The year 2008-09 is known as the time of
one of the greatest financial crises that loomed upon the global economy. The
Indian economy was also impacted deeply and Rana Kapoor, a visionary emerged to help those in need.
More than a decade ago, the whole world
faced a financial crisis. The Financial crisis of 2007-2008 was not a sudden
jolt to the world, instead, it was brewing for a long time. In 2007, financial
markets across the globe were brimming with signs that the reckoning was near
due to a years-long binge on cheap credit. Many investors saw the worst
financial crisis in nearly the past eighty years coming and also the triggering
of a global recession.
The inception of the financial crisis
occurred during the years of rock-bottom interest rates and loose lending
standards that ultimately led to a housing price bubble in the U.S. As early as
2007, one prime lender after another started filing for bankruptcy. It was
turning out to be financially and economically disastrous. The economic
recession precipitated in the United States and from the beginning of the
recession in December 2007 to its end in June 2009, the real GDP of the US
declined by 4.3% and unemployment increased from 5% to 9.5%, reaching 10% in October
2009. The World Bank estimates that the Recession of 2008-2009 resulted in an
increase in poverty of 64 million people by 2010.
India did not emerge from the global
financial crisis unscathed; in fact, it was one of the biggest victims of
recession-induced poverty. According to the UNDESA data, the 2.1% decline in
IndiaÂs GDP growth rate turned into a 2.8% increase in the incidence of
poverty.
The Indian trade community was doing no
better. Industrial production increased by only 2.7%, a significant drop from
the 9.2% average growth in the previous four years. This contributed to the
economy growing at only 6.7%. The BSE Index, which had been rising over an
extended period, lost 37.9% of its value, severely affecting household wealth
and the ability of businesses to raise money in the capital market. Rising
commodity prices in world markets led to a sharp increase in inflation rates.
The Indian Rupee had depreciated resulting in the rise of debt service cost. To
rectify the situation, India intervened in the foreign exchange market to
support its currency using its foreign reserves, which declined from US$ 309.7
billion in 2007-08 to US$ 252 billion in 2008-09.
In this time of distress, Rana Kapoor,
the co-founder, former Managing Director, and CEO of IndiaÂs fourth-largest
private bank- Yes Bank opened the doors for India Inc. The market veteran and
visionary held great hopes and visions for the countryÂs economy and was
steadfast in his support to the Indian business community.
During the global financial crisis of
2008, while organizations were inward-looking, cutting down on costs and
investments, Yes Bank under Rana KapoorÂs leadership took a contrarian approach
by increasing investments across the board. While other Indian banks were
cutting down on providing credit, Yes Bank was able to tap into opportunity in
this adversity by converting large, highly rated companies into their customers
while helping these companies tide through the challenging period. Yes Bank was
able to strengthen client relationships, build its branch network, and hire
highly skilled personnel thereby building value for their customers and the
ÂYes Bank brand.
Rana Kapoor is a man who has never said
no to an opportunity as well as a challenge. He always believed in conquering
the fear and difficulties to achieve oneÂs goals. He wanted to instill the same
enthusiasm and determination in the minds of the people of India.
A
company like Greenko- one of IndiaÂs leading Renewable Energy companies was
bound to face a crisis due to a debt of INR 45 cr in 2008. Rana Kapoor and Yes
Bank stepped in and offered support in terms of loans to help the company
survive and grow in those difficult times. Mr. Kapoor showed immense belief and
had a deep conviction in the company, Yes Bank also became the financial
advisor to Greenko consequently helping it to secure fundings from various
entities. Today global GREENKO is a huge company with a much higher valuation.
The risk-calculated approach taken by
Rana Kapoor during the time of distress helped several large companies in India
sustain and grow. As determined as ever, Rana Kapoor held the hand of numerous
SMEs too which turned out to be successful. He became the savior for many and a
man to look up to. Seizing the opportunity in the face of adversity, Dr. Kapoor
came to be known as the Âlender of choiceÂ.
Yes Bank thrived consistently under Mr.
KapoorÂs term. Yes Bank recorded an increase of approximately 52% in the net
profits. It was ?200.02 crores in the year 2008-09 and ?303.84 crores in
2009-10. Even during the years of financial recession, Yes Bank showed growth
and potential.
