Fairfax Emerges Preferred Bidder for IDBI Bank Stake

19 July 2026National

Canada-based Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited emerged as the preferred bidder to acquire a 60.72% stake in IDBI Bank in July 2026, a significant step in the government's long-pending strategic disinvestment of the lender. The Government of India and Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) together are divesting the 60.72% stake. Fairfax is led by India-born billionaire Prem Watsa.

Static GK

IDBI Bank reclassified as a private bank by RBI in 2019 after LIC took majority control | LIC established 1956, HQ Mumbai | Disinvestment handled by DIPAM under Finance Ministry | Prem Watsa: "Warren Buffett of Canada"

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Fairfax Financial Holdings (Canada, led by Prem Watsa) became the preferred bidder for the 60.72% stake in IDBI Bank being divested by the Government of India and LIC.

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