47,544,608 shares
.
The Bank’s principal business activities are retail banking, wholesale banking and treasury services. The Bank’s retail banking division provides a variety of deposit products
,
as well as loans, credit cards, debit cards, third-party mutual funds and insurance, depositary services, trade finance, foreign exchange and derivative services and sale of gold bars. Through its wholesale banking operations, the Bank provides loans, deposit products, documentary credits, guarantees, bullion trading, foreign exchange, and derivative products. It also provides cash management services, clearing and settlement services for stock exchanges, tax and other collections for the government, custody services for mutual funds and correspondent banking services. The Bank’s treasury group manages its debt securities and money market operations and its foreign exchange and derivative products.
2. Summary of significant accounting policies
a. Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of HDFC Bank Limited and its subsidiaries. The Bank consolidates subsidiaries in which, directly or indirectly, it holds more than 50% of the voting rights and/or has control. Entities where the Bank holds 20% to 50% of the voting rights and/or has the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for under the equity method. These investments are included in other assets and the Bank’s proportionate share of income or loss is included in
Non-interest
revenue, other. The Bank consolidates Variable Interest Entities (VIEs)(“VIEs”) where the Bank is determined to be the primary beneficiary (see note 2j). All significant inter-company balances and transactions are eliminated on consolidation.
b. Basis of presentation
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). US GAAP differs in certain material respects from accounting principles generally accepted in India, the requirements of India’s Banking Regulation Act 1949 and related regulations issued by the Reserve Bank of India (“RBI”) (collectively “Indian GAAP”), which form the basis of the statutory general purpose financial statements of the Bank in India. Principal differences, insofar as they relate to the Bank, include:include the determination of the allowance for credit losses, classification and valuation of investments, accounting for deferred taxes, stock-based compensation, loan origination fees, derivative financial instruments, business combination, lease accounting and the presentation format and disclosures of the financial statements and related notes.
F-11
F-12

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
c. Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of these financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the years presented. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Material estimates included in these financial statements that are susceptible to change include the allowance for credit losses, the valuation of unquoted investments, other than temporary impairment in securities, valuation of derivatives, stock-based compensation, unrecognized tax benefits, valuation of lease liabilities and impairment assessment of goodwill.
d. Cash and due from banks,
and restricted cash
Cash and due from banks comprise of cash and deposit with banks that have original maturities of 90 days or less. The Bank has captioned cash and cash equivalent as “cash and due from banks, and restricted cash” on the consolidated balance sheets. Cash and due from banks includes restricted cash (see note 3).
e. Customer acquisition costs
Customer acquisition costs principally consist of commissions paid to third partythird-party referral agents who source retail loans and such costs are deferred and amortized as a yield adjustment over the life of the loans. Advertising and marketing expenses incurred to solicit new business are expensed as incurred.
f. Investments in securities
Investments consist of securities purchased as part of the Bank’s treasury operations, such as government securities and other debt securities, and investments purchased as part of the Bank’s wholesale banking operations, such as credit substitute securities issued by the Bank’s wholesale banking customers.
Credit substitute securities typically consist of commercial paper and short-term debentures issued by the same customers with whom the Bank has a lending relationship in its wholesale banking business. Investment decisions for credit substitute securities are subject to the same credit approval processes as for loans, and the Bank bears the same customer credit risk as it does for loans extended to those customers. Additionally, the yield and maturity terms are generally directly negotiated by the Bank with the issuer. As the Bank’s exposures to such securities are similar to its exposures on its loan portfolio, additional disclosures have been provided on impairment status in note 7 and on concentrations of credit risk in note 11.10.
All other securities, including mortgage andmortgage-and asset-backed securities, are actively managed as part of the Bank’s treasury operations. The issuers of such securities are either government, public financial institutions or private issuers. These investments are typically purchased from the market, and debt securities are generally publicly rated.publicly-rated.
Securities that are held principally for resale in the near term are classified as held for trading (“HFT”) and are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in net income.
Debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held to maturity (“HTM”) and are carried at amortized cost.
All debt securities that are not classified as HTM or HFT are classified as available for sale debt securities (“AFS”) and are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on such securities, net of applicable taxes, are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of shareholders’ equity.
Up to March 31, 2018, equity securities with readily determinable fair values that were not classified as HFT were classified as available for sale and were carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on such securities, net of applicable taxes, were reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Dividend income on such securities was included in Interest and dividend revenue- available for sale debt securities. Non-marketable equity securities were carried at cost.
F-12F-13

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The Bank adopted ASU 2016-01 and ASU 2018-03 with effect from April 1, 2018. The available-for-sale category was eliminated for equity
Equity securities which were reclassified toare classified under other assets. This resulted in a cumulative catch-up reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings (see note 14). Marketable securities are measured at fair value, change in fair value recorded in earnings. Non- marketable
Non-marketable
equity securities under the measurement alternative are carried at cost plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer and impairment, if any. The Bank’s review for impairment for equity method, cost method and measurement alternative securities typically includes an analysis of the facts and circumstances of each security, the intent or requirement to sell the security, and the expectations of cash flows.
Fair values are based on market quotations where a market quotation is available or otherwise based on present values at current interest rates for such investments.
Transfers between categories are recorded at fair value on the date of the transfer.
g. Impairment of debt securities
DeclinesUp to March 31, 2020, declines in the fair valuesvalue of held to maturity and available for sale debt securities below their carrying value that arewere other than temporary arewere reflected in net income as other than temporary impairment losses, based on management’s best estimate of the fair value of the investment. The Bank conductsconducted a review each year to identify other than temporary declines based on an evaluation of all significant factors. The Bank’s review of impairment generally entailsentailed identification and evaluation of investments that havehad indications of possible impairment, analysis of evidential matter, including an evaluation of factors or triggers that would or could cause individual investments to have other than temporary impairment and documentation of the results of these analysis, as required under business policies. Estimates of any declines in the fair valuesvalue of credit substitute securities that arewere other than temporary arewere measured on a
case-by-case
basis together with loans to those customers. The Bank doesdid not recognize an impairment for debt securities if the cause of the decline iswas related solely to interest rate increase and the Bank doesdid not intend to sell the security and it iswas not more likely than not that the Bank willwould be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basisbasis.
The Bank adopted ASU
2016-13,
Financial Instruments– Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (CECL) with effect from April 1, 2020. The Bank conducts a review of all
available-for-sale
debt securities with fair value below their carrying value or with zero loss expectation. The Bank evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If the assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded through a provision for credit loss expense, limited by the amount that fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. Any impairment that has not been recorded through an allowance for credit losses is recognized in other comprehensive income. The allowance is increased or decreased if credit conditions subsequently worsen or improve. A reversal of credit losses is recognized in earnings. The Bank recognizes the entire difference between amortized cost basis and fair value in earnings for impaired AFS debt securities that the Bank has an intent to sell or for which the Bank believes it will
more-likely-than-not
be required to sell prior to recovery of the amortized cost basis. The Bank applied ASC 326 to AFS debt securities when Other Than Temporary Impairment has been recognized before the adoption. Amortized cost of a security, including the security’s effective interest rate where an other-than-temporary impairment had been recognized up to March 31, 2020 has remained unchanged. Amounts previously recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income as of the adoption date that relate to improvements in cash flows continue to be accreted to interest income over the remaining life of the security on a level-yield basis. Recoveries of amounts previously written off relating to improvements in cash flows after the date of adoption are recorded to income in the period received. The Bank does not record an allowance on accrued interest receivables on the balance sheet due to its policy to reverse interest income on debt securities in a timely manner in line with the Bank’s
non-accrual
and past due policies and also on any debt security classified as
non-performing.
The Bank does not purchase debt securities with credit deterioration.
h. Loans
The Bank grants retail and wholesale loans to customers.
Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances adjusted for an allowance for credit losses. Loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs are deferred and recognized as adjustments to net income over the lives of the related loans.
Interest is accrued on the unpaid principal balance and is included in interest income. Loans are generally placed on “non-accrual”
“non-accrual”
status when interest or principal payments are ninety days past due for a specified period, or if they are considered
non-performing,
at which time no further interest is accrued and overdueany unrealized interest recognized in the income statement is written off against interest income.reversed. Interest income and principal payments on loans placed on
non-accrual
status is recognized when received. Loans are returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current, and future payments are reasonably assured. Loans are generally placed on “non-accrual” status when interest or principal payments are three months past due or if they are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect scheduled payments
F-14

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
i. Allowance for credit losses
The Bank provides an allowance for credit losses based on management’s best estimate of losses inherent in the loan portfolio which includes troubled debt restructuring. The allowance for credit losses consists of allowances for retail loans and wholesale loans.
F-13

Table Upon adoption of ContentsASC 326, the Bank revised its accounting policy for Allowance for credit losses as detailed below:
HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Retail
TheUp to March 31, 2020 the Bank’s retail loan loss allowance consistsconsisted of specific allowance and allowance for loans collectively evaluated for impairment (termed as “unallocated allowance”).
The Bank establishesestablished a specific allowance on the retail loan portfolio based on factors such as the nature of the product, delinquency levels or the number of days the loan is past due and the nature of the security available. Additionally, the Bank monitorsmonitored loan to value ratios for loanloans against securities. The loans arewere charged off against allowances typically when the account becomesbecame 150 to 1,083 days past due depending on the type of loan. The defined delinquency levels at which major loan types are charged off arewere 150 days past due for personal loans, credit card receivables, auto loans, commercial vehicle and construction equipment finance, 720 days past due for housing loans and on a customer by customer basis in respect of retail business banking when management believesbelieved that any future cash flows from these loans arewere remote
,
including realization of collateral, if applicable, and where any restructuring or any other settlement arrangements arewere not feasible.
Subsequent recoveries, if any, against
write-off
cases, arewere adjusted to allowanceprovision for credit losses in the consolidated statement of income.
The Bank also recordsrecorded unallocated allowances for its retail loans by product type. The Bank’s retail loan portfolio is comprised of groups of large numbers of small value homogeneous loans. The Bank establishesestablished an unallocated allowance for loans in each product group based on its estimate of the overall portfolio quality, asset growth, economic conditions and other risk factors. The Bank estimatesestimated its unallocated allowance for retail loans based on its probability of default and loss given default, determined for the respective risk pools.
Wholesale
TheUp to March 31, 2020, the allowance for wholesale loans consistsconsisted of specific and unallocated components. The allowance for such credit losses iswas evaluated on a regular basis by management and iswas based upon management’s view of the probability of recovery of loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, factors affecting the industry which the loan exposure relates to and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation iswas inherently subjective as it requiresrequired estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomesbecame available.
Loans arewere charged off against the allowance when management believes that the loan balance may not be recovered. Subsequent recoveries, if any, against
write-off
cases, arewere adjusted to allowanceprovision for credit losses in the consolidated statement of income.
The Bank grades its wholesale loan accounts considering both qualitative and quantitative criteria. Wholesale loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, the financial condition of the borrower, the value of collateral held, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due.
The Bank establishesestablished specific allowances for each impaired wholesale loan customer, in the aggregate, for all facilities, including term loans, cash credits, bills discounted and lease finance, based on either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the net realizable value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Collateral values are generally based on appraisals from internal and external valuation sources. Wholesale loans that experienced insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls were generally not classified as impaired but were placed on a surveillance watch list and closely monitored for deterioration. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a
case-by-case
basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, market information, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. These factors were considered by the Bank for selection of loans for credit reviews and assessment of impairment.
The Bank also established an unallocated allowance for wholesale standard loans based on the internal rating grades assigned, and the probability of default associated with internal rating grade pools and the loss given default.
Effective April 1, 2020, the Bank adopted the CECL accounting guidance. The adoption of this guidance established a single allowance framework for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain
off-balance
sheet credit exposures including undrawn commitments not cancellable, Investments including AFS Securities and other financial assets measured at amortized cost. This framework requires that management’s estimate reflects credit losses over the instrument’s remaining expected life and considers expected future changes in macroeconomic conditions.
F-15

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The Bank’s allowance for credit losses comprises:
the allowance for loan losses, which covers the Bank’s loan portfolios and is presented separately on the balance sheet in Loans,
the allowance for lending-related commitments, which is recognized on the balance sheet in Accrued expenses and other liabilities,
the allowance for credit losses on investment securities, which covers the Bank’s AFS debt securities and is recognized on the balance sheet in Investments available for sale debt securities on the balance sheet and,
the allowance for credit losses on other financial assets measured at amortized cost, and other
off-balance
sheet credit exposures, which is recognized on the balance sheet in Accrued expenses and other liabilities.
All changes in the allowance for credit losses are recognized in the income statement.
Determining the appropriateness of the allowance for credit losses is complex and requires significant judgment by management about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Subsequent evaluations of credit exposures, considering the macroeconomic conditions, forecasts and other factors then prevailing, may result in significant changes in the allowance for credit losses in future periods.
The Bank’s policies used to determine its allowance for credit losses and its allowance for lending-related commitments are described in the following paragraphs.
The Bank’s portfolio is bifurcated into Retail and Wholesale portfolios, wherein the Retail portfolio is segmented into homogenous pools using various factors such as nature of product, delinquencies, and other demographic and behavioral variables of the borrowers. The wholesale portfolio is segmented into various risk grades on the basis of a host of quantitative and qualitative factors including financial performance, industry risk, business risk and management quality. The allowance for loan-related losses and allowance for lending-related commitments represents expected credit losses over the remaining expected life of outstanding loans and lending-related commitments that are not unconditionally cancellable. The Bank does not record an allowance for future draws on unconditionally cancellable lending-related commitments (e.g., credit cards). The Bank does not record an allowance on accrued interest receivables on the balance sheet due to its policy to reverse interest income on loans more than 90 days past due and in the case of agricultural loans more than 365 days past due, and also on any loans classified as
non-performing.
The expected life for retail loans and wholesale loans is determined based on their contractual term and expected prepayments. The expected life of funded credit card loans is generally estimated by considering expected future payments on the credit card account. The Bank has Unconditionally Cancellable Clause (“UCC”) for credit card lines and as allowed by CECL accounting guidance, the Bank makes an allowance only for debt drawn at the time of expected loss measurement. The Bank applies expected principal payments to the credit card receivable balances existing at the reporting date until the balance is exhausted.
The estimate of expected credit losses includes expected recoveries of amounts previously charged off or expected to be charged off, even if such recoveries result in a negative allowance. The Retail loans are charged off against allowances typically when the account becomes 150 to 1,083 days past due depending on the type of loan. The defined delinquency levels at which major loan types are charged off are 150 days past due for personal loans and credit card receivables, 180 days for auto loans, commercial vehicle and construction equipment finance, 720 days past due for housing loans and on a customer by customer basis in respect of retail business banking when management believes that any future cash flows from these loans are remote including realization of collateral, if applicable, and where any restructuring or any other settlement arrangements were not feasible. The wholesale Loans are charged off against the allowance when management believes that the loan balance may not be recovered, including realization of collateral, if applicable, and where any restructuring or any other settlement arrangements were not feasible. Subsequent recoveries, if any, against
write-off
cases, are adjusted to provision for credit losses in the consolidated statement of income.
Wholesale loans are considered
non-performing
when, based on current information and events, it is probable that experiencethe Bank will be unable to collect scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining
non-performance
include payment status, the financial condition of the borrower, the value of collateral held, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Wholesale loans that experienced insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls are generally not classified as impaired
non-performing
but are placed on a surveillance watch list and closely monitored for deterioration. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a
case-by-case
basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, market information, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. These factors are considered by the Bank for selection of loans for credit reviews and assessment of impairment.allowance.
In order to estimate the allowance, the Bank primarily relies on its risk-segmentation models, which are also an integral part of the Bank’s risk management framework. Risk segmentation aims to group homogenous exposures together to allow for collective assessment of expected losses. Expected Loss estimation under collective assessment, is primarily based on Probability of Default (“PD”), Loss given Default (“LGD”), Exposure at Default (“EAD”) estimates. The Bank has modeled its PD estimates at the aforementioned granularity for its retail and wholesale portfolios and has also created the remaining expected life structure of the same for computation of credit losses.
 
F-14F-16

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The Bank’s
off-balance
sheet credit exposures include unfunded loan commitments, financial guarantees, including standby letters of credit, and other similar instruments. For
off-balance
sheet credit exposures, the Bank recognizes an Allowance for credit loss (“ACL”) associated with the unfunded amounts. The Bank does not recognize an ACL for commitments that are unconditionally cancellable at the Bank’s discretion. ACL for
off-balance
sheet credit exposures are reported as a liability in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. ACL in such cases is measured for the remaining contractual term, adjusted for prepayments, of the financial asset (including
off-balance
sheet credit exposures) using historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts.
Collective and Individual Assessments
Management estimates the allowance balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical loan default and loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information incorporate management’s view of current conditions and forecasts.
The methodology for estimating the amount of credit losses reported in the allowance for credit losses has two basic components: first, a pooled component for expected credit losses for pools of loans that share similar risk characteristics and second an asset-specific component involving loans that do not share risk characteristics and the measurement of expected credit losses for such individual loans.
As an integral part of the credit process, the Bank has a credit rating model appropriate to its retail and wholesale credit segments. The Bank monitors credit quality within its segments based on primary credit quality indicators. This internal rating grading is updated at least annually, based on credit rating model scale.
The majority of the Bank’s credit exposures share risk characteristics with other similar exposures, and as a result are collectively assessed for allowance (“portfolio-based component”). If an exposure does not share risk characteristics with other exposures, the Bank generally estimates expected credit losses on an individual basis, considering expected repayment and conditions impacting that individual exposure (“asset-specific component”). The asset-specific component covers loans modified or reasonably expected to be modified in a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”), collateral-dependent loans, and borrowers with financial difficulties.
Portfolio-based component (Pooled Loans)
The portfolio-based component begins with a quantitative calculation that considers the likelihood of the borrower changing delinquency status or moving from one risk rating to another. The quantitative calculation covers expected credit losses over an instrument’s expected life and is estimated by applying credit loss factors to the Bank’s exposure at default.
Apart from its historical experience, the Bank seeks to incorporate any reasonable and supportable information regarding the prevalent and future economic and operating conditions, and their impact on credit losses for the Bank into its allowance. The Bank therefore includes in its estimation the use of quantitative statistical models to predict impact of macro-economic variables, on defaults. The Bank relies on a single macro-economic variable that is relevant to the specific pool of loans to develop reasonable and supportable forecast specific to the relevant macro-economic variable. In deploying these models the Bank has assessed the impact of an exhaustive set of macro-economic variables, key such variables are GDP, Private Final Consumption Expenditure, Gross Fixed Capital Formation and Index of Industrial Production (“IIP”) on its expected losses, and uses consensus macro-economic forecasts surveyed and published by the Reserve Bank of India: Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy. As the consensus macro-economic forecasts are published for a year the Bank reverts to the historical average default rate beyond this period over a straight line basis. Any adjustments needed to the modeled expected losses in the quantitative calculations are addressed through a qualitative adjustment. Qualitative adjustment, among other things includes the uncertainty of forward-looking scenarios based on the likelihood and severity of a possible recession; the uncertainty of economic conditions related to an alternative downside scenario; certain portfolio characteristics and concentrations; collateral coverage; model limitations; idiosyncratic events; and other relevant criterias. The qualitative adjustment also reflects the estimated impact of the pandemic and the war between Russia and Ukraine on the economic forecasts and their impact on credit loss estimates. The total ACL is comprised of the quantitative and qualitative components.
F-1
7

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The Bank has also established an unallocatedestimates its allowance for wholesale standardcredit losses for pooled loans based on its PD and LGD, determined for the internal rating grades assigned,respective risk pools. The allowance for credit losses for the quantitative component of pooled loans is the product of multiplying the PD, LGD and EAD.
Asset-specific component
To determine the asset-specific component of the allowance, collateral-dependent loans (including those loans for which foreclosure is probable) and larger and
non-accrual
risk-rated loans in the wholesale portfolio segment are generally evaluated individually, while smaller loans (both scored and risk-rated) are aggregated for evaluation based on factors relevant for the respective class of assets.
The Bank generally measures the asset-specific allowance as the difference between the amortized cost of the loan and the probabilitypresent value of defaultthe cash flows expected to be collected, discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate. Subsequent changes in impairment, including those related to the passage of time, are generally recognized as an adjustment to the allowance for credit losses. For collateral-dependent loans, the fair value of collateral less estimated costs to sell is used to determine the
charge-off
amount for declines in value (to reduce the amortized cost of the loan to the fair value of collateral) or the amount of the negative allowance that should be recognized (for recoveries of prior charge-offs associated with internal rating grade poolsimprovements in the fair value of collateral).
The asset-specific component of the allowance for credit losses that have been or are expected to be modified in TDRs incorporates the effect of the modification on the loan’s expected cash flows (including forgone interest, principal forgiveness, and other concessions), and also the potential for redefault. For wholesale loans modified or expected to be modified in TDRs, expected losses incorporate management’s expectation of the borrower’s ability to repay under the modified terms.
Estimating the timing and amounts of future cash flows is highly subject to judgment as these cash flow projections rely upon estimates such as loss given default.severities, asset valuations, default rates (including redefault rates on modified loans), the amounts and timing of interest or principal payments (including any expected prepayments) or other factors that are reflective of current and expected market conditions. All of these estimates and assumptions require significant management judgment and certain assumptions are highly subjective.
j. Sales/transfer of receivables
The Bank enters into assignment transactions, which are similar to asset-backed securitization transactions through the special purpose entities (SPEs)(“SPEs”) route, except that such portfolios of receivables are assigned directly to the purchaser and are not represented by pass-through certificates. The Bank also sells finance receivables to SPEs, formerly qualifying special purpose entities (QSPEs)(“QSPEs”) in securitization transactions. Recourse is in the form of the Bank’s investment in subordinated securities issued by these SPEs, cash collateral and other credit and liquidity enhancements. The receivables are derecognized in the balance sheet when they are sold and consideration has been received by the Bank. Sales and transfers that do not meet the criteria for surrender of control are accounted for as secured borrowings.
F-18

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The Bank first makes a determination as to whether the securitization entity would be consolidated. Second, it determines whether the transfer of financial assets is considered a sale. Furthermore, former qualifying special purpose entities (QSPEs) are now considered VIEs and are no longer exempt from consolidation. The Bank consolidates VIEs when it has both: (1) power to direct activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (2) an obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The scope conditions examined include whether the entities’ equity investment at risk is insufficient to finance the activities without subordinated financial support and whether the holders of equity lack the characteristics of a financial interest. A controlling financial interest includes characteristics such as ability to make decisions through voting or similar rights, unlimited obligation to absorb the entities expected losses, and unlimited rights to receive the entities expected residual returns.
Gains or losses from the sale of receivables are recognized in the income statement in the period the sale occurs based on the relative fair value of the portion sold and the portion allocated to retained interests, and are reported net of the estimated cost of servicing by the Bank.
Fair values are determined based on the present value of expected future cash flows, using best estimates for key assumptions, such as prepayment and discount rates, commensurate with the risk involved.
k. Property and equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of property and equipment on a straight-line basis at the following rates:
Type of Asset
  
Rate of depreciation
Premises
  
1.63%
Software and systems
  
20.00%
Equipment and furniture
  
10.00%-33.33%
For assets purchased and sold during the year, depreciation is provided on a pro rata basis by the Bank and capital advances are included in other assets. Improvements to leasehold premises are charged off over the remaining primary period of the lease.
l. Lease accounting
Effective April 1, 2019, the Bank adopted FASB ASU 2016-02 “Leases (Topic 842)”. The Bank applied Topic 842 using the modified retrospective method. As a result, comparative information has not been adjusted and continues to be reported under ASC 840. As of April 1, 2019, the date of the Bank’s initial application of ASC 842, the Bank recognizedrecognizes its lease liabilities measured as the present value of lease payments not yet paid, discounted using the incremental borrowing rate as at the date of initial application.rate. The
right-of-use
asset as of the date of the initial application includes an initial measurement of the lease liabilities adjusted for accrued lease payments as of date of initial application.
liabilities.
At the inception of the contract, the Bank assesses whether the contract, is or contains, a lease. The Bank’s assessment is based on whether(1) the contract involves the use of distinct identified assets, (2) the Bank has the right to substantially all the economic benefit from the use of the asset throughout the term of the contract, and (3) the Bank has the right to direct the use of the asset. Leases are examined for classification as either finance leases or operating leases. A lease is classified as a finance lease if any one of the following criteria is met (1) the lease transfers ownership of the asset by the end of the lease term, (2) the lease contains an option to purchase the asset that is reasonably certain to be exercised, (3) the lease term is for the major part of the remaining useful life of the asset or (4) the present value of the lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the asset. A lease is classified as an operating lease if it does not meet any one of the above criteria.
The Banks’s lessee arrangements consist of operating leases. The Bank records
right-of-use
assets and lease liabilities at the lease commencement date.
Right-of-use
assets are reported in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the related lease liabilities are reported in accrued expenses and other liabilities. The Bank has elected not to record
right-of-use
assets for short-term-leasesshort-term leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less and thus, all leases with a lease term exceeding 12 months are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet.
F-15

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is recorded in
non-interest expense- premises
expense-premises and equipment in the consolidated statements of income. The Bank made an accounting policy decision not to separate lease and
non-lease
components of a contract that is or contains a lease. At the lease commencement, lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the remaining lease payments and discounted using the incremental borrowing rate as at the date of the lease commencement.
Right-of-use
assets initially equal the lease liabilities, adjusted for any lease payments made prior to lease commencement and for any lease incentives.
The Bank assesses leased assets for impairment, and if the carrying amount of the leased asset exceeds the undiscounted cash flows from the lease payments and the estimated residual value upon disposition of the leased asset, an impairment loss is recognized.
F-19

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
m. Impairment or disposal of tangible long-lived assets
Whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of tangible long livedlong-lived assets may not be recoverable, the Bank subjects such long livedlong-lived assets to a test of recoverability based on the undiscounted cash flows from use or disposition of the asset. Such events or circumstances would include changes in the market, technology obsolescence, adverse changes in profitability or regulation. If the asset is impaired, the Bank recognizes an impairment loss estimated as the difference between the carrying value and the net realizable value.
n. Income tax
Income tax expense/benefit consists of the current tax expense and the net change in deferred tax assets or liabilities during the year.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences of differences between the carrying values of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their respective tax bases, and for operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized based on management’s judgment. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the income statement in the period of enactment of the change.
Income tax benefits are recognized and measured based upon a
two-step
model: 1) a tax position must be
more-likely-than-not
to be sustained based on its technical merits in order to be recognized, and 2) the benefit is measured as the largest amount of that position that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement. The difference between the benefit recognized for a position in accordance with this model and the tax benefit claimed on a tax return is referred to as an unrecognized tax benefit. The Bank’s policy is to include interest income, interest expense and penalties on overpayments and underpayment of income taxes within income tax expense in the consolidated statement of income. Interest income on overpayments of income taxes is recognized when the related matter is resolved.
The Bank accounted for dividend distribution tax in equity in the year in which a dividend is declared. With effect from April 1, 2020, no direct tax required to be paid by the Bank since dividend distribution tax payable on dividend distributed have been abolished.
The Bank follows specific identification method for releasing income tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income.
o. Revenue recognition
Interest income from loans and from investments is recognized on an accrual basis using the effective interest method when earned except in respect of loans or investments placed on
non-accrual
status, where it is recognized when received.
Fees and commissions from guarantees issued are amortized over the contractual period of the commitment.
Dividends from investments are recognized when declared.
Realized gains and losses on sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the weighted average cost method.
Other fees and income are recognized when earned, which is when the service that results in the income has been provided. The Bank amortizes annual fees on credit cards over the contractual period of the fees.
p. Foreign currency transactions
The Bank’s functional currency is the Indian Rupee, except for the Bank’s foreign branches. Foreign currency transactions are recorded at the exchange rate prevailing on the date of the transaction. Foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities are converted into respective functional currency using exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet dates. Gains and losses arising on conversion of foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities and on foreign currency transactions are included in the determination of net income under foreign exchange transactions.
For the foreign branches, the assets, liabilities and operations are translated, for consolidation purposes, from functional currency of the foreign branch to the Indian Rupee reporting currency at
period-end
rates for assets and liabilities and at average rates for operations. The resulting unrealized gains or losses are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (OCI)(“OCI”).
F-16F-20

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
q. Stock-based compensation
The fair value of stock-based compensation is estimated on the date of each grant based on a binomial model. For further information, see note 22.21.
r. Debt issuance costs
Issuance costs of long-term debt are amortized over the tenure of the debt.
s. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per equity share have been computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of equity shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per equity share has been computed using the weighted average number of equity shares and dilutive potential equity shares outstanding during the period, using the treasury stock method, except where the result would be anti-dilutive. The Bank also reports basic and diluted earnings per ADS, where each ADS represents three equity shares. Earnings per ADS have been computed as earnings per equity share multiplied by the number of equity shares per ADS. A reconciliation of the number of shares used in computing earnings per share has been provided in note 29.28.
t. Segment information
The Bank operates in 3 reportable segments, namely retail banking, wholesale banking and treasury services. Segment-wise information has been provided in note 26.25.
u. Derivative financial instruments
The Bank recognizes all derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, as assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measures them at fair value. The Bank has not designated any derivatives as hedges. As such, all changes in fair value of derivative instruments are recognized in net income under derivative gain/(loss) in the period of change.
The Bank enters into forward exchange contracts, currency swaps and currency options with its customers and typically transfers such customer exposures in the inter-bank foreign exchange markets. The Bank also enters into such instruments to cover its own foreign exchange exposures. All such instruments are carried at fair value, determined based on market quotations or market-based inputs.
The Bank enters into interest rate swaps for its own account. The Bank also enters into interest rate currency swaps and cross currency interest rate swaps with its customers and typically offsets these risks in the inter-bank market. Such contracts are carried on the balance sheet at fair value, or priced using market determined yield curves.
v. Business combination
The Bank accounts for acquired businesses using the purchase method of accounting which requires that the assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recorded at the date of acquisition at their respective fair values.value. The application of the purchase method requires certain estimates and assumptions, especially concerning the determination of the fair valuesvalue of the acquired intangible and tangible assets, as well as the liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisition. The judgments made in the context of the purchase price allocation can materially impact the Bank’s future results of operations. The valuations are based on information available at the acquisition date. Purchase consideration in excess of bank’sthe Bank’s interest and the acquiree’s net fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities is recognized as goodwill.
F-17F-21

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 
w. Goodwill and other intangibles
Under applicable accounting guidance, goodwill is reviewed at the reporting unit level for potential impairment at least on an annual basis at the end of the reporting period, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate a potential impairment. ThisUp to March 31, 2020 this analysis iswas a
two-step
process. The first step of the goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, then the goodwill of the reporting unit iswas considered not impaired; however, if the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step is to be performed. The second step involvesinvolved calculating an implied fair value of goodwill for each reporting unit for which the first step indicated possible impairment. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined inOn April 1, 2020, the same manner asBank adopted ASU
2017-04
which eliminated the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination, which is the excess of the fair value of the reporting unit, as determined in the first step, over the aggregate fair values of the individual assets, liabilities and identifiable intangibles as if the reporting unit was being acquired in a business combination. The adjustmentsrequirement to measure the assets, liabilities and intangibles at fair value are for the purpose of measuringcalculate the implied fair value of goodwill and such adjustments are not reflected inGoodwill (the second step). Accordingly, if the consolidated balance sheet. If the implied fair value of goodwill exceeds the goodwill assigned to the reporting unit, there is no impairment. If the goodwill assigned to a reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment charge is recorded for the excess. An impairment loss recognized cannot exceed the amount of goodwill assigned to a reporting unit, and the loss establishes a new basis in the goodwill. Subsequent reversal of goodwill impairment losses is not permitted.
x. Recently adopted accounting standards
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 “Leases (Topic 842)”. The update generally requires recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. In particular, the guidance requires a lessee, of operating or finance leases, to recognize on the balance sheet a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. However, for leases with lease term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. Previously, a lessee was not required to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities arising from operating leases. Lessor accounting is largely unchanged. The Bank adopted the FASB guidance effective April 1, 2019. To transition to the new guidance, the Bank elected several available practical expedients, including not to reassess the classification of its existing leases, any initial direct costs associated with the leases, or whether any existing contracts are or contain leases. In addition, the Bank elected 0t to provide a comparative presentation for fiscal 2019 and 2018. At adoption, the Bank recognized a lease liability of Rs. 56.9 billion and a corresponding right-of-use asset of approximately
Rs. 53.0
billion on the consolidated balance sheet related to its future lease payments as a lessee under operating leases. Adoption of the ASU did 0t have a material impact on the consolidated statement of income and cash flows. See note 27 for additional details.
F-18

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
x. Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet effective
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. The ASU introduces a new accounting model, the Current Expected Credit Losses model (“CECL”), which requires earlier recognition of credit losses, while also providing transparency about credit risk. The CECL model utilizes a lifetime “expected credit loss” measurement objective for the recognition of credit losses for loans, held to maturity securities and other receivables at the time the financial asset is originated or acquired. The expected credit losses are required to be adjusted each period for changes in expected lifetime credit losses. The update requires use of judgment in determining the relevant information and estimation methods that are appropriate for measurement of expected credit losses which is to be based on relevant information about past events, historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. In regard to Available-for-Sale Debt Securities, the credit losses are required to be recorded through an allowance and the ASU limits the amount of the allowance for credit losses to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost. While the update changes the measurement of the allowance for credit losses, it does not change the credit risk for the Bank’s loan portfolios. The FASB has issued multiple updates to ASU 2016-13 as codified in Topic 326, viz. ASUs 2018-19, 2019-04, 2019-05, 2019-10, 2019-11, 2020-02, and 2020-03. These ASUs have provided for various minor technical corrections and improvements to the codification as well as other transition matters. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Bank will adopt the guidance in fiscal 2021. Key implementation initiatives have included model development and validation, data acquisition for model estimation and new disclosures, and the establishment of policies encompassing aspects of the standard including internal controls. The allowance methodologies and model duly validated and tested, will be
implemented
for fiscal 2021. At the date of adoption, the ASU will result in a negative adjustment to retained earnings. The ultimate impact is dependent on the finalization of
the
assessment of the characteristics of the Bank’s portfolio, macroeconomic conditions and related forecasts at date of adoption and the potential impact of COVID-19. On adoption, the CECL transitional amount
(
being
a
cumulative effect adjustment
)
will be included in shareholders’ equity. This will have no impact on the Bank’s regulatory capital requirements which is based on Indian GAAP.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04 “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)—Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”. The amendment in this update simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill impairment by eliminating the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill (i.e., the current Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test) to measure a goodwill impairment charge. The impairment test is simply the comparison of the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount (the current Step 1), with the impairment charge being the deficit in fair value but not exceeding the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The amendments in the ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Bank expects to adopt the guidance in fiscal 2021. Early adoption is permitted for interim and annual goodwill impairment testing dates after January 1, 2017. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Bank’s consolidated financial position or results of operations or disclosures.
F-19

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13 “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement”. The amendments modify certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. Entities are required to disclose and describe the range and weighted-average of significant observable inputs used to prospectively develop Level 3 fair value measurements. The amendments in the ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Bank expects to adopt the guidance in fiscal 2021. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Bank’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15 “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s
A
ccounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract”. The update aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software, regardless of whether they convey a license to the hosted software. The accounting for the service element of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract is not affected by this ASU. The amendments in the ASU are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity has the option to apply amendments in the ASU either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Bank expects to adopt the guidance in fiscal 2021. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Bank’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU
2019-12 “Income
“Income Taxes (Topic 740)– Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.”Taxes”. This ASU is part of the FASB’s initiative to make narrow-scope simplifications and improvements to accounting standards through a series of short-term projects. The ASU removes specific exceptions to general principles in Topic 740 (eliminating the need for an organization to analyze whether certain exceptions apply in a given period) and improving financial statement preparers’ application of certain income tax-related guidance. The amendments in the ASU are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Bank expects to adoptadopted the guidance in fiscal 2022.ASU effective April 1, 2021. The Bank is currently assessing the impactadoption of this guidance willdid not have a material impact on itsthe Bank’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU
2020-01 “Investments –
“Investments–Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments – Investments–Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)– Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815.”815”. ASU
2016-01
made targeted improvements to accounting for financial instruments, including providing an entity
with
the ability to measure certain equity securities without a readily determinable fair value at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. Among other topics, the amendments clarify that an entity should consider observable transactions that require it to either apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting. The amendments in the ASU are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Bank expects to adoptadopted the guidance in fiscal 2022.ASU effective April 1, 2021. The Bank is currently assessing the impactadoption of this guidance willdid not have a material impact on itsthe Bank’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 
2020-04 “Reference
“Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting”. The ASU provides
for
optional expedients and
other
guidance
related to modification of contracts,
, hedging relationships, and other transactions
affected by
reference rate reform. The ASU also provides an election to account for certain contract amendments related to reference rate reform as modifications rather than extinguishments without the requirement to assess the significance of the amendments. The various practical expedients and elections allow hedge accounting to continue uninterrupted during the transition period. The
amendments
in
the update are elective and applicable on issueissue. The guidance terminates in December 2022. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU
2021-01
.“Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope”, which clarifies the scope of the initial accounting relief issued by the FASB in March 2020. The Bank is currently assessingadopted the
various practical expedients and elections provided in the
update and its
suitability and
ASU effective April 1, 2021. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Bank’s transition away from LIBOR for itsconsolidated financial instrument.position or results of operations.
F-20
F-22

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
y. Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet effective
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU
2020-06
“Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic
470-20)
and Derivatives and Hedging Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic
815-40)”.
The ASU simplifies the accounting for convertible debt and convertible preferred stock by reducing the number of accounting models for these instruments, resulting in fewer embedded conversion features being separately recognized from the host contract. Additionally, this ASU revises the criteria for determining whether contracts in an entity’s own equity meet the scope exception from derivative accounting, which will change the population of contracts that are recognized as assets or liabilities. The amendments in this ASU also revise certain aspects of the guidance on calculating earnings per share with respect to convertible instruments and instruments that may be settled in the entity’s own shares. This ASU is effective for the Bank for interim and annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. The Bank does not expect the adoption of ASU
2020-06
to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

F-2
3

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
y.z. Convenience translation
The accompanying financial statements have been expressed in Indian Rupees (“Rs.”), the Bank’s functional currency. For the convenience of the reader, the financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 20202022 have been translated into U.S. dollars at U.S.$1.00 = Rs. 75.3975.87 as published by the Federal Reserve Board of New York on March 31, 2020.2022. Such translation should not be construed as a representation that the rupee amounts have been or could be converted into United States dollars at that or any other rate, or at all.
F-21F-24

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
3. Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash
The Bank is required to maintain a specific percentage of its demand and time liabilities by way of a balance in a current account with the RBI. This is to maintain the solvency of the banking system. As prescribed by
the
RBI, the cash reserve ratio has to be maintained on an average basis for a
two-week
period. The average balance maintained for thesuch
suchtwo-week
 two-week period should not fall below the
prescribed threshold limit. Non-maintenance
of the requisite balance is subject to levy of penalty. The Bank has classified the cash reserve maintained with the RBI as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents (restricted cash).
The cash and due from banks, and restricted cash consist of restricted cash of Rs. 383,503.0552,005.5 million and Rs. 361,409.5780,004.8 million (US$ 4,793.910,280.8 million) as at March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020,2022, respectively.
4. Investments, held for trading
The portfolio of trading securities as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 20202022 was as follows:
 
As of March 31, 2019
 
 
Amortized Cost
  
Gross Unrealized
Gains
  
Gross Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair Value
 
 
(In millions)
 
Government of India securities
 Rs.
134,084.9
  Rs.
163.2
  Rs.
0.1
  Rs.
134,248.0
 
Other corporate/financial institution securities
  
33,990.6
   
15.8
   
1.1
   
34,005.3
 
                 
Total debt securities
 Rs.
168,075.5
  Rs.
179.0
  Rs.
1.2
  Rs.
168,253.3
 
Other securities (including mutual fund units)
  
96,935.6
   
327.2
   
   
97,262.8
 
                 
Total
 Rs.
265,011.1
  Rs.
506.2
  Rs.
1.2
  Rs.
265,516.1
 
                 
    
 
As of March 31, 2020
 
 
Amortized Cost
  
Gross Unrealized
Gains
  
Gross Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair Value
 
 
(In millions)
 
Government of India securities
 Rs.
207,131.4
  Rs.
592.9
  Rs.
17.2
  Rs.
207,707.1
 
Other corporate/financial institution securities
  
4,495.9
   
7.1
   
32.5
   
4,470.5
 
                 
Total debt securities
 Rs.
211,627.3
  Rs.
600.0
  Rs.
49.7
  Rs.
212,177.6
 
Other securities (including mutual fund units)
  
92,683.9
   
101.4
   
   
92,785.3
 
Total
 Rs.
304,311.2
  Rs.
701.4
  Rs.
49.7
  Rs.
304,962.9
 
                 
Total
 US$
4,036.5
  US$
9.3
  US$
0.7
  US$
4,045.1
 
                 
   
As of March 31, 2021
 
   
Amortized Cost
   
Gross Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
  ��
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In millions)
 
Government of India securities
  Rs.15,076.0   Rs.85.8   Rs.2.6   Rs.15,159.2 
Other corporate/financial institution securities
   34,803.9    43.3    0.4    34,846.8 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total debt securities
  Rs.49,879.9   Rs.129.1   Rs.3.0   Rs.50,006.0 
Other securities (including mutual fund units)
   52,912.2    110.9    3,408.9    49,614.2 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.102,792.1   Rs.240.0   Rs.3,411.9   Rs.99,620.2 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
As of March 31, 2022
 
   
Amortized Cost
   
Gross Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In millions)
 
Government of India securities
  Rs.28,159.7   Rs.57.7   Rs.21.9   Rs.28,195.5 
Other corporate/financial institution securities
   3,635.4    1.9    6.0    3,631.3 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total debt securities
  Rs.31,795.1   Rs.59.6   Rs.27.9   Rs.31,826.8 
Other securities (including mutual fund units)
   21,933.5    128.2    689.0    21,372.7 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.53,728.6   Rs.187.8   Rs.716.9   Rs.53,199.5 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  US$    708.2   US$    2.5   US$    9.5   US$    701.2 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
F-2
2F-25

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
5. Investments, available for sale debt securities
The portfolio of available for sale debt securities as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 20202022 was as follows:
 
As of March 31, 2019
 
 
Amortized Cost
  
Gross Unrealized
Gains
  
Gross Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair Value
 
 
(In millions)
 
Government of India securities
 Rs.
2,147,934.6
  Rs.
21,881.4
  Rs.
9,834.9
  Rs.
2,159,981.1
 
State government securities
  
144,633.7
   
4,864.6
   
475.7
   
149,022.6
 
Government securities outside India
  
7,201.6
   
3.3
   
   
7,204.9
 
Credit substitutes (see note 7)
  
273,550.7
   
899.9
   
1,563.8
   
272,886.8
 
Other corporate/financial institution bonds
  
3,925.0
   
30.9
   
6.3
   
3,949.6
 
                 
Debt securities, other than asset and mortgage-backed securities
  
2,577,245.6
   
27,680.1
   
11,880.7
   
2,593,045.0
 
Mortgage-backed securities
  
56.3
   
1.0
   
0.4
   
56.9
 
Asset-backed securities
  
38,827.1
   
165.0
   
122.2
   
38,869.9
 
Other securities (including mutual fund units) (1)
  
1,376.3
   
0.3
   
   
1,376.6
 
                 
Total
 Rs.
2,617,505.3
  Rs.
27,846.4
  Rs.
12,003.3
  Rs.
2,633,348.4
 
                 
Securities with gross unrealized losses
          Rs.
799,718.5
 
Securities with gross unrealized gains
           
1,833,629.9
 
                 
          Rs.
2,633,348.4
 
                 
  
As of March 31, 2021
 
  
Amortized Cost
  
Gross Unrealized
Gains
  
Gross Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair Value
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
(In millions)
 
Government of India securities
 Rs.3,159,905.2  Rs.31,824.6  Rs.20,225.8  Rs.3,171,504.0 
State government securities
  348,067.7   7,373.7   2,669.6   352,771.8 
Government securities outside India
  5,932.2   3.8      5,936.0 
Credit substitutes (see note 7)
  534,227.1   13,423.1   373.3   547,276.9 
Other corporate/financial institution bonds
  36,419.0   352.5   12.3   36,759.2 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Debt securities, other than asset and mortgage-backed securities
  4,084,551.2   52,977.7   23,281.0   4,114,247.9 
Mortgage-backed securities
  30.5   1.8      32.3 
Asset-backed securities  157,399.9   4,081.5   311.7   161,169.7 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Total
 Rs.4,241,981.6  Rs.57,061.0  Rs.23,592.7  Rs.4,275,449.9 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Securities with gross unrealized losses
             Rs.1,162,099.9 
Securities with gross unrealized gains
              3,113,350.0 
              
 
 
 
              Rs.4,275,449.9 
              
 
 
 
(1)
The Bank adopted ASU 2016-01 and ASU 2018-03 as of April 1, 2018, resulting in a cumulative effect adjustment from AOCI to retained earnings for net unrealized gains on marketable equity securities AFS. The available-for sale category was eliminated for equity securities amortized cost Rs. 855.6 million and carrying value Rs. 1,267.7 million effective April 1, 2018.
    
 
As of March 31, 2020
 
 
Amortized Cost
  
Gross Unrealized
Gains
  
Gross Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair Value
 
 
(In millions)
 
Government of India securities
 Rs.
2,637,464.4
  Rs.
52,630.0
  Rs.
1,491.6
  Rs.
2,688,602.8
 
State government securities
  
177,055.9
   
11,337.7
   
   
188,393.6
 
Government securities outside India
  
8,367.0
   
48.4
   
   
8,415.4
 
Credit substitutes (see note 7)
  
360,741.5
   
2,309.5
   
677.3
   
362,373.7
 
Other corporate/financial institution bonds
  
29,710.9
   
212.8
   
409.6
   
29,514.1
 
                 
Debt securities, other than asset and mortgage-backed securities
  
3,213,339.7
   
66,538.4
   
2,578.5
   
3,277,299.6
 
Mortgage-backed securities
  
37.3
   
0.8
   
   
38.1
 
Asset-backed securities
  
125,931.2
   
1,746.0
   
150.0
   
127,527.2
 
Other securities (including mutual fund units)
  
1,424.1
   
0.2
   
   
1,424.3
 
                 
Total
 Rs.
3,340,732.3
  Rs.
68,285.4
  Rs.
2,728.5
  Rs.
3,406,289.2
 
                 
Total
 US$
44,312.6
  US$
905.8
  US$
36.2
  US$
45,182.2
 
                 
Securities with gross unrealized losses
          Rs.
300,932.1
 
Securities with gross unrealized gains
           
3,105,357.1
 
                 
          Rs.
3,406,289.2
 
                 
          US$
45,182.2
 
                 
   
As of March 31, 2022
 
   
Amortized Cost
   
Gross Unrealized
Gains
   
Gross Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In millions)
 
Government of India securities
  Rs.3,226,917.6   Rs.10,995.6   Rs.42,946.3   Rs.3,194,966.9 
State government securities
   429,146.8    4,395.9    5,865.9    427,676.8 
Government securities outside India
   2,279.2        3.4    2,275.8 
Credit substitutes (see note 7)
   578,922.3    5,381.4    1,283.5    583,020.2 
Other corporate/financial institution bonds
   36,689.5    179.8    163.5    36,705.8 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Debt securities, other than asset and mortgage-backed securities
   4,273,955.4    20,952.7    50,262.6    4,244,645.5 
Mortgage-backed securities
   24.2        1.3    22.9 
Asset-backed securities   142,954.6    1,519.6    579.5    143,894.7 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.4,416,934.2   Rs.22,472.3   Rs.50,843.4   Rs.4,388,563.1 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  US$58,217.1   US$296.2   US$670.1   US$57,843.2 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Securities with gross unrealized losses
                 Rs.1,791,389.0 
Securities with gross unrealized gains
                  2,597,174.1 
                  
 
 
 
                  Rs.4,388,563.1 
                  
 
 
 
                  US$57,843.2 
                  
 
 
 
 
F-2
3F-26

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
AFS investments of Rs. 2,309,003.73,524,275.8 million and Rs. 2,876,996.43,622,643.8 million (US$ 38,161.547,748.0 million) as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020,2022, respectively, are eligible towards the Bank’s statutory liquidity reserve requirements. These balances are subject to withdrawal and usage restrictions towards the reserve requirements, but may be freely traded by the Bank. Of these investments, Rs. 1,634,673.31,694,645.4 million as of March 31, 20192021 and Rs. 1,760,859.11,648,213.8 million (US$ 23,356.721,724.2 million) as of March 31, 2020,2022, were kept as margins for clearing, collateral borrowing and lending obligation (CBLO) and real time gross settlement (RTGS), with the Reserve Bank of India and other financial institutions.
The Bank evaluated the impaired investments and has fully recognized an expenseAmortized cost is net of Rs. 149.1 million, Rs. 1,081.02,915.1 million and Rs. 9,109.0 million (USD 120.8 million)NaN as other than temporary impairment in fiscal year 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively, because the Bank intends to sell the securities before recovery of their amortized cost. The Bank is of the opinion that the other unrealizedallowance for credit losses on its investments in debt securities
as of
at
 March 31, 2020 are temporary in nature. As of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2022, respectively. There was 0 allowance recorded as at April 1, 2020 upon adoption of the Bank did not hold any debt securities with credit losses for which a portion of other-than-temporary impairment was recognized in other comprehensive income.CECL accounting guidance from April 1, 2020.
The gross unrealized losses and fair value of available for sale debt securities at March 31, 20192021 was as follows:
 
As of March 31, 2019
     
 
Less Than 12 Months
  
12 Months or Greater
  
Total
 
 
Fair Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
 
     
(In millions)
     
Government of India securities
 Rs.
  Rs.
  Rs.
568,759.0
  Rs.
9,834.9
  Rs.
568,759.0
  Rs.
9,834.9
 
State government securities
  
   
   
27,415.5
   
475.7
   
27,415.5
   
475.7
 
Government securities outside India
  
   
   
   
   
   
 
Credit substitutes (see note 7)
  
17,996.3
   
88.1
   
165,700.5
   
1,475.7
   
183,696.8
   
1,563.8
 
Other corporate/financial institution bonds
  
   
   
2,117.6
   
6.3
   
2,117.6
   
6.3
 
                         
Debt securities, other than asset and mortgage-backed securities
  
17,996.3
   
88.1
   
763,992.6
   
11,792.6
   
781,988.9
   
11,880.7
 
Mortgage-backed securities
  
   
   
45.7
   
0.4
   
45.7
   
0.4
 
Asset-backed securities
  
14,191.2
   
48.9
   
3,492.7
   
73.3
   
17,683.9
   
122.2
 
Other securities (including mutual fund units)
  
   
   
   
   
   
 
                         
Total
 Rs.
32,187.5
  Rs.
137.0
  Rs.
767,531.0
  Rs.
11,866.3
  Rs.
799,718.5
  Rs.
12,003.3
 
                         
   
As of March 31, 2021
         
   
Less Than 12 Months
   
12 Months or Greater
   
Total
 
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
           
(In millions)
         
Government of India securities
  Rs.930,710.0   Rs.20,224.7   Rs.98.2   Rs.1.1   Rs.930,808.2   Rs.20,225.8 
State government securities
   133,639.8    2,669.6            133,639.8    2,669.6 
Government securities outside India
               ��        
Credit substitutes (see note 7)
   43,455.7    373.3            43,455.7    373.3 
Other corporate/financial institution bonds
   4,957.2    12.3            4,957.2    12.3 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Debt securities, other than asset and mortgage-backed securities
   1,112,762.7    23,279.9    98.2    1.1    1,112,860.9    23,281.0 
Mortgage-backed securities
                        
Asset-backed securities
   49,239.0    311.7            49,239.0    311.7 
Other securities (including mutual fund units)
                        
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.1,162,001.7   Rs.23,591.6   Rs.98.2   Rs.1.1   Rs.1,162,099.9   Rs.23,592.7 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
The gross unrealized losses and fair value of available for sale debt securities at March 31, 2022 was as follows:
   
As of March 31, 2022
         
   
Less Than 12 Months
   
12 Months or Greater
   
Total
 
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
           
(In millions)
         
Government of India securities
  Rs.447,360.3   Rs.7,893.5   Rs.838,788.4    Rs.35,052.8   Rs.1,286,148.7   Rs.42,946.3 
State government securities
   146,365.0    1,213.6    131,616.3    4,652.3    277,981.3    5,865.9 
Government securities outside India
   2,275.7    3.4            2,275.7    3.4 
Credit substitutes (see note 7)
   118,798.2    972.4    37,138.9    311.1    155,937.1    1,283.5 
Other corporate/financial institution bonds
   15,823.3    163.5            15,823.3    163.5 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Debt securities, other
than asset- and
mortgage-backed
securities
   730,622.5    10,246.4    1,007,543.6    40,016.2    1,738,166.1    50,262.6 
Mortgage-backed securities
   23.0    1.3            23.0    1.3 
Asset-backed securities
   25,557.2    310.6    27,642.7    268.9    53,199.9    579.5 
Other securities (including mutual fund units)
                        
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.756,202.7   Rs.10,558.3   Rs.1,035,186.3   Rs.40,285.1   Rs.1,791,389.0   Rs.50,843.4 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  US$9,967.1   US$139.1   US$13,644.2   US$531.0   US$23,611.3   US$670.1 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
F-2
4F-27

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The grossAs of March 31, 2022 there were 119 AFS investments in Government of India securities, State government securities and Government securities outside India with unrealized losses totaling Rs. 48,815.6 million. Upon analyzing the debt security portfolios, the Bank determined that 0 allowance was required as at March 31, 2022 in government issued or backed securities as for these debt securities the risk of loss was deemed minimal. Additionally, none of the remaining AFS investments in debt securities held by the Bank were past due or in
non-accrual
status as of March 31, 2022. The declines in the market value of these securities were attributable to changes in interest rates and not credit quality, and because the Bank had the ability and intent to hold these investments until there is a recovery in fair value, which may be at maturity, the Bank did not record any allowance for credit losses on any of these securities at March 31, 2022.
Allowances for available for sale debt securities as of March 31, 2021 are as follows:
   
As of March 31, 2021
 
   
Allowance for
credit losses,
beginning of
the period
   
Write-offs
   
Addition to
allowance for
credit losses
   
Allowance for
credit losses,
end of the
period
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In millions)
 
Credit substitutes
  
Rs.
   Rs.   Rs.2,915.1   Rs.2,915.1 
Other corporate/financial institution bonds
                
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.   Rs.   Rs.2,915.1   Rs.2,915.1 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Allowances for Available for sale debt Securities as of March 31, 2022 are as follows:
   
As of March 31, 2022
 
   
Allowance for
credit losses,
beginning of
the period
   
Write-offs
   
Addition/(Deletion) to
allowance for
credit losses
   
Allowance for
credit losses,
end of the
period
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In millions)
 
Government of India securities
  Rs.   Rs.   Rs.   Rs. 
State government securities
                
Government securities outside India
                
Credit substitutes
   2,915.1        (2,915.1    
Other corporate/financial institution bonds
                
Debt securities, other than asset- and mortgage-backed securities                
Mortgage-backed securities
                
Asset-backed securities
                
Other securities (including mutual fund units)                
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.2,915.1   Rs.   Rs.(2,915.1  Rs. 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  US$38.4   US$   US$(38.4  US$ 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Credit Quality Indicators
The Bank monitors the credit quality of its investment securities through various risk management procedures, including the monitoring of credit ratings. A majority of the debt securities in the Bank’s investment portfolio were issued by the Government of India or State governments or entities or agencies that are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by such governments. The Bank believes the long history of no credit losses on these securities indicates that the expectation
non-payment
of the amortized cost basis is zero, even if such governments were to technically default. Therefore, for the aforementioned securities, the Bank does not assess, or record expected credit losses due to the zero loss assumption. The Bank monitors the credit quality of its remaining AFS investment portfolio which is updated periodically. Such of the remaining AFS investment portfolio in an unrealized loss position are evaluated to determine if the loss is attributable to credit related factors and if an allowance for credit loss is needed. The average credit rating of the securities comprising the
mortgage
-backed securities and asset-backed securities was AAA (based upon external ratings where available) as at March 31, 2020 was as follows:2022
.
 
As of March 31, 2020
     
 
Less Than 12 Months
  
12 Months or Greater
  
Total
 
 
Fair Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
 
     
(In millions)
     
Government of India securities
 Rs.
24,492.8
  Rs.
69.8
  Rs.
158,735.8
  Rs.
1,421.8
  Rs.
183,228.6
  Rs.
1,491.6
 
State government securities
  
   
   
   
   
   
 
Government securities outside India
  
   
   
   
   
   
 
Credit substitutes (see note 7)
  
38,039.9
   
481.2
   
18,680.4
   
196.1
   
56,720.3
   
677.3
 
Other corporate/financial institution bonds
  
18,626.2
   
409.6
   
   
   
18,626.2
   
409.6
 
                         
Debt securities, other than asset
and mortgage-backed securities
  
81,158.9
   
960.6
   
177,416.2
   
1,617.9
   
258,575.1
   
2,578.5
 
Mortgage-backed securities
  
   
   
   
   
   
 
Asset-backed securities
  
41,510.7
   
144.7
   
846.3
   
5.3
   
42,357.0
   
150.0
 
Other securities (including mutual fund units)
  
   
   
   
   
   
 
                         
Total
 Rs.
122,669.6
  Rs.
1,105.3
  Rs.
178,262.5
  Rs.
1,623.2
  Rs.
300,932.1
  Rs.
2,728.5
 
                         
Total
 US$
1,627.1
  US$
14.7
  US$
2,364.5
  US$
21.5
  US$
3,991.6
  US$
36.2
 
                         
F-28

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The contractual residual maturity of available for sale debt securities other than asset and mortgage-backed securities as of March 31, 20202022 is set out below:
 
As of March 31, 2020
 
 
Amortized Cost
  
Fair Value
  
Fair Value
 
 
(In millions)
 
Within one year
 Rs.
1,112,389.9
  Rs.
1,115,946.4
  US$
14,802.3
 
Over one year through five years
  
838,625.0
   
861,818.8
   
11,431.5
 
Over five years through ten years
  
916,798.3
   
946,302.3
   
12,552.1
 
Over ten years
  
345,526.5
   
353,232.1
   
4,685.4
 
             
Total
 Rs.
3,213,339.7
  Rs.
3,277,299.6
  US$
43,471.3
 
             
   
As of March 31, 2022
 
   
Amortized Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Fair Value
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In millions)
 
Within one year
  Rs.881,418.9   Rs.882,468.1   US$11,631.3 
Over one year through five years
   1,492,816.4    1,503,308.7    19,814.3 
Over five years through ten years
   1,334,162.1    1,314,014.4    17,319.3 
Over ten years
   565,558.0    544,854.3    7,181.4 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.4,273,955.4   Rs.4,244,645.5   US$55,946.3 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
The contractual residual maturity of available for sale mortgage-backed and asset-backed debt securities as of March 31, 20202022 is set out below:
 
As of March 31, 2020
 
 
Amortized Cost
  
Fair Value
  
Fair Value
 
 
(In millions)
 
Within one year
 Rs.
47,973.3
  Rs.
48,473.5
  US$
643.0
 
Over one year through five years
  
75,458.2
   
76,412.3
   
1,013.6
 
Over five years through ten years
  
1,576.5
   
1,621.6
   
21.5
 
Over ten years
  
960.5
   
1,057.9
   
14.0
 
             
Total
 Rs.
125,968.5
  Rs.
127,565.3
  US$
1,692.1
 
             
   
As of March 31, 2022
 
   
Amortized Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Fair Value
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In millions)
 
Within one year
  Rs.63,824.9   Rs.64,300.8   US$847.5 
Over one year through five years
   78,315.3    78,781.6    1,038.4 
Over five years through ten years
   774.2    771.9    10.2 
Over ten years
   64.4    63.3    0.8 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.142,978.8   Rs.143,917.6   US$1,896.9 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
F-2
5F-29

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Gross realized gains and gross realized losses from sale of available for sale debt securities and dividends and interest on such securities are set out below:
 
Fiscal year ended March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Gross realized gains on sale
 Rs.
11,433.8
  Rs.
3,788.1
  Rs.
26,128.1
  US$
346.6
 
Gross realized losses on sale
  
(580.6
)  
(1,192.1
)  
(301.9
)  
(4.0
)
                 
Realized gains (losses), net
  
10,853.2
   
2,596.0
   
25,826.2
   
342.6
 
Dividends and interest
  
158,209.2
   
190,992.5
   
198,383.2
   
2,631.4
 
                 
Total
 Rs.
169,062.4
  Rs.
193,588.5
  Rs.
224,209.4
  US$
2,974.0
 
                 
   
Fiscal year ended March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In millions)
 
Gross realized gains on sale
  Rs.26,128.1   Rs.56,439.4   Rs.18,604.5   US$245.2 
Gross realized losses on sale
   (301.9   (514.2   (1,858.7   (24.5
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Realized gains (losses), net
   25,826.2    55,925.2    16,745.8    220.7 
Dividends and interest
   198,383.2    226,690.9    240,943.0    3,175.7 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.224,209.4   Rs.282,616.1   Rs.257,688.8   US$3,396.4 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
6. Investments, held to maturity
There were 0 HTM securities as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020.2022.
7. Credit substitutes
Credit substitutes consist of securities that the Bank invests in as part of an overall extension of credit to certain customers. Such securities share many of the risk and reward characteristics of loans and are managed by the Bank together with other credit facilities extended to the same customers. The fair valuesvalue of credit substitutes by type of instrument as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 20202022 were as follows:
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2019
  
2020
 
 
Amortized Cost
  
Fair Value
  
Amortized Cost
  
Fair Value
 
 
(In millions)
 
Available for sale credit substitute debt securities:
            
Debentures
 Rs.
247,869.1
  Rs.
247,152.5
  Rs.
236,717.2
  Rs.
237,980.3
 
Commercial paper
  
25,681.6
   
25,734.3
   
124,024.3
   
124,393.4
 
Total
 Rs.
273,550.7
  Rs.
272,886.8
  Rs.
360,741.5
  Rs.
362,373.7
 
                 
       US$
4,785.0
  US$
4,806.7
 
                 
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
 
   
Amortized Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Amortized Cost
   
Fair Value
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In millions)
 
Available for sale credit substitute debt securities:
                    
Debentures
  Rs.524,448.4   Rs.537,472.8   Rs.577,377.0   Rs.581,551.5 
Preference shares
           77.1    0.5 
Commercial paper
   9,778.7    9,804.1    1,468.2    1,468.2 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.534,227.1   Rs.547,276.9   Rs.578,922.3   Rs.583,020.2 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
             US$7,630.5   US$7,684.5 
             
 
 
   
 
 
 
The fair valuesvalue of credit substitutes by the Bank’s internal credit quality indicators and amounts provided for other than temporary impairmentsnon-performing credit substitutes is as follows:
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Pass
  
Rs.272,886.8
   
Rs.362,373.7
  US$
4,806.7
 
Impaired—gross balance
  
   
   
 
Less: amounts provided for other than temporary impairments
  
   
   
 
             
Impaired credit substitutes, net
  
   
   
 
             
Total credit substitutes, net
  
Rs.272,886.8
   
Rs.362,373.7
  US$
4,806.7
 
             
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In millions)
 
Pass
  Rs.547,276.9   Rs.583,020.2   US$7,684.5 
Non-performing
—gross balance
            
Less: 
Non-performing
 
losses
            
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Non-performing
credit substitutes, net
            
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total credit substitutes, net
  Rs.547,276.9   Rs.583,020.2   US$7,684.5 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
F-2
6F-30

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The following table provides information on non-performing credit substitutes as at March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022:
Impaired credit substitutes:
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Gross impaired credit substitutes
 Rs
  Rs
  US$
 
Gross impaired credit substitutes by industry
 Rs.
  Rs.
  US$
 
Average impaired credit substitutes
 Rs.
  Rs.
  US$
 
Interest income recognized on impaired credit substitutes
 Rs.
 
 
 
 
  Rs.
 
 
 
 
  US$
 
 
 
 
 
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In millions)
 
Gross non-performing credit substitutes  Rs  —   Rs  —   US$  — 
Gross non-performing credit substitutes by industry  Rs.   Rs.   US$ 
Average non-performing credit substitutes  Rs.   Rs.   US$ 
Interest income recognized on non-performing credit substitutes  Rs.   Rs.   US$ 
As of March 31, 2020,2022, the Bank has no additional funds committed to borrowers whose credit substitutes were impaired.non-performing.
8. Repurchase and resell agreements
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“repos”) and securities purchased under agreements to resell (“reverse repos”) generally do not constitute a sale for accounting purposes of the underlying securities, and so are treated as collateralized transactions. There were no such transactions accounted for as sales during the years ended March 31, 2018,2020, March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020.2022. Interest paid or received on all repo and reverse repo transactions is recorded in Interest expense or Interest revenue at the contractually specified rate.
a. Securities purchased under agreements to resell
Securities purchased under agreements to resell are classified separately from investments and generally mature within 14 days of the transaction date. Such resell transactions are recorded at the amount of cash advanced on the transaction. Resell transactions outstanding as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 20202022 were Rs. 76,213.5270,060.0 million and Rs. 250,000.0373,053.3 million (US$ 3,316.14,917.0 million), respectively
(see (see note 24)23).
b. Securities sold under repurchase agreements
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are classified separately under liabilities and generally mature within 14 days of the transaction date. Such repurchase transactions are recorded at the amount of cash received on the transaction. Repurchase transactions outstanding as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 20202022 were Rs. 174,000.0356,059.2 and Rs. 507,982.0151,844.9 million (US$ 6,738.12,001.4 million), respectively. The Government of India securities are pledged as collateral (see note 23).
 
(see note 24).
F-31

F-2
7

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
9. Loans
Loan balances includeincluded Rs. 780,869.5406,381.7 million and Rs. 574,064.8372,013.8 million (US$ 7,614.64,903.3 million) as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020,2022, respectively, which have been provided as collateral for borrowings and are therefore restricted.
Loans by facility as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 20202022 were as follows:
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Retail loans:
         
Auto loans
 Rs.
951,744.2
  Rs.
952,053.1
  US$
12,628.4
 
Personal loans/Credit cards
  
1,538,107.4
   
1,920,601.6
   
25,475.5
 
Retail business banking
  
1,478,317.8
   
1,658,770.3
   
22,002.5
 
Commercial vehicle and construction equipment finance
  
746,288.0
   
747,382.4
   
9,913.5
 
Housing loans
  
513,771.6
   
634,612.4
   
8,417.7
 
Other retail loans
  
1,009,674.6
   
1,127,380.6
   
14,954.0
 
             
Subtotal
 Rs.
6,237,903.6
  Rs.
7,040,800.4
  US$
93,391.6
 
Wholesale loans
 Rs.
2,873,561.0
  Rs.
3,583,055.2
  US$
47,527.0
 
             
Gross loans
  
9,111,464.6
   
10,623,855.6
   
140,918.6
 
Less: Allowance for credit losses
  
148,232.0
   
198,833.2
   
2,637.4
 
             
Total
 Rs.
8,963,232.6
  Rs.
10,425,022.4
  US$
138,281.2
 
             
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In millions)
 
Retail loans:
               
Auto loans
  Rs.964,053.2   Rs.1,042,793.0   US$13,744.5 
Personal loans/Credit cards
   2,042,727.2    2,341,971.8    30,868.2 
Retail business banking
   2,007,845.9    2,617,087.1    34,494.4 
Commercial vehicle and construction equipment finance
   805,329.8    951,066.0    12,535.5 
Housing loans
   702,235.5    830,882.4    10,951.4 
Other retail loans
   1,306,641.0    1,526,734.4    20,122.9 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Subtotal
  Rs.7,828,832.6   Rs.9,310,534.7   US$122,716.9 
Wholesale loans
  Rs.4,214,885.3   Rs.5,099,009.3   US$67,207.2 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Gross loans
   12,043,717.9    14,409,544.0    189,924.1 
Less: Allowance for credit losses
   343,528.7    372,671.8    4,911.9 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.11,700,189.2   Rs.14,036,872.2   US$185,012.2 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Loans, other than crop-related 
agricultural loans, are generally placed on
non-accrual
status and considered
non-performing
if principal or interest payments become 90 days past due and/or management deems the collectability of the principal and/or interest to be doubtful. Crop-related agricultural loans are generally placed on
non-accrual
status and considered
non-performing
if principal or interest payments become 366 days past due and/or management deems the collectability of the principal and/or interest to be doubtful. Loans are returned to accrual status when the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current
.
The maturity of gross loans as of March 31, 20202022 is set out below:
 
As of March 31, 2020
 
 
Wholesale loans
  
Retail loans
  
Total
 
 
(In millions)
 
Maturity profile of loans:
         
Within one year
 Rs.
1,718,893.5
  Rs.
2,140,034.9
  Rs.
3,858,928.4
 
Over one year through five years
  
1,191,304.1
   
4,290,512.7
   
5,481,816.8
 
Over five years
  
672,857.6
   
610,252.8
   
1,283,110.4
 
             
Total gross loans
 Rs.
3,583,055.2
  Rs.
7,040,800.4
  Rs.
10,623,855.6
 
             
Total gross loans
 US$
47,527.0
  US$
93,391.6
  US$
140,918.6
 
             
Gross loans analyzed by performance are as follows:
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Performing
 Rs.
8,971,042.1
  Rs.
10,466,428.7
  US$
138,830.5
 
Impaired
  
140,422.5
   
157,426.9
   
2,088.1
 
             
Total gross loans
 Rs.
9,111,464.6
  Rs.
10,623,855.6
  US$
140,918.6
 
             
   
As of March 31, 2022
 
   
Wholesale loans
   
Retail loans
   
Total
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
   
(In millions)
 
Maturity profile of loans:
               
Within one year
  Rs.2,174,459.2   Rs.2,525,390.8   Rs.4,699,850.0 
Over one year through five years
   1,844,496.2    6,006,016.1    7,850,512.3 
Over five years
   1,080,053.9    779,127.8    1,859,181.7 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.5,099,009.3   Rs.9,310,534.7   Rs.14,409,544.0 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  US$67,207.2   US$122,716.9   US$189,924.1 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
F-2
8F-32

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The following table provides details of age analysis of loans and finance receivable on
non-accrual
status as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020.2022.
  
As of March 31, 2021
 
  
31-90 days

past due
   
Non-accrual/

91 days or

more past

due
   
Current 
1,2
   
Total
   
Finance

receivable

on non-accrual

status
 
 
As of March 31, 2019
                     
 
31-90 days
past due
  
Impaired /
91 days or
more past
due
  
Current 
1,2
  
Total
   
(In millions)
 
 
(In millions)
                     
Retail Loans
                           
Auto loans
 Rs.
4,807.0
  Rs.
13,606.7
  Rs.
933,330.5
  Rs.
951,744.2
   Rs.8,523.6   Rs.28,476.3   Rs.927,053.3   Rs.964,053.2   Rs.28,476.3 
Personal loans/Credit card
  
11,520.2
   
15,781.5
   
1,510,805.7
   
1,538,107.4
    25,026.7    37,026.1    1,980,674.4    2,042,727.2    37,026.1 
Retail business banking
  
9,087.9
   
29,945.0
   
1,439,284.9
   
1,478,317.8
    19,239.0    31,328.9    1,957,278.0    2,007,845.9    31,328.9 
Commercial vehicle and construction equipment finance
  
9,225.0
   
11,254.9
   
725,808.1
   
746,288.0
    16,946.0    32,015.3    756,368.5    805,329.8    32,015.3 
Housing loans
  
784.9
   
2,157.1
   
510,829.6
   
513,771.6
    4,530.8    5,171.9    692,532.8    702,235.5    5,171.9 
Other retail
  
9,480.1
   
29,523.6
   
970,670.9
   
1,009,674.6
    18,535.0    39,584.4    1,248,521.6    1,306,641.0    39,584.4 
Wholesale loans
  
202.9
   
38,153.7
   
2,835,204.4
   
2,873,561.0
    6,277.0    40,179.5    4,168,428.8    4,214,885.3    40,179.5 
              
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Total
 Rs.
 45,108.0
  Rs. 
140,422.5
  Rs. 
8,925,934.1
  Rs. 
9,111,464.6
   Rs.99,078.1   Rs.213,782.4   Rs.11,730,857.4   Rs.12,043,717.9   Rs.213,782.4 
              
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
1)
1.  Loans up to 30 days past due are considered current
.
2.  Includes
crop-related
2)Includes crop related agricultural loans with days past due less than 366 as they are not considered as impaired
non-performing
of Rs. 34.033.6 billion.
   
As of March 31, 2022
 
   
31-90 days

past due
   
Non-accrual/

91 days or
more past

due
   
Current 
1,2
   
Total
   
Finance

receivable

on non-accrual

status
 
                     
   
(In millions)
 
                     
Retail Loans
                         
Auto loans
  Rs.6,536.5   Rs.20,441.6   Rs.1,015,814.9   Rs.1,042,793.0   Rs.20,441.6 
Personal loans/Credit card
   27,433.8    28,057.5    2,286,480.5    2,341,971.8    28,057.5 
Retail business banking
   18,242.9    35,820.2    2,563,024.0    2,617,087.1    35,820.2 
Commercial vehicle and construction equipment finance
   20,263.0    25,091.5    905,711.5    951,066.0    25,091.5 
Housing loans
   3,296.3    6,478.4    821,107.7    830,882.4    6,478.4 
Other retail
   18,009.8    49,459.2    1,459,265.4    1,526,734.4    49,459.2 
Wholesale loans
   8,455.4    31,921.1    5,058,632.8    5,099,009.3    31,921.1 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.102,237.7   Rs.197,269.5   Rs.14,110,036.8   Rs.14,409,544.0   Rs.197,269.5 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  US$1,347.5   US$2,600.1   US$185,976.5   US$189,924.1   US$2,600.1 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
As of March 31, 2020
 
 
31-90 days
past due
  
Impaired /
91 days or
more past
due
  
Current 
1,2
  
Total
 
 
(In millions)
 
Retail Loans
            
Auto loans
 Rs.
4,049.3
  Rs.
15,279.2
  Rs.
932,724.6
  Rs.
952,053.1
 
Personal loans/Credit card
  
16,819.3
   
14,481.7
   
1,889,300.6
   
1,920,601.6
 
Retail business banking
  
15,210.9
   
32,866.3
   
1,610,693.1
   
1,658,770.3
 
Commercial vehicle and construction equipment finance
  
17,679.2
   
22,992.2
   
706,711.0
   
747,382.4
 
Housing loans
  
3,330.9
   
2,921.3
   
628,360.2
   
634,612.4
 
Other retail
  
13,038.1
   
33,462.8
   
1,080,879.7
   
1,127,380.6
 
Wholesale loans
  
5,126.9
   
35,423.4
   
3,542,504.9
   
3,583,055.2
 
                 
Total
 Rs.
75,254.6
  Rs.
157,426.9
  Rs.
10,391,174.1
  Rs.
10,623,855.6
 
                 
Total
 US$
998.1
  US$
2,088.1
  US$
137,832.4
  US$
140,918.6
 
                 
1)1.
Loans up to 30 days past due are considered current
.
2)2.
Includes crop related
crop-related
 agricultural loans with days past due less than 366 as they are not considered as impaired
non-performing
of Rs. 39.034.2 billion.
The Bank has a credit risk mitigating/monitoring mechanism which is comprised of target market definitions, credit approval process, post-disbursement monitoring and remedial management procedures.
For wholesale credit risk in addition to the credit approval process
From fiscal year 2020
the Bank has an approved frameworkimplemented the packages announced by RBI on account of the COVID-19 pandemic which grants temporary extensions in repayment obligations to the borrowers without any interest or financial concessions. While the moratorium allowed customers (from March to August 2020) to temporarily freeze loan repayments, the loan restructuring packages eased the burden of monthly repayments. The total balance outstanding of loan facilities restructured was Rs. 138.4 billion as of March 31, 2021 and Rs. 229.8 billion (US$ 3.0 billion) as of March 31, 2022. These restructured facilities as of March 31, 2021 included retail loans and wholesale loans of Rs. 137.8 billion and Rs. 0.6 billion respectively and as of March 31, 2022 include retail loans and wholesale loans of Rs. 220.0 billion and Rs. 9.8 billion respectively. As stipulated by regulatory guidance, the Bank does not place loans with deferrals granted due to COVID-19 on nonaccrual status where such loans are not otherwise reportable as nonaccrual and thus considered in the allowance for the review and approval of credit ratings. Credit Policies and Procedures articulate credit risk strategy and thereby the approach for credit origination, approval and maintenance. The Credit Policies generally address such areas as target markets, portfolio mix, prudential exposure ceilings, concentration limits, price and non-price terms, structure of limits, approval authorities, exception reporting system, prudential accounting and provisioning norms. These are reviewed in detail at annual or more frequent intervals. To ensure adequate diversification of risk, concentration limits have been set up in terms of borrower/business group, industry and risk grading.loan losses.
F-2
9F-33

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
For retail credit,loans the policy and approval processes are designed for the fact that the Bank has high volumes of relatively homogeneous, small value transactions in retail loans. There are product programs for each of these products, which define the target markets, credit philosophy and process, detailed underwriting criteria for evaluating individual credits, exception reporting systems and individual loan exposure caps. The quantitative parameters considered include income, residence stability and the nature of the employment/business, while the qualitative parameters include accessibility, contractibility and profile. The credit policies/product programs are based on a statistical analysis of the Bank’s experience and industry data, in combination with the judgment of the Bank’s senior officers. The Bank regularly mines data on its borrower account behavior as well as static data regularly to monitor the portfolio performance of each product segment and useuses these as inputs infor revising the Bank’s product programs, target market definitions and credit assessment criteria to meet the Bank’s twin objectives of combining volume growth and maintenance of asset quality.
As an integral part of the credit process, the Bank has a credit rating model appropriate to its wholesale and retail credit segments. The Bank monitors credit quality within its segments based on primary credit quality indicators. This internal grading is updated at least annually. Disbursals under
one-time
restructurings are also included.
The amount of purchased financing receivablereceivables outstanding as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020 is2022 was Rs. 514,756.0710,194.7 million and Rs. 644,672.4,836,172.8 million, respectively.
The following table provides information on primary credit quality indicators as at March 31, 2021:
Retail Loans
Credit quality
indicators-Internally
assigned grade
 
Prior
  
2017
  
2018
  
2019
  
2020
  
2021
  
Revolving

Loans
  
Revolving

loans

converted to

term loans
  
Total
 
  
(In millions)
 
Auto loans
                                    
Performing
 Rs.4,599.0  Rs.30,174.9  Rs.99,159.5  Rs.168,159.1  Rs.266,277.0  Rs.362,747.1  Rs.4,460.3  Rs.  Rs.935,576.9 
Non-performing
  736.9   2,066.2   6,048.0   9,260.9   8,513.0   1,033.0   818.3      28,476.3 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Subtotal
 Rs.5,335.9  Rs.32,241.1  Rs.105,207.5  Rs.177,420.0  Rs.274,790.0  Rs.363,780.1  Rs.5,278.6  Rs.  Rs.964,053.2 
Personal loans/Credit card
                                    
Performing
 Rs.613.8  Rs.8,617.1  Rs.48,658.4  Rs.178,532.3  Rs.483,925.8  Rs.638,007.4  Rs.326,118.9  Rs.321,227.4  Rs.2,005,701.1 
Non-performing
  118.6   601.7   3,144.1   8,704.2   11,381.7   1,162.5   8,259.7   3,653.6   37,026.1 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Subtotal
 Rs.732.4  Rs.9,218.8  Rs.51,802.5  Rs.187,236.5  Rs.495,307.5  Rs.639,169.9  Rs.334,378.6  Rs.324,881.0  Rs.2,042,727.2 
Retail business banking
                                    
Performing
 Rs.35,189.0  Rs.49,573.1  Rs.121,663.7  Rs.145,473.9  Rs.209,578.9  Rs.480,518.2  Rs.934,520.2  Rs.  Rs.1,976,517.0 
Non-performing
  3,584.6   2,717.7   4,863.1   3,865.9   1,883.4   1,053.4   13,360.8      31,328.9 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Subtotal
 Rs.38,773.6  Rs.52,290.8  Rs.126,526.8  Rs.149,339.8  Rs.211,462.3  Rs.481,571.6  Rs.947,881.0  Rs.  Rs.2,007,845.9 
Commercial vehicle and construction equipment finance
                                    
Performing
 Rs.517.8  Rs.6,292.2  Rs.44,766.4  Rs.146,432.4  Rs.214,342.4  Rs.287,953.1  Rs.73,010.2  Rs.  Rs.773,314.5 
Non-performing
  155.9   836.6   4,397.4   11,112.3   10,159.4   1,086.1   4,267.6      32,015.3 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Subtotal
 Rs.673.7  Rs.7,128.8  Rs.49,163.8  Rs.157,544.7  Rs.224,501.8  Rs.289,039.2  Rs.77,277.8  Rs.  Rs.805,329.8 
Housing loans
                                    
Performing
 Rs.272,061.4  Rs.111,758.9  Rs.105,069.4  Rs.152,564.7  Rs.55,570.3  Rs.38.9  Rs.  Rs.  Rs.697,063.6 
Non-performing
  2,407.3   1,082.6   744.5   865.9   71.6            5,171.9 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Subtotal
 Rs.274,468.7  Rs.112,841.5  Rs.105,813.9  Rs.153,430.6  Rs.55,641.9  Rs.38.9  Rs.  Rs.  Rs.702,235.5 
Other retail loans
                                    
Performing
 Rs.2,406.7  Rs.8,530.0  Rs.20,090.5  Rs.45,854.0  Rs.129,946.8  Rs.483,241.9  Rs.576,986.7  Rs.  Rs.1,267,056.6 
Non-performing
  2,626.0   1,214.6   2,082.0   4,710.1   7,442.1   1,534.0   19,975.6      39,584.4 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Subtotal
 Rs.5,032.7  Rs9,744.6  Rs.22,172.5  Rs.50,564.1  Rs.137,388.9  Rs.484,775.9  Rs.596,962.3  Rs.  Rs.1,306,641.0 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Total
 Rs.325,017.0  Rs.223,465.6  Rs.460,687.0  Rs.875,535.7  Rs.1,399,092.4  Rs.2,258,375.6  Rs.1,961,778.3  Rs.324,881.0  Rs.7,828,832.6 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
F-34

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
Credit
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The following table provides information on primary credit quality indicator based on payment activityindicators as ofat March 31, 2019 and as of March 31, 2020 is given below:2022:
 
As of March 31, 2019
 
 
Auto loans
  
Personal loans/
Credit card
  
Retail business
banking
  
Commercial
vehicle and
Construction
equipment
finance
  
Housing loans
  
Other retail
  
Total
 
 
(In millions)
 
Performing
 Rs.
 938,137.5
  Rs.
 1,522,325.9
  Rs.
 1,448,372.8
  Rs.
 735,033.1
  Rs.
 511,614.5
  Rs.
 980,151.0
  Rs.
 6,135,634.8
 
Impaired
  
13,606.7
   
15,781.5
   
29,945.0
   
11,254.9
   
2,157.1
   
29,523.6
   
102,268.8
 
                             
Total
 Rs.
 951,744.2
  Rs.
 1,538,107.4
  Rs.
 1,478,317.8
  Rs.
 746,288.0
  Rs.
 513,771.6
  Rs.
 1,009,674.6
  Rs.
 6,237,903.6
 
                             
    
 
As of March 31, 2020
 
 
Auto loans
  
Personal loans/
Credit card
  
Retail business
banking
  
Commercial
vehicle and
Construction
equipment
finance
  
Housing loans
  
Other retail
  
Total
 
 
(In millions)
 
Performing
 Rs.
 936,773.9
  Rs.
1,906,119.9
  Rs.
1,625,904.0
  Rs.
724,390.2
  Rs.
 631,691.1
  Rs.
1,093,917.8
  Rs.
6,918,796.9
 
Impaired
  
15,279.2
   
14,481.7
   
32,866.3
   
22,992.2
   
2,921.3
   
33,462.8
   
122,003.5
 
                             
Total
 Rs.
 952,053.1
  Rs.
 1,920,601.6
  Rs.
1,658,770.3
  Rs.
747,382.4
  Rs.
634,612.4
  Rs.
1,127,380.6
  Rs.
7,040,800.4
 
                             
Total
 US$
 12,628.4
  US$
  25,475.5
  US$
  22,002.5
  US$
  9,913.5
  US$
  8,417.7
  US$
  14,954.0
  US$
  93,391.6
 
                             
Credit quality
indicators-Internally
assigned grade
 
Prior
  
2018
  
2019
  
2020
  
2021
  
2022
  
Revolving

loans
  
Revolving

loans

converted to

term loans
  
Total
 
  
(In millions)
 
Auto loans
                                    
Performing
 Rs.8,466.2  Rs.42,634.8  Rs.89,161.9  Rs.169,606.1  Rs.252,295.7  Rs.455,114.6  Rs.5,072.1  Rs.  Rs.1,022,351.4 
Non-performing
  846.1   2,866.6   5,455.2   6,323.4   2,973.5   661.7   1,315.1      20,441.6 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Subtotal
 Rs.9,312.3  Rs.45,501.4  Rs.94,617.1  Rs.175,929.5  Rs.255,269.2  Rs.455,776.3  Rs.6,387.2  Rs.  Rs.1,042,793.0 
Personal loans/Credit card
                                    
Performing
 Rs.1,374.4  Rs.14,320.8  Rs.67,477.1  Rs.225,561.4  Rs.336,526.1  Rs.947,277.0  Rs.381,900.4  Rs.339,477.1  Rs.2,313,914.3 
Non-performing
  201.7   910.2   4,184.4   7,967.1   3,931.7   1,722.7   6,405.6   2,734.1   28,057.5 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Subtotal
 Rs.1,576.1  Rs.15,231.0  Rs.71,661.5  Rs.233,528.5  Rs.340,457.8  Rs.948,999.7  Rs.388,306.0  Rs.342,211.2  Rs.2,341,971.8 
Retail business banking
                                    
Performing
 Rs.52,347.2  Rs.78,959.8  Rs.97,361.4  Rs.151,964.0  Rs.306,673.0  Rs.569,687.0  Rs.1,324,274.5  Rs.  Rs.2,581,266.9 
Non-performing
  3,661.9   3,736.0   3,429.5   2,598.7   2,880.8   412.2   19,101.1      35,820.2 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Subtotal
 Rs.56,009.1  Rs.82,695.8  Rs.100,790.9  Rs.154,562.7  Rs.309,553.8  Rs.570,099.2  Rs.1,343,375.6  Rs.  Rs.2,617,087.1 
Commercial vehicle and construction equipment finance
                                    
Performing
 Rs.1,837.4  Rs.16,022.5  Rs.69,418.2  Rs.125,223.1  Rs.185,561.0  Rs.426,434.1  Rs.101,478.2  Rs.  Rs.925,974.5 
Non-performing
  210.8   1,391.5   6,224.5   8,010.6   3,883.8   651.3   4,719.0      25,091.5 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Subtotal
 Rs.2,048.2  Rs.17,414.0  Rs.75,642.7  Rs.133,233.7  Rs.189,444.8  Rs.427,085.4  Rs.106,197.2  Rs.  Rs.951,066.0 
Housing loans
                                    
Performing
 Rs.301,103.3  Rs.85,682.1  Rs.127,339.2  Rs.46,798.3  Rs.0.6  Rs.263,480.5  Rs.  Rs.  Rs.824,404.0 
Non-performing
  1,597.6   504.1   1,472.2   2,193.9   512.8   197.8         6,478.4 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Subtotal
 Rs.302,700.9  Rs.86,186.2  Rs.128,811.4  Rs.48,992.2  Rs.513.4  Rs.263,678.3  Rs.  Rs.  Rs.830,882.4 
Other retail loans
                                    
Performing
 Rs.4,260.4  Rs.11,266.3  Rs.20,843.1  Rs.51,074.6  Rs.131,647.7  Rs.567,032.4  Rs.691,150.7  Rs.  Rs.1,477,275.2 
Non-performing
  2,989.1   1,434.6   4,470.0   10,682.7   3,645.0   1,004.1   25,233.7      49,459.2 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Subtotal
 Rs.7,249.5  Rs12,700.9  Rs.25,313.1  Rs.61,757.3  Rs.135,292.7  Rs.568,036.5  Rs.716,384.4  Rs.  Rs.1,526,734.4 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Total
 Rs.378,896.1  Rs.259,729.3  Rs.496,836.7  Rs.808,003.9  Rs.1,230,531.7  Rs.3,233,675.4  Rs.2,560,650.4  Rs.342,211.2  Rs.9,310,534.7 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Total
 US$4,994.0  US$3,423.3  US$6,548.5  US$10,649.8  US$16,218.9  US$42,621.3  US$33,750.5  US$4,510.5  US$122,716.9 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Wholesale Loans
The Bank has a process in place a process of grading each borrower according to its financial health and the performance of its business and each borrower is graded as
pass/labeled/impaired. non-performing.
Wholesale loans that are not impaired
non-performing
are disclosed as pass or labeled and considered to be performing. Labeled loans are those with evidence of weakness where such exposures indicate deteriorating trends which if not corrected could adversely impact repayment of the obligations. The Bank’s model assesses the overall risk over four major categories –categories: industry risk, business risk, management risk and financial risk. The inputs in each of the categories are combined to provide an aggregate numerical rating, which is a function of the aggregate weighted scores based on the assessment under each of these four risk categories.
The following table provides information on primary credit quality indicators as at March 31, 2021.
Credit quality
indicators-Internally
assigned grade
  
Prior
   
2017
   
2018
   
2019
   
2020
   
2021
   
Revolving

Loans
   
Total
 
   
(In millions)
 
Wholesale loans
                                        
Pass
  Rs.3,939.4   Rs.3,332.3   Rs.298,631.5   Rs.324,816.0   Rs.568,907.1   Rs.2,007,206.0   Rs.930,417.0   Rs.4,137,249.3 
Labeled
           7,503.2    10,194.9    2,427.6    4,073.6    13,257.2    37,456.5 
Non-performing
   445.8    84.3    10,893.1    4,778.7    1,445.3    2,255.7    20,276.6    40,179.5 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.4,385.2   Rs.3,416.6   Rs.317,027.8   Rs.339,789.6   Rs.572,780.0   Rs.2,013,535.3   Rs.963,950.8   Rs.4,214,885.3 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
F-
30F-35

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The following table provides information on primary credit quality indicators as at March 31, 2022.
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Credit quality indicators-Internally assigned grade
and payment activity
         
Pass
 Rs.
 2,834,466.7
  Rs.
 3,524,290.5
  US$
 46,747.5
 
Labeled
  
940.6
   
23,341.3
   
309.6
 
Impaired
  
38,153.7
   
35,423.4
   
469.9
 
             
Total
 Rs.
 2,873,561.0
  Rs.
 3,583,055.2
  US$
47,527.0
 
             
Credit quality
indicators-Internally
assigned grade
  
Prior
   
2018
   
2019
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
Revolving

Loans
   
Total
 
   
(In millions)
 
Wholesale loans
                                        
Pass
  Rs.5,289.7   Rs.186,145.4   Rs.195,703.7   Rs.421,349.1   Rs.1,006,687.4   Rs.2,232,372.3   Rs.984,145.8   Rs.5,031,693.4 
Labeled
       3,297.2    5,164.1    1,632.6    4,045.0    11,447.4    9,808.5    35,394.8 
Non-performing
   569.7    4,666.1    5,833.7    361.1    479.0    1,301.6    18,709.9    31,921.1 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.5,859.4   Rs.194,108.7   Rs.206,701.5   Rs.423,342.8   Rs.1,011,211.4   Rs.2,245,121.3   Rs.1,012,664.2   Rs.5,099,009.3 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  US$77.2   US$2,558.4   US$2,724.4   US$5,579.8   US$13,328.2   US$29,591.7   US$13,347.4   US$67,207.2 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Non-performing
loans by industry as of March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022 are as follows:
As of March 31, 2021
(In millions)
Gross
non-performing
loans by industry:
—Consumer Loans
Rs.47,028.8
—Agri Production—Food
21,028.5
—Road Transportation
18,344.8
—Retail Trade
17,242.9
—Agri Allied
10,829.6
—Others (none greater than 5% of
non-performing
loans)
99,307.8
Total
Rs.213,782.4
   
As of March 31, 2022
 
   
(In millions)
 
Gross
non-performing
loans by industry:
          
—Consumer Loans
  Rs.35,554.7   US$468.6 
—Agri Production—Food
   23,569.7    310.7 
—Retail Trade   15,124.1    199.3 
—Agri Allied   13,255.0    174.7 
—Road Transportation   12,961.6    170.8 
—Consumer services
   10,352.3    136.4 
—Others (none greater than 5% of
non-performing
loans)
   86,452.1    1,139.6 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.197,269.5   US$2,600.1 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Summary information relating to
non-performing
loans during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2020, March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022 is as follows:
   
Fiscal year ended March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
                 
   
(In millions)
 
Average impaired loans
  Rs.148,924.7   Rs.185,604.7   Rs.205,526.0   US$2,708.9 
Interest income recognized on
non-performing
loans
  Rs.10,160.5   Rs.7,025.3   Rs.11,881.0   US$156.6 
F-36

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The Bank adopted on April 1, 2021 ASU 2016-13
“Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” effective April 1, 2020 using the modified retrospective method for all financial assets measured at amortized cost and off-balance sheet credit exposures. Results for reporting periods beginning after April 1, 2020 are presented under ASC 326 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP. The adoption of ASC 326 had an impact of Rs. 83,496.4 million that was offset by a corresponding decrease in retained earnings of Rs. 62,480.4 million and Rs. 21,016.0 million increase in deferred tax assets. The increase in the allowance for credit losses required under the ASC 326 generally reflected the impact of reserves calculated over the life of loan, and more specifically higher reserves required for longer duration loan portfolios, and the utilization of a longer historical look-back period in the calculation of probability of default.
The following table illustrates the impact on allowances for credit losses on adopting ASC 326.
   
As of April 1, 2020
 
   
As reported
under ASC 326
   
Pre-ASC
 
326
adoption
   
Impact of
ASC 326
adoption
 
   
(In millions)
 
Loans:
               
Auto loans
   Rs.29,099.9    Rs.19,219.0    Rs.9,880.9 
Personal loans/Credit cards
   85,188.2    47,097.1    38,091.1 
Retail business banking
   36,807.8    32,860.3    3,947.5 
Commercial vehicle and construction equipment finance
   20,788.9    20,463.4    325.5 
Housing loans
   3,360.2    1,700.7    1,659.5 
Other retail loans
   38,098.6    37,864.3    234.3 
Wholesale loans
   66,502.6    39,628.4    26,874.2 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans
   Rs.279,846.2    Rs.198,833.2    Rs.81,013.0 
Allowance for Credit Losses on AFS debt securities
            
Accrued expenses and other liabilities:
               
Allowance for Credit Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures and undrawn commitments
   Rs.5,523.4    Rs.3,226.8    Rs.2,296.6 
Allowance for Credit Losses Other
   186.8        186.8 
Total
   Rs. 285,556.4    Rs. 202,060.0    Rs. 83,496.4 
F-37

A loan is collateral dependent when the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and repayment of the loan is dependent on the sale or operation of the underlying collateral. Such loans are carried at fair value based on current values determined by either independent appraisals or internal evaluations, adjusted for selling costs or other amounts to be deducted when estimating expected net sales proceeds. For the years ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, the Bank did not have collateral-dependent loans wherein the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and the repayment of the loan is dependent on the sale of the underlying collateral.
Impaired loans are thoseAllowance for which the Bank believes that it is probable that it will not collect all amounts due according to the original contractual terms of the loans and includes troubled debt restructuring. The following table provides details of impaired loanscredit losses as of March 31, 20192020 were as follows:
  
Auto loans
  
Personal

loans/

Credit card
  
Retail

business

banking
  
Commercial

vehicle and

Construction

equipment

finance
  
Housing

loans
  
Other

retail
  
Wholesale
  
Retail
  
Wholesale
  
Total
 
                                         
  
(In millions)
 
Allowance for credit losses, beginning of the period
 Rs.6,169.0  Rs.9,694.0  Rs.21,595.3  Rs.6,544.8  Rs. 1,105.2  Rs.20,441.5  Rs.20,233.2  Rs.52,941.1  Rs.9,507.9  Rs.148,232.0 
Write-offs
  (11,524.3  (41,646.3  (9,379.0  (10,838.5  (130.3  (12,833.1  (6,328.1        (92,679.6
Net allowance for credit losses*
  13,169.8   40,487.4   9,471.1   15,901.0   439.8   16,508.1   12,521.3   31,088.3   3,694.0   143,280.8 
Allowance for credit losses, end of the period
 Rs.7,814.5  Rs.8,535.1  Rs. 21,687.4  Rs.11,607.3  Rs.1,414.7  Rs.24,116.5  Rs.26,426.4  Rs.84,029.4  Rs.13,201.9  Rs.198,833.2 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Allowance for credit losses:
                                        
Allowance individually evaluated for impairment
 Rs.  Rs.  Rs.  Rs.  Rs.  Rs.  Rs.26,426.4  Rs.  Rs.  Rs.26,426.4 
Allowance collectively evaluated for impairment
  7,814.5   8,535.1   21,687.4   11,607.3   1,414.7   24,116.5      84,029.4   13,201.9   172,406.8 
Loans:
                                        
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
                    35,423.4         35,423.4 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
  15,279.2   14,481.7   32,866.3   22,992.2   2,921.3   33,462.8      6,918,796.9   3,547,631.8   10,588,432.2 
*
Net allowances for credit losses charged to expense does not include the recoveries against
write-off
cases amounting to Rs
.
25,658.9 million. Recoveries from retail loans
are
 Rs. 22,548.7 million and from wholesale loans
are
 Rs. 3,110.2 million.
Allowances for credit losses as of March 31, 2020.2021 are as follows:
 
As of March 31, 2019
 
 
Recorded
investments
  
Unpaid
principal
balance
  
Related
specific
allowance
  
Average recorded
investments
  
Finance receivable
on
 non-accrual
 status
 
 
(In millions)
 
Retail Loans
               
Auto loans
 Rs.
 13,606.7
  Rs.
 13,606.7
  Rs.
 6,169.0
  Rs.
 11,120.6
  Rs.
 13,606.7
 
Personal loans/Credit card
  
15,781.5
   
15,781.5
   
9,694.0
   
12,966.2
   
15,781.5
 
Retail business banking
  
29,945.0
   
29,945.0
   
21,595.3
   
27,746.1
   
29,945.0
 
Commercial vehicle and construction equipment finance
  
11,254.9
   
11,254.9
   
6,544.8
   
9,111.5
   
11,254.9
 
Housing loans
  
2,157.1
   
2,157.1
   
1,105.2
   
2,028.3
   
2,157.1
 
Other retail
  
29,523.6
   
29,523.6
   
20,441.5
   
26,114.0
   
29,523.6
 
Wholesale loans
  
38,153.7
   
38,153.7
   
20,233.2
   
35,483.3
   
38,153.7
 
                     
Total
 Rs.
 140,422.5
  Rs.
 140,422.5
  Rs.
 85,783.0
  Rs.
 124,570.0
  Rs.
 140,422.5
 
                     
  
Auto loans
  
Personal

loans/

Credit card
  
Retail

business

banking
  
Commercial

vehicle and

Construction

equipment

finance
  
Housing

loans
  
Other

retail
  
Wholesale
  
Total
 
                                 
  
(In millions)
 
Allowance for credit losses, beginning of the period
 Rs.19,219.0  Rs.47,097.1  Rs.32,860.3  Rs.20,463.4  Rs.1,700.7  Rs.37,864.3  Rs.39,628.4  Rs.198,833.2 
Impact of Adopting ASC 326
  9,880.9   38,091.1   3,947.5   325.5   1,659.5   234.3   26,874.2   81,013.0 
Write-offs
  (13,263.5  (61,571.8  (14,951.6  (15,921.5  (190.8  (9,942.8  (3,628.7  (119,470.7
Net allowance for credit losses*
  23,559.7   86,464.6   20,432.2   21,489.3   1,408.6   21,073.4   8,725.4   183,153.2 
Allowance for credit losses, end of the period
 Rs.39,396.1  Rs.110,081.0  Rs.42,288.4  Rs.26,356.7  Rs.4,578.0  Rs.49,229.2  Rs.71,599.3  Rs.343,528.7 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Allowance for credit losses:
                                
Individually evaluated Allowance
 Rs.34.7  Rs.4.0  Rs.3,540.7  Rs.59.6  Rs.  Rs.72.1  Rs.33,222.5  Rs.36,933.6 
Collectively evaluated Allowance
  39,361.4   110,077.0   38,747.7   26,297.1   4,578.0   49,157.1   38,376.8   306,595.1 
Loans:
                         
Individually evaluated Loans
  49.5   4.2   3,560.8   59.7      92.7   42,786.8   46,553.7 
Collectively evaluated Loans
  964,003.7   2,042,723.0   2,004,285.1   805,270.1   702,235.5   1,306,548.3   4,172,098.5   11,997,164.2 
*
Net allowances for credit losses charged to expense does not include the recoveries against
write-off
cases amounting to Rs
.
28,919.8 million (US$ 395.4 million). Recoveries from retail loans is Rs. 28,605.8 million and from wholesale loans is Rs. 314.0 million.
 
As of March 31, 2020
 
 
Recorded
investments
  
Unpaid
principal
balance
  
Related
specific
allowance
  
Average recorded
investments
  
Finance receivable
on
 non-accrual
 status
 
 
(In millions)
 
Retail Loans
               
Auto loans
 Rs.
  15,279.2
  Rs.
  15,279.2
  Rs.
  7,814.5
  Rs.
  14,443.0
  Rs.
  15,279.2
 
Personal loans/Credit card
  
14,481.7
   
14,481.7
   
8,535.1
   
15,131.6
   
14,481.7
 
Retail business banking
  
32,866.3
   
32,866.3
   
21,687.4
   
31,405.7
   
32,866.3
 
Commercial vehicle and construction equipment
finance
  
22,992.2
   
22,992.2
   
11,607.3
   
17,123.6
   
22,992.2
 
Housing loans
  
2,921.3
   
2,921.3
   
1,414.7
   
2,539.2
   
2,921.3
 
Other retail
  
33,462.8
   
33,462.8
   
24,116.5
   
31,493.2
   
33,462.8
 
Wholesale loans
  
35,423.4
   
35,423.4
   
26,426.4
   
36,788.6
   
35,423.4
 
                     
Total
 Rs.
 157,426.9
  Rs.
157,426.9
  Rs.
101,601.9
  Rs.
148,924.9
  Rs.
  157,426.9
 
                     
Total
 US$
2,088.1
  US$
2,088.1
  US$
1,347.7
  US$
1,975.4
  US$
2,088.1
 
                     
F-3
1F-38

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Impaired loans by industry as of March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020 are as follows:
As of March 31, 2019
(In millions)
Gross impaired loans by industry:
—Consumer Loans
Rs.
 22,513.7
—Agriculture Production—Food
18,915.0
—Wholesale Trade- Non Industrial
15,856.7
—Food and Beverage
8,577.3
—Retail Trade
7,767.0
—Others (none greater than 5% of impaired loans)
66,792.8
Total
Rs.
 140,422.5
 
As of March 31, 2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Gross impaired loans by industry:
      
—Agri Production—Food
 Rs.
  22,546.3
  US$
299.1
 
—Consumer Loans
  
21,718.9
   
288.1
 
—Road Transportation
  
13,067.6
   
173.3
 
—Retail Trade
  
8,823.1
 
 
 
117.0
 
—Food and Beverage
  
8,137.5
   
107.9
 
—Others (none greater than 5% of impaired loans)
  
83,133.5
   
1,102.7
 
         
Total
 Rs.
 157,426.9
  US$
2,088.1
 
         
Summary information relating to impaired loans during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020 is as follows:
 
Fiscal year ended March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Average impaired loans, net of allowance
 Rs.
 41,683.2
  Rs.
 50,378.2
  Rs.
 55,232.3
  US$
732.6
 
Interest income recognized on impaired loans
 Rs.
 7,433.7
  Rs.
 6,994.7
  Rs.
 10,160.5
  US$
134.8
 
F-3
2

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
AllowanceAllowances for credit losses as of March 31, 20182022 are as follows:
 
As of March 31, 2018
 
 
Specific
  
Unallocated
   
 
Retail
         
 
Auto loans
  
Personal
Loans/
Credit card
  
Retail
business
banking
  
Commercial
vehicle and
Construction
equipment
finance
  
Housing
loans
  
Other
retail
  
Wholesale
  
Retail
  
Wholesale
  
Total
 
 
(In millions)
 
Allowance for credit losses,
 

beginning of the period
 Rs.
 2,792.9
  Rs.
 4,040.0
  Rs.
 15,278.4
  Rs.
 4,398.5
  Rs.
 739.3
  Rs.
 6,767.5
  Rs.
 11,713.5
  Rs.
 28,110.6
  Rs.
 4,656.2
  Rs.
 78,496.9
 
Write-offs
  
(6,826.4
)  
(16,714.3
)  
(5,730.0
)  
(3,644.0
)  
(61.5
)  
(4,557.4
)  
(444.7
)  
   
   
(37,978.3
)
Net allowance for credit losses*
  
7,715.7
   
18,856.9
   
9,161.0
   
4,051.6
   
296.6
   
10,712.7
   
4,054.2
   
14,036.8
   
3,103.1
   
71,988.6
 
Allowance for credit losses, end
of the period
 Rs.
 3,682.2
  Rs.
 6,182.6
  Rs.
 18,709.4
  Rs.
 4,806.1
  Rs.
 974.4
  Rs.
 12,922.8
  Rs.
 15,323.0
  Rs.
 42,147.4
  Rs.
 7,759.3
  Rs.
 112,507.2
 
                                         
Allowance for credit losses:
                              
Allowance individually
evaluated
 
for impairment
 Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 15,323.0
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 15,323.0
 
Allowance collectively evaluated
for impairment
  
3,682.2
   
6,182.6
   
18,709.4
   
4,806.1
   
974.4
   
12,922.8
   
   
42,147.4
   
7,759.3
   
97,184.2
 
Loans:
                              
Loans individually
evaluated for impairment
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
32,812.8
   
   
   
32,812.8
 
Loans collectively
evaluated for impairment
  
8,634.5
   
10,150.9
   
25,547.2
   
6,968.1
   
1,899.5
   
22,704.3
   
   
5,137,460.1
   
2,130,001.6
   
7,343,366.2
 
  
Auto loans
  
Personal

loans/

Credit card
  
Retail

business

banking
  
Commercial

vehicle and

Construction

equipment

finance
  
Housing

loans
  
Other

retail
  
Wholesale
  
Total
  
Total
 
         
  
(In millions)
 
Allowance for
credit losses,
beginning of the
period
 Rs.39,396.1  Rs.110,081.0  Rs.42,288.4  Rs.26,356.7  Rs.4,578.0  Rs.49,229.2  Rs.71,599.3  Rs.343,528.7  US$4,527.9 
Write-offs
  (19,376.9  (74,500.8  (3,027.7  (16,592.0  (601.6  (17,567.4  (2,351.4  (134,017.8  (1,766.5
Net allowance for
credit losses*
  21,750.2   75,986.2   9,794.3   21,986.2   (1,284.2  29,775.2   5,153.0   163,160.9   2,150.5 
Allowance for
credit losses, end
of the period
 Rs.41,769.4  Rs.111,566.4  Rs.49,055.0  Rs.31,750.9  Rs.2,692.2  Rs.61,437.0  Rs.74,400.9  Rs.372,671.8  US$4,911.9 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Allowance for
credit losses:
                                    
Individually
evaluated
Allowance
 Rs.18.4  Rs.6.5  Rs.2,651.4  Rs.65.8  Rs.  Rs.92.3  Rs.35,619.7  Rs.38,454.1  US$506.8 
Collectively
evaluated
Allowance
  41,751.0   111,559.9   46,403.6   31,685.1   2,692.2   61,344.7   38,781.2   334,217.7   4,405.1 
Loans:                                    
Individually
evaluated
Loans
  31.5   29.4   2,651.4   66.3      126.6   41,832.9   44,738.1   589.7 
Collectively
evaluated
Loans
  1,042,761.5   2,341,942.4   2,614,435.7   950,999.7   830,882.4   1,526,607.8   5,057,176.4   14,364,805.9   189,334.4 
*
Net allowances for credit losses charged to expense does not include the recoveries against
write-off
cases amounting to Rs 12,590.8 million.
.
36,181.4 million (US$ 476.9 million). Recoveries from
r
etail retail loans is Rs. 12,254.3 million and from
w
holesale loans is Rs. 336.5 million.
Allowances for credit losses as of March 31, 2019 are as follows:
 
As of March 31, 2019
 
 
Specific
  
Unallocated
   
 
Retail
         
 
Auto loans
  
Personal
Loans/
Credit card
  
Retail
business
banking
  
Commercial
vehicle and
Construction
equipment
finance
  
Housing
loans
  
Other
retail
  
Wholesale
  
Retail
  
Wholesale
  
Total
 
 
(In millions)
 
Allowance for credit losses,
beginning of the period
 Rs.
 3,682.2
  Rs.
 6,182.6
  Rs.
 18,709.4
  Rs.
 4,806.1
  Rs.
 974.4
  Rs.
 12,922.8
  Rs.
 15,323.0
  Rs.
 42,147.4
  Rs.
 7,759.3
  Rs.
 112,507.2
 
Write-offs
  
(9,155.3
)  
(25,197.0
)  
(6,665.5
)  
(4,812.8
)  
(93.3
)  
(5,652.0
)  
(1,755.7
)  
   
   
(53,331.6
)
Net allowance for credit
losses*
  
11,642.1
   
28,708.4
   
9,551.4
   
6,551.5
   
224.1
   
13,170.7
   
6,665.9
   
10,793.7
   
1,748.6
   
89,056.4
 
Allowance for credit losses,
end
 
of the period
 Rs.
 6,169.0
  Rs.
 9,694.0
  Rs.
 21,595.3
  Rs.
 6,544.8
  Rs.
 1,105.2
  Rs.
 20,441.5
  Rs.
 20,233.2
  Rs.
 52,941.1
  Rs.
 9,507.9
  Rs.
 148,232.0
 
                                         
Allowance for credit losses:
                              
Allowance individually
evaluated for impairment
 Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 20,233.2
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 20,233.2
 
Allowance collectively
evaluated for impairment
  
6,169.0
   
9,694.0
   
21,595.3
   
6,544.8
   
1,105.2
   
20,441.5
   
   
52,941.1
   
9,507.9
   
127,998.8
 
Loans:
                              
Loans individually
evaluated for
impairment
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
38,153.7
   
   
   
38,153.7
 
Loans collectively
evaluated for
impairment
  
13,606.7
   
15,781.5
   
29,945.0
   
11,254.9
   
2,157.1
   
29,523.6
   
   
6,135,634.8
   
2,835,407.3
   
9,073,310.9
 
*Net allowances for credit losses charged to expense does not include the recoveries against write-off cases amounting to Rs 16,777.1 million. Recoveries from
r
etail loans is Rs. 16,590.935,385.3 million and from wholesale loans is Rs. 186.2796.1 million.
F-3
3

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
AllowancesThe allowance for credit losses as of March 31, 2020 are as follows:
 
As of March 31, 2020
 
 
Specific
  
Unallocated
     
 
Retail
           
 
Auto loans
  
Personal
Loans/
Credit card
  
Retail
business
banking
  
Commercial
vehicle and
Construction
equipment
finance
  
Housing
loans
  
Other
retail
  
Wholesale
  
Retail
  
Wholesale
  
Total
  
Total
 
 
(In millions)
 
Allowance for
credit
 
losses,
beginning
 
of the
period
 Rs.
  6,169.0
  Rs.
  9,694.0
  Rs.
21,595.3
  Rs.
  6,544.8
  Rs.
  1,105.2
  Rs.
  20,441.5
  Rs.
  20,233.2
  Rs.
  52,941.1
  Rs.
  9,507.9
  Rs.
  148,232.0
  US$
1,966.2
 
Write-offs
  
(11,524.3
)  
(41,646.3
)  
(9,379.0
)  
(10,838.5
)  
(130.3
)  
(12,833.1
)  
(6,328.1
)  
   
   
(92,679.6
)  
(1,229.3
)
Net allowance for credit losses*
  
13,169.8
   
40,487.4
   
9,471.1
   
15,901.0
   
439.8
   
16,508.1
   
12,521.3
   
31,088.3
   
3,694.0
   
143,280.8
   
1,900.5
 
Allowance for
credit losses,
end of the period
 Rs.
  7,814.5
  Rs.
  8,535.1
  Rs.
  21,687.4
  Rs.
  11,607.3
  Rs.
  1,414.7
  Rs.
24,116.5
  Rs.
  26,426.4
  Rs.
  84,029.4
  Rs.
  13,201.9
  Rs.
  198,833.2
  US$
2,637.4
 
                                             
Allowance for credit losses:
                                 
Allowance individually evaluated for impairment
 Rs.
  —
  Rs.
  —
  Rs.
  Rs.
  —
  Rs.
  —
  Rs.
  —
  Rs.
  26,426.4
  Rs.
  —
  Rs.
  —
  Rs.
  26,426.4
  US$
350.5
 
Allowance collectively evaluated for impairment
  
7,814.5
   
8,535.1
   
21,687.4
   
11,607.3
   
1,414.7
   
24,116.5
   
   
84,029.4
   
13,201.9
   
172,406.8
   
2,286.9
 
Loans:
                                 
Loans individually evaluated
for impairment
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
35,423.4
   
   
   
35,423.4
   
469.9
 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
  
15,279.2
   
14,481.7
   
32,866.3
   
22,992.2
   
2,921.3
   
33,462.8
   
   
6,918,796.9
   
3,547,631.8
   
10,588,432.2
   
140,448.8
 
*Net allowances for credit losses charged to expense does not include the recoveries against write-off cases amounting to Rs 25,658.9 million (US$ 340.3 million). Recoveries from
r
etail loans is Rs.22,548.7 million and from wholesale loans is Rs. 3,110.2 million.
The unallocated allowance is assessed at each period end and the increase/(decrease), as the case may be is recorded in the income statement under allowanceprovision for credit losses net of recoveries against write-offs. There is no transfer of amounts to or from the unallocated category to the specific category.
F-3
4

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Troubled debt restructuring (TDR)
When the Bank grants a concession, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, for other than an insignificant period of time, the related loan is classified as a TDR. ConcessionsSuch concessions could include a reduction in the interest rate below current market rates, payment extensions, forgiveness of principal, forbearance or other actions intended to maximize collection. Loans, for which the terms have been modified, and for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, are considered TDRs. On restructuring, thethose loans are
re-measured
to reflect the impact, if any, on projected cash flows resulting from the modified terms. The impact of the TDR modifications and defaults are factored into the allowance for credit losses on a
loan-by-loan
basis. Modification may have little or no impact on the allowance established for the loan if there was no forgiveness of the principal and the interest was not decreased. A charge off may be recorded at the time of restructuring if a portion of the loan is deemed to be uncollectible.
During fiscal 2020, A TDR classification can be removed if the Bank implementedborrower’s financial condition improves such that the package announced by RBI on accountborrower is no longer in financial difficulty, the loan has not had any forgiveness of COVID-19 situation which grants temporary extensions in repayment obligations toprincipal or interest, and the borrowers without any interestloan is subsequently refinanced or financial concessions. These did not meet the conditions to be classifiedrestructured at market terms and qualifies as TDR. The following table summarizes the Bank’sa new loan. There was 0 TDR modificationsmodification during the fiscal year
s
ended March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020 presented by primary modification type and includes the financial effects of these modifications.There was no TDR modification during fiscal year ended March 31, 2018.
 
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2019
 
 
Carrying
value
  
TDRs involving
changes in the
amount of
principal
payments
(1)
  
TDRs involving
changes in the
amount of interest
payments
(2)
  
TDRs involving
changes in the
amount of both
principal and
interest payments
  
Balance of
principal
forgiven
  
Net P&L
impact 
(3)
 
 
(In millions)
 
Retail Loans:
                  
Retail business banking
 Rs.
 17.9
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 17.9
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 4.5
 
Commercial vehicle and construction equipment finance
  
   
   
   
   
   
 
Wholesale loans
  
   
   
   
   
   
 
                         
Total (4)
 Rs.
 17.9
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 17.9
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 4.5
 
                         
2022 respectively.
(1)TDRs involving changes in the amount of principal payment may include principal forgiveness or deferral of periodic and/or final principal payments.
(2)TDRs involving changes in the amount of interest payments may involve a reduction in interest rate.
(3)Balances reflect charge-offs and/or allowance for credit losses and/or income not recognized/deferred.
(4)TDR modification during the year ended March 31, 2019 comprised of one case.
 
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2020
 
 
Carrying
value
  
TDRs involving
changes in the
amount of
principal
payments
(1)
  
TDRs involving
changes in the
amount of interest
payments
(2)
  
TDRs involving
changes in the
amount of both
principal and
interest payments
  
Balance of
principal
forgiven
  
Net P&L
impact 
(3)
 
 
(In millions)
 
Retail Loans:
          ��       
Retail business banking
 Rs.
 964.1
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
  964.1
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 43.1
 
Commercial vehicle and construction equipment
finance
  
   
   
   
   
   
 
Wholesale loans
  
   
   
   
   
   
 
                         
Total (4)
 Rs.
964.1
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 964.1
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 —
  Rs.
 43.1
 
                         
Total (4)
 US$
12.8
  US$
  US$
12.8
  US$
  US$
  US$
0.6
 
                         
(1)TDRs involving changes in the amount of principal payment may include principal forgiveness or deferral of periodic and/or final principal payments.
(2)TDRs involving changes in the amount of interest payments may involve a reduction in interest rate.
(3)Balances reflect charge-offs and/or allowance for credit losses and/or income not recognized/deferred.
(4)TDR modification during the year ended March 31, 2020 comprised of 
13
case
s
.
F-3
5F-39

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Interest on loans by facility are as follows:
   
Fiscal year ended March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
                     
   
(In millions)
 
Wholesale loans
  Rs.245,504.7   Rs.263,190.7   Rs.250,779.5   US$3,305.4 
Retail loans
   736,290.1    753,857.1    807,146.1    10,638.5 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.981,794.8   Rs.1,017,047.8   Rs.1,057,925.6   US$13,943.9 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
F-40

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The table below summarizes TDRs that have defaulted in the current period within 12 months of their modification date. The defaulted TDRs are based on a payment default definition of 90 days past due.
As of March 31, 2020
recorded investments
(In millions)
Retail loans:
Retail business banking
Rs.
  17.9
Commercial vehicle and construction equipment finance
Wholesale loans
Total
Rs.
  17.9
Total
US$
0.2
Interest on loans by facility are as follows:
 
Fiscal year ended March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Wholesale loans
 Rs.
152,124.6
  Rs.
 199,928.0
  Rs.
 245,504.7
  US$
3,256.5
 
Retail loans
  
515,334.1
   
627,755.0
   
736,290.1
   
9,766.4
 
                 
Total
 Rs.
 667,458.7
  Rs.
 827,683.0
  Rs.
 981,794.8
  US$
13,022.9
 
                 
10. Sales/transfer of receivables
The following table summarizes the cash flows received during the years ended March 31, 2018, March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020 from customers and paid to SPEs/transferees on securitized/ transferred performing loans:
 
Fiscal year ended March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
  
202
0
 
 
(In millions)
 
Cash flow information
            
Collections against securitized receivables/transfers
 Rs.
 303.9
  Rs.
 233.5
  Rs.
 142.9
  US$
1.9
 
Payments made
  
301.8
   
237.7
   
139.3
   
1.8
 
Cash flows on retained interests
 Rs.
 3.8
  Rs.
 2.1
  Rs.
 6.1
  US$
0.1
 
Other key disclosures are as follows:
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Transferred receivables with continuing involvement
 Rs.
 398.4
  Rs.
 301.1
  US$
4.0
 
Delinquencies
  
253.8
   
262.0
   
3.5
 
Credit losses
  
242.0
   
256.4
   
3.4
 
Retained interest in sold receivables
  
15.9
   
12.1
   
0.2
 
F-3
6

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The table below outlines the economic assumptions and the sensitivity of the estimated fair value of retained interests in finance receivables as of March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020 to immediate 10% and 20% changes in those assumptions:
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Fair value of retained interests
         
Annual prepayment rate:
         
Impact of 10% adverse change
 Rs.
1.7
  Rs.
1.3
  US$
 
Impact of 20% adverse change
  
3.3
   
2.5
   
 
Expected credit losses:
         
Impact of 10% adverse change
  
2.3
   
1.8
   
 
Impact of 20% adverse change
  
4.5
   
3.6
   
 
Weighted average life in years of the securitized receivables is not subject to change, except in the case of a change in the prepayment rate assumption. Consequently, the above sensitivity analysis does not include the impact on the estimated fair values of the retained interests due to an adverse change in the weighted average life in years and the discount rate.
These sensitivities are hypothetical and should be used with appropriate caution. A 10% change in the assumptions may not result in proportionate changes in the fair values of retained interests. Adverse changes assumed in the above analysis and the resultant change in the fair values of retained interests are calculated independent of each other. In reality, any change in one factor may cause a change in the other factors.
11. Concentrations of credit risk
Concentrations of credit risk exist when changes in economic, industry or geographic factors similarly affect groups of counterparties whose aggregate credit exposure is material in relation to the Bank’s total credit exposure. The Bank manages its credit risk collectively for its loan portfolio and credit substitute securities as these instruments are invested in as part of an overall lending program for corporate customers; accordingly, information on concentrations of credit risk has been provided for these exposures together.
In the case of wholesale loans, while the Bank generally lends on a cash-flow basis, it also requires collateral which consists of liens on inventory, receivables and other current assets, and in some cases, charges on fixed assets, such as property, movable assets (such as vehicles) and financial assets (such as marketable securities) from a large number of the Bank’s borrowers. The Bank’s retail loans are generally secured by a charge on the asset financed (vehicle loans, property loans and loans against gold and securities). Retail business banking loans are secured with current assets as well as immovable property and fixed assets in some cases. However, collateral securing each individual loan may not be adequate in relation to the value of the loan. If the customer fails to pay, the Bank would, as applicable, liquidate collateral and/or set off accounts. The maximum estimated loss that would be incurred under severe, hypothetical circumstances, for which the Bank believes the possibility is extremely remote, such as where the value of the Bank’s interests and any associated collateral declines to zero, without any consideration of recovery or offset is determined as the carrying values of the instruments as given in the below table.
F-3
7F-41

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The Bank’s portfolio of loans, credit substitute securities and
non-funded
exposure (including derivatives) is broadly diversified along industry and product lines, and as of March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022 the exposures are as set forth below.
   
As of March 31, 2021
 
Category
  
Gross loans
   
Fair value of
credit substitutes
   
Non-funded

exposure
   
Total
   
%
 
                     
   
(In millions, except percentages)
 
Consumer Loans
  Rs.3,241,292.9   Rs.   Rs.2,578.6   Rs.3,243,871.5    23.5 
Power
   630,189.4    76,449.1    30,299.7    736,938.2    5.3 
Retail Trade
   540,350.3        21,747.7    562,098.0    4.1 
NBFC
   415,787.6    83,596.5    2,789.6    502,173.7    3.6 
Financial Institutions
   443,257.3    21,147.1    3.7    464,408.1    3.4 
Consumer Services
   424,765.4    2,048.0    17,743.6    444,557.0    3.2 
Automobile & Auto Ancillary
   381,562.7    18,556.9    35,757.0    435,876.6    3.2 
Coal & Petroleum Products
   172,989.4    190,457.8    59,803.5    423,250.7    3.1 
Road Transportation
   368,388.5        8,572.3    376,960.8    2.7 
Infrastructure Development
   167,416.1    15,879.7    190,154.9    373,450.7    2.7 
Food and Beverage
   342,573.5    240.4    29,321.5    372,135.4    2.7 
Real Estate & Property Services
   298,277.1    4,872.2    35,737.9    338,887.2    2.5 
Agri Production — Food
   337,904.8        998.1    338,902.9    2.5 
Wholesale Trade — Non Industrial
   301,508.2    2,065.6    17,816.8    321,390.6    2.3 
Iron and Steel
   248,140.2    13,116.6    53,192.5    314,449.3    2.3 
Wholesale Trade — Industrial
   258,854.1        51,891.6    310,745.7    2.3 
Textiles & Garments
   257,577.9    6,882.2    27,498.8    291,958.9    2.1 
Engineering
   189,952.7    6,448.4    92,218.6    288,619.7    2.1 
Others (none greater than 2%)
   3,022,929.8    105,516.4    538,019.5    3,666,465.7    26.4 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.12,043,717.9   Rs.547,276.9   Rs.1,216,145.9   Rs.13,807,140.7    100.0 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
F-42

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
   
As of March 31, 2022
 
Category
  
Gross loans
   
Fair value of
credit substitutes

   
Non-funded

exposure
   
Total
   
Total
   
%
 
                               
       
(In millions, except percentages)            
 
Consumer Loans
  Rs. 3,746,781.7   Rs.    Rs. 3,035.7   Rs. 3,749,817.4   US$49,424.2    22.7 
Power
   671,859.4    70,346.0    52,366.6    794,572.0    10,472.8    4.8 
Financial Institutions   618,494.1    51,844.1    13.1    670,351.3    8,835.5    4.1 
NBFC
   509,445.4    106,764.5    5,818.5    622,028.4    8,198.6    3.8 
Retail Trade   589,947.3        28,857.8    618,805.1    8,156.1    3.7 
Coal & Petroleum Products   233,583.7    174,424.6    149,716.9    557,725.2    7,351.1    3.4 
Infrastructure Development   272,428.0    18,032.7    220,442.5    510,903.2    6,733.9    3.1 
Automobile & Auto Ancillary   443,538.7    19,768.7    36,999.9    500,307.3    6,594.3    3.0 
Consumer Services   465,465.8        28,102.4    493,568.2    6,505.4    3.0 
Food and Beverage   433,042.2        39,007.2    472,049.4    6,221.8    2.9 
Wholesale Trade—Non Industrial   417,954.8        26,147.5    444,102.3    5,853.5    2.7 
Real Estate & Property Services   383,765.5    4,792.6    40,694.4    429,252.5    5,657.7    2.6 
Wholesale Trade—Industrial   347,202.9        73,867.5    421,070.4    5,549.9    2.5 
Road Transportation   406,376.4        10,269.5    416,645.9    5,491.6    2.5 
Iron and Steel   321,587.7    12,486.0    80,515.7    414,589.4    5,464.5    2.5 
Telecom   331,131.1    2,989.4    43,335.9    377,456.4    4,975.0    2.3 
Textiles & Garments   324,419.6    6,135.7    43,748.6    374,303.9    4,933.5    2.3 
Engineering
   253,105.1    6,666.6    105,164.7    364,936.4    4,810.0    2.2 
Agri Production—Food   350,859.6        963.1    351,822.7    4,637.2    2.1 
Others (none greater than 2%)
   3,288,555.0    108,769.3    546,407.8    3,943,732.1    51,980.1    23.8 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs. 14,409,544.0   Rs. 583,020.2   Rs. 1,535,475.3   Rs. 16,528,039.5   US$217,846.7    100.0 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
The Bank’s portfolio of loans, credit substitute securities and non-funded exposure (including derivatives) is broadly diversified along industry and product lines, and as of March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020 the exposures are as set forth below.
 
As of March 31, 2019
 
Category
 
Gross loans
  
Fair Values Of
Credit Substitutes
  
Non-funded
exposure
  
Total
  
%
 
 
(In millions, except percentages)
 
Consumer Loans
 Rs.
2,477,945.6
  Rs.
  Rs.
1,552.1
  Rs.
2,479,497.7
   
23.5
 
Retail trade
  
445,757.8
   
1,170.7
   
15,051.6
   
461,980.1
   
4.4
 
NBFC/Financial Intermediaries
  
311,477.1
   
98,274.0
   
13,203.1
   
422,954.2
   
4.0
 
Automobile & Auto Ancillary
  
352,979.1
   
10,413.9
   
32,546.7
   
395,939.7
   
3.8
 
Road Transportation
  
376,547.1
   
   
9,808.2
   
386,355.3
   
3.7
 
Consumer Services
  
354,060.4
   
3,957.3
   
13,757.6
   
371,775.3
   
3.5
 
Agriculture Production — Food
  
330,092.5
   
   
728.8
   
330,821.3
   
3.1
 
Power
  
251,169.4
   
37,188.7
   
39,998.4
   
328,356.5
   
3.1
 
Telecom
  
246,272.4
   
21,288.6
   
26,245.9
   
293,806.9
   
2.8
 
Real Estate & Property Services
  
257,056.8
   
1,978.8
   
33,482.7
   
292,518.3
   
2.8
 
Engineering
  
159,462.7
   
1,557.3
   
120,816.0
   
281,836.0
   
2.7
 
Food & Beverage
  
233,798.9
   
   
15,325.7
   
249,124.6
   
2.4
 
Business Services
  
236,853.7
   
249.2
   
11,318.3
   
248,421.2
   
2.4
 
Iron & Steel
  
195,488.6
   
5,514.4
   
44,149.5
   
245,152.5
   
2.3
 
Coal & Petroleum Products
  
92,504.7
   
705.0
   
150,857.5
   
244,067.2
   
2.3
 
Wholesale Trade — Industrial
  
192,708.4
   
67.8
   
29,835.7
   
222,611.9
   
2.1
 
Textiles & Garments
  
187,527.5
   
4,436.1
   
26,803.8
   
218,767.4
   
2.1
 
Infrastructure Development
  
128,273.5
   
9,035.5
   
79,596.8
   
216,905.8
   
2.1
 
Wholesale Trade — Non Industrial
  
200,089.4
   
248.3
   
12,218.2
   
212,555.9
   
2.0
 
Others (none greater than 2%)
  
2,081,399.0
   
76,801.2
   
470,669.6
   
2,628,869.8
   
24.9
 
                     
Total
 Rs.
 
 9,111,464.6
  Rs.
 272,886.8
  Rs.
 
 1,147,966.2
  Rs.
 
10,532,317.6
   
100.0
 
                     
F-3
8F-43

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 
As of March 31, 2020
 
Category
 
Gross loans
  
Fair Values Of
Credit Substitutes
  
Non-funded
exposure
  
Total
  
Total
  
%
 
 
(In millions, except percentages)
 
Consumer Loans
 Rs.
2,958,437.7
  Rs.
2,756.6
  Rs.
446.4
  Rs.
2,961,640.7
  US$
39,284.3
   
24.3
 
Retail Trade
  
533,155.3
   
343.7
   
22,820.3
   
556,319.3
   
7,379.2
   
4.6
 
Power
  
458,628.1
   
48,997.7
   
41,445.6
   
549,071.4
   
7,283.1
   
4.5
 
Consumer Services
  
399,046.4
   
2,015.1
   
19,135.9
   
420,197.4
   
5,573.6
   
3.4
 
Engineering
  
240,196.0
   
12,255.3
   
144,296.9
   
396,748.2
   
5,262.6
   
3.2
 
NBFC
  
317,450.0
   
76,860.2
   
1,659.1
   
395,969.3
   
5,252.3
   
3.2
 
Road Transportation
  
376,334.2
   
495.3
   
10,849.7
   
387,679.2
   
5,142.3
   
3.2
 
Automobile & Auto Ancillary
  
330,632.5
   
18,397.9
   
33,037.0
   
382,067.4
   
5,067.9
   
3.1
 
Real Estate & Property Services
  
280,870.4
   
4,309.5
   
36,335.2
   
321,515.1
   
4,264.7
   
2.6
 
Agri Production — Food
  
313,143.6
   
   
833.3
   
313,976.9
   
4,164.7
   
2.6
 
Coal & Petroleum Products
  
136,531.9
   
33,834.9
   
115,440.2
   
285,807.0
   
3,791.0
   
2.3
 
Food and Beverage
  
260,907.9
   
1,391.3
   
21,853.6
   
284,152.8
   
3,769.1
   
2.3
 
Financial Institutions
  
219,417.5
   
59,118.8
   
2,058.7
   
280,595.0
   
3,721.9
   
2.3
 
Iron and Steel
  
231,524.9
   
1,144.7
   
45,235.4
   
277,905.0
   
3,686.2
   
2.3
 
Telecom
  
232,932.0
   
10,412.6
   
29,949.6
   
273,294.2
   
3,625.1
   
2.2
 
Infrastructure Development
  
165,578.8
   
2,457.1
   
104,731.8
   
272,767.7
   
3,618.1
   
2.2
 
Business Services
  
244,028.7
   
2,278.5
   
15,953.3
   
262,260.5
   
3,478.7
   
2.1
 
Wholesale Trade — Non
Industrial
  
238,436.5
   
   
18,766.1
   
257,202.6
   
3,411.6
   
2.1
 
Wholesale Trade — Industrial
  
211,849.6
   
34.2
   
34,840.2
   
246,724.0
   
3,272.6
   
2.0
 
Others (none greater than 2%)
  
2,474,753.6
   
85,270.3
   
525,004.6
   
3,085,028.5
   
40,920.9
   
25.5
 
                         
Total
 Rs.
 10,623,855.6
  Rs.
  362,373.7
  Rs.
 1,224,692.9
  Rs.
 
12,210,922.2
  US$
161,969.9
   
100.0
 
                         
F-3
9

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The Bank’s ten largest exposures as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020,2022, based on the higher of the outstanding balance or the limit on loans, investments (including credit substitutes) and
non-funded
exposures (including derivatives), are as follows:
 
As of March 31, 2019
 
 
Funded
Exposure
  
Non-Funded
Exposure
  
Total
Exposure
 
   
(In millions)
   
Borrower 1
  
Rs. 146,141.2
   
Rs. 6,457.1
   
Rs. 152,598.3
 
Borrower 2
  
27,488.9
   
115,089.5
   
142,578.4
 
Borrower 3
  
120,004.3
   
312.8
   
120,317.1
 
Borrower 4
  
92,271.4
   
1,200.0
   
93,471.4
 
Borrower 5
  
80,008.5
   
32.6
   
80,041.1
 
Borrower 6
  
57,604.0
   
14,843.9
   
72,447.9
 
Borrower 7
  
32,948.9
   
34,806.0
   
67,754.9
 
Borrower 8
  
51,283.8
   
15,163.0
   
66,446.8
 
Borrower 9
  
43,602.4
   
22,513.2
   
66,115.6
 
Borrower 10
  
30,559.1
   
26,347.9
   
56,907.0
 
   
As of March 31, 2021
 
   
Funded

Exposure
   
Non-Funded

Exposure
   
Total

Exposure
 
                
   
(In millions)
 
Borrower 1
  Rs. 302,918.5   Rs. 500.0   Rs. 303,418.5 
Borrower 2
   192,080.2    61,446.2    253,526.4 
Borrower 3
   195,480.0        195,480.0 
Borrower 4
   154,997.8    548.1    155,545.9 
Borrower 5
   150,000.0    489.2    150,489.2 
Borrower 6
   148,107.3        148,107.3 
Borrower 7
   3,830.9    100,477.6    104,308.5 
Borrower 8
   98,919.7    2,000.0    100,919.7 
Borrower 9
   75,437.8    22,268.4    97,706.2 
Borrower 10
   90,108.0        90,108.0 
   
As of March 31, 2022
 
   
Funded

Exposure
   
Non-Funded

Exposure
   
Total

Exposure
   
Total

Exposure
 
                     
       
(In millions)
     
Borrower 1
  Rs. 265,661.9   Rs. 500.0   Rs. 266,161.9   US$ 3,508.1 
Borrower 2
   245,435.0        245,435.0    3,234.9 
Borrower 3
   119,950.5    116,547.4    236,497.9    3,117.1 
Borrower 4
   150,283.8        150,283.8    1,980.8 
Borrower 5
   126,639.8    19,268.4    145,908.2    1,923.1 
Borrower 6
   142,600.0        142,600.0    1,879.5 
Borrower 7
   140,000.0    232.0    140,232.0    1,848.3 
Borrower 8
   137,700.0    199.2    137,899.2    1,817.6 
Borrower 9
   133,670.0        133,670.0    1,761.8 
Borrower 10
   108,591.5    17,855.7    126,447.2    1,666.6 
 
As of March 31, 2020
 
 
Funded
Exposure
  
Non-Funded
Exposure
  
Total
Exposure
  
Total
Exposure
 
   
(In millions)
   
Borrower 1
  
Rs.    243,382.8
   
Rs.    1,200.0
   
Rs.    244,582.8
  US$
 
 
 
 
 
3,244.2
 
Borrower 2
  
180,100.0
   
305.1
   
180,405.1
   
2,393.0
 
Borrower 3
  
163,738.7
   
610.9
   
164,349.6
   
2,180.0
 
Borrower 4
  
74,421.4
   
75,432.2
   
149,853.6
   
1,987.7
 
Borrower 5
  
135,455.0
   
   
135,455.0
   
1,796.7
 
Borrower 6
  
31,934.6
   
55,651.4
   
87,586.0
   
1,161.8
 
Borrower 7
  
63,228.0
   
15,355.2
   
78,583.2
   
1,042.4
 
Borrower 8
  
75,035.9
   
221.6
   
75,257.5
   
998.2
 
Borrower 9
  
75,027.7
   
182.8
   
75,210.5
   
997.6
 
Borrower 10
  
51,361.3
   
22,128.1
   
73,489.4
   
974.8
 
F-
40F-44

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
12.
11. Property and equipment
Property and equipment by asset category is as follows:
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Land and premises
 Rs.
18,836.5
  Rs.
19,567.6
  US$
259.5
 
Software and systems
  
29,855.2
   
33,433.9
   
443.5
 
Equipment and furniture
  
73,601.8
   
82,179.1
   
1,090.1
 
             
Property and equipment, at cost
  
122,293.5
   
135,180.6
   
1,793.1
 
Less: Accumulated depreciation
  
79,105.7
   
86,852.9
   
1,152.1
 
             
Property and equipment, net
 Rs.
43,187.8
  Rs.
48,327.7
  US$
641.0
 
             
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
             
   
(In millions)
 
Land and premises
  Rs.21,205.2   Rs.22,754.4   US$299.9 
Software and systems
   37,134.2    45,767.3    603.2 
Equipment and furniture
   92,610.9    106,945.7    1,409.6 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Property and equipment, at cost
   150,950.3    175,467.4    2,312.7 
Less: Accumulated depreciation
   97,855.9    109,641.0    1,445.1 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Property and equipment, net
  Rs.53,094.4   Rs.65,826.4   US$867.6 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization charged for the years ended March 31, 2018,2020, March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 20202022 was Rs. 9,678.912,800.3 million, Rs. 12,247.813,860.2 million and Rs. 12,800.316,816.9 million (US$ 169.8221.7 million), respectively.
13.
12. Goodwill and other intangible assets
Goodwill arising from a business combination is tested for impairment at least on an annual basis for impairment.basis. There were no changes in the carrying amount of goodwill of Rs. 74,937.9 million (US$ 994.0987.7 million) for the fiscal year
s
ended March 31, 20192021 and the year ended March 31, 2020.2022. The entire amount of goodwill was allocated to the retail business.
The net carrying amount, in total and by class of intangible assets as of March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020 was NaN. The aggregate amortization charged for the years ended March 31, 2018, March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020 was Rs. 1.0 million, Rs. 1.0 million and nil, respectively.
F-4
1F-45

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
14.13. Other assets
Other assets include the following:
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Security deposits for leased property
 Rs.
5,112.9
  Rs.
5,410.3
  US$
71.8
 
Sundry accounts receivable
  
49,465.6
   
55,379.5
   
734.6
 
Advance income tax (net of current tax expense)
  
18,785.7
   
25,140.7
   
333.5
 
Advances
  
4,213.1
   
7,639.3
   
101.3
 
Prepaid expenses
  
1,356.7
   
1,374.6
   
18.2
 
Deposits/Margins paid
  
8,319.8
   
15,226.9
   
202.0
 
Derivatives (refer to note 24)
  
132,524.1
   
190,537.6
   
2,527.4
 
Term placements
  
115,428.4
   
109,372.8
   
1,450.8
 
Receivable on account of trade date
 
 
4,890.7
 
 
 
221,960.9
 
 
 
2,944.1
 
Right-of-use assets
 
 
 
 
 
60,756.9
 
 
 
805.9
 
Others
*
  
55,636.0
   
44,552.6
   
590.9
 
             
Total
 Rs.
    395,733.0
  Rs.
    737,352.1
  US$
     9,780.5
 
             
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
             
   
(In millions)
 
Security deposits for leased property
  Rs. 5,483.3   Rs. 5,687.6   US$75.0 
Sundry accounts receivable
   46,755.4    52,033.2    685.8 
Advance income tax (in excess of current tax expense)   33,915.5    41,941.6    552.8 
Advances
   7,790.4    10,705.4    141.1 
Prepaid expenses
   1,963.8    4,333.2    57.1 
Deposits/Margins paid
   12,125.1    10,330.7    136.2 
Derivatives (see note 23)

   84,406.7    80,202.3    1,057.1 
Term placements
   105,204.8    471,502.0    6,214.6 
Receivable on account of trade date
   4,928.5    2,025.2    26.7 
Right-of-use
assets
   64,548.8    71,572.2    943.4 
Others*
   89,850.5    114,420.9    1,508.0 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs. 456,972.8   Rs. 864,754.3   US$11,397.8 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
* Others include equity securities with carrying value amounting to Rs. 20,600.1 million and Rs. 14,736.7 million as at March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, respectively. Equity securities include
non-marketable
equity securities carried at cost
of
Rs. 999.2 million and Rs. 2,665.9 million as at March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, respectively.
Unrealized gain/(loss)
recognized in
non-interest
revenue–other, net
amount t
o
Rs. 7,618.1 million and
Rs. (7,633.5) million for the year
s
ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, respectively
*Effective April 1, 2018, the Bank adopted ASU 2016-01. The equity securities that were previously reported as AFS securities were reclassified to other assets with carrying value amounting to Rs. 1,267.7 million. Others include equity securities with carrying value amounting to Rs. 11,483.4 million and Rs. 11,611.2 million as at March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020, respectively. Equity securities include non-marketable equity securities carried at cost Rs. 459.4 million and Rs. 696.9 million as at March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020, respectively. Unrealized gain \ (loss) recognized in non-interest revenue–other, net Rs 6,717.5 million and Rs. (131.1) million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020, respectively.
.
15.14. Deposits
Deposits includeinclud
e
 demand deposits, which are
non-interest-bearing,
and savings and time deposits, which are interest-bearing. Deposits as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 20202022 were as follows:
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Interest-bearing:
         
Savings deposits
 Rs.
2,487,001.6
  Rs.
3,103,769.5
  US$
41,169.5
 
Time deposits
  
5,317,715.9
   
6,626,711.8
   
87,899.1
 
             
Total interest-bearing deposits
  
7,804,717.5
   
9,730,481.3
   
129,068.6
 
Non-interest-bearing deposits
  
1,420,309.4
   
1,731,590.0
   
22,968.4
 
             
Total
 Rs.
9,225,026.9
  Rs.
11,462,071.3
  US$
152,037.0
 
             
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
             
   
(In millions)
 
Interest-bearing:
               
Savings deposits
  Rs.4,034,924.8    Rs.  5,117,372.1   US$67,449.2 
Time deposits
   7,191,543.0    8,080,607.6    106,506.0 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total interest-bearing deposits
   11,226,467.8    13,197,979.7    173,955.2 
Non-interest-bearing
deposits
   2,110,762.4    2,382,052.2    31,396.5 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.13,337,230.2    Rs.15,580,031.9   US$205,351.7 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
As of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020,2022, time deposits of Rs. 4,570,771.15,901,654.6 million and Rs. 5,233,225.06,186,602.3 million, respectively, had a residual maturity of one year or less. The remaining deposits mature between one and ten years.
As of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020,2022, time deposits in excess of Rs. 0.
0.15
 million aggregated Rs. 5,145,912.96,101,456.2 million and Rs. 6,397,698.16,938,558.0 million, respectively.
F-4
2F-46

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
As of March 31, 20
20
, the scheduled maturities for total time deposits were as follows:
 
As of March 31, 2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Due to mature in the fiscal year ending March 31:
      
2021
 Rs.
5,233,225.0
  US$
69,415.4
 
2022
  
992,908.7
   
13,170.3
 
2023
  
251,362.6
   
3,334.2
 
2024
  
66,752.1
   
885.4
 
2025
  
49,990.3
   
663.1
 
Thereafter
  
32,473.1
   
430.7
 
     ��   
Total
 Rs.
6,626,711.8
  US$
87,899.1
 
         
16. Short-term borrowings
Short-term borrowings are mainly comprised of money market borrowings which are unsecured and are utilized
by the Bank for its treasury operations. Short-term borrowings as of March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020 comprised of the following:
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Borrowed in the call market
 Rs.
9,155.9
  Rs.
11,339.8
  US$
150.4
 
Term borrowings from institutions/banks
  
363,921.2
   
73,737.9
   
978.1
 
Foreign currency borrowings
  
280,980.9
   
292,339.9
   
3,877.7
 
             
Total
 Rs.
654,058.0
  Rs.
377,417.6
  US$
5,006.2
 
             
Total borrowings outstanding:
         
Maximum amount outstanding
 Rs.
957,026.5
  Rs.
971,364.0
  US$
12,884.5
 
Average amount outstanding
 Rs.
705,161.6
  Rs.
493,786.9
  US$
6,549.8
 
Weighted average interest rate
  
5.3
%  
3.2
%  
3.2
%
17. Long-term debt
Long-term debt as of March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020 comprised of the following:
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Subordinated debt
 Rs.
 211,320.0
  Rs.
 218,755.0
  US$
2,901.6
 
Others*
  
833,265.2
   
808,222.0
   
10,720.5
 
Less: Debt issuance cost
  
(32.2
)  
(458.7
)  
(6.0
)
             
Total
 Rs.
 1,044,553.0
  Rs.
 1,026,518.3
  US$
13,616.1
 
             
*Includes securities sold under repurchase agreements amounting to Rs. 17,260.0 
million (USD 228.9
 million
) for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2020 with stated interest rate of 5.15% per annum, under RBI long-term repo operation with
a
three
-
year maturity period.
F-4
3

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
As of March 31, 2022, the scheduled maturities for total time deposits were as follows:

   
As of March 31, 2022
 
   
(In millions)
 
Due to mature in the fiscal year ending March 31:
          
2023
  Rs.6,186,602.3   US$81,542.1 
2024
   963,603.9    12,700.7 
2025
   321,124.9    4,232.6 
2026
   203,446.6    2,681.5 
2027
   331,003.9    4,362.8 
Thereafter
   74,826.0    986.3 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.8,080,607.6   US$106,506.0 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
15. Short-term borrowings
Short-term borrowings are mainly comprised of money market borrowings which are unsecured and are utilized by the Bank for its operations. Short-term borrowings as of March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022 were comprised of the following:

   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
  
2022
  
2022
 
           
   
(In millions)
 
           
Borrowed in the call market
  Rs.8,860.5  Rs.9,001.8  US$118.6 
Term borrowings from institutions/banks
   27,411.6   114,500.0   1,509.2 
Foreign currency borrowings
   202,992.0   430,665.8   5,676.4 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.239,264.1  Rs.554,167.6  US$7,304.2 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Total borrowings outstanding:
             
Maximum amount outstanding
  Rs.384,035.9  Rs.805,872.6  US$10,621.8 
Average amount outstanding
  Rs.223,582.3  Rs.377,877.2  US$4,980.6 
Weighted average interest rate
   1.4  1.6%    1.6
16. Long-term debt
Long-term debt as of March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022
was
comprised of the following: 
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
             
   
(In millions)
 
Subordinated debt
  Rs.211,270.0   Rs.259,452.5   US$3,419.7 
Others*
   964,014.9    1,295,854.3    17,079.9 
Less: Debt issuance cost
   (526.7   (973.4)   (12.8)
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.1,174,758.2   Rs.1,554,333.4   US$20,486.8 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
*
Includes securities sold under repurchase agreements amounting to Rs. 90,200.0 million with a stated interest rate of 4.0% per annum and Rs. 90,200 

m
illion
(US$ 1,188.9 million) with stated interest rate of 4.0% per annum for the year
s
ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, respectively,

under RBI long-term repo operation with a three- year maturity period.
F-47

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The below table presents the balance of long-term debt as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 20202022 and the related contractual rates and maturity dates:
 
As of,
 
 
March 31, 2019
  
March 31, 2020
 
 
Maturity /
Call dates
  
Stated interest rates
 
Total
  
Maturity /
Call dates
  
Stated interest rates
 
Total
  
Total
 
 
(In millions)
 
Subordinated debt
                 
Subordinated debt (other than perpetual debt)
  
2021-2029
  
7.56% to 10.20%
 Rs.
 128,315.8
   
2021-2030
  
7.56% to 10.20%
 Rs.
 133,730.8
  US$
 1,773.9
 
Perpetual debt
  
2023-2029
  
8.85% to 9.40%
  
82,997.9
   
2023-2030
  
8.84% to 9.70%
  
84,972.7
   
1,127.1
 
Others*
                 
Variable rate—(1)
  
2020-2022
  
3.30% to 3.88%
  
36,288.8
   
2021-2023
  
0.80% to 2.87%
  
59,018.7
   
782.8
 
Variable rate—(2)
  
2020-2024
  
8.25% to 10.05%
  
116,615.2
   
2021-2024
  
7.50% to 8.95%
  
118,083.8
   
1,566.3
 
Fixed rate—(1)
  
2020-2029
  
4.60% to 9.56%
  
680,335.3
   
2021-2030
  
4.15% to 9.56%
  
630,712.3
   
8,366.0
 
                         
Total
     Rs.
 1,044,553.0
      Rs.
 1,026,518.3
  US$
13,616.1
 
                         

  
As of
 
  
March 31, 2021
  
March 31, 2022
 
  
Maturity /

Call dates
  
Stated interest rates
 
Total
  
Maturity /

Call dates
  
Stated interest rates
 
Total
  
Total
 
                    
  
(In millions)
 
Subordinated debt
                        
Subordinated debt (other than perpetual debt)  2022-2031  7.35% to 10.20% Rs.126,240.0   2023-2031  
7.35% to 10.20%
 Rs.89,759.4  US$1,183.1 
Perpetual debt—(1)  2023-2030  8.84% to 9.70%  84,976.1   2023-2030  
7.55% to 9.70%
  93,848.2   1,237.0 
Perpetual debt—(2)         2027  3.70%  75,216.3   991.4 
Others*
                        
Variable rate—(1)
  2022-2024  0.11% to 1.33%  50,935.8   2023-2024  
1.40% to 1.80%
  40,045.9   527.8 
Variable rate—(2)
  2022-2025  5.90% to 7.75%  97,418.0   2023-2027  
4.40% to 6.90%
  82,243.1   1,083.9 
Fixed rate
  2022-2032  2.80% to 9.56%  815,188.3   2023-2030  
2.80% to 9.21%
  1,173,220.5   15,463.6 
        
 
 
        
 
 
  
 
 
 
Total
       Rs.1,174,758.2        Rs.1,554,333.4  US$20,486.8 
        
 
 
        
 
 
  
 
 
 
*
Variable rate (1)
rate—( 1) and Perpetual debt—(2) represent
 foreign currency debt. Variable rate debt is typically indexed to LIBOR,
T-bill
rates, Marginal cost of funds based lending rates (MCLR)(“MCLR”), among others.
The scheduled maturities of long-term debt are set out below:
 
As of March 31, 2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Due in the twelve months ending March 31:
      
2021
  
Rs.  223,540.8
  US$
   2,965.1
 
2022
  
125,258.5
   
1,661.5
 
2023
  
192,835.2
   
2,557.8
 
2024
  
58,948.6
   
781.9
 
2025
  
60,797.6
   
806.4
 
Thereafter
  
280,164.9
   
3,716.2
 
         
Total (1)
  
Rs.  941,545.6
  US$
   12,488.9
 
         

   
As of March 31, 2022
 
   
(In millions)
 
Due in the fiscal year ending March 31:
          
2023
  Rs.246,509.4   US$3,249.1 
2024
   569,939.4    7,512.1 
2025
   247,262.4    3,259.0 
2026
   38,998.9    514.0 
2027
   90,990.6    1,199.3 
Thereafter
   191,568.2    2,525.0 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
(1)
  Rs.1,385,268.9   US$18,258.5 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
(1)
The scheduled maturities of long-term debt do not include perpetual bonds of Rs. 84,972.7
169,064.5
 million (net of debt issuance cost).
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 20202022 the Bank issued subordinated debt amounting to Rs. 5,435.0 millionNaN (previous period Rs. 6,000.03,565.0 million) and perpetual debt amounting to Rs. 2,000.0 84,682.5
million (previous
(previous period Rs. 3,000.0 million)NaN). During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020 2022
,
the Bank also raised other long-term debt amounting to Rs. 264,669.7638,226.4 million (previous period Rs. 311,093.6478,424.2 million).
As of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020,2022, other long-term debt includes foreign currency borrowings from other banks aggregating to Rs. 36,305.951,188.9 million and Rs. 59,392.340,170.0 million, respectively, and functional currency borrowings aggregating to Rs. 796,959.3912,826.0 million and Rs. 748,829.71,255,684.3 million, respectively.
F-4
4F-48

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
18.17. Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Accrued expenses and oth
e
rother liabilities include the amounts set forth below:
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Bills payable
  
Rs.  70,404.0
   
Rs.  75,837.2
  US$
   1,005.9
 
Remittances in transit
  
41,721.1
   
35,507.3
   
471.0
 
Accrued expenses
  
57,816.9
   
54,898.3
   
728.2
 
Accounts payable
  
88,212.9
   
103,386.2
   
1,371.4
 
Derivatives (refer to note 24)
  
128,449.0
   
184,783.0
   
2,451.0
 
Lease liabilities
 
  
 
 
 
65,615.1
 
 
 
870.3
 
Others
  
80,834.7
   
91,300.1
   
1,211.0
 
             
Total
  
Rs.467,438.6
   
Rs.611,327.2
  US$
8,108.8
 
             

   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
             
   
(In millions)
 
Bills payable
  Rs.124,241.9   Rs.130,937.4   US$  1,725.8 
Remittances in transit
   54,657.2    91,766.3    1,209.5 
Accrued expenses
   69,103.2    58,522.2    771.3 
Accounts payable
   143,827.0    152,309.2    2,007.5 
Derivatives (
see
note 23)
   81,880.0    74,819.2    986.1 
Lease liabilities
   70,422.0    78,138.0    1,029.9 
Others
   86,965.1    94,969.2    1,251.8 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.  631,096.4   Rs.  681,461.5   US$8,981.9 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
The Bank amortizes annual fees on credit cards over the contractual period of the fees. The unamortized annual fees as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020 was 2022
were
Rs. 538.81,097.4 million and Rs. 786.81,257.9 million (US$ 10.416.6 million), respectively.
19.18. Accumulated other comprehensive income
The below table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (OCI)(“OCI”) after income tax for the years ended March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020.2022.
 
Available for
sale securities
  
Foreign currency
translation reserve
  
Total
 
 
(In millions)
 
Balance, March 31, 2018
 Rs.
(4,467.3
 Rs.
670.6
  Rs.
(3,796.7
Adjustment to Other Comprehensive Income
 
(loss)
  
(268.0
)  
   
(268.0
)
Net unrealized gain/(loss) arising during the
 
period
  
17,105.1
   
663.9
   
17,769.0
 
Amounts reclassified to income
  
(1,895.5
)  
   
(1,895.5
)
             
Balance, March 31, 2019
 Rs.
10,474.3
  Rs.
1,334.5
  Rs.
11,808.8
 
             
             
Balance, March 31, 2019
 Rs.
10,474.3
  Rs.
1,334.5
  Rs.
11,808.8
 
Net unrealized gain/(loss) arising during the
 
period
  
47,574.2
   
1,771.7
   
49,345.9
 
Amounts reclassified to income
  
  (8,823.1
  
   
  (8,823.1
             
Balance, March 31, 2020
 Rs.
49,225.4
  Rs.
3,106.2
  Rs.
52,331.6
 
             
Balance, March 31, 2020
 US$
652.9
  US$
41.2
  US$
694.1
 
             
   
Available for

sale securities
   
Foreign currency

translation reserve
   
Total
 
             
   
(In millions)
 
Balance, March 31, 2020
  Rs.49,225.4   Rs.3,106.2   Rs.52,331.6 
Net unrealized gain/(loss) arising during the period
   (740.6   (1,132.8   (1,873.4
Amounts reclassified to income
   (23,271.9       (23,271.9
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Balance, March 31, 2021
  Rs.25,212.9   Rs.  1,973.4   Rs.27,186.3 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
    
Balance, March 31, 2021
  Rs.  25,212.9   Rs.1,973.4   Rs.27,186.3 
Net unrealized gain/(loss) arising during the period
   (36,088.6   1,297.5    (34,791.1
Amounts reclassified to income
   (10,187.7       (10,187.7
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Balance, March 31, 2022
  Rs.(21,063.4  Rs.3,270.9   Rs.  (17,792.5
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Balance, March 31, 2022
  US$(277.6  US$43.1   US$(234.5
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
F-4
5F-49

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The below table presents the reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income (OCI) by income line item and the related income tax effect for periods
years
ended March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020.2022.
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Available for sale debt securities:
         
Realized (gain)/loss on sales of available for sale debt securities, net
 Rs.
(3,994.6
) Rs.
(22,671.3
) US$
(300.7
)
Other than temporary impairment losses on available for sale debt securities
  
1,081.0
   
9,109.0
   
120.8
 
             
Total before income tax
 Rs.
  (2,913.6
) Rs.
  (13,562.3
 US$
(179.9
)
Income tax
  
1,018.1
   
4,739.2
   
62.9
 
             
Net of income tax
 Rs.
(1,895.5
) Rs.
(8,823.1
) US$
  (117.0
)
             
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
             
   
(In millions)
 
Available for sale debt securities:
               
Realized (gain)/loss on sales of available for sale debt securities, net
  Rs.(34,014.8  Rs.    (10,699.4  US$(141.0
Allowance on available for sale debt securities
   2,915.1    (2,915.1   (38.4
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total before income tax
  Rs.(31,099.7  Rs.(13,614.5  US$(179.4
Income tax
   7,827.8    3,426.8    45.1 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Net of income tax
  Rs.(23,271.9  Rs.(10,187.7  US$    (134.3
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
20.
19.
Non-interest
revenue
Revenue Recognition
Deposit related
Deposit-related fees
Deposit-related fees consist of fees earned on consumer deposit activities and are generally recognized when the transaction occurs or as the service is performed. Consumer fees are earned on consumer deposit accounts for account maintenance and various transaction-based services, such as ATM transactions, wire transfer activities, check and money order processing, standing instruction processing, cash management services, etc.
Lending related
Lending-related fees
Lending-related fees generally represent transactional fees earned from certain loan related services, guarantees and letters of credit (LCs).
Third-party products relatedproducts-related fees
Third-party products related fees consist of fees earned from distribution of third party products such as insurance and mutual funds.
Payments and cards business fees
Payments and cards business fees include fees earned from merchant acquiring business and on Credit, Debit, Prepaid
or Forex cards, among others. Cards business income includes annual and renewal fees, late and over-limit fees, currency conversion fees, as well as fees earned from interchange, cash advances and other miscellaneous transactions fees. Interchange fees are recognized upon settlement of the credit and debit card payment transactions and are generally determined on a percentage basis for credit and debit cards based on the corresponding payment network’s rates. Substantially all cards business related fees are recognized at the transaction date, except for certain time-based fees such as annual fees, which are recognized over 12 months. Payments business fees includesinclude fees earned from merchants net of interchange expenses paid to issuing banks, rentals from point of salepoint-of-sale machines and merchant service charges.
F-4
6
F-50

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The table below presents the fees and commissions disaggregated by revenue source for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2018,2020, March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020.2022.
 
Fiscal years ended March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Deposit related fees
 Rs.
22,424.9
  Rs.
25,383.0
  Rs.
29,031.9
  US$
385.1
 
Lending related fees
  
31,791.6
   
30,176.2
   
30,699.9
   
407.2
 
Third-party products related fees
  
20,908.1
   
22,000.4
   
28,169.6
   
373.7
 
Payments and cards business fees
  
34,551.4
   
47,012.4
   
58,899.3
   
781.3
 
Others
  
10,384.9
   
9,583.2
   
13,298.8
   
176.3
 
                 
Fees and commissions
 Rs.
120,060.9
  Rs.
134,155.2
  Rs.
160,099.5
  US$
2,123.6
 
                 
   
Fiscal years ended March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
                 
   
(In millions)
 
Deposit related fees
  Rs.29,031.9   Rs.28,150.4   Rs.37,415.4   US$493.2 
Lending related fees
   30,699.9    30,973.1    40,532.5    534.2 
Third-party products related fees
   28,169.6    35,733.0    44,216.1    582.8 
Payments and cards business fees
   58,899.3    50,758.2    56,170.2    740.3 
Others
   13,298.8    19,795.7    24,645.3    324.9 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Fees and commissions
  Rs.160,099.5   Rs.165,410.4   Rs.    202,979.5   US$    2,675.4 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
The table below presents the fees and commission disaggregated by segment for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2018,2020, March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020.2022.
 
Fiscal year ended March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Retail Banking
 Rs.
110,927.2
  Rs.
123,070.6
  Rs.
146,855.7
  US$
1,947.9
 
Wholesale Banking
  
8,985.0
   
10,839.6
   
13,041.6
   
173.0
 
Treasury Services
  
148.7
   
245.0
   
202.2
   
2.7
 
                 
Fees and commissions
 Rs.
120,060.9
  Rs.
134,155.2
  Rs.
160,099.5
  US$
2,123.6
 
                 
   
Fiscal year ended March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
                 
   
(In millions)
 
Retail Banking
  Rs.146,855.7   Rs.153,018.2   Rs.182,464.1   US$2,405.0 
Wholesale Banking
   13,041.6    11,712.7    19,802.0    261.0 
Treasury Services
   202.2    679.5    713.4    9.4 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Fees and commissions
  Rs.160,099.5   Rs.165,410.4   Rs.    202,979.5   US$    2,675.4 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
21.
20. Income taxes
Income tax expense is comprised of the following:
 
Fiscal year ended March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Current tax expense
 Rs.
108,676.0
  Rs.
128,050.2
  Rs.
105,587.8
  US$
1,400.6
 
Deferred tax (benefit) expense
  
(10,403.5
)  
(8,129.4
)  
(101.2
)  
(1.3
Interest on income tax refund
  
   
(527.3
)  
(6.6
)  
(0.2
)
                 
Income tax expense
 Rs.
 98,272.5
  Rs.
119,393.5
  Rs.
105,480.0
  US$
1,399.1
 
                 
   
Fiscal year ended March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
                 
   
(In millions)
 
Current tax expense
  Rs.105,587.8   Rs.  122,087.4   Rs.142,446.5   US$1,877.5 
Deferred tax (benefit) expense
   (101.2   (8,267.3   (9,887.3   (130.3
Interest on income tax refund
   (6.6            
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Income tax expense
  Rs.  105,480.0   Rs.113,820.1   Rs.    132,559.2   US$    1,747.2 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Income tax expense (benefit) for the year ended March 31, 2021 was recorded (i) in retained earnings for the income tax effect of adopting ASU
2016-13
for current expected credit losses (CECL) in the amount of Rs.
(21,016.0)
 million and (ii) in other comprehensive income in the amount of Rs. 
(8,457.8)
million. Income tax expense (benefit) recorded in other comprehensive income was
Rs. 15,129.2
million for the year ended March 31, 2022.
Income before income tax expense and income tax expense are substantially all from India.
On December 12, 2019,
the
India Taxation Laws (Amendment) Act 2019, was promulgated, which provided domestic companies with an option to pay income tax at the rate of 22 percent (
previously
(previously 30 percent)
,
provided they do not claim certain deductions under the Income Tax Act with effect from the financialfiscal year 2019-20 (i
.
e.
,
assessment year 2020-21). The bank intends to elect2019-20.The Bank elected to be subject to the 22 percent rate (25.17%
(25.17%
including surcharge and education cess). The.The Bank has accounted for the effect of this change in the income tax rate during the year ended March 31, 2020 using reasonable estimates based on currentlyinformation available informationat the time and its interpretations thereof.
of the law thereof, effective from fiscal year 2019-20. 
F-4
7F-51

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The following is thea reconciliation of income taxes at the Indian statutory income tax rate to income tax expense as reported:
 
Fiscal year ended March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Income before income tax expense
 Rs.
277,106.4
  Rs.
339,959.0
  Rs.
365,844.0
  US$
4,852.8
 
Statutory income tax rate
  
34.61
%  
34.94
%  
25.17
%  
25.17
%
Expected income tax expense
  
95,901.0
   
118,795.3
   
92,075.6
   
1,221.3
 
Adjustments to reconcile expected income tax to actual tax expense
            
Interest on income tax refund
  
   
(343.0
)  
(4.9
  
(0.1
)
Stock-based compensation
  
2,282.3
   
1,867.2
   
1,881.6
   
25.0
 
Income exempt from taxes
  
(524.8
)  
(1,422.8
)  
(744.2
  
(9.9
)
Effect of change in statutory income tax rate
  
(209.2
)  
   
11,213.2
   
148.7
 
Others, net
  
823.2
   
496.8
   
1,058.7
   
14.1
 
                 
Income tax expense
 Rs.
98,272.5
  Rs.
119,393.5
  Rs.
105,480.0
  US$
1,399.1
 
                 
   
Fiscal year ended March 31,
 
   
2020
  
2021
  
2022
  
2022
 
              
   
(In millions)
 
Income before income tax expense
  Rs.365,844.0  Rs.439,826.5  Rs.519,162.2  US$6,842.6 
Statutory income tax rate
   25.17  25.17  25.17  25.17
Expected income tax expense
   92,075.6   110,695.5   130,662.7   1,722.2 
Adjustments to reconcile expected income tax to actual income tax expense                 
Interest on income tax refund
   (4.9         
Stock-based compensation   1,881.6   2,668.7   3,493.1   46.0 
Income subject to rates other than the
statutory income tax rate
   —    —    (2,347.6  (30.9
Income exempt from taxes
   (744.2  (62.3      
Effect of change in statutory income tax rate
   11,213.2          
Others, net
   1,058.7   518.2   751.0   9.9 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Income tax expense
  Rs.105,480.0  Rs.113,820.1  Rs.    132,559.2  US$    1,747.2 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
The tax effects of significant temporary differences are as follows:
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Tax effect of:
         
Deductible temporary differences:
         
Allowance for loan losses
 Rs.
39,604.8
  Rs.
37,561.2
  US$
498.2
 
Lease liabilities
  
   
16,514.0
   
219.0
 
Employee benefits
  
2,063.1
   
1,415.0
   
18.8
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
  
4,310.4
 
 
 
3,381.2
 
 
 
44.8
 
Others
  
1,874.4
   
1,769.4
   
23.5
 
             
Deferred tax asset
  
47,852.7
   
60,640.8
   
804.3
 
             
Taxable temporary differences:
         
Right-of-use assets
  
   
16,514.0
   
219.0
 
Unrealized gain on securities available for sale
  
5,680.2
 
 
 
16,644.6
 
 
 
220.8
 
Loan origination cost and fees
  
5,606.3
   
3,373.3
   
44.7
 
Investments, others
  
2,677.0
   
1,510.2
   
20.0
 
             
Deferred tax liability
  
13,963.5
   
38,042.1
   
504.5
 
             
Net deferred tax asset (liability)
 Rs.
33,889.2
  Rs.
22,598.7
  US$
299.8
 
             
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
             
   
(In millions)
 
Tax effect of:
               
Deductible temporary differences:
               
Allowance for loan losses
  Rs.67,584.1   Rs.79,821.5   US$1,052.1 
Investments
 
available for sale debt securities
       6,997.0    92.2 
Lease liabilities
   17,723.8    19,745.8    260.3 
Employee benefits
   752.3    728.1    9.6 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
   4,997.1    3,772.1    49.7 
Others
   1,904.4    2,158.9    28.4 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Deferred tax asset
   92,961.7    113,223.4    1,492.3 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Taxable temporary differences:
               
Right-of-use
assets
   17,723.8    19,745.8    260.3 
Investments available for sale debt securities
   8,567.9         
Loan origination cost and fees
   3,456.0    5,024.1    66.2 
Investments, others
   2,874.2    3,097.2    40.8 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Deferred tax liability
   32,621.9    27,867.1    367.3 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Net deferred tax asset (liability)
  Rs.60,339.8   Rs.    85,356.3   US$    1,125.0 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Management believes that the realization of the recognized deferred tax assets is more likely than not and the realization is based on a combination of reversing taxable temporary differences and expectations as to future pretax income.
The total unrecognized tax benefit as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 20202022 is Rs. 14,448.143,048.0 million and Rs. 37,103.246,774.3 million, respectively.
The major income tax jurisdiction for the Bank is India. The open tax years (first assessment by the tax authorities) isare pending from fiscal 2018year 2019 onwards. However, appeals filed by the Bank are pending with various local tax authorities in India for earlier tax years.
F-4
8F-52

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending b
a
lancebalance of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
 
Fiscal year ended March 31,
 
 
2019
  
2020
  
202
0
 
 
(In millions)
 
Opening balance
 Rs.
648.3
  Rs.
14,448.1
  US$
191.6
 
Increase related to prior year tax positions
  
13,799.8
   
16,274.4
   
215.9
 
Increase related to current year tax positions
  
Rs. —
 
 
Rs.
6,380.7
 
 
US$
84.6
 
             
Closing balance
 Rs.
14,448.1
  Rs.
37,103.2
  US$
492.1
 
             
   
Fiscal year ended March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
202
2
 
             
   
(In millions)
 
Opening balance
  Rs.37,103.2   Rs.43,048.0  ��US$567.4 
Settlements related to prior year tax positions   (221.5   (1,985.0   (26.2
Increase related to prior year tax positions
   892.8         
Increase related to current year tax positions
  Rs.5,273.5   Rs.5,711.3   US$75.3 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Closing balance
  Rs.  43,048.0   Rs.    46,774.3   US$    616.5 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
The Bank’s total unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would reduce the income tax expense by Rs. 37,103.2
43,048.0 million and Rs. 46,774.3 million as of March 31, 20202021 and March 31, 2022, respectively, and thereby would affect the Bank’s effective tax rate. There is no tax liability relating to
All of the aboveBank’s unrecognized tax benefits.benefits are presented as unrecognized refund claims.
Significant changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months cannot be reasonably estimated as the changes would depend upon the progress of tax examinations with various tax authorities.
22.21. Stock-based compensation
By way of an ordinary resolution on July 12, 2019, the shareholders of the Bank approved a subdivision (stock split) of the Bank’s equity shares to reduce the face value of each equity share from
Rs. 2.0 to Rs. 1.0
per
equity share effective as of September 20, 2019. The number of issued and subscribed equity shares increased to 5,470,763,894 shares of par value Rs. 1.0 each. All share/ADS and per share/ADS data reflect the effect of the stock split retroactively. One ADS continues to represent three equity shares.
The stock-based compensation plans of the Bank are as follows:
Employees Stock Option Scheme(ESOP):Scheme (“ESOP”)
The shareholders of the Bank approved in January 2000 Plan “A”, in June 2003 Plan “B”, in June 2005 Plan “C”, in June 2007 Plan “D”, in June 2010 Plan “E”, in June 2013
Plan “F”, and in July
2016 Plan “G” of the Employees’ Stock Option Scheme (the “Plan”). The Bank reserved 100.0 million equity shares, with an aggregate nominal value of Rs.100.0 million, for issuance under each Plan “A”, “B” and “C”. Under Plan “D”
,
the Bank reserved 150.0 million equity shares with an aggregate nominal value of Rs.150.0 million. The Bank reserved 200.0 million equity shares with an aggregate nominal value of Rs. 200.0 million, for issuance under each
of
Plan “E”, “F” and “G”. Under the terms of each of these Plans, the Bank may issue stock options to employees and whole time directors of the Bank, each of which is convertible into one equity share.
Plan A provides for the issuance of options at the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Board (the “NRC”) at an average of the daily closing prices on the BSE Limited during the 60 days preceding the date of grant of options, which was the minimum prescribed option price under regulations then issued by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). Presently, there are no stock options issued and outstanding under Plan A.
Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, Plan E, Plan F and Plan G provide for the issuance of options at the recommendation of the NRC at the closing price on the working day immediately preceding the date when options are granted. For Plan B the price is that quoted on an Indian stock exchange with the highest trading volume during the preceding two weeks, while for Plan C, Plan D, Plan E, Plan F and Plan G, the price is that quoted on an Indian stock exchange with the highest trading volume as of the working day preceding the date of grant. Presently, there are no stock options issued and outstanding under Plan B.
Such options vest at the discretion of the NRC. These options are exercisable for a period following vesting at the discretion of the NRC, subject to a maximum of five years, as set forth at the time of the grant.
 
F-4
9F-53

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
On September 1, 2018, September 29, 2018 and February 2, 2019 the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Board approved, under Plan G, the grant of 38,238,000 options (Scheme XXIX), the grant of 880,000 options (Scheme XXX) and the grant of 672,000 options (Scheme XXXI), respectively, to the employees of the Bank. On August 3, 2019 the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Board approved, under Plan G, the grant of 578,000 options (Scheme XXXII) to the employees of the Bank. On October 19, 2019
,
the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Board approved, under Plan G, the grant of 46,175,200 options (Scheme XXXIII) to the employees of the Bank. On March 21, 2020
,
the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Board approved, under Plan G, the grant of 1,020,400 options (Scheme XXXIV) to the employees of the Bank. On October 20, 2020
,
the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Board approved, under Plan G, the grant of 57,466,600 options (Scheme XXXV) to the employees of the Bank. On July 31, 2021
,
the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Board approved, under Plan G, the grant of 25,390,600 options (Scheme XXXVI) to the employees of the Bank. On November 25, 2021
,
the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Board approved, under Plan G, the grant of 238,000 options (Scheme XXXVII) to the employees of the Bank
.
Modification of employee stock option schemes
During the periods
years
ended March 31, 2018,2020, March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020,2022, there were no modifications to employee stock option schemes.
Assumptions used
The fair value of options has been estimated on the dates of each grant using a binomial option pricing model with the following assumptions:
 
Years ended March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
 
Dividend yield
  
0.65%-0.66%
   
0.62%-0.65%
   
0.61%-0.85%
 
Expected volatility
  
19.94%-21.65%
   
14.53%-18.68%
   
15.30%-20.13%
 
Risk-free interest rate
  
6.73%-7.20%
   
7.23%-8.31%
   
5.81%-6.70%
 
Expected term (in years)
  
4.66-6.06
   
2.78-5.16
   
2.82-5.42
 
   
Years ended March 31,
   
2020
  
2021
  
2022
Dividend yield
  0.61%-0.85%  0.61%  0.43%-0.46%
Expected volatility
  15.30%-20.13%  20.13%-28.93%  21.71%-31.79%
Risk-free interest rate
  5.81%-6.70%  4.63%-5.75%  4.99%-6.43%
Expected term (in years)
  2.82-5.42  2.65-5.43  2.59-5.36
The Bank recognizes compensation expense related to stock and option awards over the requisite service period, generally based on the instruments’ grant-date fair value, reduced by expected forfeitures. Ultimately, the compensation cost for all awards that vest is recognized.
Activity and other details
Activity in the options available to be granted under the Employee Stock Option Schemeemployee stock option scheme is as follows:
 
Number of options available to be granted
year ending March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
 
Options available to be granted, beginning of period
  
267,347,300
   
235,683,200
   
202,413,370
 
Equity shares allocated for grant under the plan
  
   
   
 
Options granted
  
(33,764,100
)  
(39,790,000
)  
(47,773,600
)
Forfeited/lapsed
  
2,100,000
   
6,520,170
   
4,847,580
 
             
Options available to be granted, end of period
  
235,683,200
   
202,413,370
   
159,487,350
 
             
   
Number of options available to be granted

year ending March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
 
Options available to be granted, beginning of period
   202,413,370    159,487,350    104,694,170 
Equity shares allocated for grant under the plan
            
Options granted
   (47,773,600   (57,466,600   (25,628,600
Forfeited/lapsed
   4,847,580    2,673,420    2,926,850 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Options available to be granted, end of period
   159,487,350    104,694,170    81,992,420 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
F-
50F-54

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Activity in the options outstanding under the Employee Stock Option Scheme is as follows:
 
Years ended March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
 
 
Options
  
Weighted
average
exercise
price
  
Options
  
Weighted
average
exercise price
  
Options
  
Weighted
average
exercise price
 
Options outstanding, beginning of period
  
184,312,600
  Rs.
452.48
   
150,887,600
  Rs.
525.11
   
136,612,822
  Rs.
682.99
 
Granted
  
33,764,100
   
716.61
   
39,790,000
   
1,030.24
   
47,773,600
   
1,220.13
 
Exercised
  
(65,089,100
)  
418.80
   
(47,544,608
)  
462.89
   
(36,673,240
)  
504.10
 
Forfeited
  
(1,973,600
)  
527.80
   
(6,410,770
)  
759.21
   
(4,813,580
)  
965.64
 
Lapsed
  
(126,400
)  
481.72
   
(109,400
)  
418.55
   
(34,000
)  
568.10
 
                         
Options outstanding, end of period
  
150,887,600
  Rs.
525.11
   
136,612,822
  Rs.
682.99
   
142,865,602
  Rs.
899.03
 
                         
Options exercisable, end of period
  
93,620,500
  Rs.
  450.72
   
80,609,722
  Rs.
508.89
   
64,464,392
  Rs.
  638.18
 
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year
    Rs.
232.09
     Rs.
  262.79
     Rs.
305.78
 
The following summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2020:
  
As of March 31, 2020
 
Plan
 
Range of exercise price
 
Number of
shares arising
out of options
  
Weighted
average
remaining life
(years)
  
Weighted
average
exercise price
 
Plan C
 
Rs.340.00 to Rs.417.75 (or US$ 4.51 to US$ 5.54)
  
485,100
   
0.34
   
344.05
 
Plan D
 
Rs.340.00 (or US$ 5.51)
  
345,900
   
0.30
   
340.00
 
Plan E
 
Rs.340.00 (or US$ 5.51)
  
1,705,500
   
0.30
   
340.00
 
Plan F
 
Rs.417.75 to Rs. 731.08 (or US$ 5.54 to US$ 9.70)
  
58,568,822
   
2.02
   
587.08
 
Plan G
 
Rs.882.85 to Rs. 1,229.00 (or US$ 11.71 to US$ 16.30)
  
81,760,280
   
3.45
   
1,139.82
 
The intrinsic value, of options exercised during the years ended March 31, 2018, March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020 at grant date was Rs. 28.8 million, NaN and NaN, respectively, and at exercise date was Rs. 34,123.2 million, Rs. 33,117.4 million and Rs. 13,339.6 million, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value as of grant date and as at March 31, 2020 attributable to options which are outstanding as on March 31, 2020 was Rs. 0.5 million (previous year Rs. 0.6 million) and Rs. 17,418.0 million (previous year Rs. 65,091.1 million), respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value as at grant date and as at March 31, 2020 attributable to options exercisable as on March 31, 2020 was Rs. 0.4 million (previous year 0.2 million) and was Rs. 16,291.8 million (previous year Rs. 52,441.6 million), respectively. Total stock compensation cost recognized under these plans was Rs. 6,594.6 million, Rs. 5,343.3 million and Rs. 7,476.1 million during the years ended March 31, 2018, March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020, respectively. As of March 31, 2020, there were 78,401,210 (previous year 56,003,100) unvested options with weighted average exercise price of Rs. 1,113.5 (previous year Rs. 933.6) and aggregate intrinsic value at grant date and as at March 31, 2020 was Rs. 0.2 million (previous year Rs. 0.3 million) and Rs.1,126.2 million (previous year Rs. 12,649.5 million), respectively. As at March 31, 2020, the total estimated compensation cost to be recognized in future periods was Rs.13,294.0 million (previous year Rs. 7,065.9 million). This is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.21 years.
F-
51

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Activity in the options outstanding under the employee stock option scheme is as follows:
   
Years ended March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
 
   
Options
  
Weighted

average

exercise price
   
Options
  
Weighted

average

exercise price
   
Options
  
Weighted

average

exercise price
 
Options outstanding, beginning of period
   136,612,822  Rs.682.99    142,865,602  Rs.899.03    168,168,760  Rs.1,063.79 
Granted
   47,773,600   1,220.13    57,466,600   1,235.80    25,628,600   1,427.29 
Exercised
   (36,673,240  504.10    (29,490,022  596.85    (32,764,494  796.52 
Forfeited
   (4,813,580  965.64    (2,032,110  1,163.29    (2,639,100  1,231.84 
Lapsed
   (34,000  568.10    (641,310  929.57    (287,750  870.34 
   
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
Options outstanding, end of period
   142,865,602  Rs.899.03    168,168,760  Rs.1,063.79    158,106,016  Rs.1,175.65 
   
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
Options exercisable, end of period
   64,464,392  Rs.638.18    64,453,260  Rs.834.48    65,321,116  Rs.1,036.49 
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year
      Rs.305.78       Rs.320.42       Rs.415.12 
The following summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2022:
      
As of March 31, 2022
 
Plan
  
Range of exercise price
  
Number of

shares arising

out of options
  
Weighted

average

remaining life

(years)
  
Weighted

average

exercise price
 
              
Plan F
  Rs. 417.75 to Rs. 731.08 (or US$ 5.51 to US$ 9.64)   17,564,766   1.07   666.77 
Plan G
  Rs. 882.85 to Rs. 1,516.95 (or US$ 11.64 to US$ 19.99)   140,541,250   2.70   1,239.25 
The intrinsic value, of options exercised during the years ended March 31, 2020, March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022 at the grant date was NaN, and at the exercise date was Rs. 13,339.6 million, Rs. 26,446.8 million and Rs. 22,077.7 million, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value as of the grant date and as at March 31, 2022 attributable to options which are outstanding as on March 31, 2022 was Rs. 2.7 million (previous year Rs. 0.5 million) and Rs. 46,605.0 million (previous year Rs. 72,288.5 million), respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value as at the grant date and as at March 31, 2022 attributable to options exercisable as on March 31, 2022 was Rs. 0.5 million (previous year 0.5 million) and was Rs. 28,340.0 million (previous year Rs. 42,485.6 million), respectively. Total stock compensation cost recognized under these plans was Rs. 7,476.1 million, Rs. 10,603.5 million and Rs. 13,874.5 million during the years ended March 31, 2020, March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, respectively. However, 0 income tax benefit is recognized with respect to the said stock compensation costs. As of March 31, 2022, there were 92,784,900 unvested options (previous year 103,715,500) with weighted average exercise price of Rs. 1,273.6 (previous year Rs. 1,206.3) and the aggregate intrinsic value at the grant date and as at March 31, 2022 was Rs. 2.1 million (previous year NaN) and Rs. 18,265.0 million (previous year Rs. 29,802.9 million), respectively. As at March 31, 2022, the total estimated compensation cost to be recognized in future periods was Rs. 14,999.2 million. This is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.01 years.
23.F-55

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
22. Retirement benefits
Gratuity
In accordance with Indian law, the Bank provides for gratuity, a defined benefit retirement plan, covering eligible employees. The plan provides for lump sum payments to vested employees at retirement, resignation, death while in employment or on termination of employment in an amount equivalent to 15 days’ eligible salary payable for each completed year of service. Vesting occurs upon completion of five years of service. The Bank makes annual contributions to funds administered by trustees and managed by insurance companies for amounts notified by said insurance companies, and in respect of certain employees, the Bank makes contributions to a fund set up for the purpose and administered by the board of trustees. The contributions are invested in specific designated instruments as permitted by Indian law. The Bank accounts for the liability for future gratuity benefits using the projected unit cost method based on an actuarial valuation done on March 31 of every year.
The following table sets out the funded status of the gratuity plan and the amounts recognized in the Bank’s financial statements as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020:2022:
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Change in benefit obligations:
         
Projected benefit obligation (“PBO”), beginning of the period
 Rs.  
5,975.5
  Rs.  
6,653.5
  US$
88.3
 
Service cost
  
820.6
   
965.4
   
12.8
 
Interest cost
  
476.7
   
483.3
   
6.4
 
Actuarial(gains)/ losses
  
(46.4
)  
368.9
   
4.9
 
Benefits paid
  
(572.9
)  
(588.1
)  
(7.8
)
             
Projected benefit obligation, end of the period
  
6,653.5
   
7,883.0
   
  104.6
 
             
Change in plan assets:
         
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of the period
  
4,573.4
   
5,501.8
   
  73.0
 
Expected return on plan assets
  
347.4
   
389.9
   
5.2
 
Actuarial gains/(losses)
  
130.2
   
(620.5
)  
(8.2
)
             
Actual return on plan assets
  
477.6
   
(230.6
)  
(3.0
)
Employer contributions
  
1,023.7
   
1,096.7
   
14.5
 
Benefits paid
  
(572.9
)  
(588.1
)  
(7.8
)
             
Fair value of plan assets, end of the period
  
5,501.8
   
5,779.8
   
76.7
 
             
Funded Status
 Rs.
(1,151.7
 Rs.
(2,103.2
 US$
(27.9
             
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
             
   
(In millions)
 
Change in benefit obligations:
               
Projected benefit obligation (“PBO”), beginning of the period
  Rs.  7,883.0   Rs.    9,819.6   US$129.4 
Service cost
   1,107.0    1,268.0    16.7 
Interest cost
   561.6    631.2    8.3 
Actuarial(gains)/ losses
   759.4    (260.6   (3.4
Benefits paid
   (491.4   (769.5   (10.1
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Projected benefit obligation, end of the period
   9,819.6    10,688.7    140.9 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Change in plan assets:
               
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of the period
   5,779.8    8,344.6    110.1 
Expected return on plan assets
   448.4    574.1    7.6 
Actuarial gains/(losses)
   1,223.0    237.1    3.1 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Actual return on plan assets
   1,671.4    811.2    10.7 
Employer contributions
   1,384.8    1,633.0    21.5 
Benefits paid
   (491.4   (769.5   (10.1
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets, end of the period
   8,344.6    10,019.3    132.2 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Funded Status
  Rs.(1,475.0  Rs.(669.4  US$    (8.8
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
The Bank’s expected contribution to the gratuity fund for the next fiscal year is estimated at Rs. 1,960.61,804.6 million. The accumulated benefit obligation as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 20202022 was Rs. 3,777.35,455.6 million and Rs. 5,005.96,914.8 million, respectively. The vested accumulated benefit obligation as on March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 20202022 was Rs. 3,292.44,727.7 million and Rs. 4,381.26,397.4 million, respectively.
F-5
2F-56

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Net gratuity cost for the years ended March 31, 2018,2020, March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 20202022 was comprised of the following components:
 
Fiscal years ended March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Service cost
 Rs.
741.0
   Rs.
  820.6
  Rs.
965.4
  US$
12.8
 
Interest cost
  
392.2
   
476.7
   
483.3
   
6.4
 
Expected return on plan assets
  
(297.4
)  
(347.4
)  
(389.9
)  
(5.2
)
Actuarial (gains)/losses
  
85.1
   
(176.6
)  
989.4
   
13.1
 
                 
Net gratuity cost*
 Rs.
  920.9
  Rs.
773.3
  Rs.
  2,048.2
  US$
   27.1
 
                 
*Effective April 1, 2018, the Bank adopted ASU 2017-07 Compensation- Retirement Benefits (Topic 715) -Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. Accordingly, service cost is reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income in line Non-interest expense-salaries and staff benefits and other components of net benefit cost is reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income in line Non-interest expense –Administrative and other. The amendments have been applied retrospectively.
   
Fiscal years ended March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
                 
   
(In millions)
 
Service cost
  Rs.965.4   Rs. 1,107.0   Rs.1,268.0   US$    16.7 
Interest cost
   483.3    561.6    631.2    8.3 
Expected return on plan assets
   (389.9   (448.4   (574.1   (7.6
Actuarial (gains)/losses
   989.4    (463.6   (497.7   (6.5
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Net gratuity cost
  Rs. 2,048.2   Rs.756.6   Rs.  827.4   US$10.9 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
The assumptions used in accounting for the gratuity plan are set out below:
 
Fiscal years ended March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
 
 
(% per annum)
 
Discount rate*
  
7.4-8.0
   
7.2-8.4
   
6.0-7.5
 
Rate of increase in compensation levels of covered employees
  
5.0-11.0
   
5.0-9.0
   
7.0-8.0
 
Rate of return on plan assets
  
7.0-8.0
   
7.0-7.2
   
6.0-7.0
 
Mortality rates used are based on the published “Indian Assured Lives Mortality (2012-2014) Ultimate” table
         
   
Fiscal years ended March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
 
             
   
(% per annum)
 
Discount rate*
   6.0-7.5    4.4-7.0    5.1-7.3 
Rate of increase in compensation levels of covered employees
   7.0-8.0    5.0-9.0    6.0-11.0 
Rate of return on plan assets
   6.0-7.0    4.4-7.0    5.1-7.0 
Mortality rates used are based on the published “Indian Assured Lives Mortality (2012-2014) Ultimate” table
               
*
Weighted average assumptions used to determine both benefit obligations and net periodic benefit cost.
The rate of return on plan assets is based on historical returns, the current market conditions, anticipated future assets allocation and expected future returns. The rate of return on plan assets represents a long-term average view of the expected return.
The following benefit payments, which includes benefits attributable to expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid.
Year ending March 31,
 
Benefit payments
 
 
(In millions)
 
2021
 Rs.
969.5
 
2022
  
784.2
 
2023
  
679.2
 
2024
  
602.3
 
2025
  
538.1
 
2026 - 2030
  
2,352.8
 
Year ending March 31,
  
Benefit payments
 
   
(In millions)
 
2023
  Rs.1,360.9 
2024
   1,203.2 
2025
   992.8 
2026
   1,006.3 
2027
   1,021.9 
2028 - 2032
   3,409.9 
The expected benefit payments are based on the same assumptions used to measure the Bank’s benefit obligations as of March 31, 2020.2022.
F-5
3F-57

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The gratuity contributions of the Bank which are administered by a trust set up for the purpose are managed by two insurance companies, and, in respect of certain employees the funds are invested by the trust set up for the said purpose. The overall asset allocation of the gratuity fund by the two insurance companies is structured so as to provide stable earnings while still allowing for potentially higher returns through an investment in equity securities. As at March 31, 2020,2022, the plan assets as a percentage of the total funds were as follows:
 
As of March 31, 2020
 
 
Funds managed
by insurance
company (1)*
  
Funds managed
by insurance
company (2)*
  
Funds
managed
by trust
 
Government securities
  
81.2
%  
17.8
%  
37.5
%
Debenture and bonds
  
13.8
%  
32.0
%  
38.2
%
Equity securities
  
4.9
%  
48.1
%  
 
Other
  
0.1
%  
2.1
%  
24.3
%
             
Total
  
100.0
%  
100.0
%  
100.0
%
             

   
As of March 31, 2022
 
   
Funds managed

by insurance

company (1)*
  
Funds managed

by insurance

company (2)*
  
Funds

managed

by trust
 
           
Government securities
   79.5  25.9  26.9
Debenture and bonds
   14.0  23.9  23.4
Equity securities
   5.7  44.7   
Other
   0.8  5.5  49.7
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Total
   100.0  100.0  100.0
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
*
The data pertaining to plan investment assets measured at fair value by level and total at March 31, 20202022 are provided separately.
Pension
In respect of pensions payable to certain erstwhile CBoP employees, which are payable pursuant to a defined benefit scheme, the Bank contributes 10%10
% of basic salary to a pension fund set up by the Bank and administered by the board of trustees, and the balance amount is provided based on an actuarial valuation at the balance sheet date conducted by an independent actuary. In respect of employees who have moved to a cost to company (CTC)(“CTC”) driven compensation structure and have completed services up to 
15 years as on the date of movement to a CTC driven compensation structure, any contribution made until such date, and any additional
one-time
contribution made for employees (who have completed more than 10 years but less than 15 years) stand frozen and will be converted into an annuity on separation after a
lock-in-period
of two years. Hence
,
for this category of employees, liability stands frozen and no additional provision is required except for interest, if any. In respect of employees who accepted the offer and have completed services for more than 15 years, the pension would be paid based on the employee’s salary as of the date of movement to a CTC driven compensation structure and a provision is made based on an actuarial valuation at the balance sheet date conducted by an independent actuary.
F-5
4F-58

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The following table sets out the funded status of the pension plan and the amounts recognized in the Bank’s financial statements as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020:2022:
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Change in benefit obligations:
         
Projected benefit obligation (“PBO”), beginning of the period
 Rs.
722.8
  Rs.
  677.6
  US$
9.0
 
Service cost
  
7.7
   
6.5
   
0.1
 
Interest cost
  
66.3
   
45.3
   
0.6
 
Actuarial (gains)/losses
  
6.5
   
15.3
   
0.2
 
Benefits paid
  
(125.7
)  
(146.5
)  
(1.9
)
             
Projected benefit obligation, end of the period
  
677.6
   
598.2
   
8.0
 
             
Change in plan assets:
         
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of the period
  
313.0
   
219.5
   
2.9
 
Expected return on plan assets
  
18.6
   
11.0
   
0.1
 
Actuarial gains/(losses)
  
4.8
   
2.9
   
 
             
Actual return on plan assets
  
23.4
   
13.9
   
0.1
 
Employer contributions
  
8.8
   
8.3
   
0.1
 
Benefits paid
  
(125.7
)  
(146.5
)  
(1.9
)
             
Fair value of plan assets, end of the period
  
219.5
   
95.2
   
1.2
 
             
Funded Status
 Rs.
  (458.1
 Rs.
(503.0
 US$
   (6.8
             
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
             
   
(In millions)
 
Change in benefit obligations:
               
Projected benefit obligation (“PBO”), beginning of the period
  Rs.598.2   Rs.  862.0   US$11.4 
Plan amendment (prior service cost)
   —      76.9    1.0 
Service cost
   14.6    16.1    0.2 
Interest cost
   37.7    55.8    0.7 
Actuarial (gains)/losses
   327.9    34.4    0.5 
Benefits paid
   (116.4   (204.3   (2.7
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Projected benefit obligation, end of the period
   862.0    840.9    11.1 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Change in plan assets:
               
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of the period
   95.2    3.3    —   
Expected return on plan assets
   3.2    0.4    —   
Actuarial gains/(losses)
   (1.7   2.3    0.1 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Actual return on plan assets
   1.5    2.7    0.1 
Employer contributions
   23.0    207.0    2.7 
Benefits paid
   (116.4   (204.3   (2.7
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets, end of the period
   3.3    8.7    0.1 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Funded Status
  Rs.(858.7  Rs.(832.2  US$  (11.0
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
The Bank’s expected contribution to the pension fund for the next fiscal year is estimated at Rs. 129.7188.6 million. The accumulated benefit obligation as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 20202022 was Rs. 468.3364.2 million and Rs. 387.0354.6 million, respectively. The vested accumulated benefit obligation as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 20202022 was Rs. 455.5362.9 million and Rs. 241.3353.8 million, respectively.
Net pension cost for the years ended March 31, 2018,2020, March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 20202022 was comprised of the following components:
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Service cost
 Rs.
7.6
  Rs.
7.7
  Rs.
6.5
  US$
   0.1
 
Interest cost
  
57.9
   
66.3
   
45.3
   
0.6
 
Expected return on plan assets
  
(23.6
)  
(18.6
)  
(11.0
)  
(0.1
)
Actuarial (gains)/losses
  
16.7
   
1.7
   
12.4
   
0.2
 
                 
Net pension cost*
 Rs.
  58.6
  Rs.
  57.1
  Rs.
  53.2
  US$
0.8
 
                 
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
                 
   
(In millions)
 
Service cost
  Rs.6.5   Rs.14.6   Rs.93.0   US$  1.2 
Interest cost
   45.3    37.7    55.8    0.7 
Expected return on plan assets
   (11.0   (3.2   (0.4   —   
Actuarial (gains)/losses
   12.4    329.6    32.1    0.4 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Net pension cost
  Rs.  53.2   Rs.  378.7   Rs.  180.5   US$2.3 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
*Effective April 1, 2018, the Bank adopted ASU 2017-07 Compensation- Retirement Benefits (Topic 715) -Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. Accordingly, service cost is reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income in line Non-interest expense-salaries and staff benefits and other components of net benefit cost is reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income in line Non-interest expense –Administrative and other. The amendments have been applied retrospectively.
F-5
5F-59

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The assumptions used in accounting for the pension plan are set out below:
 
Fiscal years ended March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
 
 
(% per annum)
 
Discount rate*
  
8.0
   
8.4
   
7.5
 
Rate of increase in compensation levels of covered employees
  
8.0
   
8.0
   
7.0
 
Rate of return on plan assets
  
7.0
   
7.0
   
7.0
 
Mortality rates used are based on the published “Indian Assured Lives Mortality (2012-2014) Ultimate” table
 
   
Fiscal years ended March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
 
             
   
(% per annum)
 
Discount rate*
   7.5    7.0    7.3 
Rate of increase in compensation levels of covered employees
   7.0    7.0    7.0 
Rate of return on plan assets
   7.0    6.5    6.5 
Mortality rates used are based on the published “Indian Assured Lives Mortality (2012-2014) Ultimate” table.
 
*
Weighted average assumptions used to determine both benefit obligations and net periodic benefit cost.
The following benefit payments, which include benefits attributable to expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid.
Year ending March 31,
 
Benefit payments
 
 
(In millions)
 
2021
 Rs.
46.6
 
2022
  
43.7
 
2023
  
14.1
 
2024
  
21.3
 
2025
  
18.1
 
2026-2030
  
102.3
 
Year ending March 31,
  
Benefit payments
 
   
(In millions)
 
2023
  Rs.140.2 
2024
   147.6 
2025
   134.1 
2026
   45.5 
2027
   49.7 
2028-2032
   717.5 
The expected benefits are based on the same assumptions used to measure the Bank’s benefit obligations as of March 31, 2020.2022.
The retirement funds of a section of the employees are managed by a trust set up for the purpose. The trust essentially manages the defined retirement benefit plans belonging to certain employees. The funds are mainly invested in government securities and other corporate bonds. The weighted-average asset allocation of the said plan assets for the pension benefits as at March 31, 20202022 is as follows:
Asset category
  
Funds managed

by trust
 
Government securities
   
20.8
90.8
%
Debenture and bonds
   
17.1
9.2
%
Other
   
62.1
—  
%
   
 
Total
   
100.0
%
   
 
For information on fair value measurements, including descriptions of Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the fair value hierarchy and the valuation methods employed by the Bank, see note 3
1
 – Fair30 –Fair value measurements.
F-5
6F-60

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Plan investment assets for gratuity funds and the pension fund measured at fair value by level and in total as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 20202022 are summarized in the table below.
 
As of March 31, 2019
  
As of March 31, 2020
 
 
Level 1
  
Level 2
  
Level 3
  
Level 1
  
Level 2
  
Level 3
 
 
(In millions)
 
Funds managed by insurance company (1)
 Rs.
  Rs.
  Rs.
625.0
  Rs.
  Rs.
  Rs.
600.2
 
Funds managed by insurance company (2)
  
   
4,632.5
   
   
   
4,937.3
   
 
Funds managed by trust
                  
— Government securities
  
   
106.6
   
   
   
110.8
   
 
— Debenture and bonds
  
   
320.1
   
   
   
108.7
   
 
— Others
  
37.1
   
   
   
118.0
   
   
 
                         
Total
 Rs.
   37.1
  Rs.
   5,059.2
  Rs.
   625.0
  Rs.
   118.0
  Rs.
   5,156.8
  Rs.
   600.2
 
                         
          US$
1.6
  US$
68.4
  US$
8.0
 
                         
   
As of March 31, 2021
   
As of March 31, 2022
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
                         
   
(In millions)
 
Funds managed by insurance company (1)
  Rs.—     Rs.—     Rs.664.1   Rs.—     Rs.—     Rs.779.8 
Funds managed by insurance company (2)
   —      7,445.5    —      —      9,016.0    —   
Funds managed by trust
                              
— Government securities
   —      87.6    —      —      68.1    —   
— Debenture and bonds
   —      123.5    —      —      53.0    —   
— Others
 
27.2
   
—  
   
—  
   
111.1
   
—  
   
—  
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.  27.2   Rs.  7,656.6   Rs.  664.1   Rs.    111.1   Rs.    9,137.1   Rs.    779.8 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
                  US$1.5   US$120.4   US$10.3 
                  
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
The table below presents a reconciliation of all Plan investment assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during fiscal 2019years 2021 and 2020.2022.
 
Funds managed by Insurance
companies as of March 31,
 
 
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Particulars
         
Opening balance
 Rs.
519.9
  Rs.
625.0
  US$
8.3
 
Realized interest credited to fund
  
36.7
   
48.0
   
0.6
 
Contribution during the period
  
88.6
   
89.5
   
1.2
 
Amount paid towards claim
  
(20.2
)  
(162.3
)  
(2.1
)
             
Closing balance
 Rs.  
625.0
  Rs.  
600.2
  US$
   8.0
 
             
   
Funds managed by Insurance

companies as of March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
             
   
(In millions)
 
Particulars
               
Opening balance
  Rs.600.2   Rs.664.1   US$8.8 
Realized interest credited to fund
   60.5    48.1    0.6 
Contribution during the period
   104.5    131.1    1.7 
Amount paid towards claim
   (101.1   (63.5   (0.8
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Closing balance
  Rs.  664.1   Rs.    779.8   US$  10.3 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Superannuation
Eligible employees of the Bank are entitled to receive retirement benefits under the Bank’s superannuation fund. The superannuation fund is a defined contribution plan under which the Bank annually contributes a sum equivalent to 13% of the employee’s eligible annual salary (15% for the Managing Director, Executive Directors and for certain employees of CBoP) to the insurance companies in India, which administers the fund. The Bank has no liability for future superannuation fund benefits other than its annual contribution, and recognizes such contributions as an expense in the year incurred. The Bank contributedincurred Rs. 676.81,269.9 million, Rs. 1,034.11,513.7 million and Rs. 1,269.91,795.3 million to thetowards superannuation planexpense for the years ended March 31, 2018,2020, March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020,2022, respectively.
F-5
7F-61

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Provident fund
In accordance with Indian law, eligible employees of the Bank are entitled to receive benefits under the provident fund, a defined contribution plan in which both the employee and the Bank contribute monthly at a determined rate (currently 12% of an employee’s eligible salary). These contributions are made to a fund set up by the Bank and administered by a board of trustees, except that
,
out of the employer’s contribution, an amount equal to 8.33% of the lower of employee’s monthly eligible salary or Rs. 0.015 million, is contributed by the Bank to the Pension Scheme administered by the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner. Employees are credited with interest, which is subject to a government specified minimum rate. The Bank has no liability for future provident fund benefits other than its annual contribution and the shortfall, if any, between the government specified
government-specified
minimum rate and the yield on the fund’s assets, and recognizes such contributions as an expense in the year incurred. The amount contributed being Rs. 3,081.44,901.4 million, Rs. 3,312.15,429.6 million and Rs. 4,901.46,844.7
 million to the Provident Fund Trust and Regional Provident Fund Commissioner for the years ended March 31, 2018,2020, March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020,2022, respectively. The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India issued an order dated February 28, 2019 relating to employer’s contribution to the provident fund under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. Based on external legal opinion, the Bank has concluded the abovementionedabove-mentioned order is applicable prospectively, and hence it is not probable that there will be an outflow of resources in relation to past periods. From April 1, 2019, the employer’s contribution by the Bank to the provident fund under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1952
 w
as was made in accordance with the terms of the said order.
National Pension Scheme
In respect of employees who opt for contribution to the National Pension Scheme, the Bank contributes a certain percentage of the basic salary of employees to the aforesaid scheme, a defined contribution plan, which is managed and administered by pension fund management companies. The Bank has no liability other than its contribution, and recognizes such contributions as an expense in the year incurred. The amount contributed being Rs. 32.746.3 million and Rs. 37.957.2 million to the National Pension Scheme for the fiscal years ended March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020,2022, respectively.
Compensated absences
The Bank has provided for unutilized leave balances as on March 31, 20202022 standing to the credit of each employee on an actuarial valuation conducted by an independent actuary.
24.23. Financial instruments
Foreign exchange and derivative contracts
The Bank enters into forward exchange contracts, currency options, forward rate agreements, currency swaps and rupee interest rate swaps with inter-bank participants on its own account and for customers. These transactions enable customers to transfer, modify or reduce their foreign exchange and interest rate risks.
Forward exchange contracts are commitments to buy or sell foreign currency at a future date at the contracted rate. Currency swaps are commitments to exchange cash flows by way of interest in one currency against another currency and exchange of principal amount at maturity based on predetermined rates. Interest rate swaps are commitments to exchange fixed and floating rate interest cash flows. A forward rate agreement gives the buyer the ability to determine the underlying rate of interest for a specified period commencing on a specified future date (the settlement date) when the settlement amount is determined being the difference between the contracted rate and the market rate on the settlement date. Currency options give the buyer the right, but not an obligation, to buy or sell specified amounts of currency at agreed rates of exchange on or before a specified future date.
The market and credit risk associated with these products, as well as the operating risks, are similar to those relating to other types of financial instruments. Market risk is the exposure created by movements in interest rates and exchange rates during the tenure of the transaction. The extent of market risk affecting such transactions depends on the type and nature of the transaction, the value of the transaction and the extent to which the transaction is uncovered. Credit risk is the exposure to loss in the event of default by counterparties. The extent of loss on account of a counterparty default will depend on the replacement value of the contract at the ongoing market rates.
F-5
8F-62

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The Bank uses its pricing models to determine
the
fair valuesvalue of its derivative financial instruments. The Bank records credit risk valuation adjustments on derivative financial instruments in order to reflect the credit quality of the counterparties and its own credit quality. The Bank calculates valuation adjustments on derivatives based on observable market credit risk spreads.
The following table presents the aggregate notional principal amounts of the Bank’s outstanding forward exchange and other derivative contracts as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020,2022, together with the fair valuesvalue on each reporting date.
 
As of March 31, 2019
 
 
Notional
  
Gross Assets
  
Gross Liabilities
  
Net Fair Value
 
Interest rate derivatives
 Rs.
3,159,867.1
  Rs.
27,932.0
  Rs.
  27,102.8
  Rs.
829.2
 
Forward rate agreements
  
   
   
   
 
Currency options
  
282,096.9
   
2,326.1
   
2,617.2
   
(291.1
)
Currency swaps
  
197,044.2
   
5,841.0
   
4,070.7
   
1,770.3
 
Forward exchange contracts
  
5,561,859.5
   
96,425.0
   
94,658.3
   
1,766.7
 
                 
Total
 Rs.
  9,200,867.7
  Rs.
  132,524.1
  Rs.
  128,449.0
  Rs.
  4,075.1
 
                 

   
As of March 31, 2021
 
   
Notional
   
Gross Assets
   
Gross Liabilities
   
Net Fair Value
 
   
(In millions)
 
                 
                 
Interest rate derivatives
  Rs.3,155,410.2   Rs.32,217.2   Rs.  33,894.0   Rs.  (1,676.8
Forward rate agreements
   20,887.8    270.0    64.1    205.9 
Currency options
   202,402.7    1,078.7    1,510.7    (432.0
Currency swaps
   237,081.5    8,126.4    4,940.8    3,185.6 
Forward exchange contracts
   4,964,726.6    42,714.4    41,470.4    1,244.0 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.   8,580,508.8   Rs.        84,406.7   Rs.        81,880.0   Rs.        2,526.7 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
As of March 31, 2022
 
   
Notional
   
Gross Assets
   
Gross Liabilities
   
Net Fair Value
   
Notional
   
Net Fair Value
 
                         
   
(In millions)
 
Interest rate derivatives
  Rs.5,142,612.3   Rs.28,564.1   Rs.27,644.4   Rs.919.7   US$67,781.9   US$12.1 
Forward rate agreements
   50,610.7    1,574.1    14.8    1,559.3    667.1    20.6 
Currency options
   434,371.3    1,845.1    2,439.5    (594.4   5,725.2    (7.8
Currency swaps
   308,757.4    10,463.6    4,312.3    6,151.3    4,069.6    81.1 
Forward exchange contracts
   6,551,871.8    37,755.4    40,408.2    (2,652.8   86,356.6    (35.0
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.12,488,223.5   Rs.80,202.3   Rs.74,819.2   Rs.5,383.1   US$164,600.4   US$71.0 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
As of March 31, 2020
 
 
Notional
  
Gross Assets
  
Gross Liabilities
  
Net Fair Value
  
Notional
  
Net Fair Value
 
 
(In millions)
 
Interest rate derivatives
 Rs.
3,644,495.8
  Rs.
49,876.8
  Rs.
51,976.9
  Rs.
  (2,100.1
) US$
48,341.9
  US$
   (27.9
)
Forward rate agreements
  
   
   
   
   
   
 
Currency options
  
304,252.4
   
3,034.4
   
4,342.0
   
(1,307.6
)  
4,035.7
   
(17.3
)
Currency swaps
  
202,725.6
   
12,396.0
   
6,592.1
   
5,803.9
   
2,689.0
   
77.0
 
Forward exchange contracts
  
6,079,195.0
   
125,230.4
   
121,872.0
   
3,358.4
   
80,636.6
   
44.6
 
                         
Total
 Rs.
  10,230,668.8
  Rs.
  190,537.6
  Rs.
  184,783.0
  Rs.
  5,754.6
  US$
   135,703.2
  US$
76.4
 
                         
The Bank has not designated the above contracts as accounting hedges and accordingly the contracts are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet with changes in fair value recorded in net income. The gross assets and the gross liabilities are recorded in ‘other assets’“other assets” and ‘accrued“accrued expenses and other liabilities’liabilities”, respectively.
The following table summarizes certain information related to derivative amounts recognized in income:
 
Non-interest revenue, net –
Derivatives for the years ended March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Interest rate derivatives
 Rs.
1,027.5
  Rs.
736.4
  Rs.
  (2,572.2
 US$
   (34.1
Forward rate agreements
  
0.5
   
0.1
   
   
 
Currency options
  
(15.0
)  
(262.5
)  
585.5
   
7.7
 
Currency swaps
  
(1,706.9
)  
1,045.0
   
3,465.5
   
46.0
 
Forward exchange contracts
  
7,436.5
   
10,890.1
   
2,071.2
   
27.5
 
                 
Total gains/(losses)
 Rs.
  6,742.6
  Rs.
  12,409.1
  Rs.
  3,550.0
  US$
47.1
 
                 
   
Non-interest revenue, net–

Derivatives for the years ended March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
                 
   
(In millions)
 
Interest rate derivatives
  Rs.  (2,572.2  Rs.773.9   Rs.3,207.7   US$42.3 
Forward rate agreements
   —      205.9    1,374.1    18.1 
Currency options
   585.5    1,191.1    167.3    2.2 
Currency swaps
   3,465.5    (3,309.2   (1,682.0   (22.2
Forward exchange contracts
   2,071.2    (2,114.7   (1,645.1   (21.7
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total gains/(losses)
  Rs.3,550.0   Rs.  (3,253.0  Rs.1,422.0   US$  18.7 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Offsetting
The following table shows the impact of netting arrangements on derivative financial instruments, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements that are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements, but are not offset in accordance with ASC
210-20-45
and ASC
815-10-45.
F-5
9F-63

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The Bank enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA)(“ISDA”) master netting agreements or similar agreements with substantially all of the Bank’s foreign exchange and derivative contract counterparties. These master netting agreements, give the Bank, in the event of default by the counterparty, the right to liquidate collaterals held or placed and to offset receivables and payables with the same counterparty. In the table below
,
the Bank has presented the gross derivative assets and liabilities adjusted for the effects of master netting agreements and collaterals received or pledged.
Transactions with counterparties for Securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“repos”) and securitiesSecurities purchased under agreements to resell (“reverse repos”) are settled through the Clearing Corporation of India Limited (“CCIL”), a centralized clearing house.clearinghouse. Collaterals received or pledged compriseare comprised of highly liquid investments. For undertaking the above transactions, power of attorney is executed by the Bank and the counterparties in favor of CCIL to liquidate the securities pledged in the event of default.
 
 
As of March 31, 2019
 
 
Amounts subject to enforceable netting arrangements
   
 
Effects of offsetting on balance sheet
  
Related amounts not offset
   
 
Gross Amounts
  
Amounts
offset
  
Net amounts
reported in the
balance sheet
  
Financial
instruments
  
Financial
collateral (1)
  
Net amount
 
 
(In millions)
 
Financial assets
                  
Derivative assets
 Rs.
132,524.1
   
Rs.  —
  Rs.
  132,524.1
  Rs.
104,025.7
  Rs.
2,651.7
   
Rs.  25,846.7
 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
  
76,213.5
   
   
76,213.5
   
   
76,213.5
   
 
Financial liabilities
                  
Derivative liabilities
 Rs.
  128,449.0
   
Rs.  —
  Rs.
  128,449.0
  Rs.
  104,025.7
  Rs.
3,098.1
   
Rs.  21,325.2
 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
  
174,000.0
   
   
174,000.0
   
   
174,000.0
   
 
  
As of March 31, 2021
 
  
Amounts subject to enforceable netting arrangements
    
  
Effects of offsetting on balance sheet
  
Related amounts not offset
    
                   
  
Gross Amounts
  
Amounts

offset
  
Net amounts

reported in the

balance sheet
  
Financial

instruments
  
Financial

collateral 
(1)
  
Net amount
 
                   
  
(In millions)
 
Financial assets
      
Derivative assets
 Rs.84,406.7  Rs.—    Rs.84,406.7  Rs.55,002.7  Rs.4,065.5  Rs.25,338.5 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
  270,060.0   —     270,060.0   —     270,060.0   —   
Financial liabilities
                        
Derivative liabilities
 Rs.  81,880.0  Rs.    —    Rs. 81,880.0  Rs.  55,002.7  Rs.  4,816.3  Rs.  22,061.0 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
  356,059.2   —     356,059.2   —     356,059.2   —   
Long-term debt
  90,200.0   —     90,200.0   —     90,200.0   —   
(1)
Comprised of securities and cash collaterals. These amounts are limited to the asset/liability balance, and accordingly, do not include excess collateral received/pledged.
  
As of March 31, 2022
 
  
Amounts subject to enforceable netting arrangements
       
  
Effects of offsetting on balance sheet
  
Related amounts not offset
       
                      
  
Gross Amounts
  
Amounts

offset
  
Net amounts

reported in the

balance sheet
  
Financial

instruments
  
Financial

collateral 
(1)
  
Net amount
    
                      
  
(In millions)
 
Financial assets
       
Derivative assets
 Rs.80,202.3  Rs.    —    Rs.    80,202.3  Rs.    48,942.8  Rs.    8,022.9  Rs.    23,236.6  US$    306.3 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
  373,053.3   —     373,053.3   —     373,053.3   —     —   
Financial liabilities
                            
Derivative liabilities
 Rs.    74,819.2  Rs.—    Rs.    74,819.2  Rs.48,942.8  Rs.1,697.2  Rs.24,179.2  US$318.7 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
  151,844.9   —     151,844.9   —     151,844.9   —     —   
Long Term debt
  90,200.0   —     90,200.0   —     90,200.0   —     —   
 
 
As of March 31, 2020
 
 
Amounts subject to enforceable netting arrangements
     
 
Effects of offsetting on balance sheet
  
Related amounts not offset
     
 
Gross Amounts
  
Amounts
offset
  
Net amounts
reported in the
balance sheet
  
Financial
instruments
  
Financial
collateral (1)
  
Net amount
   
 
(In millions)
 
Financial assets
                     
Derivative assets
 Rs.
 
 
190,537.6
   
Rs.  —
  Rs.
190,537.6
   
Rs.  147,844.5
  Rs.
8,326.7
   
Rs.  34,366.4
  US$
455.8
 
Securities purchased
 
under
agreements to
 
resell
  250,000.0   
   250,000.0   
   250,000.0   
   
 
Financial liabilities
                     
Derivative liabilities
 Rs.
184,783.0
   
Rs.  —
  Rs.
184,783.0
   
Rs.  147,844.5
  Rs.
6,706.7
   
Rs.  30,231.8
  US$
   401.0
 
Securities sold under repurchase
agreements
  
507,982.0
   
   
507,982.0
   
   
507,982.0
   
   
 
Long Term debt
  
17,260.0
   
   
17,260.0
   
   
17,260.0
   
   
 
(1)
Comprised of securities and cash collaterals. These amounts are limited to the asset/liability balance, and accordingly, do not include excess collateral received/pledged.
F-
60F-64

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Guarantees
As a part of its commercial banking activities, the Bank has issued guarantees and documentary credits, such as letters of credit, to enhance the credit standing of its customers. These generally represent irrevocable assurances that the Bank will make payments in the event that the customer fails to fulfill its financial or performance obligations. Financial guarantees are obligations to pay a third-party beneficiary where a customer fails to make payment towards a specified financial obligation. Performance guarantees are obligations to pay a third-party beneficiary where a customer fails to perform a
non-financial
contractual obligation. The tenure of the guarantees issued or renewed by the Bank is normally in line with requirements on a
case-by-case
basis as may be assessed by the Bank. The remaining tenure of guarantees presently issued by the Bank and currently outstanding ranges from 1 one
day
to 25.623.6 years.
The credit risk associated with these products, as well as the operating risks, is similar to those relating to other types of financial instruments.
In accordance with FASB
ASC
460-10,
the Bank
has recognized a liability of Rs. 3,544.4 million and Rs. 4,191.95,500.7 million as of March 31, 20192021 and of Rs. 5,760.7 million as at March 31, 2020, respectively,2022, in respect of guarantees issued or modified. Based on historical trends, in accordance with FASB ASC 450, the Bank has recognized a liability of Rs. 2,589.5 million and Rs. 3,011.9 million as of March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020, respectively.
Details of guarantees and documentary credits outstanding are set out below:
 
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Nominal values:
         
Bank guarantees:
         
Financial guarantees
 Rs.
254,075.9
  Rs.
263,758.0
  US$
3,498.6
 
Performance guarantees
  
285,748.4
   
330,164.6
   
4,379.4
 
Documentary credits
  
475,617.8
   
440,232.7
   
5,839.4
 
             
Total
 Rs.
1,015,442.1
  Rs.
1,034,155.3
  US$
13,717.4
 
             
Estimated fair values:
         
Guarantees
 Rs.
(3,544.4
 Rs.
(4,191.9
) US$
(55.6
)
Documentary credits
  
(501.7
)  
(488.8
)  
(6.5
)
             
Total
 Rs.
(4,046.1
 Rs.
(4,680.7
 US$
(62.1
             
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
             
   
(In millions)
 
Nominal values:
               
Bank guarantees:
               
Financial guarantees
  Rs.  334,040.8           Rs.  422,406.2       US$  5,567.5 
Performance guarantees
   421,162.2    417,227.2    5,499.2 
Documentary credits
   376,536.2    615,639.6    8,114.4 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.  1,131,739.2   Rs.  1,455,273.0   US$  19,181.1 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Estimated fair value:
               
Guarantees
  Rs.  (5,500.7  Rs.  (5,760.7  US$  (75.9
Documentary credits
   (543.4   (822.8   (10.8
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.  (6,044.1  Rs.  (6,583.5  US$  (86.7
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
As part of its risk management activities, the Bank continuously monitors the creditworthiness of customers as well as guarantee exposures. If a customer fails to perform a specified obligation, a beneficiary may draw upon the guarantee by presenting documents in compliance with the guarantee. In that event, the Bank makes payment on account of the defaulting customer to the beneficiary up to the full notional amount of the guarantee. The customer is obligated to reimburse the Bank for any such payment. If the customer fails to pay, the Bank liquidates any collateral held and sets off accounts; if insufficient collateral is held, the Bank recognizes a loss. Margins in the form of cash and fixed deposit available to the Bank to reimburse losses realized under guarantees amounted to Rs. 99.5121.2 billion and Rs. 130.5182.0 billion as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020,2022, respectively. Other property or security may also be available to the Bank to cover losses under these guarantees.
Undrawn commitments
The Bank has outstanding undrawn commitments to provide loans and financing to customers. These commitments aggregated to Rs. 452.9628.3 billion and Rs. 539.8730.9 billion (US$ 7.29.6 billion) as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020,2022, respectively. Among other things, the making of a loan is subject to a review of the creditworthiness of the customer at the time the customer seeks to borrow, at which time the Bank has the unilateral right to decline to make the loan. If the Bank were to make such loans, the interest rates would be dependent on the lending rates in effect when the loans were disbursed. Further, the Bank has unconditional cancellable commitments aggregating to Rs. 3,150.94,826.7 billion and Rs. 3,806.25,528.4 billion (US$ 50.572.9 billion) as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020,2022, respectively.
The allowance for credit losses included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on
Off-Balance
sheet credit exposures and undrawn commitments is as follows:
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
             
       
(In millions)
 
Allowance for credit losses, beginning of the period
  Rs.  3,226.8   Rs.  5,581.5   US$  73.6 
Impact of Adoption of ASC 326
   2,296.6    —       
Provision for credit exposures
   58.1    506.1    6.7 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Allowance for credit losses, end of the period
  Rs.  5,581.5   Rs.  6,087.6   US$  80.3 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
F-6
1F-65

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
25.24. Estimated fair value of financial instruments
The Bank’s financial instruments include financial assets and liabilities recorded on the balance sheet, including instruments such as foreign exchange and derivative contracts. Management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of the Bank’s financial instruments; however, there are inherent weaknesses in any estimation technique. Therefore, for substantially all financial instruments, the fair value estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of all the amounts the Bank could have realized in a sales transaction as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020.2022, respectively. The estimated fair value amounts as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 20202022 have been measured as of the respective year ends, and have not been
re-evaluated
or updated for purposes of these financial statements subsequent to those respective dates. As such, the estimated fair valuesvalue of these financial instruments subsequent to the respective reporting dates may be different than the amounts reported at each year end.
A comparison of the fair valuesvalue and carrying valuesvalue of financial instruments is set out below:
 
  
As of
 
 
March 31, 2019
  
March 31, 2020
 
   
Estimated Fair Value
    
Estimated Fair Value
     
  
Carrying
Value
  
Level 1
  
Level 2
  
Level 3
  
Total
  
Carrying
Value
  
Level 1
  
Level 2
  
Level 3
  
Total
  
Carrying
Value
  
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
 
(In millions)
 
Financial Assets:
                                    
Cash and due from
banks, and
 
restricted
cash
 Rs.
734,872.6
  Rs.
  734,872.6
  Rs.
  Rs.
  Rs.
734,872.6
  Rs.
611,961.0
  Rs.
  611,961.0
  Rs.
  Rs.
  Rs.
611,961.0
  US$
   8,117.3
  US$
   8,117.3
 
Investments held for
trading
  
265,516.1
   
1,999.6
   
263,516.5
   
   
265,516.1
   
304,962.9
   
6,291.0
   
298,671.9
   
   
304,962.9
   
4,045.1
   
4,045.1
 
Investments
 
available
for sale
 
debt
securities
  
2,633,348.4
   
34,807.2
   
2,559,728.3
   
38,812.9
   
2,633,348.4
   
3,406,289.2
   
371,450.5
   
2,907,384.4
   
127,454.3
   
3,406,289.2
   
45,182.2
   
45,182.2
 
Securities purchased
under agreements
 
to
resell
  
76,213.5
   
   
76,213.5
   
   
76,213.5
   
250,000.0
   
   
250,000.0
   
   
250,000.0
   
3,316.1
   
3,316.1
 
Loans
  
8,963,232.6
   
   
2,593,533.9
   
6,378,523.8
   
8,972,057.7
   
10,425,022.4
   
   
2,593,022.1
   
7,936,633.4
   
10,529,655.5
   
138,281.2
   
139,669.1
 
Accrued interest
receivable
  
93,031.7
   
   
93,031.7
   
   
93,031.7
   
103,035.9
   
   
103,035.9
   
   
103,035.9
   
1,366.7
   
1,366.7
 
Other assets
  
344,873.6
   
2,390.1
   
340,767.5
   
   
343,157.6
   
641,605.5
   
2,282.4
   
637,594.1
   
   
639,876.5
   
8,510.5
   
8,487.6
 
Financial
 
Liabilities
:
                                    
Interest-bearing
deposits
  
7,804,717.5
   
   
7,826,794.0
   
   
7,826,794.0
   
9,730,481.3
   
   
9,786,793.2
   
   
9,786,793.2
   
129,068.6
   
129,815.5
 
Non-interest-bearing

deposits
  
1,420,309.4
   
   
1,420,309.4
   
   
1,420,309.4
   
1,731,590.0
   
   
1,731,590.0
   
   
1,731,590.0
   
22,968.4
   
22,968.4
 
Securities sold
 
under repurchase agreements
  
174,000.0
   
   
174,000.0
   
   
174,000.0
   
507,982.0
   
   
507,982.0
   
   
507,982.0
   
6,738.1
   
6,738.1
 
Short-term borrowings
  
654,058.0
   
   
655,215.2
   
   
655,215.2
   
377,417.6
   
   
378,027.9
   
   
378,027.9
   
5,006.2
   
5,014.3
 
Accrued interest payable
  
79,372.5
   
   
79,372.5
   
   
79,372.5
   
80,078.9
   
   
80,078.9
   
   
80,078.9
   
1,062.2
   
1,062.2
 
Long-term debt
  
1,044,553.0
   
   
1,061,687.0
   
   
1,061,687.0
   
1,026,518.3
   
   
1,074,826.3
   
   
1,074,826.3
   
13,616.1
   
14,256.9
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
  
366,071.3
   
   
366,071.3
   
   
366,071.3
   
460,931.4
   
   
460,931.4
   
   
460,931.4
   
6,114.0
   
6,114.0
 
  
As of
 
  
March 31, 2021
  
March 31, 2022
 
     
Estimated fair value
     
Estimated fair value
       
  
Carrying

value
  
Level 1
  
Level 2
  
Level 3
  
Total
  
Carrying

value
  
Level 1
  
Level 2
  
Level 3
  
Total
  
Carrying
value
  
Estimated

fair

value
 
              
(In millions)
                   
Financial Assets:
            
Cash and due from banks, and restricted cash
 Rs.  930,694.7  Rs.  930,694.7  Rs.  —    Rs.  —    Rs.  930,694.7  Rs.  1,122,031.1  Rs.  1,122,031.1  Rs.  —    Rs.  —    Rs.  1,122,031.1  US$  14,788.9  US$  14,788.9 
Investments held for trading
  99,620.2   —     99,620.2   —     99,620.2   53,199.5   304.1   52,895.4   —     53,199.5   701.2   701.2 
Investments available for sale debt securities
  4,275,449.9   176,015.8   3,938,270.2   161,163.9   4,275,449.9   4,388,563.1   174,680.3   4,069,988.1   143,894.7   4,388,563.1   57,843.2   57,843.2 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
  270,060.0   —     270,060.0   —     270,060.0   373,053.3   —     373,053.3   —     373,053.3   4,917.0   4,917.0 
Loans
  11,700,189.2   —     2,807,875.9   9,066,940.1   11,874,816.0   14,036,872.2   —     3,311,277.1   10,976,971.8   14,288,248.9   185,012.2   188,325.4 
Accrued interest receivable
  118,762.9   —     118,762.9   —     118,762.9   134,467.7   —     134,467.7   —     134,467.7   1,772.3   1,772.3 
Other assets
  320,187.5   11,869.8   306,640.9   —     318,510.7   686,475.6   3,889.8   680,762.1   —     684,651.9   9,048.1   9,024.0 
Financial Liabilities
:
                                                
Interest-bearing deposits
  11,226,467.8   —     11,282,540.2   —     11,282,540.2   13,197,979.7   —     13,240,403.7   —     13,240,403.7   173,955.2   174,514.3 
Non-interest-bearing
deposits
  2,110,762.4   —     2,110,762.4   —     2,110,762.4   2,382,052.2   —     2,382,052.2   —     2,382,052.2   31,396.5   31,396.5 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
  356,059.2   —     356,059.2   —     356,059.2   151,844.9   —     151,844.9   —     151,844.9   2,001.4   2,001.4 
Short-term borrowings
  239,264.1   —     238,700.3   —     238,700.3   554,167.6   —     552,737.9   —     552,737.9   7,304.2   7,285.3 
Accrued interest payable
  77,969.1   —     77,969.1   —     77,969.1   82,412.8   —     82,412.8   —     82,412.8   1,086.2   1,086.2 
Long-term debt
  1,174,758.2   —     1,200,953.4   —     1,200,953.4   1,554,333.4   —     1,554,540.2   —     1,554,540.2   20,486.8   20,489.5 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
  445,135.7   —     445,135.7   —     445,135.7   499,905.7   —     499,905.7   —     499,905.7   6,589.0   6,589.0 
F-6
2F-66

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
26.25. Segment information
The Bank operates in 3 reportable segments: wholesale banking, retail banking and treasury services. The revenue and related expense recognition policies are set out in note 2. Substantially all operations and assets are based in India.
The retail banking segment serves retail customers through a branch network and other delivery channels. This segment raises deposits from customers and grant loans, provides credit cards and debit cards, and distributes third-party financial products, such as mutual funds and insurance to such customers. Revenues of the retail banking segment are derived from interest earned on retail loans, fees for banking services, profit from foreign exchange and derivative transactions and interest earned from other segments for surplus funds placed with those segments. Expenses of this segment are primarily comprised of interest expense on deposits, infrastructure and premises expenses for operating the branch network and other delivery channels, personnel costs, other direct overheads and allocated expenses. The Bank’s retail banking loan products also include loans to small and medium enterprises for commercial vehicles, construction equipment and other business purposes. Such grouping ensures optimum utilization and deployment of specialized resources in the retail banking business.
The wholesale banking segment provides loans and transaction services to corporate customers. As discussed above, loans to small and medium enterprises for commercial vehicles, construction equipment and other business purposes are included in the retail banking segment. Revenues of the wholesale banking segment consist of interest earned on loans given to corporate customers, investment income from credit substitutes, interest earned on the cash float arising from transaction services, fees from such transaction services and profits from foreign exchange and derivative transactions with wholesale banking customers. The principal expenses of the segment consist of interest expense on funds borrowed from other segments, premises expenses, personnel costs, other direct overheads and allocated expenses.
The treasury services segment undertakes trading operations on proprietary account (including investments in government securities), foreign exchange operations and derivatives trading both on proprietary account and customer flows and borrowings. Revenues of the treasury services segment primarily consist of fees and gains and losses from trading operations and of net interest revenue/expense from investments in government securities and borrowings. Revenues from foreign exchange and derivative operations and customer flows are classified under the retail or wholesale segments depending on the profile of the customer.
Segment income and expenses include certain allocations. Interest income is charged by a segment that provides funding to another segment, based on yields benchmarked to an internally developed composite yield curve which broadly tracks market-discovered interest rates.
Directly identifiable overheads are attributed to a segment at actual amounts incurred. Indirect shared costs, principally corporate office expenses, are generally allocated to each segment on the basis of area occupied, number of staff, volume and nature of transactions. WholesaleThe wholesale banking segment includes unallocated tax balances and other items.
F-6
3F-67

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Summarized segment information for the years ended March 31, 2020, March 31, 2021 and March 31,
2022:
  
Fiscal year ended March 31,
 
  
2020
  
2021
 
  
Retail

Banking
  
Wholesale

Banking
  
Treasury

Services
  
Total
  
Retail

Banking
  
Wholesale

Banking
  
Treasury

Services
  
Total
 
                         
  
(In millions)
 
                         
Net interest income/
(expense) (external)
 Rs.  356,017.3  Rs.  204,725.8  Rs.  32,784.3  Rs.  593,527.4  Rs.  361,343.5  Rs.  278,431.0  Rs.  43,912.0  Rs.  683,686.5 
Net interest income/
(expense) (internal)
  127,065.9   (101,002.5  (26,063.4     176,420.0   (143,863.7  (32,556.3   
Net interest revenue
  483,083.2   103,723.3   6,720.9   593,527.4   537,763.5   134,567.3   11,355.7   683,686.5 
Less: Provision for credit
losses
  104,516.8  
 
13,105.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
117,621.9
 
 
 
145,822.0
 
 
 
8,411.4
 
 
 
 
 
 
154,233.4
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Net interest revenue, after
provision for credit losses
  378,566.4   90,618.2   6,720.9   475,905.5   391,941.5   126,155.9   11,355.7   529,453.1 
Non-interest
revenue
  161,890.1   36,059.1   269.8   198,219.0   175,447.7   72,420.1   5,107.9   252,975.7 
Non-interest
expense
  (278,605.8  (27,774.0  (1,900.7  (308,280.5  (306,461.1  (34,238.4  (1,902.8  (342,602.3
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Income before income tax Rs.  261,850.7  Rs.  98,903.3  Rs.  5,090.0  Rs.  365,844.0  Rs.  260,928.1  Rs.  164,337.6  Rs.  14,560.8  Rs.  439,826.5 
                                 
Income tax expense
             Rs.  105,480.0              Rs.  113,820.1 
 
             
 
 
              
 
 
 
Segment assets:
                                
Segment total assets
 
Rs.
  8,353,762.3
 
 
Rs.
  5,933,391.4
 
 
Rs.
  1,674,735.4
 
 
Rs.
  15,961,889.1
 
 
Rs.
  9,356,987.2
 
 
Rs.
  7,011,959.9
 
 
Rs.
  1,610,834.9
 
 
Rs.
  17,979,782.0
 
   
Fiscal year ended March 31,
 
   
2022
 
   
Retail Banking
  
Wholesale

Banking
  
Treasury

Services
  
Total
  
Total
 
                 
   
(In millions)
 
                 
Net interest income/(expense)
(external)
  Rs.418,823.0  Rs.  297,694.0  Rs.  32,322.5  Rs.  748,839.5  US$9,869.9 
Net interest income/(expense)
(internal)
   141,001.2   (113,339.0  (27,662.2      
Net interest revenue
   559,824.2   184,355.0   4,660.3   748,839.5   9,869.9 
Less: Provision for credit losses
   122,622.6   4,356.9      126,979.5   1,673.6 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Net
 
interest
 
revenue,
 
after
 
provision
 
for
credit losses
   437,201.6   179,998.1   4,660.3   621,860.0   8,196.3 
Non-interest
revenue
   203,468.5   55,813.2   11,292.5   270,574.2   3,566.3 
Non-interest
expense
   (345,321.5)  (25,544.1)  (2,406.4  (373,272.0  (4,920.0
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Income before income tax
  Rs.295,348.6  Rs.  210,267.2  Rs.  13,546.4  Rs.  519,162.2  US$6,842.6 
   
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
Income tax expense
              Rs.  132,559.2  US$1,747.2 
               
 
 
  
 
 
 
Segment assets:
                     
Segment total assets
  Rs.  11,384,802.9  Rs.  8,106,671.0  Rs.  1,622,231.6  Rs.   21,113,705.5  US$  278,287.9 
F-68

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Summarized segment information for the years ended March 31, 2018, March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020:
 
 
Fiscal year ended March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
 
 
Retail
Banking
  
Wholesale
Banking
  
Treasury
Services
  
Total
  
Retail
Banking
  
Wholesale
Banking
  
Treasury
Services
  
Total
 
 
(In millions)
 
Net interest income/(expense) (External)
 Rs.
279,198.3
  Rs.
120,341.3
  Rs.
23,611.0
  Rs.
423,150.6
  Rs.
336,677.1
  Rs.
140,085.0
  Rs.
30,743.5
  Rs.
507,505.6
 
Net interest income/(expense) (Internal)
  
65,690.2
   
(48,571.1
)  
(17,119.1
)  
   
62,339.1
   
(43,842.8
)  
(18,496.3
)  
 
Net interest revenue
  
344,888.5
   
71,770.2
   
6,491.9
   
423,150.6
   
399,016.2
   
96,242.2
   
12,247.2
   
507,505.6
 
Less: Provision for credit losses
  
52,577.1
   
6,820.7
   
   
59,397.8
   
64,051.0
   
8,228.3
   
   
72,279.3
 
                                 
Net interest revenue, after 
provision
for credit losses
  
292,311.4
   
64,949.5
   
6,491.9
   
363,752.8
   
334,965.2
   
88,013.9
   
12,247.2
   
435,226.3
 
Non-interest revenue
  
122,582.6
   
12,674.1
   
9,350.3
   
144,607.0
   
138,783.0
   
23,789.6
   
(2,450.4
)  
160,122.2
 
Non-interest expense
  
(210,257.2
)  
(19,792.1
)  
(1,204.1
)  
(231,253.4
)  
(230,726.5
)  
(22,744.8
)  
(1,918.2
)  
(255,389.5
)
                                 
Income before income tax
 Rs.
204,636.8
  Rs.
57,831.5
  Rs.
14,638.1
  Rs.
277,106.4
  Rs.
243,021.7
  Rs.
89,058.7
  Rs.
7,878.6
  Rs.
339,959.0
 
                                 
Income tax expense
          Rs.
98,272.5
           Rs.
119,393.5
 
                                 
Segment assets:
                        
Segment total assets
 Rs.
 6,351,601.7
  Rs.
 4,140,606.7
  Rs.
 875,100.4
  Rs.
 11,367,308.8
  Rs.
 7,432,733.8
  Rs.
 4,732,290.7
  Rs.
 1,115,049.1
  Rs.
 13,280,073.6
 
 
Fiscal year ended March 31,
 
 
2020
 
 
Retail Banking
  
Wholesale
Banking
  
Treasury
Services
  
Total
  
Total
 
 
(In millions)
 
Net interest income/(expense) (External)
 Rs.
356,017.3
  Rs.
204,725.8
  Rs.
32,784.3
  Rs.
593,527.4
  US$
7,872.8
 
Net interest income/(expense) (Internal)
  
127,065.9
   
(101,002.5
)  
(26,063.4
)  
   
 
Net interest revenue
  
483,083.2
   
103,723.3
   
6,720.9
   
593,527.4
   
7,872.8
 
Less: Provision for credit losses
  
104,516.8
   
13,105.1
   
   
117,621.9
   
1,560.2
 
                     
Net interest revenue, after provision for credit losses  
378,566.4
   
90,618.2
   
6,720.9
   
475,905.5
   
6,312.6
 
Non-interest revenue
  
161,890.1
   
36,059.1
   
269.8
   
198,219.0
   
2,629.4
 
Non-interest expense
  
(278,605.8
)  
(27,774.0
)  
(1,900.7
)  
(308,280.5
)  
(4,089.2
)
                     
Income before income tax
 Rs.
261,850.7
  Rs.
98,903.3
  Rs.
5,090.0
  Rs.
365,844.0
  US$
4,852.8
 
                     
Income tax expense
          Rs.
105,480.0
  US$
1,399.1
 
                     
Segment assets:
               
Segment total assets
 Rs.
 8,353,762.3
  Rs.
  5,933,391.4
  Rs.
  1,674,735.4
  Rs.
 15,961,889.1
  US$
  211,724.1
 
F-6
4

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
27.26. Commitments and contingencies
Commitments and contingent liabilities other than for off balance sheet financial instruments (see note 24)23) are as follows:
Capital commitments
The Bank has entered into committed capital contracts, principally for branch expansion and technology upgrades. The estimated amounts of contracts remaining to be executed on the capital account as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 20202022 aggregated Rs. 5,503.612,895.7 million and Rs. 12,756.921,115.5 million, respectively.
Contingencies
The Bank is party to various legal proceedings in the normal course of business. The Bank estimates the provision for contingencies which majorlyprimarily include indirect taxes since no precedents exist which could be used as points of reference. The amount of claims against the Bank towards indirect taxes and other claims which are not acknowledged as debts as ofat March 31, 2020 aggregated2022 amounted to Rs. 8,437.89,226.0 million (previous year Rs. 8,936.310,203.1 million). The Bank does not expect the outcome of these proceedings to have a material adverse effect on the Bank’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. The Bank intends to vigorously defend these claims. Although the results of other legal actions cannot be predicted with certainty, it is the opinion of management, after taking appropriate legal advice, that the likelihood of these claims becoming obligations of the Bank is remote and hence the resolution of these actions will not have a material adverse effect, if any, on the Bank’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
Lease commitments
The Bank is party to operating leases for certain of its office premises and employee residences, with a renewal at the option of the Bank.
Operating lease
right-of-use
assets and lease liabilities were as follows:
 
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Right-of-use assets
 Rs.
    60,756.9
  US$
     805.9
 
Lease liabilities
  
65,615.1
   
870.3
 
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
             
       
(In millions)
     
Right-of-use
assets
   Rs.    64,548.8    Rs.71,572.2   US$943.4 
Lease liabilities
   70,422.0    78,138.0    1,029.9 
The total lease expenses arewere as follows:
 
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
The total minimum lease expense during the year recognized in the consolidated statement of income
 Rs.
12,311.3
  Rs.
12,700.8
  Rs.
13,698.7
  US$
  
 
 
181.7
 
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
                 
   
(In millions)
 
The total minimum lease expense during the year recognized in the consolidated statement of income
   Rs.  13,698.7    Rs.  14,244.4    Rs.13,866.6   US$  182.8 
The total operating cash flow for operating lease expenses during the year ended March 31, 20202021 and March 31, 2022 was Rs. 11,692.312,820.3 million (US
$
155.1and Rs. 14,295.7 million (US$ 188.4 million).
, respectively.
F-6
5F-69

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The future minimum lease payments prior to adoption of ASU 2016-02- Leases as of March 31, 20192022 were as follows:
 
Year ending March 31,
 
Operating leases
 
 
(In millions)
 
2020
 Rs.
10,538.6
 
2021
  
9,921.4
 
2022
  
9,100.7
 
2023
  
8,137.3
 
2024
  
7,104.2
 
Thereafter
  
41,090.6
 
     
Total
 Rs.
 85,892.8
 
     
Due in fiscal year ending March 31:
  
Operating leases
 
   
(In millions, except for weighted averages)
 
2023
  Rs.  12,894.8  US$170.0 
2024
   11,818.6   155.8 
2025
   11,351.1   149.6 
2026
   11,029.9   145.4 
2027
   10,485.0   138.2 
Thereafter
   54,653.2   720.4 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
Total lease payments
  Rs.112,232.6  US$  1,479.4 
Less: imputed interest
   34,094.6   449.5 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
Total operating lease liabilities
  Rs.78,138.0  US$  1,029.9 
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)
   9.7   9.7 
Weighted average discount rate
   7.0  7.0
The future minimum lease payments subsequent to adoption of ASU 2016-02- Leases as of March 31, 2020 were as follows:
Due in fiscal year ending March 31:
 
Operating leases
 
 
(In millions, except for weighted averages)
 
2021
 Rs.
11,411.4
  US$
151.4
 
2022
  
10,617.5
   
140.8
 
2023
  
9,808.5
   
130.1
 
2024
  
8,839.5
   
117.3
 
2025
  
8,227.8
   
109.1
 
Thereafter
  
48,321.0
   
640.9
 
         
Total lease payments
 Rs.
97,225.7
  US$
     1,289.6
 
Less: imputed interest
  
31,610.6
   
419.3
 
         
Total operating lease liabilities
 Rs.
 
 
 
 
65,615.1
  US$
870.3
 
         
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)
  
10.3
   
10.3
 
Weighted average discount rate
  
7.4
%  
7.4
%
 
         
The Bank adopted ASU 2016-02 “Leases (Topic842)” and subsequent related updates on April 1, 2019. The Bank enters into lease agreements to obtain the
right-of-use
assets for its business operations, substantially all of which are premises. On April 1, 2019, the Bank recognized a lease liability
of Rs. 56.9
billion and a corresponding right-of-use asset of approximately
Rs. 53.0
billion on the Consolidated Balance Sheet related to its future lease payments as a lessee under operating leases. On adoption of Topic 842, accrued rent amounting to
Rs. 3.9
billion
, earlier included in accrued expenses and other liabilities, reclassified to right-of-use assets as at April 1, 2019.premises Lease liabilities and
right-of-use
assets are recognized when the Bank enters into operating leases and represent obligations and rights to use these assets over the period of the leases and are
re-measured
for modifications. Operating lease liabilities include fixed payments for the contractual duration of the lease, adjusted for renewals or terminations. The lease agreements entered into by the Bank do not include any material residual value guarantees and material restrictive covenants. The lease payments are discounted using a rate determined when the lease is recognized. In general, the Bank does not know the discount rate implicit in the lease, and so the Bank estimates a discount rate that the Bank believes approximates a collateralized borrowing rate for the estimated duration of the lease term. The rate is determined at the date of commencement of the lease and for leases existing as at April 1, 2019, the incremental borrowing rate is determined as at that date. At lease commencement, lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the remaining lease payments and discounted using the incremental borrowing rate.
Right-of-use
assets are reported in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet and related lease liabilities are reported in accrued expenses and other liabilities. The amortization of operating lease
right-of-use
assets and the accretion of operating lease liabilities are reported together as fixed lease expenses and are included in
non-interest
expense- premises and equipment. The lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease. The lease agreements entered into by the Bank generally have renewal and escalation clauses. These agreements also in general permit the Bank to terminate the lease arrangement within a certain period of notice of termination. The Bank does not include renewal or termination options in the establishment of the lease term when it is not reasonably certain that it will exercise them. The Bank has elected to exclude leases with terms of less than one year from the operating lease
right-of-use
assets and lease liabilities. The related short-term lease expense is included in
non-interest
expense- premises and equipment. The Bank accounted for lease-related concessions obtained as a result of the
COVID-19
pandemic in accordance with guidance in Topic 842. As of March 31, 2020,2022, the Bank had additional undiscounted operating lease commitments
of Rs
.6.9
billion,Rs. 1,731.9 million, predominantly for premises, with leases which have not yet commenced. These leases will commence by April 20202022 and have lease terms ranging
from 9 to 15 years.
from
 
4 to 26 years.
F-6
6F-70

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Reward points
The movement in provision for credit card and debit card reward points as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 20202022 is as follows:
 
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
 
(In millions)
 
Opening provision of reward points
 Rs.
4,711.2
  Rs.
6,030.9
  US$
80.0
 
Provision made during the year
  
3,747.3
   
5,356.0
   
71.0
 
Utilization/write back of provision
  
(2,555.9
)  
(3,868.8
)  
(51.3
)
Effect of change in rate of accrual of reward points
  
91.5
   
(176.6
)  
(2.3
)
Effect of change in cost of reward points
  
36.8
   
   
 
             
Closing provision of reward points
 Rs.
 6,030.9
  Rs.
 7,341.5
  US$
97.4
 
             
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
             
   
(In millions)
 
Opening provision of reward points
   Rs.  7,341.5   Rs.  6,387.9   US$      84.2 
Provision made during the year
   3,752.1    4,651.3    61.3 
Utilization/write back of provision
   (4,026.7   (4,137.7   (54.5
Effect of change in rate of accrual of reward points
   (679.0   (542.4   (7.1
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Closing provision of reward points
   Rs.  6,387.9   Rs.  6,359.1   US$  83.9 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
28.27. Related party transactions
The Bank’s principal related parties consist of HDFC Limited, its principal owner, subsidiaries of HDFC Limited and affiliates of the Bank. Transactions disclosed under “others” primarily consist of transactions with subsidiaries of HDFC Limited and affiliates of the Bank. The Bank enters into transactions with its related parties, such as providing banking services, sharing costs and service providers, purchasing services, making joint investments, and borrowing from related parties and subletting premises. The Bank is prohibited from making loans to companies with which it has directors in common. The Bank, being an authorized dealer, deals in foreign exchange and derivative transactions with certain parties which include the principal owner and related companies. The foreign exchange and derivative transactions are undertaken in line with the RBI guidelines. The Bank’s related party balances and transactions are in the normal course of business and are summarized as follows:
Balances payable to related parties are as follows:
 
  
As of March 31,
 
 
As of March 31,
   
2021
   
2022
 
 
2019
 
2020
   
Principal

owner
   
Others
   
Total
   
Principal

owner
   
Others
   
Total
   
Total
 
 
Principal
owner
  
Others
  
Total
  
Principal
owner
  
Others
  
Total
  
Total
                             
 
(In millions)
   
(In millions)
 
Balances in non-interest-bearing deposits
 Rs.
32,176.8
  Rs.
14,170.1
  Rs.
46,346.9
  Rs.
35,128.7
  Rs.
8,258.8
  Rs.
43,387.5
  US$
575.5
    Rs.  31,834.6    Rs.  9,732.0    Rs.  41,566.6   Rs.  20,695.1   Rs.  6,273.0   Rs.  26,968.1   US$  355.5 
Balances in interest-bearing deposits
  
733.1
   
1,732.9
   
2,466.0
   
1,662.0
   
5,954.8
   
7,616.8
   
101.0
    3,772.1    1,830.5    5,602.6    6,719.8    875.0    7,594.8    100.1 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
  
836.4
   
   
836.4
   
1,002.8
   
   
1,002.8
   
13.3
    1,110.5    —      1,110.5    641.4    —      641.4    8.5 
                       
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Total
 Rs.
 
33,746.3
  Rs.
 15,903.0
  Rs.
 49,649.3
  Rs.
 37,793.5
  Rs.
 14,213.6
  Rs.
 52,007.1
  US$
689.8
    Rs.  36,717.2    Rs.  11,562.5    Rs.  48,279.7   Rs.  28,056.3   Rs.  7,148.0   Rs.  35,204.3   US$  464.1 
                       
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
F-6
7F-71

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Balances receivable from related parties are as
follows:
 
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2019
  
2020
 
 
Principal
owner
  
Others
  
Total
  
Principal
owner
  
Others
  
Total
  
Total
 
 
(In millions)
 
Loans
 Rs.  Rs.
33.9
  Rs.
33.9
  Rs.
  Rs.
26.5
  Rs.
26.5
  US$
0.4
 
Other assets
  
310.2
   
1,474.7
   
1,784.9
   
449.5
   
1,266.9
   
1,716.4
   
22.8
 
                             
Total
 Rs.
 310.2
  Rs.
 1,508.6
  Rs.
 1,818.8
  Rs.
 449.5
  Rs.
 
1,293.4
  Rs.
 1,742.9
  US$
 
23.2
 
                             
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2021
   
2022
 
   
Principal

owner
   
Others
   
Total
   
Principal

owner
   
Others
   
Total
   
Total
 
                             
   
(In millions)
 
Loans
  Rs.  —     Rs.  10.6   Rs.  10.6    Rs.  —     Rs.  7.4   Rs.  7.4   US$  0.1 
Other assets
   1,390.9    1,627.7    3,018.6    656.5    1,498.7    2,155.2    28.4 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.  1,390.9   Rs.  1,638.3   Rs.  3,029.2   Rs.  656.5   Rs.  1,506.1   Rs.  2,162.6   US$  28.5 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Purchase of property and equipment from related parties for the years ended March 31, 20192021 and 20202022 were NaN. Purchase and sale of investments from Others for the year ended March 31, 20202022 were Rs.4,872.8Rs. 2,006.2 million (previous year Rs. 6,490.7114.3 million) and Rs. 28,016.828,877.9 million (previous year Rs. 22,236.229,451.1 million), respectively. Investments of Others in the Bank’s subordinated debt for the fiscal year ended March 31, 20202022 were Rs. 200.03,700.0 million (previous year Rs. 250.0400.0 million).
Included in the determination of net income are the following significant transactions with related parties:
 
 
Fiscal year ended March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
 
  
Principal
owner
  
Others
  
Total
  
Principal
owner
  
Others
  
Total
  
Principal
owner
  
Others
  
Total
  
Total
 
 
(In millions)
 
Non-interest revenue-Fees and commissions
 Rs.
 2,642.7
  Rs.
 14,913.5
  Rs.
 17,556.2
   
Rs. 2,829.7
   
Rs. 14,558.3
   
Rs. 17,388.0
   
Rs. 3,089.4
   
Rs. 17,001.7
   
Rs. 20,091.1
  US$
266.5
 
Interest and Dividend revenue
  
132.8
   
1,396.9
   
1,529.7
   
352.0
   
1,549.7
   
1,901.7
   
   
1,194.2
   
1,194.2
   
15.8
 
Interest expense-Deposits
  
(59.6
)  
(115.9
)  
(175.5
)  
(54.9
)  
(138.0
)  
(192.9
)  
(85.3
)  
(84.2
)  
(169.5
)  
(2.2
)
Non-interest expense-Administrative and other
  
(4,031.9
)  
(2,266.8
)  
(6,298.7
)  
(4,838.3
)  
(2,841.7
)  
(7,680.0
)  
(5,840.8
)  
(3,119.6
)  
(8,960.4
)  
(118.9
)
Non-interest expense-Premises and equipment
  
(19.8
)  
(7.6
)  
(27.4
)  
(31.2
)  
(6.1
)  
(37.3
)  
(25.8
)  
(9.7
)  
(35.5
)  
(0.5
)
  
Fiscal year ended March 31,
 
  
2020
  
2021
  
2022
 
  
Principal

owner
  
Others
  
Total
  
Principal

owner
  
Others
  
Total
  
Principal

owner
  
Others
  
Total
  
Total
 
                               
  
(In millions)
 
Non-interest
revenue-Fees
and commissions
  Rs.  3,089.4   Rs.  17,001.7   Rs.  20,091.1   Rs.  3,246.5   Rs.  19,801.6   Rs.  23,048.1   Rs.  4,639.3   Rs.  22,939.5   Rs.  27578.8  US$  363.5 
Interest and Dividend
revenue
  —     1,194.2   1,194.2   —     552.5   552.5      0.1   0.1    
Interest expense-Deposits
  (85.3  (84.2  (169.5  (108.0  (171.3  (279.3  (204.3  (82.2  (286.5  (3.8
Non-interest
expense-Administrative and other
  (5,840.8  (3,119.6  (8,960.4  (5,874.4  (2,856.3  (8,730.7  (7,182.4  (4,558.9  (11,741.3  (154.8
Non-interest
expense-Premises and
equipment
  (25.8  (9.7  (35.5  (24.3  (5.2  (29.5  (19.2     (19.2  (0.3
Other transactions with the Bank’s principal owner are as follows:
During the years ended March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020,2022, the Bank purchased loans from the principal owner aggregating Rs. 239,824.2189,797.8 million and Rs. 241,272.5 282,052.4
million, respectively. Dividends paid to the principal owner during the years ended March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 20202022 were Rs. 5,111.7 millionNaN and Rs. 8,646.25,620.0 million, respectively. The Bank also enters into foreign exchange and derivative transactions with its principal owner. The notional principal amount and the mark-to-market gains in respect of foreign exchange and derivative contracts outstanding as of March 31, 20202022 was
Rs. 120,099.5111,787.1 million (previous year Rs. 58,655.077,574.9 million) and Rs. 53.51,101.1 million (previous year Rs. 143.1833.0 million), respectively. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, the Bank subscribed to debt securities of NaN (previous year Rs. 6,850.0 million) issued by the principal owner. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020,2022, the Bank issued Guarantees on behalf of its Principal owner and Others for Rs. 3.9 million (previous year Rs. 3.74.0 million) and for Rs. 29.928.0 million (previous year Rs. 1,127.444.3 million), respectively.
For contributions made to provident funds and pension funds set up by the Bank, see note 23 –22– Retirement benefits.
F-
6
8F-72

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
29.28. Earnings per equity share
By
way of
an ordinary resolution
passed
on July 12, 2019, the shareholders of the Bank approved a subdivision (stock split) of equity shares to reduce the face value of each equity share from Rs. 2.0 to Rs. 1.0 per equity share effective as of September 20, 2019. The number of issued and subscribed equity shares increased to 5,470,763,894 shares of par value Rs. 1.0 each. All share/ADS and per share/ADS data reflect the effect of the stock split retroactively. One ADS continues to represent three
equity
shares.
A reconciliation of the equity shares used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per equity share has been provided below. Potential equity shares in the nature of ESOPsESOP with average outstanding balance of NaN 24,224,032,
 73,917,840 and 24.2 million19,064,987
were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the years ended March 31, 20192020, March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020,2022, respectively, as these were anti-dilutive.
 
 
As of March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
 
Weighted average number of equity shares used in computing basic earnings per equity share
  
5,161,077,010
   
5,360,068,058
   
5,468,802,148
 
Effect of potential equity shares for stock options outstanding
  
66,800,242
   
53,585,896
   
36,990,405
 
             
Weighted average number of equity shares used in computing diluted earnings per equity share
  
5,227,877,252
   
5,413,653,954
   
5,505,792,553
 
             
   
As of March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
 
Weighted average number of equity shares used in computing basic earnings per equity share
   5,468,802,148    5,499,587,357    5,533,113,800 
Effect of potential equity shares for stock options outstanding
   36,990,405    23,890,989    30,366,023 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Weighted average number of equity shares used in computing diluted earnings per equity share
   5,505,792,553    5,523,478,346    5,563,479,823 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
The following are reconciliations of basic and diluted earnings per equity share and earnings per ADS.
 

 
Fiscal years ended March 31,
 
 
2018
  
2019
  
2020
  
2020
 
Basic earnings per share
 Rs.
34.59
  Rs.
41.07
  Rs.
47.59
  US$
0.63
 
Effect of potential equity shares for stock options outstanding
  
0.44
   
0.41
   
0.32
   
0.01
 
                 
Diluted earnings per share
 Rs.
34.15
  Rs.
40.66
  Rs.
47.27
  US$
0.62
 
                 
                 
Basic earnings per ADS
 Rs.
103.77
  Rs.
123.21
  Rs.
142.77
  US$
1.89
 
Effect of potential equity shares for stock options outstanding
  
1.32
   
1.23
   
0.96
   
0.03
 
                 
Diluted earnings per ADS
 Rs.
102.45
  Rs.
121.98
  Rs.
141.81
  US$
1.86
 
                 
   
Fiscal years ended March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2022
 
Basic earnings per share
  Rs.47.59   Rs.59.27   Rs.69.76   US$    0.92 
Effect of potential equity shares for stock options outstanding
   0.32    0.25    0.38    0.01 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share
  Rs.47.27   Rs.59.02   Rs.  69.38   US$0.91 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
     
Basic earnings per ADS
  Rs.  142.77   Rs.  177.81   Rs.209.28   US$2.76 
Effect of potential equity shares for stock options outstanding
   0.96    0.75    1.14    0.03 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per ADS
  Rs.141.81   Rs.177.06   Rs.208.14   US$2.73 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Dividends
Any dividends declared
by the Bank are based on the profit available for distribution as reported in the statutory financial statements of the Bank prepared in accordance with Indian GAAP. Additionally, the Banking Regulation Act and related regulations require the Bank to
transfer 25%25
% of its Indian GAAP profit
after-tax
to a non-distributable statutory reserve and to meet certain other conditions in order to pay dividends without prior RBI approval. approval
.
As per the RBI guidelines, the dividend payout (excluding dividend tax) for March 31, 2020 cannot exceed 35%35
% of net income of Rs. 262,573.2 million as calculated under Indian GAAP.
Accordingly, the net income reported in these financial statements may not be fully distributable in that year. Dividends declared for the years ended March 31, 20182020 and March 31, 20192021 were
Rs. 2.5 per equity share (viz. special interim dividend) and Rs. 6.5 and Rs. 7.5
per equity
share,
,
respectively. A special interim dividend of
Rs. 
2.5
per share to commemorate 25 years of HDFC Bank’s operations was paid on August 2, 2019.
The On April 22, 2021, the RBI, in its circular dateda notification, directed the banks to restrict dividend payouts for Fiscal 2021 to 50
April 17, 2020, announced
% determined in terms of RBI regulations to conserve capital and stay resilient amid the COVID-19crisis. Accordingly, the Bank has paid a dividend of Rs. 
that banks shall not make any further6.50
dividend
payouts fromper equity share for the profits
relating
to the
financial
year ended March 31,
 
2020
until further instructions
2021.
.
As a result
, the Board of Directors of the Bank, at their meeting held on April 18, 2020, has not proposed any final dividend for fiscal 2020.
F-6
9F-73

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
30.29. Subsidiaries
HDB Financial Services Limited (“HDBFSL”) is a
non-deposit
taking
non-banking
finance company and a subsidiary of the Bank. As at March 31, 2020,2022, HDFC Bank Ltd. and its subsidiaries effectively hold 95.9%95.5% (previous year 96.1%95.7%). The financial statements of HDBFSL are consolidated.
HDFC Securities Ltd. (“HSL”) offers trading facilities in a range of equity, fixed income and derivative products to its clients. As at March 31, 20202022 the Bank holds a 96.8%96.2% (previous year 97.6%96.8%) effective equity interest. The financial statements of HSL are consolidated.
F-
70F-74

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
31.30. Fair value measurement
FASB Accounting Standards Codification “ASC”(“ASC”) 820 (Topic 820) Fair Value Measures and Disclosures, defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in US GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:
 
Level of input
  
Level 1
Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical unrestricted assets or liabilities.
  
Level 2
Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
  
Level 3
Inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported with little or no market activity).
The
following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy. These valuation methodologies were applied to all of the Bank’s financial assets and financial liabilities carried at fair value. For Level 1 instruments the valuation is based upon the unadjusted quoted prices of identical instruments traded in active markets. For Level 2 instruments, where such quoted market prices are not available, the valuation is based upon the quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, the quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, prices quoted by market participants and prices derived from standard valuation methodologies or internally developed models that primarily use, as inputs, such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities and credit spreads, which are available from public sources such as Reuters, Bloomberg and the Fixed Income Money Markets and Derivatives Association of India. The valuation methodology primarily includes discounted cash flow techniques. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value. These adjustments may include amounts to reflect counterparty credit quality and the Bank’s creditworthiness, among other things, as well as unobservable parameters. Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time. The valuation of Level 3 instruments is based on valuation techniques or models which use significant market unobservable inputs or assumptions.
The Bank uses its quantitative pricing models to determine the fair value of its derivative instruments. These models use multiple market inputs, including interest rates, prices and indices to generate continuous yield or pricing curves and volatility factors to value the positions that are observable directly or indirectly. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value. These adjustments may include amounts to reflect counterparty credit quality and the Bank’s creditworthiness, among other things, as well as unobservable parameters. Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time.
Financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
Available for sale debt securities: Available for sale debt securities are carried at fair value. Such fair values were based on quoted market prices, if available. If quoted market prices did not exist, fair values were estimated using the market yield on the balance period to maturity on similar instruments and similar credit risks. The fair valuesvalue of asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities is estimated based on revised estimated cash flows at each balance sheet date, discounted at current market pricing for transactions with similar risk. A reduction in the estimated cash flows of these instruments will adversely impact the value of these securities. A change in the timing of these estimated cash flows will also impact the value of these securities.
Trading securities: Trading securities are carried at fair value based on quoted market prices or market observable inputs.
Held to maturity securities: There were no HTM securities as of March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020.2022.
F-7
1F-75

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The following table summarizes investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2021, segregated by the level of valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value:
   
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
Particulars
  
Total
   
Quoted prices in

active markets

for identical assets

(Level 1)
   
Significant other

observable inputs

(Level 2)
   
Significant

unobservable

inputs

(Level 3)
 
                 
       
(In millions)
     
Trading account securities
  Rs.99,620.2   Rs.—     Rs.99,620.2   Rs.—   
Securities
available-for-sale
   4,275,449.9    176,015.8    3,938,270.2    161,163.9 
Equity securities *
   19,577.8    11,869.8    7,708.0    —   
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
Total
  Rs.4,394,647.9   Rs.187,885.6   Rs. 4,045,598.4   Rs.  161,163.9 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
 
*
Equity securities classified within other assets.
The following table summarizes investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2019,2022, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value:
 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
    
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
Particulars
 
Total
  
Quoted prices in
active markets
for identical assets
(Level 1)
  
Significant other
observable inputs
(Level 2)
  
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
   
Total
   
Quoted prices in

active markets

for identical assets

(Level 1)
   
Significant other

observable inputs

(Level 2)
   
Significant

unobservable

inputs (Level 3)
 
   
(In millions)
                  
      
(In millions)
     
Trading account securities
 Rs.
265,516.1
  Rs.
1,999.6
  Rs.
263,516.5
  Rs.
   Rs.53,199.5   Rs.304.1   Rs.52,895.4   Rs.—   
Securities Available-for-Sale
  
2,633,348.4
   
34,807.2
   
2,559,728.3
   
38,812.9
 
Securities
available-for-sale
   4,388,563.1    174,680.3    4,069,988.1    143,894.7 
Equity securities
*
  
11,024.0
   
2,390.1
   
8,633.9
   
    12,070.8    3,889.8    8,181.0    —   
Total
  Rs.4,453,833.4   Rs.178,874.2   Rs.4,131,064.5   Rs.143,894.7 
              
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Total
 Rs.
2,909,888.5
  Rs.
39,196.9
  Rs.
2,831,878.7
  Rs.
38,812.9
   US$58,703.4   US$2,357.6   US$54,449.2   US$1,896.6 
              
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
*
*
Equity securities classified within other assets.
The following table summarizes investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2020, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value:
 
Fair Value Measurements Using
   
Particulars
 
Total
  
Quoted prices in
active markets
for identical assets
(Level 1)
  
Significant other
observable inputs
(Level 2)
  
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
 
   
(In millions)
   
Trading account securities
 Rs.
304,962.9
  Rs.
6,291.0
  Rs.
298,671.9
  Rs.
 
Securities Available-for-Sale
  
3,406,289.2
   
371,450.5
   
2,907,384.4
   
127,454.3
 
Equity securities
*
  
10,937.5
   
2,282.4
   
8,655.1
   
 
                 
Total
 Rs.
3,722,189.6
  Rs.
380,023.9
  Rs.
3,214,711.4
  Rs.
127,454.3
 
                 
Total
 US$
49,372.4
  US$
5,040.7
  US$
42,641.1
  US$
1,690.6
 
                 
*Equity securities classified within other assets.
Available-for-Sale securities aggregating to Rs.5.3 billion and classified as Level 1 as of March 31, 2019 were transferred to Level 2 during fiscal 2020. The following table summarizes certain additional information about changes in the fair value of Level 3 assets pertaining to instruments carried at fair value for the years ended March 31, 20192021 and March 31, 2020:2022:
 
Particulars
  
As of March 31, 2019
(in millions)
2021
 
   
(In millions)
  
Beginning balance at April 1, 20182020
  Rs.
18,534.6
  127,454.3
 
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized)
    
-Included in net income
   
 
-Included in other comprehensive income
   
355.9
2,236.4
 
Purchases/additions
   
42,885.7
80,406.3
 
Sales
   
 
Issuances
   
 
Settlements
   
(22,963.3
48,933.1
)
Transfers ininto Level 3
   
 
Transfers out of Level 3
   
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
   
 
   
 
Ending balance at March 31, 20192021
  Rs.
38,812.9
161,163.9
 
   
 
  
Total amount of gains or (losses) included in net income attributable to change in unrealized gains or (losses) relating to assets still held at reporting date
  Rs
 
   
 
Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for assets held at the end of the reporting period
Rs2,236.4
 
F-
7
2F-76

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Particulars
  
As of March 31, 2020
(In millions)
2022
 
   
(In millions)
  
Beginning balance at April 1, 20192021
  Rs.
38,812.9
161,163.9
 
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized)
    
-Included in net income
   
 
-Included in other comprehensive income
   
1,535.5
(2,841.2
) 
Purchases/additions
   
126,891.3
77,995.6
 
Sales
   
 
Issuances
   
 
Settlements
   
(39,785.4
92,423.6
)
Transfers ininto Level 3
   
 
Transfers out of Level 3
   
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
   
 
   
 
Ending balance at March 31, 20202022
  Rs.
127,454.3
143,894.7
 
   
 
  
Total amount of gains or (losses) included in net income attributable to change in unrealized gains or (losses) relating to assets still held at reporting date
  Rs
 
   
Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for assets held at the end of the reporting period
Rs(3,055.8)
   
Derivatives: The Bank enters into forward exchange contracts, currency options, forward rate agreements, currency swaps and rupee interest rate swaps with inter-bank participants on its own account and for customers. These transactions enable customers to transfer, modify or reduce their foreign exchange and interest rate risks. Forward exchange contracts are commitments to buy or sell foreign currency at a future date at the contracted rate. Currency swaps are commitments to exchange cash flows by way of interest in one currency against another currency and exchange of principal amount at maturity based on predetermined rates. Rupee interest rate swaps are commitments to exchange fixed and floating rate cash flows in rupees.
The Bank uses its pricing models to determine the fair value of its derivative instruments. These models use market inputs that are observable directly or indirectly.

The following table summarizes derivative instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31
, 2021
, segregated by the level of valuation inputs within the fair value
hierarchy:
       
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
Particulars
  
Total
   
Quoted prices in

active markets

for identical assets

(Level 1)
   
Significant other

observable inputs

(Level 2)
   
Significant

unobservable

inputs

(Level 3)
 
                 
   
(In millions)
 
Derivative assets
  Rs.84,406.7   Rs.—     Rs.  84,406.7   Rs.—   
Derivative liabilities
  Rs.  81,880.0   Rs.—     Rs.81,880.0   Rs.—   
The following table summarizes derivative instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2019,2022, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value:hierarchy:
 
   
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
Particulars
 
Total
  
Quoted prices in
active markets
for identical assets
(Level 1)
  
Significant other
observable inputs
(Level 2)
  
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
 
 
(In millions)
 
Derivative assets
 Rs.
132,524.1
  Rs.
  Rs.
132,524.1
  Rs.
 
Derivative liabilities
 Rs.
128,449.0
  Rs.
  Rs.
128,449.0
  Rs.
 
The following table summarizes derivative instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2020, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value:
       
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
Particulars
  
Total
   
Quoted prices in

active markets

for identical assets

(Level 1)
   
Significant other

observable inputs

(Level 2)
   
Significant

unobservable

inputs

(Level 3)
 
                 
   
(In millions)
 
Derivative assets
  Rs.80,202.3   Rs.—     Rs.80,202.3   Rs.—   
Derivative liabilities
  Rs.74,819.2   Rs.—     Rs.74,819.2   Rs.—   
 
   
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
Particulars
 
Total
  
Quoted prices in
active markets
for identical assets
(Level 1)
  
Significant other
observable inputs
(Level 2)
  
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
 
 
(In millions)
 
Derivative assets
 Rs.
190,537.6
  Rs.
  Rs.
190,537.6
  Rs.
 
Derivative liabilities
 Rs.
184,783.0
  Rs.
  Rs.
184,783.0
  Rs.
 
F-7
3F-77

HDFC BANK LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
32.
31. Risk and uncertainties
At the date of approval
a) The outbreak of the consolidated financial statements,
COVID-19
pandemic had led to a nation-wide lockdown in
April-May
2020. This was followed by local lockdowns in areas with a significant number of
COVID-19
cases. Following the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for easing of lockdown measures, there was an improvement in economic activity in the second half of fiscal year 2021. India experienced a “second wave” of the
COVID-19
pandemic in
April-May
2021 following the discovery of mutant coronavirus variants, leading to the
re-imposition
of regional lockdowns. These were gradually lifted as the second wave subsided. By December 2021, another variant “Omicron” started spreading in India. However, with improved vaccination rates, the impact of the variant was lower than that of previous waves. Moving forward, there continues to spread acrossbe significant uncertainty relating to the globefurther progression of other waves. The impact of COVID-19, including changes in customer behavior and India, contributingpandemic fears, as well as restrictions on business and individual activities, has led to significant volatility in global and Indian financial markets and a significant decrease in global and local economic activity. On March 11, 2020,activities. The disruptions following the outbreak have impacted loan originations, the sale of third-party products, the use of credit and debit cards by customers and the efficiency in collection efforts resulting in an increase in customer defaults and consequently an increase in provisions there against. India is emerging from the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. Numerous governments and companies, including the Bank, have introduced a variety of measures to contain the spread of the virus. In India, the Bank’s main place of business, on March 24, 2020, the Government announced a strict 21-day lockdown across the country, which was later extended until May 31, 2020. On May 30, 2020 the Government announced a phased reopening of certain
previously
prohibited activities outside specified containment zones, while the lockdown was extended to June 30, 2020 in such containment zones.
To reduce the
economic
impact of the pandemic on Indian corporate and retail borrowers, on March 27, 2020
, the RBI
announced
COVID-
19 regulations, which included permission for financial institutions to extend a three-month moratorium on the repayment of debt installments or interest, as applicable, due between March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020 to all eligible borrowers even if overdue, as at February 29, 2020. In line with the RBI’s additional COVID-19 Regulatory Package guidelines dated May 23, 2020, the Bank granted a second three-month moratorium on debt installments or interest, as applicable, due between June 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020. Interest on the debt will continue to accrue during the moratorium. 
pandemic. The extent to which the
COVID-19
pandemic will continue to impact the Bank’s results will depend on ongoing as well as future developments, which are highly uncertain, including, among other things, any new information concerning the severity of the
COVID-19
pandemic, and any action to contain its spread or mitigate its impact whether government-mandated or elected by us.
b) On September 3, 2020, a securities class action lawsuit was filed against the Bank and certain of its current and former directors in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (the “Court”). The complaint was amended on February 8, 2021. The amended complaint alleges that the Bank, its former managing director, Mr. Aditya Puri, and the present managing director and CEO, Mr. Sashidhar Jagdishan made materially false and misleading statements regarding certain aspects of the Bank’s business and compliance policies, which the complaint alleges resulted in the Bank’s ADS price declining on July 13, 2020, thereby allegedly causing damage to the Bank’s investors. The Bank’s motion to dismiss the suit was filed on April 9, 2021, to which the lead plaintiff served its brief in opposition on June 8, 2021. The Bank, on July 23, 2021, through its legal counsel, has filed the reply memorandum of law in further support of the motion to dismiss the securities class action suit. The Bank’s motion to dismiss remains pending before the Court. Given the uncertainty inherent in these matters, and based on an assessment made after taking appropriate legal advice, at this point in time, the Bank does not believe that the ultimate outcome of this matter will be materially unfavorable to the Bank. Accordingly, no liability has been recorded in the Bank’s consolidated financial statements. The Bank intends to continue to vigorously defend against the allegations.
c) The ongoing war
 between Russia and Ukraine complicates the geopolitical landscape. The United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union have expanded sanctions significantly against Russia which could impact global markets and thus the Bank and its customers. The Bank continues to monitor developments and seeks to manage the associated impacts on its customers and business.
32. Subsequent events
a) In its meeting held on April 4, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Bank approved a composite scheme of amalgamation (the “Scheme”) for the amalgamation of: (i) HDFC Investments Limited and HDFC Holdings Limited, each a subsidiary of HDFC Limited, with and into HDFC Limited, and (ii) HDFC Limited with and into HDFC Bank (the “Proposed Transaction”). The share exchange ratio shall be 42 equity shares of HDFC Bank (each having a face value of Rs. 
1
) for every
25
equity shares of HDFC Limited (each having a face value of Rs
. 2
)
.
The completion of the Scheme and the Proposed Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of requisite approvals from the RBI, the Competition Commission of India, the National Housing Bank, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority, the National Company Law Tribunal, the Securities Exchange Board of India, BSE Limited, the National Stock Exchange of India Limited and other statutory and regulatory authorities, and the respective shareholders and creditors, under applicable Indian law. It is currently anticipated that the Proposed Transaction will be completed during fiscal year 2024. While HDFC Bank has received certain approvals and no objection letters in regard to the Proposed Transaction subject to certain conditions, further approvals and letters will be required in due course. There can be no assurance that the remaining closing conditions will be satisfied in a timely manner or at all, or that an effect, event, development or change will not transpire that could delay or prevent these conditions from being satisfied.
Upon the Scheme becoming effective and following RBI’s permission if received for relaxation of certain regulatory requirements for subsidiaries of HDFC Bank (for which forbearance application was filed on March 28, 2022), the subsidiaries of HDFC Limited will become subsidiaries of HDFC Bank leading to a simplified corporate structure. In addition, upon the Scheme becoming effective, the Bank will issue equity shares to the shareholders of HDFC Limited as on the record date, which is to be determined by the Boards of Directors of HDFC Limited and HDFC Bank, and the equity shares held by HDFC Limited in the Bank will be extinguished. The shares proposed to be issued pursuant to the Proposed Transaction will not be registered with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933 or the securities law of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States, and are being offered and sold in reliance on certain exemptions from registration under the Securities Act.
b) In its meeting held on April 23, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Bank recommended a dividend of Rs. 15.50 per share, which has been subsequently approved by the shareholders for payment in their Annual General Meeting, held on July 16, 2022. The amount of such dividend aggregated to Rs. 86,045.2
million.
F-7
4
F-78

EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit
No.
  
Description of Document
  1.1  
HDFC Bank Memorandum of Association, as amended (incorporated by reference to HDFC Bank Limited’s Registration Statement on
Form F-1
filed on July 12, 2001 (Registration
No. 333-13718))*
  1.2  
HDFC Bank Articles of Association, as amended (incorporated by reference to HDFC Bank Limited’s Registration Statement on
Form F-1
filed on July 12, 2001 (Registration
No. 333-13718))*
  1.3  
  1.4  
  1.5  
  1.6  
  2.1  
HDFC Bank’s Specimen Certificate for Equity Shares (incorporated herein by reference to HDFC Bank Limited’s Registration Statement on
Form F-1
filed on July 12, 2001 (Registration
No. 333-13718))*
  2.2  
  4
12.1  
12.2  
13  
23.1Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm KPMG Assurance and Consulting Services LLP
101  
The following financial information from HDFC Bank Ltd. Annual Report on Form
20-F
for the year ended March 31, 20202022 is formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Consolidated Statements of Income, (ii) Consolidated statementsStatements of comprehensive income,Comprehensive Income, (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
104  
The cover page for HDFC Bank Ltd.’s Annual Report on Form
20-F
for the year ended March 31, 2020,2022 has been formatted in Inline XBRLXBRL.
HDFC Bank Limited agrees to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon its request, the instruments relating to the long-termlong term debt for securities authorized thereunder that do not exceed 10 percent of HDFC Bank Limited’s total assets.
 
*
Paper filing

SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on
Form 20-F
and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
 
HDFC Bank Limited
/s/ Srinivasan Vaidyanathan
Name: Srinivasan Vaidyanathan
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
Date: July 31, 202029, 2022