Enforcement Directorate Reportedly Finds No Forex Violations at Paytm Payments Bank

Investigation Uncovers KYC Rule Lapses Amid Paytm Payments Bank Review

According to a government source familiar with the matter, the ongoing investigation by India’s financial crime fighting agency regarding potential foreign exchange violations at Paytm Payments Bank has thus far not uncovered any breaches. The scrutiny follows an announcement last week by India’s Enforcement Directorate regarding the examination of overseas transactions conducted by Paytm Payments Bank, a subsidiary of One 97 Communications, widely recognized as Paytm.

The market response to this development has been stark, with Paytm shares plummeting over 50 percent since the Reserve Bank of India’s directive on January 31, which restricted Paytm Payments Bank from accepting new funds into its accounts or wallet. Consequently, this downturn has resulted in a staggering erosion of approximately $3.1 billion (around Rs. 25,736 crore) in shareholders’ wealth.

The investigation has found some lapses related so-called know-your-customer rules that verify the profiles of users, said the source.But, the “Enforcement Directorate has not yet detected any foreign exchange management act violations by Paytm Payments Bank,” the source said. Paytm, on Monday, replied with an earlier statement from last week saying it was providing information to the Enforcement Directorate and other authorities.

 

 

One 97 Communication shares rose by the exchange-allowed maximum of 5 percent for a second session on Monday, taking total gains to a little over 10 percent in two days.Paytm Payments Bank secured a 15-day extension for its wind-down to March 15 from the Reserve Bank of India on Friday.Also on Friday, Paytm said it signed on a new banking partner, Axis Bank, to try to keep some of its popular products running and survive its current crisis.

Bank accounts and said Paytm’s merchants being able to use the company’s QR codes, soundbox and card machines is a “major positive”.Citi analysts expects more banking partnerships, like the one with Axis, calling them “significant positives for ongoing business”.However, Citi kept its “sell” rating on the stock, while Bernstein maintained “outperform.”

Jefferies, however, said it would stop coverage of Paytm until news on regulatory actions “settles”. Two brokerages have dropped coverage in the past month, according to LSEG data.Now 13 analysts cover Paytm, with five of them recommending selling the stock, compared with none for the past year. The overall average rating, however, is the equivalent of “hold”, per LSEG data.The median price target on the stock has dropped 31 percent in the past month to Rs. 625. The stock is currently at Rs. 358.35.