Hyderabad-born Prem Watsa, the founder, chairman and chief executive of Toronto-based Fairfax Financial Holdings, is often called the Warren Buffett of Canada for his ability to spot investment opportunities ahead of others and turn around non-performing enterprises.
V Prem Watsa, the India-born billionaire and promoter-chairman of Toronto-based Fairfax Financial Holdings, a $30-billion plus insurance and investment company, is often referred to as the "Canadian Buffett," a reference to the famous billionaire founder of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett.
Often called Canada's version of Warren Buffet, Watsa preaches a long view that suggests it may be too early to assess his decision to take on a leading 10 per cent stake in BlackBerry.
Often called Canada's version of Warren Buffet, Watsa preaches a long view that suggests it may be too early to assess his decision to take on a leading 10 per cent stake in BlackBerry.
In Debasish Panda's last board meeting as chairperson of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai), the regulator approved the "R2" licence for Kamlesh Goyal and Prem Watsa-backed Value Attics Reinsurance, making it the first private-sector Indian reinsurer after GIC Re, the public-sector reinsurer. "The authority reviewed and approved the R2 application of Value Attics Reinsurance, making it the first private-sector reinsurer after GIC Re, the public-sector reinsurer.
Watsa, who has always believed in founders and management of the companies he invests in, has said that he restarted talks for the Catholic Syrian Bank deal due to CEO C V R Rajendran's initiatives
Fairfax Financial Holdings made three investments in a month
Months before Fairfax Financial Holdings Inc bid $4.7 billion for BlackBerry Ltd, Fairfax boss Prem Watsa played a role in securing a golden parachute worth as much as $55 million for the smartphone maker's chief executive.
The investors also have an option to purchase additional $250 million worth of debentures in 30 days.
BlackBerry Ltd's decision to accept a $1 billion cash injection from a group of investors led by Canadian financier Prem Watsa shocked other potential bidders for the smartphone maker and has left some investors crying foul.
BlackBerry co-founders Mike Lazaridis and Douglas Fregin are considering a bid to buy the struggling smartphone maker, according to a securities filing on Thursday, raising the prospect of an alternative to a $4.7 billion offer led by its top shareholder.
As Research in Motion goes through a major shake-up, Fairfax Financial founder Prem Watsa has taken a seat on its board, expanding it to 11 members.
The IIT-Madras alumnus, who moved to Canada for an MBA programme and settled there, is not new to investing in India.
June was a memorable month for the 101-year-old Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB). Last month, the Thoothukudi-based bank witnessed two new landmarks in a history in which the last three decades could easily qualify for a Kollywood blockbuster.
Slots, parking bays unavailable at major airports
The coming years could be exciting for Bandhan Bank, IDBI Bank, IDFC First Bank, Federal Bank, and CSB Bank.
Unlike last year, investors turn cautious on e-commerce sector.
Ajit Issac started as a management trainee at Godrej.
For FY21, CSB is looking at growth of around 25 per cent and is confident of doubling it in two years. And it is also exploring options to acquire a mid-size bank with a good client base and branches in the north to acquire an all-India presence.
Invests $1.1 billion in 6 months, against $3.7 billion in 20 years
Its obsession for growth, chasing corporate clients and giving up its original mandate of meeting the needs of local trade and businesses. A quarter of its loan book has gone bad. That's an error of business strategy, points out Tamal Bandyopadhyay.
This was because his wife Anu was not able to join him in Seattle, due to the existing US law that said if a green card holder marries, his/her spouse's visa is rejected.
'It's a toss-up between a fire sale of equity or merger with a strong bank,' points out Tamal Bandyopadhyay.
Private equity investing can be rewarding, but an investor needs to be patient as exiting can be tricky and these assets do not provide instant liquidity.
India-located funds have already raised $3.9 billion so far this year.
Bidders eyeing parts of Canadian smartphone maker than the whole company, say sources
Unlike in the past, when old private banks compromised upon underwriting standards to take on the bulk, they've now realised that scaling up at the cost of quality isn't worth the while. These banks have also readjusted growth targets when required, and rebalanced books to preserve capital and asset quality.
In its latest transition, the company will also double up as an investment vehicle.
The government has made it much harder for tycoons to get special dispensations from Delhi
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