These activities lead to the creation of larger, more efficient entities that can compete more effectively in the global market. formal merchant banking activity in india was originated in Over the years, merchant banking has played a critical role in shaping the economy of the country, especially the corporate industry. With the speculation about the growth of the Indian economy in the coming years, merchant banking is expected to impact the country’s business and economic sectors.

Types of Merchant Banks in India

In India, Merchant Bank services were formally started by an already well-established National Grindlays Bank in 1967, through its merchant banking division. Although it did not offer many financial services, but it was a start. Following in the footsteps, Citibank also set up a merchant banking department in 1970 and the State Bank of India in 1972. In the years to come, most of the commercial banks in India, like the ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, Syndicate Bank, Canara Bank, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India and many others set up their own merchant banking divisions to compete in this growing market. Later, private individuals and consultancy firms, both national and international also entered this race.

The FERA regulations in 1973, which required a large number of foreign companies to dilute their shareholdings in India, gave a boost to the merchant banking activities in India. Since then, a number of development banks and financial institutions such as IFCI and IDBI have also entered this field. With the advent of the industrial boom in India, there has been a growing need of Merchant Bankers. Businesses often require specialised banking services which are concentrated in nature. Hence, commercial bankers set up their merchant banking subsidiaries to cater  financial services for the corporate sector. Deregulation and liberalisation of the industry in India has accounted for changes in the financial sector.

Merchant Banking in India

She has spent a lot of time researching and writing about the ever-changing world of money-making games and websites, making her an expert at finding ways to make money online. The Third Chapter talks about the General Obligations and Responsibilities that a registered Merchant Banker has to undertake. These include the General Code of Conduct, auditing of accounts, disclosure of information and other necessary operating guidelines. This category of Merchant Bankers can only act as Advisors or Consultants regarding an issue of capital. This is only a suggestive and not an exhaustive list of the services that the Merchant Banks provide to a wide variety of clients.

Objectives of Merchant Banks

Project counselling which includes credit-syndication and the working capital.

With the passage of time merchant banking activities have changed in line with the changing need pattern of the enterprises in the wake of economic development. The inception of merchant banking in India can be traced back to the early 1960s when the need for sophisticated financial advisory services became apparent. The establishment of the Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI) in 1948 marked the beginning of formal merchant banking activities. They are pretty different from normal commercial banks in several ways. For example, commercial banks generally accept deposits and give loans, but merchant banks only offer consultation and management for a certain charge.

Merchant banks must obtain a certificate of registration from SEBI to operate in India. This ensures that only qualified and competent entities engage in merchant banking activities, protecting the interests of investors and maintaining market integrity. Merchant Banks are financial institutions which provide services such as issue management, consultancy, portfolio management and underwritings. These are different from the commercial banks in the sense that they do not accept deposits or provide loans to the general public. Merchant banks contribute significantly to the industrial growth of India by providing essential financial services to corporations.

What are Merchant Banks?

Emerging trends such as fintech integration, increased foreign direct investment and evolving regulatory frameworks will likely shape the sector. Merchant banks are positioned to leverage these trends to enhance their service offerings and expand their market reach. The continued emphasis on infrastructure development, industrial growth, and the rise of new industries will provide ample opportunities for merchant banks to grow and diversify their portfolios. As they adapt to changing market dynamics, merchant banks will continue to play a critical role in India’s financial ecosystem. In the United States of America (USA), they are called ‘Investment Banks’, while in the United Kingdom (UK), they are known as ‘accepting and issuing houses’.

Other banks also started these services such as PNB, Bank of India, UCO Bank, etc. The Second Chapter deals with the Registration and Certification of Merchant Bankers in India. It lays out certain Operational Capabilities and Capital Requirements that need to be fulfilled to register as a Merchant Banker in India. For e.g., Section 7 of the regulations state that a capital adequacy requirement of net worth of Rupees Five Crores needs to be fulfilled. Sushma is an expert in online money-making strategies with extensive experience in business.

Characteristics and functions of Central Banks

They only accept deposits and offer loans only to a few clients and not to the general public. We are a growing investment bank and a SEBI-registered Category I Merchant Bank. Our services include mergers and acquisitions, private equity, debt solutions, structured finance, capital market solutions, transaction advisory, valuations, enterprise risk and tax services, and training. One of the key regulations involves the maintenance of minimum net worth requirements, which ensures that merchant banks have sufficient financial resources to undertake their activities and absorb potential losses. Additionally, SEBI mandates that merchant banks adhere to a strict code of conduct, which includes provisions related to fair dealing, conflict of interest, and transparency.

• Following in the footsteps, Citibank also set up a merchant banking department in 1970 and the State Bank of India in 1972.
• The schedule by SEBI also comprises of the format of substantial forms and reports and states the fees that are required to be paid for different purposes.
• This category of Merchant Bankers can only act as Advisors or Consultants regarding an issue of capital.
• In addition to supporting corporate growth, merchant banks also promote foreign investments.
• These are known as the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Merchant Bankers) Regulations, 1992, and have been regularly amended to keep up with the changing market conditions.

Merchant Banking in India: An In-Depth Analysis

The Merchant Banking industry in India which started with large foreign banks and firms and were then adopted by Indian Commercial Banks and firms as well, have faced various challenges over the years. The period of economic liberalisation in the 1990s saw new opportunities open up as more and more individuals and businesses started to expand. Although these banks are subject to many rules and regulations framed by the SEBI as well as the Reserve Bank of India, they continue to flourish. Now with changing international conditions and consumer trends, it is upto the government to bring in reforms which protect the interests of the customers as well as provide a platform for these banking services to prosper. SEBI has prescribed capital adequacy norms for registration of the various categories of merchant bankers. The capital adequacy is expressed in terms of minimum net worth, i.e., capital contributed to the business plus free reserves.

In addition to supporting corporate growth, merchant banks also promote foreign investments. They act as intermediaries between foreign investors and Indian businesses, providing advisory services that help navigate the regulatory environment and identify attractive investment opportunities. By attracting foreign capital, merchant banks contribute to the overall economic development of the country, fostering job creation, and enhancing infrastructure. Furthermore, merchant banks play a critical role in the development of new and emerging industries by providing the necessary financial support and strategic guidance. This includes sectors such as technology, renewable energy, and biotechnology, which are essential for sustainable economic growth. The future of merchant banking in India looks promising, with expected growth driven by economic expansion and technological advancements.

They play a pivotal role in the capital formation process by helping companies raise funds through equity and debt instruments. This influx of capital is crucial for businesses to expand their operations, invest in new technologies, and enhance their competitive edge. Merchant banks facilitate mergers and acquisitions, helping companies to expand and consolidate their operations.

Private brokers and financial consultancy firms have also been quite active in the field of merchant banking. They, infact, have given a tough competition to the commercial banks in the operations of merchant banking. The schedule by SEBI also comprises of the format of substantial forms and reports and states the fees that are required to be paid for different purposes.

• The merchant banker primarily came into being as corporate counsellors for restructuring base of capital, thereafter for issue management and underwriting of the same.
• In the United States of America (USA), they are called ‘Investment Banks’, while in the United Kingdom (UK), they are known as ‘accepting and issuing houses’.
• During the 1970s, the concept of merchant banking gained momentum with the entry of commercial banks and foreign banks, which established dedicated merchant banking divisions.
• Merchant Banks can be defined as financial institutions which provide a wide range of financial services such as consultation, management, counselling to large corporate houses or individuals.
• Merchant banking provides financial and advisory services to corporate clients.

The liberalization of the Indian economy in the early 1990s further spurred the growth of merchant banking, attracting numerous private-sector players. Today, merchant banks play a crucial role in the Indian financial market, offering a wide array of services that cater to the complex needs of modern businesses. Merchant banking, a critical financial services industry segment, plays a pivotal role in fostering corporate growth and facilitating complex financial transactions. In India, merchant banks are essential in guiding businesses through mergers and acquisitions, underwriting, and providing advisory services, thereby contributing significantly to the nation’s economic development. These institutions serve as intermediaries between issuers and investors, providing specialized financial services that traditional banks do not offer. By leveraging their expertise in financial management, merchant banks help companies optimize their capital structure, enhance their market value, and achieve strategic objectives.