Bandhan Bank faces ₹200 crore insurance hit

Kolkata: Bandhan Bank anticipates a significant loss of Rs 200 crore in annual income if the proposed lower commissions on insurance distribution are implemented, according to financial reports. The bank is adapting its business strategies to offset the projected loss, with managing director Partha Pratim Sengupta revealing that the company is focusing on mutual fund distribution to compensate for the reduced income.

Sengupta stated that the bank has multiple options to mitigate the impact, including introducing new product lines. The Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority (IRDA) has proposed changes to third-party product distribution, which would lower commission income for banks. Bandhan Bank, which generated Rs 156 crore from distributing third-party products in the second quarter, primarily from insurance sales, is exploring alternatives to maintain profitability.

Sengupta also noted that the bank's exposure to the drought situation in Karnataka and Maharashtra is minimal, with only 1% and 2.6% of its unsecured emerging enterprise business located in these states, respectively.