Fairfax to pick up stake in Catholic Syrian Bank

(Disclosure:I am market making in the shares of CSB)

Canadian billionaire Prem Watsa’s Fairfax Financial Holdings is looking to acquire more than 10% stake in Kerala-based Catholic Syrian Bank, people familiar with the development told ET. Watsa’s latest Indian bet is seen as part of the Canadian billionaire’s plan to establish a conglomerate in India with interests in fields ranging from banking, insurance, broking, infrastructure and chemicals.

A proposal to this regard has also been submitted to the Reserve Bank of India, sources said. “The bank needs constant capital …we are talking to many investors including Fairfax,” said S Santhanakrishnan chairman, Catholic Syrian Bank. A mail sent to Fairfax Financial did not elicit any response until press time Sunday.

–from ET