SBI Seeks $1.25 Billion in 2024’s Largest Dollar-Denominated Loan

State Bank of India (SBI) is aiming to secure a $1.25 billion five-year loan, which would be the largest dollar-denominated loan from India’s financial sector in 2024. The loan, arranged by CTBC Bank, HSBC, and Taipei Fubon Bank, will be used for general corporate purposes. SBI’s move follows a trend of increasing foreign currency borrowing by Indian financial institutions, particularly non-banking finance companies (NBFCs), due to stricter domestic regulations. Despite the rising demand, India’s total dollar-denominated loan volume has decreased by 27% this year.

Key Loan Details

Loan Amount: Up to $1.25 billion

Duration: Five years

Interest Margin: 92.5 basis points over the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR)

Purpose: General corporate needs

Arrangement: By CTBC Bank, HSBC, and Taipei Fubon Bank

Location: Gujarat International Finance Tec-City

Industry Context

SBI’s move to raise foreign currency debt is part of a broader trend seen among Indian financial institutions. Non-banking finance companies (NBFCs), especially, have increasingly tapped into dollar-denominated loans due to tighter domestic regulations. For example, Cholamandalam Investment & Finance Co. has recently sought a $300 million syndicated term facility.

Comparisons with Past Borrowings

This loan follows SBI’s $750 million borrowing raised earlier in July 2024, showcasing the bank’s continued reliance on international markets to raise funds. Despite such high-profile transactions, India’s dollar loan volume has shrunk by 27% in 2024, largely due to the absence of large corporate borrowings, with a total of $14.2 billion raised this year.

Summery of the News