Equitas Small Finance Bank grants 3 lakh ESOPs at ₹77.08

Equitas Small Finance Bank has granted 3,00,000 stock options to an eligible employee at an exercise price of ₹77.08 per share. The grant, approved by the Nomination & Remuneration Committee on June 24, 2026, is governed by the ESFB Employees Stock Option Scheme, 2019, which complies with SEBI (Share Based Employee Benefits and Sweat Equity) Regulations, 2021.

The shares arising from the exercise of these options will rank pari-passu with existing equity shares, including dividend rights. The options were granted at the market price as defined under the relevant SEBI regulations.

Vesting Schedule

The ESOPs will vest over a period of four years from the date of grant, with 25% vesting annually. The vesting is contingent upon continuity of service and performance assessment by the Nomination & Remuneration Committee or the Board.

Vesting Tranche	Vesting Date	Performance Period	No. of Options	Vesting Criteria
1st Vesting	Year 1 (Jun’27)	FY 25-26	75,000	50% continuity of service, 50% performance assessment
2nd Vesting	Year 2 (Jun’28)	FY 26-27	75,000	50% continuity of service, 50% performance assessment
3rd Vesting	Year 3 (Jun’29)	FY 27-28	75,000	50% continuity of service, 50% performance assessment
4th Vesting	Year 4 (Jun’30)	FY 28-29	75,000	50% continuity of service, 50% performance assessment

Exercise Details

The options can be exercised within three years from the date of vesting. Each stock option, upon exercise, will entitle the holder to one equity share of ₹10 each. The filing was made to the National Stock Exchange of India Limited and BSE Limited pursuant to Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

1 Day	5 Days	1 Month	6 Months	1 Year	5 Years
-0.06%	+0.82%	+1.82%	+15.38%	+25.95%	+20.68%

Equitas Small Finance Bank has revised its Foreign Currency Non-Resident (FCNR(B)) deposit rates to 7.13% per annum for US dollar deposits with a tenure of 3 to 5 years. This rate hike follows the Reserve Bank of India's special FCNR(B) swap facility, aimed at encouraging higher NRI fund inflows into India. The bank stated that this move positions it to offer NRIs a competitive combination of return, stability, and flexibility.

Revised Deposit Parameters

The updated deposit offering is designed to help NRIs preserve overseas earnings while insulating them from currency volatility. The key features of the revised FCNR(B) deposit are outlined below:

Parameter	Details
Deposit Type	FCNR (B)
Currency	US Dollars
Revised Interest Rate	7.13% per annum
Tenure	3-5 Years
Lock-in Period	1 Year

Strategic Alignment and Benefits

The rate revision aligns with the RBI's initiative to boost foreign currency inflows into the domestic banking system. FCNR(B) deposits allow non-resident Indians to maintain foreign currency deposits in India, shielding them from exchange rate risk while earning interest in the same currency. The deposits offer tax-free interest earnings in India and full repatriability of both principal and interest on maturity, subject to applicable regulations.

Murali Vaidyanathan, Country Head - Liabilities, Equitas Small Finance Bank Limited, highlighted that the RBI's recent regulation strengthens the appeal of FCNR(B) deposits by addressing hedging costs, making the bank's 7.13% rate a compelling option for NRIs.

Rupee-Denominated Options

In addition to FCNR(B) deposits, Equitas Small Finance Bank offers NRO and NRE Fixed and Recurring Deposits for NRIs preferring rupee-denominated investments. Fixed Deposits currently offer 7.75% per annum for 888 days, while Recurring Deposits provide 7.10% per annum for tenures ranging from 12 to 15 months.