Inside the IndusInd Bank Derivative Crisis: A ₹2,000 Crore Puzzle

In the intricate world of banking, where trust and financial transparency are paramount, even minor discrepancies can ripple into major crises. IndusInd Bank, the 5th largest private sector bank in India serving over 40 million customers, has recently uncovered discrepancies of ₹2,000 crore in its derivatives transactions. The crisis stem from miscalculations in hedging costs tied to foreign currency deposits, particularly the bank’s aggressive expansion into Non-Resident Indian (NRI) deposits. While these deposits provided liquidity stability, they exposed gaps in the bank’s internal accounting practices and risk management frameworks. This miscalculation has caused a sharp decline in bank’s stock value, drawing intense regulatory scrutiny from SEBI and RBI. Let’s explore how this mismanagement occurred, its consequences, and the steps taken by the bank and the regulatory bodies to address this crisis. Timeline of Events Here is a brief overview of the key events: Ja...