ESOPs by private banks pick pace as employee churn intensifies
The pace of employee stock allocations by private banks under ESOP (Employee Share Ownership Plan) increased at a rapid pace in FY24 amid higher attrition rates in FY22 and FY23.
Most of the private sector banks such as ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and some small financial banks have issued ESOPs since the beginning of the current financial year, in one or more tranches.
“ESOP provisions slowed during the pandemic as both employees and employers grappled with uncertainty. We’re starting to see some issues from the second half of 2022 as the momentum picks up in 2023,” said an industry executive.
During January-March, banks such as Bandhan Bank, YES Bank and Axis Bank allot shares under ESOPs.
Also known as ESOS (Employee Stock Option Scheme) or ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan), ESOPs are usually offered by companies as benefit plans to employees which give them an ownership interest in the organization by way of shares as direct stock, profit-sharing plans, or bonuses.
Talent retention
Industry participants said the increase in the frequency of ESOP cases is likely an attempt by banks, which are grappling with high attrition rates, as one incentive to retain key talent.
They added that some banks have also promised to implement ESOPs during the pandemic as a way to retain and attract talent, and as working conditions improve, they are now fulfilling these commitments.
Private Banks Annual Reports for FY23 showed that most of the lenders witnessed high employee turnover rates of more than 30 percent with Kotak Bank’s turnover rising to 46 percent. These levels are well above FY22 and a sharp increase from FY21 levels when turnover rates were at 15-29 per cent.
As competition for talent intensified across banking, financial services and other sectors, FY23 saw an increase in ESOP allocations by other large entities such as ICICI Lombard General Insurance and Paytm.