Bhattacharya stakes her reputation on transforming State Bank of India

Arundhati Bhattacharya already had one of the toughest jobs in India as chairman of State Bank of India. Not only is it the country’s largest financial institution, but it is also woven inextricably into India’s social fabric. She has made her job harder still by proposing a seven-sided bank merger. But as technological innovation increases and as asset quality plunges across public banks, bigger may not necessarily be better.

flipping-woman-copy03-400x557.jpg


Illustration: Paul Daviz

Arundhati Bhattacharya sweeps into the room at a pace just a notch short of jogging. “It is raining cats and dogs!” she exclaims. “How could you not be happy on a day like this?” It is in fact an unspeakable day in Mumbai, great sheets of rain gusting over Nariman Point off the Arabian Sea, but Bhattacharya has a tendency to see the positives: rain alleviates drought, meaning fewer distressed customers.

It’s useful to be able to see the positives in this job.

Access intelligence that drives action

To unlock this research, enter your email to log in or enquire about access