Image Source: Moneycontrol
In a significant move to ensure leadership continuity, the Government of India has extended the tenure of Swarup Kumar Saha as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Punjab & Sind Bank until February 28, 2027. Saha, who took charge as MD & CEO in June 2022, will now spearhead the bank’s ambitious expansion and transformation plans for nearly two more years.
Key Highlights
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Tenure Extension: The Union government has officially extended Saha’s tenure, which was set to end on June 2, 2025, reflecting strong confidence in his leadership.
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Branch Network Expansion: Under Saha’s guidance, the bank is set to ramp up its branch network from 1,584 to 2,000 by March 2027, with most new branches opening outside Punjab to tap growth markets.
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Focus on Retail, Agriculture, MSME (RAM): The bank aims to increase RAM lending to 60% of its portfolio, up from the current 54.2%, to enhance profitability and reduce risk.
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Capital Raising Initiatives: Punjab & Sind Bank recently raised ₹3,000 crore through its maiden infrastructure bonds and plans to raise an additional ₹2,000 crore via Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) to strengthen its capital base.
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Credit Growth Targets: With improved liquidity from capital raising and a recent CRR cut, the bank has revised its loan growth target to 14-15% for FY25, up from the earlier 10-12%.
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Asset Quality Improvements: Saha’s strategy includes bringing the gross NPA ratio below 3.5% and net NPA below 1% by March 2025, while maintaining net interest margins between 2.75% and 2.80%.
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Digital and Co-Lending Push: The bank plans to add thousands of new touchpoints and expand co-lending partnerships to drive growth and financial inclusion.
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Leadership Track Record: Saha brings over three decades of experience across major public sector banks, with expertise in treasury, risk management, HR, and international banking.
“We want to take our branch network up from 1,584 as of 31 December 2024 to 2,000 by March 2027. This expansion will be mainly outside the state of Punjab. For us to expand, we need to set up new branches in other parts of the country,” — Swarup Kumar Saha.
With this extension, Punjab & Sind Bank is poised to accelerate its transformation, leveraging Saha’s experience to boost profitability, strengthen asset quality, and expand its national footprint.
Source: Business Standard, IndianBankingNews.com, Punjab & Sind Bank Official Website.
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