New Delhi: In a significant move towards strengthening leadership across public sector banks, the government has appointed Kalyan Kumar as the Head of Central Bank of India for a period of three years. The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by the Prime Minister.
Kumar brings with him over 26 years of rich experience in the banking sector, having held diverse roles across operational, strategic, and leadership domains. His appointment signals a strategic thrust toward digital transformation, business growth, and ESG-centric governance at Central Bank of India.
Currently, serving as Executive Director at Punjab National Bank (PNB), Kumar has played a pivotal role in steering profit and loss delivery across key business and control functions. He has been at the helm of initiatives that align with the evolving needs of a modern banking ecosystem—most notably in digital transformation, strategic management, data analytics, and information technology excellence.
Responsibilities Ahead
As the head of Central Bank of India, Kumar will be entrusted with reshaping the bank’s strategic vision amid a rapidly changing financial landscape. Key focus areas will include:
- Accelerating digital adoption and customer-centric innovations.
- Driving business growth across retail, MSME, and corporate banking.
- Enhancing operational efficiency through business process re-engineering.
- Uplifting employee productivity via performance-oriented HR practices.
- Strengthening asset quality and credit monitoring to ensure sustained profitability.
Kumar’s prior leadership of PNB’s ‘Udaan’ HR transformation and Wealth Management Vertical are expected to find continuity at Central Bank of India. His oversight in business acquisition, relationship management, and ESG programs positions him to tackle the unique challenges and opportunities ahead.
Experience and Credentials
A postgraduate in science from Rajendra Prasad Agriculture University, Kumar is also a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB), with professional certifications in Trade Finance, SME Finance, IT Security, and KYC-AML.
He was currently serving as Chairman on the Boards of PNB Gilts Ltd. and PNB Cards & Services Ltd., and holds board positions at IIFCL and NIBSCOM. His past participation in the Banks Board Bureau’s Top Leadership Program and Harvard-led Director Development Programme reflect a strong grounding in strategic governance.
Notably, Kumar began his banking career in 1995 with Union Bank of India, rising through roles ranging from Branch Head to Chief General Manager-HR. His leadership was instrumental in the successful amalgamation of Andhra Bank and Corporation Bank into Union Bank, where he also led the HR digital transformation project ‘Union Prerna’.
A Strategic Opportunity
Kumar’s appointment comes at a time when public sector banks are aligning with the government’s broader agenda of financial inclusion, technological innovation, and green banking practices. His ability to balance profitability with purpose-driven banking—through initiatives like PNB Palaash, a sustainability campaign—suggests a future-forward approach for Central Bank of India. Industry observers see this as an opportunity for the bank to solidify its position as a modern, tech-enabled, and customer-centric institution under Kumar’s stewardship.
About Central Bank of India
Central Bank of India, also headquartered in Mumbai, is among the oldest nationalized banks in the country. Known for its extensive branch network, the bank supports priority sector lending, rural development, and various flagship government programs.
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