BackPNB says enough assets to meet fraud-related liabilities
PNB said it has enough assets and capital to meet any liabilities arising from the fraud involving jewellers Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi and their firms
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New Delhi: Responding to Nirav Modi’s claims about the bank closing all recovery options, Punjab National Bank on Thursday said it has followed lawful avenues to recover its dues.
In a regulatory filing, it also said it has enough assets and capital to meet any liabilities arising from the fraud.
Last week, PNB reported a Rs11,400 crore fraud involving jewellers Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi and their group firms and some errant bank employees.
Earlier this week, in a letter, Modi had alleged that PNB’s overzealousness had shut the doors on his ability to clear the dues. He had also said that the money he owed banks was less than Rs5,000 crore and not what was publicised. He had also blamed the bank and its “anxiety to recover dues immediately", for destroying his brand and business and closing all options for a possible repayment of dues.
In a clarification to the stock exchanges about the letter, PNB said, “We have followed lawful avenues available to us as per law to recover our dues."
Also read: Shame on you crazy diamond bankers. Punjab National Bank was no lone wolf
The bank also sought to assuage the concerns of investors and customers about the impact of the fraud on the financials and operations of the bank.
“We have enough assets/capital to meet any liability which is decided as per the law," the bank said.
The bank had a capital adequacy ratio of 11.58% as of December end. It will get an additional Rs5,473 crore as capital from the government in the quarter ending March.
It also has huge real estate holdings that it plans to monetize. It also has joint ventures in the insurance and mutual funds space which it can completely or partially exit depending on its requirements.
On Thursday, PNB shares closed at Rs114.65, down 2.09% on BSE, while the Sensex closed 0.07% lower at 33,819.50 points.
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